Bush seeks billions more in military funding  —  The $45.9-billion emergency request would push the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over $600 billion, and is expected to incite critics.  —  WASHINGTON — Setting up another confrontation with congressional Democrats over the war in Iraq …

The signers of the Declaration of Independence were "brave people, most of whom, by the way, were clergymen."  —  1 out of 56 equals 'most'?  No, it doesn't  —  During the Republican debate, Mike Huckabee said he believes one of the defining issues facing the country is the sanctity of human life.

Thompson's Daughter's Death Informs Right-to-Die Stance  —  Thompson Says End-of-Life Decisions Should Not Become 'Political Football'  —  In a moving, pointed and rare response to a question about the Terri Schiavo controversy, former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee Monday afternoon described details …

U.S. Prosecution of Muslim Group Ends in Mistrial  —  A federal judge declared a mistrial on Monday in what was widely seen as the government's flagship terrorism-financing case after prosecutors failed to persuade a jury to convict five leaders of a Muslim charity on any charges, or even to reach a verdict on many of the 197 counts.

Defending Islamofascism  —  IT'S A VALID TERM.  HERE'S WHY.  —  The attempt by David Horowitz and his allies to launch "Islamofascism Awareness Week" on American campuses has been met with a variety of responses.  One of these is a challenge to the validity of the term itself.

Stephen Colbert Moves Ahead of Richardson, Closes in on Biden, in National Poll!  —  NEW YORK He's been "in" the race for less than a week, and already faux-pundit Stephen Colbert has surged ahead of longtime candidate Gov. Bill Richardson in one national poll gauging the race for the Democratic nod for president.

Bolton lobbies on N.K. deal  —  Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton is urging GOP lawmakers to oppose the Bush administration's recent agreement with North Korea to end its nuclear programs, according to House Republican sources.  —  While Bolton's skepticism of North Korea is well-known …

BREAKING: Obama says won't pull anti-gay bigot from big campaign event  —  Funny how Obama is a big supporter of civil rights when blacks are being maligned, but not so much when gays are the victims.  Kind of puts his screw up over General Pace's homophobia in a whole new light.  I really like Obama.

Lessing Says Sept. 11 Attacks Not So Bad  —  MADRID, Spain (AP) - Nobel laureate Doris Lessing said the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States were "not that terrible" when compared to attacks by the IRA in Britain.  —  "September 11 was terrible, but if one goes back over the history of the IRA …

Let the Americans Try and Stop Us! ...  "What if American F-16s come in front of us to block us?  Let them try, that's their business. ...  Our targets will be on Barzani's military and economic targets.  Our goal will be to transform the 'Kurdish dream' into a 'Turkish nightmare.'"

Va. Senate: Davis Expected to Opt Out of Race  —  Several informed Republicans with ties to Virginia politics told The Fix earlier today that Rep. Tom Davis could announce as soon as this week that he will not run for the Senate seat being vacated by John Warner (R) in 2008.

Even Closer to the Brink  —  The news out of Iraq just keeps getting worse.  Now Turkey is threatening to send troops across the border to wipe out Kurdish rebel bases, after guerrillas killed at least a dozen Turkish soldiers.  This latest crisis should have come as no surprise.