A First Look at Older Americans and the Mortgage Crisis
Homeowners age 50 and over have been significantly affected by the mortgage crisis, according to this first-ever analysis of data on the mortgage crisis by age. More than 684,000 homeowners age 50 and over were delinquent, were in foreclosure, or lost their homes during the six months ending December 2007." Read the full September 2008 report, which includes key findings, graphs and charts, and data sources. From AARP Public Policy Institute. |
FactCheck.org: Annenberg Political Fact Check
This site describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, consumer advocate for voters that monitors "the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases." The site's original articles analyze and comment on political claims and statements, providing summaries and the facts. Searchable. From the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. |
Four for a Quarter
This September 2008 article discusses the history and future of photo booths. Includes selected photo booth images from a book on the subject and user submitted photos and memories. From Smithsonian magazine. |
GI Bill 2008
Website for an advocacy effort for the U.S. government to provide "the full cost of education at any public school in the country and many private schools" for military veterans serving after September 11, 2001. "This benefit [which became law on June 30, 2008] discards the outdated benefits system and replaces it with a WWII-style GI bill." Site features background, a FAQ, and a benefits calculator. From Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. |
GI Bill Website
Information about the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or 'New GI Bill' [that] has been enacted into law" in June 2008. Includes a FAQ (explaining that the bill covers the "graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training"), a history of the original GI Bill of Rights (Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944), and links to related material. From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. |
Houston Chronicle: Hurricane Central
Houston Chronicle page for "[t]ropical storm reports, preparation information, multimedia reports, photos, resources and live storm tracking." Includes extensive news, updates, raw video, and photos of September 2008 Hurricane Ike, and historical hurricane information (such as on the 1900 hurricane in Galveston, Texas) and links to related blogs, news stories, and online resources. From the website for the Houston Chronicle. |
How Libya Got Off the List
This October 2007 backgrounder describes how on "on May 15, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that the United States was removing Libya from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and would soon resume normal diplomatic relations with the one-time pariah." Topics discussed include why Libya was designated a state sponsor of terror, what concessions Libya made to warrant removal, and U.S. concerns. From the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). |
Mexican Treasures of the Smithsonian
Companion to an exhibit that "showcases collections from across the [Smithsonian] institution that illustrate Mexico as a place of human, scientific, and historical wonder." View selected images and short essays on topics such as early cultures, religion and festivals, New World foods, natural heritage, languages, labor, changing borders, money and stamps, and popular culture. In English and Spanish. From the Smithsonian Latino Center. |
Put Off Driver Licensure to Save Lives
This September 2008 press release describes the results from a report that concludes that increasing the minimum licensing age of drivers "would substantially reduce crashes involving teen drivers." Topics include New Jersey (which requires drivers to be 17), Victoria, Australia (licensing age of 18), and driving age versus experience. Also includes a list of minimum driving ages in U.S. and other countries. From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. |
The Business of Professional Football
Overview of the professional football industry, with annotated listings of related print and electronic resources. The introductory essay discusses the National Football League (NFL), the NFL revenue system, NFL salary caps, and NFL Europe. From the Library of Congress (LOC) Business Reference Services. |
The Great Southern California ShakeOut
"The Great Southern California ShakeOut is a week [November 12-16, 2008] of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, organized to inspire Southern Californians to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes." Includes a calendar of events, link to the earthquake scenario involving a 7.8 magnitude quake along the San Andreas fault as developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, and more. From the Southern California Earthquake Center. |
The Public Library of Law (PLoL)
Free access to selected U.S. legal materials. Includes cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Courts back to 1950, state courts back to 1997, federal statutes, codes from all 50 states, and more. Includes tutorials on finding a case and searching for statutes. Requires free registration to view cases. Additional material available for a fee. From an online legal research provider. |
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