OLD NEWS

Oh, the Republican braintrust must have worked overtime on this brilliant strategy

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/us/politics/republicans-paint-clinton-as-old-news-for-2016-presidential-election.html
The 2016 election may be far off, but one theme is becoming clear: Republican strategists and presidential hopefuls, in ways subtle and overt, are eager to focus a spotlight on Mrs. Clinton’s age. . . . [read on]

http://www.salon.com/2013/02/27/no_hillary_clinton_is_not_too_old_to_be_president/
Even some Democrats suggest she can't win the White House at 69. Here's why that's silly -- and maybe sexist

The economics of DOMA

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/29/how-domas-departure-could-cost-gay-couples-money/ 

Sunday symposium: The state of labor

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/29/1219079/-This-week-in-the-War-on-Workers-Screwing-workers-raised-to-an-art-form
Screwing workers, raised to an art form

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/28/1219824/-Open-thread-for-night-owls-How-the-temps-who-power-corporate-giants-are-getting-crushed
How the temps who power corporate giants are getting crushed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/26/congrats-ceos-youre-making-273-times-the-pay-of-the-average-worker/
Congrats, CEOs! You're making 273 times the pay of the average worker.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/24/1218503/-Supremes-screw-workers-yet-again-2x
Supremes screw workers, yet again

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/22/1216909/-This-week-in-the-War-on-Workers-If-you-re-not-born-rich-how-do-you-rise
If you're not born rich, how do you rise?

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/we-dont-need-more-capital-we-need-more-labor-income
We Don't Need More Capital. We Need More Labor Income.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/21/1217739/-Economics-Daily-Digest-Changing-Definitions-Unchanging-Realities-for-Workers
Changing definitions, unchanging realities for workers

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/the_labor_movement_of_the_futu045278.php

The Labor Movement of the Future

Ray LaHood (R-IL) says goodbye to the GOP

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/29/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html 
"We will not win another presidential election as Republicans unless we do something to fix the broken immigration system."

Edward Snowden updates

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/snowden-update-father-trying-broker-deal-return-us

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2013/06/30/sunday-talking-heads-june-30-2013/
ABC’S THIS WEEK:  Julian Assange.  Then, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin and National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown.  Roundtable:  Matthew Dowd, Terry Moran, Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Peggy Noonan.  Plus, Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis.

CBS’ FACE THE NATION:  Former solicitor general Ted Olson.  Then, former NSA director Gen. Michael Hayden.  Plus, Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis.

CNN’S STATE OF THE UNION:  David Boies, co-counsel in the Supreme Court case against Proposition 8. Then, House Judiciary Committee Chair Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Immigration Task Force Luis Gutierrez (D-IL).  Roundtable:  New York Times Magazine Chief Political Correspondent Matt Bai:, The Root Contributing Editor Corey Dade; Fmr. Sen. George Allen (R-VA) and democratic strategist Hilary Rosen.

MOYERS & COMPANY:  The Faces of America’s Hungry.  The tragic truth about hunger, food insecurity and poverty in America.

NBC’S MEET THE PRESS:  House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).  Then, Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS). Plus, Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis.  Roundtable:  Rachel Maddow, Ralph Reed, Michael Eric Dyson, Jim DeMint, Pete Williams.

Bonus item: Yesterday we talked about the work of Armando Iannucci on the tv show "Veep." Here is a delightful little movie recommendation if you'd like a sampler of his quirky, cycnical, hilarous take on the foibles of politics

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226774/
"In the Loop"

***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

To get PBD by email: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/todays-news

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.***

ON THE STREET 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/sesame-street-lyrics-the_n_347200.html
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street . . .

How did the end of DOMA happen?

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/pat-robertson-wonders-if-justice-kennedy-has-clerks 
Pat Robertson Wonders If Justice Kennedy Has Clerks Who ‘Happen To Be Gays’ (VIDEO)

Uh. . .  probably so: http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/06/08/exhibit-for-major-shift-justices-gay-clerks/gcJIoVlkJKlnCFhuXL6tEO/story.html 
The atmosphere at the court today is far different from 1986, with a pace of change that may have surpassed that in the rest of society. Openly gay law clerks are now common in the chambers of both liberal and conservative justices. . . . [read on]

Silence!

