Iowa billboard compares Obama to Hitler; draws criticism  —  (AP) —A billboard created by an Iowa tea party group comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin is being condemned by other tea party activists.  —  The North Iowa Tea Party began displaying the sign in Mason City last week.

A Chart That Screams, ‘Extend Unemployment Benefits!’  —  At the end of May there were 3.2 million job openings, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In the face of nearly 15 million unemployed, that's obviously not enough.  And if you add in those other Americans …

Poll: Americans Say Bad Economy Will Linger  —  CBS News Poll analysis by the CBS News Polling Unit: Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus and Anthony Salvanto.  —  A majority of Americans have a negative impression of the economy and expect the effects of the recession to linger for years, according to a new CBS News poll.

Crash Data Suggest Driver Error in Toyota Accidents  —  The U.S. Department of Transportation has analyzed dozens of data recorders from Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles involved in accidents blamed on sudden acceleration and found that at the time of the crashes, throttles were wide open …

President Obama, White House: Al Qaeda Is Racist  —  In an interview earlier today with the South African Broadcasting Corporation to air in a few hours, President Obama disparaged al Qaeda and affiliated groups' willingness to kill Africans in a manner that White House aides say was an argument that the terrorist groups are racist.

Megyn Kelly threatens to cut off Kirsten Powers “mic” over heated New Black Panther argument  —  FOX News has been ginning up a story about the hate group the “New Black Panthers” from the election on November 4th as some sort of ‘angry black man’ intimidation tactic that made Obama win the presidency.

Believing Sarah Palin  —  Like I said in my first post, I guest-blogged for the Daily Dish back in 2006.  I don't remember anyone, at the time, challenging the decision.  So I was unprepared for the rat-a-tat of criticism I got for signing up this week.  To quote Baseball Crank …

It's Unanimous!  GOP Says No To Unemployment Benefits, Yes To Tax Cuts For The Rich  —  For weeks, Senate Republicans have filibustered an extension of unemployment benefits on the grounds that Democrats aren't willing to cut spending or raise taxes to pay for them.

Pelosi vents about Gibbs  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi bashed White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Tuesday night, even as the president's top spokesman continued to backpedal from his assertion that Democrats could lose control of the House in the November election.

Crist leads 3-way Senate race in Florida  —  (Reuters) - Florida Governor Charlie Crist holds a narrow edge over Republican Marco Rubio in a three-way Senate race dominated by economic worries, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.  —  Crist, who left the Republican Party …

Lesbian Prison Gangs Waiting to Get Hands on Lindsay Lohan, Report Says  —  Inmates of the jail where Lindsay Lohan is set to spend up to 90 days have warned of gangs out to attack the starlet, saying “everyone will want a piece of her”, The Sun reported Tuesday.

Lessons from Exxon Valdez spill have gone unheeded  —  The story of the last cataclysmic American oil spill has evolved over time into a straightforward tale of cause and effect: In 1989, a hard-drinking skipper ran his tanker aground in Alaska, and Exxon was unable to prevent crude …

Tea Party Favorite Loses GOP Runoff in Alabama  —  Mainstream GOP candidate beats tea party activist in runoff for Ala House seat held by Dems  —  A mainstream Republican has rolled past a tea party activist in the GOP runoff for a southeast Alabama congressional seat that Republicans hope to reclaim.

Oil Still Spilling as Well Test Is Delayed  —  ABOARD THE RESOLUTE, 40 miles off Louisiana — Workers on surface ships continued to flare gas and oil on Tuesday at the site of BP's runaway well in the Gulf of Mexico, as officials announced that a critical pressure test on the well would be postponed, pending further analysis.

Fed Sees Slower Growth  —  Officials Debate How to Respond if Recovery Falters; Softer 2nd Half Is Seen  —  Federal Reserve officials, who are likely to reveal Wednesday a cut in their assessment of the growth outlook, are divided on how aggressively the central bank should act if the economy slows further.

Manchin to make Senate appointment by Friday  —  From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell  —  Earlier today, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin released special session legislation which will clarify the state code on the succession process for the vacant senate seat left due to the passing of longtime Senator Robert Byrd.

Six New Orleans Police Officers Indicted in Danziger Bridge Case  —  WASHINGTON -Six officers with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) were charged today in connection with the federal investigation of a police-involved shooting on the Danziger Bridge in the days after Hurricane Katrina, the Justice Department announced today.

McInnis' articles for foundation lift ideas, words directly from 20-year-old essay  —  Although GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis presented his “Musings on Water” for publication as original works, portions are identical and nearly identical to an essay on water written 20 years earlier …