WASHINGTON - It took a month for Barack Obama to make clear what he has learned from the midterm election shellacking, but the time has not been wasted. Future political historians are likely to trace his recovery - and re-election, if that's what happens - back to decisions made in December.In thes...

It looks like Chuck Grassley is not happy with fellow GOP Sens. Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn for calling on Congress to let billions in ethanol subsidies expire this year....

WASHINGTON - Who would have thought the Swedes would do our dirty work?For now, at least, Sweden has managed to curb the globetrotting publicity machine that is WikiLeaks founder and editor Julian Assange by charging him with sex-related crimes. Assange turned himself in to British authorities to fa...

Recently, there was an allegation made to the Crow Wing County attorney concerning possible abuse of voting privileges with mentally handicapped individuals. The county attorney stated in a recent newspaper article that an investigation had been conducted and no evidence of wrongdoing was found. How...

Is Christmas coming early for America's gay community?In an odd bit of scheduling, the nation's two biggest anti-gay-discrimination fights are in the spotlight at about the same time. Last week, the Pentagon issued the report of its "don't ask, don't tell" study commission, which supported a repeal ...

WASHINGTON - This was a sad time for many of us watching Charlie Rangel receive the censure of his colleagues in the House of Representatives -- not because of our disagreement with their judgment but simply because of who he is.For 40 years or more, half his life, Rangel has been a force in the Hou...