"“The technology is a little different but how we get broadband to homes is actually very similar to electric,” he said. Since broadband service has started, signs of economic vitality have appeared in the region."
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
How to Give Rural America Broadband? Look to the Early 1900s; New York Times, 8/7/16
Cecilia Kang, New York Times; How to Give Rural America Broadband? Look to the Early 1900s:
How False Equivalence Is Distorting the 2016 Election Coverage; The Nation, 6/2/16
Eric Alterman, The Nation; How False Equivalence Is Distorting the 2016 Election Coverage:
" Journalistic abdications of responsibility are always harmful to democracy, but reporters and pundits covering the 2016 campaign will be doing the public a particularly grave disservice if they continue to draw from the “both sides” playbook in the months leading up to the November election. Now that Donald Trump has emerged as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, some simple facts about him and his campaign should be stated clearly and repeatedly, not obfuscated or explained away or leavened into click bait. Trump is a pathological liar and conspiracy theorist, a racist, misogynist, and demagogic bully with a phantasmagoric policy platform and dangerously authoritarian instincts. Hillary Clinton’s flaws and failures are many, and they should not be discounted, either. But they are of an entirely different order. Love her or hate her, at least we don’t have to wonder whether she believes in democracy. When it comes to sane and even semi-sensible policy proposals for America’s future in the 2016 presidential election, there is only one side."
How Do Journalistic Standards Apply When Covering Donald Trump?; Here & Now, 8/9/16
[Podcast] Here & Now; How Do Journalistic Standards Apply When Covering Donald Trump? :
"New York Times media columnist Jim Rutenberg wrote yesterday that Donald Trump is testing the standard of objectivity among the journalists who cover him. He says journalists have to throw out the textbooks they have used for decades in covering politics. Here & Now's Robin Young speaks with Rutenberg and NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik about the challenges journalists face covering Trump."
Trump Is Testing the Norms of Objectivity in Journalism; New York Times, 8/7/16
Jim Rutenberg, New York Times; Trump Is Testing the Norms of Objectivity in Journalism:
"If you’re a working journalist and you believe that Donald J. Trump is a demagogue playing to the nation’s worst racist and nationalistic tendencies, that he cozies up to anti-American dictators and that he would be dangerous with control of the United States nuclear codes, how the heck are you supposed to cover him? Because if you believe all of those things, you have to throw out the textbook American journalism has been using for the better part of the past half-century, if not longer, and approach it in a way you’ve never approached anything in your career. If you view a Trump presidency as something that’s potentially dangerous, then your reporting is going to reflect that. You would move closer than you’ve ever been to being oppositional. That’s uncomfortable and uncharted territory for every mainstream, nonopinion journalist I’ve ever known, and by normal standards, untenable. But the question that everyone is grappling with is: Do normal standards apply? And if they don’t, what should take their place?"
Trump in trouble over 'Second Amendment' remark; Politico, 8/9/16
louis Nelson, Politico; Trump in trouble over 'Second Amendment' remark:
"Donald Trump on Tuesday said "the Second Amendment people" may be the only way to stop Hillary Clinton from getting to appoint federal judges if she wins the presidential election in November. “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish, the Second Amendment,” he said as an aside while smiling. “By the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know. But I’ll tell you what, that will be a horrible day.”"
GOP senator Susan Collins: Why I cannot support Trump; Washington Post, 8/8/16
Susan Collins, Washington Post; GOP senator Susan Collins: Why I cannot support Trump:
"My conclusion about Mr. Trump’s unsuitability for office is based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect, an idea that should transcend politics. Instead, he opts to mock the vulnerable and inflame prejudices by attacking ethnic and religious minorities. Three incidents in particular have led me to the inescapable conclusion that Mr. Trump lacks the temperament, self-discipline and judgment required to be president."
Monday, August 8, 2016
50 G.O.P. Officials Warn Donald Trump Would Put Nation’s Security ‘at Risk’; New York Times, 8/8/16
David E. Sanger and Maggie Haberman, New York Times; 50 G.O.P. Officials Warn Donald Trump Would Put Nation’s Security ‘at Risk’ :
"Fifty of the nation’s most senior Republican national security officials, many of them former top aides or cabinet members for President George W. Bush, have signed a letter declaring that Donald J. Trump “lacks the character, values and experience” to be president and “would put at risk our country’s national security and well-being.” Mr. Trump, the officials warn, “would be the most reckless president in American history.” The letter says Mr. Trump would weaken the United States’ moral authority and questions his knowledge of and belief in the Constitution. It says he has “demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding” of the nation’s “vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values” on which American policy should be based. And it laments that “Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself.” “None of us will vote for Donald Trump,” the letter states, though it notes later that many Americans “have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as do many of us.”"
