TRIPLE AFFLICTION

“Pacifism, self-hatred and complacency are lengthening the war against radical Islam and causing undue casualties. Only after absorbing catastrophic human and property losses will left-leaning Westerners likely overcome this triple affliction and confront the true scope of the threat. The civilized world will likely then prevail, but belatedly and at a higher cost than need have been.”

—Daniel Pipes

A war of endurance

Townhall.com

"As we begin a new year, with a new Congress being sworn in Thursday, it’s a good time to take stock of the “global war on terror.” The enormous conventional military power of the United States probably ensures that we will not lose in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond. Yet the considerable advantages of the jihadists suggest that we might not necessarily win, either.

So before we surge troops into Baghdad, as many Republicans wish, or yank everyone out of Iraq, as many Democrats are calling for, it is wise to review why America has had trouble turning wins over the Taliban and Saddam Hussein into long-term strategic successes."

By Victor Davis Hanson

Tanzanian woman chosen for No. 2 post at United Nations

UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday made good on his pledge to appoint a woman from the developing world as deputy, choosing Tanzanian Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro.

Ban called Migiro "a highly respected leader who has championed the cause of developing countries," and said he planned to delegate much of the U.N.'s management and administrative work to her. She will also oversee socioeconomic affairs and development issues. READ ON.

North Korea accuses U.S. of conducting practice aerial strikes

SEOUL, South Korea: North Korea on Saturday accused the U.S. of carrying out aerial exercises to practice strikes on targets in the country.

The North's Korean Central News Agency said the exercises were conducted over South Korea, but were meant as practice runs for possible aerial attacks against North Korea.

"Strategic bombers of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces staged a DPRK-targeted madcap air strike exercise" on Friday, KCNA reported, citing an unidentified military source, and using the acronym of the North's official name, the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea. READ ON.

SONG OF THE DAY

Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." Enjoy.

Bush and Congressional Liberals Plot Immigration 'Time Bomb'
By Christopher G. Adamo
Initial analyses of the November elections are proving correct. The country was not embracing Democrat liberalism. Rather it was rejecting the “light beer” version that had been offered during the last several years by the Republicans. Unfortunately, neither the Republican “moderates” in Congress nor the president seem to have gotten the message. Ominous rumblings of a resurrected immigration “reform” measure (read: blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants) reflect as much…

Do Campaign Promises Fit Down Gitmo’s Toilets?
By Frank Salvato
There’s a new sheriff in town -- I’m sorry, I meant Speaker of the House, and her name is Nancy Pelosi. Gone are the days of partisan politics. The era of “can’t we all just get along” is now upon us, ushered in with Pelosi-palooza. The swamp is drained and the culture of corruption is no more. Right…and Qurans fit down the toilets at Gitmo…

U.S. ships hunt for al Qaeda off Somalia - World - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

The Washington Times

NAIROBI, Kenya -- "U.S. Navy warships yesterday stepped up patrols off Somalia, boarding fishing boats and oil tankers to search for al Qaeda agents who fled after their Islamist allies were chased into hiding."

Ethanol's success story may have downside

The Boston Globe: As more corn is needed, food costs may rise
By John Donnelly

WASHINGTON -- "US factories producing ethanol fuel for cars may consume as much as half of the country's corn crop next year -- more than double earlier government predictions -- creating competition for grain stocks that could drive up supermarket prices for cereals, meat, eggs, and dairy products, according to a report released yesterday."

Pelosi’s Drug Plan Unlikely to Pass or Work, Critics Say

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is promising to work to make prescription drugs more affordable, but some critics on both sides of the aisle are skeptical that her plan will work – if it even passes..."

Income Gap Not Growing, Data Shows

"The gap between rich and poor – a rallying cry for some congressional Democrats wanting to increase mandates on business – isn’t really growing that much, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau..."

Chertoff Worried About 'Homegrown Terrorists'

"The nation's homeland security chief said Friday he is increasingly worried about 'homegrown' terrorists and will give more help to local police trying to root out such plots.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced several changes in how the government chooses to dole out anti-terror money to major U.S. cities, moving away from what he said was too much 'bean-counting' last year that subjected the agency to ridicule."

More......

Reid, Pelosi: Pull Troops From Iraq Within Six Months

"Congress' new Democratic chiefs criticized plans President Bush is considering to boost U.S. troop strength in Iraq as the White House reshuffled its military leaders in the Middle East and its national security team.

