Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Sunday, August 14, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Michele Bachmann wins Iowa Straw Poll; Ron Paul in second place in GOP test vote Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the mega-hyped presidential Iowa Straw Poll, while Rep. Ron Paul showed why he's been called the Babe Ruth of these kinds of contests, finishing a close second — an outcome that's likely to give their candidacies a jolt of momentum heading into the fall campaign season. Bachmann wins GOP 2012 test vote Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has won the Iowa Straw Poll. It's the first indication of what Iowans think of the GOP presidential field and which candidate has the best get-out-the-vote organization. Appeals court nixes part of Obama health law An appeals court struck a blow to a controversial part of President Obama's health care law requiring individuals to either buy health insurance or pay a penalty, ruling Friday that the mandate was unconstitutional but allowing the rest of the law to stand. Wing woman for hire: The single guy's sidechick As single men turn increasingly to online dating and social networking sites to meet women, their in-person pickup techniques are susceptible as never before to atrophy. Enter the wing woman, a modern twist on the wing man, who facilitates conversation with women whom their male clients otherwise might not approach. For a fee, they pose as platonic friends, living, breathing proof that their "buddy" is cooler than he seems. Gunmen abduct U.S. man in brazen raid in Pakistan Gunmen kidnapped an American development expert after tricking his guards and breaking into his house in Pakistan on Saturday, a brazen raid that alarmed aid workers, diplomats and other foreigners who already tread carefully in this country rife with Islamic militancy and anti-U.S. sentiment. 4 dead after Indiana State Fair stage collapses Four people are dead and a dozen were injured after a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where the country group Sugarland was set to perform. Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2012 presidential race, names campaign team Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who made his Republican presidential nomination candidacy official on his new campaign website and in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, has named Rob Johnson as his national manager, The Washington Times has learned. British police charge 2 with killing trio in riots British police say they have charged two men with the murder of three men in a hit-and-run attack during riots in Birmingham four days ago. GOP candidates make last ditch push before straw poll With the clock ticking down to the Ames Straw poll, the GOP candidates with the most riding on the results barnstormed the Iowa State Fair Friday in search of any additional support, as they prepared for an event that could make or break their presidential dreams. Shoppers lift economy but will they keep spending? The economy might not be on the brink of another recession after all. Consumers, who drive most economic growth, spent more on cars, furniture, electronics and other goods in July — and more in May and June than previously thought. That burst of activity is encouraging because it shows many Americans were willing to spend despite high unemployment, scant pay raises, steep gas prices and diminished wealth. Official: Court convicts 7 in Pakistan army attack A Pakistani official says a military court has found seven men guilty of involvement in an attack on army headquarters and sentenced one of them, a retired soldier, to death. Grandsons taken from U.S. rep's son over abuse The maternal grandfather of three boys who were allegedly taken to Mexico by their mother says she was protecting them from her abusive husband, the son of U.S. Rep. Gary Miller. San Francisco transit blocks cellphones to hinder protest Transit officials blocked cellphone reception in San Francisco train stations for three hours to disrupt planned demonstrations over a police shooting. Dow finishes wild week on an up note The wildest week in Wall Street history ended with a second day of gains. Virginia sues over purported pension fraud The state of Virginia is suing the Bank of New York Mellon, alleging that the company that oversees the commonwealth's retirement system skimmed money off the top of financial transactions it made on behalf of the state. NLRB fails to comply with congressional subpoena The National Labor Relations Board ignored a congressional subpoena on Friday that requested information about its lawsuit against Boeing for building a manufacturing plant in a non-union state. Commentary GHEI: Global meltdown: Is Paris next? With markets tumbling on both sides of the Atlantic, French President Nicolas Sarkozy interrupted his summer vacation to hold an emergency meeting about the crisis. EDITORIAL: Kick junkies off welfare There's a growing movement to make sure those on the public dole aren't also on drugs. The state of Florida is implementing a law passed in May requiring drug testing of all welfare applicants. Missouri enacted a similar law in July. Testing programs are being debated in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa and other states. In these hard economic times, voters don't want their tax dollars wasted on fueling the habits of junkies. NUGENT: Rise of the goons Did you really expect anything different? From London to Philadelphia to Milwaukee, goons are rioting in the streets. And guess what? I don't believe it is the fundamental fault of the goon squads that they're rioting, although there's no excuse for beating people and destroying property. KNIGHT: Left-wing Wisconsin recall amnesia Some stories have "legs." They don't disappear after a day or so but stay in the news, especially if they help move a liberal agenda. Think of global-warming findings or New York's assault on marriage. Other Recent Articles Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows SF cell shutdown: Safety issue, or hint of Orwell? Bears' Bowman leaves with head injury Popular Indian actor Shammi Kapoor dies at 79 English football leagues strike deal with media Daniel Baldwin's wife: Couple trying to reconcile Orion spaceship set for new round of tests in Colo Stage collapse kills 4 ahead of Sugarland concert '9-11-01' to be painted next to US Open court Points leader Franchitti wins pole for Sunday Report: SEC presidents to meet, discuss expansion Atlanta's Uggla extends hitting streak to 33 games Donald, Westwood hanging on at PGA Bat on Wisconsin flight prompts rabies probe Thunder F Perkins arrested in Texas at night club		Most Read Stories National secret: Obama's role in 'panda diplomacy' with China Tit for tat: Moscow lists U.S. officials to be barred Appeals court nixes part of Obama health law Federal officer fatally shoots assault suspect in P.G. Philadelphia mayor talks tough to black teenagers after 'flash mobs' Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors