“The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, with nearly 170 million items in our collections, and extensive expert services and programs. What does this mean for you? The Library of Congress has built the largest collection of human knowledge ever assembled. It is an aweinspiring achievement—a testament to the wisdom of Congresses throughout… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Congress
New Experimental Congress.gov Chrome Browser Extension
In Custodia Legis: “Have you ever found yourself reading a news story about legislation, and wished that you could quickly discover the primary source that the article discusses? With that use case in mind, we are excited to bring you an experimental, open source Google Chrome browser extension that will provide you with enhanced access to Congress.gov… Continue Reading
The Biggest Threat to Our Democracy Isn’t Hackers or Fake News. It’s Apathy
Fortune: “The headlines today are filled with talk about outside forces imperiling our democracy. But, the truth is that the biggest threat we are facing is us. It’s the apathy that keeps voters home in droves on Election Day, giving the U.S. one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the developed world. We have… Continue Reading
An Initial Exploration of the Diminishing Role of Facts and Analysis in American Public Life
Rand: Truth Decay – An Initial Exploration of the Diminishing Role of Facts and Analysis in American Public Life: Over the past two decades, national political and civil discourse in the United States has been characterized by “Truth Decay,” defined as a set of four interrelated trends: an increasing disagreement about facts and analytical interpretations… Continue Reading
Voter Enthusiasm at Record High in Nationalized Midterm Environment
Top voting issues: Supreme Court, health care, economy: “With less than six weeks to go before the elections for Congress, voter enthusiasm is at its highest level during any midterm in more than two decades. And a record share of registered voters – 72% – say the issue of which party controls Congress will be… Continue Reading
How Reliable Are the Memories of Sexual Assault Victims?
Scientific American – The expert testimony excluded from the Kavanaugh hearing [Editorial note by SA: If Jim Hopper had been permitted to provide his expert testimony at the September 27, 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation, these would have been his remarks.] “Incomplete memories of sexual assault, including those with huge gaps, are understandable—if… Continue Reading
Voting Machine Used in Half of U.S. Is Vulnerable to Attack, Report Finds
WSJ [paywall]- The flaw in Election Systems & Software’s Model 650 high-speed ballot-counting machine was detailed in 2007 “Election machines used in more than half of U.S. states carry a flaw disclosed more than a decade ago that makes them vulnerable to a cyberattack, according to a report to be delivered Thursday on Capitol Hill.… Continue Reading
Christine Blasey Ford’s prepared testimony – US Senate Judiciary Committee
Following is the link to her written testimony that includes the following statement: “My responsibility is to tell the truth.” Via CNBC: “Christine Blasey Ford, the first woman to come forward alleging that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her, will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday that “I am no one’s pawn.”… Continue Reading
Supreme Court October Term 2017: A Review of Selected Major Rulings
EveryCRSReport.com: Supreme Court October Term 2017: A Review of Selected Major Rulings, September 19, 2018. “On October 2, 2017, the Supreme Court began one of the most notable terms in recent memory. The latest term of the Court was the first full term for Justice Neil Gorsuch, who succeeded Justice Antonin Scalia following his death… Continue Reading
The Plot to Subvert an Election: Unraveling the Russia Story So Far
The New York Times – The Plot to Subvert an Election Unraveling the Russia Story So Far. “For two years, Americans have tried to absorb the details of the 2016 attack — hacked emails, social media fraud, suspected spies — and President Trump’s claims that it’s all a hoax. The Times explores what we know… Continue Reading
Google Trends – Midterm Elections 2018
Via Google Trends – “On November 6, 2018, over 1,200 candidates will run for nearly 500 seats in the House of Representatives and US Senate. This is how the US is searching.” Resources include the following? Election searches: click on a State to find out more. Search data is an indication of curiosity in the… Continue Reading
Google Says It Continues to Allow Apps to Scan Data From Gmail Accounts
WSJ [paywall] via MarketScreener [no paywall]: “Google Inc. told lawmakers it continues to allow other companies to scan and share data from Gmail accounts, responding to questions raised on Capitol Hill about privacy and potential misuse of the information contained in users’ emails.” “In a letter to senators, a top Google official said the company… Continue Reading
