Washington Post Opinion – Jennifer Rubin: “The threat of a repeat of the Jan. 6 attempt to overthrow the election — perhaps one that is more competent than the last — requires us to think about what reforms are needed to protect our democracy. Here’s a start. Let’s first consider disincentives to keep conmen from… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Congress
What is the point of a stablecoin?
Quartz – Scott Nover: “Few assets are as volatile as cryptocurrencies. In the last year, the price of Bitcoin nearly quintupled to a new high in April before losing half of its value and then rebounding. Almost all cryptocurrencies still fluctuate wildly, making them attractive for investors but risky assets for people who want to… Continue Reading
Freedom on the Net 2021 – The Global Drive to Control Big Tech
“In the high-stakes battle between states and technology companies, the rights of internet users have become the main casualties. Key Findings: Global internet freedom declined for the 11th consecutive year. Governments clashed with technology companies on users’ rights. Authorities in at least 48 countries pursued new rules for tech companies on content, data, and competition over… Continue Reading
Controlled Digital Lending: Unlocking the Library’s Full Potential
Kyle K. Courtney / Library Futures: “We are very excited today to announce the release of the Library Futures Foundation’s (LFF) new policy document “Controlled Digital Lending: Unlocking the Library’s Full Potential.” As outlined, controlled digital lending maximizes a library’s ability to loan works, thereby making the entire loaning system more efficient and equitable. Library… Continue Reading
Senate report on President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election
“Following 8 Month Investigation, Senate Judiciary Committee Releases Report on Donald Trump’s Scheme to Pressure DOJ & Overturn the 2020 Election – “The report, Subverting Justice – How the Former President and His Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election, and testimony reveal that we were only a half-step away from a full blown constitutional… Continue Reading
Whistleblower: Facebook is misleading the public on progress against hate speech, violence, misinformation
60 Minutes – “Her name is Frances Haugen. That is a fact that Facebook has been anxious to know since last month when an anonymous former employee filed complaints with federal law enforcement. The complaints say Facebook’s own research shows that it amplifies hate, misinformation and political unrest—but the company hides what it knows. One… Continue Reading
Survey – Trust in Big Tech is in free fall
Protocol: “According to a new report by the Public Affairs Council and Morning Consult, public trust in the technology industry has declined steadily since 2018. Trust in the tech sector hit an all-time low this year, according to a new study by Public Affairs Council and Morning Consult. Once the most trusted sector in the… Continue Reading
GPO and Law Library of Congress Make Volumes of Nation’s Most Treasured Publications Digitally Available
“The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), in collaboration with the Law Library of Congress, has digitized and made available volumes of the United States Congressional Serial Set on GPO’s govinfo, the one-stop shop to information published by the Federal Government. The release comes as part of a large decade-long partnership to digitize more than 15,000… Continue Reading
TikTokers Are Trading Stocks By Copying What Members Of Congress Do
NPR: “Young investors have a new strategy: watching financial disclosures of sitting members of Congress for stock tips. Among a certain community of individual investors on TikTok, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s stock trading disclosures are a treasure trove. “Shouts out to Nancy Pelosi, the stock market’s biggest whale,” said user ‘ceowatchlist.’ Another said, “I’ve come… Continue Reading
GPO Digitizes List Of Publications The Federal Government Has Produced Since The 1800s
“The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) has digitized the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, a historical list of publications the Federal Government produced from 1895 to 2004, as well as other historic government publication indexes. Librarians, scholars, students, and the general public can use these indexes to find historic publications of the U.S. Government.… Continue Reading
Recent Steps Toward Improved Access to Federal Legislation
Information Today – Barbie E. Keiser – “During recent virtual meetings, representatives of several government entities showed how they had used the time during the pandemic to increase the public’s access to legislative information. The real takeaway from each online meeting is the degree to which these entities collaborate on projects. The Library of Congress… Continue Reading
14 Trillion of Pentagon Spending on war in Afghanistan went to 5 government contractors
Watson Institute, Brown University / William D. Hartung Center for International Policy: Profits of War: Corporate Beneficiaries of the Post-9/11 Pentagon Spending Surge – September 13, 2021: “Pentagon spending has totaled over $14 trillion since the start of the war in Afghanistan, with one-third to one-half of the total going to military contractors.A large portion… Continue Reading
