White House: No bow to Saudi  —  The White House is denying that the president bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.  —  “It wasn't a bow.  He grasped his hand with two hands …

Big Liberal Bloggers Tee Off On Progressive Groups For Not Sharing Ad Wealth  —  Some of the leading liberal bloggers are privately furious with the major progressive groups — and in some cases, the Democratic Party committees — for failing to spend money advertising on their sites …

Obama and Gates Gut the Military  —  The secretary's new budget will leave us weaker to pay for the president's domestic programs.  —  On Monday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a significant reordering of U.S. defense programs.  His recommendations should not go unchallenged.

U.S. Crew in Standoff With Pirates Off Somalia Coast  —  Hours after pirates commandeered a United States-flagged container ship with 20 American crew members off the coast of Somalia on Wednesday, the pirates and crew appeared to be in a standoff, with the ship under control of its crew once again …

Does God Exist?  Hitchens vs. Craig  —  I had the opportunity to see Christopher Hitchens debate Dr. William Lane Craig on the topic “Does God Exist?” at BIOLA University.  The gymnasium was packed with 3,000 people, most of whom were Christians but some non-believers made a showing.

Lost in Translation: Turkish Anchor Appears in Blackface on Air in Coverage of President Obama  —  There is a great deal of chatter on the Internet today about an anchor who appears in blackface in the coverage of President Obama's trip to Turkey.  The rough translation from the appearance is “Welcome, Mr. Obama.

Thoughts on Bill O'Reilly and Squeaky the Chicago Mouse  —  Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your “Hall of Shame.”  To be in an O'Reilly Hall of Fame would be a cruel blow to any newspaper.  It would place us in the favor of a man …

Keith Olbermann's scathing criticism of Obama's secrecy/immunity claims  —  (updated below - Update II - Update III)  —  Several weeks ago, I noted that unlike the Right — which turned itself into a virtual cult of uncritical reverence for George W. Bush especially during the first several years …

AP Newsbreak: Obama looks at climate engineering … WASHINGTON (AP) - The president's new science adviser said Wednesday that global warming is so dire, the Obama administration is discussing radical technologies to cool Earth's air.  —  John Holdren told The Associated Press …

Human Rights Campaign Exposes National Organization for Marriage's Fake Ad for Fake Problems  —  Right-wing group does not have truth on its side, so it hires actors to spew lies; Audition reel uncovered online  —  WASHINGTON -The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay …

Palin fan sets up Web site to cover her legal defense costs  —  (CNN) — A Texas businessman launched a Web site Tuesday that allows users to help defray Gov. Sarah Palin's legal costs.  —  The donations will be forwarded to the governor's attorney in Alaska.

The Best State Political Blogs  —  The day has arrived!  —  After sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of recommendations that came in via the Fix comments section, Twitter and email, we are finally ready to unveil our list of the best political blogs in each of the 50 states.

Mitt Romney sells Utah ski house … SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Race-car driver and money manager Hal Prewitt bought Mitt Romney's ski house at Deer Valley Resort for “a little less” than the asking price of $5.25 million, his agent said  —  Tuesday.  —  “It's beautiful.

South Park creators given signed photo of Saddam Hussein  —  Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, were given a signed photo of Saddam Hussein by US marines after the former Iraqi leader was shown their movie in prison.  —  During his captivity, US marines forced Saddam …

Muslim Girl Gets $400G From Nevada School District in Head Scarf Bully Case  —  A Nevada school district agreed to pay $400,000 to a Muslim girl and her friend over allegations that other students threatened to kill her in the stairwell for wearing a religious head scarf and the staff did nothing to stop it.

At emotional hearing, relatives finally hear man's name cleared  —  AUSTIN — Twenty-two years ago, Ruby Session listened in disbelief as a Lubbock jury convicted her son, Timothy Cole, of rape.  She promised herself that one day she would make sure this injustice was corrected.

U.S. to Join Iran Talks Over Nuclear Program  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Wednesday that the United States for the first time would participate regularly with other global powers in negotiations with the Iranian government about its nuclear program.

Why Coleman Should Drop Out  —  If he keeps up the fight, he is likely to lose, unnecessarily deprive Minnesota of a second senator, end his political career seen as a sore loser, and hurt his party in a state that is eager for this fight to be over.  His team has talked enough …

Rogers urged to apologize for comments  —  The head of the Alabama Democratic Party said U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, owes the U.S. speaker of the House an apology.  —  Rogers came to Montgomery on Monday to speak to constituents, and Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham found …

“Fair and balanced” Fox News aggressively promotes “tea party” protests … Despite its repeated insistence that its coverage is “fair and balanced” and its invitation to viewers to “say ‘no’ to biased media,” in recent weeks, Fox News has frequently aired segments encouraging viewers to get involved with …

Concerned resident aims to form armed militia to patrol Stockton  —  STOCKTON - A retired truck driver and Vietnam War veteran said Monday that he is forming an armed militia - mostly men with rifles and armbands, four to a car - to patrol Stockton this summer, when at least 43 police officers are to be laid off.

U.S. Imagines the Bailout as an Investment Tool  —  By GRAHAM BOWLEY and MICHAEL J. de la MERCED  —  During World War I, Americans were exhorted to buy Liberty Bonds to help their soldiers on the front.  —  Now, it seems, they will be asked to come to the aid of their banks …

Why We Need the New York Times  —  For many years, I was a devoted reader of the New York Times.  An unusually devoted one.  —  I picked up the habit from David O'Brien, an actor who played my father on a soap opera I appeared on over 25 years ago.  It was my first professional job …