Thursday, April 4, 2019

IF I HAD BEEN AN ASSISTANT EDITOR AT THE NEW YORK TIMES, I WOULD HAVE ALSO SOUGHT NEWS COVERAGE FROM THE TIMES ON THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS:


---Is the Global Warming Effect proving to be, ironically, a huge financial boon to the marine-science or oceanography programs affiliated with various American universities? It seems possible that the Woods Hole Oceanography Institute in Massachusetts, for instance, may be receiving a lot more foundation grants these days because of the urgent need for additional research relating to the Global Warming Effect.

---In which ways is the growing emphasis on sexual harassment in politics prompting politicians of today to minimize all of their own physical contact with their staff members, donors, and admirers? Has any government official developed a handshakes-only policy in order to prevent any potential "scandalous news" from developing in which a former or current staff member of a male political leader alleges that he sexually harassed or sexually assaulted herself?
Are any American politicians of today also declining to themselves be kissed on the cheek or on the lips by any of their admirers or donors? 
One angle to this type of story is that the emerging puritanism in American politics poses a very sharp contrast to the style of Russian and Italian political leaders, for instance. When President Trump hosts a visitor from a foreign nation where kissing on the cheek or kissing on the lips or hugging is customary in politics and government, will President Trump now feel obligated to limit his own physical contact with those visiting dignitaries and their wives to a handshake?

---Is it safe for Americans to consume a food product that was manufactured or processed in Mexico? This question arises partly because from what I understand, Mexico to this day does not have adequate sewage treatment facilities, which undermines Mexican businesses's ability to offer sanitary and healthful food products to American consumers.

---Has President Trump, a world-famous realtor, pursued any actions during his Presidency that were specifically aimed at punishing, or harming the finances of, any other commercial real-estate owners or managers in New York City?


---Does Donald Trump have any possible ties to any organized crime group, or any history of ties to any organized crime group in the United States?

---Which five U.S. states are receiving the lowest per-capita levels of federal aid during the Trump Administration years? What percentage of those five states cast the majority of their votes for Mrs. Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Election? Is there any evidence that President Trump may have possibly violated the law by allegedly attempting to reduce federal funding levels to some or many of the U.S. states that voted for Mrs. Hillary Clinton in 2016?

---Does the Trump Administration exhibit an anti-mass-transit bias? If so, which planned mass-transit construction projects are being put on hold during the Trump Presidency? Does Mr. Trump's anti-mass-transit bias and accompanying emphasis on automobiles and trucks in transportation exacerbate the Global Warming Effect by triggering an increase in carbon-dioxide levels being released by motor-vehicle traffic in the United States?

---Do any of the numerous federal officials who received a "You're fired!" in-person dismissal from President Trump now believe that they themselves have factual evidence against Mr. Trump that is sufficient to lawfully and in a civil manner remove him from elective office? If so, has the New York Times attempted to interview each and every one of those former federal officials who currently have a critical vantage point toward Mr. Trump?

---Is there any evidence that Donald Trump has allegedly made any payments of money, whether directly or indirectly, or allegedly perpetrated any outright bribery payments, or established any unethical business ties to the one media company, Fox News, that reportedly has been the most consistent in supporting and defending Mr. Trump's conduct as President?

---Food products containing hemp as a featured "ingredient" are appearing all over the American supermarket these days. Many Americans, myself among them, are uncomfortable with that trend. What is the point of adding hemp to food products? Is there any nutritional value or health benefit from eating a processed food product that contains hemp as an ingredient? Another concern is that the growing amount of cropland in the U.S. and Canada that is now being converted from raising fruits or vegetables or grains to  instead raising and harvesting marijuana and hemp, is depriving the American consumer of truly healthful fruits and vegetables and grains that have NOTHING to do with "hemp" or "marijuana".

---Many Americans have been subjected to the propaganda, such as in the form of bumpersticker messages, from pro-marijuana activists declaring that "we can all achieve world peace if everyone, including our heads of state, lights up a joint or smokes a marijuana cigarette." Is there any evidence that the trend toward legalization of marijuana in the U.S., Canada, and other nations is contributing in any way toward the goal of world peace and harmony?

---Of the various anti-stalking and accompanying anti-spying laws (?) that various state legislatures have approved, which state law has appeared to be the most successful at deterring that type of outrageously criminal activity for residents of that state?

--Does any foreign nation have stricter laws than the U.S. for prohibiting stalking or certain types of spying on someone?

---Which was the most recent factually documented case of a possibly or flagrantly illegal thought-control project that the U.S. Government either sponsored or had an alleged role in? I am reminded of this question by recalling a statement to me several years ago by a Boston-based attorney, who volunteered to me during a long-distance phone conversation I had with him from Austin, Texas, that I myself may have been victimized by a federally sponsored "thought-control project" during a prior period of my own life when I resided in the Boston area.
One angle to this type of story might be: Does federal law at present adequately protect American citizens from being subjected against their wishes to any type of thought-control project?

