Headlines @ 11:55 a.m.

*Kerry accuses Bush of 'fear and smear' tactics (CNN.com): Whatta whiner. Kerry and his allies (Michael Moore, Richard Clarke, Planet Hollyweird and the mainstream media) have slimed Dubya for the last six months, calling him everything from a draft dodger to an illegitimate president. Now that Dubya has bloodied "war hero" Kerry's patrician nose, the blue-blood can't take it. Wah! Wah!. The media, of course, are scrambling to protect their golden boy. Kerry reminds me of that other thin-skinned loser, Michael Dukakis -- only with medals. In a superb editorial, the Wall Street Journal explained why Flipflop's "war crimes" libel has come back to haunt him here.

*Kerry '71 testimony caused POW 'flashback': Officer recalls accusations aired over PA at 'Hanoi Hilton' prison (WorldNetDaily): Can you be a hero on both sides of the same war? You be the judge.

*N.Y. Times: Cable TV made us cover swiftboat vets: Editors grapple with how to handle controversy over Kerry's war record (Editor & Publisher): How does it feel to be no longer the only show in town?

*Christian stripped of workplace signs: State agency sued after officials remove Bible verses, bumper sticker (WorldNetDaily): Intolerance thy name is diversity.

*Reporter smuggles fake bomb on British plane: Stunt prompts officials to launch urgent investigation (USA Today): I feel safer, don't you? Sheesh.