Thursday, December 31, 2015
Rochester
Democrat & Chronicle: Rochester man linked to ISIS planned New Year's Eve attack on bar, feds say
'She Looks Almost Like A Human Being, With Soft Skin And Flowing Brunette Hair'
Science Daily: Social, telepresence robots revealed by scientists
summary - Say hello to Nadine, a "receptionist" at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She is friendly, and will greet you back. Next time you meet her, she will remember your name and your previous conversation with her. She looks almost like a human being, with soft skin and flowing brunette hair. She smiles when greeting you, looks at you in the eye when talking, and can also shake hands with you. And she is a humanoid.
Global Warming - 2015 Record Heat
Climate Central: Record Heat Is Your Climate Chart of the Year
Nine of the 10 hottest years on record have come since 2005. So let us repeat: The world is getting hotter.
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 40 degrees and it looks like the cloud coverage might be lifting for some sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The snow storm of a few days ago is a thing of the past as roughly 60% of the snow coverage is gone and the grass re-emerges on lawns. Today is the big day, it's a day of celebration as we welcome in the new year. What a year 2015has been too, in spite of a great deal of human caused mischief, our world keeps ticking along in one amazing piece.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The year is ending on a trading whimper. Oil remains the central story in my opinion. You know we are entering a new year and our eyes are wide open, who knows what's ahead. One year from now we know who will be our next president and hopefully sane minds will prevail in that election. Unfortunately we will have to endure the process that leads up to the decision, and so far that has been a bust.
Reuters: Stock futures little changed on last trading day of 2015
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The year is ending on a trading whimper. Oil remains the central story in my opinion. You know we are entering a new year and our eyes are wide open, who knows what's ahead. One year from now we know who will be our next president and hopefully sane minds will prevail in that election. Unfortunately we will have to endure the process that leads up to the decision, and so far that has been a bust.
Reuters: Stock futures little changed on last trading day of 2015
Crude oil prices were set for their second year of steep losses suffering under an unprecedented global glut that may take another year to clear.
Trading volumes are expected to be thin for the day, and data points sparse, with traders closing off positions for 2015.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The Arctic
WaPo: Freak storm pushes North Pole 50 degrees above normal to melting point
As this storm churns north, it’s forcing warm air into the Arctic Circle. Over the North Sea, sustained winds from the south are blasting at 70 mph, and gusting to well above 100 mph, drawing heat from south to north.
Hummus
As the year comes to a close, this particular story seems especially relevant for the year in American politics. It is simultaneously humorous and terrifying, terrifying in the sense that this is the new norm in the GOP. America needs at least two viable political parties, three would be even better, but at least two for starters. Unfortunately right now we've got one and one half, not really a full two.
Right Wing Watch: Ben Carson Confuses 'Hamas' With 'Hummus'
Right Wing Watch: Ben Carson Confuses 'Hamas' With 'Hummus'
Anxious
Science Daily: Being anxious could be good for you in a crisis - Brain prioritises threats, especially in anxious people
summary - New findings could help explain the apparent 'sixth sense' we have for danger in social situations, with the direction of a person's gaze being a crucial cue. People with non-clinical anxiety are particularly well poised for action.
The Drought
Mother Jones: Here Are 58 Million Reasons to Care About California's Drought - There's a lot more at stake than just trees.
Researchers used laser-imaging technology mounted to a plane to map the tree health of California's forests after four years of drought. They found that things may soon get a lot worse: Up to 58 million trees are near death, and further drought conditions could kill them, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere, destroying ecosystems and ruining a vital aspect of California's water system.
Climate Change And 2015
MSNBC: The year in climate change: 2015 may be the beginning of the end
But all of this could also fall apart, which is why 2015 may go down as epoch-making moment—the end of one era of human history and, quite possibly, the beginning of another. Or, in a darker future, 2015 may simply be the beginning of the end.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 36 degrees and cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Beyond today the forecast is promising several days filled with sunshine. We can use it. Yesterday's snow is melting away and all roads and driveways are clear. The startling news of the morning is about the rising level of the Mississippi and how that is threatening millions of people. We read that the southern part of the US would get an above average level of precipitation this Winter and that's coming true.
At 9:10 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down just below $37. The market is poised to open lower.
The year is winding down, oil remains under pressure as the glut continues, and there appears to be a lot of hand wringing going on with concerns about China's slowdown and rising interest rates. What caught my attention was this notice from the IMF that 2016 may very well disappoint. Keep in mind that predictions about the market still remain vulnerable no matter who is offering it.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
At 9:10 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down just below $37. The market is poised to open lower.
