Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable  —  Back in 1993, the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain began investigating piracy of Dave Barry's popular column, which was published by the Miami Herald and syndicated widely.  In the course of tracking down the sources of unlicensed distribution …

End of the Honeymoon  —  Two months into his presidency, it is far too soon to make any judgments about Barack Obama's prospects.  All we really know is that he has assembled the rudiments of an administration and launched a batch of ambitious but unproven initiatives.

On The Left-Wing Reaction to John Galt, Ayn Rand, and Tea Parties  —  The nation — indeed, the world — is waking up to the idea that ideas have consequences.  One idea is that sacrificing is not a life-enhancing option and will lead to misery or death.  Another is that the heedless policy …

AIG Paying Millions in Bonuses Despite Receiving Federal Bailout  —  Despite receiving $170 billion in federal aid and recording a staggering loss for the last quarter, insurance giant American International Group is doling out tens of million of dollars in bonuses this week to senior employees.

Minutiae?  In This White House, Call It News  —  WASHINGTON — It's been another busy few days for the Obama administration, which the news media has faithfully cataloged.  —  The Politico broke the story that the president's aides sang “Happy Birthday” to the assistant press secretary …

PICASSO INTERPRETS BARACK  —  As channeled by Michael Ramirez; click to enlarge:  —  Whereas some of us less artistic types thought he just has a hard time keeping his story straight!

Obama Sharpens His Reminders That He Inherited Fiscal ‘Mess’ From Bush  —  President Points to ‘Inherited’ Economy  —  In his inaugural address, President Obama proclaimed “an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

Russia takes the Biden Challenge  —  Joe Biden warned us that Barack Obama would get tested by unfriendly nations in the first six months of his administration because of his inexperience.  That prediction now looks like sunny optimism.  Just days after China aggressively challenged the US Navy …

Post-Rush: Obama's message war  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  Beginning Sunday, the White House will harness every part of the Democratic Party's machinery to defend President Obama's budget and portray Republicans as reflexively political, according to party strategists.

Without a Pastor of His Own, Obama Turns to Five  —  President Obama has been without a pastor or a home church ever since he cut his ties to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. in the heat of the presidential campaign.  But he has quietly cultivated a handful of evangelical pastors …

Madoff Had Accomplices: His Victims  —  Standing in the security line Thursday morning, waiting to get into the federal courthouse in Manhattan, I started chatting with the man behind me.  He looked to be in his early 60s, and though he was well dressed, he looked a little haggard.

American wounded by Israeli troops has surgery  —  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — An American activist struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops in the West Bank was in serious condition Saturday after undergoing surgery, hospital officials said.

Speaker Pelosi: I am not partisan  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is denying Republican claims that she is partisan, saying she has been open to GOP ideas.  —  In an interview with Charlie Rose on Friday, Pelosi was asked what is the most unfair and misleading impression of her.

Finding Messages in a Blueprint  —  PRESIDENTIAL candidates campaign with soaring rhetoric, but presidents and their advisers make actual policy with spreadsheets.  So for policy wonks like me, there is no better place to learn what President Obama really believes than the budget proposal released late last month.