Today’s edition of quick hits:
* The Greek debt crisis intensifies: “Thousands of Greeks went on a nationwide strike Wednesday, protesting the government’s proposal for spending cuts to enable the debt-ridden nation to continue receiving international bailout funds. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced that he will reshuffle his cabinet on Thursday and seek a vote of confidence for his new government.”
* White House answers War Powers questions: “The White House is telling Congress that President Obama has the legal authority to continue American participation in the NATO-led air war in Libya, even though lawmakers have not authorized it.”
* Conservatives on the Wisconsin Supreme Court put ideology first: “The Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way on Tuesday for significant cuts to collective bargaining rights for public workers in the state, undoing a lower court’s decision that Wisconsin’s controversial law had been passed improperly.”
* When Pakistan detains CIA informants, including an Army major, it’s evidence of a poor ally: “Pakistan’s top military spy agency has arrested some of the Pakistani informants who fed information to the Central Intelligence Agency in the months leading up to the raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden, according to American officials.”
* Jennifer Rubin has been pushing the line that a leading White House adviser is pressuring Israel to negotiate with the Palestinians in a manner that’s at odds with Obama’s public position on the conflict. Greg Sargent’s reporting shows Rubin’s line isn’t true.
* If workers’ incomes keep dropping, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when the economy suffers from a demand problem.
* There were reports this morning that a bunch of prominent Republican officials, including Mitt Romney, would attend Glenn Beck’s gathering in Israel later this year. The reports were completely wrong.
* Interesting “Morning Joe” segment earlier, in which a former G.M. executive not only talks about the problems within the industry and its more recent recovery, but mocks those who opposed the 2009 rescue. (thanks to F.B. for the tip)
* Good point from Jonathan Bernstein: “In today’s conservative marketplace, crazy equals money.”
* A strong summary: “Monday’s Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire — full of historical error, economic obfuscation, avoidance of hard truths and even outright bigotry — was a feast for connoisseurs of political dysfunction.”
* In June 2009, CNN did 60 reports on South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s (R) sex scandal. In June 2011, CNN has done 160 reports on the controversy surrounding Rep. Anthony Weiner (D). And remember, June 2011 is only half over.
* Remember summer jobs? “For decades they were a good way for college students, rich or poor, to earn money for living expenses. Not so much anymore.”
* Good commencement addresses are tricky. Conan O’Brien knows how to write and deliver one.
* And Politico‘s preoccupation with P90X is starting to get a little creepy.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