In a letter sent to Bush on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged him to begin pulling troops out of Iraq in four to six months. They also asked the president to begin shifting the mission of U.S. forces there from combat to training and logistical support of the Iraqis."

Read more.

Ex-DNC Chief McAuliffe: Kerry 'Incompetent'

"Former Democratic Party boss and Clinton friend Terry McAuliffe is lambasting John Kerry's unsuccessful presidential campaign, calling his effort to unseat President Bush 'one of the biggest acts of political malpractice in the history of American politics.'

In his scrappy memoir, McAuliffe criticizes the 2004 campaign that he was responsible for defending but ultimately lost to what he describes as a more organized Republican machine. McAuliffe calls the Kerry campaign gun-shy, distracted and incompetent."

Read more...

Hillary Plotting to Derail Obama Plans

"Hillary Clinton regards fellow Senator Barack Obama as her biggest obstacle to the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, and is already mapping out strategy to derail an Obama campaign.

Clinton believes enthusiasm for an Obama run would diminish as voters get the message about his lack of experience in government and foreign affairs.

In meetings with fellow Democrats, Clinton and her aides – without mentioning Obama by name – stress that experience will be a major factor in determining a successful candidate during difficult times, 'an argument that her team will no doubt make in a stronger way against Mr. Obama if they both jump into the race,” the New York Times reports.

Clinton also considers John Edwards a potentially strong candidate, but discounts the threat from Al Gore and John Kerry, according to political insiders she has spoken with." Continue reading....

Approved by feminists around the world

International Symbol of Marriage(ISOM) finally approved.

After five long years of heated debate, the Commission of Human Rights has approved the new International Symbol of Marriage:

EMULATING ETHIOPIA

By Jack Kelly

"It's hard to win a war if you quit fighting in the middle of it. That's the lesson we should learn from Ethiopia's New Year's message to us.

Six months ago, when the militia of the Islamic Courts Union seized the Somali capital of Mogadishu, it appeared that the al Qaeda-affiliated radicals were on the verge of a major triumph. The redoubtable StrategyPage declared them "unstoppable," and the usual hand wringers were urging us to negotiate with them.

Ethiopia's military quickly defeated them last week because it unapologetically used force against vicious people who understand only force. They killed the people they needed to kill without worrying overmuch about collateral damage, and not at all about world opinion.

And though the Ethiopian soldiers are Christians, they were hailed as liberators in this overwhelmingly Moslem country.

We need to apply Ethiopia's lesson to Iraq." Read more......

North Korea's Biochemical Weapons Threat

Popular Mechanics
By Simon Cooper

"While its nuclear test spurs outrage, North Korea has grown a vast biochemical weapons arsenal in secrecy. We investigate Kim Jong Il's deception, plus his rogue nation's human trials and its deadly harvest's terror potential." Read more.

Japan getting ready to spend millions on missile defense

Government seeks to rectify defense gaps identified in North Korea's July test firings, says Lockheed Martin exec.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- "Japan may be getting set to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into plugging missile defense gaps demonstrated by North Korea's July test firings, a Lockheed Martin executive said Wednesday.

Also being discussed is removing 'barriers' to coordination with the United States to thwart missiles that could be tipped with chemical, biological or nuclear warheads, said Ed Butt, head of a Lockheed missile defense division." Read on.

North Korea Prepping Nuclear Weapons Test: Defense Officials Tell ABC News 'They've Put Everything in Place'

ABC News: "WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2007 — North Korea appears to have made preparations for another nuclear test, according to U.S. defense officials.

'We think they've put everything in place to conduct a test without any notice or warning,' a senior U.S. defense official told ABC News."

"How about a 'counterinsurgency economic czar'?

OpinionJournal

BY DAN SENOR AND ROMAN MARTINEZ

"The president is on the cusp of making the most important decision of his second term: increasing our troop presence in Baghdad and Anbar in an effort to stave off Iraqi civil war. A troop surge into Baghdad will not solve problems overnight. But by helping to establish security, more troops can weaken the insurgency, which is the first step to addressing most of Iraq's other problems, including the growth of Shiite militias. Here are things for the president to consider as he moves forward: No more half measures.With a possible troop increase gaining steam, some military officers at the Pentagon and in Baghdad are advocating................." Continue.

