Thursday, May 15, 2014

@11:30, 5/14/14

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1
Opinion

Thomas Piketty and His Critics

Does the success of “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” mean that the traditional Democratic economic agenda is dead?
Income Inequality; Taxation; Income; Liberalism (US Politics) 

"Piketty’s analysis articulates what many people on the Democratic left feel intuitively, that a domestic tax, spending and regulatory agenda is ineffective in the face of the power of globalized capital to grind down wages and benefits."

I am told that what Piketty's book says is the agenda is necessary and not yet effective.

Edsall and his supporters make a political argument from a false premise.

We could easily do without the super wealthy.
They contribute little and cost much.  .01 loss of population is not significant.
These are bankers, not banks.


2
N.Y. / Region

Lane Closings Were ‘Idiotic,’ Christie Aide Testifies

Michael Drewniak told New Jersey legislators that neither Gov. Chris Christie nor his closest advisers were involved in closing lanes to the George Washington Bridge.

Chris Christie has ended his political career.

3
Automobiles

Wheelies: The Wooden Volkswagen Edition

A Bosnian retiree builds a Volkswagen Beetle out of oak; Roger Rodas’ widow sues Porsche over Paul Walker crash.
Antique and Classic Cars 

No news here.   The automobile industry is in sad shape.
4
World

Nuclear Talks Will Confront Iran’s Future Capability to Enrich Uranium

American negotiators say the key is to leave Iran with a face-saving nuclear structure but one small enough to overcome congressional objections.
Nuclear Weapons; Nuclear Energy; United States International Relations; Cyberwarfare; Computer Security; Cyberattacks and Hackers 

There will finally be no agreement.  
Exhaustion will be the end of the matter if none of the parties panic.
 
5
Business Day

Up for Discussion: Offering Parental Leave and Entering a New Market

How one owner handled travel and delegated responsibilities in the months before giving birth.
Family Leaves; Paid Time Off; Small Business 

I do not feel wiser for having read the column.
I see the preparations.  I do not know the plans.
 
6
Business Day

Ford Recalls Vehicles for Air Bag Flaw

Ford, one of three automakers to announce vehicle recalls, said none of the defects had resulted in accidents or injuries.
Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Defective Products; Recalls and Bans of Products 

Trivial.  
SUVs are not of interest to me.
Ford likes them because they sell in this market.

7
U.S.

Detroit Pension Ballot Poses Tough Choices

Detroit began a crucial stage in the city’s bankruptcy case that allows retirees, employees and bondholders to cast votes on a painful debt-shedding plan.
Pensions and Retirement Plans; Bankruptcies; Government Employees 

The choice is not tough.  
The Michigan Constitution court case is the decision point.
Resolve that and the choice is obvious.

8
U.S.

90 Arrests Made, Mostly in Florida, in Crackdown on Medicare Fraud

Ninety people, including doctors, pharmacy owners and elderly patients, were arrested this week in six cities and charged with submitting fake billings to Medicare worth nearly $260 million, federal officials said Tuesday.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Elder Care; Frauds and Swindling; Medicare 

South Florida has attracted thieves.

9
Science

New Neurons Found to Overwrite Old Memories

The loss of childhood memories may be the result of the constant birth of new neurons in the brain, research with rodents suggests.
Amnesia; Rodents; Brain; Memory

I think it is an indexing problem.  
Human early experience is preverbal.
Much of later experience has verbal cues.
 
10
Opinion

The Rise of Antibiotic Resistance

The pharmaceutical industry must be encouraged to develop new drugs to supplement those that are losing their effectiveness.
Antibiotics; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Infections 

The antibiotic quality and resistance evolved simultaneously.
 
11
Science

Radio Signals Skew Birds’ Internal Navigation

Electromagnetic signals from man-made devices can interfere with the inner compass of migrating birds.
Animal Migration; Magnets and Magnetism; Birds 

I am surprised.
The frequency is high for a biological effect.
 
12
Science

Science Best Sellers

Top-selling nonfiction titles based on the sciences.
Books and Literature; Science and Technology; Mathematics 

Mostly "self help".

13
Opinion

My Kind of Town?

A reader writes that city dwellers who move to the suburbs can’t expect to have everything they had in the city.
Rural Areas; Urban Areas; Real Estate and Housing (Residential) 

Let us find out.
 
14
World

A Resort in Galilee Rises Where Jesus May Have Taught

Pope Francis is expected to bless the project that includes a spirituality center built near what is presumed to be an ancient synagogue and the hometown of Mary Magdalene.
Building (Construction); Archaeology; Synagogues 

The archaeology is of interest.
 
15
Sports

At California, Olympians and Collegians Swim and Learn Side by Side

There are a lot of swimmers with Olympic medals on the pool deck at the University of California, Berkeley.
Olympic Games; Swimming 

Swimming is important.
 
16
World

Navigating Lost Villages in Israel

The "iNakba" navigation app aims to promote discussion of the displacement of Palestinians that surrounded Israeli statehood.
Palestinians; Mobile Applications 

Peace will come with a one state solution.
A right of return will not come with land titles.
 
17
U.S.

Talking to Children About Their Disabilities, With Metaphors and Minecraft

Those of us who have kids with disabilities in our lives spend countless hours discussing them, yet, we rarely, if ever, talk directly to children themselves about their challenges. These conversations can be scarier for the grown-ups than they are for the kids.
Asperger's Syndrome; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Children and Childhood; Disabilities; Dyslexia; Parenting 

Dyslexia does not fade with age.
My patch is not stable. It needs constant attention. 

18
Business Day

Fresh Signs Point to Possible European Central Bank Stimulus Plan

An E.C.B. official argued on Wednesday that the central bank would not violate its mandate if it bought government bonds, reinforcing expectations of further action to counteract low inflation.
Inflation (Economics); Quantitative Easing; Banking and Financial Institutions; Government Bonds 

The described plan is not effective.
 
19
World

Warning Spreads as Beijing Clamps Down on Illegal Modeling

More than 60 people on nonwork visas were detained and had their passports confiscated after a sting in Beijing, according to advocates for models’ rights.
Illegal Immigration; Models (Professional); Visas 

Business is slowing in China.
 
20
U.S.

Ex-Deputy in Arizona Kept Cache of Evidence

Bags containing drugs, hundreds of drivers’ licenses and other items were retrieved last week from the home of a former Maricopa County sheriff’s deputy who was found dead there.
Suicides and Suicide Attempts; Search and Seizure; Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings 

This is a first report.  There is obviously more to the story and it is politically "hot".
The category is corruption.  It relates to the sheriff, Joe Arpaio.
 

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