The Union of Concerned Scientists held a press briefing with David Lochbaum and Edwin Lyman to help reporters understand the details of the NRC report on reactor conditions at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Station. The details explain how dire the conditions are at Units 1-4.

I don’t think there’s a bigger campaign promise that Barack Obama made than getting troops out of Iraq. His opposition to the war is the reason he won the nomination; I don’t even think that’s a controversial statement. And of the many advances he’s touted in his first week as a candidate for re-election, there hasn’t been a bigger one that getting our troops out of Iraq. The final phase of that process is scheduled for the end of 2011, a year before the election.

Or is it?

If so, and Kelly is indeed nominated, this is a contemptible plan.

The numbers are likely to flip back and forth more than once throughout the next several weeks. A recount is almost certain, and we’re well within the window for that regardless of where the count ends up.

Stay tuned.

For years, the default position on the right has been a “tough on crime” approach to prison policy. This ends up leading to mass overcrowding and the highest rates of incarceration in the world. In addition to the consequences for human rights and human dignity, there are serious consequences for state budgets. Over the past few years, some conservatives have slowly backed away from the “lock ‘em up” strategy on criminal justice, and toward a smart on crime approach.

Seven Democratic Members of Congress spoke out against the Obama Administration’s proposed Colombia “free trade” agreement and its onerous assassination stress tests. They were joined by the United Steelworkers Union, the first major union to speak out against the deal after the AFL-CIO labor federation. Each centered their opposition on the laughable “Action Plan” to reduce assassinations of union members.

Democratic leaders in Wisconsin will file petitions to recall Randy Hopper, making him the second Republican state Senator to have recall petitions filed against him.

Back in January, Gallup found that only 28% of the country said Obama is “bringing about the changes this country needs.” And it’s hard to imagine that’s improved much, especially after our little Libyan adventure.

Reid specifically mentioned two ideological points that were holding up the debate, saying that Republicans on the House side “have drawn a line in the sand.”

The two policy pieces? Abortion, and the environment.

Government officials and Quantico Marine base have blocked official visits to PFC. Bradley Manning by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Amnesty International, and the UN Special Rappateur on torture.