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Senator Reads the TPP and Exposes Its Contents; Other Elected Officials Should Do the Same "Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is one of the few members of Congress who has taken the time to jump through the hoops and read the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). But, he has gone a step farther than other members - he told members of Congress what he read. He told the truth about what the TPP says and why Congress should oppose it in a five page letter to his colleagues." Interestingly enough, the only two Republicans who have read it are against it - yet the TPP is in good position to be fast-tracked! Congress: Don't betray democracy! No "Fast Track" for the TPP!
The TPP will pass unless progressives make compelling case that touches lives of Americans Not just progressives, either - The Right Hates TPP And Fast Track, Too
Which leaves us with the question: Who’s down with TPP?: Big business wins and democracy loses as both parties lie about free trade I suppose this is another test case to see who's really in control in the U.S. - the people or the corporations. ("Corporations are people, too!" No, they're not, stop that!)

Follow the Money: ‘USA Freedom Act’ Backers in Congress Have Taken More Than Twice as Much Money From Intel Contractors Why not push for the Patriot Act to just die? "Members of Congress who support mass government surveillance are, for once, facing a little resistance. Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which authorizes the phone dragnet that was ruled illegal by a federal court, is scheduled to expire on June 1. At the moment it does not appear that there are enough votes to pass an extension. But a group of lawmakers who are disproportionately supported by big Intelligence contractors have a plan to make sure the government's mass surveillance power does not eclipse. They have a bill that would extend Section 215 while also amending it so that the National Security Agency's (NSA) surveillance programs can pass judicial muster. It would technically end the government's bulk collection of phone data, but it would also give the NSA new powers to continue and expand its mass surveillance of Americans' communications."

Happy 50th anniversary, Head Start! "Project Head Start was launched on May 18, 1965, with the goal of providing vulnerable preschool children and their families with comprehensive services to help them be ready for school. Programs were developed 'by local communities to meet local needs' and shaped by the leadership of parents and volunteers. After 50 years, these core values remain unchanged."
Let the Kids Learn Through Play
Is student privacy erased as classrooms turn digital? "As schools rely more apps and educational software inside and outside the classroom, massive amounts of data are being collected on students. More often than not, parents are in the dark about how this data is being used – and how their kids are being monitored – by schools and software companies."
Wis. Man Exonerated After 10 Years in Prison Graduates From Law School "With the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project, Adams fought the case, and in 2006, after he'd spent 10 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, an appeals court threw out his conviction. Since then Adams has been working hard to make up for lost time, and last week he received his law degree from Loyola."

NSA surveillance opposed by American voters from all parties, poll finds
Bobby Jindal has formed a presidential exploratory committee: What does that mean? My advice for potential voters: No. Just no. Don't do it. Step away from the Jindal.
Continuing in the Ten Ideas to Save the Economy series, #4: The Big Picture: Tame Wall Street
Shoots and Ladders "New Rule: No boots on the ground until ISIS kills at least as many Americans as our three-year-olds do."
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Chickens That's really upsetting...

Steampunk Gypsy