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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 …
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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.

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.

Obamas' Broadway Saturday night out — The Obamas headed to New York City to see a play tonight — August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Belasco Theater on W. 44th Street, according to theater executives cited by The New York Times' The Caucus blog.

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:
The Jawa Report
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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 …

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 …

First President in US History to Have Voted to Filibuster a Supreme Court Nominee Now Hopes for Clean Process — President Obama's expressed hope today in his weekly address “that we can avoid the political posturing and ideological brinksmanship that has bogged down this (Supreme Court nomination) …
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Supreme Court confirmation — the standard matters less than that there be just one — John and the estimable Andy McCarthy have been discussing what standard Republican Senators should apply when voting on a Supreme Court nominee of a Democratic president.
Discussion:
The Corner


Sotomayor's Focus on Race Issues May Be Hurdle — WASHINGTON — The selection of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court has opened a new battle in the fight over affirmative action and other race-conscious remedies for patterns of inequality, with each side invoking the election …
Discussion:
TalkLeft, Washington Post, 24Ahead, BAGnewsNotes, The Caucus, Jules Crittenden, pandagon.net and MSNBC
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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:
Washington Monthly
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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.

Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules: New Limits on Special Interest Influence — Another update from Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, in the spirit of transparency as always: — I am writing with an update on the President's March 20 …
Discussion:
Little Green Footballs, PoliGazette, Doug Ross, Josh Gerstein's Blog, Sunlight Foundation, Washington Post, QandO and Shopfloor
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White House moves to restrict criticism of stimulus projects
Discussion:
Atlas Shrugs, The Sundries Shack, Wizbang, Macsmind, Jihad Watch, Hot Air, Michelle Malkin, Say Anything and Wake up America


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.


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 …
Discussion:
Power Line

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.