@21:00, 5/23/15

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1

Opinion

History and Safety on the Railroad

May 22nd 2015

Readers respond to articles about the Amtrak crash and its aftermath.

Railroad Accidents and Safety; Law and Legislation; Seatbelts 

Traditionally there was a fireman in the cab.

The conductor is the captain of the train.

The brakeman was another qualified person on the train crew.

Featherbedding has done for all of them.

2

Real Estate

Keeping a Fire Escape Clear

By RONDA KAYSEN | May 23rd 2015

This week’s topics include rules for keeping fire escapes clear; damage caused by trees; and fines and liens originating from previous owners.

Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Trees and Shrubs; Air Conditioning; Fines (Penalties); Building (Construction) 

We will have a lawyer and try to ask the right questions.

3

World

Former Korean Air Executive in ‘Nut Rage’ Case Freed After Sentence Cut

By CHOE SANG-HUN | May 22nd 2015

It should not happen again.

 

4

Opinion

China and the Reefs: A Weakness in the U.S. Position

May 22nd 2015

Jerome A. Cohen, a law professor at N.Y.U., writes that the United States cannot avail itself of arbitration of China’s action under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea because it has failed to ratify the convention.

Reefs 

We will not go to war with the Chinese.

The conservative senators must think again.

5

Real Estate

Recent Commercial Transactions

By ROSALIE R. RADOMSKY | May 19th 2015

Notable properties that have been recently listed for sale, sold or leased in New York City.

Real Estate (Commercial); Renting and Leasing (Real Estate) 

Insane.  

6

World

Inquiry Finds Misconduct by a Top Surgeon, Paolo Macchiarini

By HENRY FOUNTAIN | May 20th 2015

An investigation in Sweden into Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, a pioneer in regenerative medicine, found he had omitted or falsified information about patients’ conditions in medical journals.

Falsification of Data; Ethics and Official Misconduct; Academic and Scientific Journals; Surgery and Surgeons 

It is probably a disaster for Dr. Macchiarini.

7

Sports

John Isner Advances at Open de Nice

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | May 19th 2015

Isner, the second seed, defeated Steve Johnson, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3.

Tennis 

1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9   R H E LA Angels 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 6 1 Boston 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 x 8 12 0

W: S. Wright (2-1)   L: C. Wilson (2-3)

Bos HR: M. Napoli 2 (7)

8

U.S.

Indiana: County to Try Needle Exchange

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | May 21st 2015

The state approved a yearlong needle-exchange program for a rural county at the center of an H.I.V. outbreak that spurred a new state law allowing such programs.

Hypodermic Needles and Syringes; Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 

The program should be state wide.

9

Business Day

Walmart Pushes for Improved Animal Welfare

By STEPHANIE STROM | May 22nd 2015

The retailing behemoth said it will ask its meat, seafood, poultry, deli and egg suppliers to voluntarily adopt standards to improve the health and comfort of livestock.

Agriculture and Farming; Factory Farming; Animal Abuse, Rights and Welfare; Meat; Antibiotics; Pigs; Chickens; Poultry 

The request is window dressing if there is no money in it for the suppliers.

10

N.Y. / Region

Public Housing Residents Wary of Mayor de Blasio’s Plan

By MIREYA NAVARRO | May 19th 2015

New York City is effectively telling its public housing residents: In order for this to work, we are going to need your trust, and we are going to lean a bit harder on you.

Public and Subsidized Housing 

Rent is going up again.

11

Opinion

Opting Out of State Tests Based on Common Core Standards

May 22nd 2015

Readers discuss the growing movement to refuse to take state tests tied to the Common Core curriculum.

Tests and Examinations; Education (K-12) 

The point of the exam is evaluating the students.

The mean grade should be 50%. 

12

World

Honduras: Ex-President’s Son Arrested

By BENJAMIN WEISER | May 22nd 2015

Fabio Porfirio Lobo, the son of a former Honduran president, appeared in Federal District Court in Manhattan on Friday on a charge of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.

Sentences (Criminal); Drug Abuse and Traffic 

Money.

13

Sports

Concussion Lawsuits Rankle School Groups

By BEN STRAUSS | May 20th 2015

The Illinois High School Association is the first state association that could face class-action scrutiny over concussions.

Concussions; Sports Injuries; Interscholastic Athletics; Football; Education (Secondary) 

An end to football would please me.

This may be a start.

14

N.Y. / Region

Advocates and Regulators Press for Cleaner New York City Waterways

By COREY KILGANNON | May 22nd 2015

More stringent regulations governing water quality standards are expected soon from state environmental officials.

Water Pollution; Water 

More can be done.  

Perfection is still out of reach.

When the Hudson is certified for shell fish I will believe. 

15

Travel

A Mural Tour in Tulum

By ELAINE GLUSAC | May 22nd 2015

The Zamas Hotel in Tulum, Mexico, invited muralists to paint city walls, and takes travelers to see them.

Travel and Vacations; Murals; Art 

Worth a day or two.

There must be more to justify a trip.

16

Business Day

G.M. Inquiry Said to Find Criminal Wrongdoing

By DANIELLE IVORY, BEN PROTESS and BILL VLASIC | May 22nd 2015

As the investigation draws to a close, prosecutors are said to be negotiating a penalty that is likely to eclipse the $1.2 billion paid last year by Toyota.

Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Deaths (Fatalities) 

Negotiation continues.

17

Your Money

It’s Time to Pay for All That Knowledge

By ANN CARRNS | May 22nd 2015

Here are tips for paying off student loans.

Financial Aid (Education); Student Loans; Personal Finances 

She volunteered.   

The three of you must work it out.

18

World

Indonesia and Malaysia Agree to Care for Stranded Migrants

By JOE COCHRANE | May 20th 2015

The two nations are offering temporary shelter to thousands of migrants stranded at sea, saying they should either return home or resettle in a third country.

Refugees and Displaced Persons; Rohingya (Ethnic Group); Ships and Shipping 

The action just buys time.

19

World

Video: Rescuing Nepal’s Relics from Ruin

Rajneesh Bhandari and Jonah M. Kessel | May 20th 2015

Following the April earthquake, teams have braved landslides and aftershocks to document the damage to Nepal’s antiquities as well as launch efforts to secure and restore them.

Buddhism 

It will be a big job.

There are many hands to do it.

20

U.S.

Colorado: Work Goes On at V.A. Hospital Site

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | May 21st 2015

A last-minute deal allows work to continue for three weeks while the Veterans Affairs Department tries to meet congressional demands for a scaled-back project.

Building (Construction); Hospitals 

Congress is not reasonable.

It is a definition of insanity.

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