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<title><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com - Al Kamen's In The Loop Column ]]></title>
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<description><![CDATA[Al Kamen's In the Loop column reports on the latest comings and goings in official Washington,from White House personnel to lobbyists to members of Congress.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Rumsfeld and Cheney safeguard America]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/10/AR2011031005411.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:59:05 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen's In the Loop column reports on former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld cautious side and New Gingrich's explanation for his extramarital recreation. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Rumsfeld]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cheney]]></category><category><![CDATA[safeguard]]></category><category><![CDATA[America]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/03/10/PH2011031005417.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Lights and sirens, badges and guns for the TARP cops]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/08/AR2011030805323.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/08/AR2011030805323.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:56:02 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Police forces around the country are scrambling to make do in these tough economic times. Nearly half the force in Camden, N.J. - not exactly known as a crime-free town - has been laid off. The bicycle unit is gone, and the canine unit lost two of its three dogs. The number of patrol cars has bee... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Lights]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[sirens,]]></category><category><![CDATA[badges]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[guns]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[TARP]]></category><category><![CDATA[cops]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Wordly advice to Rumsfeld, from Gingrich, Wolfowitz & Co.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030305168.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:41:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen's In the Loop column covers memos from Newt Gingrich and Paul Wolfowitz to then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld; talk of former senator Bob Bennett's working for the Wilderness Society; and a restructuring at the Government Accountability Office. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Wordly]]></category><category><![CDATA[advice]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rumsfeld,]]></category><category><![CDATA[from]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gingrich,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wolfowitz]]></category><category><![CDATA[&]]></category><category><![CDATA[Co.]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/03/03/PH2011030305173.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Baghdad calling: Do good, improve your golf swing]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/01/AR2011030106303.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:56:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Iraqis, despite America's best efforts, seem to be having a difficult time with this whole democracy thing. Just last weekend, the U.S.-backed government of Nouri al-Maliki responded most poorly when tens of thousands of Iraqis around the country demonstrated against the endemic corruption of...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010432349" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010432349" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Baghdad]]></category><category><![CDATA[calling:]]></category><category><![CDATA[Do]]></category><category><![CDATA[good,]]></category><category><![CDATA[improve]]></category><category><![CDATA[your]]></category><category><![CDATA[golf]]></category><category><![CDATA[swing]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Just give peace a chance?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/24/AR2011022406522.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:25:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The U.S. Institute of Peace has been taking heavy incoming fire from the House side of the Hill, where a bipartisan coalition last week voted to cut off its funding. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Just]]></category><category><![CDATA[give]]></category><category><![CDATA[peace]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[chance?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/24/PH2011022406527.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[The speaker speaks]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR2011022206091.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:25:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Seems House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has been told by his press aides to stop chatting and answering questions with reporters or random visitors he doesn't know in the hallways in the Capitol. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[The]]></category><category><![CDATA[speaker]]></category><category><![CDATA[speaks]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[George Allen as Egypt's James Madison?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/17/AR2011021706537.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:47:04 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Egyptians, understandably a bit exhausted after toppling the Hosni Mubarak regime, are now grappling with the task of writing a new constitution. Fortunately, we've got just what they've been waiting for: some crucial advice from former Virginia governor and senator and now senatorial candidate G... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[George]]></category><category><![CDATA[Allen]]></category><category><![CDATA[as]]></category><category><![CDATA[Egypt's]]></category><category><![CDATA[James]]></category><category><![CDATA[Madison?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/17/PH2011021706542.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[McCain: End subsidies for smaller airports.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/15/AR2011021505405.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:27:04 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ President Obama talked Tuesday about "difficult" and "tough" budget cuts he was prepared to make in programs he cares about. And there may be more to come.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010435260" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010435260" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[McCain:]]></category><category><![CDATA[End]]></category><category><![CDATA[subsidies]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[smaller]]></category><category><![CDATA[airports.]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/15/PH2011021505411.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Even Obama mega-bundlers must play nice]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021007341.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:05:02 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ There may be a silver lining to the brief and disastrous tenure of Obama campaign donor Cynthia Stroum as ambassador to Luxembourg, who resigned last month after less than a year on the job. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Even]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[mega-bundlers]]></category><category><![CDATA[must]]></category><category><![CDATA[play]]></category><category><![CDATA[nice]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/10/PH2011021007346.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[New West Wing team seems like old times]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/08/AR2011020805334.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/08/AR2011020805334.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:36:02 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The post-election West Wing shake-up appears to be settling down. Now, when President Obama makes a left out of the Oval Office and heads down the hall, he's going to pass by a different - though hardly unfamiliar - group of senior aides. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[New]]></category><category><![CDATA[West]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wing]]></category><category><![CDATA[team]]></category><category><![CDATA[seems]]></category><category><![CDATA[like]]></category><category><![CDATA[old]]></category><category><![CDATA[times]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Sharron Angle and the makeup of the electorate]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/03/AR2011020305987.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/03/AR2011020305987.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:25:07 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sharron Angle, the tea party favorite who performed a political miracle last fall when she somehow managed, against all odds, to lose to wildly unpopular Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) by nearly six points, raised some eyebrows last week when she showed up in Johnston, Iowa. She joined some prominent R... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Sharron]]></category><category><![CDATA[Angle]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[makeup]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[electorate]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/03/PH2011020305993.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Mubarak, the shah and the 30-year itch]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020106066.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020106066.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:14:09 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ There's a sense of deja vu about Egyptian ruler  Hosni Mubarak and his crumbling 30-year dictatorship. Mubarak, who has been a staunch American ally, propped up with billions in taxpayer dollars, called a key to U.S. policy in the region and a human rights abuser, and now twisting slowly in the w...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010437750" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010437750" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Mubarak,]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[shah]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[30-year]]></category><category><![CDATA[itch]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/02/01/PH2011020106071.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[There's more to how the salmon sausage is made]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/27/AR2011012706408.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/27/AR2011012706408.