Crotch-Bomber Fails to Blow Up Plane, in Yet Another Disaster for Obama  —  There are a few ways to look at the case of the thwarted holiday crotch-bomber.  On the one hand, we have a deluded fellow who, allegedly assured of eternal glory by jihadists who bade him sew explosive chemicals into his underwear …

The JFK Photo That Could Have Changed History  —  TMZ has obtained a never-before published photograph which appears to show John F. Kennedy on a boat filled with naked women — it's a photo that could have altered world events.  —  We believe the photo was taken in the mid-1950s.

Where Have They Taken Him?  —  There are two critical lines that were crossed yesterday.  The first was widespread savagery and violence by the junta on the day of Ashura.  This breaks a profound taboo, violates the integrity and core meaning of the religious festival, and places the regime symbolically as the enemy of Shia Islam.

“Political Winners” Circle Filled by Figures Close to Obama  —  Americans divided in labeling Sarah Palin as a political winner or loser  —  PRINCETON, NJ — In Americans' estimation, the top three political winners of 2009 are all women closely linked with the Obama administration …

GOP blame at TSA?  —  As Republicans seek to put the blame for the widespread perception of ineptness at the Transportation Security Administration on the Obama administration, Democrats are arguing that Republican legislators bear part of the blame and that they're politically vulnerable on the subject.

MAX BAUCUS'S SPEECH UNDER CONSERVATIVE FIRE  —  “DRUNK WITH POWER?  TOP DEM SLURS ON SENATE FLOOR...” reads the Drudge Report headline.  —  Newsbusters.org writes: “How can one explain this incredibly bizarre performance by Max Baucus on the Senate floor?

Andy Martin, GOP Senate Candidate, Accuses Opponent Mark Kirk Of Homosexuality  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  If there was any question whether or not the 2010 election season was heating up, it was dispelled on Monday morning when a Republican Senate candidate from Illinois released …

U.S. Widens Terror War to Yemen, a Qaeda Bastion  —  WASHINGTON — In the midst of two unfinished major wars, the United States has quietly opened a third, largely covert front against Al Qaeda in Yemen.  —  A year ago, the Central Intelligence Agency sent several of its top field operatives …

AT&T Customer Service: “New York City Is Not Ready For The iPhone”  —  AT&T has apparently found a workable solution to the reported data congestion in New York City.  They've quietly stopped selling the iPhone from their web site to customers in the New York metropolitan area.

The Big Zero  —  Maybe we knew, at some unconscious, instinctive level, that it would be an era best forgotten.  Whatever the reason, we got through the first decade of the new millennium without ever agreeing on what to call it.  The aughts?  The naughties?  Whatever.

Tea Partiers To Republicans: You Better Call For Full Repeal of Reform, Or Else  —  It's now becoming clear that this could be a major issue for Republicans in 2010: the Tea Party movement, as well as high-profile conservatives, are going to demand that candidates call for a full repeal …

THE MOST POPULAR ‘MTP’ GUEST OF THE YEAR.... In the previous post, I mentioned what disgraced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on “Meet the Press” yesterday.  I neglected to ask a relevant question: why on earth was Newt Gingrich on “Meet the Press” yesterday?

‘Cadillac’ tax isn't a tax — it's a plan to finance real health reform  —  As we prepare for the final round of debate over health reform, perhaps the most contentious issue will be financing.  Both the Senate and House agree that most of the financing for reform should come from scaling …

Al Qaeda group claims responsibility for Christmas Day attack  —  (CNN) - Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility Monday for the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack on an inbound international flight, saying it was in retaliation for alleged U.S. strikes on Yemeni soil.