Things just continue to go from bad to worse....

U.S.-Mexico Pact Revealed: Billions to Non-citizens: "WASHINGTON -- As a result of lawsuits, the U.S. government released this week the actual U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement, an understanding signed between the Bush administration and the Mexican government in 2004 that would funnel billions of Social Security funds to Mexican citizens."

Supreme Court Urged to End 'Special Privileges' for Atheist Activists

"A conservative civil liberties group is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to put a stop to lawsuits filed by 'church-state separationists.' 'For years, atheists and others who are antagonistic to religion have had special privileges in federal court,' said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, which litigates religious liberty issues. 'Unlike everyone else, church/state separationists have not had to show that a law or government activity actually injured them in any way before they could challenge it in federal court. All they had to do was show that they were taxpayers. In essence, separationists have had a free pass to bring Establishment Clause lawsuits. That's unfair. No other citizens can sue just because they pay taxes,' Sekulow said." Full Story

Global Warming on Steroids
Alan Caruba

"Real science, true science, is under attack by the global warming crowd. Simply stated, meteorologists and climatologists have long established that the Earth goes through regular cycles of warming and cooling. I haven’t seen any “proof” beyond the bloviations of the likes of Al Gore that indicates a significant warming of the planet, because there isn’t any. It’s not as if there haven’t been plenty of studies debunking and disputing global warming. The problem is that the mainstream media takes no notice of them, denigrates them, or mentions them only briefly as an effort to appear even-handed…" Read on...

Pro-Life Democrats?
By Robert D. Novak

"Near the top of the new Democratic congressional majority's agenda is passage of federal embryonic stem cell research legislation vetoed last year by President Bush, a measure that will answer a major question. There is no doubt the new bill will pass both houses of Congress. What remains in doubt are the votes to be cast by newly elected Democrats who campaigned as pro-life advocates, particularly Sen. Bob Casey Jr." Read more.....

Finneran expected to plead guilty to obstruction charge, avoid jail in redistricting case

The Boston Globe: "Former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran, in an agreement that will allow him to avoid prison time, will plead guilty tomorrow to obstruction of justice in exchange for federal prosecutors' dropping perjury charges against him, according to two sources familiar with the deal.

........Finneran, who faced 16 to 21 months in prison if convicted on all counts, will serve a term of unsupervised probation and pay a fine to end........

.....also agreed not to seek political office for five years ......."

It's not so easy to determine that Finnerman is a Democrat from this article - but he is.

And if you ask me, he got off easy. Even the possible 16 to 21 months is far less than the maximums allowed for the felonies he was accused of. But as I mentioned yesterday, alas, we 'commoners' don't enjoy the "Get Out of Jail Free" cards that our politicians get.

"That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Marriage and Democracy in Massachusetts

A Townhall.com Commentary
By Hugh Hewitt

"Last year more than 170,000 Massachusetts voters signed petitions to qualify for the 2008 ballot an amendment--an amendment that would define marriage in the Bay State as between one man and one woman, as it was prior to the judicial decree from their state supreme court in 2003.

Thanks to the efforts of marriage activists and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts legislature on Tuesday finally held the vote which moves the measure forward to its next and last hurdle--another vote in the next legislative session. Same-sex marriage absolutists had urged Massachusetts legislators to use parliamentary tricks to halt the vote. At one point the legislature indicated that they were, in fact, going to deny the people a chance to vote.

It is by no means certain that the amendment will pass when and if it comes to the ballot in 2008. But it is clear that the people of Massachusetts want a say in what their laws will be. Legislators there and across the country should keep that simple but crucial message in mind."

Mr. Hewitt is right. People, generally, across the nation want, and should have, input on laws; and they are the ones who should decide what is socially and morally acceptable behaviors and standards for our our society - not lawyers and judges.

Rules More Important Than Personalities

By Walter E. Williams

Not many complimentary things are said about politicians. When a problem arises, people say, “Government ought to do something.” They seem to have forgotten that it’s the politicians who are running the government. Many think things can be changed by electing different politicians, but I ask: Given the incentives politicians face, why should we expect one politician to differ significantly from another? We should focus less on personalities and more on rules…

Supreme Court to Hear Union Dues Case

"Labor union officials' right to use union dues for political purposes without members' consent will be under scrutiny before the U.S. Supreme Court next week."

