Rand Paul: ‘The Hard Part Of Believing In Freedom’ Is Opposing Ban On Whites-Only Lunch Counters  —  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the greatest accomplishments of the 20th century, banning whites-only lunch counters and similar discrimination in hiring, promotions, hotels and restaurants.

The New York Times has some explaining to do  —  This Associated Press report about the controversy surrounding Richard Blumenthal's description of his military service raises some questions about the New York Times' handling of the story: … So why didn't the Times include Blumenthal …

Sen. Harry Reid Suggests Sen. Scott Brown Lied  —  ABC's Jonathan Karl reports: Did Harry Reid just call Scott Brown a liar?  —  Basically, yes.  —  Here's the story: The Senate just rejected Reid's effort to move to a vote on the Wall Street reform bill, 57-42 (60 votes were needed).

The GOP's special failure  —  All the evidence pointing to monster Republican House gains this fall—the Scott Brown upset win in Massachusetts, the scary polling numbers in once-safely Democratic districts, the ever-rising number of Democratic seats thought to be in jeopardy—was contradicted Tuesday.

Obama Turns His Back On the Press  —  At a ceremony to sign a bill promoting press freedom around the world on Monday, President Obama refused to take questions from the reporters in attendance.  “I'm not doing a press conference today,” he told Chip Reid of CBS News, “but we'll be seeing you guys during the course of the week.”

Kagan Criticized the Warren Court in Thesis  —  In her 1983 masters thesis, Elena Kagan criticized the Supreme Court under liberal icon Earl Warren for what she described as poorly argued rulings, a view that may help her defend herself from any claim by Republican senators that she is a judicial activist.

Heavy Sludge Oozes into Marshes of Louisiana  —  Governor Bobby Jindal Flew over Site and Reported “Heavy Oil;” CBS Cameras Turned Away by BP, Coast Guard  —  (CBS/AP) It may be the most disturbing site yet: the first heavy sludge now oozing into the marshes of Louisiana as the slick continues to grow in size out in the gulf.

Immigration Hits Home for Young Girl and First Lady Michelle Obama  —  ABC News' Karen Travers reports: During First Lady Michelle Obama's visit to an elementary school in Silver Spring, Md., Wednesday, a second grade female student brought up immigration reform in a very personal way.

Obama Should Go to Israel!  —  During a meeting with Jewish Democrats it was suggested — by which participant(s) we don't know — that Obama should visit Israel.  I mused about such a trip earlier this month.  Yes, let's see Obama interact with the Israeli people and go to the Knesset.

Florida mosque bombed; FBI calls for help; national media mute  —  On May 10th, a middle-aged man carried a can of gasoline and a pipe bomb into the Jacksonville Islamic Center of Northeast Florida during evening prayers and detonated it.  Fortunately, there were no injuries to people, though the bomb did damage property.

Congress about to limit political speech of bloggers?  —  The same sloppy legislative writing that created so many unintended consequences in ObamaCare also plagues the DISCLOSE Act, the effort in Congress to tighten spending rules in the wake of the Citizens United decision — and that's the generous take on the situation.

Power Play Over Immigration Law  —  LA's boycott resolution sparks a threat over power the city receives from Arizona  —  An Arizona utility commissioner said he's willing to pull the plug on Los Angeles if the city goes through with a boycott of his state.

White House Embraces Upstart Who Beat Specter  —  Shortly after Representative Joe Sestak won an improbable victory Tuesday over Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's Democratic Senate primary, President Obama called Mr. Sestak to congratulate him.  The president pledged his full support …