1
Opinion
Why Are Gender Reveal Parties a Thing?
They say a lot more about our culture than they do about the sex of our soon-to-be children.Gender is the least of a person.
It can be convenient later in life.
It can influence the choice of games and toys.
Parents should not fight the preferences of children most of the time.
Learning is not a choice. Children must learn their world if they are to survive childhood.
2
New York
Declare the Strand Bookstore a City Landmark? No Thanks, the Strand Says
The beloved independent shop with 18 miles of books says that landmark status for its building could be a death blow.The Strand bookstore is a business.
It must stay dynamic, relevant, and profitable.
It cannot be those as a monument.
Everything is not to be found on the web.
3
Opinion
Why Does Alex Acosta Still Have a Job?
The cabinet official’s connection to a shady deal for an alleged child molester."Come January, Democrats will finally be able to investigate the Trump administration, and given all its misdeeds, they’ll have to be selective about which they pursue. But if Acosta is still part of the administration next month, there should be hearings into his handling of the Epstein case. Epstein’s ability to evade justice is of a piece with the elite impunity that Trump pretended to challenge, but actually embodies. Congress can send a message: Time’s up."
4
Business
In China, Desperate Patients Smuggle Drugs. Or Make Their Own.
Despite health insurance, terminally ill patients have to hunt around the world and on the internet for ways to stay alive.Do what works.
I am not willing to indulge in torture for an uncertain hope.
Informed consent is important.
5
U.S.
Manafort Discussed Deal With Ecuador to Hand Assange Over to U.S.
There is no evidence that Paul Manafort was working with President Trump or other administration officials on the talks, which stemmed from 2017 discussions on Chinese investment.Manafort is sleazy.
6
World
France’s Yellow Vest Protests: The Movement That Has Put Paris on Edge
The grass-roots protests present President Emmanuel Macron with a potential political crisis. More mayhem may put his ability to govern into question.Deflation hurts.
7
Business
Trump Says China Will Curtail Fentanyl. The U.S. Has Heard That Before.
The Trump administration said China had agreed to make the potent drug a controlled substance, a move that would have major implications for America’s opioid crisis.Killing the customers is not good business.
Killing the makers is a worse business.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_War_%28disambiguation%29
China resolved its opium problem along the same lines as Rodrigo Duterte
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Duterte
8
Magazine
Yorgos Lanthimos’s Polarizing Visions
The Greek director has drawn acclaim — but also intense backlash — for his primal depiction of contemporary life.Alexandra Kleeman is extremely fond of the work.
I may need to buy a copy of The Favorite.
Bookmarked.
9
New York
Why New York Lags So Far Behind on Natural Childbirth
Texas has 70 free-standing birthing centers; New York has three. In the city, where Mount Sinai West’s birthing center will soon close, money is one big factor."Midwives who work at birthing centers and hospitals approach pregnancy and birth as healthy life events, using medical interventions only when necessary. But a “healthy life event” doesn’t make a hospital money; medical procedures do. This partly explains why the national cesarean section rate is now at almost 32 percent, up from less than 21 percent back in 1996. According to one study, low-risk women who aspired to deliver naturally at a birth center — even if they resorted to an epidural or other medical assistance — had a C-section rate of just six percent."
10
T Magazine
Why Do Asian-Americans Remain Largely Unseen in Film and Television?
Actors of Asian descent have long either been cast as stereotypes — in embarrassing, demeaning roles — or simply whitewashed out of the picture.Let the crackers play with themselves.
Japanese film.
Bollywood.
Chinese film.
Writing for film is a separate craft.
11
Magazine
In Donald Trump’s Census, Who Counts?
How the Trump administration’s plan to add a controversial new question to the 2020 census could transform a pillar of American democracy.Good question.
Count everyone.
12
Technology
The Race Is On to Protect Data From the Next Leap in Computers. And China Has the Lead.
China is investing in quantum encryption that could be far tougher to crack than today’s security methods. Now the United States is trying to catch up.Continue the work.
The results are not clear to me.
The data collected is customer data.
It is not encrypted when it is collected.
13
U.S.
Bush Made Willie Horton an Issue in 1988, and the Racial Scars Are Still Fresh
Mr. Bush expressed no regret for the Horton ad, and some of his longtime allies have long argued that he got a bad rap for something that was not really of his making.Yes.
Trump is riding the Willy Horton meme.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/meme
14
Arts
Princeton Singers Abandon a ‘Little Mermaid’ Song Over Kissing Concerns
A column in the campus paper called the song, “Kiss the Girl,” and the a cappella group’s tradition of bringing people onstage to kiss “misogynistic.”Explicit consent.
15
World
How to Connect Young People to Europe? Let Them See It All by Train
Much has changed in the 46 years since Interrail pass was introduced, but the essence of what it offers — experiencing new cultures and meeting new people — has remained the same.Trains do not do the job.
Neither do cars.
16
World
Bare Knuckle Bouts in Madagascar? ‘It Is About More Than the Fighting’
The sport of moraingy, a brutal mixed martial arts tradition in Madagascar, has become commercialized over the years, but at heart, it remains a reflection of local culture.Boxing keeps changing.
17
New York
F.B.I. Raids Home of Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam
Federal officials executed a search warrant at the Democratic mayor’s home early Monday, removing computer equipment and boxes.New Jersy is noted for corruption.
I will see if there is a prosecution and conviction.
18
U.S.
Police ‘Code of Silence’ Is on Trial After Murder by Chicago Officer
Three police officers are accused of conspiracy, official misconduct and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say they covered up for another officer.Chicago has been notably corrupt.
