Thursday, April 4, 2013

@10:28, 4/4/13

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1
World

China: 10 Die in 2 Industrial Accidents

An explosion killed six workers on Monday at a coal mine in northeast China, and farther south, an explosion at the Xinyu Group Iron Works in Jiangxi Province killed four.
Accidents and Safety; Mines and Mining; Explosions; Coal; 

Mining kills people.   
Unregulated mining kills more faster.
The death rate from Chinese pollution is staggering.
2
Sports

After Protests, Prison Firm Pulls Donation

Florida Atlantic University announced that the Geo Group Foundation, the charitable arm of the private prison corporation, planned to withdraw a $6 million gift to name its stadium.
Stadiums and Arenas; College Athletics; Colleges and Universities; Philanthropy; Football (College); Names, Organizational; 

No blame attaches.  Private prisons are a very bad idea.
 
3
U.S.

Death Penalty Is Sought in Shooting at Colorado Theater

Lawyers for James E. Holmes had tried to bargain for their client to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison with no chance of parole.
Aurora, Colo, Shooting (2012); Capital Punishment; Murders and Attempted Murders; 

James E. Holmes was not insane by the McNaughton rule.
Precedent will be set.
 
4
U.S.

Veterans Affairs Officials Offer Reassurance About Troubled Hospital

At a public meeting over an embattled medical center in Jackson, Miss., statements by a senior health official drew skeptical responses.
Veterans; Hospitals; Whistle-Blowers; Malpractice; Special Prosecutors (Independent Counsel); 

Somebody must watch the store.
 
5
N.Y. / Region

Kelly Said Street Stops Targeted Minorities, Senator Testifies

Senator Eric Adams told a federal judge — and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly denied — that Mr. Kelly had said making young minority men fear the police was an objective.
Police Brutality and Misconduct; Suits and Litigation; Search and Seizure;

Indefensible police procedure.
 
6
Opinion

Treating Cancer Patients, and Costs

Readers react to Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel’s suggestions for improving cancer care.
Malpractice; Doctors; Cancer; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Reform and Reorganization; 

Single payer really is the way.
 
7
Business Day

Low-Cost Drugs in Poor Nations Get a Lift in Indian Court

Production of cheap copycat drugs for H.I.V. and cancer used by people in developing countries in Africa and Asia was ensured on Monday in a ruling by India’s Supreme Court.
Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Inventions and Patents; Generic Brands and Products; Decisions and Verdicts; Third World and Developing Countries; 

Who pays how much for what is getting resolved.
That fight continues.
 
8
Business Day

Why So Few Women Reach the Executive Rank

Finding ways to increase the number of female executives depends on what is seen as the reason that number is so low.
Boards of Directors; Corporations; Discrimination; Women and Girls; 

Culture.
 
9
Business Day

A Setback for Resellers of Digital Products

A federal judge’s ruling could halt the resale of digital music as well as other digital good like e-books.
Music; Copyrights and Copyright Violations; Audio Recordings and Downloads; Decisions and Verdicts; Computers and the Internet; E-Commerce; 
The ruling will be reversed on appeal.  
A cassette recording of vinyl is a lower grade version. 
A digital file can be copied without loss. The copy is the same object.
Copyright applies to objects and not to viewings.
Applying copyright to viewings would destroy libraries.

10
U.S.

New Attitude on Immigration Skips an Old Coal Town

Hazleton, Pa., presents a test case of whether Republicans risk leaving behind white working-class voters for whom illegal immigration stirs visceral reactions.
Immigration and Emigration; Hispanic-Americans; Law and Legislation; Illegal Immigrants; 

This is a set of problems internal to the Republican party.
 
11
 
World

Ancient Kingdoms in Land of War

Sudan’s archaeological record is pivotal to understanding the history of Africa itself, experts say, and a wave of new discoveries may be adding crucial new information.
Archaeology; Egyptian Civilization; Historic Buildings and Sites; 

The more I learn about these civilizations the less interested I am.
I am quite willing to let other people be the experts.

Nova on PBS ran a presentation last night.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_Mechanism
I think the have solved it.
 
12
Arts

Dreaming of the California Design Scene

"A Handbook of California Design," a new book edited by Bobbye Tigerman, is an incisive history of a design scene from the Depression to 1965.
New Models, Design and Products; Design; 

Provincial.  
California was a cheap pleasant place to live. 
The Californians traded that for cities and income.

