Friday, May 30, 2014
House Approves $19.5 million for Gun Buyers' Background Checks
What a pittance. We need to do so much more to reduce the number of guns in the US.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Note to Olympic Sailors: Don’t Fall in Rio’s Water - NYTimes.com
Same warning when I was sailing for Brown; the difference was that the warning applied to the Charles River in Boston!
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
988474_10203370751806955_5569446654211627525_n.jpg (720×480)
I remember this day at the Brown commencement in 1969. One of those backs was mine. On stage was Henry KISSINGER.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
PRI's The World | Public Radio International
The woman they had on today from UNC talking about the school girls in Nigeria has been in academia too long.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Charters, Public Schools and a Chasm Between - NYTimes.com
I remain very uneasy over the whole charter school idea.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Lately, Coding - NYTimes.com
Do we all need to go back to school on this one?
Friday, May 09, 2014
T Names for Boys - Baby Names of Ireland
"Terry
Meaning of the name Terry. Listen and learn how to pronounce Terry so you can get the correct pronunciation for this boy name.
MEANING: From an Irish name meaning “”one who aids or assists.”” It is usually translated as Terence and Terry, two names that have become strongly associated with Ireland. Turlough O’Carolan was a 17th century blind harpist and composer who wrote one of the most haunting pieces of Irish music, “”O’Carolan’s Concerto.””
GENDER: Boy | Male
IRISH NAME: Terry Turlough Turlach
PRONUNCIATION: “tur + la”
ENGLISH: Terry
AUDIO: (Listen to the late author Frank McCourt pronounce Terry and read along with the meaning)
Play Audio for Terry:
Play Audio for Terry"
Meaning of the name Terry. Listen and learn how to pronounce Terry so you can get the correct pronunciation for this boy name.
MEANING: From an Irish name meaning “”one who aids or assists.”” It is usually translated as Terence and Terry, two names that have become strongly associated with Ireland. Turlough O’Carolan was a 17th century blind harpist and composer who wrote one of the most haunting pieces of Irish music, “”O’Carolan’s Concerto.””
GENDER: Boy | Male
IRISH NAME: Terry Turlough Turlach
PRONUNCIATION: “tur + la”
ENGLISH: Terry
AUDIO: (Listen to the late author Frank McCourt pronounce Terry and read along with the meaning)
Play Audio for Terry:
Play Audio for Terry"
T Names for Boys - Baby Names of Ireland
First time I have run across this. It's wonderful to have Frank McCOURT pronouncing the name Terry in Irish!
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
A Boy Shot, and Regret on Montana ‘Castle’ Law - NYTimes.com
I am fully with Germany on this atrocity.
There Are No Mainstream Republicans Left in North Carolina - NYTimes.com
That sure squares with my impression.
Monday, May 05, 2014
Supreme Court Upholds Public Prayer at Town Board Meetings - WSJ.com
My initial reaction is that this is not a good decision, but I look forward to reading the opinion.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Why People Don’t Donate Their Kidneys - NYTimes.com
I cannot imagine getting myself comfortable with doing this. It's just the way it is.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
State-Sponsored Horror in Oklahoma - NYTimes.com
I hope the rest of us - outside Oklahoma - are so much better than the people, apparently, inside. I wonder.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
In Victory for Obama, Court Backs Rules for Coal Pollution - NYTimes.com
My response is "good, now keep going!".
Kerry Expresses Regret After Apartheid Remark - NYTimes.com
I certainly would not apologize and I would drop the U.S. commitment to preserve a religious state in the form of Israel. We support democracy first, and if the choice is religious rule, then everyone must be treated as equals. Nothing about Israel makes me believe that they share this view.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Getting Into the Ivies - NYTimes.com
As a Brown alumni interviewer, this understates the challenge for student applicants.
‘Smart’ Firearm Draws Wrath of the Gun Lobby - NYTimes.com
Where is common sense? We have too many guns! Any move to restrict access to the trigger is a real plus in my book.
Why the Democrats’ Turnout Problem Is Worst in North Carolina - NYTimes.com
We should be focusing publicly on getting a 100% turnout at the polls in November for everyone under 35 in North Carolina. You don't get many votes in life to determine your future; the only important one you get this year is in Nov. Use it!!!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Finding stuff online
Last night, I spent a couple of hours researching a fine point on Flexible Spending Accounts, that provision of the IRS Code that allows some of us to put aside some untaxed money to pay for medical expenses. It's a great crap shoot in that you really have to predict the unpredictable - your health - in order to get it right. That's another story.
What struck me in my search for the facts was how much the web forest has overgrown the truth. In my case, I was looking for reasonably reliable information on a proposed IRS rule and on the management of FSA plans by employers. I never did find the latter, although I may have found a couple of places that - with proper payment - might have let me look at what they offer, but I am not their target; employers are.
