OK, here we go again, y’all:

1. U.S. Readies Military Options on Libya (NYT) — Nobody else is leading with this at this hour, but they should be. And we, as in the United States, should be doing this as well — getting our forces into position. Meanwhile, “U.S. freezes $30 billion in Libya government assets.” Basically, we’re getting set to drop a DIME on ol’ Looney Tunes.
2. Pro-Gadhafi Forces Attempt Raids on East (WSJ) — Pro-Gadhafi forces? You mean, there are still… Oh, yeah — well, good thing for Moammar there’s such a thing as mercenaries, huh? Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Gaddafi says ‘all my people love me’. They do? Oh, well, then… never mind. I was thinking he was in trouble…
3. Obama makes concession on health law (WashPost) — At first, it sounds like the worst possible concession: “Obama said he would approve of allowing states to opt out of the Affordable Care Act by 2014…,” but then I read the rest of the sentence: “… if they could offer health-care coverage for as many people as they would under the law and not increase the deficit.” No chance of South Carolina even thinking about doing anything like that, so whew.
4. Fluor, Savannah River Nuclear invest $1.5M in USC (CRBR) — Apparently, Big Bidness believes in South Carolina’s endowed chairs, even though the Legislature doesn’t these days.
5. BCBS renews contract, saves 900+ jobs (thestate.com) — And what, pray tell, is saving those private-sector jobs in our area. Why, it’s a gummint-run health plan. You know, the thing that we keep hearing will be the ruination of America…
6. Last American WWI veteran dies at 110 (WashPost) — Thus does an era end. Actually, that era ended before I was born. I suppose Mr. Buckles’ passing is, in the historical sense, a long-delayed postscript to an era.

Today’s been one of those days — meeting after meeting — that is interesting, but which makes it hard to get work done. Or keep up with the news. But as I DO check what’s going on out there, I share it with you:

1. President to Mideast: ‘Get out ahead of change’ (WashPost) — Hopefully, the U.S. can do the same going forward. So that we can be a part of it, and thereby help define it — so that it’s the good kind, rather than the other kind.
2. Iranian Lawmakers Call for Death of Opposition Leaders (NYT) — Boy, these hammerheads just can’t seem to learn a new trick, can they? Somebody wants reform, “Kill ’em!” That’s so old school. As in, millennium before last. But that’s the way they roll. Which is why we need to root for the other guys.
3. CBS News’ Lara Logan Was Attacked, Sexually Assaulted In Egypt (NPR) — Speaking of Old School. Some of you may not be over-concerned about what happens to reporters, but I am. Especially when they’re ladies. What worries me about this (or rather, an additional thing that worries me about this) is that I can’t tell from this report who the assailants were. Were they anti-government demonstrators. Were they pro-government demonstrators? Or just run-of-the-mill thugs? The really puzzling thing is that this happened amid the jubilation following Mubarak’s abdication, NOT during the confrontations that preceded…
4. S.C. home sales down 4.7 percent in January (thestate.com) — You know, I wish the economy would make up it’s freaking mind. In a positive direction, of course.
5. SC college students rally for higher education (AP) — Yeah, they do this every year. Fat lot of good it does them at this State House. But I shouldn’t say things that might make young people jaded about public affairs, should I?
6. Sex charge trial for Berlusconi (BBC) — Man, they don’t fool around over there when they want to have a scandal, do they? None of this lame taking a picture of yourself in the bathroom mirror stuff. Sleazy Italian politicos go all out. Especially this one. Of course, he denies having sex with the girl when she was 17. He admits thinking she was Hosni Mubarak’s daughter, which puts this beyond weird, and just goes to prove my long-standing belief that ALL big news stories are related.

Happy Valentine’s Day — even though y’all aren’t actually my valentine. Not that I want to hurt y’all’s feelings or anything. I mean, if we were in school, you’d probably get one of those cheap 30-to-a-box valentines (probably with Zorro, or Davy Crockett, on them), but since there’s no teacher making me do that, you’re out of luck. Just the way it is. Sorry. Y’all are still my friends and all. Some of you, that is. It’s complicated.

