Morning Media Summary
Tech:
FCC chief on net neutrality: Trust me:
“FCC chairman Julius Genachowski now finds himself caught between unfulfilled promises made to the tech community to keep the internet open, and a Republican Congress ready to portray any new rules on broadband ISPs as heavy-handed, economy-killing regulation.”
FCC member condemns Google and Verizon over net neutrality plans:
“A Federal Communications Commissioner has condemned the Verizon-Google take on net neutrality. Michael Copps (pictured) said the public should not stand for deals “that exchange Internet freedom for bloated profits.””
Intel: 1,000-core processor possible:
“An experimental Intel chip shows the feasibility of building processors with 1,000 cores, an Intel researcher has asserted.”
Rupert Murdoch creates ‘iNewspaper’ – with help of Steve Jobs:
“Rupert Murdoch, head of the media giant News Corp, and Steve Jobs, the chief executive of Apple, are preparing to unveil a new digital “newspaper” called the Daily at the end of this month, according to reports in the US media.”
FCC moves to ensure ‘net neutrality’:
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Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Nations That Debate Coal Use Export It to Feed China’s Need:
“Even as developed countries close or limit the construction of coal-fired power plants out of concern over pollution and climate-warming emissions, coal has found a rapidly expanding market elsewhere: Asia, particularly China.”
Dire messages about global warming can backfire, new study shows:
“”Our study indicates that the potentially devastating consequences of global warming threaten people’s fundamental tendency to see the world as safe, stable and fair. As a result, people may respond by discounting evidence for global warming,” said Robb Willer, UC Berkeley social psychologist and coauthor of a study to be published in the January issue of the journal Psychological Science.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Online Gamblers Urged To Call US Representatives During Lame-Duck Session:
“If ever there was a time that the online gambling community should be heard, it is now. Only a month remains in the lame-duck legislative session and this next month will be the last opportunity for changes to current US Internet gaming laws.”
Health / Safety:
Cadmium, Lead Found In Drinking Glasses:
“In separate testing to recreate regular handling, other glasses shed small but notable amounts of lead or cadmium from their decorations. Federal regulators have worried that toxic metals rubbing onto children’s hands can get into their mouths. Among the brands on those glasses: Coca-Cola, Walt Disney, Burger King and McDonald’s.”
Analyst: TSA methods ‘will kill more Americans on highway’:
“The recent public ire toward the TSA’s new pat-down and body imaging screening methods is likely to cause more people to drive automobiles and forego airline travel, say two transportation economists who have studied the issue.”
Arizona school district sends letters home about overweight kids:
“Chubby elementary school children in Flagstaff, Ariz., have more than just bullies to worry about. If they’re too fat, their school will notify their parents.”
Economics:
Obama Jokes About Diverting Air Force One to Visit Hugo Chavez; Sean Penn En Route to Caracas Just in Case:
“The president, on the way back from the NATO summit in Portugal, seems in no particular hurry to return to Slurpeeland.”
U.S. in Vast Insider Trading Probe:
“Federal authorities, capping a three-year investigation, are preparing insider-trading charges that could ensnare consultants, investment bankers, hedge-fund and mutual-fund traders, and analysts across the nation, according to people familiar with the matter.”
Warren Buffett Tells ABC Rich People Should Pay Higher Taxes:
“Billionaire Warren Buffett said that rich people should pay more in taxes and that Bush-era tax cuts for top earners should be allowed to expire at the end of December.”
Legal:
Tobacco fund heads to total depletion:
“W hen Gov. Haley Barbour took office there was about $630 million in the state’s supposedly “inviolate” Health Care Trust Fund – the repository of the state’s tobacco settlement.”
Red-light camera programs see cities’ support fading:
“Democrats were not the only losers on Election Day. Traffic cameras designed to catch red-light runners also took a ballot box beating as they were voted down in Houston and at least four other cities nationwide.”
News: Challenge on Textbook Pricing:
“But a case that came before the U.S. Supreme Court last week suggests that the textbook companies might soon face an even stronger threat: themselves.”
TSA pat-down leaves traveler covered in urine:
“A retired special education teacher on his way to a wedding in Orlando, Fla., said he was left humiliated, crying and covered with his own urine after an enhanced pat-down by TSA officers recently at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. “
In Shift, TSA Chief Says Screenings to Be ‘Minimally Invasive’:
“The head of the agency responsible for airport security, facing protests from travelers and pressure from the White House, appeared to give ground Sunday on his position that there would be no change in policies regarding invasive passenger screening procedures.”
Labor:
Minnesota union wants high-speed rail Wisconsin:
“A Minnesota labor union is urging Wisconsin’s Republican Gov.-elect Scott Walker to change his mind and allow a high-speed train to be built between Milwaukee and Madison.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
High-speed rail backers fret about Gov. – elect Scott:
“Emotions ran hot and cold during a high-speed rail show at the Orange County Convention Center. Those wanting to build, operate and ride the high-speed train that’s supposed to link Orlando and Tampa beginning in 2015 spoke excitedly of its 168 mph speed, its potential to connect with SunRail, and its ability to stimulate if not transform Central Florida’s economy.”