Texas transportation secretary dead at 55. Funeral procession expected to be stuck on I-35 in downtown Austin for 4 hours. On a Sunday. At 3 AM. Austin Farkers nod knowingly	(11)
(iht.com)		"Individual privacy is under threat in the United States and across the European Union". Results still pending for studies on the wetness of water, blueness of sky	(32)
		Today: Hillary says Bhutto was a personal friend and she mourns for her and her two children. Tomorrow: Hillary explains why she didn't know her personal friend actually had three children	(39)
		Bhutto's teenaged son to succeed her as party leader; fortunately we would never be so silly in the U.S. as to select an inexperienced person to fill an important government position just because he is the former leader's son	(306)
		One year ago today Saddam Hussein was hanged, marking the end of the insurgency and assuring a future of peace, love and puppies for all in Iraq	(61)
(kos)		JAG officer resigns his commission over torture, says we have become like the Soviets, the Vietcong, the +++Godwin Detected+++	(65)
		Republican Presidential Candidates: "I'm the most like Reagan" Reagan's daughter: "O RLY?"	(46)
		The 2008 Presidential campaign is embedded in a time-orientable manifold	(39)
(Political Wire)		Another Iowa poll, another three way statistical tie among Democrats	(46)
		Pervez Musharraf says he doesn't need any help covering up his involvement in Benazir Bhutto's murder	(19)
		Al-Queda goes all "not it" on who killed Benazir Bhutto, and condemns it. Wait, what?	(73)
		24 hour news cycles are making it harder for the presidential candidates to lie to you	(22)
		Kurdish women in Northern Iraq celebrating their freedom and liberation from Saddam by attempting suicide at higher rates due to poverty and male domination, often by self-immolation	(54)
		A fake "Christmas card" purporting to be from Mitt Romney highlights some of the more controversial positions of Mormonism, such as an assertion that God has multiple wives and that Mary was white	(54)

		If you've ever said, "The ideal president is someone who doesn't want the job", your candidate has arrived	(53)
		Huffington Post looks back at 2007 and is shocked to realize the new Democratic Congress didn't keep any of its campaign promises. Bonus: They also claim no one wanted them to cut off funding for the war	(41)
		Well-connected Americans are more dangerous than crazed mullahs	(38)
		Round Two: Ron Paul fires back at Fox News for being excluded from January debate, stating "They are scared of me and don't want my message to get out, but it will"	(244)
(Lohud.com)		Having rid New York state of crime, corruption, high taxes, pollution, traffic, potholes, cockroaches, rats, silverfish, illegal immigrants and Hamptons asshats, state assemblywoman declares war on loud movie theatres	(62)
		It's almost 2008. If you're an elected official and you're using your work email to hit on your secretary, you should already know a judge is going to release them to the public in a civil rights investigation	(10)
(crooksandliars)		Huckabee tries to out-Cheney Cheney: Shoots shotgun at entire press pool	(90)
		Senator McCain announces that he is the new Fresh Prince of DC. Afro to follow at a later date	(11)
		Violence in Kenya over marathon vote count. Problem with hanging Chad?	(9)
		Lefty activists in Vermont want Bush and Cheney arrested for war crimes; their statements drowned out by waves of hysterical laughter rising from Washington, DC	(222)
		US troops clear out insurgents, build new base, start training Marines and Firebats in preparation for next Zerg rush	(147)
		Starting your own business? Be sure to leave enough room in your budget to bribe your local Congressman	(71)
		Really, Yahoo, you should label your satire articles more clearly or someone just might think Hillary would do something like this. Why I never	(28)
(For the Whored)		Ron Paul courts the "mom's basement" vote by organizing a rally in WoW	(89)
(WFAA)		Ladies, you might want to have a paper bag handy in case of hyperventilation, but the shoe tax may soon be a thing of the past	(10)
