- In news that will resonate with parents everywhere, Sasha and Malia Obama are apparently shirking their doggie duties at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Says mom: “I’m still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out.” [People]
- Speaking of dog fights, despite the protestations of his colleagues, Supreme Court Justice David Souter – who was instrumental in preventing the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 1992 – is planning to retire at the end of the Court’s current term, this June. Prepare for more wingnuttery, i.e. a highly entertaining confirmation battle. [NY Times]
- Three (female) names being bandied about as Souter’s replacement: Sonia Sotomayor, Diane P. Wood, Elena Kagan. Oh, and these formidable ladies: Kathleen M. Sullivan, Kim McLane Wardlaw, Jennifer M. Granholm, Leah Ward Sears. [Washington Post]
- More details on the female contenders, here: [The Nation]
- Notre Dame will not be awarding its top honor during commencement this year: its intended recipient, law professor and anti-choicer Mary Ann Glendon, turned it down in protest over the decision to have President Obama speak to the university’s graduates. [Time]
- Other Catholics are not so up in arms: according to a poll, only 25% oppose the university’s decision to invite the President to speak. [US News]
- In less surprising survey results, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that churchgoers are more likely to support torturing terror suspects. There’s a blasphemous joke about the Crucifixion to be made here, but I’m not the one to make it. [CNN]
- The truth about the United States’ torture program continues to seep out: Two of its architects, psychologists and former military men Bruce Jensen and Jim Mitchell, boasted about being paid $1,000 a day to oversee the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” techniques. [ABC News]
- Guess who’s still not talking about the CIA’s interrogation memos? [LA Times]
- No surprise here: “Now, the recent release of Justice Department memos authorizing the use of harsh interrogation techniques has given [Abu Ghraib guard Charles] Graner and other soldiers new reason to argue that they were made scapegoats for policies approved at high levels.” [Washington Post]
- Get me a truth commission! Does Peggy Noonan‘s latest torturous WSJ column compare the country’s chief executive to the unnamed romantic interest in a famous Roberta Flack/Fugees song? [WSJ]
- Michael “Heckuva Job” Brownie is criticizing the Obama Administration‘s response to the threat of swine flu, alleging that the threat level has been raised because the White House wants more “attention” and “legitimacy”. A suggestion for Mr. Brown: Stop while you’re ahead. Oh, and the WHO raises the threat level, not the White House. [US News]
- How long before Daily Show editors or some enterprising videographer makes a response to this absolutely insane “rebranding” video cooked up by the GOP? [Politico]
Programming note: Megan is ailing today, hence the different byline – and completely boring, straightforward take – on the items in the News at 10 post. My apologies.