Is this really smoking gun of Obama's Kenyan birth?  —  Attorney files motion for authentication of alleged 1960s certificate from Africa  —  WASHINGTON - California attorney Orly Taitz, who has filed a number of lawsuits demanding proof of Barack Obama's eligibility to serve as president …

When they can't attack the message...  ...they attack the messenger.  —  This is all they've got (vid at link if you can stomach it):  —  That's it.  Not a single refutation of a single fact in the book.  Bill Maher can't bring himself to open it and read what's in between the covers.  Why?

‘Mommy, Why Does My Kindergarten Teacher Lie About Sarah Palin?’  —  (BUMPED; SEE UPDATE BELOW)  —  6:39 p.m. ET: An anonymous e-mailer forwards to me this communication, which I post without editing, except for formatting purposes: … I cannot vouch for the information alleged …

Pilot's Remains Found in Iraq After 18 Years  —  WASHINGTON — Navy officials announced early Sunday that Marines in western Anbar Province, Iraq, had found remains that have been positively identified as those of an American fighter pilot shot down in the opening hours of the first Gulf War in 1991.

Patients forced to live in agony after NHS refuses to pay for painkilling injections  —  Tens of thousands with chronic back pain will be forced to live in agony after a decision to slash the number of painkilling injections issued on the NHS, doctors have warned.

Geithner Won't Rule Out New Taxes for Middle Class  —  To get the economy back on track, will President Barack Obama have to break his pledge not to raise taxes on 95 percent of Americans?  In a “This Week” exclusive, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told me, “We're going to have to do what's necessary.”

JOBLESS GRAD SUES COLLEGE FOR 70G TUITION  —  She has given new meaning to a class-action lawsuit.  —  Trina Thompson gave it the old college try, but couldn't find work.  Now she thinks her sheepskin wasn't worth her time, and is suing her alma mater for her money back.

How Did This Happen?  —  THE TIMES published an especially embarrassing correction on July 22, fixing seven errors in a single article — an appraisal of Walter Cronkite, the CBS anchorman famed for his meticulous reporting.  The newspaper had wrong dates for historic events …

Report: Iran plane was carrying arms for Hezbollah  —  Italian newspaper says plane crash north of Tehran which left 168 people dead was caused by explosion of fuses slated to be delivered to Lebanese organization.  According to report, members of Revolutionary Guards among casualties  —  Nir Magal

Congress' own healthcare benefits: Membership has its privileges  —  Lawmakers can choose among several plans and get special treatment at federal medical facilities.  In 2008, taxpayers spent about $15 billion to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents.  —  Too much, too fast, too expensive.

The Failure of Phantom Victory in Afghanistan  —  Escalation in Afghanistan means more military deaths, 9 coalition fatalities in 48 hours.  This is the war we did not fight, which has festered.  Iraq and Afghanistan were planned on the “1 1/2” conflict doctrine, that the US could face …

Two Sides Take Health Debate Outside Capital  —  WASHINGTON — With Republicans mobilizing against the proposed health care overhaul, President Obama, Congressional Democrats and leading advocacy groups are laying the groundwork for an August offensive against the insurance industry as part …

Branstad says he's weighing run for governor  —  Signs are increasing that Terry Branstad - Iowa's longest-serving governor, but one who hasn't been on the ballot for 15 years - is actively considering a run for the office next year.  —  The state's last Republican governor dismissed talk of a comeback last spring.

The crafting of Obama's Cairo speech to world's Muslims  —  President Obama and aides discuss his address to the world's Muslims, delivered June 4 from Cairo.  The team solicited input from dozens of people.  —  The president worked with dozens but put his own delicate touch onto a blunt address …