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 …

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.

The Beltway Establishment's contempt for the rule of law  —  The Washington Post's Editorial Page, in the establishment-defending form of Fred Hiatt, today became but the latest Beltway appendage to urge the enactment of a special law providing amnesty to our nation's poor, put-upon, lawbreaking telecoms:

Who Will Succeed Al Gore?  —  Seeing Al Gore so deservedly share the Nobel Peace Prize, it is impossible not to note the contrast in his leadership and that of George W. Bush.  —  Mr. Gore and Mr. Bush each faced a crucible moment.  For Mr. Gore, it was winning the popular vote and having …

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 …

Code of Coercion  —  In 1943, the Supreme Court, affirming the right of Jehovah's Witnesses children to refuse to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag in schools, declared: "No official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion …

More G.O.P. Lawmakers Voice 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 …

What Cats Know About War  —  IT was a bitterly cold night in the Baghdad winter of 2005, somewhere in the predawn hours before the staccato of suicide bombs and mortars and gunfire that are the daily orchestration of the war.  Alone in my office in The Times's compound beside the Tigris River …

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?

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 …

Obama: Religion should play role in climate change  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said Sunday that the separation of church and state should not force the people of the United States to "leave [their] religion at the door before entering the public square" and that, indirectly, faith informs politics.

Iraq Sees Dramatically Low Death Toll  —  BAGHDAD (AP) - The civilian death toll in Iraq fell to its lowest level in recent memory Saturday, with only four people killed or found dead nationwide, according to reports from police, morgue officials and credible witnesses.