memeorandum: How to wreck the GOP in 3 easy steps! (Thomas Frank/Salon)

10:25 AM ET, August 18, 2014

Top Items:

Autopsy Shows Michael Brown Was Struck at Least 6 Times — FERGUSON, Mo. — Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager who was killed by a police officer, sparking protests around the nation, was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, a preliminary private autopsy performed on Sunday found.

Missouri Governor's Office / Governor Jay Nixon:

Following coordinated attacks on civilians and law enforcement, Governor Nixon signs executive order directing Missouri National Guard resources to Ferguson — Gov. Jay Nixon has signed an executive order directing additional resources through the Missouri National Guard to help restore peace …

Discussion: Firedoglake, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Politico, New York Times, Taylor Marsh, The Week, Mediaite, The Verge, Independent Journal Review and NBC News

Joe Millitzer / FOX2now.com:

Watch Capt. Ron Johnson's amazing Michael Brown speech — FERGUSON, MO (KTVI) - The new leader of the policing effort in Ferguson, Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, opens the unity rally at Greater Grace Church with a rousing speech. It brought down the house.

Discussion: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Raw Story, St. Louis Public Radio, kdvr.com and New York's PIX11

Jon Swaine / Guardian:

Ferguson police officer was ‘doing his job’, say supporters — Protesters, almost all of whom were white, say Darren Wilson is being victimised as they stage protest in St Louis — Supporters of the police officer who shot dead an unarmed teenager in Missouri last weekend …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Simple Justice, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Popehat, KSDK-TV, Liberaland and ThinkProgress

Ellen Wulfhorst / Reuters:

National Guard called in after second night of chaos in Ferguson, Missouri — (Reuters) - Missouri's governor said on Monday he would send the National Guard into the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson to restore calm after authorities forcibly dispersed a crowd protesting last week's fatal shooting of an unarmed black teen by police.

Discussion: Hot Air and National Review

William Powell / The Atlantic Online:

The Roots of Violence in Ferguson — Clashes between protesters and law-enforcement officials over the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown began again on Saturday morning. Residents say the tension between the city's police and citizens is longstanding. — On Thursday evening, Jerry Rodgers …

Discussion: Washington Post, Simple Justice, Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality, Scared Monkeys and JONATHAN TURLEY

Gabrielle Bluestone / Gawker:
Cops in Ferguson Threaten to Shoot Reporter, Mace Chris Hayes

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Liberaland, Mediaite and The Huffington Post, more at Mediagazer »

Michael Brown / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Nixon speaks on several Sunday morning shows, Holder orders autopsy

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Hot Air, NY Daily News, The PJ Tatler, ABC News, Washington Monthly, Yahoo! News, Hit & Run, Real Clear Politics, New York Times and National Review

Los Angeles Times:
Autopsy shows Michael Brown was shot six times, and twice in the head

Discussion: USA Today and Crooked Timber

Thomas Frank / Salon:

How to wreck the GOP in 3 easy steps! — Now's the time for change — and here's how to make it — President Obama is in the doldrums. He has run out of ideas, and out of gas. His strongest supporters are in the grip of a morbid fatalism. There is nothing the president can do any longer …

Discussion: Power Line and Daily Kos

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / TIME:

The Coming Race War Won't Be About Race — Ferguson is not just about systemic racism—it's about class warfare, and how America's poor are held back — Will the recent rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, be a tipping point in the struggle against racial injustice, or will it be a minor footnote …

Discussion: Hot Air

Frank Newport / Gallup:

Congressional Re-Elect Measure Remains Near All-Time Low — American voters not as negative about their own member of Congress — PRINCETON, NJ — Nineteen percent of U.S. registered voters say most members of Congress deserve re-election, roughly the same as in two measures earlier this year.

Discussion: Washington Post, Politico and Washington Times

Alec MacGillis / The New Republic:

The Charges Against Rick Perry Are Thin. But They Are Also Clarifying. — Barely had their schadenfreude subsided over the indictment Friday of Texas Governor Rick Perry for abusing the powers of his office than even some liberal commentators began questioning the charges.

Discussion: Washington Monthly, RedState, Conservatives4Palin, The Moderate Voice, Betsy's Page, National Review, The Texas Tribune, Guardian, Off the Kuff, JustOneMinute and Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion

WSB-TV:

Police: Texas tourist killed in accidental shooting in Helen — Sponsored Links — HELEN, Ga. — Helen police said a man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a bizarre accident left him shot and a stranger dead. — According to police, officers were dispatched …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo

Olivia Nuzzi / The Daily Beast:

Rand Paul Gives War a Chance — The libertarian senators is famously skeptical of foreign wars. So why are his advisers suddenly comparing him to the coldest of Cold Warriors? — When it comes to international affairs, Rand Paul is the new Ronald Reagan.