Weekly Mix from Ian Alterman

[This week’s categories: Eyebrow-Raising Stories, Environment, Health/Food, Legal/Law Enforcement, Economics, Politics/Elections/Voting, Privacy/Surveillance, War/Military, Hot-Button Issues, Foreign Affairs.  Thanks to MB-Civic for their support of this effort.]

Eyebrow-Raising Stories of the Week:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qGGabrorRS8%3Frel%3D0

A rare occurence, as all three major NY daily papers endorse Stringer for Comptroller:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/19/nyregion/citys-newspapers-endorse-stringer-over-spitzer.html?ref=nyregion

Computer inspection system fails at meat-packing plants, but shipping continues:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/us/computer-system-failed-at-meatpacking-plants-but-shipping-continued.html?pagewanted=all

As Fox decides not to produce Hillary biopic…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/media/fox-steps-back-from-hillary-clinton-mini-series.html

…Kickstarter helps “Citizen Koch” get back on track:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/arts/television/the-documentary-citizen-koch-regains-money.html?pagewanted=all

New danger from hackers – targeting your house and car:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/taking-over-cars-and-homes-remotely/

Did the U.S. recruit an 8-year-old to spy on Al Qaeda?:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/09/did-an-8-year-old-spy-for-america/309429/

Just a glimpse of the photo of the Tianamen “tank man” in China causes a major stir:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/world/asia/amid-tribute-to-king-of-pop-an-echo-of-tiananmen-square.html

Environment:

British company whose fracking efforts set off earthquakes suspends drilling activity:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/energy-environment/shale-gas-company-suspends-drilling-in-southern-england.html

“World fails” in protecting Amazon from oil drilling:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/energy-environment/ecuador-drops-plan-to-ban-drilling-in-jungle.html

BP sues U.S. to overturn EPA ban:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/business/global/bp-sues-us-over-contract-suspensions.html

From space, a unique look at various environmental “calamities”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/opinion/sunday/gorgeous-glimpses-of-calamity.html?pagewanted=all

Building a better windmill:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/09/a-better-windmill/309423/

Army will test trash-to-gas technology:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/business/trash-into-gas-efficiently-an-army-test-may-tell.html

“Intermittent nature of green power” stymies utilities:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/business/energy-environment/intermittent-nature-of-green-power-is-challenge-for-utilities.html?hpw

Trying to predict the timing of rising sea levels:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/science/timing-a-rise-in-sea-level.html

As water gets scarcer, some Southwestern cities ask residents to “lose the lawn”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/us/to-save-water-parched-southwest-cities-ask-homeowners-to-lose-their-lawns.html?pagewanted=all

Fed appeals court blocks attempt to close VT nuclear plant:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/business/energy-environment/appeals-court-blocks-attempt-by-vermont-to-close-a-nuclear-plant.html

Fed appeals court says NRC “flouted law” when it stopped review of Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/us/politics/government-must-continue-review-of-nevada-nuclear-waste-site-court-says.html?hpw

Decades in coming, settlement in toxic site lawsuit is “bittersweet”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/us/politics/government-must-continue-review-of-nevada-nuclear-waste-site-court-says.html?hpw

Health/Food:

As laws, prices and stigma of cigarettes increase, young people are turning to cigars, particularly flavored ones:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/health/in-all-flavors-cigars-draw-in-young-smokers.html?pagewanted=all

Can Facebook make you sad?:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/15/tech/social-media/study-facebook-blues/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

“Not All Industrial Food is Evil”:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/not-all-industrial-food-is-evil/

Study finds link between childhood stomach aches and adult anxiety:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/risk-of-adult-anxiety-seen-in-childrens-stomachaches/

New test for sleep drugs – simulated driving:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/business/to-judge-sleep-aids-us-looks-at-drowsy-driving-in-the-morning.html?pagewanted=all

Legal/Law Enforcement:

As federal judge rejects NYC’s stop-question-frisk policy and appoints independent monitor, Bloomberg and Kelly fume, and the debate continues:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/nyregion/stop-and-frisk-practice-violated-rights-judge-rules.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/opinion/racial-discrimination-in-stop-and-frisk.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/opinion/racial-profiling-lives-on.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/nyregion/in-a-crescendo-the-citys-crime-policy-changed.html?pagewanted=all

Economics:

