Byron York writes about the "phony soldiers" controversy surrounding Rush Limbaugh. It appears that Limbaugh was not referring to combat soldiers who oppose our continued presence in Iraq. Instead, he was referring to people who pretend to be combat soldiers and make up stories about American atrocities in Iraq. Former Congressman Tom Delay says it is just the first example of the Clinton attack machine gearing up for political combat next year. It does seem to be a phony controversy, although I suspect it is more about getting the left-wing base fired up and writing checks rather than an effort to discredit, and silence, Limbaugh.

Speaking of political combat, a House committee is launching an investigation into the Justice Department's handling of the 2002 New Hampshire phone jamming case.

The New York Times goes all-out with this lengthy, front-page article about secret, Bush Administration legal justifications for torture. Expect a spate of follow-up stories by the rest of the MSM, and the Democrats in Congress will surely jump on the bandwagon. Still, I'm not sure it will be of any political use to the Democrats, since I think most Americans are in favor of Jack Bauer methods when dealing with terrorists.

The Bush Administration has finally given up, just as the Clinton Administration did, on trying to hold the North Koreans accountable regarding their illegal nuclear program. They will pay the bribes, declare victory, and kick the can down the road to the next administration. Meanwhile, expect the North Koreans to continue to cheat and sell their stuff to whomever has the cash to buy.

Is the record retreat of Arctic ice this Summer a harbinger of accelerating climate change? This piece argues that it is.

The Washington Post's new poll shows Hillary beating Rudy. Of course, I don't think that will be the match-up in November of 2008.