memeorandum: Lawmakers Bill Taxpayers For TVs, Cameras, Lexus (Wall Street Journal)

10:10 AM ET, May 31, 2009

Top Items:

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 …

Discussion: No Sheeples Here!, TigerHawk, Flopping Aces, Stop The ACLU, Outside The Beltway, JustOneMinute, Say Anything, Liberty Street, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, TBogg and The Mahablog

Mike Baker / Fox News:

Obamas' Date Night in New York City Draws Criticism — Even before the Obamas left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from Republicans who questioned the president's decision to travel to New York for a night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, GayPatriot, News Hounds and Liberal Values

Ann Sanner / Associated Press:

First couple's NY date: a campaign promise kept — President Barack Obama made good on a campaign promise to his most important supporter Saturday night — his wife, Michelle. — The president and first lady jetted to a date in New York late Saturday afternoon, aides and media in tow.

Discussion: New York Times, The Huffington Post and Sweetness & Light

Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:

SOMETIMES, A DATE IS JUST A DATE.... Ordinarily, this is the kind of human-interest story that I wouldn't even read. Apparently, though, it's angered quite a few Republicans, so I guess we might as well take a look at. … Good for them; I'm sure it's nice for the Obamas to get out once in a while.

Discussion: CNN and Riehl World View

Jazz Shaw / The Moderate Voice: Was “Date Night” a Good Idea?

Mark Silva / The Swamp:
Obamas' Broadway Saturday night out

Discussion: The Caucus

Richard A. Clarke / Washington Post:

The Trauma of 9/11 Is No Excuse — Top officials from the Bush administration have hit upon a revealing new theme as they retrospectively justify their national security policies. Call it the White House 9/11 trauma defense. — “Unless you were there, in a position of responsibility after September 11 …

Discussion: Emptywheel, .. … and Hullabaloo

Frank Rich / New York Times:

Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack? — AFTER watching the farce surrounding Dick Cheney's coming-out party this month, you have to wonder: Which will reach Washington first, change or the terrorists? If change doesn't arrive soon, terrorists may well rush in where the capital's fools now tread.

Discussion: New Yorker, Washington Monthly, Daily Kos and Prairie Weather

Eric Lichtblau / New York Times:
Justice Dept. Backs Saudi Royal Family on 9/11 Lawsuit

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, The Jawa Report and Weasel Zippers

Michael O'Brien / The Hill:

Coleman, Franken prep to face off on appeal — Monday's oral arguments before the Minnesota Supreme Court may finally bring an end to the state's protracted Senate race, and both sides are proclaiming readiness. — Lawyers for former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) and Democrat Al Franken have prepped …

Discussion: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Paul / Power Line:
Supreme Court confirmation — the standard matters less than that there be just one

Discussion: The Corner

Associated Press:

Saudi beheads and crucifies murder convict — RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi authorities beheaded and crucified a man convicted of brutally slaying an 11-year-old boy and his father, the Interior Ministry announced. — According to the statement issued by the ministry Friday …

Discussion: Scared Monkeys and Reuters

Barak Ravid / Haaretz:

Israel to U.S.: ‘Stop favoring Palestinians’ — Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem are growing after the U.S. administration's demand that Israel completely freeze construction in all West Bank settlements. Israeli political officials expressed disappointment after Tuesday's round …

Peter Baker / New York Times:

Court Choice Pushes Issue of ‘Identity’ Back to Forefront — WASHINGTON — In the heat of his primary battle last year, Barack Obama bemoaned “identity politics” in America, calling it “an enormous distraction” from the real issues of the day. Many thought his inauguration …

Discussion: Commentary, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Pajamas Media, American Power and How Appealing

Tamar Lewin / New York Times:

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.

Iftikhar A. Khan / dawn.com:

Army takes ‘complete control’ over Mingora — Soldiers move to their positions on top of a defense position on a former base of Taliban militants overlooking the Swat Valley.—AP/File — ISLAMABAD: Operation Rahe Rast made a significant progress with the security forces completely securing control …

Discussion: Times of India, Informed Comment and American Footprints

Mark Sherman / Associated Press:

Administration opposes Uighurs' release in US — WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, picking up the argument of its predecessor, is opposing the release of Chinese Muslim detainees at Guantanamo Bay into the United States. — In papers filed with the Supreme Court late Friday …

Discussion: Obsidian Wings