ASKED AND ANSWERED

Hillary hits back on Benghazi

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/hillary-clinton-defiant-benghazi-chapter-hard-choices.html
“Many of these same people are a broken record about unanswered questions. But there is a difference between unanswered questions and unlistened to answers.”

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/05/hillary-clinton-takes-benghazi-crackpots

John Kerry accepts Darrell Issa's subpoena to testify on Benghazi -- and as soon as he accepts, Issa withdraws it

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/30/1303142/--Bungle-ghazi-Issa-declines-Kerry-s-acceptance-of-subpoena 

The GOP wants to make itself into the Duck Dynasty party

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/30/1303115/-Duck-Dynasty-guy-tells-Republican-Leadership-Conference-the-party-should-get-godly

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/30/dear_gop_duck_dynastys_phil_robertson_may_not_help_your_outreach_problem/

Two of the worst female Republican candidates this year

http://www.eclectablog.com/2014/05/more-proof-the-terri-lynn-land-the-michigan-embarrassment-is-out-of-her-league.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/30/1303173/-In-final-Republican-debate-before-Tuesday-s-primary-Joni-Ernst-goes-wildly-off-the-rails

This won't help: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/30/gop-says-hey-ladies-but-little-else-about-winning-women.html
At an event in New Orleans to discuss Republican outreach to women, their plan seemed to consist of makeup tips and advice to distrust the media.

Theocracy watch: the racist roots of the religious right

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/never-forget-racist-roots-religious-right

Bonus item: Scientiphobia

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/why-republicans-always-say-im-not-a-scientist.html
Why Do Republicans Always Say ‘I’m Not a Scientist’?

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_05/science_is_their_enemy050561.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

TOUGH GUYS

The man who thinks complex foreign policy issues can be reduced to a question of who looks "strong" and who looks "weak," just won't go away

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/29/1302828/-Architect-of-America-s-biggest-foreign-policy-blunders-calls-Obama-weak

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_05/is_that_horrible_man_speaking050544.php

"Bullying" -- a revealing metaphor for GOP internal politics

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=213655E8-C7CD-425F-BF6E-2DE476CE63C6

More: http://www.salon.com/2014/05/29/gops_john_boehner_myth_the_truth_behind_the_quest_for_a_more_conservative_speaker/ 

What we learned from the Snowden interview

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/05/29/nbc-news-confirms-attempt-by-edward-snowden-to-go-through-channels-at-nsa/

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/29/5762200/did-snowden-raise-his-concerns-inside-the-nsa-it-doesnt-matter

http://prospect.org/article/whos-hacking-your-phone

http://firedoglake.com/2014/05/29/late-night-banana-republic/

Highlights: http://www.salon.com/2014/05/29/watch_highlights_from_edward_snowdens_interview_with_brian_williams/ 

Obama's progress on federal appeals courts

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/29/5761680/obama-has-secured-democratic-majorities-on-most-federal-appeals-courts

Koch addiction

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/29/the_rights_waste_of_money_debunking_koch_brothers_lame_new_lie_filled_ads/

Scott Walker, dark horse for the GOP 2016 nom, isn't going anywhere

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/30/scott_walker_is_falling_apart_the_little_corruption_problem_he_just_cant_shake/

"Joe the Plumber" blurts out the real thinking of gun nuts

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/joe-idiot-plumber-says-guns-are-shooting
"Guns are mostly for hunting down politicians  . . ."

More: http://prospect.org/article/daily-meme-joe-plumber-dead-kids-and-his-gun

Bonus item: Clueless in Fox World

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/irony-fox-news-hires-clueless-actress-new

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

WEST POINTS

Obama's West Point speech

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/us/politics/transcript-of-president-obamas-commencement-address-at-west-point.html
I believe America’s security demanded those deployments. But I am haunted by those deaths. I am haunted by those wounds. And I would betray my duty to you, and to the country we love, if I sent you into harm’s way simply because I saw a problem somewhere in the world that needed to be fixed, or because I was worried about critics who think military intervention is the only way for America to avoid looking weak.  

Here’s my bottom line: America must always lead on the world stage. If we don’t, no one else will. The military that you have joined is, and always will be, the backbone of that leadership. But U.S. military action cannot be the only, or even primary, component of our leadership in every instance. Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail.  

