MIT president orders review of Aaron Swartz episode  —  The president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced Sunday that he has ordered a top-to-bottom review of the university's actions in a computer hacking case that led to the federal prosecution of renowed programmer …

Lies on Gun Background Checks Are a Focus Both Sides Agree On  —  WASHINGTON — Nearly 80,000 Americans were denied guns in 2010, according to Justice Department data, because they lied or provided inaccurate information about their criminal histories on background-check forms.

Journal News gun permit map used by burglars to target White Plains home?  —  A White Plains residence pinpointed on a controversial handgun permit database was burglarized Saturday, and the burglars' target was the homeowner's gun safe.  —  At least two burglars broke into a home on Davis Avenue …

Double trouble: House GOP eyes default, shutdown  —  House Republicans are seriously entertaining dramatic steps, including default or shutting down the government, to force President Barack Obama to finally cut spending by the end of March.  —  The idea of allowing the country to default …

Bill Clinton fibs about gun control  —  At a speech before the Conusmer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 9, Bill Clinton stated: “Half of all mass killings in the United States have occurred since the assault weapon ban expired in 2005, half in the history of the country.”

Powell: GOP has ‘a dark vein of intolerance’  —  While continuing to identify as a Republican, former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday criticized the GOP for a series of racist attacks against President Barack Obama.  —  “There's also a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party …

NRA President: Americans Are Buying Firearms Because They Fear Obama  —  Gun sales skyrocketed at the end of 2012 after the tragic shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.  The FBI conductedmore than 2 million criminal background checks ahead of gun purchases in December, according …

House to Take Up Storm Relief Bill Amid Battle Over Spending  —  WASHINGTON — The House will move ahead this week with a multibillion-dollar package to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy, but the legislation is already caught in an escalating debate over spending and deficits …

Conservatives Declare War On New Miss America Mallory Hagan Over Gun Comments  —  Still reeling from losing the election and being ostracized from the majority of public opinion, conservatives are striking out at the newly crowned Miss America.  —  On Saturday's pageant broadcast, Mallory Hagan …

EXCLUSIVE: Teacher claims discrimination over fear of kids  —  MARIEMONT — A longtime French and Spanish high school teacher is suing the Mariemont school district, alleging it discriminated against her because she has a disability - she has a phobia of young children.

Surprise!  Bill Clinton appears at the Golden Globes  —  (CNN) - The 42nd U.S. president introduced the 16th president Sunday night at a star-studded awards ceremony - well, kind of.  —  Former President Bill Clinton was on hand to present a clip for “Lincoln,” the biographical film nominated …

American 99 Percenters Support Iran's Positions in Future Talks with G5+1  —  TEHRAN (FNA)- A large number of American peace and antiwar activists titled ‘99ers’ signed a petition in support of Iran's right to use peaceful nuclear technology and the country's positions in the upcoming talks with the Group 5+1 …

By George  —  End This Depression Now!  —  How bad have things gotten?  How did we get stuck in what now can only be called a depression?  And, most of all, how do we free ourselves?  A call-to-arms from Paul Krugman.  — Buy the book »  —  Some links to stuff I've written bearing on macroeconomic policy.