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Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
Middle East Volcano — On Sept. 6, something important happened in northern Syria. Problem is, no one knows exactly what. Except for those few who were involved, and they're not saying. — We do know that Israel carried out an airstrike. How do we know it was important?
Discussion:
Crooks and Liars, New York Times, Blue Crab Boulevard, SWJ Blog, Israel Matzav, Soccer Dad and The Opinionator
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Washington Post:
Israel, U.S. Shared Data On Suspected Nuclear Site — Bush Was Told of North Korean Presence in Syria, Sources Say — Israel's decision to attack Syria on Sept. 6, bombing a suspected nuclear site set up in apparent collaboration with North Korea, came after Israel shared intelligence …
Discussion:
TPMmuckraker, Washington Monthly, ArmsControlWonk, The Next Hurrah, SyriaComment and The Gate
Salon:
Neither - 65% — As always, it is worth underscoring how lopsided American public opinion is on these questions even though there is virtually no significant American politician who was or is willing to criticize Israel's actions in Lebanon, and equally few who were willing to argue that U.S. support for Israel is excessive.
Patrick Graham / Macleans.ca:
How George Bush became the new Saddam — COVER STORY: Its strategies shattered, a desperate Washington is reaching out to the late dictator's henchmen. — It was embarrassing putting my flak jacket on backwards and sideways, but in the darkness of the Baghdad airport car park I couldn't see anything.
Discussion:
Firedoglake, Jules Crittenden, On Deadline, Rising Hegemon, JammieWearingFool and Washington Monthly
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USA Today:
Iraqi alliances spread, U.S. says — Most of the major tribes in a strategic province northeast of Baghdad have signed agreements to support U.S. and Iraqi forces, a sign the alliance-building initiative that started in Anbar province is spreading. — In Diyala province …
Donald Lambro / Washington Times:
Hillary's health plan estimates too low, analysts say — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's universal health care plan will cost more than she says and effectively put the federal government in charge of administering private medical insurance, top think tank analysts said yesterday.
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David M. Herszenhorn / New York Times:
Senate Approves Resolution Denouncing MoveOn.org Ad — The Senate approved a resolution on Thursday denouncing the liberal antiwar group MoveOn.org over an advertisement that questioned the credibility of Gen. David H. Petraeus, the American commander in Iraq.
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Michael Saul / NY Daily News:
Hillary Clinton: I'm not a lesbian — Hillary Clinton officially declared she's not a lesbian - not that there's anything wrong with that. — During an interview with The Advocate to be published next week, Sean Kennedy, the gay magazine's news and features editor, asked the presidential candidate …
Jennifer C. Kerr / Associated Press:
Do Not Call listings to expire in 2008 — WASHINGTON - The cherished dinner hour void of telemarketers could vanish next year for millions of people when phone numbers begin dropping off the national Do Not Call list. — The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the list, says there is a simple fix.
Faiz / Think Progress:
Bush inartfully suggests Saddam killed Mandela. — In a press conference this morning, President Bush tried to assert that Saddam's brutal rule over Iraq wiped the country clean of potential democratic reformers — individuals who may have possessed leadership skills like former South African President Nelson Mandela.
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The Atlantic Online:
The Wages of Obstruction — Via Chris Bowers this curious Gallup poll result on rising congressional approval — a phenomenon driven almost entirely by Republicans. The partisan breakout on congressional approval here is crucial to understanding the low ratings the congress gets.
Paul Krugman:
Is This the Wile E. Coyote Moment? — Lots of buzz suddenly about the possibility of a sharp fall in the dollar. The Canadian dollar is back at parity with the greenback; there are rumors that the Saudis are planning to diversify into euros, and maybe even that the Chinese might break the dollar peg.
Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
GROW UP — Am I the only one embarrassed by the dingbat brouhaha over Iranian President Ahmadinejad's attempt to visit Ground Zero to lay a wreath? Given relations between our countries I could see denying him a visa, but as long as we're hosting the UN that's not an option.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, TigerHawk, Stop The ACLU, Times of London, Liberty Pundit, Sister Toldjah, New York Times, Riehl World View, The Moderate Voice, The Anonymous Liberal, Gateway Pundit, MSNBC, The Van Der Galiën Gazette, Liberty Street, Viking Pundit, Attytood, Classical Values and Blue Crab Boulevard
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Flip / Suitably Flip:
Hsocking Hsu Secrets Revealed! — If there's one thing that can be said about Clinton financial scandals, it's that they tend to be complex. And thus far, the Norman Hsu debacle is living up to the archetype. — This rabbit hole is proving to be a fair bit deeper than anyone might've guessed and we're about to plumb its depths.
John M. Donnelly / CQ.com:
Moderates' Hope for Compromise on Iraq Fading as Reid Takes Hard Line — A Democratic proposal to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by next year was not expected to overcome Republican opposition in the Senate on Friday. — But despite the anticipated defeat of the measure and earlier failures …
Brian Murphy / Associated Press:
81 killed in Afghan fighting, airstrikes — KABUL, Afghanistan - Heavy battles punctuated by airstrikes killed 75 suspected Taliban and at least six civilians in Afghanistan's south, while a U.S. official on Friday accused Iran of supplying roadside bomb components to militants to get American soldiers "out of the region."
Rhonda Stewart / The Swamp:
Protesters give McCain his best line at NRA gathering — Anti-war protesters barged into a speech Sen. John McCain was giving at the Capital Hilton this morning, but the interruption ended up giving McCain the high moment of his address to the National Rifle Association.
Discussion:
The Politico