Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Robert Gates helped usher in the next chapter for the United States in Iraq on Wednesday, presiding over a ceremony to launch of a new military operation designed to train, assist and advise the Iraqis. The ceremony, held at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, marked the conclusion of the U.S. combat mission dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom and the transfer to the assistant mission, named Operation New Dawn.

At his massive rally in Washington, the conservative activist called his audience to restore America's honor and "turn back to God." But it wasn't completely clear which god he was talking about...

We seem to have a love affair with comparisons to Nazis and Hitler these days, at least when it comes to finding analogies for those with whom we disagree. Some cause or policy we oppose? Compare it to Nazism. Some people whose actions disturb us? Compare them to Hitler. An event that appalls us? It's a Holocaust.

Groping to find God has a good ring to it and common sense suggests “globalization” is a good pill in economic recession to alleviate poverty, hunger and conflict. However, generous contributions to humanity and helping the cause of God for “spiritual betterment” does remind me of Cornelius in the Book of Acts....and how does this relate to BP?

It seems America is waking to the reality of some peculiar battles and tests ... with hidden opportunities as well as greater snares if it responds in emotional outbreak.

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck says his weekend revival-style rally at the Lincoln Memorial was meant to reclaim the U.S. civil rights movement "from politics," arguing that the movement was about "people of faith." Beck told Fox News, the network that carries his weekday television program, that the essence of the movement was about "people of faith who believe you have an equal right to justice."

Large crowds rallied by conservative talk show host Glenn Beck, among them the Tea Party faithful, descended Saturday where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech exactly 47 years ago. People filled the park by the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the shadows and echoes of the most pivotal civil rights address in America's history.

All the clues suggest Sarah Palin is right in the mix for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, should she be interested. Just one problem: the family. Palin can’t seem to control it. As she conceivably gets set to tango with Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee for the chance to lead the free world, her daughter will be hoofing it with David Hasselhoff. Meanwhile, Levi files to run for mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin's old job.

An outsider's victory in Florida and another's lead in Alaska indicate that public anger toward Washington remains a considerable force this campaign season.

Some family members of 9/11 victims will rally Wednesday in support of a controversial mosque and Islamic center that is scheduled to be built near New York City's ground zero. Their group, called September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, will also be joined by at least 40 religious and civic organizations, and is expected to announce the creation of a coalition called New York Neighbors for American Values.