The year is winding down, oil remains under pressure as the glut continues, and there appears to be a lot of hand wringing going on with concerns about China's slowdown and rising interest rates. What caught my attention was this notice from the IMF that 2016 may very well disappoint. Keep in mind that predictions about the market still remain vulnerable no matter who is offering it.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
The chief of the International Monetary Fund said rising U.S. interest rates and the slowdown in China are creating uncertainty in the global economy. Writing in German newspaper Handelsblatt, Christine Lagarde said global growth will be disappointing in 2016.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Snowstorms In Mexico
Science Daily: Raw: Rare Snowstorm Blankets Northern Mexico
summary - Large snowstorms have struck Mexico's northern states, causing road closures and bringing services to a halt.Video link - Mexico Snowstorms
NH Union Leader Editorial Attacks Trump
MSNBC: Trump goes to war with NH newspaper - After a scathing editorial, Trump deems the Union-Leader editor a "lowlife" and mocks the paper as a failure.
And here is the editorial -
New Hampshire Union Leader: Trump campaign insults NH voters' intelligence By JOSEPH W. McQUAID
And here is the editorial -
New Hampshire Union Leader: Trump campaign insults NH voters' intelligence By JOSEPH W. McQUAID
Trump has shown himself to be a crude blowhard with no clear political philosophy and no deeper understanding of the important and serious role of President of the United States than one of the goons he lets rough up protesters in his crowds.
Spice It Up
AlterNet: 9 Spices That May Save Your Life - Can cinnamon prevent diabetes? Just maybe.
5. Turmeric.
If there is a “super” spice in this group, turmeric might take the title. The active ingredient in the spice, curcumin, which gives it its bright yellow color, has been found to be as effective an anti-inflammatory as drugs like hydrocortisone or Motrin. Turmeric can be helpful in battling Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and maybe even cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and drizzling icy stuff here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It looks like we got 2 to 3 inches of snow last night and the local driving is a little slippery. The pachysandra around the base of trees is still visible so I suspect that the white may disappear quickly. I must say at this point I have lost a lot of interest in watching MSNBC or any TV news at night. I mean if it's not Trump apparently, it's not news. Call it the daily Trump news. Enough with Trump already, we're sick of it. Can we move on yet. Hand him the presidency, let him royally f*** it up and whatever is left over when he leaves in disgrace, we rebuild. Unfortunately given what we are presently seeing, I suspect the population of the uneducated, fact free, low energy thinkers, will be even larger in the future.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open higher.
This is the weird in between week, Christmas on one side and New Year's Day on the other. Many investors are out of town and Wall Street is running with less heads in the mix. With less people, Wall Street is often subject to more volatility so all we can say is hopefully calmer minds will prevail. It's my little Wall Street prayer.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open higher.
This is the weird in between week, Christmas on one side and New Year's Day on the other. Many investors are out of town and Wall Street is running with less heads in the mix. With less people, Wall Street is often subject to more volatility so all we can say is hopefully calmer minds will prevail. It's my little Wall Street prayer.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
European markets are bouncing higher, with shares in Paris and Frankfurt up by more than 1%. Asian markets rebounded as well after falling Monday.
Monday, December 28, 2015
New Mars Rover Findings
Science Daily: New Mars rover findings revealed - Much higher concentrations of silica indicate 'considerable water activity'
summary - NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has found much higher concentrations of silica at some sites the rover has investigated in the past seven months than anywhere else it has visited since landing on Mars 40 months ago. Silica makes up nine-tenths of the composition of some of the rocks.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and partly sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The forecast has the temperatures starting to look more seasonable and drifting to the 30s and 40s over the next week. Nights will go below freezing too. I hope you had a good refreshing weekend. It's time for all of us to get back on the good diet and push away from the rich and extra sweet food. I ate my share and I paid the late night heartburn price. We see that the GOP itself has become one of the better critics of Trump. Read these words by George Will on Trump - "If you look beyond Donald Trump’s comprehensive unpleasantness — is there a disagreeable human trait he does not have? — you might see this: He is a fundamentally sad figure. His compulsive boasting is evidence of insecurity. His unassuageable neediness suggests an aching hunger for others’ approval to ratify his self-admiration. His incessant announcements of his self-esteem indicate that he is not self-persuaded." No liberal has come close to this level of attack.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down around $37. The market is poised to open lower.
