Marijuana Legalization in Two States Conflicts with Federal Laws

Since Colorado and Washington voters cast ballots in favor of legal marijuana sales including recreational use, the federal government is primed to combat the issue with lawsuits since the U.S. prohibits this type of drug sale ("How Will Feds Deal with Marijuana Legalization in Colorado and Washington?" The Christian Science Monitor, November 12, 2012). The Justice Department is watching how the states will develop the framework for licensing, regulating, and taxing marijuana commerce. Those interests making money off marijuana sales will find the federal spotlight on them rather than individual users of the drug.

Review selected library titles related to marijuana legalization at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• drug legalization
• marijuana therapeutic use
• marijuana industry

Marijuana edited by Noah Berlatsky - Greenhaven, 2012. call number: 362.295 Mar
Includes discussion of such topics as "Is marijuana harmful? -- Are there medical benefits to using marijuana? -- Should medical marijuana be legalized? -- Should recreational marijuana be legalized?" - table of contents excerpt

Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed And What We Can Do About It [Electronic Resource]: A Judicial Indictment of the War On Drugs by James P. Gray - Temple University, 2012.
call number: EBSCO eBook Collection
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the eBook off campus. "Gray, a California Superior Court justice, . . .effectively documents a growing coalition of often conservative lawyers, legislators and justices who view the drug war's impotent dream of national abstinence as folly and its shadow effects (from imprisonment of nonviolent offenders to diversion of law enforcement resources) as dangers to liberty. . . The sensible passion of Gray's conclusions will make this a crucial reference for those politicians, voters, activists and law enforcement agencies seeking to reform established policy." - Publishers Weekly review excerpt

Marijuana: A Chronic History
A & E Television Networks, 2011. call number: DVD Collection 362.295 Mar
"Looks at the history of marijuana in America, particularly its medicinal purposes and legalization. Includes interviews with experts and celebrities on both sides of the debate." - production summary

Cybersecurity Inadequate to Combat Attacks on U.S. Banks

An overseas organization may be behind the recent spate of bank websites being overloaded with heavy traffic disrupting online access to accounts ("Cyber Attacks on U.S. Banks Expose Computer Vulnerabilities," Bloomberg Businessweek, September 28, 2012). To stem the tide of these distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) on financial institutions, the White House may issue an executive order to set up new security systems to prevent downtime of "vital computer networks" since cybersecurity legislation is stalled in Congress. This latest round of cyber assaults on banks created inconvenience for customers, but not theft of secure data.

Review selected library titles related to cybersecurity and computer crimes at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• business data security
• computer crimes
• computer hackers
• computer networks security
• computer security
• data protection
• information technology security
• Internet security

Computer Security Fundamentals by Chuck Easstom - Pearson, 2012.
call number: 005.8 Eas
"Beginning with a general introduction to computer security, the volume covers topics such as Internet fraud and abuse, denial of service attacks, malware, hacking techniques, industrial espionage, encryption, developing security policies, network penetration testing, and basic computer forensics techniques. . .Easttom is a certified IT professional and the author of several books on computer and networking topics." - publishers summary \excerpt

America the Vulnerable: Inside the New Threat Matrix of Digital Espionage, Crime, and Warfare by Joel Brenner - Penguin, 2011.
call number: 364.168 Bre
"Brenner, a former inspector general for the National Security Agency, raises the alarm about inadequately addressed threats and vulnerabilities to computer and communications systems. This problem has been addressed by administrations unsuccessfully since the 1980s and Brenner believes more needs to be done soon. This alarming account by an expert is worthy of serious attention from policy makers and average readers alike." - Publishers Weekly review excerpt

Cybersecurity: Public Sector Threats and Responses
by Kim J. Andreasson- CRC, 2012. call number: EBSCO eBook Collection Database (see title link to access book)
"Written as a reference, but easily adaptable for classroom use, this book explains the importance of cyber security, why readers should care, and what threats to watch for. It also offers information on how to improve an operating environment and better safeguard the constituents organizations serve." - publishers summary excerpt

Strike-Slip Earthquakes Cause Chain Reaction Worldwide

Major Indian Ocean earthquakes this year triggered aftershocks not only in surrounding areas, but around the world, suggesting that an existing tectonic plate is separating (April Sumatra Quakes Signal Indian Ocean Plate Break-Up, BBC News, September 26, 2012). No tsunami occurred from these 8.6 and 8.2 temblors because they were characterized as strike-slip quakes where plates move horizontally against each other. U.S. Geological Survey's Dr. Fred Pollitz noted that the remarkable result of the April 2012 quakes is that they "effectively extended the aftershock zone to the entire globe."

Review selected library titles related to plate tectonics and earthquakes at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• earthquakes
• plate tectonics
• seismology

"Plate Tectonics" from the Films on Demand video database - BBC, 2010.
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the video off campus.
"Plates on the earth's surface are continually on the move. If they pull apart suddenly, an earthquake occurs." - database summary excerpt


Waking the Giant: How a Changing Climate Triggers Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoes by Bill McGuire - Oxford, 2012.
call number: 551.6 MacG
"The book includes the "science behind the theory that climate change will dramatically increase the number of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. . . The author succeeds at interpreting complex earth science into compelling reading for a popular audience." - Library Journal review excerpt." - Library Journal review excerpt

Plate Tectonics: Continental Drift and Mountain Building by Wolfgang Frisch, Martin Meschede, Ronald Blakey - Springer, 2011.
call number: 551.136 Fri
"This volume presents an introduction to the field of plate tectonics. Plate tectonics is a scientific theory which describes the large scale motions of Earth's rigid outermost shell." - publishers summary excerpt

North Korea's Internal Conflict

The mysterious ouster of a once-prominent North Korean army official may signal a move by the country's newest leader, Kim Jong-un to purge individuals who oppose him ("Kim Jong-Un Appoints New Military Chief Following Departure of Gen Ri," Telegraph (UK), July 17, 2012). Due to ongoing friction between North and South Korea, international observers continue to play close attention to any changes in the volatile dictatorship.

