McCain blasts Afghanistan withdrawal date as ‘political decision’ by Obama  —  Sen. John McCain blasted President Barack Obama's stated goal of beginning troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2011, saying Obama made a “political decision” not based on military strategy.

Byrd, 92, ‘seriously ill’ in Washington hospital  —  Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was admitted to a Washington-area hospital in “seriously ill” condition, his office said a news release Sunday.  —  The statement said that Byrd, 92, “was admitted to the hospital late last week suffering …

Court to rule on Sarbanes-Oxley and gun rights  —  (Reuters) - The Supreme Court could strike down a key part of a 2002 corporate reform law and extend gun rights in the United States on Monday when the justices issue their final rulings of the term.  —  In eagerly awaited rulings …

Biden Calls Manager Who Told Him To Lower Taxes A “Smartass”  —  Joe Biden calls a custard store manager a “smartass” after he asks the Vice President to lower taxes.

No skimmers in sight as oil floods into Mississippi waters  —  Scores of similar demonstrations were held around the United States, including one at Anna Maria Island, Fla. |  GULFPORT, Miss. — A morning flight over the Mississippi Sound showed long, wide ribbons of orange-colored oil …

Senator's concern may complicate Wall Street bill vote  —  (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's efforts to win final approval of a historic financial regulatory reform bill looked more complicated on Saturday after a Republican senator threatened to oppose it.

Obama's race-rant Rev. rages on  —  CHICAGO — He's been keeping such a low profile since nearly derailing Barack Obama's campaign for president in 2008 — is it possible that the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright has mellowed?  —  Hardly.  —  During a five-day seminar Wright taught …

Intelligence Committee chairwoman open to delaying Afghan deadline  —  The chairwoman of the Select Intelligence Committee said she is “absolutely” open to delaying the July 2011 date for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.  —  Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said on Fox News Sunday …

Learning the rules of an unengaged president  —  What do Gen. McChrystal and British Petroleum have in common?  Aside from the fact that they're both Democratic Party supporters.  —  Or they were.  Stanley McChrystal is a liberal who voted for Obama and banned Fox News from his HQ TV.

ADAMS: Inside the Black Panther case Anger, ignorance and lies  —  On the day President Obama was elected, armed men wearing the black berets and jackboots of the New Black Panther Party were stationed at the entrance to a polling place in Philadelphia.  They brandished a weapon and intimidated voters and poll watchers.

Transit and Density  —  From an LA Times writeup of a light rail extension into the San Gabriel Valley that's just getting under way: … I don't know the details of these plans, but I certainly hope that when they say “some” of the transit-oriented development will be denser …