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/penn-lawmaker-censured-on-house-floor-for-speaking
An openly gay state representative was silenced by his colleagues on the Pennsylvania House floor Thursday when he tried to comment on the Supreme Court's ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

State Rep. Brian Sims' (D) remarks during a part of the House session where representatives are allowed to speak openly were cut off almost immediately by a procedural maneuver. State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R) objected to the remarks on the grounds that Sims was speaking out "against God's law." . . .

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/28/19188843-pennsylvania-dem-silenced-by-opponent-citing-gods-law 

If the House holds a vote on the Senate immigration bill, it will pass -- but with a minority of Republicans. And John Boehner can't have that. So, can the Dems FORCE a vote?

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/28/19187732-immigration-reforms-path-to-218-house-votes 

A "discharge petition"? http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/06/discharge_the_immigration_bill_dont_hold_your_brea.php

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/dont-count-republicans-being-crafty-enough-pass-immigration-reform-discharge-peti 

The death of tax reform (you know why) 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/28/how-the-dysfunctional-house-republicans-will-spike-their-top-priority/ 

The tipping point in NC

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/north-carolina-becomes-first-state-to-eliminate-unemployment-benefits.php
With changes to its unemployment law taking effect this weekend, North Carolina not only is cutting benefits for those who file new claims, it will become the first state disqualified from a federal compensation program for the long-term jobless. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/28/1219625/-NC-jobless-losing-federal-compensation-Sunday-They-are-really-putting-the-gun-to-your-head-now

Can Congress fix the Voting Rights Act?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/congressional-democrats-set-voting-rights-act-wheels-in-motion.php

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/voting_rights_affect_everybody045537.php 

A matter of interpretation 

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/rick-perry-was-praising-wendy-davis
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Friday explained that he was simply "praising" state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) when he said it was "unfortunate" that she didn't view abortions unfavorably based on her own experience as a teenage mother. . . . [read on]

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/28/19192753-what-texas-perry-sees-as-praise

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/top-texas-republican-perry-crossed-line-with-remarks
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) insisted Friday that he wasn't rendering a harsh judgment of state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) with remarks he made earlier this week, but a leading Republican in the Lone Star State doesn't share his interpretation. . . 

Bonus item: "Veep" tv review 

http://www.salon.com/2013/06/27/what_veep_got_right_about_our_government/
After two full seasons of “Veep,” it should be clear that Armando Ianucci’s HBO satire is the most accurately scripted show ever made about American politics — full stop. There is no need to qualify or massage that statement; it’s just flat-out true, even though I’m guessing many people who work in politics despise it.

The reason that’s my guess is because unlike other movies and TV shows about politics, “Veep” — whose season finale just aired — portrays politicians, staffers, lobbyists and reporters not as the heroic idealists and brilliant Machiavellis that politicos desperately want to see looking back at them from the mirror. Instead, “Veep” shows Washington for what it is: not merely Hollywood for trolls, but a place where painfully average and often untalented drones follow their star-fucking ambitions only to be caught in a soul-sapping system that devours whatever last remaining shreds of humanity they still possessed.

“Veep” is comedy, of course — but it is also genuinely important television.. . . [read on]

***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

To get PBD by email: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/todays-news

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.***

IMMIGRATION BLUES

The Senate overwhelmingly passes an immigration bill - and now John Boehner is in an impossible situation 

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/27/19174829-senate-approves-comprehensive-immigration-reform-68-to-32

Senate approves comprehensive immigration reform, 68 to 32

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/senate-passes-immgration-reform-bill-hot-potato-to-boehner.php
Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill, Hot Potato To Boehner

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/conservatives-threaten-depose-boehner-hastert-rule-immigration.php 
House Conservatives Threaten To Depose Boehner If He Breaks Hastert Rule On Immigration

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2013/06/27/boehner-unequivocally-says-immigration-reform-must-have-the-support-of-a-majority-of-house-republicans/
Boehner Unequivocally Says Immigration Reform Must Have the Support of a Majority of House Republicans

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/27/immigration-reform-has-passed-the-senate-heres-how-it-passes-the-house/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/mccain-republicans-immigration-reform.php
McCain Gently Warns House GOP: We’re Doomed If You Screw Up Immigration Reform

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/immigration-reform-driving-republicans-insane
Immigration Reform Is Driving Republicans Insane

No, they never really meant it

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/27/the-morning-plum-gop-doesnt-need-no-stinkin-makeover/
GOP doesn’t need no stinkin’ makeover

The IRS "scandal" is now morphing into something else

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/27/19171531-in-the-wake-of-a-discredited-scandal
For Republicans, the problem is every central claim has been discredited. They said conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status were singled out for excessive IRS scrutiny, but we now know that wasn't true. They said conservative groups faced delays that liberal groups didn't have to endure, but that wasn't true, either. They said President Obama's critics were unfairly targeted, and that's ridiculously untrue.

