PARTNERS

Hillary Clinton's first big speech as a candidate distances herself from . . . Bill Clinton's polices

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/29/hillary-clinton-hopes-to-undo-the-mass-incarceration-system-bill-clinton-helped-build/?wprss=rss_politics
"It's time to end the era of mass incarceration," she said. "We need a true national debate about how to reduce our prison population while keeping our communities safe."

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-hillary-clinton-is-running-against-parts-of-her-husbands-legacy/2015/04/29/e34778ae-ee79-11e4-8abc-d6aa3bad79dd_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/fivepoints/hillary-clinton-race-criminal-justice-reform

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/29/8515595/hillary-clinton-just-gave-one-of-the-most-important-speeches-of-her
Hillary Clinton just gave one of the most important speeches of her career 

Bernie Sanders joins the Democratic race for president

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/matt-taibbi-good-luck-bernie-give-em-hell

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/28/8510603/bernie-sanders-president-2016

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/30/bernie-sanders-from-hippie-migrant-to-would-be-president/?wprss=rss_politics
OK, so he's not going to win. But he's running. And Sanders's political story is nothing if not unusual.  . . .


How will the Baltimore riots affect the 2016 presidential race?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/29/morning-plum-baltimore-riots-enter-the-presidential-race/

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/we-interrupt-this-election-cycle

The Republican budget

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_04/mindboggling_budget055314.php
House and Senate Republican negotiators have reached agreement on the outlines of a FY 2016 budget resolution that would include $5 trillion in spending cuts over ten years—just what our fragile economic recovery needs . . .  [read on]

Ted Cruz uses divisive rhetoric to accuse Obama of being . . . divisive

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/29/cruz-obama-has-inflamed-racial-tensions/?wprss=rss_politics

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/29/ted-cruz-uses-george-w-bush-to-accuse-barack-obama-of-being-jimmy-carter/?wprss=rss_politics 

Will the NSA be forced to end bulk metadata collection? 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/29/much-of-nsa-bulk-surveillance-as-youve-known-it-may-soon-end/

Things are . . . different . . . in Texas

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/3942bea584aa4d8a9e32e8e74157db0f/texas-governor-tells-state-guard-monitor-army-training
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday asked the State Guard to monitor a U.S. military training exercise dubbed "Jade Helm 15" amid Internet-fueled suspicions that the war simulation is really a hostile military takeover.  The request comes a day after more than 200 people packed a meeting in rural Bastrop County and questioned a U.S. Army commander about whether the government was planning to confiscate guns or implement martial law. Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape said "conspiracy theorists" and "fear mongers" had been in a frenzy. . . .
 
More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-perils-political-paranoia-texas

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/30/right_wing_lunatics_think_the_military_is_planning_to_invade_texas_heres_why/
 We couldn't make this up if we tried. . .
 

Bonus item: Jobs that make you need a drink at the end of the day

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/29/the-jobs-most-likely-to-make-you-crave-a-stiff-drink-when-the-day-is-done/

***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.***

WORRIED YET?

The Clinton Foundation problem won't go away

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/clinton-foundation-needs-better-defense.html
If This Is the Best Defense of the Clinton Foundation, She’s in Trouble

More: http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-04-29/clinton-foundation-failed-to-disclose-1-100-foreign-donations
Clinton Foundation Failed to Disclose 1,100 Foreign Donations 

Budget negotiations are going too well, so the Repubs put a stop to them

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/28/1380912/-Bob-Corker-puts-the-brake-on-budget-nbsp-negotiations
 
Would a Supreme Court vote for gay marriage help Republicans?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/upshot/why-a-ruling-for-same-sex-marriage-would-help-republicans.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&abt=0002&abg=1

The GOP's dilemma over Obamacare

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/28/republicans-flummoxed-by-sudden-possibility-of-big-victory-over-obamacare/
Republicans flummoxed by sudden possibility of big victory over Obamacare

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/28/hillary_will_laugh_all_the_way_to_the_white_house_how_the_gops_boneheaded_obamacare_fixation_boosts_her_bid/
Hillary will laugh all the way to the White House: How the GOP’s boneheaded Obamacare fixation boosts her bid 

"The neoliberals are killing us"

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/29/neoliberals_are_killing_us_the_ted_talk_techno_utopian_thomas_friedman_economy_is_a_lie/

Are unions always right?

