Monday, March 2, 2015

@11:00, 3/2/15

|

1
Business Day

Jobs Data in Europe and U.S., and Car Sales

Employment figures will come on Monday for the eurozone, and on Friday for the United States; automakers will report their February sales.
Banking and Financial Institutions; United States Economy; Consumer Behavior; Income; Company Reports; Automobiles; Labor and Jobs 

"Buy on rumor; sell on news."  An old market saw.
This is all rumor.

2
Opinion

Walmart’s Visible Hand

A pay raise by America’s largest employer shows that low wages are a choice, and that we can and should choose differently.
Wages and Salaries; Minimum Wage; United States Economy; Income Inequality; Economic Conditions and Trends; Economics (Theory and Philosophy) 

Yes.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/larry-kudlow-and-the-failure-of-the-chicago-school/

3
World

Germans at the Crux of Crises, but Reluctantly

Europe’s indispensable nation, at the center of crises over Ukraine and Greece and often uncomfortable with leadership, has had a rocky month.
Defense and Military Forces 

Germany is again mislead.
The Republican Party has never ended a war.

4
Business Day

Eurozone Prices Continue to Fall, Fueling Concerns

The Continent had a third straight month of declining prices in February, but the jobless rate ticked down to the lowest level since 2012.
Deflation (Economics); Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates); Inflation (Economics) 

"Falling prices in the eurozone also reflect the slack in the labor market. Inflationary pressures are modestly stronger in Germany, where the jobless rate was just 4.7 percent, than in Spain and Greece, where a quarter or more of the work force is unemployed and where prices are contracting. In January, the latest month for which a detailed breakdown is available, every member of the eurozone experienced annual deflation, led by a 2.8 percent fall in Greek prices."

5
U.S.

Justice Department to Fault Ferguson Police, Seeing Racial Bias in Traffic Stops

A Justice Department report will accuse the police in Ferguson, Mo., of making discriminatory traffic stops of African-Americans that created racial animosity leading up to an officer’s shooting of a black teenager, law enforcement officials said.
Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings; Race and Ethnicity; Discrimination; Civil Rights and Liberties 

Somethings are within the power of the individual states.
Many things are not.
Racial bias is not a right of the states.
Religious bias is not a right of the states.
Congress and the executive can fix unlawful bias if they wish.

6
Opinion

Hello, Justices? It’s Reality Calling

The court can’t ignore the harsh consequences of gutting Obamacare.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010); Law and Legislation; Health Insurance and Managed Care; Suits and Litigation (Civil); Tax Credits, Deductions and Exemptions 

The authors of this provision may well have been malicious.
The act was not ill intentioned.
The Supreme Court can rule as the majority of the justices wish.

7
World

North Korea Launches 2 Missiles Into Sea to Protest U.S. War Games With South

South Korea condemned the North Korean missile tests as a “saber-rattling provocation” and a violation of United Nations resolutions.
Missiles and Missile Defense Systems; United States Defense and Military Forces 

North Korea is an hostile state.
Hostile acts are expected.

8
Sports

Ireland Beats England and Seizes Control of Six Nations

Ireland took a big step toward keeping its Six Nations title with a 19-9 victory over England on Sunday.
Rugby 

I have no understanding of Rugby Football.
My guess is there is a formal proposal on the table.
She must finish her graduate degree.
Where she apprentices is immaterial to me.

9
Technology

An Uneasy Relationship Between Telecom and Tech

Large mobile carriers and tech giants like Facebook and Google rely on one another, but they are competing to be consumers’ main source for Internet use on mobile devices.
Computers and the Internet; Smartphones; Wireless Communications; Social Media; Instant Messaging 

Let us not confuse content providers with service providers.  
The two businesses are separately regulated.
The income streams are separately taxed.
The internet is neither of these software businesses.
The internet is all hardware and another business.
The internet is regulated by net neutrality.
Content and service are not yet heavily regulated in the west.
The internet rents capacity to the service providers and content providers.
The internet shares ownership with the service providers.

10
World

South Korean President Urges Japan to Admit Past Wrongs

In a speech marking the anniversary of the 1919 uprising against Japanese rule, President Park Geun-hye said Japan should apologize for holding Korean women in military brothels during World War II.
World War II (1939-45); Textbooks; Women and Girls 

The politics of East Asia are opaque to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_War

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Korea_disputes#Korea_under_Japanese_rule

11
U.S.

Stops on the Donor Primary Trail

Where Republican presidential contenders have traveled to make their pitches to groups of high-level donors.
Presidential Election of 2016 

I will vote for the Democratic candidate.
Let the Republicans fight.