13
N.Y. / Region

Barbara Piasecka Johnson, Maid Who Married Multimillionaire, Dies at 76

Three years after arriving from Poland with $200, Barbara Piasecka married an heir to the Band-Aid fortune.
Wills and Estates; Deaths (Obituaries); Suits and Litigation; Art; 

She earned the money.
 
14
World

Iraq: 4 Newspapers Are Attacked

About 50 gunmen in military uniforms burst into the offices of four independent newspapers in Baghdad, stabbing and beating employees, staff members and officials said Tuesday.
Newspapers; Assaults; News and News Media; Muslims and Islam; 

Religious war.
 
15
U.S.

How Final Is a College's Financial Aid Offer?

Brian Lindeman, the director of financial aid at Macalester College, answers questions about understanding financial aid packages.
Admissions Standards; Colleges and Universities; Financial Aid (Education); 

I have no intention of doing more than take courses at this point.
The two of you are going to have to read the offer for yourselves.

16
U.S.

Acceptance Rates, Apparently, Are Poor Predictors of Getting In

After being a dedicated college applicant for more than a year, I might be expected to understand the admissions process better. Ironically, I am only more baffled by it.
Admissions Standards; Colleges and Universities; Foreign Students (in US); 

yes
 
17
Technology

Russians Selectively Blocking Internet

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been required by government officials to hide some posts, under a law that critics say paves the way for broader censorship.
Social Networking (Internet); Censorship; Computers and the Internet; Law and Legislation; 

Russia is a faith based entity.
Nothing they do surprises me.
 
18
N.Y. / Region

Fast-Food Workers Plan Second Strike for More Pay

Organizers of a walkout on Thursday in New York hope workers were emboldened by one held in November.
Fast Food Industry; Labor and Jobs; Strikes; Wages and Salaries; Minimum Wage; 

The Hoovervilles will be built in Albany.
19
Business Day

Spending Cuts and Higher Taxes Weigh on Manufacturing Expansion

The Institute for Supply Management showed that the economy lost some momentum as the first quarter ended.
Factories and Manufacturing; United States Economy; Building (Construction); 

"Data so far had shown little sign that higher taxes and the $85 billion in across-the-board government spending cuts that took effect March 1, known as the sequester, had weighed on economic activity."
Lagging indicator.
20
World

Double-Digit Inflation Worsens in Iran

The government’s announcement of the rising rate appeared to be an acknowledgment of the effects of Western sanctions.
Inflation (Economics); Embargoes and Economic Sanctions; Economic Conditions and Trends; Nuclear Weapons; 

In inflation the money supply leads the prices up.  
Here scarcity is driving up prices.
This price rise is not an inflation.

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@11:05

1
Sports

After Protests, Prison Firm Pulls Donation

2
4
N.Y. / Region

Kelly Said Street Stops Targeted Minorities, Senator Testifies

6
Business Day

Low-Cost Drugs in Poor Nations Get a Lift in Indian Court

7
Business Day

Why So Few Women Reach the Executive Rank

8
Business Day

A Setback for Resellers of Digital Products

9
U.S.

New Attitude on Immigration Skips an Old Coal Town

10
World

Ancient Kingdoms in Land of War

11
Arts

Dreaming of the California Design Scene

13
World

Iraq: 4 Newspapers Are Attacked

14
U.S.

How Final Is a College's Financial Aid Offer?

15
U.S.

Acceptance Rates, Apparently, Are Poor Predictors of Getting In

16
Technology

Russians Selectively Blocking Internet

17
N.Y. / Region

Fast-Food Workers Plan Second Strike for More Pay

19
World

Double-Digit Inflation Worsens in Iran

20
U.S.

Upstart Group Pushes Harder Than the N.R.A.

Although it is dwarfed by the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun lobbying group, has grown in influence since the debate over gun control has surged.
Gun Control; Lobbying and Lobbyists; Law and Legislation; State Legislatures; Second Amendment (US Constitution); 

De Camp, L Sprague - A Gun for Dinousaur UC (De Camp L Sprague)


http://bookre.org/reader?file=215689

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 @17:46


1
Style

How the I.R.S. Punishes Working Parents

Quick, what’s wrong with this sentence: “Most working mothers who pay for child care do so out of their after-tax income”?
Child Care; Families and Family Life; Federal Taxes (US); Parenting; Women and Girls; Work-Life Balance; 

Children require child care.
Most of tax law is built around social engineering.
People are slow to change tax law.  The law has evolved over time. 
People are reluctant to recognize that basic social structure changes.
Tax law looks to vanished conditions.  Tax law must change.
"Child care" outside the home will give us children that are not like their parents.
The effort is not to punish working but rather to produce the desired child.
 
