Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Hackers expose flaw in Apple iPad, iPhone software:
“The security flaw in Apple’s iOS operating system came to light on Wednesday as the website www.jailbreakme.com released code that Apple customers can use to modify the iOS operating system through a process known as “jail breaking.””
Google dealing with privacy bugs in Google+:
“Google’s new social networking site, Google+, which is built to beat Facebook primarily on privacy features, has several privacy bugs the company is working to fix.”
Google Deleting Private Profiles by July 31:
“Taking another page from Facebook, Google this week announced that it will no longer support private Google Profiles after July 31.”
Dozens of law professors: PROTECT IP Act is unconstitutional:
“An ideologically diverse group of 90 law professors has signed a letter opposing the PROTECT IP Act, the Hollywood-backed copyright enforcement/Internet blacklist legislation now working its way through Congress. The letter argues that its domain-blocking provisions amount to Internet censorship that is barred by the First Amendment.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
NPR Listeners Hear EPA Touted as ‘Environmental Investment Agency’:
“In the Obama era, the Environmental Protection Agency and its chief Lisa Jackson have been absolutely non-controversial in the national media. Few reporters have considered its aggressive “green” tactics a job-crusher. In fact, on Wednesday night’s “Marketplace” business show on many NPR stations, that notion was mocked as a playground taunt that children might make. Reporter Adriene Hill began:”
EPA stimulating environmental regulations abroad:
“China and other foreign interests have been significant beneficiaries of stimulus money through the Environmental Protection Agency, to the tune of some $27 million, since the law passed in February 2009.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Russian parliament toughens gambling laws:
“The lower house of the Russian parliament passed on Wednesday presidential amendments tightening up the law on illegal gambling.”
Health / Safety:
Bill would let CA reject health insurance hikes:
“A bill to give California regulators the power to reject excessive increases in health insurance premiums passed a key test Wednesday when it was approved by the Senate Health Committee.”
Economics:
White House Staffers Got a Raise Last Year, And You Did Not:
“The White House released its annual salary report last week, and as usual, it’s nice to work for Barack Obama: Most staffers who were there for more than a year got a salary bump. A bigger one than you did.”
Obama, lawmakers aim for “big” things in debt talks:
“With Republicans showing new flexibility on taxes, Democrats say Obama will push negotiators to double their target to $4 trillion in budget savings over 10 years.”
Obama puts Medicare, Social Security cuts on the table:
“The Obama administration, in seeking $4 trillion in spending cuts in a debt limit deal, has put major changes to Social Security and Medicare on the table if Republicans agree to increased tax revenues.”
Legal:
Casey Anthony juror: It made us sick to our stomachs to acquit her:
“More of them should speak up. America’s sweetheart is about to become a bona fide celebrity, rich beyond her wildest dreams, and the only moral cover she has to enjoy it is the perception that 12 people who saw all the evidence think she’s actually innocent. The more the jurors dispel that perception, the greater her disgrace. Which, admittedly, is already pretty great: Her first post-trial job offer, from a porn company, has been quickly withdrawn after people freaked out.”
White House says it won’t turn to 14th Amendment, despite impending deadline:
“The Obama administration is rejecting speculation that the president will invoke the 14th Amendment to declare the debt ceiling unconstitutional, should negotiations with Congress fall through.”
Labor:
AFL-CIO, other Dem allies send Obama tough tweets ahead of Twitter town hall:
“President Obama’s political adversaries aren’t the only ones using today’s “Twitter town hall” to ask the president tough questions.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
Track to the future: 20 Questions on California high-speed rail:
“When voters approved construction of high-speed rail in 2008, they were making a big down payment on the future of California’s transportation system, economy and environment.”