Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, June 7.

*What You Need To Know About The Government’s Massive Online Spying Program

*Eugene Robinson: Does Verizon records case mean an end to privacy?

*US judged shocked by Va. role in lawsuit (“A federal judge has expressed shock that an assistant Virginia attorney general has been assisting two natural gas companies that are being sued by landowners who allege the companies bilked them out of natural gas royalties.”)

*Bolling criticizes Cuccinelli’s stand on tax incentives in speech to Roanoke County business leaders (“The current lieutenant governor suggests his party’s candidate for governor doesn’t understand the importance of business incentives.”)

*Aides’ instincts were on target (“Concerns among the governor’s staff should have scuttled a mansion event for Star Scientific”)

*Terry McAuliffe pushes ‘war on women’ theme in Va. governor’s race (Stupid headline. It’s not a “theme,” it’s right-wing reality.)

*Michelle Obama stumps for McAuliffe in Virginia governor’s race

*U.S. official praises Va. on health care (“Marilyn Tavenner, newly confirmed as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the state is doing the right thing by working with her agency to coordinate care for people eligible for both national health care programs.”)

*Va. GOP candidate fined for late loan disclosure (EW Jackson strikes again!)

*Blacksburg businessman, writer announces state House bid (“Michael Abraham works in publishing and was a freelance columnist for The Roanoke Times.”)

*Lucas’ hotel plans emerge once again

*Restoring bay Omega-style (“Thanks to a uniquely compliant regulatory scheme – Virginia’s menhaden fishery is controlled by the statehouse rather than by regulators, as all other saltwater fish are – Omega has enjoyed freedoms available in few other states.”)

*Pair of Republican PACs differ on Va. Beach candidates

*Elizabeth Miller Secures Loudoun Democrats’ nomination

*Friendly rivals seek Herndon area seat

*Primary race for Va. House seat turns ugly (“The race to represent a chunk of central Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates deteriorated this week into mudslinging involving two of the three Republican hopefuls for the November ballot.”)

*Tropical Storm Andrea poised to give Hampton Roads a soaking (“The storm is expected to pack its biggest punch for the region today, with rainfall accumulations surpassing 1 inch and possibly 2”)

*Flash flood watch in effect for wide area as Andrea’s rains move in

To summarize, Republicans are not just nasty and xenophobic, they also apparently enjoy self destruction. Case in point:

A Republican-led effort to discard President Barack Obama’s rule allowing some young undocumented immigrants to defer deportation passed the U.S. House Thursday, a further indication of the challenges still facing pending comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

[…]

The measure, which would cut funding to the Department of Homeland Security to implement the program, was approved by a vote of 224-201, mainly along party lines. It was sponsored by Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican who has long voiced opposition to any measures lessening the consequences of illegal immigration.

So, let’s get this straight: Republicans are doomed to lose elections at the national level for years to come unless they start attracting votes from Latinos, yet today they went out of their way to do the exact opposite. In the end, 221 Republicans (including all of Virginia’s) voted with ultra-bigoted extremist Steve King of Iowa to deport DREAM Act kids. It’s crazy, mean-spirited, and suicidal, so why would Republicans do it? Just remember, these are the same people who just nominated Ken Cuccinelli, EW Jackson, and Mark Obenshain (anti-LGBT, anti-immigrant, anti-women, anti-science, anti-government, anti-yoga, etc, etc.) to run Virginia. Any further questions?

P.S. See the White House statement on the “flip.”

Statement by the Press Secretary on the House Passage of Congressman Steve King’s Amendment

As the Senate prepares to debate bipartisan commonsense immigration reform next week, House Republicans chose to spend today passing an extreme amendment to strip protections from “Dreamers.”  These are productive members of society who were brought here as young children, grew up in our communities, and became American in every way but on paper.  This amendment, sponsored by Representative Steve King, runs contrary to our most deeply-held values as Americans.  It asks law enforcement to treat these Dreamers the same way as they would violent criminals.  It’s wrong.  It’s not who we are.  And it will not become law.

Here are a few Virginia (and national) news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, June 6. Also, check out the video of Tom Perriello introducing Aneesh Chopra in Charlottesville this past Sunday.

*What is Obama fighting for in his second term?

*The ‘Social Cost Of Carbon’ Is Almost Double What The Government Previously Thought

*Virginia candidate E.W. Jackson: Yoga leads to Satan (More insanity, intolerance, an idiocy from the Virginia Republican LG nominee…so embarrassing.)

*Terry McAuliffe Tests Obama Playbook in Virginia (“Whether the president’s campaign tactics will translate to any other Democrat will be tested in pivotal governor’s race.”)

*Is Virginia for Haters? (Yes, if we elect Ken Cuccinelli, EW Jackson and/or Mark Obenshain. No if we don’t!)

*Michelle Obama campaigning for Terry McAuliffe today

*Governor to examine wife’s role with foundation (Uh huh…)

*Expand Medicaid, save money, lives

*E.W. Jackson is disappointed Scott Rigell won’t endorse him (And the rest of us are disappointed that ANYONE would endorse this extremist wacko.)

*The Troubles Continue for the Governor (“Gov. McDonnell needs to address these matters as expeditiously as possible. Never has Virginia had a governor in such a position as this; we don’t need to start now.”)

*Cuccinelli is issue in primary for AG (Ya think? LOL)

*Hotly-Contested Lieutenant Governor Race Tops Democratic Primary Ballot Tuesday

*Virginia does a clumsy job explaining the Bi-County Parkway project (“Is the road needed? When will it be built? With a toll? People don’t really know.”)

*Cantor launches site for people to support legislation

*Cuccinelli says IRS blocking more than $100M in Medicare settlement money

*Cuccinelli: IRS refused to pay $125M owed to Va., possibly in retaliation

*In Northern Virginia, 10-term GOP incumbent faces challenge

*Higher education for the masses (“The emergence of ‘MOOCs’  opens possibilities, and some perils,  for academia.”)

*Primary race for Va. House seat turns uglier as ads get vicious

*Pact aims to reduce animal waste into Chesapeake Bay

*Tropical storm could bring 2.5 inches of rain to Richmond

*Mets drub Nationals back below .500 (“Dan Haren struggled on the mound as the Mets gave Washington a solid beating with a 10-1 loss.”)