Year-End Link Dump (Stories You May Have Missed)
We're going to try something new, both today and tomorrow. If successful, maybe we'll make it a yearly thing, who knows?
Today's article is nothing more than a giant collection of links to some stories you may have missed during 2014. Another way to put this is: I am clearing out my list of "things I should write about, when I have the time" -- articles which got me thinking, but which I never followed up on by actually writing about them. I'm cleaning up my bookmarks, and so I thought I'd dump all these out there for others to read, perhaps waiting for a flight home or perhaps hiding in your old bedroom because you are sick of dealing with your extended family's drama right now. Ahem.
In any case, I've tried to loosely group these into categories, but there's no real rhyme or reason to the order. Except for the first few, which I though deserved special mention just for originality. In any case, here are a few links to check out if you're bored in this between-holidays season.
Excellent and original thinking
Every so often I am astonished by some writer's ability to think creatively about a problem. Sometimes the proposed solutions seem well worth a try, or at the very least well worth some serious discussion both in the media and in Washington. Seldom does this discussion even happen, but that doesn't detract (for me) from the originality of the idea itself.
The first of these was an article about how the federal government should behave more like the D.M.V. No, seriously! Richard Cohen of the Washington Post wrote a great article about how the feds should treat Wall Street in the same fashion that state driver's licensing departments treat the drivers they license. In a word: points. When you get a ticket, the D.M.V. (or M.V.A., or whatever your states motor vehicles department calls itself) will assess "points" against your license. If you accumulate enough points in a certain time period, you lose your license for being a bad driver. Now imagine Wall Street banks being treated the same way -- instead of just a fine every so often for wrongdoing, they'd also get points. Get enough points, your license to operate gets yanked. This was possibly the best article I read all year.
I came across two interesting ideas to boost employment, both of which seem worth considering. The first would be requiring all businesses to provide paid vacations, which is actually an idea I've supported in the past. The second is to change federal overtime requirements, which haven't been changed in decades. This could greatly boost the middle class, and by increasing the cost of overtime employment to employers, would force them to hire other workers instead of overworking the ones they have, thus creating more jobs.
Not all creative ideas are good ones, however. Something Democrats really need to start keeping an eye on: a gowing movement to change the "winner takes all" Electoral College rules in states that voted for Obama but which now have Republican state governments (beginning with Michigan). This could completely shift the power of presidential elections, which is why it's worth keeping an eye on.
Journalism / Publishing
OK, I'm going to have to tighten these up. For the rest, the link(s) after the article are presented as just the publication's name, and I'm going to try to make these as short as possible.
There was a bizarre story which could have some far-reaching consequences, but which was largely ignored in the media. An Uber executive was annoyed at journalists (one woman in particular) and suggested at a dinner (where he thought he was off the record) that Uber might just dig into her personal life and use the information in what can only be termed nefarious ways. In an age where companies like this have mountains of personal data about their users' habits, this was an ugly concept to even contemplate. [BuzzFeed, Washington Post]
There was big news at liberal magazine The New Republic, including a mass walkout of the top editorial staff. This was a big story in the publishing world as well as the political world. [Washington Post 1, 2, and 3; Salon 1, 2; Huffington Post]
And finally, Ursula K. LeGuin (science-fiction writer) thinks Amazon is getting too powerful in the publishing world. [Salon]
Drugs / Drug War
There was a lot of news on this front this year, mostly positive. Very quickly:
Joe Biden's son was discharged from the Navy on cocaine charges. Biden used to be a big drug warrior, back in the day, for context. [Huffington Post]
A good wrapup of the top 10 victories the pro-reform movement celebrated in 2014. [Huffington Post] A slightly different take, with a list of the top 13. [Huffington Post]
Indian reservations will now be able to legalize marijuana themselves, both in states that have done so and everywhere else. This could have big implications on how marijuana gets legalized (think about Indian casinos, for a possible parallel), but not many people have seen that far ahead yet. [Salon]
I think I missed including this link in the McLaughlin awards columns, here is the latest news from Colorado's plan to spend taxpayer money on valid, non-political medical research on marijuana. [Huffington Post]
Obama announces clemency for people convicted of drug crimes serving excessive sentences. [Huffington Post]
The "cromnibus" had some good news in it, the beginning of the end of the federal government fighting against medical marijuana. [Huffington Post 1 & 2]
It also had some bad news for Washington DC. This story's not over yet -- it remains to be seen what DC will do next, and there's always the possibility of a court case. In any case, a developing story. [Huffington Post 1, 2, and 3; Washington Post]
Of course, all the news wasn't good. A recap of the worst excesses of the D.E.A. provides some context. [Huffington Post] Also, a good article on how police are still abusing "property seizure" laws, which should really be renamed "highway robbery" laws. [Washington Post]
But we'll end on two more positive notes. The first is that marijuana may cure brain cancer. [Huffington Post] And in states where it is legal, the biggest brand name possible may be coming to the pot store shelves: official Bob Marley weed. [Huffington Post]
Obama / Obamacare
OK, we're going to wrap up today's list with a few odds and ends. Tomorrow (as our year-end cleanout of bookmarks continues) we'll dive into national security, spying on citizens, war, and some miscellaneous items that didn't fit any other category.
