Wednesday, December 18, 2013

@4:27, 12/16/13

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1
Opinion

The Rush for the Arctic's Riches

2
Science

Video: ScienceTake: Angry Birds

3
U.S.

New Rule Could Aid Veterans’ Access to Health Care for Some Traumatic Injuries

The new policy, which takes effect on Jan. 16, could pave the way for thousands of veterans to file claims.
Veterans; Traumatic Brain Injury; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Accidents and Safety 

The G.O.P. is still the party of denial.  
They do not wish to do what they can to make the veterans whole.
4
Crosswords/Games

The Decision Tree

What would you do if presented with a choice inspired by a recent episode of the CBS series “The Good Wife”?
Creativity; Mathematics; Puzzles 

Faced with this problem one must consider not just the gains but the losses. With the first die there is a one third probability of a big gain.
There is a two thirds probability of an unbearable loss.  
The other die has a one sixth probability of a trivial win and a five sixths probability of a trivial loss.

I would take the trivial loss rather than risk an unbearable loss.
5
Arts

He’d Send You to Sleep With the Fishes, but the Water Is Still Frozen Solid

The comedy “Lilyhammer,” starring Steven Van Zandt, begins its second season on Netflix.
Television; Web-Original Programming 

I care much more about how I live than where I live.  
Ultimately I cannot retire in place.  
The deep south is not acceptable.
Thinking about where.

6
Health

Raw Milk a Hazard for Children and Pregnant Women

The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised children, infants and pregnant women not to consume any raw milk or raw milk products from cows, goats or sheep.
Food Contamination and Poisoning; Milk; Pregnancy and Childbirth; Salmonella (Bacteria) 

"“There are no proven nutritional advantages of raw milk,” said a lead author, Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, the chief of neonatology at Georgia Regent University in Augusta. “Further, raw milk and milk products account for a significant proportion of food borne illnesses in Americans. There is no reason to risk consuming raw milk.”
Are cheeses made from raw milk less likely to be contaminated? “No,” Dr. Bhatia said. “They have the same potential.”"

Sad.
A 17% infection rate is more than enough to shut the business down.
There should be a market for flavoring agents.
Certified bacterial cultures would do the job.

7
Business Day

Booksellers Wary About Holiday Sales

Competition from e-books has eased, but merchants face other obstacles during their most crucial sales period.
Shopping and Retail; E-Books and Readers; Holidays and Special Occasions; Book Trade and Publishing 

Eternally.  Barnes & Noble may have a very hard time but most real books are doing ok.  Libraries are staying in business.  I hear less about threats to the stacks.  Electronic systems are proving to be unstable.
 
8
World

Video: Photographer's Journal: Sergey Ponomarev

Covering the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan was a challenging assignment in many ways. Sergey Ponomarev, a freelance photographer, reflects on his experience.
Typhoon Haiyan (2013); Photography; Disasters and Emergencies 

Typhoon Haiyan was just as bad as it looked at first glance.
I do not find a body count.
9
Business Day

Europe Moves to Prohibit Some Deep-Sea Trawling

European Parliament lawmakers stopped short of banning the practice entirely, albeit by a narrow margin.
Fishing, Commercial; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Environment 

The ban is a very good idea.  
An end to trawling would return most of the ground fish population.
10
Opinion

Understanding Suicide: Mental Illness, Not Irony

Responses to David Brooks from the psychiatrist Ronald Pies and Robert Gebbia of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Depression (Mental); Mental Health and Disorders; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists 

I am not yet done.  Life is good.
11
Opinion

Can We Respond to Problems like Global Warming Where There's 'No Simple Villain'?

Can people pay attention to issues like global warming, where there’s no simple villain?
Energy Efficiency; Folk Music; Global Warming 

It is in every individual's interest to live comfortably.

Living comfortably has brought us to the present situation.

Getting out of this situation means sacrifice.  There are decisions to make.

