Monday Medley

What we read while getting another reason to avoid Atlanta….

• Revelations that the CIA spied on the US Senate as well as President Obama’s public admission that the agency engaged in torture after 9/11 has some calling for the firing of John Brennan, who was involved in both scandals. But does he have too much leverage to be held accountable?

• On the “crisis” at the American border.

• Is the US denying Muslims citizenship based on unfounded national security claims?

• Every state’s richest person.

• Why running your own fast-food franchise might not be the American dream you’ve envisioned…

• The tragedy in Gaza continued, with America’s continued support of Israel, even as the UN condemns it for attacking shelters.

• How to deal with open carry activists.

• Ira Glass vs. Shakespeare.

• This week in awesome World War I memorials.

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Monday Medley

What we read while North Korea tried to book Toni Kukoc next…

• Larissa MacFarquhar’s comprehensive account of the life and tragic death of Aaron Swartz.

• Rand Paul spoke for 13 hours on the floor of the Senate, filibustering John Brenna’s confirmation to protest the Obama Administration’s use of drones and bringing attention to the country’s drone policy. Though Attorney General Eric Holder wrote a response to Senator Paul, there are still unanswered questions (as well as the unreleased report on CIA torture) about the program and Paul vowed to keep fighting. Meanwhile, the NYT ran a story on the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki, which was condemned by the ACLU for selective disclosure.

• A Mila Kunis interview went viral for showing why the actress is so beloved.

• Vulture is now trying to determine the best sitcom of the past 30 years. Will Leitch picked Cheers over Arrested Development.

• Speaking of bracketology, an account of Dick Vitale’s love for Duke.

• Longtime Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died. What does that mean for Venezuela?

• David Foster Wallace on five common usage errors.

• On Jerry Brown’s second term as California Governor.

• Reflections on the 10 year anniversary of the Iraq War.

• Can one woman change the nature of Internet porn?

 

Monday Medley

What we read after shoveling snow…

• Community returned! And it actually had impressive ratings (for NBC). Speaking of which, can NBC ever rebound from its current slump?

• Pope Benedict XVI is resigning, which a pope hasn’t done in, oh, about 600 years. Undoubtedly, Charles V had something to do with this.

• Some reflections on last week’s Super Bowl blackout, and how it revealed the worthlessness of the CBS broadcast team.

• An excellent story on how Jay Williams bounced back from his career-ending motocycle accident.

• Eamonn Brennan on what Notre Dame’s five-overtime epic with Louisville says about college basketball.

• The Justice Department’s memo on the legal case for drone strikes against Americans was released last week, just days before John Brennan, the “chief architect” of the drone program, testified before Congress to become the new CIA chief. It was not the most grueling of job interviews.

• Why don’t bankers go to jail?

• My Bloody Valentine released their first record in 22 years.

• What IS the future of college?

• Roberto Bolaño on writing short stories.

• Probably the most interesting story about headphones you’ll read this week.

Monday Medley

What we read while shooting J.R…

• A fascinating look at the history and evolution of the Grateful Dead’s recorded archives.

• Israel and Hamas reached a fragile cease-fire last week, after hundreds were killed. Of course, the conflict promises to continue for the foreseeable future, as the situation in Gaza remains untenable. The hopelessness of many Palestinians seems palpable. America’s role in the conflict, with its support of Israel, remains in question, while Egypt’s role expands.

• Some thoughts on the Rolling Jubilee.

• A DEA agent reflects on the drug war.

• Who should run the SEC?

• With the CIA looking for a new director, questions persist about President Obama’s drone wars. The Administration is evidently developing a “rule book,” but its terms are, of course, flexible. Should it matter that al Qaeda’s core has been “decimated”?

• Reflections on Anna Karenina.

• Is the Big Ten’s expansion a fool’s errand?

• An urbanist explains why Washington D.C. should keep its height restrictions.

• The digital team behind Obama’s reelection.

• A way to fix air travel.

• What kids in Louisiana learn about evolution…