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New York Times:
As Confrontation Deepens, Iran's Leader to Speak — TEHRAN — As another day of defiance and uncertainty loomed in Iran's capital on Friday, it was increasingly apparent that there was no clear path out of a deepening confrontation that has posed the most serious challenge to the Islamic republic in its 30-year history.
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BBC:
Ayatollah demands end to protests — Iran's supreme leader has issued a stern warning that protests against the country's disputed presidential election results must end. — In his first public remarks after days of protests, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the outcome had to be decided at the ballot box, not on the street.
News: News blog:
Iran protests: live — A week after the disputed poll, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead Friday prayers today in an attempt to quell continuing anger at the re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Follow live updates — 1.45pm:
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The Daily Dish, Guardian, NPR Blogs, Right Wing Nut House, Taylor Marsh, Harry's Place and Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion
Ella Flaye / Times of London:
Khamenei tells Mousavi to toe the line over election or be cast out
Khamenei tells Mousavi to toe the line over election or be cast out
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Hot Air, Guardian, Time, QandO, YID With LID, RealClearWorld, Los Angeles Times and New York Times
The Politico:
Obama health plan imperiled — President Obama's campaign for health care reform by this fall, once considered highly likely to succeed, suddenly appears in real jeopardy. — Top White House advisers, especially Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, are still privately predicting massive changes to the health care system in 2009.
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Ezra Klein:
EXCLUSIVE: The Finance Committee's Health Reform Outline — A Senate source just passed me the latest outline of the Senate Finance Committee's health reform proposal. This is the post-CBO revision. Apparently, after the committee staff received the scores, they dug deep and quickly developed …
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Shailagh Murray / Washington Post:
New Bipartisan Group to Tackle Health-Care Reform
New Bipartisan Group to Tackle Health-Care Reform
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Wonk Room
Washington Post:
Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance …
Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance …
Discussion:
New York Times, Washington Monthly, Ezra Klein, Wizbang, Wall Street Journal and Open Left
Ceci Connolly / Washington Post:
Price Tag of Health Reform Bill Prompts Sparring and a Delay in Congress
Price Tag of Health Reform Bill Prompts Sparring and a Delay in Congress
Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
The Washington Post fires its best columnist. Why? — (updated below - Update II - Update III - Update IV) — One of the rarest commodities in the establishment media is someone who was a vehement critic of George Bush and who now, applying their principles consistently …
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Patrick Gavin / Michael Calderone's Blog:
Froomkin out at Washington Post (UPDATED) — POLITICO learned today that the Washington Post has terminated its relationship with liberal columnist/blogger Dan Froomkin. Froomkin authored the “White House Watch” blog and was told today that the blog had essentially run its course.
Discussion:
Crooks and Liars, Salon, The Daily Dish, Washington Monthly, James Fallows, Gawker, Hot Air, Wonkette, TalkLeft, The Moderate Voice, Daily Kos, The Raw Story, Majikthise, The Washington Note, Riehl World View, Comments from Left Field, Booman Tribune, Lawyers, Guns and Money, Taylor Marsh and Latest Open Salon Blog
Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
Obama Misses the Point With Iran Response — Millions of Iranians take to the streets to defy a theocratic dictatorship that, among its other finer qualities, is a self-declared enemy of America and the tolerance and liberties it represents. The demonstrators are fighting on their own …
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Paul Wolfowitz / Washington Post:
Obama Needs to Change Stance on Iran — President Obama's first response to the protests in Iran was silence, followed by a cautious, almost neutral stance designed to avoid “meddling” in Iranian affairs. I am reminded of Ronald Reagan's initially neutral response to the crisis following …
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msnbc.com, The Huffington Post, The Opinionator, The Daily Dish, TPMCafe, Lawyers, Guns and Money, Abu Muqawama and The Reaction
Elianne Friend / CNN:
Mom fined to tune of $1.9M for 24 illegal songs — (CNN) — A federal jury Thursday found a 32-year-old Minnesota woman guilty of illegally downloading music from the Internet and fined her $80,000 each — a total of $1.9 million — for 24 songs. — Jammie Thomas-Rasset's case …
Discussion:
Comments from Left Field
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Alison Leigh Cowan / New York Times:
Pick for Protocol Post Corrects Failure to File Taxes in 2 Years — President Obama's choice as chief of protocol for the State Department, a position that carries the status of an ambassadorship, did not file tax returns for 2005 and 2006, errors she corrected last November.
Chicago Sun Times:
Legendary CBS journalist Walter Cronkite reportedly gravely ill — FROM STAFF REPORTS — Legendary CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite, 92, long known as the “Most Trusted Man in America,” is gravely ill, according to multiple CBS News sources and published reports.
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Sam Youngman / The Hill:
At fundraiser, Obama laughs at critics — As he looks to expand Democratic majorities in Congress, President Obama on Thursday night also used a fundraiser for his congressional allies to target his critics. — The president, speaking at a joint fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee …
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Daily Mail:
Japan warns that North Korea may fire missile at U.S. on Independence Day — North Korea may launch a long-range ballistic missile towards Hawaii on American Independence Day, according to Japanese intelligence officials. — The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 4,000 miles …
Discussion:
Fox News, Wizbang, Gawker, Fausta's Blog, The Gun Toting Liberal, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS and digg.com
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Franz Och / The Official Google Blog:
Google translates Persian — Today, we added Persian (Farsi) to Google Translate. This means you can now translate any text from Persian into English and from English into Persian — whether it's a news story, a website, a blog, an email, a tweet or a Facebook message.
Jimmy Orr / Christian Science Monitor:
Boxer scolds Army General for not calling her “Senator” — Ever wonder what Eric Cartman might sound like if he was in Congress? Wonder no more... California Senator Barbara Boxer is a Senator. And if you don't acknowledge it, she'll demand you acknowledge it. Even if you're a General in the United States Army.
Discussion:
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Jake Sherman / Wall Street Journal:
White House Looks to Include Same-Sex Unions in Census Count — WASHINGTON — The White House said Thursday it was seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data, the second time in a week the administration has signaled a policy change of interest to the gay community.
Wall Street Journal:
CEOs of Bailed-Out Banks Flew to Resorts on Firms' Jets — Some executives at banks propped up by government aid have retained a coveted perk: personal use of the company jet. — Flight records show numerous occasions when banks receiving federal money have flown their planes …
ABCNEWS:
CONSERVATIVE LADIES PRETTY IN MINK — Pretty in Mink: Conservative Leading Ladies — Playwright turned U.S. Ambassador Clare Boothe Luce (1903 - 1987) — the namesake of the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute — was the editor of Vanity Fair, as well as a U.S. congresswoman from Connecticut.
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The Huffington Post