Highlights from some of the week's top ethics news stories.
Recall Election
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is still the Governor. State workers submitted a petition for a recall election because of Walker's campaign to end collective bargaining rights for unions. The election took place this past Tuesday and ended in a close margin of 53% to 46%. The loser, Tom Barrett, is a Democrat who ran against Walker in 2010. Union organizers vow to remain active and many blame the victory on disproportionate campaign finance. Walker received millions of dollars of contributions from GOP donors outside of the state.
read more and watch video......USA Today - Wisconsin Voters Keep Walker After Recall Election
read post-election commentary......CBS - Public Sector Unions in Crosshairs After Recall Election
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| Scott Walker Casts His Vote, Source: The Blaze |
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Defeat
Edith Windsor was denied social security benefits after her partner passed away because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). She has sued the US Government for her losses and the case has been used to set an example for similar cases. The movement against DOMA seems to be gaining momentum. Eight US states permit same sex marriage, five US Judges have found the law to be unconstitutional, and President Obama has been the first president in history to voice his support of same sex marriages. The Supreme Court may soon take on this issue for the first time in history.
read more....Reuters - Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional - Judge
read more..... Washington Post - Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional Federal Appeals Court Declares
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| Source: Human Rights Campaign |
Thousands of protestors hit the streets in Moscow calling for fresh elections and a new president. A few of the activists have had their homes searched and have been called in for questioning. The protest happened the day after a rash of police crack downs on activists. Putin is set on dispelling the protests calling them "social waves" and imposing steep fines on protestors. The protestors main slogans were "Putin is a thief" and "Russia without Putin."
read more......BBC - Russia Protests: Putin Opponents March in Moscow
read an op-ed.....The Economist -Protests in Russia: Building Up the Castle Wall
read opinions from Moscow......Moscow Echo
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| Activist Leader Sergei Udaltsov, Source: National Post |
Soda Ban
The Bronx has recently been called "ground zero" for the national obesity epidemic. One in three people in the borough are obese. Doctors at the local Montefiore Medical Center spoke out about an overload of hypertension and diabetes cases. Mayor Mike Bloomberg has taken the lead on the ban and been criticized for creating a "nanny-state" and trying to over-regulate individual autonomy.
read more......NYT - Obesity Ills That Won't Budge Fuel Soda Battle by Bloomberg
read more about the aftermath......CBS - Bloomberg Soda Ban: Board of Health Eyes Popcorn and Milkshakes
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