WHY IT'S CUTTING  —  Like you, I've been watching this AIG bonus story unfold over the weekend.  And though I did not see it at first, I think it may prove to be a turning point, both for AIG and the government.  —  I don't believe the bonuses themselves are the heart of the matter …

A Continent Adrift  —  I'm concerned about Europe.  Actually, I'm concerned about the whole world — there are no safe havens from the global economic storm.  But the situation in Europe worries me even more than the situation in America.  —  Just to be clear, I'm not about to rehash …

FIRST THOUGHTS: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE  —  From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro  —  *** Rage against the machine: Anger at Wall Street and at America's financial institutions has been simmering for a while now — the numerous bailouts, Bernie Madoff, and Jon Stewart vs. CNBC have been just a few examples.

Dramatic Advances Sweep Iraq, Boosting Support for Democracy  —  ABC News/BBC/NHK National Survey of Iraq  —  Dramatic advances in public attitudes are sweeping Iraq, with declining violence, rising economic well-being and improved services lifting optimism, fueling confidence in public institutions …

To Urge Passage of Budget, Obama E-Mails His Campaign Army  —  President Obama will kick off an all-out grass-roots effort today urging Congress to pass his $3.55 trillion budget, activating the extensive campaign apparatus he built during his successful 2008 candidacy for the first time since taking office.

Why the GOP Can't Win With Minorities  —  Today conservatism is stigmatized in our culture as an antiminority political philosophy.  In certain quarters, conservatism is simply racism by another name.  And minorities who openly identify themselves as conservatives are still novelties, fish out of water.

Obama to Appear on ‘Tonight Show’  —  Barack Obama appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2007 when he was running for president.  —  President Obama will be making a guest appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Thursday, a White House official said …

Sexual Politics  —  How long has it been since a First Couple seemed to want each other?  —  Look, Ma, no hands!  Only one cool forehead and some extra-strength hairspray touch, and yet everything combusts in this Inauguration Night photo.  Not since Doris Day and Rock Hudson split a pair of pajamas …

Ruling may not be enough to fill Minn. Senate seat  —  A three-judge panel has the result of the Minnesota Senate race in its hands, at least for the time being.  But that doesn't mean Minnesota will have a senator anytime soon.  —  Lawyers for Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman delivered …

AIG Bonus Babies  —  The AIG moment feels like a big one.  Public distaste for both the Bush and Obama administrations' handlinig of the financial crisis seems to be crystallizing in response to the reports of bonuses for executives at the AIG financial products subsidiary …

Free Larry Summers  —  Why the White House needs to unshackle its economic oracle.  —  On a typical day, Larry Summers, the top White House economic adviser, sits in his office overlooking the Rose Garden and receives a near-endless succession of aides working on a stunning variety of issues.

So Far, Few Ripples From Landmark Ruling on Guns  —  About nine months ago, the Supreme Court breathed new life into the Second Amendment, ruling for the first time that it protects an individual right to own guns.  Since then, lower federal courts have decided more than 80 cases interpreting the decision …

Iran, Jews and Pragmatism  —  The Persian New Year, or Norouz, is celebrated this month, often with great extravagance.  Among its traditions is jumping over a bonfire while declaiming: “Take away my yellow complexion and give me your red glow of health.”  —  One way of looking …

Greatest threat to Obama spending plan?  Moderate Dems  —  WASHINGTON — Government spending on most domestic programs is growing at its fastest pace in nearly 30 years, and a lot of worried Democrats are seeking ways to rewrite and reduce the size of President Barack Obama's budget proposals.

Thousands of girls mutilated in Britain  —  The NHS is offering to reverse female circumcision amid concerns that there are 500 victims a year with no prosecutions  —  The NHS is to advertise free operations to reverse female circumcisions, with experts warning that each year more than 500 British girls have their genitals mutilated.

Red Cross Described ‘Torture’ at CIA Jails  —  Secret Report Implies That U.S. Violated International Law  —  The International Committee of the Red Cross concluded in a secret report that the Bush administration's treatment of al-Qaeda captives “constituted torture,” a finding that strongly implied …

My imam father came after me with an axe  —  Hannah Shah had been raped by her father and faced a forced marriage.  She fled, became a Christian and now fears for her life  —  We are all too familiar with the persecution of Christians in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Can Meg Whitman save California?  —  In a bad economy, this sorry state has the worst credit rating and the highest taxes.  The former eBay chief wants to run it like a business.  Is that a good thing?  —  (Fortune Magazine) — It's been barely a month since Meg Whitman declared …