Anyway, here’s the news:

1. Protesters in Tehran tear-gassed (BBC) — Here we go. We knew Iran was next. NYT says these are the biggest protests there since 2009. Not that Iran was ALONE in being next…
2. Clashes Erupt in Bahrain as Tumult Ripples Across Mideast (NYT) — Not a big crowd, but could this be the next domino?
3. Government Supporters Clash With Protesters in Yemen (NYT) — Are you noticing a pattern here? Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority’s Abbas starts acting like HE cares about democracy, too, and things are still not quite perfect in the new paradise of Egypt.
4. Obama Unveils $3.7 Trillion Budget For 2012 (NPR) — Which, to repeat one of my favorite jokes oft-repeated by a newsroom wag I used to work with, is more than I make in a year!
5. Ecuador Court Orders Chevron to Pay $8.6 Billion (WSJ) — Wow. The Journal’s website is actually leading at the moment (see screenshot below) with a story from the country where I lived for two-and-a-half years when I was a kid. Which doesn’t happen every day, or even every decade.
6. Nation’s top recruit signs with the Gamecocks (thestate.com) — At Rotary today, everybody was going on and on about how exciting it was that “Clowney’s gonna play at USC!” They wanted me to talk about it during Health and Happiness. I was puzzled. Here’s a picture of my fellow Rotarian, Bill Clowney. He’s a great guy and all, but I think he’s a little long in the tooth to be of much use to the Gamecocks. Seems they’d want to sign someone younger. But what do I know about football? We’ll see, I suppose.

Well, we’ve got some grade-A, historic news for you today, but I’m not going to charge you extra. Although I probably should:

1. MUBARAK STEPS DOWN (NYT) — Plus the versions from BBC, WSJ, Washington Post, The Guardian, NPR, Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera… As I said, he’s stepping down, the military is taking over, and the crowds in the street are jubilant. We’ll figure out the ramifications as we go along.
2. U.S. looking past Cairo (WashPost) — And with a worried eye, although President Obama, quiet appropriately, said “Today belongs to the people of Egypt.” There’ll be plenty of time to worry what it means to us later. Meanwhile, Arabs are wondering who’s next.
3. Earle Morris dead at 82 (thestate.com) — Former SC Lt. Gov., former comptroller general, for you newcomers.
4. Foreclosure rate down in S.C., but distress continues (CRBR) — Like we needed to be told the second part.
5. Obama Unveils Wireless Expansion Plan (NYT) — OK, this is slightly old, but I missed it when the President went to a “snowbound town in a remote corner of Michigan on Thursday to make the case that expanding wireless access is critical to the nation’s economic recovery.” Anyway, I think it’s way cool. I love Sputnik moments.
6. Chandra Levy killer gets 60 years (WashPost) — An end, at long last, to the tragic story that once fascinated the nation.

Just a really quick glance at the headlines tonight:

1. Egypt’s Mubarak refuses to quit (BBC) — So in other words, forget what I and the Egyptian military told you this morning. For now. He did cede some authority to his veep. Meanwhile, protesters chant “Leave! Leave!”
2. U.S. Intel Officials On Edge As They Watch Egypt (NPR) — A look at how the spooks are assessing the situation.
3. Ethics panel cites SC Lt. Gov. on 3 reports (thestate.com) — Which, of course, gave the local TV stations an excuse to show B-roll of ME.
4. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 web browser goes live (BBC) — And the question techies everywhere ask is, “Will it suck any less than previous versions.” This, by the way, is being typed on Google Chrome, while I’m reading the news and copying over headlines on Mozilla Firefox. ALT+TAB is such an essential feature.
5. Verizon iPhone Goes On Sale, Still Has “Death Grip” (International Business Times) — So maybe I was right to procrastinate. We’ll see.
6. Is DeMint running? Support is growing (McClatchy) — This is like watching a bad horror movie, in which the director is taking way too much time building up the suspense. I’m the guy in the audience yelling at the screen, “NO! Don’t open that door!”

Sorry I haven’t done this the last couple of days, but I’ve been too rushed. I really want to do it, and some of you seem to like it, but… Anyway, here’s today’s:

1. Frankfurt Exchange in Talks to Take Over N.Y.S.E. (NYT) — Say what? Ze Germans, taking over Wall Street? I thought we won the war… Here’s more, from the WSJ.
2. Egypt demonstrators widen protest (BBC) —
3. SC House passes tort reform with damages cap (thestate.com) — Not many details yet on this; sorry. Also lacking in details is this report that the House has voted to ban caffeinated alcoholic beverages. Fine. Why would I want my beer and my coffee at the same time, anyway? Stupid kids: Coffee is for morning; beer is for evening. Watch me; I’m going to run home soon and have one.
4. US terror suspect pleads guilty (BBC) — Hey, don’t come whining to me about profiling! You could tell this guy was a terrorist by looking at him. And how about that wacky furrin name: Daniel Boyd…
5. Republicans grill Bernanke over inflation (WashPost) — Mind you, that’s not what the WashPost is leading with. They’re leading with this trite who’s-up-who’s-down partisan political development — which actually won’t even develop until 2012. But since I don’t give a flying flip which of these worthless parties controls the Senate (which is the only reason anyone who doesn’t live in Virginia would care), it’s not making MY front. I put no stock in politics that’s none of my business as a South Carolinian. I’ve got enough to stress over right here.
6. Winter weather advisory issued for Midlands (thestate.com) — Yeah, but will it amount to anything that sticks or makes the roads slick? If not, let’s be cool about this, people, and not bring the world to a screeching halt. Again.

All right! An entire week in which I didn’t miss a single Virtual Front Page! Here you go:

1. Obama seeks quick Egypt handover (BBC) — Glad to see we’ve gotten off the fence on this one. In for a dime, in for a dollar.
2. With Upheaval, How Large Is The Opening For Islamists? (NPR) — This analysis looks at the most worrisome question in all this, and offers some solace.
3. 2 Detained Reporters Saw Secret Police’s Methods Firsthand (NYT) — Nothing like reporting straight from the heart of the matter.
4. Economy Adds Few Jobs (WSJ) — Everybody blames it on the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
5. Thomas Ravenel: Government’s drug war ‘wrongly focused’ (P&C) — I guess he would know.
6. City of Columbia looks to add new industrial park (CRBR) — Maybe not a thrilling story, but the freshest thing I could find locally that had enough significance to make the front.

Keeping you up with the top stories of the day and the hour:

1. Mubarak ‘fears chaos if he quits’ (BBC) — Yeah, ’cause you know, everything is going so well now.
2. As Islamist Group Rises, Its Intentions Are Unclear (NYT) — The uprising’s dark side, which up to now has been relatively quiet during the protests. It’s starting to step forward, though.
3. Probe faults FBI, Army in Fort Hood attack (WashPost) — Senate investigation blames authorities for missing warning signs.
4. Verizon says it will add 500 jobs (thestate.com) — This is because of the iPhone. I’m doing my part. I’m running out there to order mine as soon as I finish this post.
5. Pakistan MP drops effort to repeal blasphemy laws (BBC) — Don’t know if you’ve been following this, but it was on the front pages while I was in England (British media cover the world). Pretty horrific story that we should all be following.
6. Religious Groups Tackle An X-Rated Secret (NPR) — Super Bowl Sunday will be Porn Sunday in many of the nation’s churches.

