Newsletters by Carlos T Mock

Why doesn't Obama save us? Nedwsletter - June 12, 2010

2010-06-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

Why doesn't Obama save us? Nedwsletter - June 12, 2010

Oil's Well That Never Ends http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/311927/june-07-2010/oil-s-well-that-never-ends

June 8, 2010: Ass Quest 2010 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-8-2010/ass-quest-2010

“Not long ago, Barack Obama was pilloried for being too activist, too meddlesome and too inclined to see himself as the messiah. He was forcing health care reform down our throats, running General Motors, wrecking the financial system and promising to make the oceans recede. But that was a different guy, from a parallel universe. The President Obama we all know is a passive, detached do-nothing. Or so we have been hearing since the BP oil spill gained our attention. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a Republican who once denounced Democrats for scheming to "increase dependence on government," now demands that Washington do more for his state. Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who recently urged Congress to zero out the Environmental Protection Agency, challenges the administration to "save the Louisiana coast, save the fisheries, save the wetlands." Funny how nobody said that at the 2008 Republican National Convention, where the chant was "drill, baby, drill." Back then, real men didn't protect sea turtles. "For 35 days, he hasn't used the full force of our government," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., complained of the president last month. That's right: A conservative lamenting that Obama is being too cautious and prudent in his deployment of federal power. What's next? Griping that he's not enough of a socialist?” Steve Chapman

Why doesn't Obama save us? He's showing sensible restraint on the spill By Steve Chapman Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 13, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0613-chapman-20100613,0,349441.column

New York Times Editorial: BP’s Responsibility. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: June 11, 2010. The Times reported on Friday that investors and politicians in Britain are increasingly upset at America’s criticisms of BP. This isn’t an issue of American pique or British patriotism. Americans are rightly angry at BP’s inability to stop a disastrous leak for which it was wholly unprepared and its failure to tell the truth about the extent of the damage. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/opinion/12sat2.html?ref=global

New Estimates Double Rate of Oil That Flowed Into Gulf By JUSTIN GILLIS and HENRY FOUNTAIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/us/11spill.html?th&emc=th

A Tourist Mecca Fears a Long-Term Oil Smear By MICHAEL COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/12community.html?hpw

Coast Guard Sees Cleanup of Spill Lasting Until the Fall By CLIFFORD KRAUSS and JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/us/07spill.html?th&emc=th

In Gulf, It Was Unclear Who Was in Charge of Oil Rig By IAN URBINA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/us/06rig.html?th&emc=th

Colbert Report - The Word - P.R.-mageddon http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/311942/june-08-2010/the-word---p-r—mageddon

BP Stock Sinks http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/312112/june-10-2010/bp-stock-sinks

June 10, 2010: The Spilling Fields - BP Ad Campaign http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-10-2010/the-spilling-fields---bp-ad-campaign

BP Pays Out Claims, but Satisfaction Is Not Included By ROBBIE BROWN and MICHAEL COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/us/07claims.html?th&emc=th

First the Spill, Then the Lawsuits By JOHN SCHWARTZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/us/11liability.html?th&emc=th

Imagining the Worst in BP’s Future By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/business/08sorkin.html?th&emc=th

BP Directors to Discuss Suspension of Dividends By CLIFFORD KRAUSS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 11, 2010. BP said Friday that its board of directors would meet Monday to discuss whether to suspend the company’s dividend to pay spill-related claims. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/12spill.html?hpw

International

ECB leaves interest rates at 1% By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 10 2010 12:45 | Last updated: June 10 2010 12:45/ Bank of England holds interest rates at 0.5% By Norma Cohen. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 10 2010 12:02 | Last updated: June 10 2010 12:02 http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/ecb-leaves-interest-rates-at-1.html

Hungary Warns of Greek-Style Crisis By DAN BILEFSKY and MATTHEW SALTMARSH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/world/europe/05hungrary.html?hpw

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Russian Help to Quell Unrest By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ. Copyright by Reuters. Published: June 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/world/asia/13kyrgyz.html?ref=global-home

Views Show How a North Korean Policy Spread Misery By SHARON LaFRANIERE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/asia/10koreans.html?th&emc=th

Spreading thoughts of freedom among North Koreans By Michael Gerson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, June 11, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061004109.html

Police: Dutchman Confesses to Killing Lima Woman Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS . Published: June 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/06/08/world/AP-LT-Peru-Van-der-Sloot.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

China

What does China want? By Fareed Zakaria. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, June 7, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/06/AR2010060602924.html

Chinese export hopes boost confidence By Jamie Chisholm, Global Markets Commentator. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 9 2010 08:46 | Last updated: June 9 2010 13:19. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/chinese-export-hopes-boost-confidence.html

With Strikes, China’s Workers Seem to Gain Power By DAVID BARBOZA and HIROKO TABUCHI. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/business/global/09labor.html?ref=global-home

Changes in China Could Raise Prices Worldwide By DAVID BARBOZA. Copyright by Reuters. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/business/global/08wages.html?hpw

Chinese labour unrest spreads ByTom Mitchell in Hong Kong and Robin Kwong in Taipei. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010 Published: June 9 2010 06:18 | Last updated: June 9 2010 06:18. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/chinese-labour-unrest-spreads.html

4 Chinese Nationals Shot at North Korea Border By EDWARD WONG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/world/asia/09china.html?ref=global-home

Mess-o-potamia

U.N. Approves New Sanctions to Deter Iran By NEIL MacFARQUHAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/middleeast/10sanctions.html?th&emc=th

Across Iran, Anger Lies Behind Face of Calm By WILL YONG and MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/world/middleeast/12iran.html?th&emc=th

Karzai’s Isolation Worries Afghans and the West By ALISSA J. RUBIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/world/asia/08afghan.html?ref=global-home

Karzai Is Said to Doubt West Can Defeat Taliban By DEXTER FILKINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/world/asia/12karzai.html?th&emc=th

General: Kandahar operation will take longer By Craig Whitlock. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, June 10, 2010; 11:00 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061000781.html?hpid=topnews

Israel

“The assault by Israeli commandos on the Gaza aid flotilla in international waters was the work of a government that has lost sight of the national interest. It has exasperated Israel’s friends and both incensed and delighted its enemies. By behaving as though it were above the law, Israel is steadily alienating international public opinion and eroding its legitimacy – and therefore its security.” Financial Times Editorial Comment

Financial Times Editorial Comment: The siege of Gaza must be end. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 6 2010 19:53 | Last updated: June 6 2010 19:53. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/financial-times-editorial-comment-siege.html

Washington Asks: What to Do About Israel? By HELENE COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/weekinreview/06cooper.html?ref=global-home

Four Militants Killed Near Gaza Coast by Israeli Navy By ISABEL KERSHNER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/world/middleeast/08gaza.html?ref=global-home

Pressed to End Embargo, Israel Looks for New Policy By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/world/middleeast/11gaza.html?hp

National

“At an emotional hearing in the West Virginia hills where 29 miners died in April, mine workers dared to tell lawmakers the truth. One miner said that any employee who publicly complained about lethal hazards was soon a “marked man” and risked being fired. Others described slipshod safety routines, weak regulations and regulators more interested in protecting management’s profits than the lives of miners. This isn’t the first time these harsh truths have been spoken — only to have mine owners quickly return to business as usual. Senator Jay Rockefeller has vowed that things will be different. Rather than wait months for the formal investigation of the Upper Big Branch explosion to play out, the West Virginia Democrat is appealing to President Obama for sensible immediate fixes.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Listen to the Miners. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/opinion/07mon2.html?th&emc=th

June 9, 2010: Press You're Stuck http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-9-2010/press-you-re-stuck

Helen Thomas Retires in Wake of Anti-Israel Remarks By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG. Copyright by The New York Times. June 7, 2010, 12:05 PM http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/white-house-blasts-reporters-remarks/?ref=global-home

Efforts to Limit the Flow of Spill News By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/us/10access.html?th&emc=th

Obama Takes a Hard Line Against Leaks to Press By SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/politics/12leak.html?th&emc=th

Two Arrested at Kennedy Airport on Terror Charges By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/nyregion/07terror.html?th&emc=th

Search Continues After Fatal Flooding in Arkansas By LIZ ROBBINS, EVIN DEMIREL and ERIK ECKHOLM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/us/13flood.html?ref=global-home

Inquiry Finds Graves Mismarked at Arlington By YEGANEH JUNE TORBATI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/us/11arlington.html?th&emc=th

Chicagoland

“It's hard to imagine the State of Illinois' nearly $13 billion budget crisis getting any worse than it is. But that's exactly what could happen if Congress does not pass a six-month extension of the increased Medicaid funding provided by the federal stimulus package. Last year, the federal government increased the rate at which it reimbursed states for providing Medicaid. In Illinois, the fed's share of Medicaid funding rose to 62 percent, from 50 percent. That extra funding will cease at the end of this year, unless Congress votes to extend it.” Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: More Medicaid funding critical. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times .June 11, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2380662,CST-EDT-edit11b.article

Illinois suffers new credit rating blow By Nicole Bullock in New York and Hal Weitzman in Chicago. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.. Published: June 12 2010 00:10 | Last updated: June 12 2010 00:10. Illinois’ unwillingness to tackle its budget woes prompted Fitch on Friday to become the second agency in a week to downgrade the cash-strapped state, which is likely to push up the state’s borrowing costs as it prepares to issue new debt. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/illinois-suffers-new-credit-rating-blow.html

No-bid contracts draw probe - State's attorney's office talks to 2 county employees, political adviser about a dozen Cook County deals BY LISA DONOVAN Cook County Reporter. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. June 6, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/2358126,CST-NWS-probe06.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Put it all out there. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 7:18 a.m. CDT, June 5, 2010. Jason Plummer, the 27-year-old Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, has refused to release his tax returns for voters to see. Plummer's family owns the R.P. Lumber chain headquartered in Edwardsville and other businesses and partnerships. Plummer calls the controversy over his returns a distraction from more serious issues. "I don't think a person's economic status, their financial status, should be a standard for whether or not they run for office," he said. He can think whatever he wishes, but the distraction will dog him throughout the campaign. Bill Brady, the GOP candidate for governor, initially refused to release his returns, then relented and gave reporters a limited window to peruse six years of filings. They revealed that Brady paid no federal income taxes the last two years because of business losses. So Plummer wants voters to trust him — on his terms. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-edit-taxes-20100604,0,6499515.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Candidates and trust. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 6, 2010. The current junior U.S. senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, lied his way into the job. He has given five different versions — three of them sworn — about his lobbying for the appointment during the fading days of Rod Blagojevich's governorship. Burris won't be on the Nov. 2 ballot, but his conduct is enough to make Illinoisans think thrice about the truthfulness of his successor. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-trust-0606-20100606,0,1688954.story

Kirk's embellishments let foe wriggle back into race By John Kass. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 1:48 a.m. CDT, June 4, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-0604-kirk-20100603,0,6662848,full.column

Mark Kirk and the Illinois curse By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 10, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0610-chapman-20100610,0,4613876.column

Kirk again challenged over military record - Congressman's use of 'deployment' comes under scrutiny By John Chase and Todd Lighty. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 13, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/ct-met-senate-kirk-giannoulias-20100612,0,2203077.story

Open Letter to Congressman Kirk, by Carlos T Mock, June 10, 2010. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/open-letter-to-senate-candidate-mark.html

Blackhawks Win First Stanley Cup in 49 Years By JEFF Z. KLEIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/sports/hockey/10flyers.html?th&emc=th

Stanley Cup lands in Chicago, Hawks party on By Joel Hood, Rob Hart, Stacy St. Clair, Randi Belisomo, Duaa Eldeib, and Jeremy Gorner. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 10, 2010 12:01 PM http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/06/hawks-stanley-cup-land-at-ohare.html

Weather service: 15 tornadoes hit central Illinois. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 7, 2010 12:36 PM http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/06/streator-dwight-central-illinois-tornado-national-weather-service-recovery.html

Health Care

“The group concludes that health professionals who facilitated these practices were in essence conducting research and experimentation on human subjects. The main purposes of such research, the group says, were to determine how to use various techniques, to calibrate the levels of pain and to create a legal basis for defending interrogators from potential prosecution under antitorture laws. The interrogators could claim that they had acted in good faith in accord with medical judgments of safety and had not intended to inflict extreme suffering. The report from the physicians’ group does not prove its case beyond doubt — how could it when so much is still hidden? — but it rightly calls on the White House and Congress to investigate the potentially illegal human experimentation and whether those who authorized or conducted it should be punished. Those are just two of the many unresolved issues from the Bush administration that President Obama and Congressional leaders have swept under the carpet.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Doctors Who Aid Torture. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/opinion/08tue1.html?th&emc=th

Findings May Alter Care for Early Breast Cancer By ANDREW POLLACK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/health/08canc.html?th&emc=th

Growing Obesity Increases Perils of Childbearing By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/health/06obese.html?th&emc=th

Bringing Comparison Shopping to the Doctor’s Office By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/technology/11cost.html?th&emc=th

Why Patients Aren’t Getting the Shingles Vaccine By PAULINE W. CHEN, M.D.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/health/10chen.html?hpw

Medicaid Cut Places States in Budget Bind By KEVIN SACK. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/us/08medicaid.html?th&emc=th

Health Care Reform

“The United States spends much more on health care than countries with similar kinds of economies. So costs are sure to be examined closely as federal officials shape regulations under the new health care law. Americans have abundant access to high-tech diagnostic tools like CT and M.R.I. scanners, and to life-saving surgical procedures like angioplasties. Yet Americans don’t see doctors more often or live longer, healthier lives, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. And Americans’ cancer survival rates are not markedly better. In fact, the population of the United States has about the same prevalence of disease as that of other developed countries.” The New York Times

Health Spending vs. Results - Confronting the truth about America's "best health care system in the world." Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/06/business/metrics-health-care-outlier.html

New York Times Editorial: The Doctor Payment Follies. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010. The formula that is used to pay doctors who treat Medicare patients is producing increasingly absurd results. If it were to be followed this year, doctors would face a 21 percent cut in payments for the tests, procedures, office visits and other services they provide to elderly Americans. That would be a disaster, driving many doctors to stop accepting Medicare patients. Luckily, nobody is seriously contemplating that. As it has done repeatedly in recent years, Congress is readying a short-term fix that would provide a modest increase in physician fees for the next 19 months. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/opinion/06sun1.html?th&emc=th

GOP Bashing

June 9, 2010: Indecision 2010 - Primary Victory for Women http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-9-2010/indecision-2010---primary-victory-for-women?xrs=eml_tds

Did Harry Reid get a softball opponent? By Dana Milbank. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, June 10, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/09/AR2010060905298.html

Nevada Challenger Lifted by Tea Party Ardor By JENNIFER STEINHAUER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/us/politics/10nevada.html?hp

GOP's Obama vs. the real one By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 6, 2010. Don't count Bobby Jindal out. The Louisiana governor, touted as "the Republican Obama" before his first big national speech flopped, is rising again, strong enough this time to go toe-to-toe with the real President Barack Obama. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0606-page-20100606,0,684090,full.column

Calif. GOP primary winners look headed for defeat By Harold Meyerson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, June 10, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/09/AR2010060904870.html

Calif. Voting Change Could Signal Big Political Shift By JESSE McKINLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/us/politics/10prop.html?th&emc=th

An Early Campaign Gaffe Makes a Non-Issue Big By JENNIFER STEINHAUER. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/us/politics/11fiorina.html?th&emc=th

Who’s Alvin Greene? State Asks After Vote By MARK LEIBOVICH. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 11, 2010... Because everyone wants to know how Mr. Greene, an unemployed Army veteran who had been completely unknown until Tuesday, inexplicably defeated a heavily favored former legislator and judge to become the state’s Democratic nominee for the Senate — and the state’s latest political circus act. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/politics/12greene.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

Markets Up Sharply on Jobs Report Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/business/11markets.html?hp

Moody’s calms Europe bank debt fears By Megan Murphy. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 11 2010 13:22 | Last updated: June 11 2010 13:22. European banks can absorb “severe” losses on their exposure to Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Irish assets without having to raise additional capital, Moody’s, the credit ratings agency, said in a report issued on Friday. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/moodys-calms-europe-bank-debt-fears.html

SEC puts in new 'circuit breaker' rules By MARCY GORDON. Copyright By The Associated Press. Thursday, June 10, 2010; 12:55 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061002636.html?hpid=topnews

Bernanke Says the Federal Debt Is ‘Unsustainable’ By SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/business/economy/10fed.html?hp

US trade gap widens as exports fall By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 10 2010 14:40 | Last updated: June 10 2010 14:40. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/us-trade-gap-widens-as-exports-fall.html

Funding costs fall for US companies By Aline van Duyn and Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 10 2010 22:53 | Last updated: June 10 2010 23:10. Borrowing costs for industrial companies in the US have plunged, allowing some groups to pay the lowest interest rates ever on long-term debt. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/funding-costs-fall-for-us-companies.html

Sales dip raises doubts on US recovery By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 11 2010 14:08 | Last updated: June 11 2010 16:50. US retail sales recorded a surprise drop in May, breaking a seven-month stretch of solid increases and signalling that the US consumer remains stubbornly fragile. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/sales-dip-raises-doubts-on-us-recovery.html

Chrysler to recall about 600,000 Jeeps, minivans. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published on June 7, 2010 11:52 AM. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/06/chrysler-to-recall-about-600000-jeeps-minivans.html

Your Money

App helps travelers find no-fee ATMs By Fritz Faerber. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. June 10, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-travel-app-atm-finder-story-20100610,0,1937413.story

Look who's shopping with coupons - Men joining the new wave of coupon cutters to save money By Wendy Donahue. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 5, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/family/sc-cons-0603-smart-solutions-coupon-20100603,0,772590.story

No-interest, no-payments credit card leads to no fun - Address glitch means late fees pile up as bills returned to sender By Jon Yates. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 6, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/problemsolver/ct-biz-0606-problem-gow-20100606,0,590974.column

How to manage student loan debt By Michelle Singletary. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, June 6, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/05/AR2010060500721.html?hpid=topnews

Commodities

Debtors’ Prism: Who Has Europe’s Loans? By JACK EWING. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/business/global/06toxic.html?ref=global-home

Travel

Spirit Strike Could Delay Thousands. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: June 12, 2010. A strike by Spirit Airlines pilots Saturday threatened to disrupt thousands of vacationers headed to the Caribbean and Latin America from the eastern U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/06/12/business/AP-US-Spirit-Airlines-Pilots.html?hpw

Global airlines expect $2.5B profit in 2010. Copyright by Reuters. Published on June 7, 2010 6:00 AM http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/06/global-airlines-expect-25b-profit-in-2010.html

Airlines overpack for summer travel - FAA says carriers can cut delays by reducing flights during peak airport hours By Jon Hilkevitch and Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 5:36 p.m. CDT, June 6, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-met-ohare-over-scheduling-0607-20100606,0,1684308.story

36 Hours in Brussels By ELAINE GLUSAC. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/travel/13hours.html?hpw

Religion

Vermont: Settlement in Priest Abuse Cases. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: May 13, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14brfs-SETTLEMENTIN_BRF.html

GLBT

New York Times Editorial: A Basic Civil Right. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/opinion/11fri1.html?th&emc=th

In Iowa, Other Issues Crowd Out Gay Marriage By MONICA DAVEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/us/politics/08iowa.html?th&emc=th

Ike Skelton Against DADT Repeal - Join GetEqual.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qA8HAHuG2I

Hawaii Gov Consults With Rabbis on Civil Unions. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: June 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/06/12/us/AP-US-Civil-Unions-Lingle.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Surgery no longer required for transgender people to change sex on US passports By CHRISTINE SIMMONS. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 11:13 p.m. CDT, June 9, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-ap-us-transgender-travelers-passports,0,6090875.story

Legal

“ON THE SUBJECT of campaign finance regulation, the Supreme Court is out of control. The latest manifestation is the court's unwarranted intervention in Arizona's upcoming election. For more than a decade, elections for state office in Arizona have been conducted under a voluntary system of public financing. Among other provisions, participating candidates receive additional public funds if their wealthy or otherwise well-funded opponents choose not to take part in the system and choose to spend more than a specified amount. Some would-be big spenders challenged the law, claiming that the extra public funds violated their free-speech rights. In advance of deciding whether to hear that case, the justices took the extraordinary -- and extraordinarily unwise -- step of issuing an emergency order to block the state from dispensing the extra funds.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: More judicial activism on campaign finance rules. Copyright by The Washington Post . Friday, June 11, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/10/AR2010061004708.html

New York Times Editorial: Keeping Politics Safe for the Rich. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 8, 2010. In a burst of judicial activism, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upended the gubernatorial race in Arizona, cutting off matching funds to candidates participating in the state’s public campaign finance system. Suddenly, three candidates, including Gov. Jan Brewer, can no longer receive public funds they had counted on to run against a free-spending wealthy opponent. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/opinion/09wed1.html?th&emc=th

New Ground Zero Deal Gives Plaintiffs $712.5 Million By A. G. SULZBERGER and MIREYA NAVARRO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/nyregion/11zero.html?hp

Countrywide Pays $108 Million to Settle Fees Complaint By EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/business/08ftc.html?ref=global-home

Goldman accused of hindering crisis probe By Tom Braithwaite in Washington and Francesco Guerrera and Justin Baer in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 7 2010 18:03 | Last updated: June 7 2010 22:25. The US Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission accused Goldman Sachs on Monday of an “abysmal” response to requests for information and said it had issued a subpoena to compel the bank to provide documents and executives for interviews. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/goldman-accused-of-hindering-crisis.html

Technology

Already an iPhone 4 Spoof–With Jane Lynch and Kassem G http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100607/already-an-iphone-4-spoof-with-jane-lynch-and-kassem-g/?reflink=ATD_yahoo_ticker

On Newest iPhone, Another Camera and a Gyroscope By MIGUEL HELFT and JENNA WORTHAM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/technology/08apple.html?th&emc=th

Analyst sees Apple's iPhone on the T-Mobile network as soon as this fall. Copyright By The Associated Press. 10:50 a.m. CDT, June 10, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-apple-ahead-of-the-bell,0,7935995.story

Antitrust probe looms for Apple on mobile ads By Joseph Menn and Richard Waters in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 9 2010 23:07 | Last updated: June 10 2010 01:43. US antitrust regulators plan to investigate whether Apple is unfairly restricting rivals such as Google and Microsoft in the market for advertisements carried on the iPhone, iPad and iPod, people familiar with the move said on Wednesday. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/antitrust-probe-looms-for-apple-on.html

AT&T Said to Expose iPad Users’ Addresses By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/technology/10apple.html?th&emc=th

Google's changed home page sparks confusion. Copyright by Dow Jones Newswires. Published on June 10, 2010 4:53 PM http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/06/google-homepage-offers-background-images.html

Some Facebook users quit with little fanfare - Many of them said using the site became an alienating experience By Wailin Wong. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 7:14 p.m. CDT, June 9, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sc-biz-0610-facebook-quitters-20100609,0,3921822.story

Other

WEAKLY HUMERUS NEWS 06-12-10 AIMED AT YOUR FUNNY BONE http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/weakly-humerus-news-06-12-10-aimed-at.html

Funniest commercial ever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqBy6TgYxTU&feature=email

Jake Gyllenhaal So Funny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7emwOWB6NDQ

Why you might miss Rodney Dangerfield ........... ? http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-you-might-miss-rodney-dangerfield.html

I rarely use thye brace. Been off narcotics for a week. Have almost 80% of my left hand function back. Thanks to all who prayed and helped take care of me.

Ps. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, just go to my website: www.carlostmock.com and go the the subscription link. It will appear in your email every week.

In Pride (orgullo),

Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Cuba Libre, “Mentirita” The book is out. you can buy it at: http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=a0b517e687814469f8153c5070d69f99

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The Spilling Fields Newsletter - June 5, 2010

2010-06-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Spilling Fields Newsletter - June 5, 2010

The Spilling Fields http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-1-2010/the-spilling-fields

Cenac - The Spilling Fields - Oil Leak Containment Ideas http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-1-2010/cenac---the-spilling-fields---oil-leak-containment-ideas?xrs=rss_tdsvids

Colbert Report - Up Brit Creek http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309923/june-01-2010/up-brit-creek

Colbert Report - Crude & Unusual http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/310039/june-03-2010/crude---unusual

“The nation’s political leaders have had a lot to say in recent years about America’s addiction to fossil fuels and the need to find cleaner, more climate-friendly alternatives. In recent weeks, they have had a lot to say about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. On Wednesday, President Obama put them together. In a speech at Carnegie Mellon University, he invoked the spill to pound on Congress about its duty to pass a comprehensive energy bill that addresses oil dependency and global warming. The House has passed such a bill, but a companion measure in the Senate languishes, hostage to solid Republican opposition, exaggerated fears about its costs and timidity on the part of the Democratic leadership. “I will work with anyone from either party to get this done,” he said. Mr. Obama’s task is to follow up that vow with action. We are not optimistic that his implacable Republican opposition will work with him on anything. But perhaps the spreading nightmare on the waters of the gulf will get a few to break with the party line.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Spill and Energy Bill. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: June 4, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/opinion/05sat1.html?th&emc=th

Obama’s opportunity to move US beyond oil By Edward Luce in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 23:48 | Last updated: May 31 2010 23:48... There is another avenue available. While straining every sinew to contain this disaster, Mr Obama could seize the chance to overhaul America’s energy debate. As Mr Obama himself has made plain, every crisis is an opportunity. This summer may well be his best to move the US towards a future in which oil is a thing of the past. We know Vulcans are intelligent. But are they creative? http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/obamas-opportunity-to-move-us-beyond.html

BP ‘not prepared’ for deep-water spill By Ed Crooks in Houston. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 2 2010 16:20 | Last updated: June 3 2010 08:55. BP did not have all the equipment needed to stop the leak from its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the explosion on an oil rig six weeks ago, the UK company’s chief executive admitted. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/bp-not-prepared-for-deep-water-spill.html

Cleanup Draws Critics Over Speed and Care By LESLIE KAUFMAN and JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/us/31cleanup.html?hpw

U.S. Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Oil Spill By HELENE COOPER and PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/us/02spill.html?th&emc=th

Another Torrent BP Works to Stem: Its C.E.O. By JAD MOUAWAD and CLIFFORD KRAUSS. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 3, 2010. BP, already bedeviled by an out-of-control well spewing millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, now finds itself with one more problem: Tony Hayward, its gaffe-prone chief executive. Mr. Hayward on YouTube, pledging, “We will make this right.” Among his memorable lines: The spill is not going to cause big problems because the gulf “is a very big ocean” and “the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to have been very, very modest.” And this week, he apologized to the families of 11 men who died on the rig for having said, “You know, I’d like my life back.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/us/04image.html?th&emc=th

Cap Is Collecting Oil, but Result of Effort Is Still Unclear By MICHAEL COOPER, PETER BAKER and HENRY FOUNTAIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/us/politics/05obama.html?th&emc=th

Pelicans, Back From Brink of Extinction, Face Oil Threat By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF and LESLIE KAUFMAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/us/05pelican.html?hp

International

Japan Elects a New Premier, Fifth in Four Years By MARTIN FACKLER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/world/asia/05japan.html?hp

German businesses could steer the country out of the eurozone By Howard Schneider. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, June 5, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/04/AR2010060404815.html?hpid=topnews

Eurozone jobless rise to highest level in decade By Stanley Pignal in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 1 2010 11:49 | Last updated: June 1 2010 11:49. Unemployment continued to rise in the eurozone in April, to 10.1 per cent, the highest level of joblessness in more than a decade. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/eurozone-jobless-rise-to-highest-level.html

India’s economy grows 8.6 per cent By James Lamont in New Delhi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 08:00 | Last updated: May 31 2010 11:34. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/indias-economy-grows-86-per-cent.html

China

“CHINA HAS BEEN treating its neighbors, and the world, to a demonstration of why its rising power is not necessarily to be welcomed. Though it has become undeniable that its neighbor and client, North Korea, committed an act of war by sinking a South Korean warship in March, Beijing continues to shield the loathsome regime of Kim Jong Il. An authoritative investigation by a multinational commission has produced fragments of the torpedo fired by the North's submarine, yet Chinese officials continue to pretend they don't know the facts of what happened. Their public statements are limited to empty calls for "restraint." Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: China's Korea crisis Copyright by The Washington Post . Monday, May 31, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003382.html

China’s Military an Obstacle to Improving Relations, Gates Says By THOM SHANKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/world/asia/05gates.html?hpw

Chinese Edge Toward Supercomputing Record By JOHN MARKOFF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/science/01compute.html?hpw

China property risk is worse than in US By Geoff Dyer in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 20:08 | Last updated: May 31 2010 20:08. The problems in China’s housing market are more severe than those in the US before the financial crisis because they combine a potential bubble with the risk of social discontent, according to an adviser to the Chinese central bank. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/china-property-risk-is-worse-than-in-us.html

In Leaked Lecture, Details of China’s News Cleanups By ANDREW JACOBS. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/world/asia/04china.html?th&emc=th

Israel

Clusterf#&k to the War House – Korean Peninsula & Middle East http://vodpod.com/watch/3760784-daily-show-clusterfk-to-the-war-house-korean-peninsula-middle-east

“Israel’s government has decided to tough out the criticism of its attack this week on a six-ship flotilla trying to run the Gaza blockade. The story, and the anger, aren’t going away. The news wires on Thursday were filled with pictures of grieving mourners as Turkey held funerals for 8 of the 9 activists killed on the lead ship. Some of the more than 600 activists from 42 countries, released from Israeli detention, are accusing Israel of a litany of abuses. Israel’s charges that its commandos were attacked and shot at by some of the ship’s passengers are being ignored by everyone except its most passionate defenders. We still don’t know what happened on that ship. But we are sure that before things get even more out of control, the world — and Israel — needs an impartial international investigation. Instead of pressing for that, the Obama administration is encouraging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s misguided belief that Israel can lead its own probe with international participation. That is not going to suffice.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: A Credible Investigation. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/opinion/04fri3.html?th&emc=th

Israel and the USA, A similar situation like Korea and China By Carlos T Mock, MD. June 2, 2010. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/israel-and-usa-similar-situation-like.html

After Flotilla Raid, U.S. Is Torn Between Allies By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/world/middleeast/02policy.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Israel and the Blockade. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: June 1, 2010. The supporters of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla had more than humanitarian intentions. The Gaza Freedom March made its motives clear in a statement before Monday’s deadly confrontation: “A violent response from Israel will breathe new life into the Palestine solidarity movement, drawing attention to the blockade.” There can be no excuse for the way that Israel completely mishandled the incident. A commando raid on the lead, Turkish-flagged ship left nine activists dead and has opened Israel to a torrent of criticism. This is a grievous, self-inflicted wound. It has damaged Israel’s ties with Turkey, once its closest ally in the Muslim world; given the Hamas-led government in Gaza a huge propaganda boost; and complicated peace talks with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/opinion/02wed1.html?th&emc=th

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Israel is lost at sea. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 19:12 | Last updated: May 31 2010 19:12. With Monday’s brazen act of piracy, Israel dealt a blow to the legitimacy of its own struggle. The killing of activists aboard the captured ships sent Israel’s way of defending its security, which it was already imperative to return within the bounds of international law, hurtling into lawlessness. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/financial-times-editorial-comment.html

Washington Post Editorial: The flotilla fiasco Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, June 1, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/31/AR2010053103160.html

Saving Israel From Itself By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 2, 2010. When reports first circulated on Twitter of a deadly attack by Israeli commandos on the Gaza flotilla, I didn’t forward them because they seemed implausible. I thought: Israel wouldn’t be so obtuse as to use lethal force on self-described peace activists in international waters with scores of reporters watching. Ah, but it turned out that Israel could be so obtuse after all. It shot itself in the foot, blasting American toes as well, and undermined all of its longer-term strategic objectives. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/opinion/03kristof.html?th&emc=th

Israel Signals New Flexibility on Gaza Shipments By ISABEL KERSHNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/world/middleeast/04flotilla.html?th&emc=th

Thousands in Turkey Mourn Victims of Israeli Raid By SABRINA TAVERNISE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/world/europe/04turkey.html?th&emc=th

Israeli Military Boards Gaza-Bound Aid Ship By ISABEL KERSHNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 5, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/world/middleeast/06flotilla.html?hpw

The Palestinians cannot be hammered into submission By Philip Stephens. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 3 2010 21:11 | Last updated: June 3 2010 21:11. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government sees the world through the prism of force. Only when Israel’s enemies have been crushed will it contemplate talking to them. Power has thus become the enemy rather than an instrument of peace. A rhetorical willingness to negotiate has been emptied of meaning. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/palestinians-cannot-be-hammered-into.html

Mess-o-potamia

Strike Is Said to Kill a Top Qaeda Leader By ERIC SCHMITT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 31, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/asia/01qaeda.html?th&emc=th

NATO Has High Hopes for Afghan Peace Council By ALISSA J. RUBIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/world/asia/31afghan.html?hpw

National

Obama to Name Retired General to Top Spy Post By PETER BAKER and ERIC SCHMITT. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/us/politics/05intel.html?th&emc=th

Chicagoland

Real Time With Bill Maher New Rules 5/28/10 http://realtimewithbillmaher.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-rules-52810.html

Tempting Area for Exaggeration Meets Tools of the YouTube Era By ADAM NAGOURNEY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 4, 2010. It happened again. Another candidate for office is struggling to reconcile misleading statements he made about his record in the military. This time, it is Representative Mark Kirk, a Republican from Illinois running for the Senate, apologizing for misleading statements he made about, among other things, serving in the first Iraq war and in Kosovo. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/us/politics/05campaign.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Pants on Fire Award. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 6:55 p.m. CDT, June 1, 2010. The Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Award recognizes "the exceptional achievements of an outstanding Naval Intelligence career professional." It's a big deal. U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a 21-year Navy reservist, can list it proudly on his resume. Instead, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate has diminished the award — and himself — by misrepresenting it as an even bigger deal: The U.S. Navy's Intelligence Officer of the Year...."I think he's got an honorable record," Giannoulias said. "I don't know why he feels the need to embellish the record and not tell the truth." Neither do we. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-kirk-20100601,0,7271126.story

Kirk apologizes for military embellishment © 2010 United Press International, Inc.. Published: June 3, 2010 at 7:52 PM. Mark Kirk, the Republican congressman running for U.S. Senate in Illinois, apologized Thursday for misstatements about his military record. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/03/Kirk-apologizes-for-military-embellishment/UPI-68361275609156/hment

Mark Kirk - "The Iraqi Air Defense Network was shooting at us" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeFf4JNx3tc&feature=player_embedded

G.O.P. Senate Candidate from Illinois Acknowledges Incorrect Reference to Award By MONICA DAVEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/us/politics/30kirk.html?hpw

Chicago Tribune Editorial: The Nov. 2 election. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 30, 2010. They are pleasant people, most of these Illinois lawmakers who need to be voted from office. But there is no point to bathing them in soft encouragements, to say they should "summon the courage to act" or "demonstrate true leadership." They've had their chances and flat-out refused to deliver. Their devotion to nothing more noble than their own political survival has become the reason to deprive them of it. Failure can lead to consequences. Intentional failure should. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-state-20100530,0,2734217.story

GOP Bashing

Why I should be the Next President of the USA By Carlos T Mock, MD. May 30, 2010. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-i-should-be-next-president-of-usa.html

The fake feminism of Sarah Palin By Jessica Valenti. Copyright by the Washington Post. Sunday, May 30, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052802263.html?hpid=artslot

Beck apologizes for mocking Obama’s daughter. Copyright by CNN News. Posted: May 29th, 2010 04:04 PM ET http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/29/beck-apologizes-for-mocking-obama%E2%80%99s-daughter/?fbid=LpcWLxi1v_4

So You Still Want to Choose Your Senator? By DAVID FIRESTONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 31, 2010. Few members of the Tea Party have endorsed Rand Paul’s misgivings about the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but a surprising number are calling for the repeal of an older piece of transformative legislation: the 17th Amendment. If you don’t have the Constitution on your smartphone, that’s the one adopted in 1913 that provides for direct popular election of United States senators. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/opinion/01tue4.html?ref=opinion

The Really Creepy People Behind the Libertarian-Inspired Billionaire Sea Castles - The stinking rich are planning billion-dollar luxury liners that keep the land-based Americans they've plundered at a safe distance. By Mark Ames. Copyright by AlterNet. June 2, 2010 http://www.alternet.org/story/147058/the_really_creepy_people_behind_the_libertarian-inspired_billionaire_sea_castles?page=entire

Health Care

The Doctor Will See You Now. Please Log On By MILT FREUDENHEIM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/business/30telemed.html?th&emc=th

When Patients Meet Online, Are There Side Effects? By NATASHA SINGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/business/30stream.html?th&emc=th

Opponents of Abortion Advance Cause at State Level By JOHN LELAND. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 2, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/health/policy/03abortion.html?th&emc=th

Health Care Reform

What's Next for You and Your Doctors - Worried health care reform will cause you to wait for treatment? Don't be. by: Mary A. Fischer. Copyright by AARP The Magazine July/August 2010 issue http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-05-2010/whats-next-for-you-and-your-doctors.html

The Economy

U.S. Stocks Falter; Nasdaq Breaches 200-Day Line By VINCENT MAO. Copyright by THE INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY . June 1, 2010, 05:08 PM ET http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/535891/201006012208/US-Stocks-Falter-Nasdaq-Breaches-200-Day-Line.aspx

The Pain Caucus By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010... A similar argument is used to justify fiscal austerity. Both textbook economics and experience say that slashing spending when you’re still suffering from high unemployment is a really bad idea — not only does it deepen the slump, but it does little to improve the budget outlook, because much of what governments save by spending less they lose as a weaker economy depresses tax receipts. And the O.E.C.D. predicts that high unemployment will persist for years. Nonetheless, the organization demands both that governments cancel any further plans for economic stimulus and that they begin “fiscal consolidation” next year. Why do this? Again, to give markets something they shouldn’t want and currently don’t. Right now, investors don’t seem at all worried about the solvency of the U.S. government; the interest rates on federal bonds are near historic lows. And even if markets were worried about U.S. fiscal prospects, spending cuts in the face of a depressed economy would do little to improve those prospects. But cut we must, says the O.E.C.D., because inadequate consolidation efforts “would risk adverse reactions in financial markets.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/opinion/31krugman.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Adds Jobs in May, but Private Hiring Disappoints By CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/economy/05jobs.html?hp

A Jobless Rate Still Unaffected by New Hiring By MOTOKO RICH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/business/economy/04workers.html?th&emc=th