And because the costs associated with military action are so high, you should expect every civilian leader — and especially your commander in chief —to be clear about how that awesome power should be used. So let me spend the rest of my time describing my vision for how the United States of America, and our military, should lead in the years to come, for you will be part of that leadership. . .  [read on]

Analysis: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/28/5757630/obama-foreign-policy-anti-war-speech-doctrine

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/05/obama-some-americas-most-costly-mistakes-come-relying-too-much-military

Congress is getting worse

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/29/5758886/5-charts-that-prove-congress-really-is-getting-worse

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/05/28/congressional-gridlock-has-doubled-since-the-1950s/

Calling Mitch McConnell a liar

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/herald-leader-mitch-mcconnell-obamacare-kynect

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/steve-beshear-mitch-mcconnell-kynect-mislead-obamacare

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/28/1302588/-Grimes-campaign-slams-lying-Mitch-McConnell-He-cannot-tell-the-difference-between-fact-fiction
'He cannot tell the difference between fact & fiction'

Teen pregnancies are dropping

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/29/5755992/six-reasons-teen-pregnancy-is-declining

Rape "humor"

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/beck-responds-calif-shooting-rape-comedy

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/28/no_seriously_why_is_glenn_beck_mocking_women_who_have_experienced_sexual_assault_and_violent_harassment/

Bonus item: Remembering Maya Angelou

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/05/28/maya-angelou-remember-me/?wprss=rss_politics&clsrd

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/to-the-life-of-maya-angelou

http://tinyurl.com/qx87a9m

 

http://tinyurl.com/l75uqaf

 

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/05/28/what-maya-angelou-wrote-and-said-about-race-and-politics/?wprss=rss_politics&clsrd

What Maya Angelou wrote and said about race and politics

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/remembering-maya-angelou-a-life-in-pictures.html
A life in pictures . . .

Her Twitter feed: http://www.salon.com/2014/05/28/maya_angelous_twitter_feed_may_be_the_best_poem_she_ever_wrote/

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/maya-angelous-30-most-perfect-inspiring-tweets.html

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

THE END?

The end of the tunnel in Afghanistan?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/27/were-finally-leaving-afghanistan-soon-anyway/

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/obama-outlines-plan-us-troops

Conservatives howl: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/05/some-13-years-still-not-long-enough-afghanistan

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/krauthammer-calls-obamas-troop-withdrawal
Krauthammer Calls Obama's Troop Withdrawal Plan "An Act Of Personal Narcissism"

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/27/5755072/obamas-drawdown-taliban-has-won
The Taliban has won

Obama to act unilaterally on climate change

http://prospect.org/article/how-conservatives-will-react-obamas-new-climate-regulations

Lindsey Graham thinks the Repubs need a modern version of the Contract With America. His colleagues disagree

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/huckleberrys-revolution.html

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/27/1300460/-Senate-GOP-leaders-not-eager-to-reveal-governing-agenda
Senate GOP leaders not eager to reveal governing agenda

http://prospect.org/article/seductive-allure-ideas
Here's the truth: Make a contract, don't make a contract, it won't make any difference to the outcome of the election. If you think there's some large number of undecided voters out there saying, "I'm thinking of voting Republican this year, but I'd just like to learn a bit more about what their agenda is—maybe with some kind of bulleted document," then you don't know much about American elections. When it comes to the ballot box, ideas are vastly overrated. . . . 

What their "ideas" actually are

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/the_rights_new_horror_show_what_reform_conservatives_are_really_peddling/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_05/defining_moments_for_the_tea_p050519.php

Can the Dems keep the Senate?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/27/morning-plum-how-dems-hope-to-hang-on-to-the-senate/

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/28/5754042/pelosi-were-not-running-on-or-from-the-affordable-care-act
Democrats don’t believe they can win on Obamacare

Kark Rove looks for a new line of Hillary bashing

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/karl_rove_and_politico_team_up_for_new_slur_now_hillary_clinton_is_%E2%80%9Cold_and_stale%E2%80%9D/

And from a Dem! http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/05/27/why-hillary-clinton-shouldnt-run-for-president-in-2016/
Why Hillary Clinton shouldn’t run for president in 2016

On racism

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/05/27/racism-is-a-framework-not-a-theory/?wprss=rss_politics&clsrd
Racism is a framework, not a theory

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/27/5755376/what-americas-real-racism-problem-looks-like 

Thoughts on execution

http://prospect.org/article/supreme-court-decides-what-cruel-and-unusual-punishment
Supreme Court Decides: What is 'Cruel and Unusual Punishment'?

http://americablog.com/2014/05/ethical-doctors-participate-executions.html

Is it ethical for doctors to participate in executions?

