Blagojevich's pick has résumé chiseled in stone  —  (CNN) — Anyone who doubts Roland Burris' qualifications to serve as the next senator from Illinois may want to head to Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery.  —  There, Burris, whom embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed …

We must adjust our distorted image of Hamas  —  Gaza is a secular society where people listen to pop music, watch TV and many women walk the streets unveiled  —  Last week I was in Gaza.  While I was there I met a group of 20 or so police officers who were undergoing a course in conflict management.

Government aid could save U.S. newspapers, spark debate  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Connecticut lawmaker Frank Nicastro sees saving the local newspaper as his duty.  But others think he and his colleagues are setting a worrisome precedent for government involvement in the U.S. press.

Minnesota Recount Almost Over — But Coleman Could Keep A Franken Win Bottled Up For Weeks  —  Al Franken could be declared the winner of the Minnesota recount as soon as Monday, but due to the peculiarities of Minnesota election law, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) could keep the seat bottled …

Poll: Obama viewed as a strong leader  —  CNN Deputy Political Director  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — A national poll suggests that three-quarters of the public thinks President-elect Barack Obama is a strong and decisive leader, the highest marks for a president-elect on that characteristic in nearly three decades.

NY Democratic advisers talk up ‘caretaker’ senator  —  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sen. Bill Clinton?  Sen. Mario Cuomo?  Don't completely rule it out.  The former president and the former New York governor are among several boldface names being touted as possible “caretakers” for New York's Senate seat …

Atheists Sue Over Inaugural Prayer  —  Michael A. Newdow, who led the failed charge to get the words “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance, is now heading an effort to keep religion out of President-elect Barack Obama's swearing in.  —  Newdow's group, consisting of 18 individuals …

O'Reilly questions whether ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ song is ‘mean-spirited.’  —  O'Reilly questions whether ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ song is ‘mean-spirited.’»  —  Yesterday, Bill O'Reilly discussed the controversy surrounding RNC chair candidate Chip Saltsman's Christmas greeting …

ZIONIST ISRAEL'S CRIMES ARE NOT NEW  —  bismi-lLahi-rRahmani-rRahiem  —  In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful  —  The inflicting of war-crime acts and crimes against humanity is not new to the history of Zionist Israel.  —  Zionism — for those still confused by the relentless media …

Obama dismisses Bush Pentagon appointees  —  Despite keeping Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the Pentagon, President-elect Obama's transition team informed 90 Bush appointees their services will not be needed after Inauguration Day.  —  Scott Gration, a senior official on Obama's transition team …

Katharine Webb Joyner  —  My wife Kimberly woke me a little before 2 yesterday morning to inform me that her water had broken and that it was time to drive her to the hospital.  After 12 hours of trying naturally, another 14 of trying with the aid of an inducing drug, and two hours of hard labor …

Alberto Gonzales Is Going to Write an Awfully Short Tell-All  —  Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, head clown for some of the Bush Administration's wackiest episodes, will write a tell-all book about his experiences at the Department of Justice.  I find this curious.

Chief justice pleads for higher judicial salaries  —  CNN Supreme Court Producer  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts renewed his call for higher judicial pay on Wednesday, warning of long-term damage to the fabric of the courts.

Arab youths open fire on Israelis working at mall in Denmark  —  A group of Arab youths opened fire Wednesday evening on a number of Israelis working at a mall in the Danish city of Odenza, some 200 kilometers north of Copenhagen.  —  The Israelis, who were operating a stall in the shopping center, were lightly wounded in their legs.

NASA chief's wife to Obama: Don't fire my husband  —  WASHINGTON - Late on Christmas Eve, one last wish was sent, by e-mail: Please let NASA Administrator Michael Griffin keep his job.  It was from his wife.  —  Rebecca Griffin, who works in marketing, sent her message with the subject line “Campaign for Mike” to friends and family.

Torture prosecutions finally begin in the U.S.  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  While fiercely loyal establishment spokespeople such as The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus continue to insist that prosecutions are only appropriate for common criminals ("someone breaking into your house") …