Republicans divided on the importance of an agenda for midterm elections  —  Sometime after Labor Day, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner plans to unveil a blueprint of what Republicans will do if they take back control of the chamber.  He promises it will be a full plate of policy proposals …

America's Ruling Class — And the Perils of Revolution  —  As over-leveraged investment houses began to fail in September 2008, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, of major corporations, and opinion leaders stretching from the National Review magazine (and the Wall Street Journal) …

A conservative dismisses right-wing Black Panther ‘fantasies’  —  A scholar whom President George W. Bush appointed vice chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Abigail Thernstrom has a reputation as a tough conservative critic of affirmative action and politically correct positions on race.

A Mosque Grows Near Brooklyn  —  The dubious financing of ‘Cordoba House’ deserves scrutiny.  —  Since a proposal to construct a 15-story mosque and community center two blocks from Ground Zero was announced last year, the project has been a focus of widening protests.

State Department warns employees about new website highlighting Top Secret facilities  —  The State Department is bracing for a potentially explosive new feature on the Washington Post website that would publish the names and locations of agencies and firms conducting Top Secret work on behalf …

A Final Thought  —  Here is former head and current spokesperson for the Tea Party Express Mark Williams satirically responding to the NAACP: … Williams has since taken the original down and posted a half-hearted justification.  Mark Williams is the same man who has denounced Barack Obama as …

Mexican drug cartels' newest weapon: Cold War-era grenades made in U.S.  —  MEXICO CITY — Grenades made in the United States and sent to Central America during the Cold War have resurfaced as terrifying new weapons in almost weekly attacks by Mexican drug cartels.

What Went Wrong: The Rahm Factor  —  A fascinating and depressing interview with David Obey: … But remember, the Cossacks work for the czar.

Senator Vitter suggests Rachel Maddow only looked like a woman “a long time ago”  —  UPDATE, 5:16 p.m.: Vitter has now written a note of apology to Maddow.  —  Original post:  —  Oh, what fun!  —  On a right wing radio station this morning, Senator David Vitter appeared to suggest …

Obey: White House Suggested Cutting Food Stamps to Pay for Education Program  —  This entire interview with Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.), the head of the House Appropriations Committee and a powerful veteran member of Congress, who is retiring this year, is worth a read.  But one passage is particularly striking.

Introducing The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit  —  For your entertainment pleasure this Friday evening, the folks at NewsBusters want to introduce you to “The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit.”  —  Did you buy into Hope and Change a few years ago only to now feel embarrassed by what's adorning your wheels?

Aaron Sorkin to direct John Edwards film  —  ‘Social Network’ scribe to adapt ‘The Politician’  —  Aaron Sorkin — best known for creating “The West Wing” — will make his feature directorial debut with a John Edwards biopic.  —  Sorkin's adapting and producing Andrew Young's “The Politician …

Tricky Bibi  —  Israel has had many rightist leaders since Menachem Begin promised “many Elon Morehs,” but there has never been one like Netanyahu, who wants to do it by deceit.  —  This video should have been banned for broadcast to minors.  This video should have been shown in every home in Israel …

Treasury Makes A Mistake - Claiming They Are Not Blocking Elizabeth Warren  —  It's one thing to block Elizabeth Warren from heading the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  —  It's quite another thing to deny in public, for the record, that any such blocking is going on (e.g. …

The incredible obviousness of the Democrats' political fortunes  —  The topic du jour appears to be the Obama paradox.  How, some writers are asking, can the Democrats be both passing a lot of legislation and be headed for a defeat at the polls?  —  But there's no contradiction.  No paradox.

About That Financial Reform ‘Victory’  —  Dodd-Frank may backfire on Democrats.  —  “President Obama Signs Historic Stimulus Bill”—Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 17, 2009  —  “Obama Signs Historic Health Care Legislation”—NPR, March 23, 2010  —  “Senate Poised to Pass Historic Financial Reform”—McClatchy, July 12, 1010