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5

Technology

Intel’s Sharp-Eyed Social Scientist

By NATASHA SINGER | Feb 15th 2014

Genevieve Bell, an anthropologist at Intel who leads a globe-trotting team, is trying to learn what consumers want most in their future electronics.

Anthropology; Research; Robots and Robotics; Wearable Computing 

"Smarter than the average bear".

This is deservedly complimentary. 

6

N.Y. / Region

Lawyer Says Man Arrested in Hoffman Case Is an Addict, Not a Dealer

By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr. | Feb 14th 2014

Robert Vineberg was arrested after police found heroin in his apartments as they looked for the source of the drug that killed the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Heroin; Bail; Drug Abuse and Traffic 

 Hoffman's is an accidental death.

8

U.S.

Rescuing a Vietnam Casualty: Johnson’s Legacy

By ADAM NAGOURNEY | Feb 15th 2014

Family and friends of Lyndon B. Johnson, whose presidential legacy has been tainted by the Vietnam War, are working to highlight his legislative milestones on their 50th anniversary.

Presidents and Presidency (US); Medicare; Clean Air Act; Vietnam War 

We needed an heroic effort to exit Vietnam.  

We had a politician with ideals.

Politics accomplished things impossible for heroes and failed at heroism.

The disaster in Vietnam continued.

9

World

Belgium Close to Allowing Euthanasia for Ill Minors

By DAN BILEFSKY | Feb 13th 2014

The measure, which is expected to be signed by King Philippe, would make Belgium the first nation to lift all age restrictions on legal, medically induced deaths.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide; Law and Legislation; Children and Childhood; Legislatures and Parliaments 

There are no monsters in this.

 

10

U.S.

Walter Cottle Lester, 88, Dies; Spurned a Fortune in Donating Land

By WILLIAM YARDLEY | Feb 9th 2014

Mr. Lester owned 300 acres near San Jose, Calif., and instead of selling it to the highest-bidding developer, he sought to preserve the farmland and open space.

Land Use Policies; Deaths (Obituaries); Parks and Other Recreation Areas; Agriculture and Farming 

His choice.  I appreciate the privilege of not growing a crop of houses.

 

11

Automobiles

General Motors Recalls 778,000 Small Cars for Ignition Switch Problem

By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN | Feb 13th 2014

G.M. says that 2005-7 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007 Pontiac G5s are susceptible to a problem that could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.

Automobiles; Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Recalls and Bans of Products 

False economy.

14

Opinion

The Lore of Labor

By RANDI HUTTER EPSTEIN | Feb 15th 2014

Childbirth is a murky brew of science and tradition.

Pregnancy and Childbirth; Midwives; Nursing and Nurses; Babies and Infants 

Experience counts.

 

15

Business Day

Court Challenge on Bond Buying Poses Test for Central Bank, and for E.U.

By JACK EWING | Feb 12th 2014

A German decision to contest the pledge by Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, to buy bonds if necessary has raised more questions than it has answered.

European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ) 

"Still, thousands of Germans, fearful that they would have to bear the cost of rescuing Italians and Spaniards, petitioned the Constitutional Court to declare the program illegal. After deliberating for seven months, the court, which meets in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe, ruled Friday that purchases of euro zone government bonds would violate a provision in the bank’s charter that prohibits it from financing member governments."

The disaster is inevitable.  The question is when.

16

U.S.

Schumer Offers Long-Shot Option to Skirt House G.O.P. on Immigration

By ASHLEY PARKER and JONATHAN WEISMAN | Feb 13th 2014

A discharge petition would allow supporters of immigration overhaul to circumvent the Republican majority in the House by bringing a measure directly to the House floor, bypassing the committee process.

Immigration and Emigration; Law and Legislation 

The solution is to vote the Tea Party out.

It is that or chattel slavery.

 

17

U.S.

Wisconsin: Archdiocese Offers $4 Million to Abuse Victims

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Feb 12th 2014

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee said that it was prepared to set aside $4 million in its bankruptcy reorganization plan to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse.

Priests; Sex Crimes; Bankruptcies; Child Abuse and Neglect 

Time for an auction of real assets.

The Catholics can rent space.

 

18

World

U.S. Center for Russian Studies to Shut Moscow Office

By ANDREW ROTH | Feb 11th 2014

The research center, co-founded by George F. Kennan, the seminal Cold War theorist, had been plagued by budget cuts and colder relations between Russia and the United States.

Shutdowns (Institutional); Budgets and Budgeting; United States International Relations 

There will be no new Czar of All the Russias.

19

U.S.

Trade Pact With Asia Faces Imposing Hurdle: Midterm Politics

By MARK LANDLER and JONATHAN WEISMAN | Feb 14th 2014

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. acknowledged that Congress will not grant President Obama fast-track trade promotion authority, which analysts call critical for deals with Asia and Europe.

International Trade and World Market; United States Politics and Government 

An example of "the cart before the horse".

 

20

U.S.

Mayoral Victory in San Diego Offers Some Hope to California’s Struggling G.O.P.

By LIAM DILLON and JENNIFER MEDINA | Feb 12th 2014

Kevin Faulconer’s victory will make San Diego the largest city run by a Republican and raises the possibility that the new mayor could help rebuild the party in California.

Elections; Mayors 

San Diego is a Navy base with a city attached.

It works as a port and rail terminus.