Fox News isn't just bad.  It's un-American.  —  From the magazine issue dated Oct 26, 2009  —  Last week, when White House Communications Director Anita Dunn charged the Fox News Channel with right-wing bias, Fox responded the way it always does.  It denied the accusation with a straight face …

Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax  —  For the first time, 25-year-old researcher Robert Thomas reveals to Gawker how earlier this year he and Richard Heene drew up a master plan to generate a massive media controversy using a weather balloon.  To get famous, of course.

Mr. Deeds for Governor  —  A LEGACY of sound policies, coupled with the proximity of the federal government, has partially protected Virginia from the harsh retrenchments that the recession has forced on many states.  Yet the commonwealth faces a daunting crisis in the form of a drastic shortfall …

David Rohde's insights into what motivates the Taliban  —  (updated below)  —  The New York Times' David Rohde writes about the seven months he was held hostage by a group of extremist Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan and conveys this observation about what motivates them:

How Moody's sold its ratings — and sold out investors  —  WASHINGTON — As the housing market collapsed in late 2007, Moody's Investors Service, whose investment ratings were widely trusted, responded by purging analysts and executives who warned of trouble and promoting those who helped Wall Street plunge …

Specter rips GOP: ‘A Party of obstructionism.’  —  Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who until late April of this year was a lifelong Republican, castigated his former party this morning on Fox News.  Specter ripped the GOP for refusing to be a good-faith negotiator in the health care debate:

Secret Service strained as leaders face more threats  —  Report questions its role in financial investigations  —  WASHINGTON - The unprecedented number of death threats against President Obama, a rise in racist hate groups, and a new wave of antigovernment fervor threaten to overwhelm …

White House ‘Official’ Badmouths Labor Leader For Expecting Obama To Keep His Promises  —  Gerry McEntee is president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).  He leads the largest union in America and has been one of the most vocal advocates for progressive health care reform.

First paper to run Limbaugh “slavery” quote issues retraction  —  In the wake of the news that radio host Rush Limbaugh was hoping to buy a chunk of the St. Louis Rams, Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote a column containing the now-infamous quote, supposedly from Limbaugh …

Small Group Now Leads Closed-Door Reform Negotiations  —  Three months before he was elected president, Barack Obama vowed not only to reform health care but also to pass the legislation in an unprecedented way.  —  “I'm going to have all the negotiations around a big table,” …

Artist Admits Using Other Photo for ‘Hope’ Poster  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The artist who designed the famous Barack Obama “HOPE” poster has admitted he didn't use the Associated Press photo he originally said his work was based on but instead used a picture the news organization has claimed was his source.