GOP takes aim at Obamas' NYC trip  —  President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama landed in New York Sunday afternoon, and after taking a helicopter from JFK into Manhattan, drove up the West Side Highway, where the northbound lanes were shut down by police for their visit, past Ground Zero …

Judge Sotomayor and Race — Results from the Full Data Set  —  I've now completed the study of every one of Judge Sotomayor's race-related cases that I mention in the post below.  I'll write more in the morning about particular cases, but here is what the data shows in sum:

Justice Dept. Backs Saudi Royal Family on 9/11 Lawsuit  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is supporting efforts by the Saudi royal family to defeat a long-running lawsuit seeking to hold it liable for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.  —  The Justice Department, in a brief filed Friday …

White House moves to restrict criticism of stimulus projects  —  A new White House policy on permissible lobbying on economic recovery and stimulus project has taken a decidedly anti-First Amendment turn.  It's a classic illustration of Big Government trying to control every aspect …

U.S. vows to keep using ‘state secrets’ defense  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Obama administration has informed a federal judge it will continue to invoke the “state secrets” privilege in a legal battle with an Islamic charity suspected of funding terrorism.  —  The United States has designated …

The Growth/Oil Hammer  —  I find the debate about whether or not we're seeing “green shoots” to be a bit confused.  Moreover, I don't believe I can see the future.  What I can see is the present, where markets react to any sign of good economic news with a big jump in oil prices.

Ted Rall: It's increasingly evident that Obama should resign  —  MIAMI — We expected broken promises.  But the gap between the soaring expectations that accompanied Barack Obama's inauguration and his wretched performance is the broadest such chasm in recent historical memory.

Fusion tests set at new Livermore facility  —  Outside a concrete slab of a building 10 stories high that holds the most powerful array of lasers and high-precision optics ever assembled, the scientists, engineers and workers who created the massive structure at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory celebrated its dedication Friday.

Supreme Court to Address Meeting the Needs of Special-Education Students  —  In a case with potential financial repercussions for school districts and families alike, the United States Supreme Court will soon decide when public schools must reimburse parents of special-education students for private-school tuition.

Rangel's advice for Obama's NYC visit?  Don't go to Harlem without ID  —  Congressman Charles Rangel, in a snide aside Saturday, suggested even President Obama was at risk on the streets after a black cop was slain by a white colleague.  —  The veteran Democratic politician was asked …

Presidents Bush, Clinton Team Up in Toronto; Clinton Says His View on Gay Marriage Is ‘Evolving’  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports: This afternoon in Toronto, former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush shared a stage for a “conversation with presidents” at Toronto's Convention Centre …