Monday, April 15, 2013

@10:00, 4/14/13

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1
Magazine

An Ethical Theory of Relativity

Corporations, alas, are people.
Landlords; Ethics (Personal); Ethicist, The (Times Column); 

In all cases fulfill the legal obligation.
The cable company and the landlord do not get tipped.
 
2
N.Y. / Region

Hate-Crime Charges in Brooklyn Fires

The police said Ruben Ubiles set fire to 12 mezuzot, religious ornaments that many Jews affix to their door frames, at a public-housing complex.
Hate Crimes; Arson; Jews and Judaism; 

He is a problem for the legal system now.
I am mildly curious as to the nature of his insanity.
The courts do not deal with this kind of situation with any grace.
The legislature should be debating the problem.
They are not doing so and will not do so without a popular mandate.
 
3
Sunday Review

Think Those Chemicals Have Been Tested?

The overwhelming majority of chemicals in use today have never been independently tested for safety.
Hazardous and Toxic Substances; Chemicals; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Bisphenol A (BPA); United States Politics and Government; Medicine and Health; Babies and Infants; 

Many industrial chemicals are not safe.
Industry is should not be allowed to poison our environment for convenience or for cost reduction.
Safety is the wrong standard.
Possibly public health would be better.
OSHA is supposed to deal with process problems.

4
Education

State Lines May Ease for Classes Held Online

A panel led by a former education secretary wants to make it easier for universities to offer online courses across state lines by relaxing the current patchwork of rules and fees.
E-Learning; Colleges and Universities; States (US); Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; 

It appears that state legislatures have seen education as a source of revenue.
The legislatures should correct this view and behavior.
If they do not, the federal government should correct it for them.
 
5
Opinion

China Must Exploit Its Shale Gas

Exploiting China’s vast resources of shale gas is the only short-term way for the country to avoid huge increases in greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Shale; Hydraulic Fracturing; Global Warming; 


There is no "must" about it.
We cannot impose our views on other sovereign states.
Screech all you wish, there is no way short of conquest to require a behavior.
 
6
World

All Aboard Rescued After Plane Skids Into Water at Bali Airport

A plane with 108 people onboard skidded off the runway on Saturday, cracked in half and landed in the sea while trying to land.
Airlines and Airplanes; Aviation Accidents and Safety; 

This is a problem for Indonesia.
 
7
U.S.

California: Arrests in Assault of Girl Who Hanged Herself

The Santa Clara County sheriff’s office arrested three 16-year-old boys on accusations that they sexually battered a 15-year-old.
Assaults; Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Sex Crimes; Child Abuse and Neglect; 

Yes.  Saddened, not shocked.   
 
8
Real Estate

The Treasure Trove on the Ground Floor

Some co-op buildings are now able to reap the benefits a change in the 80-20 tax rule.
Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Real Estate (Commercial); Cooperatives; Shopping and Retail; Taxation; 

Rents, like wages, do not go down.  The same reasoning applies.
Costs are reduced by inflation.
The numbers stay or increase.  The value of the numbers decreases.
 
9
Sunday Review

Indentured Servitude in the Persian Gulf

In Qatar, Asian workers can’t change jobs or leave the country without permission.
Foreign Workers; Labor and Jobs; Economic Conditions and Trends; Wages and Salaries; Forced Labor; Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; 

She has done the right thing.
We will act to suppress slavery.

10
Opinion

Public Pensions in Bankruptcy Court

A case in California could set a precedent for how cities deal with retirees’ benefits.
Bankruptcies; Pensions and Retirement Plans; Decisions and Verdicts; 

The pensioners are not required to yield their retirement.  
Their contracts are now with Calpers. 
 Stockton's bondholders loose their investment.
 
11
N.Y. / Region

Students Told to Take Viewpoint of the Nazis

An unidentified 10th-grade English teacher at Albany High School told students to construct an anti-Semitic argument using historical propaganda.
Education (K-12); Anti-Semitism; Holocaust and the Nazi Era; 

Poor judgement but a very effective exercise.  
 
12
Education

Trimming the Ivy

Senator Tom Harkin answers questions on the for-profit business model and the federal role in higher education.
Colleges and Universities; For-Profit Schools; Federal Aid (US); Student Loans; 

The more I look the less happy I am.  There seem to be no standards on tuition and other university charges to students.  What the traffic will bear seems to be the only rule.  There are standards for what is learned but none for what is charged for instruction.  

