Editors’ Picks for Oct 14
Why US Training of Foreign Troops Keeps Failing, DHS to Revise Terror Alert System Again, Confessions of a Saudi Beheader, and More Picks
We’re pleased to introduce PICKS — stories selected by our editors because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They will appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. And we invite you to recommend articles, videos, podcasts, etc. Please send them to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Context on Why US Training of Foreign Troops Keeps Failing (Russ)
Military analyst Andrew Bacevich says US has no capability for getting foreign troops to “stand up” for themselves, period. History shows that. He says if the US cannot do the work or justify staying in other countries, it should simply get out, altogether.
DHS Wants to (Again) Revise the Terror Alert System (Klaus)
The Department of Homeland Security is considering to once again change its terrorism alert system. The Bush-era five-level system had been replaced by the current administration with a two-level system that has not been used. Now, DHS is analyzing whether it is time for another format that reflects the “evolved” terrorism threat.
TV Interview with Saudi Government-Appointed Executioner for Mecca (Trevin)
In light of yesterday’s headline on the Saudi government’s threat of death by execution for social media “Rumor-Mongers,” how about a close-up look into the life of an executioner?
If these were SNL cast members performing these lines, they would come off like exaggerated comedic social commentary. Watch as the executioner “discusses his calling, demonstrates his different swords, and reminisces about his first day on the job.”
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Benghazi Committee Drinks Wine, Buys Guns, Doesn’t Hold Hearings — Former Investigator (Trevin)
A former staffer complains about the House Select Committee on Benghazi’s extracurricular activities.
A Real Conversation with the President (Klaus)
Anybody covering politics (and most reasonably intelligent people for that matter) know that almost everything a president does is scripted in some way. That is what makes this conversation between President Barack Obama and author Marilynne Robinson truly remarkable. If it can be called an interview at all, then Obama is the interviewer.
Price Check: How Companies Value Body Parts (Trevin)
“Injured workers are entitled to compensation for permanent disabilities under state workers’ comp laws. But Texas has long allowed companies to opt out and write their own benefit plans. Benefits for the same body part can differ dramatically depending on which company you work for.”
Explore here by body part.
Russ’ Slightly Rude DemDebate Tweets — go to @RealRussBaker on Twitter (Russ)
Example: “News flash: Bernie has…a wife!”
#AndersonCooper invites everyone to his $50 million penthouse to talk income inequality
#webb takes no bathroom breaks. Military training
