NSA killed system that sifted phone data legally … WASHINGTON // The National Security Agency developed a pilot program in the late 1990s that would have enabled it to gather and analyze massive amounts of communications data without running afoul of privacy laws.

Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood'  —  Navy conducting war crimes probe into November violence in Haditha  —  A video provided to Reuters in March by Hamourabi, a human rights group, shows covered bodies, which Hamourabi says are of 15 civilians shot to death by Marines in Haditha in November.

No Rush to Impeachment  —  As Republicans have become increasingly nervous about whether they will be able to maintain control of the House in the midterm elections, they have resorted to the straw-man strategy of identifying a parade of horrors to come if Democrats gain the majority.

Out of Touch  —  What the president's immigration speech and "The DaVinci Code" have in common.  —  What was missing in the president's approach the other night was the expression, or suggestion, of context.  The context was a crisis that had gone unanswered as it has built …

Tony Snow at the White House  —  Possibly through Inauguration Day 2009, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Running time: 40 MIN.  —  In the often surreal world of the televised press briefing, the media don't stand a chance against a nice guy, and judging by his first performance …

Seeking to Control Borders, Bush Turns to Big Military Contractors  —  WASHINGTON, May 17 — The quick fix may involve sending in the National Guard.  But to really patch up the broken border, President Bush is preparing to turn to a familiar administration partner: the nation's giant military contractors.

Who Isn't A 'Values Voter'?  —  An aggressively annoying new phrase in America's political lexicon is "values voters."  It is used proudly by social conservatives, and carelessly by the media to denote such conservatives.  —  This phrase diminishes our understanding of politics.

Anti-Incumbent Voters Sent Messages Tuesday  —  Pennsylvania voters dumped two Republican leaders in the state Senate and scared a GOP member of Congress, while Oregon voters sent a warning they are unhappy with the Democratic governor.  —  Cumulatively, the results Tuesday were the latest signals …

McKinney Sponsors Bill Honoring Capitol Police  —  WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who could face criminal charges for allegedly punching a Capitol police officer in Washington, D.C., has signed on as a co-sponsor of a House bill formally honoring Capitol Police officers.

'Arafat used aid to buy weapons'  —  Yasser Arafat transferred millions of dollars in international aid and taxes transferred to the Palestinian Authority by Israel to purchase large quantities of weapons, the PA chairman's former financial aide, Fuad Shubaki, has told the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).

And if It's a Boy, Will It Be Lleh?  —  Chances are you don't have any friends named Nevaeh.  Chances are today's toddlers will.  —  In 1999, there were only eight newborn American girls named Nevaeh.  Last year, it was the 70th-most-popular name for baby girls, ahead of Sara, Vanessa and Amanda.

U.S. Focused on Obtaining Long-Distance Phone Data, Company Officials Indicate  —  Government efforts to obtain data from the nation's largest phone companies for a national security database appear to have focused on long-distance carriers, not local ones, statements by company officials indicate.

Feingold, Specter Clash Over Gay Marriage  —  WASHINGTON - A Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage Thursday, after a shouting match that ended when one Democrat strode out and the Republican chairman bid him "good riddance."  —  "I don't need to be lectured by you.

Esmay's dismay, and his response  —  Dean Esmay has sent me a couple of emails, full of more false charges and jeering ("You're spitting in the faces of our muslim friends who are fighting side by side with U.S. troops in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Phillipines"), and repeating his "traitor" charge.

Iran Rejects European Nuclear Incentives  —  TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president mocked a package of incentives to suspend uranium enrichment, saying Wednesday they were like giving up gold for chocolate — defiance that appeared certain to complicate U.S. efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.