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:51:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hardly surprising that the thing viewers remember most from President Obama's State of the Union speech is his joke about how many federal agencies have jurisdiction over salmon - with Interior in charge in fresh water and Commerce in salt water. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[There's]]></category><category><![CDATA[more]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[how]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[salmon]]></category><category><![CDATA[sausage]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[made]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Hanging with the Justices at the SOTU Mixer]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/25/AR2011012505669.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/25/AR2011012505669.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:23:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Hanging]]></category><category><![CDATA[with]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Justices]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[SOTU]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mixer]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[The 2011 counterterrorism calendar, working for you]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/20/AR2011012005782.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/20/AR2011012005782.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:29:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen's In the Loop column highlights the National Counterterrorism Center's 2011 calendar, reports on the Air Force's plan to build an Afghan "village" and caves in New Mexico for target practice, a not-so-new leak about former Iraq ambassador April Glaspie from WikiLeaks and Justice Elena Kagan ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[The]]></category><category><![CDATA[2011]]></category><category><![CDATA[counterterrorism]]></category><category><![CDATA[calendar,]]></category><category><![CDATA[working]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[you]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Ambassadorial openings for open wallets]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/18/AR2011011806257.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/18/AR2011011806257.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:09:02 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Still depressed that you didn't get that cushy ambassadorship? Able and willing to donate and bundle ginormous amounts of money for President Obama's reelection and for the D's in 2012?<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010440060" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010440060" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Ambassadorial]]></category><category><![CDATA[openings]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[open]]></category><category><![CDATA[wallets]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/01/18/PH2011011806506.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Spies wanted. Apply here. No black sites provided.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/13/AR2011011305358.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/13/AR2011011305358.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:07:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen's In the Loop column reports on the CIA's radio ads for covert operatives, Bill Daley's White House team takes shape, Hillary Clinton's plaque is back at the Agency for International Development and David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security, is leaving. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Spies]]></category><category><![CDATA[wanted.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Apply]]></category><category><![CDATA[here.]]></category><category><![CDATA[No]]></category><category><![CDATA[black]]></category><category><![CDATA[sites]]></category><category><![CDATA[provided.]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[The Obama staff shuffle kicks into high gear]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107031.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107031.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:48:02 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Busy days ahead for movers in President Obama's West Wing. Wednesday is move-in day for the new White House chief of staff, Bill Daley, and his chief of staff, David Lane, who's been running Bono's One Campaign and before that was a senior official at the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[The]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[staff]]></category><category><![CDATA[shuffle]]></category><category><![CDATA[kicks]]></category><category><![CDATA[into]]></category><category><![CDATA[high]]></category><category><![CDATA[gear]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[McCain tours Latin America; O'Reilly grills Obama on Super Bowl Sunday]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/06/AR2011010605777.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/06/AR2011010605777.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:44:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It's the first overseas congressional delegation (codel) of the new Congress! ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[McCain]]></category><category><![CDATA[tours]]></category><category><![CDATA[Latin]]></category><category><![CDATA[America;]]></category><category><![CDATA[O'Reilly]]></category><category><![CDATA[grills]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[Super]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bowl]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sunday]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[The House reads the Constitution for you]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/04/AR2011010404599.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:42:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The new House Republican leadership is getting ready for its much-anticipated reading of the Constitution as the House begins its workday Thursday.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010442411" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010442411" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/opinions/index.html">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[The]]></category><category><![CDATA[House]]></category><category><![CDATA[reads]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Constitution]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[you]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2011/01/04/PH2011010404604.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Replacing Holbrooke not so easy]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121605712.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121605712.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:28:06 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Senior State Department officials, stunned by the sudden death of uber-diplomat Richard Holbrooke, the special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, are concerned that the all-star team of experts he had assembled - all intensely loyal to him - may start drifting away. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Replacing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Holbrooke]]></category><category><![CDATA[not]]></category><category><![CDATA[so]]></category><category><![CDATA[easy]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/12/16/PH2010121605717.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[The Clinton plaque is returning, for now, to the Ronald Reagan Building]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/14/AR2010121406892.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:36:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Twelve years ago, the U.S. Agency for International Development turned its lobby in the Ronald Reagan Building into a shrine to then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Its centerpiece was an 800-pound bronze plaque, 6 feet wide by about 9 feet high, bolted to a marble wall. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[The]]></category><category><![CDATA[Clinton]]></category><category><![CDATA[plaque]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[returning,]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[now,]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Ronald]]></category><category><![CDATA[Reagan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Building]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/12/15/PH2010121506137.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Jobless Hill Democrats twisting slowly, slowly . . .]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/09/AR2010120905395.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/09/AR2010120905395.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:40:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Some of the 2,000 or so Democratic staffers on Capitol Hill who are losing their jobs in the coming weeks as a result of November's "Great Shellacking" are angry at President Obama's White House for not helping them find new jobs. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Jobless]]></category><category><![CDATA[Hill]]></category><category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category><category><![CDATA[twisting]]></category><category><![CDATA[slowly,]]></category><category><![CDATA[slowly]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Rice, on 'The View,' defends Obama on WikiLeaks]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120706629.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120706629.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice looked somewhat befuddled Monday as she co-hosted the daytime television talk show "The View." She nodded and smiled as the regular yakkers debated the propriety of comedian and talk show host Chelsea Handler's recent stand-up performance, in which she l...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010446160" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010446160" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen ]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Rice,]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA['The]]></category><category><![CDATA[View,']]></category><category><![CDATA[defends]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[WikiLeaks]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson may head to North Korea]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120703126.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120703126.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:12:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Adm. Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, is off this week to South Korea to tell officials that the United States is standing with them. And there's talk that outgoing New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson may be off to North Korea next week for a private chat with top officials at the inv... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/world/index.html">World</category>
