U.S. District Judge Ronald White, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, has dismissed a libel lawsuit filed against best-selling author John Grisham and two other writers over books they wrote about the wrongful conviction of two men in a 1982 murder. See the story at following link.
http://features.csmonitor.com/books/2008/09/18/john-grisham-libel-suit-results/

New GAO Reports (PDFs)
Source: Government Accountability Office 17 September 2008
1. Electronic Waste: EPA Needs to Better Control Harmful U.S. Exports through Stronger Enforcement and More Comprehensive Regulation
2. Digital Television Transition: Implementation of the Converter Box Subsidy Program Is Under Way, but Preparedness to Manage an Increase in Subsidy Demand Is Unclear
3. Health Information Technology: HHS Has Taken Important Steps to Address Privacy Principles and Challenges, Although More Work Remains
4. Federal Pensions: Judicial Survivors’ Annuities System Costs
5. Defense Infrastructure: Opportunity to Improve the Timeliness of Future Overseas Planning Reports and Factors Affecting the Master Planning Effort for the Military Buildup on Guam

Congress Passes ADA Amendments Act
From the CRS summary of S. 3406, passed by the Senate on September 11, 2008: "ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment."
Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and (4) the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of specified mitigating measures.
(Sec. 5) Prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. (Current law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability.)..."

SEC Investor Alert - 401(k) Debit Cards: What You Might Not Know
SEC Fact Sheet: "A number of companies are beginning to offer a “401(k) debit card” to employees who invest in 401(k) retirement programs. A 401(k) debit card allows you to borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of the value of your retirement plan, whichever is less, through use of a debit card. Unlike a debit card that deducts money from your checking or savings account, a 401(k) debit card withdrawal is a loan you make to yourself out of your retirement savings. More akin to a traditional credit card, you must repay the money you withdraw using the card, along with fees and interest –- or you may incur substantial penalties.”

Phrases from Rex Libris, born in ancient Greece (or was it Rome?)—a public librarian who fights evil and perfidy and goes on book retrieval missions through time and space.
Issue 7, Monster Merry-Go-Round:
“delusions of significance”
“We’ve been stuck on the side of a mountain in sub-zero temperatures for three weeks in a blizzard with no books . . . “
Issue 8, Escape from the Book of Monsters
“down with zombie chic”
“I’m a librarian, I’m going to get you out of here, safe and sound.”

A French museum has found a previously unknown piece of music handwritten by Mozart. The 18th century melody sketch is missing the harmony and instrumentation but was described as an important find. Ulrich Leisinger, head of research at the International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria, said there is no doubt that the single sheet was written by the composer.
http://daily.iflove.com/world/2008-09/19/content_7041307.htm

hack•er noun Date: 14th century
1. one that hacks 2. a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity 3. an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer 4. a person who illegally gains access to and sometimes tampers with information in a computer system http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker
Notice that before hacker referred to a criminal, it was a positive word for a computer expert who solved problems. The second and third meanings conflict, the second meaning unskilled and the third skilled.