News release: “On the eve of the 74th anniversary of Social Security, nearly nine in ten (88%) Americans say Social Security is more important than ever as a result of today’s economic crisis, and three-quarters of Americans say it is critical to preserve Social Security even if it means that working Americans have to pay higher taxes to do so, according to a poll released today by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) and the Rockefeller Foundation.”
Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002
Daily Archives: August 16, 2009
GreenerComputing Reports Developing Nations May Reuse More Electronics Than Thought
GreenerComputing Staff: “A new article in the journal Environmental Science & Technology looks at the market for reuse of exported computers and other electronics and finds that there is plenty of life in those old machines — although e-waste exports still pose a significant environmental problem. The study [fee based], Product or Waste? Importation and… Continue Reading
Status of the Highway Trust Fund
Status of the Highway Trust Fund: “The actual receipts, outlays and balances will be posted each month shortly after month-end as the information becomes available.” The 2009 account balance continues to mirror the precipitous drop in 2008. Continue Reading
Federal Railroad Administration Proposed Rules to Prevent Train Collisions
News release: “Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced proposed rules designed to prevent train collisions through the use of Positive Train Control. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) prescribes how railroads must use Positive Train Control systems to prevent train-to-train collisions. PTC technology is capable of automatically controlling train speeds… Continue Reading
DOJ: Report to Congress on Implementation of Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act, August 2009
U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Report to Congress on Implementation of Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act (as required by Section 1001(3) of Public Law 107-56), August, 2009. Continue Reading
Why We Need Health Care Reform – President Obama's NY Times Op-Ed
Op-Ed Contributor, Why We Need Health Care Reform, by Barack Obama: “…If you dont have health insurance, you will finally have quality, affordable options once we pass reform. If you have health insurance, we will make sure that no insurance company or government bureaucrat gets between you and the care you need. If you like… Continue Reading
Bureau of Justice Statistics: Background Checks for Firearm Transfers
Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2008 – Statistical Tables “This web page describes background checks for firearm transfers conducted in 2008. The statistical tables below provide the number of firearm transaction applications checked by state points of contact and local agencies, the number of applications denied and the reasons for denial, and estimates of applications… Continue Reading
FCC Chairman Announces Senior Staff for Development of National Broadband Plan
News release: “Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the appointment of several senior staffers who will work on the development of a National Broadband Plan as part of the Omnibus Broadband Initiative…The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, directed the FCC to submit a National Broadband Plan to Congress by February 17, 2010… Continue Reading
FTC Releases Reports on Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Sales and Marketing Expenditures
News release: “The amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion by the five largest cigarette companies in the United States declined from $13.11 billion in 2005 to $12.49 billion in 2006, according to a report released today by the Federal Trade Commission. The largest spending category spending on price discounts fell from $9.78… Continue Reading
Commentary Focuses on Powerful Brain "Seeking" Systems and Internet Usage
Via Slate: Seeking How the brain hard-wires us to love Google, Twitter, and texting. And why that’s dangerous, by Emily Yoffe. “…Actually all our electronic communication devicese-mail, Facebook feeds, texts, Twitterare feeding the same drive as our searches. Since we’re restless, easily bored creatures, our gadgets give us in abundance qualities the seeking/wanting system finds… Continue Reading
Census: State and County Housing Unit Estimates
State and County Housing Unit Estimates, July 1, 2009: ‘St. Bernard Parish, La., part of the New Orleans metro area, had the highest growth rate of housing units of any county in the nation last year. Updated estimates of the nations housing stock at the national, state and county levels for 2008 will show whether… Continue Reading
