Top Items:
The Politico:
GOP takes aim at Obamas' NYC trip — President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama landed in New York Sunday afternoon, and after taking a helicopter from JFK into Manhattan, drove up the West Side Highway, where the northbound lanes were shut down by police for their visit, past Ground Zero …
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Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
SOMETIMES, A DATE IS JUST A DATE.... Ordinarily, this is the kind of human-interest story that I wouldn't even read. Apparently, though, it's angered quite a few Republicans, so I guess we might as well take a look at. … Good for them; I'm sure it's nice for the Obamas to get out once in a while.
Jazz Shaw / The Moderate Voice:
Was “Date Night” a Good Idea? — The President may have described it as keeping a campaign promise, but should he have taken the First Lady out for dinner and a show on Broadway in the Big Apple last night? Or is this one promise that needed to be broken and just hope that Michelle would still vote for him in 2012 anyway?
Discussion:
Hot Air
Ann Sanner / Associated Press:
First couple's NY date: a campaign promise kept — President Barack Obama made good on a campaign promise to his most important supporter Saturday night — his wife, Michelle. — The president and first lady jetted to a date in New York late Saturday afternoon, aides and media in tow.
Mike Baker / Fox News:
Obamas' Date Night in New York City Draws Criticism — Even before the Obamas left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from Republicans who questioned the president's decision to travel to New York for a night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive.
Richard A. Clarke / Washington Post:
The Trauma of 9/11 Is No Excuse — Top officials from the Bush administration have hit upon a revealing new theme as they retrospectively justify their national security policies. Call it the White House 9/11 trauma defense. — “Unless you were there, in a position of responsibility after September 11 …
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Frank Rich / New York Times:
Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack? — AFTER watching the farce surrounding Dick Cheney's coming-out party this month, you have to wonder: Which will reach Washington first, change or the terrorists? If change doesn't arrive soon, terrorists may well rush in where the capital's fools now tread.
Barak Ravid / Haaretz:
Israel to U.S.: ‘Stop favoring Palestinians’ — Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem are growing after the U.S. administration's demand that Israel completely freeze construction in all West Bank settlements. Israeli political officials expressed disappointment after Tuesday's round …
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Evan Harris / Political Punch:
Obama Administration Asserts Uighur Detainees Have No Right to Come to US — The Obama administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court Friday to reject a request for a hearing from 17 Chinese Muslims currently being held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, arguing they have no right to come …
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Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
Jeffrey Rosen vows never to “blog” again — (updated below - Update II) — NPR has a thorough examination today of the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Rosen's New Republic anonymity-driven smear attack on Sonia Sotomayor's intellect and character. The audio news report …
P.J. O'Rourke / Wall Street Journal:
The End of the Affair — The fate of Detroit isn't a matter of economics. It's a tragic romance, whose magic was killed by bureaucrats, bad taste and busybodies. P.J. O'Rourke on why Americans fell out of love with the automobile. — Printer — Friendly
Discussion:
Tim Blair
Associated Press:
Saudi beheads and crucifies murder convict — RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi authorities beheaded and crucified a man convicted of brutally slaying an 11-year-old boy and his father, the Interior Ministry announced. — According to the statement issued by the ministry Friday …