A Very Liberal Intervention  —  In its month-long crab walk toward a military confrontation with Libya's Muammar el-Qaddafi, the Obama administration has delivered a clinic in the liberal way of war.  —  Just a week ago, as the tide began to turn against the anti-Qaddafi rebellion …

Now it's time to defund NPR  —  Even after they fired me, called me a bigot and publicly advised me to only share my thoughts with a psychiatrist, I did not call for defunding NPR.  I am a journalist and NPR is an important platform for journalism.  —  But last week my line of defense for NPR ran into harsh political realities.

Pawlenty to file exploratory committee today  —  Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will file paperwork today to organize his bid for the White House into an exploratory committee, he told supporters on a conference call today.  —  “We're filing the paperwork today to form …

Hey, NPR: Fund your own lame liberal humor — and leave my family alone  —  If the obscure and has-been comedians who appear on National Public Radio want to mock conservatives and spread left-wing propaganda, they should do it on their own damned dime.  —  The government-sponsored radio …

Qaddafi Forces Hold Strategic Town as Allied Attacks Continue  —  TRIPOLI, Libya — After a second night of American and European strikes by air and sea against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's forces, European nations on Monday rejected Libyan claims that civilians had been killed.

Pelosi hospitalised in Rome after feeling unwell  —  ROME — US Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was hospitalised on Monday after feeling unwell during a visit to Rome, Italian news agencies said.  —  Pelosi, in Italy to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Italian nation …

Americans' Worries About Economy, Budget Top Other Issues  —  Worry about energy up since 2010, flat for other issues  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Nearly three in four Americans (71%) say they worry about the economy “a great deal,” more than worry about 13 other issues Gallup measured in a March 3-6 poll.

Just a Bad, Bad Idea  —  At the end of last week I couldn't help tweeting that everything I was seeing in Libya was bringing out my inner foreign policy Realist.  And everything I've seen this weekend has confirmed me in that view.  Indeed, there are so many reasons this strikes me as a bad idea I really hardly know where to start.

US army's ‘kill team’ in Afghanistan  —  Commanders brace for backlash of anti-US sentiment that could be more damaging than after the Abu Ghraib scandal  —  Commanders in Afghanistan are bracing themselves for possible riots and public fury triggered by the publication of “trophy” …

Top Yemeni generals side with protesters  —  (CNN) — Three top generals in Yemen declared their support for anti-government protests Monday as a wave of officials, including the deputy speaker of parliament, announced their resignations.  —  One of the generals who broke ranks will order …

Haley Barbour's inside game  —  Haley Barbour will travel to Nevada on Tuesday to meet with Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) and have lunch with a handful of state legislators, a visit that suggest the Mississippi governor will make a major play in the Silver State caucus in early 2012.

Putin likens U.N. Libya resolution to crusade calls  —  VOTKINSK, Russia (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Monday likened the U.N. Security Council resolution supporting military action in Libya to medieval calls for crusades.  —  Putin, in the first major remarks …

THE ‘GANG OF 64’ NEEDS SOME HELP.... Late Friday, shortly before the Senate recessed and its members left town, a group of 64 senators sent a letter to President Obama, seeking some help on fiscal issues.  —  The group was organized by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) …

Uncivil disobedience  —  Just a couple of months ago, in the wake of Jared Loughner's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, simple talk of “targeting” a political opponent for defeat was treated as beyond the pale.  But let's look at some more recent language — and conduct …

The War on Warren  —  Last week, at a House hearing on financial institutions and consumer credit, Republicans lined up to grill and attack Elizabeth Warren, the law professor and bankruptcy expert who is in charge of setting up the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Gazette Poll: Tester, Rehberg in dead heat for 2012 election  —  HELENA — U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and his Republican challenger for 2012, Rep. Denny Rehberg, are in a virtual dead heat for the race, the Gazette State Poll of Montana voters shows.  —  In a telephone poll …

Republicans vote to nominate candidates by mail to sidestep ‘top-two primary’ system  —  California Republicans vote to enact a sweeping end-run around the spirit of the “top-two primary” system adopted by voters as Proposition 14.  The party decides to conduct a mail-in nominating process …

Raise Rates to Boost the Economy  —  Oil and wheat and commodities will see a 20%-30% drop in price as speculators run for the hills.  This will be a de facto tax cut for consumers.  —  The chairman of the Federal Reserve is stuck between a rock and a hard place—well, more like a house and a gas tank.

Congressional Republicans Ask Obama to Explain Military Action in Libya  —  Congressional Republicans called on President Barack Obama to more fully explain the goal of the allied military action in Libya and how it will be accomplished.  —  “Before any further military commitments are made …