Sunday Reflection: Hard to get good goons these days  —  So the public employee unions have been on the defensive across the nation, and they've been losing battles in state capitols from Wisconsin, to Ohio, to Tennessee.  —  Although there have been some violent incidents and death threats …

Howard Dean warns Democrats Sarah Palin could beat Obama in 2012  —  Howard Dean, the former Democratic National Committee chairman who helped Democrats capture the White House in 2008, warns that Sarah Palin could defeat President Obama in 2012.  —  Dean says his fellow Democrats should beware …

What would Michelle say?  President Obama wolfs down TWO chili dogs and fries... the day after his wife unveils new dietary guide  — Mr Obama also visits Chrysler factory in Toledo - and fails to mention grim unemployment statistics  —  When his wife unveiled the USDA's new nutritional plate yesterday …

Ill. Dioceses Suspend Adoption Licensing  —  Two Illinois Catholic Charities agencies have suspended licensing new foster care and adoptive parents following the state's enactment of a civil unions law.  —  Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet …

Our Fantasy Nation?  —  With Tea Party conservatives and many Republicans balking at raising the debt ceiling, let me offer them an example of a nation that lives up to their ideals.  —  It has among the lowest tax burdens of any major country: fewer than 2 percent of the people pay any taxes.

Months after healthcare repeal vote, GOP still working on ‘replace’  —  More than four months after their triumphant vote to scrap the Democrats' healthcare reform law, House Republicans have yet to fulfill the second part of their campaign pledge to “repeal and replace” the legislation.

Jon Huntsman says he'll bypass Iowa caucuses  —  The likely GOP presidential candidate cites his opposition to subsidies for corn and soybeans, major crops in the state.  —  Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman talks to prospective voters at a cultural festival in Berlin, N.H. With him is his wife, Mary Kaye.

Anthony Weiner's bulging controversy a classic example of abysmal damage control  —  WASHINGTON - Weinergate ain't Watergate, not even close.  —  But they're both classic examples of abysmal damage control.  —  For such a savvy practitioner of the political game, Anthony Weiner has violated …

Bank of America Gets Pad Locked After Homeowner Forecloses On It  —  Well, it has happened in Florida and involves a North Carolina based bank.  —  Instead of Bank of America foreclosing on some Florida homeowner, the homeowners had sheriff's deputies foreclose on the bank.

Efforts to Ban Circumcision Gain Traction in California  —  SANTA MONICA, Calif. — When a group of activists proposed banning circumcision in San Francisco last fall, many people simply brushed them aside.  Even in that liberal seaside city, it seemed implausible that thousands of people …

Wounded Yemeni president in Saudi Arabia  —  Ali Abdullah Saleh is in Riyadh for treatment amid speculation over his rule, two days after he was injured in attack.  —  Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh is in Riyadh for medical treatment, after he was injured in an attack on his compound on Friday …

A Peaceful Neo-Nazi?  —  I am writing to inform you of truly great news.  I know how sad and worried you all were when I was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to two years in prison.  As it turns out, this was the best thing that has ever happened to me.