Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Scientists Cast Doubt on TSA Tests of Full-Body Scanners:
“The Transportation Security Administration says its full-body X-ray scanners are safe and that radiation from a scan is equivalent to what’s received in about two minutes of flying. The company that makes them says it’s safer than eating a banana [1].”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Pickens’ New Plan: No Wind:
“T. Boone Pickens has a new plan — but fewer allies — in his quest to curb America’s dependency on foreign oil.”
LED bulbs hit 100 watts as federal ban looms:
“Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from stores in January.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Gambling inside hotel rooms: Thumbs up or down?:
“Would you want to gamble in the privacy of your hotel room?”
Health / Safety:
Nearly 20 percent of new Obamacare waivers are gourmet restaurants, nightclubs, fancy hotels in Nancy Pelosi’s district:
“Of the 204 new Obamacare waivers President Barack Obama’s administration approved in April, 38 are for fancy eateries, hip nightclubs and decadent hotels in House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Northern California district.”
Economics:
As Debt Limit Reached, Agreement Still Far Off:
“The U.S. government is expected to hit the $14.294 trillion debt ceiling Monday, setting in motion an uncertain, 11-week political scramble to avoid a default.”
Treasury to tap pensions to help fund government:
“The Obama administration will begin to tap federal retiree programs to help fund operations after the government lost its ability Monday to borrow more money from the public, adding urgency to efforts in Washington to fashion a compromise over the debt.”
Legal:
Congress Moves to Limit Funding for Airport Body Scanners:
“A House Appropriations Subcommittee has stripped $76 m out of the TSA budget for 2012, designated for the purchase of 275 airport body scanners. Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) said that the body scanners are “a nuisance. They’re slow. And they’re ineffective.” Earlier this year, EPIC held a conference in Washington on “The Stripping of Freedom: A Careful Scan of the TSA Security Procedures.” For more Information, see EPIC: Whole Body Imaging Technology, EPIC: EPIC v. DHS: Suspension of Body Scanner Program, and EPIC: Spotlight on Surveillance.”
Labor:
The AFL comes to OMB:
“As soon as today employees of the Office of Management and Budget will file a petition to unionize, ABC News has learned.”
WI Attorney General Releases 100 Pages of Documented Threats Against Lawmakers During the Budget Negotiations:
“Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen released 100 pages of documented threats against lawmakers. The released documents include threats against both Republicans and democrats but, of course, the most vile and violent threats were sent to Republican officials.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
Florida’s Rejected High-Speed Rail Money Bails Out Amtrak:
“Florida’s $2.4 billion of rejected high-speed rail money won’t move America closer to a national, or even regional, HSR network. Instead, critics say it amounts to little more than a bailout Band-Aid to money-losing Amtrak.”