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THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING
Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church
For the investigative staff of the Boston Globe, that document was a turning point: a story about a priest who was accused of molesting children was now a story about a bishop who protected that priest. The document, and a defense offered in late July by the cardinal’s lawyer asserting that physicians had cleared Geoghan for ministry, set off a lengthy investigation by the Globe’s Spotlight Team, which set out to determine whether the Geoghan case was an anomaly or part of a pattern.
The troubling answer to that question—dozens of Boston-area priests had molested minors, and in too many cases bishops had known about the abuse but failed to remove the priests from their jobs—was revealed in a series of stories published in early 2002 that has triggered the most serious crisis to confront the Catholic Church in years.
The Globe’s reporting, and the events it set off, led to the writing of Betrayal, which is the story of priests who abused the children in their care, victims whose lives were shattered at the hands of those priests, bishops who failed to prevent the abuse, and laypeople who rose up in anger.
"Since the mid-1990s, more than 130 people have come forward with horrific childhood tales about how former priest John J. Geoghan allegedly fondled or raped them during a three-decade spree through a half-dozen Greater Boston parishes," began the Spotlight Team’s first article on the subject, published in January 2002. "Almost always, his victims were grammar school boys. One was just 4 years old."
Over the next four months, the Globe ran nearly 300 stories about clergy sexual abuse. Though the problem had been widely known nationally and sporadically written about since the mid-1980s, the Globe’s reporting used the Church’s own documents to demonstrate that high-ranking officials had repeatedly put the welfare of their priests ahead of that of the children in their care.
In the Geoghan case a succession of three cardinals and many bishops over thirty-four years had failed to place children out of Geoghan’s reach, sending the priest compassionate letters even as they moved him from parish to parish, leaving a trail of victims in his wake.
The first Globe stories struck a nerve. Catholics were furious and felt betrayed. Cardinal Law apologized, and in the ensuing days and weeks, he agreed to turn over the names of all priests, past and present, accused of sexually abusing minors, even though such reporting was not then required under Massachusetts law. He announced a zero-tolerance policy, vowing to oust any priest against whom a credible allegation was lodged, and promised new efforts to reach out to victims.
But the dam had burst. Many Catholics called for Law’s resignation and began withholding contributions to the Church. State legislators passed a bill requiring clergy to report allegations of sexual abuse to secular authorities. Prosecutors began issuing arrest warrants for priests.
This story began, as all stories do, with a group of reporters trying to answer a set of questions. The Globe’s Spotlight Team—editor Walter V. Robinson and reporters Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, and Michael Rezendes—set out to discover how many priests in Boston had molested children, and how much the Church had known about the abuse.
Within a few days, the reporters discovered that Geoghan was merely the most well known example of a much deeper problem. The Archdiocese of Boston had quietly settled claims of abuse against multiple priests in recent years. Most of the claims had been settled in private, with no public record. It was an agreeable arrangement: the Church got to keep the ugly truth under wraps; shame-filled victims, having no clue that there were so many others, were able to protect their privacy. Victims’ lawyers received a third or more of the financial settlements without ever having to test their cases in court.
Even in the infrequent instances when lawsuits were filed, the reporters found that official records often had vanished. That was because judges agreed to impound the cases once they were settled, shielding from the public not only the outcomes but any traces that the suits had even been filed.
Reporters met another roadblock. In the scores of civil lawsuits pending against Geoghan, a judge had placed a confidentiality seal on all the documents produced in the case, including depositions and Geoghan’s personnel records.
Martin Baron, who had just become editor of the Globe, decided that the newspaper should challenge the judge’s confidentiality order on the grounds that the public interest in unsealing the documents outweighed the privacy concerns of the litigants. In August 2001 the newspaper’s lawyers filed a motion seeking to unseal the Geoghan papers.
Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney ruled in the Globe’s favor in November. The Church appealed the decision, but in December a state appeals court judge upheld Sweeney’s ruling. The documents would be released sometime in January 2002.
On December 17, 2001, Wilson D. Rogers Jr., the cardinal’s lawyer, sent the Globe a letter threatening to seek legal sanctions against the newspaper and its law firm if the Globe published anything gleaned from confidential records in the suits. He warned that he would seek court-imposed sanctions if reporters even asked questions of clergy involved in the case.
But by this time, the Spotlight Team had determined through numerous interviews that many priests in the Boston archdiocese had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last decade that were credible enough that the archdiocese had paid settlements to the victims—and had done so secretly. The team used the Church’s annual directories, which list where priests are assigned, as its compass. The reporters developed a database showing that scores of active priests had inexplicably been removed from parish assignments around the time the victims were receiving secret settlements. The scope of the abuse was far greater than previously known.
With Geoghan due to face his first criminal trial on a variety of sex abuse charges in January, the Spotlight Team put aside the secret-settlements story in mid-December and began work on what was initially conceived as a three-thousand-word article that would set the stage for the first Geoghan trial. This was not to be a full-blown investigation but a three-week, in-depth look at the wrecked lives Geoghan had left in his wake during the course of a thirty-four-year rampage.
But after just a week of combing through court files, the Globe found never-publicized documents that were extremely damaging to the archdiocese. The documents included a 1984 warning to Law from one of his bishops that Geoghan remained a danger; a 1982 letter from a parishioner to Law’s predecessor, Cardinal Humberto S. Medeiros, laying out Geoghan’s abuses and demanding to know why he was still allowed to serve in a parish with children; and some of Geoghan’s psychiatric records. The documents proved that the archdiocese had known of Geoghan’s abuse of children for decades.
The Globe published its first Spotlight series on the Geoghan case on January 6 and 7. Law declined to be interviewed for the articles. Then, in anticipation of the public release of about ten thousand more pages of Geoghan court documents on January 25, the Globe obtained the documents early and published excerpts and stories about them on January 24, adding rich detail and context to the initial series.
On January 31, the newspaper ran the piece it had first undertaken the previous summer, revealing that over the past decade the Archdiocese of Boston had secretly settled cases in which at least seventy priests had been accused of sexual abuse. The story—based on court documents and records, a database, and interviews with attorneys and other sources involved in the cases—was a watershed, establishing that the Geoghan case was not an aberration.
Within weeks, and under pressure from prosecutors, the archdiocese dug into its files and turned over to local district attorneys the names of more than ninety priests about whom it had received credible sexual abuse complaints over the previous forty years. Soon, prodded by their local media, other dioceses around the country were also combing their files for past complaints and jousting with authorities about what to do with their accused priests. Many of the dioceses began to formulate new policies on how to deal with sexual abuse complaints, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops prepared to adopt a national policy for the first time.
As the crisis in the Church grew, the Globe doubled to eight the number of staffers assigned to the story full-time, adding projects reporters Stephen Kurkjian, Thomas Farragher, and Kevin Cullen, and religion reporter Michael Paulson. Over time, other reporters contributed on an ad hoc basis.
This book builds on the extensive reporting the Globe has done on the clergy sexual abuse scandal. Some of the interviews and facts have previously been reported in the newspaper, but no articles were reproduced wholesale; much of the reporting is new, and the book was written from scratch. Reporting for the book, from which any profits will go to charity, also produced stories for the paper. Those articles included previously undisclosed instances of sexual abuse, the interplay between local prosecutors and the Boston archdiocese, and the expanding effort by Catholic laity to challenge the Church’s hierarchy.
The clergy sexual abuse story is still unfolding, and it will likely take years before all the facts are known and all the changes it sets off are in place. This book, written from the epicenter of the scandal in Boston, examines the scandal’s origins and causes, the behavior of abusive priests and their impact on victims, the role of key figures including Geoghan and Law, and the decline of deference among the faithful and how the Catholic Church might change as a result.
Ben Bradlee Jr.
Betrayal is the story of a large number of Catholic priests who abused the trust given them and the children in their care. It is the story of the bishops and the cardinals who hired, promoted, protected, and thanked those priests, despite overwhelming evidence of their abusive behavior. It is the story of a powerful, proud Church thrown into crisis by the misdeeds, mistakes, and misjudgments of its own clergy. It is the story of victims who suffered in silence for years before finding the voice to publicly challenge their Church. And it is the story of the desire of that Church’s many faithful members to learn from the crisis and bring about change.
In the winter of 2002, when the initial reports about how the Catholic Church had handled priests who sexually abused children surfaced in the Boston Globe, the stories seemed almost too horrible to be true. The reports showed that members of the Church hierarchy—including Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston, the most influential American Catholic prelate in the Vatican—were not only aware of the abuse but had gone to enormous lengths to hide the scandal from public view.
The extent of betrayal—of children’s innocence, of parents’ trust, of priestly vows, of bishops’ responsibilities, of the Church’s basic tenets—was unnerving. Most shocking to everyday Catholics, and most damaging to the Church, was the incontrovertible evidence that Cardinal Law and other leaders of his archdiocese had engaged in such a massive cover-up. Rather than protect its most vulnerable members, the Church had been putting them in harm’s way.
Soon newspapers all over the United States and overseas began demanding answers from their local dioceses. Empowered victims stepped forward. Lawyers who once played by the Church’s rules in secretly settling cases did a public about-face, declaring that those agreements were no longer in their clients’ or the public’s interest.
Next, law enforcement officials, who along with their predecessors were wary of going after the Church that many of them belonged to, demanded records so they could decide whether to prosecute priests whose only previous sanctions were transfers to new parishes, being stashed away in hospital chaplaincies, or, for the worst offenders, being placed on a bureaucratic shelf. Chastened Church leaders were confronted with overwhelming evidence that the Archdiocese of Boston placed a premium on protecting the Church’s reputation at the expense of its victims.
Across the country, and across the Catholic world, priests implicated in abuse were pulled from assignments—176 in the United States alone in the first four months of 2002. Bishops resigned in the United States, Poland, and Ireland. Even in Rome, where Vatican leaders had studiously avoided previous outbreaks of scandal, the Pope used his annual Holy Thursday letter to priests to weigh in on the subject, although only to comfort good priests rather than the victims of bad ones.
To the victims of abusive priests, the Pope’s fleeting reference to the scandal—using a vague Latin phrase, "mysterium iniquitatis," to describe a crime he called a sin—failed to mention the victims at all, and thus offered little comfort. To many, the Pope’s statement seemed to be more evidence of an aloof, arrogant, out-of-touch hierarchy whose inability to see beyond its own needs had the effect of rubbing salt into raw, open wounds.
The following day, in his Good Friday letter, Cardinal Law also touched on the theme of betrayal, but more explicitly. "Betrayal hangs like a heavy cloud over the Church today," he wrote. "While we do not presume to judge anyone’s relationship with God, there is no doubt that a betrayal of trust is at the heart of the evil in the sexual abuse of children by clergy. Priests should be trustworthy beyond any shadow of a doubt. When some have broken that trust, all of us suffer the consequences."
* * *
Public opinion polls found a deepening sense of disillusionment among parishioners with Law’s handling of the problem. By mid-April a Globe–WBZ-TV poll found that 65 percent of the Catholics in the archdiocese believed the cardinal needed to resign.
Some Catholics began withholding money from the archdiocese. Churchgoers turned their backs on the cardinal’s Annual Appeal, which funds many Church programs. And an ambitious $350 million capital fundraising campaign virtually ground to a halt. There was renewed discussion about the wisdom of a priesthood restricted to celibate men, and some wondered whether there is a link between the high incidence of sexual abuse of teenage boys and the high percentage of gay men in the priesthood.
After three months of mounting scandal, the Vatican seemed to awaken: the Pope summoned all the American cardinals to an extraordinary emergency meeting in April 2002. At that meeting, the Pope changed his tune, and his tone. He said the sexual abuse of minors by priests was not only an "appalling sin" but a crime. The Pope also responded to complaints that the Holy See appeared indifferent to the suffering of victims. "To the victims and their families, wherever they may be, I express my profound sense of solidarity and concern," the frail, eighty-one-year-old pontiff said.
While the meeting was remarkable, and unprecedented, it remained unclear how tangible and far-reaching the reforms promised by the Vatican would become. There are still many within the Vatican who view sexual abuse by clergy as a peculiarly American phenomenon.
The issue of the Church failing to take seriously the sexual abuse of children by its clergy had surfaced now and then since 1985, when the first big case exploded in Louisiana. But the Church had engaged in largely successful damage control, taking advantage of the widespread deference toward it to dismiss the scandals as anomalies being blown out of proportion by anti-Catholic elements in the news media, in collaboration with Catholic dissidents who wanted to discredit the hierarchy.
But the Church’s ability to deflect the issue began to crumble in the face of documents in the Boston cases that showed Cardinal Law and his top aides were repeatedly warned about dangerous priests, but continued to put these sexual abusers in a position to attack children.
The Geoghan case became a potent symbol of the compassion and gentle treatment the Church afforded its own rogue priests at the expense of the victims. Geoghan was an incorrigible pedophile. Nearly two hundred people who claim they were raped and fondled by Geoghan have filed claims in the last several years. Experts believe he probably molested three to four times as many people as have come -forward. Geoghan calmly explained to therapists how he would single out his prey, the needy children of poor, single mothers—struggling women who were thrilled to have a man in their sons’ lives, especially a priest. Occasionally complaints would arise, but Geoghan’s superiors would simply move him to another parish and a fresh set of victims.
And it was not just Geoghan. Law, his bishops, and their predecessors had moved abusive priests around like pawns on a chessboard. Some were allowed to relocate out of state, foisted on other dioceses. If parishioners were in the dark about the predators cast into their midst, so too were some of the abusers’ new pastors. In one case, in the process of arranging for an alleged child rapist named Rev. Paul Shanley to be transferred to a new parish in California, Cardinal Law’s top deputy wrote a letter of assurance to Church officials in San Bernardino, vouching for the integrity of someone the Boston archdiocese knew had been accused of engaging in sexual abuse. Even after the archdiocese had paid off some of Shanley’s victims on the condition that they keep quiet, Cardinal Law wrote Shanley a glowing retirement letter and said he would not object to his appointment to head a Church-run guest home in New York whose clientele included young people.
