Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Conditions are clearly volatile in Syria, as a top Syrian general defects.
* Tehran pointing fingers: “Iran’s spy chief accused German and French intelligence agencies on Friday of involvement in assassinations of its nuclear scientists, sticking to a hard official line as sanctions imposed over its disputed atomic ambitions bite harder.”
* There are now drought conditions in 56% of the continental United States: “The prolonged heat across the Midwest has not only set temperature records, it is also expanding and intensifying drought conditions — and relief isn’t on the horizon for most areas.”
* The right has decided it’s hilarious that the White House says it’s important not to read too much into a single monthly jobs report after bad news is released. There’s just one problem: the White House says the same thing after good news is released.
* As Rep. Joe Walsh’s (R-Ill.) antics become more cringe-worthy, he is not without media allies — CNN’s Erick Erickson isn’t afraid to defend the unhinged congressman who’s begun complaining about his challenger’s decorated military service.
* Voter-suppression tactics become law in the Granite State: “Gov. John Lynch has allowed a bill requiring photo identification at polling places to become law without his signature, but he says he hopes the New Hampshire Legislature will revisit the issue.”
* Occasionally, center-left Supreme Court justices disappoint liberals. They just seem to handle their disappointment much differently than their conservative counterparts. * Our political discourse can get ugly, but not pull-a-gun-on-live-television ugly. * And Rep. Phil Gingrey, a far-right Georgia Republican, complained about the new job numbers today by complaining about President Obama’s “toothy smile,” which “shows lots of gum.” Stay classy, GOP. Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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