We’re seeing this wonderful if brief weather pattern on the Monterey Peninsula this week where it rains all night and then skies turn blue all day. Wish it would last.
Here are some non-weather-driven midday news/views snacks:
* Verdict reached in Boston Marathan bombing case, but not yet announced. No doubt there will be a lot of “guilty” counts.
* Rand Paul says he’ll “keep open mind” on Iran nuke deal, but won’t bend on demand for congressional approval of sanctions relief.
* TNR’s Danny Vinik offers a very comprehensive review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, suggesting much of the controversy is overblown, but that the pact’s impact as precedent could be huge.
* At the Atlantic, Alana Semuels glimpses signs of a “post-coal Appalachia.”
* Alexandra Petri suggests candidates for president spending insane amount of time mouthing identical empty cliches about greatness of America and uniqueness of the moment.
And in non-political news:
* UConn wins another women’s national basketball championship, giving Auriemma 10th title, tied with John Wooden.
As we break for lunch, here’s another Buddy Guy tune from his Sweet Tea album: “It’s a Jungle Out There.”
