Friday, February 20, 2015

@13:30, 2/19/15

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U.S.

After Judge’s Ruling, Obama Delays Immigration Actions

Jeh C. Johnson, the Homeland Security secretary, vowed to appeal a judge’s ruling but said his agency would suspend plans this week to accept applications from illegal immigrants for new protections.
Immigration and Emigration; United States Politics and Government 

  1. Boehner Says He’d Allow Homeland Security Shutdown

    WASHINGTON — The House speaker, John A. Boehner, said Sunday that he was “certainly” prepared to allow funding for the Department of Homeland Security to lapse, raising the possibility that
"Lawmakers are gone from Washington until next week, meaning that they have just four days in the Capitol in which to reach a deal before the department’s funding runs out on Feb. 27."

2
Opinion

A Judge’s Idea for Grand Jury Reform

Proposals from New York’s chief judge would be a step toward restoring public trust in the justice system.
Jury System; Special Prosecutors (Independent Counsel); Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings 

The system we have exists because there was no confidence in the judicial system.

3
The Upshot

Reader Mailbag: Questions and Comments About Orders at Chipotle

Readers weigh in on our article showing what people actually order at the popular restaurant chain.
Diet and Nutrition; Fast Food Industry; Calories; Restaurants; Carbohydrates 

I am not going to worry about "road food".

4
N.Y. / Region

Head of New York’s Top Court Says Judges Should Oversee Grand Juries in Deaths Involving Police

Prosecutors, who handle the proceedings now, are seen as too close with law enforcement, Jonathan Lippman, the chief judge of the Court of Appeals, said his annual address.
Law and Legislation; Courts and the Judiciary; Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_jury
The grand jury should not be second guessed.
The presumption of innocence requires the secrecy. 

5
U.S.

Washington: Giant Bore Is Digging Again

Bertha, Seattle’s troubled tunnel machine, is on the move after being stalled for more than a year.
Bridges and Tunnels 
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Way_Viaduct_replacement_tunnel

" Boring was again delayed in December when Bertha struck a steel pipe, installed as a well casing for an exploratory well drilled as part of the planning phases of the project.[39] This delay has lasted for more than a year as the workers have had to dig a 120-foot (37 m) vertical shaft down to Bertha's cutting head to repair it. Settling was discovered in Pioneer Square that may be related to this additional excavation."

6
Health

Scientists Shed Light on Circuits That Control Genes


Early days.

7
Business Day

Ex-Fortune Editor Joins Yahoo Finance

Under its relatively new chief executive, Marissa Mayer, Yahoo has made a series of prominent hires in recent years.
News and News Media 

Yahoo has run an aggressive internet marketing campaign.
I have been actively resisting their efforts.

8
Opinion

A Stronger Freedom of Information Act

Lawmakers have a second chance to enact legislation that would bring more transparency to the workings of government.
Freedom of Information Act; United States Politics and Government 

I am surprisingly cautious about a stronger freedom of information act.
The U.S. government is at war with itself. 
The Freedom of Information Act gives an asymmetric advantage to the out group.
The deliberations of the out group is not part of the government record and thus not accessible.

9
U.S.

Obama Cites Health Plan Tally of 11.4 Million

The number of people who chose or renewed coverage in the latest enrollment period means “the Affordable Care Act is working,” the president said.
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) 

Considering the mess that is Medicaid and the exchanges it is a success.

10
World

Hungary Keeps Visit by Putin Low-Key as It Seeks to Repair Relations With West

Vladimir V. Putin’s Hungary trip was a far cry from the triumphant reception he received in Serbia in October. Mr. Putin arrived in Budapest with an entourage heavy with energy officials and then kept largely out of public view.
Defense and Military Forces 

“I am deeply convinced that no matter what weapons you provide to Ukraine, it is always bad to supply arms to an armed conflict,”  Putin

"Andras Nemeth, 31, an economist who joined the line of protesters, said he saw some disturbing similarities between Mr. Putin and Mr. Orban."

Orban is an autocrat.

11
World

Turkey: President Condemns Violence Against Women After Student’s Killing

With a particularly brutal attack on a young student rallying people across Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced violence against women on Monday as the country’s “bleeding wound.”
Women and Girls; Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides; Sex Crimes 

The secular state is still present in Turkey. 

12
U.S.

Tsarnaev’s Lawyers in Boston Bombing Trial to Ask for Change of Venue

The defense has failed several times already to have the trial moved, but on Thursday will argue its case for the first time orally to three federal appellate judges.
Boston Marathon Bombings (2013); Jury System 

The trial should be moved.

