Time for the U.S. to Get Out of Afghanistan  —  “Yesterday,” reads the e-mail from Allen, a Marine in Afghanistan, “I gave blood because a Marine, while out on patrol, stepped on a [mine's] pressure plate and lost both legs.”  Then “another Marine with a bullet wound to the head was brought in.

Glenn Greenwald  —  Twice in the past month, my private communications have been splashed about the internet.  That such a thing would happen is unfortunate, and dishonorable, but sadly inevitable, I suppose.  I ignored the first case, in which a rather pathetic woman acolyte of Greenwald's published …

YOU CAN'T KEEP A BAD MAN DOWN  —  SPITZER IS EYEING A COMEBACK  —  Disgraced former Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been privately talking with friends about a possible comeback, and is considering a run for statewide office next year, several sources told The Post.

The Note: Lost Summer — New challenges crowd out health care push  —  It's nice to leave August behind — but what's ahead that's pleasant to see?  —  On health care — we're in a loop with no new input, churning through the same information, and watching the chances of bipartisanship evaporate.

Most Americans Confused by Health Reform  —  CBS News Poll Finds Two Thirds of Population Scratching Heads Over Proposed Changes to Health Insurance System  —  (CBS) Most Americans find the health care reforms being discussed in Congress confusing and say President Obama has not clearly explained …

Justice Dept. to Recharge Enforcement of Civil Rights  —  WASHINGTON — Seven months after taking office, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. is reshaping the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division by pushing it back into some of the most important areas of American political life …

The Obama Slide  —  Two tides swept over American politics last winter.  The first was the Obama tide.  Barack Obama came into office with an impressive 70 percent approval rating.  The second was the independent tide.  Over the first months of this year, the number of people …

Torture's Ugly Dialogue  —  Call him Ishmael.  —  Call him a terrorist or a suicide bomber or anything else you want, but understand that he is willing — no, anxious — to give his life for his cause.  Call him also a captive, and know that he works with others as part of a team …

Why Does Nancy Pelosi Have a Problem With Patriotic Music?  —  If you've ever been stuck on hold with a congressional office in the past, at least you've been able to enjoy some good patriotic music, as opposed to the lilting tones of generic smooth jazz that have been driving elevator users insane for decades.

Will climate change well run dry?  —  The raucous debate over health care could thwart the Senate's enactment of sweeping energy and climate legislation this year, say Democratic aides, energy lobbyists and environmentalists.  —  If Democrats fail to push through a health care bill …

Sony to distribute Google browser  —  Google has forged a distribution alliance with Sony's PC division and is in talks with other computer makers as it looks to promote its well-regarded but little-used Chrome browser.  —  The renewed efforts to expand the reach of Chrome come a year …

GOP objections await healthcare  —  Sen. Judd Gregg has hundreds of procedural objections ready for a healthcare plan Democrats leaders want to speed through the Senate.  —  Gregg (N.H.), the senior Republican on the Budget Committee, told the Hill in a recent interview that Republicans …

Election Set to Fill Seat Left Vacant by Kennedy  —  BOSTON — Amid fevered speculation about possible contenders for Senator Edward M. Kennedy's seat, Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday scheduled a special election for Jan. 19 and said he would keep pushing the state legislature to change the law so he could name an interim successor.

Obama's Looming Health Care Disaster: Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places  —  “For the first time in American history, he wants to tax your health benefits.  Apparently, Senator McCain doesn't think it's enough that your health premiums have doubled.  He thinks you should have to pay taxes on them, too.”

ABC News Exclusive: National Security Adviser Says President Obama Is Having Greater Success Taking Terrorists Out of Commission Than Bush Did  —  Responding to criticism from former Vice President Cheney that President Obama is making the nation more vulnerable to terrorism …

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Obama HCAN Organizer Instructs Supporters How to Shout Down Opponents & Take Over Meetings  —  More Hope and Change—  A Health Care for America Now (HCAN) organizer is caught on tape outside the meeting instructing supporters on how to shout down opponents who get up to ask …

Who is Jennifer?  Another Case of Inter-Campaign Trickery  —  Bob McDonnell's campaign received a call this morning from a woman who called herself “Jennifer” and claimed to be a freelance reporter from the Connection newspapers in Northern Virginia.  She asked for information about McDonnell's schedule.

Mortgage help program frustrating, slow to get going  —  (CNN) — When President Obama unveiled the Making Home Affordable Program in March, he said it would help “responsible folks who have been making their payments” reduce their monthly mortgage bills and avoid losing their homes to foreclosure.