William Safire, Nixon Speechwriter and Times Columnist, Is Dead at 79  —  William Safire, a speechwriter for President Richard M. Nixon and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for The New York Times who also wrote novels, books on politics and a Malaprop's treasury of articles on language …

Was Census Worker Bill Sparkman A Child Predator?  —  Update: Before any more people start going bonkers that I'm accusing Sparkman of anything, take a breath.  I've done a fair amount of crime blogging mixed in with politics over time.  One doesn't rule anything in or out without some firm answers.

John Edwards' ex-mistress, Rielle Hunter, targeted by Elizabeth Edwards in blog comments - source  —  Former presidential candidate John Edwards is said to be ready to admit that he fathered a love child.  But Hades may have a skating rink before his wife, Elizabeth, signs off on such a confession.

New Cheney Taking Stage for the G.O.P.  —  NASHVILLE — Liz Cheney looks nothing like her father, but it is clear who he is.  She was introduced as “our favorite vice president's daughter” at a recent gathering of conservative women here.  She kept invoking him in her speech …

Germany Swings to the Center-Right  —  Sunday's election results follow a trend in which Socialist parties across Europe have seen sharp declines in their popularity.  —  German Chancellor Angela Merkel cruised to victory in federal elections on Sunday with enough votes to form …

The Outrageous Arrest of Roman Polanski  —  Of all nations, why was it Switzerland — the country that traditionally guarded the secret bank accounts of international criminals and corrupt dictators — that finally decided to arrest Roman Polanski?  There must be some deeper story here …

‘Meet the Press’ transcript for Sept. 27, 2009  —  MR. DAVID GREGORY: This Sunday: The president on the world stage at a time of growing danger.  The U.S. says Iran has a secret underground nuclear facility capable of weapons production.  —  PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Iran is on notice that …

Gates: Setting Afghan Withdrawal Date Would Be ‘Strategic Mistake’  —  WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates pushed back against calls by Congress for the administration to set a timeline for withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan, as unease about the White House's handling of the war grows on Capitol Hill and among the public.

Babysitting ban review ordered  —  The Children's Minister has ordered a review of the case of two police officers told they had broken the law by caring for each other's children.  —  Ofsted said the arrangement contravened the Childcare Act because it lasted for longer than two hours a day, and constituted receiving “a reward”.

There Are Only Two Choices Left on Iran  —  An Israeli or U.S. military strike now, or a nuclear Tehran soon.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  Unless you are a connoisseur of small pictures of bearded, brooding fanatical clerics there is not much reason to collect Iranian currency.

D.C. job alleged as attempt to deter Romanoff  —  WASHINGTON — Not long after news leaked last month that Andrew Romanoff was determined to make a Democratic primary run against Sen. Michael Bennet, Romanoff received an unexpected communication from one of the most powerful men in Washington.

Frank Rich—Afghan War Hypocrite — By: Rich Lowry  —  We are experiencing a festival of liberal hypocrisy on the Afghan war, as all the left-wing doves who touted the war as absolutely essential for years back off now that it's no longer a politically convenient war.  Note these lines in Frank Rich's column today:

The dead end kids  —  Young, unemployed and facing tough future  —  The unemployment rate for young Americans has exploded to 52.2 percent — a post-World War II high, according to the Labor Dept. — meaning millions of Americans are staring at the likelihood that their lifetime earning potential …

The Taliban in Their Own Words … From the magazine issue dated Oct 5, 2009  —  During wars and after them, the real voice of the enemy is rarely heard.  Propaganda is plentiful, as are prideful boasts—and the Taliban have certainly been quick studies at the modern art of information warfare.