Politics

Reason Morning Links: Police Brutality on an Occupied Wall Street, Solyndra Makes White House Gun-Shy In Silicon Valley, an Extortion Racket Blooms in Mexico

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  • Occupy Wall Street protesters had some run-ins with the NYPD over the weekend. In one case, an officer allegedly pepper-sprayed a peaceful group of female protesters without provocation. And this after one of the girls said, "We're here for you too, we know your pensions are being cut, your friends are losing their jobs." 
  • With the Solyndra scandal still above the fold, the White House has banned journalists from its Silicon Valley fundraisers. 
  • Speaking of fundraisers: Googlers are giving money to Republicans now!
  • Steven Pinker's must-read WSJ essay from Saturday: "Why brutality is declining and empathy is on the rise."
  • Chicago Tribune editorial board comes out against ag subsidies: "The money pouring into Corn Belt bank accounts isn't just setting a record. The latest government figures show farm income blowing past the previous high of $84.7 billion in 2004 to top $100 billion this year. Land values have soared and debt is being paid down aggressively."
  • The IMF needs a bailout. 
  • Leaderless former cartel thugs are now extorting Mexico's teachers, causing hundreds of schools to close their doors. 

New at Reason.tv: "CATO's David Boaz on What America Can (and Shouldn't) Learn From the French Revolution"