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New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) — The man leading the federal response effort to the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster is expected to announce Wednesday that an “integrity test” on the ruptured oil well will go forward, barring any last-minute objections from government scientists, a BP source told CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/14/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?hpt=T1

President Obama is finalizing a decision on a way forward in Afghanistan. Here’s what different decisions would mean, and why any of them could ultimately come up short. … Full article: Here Are the Actual Afghan Strategies on the Table Here Are the Actual Afghan Strategies on the Table

There can be no doubt that Major Nidal Hasan became radicalized, planned his jihad (holy war), and murdered thirteen people at Fort Hood, Texas. He had calling cards printed with "SoA" and "SWT" placed under his name. SoA means Soldier of Allah, and SWT, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala means Glory to God (Allah). Was Hasan's murder [...]

We speak to Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva of Arizona, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. On Thursday, Grijalva said he was deeply disappointed at the healthcare bill unveiled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He has pledged to fight for a floor vote on including a robust public option in the bill. [includes rush transcript] … [...]

It’s an idea that just seems to make a certain amount of sense: cities need streetlights, and cities need places for people to throw away their trash. Streetlights, which must stay on all night (unless they’re these nifty sensor controlled ones), are a pretty sizable energy drain. But what would happen if all those people [...]

Denmark is offering immigrants from “non-Western” countries $20,000 if they volunteer to give up their legal residency and move “home” — one of many initiatives spearheaded by the anti-immigrant Danish People’s Party to make foreigners — and especially Muslims — feel unwelcome in this small European country of 5.5 million. According to the Danish People’s [...]

Brazil and France agree a common position on fighting global warming before the UN climate change conference…. Full article: Brazil and France in climate deal Brazil and France in climate deal

The military claims to have killed more than 160 militants since the offensive began a week ago, but it's encountering fierce resistance from the Taliban. … Full article: Pakistan bombs Taliban after capturing key town Pakistan bombs Taliban after capturing key town

I admit I haven’t delved deep into the swamps, but as far as I can tell — aside from general pissiness at the “weakness” of continuing to use our constitutional system when we all know it should have been disbanded in a fit of pique after 9/11 — I gather the prime conservative fear over [...]

An aggressive push on jobs, deficit signals climate change will stay on the back burner…. Full article: Deficit push sets climate bill back Deficit push sets climate bill back

Eric Kleefeld: Some commentators on the right have been pointing to an interesting number that has been coming from the Rasmussen daily tracking poll, which Rasmussen bills as the Presidential Approval Index, which Scott Rasmussen only began bringing out in late 2008. I asked three prominent polling experts about this, and they all lambasted it…. [...]

Accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others will be tried in federal court in New York. … Full article: 9/11 mastermind to face U.S. justice 9/11 mastermind to face U.S. justice

The first couple will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns…. Full article: Saluting 24 million living vets — Reagan alumni hear Gates, see Wall — 12/1: Pfeiffer era — Bush faces press — Norm Eisen, Tucker Bounds b’days Saluting 24 million living vets — Reagan alumni hear Gates, see Wall — [...]

Niemoller 2009 First they came for those with dementia and I didn’t object – for I am of sound mind Then they came for those born prematurely and those sick in the womb and I didn’t object – For I am past child bearing and this did not affect me personally. Then they came for [...]

Readers write on the relationship between the British and Americans, how the Chinese see Obama, and Iran. … Full article: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor

… Full article: VP: ‘There but for …’ – Biden volunteers at church VP: ‘There but for …’ – Biden volunteers at church

Such government largess for the housing industry misdirects US savings away from investments into globally competitive businesses. … Full article: Why the new $6,500 homebuyer tax credit is wrong Why the new $6,500 homebuyer tax credit is wrong

Yesterday the President of the largest gold mining and production company, Barrick Gold, noted that after ten years of declining production it is time to recognize that the world has seen the peak in gold production. To maintain production ore is being mined with increasingly less gold in it. (The grade of the ore, or [...]

The Local Community Radio Act of 2009 is on its way to a full House vote after sailing through the Energy and Commerce Committee with little opposition. The measure would repeal legislation which requires the FCC to protect full-power broadcasters from interference from Low Power FM stations being placed on third-adjacent channels. We speak to [...]

Minority of Sri Lankan refugees agree to leave Australian ship moored in Indonesia…. Full article: Refugee standoff in Indonesia eases Refugee standoff in Indonesia eases

Israel dubs Palestinian farmers trying in vain to irrigate their lands “water pirates”…. Full article: Palestinians denied access to water Palestinians denied access to water

On May 21, HarperCollins announced that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had chosen World magazine features editor Lynn Vincent to co-author Palin’s memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life. Palin’s choice of Vincent, however, is not without controversy, as Vincent — both in her writing for World and her other books — has a record of [...]

Up to 1 million users of Microsoft’s Xbox Live have been banned from Xbox Live for altering their consoles in order to play pirated versions of games…. Full article: Microsoft Bans 1 Million Game Pirates Microsoft Bans 1 Million Game Pirates

Women undergoing surgery to create more aesthetically attractive genitalia have a “shocking” lack of information on the potential risks of the procedure, according to a report in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology…. Full article: Doctors: Don’t Mess With Your Vagina Doctors: Don’t Mess With Your Vagina

Sources in Illinois tell FrumForum that while Chicago and downstate Illinois (the homebase of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin) are receiving large amounts of flu vaccine, the city’s northern suburbs which form the congressional district of Republican Rep. Mark Kirk are receiving none at all…. Full article: Dems Keep Flu Vaccine for Themselves, Punish GOP Districts [...]