Conservatives Are Such Jokers  —  In 1960, John F. Kennedy, who had been shocked by the hunger he saw in West Virginia, made the fight against hunger a theme of his presidential campaign.  After his election he created the modern food stamp program, which today helps millions of Americans get enough to eat.

Debate Erupts on Techniques Used by C.I.A.  —  The disclosure of secret Justice Department legal opinions on interrogation on Thursday set off a bitter round of debate over the treatment of terrorism suspects in American custody and whether Congress has been adequately informed of legal policies.

The Republican Collapse  —  Modern conservatism begins with Edmund Burke.  What Burke articulated was not an ideology or a creed, but a disposition, a reverence for tradition, a suspicion of radical change.  —  When conservatism came to America, it became creedal.

BBC grants softest of interviews to Bill Clinton  —  Bill Clinton is in London to promote his new book on Giving.  He has given interviews to the BBC and The Guardian newspaper.  —  He tells the BBC that he'd be the happiest person on Earth if his wife won the Presidency next year.

Congress to Allow New Internet Taxes?  —  Ever since 1998 the U.S. Congress has, under Republican leadership, extended the Internet Tax Freedom Act.  That statute forbids states and localities from enacting taxes on internet access, with few exceptions.  That moratorium is scheduled to expire …

My Christian daughter says I'm going to hell  —  Hi,  —  I am the father of a 13-year-old daughter whose mother has been taking her to an evangelical Christian church her whole life.  Her mother's family is entirely Christian.  I am not a Christian, and in fact think that organized religion …

happy al-quds west-hating fun day  —  It's that time of year again, and the celebrations have begun!  If you're not familiar with it, "Al Quds Day" is a day set aside by the Ayatollah Khameni and the Islamic Revolutionary government in Iran as a day for Muslims to march against "Western" oppression.

The Line: Retirement Headaches for House GOP  —  The last month hasn't been a good one for House Republicans.  —  Already on the ropes thanks to President Bush's dismal job approval ratings and continued public unhappiness about the war in Iraq, the strategists in charge of winning …

AP: No Mention of Party for So.  Dakota Democrat Accused of Sexual Misconduct  —  Here we go again with another story where a Democrat is being accused of sexual misconduct, yet the Associated Press doesn't feel that mentioning the man's party affiliation is important to the story.

Scott Bateman: More from the case files of Andrew WK  —  Defendant owes $222,000 for illegal downloadingThe worst possible outcome — a fine too high to bear, but likely too low to cause much effort at reforming copyright laws  —  Craig: I won't resign after allThe senator says he'll stay in office until his term ends in 2009

DiFatta twice detained for lewd conduct in mall restrooms  —  St. Bernard Parish Councilman Joey DiFatta, who on Thursday withdrew from the 1st Senate District campaign, has been stopped twice since 1996 for suspicion of engaging in lewd behavior in public restrooms in Jefferson Parish, records obtained by The Times-Picayune show.

Craig says he's not leaving Senate  —  Our prayers were answered...Praise Jesus!  —  Download (995) |  Play (1232) Download (615) |  Play (541)  —  This has to be making the Republican leadership nuts that Tappy McWideStance isn't exiting gracefully and will be a giant "values voter" …

Matthews says Bush administration has "finally been caught in their criminality"  —  Playing Hardball with the Prez  —  "Hardball" host Chris Matthews addresses attendees at Thursday night's ten-year anniversary of "Hardball," which took place at the Decatur House in Washington, D.C.

A Tax Test for the War  —  Would conservatives and Republicans support the war in Iraq if they had to pay for it?  —  That is the immensely useful question that Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, put on the table this week by calling for a temporary war tax …

Hoyer-led Dems to Cave Again on FISA  —  I just got word from the ACLU that a new and bad FISA bill is about to be unveiled tomorrow at 1:30pm by Steny Hoyer in a press-only briefing.  Telecom immunity is not in the bill, but the Senate is pressing hard for that to be included.

The Angriest Justice  —  Justice Clarence Thomas's new autobiography dredges up his 16-year-old battle with Anita Hill and fulminates against liberal groups, Democratic senators and others who opposed his nomination.  The clash with Ms. Hill has grabbed most of the headlines.