Thursday, June 5, 2014

@10:00, 6/4/14

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1
U.S.

Michigan Senate Passes Plan to Ease Detroit Pension Cuts

The State Senate agreed to Gov. Rick Snyder’s call for spending millions in state money to spare the pensions of Detroit retirees from deeper cuts, a proposal approved last month by the House.
State Legislatures; Pensions and Retirement Plans; Bankruptcies; Elections, Governors 

Detroit is still a zombie city.  
I see no hope that it will thrive.
The state will pay the additional funds for the vested pensions.
The city will shrink until local business supports the population.
2
U.S.

In Debate Over Coal, Looking to Lessons of ’90s Tobacco Fight

The so-called War on Coal is reminiscent of the War on Tobacco, in which a truce took hold in large part because the states dependent on the product were compensated.
Coal; Smoking and Tobacco; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Global Warming; Air Pollution 

White wash does not hide the shape of things.

We will end coal.  We can try to find other work for the miners.
It will not happen with the anti-union position of the Republican party.
Rebuilding the railroads would be a good place to start.
Generous retirement and medical benefits will help. 

3
Opinion

Amazon’s Power Play

The company is using bullying tactics to get a good pricing deal on electronic books while squeezing publishers and hurting authors.
Antitrust Laws and Competition Issues; Book Trade and Publishing; E-Books and Readers; E-Commerce 

This is a fight among middlemen.  It is not a big deal for us on the outside.
Neither Amazon or the publishers produce or "consume" books.
If the authors are unhappy they can seek other markets.  The retail reader can seek other sources.  There are lending libraries and second hand dealers.  There are direct sales from publishers and authors.  Self publishing is a viable business for eBooks.
Easiest is to find the publisher on the web and look at their list of retailers.
  
4
Sports

Clippers’ Sale Silences a Dialogue on Race

With the pending $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers, it appears the discussion about racism in the N.B.A. and beyond has stopped.
Basketball; Discrimination 

The objective was always the removal of Donald Sterling's ownership interest in the Clippers.   That is achieved.

The conversation on racism will have to continue on other ground.

5
Business Day

Upscale Dairies Grow in India, Promising Safer Milk

As more middle-class Indians are able to afford costlier products, they drive the demand for organic, fair-trade and artisanal items.
Dairy Products; Milk; Organic Foods and Products; Agriculture and Farming

A good idea with too many bells and whistles.
6
U.S.

Arizona: Court Continues to Block Abortion Rules

Arizona’s rules on the use of abortion drugs are likely to be struck down and will continue to be blocked while a lawsuit against them plays out, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Abortion; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Mifeprex (RU-486); Decisions and Verdicts

“Arizona has presented no evidence whatsoever that the law furthers any interest in women’s health,”   Judge William A. Fletcher
7
Opinion

Keeping Track: Confidential Sources, Wage War and College Athletes

An update on a few of the issues we're following.
News Sources, Confidential Status of; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Editorials; Computer and Video Games; College Athletics; News and News Media; Wages and Salaries; Labor and Jobs

No changes.
8
U.S.

Relatives of Victims of Drone Strikes Drop Appeal

The family members of three United States citizens killed in American drone strikes without trial will not appeal a judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit they filed against administration officials.
Drones (Pilotless Planes); Targeted Killings; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Terrorism

" Judge Rosemary M. Collyer of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the case, deferring to the government’s national-security arguments"

9
U.S.

Tea Party Challenge in Mississippi G.O.P. Primary Goes to the Wire

Senator Thad Cochran appeared headed for a runoff with a Tea Party-backed challenger in Mississippi, while in Iowa, State Senator Joni Ernst cruised to victory.
Elections, State Legislature; Primaries and Caucuses; Tea Party Movement

ok
10
U.S.

Not the Official Kind, but Still a Wisconsin Pardon

In a state where the governor does not believe in issuing pardons, a former Marine is still feeling the impact of a felony conviction for throwing a punch.
Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons

Yes, we should begin with talk.
 
11
Automobiles

Greenwich Concours: Sunny Days, a Big Turnout and a Record Auction

Bonhams reports more than $8 million in sales at the auction; a 1935 Duesenberg and a rare Belgian 1930 Minerva 80138 AL convertible win best in show.
Automobiles; Antique and Classic Cars; Auctions; Collectors and Collections

A high priced spread.

12
World

Ciro de Quadros, 74, Dies; Leader in Ridding Latin America of Polio

Dr. de Quadros navigated war zones and reimagined outmoded public health practices to lead a successful immunization campaign in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Poliomyelitis; Deaths (Obituaries); Vaccination and Immunization

“Now is the time,” he added, “to harness the power of vaccines to end polio for good.”
13
The Upshot

Growth Has Been Good for Decades. So Why Hasn’t Poverty Declined?

Low-income workers are putting in more hours on the job than they did a generation ago — and the financial rewards for doing so haven’t increased.
United States Economy; Poverty; Income Inequality; Taxation; Gross Domestic Product

Close enough.   Wages at the bottom have not gone up.
14
Business Day

Counting Each Drop: Corporate Concern Mounts About Water Supplies


A light management view.
15
Opinion

Stanford’s the One


Four years marking time?  
No, four years learning a larger world.
The time was not totally wasted.

