Today’s edition of quick hits:
* The list of people missing or unaccounted for in Joplin, Missouri, is down to 156. The death toll stands at 126.
* A frayed partnership: “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned on Friday that relations between the United States and Pakistan had reached ‘a turning point,’ and called on Pakistan’s leaders to take urgent measures against Islamic extremists in the wake of the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Mrs. Clinton, the highest-ranking American official to visit Pakistan since Navy Seals found Bin Laden hiding in a garrison town 35 miles from the capital, did not get public pledges of cooperation from the Pakistanis.”
* With very little time left before the law expired, Congress passed a four-year extension of the Patriot Act late yesterday. The House vote was 250 to 153, and the Senate vote was 72 to 23. President Obama signed the measure into law using the “autopen,” which is considered legal.
* A G8 meeting gets underway in France: “Leaders of the Group of 8 wealthiest industrialized nations pledged on Friday to send billions of dollars in new aid to Egypt and Tunisia, hoping to reduce the threat that looming economic stagnation could undermine the transition to democracy in the region.”
* With consumer confidence improving, I’ll take good economic news where I can find it.
* On a related note, the job prospects for recent college graduates appear to be improving, at least a little.
* A bizarre approach to policymaking: “Confused by their own attempt to gut the unemployment insurance system, House Republicans have pulled a bill from Rules Committee consideration at the last minute, citing an ‘education’ issue.”
* Right-wing activist James O’Keefe’s stunt group, Project Veritas, has now been granted non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service.
* In Wisconsin: “The Marshfield man who drove to Madison to kill an abortion doctor told police that he was next going to go to an abortion clinic in Milwaukee, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday.”
* It amazes me to think DailyKos is nine years old. Congrats to Markos, Joan, and the rest of the team.
* On a related note, DailyKos’ lawsuit against pollster Research 2000 has been resolved out of court.
* I honestly can’t remember the last time a Republican in the deep South switched parties to become a Democrat, but that’s exactly what happened yesterday in Alabama.
* And finally, the Birthers — remember them? — have a new conspiracy theory: Donald Trump was a White House plant. It never ends.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