Consequences

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/real-estate-company-dumps-fox-news
Real Estate Company Dumps Fox News Psychologist After Her UCSB Remarks

More from Fox World: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/erik-erickson-claims-war-masculinity
Erik Erickson Claims 'War On Masculinity' Caused UCSB Rampage

Bonus item: Whee!

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/7_worst_right_wing_moments_of_the_week_%E2%80%94%C2%A0ann_coulters_climate_change_insanity_partner/
7 worst right-wing moments of the week
 

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

SICK SICK SICK

The creepiest thing about the Santa Barbara shooting have been the reactions to it

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/sick-idiots-create-elliot-rodgers-fansites
Sick Idiots Create Elliot Rodgers Fansites

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/05/24/elliot_rodger_the_pick_up_artist_community_s_predictable_horrible_response.html
Rodger’s language is familiar to anyone who’s spent time exploring the Pick-Up Artist or Men’s Rights Activist communities. Rodger was a “Nice Guy,” a man who feels he is entitled to sex based on positive personality traits known only to him.  (“I've wanted love, affection, adoration. You think I’m unworthy of it. That's a crime that can never be forgiven,” he said). He aspired to be an “Alpha," the most attractive, dominant man in his group, but felt he’s been wrongly dismissed as an inferior “Beta.” Pick-Up Artists, by the way, refer to women they would like to have sex with as their “targets.” . . .

More: http://www.salon.com/2014/05/25/elliot_rodgers_fatal_menace_how_toxic_male_entitlement_devalues_womens_and_mens_lives/

http://prospect.org/article/how-pick-artist-philosophy-and-its-more-misogynist-backlash-shaped-mind-alleged-killer
 
http://prospect.org/article/look-inside-mens-rights-movement-helped-fuel-california-alleged-killer-elliot-rodger
 
 http://gawker.com/rap-genius-co-founders-creepy-comments-on-elliot-rodger-1581469310

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/right-thinking-wingers-todd-kincannon
"No idea how my son will die, but I know it won't be cowering like a bitch at UC Santa Barbara. Any son of mine would have been shooting back."

Who's to blame for the VA mess?

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/fox-analyst-va-controversy-where-was
“Where Was The Outrage During The Bush Years?”

More: http://www.nationalmemo.com/vote-vets-chair-jon-soltz-critics-demanding-shinseki-resignation-hypocrites/

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/26/partisan_politics_at_its_worst_inside_the_conservative_assault_on_the_va/

The GOP prepares for life after Obama

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/26/what_happens_to_the_gop_after_obama/

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/26/1301215/-Republican-voter-explains-why-she-s-against-Obamacare-Because-I-can-t-stand-the-president
Republican voter explains why she's against Obamacare: 'Because I can't stand the president'

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obamacare-debate-questions-gop
The Toughest Questions The GOP Should Have To Answer On Obamacare

Koch addiction

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/26/1300748/-The-seeds-of-the-Koch-political-empire-sowed-in-1980-campaign
How did the Kochs become the Kochs, politically? . . 

A trip around the world

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/26/5750410/european-parliament-elections
There's a far-right surge in the European Parliament 

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/white-house-publicizes-cia-chiefs-name.html
The White House Accidentally Publicized the Name of the CIA's Chief Spy in Afghanistan

http://news.firedoglake.com/2014/05/26/west-ukraine-elects-oligarch-president-east-stays-home/
West Ukraine Elects Oligarch President, East Stays Home

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/26/5752324/is-putin-losing-control-of-ukraines-pro-russia-rebels
Is Putin losing control of Ukraine's pro-Russia rebels?

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2014/05/ukraine_vladimir_putin_and_petro_poroshenko_did_the_crisis_in_eastern_ukraine.html
Did Peace Just Break Out in Ukraine?

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/26/3_things_everyone_should_know_about_ukraine/
3 things everyone should know about Ukraine 

The kind of people they are

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-weisenberger-accused-racial-abuse
A Mississippi judge allegedly slapped a young mentally disabled black man earlier this month at a flea market and yelled "run, n----, run" . . .

