Dems Offer Bush No Credit for Largest Economic Growth Since 1984

Democratic presidential candidates Thursday said President Bush deserves no credit for the 7.2 percent annualized rate of economic growth in the third quarter, the largest growth spurt since 1984. But conservative analysts disagreed, saying the president's tax cuts had everything to do with the robust growth.

--CNSNews.com--

Zell Miller, Saying Dems Aid the Enemy, Endorses Bush

Complaining that the anti-war rhetoric used by some of the Democrat presidential candidates is putting the lives of American soldiers at risk, retiring Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., announced Wednesday night that he was backing President Bush for re-election.

--NewsMax.com--

Republicans Say Judicial Nominee Is Victim of Religious Bias

CAPITOL HILL - A group of Republicans in the House of Representatives accused Senate Democrats of using a religious litmus test to derail the nomination of Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor for a seat on a federal appeals court.

--CNSNews.com--

O'Connor: U.S. Must Rely on Foreign Law

American courts need to pay more attention to international legal decisions to help create a more favorable impression abroad, said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at an awards dinner in Atlanta.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

This is a dangerous thing for a judge to say. She's totally wrong, of course, but her saying it exposes her belief that legislating is a function of the courts. If she had said that legislatures should pay more attention to foreign law, I would not be nearly as outraged. - Ed.

ACLU Blubbers That Terrorists Might Be Deported

The same outfit that wants Terri Schiavo put to death for the crime of existing is boo-hooing that the U.S. hasn't bent over backward enough in telling foreigners from terrorist-infested nations how they can stay in the U.S.

--NewsMax.com--

Pro-Life Groups Call on Bush to Keep Iraq Abortion-Free

A coalition of pro-life groups Thursday called on President Bush not to let any money earmarked for Iraqi reconstruction go to fund abortion services in Iraq.

--CNSNews.com--

Source: U.N. Pullout From Baghdad a PR Stunt

A senior U.N. Security Council diplomat has told NewsMax that, in effect, Kofi Annan?s decision to evacuate the U.N. center in Baghdad was no more than a political stunt.

--NewsMax.com--

Hatch Proposal Angers ‘Conservatives’

Conservatives are furious over a Republican proposal to create two new Michigan-based judicial seats in exchange for getting Sen. Carl Levin, Michigan Democrat, to lift his blockade on four of President Bush's nominees from that state.

--Washington Times--

This is outrageous! - Ed.

Lawmakers Reject Loans as Part of $87 Billion Iraq Package

WASHINGTON - House and Senate negotiators decided Wednesday that U.S. aid to Iraq this year will be in the form of grants, not loans.

--USA Today--

For once, I agree with Democrats on this. In fact, I believe it would be a good idea to extend the concept to the “welfare” system. Why shouldn't the recipients of government handouts be expected to pay them back?

But there is another aspect of this that I find curious. The left accused and is still accusing Pres. Bush of invading Iraq to steal Iraq's oil. If the United States demands that Iraq pay us back for reconstruction, we're taking their oil money. That would be, in effect, doing what the left accused Bush of wanting to do. The irony is that it's the left that's calling for it. - Ed.

Clark Plays Blame Game

Two - and only two - prominent Democrats have previously attempted to blame Bush for 9/11: Bill and Hillary Clinton. Did they put Clark up to this?

--NewsMax.com--

Dean Complains Gephardt Aides Getting Physical

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democrat Howard Dean's presidential campaign complained to rival Dick Gephardt about an angry confrontation between staffers at an Iowa event.

--NewsMax.com (AP)--

U.N. Says It Will Withdraw Baghdad Staff

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations is temporarily pulling its staff out of Baghdad while it evaluates the security situation, but U.N. workers will remain in northern Iraq, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

--ABC News--

And some people say the United Nations should be in charge! - Ed.

Pelosi Criticized for Calling Illegal Immigrant Raids ‘Terrorizing’

Immigration reform activists and at least one lawmaker have blasted House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for saying a raid last week on the Wal-Mart retail chain that resulted in arrests of more than 300 illegal alien workers was tantamount to terrorism.

--CNSNews.com--

Democrats Open New Liberal Think Tank

WASHINGTON - A new left-wing think tank - the Center for American Progress (search) - unveiled itself Tuesday as the Democratic vaccine to what center supporters say is a plague of conservatism now dominating America.

--Fox News--

It seems to me that a “liberal think tank” is a contradiction in terms. Since “liberalism” is based on feelings, not thought, this organization should call itself a “liberal feelings tank.” - Ed.

Hillary Caves on Ground Zero Allegations

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton has dropped her plan to block the nomination of former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, saying she will no longer hold the nomination hostage to her demands that the White House release the names of individuals she accused of engaging in a massive Ground Zero air quality cover-up.

--NewsMax.com--

She got the publicity, which is all she wanted. - Ed.

Dem Opposition to Pickering Could Help GOP in Mississippi

Republicans in Washington, D.C., are hoping to capitalize politically in Mississippi on any attempt by Democrats to block the nomination of Mississippi federal judge Charles W. Pickering, Sr., whose confirmation vote is expected to come days before Mississippi's gubernatorial election.

--CNSNews.com--

But in New York, Republicans can't even be bothered to field a candidate against the ringleader of the cabal, Chuckie Schumer. - Ed.

Libertarians Prepare Paradise in New Hampshire

When Libertarians went looking for a state to call their own, they picked one with the motto “Live Free or Die” - New Hampshire.

--NewsMax.com--

I am currently soliciting suggestions for a new name for this site - for after I move to New Hampshire. - Ed.

