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NYT: Same-Sex Issue Pushes Justices Into Overdrive

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December 9, 2012 Same-Sex Issue Pushes Justices Into Overdrive   By ADAM LIPTAK WASHINGTON — Life moves fast these days, and so does the law. In the civil rights era, the Supreme Court waited decades to weigh in on interracial marriage. On Friday, by contrast, the court did not hesitate to jump into the middle of one of the most important social controversies of the day, agreeing to hear two cases on same-sex marriage . By taking both, the court gave itself the chance to issue a sweeping ruling that would cast aside bans on same-sex marriage nationwide. But the speed with which the court moved also raised the possibility of a split decision, one that would provide federal benefits to same-sex couples married in states that allow such unions but would permit other states to forbid gay and lesbian couples from marrying. Gay rights advocates said they were optimistic that the time had come for marriage equality across the nation. “We a

News Review - MNSI - 12.7.12

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Mike Nova's starred items   Smokers Celebrate Washington Pot Law via WSJ.com: Health on 12/6/12 Pot smokers lit up in Washington state, when it became the first U.S. state to legalize possession of marijuana without a doctor's prescription. Michael Oren: The Iron Dome Military Revolution via WSJ.com: Opinion on 12/6/12 Historically, defensive measures lag behind offensive capabilities. Not so with Israel's new antimissile system. Congress Repeals Russian Trade Curbs via WSJ.com: What's News Asia on 12/6/12 Congress overturned long-standing trade restrictions with Russia, overcoming concerns about the nation's human-rights record to achieve a top trade priority for U.S. businesses. Disordered Liberty via WSJ.com: Today's Most Popular on 12/4/12 No one likes doing homework, but the non-compulsory alternatives are autonomous, non-alienated illiterates. Michael Weiss reviews James C. Scott

The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures

US economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct. via Yahoo! News - Top Stories on 12/7/12 The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures.

11:36 AM 12/5/2012 - Mike Nova's starred items

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11:36 AM 12/5/2012     Mike Nova's starred items   James Bond makes an explosive return in his finest film to date - Mirror.co.uk via Entertainment - Google News on 12/3/12 Mirror.co.uk James Bond makes an explosive return in his finest film to date Mirror.co.uk From the opening pre-title sequence on board a runaway train to the Adele soundtrack to the explosive and thrilling finale, director Sam Mendes has created a movie that is anchored in the real world and is true to the spirit of Bond. When an operation goes ... and more » Би-би-си: Путин страдает от сильных болей в спине - BFM.Ru via В мире – Новости Google on 12/3/12 BFM.Ru Би-би-си: Путин страдает от сильных болей в спине BFM.Ru Российский президент Владимир Путин страдает от сильных болей в спине, делает вывод Русская служба Би-би-си на основе многочисленных фотографий его визита в Турцию. Би-би-си отмечает, что, судя по фотографиям, турецкому премьеру Р

NYT: A New Director or a New Direction?

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Room for Debate: A New Director or a New Direction? from NYT > Opinion Should changes be made in the way the agency is run and the way intelligence is gathered and used? Updated December 3, 2012 9:59 PM A New Director or a New Direction? Debaters Transform the Agency’s Whole Structure Tim Weiner, author, "Legacy of Ashes" Demilitarize the C.I.A. Gordon Adams and Jennifer E. Sims, Former intelligence officials A 10-Year Term, Without the Politics Bruce Riedel, Brookings Institution Restore Reliability and Accountability Melvin A. Goodman, Former C.I.A. analyst Stick to the Basic Tasks It Was Created For Vicki Divoll, Former C.I.A. legal adviser New Abilities for New Needs David F. Gordon, Former National Intelligence Council head Focus on Officers, Not the Media Amy Zegart, Hoover Institution Introduction Pool photo by Dennis Brack The lobby of th

News Review - 12.2.12 - MNSI

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News Review - 12.2.12 Mike Nova's starred items   Joe. My. God.: Another First: *CIA* Recruits Gay Spies via cia - Google Blog Search by Joe on 11/28/12 In what they say is a first-ever event, today the CIA is holding a recruitment event in association with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Steve Rothaus has the story at the Miami Herald: “This is the first ... Petraeus Sex Scandal: Former CIA Chief Tells Friend He 'Screwed Up Royally' - ABC News via cia - Google News on 11/29/12 ABC News Petraeus Sex Scandal: Former CIA Chief Tells Friend He 'Screwed Up Royally' ABC News One of David Petraeus' closest friends says the former CIA director admitted that he "screwed up royally" by having an affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. Retired Brigadier Gen. James Shelton has been friends with Petraeus for more than three ... Former CIA Director Petraeus Blames His Mistress Ne