13
World

Video: Ukrainian Forces Retreat From Debaltseve

Amid heavy fighting, Ukrainian soldiers were ordered to retreat from the strategic town of Debaltseve, where they had been surrounded by Russian-backed rebels.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-conflict-debaltseve.html

"ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian soldiers were forced to fight their way out of the embattled town of Debaltseve in the early hours of Wednesday, casting further doubt on the credibility of a days-old cease-fire and eroding the promise of ending a war in Europe that has killed more than 5,000 people."

13A

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/20/world/europe/ap-eu-greece-capital-controls-.html

Speculation. 
Anyone who could move their money has done so.

14
World

Britain Says It Sent Jets to Intercept Russian Bombers Off Cornwall

The Defense Ministry said the two Russian airplanes were escorted in international airspace “until they were out of the U.K. area of interest.”

If the patrols are "routine" there would be many more records of them.
Russia is feeling the sanctions pinch.

We will look for their next action.

15
U.S.

Boehner Says He’d Allow Homeland Security Shutdown

Despite Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky’s pledge to avoid shutdowns, John A. Boehner, the House speaker, said he would allow funding for one of the government’s most vital agencies to lapse amid the immigration dispute.
Shutdowns (Institutional); Immigration and Emigration; United States Politics and Government 

Boehner does not appear to realize "one of the government’s most vital agencies" is vital only to the Republican party.

"Please, please doan throw me in dat briar patch"  Brear Rabbit

16
Opinion

The Health Law, in the Real World

Readers respond to a Sunday Review news analysis, “Insured, but Not Covered.”
Health Insurance and Managed Care; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Regulation and Deregulation of Industry 

The Health care law is an example of the politically possible.

17
Opinion

A Gun on Every Corner

Should a local gun permit be treated like a driver’s license that is recognized all over the country?
Law and Legislation; Gun Control; United States Politics and Government 

There is no humor in "A Gun on Every Corner".
There will be no significant congressional action before the next election.

18
N.Y. / Region

Judge Says Cuomo Must Set Election to Fill Grimm’s House Seat

The federal judge said he would schedule the election to succeed Michael G. Grimm if Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo did not do so by Friday.
Elections, House of Representatives 

The Republicans hate to lose.

19
U.S.

In Bid to Allow Guns on Campus, Weapons Are Linked to Fighting Sexual Assault

As lawmakers in 10 states push for so-called campus-carry laws, an argument is taking shape: Arming female students will help reduce sexual assault.
Colleges and Universities; Law and Legislation; Sex Crimes; Women and Girls 

Show us the statistics.
I do not expect an honest case can be made for a campus carry law.

20
Business Day

E.C.B. Profit Falls on Lower Interest Rates

The central bank said its net profit for 2014 was 989 million euros, or nearly $1.13 billion, compared with €1.44 billion in 2013. The profit is distributed to the 19 members of the eurozone.
Quantitative Easing; Banking and Financial Institutions 

Economic stability is the proper business of a central bank.
Profit and loss are meaningless to an institution that controls fiat money.


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@16:42

1
Health

Scientists Shed Light on Circuits That Control Genes


2
World

Alabama Apologizes to India for Police Assault on Indian Visitor

The governor of Alabama offered a written apology to the people of India for injuries suffered by an Indian visitor to his state this month.
Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings; Indian-Americans; Discrimination 

Alabama must also fix the problem.

3
Opinion

The Modern Asylum

We’ve failed the mentally ill and the mentally disabled.
Mental Health and Disorders; Psychiatry and Psychiatrists; Hospitals; Group Homes

Budget the funds.

4
Travel

In South India, a Low-Key and Cheap Alternative to Goa

Varkala in Kerala state has the peaceful beaches that are hard to find in more well-known regions.
Travel and Vacations; Budget Travel; Surfing 

There is a lot of beach in southern India.

5
Technology

Tencent to Develop Chat App for Fords in China

Ford said it was in talks with Tencent, maker of the popular WeChat messaging app, to develop messaging functions for the manufacturer’s cars in China.
Instant Messaging; Automobiles; Mobile Applications 

A really bad idea.

6
U.S.

Tsarnaev’s Lawyers in Boston Bombing Trial to Ask for Change of Venue

The defense has failed several times already to have the trial moved, but on Thursday will argue its case for the first time orally to three federal appellate judges.
Boston Marathon Bombings (2013); Jury System 

Move the trial.

