BREAKING: Warner, McCain To Propose Toothless, Watered-Down Version Of Webb Amendment  —  Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), an ardent opponent of a pro-troop measure to relieve the stress on the overstretched armed forces, announced he will propose a toothless …

Senate Rejects to Expand Detainee Rights  —  WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Senate narrowly rejected legislation on Wednesday that would have given military detainees the right to protest their detention in federal court.  —  The 56-43 vote against the bill, by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. …

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.

Jackson criticizes Obama  —  Presidential candidate's response to Jena, La., case called too weak  —  The Rev. Jesse Jackson called Tuesday on Democrats seeking the 2008 nomination for president to give S.C. voters "something to vote for" when they go to the polls in January.

Widow of Luke pilot lashes out at media  —  Days after an al-Qaida-linked group released a video showing the body of a Luke Air Force Base fighter pilot killed in Iraq last year, his widow lashed out at the national media, accusing it of politicizing and using the images to erode public support for the war.

Why Bush won't attack Iran  —  Despite saber-rattling, and the Washington buzz that a strike is coming, the president doesn't intend to bomb Iran.  Cheney may have other ideas.  —  During a recent high-powered Washington dinner party attended by 18 people, Zbigniew Brzezinski …

Habeas Restoration Cloture Vote Tally  —  Senators of the 110th Congress:  —  Akaka, Daniel K.- (D - HI) — AYE  —  Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN) — NAY  —  Allard, Wayne- (R - CO) — NAY  —  Barrasso, John- (R - WY) — NAY  —  Baucus, Max- (D - MT) — AYE  —  Bayh, Evan- (D - IN) — AYE

In the Shadow of Horror, SS Guardians Frolic  —  Last December, Rebecca Erbelding, a young archivist at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, opened a letter from a former United States Army intelligence officer who said he wanted to donate photographs of Auschwitz he had found more than 60 years ago in Germany.

Bush, Congress at record low ratings: Reuters poll  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress registered record-low approval ratings in a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday, and a new monthly index measuring the mood of Americans dipped slightly on deepening worries about the economy.

U.S. May Escort Ahmadinejad to Ground Zero  —  Talks Underway After Iranian Requests a Visit  —  In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.

The Public Ain't Buying  —  Last week's Petraeus-Bush razzle-dazzle seems to have worked its magic inside the Beltway.  The American public is not so easily confused.  —  The general's good-news report from Iraq and the president's token troop-withdrawal plan dampened the growing sense of urgency in Washington to get out of Iraq.

Iran draws up plans to bomb Israel  —  TEHRAN, Iran - The deputy commander of Iran's air force said Wednesday that plans have been drawn up to bomb Israel if the Jewish state attacks Iran, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency.  —  The announcement came amid rising tensions in the region …

Most Voters Say Election 2008 is Annoying and a Waste of Time  —  While political junkies have enjoyed the extended pre-season for Election 2008, most voters say that the debates and other campaign activities so far have been annoying and a waste of time.  A Rasmussen Reports national telephone …

Bomb kills anti-Syrian lawmaker  —  BEIRUT, Lebanon - A bomb killed an anti-Syrian lawmaker and four other people Wednesday in a Christian suburb east of the Lebanese capital, security officials said.  —  The blast targeted Antoine Ghanem, 64, a member of the right-wing Christian Phalange Party …

The Real Bush Record  —  In his new book, "The Age of Turbulence," my longtime friend Alan Greenspan argues that President Bush's economic and budget policies have been fiscally irresponsible.  I've known and admired Alan for years, and I believe he was a great chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

The Education of Robert Gates  —  Robert Gates has been a godsend.  After a bombastic defense secretary, we now have a candid one.  After ego, we have self-effacement.  After domination, we have a man who welcomes discussion.  —  Gates was decisive during the Walter Reed hospital fiasco.