Israel, Hamas, and moral idiocy  —  Much of the world's response is a false moral equivalence that simply encourages the terrorists.  —  Israel's decision to take military action against Hamas rocket attacks targeting its civilian population has been long in coming.

Davis said thanks, but no thanks  —  WASHINGTON — Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) would like to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.  The appointment was dangled before him last Wednesday.  He turned it down.  We discussed why when we talked Tuesday night …

Gonzales Defends Role in Antiterror Policies  —  WASHINGTON — Alberto Gonzales, who has kept a low profile since resigning as attorney general nearly 16 months ago, said he is writing a book to set the record straight about his controversial tenure as a senior official in the Bush administration.

Moving Day for the Obamas  —  Even in a town where the hotels are swamped for the inauguration, it turns out to be easy to get a room if you're the one being inaugurated.  —  President-elect Barack Obama and his family will move to Washington this weekend in time for his daughters to start school, aides said Tuesday.

Let Detroit Build Profitable Cars  —  UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger doesn't seem to get the picture.  Let's help him.  —  In the continuing battle over Detroit, UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger doesn't seem to get the picture.  Let's help him.  —  With shareholders virtually wiped …

Village Voice Lays Off Nat Hentoff and 2 Others  —  The troubled Village Voice laid off three employees Tuesday, including Nat Hentoff, the prominent columnist who has worked for the paper since 1958, contributing opinionated columns about jazz, civil liberties and politics.

Influx of black renters raises tension in Bay Area  —  ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) - As more and more black renters began moving into this mostly white San Francisco Bay Area suburb a few years ago, neighbors started complaining about loud parties, mean pit bulls, blaring car radios, prostitution, drug dealing and muggings of schoolchildren.

Lobbyist Sues Times, Citing Report of McCain Ties  —  WASHINGTON — A Washington lobbyist sued The New York Times and several of its reporters and editors Tuesday, charging that the newspaper had falsely created an impression that she had engaged in an improper romantic relationship with Senator John McCain.

Nobody Goes There Anymore, It's Too Crowded  —  I think trying to build housing in shopping malls is a potentially promising idea.  It's a reminder that I've been meaning for a while to write a post about separating the idea of “walkable urbanism” from the idea of “living in a city.”