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Donald Trump Hired Me As An Attorney. Please Don’t Support Him For President.; Huffington Post, 7/31/16
Thomas M. Wells, Huffington Post; Donald Trump Hired Me As An Attorney. Please Don’t Support Him For President. :
"I have thought about this a lot, and I want to share my humble insights of why we cannot elect Donald Trump as president of the United States. To me, it is more about character than politics. Because of lack of the former, the latter ― the actual politics of Donald Trump ― are not that easy to discern."
For Putin, Disinformation Is Power; New York Times, 8/5/16
Arkady Ostrovsky, New York Times; For Putin, Disinformation Is Power:
"Fifteen years ago, a few months into his presidency, Vladimir V. Putin told Larry King on CNN that his previous job as a K.G.B. officer had been like that of a journalist. “They have the same purpose of gathering information, synthesizing it and presenting it for the consumption of decision makers,” he said. Since then, he has excelled at using the media to consolidate power inside Russia and, increasingly, to wage an information war against the West. So the apparent hacking by Russian security services of the Democratic National Committee emails, followed by their publication by WikiLeaks, should come as no great surprise to Americans. It is only the latest example of how Mr. Putin uses information as a weapon. And the Kremlin has cultivated ties with WikiLeaks for years. It has also used disinformation in its annexation of Crimea and in its war in Ukraine, launched cyberattacks on Finland and the Baltic States, and planted hoax stories in Germany to embarrass Angela Merkel. During the Cold War, the Kremlin interfered in American politics for decades. The K.G.B.’s so-called active measures — subversion, media manipulations, forgery and the financing of some “peace” organizations — lay at the heart of Soviet intelligence."
A ‘confession’ that reveals plenty about China; Washington Post, 8/7/16
Editorial Board, Washington Post; A ‘confession’ that reveals plenty about China:
"Ms. Wang has a remarkable record. Yet according to her statement last week, she disavows all of it. Her crusades for equal justice — particularly for women and girls — were merely the product of manipulation from “foreign forces” to “smear the party and attack the Chinese government.” Ms. Wang “won’t acknowledge, won’t recognize and won’t accept” an international human rights award she was given... Ms. Wang has not been heard from since her statement, even though the Chinese government claims she has been set free on bail. The same is true of legal assistant Zhao Wei, who was supposed to be released last month after posting a confession online. Several of Ms. Wang’s colleagues are also in detention. A court began hearing their case last week, but the trial is open only to select members of the media. Two have been sentenced; one received seven years in prison while the other got a three-year suspended sentence. When the wives of other detainees traveled to Tianjin to seek information, they were placed under house arrest. For years, Ms. Wang has been publicly committed to questioning the state. Now, in a chilling testament to Chinese tyranny, she has publicly condemned her own questions. Ten years ago, these lawyers could rarely get a case into court. Five years ago, some were disbarred. Today, they face trials far from free or fair — and the defense of human dignity is treated as treason."
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Judge Tests Limits of Free Speech With Facebook Jury Remarks; Associated Press via New York Times, 8/6/16
Associated Press via New York Times; Judge Tests Limits of Free Speech With Facebook Jury Remarks:
"The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission believes Stevens went so far in misleading the public about Wine's request and undermining his own impartiality that it charged him with multiple counts of misconduct. Stevens is scheduled for a hearing Monday that could usher him off the bench for good. But his posts ignited a debate about racial fairness, judicial impartiality and free speech that seems far from finished. Experts say his cause was worthy: Stevens shined a light on a racial imbalance that has dogged the criminal justice system for generations. But his attack on a prosecutor for requesting an appellate opinion could cross an ethical line and threaten to drown out the issue he attempted to highlight."
Why We Ask to See Candidates’ Tax Returns; New York Times, 8/5/16
Mitchell Zuckoff, New York Times; Why We Ask to See Candidates’ Tax Returns:
"Until Donald Trump, every major-party presidential nominee since then had released his or her tax returns (except Gerald Ford, who released a summary in 1976). The simple reason is that, on at least one subject, Nixon got it right: The American people need to know if their president is a crook."
Students' Broken Moral Compasses; Atlantic, 7/25/16
Paul Barnwell, Atlantic; Students' Broken Moral Compasses:
"At a recent convening of 15 teacher-leaders from around the country at the Center for Teaching Quality in Carrboro, North Carolina, I spoke to some colleagues about the balance between teaching academic content and striving to develop students’ moral identities. Leticia Skae-Jackson, an English teacher in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nick Tutolo, a math teacher in Pittsburgh, both commented that many teachers are overwhelmed by the pressure and time demands in covering academic standards. Focusing on character and ethics, they said, is seen as an additional demand. Nonetheless, Tutolo engages his math students at the beginning of the school year by focusing on questions of what it means to be a conscientious person and citizen while also considering how his class could address community needs. His seventh-grade class focused on the issue of food deserts in Pittsburgh and began a campaign to build hydroponic window farms. While learning about ratios and scaling—skills outlined in the Common Core math standards—students began working to design and distribute the contraptions to residents in need, a project that will continue this fall as Tutolo “loops” up to teach eighth grade."