The problem in the Archdiocese of Boston was a microcosm of a festering sore in the body of the entire Church. If to some defenders it seemed like merely a brushfire, it was to others the greatest conflagration to face the Church in generations. It stretched across the North American continent, back across to Europe, scandalizing Australia, and stretching to the very tip of the earth, to Tierra del Fuego, a remote archipelago in Chile.
Since the Louisiana case, most of those implicated were ordinary priests. But now the scandal has broadened, ensnaring not only the priests who abused children but the bishops and cardinals who protected those priests. In 2001 a bishop in France was prosecuted criminally for failing to report pedophile priests to police, and in Wales, a bishop was forced to resign because he protected abusive priests. In the spring of 2002, a Polish archbishop close to the Pope was forced to resign after being accused of sexually harassing seminarians. Three days later, Bishop Brendan Comiskey of Ireland resigned after admitting he had not done enough to control a priest whose rampant sexual abuse of minors led to the suicide of several victims and, ultimately, of the abusive priest himself.
But it was Boston that became the epicenter of the scandal, because the story broke there, because of the sheer number of priests implicated there, and because of the Catholic character of the city. More than 2 million of the 3.8 million people who live in the metropolitan Boston area are Catholic. It is the only major archdiocese in the United States where Catholics account for more than half the population. In no other major American city are Catholics more represented in police precincts, in courtrooms, in boardrooms. Nowhere else has the impact of the scandal been more deeply felt. And nowhere else has the erosion of deference traditionally shown the Church been more dramatic.
In 1992, when a scandal erupted over James R. Porter—a pedophile priest who attacked more than one hundred children in southeastern Massachusetts, outside the Boston archdiocese—most Catholics accepted Law’s assurance that Porter’s transgressions were not the fault of a caring Church but "an aberrant act" of one depraved man. He also said the Porter affair had been deliberately overblown because of anti-Catholic bias in the secular media. "By all means," the cardinal said at the time, "we call down God’s power on the media, particularly the Globe."
The newspaper, founded by members of the Protestant Brahmin ascendancy that once ran Boston, had been accused of anti-Catholic bias before. But the documents about Geoghan unsealed by Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney—showing the level to which the cardinal and his bishops went to conceal the pattern of abuse from the public eye—produced a sea change in attitudes among most Catholics. Rather than blame the messenger, most Catholics focused their anger on Church leaders. They wanted answers from their cardinal. And by the time he departed for the April 2002 meeting with the Pope and the other American cardinals, even Law wasn’t blaming the media anymore. "The crisis of clergy sexual abuse of minors is not just a media-driven or public-perception concern in the United States, but a very serious issue undermining the mission of the Catholic Church," he said.
In the past some politicians, police, prosecutors, and judges had enabled the cover-up of priestly misconduct, both great and small. But the scope of the archdiocese’s actions on behalf of abusive priests emboldened those in law enforcement and politics to push aside a culture of deference that was more than a century in the making. The Massachusetts attorney general and five of the state’s top prosecutors, all Catholic, demanded and eventually obtained Church records showing that more than ninety priests in the archdiocese had been accused of sexual abuse by hundreds of victims over the previous forty years. That figure didn’t include priests who had died. Almost all the cases were beyond the statute of limitations, meaning most could not be prosecuted. But whatever the archdiocese was able to dodge in a court of law bedeviled it in the court of public opinion.
Boston may be the quintessential American Catholic city, yet the scandal soon proved to be far more than a local story. It became an international story about how the rights of powerless individuals are pushed aside in the interests of a powerful institution, about how mortals can damage an immortal faith. By most accounts at least 1,500 priests have faced public accusations of sexual misconduct with minors since the mid-1980s.
The costs so far have been high. Donations to the Church have fallen. Few people have sworn off their faith, but many have sworn off the hierarchy. Harder to measure are the human costs to the victims. There was the eleven-year-old who, during confession, was asked by a priest whether he masturbated, then was asked for a demonstration; the thirteen-year-old who was seduced by his priest and, in an era of far less tolerance toward homosexuality, was left to wonder whether he was gay; and the boy who was handed train fare by a priest who had just anally raped him and left him bleeding.
If there are any heroes in this squalid tale, they are the victims, who found their voice, who found the courage, after years of suffering in silence and isolation, to step into the light and say, as one did, "This happened to me, and this is wrong."
Fourteen years ago, Peter Pollard wrote Cardinal Law a letter telling him that he had been sexually abused by a priest when he was in his teens. He asked Law to get the priest into treatment, to make sure that he was never alone with a child again, and to begin an outreach program for other victims. But Pollard said one of Law’s deputies—who is now a bishop—told him that after a five-day evaluation, the Church had concluded the priest was not a danger to children. He suggested the sexual activity was a mere display of affection. Now a father of one and a social worker who works with neglected and abused children, Pollard is encouraged by the recent empowerment of other victims, whom he calls survivors. While he endorses the Christian concept of bearing witness, he is less enamored with another principle in Church teaching.
"To those who ask that we forgive and forget, please understand," Pollard wrote in an opinion piece for the Globe. "The survivors, each of us in his own way, have spent our lives trying to move on, always weighing those two options. For some of us, suicide, substance abuse, or violence ended the struggle early.
"To varying degrees, those of us who have survived have begun to heal. We reclaimed dreams, earned degrees, formed families, went to work, even sought solace in spiritual practice. But we cannot escape the effects of the betrayals that were committed against us in God’s name. They are inexorably woven into the texture of who we have become.
"That betrayal may not be a chargeable offense in a court of law. But there is no statute of limitation on its impact. And there should be no forgetting."
Chapter 1 | Father Geoghan
He was a small, wiry man with a disarming smile that, from a distance, gave him the gentle bearing of a kindly uncle or a friendly neighborhood shopkeeper. It was hard to detect the darkness behind John Geoghan’s bright eyes. At first glance, almost no one did.
Frank Leary certainly didn’t see it. The fifth of six children being raised by a single mother on welfare, Leary was thirteen years old and had yet to learn his older brothers’ tricks for ditching Mass on Sunday mornings when he first encountered Geoghan in the late spring of 1974. The priest’s smiling face was already a fixture at the back of St. Andrew’s Church in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston. After Mass, the parish priest would hug the mothers, shake hands with the fathers, and deliver soft pats to the backs of the children.
"He always had a big grin—it was as wide as his face," Leary recalled. "My mother liked him. He was very popular. He was like a little imp." Leary said hello to the priest, received his friendly tap across the shoulder blades, and didn’t focus on Geoghan again until the summer.
The rectory groundskeeper was Leary’s friend , and Leary helped out a couple times a week, raking freshly mowed grass or gathering hedge clippings in a wheelbarrow. It was taxing work under an August sun, and one afternoon Geoghan bounded down the short steps of the rectory, offering a tall, cool glass of lemonade. Leary thanked the priest but demurred. He didn’t like lemonade. But the priest insisted, and sweetened the offer. He had a wonderful stamp collection that the boy might enjoy. Soon the priest and the boy were upstairs in Geoghan’s room at the rectory.
Leary sat in a large leather chair in the middle of the room, and the priest handed him an oversize book that contained the stamp collection. The priest went to the back of the room, keeping up a constant, reassuring patter. The collection did not hold the boy’s interest, but Geoghan pressed the matter. "He said, ‘Here, I’ll show you a few things.’ And he had me get up and he sat down and I sat on his lap," said Leary. The priest placed his hand on Leary’s knee and started turning pages that were a blur to the boy. Geoghan told him that his mother had suggested the visit. But still, Geoghan said, they should keep it a secret. All the while the priest’s hand climbed farther up Leary’s leg, until it reached under his cotton shorts and beneath his underwear.
"He was touching me, fondling me. I’m frozen. I didn’t know what the hell was going on. He was talking constantly. He said, ‘Shut the book. Close your eyes. We’ll say the Hail Mary.’ And that’s what I did." But before the prayer was finished, the boy darted from the room, hurried down the stairs, and found himself shaking behind the church.
Within a week or so, it happened again. Leary was sweeping concrete next to the church when Geoghan walked up, put his arm around the thirteen-year-old, and told him how special he was. The priest then ushered Leary back into the rectory, where Leary remembered seeing a scowling nun standing at the foot of the stairs.
Geoghan swept past the nun and directed Leary to the same chair in which the first attack had occurred. The shades were drawn against the summertime brightness. At first, the priest stood behind him, placing his hands on Leary’s shoulders. He asked the boy to begin reciting the most familiar prayers of the Catholic faith: the Our Father and the Hail Mary. "I’m praying and I’ve got my eyes closed. And he moves over to the chair and pulls my pants down one leg. And I couldn’t move. I was frozen. He had his shoulder on my chest at this point. He was praying too. And I was saying prayers, following him. I’m shaking. I felt very, very strange. I couldn’t do anything."
Geoghan moved down the young boy’s body and began to perform oral sex on him. "I was trying to hold back the tears and keep saying my prayers and keep my eyes closed. I didn’t see him do that. I remember being pushed back in my chair."
The assault did not last long. Perhaps only a minute, Leary estimated, before it was interrupted by a sudden commotion. "Geoghan stood straight up. The door flew open. And a priest with longish white hair started yelling at him. ‘Jack, we told you not to do this up here! What the hell are you doing! Are you nuts?’ He was yelling and screaming, and I just remember floating out of that chair."
Leary fled to a tree-shaded spot behind the school and tried to regain his composure. He sat for a while in a local cemetery, and when he finally went home, he went directly to his room. He didn’t tell anyone about the assault for many years.
Geoghan had been a Catholic priest for a dozen years when Leary says Geoghan sexually assaulted him. As he moved through parishes in and around Boston—from the edges of the city to the tony suburbs beyond—he was known as "Father Jack" to the people in the pews. He baptized their babies. He celebrated their weddings. He prayed over their dead, sprinkling the caskets with holy water. On Saturday afternoons, he sat in the dark and, from behind a screen, listened to their sins and meted out their penance. On Sunday mornings, he delivered the word of God to them.
For faithful Catholic mothers, especially those struggling to raise a large family by themselves, Geoghan seemed a godsend. He was there on their doorsteps with an offer to help. He’d take their sons out for ice cream. He’d read to them at bedtime. He would pray with them beside their beds. He would tuck them in for the night.
And then, in the near darkness, their parish priest would fondle them in their nightclothes, pressing a finger to his lips and swearing them to secrecy.
"He looked like a little altar boy," said Maryetta Dussourd, who eagerly and proudly allowed Geoghan access to the small apartment where she lived with her daughter, three sons, and four of their cousins in Jamaica Plain. Geoghan was a calculating predator whose deceptive charm opened many doors.
As he sits today in oversized prison-issued clothing, John J. Geoghan is perhaps the nation’s most conspicuous example of a sexually abusive member of the clergy, not just because of the stunning number of his victims—nearly two hundred have come forward so far—but because of the delicate and deceptive way the Church handled his sins. For more than two decades, even as two successive cardinals and dozens of Church officials in the Boston archdiocese learned that Geoghan could not control his compulsion to attack children, Geoghan found extraordinary solace in the Church’s culture of secrecy.
"Yours has been an effective life of ministry, sadly impaired by illness. On behalf of those you have served well, and in my own name, I would like to thank you," Cardinal Bernard F. Law wrote to Geoghan in 1996, long after the priest’s assaults had been detected. "I understand yours is a painful situation. The passion we share can indeed seem unbearable and unrelenting. We are our best selves when we respond in honesty and trust. God bless you, Jack."
Geoghan was one among many. And while the breadth of his assaults was vast, they were perhaps not as horrific as those committed by fellow priests who in some cases violently raped their young prey and then shooed them away as they resumed their priestly ministry. If it was a secret to the daily communicants and the congregations that filled the churches on Sunday mornings, it was common knowledge among Church leaders, who heard the anguished pleas from the mothers and fathers of children abused by priests. They promised to address the problem. They vowed they would not let it happen again. And then they did.
When Maryetta Dussourd discovered that Geoghan was molesting her boys—one of them just four years old—she found no solace from her friends or her church. Fellow parishioners shunned her. They accused her of provoking scandal. Church officials implored her to keep quiet. It was for the sake of the children, they said. Don’t sue, they warned her. They told her that no one would believe her.
"Everything you have taught your child about God and safety and trust—it is destroyed," said Dussourd, whose claims against the Church were settled in a 1997 confidential agreement—like scores of others in which the victims received money and the Church obtained their silence.
Until January 2002, when this scandal erupted, priests were the men whose Roman collars conferred upon them the reflexive trust of parents who considered it an honor to have them in their homes. That was certainly how it had been with Geoghan. On warm summer days when he arrived without notice and offered to take their little boys out for ice cream cones, they swelled with pride and wished the priest well on his outing with their kids. When he showed up on their doorstep at night offering bedtime stories, they were certain that God had smiled on their children.
John J. Geoghan’s priestly career nearly ended just as it was beginning.
When Monsignor John J. Murray, the rector of Cardinal O’Connell Seminary in Jamaica Plain, reviewed Geoghan’s performance in the summer of 1954, he was not impressed. His faculty was concerned about Geoghan. They considered the nineteen-year-old seminarian decidedly immature, a characteristic not entirely evident in a casual setting. Further, they found Geoghan "feminine in his manner of speech and approach."
"Scholastically he is a problem," Murray concluded in a letter to a colleague. "To be sure he received passing grades in most subjects, but I still have serious doubts about his ability to do satisfactory work in future studies." As he considered whether to recommend Geoghan to superiors at St. John’s Seminary in nearby Brighton, the next academic rung in a ladder that would lead to Geoghan’s ordination, Murray opted to look on the bright side. "In his favor are the following good qualities: a very fervent spiritual life, industry, determination to succeed, happy disposition, obedience, docility, interest in and regard for others, and respected by his contemporaries. Perhaps maturity will bring to this young man the qualities he needs in order to be successful in his quest for the priesthood."
Perhaps. But the troubled Geoghan, in a pattern that would repeat itself for more than thirty years, would need help from on high. This time he found it from a monsignor he could call his own: his uncle.
