memeorandum: At Middletown school, a fight over gender (Carol Gorga Williams/app.com)

9:35 AM ET, August 18, 2014

Top Items:

Autopsy Shows Michael Brown Was Struck at Least 6 Times — FERGUSON, Mo. — Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager who was killed by a police officer, sparking protests around the nation, was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, a preliminary private autopsy performed on Sunday found.

Missouri Governor's Office / Governor Jay Nixon:

Following coordinated attacks on civilians and law enforcement, Governor Nixon signs executive order directing Missouri National Guard resources to Ferguson — Gov. Jay Nixon has signed an executive order directing additional resources through the Missouri National Guard to help restore peace …

Discussion: Politico, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York Times, Taylor Marsh, The Week, Mediaite, The Verge, Independent Journal Review, NBC News and The Last Refuge

Joe Millitzer / FOX2now.com:

Watch Capt. Ron Johnson's amazing Michael Brown speech — FERGUSON, MO (KTVI) - The new leader of the policing effort in Ferguson, Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, opens the unity rally at Greater Grace Church with a rousing speech. It brought down the house.

Discussion: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Public Radio, kdvr.com and New York's PIX11

Ellen Wulfhorst / Reuters:

National Guard called in after second night of chaos in Ferguson, Missouri — (Reuters) - Missouri's governor said on Monday he would send the National Guard into the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson to restore calm after authorities forcibly dispersed a crowd protesting last week's fatal shooting of an unarmed black teen by police.

Discussion: Hot Air and National Review

Michael Brown / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Nixon speaks on several Sunday morning shows, Holder orders autopsy

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Hot Air, NY Daily News, The PJ Tatler, ABC News, Washington Monthly, Yahoo! News, Hit & Run, Real Clear Politics and National Review

Los Angeles Times:
Ferguson curfew still on; Michael Brown rally gives message of hope

Discussion: Crooked Timber

Caitlin MacNeal / Talking Points Memo:
Ferguson Extends Curfew For Second Night

Discussion: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Los Angeles Times, Mediaite and The Huffington Post

Ellen Wulfhorst / Reuters:
Some clashes in Ferguson, Missouri, despite night curfew

Discussion: Washington Free Beacon and Gawker

Olivia Nuzzi / The Daily Beast:

Rand Paul Gives War a Chance — The libertarian senators is famously skeptical of foreign wars. So why are his advisers suddenly comparing him to the coldest of Cold Warriors? — When it comes to international affairs, Rand Paul is the new Ronald Reagan.

Albert R. Hunt / Bloomberg View:
Reading the Early Republican Presidential Field

Discussion: NewsBusters and Washington Monthly

Thomas Frank / Salon:

How to wreck the GOP in 3 easy steps! — Now's the time for change — and here's how to make it — President Obama is in the doldrums. He has run out of ideas, and out of gas. His strongest supporters are in the grip of a morbid fatalism. There is nothing the president can do any longer …

Discussion: Daily Kos

Frank Newport / Gallup:

Congressional Re-Elect Measure Remains Near All-Time Low — American voters not as negative about their own member of Congress — PRINCETON, NJ — Nineteen percent of U.S. registered voters say most members of Congress deserve re-election, roughly the same as in two measures earlier this year.

Discussion: Washington Post, Politico and Washington Times

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / TIME:

The Coming Race War Won't Be About Race — Ferguson is not just about systemic racism—it's about class warfare, and how America's poor are held back — Will the recent rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, be a tipping point in the struggle against racial injustice, or will it be a minor footnote …

Discussion: Hot Air

WSB-TV:

Police: Texas tourist killed in accidental shooting in Helen — Sponsored Links — HELEN, Ga. — Helen police said a man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a bizarre accident left him shot and a stranger dead. — According to police, officers were dispatched …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo

Karoli / Latest from Crooks and Liars:

Billboard With Giant Set Of Testicles Asks Who ‘Has The Balls To Impeach Obama’ — Hurray for the First Amendment! — There's so much wrong with this. Where it's placed, its content, and the attitudes that put it there are the tip of the iceberg. — Newsnet5.com:

Discussion: The Daily Banter, The Raw Story, Balloon Juice and Booman Tribune

Carol Gorga Williams / app.com:

At Middletown school, a fight over gender — Rachel Pepe is a 13 year old Transgender who finds herself without a school. Her mother Angela has found a private school where she can feel safe, but Middletown Board of Education is reluctant to pay for it. STAFF VIDEO BY PETER ACKERMAN — CONNECT

Discussion: ThinkProgress, The Raw Story, Towleroad News #gay and PinkNews.co.uk

Niall Stanage / The Hill:

Five figures on the left who could challenge Hillary Clinton — Hillary Clinton's criticism of President Obama this week has added to the skepticism about her that has long percolated through the Democratic Party's grassroots. — Clinton's assertions of the need for a muscular foreign policy …

Discussion: RedState, The Mahablog, Washington Monthly and CANNONFIRE