Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Unhinged activist Bill Donohue has already responded to the John Edwards blogger announcement, and needless to say, he’s not happy. In a press statement, Donohue said Edwards’ “goal is to loot the pockets of the Soros/Hollywood gang, and they — like him — aren’t offended by anti-Catholicism. Indeed, they thrive on it.” Hmm, the “Soros/Hollywood gang.” Might there be a hint of anti-Semitism in there?
* So, what about that Salon report about Amanda and Melissa having been fired? The same reporters followed up today with a key detail: they were fired, but after the “liberal blogosphere exploded,” the campaign reconsidered. It’s a key moment in the history of the medium.
* This afternoon, after jurors were finished hearing testimony from Tim Russert in the Scooter Libby trial, the prosecution rested its case.
* Speaking of which, Mary Matalin made a series of odd and barely coherent comments about the trial today during an interview with Don Imus. It was rather embarrassing.
* Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) has “decided to forego treatment for lung cancer that has spread to his liver and will be returning to Georgia to receive hospice care, his office said Wednesday.”
* As it turns out, the paranoids were right: “Records Show Extra Scrutiny of Detainees in ‘04 Protests: When more than a thousand people were swept up in mass arrests during the 2004 Republican National Convention, defense lawyers complained in court that the protesters had to wait much longer to see a judge than those accused of far more serious crimes like robbery or assault. Now, newly released city records not only put precise numbers to those claims, but also show the special scrutiny the New York Police Department gave to people arrested in or near the convention protests.”
* From the WaPo: “In the survey of 1,144 doctors nationwide, 8 percent said they had no obligation to present all possible options to patients, and 18 percent said they did not have to tell patients about other doctors who provide care they found objectionable.” To get the best care, secular women doctors were the most reliable.
* Colbert takes on Lieberman as only Colbert can.
* The phony Pelosi/military jet story worked its way into a House floor debate today, with hilarious consequences. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) made Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) look even sillier than usual.
* Whether you like Hillary Clinton or not, it’s hard not to like the way in which the campaign hits back hard. The Wall Street Journal ran a predictable far-right editorial today against the senator, and within a couple of hours, the Clinton campaign had completely torn it apart. Good for them.
* Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) still wants to know if the Bush administration believes it has the authority to attack Iran without congressional approval. Condoleezza Rice keeps promising to state the administration’s position, but still hasn’t explained it to the senator’s satisfaction.
* Balloon Juice’s Tim F. has a fascinating post about international perceptions of the health care system in the U.S.: “Surprisingly, many people still don’t know that America is the only country in the developed world without universal government-supported healthcare.”
* Liberal Oasis’ Bill Scher has a fascinating post of his own on “conservative correctness.” Bill explained, conservative correctness — as seen in the War on Christmas, for example — is when “you say something impolitic about the president, the war, interpretation of scripture, etc. an attempt is made to shame the speaker, pressure associates and stifle debate.” So true.
* And, finally, Al Gore is poised to announce a series of concerts, which will be “bigger than Live Aid,” to raise awareness on the issue of global warming. The plan is to have seven concerts on 7/7/07.
If none of these particular items are of interest, consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.