Friday, February 8, 2013

@10:40, 2/7/13

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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/opinion/krugman-kick-that-can.html?hp


1
Business Day

Deep-Sea Drilling Muddies Political Waters

As technology helps propel the industry further offshore, geopolitical difficulties are intruding. Many countries have overlapping maritime boundaries.
Offshore Drilling and Exploration; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Natural Gas; Environment; Oceans and Seas; International Relations; 

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/#search:advance/page=1/page_size=100/online=1/query=plate%20tectonics:0
http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/7000097
Download the PDF, Study the maps.
There is very little sedimentary rock in the deep ocean.
Oil is found only in sedimentary rock.
Relatively shallow waters are mostly not in dispute.
"Deep" water drilling has domestic political problems. 
 
2

Video of Protests Across Tunisia After an Opposition Leader Is Gunned Down

Video and photographs shot by Tunisian activists and bloggers on Wednesday gave close-up views of protests across the country.
Assassinations and Attempted Assassinations; Blogs and Blogging (Internet); Middle East and North Africa Unrest (2010- ); Police Brutality and Misconduct;

Disputes over orthodoxy are not our concern.
 
3
Science

The Nuclear Power and Natural Gas Equation

Given the abundance of cheap natural gas, aging nuclear plants with expensive safety problems may find it harder to survive.
Accidents and Safety; Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Japan); Natural Gas; Nuclear Energy; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Shutdowns (Institutional); 

There are strong political forces opposing nuclear power.
There are the "nuclear means bombs" group and the "give us more money for fossil carbon " group.
There is probably no great abundance of natural gas.
Duke Energy needs to build another reactor with a better design and better supervision during construction.

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4
U.S.

New Rove Effort Has G.O.P. Aflame

The strategist Karl Rove and his allies have drawn ire for creating the Conservative Victory Project, their effort to help rebuild the Republican Party and win control of the Senate.
Tea Party Movement; Elections, Senate; Elections, House of Representatives; Political Action Committees; United States Politics and Government; 

"Lets you and him fight"
 
5
Opinion

The Persistence of Racial Resentment

We have elected and re-elected a black president, but the percentage of people holding anti-black attitudes is on the rise.
Blacks; Presidential Election of 2008; Presidential Election of 2012; Race and Ethnicity; 

The GOP that is exists because of LBJ.  They cannot get beyond emancipation.
 
6
Business Day

Profound Weight of Layoffs Is Seen in Work Trends Survey

Almost eight in 10 participants in a Rutgers University study said that they had lost a job in the last few years, or were close to someone who had.
United States Economy; Layoffs and Job Reductions; Unemployment; Recession and Depression; 

Employment is bad and not improving for most.
 
7

Online Campaign Draws Attention to Case of Saudi Father Accused of Rape and Torture

Reports that a man in Saudi Arabia, who had frequently appeared on television as a preacher, had raped and tortured to death his 5-year-old daughter have fueled outrage online.
Child Abuse and Neglect; Courts and the Judiciary; Domestic Violence; Muslims and Islam; Sex Crimes; Shariah (Islamic Law); Women and Girls; 

There is no way for the Saudis to back down.
 
8
Science

Clues to a Troubling Gap

Researchers say cultural forces keeping girls away from scientific careers are strong in the United States, Britain and Canada but far less pervasive in Russia, Asia and the Middle East.
Gender; Science and Technology; Tests and Examinations; 

A measured effect.  
A large part of the US considers science a matter of opinion.

9
U.S.

Study Seeks Biomarkers for Invisible War Scars

The goal of a five-year study, based at New York University’s medical school, is to find reliable, objective evidence of “invisible injuries” of war.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Traumatic Brain Injury; Veterans; Research; 

Dr. Charles R. Marmar is looking under the wrong rock.
PTSD is probably a software problem.  
There may be positive feedback involved.
PET scans for activity around the onset of an attack are the technique that might yield a result.

10
N.Y. / Region

Guy F. Tozzoli, 90, Who Led Team That Built Twin Towers, Is Dead

It seemed, one article said, as if Mr. Tozzoli had personally willed the trade center into existence, outfoxing enemies, bullying colleagues and maneuvering around problems.
World Trade Center (NYC); Deaths (Obituaries); September 11 (2001); 

It has cost quite a bit to fix.  Probably cost as much again.
90 is a generous age.
 