TRANSPARENCY, TRANSPARENCY, TRANSPARENCY

USATODAY.com

"It's 2007. Do you know what your lawmakers are up to?
Democrats reject bid to allow better TV coverage of Congress.

Throughout the fall campaign, Democratic leaders vowed to make government more open and accountable if they took control of Congress.

The Democrats won, but when the new Congress starts its term Thursday, one thing won't change — at least for now: Americans will still be prevented from watching what's really happening on the House and Senate floors unless they travel to the Capitol visitors' galleries." Read on.


Oh, hell. What right do we have .... to know what is going on in Congress?

Mexico troops sent to border city

BBC NEWS: "Mexico is sending more than 3,000 soldiers and police to the northern border city of Tijuana to help fight drug trafficking and gang violence."

FOX NEWS HEADLINES

Fox News:
Sheehan, Anti-War Activists Disrupt Dem Press Conference

Fox News:
Duke Invites Lacrosse Players Involved in Alleged Rape Case Back to Campus

Fox News:
Student Shot and Killed at Washington High School

Fox News:
Wal-Mart Sees Boost From Holiday Sales (Evil capitalistic empire marches on. -HH)

Massachusetts Citizens May Have Final Say on Homosexual Marriage

"A state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman has cleared an important hurdle in Massachusetts -- the only state where same-sex marriage is legal."
Read on.

Journalists Agree It’s Time for Democrats’ ‘First 100 Hours’

"In the early hours of their congressional majority, Democrats have pledged to raise minimum wage and “fix” the U.S. health care system (more government involvement, of course). They can count the media among their staunch supporters." Read more at The Balance Sheet.

Sen. Reid's 'Spiritual Experience' in Peru

" 'Being in the midst of the great Andes mountains has been a spiritual experience for me,' he said, without elaborating or taking questions. 'President Garcia, Viva el Peru!' "

Soothsayer Says:

Major Terrorist Attack in 2007
"In what has become an annual tradition of prognostications, religious broadcaster Pat Robertson predicted Tuesday that a terrorist attack on the United States would result in 'mass killing' late in 2007.

'I’m not necessarily saying it’s going to be nuclear,' he said during his news-and-talk television show The 700 Club on the Christian Broadcasting Network. 'The Lord didn’t say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that.' "

Iran's President 'Mymood Iaminajihad' Calls United Nations Sanctions Predictable and Vows To Continue Nuclear Program

'Iminajihad' Is Ready To Defend Work

"Iran blew-off the United Nations Security Council sanctions as western bullying, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the sanctions “invalid”. The Iranian president promised to stick to their nuclear programs. “The Iranian nation is wise and will stick to its nuclear work and is ready to defend it completely,' Ahmadinejad said." More rantings of 'Mymood Iaminajihad' here.

New U.N. Chief Invites Controversy by Declining to Oppose Hussein Execution

New York Times: "UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 2 — On his first day of work as secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, the mild-spoken South Korean diplomat who had suggested he would bring new caution to the post, invited controversy by declining to criticize the death penalty applied to Saddam Hussein."

OHHH..... CHARLIE ..... YOU SILLY....

You're at it again:

New York Daily News - Rangel flexes his funny bone:

"Rep. Charles Rangel: Harlem statesman, powerful politician and now, comedian.

Rangel showcased his comedic chops by ripping into the White House during his standup debut in midtown Saturday night - all in fun, of course.

'More than any other President that I can think of, you have really, truly shattered the myth of white supremacy,' Rangel told a Bush impersonator during 'Laughing Liberally,' a traveling lefty comedy show that stopped at Town Hall.

Rangel (D-Harlem), who is to become chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful positions in Congress, told the President Bush look-alike he shouldn't be fearful of impeachment.

'I want you to rest assured that I will be out there trying to protect you against articles of impeachment,' Rangel said."

If that tickled your funny-bone (like it did mine), you can get the rest of the good laughs from Rangel's standup performance here. (Any bold emphasis added is mine.)

Now (as I adjust my tinfoil hat) I must wade into the conspiratorial waters here. If this is all in good fun, and as Rangel says "I will try to protect you against impeachment", what is he really saying? Is this ..... dew - doooooo .... dew-dooooo..... dew-dooooo..... like a double negative? If you are saying something as truth ...... but ...... being funny about it at the same time ....... does that make it 'un-true'?

