Fog of War  —  The story of our Baghdad Diarist.  —  For months, our magazine has been subject to accusations that stories we published by an American soldier then serving in Iraq were fabricated.  When these accusations first arose, we promised our readers a full account of our investigation.

Did yesterday's hostage crisis teach us anything about Hillary Clinton?  —  You might think we got a chance to see how she deals with a crisis, but that's not really so.  She had no executive authority in the matter.  The local police had to handle the situation.

SHAG FUND — IT'S ON US!  —  Yesterday, every reporter who wanted a copy, was allowed to go down to City Hall and pick up copies of the city financial records that were the basis of the original Shag Fund report in the Politico.com.  That's how we found out about the weird $400,000 prepayment …

Signing statement is president's first since 2006  —  Had used tactic often before power shift in Congress  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush this month issued his first signing statement since the Democratic takeover of Congress, reserving the right to bypass 11 provisions in a military appropriations bill under his executive powers.

CNN: Corrupt News Network  —  A self-serving agenda was set for the Republican presidential debates.  —  THE United States is at war in the Middle East and Central Asia, the economy is writhing like a snake with a broken back, oil prices are relentlessly climbing toward $100 a barrel …

Chavez threatens to cut oil if U.S. questions vote  —  CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) — President Hugo Chavez on Friday wrapped up his campaign to push through broad constitutional changes with a broadside attack against adversaries at home and abroad — including a threat to cut off oil exports to the United States.

Democrats' battle shifts to healthcare  —  The three leading candidates spar over how 'universal' coverage must be and whose reform plan is bolder or more feasible.  —  WASHINGTON — As voting fast approaches in a hotly competitive presidential primary campaign, the battle in the Democratic field …

B&S Commenter Arrested  —  Would you like to know more about this? … Yes, the comment in question was posted in a comment thread on B&S. Let me fill in the details...  Late on the evening of Friday, November 16th, Jed and I received an email from a detective with the West Bend Police Department asking me about the above comment.

Tom Tancredo Hired Illegal Laborers to Renovate His McMansion  —  Anti-immigration zealot and GOP presidential candidate Tom Tancredo hired what he often refers to as "criminal aliens" to renovate his Colorado house.  —  Share and save this post:  —  Also in Top Stories  —  George Monbiot, Comment Is Free