MSNBC Panel Was Mocking Republicans, Not Mitt Romney's Black Grandchild  —  Melissa Harris-Perry is apologizing for something that she didn't do wrong.  A photo of the Romney family with a black baby on Mitt's knee was the subject of a panel discussion on Perry's MSNBC show.  But no one was slighting the baby.

JOEL BENENSON'S NEW YEAR'S WISH — TOMORROW'S EMBRACE BETWEEN BILL CLINTON, NYC'S INCOMING MAYOR could be big help to Hillary '16 — THREE CLASSIC COLUMNS by retiring Clyde Haberman  —  HAPPY '14 EVE from breezy, heavenly Waikiki Beach, where we enjoyed a Longboard Island Lager last night at Chip Smith's oceanfront table.

On Christmas, Republicans Quietly Declare War on Themselves  —  The holidays are a great time in politics.  Every year it's the same: the minute the last bits of wrapping paper have been cleared away, and Grandpa has passed his last puff of holiday gas, you can always retreat to the inside pages …

GOP retaliation over filibuster rule change could jam Senate in 2014  —  CONGRESS SENATE HARRY REID PENNAVE NUCLEAR OPTION  —  Senate Republicans still smarting from a Democratic rules change that diminished their power to block President Obama's appointees are vowing retribution …

Apple Denies Working with NSA on iPhone Backdoor  —  Apple just responded to newly released documents claiming that the U.S. National Security Agency has a method for gaining backdoor access to its iPhone.  It says it has never worked with the agency, and is unaware of the alleged program targeting the iPhone known as DROPOUTJEEP.

GOP Candidate For AZ Governor Misquotes Lincoln On ‘Class Hatred’  —  A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arizona was forced to backtrack this week after he was caught misattributing several quotes about class warfare on Twitter to Abraham Lincoln.  —  State Sen. Al Melvin (R) …

And The Country Posing The Greatest Threat to Peace as 2013 Ends is ...  (CNSNews.com) - The past year witnessed bloodshed in Syria and Iraq, turmoil in Egypt, anarchy in Central Africa, threats by a nuclear-armed North Korea and Chinese military posturing, but as 2013 ends a global poll finds …

The dead can vote in NYC  —  Death doesn't necessarily disqualify you from voting in New York City.  —  Investigators posing as dead voters were allowed to cast ballots for this year's primary and general elections, thanks to antiquated Board of Election registration records and lax oversight by poll workers, authorities said.

Wow this is doge  —  This Dog Was About To Die.  You Won't Believe What Happened Next.  —  Go  —  Google Play Music All Access subscribers now getting Glass Explorer invitations  —  When 51-year-old Japanese kindergarten teacher Atsuko Sato started seeing strange pictures …

Dyson Dismisses Phil Robertson's Biracial Grandson: Abner Louima's Sodomizer Had Mixed Race Kin Too  —  Fresh on the heels of one MSNBC host's program coming under fire after a panel mocked Mitt Romney's adopted biracial grandson for being “not like the other” members of his family …

Pope's sharp words make a wealthy donor hesitate  —  Cardinal Timothy Dolan on the wealthy and capitalism  —  CNBC's Michelle Caruso-Cabrera talks to Cardinal Timothy Dolan about concerns following the pope's recent comments.  —  Pope Francis' critical comments about the wealthy and capitalism …

Arkansas governor asks for lieutenant governor's resignation  —  Washington (CNN) - Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, has asked Republican Lieutenant Gov. Mark Darr, the state's second in command, to resign over campaign finance impropriety.  —  Beebe called Darr on Tuesday to ask for his resignation …

Utah asks Supreme Court to block same-sex unions  —  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah took its fight against gay marriage to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, asking the high court to suspend same-sex unions that became legal when a judge struck down the state's voter-approved ban.

No, Rand Paul, There's No Reason to Cut Unemployment Benefits  —  People aren't long-term unemployed because they prefer getting benefits.  People are long-term unemployed because there still aren't enough jobs.  —  Rand Paul says he cares about the unemployed.