6/9 Roundup: Rule by Fiat, Macaca Moment, Neal Boortz Flies off the Handle

Chrysler FiatLeader: Rule by Fiat

- Chrysler was well on its way to a takeover by Italian auto maker Fiat until yesterday, when Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a one-sentence order halting the process pending further judicial review.  Three Indiana state funds and consumer groups have complained of being mistreated in the Chrysler bankruptcy process, and though the order is far from a ruling in their favor, it indicates that the Court will take a closer look at the case. The whole thing could be wrapped up today, or it could drag on for weeks.

- Fiat has the right to walk away from Chrysler if the deal is not sealed by next Monday, and if they did so, Chrysler would be facing near-certain liquidation.  But like a faithful puppy, Fiat has assured their American friends that they have no plans to abandon them in their most desperate hours.

Politics

- President Obama is about to propose new spending rules that would require lawmakers to pay for new initiatives, including health care.  From the WaPo:

If approved by Congress, the rules would forbid lawmakers from expanding entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, creating new entitlement programs or cutting taxes unless the cost is covered by spending cuts or tax increases. If lawmakers fail to pay for their initiatives, Obama's rules would subject entitlement programs to automatic cuts, said sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has yet to be announced.

- Underdog Creigh Deeds looks like he's about to run away with the Democratic nomination for the Virginia governor's race.

- While mainstream media crashes and burns, "ethnic media" has gained 8 million new readers, listeners, and watchers in the past four years.

Economy

- Gas prices have risen a dollar since the end of 2008.  Oil is trading near $70 a barrel right now, but could it hit $100 before the summer is out?  Who knows...

- This week, Citigroup will launch its program to raise $33 billion... Gentlemen, start your engines.

International

- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton roundly rejected claims that the Bush Administration had brokered secret deals with Israel to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

- Did Mahmoud Ahmedinejad just have his "Macaca Moment?" This unsavory term of course refers to the video that ended Sen. George Allen's career, and Ahmedinejad is having to answer questions about his own odd statement that got caught on video.

New From NDN

- In her Weekly Immigration Update, Zuraya writes that "not all immigrants are equal before the law," and argues that we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.

- Perhaps you've noticed the many exciting events we have coming up soon.  Joe Garcia will be joining us tomorrow to talk about Cuba, and Shai Agassi, founder of BetterPlace, will be in town next week, speaking at NDN about the future of the global auto industry.  Then, on the 25th, Simon will give a presentation of his "Dawn of a New Politics." All of these events are open if you'd like to come watch them here in our event space, and they'll be broadcast online, too.  How could you say no?

One More Thing

- Last, shock jock Neal Boortz goes off the handle on immigrants.  Part of me wants to start yelling, and part of me wants to keep quiet and let the crazy right-wing continue to alienate the fastest-growing part of the American electorate: