Lunch Break

++ Josh Marshall punctured the Brat balloon on Princeton Divinity School, pointing out that it was only affiliated with Princeton University and that it teaches a moderate form of Calvinism. But I must add the seminary at the college's founding was at the core of Princeton.

++Josh Marshall says that Erick Cantor won by large margins before and he was still Jewish. That his religion has nothing to do with it. I think extending the district into rural areas brings in those in the Right, who are anti-Jewish.

++Cantor has announced he will not wage a write-in campaign and that he will resign his leadership post by the end of July. The GOP is meeting at 4pm to debate his successor.

++Secretary of Defense Hagel defended the Burgdahl trade. He pushed back against questions about his treatment and why he hasn't been flown back to the states and questioned about his leaving his post. The back and forth produced the gotcha moment for CNN--"We could have done a better job of informing you." Which CNN said wasn't in his prepared remarks and represents some break in the party line.

++The Washington Post published parts of Bergdahl's journals and the fact he had been discharged from the Coast Guard before entering the military. 

++Democratic congresswoman Jackie Speier raised concerns about Bergdahl physical welfare and safety once he was returned home because of the attacks against him.

++Elizabeth Warren's bill to assist students in debt was filibustered by the Republicans and lost 56-38 on cloture.

++President Obama did sign an executive order to cap payment of student loans to 10% of one's salary. There has been a prior agreement of this kind that involved people in social work and teaching. Now it has been extended.

++Robert Murray of Murray-Energy, the largest coal supplier in the country, is going to sue the EPA on the reality of climate change. The 21st Century Snopes trial.

++In case,you missed it. Nicholas Burns is over in Geneva, Switzerland in direct talks with the Iranians. Even Israeli intelligence believes there will be a deal made on the nuclear program.

++President Obama again said that he would be transferring more prisoners from Gitmo despite the controversy over Bergdahl.