Wednesday, January 30, 2013

@2:30, 1/29/13

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1
Science

Viagra as Diet Pill? One Day, Perhaps

In a German study, the erectile-dysfunction drug was found to help convert undesirable white fat cells to energy-burning beige fat cells in laboratory mice.
Viagra (Drug); Diet and Nutrition; Weight; Obesity; 

I have no need of the primary label.
If I should develop such a need we can look for the side effect.
 
2
Education

Education Dept. to Hear School Closing Complaints

The United States Department of Education is investigating complaints that plans to close or reorganize public schools in Philadelphia, Detroit and Newark discriminate against black and Hispanic students, and those with disabilities, a department official said.
Education; Blacks; Civil Rights and Liberties; Shutdowns (Institutional); Hispanic-Americans; 

"Beatings will continue until morale improves"

3
Science

U.S. Team Drills Through to Antarctic Lake

The American team drilled through a half-mile of ice to reach Lake Whillans, and retrieved water samples, according to the project’s Web site.
Lakes; Research; Ice; 

An early progress report.  
 
4
World

France Says Syrian Rebels Need Aid to Fend Off ‘Chaos’

At a Paris meeting of the Friends of Syria, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned that without the aid promised, control of Syria could fall to militant Islamists.
Foreign Aid; Defense and Military Forces; Biological and Chemical Warfare; 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTyqoV1d2Ys
"Tom Paxton - Lyndon Johnson Told The Nation

Lyrics:
I got a letter from L. B. J.
It said this is your lucky day.
It's time to put your khaki trousers on.
Though it may seem very queer
We've got no jobs to give you here
So we are sending you to Viet Nam

[Cho:]
Lyndon Johnson told the nation,
"Have no fear of escalation.
I am trying everyone to please.
Though it isn't really war,
We're sending fifty thousand more,
To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese." "

Been there, done that.
5
Booming

Living, and Dying, on His Own Terms

Clark Lambros, a successful businessman and philanthropist who at 39 found a life partner in a woman a generation his junior, lived with intention and by his own rules until the end.
Baby Boomers; Death and Dying; Age, Chronological; 

I approve.  I hope I can do as well.
 
6
Science

Pesticide Protection

Federal agencies regulate the use of pesticides and set tolerance limits, but consumers can minimize exposure by washing produce thoroughly or buying certified organic fruit.
Pesticides; Citrus Fruits; Consumer Protection; Health Foods; 

The growers choice can be between having a marketable crop and having a field of compost.  I am willing to have more compost than many.  The crops must pay the mortgage if any and the taxes.
Organic growing I can try for.  Organic Certification will take years.
 
7
World

Leader’s Visit Lifts a Village, Yet Lays Bare China’s Woes

Xi Jinping’s visit to a particularly poverty-stricken village in north China brought it attention and help, but also threw into relief the vast scale of the challenge.
Poverty; Rural Areas; Agriculture and Farming; Income Inequality; Labor and Jobs; 

Window dressing.  
We see it here every few years.
We will see if wealth distribution in China flattens.

8
Opinion

Religious Liberty Law Clinic

John Ragosta, the author of a book about the history of religious freedom, responds to a news article.
Religion-State Relations; Freedom of Religion; Law Schools; 

Freedom of religion like freedom of speech is a regulated rather than an absolute freedom.  
There are real limits for the safety of all.
The law clinic is a welcome addition to the continuing discussion.
The practice of crusading must be firmly discouraged.

9
N.Y. / Region

Twice as Many Structures in FEMA’s Redrawn Flood Zone

The maps, already in the process of being updated when the hurricane struck, suggest that damage will spread even farther inland in future storms.
Maps; Floods; Zoning; Disasters and Emergencies;

The screaming is about the politics of reconstruction.
The map is about how much water is expected where.
Future flood insurance should include a buy-out clause
that would pay an owner to leave a damaged building rather than repair it.
Development must retreat from the beaches and other low lands.

10
N.Y. / Region

Bloomberg Asks for Legislature’s Help in Teacher Evaluation Fight

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, angry about a missed deadline on an evaluation agreement, said the city schools stood to lose $724 million.
Teachers and School Employees; Performance Evaluations (Labor); Education (K-12); 
The state set a trap.  Bloomberg was caught in it.
Report the deal and deemphasize the screams.
 
