Top Items:
worldtribune.com:
Ariel Sharon dies — JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the most powerful Israeli leader in 50 years, has died. He was 77. — Sharon was declared dead by physicians at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital before 1 p.m. Israeli time [6 a.m. EST], Middle East Newsline reported.
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Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
A Calamity for Israel — The stroke suffered by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could prove to be one of the great disasters in the country's nearly 60-year history. As I write this, Sharon's condition remains uncertain, but the severity of his stroke makes it unlikely that he will survive, let alone return to power.
Discussion:
Gates of Vienna, Yourish.com, Vodkapundit, Oliver Kamm, The Political Pit Bull, All Things Beautiful and Betsy's Page
Christopher Hitchens / Slate:
What Sharon Did — The Bulldozer's long, brutal career ended better than anyone expected. — On the day after Ariel Sharon's massive stroke, it's not difficult to remember a time when the news of his demise would have been, not to be too callous about it, something that would have been welcomed …
Washington Post:
After Abramoff, a GOP Scramble — DeLay's House Colleagues Anticipate a Leadership Shake-Up — An internal battle is underway among House Republicans to permanently replace Rep. Tom DeLay (Tex.) as majority leader and put in place a new leadership lineup that is better equipped to deal with the growing corruption scandal.
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Eric Schmitt / New York Times:
Iraq Facing Hurdles, U.S. General Warns — CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Jan. 4 - The top American operational commander in Iraq has offered a sober assessment of the hurdles facing a new Iraqi government, voicing concerns that sectarian rivalries and incompetence could cripple major ministries …
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Jason Straziuso / Associated Press:
11 U.S. Troops Killed in One Day in Iraq — BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military said Friday that six more American troops died in the recent surge of violence in Iraq, bringing to 11 the number of U.S. troops slain on the same day. — Thousands of Shiites, meanwhile, rallied in Baghdad …
Scott Shane / New York Times:
Republican Senator Defends Briefings on Domestic Spying — WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - In a sign of growing partisan division over domestic eavesdropping, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday defended the Bush administration's limited briefings for Congress …
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Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:
Let Me Help With This Non-Denial — Was Christiane Amanpour spied upon? Andrea Mitchell asked James Risen the following question, which later disappeared from the NBC transcript: … CNN has followed up, and this is at their website: … Let me help - even though Ms. Amanpour was not …
Charles Babington / Washington Post:
Senators to Demand Full Answers From Alito — Democrats Signal Willingness to Delay Final Vote on Supreme Court Confirmation — Senate Democrats warned Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. yesterday to expect pointed questions at next week's hearing, and said they may postpone …
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David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:
At Hearings, Democrats Plan to Call Critics of Alito's Integrity — WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 - Signaling their intent to put up a tough fight in next week's hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., Senate Democrats said Thursday that they would call at least two witnesses …
David E. Sanger / New York Times:
Visited by a Host of Administrations Past, Bush Hears Some Chastening Words — President Bush Thursday with present and former secretaries of state and defense. From left: Harold Brown, Lawrence S. Eagleburger, James A. Baker III, Colin L. Powell, James R. Schlesinger, Donald H. Rumsfeld …
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Jim VandeHei / Washington Post:
Voices From History Echo Anew — Former Cabinet Officers Offer Advice on Iraq to Commander in Chief — President Bush summoned most of the living former secretaries of state and defense to the White House yesterday for what participants described as a cordial but pointed discussion about the future of Iraq.
Discussion:
New York Times, NewsBusters.org, The Huffington Post, The Heretik and Brad DeLong's Semi …
New York Times:
Coal Miners' Notes of Goodbye, and Questions on a Blast's Cause — SAGO, W.Va., Jan. 5 - As he huddled with 11 fellow miners trying to shelter from poisonous air in one of the farthest reaches of the Sago Mine, Martin Toler Jr. took an insurance form and a pencil from his pocket.
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thenewstribune.com:
IRS tracked taxpayers' political affiliation — WASHINGTON - As it hunted down tax scofflaws, the Internal Revenue Service collected information on the political party affiliations of taxpayers in 20 states. — Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of an appropriations subcommittee …
Discussion:
MyDD
Sam Dillon / New York Times:
Florida Supreme Court Blocks School Vouchers — In a ruling expected to reverberate through battles over school choice in many states, the Florida Supreme Court struck down a voucher program yesterday for students attending failing schools, saying the State Constitution bars Florida …