Geoghan’s father, whom he recalled as a kind and generous man, died when he was just five years old. And although he would later remember his namesake’s funeral as spiritually uplifting, the death of his father struck the young boy hard: he wet his bed for two years as he struggled with the loss. Geoghan considered his mother a saintly woman who provided for him and his older sister a household of prayer and normalcy. It was, he said, a happy childhood. And in his mother’s brother, Monsignor Mark H. Keohane, he found a father figure, role model, and protector. "The perfect substitute father," Geoghan said of his uncle, who would dress his young nephew in the vestments of a priest for festive neighborhood parades at the family’s summer home in Scituate, a picture-postcard seaside community twenty-six miles south of Boston and locally known as the Irish Riviera. It was a summer haunt for wealthy and influential Irish-Americans, among them legendary former Boston Mayor James Michael Curley.
Keohane was a formidable figure. Autocratic, old-school, domineering, and—some would say—mean. But Geoghan saw only his "great work and sacrifices." And when Geoghan again ran into trouble in the seminary, Keohane was there to run interference for his nephew.
In the summer of 1955, Geoghan failed to show up for a mandatory seminary summer camp. His superiors knew that Geoghan suffered from a "nervous condition," but they did not consider it severe enough to preclude his attendance. Besides, rules were rules. And Geoghan’s decision to skip the camp without notifying his superiors imperiled his status as a seminarian. "If I do not receive a satisfactory explanation of your absence before Sunday I shall presume you have decided to withdraw from the seminary and I shall remove your name from our list of students," Rev. Thomas J. Riley, rector of St. John’s Seminary, wrote to Geoghan at his home in the West Roxbury section of Boston in July 1955.
Geoghan didn’t respond, but his uncle, using the letterhead of St. Bartholomew’s Parish in suburban Needham, where he had been the founding pastor since 1952, went to bat for his sister’s boy. "I telephoned you at Brighton last week relative to John J. Geoghan, a seminarian who was unable to go to camp," Keohane wrote Riley. "He has been treating [sic] with a physician since he left Brighton, because of a nervous and depressed state. He had a letter written to you explaining his inability to attend camp, but the doctor advised against mailing it because of his depressed state. That is why I am writing. The doctor has the hopeful prognosis that within a few weeks he will respond to medication and rest so that he himself can write to you."
Riley’s reply two days later from the seminary camp was tart. He accepted Keohane’s explanation, but requested a doctor’s report to confirm Geoghan’s condition. "I need not remind you that the circumstances of John’s absence from the camp raise considerable doubt as to his ability to adjust to the regimen of the seminary," Riley wrote. "Nor need I remind you how necessary it is for us to deal with matters such as this on a completely objective basis, since unauthorized concessions made to one student so easily set a precedent which would lead others to seek favors. We shall do everything within reason to help John settle his problem, but I think it must be admitted as a matter of principle that John is subject to the rule of the seminary and that his case should be dealt with in the same way as that of any other student."
Keohane did not like Riley’s tone. "I resent your implication that I sought favors or preferment for John," he wrote back. He also complained that Geoghan, after three years in the seminary, "is now sick, unhappy, and appears to be wrestling with his soul."
Geoghan left the seminary for a couple of years to attend Holy Cross, the liberal-arts Jesuit college in Worcester, Massachusetts. Then, his soul-searching apparently settled, he reentered the seminary. In 1962 he took his vows and was ordained into the Catholic priesthood.
It is not clear from his troubled seminary experience whether Geoghan’s tortuous life as a seminarian was because of sexual dysfunction, depression, or immaturity. He would later tell therapists that his home was free of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. He considered himself a heterosexual who was frightened by the sexual feelings he first experienced at age eleven. When he fantasized about sex, he focused on girls. As a teenager, he dated in group settings. He considered masturbation a sin to be avoided. Despite his attraction to girls as an adolescent and young adult, Geoghan said he entered the priesthood as a virgin. "After ordination, Father Geoghan says he consciously repressed his enjoyment of the company of women for fear of conflict with his desire for celibacy," one therapist would later write. Tragically for hundreds of children and their families, Geoghan would seek the satisfaction of his sexual desires in the boys to whom he would enjoy so much unquestioned access.
Soon after he was assigned to his first parish, Blessed Sacrament in Saugus, a blue-collar community north of Boston, Geoghan later acknowledged to his psychiatrist that he grew sexually aroused in the company of boys. They would sit on his lap. He would fondle them over their clothing. There is no dispute that Geoghan abused children at Blessed Sacrament. The Archdiocese of Boston has settled claims on accusations that he did. For example, Church records note that in 1995 Geoghan admitted to molesting four boys from the same family while at Blessed Sacrament. Geoghan focused on the three older boys—ages nine, ten, and eleven—and only "on rare occasions" on the seven-year-old. He said he was "careful never to touch the one girl in the family."
"It was not the intention of these innocent youth to arouse me," Geoghan said in a critique of one of his psychiatric evaluations. "They were just happy to have a father figure with their own father being so angry and distant from them....I have deceived myself that these intimate actions were not wrong. In hindsight, I should have sought advice as to how to deal with children from dysfunctional families."
It’s not clear whether church officials knew about his earliest attacks at the time. A former priest, Anthony Benzevich, has said he saw Geoghan frequently escort young boys into his bedroom at the rectory. And Benzevich said he alerted Church higher-ups about it. But under questioning during a pretrial deposition in 2000, Benzevich—then represented by a lawyer for the Church—said his memory was foggy. He could not be certain that Geoghan brought boys into his room. He could not recall telling Church officials about it. Questioned later still by the Boston Globe, Benzevich said Geoghan liked to wrestle with young boys and dress them in priest’s attire. Benzevich repeated his sworn assertion that he did not recall notifying superiors.
If the details of Geoghan’s earliest assaults were sketchy, they acquired a sharp and stunning focus as he gained more experience as a priest and settled into rectory life. Geoghan doted on altar boys. He worked with first communicants. "We knew something wasn’t right," one church teacher said. "He just zeroed in on some kids." Geoghan paid particular attention to children from poorer families. "The children were just so affectionate, I got caught up in their acts of affection," Geoghan explained. "Children from middle-class families never acted like that toward me, so I never got so confused."
One priest, a former colleague of Geoghan, said he never had a chance to form a friendship with him because Geoghan was frequently out of the rectory while other priests were eating together, or reading, or otherwise socializing.
"I found him different, I must say. I mean, I just didn’t know how to react to him. He was different," added Rev. Thomas W. Moriarty, who was pastor at St. Paul’s Church in Hingham, south of Boston, where Geoghan served from 1967 to 1974. "Something is wrong.... Something is not right here, but you can’t put your finger on it."
While he served with Moriarty in Hingham, on the shore south of Boston, Geoghan found time to befriend Joanne Mueller, a single mother of four boys who lived in Melrose, twenty-three miles away. Mueller’s mother knew Geoghan from his days at Blessed Sacrament and she introduced her daughter to the priest.
Soon Geoghan was a familiar figure in Mueller’s home. As with some of his other victims, he took the boys for ice cream. He read them books at night. He helped get the boys in and out of the bathtub. Mueller would slip out for errands, and Geoghan would baby-sit for an hour here or an hour there. "He was our friend," Mueller said. If Geoghan disappeared upstairs into the boys’ bedroom, she didn’t give it a second thought.
One night in 1973, when Geoghan called asking to come over for a visit, the reaction of Mueller’s third son, then seven or eight, surprised her. The boy did not want Geoghan in his home. He grew increasingly upset when his mother pressed him about his reluctance to see the priest she considered a valued friend.
"And then finally he broke out in tears...," Mueller recalled. "He kept saying, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want him coming down.’ He was insisting and I shouted back at him and I said, ‘Why? What? What is it?’ And he said, ‘I don’t want him touching my wee-wee.’ I hate to be so blunt, but that’s what he said."
Mueller was shocked. "I said, ‘What? What do you mean? What are you saying?’ You know, I didn’t understand. And then the next thing he blurted out was, ‘I don’t want him doing that to my wee-wee.’
"And that I will never forget. Because it was dawning on me, just shock and horror, that, you know, he’s saying this. And, I mean, this isn’t just a normal thing he’s saying, and for a kid to say that. So now it dawned on me. I mean, this is awful. I said, ‘What?’ And he literally threw himself on the floor and sobbed. He was completely hysterical."
Soon, so too was the entire Mueller household. Her five-year-old dissolved into tears. She summoned her two other boys, who were upstairs. When their mother asked for details about Geoghan’s conduct, they stood speechless at first. And then they began to cry. Her oldest boy told her, "Father said we couldn’t talk about it and tell you, never to tell you because it was a confessional."
Mueller was overwhelmed—Geoghan, at that very moment, was on his way to her home. It was raining. The weather was cool. She grabbed some jackets for the kids and headed for her local rectory, St. Mary’s in Melrose, where she and her boys met with Rev. Paul E. Miceli, a parish priest who knew both Geoghan and Mueller’s family.
Mueller said Miceli counseled her sons "to try to not think about this; to forget about it. ‘Bad as it was,’ he said, ‘just try. Don’t think about it. It will never happen again.’... He said, ‘He will never be a priest again. It will never happen again.’ He reassured me."
Miceli, until recently a member of Cardinal Law’s cabinet, contradicted Mueller in a court deposition. He said he did not recall her name and had never received a visit of the sort she described. But Miceli acknowledged receiving a call from a woman saying Geoghan was spending too much time with her children. Miceli testified that the caller said nothing about sexual abuse. Nonetheless, Miceli said he drove to Geoghan’s new parish in Jamaica Plain to relay the woman’s concerns to Geoghan face-to-face.
After Hingham, Geoghan’s next stop was St. Andrew’s, in the Forest Hills section of Jamaica Plain, where he served from 1974 to 1980.
Jamaica Plain was where Maryetta Dussourd was raising her own four children—three boys and a girl—as well as her niece’s four boys. In her hardscrabble neighborhood, she hoped there was a priest the children could look up to. Then she met Geoghan. He supervised the parish’s altar boys and Boy Scout troop. Geoghan was eager to help her too. Before long, he was visiting her apartment almost every evening—for nearly two years. He routinely took the seven boys out for ice cream and put them to sleep at night.
Dussourd worked hard to please Geoghan. When the priest mentioned that his uncle, the monsignor, had taken away his teddy bear when he was growing up, she bought him a blue one for his fortieth birthday. The gift delighted him.
All that time, Geoghan was regularly molesting the seven boys in their bedrooms. In some cases, he performed oral sex on them. Other times, he fondled their genitals or forced them to fondle his—occasionally as he prayed. An archdiocesan memo dated December 30, 1994, and labeled "personal and confidential," said Geoghan would stay in the Dussourd home even when he was on a three-day retreat because he missed the children so much. He "would touch them while they were sleeping and waken them by playing with their penises."
Dussourd discovered what was happening after the children finally told her sister, Margaret Gallant. When Dussourd asked one of her sons to confirm the abuse, he told her about the time Geoghan asked him to stay overnight at the home of the priest’s elderly mother. It was a night her son had never before spoken about—and never wanted to.
"Father Geoghan’s mother had put him [Dussourd’s son] in a bedroom across from Father Geoghan’s," Dussourd said. "And [he said] that three times during the night Father Geoghan had gone over to his room, and that he was making him feel very uncomfortable and he asked to go home.... He said that Father Geoghan then brought him over into his bedroom, which was across the hall.... He sat him up on his bed and he started to touch him.... He was touching my son’s genitals. He asked him to stop and he was crying. He was crying very loudly.... And he continued to ask him to take him home, which he didn’t, and after the episode was done, he returned him to his room.
"My son further told me that the next morning when they went down to breakfast that his mother questioned both Father John Geoghan and my son as to why my son was crying. She said she thought she had heard my son several times through the night." When Dussourd asked her son why he never told her about the abuse, "He said because Father Geoghan told him that I would never believe him, that I loved the Church too much, that I wouldn’t believe my own son."
Horrified, Dussourd complained to Rev. John E. Thomas, the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, a nearby parish. Thomas confronted Geoghan with the allegations and was taken aback when Geoghan casually admitted they were true. "He said, ‘Yes, that’s all true,’" said one Church official who asked not to be named. It was as if Geoghan had been asked "if he preferred chocolate or vanilla ice cream."
Thomas promptly drove to the chancery, the archdiocesan headquarters in Brighton, to notify Bishop Thomas V. Daily, administrator of the archdiocese. In Thomas’s presence that Saturday afternoon, February 9, 1980, Daily telephoned Geoghan at St. Andrew’s and, in a brief conversation, delivered a curt directive: "Go home," the official said.
Geoghan protested, saying there was no one else to celebrate the 4 p.m. Mass.
"I’ll say the Mass myself," Daily insisted. "Go home."
Geoghan disappeared from the parish.
Several weeks later a contrite Thomas came to Dussourd’s apartment. He told her that Geoghan had admitted to abusing the boys but had excused his behavior by telling the pastor, "It was only two families." Thomas later pleaded with Dussourd not to follow through on her threat to go public, she said. He cited the years Geoghan had spent studying for the priesthood, and the consequences for Geoghan if the accusations against him were publicized.
"Do you realize what you’re taking from him?" Dussourd said Thomas asked her.
Geoghan spent the next year—from early 1980 to early 1981—on sick leave, but living with his mother in West Roxbury. In February 1981, he was sent to his fifth parish, St. Brendan’s, in the Dorchester section of Boston. And almost immediately, Geoghan was working with first communicants, befriending children and their parents, even taking some boys to his family’s summer home in Scituate.
There, at the Geoghan family home on the Atlantic Ocean, parents would later discover, Geoghan’s sexual attacks continued.
Church officials knew about Geoghan’s pedophilia. He was shuttled from parish to parish to avoid public scandal. There were whispers in the rectories about his affliction. There were memos about his treatment. But the details about the predator priest—common knowledge to some of his colleagues—were a closely held secret to be kept from the parishioners who welcomed him into their homes.
When Rev. William C. Francis was asked in 2001 what he knew about Geoghan, he explained, "Well, when he was removed from St. Brendan’s in Dorchester, there was talk that he had been fooling around with kids."
Francis’s simple reply belied the explosive substance of the gossip in the rectories. Indeed, Geoghan’s long history of treatment, denial, and recidivism had already begun by the late 1960s, and perhaps even earlier. A. W. Richard Sipe, a psychotherapist and former priest, said Geoghan received treatment for sex abuse at the Seton Institute in Baltimore, where Sipe then worked. That treatment occurred about the same time that Leonard Muzzi Jr. discovered Geoghan in his Hingham home at the bedside of his son. Geoghan’s hands were under the blankets. Muzzi ordered Geoghan out of his house and told him never to return. But a few nights later, Geoghan was back sitting on Muzzi’s couch with his three children.