12
World

China Spins Mandela to Fit Its Political Narrative

In lionizing the former South African president, China’s propaganda authorities have hopscotched over much of Mr. Mandela’s life as they try to write him into a political narrative that burnishes the Communist Party’s legitimacy.
Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; Nobel Prizes; Political Prisoners 

Statements of faith.
Let us continue the cyber battle.
Let us keep the Wikipedia as close to the facts as possible.
13
Opinion

The Great War’s Ominous Echoes

If we cannot determine how World War I happened, how can we hope to avoid another such catastrophe?
World War I (1914-18); International Relations; Defense and Military Forces; United States Defense and Military Forces; United States International Relations 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Prussian_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_Wars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Entente
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Slavism
http://archive.org/stream/moderntraveller00belluoft/moderntraveller00belluoft_djvu.txt
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-peace-of-dives/
A catastrophic failure of the peace.
The League of Nations was an attempt to end the cycle.
When that failed the United Nations was formed to try again.
The United Nations has not yet failed.
Nationalists hate that.

14
Opinion

Ethnic Violence in Myanmar

Thousands of Muslims have fled their homes and live in fear of sectarian attacks.
Race and Ethnicity; Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; Muslims and Islam

The Times editorial board has this one wrong.
Nations will defend themselves against revolts.
15
U.S.

Pilots in Crash Were Confused About Control Systems, Experts Say

The confusion, which experts say is a common problem among airline pilots, occurred in the cockpit of the Asiana jumbo jet that crashed in San Francisco on July 6, killing three passengers.
Aviation Accidents and Safety; Deaths (Fatalities); Pilots

Starving the government regulators is a really bad idea.
 
16
Health

Snacking Your Way to Better Health

Evidence for the health benefits of nuts has been accumulating since the early 1990s, and frequent consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Diet and Nutrition; Longevity; Nuts

I do not need convincing.

"(The nuts in question were pistachios, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, peanuts and walnuts.)"
17
World

Congo: U.N. Forces Begin Campaign Against Rwandan Hutu Militia

United Nations peacekeeping troops have launched operations against a Rwandan Hutu rebel militia operating along the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border with Rwanda, the United Nations commander said.
Defense and Military Forces

Going to the source of the trouble is a really good idea.

Follow this line of reasoning only if you want to.  I don't like the flavor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_of_Hutu,_Tutsi_and_Twa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_East_Africa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_South-West_Africa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_Germany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visigoths
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_controversy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_Germany
18
World

A Testing Time for Private Schools in Eastern Europe

Since communism collapsed in Central and Eastern Europe two decades ago, private tertiary education has boomed. Now, demographics, recession and quality concerns are changing the picture.
Colleges and Universities

Employers are learning.
 
19
Real Estate

Turning a Building’s Water System Into a Hydroelectric Plant

A Hong Kong developer is promoting a hydroelectric turbine that generates power from excess pressure in buildings’ water systems.
Hydroelectric Power; Sustainable Living; Alternative and Renewable Energy; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Real Estate (Commercial)

This is recycling some of the energy supplied by the pump in the basement.
The economics are not favorable.
The space required for storage of waste water could be rented for a better return.
There is very little that can be extracted from the lower floors.
This is window dressing or a con job.
20
Opinion

Face to Face With the Colonel

Saleh Zabadi, confronted, gives his version of the horror gripping the Central African Republic.
Human Rights and Human Rights Violations

Maybe it works.   We can hope.

The U.N. will have to act before the problem is finally resolved.

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

@ 12:00


1
Science

Video: ScienceTake: Angry Birds

Mockingbirds furiously protect their nests against intruding cowbirds, with mixed results.
Birds; Reproduction (Biological)

Not a good model for people our age.
2
Opinion

The Rush for the Arctic's Riches

It is essential that tough constraints be placed on Arctic drilling and that steps be taken to reduce tensions in the region.
Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline

I understand.
I hold no hope for effective limits.

3
Crosswords/Games

The Decision Tree

What would you do if presented with a choice inspired by a recent episode of the CBS series “The Good Wife”?
Creativity; Mathematics; Puzzles

The trivial loss is the best choice.
5
Health

Raw Milk a Hazard for Children and Pregnant Women

6
Business Day

Booksellers Wary About Holiday Sales

7
World

Video: Photographer's Journal: Sergey Ponomarev


Help if you can.

8
Business Day

Europe Moves to Prohibit Some Deep-Sea Trawling

European Parliament lawmakers stopped short of banning the practice entirely, albeit by a narrow margin.
Fishing, Commercial; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Environment

If only they would.
9
Opinion

Understanding Suicide: Mental Illness, Not Irony

Responses to David Brooks from the psychiatrist Ronald Pies and Robert Gebbia of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Depression (Mental); Mental Health and Disorders; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists

Economies are not conscious. 
People control economies.
Economic death is not suicide but execution.