16
U.S.

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Times Reporter Over Refusal to Identify Source

The order gave no reasons for the decision but effectively sided with the government in a case involving James Risen of The New York Times, who has said he has no intention of complying with the subpoena.
News Sources, Confidential Status of; Freedom of the Press; Books and Literature

yes
17
Travel

Garden Workshops at a Vermont Inn

Master gardener Ben Pauly will lead workshops at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont this summer.
Flowers and Plants; Gardens and Gardening; Travel and Vacations

A high price for not much.
It is a place to start.
We will call in the cooperative extension agent or equivalent.

18
Business Day

Car Buyers Crowded Showrooms in May, Unfazed by Surge in Recalls

19
Opinion

The Left and Masculinity

Does something called “traditional masculinity” need to die so that modern men can live?
Books and Literature; Gender; Honor Killings; Isla Vista, Calif, Massacre (2014); Men and Boys; Nineteen Hundred Sixties; Violence (Media and Entertainment)

I do not give gender rolls much thought.
I do not see them as political.
We do the best we can
My prejudices surprise me.  I try to not let that happen again.
I think I succeed some.
20
U.S.

Chemical Weapons Treaty Does Not Apply to Petty Crime, Justices Rule

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that a statute passed to carry out an international treaty should not also make it “a federal offense to poison goldfish.”
Biological and Chemical Warfare

This reads as a reason to redraft the statute.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

@15:20

1
Automobiles

Wheelies: The Loose Lug Nuts Edition

Nissan recalls 334 crossovers for improperly tightened lug nuts. The company also announces pricing for the 2015 Altima.
Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Small Cars (Compact, Subcompact and Microcars); Organized Labor; Recalls and Bans of Products

There is no news.


2
Sports

Clippers’ Sale Silences a Dialogue on Race

3
Opinion

Amazon’s Power Play

The company is using bullying tactics to get a good pricing deal on electronic books while squeezing publishers and hurting authors.
Antitrust Laws and Competition Issues; Book Trade and Publishing; E-Books and Readers; E-Commerce; Editorials

Just dueling middlemen.
4
U.S.

In Debate Over Coal, Looking to Lessons of ’90s Tobacco Fight

5
Business Day

Upscale Dairies Grow in India, Promising Safer Milk

6
Opinion

Keeping Track: Confidential Sources, Wage War and College Athletes

7
U.S.

Relatives of Victims of Drone Strikes Drop Appeal

8
U.S.

Arizona: Court Continues to Block Abortion Rules

Arizona’s rules on the use of abortion drugs are likely to be struck down and will continue to be blocked while a lawsuit against them plays out, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Abortion; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Mifeprex (RU-486); Decisions and Verdicts

Good.
10
11
World

Ciro de Quadros, 74, Dies; Leader in Ridding Latin America of Polio


10
11
World


Low-income workers are putting in more hours on the job than they did a generation ago — and the financial rewards for doing so haven’t increased.
United States Economy; Poverty; Income Inequality; Taxation; Gross Domestic Product

Close enough.
13
Automobiles

Greenwich Concours: Sunny Days, a Big Turnout and a Record Auction

14
Business Day

European Central Bank Chief Looks for Silver Bullet

The E.C.B. is expected to start charging banks interest to keep money in its vaults, a so-called negative deposit rate meant to stave off deflation and revive growth.
Euro (Currency); European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ); Deflation (Economics)

Quantitative easing does not work.  Fiscal policy works.
 
15
World

Israel Condemns Plan in Washington to Work With New Palestinian Alliance

A disagreement over whether the United States would engage with a Palestinian government formed with Hamas’s consent signals new strains between Israel and the U.S.
United States International Relations; Palestinians

The State department continues to work toward a two state solution.
Such a solution does not exist.
Recognizing that impossibility  would destroy the armistice in the region.
16
Travel

Garden Workshops at a Vermont Inn

Master gardener Ben Pauly will lead workshops at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont this summer.
Flowers and Plants; Gardens and Gardening; Travel and Vacations

A life rather than a visit.  It can start with a visit.
17
U.S.

Chemical Weapons Treaty Does Not Apply to Petty Crime, Justices Rule

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that a statute passed to carry out an international treaty should not also make it “a federal offense to poison goldfish.”
Biological and Chemical Warfare

I am with the minority opinion.
The law is badly drawn.
18
Opinion

The Left and Masculinity


A twisted view.
Let us not make assumptions.
They lead to "straw men".

19
Business Day

Taking a Chance on a Health Insurance Strategy the I.R.S. May Not Approve

The I.R.S. is frowning upon a plan that promises that the insurance contribution the company makes to its employees’ coverage is tax-free for the employees and excluded from payroll taxes for the employer.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Federal Taxes (US); Small Business

It is a tax loophole that is being plugged.
Such plugging is a good idea from my viewpoint.
20
World

U.K. Independence Party Gears Up for Special Vote

The party, led by Nigel Farage, has a chance to win a seat in the British Parliament.
Elections

The European Union is badly constituted.  It will need careful construction.
The euro is an instance of the problems.
The U.K.I.P. appears to be a disaster in becoming.
The present thought free governing coalition is its only excuse for existance.



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