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.

Matthews says Bush administration has "finally been caught in their criminality"  —  Playing Hardball with the Prez  —  "Hardball" host Chris Matthews addresses attendees at Thursday night's ten-year anniversary of "Hardball," which took place at the Decatur House in Washington, D.C.

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.

Code Pink Defaces US Marine Recruiter's Office in Berkeley  —  Code Pink: "US Marine Corps Assas(s)ination Office"  —  "We are so shocked and horrified that the Marines have come to Berkeley to prey on our children," said Zanne Joi, a Code Pink member -CBS5.

Losing A Generation?  —  The number of young people who do not consider themselves Christians is growing, as is the hostility toward Christianity expressed by the next generation of non-Christians, claims a new book from David Kinnaman of Barna.org.  Money quote: … And so the polarization grows.

ET TU, BARACK?  —  Barack Obama won't wear a pin on his lapel in the shape of the American flag.  Forget what that says about Obama's feelings of patriotism or love of country.  Frankly, I don't think it says much at all.  His explanation - that he wants to show his patriotism through disseminating his …

Netroots Nightmare: O'Hanlon Teams Up with HRC  —  When Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack of the Brookings Institution wrote in the New York TImes that the surge was working, they were widely criticized by the antiwar left, which went to great lengths to undercut their findings.

So Far Rudy's Run Going According to Script  —  Of all the candidates in the Republican field, no one has a right to be happier with the way things have worked out thus far than Rudy Giuliani.  Here's a quick look at where things stand:  — After nine months of campaigning …

Deaniacs open their wallets for '08 hopefuls  —  Donors who made Howard Dean the Democratic presidential front-runner ahead of the 2004 Iowa caucuses have flocked to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), helping him raise more money than any other White House candidate this year, according to a review of fundraising records.

Senior U.S. Military Official Faults Blackwater In The Shooting Of 11 Iraqi Civilians  —  A senior U.S. military official tells the Washington Post that the Sept. 16 firing incident at Nissor Square involving Blackwater USA was unprovoked and that the 11 civilian victims were unarmed:

Gulf  —  Retired four-star General Merrill A. McPeak served in the Air Force for over 35 years.  Gen. McPeak, a combat pilot, led the Air Force during the first war in Iraq.  A former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he understands the importance of choosing a Commander in Chief …

Giuliani Pulled No Punches on the Radio  —  So what should a mayor do?  Just let constituents call his weekly radio program on WABC — the one called "Live From City Hall ... With Rudy Giuliani" — and whine and complain and get in his face without answering back?  —  Puh-leeze.

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.

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.

Despite Court Defeat, Craig Vows to Remain in Senate  —  Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho) vowed to serve out the remainder of his term yesterday despite losing his bid to withdraw his guilty plea for disorderly conduct in an airport men's restroom.