The environmental community is riding high on global concern for energy policy, with no less than a Nobel Peace Prize for Al Gore to keep alive the conversation. No doubt they are well aware of the pro-energy lobbying power of Bracewell & Patterson, a firm that has played a big part in this administration's anti-environment energy policy. It turns out, Bracwell has also provided Rudy Giuliani with powerful professional, political and economic ties to the oil-rich Texas community. (The Nation)

American troops have weighed in on the Blackwater shooting incident, and the story continues to get worse. According to soldiers on the scene, there was no evidence that Iraqis fired their weapons. Worse, these soldiers have reported that Blackwater personnel continued to fire on Iraqi vehicles, even after those vehicles had turned around and were fleeing the scene. (Washington Post)

There was a time when it looked like Jerry Lewis was going to escape from the Duke Cunningham scandal unscathed. But these days, it looks like he's back in the sights of investigators; yesterday, another of his aides was subpoenaed. (AP)

Finally, the government understands the free market. After you create a market inefficiency by encouraging long-term dependence on private contractors, who can then demand artificially higher wages (which are in turn used to hire away military personnel, thus raising again both levels of dependence and private security firms' wages), then you pay out $100 million in government bonuses to keep veteran soldiers from leaving the military. It's the economy, stupid! (USA TODAY)

Here's a legitimate terrorist threat: gum ball machines. Two New Jersey officials have been backtracking on their claims that gum ball machines can be used as terrorist weapons to poison our children (and intrepid reporters who can't pass up the thought of getting a quarter's worth of really old M&Ms). Now, they are arguing that they are concerned about the public health problems of unregistered dispensers. (NY Times)

The Vice-President's office has called the host of Hardball no less than three times, attempting to stifle editorial commentary that was critical of Dick Cheney. Unfortunately, no man alive has yet been able to silence Chris Matthews. (Think Progress)