The American Dream Is Dead

The New York Times is finally catching on to the fact that the American Dream is dead. An article running in the paper today points out the disturbing fact that the United States is one of the least socially mobile nations in the developed world. As in – it’s harder for someone born poor to become rich – or even just join the middle class throughout their life. Only 8% of Americans born in the poorest fifth of the population – ever make it to the top fifth, which is an income a bit over $100,000. The Times goes on to cite persistently high poverty rates, which “leave poor children starting especially far behind” as one of the reason for low social mobility. So much for the idea that America is a class-less society. Every day, millions of Americans are living a real life version of The Christmas Story – complete with corporate Scrooges and fully a quarter of American children living in poverty like Tiny Tim.

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U.S. Ambassador Threatens To ‘Downgrade’ Spain Over Online Piracy Laws

Just how serious is the U.S.’ dedication to fighting online piracy? A leaked letter sent by the U.S. Ambassador in Madrid to the Spanish president suggests it’s apparently serious enough to offer veiled threats to nations who apparently aren’t doing enough to help in the struggle.
 A letter from U.S. Ambassador Alan Solomont to outgoing Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, dated December 12, leaked to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, argues that the government has “unfortunately failed to finish the job [of passing specific anti-piracy legislation] for political reasons, to the detriment of the reputation and economy of Spain” before going on to state that Spain is on a list compiled by U.S. trade representatives of countries not providing “adequate and effective” protection of intellectual property. The letter suggests that Spain may find itself joining a blacklist of “the worst violators of global intellectual property rights” if it doesn’t change direction soon.

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Homeowners Are Still Screwed

Last month – the Wall Street Journal pointed out that the ongoing housing crisis is killing progress on job creation. More than 10.7 million Americans are unable to move to find better work because they’re stuck in an underwater mortgage. Yesterday – the Federal Reserve called on Congress to take concrete steps to address the ongoing collapse of the U.S. housing market that “continues to impede the economic recovery.” Ideas include making it easier for struggling homeowners to refinance and restructure their mortgages – changing how mortgage lenders are paid – and allowing banks to rent out foreclosed homes. The Fed argues such policies will lead to banks saving money and more homeowners saving their homes. 4 years after the economy went into full meltdown – the banks are doing just fine – while homeowners are still screwed. Banksters got bailed out – we got sold out.

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Alabama Teacher Molested More Than 20 Girls

ALABASTER, Ala. –  An Alabama schoolteacher was jailed on charges of sexually abusing a fourth-grade female student, and police said Thursday the man told them he molested more than 20 other girls over his 25-year career.

Alabaster police said Daniel Montague Acker Jr., 49, was charged with three counts of sexual abuse, and additional charges were possible.

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ALEC Owns Virginia Lawmakers

In today's On the News segment: New report by the advocacy group ProgressNow shows lawmakers in Virginia have outsourced their jobs to the shadowy, Koch brothers-funded, corporate think tank known as ALEC; yesterday, the Federal Reserve called on Congress to take concrete steps to address the ongoing collapse of the US housing market; inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, activists will "occupy" courts across America on Citizens United Anniversary; US war machine is about to take a cut; and more.

You need to know this. Virginia officially has the best government money can buy. According to a new report by the advocacy group ProgressNow – lawmakers in Virginia have outsourced their jobs to the shadowy, Koch brothers-funded, corporate think tank known as ALEC – the American Legislative Exchange Council. The report claims that ALEC has a “disturbing level of influence” over the Virginia legislature. ALEC works by bringing together corporate CEOs and lobbyists with elected lawmakers to come up with custom-made legislation that benefits big polluters, job outsourcers, and banksters, and hurts unions, poor people, and voters. Since 2007 – the Virginia General Assembly has introduced 50 different pieces of legislation that are “carbon copies” of model legislation written by ALEC. Not only that – taxpayers in Virginia have paid more than $230,000 to fly state lawmakers - almost all of them Republicans - to ALEC conferences across America. This is what a corporatocracy looks like.

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Marijuana May Both Trigger And Suppress Psychosis

Researchers uncover connections between marijuana and the psychoses of schizophrenia

It’s a familiar experience for most marijuana smokers — that sudden discovery of great meaning, humor or intensity in what they would ordinarily find to be mundane situations and sensations. It’s part of why people seek out marijuana, but this undue attention to what ordinarily seems insignificant is also part of the psychotic experience of schizophrenia— and new research finds that the two main ingredients in marijuana have opposing effects on it.

The study examined 15 normal men who had previously smoked cannabis only a few times. Researchers exposed the men to each of the two most psychoactive ingredients in marijuana — delta-nine tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and compared their effects to a placebo while the participants performed a mental task.

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Maryland Polarized Politically, But Still Dominated By Democrats, New Book Says

Maryland has become increasingly polarized politically over the past two decades, but it will likely stay dominated by Democrats as it has been since the 19th century, although today’s Democrats bear little resemblance to those a century ago. That’s among the broad conclusions of a new book on the state’s political past, present and future by two local professors, who have also played an active hand in many election campaigns – mostly on the Democratic side.

