Labor Bill Faces Threat in Senate  —  WASHINGTON — Key Senate Democrats are wavering in their support of legislation that would give more power to labor unions, dealing a setback to labor's top priority as businesses warn of the damage the bill would cause.

MAYBE THEY WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION.... I can appreciate why the right is angry that President Obama disagrees with conservative activists about culture-war issues.  What I don't understand is why they're so surprised. … Fidelis president Brian Burch said, “It has really been a disappointment.”

Questioning the Patriotism of Freeman's Critics  —  For 60 years, liberals have had the unenviable task of defending our loyalty and patriotism from right-wing attack dogs who claim that we hate America.  In the Jewish community, we have witnessed a parallel phenomenon.

New U.N. human rights report and America's lectures to other countries  —  (updated below - Update II)  —  The Washington Post's Fred Hiatt today condemns the Obama administration generally and Hillary Clinton specifically for “continu[ing] to devalue and undermine the U.S. diplomatic tradition of human rights advocacy.”

The coming evangelical collapse  —  An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin.  But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.  —  ONEIDA, KY. -  —  We are on the verge - within 10 years - of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity.

Franken: ‘Light at end of the tunnel’  —  Al Franken dropped by a Senate Democratic lunch Tuesday to claim “there is light at the end of the tunnel” in his ongoing Minnesota Senate race, but he ruled out being seated until pending court challenges are resolved.

FROM A READER, an amusing parody.

Obama takes on teachers' unions  —  After weeks of pleasing Democrats by overturning policies set by the previous administration, President Barack Obama Tuesday for the first time confronted a powerful constituency in his own party: teachers' unions.  —  Obama proposed spending additional money …

Taking a Depression Seriously  —  The Democratic response to the economic crisis has its problems, but let's face it, the current Republican response is totally misguided.  The House minority leader, John Boehner, has called for a federal spending freeze for the rest of the year.

Catholic Church Hearing Canceled Wednesday  —  Following the biggest political firestorm of the 2009 legislative session, a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday on the financial and administrative management of the Catholic Church has been canceled.  The bill is dead for the rest of the legislative session.

Ann Coulter and Bill Maher spar at Radio City Politico - 1 hour, 52 minutes ago  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  NEW YORK — Bill Maher couldn't have asked for a better act to follow.  —  Maher took the stage at the Radio City Music Hall Monday after Ann Coulter …

The new left-wing conspiracy  —  The vast new left-wing conspiracy sets its tone every morning at 8:45 a.m., when officials from more than 20 labor, environmental and other Democratic-leaning groups dial into a private conference call hosted by two left-leaning Washington organizations.

Pelosi open to second stimulus  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday she is open to introducing a second stimulus bill, but it's too early to determine the size of such a package and the timing on another major economic measure.  —  “We have to keep the door open to see how it goes …

House votes to create panel to plan Reagan centennial  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - The House voted Monday night to approve the creation of a panel to plan a celebration of the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth in February of 2011.  —  Earmark opponent Jeff Flake and former presidential candidate Ron Paul …

Obama Seeks to Delay Tanker, Cancel Bomber  —  The White House has given the Pentagon guidance to delay procurement of aerial refueling tankers by five years and cancel plans for a new long-range bomber, according to three sources close to the discussions.  —  No final decisions have been made …

The Idiot's Guide to Destroying the Economy: a 12-Step Program  —  Think destroying the mighty economy of the United States is too big a job for you?  Relax.  Anyone can do it.  A friend sent me a handy-dandy no-fuss 12-step program for wreaking financial havoc among even the world's most advanced economies.

The Broadband Gap: Why Is Theirs Faster?  —  This is the first in a series of three posts looking at the lessons for the United States from broadband deployment in other countries.  —  Bits readers have a serious case of broadband envy.  I've been writing about the debate …

Blair defends Freeman from Lieberman  —  National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair strongly defended Chas Freeman this morning in response to a question from Senator Joe Lieberman about statements suggesting Freeman is “inclined to lean against Israel or too much in favor of China.”

I may run for president of Texas  —  On Glenn Beck's radio show last week, I quipped in response to our wayward federal government, “I may run for president of Texas.”  —  That need may be a reality sooner than we think.  If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star state …