For the former, the proposed IRS rule, I wound up being bounced by the IRS to Cornell and could not track down what happened to a proposed 2007 regulation. While I am a lawyer, I do not consider myself to be a tax lawyer and have not researched in that arena for a long time. Finally, it popped up almost inadvertently.
In the end, it would have been more fun to go to a well-equipped local library and look it up there in some real books.
What struck me in my search for the facts was how much the web forest has overgrown the truth. In my case, I was looking for reasonably reliable information on a proposed IRS rule and on the management of FSA plans by employers. I never did find the latter, although I may have found a couple of places that - with proper payment - might have let me look at what they offer, but I am not their target; employers are.
For the former, the proposed IRS rule, I wound up being bounced by the IRS to Cornell and could not track down what happened to a proposed 2007 regulation. While I am a lawyer, I do not consider myself to be a tax lawyer and have not researched in that arena for a long time. Finally, it popped up almost inadvertently.
In the end, it would have been more fun to go to a well-equipped local library and look it up there in some real books.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Elections
Are we too the point where the election is about ideas and selecting the least-damaged people?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
When Parents Are The Ones Too Distracted By Devices : All Tech Considered : NPR
Great story of idiocy.
Amid Politics, Obama Drifted Away From Kin - NYTimes.com
I don't fully understand this, but it is the President's business, not mine.
Android Central - Google+ - Google Street View kicked things up a bit today, now adding…
Really fascinating to think about "history" beginning in 2007!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Running Out of Time - NYTimes.com
I don't think government is the answer. Each of us needs to wage and win this war.
50 Years Into the War on Poverty, Hardship Hits Back - NYTimes.com
What are the education and advancement opportunities that might flow through the two satellite dishes on the roof of this house? Are we focused enough on this?
Saturday, April 19, 2014
‘The Tyranny of Experts,’ by William Easterly - NYTimes.com
This seems like it may be a very important book.
Heartbleed Highlights a Contradiction in the Web - NYTimes.com
This may prove to be major turning point in the history of the internet.
How to Run on Health Reform - NYTimes.com
With all of the money pouring into NC for November's Senate race between incumbent Kay HAGAN and likely Republican opponent, Thom TILLIS, I increasingly think we need to find a way to take a lot of ill-informed rhetoric and set it both straight and personal. If I can find the time, I want to take an issue like the health care law, for which Sen. HAGAN voted and which Mr. TILLIS opposes, and look at it from a North Carolina perspective. I hope to outline what a vote for either candidate might mean, as specifically and personally relevant as one can make it. My thought is to do this in an interactive fashion so that it would be fun for someone to work her/his way through it. Here is an example:
"A vote for Sen. HAGAN likely would mean that she would vote for the federal health care law would to continue as is, subject to some fine-tuning. This would mean that X people in North Carolina would have access to insurance that they likely otherwise would not. If you are one of them, you are a direct beneficiary. If you are not, you are an indirect beneficiary. A vote for Mr. TILLIS would mean a new vote in the Senate to repeal or more dramatically reduce the health care program. If you are directly affected by the law, you might find that any insurance available to you would come only from independent insurance companies, perhaps with less requirements as to coverage than are now a part of the federal program.
On this issue, would this mean that you are more likely to vote for
0 - HAGAN
0 - TILLIS"
The interactive feature would allow respondents to indicate the importance of the issue to them using a 0-10 scale.The totals for each candidate would then provide the voter with a better guide on this critical choice - taking into account their personal preferences and the importance of those preferences to the individual.
"A vote for Sen. HAGAN likely would mean that she would vote for the federal health care law would to continue as is, subject to some fine-tuning. This would mean that X people in North Carolina would have access to insurance that they likely otherwise would not. If you are one of them, you are a direct beneficiary. If you are not, you are an indirect beneficiary. A vote for Mr. TILLIS would mean a new vote in the Senate to repeal or more dramatically reduce the health care program. If you are directly affected by the law, you might find that any insurance available to you would come only from independent insurance companies, perhaps with less requirements as to coverage than are now a part of the federal program.
On this issue, would this mean that you are more likely to vote for
0 - HAGAN
0 - TILLIS"
The interactive feature would allow respondents to indicate the importance of the issue to them using a 0-10 scale.The totals for each candidate would then provide the voter with a better guide on this critical choice - taking into account their personal preferences and the importance of those preferences to the individual.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Fifty Years After the New York World’s Fair, Recalling a Vision of the Future - NYTimes.com
I remember most my parents, especially my father, remembering how much better the 1939 fair had been. He bought 50 tickets for us, and I think we used less than 10.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Michael Bloomberg plans $50M gun effort - Lucy McCalmont - POLITICO.com
It takes a village and we don't have one on this issue, alas. Money won't do it, nor will national pressure.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
The New Age: Leaving Behind Everything, Or Nothing At All : All Tech Considered : NPR
I can sure identify with this!
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Rounding Up Suspects, Pakistan Charges a Baby - NYTimes.com
This story squarely insults the soul; what kind of barbarians wind up arresting a less than one year old baby?
