WHITE HOUSE EXTENDS WELL-DESERVED PRAISE TO JON STEWART.... It's too soon to say for sure whether Republican obstructionism will kill the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  The supermajority appears to be coming together, and Senate Democrats are keeping the pressure on …

Conservative bloggers agree: Haley Barbour is toast  —  I noted here yesterday that the real problem with Haley Barbour's comments about the Citizens Councils is that they show an unwillingness to avoid urinating on the third rail of race.  Today several conservative bloggers came …

Census Data Show Regional Shift in U.S.  —  WASHINGTON — The Census Bureau rearranged the country's political map on Tuesday, giving more Congressional seats to the South and the West, and taking away from the Northeast and the Midwest, in largely anticipated changes that will have far reaching implications …

Lindsey Graham: Senate owes Jon Kyl an apology for moving forward with New START  —  Look, I get that being an elected member of the world's greatest deliberative body is a really awesome gig, with lots of perks — secret holds, Senators-only elevators — that encourage a rather outsized view of the importance of individual Senators.

FCC passes first net neutrality rules  —  update: 3:23 p.m. with statement of support from President Obama, plans for Congressional hearings from House Republicans.  —  The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to approve its first ever Internet access regulation …

Specter issues parting blow to Roberts, Alito  —  (CNN) - Sen. Arlen Specter, the outgoing Pennsylvania Republican-turned-Democrat, directed a parting blow Tuesday to members of the Supreme Court's conservative bloc.  —  In his final speech on the Senate floor, Specter …

That snow is what global warming looks like  —  Unusually cold winters may make you think scientists have got it all wrong.  But the data reveal a chilling truth  —  There were two silent calls, followed by a message left on my voicemail.  She had a soft, gentle voice and a mid-Wales accent.

Thanks for the Tax Cut!  —  THERE is a God!  It passed!  The Bush tax cuts have been extended two years for the upper bracketeers, of which I am a proud member, thank you very much.  I'm the last person in the world I'd want to be beside, but I am beside myself!  This is a life changer, I tell you.

Afghan sex practices concern U.S., British forces  —  A document released by WikiLeaks described efforts by high-ranking Afghan officials to quash reports of police officers and other Afghans arrested for “purchasing a service from a child.”  —  The leaked diplomatic cable quoted former Minister …

Why Apple Removed a WikiLeaks App From Its Store  —  Apple on Tuesday confirmed that it had removed from its online store an iPhone and iPad app that let users view the content on the WikiLeaks site and follow the WikiLeaks Twitter account.  —  Trudy Muller, an Apple spokeswoman …

U.S. Military Seeks to Expand Raids in Pakistan  —  WASHINGTON — Senior American military commanders in Afghanistan are pushing for an expanded campaign of Special Operations ground raids across the border into Pakistan's tribal areas, a risky strategy reflecting the growing frustration …

Marine Corps commandant has to go  —  I am a fan of the old World War II movies, the ones where the platoon was composed of typical Americans, Hollywood-style.  There was a guy named Farmer and one called Preacher and another called Brooklyn (who was killed shortly after receiving a salami from home) …

Harry Potter actress was beaten and branded a prostitute by her brother after dating man ‘who was not a Muslim’  —  A Harry Potter actress fled her home after her father and brother threatened to kill her for going out with a Hindu man, a court heard yesterday.

A SENATOR SCORNED.... Quick quiz — only one Republican senator has sided with Democrats on DADT repeal, the tax deal, New START cloture, and the DREAM Act in the lame-duck session.  Who was it?  —  The obvious guesses would likely be Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), or Scott Brown (R-Mass.).

The RNC food fight everyone saw coming  —  Jonathan Martin wrote months ago that Republican leaders feared that dumping Michael Steele would lead to a racially charged food fight, and, well, here we go, as former Steele aide and current rival Gentry Collins looks to shake up the race and pick …

‘Spider-Man’ Cancels Wednesday Matinee After Actor Is Injured  —  An actor playing Spider-Man was injured during a performance of the Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” on Monday night.  Above, an image from a video taken by a New York Times reader.  —  Updated