Today’s Links: August 21, 2012

OPINION

SALLY PIPES: “Gov. Deval Patrick’s New Health Law Is Flat-Out Dangerous”
“Beacon Hill was the scene of great fanfare earlier this month when Governor Deval Patrick signed controversial new healthcare reform legislation into law. The governor proudly proclaimed that Massachusetts was ‘the first to crack the code’ on the problem of ever-increasing healthcare costs. The mood outside the statehouse, however, has been far more sober. ”

PETER GALLAGHER: “How Government-Grade Spy Tech Used A Fake Scandal To Dupe Journalists”
“An email claiming to reveal a political scandal will grab the attention of almost any journalist. But what if the email was just a ruse to make you download government-grade spyware designed to take total control of your computer? It could happen—as a team of award-winning Moroccan reporters recently found out.”

MASHA GESSEN: “We Must All Stand With Pussy Riot”
“The case of Pussy Riot, three young women sentenced last Friday to two years behind bars for performing a protest song in a Moscow cathedral, has drawn more attention than any Russian cause in at least a couple of decades. People who have never followed news from Russia have felt moved to speak up in support of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich. I am sure that at least some members of the Russian leadership are now scratching their heads.”

NEWS

SECURITY – GOP Convention Surveillance Includes ‘Behavior Recognition’ Software
“Police in Tampa, Fla., reportedly will use behavior recognition software as part of their video surveillance of the Republican National Convention and the surrounding area on Aug. 27-30.”

MARKETS – Peter Thiel Sold Majority Of His Facebook Shares On Thursday In Deal Planned Pre-IPO
“PayPal co-founder and famed investor Peter Thiel has sold the majority of his shares in Facebook, according to an SEC filing. Thiel has sold 20.6 million Class A shares, leaving him with only 5.6 million shares, all of which are Class A.”

GLOBAL – European castles for sale
“European real estate markets have gone on a roller-coaster ride since the global financial crisis began in 2008.”