Jefferson Airplane live on Ed Sullivan.
I was listening to an interview from 2013 with the late Paul Kantner on WAMC this last week. Kantner said that he took inspiration from Pete Seeger and The Weavers. Kantner also said that he wanted a band that had the same three-part vocal harmony as The Weavers featuring a woman and also had a similar commitment to a political/social message in the lyrics. This song as a totality, in my opinion, does not hold up well although it is a terrific effort from twenty-something-year-old kids. But listen to the last segment, roughly the last minute, and you can hear this very charming three-part harmony section and the intention of the lyrics are in my opinion somewhat poignant. As a teenager, there was a period when I listened to The Jefferson Airplane all the time.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Cholesterol Levels
Science Daily: Cholesterol levels improve with weight loss, healthy fat-rich diet
summary - Weight loss programs that provide healthy fats, such as olive oil in the Mediterranean diet, or a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet have similar impacts on pound-shedding, research shows. More specifically, the researchers report that a meal plan rich in walnuts, which are high in polyunsaturated fats, has a significant impact on lipid levels for women, especially those who are insulin-resistant.
Santorum - Victim Of A Vicious Cycle
Excuse me for chuckling here...
MSNBC: Contemplating oblivion with Santorum, 2016’s saddest candidate
MSNBC: Contemplating oblivion with Santorum, 2016’s saddest candidate
As the senator described it on Thursday night, he was the victim of a vicious cycle. He has decades of scars from fighting abortion and same-sex marriage alongside the Christian conservatives who turned out for him four years ago. But with Trump sucking up attention, he can’t get coverage, and without coverage he can’t move up in the polls, and without moving up in the polls, voters see him as a lost cause.
Lead Paint
I can tell you without hesitation that lead paint is all over the place. There are probably millions of structures in the USA and around the world that have been built prior to the mid 70s when lead was removed from paint.
Guardian UK: Baltimore warns that children are at risk of lead poisoning from paint - After seven homes certified as lead-free were found to be contaminated, doubts over inspections mean 384 families have been urged to have their children tested
Guardian UK: Baltimore warns that children are at risk of lead poisoning from paint - After seven homes certified as lead-free were found to be contaminated, doubts over inspections mean 384 families have been urged to have their children tested
Global Warming - The California Drought
Climate Central: El Niño Is Here, So Why Is California Still in Drought?
The short answer, experts say, is that the drought built up over several years (with help from hotter temperatures fueled in part by global warming) and it will take many more storms and almost assuredly more than a single winter — even one with a strong El Niño — to erase it.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Fifty-Six Years Later, Barbie Gets A Slightly Realistic Makeover
Talk about change taking place in tiny incremental movements over a long period of time - Barbie is looking slightly more 'real' these days and hopefully little girls have one more tiny positive sliver to help with their sense of self esteem.
Yahoo: Barbie Becomes More Reflective of Society With 3 New Body Types
Yahoo: Barbie Becomes More Reflective of Society With 3 New Body Types
Lose Fat, Gain Muscle
Science Daily: Losing fat while gaining muscle: Scientists close in on 'holy grail' of diet and exercise
summary - Researchers have uncovered significant new evidence in the quest for the elusive goal of gaining muscle and losing fat, an oft-debated problem for those trying to manage their weight, control their calories and balance their protein consumption.
Two Hours Worth Of Blah Blah Blah
MSNBC: Three takeaways from the Iowa GOP debate without you-know-who
That left an opening for Christie, who argued the debate over esoteric amendments and failed legislation indicted all the senators onstage.
“Stop the Washington bull and let’s get things done!” he said.
Europe Is Literally Getting Hotter
Guardian UK: Modern European summers are warmest since Roman times, study finds - Average summer temperatures in Europe are about 1.3C hotter than two millennia ago due to manmade climate change, scientists say
Much of the data for the period before 755 comes from analysis of tree rings and density information from three pine tree species in Finland, Austria and Sweden. These trees grow in warm weather but are dormant in the cold, meaning that their rings, density – and the outside temperatures – can only be measured in summer.
America's Greatest And Best Vaudeville Act
Guardian UK: Trump's solo act takes cues from vaudeville and tap dances around issues - Republican frontrunner’s boycott turned political rally steers clear of plans for policy but rival event attracts veterans, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee
Trump then closed the hour-long event by telling his pregnant daughter: “It would be so great if you had your baby in Iowa! It would be so great – I would win”.
Global Warming - Zika And Climate Change
Climate Central: What You Need to Know About Zika And Climate Change
Heavy rain and warm temperatures have helped the mosquitoes carrying Zika thrive.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and cloudy with breaks of sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The temperature will get into the high 30s this afternoon. Monday's temperature in the 50s is right around the corner, oh boy. I did watch a bit of the GOP 'debate' last night, and I was happy to see that the elephant was not in the room. Once again Rand Paul in my opinion came across as the only candidate marginally making any viable sense. Is Ted Cruz a trip or what! He is the slipperiest thing out there. The moderator may very well have read a random paragraph out of Reader's Digest ending with a question mark inflection as to imply a question was being asked. And Cruz would simply avoid and redirect to whatever nonsense he believes people want to hear or he thinks is important as a campaigner. Cruz is extremely unimpressive. It strikes me that if the American people apply a tiny modicum of common sense with either Cruz or the big elephant not in the room as the GOP nominee, then the Dems should win easily.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up for the fourth day straight. The market is poised to open higher.