That sort of brazen conduct was frequently reflected in Geoghan’s discussions with those who evaluated and treated him at a series of inpatient treatment centers. The priest would admit to sexual abuse. But Geoghan was apparently unable to see why his sexual assaults would have a serious effect on his priestly career. He would advise a young boy on the eve of his first Holy Communion and then take him into his shower at home, where he would fondle the boy until he ejaculated. And Geoghan, who was also accused of fondling a young boy in the bleachers at Fenway Park while watching a Boston Red Sox game, had a ready explanation for the avalanche of allegations that built up against him over the years: It was the children’s fault.
"While I was at St. Andrew’s, many of the youngsters I was involved with were from troubled homes," he said. "I recalled these two boys and I remembered their home situation. Both were severely disturbed children under treatment at various hospitals and clinics, both admitting to sexual abuse at the hands of anyone: doctors, teachers, friends. Anyone! I don’t think they were able to distinquish between normal and abnormal, good or bad, right or wrong."
And as the years wore on, the same could be said for Geoghan’s superiors in the Church. The man whose uncle had helped smooth his path to the priesthood expected help from above. He would pick up the phone or write a letter, seeking an intercession. Rarely was he disappointed.
Rev. Francis H. Delaney, a pastor at one of the churches Geoghan served, deflected allegations against his associate pastor in 1979 by questioning the credibility of his accuser. Geoghan, Delaney maintained, was "an outstanding, dedicated priest who is doing superior work" and "a zealous man of prayer who consistently gives of himself in furthering the cause of Christ." This was the same Francis Delaney who, while living in the rectory with Geoghan, once asked his housekeeper about the young voices he heard upstairs. "And the housekeeper, whoever that was, said that Father Geoghan had some urchins up there letting them use the shower, so I confronted him on that and said, ‘You know the rule.’ And he denied it vehemently, but I had no proof," Delaney said.
Asked once why he had not acted more decisively after a parishioner accused Geoghan of assaulting her sons and nephews, Bishop Thomas V. Daily answered: "I am not a policeman. I am a shepherd."
In this ecclesiastical climate of dodged facts and phantom rules, Geoghan endured with the help of friendly physicians on whose medical blessings his superiors relied for evidence that he had exorcised the sexual demons that drove him toward his predatory practices. "I feel like a newly ordained priest!" Geoghan exulted in February 1981, after the doctors cleared him for return to his priestly duties. "Thank God for modern medicine and good doctors."
Oddly, in the summer of 1982, with suspicions again swirling around Geoghan, with his victims’ relatives demanding his removal, the Church decided to give Geoghan a sought-after perk. They shipped him to a scholarly renewal program in Rome. And his brethren helped picked up the tab.
"I am happy to inform you that you will receive a grant of $2,000 to help you with your expenses," Cardinal Humberto Medeiros told Geoghan that August. "These funds will be sent to you when they become available as a result of the generosity of your fellow priests. It is my hope that the three months will provide the opportunity for the kind of renewal of mind, body and spirit that will enable you to return to parish work refreshed and strengthened in the Lord."
But it didn’t work. When he returned from Rome, Geoghan’s attacks continued, even as he assured a church bishop that his sexual attraction to children had withered and that he had been chaste for five years.
Increasingly, Geoghan grew defensive and dismissive—annoyed, really—at any suggestion that he needed outside help. His sister, Catherine, just seventeen months his senior, offered a window into his increasingly circumscribed world. No one had ever been closer to John Geoghan than Catherine, a kindergarten teacher, who watched him grow from a little boy into a priest and would stand by him later as prosecutors closed in and handcuffs tightened around his wrists. Asked once whether her brother was upset about the molestation charges against him, she replied, "Of course he’s upset, because they’re all false charges." Her brother told her he had been unfairly targeted by "dysfunctional" families. And she believed him. After all, she said, she had seen them for herself. In the summer of 1998, after Geoghan’s abuse had become headline news across the region, some of his victims showed up at the family’s summer home in Scituate. "They came and sat on my patio and sat and waited," Catherine Geoghan said. "I had to call the police and have them leave. They just came and sat.... They told the police they weren’t sitting there, they were just waiting for Father Geoghan. They moved onto the seawall. They put down their chairs, their water bottles, their drinks, their binoculars, their cameras. That’s the kind of people you’re dealing with."
In the decade between 1980 and 1990, Geoghan had received several clean bills of health that the Archdiocese of Boston used to justify assigning him to two parishes despite his extensive record of abuse. By the mid-1990s, however, as police and prosecutors began to circle, top diocesan officials had finally conceded that Geoghan was an incurable child molester—a thrice-diagnosed pedophile. "A pedophile, a liar, and a manipulator," Rev. Brian M. Flatley, a Boston archdiocese official, pronounced him.
Through it all, Geoghan, now an embarrassment the Church desperately sought to conceal, tried to work the priestly network he had assembled and relied on for more than thirty years. When his pastor in Weston announced plans to retire in the early summer of 1990, he immediately wrote the cardinal at the chancery, raising his hand for the job. His qualifications? "I have been six years in Weston. I know the people, the parish, and its problems. I am confident that I can build a vibrant Faith Community." He did not mention that by then he had been removed three times from parishes for molesting children.
The archdiocese turned him down. And when Geoghan sought the same promotion two years later, the posting went instead to a former Holy Cross and seminary classmate. The Church tried to let Geoghan down easy. "It is important that you not interpret this appointment by the cardinal in any negative way with reference to yourself," an aide to the Cardinal wrote Geoghan.
By early 1993, the Church had shunted Geoghan into a job as associate director of the Office for Senior Priests at a clergy retirement home in downtown Boston, while it fretted about his unsupervised access to children. Superiors were not pleased with his performance there. They considered his work habits lax, his judgment poor, and his manner "boyish."
Sure enough, alarm bells sounded on December 30, 1994. Geoghan had been accused of molesting boys in nearby Waltham. "There is a crisis," Flatley told Edward Messner, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Messner’s notes from that day convey the situation’s gravity. "A priest had admitted abusing minors in the past and had been acting out again recently....Police and the district attorney are involved....The allegations mirror what has come up before." Six hours laters, Geoghan was sitting in therapy with Messner, beginning regular sessions in which Geoghan admitted to being "drawn by affection and intimacy with boys" and "pointed out that his misconduct occurred during a time of sexual exploration in this country."
Remarkably, Church officials’ patience had yet to be exhausted. Cardinal Law wrote that he was sorry to learn of the new allegations against Geoghan, placing him on administrative leave and confining his pastoral duties to the celebration of Mass in private. He was quietly shipped off again for inpatient psychiatric evaluation.
This time, after a ten-day stay at the St. Luke Institute, a Catholic psychiatric hospital in Maryland, the diagnosis was far less optimistic than earlier judgments. "It is our clinical judgment that Father Geoghan has a long-standing and continuing problem with sexual attraction to prepubescent males," the evaluation read. "His recognition of the problem and his insight into it is limited." Therapists at St. Luke advised that Geoghan have no unsupervised contact with minor males and that he return for residential treatment. For his part, Geoghan found the staff confrontational, but while at St. Luke he admitted that he had "inappropriate sexual activity with prepubertal boys in the early 1960s," an admission that directly contradicted an earlier contention to therapists that he had not been sexually attracted to children before 1976.
In early 1995, steeling himself for the gathering storm of civil lawsuits against him, Geoghan and his sister struck a business deal. Just months after prosecutors began a criminal investigation, and a year before the first civil lawsuits were filed against him, Geoghan sold his sister his half-interest in two houses he owned with her to a real estate trust she controlled. The two homes, a large brick-and-stucco colonial in West Roxbury and the oceanfront home in Scituate, were once owned by the Geoghans’ mother and their uncle the monsignor.
The two houses—in the family for a half century and together worth from $895,000 to $1.3 million—were now Catherine Geoghan’s alone to control. And they were legally out of the reach of the people who claimed that her brother the priest had attacked them. "My mother said she didn’t think anything should be left in my brother’s name because he’s so generous and so kind to everybody that he wouldn’t have a cent," Catherine Geoghan said. "We wouldn’t have a house over our heads because he was always helping people out. So she thought it was better if just my name was on it." Now, with Geoghan’s legal trouble advancing, his mother’s wish came true. The price Catherine paid for the homes was $1 each.
Increasingly isolated, increasingly desperate, Geoghan grew anxious and bitter. He had difficulty sleeping, and when sleep did come it was fitful. He gained weight. In some respects Geoghan considered himself "already dead," but he assured his therapist that while he was scared, anxious, and afraid, he was not suicidal.
"I have been falsely accused and feel alienated from my ministry and fellowship with my brother priests," he wrote to then Monsignor William F. Murphy after Murphy asked for his resignation as associate director of the Office for Senior Priests in late 1995. Geoghan refused Murphy’s request, considering resignation tantamount to an admission of guilt, which he would not concede. "Where is there justice or due process?" he asked.
Geoghan, still mourning his "saintly" mother’s 1994 death, expressed anger at God for the indignity that was visited upon her in her final days: her incontinence, her helplessness. He tried to buoy himself with a trip to Ireland with the then ninety-three-year-old Monsignor Keohane. He came home with gifts for his therapist. "He gave me a package of three nips of Bailey’s Irish Cream," Messner recalled. "He was enthusiastic about his vacation in Ireland with his uncle, despite the pall over him."
"I enjoy a lot: family, friends, good food, good conversation, but I get tired easily," Geoghan said. He took up golf again. He helped his sister clean out her attic. He gathered salt marsh hay near his home in Scituate for use in his garden. When friends visited from Ireland, he played tour guide and showed them the cranberry bogs of Plymouth and the Hyannis Port compound on Cape Cod that was still home to the extended Kennedy family. He tried to focus his day by gardening, cooking, even cleaning his room at Regina Cleri, the residence for older priests. He even joined his uncle in the celebration of Mass there. And, he confided to his psychiatrist, he was still sexually attracted to boys.
Finally, Law had had enough. In January 1996 he removed Geoghan from his post at Regina Cleri and, weeks later, ordered Geoghan into a residential treatment center, writing, "I know that this is a difficult moment for you." Geoghan resisted. The Church wanted him to attend meetings of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. Geoghan refused. He insisted he wasn’t tempted. The Church wasn’t convinced. "I see no signs that Father Geoghan has taken the steps that addicted people seem to feel are essential to recovery," Flatley, who was handling Geoghan’s case for the archdiocese, wrote. "He has not joined a group. He does not attend 12-step meetings. He has not been receiving ongoing counseling."
Indeed, Geoghan was digging in his heels. He believed inpatient counseling unnecessary and punitive. "I feel depressed, tired and beaten—on the verge of death row," he said. "I feel condemned." He scrutinized Church law to determine his rights and found the bishops held all the power. He was at their mercy. He wondered about retreating to his family’s home, where he would live with his sister. But in July 1996, a Waltham, Massachusetts, woman filed a lawsuit against him, alleging that he sexually abused her three sons after she asked him to counsel them and be the father figure she felt the boys needed after their father moved out.
This was the first time, after decades of abuse, that Geoghan’s problem with children became public, and it provoked a hand-delivered letter from Law with an ultimatum. Geoghan could choose inpatient analysis in Maryland or at the Southdown Institute in Canada, but he must go. Geoghan again balked, but his elderly uncle counseled him that the priesthood was worth any price, and Geoghan agreed to pay it by going to the Canadian treatment facility. The day after he arrived he said he was doing fine.
By the end of the year, Geoghan’s treatment in Canada and what was left of his active priesthood would be over. The archdiocese declared him "permanently disabled." At age sixty-one, it agreed to finance his retirement from its clergy medical fund. Geoghan looked forward to taking college courses in creative writing and computer science. "Thank you for the permissions granted me. I also appreciate the warmth of your letter," Geoghan wrote Law, acknowledging the cardinal’s letter granting his retirement. "I am sure it was as difficult for you to write as it was for me to read."
As the Church opened its season of Advent in 1996—a bright time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth—Cardinal Law may well have believed he had heard the last of John J. Geoghan and the allegations against him.
But what he had heard was barely the beginning.
Excerpted from Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church, published by Little, Brown and Company. All rights reserved.
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Europe delays vote on anti-piracy law in face of protests
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BRUSSELS—The European Commission, facing steep opposition, has suspended efforts to ratify a new international anti-counterfeiting agreement — instead referring it to Europe’s highest court to see whether it violates any fundamental EU rights.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Wednesday that an opinion from the European Court of Justice would clear away the fog of misinformation surrounding the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, known as ACTA.
“This debate must be based upon facts and not upon the misinformation or rumour that has dominated social media sites and blogs in recent weeks.” De Gucht told reporters in Brussels.
The decision appeared to reflect recognition by European Union officials of the political obstacles that have arisen. Protests against the agreement were staged earlier this month in several European capitals — including Berlin, Helsinki, Paris and Vienna — by critics who say the agreement would stifle free speech and access to information.
For the EU to be a party to the treaty, all 27 member states would have to ratify it.
ACTA has been under negotiation for years and has already been signed by a number of industrialized countries, including the United States, South Korea and Japan. Its drafters say it is needed to harmonize international standards to protect the rights of those who produce music, movies, pharmaceuticals, fashion goods, and a range of other products that often fall victim to piracy and intellectual property theft.
EU officials say the agreement will change nothing in the bloc. They insist what was legal pre-treaty would remain legal the day after, and what was illegal would remain illegal. But they have said the EU must ratify it as an example to other countries where intellectual property rights are less protected than they are in the EU.
However, opponents fear ACTA would lead to censorship and a loss of privacy on the Internet.
