WaPo Columnist Has Undisclosed Conflict of Interest on Roman Polanski Matter  —  In an earlier post I noted substantial inaccuracies and omissions in a post by Washington Post pundit Anne Applebaum in support of Roman Polanski.  (For example, she said Polanski fled during his trial; in fact …

Obama can't downsize to success in Afghanistan  —  The president appears to be dragging his feet on more troops for the struggle, but that's what an effective counterinsurgency strategy requires.  —  During last year's campaign, Barack Obama stressed that while he wanted to withdraw from Iraq, he was no pacifist.

FOX-TV CHICAGO ORDERED NOT TO RUN ANTI-OLYMPICS STORY  —  A local TV station that reported on Chicagoans NOT wanting the Olympics has been told NOT to run the report again, insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT!  —  The Chicago Olympic Committee told FOX Chicago that its broadcast “would harm Chicago's chances” to be awarded the games.

New Cheney Taking Stage for the G.O.P.  —  NASHVILLE — Liz Cheney looks nothing like her father, but it is clear who he is.  She was introduced as “our favorite vice president's daughter” at a recent gathering of conservative women here.  She kept invoking him in her speech …

On Medicare Spending, a Role Reversal  —  Republicans, Not Interest Groups, Fight Plans to Cut $400 Billion Over 10 Years  —  After years of trying to cut Medicare spending, Republican lawmakers have emerged as champions of the program, accusing Democrats of trying to steal from the elderly to cover the cost of health reform.

Iran Test Fires Most Advanced Missiles  —  Iran reported Monday that it successfully test-fired its most advanced and powerful medium-range missiles as part of war games it said were intended to deter the country's enemies.  —  Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps tested the Shahab-3 …

William Safire, Nixon Speechwriter and Times Columnist, Is Dead at 79  —  William Safire, a speechwriter for President Richard M. Nixon and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for The New York Times who also wrote novels, books on politics and a Malaprop's treasury of articles on language …

Was Census Worker Bill Sparkman A Child Predator?  —  Update: Before any more people start going bonkers that I'm accusing Sparkman of anything, take a breath.  I've done a fair amount of crime blogging mixed in with politics over time.  One doesn't rule anything in or out without some firm answers.

Welcome to the New Germany  —  After Sunday's election, Germany's political landscape has been shaken up, perhaps for ever.  Angela Merkel's conservatives will be able to form a coalition government with the business-friendly FDP, but the balance of power between the two parties has fundamentally shifted.

There Are Only Two Choices Left on Iran  —  An Israeli or U.S. military strike now, or a nuclear Tehran soon.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  Unless you are a connoisseur of small pictures of bearded, brooding fanatical clerics there is not much reason to collect Iranian currency.

Bank Pulls Back From Acorn Work  —  Already facing the loss of federal government funding, the community-organizing group Acorn also has run afoul of one of its big corporate partners, Bank of America Corp.  —  In response to questions from The Wall Street Journal, a spokesman for the banking company …

Cassandras of Climate  —  Every once in a while I feel despair over the fate of the planet.  If you've been following climate science, you know what I mean: the sense that we're hurtling toward catastrophe but nobody wants to hear about it or do anything to avert it.  —  And here's the thing: I'm not engaging in hyperbole.