WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Devastating attacks in Iraq: “A string of attacks in Baghdad, including two bombings near prominent government buildings, killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 530 Wednesday morning in the bloodiest day in the capital since the withdrawal of U.S. troops from cities…. The two deadliest bombings targeted the finance and foreign ministries, which are among the most heavily guarded buildings in Baghdad, Iraqi authorities said.”
* Afghans head to the polls tomorrow, and the country is on edge.
* Two North Korean officials head to Santa Fe to chat with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D). The North Koreans reportedly requested the meeting, and the State Department approved.
* On a related note, former President Bill Clinton briefed President Obama and his team on North Korea in the Situation Room yesterday (the real one, not that CNN thing).
* Israel: “Several officials said Tuesday that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Housing Minister Ariel Atias had quietly agreed to suspend all government tenders to build new Jewish housing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem at least until the start of next year.”
* This ought to be interesting: “The Swiss banking giant UBS on Wednesday reached a final deal with the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service in which it will ultimately disclose names and account details for more than 4,450 wealthy Americans suspected of tax evasion.”
* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is prepared to pass health care reform “by any legislative means necessary.”
* Some talking points never change: “Top Senate Republicans warned [Attorney General Eric Holder] on Wednesday not to name a special prosecutor to investigate Bush policies allowing brutal techniques on terrorism suspects, saying that doing so would drive a wedge between the Justice Department and the CIA and ‘leave us more vulnerable to attack.’”
* UnitedHealth Group claims to be an insurance company that wants health care reform. If that’s true, why is it directing its employees to attend right-wing, anti-reform Tea Parties?
* Good: “An Oklahoma judge on Tuesday overturned a state law that required women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound and a doctor’s description of the fetus.”
* How big a hack is Dick Armey? He’s trying to politicize the H1N1 virus.
* Limbaugh cheers on the lunatic from Barney Frank’s town hall, while Steve Doocy, in an apparent attempt to be even more ridiculous than usual, thinks the congressman was mean to the nutty protestor.
* Steven Pearlstein dismisses the significance of the public option: “It is not the be-all and end-all of health-care reform.” He added it’s “a political non-starter that threatens the entire reform effort. It’s time to let it go.” Ezra responds.
* Families USA does a nice job with this: “10 Reasons to Support The Health Care Reform Bills.”
* As if the anti-Semitism from anti-health reform protesters weren’t disgusting enough, if keeps getting worse.
* Fox News comes up with a new way to source its brand of “journalism.”
* Glenn Beck loses yet another advertiser.
* R.I.P., Don Hewitt.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
