Darrell Issa On IRS Investigation: Releasing Full Transcripts Now Would Be ‘Reckless’  —  WASHINGTON — One week after he released partial transcripts of interviews with IRS officials involved in the scandal surrounding the targeting of conservative groups, the chair of the House Oversight …

Establishment renders harsh verdict on Edward Snowden  —  'He's no hero.  He put people's lives at risk,' Sen. Angus King (second from left) said.  AP Photos  —  Close  —  He is the toast of the libertarian left and the libertarian right.  But for most of the political establishment …

Secret Service “Visits” Outspoken Critic of Obama - Because of Twitter?  —  I know, RIGHT?  —  After you read this- you will wonder what country we are in.  —  Tom Francois is an outspoken critic of Barack Hussein Obama- and has a robust Twitter presence.  He also likes to dabble with his “paint” program to create funny cartoons.

Scott Walker Endorses Mandating Transvaginal Ultrasounds And Shutting Down Abortion Clinics  —  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has thrown his support behind an anti-abortion measure that's currently moving through the state legislature, saying he will sign the bill into law if it makes it to his desk.

Earlier Denials Put Intelligence Chief in Awkward Position  —  WASHINGTON — For years, intelligence officials have tried to debunk what they called a popular myth about the National Security Agency: that its electronic net routinely sweeps up information about millions of Americans.

CBS anchor snubs sex scoop  —  CBS anchor Scott Pelley was furious after John Miller's scoop about the State Department sex scandal broke not on his “CBS Evening News,” but early Monday on “This Morning” hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell, network sources tell Page Six

GOP congressman: Rate of pregnancies from rape is ‘very low’  —  Another Republican congressman ventured into the realm of rape and pregnancy Wednesday, saying at a committee hearing that incidences of pregnancy from rape are “very low.”  —  Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) …

Blowing a Whistle  —  I'm glad I live in a country with people who are vigilant in defending civil liberties.  But as I listen to the debate about the disclosure of two government programs designed to track suspected phone and e-mail contacts of terrorists, I do wonder if some of those who …

The Visionaries: Kanye West Talks About His Career and Album ‘Yeezus’  —  Malibu, Calif. — From Shangri-la Studio here you can see the Pacific Ocean just over the fence lapping calmly at Zuma Beach.  And this compound is just as Zen, with recording equipment set up in various locations …

Military sex assaults: Plan for outside prosecutor blocked in Senate  —  The future of the military justice system is uncertain this morning, as legislation aimed at stopping the growing number of sexual assaults in the armed forces was rejected by key members of Congress, on the grounds that the changes go too far.

Clear city's name in IRS scandal  —  Congressman Charles Rangel said, “There's a cancer in Cincinnati.”  That is just another example of how our region is taking collateral damage in IRS scandal.  The Cincinnati area is being portrayed as a hotbed of rogue, corrupt IRS employees.

The Snowden Prism  —  Like the OJ Simpson trial almost twenty years ago, there are some public events which not only divide people but divide you against people you didn't expect to be divided against.  As a Republican you may be used to disagreeing with Democrats and vice versa.

Challenging Obama-knows-best  —  “Trust-me” is President Barack Obama's preferred mode of action in times of crisis — and his go-to comment to nervous staffers has always been some version of “Relax, I got this.”  —  But that message is an increasingly hard sell for Obama in his second term …

Bloomberg Urges No Gifts to Democrats Who Blocked Gun Bill  —  Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, in a sharp escalation in the battle over gun control, is seeking to punish Democratic senators by taking away the one thing they most need from New Yorkers: money.  —  On Wednesday, Mr. Bloomberg …

A Little Birdie Told Me  —  WASHINGTON — In her first two days on Twitter, Hillary Clinton did not bother to follow the man she wants to follow.  —  No @BarackObama for @HillaryClinton as of Tuesday night.  —  Hillary debuted firmly entrenched in Clintonworld, following Bill, Chelsea …

Interns Win Huge Victory in Labor Lawsuit Against Fox  —  UPDATED: Fox says it is “very disappointed” after two interns who worked on “Black Swan” are granted a summary judgment win, while another intern who worked in Fox's corporate department will now be leading a class action suit.

Man Details Risks in Exposing China's Forced Labor  —  MASANJIA, China — The cry for help, a neatly folded letter stuffed inside a package of Halloween decorations sold at Kmart, traveled 5,000 miles from China into the hands of a mother of two in Oregon.  —  Scrawling in wobbly English …

Paul on the fence over immigration bill  —  Washington (CNN) - Sen. Rand Paul said Wednesday he's not ready to vote on the immigration reform package as it now stands in the Senate, adding the measure needs tougher provisions on border security in order to have a chance in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.

Soledad O'Brien Joins HBO's ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’  —  Former CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien is joining the team at HBO's “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” HBO Sports says.  —  In addition, HBO has signed a “first look” deal with O'Brien's production company Starfish Media Group …

Germans accuse U.S. of Stasi tactics before Obama visit  —  (Reuters) - German outrage over a U.S. Internet spying program has broken out ahead of a visit by Barack Obama, with ministers demanding the president provide a full explanation when he lands in Berlin next week and one official likening …

Carey Mulligan Passes on Hillary Clinton Biopic  —  The actress was being eyed to play the former first lady in James Ponsoldt's film.  —  Carey Mulligan will not be stepping into the shoes Hillary Rodham Clinton for Rodham, Temple Hill and The Arlook Group's biopic of the former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state.

Iowans: State, U.S. on diverging paths  —  The frustration with Obama stands in stark contrast to Iowans' feelings about the state of their state.  —  Results of this poll had Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and his Republican advisers doing a happy dance — he gets a job approval rating of 58 percent, his all-time high for this term.