Science: Here’s one way to slow global warming: grow shinier crops to reflect away the sun’s heat, The Guardian reports.
Nation: The New York Times reports that Baltimore is suing Wells Fargo Bank over claims its lending practices “discriminated against black borrowers and led to a wave of foreclosures that has reduced city tax revenues and increased its costs.” The story notes that 65 percent of its black customers were being charged interest rates that were “at least three percentage points above the federal benchmark” — rates that just 15 percent of whites in the city were paying.
Tech: The BBCreports that Intel is readying for chips that would have the full power of a PC, and ease worldwide Internet access for hand-held devices. “Instead of going to the Internet, the Internet comes to us,” Intel’s chief Paul Otellini said.
Health:A new study suggests that mercury-based thimerosal in vaccines might not be contributing to the rise of autism in California’s children, the LA Timesreports. National Autism Association Chairwoman Claire Bothwell was not quick to embrace the study. “Rising numbers do not confirm that thimerosal never had a role,” she told the Times.
Music: The Associated Press (via The Boston Globe) reports that the music industry is finally starting to embrace easier access to its products through new technology.
O P I N I O N
So Sen. Hillary Clinton has emotions. And the point is…? Does the fact that her eyes welled up with tears when she talked about the campaign warrant priority placement in the news lineup over a story about members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard charging at U.S. Naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz? Apparently so, by the looks of what was seen across mainstream media yesterday and today.
C’mon, people. These candidates must be exhausted. In an interview with one TV news network, John Edwards admitted he was getting by on mere fumes of sleep. The candidates are humans, not robots. They’re entitled to be a bit cranky, snarky and yes, emotional at moments on this arduous campaign trail. The over analysis of this moment — as if it signalled all was over for her — is crazy.
I’ve met with Sen. Clinton twice, and what was clearly apparent in both meetings is her passion for the Constitution and how this nation could be better. When she spoke about the founding fathers and the wisdom they had in setting up this nation, I saw the same look in her eyes as she had yesterday in her passionate plea. There were no TV cameras in the room. It was just a handful of small-town newspaper journalists to her. That’s why seeing those emotions rise in Clinton yesterday rang true to me.
Let’s focus on the issues. Sunday’s near miss in the Strait of Hormuz reinforces how important that is with this election. We need to know clearly who will be best equipped to tackle the difficulties — and there will be many of them — that await our next president.
♣ Nation/world news tally in my local paper today: 1.5 pages
Feed me 5 Under the Radar
