Discover GOP Opprobrium

[teapeebubbles]

Today’s edition of quick hits:

* Syrians defy crackdown: “Thousands of protesters poured into the streets of the capital’s suburbs and three of Syria’s five largest cities Friday, in a weekly show of defiance that came days before President Bashar al-Assad was expected to address Syrians for the first time in two months. Activists said at least 19 people were killed and dozens wounded.”

* This could have a huge impact: “AARP, the powerful lobbying group for older Americans, is dropping its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits, a move that could rock Washington’s debate over how to revamp the nation’s entitlement programs.”

* The AARP’s shift has already sent “shock waves through the Beltway’s large and influential entitlement reform community.”

* Austerity’s blowback: “Decaying political support for budget cuts in Europe is threatening global financial stability and could undermine a recovery that is already weakening, the International Monetary Fund warned in a trio of reports Friday.”

* I wish more governors would do this: “[Missouri] Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill Friday that could have eventually required voters to provide a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot.”

* I’d love to hear more about this: “The office of Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is claiming that Fox News chairman Roger Ailes is a confidential adviser whose interactions with the governor should remain secret under New Jersey’s executive privilege.”

* In the race for America’s worst governor: “Florida Governor Rick Scott has suspended an order requiring all state workers undergo drug testing, pending resolution of a lawsuit that called the tests an illegal search of workers’ bodies.”

* The New York Times’ “Room for Debate” featured a variety of takes on Anthony Weiner’s departure.

* White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer spoke at a Netroots Nation session today. He probably would have been received about as warmly at a CPAC session.

* Minnesota state senator Michael Jungbauer, the self-proclaimed “No. 1 global climate change denier” in the state, appears to have blatantly lied about his educational background. I guess that explains a few things.

* How very silly: “World Net Daily editor Joseph Farah plans to file a lawsuit against Esquire magazine next week over a satirical article alleging he was recalling a WND-published book questioning the legitimacy of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.”

* In the Craziest Member of Congress bracket, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) solidifies his #1 seed.

* The Cato Institute has a new idea on reducing college costs. It’s not an especially good idea, but kudos for the effort.

* If you watch all the way to the end of this clip — literally, the last 30 seconds — you’ll see that President Obama, among his other talents, has the ability to make babies stop crying. (The look he gives the First Lady is priceless.)