@8:00, 5/27/13

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1

Opinion

Geoengineering: Our Last Hope, or a False Promise?

By CLIVE HAMILTON | May 27, 2013

We should not try to play God with the planet.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Carbon Dioxide; Global Warming; Science and Technology; Oceans and Seas; 

"When stuck in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging it deeper".

Ending fossil carbon use leaves the world in the dark.

Nuclear breeder programs enable weapons builders.

The Mote in God's Eye

http://www.amazon.com/Mote-Gods-Eye-Larry-Niven/dp/0671741926
The Moties were caught in this trap.

2

Health

Battling Cancer Together

By JANE E. BRODY | May 26, 2013

Honesty, communication and affection are crucial for couples in this prolonged ordeal.

Breast Cancer; Cancer; Love (Emotion); Medicine and Health;

It is easier with two than one. 
This is all good advice.
I am not looking for perfection.

3

Science

A Vital River, Drained of Wildlife

By JEFF OPPERMAN | May 24, 2013

Editing the population is not an option for me.

4

Opinion

Preventing a U.S.-China Cyberwar

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | May 26, 2013

Before adopting punitive measures to fight against hackers, the two nations need to try working together.

Cyberattacks and Hackers; Cyberwarfare; Computer Security; United States International Relations;

Talking is about all we can do.
Their systems should be kept open to us. 
That probably can be done quietly.

5

World

Deal Reached to Reduce Inequality in Colombia

By WILLIAM NEUMAN | May 27, 2013

In an encouraging step in the country’s long-running guerrilla war, the government and a top rebel group reached a deal on rural inequality, an area of focus for the rebels.

Politics and Government; Agriculture and Farming; Rural Areas; Education; Infrastructure (Public Works);

Land reform is a start.
 

6

Opinion

Behind the Fine Words

May 25, 2013

Yes

7

Business Day

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week

May 27, 2013

The following tax-exempt fixed-income issues are scheduled for pricing this week.

Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Government Bonds; States (US);

" May 27, 2013, 9:31 am 64 Comments

Nightmare in Portugal

The FT has a long, deeply depressing portrait of conditions in Portugal, focusing on the plight of family-owned businesses — once the core of the nation’s economy and society, now going under in droves.
This is what it’s really about. And anyone playing any role in our current economic debate, whether as an actual policy maker or as an analyst giving advice from the sidelines, should be focused, above all, on how and why we’re allowing this nightmare to happen all over again three generations after the Great Depression.
Don’t tell me that Portugal has had bad policies in the past and has deep structural problems. Of course it has; so does everyone, and while arguably Portugal’s are worse than those of some other countries, how can it possibly make sense to “deal” with these problems by condemning vast numbers of willing workers to unemployment?
The answer to the kind of problems Portugal now faces, as we’ve known for many decades, is expansionary monetary and fiscal policy. But Portugal can’t do those things on its own, because it no longer has its own currency. OK, then: either the euro must go or something must be done to make it work, because what we’re seeing (and the Portuguese are experiencing) is unacceptable.
What could help? A much stronger expansion in the euro area as a whole; higher inflation in the European core. Looser monetary policy could help achieve these things, but bear in mind that the ECB, like the Fed, is basically up against the zero lower bound. It can and should try to push unconventional policies, but it needs as much help as possible from fiscal policy too — not a situation in which austerity in the periphery is reinforced by austerity in the core, too.
What has happened instead, however, is three years in which European policy has been focused almost entirely on the supposed dangers of public debt. I don’t think it’s a waste of time to discuss how that misplaced focus happened, including the unfortunate role played by some economists who have done fine work in the past and will presumably do fine work in the future. But the important thing now is to change the policies that are creating this nightmare."

Holiday in the US and Britain.

8

Business Day

The Corrosive Effect of Apple’s Tax Avoidance

By FLOYD NORRIS | May 24, 2013

In a Senate subcommittee hearing on Apple’s avoidance of paying taxes, John McCain and others tried to point out how unfair the current system was to domestic corporations.

Corporate Taxes; Tax Shelters; Tax Evasion; Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions;

Corporate income taxes are voluntary.
 

9

Business Day

Why Did Citigroup Try to Overturn an Overhaul?

