If Boehner prioritizes blame over success  —  The House went through the motions earlier this week, passing a radical “Cut, Cap, and Balance” debt-reduction plan that Republicans knew would fail.  They did this as a sort of vanity exercise, intended to make GOP lawmakers and their activist base feel better about themselves.

Make Way for the Radical Center  —  DID I mention that I've signed a pledge — just like those Republican congressmen who have signed written promises to different political enforcers not to raise taxes or permit same-sex marriage?  My pledge is to never vote for anyone stupid enough to sign a pledge …

Police Say Oslo Suspect Admits ‘Facts’ in Massacre  —  OSLO — The Norwegian man charged with attacks in and near Oslo, killing over 90 people, has admitted “to the facts” of the case, the police and his lawyer said on Sunday, and claims to have acted alone in a strike eerily foretold …

Taliban hang 8-year-old boy in southern Afghanistan  —  KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Suspected members of the Taliban on Friday hung the 8-year-old son of a local police commander in southern Afghanistan after ordering his father to surrender, according to a news report on Saturday.

President Pushover  —  The redoubtable Elizabeth Drew has a forthcoming article in the New York Review of Books — not yet online — that confirms all our worst fears.  She tells us that past concessions have … Even more alarming, however, is her window on what the White House is thinking:

Once-patient markets now nervous about debt talks  —  NEW YORK - Global markets were poised on a knife's edge Sunday as Washington remained locked in partisan battle over raising the nation's debt ceiling, with no final deal in sight.  —  High level administration officials wanted a deal …

Marriage Equality Comes To The City … Hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers in the five boroughs are finally tying the knot today, as the state Marriage Equality Act takes effect and the City Clerk's offices are open for weekend weddings.  —  Sealing their wedding vows with a kiss shortly after 9 a.m. …

Republicans, Zealots and Our Security  —  IF China or Iran threatened our national credit rating and tried to drive up our interest rates, or if they sought to damage our education system, we would erupt in outrage.  —  Well, wake up to the national security threat.

Bad Food?  Tax It, and Subsidize Vegetables  —  Mark Bittman writes about food for the opinion section.  —  WHAT will it take to get Americans to change our eating habits?  The need is indisputable, since heart disease, diabetes and cancer are all in large part caused by the Standard American Diet.