memeorandum: A Sin and a Shame — The treatment of workers by American corporations … (Bob Herbert/New York Times)

2:10 PM ET, July 31, 2010

Top Items:

Ethics Trial Expected for California Congresswoman — WASHINGTON — Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, will face charges of misusing her office and is expected to contest the claims in a House trial, the second powerful House Democrat to opt for such a public airing in recent days …

Discussion: Los Angeles Times, Washington Monthly, Sweetness & Light, Sister Toldjah, JammieWearingFool, Taegan Goddard's … and TPMMuckraker

Glenn Thrush / Ben Smith's Blog:

Obama: Time for Rangel to end career “with dignity” — President Barack Obama has kept mum on the fate of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) for days — but he tells CBS News that it's time for the embattled 80-year-old former Ways and Means Chairman to end his career “with dignity.”

Discussion: Outside the Beltway, Scared Monkeys, Zandar Versus The Stupid, Hot Air, Weasel Zippers, Denver Post, Pajamas Media, Power Line, The Other McCain, DISSENTING JUSTICE, The Politico and New York Post

Janie Lorber / The Caucus:

The Saturday Word: The Economy — President Obama criticized Senate Republicans on Saturday for blocking Democrats' attempt to expand loan programs and tax breaks for small businesses, while Republicans condemned Mr. Obama's policies as job-killers. — “I'm calling on the Republican leaders …

Discussion: iOwnTheWorld.com and Washington Post

Shane D'Aprile / The Hill:

Calls for Rep. Rangel to give up his seat in the House are on the rise — The calls for Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to resign are piling up as the congressman's ethics trial threatens to loom large over campaign season. — The tally of House Democrats calling on Rep. Charles Rangel …

Discussion: Hot Air and New York Times

Jonathan Allen / The Politico:
Waters chooses ethics trial

Discussion: Politics Daily, CBS News, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, Hot Air, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, CNN, Right Wing News and The Hill

Molly K. Hooper / The Hill:
Democrat apologizes for talking about Rangel reprimand

Discussion: ABCNEWS, Moe_Lane's blog, Hot Air, TPMMuckraker, DaTechguy's Blog, The Politico and Washington Post

The Politico: Obama pushes for Rangel exit

Bridget Johnson / The Hill:
Rep. Waters chooses trial rather than accept ethics charges, reports say

Discussion: Weasel Zippers

Investor's Business Daily:

Will Washington's Failures Lead To Second American Revolution? — See Also

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, GayPatriot, Confederate Yankee and Questions and Observations

Elizabeth Scalia / The Anchoress:

Anne Rice Quits Christianity — Anne Rice, whose book Called Out of Darkness was a beautifully-written spiritual confession, has decided that she loves Christ but not Christians. — She's neither the first nor the last to feel that way. — Sometimes I do, too.

Discussion: Maggie's Farm, Political Byline, Pajamas Media, Hot Air, Minnesota Independent, The Huffington Post and DaTechguy's Blog

Matthew Hay Brown / In Good Faith:
Anne Rice quits Christianity — but not Christ

Discussion: Right Wing News and Speakeasy

Eric Boehlert / Media Matters for America:

The NYT now predicts the news on the front page? — I prefer it when the Times simply reports the news on A1, and leaves the prognostications to the opinion pages. — But today the Times can't help itself. Wildly impressed that the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement in opposition …

Michael Barbaro / New York Times:
Jewish Group Opposes Muslim Center Near Ground Zero

Discussion: Politics Daily, Raw Story, Swampland, Questions and Observations, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Truthdig and The Telegraph

Bob Herbert / New York Times:

A Sin and a Shame — The treatment of workers by American corporations has been worse — far more treacherous — than most of the population realizes. There was no need for so many men and women to be forced out of their jobs in the downturn known as the great recession.

Discussion: Althouse, Suburban Guerrilla and Daily Kos

Kenneth P. Vogel / The Politico:

The new tea party bible — “Rules for Radicals,” the iconic liberal organizing manifesto by Saul Alinsky, was an unlikely bible — for tea party activists as they tried to mobilize their movement last year. Now, as they struggle to demonstrate their impact and staying power …

Fay Schlesinger / Daily Mail:

My duty is to save the world: Prince Charles believes he was born for a purpose — The Prince of Wales says he believes he has been placed on Earth as future King ‘for a purpose’ - to save the world. — Giving a fascinating insight into his view of his inherited wealth and influence …

Discussion: Weasel Zippers and JammieWearingFool

Reed Saxon / Newsweek:

Breitbart: I'd Like to Speak to Sherrod in Private — Conservative blogger says episode was ‘difficult for me as well.’ — Andrew Breitbart, the conservative blogger who posted the original video of Shirley Sherrod talking about race. — In the aftermath of the saga that thrust Shirley Sherrod …

Discussion: The Huffington Post, Rumproast, Mediaite, Classical Values, Balloon Juice, Hot Air and Riehl World View

Rich Noyes / NewsBusters.org:
Mea Culpa 360: CNN Anchor Says He Was Wrong to Let Shirley Sherrod …

Discussion: theblogprof, Marooned In Marin, Classical Values, Weasel Zippers and Mediaite

The Note:

Democrat Ben Nelson Opposes Kagan — ABC's Matthew Jaffe reports: — Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson announced late Friday he would vote against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. — In a statement released this evening, Sen. Nelson said, “I have heard concerns …

Discussion: Swampland, Townhall.com and Outside the Beltway

Fhardingj / CNN:
Nelson, Gregg announce Kagan votes

Discussion: The Hill

Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator for Nebraska:
NELSON STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT NOMINEE ELENA KAGAN

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, msnbc.com, Daily Kos, Salon and TPM LiveWire

TMZ.com:

Snooki Arrested in Jersey — Disorderly Conduct — Snooki from “Jersey Shore” was just arrested in Seaside Heights, NJ ... TMZ has confirmed. — Law enforcement sources tell us the Seaside Heights PD busted Snooki moments ago for disorderly conduct. The details of that conduct are unclear.

Discussion: TalkLeft, Gawker, MichiganLiberal, The Hollywood Reporter, TVbytheNumbers and The Atlantic Online, more at Mediagazer »

Michael O'Brien / The Hill:

GOP could control House without majority, says senior Republican — Republicans could pick off enough support from wayward Democrats to take control of the House, even if they don't win an outright majority, a member of the GOP leadership suggested this weekend.

Discussion: Tulsa World and Prairie Weather

Kevin Drum / Mother Jones:

Majority Rule is Good for Liberals — Oh well, let's talk more about the filibuster. News is slow today. Over at TalkLeft, BTD takes Chris Bowers to task for suggesting that ending the filibuster would be good for liberals: … Actually, I don't think this is right.