*** Monday, January 3, 2010 ***

MONDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* An apparent suicide bomber killed at least 21 Egyptian Christians and wounded at least 97 more in an attack on a New Year's Mass. The terrorism drew widespread international rebukes, including a condemnation from President Obama.

* The Commerce Department announced this morning that the U.S. construction industry has now grown for three consecutive months, following a dismal summer. New data also shows the manufacturing sector growing in 17 consecutive months.

* This would be quite a showdown: "Obama administration officials say they plan to reject Congressional efforts to limit the president's options on Guantanamo, setting the stage for a confrontation between the president and the new Congress on an issue that has been politically divisive since Inauguration Day." Among the options are an executive order, a signing statement, or a combination of the two.

* My biggest problem with the war in Afghanistan is the reliability of our partner: "Roads, canals and schools built in Afghanistan as part of a special U.S. military program are crumbling under Afghan stewardship, despite new steps imposed over the past year to ensure reconstruction money is not being wasted, according to government reports and interviews with military and civilian personnel."

* On a related note, just think, Afghanistan, if you play your cards right, you can "earn" permanent U.S. military bases in your country.

* The lingering confusion in conservative circles about Attorney General Eric Holder and the truly ridiculous New Black Panther Party case is exasperating. This time, it's the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin who's deeply confused. Adam Serwer, thankfully, keeps setting the record straight.

* Rep.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) wants members of Congress to "come together" to address "an infiltration of the Sharia practice into all of our operating systems in our country as well as across Western civilization." That guy really isn't well.

* It looks like the State of the Union will be on January 25. Mark your calendars.

* Ever wonder why the Israeli airport security system is considered so effective? Brian Palmer takes a closer look.

* Stunning photos of the "dramatic decline" of Detroit, Michigan.

* Arkansas is the latest state to look for a magical new funding formula for higher education.

* The Washington Times really seems to dislike gay people.

* As someone born and raised in Miami, this doesn't surprise me in the slightest: "Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado had an interesting warning for New Year's Eve partiers: 'One Bullet Kills the Party.' The slogan was a public service announcement to deter people from ringing in the new year by shooting stray bullets into the air, as is reportedly the thing to do down there." It's more common than outsiders might even imagine.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 3, 2010

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027360.php

TUESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* An assassination intensifies unrest in Pakistan: "The governor of Pakistan's most important and populous province was assassinated by an elite police guard in Islamabad on Tuesday, plunging the already unstable national government into an even deeper crisis. It was the highest-profile killing of a Pakistani leader since Benazir Bhutto was killed at a political rally three years ago."

* Navy Capt. Owen Honors showed some spectacularly bad judgment when trying to entertain some 6,000 sailors and Marines aboard his ship, the Enterprise, in 2006 and 2007. Today, he was permanently removed from his post, and reassigned to an administrative role, as a Navy investigation continues.

* A little unexpected good news: "New orders received by American factories unexpectedly rose in November, and orders excluding transportation recorded their largest gain in eight months, according to a government report on Tuesday that pointed to underlying strength in manufacturing."

* On a related note, things continue to look up for the U.S. auto industry: "Detroit's Big Three automakers posted solid sales gains in 2010, showing that perhaps the worst of their woes are in the rear view mirror."

* President Obama is reportedly nearing a final choice to serve as the new White House Chief of Staff. The leading contenders are reportedly former Clinton Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and possibly Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

* The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was expected to rule on California's same-sex marriage ban today, but instead, the court referred a procedural issue back to the state Supreme Court.

* House Republicans intend to take away the already-limited voting rights of the delegate from the District of Columbia.

* Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the Republican Conference chairman, formally detailed his opposition to filibuster reform. He's supposed to be one of the four senators negotiating how to make reform a reality.

* Jennifer Rubin seems to think she knows what she's talking about when it comes to the very silly "controversy" over the New Black Panther Party. Rubin continues to be deeply confused, and should probably read up on the story before writing yet another easily-debunked item on it.

* The Weekly Standard would be slightly less ridiculous if it didn't latch onto silly conspiracy theories so frequently.

* I'll probably never know why the L.A. Times actually pays Andrew Malcolm, who remains something of an embarrassment to the newspaper.

