WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* There have been conflicting reports about the death toll in Haiti following its Jan. 12 quake, but one total puts the number at a stunning 230,000 people.
* Thanks to a U.S. missile strike, Hakimullah Mehsud is no more: After weeks of speculation, Pakistani officials asserted definitively Wednesday that the leader of the Pakistani Taliban had been killed.”
* Averting a Greek tragedy? “Facing a crucial test for the credibility of their common currency, European leaders were close to agreement Wednesday on moves aimed at persuading jittery bond market investors that Greece would not be allowed to default on its government debt.”
* New Iran asset freeze: “The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it was freezing the assets of four subsidiary companies of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a senior commander.”
* No, blizzards do not disprove global warming.
* It seems as if New York Gov. David Paterson (D), rumors to the contrary notwithstanding, isn’t going anywhere for a while.
* A rare glimpse into a “freaky” North Korea.
* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) really does want to see some recess appointments next week. Here’s hoping Reid gets his wish.
* How American politics works in 2010: “You almost have to admire the audacity: Republicans are denouncing Obama for proposing Medicare cuts, while themselves proposing much deeper Medicare cuts. And they’re getting away with it.”
* The results of the new Washington Post/ABC News poll were a mixed bag, but it’s worth remembering that the criticism of President Obama on national security doesn’t seem to be working.
* Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see why the president’s comments this morning about the bonuses awarded to the CEOs of Goldman Sachs and Chase were so controversial. The wording was a little awkward, but that’s about it.
* Some of the reports yesterday about Iraq War veteran Dan Choi weren’t quite right, but the fact that he drilled with his National Guard unit this past weekend for training is a very encouraging sign.
* Defense spending in the United States really is staggering.
* A day (and a program) to apply for financial aid.
* R.I.P., Charlie Wilson: “Former East Texas lawmaker and larger-than-life character Charlie Wilson has died at the age of 76, according to Lufkin TV news station KTRE-9.”
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