Helping the uninsured negotiate Obamacare:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/the-challenge-of-helping-the-uninsured-find-coverage.html?pagewanted=all

“Is it nuts to give the world’s poorest people money without conditions?”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/magazine/is-it-nuts-to-give-to-the-poor-without-strings-attached.html?pagewanted=all

U.S. sues to stop merger of American Airlines and US Airways:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/u-s-seeks-to-block-airline-merger/

In NYC, an incentive for real estate developers has not led to more affordable housing:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/nyregion/report-finds-a-city-incentive-is-not-producing-enough-affordable-housing.html

Politics/Elections/Voting:

As a judge blocks enforcement of new voter ID law in PA…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/us/judge-blocks-state-voter-id-law.html

…Hillary enters voter rights debate:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/us/politics/clinton-calls-for-action-to-protect-voter-rights.html

Jesse Jackson Jr. and wife get jail terms for misuse of campaign funds:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-sentenced-to-30-months.html

In North Carolina, “middle way” promised by new governor gives way to realities of GOP-controlled state:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/us/north-carolinians-fear-the-end-of-a-middle-way.html?pagewanted=all

Is Jeb Bush the most viable option for the GOP?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/opinion/sunday/bruni-the-pasts-future-republican.html?pagewanted=all

Smelling blood, NYC mayoral hopefuls gang up on Quinn…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/nyregion/debating-live-on-tv-for-the-first-time-mayoral-rivals-take-aim-at-quinn.html

…as Stringer takes the gloves off in second debate with Spitzer…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/nyregion/stringer-goes-after-spitzer-during-a-blistering-debate.html

…and the Public Advocate race tries to stir interest:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/nyregion/public-advocate-rivals-try-to-stir-interest.html

Will troubles at Clinton Foundation adversely affect a Hillary run?:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/us/politics/unease-at-clinton-foundation-over-finances-and-ambitions.html?pagewanted=all

Privacy/Surveillance:

As NSA leaks “make plan for cyberdefense unlikely”…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/us/nsa-leaks-make-plan-for-cyberdefense-unlikely.html

…an internal audit shows that the NSA “often broke rules on privacy”…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/us/nsa-often-broke-rules-on-privacy-audit-shows.html

…and NSA tries to spin the violations as “minuscule”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/us/nsa-calls-violations-of-privacy-minuscule.html\

The people who helped Snowden get the word out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/magazine/laura-poitras-snowden.html?pagewanted=all

War/Military:

Manning apologizes for “unintended consequences”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/manning-apologizes-for-leaks-my-actions-hurt-people.html

Quietly, military okays benefits for gay spouses:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/us/politics/gay-spouses-of-members-of-military-get-benefits.html

“How To Think About Drones”:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/09/the-killing-machines-how-to-think-about-drones/309434/

Hot-Button Issues:

In major shift, DOJ seeks to curtail “stiff drug terms”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/us/justice-dept-seeks-to-curtail-stiff-drug-sentences.html?pagewanted=all

At FL gov’s office, a sit-in to fight “stand your ground” law:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/us/dream-defenders-arent-walking-out-on-their-florida-protest.html?pagewanted=all

In NJ, Christie loosens up (a little) on medical marijuana policy:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/nyregion/christie-amends-marijuana-restrictions.html

Foreign Affairs:

With few options, Obama rebukes Egyptian leaders…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/world/middleeast/obama-statement-on-egypt.html?ref=middleeast

…while “blood and chaos” continue…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/world/middleeast/egypt.html

…after over 700 die in military move against Morsi supporters:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/world/middleeast/egypt.html?pagewanted=all

As part of U.S.-brokered deal, Israel releases 26 Palestinian prisoners…:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/world/middleeast/israel-releases-26-palestinian-prisoners-to-cheers-and-anguish.html

…but not before announcing more settlement-building:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/world/middleeast/israel-names-palestinian-prisoners-to-be-released.html

Brazil wades in on NSA surveillance, saying it “sows distrust”:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/world/americas/in-brazil-kerry-is-told-spying-sows-distrust.html

Calling the situation untenable, the “tenacious” Doctors Without Borders pulls out of Somalia:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/15/world/africa/doctors-without-borders-to-pull-out-of-somalia.html

 

 

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 18th, 2013 at 6:01 PM and filed under Reviews. Follow comments here with the RSS 2.0 feed. Skip to the end and leave a response. Trackbacks are closed.

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