PBD - Progressive Blog Digest: 07/01/2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

GROWTH POTENTIAL

GDP grew at 4% last quarter

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/07/gdp-increases-smart-40-rate-second-quarter

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5951495/the-measure-you-should-be-watching-instead-of-gdp

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/07/30/gdp-growth-is-the-same-its-always-been-thats-the-good-and-bad-news/

The destruction of Gaza: a map

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5951865/map-gaza-war

The problem with both "pro-Israel" and "anti-Israel" positions

http://prospect.org/article/problem-both-pro-israel-and-anti-israel

More: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/07/why-i-have-become-less-pro-israel.html

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5948839/why-i-have-become-more-pessimistic-about-israel

The GOP can't pass anything else, but finds time to pass its lawsuit against Obama

http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/house-votes-to-sue-president-obama/?dcz=

Why? http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5953325/house-of-representatives-sues-obama

The Republicans can't even pass their own immigration bill!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tea-party-opposition-puts-fate-of-house-republican-border-bill-up-in-the-air/2014/07/30/162149d2-1813-11e4-9e3b-7f2f110c6265_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

Guess who's behind it? http://www.vox.com/2014/7/30/5952973/ted-cruz-is-killing-his-partys-own-border-bill

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/31/cruz_vs_boehner_once_again_whos_in_charge_of_the_house/

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/07/republicans-about-blow-emergency-border-crisis-funding

Why the GOP will never propose an alternative to Obamacare

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/07/30/more-good-obamacare-news-highlights-why-gop-alternative-will-never-materalize/

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-obamacare-obstruction-halbig
Why The Latest Threat To Obamacare Was So Impossible To Predict

The Repubs want to block a resolution honoring Pope Francis

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/30/republicans_may_block_bill_to_honor_too_liberal_pope_francis/

Karl Rove is a pro at saying outrageous things with a straight face. The latest: BLAMING OBAMA for impeachment talk

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/karl-rove-obama-impeachment

Meanwhile, Michele Bachmann just isn't afraid to sound crazy

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/michele-bachmann-claims-president-obama-wants-use-unaccompanied-children-medical-experiments
Michele Bachmann Claims President Obama Wants To Use Unaccompanied Children For Medical Experiments

Bonus item: The Right doesn't understand social media

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/29/conservatives_launch_reaganbook_a_%E2%80%9Cfacebook_for_patriots%E2%80%9D/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/31/reaganbook-is-the-latest-conservative-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.***

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

INVERSION

How corporations dodge US taxes (thanks to DR for the link)

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/07/28/tax-avoidance-tax-inversion-corporate-taxes

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/7/28/5944263/corporate-tax-inversions-deserters-vs-economic-patriotism

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/28/paul_krugman_denounces_inversion_corporate_americas_latest_outrageous_scheme/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/07/28/dems-may-force-gop-to-vote-on-corporate-tax-deserters/
Dems may force GOP to vote on corporate tax ‘deserters’

Despite filibuster reform, GOPers are still blocking Obama nominees

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/07/republicans-still-holding-virtually-all-obama-appointments

What the rest of the world thinks of Obama

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/26/1316903/-Global-confidence-in-President-Obama-much-higher-than-Bush

Oh, by the way

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/29/5945583/the-us-economy-grows-faster-under-democratic-presidents-is-that-just
The economy has done better under Democratic presidents

Here's the story of the day. The notion of impeaching Obama is very unpopular. Dems are raising money hand over fist because of it. It could fire up their base to turn out in the fall elections.

So after months of hinting that they maybe sorta mighta impeach him, now the Republicans are saying it's a ridiculous idea fabricated by the Democrats: Who could possibly think that they ever had any intention of impeaching Obama? Where did such a crazy idea come from?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/us/politics/impeachment-on-gop-lips-animates-base-of-democrats.html
Democrats cannot get enough of Republicans talking about impeaching President Obama. . . .

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/213654-dccc-chairman-gop-impeachment-talk-moving-our-base#ixzz38s3xBlLR
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) said the Republican lawsuit against and push for impeachment of President Obama is paying dividends for his party. . .

