Explosions Hit Baghdad as Iraqis Vote in Pivotal Election  —  BAGHDAD — A concerted wave of attacks struck Baghdad and other cities across the country on Sunday as Iraqis began voting to elect a new Parliament and possibly a new prime minister.  Explosions reverberated across the capital …

Obama Message Maven Finds Fingers Pointing at Him  —  WASHINGTON — David Axelrod was sitting at his desk on a recent afternoon — tie crooked, eyes droopy and looking more burdened than usual.  He had just been watching some genius on MSNBC insist that he and President Obama's other top aides …

Final push for proximity talks as Biden heads to Israel  —  Middle East Peace Envoy George Mitchell arrived in Israel Saturday to try to make the final push for the announcement of indirect proximity talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians ahead of the arrival of Vice President Joseph Biden in Israel Monday.

Iran's Ahmadinejad: Sept. 11 attacks a ‘big lie’  —  TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday called the official version of the Sept. 11 attacks a “big lie” used by the U.S. as an excuse for the war on terror, state media reported.

Mom, Apple Pie and Mortgages  —  FOR decades, the federal government has subsidized housing — particularly owner-occupied housing.  This has been especially true during the continuing financial crisis, with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration propping up the housing market …

VIDEO: Sarah Palin writes on her hand because she is just like God  —  This is so jaw-droppingly convolutedly typical:  —  Sarah Palin Speaks at the Ohio Right to Life fundraiser on March 5, 2010.  —  Via Gryphen: … I particularly enjoyed the part about GodClone McJustify's compulsion to scribble a dollar sign on her hand.

RNC Fallout: ‘Ashamed’ donor closes checkbook  —  A prominent Evangelical figure and Republican donor says he will end his contributions to the organized Republican Party in reaction to the leaked fundraising presentation that advised using “fear” to solicit contributions and displayed an image …

Catholic Bishops Want to Change Senate Rules to Restrict Choice in Health Care  —  Here's an amazing little article from Politico. … What are they talking about?  Well, the bishops want the Stupak amendment, which would effectively end coverage of abortion services in all insurance markets over time.

President Obama: Replace Rahm with Me ...an open letter from Michael Moore  —  I understand you may be looking to replace Rahm Emanuel as your chief of staff.  —  I would like to humbly offer myself, yours truly, as his replacement.  —  I will come to D.C. and clean up the mess that's been created around you.