19
Arts
Review: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Takes Its Time, as Fast as It Can
The follow-up to an Emmy-winning first season looks fantastic and hasn’t lost a beat, but its core story repeats itself.I will watch the show.
20
Sports
No One Has Ever Crossed Antarctica Unsupported. Two Men Are Trying Right Now.
Colin O’Brady and Louis Rudd are both trying to become the first to finish the 921-mile odyssey on ice completely unsupported. It is a journey that killed a man who tried two years ago.It is a silly thing to do.
Equipment is better than it was.
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1
Technology
How to Stop Apps From Tracking Your Location
Hundreds of apps can follow your movements and share the details with advertisers, retailers and even hedge funds. Here’s how to limit the snooping.Try it.
It will do no harm.
2
World
Some Words Defy Translation. Angela Merkel Showed Why.
Germany’s chancellor used an English-language vulgarity in a speech recently. Oddly enough, German doesn’t have a mot juste of its own.Yes.
3
New York
What’s That Strange New Thing Rising in the Hudson River?
Pier 55, the expensive park taking shape near the High Line, will be unlike anything in New York, its billionaire backer says.A bad idea.
4
U.S.
Nick Ayers, Aide to Pence, Declines Offer to Be Trump’s Chief of Staff
The decision leaves it unclear who will take the top West Wing job as President Trump confronts the fight of his political life.Smart man.
5
Opinion
The Corporate Donors Behind a Republican Power Grab
Walgreens and other major companies are key supporters of the Wisconsin legislators now trying to undermine democracy.A government money can buy cheap.
6
Opinion
Anti-Zionism Isn’t the Same as Anti-Semitism
American Jews have nothing to fear from the new congressional critics of Israel.The Israelis and the Palestinians are engaging in religious war. They will fight until one side or the other is eliminated.
I would rather lose the Islamists.
7
U.S.
Elizabeth Warren Stands by DNA Test. But Around Her, Worries Abound.
Since releasing the results in October, the ancestry issue clouding her possible presidential campaign has only intensified.I like Elizabeth Warren in the Senate.
Her claim to Native American connection is good.
8
U.S.
Mattis Erupts Over Niger Inquiry and Army Revisits Who Is to Blame
A senior officer who escaped punishment for the ambush that killed four American soldiers will be reprimanded. A junior officer’s reprimand is rescinded.If we wish to avoid the risk of death, troops should not be sent to battle.
9
World
Woman Said to Be Putin’s Daughter Appears on TV, and a Taboo Is Cracked
Kremlinologists took note when Katerina Tikhonova, who has been widely reported to be President Vladimir V. Putin’s daughter, appeared on television.I am unconcerned.
Putin has public relations advisers.
10
World
The ‘It’ ’80s Party Girl Is Now a Defender of the Catholic Faith
Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis used to hang with Warhol. Now, she hosts Stephen K. Bannon and the bishops opposed to Pope Francis in her 500-room palace.https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/19.htm
23And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
11
World
French Police Crack Down on ‘Yellow Vests’ With Tear Gas and Over a Thousand Arrests
The police took a more aggressive stance this weekend as more hard-core elements hijacked the demonstrations. They arrested nearly 1,400 people.The problem is deflation.
The demonstrations are a distraction.
12
Technology
Arrest Shakes Huawei as Global Skepticism of Its Business Grows
Britain, New Zealand, Australia and other countries have grown increasingly worried about potential security risks related to the Chinese telecom giant.Find the backdoors.
Until then, price rules.
My smart phone has died.
13
Business
Huawei C.F.O. Is Arrested in Canada for Extradition to the U.S.
The detention of Meng Wanzhou is likely to escalate tensions between the United States and China just as their trade tensions had begun to thaw.The Trump administration should know better.
14
World
U.K.’s Theresa May Suffers Defeats in Parliament as Hopes Fade for Brexit Deal
Britain’s Parliament is reasserting control over the Brexit process, leaving Mrs. May in deep trouble before a critical vote on Dec. 11.Brexit is a bad idea.
Britain must plan for "no deal".
15
Opinion
I Like Joe Biden. I Urge Him Not to Run.
He’s impeccably qualified. Ask Hillary Clinton how that worked out.Correct.
16
Arts
Colbert Says an Innocent Homage to George Bush Sounded Like Trump-Bashing
Stephen Colbert ran through footage of former President George Bush’s state funeral. There were some weird moments from President Trump.yes
17
World
Theresa May Tried to Lead Britain to a Brexit Compromise. Was It Too Late?
Devoid of bombast and uninterested in personal power, she could have been the perfect messenger. But an early focus on satisfying hard-liners might have been her undoing.The Theresa May plan is rejected.
18
Arts
‘S.N.L’: Robert De Niro Returns to Haunt Eric Trump as Robert Mueller
The actor Jason Momoa hosted, in an episode that also included a trailer for a fictitious TV show that asks, “What if Donald Trump was black?”Trump would suicide.
19
U.S.
Heavy Early Snow Smacks the Southeast, Knocking Out Power and Snarling Travel
Virginia and North Carolina declared states of emergency as thousands of customers lost electricity. Many people heeded warnings to stay off slick roads, but there were still hundreds of accidents.It was a nasty storm.
20
New York
Declare the Strand Bookstore a City Landmark? No Thanks, the Strand Says
The beloved independent shop with 18 miles of books says that landmark status for its building could be a death blow.The Strand is correct.
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