Monday, December 8, 2014

@8:50, 12/8/14

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1
Opinion

Christie’s Pig-Crate Politics


Mark Bittman sees Christie clearly.

Christie's defense on the Fort Lee jam is failing. 

2
Opinion

Harvard Oil Divestment

Mark H. Alcott, a lawyer, writes that “the student-led effort to compel Harvard to sell its oil stocks is ineffectual at best, cynical at worst.”
Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Stocks and Bonds; Endowments; Boycotts 

"Mark H. Alcott takes the position of financial management.  The purpose of the Harvard Endowment is making money.  Education and politics are the domain of the University."
The students disagree.
I prefer the student view. 
The fight will be more effective than quiet divestment.

3


Today in Politics

There is a sense of optimism on Capitol Hill that a package of spending bills will pass.
Elections, State Legislature; Geese; Law and Legislation; Midterm Elections (2014); United States Politics and Government 

I do not expect a spending bill package.
The goose will not lay a golden egg.

4
N.Y. / Region

In D.E.A. Sting Operations, Robberies Aren’t Real, but Charges Are

A tactic used by federal officials working with the New York Police Department and the State Police has prompted concerns about allowing heavily armed suspects to enter dense areas of the city.
Drug Abuse and Traffic; Search and Seizure

The law is what congress says it is.
The Supreme Court can tell congress it is mistaken.

U.S.

Ted Cruz’s Stand on Online Tax Is Unwelcome on Main St.

Senator Ted Cruz, of Texas, is opposed to federal legislation that would require online retailers to collect sales tax for the states where those customers reside.
E-Commerce; Sales and Excise Taxes; Federal Taxes (US) 

The law is what congress says it is.
It must be news that the South lost The Civil War.

6
Health

Dallas Physician in Nation’s First Ebola Case Acknowledges Errors in Treatment

In a report published by The Dallas Morning News on Sunday, the Texas emergency room physician who misdiagnosed the first case of Ebola in the United States acknowledged his error.
Ebola Virus; Emergency Medical Treatment 

Yes.   The acknowledgment is news. 

7
Books

‘DDR Posters’ and ‘Beyond the Wall’

New books about propaganda posters and other items from the relatively short-lived German Democratic Republic.
Books and Literature; Propaganda; Cold War Era 

The Bauhaus community stayed behind in 1933.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dessau
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazimir_Malevich
http://www.kazimir-malevich.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dada
http://www.moma.org/search/collection?query=posters
http://www.moma.org/search/collection?query=posters%2C+soviet&page=1

The German refugee artists went to work for the film industry.

8
Business Day

Honda to Expand Airbag Recall Nationwide as Takata Resists

The Japanese supplier has dug in its heels on efforts to expand recalls, and Honda said it planned a wider recall, regardless of Takata’s stance.
Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Recalls and Bans of Products 

Takata is not responsible for the recall.
They delivered the specified part to the automakers.

9
World

Brotherhood Leader’s Arrest in Jordan Is Seen as Warning From Monarchy

The reason for the government’s sudden shift, analysts say, was that Zaki Bani Rushaid crossed a political line by lashing out at the United Arab Emirates, an ally.
Prisons and Prisoners 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan#Human_rights
Jordan has a peace treaty with Israel.

10
U.S.

Making the Texas Governor’s House a Home

The Austin, Tex., mansion, built in 1856, is being updated to make it more accessible for Gov.-elect Greg Abbott, though a lot of work was done after a fire there in 2008.
Historic Buildings and Sites; Governors (US); Restoration and Renovation; Americans With Disabilities Act; Arson 

Interesting that the Texas Tribune thinks it worthy of note.

11
Opinion

Reflections on New York’s New Tower

Readers respond to an architecture review by Michael Kimmelman.
1 World Trade Center (Manhattan, NY); World Trade Center (Manhattan, NY); September 11 (2001) 

In the world of aesthetics the buyer is always right.

12
Opinion

In Egypt, a Verdict Turns Back the Clock


In the world of aesthetics the buyer is always right.
13
N.Y. / Region

Gift From Giants Chairman to Help School Football Programs Respond to Head Injuries

A $1.2 million donation from Steve Tisch, an owner of the N.F.L. team, will pay to have trainers or emergency medical technicians at all contact practices for New York City’s public high schools.
Football; Interscholastic Athletics; Concussions; Sports Injuries 

The game of tackle football is on borrowed time.

The military in time of war will be allowed to continue to ruin brains.

14
World

Iraqi Government and Kurds Reach Deal to Share Oil Revenues

The agreement, which could unite Iraq against the Islamic State, covers the sharing of oil revenues with the autonomous Kurdish region.
Kurds; Muslims and Islam 

A fine story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_evolution_of_the_Ottoman_Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_evolution_of_the_Ottoman_Empire#1566
The Shia war against the Ottomans continues.  
There is nothing at Informed Comment as yet
http://www.juancole.com/
Nothing at Al Jazira
http://america.aljazeera.com/

15
U.S.

F.B.I. Is Adding Slayings Suspect to Wanted List

Yaser Abdel Said, 57, was placed on the Ten Most Wanted list by the F.B.I. in connection with the killing of his two teenage daughters seven years ago in the Dallas area.
Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides

I note the timing.

16
Real Estate

What You Get for ... $900,000

This week’s properties include a modern house in California and condos in Boston and Oregon.
Real Estate and Housing (Residential)

If you can afford it I would live there.

17
Home & Garden

Exhausted by a House That Saves Energy

A labor-intensive effort to build an energy-efficient home in Vermont leads to misgivings.
Sustainable Living; Architecture; Solar Energy; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Interior Design and Furnishings

I agree.
There are details to be resolved.
Stylistic, practical and site specific details.

There is no need to heat spare spaces more than a few degrees above ambient and freezing when they are not in use.

18

The Soft Path to a Climate Agreement, From Lima to Paris

As long ago as 1991, there were calls to pursue “soft,” not binding, steps toward a global climate treaty. Talks are progressing now because this shift has occurred.
Air Pollution; Carbon Dioxide; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Kyoto Protocol; Treaties; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

I am glad other people are carrying this fight forward.
I will support ending the use of fossil carbon when possible.  It is already necessary.

19
Opinion

Abusing Chickens We Eat

When the label says “raised cage free” and has the U.S.D.A.’s seal of approval, you should be able to trust that the animals weren’t tortured, right?
Animal Abuse, Rights and Welfare; Chickens; Agriculture and Farming; Meat; Labeling and Labels

I buy skin on bone in chicken.
That should minimize the worst abuses.
World

A Village Has What All of Italy Wants: The Internet

Italy has one of the lowest rates of Internet usage in Europe, but a professor’s experiment is proving that wireless connection can make a difference in one hilltop village.
Computers and the Internet; Nonprofit Organizations; Rural Areas

I could do that. 
I have not worked out how to make it pay.

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