The Morning Scoop - How a Gov't Shutdown Screws Paul Ryan

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APRIL 6, 2011

How a Government Shutdown Screws Paul Ryan Rep. Paul Ryan's ambitious budget plan, which slashes $6 trillion off the deficit and debt over 10 years, could start a vital national conversation about our fiscal future—if a government shutdown spurred by hyper-partisan squabbling doesn't kill it first. The Daily Beast's John Avlon on the difference between political principle and ideological inflexibility. Plus, The Daily Beast's David A. Graham on what happens if the government shuts down. Read it at The Daily Beast Boehner: Democrats 'Win' If Shutdown House Speaker John Boehner told his caucus Tuesday that Democrats would probably "win" the political battle if the government shuts down on Friday. "The Democrats think they benefit from a government shutdown. I agree," Boehner said—and several of his colleagues who were there for the 1995 shutdown backed him up. Still, Boehner made little progress with the White House and Senate Democrats at an 80-minute meeting; he is said to have demanded $40 billion in cuts, a $7 billion hike from the $33 billion they had been discussing. Read it at Politico Japan Plugs Nuke Leak Japan has stopped the flow of radioactive water from the No. 2 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Now on to the next crisis: The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., is now considering injecting nitrogen gas into the No. 1 reactor to prevent a hydrogen explosion. The New York Times reports on a confidential assessment from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which predicts several more problems at Fukushima Daiichi: growing stress on containment vessels as they fill with radioactive water; possible explosions due to the release of hydrogen and oxygen gas from seawater within the reactors; and blockages due to semi-molten rods and salt buildup in the reactors. Read it at Kyodo News Rebels: 'NATO Has Disappointed Us' Abdul Fatah Younis, the head of the Libyan rebels, says he is "disappointed" in NATO for doing too little to protect civilians. "Unfortunately, and I am sorry to say this, NATO has disappointed us. My staff have been in contact with NATO officials to direct them to targets that should protect civilians, but until now, NATO has not given us what we need," Younis said. His comments came as Muammar Gaddafi's forces recaptured Brega and rebels retreated to Ajdabiya. Younis said NATO "takes hours" to respond when then rebels call in targets. He was particularly critical of NATO's response in Misrata: "Civilians are dying daily because of lack of food or milk, even children are dying. Even by bombing. If NATO waits for another week, it will be a crime that NATO will have to carry. What is NATO doing?" Read it at Al Jazeera Forces Storm Gbagbo's Residence The conflict in the Ivory Coast may have reached its denouement, as forces loyal to the country's elected president stormed the residence of Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to hand over power. "Negotiations with Gbabgo have failed," said a spokesman for elected president Alassane Ouattara. "Gbagbo decided not to surrender so Ouattara's forces were left with no other choice. The aim is to get him out of the residence without harming him." On Tuesday, Gbagbo said that he's "not negotiating my departure," but also that "It's not my aim to die." Said another Ouattara spokesman: "It seems like he has lost his mind... it means that there is something wrong with this guy." Read it at CNN Photos Depict Abuse by Gaddafi's Forces While despot's son promises reform. Bristol Palin's Abstinence Payday Earns more than nonprofit pays to prevent pregnancy. Missing Prostitute Not Among N.Y. Bodies Eight found so far at Long Island beach. Berlusconi's Trial Begins But is quickly adjourned until May 31. Ray Romano Joins Office Finale But unlikely pick to replace Carell. Sign up for The Yes List email, our weekly cultural recommendations. For more of The Daily Beast, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Al Qaeda Smells Blood by Bruce Riedel The unrest in Yemen is giving the terrorist cell a fresh opening. Bruce Riedel on al Qaeda's adaptive strength—and why the world should worry. F-Bombs and 'Jorts': Craziest College Rejection Reasons by Kristina Dell In the toughest college admission season on record, acceptance rates plummeted at many schools, including the Ivy League. Kristina Dell explores some of the arbitrary and whimsical reasons that applicants were rejected. Justified: Talking to Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins by Allen Barra FX's hit western/crime drama has reached new heights in its second season. Allen Barra talks to co-stars Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins about their on-screen partnership.

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