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Bob Perry, megadonor behind 'swift boat' ads, dies

Bob Perry donated over $75 million dollars to political causes, including bankrolling the 'swift boat' attack ads against John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race.
Hot, smelly cruise ship with 3,143 passengers being towed to Alabama (+video)

The Carnival cruise ship was tilting to one side Monday. Some of the cruise ship passengers say the ship "stinks," and many are sleeping in tents on the deck.
Decoder Wire Republicans talk up a 'government shutdown.' Do they mean it?

With a series of fiscal deadlines approaching, some Republicans in Congress say they're ready to shut down the government to get real spending cuts, a reprise of the famous shutdowns of 1995.
Former President George H. W. Bush expected to recover

After being admitted to the Texas Medical Center last Friday, former President George H. W. Bush is now predicted to be released within 72 hours. Bush served as the 41st president, taking office in 1989.
Why is Texas always a mere Fort Sumter away from seceding?

Secession talk has always been Texas-sized in Texas. But if nothing else, the latest online request to the White House for independence really means: Get ready for four more years of acrimony between Austin and Washington.
Sikh temple shooting renews fears over white supremacist groups (+video)

The gunman who killed six people in the Sikh temple shooting was in a hardcore racist rock band. Experts say white supremacist groups are on the rise, fueled by a bad economy and the election of a black president.
Mother slain, baby abducted: kidnapper had suffered miscarriage

Verna McClain, who has been accused of killing a young mother and stealing her baby, is said to have been trying to replace the one she lost.
The Circle Bastiat Spanish real estate bust leads to ghost towns

Thousands of apartments and houses in Spanish towns go uninhabited after real estate demand evaporates.
If feds can bust Megaupload, why bother with anti-piracy bills?

A growing battle over copyright on the internet came to a head this week as digital protests scuttled two anti-piracy bills, police arrested Megaupload's millionaire filesharing pirate, and hackers brought down the Department of Justice website.
'Racist newsletter' timeline: What Ron Paul has said

Ron Paul has had to explain racially charged statements and other controversial comments in newsletters published in his name in the 1980s and 1990s. Here's what he's said over the years.
Illegal immigration across US-Mexico border hits historic low

As illegal immigration rates go down and the National Guard's deployment costs rack up, the Obama administration prepares to cut the Guard's presence along the US-Mexico border.
Rick Perry: Smart politics for him to call Social Security a Ponzi scheme?

If Rick Perry wins the GOP presidential nomination, his remarks on Social Security and other issues could haunt him. But right now, his play to the Republican base appears to be spot on.
Rick Perry: A primer on the presidential candidate

A Rick Perry reader: DC Decoder offers a sampling of the best profiles of the Texas governor turned 2012 GOP presidential candidate.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry tells prayer rally: 'Our heart breaks for America'

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a potential Republican candidate for the White House, headlined 'The Response' Saturday – a revival-style prayer event in Houston that drew about 22,000 people.
Failed shopping mall bomb on anniversary of Columbine. Any connection?

Officials seek a 'person of interest' regarding an explosive device at a shopping mall in Colorado. Was it just coincidence that it was the 12th anniversary of the Columbine massacre?
US-Mexico ties: Tensions simmer beneath Calderón's visit to White House

Ahead of today's visit, Mexican President Felipe Calderón said the US has not done its part to reduce arms trafficking and drug consumption, and lambasted US diplomats for leaked cables that called his security forces corrupt and uncoordinated.
Killing of US agent in Mexico could raise pressure on Mexico

A US federal agent for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Attache in Mexico City was shot and killed Tuesday, and another agent was wounded in an attack on their vehicle.
Seven-ton dump truck plummets into giant sinkhole [VIDEO]

A huge sinkhole opened up beneath a Houston Public Works dump truck Wednesday, sending the back of the vehicle plunging into the earth.
Death of California youth puts focus on rise in antigay bullying

13-year-old's death adds to nationwide spike this year in such cases, education group says. In a recent survey of LGBT students at middle and high schools, more than 80 percent say they were verbally harassed, while 40 percent reported physical harassment.
Chile miners to get coping advice from NASA

Chile miners trapped deep underground are getting advice from NASA to keep them physically and mentally fit for the months it may take to rescue them.
Gulf oil spill: a muted 'hurrah' across the US as oil stops gushing

News that the leak has stopped, at least for now, prompts a national high-five, if not a whoop of joy. Eighty-eight days of Gulf oil spill minutiae may have dampened interest among the US public.
Arizona immigration lawsuit: Obama sails into a political storm

Conservatives say the lawsuit against Arizona's immigration law is a ploy for Democrats to anchor Latino support. Liberals say the lawsuit is critical to stop a 'Jose Crow' era against Hispanics.
Gulf oil spill: What if BP taps leaking Macondo well again?

BP says its only priority is to shut down the Macondo well responsible for the Gulf oil spill. But industry experts say BP could still try to get oil from the well in the future.
Amid search for Deepwater Horizon oil rig survivors: What happened?

Despite the Deepwater Horizon oil rig's state-of-the-art equipment, drilling in the deep blue is still a roughneck's job – a combustible mix of big machines and highly flammable materials.
The stadiums may be gone, but they're still being paid for

In some cases, stadium debt outlasts the teams that play in them - and sometimes even the stadium itself.