12
World

Kerry Is Pushing for Agreement in Iran Nuclear Talks

With so much at stake in the Iranian nuclear talks, Secretary of State John Kerry’s relentless negotiating style and repeated meetings with Iran’s foreign minister have become part of the debate.
Nuclear Weapons; United States International Relations; Embargoes and Sanctions 

An agreement is a good thing.

13
World

Afghan Policewomen Struggle Against Culture

In a clash between Western ideals and Afghan realities, an effort to elevate the status of women by recruiting them to the police force has often backfired.
Women's Rights; Afghanistan War (2001-14); Police; Women and Girls 

Jane Crow customs.

14
U.S.

U.S. Appeals Court Rejects Fifth Attempt to Move Boston Marathon Bombing Trial

Upholding a federal district judge’s three denials, a panel voted 2 to 1 to allow the trial to proceed in the city where the attacks occurred.
Appeals Courts (US); Boston Marathon Bombings (2013) 

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will have grounds for an appeal.

15
World

Recordings Suggest Emirates and Egyptian Military Pushed Ousting of Morsi

The unauthenticated recordings are the latest that appear to capture the private meetings and phone calls of senior defense officials. All have been released through Islamist news outlets that oppose President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Defense and Military Forces; Demonstrations, Protests and Riots 

Egypt is a sovereign state.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereignty

16
Opinion

A Life Without Papers

I was so close to a break from the constant fear of deportation.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; Immigration and Emigration; Illegal Immigration; Deportation; Executive Orders and Memorandums 

The Republicans are being irrational.

17
Opinion

Congress’s Critical Role on Trade

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal may go far beyond issues like tariffs and quotas. Lawmakers have a responsibility to give negotiators clear instructions.
Trans-Pacific Partnership; International Trade and World Market; United States Politics and Government; Currency 

Congress is mute until at least the next election. 

18
Health

Most Doctors Give In to Requests by Parents to Alter Vaccine Schedules

A majority of pediatricians acquiesce to parents who wish to delay vaccinating their children, a new survey has found.
Vaccination and Immunization; Doctors; Children and Childhood; Whooping Cough; Measles 

"Physicians who reluctantly agreed said they did so to build trust with families and to avoid losing them as patients."

19
U.S.

California Beach Community Prepares for High-Stakes Vote on Oil Drilling

Hermosa Beach will go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to follow through on a longstanding contract for drilling rights or pay millions to kill the deal.
Beaches; Drilling and Boring; Offshore Drilling and Exploration; Environment; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Natural Gas; Taxation 

I hope they cancel the contract.

20
Health

Psychiatric Drug Overuse Is Cited by Federal Study

Investigators are recommending that Medicare officials take immediate action to reduce unnecessary prescriptions to older Americans with dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease; Drugs (Pharmaceuticals); Medicare; Elderly; Health Insurance and Managed Care 

Properly so.

|

@20:00, 2/28/15

|



1
Business Day

Hyundai Recalls Vehicles Over Power Steering Loss

The automaker said that the power steering could suddenly stop working in 2008-10 Elantras and 2009-10 Elantra Tourings but did not mention any related accidents or injuries.
Automobile Safety Features and Defects; Recalls and Bans of Products; Traffic Accidents and Safety 

Cleaning up the low priority problems.

2
World

In China, Civic Groups’ Freedom, and Followers, Are Vanishing

Under President Xi Jinping, the government is forcefully narrowing its tolerance of grass-roots organizations, especially those that deal with politically contentious issues.

The Chinese Central Committee knows that it is corrupt.
It likes the income.
Good government groups are a threat. 

3
Opinion

Governors Can Run, but They Can’t Hide

A state record leaves those jostling for the presidential nomination wide open to criticism.
Governors (US); Presidential Election of 2016; Budgets and Budgeting 

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"
A role playing game mantra.