* College degrees will help people earn more money -- but so, too, will degrees from community colleges.

* Congrats to the very talented Tim Fernholz as he makes the transition from The American Prospect to National Journal.

* Dave Weigel has a very clever idea: "The Palin Tweet Index is a ratio of how many of her words appear in a Palin tweet versus how many words appear in a stories about said tweet."

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 4, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027380.php

WEDNESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* al-Sadr returns to Iraq: "The anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made a surprise return to Iraq on Wednesday, ending four years of self-imposed exile in Iran and signaling the full rehabilitation of his Sadrist faction within Iraq's political process."

* Bill Daley visited the White House today, presumably as part of discussions on whether he'll become the president's new chief of staff.

* Oddly enough, though many on the left have raised concerns about Daley, Howard Dean endorsed him for the job earlier today.

* President Obama signed the most sweeping food-safety overhaul in 70 years into law yesterday. Whether it will be gutted by House Republicans remains to be seen.

* Into the lions' den: "President Obama will address the U.S. Chamber of Commerce next month in a high-profile bid to develop a better relationship after their corrosive sparring last fall over the business group's big spending to elect Republicans. He will speak on Feb. 7 to members of the nation's largest association of business and industry, said Jen Psaki, Mr. Obama's deputy communications director."

* As far as Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) is concerned, the Obama administration is "corrupt," but it hasn't committed "wrongdoing ... at a criminal level." (Raise your hand if you think Issa knows what "corrupt" means.)

* Sen. Lamar Alexander's (R-Tenn.) speech on filibuster reform was a dishonest mess.

* I'm not sure what to make of this: "Apparently the idea of letting applicants submit videos of themselves as part of their admissions packages is becoming more popular." I'm glad this wasn't an option when I was applying -- my ridiculous 1991 hair probably would have ended my chances at admission anywhere.

* The Washington Post ran an online survey for readers today, asking to rank the top eight policy issues for the new Congress. The list, at least at first, neglected to mention job creation or the economy. Oops.

* When even Bill Kristol thinks right-wing talk on the federal debt limit is "irresponsible," the House GOP is clearly pushing its luck.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 5, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027402.php

THURSDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* The Pentagon is sending an additional 1,400 marines to Afghanistan over the next couple of months. The goal is "to try to solidify progress in areas of the south before troop reductions begin in the summer, a senior military official said on Thursday."

* The dip below the 400k level, alas, only lasted a week: "The number of Americans filing for their first week of unemployment benefits rose 18,000 to 409,000 last week. While the latest data puts a damper on the prior week's eyebrow-raising headlines -- when the figure had fallen below 400,000 for the first time in two years -- the slight increase does not come as a complete surprise either."

* Talks continue to try to find a compromise on Senate reform measures: "Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, met Wednesday evening with Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, to hash out a compromise."

* On a related note, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), realizing he has some leverage, isn't afraid to pursue reforms without Republican input: "We hope that Republicans see the light of day and would work with us. If not, we'll do it on our own."

* At last count, there are 26 firm "aye" votes for the Udall/Merkley reform package.

* Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), one of Congress' more ridiculous and unhinged members, is the new chair of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness. This is bad news for America's colleges -- and America in general.

* Remember the NPR exec who fired Juan Williams? She's been forced out, too.

* In recent years, House Republicans tormented House Democrats with politically-awkward motions to recommit. Now in the minority, Dems are learning to play the same game.

* Elizabeth Warren announced today that Holly Petraeus will take on a new role at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Petraeus, the former director of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line, is married to the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

* It wasn't a mistake; it was fraud: "The British Medical Journal on Wednesday accused a disgraced British doctor of committing an 'elaborate fraud' by faking data in his studies linking vaccines with autism."

* When Murdoch's Fox News and New York Post consider it important to consider what kind of shoes President Obama was wearing on vacation, you know the Republican Attack Machine needs some new material.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 6, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027420.php

FRIDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* A new domestic threat? "A piece of mail addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano ignited Friday at a U.S. Postal Service facility in Washington, a day after suspicious letters 'flared up' at state government buildings in neighboring Maryland, authorities said.... FBI spokeswoman Lindsay Godwin said initial information indicated the parcel that ignited in northeast Washington about 2:45 p.m. was similar to the two packages opened in Maryland on Thursday."

