Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Saturday, July 30, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
National Debt Papers: U.K. sympathy note on the loss of U.S. empire (PARODY) Editor's note: This sympathy letter from the U.K. commiserating with President Obama on the loss of the American empire was found among the National Debt Papers, an ongoing series of imaginary missives concerning the U.S. national debt. Senate quickly kills House debt bill The Senate late Friday rejected yet another House Republican proposal to stave off a looming debt crisis, acting just hours after the lower chamber had approved the measure and leaving the path to a deal still in doubt with just days to go before the Tuesday deadline. Obama: Power to fix debt 'in our hands' Saying time is running out and House Republicans' debt limit bill "has no chance of becoming law," President Obama on Friday urged the Senate to craft a bipartisan solution that would raise the government's borrowing limit and limit spending now, while setting up a broader debate on tax increases and entitlement cuts later. Japan told of more radiation exposure Japanese authorities this week released information that paints a more worrisome picture of the ongoing nuclear crisis than the central government has previously admitted. Perry slams Obama administration at conservative summit Texas Gov. Rick Perry urged conservatives Friday to "push more liberals into the private sector" in the 2012 election - including the president - but the oft-mentioned potential presidential candidate declined to say whether he had decided to enter the race himself. Crowded taxis a symbol of decay in Kampala The cheap, ubiquitous, overcrowded minibus taxi has become a symbol of rot at the core of Ugandan society. Obama announces deal to boost fuel economy President Obama and automakers ushered in the largest cut in fuel consumption since the 1970s on Friday with a deal that will save drivers money at the pump and dramatically cut heat-trapping gases coming from tailpipes. Bachmann, Pawlenty trade barbs before Iowa straw poll Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann's war of words comes as GOP presidential candidates jockey for position before the Aug. 13 Ames Straw Poll — the circuslike event in Iowa that some have billed the "Minnesota Primary." U.S. growth tepid in spring quarter The economy inched ahead at a 1.3 percent annual growth rate last spring, held back by soaring gasoline prices and disruptions in manufacturing caused by the March earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Recruiters pressed to reach out to gays once ban is lifted An underground gay group in the military wants recruiters to reach out to the gay community in the same way they target blacks, Hispanics and women. Dow to pay $2.5 million for leaks at Michigan plant The Dow Chemical Company will pay $2.5 million to settle violations of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act at its chemical manufacturing and research complex in Midland, Mich., the Justice Department said Friday. Tens of thousands rally for unity in Egypt Tens of thousands of Egyptians filled Cairo's central Tahrir Square for a rally Friday that turned into a show of force for ultraconservative Salafi Muslims and other Islamists in their growing rift with liberal activists. Revisions show deeper 2007-2009 recession The 2007-2009 recession, already in the record books as the worst in the 66 years since the end of World War II, was even worse than previously thought. Bomb blast hits oil pipeline in western Syria A bomb blast struck a major oil pipeline in western Syria on Friday, causing oil to spill into a nearby lake. State television said the explosion was a "terrorist" attack by a group of "saboteurs." Catholic University faces test to same-sex dorm plan A local law professor and legal activist is challenging Catholic University's much-touted plans to begin converting to all-male and all-female dorms starting this fall, saying the plan violates city statutes forbidding sex discrimination. Day job puts Virginia Democrat at odds with Obama An organization headed by Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran is suing the Obama administration. And it's making some state Democrats uncomfortable. Commentary EDITORIAL: America abandons Obama So much for hope and change. With the economy growing worse and worse, the grand promises of Barack Obama's 2008 campaign have faded as the reality of malaise takes hold. EDITORIAL: Obama's economic collapse Smack in the middle of the debt-ceiling crisis comes word that the economic situation is worse than everyone thought. New Commerce Department figures show the gross domestic product (GDP) growing at an anemic 1.3 percent rate in the second quarter of 2011. Even more alarming, the initial first-quarter 1.9 percent figure was sharply downgraded to a scant 0.4 percent. If the second-quarter rate is later reduced that much, it would signal that the country is in a recession. Most Americans suffering during this historic downturn wouldn't be surprised. KNIGHT: Time to disarm partisan CREW On Sept. 20, 2010, right after Tea Party favorite Christine O'Donnell became the GOP's U.S. senatorial nominee in Delaware, a political watchdog group filed two ethics complaints against her. Miss O'Donnell subsequently was dragged through the mud by the liberal KAHLILI: Iranian missiles could soon reach U.S. shores While America focuses on its internal problems and its involvement in three wars and the world focuses on the global economy, Iran is progressing on three dangerous fronts: nuclear weapons, armed missiles and naval capability. DONATELLI: Republican states balancing their budgets At a time when Washington continues to struggle to trim deficits that approach $1.5 trillion annually, Republican-led states, along with a few Democratic officials, continue to take the tough steps necessary to balance their state Other Recent Articles Congressman wants to limit chopper traffic over LA Google buys about 1,000 IBM patents No. 1 pick Cam Newton signs deal with Panthers Polanski's `Carnage' to open New York Film Fest US hires Klinsmann to coach men's national team Bush details 9/11 memories for documentary Bush science adviser John H. Marburger dies at 70 Calif. taxidermist preserves Gaga's meat dress US tennis player Robert Kendrick gets 1-year ban AL Capsules It's back to work for Tiger Woods Baddour stepping down as UNC athletic director Experts say medical device review system "flawed" AP source: Pistons hire Frank as new head coach National Debt Papers: U.K. sympathy note on the loss of U.S. empire (PARODY)		Most Read Stories Sure, they look blue, but are the Smurfs closet Reds? D.C. bike-sharing program crippled by own success Group wants military recruiters to target gays after repeal of ban Recruiters pressed to reach out to gays once ban is lifted Classified report: Russia tied to blast at U.S. embassy Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors The Common Sense Czar Obama & Boehner: Can they reach a capital debt compromise The debt ceiling war: Cut, Cap, Balance vs. Cut, Tax, Spend Family on Bikes I'm sorry – your world record has been cancelled Kids banned from airplanes? What's next? The Tygrrrr Express Barack Obama: The fraudulent 'Jayson Blair' Presidency Greg Gutfeld is God Ad Lib Who is Grover Norquist and how did he defeat Speaker Boehner? Political fodder: Michele Bachmann's headaches, sexism, and Jon Stewart