International
- Syria is saying the same thing as DNI Clapper. Tragically, Anthony Shadid, foreign correspondent for the New York Times died of an apparent asthma attack in Syria yesterday.
- Pakistan is hosting a three-country summit between Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The comments, reflecting divergent interests, were interesting to say the least.
- In Spain, austerity has lead to recession. We should not be surprised.
- Scotland would like to have greater, if not total, freedom from the crown. David Cameron continues centuries old recalcitrance to the notion. Maybe it's because of oil?
Domestic
- House Republicans hosted a hearing on birth control and contraception without a single woman testifying. Though Foster Friess, speaking in MSNBC after the hearing, did manage to offend most woman in America, with an ill-advised medical directive for the use of aspirin. To paraphrase a friend of DCExile, if you start off any statement with "Back in my day," there's a good chance what follows will be seen as out of touch and offensive. Let's not forget to mention, Mr. Friess is a big-time donor for a pro-Santorum Super PAC.
- The CBO has scored the payroll tax cut legislation and come in with a figure lower than the originally thought price tag.
- A disappointing decision by Chris Christie.
- Mitt must really be struggling for cash, if Craig Romney is selling his companionship. **Editorial Note: No offense intended. I actually think this is a clever idea, and your editor knows at least a dozen women who would pay $5 to hold Craig's hand and boo at the candidates in Arizona.**
UPDATED:
- David Brooks was either struggling for a Friday column, or lived under a rock all football season to write this column about Jeremy Lin and not even mention Tebow. VIDEO BONUS: Tebow gets SNLed.