WOULD BOEHNER SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT OVER PLANNED PARENTHOOD?.... The good news is, Democrats and Republicans have reportedly reached a general agreement on the size of the cuts for the rest of the fiscal year.  As of this morning, the package is up to $34.5 billion, from $33 billion …

Pence Lets Truth Slip On Uncompromising Stance: 'We're Trying To Score A Victory For The Republican People'  —  The federal government appears to be hurtling towards a shutdown following the inability of congressional negotiators to reach a compromise last night on a continuing resolution.

OBAMA: Get Used To High Gas Prices.  “Obama needled one questioner who asked about gas prices, now averaging close to $3.70 a gallon nationwide, and suggested that the gentleman consider getting rid of his gas-guzzling vehicle.”  —  High gas prices aren't a bug, they're a feature.

I Can't Help Myself  —  Sullivan: … The Ryan/GOP Plan, as has been pointed out to Sullivan a hundred times now with little to no effect, slashes taxes by trillions and makes up for those tax cuts by slashing trillions in services to our neediest members of society.

Obama friend arrested in Hawaii  —  (CNN) - A friend of President Barack Obama was arrested Monday for allegedly soliciting sex from an undercover officer posing as a prostitute, according to CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.  —  Robert Richard Titcomb, 49, was arrested with three …

Election fraud in Wisconsin election?  —  In the aftermath of close elections, allegations of fraud and manipulation almost always arise, especially when the election was fought as bitterly as the one in Wisconsin.  The Daily Caller reports that accusations of both are already flying …

First homosexual caveman found  —  Archaeologists have unearthed the 5,000-year-old remains of what they believe may have been the world's oldest known gay caveman.  —  The male body - said to date back to between 2900-2500BC - was discovered buried in a way normally reserved only for women …

Obama's support among blacks slips unexpectedly, Hispanics too  —  Barack Obama rode to a comfortable presidential election win in 2008 on the electoral wings of a coalition based on liberal whites, independents and blacks, especially blacks.  —  Obama lost much of his independent support during …

Cathie Black Is Out as City Schools Chancellor  —  Cathleen P. Black with Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott, who will replace her as schools chancellor, at a news conference in January.  —  11:44 a.m. |  Updated Cathleen P. Black, a magazine executive with no educational experience who was named …

Senate rejects block to EPA climate regs  —  The Senate rejected a GOP-backed amendment Wednesday that would have permanently blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.  —  The amendment did not reach the 60 votes necessary for passage.  The final vote count was 50-50.

Iron Dome intercepts first rocket  —  Ashkelon residents report seeing Grad explode in midair as dozens of rockets fired at south, meanwhile Hamas says Israel taking advantage of Goldstone's regret over Gaza war report to bomb Strip  —  Latest Update:  —  Residents in Ashkelon reported …

EVEN THE THREAT OF A SHUTDOWN IS EXPENSIVE.... If congressional Republicans go through with their threat and shut down the government tomorrow night, the costs will be considerable.  It's ironic that those hoping to cut the budget will force a shutdown that's needlessly expensive.

Obama Hits Losing Trifecta In Florida, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Increased Support For Offshore Drilling  —  President Barack Obama hits a losing trifecta with Florida voters: They disapprove 52 - 44 percent of the job he is doing; they prefer an unnamed Republican challenger …

Mario Cuomo Still Believes  —  You would think that Mario Cuomo would have been proud to watch his son Andrew sworn in as governor of New York last New Year's Eve, ascending to the job his old man held for 12 years.  Apparently, you would be wrong.  —  “You really want to know how I felt?” the elder Cuomo asked me last month.

Rush to Use Crops as Fuel Raises Food Prices and Hunger Fears  —  The starchy cassava root has long been an important ingredient in everything from tapioca pudding and ice cream to paper and animal feed.  —  But last year, 98 percent of cassava chips exported from Thailand …

Reported pipe bomb explodes outside Jewish temple in Santa Monica [Updated]  —  This post has been corrected.  See note at bottom for details.  —  A device believed to be a pipe bomb exploded about 6:45 a.m. Thursday in the parking lot of a Jewish temple in Santa Monica, authorities said.