Oil was a big topic in investment in 2015 and this will continue into 2016. With Iran entering the global oil export market the globe is awash in a glut of oil. It was only a few years ago that the notion of peak oil dominated everyone's thought process. Not so, oil is abundant and very cheap.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down around $37. The market is poised to open lower.
Oil was a big topic in investment in 2015 and this will continue into 2016. With Iran entering the global oil export market the globe is awash in a glut of oil. It was only a few years ago that the notion of peak oil dominated everyone's thought process. Not so, oil is abundant and very cheap.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
U.S. stock futures are ticking lower at the start of a shortened trading week. Oil is down more than 1.5% to below $38 dollars a barrel, a decline driven by Iran's pledge to increase output.
George Will On Trump
There is no need for liberals, progressives, indies, Latinos, and establishment Democrats to criticize Donald Trump. The GOP itself is leveling some of the strongest criticism at Trump that is out there. In this article George Will sets the standard.
Kitsap Sun: GEORGE WILL | GOP jeopardized by Trump
Kitsap Sun: GEORGE WILL | GOP jeopardized by Trump
If you look beyond Donald Trump’s comprehensive unpleasantness — is there a disagreeable human trait he does not have? — you might see this: He is a fundamentally sad figure. His compulsive boasting is evidence of insecurity. His unassuageable neediness suggests an aching hunger for others’ approval to ratify his self-admiration. His incessant announcements of his self-esteem indicate that he is not self-persuaded. Now, panting with a puppy’s insatiable eagerness to be petted, Trump has reveled in the approval of Vladimir Putin, murderer and war criminal.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Preconception
Science Daily: Mazes and brains: When preconception trumps logic - Regions in brain that may lead to new communication tools found
summary - The regions of the brain responsible for preconception have been found by researchers who have decoded what scenes people picture in their minds. The discovery helps researchers to reconstruct what we see in our minds when we navigate -- and explain how we get directions wrong.
New Rules
MSNBC: In 2015, the normal rules of politics didn’t apply
The GOP outsiders are trouncing the establishment: Another normal rule of politics, especially on the Republican side, is that today’s GOP is split between the establishment and insurgents, with the establishment (usually) holding the upper hand. But as we pointed out yesterday, the insurgents/outsiders are winning right now. Just look at the new CNN poll: Trump 39%, Cruz 18%, Carson 10%, Rubio 10%, Christie 5%, Paul 4%, Bush 3%. Like with we did with yesterday’s Quinnipiac poll, when you add up the Trump/Cruz/Carson wing in the CNN poll, you get 67%. When you add up Rubio/Christie/Bush, you get 18%. Wow.
Sir Peter Westmacott
Guardian UK: British ambassador says of US: 'I don't think this is a country in decline at all' - In his final month in Washington, Sir Peter Westmacott reflects on the Obama years, from the political row over a Churchill bust, to a country up in arms over income equality, to the president’s legacy: ‘The balance sheet doesn’t look bad’
Earlier this month the British parliament did vote to extend bombing from Iraq to Syria, and Westmacott denies the charge of Cruz and others that the coalition is too passive. “The issue is not so much a lack of leadership or lack of courage. It is about careful deliberation as to what public opinion and parliamentary opinion is going to feel is reasonable, but also what works, what makes things better. If it had been clear what the answer is to the terrible human suffering in Syria was at an earlier stage, if the answers had been easy, we would have taken them.”
Global Warming - Expressing Hope
Climate Central: This is Why Scientists Have Hope For the Climate
David Titley: My climate wish would be that Congress becomes a constructive partner in this challenge. While they may not lead, they could be very helpful with real R&D investments for non-carbon based energy and policies that assess the true cost of carbon. We are not close yet and still have these false debates over science. My climate wish is that we move on to pragmatic solutions.
Ill Fitting
Guardian UK: Ted Cruz is just like his clothes: carefully thought out, ill-fitting and unlikable - He’s not ‘one of the guys’ on the trail, but he also didn’t seem to belong in the Ivy League – or even among politicos by Cindy Casares
Cruz’s debate style meant he didn’t respond to arguments, but reframed them so he could control the conversation. Erik Leitch, who lived in the same building as Cruz, saw that style bleed over into his personal interactions. “The only point of Ted talking to you was to convince you of the rightness of his views,” Leitch said in the same Daily Beast piece.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Hope For The GOP
Science Daily: Empathy with strangers can be learned
summary - We can learn to empathize with strangers. Surprisingly, positive experiences with people from another group trigger a learning effect in the brain, which increases empathy, researchers reveal. They add that only a handful of positive learning experiences already suffice for a person to become more empathic.
