"In addition to banning lifetime coverage caps, the Affordable Care Act lets consumers keep children on their plans...

"In addition to banning lifetime coverage caps, the Affordable Care Act lets consumers keep children on their plans until age 26; requires companies with at least 50 employees to offer coverage; and makes preventive care, such as health screenings, flu shots, breast-feeding supplies and contraception, free to those with insurance."

I'm benefitting from these improvements to all US healthcare, and do not plan to give these up! #aca #obamacare
http://linkis.com/chicagotribune.com/E1QiC

It would be lovely to be soaking in hot, stinky, volcanic water right now...

It would be lovely to be soaking in hot, stinky, volcanic water right now...

#iceland
https://goo.gl/photos/d3WZLqfzMU6PTeRw7

Among the many places I was cold in Europe this year, Heidelberg made the list!

Among the many places I was cold in Europe this year, Heidelberg made the list!
#heidelberg #germany
https://goo.gl/photos/zYcrdbRJpMEGANxq9

As I catch up on my 2016 photos, here are a few from the industrial town of Mannheim, Germany.

As I catch up on my 2016 photos, here are a few from the industrial town of Mannheim, Germany. (This album is small but features cookies.)

#mannheim #germany
https://goo.gl/photos/f7vde4WxqYJ51sTC8

One nice thing about having time off is I can look back at where I've been and think about what I learned from it.

One nice thing about having time off is I can look back at where I've been and think about what I learned from it. One thing I learned is that I never really organized last fall's photos! (Doh!) Here are too many photos of the Louvre, some gushing about the Korea Now! exhibit at Les Arts Décoratifs, and photos of art supplies I was tempted to buy (as if I don't have enough).

#paris #france
https://goo.gl/photos/W8CtYVaJHYQNcN257

San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, in the updated old Main Library at Civic Center, is a treasure filled with...

San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, in the updated old Main Library at Civic Center, is a treasure filled with treasures! Here are some images of favorite details from yesterday's visit.

#asianartmuseum #art
https://goo.gl/photos/oLHQ5vsbcSYUkXjh8

This compact and brilliant exhibit of contemporary Japanese ceramic art is absolutely breathtaking.

This compact and brilliant exhibit of contemporary Japanese ceramic art is absolutely breathtaking. I'm so glad I went to see it. I recommend that you see it while you can!

#asianartmuseum #japaneseceramics #ceramics #contemporaryart
http://www.asianart.org/exhibitions/sculptural-turn

I believe self driving cars could be very useful in the future, especially to support mobility impaired people, and...

I believe self driving cars could be very useful in the future, especially to support mobility impaired people, and to prevent drunk driving. But, my optimism presumes that the cars will actually follow rules and be safer than human drivers.

This unilateral decision by Uber to impose upon the city of San Francisco cars incapable of following even basic rules suggests a level of idiocy that could damage the reputation of this technology severely.

"Local advocates noted that the Uber cars have been caught doing four out of the top five causes of collisions or injuries in the city – running red lights, going through stop signs, unsafe turns and failing to yield to pedestrians."

#selfdrivingcars #safety #pedestriansafety #bikesafety #arrogantbastards
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/19/uber-self-driving-cars-bike-lanes-safety-san-francisco?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I'm so proud of Governor Brown for being so passionately pro-science and pro-environment.

I'm so proud of Governor Brown for being so passionately pro-science and pro-environment. California has an excellent record in standing up to do what is right, regardless of Washington's action or inaction, and this fiery speech shows we will continue to lead. #governorbrown #science #environment #california #ourowndamnsatellites
https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/12/this-is-what-the-resistance-sounds-like/510899/

This is a remarkable conservative commentary satire.

This is a remarkable conservative commentary satire. I couldn't resist, because it is about Aliens. There are so many good lines...
#mcsweeneys #aliens
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/unused-audio-commentary-by-dinesh-dsouza-and-ann-coulter-recorded-spring-2003-for-aliens-special-red-state-edition-dvd-part-one

I've heard the first fact often, the second, not at all:

I've heard the first fact often, the second, not at all:

"Proponents of pipeline projects often argue that pipelines are a safer way to transport oil than by rail. And while its true that rail transport leads to more accidents than pipelines — by a margin of two to one, over the period between 2004 and 2012, according to data from the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) — pipeline spills are usually much larger, spilling three times as much crude oil as train accidents over the same period."

#nodapl #safety #accidents
https://thinkprogress.org/north-dakota-pipeline-spills-analysis-744daad63543#.9crldbcwf

Oh yes!

Oh yes!
#earthfromspace
#time
https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/