Cheat Sheet - After Newtown, the Asperger’s Backlash

Today: The NRA Has a Head Start Against Newly Energized Gun-Control Advocates , NBC’s Richard Engel Freed , Fiscal Cliff: Obama Makes New Offer December 18, 2012 AFTERMATH 1. The Asperger’s Backlash What if people think my kid will grow up to become a mass murderer? That’s what parents of children on the autism spectrum fear after reports that the Newtown gunman suffered from Asperger’s. Michelle Cottle reports. Plus, Christine Pelisek on how Adam Lanza covered his tracks, and more coverage of the deadly rampage. Read it at The Daily Beast Goliath 2. The NRA’s Head Start Americans anxious to join the fight for stricter gun-control laws in the wake of the Newtown school shooting are finding there isn’t much of a fight to join—and the NRA is supremely organized. David Freedlander reports. Plus, John Avlon on how the right wing needs to stop the crazy explanations, Michael Tomasky on how the Second Amendment can be reformed, and make your case: tell The Daily Beast why you own a gun. Read it at The Daily Beast OFFICIAL WORD 3. NBC’s Richard Engel Freed NBC’s Richard Engel and members of his production crew were freed from kidnappers Monday—five days after being abducted by an unknown group, NBC News confirmed. Engel, 39, disappeared on Thursday shortly after crossing into Syria from Turkey, and the network had been unable to contact him until Monday. The network said no group had claimed responsibility yet, and it was never contacted with any ransom demands or had any contact with Engel and the crew while they were missing. Engel said that after being abducted, he and his crew were transported blindfolded to an unknown location, and they were freed Monday when the truck they were in was stopped at a checkpoint manned by a Syrian rebel group. Read it at NBC News ARE WE THERE YET? 4. Fiscal Cliff: Obama Makes New Offer There may finally be an end in sight. President Obama made a counteroffer to avert the fiscal cliff Monday, introducing a proposal that could mean the White House and House Speaker John Boehner are close to reaching a deal. Obama’s new offer now proposes raising tax rates on incomes above $400,000, up from $250,000 in earlier offers. The $2.4 trillion proposal is equally split between revenue and spending cuts, and meets “a dollar-to-dollar demand that Boehner has placed on the scope of the final package,” sources tell Politico. Boehner and Obama reportedly met Monday at the White House, in their third conversation in the past five days to discuss the looming fiscal cliff. Read it at Politico INVESTIGATION 5. NYT: Walmart Used Bribes in Mexico Looks like the Times is gearing up for its Pulitzer. The New York Times on Tuesday published a lengthy investigation into Walmart’s alleged payoffs in Mexico, finding that Walmart allegedly used bribes to circumvent the democratic process. In total, the Times finds 19 store sites across Mexico that were the target of Walmart’s bribes. The Times highlights the boxy store in Teotihuacán, where Walmart allegedly bribed officials to change a zoning map to build on Elda Pineda’s alfalfa field. Walmart has been under increased scrutiny since the Times first disclosed its culture of bribes in April, and internal records show the company has spent more than $100 million on internal investigations this year. Read it at The New York Times AWFUL Vaccination Team Killed in Karachi No one has claimed responsibility. NOT SO COOL Instagram Can Sell Your Photos Cannot opt out. END OF THE WORLD 100 Arrested for Doomsday Rumors In China. CLASSY Tarantino’s ‘Django’ Premiere Canceled Citing emotional distress from Newtown shooting. JUSTICE Johansson Hacker Gets 10 Years Actress gave videotaped tearful statement. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. 'The Voice' Sings for Newtown The critically-acclaimed talent show 'The Voice' began its third season finale with a touching tribute to the 20 children and six adults killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School three days ago. All 20 contestants gathered on stage holding a sign baring the name of each life lost. More Videos The Next Beat on Benghazi by P.J. Crowley Is Apple a Discount Brand? by Matthew Zeitlin The Year in Celebrity Scandals by Melissa Leon

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