Aaron Schock’s “Downton Abbey” scandal is in its second week — don’t tell us what happens, we DVR’d it. Will Brian Williams’ Katrina anecdotes be Williams’ Obama’s Katrina? And Jeb Bush’s new tech guy has tweeted a number of times about “sluts.” He has been reprimanded and reminded to only tweet inoffensive things about women — y’know, mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds and what not. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Monday, February 9th, 2015:
SCOTUS GREENLIGHTS GAY MARRIAGE IN ALABAMA – Until now, marriage in Alabama had been between one man and one woman who are both 17 and expecting a child because of intense social pressures and a general absence of — or information about — birth control. Ryan Reilly: “The U.S. Supreme Court refused on Monday to halt same-sex marriages in Alabama, paving the way for the first gay couples to marry in the state that day. But a handful of probate judges in Alabama have reportedly refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples — or issue any marriage licenses at all — because Alabama’s top judge instructed them to defy the federal court ruling. Upon the request of Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, a federal judge put a stay on the ruling that overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage, but that stay expired on Monday. The Supreme Court had the opportunity to intervene by temporarily putting a hold on same-sex marriages, but declined to do so in a 7-2 decision on Monday. As a result, Alabama becomes the 37th state where gay marriage is allowed.” [HuffPost]
Jeff Sessions is upset.
Makes sense to us: “The United States Supreme Court will end discrimination against same-sex couples this June — and even justices who oppose the coming decision appear to know it’s going to happen. On Monday morning, Justice Clarence Thomas made explicit what had been growing apparent to observers for months: The court — at least a majority of the justices — has made up its mind on the issue of whether the U.S. Constitution bars states from treating same-sex couples differently than opposite-sex couples in marriage laws. In denying the Alabama attorney general’s request to keep a U.S. district court order that strikes down Alabama’s ban on same-sex couples’ marriages on hold while the state appeals, the Supreme Court — even as it considers marriage cases out of four other states — made it clear that the justices will not stop same-sex couples from marrying in the meantime when a judge strikes down a ban.” [BuzzFeed]
YOU WIN THIS ROUND, ANDY HARRIS – Aaron Davis: “The D.C. Council abandoned plans to hold a hearing on how to tax and regulate marijuana on Monday after the District’s new attorney general warned it could subject city lawmakers and their staff members to fines and even jail time. The move amounted to a setback for advocates of full marijuana legalization and underscored the halting way the District may be forced to implement Initiative 71, the ballot measure approved overwhelmingly in November by District voters.” [WashPost]
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@JohnDingel: I follow far too many journalists on here.
@aedwardslevy: Crucial ’16 constituencies, a partial list:
White men
White women
Minorities
Moderates
Single ladies
Mythical swing voters
Iowans
Twitter
@timothypmurphy: And the bagels! RT @GovMikeHuckabee Washington, DC is the roach motel of politics. People go in but don’t come out.
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