Morning Constitutional – Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Good morning, everybody. Spencer behaved a little crazy and moved out. Now, your morning constitutional:

Flooding and landslides resulting from Tropical Storm Agatha, the first named storm of the season, has killed over 150 people in Central America.

As Carol Browner, the White House energy and climate adviser, calls it the \”probably the biggest environmental disaster we\’ve ever faced in this country,\” BP and the administration warn that the oil spill in the Gulf could very well last until August. Robert Reich: The government should temporarily take over BP\’s U.S. operations to ensure it\’s workign in the public interest in cleaning the spill.

Hundreds involved in attempting to break the Israeli blockade to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza are being held by Israel. The UN Security Council is urging an imparial inquiry into Israel\’s raid on the ships.

Three states — Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico — are holding primary elections today. In Alabama, Rep. Arthur Davis could become the state\’s first black nominee for governor. The NY Times looks into Davis\’s relationship with Alabama\’s black leaders.

TPM maps out 171 former members of Congress who are now lobbyists.

The Economist: Britain\’s hybrid coalition government surprisingly well adapted for the age of austerity.

Possible break for Democrats as more Americans seem willing to give health care reform a chance.

Dogfish Head recreating an ancient New-World beer.

Steve Rattner, who was the lead auto advisor for the administration, calls the rescues of GM and Chrysler a success.

They\’re seen as remedies for urban blight, but do arts districts live up to their hype?

North Korea – The most bizarre country in the world.

The vice chairman of Kentucky\’s Libertarian Party says he strongly condemns the views of GOP candidate Rand Paul and that the party could in fact run their own candidate in the Kentucky’s upcoming Senatorial election.

Finally, a computer algorithm can recognize sarcasm.