Birth Control Order Deepens Divide Among Justices  —  WASHINGTON — In a decision that drew an unusually fierce dissent from the three female justices, the Supreme Court sided Thursday with religiously affiliated nonprofit groups in a clash between religious freedom and women's rights.

Is America in danger of fracturing into two countries, one secular, one religious?  —  It's Independence Day weekend, which means that it is time for barbecues, illegal fireworks, and gratuitous displays of nationalism.  This year, I'm planning to get matching bald eagle tattoos on my biceps.

Boehner lawsuit likely to miss mark with focus on Obama's domestic actions  —  Last week, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced plans for Congress to sue President Obama over unspecified failures to “faithfully execute the laws of our country.”  Boehner suggested that the president is acting like …

Senate candidate Bill Cassidy discloses that his teenage daughter is pregnant  —  Rep. Bill Cassidy reveals that his 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, in statement issued by his Senate campaign.  (Photo by Julia Kumari Drapkin, Nola.com |  The Times-Picayune)

The Seven Senate Races Democrats Should Be Optimistic About in 2016  —  Look, I'm not going to sit here and lie to you.  I'm not going to pretend Washington — by which I mean the journalism/politics/lobbying/ evil establishment that's based in the capital — is at work today.

Syria conflict: UK planned to train and equip 100,000 rebels  —  Investigations correspondent, BBC Newsnight  —  “The plan was called Extract, Equip, Train... a shock and awe attack that would allow the Syrians themselves to defeat Assad”, reports Nick Hopkins

Iraq chases Baghdad sleeper cells as ‘Zero Hour’ looms over capital  —  (Reuters) - Iraqi insurgents are preparing for an assault on Baghdad, with sleeper cells planted inside the capital to rise up at “Zero Hour” and aid fighters pushing in from the outskirts, according to senior Iraqi and U.S. security officials.

Sen. Brandon Smith has important things to say about climate change, Mars  —  Kentucky's Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Environment met today to discuss the new EPA rules to fight climate change by limiting greenhouse gases from power plants.

How to not die from fireworks, courtesy of the Clinton administration  —  In 1996, the government blew things up on the National Mall to protect your kids.  And you, really.  Anyone who might be using fireworks or be near someone using fireworks or who might go outside at all ever when someone …

Conservative Journalist Declares War On ‘Reprehensible’ GOP Operative: 'It's On'  —  Charles C. Johnson, the freelance conservative journalist who's at least temporarily commandeered the toxic political battle consuming Mississippi, has spent much of the last 48 hours tirelessly and aggressively calling out his critics by name.

The Case for Mitt Romney in 2016  —  I'm absolutely serious.  —  No politician wants to be compared to Richard Nixon, but Mitt Romney might like the following.  —  First, consider the similarities in their 1960 and 2012 presidential contests.  Romney and Nixon were both mighty warriors …