Nov 22, 2013

Why Maria Bartiromo Is Leaving CNBC For Fox - Business Insider

Why Maria Bartiromo Is Leaving CNBC For Fox - Business Insider

‘November surge’ seen in Obamacare sign-ups in states - The Washington Post

‘November surge’ seen in Obamacare sign-ups in states - The Washington Post

One huge effect of filibuster reform: Obama can actually fire people

One huge effect of filibuster reform: Obama can actually fire people

‘Nebraska’ movie review: Bruce Dern delivers the performance of a lifetime - The Washington Post

‘Nebraska’ movie review: Bruce Dern delivers the performance of a lifetime - The Washington Post

Creativity can last well into old age, as long as creators stay open to new ideas - The Washington Post

Creativity can last well into old age, as long as creators stay open to new ideas - The Washington Post

Juan Gabriel Vasquez: Through fiction, an unsettled expat tries to decipher his homeland - The Washington Post

Juan Gabriel Vasquez: Through fiction, an unsettled expat tries to decipher his homeland - The Washington Post

FCC sees backlash after proposing to allow in-flight cellphone calls on planes - The Washington Post

FCC sees backlash after proposing to allow in-flight cellphone calls on planes - The Washington Post

Drone Strikes a Seminary in Pakistan - NYTimes.com

Drone Strikes a Seminary in Pakistan - NYTimes.com

Turkey, Its Allies Struggling, Tempers Ambitions to Lead Region - NYTimes.com

Turkey, Its Allies Struggling, Tempers Ambitions to Lead Region - NYTimes.com

American, Now Held, Part of Rising Number Visiting North Korea - NYTimes.com

American, Now Held, Part of Rising Number Visiting North Korea - NYTimes.com

Rescued London Women Say They Were Held 30 Years - NYTimes.com

Rescued London Women Say They Were Held 30 Years - NYTimes.com

U.S. and China Find Convergence on Climate Issue - NYTimes.com

U.S. and China Find Convergence on Climate Issue - NYTimes.com

‘The Hunger Games - Catching Fire,’ With Jennifer Lawrence - NYTimes.com

‘The Hunger Games - Catching Fire,’ With Jennifer Lawrence - NYTimes.com

Typhoon Revives Debate on U.S. Food Aid Methods - NYTimes.com

Typhoon Revives Debate on U.S. Food Aid Methods - NYTimes.com

Karzai Says He’ll Wait to Sign Security Pact With U.S. Until Next Year - NYTimes.com

Karzai Says He’ll Wait to Sign Security Pact With U.S. Until Next Year - NYTimes.com

Partisan Fever in Senate Likely to Rise - NYTimes.com

Partisan Fever in Senate Likely to Rise - NYTimes.com

In Landmark Vote, Senate Limits Use of the Filibuster - NYTimes.com

In Landmark Vote, Senate Limits Use of the Filibuster - NYTimes.com

Lines of Flight: The New Ph.D. as Migrant | Alvin Lim - Academia.edu

Lines of Flight: The New Ph.D. as Migrant | Alvin Lim - Academia.edu

UN Climate Talks in Turmoil | TIME.com

UN Climate Talks in Turmoil | TIME.com

Nov 21, 2013

Zimbabwe: Water and Sanitation Crisis | Human Rights Watch

Zimbabwe: Water and Sanitation Crisis | Human Rights Watch

Witness: Iran, Where Your Shoes Can Get You Deported | Human Rights Watch

Witness: Iran, Where Your Shoes Can Get You Deported | Human Rights Watch

Far from Qatar’s glitter, foreign workers say they’re living a nightmare - The Washington Post

Far from Qatar’s glitter, foreign workers say they’re living a nightmare - The Washington Post