11
Science

Research Chimps Retire, Yaks Make a Comeback and More

“The Week” highlights recent developments in health and science news and glances at what’s ahead. In this column: sleep in older people, the avian flu virus and a popular conference.
Research; Animals; Monkeys and Apes; Influenza; 

We will have to pay attention to the quality of our sleep.
        My memory behaves itself most of the time.
 
12
N.Y. / Region

Former State Senator From Queens Expected to Plead Guilty to Corruption

Federal prosecutors filed documents in Federal District Court in Brooklyn indicating that the former senator, Shirley L. Huntley, had waived her right to have a grand jury consider potential charges.
Corruption (Institutional); Frauds and Swindling; Nonprofit Organizations; State Legislatures; 

There is nothing to be done by us.  I do not feel vengeful.
 
13
Technology

Silicon Valley Companies Lobbying Against Europe’s Privacy Proposals

A dispute has brought into the open how much Europe and the United States differ on privacy rights and their role in the digital economy.
Data-Mining and Database Marketing; Privacy; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Lobbying and Lobbyists; 

There is a difference in conception of the internet.  
Europe sees it as a utility paid for by billing users.  America sees it as an advertising supported common.  The operators are now resolving who owns the net.  The owner must extend and maintain it.  This is important.
The present operators of the net are the phone companies.  They would like to maximize their income.  We are so dependent on the net that it should be a tax supported common like the highways.  The European toll system would be destructive.  The present advertising supported system is becoming a nuisance.   Neither the advertisers or the toll operators want to see a tax supported system.
14
Science

Hide and Seek With Deer Mice

Deer mice make an appealing subject of genetic studies because they are widely prevalent and that they have adapted to their environments in both coat color and behavior in tunnel-making.
Mice; Genetics and Heredity; Research; Laboratories and Scientific Equipment; 

Deer mice are unbearably cute.
Their genetically determined behavior is more than enough reason to study them.  
Gay is no ones fault.  
It is not a life-style. 
It is not a choice. 
It will not change.
 
15
Science

Is There a Green Side to the Super Bowl?

A study conducted with smart meters showed that consumption of electricity dipped during last year's game.
Electric Light and Power; Energy Efficiency; Football; Television; 

Fluff.   
To optimize power use more information must be collected.
We know there is a pulse of water demand a few minutes after half time starts.  We know there is a power surge for morning showers.
Some years ago the summer air conditioning load exceeded the winter lighting and heating load. 
 
16
Business Day

Costly Last-Minute Deals for the Super Bowl Crowd

If you waited until this week to plan your trip to the N.F.L. championship game in New Orleans, you will have a difficult time finding affordable airfare and hotels.
Super Bowl; Business Travel; Airlines and Airplanes; Hotels and Travel Lodgings; 

Incomprehensible.
 
17
World

U.S. Envoy Apologizes for Ship’s Grounding on Philippine Coral Reef

The grounding of the naval ship was preceded by other events that have led to renewed criticism of the United States military presence in the Philippines.
United States Defense and Military Forces; Reefs; Fish and Other Marine Life; International Relations; Maritime Accidents and Safety; 

Properly so.  
We drew the charts they should have been using nearly a century ago.
The U.S. can't do anything right in that part of the world.
We should pay up if asked.

18
Fashion & Style

The Race Grows Sweeter Near Its Final Lap

With few outside pressures, we had nothing to do but love each other and be happy.
Love (Emotion); Marriages; Dating and Courtship; Elderly;

A sweet story.
Ours will be our own.
 
19
N.Y. / Region

Reliving Horror and Faint Hope at Massacre Site

For the first police officers to arrive at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, no amount of training could prepare them for what they found next, inside those two classrooms.
Newtown, Conn, Shooting (2012); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; 

Not a breath of why.
 
20
World

Taste for Shark Fin Fades Slightly in China

The high-profile campaign against shark fin soup has persuaded only a small number of Beijing hotels and restaurants to drop it from their menus.
Sharks; Restaurants; Food; Environment; Soups; Tableware;


The world must treat shark fin as the Ivory trade was treated.
An outright ban on trade in shark fin
They will not be bought, sold or otherwise traded.
The world is out of fish.  Distant water is closed.

We can reconsider when stocks recover. 
Maryland has a good idea. 
Oysters may not be taken from state waters under power.


















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