Hard News

Tim Russert, R.I.P. Whatever you thought good or ill of his interviewing technique, debate moderation, or shared journalistic responsibility during the run-up sales job of the Iraq War, he seems to have been a decent guy at heart, a family man and a wonderful father.

Even harder to take news, Cedar Rapids now lives up to its name as much of it is under water. Godspeed that help reaches the residents there in a timely manner. Is this, after Katrina, part of the seven lean years?

Obama met quietly this week with “a small group of religious leaders, academics and faith-based organizations” i.e. influential Christian leaders and engaged in a frank give-'n-take, not asking for any endorsements, just talk. And he's even winning some of them.

Iraq doesn't want 58 permanent U.S. military bases in "their" country.

And tonight's 1/2 season-closing episode of Battlestar Galactica is one of the greatest cliffhangers in television -- and maybe human? -- history.