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.

Developing: HBO says they aren't to blame for not including Gene Robinson in concert special  —  Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson (AFP/Robyn Beck)  —  Sunday afternoon, HBO televised the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial — a concert planned by the Presidential Inauguration Committee …

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.

Most blacks say MLK's vision fulfilled, poll finds  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — More than two-thirds of African-Americans believe Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for race relations has been fulfilled, a CNN poll found — a figure up sharply from a survey in early 2008.

TPM LAUNCHES TPMDC  —  Today, on the eve of the inaugural, TPM is launching a new politics blog, TPMDC.com.  It's the successor to TPM Election Central.  Our team covering the Capital under the new administration will be Elana Schor, who joined our team earlier this month, covering Capitol Hill …

Likud, Kadima escalate mutual attacks  —  The Likud and Kadima parties intensified their attacks against each other on Sunday after the cease-fire took effect in the Gaza Strip, formally ending Operation Cast Lead and restarting the election campaign.  —  The first polls taken …

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.

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 …

10 Bush pardons to watch for  —  As the clock ticks down on his presidency, George W. Bush has shown few signs he plans to indulge in the frenzy of last-minute pardons that marked Bill Clinton's final hours in the Oval Office.  —  But Bush could quickly leap back into the spotlight in the next …

No Bush moving trucks needed Inauguration Day  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - On Inauguration day, there's one scene at the White House that won't be playing out exactly as it has during past transitions: the traditional moving of the outgoing First Family's belongings.

Cindy Speaks  —  A Daily Beast Debate: Crouch v. Touré on Obama's MLK Legacy  —  Blogs and Stories  —  In a conversation with her daughter (and blogger) Meghan, Cindy McCain opens up about subjects she couldn't discuss before: anger at the New York Times, wardrobe malfunctions, and Obama's inauguration.

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 …

Yes we can, Mr Geithner  —  This Wednesday Mr Geithner will be confirmed as the new Secretary of Treasury.  Never before in US history has this position been so important.  Mr Geithner's decisions in the next few weeks will have a dramatic impact on the length and the depth of this recession …

The Next War President  —  In synagogue on Saturday, before saying the customary prayer for our country, the rabbi asked us to reflect on the fact that a new president would be inaugurated on Tuesday, and urged us to focus a little more intently than usual on the prayer.

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 …

Gates to sit out Obama inauguration  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will sit out Barack Obama's inauguration at an undisclosed location as the “designated successor” in the event of a catastrophe, the White House announced Monday.