Indeed, the irony of this week is that the previous allegations have not only been answered in a way that ends the discussion, but also that there are new allegations that turn the tables -- those who pushed the scandal are suddenly the ones who need to explain themselves. . . [read on]

Heh heh: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/scandalmania
Jon Chait makes an astute observation today: even Republicans aren't talking much about White House scandals anymore. Scandalmania—which just a few weeks ago was widely thought to mark the beginning of the end of Obama's second term—has turned out to be little more than a typical DC feeding frenzy, one that's fading away as quickly as it burst into our collective id . . .

On class-based affirmative action: a debate

http://prospect.org/article/class-based-future-affirmative-action

http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/propublica/challenge-idea-income-can-integrate-us-#sthash.WXcyHHtc.dpbs

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/limits_of_classbased_affirmati045283.php

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/future-class-based-affirmative-action

Yesterday Rand Paul made a Santorum-like comparison of gay marriage and bestiality. Today he says it was just a joke

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/27/rand-paul-invokes-bestiality-while-discussing-gay-marriage-walks-it-back/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/rand_paul_comedian045528.php

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/27/19172173-rand-paul-walks-back-talk-of-cross-species-marriage

Well, they're NOT joking

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/gohmert-same-sex-marriage-ruling-could-be-en
Gohmert: Same Sex Marriage Ruling Could Be 'the End of a Great Civilization' 

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/robertson-warns-lgbt-marriages-god-could-do-
Robertson Warns on LGBT Marriages: God Could Do Something 'Drastic' Like Sodom and Gomorrah 

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/tony-perkins-same-sex-marriage-rulings-far-o
Tony Perkins on Same Sex Marriage Rulings: 'This Is Far From Over' 

Perkins is right: this isn't over

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2013/06/27/marriage-equality-will-come-before-the-supreme-court-again-soon/
Marriage Equality Will Come Before the Supreme Court Again Soon

More: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/27/gop_leaders_look_to_states_to_block_gay_marriage.html

Rick Perry lectures Wendy Davis on why she shouldn't be opposing the Texas abortion bill

http://prospect.org/article/rick-perry-attacks-wendy-davis-worst-way-possible
"In fact, even the woman who filibustered the Senate the other day was born into difficult circumstances. She was the daughter of as single woman, she was a teenage mother herself. She managed to eventually graduate from Harvard Law School and serve in the Texas senate. It is just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters."

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/06/27/2227101/rick-perry-attacks-wendy-davis-she-was-a-teenage-mother-herself/
During his remarks, the Texas governor also described Davis’ filibuster as “hijacking of the Democratic process” and said of the pro-choice movement, “the louder they scream, the more we know that we are getting something done.”

Reactions: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/27/19172634-texas-perry-tries-mansplaining-abortion-to-wendy-davis
Unbelievably vile . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/27/1219429/-Rick-Perry-attacks-Wendy-Davis-in-abortion-fight
Perry is digging his hole deeper with women, and decent people, with his War on Women, and he's making it really ugly, and really personal  . . .

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/rick-perry-on-pro-choice-women-louder.html
What a piece of garbage . . 

Bonus item: Wendy Davis's . . .  shoes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/27/heres-what-amazon-commenters-are-saying-about-wendy-daviss-shoes/

***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

To get PBD by email: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/todays-news

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.***

DOMA IS DONE

The Supreme Court, in a pair of rulings, shifts the decision on gay marriage to the states, but says the federal government will recognize it when they do

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/supreme-court-doma-ruling.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/supreme-court-prop-8-ruling.php

http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/06/26/the-marriage-equality-decisions/

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2013/06/26/were-at-a-very-strange-moment-in-civil-rights-history-thanks-to-scotus/

Much more on SCOTUSblog: http://www.scotusblog.com/

How this will affect federal policy

http://americablog.com/2013/06/federal-benefits-doma-supreme-court-cas.html

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/despite-scotus-ruling-inequality-under-doma-will-continue-for-some-same-sex-couples.php