Canada Told: ‘Stop Being Defense Freeloader’

Canada must give up its passive role as a “defense freeloader” and participate in a missile defense shield under development by the United States, a former Canadian military official asserts.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Intelligence Chief Suggests Iraq's WMD Moved Outside Country

WASHINGTON - A senior military intelligence chief suggested Tuesday that Iraqi officials, perhaps working without the knowledge of Saddam Hussein, moved evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs outside the country before this year's war.

--Boston Globe (AP)--

‘Anti-war’ in Solidarity with Saddam

With Operation Iraqi Freedom concluded, with the Iraqi Baath Party driven out of power, you'd think that groups like International Answer would acknowledge reality and help the millions of Iraqis yearning to join the Free World.

--Belligerent Bunny Blog--

French Missiles Used in Attack on Wolfowitz

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was just a floor away from danger yesterday when a missile barrage blitzed the Baghdad hotel where he was staying - killing an American colonel and wounding 18 other people.

--New York Post--

Democrat Jon Corzine: Bush Tax Cut Helped Economy

Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., acknowledged on Sunday that President Bush's tax cuts gave the economy a boost, a rare admission for a Democrat, whose party has made opposition to White House-backed tax relief one of its top political priorities.

--NewsMax.com--

Case Pitting Muslims Against Christians Moves Forward in Australia

A legal tribunal in an Australian state will proceed with a case in which Muslims have accused Christians of vilifying Islam. The tribunal rejected arguments that it lacks the authority to hear the case.

--CNSNews.com--

This is where “hate crimes” legislation and speech codes lead to. We in the United States, where freedom of speech is supposedly protected, must remain vigilant to protect against this kind of encroachment. - Ed.

Black Woman Getting ‘Borked’

“Of the many unworthy judicial nominees President Bush has put forward, Janice Rogers Brown is among the very worst.”

That's how the New York Times began its editorial Saturday in a campaign Republicans, libertarians, conservatives and Christians see as increasingly familiar.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Hillary Stonewalls AP's Questions on Peter Paul Lawsuit

While reporters usually pretend that Bill and Hillary Clinton's legal problems are behind them, Mrs. Clinton seems to know better. That is, at least, judging by the way she's handling the latest lawsuit filed against her.

--NewsMax.com--

Fall in Gas Prices Continues Nationwide

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Retail gasoline prices have fallen two cents in the past two weeks, contributing to a price decrease of more than 16 cents since September 12, according to a national industry report Sunday.

--Las Vegas Sun (AP)--

You'd never know it in my neighborhood (Hopewell Junction). The lowest price I could find for regular was $172.9, but when I went to Hyde Park on Saturday, I found regular for $158.9. Do you think there might be some collusion around here? - Ed.

Kennedy Vote Stumble Leaves Senators Gasping

Hard-drinking Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy appeared to be so confused on the Senate floor last week that he prompted “audible gasps” from his colleagues by mistakenly voting for two pieces of legislation he was known to oppose - only to have his votes corrected later.

--NewsMax.com--

Iraqi Businessmen Optimistic About the Future, Poll Finds

(CNSNews.com) - Iraqi business leaders report feeling optimistic about the future, according to a new survey of 600 businessmen by the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI).

--CNSNews.com--

Zell Miller Blast Dems, Says Party Is in ‘Breakdown’

Retiring Sen. Zell Miller blasted his fellow Democrats on Wednesday for pushing their party so far to the left that they've left it in a state of total “breakdown.”

--NewsMax.com--

Bush Nominee - Another Clarence Thomas?

WASHINGTON - Introducing Janice Rogers Brown, President Bush?s latest nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said, “I confess I feel like I'm a participant in a Kabuki performance.” Like that ritualized Japanese theater style, the script and stagecraft seemed all quite familiar. Like Clarence Thomas, Brown is a Southern-born conservative, with an up-by-her-bootstraps life story, and a history of giving speeches warning of the dangers of big government.

--MSNBC--

Our racist Senator Charles Schumer and his racist buddies has already started the demonization process. The man is a disgrace to our great state. - Ed.

Report: Immigration Levels Cost Republicans 9 House Seats in 2000

The heavy influx of immigrants cost the Republican Party nine House seats during the 2000 political redistricting process, according to a report released Thursday. At least one of those seats was lost as a result of illegal aliens being counted as part of the national population by the U.S. Census Bureau, the report's authors said.

--CNSNews.com--

US Job Claims Data Suggest Improving Market

First-time claims for unemployment benefits in the US fell slightly in the second week of October, suggesting the labour market continued its slow improvement.

--Financial Times--

Clinton Pledge Backfires on Dean

A day after Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean announced that ex-President Bill Clinton promised him he wasn't going to take sides during the primary season, Clinton is quoted as slamming Gov. Dean for being too liberal to win the general election.

--NewsMax.com--

Pro-Life Successes May Impact 2004 Election

The Senate this week passed a bill banning partial birth abortion, and the measure will now head to President Bush for his signature. But that may not be the end of the matter. Abortion rights advocates will challenge the law in court, and voters in the 2004 election may have something to say about it.

--CNSNews.com--

It seems to me that making partial birth abortion a campaign issue is a sure winner for pro-lifers, but I would caution against making too much of it. We could take a page from the left's playbook and not advertise our ultimate goals. - Ed.

Terri Schindler Schiavo's Parents Denied Visitation, Information

CAPITOL HILL - The parents of a disabled Florida woman, joyful upon learning that their daughter's life had been spared Tuesday by an act of the Florida legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush, have since been barred from seeing her or learning anything about her condition by the woman's husband, Michael Schiavo.

--CNSNews.com--

Cuomo Attacks ‘Soulless and Clueless’ Democrats, Praises Bush

Democrats are “lost in time,” often appear “bloodless, soulless and clueless” and have “fumbled” their role in the post-9/11 world.