What̢۪s He Really Like? Check the Lulu App - NYTimes.com

What̢۪s He Really Like? Check the Lulu App - NYTimes.com

Raw Sewage and Anger Flood Gaza’s Streets as Electricity Runs Low - NYTimes.com

Raw Sewage and Anger Flood Gaza’s Streets as Electricity Runs Low - NYTimes.com

Landmark Senate Vote Limits Filibusters - NYTimes.com

Landmark Senate Vote Limits Filibusters - NYTimes.com

The Top 5 e-Readers on the Market | TIME.com

The Top 5 e-Readers on the Market | TIME.com

Leap of Faith: Israel’s National Religious and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - International Crisis Group

Leap of Faith: Israel’s National Religious and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - International Crisis Group

CCTV News - China news, world news, video reports, live events, features - English_CCTV.com

CCTV News - China news, world news, video reports, live events, features - English_CCTV.com

From Adela Khanun to Leyla Zana: Women as Political Leaders in Kurdish History | Martin van Bruinessen - Academia.edu

From Adela Khanun to Leyla Zana: Women as Political Leaders in Kurdish History | Martin van Bruinessen - Academia.edu

Starting Points Re-opening for Postings Nov 21, 2013

Image representing Blogger as depicted in Crun...
Image via CrunchBase
Despite continued serious unsolved issues with Google's Blogger which hosts this blog, known as Starting Points http://starting-points.blogspot.com/, I am re-opening it today for new postings (main column).

The blog site http://starting-points.blogspot.com/ has remained publicly accessible all this time, and from Google's traffic stats, I can see that a reasonable but smaller number of people than before are using the mini-web-directories (right sidebar) to go to relevant websites on all the issues mentioned in the blog logo -- Southeast Asia, the Muslim world, American studies, global problems, minority groups, and internet resources).   Many of the built-in direct feed gadgets (bottom of the homepage) also get used.  However, most Southeast Asia postings now go to my newer non-research blog, Southeast Asia Unleashed, which loads quickly at http://southeastasiaunleashed.blogspot.com/  Posts from _all_ my blogs also go to my public posts page on Google+ at https://plus.google.com/u/0/114166353305177408369/posts

Starting Points is a _research_ blog -- it is mainly designed to help readers do research on the contemporary topics mentioned in the blog logo.  To achieve this, use of the mini-web-directories is indispensible.  However, after over two years of trying, somewhat lamely, Google has not been able to fix the gadget which lets me edit, delete, and add sidebar links.  This flaw creates many inefficiencies for blog users, and though I will keep pushing for a fix, I am not hopeful one will be done.  1000s of Blogger users have complained now for years about this problem in several of the relevant Google Groups sites. 

All my blogs work best using Chrome and Firefox browsers.
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Sep 18, 2013

Sep 5, 2013

Blogs closing for indefinite period

Closing all my Blogger blogs till Google fixes many extremely serious technical problems.

Sep 3, 2013

At Library of Congress, changes are afoot in technology as well as in physical space - The Washington Post

At Library of Congress, changes are afoot in technology as well as in physical space - The Washington Post

In North Korea’s death camps, thousands of prisoners disappear - The Washington Post

In North Korea’s death camps, thousands of prisoners disappear - The Washington Post

Amid Coral Reefs and Ruins, Ripples of Fear Over a Recent Attack - NYTimes.com

Amid Coral Reefs and Ruins, Ripples of Fear Over a Recent Attack - NYTimes.com

How Twitter makes the political echo chamber worse

How Twitter makes the political echo chamber worse

Most in U.S. oppose Syria strike, Post-ABC poll finds

Most in U.S. oppose Syria strike, Post-ABC poll finds

Top Republican, Democratic lawmakers back Obama on military strike against Syria - The Washington Post

Top Republican, Democratic lawmakers back Obama on military strike against Syria - The Washington Post

Top-secret U.S. intelligence files show new levels of distrust of Pakistan - The Washington Post

Top-secret U.S. intelligence files show new levels of distrust of Pakistan - The Washington Post

