meme<->link: March 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Are social reforms enough to avert a revolution in the kingdom?

Sedgwick's Effort to Boost Local Farm Sales Raises Safety Concerns

Residents of the small Hancock County town of Sedgwick have approved a "Local Food and Self Governance" ordinance that seeks to preserve small scale farming and food processing. The ordinance exempts direct farm sales from state and federal licensing and inspection requirements. Several other Maine towns are also considering similar measures, but not without some concern from the Maine Agriculture Department.

LePage's Proposed Welfare Cuts Meet Strong Opposition

Proposals by the LePage administration to reduce state funding for a number of welfare programs were opposed by large numbers of people who signed up to speak before the Legislature's Appropriations Committee today. The panel began a series of public hearings on changes to numerous programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that the governor says will put the state back on the right financial track. But many warned that the projected short-term savings will only produce long-term problems for the state.

Barney Frank: “Re-Deregulating the Economy”

Libya's Turmoil Rages: Should World Powers Intervene?

A tool of torture and abuse?

Egyptians are turning their anger towards the country's much feared and hated state security apparatus.

Courtney Martin: Reinventing feminism

Maine Turnpike Authority Head Resigns Amid Financial Questions

The long-time executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority resigned today amid accusations of extravagant spending habits at the quasi-public agency. Paul Violette and the Turnpike Authority came under widespread public scrutiny after the Legislature's Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability, or OPEGA, released a report in January that questioned spending policies at the agency.

Maine's New Education Chief Lays Out Agenda

Today was Steve Bowen's first as Maine's top education official and his schedule left little room to stop and breathe. There was a cabinet meeting with the governor that ran an hour late, a legislative work session and back-to-back appointments. Jay Field squeezed in a few minutes with Bowen to talk about the LePage administration's education agenda and what issues it plans to tackle first.

TDS: Diane Ravitch on Teaching

The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

The Doubleheader: Shields and Brooks on Money, Muslims and the NFL

Losing the information war

Is the US really losing the information war, as Hillary Clinton claims, and how can it fight back?

Anthony Atala: Printing a human kidney

Report: Maine's Economy Shows Bright Spots, Red Flag

The Maine Economic Growth Council has issued its 2011 "Measures of Growth" report. The annual report details indicators of the state's economic health. The Maine Development Foundation's Ed Cervone worked on the report, which found that international exports rated a "gold star." He talked with MPBN's Irwin Gratz about other indicators, including this year's other gold star, for land conservation.

Maine Teachers Blast Governor's Proposed Benefit Cuts

Teachers from across the state gave the LePage administration and lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee a lesson in economics today, as the panel wrapped up three days of budget hearings on proposed benefit cuts for state employees and educators. Many criticized the administration's plan to move the normal age for teacher retirement up to 65 from 62. They also charged the governor with holding public employees responsible for losses sustained by the state pension fund.

How to Spot a Liar

How To Spot A Liar by Forensic Psychology

In California, Rising Health-Insurance Premiums Spark Outcry

Gaddafi: Fighting for survival?

Will ICC involvement make the Libyan leader respect human rights or will he just fight harder to avoid prosecution?

The Hectic Life of a Social Media Manager

Bill Gates: How state budgets are breaking US schools

Budget News On its Way

A special Arizona Illustrated Political Focus previews the new state budget, slated for release on Monday

Maine Cities Balk at Plan to Slash General Assistance

More fiery debate over Gov. LePage's budget is likely to take place Monday, when lawmakers hear testimony on proposed changes to Maine's financial aid program for its neediest citizens. Officials from Bangor and Portland say cutting state reimbursement payments for general assistance could force Maine's large cities to eliminate other social service programs at a time of great need.

LePage Pitches "Incentives" to Lure Fishermen Back to Maine

Gov. Paul LePage told a standing-room-only crowd at the annual Fishermen's Forum in Rockport today that his adminstration wants to see the groundfishing industry return to the state of Maine. Lepage says he's supporting a number of steps, including the elimination of a tax on diesel fuel used on groundfishing boats, as incentives to make that happen. He also vowed to cut what he says are unnecessary regulations that burden Maine fishermen, and to promote efforts to grow the state's seafood processing industry.

How Traffic Jams Happen

Wisconsin Protest Stirs Questions on Public vs. Private Sector Pay

What now for Egypt's revolution?

Hundreds of demonstrators continue to gather in Tahrir Square in a bid to force further change.

Just What Does Your State Do Best?

Wael Ghonim: Inside the Egyptian revolution

Episode 8: Medicaid Cuts Could Constrict State's Recovery

Health care for working poor, insurance rates, and the overall economy would all suffer if Arizona slashes or stops AHCCCS, experts say

The Friday Podcast: A City Throws In The Towel

Friday, March 4, 2011

Proposed Pension Cuts Set off Dueling Rallies at Maine State House

Hundreds of Mainers who oppose or support Gov. Paul LePage's proposed cutbacks to state worker pensions squared off outside the State House today, and then took their case inside, hoping to convince lawmakers to support their cause. The demonstrations were staged as the Legislature's Appropriations Committee holds its second consecutive day of hearings on LePage's plan to balance the budget. The governor wants to freeze and then reduce cost-of-living increases for state employees and teachers, and also require them to pay a larger share of the cost of their pension costs.

A World Obsessed With Facebook

The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.

Divisions Appear in DEP over Bill to Limit Pollution Enforcement

Twice since 2005, both the Maine Attorney General and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection have opposed legislation to establish a statute of limitations for environmental violations. And both times the Maine Legislature has agreed with them and rejected the bills. This year the DEP supports a measure that would give its enforcement agencies six years to go after polluters. But one staffer who works in DEP enforcement is going against his bosses to make the case that the bill is a bad idea.

