The following is a rundown of the day’s news drawn from other media sources with topics curated just for Money and Markets readers: personal security and freedom, Obama losing ground and immigration.
Personal security and freedom
Google+ Tops NSA’s ‘Leaky Apps’ List
“Privacy is dead in the digital world that we live in,” said Michael Sutton, vice president of security research at San Jose, California-based Zscaler. “I tell people, unless you are comfortable putting that statement on a billboard in Times Square and having everyone see it, I would not share that information digitally.”
Convicted Killer Escapes N.Y. Mental Hospital
The deranged killer who escaped from a locked mental ward in Queens is a reputed gang member who was repeatedly denied parole while locked up for a fatal shooting and a vicious subway slashing.
Shocking Study: Antioxidants Can Promote Lung Cancer
In essence, “antioxidants allow cancer cells to escape cells’ own defense system” against tumors, biologist Per Lindahl of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg and a co-author of the study told reporters. That lets existing tumors, even those too small to be detected, proliferate uncontrollably.
Congressman Threatens to Throw Reporter Off Balcony in Capitol for Asking Question
“So Congressman Michael Grimm does not want to talk about some of the allegations concerning his campaign finances,” the NY1 reporter said before tossing back to the station. But as the camera continued to roll, Grimm walked back up to the reporter and began threatening him in a low voice.
‘Jay Z a Poor Excuse for a Husband’
“It wasn’t surprising to see Jay Z, looking pleased at his wife’s hyper-sexualized exhibition on stage.” After all, “he’s made a living singing lyrics that call women ‘bitches’ and ‘hos,’ so we shouldn’t be surprised that he objectified his own wife on stage,” says Charlotte Hays, author of “When Did White Trash Become the New Normal?”
Obama losing ground
Senate Democrats Bolt From Barack Obama
President Barack Obama was barely out of the Capitol after delivering his State of the Union address Tuesday before members of his own party began distancing themselves from the president. Among others, North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan avoided an appearance with Obama in her home state.
Obama’zzzz State of the Union: Lowest ratings since 2000
President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address drew an average of 33.3 million viewers Tuesday night. That is the lowest showing since 2000, when President Clinton’s speech averaged 31.5 million viewers.
This Is Rand Paul’s Moment
The Kentucky Republican delivered his own response to President Obama’s State of the Union on Tuesday night via YouTube. But the rebuttal wasn’t so much about what Obama said Tuesday as much as it was an opening salvo for a possible 2016 presidential campaign.
Republicans Skeptical of Obama Enacting Agenda Alone
“The president renewed his commitment that he was going to be King Obama. This is something that is really frightening to the American people,” Rep. Bachmann said, pledging to advance legislation and file a lawsuit against the president.
Congressman Calls Obama ‘the Socialistic Dictator’ on House Floor
“On floor of house waitin on “Kommandant-In-Chef”… the Socialistic dictator who’s been feeding U.S. a line or is it “A-Lying?” Texas Rep. Randy Weber tweeted while waiting for the State of the Union to begin.
Immigration
Immigration: ‘a Trap for Republicans to Walk Into’
Pat Buchanan warns that an imminent Republican debate over immigration will play into the hands of the Democratic Party. With the widespread unpopularity of Obamacare, Republicans should instead focus on the embattled health-care law ahead of the 2014 midterm election.
Rep. Ryan: GOP Looking at Legal Status, Chance for Citizenship
Ryan is the first member of the GOP leadership to lay out the Republican vision publicly. The idea will get its first full airing on Thursday afternoon, when House Republicans are scheduled to discuss immigration at their retreat in Cambridge, Maryland.
Sen. Jeff Sessions: Immigration Bill Is Bad Politics, Bad Policy
“A sensible, conservative approach would focus on lifting those living here today, both immigrant and native-born, out of poverty and into the middle class — before doubling or tripling the level of immigration into the U.S.”
Coulter: Republicans on Suicide Watch
For at least a century, there’s never been a period when a majority of immigrants weren’t Democrats. It would be one thing if the people with these views already lived here. Republicans would have no right to say, “You can’t vote.” But why on Earth are they bringing in people sworn to their political destruction?
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