WHY MUST HE BE SUCH AN ANGRY OLD MAN.... Most good stories have heroes, and when it comes to the story of repealing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the list of heroes is wonderfully long.  —  And then there are the villains. … Watching McCain rail endlessly yesterday was a genuinely painful experience.

Lawyers cry foul over leak of Julian Assange sex-case papers  —  LAWYERS for Julian Assange have expressed anger about an alleged smear campaign against the Australian WikiLeaks founder.  —  Incriminating police files were published in the British newspaper that has used him as its source for hundreds of leaked US embassy cables.

McConnell says he ‘cannot support’ nuclear arms treaty  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voiced opposition Sunday to the New START - a nuclear arms treaty with Russia - saying that members of his party need more time to consider the legislation.

Saudi king may want to move Ground Zero mosque to St. Vincent's site  —  A Manhattan lawyer with ties to the Saudi royal family is sounding out officials and community leaders about a plan to move the controversial Ground Zero mosque to the West Village.  —  Attorney Dudley Gaffin …

Body of U.S. tourist found near Jerusalem; police suspect terror attack  —  Christine Logan disappeared on Saturday, when she and a Jerusalem-area friend were stabbed by assailants while hiking at an archaeological site; her friend, Susan Kaye Wilson, was hospitalized in moderate condition.

9/11 HEALTH BILL NOT QUITE DEAD.... Two weeks ago, a unanimous Senate GOP caucus blocked a debate on the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would pay health care costs for 9/11 rescue workers, sickened after exposure to the toxic smoke and debris.

Bush on Bush  —  They call themselves, smugly, “41” and “43,” meaning the 41st and 43rd presidents of the United States.  You're supposed to prefer the father, all graciousness and handwritten little notes, over the son, who — even in memoirs written at age 64 after two terms as president — seems callow.

New population count may complicate Obama 2012 bid  —  WASHINGTON - The 2010 census report coming out Tuesday will include a boatload of good political news for Republicans and grim data for Democrats hoping to re-elect President Barack Obama and rebound from last month's devastating elections.

A Gay Commander in Chief: Ready or Not?  —  Jimmy Carter is putting the out in outspokenness.  —  In an interview with bigthink.com, the former president was asked, “Is the country ready for a gay president?”  —  Even as John McCain and other ossified Republicans were staging last-minute maneuvers …

The Bipartisanship Racket  —  JEEZ, can't we all just get along?  Can't we be civilized?  Can't we reach across the aisle, find common ground and get things done?  Can't we have a new Morning in America as clubby and chipper as MSNBC's daily gabfest, “Morning Joe”?

Carol Anne Riddell and John Partilla  —  WHAT happens when love comes at the wrong time?  —  Carol Anne Riddell and John Partilla met in 2006 in a pre-kindergarten classroom.  They both had children attending the same Upper West Side school.  They also both had spouses.

Ivies moving toward restoring ROTC  —  Some top universities moved quickly Saturday to respond to the vote repealing the ban on gays in the military, and those who don't restore their ROTC programs in the wake of the vote are likely to face immediate pressure on the issue.