* Bernanke breathes a little easier: "The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, told senators on Friday that he expected the recovery to be 'moderately stronger' this year.... 'We have seen increased evidence that a self-sustaining recovery in consumer and business spending may be taking hold,' Mr. Bernanke told the Senate Budget Committee."

* The apology: "In a letter to be distributed Friday night, Reps. Pete Sessions and Mike Fitzpatrick apologize to all 433 of their House colleagues for voting after missing out on taking their official oath of office during Wednesday's opening ceremonies of the 112th Congress."

* Popular or not, the Recovery Act kept 4.5 million Americans out of poverty.

* Jay Newton-Small notices that the new House Republican majority is off to "a rocky start." That's certainly true.

* On a related note, the Democratic National Committee seems to enjoy going on the offensive, hammering the new GOP majority for abandoning its own spending-cut promise.

* Anti-immigrant Republicans have come up with a new idea, being explored at the state level: two-tiered birth certificates, guaranteeing literal second-class citizens based on the immigration status of one's parents.

* Undermining the very idea behind a counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan.

* Dick Morris still doesn't know what he's talking about.

* We reported over the summer that community colleges needed to do a better job with the speed at which students can complete programs, and explained the benefits of accelerating existing programs with some federal labor funds. The Obama administration appears to agree with us.

* Rush Limbaugh, still racist.

* By now, just about everyone in America has seen or heard about Ted Williams, the homeless man with the extraordinary radio voice. A Columbus Dispatch videographer posted the extraordinary clip to YouTube, watched it get 12 million hits, and created one of the greatest social media stories ever. And then the Columbus Dispatch decided to yank it from YouTube. I really wish more outlets understood the Internet better.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 7, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027438.php

MONDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) remains in critical condition and is "not out of the woods yet," but as of this afternoon, she was "responding to verbal commands by raising two fingers of her left hand and even managed to give a thumbs-up."

* President Obama today led the nation in a moment of silence from the South Lawn of the White House. He also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff this week.

* Jared Lee Loughner appeared in court today for the first time, facing all kinds of charges.

* Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Afghanistan today, meeting with Hamid Karzai to assess progress toward "the transition to Afghan-led security beginning this year." Biden also spent time with U.S. troops and civilian personnel.

* A man who directed repeated threats at Sen. Michael Bennet's office (D-Colo.) was arrested today by federal authorities.

* Rep. Danny Davis' (D-Ill.) office received a threatening message yesterday. In apparent reference to the assassination attempt in Tucson, a message sent to the Chicago-area Democrat read, "Danny Davis is next."

* Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, appearing in the United Arab Emirates today, argued that sanctions against Iran are hampering the country's nuclear ambitions.

* A rare White House signing statement: "President Obama said Friday that congressional restrictions on his ability to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees for prosecution in federal courts are 'a dangerous and unprecedented challenge' to the executive branch and suggested that his administration could yet defy them."

* The Obama administration has changed U.S. passport application forms from "mother and father" to "parent one and parent two." The religious right is not at all pleased.

* The Tea Party Express has begun raising money off the shootings in Tucson. Stay classy, conservatives.

* I'd be more inclined to read more conservative bloggers if they displayed better critical thinking skills.

* Too many Americans graduate high school and are unprepared for higher ed. But are they also unprepared for military service?

* And if you're interested, my latest piece for the New York Daily News ran over the weekend, tackling Rep. Darrell Issa's (R-Calif.) claim that the Obama administration is the most "corrupt" in modern history. Here's a sneak preview: I'm fairly certain Issa's wrong.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 10, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027473.php

Issa must not remember the Reagan administration which still holds the record for the most members convicted in court.

I know that Issa had a gun violation in the early 70's. I wasn't aware of his lies about military service. There seems to be some kind of virus among right wingers that causes them to pretend to be military vets or combat vets.

Your post shows that Issa is the proto-typical right wing republican in America.

TUESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* It seems hard to even imagine, but Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is already able to breathe on her own, though she remains in critical condition. One of her doctors told reporters today, "She has no right to look this good."

