Editors’ Picks for Jan 8
Qaddafi’s Secret Warnings to Blair, ISIS’ Motives, How the Oregon Siege Would Be Covered Elsewhere
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org
DEA Pays Amtrak Employee $850,000 for Information That Should Have Been Free (Klaus)
The Drug Enforcement Administration paid an Amtrak employee an average of $40,000 over two decades for information that the Amtrak Police Department should have provided to DEA for free.
Qaddafi Warned Blair of Islamist Attacks If He Fell (Russ)
In desperate secret calls to the British PM, the late Libyan leader warned that his demise would unleash extremism that would reach European shores.
How Would US Media Cover Oregon Siege If It Happened Elsewhere? (Gerry)
Hint: Armed tribal groups seize government land in sparsely populated northwest region, defying federal authority. Does the leadership in Washington have the power to quell uprising?
Here’s What a Man Who Studied Every Suicide Attack in the World Says About ISIS’ Motives (Trevin)
Since 1980, 95 percent of all suicide attacks have been in response to a military intervention. “ISIS emerged from the insurgency against the US occupation of Iraq just as the Al Qaeda network traces its origins to the Afghan resistance to the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.”
Relentless Lawyer Takes on Chemical Giant (Klaus)
The fascinating story of the lawyer who took on DuPont and exposed decades of wrongdoing. It’s a long read but worth it.
White House and Silicon Valley to Discuss Terrorism on Social Media (Ben)
How will it affect people who are simply rallying against the US government online?
Advice to Sanders on How to Break Bigger (Russ)
This activist commends Bernie Sanders for performing capably, but urges him to get out of his comfort zone and deliver programs and zingers that will appeal to a wider base
