The Wire: December 13, 2010

Commentary
4:52 p.m.
NUGENT: Happy birthday to me
I’m 62 years young today.
Security
3:15 p.m.
Veteran diplomat Holbrooke dies at age 69
Richard A. Holbrooke, a brilliant and feisty U.S. diplomat who wrote part of the Pentagon Papers, was the architect of the 1995 Bosnia peace plan and served as President Obama’s special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, died Monday, an administration official said. He was 69.
Basketball
1:45 p.m.
Governor, mayor confident Hornets staying in La.
A potential Louisiana-based ownership group for the New Orleans Hornets is taking shape, and Gov. Bobby Jindal and Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Monday they are confident that Louisiana will be able to keep its NBA franchise.
Local
11:47 a.m.
TWT
Violent crimes of all kinds are on the rise in D.C.
A violent weekend in Washington, D.C., in which five people were shot, one fatally, in one incident and another person was killed in a separate shooting capped off a 30-day period in which all categories of violent crime in the nation’s capital increased over the past year.
Technology
11:41 a.m.
TWT
Gawker site hacked by raider Gnosis
Gawker Media, the cluster of news blogsites that helped define the emergent era of Internet news, has become the victim of an even more cutting edge Web phenomenon — it was hacked over the weekend, and the passwords of its staff and users and the private communications of its editors were posted online.
National
9:11 a.m.
TWT
Postage stamp to honor Reagan
If it was “morning in America” for former President Ronald Reagan, a commemorative postage stamp due in February to mark the Gipper’s birth centennial will forever view the sunrise.
Politics
8:29 a.m.
Obama enacts law to feed more children healthful food at school
Thousands more children would eat lunches and dinners at school and all school food would become more nutritious under a bill President Obama signed into law Monday, part of the administration’s effort to curb childhood obesity.
Commentary
6:56 a.m.
TWT
BOOK REVIEW: When suicide is a terror tool
In “Driven to Death,” Ariel Merari brings together insights accumulated over a more-than-40-year career as one of the world’s top academic experts on terrorism and its suicide variety.
Technology
3:15 a.m.
Medicaid cuts: teeth pulled, transplant called off
In Illinois, a pharmacist closes his business because of late Medicaid payments. In Arizona, a young father’s liver transplant is canceled because Medicaid suddenly won’t pay for it. In California, dentists pull teeth that could be saved because Medicaid doesn’t pay for root canals.
Politics
2:41 a.m.
TWT
Tax-cut deal clears big hurdle in Senate
In an overwhelming bipartisan vote the Senate on Monday cleared a path for the tax-cut deal President Obama struck with Republicans last week, with even former staunch opponents of the Bush-era tax cuts voting for their extension.
Politics
2:31 a.m.
TWT
History will prove Dems right, Hoyer insists
House Democratic Leader Steny H. Hoyer says that despite his party’s massive losses in last month’s congressional elections, history will prove the Democratic agenda is the correct path to lead the country out of its economic doldrums.
Politics
2:22 a.m.
Biden makes peace offering to rising House Republican
For an early idea of how the Democratic White House and emboldened House Republicans will get along next year, keep an eye on Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican.
Inside The Beltway
2:21 a.m.
TWT
Inside the Beltway
“Yes Virginia, there are limits on government power. Today is a good day for liberty, and a bad day for those who say that Congress is the arbiter of Congress’s powers,” says Cato Institute scholar Ilya Shapiro, regarding the ruling issued by Judge Henry E. Hudson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia that on Monday declared the “individual mandate” in President Obama’s 2,801-page health care bill to exceed constitutional boundaries of congressional power.
National
2:11 a.m.
TWT
Judge voids part of Obamacare
In a major setback for the Obama administration, a federal judge in Virginia struck down as unconstitutional a key provision of the landmark health care law, saying that forcing all Americans to buy health insurance “exceeds the constitutional boundaries of congressional power.”
Politics
2:11 a.m.
TWT
Ruling hinged in part on terminology
When Congress was writing the health care bill, lawmakers insisted the individual mandate that consumers buy insurance was backed up by a penalty, not a tax. On Monday, that decision came back to bite them.
Politics
2:10 a.m.
TWT
Dems' sales pitch derails health-care law
When Congress was writing the health-care bill, lawmakers insisted the individual mandate that consumers buy insurance was backed up by a penalty, not a tax. On Monday, that decision came back to bite them.
