WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* A disaster with unfolding and unpredictable consequences: “BP America said Monday that it would take another 75 days to finish one of two relief wells it’s drilling to shut down the flow. By then, if the spill doesn’t worsen and the relief well stops the leak, some 20 million gallons of oil will be swirling in the gulf, nearly double the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989.”
* Are major media outlets failing to give the BP oil spill disaster enough attention? The evidence seems pretty clear.
* Tragedy in Libya: “A Libyan plane carrying 104 people crashed Wednesday on approach to Tripoli’s airport, leaving a field scattered with smoldering debris that included a large chunk of the tail painted with the airline’s brightly colored logo. A 10-year-old Dutch boy was the only known survivor.”
* Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan begins to make the rounds on the Hill.
* I wish I shared his optimism: “President Barack Obama reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Afghanistan after meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the White House on Wednesday, hailing a ‘strong partnership based on mutual respect.’”
* Yes, Arizona’s xenophobia can get worse: “Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill targeting a school district’s ethnic studies program, hours after a report by United Nations human rights experts condemned the measure.’
* On a related note, Arizona’s recent moves are costing the state dearly, and not just in lost respect.
* I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s disconcerting to learn that Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), the ranking member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has no idea what he’s talking about on national security issues.
* White House gives the American Power Act a hearty endorsement.
* How weak is Eric Cantor’s new “YouCut” gimmick? Even RedState is trashing it.
* The Obama administration’s Department of Education supports for-profit schools — to a point.
* George Alan Rekers insists he’s not gay. If his statement sounds a bit like Larry Craig’s initial remarks to his sex scandal, that’s just an unfortunate coincidence.
* There’ve been some concerns raised about Kagan’s commitment to diversity at Harvard. Randall Kennedy offers a compelling response.
* The right’s initial attacks on Kagan’s nomination are so misguided, Ken Starr — yes, that Ken Starr — thinks they don’t “serve the country well.”
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
