MB Civic

[To the new recipients: Welcome.  This weekly recap of news in various categories is sent every Sunday.  If you wish to stop receiving it, please simply reply back to me and let me know.  Peace.]

This week’s categories: Eyebrow-Raising Stories, Environment, Economics, Poilitcs/Elections/Voting, War/Military, Legal/Law Enforcement, Privacy/Surveillance/NSA/Snowden/Manning, Hot-Button Issues, Miscellaneous, Foreign Affairs.

Eyebrow-Raising Stories of the Week:

Zimmerman is acquitted of all charges in Trayvon Martin case:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?hp&target=comments#commentsContainer

DOE warns that climate change will have “increasingly severe and costly” effects on energy systems:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/us/climate-change-will-cause-more-energy-breakdowns-us-warns.html?_r=0

Although this shows nature at its most adaptable, it is a very bad “canary in the coal mine” re greenhouse gases:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/science/earth/some-trees-use-less-water-amid-rising-carbon-dioxide-paper-says.html

“Is mass unemployment becoming the ‘new normal?'”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/opinion/krugman-defining-prosperity-down.html

Warren and McCain, strange bedfellows, introduce bill to separate traditional banking and “speculative activities”:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/senators-introduce-bill-to-separate-trading-activities-from-big-banks/

Forget campaign TV ads – the new zeitgeist is simply buying the TV stations! (including the Koch Brothers):

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/business/media/with-political-ad-profits-swing-state-tv-stations-are-hot-properties.html?pagewanted=all

Looking to cut tax liability, Tribune Company will split, and sell its publishing division (will Koch Brothers buy it?):

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/business/media/tribune-co-to-split-in-two.html

A Quinnipiac poll shows 55 percent consider Snowden a “whistleblower,” while only 34 percent consider him a “traitor”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/us/poll-shows-complexity-of-debate-on-trade-offs-in-government-spying-programs.html?pagewanted=all

Privacy group files “emergency petition” with SCOTUS to end NSA spying program:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/us/privacy-group-to-ask-supreme-court-to-stop-nsas-phone-spying-program.html

Environment:

Deadly derailment of oil-carrying train in Quebec raises yet more issues re fossil fuels:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/world/americas/deadly-derailment-in-quebec-underlines-oil-debate.html

Lots of ideas for bolstering power grid – in fact, too many:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/ideas-to-bolster-power-grid-run-up-against-the-systems-many-owners.html?pagewanted=all

In China, a significant drop in life span in North is tied to pollution:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/asia/pollution-leads-to-drop-in-life-span-in-northern-china-study-finds.html

Fukushima may have been leaking contaminated water for entire two years since quake:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/world/asia/japanese-nuclear-plant-may-have-been-leaking-for-two-years.html

In Europe, trying to “green” existing transportation infrastructure:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/business/energy-environment/greener-transit-in-europe-built-on-top-of-older-infrastructure.html

As financially troubled BP appeals cost of Gulf spill clean-up…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/business/energy-environment/bp-appealing-settlement-on-gulf-disaster-payments.html?pagewanted=all

…sharks, I mean attorneys, are eating up settlement money:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/opinion/nocera-justice-louisiana-style.html

Jane Goodall joins forces with groups seeking to end all lab use of chimps:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/science/unlikely-partners-freeing-chimps-from-the-lab.html?pagewanted=all

Economics:

As House GOP strips food stamp program from farm bill…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/politics/house-bill-would-split-farm-and-food-stamp-programs.html?pagewanted=all

…the NYT expresses outrage:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/opinion/missing-the-food-stamp-program.html

Jeff Bezos (Amazon) has effectively destroyed the bookstore business – will he finally take down Barnes & Noble, too?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/business/barnes-nobles-chief-executive-resigns.html

Why are the words “New York apartment for sale” causing such a stampede?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/nyregion/amid-housing-scarcity-many-buyers-are-going-home-empty-handed.html?pagewanted=all

Politics/Elections/Voting:

Showdown in Senate as Dems try to change filibuster rules:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/politics/showdown-nears-in-senate-over-filibusters-change.html

What the heck is going on in North Carolina?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/opinion/the-decline-of-north-carolina.html

Perry says he’s through as Texas gov (does this mean he’s working on a 2016 presidential campaign?):

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/us/perry-will-not-seek-re-election-as-texas-governor.html?pagewanted=all

Texas a “blue” state?  Could happen, but…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/politics/texas-democrats-energized-by-abortion-fight-face-hurdles-trying-to-turn-a-red-state-blue.html?pagewanted=all

Spitzer’s back, running for NYC comptroller:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/nyregion/spitzer-seeks-ballot-for-city-comptrollers-race.html?pagewanted=all

A “deluge of Democrats” in Nassau County spurs action by county GOP to prevent loss of seats:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/nyregion/in-nassau-county-a-deluge-of-democrats-threatens-a-gop-stronghold.html?pagewanted=all

NYC Board of Elections votes unanimously to allow lever voting machines for 2013 elections (a good thing, too, since the new optical scanners were a nightmare!):

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/nyregion/cuomo-approves-the-use-of-lever-voting-machines.html

War/Military:

A faster pullout from Afghanistan?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/asia/frustrated-obama-considers-full-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan.html?pagewanted=all

Niger is newest base for drones:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/world/africa/drones-in-niger-reflect-new-us-approach-in-terror-fight.html?pagewanted=all

