Federal judge voids Texas' gay marriage ban, though he delays order from taking effect immediately  —  Mark Phariss of Plano, left, held the hand of partner Victor Holmes, center, as they left the U.S. Federal Courthouse in San Antonio after a hearing earlier this month.

Americans know there's no GOP ‘alternative’ to Obamacare  —  Obamacare is a disaster for Democrats, and a certain winner for Republicans.  That's what we keep hearing, anyway.  —  So why does it look as if the percentage of Americans who favor repeal may have actually shrunk since its rollout problems began?

U.S. REP. CORY GARDNER TO ENTER U.S. SENATE RACE AGAINST MARK UDALL  —  Republican Congressman Cory Gardner is planning to drop his re-election bid and run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Mark Udall, The Denver Post has learned.  —  Gardner is expected to make an announcement in a few days …

Dave Camp: How to Fix Our Appalling Tax Code  —  Every year Americans spend more than six billion hours and $168 billion to file their returns.  —  There have been so many changes to the tax code over the past decade that it is now 10 times the size of the Bible, but with none of the Good News.

Va. GOP official apologizes for genital slang “error”  —  UPDATE: In an email, FitzSimmonds said he thought the word he used had the same meaning as “twaddle,” which is defined as foolish speech.  —  “The minute I found out my error, I deleted the post and apologized,” he told Pilot on Politics.

Jeb Bush, Rand Paul top GOP's 2016 presidential wish list: Poll  —  Shares -  —  While the 2016 presidential election may be two years away, some prospective contenders have been getting a bit of media attention.  The latest CBS News/New York Times Poll asked the public whether …

Soldier flagrantly avoids flag salute, sets off online outrage  —  A soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.

Rick Scott Now Says He Would Veto Arizona Anti-Gay Bill  —  Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) is now saying he would veto a controversial Arizona bill that lets businesses discriminate against LGBT people after dodging the question this morning on MSNBC.  —  “I don't want to tell Governor Brewer what to do …

For Marriage Equality, Religious Liberty, and the Freedom of Association  —  Even though I'm for marriage equality - next week I'll be filing a brief supporting the challenge to the marriage laws of Oklahoma and Utah in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit - I have no problem with Arizona's SB 1062.

Adidas to stop selling Brazil World Cup T-shirts that ‘encourage sexual tourism’  —  Sportswear maker to stop selling T-shirts before World Cup after Brazil's ministry of women's affairs said shirts were offensive  —  Adidas agreed on Tuesday to stop selling two raunchy T-shirts months ahead …

Rand Paul Blocks Surgeon General Nominee For Saying Gun Violence Is A Public Health Threat  —  On Wednesday — two years to the day after George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) placed a hold on President Barack Obama's nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy …

Eric Holder: Actually, somebody does have to defend gay marriage bans  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL GAY MARRIAGE ERIC HOLDER ATTORNEY GENERAL GAY RIGHTS LAW  —  Attorney General Eric Holder stunned and disappointed many conservative lawyers with his decree that state attorneys general …

“Just a Flesh Wound”  —  I wish I had a better story to tell you about why I am typing this with one hand (and some help from Dragon Dictate).  —  A shark attack would be interesting.  An assassination attempt would be intriguing.  Skydiving mishaps always make for good copy.

In Mississippi, 72% of the Babies Aborted Are Black  —  (CNSNews.com) - Although whites outnumber blacks in Mississippi by nearly 2-to-1, 71.67% of the babies aborted in Mississippi are black, while 26.6% are white.  —  Based on data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …

The Skunk at the Oscar Party  —  Jeremy Scahill may not fit in amongst Leo and Marty, but even if he doesn't take home a statue for his documentary ‘Dirty Wars,’ he's already winning big with the launch of ‘The Intercept,’ his new online venture backed by Ebay's Pierre Omidyar.

Bring back the real neoconservatives  —  Confessions of a bona fide neocon, circa 1976  —  I  —  n recent weeks, readers have asked me a cluster of questions about the positions I've staked out in my recent columns.  The questions go something like this: How can you think that Lyndon Johnson …

Concealed-weapons laws have changed America regardless of national debate on gun control  —  BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL GUN CONTROL SUPREME COURT  —  Over the last 25 years, we have had related national debates over proposed federal gun-control laws designed to restrict access to certain firearms.

“Stand Your Ground” Nation  —  America used to value the concept of retreat.  Now we just shoot.  —  Ever since George Zimmerman gunned down Trayvon Martin in his Sanford, Fla., gated community, it's become an article of faith that the rash of lethal shootings in public places …

Putin Drills Ground Troops at Ukraine's Doorstep as U.S. Warns Against Intervention  —  MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin ordered a surprise exercise of ground and air forces on Ukraine's doorstep Wednesday, intending to demonstrate his country's military preparedness at a time of heightened tensions …