Friday, August 5, 2016
Why a Trump loss in November could still be destructive; Washington Post, 8/5/16
Dana Milbank, Washington Post; Why a Trump loss in November could still be destructive:
"Mix that paranoia with the propensity for violence seen at Trump events, and you can see where this could go after Nov. 8. At a Trump rally in Pennsylvania this week, a video posted by PennLive shows Trump supporters shoving, throwing to the ground and bloodying the nose of a demonstrator. A video montage published this week by the New York Times captures the rage at Trump rallies: Trump supporters proclaiming “F--- those dirty beaners,” “F--- Islam,” “F--- that n------,” “Hang the bitch”; Trump responding to a protest by telling supporters “come on — get him”; and various scenes of pushing and shoving of demonstrators."
Why facts don’t matter to Trump’s supporters; Washington Post, 8/4/16
David Ignatius, Washinton Post; Why facts don’t matter to Trump’s supporters:
"Trump’s campaign pushes buttons that social scientists understand. When the GOP nominee paints a dark picture of a violent, frightening America, he triggers the “fight or flight” response that’s hardwired in our brains. For the body politic, it can produce a kind of panic attack."
The unbearable stench of Trump’s B.S.; Washington Post, 8/4/16
Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post; The unbearable stench of Trump’s B.S. :
"Harry Frankfurt concludes that liars and truth-tellers are both acutely aware of facts and truths. They are just choosing to play on opposite sides of the same game to serve their own ends. The B.S. artist, however, has lost all connection with reality. He pays no attention to the truth. “By virtue of this,” Frankfurt writes, “bullshit is a greater enemy of truth than lies are.” We see the consequences. As the crazy talk continues, standard rules of fact, truth and reality have disappeared in this campaign. Donald Trump has piled such vast quantities of his trademark product into the political arena that the stench is now overwhelming and unbearable."
Donald Trump and the fitness threshold; Washington Post, 8/4/16
Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post; Donald Trump and the fitness threshold:
"Donald Trump, the man who defied every political rule and prevailed to win his party’s nomination, last week took on perhaps the most sacred political rule of all: Never attack a Gold Star family. Not just because it alienates a vital constituency but because it reveals a shocking absence of elementary decency and of natural empathy for the most profound of human sorrows — parental grief... This is beyond narcissism. I used to think Trump was an 11-year-old, an undeveloped schoolyard bully. I was off by about 10 years. His needs are more primitive, an infantile hunger for approval and praise, a craving that can never be satisfied. He lives in a cocoon of solipsism where the world outside himself has value — indeed exists — only insofar as it sustains and inflates him... Trump’s greatest success — normalizing the abnormal — is beginning to dissipate. When a Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal columnist (Eugene Robinson) and a major conservative foreign policy thinker and former speechwriter for George Shultz under Ronald Reagan (Robert Kagan) simultaneously question Trump’s psychological stability, indeed sanity, there’s something going on (as Trump would say)."
Trump’s Enablers Will Finally Have to Take a Stand; New York Times, 8/5/16
David Brooks, New York Times; Trump’s Enablers Will Finally Have to Take a Stand:
"He also cannot be contained because he lacks the inner equipment that makes decent behavior possible. So many of our daily social interactions depend on a basic capacity for empathy. But Trump displays an absence of this quality. He looks at the grieving mother of a war hero and is unable to recognize her pain. He hears a crying baby and is unable to recognize the infant’s emotion or the mother’s discomfort. He is told of women being sexually harassed at Fox News and is unable to recognize their trauma. The same blindness that makes him impervious to global outrage makes it impossible for him to make empathetic connection. Fear is his only bond... Events are going to force Republicans off the fence. For the past many months Republican leaders have been condemning Trump’s acts while sticking with Trump the man. Trump is making that position ridiculous and shameful. You either stand with a man whose very essence is an insult to basic decency, or you don’t."
I Ran the C.I.A. Now I’m Endorsing Hillary Clinton.; New York Times, 8/5/16
Michael J. Morell, New York Times; I Ran the C.I.A. Now I’m Endorsing Hillary Clinton. :
"In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump has no experience on national security. Even more important, the character traits he has exhibited during the primary season suggest he would be a poor, even dangerous, commander in chief. These traits include his obvious need for self-aggrandizement, his overreaction to perceived slights, his tendency to make decisions based on intuition, his refusal to change his views based on new information, his routine carelessness with the facts, his unwillingness to listen to others and his lack of respect for the rule of law. The dangers that flow from Mr. Trump’s character are not just risks that would emerge if he became president. It is already damaging our national security."
