House elects John Boehner to third term as Speaker  —  Ohio Republican John Boehner beat back a conservative rebellion on the House floor Tuesday, winning a third and possibly final term as Speaker of the House of Representatives.  —  But on the opening day of the new Republican-controlled Congress …

White House threatens Keystone veto  —  The White House said on Tuesday that President Obama would veto legislation that approves construction of the Keystone XL pipeline if it passes Congress.  —  “If this bill passes this Congress the president won't sign it either,” …

This post shamelessly uses Frederick County (Md.) Council Member Kirby Delauter's name without authorization  —  Kirby Delauter, a Frederick County (Maryland) Council Member threatens a local journalist (Bethany Rodgers) for ... using his name without permission in a newspaper article.  No, really:

Christie Faces Scrutiny Over Gifts From Cowboys Owner  —  Governor's Aides Said Gifts Acceptable Under State Policy  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie accepted a plane ride to Dallas and a seat at a Cowboys playoff football game in a luxury suite from team owner Jerry Jones …

Cop wounded in shootout not happy about de Blasio's visit  —  One of the cops wounded in a wild Bronx shootout didn't appreciate a hospital sympathy visit from Mayor Bill de Blasio, the wounded officer's dad told The Post on Tuesday.  —  The mayor accompanied NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton …

I'd Love To Help My Wife Do The Dishes, But I'm Trapped Under Something Heavy  —  Previously, from the same author.  —  When my employer called me into his office and granted me paternity leave on the birth of my first child, I had no idea what I was in for.

This Letter Could Restart The Case Against Darren Wilson  —  The NAACP Legal Defense Fund* wrote an open letter to Missouri Judge Maura McShane asking her to investigate Ferguson prosecutor Bob McCulloch and his team for misconduct.  The NAACP notes that, under Missouri law …

Reed: Atlanta fire chief terminated following book controversy  —  Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran — the subject of recent controversy over inflammatory remarks made in a self-published religious book — has been terminated from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Mayor Kasim Reed announced today.

State Dept. Can't Explain Why Cuba Isn't Fulfilling Promises Made in Obama Deal  —  State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki repeatedly refused to answer questions this afternoon about the 53 political detainees Cuba promised to release as part of a deal with President Obama to normalize relations with the United States.

Robert F. McDonnell sentenced to two years in prison … A federal judge sentenced former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday — a term far lower than what prosecutors had sought and one that means the popular politician will be free before his 63rd birthday.

This Is What Functioning Government Looks Like  —  After an embarrassing start, public-private sector leaders get their acts together on Ebola.  —  When the first person diagnosed with Ebola on U.S. soil died in October, I suggested there was something scarier than the prospect of an outbreak.

Devon farmer forced to offload aggressive Nazi-bred ‘super cows’  —  Derek Gow had to thin herd of Heck cattle - linked to extinct European wild ox - because they were too aggressive  —  With their long horns and shaggy coats they may look magnificent, but a British farmer has been forced …

The Changing Face of America's Electorate  —  Political Implications of Shifting Demographics  —  Appendix available in the PDF and Scribd versions of this issue brief.  —  In the wake of the 2012 presidential election, Republican elected officials and conservative political pundits publicly bemoaned …

FBI investigating explosion outside NAACP Colorado Springs office  —  Updated:  —  The FBI is investigating an explosion that occurred outside the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP on Tuesday, the first day back in the office for volunteers and employees after an extended holiday vacation.

Rev. Al Sharpton's Viagra prescription found in Sandy Rubenstein's home during probe that cleared famed lawyer of rape accusation: police source  —  The 70-year-old lawyer was accused of preying on an unconscious 42-year-old woman, a top official in Al Sharpton's National Action Network, in his Upper East Side apartment in October.

Officials: Doctor at El Paso VA Health Care System shot, shooter kills self  —  A doctor at the El Paso VA Health Care System was shot today and the shooter apparently shot and killed himself, officials said a preliminary investigation shows.  —  The office of U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke …

Social democrats in the twin-peaked world  —  Paul Krugman wrote last week about the rise of a ‘twin peaked’ world in which the global poor are doing much better, as are the extremely rich, while the working class are doing badly in comparative terms.  He asks:

NEW MATH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES  —  Phyllis Schlafly proposes plan to change ratio of males to females at universities  —  Phyllis Schlafly is a lawyer, conservative political analyst and author of 20 books.  Her latest is “Who Killed the American Family?”  She co-authored with Suzanne Venker …

White House Issues Veto Threat on Keystone XL Pipeline Bill  —  The White House says President Barack Obama would veto legislation approving construction of the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline.  —  A bill that would have forced Obama's hand on the issue failed to clear Congress in its final days last year.