- Mayor Rob Ford breaks his silence, says he does not use crack cocaine
- Canadian trucker hit Washington bridge that collapsed
- Hazel's last stand: Mississauga mayor's legacy hangs in the balance
- Blue Jays' call-up Nolin knocked around by Orioles in big-league debut
- Canada ranked third-worst among affluent nations for paid vacation
- Updated ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ still believes in pink underwear and harsh justice
- Beer price hike at Rogers Centre a tipping point for concession workers
- Brampton suffers identity crisis as newcomers swell city’s population | <urn:uuid:62579b50-1278-4934-a042-8cec76f0890f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2012/02/22/europe_delays_vote_on_antipiracy_law_in_face_of_protests.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95666 | 521 | 1.703125 | 2 |
On Tuesday, March 6, Fight Colorectal Cancer advocates attending the 6th annual Call-on Congress heard from staff and experts about the challenges to spreading awareness of and increasing research into colorectal cancer amid national budget challenges.
Training sessions with Fight Colorectal Cancer staff gave advocates a real world view of the policy and legislative landscape for colorectal cancer. They were given information about key legislation, statistics and talking points for their meetings with lawmakers that will occur on Wednesday.
“It’s so exciting to be here in Washington and on Capitol Hill to see how it all works,” said Erica Lee, an advocate from California who is attending the conference. “It’s easy to complain about ‘politicians in Washington, DC,’ but here I’m part of the solution.” Erica recently lost her mother, Diane, to colorectal cancer.
Advocates can also access a virtual toolbox of outreach strategies, via the Fight Colorectal Cancer website under the Policy and Advocacy tab. Anyone interested in proposed legislation that Fight Colorectal Cancer supports can also find information in the Action Center.
Speakers included Dr. Jon Chung, a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences. He is also Fight Colorectal Cancer’s 2011 Lisa Fund Research Grant recipient. Dr. Chung addressed the challenges young researchers have in getting their work funded as research budgets shrink, and the threat it poses to emerging research and drug development.
His remarks were followed by Dr. John Marshall, the clinical director of oncology at Georgetown University Hospital and a global leader in the research and development of drugs for colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. In a difficult budget climate, Dr. Marshall addressed the challenges to sustain adequate levels of funding for cancer research programs.
At the end of their training, advocates received their Capitol Hill meeting schedules, and the groups that were assigned to attend meetings together rehearsed their talking points.
“I’m nervous, I’m excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow to get here. On the other hand, I’m glad I have some time to let all this information sink in,” said Erica. “It’s been a long day, but invigorating.” | <urn:uuid:ddd4ac11-21b9-430c-af41-033fc90f2d16> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/c3_news/2012/03/call-on_congress_day_2_advocates_hear_from_the_experts | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946533 | 497 | 1.53125 | 2 |
David King debunks @ Getting from here to there: : Some Thoughts on City v. Suburban Growth:
Lots of media outlets are picking up the story first reported in the Wall Street Journal that cities are growing faster than suburbs. See here, here, and here for samples. A few things about these data that suggest we should interpret the results with caution. First, these are growth rates, not absolute numbers. Because central cities make up a minority share of regional population most population growth--by a lot--is happening in the suburbs. Consider Atlanta, the second faster growing city compared with its suburbs according to the chart at top. Atlanta has 432,427 people as of July 2011 and grew at 2.4%. The suburbs have 4,926,778 in July 2011 and grew at 1.3%. Here is the data source. This means that the metro growth was 74,426 for the year, 10,378 settled in Atlanta and 64,048 settled in the suburbs. In percentage terms, 14% of the growth happened in the central city and 86% happened in the suburbs. That doesn't suggest a sea change in attitude
I agree with David, it would be nice if it were true, but the evidence is not there. | <urn:uuid:fc2ec49f-0581-4117-9b8c-cb5c22c11c3f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blog.lib.umn.edu/levin031/transportationist/2012/06/debunking-the-urban-revival.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970564 | 252 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Candidates can promise all the economic changes they want within their particular national bubble, but nothing will actually change without the blessing of the global market gods. So then, what's the solution?
Every recent political candidate around the globe who has been taken with any degree of seriousness by their respective electorate has made promises banking on the gullibility of voters when they have vowed to get the economy under control. A single politician can control the global economy about as effectively as someone can control the weather by holding an umbrella over their head. For that matter, it's laughable to claim that environmental laws in the United States have a significant impact on worldwide anti-pollution efforts when virtually the entire Third World is exempt and spewing pollutants freely.
Solutions to the current economic troubles will only come when politicians realize that they don't control the global economy -- it controls them. The larger forces will always win, even when confronted by gale-force political blowhardism. Arguably, economic forces on a global scale are the closest we might still come to an actual free market, if only because there is less regulation, more options, and considerably less ability to interfere and impose one's will or agenda across international lines than there is on a national scale.
The only politicians who will ever succeed in bringing economic improvement to their realm are those who vow not to fight natural market forces, but rather to work with them -- much like it's a mistake in judo to block an opponent's strike because it risks injury. The strategy should be to find a way to exploit the natural direction of any given force, whether positive or negative vis-à-vis one's own particular agenda.
In the current global economic crisis, this means maximizing market forces in your favor and making them your ally rather than hopelessly fighting against them. For example, foreign direct investments in stable overseas growth sectors in which Western companies already hold an interest create not only a bigger pie for everyone involved, but open a channel of market-driven influence that may extend to matters of national security and diplomacy -- and further economic opportunities.
Carney: Okay Fine, Senior Officials Knew the IRS Report was Coming, but Nobody Told Obama | Guy Benson | <urn:uuid:fea35ee7-ff9d-4507-bc4f-d9a4776283e0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelmarsden/2012/10/30/why_were_still_in_deep_trouble_no_matter_who_wins_the_presidency | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951454 | 445 | 1.734375 | 2 |
However, there is a growing perception in Britain that those in power are not doing enough -- despite strongly worded statements by the likes of Bernstein.
Herman Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick It Out, has criticized the FA and the Premier League in their handling of the John Terry/Luis Suarez cases in the past year, labeling it "12 months wasted in hypocrisy."
Terry lost the England captaincy before being cleared in court in July of racially abusing an opponent, but was then banned for four matches by the FA almost a year after the original incident.
"There is very little morality in football among the top clubs," Ouseley told British newspaper the Guardian.
"Leadership is so important; you have to send a powerful message that racism is completely unacceptable. But there is a moral vacuum.
"The big clubs look after their players as assets. There was no bold attitude from them, to say that they would not put up with it."
CNN asked the FA to respond to these accusations, but was told the ruling body would make no further comment on the Terry/Suarez cases.
Clarke agrees that clubs should not just look out for their own short-term interests.
"There has to be individual responsibility and accountability at the football clubs for the behavior of their employees," he said.
"There's an element of responsibility that needs to be addressed. The FA's sanctions for players, for entry-level discrimination, need to be far sterner." | <urn:uuid:4305eb2e-312b-4b61-88db-8a63a529b965> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wbaltv.com/news/sports/A-new-dark-age-for-English-football/-/9379464/17761506/-/item/2/-/6ostagz/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980158 | 309 | 1.71875 | 2 |
With over 450 pages, this is by far one of the most comprehensive guides on sleep for children I’ve come across to date. It is organized by both sleep issue and child’s age, making it easy to find a specific topic or all topics for a specific age category. There are two things that really stood out to me about this book.
The first is that the author, Dr. Marc Weissbluth, is not only an experienced pediatrician, but also a father and a leading sleep expert. His explanations of how sleep works, the importance of sleep, and the effects of poor sleep helped clarify his reasons for recommending the sleep solutions he does.
The second thing that stood out is that the book is written with the understanding that all families are different and no one solution will work for everyone. Dr. Weissbluth describes various ways of handling different circumstances and then offers his recommendation instead of only presenting the method he believes is best. I believe that the more educated a person is about a subject, the better decision they will be able to make. Comparing everything side by side helped our family select what works best for us.
Personally, I have chosen to follow the methods the doctor suggests in Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. So far, we have been seeing an improvement in our son’s sleep. Both the quality and the quantity of his sleep has improved and I expect it to continue to do so, meaning our sleep improves, too — a definite plus!
I would definitely recommend this book to all parents, from those expecting their first to those struggling with sleep issues with their last. It is chock full of wonderful advice and information, supported by numerous credible and varied sources. | <urn:uuid:b812ba40-ffcb-4d59-b641-09aff43b2620> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://americandreammaker.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/book-of-the-week-review-family/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970734 | 349 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Lenox after much deliberation brought out a limited-edition of 1000 pieces with Simmi Chopra as the sole retailer.
The Lenox company, founded in the late 1880s, guarantees satisfaction: You don't like it, bring it back. Ganesha's dozens of formed pieces, 100 attached crystals, 15 hand-painted colors and 24-karat-gold trim made the large porcelain bone-china statue a particular challenge. It took three years to complete the project. Multiple molds were tried and trashed along the way.
The first piece was donated to the Hindu Temple of Greater Orlando in
Each Ganesh Idol is the product of three months labor of 100 dedicated artisans. The idol is made out of ivory china and 24-karat-gold.
The company is now planning to bring out the " | <urn:uuid:a6efbcc8-dc87-48aa-b2ac-6c2843ae8bc3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hindu-blog.com/2006/12/lenox-ganesh-idol.html?showComment=1285167821922 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966228 | 173 | 1.59375 | 2 |
You’ve just enjoyed a fantastic meal at a swanky restaurant, and what made a good thing great was the polite and accommodating server, whose attention to detail turned a rather ordinary occasion special.
To say thanks, you heap on a nice tip, hoping the server appreciates you as much as you appreciated her.
But what if some of the cash went to the owner or manager of the restaurant? What if servers were forced to turn over part of their hard-earned tips to their bosses, who lined their pockets with money you believed was going to the guy or gal who made the meal memorable?
Believe it or not, that sort of thing is fairly common in B.C. In Ontario, NDP finance critic Michael Prue has been pushing a private member’s bill to make the practice illegal — and he’s getting plenty of support all the way around for the proposed Protecting Employees’ Tips Act.
“Everybody believes if we go to a restaurant and we put down a tip it is never part of our understanding that’s going to go to the owner or management,” agreed Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
“It’s about providing a little bit of extra income to those people who wait on the tables or share with the bus boys or whoever. I think that’s the implicit understanding we have as consumers, and I think we should have a law that reflects that.”
In April, the CBC told the story of a Vancouver restaurant server who filed a complaint with the B.C. Employment Standards Branch after her bosses demanded she turn over her tips when she was finished working each night. The single mom said she ended up with only $124 out of a total of $320 in tips after paying a so-called “house charge.”
In B.C., employees who serve alcohol as part of the job can be paid $9 an hour, more than a dollar an hour less than others who make minimum wage. The rationale behind the discrepancy is that servers who sling booze make up the difference (and sometimes more) in tips.
What a disappointment it is to learn that some restaurant owners are taking a share. And according to at least two servers who spoke to The Daily News this week, it’s more common than many of us might believe.
Some bosses say they take a cut of the tips to pay for spillage, breakage, or to offset losses due to customers who dine and dash. But according to B.C. labour law, management cannot use tips to pay for normal business costs
But they can — legally — take a share of the tips.
In B.C., tips are not considered wages. So employers can require servers to pool their tips to be split among those who normally don’t receive them — and that can include the owner of the establishment.
It’s time for Prue-style legislation to put a stop to the practice here. Our servers deserve better.
We Say editorials represent the viewpoint of The Daily News and are written by editor Robert Koopmans, city editor Tracy Gilchrist, news editor Mike Cornell or associate news editors Dan Spark and Mark Rogers. | <urn:uuid:1209ee59-cec4-40d5-8dae-9f73870b0b94> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120623/KAMLOOPS0302/120629935/-1/kamloops03/owners-have-no-right-to-tips | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963012 | 661 | 1.601563 | 2 |
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) has been working to build capacity within Iowa credit unions to implement financial education programs via training, technical assistance and one-time grants for financial education start-ups or expansions. The initiative was made possible by a Financial Education Grant from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF).
“Financial education is key to building the financial assets of low-income populations,” said Marybeth Foster, ICUF Executive Director. “Our goal is to strengthen the capacity and build leadership in credit unions to deploy financial education.”
43 credit unions received training and technical assistance in financial education over the past year as part of ICUL’s project.
Click Here to Continue Reading | <urn:uuid:a0274289-ffd8-4e2a-8d2b-29f37b3850a3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://realsolutions.coop/2012/4/11/iowa-cu-foundation-helping-cus-offer-financial-education-to-low-income-families | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949858 | 148 | 1.765625 | 2 |
STYLE: Strong Scotch Ale
Aroma: Deeply malty, with caramel often apparent. Peaty, earthy and/or smoky secondary aromas may also be present, adding complexity. Caramelization often is mistaken for diacetyl, which should be low to none. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are often present in stronger versions. Hops are very low to none.
Appearance: Light copper to dark brown color, often with deep ruby highlights. Clear. Usually has a large tan head, which may not persist in stronger versions. Legs may be evident in stronger versions.
Flavor: Richly malty with kettle caramelization often apparent (particularly in stronger versions). Hints of roasted malt or smoky flavor may be present, as may some nutty character, all of which may last into the finish. Hop flavors and bitterness are low to medium-low, so malt impression should dominate. Diacetyl is low to none, although caramelization may sometimes be mistaken for it. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are usually present. Esters may suggest plums, raisins or dried fruit. The palate is usually full and sweet, but the finish may be sweet to medium-dry (from light use of roasted barley).
Mouthfeel: Medium-full to full-bodied, with some versions (but not all) having a thick, chewy viscosity. A smooth, alcoholic warmth is usually present and is quite welcome since it balances the malty sweetness. Moderate carbonation. Overall Impression: Rich, malty and usually sweet, which can be suggestive of a dessert. Complex secondary malt flavors prevent a onedimensional impression. Strength and maltiness can vary. History/
Comments: Also known as a "wee heavy." Fermented at cooler temperatures than most ales, and with lower hopping rates, resulting in clean, intense malt flavors. Well suited to the region of origin, with abundant malt and cool fermentation and aging 10 temperature. Hops, which are not native to Scotland and formerly expensive to import, were kept to a minimum.
Ingredients: Well-modified pale malt, with up to 3% roasted barley. May use some crystal malt for color adjustment; sweetness usually comes not from crystal malts rather from low hopping, high mash temperatures, and kettle caramelization. A small proportion of smoked malt may add depth, though a peaty character (sometimes perceived as earthy or smoky) may also originate from the yeast and native water. Hop presence is minimal, although English varieties are most authentic. Fairly soft water is typical.