4
Sports

Princeton Women Pull Away in Rout and Move 4 Games From Goal of 30-0

After Friday night’s steamrolling of Yale, Princeton is 10-0 in the Ivy League and is the last undefeated team in women’s college basketball.
NCAA Basketball Championships (Women); Basketball (College) 

Final 1 2 T
9 15 24
1
54 33 87
Boxscore | Recap 
Leaders Memphis Connecticut
Points A. Hearn 7 K. Mosqueda-Lewis 21
Rebounds A. Hearn 5 G. Williams 10
Assists 3 tied with 2 M. Jefferson 6


5
Sports

Judge Overturns Suspension of Adrian Peterson

The reversal was another setback for the N.F.L.’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, who had suspended the Vikings running back until at least April for disciplining his son with a switch.
Football; Child Abuse and Neglect 

 Football is about keeping the fans happy.

6
Style

Strippers Go Undercover on Snapchat


7
World

‘Jihadi John’ in ISIS Videos Is Identified as Mohammed Emwazi of London

Mohammed Emwazi, 27, grew up in West London, and graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in computer programming.
Terrorism 

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

8
U.S.

Concerns Mount as Homeland Security Shutdown Looks Likely

A little over a year after the last federal shutdown, officials at the Department of Homeland Security face having to furlough about 30,000 employees, creating worries about daily operations.
Shutdowns (Institutional); Airport Security; United States Politics and Government 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/27/us/politics/How-a-Bill-Becomes-a-Law-Or-Not.html

A one week delay to a threatened shutdown.

9
Business Day

Edible Coffee Cup in KFC Tests in Britain


A wrong fix.
 
10
U.S.

‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Chris Kyle’s Killer Guilty of Murder


11
World

Conviction for Memoirs Is Reminder of Mao Era

Tie Liu’s journal, “Small Scars From the Past,” printed recollections of people who, like Mr. Tie himself, were persecuted as “Rightists” in the 1950s.
Freedom of Speech and Expression; Censorship; Sentences (Criminal) 

Tie Liu threatened the legitimacy of the P.R.C.
The P.R.C. is losing "the mandate of heaven".
The example of the U.S.S.R. haunts them.

12
U.S.

Morals Clause in Catholic Schools Roils Bay Area

The changes in the staff handbook, which say that teachers at Catholic high schools cannot challenge church teachings, including against homosexuality, have caused a backlash.
Homosexuality and Bisexuality; Private and Sectarian Schools; Stem Cells (Embryonic); Stem Cells 

The archbishop, Salvatore Cordileone, is in a doctrinal trap.  
His church has a set policy on human behavior which differs from the discovered facts.
He cannot change the policy or the facts.
"Don't ask, don't tell" does not satisfy his congregation.
Schisim is coming.

13
U.S.

In a Case of Religious Dress, Justices Explore the Obligations of Employers

A vigorous argument before the Supreme Court explored religious stereotypes, employment discrimination and the symbolism of the Muslim head scarf, all arising from an encounter at a clothing store in Tulsa, Okla.
Muslim Veiling; Discrimination 

Religious liberty should carry the day.

Samantha Elauf should win.

14
Opinion

Stopping the Violence on Rikers Island

A former national corrections official, a lawyer and a criminal justice professor respond to an editorial and a front-page article.
Prisons and Prisoners; Assaults 

Jailing a former guard would be a death sentence.
Brutal guards must be caught and fired early.

15
World

American Is Kidnapped in Nigeria


We must accept that it can happen and take measures against it.
 
16
Opinion

Make School a Democracy

Children will learn better. Look at rural Colombia.
Education (K-12); School Discipline (Students); Children and Childhood; Rural Areas 

Children learn fastest at early ages.  
Learning is not thinking.
Most children do not learn to think.
thinking seems to be learned beginning in the mid teens.

17
Business Day

SodaStream Hits Reset as Its Sales and Profit Fall

Faced with slumping sales despite a thriving United States market for water products, the home-carbonation company is rethinking its product line.
Water; Beverages; Soft Drinks; Artificial Sweeteners

SodaStream is a niche in a fashion based business.

18
N.Y. / Region

With White-Knuckle Grip, February’s Cold Clings to New York

This insult of a month may be the coldest February in New York City in more than 80 years, the National Weather Service says.
Weather; Ice; Temperature 

Another eight inches of snow.
 Sunday night.
 

