This was taken tonight on the back lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The tree is magnificent and from Virginia. Speaking of Virginia, some are projecting a 2008 presidential battle between George Allen and Mark Warner. That would be interesting. I stopped by the White House Christmas Tree scene as well.

I got an email today allegedly from John Kerry — but clearly from what’s left of his “Friends of John Kerry” staff — that makes the case that Americans need to support the needs of soldiers with phone cards and other donations. Here is his letter.

There is a remarkable recount story unfolding in Washington State. When so many stories of misdeeds and voter system mismanagement that favored Republicans appeared elsewhere in the nation, it is interesting to see the Republicans making similar statements as Dems in this Washington State race.

There is an increasing pool of cases of active duty military whose nervous systems have responded negatively to the anthrax vaccines ordered by the Department of Defense.

Remember Lt. General William “Jerry” Boykin? He’s the bible-belting general who described America’s campaign in Iraq as a crusade against Satan. Here is a report on some other gems: . . .

I have had a surprisingly strong reaction to what I wrote yesterday about a very anti-competition decision from the FCC that allows Baby Bells to choke off fair access to local facilities under their control.

True to President Bush’s odd celebration of people and policies seemingly at odds with his own administration, Bush has often celebrated Teddy Roosevelt, who broke up America’s big trusts and monopolies — while Bush and his team build them up.

I really enjoy the White House pool reports. Wonkette (AKA, Ana Marie Cox) posts many of these for the public to enjoy, but the ones she selects make it to the top of her list if they have sexual innuendo or intrigue.

. . .a provision buried in the Bush administration’s tax reform plans. According to a very well-connected economist who is meeting just about every one with the word “economic” in his or her administration title, the administration is planning to disallow the exemption on federal taxes allowed now for state income taxes paid.

Oops, I meant the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This highest civilian award in the U.S. recognizes individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Today, L.