Check out Japan's Central Bank, they are reducing that country's base interest rate into negative territory in attempt to stimulate Japan's economy. That is crazy stuff man, I mean I'm sure economists around the world are going to savor this move like a fine wine. When do you ever see this. It will be like a little kid looking at an ant under a microscope.
CNN: Stocks surge on Japan's negative rates surprise
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up for the fourth day straight. The market is poised to open higher.
Check out Japan's Central Bank, they are reducing that country's base interest rate into negative territory in attempt to stimulate Japan's economy. That is crazy stuff man, I mean I'm sure economists around the world are going to savor this move like a fine wine. When do you ever see this. It will be like a little kid looking at an ant under a microscope.
CNN: Stocks surge on Japan's negative rates surprise
The Bank of Japan ...The central bank announced Friday that it will introduce an interest rate of minus 0.1%, and will go even lower if needed.
In theory, negative rates encourage consumers to save less, and borrow and spend more. They can also weaken a country's currency, helping exporters.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Science Conspiracy
Science Daily: Large-scale conspiracies would quickly reveal themselves, equations show
summary - Physicists decided to test whether some science-related conspiracies alleged to exist were in fact tenable. The answer -- they'd all have given themselves away in less than four years.
Fun Stuff
check it out, Tom is terrific.
AlterNet: AlterNet Comics: Tom Tomorrow on Primary Phenomena 2016 - Let the games begin. By Tom Tomorrow
AlterNet: AlterNet Comics: Tom Tomorrow on Primary Phenomena 2016 - Let the games begin. By Tom Tomorrow
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 25 degrees and it is sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. Another fine winter day with afternoon temperatures in the 40s is expected. The forecast is also still predicting that the temperature will go into the 50s at the beginning of next week; February will be starting out with unusually mild temperatures. We see that Trump will not be making the debate tonight. The media is reporting that Trump is tapping into the anger of GOP voters over FOX News. My question is, exactly what anger is Trump not 'tapping into' these days? He is without a doubt the most anger tapping candidate we've ever seen. He certainly has not tapped into my anger over the fact that he is actually in the running.
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are ever so slightly up and the price of oil per barrel is also up. The market is poised to open slightly higher.
The day appears to be more fourth quarter corporate report based than any other pressing world event. Facebook is looking rather dandy lately. Although I have not read anything about it, one might suspect that oil inventories were a little short if the price of oil is a little higher this morning.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are ever so slightly up and the price of oil per barrel is also up. The market is poised to open slightly higher.
The day appears to be more fourth quarter corporate report based than any other pressing world event. Facebook is looking rather dandy lately. Although I have not read anything about it, one might suspect that oil inventories were a little short if the price of oil is a little higher this morning.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
During the last three months of 2015, Facebook brought in $5.8 billion and made $1.6 billion in profit -- a whopping 123% increase from a year earlier.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Black Voters And Bernie
CS Monitor: Why many black voters aren't flocking to Bernie Sanders - Bernie Sanders has civil rights credentials, but many black thinkers are wary of his brand of liberal socialism, which they say ignores the role of racism in society.
“In the rush to make it all about class, you turn on your blinders to certain things that quite frankly aren’t about class.... He’s missing a very large piece of the puzzle, and what makes some black voters nervous, there seems to be a huge gap in his understanding about race.”
Cancer Riddle Solved
Science Daily: Cancer riddle solved: How cancer cells form tumors
summary - Using real-time recording of cellular movement, biologists have discovered how tumors form. Cancer cells extend cables and grab other cells. As little as five percent cancerous cells are needed for tumor formation, they suggest, stating that their findings could lead to more precise cancer testing.
North Carolina Voter ID
If this archaic law is not removed, expect to see other states follow North Carolina's lead. Essentially we will see another leg of our quickly disintegrating democracy seriously injured.
MSNBC: North Carolina’s voter ID law on trial
MSNBC: North Carolina’s voter ID law on trial
Rosanell Eaton, a 94-year old African-American woman who was made to recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution to vote under Jim Crow, testified via video Monday that, because her name was spelled differently on different documents, she had to take 10 separate trips to various state offices in order to get an ID that complies with the law. Sylvia Kent described a similarly frustrating process in trying to get IDs for her two elderly disabled sisters.
Punitive Measures
I'm surprised the Danes didn't require the removal of a few vital organs as well...