2
N.Y. / Region

The Good Karma Food Truck

Metropolitan Diary: A busy commuter who is addicted to quickie food carts discovered one in Midtown that dispensed uplifting words, too.
Commuting; Emotions; Happiness; Street Vendors; 

The Missionary can still be found on the streets of midtown.
 
3
Business Day

Consumer Bureau Says 4 Insurers Made Kickbacks to Mortgage Lenders

As part of a settlement, four insurance firms will pay a combined $15 million in penalties to settle claims that they kickbacks to mortgage lenders for over 10 years in order to sell mortgage insurance to home buyers.
Consumer Protection; Insurance; Mortgages; 

The violation was real.  The injury was, perhaps, trivial.

4
Technology

Q&A: Moving On From the Windows 8 Preview

Now that the free preview edition of Microsoft’s Windows 8 has expired, it is time to upgrade to the final version or reinstall a previous version of Windows.
Computers and the Internet; Software; Windows (Operating System); 

My preference has been Mandriva Linux.  I like the older version with the GNOME graphic user interface.  Look on the Dutch server. Failing that try the Fedora distribution from Red Hat. I am not fond of Ubuntu I tried it and had trouble getting rid of it.  Many are very fond of Ubuntu.  I have never had much luck with BSD Unix. I should try a download.
I have copies of 98 with patches, 2K also with patches and XP. I did not get copies of the patches for XP.  I have a system specific Vista.  I have found how to load FireFox on XP. The result is dependable.
 
5
Business Day

Spending Cuts and Higher Taxes Weigh on Manufacturing Expansion

The Institute for Supply Management showed that the economy lost some momentum as the first quarter ended.
Factories and Manufacturing; United States Economy; Building (Construction); 

The spending cuts matter.  The taxes do not.
 
6
N.Y. / Region

Fast-Food Workers Plan Second Strike for More Pay

Organizers of a walkout on Thursday in New York hope workers were emboldened by one held in November.
Fast Food Industry; Labor and Jobs; Strikes; Wages and Salaries; Minimum Wage; 

A good idea.
 
7
World

Double-Digit Inflation Worsens in Iran

The government’s announcement of the rising rate appeared to be an acknowledgment of the effects of Western sanctions.
Inflation (Economics); Embargoes and Economic Sanctions; Economic Conditions and Trends; Nuclear Weapons; 

This is a commodity squeeze.
Inflation is something else.
 
8
U.S.

Upstart Group Pushes Harder Than the N.R.A.

Although it is dwarfed by the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun lobbying group, has grown in influence since the debate over gun control has surged.
Gun Control; Lobbying and Lobbyists; Law and Legislation; State Legislatures; Second Amendment (US Constitution); 

These folks don't trust the NRA.  Neither do I.
Different reasons.
 
9
Opinion

Why Do G.M.O.'s Need Protection?

Congress should put the public interest first, especially when there’s more to learn about genetically engineered crops.
Agriculture and Farming; Genetic Engineering; 

Mark Bittman makes good sense most of the time.
 
10
Technology

Russians Selectively Blocking Internet


Russian governments are always threatened.

11
Opinion

The Sharp Rise in A.D.H.D. Diagnoses

Readers react to the growing use of stimulants to treat children.
Children and Childhood; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Education (K-12); Drug Abuse and Traffic; Apnea (Sleep Disorder); Sleep; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists; Mental Health and Disorders; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); 

Less training.  More education.
 
12
U.S.

Arkansas: Veto of Voter ID Law Is Overridden

The Republican-led State House voted Monday to complete an override of a veto by Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, of a law requiring voters to show photo identification.
Law and Legislation; Vetoes (US); Voting and Voters; Voter Registration and Requirements; Identification Devices; Elections;

Once there was an institution known as a "ward heeler" Let us re-institute 
the party office with the job of enabling the votes of the harassed.

13
U.S.

Acceptance Rates, Apparently, Are Poor Predictors of Getting In

After being a dedicated college applicant for more than a year, I might be expected to understand the admissions process better. Ironically, I am only more baffled by it.
Admissions Standards; Colleges and Universities; Foreign Students (in US);

Nothing to add.
 
14
Opinion

Invitation to a Dialogue: Action on the Climate

A writer suggests practical steps to address global warming. Readers are invited to respond.
Energy Efficiency; Sociology; Energy and Power; Global Warming; 

There is a great deal of fossil carbon that will not be extracted if the price of that carbon is low.  
The price of carbon in the ground can stay low if fossil carbon in trade stays high.  This result can be achieved if a steep tax on fossil carbon is instituted.  Such a tax would drive conservation very hard.
  
