{"id":5398,"date":"2011-07-16T00:45:49","date_gmt":"2011-07-16T07:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=5398"},"modified":"2011-07-16T00:45:49","modified_gmt":"2011-07-16T07:45:49","slug":"open-thread7162011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/07\/16\/open-thread7162011\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–7\/16\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday morning I did get some much needed sleep.  But in the evening, my sleep was interrupted by a severe case of Republicitis.  I guess eating foods I\u2019m not used to is the cause, but my butt is doing a great imitation of Michele Bachmann\u2019s mouth.  As a result I started my research a couple hours early and doing it intermittently, while waiting for the Imodium to kick in.  I can no longer use my lowers until the spot I rubbed raw heals and I get them adjusted, but my uppers and my four remaining lower teeth will work in the interim.  Nevertheless, I replied.  Today groceries are coming in the morning, and I hope I can get some sleep before then.<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today it took me 4:08 (average 5:09).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From Westport News<\/a>: <\/font>Rupert Murdoch accepted the resignations of The Wall Street Journal’s publisher and the chief of his British operations on Friday as the once-defiant media mogul struggled to control an escalating phone hacking scandal, offering apologies to the public and the family of a murdered schoolgirl.<\/p>\n

This huge!  I would not be surprised to see a power play by Roger Ailes.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Think Progress:  <\/font>GOP Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty has been all over the place when it comes to his position on raising the nation\u2019s debt ceiling. He has said that failing to raise the debt ceiling would be good for the economy<\/a>, endorsed Republican attempts to raise it only as long as cockamamie budget plans<\/a> are attached, but then refused to rule out<\/a> raising it were he to become President.<\/p>\n

However, Pawlenty\u2019s debt ceiling fickleness reached new heights today during an interview with CNBC. Literally twenty seconds after telling CNBC\u2019s Steve Leisman that \u201cI wish they wouldn\u2019t raise\u201d the debt ceiling, Pawlenty said that the debt ceiling does, in fact, have to be raised.<\/p>\n