Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Obama can't stop market slide The historic downgrade of the United States engendered by political gridlock in Washington caused one of the worst days ever on Wall Street Monday, with the Dow Jones industrial average plummeting more than 600 points in its sixth-biggest drop. Obama renews call for tax cuts, jobless benefits Pummeled by ghastly economic news, President Obama called Monday for more spending and extended tax cuts that he said would help stimulate the economy - but these also could deepen the deficit problems that helped the federal government earn its first-ever debt downgrade last week. Syrians flee to Jordan with stories of horror Syrians who have defied President Bashar Assad flee to the safety of Jordan with tales of torture and death at the hands of the dictator in Damascus. Obama pressed to back Canada-Texas pipeline Republicans and business leaders are urging President Obama to turn talk of creating jobs into action by green-lighting a long-delayed $7 billion expansion of a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline that supporters say will create 20,000 jobs. Unchecked receipts, expenditures put Alexander probe into doubt A review of documents that surfaced in an investigation of D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander shows that the Office of Campaign Finance neither requested nor received any of the receipts that office holders are required by law to maintain to support their use of funds intended to benefit constituents in need. Parks to host new Washington Times radio show Veteran radio host and newsman Andy Parks will return to the Washington airwaves with a new afternoon program that combines his inimitable personality with a powerful news source and established media brand. Riots spread from London on third day Looting and rioting continued in London on Monday as the police called perpetrators "criminals," while others blamed the poverty and a mistrust of police in the city's poorer neighborhoods for the violence that erupted over the weekend. Philadelphia mayor talks tough to black teens after 'flash mobs' Mayor Michael A. Nutter, telling marauding black youths "you have damaged your own race," imposed a tougher curfew Monday in response to the latest "flash mob" - spontaneous groups of teens who attack people at random on the streets of the city's tourist and fashionable shopping districts. DNA not a match for latest tip to ID skyjacker in 1971 FBI officials in Washington state, who last week were investigating a "promising lead" in the nearly 40-year-old case of skyjacker D.B. Cooper who escaped with a $200,000 ransom after parachuting out of a commercial airliner over the Pacific Northwest, said a new DNA test does not match a new suspect in the case. Duncan ready to use waivers to evade NCLB Education Secretary Arne Duncan had harsh words for Congress on Monday, calling it "dysfunctional" as he announced plans to bypass lawmakers and implement sweeping education reform through a waiver system for states. Redskins' Young gets inspiration from across the world It was about 8 a.m. Tuesday in Kandahar, Afghanistan when Darrel Young scored his first and only NFL touchdown. Back in Landover, Md., on that rainy Monday night last November, the reaction among Washington Redskins fans inside FedEx Field was subdued. Their team was being bludgeoned by the Philadelphia Eagles, and this hardly was any consolation. Maid sues Strauss-Kahn over encounter A hotel maid who accuses ex-International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault sued him Monday, seeking unspecified damages as a result of what she calls the "violent and sadistic" attack in a room at the upscale Sofitel hotel. Movement to name peak for Denver is Rocky Mountain low for opponents Not everyone is "Rocky Mountain high" on the movement to name a Colorado mountain peak after the late singer John Denver. Arab states pull diplomats from Syria Bahrain and Kuwait joined Saudi Arabia in recalling their ambassadors to Syria on Monday, further isolating Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad as he continues a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. Issa subpoenas NLRB in probe of Boeing lawsuit Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican, has subpoenaed the National Labor Relations Board as part of his investigation of the regulatory agency's lawsuit against Boeing's new airplane-manufacturing plant in South Carolina, where it has created thousands of jobs. Police try to unravel motive in Ohio rampage Investigators worked Monday to unravel the motive behind a shooting rampage that killed seven people and wounded another in a small Ohio town before the gunman died in a gunfight with police. Commentary EDITORIAL: Markets to Obama: shut up On Monday President Obama said that "this is the United States of America... We always have been and always will be a Triple-A country." If only we had a Triple-A leader. WOLF: Obamacare or America? The debt-ceiling debate has revealed that there are two types of politicians in America today: those who still claim we can afford Obamacare and those who will tell you the truth. BLANKLEY: The end of the world is not nigh Except according to the Lord's plans - which are not known to man - the "end of the world" is not nigh, although to listen to politicians and pundits, we should be packed and ready to go by next Thursday. BURTON: The danger of underestimating Obama It is a cardinal mistake in any competition, be it sports or politics - and politics is a competition of ideas - to underestimate your opponent. All too often, underestimating your opponent leads to disaster. I believe that America, especially America's political class, is vastly underestimating President Obama; and if we continue to do so, it will be a disaster for America. Specifically, I am worried about the growing political story line that the Obama administration is "failing" because they are just inexperienced and the president is simply "in over his head." EDITORIAL: Obama's tantrum against S&P Standard & Poor's historic downgrade of the U.S. credit rating is an attempt to bring adult oversight to the political squabbling over out-of-control government spending. But rather than "eating his peas," President Obama is throwing a tantrum. Other Recent Articles SANDS: U.S. youths in action at home and abroad Celebrities to play ball to help kids slim down Philippines shuts art show deemed offensive 49ers agree on contract with Goldson Verizon workers hit picket lines from Mass. to Va. Anne Hathaway, 30 next year, fearless about aging England-Netherlands match called off amid violence Sharks acquire C James Sheppard from Wild Former CNN executive named Current TV president Specific IQ genes still elusive, latest hunt finds Johnny Cash's sideman Marshall Grant dies in Ark. Harvick wins rain-delayed Truck Series race Michigan's Hoke has list of dislikes from practice From first to free fall: Pirates suddenly plunge Still acting like the old Tiger in a new world		Most Read Stories Democrats seek to pin credit downgrade on tea party Michael Moore to Obama: 'Show some guts,' arrest S&P head Mexico town's police force quits after attack Gas prices up despite use of reserves Russia uses dirty tricks despite U.S. 'reset' Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors 60 Second Attention Span Anime, manga and Japanese pop culture at Baltimore Otakon Con Gamers: Women not allowed? The Prudent Man Ratings agency guillotines U.S. debt S&P attacks Feds, taxpayers once again Behind the Wheel Car review: The Toyota Matrix caters to the tweener set 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour finding its niche in the market Travel the World Great family getaway: Mesa Verde National Park Great family getaway: Canyon de Chelly