Thursday, August 4, 2016
It’s Extremely Troublesome That Trump Thinks The Media Is ‘All Bad’; Huffington Post, 8/4/16
Alana Horowitz Satlin, Huffington Post; It’s Extremely Troublesome That Trump Thinks The Media Is ‘All Bad’ :
"A free press which is able to provide checks and balances to government actions is essential to a modern, functioning democracy. As the Miami Herald argues, without transparency, America simply cannot be a government ruled “by the people, for the people.” “This free flow of information to the public is essential to preserving our American democracy,” the Herald said. “In addition to educating and reporting, the press serves as the public’s independent watchdog, charged with keeping governments, businesses and other organizations in check. What other institution has the power to talk to key leaders, inspire social change and uncover corruption, while analyzing and providing context for major global events? Thanks to diligent reporting, citizens are empowered to take a stance on critical issues, enact change and demand the best from their leaders.” Countries like China, Russia and Egypt ― where state-controlled media reigns and independent journalists are thrown in jail ― are rampant with other types of human rights violations."
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
How to Crack Down on Social Media Threats; New York Times, 8/3/16
Room for Debate, New York Times; How to Crack Down on Social Media Threats:
"Last week, a prominent feminist writer abandoned social media after a rape and death threat was directed at her 5-year-old daughter. Online violent threats are not uncommon, especially for women and minorities, but when they are reported, police are often not responsive. How can law enforcement crack down on threats of violence made on social media?"
Donald Trump’s Spokeswoman In 2012: Gay People Are ‘Not Normal’; Huffington Post, 8/3/16
Jennifer Bendery, Huffington Post; Donald Trump’s Spokeswoman In 2012: Gay People Are ‘Not Normal’ :
"Asked how she squares her past comments with Trump’s claims that he’s a friend to LGBT people, Pierson told The Huffington Post that it’s “a long reach” to look at her tweets from 2012. “What does 2012 have to do with the 2016 presidential campaign?” she wrote in an email. “You’ll also find that as a grassroots volunteer for multiple campaigns, it’s quite common that Twitter is a platform to promote/defend the policies and values of the candidates at the time. Many times, it’s about engaging trolls which can lead to humorous and sarcastic banter. I’m sure you’ll also find that the positions/values of the candidates are not necessarily a sole reflection of the individual promoting or supporting said candidate.” Pierson added, “Therefore, there is nothing to square. I support Mr. Trump and his policies 100 percent.”"
Voices From Donald Trump’s Rallies, Uncensored; New York Times, 8/3/16
[Video; Graphic Language; NSFW] Ashley Parker, Nick Corasaniti, Erica Berenstein, New York Times; Voices From Donald Trump’s Rallies, Uncensored:
"Not everyone attending a Trump rally behaves this way. In fact, many are polite and well mannered. But while protesters are often shouted down, crowds seldom express disapproval of the crude slogans and angry outbursts by Mr. Trump’s supporters."
Can mythbusters like Snopes.com keep up in a post-truth era?; Guardian, 8/1/16
Rory Carroll, Guardian; Can mythbusters like Snopes.com keep up in a post-truth era? :
"Mikkelson lists four principal misinformation sources: 1 Legitimate satire sites such as the Onion, which dupe the truly credulous, requiring occasional intervention. “No, SeaWorld isn’t drowning live elephants as part of a new attraction.” “Are the parents of teen Caitlin Teagart going to euthanise her because she is only capable of texting and rolling her eyes? False.” 2 Legitimate news organisations that regurgitate stories without checking, such as the $200 Bill Clinton haircut on Air Force One which supposedly snarled air traffic at LAX in 1993. 3 Political sites that distort, such as Breitbart.com twisting an Obama quote about the “contributions of Muslim Americans to building the very fabric of our nation” into the headline “Obama: Muslims Built ‘The Very Fabric of Our Nation’.” 4 Fake news sites fabricating click-bait stories. Such as: “Ted Cruz sent shockwaves through the Republican Party today when he announced he would endorse Donald Trump for President, but only if the GOP nominee would publicly support a ban on masturbation, (saying) without ‘swift action … the country was doomed to slide down a slippery slope of debauchery and self-satisfaction’.” Snopes sourced this to a site that mimicked ABC News to lure clicks to an underlying malware site, generating advertising revenue. It named and shamed the worst offenders earlier this year."
