Top Items:
Edward Wong / New York Times:
As Violence Ebbs, U.S. Envoy Warns of Danger to Iraq's Future — BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 24 — The American ambassador to Iraq said today that sectarian violence this week was a threat to the future of Iraq, and that Iraqi leaders would have to come together and compromise if they wanted to save their homeland.
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National Review:
Standoff in Iraq — The insurgency in Iraq has no military capability either to drive the United States military from Iraq or to stop the American training of Iraqi police and security forces — or, for that matter, to derail the formation of a new government.
Sabrina Tavernise / New York Times:
Violent Cycle of Revenge Stuns Iraqis — BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 23 — After a day of violence so raw and so personal, Iraqis woke on Thursday morning to a tense new world in which, it seemed, anything was possible. — The violence on Wednesday was the closest Iraq had come to civil war, and Iraqis were stunned.
Discussion:
Healing Iraq, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, National Review, Informed Comment, BBC, Rantingprofs, Right Wing Nut House, The Heretik, ShrinkWrapped, Outside The Beltway, Free Iraqi, 24 Steps to Liberty, Obsidian Wings, State of the Day, The Glittering Eye, Confederate Yankee, Power Line, The Officers' Club, Democrat Taylor Marsh …, The Democratic Party, A Blog For All and The Belmont Club
Gateway Pundit:After Shock of Golden Mosque Bombings, Iraqis Hold Unity Protests
Discussion:
Gina Cobb
David Ignatius / Washington Post:
Taste of the Future — "Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." The acidulous wisdom of Mark Twain speaks to us across the ages, and never more than this week during the great congressional mobilization to save America's ports from the dreaded hand of Dubai.
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Rowan Scarborough / Washington Times:
Chertoff unaware of ports deal until after OK — Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was not aware a Dubai-owned company was seeking to operate terminals in six U.S. ports and that his agency was leading the review until after the deal's approval, an administration official said yesterday.
Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
A Dubai Finesse — If only Churchill were alive today, none of this would be happening. The proud imperialist would have taken care that the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., chartered in 1840 by Victoria ("by the grace of God . . . Queen defender of the faith" on …
Pamela Hess / UPI:
SECURITY & TERRORISM — UAE terminal takeover extends to 21 ports — WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) — A United Arab Emirates government-owned company is poised to take over port terminal operations in 21 American ports, far more than the six widely reported.
Salah Nasrawi / Associated Press:
Attack Fails at Huge Saudi Oil Site — CAIRO, Egypt - Suicide bombers in explosives-laden cars attacked the world's largest oil processing facility Friday, but were prevented from breaking through the gates when guards opened fire on them, causing the vehicles to explode, officials said.
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Andrew Cochran / The Counterterrorism Blog:
Terrorists Attack Saudi Oil Facility (updated) — LAST UPDATE AT 2:55 pm ET. One of the "nightmare scenarios" in the counterterrorism community almost happened, with an attempted terrorist attack on a major oil refinery in Abqaiq (a.k.a. Buqayq) in eastern Saudi Arabia today.
Vital Perspective:
A Rally for Freedom — Thanks to the inspiration of Christopher Hitchens, Washingtonians showed their peaceful solidarity on Friday with the people of Denmark. A sampling of the rally for freedom at the Embassy of Denmark below:
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Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit.com:VITAL PERSPECTIVE has posted photos from the Danish Embassy march today.
Discussion:
Michelle Malkin
CBS News:
S. Dakota Moves Toward Abortion Ban — (CBS/AP) South Dakota moved closer to imposing some of the strictest limits on abortion in the nation, as the state Senate approved legislation that would ban it except when a woman's life is in danger. — The bill, designed to wage a national legal fight …
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, August J. Pollak, firedoglake, Oliver Willis, Eschaton, Total Information Awareness and Running Scared
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Michael Barbaro / New York Times:
Wal-Mart to Expand Health Plan — Wal-Mart workers rallied before a new store opened near Chicago last month. Rules on company health insurance eligibility are being eased. — Wal-Mart Stores, facing a raft of state bills that would require it to increase spending on employee health insurance …
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Helen / Dr. Helen:
I'm Not Really Talented and Gifted, I Just Play One for the PC Crowd — Thanks to Soccer Dad for pointing out this article in the Washington Post that discusses replacing the Gifted programs in schools in Montgomery County, Maryland with magnet classes for everyone:
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Lori Aratani / Washington Post:'Gifted' Label Takes a Vacation in Diversity Quest
Discussion:
Gina Cobb, La Shawn Barber's Corner, Discriminations, joannejacobs.com and Number 2 Pencil
Carl Chancellor / Knight Ridder:
Lawmaker's proposal: Bar Republicans from adopting — AKRON, Ohio - If an Ohio lawmaker's proposal becomes state law, Republicans would be barred from being adoptive parents. — State Sen. Robert Hagan sent out e-mails to fellow lawmakers late Wednesday night, stating that he intends to …
Ellen Barry / Los Angeles Times:
Students Hail Harvard President — Their strong support for Lawrence H. Summers is seen by some as a sign of a shift in campus politics. — CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — If Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers was worried about how the undergraduates would greet him Wednesday night …
Jane Hamsher / firedoglake:
Kansas Roots Action — Phase I — Today as part of our Roots project we're asking people from Kansas (or those with ties to Kansas) to write in to local papers regarding the Senate hearings into the illegal NSA wiretaps. Kansas is the home of both Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee …
Discussion:
Vichy Democrats
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Carol D. Leonnig / Washington Post:
Special Counsel in Plame Case Invalid, Libby Contends — Attorneys for Vice President Cheney's former top aide argued yesterday that a federal court should dismiss all charges against him because a special prosecutor lacked the legal authority to bring the charges.
Discussion:
The Corner on National …, JustOneMinute, The American Thinker, firedoglake, TalkLeft and On the fringes …
Mary Dalrymple / Associated Press:
IRS: Charities Overstepping Into Politics — WASHINGTON - IRS exams found nearly three out of four churches, charities and other civic groups suspected of having violated restraints on political activity in the 2004 election actually did so, the agency said Friday.
Discussion:
IntoxiNation-News …
