Syria Could Avoid Attack, Obama says … If Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gives up his chemical weapons, a military strike would “absolutely” be on pause, President Obama said today.  —  “I consider this a modestly positive development,” Obama told ABC News' Diane Sawyer in an interview …

No charges filed in George Zimmerman's alleged gun threat against wife  —  George Zimmerman, Shellie Zimmerman say the other was aggressor … LAKE MARY, Fla. -  —  No charges have been filed against George Zimmerman on Monday as the investigation continues into if he threatened …

Senior House GOP aides: WH not reaching out to House Republicans  —  Washington (CNN) - Senior House Republican aides are frustrated that the Obama administration has done little to reach out to rank-and-file House GOP members to make the case for why military action is needed in Syria.

Opposition to Syrian Airstrikes Surges  —  Obama Job Approval Slips into Negative Territory  —  Over just the past week, the share of Americans who oppose U.S. airstrikes in Syria has surged 15 points, from 48% to 63%, as many who were undecided about the issue have turned against military action.

Western Maryland secessionists seek to sever ties with the liberal Free State  —  The push by 50 western Virginia counties to secede in 1863, forming West Virginia at the height of the Civil War, was led by a charismatic store-clerk-turned-lawyer who famously urged his supporters: “Cut the knot now!

Assad Tells PBS' Charlie Rose Syria Prepared to Retaliate if Hit  —  Updated with full video of the interview  —  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Charlie Rose on Sunday that he is preparing for a U.S. strike, and that Syria and some of their allies would retaliate if one occurs.

What is Israel's interest in Syria?  —  While the Assad regime is linked to Iran and Hezbollah, some experts say most of the groups opposing him are in one way or another close in ideology to either al-Qaida or the Muslim Brotherhood.  —  What is Israel's interest in Syria and the possibility of a US-led attack?

Labor, with union membership declining, will woo non-workers  —  Facing what AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka called a “crisis” of membership, officials took the dramatic step at their annual convention of adopting a resolution that invites anyone in the country to join, regardless of union affiliation.

Why I'm Against a Military Strike On Syria  —  One of the strongest arguments for voting “yes” on authorizing strikes against Syria is that a “no” vote will do significant damage to the credibility of the United States.  —  “It is to President Obama's great discredit that he has staked …

Let's Please Stop Pretending That Obama is Reluctant to Take Military Action  —  E.J. Dionne chastises Democrats for not supporting President Obama on Syria: … Wait a second.  I realize that Dionne is only talking about Syria here, but in the past five years Obama has (a) …