SHOCK DOCS: THE NEW REPUBLIC 'SHOCK TROOPS' STORY COLLAPSES  —  The DRUDGE REPORT has obtained internal documents from the investigation of THE NEW REPUBLIC'S "Baghdad Diarist", Scott Thomas Beauchamp, an Army private turned war correspondent who reported tales of military malfeasance from the Iraq War front.

Mideast Hawks Help to Develop Giuliani Policy  —  Rudolph W. Giuliani's approach to foreign policy shares with other Republican presidential candidates an aggressive posture toward terrorism, a commitment to strengthening the military and disdain for the United Nations.

Bomb Iran?  U.S. Requests Bunker-Buster Bombs  —  White House Bomber Request Leaves Some Wondering if U.S. Is Preparing Action in Iran  —  Tucked inside the White House's $196 billion emergency funding request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is an item that has some people wondering whether …

Where is the National Guard?  —  Today, we all extend our sympathies and prayers to those devastated by the wildfires in California.  Millions of Americans are impacted by this natural disaster.  —  Neighbors should help neighbors in their time of need.  As Governor of New Mexico …

Arson suspect killed, another arrested  —  Police in San Bernardino shoot an Arizona man who fled after being spotted near the Cal State campus.  In a separate incident, a Hesperia man is in custody.  —  Amid worries of new blazes adding to the firestorm already afflicting the region …

Video: Wildfire victims getting what's coming to them, says Carlin  —  No need for grandiose outrage here.  He's been saying stuff like this for decades.  In fact it's a core part of his act, which is why he's allowed to skate.  I offer the clip not as fodder for indignation but because it's …

Terror watch list swells to more than 755,000 names  —  WASHINGTON — The government's terrorist watch list has swelled to more than 755,000 names, according to a new government report that has raised worries about the list's effectiveness.  —  The size of the list, typically used …

Simply Simpatico  —  Lima is beautiful in the spring, when it's not too hot, I was told.  Machu Pichu is a must see, too.  —  My visits to the Green Zone are always a joy when I pass through checkpoints manned by Peruvian troops, with whom I have established a rapport.

Brownback to meet Rudy  —  Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) is considering endorsing Rudy Giuliani for the GOP presidential nomination and will meet with him Thursday in Washington to hear his views on abortion.  —  Brownback, who ended his White House run last week and is a champion …

Official Overseeing Security Contractors Resigns  —  The State Department official responsible for overseeing Blackwater USA and other private security contractors in Iraq resigned abruptly today.  —  Richard J. Griffin, who has been the director of the department's diplomatic security …

Iraq, Afghan wars could cost 2.4 trln usd by 2017 - report  —  WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - The total cost, including debt servicing, of the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could reach 2.4 trln usd by 2017, a report by the Congressional Budget Office found.

Lessons of the Dream Act defeat  —  Senate vote reveals staying power of illegal immigration issue  —  WASHINGTON - The Senate rejected Wednesday an attempt to move ahead with a bill to allow illegal immigrants under age 30 to remain in the United States and gain legal status if they attend college or join the military.

THE NATIONAL SECURITY DILEMMA....Publius defends the Democratic Party leadership here.  He makes some pretty good points.  If you don't have the votes, you don't have the votes (though the whole Armenian genocide thing was pretty amateurish).  Then he says this: … OK, so what do we think about this?

DORGAN PREDICTS SENATE WILL REJECT FCC'S RUSH TO CHANGE MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES  —  U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) predicted Wednesday the Senate will vote to reject efforts to relax media ownership rules.  "If the FCC proceeds on the schedule it is planning, it will be a big mistake," Dorgan said.