WHO

Here’s The Senator Who United Democrats To Block Obama’s Trade Agenda
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led a public battle against “fast track” authority for the President’s trade deals. And she took the brunt of the President’s controversial criticism of liberals who refuse to embrace his secret trade agenda. Meanwhile, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) quietly lined-up opposition in the Senate and yesterday dealt Obama a stunning defeat when the fast track bill fell short of the 60-vote hurdle. Now comes the horse-trading between Senate Dems and the White House.

Consultant: ‘I Lied About Toxic Chemicals for Exxon, DuPont, and Their Lobbyists’
Here’s a shocker: The American Chemistry Council—led by corporate chemists like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Dow Chemical and DuPont—created a sinister lobbying group that worked to block regulations of ineffective and toxic flame retardants at the state level. Although they denied being behind the cynically-named “Citizens for Fire Safety,” a consultant to the group has blown the whistle on the bogus front.

Many of the NSA’s Loudest Defenders Have Financial Ties to NSA Contractors
Here’s a shocker, Part II: The pro-spying talking heads that populate media “debates” on various Congressional bills that will impact NSA surveillance are… wait for it… former intelligence or military professionals who work for firms with lucrative contracts with the NSA! Indefatigable Lee Fang of The Intercept has compiled a staggering roster of self-interested national security shills who live the “Life of Riley” inside the Beltway Bubble.

More Than Half of Russians See America as a Threat, and Many Fear US Military Invasion
A new survey by a respected Russian think tank found that 59% of Russians see the United States as a “threat.” That’s a significant spike from 47% in 2007. And 31% believe a U.S. invasion and occupation of Russia is possible. The thing they don’t get, though, is that the U.S. only does that to countries that DON’T have WMDs, not counties that do.

Chris Christie Eats up his Taxpayer-Funded Expense Allowance… Literally
The bone of contention is the $360K in “state allowance” Gov. Christie has spent since 2010… and the fact that he’s spent 80% of that total on food and alcohol. In two years alone the portly potentate spent nearly $83,000 on food and beverages at MetLife Stadium, where the Giants and Jets play their home games. And no, he was not flying overhead.

WHAT

Meet the Mirai: Why Toyota Wants to Make Your Next Car Run on Hydrogen
The first mass-market vehicle to run off hydrogen is set to hit the all-important California car market in October of this year. Priced at $57,500, it is the first step in Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada’s dream of a hydrogen-based future. To wit, Toyota launched a pre-emptive campaign against critics of hydrogen fuel with video titled “Fueled By Bullsh*t.”

WHY