The Midday Brief: July 12, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "Texas Gov. Rick Perry met Tuesday with former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to exchange ideas about improving the economy and discuss the strained relationship between the U.S. and Pakistani governments." — Texas Gov. Perry meets with Musharraf, The Associated Press

• "In a sermon last August, John Benefiel argued that America is under a curse from God because the country possesses monuments to pagan idols and one of those is the Statue of Liberty, which he calls 'a demonic idol.'" — Perry Prayer summit endorser calls Statue of Liberty a "Demonic Idol," Trail Blazers

• "Rep. Joe Barton defended his light bulb legislation on the House floor today against Democrats who decried the Texan’s attempted repeal of a 2007 energy law requiring incandescent light bulbs be 30 percent more efficient by 2012." — Will the House turn out the lights on Rep. Joe Barton’s light bulb bill?, Texas on the Potomac

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, told his Twitter followers Tuesday: 'I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress.' Was it because the GOP-lead Lege redrew his district in a way that might have made it harder for him to win?" — Rep. Ron Paul Won't Run For Re-Election

• "Gov. Rick Perry has released a video invitation to The Response, billed a day of prayer and fasting scheduled for Aug. 6 in Houston and organized by the controversial American Family Association. So far, organizers report 6,000 people have registered." — Video: Perry Invites Public to Attend Day of Prayer and Fasting