15
World

Canada's Latest Climate Change

Canada was long seen as among the most environmentally consciousness nations in the world, but that reputation has taken a beating. The government’s latest move has only added to the criticism.
Drought; Environment; 

Conservatives are not good at conservation.
 
16
Business Day

On Whether Women Can (or Do) Marry Younger Men

According to 2012 Census Bureau data, 85.9 percent of husbands are older than or about the same age as their wives.
Age, Chronological; Marriages; 

It is known to happen.
 
17
Opinion

Guns, Guns, Guns

Brooks and Collins on what to do about the omnipresence of weapons, from Illinois to Colorado to Texas to North Korea.
Crime Rates; Gun Control; Immigration and Emigration; 

No support for guns here.
 
18
Business Day

As Banks in Cyprus Falter, Other Tax Havens Step In

Cyprus is hardly the only safe harbor for the tax-averse. Switzerland, Luxembourg, Malta and the Caymans are reminding those shaken by events in Cyprus that they remain open for business.
European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ); Tax Shelters; Banking and Financial Institutions; 

Boiled frog.
 
19
Fashion & Style

Does Anyone Here Speak Art and Tech?

Software millionaires are not buying fine art, which worries galleries. But can the art world’s inclusiveness be partly to blame?
Art; Science and Technology; 

Many do. 
The designed experience is everywhere.
The aesthetics of easel paintings and the aesthetics of the user interface
do not speak easily.
 
20
U.S.

'The Century's Bitterest Journalistic Failure'? Considering Times Coverage of the Holocaust

In this lesson we offer one more way to teach about the Holocaust: use contemporary reporting in The New York Times as a lens for thinking about what the press was reporting at the time, and why it was reporting it that way.

We have much more contemporary examples of media distraction.
There are none more egregious.

Like Lady Macbeth we can attempt to wash our hands. 

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@20:17


1
Style

How the I.R.S. Punishes Working Parents

2
N.Y. / Region

The Good Karma Food Truck

3
Business Day

Consumer Bureau Says 4 Insurers Made Kickbacks to Mortgage Lenders

4
Technology

Q&A: Moving On From the Windows 8 Preview

5
Opinion

Why Do G.M.O.'s Need Protection?

7
U.S.

Arkansas: Veto of Voter ID Law Is Overridden

9
World

Canada's Latest Climate Change

10
Business Day

On Whether Women Can (or Do) Marry Younger Men

11
Opinion

Guns, Guns, Guns

12
Business Day

As Banks in Cyprus Falter, Other Tax Havens Step In

13
Fashion & Style

Does Anyone Here Speak Art and Tech?

15
N.Y. / Region

On and Off the Debate Stage, Candidates Spar in the Mayoral Race

Before appearances at public forums, the city’s mayoral candidates wait together in tight quarters, an often tense scene akin to a locker room being shared by rival teams.
Debates (Political); Elections, Mayors; 

Pulled punches are the story of sparing.
 
16
Opinion

Entitlement Spending and Debt

Wouldn’t it make more sense to take reasonable steps to control entitlement spending, rather than implementing the cuts Paul Krugman bemoans?
Economic Conditions and Trends; United States Economy; National Debt (US); 

It would help if John Simon read and understood the whole column. 
17
Technology

How to Shield Yourself From Smartphone Snoops

A smartphone is a depository of personal information. Here are measures you can take to protect your privacy if your phone is lost or stolen.
Computer Security; Smartphones; Mobile Applications; Privacy; 

Best not to have one.  
Failing that, do not keep records on it.  
A feature of computers is forgetfulness.
If you must live in your smart phone these apps will help.

18
World

U.N. Treaty Is First Aimed at Regulating Global Arms Sales

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a pioneering treaty that links sales of conventional weapons to the human rights records of the buyers.
Arms Control and Limitation and Disarmament; Arms Trade; Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; 

"How many divisions has the Pope?"
 
19
Opinion

Gender Questions Arise in Obituary of Rocket Scientist and Her Beef Stroganoff

After criticism on Twitter and elsewhere, the first sentence of an obituary for Yvonne Brill was changed.
Deaths (Obituaries); Gender; Women and Girls;

Yvonne Brill earned her obituary as she earned her life.

20
Health

Really? Treating Sleep Apnea Reduces Inflammation

Treating sleep apnea with positive airway pressure helps to lower systemic inflammation, which might prevent some of the other problems associated with the disorder.

If you need it, use it.   
It works as advertised.








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