<category><![CDATA[N.M.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gov.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bill]]></category><category><![CDATA[Richardson]]></category><category><![CDATA[may]]></category><category><![CDATA[head]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[North]]></category><category><![CDATA[Korea]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Holy WikiLeaks, Batman!]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/02/AR2010120206426.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:31:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The biggest losers in the WikiLeaks debacle? American diplomacy in general and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in particular - even though a chunk of the controversial cable traffic was from the George W. Bush days. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Holy]]></category><category><![CDATA[WikiLeaks,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Batman!]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Who gets the first subpoena in a Republican-controlled House?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110206581.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110206581.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:29:04 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Enter Al Kamen's In the Loop Contest to guess whom Rep. Darryl Issa will subpoena first if Republicans take the House. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/opinions/index.html">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Who]]></category><category><![CDATA[gets]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[first]]></category><category><![CDATA[subpoena]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[Republican-controlled]]></category><category><![CDATA[House?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/02/PH2010110206586.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Nigeria may charge Cheney in Halliburton bribery probe]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/02/AR2010120204195.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/02/AR2010120204195.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:05:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ An Agence France-Presse wire out of Lagos, Nigeria, reports anti-corruption authorities there plan to file charges against former vice president Dick Cheney over a bribery scandal involving Halliburton, the oil services firm Cheney used to head.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010448483" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010448483" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/world/index.html">World</category>
<category><![CDATA[Nigeria]]></category><category><![CDATA[may]]></category><category><![CDATA[charge]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cheney]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[Halliburton]]></category><category><![CDATA[bribery]]></category><category><![CDATA[probe]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[WikiLeaks opens the floodgates for critics of the Obama administration]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113005880.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113005880.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:51:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The WikiLeaks uproar has folks jumping all over President Obama's administration for a variety of alleged sins of omission and commission. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[WikiLeaks]]></category><category><![CDATA[opens]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[floodgates]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[critics]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[administration]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[In slideshow, Rep. Joe Barton declares war on the Obama administration]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112904500.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:16:01 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If the Obama administration was hoping to see hints of bipartisanship from the Hill, it might want to skip over the House Energy and Commerce Committee. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[In]]></category><category><![CDATA[slideshow,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rep.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Joe]]></category><category><![CDATA[Barton]]></category><category><![CDATA[declares]]></category><category><![CDATA[war]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[administration]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[D's and R's deserve a rest - in Cambodia]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/23/AR2010112306144.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:58:04 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The midterm elections left House Democrats depressed and exhausted. Elated Republicans are working 24-7, preparing to take over. Both sides need a break. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[D's]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[R's]]></category><category><![CDATA[deserve]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[rest]]></category><category><![CDATA[-]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cambodia]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/23/PH2010112306149.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama White House reshuffles familiar faces]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111805558.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111805558.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:43:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Interim Chief of Staff Pete Rouse is slowly working through his mandate from President Obama to retool the White House after the Great Shellacking - talking to lots of people, including Clintonites who survived an even worse debacle in 1994.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010452344" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010452344" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[White]]></category><category><![CDATA[House]]></category><category><![CDATA[reshuffles]]></category><category><![CDATA[familiar]]></category><category><![CDATA[faces]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/18/PH2010111805563.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Bush's memoir may be worth a read]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/16/AR2010111606311.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/16/AR2010111606311.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:51:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The liberal media have been hammering away at George W. Bush's new memoir, "Decision Points." They've blasted the former president for writing about being at events - Afghan President Hamid Karzai's inauguration - when he wasn't there. They're all over him for still not getting that WMD stuff rig... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen ]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Bush's]]></category><category><![CDATA[memoir]]></category><category><![CDATA[may]]></category><category><![CDATA[be]]></category><category><![CDATA[worth]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[read]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/16/PH2010111606318.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Term limits for Pelosi's allies?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/11/AR2010111107834.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/11/AR2010111107834.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:23:44 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ As opposition to Rep. Nancy Pelosi's bid to remain the Democrats' leader continues to simmer, some senior House Democrats are contemplating a move to make sure there's new leadership on the party caucus's powerful steering and policy committee. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Term]]></category><category><![CDATA[limits]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pelosi's]]></category><category><![CDATA[allies?]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[McCain praises Obama, just for a moment]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110906609.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110906609.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:18:03 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[  ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen ]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[McCain]]></category><category><![CDATA[praises]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama,]]></category><category><![CDATA[just]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[moment]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/09/PH2010110906614.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Thousands of Democrats to be jobless in Washington]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110406237.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110406237.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:55:04 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Great Shellacking of 2010 will throw more than 2,000 Democratic congressional staffers out of their jobs. And it will send thousands of gleeful Republican staffer wannabes into overdrive to get those resumes up to the Hill to fill those vacancies.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010456077" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010456077" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Thousands]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[be]]></category><category><![CDATA[jobless]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/11/04/PH2010110406247.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama mentor Laurence Tribe unfiltered - and on paper]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/28/AR2010102806362.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/28/AR2010102806362.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:14:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[  Harvard Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe minced no words in a May 2009 letter to President Obama, his former student, urging him to nominate Harvard Law Dean Elena Kagan to fill retiring justice David Souter's seat on the Supreme Court. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[mentor]]></category><category><![CDATA[Laurence]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tribe]]></category><category><![CDATA[unfiltered]]></category><category><![CDATA[-]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[paper]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Sen. Inhofe is not an X-Man]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/26/AR2010102606944.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/26/AR2010102606944.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:47:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) was flying his twin-engine Cessna 340 down to Port Isabel, Tex., on Thursday, headed to his house on South Padre Island. It's something he's done every so often for the past 50 years. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Sen.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Inhofe]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[not]]></category><category><![CDATA[an]]></category><category><![CDATA[X-Man]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/10/26/PH2010102605659.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Andy Griffith, Mayberry and Obamacare]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/21/AR2010102105459.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/21/AR2010102105459.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:46:04 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Department of Health and Human Services didn't violate the rules when it hired veteran actor Andy Griffith to do three 30-second television ads hailing the benefits of Obamacare for seniors, the Government Accountability Office has found. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Andy]]></category><category><![CDATA[Griffith,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mayberry]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obamacare]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[UNESCO poised to cancel Obiang prize]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR2010101906789.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR2010101906789.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:42:03 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The controversial decision by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to set up a life sciences award in the name of Equatorial Guinea ruler Teodoro Obiang Nguema - to be endowed for five years by a $3 million gift from Obiang - appears about to be reversed.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010459123" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010459123" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen ]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[UNESCO]]></category><category><![CDATA[poised]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[cancel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obiang]]></category><category><![CDATA[prize]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/10/19/PH2010101906794.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Glenn Beck, and something to cry about]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101405603.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101405603.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:59:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Glenn Beck fans are not going to like our colleague Dana Milbank's new book about the tea party favorite, "Tears of a Clown." Little reason they should, since the book is a 257-page skewering. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Glenn]]></category><category><![CDATA[Beck,]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[something]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[cry]]></category><category><![CDATA[about]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[See it, say it - then wait for Homeland Security officials to pick up the phone]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/12/AR2010101205723.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/12/AR2010101205723.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:21:03 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has launched a public awareness campaign to encourage Metro riders to be more vigilant. It's part of her department's "If you see something, say something" campaign. So "if you see something suspicious," she advises in a message airing on station speak... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[See]]></category><category><![CDATA[it,]]></category><category><![CDATA[say]]></category><category><![CDATA[it]]></category><category><![CDATA[-]]></category><category><![CDATA[then]]></category><category><![CDATA[wait]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Homeland]]></category><category><![CDATA[Security]]></category><category><![CDATA[officials]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[pick]]></category><category><![CDATA[up]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[phone]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/10/12/PH2010101205733.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Rahm Emanuel's leaving. But what about his kids' school slots?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/07/AR2010100706047.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/07/AR2010100706047.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:12:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ America's great cities have their unique, charming cultural idiosyncrasies. In New York, people carefully comb the obituaries, looking to see whether the fine three-bedroom of their dreams, the one overlooking Central Park, might soon be available. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen ]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Rahm]]></category><category><![CDATA[Emanuel's]]></category><category><![CDATA[leaving.]]></category><category><![CDATA[But]]></category><category><![CDATA[what]]></category><category><![CDATA[about]]></category><category><![CDATA[his]]></category><category><![CDATA[kids']]></category><category><![CDATA[school]]></category><category><![CDATA[slots?]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Is national security deputy Donilon moving up?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100505547.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100505547.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:02:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Who's got the best deputy job in Washington? It would have to be deputy national security adviser Tom Donilon. Donilon had been mentioned as a possible White House chief of staff, but now that the position has gone to Pete Rouse, history gives Donilon the nod to replace departing national securit...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010502415" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010502415" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/nation/index.html">Nation</category>
<category><![CDATA[Is]]></category><category><![CDATA[national]]></category><category><![CDATA[security]]></category><category><![CDATA[deputy]]></category><category><![CDATA[Donilon]]></category><category><![CDATA[moving]]></category><category><![CDATA[up?]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[A humdrum session at the U.N.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/30/AR2010093006562.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/30/AR2010093006562.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:54:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Acolleague, walking by the 38-story United Nations headquarters last week during the 65th meeting of the General Assembly, looked up to see that the windows on several of the top floors appeared blown out, the wind whipping off the East River through the seemingly abandoned shell. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[A]]></category><category><![CDATA[humdrum]]></category><category><![CDATA[session]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[U.N.]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Richard by any other name would be ...]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/29/AR2010092901757.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/29/AR2010092901757.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:19:38 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Our colleague Bob Woodward's new book, "Obama's Wars," arguably his best since "The Brethren," is, as usual, another blockbuster best-seller. It's an insider's look at the Obama administration's foreign policy decision-making on Iraq and Afghanistan. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Richard]]></category><category><![CDATA[by]]></category><category><![CDATA[any]]></category><category><![CDATA[other]]></category><category><![CDATA[name]]></category><category><![CDATA[would]]></category><category><![CDATA[be]]></category><category><![CDATA[...]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Women have the windows in the West Wing]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092306042.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092306042.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:32:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ National Economic Council director Larry Summers's departure announcement, much like Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's not-yet announcement, sparked frenzied speculation about a replacement. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Women]]></category><category><![CDATA[have]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[windows]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[West]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wing]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mubarak leads the way . . . sort of]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/21/AR2010092104827.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/21/AR2010092104827.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:51:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ And now, the first annual Loopy Award, given to the most boneheaded action by an organization in fiscal 2010.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010505701" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010505701" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Mubarak]]></category><category><![CDATA[leads]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[way]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[sort]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Rahm rumors move aides to eye new digs]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091606630.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091606630.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:42:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The likely departure of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel after the November elections - to be followed by those of senior adviser David Axelrod, Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina and who knows how many other top aides early in 2011 - has set off a high-stakes game of musical offices. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Rahm]]></category><category><![CDATA[rumors]]></category><category><![CDATA[move]]></category><category><![CDATA[aides]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[eye]]></category><category><![CDATA[new]]></category><category><![CDATA[digs]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[No Scruffies, Just Princetonians]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091407445.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091407445.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:34:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Look for President Obama to have a relatively polished and well-mannered crowd at his Monday town hall in the Washington area. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[No]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scruffies,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Just]]></category><category><![CDATA[Princetonians]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Has Fidel Castro become a capitalist?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/09/AR2010090906407.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/09/AR2010090906407.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:10:02 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ He may be the last one to figure it out, but Fidel Castro's recent observation to  Jeffrey Goldberg  of the Atlantic that the Cuban economic model "doesn't even work for us anymore'' was nonetheless stunning. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Has]]></category><category><![CDATA[Fidel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Castro]]></category><category><![CDATA[become]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[capitalist?]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Enter our Congressional Election Contest]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090706517.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090706517.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:46:01 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ President Obama's Labor Day speech was touted as the opening salvo by a newly awakened White House in trying to thwart a GOP takeover of the Senate and maybe even the House. It appeared as if Obama had finally abandoned that charming, if odd, bipartisanship stuff.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010509040" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010509040" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Enter]]></category><category><![CDATA[our]]></category><category><![CDATA[Congressional]]></category><category><![CDATA[Election]]></category><category><![CDATA[Contest]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[No Lady Gaga at this non-event]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081705507.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081705507.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ So maybe Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), 62, can't be as hip as Senate colleague and Lady Gaga fan Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), 86. Doesn't mean he can't raise money, too. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[No]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lady]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gaga]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[this]]></category><category><![CDATA[non-event]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/08/17/PH2010081705588.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
</item>
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<title><![CDATA[Frank Lautenberg, gaga for Gaga]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081203479.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081203479.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hurry! It's an event absolutely not to be missed. And, according to an e-mail invite we received Wednesday afternoon, there are "ONLY 3 Tickets Left!" ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Frank]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lautenberg,]]></category><category><![CDATA[gaga]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gaga]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[In the Loop: U.S. lawmakers visit Haiti and its president . . . that guy]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081006673.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081006673.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ As Loop Fans know, many jaunts by congressional delegations (codels) overseas are not much more than taxpayer-paid vacations. But many others are actually working trips. (There's a handy guide on how to tell which is which.) ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[In]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loop:]]></category><category><![CDATA[U.S.]]></category><category><![CDATA[lawmakers]]></category><category><![CDATA[visit]]></category><category><![CDATA[Haiti]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[its]]></category><category><![CDATA[president]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[.]]></category><category><![CDATA[that]]></category><category><![CDATA[guy]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[At 50, Cuban trade embargo is not aging well]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080506768.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080506768.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The half-century-old Cuban trade embargo has seen better days. For its first 30 years, when the Castro crowd was in cahoots with the Soviets -- even welcomed nukes 90 miles from Florida -- the embargo enjoyed widespread support.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010512701" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010512701" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[At]]></category><category><![CDATA[50,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cuban]]></category><category><![CDATA[trade]]></category><category><![CDATA[embargo]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[not]]></category><category><![CDATA[aging]]></category><category><![CDATA[well]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/08/05/PH2010080506773.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
</item>
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<title><![CDATA[Broadcasting board decides Voice of America can peruse WikiLeak documents]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/03/AR2010080306850.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/03/AR2010080306850.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Some new members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors were most upset by a column item last Wednesday noting that the IT and security folks at the International Broadcasting Bureau had instructed Voice of America employees to not read or e-mail any of the WikiLeaks material on their government... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Broadcasting]]></category><category><![CDATA[board]]></category><category><![CDATA[decides]]></category><category><![CDATA[Voice]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[America]]></category><category><![CDATA[can]]></category><category><![CDATA[peruse]]></category><category><![CDATA[WikiLeak]]></category><category><![CDATA[documents]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/08/03/PH2010080306855.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[AL KAMENIn the Loop]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072906059.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072906059.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen is away. The In the Loop column will resume when he returns. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[AL]]></category><category><![CDATA[KAMENIn]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loop]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Gift for North Pole: Say it with sewers]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/27/AR2010072705997.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/27/AR2010072705997.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Christmas in July for Santa? Tucked away in the fiscal 2011 appropriations bill for the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency is a $1 million earmark, inserted by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), to be given to the "City of North Pole for industrial force sewer main." ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Gift]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[North]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pole:]]></category><category><![CDATA[Say]]></category><category><![CDATA[it]]></category><category><![CDATA[with]]></category><category><![CDATA[sewers]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Who will refudiate the displaced foreign travelers?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072206029.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072206029.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The ever-evolving English language is expanding at warp speed these days.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010517409" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010517409" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Who]]></category><category><![CDATA[will]]></category><category><![CDATA[refudiate]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[displaced]]></category><category><![CDATA[foreign]]></category><category><![CDATA[travelers?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/07/22/PH2010072206067.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Rita and John Jenrette: Where are they now?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/20/AR2010072005597.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/20/AR2010072005597.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A Loop Fan called attention to an article Friday in the "Greater Homes" section of the New York Times that began: ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Rita]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[John]]></category><category><![CDATA[Jenrette:]]></category><category><![CDATA[Where]]></category><category><![CDATA[are]]></category><category><![CDATA[they]]></category><category><![CDATA[now?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/07/20/PH2010072006105.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Will Jack Lew be second time lucky?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/15/AR2010071506334.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/15/AR2010071506334.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If confirmed for a second tour as director of the Office of Management and Budget, Jack Lew will join a very small group of officials who have held the same senior agency position in two administrations. And the history of second acts, in politics as in other endeavors, doesn't necessarily augur... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Will]]></category><category><![CDATA[Jack]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lew]]></category><category><![CDATA[be]]></category><category><![CDATA[second]]></category><category><![CDATA[time]]></category><category><![CDATA[lucky?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/07/15/PH2010071506529.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Capitol Hill's calendar is looking fuzzy]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071306197.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071306197.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The stakes are high this November. The Republicans are looking to retake the House. (Ah, the subpoenas, the subpoenas.) They need to pick up 39 seats. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Capitol]]></category><category><![CDATA[Hill's]]></category><category><![CDATA[calendar]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[looking]]></category><category><![CDATA[fuzzy]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/07/13/PH2010071306202.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Orszag speaks! Or at least he will.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070806093.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070806093.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Outgoing Office of Management and Budget chief Peter Orszag has plenty to do before he leaves his job in the next few weeks. OMB needs to finish its "mid-session review" of key budget estimates -- which is due July 15, as in Thursday. He's got to plan his Sept. 25 wedding in New York to ABC News ...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010521965" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010521965" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Orszag]]></category><category><![CDATA[speaks!]]></category><category><![CDATA[Or]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[least]]></category><category><![CDATA[he]]></category><category><![CDATA[will.]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/07/08/PH2010070806098.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[43 top agency jobs remain unfilled]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070605065.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070605065.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Looking for a top job in a Cabinet-level agency? The pickings now are pretty slim, with only 43 such jobs available in the larger agencies. As a result of the Senate's shocking realization of its constitutional obligations two weeks ago -- who knew it was supposed to confirm presidential appointe... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[43]]></category><category><![CDATA[top]]></category><category><![CDATA[agency]]></category><category><![CDATA[jobs]]></category><category><![CDATA[remain]]></category><category><![CDATA[unfilled]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama administration makes progress in hiring]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/01/AR2010070106348.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/01/AR2010070106348.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Obama administration, thanks to a burst of Senate confirmation activity in recent weeks, has managed to fill more than three-quarters (76.8 percent) of the 526 high-level federal jobs being tracked by The Washington Post's Head Count. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[administration]]></category><category><![CDATA[makes]]></category><category><![CDATA[progress]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[hiring]]></category>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[MMS becomes BOE. Oh, wait -- BOEMRE.]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/29/AR2010062904860.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/29/AR2010062904860.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Given the news these days of the endlessly spewing oil in the gulf, you might ask: Can't the folks at the Interior Department's old Minerals Management Service get anything right? Well, maybe not. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[MMS]]></category><category><![CDATA[becomes]]></category><category><![CDATA[BOE.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Oh,]]></category><category><![CDATA[wait]]></category><category><![CDATA[--]]></category><category><![CDATA[BOEMRE.]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/29/PH2010062904865.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Other presidents 'jawbone,' but Obama 'extorts']]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062406218.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062406218.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Good news for those who think the English language constantly evolves for the better. Take for example the recent flap over President Obama's pressuring BP to set aside $20 billion to help those who've lost income from the company's Gulf of Mexico oil spill.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010525722" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010525722" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Other]]></category><category><![CDATA[presidents]]></category><category><![CDATA['jawbone,']]></category><category><![CDATA[but]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA['extorts']]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[BOE is us, says the MMS]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/22/AR2010062205094.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/22/AR2010062205094.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It's only Day 64 of the environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, but there's proof the government is ratcheting up efforts to end it. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[BOE]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[us,]]></category><category><![CDATA[says]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[MMS]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Media types bring it on home]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/17/AR2010061705535.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/17/AR2010061705535.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The congressional women's softball team led in the early innings at Guy Mason Park on Wednesday night until the media team rallied for a 13-7 win before a raucous crowd that included Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , House GOP leader John Boehner and much of the... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Media]]></category><category><![CDATA[types]]></category><category><![CDATA[bring]]></category><category><![CDATA[it]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[home]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/17/PH2010061705887.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[UNESCO award in name of Equatorial Guinea president causes uproar]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505325.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505325.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Back in September 2008, the European Union, joined by the United States and Norway, objected when the executive board of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed to set up a life sciences award in the name of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, to ... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[UNESCO]]></category><category><![CDATA[award]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[name]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[Equatorial]]></category><category><![CDATA[Guinea]]></category><category><![CDATA[president]]></category><category><![CDATA[causes]]></category><category><![CDATA[uproar]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/15/PH2010061505452.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="79" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[You've heard of government 'by the people, for the people'?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061005536.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061005536.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Now that it's abundantly clear that neither BP nor the federal government has any clue how to resolve the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, everyone -- from BP itself to CNN and other media outlets -- has been soliciting ideas on what to do. Tens of thousands of suggestions, some serious, some not so,...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010529031" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010529031" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[You've]]></category><category><![CDATA[heard]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[government]]></category><category><![CDATA['by]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[people,]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[people'?]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/10/PH2010061005549.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[At the NIH, conflicting stories of conflict of interest]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/08/AR2010060805328.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/08/AR2010060805328.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It's been just three weeks since the National Institutes of Health announced new guidelines to deal with long-standing concerns that federally funded researchers were being influenced by millions of dollars from the drug industry and other companies, which would naturally love to see the research... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[At]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[NIH,]]></category><category><![CDATA[conflicting]]></category><category><![CDATA[stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[conflict]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[interest]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/08/PH2010060805333.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Hatoyama didn't dress for success]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304937.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304937.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ We've gotten several phone calls from Japanese reporters about Wednesday's resignation of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama after just eight months in office. The reporters implied that a mid-April Loop column -- the one dubbing him "the biggest loser" at President Obama's nuclear summit and referrin... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Hatoyama]]></category><category><![CDATA[didn't]]></category><category><![CDATA[dress]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[success]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/03/PH2010060304075.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Our 'Outta There' winner is ... a secret]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103640.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103640.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ We have a winner in the Loop "Outta There" contest to predict which Cabinet member or top official would be the first to leave, voluntarily or otherwise. (Social secretary Desiree Rogers was excluded because she was already looking for a new post by the time we announced the contest in February.) ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Our]]></category><category><![CDATA['Outta]]></category><category><![CDATA[There']]></category><category><![CDATA[winner]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[...]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[secret]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/06/01/PH2010060103786.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[AL KAMENIn the Loop]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052505320.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052505320.