That would mean what? That Rangel will be pushing for impeachment??? Oh, how I like a good conspiracy.

Iran's Ahmadinejad Far Weaker Than He Lets On

By Victor Davis Hanson

The Iraq Study Group, prominent U.S. Senators and realist diplomats all want America to hold formal talks with the government of Iran.

A 2007 resolution for the Right

By Cal Thomas

The choice conservative Republicans must make is what to do for the next two years.

Where do Alito and Roberts stand on free political speech?"

"A federal court decision last week upheld the right of citizens to petition their government--a right taken for granted before the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law codified speech restrictions. The ruling is overly narrow but welcome all the same. And if it's appealed, as expected, the Supreme Court will have another chance to weigh in on Congress's efforts to chip away at First Amendment free-speech guarantees in the name of 'reform'."

We need compassion for our border guards

By Phyllis Schlafly

President George W. Bush pardoned 16 criminals including five drug dealers at Christmastime, but so far has refused to pardon the two U.S. Border Patrol agents who were trying to defend Americans against drug smugglers. Read on.

Castro's true legacy is a trail of blood

By Jeff Jacoby

It was on New Year's Day in 1959 that Fidel Castro's guerrillas toppled Fulgencio Batista, and a week later that Castro entered Havana and launched what has become the world's longest-lived dictatorship. More.

The real issue at Duke

By Thomas Sowell

In the wake of recent bombshell revelations in the Duke University "rape" case, even some of District Attorney Michael Nifong's supporters have started backing away from him. Read on.

OUR POLITICIANS TODAY WOULD DO WELL TO HEED THESE WORDS

"Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honour, power and glory, established in the minds of the people, or there can be no republican government, nor any real liberty: and this public passion must be superiour to all private passions."

-- John Adams

How to avoid a repeat of Vietnam, and why it's crucial to do so.

BY BRENDAN MINITER

TAX $'S HARD AT WORK

Florida not the only state spending grant money on puppet shows, similar activities
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Members of Congress criticized Florida this fall for spending federal disaster aid on such activities as Hurricane Harry and the Three Little Mice puppet show, salsa for seniors and a children's play featuring 'Windy Biggie.'

But other states have used crisis counseling grants meant to provide psychological help to disaster victims on similar activities for at least 14 years, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel found in a review of reports and other documents."

Yeh. We must find out before those suckers are born:

Group Recommends Down Syndrome Testing for All Pregnant Women

Or is that behead?

Somali Islamists told to disarm

US unit works quietly to counter Iran's sway

Oh, no.

Backs dissidents, nearby nations

WASHINGTON -- "For nearly a year, a select group of US officials has been quietly coordinating actions to counter the looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, including increasing the military capabilities of Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

The group, known as the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group, or ISOG, is also coordinating a host of other actions, which include covert assistance to Iranian dissidents and building international outrage toward Iran by publicizing its alleged role in a 1994 terrorist attack in Argentina, according to interviews with half a dozen White House, Pentagon, and State Department officials who are involved in the group's work."

Just why can't we be transparent on these matters?

But... But..... I Thought .....

..... the Dems said you're not supposed to treat the 'minority party' like well ... you know.... a minority party. The Repubs didn't let the Dems have a say in things on the Hill; they claimed. This was all supposed to change. We were now going to be in an era of bipartisanship, they said. They weren't just pulling the wool over our eyes, were they?

Democrats To Start Without GOP Input - washingtonpost.com: "As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking.

House Democrats intend to pass a raft of popular measures as part of their well-publicized plan for the first 100 hours. They include tightening ethics rules for lawmakers, raising the minimum wage, allowing more research on stem cells and cutting interest rates on student loans.

But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories." Full article.

House ends Conyers investigation

KRT Wire

"DETROIT - The U.S. House ethics committee has closed its investigation of Detroit Congressman John Conyers, with him agreeing to take several steps to ensure his staff does not work on his personal or campaign business.

The committee, formally known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, opened the investigation in 2003 to look into allegations that Conyers staff members worked on the Detroit City Council campaign of JoAnn Watson and the presidential campaign of Carol Moseley Braun while getting paid by taxpayers.

The inquiry expanded after former staffers alleged that Conyers made them baby-sit his two children, help his wife with her law studies and run personal errands for him.

