Saturday, December 29, 2012

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1
Opinion

A Coal Sales Ticker Next to a 'Clean Energy' Claim?

The biggest coal company in the free world says it's a "global leader in clean energy solutions."
Air Pollution; Alternative and Renewable Energy; Carbon Dioxide; Coal; Electric Light and Power; Environment; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Mines and Mining; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; 

Coal is fossil carbon.
Burning it is inexcusable.
 
2
Opinion

Closing Loopholes Isn’t Enough

Some politicians think America can raise the revenue it needs to balance its books without raising tax rates on anyone. There’s a word for that: hogwash.
Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Federal Taxes (US); Income Tax; Corporate Taxes; Taxation; 

This is a tissue of lies.  
The Republican plans will not work is true.
The social safety net does not require modification.
The Bush tax cuts must expire.
The spending cap must be removed.
In a few years we must begin to pay down some of the debt.
 
3
Health

United States Lags in Alzheimer's Support

A Senate report highlights several trends related to care for people with Alzheimer's disease in five countries.
Alzheimer's Disease; Dementia; Elderly; United States Politics and Government; 

Support for the demented is not a contest.
Failure to support the demented does not make us a better nation.
Supporting the demented without producing a profit center for the unscrupulous awaits a solution.
If I never set foot in an old age home again I will be very pleased.
 
4
Business Day

High Energy Costs Plaguing Europe

Europe has poured tens of billions of euros into clean energy initiatives, but the effort has yet to become financially sustainable. Instead, the Continent is likely to have only exported its emissions elsewhere.
Energy and Power; Solar Energy; Coal; 

The marginal cost of shale gas is very high.
The low cost of natural gas in the U.S. is a temporary aberration.
I would like to see a table of carbon per kilowatt hour With various fuels and technologies.

5
U.S.

As Swing Districts Dwindle, Can a Divided House Stand?

Most members of the House of Representatives come from hyperpartisan districts where they face essentially no threat of losing their seat to the other party - and have little incentive to work across party lines.
Elections, House of Representatives; Presidential Election of 2012; Redistricting and Reapportionment; United States Politics and Government; 

This is a dismal prospect.
Obama will have to override the spending cap.
The Bush tax cuts are dead. 
New money will be non existent.

6
Opinion

Dancing Around the Fiscal Cliff

U.S. budget talks and piecemeal efforts to address the E.U. crisis all ignore the key issue: What goods and services can government effectively provide.
Banking and Financial Institutions; Finances; Gross Domestic Product; United States Economy; 

Just a lie from beginning to end.

We do need to consider the social contract.  
We always need to consider that.

7
World

'Warfighter' Video Game Offers Links to Actual Guns

The game producer Electronic Arts now has a Web site that promotes the makers of real weapons that are depicted in the latest version of its best-selling game, Medal of Honor Warfighter. Do the dots connect between violent video games and incidents of actual violence, as the National Rifle Association believes?
Advertising and Marketing; Computer and Video Games; Games; Gun Control; Murders and Attempted Murders; Newtown, Conn, Shooting (2012); Violence (Media and Entertainment); 

The evidence is against such a connection.
If there were a link the incidence of mass killings would be high.
 
8
U.S.

Marines and Sailors Face Strict Alcohol Rules

Marines and sailors will be subject to random blood-alcohol tests twice a year under a new anti-drinking policy that begins Jan. 1.
Drunken and Reckless Driving; Tests (Medical); United States Defense and Military Forces; 

This is one way to get a reduction in forces.
 
9
Opinion

Egypt’s Flawed Constitution

Both President Mohamed Morsi and his opponents must seek compromise and unity if they want to build a more constructive future.
Constitutions; Legislatures and Parliaments; Editorials; 

Morsi and his government want a pure future.  An Islamic future.
 
10
N.Y. / Region

After Storm, Moving to Update a Mall at the South Street Seaport

The Dallas-based operators of the Pier 17 shopping mall, which was largely spared by Hurricane Sandy, plan to transform the site into an open, three-story retail and entertainment center.
Real Estate (Commercial); Shopping Centers and Malls; Shopping and Retail; Restoration and Renovation; 

Just a bad move.  
 
11
Education

Illinois: Chicago Schools Accused of Discrimination

The lawsuit alleges that the district selects schools with a high percentage of African-American teachers for turnaround, while taking no action against other similarly performing schools.
Education (K-12); Blacks; Teachers and School Employees; Organized Labor; 

"Tell it to the judge."

12
Autos

Wheelies: The Promotion Edition

Kia is promoting its chief designer, Peter Schreyer, to president, making him the first non-Korean to hold the post.
Advertising and Marketing; Automobiles; Bicycles and Bicycling; Commuting; Traffic Accidents and Safety; 

Kia is probably doing the right thing.
The price of gas will have to rise further to get London on to bicycles.
They need more subways.
13
Science

Capturing Climate Change Digitally

Using two Webcams, scientists discover a high correlation between canopy hue and carbon dioxide uptake in an English forest. As the seasons shift with global warming, they will be able to chart changes in uptake.
Cameras; Carbon Dioxide; Color; Forests and Forestry; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Photography; Photosynthesis; Seasons and Months; Trees and Shrubs; 

A nice study.  It is window dressing.
14
Opinion

The Invisible Ax - People, Profit and Progress on Humanity's Planet

A look at the invisible connections between consumers and the planet's ailing resource frontiers.
Forests and Forestry; Global Warming; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Logging Industry; Monkeys and Apes; Poaching (Wildlife); Shopping and Retail; Tidal Waves and Tsunamis; Wildlife Sanctuaries; 

Revkin is "preaching to the quire"  as far as I am concerned.

15
Opinion

The Unfulfilled Promise of 'Promised Land'

A feature film on fracking misses the real drama in gas country.
Hydraulic Fracturing; Movies; Natural Gas; Shale; 

Heavy propaganda does not sell well.
 
16
World

The Italian Paradox on Refugees

Italy has a good record of granting asylum status but a disgraceful follow-through, refugee agencies say, which has resulted in an expanding population of refugees in shantytowns.
Refugees and Displaced Persons; Asylum, Right of; European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ); Immigration and Emigration; 

They are broke. 
 
17
Arts

A Mountain Goat for Top Poet Perch?

Fans are petitioning the government to name the songwriter John Darnielle United States Poet Laureate.
Music; Poetry and Poets; Poets Laureate; Writing and Writers; 

Don't know.
 
18
N.Y. / Region

Woman Hit by Bus Near Central Park Dies

A 33-year-old woman was struck by an M.T.A. bus as she was crossing the street at 59th Street and Seventh Avenue, the police said.
Traffic Accidents and Safety; Buses; 

There is no story here.
 
19
World

Turkish Journalist Accused of Terrorist Plot Is Freed Pending Trial

Soner Yalcin, the owner and editor of OdaTV, a news portal critical of the government, was released from prison on Thursday after spending nearly two years behind bars.
News and News Media; Prisons and Prisoners; 

This might be signs of change.  It might also be the last efforts of an old order.  I will hope for change for the better.
20
Opinion

How Giving Became Cool

Ted Turner’s $1 billion donation to United Nations causes 15 years ago changed a business culture and reshaped philanthropy.
Philanthropy; Poverty; 

We have seen this game before.  I await results.
I suspect the model of building highways is applicable.
More roads lead to more cars lead to more roads etc.

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