Friday, July 11, 2014

@9:00, 7/10/14

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1
Automobiles

Wheelies: The Future Infiniti Edition

Infiniti announces plans to build the QX30 and Q30 in England; a Chinese businessman sues Tesla Motors for trademark infringement.
Automobiles; Electric and Hybrid Vehicles 

The new copyright equilibrium will be interesting.

The light truck and the automobile continue to be ornaments in  American culture.

2
The Upshot

Voting Totals Reveal Crucial Boost From Blacks in Thad Cochran’s Victory

The precinct level returns in Hinds County bolster the theory that a surge in black, Democratic turnout was decisive in a Mississippi Senate runoff.
Midterm Elections (2014); Blacks; Voting and Voters; Primaries and Caucuses 

Tactical voting is not supposed to happen.
The power structure in Mississippi may be changing.
 
3
U.S.

Campaign Atmosphere Amid Detroit Vote on Debt Plan

The deadline is Friday for public workers and retirees to cast ballots on a plan that depends in part on cutting their benefits.
Bankruptcies; Retirement; Pensions and Retirement Plans; Police; Government Employees 

The vote is still in progress.
Detroit should not exit bankruptcy.
There is no plan for a continuing income.
Without income a return to bankruptcy is inevitable.
 
4
N.Y. / Region

Congress Unlikely to Step In as L.I.R.R. Strike Looms

Among transportation experts, attention has turned quickly to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who had publicly distanced himself from the standoff though it involved an agency he oversees.
Strikes; Organized Labor 

The MTA is insanely greedy.
 
5
U.S.

Republicans Say Ex-I.R.S. Official May Have Circumvented Email

Lois Lerner, who is at the center of an I.R.S. scandal, may have used an instant-messaging system instead of email so that her communications could not be retrieved, lawmakers said.
Internal Revenue Service Political Profiling; E-Mail; Instant Messaging 

The tea party is hunting witches.
 
6
Opinion

Hobby Lobby’s Disturbing Sequel

In exempting a Christian college from a federal regulation, the Supreme Court’s male justices make another move that could hamper universal contraception coverage.
Birth Control and Family Planning; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Health Insurance and Managed Care; Religion-State Relations; Colleges and Universities; Editorials 

The reactionary majority does not know law.

7
U.S.

House Committee Takes Step Toward Renewing Highway Trust Fund

The House Ways and Means Committee released a bipartisan plan to provide federal financing for transportation projects through May 15, 2015, a step toward replenishing the Highway Trust Fund.
United States Politics and Government; Infrastructure (Public Works); Roads and Traffic 

The House will take no action.
 
8
Opinion

Fat Britain

Once we’ve found our lunch our instinct is to avoid becoming someone else’s.
Obesity; Diet and Nutrition; Food; Weight; Diabetes 

Cook for yourself.  Avoid Fructose.  Sucrose is half fructose.
Ethanol acts like fructose with intoxication added.

9
Opinion

How Much Do Our Genes Influence Our Political Beliefs?

Recent research with twins suggests that cultural traditionalism has very deep roots.
Genetics and Heredity; Politics and Government; Psychology and Psychologists; Conservatism (US Politics); Research; Liberalism (US Politics) 

Thomas Edsall has not made his case.
The key condition of twin studies  is raised separately in neutral conditions.  
His sample does not meet this test or if it does it is not mentioned.
If there is a genetic component it is drowned by cultural conditioning.
Short answer: not at all.

10
Opinion

In Arizona, Dreamers Can Drive

An appellate court ruled correctly that the state cannot deny driver’s licenses to young unauthorized immigrants who have permission to work.
Drivers Licenses; Illegal Immigration; Dream Act (Development, Relief and Education for Minors Act); Decisions and Verdicts; Editorials 

That court can read the laws.
 
11
World

Obama Administration Defends Israeli Airstrikes but Cautions Against Ground War

In a telephone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would try to help Israel fulfill its goal of stopping Hamas’s rocket fire without a ground assault.
Defense and Military Forces; Palestinians; United States International Relations 

Hamas has the support of the Gaza population.

The rockets and air strikes will continue until the arsenal runs out or patience is exhausted in Israel.  Gaza will not be occupied. Israel would be responsible for the population.
 
12
N.Y. / Region

Nearly 3,500 Years Old, an Egyptian Monument Gets a Laser Cleaning

The Obelisk, which was first erected in Egypt and was then re-erected in Central Park in 1881, has been darkened by decades of sooty accumulation.
Monuments and Memorials (Structures); Restoration and Renovation; Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation); Rock and Stone 

Cleaning and sealing the stone is a good idea.
Lasers are a good way to go about it.
Found on a lab door:
"Do not look into laser with remaining eye."

13
Fashion & Style

Tangled Web of Memories Lingers After a Breakup

Scrubbing painful memories from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites can be a challenge.
Social Media; Computers and the Internet; Dating and Relationships 

I could make a research project of deleting.
I do not feel the need.  You could do that.
I will do the research project if asked.
 
14
Sports

Senate Committee Presses N.C.A.A., Signaling Interest in Direction of College Sports

The hearing came at a time when the N.C.A.A. was facing increased scrutiny on a number of fronts.
College Athletics 

Change is coming to the N.C.A.A.   
Football will change most.

15
Opinion

Saving Water in California

The state needs much stronger conservation measures if it wants to battle its worst drought in decades and not to face severe water shortages.
Water; Conservation of Resources; Drought; Shortages 

Progressive water rates would help.

How much is charged depends exponentially on how much is used.

California must use much less water.
 