Hidden Truths About American Colleges Abroad | Jim Sleeper

Hidden Truths About American Colleges Abroad | Jim Sleeper

Panglima TNI Mutasi Jabatan 17 Pati TNI | Sumbawa - Sumbawanews - Bicara Apa Adanya

Panglima TNI Mutasi Jabatan 17 Pati TNI | Sumbawa - Sumbawanews - Bicara Apa Adanya

Sep 2, 2013

Whether or not US strikes, Syria's regime looks set to survive | Al Jazeera America

Whether or not US strikes, Syria's regime looks set to survive | Al Jazeera America

NSA spied on Brazil, Mexico leaders, Greenwald says | Al Jazeera America

NSA spied on Brazil, Mexico leaders, Greenwald says | Al Jazeera America

U.S. spy agencies mounted 231 offensive cyber-operations in 2011, documents show - The Washington Post

U.S. spy agencies mounted 231 offensive cyber-operations in 2011, documents show - The Washington Post

A Bethesda native works to improve dental care in Nepal - The Washington Post

A Bethesda native works to improve dental care in Nepal - The Washington Post

U.S. intelligence agencies spend millions to hunt for insider threats, document shows - The Washington Post

U.S. intelligence agencies spend millions to hunt for insider threats, document shows - The Washington Post

Tourists Wary of Turmoil in the Middle East Are a Boon to Southern Europe - NYTimes.com

Tourists Wary of Turmoil in the Middle East Are a Boon to Southern Europe - NYTimes.com

News Corp.’s Tight Grip on Australia’s Papers Shapes Its Politics - NYTimes.com

News Corp.’s Tight Grip on Australia’s Papers Shapes Its Politics - NYTimes.com

Surprising Friend of Gay Rights in a High Place - NYTimes.com

Surprising Friend of Gay Rights in a High Place - NYTimes.com

Fast and Flawed Inspections of Factories Abroad - NYTimes.com

Fast and Flawed Inspections of Factories Abroad - NYTimes.com

Drug Agents Use Vast Phone Trove, Eclipsing N.S.A.’s - NYTimes.com

Drug Agents Use Vast Phone Trove, Eclipsing N.S.A.’s - NYTimes.com

New Snowden leak claims the NSA hacked into Al Jazeera’s communication system - The Next Web

New Snowden leak claims the NSA hacked into Al Jazeera’s communication system - The Next Web

Vietnam’s controversial online news-sharing ban comes into force from today - The Next Web

Vietnam’s controversial online news-sharing ban comes into force from today - The Next Web

Sep 1, 2013

Myanmar Monitor: Universities to conduct Higher Education survey

Myanmar Monitor: Universities to conduct Higher Education survey

Egypt frees four-member Al Jazeera team, but three more remain in custody | Al Jazeera America

Egypt frees four-member Al Jazeera team, but three more remain in custody | Al Jazeera America

Liberal Education in Authoritarian Places - NYTimes.com

Liberal Education in Authoritarian Places - NYTimes.com

What I Learned Driving Through the Heartland - NYTimes.com

What I Learned Driving Through the Heartland - NYTimes.com

Budget Documents Detail Extent of U.S. Cyberoperations - NYTimes.com

Budget Documents Detail Extent of U.S. Cyberoperations - NYTimes.com

F.B.I. Sharpens Scrutiny of Syrians in U.S. - NYTimes.com

F.B.I. Sharpens Scrutiny of Syrians in U.S. - NYTimes.com

David Remnick: Inside a Camp for Syrian Refugees : The New Yorker

David Remnick: Inside a Camp for Syrian Refugees : The New Yorker

Meeting of the East Timor Council of Ministers 9 July 2013 | East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

Meeting of the East Timor Council of Ministers 9 July 2013 | East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

Government members have declared assets to Court of Appeal | East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

Government members have declared assets to Court of Appeal | East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin

