Pentagon gunman sought ‘truth’ about 9/11  —  Police describe shooting suspect as ‘a single individual who had issues’  —  Pentagon police stand guard after two colleagues were shot in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.  —  Web posts may show motive in Pentagon shooting

Rash of Scandals Tests Democrats at Sensitive Time  —  WASHINGTON — The ethical woes facing Democrats are piling up, with barely a day passing in recent weeks without headlines from Washington to New York and beyond filled with word of scandal or allegations of wrongdoing.

Obama advisers set to recommend military tribunals for alleged 9/11 plotters  —  President Obama's advisers are nearing a recommendation that Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, be prosecuted in a military tribunal, administration officials said …

Obama to Progressives: 31 Million People—And My Presidency—Are On The Line If Health Care Fails  —  President Obama's message to progressives who are dissatisfied with the Senate health care bill is two fold: First: Don't forget about the uninsured.  Second: Don't forget what failure to pass …

Delahunt will not seek reelection  —  William Delahunt in his Quincy office.  (Bill Greene / Globe Staff)  —  By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff  —  WASHINGTON — Representative William Delahunt will not seek re-election to Congress, the seven-term Democrat will announce tomorrow …

Anatomy of a Rumor: The Story Behind Chief Justice John Roberts's ‘Retirement’  —  Everyone is wondering: Where did that erroneous rumor of an imminent retirement by Chief Justice John Roberts come from?  The gossip spread like wildfire, triggering thousands of texts, blog posts, and emails …

Keep'n It Foxy  —  Proud day for CNN.  See the chyron about right-wing complaints about the Obama Department of Justice ...

The Wal-Mart Hippies  —  About 40 years ago, a social movement arose to destroy the establishment.  The people we loosely call the New Left wanted to take on The Man, return power to the people, upend the elites and lead a revolution.  —  Today, another social movement has arisen.

Senator Bunning's Universe  —  So the Bunning blockade is over.  For days, Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky exploited Senate rules to block a one-month extension of unemployment benefits.  In the end, he gave in, although not soon enough to prevent an interruption of payments to around 100,000 workers.

Sander Levin, chair of Ways and Means, forms powerful brother duo  —  Sander Levin is now part of one of the most powerful brother acts in Washington since the Kennedys.  He was named the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Thursday.  His brother, Carl, is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Vatican hit by gay sex scandal  —  Vatican chorister sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for papal gentleman-in-waiting  —  The Vatican was today rocked by a sex scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.

Closing of Rest Stops Stirs Anger in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — The people of Arizona kept their upper lips stiff when officials mortgaged off the state's executive office tower and a “Daily Show” crew rolled into town to chronicle the transaction in mocking tones.  They remained calm as lawmakers pondered privatizing death row.

Abortion and the Health Bill  —  There is no middle ground.  Either taxpayers will fund it or they won't.  —  It's now becoming clear that Barack Obama is willing to put everything on the table in order to be the president who passes health-care reform.  Everything, that is, except a ban on federal funding for abortion.

What a Disaster Looks Like  —  ObamaCare will have been a colossal waste of time—if we're lucky.  —  It is now exactly a year since President Obama unveiled his health care push and his decision to devote his inaugural year to it—his branding year, his first, vivid year.  —  What a disaster it has been.

MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY OF THE DAY.... Oh please. … Rep. Matheson's spokesperson called the question “patently ridiculous.”  A White House official called the question “absurd.”  There's no reason in the world to think the Scott Matheson nomination is based on anything …