Political Memo: Democrats Are Skipping Town Halls to Avoid Voter Rage  —  BEL AIR, Md. — The reception that Representative Frank Kratovil Jr., a Democrat, received here one night last week as he faced a small group of constituents was far more pleasant than his encounters during a Congressional recess last summer.

With Regrets  —  I concur with the following response from my agent to Helen Thomas' lamentable remarks about Israel, and will no longer be working with Helen on our book projects.  — Craig Crawford

Barack Obama Ignores D-Day Anniversary - Goes to Theatre Party Instead  —  On June 6, 1944, the D-Day invasion of Europe took place during World War II as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France.  America lost 2,499 of its finest men that day.  —  (Enterprise News)

Excelsior!  Upwards of Eight Thousand Protest 911 Mega Mosque on D Day!  —  Despite weather forecasts of thunderstorms and rain, the skies were clear and beautiful — but not as beautiful as this patriotic crowd of great Americans and Europeans.  It was a real cross section of humanity . …

U.S. Intelligence Analyst Arrested in Wikileaks Video Probe  —  Federal officials have arrested an Army intelligence analyst who boasted of giving classified U.S. combat video and hundreds of thousands of classified State Department records to whistleblower site Wikileaks, Wired.com has learned.

Haley Staying Strong  —  Nikki Haley hasn't suffered any damage whatsoever after accusations of multiple extramarital affairs and is headed for an easy first place finish in Tuesday's Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina.  —  Haley has a 20 point lead, getting 43% of the vote.

Damage Will Go On After Well Is Plugged, Admiral Says  —  HOUSTON — The Coast Guard commander in charge of the federal response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico warned on Sunday that even if the flow of crude was stopped by summer, it could take well into autumn — and maybe much longer …

Gaza blockade: Iran offers escort to next aid convoy  —  • Aide threatens use of Revolutionary Guard  —  • Netanyahu warns of Jerusalem missile danger  —  Iran has warned that it could send Revolutionary Guard naval units to escort humanitarian aid convoys seeking to break …

Did Reuters Crop a Photo to Remove a Peace Activist's Weapon?  —  A Turkish newpaper has released photos taken by the “peace activists” aboard the Mavi Marmara, showing them attempting to take injured Israeli soldiers hostage.  —  Here's one of the pictures; notice the knife held by a “peace activist” in the lower right corner:

Alleged plotters' words: 'I wanna, like, be the world's known terrorist.'  —  BARRY PADDOCK, HENRICK KAROLISZYN, KEVIN DEUTSCH, ERIN DURKIN AND HELEN KENNEDY  —  Two young men from the New Jersey suburbs who converted to radical Islam were busted at Kennedy Airport Saturday night, allegedly on their way to wage jihad in Africa.

White House and Allies Set to Build Up Health Law  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama and his allies, concerned about deep skepticism over his landmark health care overhaul, are orchestrating an elaborate campaign to sell the public on the law, including a new tax-exempt group that will spend millions …

Election spooks lawmakers, curbs Congress spending  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - The 2010 elections have changed the direction of government only half way through the primary season, with voter anger and economic jitters causing lawmakers to balk at their most basic duties as well as key elements of President Barack Obama's agenda.

Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price  —  SAN FRANCISCO — When one of the most important e-mail messages of his life landed in his in-box a few years ago, Kord Campbell overlooked it.  —  Not just for a day or two, but 12 days.  He finally saw it while sifting through old messages …