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Submission + - SPAM: Report Recommends Steps for Increasing Private Investment in Infrastructure

Submitted by GoCrazy
GoCrazy writes: The Bipartisan Policy Center, a public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., released a report suggesting the United States needs to adapt a new model to that facilities greater private involvement and investment in maintaining the health of our infrastructure.

The United States lags behind other nations when it comes to private investment in infrastructure, the report notes. The report Bridging The Gap Together suggests this results from "three major risks hindering the flow of private capital to U.S. infrastructure: the lack of a project pipeline as there is a lack of identified projects that are both attractive to private investors and tied to a clear public benefit; political risk as several infrastructure projects are cancelled or delayed for political reasons unrelated to their merits as infrastructure projects; and permitting risk as the permitting step for infrastructure often extend the length of a project for years.

The report offers a number of recommendations indeed to help bring about a new model for restoring and expanding the nation's infrastructure. In underlining the need for greater outreach, engagement, and education, the report seeks to maximize participation by all potential stakeholders.
Link to Original Source

Submission + - Dawkins Dropped from Conference After Sharing "Feminists Love Islam" Video (independent.co.uk) 1

Submitted by GoCrazy
GoCrazy writes: Professor Richard Dawkins has had an invitation to speak at a science event withdrawn by organisers for sharing a "highly offensive" video mocking feminists on Twitter.

The video in question, “Feminists Love Islamists” was shared by Dawkins on Thursday, alongside the explainer: “Obviously doesn’t apply to vast majority of feminists, among whom I count myself. But the minority are pernicious.”. Dawkins later deleted the tweet but the NECSS shared a screengrab of it.

Comment Re:Remove casing from a Wallmart clock - get invit (Score 1) 621

by GoCrazy (#50782375) Attached to: 'Clock Kid' Ahmed Mohamed and His Family To Leave US, Move To Qatar
I also initially thought about how dumb his achievement was, but we also have to re-calibrate to what a 13 year old is capable of. If I, an 25 year old engineer, took a digital clockwork apart, put it in a metal box, and tied it with wire it's obviously a non-accomplishment. But a 13 year old might think it was cool.

Comment Civil Disobedience (Score 2) 608

"Challenge it, " He did.
"Speak out," He did.
"Engage in a constructive act of protest," He engaged in protest, by whistleblowing, but I guess it doesn't count due to their qualification of "constructive", just like our president's explanation that he's not opposed to wars, just "dumb wars".
"and — importantly — accept the consequences of his actions." Isn't whistle blowing legally protected from retaliation?

Submission + - House of Representatives Pass H.R.1422 - EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act

Submitted by GoCrazy
GoCrazy writes: The House of Representatives today passed the H.R.1422 — EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2014. The bill's summary is as follows:

"EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 — Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. (The Board provides scientific advice to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA].) Prohibits federally registered lobbyists from being appointed to the Board.

Revises the procedures for providing advice and comments to the Administrator by: (1) including risk or hazard assessments in the regulatory proposals and documents made available to the Board, and (2) requiring advice and comments to be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

Revises the operation of Board member committees and investigative panels to: (1) require that they operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements (including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board) contained in this Act; (2) deny them authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board; and (3) prohibit direct reporting to EPA.

Adds guidelines for the conduct of Board advisory activities, including concerning: (1) avoidance of making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communication of uncertainties, (3) dissenting members' views, and (4) periodic reviews to ensure that such activities address the most important scientific issues affecting EPA."

The bill also requires SAB members to disclose financial relationships and interests (Sec. 2a-3D), relevant professional works (Sec. 2a-4), and that all materials used in SAB advisories to the EPA be also released to the public (Sec. 2e).

Comment Space (Score 2) 40

by GoCrazy (#48329171) Attached to: Interviews: Ask Robert Ballard About Ocean Exploration
You've probably heard about NASA's potential exploration of planetary bodies with water (yes! real water!) such as Europa, which is known to have solid ice water on the surface, but possible liquid water beneath. Would you consider moving your expertise on oceanography to more space based programs, with the possibility that your discoveries on Earth could be the same on these other planets?

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