This was an interesting story, for people who may not know URL basics. The official Obamacare website is HealthCare.gov. But they didn't secure the rights to HealthCare.com, which is a sort of piggyback site that is trying to make a few bucks off of confusion. [Washington Post]
This one may come back to haunt him, although Jeb's already got a few non-conservative skeletons in his closet as it is. Seems Jeb's been making a few good bucks off of Obamacare himself, which he has now decided isn't such a good idea for a Republican presidential candidate. [Los Angeles Times]
This got lost in all the fray, but may come back up in the next two months. The very-conservative Federalist Society came to the conclusion that Obama's recent action on immigration is actually constitutional. The Federalists are pretty absolutist when it comes to certain constitutional issues, so this is newsworthy indeed. [Huffington Post]
And finally, just because...
President Barack Obama in a tiara. Yes, you read that right. He's breaking his own "don't put stuff on your head if you're president" cardinal rule, but then again it's tough to say no to a troop of Girl Scouts.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Pledge Drive Update -
Well, we seem to have stalled out just before the end of the year, here. We're just shy of 75% of our goal, but we're remaining optimistic that we'll get all the way!
Keep those cards and letters (and PayPal transfers) coming, folks...
:-)
-CW
This one may come back to haunt him, although Jeb's already got a few non-conservative skeletons in his closet as it is. Seems Jeb's been making a few good bucks off of Obamacare himself, which he has now decided isn't such a good idea for a Republican presidential candidate. [Los Angeles Times]
I think that goes along the lines of Democrats like Buffett, Clinton et al saying that they should be taxed more, but yet they still use loopholes to lower their taxes...
Or for Democrats to complain and bitch and moan about Super PACs and how the excess money is corrupting the election process and then turn around and rake in the money from these SUPER PACs... Bet ya'all didn't know that the top 17 donors, $$$ wise, for the previous mid term election went to Democrats...
This is simply another example of that.. You can't fault a man for making money, even if it's off a train wreck like obamacare...
This got lost in all the fray, but may come back up in the next two months. The very-conservative Federalist Society came to the conclusion that Obama's recent action on immigration is actually constitutional. The Federalists are pretty absolutist when it comes to certain constitutional issues, so this is newsworthy indeed. [Huffington Post]
The issue isn't constitutionality...
The issue is that the actions will hurt Americans.. ESPECIALLY minority Americans... People that Obama claims to care about...
Michale
404
Since we tossing out media reports..
Looks like the FBI, Obama and yours truly might have some egg on their face.....
FBI briefed on alternate Sony hack theory
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/fbi-briefed-on-alternate-sony-hack-theory-113866.html
And TheStig and Goode Trickle are grinning like that proverbial cat with the canary..
:D
Michale
405
Well, we seem to have stalled out just before the end of the year, here. We're just shy of 75% of our goal, but we're remaining optimistic that we'll get all the way!
I'll have to finish up my donations on Fri.. So keep the Kitty open to 2 Jan and I'll finish with a bang.. I'll need about 300 comments to meet my personal goal, so help me out people.. :D
And don't forget to donate!
A kindler, gentler more subdued Michale is just a donation away.. :D
Michale
406
Looks like the FBI, Obama and yours truly might have some egg on their face.....
During a Dec. 19th White House press conference,Obama crawled out on a weak limb when he accepted the FBI assessment N Korea was responsible for the SONY hack.
But, as I noted on some thread around here at CW.com, the President seemed to diplomatically walk his acceptance back on Dec 21 during the CNN Candy Crowley interview.
I found this telling at the time, and I still do.
