Top Items:
Paul Krugman:
I Hope This Isn't True — Ezra Klein says that the shape of a fiscal cliff deal is clear: only a 37 percent rate on top incomes, and a rise in the Medicare eligibility age. — I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that this is just a case of creeping Broderism, that it's a VSP fantasy …
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What Is Paul Ryan's Role During the Fiscal Cliff Negotiations? — After 88 days in the spotlight as Mitt Romney's VP pick, Paul Ryan has stepped into the shadows (specifically, hometown Janesville, Wisc.) for the five-day House break - but that doesn't mean he's not taking phone calls and answering emails.

The fiscal cliff deal comes clearer: a 37% top tax rate and a higher Medicare eligibility age — Something hilarious happened in the Senate on Thursday. — The White House has been pushing a plan to transfer authority for the debt ceiling to the executive.
Discussion:
National Review, The Moderate Voice, Hot Air, Hullabaloo, New York Magazine, Washington Monthly, Crooks and Liars and Politico

Split Over Tax Rates Stalls Cliff Talks
Discussion:
White House.gov Blog, Wonkblog and Post Politics
Zeke Miller / BuzzFeed:
Biden Says Obama Could Deal On Tax Rates
Biden Says Obama Could Deal On Tax Rates
Discussion:
Connecting.the.Dots and Taylor Marsh
Adam C. Smith / Tampa Bay Times:
Charlie Crist signs papers to become a Democrat — It was just a matter of time. Charlie Crist is becoming a Democrat. — Crist — Florida's former Republican governor who relished the tough-on-crime nickname “Chain Gang Charlie” and used to describe himself variously as a …
Discussion:
ABCNEWS, Weekly Standard, Hot Air, Associated Press, Mediaite, msnbc.com, Outside the Beltway, BuzzFeed, The Moderate Voice, Taylor Marsh, Politico and Towleroad News #gay

Special Report: From abuse to a chat room, a martyr is made - Jane's Jihad — (Reuters) - “Kill him.” — The American who called herself Jihad Jane read the words on her computer screen. Colleen LaRose was fiddling on the Internet, passing time in her duplex near Philadelphia …
Discussion:
Guardian

Mayan apocalypse: panic spreads as December 21 nears — Fears that the end of the world is nigh have spread across the world with only days until the end of the Mayan calendar, with doomsday-mongers predicting a cataclysmic end to the history of Earth. — Cubans participate in a Mayan ritual at Bacuranao beach in eastern Havana.
Discussion:
The PJ Tatler and Vox Popoli

Catcher in the Rye dropped from US school curriculum — Schools in America are to drop classic books such as Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye from their curriculum in favour of ‘informational texts’. — JD Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye …
Discussion:
The PJ Tatler, The Daily Caller and Vox Popoli
Gregory Wallace / CNN:
Obama, Rubio offer different prescriptions for middle class — (CNN) - President Barack Obama and Sen. Marco Rubio addressed the importance of the middle class during their weekly addresses Saturday, but each offered different prescriptions for prosperity. — Obama urged Congress to pass …
Discussion:
Politico and Crooks and Liars

Illegal immigrant gets kidney — Loyola covers costs of transplant — As an illegal immigrant, Jorge Mariscal waited eight years for a kidney transplant he feared would never come. — His persistence paid off Thursday when he underwent the procedure at Loyola University Medical Center.
Discussion:
protein wisdom

Labor rebellion: Fast-food workers, inspired by Walmart strikers, demand higher wages — Last month, workers at hundreds of Walmart locations nationwide staged protests—many on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year—demanding the retail giant pay higher wages.

New Anti-Islam Ads to Debut This Month, Now With 25% More MTA Disclaimer — Pamela Geller is at it again. — The outspoken blogger and Executive Director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative has just purchased a slew of advertising space in several subway stations …
Discussion:
BuzzFeed, ANIMAL, Jihad Watch and Atlas Shrugs

Psy Apologizes for Anti-American Performances — ‘I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused anyone by those words,’ says South Korean singer — “Gangnam Style” singer Psy issued an apology Friday in reponse to widespread reports about his participation in two anti-American concerts a decade ago in his native South Korea.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, WorldViews, Mashable!, The PJ Tatler, Post Politics, Gawker and BuzzFeed
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Hadas Gold / Politico:
PSY apologizes ahead of D.C. show
PSY apologizes ahead of D.C. show
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, WorldViews and Power Line

Supreme Court Takes Up Landmark Gay Marriage Case — The Supreme Court declared Friday that it will take up same sex marriage next year in what's sure to be a blockbuster case with sweeping implications. — The Court accepted a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act …
Discussion:
Mock, Paper, Scissors
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Supreme Court takes up same-sex marriage for first time
Discussion:
The Agonist, American Power, Wall Street Journal and The Gateway Pundit
Catholic Culture:
Judge rules that Archdiocese of New York's lawsuit against HHS mandate may proceed — A US district court judge has ruled that the Archdiocese of New York's lawsuit against the HHS mandate may proceed. Other courts have dismissed similar lawsuits on the grounds that the Catholic plaintiffs …
Discussion:
The Gateway Pundit, Weasel Zippers and Washington Examiner