Guardian UK: Danish parliament approves plan to seize assets from refugees - New law allows police to search asylum seekers to secure cash and valuables, as European leaders continue to call for sealing of Balkan borders
Guardian UK: Danish parliament approves plan to seize assets from refugees - New law allows police to search asylum seekers to secure cash and valuables, as European leaders continue to call for sealing of Balkan borders
The centre-right government said the procedure is intended to cover the cost of each asylum seeker’s treatment by the state, and mimics the handling of Danish citizens on welfare.
Idiots
How tragic, yet apparently this is what they were looking for - martyrdom.
Guardian UK: Oregon militia standoff: one dead after Ammon Bundy and others arrested - FBI officials say they arrested the leader of the armed militia occupying the Malheur wildlife refuge and several others, and one person was killed during a shootout with federal agents
Guardian UK: Oregon militia standoff: one dead after Ammon Bundy and others arrested - FBI officials say they arrested the leader of the armed militia occupying the Malheur wildlife refuge and several others, and one person was killed during a shootout with federal agents
On 26 January, Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum and five other militia members left the refuge they had occupied since 2 January.
They were stopped en route to a community meeting in the town of John Day by federal officials. Finicum was killed in the ensuing shootout and the other men arrested.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 37 degrees and presently sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. It's likely we will have an afternoon with temperatures in the low 40s. Looking ahead the forecast is indicating that the temperature goes into the 50s on Monday. Let's just say that is very unusual for this time of year in this part of the world. Ironically Syracuse which is a scant drive west of here has one of the top five snow accumulations up to this point in the US. Syracuse also gets hit with the Great Lake effect cold while we do not. So Trump is skipping the debate, big deal. It's not really a debate either, more like a fear mongering mess actually. Why should Trump attend anyhow, he already knows everything and his judgment is impeccable, godlike in so many ways, the god of anger...
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Although Apple just presented a record breaking quarterly report, the company is resigned to less demand in the upcoming quarter. This fact coupled with the ongoing oil oversupply/price deflation is being given as the reason for this morning's slump. And they say the Saudis are our friends...
CNN: Oil and Apple sour stock market mood
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil is down. The market is poised to open lower.
Although Apple just presented a record breaking quarterly report, the company is resigned to less demand in the upcoming quarter. This fact coupled with the ongoing oil oversupply/price deflation is being given as the reason for this morning's slump. And they say the Saudis are our friends...
CNN: Oil and Apple sour stock market mood
Apple said it expected sales in the current quarter will fall for the first time in 13 years. Its shares are dipping by 3% ahead of the open.
The correlation between oil price moves and stock markets has been jarring for many long term investors. U.S. oil futures were down nearly 4% around $30 a barrel.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
'Dark Money'
Listeners to WAMC radio might have heard Joe's interview with Jane Mayer on her new book 'Dark Money'. I was impressed.
Amazon: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right
Amazon: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right
Aliens
Science Daily: The aliens are silent because they're dead - Life on other planets would probably go extinct soon after its origin, due to runaway heating or cooling on their fledgling planets
summary - The universe is probably filled with habitable planets, so many scientists think it should be teeming with aliens. But life on other planets would likely be brief and become extinct very quickly, say astrobiologists. In research aiming to understand how life might develop, the scientists realized new life would commonly die out due to runaway heating or cooling on their fledgling planets.
Obama Shows More Compassion
MSNBC: Obama to end solitary confinement for juveniles in federal prisons
“These steps will affect some 10,000 federal prisoners held in solitary confinement — and hopefully serve as a model for state and local corrections systems..."
Global Warming - Record Heat
This week the MSM seems to be coalescing around the fact that humans are responsible for global warming. Hopefully the trend continues minus the usual suspects - The Daily Caller, etc etc.
Time: Record Heat Wouldn’t Be Happening Without Human Influence, Study Says
Time: Record Heat Wouldn’t Be Happening Without Human Influence, Study Says
Flint
AlterNet:
Paul Krugman: The Flint Water Disaster Was No Accident - "What we see in Flint is an all too typically American situation of (literally) poisonous interaction between ideology and race," Krugman writes.
It’s easy to come up with examples. Kansas, which made headlines with its failed strategy of cutting taxes in the expectation of an economic miracle, has tried to close the resulting budget gap largely with cuts in education. North Carolina has also imposed drastic cuts on schools. And in New Jersey, Chris Christie famously canceled a desperately needed rail tunnel under the Hudson.
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is a whopping 36 degrees and it is overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The forecast is predicting the temperature goes into the 40s later and there's a chance of rain. The warm winter of 2016 continues, let's see what February brings as we have gotten through January relatively unscathed with respect to snow and the temperatures have been mild. I did not watch the Democratic town hall last night opting to watch The X-Files and then hitting the sack early. The first glimpses of the news seem to indicate that Hillary Clinton presented herself in outstanding form. Bernie continues to excite his fans and soon we get to see exactly what is what. It could be a real battle or it could be a lopsided victory for Hillary, who knows.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down now in the $30.50 range. The market is poised to open higher.