Yesterday was a pretty big news day. Let’s see what we have this evening:

1. Demonstrations in Egypt take bloody turn (WashPost) — Or, as the NYT put it, “Violent Crackdown Fails to End Protest.” So much for Mubarak’s pledge not to run again settling things down. But we didn’t really think it would, did we? Too little, too late.
2. Yemen president to quit in 2013 (BBC) — Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, now Yemen. Dominoes. Of course, in some places they’re tumbling faster than in others. I like the way the headline on this Tom Friedman column put the scope of what’s happening into perspective: “B.E., Before Egypt. A.E., After Egypt.”
3. DEA smashes Mexican drug pipeline to Midlands (thestate.com) — Reports John Monk: “Approximately 3,000 pounds of marijuana was seized during and after their arrests, according to the complaint.” Whoaah…. But have they caught Heisenberg?
4. Mrs. Benjamin Gets a Judgeship (thestate.com) — She was disappointed in her bid last year, but Columbia’s first lady will soon preside over a Circuit Court.
5. Winter Storm Leaves Midwest, East Paralyzed (NPR) — Kind of hard to believe, with the weather we had today.
6. Senate Republicans Lose Health Vote (WSJ) — This totally symbolic ideological gesture hardly seems worth taking note of with real news going on, but I will.

Here we go again, with the top stories at this hour:

1. Mubarak says he won’t seek reelection (BBC) — Will that satisfy his opposition, or must he go now? Mmmm — apparently not. People are too pumped and ready for a change (seasoned journalists are caught up in the thrill of it); this is not over.
2. Jordan’s King Dismisses Government Amid Protests (WashPost) — Meanwhile, elsewhere in the neighborhood…
3. Stocks Say Hello to 12000 Again (WSJ) — The Dow closes over that milestone for the first time since 2008, and in spite of all that uncertainty over the Mideast. Perhaps exuberance is catching; let’s hope it’s not irrational.
4. Local protest in Columbia (thestate.com) — Maybe it wasn’t those 15 USC students who pushed Mubarak over the edge, but they wanted to be heard, and were. This must be an awful time, if you’re an Egyptian, to be abroad — missing all this history. That would drive me nuts. If I were over there, I’d probably be just as exhilarated as Kristof.
5. Democratic National Convention is coming to Charlotte in 2012 (Observer) — And boy, are the home town folks up there excited about that. Me, I’m still working on it. Give me time.
6. Chicago public schools close for the weather (SunTimes) — Now folks, that’s what I call a snowstorm. Chicago, wimping out? Whoa…

Hey, two weekdays in a row! Here ya go:

1. Egypt army rules out using force (BBC) — Sounds like a significant development to ME. That is, if they stick to that commitment. It’s certainly gotten Mubarak’s attention. Maybe soon we can get the Web back up, so actual Egyptians can join the online discussion…
2. Oil Prices Rise (WSJ) — Of course, the rise of democracy can have its price. Actually, of course, this is more about the rise of uncertainty. Because, you know, we don’t know what will replace the authoritarians.
3. Trolleys turned over to Columbia (thestate.com) — Another of Mayor Benjamin’s proposals moves closer to reality. Man, I can’t wait to have the subway system up and running.
4. Federal Judge Rules Health Law Violates Constitution (NYT) — The anti-health-care-reform forces (and that’s what you are if you’re against mandates — opposed to health care reform) find another judge to their way of thinking. So the game stands at 2 and 2.
5. SC hog farm to generate renewable energy (CRBR) — One thing about methane, it’s definitely renewable.
6. Bond composer John Barry dies aged 77 (BBC) — Bet you didn’t even know who wrote the scores of “From Russia With Love” and “Goldfinger.” Well, he’s gone now.

Trying to get back into this habit (encourage me if you like it; otherwise I’ll quit trying). Here’s what we have right now:

1. Egyptian protesters defy curfew in Cairo (WashPost) — Wow. The dominoes DO seem to be falling.
2. Clinton Calls for ‘Restraint’ and ‘Reform’ (NYT) — And that’s pretty much the U.S. position right now. Don’t y’all get carried away, but let’s have some change.
3. Stocks Retreat on Unrest in Middle East, GDP Report (WSJ) — As promising as pro-democracy movements may sound, Wall Street gets nervous over uncertainty.
4. Stronger Consumer Spending Boosts U.S. Growth (AP) — Then, on the other hand, there are causes for optimism.
5. Weekend crackdown on Columbia scofflaws coming (thestate.com) — Y’all better act right, starting today, because the cops are gonna (gasp!) — enforce the laws…
6. Uganda priest berates gays at funeral (BBC) — So much for laying the poor guy to rest.

