Extra, Extra
Boundless Boundaries: “Consumer protection laws give attorneys general broad legal authority to request a wide range of records when investigating businesses or charities for allegations of deceptive or fraudulent practices, such as gas stations that hike up fuel prices during hurricanes, companies that run robocalling phone scams and unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of homeowners. But attorneys general have increasingly used their powers to also pursue investigations targeting organizations whose work conflicts with their political views.” Which brings us to Texas. ProPublica and The Texas Tribune: How Ken Paxton is stretching the boundaries of consumer protection laws to pursue political targets. Depending on how things go in November, stretching the boundaries to pursue political opponents could be a federal story, too.
+ So Long Hong Kong: “After a 2019 protest movement that filled the city’s streets with demonstrators, authorities have all but silenced dissent in Hong Kong through reduced public choice in elections, crackdowns on media and the Beijing-imposed security law under which the activists were convicted.” 14 pro-democracy activists convicted, 2 acquitted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case.
+ Pierless: “Broken apart by strong winds and heavy seas just over a week after it became operational, the project faces criticism that it hasn’t lived up to its initial billing or its $320 million price tag.” The US-built pier in Gaza broke apart. (They tried to build a pier. Instead they built a metaphor.)
+ These BFFs Are a BFD: “He is reportedly exploring what could be his next political project: Becoming an adviser to Donald Trump.” Elon Musk has been getting Trumpier. A direct line to Trump may be next.
+ RS Combs Over the Past: The more we learn about Sean Combs, the more we have to wonder how his abusive behavior was excused for so long. Rolling Stone (Gift Article): Bad Boy for Life: Sean Combs’ History of Violence.
+ Take the Gloves Off: “Lopez untucked his jersey and threw his glove over the netting into the crowd as he walked off the field. He did not display any remorse after the game.” The Mets (who are going through some things) cut one of their pitchers after a post-ejection glove toss.
+ Break Point: Things have been getting out of hand at some of the French Open matches. Though the enthusiasm has made for some entertaining TV, Roland Garros officials (and many players) have had enough. French Open brings in alcohol ban to stop unruly fans.
+ INR Voice: “Every American knows what the CIA is. I would guess that maybe 1 in 1,000 have ever heard of INR — the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, American diplomats’ in-house intelligence agency. But if you do know about INR, you probably know two things: It has gotten big stuff right when the CIA and others screwed up. When it got that big stuff right, no one listened to it.” Vox: The obscure federal intelligence bureau that got Vietnam, Iraq, and Ukraine right.
