AL-DURA AND THE "PUBLIC SECRET" OF MIDDLE EAST JOURNALISM  —  The evidence emerging from the ongoing Al Dura trial in France indicates that Western journalists are fully aware that some of the footage they use in their reports on the Mideast conflict is staged, charges Richard Landes.

Clinton admits planting questions in public forum  —  Hillary Clinton stopped at a bio-diesel plant in Newton, Iowa earlier this week to see alternative fuels in the making and drive home the week's campaign theme of her energy plan.  After a tour, the candidate took questions from the crowd.

Edwards hits Clinton, Dodd says general to be close  —  DES MOINES—Former Sen. John Edwards lashed out at Democratic presidential rival Sen. Hillary Clinton today for staging a question at a voter meet-and-greet session and compared it to something that President Bush would do.  —  "That's what George Bush does.

Clinton Campaign Confirms Planting Town Hall Question, Says It Won't Happen Again  —  SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton's campaign admitted Friday that it planted a global warming question in Newton, Iowa, Tuesday during a town hall meeting to discuss clean energy.

Norman Mailer, a dissenting view  —  The news that the novelist Norman Mailer died earlier today at the age of 84 has already elicited little hagiographical murmurs.  That hushed choir will doubtless turn into a deafening chorus of praise in the coming days and weeks—how much space …

CPI  —  Herbert: … This isn't true.  The CPI does include food and energy; the "core inflation" measure does not.  It seems increasingly likely that the Fed puts its hands over its ears and says "NA NA NA I CAN'T HEAR YOU" when it comes to the CPI and focuses almost entirely …