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- Rush Holt (D-NJ), who sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has called for the formation of a new "Church Committee" to investigate intelligence abuses committed by the CIA not only during the Bush administration, but stretching back into previous administrations as well. Steps like this are not only important for for re-establishing Congress' check on the executive, but could also dig up unsavory moments such as unscrupulous vice presidents pushing for the deployment of U.S. soldiers on American soil.
- Paul Krugman's column today speculates on what motivates the Blue Dog caucus in their efforts to undermine health care reform but comes up short. Steve Benen's stumped, too. I think they're motivated -- that is, if they're not outright pawns of industry -- by a vague desire to be "fiscally responsible" but don't actually understand the contours of health care policy. Hence, "compromises" that supposedly reduce the cost of the legislation while making insurance more expensive for the people the legislation is supposed to help in the first place.
- GW political theorist Steven Kelts has an interesting introduction to a series of posts about the "hollowness" of American libertarianism that should prove to be a fascinating discussion. Funny, "hollow" was just what I was thinking when reading this Welch-Gillespie item on Friday that matter-of-factly states that Obama's sliding approval numbers are because "the president has only himself to blame, for breaking campaign promises, jacking up spending, and governing in an atmosphere of perpetual crisis." Yeah, I'm sure he would still be in the high 60s today if he had just simply done nothing about the economy his first six months in office.
- The GOP's Grand Marshal, Rush Limbaugh, is deeply concerned about torture occurring under the totalitarian regime of Barack Obama, although one would expect him to be consistent in his belief that such activities are on the scale of garden-variety fraternity hazing. Meanwhile, Rush believes the key to his success lies in "being positive, respecting the audience, being inspiring and motivational at times, when it’s necessary." On reflection, I suppose he does resemble a right-wing Mr. Rogers.
- Weekend Remainders: The governor of Alaska makes an incoherent exit, Newt thinks she could be an energy wonk; Alberto Gonzales finds that having "senior member of the Bush administration" on your resume is a bit controversial; the birther movement is surprisingly resilient; Civil(ian)izing 'Homeland' Security; and is this Iran's next Supreme Leader?
--Mori Dinauer