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.

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 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:

This Must Be That "Compassionate Conservatism" We Keep Hearing About  —  First it was twelve year old boys, and now it's injured Iraqi war vets: … Of course, when you read the article, it's hard to see how someone could come to the conclusion that this vet is faking illness:

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 …

Pelosi Vows to Push Ahead With Genocide Measure  —  The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, insisted today that she would bring to a vote a resolution condemning the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey nearly a century ago as genocide, even as a Turkish general warned that this could cause lasting damage …

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 …

Rush Limbaugh Earns Big Money From Senate Letter Chastising Him  —  WASHINGTON — A letter sent to Rush Limbaugh's boss demanding he be chastised for comments he made on the air about "phony soldiers" is now on the auction block, and the latest bid is a cool $41,400.

G.O.P. Lawmakers Voice Their Unease  —  There is concern among Republicans under attack on children's health insurance that the White House does not appreciate their political difficulties.

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?