Seeing oil continue to drift lower and lower is now a regular daily spectacle. The Saudis continue to crank it out and the world financial community continues to attempt to adjust. There is some speculation that the market and oil will continue to drift, there's a lot more potential hurt out there.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down now in the $30.50 range. The market is poised to open higher.
Seeing oil continue to drift lower and lower is now a regular daily spectacle. The Saudis continue to crank it out and the world financial community continues to attempt to adjust. There is some speculation that the market and oil will continue to drift, there's a lot more potential hurt out there.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
The Case-Shiller home price index will come out at 9 a.m. ET, giving investors insight into the current state of the U.S. housing market.
Then the U.S. Conference Board will issue its January Consumer Confidence Index at 10 a.m.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Axelrod On Trump
NYT: The Obama Theory of Trump By DAVID AXELROD
His bombast allows no room for nuance or complexity. He proudly extols his intolerance as an assault against “political correctness,” and he vows to bring the world to heel, from Mexico to China to Syria and Iraq.
'The World's Biggest Names'
WaPo: GOP senator calls out Donald Trump’s ‘many affairs’ in lengthy tweetstorm
Trump has also said: "I have too much respect for women in general, but if I did [write about my love life], the world would take serious notice. Beautiful, famous, successful, married — I've had them all, secretly, the world's biggest names..."
Lung Disease Protection
Science Daily: Fiber-rich diet may reduce lung disease
summary - A diet rich in fiber may not only protect against diabetes and heart disease, it may reduce the risk of developing lung disease, according to new research.
'I Don’t Know If That Was Aimed At Me … Perhaps'
Guardian UK: Donald Trump goes to church in Iowa … and gets a lesson in humility - With the Republican frontrunner seated in a fifth-row pew, pastor questioned harsh policies, including his stance on Mexican migrants and Syrian refugees
“Jesus is teaching us today that he has come for those who are outside of the church,” she said, preaching a message of healing and acceptance for “those who are the most unloved, the most discriminated against, the most forgotten in our community and in our world”.
Among those she cited were “the Syrian refugees” and “the Mexican migrants”.
Global Warming - Record Heat
Guardian UK: Record hot years near impossible without manmade climate change – study - New calculations shows there is just a 0.01% chance that recent run of global heat records could have happened due to natural climate variations
“It has led to unprecedented local heatwaves across the world, sadly resulting in loss of life and aggravating droughts and wildfires..."
Reich's Latest
Robert Reich: Bernie’s Movement
But not even a half loaf is possible unless or until we wrest back power from the executives of large corporations, Wall Street bankers, and billionaires who now control the whole bakery.
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 23 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The forecast predicts a warming trend for the week with afternoon temperatures in the 40s. This part of the Northeast completely missed snowzilla and the ground remains brown grassed and snow free. I hope you had a good relaxing weekend. I've has a nice week long respite from the news although I did tune in periodically. I thought the Palin endorsement of Trump was the highlight of last week both in comedy value, which was well exploited by Tina Fey, and representing the continued de-evolution of American politics exemplified by the GOP's top candidates in this election cycle.
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is trending down with oil just above $31 a barrel. The market is poised to open lower.
There was a brief rally in the market and oil in particular last week probably sparked by the cold and the storm but today that is old news. The DOW has dropped below 16K and the downward drift of oil appears to be brake free once again. The Saudis want the entire oil market to go through them and saturating the world with their oil is their method. I'm reading that Saudi Arabia is borrowing money so one can presume they know how they will pay it back and right now quantity as opposed to high price is the choice.
CNN: Oil and stocks resume their slide
At 8:45 a.m. ET futures are moderately lower and the price of oil per barrel is trending down with oil just above $31 a barrel. The market is poised to open lower.
There was a brief rally in the market and oil in particular last week probably sparked by the cold and the storm but today that is old news. The DOW has dropped below 16K and the downward drift of oil appears to be brake free once again. The Saudis want the entire oil market to go through them and saturating the world with their oil is their method. I'm reading that Saudi Arabia is borrowing money so one can presume they know how they will pay it back and right now quantity as opposed to high price is the choice.
CNN: Oil and stocks resume their slide
Crude oil prices dipped below $27 per barrel last week, hitting lows not seen in over a decade. The price then shot up at the end of the week, helped by cold weather in the U.S., which boosts demand for heating oil.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Blog Closed Sunday January 17th Through Sunday January 24th
I will see you bright and early on Monday morning January 25th. Do have an excellent week.
Pass It On
I have an idea for a Trump protest that I think might be fun.
A few months ago there was a video of a fellow playing goofy tuba music live at a KKK march. It was an effective protest and I suspect you may have seen the clip. If not, it's on Youtube.
My idea is similar. As people are lining up to go into a Trump stump speech, someone drives by in a vehicle outfitted with sound, microphone, etc and starts shouting out Hitler like orders to the crowd of supporters. The thing is filmed and shared on social media etc, and repeated often. A brave soul is required but it's doable.
If you can think of someone who might make use of this idea, please do.