They Knew
EcoWatch: It Wasn’t Only Exxon That Knew About Global Warming Since the 1970s
...scientists and engineers from nearly every major U.S. and multinational oil and gas company may have for decades known about the impacts of carbon emissions on the climate.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
'You're Dead'
Norma Tanega circa 1966 - Norma Cecilia Tanega (born 30 January 1939, Vallejo, California) was an American folk/pop singer. She was a camp counselor in the Catskills when she signed to New Voice Records in 1966. Her debut single, "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog", hit #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This song was used in the soundtrack to 'What We Do In The Shadows'.
This song was used in the soundtrack to 'What We Do In The Shadows'.
New Lightweight Metals
Science Daily: Exceptionally strong and lightweight new metal - Magnesium infused with dense silicon carbide nanoparticles could be used for airplanes, cars, mobile electronics and more
summary - A team led by researchers has created a super-strong yet light structural metal with extremely high specific strength and modulus, or stiffness-to-weight ratio. To create the super-strong but lightweight metal, the team found a new way to disperse and stabilize nanoparticles in molten metals.
The Good Stuff
AlterNet: 10 Good Things About the Not-So-Great Year 2015 - May we bring in the new year truly striking back at the injustices of the empire. By Medea Benjamin
10. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign!
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is a balmy 64 degrees and it is mostly overcast and damp here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We are expecting to see 70 degrees here on Christmas Eve. Everybody around is talking about the weather and considering last winter was very extreme, people are more than happy about the lack of snow, and the higher temperatures. I mean it feels like spring out there. I suspect that all greenery and to a certain extent even our bodies are wondering WTF is going on. It is unusual to see the neighbors out there in short pants while walking their dog on Christmas Eve.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up, now around $38. The market is poised to open higher.
Weekly first time layoff numbers came in at a very low 267,000. We can see why the GOP needs to change the topic of conversation from the economy towards ISIS and terrorism. Without that, what exactly do they have to go into conniptions about. Considering the GOP Congress has done virtually nothing to help along the economy, their record certainly doesn't offer much to anybody anywhere. It will be short trading day and hopefully calm even minded heads will prevail
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to Ho-Ho-Ho before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up, now around $38. The market is poised to open higher.
Weekly first time layoff numbers came in at a very low 267,000. We can see why the GOP needs to change the topic of conversation from the economy towards ISIS and terrorism. Without that, what exactly do they have to go into conniptions about. Considering the GOP Congress has done virtually nothing to help along the economy, their record certainly doesn't offer much to anybody anywhere. It will be short trading day and hopefully calm even minded heads will prevail
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to Ho-Ho-Ho before the open
U.S. stock futures are barely moving. U.S. exchanges will close early -- at 1 p.m. ET -- for Christmas Eve and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 28.Reuters: U.S. jobless claims near 42-year low as labor market tightens
Oil is trading around $38 a barrel, an increase of nearly 1% on the day. Precious metals are ticking higher.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Fiorina Vs Cruz
BuzzFeed: Fiorina Slams Cruz Campaign, Iowa Radio Host Over “Full Vagina” Comment
“I have been tested,” Fiorina said in her opening statement at the last debate. “I have beaten breast cancer. I have buried a child. I started as a secretary. I fought my way to the top of corporate America while being called every B-word in the book.”
Poll
FiveThirtyEight: Harry’s Guide To 2016 Election Polls
6. Be wary of Internet polls; they’re less tested.
Oxygen
Science Daily: Life exploded on Earth after slow rise of oxygen
summary - It took 100 million years for oxygen levels in the oceans and atmosphere to increase to the level that allowed the explosion of animal life on Earth about 600 million years ago, according to a study.
The Drought
The Press Enterprise: DROUGHT: California snowpack measures an encouraging 111% of normal
Fear. Fear. Fear
InfoWars is a decidedly 'conservative' outlet. I would encourage you to read the comment section of this article.
InfoWars: Neocons Threaten to Start New Party if Trump Wins GOP Nomination - Third party will destroy Republican Party and ensure Clinton win
InfoWars: Neocons Threaten to Start New Party if Trump Wins GOP Nomination - Third party will destroy Republican Party and ensure Clinton win
Global Warming - The Polar Vortex
Climate Central: What Happened to the Polar Vortex?
