'Dozens died in Syrian-Iranian chemical weapons experiment'  —  Proof of cooperation between Iran and Syria in the proliferation and development of weapons of mass destruction was brought to light Monday in a Jane's Defence Weekly report that dozens of Iranian engineers and 15 Syrian officers were killed in a July 23 accident in Syria.

Meet the future savior of journalism: "FamousWriterMan@aol.com", a/k/a Taserman "The Andrew Meyer"  —  It figures.  —  He's a journalist.  —  In fact, now 21-year-old University of Florida student journalist Andrew Meyer — or "The Andrew Mayer," based on his personal Web site …

Webb's Righteous Amendment  —  The best thing about the grey eminence John Warner finally leaving the Senate is that he will no longer be around to play Lucy pulling the football away from the Democrats at the last minute any more.  For some reason, the political establishment persists …

Mystery illness strikes after meteorite hits Peruvian village  —  LIMA (AFP) - Villagers in southern Peru were struck by a mysterious illness after a meteorite made a fiery crash to Earth in their area, regional authorities said Monday.  —  Around midday Saturday, villagers were startled …

Researchers say many languages are dying  —  WASHINGTON - When every known speaker of the language Amurdag gets together, there's still no one to talk to.  Native Australian Charlie Mangulda is the only person alive known to speak that language, one of thousands around the world on the brink of extinction.

U.S. Working to Reshape Iraqi Detainees  —  Moderate Muslims Enlisted to Steer Adults and Children Away From Insurgency  —  The U.S. military has introduced "religious enlightenment" and other education programs for Iraqi detainees, some of whom are as young as 11, Marine Maj. Gen. Douglas M. Stone …

Poll: Public not swayed by Petraeus  —  WASHINGTON — A plurality of Americans say Gen. David Petraeus' proposal to begin withdrawing some U.S. forces from Iraq is on the right track, but his long-awaited testimony to Congress last week failed to change fundamental attitudes toward the war.

Democrats chuck Iraq compromise  —  Senate Democrats, who have spent weeks trying to woo Republicans to help end the war in Iraq, have taken a hard turn against compromise.  —  They now believe their best political strategy is to continue to play to a stalemate and blame an intransigent President Bush …

Paulose under investigation by feds  —  The federal Office of Special Counsel is investigating allegations that Rachel Paulose, U.S. attorney for Minnesota, mishandled classified information, decided to fire the subordinate who called it to her attention, retaliated against others in the office …

Stevens, Inouye top defense earmarks list at over $180M each; Byrd next at $166M  —  Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) are among the biggest winners in the 2008 Appropriations defense bill, according to data gathered by The Hill and the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS).

Hot Air TV: Rep. Jack Murtha confronted about Haditha accusations Updated  —  We've just obtained video of Rep. Jack Murtha being directly confronted over repeatedly accusing the Haditha Marines of murdering Iraqis "in cold blood."  I'm editing and processing it now, so we should have it online before too long.

Clinton Rejects Rival's Attack on Luncheon  —  The campaigns of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards traded pointed criticisms yesterday over Mrs. Clinton's use of a Washington luncheon for fund-raising.  —  The confrontation started with Mr. Edwards's campaign attacking …

Debate No-Shows Worry GOP Leaders  —  Candidates Are Urged to Attend Forums Sponsored by Minorities  —  Key Republican leaders are encouraging the party's presidential candidates to rethink their decision to skip presidential debates focusing on issues important to minorities …

the claim  —  "You know, you look back over our history, and it doesn't take you long to realize that our people have shed more blood for other people's liberty than any other combination of nations in the history of the world.''  — Fred D. Thompson, stump speech in Des Moines, Sept. 7

Introducing This Blog  —  "I was born in 1953.  Like the rest of my generation, I took the America I grew up in for granted - in fact, like many in my generation I railed against the very real injustices of our society, marched against the bombing of Cambodia, went door to door for liberal candidates.