Obama - "And if we set a precedent in which a dictator in another country can disrupt, through cyber, you know, a company's distribution chain or its products and, as a consequence, we start censoring ourselves, that's a problem." That's a very general statement of principle, but never actually accuses N Korea of anything.
Crowley asks him "Do you think this was an act of war by North Korea?" and he responds "No, I don't think it was an act of war. I think it was an act of cyber vandalism that was very costly, very expensive. We take it very seriously. We will respond proportionately, as I said." Crowley offers up a specific accusation about NK, and Obama dances around it with a general statement of what he thinks happened, not who engineered it. What he intended to do, but not to who!
Crowley wasn't quite asking the right questions, and didn't follow up on what seem to be, especially in late Dec hindsight, deliberately vague answers.
Crowley offers up a specific accusation about NK, and Obama dances around it with a general statement of what he thinks happened, not who engineered it. What he intended to do, but not to who!
Obama agreed with the WHO by omission..
IN other words, Obama answered the question, "Is this an act of war" and not the non-question "by North Korea"...
I think it's safe to assume that the FBI has evidence that it cannot disclose due to the manner in which it was acquired... Who knows, maybe the FBI tortured some hacker.. :D
This being accepted as fact indicates that the FBI is more correct than the Security Companies who must rely on Public Domain information...
It all comes back to motive...
WHY would the FBI and, by extension, Obama say it was North Korea if it wasn't?
What is there to gain???
It's not as if Americans are petrified that Sony got hacked and the culprit was still at large... There is no public safety emergency that requires that a culprit be identified immediately...
So, why jump on the DRPK bandwagon just for sheets and greens???
Michale
407 W Disney :D
Put another way... Jumping on the NK bandwagon puts Obama firmly in the McCain/Graham camp as far as accusing North Korea...
Why would Obama do that if he wasn't sure that his FBI was sure???
Michale
408
“The problem is it starts to go hand in hand with the mandate; you can’t mandate insurance that’s not affordable. This is going to be a major issue.
So what’s different this time? Why are we closer than we’ve ever been before? Because there are no cost controls in these proposals. Because this bill’s about coverage. Which is good! Why should we hold 48 million uninsured people hostage to the fact that we don’t yet know how to control costs in a politically acceptable way? Let’s get the people covered and then let’s do cost control.”
-Obamacare Policy Brief, 2009
Gruber.. The gift to the GOP that just keeps on giving... :D
Michale
409
Of course, all the news wasn't good. A recap of the worst excesses of the D.E.A. provides some context. [Huffington Post] Also, a good article on how police are still abusing "property seizure" laws, which should really be renamed "highway robbery" laws. [Washington Post]
I was inclined to take this at face-value...
But then I read the article..
The men WERE drug dealers.. They had vacuum sealed cash in excess of $100,000 and lied about it to the cops..
So, I am hard pressed to sympathize with them..
Having said that, I have read some real sob stories that ARE legitimate indications of excess by LEOs..
THIS case isn't one of them...
Michale
410
City Hall Pushed Pols to Attack PBA as Mayor Coaxed Unions To Meet: Sources
http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20141230/civic-center/city-hall-asked-pols-attack-pba-as-mayor-coaxed-unions-meet-sources
I wished I could say I was surprised, but sadly I am not...
This is EXACTLY why NY cops turned their backs on DeBlasio...
Because DeBlasio is more concerned about being Politically Correct and making sure that the NYPD stays under the bus where he threw them...
Michale
411 "Information. How can I help you?" :D
M - 6
I don't think omission constitutes agreement anymore than in constitutes disagreement. It signifies nothing by the user, but may signify failure to ask the appropriate follow-up question on the part of an interviewer. Artful omission has always been a part of diplomacy, and presidential press conferences are much more about diplomacy than news.
The problem with the FBI theory isn't a failure to specify sources, it's the interpretation of the evidence they say they have in hand. They have been fairly specific about it what it is. Other experts in cyber crime say the FBI evidence (made public) is open to other credible interpretations. Now it's possible the FBI is holding something back, but it's also possible they are working outside their domain of expertise and have a weak theory.
Don't dismiss public domain intelligence. I've worked with classified stuff, and in the grand scheme of evidence is over-rated and under-vetted. When I worked with this stuff, I found information from the pages of Aviation Week and Space Technology was typically of much higher quality and utility than what I got in reports with a security stamp. Plus, AWST came in my mail and my mailman never patted me down or opened my briefcase. Don't get me wrong, I was always interested in comparing both types of sources, but information always leaks to the trade papers and free discussion always improves the interpretation of evidence.
