Why is it so difficult to solve problems that are hurting all of us? That’s the subject of this evening’s Talking Points memo. Rising energy costs, bad schools, drug addiction. Little seems to be getting done about those vexing problems. That’s because special interests now hold the power in America, …

“Independent Institute Finds Key Pollution Studies Are Sound Science,” blared a recent press release from the American Lung Association. Yet one of the most controversial “junk science” issues of recent years — whether air pollution causes premature death — will remain controversial for the foreseeable future despite activist claims and …

I remember years back, a guy winning something like $50 million in a lottery. When a reporter asked him what was different now, he had a great answer: “I don’t have to kiss up to nobody.” Fifty million did that. Now, multiply that times 100 and ask that same question …

A civil rights advocate and talk radio host — with Al Sharpton’s support — is urging Americans not to spend money on Nov. 2 to protest the federal government’s handling of hate crimes as well as its handling of other issues like health care, immigration, the mortgage crisis and the …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Doctor in the House? The British have the ultimate-single payer health plan — the National Health Service, as it’s called, a full-blown system of socialized medicine. It also now has patients pulling out their own teeth. A survey of more than 5,000 …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Front Page News The New York Times today ran a front-page story on the dismissal of the charges in the Duke lacrosse case — but nowhere did it mention a Times exclusive from last August in which the paper said: “While there …

WASHINGTON – Democrats opposed to President Bush’s nomination of Sam Fox as the new U.S. ambassador to Belgium posed a new challenge Thursday, charging that the fact Fox will serve without pay makes him a ‘volunteer,’ and that the government cannot accept his unpaid services. Democrats are vehemently against the …

Last week, four month old Amillia Sonja Taylor went to a place she’s never been before and one it wasn’t certain she would ever see: her home in South Florida. Amillia’s story as one of the world’s smallest, prematurely born babies ever to survive has put a spotlight on the …

It’s Thanksgiving week, and Mrs. Grrr and the rest of the family hopped a flight to St. Louis over the weekend to visit the in-laws. Since I won’t be joining them until Wednesday, I did what any married man would do when confronted with a few days of bachelordom: I …

Britney’s ‘Blackout’ | Geezers Vie for Grammy | Will ‘The Namesake’ Curry Favor? Britney’s Blackout Drops Out A month to the day after its release, Britney Spears’s “Blackout” album is over and out. Even with the enthusiasm of the holiday sales, fans have pretty much turned their back on the …