Worries over Hungary drive forint to one-year low By Neil Buckley, East Europe editor. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 4 2010 15:19 | Last updated: June 4 2010 15:19. Hungary’s currency fell to a one-year low against the euro on Friday after a senior official warned for the second time in two days about the weakness of its economy and public finances. The forint fell about 2 per cent after Peter Szijjarto, a spokesman for prime minister Viktor Orban, was quoted by news agencies as saying Hungary’s economy was in a grave situation and that a default was a possibility. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/worries-over-hungary-drive-forint-to.html

US manufacturers cautious on recovery By Hal Weitzman in Chicago and Jeremy Lemer. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 3 2010 23:39 | Last updated: June 3 2010 23:39. When Boeing, the world’s second biggest aircraft-maker, announced this year that it planned to increase production of its 777, 747 and 737 models ahead of schedule, it was a positive sign for global industrial demand. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/us-manufacturers-cautious-on-recovery.html

Lawmakers move to toughen ‘Volcker rule’ By Tom Braithwaite in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 2 2010 23:10 | Last updated: June 3 2010 01:35... Congressional negotiators are moving to toughen financial reform legislation, raising the chances that banks will face a strict ban on proprietary trading and a new conflict of interest rule, people involved in the deliberations say. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/lawmakers-move-to-toughen-volcker-rule.html

G20 to delay tough bank regulations By Chris Giles in Busan. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 4 2010 12:59 | Last updated: June 4 2010 15:14. Group of 20 finance ministers are set to delay the implementation of tougher regulations for the world’s banks as splits emerge over the scope of the new regulations. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/g20-to-delay-tough-bank-regulations.html

G20 drops support for fiscal stimulus By Chris Giles and Christian Oliver in Busan. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 5 2010 11:54 | Last updated: June 5 2010 11:54. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/g20-drops-support-for-fiscal-stimulus.html

Offshore Corporate Tax Havens: Why Are They Still Allowed? By Arianna Huffington. Copyright by The Huffington Post. Posted: June 1, 2010 06:34 PM http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/offshore-corporate-tax-ha_b_596753.html?ref=email_share

Your Money

Credit cards reward the smartest users - Pay your bill monthly and gain more than a free loan By Jim Gallagher, McClatchy. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. June 6, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sc-cons-money-0603-credit-card-20100603-15,0,1012730.story

Commodities

Despite U.S. deficit concerns, investors still pour money into Treasury bonds By Neil Irwin. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, June 1, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/31/AR2010053103456.html?hpid=topnews

Housing

Owners Stop Paying Mortgages, and Stop Fretting By DAVID STREITFELD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 31, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/business/01nopay.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1275400827-oWVodUTbD3jlUhnexGcXyw

US pending home sales jump in April By Simone Baribeau in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 2 2010 15:55 | Last updated: June 2 2010 15:55. Pending home sales in the US jumped 6 per cent in April as homebuyers took advantage of a popular tax credit ahead of its April 30 expiration. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/us-pending-home-sales-jump-in-april.html

Travel

“It would be nice if airlines would commit on their own to treat their passengers right: ensuring, at a minimum, that if you buy a ticket you get a seat and have a reasonable expectation of reaching your destination on time and with your luggage. In today’s world — where air travel is more of an ordeal than an adventure — this is, unfortunately, not the case. The Obama administration’s new consumer protections for beleaguered airline passengers — including higher compensation for travelers bumped from oversold flights and prominent disclosure of all service fees — are much needed.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: We Might Decide to Fly. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/opinion/04fri1.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Proposes Rules on Airline Tickets and Fees. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: June 2, 2010. Airline passengers would receive as much as $1,300 for being bumped from a flight and would have 24 hours to cancel reservations without penalty under a series of consumer measures proposed Wednesday by the Obama administration. Currently, airlines must pay up to $800. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/business/03air.html?hp

Summer of Full Flights and High Fares By JANE L. LEVERE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 31, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/business/01summer.html?th&emc=th

Religion

Pope Names Team to Investigate Abuse in Ireland By RACHEL DONADIO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 31, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/europe/01vatican.html?th&emc=th

Prospective Catholic Priests Face Sexuality Hurdles By PAUL VITELLO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010. Every job interview has its awkward moments, but in recent years, the standard interview for men seeking a life in the Roman Catholic priesthood has made the awkward moment a requirement. “When was the last time you had sex?” all candidates for the seminary are asked. (The preferred answer: not for three years or more.) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/nyregion/31gay.html?hpw

Science

New York Times Editorial: One Cell Forward. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010. In a recent issue of Science magazine, the genome pioneer Craig Venter announced that he and scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute had created a “synthetic cell.” Mr. Venter heralded it as “the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer” and said it could allow humans to create new vaccines and biofuels using artificial microbes. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/opinion/30sun3.html?th&emc=th

Legal

New York Times Editorial: Speaking Up to Stay Silent Copyright by The New York Times . Published: June 1, 2010... The court’s 5-to-4 opinion in the case of Berghuis v. Thompkins said that a suspect who wants the police to stop an interrogation must explicitly invoke the right to remain silent. Otherwise, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority, the questioning can continue. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/opinion/02wed2.html?th&emc=th

David Souter vs. the Antonin Scalias By E.J. Dionne Jr. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, June 3, 2010. It should become the philosophical shot heard 'round the country. In a remarkable speech that received far too little attention, former Supreme Court justice David Souter took direct aim at the conservatives' favorite theory of judging. Souter's verdict: It "has only a tenuous connection to reality." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060203496.html

Immigration

Bill Maher's final new rule on 5-07-10- illegal immigration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_fwNN_Pyyw

Foes and Supporters of New Immigration Law Gather in Arizona By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/us/30immig.html?th&emc=th

Ariz gov. bypasses attorney general on immigration lawsuits. Copyright By CNN News. May 29, 2010 3:45 p.m. EDT. Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona has bypassed Attorney General Terry Goddard and will rely on other lawyers to defend the state against lawsuits challenging its controversial law targeting illegal immigration, according to a statement. The legislature gave Brewer the power to hire outside counsel "because of its lack of confidence in the Attorney General's willingness to vigorously defend" the law, she said in the statement. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/29/arizona.immigration.attorney.general/index.html?hpt=T2

Immigration Debate Defines Race in California By ADAM NAGOURNEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/us/05calif.html?th&emc=th

GLBT

What’s wrong with the GLBT Movement? By Carlos T Mock, MD Copyright by Ambiente Magazine, June Issue http://www.ambiente.us/06010CTMock.html

DADT: Compromise, Faith and Full Equality by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 25 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/dadt-compromise-faith-and-full-equality.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

DADT: Muddy Waters by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 26 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/dadt-muddy-waters.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Repealing 'don't ask': History or hysteria? By Carolyn Lochhead. Copyright by The San Francisco Chronicle. Monday, May 31, 2010 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F05%2F30%2FMNJQ1DM6GQ.DTL

John McCain: Filibuster to Stop ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal? by Eve Conant. May 27, 2010. Copyright by Newsweek http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/05/27/john-mccain-filibuster-to-stop-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-repeal-.html

McCain Circulates Service Chiefs Letter Urging Congress to Hold Off on DADT Repeal Vote, While Mullen Stresses 'Moral Courage' Copyright by Towleroad. June 1, 2010 http://www.towleroad.com/2010/05/mullen.html

Top officer talks change as gay ban vote nears By KRISTEN WYATT. Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gO1CkBTvEmlL-47kgdQgkIHd6sFAD9FUMSR00

Gay? Whatever, Dude By CHARLES M. BLOW. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/opinion/05blow.html?th&emc=th Editorial comment: I did not make the author’s name up!

GetEQUAL co-founder arrested at Obama event by Rex Wockner. Copyright by Rex Wockner and Windy City Times. 2010-06-02 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26755

Technology

Colbert Report - Who's Riding My Coattails Now? - iPad Suit Pocket http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/310041/june-03-2010/who-s-riding-my-coattails-now----ipad-suit-pocket

Apple sells 2m iPads in two months By Joseph Menn in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 20:56 | Last updated: May 31 2010 20:56. A strong international debut for Apple ’s iPad had lifted sales of the tablet computer to 2m since its US launch two months ago, the company said, a rate exceeding the most recent public figures for its flagship Mac laptop and desktop computers. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/apple-sells-2m-ipads-in-two-months.html

Appholes http://www.thedailyshow.com/collection/309080/the-daily-show-s-best-apple-moments/307953

Steve Jobs Muses on All Things Apple By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. June 2, 2010, 12:04 am http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/steve-jobs-muses-on-all-things-apple/?th&emc=th

Heaviest Users of Phone Data Will Pay More By MATT RICHTEL. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: June 2, 2010. They spend hours watching video on their phones, downloading songs, browsing the Web, sending photos to friends and generally using mobile devices as full-fledged computers. They are the data hogs. On Wednesday, AT&T pulled away the trough. And other wireless carriers could do the same. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/technology/03phone.html?th&emc=th

AT&T's New iPhone Data Plans: Pros and Cons By Ian Paul. Copyright by PC World. Jun 4, 2010 11:02 am. The discussion continues around AT&T's new tiered data plans for the iPhone, and whether AT&T's decision will significantly impact how new iPhone owners use their device. http://www.pcworld.com/article/197992/atandts_new_iphone_data_plans_pros_and_cons.html

Skype for iPhone now supports 3G, but free ride's ending By Ben Patterson. Copyright by Yahoo News. June 3, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc2393

Google to hand over intercepted data By Maija Palmer and Lionel Barber in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 3 2010 23:04 | Last updated: June 3 2010 23:04. Google will begin handing over to European regulators the rogue data it intercepted from private WiFi internet connections within the next two days, in an effort to defuse growing controversy over its latest privacy blunder. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/google-to-hand-over-intercepted-data.html

Google ditches Windows on security concerns By David Gelles and Richard Waters in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 31 2010 23:26 | Last updated: May 31 2010 23:26. Google is phasing out the internal use of Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows operating system because of security concerns, according to several Google employees. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/google-ditches-windows-on-security.html

Microsoft chief defends Windows’ future By Joseph Menn in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: June 3 2010 20:17 | Last updated: June 3 2010 20:17. Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft, on Thursday gave a spirited defence of the software company’s strategy and the future of its Windows operating system, following an assertion from Steve Jobs earlier in the week that personal computers that run it are in permanent decline. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/microsoft-chief-defends-windows-future.html

H.P. Will Cut 9,000 Jobs as It Streamlines Its Data Centers By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/technology/02hewlett.html?th&emc=th

Education

Placing the Blame as Students Are Buried in Debt By RON LIEBER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010. Like many middle-class families, Cortney Munna and her mother began the college selection process with a grim determination. They would do whatever they could to get Cortney into the best possible college, and they maintained a blind faith that the investment would be worth it. Today, however, Ms. Munna, a 26-year-old graduate of New York University, has nearly $100,000 in student loan debt from her four years in college, and affording the full monthly payments would be a struggle. For much of the time since her 2005 graduation, she’s been enrolled in night school, which allows her to defer loan payments. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/your-money/student-loans/29money.html?hpw

Other

WEAKLY HUMERUS NEWS 06-05-10 AIMED AT YOUR FUNNY BONE http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/06/weakly-humerus-news-06-05-10-aimed-at.html

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Drill Baby Drill - The President Confronts The Spill Newsletter - May 29, 2010

2010-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Drill Baby Drill - The President Confronts The Spill Newsletter - May 29, 2010

“President Obama’s news conference on Thursday was partly a political exercise aimed at showing that his administration is on top of the unfolding disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. But what really mattered were Mr. Obama’s promises to call a timeout on coastal drilling and to shape up the federal bureaucracy, strengthen oversight of the drilling industry and do whatever else is required to prevent similar catastrophes in the future. These are necessary steps since there are other offshore rigs drilling at depths even greater than the Deepwater Horizon — and just as risky.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The President Confronts the Spill Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/opinion/28fri1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Gives a Bipartisan Commission Six Months to Revise Drilling Rules By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 22, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/us/23address.html?th&emc=th

Obama Extends Moratorium; Agency Chief Resigns By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28drill.html?hpw

Estimates Suggest Spill Is Biggest in U.S. History By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28flow.html?hp

Panel Suggests Signs of Trouble Before Rig Explosion By HENRY FOUNTAIN and TOM ZELLER Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 25, 2010. In the hours before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded last month in the Gulf of Mexico, there were strong warning signs that something was terribly wrong with the well, according to a Congressional committee that was briefed on the accident by executives from BP. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/us/26rig.html?hp

Inspector General’s Inquiry Faults Regulators. By IAN URBINA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 24, 2010. Federal regulators responsible for oversight of drilling in the Gulf of Mexico allowed industry officials several years ago to fill in their own inspection reports in pencil — and then turned them over to the regulators, who traced over them in pen before submitting the reports to the agency, according to an inspector general’s report to be released this week. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/us/25mms.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1274799663-i+9+HIWcIvwKeNFqDVuYWw

In the wake of Deepwater, let's put the environment first - Drill, baby, drill' is a pretty good indication of where the national ethos had drifted. By Eugene Robinson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 28, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704153.html

Expert Is Confident About Sealing Oil Well By HENRY FOUNTAIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 24, 2010. Pat Campbell never met a well he couldn’t kill. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/us/25well.html?th&emc=th

‘Top Kill’ Effort Seems to Be Working, U.S. Says Cautiously By CLIFFORD KRAUSS and JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28spill.html?hp

Obama orders halt to deep-water drilling in the Gulf By Michael D. Shear and Scott Wilson. Copyright by The Washington Post . Thursday, May 27, 2010; 2:18 PM. President Obama ordered a halt Thursday to drilling operations at all 33 exploratory deep-water rigs in the Gulf of Mexico for as long as six months, one of several new restrictions on offshore drilling he announced at a news conference. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052701172.html?hpid=topnews

Despite Leak, Louisiana Is Still Devoted to Oil By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 22, 2010. In some parts of the country, the sight of oil drifting toward the Louisiana coast, oozing into the fragile marshlands and bringing large parts of the state’s economy to a halt, has prompted calls to stop offshore drilling indefinitely, if not altogether. Here, in the middle of things, those calls are few. Here, in fact, the unfolding disaster is not even prompting a reconsideration of the 75th annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/us/23drill.html?th&emc=th

Up to 14 hurricanes, 7 of them major, predicted for Atlantic this season By Michael E. Ruane. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, May 27, 2010; 11:39 AM. Federal weather forecasters Thursday predicted an "active to extremely active" Atlantic hurricane season this year, with as many as 14 hurricanes, seven of them major. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052701390.html?hpid=topnews

International

“Germany’s commitment to the European Union has been central to its postwar rehabilitation and its economic success. For years, Germany played the role in Europe that America so frequently plays globally — the locomotive whose dynamism and demand helps turn around recessions before they deepen into depressions. Now, at the worst possible moment, Germany is turning to nationalist illusions. Europe’s past economic successes are now viewed as German successes. Europe’s current deep problems are everyone else’s except Germany’s. That is neither realistic nor sustainable. But German politicians and commentators are callously and self-destructively feeding these ideas.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Germany vs. Europe. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 26, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/opinion/27thu1.html?ref=opinion

Bond issues stall as euro crisis bites By David Oakley in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 23 2010 22:03 | Last updated: May 23 2010 22:03. Company and financial bond issuance has collapsed in Europe in recent weeks because of worries over the eurozone’s public debt problems and the unco-ordinated political response to the single currency’s gravest crisis in its 11-year existence. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/bond-issues-stall-as-euro-crisis-bites.html

Euro’s fall deals new hit to risk appetite By Jamie Chisholm. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010 Published: May 24 2010 08:34 | Last updated: May 24 2010 13:24. Monday 13:15 BST. A sudden drop in the euro has whipped the rug from under European markets, reversing an early tentative advance for stocks as traders are once again fretting about the fragility of the eurozone economy. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/euros-fall-deals-new-hit-to-risk.html

One false move in Europe could set off global chain reaction By Howard Schneider and Neil Irwin. Copyright by The Washington Post . Monday, May 24, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/23/AR2010052304170.html?hpid=topnews

Merkel has joined Thatcher in Europe’s corner shop By Philip Stephens. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 27 2010 22:25 | Last updated: May 27 2010 22:25. Angela Merkel has begun to sound awfully like Margaret Thatcher. Germany has caught the British disease. If the affliction keeps hold, Europe is doomed. The European Union has learnt to live with Britain’s bean-counting. It will not survive a German decision to play the same zero-sum game. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/merkel-has-joined-thatcher-in-europes.html

In Europe, Britain May Face Largest Debt Hurdle By LANDON THOMAS Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 24, 2010. As governments from Greece to Portugal to Spain try to sell markets on their budget-cutting zeal, the country that may face the biggest hurdle is Britain. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/business/global/25debt.html?hpw

Earnings blow for Italy and Portugal By Richard Milne in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 23 2010 22:34 | Last updated: May 23 2010 22:34. Italian and Portuguese companies have performed significantly worse than expected in the first-quarter earnings season as problems with public finances and lack of competitiveness take a toll on corporate profitability. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/earnings-blow-for-italy-and-portugal.html

Spain News Sends Stocks Into Decline By CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010. If the American markets ever needed a reminder of how volatile Europe has made them this month, they got it on Friday. Right after lunch, the Fitch ratings firm announced that it had downgraded Spain’s credit rating by one notch, sending indexes on a swift decline of more than 1 percent. It was a stunning reversal in a day that had been in holiday mode, trading quietly lower at the start of a three-day weekend. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/business/29markets.html?hpw

Japan Relents on U.S. Base on Okinawa By MARTIN FACKLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010. Reneging on a prominent campaign promise, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told outraged residents of Okinawa on Sunday that an American air base would be moved only to the north side of the island rather than off the island. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/asia/24japan.html?hpw

Unrest Continues in Jamaica After Police Raid on Gang Leader By MARC LACEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 25, 2010. Fierce fighting between Jamaican security forces and gunmen attempting to protect a powerful gang leader extended into a third day Tuesday in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, and a twisted political system in which Jamaican politicians and crime bosses team up to share power was laid bare. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/world/americas/26jamaica.html?hp

China

“There is only one country with any chance of getting through to North Korea. That is China, the North’s major supplier of aid, food and oil. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to spiral — frighteningly — upward, China is refusing to get involved.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: While China Stands By Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010 . There is only one country with any chance of getting through to North Korea. That is China, the North’s major supplier of aid, food and oil. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to spiral — frighteningly — upward, China is refusing to get involved. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/opinion/28fri3.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Pledges to Help South Korea in Bid for U.N. Action By CHOE SANG-HUN and MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 26, 2010. With political and military tension increasing daily on the Korean Peninsula, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that Washington would stand beside Seoul as it seeks redress at the United Nations Security Council over North Korea’s apparent sinking of a South Korean warship. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/world/asia/27diplo.html?hp

Chinese Premier Vows to Be Impartial on N. Korea By CHOE SANG-HUN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China promised on Friday that Beijing “will not protect anyone” once it has concluded who was responsible for the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/world/asia/29korea.html?hpw

Alarm rises as N Korea threatens attack By Song Jung-a in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 27 2010 10:12 | Last updated: May 27 2010 18:13. North Korea threatened to scrap all military assurance agreements with South Korea on Thursday and warned of an immediate attack should Seoul intrude on the disputed maritime border, further raising tensions on the peninsula. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/alarm-rises-as-n-korea-threatens-attack.html

Strike in China Highlights Gap in Workers’ Pay By KEITH BRADSHER and DAVID BARBOZA. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 28, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/business/global/29honda.html?hp

The U.S. and China -- mutually beneficial economic partners By Xie Xuren. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 23, 2010. The U.S.-China strategic and economic dialogue in Beijing this week will have a major bearing on the sustainable and healthy development of our economic relationship. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/21/AR2010052103217.html

Mess-o-potamia

Options studied for a possible Pakistan strike By Greg Miller. Copyright by The Washington Post . Saturday, May 29, 2010. The U.S. military is reviewing options for a unilateral strike in Pakistan in the event that a successful attack on American soil is traced to the country's tribal areas, according to senior military officials. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052804854.html?hpid=topnews

Militants attack mosques in Pakistan; dozens killed By Rizwan Mohammed and Karin Brulliard. Copyright by The Washington Post . Friday, May 28, 2010; 11:55 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052800686.html?hpid=topnews

National

“DEFENSE SECRETARY Robert M. Gates spent his first two years focused on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in each case backing a "surge" to turn around U.S. fortunes. Now, with his time in office probably dwindling, he's taken on a final mission: reforming Pentagon spending so that the United States will be able to maintain its military forces in an era of fiscal austerity. Though the outcome of a war isn't at stake, it's crucial that Mr. Gates succeed. The secretary's campaign is motivated by some simple math. Maintaining the current number of Army divisions, Navy ships and Air Force wings -- which Mr. Gates rightly believes is essential at a time of growing international insecurity -- requires spending increases of 2 to 3 percent each year in real terms. While the Pentagon is budgeted for modest growth through 2015, it can hardly count on that continuing when Congress will be -- or should be -- trying to reduce or eliminate the dangerous structural gap between federal revenue and spending.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: Defense Secretary Gates's war of necessity against wasteful spending. Copyright by The Washington Post . Wednesday, May 26, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052504695.html

California Puts Vote Overhaul on the Ballot By JESSE McKINLEY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 26, 2010. In another indication of how frustrated voters have grown with politics as usual, California — home of initiative-happy democracy — is considering a radical overhaul. On June 8, voters will decide the fate of a ballot measure that would replace traditional primaries in state and Congressional elections with, effectively, two rounds of voting. All candidates would run in the first round, and the top two vote-getters — regardless of party affiliation, or unaffiliation — would then face each other in the general election. Voters’ ultimate choice could be two Republicans or two Democrats, or two candidates with high name recognition, or deep pockets, or populist appeal. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/us/politics/27prop14.html?hpw

U.S. Crime Rates Fell in ’09 Despite Sour Economy By CHARLIE SAVAGE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 24, 2010. Despite turmoil in the economy and high unemployment, crime rates fell significantly across the United States in 2009, according to a report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/us/25crime.html?hp

Chicagoland

Daley rules out property tax increase next year - Decision stirs questions over how city will balance its books By John Byrne and Hal Dardick. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 6:14 p.m. CDT, May 25, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-daley-property-tax-0526-20100525,0,5629125.story

GOP Bashing

Teabaggers Untie - perhaps you should consider going back to school! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZoq3gPTgnE

Rand Paul's Libertarian La-La Land - Rand Paul can't hide from his loopy beliefs about civil rights, oil spills and mine disasters. By Eugene Robinson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 25, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/24/AR2010052402991.html

The Principles of Rand Paul By ROSS DOUTHAT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010. No ideology survives the collision with real-world politics perfectly intact. General principles have to bend to accommodate the complexities of history, and justice is sometimes better served by compromise than by zealous intellectual consistency. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/opinion/24douthat.html?th&emc=th

The Strange World of Rand Paul By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixne. May 20 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/the-strange-world-of-rand-paul.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

The GOP: The Appropriations Party? By Marc A. Thiessen. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 24, 2010 . The rise of the Tea Party movement, the defeat of Bob Bennett, the victory of Rand Paul -- all these have all been driven by a popular backlash against runaway spending in Washington. The Republican Party's hopes of retaking Congress rest on its ability to convince conservative and independent voters that the GOP will restore fiscal discipline if trusted with power this fall. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/24/AR2010052402100.html

Republicans clash over California nomination By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 23 2010 18:09 | Last updated: May 23 2010 18:09. In a political season marked by voter hostility towards Wall Street and Washington, Meg Whitman may wish she had chosen a different year to run for governor of California. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/republicans-clash-over-california.html

Fox host Van Susteren asks blog readers to gauge her intelligence By Michael Calderone. Copyright by Yahoo! News. Fri May 28, 6:00 pm ET... Perhaps expecting fans to rally around her, Van Susteren polled the audience as to who's dumber: Van Susteren or the guy watching a show he doesn't like. As of this writing, after more than 12,000 votes, the results aren't in the host's favor: 67 percent of respondents say Van Susteren is dumber. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_en2308

Real Time With Bill Maher New Rules 5/21/10 http://realtimewithbillmaher.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-rules-52110.html

The Palin Brand - Timothy Egan on American politics and life, as seen from the West By TIMOTHY EGAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. May 26, 2010, 9:00 PM. In the midst of one of the most precipitous political crashes in the Mountain West, Sarah Palin made a mad dash into Boise on Friday, urging the election of a man who had plagiarized his campaign speech from Barack Obama, had been rebuked by the military for misusing the Marine uniform and had called the American territory of Puerto Rico a separate country. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/the-palin-brand/?ref=opinion

Sarah Palin's fact-free commentary on Paul and BP By Ruth Marcus. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Has Sarah Palin learned anything since she was plucked from obscurity almost two years ago? Not that I can tell. It was not Palin's fault that she was woefully unprepared to be the Republican vice presidential nominee. For that one, blame the petulant, impetuous John McCain. But Palin has had ample time now, outside the crash course of a presidential campaign, to develop and exhibit some understanding of the issues. Her learning curve, from all the available evidence, is a flat line. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052503970.html

Health Care

Rising maternal mortality rate causes alarm, calls for action - The U.S. rate nearly doubled in a decade and is higher than in 40 other industrialized countries. Experts cite numerous possible reasons and steps that could be taken. By Shari Roan and Lisa Girion. Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times. May 22, 2010 | 3:19 p.m. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-maternal-deaths-20100523,0,3029743,full.story

British Medical Council Bars Doctor Who Linked Vaccine With Autism By JOHN F. BURNS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 24, 2010. A doctor whose research and public statements caused widespread alarm that a common childhood vaccine could cause autism was banned on Monday from practicing medicine in his native Britain for ethical lapses, including conducting invasive medical procedures on children that they did not need. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/policy/25autism.html?th&emc=th

F.D.A. Weighs Penalties in Drug Recall By NATASHA SINGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010. The Johnson & Johnson unit that recalled millions of bottles of liquid children’s Tylenol and other pediatric medicines last month may face criminal penalties, product seizures or other sanctions, an official from the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/business/28drug.html?th&emc=th

In Ultrasound, Abortion Fight Has New Front By KEVIN SACK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010... Laura, who asked that her last name not be used, had come to the New Woman All Women Health Care clinic in Birmingham with her mind set on having an abortion. And she felt that seeing the image of her bean-size fetus would only unleash her already hormonal emotions, without changing her mind. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/health/policy/28ultrasound.html?th&emc=th

Health Care Reform

“Few Americans know what a “medical loss ratio” is, but a fierce struggle over how to calculate it under the new health care reform law will determine how much insurers must spend on patient care and how much they can retain for administration and profits. This is but one of many battles that will emerge as federal and state regulators develop regulations to implement reform. The new law requires health insurers, starting in 2011, to spend at least 80 to 85 percent of the premiums they collect on medical services or activities that improve the quality of care. (That percentage is the medical loss ratio.) The remainder can be allocated to profits or administrative activities that do not directly benefit patients, such as marketing, overhead and salaries.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Gaming Begins - The battle over how to calculate medical loss ratios is one of many that will emerge as regulators implement reform Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/opinion/24mon2.html?th&emc=th

DOCTOR AND PATIENT - Who Pays for Medical Complications? By PAULINE W. CHEN, M.D. Published: May 27, 2010... What Dr. Fry and his co-investigators propose is that C.M.S. and other insurers adopt a warranty policy of payment. The warranty would be an all-inclusive upfront payment that would take into account the probability of having a complication, as well as the patient’s prior condition; and it would be standardized according to what the best quality hospitals pay for the same diagnosis, procedure and complications. “We have the mathematical ability to look at large populations and predict the rate of these complications,” Dr. Fry noted. “Our payment systems need to recognize that.” When doctors and hospitals rack up more costs than are covered by the payment, they lose money. “Physicians and hospitals will then have a real incentive for quality.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/health/views/27chen.html?hpw

High-Tech Alternatives to High-Cost Care By STEVE LOHR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. MENTION health care reform and the image that instantly comes to mind is a big government program. But there is another broad transformation in health care under way, a powerful force for decentralized innovation. It is fueled in good part by technology — low-cost computing devices, digital sensors and the Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/business/23unboxed.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

Calming Words From China Push Shares Higher By DAVID JOLLY and CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010. Stocks in the United States rose Thursday as investors looked past new economic numbers and instead focused on buying opportunities and a reassuring report on European debt. Thursday’s rise was broad-based, with energy, technology, financial and materials shares all substantially higher. Citibank shares were up 4 percent a day after the Treasury announced that it had sold 1.5 billion shares of Citigroup, or about a fifth of its holdings, at a profit of $1.3 billion. Most Citibank rivals were up at least 3 percent. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/business/28markets.html?hp

First-Quarter U.S. Growth Revised Slightly Lower By CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010. The United States economy expanded at a slower rate in the first quarter than originally estimated, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, partly because of a slight decrease in the pace of consumer spending. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/business/economy/28econ.html?adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1274986945-yCEOCp5FBvu66hN+Dn5k6w

Monumental job losses in America By Clive Crook. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 23 2010 20:51 | Last updated: May 23 2010. Unemployment in the US is high not just by its own past standards but by international standards, too, which is doubly strange. Figures also show a startling rise in long-term unemployment, to levels previously associated with Europe’s broken labour markets. 20:51. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/monumental-job-losses-in-america.html

Your Money

US consumer savings jump to highest level since January By Simone Baribeau in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 28 2010 15:00 | Last updated: May 28 2010 15:31. Consumer spending stagnated in April as workers kept a tighter grip on their wallets and sought to rebuild their savings. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-consumer-savings-jump-to-highest.html

House approves $93 billion jobless benefits package By Lori Montgomery. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 28, 2010; 2:31 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052800361.html?wpisrc=nl_polalert

Commodities

Dollar’s rise to hit global US groups By Greg Farrell in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 23 2010 21:45 | Last updated: May 23 2010 21:45. The dollar’s continued rise against the euro and other main currencies could take its toll on the earnings of US-based multinationals such as McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, in spite of efforts to blunt the effects through hedging. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/dollars-rise-to-hit-global-us-groups.html

Commodities surge after warning on hurricane season By Gregory Meyer in New York Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 27 2010 19:28 | Last updated: May 27 2010 19:28. Oil and natural gas prices surged on Thursday as the US government said this year’s hurricane season could rank among the most active to date, comparable to years that brought such devastating storms as 2005’s Katrina and Rita. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ccceb032-69b9-11df-8432-00144feab49a.html

Housing

US house prices decline continues - Detroit and Chicago hardest-hit cities By Simone Baribeau in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 25 2010 15:17 | Last updated: May 25 2010 15:17. The US housing market continued its decline in March as the impending end of the homebuyer tax credit further pressured prices. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-house-prices-decline-continues.html

Housing prices still going nowhere - Neither are potential homebuyers, who are staying put, keeping market flat. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 24, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/ct-biz-0524-burns--20100524,0,2720340,full.story

Entertainment

‘Lost’ Watch: Embracing the White Light By MIKE HALE. Copyright by The New York Times. May 24, 2010, 12:42 AM http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/lost-watch-embracing-the-white-light/?hp

As Lee DeWyze wins a sleepy season, where does 'Idol' go without Simon? By Maureen Ryan. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 26, 2010 http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/american-idol-lee-dewyze-crystal-bowersox.html

Live ‘Glee’ Favors Exuberance Over Plot By JON PARELES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 29, 2010. Perky to the max, the television phenomenon “Glee” shed its plotlines and flaunted its young troupers’ gusto and its karaoke repertory for “Glee Live! In Concert” on Friday night, starting a sold-out three-night stand at Radio City Music Hall that completes a four-city tour. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/arts/music/29glee.html?hp

Travel

Demand erupts for trip insurance - Iceland volcano points up its value — if you know what you need and what you're getting By Eileen Ambrose. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 23, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-cons-save-0523-20100506,0,1028708.story

Summer travelers may discover a world of pain - Demand for air travel appears likely to far outstrip the available supply of airline seats By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 9:45 p.m. CDT, May 27, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-biz-0527-summer-travel--20100527,0,2006327,full.story

Airlines to charge more for summer travel - Major carriers adding $10 to $30 per seat on most days By Hugo Martin. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 6:00 p.m. CDT, May 25, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/sc-biz-0526-fees--20100525,0,1026708,full.story

Thousands hit by fresh BA strike By Gill Plimmer. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 24 2010 12:29 | Last updated: May 24 2010 12:29. Thousands of British Airways passengers faced disruption to their travel plans on Monday after 1,200 cabin crew began a five-day strike. Talks to resolve the dispute over the weekend ended in acrimony with both the company and leaders of the Unite union blaming each other for the failure to come to a deal. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/violence-spreads-in-thailand-after_24.html

36 Hours in Genoa, Italy By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 30, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/travel/30hours.html?hpw

Michigan's coast is best by bicycle -Though roads are seldom more than a means to get someplace, the cavernous, 21-mile-long Tunnel of Trees along Lake Michigan is a journey to be savored, especially by bicycle. By Tim Jones. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 23, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-0523-biking-michigan-coast-20100523,0,4077108,full.story

Religion

Sister Margaret’s Choice By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 26, 2010. We finally have a case where the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy is responding forcefully and speedily to allegations of wrongdoing. But the target isn’t a pedophile priest. Rather, it’s a nun who helped save a woman’s life. Doctors describe her as saintly. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/opinion/27kristof.html?ref=opinion

Legal

Supreme Court rules for black Chicago firefighters. Copyright © 2010, Tribune Interactive. 10:50 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2010. The Supreme Court dealt a potentially costly defeat to the city of Chicago Monday, reinstating a discrimination ruling in favor of 6,000 black applicants for firefighting jobs in the 1990s. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sc-dc-chicago-firefighters-20100524,0,3414845.story

Justices Rule Against N.F.L. in Antitrust Case By KEN BELSON. Copyright by The New york Times. Published: May 24, 2010. The Supreme Court said on Monday that the N.F.L. is an “unincorporated association of 32 separately owned professional football teams,” not a single business, for the purposes of selling branded jerseys and caps. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/sports/football/25needle.html?hp

Goldman seeks settlement with SEC By John Gapper and Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 28 2010 00:11 | Last updated: May 28 2010 00:11. Goldman Sachs is hoping to avoid the Securities and Exchange Commission’s charge of fraud by reaching a settlement on a lesser offence and agreeing to a fine of hundreds of millions of dollars, according to people familiar with the bank’s negotiating position. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/goldman-seeks-settlement-with-sec.html

Toyota took cost-cutting approach on lurching Lexus models, records show - The automaker struggled to diagnose performance problems with the 2002-06 ES models and limited the scope of repairs, company records show. By Ken Bensinger and Ralph Vartabedian. Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Time. May 23, 2010. Five months before the new 2002 Lexus ES hit showroom floors, the company's U.S. engineers sent a test report to Toyota City in Japan: The luxury sedan shifted gears so roughly that it was "not acceptable for production." http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/la-fi-lexus-20100523,0,4316134,full.story

Immigration

Bill Maher's final new rule on 5-07-10- illegal immigration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_fwNN_Pyyw

“EVEN DRACONIAN measures like the one adopted in Arizona are not going to make 11 million immigrants already illegally here in this country magically disappear, let alone address this country's dysfunctional immigration system. Neither is President Obama's decision, announced this week, to deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, a move that appears motivated at least as much by election-year political anxiety as by genuine security concerns. After all, illegal cross-border entries are down significantly in the past two years, and so is violent crime in border states, as the administration itself has noted.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: Inaction trumps problem-solving when immigration is involved. Copyright by The Washington Post . Thursday, May 27, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/26/AR2010052604901.html

New York Times Editorial: Trenton Gets It Right. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. A coalition of community groups in Trenton is issuing photo identification cards to illegal immigrants. The cards are not government IDs, though they are accepted by many check-cashing companies, libraries, stores, and medical clinics, and at public parks and pools. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/opinion/23sun3.html?th&emc=th

A Potential Obama Ally Becomes an Outspoken Foe on Immigration By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 28, 2010.. But instead of a favorite ally, Mr. Gutierrez has become a noisy, needling outsider — and not just in the halls of Congress. Saying he was fed up with the president not leading an overhaul of immigration laws, Mr. Gutierrez was arrested along with more than 30 other protesters on May 1 after a sit-in in front of the White House. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/politics/29gutierrez.html?hpw

Obama to Send Up to 1,200 Troops to Border By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 25, 2010. resident Obama will send up to 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border and seek increased spending on law enforcement there to combat drug smuggling after demands from Republican and Democratic lawmakers that border security be tightened. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/us/26border.html?hpw

Gutierrez: Gays are in immigration bill by John Fenoglio. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-05-26 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26660

GLBT

“IF ALL GOES according to plan, we could be writing the obituary of "don't ask, don't tell" by the end of the week. The House and Senate are poised to cast votes that would end the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military, while leaving the timetable for implementing new rules up to the Pentagon. This is not the optimal way to end this reprehensible policy. But there has never been a better opportunity to nullify a law that has forced more than 14,000 service members out of the military since 1994.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: Congress has a good chance to end 'don't ask, don't tell' Copyright by The Washington Post . Wednesday, May 26, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052504693.html

New York Times Editorial: A Stronger Military. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 25, 2010. After months of unnecessary hand-wringing and delay, the White House and Congressional leaders appear to have reached an agreement on ending the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that forced thousands of gay and lesbian service members to stay in the closet in order to serve their country. Although the agreement would postpone full repeal for a few months to await a Pentagon study on implementing the change, finally it creates a path to the full integration of the military. That is not just a matter of justice. It would make the military stronger. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/opinion/26wed1.html?ref=opinion

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 26, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2315654,CST-EDT-edit26c.article

House Votes to Allow Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Law By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times
Published: May 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/politics/28tell.html?th&emc=th

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pull Your Punches By TOBIN HARSHAW. Copyright by The New York Times. May 28, 2010, 6:00 PM. The Thread is an in-depth look at how major news and controversies are being debated across the online spectrum. It’s been a good week, perhaps too good of a week, for disclosure and transparency. The blogosphere has brought us more than we ever wanted to know about the telephony habits of a South Carolina legislator; we discovered that, in one case, the White House’s efforts to provide employment amid a recession has gotten both the current and a former president into trouble; and we learned that we’re all going get a peek over the fence and into the lives of Wasilla, Alaska’s, most famous resident. There are times when more feels like less … http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/dont-ask-dont-tell-dont-pull-your-punches/?hp

Obama heckled again over 'don't ask, don't tell' By Holly Bailey . Copyright by Yahoo! News. May 26, 2010. A gay rights activist heckled President Obama at a San Francisco fundraiser Tuesday night, urging Obama to "move faster" on a proposed repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl2254

LGBT National Legislation: The Good, Bad and Ugly By David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 19 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/lgbt-national-legislation-the-good-bad-and-ugly.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Portugal legalizes same-sex marriage by Rex Wockner. Copyright by Rex Wockner. 2010-05-26 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26669

Gutierrez: Gays are in immigration bill by John Fenoglio. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-05-26 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26660