11
Business Day

KFC Parent Suffers After China Scandal

Yum Brands sales fell 6% during the fourth quarter in the nation, and worsened in January, because of what it called "adverse publicity" regarding chemical residue found in some of its chicken supply.
Fast Food Industry; Food Contamination and Poisoning; Company Reports; 

China lacks a trusted press.
If ones reputation is lost none dare buy.  
Yum brands is now a negative.
 
12
U.S.

From State to State, Varied Responses to the Issue of Gun Violence

More than a dozen governors invoked the Newtown, Conn., shooting as they opened their legislative sessions. But the debate has not always followed party lines.
Gun Control; Governors (US); Newtown, Conn, Shooting (2012); 

Politics is always an improvisation on events.
Guns will be less legal and more expensive.
Murder will continue.
Axe murder deserves a new film.
It is murder control that is wanted.
 
13
Opinion

The Global Farmland Rush

Agribusinesses are using land in poor countries for crops that are exported and do not improve food security.
Land Use Policies; Foreign Investments; Agriculture and Farming; Food; Third World and Developing Countries; 

It is far easier to tax a foreign corporation or to extract bribes from one.
Eminent domain is available as a threat or resource.
These overseas operations are intensely speculative.
 
14
Opinion

Depression and the Limits of Psychiatry

The recent revisions to the DSM's definition of depression are based on a questionable conception of what is "normal." Why is that dangerous?
Emotions; Grief (Emotion); Mental Health and Disorders; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists; 

Everything is dangerous.  
We would like wisdom in the people who judge us.  
The best we can do is to avoid being judged in most cases.  
Nuts capable of mass murder are not yet criminals.
Restraining them is a medical problem and not a law enforcement task.
Assigning responsibility to do the deed is beyond me.

15
Opinion

Invitation to a Dialogue: Fighting Poverty

The president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says many safety-net programs are quite effective. Readers are invited to respond.
Poverty; Income Tax; Welfare (US); Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Food Stamps; 

The effective action against poverty is 
an income larger than ones expenses.
 
16
Opinion

A Capitalist Case for Emancipation

For one businessman, slavery had to end not because it was immoral - but because it was inefficient.
Capitalism (Theory and Philosophy); Civil War (US) (1861-65); Maps; Slavery; 

Put it in the textbooks.
 
17
Business Day

Cravath Hires 2nd Official From Obama Administration

In hiring the departing director of the patent office, Cravath, Swaine & Moore signaled the importance of government policy to powerful law firms.
Hiring and Promotion; Intellectual Property; Inventions and Patents; Legal Profession; 

I am not happy with present patent law in so far as I know it.
I will have to read it over when I get time.
 
18
U.S.

Congress to See Memo Backing Drone Attacks on Americans

The White House’s order to release classified documents came two days after 11 senators joined a growing chorus seeking information about the justification for targeted killings, especially of United States citizens.
Drones (Pilotless Planes); Targeted Killings; Terrorism; Americans Abroad; United States Politics and Government; Classified Information and State Secrets; Espionage and Intelligence Services; 

The government can kill anyone it pleases.
It cannot do it legally without due process of law.
What due process is can be debated.
Without due process the government must not confess the action.
If these congressional committees open this can of worms they can deal with the contents.
 
19
World

Known for Crime and Poverty, but Working on Its Image

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, is hoping that its designation as European Capital of Culture for 2013, and its makeover, will lift tourism and its economy.
Restoration and Renovation; Art; Museums; Travel and Vacations; Ports; 

Do for Marseille what The Wire did for Baltimore.
 
20
World

Egypt: Two Coptic Christians Sentenced for Stealing Weapons

A criminal court on Monday sentenced two Coptic Christians to three years in prison for stealing weapons from soldiers during a 2011 clash that left more than two dozen Copts dead.
Demonstrations, Protests, and Riots; Sentences (Criminal); Christians and Christianity; Defense and Military Forces; 

 "Why are those protesters assaulting the policemen's billies with their heads?"



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