Morning Media Summary

Tech:

Randi Zuckerberg Runs in the Wrong Direction on Pseudonymity Online:
“The Nymwars rage on. Over the past several weeks Google has been engaged in a very public struggle with its users over its “real names” policy on Google+, prompting blog posts and editorials debating the pros and cons of allowing pseudonymous accounts on social networking sites. But there is one person for whom insisting on the use of real names on social networking sites is not enough. Unsurprisingly, that person is Facebook’s Marketing Director, Randi Zuckerberg. Speaking last week on a panel discussion about social media hosted by Marie Claire magazine, Zuckerberg said,”

Hamburg rejects Facebook facial recognition:
“The Hamburg data protection authority on Tuesday ruled that Facebook’s facial recognition feature, which attempts to identify people in photos uploaded to the site, violates German privacy laws.”

Global Warming / Environment / Energy:

Global warming is a litmus test for US Republicans:
“Mitt Romney, arguably the leading Republican candidate for president of the United States in the 2012 election, recently significantly diminished his prospects for obtaining the support he needs from the right wing of his party. How did he do this? He simply declared that he believes the Earth is warming, and that human activities are responsible. To most scientists, such a statement would be considered fairly innocuous, and an accurate assessment of current understanding. But to a large fraction of the US Republican party, this is a completely unacceptable position – ranking alongside gay marriage, gun control and abortion rights. Anthropogenic climate change has become a litmus test for Republicans in the United States.”

Insurance / Gambling:

Poker is a game of Skill, Rules French Court:
“A report appearing on French website Madeinpoker.com announced the decision, with the Toulouse court ruling that Texas Hold’em should be considered a skill game rather than one of chance.”

Health / Safety:

We say no to babies and yes to NYC:
“According to studies by the Pew Research Center in 2008, the number of women between 40 and 44 who’ve never given birth has increased by 80 percent since 1976. The average age at which a New York woman first gives birth has also increased (as it has nationwide). According to the NYC Health Department, the average age for NYC was 25.85 in 1989; by 2009, it had jumpted to 27.46.”

Economics:

Moody’s Affirms U.S. Rating, Warns of Downgrades:
“Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed their AAA credit ratings for the U.S. while warning that downgrades were possible if lawmakers fail to enact debt reduction measures and the economy weakens.”

Legal:

Woodpecker-Saving Daughter Costs Mom $500:
“Pennsylvanians on public assistance now have a new ‘civil right’ — free cell phones. Meanwhile, the rest of us get to pay higher cell bills as a result.”

Labor:

Free cell phones are now a civil right:
“Workers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim voted Thursday to authorize a strike in response to a wage freeze instituted by stadium management.”

Transportation/ Land Use:

Budget deal could jeopardize high-speed rail, clean-water programs:
“The federal government may have staved off the imminent threat of default Tuesday when President Barack Obama signed a bitterly fought budget deal, but the woes and uncertainty for states have just begun.”