DAILY KOS CO-AUTHOR FINED $30K FOR UNETHICAL STOCK TOUT  —  Prominent liberal blogger Jerome Armstrong has agreed to pay nearly $30,000 in fines in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations that Armstrong touted the stock of a software company …

First Father: Tough Times on Sidelines  —  There are times in the life of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States and father of the 43rd, that people, perfect strangers, come up to him and say the harshest things — words intended to comfort but words that wind up only causing pain.

Democrats Praise Military Progress  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - One senator said U.S. troops are routing out al-Qaida in parts of Iraq.  Another insisted President Bush's plan to increase troops has caused tactical momentum.  —  One even went so far on Wednesday as to say the argument could be made that U.S. troops are winning.

Endeavour Lifts Off!  —  NASA's Administrator and top launch managers celebrated the flawless liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour Wednesday evening as the fulfillment of a legacy.  —  "A launch operation doesn't get any better than this, it can't," Administrator Mike Griffin said following the launch.

Romney speaks up for sons' decisions  —  BETTENDORF, Iowa - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get elected."

I AM APPARENTLY A 95% FEMINIST, according to this quiz, which pretty clearly focuses on what some call "equity feminism."  —  The 5% that is counted against me was on the question, "Women should accept their bodies as they are.  Women should not have to conform to wacky beauty ideals."

Ho-Hum: Yet Another False Media-Reported Massacre In Iraq  —  On Sunday, Reuters reported that the scene of a large massacre had been discovered near Baquba: … Why did the police have such a hard time providing an indication of how the 60 people had been killed?  Probably because there were no bodies to examine.

Pakistan May Declare State of Emergency  —  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The government of embattled Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Thursday it may impose a state of emergency because of "external and internal threats" and deteriorating law and order in the volatile northwest near the Afghan border.

Potential Flaw Is Found in Design of Fallen Bridge  —  Investigators have found what may be a design flaw in the bridge that collapsed here a week ago, in the steel parts that connect girders, raising safety concerns for other bridges around the country, federal officials said today.

CAIR Identified by the FBI as part of the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestine Committee  —  Dallas—In testimony Tuesday, FBI Agent Lara Burns reported before the jury in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was listed as a member …

Saudis might take Bibles from tourists  —  Despite a series of initiatives aimed at generating foreign tourism, the Saudi Arabian government continues to bar Jews and Christians from bringing items such as Bibles, crucifixes and Stars of David into the country and is threatening to confiscate them on sight …

One billion Muslims to turn into suicide bombers if Makkah, Madina are attacked: NA  —  ISLAMABAD: The treasury and opposition members in National Assembly (NA) Wednesday have made it clear on US that one billion Muslims will turn into suicide bombers if the holiest places of Makkah and Madina …

Fish can fight malaria mosquitoes  —  Kenyan researchers have hailed a humble fish as the latest weapon in the battle to curb the spread of malaria.  —  Nile tilapia, a fish more usually seen on Kenyan dinner tables, was introduced to several abandoned fishponds in the west of the country.

Freedom from the press: Google News lets newsmakers comment on stories  —  Beginning this week, Google News will start posting user comments, but only from people actually featured in news stories.  Newspapers that were unhappy about Google News using snippets of their articles will probably …