Why, Barack, why?  —  The great Social Security debate of 2005 was a seminal moment for American progressives.  Conventional fiscal wisdom in the Beltway was that the aging population is THE big problem — when the truth is that grim long-run fiscal projections mainly reflect projected health care costs.

Journalism as Sadism  —  Garance Franke-Ruta reports from Iowa on the Village's field trip: "The joke last night at the Hotel Fort Des Moines bar is that the last thing you want to do the morning after a potentially-momentum generating speech is go on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, because he's such a tough questioner."

Armitage on the Leak  —  Richard Armitage appeared on CNN today, discussing Pakistan but also addressing his role as the original leaker in the CIA leak affair.  He took the blame for leaking Valerie Plame Wilson's identity, but he also gave us a bit more evidence to show that …

'I'll Sell My Soul to the Devil'  —  Corruption Scandals Involve Alaska's Biggest Political Names  —  ANCHORAGE — When the FBI came looking for corruption in Alaska politics, it found an excellent perch in Suite 604 of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau, the state capital.

US strike on Iran 'not being prepared'  —  The Pentagon is not preparing a pre-emptive attack on Iran in spite of an increase in bellicose rhetoric from Washington, according to senior officers.  —  Admiral William Fallon, head of Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East …

'I feared I'd end up dead in the woods like Dr Kelly,' says biological warfare expert who criticised Britain and U.S.  —  An EU expert on biological warfare has told how she fears ending up 'dead in the woods' like scientist Dr David Kelly after an alleged campaign of intimidation by members of MI6 and the CIA.

Earmarks, favors: Young used position for funds and his donors' projects  —  WASHINGTON — As chairman of the House transportation committee, Alaska Congressman Don Young flew at least three times to upstate New York aboard a jet owned by Robert Congel, an ambitious shopping mall developer seeking federal highway money.

FORMER CONTROVERSIAL CONGRESSMAN CHARGED WITH DWI  —  DN Capitol Bureau Chief Joe Mahoney reports:  —  Former Rep. John Sweeney was charged with aggravated DWI when he was pulled over by State Police early this morning on the Northway with a 23-year-old woman in his car, police told the Daily News.

Top U.S. official backs Georgia's embattled leader  —  The top U.S. official for the Caucasus praised Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on Sunday for his leadership over the last 4 years, but suggested he lift a state of emergency and restore an independent media.

The Public Editor: Green reporter, Green Zone dispute, red-hot rhetoric  —  Story appeared in FORUM section, Page E3  —  When The Bee's Bobby Caina Calvan volunteered for a six-week reporting stint in Iraq, he didn't have the faintest notion he would be nominated for an award.

All Soldiers Fade Away  —  Most everyone knows the pivotal quote from General Douglas MacArthur's farewell address, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."  The note he chose to end on in 1951 was modestly triumphant, the perfect close to the career of a consummate soldier.

So, What About Those Nukes?  —  TWO years ago, when Gen. Pervez Musharraf still seemed secure in his rule over Pakistan, he was asked a question that is now urgently coursing through Washington: Are his country's nuclear weapons safe from Islamic radicals?  —  Pakistan's nuclear protections …