Weekly Mix – Ian Alterman
[This week’s categories: Eyebrow-Raising Stories, Environment, Health/Food/Safety, Economics, Politics/Elections/Voting, Legal/Law Enforcement, Privacy/Surveillance, War/Military, Miscellaneous, Foreign Affairs. Thanks as always for MB-Civic’s support for this effort.]
Eyebrow-Raising Stories of the Week:
Studies show an increase in the probability of a causal relationship between climate change and violence:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/opinion/sunday/weather-and-violence.html
Columbia, SC takes steps to “evict” homeless from parts of city:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/us/south-carolina-city-takes-steps-to-evict-homeless-from-downtown.html?pagewanted=all
“The Face Scan Arrives”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/opinion/the-face-scan-arrives.html
Gay marriages will be recognized by IRS:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/irs-to-recognize-all-gay-marriages-regardless-of-state.html
In unexpected and potentially sea-change decision, DOJ says it will not challenge individual states’ legalization of marijuana:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/us-says-it-wont-sue-to-undo-state-marijuana-laws.html
Missouri “tests” U.S. in bill that would nullify all federal gun laws – and make it a crime to enforce them (!):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/us/missouri-gun-measure-pushes-nullification-boundary.html
Like bars and bartenders who can be held liable for drunk driving accidents, NJ passes law making those who send texts to drivers potentially liable for accidents:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/new-jersey-texting-crash-sender-liable/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
When GOP Congresspersons, campaigning for re-election, are concerned about “threats from the right,” you know something is seriously wrong…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/us/politics/gop-senators-fail-to-head-off-tea-party-rivals.html
…as seen in the challenge to Saxby Chambliss in GA, where even the Dems smell blood:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/us/politics/democrats-go-for-a-senate-gain-as-gop-rivals-vie-in-georgia.html?pagewanted=all
Makers of e-cigs are using “old tactics” to attract young “smokers”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/business/media/e-cigarette-makers-ads-echo-tobaccos-heyday.html
In Tunisia, Islamist government cracks down on…Islamists:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/world/africa/tunisia-broadens-crackdown-on-extremists.html
Are the British acting as proxy for the U.S. and subtly going after Glenn Greenwald for his assistance to Snowden?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/world/europe/britain-cites-grave-risks-in-leaked-data-it-seized.html
Gus, beloved “bi-polar” bear of Central Park Zoo, dies:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/nyregion/gus-new-yorks-most-famous-polar-bear-dies-at-27.html
Environment:
The British fracking fight continues (though this writer is in favor, the article is still informative):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/opinion/roger-cohen-britains-furor-over-fracking.html
Panel in LA files lawsuit against oil and gas companies re negligence:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/us/facing-fire-over-challenge-to-louisianas-oil-industry.html
California wildfire – among largest in history – is causing increasingly broad physical and economic damage, including evacuations and possible danger to SF’s power grid:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/wildfire-chokes-off-tourist-towns-livelihood.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/science/san-francisco-girds-for-possible-threat-to-water-from-wildfire.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/us/a-blazing-giant-stirs-california-to-high-alert.html
Legal battles over, VT nuclear plant will shut down:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/science/entergy-announces-closing-of-vermont-nuclear-plant.html
Silver lining in China’s smog clouds is that it has stirred the gov’t to massive action:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/asia/silver-lining-in-chinas-smog-as-it-puts-focus-on-emissions.html
Making personal choices to “help along” Obama’s Climate Action Plan:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/business/a-carbon-tax-that-america-could-live-with.html
How the re-insurance industry is cynically “using” climate change:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/magazine/mutually-insured-destruction.html
A “canvassing” of Central Park’s wildlife finds some “new tenants”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/science/census-of-central-park-finds-new-tenants.html
Health/Food/Safety:
Why does Taylor Farms have so many food recalls?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/business/taylor-farms-big-food-supplier-grapples-with-frequent-recalls.html
CA law banning “gay cure” is upheld:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/law-banning-gay-cure-is-upheld-in-california.html
Economics:
“New census numbers show recession’s effect on families”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/new-census-numbers-show-recessions-effect-on-families.html
Treasury Dept. warns Congress to raise debt ceiling, or face consequences:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/us/politics/treasury-warns-congress-over-raising-debt-ceiling.html
Fast food workers step up strikes nationwide, gaining momentum:
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/marching-at-mcdonalds-for-a-15-wage/
