There are various important stories out there, even if the porn issue is of special concern for some.
Obama threatens to veto a measure (cf: this report) that would address a major abuse of the Bush Administration -- the use of the "Gang of 8" to cabin info on covert activities, often misleading them in the process. See the story cited in that first link, one which I cannot get a good judge of since we are not told what the hell (it's not "trivial" though) the problem truly is. Cf. the 1970s, where Sen. Gravel and others did not let "classified" stop them from doing that. What is the Speech and Debate Clause there for? Thus, the continuing importance of separation of powers and checks on the executive.
Also, the WP had a good article that covered the various sides of the drug war in Mexico. The article provides the various sides of the problem. We have the "isolated" nature of abuses, at least isolated per the official word of the government:
The cases in Puerto Las Ollas and Tijuana are under investigation by the National Human Rights Commission, which has been overwhelmed with more than 2,000 complaints about the army -- 140 a month this year. The commission has documented 26 cases of abuse, 17 of which involved torture, including asphyxiation and the application of electric shocks to the genitals of drug suspects.
The breadth of the problem (underlining how the 'war on [some] drugs' affects suppliers and middlemen):
With nearly 45,000 troops deployed in parts of Mexico and along the border, the military has been drawn into a low-intensity conflict in which drug cartels have committed increasingly horrific acts of brutality. Of the 12,050 people killed in drug violence from the beginning of Calderón's term through June, 973 were police officers and 72 were soldiers, according to Milenio, a Mexican media network that keeps a running total of casualties.
And, how our money (yet again) gives us a big role:
Under the Mérida Initiative, a $1.4 billion counter-narcotics package that President George W. Bush requested in June 2007, 15 percent of the money cannot be released until the secretary of state reports that Mexico has made progress on human rights. The requirements include the prosecution of suspected human rights offenders, the prohibition of testimony obtained through torture and regular consultations with independent human rights groups.
The article also notes mixed reactions to the strings, even on the human rights side -- some consider it hypocritical given our mixed record in the current 'war on terror' while others think it is an important (if limited) check on the Mexican government. Another issue with international flavor is global warning, Obama trying to reach an agreement to deal with climate change. The importance of such international agreements was reflected in a seminal gay rights ruling out of India, which included various citations of international law. Michelle Goldberg in Means of Reproduction also discussed how courts in various nations felt bound by such things.
Also, some local news. Here's a view on diversity from the head of the NYC fire department. And, Gov. Paterson tried to deal with the deadlock (31-31) in the NY Senate by appointing a lieutenant governor, but it is unclear if he had the power to do so. Republicans, unsurprisingly, rushed to challenge it. OTOH, the attorney general (and likely rival in 2010) -- a Democrat -- also deemed it unconstitutional. But, now it looks like the ultimate turncoat swung once more, and the Dems will be back in power ... with the prime ass having a major role in the process. At least for now. Oy.*
And, the NYT (over the Daily News) had it right: thankfully the Mets did not get Manny.
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* The article notes:
Mr. Espada’s return gave the Democrats 32 votes in the Senate, a clear two-vote margin that re-established their control of the chamber. Under the deal, Senator Malcolm A. Smith of Queens will be president for an undetermined period of time, and Senator John L. Sampson of Brooklyn will be the leader of the Democratic caucus. Details of the arrangement were explained by Mr. Smith at a news conference.
Such a split of roles is atypical. But, it's quite important since the president of the Senate is the acting lieutenant governor when the position is vacant, the governor's move to fill it of dubious constitutionality. Also, many of the Dems basically hate the guy's guts and don't trust him as far as they could throw him, so making him leader of the caucus would be something many could not stomach. His role as "majority leader" is bad, but perhaps seen as a fait accompli.