I’ve been remiss the last couple of days, but here’s one more front before the week ends:

1. Dow Climbs Above 11000 (WSJ) — Yay, economy! For once. Meanwhile, the dollar continues to plummet — just as I’m planning a trip to England. Again, my sense of market timing is impeccable.
2. Largest U.S. Bank Halts Foreclosures in All States (NYT) — The bank built by Bennettsville boy (say that five times) Hugh McColl leads the way on another promising sign. In less happy news, but a development that should absolutely thrill Nikki Haley, Mark Sanford and our other anti-gummint friends, “Employment Picture Dims as Government Cuts Back.”
3. China angry at dissident’s Nobel (BBC) — Yeah, well, ya see, China — y’all are the bad guys on this. As Austin Powers would say, “It’s Freedom, Baby — yeah!”
4. Despite U.S. Apologies, Pakistan Blocks Supply Route (NPR) — It’s horrible that we killed a couple of Pakistan’s people, and I know I’m going to catch it from my more peaceful friend, but I can’t help thinking: If Pakistan isn’t going to deal with al Qaeda and the Taliban, it would really help if it would get its people out of the way so that we can.
5. Chile miners should be reached ‘within hours’ (BBC) — But it’ll still be at least next week before they can be pulled out.
6. Why SC will beat No.1 Alabama (thestate.com) — A little something for your sports fans. Ron Morris, for once, agrees with something Lou Holtz says.

Here’s what we have on this, the 53rd birthday of my cousin Craig, who was born the day that Sputnik was also launched. I remember that because it was the day after my 4th birthday (and thanks to all you who wished me a Happy on Facebook over the weekend). Anyway, the news:

1. Two S.C. soldiers killed in Afghanistan (thestate.com) — The deaths of Specialist Luther Rabon, 32, of Lexington, and Staff Sgt. Willie Harley, 48, of Aiken, killed together by an IED, brings the Guard’s total, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, to 13. Meanwhile, we have apparently killed some Germans who were working with al Qaeda over the border.
2. Maliki, Allawi consider deal on forming new Iraqi government (WashPost) — There’s still an Iraq, and there’s still stuff going on there? Even the occasional battle, which the Iraqis are having a bit of trouble winning without us…
3. Good TARP News Doesn’t Fit; Media Are Flummoxed (NPR) — The MSM struggles with such questions as “What do we do with the end of TARP? And what do we do with the news that TARP will not have cost anything like the $700 billion we thought it would? What if it really cost $50 billion, or less?” Poor MSM. And the Tea Party just standing there ready to yell “Liar!” at whatever you say…
4. Rousseff falls short of outright win in Brazil election (BBC) — This is several hours old now, but since I was griping about the lack of Latin American news in the American MSM, I thought I’d share this with you from the BBC. Meanwhile, the president of Chile promises to get the miners out soon, and Raul is thinking about releasing more political prisoners in Cuba. The Church is on the case.
5. Twitter Names New CEO (WSJ) — I knew it. There was just something… different about my Tweets today. A disturbance in the Force, I thought…
6. A new snapshot of U.S. sex lives (WashPost) — No, there are no pictures. In fact, I sort of faked you out with this. It’s actually pretty boring, about condoms and stuff. Which just ruins it for me. And the story keeps using “orgasm” as a verb, which I find objectionable.

