Debate Erupts on Techniques Used by C.I.A.  —  The disclosure of secret Justice Department legal opinions on interrogation on Thursday set off a bitter round of debate over the treatment of terrorism suspects in American custody and whether Congress has been adequately informed of legal policies.

Obama Dropped Flag Pin in War Statement  —  Obama Stops Wearing Flag Pin, Says He'll Show Patriotism Through Ideas  —  An eagle-eyed reporter for the ABC affiliate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, noticed something missing from Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., lapels.

Conservatives Are Such Jokers  —  In 1960, John F. Kennedy, who had been shocked by the hunger he saw in West Virginia, made the fight against hunger a theme of his presidential campaign.  After his election he created the modern food stamp program, which today helps millions of Americans get enough to eat.

Craig Reaction to Court Ruling  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig issued the following statement in reaction to today's ruling by the State of Minnesota District Court Fourth Judicial District allowing the guilty plea to stand:  —  "I am extremely disappointed with the ruling issued today.

My Christian daughter says I'm going to hell  —  Hi,  —  I am the father of a 13-year-old daughter whose mother has been taking her to an evangelical Christian church her whole life.  Her mother's family is entirely Christian.  I am not a Christian, and in fact think that organized religion …

The Line: Retirement Headaches for House GOP  —  The last month hasn't been a good one for House Republicans.  —  Already on the ropes thanks to President Bush's dismal job approval ratings and continued public unhappiness about the war in Iraq, the strategists in charge of winning …

AP: No Mention of Party for So.  Dakota Democrat Accused of Sexual Misconduct  —  Here we go again with another story where a Democrat is being accused of sexual misconduct, yet the Associated Press doesn't feel that mentioning the man's party affiliation is important to the story.

Romney's cash lead fueled by own fortune  —  WASHINGTON — Presidential contender Mitt Romney has retained his fundraising edge over his Republican rivals, despite a slightly larger haul by Rudy Giuliani in the past three months, figures released Thursday show.

Critic of Islam Confronts Dutch Over Guards  —  Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an outspoken Dutch critic of Islam who moved to the United States to escape death threats in the Netherlands, has returned there to fight a Dutch government plan to cut off financing for her bodyguards, her lawyer said Wednesday.

DiFatta twice detained for lewd conduct in mall restrooms  —  St. Bernard Parish Councilman Joey DiFatta, who on Thursday withdrew from the 1st Senate District campaign, has been stopped twice since 1996 for suspicion of engaging in lewd behavior in public restrooms in Jefferson Parish, records obtained by The Times-Picayune show.

Scott Bateman: More from the case files of Andrew WK  —  Defendant owes $222,000 for illegal downloadingThe worst possible outcome — a fine too high to bear, but likely too low to cause much effort at reforming copyright laws  —  Craig: I won't resign after allThe senator says he'll stay in office until his term ends in 2009

Byrd: Senate's 'Saber-Rattling' Is 'Sleep-Walking' America To War With Iran  —  On the Senate floor today, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) decried the recent Kyl-Lieberman amendment on Iran that 72 of his colleagues voted for, calling it an exercise in "international verbal spitball."

Officer: Drop murder charges against Haditha Marine  —  Official recommends Wuterich should be tried for negligent homicide in deaths of two women, five children  —  CAMP PENDLETON — A Marine Corps official has recommended that murder charges be dismissed against a Camp Pendleton squad leader accused …

The Republican Collapse  —  Modern conservatism begins with Edmund Burke.  What Burke articulated was not an ideology or a creed, but a disposition, a reverence for tradition, a suspicion of radical change.  —  When conservatism came to America, it became creedal.

FOX News Poll: Nearly 1 in 5 Democrats Say World Will Be Better Off if U.S. Loses War  —  NEW YORK — Nearly one out of every five Democrats thinks the world will be better off if America loses the war in Iraq, according to the FOX News Opinion Dynamics Poll released Thursday.

Bush visit draws vocal mix of supporters, protesters  —  Intelligencer Journal  —  LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - For protesters, President George W. Bush's visit Wednesday to Lancaster County was an occasion to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq, as well as the president's early morning veto of a children's health care bill.