Politics

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Pakistani supporters of the banned Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir chant slogans and hold a banner that reads, "the state-sponsored abduction of Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Naveed Butt cannot stop the emergence of caliphate," during a protest in Lahore. A Pakistani army general accused of plotting with the Islamist organization to attack military headquarters has written a manifesto from his prison cell. It calls on the army to sever its anti-terror alliance with the United States, which he says is forcing the country to fight its own people. (Associated Press)

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"We're in a bidding war with China and Europe to see who can subsidize the most loans," said Sen. Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican. (Associated Press)

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Marine Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, introduces President Obama at Bagram Air Field on May 2. As president, Mr. Obama has continued and even built upon strategies he inherited from George W. Bush. (Associated Press)

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Pop tart Britney Spears, thought by some to have conservative Republican leanings, has in fact been largely apolitical. (Associated Press)

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Britney Spears, seen here performing a free outdoor concert at the Revolution Monument in Mexico City in December, unwittingly became a favorite of some on the right seeking celebrity validation with pro-Bush remarks she made in 2003 on CNN. (Associated Press)

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Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals in postseason scoring with nine points, but he often wasn't on the ice when the situation called for defense. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Palestinian Akram Bader, council chief of the West Bank village of Battir, estimates at least 320 acres of village land will end up on the Israeli side if Israel completes its separation barrier, which will stretch an estimated 500 miles. (Associated Press)

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Anna Taylor, bottom right, signs in at the Mount Bethel Baptist Church voting station on Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest to cast her vote in a special election to replace Harry Thomas for Ward 5 D.C. Council member, in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times) ** FILE **

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Volunteer poll worker Linda Johnson, left, helps Kenyan McDuffie, center, a candidate to replace Harry Thomas for Ward 5 city councilmember, cast his vote in the special election with his two daughters Kesi, 5, right, and Jozi, 2, second from left, at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church on Rhode Island Avenue in northwest, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Kenyan McDuffie, a candidate to replace Harry Thomas for Ward 5 city councilmember, comes to cast his vote in the special election with his wife Princess, right, and his two daughters Kesi, 5, and Jozi, 2, at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church on Rhode Island Avenue in northwest, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Pedro Mojica, right, a volunteer with the Kenyan McDuffie campaign, spends the rainy early Tuesday morning waving signs in support of McDuffie for a special election to replace Harry Thomas for Ward 5 city councilmember at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church on Rhode Island Avenue in northwest, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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"I Voted Today!" stickers can be seen at the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church voting station on Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest where a special election is held to replace Harry Thomas for Ward 5 city councilmember, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times) ** FILE **

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Maryland State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., strolls down a back hallway before presiding over the Senate during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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The board shows the votes of Maryland Senate Bill 1302 during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Maryland State Senator Barry Glassman (R-District 35) makes a case against Maryland Senate Bill 1302, during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Maryland State Senator Edward Reilly (R-District 33) makes a case against Maryland Senate Bill 1302, during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Maryland State Senator Allan Kittleman (R-District 9) makes a case against Maryland Senate Bill 1302, during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Maryland State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., presides over the Senate during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno, Jr., (D-District 18) makes a case in favor of Maryland Senate Bill 1302, during the second day of the General Assembly special session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)