Paul Krugman: Dynamic Voodoo (NY Times Blog)
It's almost pathological how Jeb! seems to have learned nothing from what didn't work under Bro! Why, next thing he'll be saying that he's leaning on W's advice for dealing with the Middle East. Oh, wait.
Andrew Tobias: Infrastructure, Dammit!
As a nation, ours scored a D+ on the latest report card. Blocked by Republican intransigence, we've been spectacularly "penny wise and pound foolish." (It costs a lot more to replace a bridge after it collapses than to maintain it so it doesn't collapse - 10 times more so when you account for all the detours and traffic jams for the months required to rebuild.) About the least "conservative" thing I can think of is cutting taxes as our infrastructure crumbles but that's exactly what our Republican friends have for decades done.
Will Oremus: Apple Finally Admits Microsoft Was Right About Tablets All Along (Slate)
The iPad Pro may borrow a lot of ideas from the Surface, but its operating system is still iOS, with all the ease of use that entails. The Surface Pro 3 is a fine piece of hardware, but the iPad Pro is lighter despite its larger display, and it looks more polished. Which is the superior device remains to be tested, but no one will be surprised if it's Apple's.
Until the 1930s, the United States produced most of the world's maple syrup. Today, after rapid growth in the 1990s, Canada produces more than 80 percent of the world's maple syrup, producing about 26,500,000 litres (7,000,000 US gal) in 2004. The vast majority of this comes from the province of Quebec, which is the world's largest producer, with about 75 percent of global production totalling 24,660,000 litres (6,510,000 US gal) in 2005.
Source
Randall was first, and correct, with:
Quebec produces 69% of the world's maple syrup supply
I have some friends from Canada who visit
every year and each time they bring me some
excellent maple syrup.
.
MUCH better than the sugar-syrup you buy
in the local grocery store:
highly recommended.
Driftin and Driftin Dale responded:
Quebec produces about three-quarters of the world's output of maples syrup.
Well, here we go again: This time it's the Butte Fire burning over 32,000 acres (10% containment) just 25 miles south of Diamond Springs, burning right now South to West. Friends of mine that lost their home last year in the Sandridge Fire, just finished evacuating their new home for the time being. Cal-Fire is saying 6000 homes and buildings are threatened at this time. I've gotten in touch with most of my friends in the area and they're all dealing with it a second at a time. They're staying in the now. Of course it's still hot and smoky here. Yesterday afternoon was kissed with a bright orange sky that lasted until nightfall. That's four local fires in the last two years.
Bring on Fucking El Nino! As a fifth generation native son I've been through four major El Eventos. They usually last two Winters, So suck it up, and deal with it! During the 1981 El Nino at my home in the Oakland Hills, my basement flooded even though I lived on a hill! I dug a hole and put in a sump pump so I could keep the torture chamber and pit ……
Deborah said:
Haven't time to look it up so I'm going to WAG 95%.
108° Thursday, 105* at 3:30. Some clouds drifted up from SoCal and the humidity's about 50%.Our average is half that, sometimes less. Double whammy.
MAM wrote:
Quebec produced 71 per cent of the world's 160.7 million pound maple syrup yield in 2014.
Joe S answered:
My dad made damn fine maple syrup. He added a bit of beech sap to the maple. How much? Old family secret. He also added pears to his apple cider. Also a secret.
What a circus... with two Tea Party Evangelical Christian hypocrites in the center ring. Egad, I'm glad it's finally over.
What an embarrassment for the state. I could care less about their ignominy. They deserve all the scorn that they may receive from their constituents, family, and friends... I've personally known their type, so they certainly have mine...
Patriot Act NSA Spying Unconstitutional Section 215 National Security Letters Must End
My name is Marc Perkel and I have decided to announce that I will not comply with the so called "Patriot Act" laws requiring me to disclose information about my customers. If I receive a national security letter I will immediately photograph it, post it online everywhere I can, and then make a video of me burning it. I will then await my arrest. If you want to put me in jail then come get me mother fucker.
CBS begins the night with a RERUN'NCIS', followed by a RERUN'NCIS: The Expendable One', then '48 Hours'.
NBC opens the night with a RERUN'Running Wild With Bear Grylls', followed by a RERUN'American Ninja Warriors'.