A few months ago there was a video of a fellow playing goofy tuba music live at a KKK march. It was an effective protest and I suspect you may have seen the clip. If not, it's on Youtube.
My idea is similar. As people are lining up to go into a Trump stump speech, someone drives by in a vehicle outfitted with sound, microphone, etc and starts shouting out Hitler like orders to the crowd of supporters. The thing is filmed and shared on social media etc, and repeated often. A brave soul is required but it's doable.
If you can think of someone who might make use of this idea, please do.
Cross
A car full of Irish nuns is sitting at a traffic light in downtown Dublin, when a bunch of rowdy drunks pull up alongside of them.
"Hey, show us yer tits, ya bloody penguins!" shouts one of the drunks.
Quite shocked, Mother Superior turns to Sister Mary Immaculata and says, "I don't think they know who we are; show them your cross."
Sister Mary Immaculata rolls down her window and shouts, "Piss off, ya fookin' little wankers, before I come over there and rip yer balls off!"
Sister Mary Immaculata then rolls up her window, looks back at Mother Superior, quite innocently, and asks, "Did that sound cross enough?"
Low Fiber, Saturated Fat, Sugar, Sleep
Science Daily: What you eat can influence how you sleep - Daily intake of fiber, saturated fat and sugar may impact sleep quality
summary - A new study found that eating less fiber, more saturated fat and more sugar is associated with lighter, less restorative, and more disrupted sleep.
"It was most surprising that a single day of greater fat intake and lower fiber could influence sleep parameters."
Friday, January 15, 2016
Anger Wins The Day
Boston Globe: Donald Trump the big winner of the debate
“I’m not angry,” said Trump. “I’m very angry because our country is being run horribly and I will gladly accept the mantle of anger.”
Four Scenarios On Cruz
Reuters: Natural-born mess: What would it take to kick Ted Cruz off the ballot?
By Derek Muller
Federal courts, for example, threw out dozens of birther challenges to Barack Obama’s eligibility in 2008 and 2012 because voters sued and failed to identify a concrete injury.
A Allele In The Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase
Science Daily: Genes may contribute to making some nations happier than others - First study to show link between genetic make-up and perceived national happiness
summary - The citizens of nations that rate themselves happiest display a specific genetic feature: their DNA is more likely to contain a specific allele involved in sensory pleasure and pain reduction, say researchers. They weighed up genetic and various external factors to might contribute to national differences in happiness.
Drug Trial
Guardian UK: French drug trial leaves one brain dead and five critically ill - French health minister travels to clinic in Rennes, where all trials of the drug have been suspended
It did not say what the new medicine was intended to be used for, but a source close to the case told AFP that the drug was a painkiller containing cannabinoids, an active ingredient found in cannabis plants.
Tweedledumb and Tweedledope
Guardian UK: ‘Donald Trump would be disqualified’ for president under citizenship logic, says Ted Cruz - During the Republican debate, Ted Cruz shut down questions over his eligibility by pointing to precedent – and to his persistent accuser
Then Cruz said that both McCain, born in Panama, and George Romney, Mitt’s father, born in Mexico, were eligible to run for president. He continued: “The birther theories that Donald is relying on say that you have to have two parents born on US soil. I would be disqualified, Marco Rubio would be, Bobby Jindal would be disqualified. And Donald Trump would be disqualified.”
Trump’s mother was born in Scotland.
Global Warming - Alaska's Permafrost
Climate Central: Warming Could Mean Major Thaw For Alaska Permafrost
There are also major worries about the carbon locked up in the frozen soils, which can be released into the atmosphere as methane as the permafrost thaws, to enormous global costs. While methane is less abundant and shorter-lived than carbon dioxide, the main heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere, it packs a much larger warming punch on a molecule-by-molecule basis.
Fact Free
AlterNet: 7 of the Worst Distortions and Outright Lies of the GOP Debate - Fox Business manages to out-Fox Fox News. By Adam Johnson
1. Trump says that refugees and migrants are "strong, powerful men"
This is categorically untrue. The majority of the more than 4.6 million Syrian refugees are women and children. Of the refugees that arrived by boat over 50% are women or children. According to the U.N., only 22.7% of refugees of Middle Eastern origin are men older than 18.
The Market On Friday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and overcast here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The forecast is indicating that the temperature will go into the 40s this afternoon. I did not watch any of the GOP debate. I already know the gist of it, lots of proud chest thumping posturing tough guy talk, lots of fear mongering, no explanation of policy on any important issue, and a lot of preposterous and inaccurate presumptions. Summing it up one could say it is an incomprehensible two hour mess. At this point the GOP is no longer functioning as a coherent party, it is an insurgent radical war machine hellbent on destruction and the bizarre.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly down and the price of oil is significantly lower. The market is poised to tank at the opening bell.
We look at market data every morning and all I can say is, this is about as bad as it gets. So, millions of portfolios are losing equity value today and remember that the stock market must fluctuate. This is the game.
