FRIDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* As expected, the global-gag rule is no more, at least until there’s another Republican in the White House.
* The U.S. bombing campaign against al Qaeda leadership in Pakistan continued today, and among those killed may be a leading al Qaeda member.
* Just think, the stimulus package could be a whole lot smaller, if only Republicans had agreed to address the crisis last fall.
* Senate Republicans are blocking Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis, too.
* Have I mentioned how thrilled I am about the new team at the Justice Department? It keeps getting better.
* There’s something deeply wrong with Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).
* Visitors have been denied access to the top of the Statue of Liberty since 9/11, but the Obama administration apparently intends to open the monument back up.
* Just how many people showed up for Obama’s inauguration? It looks like officials are going with 1.8 million, which would easily set a record for presidential events.
* Good piece on “Get Afghanistan Right.”
* It won’t literally be a State of the Union address, but Obama will deliver its equivalent sometime in February.
* Republican Joseph Bruno, the former Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, was indicted today on eight counts of public corruption.
* Bush “burrowers” are going to be a problem for years.
* I’d heard that Obama got testy with a reporter during a friendly visit to the White House briefing room, but I’ve watched the video. If that’s Obama annoyed, it’s pretty mild.
* Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is refusing to partake in the Senate trial against him.
* And speaking of Blagojevich, he believes his arrest is analogous to the attacks on Pearl Harbor. There’s something wrong with that guy.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
