A.M. Links: Banks Repay Federal Loans With Federal Money, IRS Illegally Spies on Email, Soda Bans Lead To Drinking More Soda

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  Russell Bernice

  Small banks that received TARP loans from the feds repaid the money with money from another federal program meant to boost lending to small businesses, says a government watchdog. Yes, it's like Ouroboros, but stupider.

• The 2013 Sheinberg Scholar-in-Residence at NYU Law School is Kathy Boudin, a convicted murderer dating back to a 1981 Brinks armored car robbery staged by the Weather Underground. This interesting bit of personal history does not appear on her official university biography.
• Despite a court order to the contrary, the IRS has apparently been spying on emails without obtaining warrants first.
• The House Intelligence Committee approved CISPA, a controversial cybersecurity bill that will give the government broad(er) access to personal data.
• When you answer the door in New Jersey, don't do so wth a joint dangling from your lips. The state's Supreme Court says that's an invitation for the cops to come in and break out the handcuffs.
• A Texas veterinarian is suing state regulators on First Amendment grounds after he was punished for offering free veterinary advice over the Internet.
• Researchers say that oh-so trendy soda bans will likely lead to more sugar consumption as vendors logically offer bundles of smaller drinks as an end run around the law.

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