--NewsMax.com--

I am becoming increasingly concerned that the Democrat Party is committing suicide by pandering to the far left. My concern is that it would leave the country with one-party rule, and that is never a good thing. - Ed.

Democrats Kill Bill on Class-action Reform

A group of Senate Democrats killed an effort yesterday to reform the judicial process governing massive class-action lawsuits that magnificently reward trial lawyers.

--Washington Times--

Democrats Mad at Pro-military Clark

Democrats and Republicans pandering for the Puerto Rican vote pressured wishy-washy President Bush to torpedo the Navy's bombing practice on Vieques despite the risk to servicemen and national security. And Democrats are furious that would-be president Wesley Clark disagreed with them.

--NewsMax.com--

Poll of Palestinians: Statehood Won't Stop Violence

Fifty-nine percent of Palestinians believe that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad should continue their armed struggle against Israel even if Israel leaves all of the West Bank and Gaza, including East Jerusalem, and a Palestinian state is created, a new survey shows.

--Jerusalem Post--

Baseball-bat Attack in Grocery Strike

CHULA VISTA - Two locked-out supermarket union members are facing charges in the beating of a replacement worker with a baseball bat last week.

--San Diego Union-Tribune--

I have a feeling that had this attack been made in a less “politically correct” context, it would be national news. - Ed.

Terri Lives!

With crowds cheering wildly, an ambulance took Terri Schindler-Schiavo from the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice to a nearby hospital, where, on orders from Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, she was re-connected to a feeding tube to rehydrate her after six days of court-ordered starvation.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

‘Liberals’ Intensify Attacks on DC Circuit Court Nominee

With a Senate confirmation hearing slated for Wednesday, liberal interest groups heightened their criticism of California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown, who President Bush has nominated for a seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

--CNSNews.com--

Senate: White House Didn't Pressure CIA on Iraq Findings

WASHINGTON - A Senate investigation has found no evidence that the Bush administration pressured CIA analysts to tailor their intelligence to suit the White House's views on the threat posed by Iraq.

--USA Today--

Pentagon to Probe Remarks Made by General

The Pentagon is launching a formal investigation into statements by a high-ranking Army officer that cast the U.S. fight against terrorists in religious terms, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld announced yesterday.

--Washington Post--

You can bet there will be no investigation into the truth of his remarks. - Ed.

Wesley Clark's Stand on Vieques Is Now the Dems' Dilemma

WASHINGTON - Wesley Clark was an ardent advocate of live-fire bombing on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques - putting him at odds with virtually every Democrat in New York.

--New York Post--

DNC Ad Uses President's Father to Attack Him on CIA Leak

A Democrat National Committee television ad that uses a video clip of former President George H. W. Bush to attack Bush's son, the current president, is a case of the Democratic Party “picking and choosing its facts” as it pursues a strategy of “scandal-mongering,” a GOP spokesperson said Tuesday.

--CNSNews.com--

Ga. Senator Lambastes Fellow Democrats

From former president Bill Clinton to party chairman Terence R. McAuliffe to the field of presidential contenders, few Democrats escape criticism in a new book by Sen. Zell Miller (Ga.), who argues that his party has abandoned him and the rest of the South.

--Washington Post--

Florida House Passes Bill to Block Disabled Woman's Starvation Death

CAPITOL HILL - In a last-ditch effort to prevent the death of severely disabled woman, the Florida House late Monday passed legislation called "Terri's Bill," which gives Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order that Terry Schindler Schiavo be reconnected to her feeding tube.

--CNSNews.com--

Pentagon Edited General's Apology

An apology from Lt. Gen. William Boykin for speechmaking on the war on terrorism in terms that offended some Muslims was heavily edited by Pentagon lawyers, CNN has reported.

--NewsMax.com--

GOP Sees Gephardt as Toughest Rival for Bush

With the strongest union backing and deepest roots in the politically important industrial Midwest, Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.) is emerging as the Democratic presidential candidate many prominent Republicans fear the most in the 2004 elections.

--Washington Post--

GOP Uses Small Business Owners to Defend Tax Cuts for High Earners

With Democratic presidential candidates assailing "tax cuts for the rich" on a daily basis, the Republican National Committee is fighting back by placing a face on the so-called rich: the face of America's small business owner.

--CNSNews.com--

It's about time! - Ed.

Republicans Backing Away from States' Rights

California officials propose strict antipollution standards for certain engines, and a congressional committee moves to block the new rules.

--Boston Globe--

Pentagon General, Under Fire, Agrees to Curtail Rhetoric About Islam

Army Lt. Gen. William Boykin has reportedly agreed to temper his allegedly anti-Islamic rhetoric, according to Pentagon lawyers and public affairs officials who Friday tried to calm the anger over comments Boykin made while in uniform at evangelical churches.

--CNSNews.com--

Although I previously wrote that I thought the general should be promoted, that opinion does not square with reality. What the general said contradicts his Commander in Chief, which really means he should be fired in the interests of order and discipline. It's a shame that his bosses are politically constrained from telling the truth about Islam. - Ed.

More Companies Downsize Family-friendly Programs

For the first time in years, companies are taking the ax to programs considered family friendly.

--USA Today--

Obviously, ‘Gay-friendly’ programs are much more important! - Ed.

Environmental Justice Report Hurts Minorities, Conservatives Warn

Government agencies received some guidance about their environmental justice policies Friday when the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights endorsed a report that conservatives said would create economic hardships for low-income and minority communities.

--CNSNews.com--

Campaigners Hope Sudan Peace Deal Will Spell End to Slavery

NAIROBI, KENYA - Anti-slavery activists are hopeful that the finalization of a Sudanese peace deal will bring an end to the atrocity of modern-day slavery that has taken place in the war-torn country.