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/impeachment-politics-barack-obama-109471.html#ixzz38rV08jYY
Something very strange is happening on Capitol Hill. Democrats can’t talk enough about impeaching a president of their own party. And Republicans keep saying that there isn’t a chance they’ll give it a try. . .

The GOP's frantic denials: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/07/29/boehner-impeachment-talk-all-a-scam-by-democrats/
House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday rejected talk of impeaching President Obama, saying that the issue was being driven by White House staff and congressional Democrats who are trying to gin up liberal voters for the fall midterm elections. . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/07/29/house-gop-campaign-chairman-calls-impeachment-talk-a-dem-fundraising-scam/
House GOP campaign chairman calls impeachment talk a Dem ‘fundraising scam’

Yeah, where did anyone get this crazy impeachment idea? http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/07/republicans_back_away_from_the_call_to_impeach_president_obama_the_gop_understands.html
The conservatives who wanted to impeach Obama are acting like it was never their idea.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/white-house-boehner-impeachment-scam
"Well if that's the case then I suspect that there may be members of the Republican conference that didn't receive the memo," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily briefing, proceeding to rattle off a list of Republicans who have floated impeachment. "We've seen comments in recent months from Congressman Steve King from Iowa, Congressman Ted Yoho from Florida, Congressman Lou Barletta from Pennsylvania, the distinguished Congressman Steve Stockman from Texas; his fellow Texan Blake Farenthold has raised this prospect. We've even seen Kerry Bentivolio from Michigan call this a dream come true. I think that was about 9 or 10 months ago," Earnest said.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/28/1317308/-House-GOP-leader-can-t-bring-himself-to-say-Republicans-won-t-impeach-Obama
House GOP leader can't bring himself to say Republicans won't impeach Obama

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/29/5948713/will-obama-be-impeached
5 reasons people are suddenly talking about Obama being impeached

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/30/the-gop-s-audacious-impeachment-spin-job.htm
The GOP’s Audacious Impeachment Spin Job

Some people just never learn: http://washingtonexaminer.com/gop-internal-debate-is-party-repeating-mistakes-of-1998/article/2551375
GOP internal debate: Is party repeating mistakes of 1998?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/07/29/the-gops-impeachment-dilemma-will-only-get-worse/
The GOP’s impeachment dilemma will only get worse

Bob McDonnell, indicted Virginia governor, uses a truly despicable defense

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/07/30/mcdonnell_uses_broken_marriage_defense.html

Could be a joke (but it isn't)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/29/1317533/-George-Zimmerman-has-a-new-job-Working-as-a-security-guard-For-an-ammunition-store-For-real
George Zimmerman has a new job. Working as a security guard. For an ammunition store

Bonus item: Stephen Colbert previews the Sarah Palin Channel (don't miss it!)

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/stephen-colbert-announces-he-owns

***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.***

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

TOMORROW IS HERE

Bonus item: A preview of what it will be like to have Sarah! 24x7 -- for just $99.95 a year!

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/07/freedomtastic-gifs-of-the-sarah-palin-channel.html

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/28/the_15_best_alternate_names_for_sarah_palins_terrifying_video_channel/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/29/palin-tv-will-be-comedy-central.html

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/28/sarah_palins_new_tv_network_shows_just_how_far_her_star_has_fallen/
Sarah Palin’s new TV network shows just how far her star has fallen

***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.***

Monday, July 28, 2014

THE ERA OF ANXIETY

http://tinyurl.com/kt6k66j
The Cold War is over. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — began a new era in terms of how the United States interacts (and doesn’t) with the world. The economic collapse in the late 2000s — and the subsequent evidence of Wall Street’s blind greed — changed how people view the financial world. The child-abuse scandal that engulfed the Catholic Church in the late 1990s and through much of the early 2000s caused a rethinking of religion and its role in society. Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath forced an examination of what government can and should do.

Revelations about the breadth and depth of the National Security Agency’s spying program have raised doubts about what our government tells us (and doesn’t). And overarching all of it is our increased technological capacity to be constantly in contact with one another — at both superficial and deeply personal levels. . . .

All of these new realities have combined to create a deep uncertainty among the public about whom and what they can trust or rely on. And increasingly, the answer is — no one. . . .

