@11:40, 12/12/14

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1

U.S.

GTT ★

By MICHAEL HOINSKI | Dec 11th 2014

Our quirky, discerning picks forthe most interesting things to doaround the state this week.

Yes, it is that season again. 
Yule comes round. 
We should celebrate the return of the sun.
Saturnalia will be in Farmington  Hills near Detroit for me this year.

2

Business Day

Energy Agency Cuts Oil Demand Forecast, Adding to Pressure on Prices

By STANLEY REED and DAVID JOLLY | Dec 12th 2014

The International Energy Agency said that demand for oil in 2015 was likely to be 230,000 barrels per day less than previously predicted.

Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Energy and Power; Production 

Here is the aid to Boko Haram

With injury to Russia and pain for the frackers.

"On the other hand, Venezuela, Nigeria and others are “going to have to cut back on spending,” said Ms. Ziemba. Already, Venezuela’s foreign minister and main oil policy maker has said it may be necessary to call an emergency OPEC meeting if the price rout continues."

3

Sports

Suggesting a Policy for Roger Goodell’s Conduct

By JULIET MACUR | Dec 11th 2014

It may be time for some simple guidelines that are specific to the N.F.L.'s commissioner.

Football 

It would be better if these behaviors were basic.

I do not expect a change.

The rule will continue to be"Don't get caught".

4

U.S.

Mixed Bag for the Players in Texas Politics

By ROSS RAMSEY | Dec 11th 2014

Tom DeLay’s redistricting push kind of hit and kind of missed. He got the redistricting map he wanted. But the prosecution that followed brought him down.

Redistricting and Reapportionment; State Legislatures 

Lyndon Johnson got it right.  

The civil rights act destroyed the Democrats. 

5

Your Money

When Your Financial Adviser Retires

By PAUL SULLIVAN | Dec 12th 2014

You know your retirement plans, but it’s also important to ask hard questions and know your adviser’s succession plans.

Retirement; Financial Planners; Relocation of Business 

I will have to ask my adviser for his advice.

6

World

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

By THOMAS FULLER | Dec 12th 2014

The editor of the English-language Jakarta Post said he was “amazed” at the suggestion of blasphemy because the cartoon was meant to criticize deviant Islam.

Muslims and Islam; Cartoons and Cartoonists 

Indonesia is Islamic.

Islam is not tolerant.

There is no separation of Mosque and state.

7

Business Day

Russia Raises Key Interest Rate

By ANDREW E. KRAMER | Dec 11th 2014

The central bank acts to try to curb inflation and slow the ruble’s decline.

Interest Rates; Ruble (Currency); Banking and Financial Institutions; US Dollar (Currency) 

We will stand aside and watch.

The price of natural gas to Ukraine may be reasonable.

Russian pensioners will starve.

Greece is not doing well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/opinion/paul-krugman-greece-economy-mad-as-hellas.html

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/12/links-121214.html

http://failedevolution.blogspot.gr/2014/12/europe-get-ready-for-war.html

8

World

Liu Xiaobo, Nobel-Winning Chinese Dissident, Is Said to Send Message From Prison

By EDWARD WONG and IAN JOHNSON | Dec 10th 2014

He is still sane

9

Sports

Giant-Killer N.J.I.T. Stands Alone, Without a Conference

By HARVEY ARATON | Dec 8th 2014

New Jersey Institute of Technology, which knocked Michigan out of the Top 25 in Ann Arbor on Saturday, is the only independent team in Division I.

Basketball (College) 

http://nytimes.stats.com/wcbk/standings.asp?conf=182&clientdir=

Scoreboard	|	Standings	|	Teams	|	Leaders	|	Polls

NCAA Standings Conf:

American Athletic Conference
	Conference				Overall					vs
	W-L	Pct	Hm	Rd	W-L	Pct	Hm	Rd	Nt	Top 25
Tulane	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	7-1	.875	3-0	3-0	1-1	0-0
2 Connecticut	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	6-1	.857	1-0	2-1	3-0	1-1
East Carolina	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	8-2	.800	3-0	3-1	2-1	0-1
South Florida	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	6-3	.667	2-1	1-1	3-1	0-2
Tulsa	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	4-4	.500	1-2	2-2	1-0	0-0
UCF	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	4-4	.500	4-1	0-3	0-0	0-0
Memphis	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	4-4	.500	4-2	0-2	0-0	0-0
SMU	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	4-5	.444	4-3	0-2	0-0	0-1
Houston	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	3-4	.429	1-2	2-0	0-2	0-0
Temple	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	3-6	.333	1-3	0-2	2-1	0-1
Cincinnati	0-0	-	0-0	0-0	1-6	.143	1-0	0-4	0-2	0-0

