Sunday, May 4, 2014

READING FOR THE WEEK (May 4, 2014)


The 10 states in the U.S. with the highest teen birth rates, and they're not the Blue States (The Richest).

Let's say you have the option of choosing where you will be born, but you have no control over your position in society. Which country is the best to be born in? (EconoMonitor).

Sweden championed gender equality to raise birth rates, and it worked (Truth Out).

The story of Barack Obama ... according to Conservatives. This is how America's right-wing sees President Obama (The Daily Banter).

CIA 'torturer in chief' now living in two-story house in Southern California (Washington Post).


WAR TALK
It's not Russia that's pushed Ukraine to the brink of war (The Guardian).

In the long run, wars make us safer and richer (Washington Post).


VOTER ID TALK
Comprehensive database of U.S. voter fraud uncovers no evidence that photo ID is needed (Voting Rights).

Having to restate what we already know, a federal judge rules that in-person voter fraud is virtually non-existent (Huffington Post).

Everything you always wanted to know about Voter ID laws (Pro Publica).


WHY THE PLUTOCRATS ARE WINNING
A few years old but here's a big part of our problem ... criminal prosecutions for financial crime has been falling for years (Trac Reports).

Retiring Securities & Exchange Commission attorney draws applause at retirement party by saying that the SEC is agency that "polices broken windows on the street level and rarely goes to the penthouse floors" (Bloomberg).

Retiring White House prosecutor says the SEC is corrupt (Counterpunch).

The rise of corporate impunity in America (Pro Publica).

Banks take the economy hostage (Barry Ritholtz).


POLITICS IN AMERICA
Cliven Bundy, Donald Sterling, and the reality of racism (Truth Out).

The rise and fall of Cliven Bundy: No Hero (Economist).

With unlimited financial contributions, one Robber Baron can control a state (Truth Out).

Mission Creep: Homeland Security a 'runaway train' (Albuquerque Journal).

Koch brothers, major corporations, sponsor pension reform seminar for judges (Center for Public Integrity).

Minimum wage increase blocked by Senate Republicans (Bloomberg).


THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW (ABOUT)
13 Benghazis that occurred on Bush's watch without a peep from Fox (The Daily Banter).

5 great things that happened since weed was legalized in Colorado (The Richest).

"The Canadian health care system that I disparaged" (Wendell Potter / Center for Public Integrity).

Guess what's coming around the bend? Demographics + Debt = Doom (Zero Hedge).

Plutocrats vs. Oligarchs (Disinfo).


MISCELLANEOUS
Litigants left reeling after judges admit conflicts of interest (Center for Public Integrity).

NBA sets wheels turning for sale of Clippers (Reuters).

IMF gives the green light for $17 billion Ukraine aid package (RT).

Understanding Bitcoins (EconoMonitor).

What professional traders really think of High Frequency Trading (Zero Hedge).

- Mark 

No comments: