Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Update on the "lame-duck" Congress

Ah, Congress, let's see what you've been up to:

Nation & World | Add-ons turn tax cut bill into 'Christmas tree' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Unfinished Business - Handy interactive about what is happening with the major bills being considered in the "lame-duck" session of Congress.

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony | World news | The Guardian

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

President Obama enlisted the support of Bill Clinton to sell his tax-cut deal Friday. After meeting for two hours, the two presidents spoke to the press in the White House briefing room. It was supposed to be brief, but after 10 minutes Obama excused himself. His predecessor carried on for another 20 minutes. Guy Raz talks with NPR's Don Gonyea, who watched the briefing.

Jobless benefits end for 2 million

Well, it's come to things like this. The Republicans and conservatives in Congress are blocking an extension of unemployment insurance for those that have been out of work more than 99 weeks. Opponents of extending benefits say they don't want to add to the deficit, it will create severe hardships for many (1st article) and could hurt the overall economy as well.

It seems to me that Congress is failing to do what is needed at this difficult economic time.

Holidays about survival as jobless benefits end

Cutting back unemployment benefits would hurt the economy, too

Constitutionality of Taser Use in Hands of Court

Jayzel Mattos, a 39 year-old mother, was shot with a Taser gun by police during a domestic disturbance call.

According to the story published first in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Mattos' will get another hearing on her lawsuit alleging that shooting her with a Taser constituted excessive force in violation of her constitutional rights could help establish standards over the increasing use of the electronic gun by law enforcement here and in other states.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that Mattos' rights weren't violated, but in a rare move will rehear her case and another involving a Seattle woman who was seven months pregnant when she was stunned by the electronic gun during a traffic stop.

You can read more of the at:
National Constitution Center: News Feed

Controversy over New Airport Security

Have U.S. fliers finally had enough with airport security? Well, at least some are complaining loudly about the newest security measures the Travel Safety Administration (TSA) is implementing.

The focus of the debate is over full-body scanners (which render a semi-nude image of the passenger) and "enhanced pat-downs" .

First a report on the controversy: Pat-Downs at Airports Prompt Complaints

A report in the Nov. 23rd Washington Post claims that despite protests, many are okay with the scanners: Poll: Nearly two-thirds of Americans support full-body scanners at airports.

NPR did some reports you can listen to that I found informative:

TSA Critics Call For Day Of Protest

The head of the TSA says he will reconsider the passenger screening procedures that have created a public backlash, but he warned the public not to expect changes anytime soon. Critics of the new procedures are planning a protest on Wednesday that could lengthen lines and disrupt holiday travel schedules.

TSA Is 'Far Behind The Curve' On Security, Lawmaker Says

Pat-downs and body scans of travelers might catch some of the would-be bombers of past years, says Rep. John Mica (R-FL), but won't stop terrorists intent on putting bombs on cargo planes.

Speech and Harm - NYTimes.com

Speech and Harm - NYTimes.com

Statistics on Poverty that are a national & international embarassment

BBC News - More US households short of food

BBC News - Number of Americans living in poverty 'increases by 4m'

BBC News - Hunger index shows one billion without enough food

The Release of Aung San Suu Kyi - and the story behind it

She is simply one of the great heroes of freedom, democracy, and human rights in the world today. She has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her leadership for non-violent change in Burma/Myanmar even though she has been imprisoned for most of the last two decades.

First, the latest on what the newly freed democracy leader has communicated to her followers:
Suu Kyi tells supporters to work with her for change - CNN.com

Some background on her story:

Suu Kyi: Symbol of hope

updated Sat November 13, 2010

She is small but only in physical stature. Aung San Suu Kyi is the very embodiment of Myanmar's long struggle for democracy.

Another background story from the BBC: BBC News - Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi

An interactive time-line of the troubled nation and the military dictatorship that has ruled the country with an iron fist:
Myanmar's recent history

updated Mon November 8, 2010

Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, has been under military rule since 1962.

The Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Violent Video Games

Are video games that have extreme depictions of violence subject to 1st Amendment protection or should the government be able to regulate the amount of violence displayed in such games? The Supreme Court took up this case in November. I'd love to know what images they were shown in the Court briefings.

Anyhow, I found a few stories on this case:

The Supreme Court Considers Free Speech and Violent Video Games: A First Step Into the Brave New World of Virtual Reality?

Here is the opinion of one game designer, that thinks such games deserve to be protected by the First Amendment: Why the Supreme Court should rule that violent video games are free speech

For Germans, a good day and a bad day

A horrific attack upon Jews and the fall of the Berlin Wall both came on a November 9th although separated by many decades. How do Germans feel about remembrances on this date? of Nazi Germany are

In Berlin, Recalling Kristallnacht and the Wall - NYTimes.com

Myanmar Votes in Election Controlled by Military

Myanmar Votes in Election Controlled by Military: "Polling places appeared nearly empty as the rest of the city went about its business in the first election in this tightly controlled nation in 20 years.

"

5 reasons Murray bucked trend, got re-elected

The Seattle Times offered these reasons for why Patty Murray was able to win in a year that favored Republicans. Some of this is speculation and some based on hard data, but they all seem like pretty reasonable factors in her election.

Finally, I would add, that as far as politicians go, Patty Murray isn't exciting, but she is a likable sort of person, and her brand of liberalism is a very good fit with western WA.

Local News | 5 reasons Murray bucked trend, got re-elected | Seattle Times Newspaper:

Election worsens WA State's budget problems

Well now what? Is this what voters really wanted in rejecting various tax initiatives?

Part of the problem is that few voters seem to know what kind of government services and programs will be cut when they vote against tax measures.

Take a look and see what you think:

Election worsens state's budget pain | Seattle Times Newspaper:

Video Games (violent ones) considered at the Supreme Court

High court case on violent games tests limits on speech: "On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices will hear arguments in the case involving the ban on the sale of violent video games to minors"

Haiti's woes, and some hope

Haiti still has a long way to go, and an outbreak of cholera has brought new tragedy to a nation that has seen too much of it.

There's Gotta Be a Better Way

When you think of all the problems of our nation, it is a shame to see so much money spent on trying to win elections.

Local News | Murray-Rossi race draws $12M in independent spending | Seattle Times Newspaper

I-1098 a State Income-tax for the Wealthy

I believe this to be a very important issue, and am supporting it's passage. Read about it in the Seattle Times Income-tax measure took years to shape or in the Online Voters Guide.

OMG - The Political Ads!

I couldn't agree more with the disappointment and disgust over the political ads that appear on television and in my mailbox. It is really hard to feel hopeful about our democratic society when political campaign operatives spend so much money on these attack ads based on half-truths and statements taken out of context.

The worst thing about it is that the reason these ads are so prevalent - the are believed to be very effective. So, my life's work is dedicated to strengthening our democracy through education - it is really disheartening to see the money and media that work against the pursuit of a healthy democracy.

Check out the following editorial from the staff at the Seattle Times:

Editorials | Shady, negative television ads muck up campaign season | Seattle Times Newspaper

What do you think? Are there any particular ads that are bothering you? Reply and let us know where to find them!