January 17, 2017
“I sometimes think we are a very ungrateful nation. You are damaging an industry that provided food your country loves.” Brexit has cut into what a decade ago seemed to be the pinnacle of British cuisine: curry houses. / The Guardian
The Australian Open began this week, drawing the tennis world to Melbourne. / Sports Illustrated
A new report from the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, that analyzed more than 10,000 scientific studies, says weed has three main benefits and four primary risks. / Quartz
Going protesting this week? Looking to stretch your legs after a nice teach-in about Foucault? The Women’s March on Washington, likely the biggest rally of the bunch, isn’t just taking place in D.C. (though the bus-sharing apps sure are glad it’s there). At this point there are 386 sister marches scheduled. Here’s a guide to staying safe at public protests and demonstrations. / Mother Jones, insidehighered.com, The New York Times, womensmarch.com, drive.google.com
There are Onion articles about him doubting his legacy, but Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx apparently impressed enough during his three years to garner a spot on Clinton’s VP shortlist. While that clearly didn’t go anywhere, he did get a lot done. / The Onion, The Washington Post
1. Perhaps due to his background as Mayor of Charlotte, he placed an emphasis on involving cities and communities in transportation decisions that were previously made at the state level, even linking mobility with affordable housing development. / bna.com
2. He oversaw the takeoff of autonomous car policy, setting precedents that could dictate the development of the next big thing in transportation. / automotiveitnews.org
3. If any central theme dominated, it was his emphasis on expanding commuters’ options, a “legacy of choice” communicated through lighthearted Reddit AMAs. / enotrans.org, reddit.com
His predecessor, Ray LaHood, was a Republican Obama appointed in 2009; his signature achievements included contributions to the discussion on distracted driving and supporting fuel efficiency improvement. / edmunds.com
Mark Ostow photographs Obama’s closest advisers and Cabinet members for Politico. Here: Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security. / Politico
Under his belt as Labor Secretary, Tom Perez can point to landmark regulations on pension management and the classification of contractors versus employees. / prospect.org
Despite a good deal of skepticism as incoming Secretary of State, John Kerry threw himself into the job to mixed results. His ambitions for peace in the Middle East weren’t just thwarted; he leaves with the two-state solution looking as endangered as ever, and his appeals for military interventions in Syria went unheeded by a president (and public) wary of foreign entanglements. Things that did go right for the 2004 runner-up: / The Nation, U.S. News & World Report, The New Yorker, BBC, The New York Times
1) His contributions to the Iran nuclear deal, which he has lauded as proof of the power of diplomacy. / tehrantimes.com
2) When asked for the achievements he took most pride in, he named the Iran deal, the opening of Cuba, the global response to Ebola, and the winding down of military action in Afghanistan. / weeklystandard.com
3) He also vigorously re-established American leadership on oceans issues and proved a reliable leader on climate change. / ecowatch.com, cnsnews.com
His successes were often due to tireless networking. “Kerry has approached foreign policy crises with a relentlessness and a personal touch more common in retail politicians than diplomats.” Yet his faith in bringing unsavory characters to the bargaining table was perhaps also his greatest flaw, contributing to “Hail Mary” strategies abroad when the United States might have cut its losses. / The Boston Globe, brookings.edu
“We have unfinished business when it comes to ensuring that everybody, no matter their skin color or background, has the same level of opportunity to succeed in America.” Outgoing HUD Secretary Julian Castro’s big achievements came in addressing de facto segregation in housing. He’s not confident those gains won’t be lost. / CityLab
Your Tuesday morning white paper(s): Everyone from Agriculture to the U.N. filed “exit memos” that make for informative reading as we prepare for the shitstorm ahead. / whitehouse.gov
A new show, “For All Her Innocent Airs, She Knew Exactly Where She Was Going,” celebrates painter Kay Kurt’s hyper-realistic renderings of candy and chocolates, which haven’t always been received warmly by the art world. / Albertz Benda, The New York Times
“I can hardly believe that he ran off to meet with our girls of low social morals. Although of course ours are the best in the world.” Putin says Donald Trump would never associate with prostitutes. But if he did, he wants everyone to know, Russian prostitutes are the best. / The Guardian
Should you feel like geeking out today: How to make your own working overhead control panel. / Imgur
“Politicians are always letting the public off the hook—it might be the most unforgivably dishonest thing they do.” Reflections on Obama’s farewell address. The Office of the President might be sullied forever by #45, but Obama’s focused on saving another office: that of citizen. / New Yorker