memeorandum: IDF determines 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin, previously considered captured in Gaza, is dead (Gili Cohen/Haaretz)

11:55 AM ET, August 3, 2014

Top Items:

Ross Douthat / New York Times:

Obama's Impeachment Game — SOMETHING rather dangerous is happening in American politics right now, all the more so for being taken for granted by many of the people watching it unfold. — I do not mean the confusion of House Republicans, or the general gridlock in Congress …

Discussion: Washington Monthly and Daily Kos

Roger Cohen / New York Times:

Why Americans See Israel the Way They Do — TO cross the Atlantic to America, as I did recently from London, is to move from one moral universe to its opposite in relation to Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Fury over Palestinian civilian casualties has risen to a fever pitch in Europe …

BREITBART.COM:

KRAUTHAMMER: WORLD'S ANTI-SEMITIC REACTION TO GAZA ‘ORWELLIAN’ — On Friday's “On the Record” on the Fox News Channel, Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer discussed his latest Washington Post column, which criticized the role Secretary of State John Kerry has played in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Discussion: Vox Popoli

CNN:

Kentucky event features BBQ, heckling and Grimes and McConnell — (CNN) - Kentucky's two U.S. Senate candidates traded pithy barbs Saturday at a dual campaign stop in the midst of a race with national implications. — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his opponent, Democrat Alison Grimes …

Discussion: The PJ Tatler and Politico

James Hohmann / Politico:

Poetic Paul rhymes at Grimes — For Saturday's Fancy Farm picnic in Kentucky, Sen. Rand Paul wrote a rhyming poem mocking Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes. — “There once was a woman from Kentucky, who thought in politics she'd be lucky,” Paul said. — “So she flew to L.A. for a Hollywood bash.

Discussion: Business Insider

Gili Cohen / Haaretz:

IDF determines 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin, previously considered captured in Gaza, is dead — Special panel led by chief military rabbi examines evidence, concludes infantry officer was killed in action. — The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday determined that 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin …

Discussion: The PJ Tatler and The Gateway Pundit

New York Times:
Missing Soldier Killed in Battle, Israel Confirms

Discussion: Mondoweiss, The Week and Guardian

Greensburg Tribune-Review:

Clinton praises Trib publisher's fight ‘for what he believed’ — An improbable friendship brought former President Bill Clinton to a sunny hilltop in the Laurel Highlands on Saturday, where he paid tribute to the late Tribune-Review owner Richard Mellon Scaife.

Discussion: Politico and Associated Press

Washington Post:

As Democrats avoid Obama, Romney is in demand on the midterm campaign trail — Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney is hitting the stump for Republicans this fall — which reminded us of some of his most memorable moments during the 2012 campaign. Here's a look at some of Romney's gaffes and a few predictions he got right.

Discussion: BuzzFeed

Marc Caputo / MiamiHerald.com:

Billionaire climate-change supporter pledges to spend big to beat Florida Gov. Rick Scott — A billionaire Democratic political insurgent is spending millions on raising climate change as a central issue in Florida's governor's race. — The billionaire is ready to take out Florida's multi-millionaire governor.

Discussion: Taegan Goddard's … and Naked Politics

Michael B. Oren / Wall Street Journal:

In Defense of Zionism — The often reviled ideology that gave rise to Israel has been an astonishing historical success. — They come from every corner of the country—investment bankers, farmers, computer geeks, jazz drummers, botany professors, car mechanics—leaving their jobs and their families.

Discussion: Elder Of Ziyon and Hot Air

Tommy Witherspoon / Waco Tribune-Herald:

Hewitt police firearms instructor shoots himself in hand — The firearms instructor for the Hewitt Police Department is recovering from surgery after accidentally shooting himself in the left hand while teaching family members to shoot. — Sgt. Heath Vanek will miss at least two months …

Discussion: The Raw Story and Talking Points Memo

Karoli / Latest from Crooks and Liars:

Sovereign Citizens Now Considered Top Terrorist Threat In United States — Forget Islamic extremists! A consortium of law enforcement agencies ranks sovereign citizens as the highest national security threat. — A consortium of law enforcement intelligence agencies has ranked various terrorist threats …

Discussion: Hot Air and Right Wing News