Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Monday, August 1, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Vote looms for a debt-limit deal President Obama and congressional leaders late Sunday said they've settled on the outlines of a deal to raise the government's borrowing limit, and will pitch the deal to their colleagues Monday to try to tamp down burgeoning rebellions among both Democrats and Republicans. Going for broke could break fragile economy The economy has grown so fragile this year that missteps by the warring factions in Congress could tip it back into recession, economists warn. Suspect arrested in slayings of U.S. Consulate employees Mexican authorities have arrested a former federal police officer accused of ordering 1,500 killings during a campaign of terrorism along the U.S.-Mexico border and masterminding the attack last year that killed a U.S. Consulate employee, her husband and the husband of another Consulate worker in Ciudad Juarez. VOA overseer creates static with switch to Internet, social media The Obama administration is sharply restructuring the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the agency in charge of all U.S. government broadcasting, while being urged to increase the spread of unfettered news and information around the world. Syrian security forces raid towns; scores dead Syrian security forces backed by tanks and snipers killed more than 70 people in a ferocious assault Sunday as the regime raced to crush dissent ahead of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that could become a turning point in the nearly five-month-old uprising. Storen still a National after close call Drew Storen arrived at the ballpark Sunday morning, just like he's done every Sunday for the past 18 weeks, and he waited. All day, he waited for what could be coming: a trade that would take him from the only professional organization he had known. Republicans at financial crossroads for '12 The Republican Party's national governing body, left in financial shambles by its previous leadership, is wrestling with a tricky calculus as it gears up for the 2012 campaign. Stars get their kicks in charity soccer match Athletic royalty visited the District's Southwest waterfront Sunday for a charity soccer game to raise awareness about bone-marrow donations and give a boost to the growing business district. Biden charging Secret Service for cottage rental The U.S. Secret Service does more than protect Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. — the agency also pays him rent. D.C. medical marijuana applicants must pass scrutiny District officials are being painstakingly careful in proceeding with the city's medical-marijuana program, even rejecting applicants for such seemingly simple mistakes as failing to sign and date letters of intent to grow or dispense the drug. Va. House, Senate stall on Hill redistricting The Virginia General Assembly appears at an impasse over how to redraw lines for the state's 11 congressional districts, with Republicans and Democrats unable or unwilling to compromise on competing maps. Defeating al Qaeda doesn't get U.S. off hook The terror threat against America did not end with the death of Osama bin Laden and will not be over even if U.S. forces defeat al Qaeda, according to Michael E. Leiter, the recently retired director of the National Counterterrorism Center. CURL: The tea party IS the third party Back in 1900, there were six candidates for president — from six different political parties. But since the 1950s, it's been two main parties, with a Green Party here and a Reform Party there (Ralph Nader seized 0.7 percent of the vote as a Greenie in 1996, and 2.7 percent in 2000; Pat Buchanan pulled down a whopping 0.4 percent as a Reformer in 2000). Redskins' emphasis on 3-4 defense is evident early Jim Haslett entered last offseason with a wish list as long as a football field. Obama's base: We've been "thrown under the bus" Even without a debt-limit deal completed, liberal lawmakers and activist groups are already lining up against the outlines of the agreement, saying President Obama and congressional Democrats are risking Social Security while squandering a chance to force tax increases. 9 killed when boat hits barge on Moscow River An overloaded motor boat crashed into a docked barge on the Moscow River in pre-dawn darkness Sunday, killing nine of the 16 people on board, officials said. The other seven passengers swam to safety or were rescued as the boat quickly sank. 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. 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. 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 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 Head of Buckley Broadcasting, NY's WOR Radio dies Google buys about 1,000 IBM patents AP source: Jets agree to terms with CB Cromartie 'Potter' finale conjures up $1 billion worldwide 2014 World Cup kicks off, qualifying groups drawn PBS' `Masterpiece' gets corporate sponsor Dawn spacecraft gets cozy with massive asteroid 10,000 fans attend RI's Newport Folk Festival Serena Williams captures 1st title in comeback Browne makes few mistakes to win US Senior Open D-backs acquire Ziegler from A's AP source: Pistons hire Frank as new head coach Experts say medical device review system "flawed" Skeptic's small cloud study renews climate rancor Bush science adviser John H. Marburger dies at 70		Most Read Stories Biden charging Secret Service for cottage rental Democrats enforce filibuster against their own debt bill Perry slams Obama administration at conservative summit Police arrest boyfriend in P.G. woman's killing Senate quickly kills House debt bill Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors After Hours at The Brew Lounge Weekly Beer Tasting Notes: Saison Dupont Beer calendar: Aug. 1 through Aug. 15 Movies in Toto Star-packed films coming this Fall The return of Lawrence Kasdan The Tygrrrr Express The Republican Party Animals Barack Obama: The fraudulent 'Jayson Blair' Presidency The Political Pro-Con Debt reduction: Elected officials should learn to do math The Case for Ron Paul