CNN: Stocks poised for losses as China markets and oil plunge
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly down and the price of oil is significantly lower. The market is poised to tank at the opening bell.
We look at market data every morning and all I can say is, this is about as bad as it gets. So, millions of portfolios are losing equity value today and remember that the stock market must fluctuate. This is the game.
CNN: Stocks poised for losses as China markets and oil plunge
Oil below $30: Crude oil futures remain as volatile as ever, and are down nearly 5% -- crashing below $30 in morning trading.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Nightmare Crash
NBC News: Arizona Crash: Five Dead in Fiery Phoenix Accident
...at a good rate of speed" (the vehicle slammed) into an off-ramp's concrete barrier on Interstate 10 in Phoenix..went through the barrier, "vaulted through a chain-linked fence, and then fell down approximately 30-50 feet to the interstate 10 median where it caught fire..."
Tweedledum And Tweedledick
NPR: GOP Debate: Desperation Time Is Setting In
There's a battle royale going on among the establishment candidates, all trying to edge the other out, especially in New Hampshire. They believe whichever of them emerges in New Hampshire can consolidate enough support to defeat Trump.
Cartoon On Depression
It's a 17 panel cartoon and it's very well done.
CBS News: This comic blows the lid off depression
CBS News: This comic blows the lid off depression
Cartoonist Nick Seluk of The Awkward Yeti specializes in re-imaging real-life medical stories and bringing them to life in a way that lightens the heaviness of the topic matter, rendering complicated disorders more relatable to the general public.
So, when he was contacted by a 16-year-old girl who suffers from crippling depression and anxiety, Seluk knew exactly what to do.
Regulating Negative Emotions
Science Daily: Brain can be trained to regulate negative emotions, study shows
summary - A simple, computer-training task can change the brain's wiring to regulate emotional reactions, according to a recent study. The researchers hope to examine the impact of this non-emotional training on individuals who are depressed or anxious. It may also be helpful for those at high risk of developing high blood pressure reactions to emotional information.
We're Doomed!
AlterNet: Why Trump's Feverish Doom-Talk Makes Literally Zero Sense - The GOP frontrunner is lying to his fans about the state of the economy, something Obama pointed out in his State of the Union address.
By Bob Cesca
“We have to take our country back. We’ve lost our jobs, we’ve lost our money. We’re a third world nation and we’re a debtor nation at the same time, you need somebody with the kind of thinking — I built a great company. I have some of the great assets of the world. And I talk about only form- not bragging- I talk about it because that’s the kind of mentality that this country needs. We need that mentality now and we need it fast.”
Global Warming - The Gulf Of Maine
Climate Central: Gulf of Maine Fishermen Face Warming ‘Double Whammy’
New research using a next-generation computer model developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals that warming rates in the fishing hotspot could be three times the global averages during the decades ahead.
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 21 degrees and hazy sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The temperature is expected to get into the low 30s this afternoon. There's been a terrorist attack in Jakarta, ISIS is claiming responsibility. One would expect that terrorism will dominate tonight's GOP debate, if it's not fear, it's not the GOP. We have a Powerball winner, apparently three.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open higher.
Globally, the terrorist attack has affected investors, now let's see if Wall Street brushes it off or also gets rattled. Otherwise oil seems to be temporarily firming around $30 per barrel. Next stop is evidently $20.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil is up. The market is poised to open higher.
Globally, the terrorist attack has affected investors, now let's see if Wall Street brushes it off or also gets rattled. Otherwise oil seems to be temporarily firming around $30 per barrel. Next stop is evidently $20.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
More security fears: A terror attack Thursday in the heart of Jakarta, Indonesia, has rattled investors once again.
Oil is a little firmer Thursday morning with crude futures hovering above $30.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
The Dog
Science Daily: A man’s best friend: Study shows dogs can recognize human emotions
summary - Dogs can recognize emotions in humans by combining information from different senses -- an ability that has never previously been observed outside of humans, a new study published today reveals.
SOTU
The Medium link will take you to the complete transcript of Obama's last SOTU address.
Medium: President Obama’s 2016 State of the Union Address
AlterNet: Obama's State of The Union Dismisses GOP 'Hot Air' - and Makes the Case for the Future - One of the strongest speeches of his presidency.
Medium: President Obama’s 2016 State of the Union Address
AlterNet: Obama's State of The Union Dismisses GOP 'Hot Air' - and Makes the Case for the Future - One of the strongest speeches of his presidency.
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 22 degrees and sunny here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A cold day in the 20s is predicted. We got about an inch of snow last night, so everything is coated in white; winter is here. We are into our fourth week of increasing daylight and in my opinion that increase becomes more noticeable in February. I'm glad to read that the ten Navy sailors picked up by Iran have now been released. I watched a little of Obama's SOTU address and I liked it. He spoke of lofty ideals and in some sense it was more like a sermon. What a contrast to the bellicose, mean spirited, and fundamentally hateful rhetoric coming from our fear driven right. That's America, driven between hope, hate, fear and anger; not to mention racism and fundamental stupidity.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is up after drifting below $30 per barrel on Tuesday. The market is poised to open higher.