When the polar vortex is strong, as it is now, it keeps arctic air fenced in. That is part of what is currently keeping the weather so mild in the eastern U.S.. But when the vortex is perturbed or weakened, the jet of air becomes more wobbly and can set up southward excursions of frigid air — what we saw plenty of times over the last couple winters...
The Media
Trump's fame is a media driven fantasy, as he is earning the MSM revenue. His popularity is not a reflection of the general population, this is the media's person, not America's.
AlterNet: Poll: Half of America Would Be Mortified if Trump Won Presidency - Overall, Americans aren't too psyched about the Donald winning the election.
AlterNet: Poll: Half of America Would Be Mortified if Trump Won Presidency - Overall, Americans aren't too psyched about the Donald winning the election.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 48 degrees, rainy, and foggy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The temperature is expected to go up into the high 50s later on and rain is expected on most days over the next week. Tomorrow we are expecting to see temperatures go up around 70 degrees and that will be very strange. I was watching MSNBC last night and the news remains singularly focused beyond reason on Trump and his continued ascendancy along with focus on his latest boorish and repulsive comments. Uneducated white GOP voters, perhaps the world's most gullible and the lowest energy thinkers of all, have found a true hero. Someone who will represent them far far more poorly than any present GOP politician does, keeping with the GOP tradition of holding a constituency that can be sucked dry and led by the nose of racism and hatred. It's quite a feat. The key word is gullible.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up approaching $37. The market is poised to open higher.
The story of the year has been the ongoing drop in oil prices as OPEC led by Saudi Arabia continues to overproduce in a battle to drive out the competition. The strategy is working, the competition is being driven out. The oil glut remains and today there is a small rebound occurring, the $20 per barrel oil on Christmas will not happen. However oil may still sink lower in 2016.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up approaching $37. The market is poised to open higher.
The story of the year has been the ongoing drop in oil prices as OPEC led by Saudi Arabia continues to overproduce in a battle to drive out the competition. The strategy is working, the competition is being driven out. The oil glut remains and today there is a small rebound occurring, the $20 per barrel oil on Christmas will not happen. However oil may still sink lower in 2016.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Crude prices jumped nearly 1% off an 11-year low. Data from the American Petroleum Institute revealed an unexpected fall in U.S. oil inventories. The market will also be digesting OPEC's annual World Oil Outlook.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Enceladus
CS Monitor: Alluring Enceladus: How a tiny moon has kindled scientists' imagination - The Cassini spacecraft made its final flyby of Enceladus last week, leaving behind a Saturn moon that scientists are now clamoring to explore further in the search for life.
The probe has confirmed that a global ocean of liquid water exists beneath Enceladus’s icy surface, opening scientists' eyes to the possibility of oases for at least microbial life on tiny moons far from a planetary system's sun.
The Center Of The Earth
Science Daily: Patchy weather in the center of Earth - The temperature 3,000 kilometers below surface of Earth is much more varied than previously thought, scientists have found
summary - The temperature 3,000 kilometers below the surface of Earth is much more varied than previously thought, scientists have found. The discovery of the regional variations in the lower mantle where it meets the core, which are up to three times greater than expected, will help scientists explain the structure of Earth and how it formed.
The Drought
This is encouraging.
Sacramento Bee: California drought regulators move to ease restrictions for inland areas
Sacramento Bee: California drought regulators move to ease restrictions for inland areas
Bees
Guardian UK: Wild bees on the decline in key US agricultural ecosystems – study - Researchers point to concerns over pesticides as diseases as bee numbers drop while farmland requiring the pollinators increases
The study followed a 2014 memorandum by Barack Obama creating a task force to study pollinator losses. The task force in May called for preserving wide swathes of pollinator habitats.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 47 degrees and rainy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Although it may get as warm as 70 degrees on Thursday it looks like we are in for a solid week of rain. Well T-Rump has not disappointed his cretin following, the most obnoxious candidate to enter the presidential race in recent history has uttered profanities against Hillary Clinton. The man or should I say man child, has the presidential tact of a two year old. Really GOP, this P.O.S. is the best you can do, really.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up to just over $36. The market is poised to open higher.
The last reading of the third quarter GDP has been revised to 2% growth. This is pretty much in keeping with previous levels, it's in the small but steady range as it were. We shall see how Wall Street parses this information and reacts today, and what of the Santa Claus rally....
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up to just over $36. The market is poised to open higher.
The last reading of the third quarter GDP has been revised to 2% growth. This is pretty much in keeping with previous levels, it's in the small but steady range as it were. We shall see how Wall Street parses this information and reacts today, and what of the Santa Claus rally....
