“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.”
–Robert Quillen
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Good morning to one of my favorite former planets . . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/science/space/nasa-new-horizons-spacecraft-reaches-pluto.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
Is that the scientific consensus now, that Pluto is not a planet? I memorized Mother Very Thoughtfully Made A Jelly Sandwish Under No Protest, and now have to come up with another mnemonic?
I am enjoying the apolitical scientific hoopla, though. It's refreshing.
Scientist are still arguing this one, often for non-scientific reasons. But whether you call it a planet or a dwarf planet, there's still "planet" in there.
Had to leave this one right here:
Unlike the other 8 planets in our solar system, Pluto isn't unique. There are at least a few similar-sized objects in the Kuiper Belt officially recognized as dwarf planets: Pluto, Haumea, and Makemake, plus the more massive Eris, so if Pluto is included, then why not them? Thus you'd need to extend your mnemonic in any case 🙂
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuiper_belt
The International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto is a dwarf planet and revised the criteria for planetary status. Many scientists think that decisions was wrong, but the IAU are, in the immortal words of George W. Bush, The Decider.
So, we have 8 planets in the solar system and some plutoids. My Violent Evil Monster Just Scared Us Nuts was an early front-runner for a new mnemonic.
One of the more profound quotes you have posted in a while, Pols…likey…
but it seems to be missing an “is”…
I'm not an English professor (far from it), but the missing "is" helps the tempo and balance of the statement (i.e. poetic timing).
Had the quote started "A discussion …" then your missing "is" would also balance and support the tempo of the statement as well.
Then I would posit that the "an" before argument might be removed.
Then you should add the missing "is" to balance the phrasing
But since the author is dead, I guess it is too late to tell him he got it wrong 😉
Author Profession: Journalist
Nationality: American
Born: March 25, 1887
Died: December 9, 1948
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/robertquil132520.html#G005sQ5EU6M1buRD.99
eh..don't know…fun to think about..thanks for the mental exercise…gotta run…
I don't know when this quote comes from but it's a more old fashioned phrasing and not a mistake. The "is" doesn't have to be repeated. Think of it as being implied by the context.
There was an interactive question on the NY Times page titled something like "after Pluto, what should NASA explore next?" I'll suggest an attempt to find the brain of one of my favorite religious righties, Ted Cruz.
Alien life forms are a more attainable target goal.
A great piece this morning in USNWR: "What Have We Been Smoking?"
Meanwhile in Oklahoma….
Gee. Once he's put away for life, I know I'll sleep better.
Tragic. It's a situation I'm familiar with, and MMJ is only part of the answer.
…and the DEA cutting deals with Mexico's most notorious drug cartel
Next week, my wife is retiring from the federal government after 35 years of service. As part of the retirement process, we have been presented with several choices, including the option to retain her $155,000 life insurance policy. We wanted to do so, but upon my investigation we learned that the coverage that was currently about $600/year would suddenly increase to $4,200 per year in retirement. A quick check via Geico revealed that she could receive the same life insurance coverage via a private insurer for the same $600/year, or slightly higher if she didn't get a medical exam. In other words, if we chose to continue the coverage via the federal government, it would cost an additional $72,000 in after-tax dollars over 20 years versus obtaining private coverage.
My concern is that we determined this only after extensive research on my own, possibly helped by my CPA status. In other words, there was no information provided to us, much less highlighted, that continuing the insurance coverage would be so incredibly costly. I suspect that thousands of federal retirees have been suckered into this scam, costing them many millions of lost retirement dollars.
I also heard from a friend that Colorado's PERA is similar, which means that thousands of CO retirees are also being screwed.
Does anyone have experience with this situation?
Hmmm…I don't know itlduso,
Term or whole life? If term, how long is the term?
$600/yr for $150k looks too good to be true. Average life expectancy at age 60 is 24 years (female), That's 24 years of premiums. 24 x 600 = $14,400. It's hard to see how an insurance company would make money on that, no matter how well the stock market does. On the other hand, 24yrs x $4200/yr = $100k, which doesn't seem out of control.
Personally, I don't plan on having life insurance when I retire, unless I still have some debt. But by then the kids will be on their own and the house will be paid for. And my wife works, so she won't be strictly on SS survivor benefits.
Hi ajb. The private life insurance quote I received (via Geico, but the results showed several other insurance companies) was for a 20 year level term policy (i.e., no increase in premiums for 20 years — my wife is 58 years old). One quote was for about $600/year, medical exam required. Another quote was for $965/year with no medical exam required.
So, it appears it truly is possible to get these policies. My concern is about the way the federal government (and, possibly PERA) does not provide adequate disclosure about the huge increase in the post-retirement life insurance cost.
https://www.opm.gov/faqs/topic/insure/index.aspx/index.aspx?cid=2b664a13-2fdb-46e9-8593-10e50f8370c0
Just remember that the basic is free (as long as you're willing to take the 75% reduction) and lasts for life.
In the FEGLI Handbook, see "Post-65 Reduction in the Amount of Insurance"
For after-retirement costs, see https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-insurance/program-information/#url=Premiums-for-Annuitants
Thank you, Progressicat. I am now wading through the 248 pages of the FEGLI Handbook. Fun! I also had a lunch meeting with a financial planner. I’ll let you know what I conclude.
Thanks again.
I have a horrible blind spot on PERA retirement, maybe because retirement is still a distant dream for me. There's a townhall type call-in tonight on PERA, so I'll ask about rate increases on life insurance and see what they say. Algernon could probably tell you exactly, if you can get him to tell you in less than a treatise.
https://www.copera.org/programs/life-insurance
Click on Life Insurance Program Highlights
Here's a good (quick) read: Coal is getting killed in the bond market.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-13/the-latest-sign-that-coal-is-getting-killed
That's a great piece. Coal is the #walkingdead. Would someone please tell McConnell that the real War on Coal is being executed by his pals on Wall Street? Is the New Belgium boycott in Craig still a thing?
The boycott's still a thing, among folks who think that this will help them save coal mining. A futile effort, as Bloomberg and others, including you, have written.
Meanwhile, the craft brewers from all over the state stand united in asking the Governor to balance energy development with environmental stewardship. I've got an article about half way written. Thinking of posting it on kos, to branch out some.
+FatTire
Does one laugh or cry that those for whom these couple hundred jobs at Colowyo are so dear batted nary an eyelash or actively cheered as millions of manufacturing jobs have been lost or forgone in this country?
Cronk like fire rocks. Fire rocks burn. Not like stupid workers who only power economy and feed stupid families.
+ a (not Joe) SixPack of FatTires
This site has been so helpful to me today. Here's another thought:
I formed a 501(c)(3) called "Save the Cloud Forests Foundation". I was interested in trying to raise funds for a cloud forest research station in Ecuador at a place called Bellavista Cloud Forest Preserve. The money would be used to construct a research building, equip it with microscopes and computers, and fund scholarships for student visits from local schools and higher education institutions.
I was thinking of using an environmental crowdfunding site to fund this project. Does anyone have experience/thoughts of this idea?
Ah, sigh. The unfortunate source of my utility power – and all-around anti-environmental jerks – Tri-State are the 4th dirtiest power generation company per unit of power in the country according to a new report on dirty power.