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
The facts behind Donald Trump’s many falsehoods; Washington Post, 8/1/16
Dana Milbank, Washington Post; The facts behind Donald Trump’s many falsehoods:
"In each case, video, audio and written evidence proves otherwise. So, too, do the facts refute his denials that he called Sen. John McCain a “loser,” objected to Fox News Channel host Megyn Kelly as a debate moderator and used a vulgar word to describe Sen. Ted Cruz at a campaign rally. In each case, Trump surely could have known that a simple Internet search would prove him a liar. This suggests that he may not think he’s lying — and that he sees truth not as an absolute but as the last thing to come out of his mouth."
Donald and Eric Trump opine on sexual harassment — and draw fire; Washington Post, 8/2/16
Katie Zezima, Washington Post; Donald and Eric Trump opine on sexual harassment — and draw fire:
"In an interview with USA Today, Trump was asked what would happen if his daughter Ivanka were subjected to workplace harassment. “I would like to think she would find another career or find another company if that was the case,” Trump said Monday evening... Eric Trump, when asked about his father’s remarks, said sexual harassment in the workplace is an “absolute no-go” and “should be addressed and addressed strongly.” He said workplace harassment should be reported. Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News television host whose lawsuit against Ailes in July led to other women coming forward — and his ultimate ouster — was among those who weighed in against the Trumps on Tuesday. “Sad in 2016 we’re still victim blaming women. Trust me I’m strong. #StandWithGretchen,” Carlson wrote Tuesday morning on Twitter. She also retweeted supportive words from others, including a tweet from author Jenny Han, who wrote, “Anybody who would go up against arguably the biggest name in news media has a backbone made of steel.”"
Donald Trump’s revisionist history of mocking a disabled reporter; Washington Post, 8/2/16
Glenn Kessler, Washington Post; Donald Trump’s revisionist history of mocking a disabled reporter:
"The Pinocchio Test It remains a mystery why Trump feels the need to revisit past controversies, particularly ones that reflect poorly on his tenor and judgment. But, as the evidence shows, Trump clearly mocked Kovaleski — who in any case never “groveled” or in any way took back his reporting. In an unremarkable statement, Kovaleski merely said that his reporting did not back up Trump’s statement that “thousands” of Muslims celebrated the fall of the Twin Towers — and then Trump attacked him. Four Pinocchios"
Obama Says Republicans Should Withdraw Support for Trump; New York Times, 8/2/16
Michael D. Shear, New York Times; Obama Says Republicans Should Withdraw Support for Trump:
"“The question they have to ask themselves is: If you are repeatedly having to say in very strong terms that what he has said is unacceptable, why are you still endorsing him?” Mr. Obama said at a news conference at the White House. Mr. Obama said that in addition to Mr. Trump’s comments about the Khan family, the Republican nominee had demonstrated that he was “woefully unprepared to do this job.” The president said Mr. Trump lacked knowledge about Europe, the Middle East and Asia. “This isn’t a situation where you have an episodic gaffe. This is daily,” Mr. Obama added. “There has to be a point at which you say, this is not somebody I can support for president of the United States, even if he purports to be a member of my party. The fact that that has not yet happened makes some of these denunciations ring hollow.”"
Christie calls Trump criticism of the Khans 'inappropriate'; Politico, 8/2/16
Matt Friedman, Politico; Christie calls Trump criticism of the Khans 'inappropriate' :
"In an unusual break with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Gov. Chris Christie said that Khizr and Ghazala Khan have the “right” to say whatever they want, and that criticism of them is “inappropriate.” “I didn’t see Mr. Khan’s speech at the DNC but I’ll just say this: I’m a father and I just cannot imagine the pain of losing a child under any circumstances,” Christie said at an afternoon press conference in the Statehouse. “And for Mr. and Mrs. Khan, the pain of losing their son while defending our country is unfathomable, and I think it gives them the right to say whatever they want, whether they’re right or wrong.”"
Monday, August 1, 2016
‘Pearls Before Swine’ strip pulled over ISIS reference; Comic Book Resources, 8/1/16
Brigid Alverson, Comic Book Resources; ‘Pearls Before Swine’ strip pulled over ISIS reference:
"The July 27 installment of “Pearls Before Swine” was pulled from national syndication because of a joking reference to ISIS, according to creator Stephan Pastis. (While he doesn’t specifically say so, it seems likely his syndicate, Universal Uclick, removed the strip, as it doesn’t appear on the GoComics website.)"
Lies, lies and more lies; Washington Post, 8/1/16
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post; Lies, lies and more lies:
"Trump lied, saying that it wasn’t his voice on a tape pretending to be his own publicist, even though in the past he said he would do this sort of thing. He lied about seeing widespread celebrations by American Muslims on 9/11. He lies about what Hillary Clinton is proposing (e.g. “repeal the Second Amendment,” “open borders”). He lies when caught saying something objectionable (e.g. his ear piece wasn’t working). No wonder he’s gotten 4 Pinocchios from The Post — 33 times. Perhaps we should instead start keeping track of the times he tells the truth. It would be less work."