* Speaking from China today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said North Korea's nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programs are "becoming a direct threat to the United States."

* Gates' visit just happened to coincide with a test flight of China's new stealth fighter jet. If that wasn't enough of an eyebrow raiser, try this: "[T]he demonstration also raised questions about the degree of civilian control of the Chinese military, as China's president, Hu Jintao, and other civilian leaders appeared to have no knowledge that the test had been conducted only hours before they received Mr. Gates for a formal meeting at the Great Hall of the People."

* Oversight matters: "The U.S. official in charge of overseeing the billions of dollars being spent to rebuild Afghanistan announced his resignation Monday, just a week after he fired two of his top deputies in a major shake-up of the organization."

* Did House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) suggest Muslim Americans aren't actually Americans when it comes to war? It sure sounded like it.

* Not exactly the ideal reaction to recent events: "Gun sales soared in Arizona and several other states on Monday after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, according to FBI figures provided to POLITICO. Gun sales skyrocketed 60 percent in Arizona on Monday Jan. 10, compared to the corresponding Monday last year."

* State lawmakers in Illinois are poised to abolish the death penalty.

* Once and for all, Fox News' report connecting Loughner to a white supremacist group was wrong.

* I've been trying to stress this since Sunday: "In other words, even if the shooter is a complete nut, we should be asking whether the tone of our political discourse might also have played a role in triggering the shooting -- and if so, whether such a thing could happen again."

* And I've been trying to stress this for eight years: "The right and the left both have intemperate voices. But here's the key: only the conservative movement counts the most vile blowhards as leading lights, embraced by the leadership. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Sarah Palin: these are among the most popular conservatives in America. Who are the folks on the left with equivalent popularity and influence?"

* High on the list of things that bother me about conservative media: they make stuff up.

* Ken Blackwell's understanding of constitutional history is ridiculous.

* Colleges measuring their output can be a good idea, but it doesn't have to be.

* For what it's worth, Alexander Hamilton rejected the idea of legislative supermajorities, too.

* I knew comment moderation on Sarah Palin's Facebook page was excessive, but I had no idea it was this bad.

* And Glenn Beck's website this week included a heartening message: "We must stand together against all violence." Less heartening: the message ran next to an image of Beck holding a gun.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 11, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027492.php

WEDNESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* House honors Tucson victims: "Shaken by the attempted assassination of their colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, and the killing of one of her aides, House members reconvened at the Capitol on Wednesday to honor the dead and the wounded in the Arizona shooting rampage and to begin reviewing security concerns with law enforcement officials."

* The memorial service in Tucson will be held tonight at the University of Arizona, starting at 8 p.m. eastern, and is expected to draw more than 14,000 attendees. President Obama is expected to speak for 10 to 15 minutes.

* Dept. of Bad Timing: "Speaker John Boehner will host a cocktail party for the Republican National Committee at the same time that President Barack Obama will be addressing the nation at the memorial service for victims of the Tucson shooting."

* Lebanon: "Hezbollah and its allies forced the collapse of the government here on Wednesday, deepening a crisis over a United Nations-backed tribunal investigating the assassination of a former prime minister."

* A man targeting Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) with death threats was taken into custody today, and faces federal charges. (thanks to reader H.S. for the tip)

* The National Climatic Data Center reports that 2010 was tied with 2005 as the warmest year on record for global surface temperature. "Nine of the Earth's 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001, and all 12 of the warmest years have occurred since 1997."

* Massive flooding has effectively shut down Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city. To date, 16 people have been killed, 43 are missing, and thousands have lost their homes.

* An official in the Arizona Republican Party resigned this week, fearing potential violence from Tea Party activists.

* One year after Haiti's devastating earthquake, much of the country remains in rubble.

* Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), reflecting on Saturday's shooting, said, "I wish there had been one more gun there that day in the hands of a responsible person." (There was -- the man holding that gun very nearly shot an innocent man.)

* Franks also said, "If every person in the world was like Sarah Palin, there probably wouldn't even be need for government because no one would be in danger of any kind." I have no idea what that means.

* People who live in glass houses shouldn't use teleprompters.

