USA PATRIOT Act Renewed Without Any New Civil Liberties Protections

I guess Congress is worried that they need this to protect themselves from us. After watching highlights of the televised healthcare debate on Thursday, I’m beginning to better comprehend the perspective that some of the esteemed members our bicameral legislature feel like they are part of an elite and privileged class that has begun to increasingly fear the masses that are their constituencies.

Well, I guess their little “gated community” is a little bit safer now.

Yesterday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to renew three expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, after the Senate abandoned the PATRIOT reform effort and approved the extension by a voice vote on Wednesday night.

via Epic Fail in Congress: USA PATRIOT Act Renewed Without Any New Civil Liberties Protections | Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Parking Operators Owe the City Nearly $100 Million – LAist

As the city explores ways to sell the operation of public parking garages to private companies for 50 years–the city council today unanimously approved a move to further develop these plans–a recent report listing the top debtors reveals that parking operators owe the city close to $100 million in uncollected taxes.

via Parking Operators Owe the City Nearly $100 Million – LAist.

Dubai Aquarium Springs a Leak

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/4267205001?isVid=1&publisherID=1543367581

Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centers and a symbol of Dubai’s grandeur, was partly closed on Thursday after an aquarium containing thousands of fish and sea animals started leaking, police and witnesses said.

via Dubai Mall partly evacuated after aquarium leak | Reuters.