Worldwide Mobile Operating Systems

Proposed Dirigo Funding Cuts Leave Policyholders in Limbo

Gov. Paul LePage has proposed a two-year budget that gradually reduces funding for the Dirigo Health agency, shutting it down by 2014. LePage and the Republican majority in the Legislature say that the agency, which provides state-sponsored health insurance, is too costly, and has not performed up to expectations. That leaves nearly 15,000 people covered by Dirigo programs wondering what will happen to them. Some are urging policymakers to reconsider.

TDS: Teachers vs Wall Street

The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

AFL-CIO's Trumka: No American Should Face Choice Between Rights, Job

Maine State Workers Turn out in Force to Oppose Benefit Cuts

While supporters and opponents of Gov. Paul LePage's $6.1 billion state budget gathered at the State House, members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee held a day-long public hearing on several major changes to the benefit packages of state workers and teachers designed to generate more than $400 million dollars in savings. Although a few fiscal conservatives rose to speak in favor of the proposed revisions, the overwhelming number of active and retired state employees told lawmakers they were bitterly opposed to the changes.

Visualize Economics Upcoming Income Zine

News Wrap: Gunman Kills 2 U.S. Airmen, Wounds 2 at German Airport

JR's TED Prize wish: Use art to turn the world inside out

Cutting the Cable: The State of Internet TV

Mayoral Race Draws New Contenders

Two Republicans push for making Tucson better for commerce

Portland Shellfish Company Gearing up to Reopen

Employees at Portland Shellfish Company can start returning to work next week after a federal order closed the plant for more than six weeks. Back in January, the seafood processing company was ordered to halt operations at its two plants after a federal judge approved a consent decree to stop shipping its ready-to-eat lobster, shrimp and crab products. An inspection carried out by the company last summer found listeria contamination, both at one of the plants and in a ready-to-eat product. The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

VW Transparent Factory (Dresden, Germany)

Supreme Court Weighs In on Privacy Rights, Employment Discrimination

Apples to Oranges: The Final Comparison

Infographic by Smarter.org

Calling for a no-fly zone

Can a no-fly zone really help to end the violence in Libya?

Wadah Khanfar: A historic moment in the Arab world

Average Student Budget

Outcry Over Access

This week's Arizona Illustrated Political Focus looks at state Senate President Russell Pearce's decision to disallow public access to the legislature's news conferences

Feelin' Lousy- Financially Groovy In Song

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Maine Family Planning Clinic Supporters Protest Looming Funding Cuts

More than 100 people turned out in Portland today to support family planning clinics that face funding cuts at the state and federal level. Public funding makes up nearly half of the budgets for Maine's 45 family planning clinics. But Gov. Paul LePage is proposing to cut roughly a third of the $1.5 million in state funds for family planning. And the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure that would eliminate the federal family planning program that provides $2.2 million to Maine centers.

Prechter: Social Mood Negative: Markets Will Soon Follow

Too little, too late?

We discuss whether forced reforms and state subsidies will counter further unrest in the Arab world.

Downtown's Evolving Development

More businesses are taking a chance on moving to downtown Tucson

Man Takes On Bank - and Wins

Group Decries "Assault" on Maine's Environmental Laws

For weeks, environmental groups have been railing against Gov. Paul LePage's plan targeting state environmental regulations deemed harmful to business. But the state's largest environmental group, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, says there is an assault on Maine's environmental safeguards that goes well beyond the governor's proposals. The group has released a list of what it calls the "50 worst" bills for Maine's environment.

'Parazit' Fuses Iranian Politics and Comedy

Are sanctions enough?

We ask what the international community can do to protect the Libyan people.

Understanding the Middle East

Anthropologist Lawrence Rosen discusses epicenter of unrest

The Tuesday Podcast: Discipline And Forgiveness

Debate Over Right-to-Work Legislation Rages in Maine

A weekend interview that Gov. Paul LePage gave to a national press outlet has racheted up the rhetoric in the ongoing battle over right-to-work legislation in Maine. The governor says he will do everything he can to get a bill passed prohibiting agreements between trade unions and private sector employees that makes union membership or dues a condition of employment. Labor leaders in Maine say they will vigorously oppose any effort to pass a right-to-work law, which they say discourages workers from organizing.

Read story: http://www.mpbn.net/News/MPBNNews/tabid/1159/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3762/ItemId/15439/Default.aspx

Most Popular Movies Getting Worse (1991-2011)

Moki.TV presents visual evidence that overall, films are decreasing in quality. Moki noted the “spike in highly polarizing movies (Twilight movies, the Transformers sequel, Fast and the Furious) with wide ratings distributions. And, they note Sequels are (almost) always more polarizing.

Here is the trend:

Interactive infographic and story found here: http://moki.tv/blog/visual-evidence-movies-are-getting-worse

Frank W. Buckles, the last known surviving American WWI veteran, has passed away.

Frank W. Buckles died Sunday, sadly yet not unexpectedly at age 110, having achieved a singular feat of longevity that left him proud and a bit bemused.

In 1917 and 1918, close to 5 million Americans served in World War I, and Mr. Buckles, a cordial fellow of gentle humor, was the last known survivor. "I knew there'd be only one someday," he said a few years back. "I didn't think it would be me."

Mr. Buckles, a widower, died on his West Virginia farm, said his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan, who had been caring for him there.

Read the rest here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/28/AR2011022800165.html

Ever wondered which state has the highest gas tax or the lowest overall tax burden? Interact with the infographic below to compare income tax, property tax, and other taxes by state.

Check out the infographic here: http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/General-Tax-Tips/A-Comparative-Look-at-State-Taxes/INF13824.html

A Freshman's Take

Recently elected lawmaker analyzes changes in Arizona's politics and national image