--CNSNews.com--

Warfare at the Speed of Light

Down this tiled corridor, light does muscular, noisy work. Lasers dig dirt and weld metal. They pound aircraft parts into shape.

--Oakland Tribune--

Group Vows ‘Civil Unrest’ Over Licenses for Illegals

Supporters of a new law granting drivers licenses to illegal immigrants said Saturday they will stage work stoppages and other actions as part of a counteroffensive against a Republican effort to overturn the measure.

--San Francisco Chronicle (AP)--

Chirac Blocks EU Condemnation of Anti-Semitic Outburst

French President Jacques Chirac has blocked the European Union from issuing a statement condemning Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who said on Thursday that “Jews rule the world by proxy.”

--NewsMax.com--

Children Being ‘Needlessly Adopted,’ Advocacy Group Charges

Legislation that was designed to make the adoption process easier has resulted in children being taken from safe homes and “needlessly adopted,” a child advocacy group has charged.

--CNSNews.com--

Property-rights Group Hits Park Plan

WASHINGTON - A national property-rights advocacy group on Thursday attacked a plan to triple the size of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

--Los Angeles Daily News--

U.N. Loving Senators Set to Defy U.N.

WASHINGTON - In perhaps the most difficult vote cast during their campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination, five members of Congress are split on whether to support President Bush's request for $87 billion to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.

--USA Today--

Do you supppose anyone outside of the “vast right-wing conspiracy” will notice this glaring contradiction? First, these guys berate the president for going it alone in Iraq. Now that the U.N. is supporting the effort (click here for story), they want no part of it. The truth is that these “patriots” don't want the Iraq operation to succeed if Bush is in line to receive any credit for it. These weasels put their partisan interests above national interests. - Ed.

Clintons Sued in L.A. Over Campaign Donations

Hollywood producer Peter Paul has sued former President Bill Clinton, and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, contending the former first couple got him in trouble with federal authorities by failing to report his $2 million in-kind contributions to her Senate campaign.

--Yahoo! News (Reuters)--

N.Y. Conservatives Assail GOP Drift

NEW YORK - The Conservative Party of New York says the state Republican Party has shifted to the left on tax and personal-freedom policies just to be politically correct.

--Washington Times--

Ben Affleck Compares U.S. to Declining Roman Empire

Hollywood actor Ben Affleck has attacked US President George Bush's "dangerous right-wing" policies, which he said were eroding civil liberties.

--BBC News--

It's funny that he would compare the U.S. to the declining Roman Empire - ‘conservatives’ have been doing that for years. The Roman Empire didn't decline because it took away liberties from its citizens, it declined because its citizens became soft and degenerate. It didn't decline into Sparta, it declined into Sodom and Gomorrah. Its moral degeneracy made it easy for the Vandals to sack Rome. There isn't much difference between the Vandals of that day and the terrrorists of today. I suspect that if Affleck were alive then, he'd have fought efforts to protect the empire from the Vandals. Why does anyone take these people seriously? - Ed.

Bush, GOP ‘Naive’ for Pushing Bill to Help Illegal Aliens, Critic Alleges

Illegal immigration opponents Thursday said President Bush and congressional Republicans risk losing their core voter base in national elections next year by embracing measures that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens. The remarks came as the Senate Judiciary Committee held a markup session on a bill that would allow in-state collegiate tuition and residency for illegal immigrants.

--CNSNews.com--

Clinton: I Tried to Warn Bush About Bin Laden

Ex-President Bill Clinton claimed Wednesday that he tried to warn President Bush before 9/11 that Osama bin Laden posed the greatest danger to the United States - but that Bush wouldn't listen.

--NewsMax.com--

This is an indication that Clinton, at least subconsciously, recognizes that he bears some responsibility for 9/11. He'd never admit it, though. - Ed.

Democrats Hope to Woo ‘Bible-Quoting, Gun-Toting’ Voters

CAPITOL HILL - Two ‘moderate’ Democrat senators are leading an effort to improve the Democratic Party's image among churchgoers and gun owners with the hopes of recapturing Congress and the White House next year.

--CNSNews.com--

Notice that they're focusing on the image of the party, not the core agenda, which will have to remain hidden. - Ed.

Ann Coulter Defends Rush From Leftist Hypocrites

Noting that “liberals have finally found a drug addict they don't like,” “Treason” author Ann Coulter is lashing out at Rush Limbaugh's critics. Read Coulter's full comments here.

--NewsMax.com--

Troop Morale Taken ‘Very Seriously,’ Pentagon Leaders Say

Responding to reports that U.S. troop morale in Iraq is low and that many soldiers don't plan to re-enlist once their obligation is met, the Pentagon leadership said Thursday that the welfare of troops and their families remains among its prime concerns in the war on terrorism.

--CNSNews.com--

Patagonia Glaciers ‘Melting at Rapid Rate’

Scientists say glaciers in the mountains of Chile and Argentina are melting at a rate which has doubled since 1975.

--Ananova--

You might see this story used to support the “global warming” myth. Don't fall for it just because the phenomenon is attributed to “climate change.” Glaciers are, in fact, rivers of ice. At one end, frozen precipitation piles up, pushing the glacier downward to the sea where the ice either melts or breaks off and forms icebergs. A glacier will shrink due to increased melting, or decreased precipitation. The former could be the result of “global warming,” but it could also be the result of local climate variations. The latter could be the result of global cooling! Be very suspicious of anyone who does not consider all possibilities. - Ed.

Archbishop: Terrorists Can Have Serious Moral Goals

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, yesterday urged America to recognise that terrorists can “have serious moral goals.”

