Investigators: Northwest Bomb Plot Planned by al Qaeda in Yemen  —  Officials Say Bomb Materials Sewn Into Suspect's Underwear by Top Terror Bomb Maker  —  The plot to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit was organized and launched by al Qaeda leaders in Yemen who apparently sewed bomb materials …

Why The President's Inability to Lead Highlights the Value of FDL's Reachout to “Strange Bedfellows”  —  The times call for a leader of Churchillian or Rooseveltian magnitude; what we have instead is a cautious risk-averse manager.  Bold progressives must fill the leadership vacuum in order …

Xmas bomb bid complicates Gitmo plan  —  “I'd expect Yemen's handling of returned Guantanamo detainees to come under intense U.S. scrutiny,” said Matthew Waxman, a Columbia law professor who was an assistant Defense secretary for detainee affairs under President George W. Bush.

Why The President Went Golfing Today  —  In his Farenheit 9/11, filmmaker Michael Moore juxtaposes images and words of a terrorist attack in Israel with President Bush's first words about the incident, spoken to a press pool on a golf course, with him leaning casually against a tree.

Vacation's Over, Mr. President.  —  What is wrong with this picture?  —  It's December 23rd - I lug my tired butt to the airport, ready to leave for vacation.  Carrying a bottle of very nice wine, I have to leave my place in the security line as I can't bring it as a carry-on, check it in a bag …

Four ‘shot dead’ in Iran protests  —  Elderly man among dead, claims reformist website, as security forces clamp down on holy day marches across Iran  —  At least four people were reported dead today after Iranian security forces opened fire on opposition protesters who took to the streets in Tehran for a religious ceremony.

Dems to W.H.: Drop cap-and-trade  —  Bruised by the health care debate and worried about what 2010 will bring, moderate Senate Democrats are urging the White House to give up now on any effort to pass a cap-and-trade bill next year.  —  “I am communicating that in every way I know how,” …

Numerical notes on health care reform  —  A couple of notes to address complaints about the Senate bill from the left and the center.  (There's no use addressing complaints from the right; in general, the safest thing when dealing with crazy people is to avoid eye contact.)

How the filibuster increases cynicism: An interview with Andy Stern  —  Andy Stern is president of the Service Employees International Union.  —  You've recently begun talking about the problem of the Senate when you talk about the problems facing health-care reform.