Technology

“So far, most people have been inclined to trust internet companies with their personal information but these incidents demonstrate that it may not be wise. There is no such thing as a free lunch and nor is there a free online social network.” Financial Times Editorial Comment

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Facebook privacy must be watched. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 27 2010 19:35 | Last updated: May 27 2010 19:35. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/financial-times-editorial-comment_28.html

From Facebook, answering privacy concerns with new settings By Mark Zuckerberg. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 24, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/23/AR2010052303828.html

Facebook founder Zuckerberg's not-quite-apology By Rob Pegoraro. Copyright by The Washington Post. May 24, 2010; 12:04 PM ET http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/05/facebook_founder_zuckerbergs_n.html?hpid=topnews

Rivals Seize on Troubles of Facebook By JENNA WORTHAM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/technology/24social.html?th&emc=th

Sure, It’s Big. But Is That Bad? By BRAD STONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. IN the 1990s, Gary Reback, a Silicon Valley lawyer, almost single-handedly brought the antitrust weight of the federal government down on that era’s high-tech heavyweight, Microsoft. Now Mr. Reback contends there is a dangerous new monopolist in the catbird seat: the search giant Google. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/technology/23goog.html?th&emc=th

Google attacked in Australia over privacy By Peter Smith in Sydney. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 25 2010 13:21 | Last updated: May 25 2010 14:17. Google has hit back at an Australian politician who attacked the US technology group for being responsible for “probably the single biggest breach in the history of privacy”. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/google-attacked-in-australia-over.html

Google Balks at Turning Over Private Internet Data to Regulators By KEVIN J. O'BRIEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 27, 2010. Google has balked at requests from regulators to surrender Internet data and fragments of e-mail messages that it collected from unsecured home wireless networks, saying it needed time to resolve legal issues. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/technology/28google.html?th&emc=th

New King of Technology: Apple Overtakes Microsoft By MIGUEL HELFT and ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 26, 2010. Apple, the maker of iPods, iPhones and iPads, overtook Microsoft, the computer software giant, on Wednesday to become the world’s most valuable technology company. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/technology/27apple.html?emc=na

Analyst says Apple is ramping up production to be able to make 2.5M iPads per month by summer Copyright By The Associated Press. 2:16 p.m. CDT, May 25, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-apple-supply-chain-analyst-note,0,5638927.story

Apple price target hiked to $325 at BofA Merrill. Copyright by Market Watch. May 28, 2010, 8:56 a.m. EDT http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-price-target-hiked-to-325-at-bofa-merrill-2010-05-28

Apple’s iPad makes its international debut By Tim Bradshaw in London, Mark Mulligan in Madrid, Giulia Segreti in Rome, Robin Harding in Tokyo and Peter Smith in Sydney. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Apple’s iPad made its international debut on Friday, with buyers storming shops – including Japanese fans dressed up as iPads in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district – to be among the first outside the US to snap up the long-awaited tablet PC. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/apples-ipad-makes-its-international.html

Education

“The social conservatives who dominate the Texas State Board of Education backed down last week from a few of their most outrageous efforts to tilt the state’s social studies curriculum. They dropped a proposal that President Obama be referred to as “Barack Hussein Obama” and lost in their efforts to rename the “slave trade” the “Atlantic triangular trade,” a clear attempt to downplay slavery’s horror and spread the blame. The changes they did force into the standards for such subjects as history, government and economics were bad enough and bear no relationship to neutral pedagogy. The original curriculum standards were drawn up by teams of teachers and scholars who spent nearly a year on the huge undertaking. The board eagerly exercised its power to amend those requirements.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Politicized Curriculum in Texas. Copyright by New York Times. Published: May 25, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/opinion/26wed4.html?ref=opinion

Beyond Protests: Students Making the Pieces of a Different Society By Saskia Sassen. Copyright by The Huffington Post. Posted: May 22, 2010 05:37 PM. Students in Iran, in Greece, in Puerto Rico -- all have shown a noticeable endurance to fight on for weeks against governments which are threatening their basic rights. Even more important, in this struggle they are not only protesting but developing the elements for alternative politics and social settings. The Puerto Rican students who have occupied the campus of the Unviersidad de Puerto Rico for weeks, surrounded by armed forces, are doing urban agriculture, collective cooking, environmentally sustainable practices, art, music... in brief, they are striving to build the elements of a different society. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/saskia-sassen/beyond-protests-students_b_586138.html

Other

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson 'devastated' after tabloid newspaper records her in bribe sting By JILL LAWLESS. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 7:27 p.m. CDT, May 23, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-ap-eu-britain-royal-sting,0,338495.story

KLM Economy Comfort Product with Ramana at Manchester Airport T2 http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6NPF0A_vGC4

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The Financial Reform Newsletter - May 22, 2010

2010-05-22T12:10:00.001-07:00

The Financial Reform Newsletter - May 22, 2010

“After all the revelations about predatory lenders, bankers who bet against their clients and speculative booms and busts, it should be clear that weak regulation is a recipe for disaster. And open and transparent markets, with clear roles for regulators, are essential to the nation’s financial health. So it was good news that, despite all the bank lobbying and all the Republican posturing, the Senate finally passed a financial reform bill on Thursday.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Financial Reform. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/opinion/22sat1.html?th&emc=th

Bill Passed in Senate Broadly Expands Oversight of Wall St. By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010. The Senate on Thursday approved a far-reaching financial regulatory bill, putting Congress on the brink of approving a broad expansion of government oversight of the increasingly complex banking system and financial markets. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/business/21regulate.html?th&emc=th

How the Finance Bill Affects Consumers By RON LIEBER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. For consumers trying to figure out what the financial overhaul bill means for them, the legislation the Senate passed Thursday offers some tantalizing possibilities. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/your-money/22money.html?hp

Reconciliation for 2 Financial Overhaul Bills By SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. Fresh off Senate approval of the overhaul of the nation’s financial regulations, the Obama administration quickly moved on Friday to shape the final version of the bill. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/business/22regulate.html?th&emc=th

Whistle-Blowers Become Investment Option for Hedge Funds By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: May 19, 2010... Informants who turn in tax cheats have to wait years to get their share of any reward from the I.R.S.’s recently expanded whistle-blower program. So hedge funds, private equity groups and other big investors are offering an alternative. They are essentially agreeing to buy a percentage of those future payouts in exchange for a smaller amount upfront to the whistle-blowers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/business/20whistleblower.html?th&emc=th

A Nightmare on Wall Street http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-10-2010/a-nightmare-on-wall-street

S.E.C. Enforcement Unit Investigating May 6 Crash By EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010. The enforcement division of the Securities and Exchange Commission has begun looking into the sharp stock market drop of May 6, the chairwoman of the agency said Thursday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/business/21crash.html?hpw

International

Lawmakers in Germany Back Rescue for European Debt By JUDY DEMPSEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/europe/22germany.html?hp

EU ministers back new hedge fund rules By Nikki Tait in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 18 2010 12:47 | Last updated: May 18 2010 13:32. Controversial new rules for hedge funds and private equity funds were on Tuesday backed by European Union finance ministers in Brussels. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/eu-ministers-back-new-hedge-fund-rules.html

Backlash builds against German ban By Ben Hall in Paris. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 19 2010 11:09 | Last updated: May 19 2010 11:30. The French government on Wednesday led European reaction against the German government’s move to ban the naked short selling of eurozone sovereign debt instruments. Christine Lagarde, French finance minister, ruled out a similar move by France and called for an urgent meeting of European securities regulators to discuss the implications of Germany’s unilateral ban. Sweden and The Netherlands also dismissed the German move, as European equity markets tumbled and the euro hit a fresh four-year low against the dollar overnight before rallying. Yields on US Treasuries approached the lowest levels of the year as investors shunned risky assets. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/backlash-builds-against-german-ban.html

The death of the European dream By Gideon Rachman. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. . Published: May 17 2010 20:43 | Last updated: May 17 2010 20:43... In the past few weeks, Europe has certainly got the world’s attention – but not in the way that it had hoped. Rather than admiring the EU for its dynamism and power, the rest of the world is watching the unfolding economic crisis in Europe with fascination and horror. Observing the struggle to save the euro from Washington or Beijing is a bit like watching a car crash on the other side of the road. It is bad enough being a spectator – but there is the added fear that you will be hit by flying debris. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/death-of-european-dream.html

EU ministers thrash out eurozone loan By Tony Barber in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 18 2010 02:04 | Last updated: May 18 2010 08:28. European finance ministers on Tuesday praised Greece, Portugal and Spain for adopting rigorous measures to restore order to their public finances and overcome Europe’s sovereign debt crisis. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/eu-ministers-thrash-out-eurozone-loan.html

Fears Intensify That Euro Crisis Could Snowball By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ and ERIC DASH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/business/global/17fear.html?th&emc=th

Euro Hits Four-Year Low; Asian Stocks Continue Their Slide By BETTINA WASSENER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/business/18markets.html?th&emc=th

UK Government looks at splitting up banks By Kiran Stacey. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 20 2010 11:54 | Last updated: May 20 2010 11:54. The government will set up a commission to look at splitting up retail and investment banking, ministers announced on Thursday, as they published the full details of the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/uk-government-looks-at-splitting-up.html

Thai growth set to fall by a third By Mure Dickie in Tokyo and Tim Johnston in Bangkok. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 21 2010 08:24 | Last updated: May 21 2010 21:38. Thailand’s political turmoil could slice nearly a third off economic growth this year, according to Korn Chatikavanij, finance minister, in a sombre assessment of the deep damage caused by nine weeks of protests. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/thai-growth-set-to-fall-by-third.html

Violence Spreads in Thailand After Crackdown By THOMAS FULLER, SETH MYDANS and KIRK SEMPLE. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 19, 2010. A bloody crackdown in Bangkok by the Thai military set off rioting and arson attacks on Wednesday in several places across Thailand, threatening to expand unrest and further aggravate the deep rifts that have hobbled Thai society for the past four years. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/world/asia/20thai.html?th&emc=th

Thai soldiers overrun protesters' camp; 'red shirt' leaders surrender By Andrew Higgins. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 19, 2010; 9:44 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/19/AR2010051900369.html?hpid=topnews

Thai Government Rejects Cease-Fire Talks By THOMAS FULLER and KIRK SEMPLE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 18, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/world/asia/19thai.html?hp

Heavy Fighting Breaks Out Anew in Bangkok By SETH MYDANS and THOMAS FULLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/world/asia/17thai.html?th&emc=th

Diplomatic Storm Brewing Over Korean Peninsula By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 19, 2010. South Korea’s formal accusation that a North Korean torpedo sank one of its warships, killing 46 sailors, will set off a diplomatic drumbeat to punish North Korea, backed by the United States and other nations, which could end up in the United Nations Security Council. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/world/asia/20diplo.html?hp

Clinton Condemns Attack on South Korean Ship By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/asia/22diplo.html?hp

China

With Solar Valley project, China embarks on bold green technology mission By Andrew Higgins. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 17, 2010. Uprooting the last traces of rural life on the edge of this northern Chinese city, laborers with chain saws spent a recent morning cutting down trees to make way for a hulking factory. A big red banner trumpeted the future for what used to be farmland: "The Biggest Solar Energy Production Base in the Whole World." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/16/AR2010051603482.html?hpid=topnews

Mess-o-potamia

“The election commission said on Sunday that after a manual examination of the ballots cast in Baghdad in the March 7 elections, it found no widespread fraud. It affirmed that the cross-sectarian coalition led by Ayad Allawi, a former interim prime minister, had, indeed, bested the mainly Shiite coalition of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki by a mere two seats — 91 to 89. Candidates still have time to appeal to Iraq’s Supreme Court, but the recount was considered a main stumbling block to the formation of a new government.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Long Road to a Government Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/opinion/18tue2.html?th&emc=th

Recount in Iraq Preserves Victory for Maliki Rival By ANTHONY SHADID. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/world/middleeast/17iraq.html?hpw

Grim Milestone: 1,000 Americans Dead By JAMES DAO and ANDREW W. LEHREN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 18, 2010... On Tuesday, the toll of American dead in Afghanistan passed 1,000, after a suicide bomb in Kabul killed at least five United States service members. Having taken nearly seven years to reach the first 500 dead, the war killed the second 500 in fewer than two. A resurgent Taliban active in almost every province, a weak central government incapable of protecting its people and a larger number of American troops in harm’s way all contributed to the accelerating pace of death. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/us/19dead.html?th&emc=th

In Ambush, a Glimpse of a Long Afghan Summer By C. J. CHIVERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010... A new fighting season has begun around Marja, a richly irrigated zone of farming villages in Helmand Province that was both the center of Afghanistan’s opium production and a haven for its insurgency. Three months ago, thousands of Marines and Afghan soldiers swept into this area. The goal was to chase away the Taliban, disrupt the drug trade and usher in a government presence that might bring Marja under national control. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/world/asia/20marja.html?th&emc=th

Sign of Afghan Addiction May Also Be Its Remedy By ROD NORDLAND and ABDUL WAHEED WAFA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/world/asia/17afghan.html?th&emc=th

Major Powers Have Deal on Sanctions for Iran By DAVID E. SANGER and MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 18, 2010. The Obama administration announced an agreement on Tuesday with other major powers, including Russia and China, to impose a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, setting the stage for an intense tug of war with Tehran as it tries to avoid passage of the penalties by the full United Nations Security Council. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/world/19sanctions.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Iran, the Deal and the Council. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 18, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/opinion/19wed1.html?th&emc=th

Turkey and Brazil reach tentative Iran deal © Reuters Limited. May 17, 2010 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae96105e-6146-11df-9bf0-00144feab49a.html

U.S. Is Skeptical on Iranian Deal for Nuclear Fuel By DAVID E. SANGER and MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/world/middleeast/18iran.html?th&emc=th

Pakistan expands Internet clampdown on 'Everybody draw Mohammad Day!' By Karin Brulliard. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, May 20, 2010; 10:02 AM. An Internet clampdown in Pakistan widened Thursday as the government blocked access to the YouTube Web site, citing its "growing sacrilegious content." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/20/AR2010052002023.html

National

Obama Outlines National Security Strategy By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. May 22, 2010, 10:20 AM. President Obama outlined a new national security strategy rooted in diplomatic engagement and international alliances on Saturday as he repudiated his predecessor’s emphasis on unilateral American power and the right to wage preemptive war. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/president-obama-at-west-point/?hp

Review Cites Flaws in U.S. Antimissile Program By WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/world/18missile.html?th&emc=th

Facing a Rift, U.S. Spy Chief to Step Down By MARK MAZZETTI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010. Dennis C. Blair, whose often tumultuous tenure as director of national intelligence was marked by frequent clashes with White House officials and other spy chiefs in America’s still fractured intelligence apparatus, announced Thursday that he was resigning. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/us/politics/21intel.html?th&emc=th

Cuomo Announces Campaign for Governor By DANNY HAKIM. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: May 22, 2010. Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced his campaign for governor with a video released early Saturday morning, finally making official his entrance into the race for governor this fall. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/nyregion/23cuomo.html?hp

All the Single Ladies By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 18, 2010. When does a woman go from being single to unmarried? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/opinion/19dowd.html?th&emc=th

Bob Shrum: Is It A Smear For Kagan To Be Called Gay? Copyright by David Mixner. May 17 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/bob-shrum-is-it-a-smear-for-kagan-to-be-called-gay.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Arizona Backs Sales Tax Increase By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. Arizona voters on Tuesday approved a temporary sales tax increase championed by a Republican governor who, despite angering conservative supporters, embraced it as the only way to avert sharp cuts in education and other services. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/us/20arizona.html?th&emc=th

May 17, 2010: On Topic: In the News - Race in America http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-17-2010/on-topic--in-the-news---race-in-america

Student Protests Tie Up Campuses in Puerto Rico By OMAYA SOSA-PASCUAL and EMMA GRAVES FITZSIMMONS. Copyright by the Associated Press. Published: May 20, 2010. The seven entry gates on the largest campus of the University of Puerto Rico system remained chained shut on Thursday. Beyond improvised barricades were hundreds of students in makeshift camps, some with portable showers and stoves, hardly engaged in the typical college springtime routine of studying for final exams and preparing for graduation. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/us/21students.html?hpw

Chicagoland

“Jason Plummer, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Illinois, is not legally required to release his income tax returns. So he was perfectly within his rights Tuesday when he said he won't do so. But voters aren't required to accept his explanation that releasing tax data is just a "political distraction." Presumably, it wouldn't be much of a distraction if there is little of interest in those tax records. So voters can fairly wonder if Plummer has decided it is better to risk the criticism he'll receive for not releasing his returns than the stream of news stories if he does.” Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Why not release tax returns? Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 20, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2294580,CST-EDT-edit20b.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Springfield's lost boys Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 17, 2010. The real Illinois fiasco isn't that legislators have failed to pass a budget. The real fiasco is that they've even considered Gov. Pat Quinn's latest pipe dream for this state to borrow its way to solvency. Quinn keeps demanding a budget that puts children first. That's fine — although burying our kids beneath still more billions of dollars in Illinois debt obligations seems a cruel way to do it. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-budget-0517-20100517,0,114914.story

Inside Brady's business deals - Governor hopeful has been through economic ups and downs By David Heinzmann and Rick Pearson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 23, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/ct-met-brady-business-20100523,0,1606406,full.story

Wrigleyville project is no mall invasion; foes' worst fears are unfounded, but planned complex across from Wrigley Field still needs tweaks By Blair Kamin. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 22, 2010 http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/05/thousands-of-people-are-getting-all-steamed-up-about-a-controversial-plan-for-an-eight-story-hotel-apartment-and-retail-comp.html

GOP Bashing

“By denigrating several of the signal achievements of modern American society, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act, Rand Paul has performed a useful service for voters who are angry at their elected officials. He has helped to illuminate the limits and the hazards of antigovernment sentiment. Many Americans are sputtering mad, believing that government has let them down in abetting a ruinous recession, bailing out bankers and spending wildly. But is Rand Paul really the remedy they had in mind? His views and those of other Tea Party candidates are unintentional reminders of the importance of enlightened government.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Limits of Libertarianism. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/opinion/22sat4.html?th&emc=th

Paul’s Victory Poses Test for Tea Party on Defining Principles By KATE ZERNIKE. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 19, 2010. Rand Paul’s win in the Republican Senate primary here is the first authentic Tea Party victory — a candidate from the movement, powered by it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/us/politics/20teaparty.html?th&emc=th

Tea Party Pick Causes Uproar on Civil Rights By ADAM NAGOURNEY and CARL HULSE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 20, 2010. Rand Paul, the Tea Party candidate who challenged the Republican establishment to win the party’s Senate nomination in Kentucky two days ago, criticized a landmark civil rights law on Thursday, landing himself in a potentially damaging dispute over civil rights and race. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/us/politics/21paul.html?th&emc=th

After Explaining a Provocative Remark, Paul Makes Another By KATE PHILLIPS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. Rand Paul, the newly nominated Republican candidate for Senate from Kentucky, touched off more controversy on Friday by calling the Obama administration “un-American” for taking a tough stance with BP over the company’s handling of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/us/politics/22paul.html?th&emc=th

Explaining the Rand Paul Disaster By Joshua Green. Copyright by the Atlantic. May 21 2010, 5:51 PM ET. After getting himself into trouble on Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC, and everywhere else, Rand Paul has decided to cancel an interview on Sunday's "Meet the Press" rather than risk further damage. It's pretty amazing that a guy who embraced the role of national face of the Tea Party movement with such enthusiasm is crashing and burning so spectacularly. Two points to raise from my reporting trip to Kentucky earlier this week that I think are pertinent. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/05/explaining-the-rand-paul-disaster/57118/

Going to Extreme By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010. Utah Republicans have denied Robert Bennett, a very conservative three-term senator, a place on the ballot, because he’s not conservative enough. In Maine, party activists have pushed through a platform calling for, among other things, abolishing both the Federal Reserve and the Department of Education. And it’s becoming ever more apparent that real power within the G.O.P. rests with the ranting talk-show hosts. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/opinion/17krugman.html?th&emc=th

Democrats See Hope for Fall in Victory in House Race By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. Congressional Democrats on Wednesday seized on their special election victory in a Pennsylvania House district and other primary results as evidence that they can stem Republican political momentum, as both parties sifted through Tuesday night’s returns for lessons to learn and mistakes to avoid heading to November. After hearing for months that they were on the verge of losing control of the House, Democrats said the decisive victory by Mark Critz, a Democrat, in the blue-collar district formerly represented by the late John P. Murtha, showed they remain competitive in the kinds of hotly contested regions Republicans need to win to have a real chance of capturing the House. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/us/politics/20elect.html?th&emc=th

Eight Lessons from Tuesday’s Primaries by Robert CreamerPolitical . Copyright by the Huffington Post. May 19, 2010 11:03 AM. Lesson #1. Bad news for Republican leaders. First and foremost, the results from Tuesday night were very bad news for the Republican leadership. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/eight-lessons-from-tuesda_b_581675.html

Sen. Arlen Specter loses Pennsylvania primary; Rand Paul wins in Kentucky By Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza. Copyright by The Washington Post . Wednesday, May 19, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/18/AR2010051805561.html?hpid=topnews

May 17, 2010: On Topic: In the News - The Real America http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-17-2010/on-topic--in-the-news---the-real-america?xrs=eml_tds

Arizona Law Reveals Split Within G.O.P. By JENNIFER STEINHAUER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. Republican lawmakers and candidates are increasingly divided over illegal immigration — torn between the need to attract Latino support, especially at the ballot box, and rallying party members who support tougher action. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/us/politics/22immig.html?th&emc=th

Americans Losing Faith In Two Party System By David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 13 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/americans-losing-faith-in-two-party-system.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

A Heaven-Sent Rent Boy By FRANK RICH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. OF all wars, only culture wars offer the hope of sheer, unadulterated hilarity. Sex and hypocrisy were staples of farce long before America became a nation, and they never go out of style. Just listen to the roaring audience at the new hit Broadway revival of the perennial “La Cage aux Folles,” where a family-values politician gets his comeuppance in drag. Or check out the real-life closet case of George Rekers, who has been fodder for late-night television comics all month. Rekers is in a class by himself even in the era of Larry Craig and Ted Haggard. A Baptist minister and clinical psychologist with a bent for “curing” homosexuality, the married, 61-year-old Rekers was caught by Miami New Times last month in the company of a 20-year-old male escort at Miami International Airport. The couple was returning from a 10-day trip to London and Madrid. New Times, which published its exposé in early May, got an explanation from Rekers: “I had surgery, and I can’t lift luggage. That’s why I hired him.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/opinion/16rich.html?th&emc=th

Scandals in the House Republican Class of 1994 By Dana Milbank. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 19, 2010. When was it, exactly, that the Republican revolution merged with the sexual revolution? With each passing year, the class notes for the famous House Republicans Class of '94 get more lurid. The latest entry was submitted Tuesday morning by Rep. Mark Souder (Ind.). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/18/AR2010051803985.html

Mark Souder to resign after affair By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake. Copyright by The Washington Post. May 18, 2010. Indiana congressman Mark Souder (R) will resign his seat after an affair with a staffer came to light, he said in a statement this morning. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/mark-souder-to-resign.html?hpid=topnews

Rep. Mark Souder (R - Ind) being interviewed about abstinence by Tracy Jackson, the woman he was having an affair with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSoFg_ShS0U

Ethnic studies can unite us By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 16, 2010... Of course, there would be no need for ethnic studies if, as Horne recommends, history classes offered a balanced account of everyone's history. Unfortunately, I learned in my well-integrated southern Ohio district many decades ago that balance is in the eye of often-unbalanced beholders. In short, I was in college before I learned about any notable historic pioneers-of-color besides George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-clarence-page-100316-column,0,6783724.column

More Palin Hypocrisy: Tripp Has Government Provided Health Insurance By Shannyn Moore. Copyright by The Hoffington Post. February 20, 2010 05:28 PM. The dangers of "death panels" were explained to Americans on Sarah Palin's Facebook page. Oh, sweet Lord, she must not sleep at night...her grandson could be the next victim of "socialized medicine". Recently released documents from the custody battle show clearly Tripp Palin Johnston has socialized health care through Indian Health Services and the Alaska Native Medical Center. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shannyn-moore/granny-palin-overcomes-he_b_470297.html

Health Care

Questions About Cellphones and Brain Tumors By TARA PARKER-POPE. Copyright by The New York Times. May 18, 2010, 7:03 AM. A long-awaited study of cellphone use and brain health has finally been released, but the data are raising more questions than answers. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/questions-about-cellphones-and-brain-tumors/?hp

Health Care Reform

“The number of states jointly suing to overturn the new health care reform law on constitutional grounds swelled to 20 last week. It is the latest example of conservatives’ determination to thwart reforms that will do enormous good — and the latest reminder that politicians will continue to posture and demagogue the issue through the November elections and beyond. The lawsuit, filed by state attorneys general and governors, all but one a Republican, seeks to overturn two central elements of the law: a mandate that virtually everyone obtain insurance or pay a penalty; and a big expansion of Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program that covers the poorest Americans. The suit contends Congress has no constitutional power to compel people to make purchases from a private company and that the required expansion of Medicaid is an “unprecedented encroachment” on the sovereignty of states.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Health Care Reform and the Courts. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20thu1.html?th&emc=th

Health Insurance Companies Try to Shape Rules By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 15, 2010. Health insurance companies are lobbying federal and state officials in an effort to ward off strict regulation of premiums and profits under the new health care law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/health/policy/16health.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

Stocks plunge: There's just too much going on By Frank Ahrens. Copyright by The Washington Post. May 20, 2010... So, the takeaway is: Until at least a couple of these variables start to simmer down and show some stability, it could be a bad summer for stocks. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economy-watch/2010/05/stocks_plunge_theres_just_too.html?hpid=topnews

U.S. Inflation at 44-Year Low as Retail Prices Fall By CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. Consumer prices fell in April for the first time since early last year, and inflation rose at its slowest rate since the 1960s, a new government report said. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/business/economy/20econ.html?hp

Teachers Facing Weakest Market in Years By WINNIE HU. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. In the month since Pelham Memorial High School in Westchester County advertised seven teaching jobs, it has been flooded with 3,010 applications from candidates as far away as California. The Port Washington District on Long Island is sorting through 3,620 applications for eight positions — the largest pool the superintendent has seen in his 41-year career. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/nyregion/20teachers.html?th&emc=th

Dell Posts a 52% Increase in Profit, but Still Awaits a Wave of Corporate PC Buying By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: May 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/technology/21dell.html?hpw

G.M. Posts Its First Profit in 3 Years as Sales Rise 40 Percent By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/business/18auto.html?hp

Sears profit falls 38% amid higher costs Copyright by The Associated Press. Published on May 20, 2010 5:32 AM http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/05/sears-profit-falls-38-amid-higher-costs.html

Your Money

Poll: 80% oppose Reagan on $50 bill. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 7:13 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2010. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, wants Ronald Reagan to replace Ulysses Grant on the $50 bill. Almost 8 in 10 Americans oppose the idea, a new poll shows. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-reagan-50-dollar-bill-0518-20100517,0,5716388.story

Housing

Building Is Booming in a City of Empty Houses By DAVID STREITFELD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 15, 2010... Home prices in Las Vegas are down by 60 percent from 2006 in one of the steepest descents in modern times. There are 9,517 spanking new houses sitting empty. An additional 5,600 homes were repossessed by lenders in the first three months of this year and could soon be for sale. Yet builders here are putting up 1,100 homes, and they are frantically buying lots for even more. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/business/16builder.html?th&emc=th

Renting what you can't sell - Becoming unintentional landlord has risks, rewards By Sharon Stangenes. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 16, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/apartments/ct-mre-0516-unintentional-landlords-20100516,0,5302050.story

Prices nationwide expected to continue slipping By Mary Umberger. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 23, 2010. For those of you who are betting that our housing headache ain't nearly over (I'm afraid that would include me), consider this little-reported prognostication from Freddie Mac: When the mortgage giant recently made an official request for more money from Congress because it's wrestling with a gigantic shortfall, it said it expects home prices nationwide will decline still further in the coming months. http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-mre-0523-mary-umberger-housing-20100523,0,4404568.column

Energy

Obama Sketches Energy Plan in Oil By JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010... But on Friday — a full month after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon — he made clear that he also was not going to let the moment go to waste, announcing plans to impose stricter fuel-efficiency and emissions standards on cars and, for the first time, on medium- and heavy-duty trucks. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/science/earth/22assess.html?th&emc=th

Obama Mandates Rules to Raise Fuel Standards By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. President Obama ordered the government on Friday to develop tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, advancing the fight against climate change without waiting for Congress. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/business/energy-environment/22fuel.html?hpw

Environment

“Just about everything we know about the disastrous gulf oil spill we could have learned from Google Earth: thousands of miles of the Gulf of Mexico covered in oil slick or sheen, some of it headed for the Florida coast; almost 46,000 square miles, an area about the size of Pennsylvania, closed to fishing; miles of Louisiana marshland under siege from heavy oil. But there is far more that we don’t know, either because the government has not extracted the information from BP or is not sharing it with the public.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Murky Waters. Copyright by The New York Times Editorial: Murky Waters. Published: May 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/opinion/21fri1.html?th&emc=th

Obama and the Oil Spill By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 18, 2010.....President Bush’s greatest failure was not Iraq, Afghanistan or Katrina. It was his failure of imagination after 9/11 to mobilize the country to get behind a really big initiative for nation-building in America. I suggested a $1-a-gallon “Patriot Tax” on gasoline that could have simultaneously reduced our deficit, funded basic science research, diminished our dependence on oil imported from the very countries whose citizens carried out 9/11, strengthened the dollar, stimulated energy efficiency and renewable power and slowed climate change. It was the Texas oilman’s Nixon-to-China moment — and Bush blew it. Had we done that on the morning of 9/12 — when gasoline averaged $1.66 a gallon — the majority of Americans would have signed on. They wanted to do something to strengthen the country they love. Instead, Bush told a few of us to go to war and the rest of us to go shopping. So today, gasoline costs twice as much at the pump, with most of that increase going to countries hostile to our values, while China is rapidly becoming the world’s leader in wind, solar, electric cars and high-speed rail. Heck of a job. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/opinion/19friedman.html?th&emc=th

Officials Ask BP to Assure It Will Cover Spill Claims By SHAILA DEWAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 15, 2010. As BP’s experimental efforts to reduce the flow of oil spewing from disabled well in the Gulf of Mexico met another obstacle, the Obama administration sought assurances from BP that it would not attempt to limit its liability to the $75 million prescribed by law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/us/16spill.html?th&emc=th

More Than Just an Oil Spill - The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is threatening an ecosystem the same way that big corporations like BP threaten our political system By BOB HERBERT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/opinion/22herbert.html?th&emc=th

BP Reports Some Success in Capturing Leaking Oil By SHAILA DEWAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/us/17spill.html?th&emc=th

Agency Orders Use of a Less Toxic Chemical in Gulf By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON and ELISABETH ROSENTHAL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010... In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency said it had told the oil company to immediately select a less toxic dispersant than the one it is now using to break up crude oil gushing from a ruined well in the Gulf of Mexico. Once the agency has signed off on a different product, it said, the company would then have 72 hours to start using it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/science/earth/21disperse.html?th&emc=th

Experts Express Doubts on Sand-Berm Proposal By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr. and JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 21, 2010. State officials here are imploring the federal government and BP to build 80 miles of sand berms and plug holes in barrier islands in a desperate effort to stop oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill from destroying marshes, sounds and bayous. But many experts say it is not at all clear whether dredging companies could build up the barrier islands quickly enough to save the marshes. They are also concerned that the kind of sand berms envisioned in the plan might wash away quickly after a couple of storms, wasting scarce sand in the region. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/us/22berms.html?th&emc=th

Puerto Rico earthquake 2010 shakes country this morning - damage minimal By Kate James. Copyright by News Gather.com. May 16, 2010 10:04 AM EDT http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978239749

Travel

When Two Airlines Tie the Knot By SUSAN STELLIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010. AS soon as Continental and United announced their proposed merger, news media outlets began reporting on how the union might affect travelers — less competition and higher fares being the primary concerns. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/travel/23prac.html?hpw

Scores Feared Dead in Plane Crash in India By LYDIA POLGREEN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/asia/22india.html?th&emc=th

36 Hours in Santa Fe By FRED A. BERNSTEIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 23, 2010. http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/travel/23hours.html?th&emc=th

Religion

Bill Maher - New Rules! 14 May 2010 http://vimeo.com/11767072

“The Catholic Church is working against the interests of child abuse victims in state legislatures around the country. In recent weeks, lobbying by the church has blocked measures in Wisconsin, Arizona and Connecticut intended to widen the legal window for victims to file lawsuits against hidden predators. We urge the New York State Legislature to rise above intense lobbying by the New York State Catholic Conference and Orthodox Jewish officials and pass the overdue Child Victims Act. Like a similar measure enacted in 2003 by California, it would create a one-time, one-year suspension of the statute of limitations for bringing civil lawsuits over the sexual abuse of children.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Justice for Child Abuse Victims Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/opinion/16sun2.html?th&emc=th

Legal

“Monday’s welcome Supreme Court decision, banning sentences of life without parole for juvenile criminals who do not commit murder, recognizes that children mature and should not be irrevocably punished for a childhood act short of killing. But it also recognizes that nations mature — that standards of justice and constitutional principles change over the centuries and should be reinterpreted by new generations.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: A New Standard of Decency Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/opinion/18tue1.html?th&emc=th

Extended Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders Is Upheld By ADAM LIPTAK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010. In a broad endorsement of federal power, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Congress has the authority under the Constitution to allow the continued civil commitment of sex offenders after they have completed their criminal sentences. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/us/politics/18offenders.html?th&emc=th

Judges Rule Against Detainees Held at Afghan Air Base By CHARLIE SAVAGE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010. A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that prisoners being held without trial in Afghanistan by the military have no right to challenge their imprisonment in American civilian courts. The decision, overturning a lower court ruling in the detainees’ favor, was a victory for the Obama administration’s efforts to hold terrorism suspects overseas for extended periods without judicial oversight. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/asia/22detain.html?hp

Lawyers lining up for class-action suits over oil spill By Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin. Copyright by The Washington Post . Monday, May 17, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/16/AR2010051603254.html?hpid=topnews

Immigration

“Four young immigrant students risked everything on Monday when they sat down in Senator John McCain’s office in Tucson and refused to leave. They were urging passage of the Dream Act, a bill offering a citizenship path to illegal immigrants who, like them, were brought to the United States as children, too young to have willfully broken the law. For the undocumented, any encounter with law enforcement is perilous — especially in Arizona, where a new law pushes the hunt for illegal immigrants beyond the limits of reason, proportion and the Constitution. Three of the student protesters were arrested for misdemeanor trespassing. Though later freed, they faced the risk of prison and deportation to press for a bill.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Courage in Arizona. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 19, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20thu2.html?th&emc=th

Janet Napolitano Urged To Cut Homeland Security Department Ties With Arizona Law Enforcement By Sam Stein. Copyright by The Huffington Post. 05-14-10 09:28 AM http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/14/janet-napolitano-urged-to_n_576143.html

Illegal Immigrant Students Protest at McCain Office By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010. In an escalation of protest tactics, five immigrants dressed in caps and gowns held a sit-in on Monday at the Tucson offices of Senator John McCain, calling on him to sponsor legislation to open a path to legal status for young illegal immigrants. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/us/18dream.html?th&emc=th

Gay immigrants savor freedom - Growing number win asylum in U.S. based on sexual orientation By Georgia Garvey. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 11:04 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-red-lgbt-asylum-20100517,0,487502.story

A Generation Gap Over Immigration By DAMIEN CAVE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 17, 2010. “Many older Americans feel threatened by the change that immigration presents,” Ms. McCarthy said. “Young people today have simply been exposed to a more accepting worldview.” Forget sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll; immigration is a new generational fault line. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/us/18divide.html?th&emc=th

Illinois native fights for LGBT-immigrant rights by Sam Worley. Copyright by The Windy City times. 2010-05-19 . As Congress prepares to take up the contentious issue of immigration reform, leaders of LGBT organizations are working to make sure that their constituents aren't left out of the debate. Gay-rights activists scored a significant victory last month when a legislative framework for comprehensive immigration reform—introduced by Sens. Charles Schumer and Robert Menendez as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, all Democrats—included a highly sought provision: It would allow for LGBT citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor their foreign national partners for U.S. residency http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26601

Highwood keeps a low profile - North Shore Latinos fear controversy could bring attention to quiet community By Antonio Olivo. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 16, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-highland-park-hispanics-20100515,0,984242.story

Marchers protest suburbs' immigration initiative By Dan Simmons. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 22, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/ct-met-mchenry-immigration-march-052220100522,0,2545131.story

In Trenton, Issuing IDs for Illegal Immigrants By KIRK SEMPLE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010. Since moving to this city from her native Guatemala a decade ago, Herlinda, an illegal immigrant, has supported her family with restaurant work, but has had no way of proving that she lives here. Without government-issued photo identification, like a driver’s license or a passport, she said, she could not get treatment at most medical clinics, borrow a book from the library, pick up a package from a mail center or cash a check. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/nyregion/17idcard.html?hpw

GLBT

Who Can The LGBT Community Support in 2010! by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 10 2010... There is simply no longer any benefit in giving to the national Democratic entities such as the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Fund. Because of their apparent love affair with Blue Dog Democrats, most who oppose LGBT rights, we would only be freeing up money for candidates who will hurt us instead of help us. Even 'special funds' set up inside those committees only help create money for those who oppose us. Second, we don't have to support those committees to be good citizens and to help our community. There are now enough candidates who support full equality, including marriage equality, that we no longer have to accept second best. We can raise money, awareness and support for candidates who believe in us. We don't need to go through Committees to support them, we can write checks directly. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/who-can-the-lgbt-community-support-in-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

May 17, 2010: On Topic: In the News - Gay Marriage http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-17-2010/on-topic--in-the-news---gay-marriage?xrs=eml_tds

Dr Laura Schlesinger and homosexuality - an oldy but a good one. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/dr-laura-schlesinger-and-homosexuality.html

SLDN: Letters From The Frontline. Copyright by David Mixner. May 14 2010... Dear Mr. President, I am writing to you from a kitchen in the state of Washington. The love of my life is in the other room. It has been eight months since I saw him last and I cherish every moment we spend together. Next week, my mid-tour leave will be over and I will return to Iraq and finish my second deployment. I don’t know when I’ll see my partner again. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/sldn-letters-from-the-frontline-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Alan Cumming's Take On "Newsweek" Disaster By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. May 14 2010.. One of the world's greatest actors, who happens to be out, Alan Cumming blogged on this issue with a column called "The Hate of Gays" His thoughts are well worth reading in full but here are a few excerpts. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/alan-cummings-take-on-newsweek-disaster.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Technology

