Taliban Chief Claims Responsibility for N.Y. Shooting Massacre  —  A Pakistani Taliban militant leader has claimed responsibility for the attack on a U.S. immigration center in New York state in which 13 people were killed, Reuters reported.  —  “I accept responsibility.  They were my men.

Larry Summers, Tim Geithner and Wall Street's ownership of government  —  White House officials yesterday released their personal financial disclosure forms, and included in the millions of dollars which top Obama economics adviser Larry Summers made from Wall Street in 2008 is this detail:

Administration Seeks an Out On Bailout Rules for Firms  —  Officials Worry Constraints Set by Congress Deter Participation  —  The Obama administration is engineering its new bailout initiatives in a way that it believes will allow firms benefiting from the programs to avoid restrictions imposed …

Obama lauds NATO allies for Afghanistan support  —  STRASBOURG, France (CNN) — President Barack Obama on Saturday said he is “pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support” for the new U.S. strategy toward fighting militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Being a “Public Christian”  —  Reacting to the Iowa gay marriage ruling today, Rod Dreher writes: … I realize its often hard to appreciate how your words will come across to those who don't share your beliefs, but good grief, is it possible to be more oblivious?

Pitchforks and Pistols  —  Lately I've been consuming as much conservative media as possible (interspersed with shots of Pepto-Bismol) to get a better sense of the mind and mood of the right.  My read: They're apocalyptic.  They feel isolated, angry, betrayed and besieged.

Gates Planning Major Changes in Defense Programs, Budget  —  Proposal Said to Move Focus To Counterinsurgency Efforts  —  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is expected to announce on Monday the restructuring of several dozen major defense programs as part of the Obama administration's bid …

Sarah Palin Lashes Out at Levi Johnston for Sex Talk on Tyra  —  Levi Johnston is in big trouble at the Sarah Palin household.  —  After taking about sex on The Tyra Banks Show, Johnston - the 18-year-old father of Bristol Palin's baby - was hit with a blistering response from Bristol's mother, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Conservatives Holding Up Increasing Number Of Key Obama Nominees  —  Conservatives in Congress and in the media are attempting to block or delay a growing number of critical nominees for what amount to ideological witch hunts and self-interested horse-trading.

Who is Jiverly Wong Voong?  Conflicting picture of Binghamton gunman emerges  —  The maniac who shot 13 people dead in a Binghamton immigration center before killing himself was described Friday as an angry loner who loved guns, hated America and talked about assassinating the President.