Muslim leaders to abandon plans for Ground Zero community center  —  Insiders say Muslim spiritual leaders behind the controversial initiative are considering giving up on the former World Trade Center location, in a gesture of appeasement.  —  After weeks of heated debate over plans …

California Gay Marriage on Hold as Case Is Appealed  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court has extended a stay on same-sex marriages in California until it decides whether a ban on such unions is constitutional.  —  It is just the latest turn in a protracted legal battle over Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban.

Christie: Both sides playing politics, don't paint all Muslims as ‘radical’  —  This is from Gov. Chris Christie at a press conference earlier today, weighing in with his first words on the ground zero-area mosque — and basically saying a pox on the houses of both political parties.

Holy Frickin' Reagan: Best Advertorial You'll See  —  Seriously, watch it.  —  This comes from the Republican Study Committee, which is headed, if I have the information right, by Rep. Tom Price of Georgia.  —  So now you can't say the GOP isn't doing anything to advance the message.

Obama pleads to voters: 'Don't give in to fear'  —  MILWAUKEE - Flying thousands of miles to reap millions of dollars, President Barack Obama is dashing across the country to help his party retain power, essentially offering one familiar argument: Republicans don't solve problems.

Ray Bradbury hates big government: ‘Our country is in need of a revolution’  —  Ray Bradbury is mad at President Obama, but it's not about the economy, the war or the plan to a construct a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City.  —  “He should be announcing that we should go back to the moon …

Obama Sees New Lows in Job Approval  —  Weekly average of 44% and three-day average of 42% are lowest yet  —  PRINCETON, NJ — President Obama's job approval rating dipped to 44% for the week of Aug. 9-15, the lowest weekly average of his administration by one percentage point.

Traditional and Liberal Conservatism  —  Let's start with John Stuart Mill, On Liberty.  You'd think it's obvious but no one else has suggested it.  Why On Liberty?  —  I don't know that it's obvious since it's a classic text of liberalism, not conservatism.  —  Explain that to me.

Total destruction: GOP out to biggest generic ballot leads in history in both Gallup and Rasmussen  —  The most amazing thing about this?  When Democrats tell people that voters hate the GOP as much as they hate them, they're not blowing smoke.  That's basically true.

James Kilpatrick set stage for political TV talk  —  James Kilpatrick, the conservative columnist who died Sunday at the age of 89, left a wide mark on the world of letters, but his greatest impact on the political media may well have been in television.  —  Kilpatrick, known to all as Kilpo …

A Man Who Deserves To Be Viable in 2012  —  Imagine a successful two-term Republican governor with a credible small government record, a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, skepticism about foreign wars, a longstanding determination to right America's fiscal ship …

Levin hit in face with pie in Big Rapids  —  Washington — Sen. Carl Levin was hit in the face with a pie this morning at a question-and-answer session on what should've been friendly ground in Big Rapids.  —  The Democrat from Detroit was speaking to members of the Mecosta County Democratic Party …

It Begins... Dem Congresswoman Brings In Street Thug at Town Hall Meeting to Threaten Constituents (Video)  —  SUMMER SLAM 2010...  Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) brought Bruno the Bone-Crusher with her to a town hall meeting this weekend to threaten constituents.

U.S. Said to Plan Easing Rules for Travel to Cuba  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is planning to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba, the latest step aimed at encouraging more contact between people in both countries, while leaving intact the decades-old embargo …

DeLay ‘knew this day would come’  —  After almost six years of investigation, the Justice Department has decided not to bring corruption charges against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay over his involvement with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and other ethics issues, DeLay and his attorneys said Monday.

‘Human-electric’ hybrid car goes 30 mph uphill  —  If four people are cranking, street-legal car can run on human power alone  —  Fred Flintstone could only dream of such a car.  The HumanCar Imagine PS, a four-seater vehicle that uses hand cranks, can take on hills at 30 miles per hour …

Glenn Beck told there can be no prayer at his event at the Kennedy Center  —  This is unbelievable.  Beck says that even though they rented the Kennedy Center for use on 8/27, they were told that they could not pray in the facility.  That is beyond shocking.

Mich. school practices 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.  —  DEARBORN, Mich. — A Michigan high school football team is holding preseason practices in the middle of the night to help its Muslim players practice both faith and football.  —  The predominantly Muslim squad from Dearborn says the nocturnal regimen …