Emergency stay of California same-sex marriages sought (updated 6:05pm)  —  Attorneys for the parties who sought to defend Proposition 8 in federal court have filed an emergency motion in the Supreme Court seeking to block same-sex marriages from proceeding in California.  The filing (via Jess Bravin) is available here.

Where's the special prosecutor?  —  The IRS scandal demands an independent investigation … “It's inexcusable, and Americans are right to be angry about it, and I am angry about it.  I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency, but especially in the IRS, given the power …

Local Officials Asked to Help on Health Law  —  WASHINGTON — The White House is recruiting mayors, county commissioners and other local officials to promote and carry out President Obama's health care law in states like Florida and Texas, where governors are hostile to it.

Glenn Greenwald's Speech to the Socialism Conference - with transcript  —  At the annual Socialism Conference in Chicago last night, The Guardian's Glenn Greenwald delivered a speech where he talked about connecting with and meeting National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden for the first time.

While N.S.A. Leaker Stays in Hiding, Russian TV Builds a Pedestal for Him  —  MOSCOW — While Edward J. Snowden has remained mysteriously hidden from sight during his visit to Russia this week, Russian television has been making him a hero.  —  On programs that were hastily arranged …

Bill Maher: Antonin Scalia more racist than Paula Deen  —  Taking a swing at the Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act, Bill Maher mocked Justice Antonin Scalia as “more racist” than Paula Deen.  —  The liberal comic on Friday quoted Scalia saying it's difficult to remove …

The Hinderaker-Ward Experience, Episode 49: Men On Strike  —  This morning Brian Ward and I recorded Episode 49 of the Hinderaker-Ward Experience.  It was a busy week in the news: Supreme Court decisions, immigration, the George Zimmerman trial.  We covered it all.

Take the Impossible “Literacy” Test Louisiana Gave Black Voters in the 1960s … - Pro-Lifers Ask, “What if Your Mother Had Aborted You?”  Here's My Answer.  - Try the Impossible “Literacy” Test Louisiana Gave Would-Be Black Voters in the '60s - A Compendium of the Most Intellectual Jokes on the Internet

Obama Compares Nelson Mandela to George Washington  —  Although President Obama will not get a chance to see Nelson Mandela on his trip to South Africa, he is using his historic visit to pay tribute to the man he calls a hero to the world and will meet today with the Mandela family.

Who Helped Snowden Steal State Secrets?  —  The preparations began before he took the job that landed him at the NSA.  —  In March 2013, when Edward Snowden sought a job with Booz Allen Hamilton at a National Security Agency facility in Hawaii, he signed the requisite classified-information agreements …

Kerry Extends Israel Trip Amid Speculation on Talks  —  JERUSALEM — In a hectic day of shuttle diplomacy with senior Israeli and Palestinian leaders in two capitals, Secretary of State John Kerry struggled on Saturday to close a deal to revive dormant Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.