Poll: Most Americans Feel Rhetoric, Tucson Shooting Unrelated  —  Nearly six in 10 Americans say the country's heated political rhetoric is not to blame for the Tucson shooting rampage that left six dead and critically wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, according to a CBS News poll.

The Politicized Mind  —  Before he allegedly went off on his shooting rampage in Tucson, Jared Loughner listed some of his favorite books on his YouTube page.  These included: “Animal Farm,” “Brave New World,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” “Through the Looking Glass” and “The Communist Manifesto.”

Blizzard Mystery Solved?  Air Bloomberg Was Seen in Bermuda  —  On the day after Christmas, a request came into the Bermuda airport: a private plane needed to be pulled out of its hangar and readied for takeoff.  —  The pilots seemed a bit anxious to depart.

Peter King, Leading Republican, To Introduce Strict Gun-Control Legislation  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? … Rep. Peter King, a Republican from New York, is planning to introduce legislation that would make it illegal to bring a gun within 1,000 feet of a government official …

Doc: Giffords ‘100 percent’ certain to survive  —  Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is “100 percent” certain to survive, said Dr. Peter Rhee, a surgeon treating her for a gunshot wound to the head.  —  “As a physician I'm going to get into a lot of trouble for this, but her prognosis for survival is 100 percent …

And Speaking Of Krugman And Double Standards At The Times...  OK, I am back in Arizona.  Pejman has a great piece on inflamed rhetoric which reminds me of this jaw-dropper - a Democratic Congressman who last fall said a Republican candidate for Governor should be shot has a guest piece in today's NY Times talking about civility.

Glenn's letter to the American people, politicians, and media  —  While Americans are grappling to understand the Arizona tragedy, the absolute vacuum of leadership on both sides is staggering.  —  We live in a country that has been struck by John Hinckley Jr. and Sirhan Sirhan, Lee Harvey Oswald and Mark David Chapman.

Arizonans Rally to Prevent Westboro Church Disruption of Shooting Victims' Funerals  —  Members of the Westboro Baptist Church hold anti-gay signs at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Veterans Day.  —  Arizona residents are locking arms to stop the Westboro Baptist Church from disrupting …

Father of Shooting Suspect May Issue Statement  —  TUCSON, Ariz.—The father of shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner has prepared and may release a public statement, according to a neighbor who met with Mr. Loughner's parents Monday.  —  Randy and Amy Loughner disappeared from view shortly …

Huckabee strong in Iowa  —  If Mike Huckabee decides to run for President again in 2012 he'll start out the same place in Iowa where he finished in 2008- first place.  Huckabee leads there with 30% to 18% for Mitt Romney, 15% for Sarah Palin, 13% for Newt Gingrich, 6% for Ron Paul …

Downturn's Ugly Trademark: Steep, Lasting Drop in Wages  —  In California, former auto worker Maria Gregg was out of work five months last year before landing a new job—at a nearly 20% pay cut.  —  In Massachusetts, Kevin Cronan, who lost his $150,000-a-year job as a money manager in early 2009 …

Mark Halperin: Conservatives should turn the other cheek when scapegoated for murder  —  During a discussion on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” Tuesday, the panel conceded that conservatives and Tea Party activists were unfairly scapegoated in the wake of Jared Lee Loughner's shooting spree in Tucson …

Kerry warns against a government ‘too limited to have invented the Internet’  —  Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) warned incoming Republicans Tuesday morning against cutting back the size of government so much that it cannot contribute to U.S. productivity.  —  “Do they want a government too limited …

“On Extreme Right And Left” Ctd  —  This goes back to my debate with Pejman.  David Corn insists that the difference between right and left rhetorical extremism is that the right has “institutionalized their side's craziness.”  Juan Cole is blunt.  George Packer concedes that George W. Bush …

Panel calls for drastic steps to stop future deep water oil spills  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) - If the government does not take drastic steps, another deep water oil spill like the BP spill in the Gulf could devastate the United States' coast, warned an oversight commission Tuesday in a long-awaited report to the president.

Supreme Court: Did it just hint at stance on a health-care law challenge?  —  The Supreme Court refused to take up a case examining Congress's authority under the commerce clause, a key issue in a legal challenge to Obama's health-care law.  Two justices dissented.

Talent no longer a sure bet for Senate race  —  The once likely candidacy of Jim Talent for U.S. Senate in Missouri is no longer a safe bet.  —  In fact, Republican insiders are now hedging against it.  —  While close advisers initially signaled Talent would settle on a decision by the end of 2010 …