Aug 8
Psychiatric Group Invokes ‘Goldwater Rule’, Gary Johnson Jabs Trump, Sanders’ Incremental Progress, and More Picks
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.
Psychiatrics Group Reminds Members to Not Call Candidates Nuts (Klaus)
American Psychiatric Association President Maria Oquendo urged group members to abide by the so-called “Goldwater Rule,” which prohibits psychiatrists from commenting publicly about the sanity (or lack thereof) of a particular candidate.
Sanders’ Incremental but Fundamental Change (Jesse)
Bernie Sanders delegate James Zogby, the first Arab American to serve on a Platform Drafting Committee, argues that we should focus not only on what the Democratic Party platform omits, but on the many “little victories” he and his fellow delegates scored. Zogby highlights better protections for Arab and Muslim Americans and immigrants, as well as a fundamental change in the conversation on U.S. foreign policy vis–à–vis the Arab World.
ACLU Forces Release of Secret Drone Playbook (Reader Pat)
The court ordered release of the drone-murder playbook reveals the capture of suspected terrorists is preferred and there must be “near certainty” civilians won’t be harmed or killed. Available to read here or here with footnotes.
Gary Johnson Makes Fun of Trump’s Wall (Klaus)
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is making Olympics-themed jokes at the expense of his GOP rival. Johnson told a Nevada paper that Donald Trump is watching the Olympics to see how “high Mexican pole vaulters go” — a reference to the border wall Trump wants to build.
Japan’s Emperor Suggests He Wants to Abdicate (Trevin)
Polling shows the Japanese people sympathize with Emperor Akihito, 82 — who cited age as a reason he may not be able to do his job — but the unprecedented move would require a change to the law.
