News Nuggets 1303

DAYLEE PICTURE:  Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand.  From National Geographic.

Obama May Extend his Hand to Iran's Rouhani at U.N. from Reuters
"The White House said on Thursday a meeting was possible, the first between U.S. and Iranian presidents since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. "It's possible, but it has always been possible," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "The extended hand has been there from the moment the president was sworn in. It looks more likely to be a handshake and brief exchange of pleasantries - probably in the U.N. building - rather than a formal meeting where the leaders could talk at greater length ."

Iran Said to Seek a Nuclear Accord to End Sanctions from the New York Times
"Iran’s leaders, seizing on perceived flexibility in a private letter from President Obama, have decided to gamble on forging a swift agreement over their nuclear program with the goal of ending crippling sanctions, a prominent adviser to the Iranian leadership said Thursday."

Mother Nature and the Middle Class (Thomas L. Friedman) from the New York Times
"Here’s why the same old, same old is gone for good in Iran and Egypt."

The Crazy Party (Paul Krugman) from the New York Times
"In recent months, the G.O.P. seems to have transitioned from being the stupid party to being the crazy party.

The GOP's Self-Defeating 'Defunding' Strategy from the Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal
It will only strengthen the president while alienating independents."

The GOP's Reckless Bet (Charlie Cook) from the National Journal
House Republicans playing games with the debt limit risk doing serious damage to their party—and the country."

The Republicans Who Fear a Shutdown (Alex Roarty) from the National Journal
"They aren't in Washington—and they're very worried about driving away independent voters."

If Congress Can't Avert a Shutdown, Which Party Will Voters Blame? (Michael Catalini, Alex Roarty and Peter Bell) from the National Journal 
"If Congress fails to pass a continuing resolution on time and the government shuts down, which party will voters blame?"

Ted Cruz Scrambles to Salvage Strategy from Politico
"After months of fiery rhetoric, Cruz and his allies are scrambling to salvage their strategy. For starters, Cruz wants Reid to make an exception to Senate rules that would make it easier for Republicans to block Obamacare funding. Cruz is asking Reid to subject the vote on removing the Obamacare provision to a 60-vote threshold instead of “abusing his power.” That sort of agreement would require the consent of all 100 senators, which isn’t going to happen."
You have to wonder what planet these hard-right law-making morons are on!!  I have heard any number of Republicans describe Cruz as "really smart," even "brilliant."  These encomiums must come from the same lame Texas media sources that thought Rick Perry was anything but a dolt.  Well, it may actually turn out that Rick Perry is a really smart cookie -- when compared to Ted Cruz!

In Washington, countdown to a shutdown.  A visit to the House these days feels like an excursion to an alternate universe. (Doyle McManus) from the Los Angeles Times
"Outside the conservative bubble of the House GOP conference, the politics of the budget standoff look different. Karl Rove, former political advisor to George W. Bush, has warned that the only winner in a government shutdown would be Obama."

Gaddafi's Perverted Power Plays (Katie Baker) from the Daily Beast 
"He abducted young women as sex slaves and forced them to take drugs and watch porn. He raped his male guards, soldiers, and ministers. Annick Cojean talks about her new book on Gaddafi's cold-blooded sexual
debauchery."

For Workers Leaving Their Jobs, Health Exchanges Offer Insurance Choices Beyond COBRA from Kaiser Health News
"Workers who lose their jobs and their employer-based health insurance will have new coverage options when the Affordable Care Act's state marketplaces open in October. But consumer advocates are concerned many may not realize this and lock themselves into pricier coverage than they need."

The Sinister Side of Homeschooling (Michelle Cottle) from the Daily Beast 
"Because the practice is almost entirely unregulated in much of the country, parents are able to hide their crimes—sometimes fatally. Michelle Goldberg investigates."

GOP fight spreads to the Senate (Alexander Bolton) from The Hill
"Infighting within the House GOP conference is threatening to spread to the Senate, where Republicans are now facing their own dilemma over a government shutdown. Republicans in the upper chamber must decide whether to bolster the House GOP’s standoff with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) over a government funding measure."

Obama Administration Issues New Rules Capping Carbon Emissions From New Coal Plants (Josh Dzieza) from the Daily Beast
"The Environmental Protection Agency is putting forth tough new standards for newly built electricity plants. Is this the next battle in the war on coal?"

Hillary in Midair from New York Magazine
"She’s learned from her mistakes. Three years before November 8, 2016, she’s working hard to be relaxed, calm, easy. But, all the while, the old Clinton gears are whirring."

CASUAL OBAMA NUGGET!!
President Obama writes a note excusing an adorable 5-year-old girl of a wounded veteran from class on White House visit from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"The 5-year-old was the daughter of a wounded veteran.  Obama wrote a note excusing a fourth grader from class in 2009 and also wrote a note for a lucky fifth grader last June."