(Some Guy)		Pakistan's nukes are completely safe . . . except for the glaring vulnerabilities outlined in this article. Obvious tag busy building bomb shelter, Scary tag steps in	(22)
		Chris Dodd on Hillary Clinton's constant claiming of Bill's experience as her own - "Witnessing history is not the same as making it." Obama and Edwards to their speechwriters - "Where were you on that one, dipshiat?"	(62)
		The only person dumber in foreign affairs than President Bush is running for president, and there's a real good chance he might get elected. Oh yeah, he too has divine right	(67)
(TPM)		Rudy co-chair: "I don't subscribe to the principle that there are good Muslims and bad Muslims. We're dealing with madmen" 9/11	(86)

		The United Nations plans to team up with Marvel Comics to create a vortex of suck unseen since Ben Affleck was cast as Daredevil	(23)
(HP)		That "non-partisan" study finding Fox the most fair and balanced news provider? Well, not so much. Awkward	(57)
		Pakistan crisis won't interrupt Bush's month-long vacation. What, you expected him to rush back to Washington just because a nuclear power is on the verge of civil war?	(301)
(globegazette)		In Iowa, Giuliani is tied with McCain, and Ron Paul at 8%, but the margin of error could put him anywhere from 9-11%	(43)
		Though Guiliani loves to take credit for the revitalization of Times Square on the campaign trail, the process actually started in the Koch administration and really picked up steam under Dinkins. But, then again, 9/11	(26)
		Not news: The McCain Campaign leaks an attack ad. News: Its been deemed the perfect response to Romney's attack ads against McCain. Fark: Its Romney vs. Bizarro-Romney	(25)
		Bush announces he'll veto the defense bill he said last week was vital to keeping bases open, and the troops in the field supplied ammo. Why? because it also lets Saddam's victims recover damages against his frozen US bank accounts	(80)
(Some Guy)		Ron Paul is an evolution skeptic, noting that the intelligent design side has "absolute proof"	(809)
(Some Guy)		Remember those pictures of Bush that were lit to suggest a halo? Yeah, now Romney is doing it too	(33)
		There isn't one single presidential candidate out there who can't wait to step into Bush's new top secret zero-accountability White House	(77)
(Some Guy)		Ronald Reagan -- the guy who ballooned the deficit, invaded Grenada and eviscerated the Constitution with the "War on Drugs" -- would vote for Ron Paul	(85)
		In the spirit of the holiday season, Jonah Goldberg would like to remind us that, Republican or Democrat, we're all in this together. Oh, and be sure to buy his new book, "Liberal Fascism," in which he compares Democrats to Nazis	(78)
		Pakistani Interior Minister: "Al Qaeda and Taliban are behind Bhutto assassination." Rest of the world: "No shiat, Sherlock"	(86)
		Seventy-five percent of Democratic delegates will be chosen based on each state's primaries. But the other 25 percent are super delegates who can vote regardless of their state's winner -- and they're overwhelmingly for Hillary	(42)
		Condi Rice brokered secret diplomacy deal that got Bhutto back into Pakistan, giving liberals suffering from Bush derangement syndrome the reason to blame him that they've been desperate for	(189)
		Sri Lankan TV station takes government minister hostage. After he's released, minister is pelted with urine and red paint by crowd that gathered after the whole thing was broadcast live on TV. Must be sweeps week	(13)
		Bush backs plan to sell advanced bomb technology to a nation harboring terrorists who attack our forces in Iraq	(153)
		Giuliani's doctor reports the findings from his latest health screening. Height: 9'11." Weight: 911 pounds. Blood pressure: 9/11, Cholesterol level: 911. 9/11	(34)
		McCain and Hillary not afraid to exploit Bhutto assassination to boost their campaigns	(111)
		U.S. Navy plans to adopt a kindler, gentler, "softer" projection of power. Because if anything screams ponies and rainbows, it's a 100,000 ton supercarrier	(63)
(thestar.com.my)		New bin Laden tape claims he's turning the corner in Iraq	(40)

