Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Bloodshed in Burma: “Soldiers clubbed and dragged away activists while firing tear gas and warning shots to break up demonstrations Friday before they could grow, and the government cut Internet access, raising fears that a deadly crackdown was set to intensify. Troops also occupied Buddhist monasteries in a bid to clear the streets of Myanmar’s revered monks, who have spearheaded the demonstrations. The government said 10 people have been killed since the violence began earlier this week, but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he believed the loss of life in Myanmar was “far greater” than is being reported. Dissident groups have put the number as high as 200, although that number could not be verified.”
* John McCain became the first Republican to criticize Rush Limbaugh for his “phony soldiers” comment, saying Limbaugh “would be well advised to retract it and apologize.” (It’s worth remembering that Limbaugh has repeatedly smeared McCain, especially during the 2000 race, so there is no love lost between them.)
* Limbaugh insists that he was being literal when dismissing the attitudes of “phony soldiers,” referring to those who really didn’t serve. As an example, he cited Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), a decorated combat veteran. Quit while you’re behind, Rush, you’re only making yourself look worse.
* The Senate Democratic caucus is calling on Clear Channel, Limbaugh’s boss, to repudiate the “phony soldiers” remarks.
* After insisting he was taken out of context, Limbaugh posted a transcript of the controversial comments on his website — but he omitted relevant context.
* Clarence Thomas, a sitting member of the U.S. Supreme Court, will be on Limbaugh’s show on Monday. Breathtaking.
* Apparently, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) didn’t like being humiliated on MSNBC this week, when she demonstrated more interest in the New York Times and MoveOn.org than troops from her district killed in Iraq. Blackburn’s office apparently pushed back pretty hard against the network.
* Details about the latest Blackwater shooting continue to trickle out. This is stunning: “Participants in a contentious Baghdad security operation this month have told American investigators that during the operation at least one guard continued firing on civilians while colleagues urgently called for a cease-fire. At least one guard apparently also drew a weapon on a fellow guard who did not stop shooting, an American official said.”
* As part of the Dems’ push to expand S-CHIP, Graeme Frost, a 12-year-old boy, will deliver the party’s radio address tomorrow: “Because of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Graeme was able to get the medical care he needed after a serious car accident caused severe brain trauma, paralyzed one of his vocal chords and put him in a coma.”
* O’Reilly hasn’t really been skewered until he’s been skewered by Paul Krugman.
* Speaking of O’Reilly, it sounds as if the Fox News blowhard is about this close to having some kind of breakdown. Referring to reporters who covered his surprise at the civility at a Harlem restaurant, O’Reilly said, “You know, look, if I could strangle these people and not go to hell and get executed…. I would — but I can’t.”
* Jesse Jackson tried to explain the problem to O’Reilly: “What concerns me is that fear and ignorance, you know, lead to hatred and leads to violence, obviously. … And so, to underestimate the civility of blacks was insulting to many people.” O’Reilly countered: “Who underestimated the civility of blacks?”
* Rep. John Doolittle’s (R-Calif.) troubles continue to get worse.
* It’s a pleasant surprise when Peggy Noonan explains civil liberties and the free exchange of ideas to her conservative colleagues.
* The test for those becoming naturalized American citizens is surprisingly challenging. I’d guess most native-born citizens would fail it.
* Ezra: “In their post-presidential careers, Gore and Clinton have pioneered almost precisely opposite methods of affecting social change. Clinton has made remarkable strides activating and orienting the private sector towards good works. Gore, who has emerged as a cross between an atmospheric scientist and a folk hero, has sought to lead a post-millennial social movement capable of exerting the intense pressure required to move the government towards collective, even coercive, action to stop climate change.” It’s a fascinating take, but it led me to a shallow thought: will anyone care what Bush and Cheney have to say in 2016?
* And finally, it was very subtle, but NBC’s “My Name Is Earl” got an amusing little dig in on Scooter Libby last night. The main character is shown reporting for a prison sentence, saying, “I realized that no matter how scared I get, if I’m going to survive in prison I have to do it as myself. ‘Cause my name isn’t inmate number 28301-016. My name is Earl.” That was the inmate number assigned to Scooter Libby.
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.