Sunday, April 14, 2013

@3:30, 4/13/13

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@3:30

1
Education

Hearing Set on Cheating Claim in Capital

The City Council in Washington will hold a hearing after a memo warning officials of cheating on standardized tests during the chancellorship of Michelle A. Rhee surfaced on Thursday.
Cheating; Tests and Examinations; Education (K-12); Teachers and School Employees; Performance Evaluations (Labor); City Councils; 

Maybe we learn something.
 
2
Science

E.P.A. Will Delay Rule Limiting Carbon Emissions at New Power Plants

The new rule, limiting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, drew legal and technical objections from the electric power industry.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Coal; Clean Air Act; Electric Light and Power; Natural Gas; Global Warming; 

"The draft rule, introduced last March by Lisa P. Jackson, then the E.P.A. administrator, would have limited carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants to 1,000 pounds per megawatt-hour." 
                                                . . .
" Newer power plants burning natural gas already easily meet the new standards, so the rule presents little obstacle for new gas plants. But the rule would have effectively killed any new coal-fired plants, because they emit nearly twice as much carbon per unit of electricity as natural gas plants and there is currently no available technology to bring their emissions under the limit."

The Coal interests appear to be trying to do politically what should be done in the engineering office.

Call in an expert from Babcock & Wilcox  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babcock_%26_Wilcox
3
Education

Washington Eyes Raising State Tuition of Foreigners

Some Washington State legislators are proposing a 20 percent tuition surcharge for international students at public universities and community colleges as a way to raise revenues.
Tuition; Foreign Students (in US); Budgets and Budgeting;

This is a proposed action with ulterior motives.
The income is not significant.
The fee is enough to make the university unattractive to foreign students.
The bill has GOP sponsorship.

4
Opinion

Tax Disincentives for Working Moms

Readers discuss child care expenses in response to an Op-Ed essay.
Children and Childhood; Child Care; Careers and Professions; Women and Girls; Parenting; Federal Taxes (US); Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; 

No news here.
 
5
U.S.

Budget Embodies Obama’s Vision for Remaking Economy

President Obama used his spending plan to sketch out an economic future for the United States built on manufacturing, education, alternative energy, infrastructure and science.
Federal Budget (US); Factories and Manufacturing; United States Economy; Medicare; Social Security (US); Education; 

The fifth Obama Budget is indeed simply a political document introduced for tactical reasons.
The arguments introduced in the article are from the supply side view of the economy.  They are, like all such, spurious in a demand limited system.
As Henry Ford noticed if there are limited buyers once the few are satisfied it makes no difference how much more supply there is. There will be no more sales.

6
Opinion

India’s Ruling on a Novartis Drug: 2 Perspectives

Novartis and a patent lawyer discuss its patent request for the leukemia drug Gleevec.
Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Inventions and Patents; Generic Brands and Products; Decisions and Verdicts; Intellectual Property; 

The tale told by Novartis is very different from the narrative presented in the Times.  I tend to trust the Times to get it right.
The Indian generic should not exist under the Novartis narrative.
 
7
N.Y. / Region

In Immigration Debate, a Focus on New York Dairy Farmers

Farmers from western and central New York, struggling to find a reliable supply of labor, say they have come under growing scrutiny from the immigration authorities.
Agriculture and Farming; Foreign Workers; Immigration and Emigration; Labor and Jobs; Dairy Products; Migrant Labor (Agriculture); 

The situation appears to be abusive.
Visas will raise wages significantly.
 
8
World

In Assam, Searching for New Crops and Farming Methods for Depleted Soil

Deforestation, increased flooding and climate change make the soil sandier, but some crops thrive.
Agriculture and Farming; Floods; Global Warming; Irrigation; Monsoons; Vegetables; 

This is very local thinking.
Most globally Fossil carbon use must end.   Not going to happen
Next! Move the population of the valley floor.      Unlikely.
Next! Reforest the slopes too steep to farm.        Possible.
Next!  Terrace the slopes as high as practicable.  Probable.
Next!  Control the river banks with dense, deep rooted, growth.
Sell sand and stone.
Farm.
        
9
World

10 Mistakes of the Iraq War

An interview with Colonel Ted Spain, who was deployed to Iraq as the commander of the 18th Military Police Brigade.
Detainees; Iraq War (2003-11); United States Defense and Military Forces;

These were all in the first half.  There are others.
 
10
World

Afghanistan: 2 Americans Killed in Helicopter Crash

A helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan killed two American service members on Tuesday, officials said.
Afghanistan War (2001- ); Accidents and Safety; Helicopters; Aviation Accidents and Safety; United States Defense and Military Forces; 

"No reports of enemy action".
11
Travel

Checking Your Own Bags

Hawaiian Airlines has become the first domestic carrier to extend the concept of self-check-in to luggage.
Airlines and Airplanes; Luggage; Travel and Vacations; 

at 6:03,  8+2+2.  Travel from the left coast plus.
12
N.Y. / Region

Hasidic Sect Hopes to Buy Huge Armory in Brooklyn

The Satmar view the vacant National Guard building in Williamsburg as a possible solution to a space crunch in its schools and synagogues and a bitter schism.
Religion and Belief; Hasidism; Armories; Area Planning and Renewal; Education (K-12); 

yes . . .
 