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/how-police-unions-blocked-maryland-reform
How Police Unions Blocked Maryland Police Reform

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/28/the_police_are_the_problem_why_its_time_to_take_on_marylands_cop_unions/
Why it’s time to take on Maryland’s cop unions 

Yes

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/yes-george-w-really-should-remain-silent
Yes, George W. Really Should Remain Silent

Theocracy watch

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/29/america_is_not_a_christian_nation_the_dark_capitalist_roots_of_our_countrys_most_destructive_myth_partner/
America is not a Christian nation

Bonus item: Jon Stewart blasts stupid media coverage of the Baltimore riots

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/stewart-whacks-media-pretending-be

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/jon-stewart-rips-cnn-covering-whcd-during

For example: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/watch-community-organizer-shames-wolf

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/shep-smith-the-five-baltimore

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/28/fox-news-blames-al-sharpton-whether-he-s-there-or-not.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.***

BUSHED

He's b-a-a-a-c-k!

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/27/the_swaggering_idiot_returns_george_w_bush_emerges_from_artistic_exile_to_rehab_his_disastrous_legacy/
George W. Bush is back, and he's concerned that the foreign policy catastrophes he helped create aren't being fixed 

More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/george-w-bush-unironically-warns-middle-east-chaos

The new trend of GOP interference in foreign policy

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-sees-cotton-sabotage-strategy-educational-effort

More: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/we-must-stop-tom-cotton

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/27/gop_science_deniers_shameless_new_low_a_tom_cotton_style_effort_to_undercut_global_climate_talks/

A preview of the Supreme Court case on gay marriage

http://www.vox.com/cards/gay-marriage-supreme-court-decision/supreme-court-gay-marriage-history

Of course: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/27/1380667/-Religious-leaders-demand-liberal-justices-recuse-themselves-from-marriage-equality-case

Republican populism?

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/why-republicans-cant-pull-off-populism.html

How Rand Paul learned to love drones

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/rand-pauls-drone-evolution-now-complete

No, Ted Cruz is not a serious candidate for president

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/27/ted_cruzs_repugnant_anti_gay_screed_marriage_equality_is_liberal_fascism_against_christians/
Ted Cruz’s repugnant anti-gay screed: Marriage equality is “liberal fascism” against Christians 

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/04/28/ted_cruz_has_no_path_to_win_his_play_for_evangelical_vote_wont_fly_as_gops_wall_street_and_tea_party_wings_collide/
Ted Cruz has no path to win

Tough guy, huh?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/chris-christie-polls-media-coverage
Christie: The Media Made My Poll Numbers Go So Low 

Journalist says "Clinton Cash" author has no evidence to support his claims. That journalist . . . is the book's author himself

http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/27/clinton-author-admits-he-doesnt-have-evidence/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/27/1380600/--Clinton-Cash-author-can-t-even-defend-his-wild-claims-on-Fox-News

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/27/back-to-basic-facts-in-latest-hillary-clinton-scandal-story/
Back to basics . . .

Robert Reich thinks things are going to hell

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/28/robert_reich_americans_are_utterly_powerless_partner/

Bonus item: John Oliver goes after the clothing industry

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/27/8503141/john-oliver-fashion

***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.***

MISTAKES WERE MADE

This sort of thing never stops the trouble

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/240124-clinton-foundation-acknowledges-mistakes
Clinton Foundation admits 'mistakes' 

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-foundation-acknowledges-mistakes-emphasizes-transparency/2015/04/26/8832621a-ec32-11e4-8abc-d6aa3bad79dd_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/clintons-we-made-mistakes-didnt-take-bribes.html

Why drone use continues to escalate

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/us/politics/deep-support-in-washington-for-cias-drone-missions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The inequalities of old age

https://prospect.org/article/senior-class-americas-unequal-retirement

The Republican roller coaster

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/upshot/how-to-read-the-ups-and-downs-of-polling-in-the-gop-race.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=1

Gerrymandering gone wild

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/27/the-most-amazing-political-stat-youll-see-this-week/?wprss=rss_politics

Theocracy watch

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/27/the_gops_demonic_alliance_how_the_religious_right_big_business_are_dumbing_down_america/
How the religious right & big business are dumbing down America 

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/26/1379711/-Bobby-Jindal-advocates-unholy-alliance-of-fundamentalists-and-big-business-to-back-discrimination

In Fox World!

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/chris-wallace-grills-author-clinton-cash
Chris Wallace Grills Author Of 'Clinton Cash’: ‘You Don’t Have A Single Piece Of Evidence’

Bonus item: John Oliver takes down Dr. Oz

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/26/john-oliver-obliterates-dr-oz-the-worst-person-ever-on-tv-in-scrubs-including-katherine-heigl.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 CHENEY PARTY

And proud of it

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/25/the_republican_partys_imperial_rebirth_how_dick_cheneys_twisted_worldview_became_the_guiding_light_of_the_gop/

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/25/1380082/-View-from-the-left-donors-v-voters-the-GOP-s-split-personality-primary
Donors v. voters, the GOP’s split personality primary

Continuing the debate

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/25/progressives_cant_trust_hillary_clinton_on_cultural_and_economic_issues_the_problems_are_stark_and_decades_long/
Progressives can’t trust Hillary Clinton

Misunderstanding politics

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/26/our_perverse_centrist_patriots_everything_the_elite_media_gets_wrong_about_american_politics/
Call it Chris Matthews-itis. George Packer wants an exciting politics of heroism, sacrifice, war. It's dead wrong 

The Supreme Court review of gay marriage

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/four-lawyers-take-on-history-in-supreme-court-gay-marriage-case/2015/04/25/26915bc6-e84d-11e4-9a6a-c1ab95a0600b_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

More: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/steve-king-wants-bar-supreme-court-hearing
Steve King Wants To Bar The Supreme Court From Hearing Marriage Cases

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/24/1379879/-Civics-Lesson-from-Mike-Huckabee-Supreme-Court-ruling-on-marriage-no-big-thing
Civics lesson from Mike Huckabee: Supreme Court ruling on marriage no big thing

Theocracy watch: laughing at religion

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/26/bill_maher_american_hero_laughing_at_religion_is_exactly_what_the_world_needs/
 
More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/25/1379403/-Creationists-still-blaming-Darwin-for-Columbine

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/26/the_central_delusion_of_the_christian_right_americans_arent_really_churchgoers_after_all_partner/
The central delusion of the Christian right: Americans aren’t really churchgoers after all 

I was misled: the author of "Clinton Cash" isn't planning a similar book on Jeb Bush

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/shocker-turns-out-clinton-scandal-author

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/26/1380072/-Sunday-Talk-Gaming-the-system
NBC Meet the Press: Former National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Micah Zenko (Council on Foreign Relations); Pro-Same Sex Mariage Attorneys David Boies & Ted Olson; Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R); Comedian/WHCA Dinner Host Cecily Strong; "Doonesbury" Creator Gary Trudeau; Roundtable: Matt Bai (Yahoo News), Helene Cooper (New York Times) and Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

CBS Face the Nation: Evan Wolfson (Freedom to Marry); Tony Perkins (Family Research Council); Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R); Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD); New York Police Commissioner William Bratton & Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller; Roundtabe: Peter Baker (New York Times), Ruth Marcus (Washington Post), Kim Strassel (Wall Street Journal) and John Dickerson (CBS News).      

ABC This Week: Smear Merchant Peter Schweizer; Rep. John Delaney (D-MD); Former White House Counterterrorism Advisor Richard Clarke; Roundtable: Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, Former House Speaker New Gingrich (R-GA) and Mark Halperin & John Heilemann (Bloomberg Politics).      

CNN State of the Union: Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R); Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); Singer John Legend; Others TBD.

Bonus item: Highlights from the WH Correspondents' Dinner

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/white-house-correspondents-dinner-cecily-strong-jokes.html
After noting that Dick Cheney recently called him "the worst president of my lifetime": "[It's] interesting, because I think Dick Cheney is the worst president of my lifetime." . .  [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

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.***

INSECURITY

Bad fixes to Social Security 

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/23/8471007/social-security-response
Why raising the Social Security retirement age really does hurt the poor the most

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_04/increasing_the_social_security055238.php 

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_04/rich_old_folks_and_social_secu055243.php 

Well, maybe 

https://prospect.org/article/how-progressive-policies-can-lead-democratic-majority
The new American electorate could offer a durable majority--if Democrats address economic needs with progressive policies, not centrist ones. 

The TPP fight heats up 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/24/obama-escalates-push-back-against-elizabeth-warren-and-other-trade-deal-critics/
Obama escalates push-back against Elizabeth Warren and other trade deal critics

More: http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/25/obama-takes-on-liberal-democrats-over-trade/ 

More on the "new normal" for drone strikes 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/world/asia/drone-strikes-reveal-uncomfortable-truth-us-is-often-unsure-about-who-will-die.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Drone Strikes Reveal Uncomfortable Truth: U.S. Is Often Unsure About Who Will Die

More: https://www.emptywheel.net/2015/04/24/the-sitting-next-to-a-baddie-american-death-authorization-has-become-the-sitting-in-a-baddie-compound/ 

Warrantless spying - what has it accomplished? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/25/us/politics/value-of-nsa-warrantless-spying-is-doubted-in-declassified-reports.html?partner=rss&emc=rss 

Ted Cruz's priorities 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/24/it-doesnt-matter-that-ted-cruz-skipped-the-loretta-lynch-vote-it-matters-that-he-skipped-so-many-others/?wprss=rss_politics
Ted Cruz is getting heat for missing the Loretta Lynch vote. It matters more that he skipped so many others. 

The Comcast/Time Warner merger is dead -- and that's good 

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8489173/comcast-time-warner-fail

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2015/04/comcast_time_warner_cable_merger_why_it_fell_apart.html 

Diversity hires don't always help 

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/24/we_checked_off_the_box_how_token_diversity_hires_can_actually_work_against_gender_equality/ 

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/04/24/%E2%80%9Cbeing_good_at_your_job_isn%E2%80%99t_enough%E2%80%9D_a_new_documentary_looks_at_the_history_and_future_of_women_in_tech/ 

Theocracy watch 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/24/1380030/-Mike-Huckabee-America-moving-rapidly-towards-the-criminalization-of-Christianity
Mike Huckabee: America 'moving rapidly towards the criminalization of Christianity'

More: http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/24/most-dont-want-religious-freedom-laws/
Most Don’t Want ‘Religious Freedom’ Laws 

Bonus item: Unexpected consequences of the gluten-free movement

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/24/how-the-gluten-free-movement-is-ruining-our-relationship-with-food/

http://www.vox.com/2015/4/23/8474125/the-real-side-effect-of-a-gluten-free-diet-scientific-illiteracy

 ***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.***

DRONING ON

The story about hostages killed by a US drone strike is disturbing. But the real story is buried inside it: our policy has shifted from targeted assassinations of specific known individuals (whatever one thinks of that) to . . .

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/23/us-drone-strike-killed-american-italian-al-qaida
Among the most startling admissions was the fact the drone strike was authorized by a senior counter-terrorism official without any specific information about who was in the immediate area, which had merely been identified as a compound frequented by al-Qaida leaders. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/23/botched-cia-operation-is-a-reminder-still-no-transparency-around-drones/

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2015/04/23/obama-administrations-announcement-about-us-drone-strike-shows-it-doesnt-know-who-drones-are-killing/

Is the Clinton Foundation a real problem for Hillary?

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/disastrous-clinton-post-presidency.html

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/did-hillary-back-deals-due-to-foundation-money.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_04/the_next_wave_of_clinton_scand055225.php

More: http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/first-read-foundation-questions-continue-plague-clinton-n346821

Shut up, Mitt

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/romney-says-it-looks-like-hillary-was-bribed.html
Mitt Romney Claims There’s ‘Every Appearance That Hillary Was Bribed’

The Benghazi witch hunt: going nowhere fast

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/23/of-the-benghazi-committees-136-questions-to-clinton-8-are-directly-about-benghazi/?wprss=rss_politics
Of the Benghazi committee’s 136 questions to Clinton, 8 are directly about Benghazi

More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-political-charade-benghazi-comes-focus

What the Repubs DON'T want to talk about in 2016

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-cat-is-really-really-out-of-the-bag

Pssst: here's the dirty little secret -- all those GOP govs running for president have ruined their states 

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/23/scott_walker_forever_tarnished_republican_governors_have_tanked_the_gop_brand/

Only three GOP candidates are viable

http://cookpolitical.com/story/8384

Loretta Lynch is finally approved as AG. What difference will it make?

