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 …

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 …

IAF attacks Khan Younis rocket factory  —  The IAF attacked a rocket-manufacturing factory in Khan Younis on Wednesday evening, Israel Radio reported.  Palestinians also said that a woman was killed in Jabalya when aircraft targeted a house in the town.  —  The air force also attacked …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Obama, Pelosi to Discuss Scope of Economic Package  —  President-elect Barack Obama will meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday as Congress prepares to reconvene and debate a massive recovery plan for the nation's struggling economy, according to Democratic sources.

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.

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.

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 …

Smoking ban leads to major drop in heart attacks  —  ATLANTA - A smoking ban in one Colorado city led to a dramatic drop in heart attack hospitalizations within three years, a sign of just how serious a health threat secondhand smoke is, government researchers said Wednesday.

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 …

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.