Spies, Lies and FISA  —  As Democratic lawmakers try to repair a deeply flawed bill on electronic eavesdropping, the White House is pumping out the same fog of fear and disinformation it used to push the bill through Congress this summer.  President Bush has been telling Americans that any change …

The 'Good Germans' Among Us  —  "BUSH lies" doesn't cut it anymore.  It's time to confront the darker reality that we are lying to ourselves.  —  Ten days ago The Times unearthed yet another round of secret Department of Justice memos countenancing torture.

A Mock Columnist, Amok  —  I was in my office, writing a column on the injustice of relative marginal tax rates for hedge fund managers, when I saw Stephen Colbert on TV.  —  He was sneering that Times columns make good "kindling."  He was ranting that after you throw away the paper …

Better Numbers  —  NEWS COVERAGE and debate about Iraq during the past couple of weeks have centered on the alleged abuses of private security firms like Blackwater USA.  Getting such firms into a legal regime is vital, as we've said.  But meanwhile, some seemingly important facts …

Taliban use hostage cash to fund UK blitz  —  Millions of dollars handed over to secure the release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan have been used to buy weapons deployed against British and American forces in the country, the Taliban claims.  —  Major Alexis Roberts, 32 …

Candidate's oral-sex slogan is no laughing matter  —  A campaign slogan focusing on oral sex is creating a storm of controversy during Hialeah City Council election season.  —  AIM reprint  —  lfigueroa@MiamiHerald.com  —  Live in Hialeah?  Like oral sex?

The Special Relationship  —  These books illuminate the shared heritage of America and Britain.  —  1. "Albion's Seed" by David Hackett Fischer (Oxford, 1989).  —  Colonial Americans didn't come from just anywhere; they came, David Hackett Fischer tells us in "Albion's Seed," …

G.O.P. Lawmakers Voice Their Unease  —  Members of the White House communications team invited their Capitol Hill counterparts down to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue the other day to see how Republican morale was holding up in Congress.  The answer: Not so well.  —  Under fierce attack …

The Dignity Agenda  —  "We talk about democracy and human rights.  Iraqis talk about justice and honor."  That comment from Lt. Col. David Kilcullen, made at a seminar last month on counterinsurgency, is the beginning of wisdom for an America that is trying to repair the damage of recent years.

About self-righteousness and Al Gore  —  I am old enough... well, there are many ways to end that sentence, but for now: I am old enough to remember, from my school years, the disdainful reaction in my home town to the news that Martin Luther King had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Bauer urges 'open mind'  —  Social conservative leader Gary L. Bauer has issued an appeal to supporters to consider former Sen. Fred Thompson's bid for the Republican presidential nomination.  —  "I hope pro-family, pro-life Christians will continue to keep an open mind about Senator Thompson's candidacy …

Rice Worried by Putin's Broad Powers  —  MOSCOW -  —  The Russian government under Vladimir Putin has amassed so much central authority that the power-grab may undermine Moscow's commitment to democracy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday.  —  "In any country …

Empire State Building goes green for Eid  —  For the first time in its history, the Empire State Building in New York was lit in green in celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.  —  It will be green till Sunday.  —  So far, the landmark tower has been lit in traditional colours every year …