According to a statement released Friday by Chairman Doc Hastings, a Washington state Republican, and the committee's ranking Democrat, Howard L. Berman of California, Conyers told committee investigators there was a 'lack of clarity' in his communications with staff about their official duties and responsibilities.

Hastings and Berman said Conyers, a Democrat, 'accepted responsibility for his actions.' "

Well that covers it then: As long as he 'accepts responsibility for his actions', what more is there to be done? The next time I get pulled over for speeding... or ... maybe I could just reach into some store's cash register ... you know .... to help pay off some of my Christmas debts ... and just say, 'I take full responsibility for my actions'; then, I get to go merrily on my way without reprisal. Right?

Some how, I think not. Unlike our elected officials, us 'commoners' aren't issued 'Get out of Jail Free Cards.'

Mass. Lawmakers Propel Gay Marriage Ban

"Lawmakers in Massachusetts, the only state where gay marriage is legal, on Tuesday voted to advance a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, a critical step toward putting the measure the 2008 ballot."

Disputed Fla. election to spill into U.S. House

Reuters: WASHINGTON - "A disputed election result in a U.S. House of Representatives race in Florida will be one of the first items raised when the Democratic-controlled House convenes next week, injecting partisan politics into the start of the 110th Congress."

Will Democratic-led Congress deliver, or dispute?

Reuters.com: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - "Democrats take control of Congress from President George W. Bush's Republicans next week with lawmakers facing a crucial question: can they halt the partisan sniping long enough to get much done?"

Let me answer that in one word, "No."

Ahhh... make that two words,"Hell, no!"

Let's start the New Year off right:

Eritrea blames Washington for Somalia war

ASMARA (Reuters) - "Eritrea accused the United States on Monday of being behind the war in Somalia, but said Washington could never thwart the will of the Somali people." -- Reuters.com

Lawmakers to take up gay marriage issue again in Massachusetts

International Herald Tribune: "BOSTON: Crowds of gay marriage supporters and opponents returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday as lawmakers prepared for a potential vote on an amendment defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman."

AP Poll: Optimism Not on the Agenda for Americans

FOXNews

"WASHINGTON — Another terrorist attack, a warmer planet, death and destruction from a natural disaster. These are among Americans' grim predictions for the United States in 2007.

These are among the findings of an Associated Press-AOL News poll that asked people in the U.S. to contemplate what 2007 holds for the country.

Six in 10 people think the U.S. will be the victim of a terrorist attack. An identical percentage thinks it likely that a biological or nuclear weapon will be unleashed somewhere else in the world.

Seventy percent of people in the U.S. predict a major natural disaster in the country and an equal percentage expects worsening global warming. Also, 29 percent think it likely that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Iraq."

If you can believe the poll (and the reliability is not a given IMHO), it would appear the country has fallen to the relentless drumbeat of global warming.

Edwards: Universal Health Care Trumps Balanced Budget

FOXNews

"WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential contender John Edwards says it is more important to invest in universal health care and lifting people out of poverty than to reduce the budget deficit."

Typical politician's talk. 'We need a balanced budget .... except for the things I deem important.' (And for most Democrats that means universal health care.)

Reporters Expected to Testify in Libby CIA Leak Trial

FOXNews

"WASHINGTON — Some journalists who made careers out of questioning government officials and bearing witness to history may soon find themselves answering questions from prosecutors as key witnesses in the CIA leak case."

Ethiopians to stay on in Somalia

BBC NEWS

"Ethiopian forces are to remain in Somalia to ensure stability after the defeat of Islamist militias, but splits have emerged over when they may leave."

Hated by many, mourned by few

BBC NEWS

"Some Iraqis will miss Saddam Hussein but many more will not mourn him."

Saddam's supporters vow revenge

BBC NEWS

"Hundreds of supporters of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have been protesting in the cities of Baghdad, Tikrit and Samarra against his hanging.

Many of the protesters vowed revenge for Saturday's execution, describing it as a criminal act of cowardice orchestrated by American overlords."

Iraq investigates Saddam footage

BBC NEWS

"The Iraqi government has launched an inquiry into unofficial mobile phone footage showing the execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The mobile phone footage showed he exchanged taunts and insults with witnesses at his hanging on Saturday.

The grainy video showed the former leader being told to 'go to hell' by someone attending the hanging."

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!