By PETER EAVIS | May 24, 2013

Citigroup’s direct involvement in shaping a House bill suggests it feels that it should work behind the scenes to shape legislation for its benefit. Fears about its bottom line may have been what stirred it.

Banking and Financial Institutions; Credit Default Swaps; Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010); Law and Legislation; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry;

Money, just money.
 

10

Opinion

Offensive Advertising

May 25, 2013

A longtime ad man cites the coarsening of popular culture.

Advertising and Marketing; Youth; Social Conditions and Trends;

When one pursues ignorance one is likely to achieve it.
 

11

Arts

A Critical Moment for Penn Station

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN | May 27, 2013

The plan for Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, issued in a report last week, tries to address the hub’s limitations. The architecture critic Michael Kimmelman makes further suggestions.

Infrastructure (Public Works); Pennsylvania Station (NYC); Architecture; Transit Systems; Railroads;

The plan appears to be to fix Penn Station twice.
The Dolans may be behind this.

12

U.S.

Train Service to Cape Cod, an Alternative to Road Rage

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE | May 27, 2013

On Friday, the CapeFlyer took its inaugural run from Boston to Cape Cod, a route that stopped a half-century ago, giving would-be drivers a $35 round trip.

Railroads; Travel and Vacations; Roads and Traffic;

Obvious and glad to see it.
 

13

Opinion

Breeding the Nutrition Out of Our Food

By JO ROBINSON | May 26, 2013

Much of our produce is relatively low in phytonutrients — compounds that may reduce the risk of many diseases.

Agriculture and Farming; Corn; Food; Diet and Nutrition;

Food has become bland.  
I would like more evidence linking flavor and health.
 

14

Opinion

The End of the Perpetual War

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | May 24, 2013

For the first time, President Obama clearly stated that the current state of war is unsustainable for a democracy.

Targeted Killings; United States Defense and Military Forces; Detainees; Drones (Pilotless Planes); Terrorism; Freedom of the Press; Editorials;

The G.O.P. has not been striped of power. 
They will strike at the Obama administration as they can.
 

15

Health

Ask Well: White-Coat Hypertension

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR | May 24, 2013

16

Arts

Political Unrest of '68 Still Reverberates

By ALICE RAWSTHORN | May 27, 2013

Activists pushed the Venice Biennale to become stronger and more provocative.

New Models, Design and Products; Design; Venice Biennale;

Italy is not the only place that designs.
This is about the management of the biennial show in Venice.
 

17

Opinion

The Uses and Abuses of Plastic Bags

May 27, 2013

Readers respond to a Sunday Review news analysis.

Shopping Bags; Plastics; Waste Materials and Disposal; Recycling of Waste Materials;

String bags or other reusable bags are a viable alternative.
Their purchase could be by 'food stamps'.
A significant deposit is probably the best way to get plastic bags out of the trash.
 

18

Business Day

On the Horizon, Five Reasons to Smile

By TYLER COWEN | May 26, 2013

Although high unemployment and lackluster personal income still plague the nation’s economy, several developments provide reason for longer-term optimism.

United States Economy; Graduation Rates; Education (K-12); Colleges and Universities; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Creativity;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhJ0aNrYmbA
 

19

N.Y. / Region

All of City’s Public Swimming Beaches to Reopen by Memorial Day

By LISA W. FODERARO | May 25, 2013

City officials say they will fulfill a promise, made in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, to open all of the free beach areas in time for the holiday.

Hurricane Sandy (2012); Beaches; Memorial Day; Area Planning and Renewal;

Some beach weather would be nice.  I will have to check on the WiFi.

20

World

Turkey: Legislation Would Limit Sales of Alcohol and Ban Advertising for It

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | May 25, 2013

The measure also bans the sale of alcoholic drinks between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except in tourist zones, and prohibits alcohol sales near mosques and schools.

Alcoholic Beverages; Law and Legislation; Advertising and Marketing; Muslims and Islam;

Yes, an Islamic agenda.

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Opinion

Moscow's Gay-Bashing Ritual

By MASHA GESSEN | May 27, 2013

L.G.B.T. activists show up to protest, some are beaten by gay-bashers, and the next year they show up again – just to prove that they will keep showing up.

