News Round-Up
I've used the "Local News" heading before, but just to be clear, since this is a blog I'm going to be using it to refer to internet news. LJ being DDoSed by Russians again, 4Chan DDoSing business websites (there's been a lot of DDoSing going around lately), stuff like that.
United States
US Credit Rating Downgraded - 08/06
What? You mean you can't just borrow from other people and spend their money indefinitely? And, of course, it'll be up to the taxpayers to pay all this stuff back. Who saw all this coming? Oh, that's right. I did. Along with every other angry conservative in the country.
Federal Government Considers Converting Foreclosures to Rentals - 08/10
Of course, the entirely theoretical positives here come with the enormous and very tangible downside of the federal government getting even further entangled in the housing market. Because that's never had any bad effects before.
Individual Mandate Obamacare is Unconstitutional - 08/12
Okay, yes, we all knew that already, but the 11th circuit court of appeals in Atlanta agrees with us now. Go them.
World
US Helicopter Shot Down by Taliban - 08/06
About 31 US SF members are dead and 7 Afghan soldiers. The US and NATO have not confirmed Taliban involvement, but witnesses and the Taliban have said that it was.
London Goes Bananas - 08/08
And not in a good way. Today was the third day of rioting in the city, and spin-off riots are taking place in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. The riots began when the police fatally shot a man at a peaceful protest in Tottenham and have been ongoing since then.
Three Men Now Dead as a Result of British Riots - 8/10
Three men who were trying to defend their property against looting and destruction have been killed in Birmingham. Reports are a bit sketchy at the moment, but I believe someone drove a car straight at a group they were in and these three are the ones who bore the brunt of the impact.
18 More Protesters Killed by Syrian Military - 08/10
According to the article, the US government "ramped up pressure on Syria by imposing sanctions on a bank and mobile phone operator." Yeah, Syria. Take that.
North Korea and South Korea Shoot at Each Other - 08/10
Apparently the South Koreans went first with the North Koreans offering a reply. Both nations hit ocean rather than any actual...stuff.
British Riots Over; British Political Finger-Pointing Now Underway - 08/12
Now that the riots in Britain have calmed down the police and Parliament are rushing to take credit and criticize each other. The more things change...
Life Issues in the News
Arizona Appeals Court Upholds Abortion Restrictions - 08/12
Among the restrictions upheld was a law requiring anyone who performs a surgical abortion to be a doctor, rather than a nurse practitioner which had been permitted in the past. The ruling is notable for making the assertion that "a law can be struck down only if it places an 'undue burden' on a woman's right to abortion. They said the fact it may place some burden on women is not enough."
Local News
Facebook Spammer Under Arrest - 08/06
Granted, it's only the one out of a pool of...well, lots, anyway, but this man is charged with having sent over 27 million "adult" spam messages to different users.
United States
US Credit Rating Downgraded - 08/06
What? You mean you can't just borrow from other people and spend their money indefinitely? And, of course, it'll be up to the taxpayers to pay all this stuff back. Who saw all this coming? Oh, that's right. I did. Along with every other angry conservative in the country.
Federal Government Considers Converting Foreclosures to Rentals - 08/10
Of course, the entirely theoretical positives here come with the enormous and very tangible downside of the federal government getting even further entangled in the housing market. Because that's never had any bad effects before.
Individual Mandate Obamacare is Unconstitutional - 08/12
Okay, yes, we all knew that already, but the 11th circuit court of appeals in Atlanta agrees with us now. Go them.
World
US Helicopter Shot Down by Taliban - 08/06
About 31 US SF members are dead and 7 Afghan soldiers. The US and NATO have not confirmed Taliban involvement, but witnesses and the Taliban have said that it was.
London Goes Bananas - 08/08
And not in a good way. Today was the third day of rioting in the city, and spin-off riots are taking place in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. The riots began when the police fatally shot a man at a peaceful protest in Tottenham and have been ongoing since then.
Three Men Now Dead as a Result of British Riots - 8/10
Three men who were trying to defend their property against looting and destruction have been killed in Birmingham. Reports are a bit sketchy at the moment, but I believe someone drove a car straight at a group they were in and these three are the ones who bore the brunt of the impact.
18 More Protesters Killed by Syrian Military - 08/10
According to the article, the US government "ramped up pressure on Syria by imposing sanctions on a bank and mobile phone operator." Yeah, Syria. Take that.
North Korea and South Korea Shoot at Each Other - 08/10
Apparently the South Koreans went first with the North Koreans offering a reply. Both nations hit ocean rather than any actual...stuff.
British Riots Over; British Political Finger-Pointing Now Underway - 08/12
Now that the riots in Britain have calmed down the police and Parliament are rushing to take credit and criticize each other. The more things change...
Life Issues in the News
Arizona Appeals Court Upholds Abortion Restrictions - 08/12
Among the restrictions upheld was a law requiring anyone who performs a surgical abortion to be a doctor, rather than a nurse practitioner which had been permitted in the past. The ruling is notable for making the assertion that "a law can be struck down only if it places an 'undue burden' on a woman's right to abortion. They said the fact it may place some burden on women is not enough."
Local News
Facebook Spammer Under Arrest - 08/06
Granted, it's only the one out of a pool of...well, lots, anyway, but this man is charged with having sent over 27 million "adult" spam messages to different users.