Gratifying Signs of Desperation  —  On both sides of the Atlantic, the austerians seem to be freaking out.  And that has to be good news, an indication that they realize, at some level, that they're losing the debate.  —  First up, the sad story of Joe Scarborough, whose response …

White House immigration bill offers path to residency  —  The legislation is being developed as members in both chambers of Congress are drafting their own immigration bills.  —  WASHINGTON — A draft of a White House immigration proposal obtained by USA TODAY would allow illegal immigrants …

Creating Hipsturbia  —  A yoga studio opened on Main Street that offers lunch-hour vinyasa classes.  Nearby is a bicycle store that sells Dutch-style bikes, and a farm-to-table restaurant that sources its edible nasturtiums from its backyard garden.  —  Across the street is the home-décor shop …

Equal Opportunity, Our National Myth  —  President Obama's second Inaugural Address used soaring language to reaffirm America's commitment to the dream of equality of opportunity: “We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance …

FBI investigating allegations Sen. Menendez patronized prostitutes in Dominican Republic  —  A team of FBI agents has been conducting interviews in recent weeks in the Dominican Republic and the United States, looking into allegations that Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) patronized prostitutes …

Protesters show support for Christopher Dorner  —  Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters downtown Saturday afternoon, holding signs of support for Christopher Dorner, the fired police officer suspected of killing four people.

Think Hagel's bad?  Just wait until there's a Supreme Court opening  —  The Hagel battle is actually a dry run for the next justice fight — and it's clear that the GOP will filibuster  —  Compare that Russian meteor hit earlier this week to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.  Got that?

Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul Join Bipartisan Bill To Legalize Hemp  —  While most Republican members of Congress have been lukewarm at best to the prospect of legalizing marijuana, senators introduced a bipartisan measure this week to legalize industrial hemp.

Data mining is new lobbying gold  —  A congressman gets an earful from his neighbor after church about a tax bill.  A senator suddenly finds old high school classmates calling her about an upcoming vote on a small business bill.  —  Those meetings may not be coincidences.

Emory president holds up “three-fifths” compromise as noble, honorable  —  Atlanta university president calls the deal which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person a classic compromise  —  In a shockingly horrible column, the president of Emory University held up the “Three-Fifths Compromise” …

Bloomberg takes gun fight to Chicago  —  A Chicagoland special House election to replace disgraced former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has suddenly become Ground Zero of the national gun control debate, courtesy of anti-gun crusader Mike Bloomberg.  —  The billionaire New York City mayor's super PAC …