Morning Reads for Freedom of Information Day (March 16)

Good morning and happy Freedom of Information Day. Also, happy birthday to James Madison.

A quote from the man of the day:

“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

James Madison, 1822

Like the librarian that I am, I have to give you a resource for the Freedom of Information Act, which Florida State University Libraries has done here beautifully.

Speaking of information, there’s news you need to know today.

Pat Conroy

• Yesterday was Crossover Day. Here is a rundown of the bills that made it through.
• Taylor County Republican Chair Mandy Robinson-Hand and her husband were arrested last Friday for taking part in the January 6th insurrection. (Alternate link.)
• The Rivian plant controversy has made it to the pages of the New York Times. (Alternate link.)
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ restructuring plan calls for new facilities in Macon and Gwinnett County.
• The Cartersville Police Department and Bartow County Sherriff’s Office will pay a $900,000 settlement to 44 people who were part of the ”Cartersville 70.” (Alternate link.)
• The same chicken plant in Gainesville that had the nitrogen leak that killed six people last year had to be evacuated due to a bleach spill.
• Carpetbagging Senate candidate Herschel Walker is apparently confused by middle school science concepts. (Alternate link.)

Alice Walker

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address Congress this morning at 9 AM. Here is a link to C-SPAN’s livestream.
• Oil has fallen to under $100/barrel, which experts say should mean lower gas prices soon.
• The U.S. Senate passed a bill yesterday to make Daylight Savings Time permanent – but not until 2023. It still needs to be considered in the House.
• Nine House Democrats have tested positive for COVID after their party retreat this weekend, though at least two of the nine didn’t attend. (Alternate link.)
• Shalanda Young has become the first African American woman to be director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Alternate link.)
• One of Biden’s Federal Reserve nominees, Sarah Bloom Raskin, has withdrawn her name from consideration.
• The Republican National Committee is suing its email vendor to try to prevent it from turning over data to the January 6th Committee.
• Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio will remain jailed until his trial over his part in the January 6th insurrection. (Alternate link.)
• Here’s a rundown of day 20 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia has a debt payment due today, and it’s quite possible the country defaults. (Alternate link.)
• The Russian TV protestor did not back down in court.
• Rolling Stone has a profile piece on some U.S. veterans who are training the Ukrainian resistance. (Alternate link.)
• Recent missteps by Chinese leader Xi Jinping have led to a rollback of his economic campaign. (Alternate link.)
• Ethiopia has promised action against uniformed men who appeared on social media burning civilians alive.
• Mexico has extradited drug lord ”El Huevo” to the United States following two dozen attacks on Mexican military installations by his organization.

Flannery O’Connor

• Fake heiress Anna Sorokin is facing deportation.