Gotta run home and rest up for the big Walk in the morning. But first:

1. Coalition Picks Maliki in Move That May End Iraq Stalemate (NYT) — Unfortunately, the coalition in question is anti-American.
2. Microsoft Sues Motorola Over Android (WSJ) — All this PDA stuff interests me. If it doesn’t you, you don’t have to read it.
3. Group presses Haley on finances (The State) — But I already wrote about that today…
4. Nigeria independence celebrations marred by blasts (BBC) — Bet you didn’t even know it was Independence Day.
5. A Single Sale Worth $4.1 Billion Led to the ‘Flash Crash’ (NYT) — In case you’re wondering what happened May 6.
6. ‘Social Network’: Password Is Perfection (WSJ) — If you’re looking for a good movie for the weekend, the critics love this one. Here’s what Roger Ebert had to say about what he called “the film of the year — so far.”

It’s been a busy week, so I’ve been remiss in not doing these until now. But you haven’t missed much. The Dog Days of August seem to have stretched all the way through September — even though we had a busy day on Columbia City Council yesterday. Here’s what we have at this point:

1. NATO Strike Inside Pakistan Fuels Tension (WSJ) — The significance is that we’re getting more aggressive with these, and Pakistan’s not liking it.
2. Ecuador gripped by ‘coup attempt’ (BBC) — Since I actually was present for an actual coup when I lived in Guayaquil — in fact, I was present in the very same house when it was being partly planned (our landlord, an Ecuadorean naval officer, was involved) — I can say, Mr. Correa, I know Ecuadorean coups, and this, sir, was no coup. At least, it certainly wasn’t an effective one. Probably not many paper in this country will put this on their fronts, but I will.
3. Emanuel departure closes a chapter for Democrats (WashPost) — As the Beltway turns…
4. Hollywood Legend Tony Curtis Dies At 85 (NPR) — One of those people who pretty much defined “movie star” when I was a kid.
5. A busy day for Colatown’s council (The State) — The busy day was yesterday, so this is old, but still newsworthy — a new curfew, a new open-container ordinance, cops get to carry more heat, and a bold stroke we were expecting (Sheriff Lott taking over the CPD) suddenly fell through.
6. How Nikki got that hospital job (The State) — This is even older, stretching back to the Sunday paper, but since this is my first page of the week I’m pointing it out. You’ve got to read this remarkable story of how Nikki got that custom-made $110k job, and how 20 percent of the donations raised by the foundation were spent on her salary. And on and on. Read it, if you haven’t already. I just cannot begin to fathom how anyone could contemplate voting for this woman. Almost nothing we learn passes the smell test.

Whew. Haven’t had much time for blogging today, but at least I can give you the headlines:

1. U.S. Bails Out Major Credit Unions (WSJ) — Aw, Jeez, Edith, here we go with another hand out to a bunch of lazy, undeserving… hey, wait a sec… all of MY phony-baloney money is at a credit union. Nice move, Big Brother! The good news? It “won’t cost taxpayers any money.” Or so they say.
2. Wall Street Surges on Signs of More Capital Spending (NYT) — Wait a sec. Was this before the credit union bailout, or after? I’m not clear on that yet.
3. Obama condemns Ahmadinejad speech (BBC) — Well, I certainly hope so. The dirtbag suggested the U.S. was behind 9/11. Specifically, that we “orchestrated the attack to reverse the declining American economy, and its grips on the Middle East, in order to save the Zionist regime.” That latter would be Israel. You have to have a glossary with these people.
4. GOP’s ‘Pledge’ Reveals Divide In Conservatives (NPR) — Wouldn’t it be something if this shtick, which in 1994 was used to unify Republicans as a rallying point, served this time to drive them apart even as they are do to make the usual mid-term gains?
5. Poor, poor Zuckerberg (WashPost) — Regarding the controversy (within the Facebook hierarchy) about the movie about the kid who started it.
6. 75 turn out to promote penny tax (The State) — Actually, it looked more like 100 to me, but I didn’t count; I was estimating. And here’s the big news: I was one of them. Yep, I’ve actually taken a stand on something, rather than just writing about it. It’s not a step I took lightly. I’ll have a separate post about that sometime over the next couple of days.