MB Civic

Unquestionably the story of the week – and maybe the month – is the recent revelation of the government’s data-mining/surveillance of foreign and domestic companies and individuals.  Here is a sampling of the articles that appeared in just 72 hours:

The initial revelation:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/nsa-verizon-calls.html?pagewanted=all

The government’s defense:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/us/mining-of-data-is-called-crucial-to-fight-terror.html?pagewanted=all

Further revelations:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/us/us-secretly-collecting-logs-of-business-calls.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/us/revelations-give-look-at-spy-agencys-wider-reach.html?pagewanted=all

(“Rather than dismantling Mr. Bush’s approach to national security, Mr. Obama has to some extent validated it and put it on a more sustainable footing”):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/obamas-strong-embrace-of-divisive-security-tools.html

The NYT position:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/opinion/president-obamas-dragnet.html

Not all tech companies were happy about complying with the order:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/technology/tech-companies-bristling-concede-to-government-surveillance-efforts.html?pagewanted=all

The blogger who broke the story is now himself a target:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/business/media/anti-surveillance-activist-is-at-center-of-new-leak.html?pagewanted=all

Environment:

Canadian company finds use for oil sands collecting in Detroit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/business/huge-petroleum-coke-pile-making-way-back-to-canada.html

Farm subsidies are creating water use issue:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/irrigation-subsidies-leading-to-more-water-use.html

In FL, oyster industry in danger due to lack of fresh water:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/us/thirst-for-fresh-water-threatens-apalachicola-bay-fisheries.html?pagewanted=all

One less nuclear power plant in U.S.:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/business/san-onofre-nuclear-plant-in-california-to-close.html

Fukushima – the crisis that keeps on giving:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/world/asia/tepco-says-water-at-fukushima-is-contaminated.html

Genetically-altered wheat found where it shouldn’t be is no surprise to some:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/us/genetically-altered-crop-in-oregon-no-surprise.html?pagewanted=all

Senate inrtoduces bill that would “sweeten” loans for energy-efficient homes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/business/senate-bill-sweetens-loans-for-energy-efficient-homes.html

In NYC, mayoral candidates battle over garbage transfer station:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/nyregion/mayoral-candidates-wrestle-over-waste-removal.html

Increase in graffiti and vandalism in National Parks:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/us/as-vandals-take-to-national-parks-some-point-to-social-media.html?pagewanted=all

Federal protection of gray wolves may be lifted:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/science/earth/gray-wolves-no-longer-need-federal-protection-obama-administration-says.html?src=mv

Report says federal government not doing enough to protect wild horses:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/report-criticizes-us-stewardship-of-wild-horses.html

Death of “storm chaser” underscores growing dangers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/business/media/storm-chasers-among-those-killed-in-oklahoma.html

Health/Food:

As pressure grows to create drugs for “superbugs,” concern arises about shortcuts in development:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/health/experts-debate-plan-to-speed-antibiotic-development.html

Hepatitis outbreak leads to recall of berries:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/business/hepatitis-warning-leads-to-a-berry-recall.html

Brave 9-year-old girl accuses McDonald’s at shareholder meeting, with immediate backlash:

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2013/0530/We-don-t-sell-junk-food-McDonald-s-CEO-s-comment-sparks-backlash-against-9-year-old?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Weekend_Best_of_Web&utm_campaign=20130601_Newsletter%3AWeekly_Sailthru&cmpid=ema%3Anws%3AWeekly%2520Newsletter%2520%2806-01-2013%29

With vitamins, how much is too much?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/dont-take-your-vitamins.html?pagewanted=all

Another reason coffee may be good for you:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/this-is-your-brain-on-coffee/?hpw

Setting aside the sensationalist aspect of this, the link between HPV and throat cancer is becoming more established:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/health/throat-cancer-link-to-oral-sex-gains-credence.html

Economics:

Why the GOP continues to attempt to repeal Obamacare, and is deliberately attempting to hurt the poorest:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/opinion/krugman-the-spite-club.html

Outrageous new policy allows economically advantaged to “skip the line” at theme parks:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/business/at-universal-park-a-vip-pass-to-help-lift-revenue.html?hp

Privacy/Surveillance:

10 things Americans underestimate about the growing “surveillance state”:

http://www.alternet.org/print/civil-liberties/surveillance-nsa

Protecting media sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/opinion/keller-secrets-and-leaks.html?pagewanted=all