--London Telegraph--

I'm trying to imagine the outrage that would have erupted had the archbishop spoken about the “serious moral goals” of anti-abortion “terrorists” like Paul Hill. Suppose he had said, in reference to condemnation of anti-abortion violence, that America “loses the power of self-criticism and becomes trapped in a self-referential morality.” Just imagine! - Ed.

Clark's Tanks Used in Waco Siege

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark wants to be president and, given that he is a man who has worn many hats during his controversial rise through the ranks, many believe this qualifies him for the top political job. But serious questions abound about his actions as commander of the 1st Cavalry Division of the Army's III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1993.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

PATRIOT Act Opponents Draw Justice Department's Ire

The spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department Wednesday criticized local government officials and activists across the nation who continue to do battle with the USA PATRIOT Act and urge local law enforcement agents not to assist in its enforcement.

--CNSNews.com--

Flashback to John Ashcroft's confirmation hearing. ‘Liberals’ insisted that Ashcroft was unfit because they believed he would not enforce laws he opposed, particularly in regards to abortion. Now fast-forward to today. These same ‘liberals’ are encouraging “local law enforcement agents not to assist in [the Patriot Act's] enforcement.” How do they get away with this blatant hypocrisy? - Ed.

Defense Drops New Bryant Bombshell

Prosecutors tried to portray Kobe Bryant as an arrogant superstar who forced himself on a 19-year-old woman even after she said no. Defense attorneys went after his accuser, suggesting she had other sex partners in the days before the alleged attack.

--CBS News--

The Kobe Bryant case illuminates the “dark side” of rape shield laws. In all other criminal situations, our justice system assumes that witnesses and accusers might be lying, just as it assumes that the accused might be lying. But rape shield laws take an opposite assumption - that rape accusers never lie, otherwise, why would the system want to protect the identity of someone who might be lying? It won't provide the same protection to the accused who just might be telling the truth! - Ed.

Queen Raises Fears Over EU

The Queen is growing more concerned about Tony Blair's plans to sign a European constitution that she fears could undermine her role as sovereign.

--London Telegraph--

As I've said previously, the European Union is leading Europe to become a single political entity, and that fact should be recognized by the United Nations, reducing its voting power to that of one nation. Otherwise, why shouldn't all fifty of the United States each get a vote? This story reinforces that position. - Ed.

Survey: Republicans Religious, Democrats Superstitious

More Americans believe in God than in angels, miracles, and even heaven. And while half attend worship services on a regular basis, a majority thinks religion plays too small a role in people?s lives today.

--Fox News--

Most in Baghdad Don't Want Troops to Leave Too Quickly

When Gallup set out recently to poll Baghdad residents, the biggest surprise may have been the public's reaction to the questioners: Almost everyone responded to the pollsters' questions, with some pleading for a chance to give their opinions.

--San Francisco Chronicle (AP)--

A curious aspect of the reporting of this story is the headline. When you read the full story, you'll see that the headline starts with “Poll suggests most in Baghdad ...” If, for example, a poll showed Pres. Bush's job approval declining, can you imagine the headline over the story reading “Poll Suggests Bush's Job Approval Declining?” Of course not! They'd be blaring the “news” as if it were gospel. - Ed.

D.C. Undercover Operations Blown?

A long-term undercover intelligence operation hangs in the balance as the District of Columbia appeals a circuit court judge's ruling ordering the Metro Police Department to reveal the identities of all undercover officers who have infiltrated and become active in a controversial anti-Bush group.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

The truth is that IAC and ANSWER support terrorists and are therefore legitimate targets of the Bush Doctrine. - Ed.

‘Activist’ Wants to Start N.H. Write-in Campaign for Hillary

CONCORD, N.H. - A Florida ‘activist’ hopes to persuade New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to join the presidential race by starting a write-in campaign in New Hampshire.

--Newsday--

Gun Rights Advocates Take Aim at Concealed Carry Bans

After victories in five states already this year, concealed carry advocates are turning their attention to the handful of remaining states that continue to prohibit gun owners from carrying a concealed firearm.

--CNSNews.com--

Europe Holds Talks on Iraq Rebuilding

LONDON - European Union officials were expected to finalize plans for collective aid to rebuild Iraq during a meeting Monday, but individual countries have staked out differing positions on additional funds for the country.

--CNSNews.com--

Davis Signs Domestic Partner Benefit Bill

SAN FRANCISCO - California has became the first state to require businesses with large state contracts to offer domestic partners the same benefits that spouses enjoy, although the law will not take effect until 2007.

--Excite.com (AP)--

He forces this new mandate on business as businesses are fleeing the state in droves. It just goes to show what ‘liberals’ think about the “general welfare” when it conflicts with patronizing their political allies. - Ed.

Degeneration Y: Adam is on the Eve of Extinction

Women had better learn how to program the VCR and assemble flat-pack furniture in the next 125,000 years because that's when the last bloke will disappear from the earth, according to a new book.

--The Age--

If there's truth in the premise of this book, it seems to me it would be a solid refutation of evolution. - Ed.

US Surgeons Part Twins

Surgeons have separated two-year-old Egyptian twins joined at the head in a painstaking operation at a Dallas, Texas, hospital.

--BBC News--

Could any critic of the US “health care system” please explain why, whenever someone needs really complicated treatment, they come to the US? Why don't they go to Canada? We're always being told how much better than ours Canada's“ health care system” is. - Ed.

Legislative Battle Predicted for Patriot II

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice needs expanded powers to fight terrorism more effectively, say Bush administration officials, but many in Congress are already rethinking the Patriot Act (search) and are hesitant to widen government powers.

--Fox News--

Remember how the left used to say, "Better red than dead?" Now they might as well be saying, "Better dead than Republican." - Ed.