OG: 1.070 - 1.130
IBUs: 17 - 35
FG: 1.018 - 1.030+
SRM: 14 - 25
ABV: 6.5 - 10%
Commercial Examples: Traquair House Ale, Orkney Skull Splitter, McEwan's Scotch Ale, MacAndrew's Scotch Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy, Broughton Old Jock, Scotch du Silly, Gordon Highland Scotch Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard | <urn:uuid:2a7dba06-c633-48b8-86e4-bc79c0ca8b19> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wyeastlab.com/com_b_styledetails.cfm?ID=152 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931206 | 633 | 1.734375 | 2 |
TASMANIANS need to stop relying on the State Government to stimulate the economy, says the state's peak commerce group.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says we should look to the private sector to help turn the state around.
The TCCI's comments stem from the latest quarterly CommSec report, which showed Tasmania remained at the bottom of the Australian economic performance table.
"The report really reflected what we already knew was happening in Tasmania, that we're in a really tough economic situation," said TCCI chief executive Michael Bailey.
"It's a wake-up call for us in to approach economic development in a very different way."
Mr Bailey said too often business development and construction work in Tasmania was hampered by red tape and opposition from minority groups.
"For the Average Joe, what happens is we start losing confidence in our market, we start thinking we should save rather than spend," he said. "It's the same for investors and developers."
TCCI chief economist Phil Bayley said the lack of confidence meant there wasn't enough activity in the private sector to stimulate the state's economy.
The September quarter CommSec report analysed eight key indicators: economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, completed construction work, population growth, housing finance and dwelling commencements.
It showed Tasmania had the weakest result for construction work, where overall construction activity was just 0.6 per cent above its decade average.
In terms of population growth, Tasmania's growth of 0.16 per cent was the weakest in almost 11 years and a massive 80 per cent below the decade average.
"The Tasmanian economy is still struggling," CommSec chief economist Craig James said.
"But there will be rebuilding activity in some areas following recent bushfires."
Deloitte Access Economics has also highlighted the state's economic decline.
The report said the state had been hit hard by the strength in the Australian dollar which makes Tasmanian exports more expensive to overseas importers.
But Premier Lara Giddings hit back, talking up "bright spots" in the economy such as dairy, aquaculture and tourism.
"Access is forecasting a return to modest growth for the state economy and there are welcome signs that unemployment is stabilising and retail spending is recovering," she said. | <urn:uuid:0dc17171-35a9-4682-91ac-856b062dc9a7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/02/03/371611_most-popular-stories.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960187 | 471 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Return to Transcripts main page
Economic Outlook for 2011; 15 Million Americans Still Unemployed; Will New Tax Package Help As Much As Obama Says?
Aired January 2, 2011 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ALI VELSHI, CO-HOST: 2011 kicks off with a new direction for Washington. Positive signs in the economy and the same tough question we have been asking for over a year. Where are the jobs?
Welcome to YOUR MONEY. I'm Ali Velshi.
Pretty strong signs of economic recovery in 2010, the stock markets soared. Markets gaining 10 percent, ending on two-year highs. Retailers reported strong sales and consumers are feeling better as the year drew to close they are even saving more money.
And yet, Christine Romans, you do this every day, you talk about everything in the business world every morning. You know this better than anyone. We continue to need this recovery to be more robust, to pick up steam.
So, Christine, as we get into 2011where are we in this economy and more importantly here are we headed?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CO-HOST: I will give you another bright spot for next year, Ali, as well, the share of Americans paychecks that they are paying for their financial obligations, like their mortgage, their credit card, their debts, their main financial expenditures that share is going down. It is much lower than it has been in any time in recent memory. That is giving people more financial flexibility right now.
But the two things we care about, our house and our job. There are still big question marks over both of those areas. That is what we feel the most and that is what is going to hold us back from a consumer perspective until we can find out that gets fixed.
VELSHI: Unfortunately, the one thing that has been doing so well are your investments. But we know so many Americans didn't invest in the stock market and then as that economic crisis came in so many more bailed out of the market and have all their money in cash just when that market has been recovering.
Diane Swonk is the chief economist with Mesirow Financial.
Diane, does the way that 2010 ended politically and economically make you more optimistic for the year ahead?
DIANE SWONK, CHIEF ECONOMIST, MESIROW FINANCIAL: Optimism is a relative concept. Because of course we have lowered the hurdle so low. I am more optimistic on a relative basis. We did end the year on a little bit stronger note after a very weak patch in the spring and the summer. We did see the Congress come through with extending tax cuts at all levels and a little extra there for the middle class, the payroll tax cut.
That is a big tax cut, an extra $100 billion, $120 billion in stimulus. I don't think all of it will be spent, some of it will be used as Christine referred earlier to service, that debt that is still outstanding and bring down those debt service ratios. And also some of it will be saved but the part of it that is spent will go back in the economy.
We also are beginning to see small businesses hire again. So we do have like a convergence of events suggesting we are regaining momentum and we are at least entering the year a little higher then we were a few months ago.
VELSHI: That is the Holy Grail that we see small businesses start to hire again. They have always been the engine of job growth, new jobs in this country.
Peter Morici, is an economist, he is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Business.
I read the notes you send out almost daily. It is almost universally depressing. Take a look at this Pew Poll, Peter. It shows that in 1937 in the midst of the great depression, unemployment, look at that unemployment that yellow number was 17 percent and 50 percent of Americans were optimistic about the future.
Today, the unemployment rate half that, 9.8 percent and 35 percent of Americans, only 35 percent of Americans are optimistic about the future. In terms of where you, Peter Morici, see this economy headed, are Americans right to be so pessimistic about the future?
PROF. PETER MORICI, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: I think they are wrong to be so pessimistic. The economy is showing a little bit more bounce. I do expect that we are going to start to add more jobs in 2011. We are not going to add them at the pace to appreciably pull down unemployment because the economy has to grow at 4 or 5 percent to accomplish that, but we are finally going to get into the three's.
So I'm optimistic that with this additional tax cut we are going to have some more bounce, the stock market will do better and that things will look a little brighter.
Going beyond that we are going to have to find a way to grow without these big government deficits. That is a problem in this administration for 2012.
VELSHI: Peter, I can always tell from the color of your bow tie how you are going to feel about the economy. You have the green, yellow, blue and red bow tie. You do say that we are going to get into the threes. It is remarkable the difference between growing at 2 percent and growing at 3 percent and how much that could help us in the end. But whatever the New Year holds one thing we know for sure, our income tax rates won't be going up. Some people will pay less in taxes because our payroll tax will be going down, Christine. The part that you pay for Social Security going down from 6.2 percent of your pay check to 4.2 percent of your paycheck. Break down how much money people can expect to get from this payroll tax holiday -- Christine.
ROMANS: And they have the right to know what kind of stimulus it will be for the economy because some people will be using that smartly to pay down their debt and their high interest credit card bills.
Here is the example. If you make $40,000 a year, you are going to have $800 more in your pocket at the end of the year. You are not going to get it all at once folks, but you are going to get it little by little. And so, some people are already making their new year's resolutions, as I say you should, to figure out how to put that money to good use.
Eighty thousand dollars, if that is how much you make, $1,600 is what you get extra or what the government will take less, depending on how you look at it and $100,000, $2,200 more. A lot of people say wow it is free government money. Other people say no, no, it is your money in the first place. But look how you spend that money is important for how the economy recovers and how your own personal balance sheet recovers.
VELSHI: You know we all talk, Christine, you and I, we look at markets. We look at stocks and we look at economic growth. But the concept, the word growth, the economy growing more than it did the year before, or growing making bigger than the year before. At the same time inflation not growing as much is the thing we all look for. Is that paradigm just wrong? Have we just lost sight of the fact that maybe we can do as well as we did without doing better? Because we are going to be a generation or our kids are going to be a generation that maybe don't do as well as their parents.
ROMANS: When you look at Generation X, Ali, when we were graduating from college it was into a period when 24 million jobs were created I think over ten years, huge, explosive growth. And so there were all these opportunities for people. Now you have generation y graduating to a period of more than 8 million jobs lost. And many economists and I'm not the economist to the foursome here, but many economists saying that we will see disappointing growth in the economy for the next few years at least and that is going to limit some of the prospects for people. Is this the new normal or is it temporary that is what I don't know?
VELSHI: That is going to be a very big question that we are going to address in 2011. All of you stick around.
President Obama claims the tax bill could potentially create millions of new jobs? Millions, is that true? I'll try to get you an answer in the next block. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) VELSHI: More than 15 million Americans are currently unemployed. Now President Obama says help is on the way in the form of his new tax package.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Right now what all of us care about is growing the American economy and creating jobs for the American people. Taken as a whole, that's what this package of tax relief is going to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: Tig Gilliam is the CEO of Adecco, a major recruiting and hiring firm.
Tig, thanks for joining us.
Tell me what in your opinion this law actually means for businesses will it encourage hiring? Because we have been hearing from businesses that the shifting sands under them that have prevented them from making hiring decisions. I'm not sure that is true, I think businesses haven't been hiring because they have not seen the demand pick up. In retail where we have seen the demand pick up we have seen hiring.
TIG GILLIAM, CEO, ADECCO: Great to see you, Ali. I think there is one important part of this legislation that will definitely help employers and that is the confirmation of the tax situation. So now those small and medium businesses that are past through companies have some confidence and understanding what the tax situation is going to be and can now make their decision.
And of course the big thing for the economy in the bill is the fact that we have this payroll tax holiday of 2 percent which could stimulate that 70 percent of our GDP that is driven by consumer spending which is very important in the economic recovery.
VELSHI: When you say pass through companies, you meant those small businesses where the income and the profit gets passed through to the owners personal taxes so they will see no increase in their taxes.
VELSHI: You told us in the past that temporary jobs, in fact much of the business that you are involved in, come back before permanent ones do. Will the long-term unemployed get more traction searching for a temporary job in this environment before a permanent job?
GILLIAM: Sure. We have now seen more than 400,000 jobs created in the temporary segment since the recession recovery began. That is half the jobs we lost since the beginning of 2007. So clearly there are companies, small, medium and large that have needs for talent. They have incremental needs, and they are hiring and they are hiring on a temporary contract and flexible basis so far. That is across 145,000 of Adecco group clients. So it is not just big companies it is also small companies. And what that means for job seekers right now, that many of their best opportunities are from temporary and project based assignments, where they get an opportunity to work with a company and really demonstrate the value they can bring to that company long term.
VELSHI: Tig give me something for my viewers to get their teeth into whether it is sectors or geography. What areas hold the most promise right now either for temporary or permanent hiring?
GILLIAM: That is a great question, Ali. You know, first I think we hear a lot of the positive news in the recovery of the economy. The reality is that is showing up in the job market. If you look at the number of job openings today in the private sector, they are up 40 percent over a year ago. There are three million job openings out there today.
Now those opportunities are clustered in professional and business services. And so that is things like IT and finance and accounting, they are in health care and education. Those are really the categories, engineering, where the greatest opportunity for new jobs is being created. In fact, there's 4.2 percent vacancy today in those professional and business service openings. That is a great skill set to be working on from an education point of view for job opportunities in the next 12 to 18 months.
VELSHI: And you know Tig unfortunately, that hasn't changed. I mean the good news is that is where the jobs are. But that hasn't changed in the last couple of years in terms of those are still the areas whether it is finance or accounting or education or health care or engineering or energy. So if you've waited this long to retrain, you know what make the decision to do it now. Some of them require six months of training, some of them are on the job training, and some of them are four years or more of training. But the bottom line is there are some promising things.
Tig always a pleasure to see you. Thanks for being with us to help us kick off 2011.
Take a look at the employment situation over the past few years. Go back to when this recession started at the end of 2007, December, 2007. See that little green blip that is where the recession started. But look at that we lost all sorts of jobs in 2008, by the end of 2008 beginning 2009 around 700,000 jobs a month it was consistent. At the end of 2009 it looked like we were coming out of the woods, toward the end of 2009. See that green blip we got some jobs.
And then in 2010, keep in mind a lot of those are census jobs, a lot of those are stimulus based government jobs. Look at when all that money ran out in 2010, again we started losing jobs. But toward the end of 2010 we started gaining jobs. We won't get the December number until the unemployment report comes out in a week from now. But it is looking not consistent, but better.
Diane, Diane Swonk joins us again. When you factor together the months where we saw job losses and the months where we saw job gains, the net, the number of jobs we created minus all of those we lost for the first 11 months of 2010, 951,000 jobs added. It is not enough. Are we going to see some kind of a boom, some kind of an uptick in jobs created because of the tax bill because of the trends that Tig just talked about that we so badly needed in 2011?
SWONK: Well we are going to see an uptick, but not a boom. Now again that relative hurdle, you know we lowered that hurdle so low it is easy to clear. I think we will easily create more than two million jobs in 2011 which is more than double the pace of 2010 on that as you just illustrated and that is good news.
But it still only makes a small dent in the millions of jobs, the more than 7 million that are still down from the peak of the previous recovery. So we are still regaining ground lost. When you are regaining ground lost you feel better but you don't feel as good as you did before you lost the ground in the first place. And that is what we are still dealing with is digging ourselves out of the hole.
VELSHI: We'll take a double. Christine, the private sector, this is a big distinction, jobs that are created by government, which we don't want a whole lot of in the type of economy we have versus private sector jobs created. Private sector has seen 11 straight months of job growth. Is that trend going to continue in 2011? More private sector jobs than government jobs?
ROMANS: Probably. But the question is how much of an uptick to quote Diane will it be? And we just don't know yet and will it be enough to keep the unemployment rate at least steady. We want to see demand from businesses. Ali, we want to see businesses starting to spend money and hire people because they have demand coming in the door not because of government spending and the other things that we have been doing, the emergency measures we had to prop up the economy. And that is a big question.
I think the trend for next year, Ali, for 2011, the trend will be there will be an easier time for people newly unemployed to find a job, not an easy time but an easier time for people just laid off to find a job and a huge bunch of people who have been out of work for six months or longer who feel left behind. And a big policy and economic question of what you do about people now that it is chronic unemployment and not an emergency situation anymore.
