MONDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* The latest from Honduras: “One day after the country’s president, Manuel Zelaya, was abruptly awakened, ousted and deported by the army here, hundreds of protesters massed at the presidential offices in an increasingly tense face-off with hundreds of camouflage-clad soldiers carrying riot shields and automatic weapons.”
* President Obama described Zelaya ouster as a “not legal” coup, meaning that the current government is not legitimate as far as the U.S. is concerned. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today called on for the “full restoration” of democracy in the country.
* The Iranian government certified the results of its own dubious presidential election. Protestors were not pleased.
* Bernie Madoff was sentenced today to 150 years.
* New lighting standards may not seem especially exciting, but they’re important anyway.
* A big event at the White House this afternoon, commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall riots of 1969, and hosting 250 gay leaders in the East Room in honor of LGBT Pride Month.
* Speaking of Stonewall, is history repeating itself, this time in Texas?
* Most senators are heading home this week. Max Baucus isn’t — he has health care homework to finish.
* With the Iranian regime consolidating power, what’s Mir Hossein Mousavi’s next move?
* At an event this morning at the Center for American Progress, Tom Daschle said, “I don’t think the public option is dead at all. I think it’s very much alive.”
* Keep an eye on the big upcoming election in Afghanistan.
* Bizarre developments at a San Diego fundraiser for a Democratic congressional candidate over the weekend, prompting an internal affairs investigation.
* A series of office posters celebrating Gay Pride Month at the Department of Labor were defaced or removed recently. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis warned employees about this kind of behavior: “I do want to make myself absolutely clear: Respect for others is non-negotiable at the U.S. Department of Labor.”
* I imagine MIT’s John Reilly is pretty frustrated.
* Did Israel and the Bush administration have an “understanding” on settlements? Apparently not.
* There’s no shortage of nutty state lawmakers out there, but when it comes to being “special,” Missouri’s Cynthia Davis (R) is pretty extraordinary.
* Pat Boone was never a good entertainer, but his political activism is even more offensive.
* Do “red” states have a lock on morality and virtue? Not so much.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
