@20:00, 3/20/14

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1

Opinion

To Cut Heating Bills, Look Beyond Coal Plants

Mar 20th 2014

The Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for American Progress respond to a Business Day article.

Heating; Electric Light and Power; Natural Gas; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Coal; Wind Power 

Ohio will "freeze in the dark".

 

2

Automobiles

Wheelies: The Baby Engine Boom Edition

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Mar 20th 2014

G.M. announces its new generation of small Ecotec engines; BMW says it will increase U.S. production.

Automobiles; Engines 

1 L

≈ 61.0237441

cubic inches

1 cubic inch

≡ 0.016387064 L

61 and 91.5 cubic inch engines are a revolution for GM.

GM will go to the hybrid power train.

They may try with many speed automatic transmissions.  

The public will not like the mechanical system.

 

3

Opinion

The Role of Charters in School Reform

Mar 20th 2014

Readers react to an editorial about Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempt to scale back charter schools.

Charter Schools; Teachers and School Employees; Education (K-12) 

Charter schools are not a solution to public education.

 

4

Automobiles

To Change Tunes, a Nod Will Be as Good as a Wink

By JIM NASH | Mar 14th 2014

Automakers, including Mercedes-Benz and Ford, are cautiously installing gesture sensing systems that read hand and head motions as computer commands.

Automobiles; Inventions and Patents; Sensors 

No.

 

5

World

What's in Veterans Affairs' $164 Billion Budget?

By JACOB W. SOTAK | Mar 20th 2014

The secretary of veterans affairs wants the spending to expand health care access and other benefits to veterans, to clear a still-extensive backlog of disability claims and to end homelessness among veterans.

Disability Insurance; Federal Budget (US); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Veterans 

“We owe these youngsters the best we can provide.”

The G.O.P. will not pay.

 

6

U.S.

Union Leaders Gird for Battle Against Republican Running for Governor of Illinois

By MONICA DAVEY | Mar 19th 2014

Yes.

7

Home & Garden

Meet Me in Chicago

By JESSE McKINLEY | Mar 19th 2014

The International Home and Housewares Show turns out to be the perfect spot for a transcontinental date.

Cookware; New Models, Design and Products; Tableware; Conventions, Fairs and Trade Shows; Kitchens; Interior Design and Furnishings 

I continue to fight the tendency to decorate.

 

8

U.S.

Koch Group, Spending Freely, Hones Attack on Government

By CARL HULSE and ASHLEY PARKER | Mar 20th 2014

Americans for Prosperity, backed by the Koch brothers, is using a data-driven approach as it pursues its overarching goal of changing the way voters think about government.

Political Advertising; Voting and Voters; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) 

The public needs to know and understand the politics of policy.

Only in this way can we have effective democracy.

9

Opinion

What to Do About California’s Drought

Mar 16th 2014

Readers discuss climate change, farmers’ use of water, desalination plants and fracking.

Drought; Agriculture and Farming; Water; Hydraulic Fracturing; Aquifers

There is nothing to be done about the western drought.

The rain will come again.  

There will probably be less natural potable water.

If the projects are started now we can have some desalinated water in a few years.

 

10

Real Estate

Buying an Energy Hog

By RONDA KAYSEN | Mar 20th 2014

Topics include energy audits; strategies for condo boards dealing with deadbeat owners; and determining responsibility for water damage.

Energy Efficiency; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Condominiums 

Get an energy audit.  

You will probably have to close on the property first.

There are cheap things and much less cheap things that can be done about the energy appetite of a building.

 

11

Business Day

Confident CBS Renews 18 Shows at Once

By BILL CARTER | Mar 13th 2014

12

Business Day

British Budget Outlines Higher Growth and Help for Savers and Retirees

By STEPHEN CASTLE | Mar 19th 2014

The chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced a set of modest tax breaks and measures to bolster savings, business investment and exports.

Savings; Pensions and Retirement Plans 

Britain will deepen its depression.

 

13

U.S.

Justice Dept. Is Cautious on Joining C.I.A. Fight

By MATT APUZZO and MARK MAZZETTI | Mar 19th 2014

14

World

Japan: Man Arrested in Damage to Anne Frank Books

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Mar 14th 2014

 

He may explain his action.

 

15

Travel

Breaking the Ice on a Finnish Cruise

By PENELOPE COLSTON | Mar 18th 2014

Aboard the Sampo, tourists are served cream-of-reindeer soup and given a chance to swim in an ice hole.

Ships and Shipping; Travel and Vacations 

Whatever it takes.

16

U.S.

Two States Win Court Approval on Voter Rules

By FERNANDA SANTOS | Mar 19th 2014

The federal Election Assistance Commission had denied requests from Kansas and Arizona to add proof-of-citizenship instructions to registration forms.

Voter Registration and Requirements; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Citizenship and Naturalization; Identification Devices; Illegal Immigration 

A sad day.

 

17

N.Y. / Region

Measles Outbreak May Have Spread in Medical Facilities, a New York City Official Says

By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS | Mar 18th 2014

A city epidemiologist said that a failure to recognize symptoms and quarantine patients quickly enough may have led to 20 confirmed cases of the disease.

Measles; Vaccination and Immunization; Hospitals 

I had measles as I child.

The vaccine panic over preservatives did damage.

  

18

Automobiles

Wheelies: The Jimmy Fallon’s Truck Edition

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Mar 18th 2014

19

N.Y. / Region

Port Authority Moves Toward Transparency With Public Roll Call

By MATT FLEGENHEIMER | Mar 19th 2014

20

Health

Living With Cancer: The Cost of Trials

By SUSAN GUBAR | Mar 20th 2014

A recent CT scan made me realize that the clinical trial extending my life effectively excludes all but the most privileged cancer patients.

Cancer; Clinical Trials; Medicine and Health 

The best argument for Obamacare I have seen.