A Pew poll finds that most Americans expect "occasional acts of terrorism" -- with remarkably little partisan difference in opinion on the subject. Ed Kilgore looks at the numbers and finds no evidence of public panic over terrorism, which takes the wind out of Republicans' fearmongering sails.
Here's hoping Ed's right, because Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and Kelly Ayotte think that the answer to domestic terrorism is to invade America. Don't think I'm kidding.
It begins: a Republican state Rep. from New Hampshire says the Boston Marathon bombing was carried out by the government. Coincidentally, Tamerlan Tsarnaev himself was also an aficionado of conspiracy theories -- including those of gun nut and conspiracy crank Alex Jones, presently a hero of the right. Not surprisingly, Jones says that this revelation is in itself a conspiracy to make him look bad.
The open seat left by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin is looking a bit safer for Democrats. Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds says she won't seek the seat and according to the report, this "leaves the GOP still struggling to find a candidate to enter the hotly competitive race against Democratic U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, who declared in early February he'd seek Harkin's seat."
During a vote to begin the process of repealing Nevada's ban on same-sex marriage, a Democratic lawmaker came out of the closet. The measure passed.
Related: the Delaware House passes marriage equality.
Related again: there is no Republican state Senator in Rhode Island who opposes marriage equality.
Novelist Stephen King makes "a substantial donation" to a Maine gun control group. Here's hoping other wealthy liberals nationwide likewise step up to the plate.
Researchers say preventing gunshots wounds in kids should be a priority, since children are less likely than adults to survive such injuries. Needless to say, this idea won't go far with Republicans, whose concern with protecting children from firearms was so recently proven to be almost nonexistent. Walk it off and quit whining, kid. Do it for freedom.
Save us. CNN reportedly talking with former Obama spokesperson Stephanie Cutter and former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich to host a resurrected version of Crossfire, their once-canceled and always pointless shouting match of a non-show. Please, someone save us.
Finally, Tulsa Police Capt. Paul Fields is one shitty cop.
[cartoon via McClatchy Newspapers]