10
Opinion

Can We Respond to Problems like Global Warming Where There's 'No Simple Villain'?

Can people pay attention to issues like global warming, where there’s no simple villain?
Energy Efficiency; Folk Music; Global Warming

Yes but they will not as yet.
11
World

China Spins Mandela to Fit Its Political Narrative


Usually this is called propaganda.

12
Opinion

The Great War’s Ominous Echoes

If we cannot determine how World War I happened, how can we hope to avoid another such catastrophe?
World War I (1914-18); International Relations; Defense and Military Forces; United States Defense and Military Forces; United States International Relations

We are not there yet.
13
Real Estate

Turning a Building’s Water System Into a Hydroelectric Plant

A Hong Kong developer is promoting a hydroelectric turbine that generates power from excess pressure in buildings’ water systems.
Hydroelectric Power; Sustainable Living; Alternative and Renewable Energy; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Real Estate (Commercial)

Either a failure to understand, false comfort or a deliberate fraud.

14
World

Congo: U.N. Forces Begin Campaign Against Rwandan Hutu Militia

United Nations peacekeeping troops have launched operations against a Rwandan Hutu rebel militia operating along the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border with Rwanda, the United Nations commander said.
Defense and Military Forces

Good.
15
Opinion

Face to Face With the Colonel

Saleh Zabadi, confronted, gives his version of the horror gripping the Central African Republic.
Human Rights and Human Rights Violations

Something to try first.
16
World

A Testing Time for Private Schools in Eastern Europe

Since communism collapsed in Central and Eastern Europe two decades ago, private tertiary education has boomed. Now, demographics, recession and quality concerns are changing the picture.
Colleges and Universities

Hiring agencies also learn.
17
Sports

Princeton Tops Rutgers for Sixth Straight Win

T. J. Bray, coming off a one-game suspension for disciplinary reasons, scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half as Princeton defeated host Rutgers, 78-73, for its sixth straight win.
Basketball (College)

I never learned how.
18
World

South Korean Leader Warns of Possible ‘Provocations’ From North

Citing uncertainty about the North Korean regime following a dramatic purge, President Park Geun-hye ordered the military and police to step up their vigilance.
Defense and Military Forces

Something major happened.  I doubt it was the trial and execution.

This is only a rational reaction.
19
World

Police and ‘Rioters’ Clash in Western China

At least 16 people were killed near Kashgar, a part of the Xinjiang region beset with tensions between Muslim Uighurs and the government authorities.
Uighurs (Chinese Ethnic Group); Demonstrations, Protests, and Riots; Attacks on Police

Still a nascent problem.
20
Opinion

Taking a Closer Look at Marine Life

Protecting ocean ecosystems is crucial; detailed biodiversity data is needed if we are to understand how they respond to global change.
Oceans and Seas; Bitcoin (Currency)

There is not much fun in getting old.
There is real pleasure in people who think.
What there is will have to satisfy.


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

1
Science

A Struggle to Balance Wind Energy With Wildlife

Tensions between the Obama administration and the wind energy industry and environmental organizations rose after a new rule was announced allowing wind farms 30-year permits to kill eagles.
Wind Power; Birds; Energy Efficiency

My point.
2
Health

Study Links Autism and Somalis in Minneapolis

A long-awaited study has confirmed the fears of Somali residents in Minneapolis that their children suffer from higher rates of a disabling form of autism compared with other children there.
Children and Childhood; Autism

Is it their genes or their location?
"The study offered no explanation of the statistics."
The high numbers suggest the location is a problem.
Wealth is closely related to high functioning in autism.

If we will need a significant space we will have to be on hard rock.
Tight formation gas has driven up the price of land.

3
Opinion

The Rush for the Arctic's Riches

4
Health

Three Biological Parents and a Baby

Progress in fertilization techniques intended to avoid birth defects has rekindled a debate on genetics. Mixing the DNA of two women in a single baby can’t be ethical, one critic says.
Biology and Biochemistry; DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); Genetics and Heredity; Infertility; Mitochondria; Women and Girls

I have no problem with this process.
A genetically sound child is the goal and that is a laudable end.
I have no qualms about designed children.
That is the goal of education for children.
As the level of manipulation increases the level of understanding required to make beneficial choices may exceed "the state of the art".

