Today's tsunami: This is what climate change looks like  —  So far, today's tsunami has mainly affected Japan—there are reports of up to 300 dead in the coastal city of Sendai—but future tsunamis could strike the U.S. and virtually any other coastal area of the world with equal or greater force, say scientists.

The State Department spokesman and the Prisoner in the Brig  —  I just heard an extraordinary remark from State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.  He was speaking to a small audience at MIT on “the benefits of new media as it relates to foreign policy”, an event organised by the Center for Future Civic Media.

GOP spending plan plays better with Dems than conservatives  —  House Republicans unveiled a three-week continuing resolution Friday that funds the government through April 8 and cuts $6 billion in spending.  —  Senate Democrats immediately signaled that they could accept the measure …

Walker signs budget-repair bill, judge denies TRO request  —  Gov. Scott Walker signed the bill Friday that repeals most collective bargaining by public employee unions.  He will hold a ceremony and news conference later in the day to tout the signing.  Meanwhile, a judge decides …

Calif. man swept out to sea taking tsunami pics  —  CRESCENT CITY, Calif.—The Coast Guard searched for a man Friday who was swept out to sea by powerful waves generated by the tsunami in Northern California while taking photos near the mouth of the Klamath River in Del Norte County.

President of China?  —  Obama's lament.  —  “Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.  As one official put it, 'No one is scrutinizing Hu Jintao's words in Tahrir Square.'”  —  “Obama Seeks a Course of Pragmatism in the Middle East,” The New York Times, March 11, 2011.

Gang Rape Story Lacked Balance  —  The exterior of an abandoned trailer where an 11-year-old girl was assaulted.  Numerous readers shared their concerns over how The Times handled the coverage.  —  The story quickly climbed The Times's “most emailed” list but not just because of the sensational facts of the crime involved.

Five charged in alleged plot to kidnap or kill troopers, judge  —  FAIRBANKS: Scheme targeted judge and state troopers, officials say.  —  Five people in the Fairbanks area were arrested Thursday by state and federal law enforcement on charges connected with an alleged plot to kidnap …

Dumbing Deficits Down  —  Like anyone who writes regularly about what passes for economic and fiscal debate in American politics, I've developed a strong tolerance for nonsense.  After all, if I got upset every time powerful people were illogical and/or dishonest, I'd spend every waking hour in a state of raging despair.

Japan Expands Evacuation Around Nuclear Plant  —  Japanese officials early Saturday expanded the area around a crippled nuclear power plant subject to emergency evacuation, as radiation levels inside the facility were reported to have surged and operators struggled to keep the plant's cooling system operating on battery power.

The Cook Report: Trend or Fluke?  —  A new poll that shows independents warming to the role of government could signal an important shift.  —  I only get to celebrate special days like my birthday, wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, and Christmas once a year, but I can rejoice every month …

Obama: No sense in defunding public broadcasting  —  President Obama defended public broadcasting from cuts on Friday, emphasizing that defunding networks like NPR and PBS would do little to rein in spending.  —  As Republicans in Congress hope to defund government assistance to the Corporation …

Lawmaker advocates eugenics  —  A 91-year-old state representative told a constituent that he believes in eugenics and that the world would be better off without “defective people.”  —  Barrington Republican Martin Harty told Sharon Omand, a Strafford resident who manages a community mental health program …

After GOP denials, Scarborough says he was courted for Senate  —  MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Friday said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has asked him about running against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in 2012.  —  Scarborough said in an interview with The Hill, “John suggested last month …

Bachmann increasingly serious about presidential bid  —  Washington (CNN) - Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is increasingly serious about joining the wide-open race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.  —  And a growing number of conservative activists, legislators …

My Sign-Off From Politics Daily … True to form, I was too busy to go to the meeting and missed my own firing yesterday; don't you hate it when that happens?  (All my life, my mom has been saying I'd be late to my own funeral, so could we please not tell her she was right?)

Walker's Big Bank Donors Take a Hit  —  The blowback from Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's union-busting crusade has only just begun—and it may soon hit the governor where it really hurts: in the deep pockets of his biggest donors.  Workers have begun organizing a “Move Your Money Campaign” …