Justice Scalia rails against the decision

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/scalia-doma-dissent.php
 “We have no power to decide this case,” Scalia wrote. “And even if we did, we have no power under the Constitution to invalidate this democratically adopted legislation. . . . It is an assertion of judicial supremacy over the people’s Representatives in Congress and the Executive” [read on]

Of course, Scalia doesn't let consistency get in the way of deciding cases the way he wants to

http://prospect.org/article/justice-scalias-infuriating-hypocrisy 
Justice Scalia's Infuriating Hypocrisy

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/26/1219080/-Antonin-Scalia-develops-split-personality-disorder

http://www.thenation.com/blog/174989/supreme-courts-constitutional-hypocrisy

Rush Limbaugh offers some thoughtful comments

http://mediamatters.org/video/2013/06/26/limbaugh-nobody-in-this-country-has-ever-been-d/194633
"Nobody In This Country Has Ever Been Denied The Right To Get Married"

Doesn't Rand Paul consider himself a Libertarian?

http://americablog.com/2013/06/gop-sen-rand-paul-supreme-court-decision-may-lead-to-bestiality.html
GOP Sen. Rand Paul: Supreme Court DOMA decision could lead to bestiality

A question that doesn't need answering

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/supreme_court_and_gay_marriage_will_the_gop_finally_embrace_marriage_equality.html
Will the GOP Embrace Marriage Equality?

Great reactions

Nancy Pelosi: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/pelosi-on-bachmanns-reaction-to-doma-ruling-who
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) issued a forceful denunciation Wednesday of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), but House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) couldn't have cared less. . . 

Barney Frank: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/barney-frank-doma-ruling-isnt-everything-but-everything 
"This is a major breakthrough. It isn't everything, but it is a good indication that everything is not too far away . . ."

In Fox World

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/26/1219115/-While-the-Supreme-Court-was-announcing-its-DOMA-decision-Fox-covered-the-Hernandez-arrest 
While the Supreme Court was announcing its DOMA decision ... Fox covered the Hernandez arrest

It's going to be weird when the federal government recognizes marriages from state A but not state B. Will the Court eventually have to take the next step and declare a national right to marriage?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/26/a-key-tell-in-the-supreme-courts-doma-decision/

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/no-supreme-court-probably-didnt-signal-imminent-end-gay-marriage-bans-today

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/supreme-court-prop-8-ruling-problem

John Boehner says the House will ignore the Senate immigration bill

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/26/boehner-to-house-gop-on-immigration-well-do-our-own-bill/

Darrell Issa: so honest, so fair-minded, so FOS

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/26/the-morning-plum-darrell-issa-backtracks-on-irs-scandal/
[On the IRS scandal] "I’ve never said it came out of the office of the President or his campaign. . . ."

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/26/1219172/-Here-s-how-Darrell-Issa-manufactured-the-IRS-scandal
Here's how Darrell Issa manufactured the IRS 'scandal'

After the Voting Rights decision, Southern states get busy

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/republicans-south-voting-rights-act-supreme-court.php
Republicans Across The South Promise Quick Action After SCOTUS Ruling

Because the Texas legislature failed to vote on its restrictive abortion bill before its own midnight deadline, Rick Perry is calling a special session

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/26/perry_calls_special_session_to_take_up_abortion_bill.html

Bonus item: Paula Deen goes on tv to "apologize" and beg for sympathy, but only makes things worse. Much worse

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula-deen-today-show_n_3501825.html
"I is what I is and I'm not changing." [Watch]

More: http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/today-show-gives-deen-failing-grades-after-her-interview/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_06/i_is_what_i_is_a_victim045494.php

No, not racist at all: http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/06/video-of-paula-deen-making-insensitive-racial-comments-surfaces/

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/beck-food-network-guilty-un-american-mccarth
Beck: Food Network Firing Paula Deen is 'McCarthyism'

***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

To get PBD by email: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/todays-news

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.***

VOTING WRONGS

Well, they didn't punt on this one: the Supreme Court demolishes the Voting Rights Act

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-ruling.php
Supreme Court Guts The Voting Rights Act

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/02/27/the-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-case-explained/
Everything you need to know about the Supreme Court Voting Rights Act decision

What next? http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/25/what-will-congress-do-now-about-the-voting-rights-act
What will Congress do now about the Voting Rights Act?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/voting-rights-act-boehner-mcconnell-supreme-court.php
The ruling at least temporarily guts a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, and provides conservative activists in mostly southern states a window of undetermined length to pass laws that hinder minority voting rights.

