@10:20, 12/13/14

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1

Your Money

Reading the Fine Print on Pension Advance Agreements

By JOHN F. WASIK | Dec 12th 2014

Companies that offer the nonbank contracts, which offer a way to obtain cash to pay off credit card debt or medical bills, have drawn scrutiny.

Veterans; Personal Finances; Retirement; Pensions and Retirement Plans; Consumer Protection 

I have no intention of taking such a loan.  

The lenders qualify as loan sharks.

2

World

Egypt Denies Entry to American Scholar Critical of Its Government

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK | Dec 13th 2014

Michele Dunne, a former diplomat now with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Saturday that she was turned away at the Cairo airport.

United States International Relations 

Egypt had a captured revolution followed by a successful counter revolution.

3

N.Y. / Region

M.T.A. Wants to Discipline 4 Employees in Queens Subway Derailment

By PATRICK McGEEHAN | Dec 12th 2014

The final report on the May derailment that injured 30 in Woodside said the workers did not spot a defect on the track for more than a year.

Railroad Accidents and Safety; Subways 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail

The M.T.A. is correct.

4

Automobiles

A Dollar-Wise Alternative for Expanding Families

By LAWRENCE ULRICH | Dec 12th 2014

The 2015 Kia Sedona is now streamlined and appealing, the best-looking of the current minivans.

Automobiles; Minvans 

I do not want a minivan.  It does not do the tasks I have in mind.

Construction and gardening are open bed tasks.

5

U.S.

Oregon: 4 Hurt in Shooting Near Portland High School

By KIRK JOHNSON | Dec 12th 2014

Four people were injured in a shooting outside a Portland high school on Friday, throwing an area in the north end of the city into chaos.

School Shootings and Armed Attacks 

Probably an assassination.

We will hear more soon.

6

Fashion & Style

Zhu Zhu, a Star in ‘Marco Polo,’ on Her Easy Beauty Regime

By BEE SHAPIRO | Dec 10th 2014 

A mask is not what I want.

 

7

U.S.

Documents Shed New Light on Legal Wrangling Over Spying in U.S.

By CHARLIE SAVAGE | Dec 12th 2014

Newly declassified documents show disagreement among judges on the secret surveillance court, and the Bush administration pushing forward with “innovative” solutions.

Surveillance of Citizens by Government 

The result is every bit as bad as expected.

8

U.S.

F.B.I. to Investigate a Hanging Death in North Carolina

By ALAN BLINDER | Dec 12th 2014

After state officials said Lennon Lacy, 17, whose body was found hanging from a swing set in North Carolina, committed suicide, the local chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. asked the F.B.I. to intervene.

Blacks; Suicides and Suicide Attempts; District Attorneys

The state of the corpse should be informative.

How the rope was attached and how her initial elevation was achieved speak.

9

World

Italy Gasps as Inquiry Reveals Mob’s Long Reach

By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO | Dec 11th 2014

Even for a country where corruption is a part of daily life, the revelations of a new criminal ring smack in the heart of the capital have stunned citizens.

Organized Crime; Corruption (Institutional); Ethics and Official Misconduct 

Honest government can exist if officials refuse bribes.

10

Fashion & Style

Video: Bill Cunningham | Holiday Magic

Joanna Nikas | Dec 12th 2014

The hope and love of the season were on full display as the city exploded with holiday celebrations.

Fashion and Apparel 

I have been trying to build some enthusiasm for driving to Detroit.

I can and do wish you a Merry Christmas.

Others I wish Happy Holidays.

Saturnalia is upon us.

11

N.Y. / Region

Bridge Scandal Prosecutors May Use Obscure Fraud Law to Charge Christie Associates

By KATE ZERNIKE | Dec 11th 2014

Federal prosecutors investigating the lane closings at the George Washington Bridge are considering using a provision to argue that the bridge was used for a purpose other than its intended one.

Frauds and Swindling 

Chris Christie is fighting for his political life.

12

U.S.

Torture Report Puts Presidential Hopefuls in Quiet Mode

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and MICHAEL BARBARO | Dec 10th 2014

 Good

13

Health

An Ebola Doctor’s Return From the Edge of Death

By DENISE GRADY | Dec 7th 2014

In his first interview, Dr. Ian Crozier, who was treated for Ebola at Emory University Hospital, speaks of what he saw treating the disease and his near-death experience after he was infected.

Ebola Virus 

we do what we can . . .

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/case-counts.html

Countries with Widespread Transmission

Country	Total Cases	Laboratory-Confirmed Cases	Total Deaths
Guinea	2292	2051	1428
Liberia	7719	2830	3177
Sierra Leone	7897	6375	1768
Total	17908	11256	6373

Guestimate:  10924 dead.  4550 unreported dead.  These are linear guesses.

14

Business Day

Solar Rises in Malaysia During Trade Wars Over Panels

By KEITH BRADSHER | Dec 11th 2014

As Chinese companies have been hit by American tariffs and European quotas, Malaysia has attracted multinationals.

Solar Energy; International Trade and World Market; Factories and Manufacturing 

"Beggar thy neighbor" gets the rest of us low prices temporarily.

Photovoltaic panels are racing to the bottom.

   

15

Arts

How Franklin Thwarted Counterfeiters

By EVE M. KAHN | Dec 12th 2014

A currency printing mold from Benjamin Franklin, and some mighty precious hardware.

Antiques; Printing and Allied Trades; Counterfeit Money and Financial Instruments; Architecture; Furniture 

Hardware is a business worth considering.

It is easy to do it badly.

16

U.S.

Attorney General of Missouri Denies Doing Favors for Lobbyists

By ELI YOKLEY | Dec 8th 2014

Attorney General Chris Koster of Missouri on Monday defended himself against accusations that his office went easy on companies that contributed to his political campaigns.

Campaign Finance; Lobbying and Lobbyists; Attorneys General; Ethics and Official Misconduct; United States Politics and Government; Conflicts of Interest 

Just remove the temptation.

17

U.S.

In New Election, Jeb Bush Stakes Out the Middle Ground

By JONATHAN MARTIN | Dec 12th 2014

Though Mr. Bush is deeply conservative on some issues, in other ways — culturally and philosophically — he is out of step with the grass-roots activists who animate the party nowadays.

Conservatism (US Politics) 

Beating the bushes . . .

18

Business Day

F.C.C. Increases Money for E-Rate Program for Internet in Schools and Libraries

By EDWARD WYATT | Dec 11th 2014

The move will increase money for schools and libraries to connect to the Internet.

Computers and the Internet; Education (K-12); Libraries and Librarians; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) 

Most of what was learned could not be improved with a computer connection.

19

World

Indonesian Who Published Anti-ISIS Cartoon Is Summoned Under Blasphemy Law

By THOMAS FULLER | Dec 12th 2014

20

Real Estate

The East Village Clings to a Colorful Past

By ALISON GREGOR | Dec 10th 2014

The East Village has long been associated with the counterculture and cheap housing, but much of that history has disappeared as home prices and retail rents have escalated.

Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Historic Buildings and Sites; Renting and Leasing (Real Estate) 

Yes.  I do not know it now.  I don't want to deal with the competition for space.

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