More: http://criticallegalthinking.com/2014/06/08/politics-times-anxiety/

NOW they care

http://thehill.com/homenews/213448-gop-wants-to-show-it-can-govern-in-final-week
House Republicans want to use their final week in Washington before the August recess to send a signal that they are ready to govern.

As the country’s attention turns to the fight for control of the House and Senate, Republicans want to show they are capable of handling two of the nation’s toughest issues: the thousands of children crossing the border, and the veterans in need of healthcare.

“This is a crisis situation. We need to show that we can respond in a crisis in a thoughtful way,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said of the effort to move a border bill.

“It’s time to resolve this crisis. We’ve got to show some leadership to actually get it done,” Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) said of the impasse to reform the Veterans Affairs Department . . .

The future of liberalism

http://prospect.org/article/can-liberalism-survive-obama-presidency-yes-it-can

Ebola!

http://www.voanews.com/content/american-doctor-working-in-liberia-contracts-ebola/1966006.html
A senior doctor working at Liberia's largest hospital has died of Ebola. . . .

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/28/two-americans-have-now-been-diagnosed-with-ebola-in-record-outbreak.html
Seven hundred are dead in West Africa, victims of an ‘out-of-control’ outbreak—and now two American health-care workers there have contracted the disease . . .

If Michele Bachmann runs again for President, I don't know if we'll have enough room in PBD

http://kctv7.com/michele-bachmann-suggests-labor-camps-for-immigrant-children/
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has offered up a new solution to the humanitarian crisis along the US/ Mexico border, where tens of thousands of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children are currently being detained. . . . Bachmann’s plan? Send those children to labor camps, which she warmly refers to as “Americanization Facilities,” with the goal of having them pay off their past, present, and future care expenses, while assimilating them into American culture. And in exchange for that labor, the children would be fast-tracked on a path to citizenship. . . .

No joke: the Sarah Palin Channel

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/word-salad-demand-sarah-palin-launch
The Sarah Palin Channel, which costs $9.95 per month or $99.95 for a one-year subscription, will feature her commentary on “important issues facing the nation,” as well as behind-the-scenes looks into her personal life as “mother, grandmother, wife and neighbor” . . . “I want to talk directly to you on our channel, on my terms — and no need to please the powers that be,” Palin, who is also a Fox News contributor, said in a video announcing the channel. “Together, we’ll go beyond the sound bites and cut through the media’s politically correct filter.”

A Sunday talk show sampler

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/was-robert-reichs-evil-twin-week
Was That Robert Reich's Evil Twin Skippy On This Week?

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/david-gregory-paul-ryan-doesnt-sound-youre
David Gregory To Paul Ryan: Doesn't Sound Like You're Sympathetic To People Who Need Gov't Help

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/sen-lindsey-graham-accusses-un-becoming
Sen. Lindsey Graham Accuses The U.N. Of Becoming 'Anti-Semitic'

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/un-official-calls-out-david-gregory-using
UN Official Calls Out David Gregory For Using Unconfirmed Israeli Propaganda Video

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/george-will-shocks-fox-news-panel-tell
George Will Shocks Fox News Panel: Tell Child Refugees 'Welcome To America'

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/se-cupp-jailing-non-violent-drug-users-we
S.E. Cupp On Jailing Non-violent Drug Users: We Need 'A Little More Time' Before Legalizing Pot

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/gops-first-tea-party-house-whip-leaves
GOP's First Tea Party House Whip Leaves Impeachment Of Obama On The Table Over Immigration

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/fox-pundits-very-upset-democrats-have
Fox Pundits Very Upset Democrats Have Teachers Going Door To Door For 2014 Midterms

Bonus item: Christian coffee houses

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/27/where_are_your_bibles_jesus_kentucky_and_the_best_lattes_in_the_south/
“Where are your Bibles?”: Jesus, Kentucky and the best lattes in the South

***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.***

Sunday, July 27, 2014

SEEING THE FUTURE?

An ominous precedent

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/25/us/national-guard-in-texas-could-get-arrest-power.html
National Guard in Texas Could Get Arrest Power

Life without water is impossible

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2014/07/25/the-wests-water-problems-could-get-a-lot-worse/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/24/1316428/-Shocking-drought-data-from-NASA?

