Game over: The chance for democracy in Egypt is lost  —  While much of American media has termed the events unfolding in Egypt today as “clashes between pro-government and opposition groups,” this is not in fact what's happening on the street.  The so-called “pro-government” …

White Political Ralliers Call for Lynching of Black Justice (Sorry MSM, No Tea in this Blend)  —  I recently took a two-day trip down to Palm Springs to attend an event called “Uncloaking the Kochs” hosted by Common Cause.  Accompanied by my dear friend, former assembly candidate Alvaro Day …

Sarah Palin Turns Down Coveted Keynote Speaking Slot At CPAC Conference  —  ABC News' Michael Falcone:  —  UPDATED: After skipping the popular Conservative Political Action Conference for the past three years, Sarah Palin has once again turned down the invitation of CPAC officials to address the conference this year.

President Carter named in $5 million lawsuit over his “Palestine” book  —  More than four years after its publication, five disgruntled readers have filed a class-action lawsuit against President Jimmy Carter and his publisher, Simon & Schuster, alleging that his 2006 book “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid” …

Charlotte charred by FLOTUS roast reference  —  Charlotte residents were ecstatic to hear this week that their city was selected to host the Democratic convention.  But there was one line in the e-mail announcement from First Lady Michelle Obama that made locals say, “Huh?”

GOP loses ‘forcible rape’ language  —  House Republicans plan to sidestep a charged debate over the distinction between “forcible rape” and “rape” by altering the language of a bill banning taxpayer subsidies for abortions.  —  The provision in question, written as an exemption from the ban …

‘Forcible Rape’ Language to Change, Manchin's Maiden Speech/EPA Limitation, Thune's Choice, Issa Creates K Street Jobs, 3 Questions with Chris Gibson, Trivia  —  BREAKING: ‘FORCIBLE RAPE’ PROVISION TO CHANGE — House Republicans plan to sidestep a potentially contentious fight over the definition …

Muslims Attack Two Christian Families in Egypt, 11 Killed  —  (AINA) — News of a massacre of two Christian Coptic families by Islamists just emerged from Upper Egypt with the return of the Internet connections after a week of Internet blackout by the Egyptian regime.

Judge holds Interior in contempt over drilling ban  —  A Louisiana federal judge on Wednesday held the Interior Department in contempt for re-imposing a deepwater oil-drilling ban last year after the judge had struck down an earlier version of the moratorium.

TRENDING: Obama delivers major speech on personal faith  —  President Barack Obama gave an unusually personal speech about his religious faith on Thursday, saying that “it is the biblical injunction to serve the least of these that keeps me going and keeps me from being overwhelmed,” in address to a prayer breakfast in Washington.

GOP scales back budget cut goals  —  Updating their budget estimates, House Republicans conceded Thursday that their best hope is to cut current appropriations by $32 billion for the remainder of this fiscal year, once new spending for defense and other security needs are added to the equation.

Crashing the party: Republican strategist turned gay rights activist ponders a White House run  —  ON ROUTE 202, N.H. — The candidate can't find his lane.  The road is a crunchy carpet of snow.  The candidate drifts too far to the right.  The rumble strip rattles his car.  The candidate drifts too far to the left.

Arizona to secede (without OFFICIALLY doing so)  —  Members of the state Legislature, including Arizona's de facto governor, Senate President Russell Pearce, have introduced a bill that essentially would have Arizona secede from the union without having to do so officially.  —  Really.

(UPDATE: Arrested, then Released) Cairo Exclusive: Interview with ‘Sandmonkey’  —  (UPDATE: The Guardian is reporting that Sandmonkey has been arrested, a contact reports that he was subsequently released.  His blog is currently down.  Look for updates at The Tatler.)

Mayor Curses the Beast, and It Didn't Even Bite Him  —  Showing that he can hold a grudge as well as the next politician, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg hurled a mild vulgarity at Staten Island Chuck, the groundhog who bit him two years ago, at the conclusion of Wednesday's otherwise uneventful Groundhog Day ceremony.