Extra, Extra
Paris the Thought: “The two-bedroom penthouse comes with sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower and just about every other monument across the Paris skyline. The rent, at 600 euros a month, is a steal.” What gives? Well, it turns out that a “quarter of residents in the French capital live in government-owned housing, part of an aggressive plan to keep lower-income Parisians — and their businesses — in the city.” Might be a good idea for your city, too. NYT (Gift Article): How Does Paris Stay Paris? By Pouring Billions Into Public Housing.
+ Non the Less: “Over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, an investigation led by The Associated Press found. In hundreds of cases, officers weren’t taught or didn’t follow best safety practices for physical force and weapons, creating a recipe for death.” A special investigation of how non-lethal force can be lethal.
+ The Obsession: “The request goes into detail in seeking internal discussions around Spirit’s efforts to create a diverse workforce ‘and whether those commitments are unlawful or are compromising the company’s manufacturing processes.’ Paxton asked for a breakdown of Spirit’s workforce by race, sexual orientation and other factors, and whether the makeup has changed over time.” The Texas attorney general is investigating a key Boeing supplier and asking about diversity. Every time we think were out of this bullshit, they pull us back in. CNN: Michigan GOP legislator posted about ‘illegal invaders’ at Detroit airport. It was Gonzaga’s March Madness team. We need more diversity in government, starting with more sane people.
+ Scif Only: There are “plugs for as many as eight different secret connections at each desk, providing a full complement of options for secure and nonsecure communications. There are plenty of shredders with specially marked ‘burn bags’ for sensitive documents.” Am I describing Mar-a-Lago? Nope, it’s a new kind of co-working space for spies like us. In This Coworking Space, Only the Cappuccino Isn’t Classified.
+ Saluting Louis: “Louis Gossett Jr., the tough guy with a sensitive side who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a steely sergeant in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and an Emmy for his performance as a compassionate slave in the landmark miniseries Roots, died Friday. He was 87.” The line “You better stop eyeballing me boy” has been stuck in my head for decades.
+ A’s Effort: “Thousands of fans protested at the Oakland Coliseum for the Athletics’ 2024 MLB season opener Thursday night, refusing to step inside the stadium.” Good for fans to protest the team’s move. Major bummer for players—especially those making their major league debuts in a crappy, empty stadium.
+ Big Dinghy Energy: “Pete Davidson and Colin Jost‘s decommissioned ferry boat may be docked silently in Staten Island right now, but the vessel is headed for a $34 million renovation that features multiple bars, restaurants and a hotel.” This will either be a popular gathering spot or the most expensive joke ever. (Not counting the purchase of Twitter.)
+ Why Fi? “The idea that Wi-Fi actually means ‘wireless fidelity’ has been circulating on the internet since at least 2005, when Cory Doctorow of Boing Boing debunked that myth. In reality, the term was created by the marketing firm Interbrand, which also came up with the brand names for the anti-depressant Prozac and the computer company Compaq.” Wi-Fi Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means.