Aug 29, 2013

NYPD Designates Mosques as Terrorism Organizations - ABC News

NYPD Designates Mosques as Terrorism Organizations - ABC News

Spy agencies have fewer than 2,000 people proficient in Middle Eastern languages

Spy agencies have fewer than 2,000 people proficient in Middle Eastern languages

Syrians Wait Amid Fear, Anticipation and Long Lines for Groceries - NYTimes.com

Syrians Wait Amid Fear, Anticipation and Long Lines for Groceries - NYTimes.com

After a Recession in Portugal, the Tiny Green Fruits of Success - NYTimes.com

After a Recession in Portugal, the Tiny Green Fruits of Success - NYTimes.com

Egypt PM rolls back Muslim Brotherhood ban | Al Jazeera America

Egypt PM rolls back Muslim Brotherhood ban | Al Jazeera America

Former UN weapons inspector: West has 'no authority' in Syria | Al Jazeera America

Former UN weapons inspector: West has 'no authority' in Syria | Al Jazeera America

Brotherhood leader arrested in Egypt | Al Jazeera America

Brotherhood leader arrested in Egypt | Al Jazeera America

On Syria's front lines: A night in the field clinic | Al Jazeera America

On Syria's front lines: A night in the field clinic | Al Jazeera America

Chimp-free labs are bad news for fight against hepatitis C | Al Jazeera America

Chimp-free labs are bad news for fight against hepatitis C | Al Jazeera America

Support for Syria action delayed in UK and France | Al Jazeera America

Support for Syria action delayed in UK and France | Al Jazeera America

Fidel Castro denies Russian claim that Cuba snubbed Edward Snowden | World news | theguardian.com

Fidel Castro denies Russian claim that Cuba snubbed Edward Snowden | World news | theguardian.com

Undocumented migrants in US gaining improved access to higher education | World news | theguardian.com

Undocumented migrants in US gaining improved access to higher education | World news | theguardian.com

Fast-food workers continue fight against low wages: 'This is our right' | World news | theguardian.com

Fast-food workers continue fight against low wages: 'This is our right' | World news | theguardian.com

How Obama demobilized the antiwar movement

How Obama demobilized the antiwar movement

The Black Budget: Top secret U.S. intelligence funding - Washington Post

The Black Budget: Top secret U.S. intelligence funding - Washington Post

‘Black budget’ summary details U.S. spy network’s successes, failures and objectives - The Washington Post

‘Black budget’ summary details U.S. spy network’s successes, failures and objectives - The Washington Post

How to provide clean water in rural areas: an example from Vietnam | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

How to provide clean water in rural areas: an example from Vietnam | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Education in Timor-Leste has grown from the ashes | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Education in Timor-Leste has grown from the ashes | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Social and online media for social change: examples from Thailand | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Social and online media for social change: examples from Thailand | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Vietnam: Who are the corruption game changers? | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

Vietnam: Who are the corruption game changers? | East Asia & Pacific on the rise

BOSDA: Enhancing Equity and Performance through Local School Grants in Indonesia

BOSDA: Enhancing Equity and Performance through Local School Grants in Indonesia

Thailand’s Deep South: Strengthening Communities in Conflict Areas

Thailand’s Deep South: Strengthening Communities in Conflict Areas

Cambodia: The Rural Poor are Receiving Free Heath Care in Preah Vihear

Cambodia: The Rural Poor are Receiving Free Heath Care in Preah Vihear

New Opportunities for Urban Youth in Papua New Guinea

New Opportunities for Urban Youth in Papua New Guinea

Aug 28, 2013

New Egyptian constitution may clamp down on parties - The Washington Post

New Egyptian constitution may clamp down on parties - The Washington Post

Imminent U.S. strike on Syria could draw nation into civil war - The Washington Post

Imminent U.S. strike on Syria could draw nation into civil war - The Washington Post

In Egypt’s Sinai, rising militancy threatens peacekeeping force - The Washington Post

In Egypt’s Sinai, rising militancy threatens peacekeeping force - The Washington Post

