The Olympic Spirit  —  I didn't think it was a good idea for Obama to go to Copenhagen given the intense policy questions he as to address right now.  It seemed a trivial matter to me compared to two wars, healthcare, the Iran question and the fiscal and economic crisis.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad revealed to have Jewish past  —  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's vitriolic attacks on the Jewish world hide an astonishing secret, evidence uncovered by The Daily Telegraph shows.  —  A photograph of the Iranian president holding up his identity card during elections in March 2008 clearly shows his family has Jewish roots.

The Coming Failure On Iran  —  The Obama administration's positive tone following its first diplomatic encounter with Iran covers a deep and growing gloom in Washington and European capitals.  Seven hours of palaver in Geneva haven't altered an emerging conclusion: None of the steps the West …

A DECISION THAT LOOKS EVEN WORSE IN RETROSPECT.... In February, when the debate over the economic stimulus package was at its height, a handful of “centrist” Senate Republicans said they'd block a vote on recovery efforts unless the majority agreed to slash over $100 billion from the bill.

Generals Shouldn't Disagree Publicly With the Commander in Chief  —  The president, the Constitution tells us, is the commander in chief.  But is it true?  —  In a speech in London on Thursday, Gen. Stanley McChrystal publicly intervened in the debate over Afghanistan.

Polling Firm's Reprimand Rattles News Media  —  ATLANTA — For Strategic Vision L.L.C., as for many polling companies, it was a regular practice: for five years the company sent out the results of its surveys on leading political races around the country, and they made their way into blog posts …

The Conscience of a Capitalist  —  The Whole Foods founder talks about his Journal health-care op-ed that spawned a boycott, how he deals with unions, and why he thinks CEOs are overpaid.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  “I honestly don't know why the article became such a lightning rod,” …

Gingrich hits Obama over Olympics  —  (CNN) — Former House Speak Newt Gingrich is taking aim on Twitter at President Obama over Chicago's loss in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics:  —  @newtgingrich Somehow charm and oratory dont seem to work in foreign affirs but historians have warned …

The High Price of Being a Gay Couple  —  Much of the debate over legalizing gay marriage has focused on God and Scripture, the Constitution and equal protection.  —  But we see the world through the prism of money.  And for years, we've heard from gay couples about all the extra health, legal and other costs they bear.

Honduras thaw paves way for talks  —  A thaw in the Honduras political crisis has paved the way for talks between representatives of the ousted president and the man behind his downfall.  —  Aides to Manuel Zelaya and de-facto President Roberto Micheletti will reportedly meet next week.

Bill Frist on Health Bill: I'd Vote For It  —  Or so the former Senate Republican Leader, a surgeon who has written a new book on health care, told me a few minutes ago in an interview.  —  Were he still in the Senate, “I would end up voting for it,” he said.  “As leader, I would take heat for it. ...