(Some FT)		U.S. State Department is going to have high levels talks with the Taliban, but it's a secret, just like the illegal wiretapping. So don't tell anyone	(46)
		Spiderman, Spiderman sending strongly worded letters to his enemies, Spiderman LOOK OUT here comes the Spiderman	(92)
(Political Wire)		Sneak peek at new Iowa poll shows both Democratic and Republican races tied	(38)
(Some Guy)		Florida's bachelor governor Charlie Crist on dating: "I'm not a monk." Not that there's anything wrong with that	(22)
(bohemian.com)		Senator hacks into Wikipedia to erase $190,000 fine reports. And they say only Republicans are unethical	(69)
		Wall Street Republicans terrified that Huckabee might actually be sincere about that whole "Christian values" thing	(129)
(Some Guy)		In a stunning bit of investigative journalism, Huffington Post categorically proves Giuliani is unfit for office because one of his advisors made a pass at Jackie Onassis 40 years ago	(29)
(Some Guy)		Please choose one: [ ] Hillary Rodham Clinton (Dem.) [ ] Michael Dale Huckabee (Rep.) [ ] Ronald Ernest Paul (Con.)	(104)
(oped news)		Global warming will wash away all Republicans within the lifespan of two cats, says seriously ill author	(74)
(CMPA)		Nonpartisan media study finds Fox News the most balanced in covering election. Libs everywhere get into discredit source mode	(134)
		Seeing his poll numbers slide, Rudy Giuliani debuts a new TV ad that addresses the economy, Iraq and health care. Just kidding: It's all about 9/11. 9/11	(64)
(Some Candidate)		This is why nobody takes Libertarian candidates seriously (pic)	(78)
(Glamour Magazine)		Hillary Clinton guest-blogs for Glamour magazine; surprisingly, commenters bring up policy questions and don't prattle on about shoes and hairstyles	(10)
(Some Guy)		At last, a hard-hitting Newsweek article that answers one of the burning questions of our time: Who will Pat Sajak endorse in the presidential race?	(14)
		Philippines customs seize inflatable sex dolls that were to be used in PETA protests over chicken abuse. Somehow	(57)
(WND)		Not to worry, Bush will be protected by terrorists during his upcoming Middle East trip. Wait, what?	(40)
(Some Liberal Arts Major)		According to the Associated Press, Mike Huckabee supports hunters because they are good for wildlife, as "their license fees pay for conversation efforts." Yes, you read that right	(127)
		British army, just like British soccer, criticized for being too reliant on foreigners wearing their uniform	(16)
		Fred Thompson: "There is no woman on the horizon that ought to be president next year, let's all agree on that"	(83)
		John McCain acknowledges "steep hill" in Iowa. In related news, Iowa now has hills	(23)

		Best political and media quotes of the year. And by "best" they mean "jaw-droppingly, mind-numbingly stupid"	(26)
(Town Hall)		Ann Coulter calls Mike Huckabee a "little stretch-marked cornpone" and suggests he has a closed head injury	(85)
		Ron Paul speaks out against a senseless, unnecessary war — the American Civil War, that is. Also says he would have voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This can only end well	(194)
(Daily Kos)		"It appeared that this bonehead move had the support of a majority of the school board, but that was before the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster arrived and shamed the school board into backing down."	(97)
		"Shock poll" puts Hillary 15 points in front of Barack in Iowa with seven days to go. Mets fans think this sounds vaguely familiar	(62)
(Some Anti-Hillaryite)		The secret among conservatives is that many are rooting for Mr. Obama — and many will even vote for him in a general election no matter how liberal he is	(73)
(Some Darwin Guy)		Coming soon to Texas education: A Masters degree in Creation Science	(161)
(Some Corrupt Guy)		Judicial Watch lists the top 10 corrupt Washington politicians. List includes Democrats Hillary Clinton, Obama, Conyers, Feinstein, Pelosi and Reid. Suck it, libs	(70)
		President Bush signs $555 billion spending bill... Yay fiscal conservatism	(56)