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/what-will-a-loretta-lynchled-doj-look-like.html

Our divided Congress

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/23/a-stunning-visualization-of-our-divided-congress/

Increasingly, abortion foes are rejecting even the rape exception

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/23/1379749/-Tennessee-Republican-Rape-is-often-not-verifiable-so-no-exemption-on-anti-abortion-bill

In Fox World

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/23/megyn_kelly_lashes_out_at_feminist_buttercups_who_needs_to_toughen_up/
Megyn Kelly lashes out at feminist “buttercups” who need to “toughen up” 

Bonus item: News you can use -- how to sound smart in meetings

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/23/how-to-seem-smart-in-meetings-without-really-trying/

***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.***

PATRIOTS

Extending the Patriot Act

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379466/-Mitch-McConnell-maneuvers-to-extend-Patriot-Act-NSA-powers-outside-of-legislative-nbsp-process
Mitch McConnell maneuvers to extend Patriot Act, NSA powers outside of legislative process

More: http://firedoglake.com/2015/04/22/as-gop-push-patriot-act-renewal-critics-demand-end-to-mass-surveillance-provision/

Long overdue

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/obama-admin-eyes-big-changes-guantanamo-bay
Late last year, a reporter asked President Obama whether the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay will be closed by the end of 2015. He didn’t answer directly, but he committed to doing “everything I can to close it.” . . .

The absurdity of the GOP stance on Obamacare

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/22/tea-party-senator-accidentally-reveals-absurdity-of-gop-stance-on-obamacare/ 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379414/-Sen-Ron-Johnson-doesn-t-want-you-to-lose-your-health-insurance-until-after-he-s-nbsp-re-elected\

It's not the 1% - it's the .01%

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/04/one-percent-campaign-giving

Not news, really

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/04/immense-coincidence-gop-benghazi-probe-scheduled-finish-during-height-2016-hillar
By Immense Coincidence, GOP Benghazi Probe Scheduled to Finish Up During Height of 2016 Hillary Campaign

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379427/-House-Republicans-slow-walking-Benghazi-report-for-maximum-2016-impact

The Koch Bros. plan for 2016

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/koch-brothers-2016-election-memo-117238.html#ixzz3Y46MBq6j
The Koch brothers’ political machine is expanding into new states and recruiting new donors as it seeks to shape the Republican Party — and its presidential field — headed into 2016, according to interviews with multiple sources, as well as confidential donor briefing documents obtained by POLITICO.  The documents detail plans to beef up the network’s state-of-the-art data system, and pay hundreds of staff embedded in local communities across the country in preparation for get-out-the-vote efforts that are unprecedented from a third-party group. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/22/1379525/-Kochs-acquisition-of-the-Republican-Party-nearly-nbsp-complete

Scott Walker goes hard for the nativist vote 

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/scott-walkers-turn-against-legal-immigration-shakes-2016
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s newfound skepticism of legal immigration levels is a potential turning point in the still nascent presidential race, potentially dragging the Republican Party further to the right than Mitt Romney’s hardline immigration platform in 2012.  . . .

More: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/04/scott_walker_is_now_against_legal_immigration_the_wisconsin_governor_s_new.html 

When Ted Cruz was a college debater

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/23/us/politics/ted-cruz-honed-political-skills-in-princeton-debate-club.html?_r=1
Mr. Cruz honed those skills as a college debater, an experience that served as a beta version for his national campaign. It was a time when his strengths, weaknesses and occasional self-defeating ploys were all on display. . . .