Limbaugh Accuser May Face Jail Time for Illegal Taping

If Rush Limbaugh's ex-housekeeper Wilma Cline tape-recorded her prescription drug sales to the talk radio megastar, as claimed in the National Enquirer, she committed a felony punishable by up to five years in jail, according to lawyers familiar with case.

--NewsMax.com--

Don't worry, the ACLU will ride to Rush's rescue, and run ads attacking the Clines for invading Rush's privacy. That is what they did when Linda Tripp surreptitiously taped her conversations with Monica Lewinski, so we should expect them to be consistintent, shouldn't we? - Ed.

Harry Wu: Hillary's Account of My Release Untrue

Human rights activist Harry Wu is accusing New York Sen. Hillary Clinton of inflating the role she played in winning his release from a Chinese jail in 1995.

--NewsMax.com--

Valerie Plame Outed as CIA Agent Long Before Novak Column

Valerie Plame, wife of Leakgate accuser Joseph Wilson, was outed as a CIA agent at least nine years before conservative columnist Robert Novak supposedly blew her cover three months ago in his column.

--NewsMax.com--

Bush: Wars Won “on the Offensive”

“That is our mission in Iraq,” he said, where schools and hospitals are reopening, water and electricity is returning and “life is getting better.”

“Just ask people who have been there,” he said, alluding to the contrasting perception given by the media. “They are stunned when they get back.”

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Seattle Plan to Enable Alcoholics

The Washington State Court of Appeals has approved a plan to spend $9 million in taxpayers' money “to build a 75-unit apartment building and then stock it with chronic alcoholics.” And it gets even weirder.

--KOMO-TV--

Democrats: Citizens' Illegal Alien Family Members Need

CAPITOL HILL - House Democrats rallied outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to demand that President Bush press for a renewal and permanent extension of an immigration law exemption that opponents call “stealth amnesty” for some illegal aliens.

--CNSNews.com--

French Newssite Reports Arafat ‘Dead’

A French-language Israeli newssite is reporting Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestinian Authority, may have died of a heart attack.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

America Has ‘Hard Evidence’ on Iraq

President Bush's team yesterday launched an information offensive to convince Americans that the Iraq war was right and the best way to safeguard America against “a future attack far beyond the scale of 9/11.”

--New York Post--

Schwarzenegger to Repeal Law Giving Illegals Licenses

In his first press conference after Tuesday's recall in California, Governor-Elect Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday he plans to repeal the law that outgoing California Gov. Gray Davis approved allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses.

--CNSNews.com--

I knew CalEfornia was screwy, but I didn't know that the governor could “repeal” laws passed by the legislature and signed by a former governor. Arnold is going to have a difficult time getting the Democrat controlled legislature to go along with any of his iniatives. - Ed.

Democrat-Run Election Is Corrupt, Democrats Gripe

Did you happen to see Je$$e “Shakedown” Ja¢k$on foaming at the mouth last night on “Hannity & Colmes?” He was funnier than an episode of “The Simpsons.”

--NewsMax.com--

NRA's LaPierre Slams ‘Phony’ Anti-Gun Propaganda

National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre told a New York audience over the weekend that bogus research touted by the Clinton administration was responsible for much of the anti-gun propaganda that continues to swirl throughout the media today.

--NewsMax.com--

Arnold's Win Boosts GOP Odds in State for 2004

Arnold Schwarzenegger's victory in the California gubernatorial-recall election bolsters President Bush's re-election prospects in a Democratic state the White House feared was unwinnable but now sees as a competitive battleground in 2004.

--Washington Times--

What should really worry Democrats is the fact that the two major Republican candidates garnered nearly sixty percent of the vote, according to early returns. - Ed.

Russia Still Critical on Iraq, But Some Positive Signs Seen

MOSCOW - Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the U.S. of a possible “quagmire” in Iraq, other signals from the Kremlin are sounding a more constructive note with regard to the situation there.

--CNSNews.com--

Mystery Blood Clots Kill Troops

WASHINGTON - Unexplained blood clots are among the reasons a number of U.S. soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom have died from sudden illnesses, an investigation by United Press International has found.

--Military.com (UPI)--

Clark May Have Broken Law in Paid Speeches

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark may have violated federal election laws by discussing his presidential campaign during recent paid appearances, according to campaign finance experts.

--Washington Post--

Ozone Hole Biggest So Far

Last year, Antarctica experienced a record warm winter which led to the smallest ozone hole since 1988. This year has seen record low temperatures in Antarctica, which have produced a much larger hole.

--Tasmanian Mercury--

Record low temperatures in Antarctica? How can that be with all this “global warming” going on? - Ed.

Death Row Inmate Named Honorary Citizen of Paris

PARIS - Mumia Abu Jamal, a convicted murderer and death row inmate, was awarded the status of honorary citizen of Paris last weekend in a ceremony attended by former Black Panther Angela Davis.

--CNSNews.com--

9/11 Families Urge Immigration Time out to ‘Fix System’

The current U.S. immigration system cannot differentiate between a terrorist and a tourist. That's the message from the father of a Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack victim in a new ad campaign seeking an across-the-board immigration time out until a more secure system can be implemented.

--CNSNews.com--

Google Accepts Porn Ads but Refuses Those for Guns

CAPITOL HILL - A federally licensed firearms dealer in Connecticut is upset the Google search engine will accept ads for pornographic websites that illegally show their materials to underage children but will not accept ads from licensed gun dealers selling a legal product to adults. A spokesman for Google said Monday that the policy is “part of our terms and conditions.”

--CNSNews.com--

Rush Responds to Critics on Drug Charges

Rush Limbaugh responded to critics on his national radio show today, saying his silence on the drug-use charges published by the National Enquirer does not mean he is trying to figure out what he has “to lie about.”