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Al Kamen is away. In the Loop will resume when he returns.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010532811" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010532811" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[AL]]></category><category><![CDATA[KAMENIn]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loop]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[After Britain's election, a quick transition. Why can't we be so speedy?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/14/AR2010051402206.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/14/AR2010051402206.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Britain's May 6 elections swept the Conservatives into power for the first time in 13 years. After a few days of negotiations to form a coalition government, here's how the transition itself took place: ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/opinions/index.html">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[After]]></category><category><![CDATA[Britain's]]></category><category><![CDATA[election,]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[quick]]></category><category><![CDATA[transition.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Why]]></category><category><![CDATA[can't]]></category><category><![CDATA[we]]></category><category><![CDATA[be]]></category><category><![CDATA[so]]></category><category><![CDATA[speedy?]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[President Obama's new helicopter: A V-22 Osprey?]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/11/AR2010051104355.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/11/AR2010051104355.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The much-maligned Marine Osprey, after 27 years and $54 billion spent on its development -- and 30 deaths incurred along the way -- is said to be improving so much that its manufacturer, Boeing, will offer it for the presidential helicopter. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[President]]></category><category><![CDATA[Obama's]]></category><category><![CDATA[new]]></category><category><![CDATA[helicopter:]]></category><category><![CDATA[A]]></category><category><![CDATA[V-22]]></category><category><![CDATA[Osprey?]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[You're invited to help pay for the Bush library]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/06/AR2010050605930.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/06/AR2010050605930.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Seemed like a dream come true. A letter from former commerce secretary Donald L. Evans arrived the other day, offering an opportunity to be "among the first Americans selected to join the Freedom Registry and represent Washington, D.C., as one of the earliest and most prominent supporters of the ... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[You're]]></category><category><![CDATA[invited]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[help]]></category><category><![CDATA[pay]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bush]]></category><category><![CDATA[library]]></category>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Dinner wasn't a big bleeping deal for Biden]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050404316.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In the midst of all the glitz, the glitter and the self-congratulatory crowd at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last weekend, there was a recurring, somewhat worrisome question: "Where's Joe?"<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010537118" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010537118" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Dinner]]></category><category><![CDATA[wasn't]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[big]]></category><category><![CDATA[bleeping]]></category><category><![CDATA[deal]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Biden]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/05/04/PH2010050404712.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="78" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Senate keeps nominees waiting]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042905052.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/29/AR2010042905052.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The good news for Democrats these days is that, with the health-care overhaul done, the Senate is moving on financial reform and then maybe to climate change and even immigration reform. The bad news, for administration nominees waiting to be confirmed, is that the Senate's ambitious legislative ... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Senate]]></category><category><![CDATA[keeps]]></category><category><![CDATA[nominees]]></category><category><![CDATA[waiting]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA['Loopy' takes Japan by storm]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042704746.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It seems Japan just can't let go of our April 14 column calling Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama the "biggest loser" at the recent nuclear summit here because he asked for -- but did not get -- a one-on-one meeting with President Obama . We also described him as hapless and, in the view of Obama... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA['Loopy']]></category><category><![CDATA[takes]]></category><category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category><category><![CDATA[by]]></category><category><![CDATA[storm]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[AFGE pushes for flextime at Labor Department]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042205756.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042205756.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Seemed only right that when the Group of 20 labor ministers gathered for their first-ever meeting at the Labor Department this week they would see a lunchtime "informational picket" of Secretary Hilda Solis 's agency from its local union, the American Federation of Government Employees. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[AFGE]]></category><category><![CDATA[pushes]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[flextime]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[Labor]]></category><category><![CDATA[Department]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/04/22/PH2010042206415.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Greg Craig's Gitmo war stories]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042005255.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042005255.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Former White House counsel Greg Craig is back in the news for having picked up mega-client Goldman Sachs, which has some big-dollar legal troubles, what with the feds trying to pin fraud charges on it for helping to destroy the U.S. economy and all. Earlier this month, speaking at a Harvard Law S...<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010540958" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010540958" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Greg]]></category><category><![CDATA[Craig's]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gitmo]]></category><category><![CDATA[war]]></category><category><![CDATA[stories]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Administration eyeing defense lawyer Cole as deputy attorney general]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041904400.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:36:19 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Obama administration is preparing to nominate Washington white-collar defense lawyer James A. Cole as its next deputy attorney general, sources are telling the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica.  ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Administration]]></category><category><![CDATA[eyeing]]></category><category><![CDATA[defense]]></category><category><![CDATA[lawyer]]></category><category><![CDATA[Cole]]></category><category><![CDATA[as]]></category><category><![CDATA[deputy]]></category><category><![CDATA[attorney]]></category><category><![CDATA[general]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Democrats' pick for Congress in Florida hopes second-time run is a charm]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505503.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Attention, job-seekers! The Energy Department is looking for someone to direct the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. (It's a Senate-confirmed job, so double-check the nanny, flush the weed, be nice to your spouse and pay your taxes.) The director, former Miami-Dade County Democratic Party ... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Democrats']]></category><category><![CDATA[pick]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Congress]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category><category><![CDATA[hopes]]></category><category><![CDATA[second-time]]></category><category><![CDATA[run]]></category><category><![CDATA[is]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[charm]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Among leaders at summit, Hu's first]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/13/AR2010041304461.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
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<pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ After all the chatter about nukes, loose and otherwise, 36 heads of state are heading home from Washington to tout their world leadership chops and their influence with the Obama administration. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Among]]></category><category><![CDATA[leaders]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[summit,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Hu's]]></category><category><![CDATA[first]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/04/13/PH2010041304788.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama continues to lag when it comes to judges]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040603842.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040603842.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Obama administration has a good shot at setting a couple of modern indoor records for a president halfway through his first term: fewest number of judicial nominees and, with strong assistance from Senate Republicans, fewest number of judges placed on the bench.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010545040" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010545040" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category><category><![CDATA[continues]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[lag]]></category><category><![CDATA[when]]></category><category><![CDATA[it]]></category><category><![CDATA[comes]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[judges]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/04/06/PH2010040604052.