An indictment of failed government

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/26/5937091/va-scandal-congress-bill-budget
Even after the scandal, Congress might not fix the VA

An amazing number

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/25/5936837/chart-us-corporations-declining-tax-burden-inversions-corporate-tax
Corporations used to pay almost one-third of federal taxes. Now it's one-tenth.

Get ready

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/26/cia-torture-report-coming-soon.html
Senate Report on CIA Interrogations Could Be Released Next Week

More: http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/07/26/cia-intercepted-whistleblower-communications-related-to-senate-investigation-into-torture/#

Not an endangered species after all

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/07/left-took-over-democratic-party-109348.html#ixzz38cDYVvkr
How the left took over the Democratic Party

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2014_07/the_left_is_the_new_centerleft051376.php

Inside the minds of the Tea Party

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/26/how_the_tea_party_reads_history_rand_paul_mike_huckabee_and_the_new_battle_of_the_constitution_and_the_declaration_of_independence/
How the Tea Party reads history: Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee and the new battle of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/26/tea_partys_self_defeating_hate_why_toxic_resentment_hurts_their_bottom_line/
Tea Party’s self-defeating hate: Why toxic resentment hurts their bottom line

Republicans aren't going to change their position on abortion . . . just how they talk about it

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/24/1316395/-Conservatives-think-they-ve-figured-out-how-to-talk-about-banning-abortion

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/07/gops-new-approach-to-abortion-sensitivity.html

"Women Against Feminism." Do they even know what feminism is? (thanks to DR for the link)

http://time.com/3028827/women-against-feminism-gets-it-right/

Reactions: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/24/you-don-t-hate-feminism-you-just-don-t-understand-it.html

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/24/hey_women_against_feminism_feminism_still_has_your_back_so_youre_welcome/

One tool in the "religious liberty" arsenal is the claim that it infringes on the religious freedom of some groups not to let them bash gays (because their religion tells them to).

Uh-huh. So what religion tells people to say THIS?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bob-eschliman-gaystapo-complaint
"If you ask me, it sounds like the Gaystapo is well on its way. We must fight back against the enemy. . . ." [read on]

Theocracy watch

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/22/1315850/-Creationist-Ken-Ham-End-the-space-program-or-go-to-Hell
Creationist Ken Ham: End the space program or go to Hell

Is it just me, or is she getting even dumber and more incoherent?

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/sarah-palins-oddball-speech-denver-sounds

In Fox World, this is the question they want answers to

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/25/1316611/-Fox-asks-the-most-enlightening-question-in-the-history-of-political-polling
Do you think Barack Obama wants to be president anymore?

More polling, Fox style: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/adventures-fox-news-polling-part-vii-0

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/07/how-fox-news-promotes-government-dysfunction.html

John, you're embarrassing yourself . . . really

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mccains-descent-self-pity
"The self-pity that Obama continues to exhibit is really kind of sad, really," McCain said in an extraordinary display of projection.

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://my.firedoglake.com/elliott/2014/07/27/sunday-talking-heads-july-27-2014/
ABC’S THIS WEEK: “Crisis in the Middle East.” Then, “Border Crisis” with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX). Roundtable: Donna Brazile (are we sure that’s not Gwen Ifill?), Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), S.E. Cupp, Robert Reich.

CBS’ FACE THE NATION: House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Then, “in the wake of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s resignation:” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Then, Election 2014 Roundtable: (using “a new CBS News/New York Times project ‘Battleground Tracker’”) CBS News Elections Director Anthony Salvanto, David Leonhardt of The New York Times, Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report, and CBS News Political Director John Dickerson.

CNN’S STATE OF THE UNION: Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Then Ukraine, with Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. Plus, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes “on the world crises facing the White House.” Also, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on President Obama, “Is it strong leadership, or a muddled message?”

KORNACKI’S UP: Just Vision’s Julia Bacha on “trends in media coverage of #Gaza and #Israel.”

MOYERS & COMPANY: The Conscience of a Compassionate Conservative. Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, says free enterprise is good for the poor – and good for the soul.

