memeorandum: Donor Jonnie Williams, Star Scientific are cooperating in probe of Gov. Robert McDonnell (Washington Post)

2:10 PM ET, August 4, 2013

Top Items:

Glenn Greenwald / Guardian:

Members of Congress denied access to basic information about NSA — Documents provided by two House members demonstrate how they are blocked from exercising any oversight over domestic surveillance — • Morgan Griffith's requests for NSA information — • Alan Grayson's requests for NSA information

Discussion: The Hill, Mediaite and The Raw Story

CBS News:

Source: Terrorists behind embassy threat in place — PLAY CBS NEWS VIDEO — The terror threat prompting the U.S. government to close nearly two dozen embassies and consulates Sunday is the most specific, credible threat information in years, CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports.

Discussion: Yahoo! News, CBS New York, The Gateway Pundit, CBS DC and NO QUARTER USA NET

New York Times:

Other Agencies Clamor for Data N.S.A. Compiles — WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency's dominant role as the nation's spy warehouse has spurred frequent tensions and turf fights with other federal intelligence agencies that want to use its surveillance tools for their own investigations, officials say.

Discussion: Via Meadia, No More Mister Nice Blog and Eschaton

Ashley Killough / CNN:
Debate over NSA programs gets renewed attention amid terror threat

Discussion: Politico

John Hinderaker / Power Line:

So, What Is the Benghazi Cover-Up All About? — Shortly after the Benghazi debacle in September 2012, it was rumored that the terrorist attack occurred in the context of a CIA operation whereby Libyan arms, which presumably were either purchased or scooped up by the Agency in the wake of Gaddafi's overthrow …

Discussion: Washington Monthly, The Other McCain, American Thinker and Business Insider

Martha Raddatz / ABC News:

Senior U.S. Official: Intercepted Al Qaeda Communications Indicate Planned Attack ‘Big,’ ‘Strategically Significant’ — ABC News' Martha Raddatz and Jonathan Karl report: — On the day that almost two dozen U.S. embassies and consulates across North Africa and the Middle East are closed following …

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, CBC News, Christian Science Monitor and Mediaite

Jonathan Easley / The Hill:

Graham: Al Qaeda ‘on steroids’ since Benghazi attack — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday called the latest terror threat “scary,” and said that an emboldened al Qaeda has been “on steroids” since the last year's deadly strike on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.

Discussion: Politico and Mediaite

Ashley Killough / CNN:
Graham praises Obama administration; trip to Egypt still on

Discussion: Politico

interpol.int:
INTERPOL issues global security alert advising increased vigilance for terrorist activity

Discussion: Weekly Standard, World News, BBC and Weasel Zippers

Michael Gartland / New York Post:

Pay-up time for Brawley: '87 rape-hoaxer finally shells out for slander — Just $431,000 to go — Twenty-five years after accusing an innocent man of rape, Tawana Brawley is finally paying for her lies. — Last week, 10 checks totaling $3,764.61 were delivered to ex-prosecutor Steven Pagones …

Discussion: Weasel Zippers, Scared Monkeys, The Gateway Pundit and The PJ Tatler

Scott Wong / Politico:

Schumer calls Putin a ‘school-yard bully’ — Russian President Vladimir Putin is nothing more than a “school-yard bully,” and President Barack Obama should cancel their meeting in Moscow next month, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.) said Sunday. — Last week, Putin granted National Security …

Discussion: The Moderate Voice

Jonathan Easley / The Hill:

Schumer: Obama should stand up to ‘schoolyard bully,’ cancel Putin meeting — The New York Democrat pressed President Obama to cancel a bilateral summit and move the international economic G20 summit. — Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said President Obama should cancel …

Discussion: Alan Colmes' Liberaland

Sheldon Alberts / Hillicon Valley:

Unknown Republican blocks bill requiring email search warrants — An anonymous Republican senator has delayed a vote on legislation that would require police to obtain a warrant before accessing emails and other online messages. — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) …

Discussion: The Gateway Pundit

Michael Froomkin / Discourse.net:

Democracy in Action (Missouri Edition) — ProPublica's The Payday Playbook: How High Cost Lenders Fight to Stay Legal is a little different from what they teach in high school civics classes. … Someone raised $2.8 million to fight the initiative. We don't get know exactly who:

ProPublica: The Payday Playbook: How High Cost Lenders Fight to Stay Legal

Paul Fain / Inside Higher Ed:

Beyond Grades — Testing firms are offering new ways to measure what students learn in college. Their next generation of assessments is billed as an add-on - rather than a replacement - to the college degree. But the tests also give graduates something besides a transcript to send to a potential employer.

Discussion: Instapundit

Ruby Cramer / BuzzFeed:

Martin O'Malley Putting Together “Framework” For Presidential Bid — The Maryland governor is openly making preparations for a White House run. “I think we're on course to have a body of work that lays the framework of a candidacy for 2016,” says O'Malley. — Image by Charlie Neibergall, File / AP