J.D. Salinger would see upcoming biography, documentary as a hit below the belt - The Washington Post

J.D. Salinger would see upcoming biography, documentary as a hit below the belt - The Washington Post

Syrian hackers claim responsibility for hacking Twitter, New York Times Web site - The Washington Post

Syrian hackers claim responsibility for hacking Twitter, New York Times Web site - The Washington Post

New York Times, Twitter sites still having problems following attack - The Washington Post

New York Times, Twitter sites still having problems following attack - The Washington Post

Twitter and Facebook’s global impact as told through which governments want their data - Quartz

Twitter and Facebook’s global impact as told through which governments want their data - Quartz

Aug 24, 2013

BBC News - MSF-backed hospitals treated Syria 'chemical victims'

BBC News - MSF-backed hospitals treated Syria 'chemical victims'

US soldier sentenced to life in prison for shooting 16 Afghans | Al Jazeera America

US soldier sentenced to life in prison for shooting 16 Afghans | Al Jazeera America

Analysis: What do Egypt's generals want? | Al Jazeera America

Analysis: What do Egypt's generals want? | Al Jazeera America

Obama, advisers weigh response to Syrian attack; military action is among options - The Washington Post

Obama, advisers weigh response to Syrian attack; military action is among options - The Washington Post

America’s New Landlords | Al Jazeera America

America’s New Landlords | Al Jazeera America

Nidal Hasan faces death penalty after conviction for Fort Hood shooting | World news | theguardian.com

Nidal Hasan faces death penalty after conviction for Fort Hood shooting | World news | theguardian.com

Al-Qaida branch blames Hezbollah for Lebanese bombings | World news | theguardian.com

Al-Qaida branch blames Hezbollah for Lebanese bombings | World news | theguardian.com

Guardian partners with New York Times over Snowden GCHQ files | UK news | The Guardian

Guardian partners with New York Times over Snowden GCHQ files | UK news | The Guardian

In Indonesia, buzzers are not heard, but tweet for money | Reuters

In Indonesia, buzzers are not heard, but tweet for money | Reuters

FBI director does not deny al-Awlaki may have been government asset | Fox News

FBI director does not deny al-Awlaki may have been government asset | Fox News

Inside the CIA's Role in Pakistan's Polio Outbreak | Motherboard

Inside the CIA's Role in Pakistan's Polio Outbreak | Motherboard

Rallies for Egypt’s deposed president smaller after arrests of Muslim Brotherhood leaders - The Washington Post

Rallies for Egypt’s deposed president smaller after arrests of Muslim Brotherhood leaders - The Washington Post

Doctors Without Borders tallies 355 deaths after Syria’s suspected chemical weapons attack - The Washington Post

Doctors Without Borders tallies 355 deaths after Syria’s suspected chemical weapons attack - The Washington Post

U.S., Russia at odds on who is blocking U.N. probe of suspected chemical attack in Syria - The Washington Post

U.S., Russia at odds on who is blocking U.N. probe of suspected chemical attack in Syria - The Washington Post

LOVEINT: When NSA officers use their spying power on love interests

LOVEINT: When NSA officers use their spying power on love interests

What Catholic women want - The Washington Post

What Catholic women want - The Washington Post

Coptic unity in D.C. area starts to gel since Morsi ouster - The Washington Post

Coptic unity in D.C. area starts to gel since Morsi ouster - The Washington Post

Bombings at Tripoli mosques kill at least 27, heighten tensions in Lebanon - The Washington Post

Bombings at Tripoli mosques kill at least 27, heighten tensions in Lebanon - The Washington Post

