Today's edition of quick hits:
* Pressuring Syria: "A United Nations panel concluded on Thursday that 'gross human rights violations' had been ordered by the Syrian authorities as state policy at 'the highest levels of the armed forces and the government,' amounting to crimes against humanity."
* 12 Iraqi cities targeted: "A rapid series of attacks across a wide swath of Iraq killed at least 60 people Thursday, targeting mostly security forces in what appeared to be another strike by al-Qaida militants bent on destabilizing the country."
* A deadly accident: "Two Marine Corps helicopters collided over a remote section of the California desert during a nighttime exercise, killing seven Marines in one of the Corps' deadliest training accidents in years."
* As Obama expresses personal regret for the Koran burnings, violent protests continue i0n Kabul.
* The Obama administration today unveiled a "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights."
* Warren Buffett puts his support for legislation to implement the "Buffett Rule" in writing.
* Bradley Manning, facing 22 charges, declined to enter a plea at the start of his court martial today, hoping to give his legal team more time.
* A day after calling for the annihilation of Iran, Tucker Carlson said, "I misrepresented my own views."
* House Republicans made an effort to keep her concerns under wraps, but Sandra Fluke was able to speak today at an informal hearing hosted by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, addressing the subject of contraception access.
* And on a personal note, I started blogging exactly nine years today, which (a) makes me something of an old-timer in this medium, and (b) makes today my "blogoversary." Whether you've been reading for nine minutes or nine years, thanks for the support.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
Congrats Steve on reaching another milestone. I'm not sure how many years I've been following you. I started over at The Carpetbagger, followed you to the Washington Monthly and now here. Your succinct, spot-on analysis keeps me coming back. The best to you!
Benen, I've been reading your thoughtful, succinct, insightful posts for about four years - Happy Blogversary! You're one of the very best!
I have only read you since you came to the Maddowblog. I find your writing informative and enjoyable and I am spending far too much of my day checking it out!
Congratulations on your 9th blogoversary.
Tucker Carlson is relevant? I thought to be relevant you had to be more than just another attention-seeking loudmouth spewing poorly-formed thoughts inarticulately. Oops - I inadvertently described everyone associated with Fox News.
Oh! You so described Obama. And also all the hate mongering MSNBC wannabees of knowledge
Someone's skin was for having gotten under...
Congratulations on your cotton/leather/iron blogoversary (the Googles were all over the map on that one...)
Started reading your stuff at Washington Monthly on Rachel Maddow's advice a couple of years ago -- very glad I did. Thanks so much, and keep it up! Quite a few of us are counting on you, ya know!
Happy Blogoversary
I only found you a year ago and glad I did!
I loved your work on Washington Monthly, and now here. Bravo, Steve.
I've been reading you most of that time too Steve. And you're still the hardest working guy in the blogoshere. Congrats on the 9 years. And tell MrsCB hi, too!
Steve, Congrats on your 9th year and your great work.
Congratulations! I've been a faithful fan for most of that time way back to the old carpetbagger days. Can't do a day without it.
I've been reading your stuff for about five years, Carpetbagger. You're a national treasure (or should be).
Hope you're enjoying your stint with Rachel. You guys are great fit.
Happy Anniversary Steve!
Happy Blogoversary!
Nine years, fancy that. Seems longer, dunnit?
I found you via The Obama Diary about a year ago and have really enjoyed your insights. Thanks for that, and keep on writing! Happy Blogoversary.
Happy Blogeversary, Steve!
You've been my first screen up in the morning and my last screen read before hitting the sack. Thanks for the prodigious output and unparalled insights (although Ed Kilgore's giving you a good run for the money over at WA Monthly).
Keep it coming!
Happy anniversary to the hardest-working, and best, blogger in the business!
Happy blogoversary Steve!
I don't know if you guys picked up on this or not, but Herman Cain is now campaigning for Pete Hoekstra (you know, the yellow peril ad guy) here in Michigan... just in case you guys wanted to follow up on that. It was on our local ABC affiliate tonight (WXYZ).
Are you kidding me? Damn, the self-loathing brother is tireless, isn't he?
You have enabled to write yourself into a pretty awesome career, and that is not only quite deserving, but equally amazing when one considers the odds. Your writing is very clear and concise, and the media needs writers of your ability. Happy 9th on your way to nineteenth and beyond!!
Happy anniversary - I've been reading for three years and wish I had started 6 years earlier! This blog will be even more informative from now on!
Congrats, Steve!! Here's to many more great years of writing!!
Congrats on nine years. I haven't followed you from the beginning, but ever since I followed the link in a Kevin Drum post to the Carpetbagger Report. The color is orange!
Happy Anniversary Steve B. and thanks for all you do for all of us!
Happy IX, Steve! I'll follow you wherever you go.
I've been following you since the run-up to the 2004 election; I guess that's almost the whole time. Carpetbagger Report, WA Monthly, and now here. I've rarely missed a day. Keep up the excellent work, Steve!!!
I've been following you since your Carpetbagger days, Steve, back in early '08. Glad to still be reading you over here.
Gratz Steve, on nine production years for you. I wish you many many more. Been following you since the Carpetbagger days and hope you will allow us to follow you for many more, too.