Top Items:
Julian Hattem / The Hill:
In first, Minnesota poll finds Obama unpopular — Half of the residents of Minnesota now disapprove of President Obama's performance, according to a new poll. — Results of The Star Tribune survey represent the first time that his approval rating has turned negative in the state since the president took office in 2009.
Discussion:
CNN, The PJ Tatler, Hot Air and Weekly Standard
RELATED:
Daniel Halper / Weekly Standard:
Obama: Signing Up for Obamacare Is ‘Just Part of Growing Up’
Obama: Signing Up for Obamacare Is ‘Just Part of Growing Up’
Discussion:
Hot Air
Long Island University:
LIU ANNOUNCES 2013 GEORGE POLK AWARDS IN JOURNALISM — Winners include four reporters who broke the story on secret NSA surveillance. — Brooklyn, N.Y. - Four reporters who revealed the extent of secret surveillance and massive data collected by the National Security Agency are winners …
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, Politico, Poynter and Mashable
RELATED:
Martin Pengelly / Guardian:
Journalists who broke NSA story in Guardian receive George Polk Awards
Journalists who broke NSA story in Guardian receive George Polk Awards
Discussion:
Taylor Marsh and Liberaland, more at Mediagazer »
James Barron / New York Times:
Polk Awards Honor Articles on N.S.A. Surveillance
Polk Awards Honor Articles on N.S.A. Surveillance
Discussion:
Balloon Juice, Poynter and Prairie Weather
Simon Bowers / Guardian:
Abba admit outrageous outfits were worn to avoid tax — New book reveals band's style was influenced by Swedish laws that allowed cost of outfits to be deducted against tax — The glittering hotpants, sequined jumpsuits and platform heels that Abba wore at the peak of their fame were designed …
Discussion:
Scared Monkeys and Althouse
James Hohmann / Politico:
Dems' new 2014 plan: Neutralize Obamacare — Democrats know their biggest problem in this year's midterm election is Obamacare. So top party operatives have settled on a strategy to try blunting the GOP's advantage: Tell voters Republicans would make the problem worse …
Discussion:
Firedoglake, RedState and americanthinker.com
RELATED:
Sam Frizell / TIME:
Bill Nye Scolds GOP Congresswoman on Global Warming — “We need you to change things, not deny what's happening,” he told Representative Marsha Blackburn on Meet the Press — Bill Nye “The Science Guy” told Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee to stop questioning …
Jonathan Amos / BBC:
Missouri gun murders ‘rose after law repeal’ — There are more than 300 million handguns in circulation in the US — Researchers claim a new study provides some of the most compelling evidence yet for tighter gun controls in the US. — The team followed the consequences of the State …
Discussion:
The Raw Story
Al Baker / New York Times:
Common Core Curriculum Now Has Critics on the Left — The Common Core has been applauded by education leaders and promoted by the Obama administration as a way to replace a hodgepodge of state standards with one set of rigorous learning goals. Though 45 states and the District of Columbia …
Discussion:
Capitol Confidential and The Hugh Hewitt Show
Catherine E. Shoichet / CNN:
Zimmerman: I didn't follow Dunn trial — (CNN) — George Zimmerman says he still gets death threats, is still accused of being a racist and is still a lightning rod for criticism. — But in the end, there's only one judge who matters, he told CNN. — “God,” Zimmerman said in an interview broadcast on CNN's “New Day” on Monday.
Discussion:
theGrio and The Raw Story
Paul Krugman / New York Times:
Barons of Broadband — Last week's big business news was the announcement that Comcast, a gigantic provider of cable TV and high-speed Internet service, has reached a deal to acquire Time Warner, which is merely huge. If regulators approve the deal, Comcast will be an overwhelmingly dominant player …
Discussion:
Daily Kos
Chris Wallace / Fox News:
Battle to derail potential 2016 presidential candidates; does the president have the authority to rewrite ObamaCare? — Special Guests: Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland , Karl Rove, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Girard Senahi — This is a rush transcript from “Fox News Sunday,” February 16, 2014.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, NewsBusters and The Heritage Foundation
Juan Williams / The Hill:
Republican leaders must keep Tea Party on the run — Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-Ky.) are now in position to end the Tea Party's death grip on the Republican Party's political future. — Last week, Boehner and McConnell faced down the Tea Party's threat …
John Eligon / New York Times:
In Kansas, Right Joins Left to Halt Bill on Gays — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A bill that would have allowed individuals to refuse to provide business services to same-sex couples in Kansas because of religious beliefs met a surprising and quick end last week when conservative senators sided …
Discussion:
The Dish, Towleroad News #gay and In Session
Ashley Fantz / CNN:
Reality show snake-handling preacher dies — of snakebite — (CNN) — A Kentucky pastor who starred in a reality show about snake-handling in church has died — of a snakebite. — Jamie Coots died Saturday evening after refusing to be treated, Middleborough police said.
Discussion:
WBIR-TV, Scared Monkeys, Mediaite and Talking Points Memo
RELATED:
Bill Estep / Lexington Herald-Leader:
Jamie Coots, well-known Middlesboro preacher, dies from snakebite
Jamie Coots, well-known Middlesboro preacher, dies from snakebite
Discussion:
The Daily Beast, Washington Monthly, Firedoglake, Variety, Galesburg and Mashable