The Real ‘Deep State’

Franklin Foer The Atlantic
Lobbying firms have disguised their influence so well that it’s often barely visible even to savvy Washington insiders.

In Praise of MSG, the Unfairly Maligned Kitchen MVP

Mari Uyehara Food and Wine Magazine
A spoonful of MSG in the kitchen
Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda isolated glutamic acid, naturally present in seaweed, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese etc; he dubbed it the 5th taste: umami. His discovery, called MSG, was popular before concern arose about food additives in the 60's.

Medicare Dis-Advantage: Overpayments and Inequity

Adam Gaffney, David U. Himmelstein, and Steffie Woolhandler The Nation
The very “choice” that Medicare Advantage is said to offer is undermining Medicare’s promise of equal and universal care for seniors.

Sonia Sotomayor: “With Fear for Our Democracy, I Dissent.”

Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court of the United States
"The long-term consequences of today’s decision are stark. The Court effectively creates a law-free zone around the President. When he uses his official powers in any way he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution."

This Week in People’s History, July 3–9

Portside
1983 White House meeting on Afghanistan
Getting War in Asia Started (1979), A Rent Strike for the Ages (1839), Blood on the Embarcadero (1934), Go-Slow Asbestos Ban (1989), When “Intelligence” Was Wishful Thinking (2004), Just a Coincidence?, Nice Try, International Court of Justice (2004)