Mary Bottari's News Articles

News

Judge’s Controversial Ruling in Defense Authorization Case Goes to Court Today

by Mary Bottari — February 6, 2013 - 10:01am

Katherine Forrest is a federal judge in New York appointed by President Obama to fill the spot vacated by bank battler Jed Rakoff when he went on senior status. Within months of taking the job, Forrest blocked the president and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta from enforcing aspects of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. The plaintiff, Chris Hedges, and groups objecting to the policy -- including the Center for Media and Democracy -- argued that the law is so broadly written that it could be used to permit the military to arrest U.S. citizens and detain them indefinitely for exercising their freedom of speech and of the press.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Hearts Ayn Rand

by Mary Bottari — January 30, 2013 - 10:05am

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson had a bad week, a really bad week. First he was raked over the coals by Hillary Clinton, then raked over the coals by Senator John Kerry. Then the usually media shy U.S. Senator decided to give a lengthy interview to the Atlas Society, a group whose job is to keep the flame of Ayn Rand alive and well.

News

Frontline Gets Its Man: Lanny Breuer Leaves DOJ After Exposé

by Mary Bottari — January 24, 2013 - 3:55pm
  • Topics: Campaign Finance, Real Economy Project

    • In a testament to the power of independent media, the award-winning public television show Frontline this week helped push a top Department of Justice (DOJ) official out the door.

    News

    Destructive Interstate Job Piracy on the Rise, Says New Report

    by Mary Bottari — January 24, 2013 - 8:50am
  • Topics: Economy

    • With the nation still grappling with high unemployment and depressed tax revenues, many states are stepping up efforts to lure jobs from neighboring states -- paying firms a fortune to jump state lines. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, for instance, is actively trying to poach jobs from Illinois and changed the Wisconsin welcome signs to proclaim "Wisconsin -- open for business."

    Op-Ed

    That Bad Ceiling Feeling: Unlike the Fiscal Cliff the Debt Ceiling Is the Real Deal

    by Mary Bottari — January 8, 2013 - 11:06am
  • Topics: Economy, Real Economy Project

    • Missing the fiscal cliff? Don't know what to talk about at the dinner table?

    Get ready, the Bipartisan Policy Center has predicted that on February 15, 2013, the U.S. Treasury will take in an estimated $9 billion in revenue, but is committed to pay out $52 billion.

    News

    It Ain't Over Till It's Over: Wall Street Gears Up for Austerity Battles of 2013

    by Mary Bottari — January 2, 2013 - 9:53am
  • Topics: Astroturf, Corporate Campaigns, Public Relations, Real Economy Project

    • For better or worse, a bill passed Congress in the wee hours of 2013 averting the much-hyped "fiscal cliff" for now and raising taxes on couples making over $450,000 and extending a lifeline of unemployment benefits to 2 million Americans.

    News

    Frack Fights Heating Up Nationwide: NY and CA Issue New Regs, CO Ban on Fracking Under Assault

    by Mary Bottari — December 20, 2012 - 9:34am
  • Topics: Activism

    • Fracking fights across the country are heating up this week. Governor Andrew Cuomo's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued proposed regulations for fracking in New York, even though their promised environmental review and their limited public health review has not been completed. The public has only 30 days from December 12, 2012 (to January 11, 2013) to submit comments.

    Why the Scrooge-like rush in the holiday season?

    Op-Ed

    To Turn the Tide Against the NRA, Leadership Needed at the Top

    by Mary Bottari — December 19, 2012 - 9:07am
  • Topics: ALEC Exposed, Right Wing, Lobbying, Politics

    • You know you are not going to be seeing the brightest bulbs on TV defending America's loose gun laws the weekend after the mass slaughter of children. Even the NRA had gone dark, taking down its Facebook and Twitter accounts and refusing to respond to reporters.

    News

    Fracking for Foreigners? New Report from Feds Backs More Natural Gas Exports

    by Mary Bottari — December 7, 2012 - 10:27am
  • Topics: Fracking

    • How times have changed. Ten years ago the United States was looking at importing natural gas via massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, yet to be built. Now the country appears to be getting ready to significantly increase exports of LNG.

    News

    ALEC-Inspired Union-Busting Bill Narrowly Passes in Michigan as Koch Group Cheers

    by Mary Bottari — December 6, 2012 - 8:23pm
  • Topics: ALEC Exposed, Democracy, Economy

    • Today in Michigan, Gov. Rick Snyder and his GOP controlled lame-duck legislature pulled a fast one, introducing and then ramming through the House and the Senate so-called "right to work" legislation. The bill was introduced at 11 a.m., passed the House at 5 p.m. by a narrow margin and the Senate at around 6:00 p.m. When the process is complete and the bill is signed, Michigan will become the 24th right to work state.

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