Obama's NSA ‘reforms’ are little more than a PR attempt to mollify public  —  Obama is draping the banner of change over the NSA status quo.  Bulk surveillance that caused such outrage will remain in place  —  In response to political scandal and public outrage, official Washington repeatedly uses the same well-worn tactic.

Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Struck Down as Judge Cites Burden on Citizens  —  In a strongly worded decision, a state judge on Friday struck down Pennsylvania's 2012 law requiring voters to produce a state-approved photo ID at the polls, setting up a potential Supreme Court confrontation …

Chris Christie's Crisis Plunges Republican Party Deeper Into The Wilderness  —  The establishment freaks out as another favorite son falls from grace.  “There are definitely people jumping ship.”  —  Lucas Jackson / Reuters / Reuters  —  In the immediate aftermath of their emphatic defeat in 2012 …

Company Behind West Virginia's Chemical Spill Files For Bankruptcy  —  According to the Charleston Gazette, Freedom Industries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today.  —  On January 10, a tank owned by Freedom spilled 7,500 gallons of 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol (MCHM) …

Hillary?  Really?  —  This week's Time magazine splashes the question on its cover: “Can Anyone Stop Hillary?”  The Weekly Standard is happy to provide our friends at Time with an answer to their query: Yes.  Hillary Clinton can be stopped.  How?  Let us count the ways.

Iraq's Maliki says he has asked for weapons from U.S., will also seek training for troops  —  BAGHDAD — Iraq has asked the United States for new arms to beat back the dramatic resurgence of al-Qaeda-linked militants in a western province and would like U.S. troops to train its counter­terrorism forces …

50 Ways to Celebrate Michelle Obama's Birthday  —  First Lady Michelle Obama turns 50 today, and although the big White House celebration planned by President Obama isn't until Saturday, that doesn't mean you have to wait to celebrate.  —  If your invite to Saturday's dance party in Washington went missing …

Judicial Giant Quietly Retired Under Investigation For Travel Expenses  —  When federal appellate court judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. announced his retirement in July, he was praised as “one of the giants of the Kentucky judiciary.”  —  But what was unknown publicly until Friday was that Martin left …

Andreessen Horowitz raising $1.5 billion for new fund  —  Andreessen Horowitz is raising its fourth fund in six years.  —  FORTUNE — Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is in the process of raising around $1.5 billion for its fourth fund, Fortune has learned.

Club for Growth pans Lankford, Cole for Coburn seat  —  Oklahoma Republican Reps. Tom Cole and James Lankford could have difficulty picking up conservative support, if they try to replace retiring Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).  —  Coburn's retirement is likely to set off a GOP primary scramble …

2 students shot in Philadelphia high school gym; suspect nabbed  —  (CNN) — A student pulled a handgun Friday afternoon inside a Philadelphia high school gymnasium, firing and hitting two students, police said.  —  The injured boy and girl, each 15, were transported in stable condition …

David Brooks' Primitive Defense of the Rich  —  David Brooks is sweating hard trying to defend the one percent against the rest of the country and reality.  His column today desperately warns readers:  —  “Some on the left have always tried to introduce a more class-conscious style of politics.