Thursday, May 9, 2013

@4:50, 5/8/13

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1
Opinion

When Nature Is Not Enough

Japan will shift away from nuclear energy. But politicians have the power to hasten or hinder the process.
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Japan); Nuclear Energy; Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011); Alternative and Renewable Energy; 

Nassrine Azimi  is a devout opponent of nuclear energy.
As I see things the reduction of fossil carbon emissions is our primary goal.
Nuclear uses no carbon in operation.  Even if the existing plant cannot be reworked, design and construction can go forward.
It is just an engineering project to ship the ruined material from Fukushima Daiichi to France for reprocessing and storage.  They want the work.
The same is true of other spent fuel scattered around Japan. There is probably steady work in the world for the specialized ship and trucks that will be needed.
I am not fond of wind power.  Dramatic visually and delicate structurally.
Photo-voltaic arrays are intermittent without effective storage.
Geothermal power initially suffered from salt fouling.  Iceland has made good progress eliminating that problem.  I think the systems are still limited.
 
2
Business Day

Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, U.S. Data Shows

Data being released for the first time shows that hospitals charge Medicare wildly differing amounts for the same procedure, often far above what Medicare typically reimburses.
Hospitals; Medicare; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); 

There is some explaining to be done.
 
3
N.Y. / Region

A Candidate With a Store Chain Around His Neck

John A. Catsimatidis, the billionaire Republican mayoral candidate, must confront New York’s relationship with Gristedes, the unloved grocery store for which he is best known.
Supermarkets and Grocery Stores; Elections, Mayors; Series; Elections, Mayors;

Gristedes is locally known as Greedies 
So far none of the above is winning.
  
4
N.Y. / Region

Mayoral Hopefuls Express Support for Animal Rights

Animal rights have emerged as an unexpected tinderbox in the mayoral race, primarily around the issue of New York’s horse carriage industry. Christine C. Quinn opposes a ban on the industry.
Cruelty to Animals; Horses; Elections, Mayors;

The carriage horses have plenty of defenders.  
Younger animals would help the image of the business.
 
5
Business Day

Shorter Hours, but Not for Truckers and Temps

A look at the decline in weekly hours worked shows a big drop for retail, which may be influenced by the coming health mandate. Trucking and temp help services, however, have increased the length of the average worker’s weekly hours.
Labor and Jobs; Shopping and Retail; Temporary Employment; Trucks and Trucking; United States Economy; Working Hours; 

We may be having a bit of a pop in retail trade.  Spring will do that.
The employers do not trust it.  
The averages are up.  The bottom two thirds has not had a raise.
  
6
Education

In California, Early Push for College Diversity

States that have outlawed affirmative action in college admissions, like California, are giving potential applicants a leg up for overcoming disadvantages like poverty and troubled neighborhoods.
Admissions Standards; Colleges and Universities; Education (K-12); Race and Ethnicity; Minorities; Affirmative Action; 

I think the assumed structure is mistaken.
A university exists to deal with two groups.  The privileged it must train and the talented it must educate.  The two are usually not the same people.
As that may be.
What this article notes is the talent pool is larger than can be handled.
Students who should attend do not.

7
Autos

Air Bag Recall Spreads to BMW; G.M. Recalls Some eAssist Models

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the air bag defect recall that affected more than 3 million Japanese vehicles last month has spread to BMW.
Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Automobiles; Recalls and Bans of Products; 

These are serious problems.  
Getting them fixed is mandatory. 
8
Business Day

New York State Investigating Pension-Advance Firms

New York’s top banking regulator has begun an investigation into pension-advance firms, the lenders that woo retirees to sign over their monthly pension checks in return for cash.
Credit and Debt; Pensions and Retirement Plans; Retirement; Veterans; 

Ending the practice will take prosecution.
 
9
Technology

Google Glass Picks Up Early Signal: Keep Out

The wearable computer is prompting questions of whether it will distract drivers, upend relationships and strip people of what little privacy they still have in public.
Wearable Computing; Privacy; Eyeglasses; 

Big Brother is Watching
A very limited market so far.
 
