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 …

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.

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," …

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 …

Fran O'Brien's Loses Lease  —  Steakhouse Caters to Walter Reed Patients  —  The steaks are great, of course.  —  But it isn't the T-bones, the porterhouses or the rib-eyes that will be sorely, even painfully, missed when Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse loses its lease and closes its doors this month.

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 …

Law to Segregate Omaha Schools Divides Nebraska  —  OMAHA, April 14 — Ernie Chambers is Nebraska's only African-American state senator, a man who has fought for causes including the abolition of capital punishment and the end of apartheid in South Africa.  A magazine writer once described him as the "angriest black man in Nebraska."

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 …

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 …

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.

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" …

Against Saber Rattling  —  Arguing with James Fallow's contention that public saber-rattling against iran is counterproductive and we should leave the serious threats, if there are any, for back channels, Tigerhawk misses the major point.  Not to misuse the holidays here, but think of the Exodus tale …