Cheat Sheet - Why Your B.A. Might Be B.S.

Today: Justices Weigh Striking Down DOMA , Julia Pierson: The First Woman to Head the Secret Service , Slow Internet Due to 'Biggest Attack Ever' March 27, 2013 Education Bubble 1. Why Your B.A. Might Be B.S. There's a growing perception out there that a bachelor's degree no longer delivers the value that it used to—and new research seems to confirm those fears. The Daily Beast's Megan McArdle breaks down the numbers and explains why a baccalaureate is quickly becoming a ticket to a job in a coffee shop. Read it at The Daily Beast GAY MARRIAGE 2. Justices Weigh Striking Down DOMA The tea leaves seem a little clearer today, with Justice Anthony Kennedy joining the four liberals on the Supreme Court in questioning the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. The court-watching website SCOTUSblog said Wednesday that it looks "80 percent likely" that the Supreme Court will strike down DOMA. But the conservatives on the court questioned President Obama's unwillingness to defend DOMA in 2011—a possible sign that they could be cautious about striking down the law. The now widely unpopular law, signed in 1996, bans any federal institution from recognizing same-sex marriage. Read it at The New York Times Top Agent 3. The First Woman to Head the Secret Service In a macho culture that some equate with men in dark glasses gallivanting with prostitutes, Julia Pierson made it to the top. The Daily Beast's Eleanor Clift on the woman tapped to whip the Secret Service into shape. Read it at The Daily Beast YIKES 4. Slow Internet Due to 'Biggest Attack Ever' Don't pound your computer in frustration yet, the slow Internet connection isn't just you. The Web has been under one of its biggest-ever attacks since a Dutch Web-hosting company caused service to be disrupted and slowed down. Here's how it went down: a Geneva-based spam-fighting group, Spamhaus, temporarily added a Dutch firm Cyberbunker, to an email blacklist that blocks out spam—and Cyberbunker did not react well. Cyberbunker infamously operates out of NATO bunker and boasts of hosting any Web site "except child porn and anything related to terrorism"—which is most likely how it ended up on the list of spammers in the first place. In retaliation, Cyberbunker launched the attack, which has slowed down many sites, including Netflix and other services. Read it at The New York Times SILVER FOX 5. Report: Cooper Approached for 'Today' There's always Jeopardy, Matt. NBC reportedly has approached Anderson Cooper to replace Matt Lauer, according to Deadline on Tuesday. Lauer, who has a $25 million contract to stay on Today, has lately been under the microscope, especially after he reportedly backed the firing of Ann Curry. So what stopped Cooper from joining the crew at Today? Lauer reportedly contacted Cooper to voice his disapproval. Although Cooper is currently under contract at CNN, it's rumored that there's an out. Read it at Deadline NO SPIN ZONE O'Reilly: 'Compelling Argument' for Gay Marriage Says the opponents are "thumping" for the Bible. SMOOTH CRIMINALS Low Brain Activity Predicts Rearrest In convicted criminals, according to new study. Hell Man Stuck in "It's a Small World" Wins Suit "The music was blaring." We're Gay! NBC's Wolfe, Gosk Expecting Baby Also come out as a couple. EYES OFF THE PRIZE Jon Hamm: Leave My Penis Alone People "create Tumblr accounts about my cock." 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. More Videos --> What Classic Sitcoms Taught Us About Gay Rights by Kevin Fallon So What If Christine Quinn's a Bully? by Peggy Drexler Why Retrying Amanda Knox Is Important by Barbie Latza Nadeau

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