The flap about the Bush administration's firing of eight U.S. attorneys is overblown. Subpoenas authorized by the injudicious House Judiciary Committee for administration figures are an abuse of congressional authority. U.S. attorneys are executive branch appointees and serve at the pleasure of the president. They are not federal judges and do not have lifetime tenure. It appears that most of the firings are based on policy differences between the Bush administration and the federal prosecutors ... [full story]

A steamship named 'W' is on fire and has holes along the waterline after passing through four icebergs labeled: 'Scooter Libby, Walter Reed, Iraq and Justice Department.' A wide-eyed captain says to the wide-eyed president: 'Wow ... you hit every one.' Editorial cartoon by Marshall Ramsey. [full story]

Despite trying to escape sagging poll numbers with a goodwill tour to Latin America, President Bush returns instead with poor reviews from the region after having highlighted a North-South disconnect not seen since the Cold War. President Bush used the Colombian leg of his tour to praise the Colombian President, currently mired in scandal because his "domestic intelligence chief and eight congressmen have been arrested for collusion with paramilitary members," according to the Washington Post. ... [full story]

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a bill that could help narrow the widening income gap between wealthy Americans and the nation's working class. But its fate is dicey: Even if it passes the Senate - a long shot - President George W. Bush has indicated he would veto it. The statistics are clear: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union members last year enjoyed a median pay of $833 per week ... [full story]

Two U.S. soldiers walk through a tunnel. They see a candle-lit cake on a table. The tablecloth is labeled as 'Another Iraq War Anniversary.' The caption says: 'I see light. Is this the end of the tunnel?' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

Perhaps it's too much to expect, but if anything ought to be as free as humanly possible from the taint of politics, it's war, where lives are literally at stake. Last week Democrats in Congress proposed dueling bills to begin bringing our troops home from Iraq, or at least to get them out of harm's way in Baghdad. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sponsoring a bill that would mandate full redeployment by Sept. ... [full story]

Justice sits blindforlded and holding her sword behind Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who holds a paper in his hand that says: 'Firing of U.S. attorneys.' He says: 'Well, I ... uh ... mistakes were made ...' Justice thinks: 'I'm glad I don't have to see this.' Editorial cartoon by Gary Markstein. [full story]

There's no question tobacco is a toxic substance seething with harmful chemicals. It kills more than 400,000 Americans a year. There likewise should be no question that the contents, claims and distribution of tobacco products, especially to children, should be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That used to be the case. But the Supreme Court in 2000 ruled that tobacco in its various forms did not fall under the federal definition of ... [full story]

Democratic donkeys laze about in a room. The U.S. Capitol is visible from the window. One says: 'OK, guys, we need a plan to end the war.' Another says: 'Can't we just keep blaming Bush?' Another says: 'Let's hold more hearings.' Another says: 'How about another press conference saying how bad it is?' Another says: 'Don't forget to mention we support the troops.' Another says: 'I wonder how many more of them died today? ... [full story]

U.S. attorneys are strange entities. They're political appointees, but they're not supposed to let politics influence their decisions about whom to prosecute for what crimes. They serve at the pleasure of the president, which means they can be replaced at any time during their tenure. But since 1981, of the nearly 500 U.S. attorneys who have been appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents alike, only three were fired before their terms were up - until ... [full story]

A couple stands outside their home, which is nestled in the woods. In the caption the man says: 'I'm not worried about La Nina causing dry weather. Forecasters predict hurricanes will put out all the wildfires.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

Investors - especially inexperienced investors - riding the stock market roller coaster may be feeling a bit queasy at the moment. They should take some comfort in this thought: A little fear and queasiness reteaches an old lesson: All business involves risk. When business people become complacent about that, they get in trouble. And if too many of them get in too much trouble, they can torpedo the economy. Certainly mortgage lenders forgot that lesson. ... [full story]

A Republican elephant says: 'The only timetable we can agree on is when the Iraq pullout might actually start.' A Democratic donkey says: 'The day after the next presidential election.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]