Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Space Shuttle Discovery made its final flight today, and gave folks in D.C. a “spectacular aerial” show this morning. It will now be part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
* Remember in 2010, when congressional Republicans said “deem and pass” was an outrageous abuse and an assault on all that is good in the world? Well, they’ve changed their minds: “The House on Tuesday afternoon approved a rule deeming that the House Republican budget approved last month as being passed by both the House and Senate.”
* Corporate profits are exceeding expectations: “Profits at Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson all beat analysts’ estimates and lifted hopes for the rest of the earnings season. Of the 39 S&P 500 companies that have reported earnings, 74.4 percent beat estimates, according to Thomson Reuters data.”
* As brutal as the weekend’s tornadoes were, “a more vigilant and persistent warning system” helped reduce the number of deaths and injuries.
* Policymakers in Alabama have a chance to repeal their ridiculous anti-immigrant law, but “it looks like they’re blowing it.”
* I don’t think this guy understands reward posters: “Mohammad Ashan, a mid-level Taliban commander in Paktika province, strolled toward a police checkpoint in the district of Sar Howza with a wanted poster bearing his own face. He demanded the finder’s fee referenced on the poster: $100.” * Raise the minimum wage: “Here’s an unhappy observation about the minimum wage: Congress last increased the rate in stages in 2006, topping it out at $7.25 an hour in 2009, or $15,080 a year. That amount, when adjusted for inflation, is actually lower than what a minimum-wage worker earned in 1968 and is too meager to offer anyone the chance to climb out of poverty, let alone afford basic goods and services.” * Retiring Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has a suggested bumper sticker for his party: “We’re Not Perfect, But They’re Nuts.” Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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