Here is the final part of a special CFL nationals R&D:
Homeland Security Issues
Senate votes to extend Patriot Act from the Los Angeles Times
The U.S. Senate voted to extend expiring provisions of the USA Patriot Act on Monday for four years. These provisions include the power of the government to use roving wiretaps, investigate “lone wolf” terrorists, and conduct expansive searches of personal records.
US, India to discuss counter-terrorism strategy from the Agence France Presse
America’s anti-terror strategy extends abroad and Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano is in India to discuss anti-terror cooperation.
Senate debates president’s power during cyber-attack from the Washington Times
The Obama administration is pushing for Congress to give it sweeping authority over electronic communications in the event of a cyberattack on the United States, but Congress is wary of giving the administration too much power over the Internet.
King wants changes in security funds from Politico
Republican Congressman Peter King, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, wants to change how homeland security funds are given to states and local communities. King argues that money should go to main target areas instead of being spread all across the country.
Bin Laden raid intel shows al Qaeda mulled hitting US oil tankers from the Hill
Intelligence gleaned from the operation against Osama bin Laden reveals that al-Qaeda planned to target oil tankers last year to hobble America’s oil infrastructure. However, security officials say that they have no evidence of ongoing threats against this sector of the U.S. economy.
Bill of Rights Issues
Americans Still Split Along “Pro-Choice,” “Pro-Life” Lines from Gallup
A new Gallup poll shows that 49% of Americans identify themselves as pro-choice, while 45% of Americans identify them as pro-life. However, a majority of the public believes that abortion is morally wrong and that it should be restricted in some manner.
California must cut prison population by 30,000 from the San Francisco Chroncile
In a controversial 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court held yesterday that California must reduce its prison population. The American Civil Liberties Union argued that overcrowding in California’s prisons constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
Search Allowed if Police Hear Evidence Being Destroyed from the New York Times
Last week in Kentucky v. King, the Supreme Court held 8-1 that police officers do not need a warrant to enter a home if they smell drugs, knock loudly, and/or hear that they think is the sound of evidence being destroyed. Privacy advocates argue that this renders the Fourth Amendment mute. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the dissenting vote.
NH bill applies death penalty to burglary killings from the Boston Globe
While some states like Illinois have abolished the death penalty, New Hampshire is looking at expanding its scope. A piece of legislation now debated in the state legislature argues in favor of capital punishment for killings committed during burglaries of occupied buildings.
NLRB jettisons federalism for unionism from the Washington Times
In a move that has outraged South Carolina, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint against Boeing’s move to try to open a new aircraft plant in the state because it would be retaliation against its unionized workforce in Washington. Critics of the move allege that it violates federalism.
World Economic Issues
Greek Debt Restructuring a ‘Horror Scenario’ from the Wall Street Journal
If Greece were to default and restructure its debt it could cause the country’s economy to collapse, according to the European Central Bank. Such a restructuring would also do damage to the country’s banking sector.
Goldman cuts China 2011, 2012 GDP growth forecasts from Reuters
Goldman Sachs has reduced its forecast of China’s economic growth this year from 10% to 9.4% due to a slowdown in industrial production and high oil prices.
Calculating the Coming Slowdown in China from the New York Times
Economists are predicting that China’s fantastic rates of economic growth, which have occurred since 1978, are coming to an end. This article presents two sides of the debate, with opinions that China is slowing and others that it can continue its strong pace of growth.
Northern lights, southern cross from the Economist
Disparities within the euro zone, with northern countries outperforming southern ones, could significantly impair the European Union’s political cohesion in the years ahead and some allege that “core” EU countries could give their less fiscally responsible friends the boot.
Economic recovery at risk over oil supply says IEA from the BBC
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is urging oil producing countries to increase their output because not doing so could impair the global economic recovery by driving up inflation and reducing consumer spending power.