13
U.S.

Rights Groups, in Letter to Obama, Question Legality and Secrecy of Drone Killings

A nine-page letter sent to President Obama is the most significant critique to date of what has become the centerpiece of the United States’ counterterrorism efforts.
United States Politics and Government; Drones (Pilotless Planes); Targeted Killings; 

If the nations whose residents have been killed by drone strikes were to take the killings to the International Court of Justice the U.S. would be adjudged guilty, probably of "war crimes", certainly of murder.
14
N.Y. / Region

In Deal, 2 Men Will Be Jailed 30 Days for Beating Cat to Death

The men, who are father and son, will also be sentenced to five years’ probation and be barred for life from owning an animal for the attack on the cat last summer in their Brooklyn home.
Cats; Cruelty to Animals; 

Noted.
 
15
World

Mishaps Underscore Weaknesses of Japanese Nuclear Plant

Recent mishaps at Fukushima — including a blackout triggered by a dead rat — have underscored just how vulnerable the site is to leaks, breakdowns and simple human error.
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Japan); Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011); Power Outages and Blackouts; Nuclear Energy; Accidents and Safety; 

There are and will be people and groups of people who would prefer a larger disaster.  They must not gain influence.  
A safe shut down and clean up are the first order.  
They can worry about cost later.

16
Opinion

Harvesting Water

Nate Downey, the author of “Harvest the Rain,” responds to a Sunday Review news analysis.
Rain; Water; Drought; 

Sumps for storm water recharge.  The water quality is considered low.
 
17
Fashion & Style

Despite the Losses, So Much Gained

Our relationship was not an obvious one, but neither of us liked the obvious.
Love (Emotion); Dating and Courtship; 

Sooner is better.   As soon as you can is best.
 
18
Your Money

Playing Catch-Up With Robocallers

The nation’s dated communications infrastructure makes it hard to find the ideal way to thwart illegal robocalling.
Telemarketing; Identification Devices; Consumer Protection; 

David Segal and his sources have hold of the wrong part of Robocalling.
All the robocallers I have experienced are using a conference call system.
There are robocall systems that deliver medical and library calls.  Though ugly they are useful.  The billing system can be set to refuse large pool calls.  Smaller pools I suspect would be unprofitable for robo systems.
I have been having reasonable luck getting a live agent and requesting removal.  The effort is not totally effective.  Aggressive marketers reenter the phone book and numbers must be struck from the list again.

19
U.S.

Obama Sees Insurers; Health Law Is Subject

President Obama met with insurance executives to discuss the so-called rate shock if the industry sharply raises premiums this fall.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Law and Legislation; Reform and Reorganization; United States Politics and Government; 

We can hope.  The insurance industry has but one objective.  They want as much income as they can extract.  Everything else is at best secondary.
 
20
Health

Walnut Fougasse or Focaccia

A Mediterranean flatbread where walnuts and their oil stand in for olives.
Medicine and Health; Diet and Nutrition; Recipes; Nuts; Bread; 

I can easily do that.  I usually prick over a flat bread with a fork.  The pricking keeps the bread from popping just like a pita.  I have seen a roller covered with pins used for making ship's biscuit.

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@14:22

1
Opinion

China Must Exploit Its Shale Gas

Exploiting China’s vast resources of shale gas is the only short-term way for the country to avoid huge increases in greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Shale; Hydraulic Fracturing; Global Warming;

No.
 
3
U.S.

California: Arrests in Assault of Girl Who Hanged Herself


Drama.

4
Real Estate

The Treasure Trove on the Ground Floor

5
Opinion

Public Pensions in Bankruptcy Court

6
N.Y. / Region

Students Told to Take Viewpoint of the Nazis


Bad timing.

7
Education

Trimming the Ivy

9
World

Mishaps Underscore Weaknesses of Japanese Nuclear Plant

10
N.Y. / Region

In Deal, 2 Men Will Be Jailed 30 Days for Beating Cat to Death

11
Opinion

Harvesting Water

12
Fashion & Style

Despite the Losses, So Much Gained


Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.

13
Your Money

Playing Catch-Up With Robocallers

14
U.S.

Obama Sees Insurers; Health Law Is Subject

15
Health

Walnut Fougasse or Focaccia

16
World

Sierra Leone’s Health Care System Becomes a Cautionary Tale for Donors

The top leadership of the Healthy Ministry faces charges of misusing foreign funds, raising alarm in a nation with the region’s worst health statistics.
Medicine and Health; Foreign Aid; Corruption (Institutional); Embezzlement; Infant Mortality; Reform and Reorganization; 

Free money always finds a home.
 
17
U.S.

Experiment in Oregon Gives Medicaid Very Local Roots

The state and the federal government have wagered $1.9 billion on a project intended to improve the health of low-income people and lower the rate of spending growth.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Medicaid; Budgets and Budgeting; 

Yes
 
18
Health

A Seasonal Pattern to Mental Health

An analysis of Google search queries suggests that mental illnesses flourish in winter and decline in summer.
Anxiety and Stress; Medicine and Health; Mental Health and Disorders;

Figuring it out first.
 