* Daniel Luzer: "Thought going to college would be a sensible way to get a good job? Well it looks like for the most sought-after positions in the country, only a few schools -- only five of the more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States -- will do."

* There's nothing wrong with saying, "Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them." But when the speaker insists that same principle doesn't apply to Muslim Americans, then it's best not to take her seriously.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 12, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027509.php

THURSDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* The positive trends from December didn't last: "The number of first-time claims for unemployment insurance payments jumped in the first week of 2011 to the highest level since October as more Americans lined up to file following the holidays."

* Secretary of State Hillary Clinton not only pressed Middle Eastern leaders on systemic reforms, she did so with rather blunt language. Speaking at a conference in Qatar, she said "their countries risked 'sinking into the sand' of unrest and extremism unless they liberalized their political systems and cleaned up their economies."

* Speaking of the Middle East, Vice President Biden made a surprise visit to Baghdad today, visiting with Iraqi officials and spending time with U.S. troops.

* I'm still amazed at the progress of Gabrielle Giffords' recovery: "G. Michael Lemole Jr., the hospital's chief neurosurgeon, and Peter Rhee, the head of emergency care, said Giffords since then has also been able to sit on the edge of her bed and dangle her legs over the side, move both of her arms and legs and open both of her eyes."

* Following a brief reprieve this week, House Republicans will move forward next week with their plan to repeal the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.

* On a related note, I'm not sure if "The Patient's Rights Repeal Act" is the best framing for House Dems, but I'm glad they're at least trying.

* Devastating mud slides in the mountains north of Rio de Janeiro have killed at least 355 people since yesterday.

* Jared Lee Loughner's court proceedings will be handled by a federal judge from California, after literally every district court judge in Arizona had to recuse themselves -- they all knew Judge John Roll, one of Loughner's victims.

* Daniel Luzer: "In the continuing saga of the Government Accountability Office report on for-profit colleges that was slightly exaggerated, a new paper commissioned by America's for-profit schools accuses the GAO of 'sloppy investigating.' But then, the for-profit paper (written by an Illinois research company) seems to be pretty sloppy too."

* The idea of having Democrats and Republicans sit intermixed during the State of the Union has some appeal, but Dan Amira offers a compelling case against it.

* Getting sworn in under unusually cold conditions in the Sooner State, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) accidentally misspoke during her ceremony today. She solemnly swore to "support, obey, and offend" the Constitution, instead of "support, obey, and defend."

* There's just something amusing about the Republican National Committee having to raise its own debt ceiling.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 13, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027530.php

There's just something amusing about the Republican National Committee having to raise its own debt ceiling.

Indeed. LMAO.

Now that is funny!

FRIDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Huge upheaval in Tunisia, with the fall of Ben Ali's authoritarian government after more than two decades: "President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia has left the country amid growing chaos in the streets, French diplomats say, and the prime minister went on state television Friday night to say he is temporarily in charge."

* The regional significance of the failure of the Ali government: "The fall of Mr. Ben Ali marks the first time that widespread street demonstrations have overthrown an Arab leader. That it came by way of what was portrayed in the Middle East as a popular uprising, crossing lines of religion and ideology, seemed only to make it more potent as an example."

* As I publish this, Wisconsin's Reince Priebus has been elected as the new chairman of the Republican National Committee. I'll have more on this in the morning, including a guide on how to pronounce "Reince Priebus."

* Tell me again why they hate the White House so much? "JPMorgan Chase kicked off the earnings season on Friday with news that it turned a strong $17.4 billion profit in 2010, up 48 percent from $11.7 billion the year before, as the consumer lending environment improved and commercial banking notched record results."

* The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday voted to reject "the largest mountaintop mining removal permit in West Virginia's history."

* One of these days, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will realize he's the chief executive of a state now, and has to start acting like it.

* As of this afternoon, 19 senators, including five Republicans, have formally endorsed bipartisan seating during the State of the Union address. House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is also on board, making him the first member of the GOP leadership to offer support for the idea.

* Mark Doms takes a closer look at retail sales numbers, and produces a nice chart. (Welcome to the blogosphere, Mark.)

