Last Thursday, the 6th of December, I spent my evening at a 50th Anniversary black tie dinner commemorating the founding of the Japan America Society of Washington DC with former Vice President of the United States and Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale.

I don’t buy the argument that Scooter Libby has dropped his efforts at an appeal because of the time, hassle, and money involved in continuing the appeal. Although since presidential candidate Fred Thompson was one of those hosting fundraisers for Scooter’s legal defense fund, perhaps the distractions of the presidential race have taken a toll….

Michael Rubin offers a bizarre entry at National Review Online today: An apology owed to John Bolton [Michael Rubin] The most recent Iran NIE confirms that Iran was actively pursuing a nuclear weapon back in 2003.

Helene Cooper has a useful primer on which presidential contenders got a boost or got headwind from three major foreign policy issues last week.

Janet and Mike Huckabee at the Grand Hall of the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion In 2004, an associate of a friend began a correspondence with Janet Huckabee, wife of then Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

Tim Rutten of the Los Angeles Times offered a brilliant take on the Romney speech on religion which I have only now just read. His blunt read in “Press Preys on Wrong Question” of Huckabee’s flirtation with the anti-Enlightenment commitment to creationism is worth reviewing too.

I interviewed award-winning documentary film maker Alex Gibney after a screening of his film, Taxi to the Dark Side. His response is clear, but my question to him is not.

I hosted a screening the other night of Alex Gibney’s powerful chronicle of America’s torture policy and activities, Taxi to the Dark Side. Afterward, I asked some of those who appeared in the film some questions.

When MoveOn.org ran full page ads just before the Congressional testimony of General David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker with huge headlines saying “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?“, John Bolton’s fellow travelers went great lengths to condemn Move On for its lack of appropriate respect for dedicated national security leaders.

So many have asked for a new picture of Oakley the Amazing Weimaraner and Annie the kid sister that I have this about to share. (Here is a slightly larger photo for the real fan club members) Thanks to all for the sensible, thoughtful commentary below on Comments.