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1.) A project of Gingrich-ian proportions — Some people on Capitol Hill want to colonize the moon. At a zoo somewhere in this country, Newt Gingrich is smiling. Brandon Bordelon reports for TheDC:
“Washington politicians are regularly derided for living on another planet. But if the plans of two Democratic lawmakers come to fruition, they may one day be able to picnic away from the planet as well. The Hill reports that Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards and Texas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson are seeking to create a national historical park on the surface of the moon, commemorating the Apollo lunar landing missions that took place between 1969 and 1972. ‘Establishing the Historical Park under this Act will expand and enhance the protection and preservation of the Apollo lunar landing sites and provide for greater recognition and public understanding of this singular achievement in American history,’ reads H.R. 2617, a bill jointly submitted by the two representatives on Monday.”
You never know how you influence people. Obviously, two Democratic reps were inspired by the most comically ludicrous aspect of Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign.
2.) Palin considering a 2014 Senate run? — If Sarah Palin seriously runs for Senate in 2014, your DC Morning facilitator will shave his head. TheDC’s Jeff Poor reports:
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin expressed her interest Tuesday in the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by fellow Alaskan, Democratic Sen. Mark Begich. …In an appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio show, the 2008 vice-presidential nominee elaborated on the prospect of her leaving the Republican Party to form a third party, something she hinted at late last month in an appearance on Fox News. … ‘I’ve considered it because people have requested me considering it,’ she said. ‘But I’m still waiting to see what the line-up will be and hoping that, there again, there will be some new blood, some new energy, not just kind of picking from the same old politicians in the state that come from political families that have sort of reigned up there for so many years, because too many of them have been part of the problem.”
While she probably won’t run, she can damn well get some attention pretending she might. Well played, Sarah.
3.) Scandal blowback — The GOP has its eyes focused on the IRS. They want to relieve it of some of its responsibilities. TheDC’s Alexis Levinson reports:
“The House plans to take steps to curb the power of federal agencies and impose more checks on them in response to recent scandals emanating from the Internal Revenue Service. The plan includes a bill that would bar that agency from implementing and enforcing Obamacare. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor will introduce the package of bills before Congress recesses in August.”
4.) Labash launches War on Science — Matt Labash digs science as much as he digs Egyptian dentists (hint: not much). Labash opines:
“The point I strived to make is that while we should respect science, on one level, for being a primitive map of a very mysterious planet, we should also recognize its limits. Health science, in particular, has turned into a seedy little racket where very imperfect knowledge is passed off as incontrovertible truth. When the truth is, much of science is little more than a snapshot of our best understanding at any given moment. Which in the fullness of time often turns out to be something closer to misunderstanding. Worship science if you want. Make science your god. Marry science, if it makes you feel better about your sad, lonely existence, you science dweeb. But recognize that science is only perfect knowledge until it’s found to be otherwise, which it frequently is.”
5.) Tweet of Yesterday — Richard Grenell: If Egypt needs any political help on the upper east side of NYC then ElBaradei might come in handy.
6.) Today in North Korean News –BREAKING: “Special Adviser to UN Secretary General Visits Various Places”
VIDEO: Wife meets with fake hit man to plan her husband’s murder