REALLY A MYSTERY  —  From an observer up on the Hill ...  And from a career intel professional ...  I used to do a lot of intelligence reporting.  But I haven't really done any to speak of in a few years.  So I'm coming at this cold.  But I feel instinctively suspicious of the congressional reaction to this appointment.

Reid: Coleman will “never ever serve”  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered the toughest language he has ever used in arguing that Norm Coleman's career in the Senate is finished.  —  “Norm Coleman will never ever serve [again] in the Senate,” Reid told Politico's Manu Raju.  “He lost the election.

NBC BANS COULTER FOR LIFE; CUT FROM ‘TODAY’ SHOW OVER BOOK'S CLAIMS, NO MORE CABLE  —  The nation's top selling conservative author has been banned from appearing on NBC, insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT.  —  Banned for life!  —  “We are just not going to have her on any more, it's over,” a top network source explains.

Zahar Claims Victory, Calls to Kill Jewish Children  —  (IsraelNN.com) Hamas spokesman Mahmoud Az-Zahar claimed victory for Hamas on Monday, saying Hamas had succeeded in “destroying Israel's sense of security” with its rocket attacks.  Zahar made his proclamation in video footage sent from a secret hideout …

Steele, Blackwell take limelight at RNC forum  —  Members to vote for new chairman  —  Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, an accomplished speaker, and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, not well known for dazzling performances, each repeatedly drew sustained applause …

NRSC chair encourages King candidacy  —  National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn met today with Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), and intends on supporting him as the congressman strongly considers a run for the Senate in New York.  —  “Senator Cornyn believes Peter King would be a very formidable candidate.

Biden on economy: 'We're at war'  —  Vice-president-elect Joe Biden likened the country's economic crisis to the attacks of 9/11 Monday in a private meeting on Capitol Hill.  —  “We're at war,” Biden told congressional leaders of both parties during their sit-down with Barack Obama in the Capitol …

Iran's Postmodern Beast in Gaza  —  Israel has just embarked on a land invasion of the Gaza Strip after a week of aerial bombing.  Gaza is bordered by Egypt, and was under Egyptian military control from 1949 through 1967.  And yet in a startling rebuke to geography and recent history …

Ex-Detainee of U.S. Describes a 6-Year Ordeal  —  LAHORE, Pakistan — When Muhammad Saad Iqbal arrived home here in August after more than six years in American custody, including five at the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, he had difficulty walking, his left ear was severely infected …

Cars launched at synagogue  —  TOULOUSE - ATTACKERS launched two cars packed with petrol bombs at a synagogue in France's south-western city of Toulouse on Monday night, causing damage but no casualties, officials said.  —  One car was set on fire and pushed by the other until it hit the door …

What is with CNN ?  KEEPING THEM (CNN) honest: guess what CNN did!  CNN put Gov Sarah Palin in same category as John Edwards, Elliott Spitzer, Gov Blago and more!!  —  Wait until you read this one about CNN!! (and yes, I will continue to defend women who are gratuitously insulted!  I hope you will, too.

Senate bid by Jeb Bush iffy, friends say  —  Republican excitement over the prospect of Jeb Bush running for U.S. Senate has given way to increasing speculation that the former governor will stay out of the race.  —  Bush declined to comment for this article but was expected to make an announcement perhaps as early as this week.

Five Reasons Why India Can't ‘Do A Gaza’ On Pakistan  —  Israel has far fewer restrictions.  —  Over the last week, many Americans (and not a few Indians) have asked me why India does not “do a Gaza” on Pakistan, referring, of course, to an emulation of Israel's punitive use of force …

If She Says She Wants “Equality, Not Sameness,” She's Lying.  —  My ladylike nature is to tread lightly, so this post on gay marriage raised the idea that gay marriage would annihilate gender differences but then dropped it as if it were merely a suggestion.  Not so Robert Stacy McCain:

Team Obama dabbles in drama  —  For an outfit known for its lack of drama, Team Obama has become a downright thrill show.  —  Bill Richardson!  Rick Warren!  Rod Blagojevich!  Roland Burris!  Talk about a ride through the fun house.  —  President-elect Barack Obama doesn't bear responsibility …

In an increasingly wired China, rehab for Internet addicts  —  A Beijing treatment center for Web-addicted youths includes counseling, group games like laser tag, and physical exercise.  —  BEIJING -  —  A 6 a.m. wake-up call.  Afternoon drills in military bearing and formations.

Laura Bush to write her life story  —  Laura Bush has signed with Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, to write her memoirs for publication in the spring of 2010.  —  The first lady plans to write about her experiences in the White House and Texas governor's mansion …

Where is Gov. Chris Gregoire and why is she being so secretive?  —  Is she in Washington D.C., waiting to annouce that she's taken a job in President Barack Obama's administration?  (There is a fresh vacancy, you know.)  —  One of my sources said he couldn't tell me where Gov. Chris Gregoire is now …