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[U.S. Embassy rents some pricey land in Kabul]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040103702.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040103702.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Some things may be cheap in Afghanistan. Renting land anywhere near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul apparently is not. Seems the embassy is leasing a 4.8-acre property from an Afghan landlord to build a 45-meter-wide access road during new construction at the embassy. Later, the land could provide... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[U.S.]]></category><category><![CDATA[Embassy]]></category><category><![CDATA[rents]]></category><category><![CDATA[some]]></category><category><![CDATA[pricey]]></category><category><![CDATA[land]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[Kabul]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/04/01/PH2010040103860.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Of lesbian bondage, and Michael Steele]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040103703.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040103703.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It's been a difficult week for the media operation at the Republican National Committee, what with all this kinky sex chatter and such. The rapid-fire response team, which jousts regularly with counterparts at the Democratic National Committee, was severely tested after reports that the RNC had p... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Of]]></category><category><![CDATA[lesbian]]></category><category><![CDATA[bondage,]]></category><category><![CDATA[and]]></category><category><![CDATA[Michael]]></category><category><![CDATA[Steele]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Even Tom Ridge has to wait in airport lines]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033003890.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033003890.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The struggling Transportation Security Administration has not had an administrator since President Obama took office. The first nominee, Los Angeles airport police executive Erroll Southers , withdrew in January, blaming Republican opposition to collective-bargaining rights for TSA employees.... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Even]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tom]]></category><category><![CDATA[Ridge]]></category><category><![CDATA[has]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[wait]]></category><category><![CDATA[in]]></category><category><![CDATA[airport]]></category><category><![CDATA[lines]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[After Republicans' lousy spring, expect a typically dismal summer for Democrats]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032503652.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032503652.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ This spring has not been kind to conservative activists. After their brilliant campaign to cast the Democratic health-care bill as a death sentence on Grandma, the rebirth of Stalin and the end of freedom, the legislation actually passed.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010548553" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010548553" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[After]]></category><category><![CDATA[Republicans']]></category><category><![CDATA[lousy]]></category><category><![CDATA[spring,]]></category><category><![CDATA[expect]]></category><category><![CDATA[a]]></category><category><![CDATA[typically]]></category><category><![CDATA[dismal]]></category><category><![CDATA[summer]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[Democrats]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/03/25/PH2010032503657.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[For lucky congressional types, Switzerland beckons]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032304095.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032304095.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Great news for congressional staffers who just hadn't had time to decide whether to go on an excellent freebie to Switzerland. Remember that March 2 invite you got from Swiss Ambassador Urs Ziswiler for a week-long tour of "this Alpine powerhouse," a land that's "all about thriving cutting-edge... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[For]]></category><category><![CDATA[lucky]]></category><category><![CDATA[congressional]]></category><category><![CDATA[types,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Switzerland]]></category><category><![CDATA[beckons]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Bush officials reluctant to talk to British panel investigating Iraq war]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031804927.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031804927.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Senior Bush administration officials involved in the Iraq war have been asked by a British panel investigating that country's role in the conflict to chat about administration activities and policies from before the March 2003 invasion until 2009. ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Bush]]></category><category><![CDATA[officials]]></category><category><![CDATA[reluctant]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[talk]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[British]]></category><category><![CDATA[panel]]></category><category><![CDATA[investigating]]></category><category><![CDATA[Iraq]]></category><category><![CDATA[war]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[Al Kamen's In the Loop: HUD chiefs fly to Rio for conference]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031604250.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031604250.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Know anything about housing? Ever live in a city? Well, get those bags packed, pronto! You can join Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Deputy Secretary Ronald Sims, plus three assistant secretaries and aides -- 14 HUD people in all. They will be joined by 20 officials fr... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Al]]></category><category><![CDATA[Kamen's]]></category><category><![CDATA[In]]></category><category><![CDATA[the]]></category><category><![CDATA[Loop:]]></category><category><![CDATA[HUD]]></category><category><![CDATA[chiefs]]></category><category><![CDATA[fly]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rio]]></category><category><![CDATA[for]]></category><category><![CDATA[conference]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/03/16/PH2010031604691.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[National Security Archive announces Rosemary Award]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/11/AR2010031104785.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/11/AR2010031104785.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ And now, the winner of the National Security Archive's Sixth Annual Rosemary Award, named for President Richard M. Nixon 's secretary, Rose Mary Woods , whose unlikely stretch allegedly erased 18 1/2 minutes of a Watergate tape.<br clear="all"/><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010552615" target="_blank"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/wpni.rss/opinion/columns;pos=ad9;tile=9;ad=rss;sz=479x40;ord=111010552615" border="0" vspace="5"></a> ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[National]]></category><category><![CDATA[Security]]></category><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><category><![CDATA[announces]]></category><category><![CDATA[Rosemary]]></category><category><![CDATA[Award]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/03/11/PH2010031104791.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Clinton-era Filegate appears to have closed, 14 years on]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030903915.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030903915.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Filegate, one of the many "-gates" of the Clinton administration, looks to be over -- after a 14-year run. It began after congressional Republicans found out in 1996 that the Clinton White House had sought the FBI file of Billy Ray Dale, who was fired as head of the White House travel office in the... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[Clinton-era]]></category><category><![CDATA[Filegate]]></category><category><![CDATA[appears]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[have]]></category><category><![CDATA[closed,]]></category><category><![CDATA[14]]></category><category><![CDATA[years]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category>
<media:content url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/03/09/PH2010030903920.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="80" width="72"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Senators seek to slash number of presidential appointees]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030802767.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030802767.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:19:59 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sens. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Monday introduced a bill to slash the number of presidential political appointees, both full-time and part-time, from about 3,500 to 2,000 employees.  ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[washingtonpost.com]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html">Politics</category>
<category><![CDATA[Senators]]></category><category><![CDATA[seek]]></category><category><![CDATA[to]]></category><category><![CDATA[slash]]></category><category><![CDATA[number]]></category><category><![CDATA[of]]></category><category><![CDATA[presidential]]></category><category><![CDATA[appointees]]></category>
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<title><![CDATA[High-level talks on fish fillets at an international flash point]]></title>
<link>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030404881.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030404881.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told a congressional hearing Feb. 25 that she would try to resolve a trade problem that has blocked shipment of nine huge containers -- that's nearly 400,000 pounds -- of frozen Asian carp fillets from entering Israel. Carp is an essential ingredient in g... ]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Kamen]]></dc:creator>
<category domain="http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook">Opinions</category>
<category><![CDATA[High-level]]></category><category><![CDATA[talks]]></category><category><![CDATA[on]]></category><category><![CDATA[fish]]></category><category><![CDATA[fillets]]></category><category><![CDATA[at]]></category><category><![CDATA[an]]></category><category><![CDATA[international]]></category><category><![CDATA[flash]]></category><category><![CDATA[point]]></category>
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