Thursday, October 23, 2014

@11:30, 10/22/14

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1
U.S.

Debate for Florida Governor Takes On a Hostile Edge

The debate between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist illustrated just how diametrically opposed the two men are stylistically and on almost every issue.
Midterm Elections (2014); Elections, Governors; Debates (Political) 

Governor Crist is the better candidate.

2
Opinion

Putin and the Pope

Two leaders with a lot of influence who matter in very different ways.
International Relations 

I find myself at odds with Thomas Friedman.
He thinks the world could be calm and orderly.
The world will be much as it is.
If it can agree that the use of fossil carbon should end and that the seas are a common
free of abuse by any will be progress.
Freedom of thought and facts would be a triumph because there is little agreement on the facts.

3
Technology

As Apple Pay Arrives, Witnessing the Next Step in Money. Maybe.

Commerce experts say they think the involvement of Apple could be the impetus that moves mainstream consumers to digital payments.
E-Commerce; Smartphones; Mobile Applications; Credit Cards; Mobile Commerce 

I do not wish to enter Apple's walled garden.

4
World

Indian Politician Pledges Payments to Families of Supporters Who Died in Distress for Her

The party of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, says 193 followers have died or committed suicide since she was imprisoned for corruption.
Suicides and Suicide Attempts 

She has committed to distribute almost a million dollars.
That is not much money for a successful political leader.
The forensic accounting for her appeal should explain it.

5
U.S.

A Holder Legacy: Shifting Terror Cases to the Civilian Courts, and Winning

The success of Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in reversing the Bush administration’s emphasis on trying terrorism suspects in secret prisons or at offshore military tribunals may be one of his most significant achievements.
Terrorism; Military Tribunals; Detainees; September 11 (2001) 

Yes.

6
Business Day

Eurozone as the Fright Epicenter

A grand bargain might shift the malaise, but such a deal, hinted at by the European Central Bank president, is unlikely to materialize soon, if at all.
European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ); Budgets and Budgeting 

Not only will the plan not be instituted it would not work if it were.

The euro is on borrowed time.

7
Opinion

Close the Overseas Torture Loophole

President Obama should not consider any legal loophole that might permit an American official to engage in torture or cruelty, no matter where it takes place.
Torture; Editorials; Executive Orders and Memorandums; International Relations 

I trust the proposed rule will be rejected.

8
U.S.

Supreme Court Will Consider Police Searches of Hotel Registries

A group of motel owners challenged a Los Angeles law that allows the police to inspect hotel and motel guest registries without permission from a judge.
Hotels and Travel Lodgings; Search and Seizure; Fourth Amendment (US Constitution)

I know there are four justices who would like the warrantles searches to be constitutional.

9
World

U.S. Airdrops Weapons and Supplies to Kurds Fighting in Kobani

On top of recent airstrikes against the Islamic State, the move reflects the importance of the Syrian town on the Turkish border.
Kurds; United States Defense and Military Forces; Strikes 

We can do that.

10
N.Y. / Region

At Workshop on Watches, Making Time Piece by Microscopic Piece

Some timekeeping enthusiasts have a new-found respect for the technicians who construct their prized possessions after attending a watchmaker’s workshop in Manhattan.
Watches and Clocks; Collectors and Collections; Factories and Manufacturing 

Assembling a watch is a demanding craft.  Designing a movement is more demanding.
Designing a case is a different problem.
These watches are art multiples and priced as such. 

11

To Die at Home: Reporter’s Notebook

A journey taken with a woman and her dying father led Nina Bernstein to write an article that speaks to the challenges many readers also face.
Elder Care; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Hospice Care; Nursing Homes 

It seems a good plan.
As long as I can live I would like to do so.
When I cannot be repaired it is time for Hospice at Home or inpatient Hospice.
If I am conscious and communicating please ask me. 
We will talk about it and take the necessary actions.  

12
Opinion

Some Good News on the Ebola Front

Nigeria and Senegal are free of the virus, and 43 people in Texas who had been monitored for 21 days have been cleared without any of them becoming sick.
Ebola Virus; Epidemics; Editorials 

No news here.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html
9216 reported sick.  Liberia is not reporting. 
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/situation-reports/en/
There have been 9936 EVD
cases,
and
4877 deaths
, up to the end of 19 October
.  
There is a radio report of 1000 recoveries.

13
U.S.

5 U.S. Airports Set for Travelers From 3 West African Nations

Passengers arriving from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone must enter at one of five airports that are screening for the disease.
Ebola Virus; Airport Security 

We could do that.

14
World

Bartered Away at Age 5, Now Trying to Escape to a Life She Chooses

An Afghan woman who was betrothed to ensure family peace becomes the subject of a documentary as she struggles to avoid the life her father had intended for her.
Women's Rights; Movies; Documentary Films and Programs; Women and Girls 

"Witness protection" would not work.  They are community dependent.
They could try to get on the refugee list for some western nation.
Not a wonderful idea.
Internally displaced is what they are.

15
World

Ashraf Ghani Races to Make His Mark on Presidency in Afghanistan

As Mr. Ghani breaks from the courtly style of his predecessor, Hamid Karzai, his desire to move fast may put off others in his government.
Appointments and Executive Changes 

Ashraf Ghani is rushing to his assassination.
With the troop deal in place a mutiny would not surprise me. 