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Gun Advocates Tout CDC Report, Say It Proves Their Point

Second Amendment supporters Monday praised the report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicated that there is no conclusive proof gun control laws are effective in reducing gun violence.

--CNSNews.com--

WMD Threat as Rationale for Attacking Iraq Still Holds, Analysts Say

Despite the Bush administration's failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the WMD threat still justified an invasion and remains the most plausible rationale for eliminating the regime of Saddam Hussein, analysts said Friday.

--CNSNews.com--

Clinton literally had Osama in his sights

The Pentagon “had images of his face,” yet Clinton refused to pull the trigger.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Case Against Limbaugh Called Weak

Despite screaming front-page headlines and top-of-the-hour news reports suggesting that Rush Limbaugh is in legal hot water over allegations that he abused painkillers over a four-year period, prosecutors and attorneys said Saturday that any actual criminal case against the top talk star would be weak.

--NewsMax.com--

Let's all hold our breath and wait for the ACLU to run ads attacking Rush's accuser for invading Rush's privacy by recording conversations without his knowledge - remember, they attacked Linda Tripp for the same thing. Are you turning blue yet? - Ed.

Wilson Uses CIA Flap With Eye on '04

Former diplomat Joseph C. Wilson IV, who says his wife's status as a CIA employee was leaked by the administration, yesterday said he will use his “15 minutes of notoriety” to campaign against President Bush.

--Washington Times--

Arnold Wins Backing of Conservatives Eager for GOP Victory

Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger has created a rift among conservatives in California. While some are willing to accept the actor's liberal social views for a GOP victory, others fear he might damage the party's pro-family agenda.

--CNSNews.com--

Considering the reason for this recall election, I'd seriously question whether Arnold is the right person to get California out of its financial mess. Can he make the really tough decisions, or is he going to end up folding on the social issues that contribute so much to the state's budget deficits? California needs a governor who has proven he can make the difficult decisions, and that person is Tom McClintock. - Ed.

Ad by Clinton Impeachment Foes: Arnold Unfit to Be Governor

A group founded to defend President Bill Clinton against impeachment proceedings stemming from the Paula Jones sexual harassment case has produced a commercial contending that sexual misconduct allegations against Arnold Schwarzenegger make him unfit to be governor of California.

--NewsMax.com--

Troops in Iraq Find French Missiles

Polish troops in Iraq have found four French-built advanced anti-aircraft missiles that were built this year, a spokesman for Polish Defense Ministry told Reuters today.

--NewsMax.com--

Clark's Title Turns Off Dems

Besides the recent controversies that have dogged neophyte politician Gen. Wesley Clark, the retired military man now must deal with the fact that Democrats abandon him in droves - according to a new poll - when his title is used with his name.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

This is a hoot! The only reason he's in the race is because of his title. Democrats are trying desperately to hide the fact that they're complete wimps on national security. - Ed.

Payrolls Grow in September

The Labor Department Friday announced that non-farming payrolls jumped by 57,000 jobs in September, raising hopes that an economic recovery is taking root.

--CNSNews.com--

Rush: I'll Tell All on Painkiller Story

Addressing for the first time allegations that he's under investigation in Florida for abusing prescription painkillers, talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh promised his audience today that he'd tell them everything he knew “as soon as I know what I'm up against.”

--NewsMax.com--

It pains me to say this, but it appears to me that there may be some truth to the charges. Note that I said “some” truth. If this is an orchestrated political attack, which is a real possibility, it would have to include some elements of truth, and wouldn't be easily debunked. So if the accuser includes the information that Rush was in “detox,” he probably was, since that could be easily disproved.

Rush's response to these charges doesn't lead me to believe they're completely without merit. If it was a complete fabrication, he'd almost certainly come out and say that. But declining to comment because he doesn't “know what [he's] up against” suggests he wants to kow just how much he has to confess to. - Ed.

NAACP Accused of Shutting Out Minority Candidates

Turning the tables on the nation's leading civil rights organization, three Republican Senate hopefuls accused the NAACP Thursday of unfairly excluding from a scheduled debate the only two GOP minority candidates in the race.

--Chicago Sun-Times--

Bush Says He Makes ‘Tough Decisions,’ Ignores Polls

Saddam Hussein actively deceived the international community, he clearly violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, and he was a danger to the world, President Bush told reporters on Friday.

--CNSNews.com--

FBI Probes Multi-million Dollar Verdicts

FAYETTE, Mississippi - For years, juries in this rural corner of southwestern Mississippi have been willing to return multimillion-dollar verdicts, attracting lawyers who were eager to capitalize.

Lately, a different sort have been snooping around: federal agents.

--CNN (AP)--

Senate Democrats Accuse Pickering of Racism Despite African American Support

CAPITOL HILL - Another of the president's pro-life judicial nominees cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 10-9 party-line vote on Thursday. U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pickering's nomination to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can now be considered by the full Senate unless Democrats make good on their promises to filibuster his confirmation.

--CNSNews.com--

Be prepared for the “politics of personal destruction.” - Ed.

House Passes Partial Birth Abortion Ban

After a sometimes-contentious debate, the House of Representatives on Thursday voted 281-142 to outlaw partial birth abortion, a controversial medical procedure that pro-life lawmakers have argued is medically unnecessary and have repeatedly sought to ban for the past eight years.

--CNSNews.com--

Military Getting Practice Shooting Down Airliners

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military practices at least twice each week for the nightmare scenario of having to shoot down a civilian airliner hijacked by terrorists, the commander of forces in North America said today.

