Tuesday, July 15, 2014

@8:50, 7/14/14

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1
N.Y. / Region

Second Thoughts on Lighter Sentences for Drug Smugglers

Changes in federal drug sentencing laws have some law officials concerned that offenders could receive little to no prison time for serving as drug couriers.
Mandatory Sentencing; Drug Abuse and Traffic; Smuggling 

Take the money out of the system.
About the same number of addicts will die.
The non addict price will be in accidents.
2
U.S.

Envisioning Profit in Environmental Good Works

A private equity company that is funding the restoration of Louisiana wetlands plans to sell environmental credits to private developers and government agencies.
Wetlands; Hurricanes and Tropical Storms; Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (2010) 

If there is a market people will deal.

The reason for wetland loss is the loss of incoming silt.
This loss is the result of flood suppression in the lower Mississippi river.  
Developers do not take no for an answer.

3
Opinion

A Pipeline Threatens Our Family Land

Gas companies can claim the right of eminent domain to seize private property.
Pipelines; Land Use Policies; Natural Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing; Agriculture and Farming; Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Eminent Domain 

Banks are not friends.
4
Arts

In the Language of Romance, Romeo Santos Is a True Superstar

Romeo Santos’s consecutive sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium are a testament to the popularity of bachata music and to the growing influence of Hispanics.
Music; Spanish Language; Hispanic-Americans; Rap and Hip-Hop; Dominican-Americans; Mexican-Americans 

Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.
5
Business Day

Fed, Confident in Economy, Details End of Bond-Buying Program

The decision signals the end of one of the central bank’s most aggressive efforts to stimulate the economy.
Quantitative Easing; United States Economy; Credit and Debt; Interest Rates; Government Bonds 

Trivial speculation.  
The depression will continue.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/14/aggregate-demand-aggregate-supply-and-what-we-know-wonkish/?

. . .
"The thing is, for many purposes this slightly vague notion of aggregate supply is enough; we can, for example, be fairly sure that expansionary policies in a depressed economy won’t be inflationahat expansionary policies in a depressed economy won’t be inflationary, and we can use the pretty good demand side model to tell us that monetary expansion won’t work but fiscal policy will when we’re at the zero lower bound."
. . . 
I would have to work harder to understand Krugman in full wonk.
This I can understand.

6
Opinion

Kansas’ Ruinous Tax Cuts

Gov. Sam Brownback’s ill-advised tax policy has contributed to the state’s plummeting revenues.
Income Tax; Conservatism (US Politics); Economic Conditions and Trends 

Yes.
7
U.S.

Legal Woes Pose Hurdles for Attorney General Tom Horne of Arizona in Campaign

Mr. Horne’s campaign tactics are under scrutiny, and top Republicans, including Gov. Jan Brewer, Senator John McCain and Senator Jeff Flake, have left his camp.
Campaign Finance; Elections, Attorneys General; Arizona Immigration Law (SB 1070); United States Politics and Government

The self destruction of the Arizona Republican party is a good thing.
 
8
U.S.

Bergdahl Is Set to Resume Life on Active Duty

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is expected to return to life as a regular Army soldier as early as Monday, Defense Department officials said late Sunday.
Afghanistan War (2001- ); Prisoners of War

OK
I am ready to move on.
 
9
Opinion

‘A Threat to Internet Freedom’

New rules proposed by the F.C.C. could divide the Internet into fast lanes and slow lanes, violating the central concept of “net neutrality.”
Net Neutrality; Computers and the Internet; Telephones and Telecommunications

Common carrier is the proper classification of internet connections.
 
10
N.Y. / Region

Study Finds Racial Disparity in Criminal Prosecutions

A study that examined 222,542 cases in Manhattan found that race was a significant factor in setting bail, negotiating plea deals and sentencing.
Race and Ethnicity; Sentences (Criminal); Blacks; Hispanic-Americans; Asian-Americans

We are not going to get a fix without doing a study.
They should get on with the study.
 
11
Arts

A Warhol With Your Moose Head? Sotheby’s Teams With EBay

Hoping to reach a huge new market, the auction house plans to announce a partnership with eBay to stream sales on the Internet shopping giant’s website.
Auctions; E-Commerce; Collectors and Collections

No content.
 
12
U.S.

Republicans Replay 2010 Strategy at State Level

Flush with money and momentum, Republicans are confident that they can at least maintain the gains they made in governors' races four years ago.
Midterm Elections (2014); Elections, Governors; Tea Party Movement

"“The fact is, Republicans have badly overreached in the states where they’re in control,” said State Senator Michael E. Gronstal of Iowa, the Democratic majority leader."
13
U.S.

Departure of Official Is Sought by Teachers

Long ties between the Democratic Party and teachers’ unions are fraying, as seen by the National Education Association’s resolution calling for the resignation of the secretary of education, Arne Duncan.
Teachers and School Employees; Organized Labor; Tests and Examinations; Education (K-12); Performance Evaluations (Labor)

The teachers are unhappy.
The Republican party would not improve their mood.
 
14
N.Y. / Region

Available Soon for People Needing ID: City-Issued Cards

The new municipal ID card will be accepted at all city agencies as proof of identity and residency.
Identification Devices; Immigration and Emigration; Illegal Immigration; Local Government; Civil Rights and Liberties

Far better than nothing and as much as the police will allow.
The police will get to abuse the file once only, we can hope.

15
U.S.

Testimony in Boston Bomb Trial Focuses on Backpack

Azamat Tazhayakov, 20, a college friend of the surviving Boston bombing suspect, is accused of hindering the investigation into the 2013 attack at the Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon Bombings (2013)

I would have a tough time turning in a room mate.

I am glad I am not involved in this trial.
 
16
World

U.S. Will Broaden Sanctions to Deter Violence in Congo

The measures will be applied to people involved in the recruitment of child soldiers, sexual violence and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
Embargoes and Sanctions

If leverage can be found it should be used.
Bandits are hard to attack economically.
A guerrilla is a bandit with a sponsor.
Sponsors can be influenced by sanctions.
 
17
World

Kerry Assures China That the U.S. Can Have Many Allies in Asia

The secretary of state sought to highlight commonalities between China and the United States after the Chinese dismissed assertions that hackers had infiltrated federal computer systems.
Cyberattacks and Hackers; United States International Relations; Cyberwarfare

There is much to be done.
It is not clear to me that actual progress was made on the issues.
I will try to watch for events.
 
18
U.S.

After Lapses, C.D.C. Admits a Lax Culture at Labs

Recent revelations of safety breaches in the handling of dangerous microbes have created a crisis of faith at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and prompted calls for sweeping changes at the agency.
Laboratories and Scientific Equipment; Anthrax; Accidents and Safety; Avian Influenza

The lab will fix it.
Luck is not dependable.
We have been lucky so far.


19
U.S.

Stir-Fries, Mastered. Next Up, the Easy Vegetarian Gratin

Looking for an easy way to incorporate vegetables into a simple summer meal? This week, the meat-loving Ruder family tries a gratin.
Cooking and Cookbooks; Parenting; Vegetables; Vegetarianism

I am finding cooking for one a challenge.
Time management and portion control mostly.
20
Sports

California Chrome Preparing for Return

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome is set to return to Los Alamitos Race Course on July 17 from an extended layoff.
California Chrome (Race Horse); Horse Racing; Kentucky Derby; Preakness Stakes

Good. 


Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.

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