16
U.S.

Tax Credits for Energy Industry Are Under Scrutiny

Susan Combs, the state comptroller, stirred controversy last month when she said Texas’ growing wind energy industry should no longer receive tax credits.
Wind Power; Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Alternative and Renewable Energy 

"“People ask me, when are we going to cut the subsidies for renewables?” said Michael E. Webber, deputy director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. “I say, probably the same day we cut the subsidies for oil and gas, which is never.”"
Texas is pinched by its subsidies.

17
Business Day

A Retreat From Weather Disasters

As the damages wrought by increasingly disruptive weather patterns have climbed around the world, the insurance industry seems to have quietly engaged in what looks a lot like a retreat.
Insurance; Weather; Global Warming; Disasters and Emergencies; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Hurricane Sandy (2012); United States Economy 

"Insurers won’t be able to stay in markets where they can’t align premiums with rising risk. Government regulators must acknowledge this fact. Policy makers must also realize that the enormous subsidies for Americans to build in harm’s way are ultimately counterproductive."

Retreat from low areas like the beaches is the only option.
Beach houses must self insure.
The companies cannot bear the risk of total loss of a risk pool.

18
U.S.

Obama Sees an Iran Deal That Could Avoid Congress

The Iranians have signaled that they would accept a “suspension” of the stringent sanctions that have cut their oil revenues and terminated their banking relationships with the West.
Nuclear Weapons; Embargoes and Sanctions; United States Politics and Government 

And a good thing too.  
The "Hawks" in congress have made the world a more dangerous place.
Only the State Department is nimble enough to get a satisfactory deal.

19
N.Y. / Region

Report on Investigation Into Ambulance Dispatch Delay in Fatal Fire

The New York City Department of Investigation on Tuesday released a report concerning an April fire in Queens in which two children died.
Fires and Firefighters; Accidents and Safety 

The dispatching system failed.
EMS and the Fire Department will now try to fix it.
Elapsed time so far: six months.  
Time to results: another year.
Ems could routinely respond to building fires.
The Fire crew could summon EMS on discovering a serious fire in an inhabited structure.

20
N.Y. / Region

Opponent Attacks New Jersey Congressman’s Record on Hurricane Recovery

Roy Cho has portrayed Representative Scott Garrett, a sixth-term incumbent in a suburban district, as only a reluctant supporter of relief funds two years ago.
Hurricane Sandy (2012); Midterm Elections (2014); Elections, House of Representatives; Tea Party Movement 

I would like to see Scott Garrett defeated.  
Roy Cho is probably not the man to do it.


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@14:40


 1
Technology

As Apple Pay Arrives, Witnessing the Next Step in Money. Maybe.

This is not a good idea.

2
This is a good thing.

3
U.S.

5 U.S. Airports Set for Travelers From 3 West African Nations

Public panic power.

4
This is not a democratic action.

5
Opinion

Close the Overseas Torture Loophole

Another good action by President Obama.

6
U.S.

Supreme Court Will Consider Police Searches of Hotel Registries


7
Business Day

Eurozone as the Fright Epicenter


No effective actions will be taken.

8

I am sorry the action was necessary.
 
9
N.Y. / Region

At Workshop on Watches, Making Time Piece by Microscopic Piece


Collectors are not rational.
 
10

To Die at Home: Reporter’s Notebook



11
U.S.

Former Blackwater Guards Convicted in Iraq Shooting

Four former Blackwater Worldwide security contractors were convicted Wednesday on charges stemming from a deadly 2007 shooting in Iraq.
Iraq War (2003-11); Mercenaries and Private Military Contractors; Murders and Attempted Murders; Civilian Casualties 

Less of a win for justice than I hoped.

12

"Dead man walking"
13

 A reason to change their culture.

14
U.S.

Tax Credits for Energy Industry Are Under Scrutiny


There will be no change in Texas.
 
15
World

Mexico Finds Many Corpses, but Not Lost 43

Residents of Iguala, Mexico, searching for students who disappeared after a clash with the police, have not found them, but they have found mass graves.
Drug Abuse and Traffic; Missing Persons; Murders and Attempted Murders; Organized Crime

The Mexican police are a lost cause.
The Mexicans all qualify as refugees.
A credible promise of honest government would cause a revolution.
They need the day of the dead.

16
U.S.

Obama Sees an Iran Deal That Could Avoid Congress



17
Business Day

A Retreat From Weather Disasters


Yes
 
18
The Upshot

Kansas Faces Additional Revenue Shortfalls After Tax Cuts

Three more months of data are in, and the state is still collecting much less income tax than it expected.
Income Tax; Elections, Governors; Budgets and Budgeting; State Legislatures 

"In 2012, Gov. Brownback called his state’s tax cuts a “real live experiment” in how tax-cutting affects the budget and the economy. So far, the main result of the experiment seems to be that cutting taxes causes the government to lose revenue."

19
N.Y. / Region

Opponent Attacks New Jersey Congressman’s Record on Hurricane Recovery



20
Business Day

Love Field Flight Limits End, and Passengers Cheer

Because some identical or similar routes are now offered at Love and Dallas-Forth Worth International, travelers have a rare blessing: options.
Airports; Business Travel; Airlines and Airplanes; Law and Legislation 

Kennedy has an elevated tram to Jamaica station.  The connection is much less arduous than "the train to the plane". There is a bus to Jamaica from Laguardia but the easy connection is to the seven on the fair grounds. There are van services that will take one where needed.  For a price there are cabs and black cars. Newark is connected by rail.  I would have to look it up.
You could call me.
Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.


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