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1.) The lesson of Belieber-gate — This is a story about Justin Bieber and Anne Frank, which is a sentence TheDC Morning never thought it would write. TheDC’s Sarah Hofmann reports:
“Justin Bieber on Friday discovered a tragic new wrinkle in the story of Anne Frank: that Hitler’s Holocaust robbed the young diarist of the chance to become a Justin Bieber fan. During a visit to Amsterdam as part of his ongoing European tour, the pop sensation stopped into the Anne Frank House, now a museum, and signed the guest book. Bieber wrote, ‘Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a Belieber,’ according to the museum’s Facebook page.”
BREAKING: Teen sensation obsessed with self, not particularly circumspect when talking about Holocaust. TheDC Morning knows it’s not a big surprise. But what lesson should we draw from Belieber-gate? Here’s one: If you have a question about the Holocaust and want a thoughtful answer, it is probably best to go to someone else other than Justin Bieber.
2.) We shall cut nothing, ever — The Democrats are getting in on the budget pledge game. TheDC’s Jamie Weinstein reports:
“Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist has been skewered by the media and the left for his Taxpayer Protection Pledge, but now some Democrats seem to be imitating him with a budget pledge of their own. Left-wing Democratic Reps. Alan Grayson of Florida and Mark Takano of California are circulating a letter addressed to President Obama for members of Congress to sign. Signers of the letter pledge to vote against any substantive changes to America’s entitlement programs, including President Barack Obama’s proposal to use a different formula for Social Security cost of living increases. ‘We will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits — including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need,’ the letter reads, in part.”
The GOP is often criticized for not wanting to raise taxes further on the rich, which would do very little to fix America’s long-term budget problem. But to not be willing to seriously reform entitlements — well, that takes congressional irresponsibility to a whole new level.
3.) Sick Rick — Sorry Iowa, looks like you won’t get your Rick Santorum fix this week. TheDC’s Alex Pappas reports:
“Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is canceling a trip to Iowa trip after being hospitalized over the weekend. Virginia Davis, spokesperson for Santorum’s Patriot Voices, said Sunday that former Pennsylvania Sen. Santorum became sick while in South Carolina on Saturday and was admitted to the hospital for a ‘gastro-intestinal illness and dehydration.’ ‘He is feeling better today but remains in the hospital and is unable to travel to Iowa on Monday, April 15 for previously scheduled events,’ Davis said. ‘He is expected to resume a full schedule later this week and looks forward to returning to Iowa soon.’”
Will Iowans ever forgive him for this slight? And if not, does this mark the end of his 2016 presidential prospects? If you are politically obsessed and an idiot, you can begin to discuss now.
4.) Immigration bill cometh — Let the fight over the immigration bill, which will reportedly be released Tuesday, commence. TheDC’s Jeff Poor reports:
“On Sunday’s broadcast of ABC’s ‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos,’ Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions and New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer faced off over the so-called ‘Gang of Eight’ immigration proposal that is scheduled to be introduced in the Senate next week. Earlier in the broadcast, ‘Gang of Eight’ member junior Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio appeared to make his case for the legislation. But Sessions explained why he was skeptical of those efforts. ‘I know Sen. Rubio’s heart is exactly right,’ Sessions said. ‘And I really respect the work of the gang of eight. But they have produced legislation, it appears — although it looks like now it may be another week before we see it, that will give amnesty now, legalize everyone that’s here effectively today and then there’s a promise of enforcement in the future. Even if you pass laws today that appear to be effective, it doesn’t mean they’re going to be enforced. And we have in this administration, a failure to enforce. So that’s a big deal right now.'”
5.) Tweet of Yesterday — Andy Levy: well this whole anne frank thing has certainly got me rethinking my opinion of justin bieber
6.) Today in North Korean News — BREAKING: “Foreigners Here”
VIDEO: Ann Coulter and Grover Norquist spar over immigration reform
