Scrolling around...June 14, 2013

IRS tracks your digital footprint
The Internal Revenue Service is collecting a lot more than taxes this year -- it's also acquiring a huge volume of personal information on taxpayers' digital activities, from eBay auctions to Facebook posts and, for the first time ever, credit card and e-payment transaction records, as it expands its search for tax cheats to places it's never gone before.

The IRS, under heavy pressure to help Washington out of its budget quagmire by chasing down an estimated $300 billion in revenue lost to evasions and errors each year, will start using "robo-audits" of tax forms and third-party data the IRS hopes will help close this so-called "tax gap." But the agency reveals little about how it will employ its vast, new network scanning powers...

America's worst charities-ranked by money blown on soliciting costs
Totals from the latest 10 years of available federal tax filings

Firefighters Battle Worst Fire in Colorado History
Giant flames and thick smoke are moving across Colorado Thursday. Three massive wildfires continue to burn out of control and hot temperatures, gusty winds and dry forests are only fueling the flames.

The Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs is growing. Raging flames have wiped out at least 360 homes, making it the most destructive fire in state history... 

Don't Read to Your Children. It Makes Them Racist Homophobes and Stuff, Warns Academics
Parents who read their kids stories about happy, human-like animals like Franklin the Turtle or Arthur at bedtime are exposing their kids to racism, materialism, homophobia and patriarchal norms, according to a paper presented at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Justices, 9-0, Bar Patenting Human Genes
Human genes may not be patented, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday. The decision is likely to reduce the cost of genetic testing for some health risks, and it may discourage investment in some forms of genetic research...

Sued by Government for Refusing to Provide Flowers for Gay Wedding, Elderly Florist Files Countersuit
...I think I see where she’s coming from. Selling flowers to gay customers or employing gay people are both well within Christian behavior. In fact, treating gay people like people is pretty much a requirement of following Jesus. Providing flowers for a gay wedding, on the other hand, would have put Ms Stutzman in the position of actively participating in something that just about all traditional Christians regard as sinful. It is a violation of what Jesus intended for marriage to be, and, many people believe, will do great harm to the already damaged institution of marriage...

Chaplain endorsers: Obama admin. opposition to religious freedom in military 'chilling'

U.S. Agencies Said to Swap Data With Thousands of Firms
Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with U.S. national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, four people familiar with the process said...