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.

Reid the Quarterback May Call on Obama to Referee  —  WASHINGTON — As the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, takes on the delicate task of melding two competing versions of major health care legislation, aides say he will lean heavily on President Obama to arbitrate …

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 …

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 …

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.

Iran Reported to Have Tested Long-Range Missiles  —  PARIS — Locked in a deepening dispute with the United States and its allies over its nuclear program, Iran was reported Monday to have test-fired its longest-range missiles capable of striking Israel, parts of Europe and American bases …

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.

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.

Secret Agent Editors  —  The Obama scandals bring a new era of opacity at the New York Times.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  (Editor's note: This is an abbreviated edition of Best of the Web Today.  We're on assignment, returning Thursday.)  —  Clark Hoyt, “public editor” …

Max's Mad Mandate  —  The Baucus health bill will break 50 state budgets via Medicaid.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  The more we inspect Max Baucus's health-care bill, the worse it looks.  Today's howler: One reason it allegedly “pays for itself” over 10 years is because it would break …

NATO Officials Say They Will Back Afghan Effort to Turn Insurgents Against Taliban  —  NATO Countries Pledge to Help Turn Insurgents Against Taliban  —  The United States and NATO countries fighting in Afghanistan have told President Hamid Karzai's government that they expect him to remain …