Wednesday, June 4, 2014

@19:25, 6/3/14

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1
Automobiles

Wheelies: The Trolling for Trails Edition

Volkswagen is likely to triple its S.U.V. lineup as it pursues global sales dominance; Ford reveals its new Troller T4 S.U.V. for Brazil.
Automobiles; Sports Utility Vehicles and Light Trucks; Organized Labor 

The auto makers are all trying  to cream the market.
 
2
U.S.

Reid and McConnell Offer Conflicting Views on Campaign Spending

The Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell made a rare joint appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Campaign Finance; Law and Legislation; Political Action Committees; Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (Supreme Court Decision); McCutcheon v Federal Election Commission (Supreme Court Decision) 

The G.O.P. is all about their money.
The Democrats are about our money.
An important difference. 
 
3
Business Day

Hospital Charges Surge for Common Ailments, Data Shows

Hospitals charged more for every single one of 98 common ailments in 2012, and the increase for all but seven exceeded the nation’s 2 percent inflation rate for that year, according to a Times analysis.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Medicare; Hospitals 

The new pockets are notso deep.
 
4
Opinion

Keeping Track: Confidential Sources, Wage War and College Athletes

An update on a few of the issues we're following.
News Sources, Confidential Status of; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Editorials; Computer and Video Games; College Athletics; News and News Media; Wages and Salaries; Labor and Jobs 

The supreme court will not act against national security.
Fast food may not be as profitable.
College athletes are professional.
 
5
U.S.

New U.S. Effort to Aid Unaccompanied Child Migrants

FEMA will take charge of coordinating relief efforts as a second shelter is opened in response to a recent influx of young illegal immigrants.
Immigration and Emigration; Illegal Immigration; United States Politics and Government; Children and Childhood; Refugees and Displaced Persons; Humanitarian Aid 

We have looks like a real problem.  It's not eased by Republican sniping.

New immigrants typically take jobs citizens can't. 
We will need the workers to pay the taxes.
 
6
N.Y. / Region

Hoboken Mayor Gets U.S. Flood Money in Awkward Ceremony With Christie

Mayor Dawn Zimmer was cheered by Hoboken receiving $230 million for a federal flood-prevention project, but she and Gov. Chris Christie avoided each other at the announcement.
Floods; Hurricane Sandy (2012) 

The awkwardness is understandable.
Know that these are not going to be easy or a popular projects.
There is no unused space to build in.
The proposed structures will only stop a wave.
The problem will be rising sea level and a concomitant rise in the water table.
These flats will flood.

7
U.S.

Telling Congress What Families Need, One City, State or Hearing at a Time

At a Senate committee hearing, a supporter of paid family leave tries to convince legislators on both sides of the aisle that there’s broad bipartisan support for policies that support families.
Family Leaves; Labor and Jobs; Minimum Wage; Paid Time Off; Parenting; United States Politics and Government; Women and Girls 

Good luck.
The Republican party is attempting to reduce wages and other compensation.  Paid leave is an increase.
 
8
U.S.

Republicans Weigh Odds in Primaries in Iowa and Mississippi

9
U.S.

No Easy Way to Be Fair on Media Credentials

Scotusblog, which has covered the Supreme Court since 2002, has never had access to the court, and its Senate credentials were recently revoked. The reasons remain a mystery.
News and News Media; Freedom of the Press; United States Politics and Government; Blogs and Blogging (Internet) 

The proper way is not  to credential.  
One member of the public is equivalent to another.
The inequality is in the time one can allot to a place in a finite room.
All the proceedings of the court are published.
 
10
Automobiles

Greenwich Concours: Sunny Days, a Big Turnout and a Record Auction

Bonhams reports more than $8 million in sales at the auction; a 1935 Duesenberg and a rare Belgian 1930 Minerva 80138 AL convertible win best in show.
Automobiles; Antique and Classic Cars; Auctions; Collectors and Collections 

Toys I understand.  
I am beginning to wonder how they please people.
I feel I am supposed to know.
 
11
Sports

Lewis Katz’s Vision for the New Jersey Nets Went Unrealized

As an owner of the Nets when they were in New Jersey, Lewis Katz, who died Saturday in a plane crash, had a plan to help Newark, the state’s largest city.
Basketball 

A life in fits and starts.  He made things interesting.
 
12
World

Ciro de Quadros, 74, Dies; Leader in Ridding Latin America of Polio

Dr. de Quadros navigated war zones and reimagined outmoded public health practices to lead a successful immunization campaign in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Poliomyelitis; Deaths (Obituaries); Vaccination and Immunization 

Life is finite.  
Work is not.
I want to see the last stocks of this virus destroyed.

13
Health

No Nation Has Lowered Obesity Rate in 33 Years

A study of data from 188 countries finds that obesity abounds in rich and poor countries alike, and sometimes neighbors have quite different levels.
Obesity 

I can jump to no obvious conclusion.
I am blaming fructose.
 
14
U.S.

Texas: Crimes Went Uninvestigated, Report Says

More than 20,000 burglary, assault and other cases were not investigated last year by the Houston police because of a lack of personnel, according to a report released Monday.
Police; Budgets and Budgeting; Robberies and Thefts; Assaults 

Houston will have big changes in its government.
Bad policing killed Tammany Hall.
 
15
N.Y. / Region

New York City Teachers Vote to Approve 9-Year Contract

The contract, agreed to in May by city officials and the teachers’ union, will increase pay but leaves many questions about future health benefits.
Teachers and School Employees 

My guess is it is a win for the teachers.
Obamacare is a fact.  It will carry the health care load for the union.
It is not discussed how those who will retire before the retroactive raises are in place will be dealt with.
 
16
Business Day

Car Sales Jump in May, Despite Mounting Recalls

Analysts said pent-up demand, good weather and low interest rates spurred sales. General Motors, Chrysler, Nissan and Toyota all reported double-digit increases.
Automobiles 

This looks like the economy is doing about 2% better than it did last year.
 
17
Opinion

Stanford’s the One

A 1963 graduate touts its advantages.
Colleges and Universities 

Undergraduate schools are all cast marks.

Horatio Alger advised his readers to marry the boss's daughter.
 
18
Business Day

Counting Each Drop: Corporate Concern Mounts About Water Supplies

Businesses are increasingly planning for "water risk'' as more users are competing for water resources that are dwindling in various parts of the planet.
Environment; Water; Drought 

A business management reporter writes about water.
Definitely a financial view rather than a technical survey.
If this position dominates we are in trouble.
 
19
World

Dust Storm in Iran Smothers the Capital

A heavy dust storm roared into Iran’s capital on Monday, blacking out the sun in a swirling cloud and tearing down trees in a squall that reportedly killed at least four people and injured 30.
Weather; Deaths (Fatalities) 

Our technical experts on soil and water conservation will not be welcome in 
Iran.
An important early action is a massive reduction in sheep and goat grazing.
Grazing in general is not good for watersheds.
Mixed forest on the lower slopes moving to grasses at the tree line up to the snow line.
Charcoal is not a good idea.  
Beavers help.
Wind breaks help.
No till agriculture helps.
 
20
U.S.
 

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Times Reporter Over Refusal to Identify Source

The order gave no reasons for the decision but effectively sided with the government in a case involving James Risen of The New York Times, who has said he has no intention of complying with the subpoena.
News Sources, Confidential Status of; Freedom of the Press; Books and Literature 

Risen is not in jail.
National Security and the conservative noise machine win this round.




Exhaustion often wins in my small hours.

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