Deadliest weapon so far... the plague  —  Terrorists train ... but they face invisible killer  —  At least 40 al-Qaeda fanatics died horribly after being struck down with the disease that devastated Europe in the Middle Ages.  —  The killer bug, also known as the plague …

VERY POOR CHOICE  —  As most of you likely know, the inauguration committee sold HBO the exclusive rights to broadcast yesterday's inaugural concert festivities.  I don't think that was a good idea since certainly not every American subscribes or can subscribe to HBO.

Bush commutes sentences of former US border agents … WASHINGTON (AP) - In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.

Jill Biden Tells Oprah Her Hubbie Offered Choice of VP or Secy of State  —  During the taping of the Oprah Winfrey show today, Dr. Jill Biden said that her husband, the vice president-elect, was given a choice of being either vice president or secretary of State.

William Ayers turned back at Canadian border  —  An American education professor, one of the founders of a radical 1960s group known as the Weather Underground, which was responsible for a number of bombings in the United States in the early 1970s, was turned back at the Canadian border last night.

No Pardon For Libby  —  Bush uses clemency powers sparingly to the end  —  I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was convicted of lying and obstructing a leak investigation over the run-up to the Iraq war.  —  In a move that has keenly disappointed some of his strongest conservative allies …

Christopher Hitchens Blames Torture on Common Americans, Demands ‘Tongue’ From Andrew Sullivan  —  A gaggle of prominent scribes including Tina Brown, Harold Evans, and Politico's Mike Allen got a scare Saturday night when they found themselves briefly trapped in an elevator struggling …

Obama Web-site imitation bears virus  —  With all the public interest in President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, it was only a matter of time before someone exploited the attention for harm.  —  According to the computer protection firm Panda Security, someone has made copies …

Why I'm not sorry that George W. Bush beat Al Gore and John Kerry.  —  Yes, yes, I was on the downtown streets of Washington bright and early, mingling with the bright-eyed and the wide-eyed.  Yes, by all means I was there on the Mall Sunday afternoon, feeling no more moist than the next person …

Slate crashes Bush's farewell party.  —  You can often tell a party by its parties.  This week, Democrats are feting the incoming chief with top-shelf DJs, valet parking, and more coat checks than coats.  Republicans, on the other hand, seem to be partying on a tight budget, if at all.

What Recession?  The $170 Million Inauguration  —  Obama's Inauguration Has Been Financed Partially by Bailed-Out Wall Street Executives  —  ABC NEWS Business Unit  —  The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn't stopping rich donors …

‘Hamas torturing Fatah members in Gaza’  —  Hamas militiamen have rounded up hundreds of Fatah activists on suspicion of “collaboration” with Israel during Operation Cast Lead, Fatah members in the Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.  —  They said the Hamas crackdown on Fatah intensified …

44% Say Global Warming Due To Planetary Trends, Not People  —  Al Gore's side may be coming to power in Washington, but they appear to be losing the battle on the idea that humans are to blame for global warming.  —  Forty-four percent (44%) of U.S. voters now say long-term planetary trends …

CAROLINE THE ‘CERTAIN’ PICK FOR DAVE: RIVALS  —  DESPITE claims that he's still undecided, Gov. Paterson is “certain” to pick Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US Senate, several unhappy contenders for the job have told friends and associates in recent days.

Chris Rock on making fun of Barack Obama  —  (CNN) — Chris Rock is best known for two things: being funny and being crass.  —  “This is what people come to see.  I'm just doing my show,” the comedian said with a laugh.  —  He's also known for his political commentary …

NOT SO MUCH  —  Theda Skocpol responds to Rep. Frank ...  I have to say, my read is very, very similar to Theda's.  I hope Frank was speaking in a more general sense rather than one of literal grand bargains or broad political economic quid pro quos.  In fact, I agree so much I think I'm …

In Last Official Act, Bush Repeals English Language  —  In what he hoped would be the capstone to his eight years as President, George W. Bush today signed an executive order repealing the English language.  —  Scrawling his name on the official document, Mr. Bush said that in abolishing English …

All That Experience and No Place to Go  —  GOP Appointees Scramble for the Few Washington Jobs in a Tough Economy  —  The ranks of the nation's unemployed are swelling this week.  —  As President-elect Barack Obama's team transitions into the federal government tomorrow …