The Draperizing of Mitt Romney  —  The Draperizing of Mitt Romney is under way.  —  He may not drink or cheat, and he lacks the fictional ad-maker's charisma, but Democrats, despite the potential perils of such a strategy, remain determined to paint Romney as a throwback to the “Mad Men” …

President Obama and Vice President Biden's 2011 Tax Returns  —  Today, the President released his 2011 federal income and gift tax returns.  He and the First Lady filed their income tax returns jointly and reported adjusted gross income of $789,674.  About half of the first family's income …

Newark Mayor Cory Booker taken to hospital after rescuing woman from house fire  —  NEWARK — Newark Mayor Cory Booker was taken to a hospital tonight for treatment of smoke inhalation he suffered trying to rescue his next-door neighbors from their burning house.

Failed North Korean Launch a Setback for Kim Jong-un  —  SEOUL, South Korea — For the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, his government's failure to put a satellite into orbit on Friday was a $1 billion humiliation.  —  Mr. Kim wanted to mark his ascension to top political power …

Ailes lectures young journalists  —  CHAPEL HILL - Fox News chief Roger Ailes offered more than a few words of advice Thursday in a room filled mostly with young journalists, starting with a recommendation that elicited at least a few eye rolls: “I think you ought to change your major.”

Obama order coordinates federal oversight of ‘fracking,’ gas development  —  President Obama signed an executive order Friday establishing a high-level task force charged with coordinating federal oversight of domestic natural gas development.  —  The task force is charged with ensuring …

GOP-On-GOP Attacks Leave Orrin Hatch Fighting Mad  —  Utah Republican Orrin Hatch has spent 36 years in the U.S. Senate, including stints as chairman of the Judiciary and Labor committees.  He's in line to become chairman of the Finance Committee if Republicans gain control of the Senate in November.

Harvard Prof. Alan Dershowitz: Zimmerman Arrest Affidavit ‘Irresponsible And Unethical’  —  Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz appeared on MSNBC's Hardball where fill-in host Michel Smerconish asked him his opinions of the arrest warrant issued and carried out for alleged Trayvon Martin murderer, George Zimmerman.

Vermont governor Peter Shumlin chased by 4 bears in backyard  —  MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says he was chased and nearly caught by four bears that were raiding his birdfeeders.  —  Shumlin says he was in bed in his rented Montpelier home late Wednesday night when he heard …

The Myth of Sustainable Meat  —  THE industrial production of animal products is nasty business.  From mad cow, E. coli and salmonella to soil erosion, manure runoff and pink slime, factory farming is the epitome of a broken food system.  —  There have been various responses to these horrors …

Does it really matter who is elected to the presidency in November?  —  Regardless of who is elected the U. S. will continue to be interventionist in its foreign policy.  —  Regardless of who is elected the “Bush tax cuts” will be sustained.  There may be some tweaking around the edges.

Six Rules for Dining Out  —  How a frugal economist finds the perfect lunch  —  A BAD OR MEDIOCRE meal is more than just an unpleasant taste, it is an unnecessary negation of one of life's pleasures—a wasted chance to refine our palates, learn about the world, and share a rewarding experience.