Today’s edition of quick hits:
* U.N. weighs in on Syria: “After months of inaction, the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday issued its first formal condemnation of Syria for its use of force against civilians during a bloody crackdown that has killed as many as 2,000 anti-government protesters.”
* Syria doesn’t care: “Ignoring mounting condemnations, the Syrian military deployed tanks, armored vehicles and snipers Wednesday into the symbolic center of Hama, a rebellious city that has emerged as a linchpin of the nearly five-month uprising, in what appeared a decisive step by President Bashar al-Assad to crush opposition to his rule.”
* The Republicans’ FAA shutdown continues, though President Obama said today it’s his “expectation” that the matter will be “resolved by the end of this week.” I have no idea what the resolution could look like.
* Moody’s Investors Service has confirmed the nation’s AAA credit rating, but it’s still threatening a possible downgrade in the future.
* President Obama will embark on a bus tour through the Midwest later this month, focusing on the White House’s economic message.
* Mubarak trial captivates the region: “An ailing Hosni Mubarak, who served longer than any ruler of modern Egypt until he was overthrown in a revolution in February, was rolled into a courtroom in a hospital bed on Wednesday to face formal charges of corruption and complicity in the killing of protesters. The televised trial was a seminal moment for Egypt and an Arab world roiled by revolt.”
* If Wall Street doesn’t think austerity measures will help the economy, maybe the industry could have said something sooner?
* One of the things I like least about House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is his habitual dishonesty. Consider examples one, two, and three, just from this week.
* Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) won’t be on the so-called “super committee.” I doubt he would have been considered, but it’s good news anyway.
* Reflecting on his experience presiding over the Senate, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) said he can remember instances in which he saw things he wasn’t supposed to see. “There’s a lot of stories, and I probably can’t tell you that one,” he said, laughing. “Let me just say you see a lot of hand movements and gestures at times.”
* And in the Marvel Comics universe, the new Spider-Man is half African American and half Latino. This, of course, bothers Glenn Beck, who sees a connection between the Spidey development and Michelle Obama saying three years ago that the nation may need to “change” some of “our traditions.”
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
