By Bush's Own Standard, Surge Has Failed  —  Before Gen. David Petraeus' report, and to give it a context of optimism, the president visited Iraq's Anbar province to underscore the success of the surge in making some hitherto anarchic areas less so.  More significant, however, was the fact that the president did not visit Baghdad.

Clinton to return $850,000 raised by Hsu  —  WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign said Monday it will return $850,000 in donations raised by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws.

Romney Adviser Linked to Anti-Thompson Internet Site  —  A top adviser to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney appears to be behind the launch of a new Web site attacking GOP presidential rival Fred D. Thompson during his first week on the trail.  —  The site, PhoneyFred.org …

Young Muslims begin dangerous fight for the right to abandon faith  —  A group of young Muslim apostates launches a campaign today, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, to make it easier to renounce Islam.  —  The provocative move reflects a growing rift between traditionalists …

Arrests in Brussels  —  Note: The earliest reports are at the bottom of this post.  —  The English-language MSM has picked it up now.  This is an AP story from The International Herald Tribune: … Update 8:48 am EDT  —  SD sends another amended machine translation, this one from the French.

Fred completes overhaul, campaign goes 'corporate'  —  Fred Thompson has put the finishing touches on a six-week staff sweep that has transformed his campaign from a guerrilla-tactics style insurgency into more of a "corporate" machine that will follow a traditional playbook.

Colin Powell: Terrorists are not greatest threat to nation  —  In an interview with GQ magazine that's scheduled to be put online here at 11 a.m. ET, former secretary of State and one-time potential presidential candidate Colin Powell has this to say about terrorism and the threat it poses to the USA:

Six Years Later — We Will Not Forget  —  [NOTE: The following post appeared last year, and we're running it again this year.]  —  SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 … This 9/11 memorial post is a compilation of commentary, news reports, eyewitness accounts and pictures not only from that day …