Conference W-L - conference win-loss record
Conference Pct - conference winning percentage
Conference Hm - conference home record
Conference Rd - conference away record
Conference Nt - conference neutral site record

Overall W-L - overall win-loss record
Overall Pct - overall winning percentage
Overall Hm - overall home record
Overall Rd - overall road record
Overall Nt - overall neutral site record
vs Top 25 - record vs. Top 25 teams

10

Magazine

The Perks of Being a Layabout

By CHUCK KLOSTERMAN | Dec 12th 2014

Writing to live; giving to get; dying promises.

Ethicist, The (Times Column); Medicaid; Philanthropy; Cremation; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Ethics (Personal) 

Ok

I have no opinion on how to treat my debris.  

I will follow others wishes for their remains. 

They will have to tell me.

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

11

Fashion & Style

Zhu Zhu’s Easy Beauty Regime

By BEE SHAPIRO | Dec 10th 2014

A former V.J. on MTV China, Zhu Zhu plays Kokachin, the Blue Princess, in “Marco Polo.”

Cosmetics and Toiletries; Skin; Nails (Body Part); Face 

Absolutely your choice.  Clean is good.

12

Science

Mars, Observed

Compiled by SUSAN CAMPBELL BEACHY | Dec 8th 2014

Mars has excited imaginations at least since the Romans named it and people have been thinking and writing about it for centuries, in speeches, fiction, poetry, songs, even cartoons. Here is a sample.

Mars (Planet); Space and Astronomy 

I will think seriously about Mars if I am getting paid.

I have thought about it enough.

13

Opinion

Lo que el Presidente de México debe hacer

By ENRIQUE KRAUZE | Dec 11th 2014

Esta es, quizá la más difícil petición que yo haría: que Peña Nieto encare a la nación, reconozca sus errores y ofrezca una disculpa al pueblo mexicano.

Drug Cartels; Politics and Government 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/opinion/enrique-krauze-what-mexicos-president-must-do.html

An apology will not change the facts.

14

Health

Gay Advocates Can Shift Same-Sex Marriage Views

By BENEDICT CAREY | Dec 11th 2014

Gay canvassers can soften the opinions of voters opposed to same-sex marriage by having a face-to-face talk with them, researchers say.

Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships; Research; Homosexuality and Bisexuality; Marriages 

OK

15

World

Germany: No Proof Found So Far That U.S. Tapped Merkel’s Phone

By REUTERS | Dec 11th 2014

Germany’s top public prosecutor said an investigation into whether Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone had been tapped by American spies had so far failed to find any concrete evidence.

Surveillance of Citizens by Government 

There should be no "tracks" there was no physical contact.

16

Technology

A Review of Digital Technology for Children

By GREGORY SCHMIDT | Dec 10th 2014

Gadgets available for younger users include a multifunction watch, video game and toy combinations, tablets and a toy that delivers voice messages.

Computer and Video Games; Toys; Tablet Computers 

no.   we will have to think harder.

17

U.S.

Torture Report Puts Presidential Hopefuls in Quiet Mode

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

Most of the presumptive presidential candidates have not plunged into Washington’s debate over the Senate Intelligence Committee’s withering report on the C.I.A.’s brutal interrogation tactics.

Presidential Election of 2016; Torture; Terrorism; Interrogations; Detainees; United States Politics and Government 

I will insist they do speak on the topic.

18

World

In 2 Attacks, Suicide Bombers Kill at Least 6 in Kabul

By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN | Dec 11th 2014

Bombings in the capital targeted a French high school and a bus full of Afghan soldiers.

Defense and Military Forces; Deaths (Fatalities) 

Sad.

19

U.S.

Police Face a Long and Complex Task to Mend Distrust Deepened by Killings

By MANNY FERNANDEZ | Dec 7th 2014

20

Automobiles

Mercedes-Benz Reveals GLE AMG Coupe, a Crossover Crossover

By BENJAMIN PRESTON | Dec 10th 2014

The GLE Coupe, which is scheduled to appear at the Detroit auto show, is somewhere between a car and a crossover.

Automobiles; Sports Utility Vehicles and Light Trucks; North American International Auto Show 

Not my choice.