Politics
2:06 a.m.
TWT
Defiant Steele announces bid for second term at the helm of RNC
Embattled Republican Party Chairman Michael S. Steele announced Monday that he will run for a second two-year term next month, setting up a pitched battle for control of the party as it seeks to build on the big gains it made in November’s midterm elections.
Security
2:00 a.m.
TWT
Senate GOP divided on treaty vote during lame-duck session
Senate Republicans are at odds over whether to postpone a vote on ratification of the New START arms treaty, or bow to White House pressure and vote by the end of the year.
National
1:57 a.m.
TWT
Superlobbyist Magliocchetti to be sentenced
The Justice Department is seeking a maximum prison sentence of 57 months for superlobbyist Paul Magliocchetti, accusing him of “devising one of the largest criminal schemes in U.S. history to violate federal campaign finance laws,” according to a sentencing memo filed last week in federal court.
Football
12:26 a.m.
Favre's consecutive starts streak ends in Detroit
Brett Favre is inactive for the Minnesota Vikings’ game Monday night with the New York Giants, ending his record consecutive starts streak at 297, dating back to 1992.
Football
12:25 a.m.
Giants dominate Favre-less Vikings in Detroit
The New York Giants took advantage of Brett Favre standing on the sideline as Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw had long runs in a 21-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
Football
10:54 p.m.
Metrodome may not be ready for Vikings' next game
Officials say they’re moving as quickly and safely as possible to repair the snow-punctured roof at the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium.
Commentary
10:43 p.m.
TWT
ROBBINS: Obama's Gettysburg Address
One score and four months ago, American voters brought forth in this country a historic presidency, conceived in hope and dedicated to the proposition that yes, we can.
National
8:49 p.m.
TWT
Costco case ends in tie, with Kagan not hearing it
For the first time this term, the Supreme Court split evenly on a case because new Justice Elena Kagan took no part, a result that is likely to occur again in other decisions.
Sports
8:45 p.m.
Golden arrives at Miami, meets 'Canes for 1st time
Al Golden’s first speech as Miami’s football coach revolved around winning.
Golf
8:45 p.m.
Appleby voted comeback player on PGA Tour
Stuart Appleby has been voted the PGA Tour comeback player of the year after going from his worst season to a magical win.
Entertainment
8:45 p.m.
Judge OKs Honolulu Symphony's request to liquidate
A U.S. bankruptcy court judge has approved a request by the Honolulu Symphony to liquidate, bringing an end to the nation’s oldest symphony west of the Rocky Mountains.
Entertainment
8:45 p.m.
Sydney welcomes Oprah to its iconic Opera House
Sydney swapped opera for Oprah Tuesday when the host brought thousands of screaming fans to the city’s landmark arts center to tape shows for her final series.
Baseball
8:33 p.m.
Uehara signs one-year deal with Orioles
Right-hander Koji Uehara has signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, who hope the former Japanese star will continue to excel as the team’s closer.
Entertainment
8:30 p.m.
Ex-first daughter Jenna Bush Hager moves to NYC
Former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager has moved to New York City, where she’ll continue working as a contributing correspondent for NBC’s “Today” show. Show spokeswoman Megan Kopf confirmed Monday that the twin daughter of former President George W. Bush and her husband had moved to the city recently.
Baseball
8:29 p.m.
As Lee remains mum, speculation involves Phillies
While the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers waited for Cliff Lee to make a decision, speculation started that the Phillies might attempt to sign the pitcher who helped Philadelphia reach the 2009 World Series.
Hockey
8:15 p.m.
Devils' 13-year playoff run in serious jeopardy
For the past 16-plus seasons, playing hockey has been fun for New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur.
Technology
8:15 p.m.
Ukraine to open Chernobyl area to tourists in 2011
Want a better understanding of the world’s worst nuclear disaster? Come tour the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Beginning next year, Ukraine plans to open up the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor to visitors who wish to learn more about the tragedy that occurred nearly a quarter of a century ago, the Emergency Situations Ministry said Monday.
Technology
8:15 p.m.
Last-ditch method at fighting intestinal superbug
A superbug named C-diff is on the rise, a germ that so ravages some people’s intestines that repeated tries of the strongest, most expensive antibiotic can’t conquer their disabling diarrhea.
Entertainment
8:15 p.m.
