Racism vs. reality  —  I don't like what George Zimmerman did, and I hate that Trayvon Martin is dead.  But I also can understand why Zimmerman was suspicious and why he thought Martin was wearing a uniform we all recognize.  I don't know whether Zimmerman is a racist.

The Senate didn't go nuclear.  But, actually, it kind of did.  —  This is a game of chicken," Norm Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute told me on Monday night. “  But having seen ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ many times, sometimes games of chicken don't go down the way you expect.

LIZ CHENEY TO SEEK WYO. SENATE SEAT HELD BY REPUB.  —  You are here  —  Home » United States Senate » Liz Cheney to seek Wyo. Senate seat held by Repub.  —  CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter Liz Cheney will run against Wyoming's senior U.S. senator …

CNN: Zimmerman Prosecutor Excused Potential Black Juror for Being a Fox News Watcher  —  George Zimmerman haters throughout the media have carped and whined about the fact that there weren't any African-Americans on the jury despite the law requiring the accused NOT the victim be judged by his peers.

Boycott Winter Olympics in Russia, senator suggests  —  President Obama should consider boycotting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia if the Cold War-era foe gives asylum to Edward Snowden, Sen. Lindsey Graham told The Hill on Tuesday.  —  “I would.  I would just send the Russians …

Obama uses Univision, Telemundo to press case for immigration reform  —  President Obama sat down for interviews with four Spanish-language television stations on Tuesday, as the White House looked to increase pressure on House Republicans to pass immigration reform.

Text of Holder Speech on Trayvon Martin Case  —  Attorney General Eric Holder blasted “stand-your-ground laws” in the wake of the acquittal of George Zimmerman for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin—saying such laws cause more violence than they prevent.  Here is the full text of his speech as prepared for delivery.

Trayvon Martin's Friend, Rachel Jeantel, Offered Full Ride Scholarship from Tom Joyner  —  PLAY AUDIO  —  Rachel Jeantel was thrust into the spotlight after she testified in the George Zimmerman trial detailing her friendship with her slain friend, Trayvon Martin.

76-year-old man to stand trial in shooting death of 13-year-old boy  —  In a case that bears some striking similarities to George Zimmerman's, a 76-year-old Milwaukee man is set to stand trial this week in the 2012 shooting death a 13-year-old boy he had accused of stealing from him.

Dementia Rate Is Found to Drop Sharply, as Forecast  —  A new study has found that dementia rates among people 65 and older in England and Wales have plummeted by 25 percent over the past two decades, to 6.2 percent from 8.3 percent, a trend that researchers say is likely occurring across developed countries …

Carney: Suggestion ObamaCare reduces full-time hiring ‘belied by the facts’  —  White House press secretary Jay Carney on Tuesday dismissed reports that some employers were hiring more part-time employees because of the president's signature healthcare law.  —  “The data reflects …

In Second Term, Obama Is Seen as Using ‘Hidden Hand’ Approach  —  WASHINGTON — In the nearly two weeks since Egypt's military seized power, President Obama has promoted a better federal bureaucracy, given a medal to George Lucas of “Star Wars” fame and had former President George Bush to the White House for lunch.

The McDonald's Guide to Living On Its Wages  —  That McDonald's.  It's such a sweet New Gilded Age corporation, helping its employees learn how to live on its minimum wage salaries.  Here's the sample budget journal:  —  As Robyn Pennacchia notes, that $1105-that's assuming a 40-hour workweek.