04/20/06 FOX Poll: Gloomy Economic Views; Bush Approval at New Low  —  NEW YORK — More Americans disapprove than approve of how George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and Congress are doing their jobs, while a majority approves of Condoleezza Rice.  President Bush's approval hits a record low …

Woman arrested for speaking freely right after Bush call for "freedom...to speak freely" — and CNN calls it "a blemish" on Hu visit  —  Usually watching CNN with one eye as we blog from our undisclosed location doesn't give us much new fodder, except for the occasional "stuck landing gear" crisis.

On Anonymity in Blogland  —  Some years ago, the New Yorker ran an amusing cartoon about one of the supposed virtues of the Internet, its anonymity.  It showed two dogs in front a computer.  One was saying to the other (I am working from memory), "On the Internet, no one knows you're a dog."

The Jerk at the Podium: Scott McClellan Steps Away  —  "McClellan, Bush, Cheney, and Rove proved there were other ways.  Replace news management with press nullification.  Drop the persuasion model, in favor of the politics of assent.  Choose non-communication to demonstrate that you ought …

Grand Jury Hears Evidence Against Rove  —  Just as the news broke Wednesday about Scott McClellan resigning as White House press secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove shedding some of his policy duties, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald met with the grand jury hearing evidence …

Tech student charged with supporting terror group  —  Another Atlanta area man arrested in Bangladesh  —  A 21-year-old Georgia Tech student taken into federal custody last month has been charged with giving "material support" to a terrorist organization, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.

Introducing the Purple Party  —  Depressed about the Democrats?  Revolted by the Republicans?  You're not alone.  Here in New York (with its Republican mayor and Democratic voters), a third way is being plotted.  Follow the purple-brick road.  —  B  —  efore I was old enough to vote …

Wait — Don't Open That Wallet!  —  Kos tells us that despite the fact that the Sierra Club only gives Lincoln Chafee a 20% approval rating for his voting record, they are endorsing him.  Presumably because he "bucks his party" (and if he's ever done so in a meaningful way where it wasn't all for show …

A Crisis Almost Without Equal  —  Republicans and Democrats alike are starting to face the prospect of what it means to have George W. Bush as their commander in chief for another 33 months — in a time of war, terrorism, and nuclear intrigue.  How can the press contribute to confronting the crisis?

'NYT' Sunday Preview: Madeleine Albright Can Leg-Press 400 Pounds  —  NEW YORK In an interview in the The New York Times Magazine that will appear this coming Sunday, Madeleine Albright reveals, among other things, that even at 68, she works out three times a week "and I can leg-press up to 400 pounds."

TALKING TO IRAN....What should we do about Iran?  I have a suggestion, but first I need to relate a story that's gotten suprisingly little attention from the press.  Perhaps they're too bored to pick up on it.  —  It started on May 6, 2003, shortly after George Bush declared "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq.

Al-Jafari to Give Up Nomination for Iraqi Prime Minister  —  BAGHDAD, April 20 — Iraq's prime minister will give up his nomination for a new term as head of the country's new government, a senior member of his Shiite party announced, only a few hours before a long-delayed parliament meeting scheduled …

Phony doctor gives free breast exams  —  MIAMI (Reuters) - A 76-year-old man claiming to be a doctor went door-to-door in a Florida neighborhood offering free breast exams, and was charged with sexually assaulting two women who accepted the offer, police said on Thursday.

Bloggers fanning the controversy over Rumsfeld  —  Pentagon studies proliferation of military Web logs  —  WASHINGTON — The war of words between Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and former generals has spread to the lower ranks as soldiers, recent war vets, and Pentagon civilians alike use …

The railroad to nowhere  —  You've got to hand it to some Republican appropriators.  Despite swirling political winds that threaten to blow the GOP majority right out of town, they keep on keeping on.  —  Never mind the fact that the pungent stench from the Abramoff scandal still permeates the corridors of K Street and Capitol Hill.