Manhunt backlash  —  The executives of a gay sex site are apparently more concerned about the perception that they're associated with John McCain than McCain is about the association with them.  —  The chairman of the board of Manhunt, the Cambrige-based hook-up site, was forced to resign after reports that he gave $2,300 to McCain.

Old legal feuds divided, linked McCain and ex-wife  —  ALEXANDRIA, Va. - An old lawsuit on record at the city courthouse reveals a moment of friction between John McCain's mother and his ex-wife.  Years later, McCain and his former wife presented a united front in a lawsuit of their own.

Michael Ledeen Leaves AEI  —  Neoconservative historian and writer Michael Ledeen has left the American Enterprise Institute, his intellectual base for well over a decade, Mother Jones has learned.  The decision for Ledeen, a veteran of the Iran contra affair, and AEI to part ways …

History's Back  —  Ambitious autocracies, hesitant democracies.  —  One wonders whether Russia's invasion of Georgia will finally end the dreamy complacency that took hold of the world's democracies after the close of the Cold War.  The collapse of the Soviet Union offered …

Rep.: Half of House Dems may vote Hillary at DNC  —  Rep. Loretta Sanchez says she's happy for the chance to vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Democratic National Convention—and she predicts that as many as half of the Democrats in the House could join her.

JUDGE NULLIFIES JUROR NULLIFICATION: A very interesting post today by Tim Lynch on Cato @ Liberty on a recent jury trial in a drug case: … To read his analysis go to Juror Becomes Fly in the Ointment.  —  For those with a serious interest in jury nullification, I highly recommend Jury Nullification …

Mythmaking in Moscow  —  THE EVENTS of the past week in the small Caucasus republic of Georgia will prompt animated debates about Russia and U.S.-Russian relations.  We view the events as confirmation of the dangerous challenge posed by an authoritarian regime unwilling to recognize the sovereignty of its former imperial possessions.

Man of Courage  —  Alexander Solzhenitsyn, 1918-2008.  —  Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a hero with the hero's virtue of courage.  He displayed courage, he reflected on it.  The display was for all to see, the reflection was deep, difficult, and reserved.  Back to this in a moment.

To Drill, or Not to Drill  —  Will McCain change his mind about Alaskan oil?  —  Pontiac, Michigan  —  Republican presidential candidate John McCain says that he's taking another look at the possibility of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska …

Candidates Face Three Critical Weeks  —  Barack Obama returns to action Saturday after a week's vacation for a joint appearance with John McCain at the Saddleback Church in California.  Obama's reappearance on the campaign trail signals the beginning of three of the most critical weeks of the general election.

Fashion Designers Hope to Stitch Up an Obama Win  —  It used to be that political campaigns would be satisfied if they managed to settle on an eye-catching font for their T-shirts and trucker caps.  The merchandise wasn't so much designed as it was stamped out like a pile of red, white and blue bunting.

U.S. May Ease Police Spy Rules  —  More Federal Intelligence Changes Planned  —  The Justice Department has proposed a new domestic spying measure that would make it easier for state and local police to collect intelligence about Americans, share the sensitive data with federal agencies and retain it for at least 10 years.

Candidates make their appeals to evangelicals  —  LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Until recently, an event like this would have been unimaginable: The Democratic and Republican presidential nominees meeting at a megachurch to face questioning from an evangelical preacher.

Left Behind Authors Say Obama Is Not the Antichrist  —  The authors of the best-selling Left Behind authors have done their research and are now positive that Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. … Well, you would think that that settles that, right?  Wrong.  Of course LeHaye and Jenkins can't say that Obama is the Antichrist!