So as usual for federal holidays, we’re wrapping up blogging early to give you–and us–the opportunityto spend some quality Memorial Day time in peace and/or with friends and family. Here’s some pickins from the slim holiday news/views fare:
* Obama reiterates theme of turning “a page on a decade of conflict” in Memorial Day address at Arlington Cemetery.
* New York Times’ Robert Pear documents the frustrated efforts of lobbyists seeking “fixes” in Affordable Care Act.
* Salon‘s Alex Pareene examines MSNBC’s ratings woes, giving Morning Joe a fiery blast of scorn in passing.
* Texas legislature acts to close off possibility of Medicaid expansion.
* At Ten Miles Square, Roland Paris reviews the strategic lessons of the Afghanistan war.
* At College Guide, Daniel Luzer makes the case for major reform of the TRIO programs aimed at helping low-income students apply to and succeed in college.
And in non-political news:
* Long-time “hard-luck” NASCAR driver Tony Kanaan wins Indy 500 on twelfth try.
Keeping in mind that Memorial Day is not just a patriotic festival but a commemoration of those who died in war, here is a German choral performance of Joan Baez’s “Requiem.”
Selah.