* Garry Wills, who has not always been complimentary towards President Obama, described his remarks in Tucson this week as his "finest hour," and even compared the speech to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

* For anyone, least of all an Obama administration official, to think the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. would support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is strikingly ignorant.

* A renewable energy standard is a poor substitute for a cap-and-trade policy, but right-wing propaganda targeting the latter apparently worked.

* After some misleading media reports, some have been led to believe the administration is trying to take over Internet ID. This is much ado about nothing.

* Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) writes for the Washington Post that he disagrees with many of the president's policies, but considers the president "a patriot sincerely intent on using his time in office to advance our country's cause." That couldn't have been easy for McCain.

* Steve M. reads (and finds the flaws in) Peggy Noonan's columns so you don't have to.

* Some explanations for the tragedy in Tucson are better than others. Robert Birgeneau, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, has a very unpersuasive one.

* And I couldn't agree more with Farhad Manjoo: You should "never, ever use two spaces after a period."

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 14, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027546.php

Very constructive article from John McCain.

Don't worry. He'll change his mind tomorrow.

McCain better get his ass out of Arizona.

It was a critique on Obama's speech ~ and it was constructive ... until McCain felt compelled to defend his former running mate ~ that annoyed me ~

Sooz
  

I understand , Sooz. However , stating our president is a' patriot ' is a strong choice in word. It was the right choice in word too IMHO. He is an AZ senator as we all know. Trust me , McCain has a certain degree of guilt and regret for his role in unleashing the pit bull to run loose in the nation. To some degree he has to save face and perhaps more so he needs to fuel no fire in the aftermath of the tragedy in AZ. McCain knows the toxicity of Palin. He made sure she had no stage when he gave his also very constructive conciliatory speech post election. Hopefully he is making the choice to show leadership he has been able to show at other times in his career. We need more of that in general in this nation and who better than in a senior leadership member. At some level most of us know that there can be a wisdom and perspective gained by living through the hard times and good times the journey through life presents. We want to hear wisdom expressed.

MONDAY'S EXTRA-EARLY MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* As of yesterday, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' (D-Ariz.) condition had been upgraded, from critical to serious. She is also now breathing on her own.

* Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, spoke publicly yesterday, the first time since the shooting. Taking the stage at Gabriel Zimmerman's memorial service, Kelly said, "I know someday she'll get to tell you how she felt about Gabe herself." He added that Giffords loved Zimmerman "like a younger brother," and was inspired by "his idealism, his strength and his warmth."

* Tunisia: "The interim government of Tunisia struggled Monday to contain a new wave of protests as the prime minister announced a new unity coalition cabinet with members of ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's ruling party in all the most significant posts. The popular response was immediate. More than a thousand demonstrators swelled into the streets of downtown chanting for the complete eradication of the old ruling party and demanding their freedom. 'Citizens and martyrs, the government is still the same!' they chanted."

* Elections in southern Sudan appear legit, helping advance the cause of a new nation: "International observers gave south Sudan's independence referendum their seal of approval on Monday and said a vote for secession was now "virtually certain" in their first official judgment on the poll."

* Why, exactly, was Baby Doc Duvalier allowed back into Haiti? "In the past 12 months, Haiti -- already the western hemisphere's economic basket case -- has suffered an epic earthquake that according to latest estimates killed more than 250,000 people and leveled the country's infrastructure, a cholera epidemic that has claimed thousands more lives and a powder-keg political crisis tied to the fraud-tainted Nov. 28 presidential election. All the country needed now was the return of a brutal exiled dictator."

* Evidence suggests delays in Iran's nuclear program are a direct result of the Stuxnet computer worm, a destructive program created by U.S. and Israeli officials. The Stuxnet has reportedly "wiped out roughly a fifth of Iran's nuclear centrifuges and helped delay, though not destroy, Tehran's ability to make its first nuclear arms."

* Is the Israeli Labor Party unraveling? Ehud Barak's latest move suggests that it is.

* Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence from Apple, telling employees he's stepping aside "so I can focus on my health." Jobs said he will remain involved in major strategic decisions.

* More of this, please: "The Obama administration on Friday announced the broadest liberalization of travel to Cuba in a decade, making it easier for American students and religious and cultural groups to visit the Communist-ruled island."