Germany Investigates Google’s Data Collecting By KEVIN J. O'BRIEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. Prosecutors in Hamburg opened a criminal investigation of Google on Wednesday over its collecting of private Internet data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in Germany. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/business/global/20google.html?th&emc=th

Wider European Scrutiny of Google on Privacy By KEVIN J. O'BRIEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 21, 2010...The growing number of requests by the European countries, and Hong Kong, raised the possibility that Google might be required to disclose for the first time exactly what its employees collected in 33 countries while compiling Street View. And that in turn increased the likelihood that Google, the world’s largest search engine company, could face fines or other penalties. The company said Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland had asked it to retain the data collected from their citizens. Google has described the data as fragments of Web pages and e-mail messages recorded by its roving fleet of specially equipped vehicles. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/technology/22streetview.html?th&emc=th

Facebook caught sending user info to advertisers. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. Published on May 21, 2010 5:40 AM. Dow Jones Newswires-Wall Street Journal | Facebook, MySpace and several other social-networking sites have been sending data to advertising companies that could be used to find consumers' names and other personal details, despite promises they don't share such information without consent. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/05/facebook-myspace-send-user-info-to-advertisers.html

Education

Researchers Say They Created a ‘Synthetic Cell’ By NICHOLAS WADE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010. The genome pioneer J. Craig Venter has taken another step in his quest to create synthetic life, by synthesizing an entire bacterial genome and using it to take over a cell. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/science/21cell.html?hpw

New York Times Editorial: The Being of Being. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 20, 2010. Why is there something instead of nothing? That is a child’s question, but it also haunts the imaginations of physicists and mathematicians. What they know is that the matter and antimatter created in the Big Bang should have canceled each other out, leaving nothing instead of the something we call the universe. Why that didn’t happen may have been partially revealed in a recent experiment in the Tevatron — a particle accelerator — at Fermilab, in Batavia, Ill. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/opinion/21fri4.html?ref=opinion

Texas School Board Set to Vote Textbook Revisions By MICHAEL BRICK. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 20, 2010. fter facing months of protest, conservative members of the Texas Board of Education were expected Thursday night to vote to teach schoolchildren a version of American history that emphasizes the roles of capitalist enterprise, the military, Christianity and modern Republican political figures. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/education/21textbooks.html?hpw

Other

May 17, 2010: On Topic: In the News – Sex http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-17-2010/on-topic--in-the-news---sex

New York Times Editorial: Prurience and Politics. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 19, 2010. A show of hands for lawmakers favoring pornography was requested in the House last week. “C’mon, raise your hand!” cried Representative Bart Gordon, furious that a major $85 billion measure to renew national science research financing had run afoul of a mischievous Republican amendment against federal bureaucrats watching pornography on the job. “Nobody? Nobody is for pornography? Well, I’m shocked,” said Mr. Gordon. He was crestfallen at having to pull back the bill when fellow Democrats dared not risk a “no” vote on an antipornography motion, however extraneous, that could be used as a cheap shot against them in the coming elections. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20thu4.html?th&emc=th

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Spill baby Spill Newsletter - May 15, 2010

2010-05-15T11:12:00.001-07:00

Spill baby Spill Newsletter - May 15, 2010

“You don’t have to look far for proof that this country must cut its dependence on fossil fuels and develop cleaner sources of energy. It can be found in the oil-slicked Gulf of Mexico. It can be found in China’s aggressive efforts to win the global competition for green technologies and green jobs. And, most urgently, it can be found in the inexorable math of accumulating greenhouse gas emissions. And where is the Senate? After a year of talking, utterly nowhere. Paralyzed by partisanship, hobbled by indifferent leadership, it is unable to muster a majority (much less a filibuster-proof 60 votes) for even a modest energy and climate bill.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: While the Senate Fiddles. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/opinion/14fri1.html?th&emc=th

Senate Gets a Climate and Energy Bill, Modified by a Gulf Spill That Still Grows By JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/science/earth/13climate.html?th&emc=th

Western Senators Propose Ban on Pacific Drilling By JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14spill.html?th&emc=th

Oil Containment Solution Randomizer http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309252/may-10-2010/oil-containment-solution-randomizer

‘Junk Shot’ Is Next Step for Leaking Gulf of Mexico Well. By HENRY FOUNTAIN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 14, 2010. Can golf balls save the gulf? That question hangs in the air here at a BP crisis center as hundreds of engineers and scientists work to cap the undersea well that for more than three weeks has spewed oil into the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/us/15junk.html?th&emc=th

Oil spill investigators find critical problems in blowout preventer By Steven Mufson and David A. Fahrenthold. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, May 13, 2010. A House energy panel investigation has found that the blowout preventer that failed to stop a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had a dead battery in its control pod, leaks in its hydraulic system, a "useless" test version of a key component and a cutting tool that wasn't strong enough to shear through steel joints in the well pipe and stop the flow of oil. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051202190.html?hpid=topnews

New Setback in Attempt to Contain Gulf Oil Spill By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2010. The latest effort to contain the oil spill that has poured millions of gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico encountered a setback 5,000 feet underwater, officials said Saturday, meaning oil will continue gushing into the ocean for at least several more days, and possibly months. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/us/09rig.html?th&emc=th

There Will Be Blame http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-may-13-2010/there-will-be-blame

Obama Vows End to ‘Cozy’ Oversight of Oil Industry By JOHN M. BRODER and HELENE COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. President Obama on Friday angrily assailed the finger-pointing among the three companies involved in the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a “ridiculous spectacle,” even as his own administration came under criticism for failing to do enough to prevent an environmental calamity. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/us/politics/15obama.html?th&emc=th

For BP, a History of Spills and Safety Lapses By JAD MOUAWAD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2010... Despite those repeated promises to reform, BP continues to lag other oil companies when it comes to safety, according to federal officials and industry analysts. Many problems still afflict its operations in Texas and Alaska, they say. Regulators are investigating a whistle-blower’s allegations of safety violations at the Atlantis, one of BP’s newest offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/business/09bp.html?hp

Oil spill executives face grilling By Ed Crooks in London, Sheila McNulty in Houston, Anna Fifield in Washington and Harvey Morris in Venice, Louisiana. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 10 2010 14:03 | Last updated: May 11 2010 01:19. Top officials from BP, Trans ocean and Halliburton are set to point the finger at each other in the first of a series of congressional hearings on Tuesday, as legislators look for answers following last month’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/oil-spill-executives-face-grilling.html

U.S. Said to Allow Drilling Without Needed Permits By IAN URBINA. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14agency.html?th&emc=th

Independent Inquiry Into Oil Spill Is Urged By MATTHEW L. WALD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. As the Obama administration moves to end a conflict-of-interest problem in the operation of the Minerals Management Service, a rising chorus of experts is demanding that it rectify a similar conflict and appoint an independent blue-ribbon commission to investigate the gulf spill. The government’s main effort to get at the root causes of the April 20 oil rig explosion and spill is led by a six-member Board of Inquiry that has been holding hearings this week in Kenner, La. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/us/politics/15inquire.html?th&emc=th

Size of Oil Spill Underestimated, Scientists Say By JUSTIN GILLIS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14oil.html?th&emc=th

Odd Smells in New Orleans, Thoughts of the Gulf. By SUSAN SAULNY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010... The signature scent around Bourbon Street, after all, is the smell of spilled liquor. But from the French Quarter to New Orleans East, people here have been complaining about a tinge to the air that is unsettling even by local standards. Many suspect that it has something to do with the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, which has already leaked millions of gallons of crude about 50 miles off the Louisiana coast. The authorities involved in the cleanup of the fallen Deepwater Horizon oil rig have been burning oil on the surface of the gulf and using chemical dispersants around the leak. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/us/15smell.html?th&emc=th

International

Clustershag to 10 Downing - Hung Parliament http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-10-2010/clustershag-to-10-downing---hung-parliament

Clustershag to 10 Downing - New Prime Minister http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-may-12-2010/clustershag-to-10-downing---new-prime-minister

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Brown makes a mischievous exit Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 10 2010 20:30 | Last updated: May 10 2010 20:30. Gordon Brown’s announcement that he will resign as Labour party leader has been cast as an act of selfless statesmanship. The timing, however, suggests otherwise. Coming just as negotations between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats reached a delicate stage, Mr Brown’s move seemed calculated to cause maximum disruption and open the way to a Labour-Lib Dem power-sharing deal. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/financial-times-editorial-comment-brown.html

Cameron Takes Over as British Premier After Brown Resigns By JOHN F. BURNS. Copyright By THE NEW YORK TIMES. Published: May 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/world/europe/12britain.html?hp

Bank of England Keeps Rates Steady By JULIA WERDIGIER and MATTHEW SALTMARSH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/business/global/11boe.html?hpw

Greece Wither Soon - Scheherazade Rehman http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309251/may-10-2010/greece-wither-soon---scheherazade-rehman

Euro plunges as growth worries mount By Robert Budden. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 14 2010 08:29 | Last updated: May 14 2010 12:23. Fears of deflation in Spain and renewed concerns that tough new austerity measures across Europe would damp growth spooked investors in the region on Friday, sending the euro to new 18-month lows, share markets tumbling and gold to a new high. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/euro-plunges-as-growth-worries-mount.html

Conservatives in Germany Suffer Defeat at Polls By NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc lost its grip on the upper house of Germany’s Parliament on Sunday, as voters in an important regional election dealt her party a strong setback seen as the first significant political fallout from the Greece crisis. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/world/europe/10germany.html?th&emc=th

Financial Crisis Tests Germany’s Ability to Lead By NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by the Associated Press. Published: May 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/business/global/11germany.html?th&emc=th

Price falls in Spain revive deflation fears By Mark Mulligan in Madrid. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 14 2010 13:04 | Last updated: May 14 2010 13:04. Core annual inflation in Spain fell for the first time since 1986 last month, reviving fears of a damaging deflationary trend in the crisis-hit country. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/price-falls-in-spain-revive-deflation.html

Thai Forces Move on Protesters as Tension Grows By SETH MYDANS and THOMAS FULLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/world/asia/15thai.html?hp

Thai Red Shirt security chief shot in head By THANYARAT DOKSONE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Thursday, May 13, 2010; 9:24 AM. A renegade army officer accused of marshaling a paramilitary force among Thailand's Red Shirt protesters was shot in the head Thursday, apparently by a sniper, an aide said. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051300487.html?hpid=topnews

Thai Army Cites ‘Live Fire Zone’ as Clashes Continue By THOMAS FULLER and SETH MYDANS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 15, 2010. The Thai military declared a neighborhood of Bangkok a “live-fire zone” on Saturday and said it was calling in reinforcements as fighting spread to several areas in the city and the death toll in a three-day offensive against anti-government protesters rose to 17. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/world/asia/16thai.html?hp

Aquino set to be Philippine president By Roel Landingin in Manila. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 10 2010 09:11 | Last updated: May 11 2010 08:36. Senator Benigno Aquino, the son of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino, was on course to win presidential elections with initial results giving him a healthy lead over his rivals. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/aquino-set-to-be-philippine-president.html

Jet Crashes in Libya; Boy Is Said to Be Sole Survivor By NICOLA CLARK AND MARK McDONALD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/middleeast/13libya.html?hp

China

9 Killed in School Attack in China By EDWARD WONG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/asia/13china.html?hp

China’s Premier Discusses School Attacks By EDWARD WONG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/world/asia/15beijing.html?hp

Chinese trade returns to surplus By Geoff Dyer in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 10 2010 07:18 | Last updated: May 10 2010 07:18. China returned to a modest trade surplus last month after recording a deficit in March. The 87 per cent reduction in the surplus compared with last year could ease some of the pressure on Beijing to appreciate its currency. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/chinese-trade-returns-to-surplus.html

China consumer price rise picks up pace By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 11 2010 05:19 | Last updated: May 11 2010 05:19. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/china-consumer-price-rise-picks-up-pace.html

Mess-o-potamia

New York Times Editorial: Mr. Obama and Mr. Karzai, Take Two. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010. After months of rancor, President Obama made nice to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan on Wednesday, and Mr. Karzai made nice back. At a White House press conference, the two men painted a sunny, improbable picture of cooperation and mutual respect. There was no mention of the many failings of Mr. Karzai’s government or his resentment of American pressure. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/opinion/13thu1.html?th&emc=th

Karzai’s Warm Reception Reflects New U.S. Approach By HELENE COOPER and MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/world/asia/11karzai.html?hp

Distrust of Afghan Leaders Threatens U.S. War Strategy By ALISSA J. RUBIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/asia/13afghan.html?th&emc=th

Afghanistan appreciates its partnership with the U.S. By Hamid Karzai. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 9, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704058.html

Imam’s Path From Condemning Terror to Preaching Jihad By SCOTT SHANE and SOUAD MEKHENNET. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2010. In the weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, the eloquent 30-year-old imam of a mosque outside Washington became a go-to Muslim cleric for reporters scrambling to explain Islam. He condemned the mass murder, invited television crews to follow him around and patiently explained the rituals of his religion. “We came here to build, not to destroy,” the cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, said in a sermon. “We are the bridge between Americans and one billion Muslims worldwide.” At first glance, it seemed plausible that this lanky, ambitious man, with the scholarly wire-rims and equal command of English and Arabic, could indeed be such a bridge. CD sets of his engaging lectures on the Prophet Muhammad were in thousands of Muslim homes. American-born, he had a sense of humor, loved deep-sea fishing, had dabbled in get-rich-quick investment schemes and dropped references to “Joe Sixpack” into his sermons. A few weeks before the attacks he had preached in the United States Capitol. Nine years later, from his hide-out in Yemen, Mr. Awlaki has declared war on the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html?th&emc=th U.S. Decision to Approve Killing of Cleric Causes Unease By SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 13, 2010. he Obama administration’s decision to authorize the killing by the Central Intelligence Agency of a terrorism suspect who is an American citizen has set off a debate over the legal and political limits of drone missile strikes, a mainstay of the campaign against terrorism. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/world/14awlaki.html?th&emc=th

Iraqi Deal to End De-Baathification By ANTHONY SHADID. Copyright by The The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010. Iraqi politicians have reached an agreement to halt a four-month campaign to bar candidates from politics for ties to the Baath Party, American and Iraqi officials said, papering over the sectarian tensions it unleashed, at least for now, and removing an obstacle in the long-delayed process of forming a new government. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/world/middleeast/12baghdad.html?th&emc=th

Dozens killed in attacks across Iraq By Ernesto Londoño. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 10, 2010; 9:23 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/10/AR2010051000194.html?hpid=topnews

Palestinians turn to boycott in West Bank By Janine Zacharia. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 15, 2010; 10:53 AM. In Mishor Adumim, a bougainvillea-lined industrial zone inside this West Bank Jewish settlement, at least 17 businesses have closed since Palestinians began boycotting its products several months ago. For the Israelis, it's "an insufferable situation," according to Avi Elkayam, who represents the settlement's 300 factory owners. But for Palestinians, it might be the strategy they have been looking for. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/15/AR2010051501492.html?hpid=topnews

National

Colbert Report - Confirming Elena http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309294/may-13-2010/confirming-elena

Elena Kagan: A smart woman with fewer choices? By Ruth Marcus. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 14, 2010. She's not gay, okay? Actually, the all-too-public discussion about the ought-to-be private topic of Elena Kagan's sexuality would be easier if the Supreme Court nominee were gay. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051304685.html

Gaywatch: Law School Friends, Eliot Spitzer Say Kagan is Straight By Max Read. Copyright by Gawker.com. May 12, 2010 http://gawker.com/5536875/gaywatch-law-school-friends-eliot-spitzer-say-kagan-is-straight?skyline=true&s=i

Far-Right Group AFA Demands To Know Kagan’s Sexuality, Since ‘No Lesbian Is Qualified’ To Sit On SCOTUS By Amanda Terkel. May 10th, 2010 at 12:07 pm. Copyright by Think Progress http://thinkprogress.org/2010/05/10/kagan-lesbian/

Release the Kagan http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-may-11-2010/release-the-kagan

Kagan Worship - Dahlia Lithwick http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309265/may-11-2010/kagan-worship---dahlia-lithwick

Obama Picks Kagan as Justice Nominee By PETER BAKER and JEFF ZELENY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/us/politics/11court.html?hp

A Climb Marked by Confidence and Canniness By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG, KATHARINE Q. SEELYE and LISA W. FODERARO. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 10, 2010. Elena Kagan has been all of these things, charting a careful and, some might say, calculated path — never revealing too much of herself, never going too far out on a political limb — that has led her to the spot she occupies today: the first female solicitor general of the United States, who won confirmation with the support of some important Republicans, and now, at 50, President Obama’s nominee for the United States Supreme Court. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/us/politics/10kagan.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Pssst, Over to You. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010. The United States Senate was supposed to have dropped its insidious tradition that let members put endless secret holds on nominations and other important matters. The abuse continues, more murky than ever. The reform, adopted three years ago, required senators to identify themselves within six days of blocking a nominee, and to state their objection. That stricture has been routinely violated with cheesy gamesmanship. Members — mostly in the Republican minority — pass secret holds among themselves to foil the time limit. Right now there are 52 nominees on secret holds — all noncontroversial in committee debates. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat of Missouri, is so fed up that she is challenging her colleagues from the Senate floor to fess up. “If you’re gonna stall and block, let’s see who you are,” she demanded in one speech. Charles Grassley, a Republican of Iowa, echoed her, urging secret holders to “have the guts to go public.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/opinion/13thu3.html?th&emc=th

White House video blog offers an inside view By Paul Farhi. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 15, 2010....You didn't see it on the networks because the behind-the-scenes video was only available on "West Wing Week," the Obama administration's new video blog. The six- to seven-minute compilations, which appear each week on the White House's Web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov) and on such video-sharing sites as YouTube, offer what a narrator on each segment calls "your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/14/AR2010051401316.html?hpid=topnews

Pakistani Taliban Behind Times Sq. Plot, Holder Says By JOSEPH BERGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/us/politics/10holder.html?hp

U.S. Urges Action in Pakistan After Failed Bombing By JANE PERLEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/asia/09pstan.html?th&emc=th

Heavy Drone Strikes Pound Western Pakistan By JANE PERLEZ and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/world/asia/12pstan.html?hp

3 in Custody May Have Supported Bomb Suspect By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM and SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 13, 2010. Three Pakistani men taken into custody during a series of raids across the Northeast as part of the investigation into the failed Times Square car bombing may have provided money to the man who has admitted carrying out the unsuccessful attack, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said Thursday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/nyregion/14terror.html?hp

Details Emerge About 3 Men Detained in Bomb Case By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. The three Pakistani men detained by federal authorities who are investigating the failed Times Square car bombing came from varied backgrounds: one was a computer programmer, one a gas station attendant and one a cabdriver. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/nyregion/15terror.html?hpw

Chicagoland

“All the while the state Legislature refuses to put Illinois on a sane budgetary path, state services are breaking down. Most recently comes the news that the North Suburban Library System will shrink into a shell of its former self, shutting down most of its services on May 30 and laying off most of its staff, including executive director Sarah Long.” Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Legislature's failure hitting home already. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 15, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2277174,CST-EDT-edit16.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Profiles in failure. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 3:46 p.m. CDT, May 8, 2010. There must be some reason all of us keep paying our legislators. Their record of accomplishment isn't it. For a second year since many of them promised a post-Blagojevich era of responsibility, many of them aren't confronting the three crises that have Illinois — and its jobs-starved economy — circling a drain. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-edit-budget-0509-20100508,0,3279926.story

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Spineless in Springfield: They can't do right thing. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 10, 2010. It's a long time between now and the November election -- at least state legislators like to think so. By November, they're hoping their profound incompetence will be long forgotten by voters. Lawmakers left the Capitol on Friday without tackling a $13 billion deficit, a budget hole so large it threatens to irrevocably weaken our schools, universities and social service safety net. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2253812,CST-EDT-edit10a.article

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Daley comes out swinging at press. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 14, 2010. Is Mayor Daley trying to give the press grief? You bet.
Can we complain? Not much. On Daley's order, City Hall on Thursday began posting online all requests for government documents under the Freedom of Information Act -- the lifeblood of investigative reporters. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2271668,CST-EDT-edit14a.article

Metra: Pagano cashed in on unchecked power - Probe reveals executive director was able to take $475,000 because 'no one was willing to tell him no' By Richard Wronski and Erika Slife. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:07 p.m. CDT, May 14, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-metra-pagano-0515-20100514,0,879475.story

Hawks advance to Western Conference finals - 3 goals in 2nd give Hawks lift they need to dump Canucks 5-1 By Chris Kuc. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 12:21 a.m. CDT, May 12, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-spt-0512-blackhawks-canucks-chicag20100511,0,6339399.story

Toyota

Toyota had attack plan against congressional testimony, documents show. By Michael D. Shear and Peter Whoriskey. Copyright by The Washington Post . Saturday, May 15, 2010. Toyota officials sought to develop a public relations campaign to attack the credibility of key witnesses who have testified before Congress about acceleration problems with the company's cars, according to documents provided to the House committee investigating the automaker. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/14/AR2010051405390.html?hpid=topnews

Toyota Posts $2.2 Billion Annual Profit By HIROKO TABUCHI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/toyota-posts-22-billion-annual-profit.html

GOP Bashing

Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-may-12-2010/back-in-black---glenn-beck-s-nazi-tourette-s

Glenn to the Mountaintop http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309295/may-13-2010/glenn-to-the-mountaintop

Republicans’ Calls for Offshore Drilling Have Grown Quieter By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2010. Two years ago, feisty Republicans commandeered the darkened House chamber during the summer recess to loudly demand that oil companies be allowed to “drill here and drill now.” Now, with an ominous oil slick threatening the Gulf Coast from a deep-well blowout, Republican cries for more offshore oil production have grown quieter. But they have not ceased. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/us/politics/09memo.html?th&emc=th

Tea party wins victory in Utah as incumbent GOP senator loses bid for nomination By Amy Gardner. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 9, 2010. The national "tea party" movement toppled its first incumbent Saturday as long-serving Sen. Robert F. Bennett was defeated at the Utah Republican Party's nominating convention, the most powerful demonstration yet of the anti-Washington tide that is altering the nation's political landscape. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/08/AR2010050803430.html?hpid=topnews

Health Care

“The global war on AIDS has racked up enormous successes over the past decade, most notably by providing drugs for millions of infected people in developing countries who would be doomed without this life-prolonging treatment. Now the campaign is faltering. Donations from the United States and other wealthy countries have leveled off while the number of people infected with H.I.V., the AIDS virus, grows by a million a year. By one informed estimate, only $14 billion will be available of some $27 billion needed this year to fight the disease in the developing world. Fewer than 4 million of the 14 million people infected with the AIDS virus are getting drug treatment — far short of the goal of universal access set by the United States and others.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Wavering War on AIDS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/opinion/14fri2.html?th&emc=th

At Front Lines, AIDS War Is Falling Apart By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010. On the grounds of Uganda’s biggest AIDS clinic, Dinavance Kamukama sits under a tree and weeps. Her disease is probably quite advanced: her kidneys are failing and she is so weak she can barely walk. Leaving her young daughter with family, she rode a bus four hours to the hospital where her cousin Allen Bamurekye, born infected, both works and gets the drugs that keep her alive. But there are no drugs for Ms. Kamukama. As is happening in other clinics in Kampala, all new patients go on a waiting list. A slot opens when a patient dies. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/world/africa/10aids.html?th&emc=th

Zuma’s Frank Talk Starts AIDS Dialogue in South Africa By CELIA W. DUGGER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 14, 2010. In a nation ravaged by AIDS, a disease still hidden in shadows of stigma and shame, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has begun to engage in an extraordinarily open conversation about sex, AIDS and H.I.V. prevention, one ignited in part by his own recent admission that he had unprotected sex during an extramarital affair. Last month, as he announced a vast expansion of H.I.V. testing and AIDS services, he publicly took an H.I.V. test and disclosed that he had tested negative for the virus. Then in a frank interview on Thursday, Mr. Zuma said that he had been circumcised and had encouraged his sons to undergo the procedure, which can reduce a man’s risk of contracting H.I.V. by more than half. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/world/africa/15zuma.html?th&emc=th

A Spreading Peril for Women’s Privacy and Freedom By DOROTHY SAMUELS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010...But abortion-rights groups are newly anxious about new assaults on women’s reproductive rights, including a fight over abortion that snarled the last days of the health care reform debate. Anti-abortion groups are newly emboldened. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/opinion/10mon4.html?th&emc=th

Premature birth rate declines in U.S. - The numbers are down for the second year in a row, suggesting progress in the effort to fight prematurity – which is linked to a host of developmental problems. By Thomas H. Maugh II. Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times. 6:14 p.m. CDT, May 11, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/la-sci-births-20100511,0,6262433.story

Doubt Is Cast on Many Reports of Food Allergies By GINA KOLATA. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010. Many who think they have food allergies actually do not. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/health/research/12allergies.html?hpw

Health Care Reform

“Health insurers in many states have been seeking double-digit premium increases from people who buy their own policies directly from the companies rather than obtaining group coverage at work. In states where regulators have the power to curb excessive rate hikes, the increases are often rejected or negotiated down. In those where the regulatory laws are weak not much can be done beyond jawboning. This hodgepodge of controls over premiums needs to be backstopped by a national law that would allow the federal government to block unjustified rate increases where state officials lack the authority to do so. Attempts to include such powers in the newly enacted health care reform law failed. And while the reform law does have provisions that should help restrain premiums, they lack the necessary teeth.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Anthem Saga. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/opinion/10mon1.html?th&emc=th

Delivering Better Primary Care By PAULINE W. CHEN, M.D. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010. What is clear is this: primary care is hurtling toward a crisis point. Once lauded as health care’s frontline clinicians, primary care practitioners — general internists, family physicians, geriatricians, general pediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — are instead struggling with growing paperwork demands, inadequate and misaligned reimbursement and dwindling numbers of providers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/health/13chen.html?hpw

Fight Erupts Over Rules Issued for ‘Mental Health Parity’ Insurance Law By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010. A huge fight has erupted over rules issued by the Obama administration to enforce a 2008 law that requires equal insurance coverage for the treatment of mental and physical illnesses. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/health/policy/10health.html?hpw

Business Group Joins Suit on Health Law By KEVIN SACK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. With the aim of depoliticizing a largely Republican assault, the leading lobbying group for small businesses has joined officials from 20 states in their legal challenge to the new health care law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/health/policy/15lawsuit.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

U.S. Retail Sales in April Beat Expectations. Copyright By REUTERS. Published: May 14, 2010. Sales at United States retailers rose more than expected in April, lifted by a surprise gain in motor vehicle purchases, government data showed on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/business/economy/15econ.html?hpw

US first-time jobless claims ease. By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.. Published: May 13 2010 14:06 | Last updated: May 13 2010 14:06. The number of Americans making first-time claims for jobless benefits fell for the fourth week running last week, adding to growing evidence that the labour market is recovering. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-first-time-jobless-claims-ease.html

Return of shoppers boosts Macy’s profits By Jonathan Birchall, US Retail Correspondent. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 12 2010 14:42 | Last updated: May 12 2010 14:42. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/return-of-shoppers-boosts-macys-profits.html

Goldman and JPMorgan roar ahead By Francesco Guerrera in New York and Brooke Masters in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 10 2010 19:56 | Last updated: May 11 2010 00:15. The trading operations of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase made money every single business day in the first quarter, a feat that was a first for the companies and underlines the boom in Wall Street’s investment banking revenues. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/goldman-and-jpmorgan-roar-ahead.html

A Nightmare on Wall Street http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-10-2010/a-nightmare-on-wall-street

Big seller in market drop ID'ed as Waddell & Reed By DAVID PITT. Copyright by the Associated Press. May 14, 2010. Shares of money manager Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. fell Friday as it was identified as the stock trader that sold off a large number of index futures contracts during last Thursday's market collapse. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/05/14/1474779/big-seller-in-market-drop-ided.html?storylink=mirelated

Computer Trades Are Focus in Wall Street Plunge By GRAHAM BOWLEY and EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/business/10markets.html?th&emc=th

Fannie Mae Seeks Another $8.4 Billion in Aid. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: May 10, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/business/11fannie.html?hpw

Prosecutors Ask if 8 Banks Duped Rating Agencies By LOUISE STORY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/business/13street.html?th&emc=th

Apple May Soon Be the Largest U.S. Company by Jack Hough. Copyright by Smart Money. May 14, 2010. Apple (AAPL) is suddenly America's third-largest company by stock market value. Over the past three years, its shares have more than doubled in price, while those of No. 2 Microsoft (MSFT) and No. 1 Exxon Mobil (XOM) have fallen slightly. If that trend continues, Apple will be America's largest company by year's end. http://m.smartmoney.com/Investing/Stocks/apple-may-soon-be-americas-largest-company/?afl=yahoo&mobilesite=1

More roadblocks crop up as Tribune Co. tries to emerge from bankruptcy - Objections to Chapter 11 disclosure statement complicate company's efforts to win judge's approval By Michael Oneal. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 9:06 p.m. CDT, May 13, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0514-tribune--20100513,0,7260707,full.story

Your Money

Debit Fee Cut Is a Rare Loss for Big Banks By BINYAMIN APPELBAUM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. Retailers have begged Congress for years, in vain, to limit the fees they must pay to banks when customers swipe credit or debit cards. Bills never reached a vote. Amendments were left on the table. The Senate did not even grant the courtesy of a committee hearing. That long record of futility ended in a landslide Thursday night. Sixty-four senators, including 17 Republicans, agreed to impose price controls on debit transactions over the furious objections of the beleaguered banking industry. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/business/15credit.html?th&emc=th

Banks Lobbying Against Derivatives Trading Ban By BINYAMIN APPELBAUM and ERIC LICHTBLAU. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010. Cory Strupp, who represents Wall Street in Washington, spent the last six months lobbying for more than two dozen changes in the derivatives chapter of the Senate’s financial legislation. He has spent the last two weeks focused on one: eliminating a new provision that would require banks to leave the lucrative business of derivatives trading. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/business/10lobby.html?th&emc=th

Housing

40% of home sellers a a loss in March. By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 10, 2010 8:31 AM...Forty percent of all homes sold in the Chicago area in March sold for less than the seller paid, according to a new report scheduled to be released Monday. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/05/40-of-home-sellers-took-a-loss-in-march-zillow-reports.html

Commodities

Federal Reserve to test term deposit facility By James Politi in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 11 2010 00:06 | Last updated: May 11 2010 00:06. The Federal Reserve said on Monday it would begin testing its “term deposit facility” – a tool to drain liquidity from the US financial system – as early as mid-June. Fed officials have made clear that the move to press ahead with term deposits should not be considered a sign that it will soon begin raising interest rates. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/federal-reserve-to-test-term-deposit.html

Travel

36 Hours in Kansas City, Mo. By CHARLY WILDER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/travel/16hours.html?hpw

Religion

Church Crisis Shakes Faith of German Town By NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010... Villagers were shaken by revelations of past sexual and physical abuse of more than 100 students by some 15 monks at the school of the Ettal Benedictine Monastery, just a few miles down the road. Many, too, are feeling alienated from and angry at the church not only for what some see as an inadequate response to the most recent sexual-abuse crisis, but also for a broader failure to connect with Catholics living in modern Europe. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/world/europe/15germany.html?hpw

A Priest’s Legacy Survives, and Divides, in Mexico By MARC LACEY and ELISABETH MALKIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2010...The Vatican’s decision to take control of the powerful religious order and to label Father Maciel “devoid of scruples and of genuine religious sentiment” because of his long history of sexual abuse is causing particular soul-searching in Mexico, where many of the country’s upper crust helped the Mexican-born priest build his religious empire. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/americas/13maciel.html?hpw

Pope Issues Strongest Words to Date on Abuse By RACHEL DONADIO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/world/europe/12pope.html?hp

Legal

“THE SUPREME COURT'S ruling in the Citizens United campaign finance case opened a dangerous pathway for corporations to spend money in direct support of -- or in opposition to -- candidates for federal office. Under the decision, corporations -- and labor unions -- still can't give money directly to federal candidates, but they can spend unlimited sums in independent expenditures for or against them. Even more dangerous, because of preexisting gaps in campaign disclosure laws, the money can be spent, in effect, anonymously. The entity spending the money -- say, Americans for Really Good Government (ARGG) -- would have to register with the Federal Election Commission and report its activities, but ARGG would not have to disclose its donors. So Corporation A or Labor Union B could give unlimited sums to ARGG to run ads going after Candidate C -- and the public would have no clue. This troubling situation should be fixed in time for the next election.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: Corporate money in politics. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 9, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/08/AR2010050803134.html

Holder Backs a Miranda Limit for Terror Suspects By CHARLIE SAVAGE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 9, 2010. The Obama administration said Sunday it would seek a law allowing investigators to interrogate terrorism suspects without informing them of their rights, as Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. flatly asserted that the defendant in the Times Square bombing attempt was trained by the Taliban in Pakistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/us/politics/10holder.html?th&emc=th

Immigration

Citing Individualism, Arizona Tries to Rein in Ethnic Studies in School By TAMAR LEWIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010. Less than a month after signing the nation’s toughest law on illegal immigration, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona has again upset the state’s large Hispanic population, signing a bill aimed at ending ethnic studies in Tucson schools. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/education/14arizona.html?hpw

In Arizona, just say no to Latino heritage By Eugene Robinson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 14, 2010. At least we don't have to pretend anymore. Arizona's passing of that mean-spirited immigration law wasn't about high-minded principle or the need to maintain public order. Apparently, it was all about putting Latinos in their place. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051304373.html

The GOP's harsh immigration stance will cost it By Michael Gerson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 14, 2010. Has the Republican Party become, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently charged, the "anti-immigrant party"? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051303542.html

Student’s Arrest Tests Immigration Policy. By ROBBIE BROWN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 14, 2010. Jessica Colotl, a 21-year-old college student and illegal Mexican immigrant at the center of a contentious immigration case, surrendered to a Georgia sheriff on Friday but continued to deny wrongdoing. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/us/15student.html?th&emc=th

Side by Side, but Divided Over Immigration By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010. As the Arizona Legislature steamed ahead with the most stringent immigration enforcement bill in the country this year, this state’s House of Representatives was unanimously passing a resolution recognizing the economic benefits of illegal immigrants. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/us/12newmexico.html?th&emc=th

GLBT

Who Can The LGBT Community Support in 2010! by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 10 2010... There is simply no longer any benefit in giving to the national Democratic entities such as the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Fund. Because of their apparent love affair with Blue Dog Democrats, most who oppose LGBT rights, we would only be freeing up money for candidates who will hurt us instead of help us. Even 'special funds' set up inside those committees only help create money for those who oppose us. Second, we don't have to support those committees to be good citizens and to help our community. There are now enough candidates who support full equality, including marriage equality, that we no longer have to accept second best. We can raise money, awareness and support for candidates who believe in us. We don't need to go through Committees to support them, we can write checks directly. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/who-can-the-lgbt-community-support-in-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

'Glee' creator calls for Newsweek boycott after piece about gay actors. By Patrick Goldstein. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 3:11 p.m. CDT, May 12, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-100511-glee-boycott-newsweek-gay,0,2206751.story

Why Do All These Homosexuals Keep Sucking My C**k? By Bruce Heffernan. Copyright by The Onion. October 28, 1998 | ISSUE 34•13. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-do-all-these-homosexuals-keep.html http://www.theonion.com/articles/why-do-all-these-homosexuals-keep-sucking-my-cock,10861/

Technology

Facebook’s open disdain for privacy. By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 12 2010 22:05 | Last updated: May 12 2010 22:05... Unfortunately, Mark Zuckerberg, the 25-year-old who founded Facebook as a private social network for Harvard students, has recently been displaying a disregard bordering on disdain for Facebook users’ right to maintain control over personal information. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a967d5e4-5dfa-11df-8153-00144feab49a,s01=1.html

Google Says It Collected Private Data by Mistake By BRAD STONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010. Google said on Friday that for more than three years it had inadvertently collected snippets of private information that people send over unencrypted wireless networks. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/business/15google.html?th&emc=th

Cars’ Computer Systems Called at Risk to Hackers. By JOHN MARKOFF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2010. Automobiles, which will be increasingly connected to the Internet in the near future, could be vulnerable to hackers just as computers are now, two teams of computer scientists are warning in a paper to be presented next week. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/science/14hack.html?hpw

Revamped Microsoft Office Will Be Free on the Web By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/technology/12soft.html?hpw

Entertainment

SNL Betty White Monologue http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/betty-white-monologue/1226076/

Digital Short: Motherlover *Uncensored http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/digital-short-motherlover-uncensored/1103443/ Editorial Note: X – rated

D*** in a Box http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/d-in-a-box/51523/ Editorial Note: X – rated

Little Lord Gaga Greyson Michael Chance's Paparazzi Is A Web Sensation - Video Ga Ga http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yYf4CwyF58

One ‘Law & Order’ Gets a Death Sentence, as Another Joins the Force By BRIAN STELTER and BILL CARTER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/arts/television/15law.html?th&emc=th

Other

WEAKLY HUMERUS NEWS 05-0-10 AIMED AT YOUR FUNNY BONE http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/weakly-humerus-news-05-15-10.html

Australian Sperm Shortage http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309266/may-11-2010/australian-sperm-shortage

Sunday Morning Sex http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunday-morning-sex.html

Playing Doctor! http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/05/playing-doctor.html

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Greece: from the cradle of civilization to its threat Newsletter - May 8, 2010

2010-05-08T13:06:00.001-07:00

Greece: from the cradle of civilization to its threat Newsletter - May 8, 2010

Greek Unrest Raises Fears About Impact on Bailout. By DAN BILEFSKY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 5, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/europe/07greece.html?th&emc=th

Greece Agrees to a Bailout Deal With EU and I.M.F. By DAN BILEFSKY and LANDON THOMAS Jr. Copyright by The new York Times. Published: May 2, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/business/global/03drachma.html?hp

European banks in bonds plea to ECB By David Oakley and Anousha Sakoui in London and Ralph Atkins in Lisbon. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Europe’s banks on Friday made a desperate appeal for the European Central Bank to buy the bonds of crisis-hit eurozone members, as a fresh day of turmoil in markets battered share prices around the globe. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/european-banks-in-bonds-plea-to-ecb.html

European Bank’s Assurances Fail to Placate Investors By JACK EWING. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 6, 2010. The European Central Bank disappointed investors hoping for decisive action on Thursday to contain the euro zone’s increasingly virulent debt crisis, pushing the euro to another low for the year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/business/global/07ecb.html?th&emc=th

Pressure mounts on eurozone over crisis. By Tony Barber in Brussels and Ben Hall in Paris. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 7 2010 17:24 | Last updated: May 7 2010 17:24. European leaders came under pressure from financial markets on Friday to seize the initiative at an emergency summit and stop the eurozone’s sovereign debt crisis from spreading out of control. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/pressure-mounts-on-eurozone-over-crisis.html

