@12:00, 2/8/14

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1

Automobiles

Highlights From the Chicago Auto Show

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Feb 7th 2014

Subaru, Kia, BMW and Nissan were among the automakers to unveil production vehicles and concepts at this year’s show.

Automobiles 

Nothing here of interest to me.

2

Opinion

Calling All Candidates

By GAIL COLLINS | Feb 5th 2014

Scott Brown is shirtless and on the front page of newspapers this week. It’s definitely an election year!

United States Politics and Government; Elections, House of Representatives; Elections, Senate; Tea Party Movement 

The G.O.P. is insane.

 

3

Opinion

A Missing Argument on Contraceptives

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | Feb 5th 2014

Allowing employers to duck the birth control insurance mandate would violate the establishment clause, which enforces the separation of church and state.

Religion-State Relations; Constitution (US); Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Health Insurance and Managed Care; First Amendment (US Constitution); Birth Control and Family Planning; Editorials 

Good point.

 

4

Business Day

Caribbean Islands Agree to Swap Diesel Power for Renewable Sources

By DIANE CARDWELL | Feb 6th 2014

Several countries signed a pact to start replacing diesel generators, the most common means of producing electricity on islands, with other sources.

Alternative and Renewable Energy; Energy Efficiency; Diesel Power 

Good Luck to this project.

 

5

Business Day

F.D.A. Tightens Rules on Infant Formula

By SABRINA TAVERNISE | Feb 6th 2014

The changes require that the companies meet so-called good manufacturing practices, which include testing for contamination from pathogens.

Infant Formulas; Food Contamination and Poisoning; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry 

Yes.

 

6

Automobiles

Wheelies: The Sorry, Ferrari Edition

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Feb 6th 2014

High-end luxury automakers, except Ferrari, enjoy strong sales; a G.M.-Isuzu diesel engine joint venture receives $60 million in upgrade money.

Automobiles; Antique and Classic Cars; Trucks and Trucking 

"The economy may not be in the best shape, but sales of high-end luxury cars have been strong." 

Luxury cars are selling well.

"DMAX Ltd., a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu Motors that builds diesel engines for heavy duty trucks in the United States, will benefit from a $60 million investment from the two companies, G.M. said Wednesday."

 

7

Sports

Blatter Open to FIFA Bid

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Feb 8th 2014

Sepp Blatter said he would seek re-election as FIFA president if the member federations asked him. He has been president since 1998.

Soccer 

One does not need to be fit to be a president.

 

8

N.Y. / Region

Biden Compares La Guardia Airport to ‘Third World’

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Feb 6th 2014

Vice President Joseph R. Biden says La Guardia Airport in New York could use some major improvements.

Airports; Transportation 

That airport is as improved as it gets.

9

N.Y. / Region

’70s Photorealism: Revived and Still Relevant

By MARTHA SCHWENDENER | Feb 7th 2014

10

U.S.

Party Predictions Differ in Texas on Impact of New Voter ID Law

By MANNY FERNANDEZ | Feb 5th 2014

11

U.S.

Months Later, Sniper Attack at Power Hub Still a Mystery

By NORIMITSU ONISHI and MATTHEW L. WALD | Feb 5th 2014

Nothing learned.

12

N.Y. / Region

Russia Blocks Yogurt Bound for U.S. Athletes

By THOMAS KAPLAN | Feb 5th 2014

13

World

Iran Giving Food Away to Millions for Relief

By THOMAS ERDBRINK | Feb 3rd 2014

The authorities began the initiative, which drew long lines, both to help those with low incomes and to try to lower inflation on food prices, local news media reported.

Food; Inflation (Economics) 

The tortured do not become the friends of the torturer.

 

14

U.S.

‘Aid in Dying’ Movement Takes Hold in Some States

By ERIK ECKHOLM | Feb 7th 2014

Advocates of the practice, who shun the term “assisted suicide,” say they believe that as baby boomers watch frail parents suffer, support for their movement will grow further.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide; State Legislatures; Depression (Mental); Polls and Public Opinion; Death and Dying 

Usually help is not needed.  

The hydrogen sulphide exit is easy to arrange and would not leave a mess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_sulfide#Production

Put some paraffin in a pan with some sulfur and heat on a hotplate.

It would be good to rig a dead man switch so as not to burn the place down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadman%27s_switch

The stink will warn off "help". 

Normal ventilation will clear the gas.

Health warning:

Do not use in a group environment.

15

Automobiles

Wheelies: The Carrot and Stick Edition

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Feb 7th 2014

With demand overtaking supply, Mercedes-Benz is rescinding incentives and raising prices; Renault introduces a tiny, drone-equipped off-road car.

Automobiles; Small Cars (Compact, Subcompact and Microcars) 

"Senator Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, called for auto manufacturers to set in-car technology standards more quickly to combat what he sees as a growing problem: technology-related distraction among drivers. Senator Rockefeller said that although infotainment systems had, in some ways, made driving better, too much emphasis had been placed on smartphone connectivity and distracting social media functions that lead to traffic accidents. (Bloomberg)"

16

Booming

Remembering to Pray

By ROY HOFFMAN | Feb 4th 2014

17

U.S.

Religious Freedom Is a Tenet of Foreign Policy, Obama Says

By PETER BAKER | Feb 6th 2014

18

U.S.

In Texting Era, Crisis Hotlines Put Help at Youths’ Fingertips

By LESLIE KAUFMAN | Feb 4th 2014

19

U.S.

Week After Being Hit by Bus, Rare Owl Is ‘Bright and Alert’ at Washington Clinic

By EMMARIE HUETTEMAN | Feb 7th 2014

Caretakers at a wildlife clinic said an injured snowy owl was eating well after suffering a head injury and broken toe.

Owls; Animals; Traffic Accidents and Safety 

Population pressure possibly.

 

20

N.Y. / Region

Homeless and Too Tired for Food

By KATHLEEN COONEY CLARKE | Feb 7th 2014

Metropolitan Diary: Beneath a poster promoting lottery riches, a volunteer tried to interest two sleeping men in free sandwiches from his cart.

Food; Homeless Persons; Subways; Volunteers and Community Service 

The city tries to care for the homeless.  Some survive.