Rumsfeld on eve of Iraq war: 'If you think we're going to spend' $1 billion in Iraq, 'you're sadly mistaken.'  —  Rumsfeld on eve of Iraq war: 'If you think we're going to spend' $1 billion in Iraq, 'you're sadly mistaken.'»  —  A scathing new report by the Special Inspector General …

SO DIFFERENT?  —  Since the story broke a few days ago, I've been extremely interested in the arrest of Bernard Madoff, former Nasdaq chief, whose investment business has been revealed as a massive scam with loses of as much as $50 billion.  Since I'm in the news business a lurid story …

Obama logo ideas that weren't chosen  —  Sol Sender, who led a design team for the Obama 08 logo, was recently interviewed about the project.  —  Here's a walk through the various logo options, with some of Sol's thoughts.  The full interview videos can be watched on the website of VSA Partners (where Sol is now a strategist).

Our Sen. Kennedy?  Tipsville . . .  Is Chris Kennedy, the son of the late, great U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, a possible entrant on the list to fill Presidentelect Barack Obama's Senate seat?  —  •  • To wit: Sneed hears Kennedy's name has been wafted into the inner circle of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn …

Lawyer Seen as Bold Enough to Cheat the Best of Investors  —  Marc S. Dreier knew the 45th-floor conference room of Solow Realty well.  He had been in it many times as a trusted lawyer for the company's founder.  —  So nothing seemed amiss when he showed up one afternoon in October and told …

They Can't Be That Desperate  —  Dear God: … I honestly don't know quite how to deal with this.  Over the past year I have strained and even broken treasured friendships over the idea that allowing a Republican to win over a Democrat, no matter how bad he or she is …

Arson suspected in fire at Palin's church  —  WASILLA - An overnight fire at Gov. Sarah Palin's Alaska church caused an estimated $1 million in damage, and investigators say it could be the work of an arsonist.Firefighters were called to Wasilla Bible Church about 9:40 p.m. Friday and found flames …

The Saturday Cartoons  —  Before we get to the 'toons, I'm pleased to share the news that our friend Jeff Danziger of the New York Times and the Rutland Herald (Vermont) has received the 2008 Thomas Nast Award, for editorial cartoons.  Jeff calls Nast “the grandfather of all American cartoonists” …

Obama's Friends Form Strategy to Stay Close  —  Last Sunday night, President-elect Barack Obama's three closest friends — Valerie Jarrett, Martin Nesbitt and Dr. Eric Whitaker — sat down in the study of Mr. Nesbitt's house in Chicago for one of their increasingly frequent heart-to-hearts.

Meet the GOP's wrecking crew  —  Why did a small group of Southern Republicans turn the auto bailout into a demolition derby?  Introducing the senators who hate unions and love foreign cars.  —  WASHINGTON — On July 15, Bob Corker was a happy man.  —  “I cannot think of a more exciting day …