Morning Media Summary

Tech:

‘Watson’ the computer creams human ‘Jeopardy!’ champs:
“An IBM computer creamed two human champions on the television game show “Jeopardy!” today in a triumph of artificial intelligence.”

‘Kill Switch’ Internet bill alarms privacy experts:
“A raging debate over new legislation, and its impact on the Internet, has tongues wagging and fingers pointing from Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C.”

GOP blasts FCC on net neutrality:
“Republicans took the FCC to task for enacting a net neutrality order without any sound market-based analysis to justify it at a House hearing Wednesday.”

U.S. Government Shuts Down 84,000 Websites, ‘By Mistake’:
“As part of “Operation Save Our Children” ICE’s Cyber Crimes Center has again seized several domain names, but not without making a huge error. Last Friday, thousands of site owners were surprised by a rather worrying banner that was placed on their domain.”

Foreign hackers attack Canadian government:
“An unprecedented cyberattack on the Canadian government, apparently from China, has given foreign hackers access to highly classified federal information and forced at least two key departments off the internet, CBC News has learned.”

Lawmaker reintroduces WikiLeaks prosecution bill:

“New legislation in the U.S. Congress targets WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for espionage prosecution.”

Global Warming / Environment / Energy:

Biggest Solar Flare In Years Headed For Earth:
“OK, so it never really went away, but after years of relative quiet on our nearest star, activity has picked up as of late, resulting in a solar flare that marks the strongest since 2006.”

Insurance / Gambling:

Biddeford asks state to amend law for racinos:
“In a 6-3 vote Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council approved a resolution asking the Maine Legislature to amend state gambling laws to allow the proposed Biddeford Downs racino to move forward.”

Health / Safety:

DC pharmacists to start dispensing birth control?:
“The nation’s capital may soon allow residents to purchase birth control without a prescription, reports The Washington Post.”

Economics:

It’s come to this: Dems hold presser with cartoon aardvark to protest PBS cuts:
“Here’s what the Party of Ideas™ was up to while Chris Christie was over at AEI talking about Social Security and Medicare. I spent a half-hour looking for video, but no dice so far. Which seems strange: Why wouldn’t the Democratic leadership want to highlight a photo op with a fictional aardvark during our very serious national debate about the deficit? Is the clip embargoed? Free Arthur! Free the aardvark”

Jeffrey on Socialism’s Trajectory: Obama’s HHS Is Bigger Than LBJ’s Government:
“Anyone who doubts that the trend toward socialism is pushing America toward ruin should examine the historical tables President Obama published Monday along with his $3.7 trillion budget.”

GOP Moves to Cut Funding for Liberal Outfits NPR, PBS & the National Labor Relations Board:
“It’s a good thing NPR CEO Vivian Schiller thinks the taxpayer funding is insignificant…
The GOP is pushing to cut public funding for liberal outfits NPR and PBS.
ABC reported:”

Legal:

Two TSA agents busted at JFK Airport for stealing $160,000 from checked bags:

“Two TSA agents were busted today at Kennedy Airport for stealing $160,000 in cash from bags, authorities said. “

New subpoena seeks records on sweetheart loans:
“A House committee chairman renewed efforts Wednesday to obtain names of current and former federal, state and local policymakers – including congressional colleagues – who received sweetheart mortgage deals from the former Countrywide Financial Corp.”

Labor:

Opponents of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker call him ‘Mini-Mubarak’:
“No word yet on whether protesters will topple Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, but the rhetoric against Walker portrays him as a petty tyrant in need of a Cairo-styled comeuppance.”

Transportation/ Land Use:

Florida Gov Rejects High Speed Rail Funds; ‘Too Costly to Taxpayers’:
“Florida’s governor is as uneasy as many Americans about getting on board with the “conductor of the train to the future” for a fast ride to economic disaster.”

Mont. Lawmaker seeks eminent domain over fed land:
“A lawmaker told a Montana Senate committee Tuesday that he wants to give the state the power of eminent domain to take federal land within its borders.”

Who got high speed rail money:
“The federal government already has more than $10 billion in stimulus and other money set aside for high speed rail projects. To date, it has made commitments to spend $4.5 billion of that.”