U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan  —  WASHINGTON — The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself …

Obama Tells Politico the Oil Spill is Like 9-11... Then Goes Golfing for 4 Hours  —  Barack Obama told The Politico this morning that the Gulf oil spill was like 9-11.  —  Then he went golfing for 4 hours.  —  Fore!  —  The Hill reported: … Leadership.

Sarah Palin, Forbesian — By: Jay Nordlinger  —  A few days ago, I did a post in which I linked to an article about Sarah Palin.  The article was published shortly after Palin was nominated for vice president.  My purpose in citing the article was to say something about Palin and Israel.

Long Hot Summer Begins: Congressman Attacks Student  —  Maybe it is my Catholic upbringing, but I've always been cursed with a bit too much empathy.  It is often difficult to witness people bearing the full weight of the consequences of their decisions, even when it is richly deserved.

Vote Widens Divide Between Flemish- and French-Speaking Regions  —  BRUSSELS — The move to break up Belgium gathered pace on Sunday as a separatist won an emphatic election victory in Flanders, the more prosperous Dutch-speaking region of the divided nation.

Boehner: Lift the Cap  —  House Minority Leader John Boehner on This Week today said he's now in favor of lifting the cap on BP's liability in the Gulf oil spill.  Though currently law makes BP responsible for cleaning up the actual oil, it limits its liability to $75 million.

Students Instructed to Chant “I Am an Obama Scholar” (Video)  —  What is with these leftists?  —  Students are directed to chant “I am an Obama scholar.”  —  From Tom Ficklin in New Haven  —  Via P/Oed Patriot:  —  Obviously, that separation of church and state rule only applies to Christianity.

Lawmakers' committee assignments and industry investments overlap  —  Rep. Ron Paul is captivated by gold.  Over the past two decades, he has written books about the virtues of gold-backed currency.  He has made uncounted speeches about the precious metal.

Obama wants BP escrow fund for spill damage  —  As more oil washes ashore, a letter from 54 senators calls for the company to set aside $20 billion.  —  Reporting from Washington and Atlanta — In an effort to seize greater control of the gulf oil catastrophe, President Obama is prepared …