Hollywood Walk of Fame star for Gwyneth Paltrow
Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Entertainment
8:15 p.m.
NH parents object to book that calls Jesus vagrant
The parents of a teenager are asking school officials to stop teachers from using a book that refers to Jesus Christ as a “wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist.”
Baseball
8:15 p.m.
AP source: A's and Hideki Matsui nearing deal
Free agent slugger Hideki Matsui and the Oakland Athletics worked Monday to finalize a contract that would make him the team’s new designated hitter.
Baseball
8:15 p.m.
OF Francoeur passes physical, officially joins KC
Jeff Francoeur was a Sports Illustrated cover boy on the Aug. 29, 2005 issue, billed as “The Natural” while a rookie with the Atlanta Braves.
Entertainment
8:15 p.m.
Oprah describes 'magical' Australian adventure
Oprah Winfrey says her trip to Australia has been a dream come true, and an experience she will cherish forever.
Politics
8:06 p.m.
TWT
Top RNC official hasn't voted in GOP primary for years
The Republican National Committee’s top outreach official, hired to make help make the party younger and more diverse, hasn’t voted in a Republican primary election of any kind since before 2000, The Washington Times has learned.
Baseball
8:00 p.m.
Diamonbacks hire minor league coordinators
The Arizona Diamondbacks say Mel Stottlemyre Jr. and Joel Youngblood will be minor league coordinators next season.
Entertainment
7:45 p.m.
'Narnia' lands at No. 1 with $24M debut weekend
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” has docked at the top of the weekend box office with a $24 million debut.
Editorials
7:30 p.m.
TWT
EDITORIAL: Hillary's failed peace process
Four months after President Obama announced a yearlong timeline for Mideast peace, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton admitted initial defeat. In a Friday speech, Mrs. Clinton acknowledged permanent breakdown in direct negotiations the Obama administration had predicted would lead to an agreement by September 2011. “Unfortunately, as we have learned,” she said, “the parties in this conflict have often not been ready to take the necessary steps.” This only comes as a surprise to the Obama team.
Editorials
7:28 p.m.
TWT
EDITORIAL: A cold day in Cancun
The roof of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome came apart Sunday after a blizzard dumped 17 inches of snow on top of the Minneapolis stadium. In the arena of public opinion, global-warming hucksters are seeing an even greater collapse under the weight of winter reality.
Editorials
7:25 p.m.
TWT
EDITORIAL: No sunlight on Black Panthers
Judicial Watch is exposing the emptiness of open-government promises by President Obama and Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. These Democrats have stiffed the legal public-interest group’s Freedom of Information requests related to the Justice Department’s dismissal of a voter-intimidation case against members of the New Black Panther Party. Judicial Watch’s Dec. 7 filings reveal the false basis for the administration’s novel claims of “privilege” against disclosure.
Letters
7:21 p.m.
TWT
Forgetting the Founding Fathers
Our Founding Fathers took great lengths to establish in our Constitution a revolutionary guide that would ensure the American people had a voice. Three separate but equal branches of government were formed to prevent tyranny. Leaders were elected to represent the will of the people. It was a novel, great concept.
Letters
7:21 p.m.
TWT
Throw omnibus spending overboard
A few dedicated members of Congress, together with the Tea Party, have succeeded in making earmarks a dirty word. It has taken years, but victory is near. What is needed now is to build on this victory by targeting omnibus spending bills - those 2,000-page monsters that include everything but the kitchen sink.
Letters
7:21 p.m.
TWT
GOP must make Bush tax cuts permanent
Republicans need to abandon this ridiculous agreement with the Obama administration regarding extension of the Bush tax rates. Unless they are made permanent, there should be no deal.
Letters
7:21 p.m.
TWT
Be thankful for Fox News
Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Michael Copps recently said, “America is not producing the body of news that democracy needs to conduct its civil dialogue.” Translation: Fox News and other sources are reporting too much news on the shortcomings of big government to Americans, a truth that hurts big government and the bureaucrats who enjoy its power. So Fox should limit its reporting like the sophisticated, major news networks. In similar fashion, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia Democrat, wants Fox to just “go away,” and no doubt this is because like Mr. Copps, he believes a free and open press inhibits his agenda.
Entertainment
7:15 p.m.
Ferrell, Reilly parody classic Christmas duet
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly have added a comedic twist to David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s classic Christmas duet.