A federal agency is reexamining encryption standards after revelations of how the NSA has worked to undermine standards to make it easier for government snooping and surveillance.---

Top of the Alty World

“NIST to Review Standards After Cryptographers Cry Foul Over NSA Meddling”--ProPublica

Conservative pundits are playing the race card in a desperate 11th-hour ploy in the Virginia Governor's race.--Slate

New leaks show NSA surveillance of text messaging and a UN climate summit.--Democracy Now!

Foreclosed homes in New York are becoming dens of criminal activity.--Long Island Press

Top of Alty Utah

Critics say a proposed education commission could jeopardize federal funding for Utah schools.--Utah Political Capitol

It's election time, and Salt Lake City Weekly has prepared district quizzes, testing Salt Lake City Council candidates on how well they know the communities they hope to represent.

SLC District 1 Quiz—Salt Lake City Weekly

SLC District 3 Quiz—Salt Lake City Weekly

SLC District 5 Quiz—Salt Lake City Weekly

SLC District 7 Quiz—Salt Lake City Weekly

Rantosphere

Salt Lake City Weekly's Scott Renshaw considers the minimal consequences of simply complaining versus taking a stand.

“Standing for something—publicly, resolutely, consistently—can have consequences. But we’re not nearly so quick to recognize the consequences of not standing for something. While we convince ourselves that inaction is actually an act of sacrifice—sure, we would do something, but what about the children?—the world keeps turning. And as became all too clear during the recent government shutdown battle, it starts to turn in the direction of those who make their voices heard, and heard loudly. While those in the moderate center shake their heads sadly at the actions of the fringe zealots, the head-shaking makes no sound beyond the end of their own necks.”--Salt Lake City Weekly

The Long View

Count My Vote looks to shake things up by reforming the way Utah elects its politicians.

“If you ask Count My Vote officials, the two main words in the group’s battle call are “accountability” and “engagement”—forcing politicians to represent more voters, thereby increasing voter turnout. But if you were to ask Count My Vote supporters who don’t work for the organization and thus aren’t bound to stick so closely to talking points, the two words that could sum up the reform’s efforts are “Mike” and “Lee.” Utah’s newest senator became a household name throughout the country—and the world—for helping to bring the government to a halt and steering the nation’s economy toward a fiery collision with the debt ceiling, all in an effort to defund Obamacare. And Lee, critics say, is the monster born of Utah’s caucus/convention system, which basically allows a small group of political enthusiasts, elected as delegates, to select the candidates for nomination at a party’s convention.”--Salt Lake City Weekly