@12:20, 12/14/14

|

1

World

Video: The Evolution of ISIS

Quynhanh Do | Dec 13th 2014

Key points in the terror group’s rapid growth and the slowing of its advance as it faces international airstrikes and local resistance.

Terrorism; United States Defense and Military Forces; Yazidi (Religious Sect); Muslims and Islam; Social Media; Video Recordings, Downloads and Streaming; Kidnapping and Hostages; Sex Crimes; Shariah (Islamic Law) 

ISIS is the remains of the Iraqi army.

It was orphaned by the Shea regime in Baghdad and only distantly supported by Turkey.  It is rapidly devolving into a guerrilla force.  Though they have a secure base they have not moved effectively against states other than Syria in the Levant. 

2 

World

Turkish Police Officers and Media Workers Are Detained in Roundup

By SEBNEM ARSU | Dec 14th 2014

The authorities took at least 24 officers and media workers into custody on Sunday, days after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled a new campaign against supporters of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric.

Police; News and News Media; Freedom of the Press 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would like to be Sultan. He could get his wish.

Islam provides no civil legitimacy.

A living Turkish Sultanate is as likely as Crusading Southern Baptists.

3

Opinion

Still Failing Syria’s Refugees

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | Dec 13th 2014

The need to resettle Syrians outside the overburdened Middle East is growing.

Refugees and Displaced Persons; Humanitarian Aid; International Relations 

These refugees home is Syria.  

They should be returned there as soon as possible.

In the mean time they should be supported.

The U.N. will have to figure it out.

4

Sunday Review

Where Tech Giants Protect Privacy

By MARK SCOTT | Dec 13th 2014

Regulations on personal data are tougher abroad.

Privacy; Consumer Protection; Computers and the Internet; Law and Legislation 

I find that clearing cookies  along with recent history helps.

In Firefox it is the far right drop down box, the options button, the privacy menu and the clear recent memories check boxes. Ask not to be tracked and tr remember history.  Remember nothing works better but communicates less.

If search did not cookie and track page space would have less value to advertisers.

5

Opinion

The Wrong Dog

By ERICA-LYNN HUBERTY | Dec 14th 2014

We let ourselves believe that beneath our rescued puppy’s strange, erratic behavior was a good, loving pet.

Animals; Cats; Dogs; Rescues 

A dog I do not know.

Not all difference is good.

6

Opinion

Trying to Reinvent Italy

By ROGER COHEN | Dec 13th 2014

The prime minister struggles to get the country to change its ways.

Economic Conditions and Trends; Unemployment 

"Pushing on a string"

The Prime Minister knows there is a problem.

He does not know how to fix it.

7

U.S.

G.O.P. Hopefuls Honing Attacks Against Hillary Clinton

By MICHAEL BARBARO | Dec 13th 2014

To win the party’s nomination in a contest over which Mrs. Clinton looms so large, likely Republican candidates are now jockeying to appeal to key groups.

Presidential Election of 2016; Midterm Elections (2014) 

If the GOP gets the deflation they want they should be holding the government.

8

Opinion

Fragile Gains Against Malaria

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | Dec 13th 2014

Funding for the global campaign against malaria needs to be doubled.

Malaria; Ebola Virus; Medicine and Health 

I have no love for malaria.

9

Arts

‘Passion’ Investors Follow the Money

By SCOTT REYBURN | Dec 12th 2014

Why buy an Andy Warhol silkscreen when you can make more money out of a tangible asset that makes you feel like James Bond?

Automobiles; Automobile Racing; Auctions; Art; Collectors and Collections 

Automobiles will never be more than a hobby for me.

10

Opinion

Why 2014 Is a Big Deal

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN | Dec 13th 2014

This could have been the year that tipped the scales toward action on climate change. Then the price of oil started falling.

Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Alternative and Renewable Energy; Taxation 

Sadly the moment to limit climate change to something livable is long in the past.

If we stopped using fossil carbon completely and instantly the tropics will burn and the poles will melt. 

The sea level will rise twenty feet and keep rising.

Mankind is not threatened by climate change.

Hundreds of millions will die.

The project will be to have skills and libraries survive.

We have about thirty years to work on preparations.

Saving species is a good place to start.

I love the wild and would protect it.  It must change with conditions.

11

World

‘Virginity Test’ Stokes Indonesia Debate

By JOE COCHRANE | Dec 11th 2014

A report has refocused attention on a practice by law enforcement of gauging a female recruit’s morality with an invasive procedure.

Women and Girls; Police; Tests and Examinations; Draft and Recruitment (Military); Careers and Professions 

Virginity has never mattered to me.

12

Science

Flood-Causing Deluge Amounts to Just Drops in California Drought

By HENRY FOUNTAIN | Dec 12th 2014

A Pacific storm that left Northern California a mess and caused at least two deaths was not enough to make more than a “minor dent” in a historic dry period.

Weather; Rain; Drought; Water; Floods; El Nino Southern Oscillation 

I am not going to try to forecast the winter.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2878

13

The Times on Mars

By DAVID CORCORAN | Dec 11th 2014

David Corcoran, the editor of Science Times, details how the special section dedicated entirely to exploring Mars came together.

Curiosity (Mars Rover); Mars (Planet); Planets; Space and Astronomy 

14

World

Taliban Ramp Up Fatal Attacks in Afghanistan

By AZAM AHMED | Dec 13th 2014

Suicide attackers and gunmen unleashed a wave of violence in the capital and beyond on Saturday, weeks before a planned withdrawal from Afghanistan by international forces.

Afghanistan War (2001- ); Deaths (Fatalities); United States Defense and Military Forces; Defense and Military Forces 

They also do what they can.

15

World

Ukraine’s President Notes Brief Calm in Conflict

By ANDREW E. KRAMER | Dec 12th 2014

President Petro O. Poroshenko said Ukraine’s military had not reported any deaths in a 24-hour period among soldiers or civilians for the first time in seven months.

Defense and Military Forces; Civilian Casualties; Deaths (Fatalities) 

It is a real war though small.

16

Opinion

Signs of Recognition

By VINCENT FEAN | Dec 14th 2014

Israel should see European support for Palestinian statehood as a step toward a peace deal, not a threat.

Palestinians; International Relations 

There will be peace when both sides want it; when only one remains.

17

What the Supreme Court’s Amazon Decision Means

By ANNA NORTH | Dec 11th 2014

To some, the court’s ruling in favor of a temp agency that staffs Amazon warehouses signals a big problem with labor law.

Corporations; Labor and Jobs; Law and Legislation; Magazines; Security and Warning Systems 

  

Congress should fix this error, one of several.

18

Sports

Ignoring Hard Truths in a Land of Fantasy

By MICHAEL POWELL | Dec 12th 2014

For the top teams navigating the ethical minefield of college football, Walt Disney World was a fitting site for Thursday night’s college football awards show.

Football (College) 

It will end in the next few years.

19

Business Day

Some of the Rich Collect Art. Others Collect Passports.

By ROBERT FRANK | Dec 13th 2014

The global wealthy are spending an estimated $2 billion a year to secure documents giving them entree into desired countries.

High Net Worth Individuals; Citizenship and Naturalization; Visas; Passports 

Another way to "follow the money".

20

Real Estate

Where’s the Hot Water?

Dec 13th 2014

This week’s questions address building codes governing water temperature; downgrading of co-op insurance; and how tenants might buy their rent-stabilized building.

Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Renting and Leasing (Real Estate); Water; Insurance; Rent Control and Stabilization 

Recirculating hot water is easy in new construction.

It requires another pipe in a retrofit situation.  In most cases a thermosiphon  is enough.

|