Fri 7/24 Roundup: Health Care, Dow 9000, New Jersey Corruption

- The pressure is still on health care, as President Obama is getting some serious pushback from his friends on the hill.

- Nancy Pelosi would rather not have a deadline in August, and would rather not abide by the deals President Obama laid out with the health care industry.

- Even as Obama runs into trouble here in the US, his presidency is helping views of America overseas.

- The Dow topped 9,000 for the first time since January.

- A massive corruption investigation in New Jersey closed on its targets yesterday, as 44 individuals were arrested, including three mayors, two state assemblymen, and five rabbis!

- Lindsay Graham is supporting Sonia Sotomayor, and not supporting the crazy right wing.

- The latest from Nico on Iran: members of Ahmadinejad's cabinet walked out on him in protest.

- As Sarah Palin approaches departure, she manages to become even less popular.

- Simon has an op-ed published by British think tank Demos as part of the new Open Left project. I dare say it's a must-read.

- Last, continuing with our "birthers" theme, here's Jon Stewart going to town: