As Sarah Palin continues her astronomical rise into the political stratosphere and the American presidential campaign moves away from serious issues and back to the culture wars of 30 years ago, am I the only American voter who cringes in horror at what may still transpire: the election of John McCain and his unqualified running mate?

The scathing new tell-all memoir, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception," by Scott McClellan, President George W. Bush's former spokesman, is hitting Washington with hurricane force.

More than a year ago, a friend gave me a keychain called the "Bush Countdown Clock," with the number of days, hours, minutes, and even seconds until the end of the presidency of George W. Bush. As I write this - watching the seconds fly by - the clock indicates that we have got 434 days until the end of this administration. I am in the camp that believes that George Bush has done more damage to the world than just about anyone since World War II.

US attorney general Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation Monday, falling victim to political storms raging around the White House, deepened by Democratic demands for a perjury probe.

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) company has agreed to postpone its plans to take over management of six US ports after the proposed deal ignited harsh criticism from both Democrats and Republicans on national security grounds.

They are the addicts who slake their craving in public, snatch a fix in boring business meetings, on the subway, or even risk a hit during rows with their spouses.