23:15, 12/15/12

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1

Opinion

The Farming Forecast Calls for Change

By BRUCE CAMPBELL | Dec 13, 2012

Despite the lack of a global treaty on climate change, many farmers are already taking steps to adapt.

Agriculture and Farming; Treaties; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; 

The rule in peasant agriculture is adapt or die.

It is the industrial farmers that will suffer a loss of capital from climate change.  Losing them would be a feature, not a bug.

 

2

Opinion

Solar Panels for Every Home

By DAVID CRANE and ROBERT F. KENNEDY Jr. | Dec 13, 2012

As we rebuild after Hurricane Sandy, let’s reduce our dependence on the grid.

Solar Energy; Power Outages and Blackouts; Alternative and Renewable Energy; Hurricane Sandy (2012); 

This is special pleading.  

The power distribution system is not antiquated. 

It is cheap and profitable.  

That is very hard to defeat that politically.

The blizzard of 1888 took the poles out of Manhattan.

The lower densities of the suburbs require high voltages for efficient distribution.  Underground cables for that service are very costly.

The subsidized solar systems deliver power only during daylight.

In darkness they draw on the grid.

Batteries for power storage are very expensive or lead acid.  

All storage batteries are delicate.

3

Business Day

Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Will Get More Study at Eli Lilly

By KATIE THOMAS | Dec 13, 2012

Eli Lilly officials said they remained hopeful that the experimental drug, which failed to stop progress of the disease in previous studies, could help patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer's Disease; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Clinical Trials; 

There is a drug on the market that is this effective.

I would not get my hopes up for this "new" drug.

We must keep learning about the disease.

 

4

World

New Presumptions About Who's Rich in China

By DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW | Dec 13, 2012

High prices in China are reminders that foreigners living there today are no longer comparatively rich, but also that China is no longer cheap, by any standard.

Economic Conditions and Trends; Income; Income Inequality; 

Food can be very expensive.

I want to be very involved in the choice of a dog.  

I expect to spend years with it. 

The philosophy of government is changing in China.

Democracy will not triumph.  How soon and how messy the change is beyond me.  Soon and very look likely.

 

5

Opinion

American Bull

By ROGER COHEN | Dec 14, 2012

The United States may soon wipe out its need for imported oil and become a major energy exporter. That is a seismic geostrategic shift.

United States Economy; Economic Conditions and Trends; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Energy and Power; Natural Gas; Social Conditions and Trends;

This is pure product of bull.  In the first few paragraphs there are few truths.

The only way we will be an energy exporter in the near future is through a profound economic depression that makes the mule cheap traction.

Fossil carbon will not save us from ourselves.

6

Opinion

Tibet Is Burning

By XU ZHIYONG | Dec 13, 2012

China’s ethnic Han majority must recognize the plight of repressed Tibetans.

Han Chinese (Ethnic Group); Buddhism; Immolation; Discrimination; 

Han Chinese came into Tibet in numbers behind the Red Army.

If and when they leave I do not know.

 

7

Books

Characters Who Take Up More Than Their Share of Room in the Family

By SCOTT HELLER | Dec 13, 2012

Jami Attenberg, author of the novel “The Middlesteins,” and Samuel D. Hunter, whose play “The Whale” is at Playwrights Horizons, talk about why they created protagonists who are obese.

Writing and Writers; Obesity; 

Fat is very easy in our culture.  Getting thin is very difficult.

Happy and distracted is the easiest way to drop pounds.

 

8

World

A Willing Explorer of São Paulo’s Polluted Rivers

By SIMON ROMERO | Dec 15, 2012

José Leonídio Rosendo dos Santos has been diving into the polluted Tietê and Pinheiros rivers for more than 20 years, bringing to the surface a list of items that is eerie and bizarre.

Rivers; Water Pollution; 

Brazil speaks Portuguese.

Successful river cleanups have been done.

They start with sewers and go to treatment operations.

River keepers are very helpful.

The how is known.  The why is needed in Sao Paulo.

9

U.S.

Hillary Dominates 2016 Chatter in Washington

By LUISITA LOPEZ TORREGROSA | Dec 12, 2012

Speculation about whether Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for the presidency again centers largely on what her impact could be on domestic and international politics if she won.

Presidential Election of 2016; Presidential Election of 2012; Democracy (Theory and Philosophy); 

I doubt this is serious.  She is exhausted and concussed.

The GOP thinks she would be easy to beat.  I will keep an open mind.

 

10

N.Y. / Region

Firm Is Accused of Monopolizing Double-Decker Bus Trade

By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ | Dec 12, 2012

A merger of two popular New York tour bus companies violates antitrust law, state and federal lawyers say.