10
World

Japan Says It Will Abide by Apologies Over Actions in World War II

Japan’s conservative government backed away from earlier suggestions that it might try to revise or even repudiate apologies to sex slaves and other nations.
World War II (1939-45); Apologies; Women and Girls; Prostitution; Sex Crimes; International Relations; 

We broke that part of that culture.  It survives, broken.
 
11
World

A Cash Chokehold on North Korea Gets Tighter

North Korea finds itself up against the wall as the foreign currency spigot that maintains its military ambitions shows signs of drying up.
Defense and Military Forces; Economic Conditions and Trends; Embargoes and Economic Sanctions; Foreign Aid; Missiles and Missile Defense Systems; 

China has brought pressure to bear on North Korean ambitions.
Broadcast radio in the Korean language of world political economy.
Doing it would educate us.  Having it would civilize them.
North Korea wants to be a player.  They and we must learn the game.

12
Opinion

Postcard From Yemen

A severe water shortage is taking a devastating toll on this breathtakingly beautiful country.
Middle East and North Africa Unrest (2010- ); Water; Agriculture and Farming; Shortages; 

We can cheer them on.
 
13
N.Y. / Region

Candidate Hoping to Be First Hispanic Mayor May Be 100 Years Too Late

Adolfo Carrión Jr., a former Bronx borough president of Puerto Rican descent, is seeking to become New York’s first Latino mayor, though John Purroy Mitchel has roots in Latin America.
Hispanic-Americans; Mayors; 

This is not a concern.
I am still looking for a candidate.
 
14
Opinion

Revisiting Post-9/11 Law

Senators want to reopen debate on the A.U.M.F., which gave the president authority to go after those who planned the Sept.11 terrorist attacks.
Civil Rights and Liberties; September 11 (2001); Surveillance of Citizens by Government; 

The authorization to use military force is limited and should expire.
We may yet see the shrub tried and convicted of war crimes.

15
Opinion

China and Cyberwar

Computer espionage is growing ever more dangerous, and Washington directly blames Beijing of mounting attacks.
Cyberwarfare; Computers and the Internet; Defense and Military Forces; Cyberattacks and Hackers; 

Fixing the internet will ruin the Microsoft business plan.
All the more reason to do it.  
We will always have monsters hiding in the darker places of our minds.

16
U.S.

With Hours Left to Go, Execution Is Postponed

About four hours before the execution was to take place, the state’s Supreme Court granted a reprieve in response to letters from the Justice Department.
Capital Punishment; Decisions and Verdicts; Forensic Science; DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); False Arrests, Convictions and Imprisonments; 

Do the DNA test.

17
U.S.

Pennsylvania: Ex-Judge Ordered to Apologize

Former Justice Joan Orie Melvin of State Supreme Court avoided prison time on Tuesday for her campaign corruption conviction but was ordered to send a letter of apology to every judge in the state.
Decisions and Verdicts; Courts and the Judiciary; Apologies; Letters; 

I don't want to pick at this.  
She knows how to file an appeal.
 
18
Business Day

Hasty Deal to Save Chrysler in Depths of Crisis Returns to Haunt

In a fight over the value of Chrysler, Fiat and the United Automobile Workers union are $6 billion apart, the Deal Professor writes.
Bankruptcies; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Subprime Mortgage Crisis; 

This is why there are courts.
 
19
Business Day

China's Baidu to Pay $370 Million for Internet Video Business

China’s biggest search engine company said acquiring the Internet video business of PPStream would provide more television shows and movies for users and expand its offerings for advertisers.
Computers and the Internet; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Search Engines; Video Recordings and Downloads; 

A fire wall keeps connections out.  
Connections initiated inside the firewall are allowed no matter where their other end is located.

"If we build it they will come".