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Experts Say Current Lead Poisoning Levels Are Set Too High

Older homes are a dangerous source of lead poisoning for young children, and experts say no level of lead exposure is safe

Lead poisoning continues to be a serious health problem for young children, especially those living in cities, so a government committee is recommending that the definition of lead poisoning be changed, to include even lower levels of exposure to the toxic chemical.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which is the agency responsible for defining lead poisoning in children, currently says that 10 micrograms of lead per dL of blood should be considered lead poisoning. At these levels, children can show symptoms such as abdominal pain, low appetite, difficulty sleeping and constipation, as well as behavior or attention problems, hearing difficulties and slower growth. Most of the adverse effects of lead on the brain and nervous system build over time, so these symptoms are difficult to pinpoint immediately after exposure.

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Priscilla Of Boston Spray-Paints Unsold Wedding Gowns To Keep Them From Grubby Poor People

Priscilla of Boston, a high-end bridal chain best known for making Grace Kelly's wedding gown, came to an undignified end last week when current parent company David's Bridal shut it down. This news wouldn't have made national headlines if an alert shopper in a Minneapolis suburb hadn't noticed unsold dresses by the rackful being wrecked with red spray paint and tossed in a dumpster.

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Man Allegedly Dresses In Drag To Steal Oxy

(CBS/AP)  

ALTOONA, Pa. - Police say a central Pennsylvania man dressed as a woman so he could get a pharmacy to fill a stolen painkiller prescription issued to a female.

Thirty-four-year-old Michael C. Greene, of Tyrone, is charged with forgery, acquiring a controlled substance by deception, and other crimes in the Nov. 16 incident at an Altoona pharmacy.

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Be Sure That Call From The Electric Company Isn't A Scam

A lot of people, especially in areas hit hard by the recession, haven't exactly been paying their utility bills in a prompt manner, knowing that it takes a long time for someone to eventually getting around to shutting off the power or gas service. Thus, scammers are trying to take advantage of these delinquencies by calling and pretending to be from the power company.

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Can a Court Make You Give Up Your Password?

Can the government force you to give up your password in the course of an investigation against you?

That’s the controversial debate that’s shaping up in U.S. District Court in Colorado. Ramona Fricosu has been charged with bank fraud and the case seemingly hinges on an encrypted computer.

Prosecutors argue that Fricosu should have to decrypt the computer, essentially giving investigators access to whatever is behind password protection. Fricosu’s attorney says that’s a violation of her right to privacy and her right against self-incrimination as protected by the Bill of Rights.

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Payment From Class Action Case Arrives Without Warning & Looks Like Junk Mail

There are 10 million of you out there who might have checks coming to you as part of a class action lawsuit settlement, but unless you keep a very close eye on your mail, you might end up tossing it with your junk mail.

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Pope Benedict XVI Names 22 New Cardinals

VATICAN CITY –  Pope Benedict XVI named 22 new cardinals, announcing on Friday he will elevate them in a formal ceremony Feb. 18.

They include prelates from New York, Hong Kong, Berlin, Prague, Toronto and Florence, Italy, and some key Vatican offices.

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If CVS Sells You Something Expired, It's Your Own Damn Fault

Reader Andy noticed this sign in near the breakfast foods in a local CVS. It instructs customers to check the expiration dates of the items they choose before taking them up to the cash register. It's an innovative idea: maybe they're aiming to crowdsource stock rotation.

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Oregon Firefighters Lift Car Off Pinned Cyclist

(AP)  

PORTLAND, Ore. - A crew of firefighters in Portland, Ore., used brute strength to lift up a 3,200-pound car and free a man pinned under it.

The rescue, which took about two minutes, came just before rush hour Thursday morning, after witnesses called 911.

The Oregonian reports that police interviewed witnesses and determined the man had been riding a bicycle when he made an illegal lane change and was struck by a car. Another vehicle then rolled over the man and pinned him face-down in a busy intersection.

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Global Health Strategy

A new global health strategy is broadening the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS issued the plan yesterday. It describes three goals: to protect and promote the health and well-being of Americans through global health action; to provide leadership and technical expertise in science, policy, programs and practice to improve global health; and to work in concert with interagency partners to advance U.S. interests in international diplomacy, development and security through global health action. HHS says while its mission is to protect the health and well being of Americans, it can't overlook the increasing interconnectedness of the world and how that has demanded that HHS expand its global presence.

Timeline Scams Show Why Facebook Should Be More Upfront With Policies

Don’t like Facebook Timeline?

Too bad, because you’re stuck with it. Hence the arrival of scammers, cynically taking advantage of those nostalgic for the old profile design by creating at least 16 pages promising a way to undo Timeline. According to Inside Facebook, the pages have collectively accumulated around 71,000 “Likes,” prompting users to “invite friends, watch YouTube videos and download files.” They’re also pretty easy to find; search for “timeline” on Facebook and you’ll find pages titled “Deactivate Your FB Timeline” and “Here You Can Remove Facebook Timeline.”

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Are They Legitimate Financial Instruments Or Simply Gambling?

That's a question the Commodity Futures Trading Commission must decide. The CTFC is looking into proposed derivative contracts from the North American Derivatives Exchange. The Exchange wants to sell contracts based on who wins the next national election and whether Democrats or Republicans control Congress. The Commission has asked Nadex to suspend trading in the political events contracts while it decides if they're kosher.

New Hampshire Restaurant Bans Presidential Candidates, Says No "Whoring" For Votes

While most restaurants and diners welcome the chance to host pandering pols in their best sweaters telling potential voters what they want to hear, one New Hampshire restaurant, Colby's Breakfast and Lunch, refuses to be bothered with this time-honored, albeit disruptive, (small "d") democratic tradition. 


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