Theocracy watch

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/26/neil_degrasse_tyson_vs_the_right_cosmos_christians_and_the_battle_for_american_science/
Neil deGrasse Tyson vs. the right: “Cosmos,” Christians, and the battle for American science 

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_05/thats_all_they_do_is_compromis050510.php

Bonus item: Technology's past and future

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/26/the_internet_as_we_know_it_is_dying/

The Internet as we know it is dying

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/26/1301229/-Sen-Al-Franken-explains-net-nbsp-neutrality
Sen. Al Franken explains net neutrality

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/26/1301201/-Flashback-1981-news-report-on-the-mysterious-new-technology-known-as-the-Internet
Flashback: 1981 news report on the mysterious new technology known as the Internet

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

OH NO

Killing rampage in Santa Barbara shocks the nation

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/i-will-slaughter-every-single-spoiled-stuck-up-blond-slut
"I will Slaughter Every Single Spoiled, Stuck-Up Blond Slut ..."

More: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/05/three-bodies-found-in-elliot-rodgers-home.html
Among the evidence was also a 141-page document titled “My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger.” Similar to the collection of videos found on Rodger's YouTube channel, the manifesto contains the biographical details of his life, descriptions of loneliness, alienation, and violent rage at his peers, particularly women. . . .

 

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/25/5749480/why-yesallwomen-is-the-most-important-thing-youll-read-today

In Santa Barbara, California, a man shot killed six people and injured seven more. And in the wake of the mass-murder, people have been trying to figure out why the alleged gunman, a 22-year-old named Elliot Rodger, went berserk. For some inexplicable reason, there are people who want to place the blame on the women who didn't date him. . . .

 

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/25/5748610/eight-facts-about-violence-against-women-everyone-should-know

Eight facts about violence against women everyone should know

In Fox World: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/fox-news-expert-homosexual-impulses
Fox News 'Expert': 'Homosexual Impulses' Probably Triggered Calif. Mass Shooting  

Meanwhile . . .

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/25/5735998/the-nra-has-been-blocking-a-nominee-for-surgeon-general-since-february
The NRA has been blocking a nominee for surgeon general since February

Didn't know that

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-supreme-court-secretly-revises-its.html
The Supreme Court secretly revises its opinions

Numbers of the day

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/25/5750044/an-amazing-chart-showing-global-military-spending
An amazing chart showing global military spending
 

On MSNBC

http://my.firedoglake.com/davidswanson/2014/05/25/the-limits-of-msnbc/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

THE STUPIDS

The Stupid Party

http://tinyurl.com/ltotzw9

How Republicans became the “stupid” party: Turning right, refusing to recognize facts and change 

Is the fight over marriage equality settled? Some people refuse to recognize the inevitability

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/24/5742888/a-complete-victory-for-marriage-equality-could-be-a-year-away
A complete victory for marriage equality could be a year away

Still fighting: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/22/1301161/-Evangelical-leader-Time-for-new-tactics-but-no-surrender-in-fight-against-marriage-equality
Evangelical leader: Time for new tactics, but no surrender, in fight against marriage equality

http://justiceforall.firedoglake.com/2014/05/21/tony-perkins-thinks-america-will-discard-judges-rulings-for-marriage-equality/
Tony Perkins thinks America will ‘discard’ judges’ rulings for marriage equality

Washington is broken. Here's how it happened

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-broke-washington/2014/05/23/57e67ba2-e033-11e3-810f-764fe508b82d_story.html
It’s time to stop taking Washington seriously. How likely is it that Congress will deal with unsustainable deficits, climate change, decrepit infrastructure, unaffordable health care, muddled immigration policy, obsolete laws, unmanageable civil service, rigged electoral districts . . . ? The list of failures of our democratic government is getting long. Responsible reform seems hopeless.  

But hopelessness, it turns out, has its own political arc. Most change comes not incrementally, but in large gulps after long periods of inertia . . . [read on]

Fox World, ignoring history

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/24/the_fake_patriotism_of_fox_news_what_the_right_doesnt_understand_about_memorial_day/

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://my.firedoglake.com/elliott/2014/05/25/sunday-talking-heads-may-25-2014/
ABC’S THIS WEEK: Martha Raddatz hosts. The VA scandal with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff. Then, the Chinese cyberspying arrests with former ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and ABC contributor Steve Ganyard of Avascent International. Roundtable: Matthew Dowd, Ana Navarro, David Plouffe, Kristen Soltis Anderson. Then a discussion about the battle for Sadr City “we are there as the men who fought in the battle reunite.” Finally, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Martin Dempsey. Bill Moyers interviews  

CBS’ FACE THE NATION: “We’re going to spend a good deal of time this Sunday on Face the Nation talking about the ongoing inquiry into the Veterans Affairs department” with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD). Plus, Ben Carson. Memorial Day/VA Roundtable: Dana Priest, David Finkel, Tom Manion. Then, the drug ‘em up and send ‘em back in lawsuit against the NFL with players attorney Steve Silverman, Jarrett Bell of USA Today, and Sean Gregory of TIME. The show ends with commencement speech wisdom.  

