Ghetto Blasters  —  In angry retaliation for the house arrest of Bernie Madoff, Israel has launched a hellacious air assault against Hamas in Gaza that errs so far on the side of disproportionality that its running up the fatality score may become self-defeating.  Johann Hari in The Independent:

Death Toll Surpasses 350 in Fourth Day of Conflict  —  JERUSALEM — Israel launched airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday after Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Parliament that his country was waging an “all-out war with Hamas” and another official ruled out a cease-fire.

Israel Rejects Truce, Presses on With Gaza Strikes  —  Israel continued airstrikes against Gaza Strip targets for a fourth day on Tuesday, destroying civic and other buildings linked to the militant Hamas movement in a campaign Israeli leaders say will continue until the group is crippled.

Has Israel Revived Hamas?  —  JERUSALEM — In its efforts to stop amateur rockets from nagging the residents of some of its southern cities, Israel appears to have given new life to the fledging Islamic movement in Palestine.  —  For two years, the Islamic Resistance Movement …

So, What Next?  —  Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak wants “war to the bitter end.”  Hamas is on the run, its terrorist infrastructure and personnel being blown to bits as we speak.  All good, but at the end of the day, all that gets you is a pile of rubble and a bunch of dead terrorists …

Bristol Palin's baby makes Sarah Palin a grandma.  And he's a Republican  —  Sarah Palin's oldest daughter, Bristol, has had a baby boy — 7 pounds 7 ounces.  —  His name weighs in at only four pounds — Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston.  —  “The baby is fine.  Bristol is doing well.