16
N.Y. / Region

As New York Landlords Push Buyouts, Renters Resist

Tenant groups cite illegal harassment and a growing threat to affordable housing, while landlords say buying out longtime tenants in low-rent apartments is lawful.
Evictions; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Landlords; Rent Control and Stabilization; Renting and Leasing (Real Estate); Law and Legislation 

The fight goes on.
 
17
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 

Yes.
 
18
World

North Korea Fires 2 More Ballistic Missiles

In test-firing two Scud-type missiles, North Korea was flexing its military muscle even as it was reaching out to Japan and South Korea.
Missiles and Missile Defense Systems; Nuclear Weapons 

Toys perhapse.
 
19
Sports

Sterling Shouts at Wife in Courtroom

Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, shouted, “Get away from me, you pig,” at Rochelle Sterling, his estranged wife, at a trial that will determine whether she legally removed him from a trust in order to sell the team.
Basketball 

A family tragedy of sorts.   The money is not the problem.

20
World

A Harsh Climate Calls for Banishment of the Needy

While the rest of Norway has generous welfare programs, in the frigid territory of Svalbard, unemployment and homelessness are illegal, which officials say reduces crime.
Unemployment; Crime and Criminals; Mines and Mining; Foreign Workers; Polar Bears 

I can understand the rule.  Detroit would be empty with such a rule.
 

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

@20:20


1
U.S.

Campaign Atmosphere Amid Detroit Vote on Debt Plan

2
Opinion

Religious Freedom in Peril

This is no Supreme Court case. This is about intolerance in some Muslim-majority countries.
Freedom of Religion; Muslims and Islam; Human Rights and Human Rights Violations; Religion-State Relations; Religion and Belief 

I would speak for freedom from religion.
 
3
Automobiles

Wheelies: The Ciao Bella Edition

Fiat releases ads that poke fun at the cultural differences between Americans and Italians; Honda to recall hybrids sold in Japan.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles; Automobiles 

Electrics are gaining slowly.
 
5
World

Chinese Hackers Pursue Key Data on U.S. Workers

It is not yet clear how far the hackers penetrated the systems of the Office of Personnel Management, in which applicants for security clearances list their personal information.
Cyberwarfare; Government Employees; Espionage and Intelligence Services; United States International Relations 

It is easier to find spilled secrets if one knows where to look.
In this case people who might have secrets could leave them exposed.
 
6
Opinion

Reform Conservatism and the Culture War

A response to E.J. Dionne and Andrew Sullivan on conservatives and cultural modernization.
Abortion; Blacks; Conservatism (US Politics); Homosexuality and Bisexuality; Immigration and Emigration; Marijuana; Race and Ethnicity; Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships 

Speculative fiction.
 
7
World

Polls Slow Japan’s Plan to Revise Constitution

Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of Japan, appears to have slowed efforts to expand the role of the military after polls showed a significant drop in his administration’s approval rating.
Defense and Military Forces; Constitutions; International Relations; Polls and Public Opinion 

Some have studied history.
 
8
World

A Harsh Climate Calls for Banishment of the Needy

9
U.S.

Reputation for Zeal Precedes Republican Leading New Benghazi Inquiry

Representative Trey Gowdy, who will lead the new House panel investigating the 2012 attack in Libya, has more nuanced relationships with Democrats than many conservative brethren.
Benghazi Attack (2012); Terrorism; Diplomatic Service, Embassies and Consulates 

There is no case to prosecute.
 
10
U.S.

Justice Dept. Declines to Investigate Rival Claims of C.I.A. and Senate Panel

Charges growing from a dispute over a classified report on the agency’s detention and interrogation practices during the George W. Bush administration.
Interrogations; Classified Information and State Secrets; Detainees 

Quiet dismissal and try again.
 
11
Automobiles

The Car That Witnessed the Spark of World War I

Contrary to many Internet sources, the 1910 Gräf & Stift touring car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 is not cursed.
Assassinations and Attempted Assassinations; World War I (1914-18); Automobiles 

OK
 
12
Opinion

Saving Water in California

14
Sports

Donald Sterling Shouts at Wife in Courtroom

15
Business Day

Dish Asks F.C.C. to Block Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger

A merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable and a joining of AT&T and DirecTV would both pose competitive threats, Dish said.
Cable Television 

They will try anything.
 
16
N.Y. / Region

U.S. Naming a Monitor for the Police in Newark

The city’s new mayor, Ras J. Baraka, has been a critic of a department that has long been accused of brutality and bias.
Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings; Civil Rights and Liberties; Discrimination 

Needed
 
17
World

Fleeing Gangs, Children Head to U.S. Border

An increase in gang-related killings of children is a key factor driving the surge of migration of young Central Americans to the United States.
Gangs; Children and Childhood; Illegal Immigration; Murders and Attempted Murders; Organized Crime; Refugees and Displaced Persons 

I doubt it.  Keep asking.
The death rate in transfer exceeds the death rate at home.
 
18
World

Kurdish Government Calls On Maliki to Quit as Iraqi Premier

The political fissure in Iraq was widened, and the Iraqi government alerted a United Nations monitoring agency that Sunni militants had seized low-grade nuclear material.
Kurds; Politics and Government 

Give the area more attention.
 
19
World

‘Low-Grade’ Nuclear Material Is Seized by Rebels in Iraq, U.N. Says

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the material, taken by Sunni insurgents, does not present a significant security threat.
Nuclear Weapons; Uranium 

I wish them joy of it.
 
20
N.Y. / Region

Staten Island Carjacking Suspect Is Questioned in 2 Killings

Tyrell Brown, 25, arrested on charges of carjacking a Hummer then trying to ram it into police officers near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, is being questioned about two killings over the weekend.
Murders and Attempted Murders; Attacks on Police; Carjacking 

Just stupid.

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