Here is your R&D top five for August 11th:
Why we need to let states go broke from the New York Post
Political strategist Dick Morris argues that federal bailouts to states send the wrong message and that a new Congress after the 2010 elections should amend federal bankruptcy law so that states can declare bankruptcy and abrogate the agreements they have with public employee unions.
Agricultural Production Falls 7.5% in Cuba from the Latin American Herald Tribune
Times are tough for the Cuban economy. Falling agricultural production has made Cuba import more food and has spurred calls for economic reform for the tiny island nation.
The Costs of Pakistan’s Floods from the Council on Foreign Relations
In this enlightening article, the Council on Foreign Relations summarizes the issues facing Pakistan after the worst flooding it has ever experienced. It links to other articles that will help extempers build a file for this important issue.
Colorado Democrat Bennet escapes anti-incumbent mood from Reuters
Yesterday was election day in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, and Minnesota. Michael Bennett, Colorado’s incumbent Democratic Senator, who had the support of President Obama, defeated an insurgent campaign from Andrew Romanoff. Get a summary of yesterday’s primary action in this article.
Ginsburg urges cooperation on judicial nominees from the San Francisco Chronicle
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that partisan arguments over judicial appointments are regrettable and that more bipartisanship is needed in the judicial confirmation process.