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Daily Archives: November 18, 2018

Poll – America sours on social media giants

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Axios Poll – Does social media do more to help or hurt democracy and free speech? “Silicon Valley has a big and growing problem: Americans have rising concerns with its most popular products and a growing majority wants big social media companies regulated, according to new poll conducted by Survey Monkey for “Axios on HBO.”

Why it matters: The public is more aware than ever of some of the negative consequences of the technologies that have changed their lives, which makes Silicon Valley and social media ripe political and regulatory targets.

Between the lines: This is a rare topic uniting Republicans, Democrats and Independents…”

US-CERT issues guide on how to properly dispose of your electronic devices

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ZDNet – “Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports, and studies about how second-hand devices that have been put up for sale still contained information from previous owners, exposing those individuals to scams, blackmailing, or identity theft. This week, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), a division part of the… Continue Reading

Electing the House of Representatives – visualizations and data 1840-2016

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Electing the House of Representatives, 1840-2016: “This project aims to recapture the role of Congress as an equal branch in governing, worthy of studying side-by-side with the Presidency, by offering comprehensive and fine-grained data on the history of Congressional elections. To understand the most momentous periods of reform in American political history, we must give… Continue Reading

How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive

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The Atlantic – How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive – Thicker ink, fewer smudges, and more strained hands: an Object Lesson “…The ballpoint’s universal success has changed how most people experience ink. Its thicker ink was less likely to leak than that of its predecessors. For most purposes, this was a win—no more ink-stained shirts,… Continue Reading

Harvard 50-State Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder

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Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School, 50-State Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder – “Criminal justice debt – the system of fees and fines in the criminal justice system – has serious consequences. The Criminal Justice Debt Reform Builder brings transparency to this area of significant legal complexity: it gives easier access to state… Continue Reading

Report – US Has Spent Six Trillion Dollars on Wars That Killed Half a Million People Since 9/11

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Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, November 14, 2018 – “Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States government has spent and obligated more than $5.9 trillion on wars in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other places around the world, according to the Costs of War Project. Written by Boston University Professor… Continue Reading

‘Nothing on this page is real’: How lies become truth in online America

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The Washington Post – “Nothing on this page is real,” read one of the 14 disclaimers on Christopher Blair’s site, and yet in the America of 2018 his stories had become real, reinforcing people’s biases, spreading onto Macedonian and Russian fake news sites, amassing an audience of as many 6 million visitors each month who… Continue Reading

Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress

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Every CRS Report – Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, November 15, 2018. “This report introduces the main steps through which a bill (or other item of business) may travel in the legislative process—from introduction to committee and floor consideration to possible presidential consideration. However, the process by which a bill can… Continue Reading

CRS Report – Types of Committee Hearings

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Every CRS Report – Types of Committee Hearings, November 15, 2018 “Congressional committee hearings may be broadly classified into four types: legislative, oversight, investigative, and confirmation. Hearings may be held on Capitol Hill or elsewhere (e.g., a committee member’s district or state, or a site related to the subject of the hearing). These latter hearings… Continue Reading