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:

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.

Who is Jiverly 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.

NATO leaders pick over new secretary-general  —  STRASBOURG, France - NATO leaders appointed Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as NATO's new secretary-general Saturday after overcoming Turkish objections to a leader who angered Muslims around the world by supporting the right to caricature the Prophet Muhammad.

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 …

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.

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 …

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?

Obama, Going Along to Get Along  —  Barack Obama has proved in the past few days that he can work smoothly and productively with a wide range of foreign leaders — provided that he allows them to set the agenda.  —  The president's whirl of bilateral and multilateral meetings in London …

GOP Rep Blasts Rush As Not “Serious” And An “Entertainer”  —  Uh oh — looks like another Republican may be forced to go on the Limbaugh Death March.  —  In comments that passed unnoticed, Rep Zach Wamp of Tennessee, who's running for Governor, blasted Rush Limbaugh twice on CNN as a mere …

Times Co. Said to Consider Closing Boston Globe  —  The New York Times Company has threatened to close The Boston Globe unless labor unions agree to concessions like pay cuts and the cessation of pension contributions, according to a person briefed on the talks.