19
Business Day

Consultant Recants in Chevron Pollution Case in Ecuador

20
Opinion

Those Who Can't Teach Block


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@17:30

1
Opinion

Public Pensions in Bankruptcy Court

2
N.Y. / Region

Students Told to Take Viewpoint of the Nazis

3
Education

Trimming the Ivy

5
World

Mishaps Underscore Weaknesses of Japanese Nuclear Plant

6
N.Y. / Region

In Deal, 2 Men Will Be Jailed 30 Days for Beating Cat to Death

7
Opinion

Harvesting Water

8
Fashion & Style

Despite the Losses, So Much Gained

9
Your Money

Playing Catch-Up With Robocallers

10
U.S.

Obama Sees Insurers; Health Law Is Subject

11
Health

Walnut Fougasse or Focaccia

13
U.S.

Experiment in Oregon Gives Medicaid Very Local Roots

14
Health

A Seasonal Pattern to Mental Health

15
Business Day

Consultant Recants in Chevron Pollution Case in Ecuador

16
Opinion

Those Who Can't Teach Block

17
Booming

Two for Life, Following Their Own Destiny

For Pat and Anne Chang, 30 years of marriage has meant being there for each other, and an occasional marital letter.
Baby Boomers; Marriages; Race and Ethnicity; 

Something like that.  
I would like to have the physical part.

18
Science

Family Letter About DNA Is Sold at Auction

19
N.Y. / Region

After Conviction in ’75 Murder Is Thrown Out, Victim’s Family Relives Pain

A day after a Bronx judge freed David Bryant, who had been convicted in the death of an 8-year-old girl, the girl’s family was just starting to process what had happened.
Murders and Attempted Murders; Sex Crimes; Decisions and Verdicts; False Arrests, Convictions and Imprisonments; 

This story does not reassure me about human nature.
The guy was innocent.
 
20
Opinion

The Île à Vache: From Hope to Disaster

A plan to colonize recently freed slaves on an island near Haiti goes terribly awry.
Civil War (US) (1861-65); Slavery;

The faithful do not learn.




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1
Technology

Q&A: Respecting Copyright on YouTube

I do not upload to YouTube.
2
U.S.

Obama Sees Insurers; Health Law Is Subject

3
U.S.

California: Arrests in Assault of Girl Who Hanged Herself


4
N.Y. / Region

Fitting In at the Fitness Center

5
U.S.

Indiana: Planned Parenthood Clinic Attacked

6
Opinion

Creating 'The Glorious 54th'

7
N.Y. / Region

Early in Mayoral Battle, Carriage Horses Are Drawn Into Race

8
Opinion

Those Who Can't Teach Block

9
Business Day

Fewer Americans Lose Jobs, but Hiring Is Also Down

10
U.S.

Part 4: Answers to Your Questions on Making the Final College Decision

Debt should be minimized.

11
U.S.

Amid Drought, Water Board in New Mexico Confronts State Over Supply

A small water agency has moved to force state agencies that control distribution to deprive some users of their supplies.
Drought; Water; Agriculture and Farming; Irrigation; 

The law is very firmly established.  
 
13
Science

Family Letter About DNA Is Sold at Auction

14
Opinion

China Must Exploit Its Shale Gas

15
Business Day

Consultant Recants in Chevron Pollution Case in Ecuador

16
Opinion

The Île à Vache: From Hope to Disaster

17
Health

Sleep Less, Weigh More

A study of ninth graders found that each additional hour of sleep was linked to a reduction in body mass index.
Children and Childhood; Medicine and Health; Sleep; 

Interesting.   
There is not enough in this report to go further.
18
Sports

Jersey Shore, Damaged by Sandy, Is Ready to Run

The New Jersey Marathon, to be run May 5, had to be rerouted because of Hurricane Sandy, but the race’s organizer said there was never a doubt that it would be held.
Marathon Running; Hurricane Sandy (2012); 

Pass.
 
19
Business Day

ConocoPhillips Suspends Its Arctic Drilling Plans

The oil company cited regulatory uncertainties in announcing that it would not drill in Alaskan waters in 2014.
Offshore Drilling and Exploration; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; 

The thought does not disappoint me.
 
20
Business Day

Genel Energy Makes Oil Find in Kurdistan

Genel said its first well at Chia Surkh was producing almost 12,000 barrels of oil per day.
Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Drilling and Boring; 

I have not been watching the area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genel_Energy

This does not look like a well behaved operation.

Kurdistan has not been in the news for several months.

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