Review selected library titles related to North Korea at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• North Korea foreign relations
• North Korea nuclear crisis control
• North Korea politics government

The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future by Victor Cha - Ecco, 2012
call number: 951.93 Cha
"Cha thoroughly examines North Korea's history, ideology, economics, society, and foreign relations. This is essential reading for all North Korea watchers." - Library Journal review excerpt


Crisis on the Korean Peninsula by Christoph Bluth - Potomac Books, 2011
call number: eBook Collection database (direct link to eBook)
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the video off campus.
"Drawing from interviews with policy makers and experts in South Korea, Bluth (international studies, U. of Leeds, UK) analyzes the political and military aspects of the security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, including the military confrontation and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and the evolution of the security crisis since the partition between North and South Korea in 1945." - publishers summary excerpt

Anti-Doping Testing at the Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics in London will not only provide world-class sporting contests, but also a massive, non-stop anti-doping testing operation with over 1000 staff members including 150 scientists to check the existence of some 240 banned substances ("London 2012: Half of All Olympic Athletes to Be Tested for Drugs," Guardian (UK), July 16, 2012). Any athlete who earns a medal will be subject to testing.

Review selected library titles related to the Olympics or steroids at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a library item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• anabolic steroids
• doping in sports
• Olympics
• performance-enhancing substances

Athletes and Steroids from the Films on Demand video database - Cambridge Educational, 2011.
Note: Login with your Lone Star College ID/library card barcode number to view the video off campus.
"Russia, East Germany, and other Eastern bloc countries introduced steroids to their athletes in the 1970s. Today, it is more difficult to detect the presence of anabolic steroids in the body. Many athletes use HGH in conjunction with steroids." - publishers summary

Steroids: A New Look at Performance-Enhancing Drugs by Rob Beamish - Praeger, 2011
call number: 362.299 Bea
"Clearly written and highly accessible for all readers, this book addresses a pressing issue in professional and high-performance sport--the use of steroids--by placing it within the historical context of the ongoing desire to achieve the pinnacle of human sport." - publishers summary excerpt

The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky - Aurum Sport, 2012.
call number: 796.48 Wal
"With its mix of sport records, trivia, and colorful anecdotes, the text offers an encyclopedic guide to the event. The 27 modern Olympics have seen their share of political scandals, cheating, drugs, and other issues; an introductory overview provides a balanced discussion of these ups and downs." - Library Journal review excerpt


The Olympics: The Basics by Andy Miah and Beatriz Garcia - Routledge, 2012.
call number: 796.48 Mia
"This book explores the controversy and the legacy of the Olympics. This engaging, lively, and often challenging book is essential reading for newcomers to Olympic studies and offers new insights for Olympic scholars." - publishers summary excerpt

Republican Primary Fight Could Go to the Convention

Although Mitt Romney still has the lead in Republican delegates after a win Sunday in Puerto Rico, he has a long way to go to achieve the magic number of 1144 delegates to win the nomination ("All Odds Aside, G.O.P. Girding for Floor Fight," The New York Times, March 17, 2012). Some political leaders are wondering if any candidate will be able to amass that number by the end of primary season on June 26 in Utah.

Review selected library titles related to the presidential campaign and primaries at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library. Call the library at 281-290-3219 to check your PIN if you do not remember it.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• presidents nomination
• primaries
• United States political campaigns
• United States political parties
• United States presidents election

The State of the Parties: The Changing Role of Contemporary American Parties edited by John C. Green and Daniel J. Coffey - Rowman and Littlefield, 2011
call number: 324.273 Sta
Features "extensive coverage of party mobilization efforts via the Internet and local activity, and new chapters covering topics ranging from Republican's fall from grace to party governance under Nancy Pelosi to President Obama's role in party politics, and as always, a distinguished roster of contributors." - publishers summary excerpt

 Political Campaigns edited by Louise I. Gerdes - Greenhaven, 2010.
call number: 324.709 Pol
Includes information "examining problems and proposals for reform, redistricting and gerrymandering, and the rapid growth of Internet operations to build campaign support and raise funds. It includes reproductions of political cartoons, sidebars about related topics, and discussion questions." - School Library Journal excerpt


Won't Get Fooled Again: A Voter's Guide to Seeing Through the Lies, Getting Past the Propaganda, and Choosing the Best Leaders by Joseph H. Boyett - AMACOM, 2008.
call number: 324.609 Boy
Provides "an eye-opening look at the politicians and other public servants who promise too much and deliver too little. Using extensive research and solid evidence, author Joseph Boyett reveals why we need leaders in the first place, how to tell if a leader is authentic, and the top four red flags that your leader's vision is flawed." - publishers summary excerpt