Obama to meet with military commanders Wednesday  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Incoming President Barack Obama is planning to meet with top military leaders on Wednesday to discuss the war in Iraq and move to begin implementing his campaign promise of removing all combat troops within 16 months …

Thoughts On The Cease-Fire  —  The Israeli cabinet met tonight and approved a unilateral cease-fire in Gaza set to take effect at 2AM, Israel time.  Hamas is responding to the announcement with fresh barrages of rocket fire.  Israel has recently been under immense international pressure …

Bailout Is a Windfall to Banks, if Not to Borrowers  —  At the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton last November, John C. Hope III, the chairman of Whitney National Bank in New Orleans, stood before a ballroom full of Wall Street analysts and explained how his bank intended to use its $300 million in federal bailout money.

Obama's $100,000-Plus Donors Were Able to Give to Several Entities  —  Obama's $100,000-Plus Backers Were Able to Contribute to Several Entities  —  Nearly 100 wealthy families and power couples contributed at least $100,000 each to help Barack Obama over the past two years …

The official Flag of the Obama States of America  —  Defacing the flag in honor of the inauguration of Barack Obama?  —  Well, don't you dare question their patriotism.  —  That would be...unpatriotic.  (Hat tip: Inside Charm City)  —  Photo source: Baltimore Sun

In W.H., Obama staff will say cu l8r 2 im  —  Barack Obama may get to keep his Blackberry, but David Axelrod is losing his IM.  —  The lawyers broke the bad news to Obama aides at a briefing Friday morning convened by incoming Deputy White House Counsel Cassandra Butts …

Brown ready to risk billions on debt insurance  —  Gordon Brown is preparing an unprecedented multi-billion pound plan to insure British banks against future losses from so-called toxic assets, creating a safety net under the financial system which could unblock lending to homeowners and businesses.

Obama Inaugural Strains Lincoln Comparisons While Inviting Them  —  Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) — Barack Obama's inauguration is dedicated to the proposition that all presidencies are not created equal.  —  In ways big and small, Obama is trying to summon Abraham Lincoln's spirit to the proceedings.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of six detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Four detainees were transferred to Iraq, one to Algeria and one to Afghanistan.  These detainees were determined to be eligible for departure following a comprehensive series of review processes.

Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed With Patience  —  President-elect Barack Obama is riding a powerful wave of optimism into the White House, with Americans confident he can turn the economy around but prepared to give him years to deal with the crush of problems he faces starting Tuesday …

Obama prayer speaker comes from group feds say is linked to Hamas  —  One of the religious leaders invited to address Barack Obama's inaugural prayer service Wednesday heads an Islamic group named by federal prosecutors as a co-conspirator in a terrorism-fundraising trial in Texas.

Our permanent state of routine emergency  —  With government, mission creep is the defining feature.  —  Recommend  —  In just about his last act as president, George W. Bush has declared Washington, D.C., a federal disaster area.  —  No, seriously.  I'm not setting up some lame-o punchline here …

Bush's 2001 inaugural pledge: I will ‘call for responsibility and try to live it as well.’  —  Bush's 2001 inaugural pledge: I will ‘call for responsibility and try to live it as well.’»  —  Almost eight years ago, President Bush took the oath of office and solemnly swore to “preserve …

Bill Faith, R.I.P.  —  I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of blogger Bill Faith.  He died of a heart attack and had been in ill health.  —  Bill ran the blog Small Town Veteran and founded/contributed to Old War Dogs.  I linked to his work many times over the years.

Lisa, I want to buy your rock  —  Homer: Not a bear in sight.  The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm.  —  Lisa: That's specious reasoning, Dad.  —  Homer: Thank you, dear.  —  Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.  —  Homer: Oh, how does it work?