Why would the FBI say it was NK when if it wasn't? Overconfidence in their expertise or their sources of information.
What would they gain from this? If right: A scoop. Bragging rights. Priority in funding down the round.
Why would Obama (and inner circle) initially sign on to the FBI report. Have you never regretted buying a car that looked great in the showroom and proved awful on the road due to hidden flaws? Salesmanship, sleek lines and a good paint job disable due diligence. I've known people who got auto remorse in less than a day.
Add group think to that. Everybody was thinking NK, they were obvious candidate. But, sometimes the "obvious" or "best" answer is wrong.
I'm not rejecting NK is the culprit, or that they were complicit with another culprit, or that they nothing to do with it. If I had to pick the most plausible theory based on public domain info, it would be "disgruntled SONY employee, inside job, by somebody fairly good at trying to cover their tracks. But, that's just a plausible theory to me, and I'm no expert.
We actually agree on how to best approach this problem. Scary!!!!!
I don't think omission constitutes agreement anymore than in constitutes disagreement.
You never heard, "Silence Gives Assent??" :D
Why would the FBI say it was NK when if it wasn't? Overconfidence in their expertise or their sources of information.
Seems like a pretty rookie mistake that the FBI is NOT known for in the here and now...
I'm not rejecting NK is the culprit, or that they were complicit with another culprit, or that they nothing to do with it. If I had to pick the most plausible theory based on public domain info, it would be "disgruntled SONY employee, inside job, by somebody fairly good at trying to cover their tracks. But, that's just a plausible theory to me, and I'm no expert.
Yet the FBI has discarded that theory because it doesn't fit the facts they have...
You have to allow for the fact that the FBI knows more than you or I or any of those security firms...
All things being equal, I would trust the FBI before any private industry who is trying for a PR bonanza...
Once again, I have to marvel at the role reversal.. *I* am the one defending Obama and his Administration against claims that the private sector is better... :D
It all comes down to one simple thing..
WHY would the FBI say it if it weren't true??? The reasons you give I would attribute to a Mickey Mouse Keystone Kops type organization and the FBI definitely ain't that..
Michale
430
WHY would the FBI say it if it weren't true???
Now, the FBI ain't perfect by ANY stretch of the imagination...
But they have a lot of credibility riding on their investigation of this hack...
It all comes back to one simple question..
WHY announce it if they weren't sure??
WHY would Obama crow about it if he wasn't sure they were sure..
OK, that's 2 questions... But they are intertwined...
Obama and the FBI have staked their reputation and their credibility on this...
Michale
431
M-12
Seems like a pretty rookie mistake that the FBI is NOT known for in the here and now...
Experts don't become over confident? NASA didn't launch a space shuttle in cold weather when they were warned about the seals? Napoleon didn't invade Russia?
"Nearly every criminal case reviewed by the FBI and the Justice Department as part of a massive investigation started in 2012 of problems at the FBI lab has included flawed forensic testimony from the agency, government officials said."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/federal-review-stalled-after-finding-forensic-errors-by-fbi-lab-unit-spanned-two-decades/2014/07/29/04ede880-11ee-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html
Not owning up to it until 2012 is close enough to the here and now for me. This does not inspire faith based confidence in FBI forensics, computer or other.
There is every reason to believe the FBI doesn't get the best and brightest when it comes to IT and computer security. It's third on their recruitment priority list. There are other requirements that reduce the potential recruitment pool. Corporate culture. Physical fitness, vision and hearing, and a long list of employment disqualifications relating to criminal activity and drug use that experienced hackers wouldn't pass FBI pay is low compared to the commercial sector.
If you want to convince the world that NK is the perp, then need to convince qualified critics with your evidence....yet day by day, well qualified critics poke holes in the FBI's supposedly air tight case.
The reasons I give are fundamental flaws of human nature, and no organization is immune to them.
M-13. I just addressed 12 and 13, but the post seems to have stalled. Maybe some fallout from the hacking of CW.com and the spam filters?
TS,
No worries, I'll check it in the AM... :D
Michale
432
More Sanctions on North Korea After Sony Case
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/03/us/in-response-to-sony-attack-us-levies-sanctions-on-10-north-koreans.html?_r=0
Well, if the FBI and Obama are wrong, they are going to have an awful lot of egg on their faces..
Not that the Left will hold them responsible for anything...
Well, at least not The Messiah, Emperor Barack The First...
Michale