Ron Paul’s Army Complicates GOP...

He’s had a sympathetic CNN interview, a Fox News radio hit, a write-up in U.S. News & World Report, stories from The Associated Press and stories in all the local papers. The first week of Rand Paul’s campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Kentucky — he announced his bid Aug. 5 — has drawn the sort of coverage most first-time candidates wouldn’t dream of...Link

Less Government or Lower Wages?...

The nationwide revelry surrounding our apparent economic recovery was disrupted this week by the release of lower-than-expected retail sales data. However, rather than sending a chill up the spines of those hoping for a quick end to the downturn, the numbers should be welcomed. Though this may come as a surprise to most observers, lower retail sales are precisely what our economy needs...Link

California declares emergency........

Firefighters this morning were battling several large brush fires across California, including a wind-driven blaze in the Santa Cruz Mountains that was threatening several towns and forced thousands to evacuate. Gusty winds continued to hamper efforts to fight the brush fires, and weather forecasters said the conditions should continue through the weekend...Link

United States soldiers will deploy to Colombia.

Some American troops will soon find themselves stationed at military bases scattered across the South American nation of Colombia with a mission to use advanced Predator drone technology to aid in fighting the drug trade and to combat terrorism, according to published reports Saturday. But Colombia’s neighbors certainly do not see it that way...Link

New Crops to Supplant Afghan Poppies.......

QALAI BOST VILLAGE, Afghanistan -- The Obama administration is overhauling its strategy for eliminating Afghanistan's flourishing drug trade, a key source of funds for the Taliban. Its plan hinges on persuading farmers like Mohammed Walid to grow something other than poppies...Link