No more mosques, period  —  Permits should not be granted to build even one more mosque in the United States of America, let alone the monstrosity planned for Ground Zero.  This is for one simple reason: each Islamic mosque is dedicated to the overthrow of the American government.

Gibbs Stands By His ‘Professional Left’ Critique, Expects Liberals To Vote In 2010  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  Speaking publicly for the first time since he disparaged the “professional left,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he stands by his comments, has no plans to resign …

Local Democrats wish death upon Sarah Palin  —  There's only one way the tragic airplane crash in Alaska that ended the life of former-U.S. Senator Ted Stevens could have been better, according to New Hampshire Democratic activist and State Rep. candidate Keith Halloran: If Sarah Palin had been on it.

Exclusive: Rand Paul's accuser clarifies “kidnapping”  —  The woman who sparked a national firestorm by recounting Rand Paul's  —  youthful indiscretions to GQ magazine is now clarifying her account: She says she was not kidnapped nor forced to do drugs by Paul.

Unauthorized Immigrants and Their U.S.-Born Children  —  An estimated 340,000 of the 4.3 million babies born in the United States in 2008 were the offspring of unauthorized immigrants, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Hispanic Center.

Primary night yields good news for President Obama and Democrats  —  Sen. Michael Bennet galloped to a surprisingly wide 9-point victory in Colorado Tuesday.  AP  —  “This has been a tough year for Democrats, but they got some good news in all four primary states,” said University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato.

Deficit in July Totals $165.04 Billion  —  The U.S. government spent itself deeper into the red last month, paying nearly $20 billion in interest on debt and an additional $9.8 billion to help unemployed Americans.  —  Federal spending eclipsed revenue for the 22nd straight time, the Treasury Department said Wednesday.

Congressman Rangel's Party a Display of Defiance  —  It was a dramatic but fitting start to an evening that brimmed with political defiance.  About 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, as guests began strolling into the Plaza Hotel to celebrate Representative Charles B. Rangel's 80th birthday …

Former U.S. Representative Dan Rostenkowsi has died  —  Dan Rostenkowski was the most important congressman ever to represent Chicago, “Mr. Chairman” of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, confidante of presidents, pride of the Polish community and bringer of millions upon millions …

The Obsolescence of Barack Obama  —  The magic of 2008 can't be recreated, and good riddance to it.  —  Not long ago Barack Obama, for those who were spellbound by him, had the stylishness of JFK and the historic mission of FDR riding to the nation's rescue.

Grim Voter Mood Turns Grimmer  —  Pessimism Rises on Economy and War; Bad Reviews for Both Democrats and GOP  —  Americans are growing more pessimistic about the economy and the war in Afghanistan, and are losing faith that Democrats have better solutions than Republicans, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The End of Retirement as We Know It  —  “I don't know if it's ever going to be realistic that everyone saves enough to spend the last third of their life on vacation.”  —  That quote is from Allison Schrager, and it's my favorite line in my newest column for the magazine.

Thoughtcrime: D.C. Reporter Suspended for Accurate Report on BP's Donations to Obama  —  WJLA-TV, a Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate, suspended reporter Doug McKelway following his alleged “partisan” comments at a liberal rally on Capitol Hill marking the three-month anniversary of the Gulf oil spill.

Waiting in the Wings to Be Chief G.O.P. Dealmaker  —  WASHINGTON — As lawmakers head home this week for what remains of summer, one question transfixes Washington: Will Democrats lose control of the House and possibly even the Senate in November, or will they hang on to fragile majorities?

On the Issues, Obama Finds Majority Approval Elusive  —  Scores best on race relations, education  —  PRINCETON, N.J. — Barack Obama's 52% approval rating for handling race relations is the only issue among 13 tested in two recent Gallup polls for which the president receives majority-level approval.

Obama's state capitalism: A failure of modesty  —  “The pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated.”  Those were the carefully chosen words of the Federal Reserve Board after its meeting Tuesday.  Translation into English: We wuz wrong.

Officer Sues to Block His Discharge Under Gay Ban  —  In early 2008, just eight days before he was to deploy in support of the war in Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, a decorated Air Force flight officer, was told he was under investigation on charges of sexually assaulting a civilian …

Barack Obama ‘may be prepared to meet Iranian president’  —  Barack Obama's national security adviser, Gen James Jones, has indicated the President may be prepared to meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if the regime resumed negotiations over its nuclear programme.  —  The retired general also indicated …

Borrowers Refuse to Pay Billions in Home Equity Loans  —  PHOENIX — During the great housing boom, homeowners nationwide borrowed a trillion dollars from banks, using the soaring value of their houses as security.  Now the money has been spent and struggling borrowers are unable or unwilling to pay it back.

George W. Bush makes surprise visit to U.S. troops  —  Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, made a surprise visit to U.S. troops this afternoon.  —  They showed up at the USO in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.  There they mingled with the returning soldiers, thanked them …

The Meaning Of 2.71  —  As of right now, the 10-year bond rate is 2.71 percent.  As you can see from the chart above, this puts it back where it was in the early spring of 2009 — higher than it was during the Oh-my-God-we're-all-gonna-die period of winter 2008-2009, but lower than anything else we've seen for decades.

Has the Washington Post Gone Mad?  —  Confused readers may wonder based on its lead editorial complaining that supporters of Social Security: “pursue a maddening strategy of minimizing the existence of any problem and accusing those who seek solutions of trying to destroy Social Security (emphasis added).”

Al-Qaeda Seeks Overthrow of Saudi Arabia Monarchy, Killing of Christians  —  Al-Qaeda urged soldiers to help topple the Saudi monarchy and kill Christians and government officials in the kingdom, said someone purporting to be a leader of the group in a recording.

Jury is deadlocked on some counts  —  The judge in the trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced that the jury is deadlocked on some counts in the case.  —  U.S. District Judge James Zagel, reading from a note from jurors, said they had made “a reasonable attempt” after deliberating 11 days and had done so “without rancor.”

Ruling in Same-Sex Marriage Stay Expected  —  Decision to Determine if Calif. Gay, Lesbian Couples Can Wed while Opponents Appeal Overturn of Voter-Approved Initiative  —  (AP) The federal judge who overturned California's same-sex marriage ban says he is ready to rule on whether gay marriages …

Guest post: El-Erian on violent market moves  —  Why such a sharp sell-off in equities on Wednesday, together with a further rally in US government bonds?  I suspect that three US-related drivers are part of the answer - one is obvious, and two, less so.  —  Tuesday's FOMC statement confirmed …