(Some Guy)		Fred Thompson's national lazy tour continues as his campaign fails to get 298 signatures in D.C. for ballot access	(54)
		How Hillary lost her invincibility	(51)
		Bill Richardson's universal health plan would include holistic and spiritual healing. Reflexologists, Sioux shamans, and quartz rock therapists thank you for your tax dollars	(42)
(Crooks & Liars)		Kansas GOP chair sends email boasting of (illegal) voter caging	(120)
(Pollster)		Obama has officially surpassed Hillary for the Democratic lead in Iowa	(130)
(Gallup)		Gallup poll says George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton are the most-admired American man and woman. Unlikely tag trying desperately to maintain a straight face	(37)
		Conservative voters in Iowa remain mostly undecided, as relentless negative attacks on Huckabee by Romney erode Huckabee's lead. Bonus: one of the stupidest quotes on illegal immigration and Social Security ever from a Romney supporter	(52)
(Michelle Malkin)		Secular fundamentalists in Taxachusetts ban Christmas bake sales	(83)
		Labor union plans to spend $41k in Iowa on last minute attack against Obama. Your union dues, hard at work	(24)
(Huffington Post)		Florida to give the people a chance to vote for allowing gay marriage. Of course, they could also vote against it, but that's what Democracy is all about	(66)
		NRO looks at their chances in '08 and decides monarchy isn't such a bad thing after all: "Republicans have more people who would make good presidents. Unfortunately, we have elections instead of coronations."	(160)
(Intl Herald Tribune)		How much "experience" can Hillary really have if she never even had a security clearance while in the White House?	(43)
		Caption this photograph of Rudolph Giuliani with his gift	(115)
		"If we want to control access to marijuana, it's time to learn a lesson from tobacco. Prohibition has handed the $113 billion marijuana industry over to unregulated criminals, with entirely predictable consequences"	(127)

		Construction on Boston's $14B Big Dig is finally complete, only $12B over budget	(160)
		Rough current halts re-enactment of George Washington's Delaware crossing. If this happened in 1776 we'd all be speaking English now	(43)
		Increasing number of Jan. 3 primaries leaving campaigns short of workers as students go home for holidays	(23)
		Ding dong the FEC is dead, no matching public funds for anyone	(35)
(Some Guy)		Leaders of churches around the world use Christmas Day to ask what's so funny about peace, love and understanding	(222)
		Corruption, illicit surveillance, general weaselry, and now mysteriously deleted emails. Add the ongoing torture of New York taxpayers and Eliot Spitzer's transformation into Dick Cheney is complete	(47)
		Castro's brother says zombie Fidel has full control of his faculties, BRAIIINS	(36)

		Washington think tank runs the numbers on a nuclear war between Israel and Iran and discovers that Israel would kick Iran's ass	(174)
		Rudy Giuliani spends Christmas Eve reading "A Visit From St. Nicholas" to Harlem kids, reminding everyone he doesn't have cancer, 9/11 and he really likes blacks	(26)
		Immigration: Fence not working, switching to moat	(144)
(Some Guy)		Tucked in safe and sound at Camp David, President Bush calls troops in Iraq and tells them we're all in this together	(87)
		How does the Wall Street Journal approach the scorge of attention whoring internet trolls? They write a favorable article about one	(63)
(Some Guy)		Just in time for Christmas: House Resolution 847	(225)
		Not news: Clinton urges Iowa voters to caucus. Fark: On the wrong day	(33)
(ProJo)		Most 2008 Presidential candidates can't even muster the 1,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot in Rhode Island. Candidates still trying to figure out if it's an island or a road	(30)
		After latest flipflop on Iraq by Hillary Clinton, fellow Democratic contender Bill Richardson says "I have no idea what her position is anymore"	(51)
		NH paper accuses Romney of being too handsome to be president. Grover Cleveland begs to differ. Right, ladies?	(23)
		Huckabee to non-Christian voters: "Wuteva, ah do wut ah wahnt"	(84)