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High flyer: RNC Chairman Steele suggested buying private jet with GOP funds — According to two knowledgeable sources, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele once raised the possibility of using party money to buy a private jet for his travel.
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Michael Steele's Bondage Party Has an O.C. Connection — If you haven't seen it, the Huffington Post is having a fantastic time today with a story about the lavish spending by RNC Chair, Michael Steele. — Steele's questionable expenditures aside— and they should certainly be examined closely …

FEC report details lavish Republican spending, including nearly $2,000 at Voyeur West Hollywood — The Republican National Committee gave nearly $2,000 to a Southern California GOP contributor for meal expenses at Voyeur West Hollywood, a lesbian-themed California nightclub …
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Gawker, Jay Bookman, RHRealityCheck.org, Wonkette, American Power, DISSENTING JUSTICE and No More Mister Nice Blog

A familiar pattern — It has almost become routine now: There is some controversy surrounding Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Republican professionals are embarrassed, some of them gripe about the latest episode and then they move on — until it happens again.


California Republican returning RNC money after racy club visit
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Firedoglake

Carlson rejects RNC on ‘bondage club’ story
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Politics Daily, Don Surber, Riehl World View and The Washington Independent

Tucker Carlson responds to RNC complaints about DC's Michael Steele article


In the Wake of Arrests in Three States, Right-Wingers Rush to Defend Terror Suspects, Criticize FBI — Pictured: a non-Muslim Caucasian, and therefore, not a terrorist, — CNN: … Those are some serious charges. Attempted use of WMD. Seditious conspiracy.
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9 Tied to Militia Charged in Plot to Murder Officers — WASHINGTON — Nine members of a Michigan-based Christian militia group have been indicted on sedition and weapons charges in connection with an alleged plot to murder law enforcement officers in hopes of setting off an anti-government uprising.
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Hatewatch, Firedoglake, Washington Monthly, RaceWire, democracyarsenal.org, TalkLeft and Confederate Yankee


Nine Christian Militia Members Charged With Seditious Conspiracy, Attempted Use Of WMD — Nine members of the Christian militia group Hutaree have been indicted on multiple charges involving an alleged plot to attack police, including seditious conspiracy and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction …


Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Rep. Eric Cantor — The U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia released this statement today. The text of an accompanying affidavit is also below. TPM's ongoing coverage of the story is here. — PRESS RELEASE — PHILADELPHIA - Today …
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Document drop: FBI charges anti-Semitic nutball with threats against GOP Rep. Cantor & family; “...you receive my bullets in your office, remember they will be placed in your heads.” — Just obtained this from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia: — Today, a two-count complaint …

DNC will give Cantor threat suspect's donations to charity
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The Politico, Crew of 42, TPM LiveWire, The Washington Independent, Maggie's Notebook and Wonkette

Insurers Might Delay Covering Pre-Existing Conditions — WASHINGTON — Just days after President Obama signed the new health care law, insurance companies are already arguing that, at least for now, they do not have to provide one of the benefits that the president calls a centerpiece of the law …
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New iPhone May End AT&T U.S. Monopoly — Apple Inc. plans to begin producing this year a new iPhone that could allow U.S. phone carriers other than AT&T Inc. to sell the iconic gadget, said people briefed by the company. — The new iPhone would work on a type of wireless network called CDMA, these people said.


CNN Poll: Big shift on closing of Guantanamo Bay facility — Washington (CNN) - Attitudes about the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have changed dramatically since President Barack Obama took office, according to a new national poll. — Support for closing the facility …
Discussion:
The Hill
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Humans ‘too stupid’ to save climate — In his first in-depth interview since the theft of UEA emails, the scientist blames inertia and democracy for lack of action — • Read the full transcript of James Lovelock's G2 interview with Leo Hickman — Humans are too stupid …

VERSION ESPAÑOL — En los últimos meses me di a la tarea de escribir mis memorias. — VIEW ENGLISH VERSION BELOW — En los últimos meses me di a la tarea de escribir mis memorias. Un proyecto que sabia seria uno verdaderamente importante para mi porque desde que …


In Defense of Sarah Palin — She understands that the U.S. has been a force for good in the world—which is more than can be said of our president. — Nothing annoys certain of my fellow conservative intellectuals more than when I remind them, as on occasion I mischievously do …
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TigerHawk, The New Republic, Democratic Strategist, Eunomia, Cato @ Liberty and Washington Post


Gallup crumble: ObamaCare underwater again, GOP surges on generic ballot — The One's bounce has already started to fade but the numbers for the bill itself were an open question since Gallup's shocker last week showing a surge of support to 49/40. Momentary spike due to glowing media coverage of the historic historicness of passage?
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USA Today


Michael Calderone Leaving Politico, Latest In Mini-Exodus — WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? — Politico media blogger Michael Calderone is leaving the site for Yahoo. — According to sources, he is expected to leave Politico within a matter of weeks to join Yahoo News' original content project, overseen by blogging editor Andrew Golis.

A Long Post: The Complete List of Obama Statement Expiration Dates — By: Jim Geraghty — By popular demand, a comprehensive list of expired Obama statements... HEALTH CARE MANDATES — STATEMENT: “We've got a philosophical difference, which we've debated repeatedly …
Discussion:
Big Journalism

Students want ‘Our Lord’ phrase off diplomas — READ — A group of students at Trinity University is lobbying trustees to drop a reference to “Our Lord” on their diplomas, arguing it does not respect the diversity of religions on campus. — “A diploma is a very personal item …
Discussion:
Jihad Watch


C-Span Caller Rails Against Black Callers (VIDEO) — A caller to C-Span this morning, who identified himself as a Republican from North Carolina, accused the network of taking too many phone calls from black people. — “You have black folks calling in on the Republican line, independents.


Grayson Threatened, Compares GOP To Nazis — Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), known for saying outrageous things to rile Republicans, told a radio show last week that he received a threatening phone call, according to Politico. — Grayson said a woman called his home and threatened his life.


The Palin test for FinReg — I don't like to disagree with Paul Krugman about financial regulation, but I think it's actually a bit too pessimistic to sigh that “no system will work once President Palin gets to appoint the Secretary of the Treasury and the chairman of the Fed.”


Franken Unhinged: Shutting Up Staffers and Journalist — Al Franken became famous as a comedian. A long-time writer for Saturday Night Live, he developed routines and characters that made us laugh. But, as my latest video reminds us, even funny people can be humorless.