Friday, May 15, 2015

@14:14, 5/13/15

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1
Opinion

Water Use in Portola Valley, Calif.

Mayor Jeff Aalfs discusses the California town’s continuing efforts to reduce water use.
Conservation of Resources; Water 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/opinion/sunday/the-end-of-california.html
"Or consider that wealthy communities — say, Portola Valley, woodsy home to many an environmentally conscious tech multimillionaire — use far more water per capita than do the poor of Compton, in the Los Angeles area. When cost is no object, there is very little incentive to cut back."

A graduated water bill would be a step in the right direction.
The top end of the scale could be raised until the usage in the interconnected areas matched the input to those areas. Water independent areas can have different top rates. The bottom rate should be for minimal individual usage of a few gallons a day. 

2
Opinion

Statehood for Puerto Rico

Pedro R. Pierluisi, the territory’s delegate in Congress, writes that “no people have ever prospered while being treated unequally.”
States (US) 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/30/opinion/puerto-rico-on-the-brink.html

As long as the situation in Washington D.C. continues as it is there is little benefit in statehood.
There must be plebiscites before the political status can be changed. 

3
Opinion

Justice for Nail Salon Workers

Cultivating justice in the world of low-wage immigrant labor is going to take serious effort at all levels of government.
Beauty Salons; Foreign Workers; Workplace Environment; Agriculture and Farming; Labor and Jobs; Illegal Immigration 

Yes.

4
Travel

Video: 36 Hours in MedellĂ­n

The city’s situation — set in the Aburrá Valley, surrounded by green mountains — is ideal, its weather springlike year-round, and its people outgoing and proud of their city.
Travel and Vacations; Museums; Restaurants 

For now, no.  
In a few years I will look again.

5
World

E.U. Proposes Quota System to Address Migration Crisis

The system, which would oblige most member states to take in more migrants, at least temporarily, generated sharp opposition from several countries.
Immigration and Emigration; International Relations; Politics and Government 

The flow is constant.
It must be fixed at the source.

6
World

Video: Myanmar Migrants Spotted in Andaman Sea

A wooden fishing boat carrying several hundred migrants from Myanmar was seen adrift west of the Thai mainland on Thursday.

I don't need to be told that the problem exists or how it came to exist.
The problem needs a solution.
Genocide is not an acceptable resolution.
I have not found another.

7
Sports

Aaron Hernandez Is Charged With Intimidation

Hernandez was accused of trying to silence a witness in a separate double murder case against him by shooting him and leaving him for dead.
Football 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy
http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection=Pro%20Football&region=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=article#/Chronic+traumatic+encephalopathy+%28CTE%29/since1851/allresults/1/allauthors/newest/

8
Opinion

Just Think of Mom as the Family C.E.O.

Readers respond to a Sunday Review essay, “Mom: The Designated Worrier.”
Parenting; Women and Girls; Families and Family Life 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/opinion/sunday/judith-shulevitz-mom-the-designated-worrier.html

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

9
Opinion

Shortcomings of Cybersecurity Bills

Proposed legislation could help make American networks less vulnerable to hackers but at a cost to the privacy of individuals.
Cyberwarfare and Defense; Law and Legislation; Computers and the Internet; Surveillance of Citizens by Government; Corporations; Computer Security 

Good privacy is possibly the best cybersecurity.
If commercial sites did not "share" their data there would be few problems.

10
World

European Commission Prepares Plan to Distribute Migrants Across E.U.

The proposal, which has not been finalized and requires national governments’ approval, is being supported by Germany and Mediterranean member states.
Immigration and Emigration; Illegal Immigration; Asylum, Right of; Human Trafficking; Refugees and Displaced Persons 

No such plan will be accepted.

11
World

A Chasm Divides David Cameron and Nicola Sturgeon, Leaders of a Kingdom Still United

As early as this week, the prime minister of Britain and the first minister of Scotland will hold face-to-face meetings on granting Scotland greater autonomy.
Legislatures and Parliaments 

Let us see what deal is "on offer".
Greater autonomy usually comes at a high price.

12
U.S.

Shell’s Record Adds to the Anger of Those Opposing Arctic Drilling

Environmentalists cited past problems with a drilling rig’s running aground in 2012. But the company said it had revamped its operation and had better contingency plans.
Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Offshore Drilling and Exploration 

A plan without execution will not do the job.
Shell must perform a full test on a prepared location. 

13
Opinion

The Restaurant Industry, on the Minimum Wage

Dawn Sweeney, the president of the National Restaurant Association, opposes Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s push for higher wages.
Wages and Salaries; Minimum Wage; Fast Food Industry 

Workers must first escape the "poverty trap".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Bill

14
Travel

A New Marriott App Connects Guests With Hotels

Mobile Request, a new app from Marriott Hotels, allows guests to ask for services before they check in.
Travel and Vacations; Customer Loyalty Programs; Hotels and Travel Lodgings 

Mobile Request is intended to save guests time and make their stay more efficient, according to Matthew Carroll, vice president of Marriott Hotels. “You don’t have to search for the hotel’s number or wait on hold for a staff member to be free,” he said.

Just call ahead.

15
Science

NASA’s Mercury Messenger: What It Learned Before It Crashed

The spacecraft, which orbited Mercury for four years before crashing into it, found that its magnetic field is almost as old as the planet itself.
Messenger (Spacecraft); Mercury (Planet); Magnets and Magnetism 

We have not been told what messenger learned.

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

16
Opinion

H.I.V. Outbreak in Indiana

Howard Josepher, the head of a social services agency, says that what is needed is “to engage and maintain drug users with H.I.V.-AIDS and hepatitis, and those at high risk for infection, in peer-led education and support programs.”
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 

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

Addiction is not a moral failing.
Treating it as one is not helpful.
Group support helps some.
Overdose rescue is not a cure.
Maintenance buys time.

17
N.Y. / Region

Cuomo’s Push to Raise Wages Lifts Spirits of New York’s Fast-Food Workers

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s move to unilaterally increase hourly pay for thousands of workers in the state cheered many who recalled his previous lack of interest in the topic.
Wages and Salaries; Minimum Wage; Fast Food Industry 

The "poverty trap" is depressing.

18
Business Day

Choosing the Battlefield in S.E.C. Cases

Defense lawyers complain about the use of an administrative forum, but until a federal court steps in to curtail the practice, little can be done.
Securities and Commodities Violations; Suits and Litigation (Civil) 

Big firms will escape discipline if they can.

19
Opinion

An Oklahoma Suburb, Tornado-Ready

A tornado-prone city toughened its building code, becoming a model.
Tornadoes; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Building (Construction) 

There are no external costs.

20
Opinion

The Changing Role of the Professor

College teachers and a student react to a Sunday Review essay about how the role of professor has veered away from mentoring.
Colleges and Universities; Teachers and School Employees; Mentors 

We must not blame students or professors for bad management of the academy.
Schools have been asked to turn out product.  They do it.
A product is not a scholar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholarly_method

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