"Clinton Cash" author plans to go after Jeb Bush next

http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/23/clinton-cash-author-is-targeting-bush-next/

Theocracy watch, special edition: the dreaded "secular theocracy"

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/21/rick_santorum_finds_a_new_completely_nonsensical_object_of_hate_president_obamas_secular_theocracy/

More: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/04/hump-day-quiz-what-secular-theocracy 

The misunderstood problem of obesity 

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/23/americas_obesity_misinformation_epidemic_whats_really_making_us_overweight_partner/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/22/youll-never-guess-the-worlds-fattest-country-and-no-its-not-the-u-s/

Bonus item: Obama's facial expressions

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/23/some-of-obamas-best-expressions-according-to-jimmy-fallon/

***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.***

BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

When candidates let PACs run their campaigns

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/21/the-robots-are-here-jeb-bush-and-the-first-super-pac-run-campaign/?wprss=rss_politics

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379212/-Jeb-considers-outsourcing-significant-campaign-responsibilities-to-super-PAC

We're watching a generational war take place in the GOP: McCain and Graham against Rand Paul and Ted Cruz

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379226/-McCain-and-Graham-blast-candidate-Rand-Paul-who-blasts-them-right-back
McCain and Graham blast candidate Rand Paul, who blasts them right back

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/21/rand-paul-gop-hawks-are-lap-dogs-for-obama/?wprss=rss_politics
Rand Paul: GOP hawks are ‘lap dogs’ for Obama

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379220/-John-McCain-openly-mocks-presidential-candidate-Ted-Cruz
John McCain openly mocks presidential candidate Ted Cruz

http://politicalwire.com/2015/04/21/mccain-denies-cruz-claims/
McCain Denies Cruz Claims

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_04/mccain_and_graham_as_obamas_la055193.php

The upside-down pyramid

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379239/-Bill-O-Reilly-outraged-at-how-America-s-poor-people-are-soaking-the-rich
Bill O'Reilly outraged at how America's poor people are soaking the rich

"Clinton Cash" -- the convenient convergence of interests between the mainstream and fringe press (thanks to LW for the link)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/04/21/rachel-maddow-explores-clinton-cash-books-connection-to-new-york-times-washington-post/

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/21/inside_the_rights_new_clinton_cash_obsession_the_sketchy_new_hillary_expose_that_hooked_the_new_york_times/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-villages-garden-path-is-littered.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/21/getting-back-to-basic-facts-in-the-next-hillary-scandal/

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379052/-Author-of-new-anti-Clinton-book-has-a-long-record-of-errors-and-falsehoods
Author of new anti-Clinton book has a long record of errors and falsehoods

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/clinton-campaign-book_n_7109952.html
Clinton Campaign Gears Up To Crush Another Book

Hillary has a long way to go in reassuring progressives

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/22/left-to-hillary-you-re-a-phony.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/21/is-hillary-a-populist-of-convenience/

A strange pair of headlines: one woman gets a job, one loses a job

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/21/1379199/-Senate-has-deal-on-sex-trafficking-bill-to-get-to-Loretta-Lynch-nomination
Senate has deal on sex trafficking bill to get to Loretta Lynch nomination

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/dea-chief-to-retire-after-sex-party-scandal.html
DEA Chief to Retire After Sex-Party Scandal

Don't ask, don't tell

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/21/why-women-are-afraid-to-tell-employers-theyre-pregnant/
Why women are afraid to tell employers they’re pregnant

Giving rapists "parental rights"

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-rapists-parental-rights-really.html

Ah, still crazy after all these years

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/michele-bachmann-obama-end-times-iran
Michele Bachmann: Thanks Obama For Bringing On The Apocalypse

Theocracy watch

https://prospect.org/article/how-decline-southern-white-evangelicals-fuels-passage-religious-freedom-laws
How the Decline of Southern White Evangelicals Fuels the Passage of 'Religious Freedom' Laws 

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/04/21/fox_host_terror_recruitment_would_end_if_we_had_a_more_robust_manly_version_of_christianity/
Fox Host: To stop terror recruitment, we need a more “robust, manly” version of Christianity

Bonus item: The Onion covers the presidential race

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/21/the-2016-election-so-far-in-6-onion-headlines/?wprss=rss_politics

***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.***