13
Business Day

Bieber Backs a Debit Card for Teenagers, From Parents

In new videos for the SpendSmart Payments Company, which offers a prepaid debit card for teenagers, Justin Bieber talks about his modest upbringing.
Advertising and Marketing; Teenagers and Adolescence; Debit Cards; Personal Finances; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); 

We know that plastic is a trap.
 
14
N.Y. / Region

Fitting In at the Fitness Center

For those new to getting in shape, or returning to the treadmill after a lapse, these fitness centers in New York are considered accommodating to exercisers, regardless of their size.
Exercise; Health Clubs; 

I have been sitting excessively.
Mostly reading off the screen.
 
15
Business Day

A FoxNews.com Reporter Is Facing Jail for Refusing to Identify Police Sources

In a case involving the killings at a Colorado theater last summer, a reporter says she will not reveal the names of officers who told her about a notebook kept by the accused.
News and News Media; News Sources, Confidential Status of; Aurora, Colo, Shooting (2012); Freedom of Speech and Expression; 

Just more noise.
 
16
N.Y. / Region

Early in Mayoral Battle, Carriage Horses Are Drawn Into Race

A surprising subject has erupted in the early weeks of the race for New York City mayor, complete with boldface endorsers, voluble protests, and a generously-financed attack ad: animal rights.
Elections, Mayors; Cruelty to Animals; Carriages; Horses; Political Advertising; Endorsements; 

Horse traction is older than the internal combustion engine.
The city can make room for some of it.
 
17
Opinion

Creating 'The Glorious 54th'

The story behind the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry.
Blacks; Civil War (US) (1861-65); Draft and Recruitment (Military); 

It worked to start with.  The staff did not like it.
 
18
Opinion

Those Who Can't Teach Block

Supposedly a plan to improve the quality of schooling, Mexico’s education reform is a move to put down the teachers’ union.
Education (K-12); Organized Labor; Reform and Reorganization; Teachers and School Employees; 

Messy.  Just get the children learning.  The union is not the government.
The union will have to back down.  
The government can't run the schools and the schools must run.
 
19
U.S.

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

Marie Bigham, a veteran college counselor, and Mark Kantrowitz, an expert on paying for college, answer select reader questions about where to enroll. Part 4.
Colleges and Universities; Financial Aid (Education); Student Loans; 

Less debt is better.
 
20
Business Day

Americans Lose Jobs at Lower Rates, but Hiring Is Also Down

Data from the Labor Department may help explain why long-term unemployment persists.
Labor and Jobs; Unemployment; United States Economy; Layoffs and Job Reductions; Hiring and Promotion; 

We are still in depression.


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@14:51


1
N.Y. / Region

Focus on Dairy Farmers in Immigration Debate

2
Technology

Q&A: Respecting Copyright on YouTube

YouTube has several ways of dealing with users who upload copyrighted material to the site.
Copyrights and Copyright Violations; Identification Devices; Music; Video Recordings and Downloads; 

So far I have not been bothered.  I do not upload to Utube.
4
World

10 Mistakes of the Iraq War

5
Business Day

Bieber Backs a Debit Card for Teenagers, From Parents

6
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; 

The insurers seek max-profit.
7
Travel

Checking Your Own Bags

8
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; 

Drama.
 
9
World

Afghanistan: 2 Americans Killed in Helicopter Crash


noise.

10
N.Y. / Region

Fitting In at the Fitness Center

11
U.S.

Indiana: Planned Parenthood Clinic Attacked

The police arrested an abortion opponent and charged him with breaking into a Planned Parenthood clinic in Monroe County.
Crime and Criminals; Vandalism; 

A nut.  Possibly a dangerous nut.
 
12
N.Y. / Region

Early in Mayoral Battle, Carriage Horses Are Drawn Into Race

13
Opinion

Creating 'The Glorious 54th'

14
Opinion

Those Who Can't Teach Block

15
Business Day

Fewer Americans Lose Jobs, but Hiring Is Also Down

16
U.S.

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

17
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; 

A tear jerker.  The man is innocent.
18
Science

Family Letter About DNA Is Sold at Auction

A letter sent by the biologist Francis Crick to his 12-year-old son in 1953 about his discovery of the structure of DNA was sold at auction for $5.3 million, according to Christie’s.
Science and Technology; Genetics and Heredity; DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); Letters; Auctions; 

not even interesting.
 
19
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 "must" about it.
 
20
Business Day

Consultant Recants in Chevron Pollution Case in Ecuador

Stratus Consulting said it was misled by a lawyer for Ecuadorean villagers who have been battling Chevron for decades over environmental damage.
Suits and Litigation; Research; Water Pollution; 

A lawyer could have no ability to influence the science.

This looks to me like blatant corruption by Chevron or its agents. 








 

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