7
Technology

Dropcam Keeps an Eye on the Neighborhood

Setting up video surveillance on a driveway highlights the power of putting such tools in the hands of ordinary people.
Video Recordings, Downloads and Streaming; Computers and the Internet; Cameras 

"Happy goldfish bowl."

8
Business Day

Greece’s Request for Loan Extension Is Rejected by Germany

The country is trying to hammer out an agreement before a Friday deadline imposed by eurozone finance ministers.
European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ); Euro (Currency) 

http://www.theguardian.com/business/blog/live/2015/feb/20/eurozone-ministers-gather-for-crucial-greece-talks-live-updates

No news yet.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/?module=BlogMain&action=Click&region=Header&pgtype

Greece appears to have won.  
4 months extension and a formal letter on the interim plan.
We will see where things stand in June or sooner.

9
Home & Garden

Rosanne Somerson Named RISD President

After a nine-month search that involved more than 100 candidates, the Rhode Island School of Design announced today that Ms. Somerson has been named its 17th president.

ok.

10
U.S.

Battle Rises in Florida Keys Over Fighting Mosquitoes With Mosquitoes

A tiny community near Key West is balking at a plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes to combat two viral diseases.
Genetic Engineering; Chikungunya Virus; Dengue Fever; Mosquitoes 

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

Get on with it.

11
U.S.

Fresh Challenge to Gay Marriage Increases Confusion in Alabama

An emergency petition by conservative groups has raised new legal questions and prompted lawyers for same-sex couples to file a federal motion demanding that Alabama’s attorney general dismiss the petition.
Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships; Elections, Courts and the Judiciary; Supreme Courts (State) 

Alabama is fighting the Civil War.  
They continue to lose.

12
Food

A Bow to Japan, and a Nod to Naples

At Izakaya in the East Village, the mission may be comfort food, but there is a reverence to its making, even in the minor dishes.
Restaurants 

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

13
Opinion

Regulating the Drone Economy

New measures proposed by the Obama administration include many good ideas but do not do enough to protect the privacy of Americans.
Drones (Pilotless Planes); Regulation and Deregulation of Industry; Surveillance of Citizens by Government; Privacy 

Drone on.

The technology is vulnerable to nets and tennis rackets.
If they are a nuisance they can be captured for ransom.

14
U.S.

After Judge’s Ruling, Obama Delays Immigration Actions

Insignificant.

15
U.S.

Missouri: Another Try for a Voter ID Measure

The state House is again pushing forward with a Republican priority to require photo identification at the polls, after similar measures were stymied by the Senate or courts in recent years.
Voter Registration and Requirements; Law and Legislation 

"A solution in search of a problem."

16
N.Y. / Region

Cablevision and Union Reach Brooklyn Contract Deal

A two-year contract agreement gives the company’s 262 Brooklyn technicians considerable pay raises and ends a three-year standoff between the two sides.
Organized Labor; Wages and Salaries 

There should be punitive damages.

17

Technology

U.S. Embedded Spyware Overseas, Report Claims

A Russian firm says the United States has found a way to permanently embed surveillance and sabotage tools in computers in countries including Iran, Russia, Pakistan and China.
Cyberwarfare; Espionage and Intelligence Services 

I suspect economic warfare.
Getting into the firmware is not that difficult.
Most operating systems read the firmware once and thereafter boot from the hard drive.  Linux ignores the firmware entirely as does B.S.D. Unix.
Kaspersky is well aware of these things.

18
Science

A New Theory on How Neanderthal DNA Spread in Asia

Two teams of researchers have come to a conclusion about why the ancestors of Asians and Europeans have different amounts of Neanderthal DNA.
Neanderthal Man; DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); Genetics and Heredity; Paleontology; Science and Technology 

Interesting.  Occam's razor will get more exercise.  

19
N.Y. / Region

After Public Acrimony, Quieter Steps by Mayor de Blasio and Police to Mend Rift

A secret meeting of Mayor Bill de Blasio with his outspoken critic Edward D. Mullins of the Sergeants Benevolent Association helped achieve détente.

The realities of power were exercised.
The sergeant was faced with a hard choice. 

20
Magazine

‘The Media Doesn’t Care What Happens Here’

Can amateur journalism bring justice to Rio’s favelas?
War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity 

Bookmarked.

I don't know how I can help.
I will continue to think on the problem.

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