Antitrust Laws and Competition Issues; Buses; Suits and Litigation; 

I would be happier if they went out of business.

There is no sign of that.  

The business is voluntary. Schneriderman has no case.  

The taxi and limo owners would like the business.

11

N.Y. / Region

2 Bills Before City Council Would Limit Deportations

By KIRK SEMPLE | Dec 13, 2012

The bills, which come in response to a federal immigration-enforcement plan, would reaffirm the city’s reputation as one of the nation’s most immigrant-friendly municipalities.

Immigration Detention; Deportation; Crime and Criminals; Immigration and Emigration; 

Cheap labor is always popular.  Only the workers object.

 

12

World

Greece: Oligarch Under Arrest Expected to Be Moved to Prison

By NIKI KITSANTONIS | Dec 15, 2012

A Greek magistrate ordered that the oligarch Lavrentis Lavrentiadis, who was arrested on charges of embezzlement and fraud, be remanded to custody after visiting the 40-year-old businessman in an Athens hospital.

Frauds and Swindling; Embezzlement; Decisions and Verdicts; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists; 

This is probably the wrong man.  

I would be very tempted to let him disappear.

It reads like he belongs in Parliament.

13

U.S.

Most Governors Refuse to Set Up Health Exchanges

By ROBERT PEAR | Dec 15, 2012

The failure to file plans was a setback to President Obama’s hopes that Republicans would join a campaign to provide health insurance to all Americans.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Health Insurance and Managed Care; States (US); 

The exchanges will be setup.  

The costs will be paid by the states.

Not controlling the system will not make it cheaper for the Republicans.

14

Business Day

If Mercury Pollution Knows No Borders, Neither Can Its Solution

By KATE GALBRAITH | Dec 13, 2012

In January, representatives of dozens of countries will gather in Geneva to discuss combating mercury emissions. But whether they will follow through on commitments is an open question.

Mercury (Metal); Environment; Medicine and Health; 

There is a great deal of panic and self serving in this treaty.

The subject deserves a much more detailed treatment.

Get it right the first time.

 

15

World

Opposition to Labor Camps Widens in China

By ANDREW JACOBS | Dec 15, 2012

Opponents of China’s “re-education through labor” system say new leadership could put an end to abuses at the labor camps, which confine perceived troublemakers without trial.

Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; Reform and Reorganization; 

Slavery is not pretty.  

 

16

Business Day

New Jersey’s Pension Plan Is Said to Be in Trouble Despite Overhaul by Christie

By MARY WILLIAMS WALSH | Dec 14, 2012

A bipartisan task force said future contributions were likely to consume much of the revenue now dedicated to education and infrastructure.

Pensions and Retirement Plans; Budgets and Budgeting; 

Chris Cristy is not just fat and ugly.  I think him evil or ignorant. 

17

N.Y. / Region

A Brooklyn Protester Pleads Guilty After His Twitter Posts Sink His Case

By RUSS BUETTNER | Dec 13, 2012

Malcolm Harris said he was appealing a critical ruling in his disorderly-conduct case that gave the government access to thousands of his Twitter messages.

Decisions and Verdicts; Social Networking (Internet); Privacy; 

Civil disobedience will cost everyone.  

That is the way it works in so far as it does.

Only a fool pleads guilty.  Only a greater fool tries to fight when proven guilty.

 

18

Your Money

A Proliferation of Ways to Use a Tax Break as Its End Nears

By PAUL SULLIVAN | Dec 15, 2012

Time is running out on a generous exemption from gift taxes, but tax advisers have no shortage of ways to get in under the deadline.

Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Federal Taxes (US); Gifts; 

This has little importance to me.

 

19

Opinion

The Challenge of Muslim Youth

By NAJIB RAZAK | Dec 15, 2012

We risk losing a generation of young Muslims to apathy and extremism.

Muslims and Islam; Youth; Politics and Government; 

Fond hope.  Islam is crystalline.  It cannot change without fracturing.

Modern and Islamic conflict.      The faithful do not learn.

20

Opinion

Justice in Williamsburg

Dec 12, 2012

The conviction of a prominent member of the Satmar Hasidic community for sexual abuse sends a strong message to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, which has shielded abusers.

Decisions and Verdicts; Child Abuse and Neglect; Jews and Judaism; Editorials; Sex Crimes; 

I am glad not to be part of this mess.     The faithful do not learn.

 I can and do say the same of  Christians.   The faithful do not learn.



I must sleep soon.

New list up.   Work it tomorrow.

Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.
























































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