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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.
Ecuador Votes to Ban Oil Drilling in Part of Amazon, Mining Outside Quito (Maria)
The authors write, “Ecuadorian referendums to ban oil drilling in a part of the Amazon and mining in a forest outside Quito easily passed, drawing cheers on Monday from Indigenous leaders and environmentalists despite warnings from oil and mining groups about billions of dollars in lost income. A ban on oil development in part of the Yasuni Amazon reserve passed with just under 59% approval, with nearly all votes counted. … Petroecuador said in a statement on social media that it would carry out the actions necessary to comply with the voters’ decision.”
The Constitution Bars Trump From Holding Public Office Ever Again (Sean)
The author writes, “While some on the right portray accountability for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as just another partisan dispute, two prominent conservative legal scholars have made the case that the Constitution disqualifies former President Trump from public office. Last week, law professors William Baude of the University of Chicago and Michael Stokes Paulsen of the University of St. Thomas — both members of the conservative Federalist Society — argued in a law review article that Trump is already constitutionally forbidden from serving in public office because of Section Three of the 14th Amendment.”
Fox Executives Are Pouring Cash Into Joe Manchin’s Campaign (Laura)
From The Intercept: “As the Democrats’ critical 51st vote, the West Virginia senator has repeatedly taken to Fox News to warn his Democratic colleagues about the federal deficit and to air his grievances to the network’s conservative viewership. Manchin’s most recent financial disclosures suggest that those appearances are falling on receptive ears. The senator received tens of thousands of dollars from Fox executives and lawyers from April to June, according to his campaign’s July filing with the Federal Election Commission.”
Gen Z Influencers, Quietly Recruited by a Company With Deep GOP Ties, Rally to Impeached Ken Paxton’s Aid (Gerry)
From The Texas Tribune: “After a June gathering in Fort Worth sponsored by a new company, Influenceable, social media leaders began backing the suspended Texas attorney general and a controversial human trafficking film. Those who favor transparency in political advocacy are concerned.”
Accounts of ‘Body Checks’ at Miss Universe Indonesia Shock the Nation as Contestants Speak Out (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Their dreams of representing Indonesia in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant turned to nightmares when they were forced to undergo ‘body checks’ in front of local organizers. Now seven contestants have filed complaints with the police, accusing the organizers of sexual harassment, their lawyer said [last week]. During the July 29-Aug. 3 Miss Universe Indonesia contest in the capital of Jakarta — and ahead of the show’s Grand Final event — the contestants were told to strip to their underwear for ‘body checks’ for scars or cellulite, said lawyer Melissa Anggraini.”
A Plan to Protect Utah From US Magnesium’s Toxic Waste Relies on Something That Is Disappearing (Al)
From The Utah Investigative Journalism Project and The Salt Lake Tribune: “Add another potential disaster to the growing list associated with the shrinking Great Salt Lake: the implosion of the cleanup plan for the US Magnesium Superfund site. The plan, finalized just two years ago, requires sufficient water to create a salt ‘cap’ sealing in the toxic waste left should the company eventually close. … But the availability of and access to that water is far from certain given the dramatic contraction of the lake in recent years. Moreover, feasibility studies for possible contingency plans were never completed.”
Lost Ancient Greek Sky Map Discovered at Monastery (Dana)
The author writes, “A map of the night sky created by the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus was recently discovered at St. Catherine Monastery on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Hidden beneath Christian texts, scholars have discovered what seems to be part of the long-lost star catalog of Hipparchus — believed to be the earliest known attempt to map the entire sky. Scholars have been searching for Hipparchus’s catalog for centuries.”
