Neal Lipschutz
The Wall Street Journal
January 31, 2010

Key Obama economic adviser Larry Summers coined a telling way to look at the current American economic state of play. He said the U.S. is experiencing a “statistical recovery and a human recession.”

Mike Barrett
www.ShatterLimits.com
January 30, 2010

America Reclaimed note: Even in the face of this information, bottled water is usually still a proper alternative to tap water.

It turns out that tap water isn’t the only unsafe water out there. Many bottled waters have been proven to be unsafe for consumption, according to a study done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In fact, your local water supplier must by law provide you with the source of your water. They are obligated to inform you of any chemical pollutants that remain in your water after the water is treated. This seems rather ironic considering tap water is filled with hundreds of toxic chemicals that aren’t disclosed to the public in such a manner, but that is a whole other issue for another time.

Anouk Lorie
CNN
January 30, 2010

America Reclaimed note: Check out the petition for the support of Iceland.

Iceland’s president accused the United Kingdom and the Netherlands on Friday of financially “bullying” his country.

Reuters
January 29, 2010

America Reclaimed note: Promoting deadly immunity.

DAVOS, Switzerland – Bill and Melinda Gates said on Friday they would spend $10 billion over the next decade to develop and deliver vaccines, an increased commitment that reflects progress in the pipeline of products for immunizing children in the developing world.

Anthony Gucciardi
www.ShatterLimits.com
January 29, 2010

A recent study shows that 90% of unborn babies’ umbilical cords contain bisphenol a (BPA), a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Given this information and multiple other studies with similar results, it is rather apparent that there is reason to be alarmed. Bisphenol a can be found in many consumer products, with groups such as the American Medical Association (AMA) opposing its usage as a whole. Bisphenol a is not the only toxic chemical that most of us are exposed to. There are numerous consumer products containing similarly-harmful ingredients.

Lou Carlozo
Wallet Pop
January 28, 2010

America Reclaimed note: Just when you think McDonalds isn’t corrupt enough.

You couldn’t blame Lauren McClusky of Chicago if she were a bit squeamish about using her last name in this story without fear of reprisal from Ronald McDonald and his legal posse.

SUDEEP REDDY
The Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2010

The Senate voted 77-23 to end debate on the nomination of Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for a final vote later today in which Mr. Bernanke is expected to prevail.

Sahil Kapur
The Raw Story
January 27, 2010

WASHINGTON — Remember the Pentagon Office of Special Plans that helped collect dubious intelligence that led to the war in Iraq? Or the program where the Pentagon secretly briefed military analysts to promote the Iraq war?

Bobbie Johnson, Tania Branigan
Guardian.co.uk
January 27, 2010

After pouring billions of dollars into the global fight against malaria and rebranding Microsoft in a more cuddly, human way, Bill Gates had just about shaken off accusations that he represented all that was unappealing about aggressive ­American capitalism.

CNN
January 27, 2010

North Korea says artillery shells it fired Wednesday in waters near South Korea were part of an annual training drill. The North Korea shelling led to the two countries exchanging fire Wednesday, South Korean state-run media reported.