Oil Companies Reap Billions From Subsidies  —  When the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform set off the worst oil spill at sea in American history, it was flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.  Registering there allowed the rig's owner to significantly reduce its American taxes.

Republican Steele's Afghanistan Remarks Praised by Ron Paul  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, whose remarks suggesting the U.S. will lose the war in Afghanistan have prompted some Republicans to demand his resignation, won praise from Representative Ron Paul.

By: Glenn Harlan Reynolds: SCOTUS ruling shows how far gun rights have come  —  Topping last week's legal stories was the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago, holding that the Second Amendment — which the Supreme Court just two years ago interpreted to protect an individual right to own a gun …

Dems' message: All about the gaffes  —  The dust-up this week between President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), ostensibly about Wall Street regulation, revealed more about the two parties' midterm campaign strategies than anything else.

The Trouble With Deflation  —  Daniel Gross says maybe a little deflation wouldn't be so bad: … I have two objections to this.  One is that while three percent growth would be a fine amount of growth for a developed economy under most conditions, a developed economy pulling out of a recession …

Dems in a jam as economy slows  —  President Barack Obama and the Democrats head into the summer campaign season with the economy slowing, unemployment flirting with double-digits - and few options for a quick fix.  —  Obama's economic stimulus plan is winding down, right when Democrats need it most.

Petraeus Takes Command of Afghan Mission  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. David H. Petraeus took command of the troubled Afghan war Sunday, warning of hard days to come but promising to persevere until the government and army here are strong enough to stand on their own.

Utah radio station dumps Sean Hannity … SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - KSL Radio announced that they will no longer air Sean Hannity's syndicated national talk show.  —  The last KSL broadcast of the Sean Hannity show will air on October 1, 2010.  —  The announcement comes after speculation …

A better welcome for our nation's immigrants  —  On our national birthday, and amid an angry debate about immigration, Americans should reflect on the lessons of our shared immigrant past.  We must recall that the challenges facing our nation today were felt as far back as the Founders' time.

Gulf oil spill likely to reach Florida Keys, Miami, report says  —  Those shorelines will probably see tar balls in the months ahead, NOAA finds.  Also, skimming boats prepare to go back to work, and efforts to help turtles and migrating birds are announced.  —  Controlled burns are conducted in the Gulf of Mexico on June 19.

NRA on firing line over Reid  —  The National Rifle Association is in unfamiliar terrain on the conservative firing range this election year: It's the target.  —  The conservative Netroots are abuzz over the possibility that the NRA may endorse Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).