Reid's ‘nuclear option’ changes rules, ends repeat filibusters  —  In a shocking development Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered a rarely used procedural option informally called the “nuclear option” to change the Senate rules.

Confronting the Malefactors  —  There's something happening here.  What it is ain't exactly clear, but we may, at long last, be seeing the rise of a popular movement that, unlike the Tea Party, is angry at the right people.  —  When the Occupy Wall Street protests began three weeks ago …

U.S. Adds 103,000 Jobs; Rate Holds Steady at 9.1%  —  As an increasing number of economists warn of a possible dip back into recession, the Labor Department said Friday that American employers added 103,000 jobs in September, staving off the bleakest forecasts for now.

Lindsey Graham On ‘Intimidation’: 'If You're A Southern White Guy, It Is Part Of Your Life'  —  GOP presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry (TX) has faced severe backlash this week as the result of stories that he had opposed a campaign to remove the Confederate battle flag from statehouses across …

FACT CHECK: Obama claims miss some evidence  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In challenging Republicans to get behind his jobs bill Thursday, President Barack Obama argued Republicans have supported his proposals before, demanded that they explain themselves if they oppose him, and challenged others to come up with a plan of their own.

Energy Department Official in Charge of Solyndra Loan Program to Step Down  —  The director of the controversial loan program that cleared the way for a $535 million taxpayer guarantee to bankrupt solar firm Solyndra is stepping down, the Energy Department confirmed Thursday.

BBC Does It Again: “In The Absence Of A Credible Plan We Will Have A Global Financial Meltdown In Two To Three Weeks” - IMF Advisor  —  A week after the BBC exploded Alessio Rastani to the stage, it has just done it all over again.  In an interview with IMF advisor Robert Shapiro …

The Palin movement isn't retreating, it's reloading  —  I've been a Palinista for going on four years now, starting back in 2007 when I anonymously launched a little website called “Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President.”  That site represented the first concrete, public expression of support …

France bans ketchup in cafeterias  —  Well, it's allowed with one side dish (guess which one).  But putting it on veal or boeuf bourguignon is now interdit at schools nationwide.  —  Reporting from Paris— First France built a wall around its language to protect it from pernicious Anglo-Saxon invaders.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Three Activist Women  —  LONDON — The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 was awarded on Friday to three campaigning women from Africa and the Arab world in acknowledgment of their nonviolent role in promoting peace, democracy and gender equality.

UK financial firms downgraded by Moody's rating agency  —  Shares in Royal Bank of Scotland have opened down following the downgrade  —  Moody's has downgraded the credit rating of 12 UK financial firms including Lloyds TSB, RBS, Nationwide and Santander UK.

Essential Health Benefits: Balancing Coverage and Cost … The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is intended to help uninsured Americans obtain health insurance.  As part of this effort, private health insurance plans will be offered to low- and moderate-income individuals …

TPM2012  —  Scott Brown Replies To Warren: ‘Thank God’ She Didn't Take Her Clothes Off (AUDIO)  —  Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) was interviewed on a local talk radio show Thursday morning.  And he had an interesting response to a recent line from Democratic frontrunner Elizabeth Warren.

Laura Ingraham Isn't Sure If Obama Is Black  —  Remember Laura Ingraham?  She's the back-up O'Reilly Factor guest-host who wrote a deliberately (it seemed) unfunny Barack Obama “diary” last year in which she described Michelle Obama as eating baby-back ribs at every meal.