C.I.A. Destroyed Tapes of Interrogations  —  The Central Intelligence Agency in 2005 destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two Al Qaeda operatives in the agency's custody, a step it took in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about the C.I.A's secret detention program …

House passes a sweeping energy bill  —  Fuel efficiency would increase and alternative sources would expand.  The measure faces a tough road in the Senate.  —  WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday approved the biggest increase in vehicle fuel-economy standards since gasoline cost less …

That Dog Won't Hunt  —  Sorry to dissent from my colleagues on the Corner, but once the murmurs over the oratory subside, people are going to realize: that speech did not work.  Here's why: … To be blunt, Romney is saying:  —  It is legitimate to ask a candidate, "Is Jesus the son of God?"

SF radio personality Bernie Ward indicted on child porn charges  —  (12-06) 15:29 PST San Francisco - —  Bernie Ward, a popular liberal San Francisco radio talk show host and former Catholic priest, has been indicted on federal child pornography charges, authorities said today.

Two GOP congresswomen quit Page Board  —  Two Republicans on the House Page Board resigned Thursday because the House clerk failed to notify them of two incidents involving high school-age students, including shoplifting charges and improper sexual conduct.  —  Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite …

Review of Iran Intelligence to Be Sought  —  As Conservatives Reject New NIE, Republican Senators to Urge Congressional Panel  —  Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran …

Did Morgan Spurlock find Osama bin Laden?  —  15 minutes of footage shown at film fest sparks bidding war, speculation  —  Rumors are flying that filmmaker Morgan Spurlock of "Super Size Me" fame may have done what the United States government has failed to do for the last six years — find Osama bin Laden.

Ron Paul blimp charts unprecedented course  —  Look!  —  Up in the sky: It's a bird.  It's a plane.  It's ... Ron Paul?  —  If a whimsical publicity stunt goes as planned, a blimp hyping the long-shot Republican presidential campaign of the Texas congressman will launch next week.

Huckabee: Force Behind My Rise in Polls Is 'Not Human'  —  First Mrs. Huckabee: … Comparing effective use of campaign funds to a miracle?  Cringe.  Well, it's just the candidate's wife, it's not like Huckabee would say something like...  Wow.  Huckabee's been endorsed by both Chuck Norris AND Jesus Christ.

The Army's $200 Billion Makeover  —  March to Modernize Proves Ambitious and Controversial  —  EL PASO — A $200 billion plan to remake the largest war machine in history unfolds in one small way on a quiet country road in the Chihuahuan Desert.  —  Jack Hensley, one of a legion of contractors …

I HEARD NEAL BOORTZ holding forth on the Omaha mall shooting this morning on the way to work, and I realized I haven't posted on it.  I don't really have anything to say that I haven't said before.  But it's worth noting — since apparently most of the media reports haven't — that this was another mass shooting in a "gun-free" zone.

Huckabee Tries to Shoot the Messenger, But Wounds His Campaign Instead  —  The way that Mike Huckabee has handled the furor caused by the Huffington Post's coverage of his role in the release of Wayne Dumond, a serial rapist who went on to rape and kill at least one other woman, has been very revealing.

News Corp. Duo Set To Lead Dow Jones As Zannino Resigns  —  Dow Jones & Co. Chief Executive Richard F. Zannino said yesterday that he would resign as News Corp. moved ahead with plans to install a new management team that will be led by veteran News Corp. executive Leslie Hinton and Times of London Editor Robert Thomson.

Seasonal Debate Rages Over Loveliest Branches  —  DALLAS, Ore. — A battle is being waged for the heart of the American Christmas tree customer, pitting the real evergreen against the once-lowly artificial tree.  —  Last year, an estimated 9.3 million artificial trees were sold in the United States, up 2 million from five years ago.