memeorandum: Brian Williams does not face investigation, stepped aside voluntarily, source says (Howard Kurtz/Fox News)

8:15 PM ET, February 8, 2015

Top Items:

Christopher Booker / Telegraph:

The fiddling with temperature data is the biggest science scandal ever — New data shows that the “vanishing” of polar ice is not the result of runaway global warming — When future generations look back on the global-warming scare of the past 30 years, nothing will shock them more than the extent …

Discussion: The Right Scoop, Reuters, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT, The Gateway Pundit, Chicago Boyz, American Power and JustOneMinute

John Hinderaker / Power Line:

Inside the Global Warming Scandal — We have written many times about the fact that the scientific agencies which are keepers of the world's historical temperature data are all, or nearly all, under the control of warmists. These warmists have systematically altered historic temperature records …

Evan McMurry / Mediaite:

Fox's Wallace to Ben Carson: After Vaccine Debate, Is GOP the Science Denialism Party? — After a week in which vaccinations suddenly exploded from a bipartisan fringe hobby to a wedge issue for the GOP 2016 class, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace asked Dr. Ben Carson …

Discussion: FOX News Radio

Chris Wallace / Fox News:

President Obama's ISIS strategy falling short? Plus, Dr. Ben Carson on measles outbreak, vaccines — Special Guests: Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Dr. Ben Carson, Manny Pacquiao — This is a rush transcript from “Fox News Sunday,” February 8, 2015. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

Discussion: Bloomberg Business and National Review

CNNMoney:

Brian Williams won't keep his date with David Letterman — Brian Williams is backing out of his scheduled appearance on CBS's “Late Show with David Letterman,” citing the uncertainty about when he'll be back at his anchor desk. — The “NBC Nightly News” anchor is at the center …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Gawker, Mediaite and Towleroad News #gay, more at Mediagazer »

Kyle Smith / New York Post:

We shouldn't believe Williams' lie was an innocent mistake — Brian Williams did it all for the soldiers, you see. His chopper whoppers were patriotic acts. “This was a bungled attempt by me to thank one special veteran,” he explained. — In a similar vein, Anthony Weiner's sexting …

Discussion: BREITBART.COM and The Daily Caller

Howard Kurtz / Fox News:
Brian Williams does not face investigation, stepped aside voluntarily, source says

Discussion: Politico, Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Hot Air, BREITBART.COM, Real Clear Politics, Ed Driscoll and Mediaite

Scott Jones / FTVLive:
Sources: Brian Williams Could Step Down as Early as Next Week

Discussion: Washington Post, American Thinker, Ed Driscoll, The PJ Tatler and Fox News

THV11.com:

Lawmaker sorry for saying having child from rape is ‘beautiful’ — A West Virginia lawmaker has apologized for saying that while rape is awful, a child that results from a rape is beautiful. — The comment from state Rep. Brian Kurcaba was made Thursday when members of the West Virginia House …

Discussion: Raw Story

Heather / Latest from Crooks and Liars:

WV Republican ‘Apologizes’ For Saying Having Child From Rape Is ‘Beautiful’ — Does anyone think he's actually “sorry” about what he said or just sorry about the backlash he's received? — Lawmaker sorry for saying having child from rape is ‘beautiful’:

Discussion: FOX News Radio

Nick Hanauer / The Atlantic Online:

Stock Buybacks Are Killing the American Economy — Traders work in a booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, July 3, 2012. (Richard Drew/AP) — President Obama should be lauded for using his State of the Union address to champion policies that would benefit …

Discussion: The Mahablog

Randall Roberts / Los Angeles Times:

Grammys 2015: Transcript of Bob Dylan's MusiCares Person of Year speech — Bob Dylan was honored by MusiCares, the charity organization that aids musicians in need, at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday night. After performances by artists including Tom Jones, Sheryl Crow …

Discussion: Wall Street Journal, Althouse, The Moderate Voice and New York Times

Amy Chozick / New York Times:

Economic Plan Is a Quandary for Hillary Clinton's Campaign — With advice from more than 200 policy experts, Hillary Rodham Clinton is trying to answer what has emerged as a central question of her early presidential campaign strategy: how to address the anger about income inequality without overly vilifying the wealthy.

Discussion: Washington Monthly and Eschaton

Associated Press:

FACT CHECK: What Happens If Homeland Security Shuts Down? — Spending for the Department of Homeland Security hangs in the balance as Congress fights over immigration matters in the agency's annual funding bill. Without action by Feb. 27, the department's budget will shut off.

Discussion: Politico