MB Civic

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/politics/boehner-affirms-no-tax-increase-stance.html?scp=2&sq=boehner&st=cse

Boehner, in Washington Speech, Reaffirms No-Tax-Increase Position

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/politics/misstatements-shadow-bachmann-in-republican-presidential-race.html?ref=politics

With Stakes for Bachmann Higher Now, Her Words Get in the Way

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/business/media/customers-aggrieved-over-revamped-pricing-are-deserting-netflix.html?scp=2&sq=netflix&st=cse

Customers Angry Over Revamped Pricing Are Deserting Netflix

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/nyregion/survey-finds-14-percent-of-new-yorkers-smoke-a-decline.html?scp=5&sq=smoking&st=cse

Survey Finds Decline in New Yorkers Who Smoke to 14%

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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/nyregion/some-cabbies-win-right-to-reject-racy-rooftop-ads.html?scp=1&sq=cabbies&st=cse

Some Cabbies Given Right to Say No to Racy Ads

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To The Editor:

Regarding David Brooks’s disconsolate survey chronicling the failures of young people’s moral reasoning, I would challenge him to list examples of sterling moral behavior modeled for the young (and I will settle for simple truth-telling, not moral heroism) in either house of Congress, the presidency or the financial and banking sectors of the United States.

When those with the highest social status routinely lie, cheat, exploit their office for personal gain, profit from outrageous conflicts of interest, when they are rewarded for their turpitude with wealth and acclaim, repeating the conservative party line about moral laxity and self-indulgence is disingenuous.

In fact, I think he is correct about a moral decline, but he is targeting the wrong people.

PETER COYOTE
Mill Valley, Calif., Sept. 13, 2011