We’ve gotten accustomed to low-level but largely contained protests in Iran since the June protests. But things appear to have escalated to a new level on Sunday with authorities resorting to lethal force to crush protests which coincided with the holiday commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (grandson of Muhammad).
At least 10 were killed, including the nephew of reformist leader Mir Hussein Moussavi.
Unlike most of the others killed during clashes between between protesters and security personnel, Moussavi’s nephew appears to have been assassinated.
The 9-millimeter Glock that Saddam Hussein was carrying when he was captured by U.S. forces — and which George W. Bush liked showing off to White House visitors — will have a permanent home at the George W. Bush presidential library. That and the day’s other political news in the TPMDC Morning Roundup.
The feds are reportedly investigating the ties between the Ponzi-scheming Sir Allen Stanford and U.S. lawmakers.
I’m sure there’s nothing to it since emails like this one to Stanford from Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, shortly after Stanford was charged by the SEC are the sort of courtesies we all get when the feds are hot on our tail: “I love you and believe in you…If you want my ear/voice — e-mail.”
I don’t think Newt Gingrich necessarily speaks for the GOP these days. But he said over the weekend that he’s sure every Republican in 2010 and 2012 will run on a pledge to repeal Health Care Reform. And though he was less definitive, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel said close to the same thing. (See video here) Now given the relative unpopularity of the bill at this moment (which I strongly suspect will change) and its extreme unpopularity among partisan Republicans, that’s not a very surprising statement. What’s interesting to me, though, is that Democrats started saying last week that they plan to run on the same platform — namely, that if you vote for Republicans they’ll repeal Health Care Reform. Read More
William Hochul, a twenty-year prosecutor with expertise in running counter-terrorism cases, was in line for promotion to Main Justice in 2006. Until Monica Goodling, the infamous figure from the US Attorney firings scandal, found out his wife is active in Democratic politics and killed the appointment. Now President Obama has nominated him to serve as US Attorney in the Western District of New York.
Startin’ to look like Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) was a bit tighter with indicted Ponzi scheme Sir Allen Stanford than he let on back in February.
If you’re sending a donor an email telling him you “love” and “believe in” him hours after the SEC filed it’s charges, it seems like you’re probably pretty tight.
No details yet. But President Obama abruptly left the golf course today for a “personal matter” and a ambulance was seen on the way to the presidential compound. Reporters have been told it’s not a national security matter and it doesn’t have to do with the president’s health.
Late Update: The First Family is fine. A friend of the president was injured.
We need TPM readers keeping a close eye on what members of the House are saying back home during the recess about their vote on health care reform (Last week Josh explained in some detail what we’re looking for.)
Specifically, we’re interested in the House Democrats who voted No when the bill first made it through the House, albeit just barely. Here’s the list of just who they are.
Town halls, local interviews, Kiwanis lunch — wherever the congressmen on that list are addressing health care reform we want to know what they’re saying. So stay on the lookout and drop us a line about what you find.
There’s a pretty high bar for what it takes for Birther lawyer Orly Taitz to make news these days. But calling for birthers to take up arms to overthrow Obama’s tyranny probably still qualifies.
Majority Of Tea Party Group’s Spending Went To GOP Firm That Created It