There are many articles out now predicting oil can go down to as low as $10 a barrel. Hell, why not simply give it away for free. Meanwhile BP is laying off 4,000 people, as the price of oil bottoms out, away go the jobs in the oil companies as well. This is partly what the Saudis have in mind with their overproduction policy no doubt inspired by a few royally rich 20 something year old Harvard MBAs, bless their greedy little hearts.
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 after drifting below $30 per barrel on Tuesday. The market is poised to open higher.
There are many articles out now predicting oil can go down to as low as $10 a barrel. Hell, why not simply give it away for free. Meanwhile BP is laying off 4,000 people, as the price of oil bottoms out, away go the jobs in the oil companies as well. This is partly what the Saudis have in mind with their overproduction policy no doubt inspired by a few royally rich 20 something year old Harvard MBAs, bless their greedy little hearts.
CNN: Stocks: 4 things to know before the open
Crude futures are bubbling up around 1% to above $31 a barrel after oil briefly sank below $30 for the first time since December 2003. The selling on Tuesday left crude down 19% this year alone, and 72% from its June 2014 peak of almost $108. Traders will closely watch a weekly update on U.S. crude inventories that is due at 10:30 am ET.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Worse
FiveThirtyEight: There’s One Thing Worse For The GOP Than A Trump Nomination - A third-party run. By Julia Azari
The lessons of history suggest, instead, that significant damage to party reputations is done by unsuccessful presidencies, not unsuccessful presidential candidates.
Hookah Smoking
Science Daily: One hookah tobacco smoking session delivers 25 times the tar of a single cigarette
summary - As cigarette smoking rates fall, more people are smoking tobacco from hookahs: communal pipes that enable users to draw tobacco smoke through water. A new meta-analysis shows that hookah smokers are inhaling a large load of toxicants.
The Drought
KQED: When Will California’s Drought End?
December rains added 293 billion gallons to the 154 major state and federal reservoirs in California, which sounds substantial. But by December’s end, that was still only 31 percent of capacity.
Oil
CNBC: UAE moves to quash talk of OPEC emergency meet as oil slumps
"I think all the members including Iran have the right to increase their production. I don't think we are going to restrict anyone," Mazroui said.
Such prospects have led oil analysts to downgrade their forecasts in recent days, with Standard Chartered saying prices could drop to $10 a barrel.
Take A Look
AlterNet: Here's What America Would Look Like If Trump Actually Won - Now the GOP frontrunner for six solid months, it behooves us to imagine what Trump's America would look like. By Heather Digby Parton
Regarding Kim Jong Un Trump said:
“You’ve got to give him credit: How many young guys — he was like 26 or 25 when his father died — take over these tough generals and all of a sudden, you know, it’s pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that?”
“Even though it is a culture, and it’s a culture thing, he goes in, he takes over, he’s the boss. It’s incredible.”
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 24 degrees and hazy cloudy here in the Upper Hudson Valley. The logo is predicting that is goes into the 30s later today. We see that Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch are engaged to be married. We wish the love birds nothing but the best...Is the news some of the wildest stuff we've seen in a long time? I'm reading statements from our top tier GOP presidential contenders and thinking WTF is this. Where do they come up with this stuff?
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is around $31. The market is poised to open higher.
Oil continues to fall and allegedly OPEC is in a state of turmoil because of it. Well what did they expect? Also allegedly OPEC is planning another meeting to discuss this situation and meanwhile a new prediction has oil per barrel going into the $15 range. This is weird.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are significantly higher and the price of oil per barrel is around $31. The market is poised to open higher.
Oil continues to fall and allegedly OPEC is in a state of turmoil because of it. Well what did they expect? Also allegedly OPEC is planning another meeting to discuss this situation and meanwhile a new prediction has oil per barrel going into the $15 range. This is weird.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
Crude futures are falling again, down around 1%, after a 6% fall Monday. RBS analysts say $16 oil is possible and advises its clients to... well, sell everything. "We think investors should be afraid," the note cheerily warns.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Happier
This is a fascinating article, and the author is the president of the American Enterprise Institute!
NYT: To Be Happier, Start Thinking More About Your Death
NYT: To Be Happier, Start Thinking More About Your Death
Paradoxically, this meditation on death is intended as a key to better living. It makes disciples aware of the transitory nature of their own physical lives and stimulates a realignment between momentary desires and existential goals. In other words, it makes one ask, “Am I making the right use of my scarce and precious life?”
Gravitational Fields
Science Daily: Gravitation under human control? Physicist proposes using magnetic fields to produce and detect gravitational fields
summary - Produce and detect gravitational fields at will using magnetic fields, control them for studying them, work with them to produce new technologies -- it sounds daring, but one physicist has proposed just that in a new article. If followed, this proposal could transform physics and shake up Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Trump Birthers Cruz And Blames Democrats!
