Snow -- Storm -- November 18, 2014

Without question, the story to follow tonight is the snowstorm in upstate New York. The New York governor's office just tweeted:

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says state has activated 526 plows, 74 large loaders, 1,247 operators, 17 large snow blowers, 4 truck-mounted snow blowers due to snow storm.

I learned a long time ago: people don't care if it's 526 plows or 5,260 plows. They just want the roads cleared in front of their house and all the way to the nearest convenience store (that sells beer). They won't complain if they can't get into work.

Likewise, no one is going to care how many troops (boots on ground) are deployed to north St Louis if the city goes up in flames. 

For a newsaholic this could be the most exciting November I've seen in a very, very long time. Except perhaps when Goldwater lost to LBJ. Isn't November usually a quiet month? Thanksgiving. Black Friday. People trampled at Wal-Mart, but that's about it.

And I haven't even touched on:

• the Israeli response to the terrorism/murders today
• the OPEC meeting at the end of the month
• more Russian troops in the Ukraine
• more US troops in Iraq

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The Wall Street Journal

Keystone vote fails in the Senate, lead story. Previously reported. 

Uh-oh for Honda: US wants nationwide recall.

US homebuilder confidence rose in November.

Traffic jam in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This is very, very interesting. More on this at this post. A dot is connected. And it's possible the dot involves the Bakken.

Not to worry: undocumented immigrant population levels off in US; only 11 million. Numbers declined in 14 states; rose in 7 states:  Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia were particularly "hard hit."

Farm industry pressuring POTUS to protect undocumented farm workers in his new immigration policy -- and that, I think, is one of the reasons POTUS is pushing immigration reform on his own. Follow the money. Two data points: large corporate farming needs these undocumented farm workers, and this president is the last president under which major "reform" is likely. By the way, I know I will surprise most of my readers but I support immigration reform. Like Obama, I'm following the money. The only thing I would change is that any increased costs would be borne by the top 400 wealthiest Americans regardless of annual income.

Like this will ever happen: privatizing FAA's air traffic control.

Interesting: a new invasive pest has Pennsylvania towns on alert: the fracking beetle the spotted lanternfly from Asia that can munch its way through vineyards and hardwood forests.

Economies across Asia face falling inflation rates. Central banks might cut interest rates to spur growth and help ease heavy debt burdens. If you are an investor, connect the dots.

Toyota unveiled a $57,000 fuel-cell car but you won't see one any time soon.

UPS, FedEx gird for an earlier rush. If you are an investor, connect the dots.

Nokia to release Android tablet.  What was Einstein's definition of insanity, again?

Heard on the street: oil and stocks -- the great debate.  I haven't read the article yet, but in the Bakken, it's not about profitability, it's about liquidity.

The Los Angeles Times

Bill to curb NSA surveillance DEFEATED in Senate.

California authorities say health insurers overstated number of ObamaCare doctors. I wish I had time to comment on this.

Didn't I just mention this up above; I hadn't even seen this story yet: as forces mass, German diplomat tries to head off Russia-Ukraine war. I bet that was a similar headline the Brits saw in their newspapers in 1938 when British Prime Minister Neville Champerlain made that historic speech. Peace for our time.

This is interesting: Orange County takes continuous-access approach on carpool lanes. It will gives the OC freeways more of a NASCAR feel.

And finally, Getty's newly acquired $65-million Manet, "Spring," to go on view, November 25th. And yes, I will be in California to see it. 

What a great country.