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Never ask someone if they are from Texas. Because if a person is from Texas, they will tell you in short order. If they are not from Texas, asking will only make them sad that they had the poor fortune to be born someplace else. I am a Texan, born …

This holiday season, the lady is a vamp. In a throwback to 1950s pin-up queens and 1980s hair-band groupies, red lipstick has made its way back into our hearts as well onto our lovers’ shirt collars. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, Renee Zellweger, Gwen Stefani, Rachel McAdams, …

WASHINGTON – State lawmakers outside of Florida have been watching the case of Terry Schiavo (search) unfold day after day, and, in many cases, they say it will likely spur increased focus on similar life-or-death decisions. But whether states will be inspired to pass new laws to avoid the seemingly …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Clinton Controversy New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (search) remarks about the leading candidate for Iraqi prime minister have caused quite a stir in the region. After a trip to Iraq last week, Clinton said Ibrahim al-Jaafari’s ties to Iran were “grounds …

For as long as I can remember, Washington think tanks were dominated by the Brookings Institution and other left-leaning organizations. Then the emergence of Ronald Reagan (search) brought the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, and other conservative or libertarian groups. The left thinks its problem is, in …

And now some fresh pickings from the political grapevine: Missed The Grapevine? Watch it! Winning Friends the World Over Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made quite an impression in Houston social circles this week at a posh dinner hosted by Queen Sirikit of Thailand. The Houston Chronicle reports Ms. Jackson …

LOS ANGELES – For years, the United States has fingerprinted and photographed visitors from countries whose citizens could pose a security risk. But Saudi Arabia, once considered one of America’s staunchest allies in the Middle East, was never one of them. Now things have changed, and both countries are eyeing …

I was flipping through the wires and Web sites today, getting their respective takes on CSX chief John Snow being named President Bush’s new Treasury Secretary nominee. Almost to a site and to an article, critics bemoaned his boring old, smokestack experience. It’s disappointing, said one. “A metal man swapped …

And now some fresh pickings from the political grapevine: No Problem Pledging?The California Pledge of Allegiance case gets more curious and more curious. It now turns out that the man who filed the suit may not have had any legitimate reason for doing so. His daughter had no problem with …

WhenJohn Kerry (search)announced that foreign leaders wanted him to be president, he was pressed to reveal their names. At the time, he refused. But now he has named a couple of New York Times reporters, who he says are on his side. While The Times claims its reporters maintain their …