SWONK: You know, Ali.
VELSHI: Go ahead.
SWONK: I was just going to add to what Christine said. Because what your guest said earlier about the kind of jobs that are being generated it is hard to take the two million workers that have lost jobs in the construction industry and move them into engineering. That is where the real difficultly is in the mismatch of the jobs that we are creating versus the jobs that were lost.
VELSHI: And that is such a big issue. Christine and I talked about this for so long. We don't have a national retraining policy, but the reality is we have a whole lot of unemployed people and we don't have as many jobs as unemployed people. But we certainly have a lot of unfulfilled job. That might be the central question in 2011.
Peter, pessimistic economist with an optimistic tie. I will get you in; you will kick off the next block for us. The three of you all stick around. You all have some ideas to solve our jobs crisis. We are going to find out keys to solving the rest of our problems next.
VELSHI: Time to talk solutions. Specifically what will put unemployed Americans back to work? Peter Morici, let's start with you; the president says this tax bill is going to create lots of jobs. And by the way it doesn't do much to fix the deficit which I know is a big issue of yours. So let's hope it creates jobs and creates a back doorway of fixing the deficit by having lots of people who can pay taxes and use those taxes to lower the deficit. Will it do what he says it is going to do? Will it create jobs?
MORICI: It will create jobs and will probably lower the unemployment rate a bit. But if we are really going to drag the unemployment rate down we are going to have to grow at 4 or 5 percent a year which we are capable of doing. To accomplish that we will have to do something about our trade deficit with China. Because all of those booming retail sales we are seeing so much of it goes out of the country, for Chinese television sets and so forth and they don't turn around and buy our exports.
You know we have spoken with the Chinese endlessly about their undervalued currency. They won't move on it. The president himself has said there are measures we can take, it is time for those measures, either we can intervene in currency markets ourselves or we can directly tax the conversion of dollars to basically simulate the effects of a Chinese revaluation until they stop intervening.
But in addition to that, in addition to customers, small businesses need better access to capital. Our regional banks are still in trouble. And our resolution trust like we had in the savings and loan crisis to help clean up the above would be very, very useful.
VELSHI: Isn't that what we tried to do, isn't that what we were thinking of doing when we started TARP and it turned into something else entirely?
MORICI: That is right.
VELSHI: Diane let me ask, at this point we have a number of economic problems, but most people think that many of them will be on the road to being solved if we lower unemployment and we get more people hired. So what is the best thing that we can do in 2011 specifically to create more jobs in this country?
SWONK: You know it is not exactly a job creator, but over the longer haul it is the only insurance policy we have to sustain the recovery and keep things going. That is to finally deal with the structural deficit, to deal with the long-term problems we have with the deficit and to rein that in.
And I think that is something that you know we saw this noise, people screaming about these cynical problems of unemployment insurance. We need to fundamentally fix our tax code and deal with elephant in the room of entitlement spending. Decide what our priorities are and be grownup and I think we need to it in the first six months of 2011 to have any kind of confidence to keep interest rates down in the U.S. or bring those long term interest rates down over the longer haul in the U.S.'s ability to service debt. I think that is really critical. It is something that I don't see a lot of going on. Gridlock is not the way going forward. We do not need gridlock at this stage of the game. We need people who are grownups who can make decisions.
ROMANS: I agree so much with her. I can I just say that one of my concerns is the subpar economic growth and stubbornly high jobless rates means that the grown-ups are too afraid for their own re- election to actually tackle some of the big long-term issues.
MORICI: It is going to be very, very difficult to bring the deficit down before you get jobs growth really accelerating.
VELSHI: Let me ask you guys this. On that topic, we had a commission; the president had a blue ribbon panel of people who said this is what you have to do to bring down the deficits, to bring down the debt. Even that the goals were not thought of as all that lofty. And once again the deficit commission is starting to look like the 9/11 commission. It was all pretty and good and we already in the first piece of legislation to follow it, we have ignored what they said we should do.
MORICI: Essentially these commissions don't accomplish a great deal other than to surface ideas. The ideas they surfaced were not that profound. Raising the retirement age to 68 by 2050 is hardly profound. It has to go to 70.
ROMANS: We know what has to be done but nobody is doing it.
SWONK: That is the issue. We do have lead time and we are talking about long-term phase in. I mean 40 years is a little ridiculous, 20- year-olds can't save for 40 years we do have an opportunity here to phase things in at a time that it is not going to be really painful today or even next year. Let's make the decisions now because if we don't, it will be really, really painful.
VELSHI: I hope folks take that advice.
Peter, pleasure to have you on the show. Thanks so much. You know I'm just joking with you. I love the stuff you put out. It is smart and our viewers deserve to hear it. Diane thanks to you as well. You have both been good friends to our show and we will continue that relationship through the course of this year as we try to get smarter and we try and create some jobs. Peter Morici and Diane Swonk.
Christine, you stick around. The new Congress will be sworn in on Wednesday and they do have their work cut out for them. The biggest issues they have to face and if they can get along with the White House. We'll talk about that next.
VELSHI: Anyone thinking that 2010 ends with a clear mandate for what Washington should do in 2011, think again. The midterms brought sweeping victories for Congressional Republicans led by the Tea Party. Yet, as the year ends, voters remain divided on what direction they want to see this country move in. Fifty-five percent say President Obama's policies would move the country in the right direction, 48 percent say Democratic leaders have the right policies, just 44 percent favor Republican leaders.
Candy Crowley is CNN's chief political correspondent and she anchors "STATE OF THE UNION" every Sunday at 9:00 am Eastern.
Candy, as Republicans take over the House in 2011, do Democrats need to accept this past election as a mandate or should Republicans be concerned about over estimating the amount of public support there is for their own policies?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Let me just dodge this and say really it is both. I mean the fact of the matter is that I think what this polling shows is first of all what we know from the polling in November at the polls and that is that there is a middle that tends to swing back and forth depending on how they feel about the way things are going. It is very clear I think from the polls and the exit polls and polling now that we are seeing that people wanted to put the brakes on what many thought was kind of an overreach by the Obama administration. But they don't want to reverse it.
I think that is where they have to find the sweet spot. Both the Democrats and kind of moving toward maybe less spending, talking more about the deficit and yet paying more attention to jobs, jobs, jobs, a lot of people thought they got off track, frankly. So, I mean I think there is a message for everyone in this and that is that the public still isn't satisfied and still can swing any way they want once they get a look at what happens. So I think the onus is on both these parties to get something done.
VELSHI: And much of the dissatisfaction obviously just comes from the economic condition. I think if we had unemployment at 5 percent people would think everybody is a lot better than they think they are right now. Ed Henry, CNN's senior White House correspondent, very few people have it as good as he does right now, he is in Hawaii.
Ed just 12 percent of those people polled said the new tax law would leave their family in worst shape, 65 percent said they would feel about the same. That makes a lot of sense. Because this was mainly an extension of existing tax cuts so a lot of people aren't going to see a big difference, 23 percent say they will be better off as a result of it. That makes sense because some people are getting a reduction on what they pay on payroll taxes.
So more people will see more money in their pockets. But Ed, these are the kind of numbers probably that helped President Obama, that emboldened him in taking on his own party to get a tax deal passed even though it meant extending tax cuts for the wealthy, which was very, very annoying to some Democrats.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Oh absolutely. He took some hits for that. But the bottom line is beyond just that one poll number is the bad that could have come for this president if he did not get a tax deal. Because you are right, maybe not an overwhelming majority of Americans thought oh this is going to make things better if he keeps rates the same. But if there was no deal and the tax rates went up for all Americans on January 1, guess what?
The president, the Democratic Party would have taken a big hit especially because you have got Republican incoming speaker John Boehner would have immediately with in days changed those tax rates, had a vote that would have basically overturned all of that. It would have looked like Democrats raised taxes, Republicans wanted to cut taxes.
HENRY: So this was a big victory for the president. And to follow up what Candy was saying, I think there is some of the half -- glass half full for this president from the lame duck session. He did get that tax deal; he did get the repealing don't ask, don't tell. I think that suggested if he makes some adjustments in 2011, he may be able to work with this Republican led house and a shrunken Democratic majority in the Senate. On the half empty side though, part of the reason why he did well in the lame duck is he had some leverage. Lawmakers wanted to go home for the holidays so they kind of moved past some of this stuff even if they are not completely happy.
Number two, he still had a Democratic House that helped him push through for example on don't ask, don't tell. He still had Nancy Pelosi as speaker. In a few days that is not the case.
VELSHI: All right. Ed, Jeanne Sahadi is a senior writer at CNNMONEY.com. When it comes to taxes and the deficit she is the smartest person we know. And Jeanne has now spoken to the smartest people she knows and asked what is in store for tax reform and get reduction in 2011 because we do know that that is on a lot of Americans minds. Jeanne, what are you hearing?
JEANNE SAHADI, SENIOR WRITER, CNNMONEY.COM: I'm hearing that we are going to hear a lot of discussion about both of them. Not necessarily as much in terms of results. The Republicans for instance have promised to cut spending to 2008 levels. I heard that from eight budget experts that I talk to normally.
The majority opinion is that they won't really reach 2008 levels. They haven't been specific about how they are going to get there. They don't think the president would sign into effect so many deep cuts especially as the economy is recovering. They are very sort of positive on tax reform. They don't expect it will be active in 2011 and chances are greater it would be enacted after 2013, but there is a lot of bipartisan support to have the debate. As you know, President Obama's Debt Commission put out a plan and they had tax reform as a big piece of it. The president himself has said he is going to focus on that in the next two years. VELSHI: Despite all the conversations about all the other things that people call government waste and that may well be, they are about a drop in the bucket compared to those ones that you just talked about. Candy thanks so much. Ed, sorry to get you out of bed in Hawaii. But we hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation there.
HENRY: I can't hear you that well because the surf is really loud out here.
VELSHI: We will let you get back to the surf. Jeanne, always a pleasure to see you and get the benefit of your knowledge. Have a great 2011 to all of you.
Well everyone wants to know what the value of your house is going to be in 2011. Will it go up? Will it go down? We will try to answer that question for you up next.
VELSHI: U.S. homes have lost an estimated $1.7 trillion in value last year according to online real estate market place Zilo.com. That brings the total value lost since the market peaked; the housing market peaked in 2006 to $9 trillion with a "t." To put that in perspective that is the cost of 12 Iraq wars. Where do we go from here? Mark Zandi is the chief economist at Moody's Analytics. Mark, I mean you can parse housing numbers a lot of ways, in fact if you look at the price of a median price of a single family home in the U.S. is actually up from this time in 2010. But stalled by uncertainty about the economy and by unemployment. So what do you see happening to housing over the course of the next year?
MARK ZANDI, CHIEF ECONOMIST, MOODY'S ANALYTICS: Well I think we have more price declines to go. Not a lot just to give you contexts, prices have fallen 30 percent from their peak just about five years ago. I expect another 5 percent decline between now and the fall of 2011. The problem of course is that we still have millions of loans that are in the foreclosure process. The bulk of which will go to a foreclosure or a short sale. Those homes are sold as a discount. We will see some further price weakness. Particularly in those areas of the country where you have a lot of foreclosure problems.
VELSHI: Well you make a good point. Let's take a look at a map of the country, let's take a look at the major centers where we have seen price gains and drops. You can see there, you can gains starting from the top to the places where you have seen the biggest losses, San Diego is at the top, and Miami is at the bottom. But there are places in the country where you are seeing some gain. At this point, Mark, is the question for you if you are a buyer or a seller, more of a local question than it is more of one having to do with the national economy?
ZANDI: Sure. Absolutely. It really does depend on where you live. Even if you are in Miami which has a lot of foreclosure problems there are communities that are doing reasonably well. So as they say housing is very local. It does depend on where you live. VELSHI: Let's take a look at this graphic. You also mentioned foreclosures; 3.4 million homes have been foreclosed on since 2006. Close to a million of those this year alone, this is the driving force, what did you say Mark? Behind continued price declines. This is the biggest problem we've got.
ZANDI: It is the biggest problem. We do have approximately 4 million mortgage loans sitting in the foreclosure process or are seriously delinquent and likely to go to foreclosure. As those homes hit the marketplace they are sold at a discount and that drives down pricing. If you go to the parts of the country where foreclosures are not a significant issue, for example, Texas, then house prices are much better. They are doing very well. As the job market improves that provides support to housing. By this time next year in 2012 I think we will see some measurable price gains in most parts of the country.
VELSHI: OK, everybody seems to think maybe as a result of the economy generally improving maybe as a result of this tax deal that we are going to see some move in unemployment rates and hopefully next year we are talking about a one or two percentage points lower. That means more people can buy homes that means more people's credit will improve and it means more people at risk of losing their homes will be able to keep them. So that is one part of the puzzle.
The other one is mortgage rates. Remarkably low, historically low. I'm of the view that if you are looking to buy a house you may want to worry less about whether that house is going to be 5 or 10 percent cheaper next year because your mortgage rates are not likely to be substantially lower than they are next year.
ZANDI: Yes, excellent point. And it really does spin on your horizon. I mean we are talking about price declines in the coming year. But most people live in their homes five, seven, ten years. So you need to think about this in a longer term perspective and to your point, fixed mortgage rates they have risen a bit over the last couple three months. But even now at 5 percent they are near historic lows. So you combine very low mortgage rates with very low house prices and a better job market that is the fodder for a much better housing market. We have another six, 12 months to go but then we will be in much better shape.
VELSHI: So if the only advice one takes from this conversation, is that look at your local situation. It might be the perfect time for you to be buying a house. It might not be depending on where you are. Mark always a pleasure to see you. Have a great year in 2011.
ZANDI: Thanks so much.
VELSHI: 2010 shaped up to be a good year for stocks. Is that rally likely to continue? We are going to tell you specifically what to look for in 2011.
VELSHI: How many times do I have to tell you, if you are not carrying expensive debt, really look at your investment portfolio, 2009 was a great year for stocks. The economy is still struggling but even 2010 shaped up to be a good year for investors, with low inflation, low interest rates. 2011 could be off to a good start. Are you going to listen this year? Ryan Mack is the president of Optimum Capital Management, Doug Flynn, is a certified financial planner with Flynn, Zito Capital Management.
