How Petraeus Moved The Debate, Literally  —  How far has General David Petraeus moved the debate on Iraq?  His testimony on the surge, and the effects of the surge itself, has made it much more difficult for Democrats to argue for withdrawal and defeat.  In fact, at last night's debate …

Blackwater Tops All Firms in Iraq in Shooting Rate  —  The American security contractor Blackwater USA has been involved in a far higher rate of shootings while guarding American diplomats in Iraq than other security firms providing similar services to the State Department …

Verizon Rejects Messages of Abortion Rights Group  —  Saying it had the right to block "controversial or unsavory" text messages, Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon's mobile network available for a text-message program.

MUCH IS BEING MADE of the scoop by pro-Zapatero's daily El País, in Madrid, of the transcript of the memo of a conversation between Bush and Spain's former PM Aznar in Crawford in March 2003 as the Iraq war was about to start.  Editor and Publisher has a machine translation, which is quite atrocious.

Scientists Feel Miscast in Film on Life's Origin  —  A few months ago, the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins received an e-mail message from a producer at Rampant Films inviting him to be interviewed for a documentary called "Crossroads."  —  The film, with Ben Stein, the actor …

What are 'Hollywood values'?  —  If it's all about free love and hating America, how come there aren't many openly gay stars or pro-jihadi movies?  If it's all about the almighty dollar, how come Hollyweirdos disproportionately back the party that wants to tax them more?

Senate temporarily sidelines immigration legalization bill  —  Democrats vow to pass measure aiding 1 million youths  —  WASHINGTON — The prospects for immediate Senate action on the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, disappeared Wednesday amid Republican opposition.

In a 9/11 Survival Tale, the Pieces Just Don't Fit  —  Tania Head's story, as shared over the years with reporters, students, friends and hundreds of visitors to ground zero, was a remarkable account of both life and death.  —  She had, she said, survived the terror attack …

Blowing smoke  —  Okay, Muslim foot-baths in Kansas City airport, gender-segregated swimming sessions at French municipal pools, banning pork from Aussie hospital menus, no eating donuts for Belgian cops during Ramadan, no seeing-eye dogs or alcohol in Minneapolis taxi cabs, fine, fine, fine.

'A Coup Has Occurred'  —  September 26, 2007 (Text of a speech delivered September 20, 2007)  —  Below is an edited transcript of Ellsberg's remarkable speech:  —  I think nothing has higher priority than averting an attack on Iran, which I think will be accompanied by a further change …

19,000 insurgents killed in Iraq since '03  —  More than 19,000 militants have been killed in fighting with coalition forces since the insurgency began more than four years ago, according to military statistics released for the first time.  —  The statistics show that 4,882 militants …

Gorbachev warns Russians against rise of Stalinism  —  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev warned Russians on Wednesday of the risk of a rebirth of Stalinism, saying their country was in danger of forgetting its tragic past.  —  "We should remember those who suffered …

Betting on Iowa  —  The Quad City Times reports today that Michelle Obama was a bit blunter than any of the campaigns usually are on the importance of Iowa: … Facebook Google Technorati  —  Last nights debate Obama did not do what the media wanted him to do...be an attack dog!