Bush Speaks Out for Rumsfeld  —  President Bush interrupted his Easter vacation yesterday to offer an unequivocal vote of confidence in Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in a move aimed at countering a growing wave of criticism from retired generals calling for the Pentagon chief to resign over his leadership of the Iraq war.

The Left, Online and Outraged  —  Liberal Blogger Finds an Outlet and a Community  —  SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — In the angry life of Maryscott O'Connor, the rage begins as soon as she opens her eyes and realizes that her president is still George W. Bush.  The sun has yet to rise and her family …

Al Qaeda's Man in Iraq Gets Encouragement From His HQ  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 13 — Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant has released an Internet video calling on Iraqi insurgents to remain strong in the fight against Americans and praising the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi …

Iran issues stark military warning to United States  —  Iran said it could defeat any American military action over its controversial nuclear drive, in one of the Islamic regime's boldest challenges yet to the United States.  —  "You can start a war but it won't be you who finishes it," …

Exxon Chairman Gets $400 Million Retirement Package Amid Soaring Gas Prices  —  Exxon Made Record Profits in 2005  —  April 14, 2006— Soaring gas prices are squeezing most Americans at the pump, but at least one man isn't complaining.  —  Last year, Exxon made the biggest profit of any company ever …

For Immigrants and Business, Rift on Protests  —  In Bonita Springs, Fla., 10 restaurant workers were fired this week after skipping their shifts to attend a rally against legislation in Congress cracking down on illegal immigrants.  In Tyler, Tex., 22 welders lost their jobs making parts …

Saving A Piece Of History … How do miracles happen?  Sometimes, it takes a bolt from the blue to bring them to life: … Long after the Viet Nam war ended, Jim Mayer's tradition lived on.  Strangely enough, the dream-come-true for so many wounded vets today at Fran O'Brien's started with something of a dream all those years ago:

The Crucial Difference Between Liberals and Leftists  —  In his recent account of a breakfast book party at the home of Tina Brown and Harry Evans, Eric Alterman misquoted me slightly but significantly.  What I actually said was "the hate America tendency of the [Democratic Party's] left wing" …

Howling Misjudgements - Part 1  —  I see that The Daily Howler's Bob Somerby is at it again.  This time its an attack on Christy at Firedoglake (and the liberal blogosphere) over the issue of Fitzgerald's now-retracted statement about Scooter Libby and the NIE's key judgements.

U.S. Building Massive Embassy in Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - The fortress-like compound rising beside the Tigris River here will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of Vatican City, with the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water …

Appeals Court Slaps L.A. Over Arrests of Homeless  —  Los Angeles' policy of arresting homeless people for sitting, lying or sleeping on public sidewalks as "an unavoidable consequence of being human and homeless without shelter" violates the constitutional prohibition against cruel and punishment, a federal appeals court ruled today.

We've Won In Iraq; Now, Let's Not Lose  —  Almost the entire public discussion and debate over Iraq is misfocused, and ill serves Americans and American interests.  Consequently, the public's and more politicians' patience is growing thinner, and even what we've accomplished - which is substantial - risks going down the drain.