READING (May 22, 2014)

Study confirms the U.S. is ruled by the rich, corporate news ignores it (Truth Out).

WWII widow searched 62 years for her husband. Then she found him (Liberal America).

A rant on technology and racketeering that deserves to be read (Zero Hedge).

Reince Priebus: Hilary's age and health are fair game (Liberal America).


SCIENCE IS AWESOME ... UNLESS YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN
Did scientists just solve the bee collapse mystery (Mother Jones)?

Denmark's Semso Island is the first island in the world with a 100 percent renewable energy-powered island (Nation of Change).

The no-nonsense guide to climate change science in 4 minutes (Liberal America).

The process of intellectual devolution may have reached the point of no return, for conservative Americans that is (NY Times / Paul Krugman).


MONEY / IGNORANCE TRUMPS THE LAW OF THE LAND?
Oil giant Citgo gets off easy in criminal case (Center for Public Integrity).

Tobacco giant Philllip Morris (of Switzerland) says that Uruguay's anti-smoking campaigns violates 1988 investment treaty, and demands compensation for millions of dollars in lost profits (El Pais).

North Carolina GOP pushes unprecedented bill to jail anyone who discloses fracking materials (Mother Jones).

Georgia lawmakers take pride in passing laws that hurt poor people (Truth Out).


COUNTY POWER
Santa Cruz becomes the first county in California to ban fracking (Eco Watch).

Two Oregon counties ban genetically engineered crops in landslide election (Eco Watch).


DID YOU KNOW ...
China, Russia outrank U.S. when it comes to corporate transparency (Center for Public Integrity).

America's Meritocracy is made up of poor people (Buzz Flash).

Ben Bernanke, former Fed Chair, is making out like a bandit in speaking fees to banks (Buzz Flash).

Greenland glacier melt is growing factor in rising sea levels (Al Jazeera).


MISCELLANEOUS
House GOP leaders block California Republican's immigration bill (McClatchyDC).

Top 10 instances of mob mentality (Listverse).

Texas family awarded $3 million in nation's first fracking trial (Nation of Change).

Are private banks unconstitutional (Truth Out).

The four biggest right-wing lies about inequality (Nation of Change).

Geosecurity 101: Washington and Moscow's military bases in Latin America (Council on Hemispheric Affairs).

- Mark