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Toshiba forecast Monday that it would lose $4.5 billion this year as it continues to deal with the aftermath of a massive accounting scandal. Investors immediately hit the sell button.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Donald Trump Has No Idea What the Nuclear Triad Is
This is pretty scary. I first learned this stuff in the early 70s.
Liar, Flat Out Falsehood, Liar
Politifact: 2015 Lie of the Year: the campaign misstatements of Donald Trump
...Donald Trump doesn’t let facts slow him down.
When Trump declared his candidacy on June 16, 2015, PolitiFact looked at five statements from his announcement speech. All of them were inaccurate.
Gut Bacteria And Cardiovascular Disease
Science Daily: Researchers identify potential approach to treat heart disease through the gut - Study identifies microbial inhibitor that prevents atherosclerosis; Further confirms link between gut bacteria and cardiovascular disease
summary - Researchers have demonstrated -- for the first time -- that targeting microbes in the gut may prevent heart disease brought on by nutrients contained in a diet rich in red meat, eggs and high-fat dairy products.
Jeb's Liberation
Guardian UK: Bush talks Trump: it's 'liberating to run against guy not qualified' for presidency - As the former Florida governor lags in polls, he shrugs off Republican frontrunner’s jabs and maintains Trump can’t ‘insult his way’ into office
On Friday, through Twitter, Trump called Bush “dumb as a rock”. He returned to the offensive on Sunday morning.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 38 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Looking ahead the forecast is indicating a few days of rain and then the temperature goes up near 70 degrees on Thursday. Yup, that's a little weird. I hope you had a good weekend. Perhaps you did some gift shopping or went to a party or two, or maybe you just relaxed at home. It's all fine. We had a good weekend, went to a lovely party on Friday. I have come to the realization that around this time of year it makes no sense to try to restrain the diet. Just go for it and enjoy it.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is now just above $34. The market is poised to open higher.
Star wars is raking in the money and Disney's stock is responding proportionately. I was never a big fan of the series, I mean, it's okay and I do enjoy the references to mythology. They are saying that today represents a 'Santa Claus' rally. It will be a short week and hopefully the markets can remain stable and not too excitable.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is now just above $34. The market is poised to open higher.
Star wars is raking in the money and Disney's stock is responding proportionately. I was never a big fan of the series, I mean, it's okay and I do enjoy the references to mythology. They are saying that today represents a 'Santa Claus' rally. It will be a short week and hopefully the markets can remain stable and not too excitable.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
Shares in Disney are rising by about 2% premarket after its movie -- "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" -- had the biggest opening in box office history.
'What We Do In The Shadows'
trailer - this movie is a riot, if you need a laugh, this is it. It's as smart as a comedy can get. 5 stars ***** - Sande
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Jeb Unrestrained
Jerk! Jerk! Those are powerful words Jeb, we're dumbstruck by your use of such strong language. Jerk, man oh man, Trump's in trouble now...
NYT: Jeb Bush Takes His Anti-Trump Message on the Road in New Hampshire
NYT: Jeb Bush Takes His Anti-Trump Message on the Road in New Hampshire
“Donald Trump is a jerk,” Mr. Bush said, seemingly unprompted, to applause.
No Love
The Hill: No love for Trump among GOP senators
Trump’s continued dominance in the polls is also forcing Republican leaders to walk a fine line — suggesting Republican voters should pick someone who is seen as better able to win over moderates while not alienating Trump or his supporters by explicitly weighing in against him.
The Anthropocene
Science Daily: Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers - Study shows 300-million-year natural pattern ended 6,000 years ago because of human activity
summary - A new analysis of the fossil record shows that a deep pattern in the structure of plant and animal communities remained the same for 300 million years. Then, 6,000 years ago, the pattern was disrupted--at about the same time that people started farming in North America and populations rose. The research suggests that humans were the cause of this profound change in nature.
North Greenbush Stabbing Murder
We were nervous about walking our dog last night. I hope they have the actual perpetrator now.
Times Union: Suspect identified, not charged, in deadly North Greenbush attack - Police say Bill Chamberlain, city's director of operations, died from stab wounds; military-style knife found near body
Times Union: Suspect identified, not charged, in deadly North Greenbush attack - Police say Bill Chamberlain, city's director of operations, died from stab wounds; military-style knife found near body
Friday, December 18, 2015
'Agrabah'
Guardian UK: Republicans are so bullish on war that 30% would bomb a fictional country - The level of tough-guy militarism that Republican candidates spew looks like a race to see who would start more wars harder and quicker
A poll on Friday by Public Policy Polling perfectly encapsulates the Republican presidential race so far: “30% of Republican primary voters nationally say they support bombing Agrabah.” That would be the fictional country in Aladdin.