--Houston Chronicle (AP)--

After 9/11/01, rumors were circulated that the plane which crashed in Pennsylvania was shot down. This was met by cries of condemnation from the left. Of course, when you think about terrorist scenarios, you have to come to the conclusion that shooting down a civilian airliner may, under certain circumstances, be required. But the thought of such a situation doesn't make people feel good, and since leftism is based on feeling rather than thought, it's understandable, almost, that they would take such a position. Watch for their reaction to this news. They probably won't be condemning it, but I'm sure they won't be supporting it. - Ed.

Search in Iraq Finds No Banned Weapons

CIA chief assails Panel Leaders' Criticism of Prewar Data.

--Washington Post--

It's funny how Democrats have given Clinton credit for the military successes, but blame Bush for all intelligence failures. That's ironic, since Clinton and the Democrats had more of a hand in crippling the CIA than they did in keeping our miiitary the best in the world. - Ed.

White House Says Democrats Using CIA Case for Gain

WASHINGTON - President Bush's spokesman on Thursday accused Democrats of “political opportunism” as he brushed aside calls for a special counsel to investigate the leak of a CIA agent's identity.

--Reuters--

Can you imagine Democrats playing politics? Preposterous! - Ed.

DC Sniper Anniversary Brings Call for More Gun Control

CAPITOL HILL - Gun control activists seized on the first anniversary of the Washington, D.C., sniper shootings a day early Wednesday to press their call for expanding restrictions on the Second Amendment right of American citizens to keep and bear arms. Gun rights advocates said Thursday that no one should be surprised by the exploitation of a tragedy.

--CNSNews.com--

Did you ever notice how the left uses tragedies to advance its agenda, but accuses and condemns the right for doing the same even when it's not true? - Ed.

Rush Limbaugh in Pill Probe

Talk-radio titan Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring.

--New York Daily News--

U.S. Communists to Support Dems

The Communist Party USA will not run a candidate for president, will not support progressive third-party bids but will instead throw its support behind the Democrat Party in an all-out effort to defeat President Bush and the Republican Congress, reports Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

GOP, Democratic Opposition Mounting to $20 Billion in Iraq Aid

Opposition is growing in Congress to the Bush administration's $20.3 billion request for rebuilding Iraq. The spending plan is part of a larger $87 billion supplemental spending bill to fund the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

--CNSNews.com--

WMD: Saddam's Wild Card or Bluff?

U.S. officials who have unsuccessfully scoured Iraq for weapons of mass destruction are working a theory the arms never existed and that Saddam Hussein was only bluffing.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Tax Protester in Texas Pleads Guilty to Felony Charge

A Texas businessman who stopped withholding taxes from paychecks in 1999, making him a hero to the small but growing movement that contends most Americans are not required to pay taxes, has pleaded guilty to a felony tax charge.

--New York Times--

Global Warming to Run Out of Gas

Catastrophic global warming due to fossil-fuel burning is unlikely because oil and gas will run out too quickly, scientists have claimed.

--The Scotsman--

The truth is that all the carbon in fossil fuel originated in the atmosphere. So if we burned it all up, and we never will because we'll never be able to recover anywhere near all of it, the worst that could happen would be that the atmosphere is returned to a state near to what it was when “life began” on Earth. I've mentioned this many times to “global warming” alarmists and have gotten nothing intelligible in response. - Ed.

Gen. Clark's Goal: Time Travel

Proclaiming his “faith” in science, retired Gen. Wesley Clark has revealed his desire for humans to achieve time travel.

--WorldNetDaily.com--

Conservatives Attack Schwarzenegger on Abortion, Homosexual Marriage

Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger won the backing of his party this week, but he has been unable to shake criticism from conservatives for his stance on abortion and homosexual ‘marriage.’

--CNSNews.com--

California conservatives should keep in mind that this is a recall election, not a general election, and the recall is all about Gov. Davis's mishandling of the budget, and nothing about Davis's social agenda. Looking at it that way, they can vote for Arnold with a clear conscience, and wait for a general election for a referendum on social ‘liberalism.’ - Ed.

Frantic Leftists Scramble to Gang Up on Schwarzenegger

Wannabes on the left-wing fringe of California's gubernatorial race, namely Green Party nominee Peter Camejo and self-described “independent” Arianna Huffington, are considering sacrificing their loser campaigns in a desperate effort to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger.

--NewsMax.com--

The latest word has Huffington quitting the race. In a story reporting this, the Poughkeepsie Journal (print version) described her as a “populist.” (The on-line version of the story did not include this characterization) What a joke that is! She flies around the country on private jets, lives in vast, air-conditioned estates, drives around in limousines, and accuses common folk who drive SUVs of abetting terrorism. She's not a populist, she's a member of the hypocritical elite whose credo is “do as I say, not as I do.” - Ed.

McClintock's Future in Balance

California state Sen. Tom McClintock's campaign for governor in next week's recall election has gained national visibility for the conservative Republican - but may not win him friends among party regulars.

--Washington Times--

This is an illustration of why it's so hard to be a conservative these days. If McClintock drops out of the race, Democrats and their media allies will brand him as a “liar,” since he promised to stick it out to the end. But the media will most certainly “forgive” a ‘liberal’ like Hillary Clinton if she chooses to break her promise to serve her full six-year term in the senate. - Ed.

Injured Troops Get to Keep Meal Allowance

The Defense Department can no longer try to recoup meal allowances from sick and injured servicemen while they are receiving treatment in military hospitals.

--NewsMax.com--

If I got my “news” from the mainstream media, I might be under the impression that injured GIs were being forced to pay for their meals while in the hospital. That's not quite what was happening, as this story makes clear. I have a suspicion that if the defense department didn't try to recoup the money, congressional Democrats would be on the attack with accusations of “double-dipping.” True, it seems a bit niggardly to deny a few dollars to injured GIs, but the fact is it's money they're not entitled to. If congress thinks GIs aren't being compensated enough, they ought to increase it the right way. - Ed.