Fake Doctors' Notes Being Handed Out at Wisconsin Gov. Union Rally  —  [Madison, WI] As tens of thousands of public employees skipped work this week to attend protest rallies outside the Wisconsin State Capitol, many wondered if they would face any disciplinary action for unexcused absences.

What's at Stake in Wisconsin's Budget Battle  —  Who's in charge of our political system—voters or unions?  —  This week President Obama was roundly criticized, even by many of his allies, for submitting a federal budget that actually increases our already crushing deficit.

Bloggers For Peace Flotilla Arrives In Madison...SITUATION TENSE ...Update: Thousands of Walker Supporters Are Here!  —  This is an update from Jim.  He's on the ground and in the thick of things.  He will be phoning in updates throughout the day.  —  There were thousands of tea party patriots at the Wisconsin capitol today.

Rep. David Wu's staff confronted him over concerns about his mental health  —  WASHINGTON — Three days before the Nov. 2 election, U.S. Rep. David Wu's most loyal and senior staffers were so alarmed by his erratic behavior that they demanded he enter a hospital for psychiatric treatment.

Libya protests: Reports of intense Benghazi violence  —  A former UK envoy to Libya says a key question is what happens in the capital Tripoli (Footage from Libyan TV and amateur sources)  —  Intense violence has been reported in Libya's second city, Benghazi, with troops said to have opened fire again on anti-government protesters.

Opinion: What Does Government Do? … Pop quiz.  What's the biggest single job the federal government undertakes?  —  National defense?  Nope.  —  Homeland security?  Wrong.  —  Transportation?  Not even close.  —  Law enforcement?  No way.  —  Education?  Getting colder.  —  Foreign aid?

Florida threatens to shred 2012 calendar  —  A deepening standoff between national Republicans and top party leaders in Florida has the potential to blow up the 2012 presidential primary calendar — and do lasting damage to the GOP in the nation's largest swing state.

Delirious Joy in Bahrain  —  BAHRAIN — There's delirious joy in the center of Bahrain right now.  People power has prevailed, at least temporarily, over a regime that repeatedly used deadly force to try to crush a democracy movement.  Pro-democracy protesters have retaken the Pearl Roundabout …

Photo gallery: What Big Labor protesters are teaching kids (language warning)  —  Thanks to reader Justin Falk for sending along these pictures from the progressive Peace&Love march in Madison, Wisconsin today (language warning).  Keep it classy, progs!  —  New Civility.  Same as the Old.

House votes 244-179 to kill U.S. funding of IPCC  —  Just before 2 a.m. on February 19, the war on climate science showed its grip on the U.S. House of Representatives as it voted to eliminate U.S. funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  The Republican majority …

Michelle Obama in Vail for weekend  —  VAIL, Colorado — First lady Michelle Obama is among the Presidents Day weekend crowd.  —  Obama arrived Friday night for a weekend of skiing in Vail and Beaver Creek, according to local sources.  —  A motorcade of about a dozen vehicles …

Will the hunger strike in Venezuela lead to another Egypt?  #OperacionLibertad #HuelgaDeHambre  —  While the US goes broke and the Middle East bursts in riots, students have gone on hunger strike in Venezuela protesting human rights conditions in the country.

The ‘Union Hires Non-Union Picketers’ Story of the Day  —  Unions hiring non-union labor to walk picket lines certainly isn't a rarity, but this story from Michigan has some bonus irony: The business a local carpenter's union hired homeless people to picket is a company that is a partner …

House approves dramatic cuts in federal spending in 235-189 vote  —  In a rare early morning weekend vote, the House approved an aggressive plan Saturday to eliminate dozens of federal programs and offices while slashing agency budgets by as much as 40 percent, drawing out more than $60 billion in deficit savings.