Bush takes swipes at Obama policies  —  Defends interrogations  —  Former President George W. Bush fired a salvo at President Obama on Wednesday, asserting his administration's interrogation policies were within the law, declaring the private sector not government will fix the economy and rejecting the nationalization of health care.

Senator questions firing of 3 inspectors general  —  Removal of 2 inspectors general prompts questions  —  WASHINGTON - — He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government's multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation's financial system.

With Iran, Think Before You Speak  —  THE grass-roots protests that have engulfed Iran since its presidential election last week have grabbed America's attention and captured headlines — unfortunately, so has the clamor from neoconservatives urging President Obama to denounce the voting …

Outcry on Federal Same-Sex Benefits  —  WASHINGTON — The package of domestic partnership benefits that President Obama established for federal workers on Wednesday drew the loudest protests from some of those it was intended to help, gay men and lesbians who criticized the move as too timid.

Day of Mourning, Protests, Called by Mousavi on Thursday  —  Mir-Hosain Mousavi, who maintains he won last Friday's presidential election despite official assertions that he lost 2 to 1 to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is calling for another rally Thursday, this time in part to honor the persons killed …

Hillary Clinton Fractures Her Elbow  —  The Secretary of State will undergo surgery to repair the damage next week  —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fell down on her way to the White House late Wednesday afternoon, fracturing her right elbow, her Counselor and Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills …

Why are Iranian police markings written in English?  —  Post-election protests continued in Tehran for the fifth day on Wednesday.  In many photos, riot police wear uniforms with the English word police on them.  Ambulances, too, bear the word ambulance in English.

Just Tell the World, ‘Go Hang’  —  Events in Iran catch President Obama flat-footed.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  “Wading into Iranian politics, President Barack Obama said on Tuesday there appeared to be few policy differences between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and rival Mirhossein Mousavi,” Reuters reports.

Bailout Costs vs Big Historical Events  —  It is exceedingly difficult to convey exactly how much we are spending on all these bailouts.  Whenever I start talking trillions (versus mere billions), I get puzzled looks from people.  Humans have a hard time conceptualizing any number that large.

Months After Ted Stevens Debacle, Justice Department Corruption Unit in Disarray  —  Two months after prosecutors abandoned the criminal conviction of former senator Ted Stevens, the Justice Department unit that polices public corruption remains in chaos, coping with newly discovered evidence …

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Demands Answers on Voter Intimidation Case Dismissal  —  As was commented upon here at CONTENTIONS, and widely reported and remarked upon elsewhere, the Obama Justice Department took the unusual action last month of dismissing a default judgment …

Two sources: Supreme Court ruling on U.S. Senate race to arrive tomorrow!  —  PIM has now heard from two sources on different sides of the Minnesota U.S. Senate race recount scene that the final Minnesota Supreme Court ruling is expected to arrive tomorrow, Thursday, June 18th.

ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL  —  ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint!  —  The development comes a day after the network denied a request …

A Man of the Cities  —  Cities everywhere in the world are more broadly liberal and cosmopolitan than small towns and villages.  Rural areas in the Middle East are often startlingly conservative, especially from the point of view of Western visitors like me and my colleagues in the media.

Iran election turnouts exceeded 100% in 30 towns, website reports  —  At least 200 polling stations across Iran had participation rates of 95% or above, say sources of centrist Auyandeh site  —  Turnouts of more than 100% were recorded in at least 30 Iranian towns in last week's disputed …

Obama and the Fly  —  Well, I guess it can't be said that President Obama wouldn't hurt a fly.  The commander in chief was recently pestered by a fly during an interview.  He swatted at the insect and killed the little guy instantly.  —  Believe it or not, we've actually been contacted …

Remarks With Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman  —  Treaty Room  —  Washington, DC  —  SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon.  It is my pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Lieberman to the State Department today for his first official visit to Washington in his new role.