Judge appeals to Obama re force-feeding at Guantanamo:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/us/judge-urges-president-to-address-prison-strike.html

Legal/Law Enforcement:

Feds find Miami PD used “pattern of excessive force”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/us/miami-police-dept-is-accused-of-pattern-of-excessive-force.html

In bizarre case, Iowa court allows firing of dental assistant for being “too attractive”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/iowa-court-reaffirms-dentists-firing-of-woman-he-found-too-attractive.html

Privacy/Surveillance/NSA/Snowden/Manning:

Defense rests in Bradley Manning case without having Manning testify – could still offer “rebuttal” case re prosecution:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/us/soldiers-lawyers-rest-case-with-a-defense-of-wikileaks-journalistic-role.html

As U.S. presses Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia not to give asylum to Snowden…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/world/americas/us-is-pressing-latin-americans-to-reject-snowden.html?pagewanted=all

…he renews efforts to stay in Russia:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/world/europe/snowden-russia-asylum.html?hp

As NYT shows how the secretive FISA court works – and why it’s worse than you think…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/opinion/the-laws-you-cant-see.html

…a former FISA judge says nation could benefit from open discussion on surveillance:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/us/nation-will-gain-by-discussing-surveillance-expert-tells-privacy-board.html

Like France before it, Germany ends up backpedaling on “outrage” over surveillance, because it, too, was in cahoots with U.S…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/world/europe/for-western-allies-a-long-history-of-swapping-intelligence.html?pagewanted=all

…but anger in Germany over the revelation does not seem to be affecting Merkel’s re-election chances:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/world/europe/merkel-seems-to-weather-german-anger-over-nsa-spying.html

Brazil becomes latest country to express concern over U.S. spying programs:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/world/americas/brazil-voices-deep-concern-over-gathering-of-data-by-us.html

No surprise, perhaps, as Microsoft is revealed as tech corp most cooperative with NSA…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/report-indicates-more-extensive-cooperation-by-microsoft-on-surveillance.html

…while, on the other hand, Twitter has to be severely pressured to give up data:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/technology/twitter-yields-to-pressure-in-hate-case-in-france.html

In response to accusations that Obama admin has been targeting leakers, Holder says Justice Dept will “tighten rules on getting reporters’ data”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/holder-to-tighten-rules-for-obtaining-reporters-data.html

Nations are enabling hackers by buying computer flaws that allow access to data:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/world/europe/nations-buying-as-hackers-sell-computer-flaws.html?pagewanted=all

Napolitano will step down as DHS Sec’y – will NYPD’s Ray Kelly get the job?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/politics/napolitano-stepping-down.html?pagewanted=all

Hot-Button Issues:

PA moves closer to same-sex marriage as AG refuses to defend against ACLU lawsuit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/pennsylvanias-attorney-general-wont-fight-gay-marriage-lawsuit.html

Texas approves ultra-strict abortion bill:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/texas-abortion-bill.html

Despite plea from George Bush, House GOP refuses to pass immigration overhaul:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/us/politics/gop-in-house-resists-overhaul-for-immigration.html?_r=0

Miscellaneous:

Senators concerned about Chinese takover of largest U.S. pork plant:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/lawmakers-have-concerns-over-chinese-takeover-of-smithfield/

Most NYers are blase about subway “gas attack” test:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/nyregion/plenty-to-say-about-subway-test-gas-that-isnt-seen.html

Foreign Affairs:

Egypt:

I.  General

Criticism of military-led appointments:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/world/middleeast/egypt-elections.html?hpw

Saudi Arabia and UAE pump huge sums into Egypt to stave off Islamists:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/world/middleeast/aid-to-egypt-from-saudis-and-emiratis-is-part-of-struggle-with-qatar-for-influence.html?pagewanted=all

Many in Egypt view sudden improvements as “suspicious”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/world/middleeast/improvements-in-egypt-suggest-a-campaign-that-undermined-morsi.html

Islamist Party is “surprise force” in Egypt:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/world/middleeast/islamist-party-a-surprise-force-in-a-new-egypt.html?pagewanted=all

Split hardens as supporters of Morsi and MB protest:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/world/middleeast/egypt-morsi.html

Did U.S. “suggest” to MB that it “accept” the ouster of Morsi?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/world/middleeast/egypt.html?pagewanted=all

Protests lead to over 50 deaths, creating tinderbox:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/middleeast/egypt.html?pagewanted=all

II.  Opinions:

“The Perils of a ‘People’s Coup'”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/opinion/the-perils-of-a-peoples-coup.html

“Egypt at the Edge”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/opinion/friedman-egypt-at-the-edge.html

In Turkey, after initial protests, Istanbul park becomes scene of forums…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/world/europe/after-protests-forums-sprout-in-turkeys-parks.html?pagewanted=all

…but it doesn’t last long, as violence erupts again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/istanbul-park-becomes-scene-of-violence-after-reopening.html

In Brazil, workers stage mostly successul one-day strike:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/world/americas/brazils-workers-take-to-the-streets-in-a-one-day-strike.html

China and Russia engage in first-ever joint navy exercises:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/world/asia/china-and-russia-in-a-display-of-unity-hold-naval-exercises.html

In Australia, new cigarette packing labels “leave a bad taste” as smokers say cigarettes actually taste worse now:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/business/global/law-spoils-tobaccos-taste-australians-say.html?pagewanted=all