Schumer Eats His Words, Up-Chucks  —  Chuck Schumer has begun his rapid retreat from his statements of support for Michael Mukasey.  The New York Sun reports that Schumer, who had openly championed Mukasey as a "consensus candidate" to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General …

Fox censors Sally Field's anti-war speech at Emmy's.  —  At tonight's Emmy Awards show, the audience cheered Sally Field's acceptance speech, which the recognized mothers of U.S. troops.  "Surely this [award] belongs to all the mothers of the world," she stated.  "May they be seen, may their work be valued and raised.

Clinton unveils health care plan  —  DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday offered a sweeping health care reform plan to ensure coverage for all Americans with federal assistance to help defray the cost.  —  Thirteen years after her first effort …

Getting At 'The Truth'  —  We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you an important development from the media world.  —  Ron Brownstein has been a fixture at the Los Angeles Times for nearly two decades, an influential political reporter and talking head who delves into policy as well as campaign strategy.

Greenspan: Ouster Of Hussein Crucial For Oil Security  —  Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman, said in an interview that the removal of Saddam Hussein had been "essential" to secure world oil supplies, a point he emphasized to the White House in private conversations before the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

'Help Wanted' Ad Belies Report on Iraq Security  —  A week ago today, Gen. David H. Petraeus started his rounds on Capitol Hill, reporting that security in Iraq was improving to the point that a small number of troops could begin coming home by year's end.  —  But 10 days ago …

Blackwater Security banned from Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq's Interior Ministry has revoked the license of Blackwater USA, an American security firm whose contractors are blamed for a Sunday gunbattle in Baghdad that left eight civilians dead.  —  Sunday's firefight took place near Nusoor Square …

The Benefits Of Showing A Little Spine  —  What happens when you show a little spine up front?  Via the WaPo: … This was the appropriate response, swiftly rolled out, firmly communicated, and designed to take advantage of the weakened posture of the Bush WH on legal and ethical matters.

Little Tet  —  Al-Qaeda announces its Ramadan offensive.  No indication as yet al-Qaeda is capable of a Tet, but an indication they may be trying.  AP: … Meanwhile, … Good luck with that. … AP's own reporting would suggest it is inspiring Shiites to jump on the bandwagon.

IDF demands uncut al-Dura tape  —  The IDF has abandoned its official silence in a seven-year-old case that has been characterized as a "blood libel" against the IDF and the State of Israel.  —  On September 10, the deputy commander of the IDF's Spokesman's Office, Col. Shlomi Am-Shalom …

Former Mexico pres. calls Bush 'cockiest guy I've ever met'  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - The two leaders shared a border for six years, but former Mexico President Vicente Fox gives a tough assessment on President Bush in a new book out next month, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Crocker Blasts Refugee Process  —  Iraqis Could Wait 2 Years for Entry, Ambassador Says  —  The U.S. ambassador to Iraq warned that it may take the U.S. government as long as two years to process and admit nearly 10,000 Iraqi refugees referred by the United Nations for resettlement to the United States …