Aiding And Abetting
Common Dreams: Observers Slam CNN for Aiding and Abetting Hate Speech in GOP Debate - Watchdogs say corporate media is stoking racist and fear-mongering rhetoric
"It's horrifying to see our leading cable news network offering, as a litmus test for becoming president of United States, a willingness to kill thousands of innocent children," Naureckas argued. "To equate that with toughness and seriousness about protecting the United States is a violent fantasy of the sort that motivates the people who carry out mass shootings."
The World's Biggest Loser
Business Insider: Donald Trump left Joe Scarborough stunned after being asked about Vladimir Putin killing journalists
"Well, I mean, it's (Putin) also a person who kills journalists, political opponents, and invades countries. Obviously that would be a concern, would it not?" Scarborough asked.
"He's running his country, and at least he's a leader," Trump replied. "Unlike what we have in this country."
The Central Thalmus
Science Daily: Scientists manipulate consciousness in rats - Study may guide deep brain stimulation therapies used for neurological disorders
summary - Scientists showed that they could alter brain activity of rats and either wake them up or put them in an unconscious state by changing the firing rates of neurons in the central thalamus, a region known to regulate arousal.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 39 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The logo is indicating a reasonably sunny day in the 40s. It's been another jaw dropping week in the news. If you get a chance read the HuffPo article on Obama visiting with the parents of the children slaughtered at Sandy Hook, it's quite moving - The President's Devotional: What Obama 'Did In Secret' In Newtown (EXCERPT)
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Gold is down, oil is down, markets are under pressure today and all I can say is thank goodness it's the weekend. Let it go.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Gold is down, oil is down, markets are under pressure today and all I can say is thank goodness it's the weekend. Let it go.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Crude oil futures are trading around $35 per barrel on Friday morning. Oil prices had slid to $34.53 on Monday morning, the cheapest level seen since February 2009.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Only 77,704,704,000,000 Miles Away
Science Daily: Nearby star hosts closest alien planet in the 'habitable zone'
summary - Australian astronomers have discovered the closest potentially habitable planet found outside our solar system so far, orbiting a star just 14 light years away. The planet, more than four times the mass of the Earth, is one of three that the team detected around a red dwarf star called Wolf 1061.
A Tiny Voice Of Sanity
The Nation: Rand Paul Got It Right: Trump ‘Would Defy Every Norm That Is America’ - The senator challenged the billionaire on behalf of basic liberties. And in so doing he showed why Trump is not qualified to be president. By John Nichols
...Paul explained, “The Constitution says otherwise. I think they’re both wrong. I think we defeat terrorism by showing them that we do not fear them. I think if we ban certain religions, if we censor the Internet, I think that at that point the terrorists will have won. Regime change hasn’t won. Toppling secular dictators in the Middle East has only led to chaos and the rise of radical Islam. I think if we want to defeat terrorism, I think if we truly are sincere about defeating terrorism, we need to quit arming the allies of ISIS. If we want to defeat terrorism, the boots on the ground—the boots on the ground need to be Arab boots on the ground.”
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 48 degrees and rainy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. We are expecting more rain today and temperatures in the 50s. The weather logos are still indicating another warming trend right up to and around Christmas Day. Lots of news this morning with Big Pharma Bro being indicted by the Feds; the Knicks pulled off a victory over the Timberwolves with Porzingis blocking 7 shots - 7 count em; and still all kinds of fallout around the alleged debate. I say alleged because histrionic posturing is not really debating now is it. Then we have Obama ready to do some sort of executive order on guns. It's a juicy day.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is around $35. The market is poised to open higher.
World markets appear to be bolstered by strong words from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. The base interest rate was tweaked very slightly higher and that in her words indicates that the fundamentals of the US economy are improved over the Bush The Lesser Recession of 2008. Weekly first time layoff numbers came in at 271,000 and that is a strong number except for those of course who were laid off.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is around $35. The market is poised to open higher.
World markets appear to be bolstered by strong words from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. The base interest rate was tweaked very slightly higher and that in her words indicates that the fundamentals of the US economy are improved over the Bush The Lesser Recession of 2008. Weekly first time layoff numbers came in at 271,000 and that is a strong number except for those of course who were laid off.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Fed chair Janet Yellen said she feels "confident about the fundamentals driving the U.S. economy." And that helped give investors confidence to drive global stock markets higher.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Complimentary Wall
Strikes me that if Trump wins the presidency, then Mexico may have to build a border wall to keep escaping Americans out...