But it’s ironically a nightmare for the two most powerful Republicans in the country, who are currently struggling with another issue — immigration reform — that’s central to the party’s minority outreach strategy. . .  [read on]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/25/what-the-voting-rights-act-decision-means-for-politics
What the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision means for politics

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/25/supreme-court-gives-big-boost-to-war-on-voting/
Supreme Court gives big boost to `war on voting’

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/25/1218798/-Why-voting-rights-are-under-assault
Why voting rights are under assault

Texas and other states immediately rush to implement new voting restrictions

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/25/1218851/-Texas-attorney-general-Eric-Holder-can-no-longer-deny-new-Texas-voting-nbsp-restrictions

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/25/19135445-and-so-it-begins

Eric Holder, AG: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/eric-holder-voting-rights-act-supreme-court.php

  

Welcome back, Al

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gore-calls-obama-speech-best-address-on-climate

Gore Calls Obama Speech ‘The Best Address On Climate By Any President Ever’

 

Here it is: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/25/19137568-obama-we-dont-have-time-for-a-meeting-of-the-flat-earth-society

 

A primer on the NSA program

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/25/heres-everything-weve-learned-about-how-the-nsas-secret-programs-work/

 

The John Kerry seat in Massachusetts stays Democratic

 

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/06/26/19151312-markey-prevails-in-massachusetts-special-election

 

Bonus item: Wendy Davis (D-TX) successfully filibusters Texas abortion bill, leading to its defeat 

Our hero: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/25/watch-wendy-davis-filibuster-of-texas-abortion-law-video 

What a night: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/06/what_a_night_in_texas.php 

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PUNT

The Supreme Court avoids a big decision on affirmative action (for now)

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/supreme-court-punts-on-affirmative-action.php

Analysis: http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/06/finally-the-fisher-decision-in-plain-english/
  
http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/06/opinion-recap-more-rigorous-race-review/

http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/06/commentay-on-fisher-a-classic-kennedy-compromise/

http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/06/commentary-on-fisher-better-off-than-we-were-a-year-ago/

Well, the decision has been made: GOP conservatives are going to block immigration reform 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/25/the-senate-is-going-to-pass-immigration-reform-and-the-house-doesnt-care/ 
The Senate is going to pass immigration reform. And the House doesn’t care. 

http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/time-s-up-immigration-won-t-pass-this-year-20130623 
Time’s Up. Immigration Won't Pass This Year 

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/06/immigration_reform_bill_will_the_house_even_care_if_it_gets_70_senate_votes.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/24/conservatives-gird-for-major-defeat-on-immigration/ 

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/jeff-sessions-dismisses-immigration-reform
Jeff Sessions Dismisses Immigration Reform as 'Ethnic Politics' 

The bellweather

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/06/24/palin_rips_rubio_on_immigration_reform.html
Palin Rips Rubio on Immigration Reform 

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/24/palin-calls-rubio-an-amnesty-supporter/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/24/1218475/-Sarah-Palin-blasts-Rubio-rallies-the-troops-against-immigration-reform
"As the Senate moves to pass amnesty, the only bright spot in this travesty is the rallying revolution we can look forward to," Palin wrote on Monday. "For just as opposition to Obamacare became a rallying cry for the 2010 midterm elections, opposition to this fundamentally transforming amnesty bill will galvanize the grass roots in next year’s elections. And 2014 is just around the corner."

The new Obama climate plan

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/25/read-the-white-houses-big-new-climate-change-plan/

Some thoughts on Edward Snowden: "calm down"

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/jumping-shark-edward-snowden

Complicating the narrative

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/06/irs-also-targeted-groups-labeled-themselves-progressive
The IRS Also Targeted Groups That Labeled Themselves "Progressive"

Unbelievable. Those Republicans just can't stop making minimizing comments about the horror of rape. What's wrong with these people?

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/texas-gop-rep-rape-exemption-for-abortion-bill 

Bonus item: Show business is show business

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/24/rick-santorum-now-running-christian-movie-studio
Rick Santorum now running Christian movie studio
 
***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

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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.***