NSA infiltrates links to Yahoo, Google data centers worldwide, Snowden documents say  —  The National Security Agency has secretly broken into the main communications links that connect Yahoo and Google data centers around the world, according to documents obtained from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden …

Yes, It Is Illegal For Kathleen Sebelius To Enroll In Obamacare  —  Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius  —  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius repeatedly told the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday that it would be “illegal” …

Obama's pledge that ‘no one will take away’ your health plan  —  “That means that no matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise to the American people: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period.  If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period.

Behind Roar of Politics, Whispers of Race Persist  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama last week sought to turn attention from health care to immigration — in other words, from one racially divisive issue to another.  —  Whites tend to hold negative views of Obamacare, while blacks tend to like it.

Release Detail  —  October 30, 2013 - Mcauliffe Up By 4 Points In Close Virginia Gov Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Libertarian Has 9 Percent  —  The Virginia governor's race is going down to the wire with Democrat Terry McAuliffe clinging to a slight 45 - 41 percent likely voter lead …

Buckpasser  —  By Joe Klein @JoeKleinTIMEOct.  30, 2013  —  The President is responsible for the quality of his Administration.  —  I've been reading Tom Ricks' excellent book about military leadership since World War II, The Generals.  In it, Ricks argues that one of the reasons …

Republicans Demonstrate No Strategy or Desire to Win at Sebelius Hearing  —  RUSH: Okay, so let me ask you a quick question.  Have you been watching the Sebelius hearings today?  Good.  Tell me what you think.  Off the top of your head, what is your reaction to what you're watching?  Just tell me.

Everything You Think You Know About Panhandlers Is Wrong  —  A new survey of panhandlers in downtown San Francisco dispels a number of myths that society propagates about homeless people.  —  Conventional wisdom is that those on the sidewalk asking for a dollar are lazy freeloaders who will use the money for alcohol or drugs.

Landrieu to propose halting vanishing health plans  —  Sen. Mary Landrieu said Wednesday she would propose legislation to ensure all Americans could keep their existing insurance coverage under Obamacare, a fresh sign of the political problems the law's rollout has created for congressional Democrats.

Dell users: Latitude 6430u laptops ‘smell of cat urine’  —  A number of Dell users have complained that their Latitude 6430u Ultrabooks “smell of cat urine”.  —  Dell engineers have ruled out biological contamination, and said the smell was not a health hazard.

Alabama Blogger Arrested, Jailed For Writing About Former Governor's Son  —  An Alabama blogger who continued to write about the alleged extramarital affair of a prominent lawyer despite a court order was arrested and jailed last week.  He was still being held without bond as of Tuesday, according to reports.

A call to conservatives / constitutionalists / libertarians / classical liberals  —  It is clear — and yes, I'm willing to debate any person from the right's opinion complex — that DC is invested in DC solely, that the federal government, and both parties who comprise it …

S.F. Chronicle to stop using ‘Redskins’  —  The San Francisco Chronicle will stop using the name “Redskins” for the Washington, D.C. NFL team, managing editor Audrey Cooper confirmed to POLITICO.  —  “Words are powerful, and so is how we choose to use them,” Cooper said in an email.

Cruz extends olive branch to GOP senators  —  Extending an olive branch to GOP senators, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is privately making it clear he won't engage in the Senate Conservatives Fund's hardball tactics to defeat his colleagues in their primary races.  —  At a closed-door lunch meeting …

REPORT: NSA May Have Spied On The Vatican During The Papal Conclave  —  The papal conclave — the election by which a new Catholic pope is chosen — is by design of the most secretive events in the world.  —  The cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel for a series of votes …

Robert Gates Named President-Elect Of Boy Scouts Of America  —  Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R) has been named president-elect of the Boy Scouts of America.  —  Gates will serve both as a member of the Boy Scouts of America executive committee and president-elect, according to Scouting Magazine.

In Secret Letter, Senate Democratic Women Rally Behind Hillary Clinton  —  All of the female Democratic senators signed a secret letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton early this year encouraging her to run for president in 2016 - a letter that includes the signature of Sen. Elizabeth Warren …

Obama Costume at Kentucky Medical Center Event Spurs Debate, Diversity Training  —  HOPKINSVILLE, KY.—A picture of a Jennie Stuart Medical Center employee wearing a President Barack Obama mask and straitjacket at the hospital's annual costume party has stirred debate.

The World's Most Powerful People 2013  —  Who's more powerful: the autocratic leader of a former superpower or the handcuffed commander in chief of the most dominant country in the world?  This year the votes for the World's Most Powerful went with Russian President Vladimir Putin.