GOP internal debate: Is party repeating mistakes of 1998?  —  BARACK OBAMA BILL CLINTON JOHN BOEHNER 2014 ELECTIONS  —  For anyone who was around, it's hard to compare 1998 — the year of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Starr Report, and Bill Clinton's impeachment — with any other year.

LAWMAKERS TRY TO SEAL $225M AID PACKAGE FOR ISRAEL  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic and Republican members of Congress scrambled Tuesday to seal a $225 million boost to Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system before they break this week for a month-long recess.

Break up the states!  The case for the United Statelets of America  —  Here's how Wyoming, Vermont and North Dakota are exercising tyranny over the rest of us — and how to stop them  —  A ballot initiative that would support breaking California into six smaller and more coherent states …

US is no safer after 13 years of war, a top Pentagon official says  —  The nation is no safer after 13 years of war, warns a top US military official who leads one of the nation's largest intelligence organizations.  —  “We have a whole gang of new actors out there that are far more extreme than Al Qaeda …

Peter Nathan Steinmetz, Barrow Brain Scientist, Arrested at Airport With AR-15  —  Dr. Peter Nathan Steinmetz, a brain scientist with Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, was arrested on Friday for mishandling his AR-15 in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Pray God blocks EPA plan, chief regulator of Alabama utilities tells consumers  —  BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Alabama's coal industry will lose jobs and consumers will see their utility bills increase should the EPA implement proposed regulations on coal-fired power plants, Alabama regulators …

Rand Paul planning 2015 book.  Mean anything?  —  WASHINGTON - Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is working on a new book that will come out early next year - about the same time he will decide whether to run for president.  —  “Just coincidence, probably just coincidence, yeah,” the Republican said …

How Military Guns Make the Civilian Market  —  The U.S. Army plans to select a new standard-issue handgun.  If history is a guide, similar pistols will soon start appearing at gun stores and crime scenes near you.  —  This week, the U.S. Army will brief arms manufacturers on the design requirements for a new standard-issue handgun.

Crist And Scott Could Make History by Being So Unpopular in Florida  —  While the national political scene has decayed into polarized stagnation, Americans' views of state governments have remained mostly positive.  That's probably part of the reason why governors seem to have an advantage when running for president.

A Family Tradition  —  We followed family tradition this year by taking 5 of our 22 grandkids, ages 10 through 13, on a trip through the American West.  My Mom and Dad began the tradition, showing their grandchildren the majesty of our country and teaching them about the sacrifices and character of the pioneers.

U.S. Says Russia Tested Cruise Missile, Violating Treaty  —  WASHINGTON — The United States has concluded that Russia violated a landmark arms control treaty by testing a prohibited ground-launched cruise missile, according to senior American officials, a finding that was conveyed …

Inside the Kerry-Israel Meltdown  —  The secretary of state has been furiously working on a Mideast ceasefire, but his ad hoc efforts were dealt another blow Monday when Israel rejected his latest peacemaking plan.  —  On Monday, Secretary of State Kerry took to the podium at the State Department …