Of course, 'SNL' is a RERUN, with Chris Rock hosting, music by Prince.
ABC fills the night with LIVE'College Football', then pads the left coast with local crap and maybe a RERUN'Castle'.
The CW offers an old '2½ Men', followed by another old '2½ Men', then an old 'Family Guy', followed by an old 'Family Guy'.
Faux has a RERUN'Bullseye', followed by a RERUN'Home Free'.
MY has an old 'Burn Notice', followed by a another old 'Burn Notice'.
A&E has 'The First 48', another 'The First 48', 'Behind Bars: Rookie Year', and another 'Behind Bars: Rookie Year'.
AMC offers the movie '300', followed by the movie 'Silence Of The Lambs', then the movie 'Troy'.
BBC -
[6:00AM] Top Gear: Best Of 14-15 - Episode 1
[7:00AM] Top Gear: Best Of 14-15 - Episode 2
[8:00AM] Top Gear: Best Of 14-15 - Episode 3
[9:00AM] Top Gear: Best Of 14-15 - Episode 4
[10:00AM] Man vs. Wild - Season 2 - Ep 1 - Sahara (Part 1)
[11:00AM] Man vs. Wild - Season 2 - Ep 2 - Desert Survivor (Part 2)
[12:00PM] Man vs. Wild - Season 2 - Ep 3 - Panama (Part 1)
[1:00PM] Man vs. Wild - Season 2 - Ep 4 - Jungle (Part 2)
[2:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2 - Ep 21 - Peak Performance
[3:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2 - Ep 22 - Shades of Gray
[4:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3 - Ep 1 - Evolution
[5:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3 - Ep 2 - The Ensigns of Command
[6:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3 - Ep 3 - The Survivors
[7:00PM] Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 3 - Ep 4 - Who Watches the Watchers
[8:00PM] Doctor Who: The Time Of The Doctor
[9:45PM] Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol
[11:00PM] Doctor Who: The Time Of The Doctor
[12:45AM] The Thick Of It - Season 4 - Episode 5
[1:25AM] The Thick Of It - Season 4 - Episode 6
[2:45AM] The Thick Of It - Season 4 - Episode 7
[3:25AM] Clash of the Titans (1981) (ALL TIMES EST)
Bravo has the movie 'Baby Mama', followed by the movie 'Mean Girls', then the movie 'Mean Girls'.
FX has the movie 'Avatar', followed by the movie 'Pacific Rim'.
History has 2 hours of 'Pawn Stars', followed by a FRESH'Pirate Treasure Of The Knights Templar', then another FRESH'Pirate Treasure Of The Knights Templar'.
IFC -
[6:00AM] THE OTHERS
[8:15AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-ACADEMIC OCTATHALON
[8:45AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-CLIP SHOW 2
[9:15AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-REESE'S PARTY
[9:45AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-FUTURE MALCOLM
[10:15AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-BABY
[10:45AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-BABY
[11:15AM] MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE-DAY CARE
[11:45AM] COMEDY BANG! BANG!-WEIRD AL YANKOVIC WEARS A DIFFERENT HAWAIIAN SHIRT
[12:15PM] DOCUMENTARY NOW!-THE EYE DOESN'T LIE
[12:45PM] SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
[3:00PM] THE RUNNING MAN
[5:15PM] KINGPIN
[8:00PM] NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION
[10:15PM] NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION
[12:30AM] SUPER
[2:45AM] KINGPIN
[5:30AM] DOCUMENTARY NOW!-THE EYE DOESN'T LIE (ALL TIMES EST)
Sundance -
[6:45AM] The Cooler
[9:15AM] Hollywoodland
[12:00PM] Confidence
[2:00PM] The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
[4:30PM] Casino
[8:30PM] GoodFellas
[11:30PM] Donnie Brasco
[2:30AM] The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
[4:15AM] Rectify-The Future
[5:00AM] The Approval Matrix-America's Hall Monitors
[5:30AM] Animal Kingdom (ALL TIMES EST)
SyFy has the movie '1408', followed by the movie 'The Conjuring'.
Actress Sandra Bullock and producer George Clooney arrive for the premiere of "Our Brand Is Crisis" at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto September 11, 2015.