Demonstrations, Protests, and Riots; Discrimination; Freedom of Speech and Expression; Hate Crimes; Homosexuality; Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; 

If the homophobic group is not resisted they will think they can win.

 

2

Arts

Angelina Jolie's Aunt Dies of Breast Cancer

By ADAM W. KEPLER | May 27, 2013

The sister of Angelina Jolie’s mother had the same defective gene whose presence prompted Ms. Jolie to have a double mastectomy.

Breast Cancer; Genetics and Heredity; Mastectomy; 

Genes are hard to dodge.   Genes are not infectious. 

3

Opinion

Preventing a U.S.-China Cyberwar

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | May 26, 2013

4

World

Deal Reached to Reduce Inequality in Colombia

By WILLIAM NEUMAN | May 27, 2013

5

Business Day

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week

May 27, 2013

The following tax-exempt fixed-income issues are scheduled for pricing this week.

Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; Government Bonds; States (US); 

Currencies More currencies
	£	$	€	¥
£	-	1.5065	1.1701	153.9705
$	0.6639	-	0.7766	102.2150
€	0.8547	1.2874	-	131.5940
¥	0.0060	0.0100	0.0080	-

6

Business Day

The Corrosive Effect of Apple’s Tax Avoidance

By FLOYD NORRIS | May 24, 2013

7

Business Day

Why Did Citigroup Try to Overturn an Overhaul?

By PETER EAVIS | May 24, 2013

8

Opinion

Offensive Advertising

May 25, 2013

9

Arts

A Critical Moment for Penn Station

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN | May 27, 2013

10

U.S.

Train Service to Cape Cod, an Alternative to Road Rage

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE | May 27, 2013

11

Opinion

The End of the Perpetual War

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | May 24, 2013

12

Health

Ask Well: White-Coat Hypertension

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR | May 24, 2013

13

Arts

Political Unrest of '68 Still Reverberates

By ALICE RAWSTHORN | May 27, 2013

14

Opinion

The Uses and Abuses of Plastic Bags

May 27, 2013

15

Business Day

On the Horizon, Five Reasons to Smile

By TYLER COWEN | May 26, 2013

16

N.Y. / Region

So Bake Sales Are Taboo? Try Selling Hand Sanitizer

By JENNIFER MILLER | May 27, 2013

Parents, teachers and students in New York are struggling to find alternatives to the traditional fund-raising lures since a crackdown as part of an anti-obesity drive.

Bakeries and Baked Products; Snack Foods; Diet and Nutrition; Obesity; Education (K-12);

Boston again.  Girl Scout cookies are bad enough.

 

17

Business Day

In Tax Overhaul Debate, Large vs. Small Companies

By GRAHAM BOWLEY | May 24, 2013

As large companies fight for a cut in the official corporate tax rate, small businesses fear they will pay for it.

Federal Taxes (US); Corporate Taxes; Small Business; Income Tax; Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions; 

I see no reason to pay more in taxes than is required.

Congress is responsible to require enough to meet expenses.

Corporations are not sentient.

Stockholders only may be.

 

18

Your Money

Leaving Behind the Digital Keys to Financial Lives

By PAUL SULLIVAN | May 25, 2013

  

If you want my files you must ask for them.

19

World

Turkey: Legislation Would Limit Sales of Alcohol and Ban Advertising for It

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | May 25, 2013

20

Technology

Disruptions: At Odds Over Privacy Challenges of Wearable Computing

By NICK BILTON | May 26, 2013

Fans of wearable computers can capture what is happening around them with a wink or a subtle click, which raises the question of whether bystanders have a say in being recorded.

Privacy; Wearable Computing;

We have some learning to do.  Things will be different.

Urban anonymity may become a thing of the past. 

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19

Opinion

A Rising Tide of Suicides, and Access to Guns

May 27, 2013

Responses to a column by Ross Douthat.

Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Gun Control; Deaths (Fatalities); 

Most of the discharged are separated by choice.

They leave the military and the military does not leave them.

20

Opinion

Democracy, Jobs and Growth in Europe

By GERHARD SCHRÖDER and JACQUES DELORS | May 24, 2013

There is no “either growth or austerity.” We need budgetary discipline, but we also need to emphasize economic growth.

Unlikely.  

There will be no recovery while austerity is the rule.

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