MSNBC: Trump says Democrats would attack Cruz on citizenship
And Trump assured the crowd that he knows lawsuits. “Does anyone know more about litigation than Trump?” he asked. “I know a lot. I’m like a PhD in litigation.”
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 28 degrees, mostly overcast with some broken clouds and a little sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A cold day in the high 20s is expected. The week is expected to be more like winter with temperatures oscillating between the high 20s and in the 30s. I hope you had a good weekend. I think we were all surprised to read the news that David Bowie passed away after an 18 month long fight with cancer - rest in peace David Bowie. What can I say, he was a global phenomenon, as big a rock star as there can possibly be, and his work was captivating and excellent. He was a very clever artist, that's for sure, strikes me that he was usually a good decade or so ahead of the current trends.
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are up and the price of oil is holding at around $33 a barrel the market is poised to open higher.
The Chinese stock market continues to fall as China's economy is going through a serious shake out. Oil continues to drift lower and lower. And we are entering corporate fourth quarter reports season. The year is starting out with a bang.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
At 9:00 a.m. ET futures are up and the price of oil is holding at around $33 a barrel the market is poised to open higher.
The Chinese stock market continues to fall as China's economy is going through a serious shake out. Oil continues to drift lower and lower. And we are entering corporate fourth quarter reports season. The year is starting out with a bang.
CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open
The main stock markets in China plunged again. The Shanghai Composite closed down 5.3%, and the Shenzhen Composite ended 6.6% lower.
Saturday, January 09, 2016
Agnotology
This article is a must read.
BBC: The man who studies the spread of ignorance - How do people or companies with vested interests spread ignorance and obfuscate knowledge? Georgina Kenyon finds there is a term which defines this phenomenon.
BBC: The man who studies the spread of ignorance - How do people or companies with vested interests spread ignorance and obfuscate knowledge? Georgina Kenyon finds there is a term which defines this phenomenon.
“Donald Trump is the obvious current example in the US, suggesting easy solutions to followers that are either unworkable or unconstitutional,” says Dunning.
So while agnotology may have had its origins in the heyday of the tobacco industry, today the need for both a word and the study of human ignorance is as strong as ever.
Time Vs Money
Science Daily: Valuing your time more than money is linked to happiness
summary - Valuing your time more than the pursuit of money is linked to greater happiness, according to new research. In six studies with more than 4,600 participants, researchers found an almost even split between people who tended to value their time or money, and that choice was a fairly consistent trait both for daily interactions and major life events.
Saudi Arabia Vs Iran
Guardian UK: Saudi Arabia v Iran: Riyadh defiant and angry after turbulent week - Ian Black in Saudi capital and Jeddah finds commentators cataloguing alleged Iranian crimes as tensions continue to run high over execution of Shia cleric
“Iran causes problems and promotes deviant thoughts,” was the response of Mohammed al-Ghamdi, interviewed in Jeddah, the Red Sea shimmering in the background. “Saudi Arabia is a peaceful country with a wise and moderate leadership.”
Digby On Cruz
AlterNet: This Is How Ted Cruz Wins: Why the Formerly Unthinkable Could Actually Happen - Establishment Republicans are beginning to reconcile themselves to supporting the lesser of two evils.
By Heather Digby Parton
If that’s the case, the establishment is going to have a big decision to make. Do they back the hated Cruz to stop the loathsome Trump? Or do they back the detestable Trump to stop the odious Cruz? What a choice.
Friday, January 08, 2016
Theorems
FiveThirtyEight: Three Theories Of Donald Trump’s Rise - We put more stock in Theories 2 and 3.
Theory 3: Trump’s support reflects a media bubble
'That's My Guy'
Cleveland.com: Hijacked by the votes of angry white men, the GOP could be primed for disaster: Brent Larkin
Peggy Noonan, the gifted Wall Street Journal columnist and former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan, is beginning to think it might end very badly.
"We could see a great party split in two," she wrote Dec. 31. "That, I think, is what I'm seeing among the Republicans, a slow-motion break."
Ridicule
Very humorous - #BundyEroticFanFic - the public responds to Oregon's militiamen on Twitter.
"As Cletus gazed longingly at Ammon's naked body, he finally understood the real fight for grazing rights."
If I Must, I Must
CBS Boston: Chocolate Is The Best Cure For A Cough, Expert Says
Research concludes that the thickness of chocolate coats the throat and prevents the urge to cough...
Maine Governor Paul LePage
MSNBC: GOP governor under fire following racially charged comments
“These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty … these types of guys … they come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, they go back home,” LePage told a large crowd. “Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave, which is a real sad thing because then we have another issue we have to deal with down the road.”
The Onion - Saudi Executioner Thinks He Pulled Something In Shoulder During Last 10 Decapitations
The Onion: Saudi Executioner Thinks He Pulled Something In Shoulder During Last 10 Decapitations
“Around the seventh or eighth beheading I came around kind of awkwardly on my windup and heard this loud pop, and I knew immediately that something wasn’t right..."
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