There is something very wrong with Donald Trump; Washington Post, 8/1/16
Robert Kagan, Washington Post; There is something very wrong with Donald Trump:
"The fact that Trump could not help himself, that he clearly did, as he said, want to “hit” everyone who spoke against him at the Democratic convention, suggests that there really is something wrong with the man. It is not just that he is incapable of empathy. It is not just that he feels he must respond to every criticism he receives by attacking and denigrating the critic, no matter how small or inconsequential. If you are a Republican, the real problem, and the thing that ought to keep you up nights as we head into the final 100 days of this campaign, is that the man cannot control himself. He cannot hold back even when it is manifestly in his interest to do so. What’s more, his psychological pathologies are ultimately self-destructive. (Disclosure: I was a guest speaker at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton last month; I have no role with her campaign.)... One can hope it does not come to that. In all likelihood, his defects will destroy him before he reaches the White House. He will bring himself down, and he will bring the Republican Party and its leaders down with him. This would be a tragedy were it not that the party and its leaders, who chose him as their nominee and who now cover and shill for this troubled man, so richly deserve their fate."
Broad array of military luminaries condemn Trump over attacks on Khan family; Washington Post, 8/1/16
Sean Sullivan, Washington Post; Broad array of military luminaries condemn Trump over attacks on Khan family:
"Brian Duffy, the recently elected commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, released a statement saying that the organization “will not tolerate anyone berating a Gold Star family member for exercising his or her right of speech or expression.” Duffy added that “there are certain sacrosanct subjects that no amount of wordsmithing can repair once crossed.”"
Fighting for Free Speech on America’s Campuses; New York Times, 8/1/16
Cecilia Capuzzi Simon, New York Times; Fighting for Free Speech on America’s Campuses:
"The free-speech watchdog FIRE is a familiar irritant to college administrators, but until this past year, the rest of the country wasn’t paying much attention. An “epic” year is what Greg Lukianoff, president and chief executive of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, calls it. Colleges and universities were forced to publicly and painfully deal with a confluence of national issues — race, sexual assault, gay rights, politically correct speech — mirrored and magnified in the microcosm of campus life. Finally, FIRE’s activism was syncing with the zeitgeist, in part because of Mr. Lukianoff’s role in framing the public interpretation of the campus turmoil. It was Mr. Lukianoff who made the argument, in a widely read opinion piece in The Atlantic, that today’s students are “coddled” and demanding protections against offensive words and ideas at the expense of intellectual rigor and the First Amendment. It was also Mr. Lukianoff who happened to be at Yale during the infamous Halloween costume shout-down of Prof. Nicholas Christakis, and whose viral video of it appeared to vividly illustrate his observations that many college students don’t understand what freedom of speech is, and who it applies to. Freedom of speech, he said, is not an “intuitive” concept, and Americans take its benefits for granted. “I think everyone understands that they have a free-speech right, but they don’t necessarily understand why you should have one,” he said, sitting in his eighth-floor office in FIRE’s satellite space in Washington."
Khan confrontation keys in on human decency — and that could haunt Trump; Washington Post, 8/1/16
Philip Rucker, Washington Post; Khan confrontation keys in on human decency — and that could haunt Trump:
"“Nobody minds when he attacks other politicians; in fact, they like it. He’s instilling an accountability that doesn’t exist. But they don’t like it when he goes after real people, and they wish he would stop,” said GOP pollster Frank Luntz, who conducted a focus group about Trump with voters Friday in Columbus, Ohio. David Axelrod, a former strategist for President Obama, agreed. “I think people appreciate and even enjoy when he kicks the high and mighty in the butt, but I think they recoil when he is unkind to people who are vulnerable or when he is nasty to people who are thoroughly honorable,” he said. Axelrod added, “I just think people have a fundamental sense of decency, and they want their president to have a fundamental sense of decency, even if they’re tough and willing to take on so-called political correctness.”"
Sunday, July 31, 2016
What does Fox do?; Idaho State Journal, 7/31/16
Michael H. O'Donnell, Idaho State Journal; What does Fox do? :
"If all you did was watch Fox cover the DNC, you missed a few major moments. The Fox cameras weren’t rolling when retired Marine Gen. John Allen, former commander of American forces in Afghanistan, stepped on stage to deliver a strong argument against Donald Trump as a possible Commander and Chief. The “fair and balanced” network also failed to air the speech by Khizr Khan, the father of a fallen Muslim American soldier who told the audience America is strong because of its acceptance of all people regardless of race, religion or creed. Khan held up his copy of the U.S. Constitution as he made his points about Americans of all walks of life giving up that life in service to their country. Other folks who delivered primetime speeches without coverage by Fox were former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and actresses Elizabeth Banks and Meryl Streep. I guess Fox editors decided Meryl Streep, winner of three Academy awards and 19 nominations, just didn’t have the star power of a “Duck Dynasty” character or Chachi from “Happy Days.” Fox defended its decision to ignore many of the main speeches at the Dems convention by simply saying “We reported on the speeches.” That’s nonsense even the most fanatical conservative shouldn’t swallow."