The Case of Who v. Whom - NYTimes.com
Whoever came up with this for whomever is doing a great service!
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Friday, April 04, 2014
Tuesday, April 01, 2014
U.S. and Israel Said to Be Near Agreement on Release of Spy - NYTimes.com
The President and the Secretary of State will lose a lot of the remaining esteem I have for them if they go forward with this. POLLARD will become a hero in Israel, even moreso than he is today, but more important, we will have traded justice for nothing.
Monday, March 31, 2014
U.S., Israel Discussing Pollard Release - WSJ.com
What an outrageous idea - "paying" the Israelis to do the right thing in talking with the Palestinians. We should, instead, say that all military assistance to Israel will stop in 6 months unless serious negotiations - as judged by us - are underway.
Bill Maher exposes Democrats over Paul Ryan’s “racist” remarks - IrishCentral.com
I think Bill MAHER deserves a lot of credit for this, and others ought to consider this point much more carefully. Get your knees out of your minds and think.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Obama’s Anemic Speech in Europe - NYTimes.com
Another point of view on President OBAMA's speech; I disagree.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Remarks by the President in Address to European Youth | The White House
One of the President's very best speeches!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Girl Shaves Head for Pal, Breaks School Dress Code - ABC News
I am still not convinced that charter schools in general are good things, and moves like this make them an even tougher sell.
Amid Wave of Pro-Gun Legislation, Georgia Proposes Sweeping Law - NYTimes.com
Why can't we make this happen in NC?
Monday, March 24, 2014
Map: 'How Much Snow It Typically Takes to Cancel School in the U.S.' - Eleanor Barkhorn - The Atlantic
Seems like a huge waste in every respect.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
If we have to pick a side over Crimea, let it be Russia - World News | Latest International News Headlines | The Irish Times - Thu, Mar 20, 2014
This is well-reasoned and persuasive. I will pay a lot closer attention to what follows and reformulate my views.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Obama has “too much golf, not enough work” - IrishCentral.com
A lot of the criticism of the President is, alas, well-merited.
Monday, March 17, 2014
E.U. Fights to Get Everyone Speaking Same Language on Education - NYTimes.com
We need to be reminded how we are doing in the US - this combined with Nicholas KRISTOFF piece yesterday talking about the importance of study overseas.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Erin Go Drinking - NYTimes.com
Bravo! I don't have to wear crazy garb or engage in various excesses to celebrate, within me, my Irishness. That's - thank God - not something I can buy at Walmart.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Paul Ryan’s Irish Amnesia - NYTimes.com
It makes me proud to be an Irishman whose family somehow survived the famine, and it makes me so sad that so many seem to support RYAN. Those supporters, alas, are the last ones likely to want to learn themselves by reading EGAN's excellent essay.
Like So Many Others, Leaving Ireland For A Better Life : NPR
I can surely identify with what she says.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Interview: Brigid Schulte, Author Of 'Overwhelmed' : NPR
Surely an issue deserving of being addressed, when we get the time.....
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Thursday, March 06, 2014
With Move to Limit Gun Sales, Facebook Is Caught in Debate - NYTimes.com
Facebook should prohibit anything to do with guns.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
AA flights between RDU and LHR
On my last flight - 30 Jan 2014 - I was struck, as is usual, by the incredible rush to make you eat the very repetitive meal they serve in coach during a 9 hour flight, the awful pizza they serve toward the end of the return flight to the US, and by the awful films shown.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Ash Spill Shows How Watchdog Was Defanged - NYTimes.com
We have to find a way to dump this Governor and return environmental leadership to the office.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Rand Paul: Obama's surgeon general pick will use post to attack 2nd Amendment - Washington Times
Sounds like a great nominee!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
AFP holds Hagan accountable on Obamacare - YouTube
How do we find out who this actress is? Aren't we entitled to know?
Researchers: 35M Gallons of Coal Ash Spilled in NC - ABC News
Someone was either very corrupt or very much asleep at the switch with regard to all of this. Either way, figurative heads ought to roll. Are they?
Friday, February 21, 2014
Accommodating Divisiveness - NYTimes.com
I agree, and the answer lies in the actions of the rest of us. We are responsible in some way for this guy.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Medicines Made in India Set Off Safety Worries - NYTimes.com
I don't want worries; I want FDA action!
Sunday, February 09, 2014
A Taxidermist Is a Keeper of a Quiet Zoo - NYTimes.com
For part of his life, my father was a taxidermist.
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Why CVS Is Ready to Lose Billions and Stop Selling Cigarettes - NationalJournal.com
We should work to get more stores, of all kinds, to do the same, and for guns, too. I saw ads for Dick's Sporting Goods promoting guns this weekend and refuse to shop there. Today, I noticed a Food Lion ad for cigarettes. If I shop there, I will first speak to the manager and tell her/him that I will only buy sale items at Food Lion as a result. They don't want a checkout line filled with baskets of only sale items. It's a way to save money and make an important statement.
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