CNN’S STATE OF THE UNION: VA scandal with the chairs of the Senate and House Veteran Affairs Committees, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL). Then, Horse Race 2016 with Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN). Roundtable: Penny Lee, Corey Dade, and Alex Castellanos “on the optics of a presidential multitasker.” And a Memorial Day interview with Wes Moore, “Army veteran, advocate, and filmmaker on his mission to highlight the troubles veterans face re-adjusting to life back home.”

MEET THE PRESS: Preempted by Formula One racing
 
MOYERS & COMPANY: Facing the Truth: The Case for Reparations. Ta-Nehisi Coates, a senior editor for The Atlantic about his cover story on why America needs to reconcile with its racist past.   

Bonus item: Is going to college still worth it? (The answer is, "yes, but . . . .")

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/25/the_1_percents_college_scam/
“College is a scam meant to perpetuate the 1 percent”

More:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/05/23/most-people-have-no-idea-how-much-debt-theyll-need-to-afford-college/ 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/05/22/the-1-percent-isnt-americas-biggest-source-of-inequality-college-is/ 

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/21/5736068/the-american-dream-is-failing-black-college-graduates

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5742576/heres-what-people-actually-do-with-liberal-arts-degrees

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ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS

Show us the money!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/24/us/politics/gop-sues-in-effort-to-raise-unlimited-cash-from-individuals.html
G.O.P. Sues for a Loophole to Raise Unlimited Money From Individuals

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/23/1301470/-GOP-files-paperwork-to-become-wholly-owned-subsidiary-of-Koch-Industries

So Mitch McConnell has a problem: he has to say he is out to destroy Obamacare, but Kentucky has an extremely effective and popular exchange program under the law. So what does he say?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/mcconnell-says-ky-exchange-unconnected-to-obamacare

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/23/1301509/-McConnell-says-new-Kentucky-health-exchange-unconnected-to-Obamacare

More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mcconnell-sees-distinction-between-aca

What ELSE Obamacare does

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5735674/21-things-you-never-knew-obamacare-did 
21 things Obamacare does that you didn't know about 

Obamacare and race

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/23/yes-opposition-to-obamacare-is-tied-up-with-race/   
Yes, opposition to Obamacare is tied up with race

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5744530/racists-are-likelier-to-oppose-health-reform-when-they-think-about

A trip around the world

Thailand: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5744680/9-questions-about-thailand-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask

Ukraine: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5745836/one-of-the-worst-things-that-could-happen-in-the-ukraine-crisis-just

Russia-China relations: http://www.vox.com/2014/5/23/5741362/russia-china-pipedream-alliance 

Will this work?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/24/us/politics/kerry-agrees-to-testify-on-benghazi-with-caveats.html
Secretary of State John Kerry agreed on Friday to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform over the 2012 attacks on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, possibly exacerbating tensions between Republicans over competing inquiries.  

In a letter to Representative Darrell Issa, Republican of California, the committee’s combative chairman, the State Department’s assistant secretary for legislative affairs, Julia Frifield, appeared to go out of her way to pit Mr. Issa’s investigation into the attacks against a new one being conducted by a select committee appointed by Speaker John A. Boehner. . . .

No, both sides AREN'T to blame

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/23/morning-plum-obama-slams-both-sides-to-blame-media/

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/23/obama_slams_medias_gop_coddling_false_equivalence/

A man who will say ANYTHING

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/23/1301511/-Sen-Ted-Cruz-says-Democrats-plan-to-repeal-the-First-Amendment
Sen. Ted Cruz says Democrats plan to 'repeal the First Amendment' 

Bonus item: Gun nuts

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/scaring-the-crap-out-of-people-doesnt-win-you-fans
Earlier this week we reported how Chipotle felt obliged to ask its customers not to bring guns to chipotle restaurants. Seems like a reasonably enough request to most of us. And it's been preceded by similar requests by various other chains like Starbucks and others.  

Now the top pro-gun group in Texas pushing the demand for "open carry" firearm rights and trying to get people to show up at various restaurant chains with long guns is deciding it may not be such a hot idea after all. . . .

Digby: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/open-carry-epic-fail.html

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com

I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***