Obama expected to announce major Afghan drawdown  —  Pentagon and White House officials say about 10,000 troops will probably come home this year, a bigger number than Gen. David Petraeus wanted.  —  U.S. troops examine confiscated weapons and ammunition during a raid in Sabari, in eastern Afghanistan, on Sunday.

Bristol Palin Reveals True Feelings About the McCains, ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Levi Johnston and More  —  From Levi Johnston to Meghan McCain, Bristol Palin has been put off by a lot of people.  —  In her upcoming memoir, “Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far,” the 20-year-old daughter …

Jon Stewart: “Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? ...  Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.”  —  “Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? ...  Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.”  —  “President Obama and liberal former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine's $787 billion stimulus failed to create jobs.”

The Rise of Uncompassionate Conservatism  —  The Republican noncandidate flavor of the week is Texas governor Rick Perry.  If you squint just right, you could mistake him at a podium for his predecessor, George W. Bush.  Except for his message.  —  There might be no more powerful symbol …

World's oceans in ‘shocking’ decline  —  Coral reefs are subject to “multiple stressors” that could destroy many within a human generation  —  The oceans are in a worse state than previously suspected, according to an expert panel of scientists.  —  In a new report, they warn that ocean life is …

White House, lawmakers speed up debt-reduction talks  —  The White House and congressional leaders are accelerating negotiations over the biggest debt-reduction package in at least two decades amid mounting concern that the effort is running out of time.  —  Over the next six weeks …

Class Dismissed … Like This Story … - Can Airlines Really Insist That You Pull Your Pants Up?  - How Your Relationship To Debt Changes Completely When You Turn 28- Holy Gamoly!  TV Chefs Reacting to the Taste of Their Own Food- Shafer: Why Synthetic Pot Is Worse …

N.C. Man Allegedly Robs Bank of $1 to Get Health Care in Jail  —  A 59-year-old man has been jailed in Gastonia, N.C., on charges of larceny after allegedly robbing an RBC Bank for $1 so he could get health care in prison.  Richard James Verone handed a female teller a note demanding the money …

Huntsman to warn of ‘un-American’ future in speech  —  Liberty State Park, New Jersey (CNN) - Not known for throwing out red meat to conservative audiences, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is expected to warn voters the country is facing an “un-American” future in his campaign kick-off speech Tuesday.

Cigarette Health Warnings  —  Beginning September 2012, FDA will require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States.  These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement …

Obama's Food Police in Staggering Crackdown on Market to Kids  —  Tony the Tiger, some NASCAR drivers and cookie-selling Girl Scouts will be out of a job unless grocery manufacturers agree to reinvent a vast array of their products to satisfy the Obama administration's food police.

Actions in Alabama and New York highlight opposite directions  —  Below:  —  Christian Science Monitor  —  ATLANTA — America's red and blue states are increasingly going in exactly opposite directions on the issue of illegal immigration - a testament to how difficult finding middle ground has become on the federal level.

N.L.R.B. Rules Would Streamline Unionizing  —  In a move that will undoubtedly please labor unions, the National Labor Relations Board announced on Tuesday morning that it was proposing new rules to speed up unionization elections, largely by streamlining various procedures.

Michele Bachmann's (sort of) silent strategy  —  Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign has gone quiet since her stand-out performance at the New Hampshire presidential debate last week.  (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Jim Gehrz) In the wake of her surprisingly strong debate performance a week ago …

Sources: Woolsey to announce retirement  —  Rep. Lynn Woolsey, who has represented the North Bay in Congress for nearly two decades, is expected to announce her retirement next Monday at her home in Petaluma.  —  Woolsey, 73, released a statement Monday saying that she will make an unspecified announcement …

Axelrod: Left will ‘fully engage’ with Obama in 2012  —  The liberal base will give its full support to President Obama in 2012 despite its frustration over the lack of progress on certain key issues, former White House senior adviser David Axelrod said Monday.