What should the NSA do to prevent terrorism or other attacks?

Simple question. Snowden exposed programs that used meta data to gather intelligence. The intelligence community said it was important to stopping attacks and civil libertarians said it was a problem with civil liberties. With that, here is a question. In an interconnected world in which people and communications move freely, what should the NSA and other intelligence assets be able to do?

NY Times: Yes, the Wealthy Can Be Deserving

Pretty interesting article:

http://nyti.ms/1f4Wbl6

In addition, recent research establishes that those working in finance face particularly risky incomes. Greater risk requires greater reward.

Women in the Military:Is it wrong to say that women (on average) are physically weaker than males?

This article, caught my attention.

http://www.standard-journal.com/news/news_ap/article_dc0ed90b-3e12-5f74-aa97-adba1c66b969.html

Basically, the USMC is delaying a standard for women because only 45 percent of the women can meet the standard.

Let me first say, I think that any time one expands their base of possible workers, they greatly expand their chances to gain intellectual capital. I think the addition of female workers to every aspect of the American economy over the last 75 years is one of the driving forces behind the driving economic growth that defined the last 75 years. However, with certain jobs in the military, it seems to have become politically incorrect to state a basic fact of nature. Males, on average, are stronger than females.

I would not argue that for most military jobs, one does not need an extremely high physical standard. However, the linked story above is about a stand of doing 3 pull ups. There are jobs in the military where doing 3 pullups (or harder physical standards) should be required. For example, the Ranger Regiment. I believe the absolute minimum to be in a Ranger unit is to pass a PT test with an 80 percent score on each event , do 6 pull ups, do a 12 mile ruck march in 3 hours and do a five mile run in 40 min. Very few females will be able to meet this standard and I am sure the military will eventually be forced to lower the standards or there will be virtually no females in these units. Is this good for national security? If elite units are forced to drop standards, is that okay? On the other side, if they don't and there are very few females in these units, is the low number number of females a problem? Will they be isolated?

The Inside Story Of How The U.S. Acted To Prevent Another Rwanda

This is an amazing story. Not sure what it means for US intervention, but amazing.

http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/12/20/3054321/inside-story-acted-prevent-rwanda/

GOV. Steve Beshear for President in 2016

Steve Beshear might be someone that should consider running. First, he has ran the most successful state exchange in the nation and done so in the heavily red state of Kentucky. This is a show of competence that is impressive. The law is not flawed, but the public is rightfully upset at the incompetence shown at the federal level. Doing something well and doing it in a red state is huge. Second, his performance with the ACA highlights the bill in a positive light for the whole ticket. While it the ACA will look much differently in 2016 to the American public then it does now, it will still be an issue. Steve Beshear is wonderful ammo on that issue. Third, he is a southern white. This attacks the GOPs base. If we could undermine that, the election is over.

Just some thoughts.

Kentucky's Other Secret Sauce: The Kynect Exchange

Wall Street’s nightmare: President Elizabeth Warren

There are three words that strike terror in the hearts of Wall Street bankers and corporate executives across the land: President Elizabeth Warren.
The anxiety over Warren grew Monday after a magazine report suggested the bank-bashing Democratic senator from Massachusetts could mount a presidential bid in 2016 and would not necessarily defer to Hillary Clinton — who is viewed as far more business-friendly — for the party’s nomination.

You are the Speaker of the House: What do you do?

You lead a house of crazies. The government is shut down. The nation is getting ready to default. What do you do?

INSIDE THE GOP: REPORT ON FOCUS GROUPS WITH EVANGELICAL, TEA PARTY, AND MODERATE REPUBLICANS

This might be the most interesting focus group I have ever read

http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/954/dcor%20rpp%20fg%20memo%20100313%20final.pdf

Ted Cruz is a liberal sabotare

First, the shut down is awful. I was reading an article today on SNAP and baby formula. Simply awful stuff and I all think we should do something in our local communities to help out some. ThisI will certainly be making a special effort. This shut down will not only hurt people, but the economy as a whole. A default would be unthinkable.

That said, I think Ted Cruz is a liberal sabotare to give the 2014 to us. These guys are going over the cliff. It is unbelievable to watch.