And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

Ties That Bind

A briefing on the effects of drone strikes in Yemen almost included someone from an organization whose leader has ties to Al Qaeda.

The Washington Free Beacon reports Florida Congressman Alan Grayson and two other Democrats attended the November briefing.

Not all the scheduled briefers showed up though.

The State Department denied Mohammad Al Ahmady's visa request.

He is a member of the human rights group Al Karama.

The organization has worked with the U.N., Human Rights Watch and other groups.

Its founder was designated a terrorist and Al Qaeda supporter in December after the briefing.

Grayson told Fox News -- quote -- "This is guilt by non-association. I have as much in common with someone there as with Kevin Bacon."

A Feminist Moment

Former Time reporter Nina Burleigh used the trial of late-term abortion doctor -- convicted murderer -- Kermit Gosnell, as a feminist moment in an article on "The Year in Sexism."

She wrote in the New York Observer, that even moderates -- quote -- "used the event to remind people how violent and gruesome late-term abortions are when performed by competent doctors, failing to note that childbirth itself is a violent and gruesome event too."

As we've reported, Gosnell used scissors to sever the spinal cords of newborns who emerged from their mothers still alive.

Running with the Devil

Finally, a satanic group has unveiled designs for a seven-foot tall, goat-headed deity at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The New York-based Satanic Temple released an artist's rendering of the monument and also formally submitted an application to a panel that oversees the Capitol's grounds.

The Satanic Temple says Oklahoma's decision to put a Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol opened the door for its statue.