.25% To .50%
Reuters: Fed raises interest rates for first time in a decade in 'dovish hike'
The U.S. central bank's policy-setting committee raised the range of its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent...
The Walmart Fuhrer
The Atlantic: Donald Trump's Walmart Candidacy - As a field of boutique candidates caters to the well-heeled, the frontrunner dominates the down-market demographic.
Rubio...will...lead the country into a much wider war in Syria.
Chris Christie...said—again—that he was willing to start a shooting war with Russia.
Sound
Science Daily: How music, language shape the brain
summary - A researcher has pioneered a way to measure how the brain makes sense of sound, suggesting that the brain's ability to process sound is influenced by everything from playing music and learning a new language to aging, language disorders and hearing loss.
'Schoolyard Taunts And Chicken-Hawk Chest Thumping'
MSNBC: How Hillary Clinton pre-butted the GOP debate
The former secretary of state laid out what her campaign later touted as “serious” and “sophisticated” policy proposals, while suggesting that her potential Republican rivals have nothing more to offer on national security than schoolyard taunts and chicken-hawk chest thumping. “Shallow slogans don’t add up to a strategy,” she said. “Bluster and bigotry are not credentials for becoming commander-in-chief.”
Reopen
How many GOP candidates made a case that this LA School threat was Obama's fault. You know I'm not exactly a huge Obama fan but this is ridiculous. You really have to be an idiot to buy that. This is a typical discouraging aspect of the GOP - creating tempests in a teapot.
Guardian UK: Los Angeles public schools to reopen after hoax terror threat - FBI and local police deem it safe to re-open schools after inspecting more than 1,500 sites and concluding there was no credible threat of violence
Guardian UK: Los Angeles public schools to reopen after hoax terror threat - FBI and local police deem it safe to re-open schools after inspecting more than 1,500 sites and concluding there was no credible threat of violence
Whoppers
AlterNet: 10 Biggest Lies and Distortions From the GOP Debate - Terror panic always brings out the biggest bullsh**ters.
5. Ted Cruz claims George W. Bush deported 10 million people.
Geroge W. Bush deported 1.8 million people. Obama deported 2 million. It's unclear where Cruz is getting this number from.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 41 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A partly sunny day in the high 40s is expected. The weather logos indicating the 10 day forecast predicts that the temperature one week from today will be in the 60s. Okay that's nuts, very unusual. It will not be a white Christmas. I ended up watching some of the GOP debate. Here's my take - Trump is a nut, all the crazy facial expressions and gestures let alone the words that come out of his mouth - not Presidential material at all but we already know that. He remains an embarrassment. Fiorina, Carson, Christie, and Kasich might as well drop out now. Bush seems like he has already dropped out. Fiorina is the least likable candidate after Trump. Cruz, Rubio, and Paul have a shot at the nomination with Rubio at the top of those three. The only candidate who occasionally said something that sounded logical and vaguely human was Paul. Beyond that, it was a lot of noise, histrionics, absurd claims, and ridiculous posturing. Stick a fork in it, it's burnt to a crisp. If one of these people actually becomes president, it's time to move to Canada.
At 8:20 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is trading around $37. The market is poised to open higher.
Today is the big day. The Fed will in all most likelihood raise the base interest rate by a fraction of a percent. This will be the first rate hike since 2008 when rates were lowered to zero. The period of ultra cheap credit, a method employed to stimulate economic activity in the wake of the Great Recession of Bush The Lesser, is closing down a little bit.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
At 8:20 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is trading around $37. The market is poised to open higher.
Today is the big day. The Fed will in all most likelihood raise the base interest rate by a fraction of a percent. This will be the first rate hike since 2008 when rates were lowered to zero. The period of ultra cheap credit, a method employed to stimulate economic activity in the wake of the Great Recession of Bush The Lesser, is closing down a little bit.
CNN: Stocks: 3 things to know before the open
The Fed is due to announce its interest rate decision at 2 p.m. ET. Fed chair Janet Yellen will host a news conference at 2:30 p.m. ET to explain the thinking behind the central bank's decision.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
'Credible Threat Of Violence'
LA Times: All Los Angeles Unified schools closed by 'credible threat' of violence
"We get threats all the time. This was a rare threat." - LAUSD Supt. Ramon Cortines
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