Good morning! Here are our Morning Reads…
Stopping “the black snake” –> Rob Hotakainen reports for McClatchy that native American tribes are preparing to physically block construction of the Keystone XL pipeline if it is approved.
Benign plutocracy –> Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner profiles venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, who’s leading the fight for a $15 per hour minimum wage in Seattle. ALSO: Tom Steyer plans to spend $100 million pushing for action to combat climate change during the midterms, according to the NYT.
Not so subtle –> Members of Pussy Riot, recently released from prison, were arrested in Sochi for allegedly stealing from their hotel before they could perform a performance piece critical of Vladimir Putin. Julia Ioffe has the story for TNR.
Tricky Dick –> At Salon, historian Robert Slayton writes that Richard Nixon is ultimately responsible for making the GOP beholden to its white, Southern base.
Lessons from Tennessee –> Rich Yeselson offers some lessons from the UAW’s failed union drive at VW’s Chattanooga plant for Jacobin.
Under wraps –> A New York Republican operative has asked a court to delay his corruption trial until after November because “key GOP campaign strategies could be ‘exposed’ before this year’s gubernatorial and legislative races,” reports Rich Calder for the NY Post.
Green power –> Juan Cole notes that there are more workers in the American solar industry than there are coal miners — and adds that solar doesn’t pollute our drinking water. ALSO: According to CNN, the Obama administration is set to increase fuel efficiency standards for the nation’s truck fleet, as they did for cars during their first term.
Double standard –> Rebecca Traister reviews recent attacks on Wendy Davis and Hillary Clinton for TNR and concludes that it’s still the case that only women politicians have to answer for their family lives.
Not sharing the wealth –> Nick Summers reports for Bloomberg Businessweek that while the stock market — and billionaire’s wealth — has recovered, the philanthropy of the wealthiest Americans hasn’t rebounded.
The lure of a decent wage –> Kirk Johnson reported over the weekend for the NYT that workers in states with low minimum wages are either moving or making long commutes for higher-paying jobs in neighboring states.
Devil’s in the details –> George Jahn reports for the AP on the “huge hurdles” ahead for a final deal with Iran.
Scarcity and floppy shoes –> NY Daily News headline says it all: “National clown shortage may be approaching, trade organizations fear.”