20
Opinion

The Cancer of Optimism

Unrelenting optimism can be more harmful to patients than disease.
Death and Dying; Doctors; Medicine and Health; 

Hope is a difficult thing.  
Hope and pain are paired.
Cure and death are paired
Death does not care.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

@~10:00

1
Business Day

Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, U.S. Data Shows

2
N.Y. / Region

A Candidate With a Store Chain Around His Neck

3
N.Y. / Region

Mayoral Hopefuls Express Support for Animal Rights

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4
Business Day

Shorter Hours, but Not for Truckers and Temps

6
Autos

Air Bag Recall Spreads to BMW; G.M. Recalls Some eAssist Models

7
Business Day

New York State Investigating Pension-Advance Firms

8
Technology

Google Glass Picks Up Early Signal: Keep Out

10
World

A Cash Chokehold on North Korea Gets Tighter

11
Opinion

Postcard From Yemen

12
13
Opinion

Revisiting Post-9/11 Law

14
Opinion

China and Cyberwar

15
U.S.

Pennsylvania: Ex-Judge Ordered to Apologize

16
U.S.

With Hours Left to Go, Execution Is Postponed

17
Business Day

Hasty Deal to Save Chrysler in Depths of Crisis Returns to Haunt

18
Business Day

China's Baidu to Pay $370 Million for Internet Video Business

19
World

Mexico: Gas Tanker Explodes; 22 Dead

A double tanker transporting gas struck a containment wall on a highway in a Mexico City suburb on Tuesday and burst into flames, killing 22 people and injuring 31.
Traffic Accidents and Safety; Explosions; Deaths (Fatalities); 

Just an accident.  Cheap costs.
20
U.S.

Girl’s Death by Gunshot Is Rejected as Symbol

At the funeral for a 2-year-old who was shot by her 5-year-old brother in a small Kentucky town, there was anger at those who have judged a lifestyle that includes firearms for children.
Children and Childhood; Gun Control; Accidents and Safety; Firearms; 

The judgmental will judge.  

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@17:43

1
Business Day

Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, U.S. Data Shows

2
Business Day

Older Workers Say Age Bias Is Common

An AARP survey finds that most older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace or in job searches.
Age, Chronological; Discrimination; Hiring and Promotion; Layoffs and Job Reductions; Workplace Environment;
3
N.Y. / Region

A Candidate With a Store Chain Around His Neck

;
4
N.Y. / Region

Mayoral Hopefuls Express Support for Animal Rights

5
Opinion

Can Technology and Tourism Sustain Mexico's Sea Turtles?

In a new documentary, students explore efforts to conserve endangered sea turtles in a region focused on fishing.
Colleges and Universities; Documentary Films and Programs; Fishing, Commercial; Oceans and Seas; Poaching (Wildlife); Turtles and Tortoises; 

Probably not.
 
6
Autos

Air Bag Recall Spreads to BMW; G.M. Recalls Some eAssist Models

7
Technology

Google Glass Picks Up Early Signal: Keep Out

8
Education

In California, Early Push for College Diversity

9
World

A Cash Chokehold on North Korea Gets Tighter

10
Health

A Mother's Day Gift

Honor thy mother and father. Take their stuff.
Elder Care; Elderly; Father's Day; Mother's Day; 

Yes.
 
11
Business Day

New York State Investigating Pension-Advance Firms

12
Opinion

Postcard From Yemen

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13
Opinion

China and Cyberwar

14
U.S.

Pennsylvania: Ex-Judge Ordered to Apologize

15
U.S.

With Hours Left to Go, Execution Is Postponed

;
16
Business Day

Hasty Deal to Save Chrysler in Depths of Crisis Returns to Haunt

17
World

Mexico: Gas Tanker Explodes; 22 Dead

18
U.S.

Girl’s Death by Gunshot Is Rejected as Symbol

;
19
Business Day

China's Baidu to Pay $370 Million for Internet Video Business

20
Business Day

One Perspective on the Best Places to Retire

The financial Web site Bankrate has compiled a list of best states for retirement, based on what makes financial sense.
Crime Rates; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Retirement; 

I have no intention of stopping working.
Where you are is the prime consideration.


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