GMO rice that produces carotene is reportedly effective at providing vitamin A, and may be grown for real use starting next year.

I don't think we should oppose all GMOs in a blanket way. Each GMO food is a separate case, and each one needs to be judged for several possible downsides:

• Effect on health of those that eat it.
• Effect on farmers' health.
• Effect on wildlife.
• Effect on farmers' rights.

San Francisco is considering a payroll tax to fund housing for the homeless.

Using taxation for this purpose is valid and probably necessary, but basing the tax on payroll may cause perverse incentives.

Meanwhile, no amount of money will provide housing to the homeless if there isn't enough housing. San Francisco should reduce the policies, such as zoning laws, that impede increasing the housing stock.

I received a solicitation of funds from Harvard, and emailed back

I decided to give to 350.org in honor of Harvard's refusal to divest from fossil fuel companies.

Thank you for your generous gift and your continued support of Harvard.

Please let me know if I can assist you in any other way.

News companies are selling companies interviews at the Democratic and Republican conventions.

The commander of NATO forces in Europe strained in every way to start a proxy war in Ukraine. This included falsifying "intelligence" to create the appearance of a casus belli.

It's a good thing that Obama kept him in check. Clinton, however, might be eager to go along with the next such plan.