How Benjamin Netanyahu Is Crushing Israel’s Free Press; New York Times, 7/30/16
Ruth Margalit, New York Times; How Benjamin Netanyahu Is Crushing Israel’s Free Press:
"In its annual report released this spring, Freedom House, an American democracy advocacy organization, downgraded Israel’s freedom of the press ranking from “free” to “partly free.” To anyone following Israeli news media over the past year and a half, this was hardly surprising. Freedom House focused primarily on the “unchecked expansion” of paid content in editorial pages, as well as on the outsize influence of Israel Hayom (“Israel Today”), a free daily newspaper owned by the American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and widely believed to promote the views of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu... The only heartening thing in all this is that news outlets are pushing back to maintain their independence. Investigative “60 Minutes”-type programs like “Uvda” (“Fact”) and “Hamakor” (“The Source”) continue to delve into government corruption and to air in prime-time slots. “Despite the assault on the press, the Israeli media remains very critical, very aggressive, and has a lot of chutzpah. It’s a kind of basic instinct that’s part of our DNA,” Ms. Dayan, who hosts Uvda, told me."
How journalists can do their crucial job in the next 100 days; Washington Post, 7/31/16
Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post; How journalists can do their crucial job in the next 100 days:
"How should the media recalculate in the months before Nov. 8, especially given the sharp divisions in the country? We should remind ourselves of the fundamentals: Journalists’ most important role is giving Americans the information they need to cast their vote. And a lot of potential voters — about 11 percent — still haven’t decided, many of them not happy with either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. “We are supposed to help citizens participate in democracy,” said Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute and the co-author, with Bill Kovach, of “The Elements of Journalism” and “Blur.” What journalists should not be doing, he told me, is “being part of the team,” on either side. Whatever one thinks of the concept of journalistic objectivity — some think it’s dated and counterproductive — what’s really important is independence."
Boundaries, Empathy, and Compassion; YouTube, 3/7/16
[Video] Brene Brown, YouTube; Boundaries, Empathy, and Compassion
Will the GOP repudiate Trump’s cruelty to a fallen soldier’s family?; Washington Post, 7/31/16
E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post; Will the GOP repudiate Trump’s cruelty to a fallen soldier’s family? :
"Every Republican politician and commentator who continues to say that Trump is a superior or even morally equivalent choice to Hillary Clinton will now own their temporary leader’s brutality for the rest of their political careers. Many humane Republicans know this. Ohio Gov. John Kasich spoke for them when he tweeted that “there’s only one way to talk about Gold Star parents: with honor and respect.” This is a moment of truth for GOP leaders who passively accepted and sometimes encouraged an extremism that trafficked in religious and racial prejudice and painted President Obama as an illegitimate, power-hungry leader."
Donald Trump’s Confrontation With Muslim Soldier’s Parents Emerges as Unexpected Flash Point; New York Times, 7/31/16
Alexander Burns, Maggie Haberman, Ashley Parker, New York Times; Donald Trump’s Confrontation With Muslim Soldier’s Parents Emerges as Unexpected Flash Point:
"Addressing himself to “patriotic Americans that would probably vote for Donald Trump,” Mr. Khan pleaded, “I appeal to them not to vote for hatred, not to vote for fear-mongering. Vote for unity. Vote for the goodness of this country.” And Ms. Khan, in an opinion article published in The Washington Post, rebuked Mr. Trump for suggesting earlier in the weekend that she had not been permitted to speak at the Democratic convention. Ms. Khan said she did not speak because she did not believe she could remain composed while talking about her son. “All the world, all America, felt my pain. I am a Gold Star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart,” Ms. Khan wrote. She continued: “Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?”"
Khizr Khan calls Trump a ‘black soul’ and says McConnell, Ryan have ‘moral’ obligation to repudiate him; Washington Post, 7/31/16
Katie Zezima, Washington Post; Khizr Khan calls Trump a ‘black soul’ and says McConnell, Ryan have ‘moral’ obligation to repudiate him:
""Two things are absolutely necessary in any leader or any person that aspires, wishes to be a leader. That is moral compass and, second, is empathy. This candidate is void of both traits that are necessary for the stewardship of this country," Khan said on CNN's "State of the Union."... Khan said McConnell and Ryan must speak out against Trump. It is their "moral, ethical obligation to not worry about the votes but repudiate him, withdraw the support. If they do not, I will continue to speak, and I am speaking," Khan said. In statements Sunday, Ryan and McConnell expressed support for the Khans and reiterated their opposition to Trump's proposed ban on Muslims, but did not abandon their support of the Republican nominee."
