Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Dear Starbucks: The skinny on how you can be a security hero:
“The recent hubbub around Firesheep has provided me with a golden opportunity to Venti my views on public WiFi hotspots and present my Grande Plan.”
Man loses $20 million after taking laptop for repair:
“A New York couple have been charged with defrauding a wealthy musician to the tune of $20 million (£12.3 million) after he innocently visited their computer servicing company to have a virus removed from his laptop.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Senate judiciary hearing discusses gaming laws:
“A senate judiciary committee and citizens of South Carolina convened Tuesday night at Florence-Darlington Technical College to discuss rewriting the state’s gaming law, which prohibits charitable raffles. ”
Health / Safety:
Mandate Challenge Could Prevail:
“When 21 states and several private groups initiated lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the Obama health care law earlier this year, critics denounced the suits as frivolous political grandstanding. But it is increasingly clear that the plaintiffs have a serious case with a real chance of victory.”
Economics:
Scrutiny Takes Toll on For-Profit College Company:
“But over the last few months, Kaplan and other for-profit education companies have come under intense scrutiny from Congress, amid growing concerns that the industry leaves too many students mired in debt, and with credentials that provide little help in finding jobs.”
Michael Barnhart: American needs a nationwide government Sunshine Standard:
“Alberta Wasden, a Swansea, S.C., accountant and citizen journalist, sought information from her local government about federal funding to Swansea.”
Ireland’s crisis flares as investors dump bonds:
“Ireland’s financial troubles loomed large Wednesday as investors – betting that the country soon could join Greece in seeking an EU bailout – drove the interest rate on the country’s 10-year borrowing to a new high.”
Legal:
Mandate Challenge Could Prevail:
“When 21 states and several private groups initiated lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the Obama health care law earlier this year, critics denounced the suits as frivolous political grandstanding. But it is increasingly clear that the plaintiffs have a serious case with a real chance of victory.”
Eat a Bagel, Lose Your Baby:
“The ACLU of Pennsylvania recently filed a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of a couple whose newborn baby was kidnapped by Lawrence County Children and Youth Services (LCCYS) because her mother recklessly consumed an “everything” bagel from Dunkin’ Donuts the day before the birth. Jameson Hospital, where Isabella Rodriguez was born on April 27, has a policy of testing expectant mothers’ urine for illegal drugs and reporting positive results to LCCYS, even without any additional evidence that the baby is in danger of neglect or abuse. LCCYS, in turn, has a policy of seizing such babies from their homes based on nothing more than the test result. Unfortunately for Isabella’s parents, Elizabeth Mort and Alex Rodriguez, Jameson sets the cutoff level for its opiate test so low that it can be triggered by poppy seeds, which is why two caseworkers and two Neshannock Township police officers visited their home the day after baby and mother returned from the hospital. LCCYS seized the three-day-old girl and put her in foster care for five days before conceding it had made a mistake.”
Court: No campaign finance limits for small groups :
“A federal appellate court says a Colorado voter-approved amendment that limits campaign contributions from small groups is unconstitutional.”
Tobacco Settlement Could Go to the Supreme Court:
“Now, thanks to the efforts of a pro-free market organization called the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the agreement may be headed to the United States Supreme Court because, the groups argues, it violates the Compact Clause of the U.S. Constitution.”
Labor:
SEIU ratifies contract with state:
“Members of the largest union representing California state employees have ratified a new contract with the state. ”
Transportation/ Land Use:
LaHood to Kasich: high-speed train funds only for Ohio’s slow-speed 3C train:
“In a letter Tuesday addressed to Republican Governor-elect John Kasich, President Obama’s director of transportation, Ray LaHood, told Ohio’s new governor that none of the $400 million awarded to Ohio out of the $8 billion dedicated to high-speed rail (HSR) projects across the nation could be spent for anything other than high-speed rail.”