19
World

In Greek Crisis, Rare Moment of Consensus

Conflict between a new generation of populist Greek leaders and their European creditors was put aside as an agreement was reached to extend the country’s bailout program four months.
European Sovereign Debt Crisis (2010- ) 

A four month hiatus. 
The best Greece could hope for.
The fight will continue. 

20
Food

Firmly Rooted in the Piedmont

The results of the Wine School exam on Langhe nebbiolo.
Wines 

I cannot deny you anything.
The only way not to drink is to not start.
Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.  



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

@21:40


1
Business Day

Hyundai Recalls Vehicles Over Power Steering Loss



2
World

In China, Civic Groups’ Freedom, and Followers, Are Vanishing



3
Opinion

Governors Can Run, but They Can’t Hide



4
Sports

Judge Overturns Suspension of Adrian Peterson



5
Style

Strippers Go Undercover on Snapchat

Funny

6
U.S.

Concerns Mount as Homeland Security Shutdown Looks Likely


Congress has given themselves a few days.
 
8
Sports

South Carolina Women Improve to 27-1



9
Business Day

Edible Coffee Cup in KFC Tests in Britain


I wish it would help.
 
10
U.S.

‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Chris Kyle’s Killer Guilty of Murder


 Texas

11
World

Conviction for Memoirs Is Reminder of Mao Era



12
U.S.

Morals Clause in Catholic Schools Roils Bay Area



13
Opinion

Stopping the Violence on Rikers Island



15
Sports

At St. John’s, a Heralded Class Still Seeks a Capstone



16
World

American Is Kidnapped in Nigeria



17
Opinion

Make School a Democracy



18
Business Day

SodaStream Hits Reset as Its Sales and Profit Fall



19
N.Y. / Region

With White-Knuckle Grip, February’s Cold Clings to New York



20
Food

Firmly Rooted in the Piedmont

I will deny you nothing
Only you can do that
Sooner is better.  As soon as you can is best.


|


 

Saturday, February 28, 2015

@13:15, 2/28/15

|


1
N.Y. / Region

Overall Market Factored in Rejections of Casino Bids, Panel Says

In its final report, the Gaming Facility Location Board also remained cautious about the future of the gambling industry in the state.
Gambling; Casinos

We have plenty of gambling.  

2
Opinion

A Strike Against Student Debt

Student debtors should turn the vast sums they owe into leverage to demand a better system.
For-Profit Schools; Student Loans; Tuition; Federal Aid (US); Consumer Protection; Strikes; Colleges and Universities

Organize first.  
Only a true mass movement can bring the necessary pressure.

3
World

Russia Heightens Dispute With Ukraine Over Natural Gas

The head of Gazprom said that Ukraine would use up its prepaid allotment in days and would not be able to pay in time to keep the supply going.
Natural Gas

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/world/europe/russia-and-ukraine-calm-feud-over-natural-gas-payments.html

Even Russia would rather not risk an all out war. 
They will continue to try to nibble.

4
Opinion

The Islamic State’s Most Recent Victims

It seems sometimes as if a band of fanatics has emerged from the dark ages to wage war on the present.
Yazidi (Religious Sect); Terrorism; International Relations

Perhaps they are Islamic purists.
Such should be considered.
Religious war is no stranger.

5
Opinion

Bloomberg Sees a Way on Keystone

The former mayor of New York suggests that the Obama administration negotiate directly with Canada on a climate pact.
Global Warming; Keystone Pipeline System; Oil Sands; Air Pollution; Environment; International Relations

Keystone XL will remain blocked.

The block is environmentally based.

If the oil goes to China it will replace some coal. 

6
Style

Strippers Go Undercover on Snapchat

The mobile app has become a popular platform for X-rated photos, videos and personalized shows, often sold on the sly to avoid violating rules.
Pornography; Mobile Applications; Social Media

Let them go.
It is not a relationship I want.

7
World

Shale Gas Project Encounters Determined Foes Deep in Algerian Sahara

In Algeria, a country dependent on its oil and gas reserves, daily protests against a pilot shale gas project have turned into a national antifracking movement.
Hydraulic Fracturing; Demonstrations, Protests and Riots; Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline; Shale

"The protesters have tapped several important veins of popular anger. One is strong environmental concern over scarce water reserves in the desert towns; the fracking process is water intensive and, potentially, water polluting.
Lingering anticolonial resentment is also a factor. The foreign company involved in the exploration — Total — has its headquarters in France, Algeria’s former colonial master, where it has been prohibited from using the same fracking methods on environmental grounds."

