• $800 million in funding goes away — like that source

• » That’s no small chunk, guys: In other words, roughly a third of the security aid that the U.S. gives Pakistan each year. Why the change? Well, as White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley puts it, Pakistan has “taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid.” Like possibly harboring Osama bin Laden in a compound within a couple of miles of a military base? That seems like a pretty big step. That said, the U.S. does consider the relationship with Pakistan important, if imperfect. “It’s a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world,” Daley says. “Obviously, there’s still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the president felt strongly about and we have no regrets over.”

• Yes, both sides need to participate. When one side holds out or puts their feet in cement, how can a compromise ever be reached? That’s what we have now.
• Minnesota State Sen. Barb Goodwin • Offering her take on the whole government shutdown situation, which has kept the doors closed on the state for over a week now. According to Goodwin, a Democrat, “the shutdown could have been avoided.  For ten weeks during session, Republican leaders put the budget on the back burner and dealt with social issues instead.” Goodwin claims that most of her constituents simply want to see the shutdown end, and support Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposals. (thanks @JohnNess) source

• A brave man’s story, cut short: Sgt. James Hackemer, an amputee who lost both his legs (and reportedly died twice on the battlefield, only to be revived) after an IED blew up under his Humvee in Iraq back in 2007, lived his life to the fullest despite his injuries, only to die — tragically — in a freak roller coaster accident yesterday. He fell 208 feet out of the Ride of Steel roller coaster, at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in New York, to his death. To lose so much, only to fight back to regain it day by painful day, only to have this happen? Life is messed up sometimes. Above is a clip reflecting on what this guy had to work for. source

• All in an effort to protest the regime: Is the Arab Spring spreading out of the Middle East and North Africa? Based on the nature of the protests in Malaysia, you have to wonder. Nearly 1,600 protesters were arrested, and a dozen people hurt, all in the wake of protests against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government that officials went out of their way to prevent. The protests, which are pushing for electoral reform the opposition says is necessary, became strongly violent as Razak’s government showed its strength.”What is the necessity for a show of might against right?” asked opposition coalition leader Ambiga Sreenavasan. “No matter what, right will always prevail.” source

• We’re within reach of strategically defeating al Qaeda and I’m hoping to be able to focus on that, working obviously with my prior agency as well.
• Defense Secretary Leon Panetta • Claiming that we’re close to taking down al-Qaeda for good — which, let’s face it, is a pretty bold thing to say going into a job like Defense Secretary. “Now is the moment following what happened with bin Laden, to put maximum pressure on them,” he continued, “Because I do believe that if we continue this effort that we can really cripple al Qaeda as a threat to (the United States).” Do you think he’s right? Or is it simply a symbolic victory at this point? source

• A year ago, I found myself at the Gerald R. Ford presidential museum in Grand Rapids. Now, I probably didn’t agree with Ford’s politics, but something genuinely struck me about both him and his wife, Betty. They were both fairly likable figures perhaps not dealt the best hand in terms of timing (with Ford basically becoming president sort of as a best-of-bad-options situation) and result (with Ford’s presidency overshadowed by his pardon of Nixon, which ensured that he was a half-term president). But Betty Ford was a fairly progressive first lady no matter the party, and she proved it by presenting forward views on a national stage, and then following through with them after her time as president ended. Some highlights of this woman’s life:

• 1975 Boldly for the era, Betty Ford spoke openly on the topics of pre-marital sex, abortion and marijuana usage, most notably in a “60 Minutes” interview where she said she would be understanding if her daughter chose to have an affair.
• 1978 A year after leaving the White House, Ford entered the Long Beach Naval Hospital to treat addictions to painkillers and alcohol — a high-profile personal defeat. Afterwards, she became an advocate for helping others in her position.
• 1982 Ford turned her personal problems into something for the greater good of society by starting the Betty Ford Center, which has helped out nearly 50,000 patients over 30 years — and kept her name in the spotlight decades later. source

(photo of American History Museum portrait via dbking’s Flickr page)

• A couple of days ago, a man blatantly stole a Picasso drawing from a San Francisco gallery in broad daylight. Authorities didn’t expect to catch the thief, but yesterday, they got a break. Authorities spotted the suspect, Mark Lugo (shown left), with the help of surveillance cameras outside a restaurant he happened to walk by. He tried to mail the drawing, authorities say. However, before he could do so, authorities reached him first and recovered the drawing. The museum said they would tighten security as a result of the incident. (photos via ABC7News.com) source

• This is the best story ever. And it involves a guy in a gorilla costume getting tackled by another guy in a banana costume. And a 911 call. And a manager who looks like he’s phsyched about the free publicity the incident just gave his store. And a gorilla. And a banana. And this line: “The kid was in mid-air, flying. He just looked like a Spartan from that movie ‘300,’ except he was a banana.” (h/t ProducerMatthew) source

• 9.2%unemployment rate, which jumped last month unexpectedly
• 18,000number of jobs added, which is straight-up anemic source

• » Why this stinks for Obama: Early on in his administration, he said it wouldn’t go higher than 8.2%. While unemployment declined for a little while, it’s been steadily going up again. The Obama administration is trying to downplay the issue, but it’s proving difficult, and could prove his major flaw in the upcoming election. It’s an easy target for GOP candidates. Instead of talking about how he’s helped turn the economy around, Obama is going to have to fight back by saying how the Republicans will make it worse, and let’s face it: That doesn’t sound like such a great defense.