Germany: Merkel’s moment By Quentin Peel in Berlin. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 7 2010 22:23 | Last updated: May 7 2010 22:23...During a week in which protests in Greece at austerity measures led to riots and three innocent victims being burned to death – and with the danger of the debt crisis spreading to Portugal and Spain, with a knock-on effect on banking shares and global stock markets – the sight of the once ebullient chancellor looking so frail might almost be taken as a metaphor for the state of Europe. The common currency he so enthusiastically launched with his friend President François Mitterrand of France in 1992, as the culmination of European integration, is under attack as never before. Questions are being asked about its very survival. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/germany-merkels-moment.html

German Parliament Approves Greek Rescue By JUDY DEMPSEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/business/global/08drachma.html?hpw

Spain Risks Falling Into Same Trap as Greece By RAPHAEL MINDER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2010. For months, politicians and banking executives in Galicia, in northwestern Spain, have been talking about a merger between the region’s two savings banks, which are in trouble because of loan losses from the collapsed construction industry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/global/04peseta.html?ref=global-home

Spain creeps out of recession after almost two years By Victor Mallet in Madrid. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 7 2010 11:55 | Last updated: May 7 2010 11:55./ Spain’s economy crept out of recession in the first quarter of 2010 after nearly two years of decline, according to a preliminary estimate released on Friday by the Bank of Spain. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/spain-creeps-out-of-recession-after.html

International

"Whoever leads the next government, the top priority must be reducing Britain’s 11.5 percent budget deficit. That will require painful cuts. Public sector jobs, wages and contracts must all be on the table. Schools, job training and the National Health Service must not." New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: They Call It a Hung Parliament. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/opinion/08sat2.html?th&emc=th

Unclear Result in Britain Puts Focus on Electoral Rules. By SARAH LYALL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/world/europe/08reform.html?hpw

The Road Ahead Is Uncertain and Likely Difficult. By SARAH LYALL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010. The Liberal Democrats hoped it would happen. The Conservatives warned that it could lead to disaster. And the Labour Party could potentially use it to cling to power for a little while longer. For the first time since the 1970s, the British vote resulted in a hung Parliament, a situation in which no party has an overall majority and so cannot pass legislation without support from another party. It is unclear how this relatively unusual scenario will play out here, but there are a number of possibilities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/europe/07london.html?th&emc=th

Lib Dems consider power-sharing deal By James Boxell, Jim Pickard and Kiran Stacey. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 8 2010 10:58 | Last updated: May 8 2010 15:15. Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, said his party remained committed to “fundamental reform” of the political system on Saturday as he met with party MPs to discuss a power-sharing offer from David Cameron. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/lib-dems-consider-power-sharing-deal.html

Investors Unnerved by Britain’s Electoral Limbo By LANDON THOMAS Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/world/europe/08pound.html?hpw

Thai Protests Continue as King Marks Anniversary on Throne By THOMAS FULLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010. Anti-government protesters remained defiant in their fortified encampment here on Wednesday as the country’s king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, made a rare outing to mark six decades since his coronation. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/world/asia/06thai.html?hpw

China

China slowdown fears add to debt worries By Jamie Chisholm, Global Markets Commentator. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 4 2010 08:35 | Last updated: May 4 2010 15:27. Nagging concerns about the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and worries over an economic slowdown in China saw investors flee from risk on Tuesday. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/china-slowdown-fears-add-to-debt.html

Red China, Green China By BRUCE USHER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010. The United States, with its expertise, capital and entrepreneurial spirit, is well positioned to dominate what could easily be the biggest market of the 21st century. But as the most recent delay over the Senate energy bill shows, the country is missing a key ingredient in shaping an effective clean-tech policy: the political will to encourage the innovation, manufacturing and investment necessary to bring these new technologies to market. And the longer America drags its feet, the more it cedes this enormous potential source of national wealth to the only other country able to capture it — China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/opinion/07Usher.html?th&emc=th

As Athens burns, China may cling to peg by Geoff Dyer. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010 . May 7, 2010 10:22am. One of the collateral impacts of the carnage in global markets over the last few days could be a delay in any Chinese decision to begin appreciating its currency. That, at least, is the message from the onshore forward market for the Chinese renminbi which is now implying an increase in the value of the Chinese currency of only 0.8 per cent over the next 12 months - well down on the sort of appreciation that was widely expected only a few weeks ago. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/as-athens-burns-china-may-cling-to-peg.html

Mess-o-potamia

At nuclear conference, U.N., Clinton scold Ahmadinejad for defying resolutions By Colum Lynch, Mary Beth Sheridan and William Branigin. Copyright by The Washington Post . Monday, May 3, 2010; 4:35 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/03/AR2010050302089.html?hpid=topnews

Shiite Alliance in Iraq May Push Allawi Aside By STEVEN LEE MYERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2010. The electoral coalitions of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and the other major Shiite bloc in Iraq announced a postelection alliance on Tuesday night that cleared the way for a Shiite-dominated government for the next four years. The new alliance — not unlike the one that emerged after Iraq’s last parliamentary election in 2005 — strengthens the position of the country’s main Shiite parties but does not yet guarantee Mr. Maliki re-election for a second term. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/world/middleeast/05iraq.html?ref=global-home

On Israel, Jews and Leaders Often Disagree By PAUL VITELLO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010...But the recent tension between the Obama administration and the Israeli government over the stalled Middle East peace process has put the questions underlying those long-avoided family discussions directly in the public spotlight. They have raised serious questions about whether the traditional leadership of the American Jewish world is fully supported by the mass of American Jews. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/us/politics/06jews.html?th&emc=th

Palestinians agree to new peace talks with Israel. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 8 2010 17:24 | Last updated: May 8 2010 17:24. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on Saturday approved indirect talks with Israel, clearing the way for the first negotiations in 18 months and giving a boost to US peace diplomacy. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/palestinians-agree-to-new-peace-talks.html

National

"Congress, for example, is cowering before the gun lobby insistence that even terrorist suspects who are placed on the “no-fly list” must not be denied the right to buy and bear arms. Suspects on that list purchased more than 1,100 weapons in the last six years, but Congress has never summoned the gumption to stop this trade in the name of public safety and political sanity." New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: The Gun Lobby’s Long Shadow. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/opinion/07fri1.html?th&emc=th

Congress, Up in Arms By GAIL COLLINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010. There seems to be a strong sentiment in Congress that the only constitutional right suspected terrorists have is the right to bear arms. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06gcollins.html?th&emc=th

Explosive and the City 2 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-may-4-2010/explosive-and-the-city-2

New York Times Editorial: Luck and Vigilance. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 3, 2010. New York City was lucky this time. The bomb-laden vehicle that pulled into Times Square Saturday night smoldered but didn’t ignite. Two nearby vendors warned a policeman. Officers quickly cleared the area and alerted bomb-squad specialists and investigators.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/opinion/04tue2.html?ref=opinion

Smoking Car to an Arrest in 53 Hours By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM and AL BAKER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/nyregion/05tictoc.html?ref=global-home

Faisal Shahzad, U.S. citizen from Pakistan, arrested in Times Square bomb attempt By Spencer S. Hsu, Jerry Markon and Karin Brulliard. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 4, 2010; 12:39 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050400192.html?hpid=topnews

Suspect, Charged, Said to Admit to Role in Plot By MARK MAZZETTI, SABRINA TAVERNISE and JACK HEALY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 4, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/nyregion/05bomb.html?th&emc=th

Evidence Mounts for Taliban Role in Car Bomb Plot By MARK MAZZETTI and SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by Reuters. Published: May 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/nyregion/06bomb.html?hp

Times Sq. Bomb Suspect Is Linked to Militant Cleric By SCOTT SHANE and MARK MAZZETTI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/middleeast/07awlaki-.html?hpw

When a Suspect Likes to Talk, and Talk By WILLIAM GLABERSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/nyregion/07detain.html?hpw

Puerto Rican statehood? No thanks, Gutierrez says By Katherine Skiba. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 2, 2010. Observers say a House-approved measure that could open the door to Puerto Rican statehood has bleak prospects in the Senate. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-gutierrez-puerto-rico-0501-20100501,0,3554953.story

In Washington, a Renewed Taste for Auto Safety. By MICHELINE MAYNARD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010. In the new world of auto regulation, cars could be required to have “black boxes” to record crash data and be able to stop even with the engine at full power. Automakers could be ordered to recall defective vehicles immediately and pay safety fees to cover the costs of federal oversight. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/business/07auto.html?th&emc=th

Chicagoland

"The budget situation in Springfield gets more pathetic with each passing day. The latest outrage was an 11th-hour offer by ComEd to toss aside the way electricity rates are set. ComEd earlier this week floated the idea of giving the cash-strapped state $500 million in exchange for locking in what will almost certainly be artificially high electric rates for most residential customers for years to come. ComEd promised to spend some of the expected profits to bolster infrastructure spending by $1 billion over 10 years. Just before the Legislature's expected adjournment this Friday, ComEd wanted lawmakers to ram through an exceedingly complicated deal all but guaranteed to inflate ComEd profits at the expense of northern Illinois customers. Are we that dumb?" Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: It's up to legislators to solve budget crisis. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times . May 6, 2010. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2241098,CST-EDT-edit06a.article

Illinois' lawmakers paralysis on budget driven by dysfunction, election. By Rick Pearson and Ray Long. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 9, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-illinois-legislature-0509-20100507,0,554146.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Pols' maneuvers hurt Cook County taxpayers. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 8, 2010. Nothing is more complicated in Cook County than the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that goes into producing your tax bill. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2250622,CST-EDT-edit09a.article

Madigan is pulling a Tony Soprano BY CAROL MARIN . Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times . May 8, 2010. How far is state Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan willing to go to make sure Cook County Democratic Chairman Joe Berrios wins the November election? And that insurgent, independent Forrest Claypool is both bloodied and beaten in the process? http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/2250464,CST-EDT-carol09.article

Cook County Board limits Stroger's hiring powers - After new scandal, restrictions placed on him with 7 months left in his term By Hal Dardick. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:26 p.m. CDT, May 4, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-todd-stroger-hiring-crackdown-20100504,0,5588997.story

FBI agents ask about Gutierrez, developer - Questions raised during Ald. Carothers' bribery probe By Todd Lighty and Robert Becker. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:43 a.m. CDT, May 4, 2010
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-gutierrez-galewood-yards-20100504,0,7219512,full.story

Years after torture scandal, Burge going on trial for perjury By Matthew Walberg. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 6, 2010 9:30 AM. http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/jury-selection-begins-in-jon-burge-torture-trial.html?l

GOP Bashing

Tea party groups battling perceptions of racism. By Amy Gardner and Krissah Thompson. Copyright by The Washington Post . Wednesday, May 5, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050405168.html?hpid=topnews

Through oil-fouled water, big government looks better and better By Dana Milbank. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 4, 2010. There is something exquisite about the moment when a conservative decides he needs more government in his life. About 10:30 Monday morning, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), an ardent foe of big government, posted a blog item on his campaign Web site about the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. "I strongly believe BP is spread too thin," he wrote. The poor dears. He thinks it would be a better arrangement if "federal and state officials" would do the dirty work of "protecting and cleaning up the coast" instead of BP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/03/AR2010050304265.html?referrer=emailarticle

Bill Targets Citizenship of Terrorists’ Allies By CHARLIE SAVAGE and CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010. Proposed legislation that would allow the government to revoke American citizenship from people suspected of allying themselves with terrorists set off a legal and political debate Thursday that scrambled some of the usual partisan lines on civil-liberties issues. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/07rights.html?th&emc=th

Health Care

The pill: Making motherhood better for 50 years By Elaine Tyler May. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 9, 2010. Forget the single girl and the sexual revolution. The pill was not anti-mother; it was for mothers. And it changed motherhood more than it changed anything else. Its great accomplishment was not in preventing motherhood, but in making it better by allowing women to have children on their own terms. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050702255.html?hpid=topnews

Your Office Chair Is Killing You - Meet public enemy No. 1 in today's workplace By Arianne Cohen. Copyright by Business Week. May 3, 2010 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_19/b4177071221162.htm?%20campaign_id=widget_topStories

The Secret Cult of Office Smokers - Ostracized by their peers, smokers are taking advantage of their time together By Joel Stein. Copyright by Business Week. May 10, 2010 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_20/b4178073158612.htm?campaign_id=widget_topStories

Health Care Reform

Obama says new health care law already is helping millions of Americans and businesses By CHARLES BABINGTON . Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 11:50 a.m. CDT, May 8, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-ap-us-obama-health-care,0,421042.story

Teaching Physicians the Price of Care. By SUSAN OKIE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2010. When Dr. Ryan Thompson, an internist, was a medical resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston a few years ago, he worried that he and his fellow trainees weren’t learning about the cost of medical treatments, the financing of health care and the impact of high medical bills on their patients.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/health/04cost.html?hpw

The Economy

"For all the recent talk about recovery, the economy’s vulnerability was on full — at times stomach-dropping — display this week. Job growth was up sharply in April, but unemployment also rose, as the number of out-of-work job seekers overwhelmed the number of jobs on offer. The stock market, which had surged most of this year, gyrated and sold off steeply, driven down mainly by fears of contagion from the Greek debt crisis. For several minutes on Thursday, the market went into a tailspin, apparently accelerated by computerized trading strategies. By the end of the day on Friday, it had suffered a 771-point drop over four days and was down 5.7 percent for the week, its worst weekly decline in more than a year." New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: A Week in the Life of the Economy. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/opinion/08sat1.html?th&emc=th

Economy Gains Impetus as U.S. Employers Add 290,000 Jobs By CHRISTINE HAUSER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/business/economy/08jobs.html?hp

US factory growth highest in six years By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 3 2010 14:18 | Last updated: May 3 2010 14:18. The US manufacturing sector grew at the fastest rate in nearly six years in April, while consumers continued to up their spending, adding to the evidence that the economic recovery is gaining momentum, figures showed on Monday. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-factory-growth-highest-in-six-years.html

US car sales rise as economy recovers By Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 3 2010 17:35 | Last updated: May 3 2010 17:35. Carmakers posted higher US sales in April, boosted by the economic recovery and a discounting war led by Toyota as the Japanese carmaker seeks to recover from a series of damaging vehicle recalls. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-car-sales-rise-as-economy-recovers.html

US productivity growth slows in first quarter. By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 6 2010 14:41 | Last updated: May 6 2010 14:41...The slowing growth of productivity on a quarterly basis suggests that businesses may need to increase hiring in the coming months to maintain output and meet growing consumer demand. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-productivity-growth-slows-in-first.html

In United-Continental Deal, Birth of a Behemoth By JAD MOUAWAD and MICHAEL J. de la MERCED. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2010. United Airlines and Continental Airlines on Monday announced a $3 billion merger that would create the world’s biggest airline. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/04air.html?hpw

Newsweek is for sale: Washington Post Co. puts magazine on the block By Frank Ahrens. Copyright by The Washington Post. May 5, 2010 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economy-watch/2010/05/newsweek_is_for_sale_washingto.html?hpid=topnews

Harrods store sold to Qatar Holdings for reported £1.5bn. By Kiran Stacey, Johanna Kassel & agencies. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 8 2010 12:03 | Last updated: May 8 2010 16:08. Mohammed al-Fayed has sold the Harrods store to the Qatari royal family for a reported £1.5bn. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/harrods-store-sold-to-qatar-holdings.html

New York Times Editorial: Amazon and Sales Tax. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 6, 2010. Amazon.com is in court again, fighting what ought to be a losing battle to defend its longstanding practice of not collecting sales taxes in most states where it does business. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/opinion/07fri3.html?th&emc=th

Slate of Nominees Is Clue to Obama’s Plans for Fed By SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 1, 2010. In naming two economists and a lawyer to serve as governors of the Federal Reserve, President Obama and his top economic advisers are preparing the central bank for a new emphasis on the supervision of financial institutions. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/business/02fed.html?th&emc=th

Your Money

"THESE ARE polarized and partisan days in Washington, hardly optimal conditions for elected leaders to tackle a subject as complex and politicized as financial regulatory reform. Political entropy may yet undo the Senate's efforts to craft a bill. But for now, at least, the signs are pretty positive. The Republican minority finally gave up its effort to block debate on the bill, and key Democrats have engaged with them on important provisions. The result this week was a bipartisan amendment, passed by a vote of 93 to 5, that deals reasonably well with the central issue raised by financial crisis: what to do when a systemically important institution begins to collapse." Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: New version of financial regulatory reform bill has a fighting chance. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 8, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704970.html

2 Votes Break Logjam on Financial Overhaul Bill By EDWARD WYATT and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010. The Senate on Wednesday approved two amendments to the financial regulatory bill that both Democrats and Republicans claimed would end the prospect of taxpayer-financed bailouts for companies deemed “too big to fail.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06regulate.html?th&emc=th

Senators say volatility makes case for regulation. By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.. Published: May 7 2010 00:59 | Last updated: May 7 2010 00:59. US senators advocating stricter limits on banks and tougher regulation of markets used Thursday’s volatility to demand more sweeping reforms as the financial regulatory bill edged towards a vote. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/senators-say-volatility-makes-case-for.html

Paulson grilled over Goldman shorts By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 6 2010 16:12 | Last updated: May 6 2010 16:12. Hank Paulson, former Treasury secretary and the previous chief executive of Goldman Sachs, was asked immediately, if indirectly, about the activities of his old bank at a congressionally appointed inquiry into the financial crisis on Thursday. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/paulson-grilled-over-goldman-shorts.html

Important info on Goldman’s clients By Francesco Guerrera. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 7 2010 16:13 | Last updated: May 7 2010 16:13....For the past three weeks, the debate on Wall Street has been all about information and rumours and how to handle them. First, US regulators accused Goldman Sachs, the bluest of blue-chip banks, of defrauding investors in a mortgage-related security by withholding crucial intelligence from them. Goldman denies the civil charges but the case by the Securities and Exchange Commission caused a plunge in its shares and sparked speculation over the bank’s future. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/important-info-on-goldmans-clients.html

Housing

US pending home sales record March surge By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 4 2010 15:45 | Last updated: May 4 2010 15:45. US pending home sales jumped to their highest level in five months in March, powered by the looming expiration of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, figures showed on Tuesday. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/us-pending-home-sales-record-march.html

Foreclosures hit 6,560 Chicago rental buildings in 2009 - Tenants living in almost 21,000 apartments were affected, report says By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 7:34 p.m. CDT, May 5, 2010
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-biz-0506-rental-foreclosures--20100505,0,2424691.story

Commodities

Origin of Wall Street’s Plunge Continues to Elude. Officials By GRAHAM BOWLEY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 7, 2010. A day after a harrowing plunge in the stock market, federal regulators were still unable on Friday to answer the one question on every investor’s mind: What caused that near panic on Wall Street?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/business/08trading.html?th&emc=th

The Trades of a Lifetime in 20 Minutes. By JULIE CRESWELL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010. Someone on Wall Street just made a killing. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/business/08cancel.html?th&emc=th

Surge of Computer Selling After Apparent Glitch Sends Stocks Plunging By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ and LOUISE STORY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/business/economy/07trade.html?th&emc=th

That was the subject of so much chatter among professional investors once the smoke cleared from the sudden panic and recovery on Thursday that briefly knocked some stocks down to a penny or two a share. Who had kept his cool during those terrifying minutes and scooped up some dreamlike bargains? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/business/08cancel.html?th&emc=th

Travel

36 Hours in Houston By DENNY LEE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/travel/09hours.html?hpw

Environment

"There is only one meaningful response to the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and that is for America to stop messing around when it comes to designing its energy and environmental future. The only meaningful response to this man-made disaster is a man-made energy bill that would finally put in place an American clean-energy infrastructure that would set our country on a real, long-term path to ending our addiction to oil. That is so obviously the right thing for our environment, the right thing for our national security, the right thing for our economic security and the right thing to promote innovation. But it means that we have to stop messing around with idiotic “drill, baby, drill” nostrums, feel-good Earth Day concerts and the paralyzing notion that the American people are not prepared to do anything serious to change our energy mix." THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

No Fooling Mother Nature By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/opinion/05friedman.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Wind turbines in lake an idea worth study. Copyright by the Chicago Sun-Times . May 3, 2010. When it comes to producing energy, there is always a downside. Deadly mining disasters. Devastating oil spills. Spent radioactive fuel. Windmills among sailboats. All in all, we'll take the windmills among sailboats. Three weeks ago, the Evanston City Council voted unanimously to seek proposals from developers for a wind farm in Lake Michigan, miles off the suburb's shore.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2226456,CST-EDT-edit03a.article

BP Says One Oil Leak of Three Is Shut Off By SAM DOLNICK and LIZ ROBBINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/us/06spill.html?hpw

New Technique Holds Hope for Oil Spill Cleanup. By LESLIE KAUFMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/us/02oil.html?hp

Workers on Oil Rig Recall a Terrible Night of Blasts By IAN URBINA and JUSTIN GILLIS. Copyright by the The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2010. Nearly 50 miles offshore at the big oil rig floating on a glassy-calm sea, a helicopter landed early on the morning of April 20, carrying four executives from BP, the oil company. The men were visiting the Deepwater Horizon to help honor the crew for its standout safety record. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/us/08rig.html?th&emc=th

Religion
Real Time with Bill Maher - New Rules 4-30-2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAAtx0vylzc

Cardinal Has a Mixed Record on Sexual Abuse Cases By MICHAEL LUO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010...Cardinal Levada was ahead of other church officials on the issue at times, setting up an independent committee to vet abuse cases and calling for greater accountability from church leaders. But an examination of his record, pieced together from interviews and a review of thousands of pages of court documents, show that he generally followed the prevailing practice of the church hierarchy, often giving accused priests the benefit of the doubt and being reluctant to remove them from ministry. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/world/europe/06levada.html?th&emc=th

Former president of Loyola Academy removed from active ministry - Rev. Larry Reuter admitted an improper relationship with a student, officials say By Tara Malone. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:08 p.m. CDT, May 3, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-loyola-academy-president-20100503,0,7266505.story

Legal

New York Times Editorial: The Supreme Court’s Doors
Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2010. In a sad bow to security concerns, visitors to the Supreme Court will no longer enter the Cass Gilbert building by climbing its marble steps and passing through its bronze doors and underneath the words that define the court’s mission: Equal Justice Under Law. The court announced on Monday that the public will now have to enter through a new reinforced area at the plaza level. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/opinion/04tue4.html?ref=opinion

Immigration

"Let's call the movement 'Leaving Arizona.' In fits and starts, Americans are looking to hurt Arizona -- which last month passed a draconian immigration law -- where it hurts the most: the pocketbook." Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Boycott Arizona to protest unjust assault on immigrants. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times . May 7, 2010
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2245310,CST-EDT-edit07b.article

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Immigration mess . Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: May 4 2010 20:43 | Last updated: May 4 2010 20:43. Arizona’s fierce new immigration law has brought a simmering national quarrel once more to a furious boil. The state pleads no choice: Washington will not mend a badly broken system, so Arizona must do the job itself. US immigration policy is a mess, but Arizona’s go-it-alone approach is constitutionally dubious, unworkable in any case, and above all an invitation to abuse. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/financial-times-editorial-comment.html

Poll Shows Most in U.S. Want Overhaul of Immigration Laws By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD and MEGAN THEE-BRENAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/us/04poll.html?hpw

New York Times Editorial: A Reminder About American Values. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2010....But it inevitably calls to mind the bad example of Arizona. “In New York, we believe in rehabilitation,” Mr. Paterson said, adding that his five-member board would consider pardons judiciously, distinguishing minor offenders from dangerous criminals. His action repudiates the growing belief that only tougher and more rigid enforcement should be applied to all immigrants who run afoul of the law, with expulsion as the first and last goal. This is not how the United States, in its best moments, deals with newcomers. We’re grateful for the reminder from the governor of New York. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/opinion/05wed2.html?th&emc=th

5 Myths about immigration By Doris Meissner. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 2, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043001106.html

Immigration Advocates Rally for Change By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 1, 2010. In protests fueled by anger over a tough anti-illegal immigrant law in Arizona, tens of thousands of demonstrators joined marches and rallies Saturday in cities across the country, calling on Congress to pass an immigration overhaul. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/us/02immig.html?th&emc=th

GLBT

President Obama, Alice in Wonderland and The LGBT Community by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. Apr 28 2010. For the last several months, watching the Obama team come to terms with our epic struggle for freedom is like watching the 3-D version of "Alice in Wonderland." Their actions are so bizarre and out of touch and you encounter one strange character in the saga after another. No action seems to fit the reality of the times. Often you feel the only way to understand their policies on LGBT Americans is to be stoned, sit back and try to enjoy.
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/president-obama-alice-in-wonderland-and-the-lgbt-community.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Michael D. Silverman: Community's Integrity At Stake With Transgender Rights by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. Apr 30 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/michael-d-silverman-communitys-integrity-at-stake-with-transgender-rights.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

GET EQUAL: Several Hundred At White House Protest; Six Arrested by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 2 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/get-equal-several-hundred-at-white-house-protest-six-arrested.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

DADT: Simply Disgusting by David Mixner. Copyright by David Mixner. May 3 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/05/dadt-simply-disgusting.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Court Expands Rights of Gay Parents. By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. May 4, 2010, 10:00 am. New York State’s highest court ruled in two cases Tuesday that nonbiological parents involved in same-sex relationships have rights similar to those of biological parents.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/court-expands-rights-of-gay-parents/?hp

Family Research Council founder Reverend George Rekers travels to Europe with a male prostitute ... because he can't lift his own luggage. "...technically, he was looking for someone to hoist his sack ...." http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/308752/may-05-2010/alpha-dog-of-the-week---george-rekers

Christian right leader George Rekers takes vacation with "rent boy" By Penn Bullock and Brandon K. Thorp . Copyright by Miami New Times. Thursday, May 6 2010. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-05-06/news/christian-right-leader-george-rekers-takes-vacation-with-rent-boy/

Things Rekers Said To Lucien When He Didn't Think We Were Listening By Penn Bullock and Brandon K. Thorp. Copyright by By Miami New Times . Thursday, May. 6 2010 @ 10:00PM
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/05/things_rekers_said_to_lucien_w.php

George Rekers Has Company: The Top Ten Outed Right-Wing Homophobes By Gus Garcia-Roberts. Copyright by the Miami New Times. Thursday, May. 6 2010 @ 8:00AM
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/05/unless_youve_spent_the_last.php

Milk’s Bullhorn, a Gay Unifier, Now Divides By JESSE McKINLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2010....Of late, however, the bullhorn has been at the center of another type of dispute, one that pits its caretaker, Cleve Jones, a veteran organizer, against an elementary school that bears Mr. Milk’s name, and has some gay activists howling that Mr. Jones has absconded with a piece of their history. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/us/05bullhorn.html?th&emc=th

Nowotny kicks off aldermanic campaign by Andrew Davis. Copyright by The Windy City Times. Wed., May 5, 2010 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26492

Howard Brown: New leaders talk by Yasmin Nair. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-05-05 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26494

Mell's marriage stand; fiancee talks with WCT by Andrew Davis. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-05-05. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26471

Chicago Free Press closes. Copyright by The Windy City Times. May 5, 2010 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26475

Science and Technology

"Governments across the globe are quietly asking tech companies to take down material they do not like, and to provide data about their users. Google took a welcome step toward transparency last week when it unveiled a new tool that reports on both of these kinds of requests. It is not perfect, but it should promote a more informed discussion about government monitoring of the Internet. We hope other companies follow suit." New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Google and Government Monitoring. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: May 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/opinion/02sun3.html?th&emc=th

Signs of Neanderthals Mating With Humans By NICHOLAS WADE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2010. Neanderthals mated with some modern humans after all and left their imprint in the human genome, a team of biologists has reported in the first detailed analysis of the Neanderthal genetic sequence. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/science/07neanderthal.html?hpw

Facebook Glitch Brings New Privacy Worries By JENNA WORTHAM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/technology/internet/06facebook.html?hpw

Apple shifts 1m iPads in first month By David Gelles in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Apple has sold 1m units of the iPad in the four weeks since it went on sale in the US, suggesting that demand for the touchscreen tablet computer is higher than anticipated. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/apple-shifts-1m-ipads-in-first-month.html

Entertainment

What will you remember from this hectic News Week? http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-may-6-2010/family-research-council-s-european-gaycation

MSNBC boss stands ready in ideological battle with Fox News By Phil Rosenthal. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. May 2, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ct-biz-0502-phil--20100502,0,7622870,full.column

Other

The Homeless at College - For-profit schools are tapping shelters and halfway houses for new students, loading them with debt and leaving taxpayers on the hook By Daniel Golden. Copyright by Business Week. May 3, 2010
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_19/b4177064219731.htm?campaign_id=widget_topStories

Nando's Chips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly0r59GyUjo

Ps. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, just go to my website: www.carlostmock.com and go the the subscription link. It will appear in your email every week.

In Pride (orgullo),

Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Cuba Libre, “Mentirita” The book is out. you can buy it at: http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=a0b517e687814469f8153c5070d69f99

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Law & Border Newsletter - May 1, 2010

2010-05-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Law & Border Newsletter - May 1, 2010

April 26, 2010: Law & Border http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-26-2010/law---border

“Immigration policy has taken a populist turn in the US for the same reason it has done so elsewhere: because politicians have tried to intimidate the public out of even reasonable discussion of immigration. The political dynamics that made Arizonans deem a new law necessary were not much different from those that led the Swiss to vote for a ban on minarets last autumn. The episode in Rochdale, England on Wednesday, in which UK prime minister Gordon Brown referred privately to the widow Gillian Duffy as a “bigoted woman” for raising questions about immigration, was front-page news across the US. That is because Mr Brown mirrored American politicians’ views of when it is proper for the public to talk about immigration and what it is permissible to say. The answers, apparently, are “never” and ‘nothing’.” Christopher Caldwell

Arizona moves the boundaries. By Christopher Caldwell. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 30 2010 21:51 | Last updated: April 30 2010 21:51. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/arizona-moves-boundaries.html

Washington Post Editorial: Arizona's immigration law twists the Constitution in the pursuit of illegal immigrants. Copyright by the Washington Post. Thursday, April 29, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042805359.html

A Law Facing a Tough Road Through the Courts By JOHN SCHWARTZ and RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010. Can Arizona’s controversial new immigration law — allowing the police to stop people and demand proof of citizenship — pass constitutional muster? To many scholars, the answer is, simply, no. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/us/28legal.html?th&emc=th

It’s simply harassment By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 28, 2010. Congratulations, Arizona. If your new "reasonable suspicion" immigration ID-check law was intended to get Washington's attention, it succeeded. It also raised my reasonable suspicion that the immigration debate has been hijacked by wingnuts. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0428-page-20100428,0,3567678,full.column

Immigration Issue Poses a Complex Test for 2 Parties By ADAM NAGOURNEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010. Senator John McCain of Arizona took to the Senate floor the other day to embrace a tough new Arizona law giving the police the authority to detain people they suspect are illegal immigrants. Mr. McCain, long an outspoken champion of giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, is facing a primary challenge this summer from a conservative who backs tough immigration measures. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/us/politics/28immig.html?th&emc=th

Democrats Reframe the Debate on Immigration By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010. The outline for an immigration overhaul unveiled by Democratic senators this week lays down a new starting point for any national debate: tough immigration enforcement. But perhaps more significantly it reveals how politics have shifted on the contentious issue. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/us/politics/01immig.html?th&emc=th

In any language, Chicago still a big talker - But New York, L.A. now have more foreign-language speakers, Census Bureau reports By Ron Grossman. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 9:59 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-census-language-diversity-20100428,0,3295326.story

International

April 29, 2010: Clustershag to 10 Downing http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-29-2010/clustershag-to-10-downing

In British Race, a Stray Remark Haunts Brown By SARAH LYALL. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 28, 2010... However you look at it, Mr. Brown’s irascible characterization of a member of the public as a “bigoted woman,” caught on a live microphone after the two had discussed immigration policy, dominated the political discussion on Wednesday and proved seriously unfortunate for him and for his party. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/world/europe/29brown.html?hp

Washington Post Editorial: Europe's way out of debt crisis is through political change. Copyright by the Washington Post . Thursday, April 29, 2010... A strong currency, the euro was supposed to provide an incentive for these countries to improve competitiveness and maintain high fiscal standards. But to varying degrees, they spent the windfall instead. The inevitable debt crisis is now at hand; having begun in Greece, it may be spreading to Spain, whose sovereign debt Standard & Poor's downgraded yesterday. In pre-euro times, Greece, Spain, Portugal and others would have coped by devaluing their national currencies and boosting exports. Today, brutal austerity is their only choice. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042805356.html

The Euro Trap By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010... What’s the nature of the trap? During the years of easy money, wages and prices in the crisis countries rose much faster than in the rest of Europe. Now that the money is no longer rolling in, those countries need to get costs back in line. But that’s a much harder thing to do now than it was when each European nation had its own currency. Back then, costs could be brought in line by adjusting exchange rates — e.g., Greece could cut its wages relative to German wages simply by reducing the value of the drachma in terms of Deutsche marks. Now that Greece and Germany share the same currency, however, the only way to reduce Greek relative costs is through some combination of German inflation and Greek deflation. And since Germany won’t accept inflation, deflation it is. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/opinion/30krugman.html?ref=opinion

In Europe, a Delicate Decision on Rates By JACK EWING. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010... If growth in Northern Europe continues to gain during the rest of the year, the European Central Bank in Frankfurt will eventually face pressure to raise interest rates to contain inflation. But a rate increase could harm Greece as well as Spain, Portugal and other countries with debt problems, raising the high cost of borrowing for governments and business. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/global/30ecb.html?th&emc=th

Europe Acts Swiftly on Long-Delayed Greek Bailout By NICHOLAS KULISH and DAN BILEFSKY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/world/europe/30greece.html?th&emc=th

German MPs claim Greece needs €120bn. By Quentin Peel and Gerrit Wiesmann in Berlin, Kerin Hope in Athens, Mure Dickie in Tokyo, David Oakley in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 10:26 | Last updated: April 28 2010 16:40. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/german-mps-claim-greece-needs-120bn.html

Euro Rises After I.M.F. Boosts Pledge to Aid Greece By LANDON THOMAS Jr. and NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/global/30euro.html?hpw

The Bitter Pills in the Plan to Rescue Greece By DAN BILEFSKY and LANDON THOMAS Jr. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 30, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/global/01euro.html?th&emc=th

Debt Ratings Are Lowered for Portugal and Greece By JACK EWING. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/global/28drachma.html?emc=na

Bank of Ireland seeks to raise €3.4bn By John O’Doherty. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 26 2010 09:21 | Last updated: April 26 2010 09:21. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/bank-of-ireland-seeks-to-raise-34bn.html

Japan retail sales rise for a third month. By Justine Lau in Hong Kong. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 06:41 | Last updated: April 28 2010 06:41. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/japan-retail-sales-rise-for-third-month.html

North Korea Appears to Tap Leader’s Son as Enigmatic Heir By MARTIN FACKLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 24, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/world/asia/25succession.html?th&emc=th

China

Chinese Rules Said to Threaten Proprietary Information By MICHAEL WINES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010. China is expected to issue regulations on Saturday requiring technology companies to disclose proprietary information like data-encryption keys and underlying software code to sell a range of security-related digital technology products to government agencies, American industry officials said on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/global/01yuan.html?hpw

China to build reactors in Pakistan By Geoff Dyer in Beijing, Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and James Lamont in New Delhi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 15:48 | Last updated: April 28 2010 15:48. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/china-to-build-reactors-in-pakistan.html

China to hit US chicken with new tariffs By Geoff Dyer in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 05:33 | Last updated: April 28 2010 16:50. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/china-to-hit-us-chicken-with-new.html

Stunned China Looks Inward After School Attacks By MICHAEL WINES. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 30, 2010. In the wake of a fourth horrific attack on Chinese schoolchildren — this time by a crazed man who on Friday beat five toddlers with a hammer, then set himself on fire with two other children in his arms — this shocked and bruised nation was of two distinctly different minds. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/world/asia/01china.html?th&emc=th

Mess-o-potamia

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Once more into the Mideast breach - Obama’s will is now the decisive element in talks. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 30 2010 19:35 | Last updated: April 30 2010 19:35. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/financial-times-editorial-comment-once.html

Israel’s fear and loathing of Obama By Gideon Rachman. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 26 2010 19:47 | Last updated: April 26 2010 19:47. Israel’s alarm at the deterioration in its relations with the US is palpable. In Jerusalem recently, even a liberal commentator told me: “Barack Obama is a disaster for Israel. I don’t think the general public realise just how much of a disaster he is.” Government officials are more careful – but only a bit. Danny Ayalon, the deputy Israeli foreign minister, says that it would be a “grave mistake” for America to present its own Middle East peace plan, an idea that the US president’s people are known to be considering. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/israels-fear-and-loathing-of-obama.html

U.S. Sets Start of Mideast Peace Talks. By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/world/middleeast/01diplo.html?th&emc=th

EU and China move closer to Iran sanctions © Reuters Limited. April 30, 2010. European talks with Chinese leaders over Iran have moved towards how to target sanctions rather than whether they should be applied at all, the European Union said on Friday. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/eu-and-china-move-closer-to-iran.html

New York Times Editorial: Dangerous Games. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 28, 2010. By nearly all independent accounts, Iraq’s parliamentary elections last month were reasonably free and fair. Efforts now to manipulate the process — especially but not solely by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki — are an insult to Iraqi voters. They are also dangerous. The longer it takes to form a new government, and the more questions raised about the process, the easier it will be for extremists to exploit the uncertainty. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/opinion/29thurs1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Sticks to a Deadline in Iraq By PETER BAKER and ROD NORDLAND. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010. When President Obama approved a plan to withdraw combat forces from Iraq this summer, it was based on the assumption that a newly elected government would be in place by the time Americans headed home. Fourteen months later, that assumption is exploding but the plan remains the same. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/world/middleeast/28iraq.html?th&emc=th

National

“There are two tragic anniversaries this month. It is 11 years since two Colorado students gunned down 12 of their fellow classmates and one teacher at Columbine High School and three years since 32 students and faculty members were gunned down at Virginia Tech. Those horrors haven’t slowed the gun lobby’s relentless push to weaken the nation’s already far too weak gun laws — or Congress’s eagerness to do the gun lobby’s bidding. Last week, House Democrats had to pull back legislation that would have finally given the District of Columbia a voting representative in Congress because of amendments tacked on to the bill that would have gutted local gun laws. The only bright spot in all of this is that gun victims’ families and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan group co-led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, are fighting back. They have begun a campaign to get Congress to close the loophole that has allowed criminals, troubled teens and the mentally ill to evade federal background checks and purchase weapons from unlicensed private dealers at weekend gun shows.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Listen to the Families. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/opinion/27tue2.html?th&emc=th