Ghazala Khan: Trump criticized my silence. He knows nothing about true sacrifice.; Washington Trump, 7/31/16
Ghazala Khan, Washington Post; Ghazala Khan: Trump criticized my silence. He knows nothing about true sacrifice. :
Ghazala Khan’s son, U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.
"I cannot walk into a room with pictures of Humayun. For all these years, I haven’t been able to clean the closet where his things are — I had to ask my daughter-in-law to do it. Walking onto the convention stage, with a huge picture of my son behind me, I could hardly control myself. What mother could? Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak? Donald Trump said that maybe I wasn’t allowed to say anything. That is not true. My husband asked me if I wanted to speak, but I told him I could not. My religion teaches me that all human beings are equal in God’s eyes. Husband and wife are part of each other; you should love and respect each other so you can take care of the family."
How Your Health Data Lead A Not-So-Secret Life Online; NPR, 7/30/16
Angus Chen, NPR; How Your Health Data Lead A Not-So-Secret Life Online:
"Medical information can be gleaned from all this and more, says Nathan Cortez, a professor of law at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. A recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services showed that the vast majority of mobile health apps on the marketplace aren't covered by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. "HIPAA is pretty narrow as far as these things go. It applies only to traditional entities [like hospitals, doctors and health insurance providers], and it's not surprising. HIPAA was written by Congress in 1996 before we had health apps," Cortez says. Apps or devices used in conjunction with a doctor's office or a hospital can't share or sell your information. But there's no definitive federal law governing what happens to the data that an app developer, tech company or private individual collects. Cortez and I spoke about what that means and what people can do with individuals' data."
Bill O’Reilly irretrievably loses it over White House slaves; Washington Post, 7/28/16
Erik Wemple, Washington Post; Bill O’Reilly irretrievably loses it over White House slaves:
"As the Erik Wemple Blog pointed out this morning, Jesse J. Holland, who wrote the book on slaves and the White House, noted that the slaves were housed in a barn and were provided with food. Yet there’s a gap between that historical fact and what O’Reilly alleged, which, again, is that they were “well fed” and resided in “decent lodgings.” Those aren’t really facts; they’re judgments. Though Holland researched this matter extensively, he found limitations. “Writing about slavery is difficult because there is so little that we know for a fact because so little was written about their lives during their lives.” If it weren’t for the records of payments to slave owners, says Holland, historians might still be arguing about whether slaves actually worked on the White House."
Five myths about patient privacy; Washington Post, 7/28/16
Charles G. Kels, Washington Post; Five myths about patient privacy:
"Shortly after the recent massacre at an Orlando nightclub, the city’s mayor declared that the White House had agreed to waive federal privacy rules to allow doctors to update victims’ families. News of the waiver was widely reported, but as the Obama administration later clarified, both the mayor and the media were “simply mistaken.” No waiver was granted because none was needed. The confusion amid the tragedy in Orlando underscores widespread misconceptions about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. Here we shed light on a handful of myths that bedevil doctors and patients alike."
Marvel Artist Complains After 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Giveaway Uses His Work; Hollywood Reporter, 7/29/16
Graeme McMillan, Hollywood Reporter; Marvel Artist Complains After 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Giveaway Uses His Work:
"Bill Sienkiewicz, known for work on such Marvel titles as X-Men spin-off New Mutants and Elektra: Assassin, took to Facebook to complain after discovering that Fox was giving away limited edition promotional replicas of an album cover used as a prop in the movie, using artwork he had created three decades earlier. Previously unaware of the promo item, he discovered its existence at Comic-Con itself when fans asked him to sign them, he explained. "I've been doing this comic-book thing for years. I'm aware most everything is Work-Made-for-Hire," Sienkiewicz wrote on his post. "Still, I received no prior notification (a common courtesy), no thank you (ditto), no written credit in any form whatsoever either on the piece or in connection with the premium, absolutely no compensation and no comp copies of the album. It's like two losing trifectas wrapped in an altogether indifferent f--- you." The artist, who originally created the image as part of a cover for Marvel's Dazzler No. 29 in 1983, in collaboration with Marvel's in-house designer Eliot R. Brown, went on to say that he had to be physically restrained by colleagues from "making a scene" at the Fox booth during the show about the giveaway. "Am I over-reacting here?" he continued. "Do I have the right — at least on behalf of fellow creators — to, at the very least expect decent treatment and some kind of minuscule, even boilerplate, acknowledgment?"
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