---Are there any trends toward harmonious inter-generational group housing programs or arrangements in New York City? Do sociologists and psychologists and members of the clergy maintain that intergenerational group-housing arrangements are significantly beneficial to New Yorkers, and to American society?

---How has New York's Italian-American Governor, Andrew Cuomo, avoided having any ties to the Mafia? Has Mr. Cuomo's apparent success in that way set an example for other Italian-American political leaders who seek to hold elective office?
This type of story would be of particular interest to the many Times readers who recall that another New Yorker, Geraldine Ferraro, in a prior decade suffered a major setback during a Presidential campaign when it was revealed that her husband allegedly had ties to the Mafia.

---Has the Italian-American governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, ever presided over a teach-in workshop in New York for politically ambitious Italian-Americans seeking to avoid any Mafia ties ---- a workshop in which Mr. Cuomo offers those Italian Americans specific guidance on how they can follow his own admirable example through their own political careers and government-service careers of never having or permitting ANY compromising ties to the Mafia?

---Is there any civic group or consulting firm in New York State or New Jersey that offers expert advice to Italian-American politicians on how they can avoid developing any ties to any Mafia group?

---Is there any Italian-American civic group anywhere in New York State or New Jersey that takes pride in conducting extensive background checks on prospective and current members that weed out any prospective or current member who is found to have or suspected of having any ties to the Mafia?

---In the last several years, a rabbi was arrested in New Jersey who was accused of allegedly having ties to a Jewish Mafia. That shocking news story suggests the need for a follow-up story exploring whether the Jewish Mafia presence in New Jersey and New York is on the decline, increasing, or about the same as when that rabbi was arrested and charged with a felony crime. Many Americans are not aware of a "Jewish Mafia", so this type of follow-up story could perform a valuable public service.

---Has the state law inviting corporations to relocate to New York without having to pay state income taxes for a multi-year period, significantly improved the economy throughout New York? Which counties or cities of New York, if any, maintain that they have not benefited from that law? Is there any evidence of any harmful consequences for New York and the taxpayers of New York from the well-publicized campaign by the State of New York to lure new businesses into the Empire State?

---Do any anti-profanity activists maintain that President Trump's frequent alleged use of profanity and obscene speech have undermined their own ability to promote non-profane, civil, and factually-based speech by all Americans?

---Is President Trump the first U.S. President this century to acquire a reputation for being a California hater? Which previous U.S. President, if any, had a reputation of that type? Another angle to this type of story might be to explore which other influential Americans, including civic and religious leaders, currently have or have had a reputation for being haters of California.

---Some Americans, myself among them, may have noticed that is very difficult to obtain an e-mail address for President Donald Trump and directly write to him. Does President Trump have any response to those who maintain that their being unable to obtain a direct e-mail address for the President has prompted them to wonder whether Mr. Trump is sincerely devoted to the goals of "transparency" and "accountability" in the White House.

---In which ways has the recent relocation of the Times's news and editorial departments to a new building, played a role in any recent transformation of the Times Square scene? Has the crime rate at Times Square increased or decreased after the New York Times moved its main building to a nearby location in New York? Also, is there any attempt by any civic group to rename Times Square? Which reasons does that civic group cite for seeking to change the name of Times Square? It's noteworthy that The New York Times traditionally has declared that it publishes "all the news that's fit to print". Many of the "news" developments this century originating at the square bearing the newspaper's name, have been unsavory or scandalous to the point of shocking or heinous.

---A Times feature story could promote several of the very best new cookbooks that are designed to serve heart patients with a need for low-saturated fat and low-sodium culinary dishes. Is there a trend toward cookbooks for each cuisine that bear the name "The Heart-Healthy Cajun Cookbook" or "The Heart-Healthy Mexican Cookbook" or "The Heart-Healthy Canadian Cookbook", for instance. Has the New York Times publishing company considered editing and publishing a "Heart-Healthy Recipes from Around the World" or "Heart-Healthy United Nations" cookbook that offers nutritious and tasty low-sodium dishes and beverages for heart patients and anyone seeking to avoid developing heart disease.

---Everyone knows that Fox News is President Trump's favorite television media company. But most Americans are not aware of which radio stations and which newspapers or magazines have been among the "favorites" of Trump that are most likely to be granted an interview with the President. A story on these other "favorites of Trump" might be intriguing.


---Are there any plans for New York Times columnist Jane Brody to author a new book offering guidance on how readers can achieve age 80 or 90 or 100 and still be creatively vital and ambulatory? Since Ms. Brody appears to be an expert on that subject, a new book by herself that's exclusively dedicated to that theme could help to save many thousands of lives. One possible idea for this type of book project: It could be published as a multi-part interview with Jane Brody on the logical steps that Times readers can pursue to enjoy a full and creatively vital lifespan.

