The Downside of Liberty  —  THIS spring I was on a panel at the Woodstock Writers Festival.  An audience member asked a question: Why had the revolution dreamed up in the late 1960s mostly been won on the social and cultural fronts — women's rights, gay rights, black president, ecology …

Romney Shifts Tone, Saying Health Care Mandate Is a Tax  —  WOLFEBORO, N.H. — Mitt Romney declared on Wednesday that President Obama's health care mandate was in fact a tax, shifting his campaign's characterization of the law and aligning himself with the conservative voices in his party.

America-Hating Patriots and Other Mysteries of the 4th  —  I'm always at a bit of a loss as to what to say on this big patriotic occasion.  I'm as “American” in background, outlook, and life-experiences as anyone you'd meet.  I belong to a distinctly American religious community, born on the Kentucky frontier long after Independence.

Hallandale Beach lifeguard fired after participating in beach rescue  —  As lifeguards are paid and trained to do, Tomas Lopez rushed down the beach to rescue a drowning man — and then got fired for it.  —  The problem: Lopez stepped out of the beach zone his company is paid to patrol, a supervisor said Tuesday.

Founding fathers quotes you probably haven't heard, by @DavidOAtkins  —  Founding fathers quotes you probably haven't heard  —  On July 4th, enjoy some of the less famous quotes from the founders of our country.  —  Thomas Paine: … James Madison: … Benjamin Franklin: … Benjamin Franklin again:

Mystery Bermuda-based company and other undisclosed Romney assets hint at larger wealth  —  Paul Sancya/file/Associated Press - FILE — In an Oct. 10, 2006 file photo Mitt Romney speaks at the Leadership Summit on Race in Detroit.  For nearly 15 years, Republican presidential candidate Mitt …

Efforts to implement ObamaCare law raise concerns of massive government expansion  —  With the Supreme Court giving President Obama's new health care law a green light, federal and state officials are turning to implementation of the law — a lengthy and massive undertaking still in its early stages …

Fireworks Shot Off Early in Bay  —  Big Bay Boom fireworks display delayed after sudden burst  —  Thousands of people who camped out to watch the Big Bay Boom in San Diego's Glorietta Bay Wednesday night got more of a Big Bay Bust.  —  Port District authorities said a “technical difficulty” …

Obama launches bus tour in key swings states Ohio and Pa.  —  President Obama launches a bus tour Thursday through two battleground states crucial to his re-election bid.  —  Obama's focus during the trip through Ohio and Pennsylvania is the economy, and it begins a day before a critical monthly report …

TPM2012  —  Jonathan Krohn Laughs Off Bitter Conservative Reprisals  —  Jonathan Krohn, the teen conservative idol turned liberal heretic, is on the receiving end of a world of abuse from right wing pundits this week.  Fine by him.  But please folks, lay off his mom.

Rep. Charles Rangel urges supporters to have faith in Board of Elections in wake of Adriano Espaillat's legal challenge  —  Congressman preaches calm during rally in Harlem after his chief opponent in the 13th Congressional District primary made accusations of voter suppression