Mine Blast That Killed 29 Prompts F.B.I. Inquiry By IAN URBINA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010. The F.B.I. has interviewed more than 20 employees of Massey Energy in a criminal investigation of the explosion that killed 29 of the company’s miners last month in West Virginia, according to two officials from the federal mine safety agency and the Department of Justice. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/us/01mine.html?th&emc=th

Fierce Tornado Causes Deaths Across Mississippi By SARAH WHEATON. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 24, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/us/25tornado.html?hp

Chicagoland

“Republican state Sen. Bill Brady, who wants to be governor, gave reporters three hours to scrutinize his tax returns Friday. The reporters had to travel to Brady's Springfield campaign office and couldn't make copies of the tax documents. Brady didn't really want to show his tax returns at all, but he gave in to pressure and staged the now-you-see-them-now-you-don't viewing. And now everybody knows why he didn't want to show off his returns. They reveal that he paid no federal or state income tax in 2008 and no federal income tax in 2009.” Chicago Tribune Editorial

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Not enough, Mr. Brady. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 6:13 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-brady-20100428,0,3202162.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Brady's tax secrecy makes voters wonder. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times . April 25, 2010. Releasing income tax returns has become a standard practice for Illinois governors. Gov. Quinn and his running mate Sheila Simon did so on Tuesday. Even Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan made their taxes returns public when they were in office. So it's hard to understand why Bill Brady, the GOP candidate for governor, is having such a tough time with the concept. If he's elected, we hope he won't be so secretive about other matters. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2196308,CST-EDT-edit25a.article

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Crime fight is up to us, not the National Guard. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. April 27, 2010. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2203606,CST-EDT-edit27.article

Daley: City needs gun laws, not the Guard - Lawmakers’ idea for deploying guardsmen to Chicago gets cool reaction from mayor, governor, police union By Hal Dardick. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:28 p.m. CDT, April 26, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-daley-national-guard-20100426,0,1598227.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Why you might sit down for this bill. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 29, 2010. Cook County homeowners, your property taxes are going up. When local officials openly squabble over whether the second installment of this year's property tax bills should be sent to you before — or after — the November election, you know bad news is on the way. What incumbent politicians fear most is a property tax rebellion, and with a large state income tax increase in the post-November forecast, a perfect tax storm is brewing. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-0429-property-20100429,0,2807766,full.story

Add Ald. Tunney to pool of pols who'd like to be mayor. BY LAURA WASHINGTON. Copyright by the Chicago Sun-Times. April 26, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/2199936,CST-EDT-laura26.article

A Coup de Foudre of Love and Voila - PARIS IN CHICAGO. By Michele Kurlander. Copyright by Bonjour Paris. April 2010 http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/coup-de-foudre-love-and-voila-paris-chicago/

GOP Bashing

Bill Maher BECOMES a Teabagger - 4/23/10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if88PgI-vfU&feature=player_embedded

Does America need another party? Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, April 30, 2010; 7:59 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002093.html

Euro Rises After I.M.F. Boosts Pledge to Aid Greece By LANDON THOMAS Jr. and NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 29, 2010. Gov. Charlie Crist announced Thursday that he will run independently for the United States Senate, giving Florida a race that will once again make the state a gawk-worthy stage of American politics, where the country's desires, fears and conflicts play out. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/global/30euro.html?hpw

Utah Conservatives sing chorus of 'Bye bye Bennett' with glee By Amy Gardner. Copyright by The Washington Post . Friday, April 30, 2010; 8:23 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043000770.html?hpid=topnews

Health Care

“The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health-care company for possible other problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infant's and children's liquid medications. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, based in Fort Washington, Pa., issued the voluntary recall late Friday in the United States and 11 other countries after consulting with the FDA. The recall involves children's versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl, because they don't meet quality standards.” The Associated Press

FDA investigating recall of children's medicine Copyright by The Associated Press . Saturday, May 1, 2010; 12:11 PM. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/01/AR2010050101926.html?hpid=topnews

New York Times Editorial: Faltering Cancer Trials. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: April 24, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/opinion/25sun1.html?th&emc=th

Potentially Lethal Airborne Fungus May Spread to California - Unlike typical strains, new pathogen can attack healthy people, researchers say By Robert Preidt - SOURCE: Duke University Medical Center . Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. April 22, 2010 http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/638292.html?campaign_id=widget_topStories

Study Shows ‘Invisible’ Burden of Family Doctors By STEVE LOHR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 28, 2010. A new study detailing the uncompensated work burden on family doctors points to the need to change how they are paid, medical experts say — particularly as the new health care law promises to add millions more patients to the system. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/business/29doctor.html?hp

Strict Abortion Measures Enacted in Oklahoma By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/us/28abortion.html?th&emc=th

Two Convicted of Denying Access to Abortion Clinic By COLIN MOYNIHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010. For the first time in New York City, federal prosecutors have used the Freedom of Access to Clinics Entrances Act to secure a conviction in a case where access was blocked to a clinic that provides abortions. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/nyregion/28clinic.html?hpw

South Africa Redoubles Efforts Against AIDS By CELIA W. DUGGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 25, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/health/policy/26safrica.html?th&emc=th

Health Care Reform

Indecision 2010 Midterm Elections - Sue Lowden http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/308061/april-26-2010/indecision-2010-midterm-elections---sue-lowden

Chicago's biggest hospitals' tax-exempt status is under scrutiny after landmark court ruling. By: Mike Colias April 26, 2010. Copyright by Chicago Business. State officials are preparing to decide the fate of property tax exemptions worth tens of millions of dollars for some of Chicago's biggest hospitals. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=33297

The Economy

Fed says US economy strengthening By James Politi in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 19:19 | Last updated: April 28 2010 20:27. The Federal Reserve pled ged on Wednesday to keep interest rates low for an “extended period” as it offered only a modest upgrade to its outlook for the US economy. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/59d2c6f6-52ec-11df-813e-00144feab49a.html

From the Mall to the Docks, Signs of Rebound. By PETER S. GOODMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 25, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/business/economy/26econ.html?th&emc=th

Consumers Help Drive U.S. Economy to 3.2% Growth Rate By CATHERINE RAMPELL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010. The United States economy has expanded for three quarters in a row, the Commerce Department said on Friday, helped along by consumer spending. Now the question is, Will the jobs follow? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/economy/01econ.html?th&emc=th

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Goldman’s ethics. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 20:22 | Last updated: April 28 2010 20:22. It was not in the end a decisive showdown. While the US Senate’s grilling of Goldman Sachs was both lengthy and pitiless, there was no “aha” moment. The proceedings will not still the debate about whether the bank did anything legally nefarious when it sold complex mortgage related securities to investors. That remains for the courts to decide. But if the senators failed to land a killer blow, Goldman did not come out well. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/financial-times-editorial-comment.html

Panel’s Blunt Questions Put Goldman on Defensive By LOUISE STORY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/28goldman.html?th&emc=th

Goldman pressed for CDO loss settlement By Henny Sender and Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 23:02 | Last updated: April 28 2010 23:02. Goldman Sachs is in talks over a potential settlement with an investor that claims that it lost money and went out of business after buying into a $1bn (€760,000) mortgage-backed security that was later privately criticised by a senior executive at the bank. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/goldman-pressed-for-cdo-loss-settlement.html

U.S. Said to Open Criminal Inquiry Into Goldman By LOUISE STORY and MICHAEL J. de la MERCED. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/30case.html?th&emc=th

Hertz to buy Dollar Thrifty in $1.2B deal. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published on April 26, 2010 6:31 AM http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/hertz-to-buy-dollar-thrifty-in-12b-deal.html

Ford Reports Profit of $2.1 Billion in Quarter By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/28ford.html?hp

BP profits more than double to $5.6bn By Ed Crooks, Energy Editor. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 27 2010 08:44 | Last updated: April 27 2010 14:05. BP has exceeded analysts’ expectations with a 135 per cent rise in post-tax profits for the first quarter, and continued to cut its debts, thanks to the rebound in oil and gas prices and an improvement in the performance of its refineries. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/bp-profits-more-than-double-to-56bn.html

Chevron profits rise 150% in quarter By Telis Demos in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 30 2010 15:33 | Last updated: April 30 2010 22:15. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/chevron-profits-rise-150-in-quarter.html

Shell profits rise 60% to $4.8bn By Ed Crooks, energy editor. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 28 2010 08:41 | Last updated: April 28 2010 08:41. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/shell-profits-rise-60-to-48bn.html

EU air sector loses €2.5bn from volcano eruption By Joshua Chaffin in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 27 2010 15:36 | Last updated: April 27 2010 15:36. Europe’s air transport sector suffered as much as €2.5bn in losses as a result of the Icelandic volcano eruption, according to a preliminary assessment by the European Commission that could pave the way for industry aid requests. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/eu-air-sector-loses-25bn-from-volcano.html

Your Money

April 27, 2010: Who Wants to Beat a Millionaire http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-27-2010/who-wants-to-beat-a-millionaire

“Congressional Republicans have concluded that screaming foul about the banking bailout and blocking financial reform is a clever strategy for the fall elections. This approach ignores some pretty basic history: that the banks imploded while Republicans held Congress and the White House; that President George W. Bush started the rescue; that many Republicans voted for the bailouts; and that they stabilized a financial system that was perilously close to collapse.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Wall Street Casino. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/opinion/28wed1.html?th&emc=th

Democrats Use Goldman to Push Bank Overhaul By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/28bankers.html?th&emc=th

Most back stricter financial reform, advantage Obama. Copyright by The Washington Post. April 26, 2010 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2010/04/most_back_stricter_financial_r.html?hpid=topnews

Republicans Allow Debate on Financial Overhaul. By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 28, 2010. With political pressure mounting, Senate Republicans relented on Wednesday and agreed to let Democrats open debate on legislation that would impose the most far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s financial regulatory system since the aftermath of the Depression. The decision by Republicans to allow floor deliberations came after they voted three days in a row to block the bill, and it suggested that they saw political peril in being depicted as impeding tougher rules for Wall Street. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/business/29regulate.html?th&emc=th

Democrats Tweak Bank Bill to Preclude Bailouts By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010. The Senate opened debate on Thursday on a far-reaching financial regulation bill, and Democrats moved quickly to demonstrate that the legislation would not provide any future taxpayer bailouts of failing financial companies — answering a Republican criticism that the Democrats had dismissed as false. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/30regulate.html?th&emc=th

Housing

Home prices show 1st annual gain in 3 years. Copyright by The Associated Press. April 27, 2010 8:34 AM http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/home-prices-show-1st-annual-gain-in-3-years.htmlhttp://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/home-prices-show-1st-annual-gain-in-3-years.html

Chicago Home Prices Continue Fall As Crain's Reports On Increase By Gary Lucido on 04.27.10 at 8:25 AM . Copyright by Chicago Now http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-real-estate-getting-real/2010/04/chicago-home-prices-continue-fall-as-crains-reports-on-increase.html

More people walking away from mortgages By Suzanne Kapner in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 30 2010 04:49 | Last updated: April 30 2010 04:49. A growing number of people are walking away from their homes because they owe more on their mortgages than the properties are worth, new research shows. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/more-people-walking-away-from-mortgages.html

The ABC’s of FHA condo requirements By Pamela Dittmer McKuen. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 11:46 a.m. CDT, April 29, 2010. Condominium associations now have to prove they are worthy investments, according to new regulations from the Federal Housing Administration. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-home-0430-condo-living-fha-regulations20100429,0,1737349,full.story

Commodities

US Treasury to sell 1.5bn Citi shares. By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 26 2010 14:25 | Last updated: April 26 2010 14:25. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ca83bf0-5132-11df-aceb-00144feab49a.html

Travel

Have questions about the new tarmac rule, set to start Thursday? Here are some answers By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 11:02 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-ap-us-tarmac-delays-qa,0,4082020,full.story

United, Continental to announce merger Monday By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 29, 2010 6:41 PM. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/united-continental-closer-to-deal.html

Southwest Fined $200,000 for Bumping Passengers. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 27, 2010. Southwest Airlines, which bumped more passengers than any American carrier last year, was fined $200,000 on Tuesday for violating rules on kicking passengers off oversold flights. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/28fine.html?hpw

36 Hours in Beirut By SETH SHERWOOD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 2, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/travel/02hours.html?hpw

Environment

“President Obama has ordered a freeze on new offshore drilling leases as well as a “thorough review” into what is almost sure to be the worst oil spill in this country’s history — exceeding in size and environmental damage the calamitous Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. There are many avenues to pursue. Here are two: the oil company’s response, and Mr. Obama’s. The company, BP, seems to have been slow to ask for help, and, on Friday, both federal and state officials accused it of not moving aggressively or swiftly enough. Yet the administration should not have waited, and should have intervened much more quickly on its own initiative.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Unanswered Questions on the Spill. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/opinion/01sat1.html?th&emc=th

Weather hurts Gulf oil fight; new drilling on hold. Copyright by The Associated Press. April 30, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100430/ap_on_bi_ge/us_louisiana_oil_rig_explosion

White House Takes a Bigger Role in the Oil Spill Cleanup By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/us/30gulf.html?hpw

Shadow of Hurricane Katrina Hangs Over Obama After Spill By HELENE COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/us/politics/01obama.html?th&emc=th

In Gulf Oil Spill, Fragile Marshes Face New Threat By LESLIE KAUFMAN and CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/us/02spill.html?hp

Washington Post Editorial: Climate change bill shouldn't fall victim to immigration reform. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, April 27, 2010. IS THE Senate climate bill doomed? It certainly took a hit Saturday, when Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), hitherto the bill's lone Republican backer, threatened to abandon the effort. Mr. Graham, who had worked with Sens. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) for months on the bill, derided Democratic leaders for opening the way to take up immigration reform before the climate bill, calling the move "a cynical political ploy" and claiming that it endangered the climate effort. He has a point. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042603702.html

Religion

“A TOP Vatican official said The Times “lacks fairness in its coverage of Pope Benedict.” The archbishop of Brooklyn urged parishioners to “besiege” the paper and send a message that the Catholic Church will no longer be its “personal punching bag.” Writers in The Wall Street Journal and other publications have assailed the paper. “Falsehood upon falsehood,” the Rev. Raymond J. de Souza, a priest and professor at Queen’s University in Ontario, wrote in Canada’s National Post. Hundreds of people have written to me. “I am outraged each time The Times intentionally disparages the Catholic Church, its pope and its bishops,” said Richard Kelly of Pittsburgh. Edwina and Gene Cosgriff of Staten Island wrote that The Times was guilty of “a yellow journalism hatchet job on a holy, venerable, outstanding religious leader.” Hardly alone among the world’s news media, The Times has been covering the widening Catholic sexual-abuse scandal, which in recent months has expanded even to the German archdiocese of the future Pope Benedict XVI. But one Times article last month struck a particularly sensitive nerve. Relying on documents from a lawsuit, it described how local church officials and the Vatican handled the case of a Milwaukee priest who may have molested as many as 200 deaf boys.” CLARK HOYT

Questioning the Pope By CLARK HOYT. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 24, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/opinion/25pubed.html?th&emc=th

Are Catholics in denial as much as The Church? By Carlos T Mock, MD. Copyright by Reader Supported News 21 April 2010 http://readersupportednews.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1541

In Abuse Crisis, a Church Is Pitted Against Society and Itself By RACHEL DONADIO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2010. As the sexual abuse crisis continues to unfold in the Roman Catholic Church, with more victims coming forward worldwide and three bishops resigning last week alone, it is clear the issue is more than a passing storm or a problem of papal communications. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/world/europe/30pope.html?th&emc=th

A Better Chance at Justice for Abuse Victims By LAWRENCE LESSIG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2010... But the church is not doing everything in its power to help victims. In fact, it is worsening the sins of the past by taking a leading role in preventing abused children from getting the compensation they need to help remedy past abuse. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/opinion/27lessig.html?th&emc=th

Legal

Walmart to seek lawsuit review By Jonathan Birchall in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 26 2010 20:23 | Last updated: April 27 2010 01:24. Walmart is to ask the US Supreme Court to overturn a large class-action sex discrimination lawsuit against it, after a US federal appeals court narrowly ruled the long-running case could proceed. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/walmart-to-seek-lawsuit-review.html

Ex Monsanto Lawyer Clarence Thomas to Hear Major Monsanto Case. By D. Snodgrass. Copyright by Freedom Word Press.com. March 18, 2010 . http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/ex-monsanto-lawyer-clarence-thomas-to-hear-major-monsanto-case/

Washington Post Editorial: Names on referendum petitions should not be shielded. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 28, 2010. LAST YEAR, the state of Washington passed a far-reaching law that gave same-sex couples many of the same legal protections and responsibilities enjoyed by married heterosexuals. Almost immediately, a group calling itself Protect Marriage Washington began working to repeal the measure. Its first step: circulating petitions and collecting signatures to put the measure up for referendum. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042704579.html

Obama calls for limits on corporate campaign money © Reuters Limited. May 1. 2010. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/obama-calls-for-limits-on-corporate.html

GLBT

“Healthy, supportive same-sex relationships abound in Illinois, and they deserve the same civil rights the rest of us enjoy -- the right to visit a loved one in the hospital, to be granted custody of children, to inherit property. But Mell and Baker, of course, can't marry in Illinois. They plan to marry in Iowa, one of five states plus the District of Columbia that allow for same-sex marriages. This page has long supported gay marriage as the only fair and just option for Illinois residents, but state legislators are not ready. There is not enough support for its passage.” Chicago Sun Times Editorial

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Gay couples deserve same marriage rights. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. April 29, 2010. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2213526,CST-EDT-edit29a.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Getting hitched in Iowa. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 6:05 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2010. By the time state Rep. Deborah Mell, D-Chicago, announced her engagement on the floor of the Illinois House on Wednesday, it was no longer breaking news. She had popped the question two weeks ago at the John Hancock Center's Signature Room and shared the news Tuesday on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-mell-20100428,0,2486998.story

'You can't legislate who you love:' State Rep. Deborah Mell BY CAROL MARIN. Copyright by The Sun-Times. April 28, 2010. In Springfield today on the floor of the House, state Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago) will make a bit of history. She’ll ask Speaker Michael Madigan for permission to address her colleagues on a matter not listed on the day’s calendar. And then Mell, 41, will share something personal. That she is engaged to be married. http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/2207618,carol-marin-mell-same-sex-marriage-042810.article

Elton John's letter to Ryan White, 20 years after his death from AIDS By Elton John. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, April 25, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042203658.html

Bernard Cherkasov on Lobby Day, Bill Brady by Andrew Davis. Copyright by the Windy City Times. 2010-04-28 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26347

David Mixner's Speech at the Point Foundation Award Ceremony April 22, 2010. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/for-those-of-you-interestedmy-speech-at-point-foundation.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

White House: No Repeal Of DADT This Year; Increasing 'Revolt' In Congress For Passage This Year! By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. Apr 21 2010. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/white-house-not-this-year-for-repeal-of-dadt-increasing-revolt-in-congress-for-passage-this-year.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

GetEQUAL badgers Obama, Congress by Rex Wockner. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-04-28. The LGBT community's new activist pit bulls, GetEQUAL, upped the pressure on President Barack Obama on April 19, 20 and 21 over his failure to keep major campaign promises to LGBT Americans. Although Obama has taken several smaller steps seen as favorable or helpful to LGBT Americans, he has yet to secure passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, or repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26341

"Get Equal" Gets Active! By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. Apr 21 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/get-equal-gets-active-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Science and Technology

Big Wind Farm Off Cape Cod Gets Approval By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE. Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company. Published: April 28, 2010. After nine years of regulatory review, the federal government gave the green light on Wednesday to the nation’s first offshore wind farm, a fiercely contested project off the coast of Cape Cod http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/science/earth/29wind.html?th&emc=th.

Cape Cod Project Is Crucial Step for U.S. Wind Industry. By TOM ZELLER Jr. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/business/energy-environment/27wind.html?th&emc=th

Apple Buys Intrinsity, a Maker of Fast Chips By ASHLEE VANCE and BRAD STONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2010. Apple wants the fastest chip for its mobile devices and has bought another chip maker to gain an edge over its competitors. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/technology/28apple.html?th&emc=th

Entertainment

WEAKLY HUMERUS NEWS 05-01-10 AIMED AT YOUR FUNNY BONE http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/05/weakly-humerus-news-05-01-10-aimed-at.html

Other

More American Expatriates Give Up Citizenship By BRIAN KNOWLTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 25, 2010. Amid mounting frustration over taxation and banking problems, small but growing numbers of overseas Americans are taking the weighty step of renouncing their citizenship. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/us/26expat.html

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In Pride (orgullo),

Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
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Goldman Sachs and the Need for Financial Reform Newsletter - April 24, 2010

2010-04-24T12:41:00.001-07:00

Goldman Sachs and the Need for Financial Reform Newsletter - April 24, 2010

April 19, 2010: These F@#king Guys - Goldman Sachs http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-19-2010/these-f--king-guys---goldman-sachs

“Last month Democrats on the Senate banking committee passed a reasonably tough financial regulatory reform bill. Now Republican leaders have suddenly begun lashing out against it. Did they belatedly discover some problem? No. They suddenly realized that their bet that reform would be watered down as it moved along might not pan out. Their battle cry of “no more bailouts” is disingenuous. They are not worried that reform will make bankers’ lives too easy, they are worried that it will make them too hard.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Whose Side Are They On? Copyright by New York Times. Published: April 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/opinion/18sun1.html?th&emc=th

Republicans Block Start of Debate on Financial Bill By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 22, 2010. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked an effort by Democrats to start debate on legislation to tighten regulation of the nation’s financial system, and the two sides traded bitter accusations about who was standing in the way of a bipartisan agreement. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/business/economy/23regulate.html?hpw

Once critical of financial regulation bill, Republicans change their tone By Brady Dennis and Shailagh Murray. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Key Senate Republicans on Tuesday began to back away from their sharp criticism of proposed new financial regulations and expressed optimism that a bipartisan deal on a bill that would drastically change the way Wall Street operates could emerge in the coming days. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042005311.html?hpid=topnews

Reality dawns for Republicans over Wall St By Edward Luce in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 22 2010 19:34 | Last updated: April 22 2010 19:34. Until this week, the Republican party hoped it could turn Barack Obama’s financial regulatory reforms into another healthcare saga. By defeating a signature White House effort, the Republicans would thereby damage Mr Obama. Somewhat belatedly, the Republicans have awoken to the fact that healthcare arguably ended up being their “Waterloo”, in the words of David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, rather than that of Mr Obama, who managed last month to scrape the healthcare bill through the House of Representatives by three votes. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/reality-dawns-for-republicans-over-wall.html

Obama to Wall St.: ‘Join Us, Instead of Fighting Us’ By PETER BAKER and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 22, 2010. President Obama took his rhetoric of reform on Thursday to the nation’s financial capital in a high-profile foray to chide Wall Street bankers for their “reckless practices” and to press for tighter regulations meant to avert another financial crisis. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/business/economy/23obama.html?th&emc=th

Top Goldman Leaders Said to Have Overseen Mortgage Unit By LOUISE STORY. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: April 18, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/business/19goldman.html?th&emc=th

A Glare on Goldman, From U.S. and Beyond By GRETCHEN MORGENSON and LANDON THOMAS Jr. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010. Calls for increased scrutiny of Goldman Sachs emerged on Sunday as two congressmen pressed for investigations into possible taxpayer losses generated in securities sold by the firm, and the British prime minister also asked his nation’s securities regulator to investigate the Wall Street powerhouse because of losses suffered by a major British bank. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/business/19investors.html?hpw

UK regulator launches Goldman probe By Brooke Masters and Kiran Stacey. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 20 2010 10:23 | Last updated: April 20 2010 11:39. UK regulators have launched a formal investigation of Goldman Sach’s London office in the wake of the US decision to file civil fraud charges against the global bank. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/uk-regulator-launches-goldman-probe.html

Gambling With the Economy By ROGER LOWENSTEIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. WHILE the Securities and Exchange Commission’s allegations that Goldman Sachs defrauded clients is certainly big news, the case also raises a far broader issue that goes to the heart of how Wall Street has strayed from its intended mission. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/opinion/20lowenstein.html?th&emc=th

Looters in Loafers By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010... Sure enough, last week the Securities and Exchange Commission accused the Gucci-loafer guys at Goldman of engaging in what amounts to white-collar looting. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/opinion/19krugman.html?th&emc=th

S.E.C. Puts Wall St. on Notice By EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010. In the last few years, the Securities and Exchange Commission seemed like the cop in the doughnut shop, sitting idly by while the likes of Lehman Brothers and Bernard L. Madoff ran amok. But with its latest lawsuit against Goldman Sachs, the most powerful, most feared and most envied firm on Wall Street, the S.E.C. is sending a signal that it is back on the beat and that it is going after very big targets. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/business/19sec.html?th&emc=th

Rating Agency Data Aided Wall Street in Mortgage Deals By GRETCHEN MORGENSON and LOUISE STORY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 23, 2010. One of the mysteries of the financial crisis is how mortgage investments that turned out to be so bad earned credit ratings that made them look so good. One answer is that Wall Street was given access to the formulas behind those magic ratings — and hired away some of the very people who had devised them. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/business/24rating.html?hp

Lehman Examiner to Testify That S.E.C. Sat on Its Hands By SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. The court-appointed examiner who dissected the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy is expected to criticize the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday for its decision to “stand by idly” as the investment bank veered toward collapse. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/business/20lehman.html?hp

Documents Show Internal Qualms at Rating Agencies By SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 22, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/business/23ratings.html?th&emc=th

Report: SEC staffers surfed for porn instead of policing financial system. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. April 23, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/2191870,porn-sec-computers-crash-042210.article

Moody’s chief admits failure over crisis By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in New York and Kevin Sieff in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. The chief executive of Moody’s admitted to a Senate panel on Friday that the US credit rating agency failed to anticipate the severe deterioration in the US housing market that led to the financial crisis and was “not satisfied” with its performance. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/moodys-chief-admits-failure-over-crisis.html

Goldman Tops Forecast, With $3.46 Billion in Earnings By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/business/21goldman.html?hp

International

Greece Calls for Activation of Financial Rescue Package By NIKI KITSANTONIS and MATTHEW SALTMARSH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. Describing his country’s economy as “a sinking ship,” the Greek prime minister formally requested an international bailout on Friday, an unprecedented step that will test the bonds of the European Union. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/business/global/24drachma.html?hp

Greece grasps for €30bn rescue package By Tony Barber in Brussels and Kerin Hope in Athens and Gerrit Wiesmann in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 23 2010 12:07 | Last updated: April 23 2010 19:36/ Eurozone’s landmark moment: Greece appeals for emergency aid by Tony Barber. April 23, 2010 11:35am. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/greece-grasps-for-30bn-rescue.html

Belgian government collapses, economy at risk. Copyright by Reuters. April 21, 2010. Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme's government collapsed on Thursday after the Flemish liberal party pulled out of his five-month-old coalition, causing a crisis that could damage its fragile economy. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100422/wl_nm/us_belgium_government

UK economy grows 0.2% in first quarter By Chris Giles, Economics Editor. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Britain’s economy grew in the first quarter of the year in spite of severe winter weather and tax rises, diminishing the prospect of a double-dip recession. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/uk-economy-grows-02-in-first-quarter.html

Poland sets date for early presidential election By Jan Cienski in Warsaw. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 21 2010 10:39 | Last updated: April 21 2010 10:39. Poland will hold early presidential elections on June 20 to find a successor to Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in an air crash 12 days ago, Bronislaw Komorowski, the acting president, has announced. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/poland-sets-date-for-early-presidential.html

Bank of Canada signals rate rise By Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 20 2010 15:26 | Last updated: April 20 2010 15:26. The Bank of Canada has signalled it is likely to raise interest rates in the next few months in response to unexpectedly strong domestic growth, including a housing boom that has shown signs of developing into a speculative bubble. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/bank-of-canada-signals-rate-rise.html

Last Argentine dictator jailed for 25 years © Reuters Limited . April 20, 2010. The last leader of Argentina’s 1976-83 dictatorship was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Tuesday for his involvement in the kidnapping, torture and murder of 56 people in a clandestine concentration camp. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/last-argentine-dictator-jailed-for-25.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Sudan’s election. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 20 2010 22:28 | Last updated: April 20 2010 22:28. Given what is known about the character of Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, it should not come as a surprise that the country’s elections have been sullied by allegations of ballot-rigging. Mr Bashir’s ruling philosophy is to cling to power at all costs. His victory was assured after his two main rivals pulled out of the race, alleging that it was skewed. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/financial-times-editorial-comment_21.html

China

Chinese Military Seeks to Extend Its Naval Power By EDWARD WONG. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 23, 2010. The Chinese military is seeking to project naval power well beyond the Chinese coast, from the oil ports of the Middle East to the shipping lanes of the Pacific, where the United States Navy has long reigned as the dominant force, military officials and analysts say. China calls the new strategy “far sea defense,” and the speed with which it is building long-range capabilities has surprised foreign military officials. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/asia/24navy.html?th&emc=th

China under growing currency pressure By Geoff Dyer in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 21 2010 09:54 | Last updated: April 21 2010 09:54. China is facing growing international pressure to begin appreciating its currency ahead of an important meeting of finance ministers and central bank heads from the G20 countries which starts on Thursday in Washington. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/china-under-growing-currency-pressure.html

Mess-o-potamia

“Sometime this spring, but still months later than President Obama predicted, Iran may finally face new United Nations sanctions for its illicit nuclear program. Mr. Obama has done a lot to prepare the ground. He has bolstered American credibility with his — since rebuffed — offer to engage with Iran. He signed a new arms reduction treaty with Russia, improved relations with China and is personally lobbying other United Nations Security Council members to support stronger sanctions.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Iran, Sanctions and the Memo. Copyright by New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/opinion/20tue1.html?th&emc=th

Companies Feeling More Pressure to Cut Iran Ties By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. While President Obama struggles to negotiate United Nations sanctions with teeth against Iran, a parallel campaign to turn up the heat is gaining momentum by pressuring American and foreign corporations individually to cut their business ties there. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/middleeast/24sanctions.html?hp

NATO Backs Plan to Give Command to Afghans By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. Setting the stage for a gradual withdrawal from Afghanistan, the United States and other NATO countries adopted a plan here Friday that sets conditions for beginning to remove troops from a lead role in Afghan provinces by the end of this year. The plan, which NATO hopes to turn into a formal agreement with the Afghan government in July, would transfer authority to Afghans when they have met three criteria: a competent local police force, a durable civilian government and signs of reconciliation with the Taliban insurgency. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/asia/24diplo.html?th&emc=th

Two top Iraqi al-Qaeda leaders killed By Andrew England in Abu Dhabi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 19 2010 17:34 | Last updated: April 19 2010 17:34. The US military on Monday hailed the biggest blow to al-Qaeda in Iraq “since the beginning of the insurgency” after two of its most senior commanders were killed. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/wo-top-iraqi-al-qaeda-leaders-killed.html

National

“Appoint a Corporation to the Supreme Court: Since the Supreme Court decided the corporations were people maybe Obama should appoint a corporation to the Supreme Court to replace retiring justice John Paul Stevens. Maybe the GOP in the Senate would quickly confirm Wal-mart as a justice on the court.” Gil Ross, J. D.

Obama to Nominate Jesus Christ to Supreme Court. Author Unkown . Copyright Reader Support News. 17 April 2010. This article was originally credited to Rick Chertoff, who we have since found is not the author. We apologize for the error. President Barack Obama is expected to nominate Jesus Christ, an immigrant originally born to a virgin mother in Bethlehem, to fill the new vacancy on the Supreme Court. Although Mr. Christ is over 2,000 years old, He is immortal, so Democrats and Republicans expect that He will serve on the high court forever or until He decides to start the End Times. Republicans are expected to fight the nomination on the grounds that Mr. Christ would radically move the Court to the left. The GOP is also concerned that, despite decades of controversy and speculation, Mr. Christ has never revealed his position on abortion. Mr. Christ, according to many authorities, is expected to oppose the death penalty in all forms. Michael Steele, the head of the GOP national committee, issued a statement: "Christ is a complete mystery to us. He won't reveal His physical appearance and many of His positions are unknown or the subject of speculation. He is a stealth candidate. Why won't He reveal himself? Who does He think He is?" http://readersupportednews.org/opinion/196-supreme-court/1513-obama-to-nominate-jesus-christ-to-supreme-court

Justices Get Personal Over Privacy of Messages By ADAM LIPTAK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/us/politics/20scotus.html?th&emc=th

Justices Reject Ban on Videos of Animal Cruelty By ADAM LIPTAK. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us/21scotus.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: The Court and Free Speech. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. When the Supreme Court ruled 8-to-1 this week that a federal law banning the sale of animal-cruelty videos violates the First Amendment, it reaffirmed the right to engage in even highly unpopular speech. And it wisely declined to create another category of expression outside of the First Amendment’s protection. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/opinion/24sat1.html?th&emc=th

$18.5 Million in Liability for Scouts in Abuse Case By WILLIAM YARDLEY. Copyright by the Associated Press. Published: April 23, 2010. The Boy Scouts of America were ordered Friday to pay $18.5 million in a lawsuit that has focused new attention on the secret files the Scouts keep to document claims of sexual abuse by troop leaders and volunteers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/24scouts.html?th&emc=th

Search Continues After Oil Rig Blast By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 21, 2010. An explosion on an oil drilling rig off the coast of southeast Louisiana left at least 3 people critically injured and 11 others missing as of Wednesday night. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/us/22rig.html?th&emc=th

A State With Plenty of Jobs but Few Places to Live By MONICA DAVEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. When Joey Scott arrived here recently from Montana, he had no trouble finding work — he signed almost immediately with a company working to drill in the oil fields. But finding housing was another matter. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us/21ndakota.html?th&emc=th

Defense

U.S. Faces Choice on New Weapons for Fast Strikes By DAVID E. SANGER and THOM SHANKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 22, 2010. In coming years, President Obama will decide whether to deploy a new class of weapons capable of reaching any corner of the earth from the United States in under an hour and with such accuracy and force that they would greatly diminish America’s reliance on its nuclear arsenal. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/world/europe/23strike.html?th&emc=th

Gates Calls for Easing Limits on Exports By ELISABETH BUMILLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on Tuesday for an overhaul of the nation’s export control system that he said would loosen sales of sensitive technology to American allies without letting up on restrictions over nations like Iran. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/world/21export.html?scp=1&sq=gates%20exports&st=cse

Chicagoland

“Thousands of Illinois residents -- most of them taxpayers, we can safely assume -- rallied for higher taxes in Springfield on Wednesday. Yes, you read that right. Thousands of consenting adults are willing to pay higher taxes to keep the state from going bankrupt, and most importantly, to continue educating our kids, taking care of our sick and keeping up basic care for the needy. We couldn't agree more and, unlike many of Wednesday's protesters, our own jobs in the private sector aren't even on the line.” Chicago Sun-Times Editorial

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Give us a real budget, not a credit card bill. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. April 22, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2187116,CST-EDT-edit22.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Halfway to nowhere. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 5:25 p.m. CDT, April 19, 2010... And what do you hear from Springfield? Whispers that Gov. Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have no hope of crafting a spending plan for the next year. So they might pass a six-month budget and hope nobody notices their utter failure to do their jobs. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-budget-20100419,0,6075414.story

Tax music, movie downloads, Gov. Quinn says - Plan for Illinois to join 19 states is sure to face opposition BY DAVE McKINNEY AND STEVE CONTORNO. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times . April 21, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/news/maxedout/2182724,CST-NWS-tax21web.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Dems take state for a ride. Copyright by Chicago Sun-Times . April 23, 2010. The question of the day for Democrats in Springfield: What part of "we can't afford it" did you fail to grasp Wednesday when you blithely decided to keep throwing away the taxpayers' money on free bus and train rides for all seniors -- rich and poor alike? http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2191002,CST-EDT-edit23b.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: There is no honor in silence. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times . April 21, 2010. The plague of silence that is destroying Chicago neighborhoods -- don't talk to the cops or you're a "snitch" -- is even more deeply ingrained than we had understood. That, we believe, is the lesson to be drawn from Tuesday's Sun-Times story about a dying teen who refused to say who had shot him. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2181702,CST-EDT-edit21b.article

Brady paid almost no U.S. taxes in three of past four years by Greg Hinz . Copyright by Chicago Business. /23/2010 2:08 PM CDT. GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady, facing financial setbacks in his family construction business, paid nothing, or almost nothing, in federal income taxes in three of the past four years, according to a summary released by his office Friday afternoon. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/blogs/hinz.pl?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a1daca073-2eab-468e-9f19-ec177090a35cPost%3a951bf217-54a1-4b2a-807d-87b1e1e84581&plckCommentSortOrder=TimeStampAscending&sid=sitelife.chicagobusiness.com

Scott Lee Cohen planning run for governor - Former Democratic lieutenant governor nominee set to take on Quinn, Brady By David Heinzmann and Rick Pearson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 24, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/ct-met-scott-lee-cohen-0425-20100424,0,5783159.story

Emanuel says he wants to be mayor of Chicago By Katherine Skiba and Andrew L. Wang. Copyright by WGN News. April 19, 2010 9:21 PM http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/rahm-emanuel-mayor-chicago-richard-daley-election-white-house-chief-staff-barack-obama-president.html

Rahm Emanuel not a cinch to succeed Mayor Richard Daley - If White House chief of staff runs for Chicago mayor, he wouldn’t necessarily be the front-runner to replace Daley By Rick Pearson and Hal Dardick. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:53 p.m. CDT, April 20, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-0421-20100420,0,5738333.story

GOP Bashing

“There goes Senator John McCain, battling mightily for re-election in Arizona, buzzing off into the desert heat to another rally, another news conference, another television sound bite. Wait, you forgot your principles! During the 2008 presidential campaign, Mr. McCain did his share of contortions to win over a right-wing base that never trusted him....Now he is fighting for survival against a radio host endorsed by border vigilantes. But this pandering is tragic for a man who was one of the architects of the humane, comprehensive approach to immigration he has now disowned — threatening a filibuster to prevent its even coming to a vote.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Come Back, John McCain. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 22, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/opinion/23fri2.html?th&emc=th

April 20, 2010: Bernie Goldberg Fires Back http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-20-2010/bernie-goldberg-fires-back

Jon Stewart’s Punching Bag, Fox News By BRIAN STELTER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are long gone. Fox News Channel is Jon Stewart’s new enemy No. 1. Last week that comedian did something that the hosts of “Fox & Friends,” the morning show on Fox News, did not do: he had his staff members call the White House and ask a question. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/arts/television/24stewart.html?th&emc=th

Florida's Charlie Crist could use a hug - The GOP's handling of Florida's governor says more about the party than the man. By Dana Milbank. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, April 23, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042302026.html

Pressured in Senate Race, Crist May Leave G.O.P. By JEFF ZELENY and DAMIEN CAVE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, facing pressure from fellow Republicans to abandon his Senate campaign, said Monday that he would not allow party leaders in Washington to push him from the race and declared that he was considering running for the seat as an independent. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/us/politics/20crist.html?th&emc=th

US Senator Graham asked to Admit His Homosexuality at Tea Party Event http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG78fpj0P4M

Democrats Top G.O.P. in Fund-Raising for Midterms By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. Congressional Republicans are enthusiastic about their performance in the all-important midterm money chase. But the Democratic House and Senate campaign committees still managed to out-raise the Republican organizations last month and have more cash in the bank even though Republicans claim the momentum. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us/politics/21donations.html?th&emc=th

Democrats Seize on Financial Oversight After Goldman Suit By JACKIE CALMES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/business/19regulate.html?th&emc=th

Health Care

When Heart Devices Fail, Who Should Be Blamed? By BARRY MEIER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. It was a landmark episode brought to light by two Minneapolis cardiologists that changed the way the medical device industry deals with the safety of heart implants. Now the doctors, five years later, are raising a fundamental question about medical safety and the law: who should be held accountable when a company sells a flawed product that can injure or kill patients? Is it the company or the people who run it? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/business/21device.html?th&emc=th

Cancer Fight: Unclear Tests for New Drug By GINA KOLATA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/health/research/20cancer.html?th&emc=th

Weighing the Evidence on Exercise By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 12, 2010. How exercise affects body weight is one of the more intriguing and vexing issues in physiology. Exercise burns calories, no one doubts that, and so it should, in theory, produce weight loss, a fact that has prompted countless people to undertake exercise programs to shed pounds. Without significantly changing their diets, few succeed. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/magazine/18exercise-t.html?th&emc=th

HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico from A Puerto Rican Perspective By Carlos T Mock, MD. Copyright by Reader Supported News. 21 April 2010 http://readersupportednews.org/pm-section/28-health-care/1548-hivaids-in-puerto-rico-from-a-puerto-rican-perspective

Health Care Reform

“Four years after Massachusetts enacted its ambitious health care reform, the state has achieved its goal: covering most of the uninsured without seriously straining its budget. Most citizens seem to like it.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Reform and Massachusetts. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: April 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/opinion/21wed1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Health Team Turns to Carrying Out Law By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010. The success of the new health care law depends to a large degree on a handful of Obama administration officials, who are scrambling to make the transition from waging political war on Capitol Hill to managing one of the most profound changes in social policy in generations. For these officials, the task of carrying out the law may be as much of a challenge as getting it enacted. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/health/policy/19health.html?th&emc=th

Doctors Hear Many Questions About Health Law By JOHN LELAND. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010. Dr. Roger W. Evans, a cardiologist in Wichita, Kan., is used to answering patients’ questions about their hearts. But lately, he said, he has spent half his time answering a succession of different questions — about the health care law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/health/policy/19doctors.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

US durable goods orders dip in March By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 23 2010 14:20 | Last updated: April 23 2010 14:20. New orders for durable goods in the US unexpectedly fell in March thanks to plummeting demand for aircraft, official figures showed on Friday, but the details of the data showed continuing strength in the manufacturing sector. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/us-durable-goods-orders-dip-in-march.html

Puerto Rico Forces FDIC to Scramble. By Joe Adler. Copyright by The American Banker. Thursday, April 8, 2010. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is facing a new challenge in Puerto Rico. Three banks on the island holding more than $20 billion of assets are in trouble, and the agency has to resolve them without causing problems for the seven other institutions in the market. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/puerto-rico-forces-fdic-to-scramble.html

Best Nonholiday Quarter for Apple. By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. The mobile computing revolution unleashed by Apple three years ago with the release of the iPhone is picking up speed, and Apple is reaping the rewards. The company said on Tuesday that iPhone sales surged 131 percent in the most recent quarter, to 8.75 million units, helping Apple deliver a 90 percent rise in profit and a 49 percent increase in sales. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/technology/21apple.html?th&emc=th

Profit Rose 68% at Amazon, Topping Analysts’ Forecasts Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 22, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/technology/23amazon.html?th&emc=th

Yahoo Earnings Nearly Triple as Sales of Display Ads Surge. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/technology/21yahoo.html?th&emc=th

Non-US sales drive strong McDonald’s results. By Greg Farrell in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 21 2010 15:06 | Last updated: April 21 2010 15:06. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/non-us-sales-drive-strong-mcdonalds.html

Microsoft’s Income Rises 35%, Driven by Sales of Windows 7 By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: April 22, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/technology/23soft.html?th&emc=th

Morgan Stanley swings to profit By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 21 2010 14:24 | Last updated: April 21 2010 14:24. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/morgan-stanley-swings-to-profit.html

Chrysler Lost $4 Billion but Sees Signs of Improvement By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/business/global/22chrysler.html?hp

Your Money

“The tax cuts were unaffordable when passed; that has become clearer in retrospect. President Obama has proposed making most of the cuts permanent, at a 10-year cost of $2.5 trillion. However, he would let those for the wealthiest 2 percent of households expire, raising $680 billion in the next decade. Under Mr. Obama's plan, the top marginal tax rates would return to the Clinton-era levels of 36 percent and 39.6 percent, up from 33 and 35 percent. Capital gains rates for the wealthiest taxpayers, now 15 percent, would rise to 20 percent. Economic performance during the 1990s suggests that these are not crippling burdens.” Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: The coming tax debate Copyright by The Washington Post . Monday, April 19, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/18/AR2010041802817.html

Our $48 Billion Credit Card Bill By ALBERT A. FOER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. THESE days, it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t use credit and debit cards regularly — they’re convenient and compact and often come with small cash-back incentives. But what almost no one realizes is that those benefits are far outweighed by an implicit transaction fee, set by credit card companies and their issuing banks, that costs consumers more than $48 billion a year. As Congress works toward passing consumer financial reform legislation, it should include new rules about how — and how much — credit card companies can charge. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/opinion/21foer.html?th&emc=th

Learning How to Fight the Collector By ANDREW MARTIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. Among debt collectors, Steven Katz is known as a “credit terrorist.” For years, he has run what he calls the Steven Katz School of Bill Collector Education, otherwise known as the “credit terrorist training camp.” Mr. Katz, a 58-year-old accountant in suburban Tucson, spends his free time schooling debtors on the finer points of consumer protection law to help them turn the tables on debt collectors. On occasion, he thumbs his own nose at them too. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/business/24collection.html?th&emc=th

Housing

New home sales jump from record low By ALAN ZIBEL. Copyright by The Associated Press. Friday, April 23, 2010; 10:16 AM. Sales of new homes surged 27 percent last month, bouncing off the previous month's record low and blowing past expectations as better weather and government incentives boosted sales. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042301140.html?hpid=topnews

Existing US home sales surge 6.8% By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 22 2010 14:29 | Last updated: April 22 2010 16:01. Sales of existing US homes jumped more than expected in March, as first time home-buyers rushed to make purchases ahead of the expiration of a government tax credit, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/existing-us-home-sales-surge-68.html

In Sour Home Market, Buying Often Now Beats Renting By DAVID LEONHARDT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/business/economy/21leonhardt.html?hp

Housing crisis in the inner city - Unchecked, foreclosures may lead to even harder times for poor renters By Matthew Desmond. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 5:16 p.m. CDT, April 18, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-0419-evictions-20100416,0,5069289.story

Immigration

“The Arizona Legislature has just stepped off the deep end of the immigration debate, passing a harsh and mean-spirited bill that would do little to stop illegal immigration. What it would do is lead to more racial profiling, hobble local law enforcement, and open government agencies to frivolous, politically driven lawsuits. The bill is a grab bag of measures to enlist law enforcement and government at every level to expose and expel the undocumented. Opponents say it verges on a police state, which sounds overblown until you read it.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Arizona Goes Over the Edge. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: April 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/opinion/18sun3.html?th&emc=th

U.S.’s Toughest Immigration Law Is Signed in Arizona By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration into law on Friday. Its aim is to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants. Even before she signed the bill at an afternoon news conference here, President Obama strongly criticized it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.html?hp

Fleeing Drug Violence, Mexicans Pour Into U.S. By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/us/18border.html?th&emc=th

Immigration reform's big moment By Tamar Jacoby. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, April 23, 2010. Lots of people cheered this week when it was reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had agreed to steer comprehensive immigration reform through Congress by year's end. This is a bold, exciting plan -- and if it works, it could be a game-changer. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042204209.html

Commodities

New $100 bill unveiled By Ed O'Keefe. Copyright by The Washington Post. April 20, 2010 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/04/new_100_bill_unveiled.html?hpid=artslot

Travel

As British Airports Open, Huge Backlog Remains By NICOLA CLARK and ALAN COWELL. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 21, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/world/europe/22europe.html?th&emc=th

As Some Flights Resume, New Confusion Emerges By JAD MOUAWAD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 20, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/world/europe/21uncertain.html?th&emc=th

Airport Crisis Frustrates Travelers, and Airlines By NICOLA CLARK, JULIA WERDIGIER and STEVEN ERLANGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/world/europe/19ash.html?hp

United-Continental merger would land in Chicago - Merger talks moving rapidly; US Airways ends discussions with United By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 10:22 p.m. CDT, April 22, 2010. Chicago would be headquarters to the largest airline in the world if United Airlines successfully consummates a deal with Continental Airlines. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0423-united-usairways--20100422,0,396744,full.story

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3,500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The manager responded: "Good luck with that one, pal". So he posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 7 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: "Good luck with that one, pal". Taylor Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders. Here's the video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&NR=1

36 Hours in Kyoto, Japan By JAIME GROSS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 25, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/travel/25hours.html?hpw

Environment

April 19, 2010: Volcanolypse 2010 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-19-2010/volcanolypse-2010

Religion

“I am still baffled by her response. When Catholics are willing to put the welfare and reputation of the Church ahead of their own children — does this constitute brainwashing? I am a Christian, not a Catholic — I was tortured by The Church for my sexual views. As I grew up in San Juan, I saw them abuse children in my Catholic High School and was always too afraid to talk for fear of being expelled.” Carlos T Mock, MD

Are Catholics in denial as much as The Church? By Carlos T Mock, MD. Copyright by Reader Supported News 21 April 2010 http://readersupportednews.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1541

Bishop, 73, in Belgium Steps Down Over Abuse By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 23, 2010. The longest-serving bishop in Belgium resigned Friday after admitting to sexually abusing “a boy in my close entourage” many years ago, becoming the latest cleric to quit in a spreading abuse scandal. The development added to a corrosive catalog of disclosures that has damaged the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church and shaken the trust of many believers in their spiritual leaders. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/world/europe/24vatican.html?th&emc=th

Freedom to discriminate By Christopher Caldwell. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 23 2010 20:30 | Last updated: April 23 2010 20:30. It is a bad sign when a court case that seems likely to set precedent is based on a bizarre controversy. This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Christian Legal Society v Martinez, which revolves around the question of whether a Christian group violates anti-discrimination law if it insists that its leaders be Christians (as it understands the term). http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/freedom-to-discriminate.html

New York Times Editorial: A Case of Discrimination. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010. Hastings College of the Law, part of the University of California, rightly prohibits student organizations from discriminating. A Christian group that bars non-Christian and gay students sued the school for denying it funding and access to its facilities. The Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in the case. It should rule in favor of Hastings. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/opinion/19mon2.html?th&emc=th

Death Threats Lead Comedy Central To Censor Controversial ‘South Park’ - With Jon Stewart’s Video. Posted by The Movie God . April 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 am. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have always been known for their fearlessness when it comes to saying whatever they want to say, whether in their movies like Team America: World Police, or whether it’s on their highly-popular hit Comedy Central show, South Park. But as you may have heard, some heavy threats have lead to a big uproar and one of the few times we’ve seen the show be censored more so than it needed to be. http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/04/23/death-threats-lead-comedy-central-to-censor-controversial-south-park/

Media

A Nancy Grace producer is clearly flipping Nancy the bird…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_QaHr7-khw

GLBT

Eye Opener: Gay rights protesters confront Obama By Ed O'Keefe. Copyright by The Washington Post. April 20, 2010. Just days after President Obama extended hospital visitation rights to same-sex couples and amid several other moves extending rights to gay and lesbian Americans, he faced protesters Monday night upset that he has yet to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/04/eye_opener_gay_rights_proteste.html?hpid=artslot

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Strange Times, Mixed Emotions By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. Apr 18 2010. The last months have provided us with some very strange times that have elicited a series of mixed emotions. The LGBT community has been reminded strongly how far we have yet to travel for freedom. Even our victories should been granted years ago and amaze me that it has taken so long. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/hells-kitchen-journal-strange-times-mixed-emotions.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Before Gay Marriage Fight, Clashes on Free Speech By ADAM LIPTAK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. That sound in the distance at the Supreme Court these days is the debate over same-sex marriage. It will be a couple of years until that central issue in the culture wars reaches the court. But two early skirmishes — if not proxy battles — arrived this month. Both are fights over the First Amendment ground rules for the debate. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/us/20bar.html?th&emc=th

Does Supreme Court Battle Halt LGBT Legislation? By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner . Apr 15 2010. Supreme-court With most of our legislation already in jeopardy despite promises last year by HRC, our congressional representatives and the White House, another factor might come into play to make it even more difficult. The battle over replacing retiring Supreme Court Justice Stevens might seriously impact our ability to force a vote on key issues. There is no question that the Obama team will be very hesitant to push on LGBT issues when they feel they have to have another tough bruising fight like the healthcare battle. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/does-supreme-court-battle-halt-lgbt-legislation.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

For Same-Sex Couples, Equality in the Hospital By TARA PARKER-POPE. Copyright by the New York Times. April 19, 2010, 4:48 pm. For people in same-sex relationships, aging carries an added burden of anxiety: the fear that in a health crisis their partner might be excluded from making medical decisions, even visiting their bedside. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/for-same-sex-couples-equality-in-the-hospital/?th&emc=th

Add Gay Spirit to Taste, Then Stir By DAVE ITZKOFF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 23, 2010. How at ease is Leslie Jordan with himself these days? Comfortable enough that when he was hired to perform on a recent Alaska-bound cruise, he invited his mother to take the extra stateroom he was offered. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/theater/24leslie.html?th&emc=th

Center City race has candidate 'outed' as straight By Thomas Fitzgerald. Copyright by The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 22, 2010. It's happened so often that it's now a cultural cliche: the gay politician pretending to be straight. In most parts of the nation, homosexuality or bisexuality is a clear electoral liability. Not in Center City's 182d state House district. There, it's a badge of honor. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20100422_In_Pa__House_race__identity_politics_with_a_twist.html

Science and Technology

Cyberattack on Google Said to Hit Password System By JOHN MARKOFF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. Ever since Google disclosed in January that Internet intruders had stolen information from its computers, the exact nature and extent of the theft has been a closely guarded company secret. But a person with direct knowledge of the investigation now says that the losses included one of Google’s crown jewels, a password system that controls access by millions of users worldwide to almost all of the company’s Web services, including e-mail and business applications. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/20google.html?th&emc=th

For Apple, Lost iPhone Is a Big Deal By MIGUEL HELFT and NICK BILTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 19, 2010. For anyone who has ever lost a cellphone, remember this: it could be worse. You could be the person who left his phone in a bar in California. And it wasn’t just any phone; it was a supersecret version of the next iPhone. That model is not expected to be formally unveiled for a couple of months. For the people at Apple, it must be like a bad version of the guy walks into a bar joke. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?th&emc=th

Just 39 days to Mars - With hard work, an immigrant’s dream of spaceflight came true. Now, his ticket to America could be our ticket to the Red Planet By ERIC BERGER. Copyright by The HOUSTON CHRONICLE. April 18, 2010, 11:44PM http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6964775.html

Entertainment

Glee’s Sue Sylvester's video homage to Madonna's "Vogue." http://www.fox.com/glee/

Matthew Morrison brings heart to ‘Glee' By Christopher Smith. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 18, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sc-ent-0414-celebs-matthew-morrison-20100418,0,7481419.story

Other

Lateral Thinking....not easy http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2010/04/lateral-thinkingnot-easy.html

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Republicans Out-Foxed Newsletter - April 17, 2010

2010-04-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

Republicans Out-Foxed Newsletter - April 17, 2010

A Text Message for Republicans... http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=108356952517874&ref=mf Editor’s note – X rated language

GOP Sen. Tom Coburn scored a perfect 100 on the American Conservative Union's rankings for lawmakers last year. That makes him one of the last people you'd expect to criticize what liberals see as the GOP's most notable media mouthpiece, Fox News, but that's exactly what he did at a recent town-hall meeting in Oklahoma. When an audience member fretted about going to prison for not buying health insurance, Coburn responded, "The intention is not to put anyone in jail. That makes for good TV on Fox, but that isn't the intention." When discussing disagreements with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he described her as a " nice lady" and warned the jeering crowd to be civil and to get their news from more than one source: "Don't catch yourself being biased by Fox News that somebody is no good." Eve Conant

Have Republicans Been Out-Foxed? Some conservatives are beginning to question whether Fox News is good for their movement. By Eve Conant. © 2010 Newsweek. Apr 13, 2010
http://www.newsweek.com/id/236309

In search of a moderate Republican By Clive Crook. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 11 2010 20:25 | Last updated: April 11 2010 20:25. Addressing the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last week, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a possible presidential contender in 2012, called Barack Obama the most radical president in US history and assailed his administration as a “secular, socialist machine”. Something is seriously amiss with an opposition that regards this as a proper line of attack. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-search-of-moderate-republican.html

G.O.P. Weighs Political Price of Court Fight By PETER BAKER and CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 10, 2010. The retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens presents a test for Republicans as much as it does for President Obama as they weigh how much they want to wage a high-profile battle over ideological issues in the months before crucial midterm elections. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/us/politics/11supreme.html?th&emc=th

It’s not hate, it’s hateful history by Clarence Page. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 11, 2010. Brag Bowling and I have a lot in common. We both care a lot about history. We just happen to come down on opposite sides of the Civil War. Sort of. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0411-page-20100411,0,6771977.column

Discarded Palin contract sparks investigation By ROBIN HINDERY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Wed Apr 14, 4:04 am ET. A document fished out of a California state university trash bin last week has prompted a state investigation into the university's foundation arm and its refusal to disclose details related to Sarah Palin's upcoming speech at the school. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_calif_palin_contract

Florida Governor Splits With G.O.P. on Teacher Pay By TRIP GABRIEL and DAMIEN CAVE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 15, 2010....On Thursday, Mr. Crist picked a side, vetoing a bill passed last week by the Florida Legislature that would have introduced the most sweeping teacher pay changes in the nation. The veto puts Mr. Crist, a moderate Republican, at odds with his party base in the Republican-controlled Legislature. His decision has also renewed speculation that he might drop out of the Republican primary for a United States Senate seat and run in the general election as an independent. For months, he has been trailing the more conservative Republican candidate, Marco Rubio, a Tea Party favorite, in polls. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/16teachers.html?hp

April 15, 2010: Tea America http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-15-2010/tea-america

A Mighty Pale Tea By CHARLES M. BLOW. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010... It was a farce. This Tea Party wanted to project a mainstream image of a group that is anything but. A New York Times/CBS News poll released on Wednesday found that only 1 percent of Tea Party supporters are black and only 1 percent are Hispanic. It’s almost all white. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/opinion/17blow.html?th&emc=th

That's Tariffic http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-13-2010/that-s-tariffic

A Voice of Reason By BOB HERBERT. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010. The Republican Party is not simply the “just-say-no” party. It’s also a shameless advocate of the free lunch. Ronald Reagan famously told us he could jack up defense spending, cut taxes and balance the federal budget all at the same time. George W. Bush put two big wars on a credit card. And now we have the perennially clownish Newt Gingrich, in an embarrassing rant against President Obama, assuring the deluded G.O.P. faithful that, yes, the party can indeed bring down the federal deficit while cutting taxes. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/opinion/10herbert.html?emc=eta1

Poll Finds Tea Party Backers Wealthier and More Educated By KATE ZERNIKE and MEGAN THEE-BRENAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. Tea party supporters are wealthier and more well-educated than the general public, tend to be Republican, white, male, and married, and their strong opposition to the Obama administration is more rooted in political ideology than anxiety about their personal economic situation, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?hp

A Revised Contract for America, Minus ‘With’ and Newt By BERNIE BECKER. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15contract.html?hpw

Democrat Wins U.S. House Race in Florida. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 13, 2010. A Democratic state senator on Tuesday handily won the first U.S. House race since Congress passed a massive health care overhaul, beating a decidedly underdog Republican who tried to use the backlash against the measure to pull an upset. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/13/us/AP-US-Congress-Wexlers-Seat.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

International

“When he took office last year, President Obama told his foreign policy advisers that he had two baskets of issues to deal with. The first would be the legacy issues left from his predecessor, like Iraq, Afghanistan and America’s image in the world. The second would be his own agenda for the future. After 15 months addressing the vexing matters he inherited, Mr. Obama is now aggressively advancing his own vision of foreign policy and defining himself more clearly on the world stage. The 47-nation conference on nuclear security he wrapped up on Tuesday represented a chance to assert proactive leadership rather than simply showing that he is not George W. Bush.” PETER BAKER

Obama Puts His Own Mark on Foreign Policy Issues By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/world/14prexy.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: The Nuclear Security Summit. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 11, 2010. After 9/11, the world was forced to contemplate an even more terrifying nightmare: the possibility that terrorists could buy or steal a nuclear weapon. Far too little has been done since to head that off. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/opinion/12mon1.html?th&emc=th

Leaders Gather for Nuclear Talks as New Threat Is Seen By DAVID E. SANGER and WILLIAM J. BROAD. Copyright by The New York Times
Published: April 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/world/12nuke.html?th&emc=th

Washington Post Editorial: A summit goal: Making plutonium and uranium harder to get. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 14, 2010. PRESIDENT OBAMA was right to focus the 47-nation summit he convened this week in Washington on the challenge of securing nuclear materials. More than the strategic nuclear weapons of Russia, the thousands of tons of uranium and plutonium held by dozens of countries around the world pose a critical threat to the United States -- because, as has been established beyond question, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups are seeking to buy or steal the small amount of that material needed for a bomb. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/13/AR2010041304018.html

Obama Calls for Joint Action to Safeguard Nuclear Stocks By DAVID E. SANGER and MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010. Saying that the prospect of nuclear terrorism had emerged as one of the greatest threats to global security, President Obama called on world leaders “not simply to talk, but to act” to secure or destroy vulnerable stockpiles of nuclear materials. Mr. Obama, addressing a plenary session of the 47-nation nuclear security conference he had convened here, told fellow leaders Tuesday morning that it was time “not simply to make pledges, but to make real progress for the security of our people.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/world/14summit.html?hp

Washington Post Editorial: Stopping Thailand's endless battle of the yellow and red shirts. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, April 15, 2010. THE LATEST political crisis in Thailand is a particularly tragic instance of political blowback. Three times in the past four years, Thais opposed to the populist movement of Thaksin Shinawatra precipitated the downfall of democratically elected governments by creating chaos in the streets of Bangkok. Now the current government, backed by that same alliance of the middle class, business and traditional elites, has itself been cornered by the same tactics. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/14/AR2010041404391.html

Political Standoff in Bangkok Intensifies By SETH MYDANS and THOMAS FULLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/world/asia/12thai.html?ref=global-home

Panel Calls for Thai Premier’s Party to Be Dissolved By THOMAS FULLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/world/asia/13thai.html?ref=global-home

Protest Leaders Elude Capture by Thai Commandos By SETH MYDANS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/world/asia/17thai.html?hp

Eurozone industrial output beats forecasts By Stanley Pignal in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 14 2010 11:41 | Last updated: April 14 2010 11:41 http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/eurozone-industrial-output-beats.html

French and German Ties Fray Over Greek Crisis By STEVEN ERLANGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 12, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/world/europe/13europe.html?th&emc=th

Europe Unifies to Assist Greece With Line of Aid By STEPHEN CASTLE and JACK EWING. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/business/global/12drachma.html?hpw

Greece raises $2B as debt fears ease By Anthony Faiola. Copyright by The Washington Post . Tuesday, April 13, 2010; 11:53 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/13/AR2010041302097.html?hpid=topnews

Sterling sinks after UK leadership debate By Samantha Pearson. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 16 2010 11:59 | Last updated: April 16 2010 11:59. Sterling lost ground on Friday after the first ever televised leaders’ debate in the UK highlighted the possibility that no party would win overall control in the coming general election. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/sterling-sinks-after-uk-leadership.html

Australia Arrests Chinese Crew of Ship in Reef Accident By MERAIAH FOLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/world/asia/15ship.html?hpw

Kyrgyzstan’s President Says He Is Willing to Step Down By ANDREW E. KRAMER and MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 13, 2010. The ousted president of Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday that he would formally step down if the interim government that had taken power guaranteed safety for him and his family. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/world/asia/14kyrgyz.html?hp

China

China’s G.D.P. Jumps a First Quarter By MICHAEL WINES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010. China’s gross domestic product jumped 11.9 percent in the first quarter of this year over the same period in 2009, the government said on Thursday, pointing to an accelerating recovery from the global economic crisis. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/business/global/16yuan.html?hp

Death Toll in China Quake Rises to 617 By ANDREW JACOBS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/world/asia/15quake.html?hpw

Mess-o-potamia

Iraq’s Forces Prove Able, but Loyalty Is Uncertain By TIM ARANGO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010. Iraq’s security forces, once mocked for deserting firefights and feared as a sanctuary for rogue death squads, crossed a crucial line of competence during the recent parliamentary elections: With little American help, they kept the nation overwhelmingly safe for voting. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/world/middleeast/14security.html?th&emc=th

Obama Speech Signals a U.S. Shift on Middle East By MARK LANDLER and HELENE COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. It was just a phrase at the end of President Obama’s news conference on Tuesday, but it was a stark reminder of a far-reaching shift in how the United States views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how aggressively it might push for a peace agreement. When Mr. Obama declared that resolving the long-running Middle East dispute was a “vital national security interest of the United States,” he was highlighting a change that has resulted from a lengthy debate among his top officials over how best to balance support for Israel against other American interests. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/world/middleeast/15mideast.html?th&emc=th

National

“Time is short for Congress to deal with the damage from the Supreme Court’s decision allowing corporations and unions to spend without limit in attacking or boosting candidates for federal office. To avoid an unbridled flood of cash in this year’s elections, Congress must impose full transparency on precisely where the money comes from — so corporations and unions can no longer hide behind euphemistic labels to finance candidate drives.” New York Times Editorial

New York Times Editorial: Big Money’s Alarming Political Edge. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/opinion/11sun3.html?th&emc=th

Reviewing Mine Safety, Obama Faults Company and the Government By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010. President Obama on Thursday ordered a fresh round of coal mine inspections and a far-reaching review of mine safety, and said the federal government was partly to blame for the explosion that claimed 29 lives at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia this month. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/politics/16obama.html?th&emc=th

West Virginia Mine Disaster: It Is Murder By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. Apr 8 2010...Coalminers The miners who died in the Upper Big Branch mine were killed by the negligent Massey Energy Company executives and for that they should be put on trial for murder. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/west-virginia-mine-disaster-it-is-murder.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

New York Times Editorial: Now It’s the President’s Plan. Copyright by New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010. When it was unveiled — in budget documents — in February, we thought President Obama’s new approach to human space flight made good sense. But it drew immediate, fierce opposition from states that feared they would lose jobs and from Congressional boosters of the traditional space program. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/opinion/16fri3.html?th&emc=th

Attorney General Eric Holder stands his ground at Senate hearing By Spencer S. Hsu. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, April 15, 2010. Senators challenged Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Wednesday over the Obama administration's long-delayed pledge to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and its plans to try alleged Sept. 11 co-conspirators. But Holder conceded little and emerged from the session mostly unscathed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/14/AR2010041402992.html?hpid=topnews

Former N.S.A. Official Is Charged in Leaks Case By SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/16indict.html?th&emc=th

1 in 3 Americans Failed to Return Census Forms By SAM ROBERTS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/us/politics/17census.html?th&emc=th

Toyota

Toyota Delayed a U.S. Recall, Documents Show By MICHELINE MAYNARD. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 11, 2010. The sense of frustration — and urgency — in the e-mail message was palpable. “I hate to break this to you,” a Toyota executive wrote, “but we have a tendency for mechanical failure in accelerator pedals of a certain manufacturer on certain models.” The message continued: “The time to hide on this one is over. We need to come clean.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/business/12gap.html?th&emc=th

Consumer Reports Says Lexus GX 460 Is Unsafe By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN. Copyright by The New York Times. April 13, 2010, 9:11 AM http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/consumer-reports-says-lexus-gx-460-is-unsafe/?hp

Lexus Stops Selling S.U.V. That Was Called Unsafe By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN. Copyright by Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/14auto.html?hp

Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans to address corrosion in spare tire carrier cable by KEN THOMAS. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 4:37 a.m. CDT, April 17, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sns-ap-us-toyota-recall,0,1778029.story

Chicagoland

Will Shiller run again? Opponents line up BY LAURA WASHINGTON. Copyright by the Chicago Sun-Times. April 12, 2010. Helen Shiller is the most controversial, intriguing and enigmatic figure in Chicago politics. The six-term 46th Ward alderman is, again, at the center of fierce speculation about her future. Will she or won't she? That is, run once more. The citywide elections are 11 months away, and both enemies and friends are hanging on tenterhooks waiting for her play. http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/2152741,CST-EDT-laura12.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Far South Side needs Wal-Mart. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. April 14, 2010. After years of false starts and dead ends, a path to a second Wal-Mart in Chicago has emerged. Now it's now up to the City Council to make it happen. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2156756,CST-EDT-edit14b.article

Appliance rebate program drained on Day One - Illinois shoppers turn out by thousands to buy refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines By Sandra M. Jones. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 10:44 p.m. CDT, April 16, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0417-appliances--20100416,0,4815091.story

Health Care

Maternal Deaths Decline Sharply Across the Globe By DENISE GRADY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/health/14births.html?th&emc=th

Doubling of maternal deaths in U.S. 'scandalous,' rights group says By Stephanie Smith. Copyright by CNN News. March 12, 2010 4:46 p.m. EST. (CNN) -- Deaths from pregnancy and childbirth in the United States have doubled in the past 20 years, a development that a human rights group called "scandalous and disgraceful" Friday. In addition, the rights group said, about 1.7 million women a year, one-third of pregnant women in the United States, suffer from pregnancy-related complications. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/12/maternal.mortality/index.html?hpt=T1

Nebraska Law Sets Limits on Abortion By MONICA DAVEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010. Gov. Dave Heineman of Nebraska signed a law on Tuesday banning most abortions 20 weeks after conception or later on the theory that a fetus, by that stage in pregnancy, has the capacity to feel pain. The law, which appears nearly certain to set off legal and scientific debates, is the first in the nation to restrict abortions on the basis of fetal pain. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/us/14abortion.html?th&emc=th

Health Care Reform

Georgia Insurance Commissioner Balks at Request on New Health Law. By ROBBIE BROWN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010. The insurance commissioner of Georgia has chosen not to comply with a federal request to create a state pool for high-risk insurance plans, opening a new front in the resistance by state Republican officials to the new federal health care law. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/health/policy/14georgia.html?th&emc=th

Faces of Health Care Debate Point to New Law’s Complexity By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/health/policy/17health.html?th&emc=th

Malpractice insurer to pay $17M in dividends By Bruce Japsen. Copyright by Chicago Braking Business. Published on April 14, 2010 4:08 PM. ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company said this afternoon it will distribute nearly $17 million in new dividends to eligible policyholders in what it called "continuing improvements" in the state's medical litigation climate as well as "positive underwriting results" from 2005 through 2008 policy years. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/malpractice-insurer-to-pay-doctors-17-million-in-dividends.html

The Economy

Bernanke says US recovery gaining pace By James Politi in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 14 2010 15:28 | Last updated: April 14 2010 15:41. Ben Bernanke on Wednesday predicted that a “moderate economic recovery” would unfold in the US over the next several quarters on the back of stronger spending by businesses and consumers. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/bernanke-says-us-recovery-gaining-pace.html

33 States Reported Job Growth in March. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 16, 2010. Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania recorded sizable gains in employment in March and were among 33 states posting increases. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/economy/17jobless.html?th&emc=th

President Signs Bill to Extend Jobless Aid By CARL HULSE. Copyright by the Associated Press. Published: April 15, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/politics/16cong.html?th&emc=th

Retail Sales Climb in March Despite Debt and Job Woes By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. In another sign that American consumers are gaining confidence, retail sales rose more than expected in March, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/business/economy/15econ.html?hp

U.S. Housing Starts Rose in March By DAVID STREITFELD. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 16, 2010. Builders are tentatively starting to build more homes, a modest sign that the housing market is moving toward more normal conditions. The Census Bureau reported Friday that housing starts in March rose 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 626,000. It was the third consecutive month of increases. The rate is now 30 percent above the record low set last April. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/economy/17econ.html

The Tables Turn By WILLIAM NEUMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. Restaurants all over the country are beginning to see signs of a potential recovery after a dismal 2009. Sales at some restaurants have risen in the last few months, and the industry has hired thousands of additional workers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/business/15restaurant.html?th&emc=th

Federal Reserve gets the jitters over deflation By Nick Beecroft. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 16 2010 08:14 | Last updated: April 16 2010 08:14. There is a growing risk that deflation will be seen as the gravest threat to the US economy by the end of the year, warns Nick Beecroft, senior FX consultant at Saxo Bank. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/federal-reserve-gets-jitters-over.html

U.S. Trade Deficit Widened in February By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 13, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/economy/14econ.html?hpw

PC Sales Are on Course for Big Increase in 2010 By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/technology/15computer.html?th&emc=th

JPMorgan Chase profit up 57% in 1Q. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published on April 14, 2010 10:27 AM. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/jpmorgan-chase-profit-up-57-in-1q.html

Bank of America Continues to Improve By ANDREW MARTIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010... For the first three months, Bank of America reported net income of $3.2 billion, or 28 cents a share. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/17bank.html?hp

Income Falls, but G.E. Tops Forecasts By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/17electric.html?scp=1&sq=ge%20earnings&st=cse

NBC posts $223 million first-quarter loss on Olympics; ratings 14 percent higher than Turin. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 3:19 p.m. CDT, April 16, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-ap-us-nbc-winter-olympics,0,6247027.story

Your Money

FINANCIAL regulatory reform is necessary, complex -- and easily demagogued. Thus, although Republicans and Democrats in the Senate did, for a time, engage in negotiations, the odds never favored calm, bipartisan lawmaking. Add massive lobbying and a polarized pre-election political climate, and what you get is the populist posturing of the past week. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) denounced a bill backed by the Obama administration, saying it "institutionalizes" taxpayer-funded bailouts. The bill's author, Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), called the GOP line a Wall Street-inspired "falsehood." Washington Post Editorial

Washington Post Editorial: Partisan schisms aside, financial regulatory reform must get done. Copyright by The Washington Post . Friday, April 16, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505393.html

G.O.P. Takes Aim at Plans to Curb Finance Industry By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and SEWELL CHAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 13, 2010...The White House and Congressional Democrats quickly fired back, accusing Republicans of trying to prevent tougher policing of Wall Street. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/14regulate.html?th&emc=th

The Fire Next Time By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010. On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, called for the abolition of municipal fire departments. Firefighters, he declared, “won’t solve the problems that led to recent fires. They will make them worse.” The existence of fire departments, he went on, “not only allows for taxpayer-funded bailouts of burning buildings; it institutionalizes them.” He concluded, “The way to solve this problem is to let the people who make the mistakes that lead to fires pay for them. We won’t solve this problem until the biggest buildings are allowed to burn.” O.K., I fibbed a bit. Mr. McConnell said almost everything I attributed to him, but he was talking about financial reform, not fire reform. In particular, he was objecting not to the existence of fire departments, but to legislation that would give the government the power to seize and restructure failing financial institutions. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/opinion/16krugman.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Watch This Case. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010. Months ago, Gretchen Morgenson and Louise Story of The Times exposed Goldman Sachs’s practice of creating and selling mortgage-backed investments and then placing financial bets that those investments would fail. While appalling, it wasn’t clear whether the practice was also fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission has now decided that it was, charging Goldman on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/opinion/17sat2.html?th&emc=th

Financial Times Editorial Comment: SEC takes off the gloves on Goldman. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 16 2010 19:46 | Last updated: April 16 2010 19:46. Not so long ago, Lloyd Blankfein incautiously observed that Goldman Sachs did God’s work. The Securities and Exchange Commission takes a dimmer view of the investment bank’s activities. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/effort-to-revitalise-sec-starts-to-bear.html

U.S. Accuses Goldman Sachs of Fraud in Mortgage Deals By LOUISE STORY and GRETCHEN MORGENSON. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/17goldman.html?hp

Goldman real estate fund down to $30m By Henny Sender in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 16 2010 00:02 | Last updated: April 16 2010 00:02. Whitehall Street International, Goldman Sachs’ international real estate investment fund, has lost almost all of its $1.8bn of equity following soured property investments in the US, Germany and Japan, according to the fund’s estimates. By the end of 2009, the fund was down to its last $30m, a paper loss of about 98 cents on the dollar, an annual report sent to investors last month said. The report said that Goldman was Whitehall’s largest investor, with a commitment of $436m. Last year, Goldman took a loss of $1.76bn from all its real estate principal investments. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9ca7d968-48d2-11df-8af4-00144feab49a.html

Housing

Interest Rates Have Nowhere to Go but Up By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 10, 2010...The impact of higher rates is likely to be felt first in the housing market, which has only recently begun to rebound from a deep slump. The rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has risen half a point since December, hitting 5.31 last week, the highest level since last summer. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/business/economy/11rates.html?th&emc=th

Defaults Rise in Loan Modification Program By DAVID STREITFELD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. The number of homeowners who defaulted on their mortgages even after securing cheaper terms through the government’s modification program nearly doubled in March, continuing a trend that could undermine the entire program. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/business/15mortgages.html?th&emc=th

Illinois bank-owned foreclosures double in first quarter - Treasury reports progress with HAMP By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 8:33 p.m. CDT, April 14, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-biz-0415-hamp--20100414,0,3318063.story

Immigration

Arizona Lawmakers Back Strict Immigration Bill By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. While pressure increases on the Obama administration for a long-anticipated and much-promised overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, Arizona is moving ahead with anti-illegal-immigrant legislation widely considered among the most stringent in the states. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/15immig.html?hp