Ruth Marcus: The NSA is losing the benefit of the doubt - The Washington Post

Ruth Marcus: The NSA is losing the benefit of the doubt - The Washington Post

GRAIN — Our seed, our sovereignty - seed law victory in Indonesia

GRAIN — Our seed, our sovereignty - seed law victory in Indonesia

Aug 23, 2013

Starting Points: Why Steve Ballmer Failed : The New Yorker

Starting Points: Why Steve Ballmer Failed : The New Yorker

Martin Libicki | Stop Worrying, Start Coding: Why Cyberattacks and Cyberwars Need Not Become Real Ones | Foreign Affairs | Foreign Affairs

Martin Libicki | Stop Worrying, Start Coding: Why Cyberattacks and Cyberwars Need Not Become Real Ones | Foreign Affairs | Foreign Affairs

Bilal Saab | The Bombing In Beirut Could Spell the End of Hezbollah | Foreign Affairs

Bilal Saab | The Bombing In Beirut Could Spell the End of Hezbollah | Foreign Affairs

Tarek Osman | The Coming Clash Within the Muslim Brotherhood | Foreign Affairs

Tarek Osman | The Coming Clash Within the Muslim Brotherhood | Foreign Affairs

The Day After Assad Wins | Foreign Affairs

The Day After Assad Wins | Foreign Affairs

Heraldo Munoz | Behind the Investigation into Benazir Bhutto's Assassination | Foreign Affairs

Heraldo Munoz | Behind the Investigation into Benazir Bhutto's Assassination | Foreign Affairs

Who Is Ali Khamenei? | Foreign Affairs

Who Is Ali Khamenei? | Foreign Affairs

Against a "Post-Racial" Voting Rights Act

Against a "Post-Racial" Voting Rights Act

When I'm Old and Gay

When I'm Old and Gay

The Ex-Con Factor

The Ex-Con Factor

The Socialists Who Made the March on Washington

The Socialists Who Made the March on Washington

Of Lyme Disease, and Lemonade | LinkedIn

Of Lyme Disease, and Lemonade | LinkedIn

Why Steve Ballmer Failed : The New Yorker

Why Steve Ballmer Failed : The New Yorker

Aug 22, 2013

In pictures: 10 most beautiful landscapes in Asia | Asia Travel Guides, Reviews, Diary, News | Travel Wire Asia

In pictures: 10 most beautiful landscapes in Asia | Asia Travel Guides, Reviews, Diary, News | Travel Wire Asia

S'pore is 'top Asian spot' for China tourists - ANN

S'pore is 'top Asian spot' for China tourists - ANN

U.S. Surveillance Court Opinions Declassified | TPMMuckraker

U.S. Surveillance Court Opinions Declassified | TPMMuckraker

IC ON THE RECORD

IC ON THE RECORD

U.S. Surveillance Court Opinions Declassified | TPMMuckraker

U.S. Surveillance Court Opinions Declassified | TPMMuckraker

Why, and What, You Should Know About Central Asia by Ahmed Rashid | The New York Review of Books

Why, and What, You Should Know About Central Asia by Ahmed Rashid | The New York Review of Books

Thailand: Reuniting of the anti-Thaksin coalition? | Asian Correspondent

Thailand: Reuniting of the anti-Thaksin coalition? | Asian Correspondent

Healthcare safety net — improvements long overdue | Yawning Bread

Healthcare safety net — improvements long overdue | Yawning Bread

East Timor has electricity across almost its entire territory | Macauhub English

East Timor has electricity across almost its entire territory | Macauhub English

LinkedIn Redesigns Group Pages

LinkedIn Redesigns Group Pages

Facebook's Two-Step Permissions Fully Integrated

Facebook's Two-Step Permissions Fully Integrated

The 10 Countries With the Fastest Internet

The 10 Countries With the Fastest Internet

Tired of getting scammed while traveling? Triip links tourists up with locals in Southeast Asia - The Next Web

Tired of getting scammed while traveling? Triip links tourists up with locals in Southeast Asia - The Next Web

The future of libraries - The Next Web

The future of libraries - The Next Web

LinkedIn Groups get a fresh new look - The Next Web

LinkedIn Groups get a fresh new look - The Next Web