Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

I have a reporting project coming to a head and I’m also moving at the end of the month, so things may get spotty for the next 10 days. At least there’s social media.
BeachBook
* RedFlex Caught Using Violation Calculator In Virginia.
Red light camera vendor uses a spreadsheet to calculate profit based on engineering deficiencies such as short yellow time.
And:
Redflex Traffic Systems uses a special spreadsheet to calculate precisely how much profit a city can expect from red light cameras on an intersection-by-intersection basis.


* Changes To Surveillance Bill Stoke Anger.
Leaders of both parties in the House of Representatives, at the Obama administration’s request, have changed a surveillance overhaul bill that restricts the power of the government to obtain Americans’ records in bulk.
A revised version of the bill was unveiled on Tuesday, and the House may vote on it this week.
Several civil liberties groups that had backed a previous version argued that the changes weakened the limits in a way that leaves the door open for the government to obtain enormous volumes of records. They said they were withdrawing their support.
The bill is called The U.S.A. Freedom Act.
* How The NSA Is Transforming Law Enforcement.
If you’ve been imagining NSA surveillance as something distant, with analysts sitting in remote data centers quietly analyzing metadata – stop now. NSA surveillance has become a part of day-to-day law enforcement fabric in the United States.
* Blame Auletta.
Most of what you’ve read about the firing of Jill Abramson is wrong.
* The Cubs’ Last Link To A World Series Doesn’t Have Much Time Left, Theo.
There were always plans to return to Wrigley for the next World Series, Merullo said. When Chicago looked to be close – in 1969, 1984 and 2003 – Jean, his wife of 73 years, bought new outfits for the trip. Each time, she returned them as some calamity befell the Cubs.
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Far from being silenced, it’s been well-documented by now to the point of ad nauseam that climate-change deniers have gotten far more consideration than they merit, thanks to a confused and gutless media which has now struck again. Will the Tribune publish my Op-Ed next week on how the science isn’t settled on the existence of the Tribune?
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The Beachwood Tip Line: Settle a score.

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Posted on May 21, 2014