It’s a really herky-jerky news day, with nothing much going on this morning but then all hell breaking loose right now.
Here are some midday news/views items, with the top two qualifying as breaking news:
* It’s official and crazy fast: Russia signs “treaty” annexing Crimea.
* Ukraine rejects Crimea secession, but also promises not to join NATO.
* At FiveThirtyEight, Dorothy Kronick makes the statistical case for Venezuela’s opposition.
* Despite GOP hype, PPP survey shows both Udall and Hickenlooper still in the lead in Colorado.
* At the Prospect Scott Lemieux takes another whack at Adolph Reed’s stunted take on Obama’s record.
And in non-political news:
* Seattle local news helicopter crashes, killing two.
As we break for lunch, here’s probably my favorite Western song of all time: Marty Robbins performing “El Paso” at the Opry in 1960. Brings back fond memories of a 1970s Atlanta watering hole and music venue called “Rose’s Cantina.”
