Skimm for June 18th Quote of the Day: “Being called a traitor by Dick Cheney is the highest honor you can give an American” — Edward Snowden, the guy who leaked the NSA surveillance info and an apparently honored American. Bench Life THE STORY: The Supremes struck down an Arizona law that requires people to prove they’re US citizens when they register to vote. Checking the ‘yes’ box on the federal form when asked if you’re a citizen should be enough. No one likes paperwork. UMM WHY’D THEY HAVE THIS LAW? Arizona and some other states with similar laws say it’s meant to cut down on voter fraud. Groups against the law say this is voter suppression and puts an extra burden on prospective voters by requiring things like birth certificates or passports. Civil rights groups say it’s aimed at discouraging legal immigrants from voting. WHY DID THEY STRIKE IT DOWN? There’s a federal voter mail-in form that asks you if you are citizen (don’t lie on it). The Supremes said this takes precedence over a lil’ state law. WHAT’S THE BIGGER ISSUE HERE? You have to be a citizen to vote, so who gets to vote and how is a big deal. This issue came to a head in the 2012 election when some Republicans proposed new restrictions to stop voter fraud, while Dems said that those restrictions hurt minorities and the poor, who often have a hard time getting the needed docs. Arizona feels it has a big illegal immigration problem and clearly has some opinions on the matter. theSKIMM: The Supremes have good timing, right as an immigration debate is heating up in the Senate. As for Arizona, this ruling felt like a setback. THE *: June is Supreme Court month so there’s more. The court also said brand-name drug makers can be sued if they make a deal that pays a generic competitor in order to keep cheaper rivals off of the market. It’s nicknamed ‘pay-for-delay’ and ends with consumers paying higher prices. No, thank you. REPEAT AFTER ME… What to say while in line for coffee… It’s too early for drama. Apparently not at 7-Eleven, where more than a dozen store locations were raided by the Feds. The stores, located in New York and Virginia, were busted for employing illegal immigrants. Some employers were accused of hiding workers in the US and running a “modern day plantation system.” They were also charged with identity theft. At least 40 other store locations are said to be under investigation in what is being called one of the largest criminal immigrant employment investigations in history. Meanwhile a Special Agent said “the 7-11 franchises seized today will be better known for their big fraud than their Big Gulp.” Boomz. What to say in a crowd… Protest time? In Brazil it is. In what began as a small protest against a rise in bus fares a few weeks ago, has spiraled into nationwide protests across Brazil. Last week there was a major government crackdown, sometimes violent, against the growing crowds. But last night, over two hundred thousand showed up in Brazil’s largest cities to have their voices heard, demanding change. One issue at hand? Brazil’s government is really excited about putting money into prep for the 2014 World Cup. Brazilians are less excited that tax money is going to new stadiums, when public services are dismal and the cost of living runs high. They’re also not pleased by government corruption. The widespread demonstrations are seen as the “first time Brazilians are collectively questioning the status quo,” in over a decade. What to say when Netflix says it can’t process your request… I hate you but I understand why. The ‘Flix just got a lot busier now that it reached a major deal with DreamWorks. Rather than depend solely on the movie business or try its hand at cable, DreamWorks is going where it knows we are late into the night, our Netflix accounts. The promise of 300 hours of original programming is a big move for Hollywood content on the smallest screen. Before you get all excited about replacements for “House of Cards,” Tim Riggins, or Marshall & Lily, beware — the new programs will be “inspired” by characters of DreamWorks past (think Shrek). Guess it’s official–if you wear pigtails and rely on a sippy cup, you’re the new ‘it’ girl. What to say when your friend brags about a Euro vacation… Better bring me back something nice. For Free 99. As the G8 summit continues in Northern Ireland (think lots of talks with some of the richest and most powerful countries), the US and the European Union announced they were taking on a big project together: a free-trade agreement unlike one ever seen before. The idea behind it is pretty much as it sounds, a trans-Atlantic trade pact with a lot of financial benefits, like jobs and economic growth. The US and EU account for almost half the world’s output and a third of its trade. Read: There’s a lot to be traded. British PM David Cameron called it “a once in a generation prize and we are determined to seize it.” Easier said than done, considering these kinds of proposals have been made before and dragged on and on. Hint: We still don’t have one with the EU.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:00:37 +0000