---Has there been a decline or increase in the percentage of all Israeli citizens who live on a kibbutz? This story might be of keen interest to many Times readers, since the kibbutz has traditionally been one of the most revered cultural institutions in Israeli society.  Is there a trend toward urbanization of Israeli society that is possibly playing a role in a reduction in the total number of Israelis who live and work at a kibbutz coop? Is some urban counterpart to the kibbutz coop also emerging or developing in the urban areas of Israel?

---Is there any evidence of a decline in trading with the United States by several foreign nations that are dismayed by what they regard as a severe xenophobia and disdain toward them by the USA under President Trump? Do the "America First" declarations by Mr. Trump elicit "America LAST on our own trading list" rejoinders by any foreign nations?

---Has there been a long-term increase in the percentage of Republican members of the U.S. Congress who acknowledge the Global Warming Effect to be a global environmental and public-safety and human-health threat? If so, is there any hope that Congress in 2019 or 2020 will have enough votes to override a veto by President Trump on federal legislation aimed at addressing the Global Warming Effect?

---Which U.S. city of 100,000 or more currently makes it the easiest for its residents with only minimal effort on their part to participate comprehensively and fully in recycling of items such as glass, paper, aluminum, cardboard, and plastic products that can be recycled?

---Should there be a rules change in men's professional tennis that makes each match a "best-of-three-sets" event?
This type of rules change might help to reduce the injury rate and burnout rate among professional men's tennis players. The change might also help in attracting many very talented younger players to the pro tennis scene who have chosen not to turn pro because they feel uncomfortable with the current "best-of-five-sets" format.

---Is the velocity of the wind at the U.S. Open pro tennis tournament generally significantly higher than for each of the other majors tournaments? This question seems fair because the U.S. Open is held on Long Island, and presumably the sea breezes often generate very windy conditions for the players. 
If the playing conditions for the U.S. Open are significantly windier than for other majors tournaments, have U.S. Open officials attempted to develop "wind-control" devices or strategies that can help to reduce the velocity of windiness during matches?

----Has American comedian Woody Allen in his multi-decade career ever directed or starred in a documentary  movie that is factually based? If not, does Mr. Allen have any plans to direct a new movie of that type? Which topic would he select for any such documentary film?

---Does Woody Allen have any plans to write his own memoirs anytime soon? There must be many admirers of his who are hoping he will author a book of that type or be interviewed for an autobiographical book of that type.

--Many Americans could not cite any particular truly convincing cinematic love story in which Woody Allen was either the director or an actor. Are there some admirers of Mr. Allen who are hopeful that he will at some point in his career offer his fans a movie that actually presents a convincing and enduring romantic love and overall love --- or even a convincing and enduring strictly-platonic love ---- between a featured male actor and his female romantic partner or spouse?

----Is there any nationwide campaign by any civic group or non-profit foundation to sponsor the establishment of a nationwide spelling bee that exclusively cites words to spell that are non-cynical, practical everyday words from everyday life that the youthful spellers might actually find in "The New York Times" or "Reader's Digest", for instance.
The proposed new spelling bee tradition, which could be sponsored by a non-profit group seeking to promote a pragmatic approach to cultural literacy in everyday life, could be entitled "Words of Everyday Life Spelling Bee" or some such title that emphasizes its distinctness from the current televised nationwide spelling bee program.
Among the words that could be offered in this new type of spelling bee might be: "rhythm", "fourteen", "disastrous", "descendant", "cardiovascular", "derogatory", "veranda", and "angiogram".
For each word from everyday life that he or she is asked to spell, a contestant would also be required to offer one  total identifiably correct definition for that word, regardless of whether it is the primary definition for that word.
This story idea is based on the distinct likelihood that many Americans, including many American educators, are currently alienated and offended by the abstruse nature of the esoteric words that child contestants are currently being asked to spell in the nationwide spelling bee on television. It often seems that the vast majority of the words those child contestants are being asked to spell before a nationwide television audience are words that they will NOT be facing in their own everyday lives.

---Of the various five-star or four-star restaurants in New York City, which are famous for offering the widest array of tasty menu options that are low in saturated fats and low in sodium? Which of the New York restaurants of today have acquired an overall reputation for being a "Cardiologist's Favorite"?

---Would a Times review of a New York City-area restaurant that is written by a cardiologist help to serve a valuable public purpose? The review might presumably remind readers that anyone trying to protect their own cardiovascular health should refrain from eating X, Y, Z, etc., and should limit their menu search to the handful of alternative options that the cardiologist recommends for Times readers.
It might help to save the lives of thousands of Times readers if the Times were to sponsor this type of cardiologist-written restaurant critique on a year-round basis, with a variety of cardiologists being invited to write those restaurant reviews. The ongoing "Save Your Heart" series could contain a special Times-generated logo that immediately identifies the article as yet  another life-saver piece being provided by The New York Times as a special service to Times readers.

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