Legal/Law Enforcement:

SCOTUS okays DNA collection after certain arrests:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/us/supreme-court-says-police-can-take-dna-samples.html

Blacks four times more likely than whites to be singled out for marijuana arrests:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/us/marijuana-arrests-four-times-as-likely-for-blacks.html

Violent crime on the rise in U.S. for first time since 2006:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/us/violent-crime-in-us-rises-for-first-time-since-2006.html

War/Military:

U.S. adds to sanctions against Iran:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/world/middleeast/us-adds-to-its-list-of-sanctions-against-iran.html

Americans “increasingly skeptical” of U.S. involvement overseas:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/world/americans-skeptical-of-involvement-in-foreign-conflicts-poll-finds.html

Senate Armed Services Committee not happy with military brass response to increasing sexual assaults:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/us/politics/joint-chiefs-testimony-on-sexual-assault-dismays-senators.html

Politics/Elections/Voting:

A fabulous video documentary of the 2001 mayoral election, seen through the eyes of Mark Green’s son, Jonah.  Although Mark Green had everything going for him – winning the runoff against Ferrer; the endorsements of all four major papers (NYT, Daily News, Post, Village Voice); and endorsements and active campaign participation from Bill Clinton, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. Jerry Nadler, David Dinkins, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Adam Clayton Powell III, and almost every other major NYC Democrat – he lost the election to Bloomberg 49% to 47%.  It is not coincidental that, as has been famously noted, Bloomberg spent as much on just mailing during the last months of the campaign as Green spent on everything during his entire four-year campaign.  A very worthwhile film:

As health law nears effect, opponents are outspending supporters re ads:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/us/politics/critics-of-health-care-law-outspending-its-supporters-on-ads.html

In NJ, Christie appoints AG interim Senator…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/nyregion/in-new-jersey-scrambling-to-vie-for-a-senate-seat.html

…and sets October vote for new Senator…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/nyregion/christie-sets-october-special-election-for-lautenberg-seat.html?hpw

…as Booker throws his hat in the ring:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/nyregion/booker-formally-declares-candidacy-for-senate-seat.html

As NYC moves to primary, and possible runoff, State Legislature may postpone runoff to allow more time for accurate vote count:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/nyregion/runoff-elections-for-mayor-likely-to-be-moved-to-oct-1.html

As sentencing nears, Espada tries to weasel out of conviction on technicality:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/nyregion/sentencing-near-espada-seeks-a-new-trial.html

Technology:

As technology makes it easier to communicate electronically, what is happening to personal interaction?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=all

As social media sites pursue advertisers, they find a growing need for responsibility:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/technology/advertising-on-social-media-comes-up-against-free-speech.html?pagewanted=all

Hot-Button Issues:

Although Americans as a whole are moving inexorably toward supporting same-sex marriage, most feel it is a State, not Federal, issue:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/politics/states-should-decide-gay-marriage-poll-finds.html?pagewanted=all

Judge goes further on morning after pill, ordering immediate availability of some contraceptives to women of all ages:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/health/appeals-court-lifts-limit-on-emergency-contraceptive.html

Miscellaneous:

Actress charged in case of ricin letters to Obama, Bloomberg:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/nyregion/texas-woman-arrested-in-connection-with-ricin-laced-letters.html

Another day, another shooting rampage, this one leaving four dead in CA:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/us/santa-monica-college-shooting.html

Fossil discovery sets primate clock back another 8 million years:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/science/palm-size-fossil-resets-primates-clock-scientists-say.html?pagewanted=all

As TV shows (including “reality” shows) and music grow in popularity, film actresses are no longer “A-list” on magazine covers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/business/media/on-newsstands-allure-of-the-film-actress-fades.html?pagewanted=all

Foreign Affairs:

North and South Korea agree to first dialogue in many years:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/world/asia/north-and-south-korea-agree-to-dialogue.html

In Turkey, some see Erdogan moving from autocrat to dictator:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/world/europe/turkey-premier-says-protests-will-not-stop-plans-to-demolish-park.html

Egyptian court continues to erode powers of president:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/world/middleeast/egyptian-court-rules-against-legislative-body.html

Palestinian Authority chooses economics professor, and neophyte politician, as next president:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/03/world/middleeast/president-of-palestinian-authority-appoints-next-premier.html

OAS meeting reveals rift on legalization of marijuana:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/world/americas/in-americas-resistance-to-legal-marijuana.html