NBC’S MEET THE PRESS: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) spokesperson Chris Gunness. Also some Ted Cruz and Paul Ryan. Roundtable: Judy Woodruff, David Brooks, Ruth Marcus, Nia-Malika Henderson.

Bonus item: Wow. AWK-WARD!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/07/25/one-of-the-most-awkward-exchanges-you-will-ever-see-inside-or-outside-the-capitol/

***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.***

Friday, July 25, 2014

THE TRULY NEEDY

Poverty programs, GOP style

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/paul-ryan-makes-the-case-his-anti-poverty-vision-again
A funny thing happened last week when House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) delivered a big speech on poverty at Hillsdale College: it was ignored. The former vice presidential candidate can usually generate some Beltway buzz with his speeches, but last week’s remarks were largely overlooked.

Brian Beutler noticed, however, that the speech highlighted the rhetorical evolution of Ryan’s far-right ideology. . . .

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/paul-ryan-you-and-your-new-life-coach
In the interest of magnanimity, let’s acknowledge some of the good stuff. . . .

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/07/paul-ryans-paternalistic-poverty-plan.html
Paul Ryan’s Poverty Plan: The Good, the Bad, and the Paternalistic

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/24/1316311/-Paul-Ryan-unveils-plan-to-do-his-Paul-Ryan-thing-to-poverty-programs

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/07/quick-first-look-paul-ryans-anti-poverty-plan

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/07/24/the-big-problem-with-with-paul-ryans-new-poverty-plan/

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/24/paul_ryans_insult_strategy_why_his_anti_poverty_contract_is_so_grotesque/

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/07/paul_ryan_s_anti_poverty_plan_is_paternalistic_it_s_also_a_thoughtful_compassionate.html

Vox does THREE explainers on the Ryan plan

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/24/5933221/heres-paul-ryans-new-antipoverty-plan

http://www.vox.com/cards/paul-ryan-poverty/what-is-paul-ryans-plan-to-expand-the-eitc

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/24/5933383/ryan-poverty-plan-democrats
Democrats should welcome Paul Ryan's poverty plan

And the Wonkers do three more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/07/25/wonkbook-how-paul-ryans-new-plan-changes-the-anti-poverty-debate/
How Paul Ryan’s new plan changes the anti-poverty debate

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/07/24/what-paul-ryan-still-misses-in-his-new-more-serious-poverty-plan/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/07/24/3-ideas-from-paul-ryans-poverty-plan-that-liberals-can-love/
3 ideas from Paul Ryan’s poverty plan that liberals can love

Here's how bad GOP obstructionism has become: they can't even agree to take care of VETERANS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/24/va-reform-congress_n_5619025.html

How John Boehner's lawsuit gimmick helps the Dems

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/24/1316350/-House-Democrats-to-hammer-GOP-on-Boehner-lawsuit-during-August-recess

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/boehners-lawsuit-turning-messaging

Ukraine's coalition government collapses

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/25/5934265/parliament-explainer

Ted Cruz: Nixon or McCarthy?

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/ted-cruz-you-are-nixon-cowboy-boots

http://on.msnbc.com/1x94PF3

More: http://www.vox.com/2014/7/24/5933557/ted-cruz-israel-faa-flight-ban
Ted Cruz says the FAA's flight ban was Obama's secret anti-Israel plot

Theocracy watch

http://prospect.org/article/hobby-lobby-decision-could-give-license-anti-labor-biblical-economics-practices
Business owners now have a new basis for trying to evade anti-discrimination laws and their responsibilities to their employees. Religious liberty is already the rallying cry for conservatives looking for a legal way to discriminate against LGBT Americans; other business owners have tried to use religion to justify opposition to minimum-wage laws and Social Security taxes. Faith groups are already trying to capitalize on the Hobby Lobby decision out of court; on Wednesday, a group of religious leaders asked the Obama administration for an exemption from a forthcoming federal order barring federal contractors from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. . . . [read on]

Bonus item: This will make your head spin. Why AFSCME pulled funding from the United Negro College Fund . . .and what happened next

http://tinyurl.com/pq4uxsp

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