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

 

 

This entry was posted on Monday, September 2nd, 2013 at 10:50 AM 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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