Work Force Fueled by Highly Skilled Immigrants By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 15, 2010...Among American cities, St. Louis is not an exception, the data show. In 14 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas, including Boston, New York and San Francisco, more immigrants are employed in white-collar occupations than in lower-wage work like construction, manufacturing or cleaning. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/us/16skilled.html?th&emc=th

Commodities

Gold hits high for year on weak dollar By Jack Farchy. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 12 2010 12:29 | Last updated: April 12 2010 12:29. Gold hit a high for the year on Monday, buoyed by a weaker dollar on the back of a bail-out for Greece agreed by European leaders over the weekend. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/gold-hits-high-for-year-on-weak-dollar.html

Travel

Air Travel Chaos Spreads and Deepens Into Weekend By ALAN COWELL, LIZ ROBBINS and NICOLA CLARK. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 17, 2010. As a cloud of ash from a volcano in Iceland moved eastward across Northern Europe, massive transportation gridlock continued Saturday and left weary travelers in an anxious limbo. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/world/europe/18ash.html?hp

Volcanic Ash to Curtail Air Traffic Into Midday Friday By NICOLA CLARK and LIZ ROBBINS. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: April 15, 2010. A dark and spectacular volcanic cloud shrouded much of northern Europe on Thursday, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights as it drifted at high altitude south and east from an erupting volcano in Iceland. The shutdown of airspace was one of the most sweeping ever ordered in peacetime, amid fears that travel could continue to be delayed days after the cloud dissipates. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/world/europe/16ash.html?th&emc=th

36 Hours in Munich By EVAN RAIL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/travel/18hours.html?th&emc=th

Environment

Europe Finds Clean Energy in Trash, but U.S. Lags By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 12, 2010. The lawyers and engineers who dwell in an elegant enclave here are at peace with the hulking neighbor just over the back fence: a vast energy plant that burns thousands of tons of household garbage and industrial waste, round the clock. Far cleaner than conventional incinerators, this new type of plant converts local trash into heat and electricity. Dozens of filters catch pollutants, from mercury to dioxin, that would have emerged from its smokestack only a decade ago. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/science/earth/13trash.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Leads New Bid to Phase Out Whale Hunting By JOHN M. BRODER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 14, 2010. The United States is leading an effort by a handful of antiwhaling nations to broker an agreement that would limit and ultimately end whale hunting by Japan, Norway and Iceland, according to people involved with the negotiations. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/science/earth/15whale.html?th&emc=th

Religion

“For a time I was puzzled by Pope Benedict’s response to the crisis in the Catholic church. We might disagree about the course of Catholicism. In uncharitable moments, I might mutter that the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was politician as much as priest; his piety merged with ambition some time ago. Yet the Pope indisputably was highly intelligent. Surely he could see what was happening. Now, I think I understand. The pontiff is a globaliser. He can feel the world’s geopolitical plates shifting. He grasps as well as any politician or business leader that the west has had its day. The opportunities to spread the gospel lie elsewhere – in societies more respectful of authority and less questioning of past crimes.” Philip Stephens

Pope Benedict has turned his back on a church in crisis By Philip Stephens. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 15 2010 20:11 | Last updated: April 15 2010 20:11. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2010/04/pope-benedict-has-turned-his-back-on.html

Worlds Without Women By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 10, 2010....To circumscribe women, Saudi Arabia took Islam’s moral codes and orthodoxy to extremes not outlined by Muhammad; the Catholic Church took its moral codes and orthodoxy to extremes not outlined by Jesus. In the New Testament, Jesus is surrounded by strong women and never advocates that any woman — whether she’s his mother or a prostitute — be treated as a second-class citizen. Negating women is at the heart of the church’s hideous — and criminal — indifference to the welfare of boys and girls in its priests’ care. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/opinion/11dowd.html?th&emc=th

Connecticut bishops fight sex abuse bill By Jamie Guzzardo. Copyright by CNN News. April 11, 2010 10:30 p.m. EDT. A bill in Connecticut's legislature that would remove the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases has sparked a fervent response from the state's Roman Catholic bishops, who released a letter to parishioners Saturday imploring them to oppose the measure. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/11/connecticut.abuse.bill/index.html?hpt=T1

Judge Rules National Day Of Prayer Unconstitutional By Jillian Coyle. Copyright by WUSA9.com. April 16, 2010 http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=100134

Media

BJ Penn Takes Down Brian Kilmeade http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-13-2010/bj-penn-takes-down-brian-kilmeade

The Post wins four Pulitzers; Bristol, Va., paper wins for public service By Howard Kurtz. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, April 13, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/12/AR2010041202071.html?hpid=topnews

GLBT

APA changes gender diagnosis. Copyright by The windy City times (From a News Release). April 13, 2010. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force today affirmed the American Psychiatric Association's ( APA ) refutation of "gender identity disorder" in favor of "gender incongruence," but calls for the removal of "transvestic disorder" and expresses concerns about other proposed revisions to the upcoming 5th edition of the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ( DSM ) . http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26165

New York Times Editorial: Justice and Comfort. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 16, 2010. The cause of equal rights for gays and lesbians, which is advancing in hard-won increments, moved forward on two important fronts this week. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/opinion/17sat3.html?th&emc=th

Obama orders hospitals to grant same-sex couples visitation rights By Michael D. Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post . Thursday, April 15, 2010; 8:08 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505502.html?hpid=topnews

DADT: It Doesn't Get Anymore Offensive By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner. Apr 12 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/dadt-it-doesnt-get-anymore-offensive.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+David

Scandal rocks Howard Brown – again! By Kerrie Kennedy. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. Published: April 13, 2010. Rumors swirl and community leaders demand an explanation after the abrupt departure of Howard Brown’s CEO and CFO last week, but the GLBT health care organization continues to stonewall in providing an explanation. http://chicagofreepress.com/20100413/scandal-rocks-howard-brown-again/6314.html

Prague’s Vital Gay Scene By CHARLY WILDER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 18, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/travel/18heads.html?hpw

Technology

Despite Ruling, F.C.C. Says It Will Move Forward on Expanding Broadband By EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 14, 2010. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission told a Congressional panel on Wednesday that a recent court ruling that the agency lacked authority to regulate the Internet should not prevent it from carrying out its plan to broadly expand the country’s high-speed Internet service. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/technology/15broadband.html?hpw

A Pulitzer Winner Gets Apple’s Reconsideration By BRIAN STELTER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 16, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html?hpw

Entertainment

'Glee' hits some dodgy notes but it's still hard to resist By Maureen Ryan. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 12, 2010. "Glee" is a critic-proof show. Anything old fogies like me say about it is unlikely to sway either its detractors or its fans. http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/04/glee-returns-to-fox.html

TBS lands Conan O’Brien By Phil Rosenthal. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 13, 2010. Forget Fox. Cable's TBS is the new Coco channel. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/sc-biz-0413-obrien-phil--20100413,0,6315540.column

Other

‘Ultimate Mini’ Heading to U.S. By JERRY GARRETT. Copyright by The New York Times. April 14, 2010, 1:37 PM http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/ultimate-mini-heading-to-u-s/?hpw

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Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
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Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
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The New Pope Opera Newsletter - April 10, 2010

2010-04-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

The New Pope Opera Newsletter - April 10, 2010

"Pope Opera" Daily Show http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-7-2010/pope-opera

Devil of a Scandal By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by the The New York Times. Published: April 3, 2010. The Devil didn’t make me do it. The facts did. Father Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist for the Holy See, said in Rome that The Times’s coverage of Pope Benedict, which cast doubt on his rigor in dealing with pedophile priests, was “prompted by the Devil.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/opinion/04dowd.html?th&emc=th

Church's Problem Is the Cover-Up, Not PR - Bob Schieffer Weighs In on the On-Going Problem Catholic Leaders Have With Accountability By Bob Schieffer. Copyright by CBS News. April 4, 2010 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/04/ftn/main6362282.shtml

Pope Put Off Punishing Abusive Priest By LAURIE GOODSTEIN and MICHAEL LUO. Copyright by the Associated Press. Published: April 9, 2010. The priest, convicted of tying up and abusing two young boys in a California church rectory, wanted to leave the ministry. But in 1985, four years after the priest and his bishop first asked that he be defrocked, the future Pope Benedict XVI, then a top Vatican official, signed a letter saying that the case needed more time and that “the good of the Universal Church” had to be considered in the final decision, according to church documents released through lawsuits. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/world/europe/10pope.html?th&emc=th

German Diocese Files Complaint Against Priest. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 9, 2010. A German diocese said Friday it has given prosecutors the case of a priest accused of sexually abusing four boys several years ago, and he was suspended from his current post at a home for retirees. The alleged abuse took place between 1980 and 1996, according to the diocese of Erfurt in eastern Germany. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-EU-Church-Abuse-Germany.html?_r=1&hpw

Catholic Church: Where Was Law Enforcement? By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner . Apr 5 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/catholic-church-where-was-law-enforcement.html

A papal resignation and pedophile priests By Katha Pollitt. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 5, 2010. My favorite moment of the whole child abuse scandal in the Catholic Church was when Father Klaus Malangre suggested that Peter Hullermann, the redoubtable German pedophile priest, might be sent to work in a girls' school. No boys, no molestation. Or, in churchly language, no occasion of sin. Problem solved! Plus, the good father would spend his life warding off female cooties. Malangre must not have heard about priests — and they do exist — who abused male and female children. Nor had he learned the lesson of Watergate: The cover-up is worse than the crime. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-0405-pollitt-20100405,0,6555871.story

Priest Accused of U.S. Abuse Still Working in India. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/05/world/AP-Church-Abuse.html?_r=1&hpw

Accused Indian Priest Says He Will Return to U.S. By JIM YARDLEY and LAURIE GOODSTEIN. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/asia/07church.html?hp

Cardinal tells pope: Faithful not influenced by 'gossip'. Copyright by CNN News. April 4, 2010 4:26 p.m. EDT. In a rare move, a senior cardinal spoke before the pope's Easter Mass address at the Vatican on Sunday, saying the pontiff maintains the support of Catholics around the world "who do not let themselves be influenced by the gossip." http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/04/vatican.easter/index.html?hpt=T2

The Catholic church pedophilia scandal: The forgotten victims. Filed by: Guest Blogger Carlos T Mock, MD. April 5, 2010 3:00 PM http://www.bilerico.com/2010/04/the_catholic_church_pedophilia_scandal_the_forgott.php

International

Brown calls general election for May 6 By Jean Eaglesham and Alex Barker. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 6 2010 11:09 | Last updated: April 6 2010 11:09. Gordon Brown on Tuesday called an election for May 6, asking the British electorate for a “clear and straightforward mandate” to extend 13 years of Labour rule and “secure the recovery”. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/brown-calls-general-election-for-may-6.html

ECB leaves interest rate on hold at 1% By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 8 2010 12:46 | Last updated: April 8 2010 12:46. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/ecb-leaves-interest-rate-on-hold-at-1.html

Trichet jumps in to back Athens rescue By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010.. Published: April 8 2010 20:17 | Last updated: April 8 2010 20:17. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/trichet-jumps-in-to-back-athens-rescue.html

Shares Rise as Greece Rescue Plan Seems Closer By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/business/10markets.html?hpw

Plunging Greek bonds spook investors By Jamie Chisholm, Global Markets Commentator. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 8 2010 08:48 | Last updated: April 8 2010 16:38. he eurozone’s festering fiscal woes and uncertainty over the speed of US monetary tightening provided investors with an excuse to reduce riskier bets on Thursday. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/plunging-greek-bonds-spook-investors.html

As Greek Bond Rates Soar, Bankruptcy Looms By LANDON THOMAS Jr. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/business/global/09drachma.html?hpw

Fitch Downgrades Greece’s Credit Rating. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 9, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/business/global/10drachma.html?hpw

Learning From Greece By PAUL KRUGMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09krugman.html?ref=opinion

Poland steps in to stem zloty’s rise By Peter Garnham. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 9 2010 13:40 | Last updated: April 9 2010 13:40 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6279ff3c-43cd-11df-b474-00144feab49a.html

President of Poland Killed in Plane Crash in Russia. By ELLEN BARRY and NICHOLAS KULISH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 10, 2010. A plane carrying the Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, his wife and other high-ranking officials crashed in a heavy fog in western Russia on Saturday morning, killing all aboard, Polish officials said. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/world/europe/11poland.html?hp

Opposition Claims Control in Kyrgyzstan By CLIFFORD J. LEVY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/world/asia/08bishkek.html?emc=na

Kyrgyz Opposition Group Says It Will Rule for 6 Months By CLIFFORD J. LEVY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/world/asia/09bishkek.html?th&emc=th

Thai Protests Turn Violent as TV Station Is Stormed By SETH MYDANS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010

Thai Forces Advance on Protesters. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: April 10, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/10/world/AP-AS-Thailand-Politics.html?_r=1&hp

Aftershocks Rattle Mexico-California Region Hit by Quake By JENNIFER STEINHAUER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 5, 2010. A powerful earthquake southeast of Tijuana shook Southern California on Sunday afternoon, damaging buildings in northern Mexico and border cities in California and Arizona and rattling a seismically sophisticated population as far north as Los Angeles and Las Vegas. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/us/06quake.html?th&emc=th

Nuclear disarmament

The Big Bang Treaty http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-8-2010/the-big-bang-treaty

New York Times Editorial: Mr. Obama’s Nuclear Policy. Copyright by the New York Times . Published: April 6, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/opinion/07wed1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Limits When U.S. Would Use Nuclear Arms By DAVID E. SANGER and PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/world/06arms.html?hp

Obama’s Nuclear Strategy Intended as a Message By DAVID E. SANGER and THOM SHANKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/07arms.html?th&emc=th

Russia and U.S. Sign Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact By PETER BAKER and DAN BILEFSKY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/world/europe/09prexy.html?th&emc=th

Disposal of Plutonium From U.S.-Russian Disarmament Is Likely to Take Decades By MATTHEW L. WALD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/world/europe/09nuke.html?th&emc=th

Obama’s Nuclear Modesty By PETER D. FEAVER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010. PRESIDENT OBAMA’S new policy on the use of atomic weapons, called the Nuclear Posture Review, has brought to the public eye a longstanding debate over what’s known as “declaratory doctrine”: what the United States government is willing to say publicly and in advance about the conditions under which it will use its nuclear arsenal. A calm reading of the document shows that the changes in terms of doctrine aren’t nearly as epochal as the White House would have us believe or its critics would have us fear. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09feaver.html?ref=opinion

Just Like Ike (on Deterrence) By CAMPBELL CRAIG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09craig.html?ref=opinion

China

China records rare $7.2bn trade deficit By Patti Waldmeir in Shanghai and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. China on Saturday announced a rare deficit in its politically sensitive trade balance for March, the first in six years, bolstering Beijing’s argument that the value of its currency only has a limited impact on international trade flows. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/china-records-rare-72bn-trade-deficit.html

New fears over speed of China’s growth. By Henny Sender in Hong Kong and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 4 2010 19:54 | Last updated: April 4 2010 19:54. The chairman of China Construction Bank, the country’s second largest by assets, has warned of the perils of rapid growth, adding his voice to a growing chorus of economists concerned about overheating. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-fears-over-speed-of-chinas-growth.html

Rescue of 114 at Chinese Coal Mine Called ‘Miracle’ By SHARON LaFRANIERE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 5, 2010. From the start, China’s latest coal mine disaster seemed likely to end like so many others in a country where an average of seven miners die every day: a failed rescue effort, grieving relatives and few, if any, survivors. But for reasons still unclear, the March 28 accident at the Wangjialing mine in Shanxi Province in northern China turned out differently. More than a week after the half-built mine flooded with water, rescuers found most of the 153 men trapped underground still alive. By late Monday, 114 of them had been pulled to safety. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/world/asia/06mine.html?hp

China Appears Set to Make Currency Policy More Flexible By KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 8, 2010. The Chinese government is preparing to announce in coming days that it will allow its currency to strengthen slightly and vary more from day to day, a move being taken for domestic policy reasons in China but likely to please the Obama administration, people with knowledge of the emerging consensus in Beijing said on Thursday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/business/global/09yuan.html?hp

Geithner to Meet With the Chinese Vice Premier By VIKAS BAJAJ and KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. In a sign of improving economic relations between the United States and China, the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, will meet the Chinese vice prime minister, Wang Qishan, in Beijing on Thursday on his way back to the United States from India, a Treasury spokesman said here Wednesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/global/08yuan.html?ref=global-home

China’s Censors Tackle and Trip Over the Internet By MICHAEL WINES, SHARON LAFRANIERE and JONATHAN ANSFIELD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. Type the Chinese characters for “carrot” into Google’s search engine here in mainland China, and you will be rewarded not with a list of Internet links, but a blank screen. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/world/asia/08censor.html?th&emc=th

Researchers Trace Data Theft to Intruders in China By JOHN MARKOFF and DAVID BARBOZA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 5, 2010. Turning the tables on a China-based computer espionage gang, Canadian and United States computer security researchers have monitored a spying operation for the past eight months, observing while the intruders pilfered classified and restricted documents from the highest levels of the Indian Defense Ministry. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/science/06cyber.html?hpw

Mess-o-potamia

Karzai’s Words Leave Few Choices for the West By ALISSA J. RUBIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 4, 2010. As President Hamid Karzai made more antagonistic statements over the weekend toward the NATO countries fighting on behalf of his government, the West was taking stock of just how little maneuvering room it has. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/world/asia/05karzai.html?th&emc=th

Drones Batter Al Qaeda and Its Allies Within Pakistan By JANE PERLEZ and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 4, 2010. A stepped-up campaign of American drone strikes over the past three months has battered Al Qaeda and its Pakistani and Afghan brethren in the tribal area of North Waziristan, according to a mid-ranking militant and supporters of the government there. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/world/asia/05drones.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Consulate in Pakistan Is Attacked by Militants By ISMAIL KHAN and SABRINA TAVERNISE. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 5, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/world/asia/06pstan.html?hp

Bombings in Baghdad Aim at Diplomatic Locations By ROD NORDLAND and RIYADH MOHAMMED. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 4, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/world/middleeast/05iraq.html?hp

Palestinians Try a Less Violent Path to Resistance By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/world/middleeast/07westbank.html?th&emc=th

Obama weighs new peace plan for the Middle East By David Ignatius. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Despite recent turbulence in U.S. relations with Israel, President Obama is "seriously considering" proposing an American peace plan to resolve the Palestinian conflict, according to two top administration officials. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040602663.html

National

"...Time will one day heal the wound to that confidence that will be inflicted by today's decision. One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law..." Justice Stevens in his thoughtful dissent in Bush v Gore

Justice Stevens to Retire After 34 Years By CHARLIE SAVAGE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/us/politics/10stevens.html?hp

The End of an Era, for Court and Nation By ADAM LIPTAK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/us/politics/10judge.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: We Can’t Tell You. Copyright by The New York Times . Published: April 3, 2010. For more than 20 years, it was settled law, born of bitter experience, that the government may not eavesdrop on people in the United States without a warrant. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/opinion/04sun1.html?th&emc=th

Washington Post Editorial: It appears that the W.Va. mine disaster could have been averted. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, April 10, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/09/AR2010040905117.html

No Survivors Found After West Virginia Mine Disaster By IAN URBINA. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/us/10westvirginia.html?th&emc=th

Toyota

Toyota official: 'We need to come clean'. By LARRY MARGASAK and KEN THOMAS. Copyright by the Associated Press . April 7, 2010. Five days before Toyota announced a massive recall, a U.S. public relations executive at the automaker warned colleagues in an internal e-mail: "We need to come clean" about accelerator problems, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100407/ap_on_bi_ge/us_toyota_recall

U.S. to Seek $16.4 Million Fine Against Toyota By MICHELINE MAYNARD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 5, 2010. The Transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, said Monday that the federal government would seek a $16.375 million civil fine, the largest allowed, against Toyota Motor over a recall of sticking accelerator pedals on 2.3 million vehicles. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/business/06toyota.html?hp

Regulators May Pursue More Fines Against Toyota By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in its letter notifying Toyota of the initial fine, said it might pursue a second penalty based on documents indicating the existence of two separate defects in the pedals, which were recalled in January. Two investigations into a November recall, involving floor mats that could trap the accelerator pedal, also could result in fines. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/business/10toyota.html?th&emc=th

Toyota's public humiliation perpetuated by relentless mocking from Letterman By Brett Michael Dykes. Copyright by Yahoo! News. April 8, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1533. Watch the video, it’s hilarious!

Chicagoland

Chicago News Cooperative - For Some Aspiring Political Broadcasters, Breaking the Law Does Pay By BEN GOLDBERGER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 2, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/us/04cncway.html?th&emc=th

Illinois tea party at a crossroads - Protest movement has vocal supporters, but lacks structure, unified strategy By Oscar Avila. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 10:42 p.m. CDT, April 4, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-tea-party-0405--20100404,0,6462668,full.story

Hamos to head state health care department - Quinn appointee succeeds Maram. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 4:55 p.m. CDT, April 9, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-gov-quinn-cabinet-pick-0410-20100409,0,1038095.story

Leaders ousted at Howard Brown by Yasmin Nair. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2010-04-07. In a move that will send ripples throughout Chicago's LGBTQ community, Howard Brown Health Center announced that two of its key staff members have been placed on paid administrative leave: President/Chief Executive Officer Michael Cook and Chief Financial Officer Mark Joslyn. The news came through a brief March 30 press release, issued via Leslie Schreiber, director of media relations at Winger Marketing. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=26105

Health Care

In down economy, US births to older moms still rising; birth rate declines for other ages. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 2:03 p.m. CDT, April 6, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-ap-us-birth-rate,0,6995214.story

City Endorses New Policy for Treatment of H.I.V. By SABIN RUSSELL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 2, 2010. In a major shift of H.I.V. treatment policy, San Francisco public health doctors have begun to advise patients to start taking antiviral medicines as soon as they are found to be infected, rather than waiting — sometimes years — for signs that their immune systems have started to fail. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/us/04sftreatment.html?hpw

Downturn fuels demand for free drugs in US By Andrew Jack in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 5 2010 18:02 | Last updated: April 5 2010 18:02. Demand for free medicines in the US has increased sharply following the 2008 economic crisis, highlighting continued difficulties by Americans in gaining access to medical care. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/downturn-fuels-demand-for-free-drugs-in.html

St. Vincent’s Votes to Shut Hospital in Manhattan. By SHARON OTTERMAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/nyregion/07vincents.html?th&emc=th

Nearby Hospitals to Fill Gap When St. Vincent’s Closes. By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/nyregion/08vincents.html?hpw

Health Care Reform

Obamacare has upsides for big employers: Chance to save millions by offloading retiree coverage By John Pletz ©2010 by Crain Communications Inc. April 05, 2010. Big companies may find a lot to like in President Barack Obama's health care law — once they get over the tax changes burning a hole in their earnings. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=33220

Rep. Stupak Expected to Retire By JEFF ZELENY AND DAVID HERSZENHORN. Copyright by the New York Times. April 9, 2010, 9:20 AM. Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan, who played a central role with fellow anti-abortion Democrats in negotiating a compromise in the final hours of the health care debate, intends to announce today that he will not seek re-election, a senior party official confirmed. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/rep-stupak-expected-to-retire/?hp

GOP Bashing

How snow-plowing policy is made in the nation’s capital http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-snow-plowing-policy-is-made-in.html

Saying No to No! Washington Post Editorial: Financial reform is in the GOP's interest, too. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 7, 2010.... Politically, the White House may well be correct. President Obama and congressional Democrats can afford to play hardball: If they get a bill that reflects mainly their ideas, they win; if the Republicans kill it with a filibuster, Democrats win anyway. This only makes the Republican leadership's apparent strategy that much more puzzling. By all means, the GOP should leverage its 41 Senate votes to obtain reasonable concessions on genuine issues. But it should not play the politics of no. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040603738.html

Colbert Report - The Word - Affirmative Inaction http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/270036/april-08-2010/the-word---affirmative-inaction

April 7, 2010: Michael Steele Plays the Race Card http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-7-2010/michael-steele-plays-the-race-card

GOP chairman Michael Steele is out front, attracting detractors By Philip Rucker and Amy Gardner. Copyright by The Washington Post . Sunday, April 4, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/03/AR2010040303143.html?hpid=topnews

G.O.P. Squirms as Spotlight Focuses on Its Leader By ADAM NAGOURNEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/us/politics/07memo.html?th&emc=th

Michael Steele's problem isn't race -- it's pride By Kathleen Parker. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, April 7, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040602661.html

It's Her Party Now By Mark Halperin . Copyright by Times Magazine. Monday, Apr. 12, 2010. Sarah Palin doesn't really do compromise. Defiance is more her style. So when other Republicans began to go soft on their promises to "repeal and replace" Barack Obama's landmark health care reform, the former Alaska governor went reliably rogue. Wearing a trim black leather jacket and pencil skirt, Palin appeared at a rally for John McCain in Arizona and urged the GOP faithful not to quail now. "I see Fidel Castro likes Obamacare, and we don't," she taunted. "Doesn't that tell you something?" http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1977121,00.html

April 8, 2010: Virginia's Confederate History Month & Griffin Mascot http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-8-2010/virginia-s-confederate-history-month---griffin-mascot

Bob McDonnell, the Confederacy and the Veepstakes By Chris Cillizza. Copyright by The Washington Post. April 8, 2010; 11:03 AM ET. Virginia Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's decision to backpedal on a proclamation declaring April Confederate History month in the Commonwealth left Republican observers divided about how much -- if any -- damage he had done to his prospects on the national stage in 2012 and beyond. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2008/bob-mcdonnell-the-confederacy.html?hpid=topnews

A Confederacy of Dunces By GAIL COLLINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. April is the cruelest month. Or, if you live in Virginia, Confederate History Month. The state is buzzing over Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proclamation urging citizens to spend the month recalling Virginia’s days as a member of the Confederate States of America. Although since McDonnell had previously turned April over to child abuse prevention, organ donation and financial literacy, perhaps it was O.K. to just pick your favorite. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/opinion/08collins.html?th&emc=th

Two Nevada Republicans Call for Ensign to Bow Out By ERIC LICHTBLAU. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010. Senator John Ensign’s political troubles worsened Thursday as more Republican colleagues from his home state of Nevada said that the ethics investigations surrounding him have threatened to damage the party statewide. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/us/politics/09ensign.html?th&emc=th

The Economy

Upbeat Signs Revive Consumers’ Mood for Spending By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010. American consumers are finally coming out of hiding. After months of penny-pinching amid the recession, new figures — showing an improving job market, rising factory output and increased retail sales — suggest that consumers are no longer restricting their budgets to necessities like food and medicine. They are starting to buy clothes, jewelry and even cars again. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/business/07shop.html?th&emc=th

US retailers enjoy spring sales rebound By Jonathan Birchall in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 8 2010 15:55 | Last updated: April 8 2010 15:55. Monthly sales at leading US retail chains continued to bounce back from last year’s slump, as Easter spending and warm spring weather supported shoppers’ renewed readiness to make discretionary purchases in March. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/us-retailers-enjoy-spring-sales-rebound.html

More CEOs of big US companies expect to add jobs than cut jobs for first time since early 2008. By TALI ARBEL. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 10:16 a.m. CDT, April 7, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-business-outlook-ceos,0,207476.story

Why So Glum? Numbers Point to a Recovery By FLOYD NORRIS. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 8, 2010. The American economy appears to be in a cyclical recovery that is gaining strength. Firms have begun to hire and consumer spending seems to be accelerating. That is what usually happens after particularly sharp recessions, so it is surprising that many commentators, whether economists or politicians, seem to doubt that such a thing could possibly be happening. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/business/09norris.html?th&emc=th

Bernanke Says Nation Must Take Action Soon to Shape Fiscal Future By SEWELL CHAN and JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 7, 2010. Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, warned Wednesday that an aging American population posed fiscal challenges for the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/economy/08fed.html?th&emc=th

Rubin and Greenspan to face crisis inquiry By Francesco Guerrera in New York and Alan Rappeport in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 4 2010 22:07 | Last updated: April 4 2010 22:07. Robert Rubin, the former Treasury secretary who played a key role in financial deregulation during Bill Clinton’s presidency and who has kept a low profile since stepping down as a special adviser to Citigroup in January 2009, is to be questioned by the US financial crisis inquiry commission this week. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/rubin-and-greenspan-to-face-crisis.html

Fed Reviews Find Errors in Oversight of Citigroup By SEWELL CHAN and ERIC DASH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. Citigroup ran into trouble under the noses of federal regulators. But even after taxpayers rescued the financial giant, regulators failed to monitor the company adequately, according to reviews by the Federal Reserve. Excerpts of two Fed reviews were released on Wednesday as the committee examining the causes of the financial crisis began three days of hearings on the problems at Citigroup, Fannie Mae and the subprime mortgage market. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/08panel.html?th&emc=th

$4.3 Billion Loss at G.M. Masks Progress Since Bailout By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/08motors.html?emc=na

Bargain Rates for a C.E.O.? By DEVIN LEONARD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 2, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/business/04comp.html?th&emc=th

Your Money

Bringing You a Signal You’re Already Paying For By MATT RICHTEL. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 6, 2010. Faced with withering criticism for its spotty iPhone service, AT&T blames in part a shortage of cellphone towers near homes and businesses. But it has a solution: put a miniature cell tower in your living room. There’s a catch, though. You have to pay for it. And that is making some customers angry. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/technology/07cell.html?th&emc=th

Housing

New York Times Editorial: Foreclosure Prevention 2.0 Copyright by The New York Times . Published: April 4, 2010. If all goes according to plan, the Obama administration’s new antiforeclosure effort will prevent many more foreclosures than its current one and do more to moderate the decline in home prices. That is a big if. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/opinion/05mon1.html?th&emc=th

Sharp Rise in Home Sales in February By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 5, 2010. The wobbly housing market showed a rare sign of strength on Monday: pending home sales were up significantly in February, a report said, suggesting that Americans took advantage of a tax credit for home buyers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/business/economy/06econ.html?hp

US apartment rents rise in first quarter By Alan Rappeport in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 6 2010 06:07 | Last updated: April 6 2010 06:07. Rents for US apartments rose in the first three months of the year after five quarters of record declines, offering hope that a key sector of the commercial property market is turning round. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/us-apartment-rents-rise-in-first.html

$13B in Cook Co. rental units at risk of default. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. Published on April 7, 2010 7:15 AM. Falling property values in Cook County have put about $13 billion of multi-family mortgage debt in danger of default and owners of two-to-six unit rental buildings are particularly at risk, new data shows. http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/04/96000-cook-county-rental-properties-underwater.html

Commodities

Is gold still a bright investment? - Some believe the precious metal's decade-long run-up in price, which saw a gain of more than 300%, will continue. Others warn that the bubble has burst. By Richard Burnett Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times April 5, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/la-fi-gold5-2010apr05,0,1453125.story

US Treasury’s bail-out profits top $10bn. By Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 5 2010 18:27 | Last updated: April 5 2010 18:27. The US government has made more than $10bn so far on banks’ repayments of bail-out funds, according to a new analysis that suggests taxpayers might turn a profit on the unprecedented help extended to the financial sector during the crisis. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/us-treasurys-bail-out-profits-top-10bn.html

Travel

Elderly drivers’ risk not clear-cut - The debate about when to take the keys away from the elderly flared up again when 86-year-old driver struck three teenage Chicago cyclists on March 24 By Erika Slife and Bonnie Miller Rubin. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 3, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-elderly-drivers-law-20100403,0,3708078,full.story

U.S. weighs opening travel to Cuba- Even as Cuba starts work on new hotels and its tourist infrastructure, the House and Senate appear to have strong support for ending the U.S. ban on tourism to Cuba. By Jonathan J. Levin. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. April 3, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-0404-cuba-travel-20100402,0,4296537.story

United Is in Merger Talks With US Airways By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN and JAD MOUAWAD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/08air.html?th&emc=th

BA and Iberia sign merger agreement By Mark Mulligan in Madrid and Pilita Clark in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. xxxPublished: April 8 2010 07:28 | Last updated: April 8 2010 08:09. British Airways and Iberia on Thursday announced a definitive merger agreement, ending nearly two years of often strained negotiations on the creation of a Europe’s third-largest airline group. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/ba-and-iberia-sign-merger-agreement.html

Air Marshals Intervene in Incident on Plane By ANAHAD O’CONNOR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. Federal officials were investigating an incident aboard a Washington-to-Denver flight on Wednesday involving a passenger who caused a disturbance. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/us/08flight.html?th&emc=th

Less Baggage, Big Savings to Airlines By CHRISTINE NEGRONI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/business/07bags.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1270652436-W6haIvBGXlaZWka8WgtliQ

36 Hours in Sydney By CELIA McGEE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 11, 2010 http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/travel/11hours.html?hpw

Environment

Fuel Leak Threatening Great Barrier Reef By KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 4, 2010. Salvage experts and a tugboat crew struggled on Monday to save a large Chinese freighter that slammed into the Great Barrier Reef off Australia over the weekend, trying to prevent the vessel from breaking apart as some of the 1,075 tons of engine fuel in its tanks began oozing from the hull, threatening the world’s largest collection of coral. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/science/earth/05reef.html?hpw

Science and Education

The crazy imaginings of the Texas Board of Education. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. April 4, 2010. During the era of McCarthyism, red-baiters fed upon the image of "godless" communists infiltrating our educational system to brainwash the youth of America. As it turned out, that image was largely imaginary. Ironically, though, we now really do have a coterie of Christian evangelicals who are attempting to infiltrate our educational system to brainwash our youth. They are in Texas. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-perspec-0404-textbook-20100404,0,4181734,full.story

Researchers test if airway swab could predict which smokers are at highest risk of lung cancer By LAURAN NEERGAARD. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. 11:57 p.m. CDT, April 7, 2010. http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-ap-us-med-lung-cancer-test,0,4670640.story

New Hominid Species Discovered in South Africa By CELIA W. DUGGER and JOHN NOBLE WILFORD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/science/09fossil.html?th&emc=th

GLBT

“Silence_equals_death1 If you listen to gay rights discussions these days, you’d think that marriage equality and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are the only issues that matter. And they do matter — for our dignity and our fundamental civil rights. But there is a fire in our house that we are no longer talking about, that we pretend no longer exists: the unchecked spread of HIV.” David Mixner

HIV/AIDS: What Happened To Silence = Death? By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixne . Apr 2 2010 http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/hivaids-what-happened-to-silence-death.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

Will an AIDS Pill a Day Keep the Virus Away? Drugmaker Gilead is betting the one-pill PrEP treatment will slow the virus' spread—as are some of the world's top health agencies and philanthropists By Simeon Bennett and Tom Randall. Copyright by Business Week. April 12, 2010 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_15/b4173056260350.htm?campaign_id=widget_topStories

President Obama and LGBT Rights: How Bad Is it? By David Mixner. Copyright By David Mixner . Apr 1 2010... How bad is the situation? Really bad. We are not anywhere near there yet. By any stretch of the imagination. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/president-obama-and-lgbt-rights-how-bad-is-it.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29

What happened to the U.S. Air Force lesbian who `told'? Don't ask. By Eric Zorn. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. Tuesday, April 06, 2010 http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2010/04/dadt.html

Telling About Gay Warriors and Asking for Votes By FRANCIS X. CLINES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 8, 2010. As the chief House whip fighting to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays serving in the military, Representative Patrick Murphy will never be dismissed as a naïve idealist. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09fri4.html?th&emc=th

Can Animals Be Gay? By JON MOOALLEM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/magazine/04animals-t.html?th&emc=th

Technology

H.P. Sees a Revolution in Memory Chip By JOHN MARKOFF. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 7, 2010. Hewlett-Packard scientists on Thursday are to report advances in the design of a new class of diminutive switches capable of replacing transistors as computer chips shrink closer to the atomic scale. The devices, known as memristors, or memory resistors, were conceived in 1971 by Leon O. Chua, an electrical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley, but they were not put into effect until 2008 at the H.P. lab here. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/science/08chips.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Court Curbs F.C.C. Authority on Web Traffic By EDWARD WYATT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/technology/07net.html?th&emc=th

Apple iphone OS 4 Event with Steve Jobs http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1004fk8d5gt/event/

Apple Edges Into Selling of App Ads By BRAD STONE. Copyright by Reuters. Published: April 8, 2010. Apple, the maker of popular gadgets, is getting into the business of selling advertising, ratcheting up its rivalry with Google. On Thursday the company gave a preview of a new version of the basic software for its mobile devices, including the iPhone. The software has a built-in advertising system, meant to be used by the developers who have created the more than 185,000 applications in Apple’s App Store. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/technology/09apple.html?th&emc=th

Much-hyped iPad proves a strong draw By Joseph Menn in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 4 2010 19:01 | Last updated: April 4 2010 23:49. Thousands of technology aficionados who flocked to Apple’s US retail stores at the weekend to pick up the computer maker’s most important new product since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, found ample supplies of the iPad instead of the sell-out debut analysts had predicted. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/much-hyped-ipad-proves-strong-draw.html

Chicago Tribune Editorial: iPad envy…and hope. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune. 5:46 p.m. CDT, April 2, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-ipad-20100402,0,3956472,full.story

The iPad’s scary counter-revolution By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Published: April 7 2010 23:35 | Last updated: April 7 2010 23:35. Last Saturday, a man in brown from UPS came to my door with an Apple iPad. On Sunday, Twitter brought adoring sighs from people who had also bought one. On Monday, the internet delivered a backlash. http://news-summary.blogspot.com/2010/04/ipads-scary-counter-revolution.html

Entertainment

Can CNN Be Saved? By ROSS DOUTHAT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 4, 2010. Listening to Jon Stewart helped destroy CNN. Now imitating him might be the network’s only hope of salvation. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/opinion/05douthat.html?th&emc=th

Asereje - Ketchup song original and the operatic version http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=RFzyYYZsxGc&feature=related/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08AR32iPfw4/

Mozart - Don Giovanni -Là ci darem la mano http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=0ZRvOc4Qxkg&feature=related

Other

Russia Calls for Halt on U.S. Adoptions By CLIFFORD J. LEVY. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: April 9, 2010. The boy was only 7, but he walked off the plane that arrived in Moscow from Washington all alone, carrying a knapsack with magic markers and candy, along with a single typewritten note. It was from a woman in Tennessee who had adopted him in Russia last year, became overwhelmed by what she described as his emotional problems and now wanted nothing more to do with him. Take him back, the note said. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/world/europe/10russia.html?th&emc=th

I rarely use the brace. Been off narcotics for three week. Have almost 80% of my left hand function back. Thanks to all who prayed and helped take care of me.

Ps. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, just go to my website: www.carlostmock.com and go the the subscription link. It will appear in your email every week.

In Pride (orgullo),

Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007. Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Cuba Libre, “Mentirita” The book is out. you can buy it at: http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=a0b517e687814469f8153c5070d69f99

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