Photo by Fred Thornhill
First responders who were injured or sickened by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington said they will visit Congress with comedian Jon Stewart to push lawmakers to extend expiring medical programs as Friday marked 14 years since 9/11.
Activists believe the former host of "The Daily Show," who they say was instrumental in persuading Congress to pass the programs in the Zadroga Act of 2010, can again help their effort.
"We pitched a solid eight innings and then Jon Stewart came in and closed in 2010," said John Feal, founder of the Feal Good Foundation, which advocates for injured or ill 9/11 emergency personnel.
Feal and representatives from other first responder groups confirmed Stewart's involvement. Stewart was not immediately available for comment.
"Jon Stewart and our first responders shouldn't have to be in Washington walking the halls of Congress to keep the health care program running that our heroes need and deserve," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York and the bill's sponsor, said in a statement.
Matt Damon, right, and Luciana Barroso attend a premiere for "The Martian" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, in Toronto.
Photo by Evan Agostini
Mobile food trucks, revamped lodges and a possible valet service are coming to the Grand Canyon's South Rim under a new 15-year concessions contract.
The National Park Service announced Thursday it has awarded the contract that is among the most lucrative in the parks system - worth about $1 billion over its lifetime - to Xanterra South Rim LLC.
The Grand Canyon struggled in three previous rounds of bidding to attract any offers responsive to its terms.
For more than a century, Xanterra and its predecessor companies have operated services at the South Rim, the park's most visited area, known for its historic lodges and sweeping views.
The park's struggles with attracting bidders were due mostly to the money that Xanterra was owed for improvements it has made there. Grand Canyon officials responded by borrowing $100 million within the Park Service to reduce what must be paid to Xanterra to about $60 million if another company won the contract. Xanterra now is operating under a temporary contract that expires at the end of the year.
An Italian-Chinese medical team plan to perform the world's first head transplant in China, one of the surgeons said Friday, amid concerns over medical ethics in the country.
Ren Xiaoping, who along with Italian surgeon Sergio Canavero, hope to attempt the procedure within two years, but only if the preparatory research and tests go according to plan, Ren said.
"A lot of media have been saying we will definitely attempt the surgery by 2017, but that's only if every step before that proceeds smoothly," Ren told AFP.
Canavero, who leads the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group, first announced his project in 2013, saying at the time that such a procedure could be possible as soon as 2016.
The man who has volunteered for the operation is Russian-born Valery Spiridonov, 30, who suffers from Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, which is a progressive and incurable wasting ailment.
Actress Sharon Stone, left, claps her hands as Somali human rights activist and physician Hawa Abdi, center, is being awarded during the Building Peace award ceremony, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.
Photo by Luca Bruno
Donald Trump spokesman Michael Cohen confirmed the Republican presidential hopeful has purchased NBC's half of the Miss Universe Organization and settled all lawsuits against the media company.
The move, which Trump announced via Twitter on Friday morning, gives him full ownership of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants and completes a divorce begun in June when NBC announced it was ending its business relationship with Trump, who had starred on the network as host of "The Celebrity Apprentice."
NBC confirmed it has sold its rights to the Miss Universe Organization to Trump.
The had network said in June it was severing ties with Trump because of comments he made about Mexican immigrants during his presidential campaign kickoff speech. The fallout reverberated far beyond the pageant: Macy's stopped carrying a line of Trump menswear, a television company owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim ended a project with Trump and the PGA of America moved a golf tournament off a Trump-owned course.
A French court upheld on Thursday a 2012 ruling in which Monsanto was found to be liable in the chemical poisoning of a French farmer, who says he suffered neurological problems after inhaling the U.S. company's Lasso weedkiller.
The decision by an appeal court in Lyon, southeast France, confirmed the initial judgment, the first such case heard in court in France, that ruled Monsanto was "responsible" for the intoxication and ordered the company to "fully compensate" grain grower Paul Francois.
Monsanto's lawyer said the U.S. biotech company would now take the case to France's highest appeal court.
Francois, who says he suffered memory loss, headaches and stammering after inhaling Monsanto's Lasso in 2004, blames the agri-business giant for not providing adequate warnings on the product label.