In Des Moines, not everyone is happy with repeal of – and massive refunds from – new (illegal) tax:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/us/in-des-moines-a-refund-bonanza-not-everyone-wants.html
Will the Fed Chair position go to a Democrat for the first time in over 25 years?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/opinion/sunday/a-rarity-a-democrat-to-lead-the-fed.html
In Europe, sheer number (though not percentage) of jobless goes down:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/business/global/optimism-on-european-economy-continues-to-rise.html
Politics/Elections/Voting:
Did Justice Scalia accidentally (?) leave open the door to “Plan B” for restoring voting rights?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/opinion/sunday/plan-b-for-voting-rights.html
Despite likelihood of winning, Dems see “value” in having Texas filibuster “darling” run for gov:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/democrats-see-value-in-texas-in-candidacy-for-governor.html?pagewanted=all
Bill to expand Medicaid squeaks by in Michigan, adding fuel to fire in GOP debate over Obamacare:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/medicaid-expansion-battle-in-michigan-ends-in-passage.html
DeBlasio takes big lead in NYC mayoral race…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/nyregion/leading-democrats-de-blasio-has-broad-support-as-primary-nears.html?pagewanted=all
…while hedge funds seem to be backing Quinn (which may not work in her favor…):
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/in-n-y-mayoral-race-small-checks-from-hedge-fund-giants/
Legal/Law Enforcement:
Family of 18-year-old who died from tasing sues Miami and MDPD:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/us/family-sues-miami-beach-in-taser-death-by-the-police.html
NYPD officer is indicted on eight counts for fabricating arrest of photographer:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/nyregion/officer-is-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-about-photographers-arrest.html
NYPD SQF incidents “plummet”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/nyregion/data-show-steep-decline-in-police-stops-in-new-york-city-this-year.html
Ft. Hood killer gets death penalty:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/us/jury-weighs-sentence-for-fort-hood-shooting.html?pagewanted=all
Privacy/Surveillance:
ACLU sues NSA, calling data collection “illegal”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/us/nsa-phone-data-collection-is-illegal-aclu-says.html
Snowden budget document shows “aggressive” offensive cyberoperations as U.S. complains about same re others:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/americas/documents-detail-cyberoperations-by-us.html
NSA surveillance revelations “rattling” U.S.-German relations:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/world/europe/surveillance-revelations-shake-us-german-ties.html?pagewanted=all
NYT website disrupted by hacker attack:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/business/media/hacking-attack-is-suspected-on-times-web-site.html
War/Military:
As Obama weighs “limited strikes” against Syria…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/world/middleeast/obama-syria-strike.html?pagewanted=all
…Arab League (an important “imprimatur” for any military action) rejects attacks…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/world/middleeast/arab-league-rejects-attack-against-syria.html
…Iran says that attack on Syria would “cause” one on Israel…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/world/middleeast/strike-on-syria-would-cause-one-on-israel-iran-declares.html
…British also reject attacks…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/obama-syria.html?hpw
…and U.N. leader urges Obama to “hold off”…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/world/middleeast/un-leader-urges-obama-to-hold-off-on-a-strike.html
…Obama Administration continues to defend plan…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/world/middleeast/support-slipping-us-defends-plan-for-syria-attack.html?pagewanted=all
…France becomes first ally to support attack…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/world/europe/in-turnaround-its-france-backing-arms-while-britain-sits-on-syria-sidelines.html
…John Kerry becomes “cheerleader” for attack…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/world/middleeast/john-kerry-syria.html
…and then Obama unexpectedly decides to ask Congress for approval:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/middleeast/syria.html
Foreign Affairs:
In Egypt, military “enlists” religion to “quell ranks”…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/world/middleeast/egypt.html?pagewanted=all
…grapples with potential reaction to Western airstrikes on Syria…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/world/middleeast/looming-airstrikes-in-syria-pose-test-for-egypts-leaders-and-the-opposition.html
…and sees (omenous) signs of shift in protests from pro-Morsi to anti-government:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/world/middleeast/signs-of-a-shift-among-egyptian-protesters-to-antigovernment-from-pro-morsi.html
In Israel, “co-ed” prayer plaza causes uproar:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/26/world/middleeast/prayer-plaza-in-jerusalem-for-both-sexes-ignites-uproar.html
In Russia, billionaire Prokhorov tests political waters “within Putin framework”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/world/europe/political-endurance-test-for-russian-billionaire.html
In China, plan to send unmanned rover to moon:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/world/asia/china-plans-first-unmanned-landing-on-moon.html
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