The Briefing 05-16-13

1. Controversies embroil President Obama and threaten his agenda

Controversies Threaten President’s Agenda, Wall Street Journal (Peter Nicholas and Janet Hook)

A Brief History of IRS Political Targeting, Wall Street Journal (James Bovard)

2. The threat of same-sex marriage to religious groups

Gay Marriage in Minnesota, Wall Street Journal (Matthew Payne)

Brazilian Court Council Removes a Barrier to Same-Sex Marriage, New York Times (Simon Romero)

3. Fifty Shades of Grey drives record e-book sales

E-Book Sales a Boon to Publishers in 2012, New York Times (Julie Bosman)

4. Vermont legalizes assisted suicide

Lawmakers in Vermont Approve Assisted Suicide, Wall Street Journal (Jacob Gershman)