5
Health

Sex and Intimacy After the Baby Arrives

Sexual issues after the birth of a child have not typically been discussed much, but research at the University of Michigan has tried to change that.
Babies and Infants; Breastfeeding; Parenting; Sex

You must tell me how.
6
Science

Truths About Grades, and the Coldest Cold on Earth

Two Harvard studies show that early music education has no discernible effect on cognitive abilities, and East Antarctica records a record low of minus 134 to minus 137 degrees.
Music; Research; Temperature; Antibiotics; Birds; Comets

By
Mockingbirds furiously protect their nests against intruding cowbirds, with mixed results.
7
Real Estate

Turning a Building’s Water System Into a Hydroelectric Plant


Window dressing at best.

8
U.S.

Ohio: School Officials Plead Not Guilty After Rape

The superintendent and three current or former city school officials in Steubenville, Ohio, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges related to the 2012 rape of a 16-year-old girl.
Sex Crimes; Teachers and School Employees; Education (K-12)

Never under any circumstances plead guilty before accepting a plea bargain.  
9
World

China Is Tied to Spying on European Diplomats

The foreign ministries of five countries were reportedly breached by Chinese hackers using emails as bait.
Cyberattacks and Hackers; Computer Security

I am not shocked.
10
Science

Video: ScienceTake: Angry Birds

Mockingbirds furiously protect their nests against intruding cowbirds, with mixed results.
Birds; Reproduction (Biological)

We are not birds.
11
Science

Neanderthals and the Dead

A re-examination of remains supports claims that our ancient human relatives held burials, thus narrowing the behavioral distance between them and us.
Neanderthal Man; Funerals and Memorials; Archaeology

"Asked if the evidence would quiet the skeptics of Neanderthal burial practices, Dr. Trinkaus replied: “I certainly hope it does. Indeed, they buried their dead.”" 


12
U.S.

California: Man Is Charged in ‘Revenge Porn’ Case

A San Diego man was charged with operating a website that let people anonymously post explicit photographs of others.
Cyberharassment; Extortion and Blackmail; Pornography; Dating and Courtship

Burning bridges give me no pleasure.
13
Style

My I.V.F. Education

I never wanted to be one of those women who questioned everything her doctor did, but maybe it was time to get on top of my fertility.
In Vitro Fertilization; Infertility; Parenting

Nothing to add.  My education continues.
14
World

At Least Four Are Killed in Kenya Van Explosion

At least four people were killed in Nairobi after a homemade bomb exploded inside a passenger van.
Deaths (Fatalities); Terrorism; Improvised Explosive Devices; International Relations; Nairobi, Kenya, Westgate Mall Shootings (2013); Refugees and Displaced Persons

I would guess it was an accidental premature blast.
15
Fashion & Style

No Tie-Dye Required

Bay Area 20- and 30-somethings are flocking to “intentional communities,” tech-savvy, not particularly politicized versions of communes, where shared living became popular in the ’60s.
Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Communes

No.  This is not a fit for me.
16
U.S.

Four Buildings Evacuated at Harvard

An unconfirmed report of explosives led to the abandonment of some final exams.
Evacuations and Evacuees

An exam time bomb scare.  
17
Business Day

Smart Gifts, and Old Devices Made New Again

Companies and environmentalists are looking for ways to cut energy use and ensure that more old electronics are reused or recycled.
Consumer Behavior; Electronics; Recycling of Waste Materials; Conservation of Resources; Gifts; Energy Efficiency

Yes.
18
Automobiles

Ignore the Snow. It’s the Motorcycle Show in New York.

New models were in abundance when the New York stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show circuit opened last week.
Motorcycles, Motor Bikes and Motorscooters

They still scare me.
19
World

Video: Photographer's Journal: Sergey Ponomarev

Covering the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan was a challenging assignment in many ways. Sergey Ponomarev, a freelance photographer, reflects on his experience.
Typhoon Haiyan (2013); Photography; Disasters and Emergencies

5,209 official deaths looks to be the highest number reported in the Times.

20
Opinion

Understanding Suicide: Mental Illness, Not Irony

Responses to David Brooks from the psychiatrist Ronald Pies and Robert Gebbia of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Depression (Mental); Mental Health and Disorders; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists

Not me.

Talk helps.


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