8
N.Y. / Region

Taking Aim at Icicles to Keep Trains Moving Into and Out of New York

With yellow poles topped with hammerlike appendages, the Ice Patrol rolls through tunnels under the Hudson River, hunting for icicles that can disrupt the tightly choreographed train traffic.
Ice; Transit Systems; Bridges and Tunnels

More tunnels will help.  Heat in the existing tunnels would help more.
It does not need to be a great deal of heat.

9
U.S.

Ohio: Brother of Cleveland’s Police Chief Is Killed

William D. Williams was killed in Cleveland, and his girlfriend, suspected in his death, shot herself when troopers stopped her vehicle along a Pennsylvania highway, the authorities said.
Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides; Suicides and Suicide Attempts 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/27/us/ap-us-police-chiefs-brother-shot.html
She is dead of her self inflicted wound.

Nothing further as yet.

10
World

Presumed Heir of Indian Party Requests Leave of Absence

Rahul Gandhi, expected to be the next leader of India’s beleaguered Congress Party, raised speculation when party officials announced that he had requested a leave.
Appointments and Executive Changes

I do not read minds.
India needs different and liberal leadership.

It has not had such since Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.

11
Opinion

The Manifestation of SeƱor Bacon

Was the idea of having our own pet pig one better left to the realm of imagination?
Pets; Pigs 

I do not want a plethora of pets.  
I will tolerate dogs and a few chickens.
Horses would be all yours.  

12
Style

When Your Punctuation Says It All (!)

In the texting era, symbols may say more than the words around them (or, at least, we think they do).
Grammar; Text Messaging 

Whole sentences work better.
I often have little to add in a comment. 

13
U.S.

Shoppers Cautioned After Threat Against Mall of America

Jeh C. Johnson urged shoppers to be “particularly careful” in visiting the mall after it was targeted for a terrorist attack in a video posted by the Shabab.
Terrorism; Video Recordings, Downloads and Streaming 

A threat and a warning are cheaper than a bomb.

14
U.S.

Washington: Autopsy Contradicts Officials’ Account of Pasco Shooting

The autopsy of an unarmed Mexican man killed by the police showed he was shot up to seven times, including twice from behind, a lawyer for the man’s family said Thursday.
Police Brutality, Misconduct and Shootings; Autopsies; Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides 

It does not look good for the Pasco police.

15
U.S.

Massachusetts: Jury Selection Disrupted

Lawyers for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bombing suspect, asked a judge Thursday to dismiss the indictment against him or suspend his trial, saying the jury pool was not diverse.
Boston Marathon Bombings (2013); Jury System 

The story says disputed.  
A different concept.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/02/28/us/ap-us-boston-marathon-bombing.html

16
Business Day

France Gets More Time to Meet E.U. Budget Rules

The European Commission said it recommended what amounted to a two-year extension for France to cut its deficit, which exceeds a 3 percent ceiling.
Budgets and Budgeting; Gross National Product (GNP) 

The European Union is not learning.

17
Business Day

Edible Coffee Cup in KFC Tests in Britain

KFC restaurants in Britain soon will introduce an edible coffee cup, a product that addresses consumer concerns with the environmental impact of packaging.
Containers and Packaging; Coffee 

It does not read like a good solution.

18
Sports

At Their Meets, the Audience Flips, Too

Utah gymnastics has the highest average attendance in women’s college sports nearly every year, beating out the likes of Tennessee and Connecticut basketball.
Gymnastics; Colleges and Universities; College Athletics 

Everybody likes a girly show.
Winning helps.

19
World

‘Jihadi John’ in ISIS Videos Is Identified as Mohammed Emwazi of London

Mohammed Emwazi, 27, grew up in West London, and graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in computer programming.
Terrorism 

An educational failure.

20 
U.S.

‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Chris Kyle’s Killer Guilty of Murder

Eddie Ray Routh, the veteran who killed Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL marksman who inspired the movie “American Sniper,” was sentenced to life in prison after a jury rejected his claims that he was legally insane at the time.
Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides 

It is Texas.

|

Update FireFox.
Under FireFox help scroll down to "About FireFox" and click on it. 
FireFox should download the latest update and load it.
If it does not do so go to help under FireFox Help.




|