Reading archive 2022-07-06

As some Democrats grow impatient with Biden, alternative voices emerge: More Democrats are frustrated at Biden’s caution in what they consider a moment of crisis, and figures like Newsom and Pritzker are showcasing a sharper approach

Tennessee judges dismiss Jewish couple’s lawsuit alleging religious bias in adoption: Americans United for Separation of Church & State plans to appeal 2-1 ruling which states that law in question ‘does not single out people of the Jewish faith’

The battle that will determine the future of American passenger rail: Amtrak has money to expand, but it doesn’t own the railroad tracks. A stalled effort along the Gulf Coast is a test of its ability to grow. - "Amtrak set up cameras along the route as hearings were carried out this spring, live-streaming empty tracks and birds singing in the background under the title 'CSX’s Very Busy Gulf Coast Corridor.' 

"Days earlier, Amtrak had argued that freight companies wanted unreasonable investments from the passenger rail and for taxpayers to subsidize infrastructure for the benefit of their shareholders. CSX and Norfolk Southern leaders blasted Amtrak as trying to force itself onto their rails without consideration for the effects on freight customers."

Former White House counsel Cipollone to testify before Jan. 6 committee: The agreement to provide testimony on Friday follows a subpoena last week by the committee

Bette Midler and Macy Gray upset trans advocates. Here’s why. - "In recent guidance shared on Twitter, the Trans Journalists Association wrote: 'It is unnecessary to avoid the word ‘women’ by substituting phrases like 'birthing people,' 'people with uteruses,' and the like. This language can offend both transgender and cisgender people.' 

"Gill-Peterson sees the furor over language such as 'birthing people' as a 'sort of attempt to drive a wedge' between groups that are actually aligned in their goal of protecting bodily autonomy and self-determination: 'Sometimes these language games are actually a way of further delegitimizing everyone involved.'"

After invasion of Ukraine, a reckoning on Russian influence in Austria

Neil Gaiman’s Books Have Enchanted Millions. Finally, Hollywood Is on Board.: ‘The Sandman’ and other morally complicated Gaiman creations are finding their way to screens — just when we need them most

Hackers claim they breached data on 1 billion Chinese citizens: The leak, if authenticated, would be one of the largest in history, but many victims may never learn of it because of government censors