Myth of Consensus Explodes: APS Opens Global Warming Debate  —  “Considerable presence” of skeptics  —  The American Physical Society, an organization representing nearly 50,000 physicists, has reversed its stance on climate change and is now proclaiming that many of its members disbelieve in human-induced global warming.

Obama's Greatest Admirer  —  Barack Obama wants to speak at the Brandenburg Gate.  He figures it would be a nice backdrop.  The supporting cast — a cheering audience and a few fainting frauleins — would be a picturesque way to bolster his foreign policy credentials.

McCain's attacks get more reckless, less responsible  —  In the modern political era, voters have come to expect presidential candidates to be, well, presidential.  There's an expectation of respect and decorum.  Candidates are going to go on the attack on occasion, but Americans …

300 Advisers Shape Obama's Foreign Policy  —  WASHINGTON — Every day around 8 a.m., foreign policy aides at Senator Barack Obama's Chicago campaign headquarters send him two e-mails: a briefing on major world developments over the previous 24 hours and a set of questions, accompanied by suggested answers …

Terrorism Funds May Let Brass Fly in Style  —  The Air Force's top leadership sought for three years to spend counterterrorism funds on “comfort capsules” to be installed on military planes that ferry senior officers and civilian leaders around the world, with at least four top generals involved …

Obama Ignorance Watch  —  Barack Obama delivered a speech in West Lafeyette, IN on Wednesday and once again mangled some well known historical facts: … Aaah yes - “the bomb that fell on Pearl Harbor.”  Who can forget that?  It was the big one, the one that took out all those boats.

L-ish Economic Prospects  —  Home prices are in free fall.  Unemployment is rising.  Consumer confidence is plumbing depths not seen since 1980.  When will it all end?  —  The answer is, probably not until 2010 or later.  Barack Obama, take notice.  —  It's true that some prognosticators …

Mukasey the Obstructionist  —  Michael Mukasey has President Bush's back.  —  Mukasey succeeded toady Alberto Gonzales as attorney general last fall.  But the notion that he would restore independence to that post took a big hit yesterday when he refused to turn over to a House committee …

The secret hidden within John McCain's campaign schedule  —  You can tell a lot about any political campaign by how it invests its most precious resource: the 1,440 minutes in each candidate's day.  —  UPDATE: An earlier version of this item had a minute-by-minute schedule that was provided …

The Coming Activist Age  —  We're entering an era of epic legislation.  There are at least five large problems that will compel the federal government to act in gigantic ways over the next few years.  —  First, there is the erosion of the social contract.

Obama and the captains of American industry  —  Sen. Barack Obama has been meeting secretly with heavy industry CEOs in Washington to discuss issues that he would face as president.  —  On the campaign trail, Obama has been highly critical of corporate executives and promised them nothing but tougher regulation and higher taxes.

Protesters, police educate, gear up for convention  —  Dozens of protest groups are planning a full schedule of classes, concerts, marches and other actions during the Democratic National Convention, hoping to capture the world's attention and recruit new activists.

Voters to decide on naming sewage plant for Bush  —  SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) — A measure seeking to commemorate President Bush's years in office by slapping his name on a San Francisco sewage plant has qualified for the November ballot.  —  The measure certified Thursday would rename …

Poll: McCain backers' excitement lags Obama voters  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain is facing an excitement deficit.  —  While overall interest in the presidential campaign has swelled since last fall, backers of Barack Obama are more fired up and express more loyalty to their candidate than McCain's do …

Fannie and Freddie Ready To Drown Their Sorrows  —  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plan to let loose and forget about their troubles at this summer's Democratic and Republican national conventions, while plying their congressional critics with champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Israel makes arrests in alleged plot against Bush  —  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel accused six Arabs on Friday of trying to set up an al Qaeda cell in Israel and said one of them had proposed attacking helicopters used during a visit by President George W. Bush.