* Daniel Luzer: "A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute indicates that providing American high school students and their families with more information might dramatically change college applications in the United States."

* And finally, a clip to help honor the holiday:

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 2:30 PM January 17, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027570.php

TUESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Deadly attack in Iraq: "A suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives and ball bearings attacked Iraqi police recruits on Tuesday in Saddam Hussein's hometown, killing up to 60 and wounding over 100, officials said."

* More fractured government in Tunisia: "Five or more ministers from opposition parties resigned from Tunisia's unity government on Tuesday, bowing to a wave of street protests against the cabinet's domination by members of the ousted president's ruling party and putting mounting pressure on his prime minister, Mohammed Ghannouchi, to resign as well."

* In Haiti, former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was charged today with corruption, theft, misappropriation of funds, and assorted other felonies. Why he was allowed to step foot on Haitian soil last week still isn't clear.

* That's a pretty big quake: "A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked a remote area of southwestern Pakistan early Wednesday, shaking many parts of the country and causing widespread panic, said meteorologists."

* The Supreme Court announced today it will not hear a challenge to D.C.'s marriage equality law. The move allows the law to remain in place.

* President Obama moved forward today on a new review of existing federal regulations, intended to identify "excessive, inconsistent, and redundant" measures that might interfere with the economy.

* FCC: "The proposed combination of Comcast and NBC Universal was approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department on Tuesday, smoothing the way for the deal to close by the end of January."

* R.I.P, Sargent Shriver.

* Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in D.C. today for an official U.S. state visit.

* House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), still fuzzy on the consequences of his own policies, is inclined to play games with the federal debt limit.

* In a bit of a surprise, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) supports reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.

* I get the sense the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin is on a bit of a losing streak.

* Have I mentioned lately that economic growth makes a big difference in reducing the deficit? It does.

* It's one thing to say higher ed needs a new funding model; it's something else to actually come up with one.

* And finally, the "Sarah Palin Battle Hymn," set to the tune of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," is among the scariest things I've seen in a long while.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 18, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027589.php

WEDNESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* It seems hard to even imagine, but Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) will be released from hospital this week, and will make the transition to Houston's Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, which specializes in helping people recuperate from brain injuries.

* Hu Jintao at the White House: "President Barack Obama pressed China on Wednesday to improve its human rights record and let its currency float freely, balancing a protocol-filled state welcome for Chinese President Hu Jintao with pointed messages on two key U.S. priorities."

* Tunisia: "Leaders of Tunisia's tiny legal opposition parties prepared a push to reshuffle the nascent unity government, scrambling Wednesday to appease public anger that at the cabinet's continued dominance by members of the ruling party of the ousted dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali."

* Afghanistan: "President Hamid Karzai ordered a month's delay in seating a new Parliament on Wednesday, heightening a constitutional crisis that threatens to fuel bitter infighting and potentially even violence among the country's rival factions."

* Unexpectedly, American manufacturing is creating more jobs than it's losing. It's the first time in more than a decade.

* I do love the White House White Board. The latest installment tackles the prospect of health care repeal.

* Over 100 leading law professors: "People can disagree about the wisdom of the Affordable Care Act, but there can be no serious doubt about the constitutionality of the minimum coverage provision."

* Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) apologized for the whole "brothers and sisters" flap. Good move.

* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) can be a little careless with his rhetoric sometimes. Describing Hu Jintao as a "dictator" was probably not a good idea -- especially given that the two are scheduled to meet tomorrow.

* Trying to strip the political discourse of all martial metaphors, including casual references to candidates "in the crosshairs," is just a silly exercise.

* That said, the political discourse would benefit from officials refraining from making Goebbels-related arguments. Yes, that means you, Rep. Steve Cohen (D) of Tennessee.

* At first blush, Christina Romer's New York Times op-ed on deficit reduction seems misplaced. But the piece is cleverer than it might seem.

* It's worth remembering, from time to time, that claims from the right about Social Security's solvency just aren't true.

* The first ever attempt to look at college progression in terms of actual learning.

* How mind-numbing was the GOP rhetoric on the House floor today? Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) offers one of the dumber examples.

* Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), speaking from the floor: "You know, I want to just advise people watching at home playing that now popular drinking game of 'you take a shot whenever Republicans say something that's not true.' Please assign a designated driver. This is going to be a long afternoon." And it was.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 19, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027609.php

THURSDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is now able to stand on her own, and even look at an iPad. Remarkable.

* A step in the right direction, which exceeded expectations: "New claims for unemployment benefits fell by 37,000 last week to 404,000, reversing a sharp increase two weeks ago, the Labor Department reported Thursday."

* The latest in a string of violent incidents in Iraq: "Three suicide car bombers struck Shiite pilgrims south of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 51 people and wounding more than 180 in a third straight day of attacks across Iraq. The string of assaults, reminiscent of the bloodiest days of the Iraq war, shattered a two-month lull and presented a major challenge to the new government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki."

* A massive crackdown on organized crime: "In a blanket assault against seven mob families in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island, the F.B.I. and local authorities began arresting close to 130 people on Thursday on charges including murder, racketeering and extortion, federal law enforcement officials said."

* Hu Jintao makes the rounds in DC: "Chinese President Hu Jintao called Thursday for deeper engagement with the United States on a broad range of issues, warning that only by working together in some areas and respecting national differences in others will the two nations avoid friction in the years ahead."

* When congressional Republicans call the Affordable Care Act "job-killing," they're lying.

* "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was an awful policy. It was also awfully expensive. (Dead-enders should be asked how they'd pay for reinstatement.)

* Travis Corcoran, a libertarian blogger in Massachusetts, following the attempted Giffords assassination, wrote, "1 down and 534 to go," and encouraged violence against officials and their aides. Today, police seized a "large amount" of weapons and ammunition from Corcoran.

* If the GOP were serious about deficit reduction, it could support the parts of the Affordable Care Act that reduce the deficit.

* The debate over the Department of Education's coming "gainful employment" rules heats up.

* I've never been a big fan of Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), but he certainly wasn't all bad.

* As much as I've criticized Condoleezza Rice over the years, I have no tolerance for the ridiculous questions Piers Morgan asked her on the air last night about Rice's personal life.

* In June, Glenn Beck told his Fox News viewers, "You're going to have to shoot them in the head," in reference to the perceived "radicals" who "believe in communism." This is not O.K.

* Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R), after telling the NAACP, "Kiss my butt," said he's immune to criticism on race because he has an adopted black son. That's a dumb defense, but it's much worse now that we know he doesn't actually have an adopted black son.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 20, 2011

http://www.washingtonmont...idual/2011_01/027629.php

FRIDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) left Arizona today, arriving in Houston to begin treatment at a renowned rehabilitation facility.

* Jeffrey Immelt, GE's chairman and chief executive, will replace Paul Volcker as the head of the White House' outside panel of economic advisers.

* At the event in Schenectady, N.Y., at which Immelt was introduced, President Obama emphasized that "putting the economy into overdrive" is his top priority.

* Tunisia: "Tunisia's prime minister pledged Friday to quit politics after elections that he says will be held as soon as possible, amid protests by citizens still angry at officials linked to their deposed president's regime."

* The latest right-wing chain email related to health care reform purports to have been written by a judge, and includes "page citations" to make it appear more reliable. As is the case with all right-wing chain emails related to health care reform, the contents are completely wrong.

* On a related note, the Republicans' new favorite ACA argument -- that the law only reduces the deficit because it features 10 years of taxes for six years of benefits -- really is completely wrong. Why Krauthammer isn't asked to run a correction is a mystery to me.

* If the House Republican Study Committee's proposed budget cuts were somehow approved, it's hard to overstate how much damage it would do to the public.

* Here's a gem of a question: Who raised government spending faster, George W. Bush working with a Republican Congress, or President Obama working with a Democratic Congress? (Here's a hint: conservatives won't care for the answer.)

* Will technological advancements make colleges better? It seems unlikely.

* I knew sales of music albums had reached extremely low levels. I didn't realize things had gotten this bad.

* Yesterday was the two year anniversary of President Obama's inauguration, and Organizing for America put together a "Promises Kept" report. It's a reminder that a whole lot got done over the last couple of years.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.

—Steve Benen 5:30 PM January 21, 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 027645.php