Lasso, a pre-emergent soil-applied herbicide that has been used since the 1960s to control grasses and broadleaf weeds in farm fields, was banned in France in 2007 after the product had already been withdrawn in other countries such as Canada, Belgium and Britain.
Singer Deborah Harry attends the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11, 2015.
Photo by Andrew Kelly
Cheap oil prices ushered in by Saudi Arabia's policy of protecting its market share will end up squeezing high-cost producers like US shale drillers, who next year may face the biggest drop in output in nearly a quarter century, the IEA said Friday.
Cheap fuel is also hooking consumers, with oil demand growth set to hit a five-year high this year, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report.
The oil market has been driven for the past year and half by an increasingly transparent policy by OPEC oil cartel kingpin Saudi Arabia to safeguard its influence against upstart shale producers who could change global dynamics by cutting US dependence on imported oil.
High crude prices of over $100 per barrel in 2013 were allowing US shale producers to exploit costly technology to extract previously unreachable oil and sharply increase supply in the top oil-consuming nation.
But with Saudi Arabia and its partners in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries refusing to cut production, crude oil prices slumped to six-year lows last month, with the main US oil contract dropping to below $40 at one point.
Scottish actor Sean Connery watches as Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays Marin Cilic of Croatia during their Semifinals round match on the twelfth day of the 2015 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 11 September 2015. The US Open runs through 13 September, which is a return to a 14-day schedule.
Photo by John G. Mabanglo
Mountainous piles of steel pipe are being staged across four states in anticipation of building the biggest-capacity pipeline proposed to date to move crude from North Dakota's prolific oil patch.
But stockpiling the pipe is a gamble for the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners' Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8 billion, 1,130-mile project that still needs approval from regulators in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.
"What the company does is at their own risk," said Julie Fedorchak, chairwoman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.
The three-member panel has signaled its approval of the company's project in North Dakota, the pipeline's longest leg, but Fedorchak said a final decision is several weeks away.
If approved, the Dakota Access Pipeline would move at least 450,000 barrels of North Dakota crude daily through South Dakota and Iowa to an existing pipeline in Patoka, Illinois, where shippers can access Midwest and Gulf Coast markets.
An Afghan woman buys a traditional 'burqa' at a shop in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2015. The burqa is a traditional Muslim women's dress consisting of an all-over veil and headscarf, with only a slit for the eyes to see through. A 'full burqa', also covers the eyes with a hanging veil, allowing the wearer to see but shielding her eyes from onlookers. The wearing of the full burqa was mandatory in Afghanistan under the former Taliban regime.
Photo by Sayed Mustafa
Russia on Friday announced a proposal to finally bury the remains of Tsar Nicholas II's son and heir Alexei and daughter Maria alongside their family in Saint Petersburg next month.
A high-level government task force put forward a proposal for the burial to take place in Russia's former imperial capital on October 18.
The task force "will propose to the government the holding of a burial ceremony of the remains of Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria on October 18," it said after meeting on Friday.
But the powerful Orthodox Church, which has long delayed the funerals over doubts about the victims' identity, called for additional testing of the remains.
Red Juliette of Poland performs on stage during the 1st Polish Burlesque Festival in Warsaw, Poland, 11 September 2015. The festival runs until 13 September.
Photo by Radek Pietruszka
A Polish explorer claimed Friday he has found a massive underground structure in southwestern Poland that, he says, the Nazis built to protect thousands of people.
Krzysztof Szpakowski told a news conference that he has no doubt as to his find, which he says was based on evidence that he has gathered for decades, including witness statements, old documents and an examination of the area by ground-penetrating radar and by dowsers.
Speaking on TVN24, Szpakowski said the structure was part of the "Riese" (giant) system of railway tunnels, corridors and shelters that the Nazis were building during World War II in the mountains around the city of Walbrzych.
He said that anything from technical appliances to armaments could be inside, but "not a gold train."
Historians say there are dozens of kilometers of tunnels and only 10 percent of them have been uncovered. No documents have been found to indicate their overall purpose, but they have attracted explorers and inspired legends of a hidden Nazi train laden with gold.
A cat and its trainers perform during "The Circus Princess", a new programme, at the National Circus in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev September 10, 2015.
Photo by Gleb Garanich
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