Earlier, I posted on the ongoing feud between Rep. Bruce Braley and Sen. Chuck Grassley. Here’s the text of Braley’s Huffington Post piece that kicked things off today. Following that is Grassley spokeperson Jill Kozeny’s response: As the important health care debate in Congress moves forward, certain members of the Senate insist on moving backwards. One of those Senators is my friend and constituent, Chuck Grassley.

Here is a guest post from former (and hopefully future) Great Falls resident, Travis Kavulla.  This is from National Review, which is subscription only: Stuck There in the Middle For better and for worse, Max Baucus is driving the health-care agenda BY: TRAVIS KAVULLA If Congress does not pass a health-care bill with a public option, the credit (from others, the blame) will fall on the shoulders of one of America’s most powerful backroom dealers: Sen. Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat.

Somalia spawns new jihadist threat (UPI) SYDNEY, Aug. 18 (UPI) — Police in Melbourne raided 20 locations Aug. 4 and arrested four men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack on Holsworth army base in New South Wales. Two Muslim rebels killed, two arrested in Philippine fighting (EARTHtimes.org) Manila – Two Muslim rebels were killed Wednesday in a clash with government troops on a western Philippine island that the guerrillas had occupied since the weekend, the military said.

Just we started to like Tameka…… Tameka Foster posted the blog entry ‘She’s Pretty for a Dark-Skinned Girl’ on the Huffington Post, both celebrities and regular women alike celebrated her message. Usher Raymond’s soon-to-be ex-wife’s essay on skin complexion, author Aisha Curry, who wrote the book ‘Pretty for a Black Girl’ (AuthorHouse/$10.49) read the piece and was outraged that her tome had been lifted and used by Foster, who allegedly passed the work off as her own. “My heart sank into my stomach.

ATL Housewife Sheree*”Who Gon’ Check Me Boo” OFFICIAL T-SHIRT CONTEST!* Michael Jackson Burial Delayed Until September 3 Lindsay Lohan Cop Drama at the Deli Shop – Tmz Kelis Says Nas Makes a Friggin’ Fortune  - TMZ Beyonce ‘Getting Bodied’ On Vacation – Love B Scott Spike Lee Plans MJ Block Party In Brooklyn – Huffington Post Kanye and Amber Rose Say F&%k You Too! – Socialite Life Keri Hilson And Chris Brown Shoot Video For ”Slow Dance” In Hollywood Omarion Says he Asked to Be Released from Yung Money Man Or Woman ?

By Bill Maher, from The Huffington Post: New Rule: Just because a country elects a smart president doesn’t make it a smart country. A few weeks ago I was asked by Wolf Blitzer if I thought Sarah Palin could get elected president, and I said I hope not, but I wouldn’t put anything past this stupid country. It was amazing – in the minute or so between my calling America stupid and the end of the Cialis commercial, CNN was flooded with furious emails and the twits hit the fan.