Clinton observed that successive FDA commissioners, both appointed by Bush, blocked Plan B from being sold over the counter -- a move she calls "politically motivated."

CELESTIAL WANDERERS

Sure it was news over the weekend that thunderstorms thwarted NASA's plans to launch Discovery.

But more newsworthy, one might argue, is that NASA is on the "fast-track" to provide Congress with an initial assessment of how we earthlings can divert deadly objects "on a likely collision course" with our planet.

Senior space writer Leonard David of Space.com writes: "The U.S. Congress has tagged NASA to use its unique competence to deal with the potential hazard faced by Earth from such celestial wanderers in order to help establish a warning and mitigation strategy."

He reveals there is no shortage of ideas "how to fend off unfriendly fire from the cosmos: laser beams, space tugboats, gravity tractor, and solar sails, for example, as well as using powerful anti-NEO (near-Earth object) bombs, conventional as well as nuclear."

That said, how many even realized that a "warning shot of sorts" is making a close flyby of Earth this very day -- asteroid 2004 XP14.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

"Very simply stated, I follow my father's excellent advice with regard to political incumbency: Unless there is overwhelming proof of a politician's fitness to hold the same office again, throw the rascal out. For the last 20 years, I have followed that advice and voted against all incumbent rascals." - Beltway Beat reader Don Noble