Month: July 2012
Cruz Scores Win for Tea Party
Texas Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz sewed up a big win over Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the GOP Senate primary
Ontario Fails To Shield Voter Info—Still
After losing memory sticks full of data on millions of voters, the agency responsible for elections in Ontario, Canada, hasn't encrypted anything
Portuguese Tax Man Falls Short
Weak tax collections mean that Portugal will have to rework its budget to meet deficit-reduction goals
France To Squeeze Businesses
The new socialist government in France has its eye on balancing the budget by putting the screws to businesses and the wealthy
School Choice Waived
Because of a federal waiver, failing schools in Augusta County, Virginia, will no longer have to offer options to students and their families
Gay Marriage Risk for British Conservatives?
With the UK's Conservative prime minister poised to embrace gay marriage, traditionalists say he might alienate his party's base
Bittersweet Celebration for New Charter Schools
While mourning the defeat of a bill that would have further expanded school choice in Maine, fans of expanded options welcome two new charter schools
Twitter Encouraged Complaint Against Journalist
After first stripping and then restoring a journalist's account, Twitter admits it encouraged NBC to bring the complaint that started it all
Government Shutdown Averted?
Congressional leaders say they've hashed out a deal to keep the Leviathan going for another six months
Romney Maybe Not So Good With the Press
The candidate has demonstrated a special talent for saying the wrong thing to the press even when he's not ticking off journalists
Bill Targets Government-Employed Tax Evaders
Government employees who illegally evade federal taxes would no longer be eligible for employment by that same government
Bye Bye Free Speech Ghettos?
Under constitutional challenge, San Francisco may kill its policy of confining free expression to designated areas of city parks
Kiwi Government To Appeal MegaUpload Decision
Unthrilled that its collaboration with the U.S. crusade against former online giant MegaUpload is unraveling, the New Zealand government will appeal the voiding of search warrants
No Love for Sexual Ratings Facebook Page
Josh Turner, who created a Facebook page rating the sexual performance of people in his Australian town, was given a suspended sentence for publishing "objectionable material."
Aussie Manufacturing Hits the Doldrums
Relatively immune until recently, Australia has joined the international pity party as manufacturing sinks to the lowest level in three years
No ID Required To Vote
You won't even need a note from your mother as one official in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, says he won't enforce the state law requiring identification
Federal Letter Targeting Pharmacies Was a Hoax
A group supporting medical marijuana claimed responsibility for a hoax letter purporting to be from pot-averse U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy that targeted San Diego pharmacies as a source of illegal prescription drug sales
Cops Charged for "Death Race" Caper
Providing a high-speed escort for a caravan of luxury cars lands two New Jersey State Police officers in hot water
Hey Barry, Where's Your License To Kill?
Congress wants to know why the White house thinks the president has the legal authority to order the assassination of Americans overseas
Pot Shops Close After Federal Threats
Medical marijuana shops around Wenatchee, Washington, closed after the federal government sent letters threatening landlords with civil and criminal penalties
EFF: Don't Trust the NSA To Manage Cybersecurity
The electronic civil liberties group warns that the NSA's history of privacy violations makes it a lousy candidate for securing data
Channeling Tax Money to Private Groups Under Challenge
In Ohio, the libertarian 1851 Center for Constitutional Law joined liberal ProgressOhio in a lawsuit opposing the state government's policy of turning public money over to a private job-creation organization
Judge Voids Virginia Restrictions on Signature Gatherers
It's unconstitutional to ban out-of-staters from gathering signatures on behalf of political candidates, says a federal judge
ACLU Probes License Plate Scanners
The civil liberties group plans to saturate police departments with requests for information about privacy-threatening automated license plate reader technology
Cops Snatch Phone One Day After Ban on Snatching Phones
The day after Washington, D.C., police recognized the right of the public to record their activities, police confiscated a cell phone being used to film officers and returned it without its memory card
Bust Over Flipped Bird Challenged in Court
Robert Bele says his raised middle finger at New York City cops was a "private laugh" and an act of free speech, not a violation of the law.
Can't Get Into Book of Mormon? Watch Mars Landing Instead
NASA to broadcast rover landing in Times Square
SoCal Professor Accused of Arson, Plotting to Kill at High School
Man's teen son had previously committed suicide, may have been connected to school.
Military Exempted from Possible Pay Cuts
About $135 billion is requested in fiscal 2013 for military personnel accounts.
More NBC Olympics Fail: "Live Streams" Are Not Live
App. notification "spoiler" reveals lengthy tape delay.
"Anti-Leak" Senate Bill Would Restrict Unclassified Information As Well
Background briefings on complex matters with the press would be forbidden, even if the information is not classified.
Obama Campaign Thinks Johnson Votes Will Help Re-election
Democrats believe third-party votes in swing states will give them majority.
Atlanta Votes Today on Tax for Transportation Projects
One cent sales tax for 10 years would fund 157 projects.
Taliban Thrilled in Pakistan Over Reopening of NATO Supply Line
Route is also a gravy train for insurgents, who get paid not to attack convoys.
Reid Claims Romney Paid No Taxes for Ten Years, But Won't Reveal Source
Huffington Post prints accusation without any verification anyway.
Uganda Fears Ebola Virus Outbreak in Capital
Officials announce 14 have died of the virus in the country.
Judge Rules EPA Overstepped Bounds on Mining Regs
EPA infringed on the authority given to state regulators by federal clean water and surface mining acts.
Everyone Freaks Out About Two New Climate Change Studies
New reports on global temperature trends cause a predictable media uproar
Justice Dept. Responds, Says "Fast and Furious" Report Distorted
Department says investigation ignores that policies were developed by Bush administration.