Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Obama hits road to call for tax hikes, blast GOP 'games' President Obama launched a Midwestern bus tour devoted to the economy Monday by again calling for tax increases and accusing Republicans who oppose his plans of failing to put the "country first." Census: It's a man's world - or maybe a woman's Gene Byron is having the time of his life. It's Friday night, just after 8, and he's at the Stein Room, a bar where his friends come three or four nights a week and are surrounded by women. As the music gets louder, one of them is threatening to dance on the table. Largent urges Congress to free up space for mobile devices Former Congressman Steve Largent, now a leader in the wireless communications business, is urging Congress to repackage unused spectrum space for mobile Internet devices — such as smartphones and tablet computers — by the end of the year to avoid stunting the growth of the booming industry. D.C.'s culinary stature continues to rise Some of the country's best and most famous chefs are eschewing New York and other big U.S. cities to open restaurants in Washington — the result of what some say is a near-perfect setting of a stable economy and deep-pocket patrons eager for first-rate food experiences. Tea party activist takes on Obama during town hall meeting in Iowa President Obama was confronted by a tea party activist Monday night who wanted to know how Mr. Obama can call for compromise with Republicans while Democrats accuse the tea party of being "terrorists." Taiwan arms sales, economy shadow Biden's trip to China Vice President Joseph R. Biden will not negotiate U.S. arms sales to Taiwan when he visits China this week, White House officials said Monday, declining to comment on a report that the Obama administration has decided against selling new F-16 jets to Taiwan. Mediocre hackers can cause major damage The computer systems that control vital industrial machinery in nuclear power plants, water treatment facilities and many other factories are vulnerable to deadly sabotage by hackers with even moderate skills, security researchers say. Aruban judge extends suspect's detention An Aruban judge ruled Monday that a Gaithersburg man suspected in the disappearance of a Frederick woman on the island can be held in custody for at least 16 more days. McDonnell's cost-cutting ax could hit Potomac River fund Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is pressing ahead with a cost-cutting measure by proposing that the state save thousands by eliminating its dues to a 71-year-old, multistate compact to clean up the Potomac River. But the plan has drawn criticism from some who say the amount is a small investment in a major resource. Allen wins support of Cantor in bid to return to Senate House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and GOP Rep. Bob Goodlatte on Monday endorsed George Allen in his bid to recapture his Senate seat in Virginia. Rebels start to surround Gadhafi in capital Libyan rebels advanced on the capital, Tripoli, from the west on Monday, threatening to encircle dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who also had another top aide flee his crumbling regime. Obama souvenir sales in tailspin Polls, focus groups and fundraising tallies have their place - but if you really want to take the electorate's pulse, go souvenir shopping. Money talks, and as the economy limps, our leaders snipe, and the rough beast of our divided government slouches toward next year's presidential election, the political memorabilia tills have a tale to tell: For the president, it's a scary one. Perry a blue-ribbon visitor at Iowa State Fair Standing within sight of a fried-Twinkie stand, Rick Perry served up some of the political red meat and Texas twang that could make him a force in the GOP presidential race, telling the crowd gathered here at the Iowa State Fair that Washington is strangling the economy with too much taxation, regulation and litigation. Divorce reform could save billions in government aid Now that government belt-tightening has become a national obsession, divorce-reform advocates are making the argument that they can be part of the solution. Record rainfall hits Northeast cities Two New York City construction workers barely escaped drowning in an elevator as storms dropped record rainfall over the weekend on parts of the nation's Eastern half, washing out roads in New Jersey and closing a hospital in Ohio. Mubarak's trial adjourned after fracas leads to TV blackout The judge presiding over the corruption and murder trial of ousted President Hosni Mubarak stopped the live broadcast of the proceedings after lawyers jostled and fought each other in order to be seen on television. Commentary MILLER: Obama's Bus Force One President Obama wants us to believe that his bus tour of three battleground states is an attempt to get to know Americans better. No one is falling for it. The commander in chief kicked off his roadshow in Rep. Michele Bachmann's home state of Minnesota on Monday. He'll follow up with a visit in Iowa right after the GOP straw poll and a final stop in Illinois. The three-day excursion sounds a whole lot like a campaign swing through key 2012 states, but federal taxpayers - not the Obama campaign - are picking up the tab. EDITORIAL: Spend more - or we'll riot Liberals want you to believe the cure for civil unrest throughout the world is increased government expenditures. Whether it's the takeover of the capital building in Madison, Wisc., or the riots in the streets of Athens and London, the message is that any attempt at cutting back on government excess will spark a violent response. BLANKLEY: The authoritarian temptation In the weeks during and since the debt-ceiling debate, the media, pushed by the Democratic Party, has peddled the propaganda that our government is broken - because the Republicans in the House of Representatives negotiated a better deal than the liberals wanted. WOLF: Upgrading America America has become a train with too many cabooses and not enough engines, and our government is riding the brakes with anti-competitive taxes and regulations. We cannot hope to re-establish our AAA credit rating until we once again start behaving like a AAA nation. Welcome to downgraded America. President Obama is "leading from behind" the seat where the buck once stopped. The White House seeks someone - anyone - to blame. The irony of choosing the Tea Party as its scapegoat is not just that its patriotic citizen-activists are on the sidelines, but that the president blocked the one debt-crisis plan that could have prevented the downgrade: the Tea Party-endorsed Cut, Cap and Balance Act. WILSON & DAVIS: Taking the sting out of military service Recently, it has been called into question why the military operates grocery and department stores. While many budget-conscious experts question the need for such services, defense officials must weigh the immense value and cost savings of the military resale systems against fleeting political rhetoric. 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