Doug, let's start with you. What is on your radar for 2011? There is Christine by the way, Christine always with us. Doug, what is on your radar for 2011? Let's start with the big picture, give me winners and losers.
DOUG FLYNN, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, FLYNN, ZITO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: Happy New Year.
VELSHI: Same to you.
FLYNN: Thank you. Realistically what you have to look at is the word reflation. And that is the Fed saying we want to stay away from deflation. We want to actually inflate everything. And so what happens there is you going to have pressure on the U.S. dollar. The big theme I think if you center your investment policy around the following, in addition to stocks, bonds and commodities, focus in on currencies. That is really where you want to look.
Brings currencies into everything you are looking at. The weakening U.S. dollar. You know the dollar was very volatile this year, but from the beginning to the end right now, it really didn't move that much. So you are going to have a continuing weakness of that dollar and there are opportunities in there. It is not going to be a great year, but there will be opportunities if you center around that theme and that is what we see for '11.
VELSHI: And you are saying, because I have U.S. dollar in the losers. You are talking about other currencies. Currencies that will do well against the U.S. Dollar?
FLYNN: Yes. If you focus in on commodities and areas that do well in that area, everybody wants to center around stocks. If you are focusing on individual stocks, you want to focus in on materials, industrials, technology and energy those are related to that. But also anything that you do with commodities, gold and oil, you center around, here is the U.S. dollar going to weaken and how would I benefit by investing with that? That is the additional tilt you want to take advantage of in '11, that we find opportunity in.
VELSHI: All right. Ryan, let's talk about bonds. In Doug's winners column are high yield bonds, bonds of companies that may have some high risk associated with them and as a result pay a higher interest. Which is quite common place these days. What should the average investor, my viewer be looking at in terms of what role bonds play in their portfolio?
RYAN MACK, Well I think that in 2011 dough is the new black. And it is going to be the new common thing. I think we have to look back at these basic principals. I mean we had a bull market. We had a bear market; I think this is going to be a moose market. As opposed to trying to look at, OK, what should we do or what should we not do.
Let's just look at basic principles, what should my asset allocation be? How long am I going to have till my retirement? Yes bonds are great, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't put 70 percent of your portfolio in bonds if you are 25 years old.
Again we should look back at basic principals, if you are in that commuilation stage or just starting out you still have a higher percentage of stocks as opposed to bonds. The simple fact that you still have a lot of time, we don't want to have any knee jerk reactions according to what the market did or didn't do. We probably are going to go sideways. But now is the best time to do some good dollar cost averaging. If you have less than ten to 15 years till retirement you might want a higher percent of allocations in bonds. However you shouldn't let the market dictate what your asset allocation. Talk to a good unbiased view of what the asset allocation should be. And from that point go to afincalc.com.
VELSHI: Doug helped me write my book. You have just got a new book out Ryan, "It Takes a Village" which I was involved in and Christine has a new book out, "Smart is the new Rich." Guess what, Christine, in all of our books we have one thing that we say in common. That is, don't have this conversation about stocks and mutual funds if you're carrying high-interest credit card debt. If you're carrying debt, your priority has to be to get that down. Because if the market returned 10 percent in 2011 but you've credit cards that you are paying 18 percent on which is the better win? Paying your credit card debt.
ROMANS: If Ryan says Joe is the new black, I would say Ali smart is the new rich to plug it again. Because smart is the new rich next year. If you're trying to plow into stocks a year after they have been going up and you have double digit, 19 percent interest, 20 percent interest rates on your credit cards and you're getting 10 percent in the stock market that really is a dumb move. So the first thing you have to do is look at that high-interest credit card debt and make a dedication to yourself to get that down.
Next we were just talking about this in the break; this is so incredibly important, are you maxing out your 401(k)? Are you going to get the benefit of anything that is happening in the market if you are not maxing out your 401 (k). We were talking about that on that payroll tax holiday, $800 extra in your pay check if you make $40,000 a year, what are you going to do with it? You got a little more financial flexibility. Maybe you should be maxing out the 401(k) and you get the company match. And as Doug pointed out, then there's also the tax benefit of using pretax dollars.
So all of these are the smart moves that you should be making in 2011 because we need to be, don't you guys think we need to be playing offense after kind of just hunkering down for so long? Because companies are starting to make money. People who are rich are starting to make money. The rest of us are still scared for the next shoe to drop.
VELSHI: All right. And that is actually a great point to leave this. We are going to pick this up in the next block. Christine, Ryan, Doug, stay right there. Those companies that are making all that money that Christine just talked about; will Wall Street's gains be good news for Main Street in 2011? How do you make good news for you? I'll tell you in a minute.
But first, from a coffee stand to a full-blown restaurant. One woman overcame obstacles to achieve small business success. Here is Stephanie Elam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): I met budding barista (ph) Lucy Valena in July 2009. She was determined to take her mobile espresso catering company from the cart to her very own corner coffee shop.
LUCY VALENA, VOLTAGE COFFEE: I'm just going to keep working at it. I'm not letting up. I'm not letting up, Boston. I don't care!
ELAM: And now welcome to Voltage Coffee and Art in Cambridge's candle square section. To make her dream a reality, she used her catering funds and worked at a second job at another coffee shop. Then Valena found a venture capital firm, Launch Capital which gave her a $150,000 loan. By networking with her bizz-savvy clients, Valena got help writing a business plan, finding a contractor and building her clientele.
VALENA: What's so cool about this place and how it became a brick and mortar location from a catering service is that I already had a name for myself before I even opened the door. Voltage Coffee already meant something to people before we even opened.
JIM KOCH, FOUNDER, SAMUAL ADAMS: Hey, Lucy. This is it the first time I've been here. Congratulations.
ELAM: Sam Adams' founder Jim Koch is seeing how his help paid off.
KOCH: Welcome to small business. It is only an 84 hour week.
ELAM: Koch awarded Valena $400,000 to start her catering cart through the Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream Program, which helps small food and beverage businesses get funding. He says he understand' Valena's brewing passion.
KOCH: Lucy is the quintessential turnaround. When I first met her, she was pushing a little cart around, catering, and making little cups of coffee with a beautiful little flourish. She had a great idea. She had passion. And with just a little bit of a loan, she was able to make that dream this beautiful coffee shop.
ELAM: Now with one successful shop she's hoping this is just the beginning. So basically you are still not done with Boston, even though you now have your store front.
VALENA: No, no, no. This is just the beginning.
ELAM: Stephanie Elam, CNN, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: The four people on your screen have all been telling you for the last couple of years to make smart investments but probably the biggest pushback I get from people is this frustration that Wall Street's gains -- when I say Wall Street, I mean Corporate America's gains have not turned into good news for Main Street. Is that disconnect going to continue in 2011?
ROMANS: It might. I'm really worried about two Americans here. I'm worried about people who have money who are figuring out how to move forward with their money again, people who are in those stem industries, who are finding bidding wars for their talent, kids who are graduating with those degrees who are doing quite well and then millions of other people who find themselves in an economy that's more 1990 than 2011 and they're left behind.
So I'm worried that the economy is not going to grow strongly enough for Main Street to share everything of Wall Street, which is why we all have to make really smart choices about our money.
MACK: Well, I mean, I get it 2004 to 2007 Wall Street flourished while real wages never did anything. Then again, individual at home are getting more frustrated because they basically bailed out the excessive betting on Wall Street. I mean I get the frustration. But frustration never put food on my table. What we have to start understanding is that in 2011and moving forward, as frustrated as we are toward the banks or even the government what they're doing or not doing, it is only you that makes the decisions in your household. It's the personal decisions that you make with your finances that the government doesn't control that, the banks don't control that, you have to control that.
VELSHI: And that by the way is a theme of your book, it is a theme of Christine's book, too. That stop worrying about what you think is going on around you. Start worrying about what you can control. I know you share that view, Doug, but you want people to be very specific about how they control their financial futures.
FLYNN: Sure. It always gets back down to, had you lived below your means during a period of time when you had some extra money, it set you up with a little bit of a cushion should there be a time when you need that. That's why you have that.
Unfortunately a lot of people were overextended and went too far and got themselves into trouble. But the point is, most people don't have the wherewithal to get out there and start a new business and take advantage of that opportunity. And if you can't do that that realistically is what the market does for you. It's one of the cheapest and easiest ways to tack on to somebody that is trying to make profits.
FLYNN: You've got to do it. I laugh. The two halves, when you're filling up the tank and you are complaining that it's almost $4 a gallon. That's a terrible thing when you are doing it but then if you own the shares of the stock of the company that you're pumping the oil into, the gas into, you're saying all right well I'm getting it back on the other side. So those are things you have to take advantage of.
VELSHI: That's useful to think about. When you're mad about corporate profits and how much companies are earning, think about the fact that you might if you were smart be on the receiving end of that. Good advice to end the year on and to start the New Year.
With thanks to all of you and thank you to all of you for joining the conversation this week on YOUR MONEY. I'm here every Saturday 1:00 p.m. Eastern and 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. Also, catch Christine on "Your Bottom Line," Saturday mornings at 9:30 am Eastern. Between the two of us we got you covered for your financial needs. Stay connected 24/7 on twitter at AliVelshi and at ChristineRomans. | <urn:uuid:7d1b96b0-1f2a-46e7-8467-24a12b2d6438> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1101/02/cnnitm.01.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978897 | 10,422 | 1.546875 | 2 |
- COMMUNITY LINKS
Students at St. Marys Catholic Middle School succeeded in raising an amount above their anticipated goal during their unique fundraiser to purchase farm animals for needy families.
During their recent two-week long fundraiser as part of the Heifer International Project, students donated leftover change in cans located throughout the school. They could also contribute by paying $1 to participate in a dress-down day. There were also several donations from the community.
"People were really generous," said Student Council President Madison Stoltz. "We were surprised at the final amount."
With the $660 raised, students have chosen to purchase a heifer for $500, a goat for $120 and two flocks of chicks for $20 each through Heifer International, a global nonprofit organization based in Little Rock, Ark. that works to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way through gifts of livestock, seeds, trees and extensive training.
For more on this story, see the Dec. 27 edition of The Daily Press. | <urn:uuid:aa418379-6da1-4cfe-aa2c-8bce7ecb981c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.smdailypress.com/content/students-reach-goal-heifer-international-project?quicktabs_4=0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973055 | 207 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Three articles in this series:
• Testing The Tour Guides
• The Tour Guides Complain
• Test Your NYC Knowledge
What is the tallest building outside of Manhattan? Is the Ansonia Hotel famous for its performing seals or a rooftop farm? Which famous New Yorker invented the telephone - Alexander Graham Bell, Giuseppe Garibaldi or Antonio Meucci?
To be an official New York City tour guide you not only have to be able to answer these kinds of questions, but to expound on the topic with details, dates, and lore - and wow out-of-towners and native New Yorkers alike.
New York is one of the few cities in the United States that requires tour guides to be licensed. But when I took the tour guide licensing examination years ago, it became apparent that the source material used was out of date. Fortunately, I caught the errors in the test and was able to prove my case. My experience was far from unique.
As bad as the errors was the assumption in the test that being a tour guide was an endless litany of sound bytes. A tour guide can never be effectively replaced by an audiotape, though you would not have known this from the old test.
That is why I was happy to accept the assignment from Consumer Affairs Commissioner Gretchen Dykstra to construct a new examination for tour guides. It took me over two months of long days and nights, until my mind was swimming, and questions would come to me in dreams.
Many issues needed to be addressed in the new examination. Since there are no "official" training programs for New York City tour guides, applicants often demonstrate a wide range of backgrounds, orientations, and knowledge. To resolve this disparity, there are suggested readings from several major tour texts: Gerard Wolfe's New York: 15 Walking Tours, the classic Blue Guide New York, or Christine Metzger's New York. In addition, there are several New York City web-sites strongly recommended for study purposes.
All questions on the tour guide licensing examination are mini-commentaries, so that the tests become a learning tool. Each question includes a little "story" that will hopefully become part of a sightseeing guide's tour presentation.
Tour guides must be able to speak fluently on a range of topics from screen idols to architecture and from fine art to fine dining. A tour guide must be knowledgeable and flexible to accommodate the widely varied needs of different audiences. That's not all. As the chief representative of the client, a tour guide must direct the bus driver, interface with clients, resolve emergencies, know where buses may legally drive, coordinate admissions, make lunch recommendations, and find the elusive clean restroom - all while creating an imaginative route and providing sparkling commentary. (Not bad for a position that, in some major quarters, pays less than $13 an hour)
That is why the 150 questions on the examination cover a wide range of topics, among them:
- Legal Tour Bus routes / Legal Passenger pick-up/drop-off locations
- General New York City Knowledge
- New York City History
- New York City Neighborhoods and Landmarks
- Ethnic Studies and Immigration
- Museums, Art, and Culture / Music, Theatre, and Dance
- New York City Literature
- Religion and Religious Sites
- Architecture and New York City Planning
- Ethnic Foods
- Public Sculptures of Noted People
- Residences of Noted People and "Walks of Fame" in the City
A number of tour guides, including experienced professionals, have voiced several concerns about the test. [See The Tour Guides Complain by Norman Oder]. Commissioner Dykstra has indicated that she has already moved towards addressing these concerns. I also feel that some seem to have misunderstood the intentions of the commissioner.
The new professional licensing examination will not be an easy one for those unfamiliar with the city, but it should present few problems to the majority of experienced and dedicated tour guides. The goal of the test is to enhance the quality of tours, and thus increase the public understanding and appreciation for the glories of New York City.
I designed the following quiz especially for Gotham Gazette readers who want to challenge their own New York savvy. They are not the exact same questions as those offered in the professional licensing examination for tour guides, but they tap into the same vast treasure trove of New York City legends and lore. "I should like to live a lifetime on every street in New York," the short story writer O.Henry once said. "Each house has a drama in it."
Justin Ferate, formerly the director of tour services for Gray Line New York, has been offering tours of New York for more than 20 years. | <urn:uuid:b6c7a326-a25b-4c19-a52f-c8bbf6141bf5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/topics/demographics/1888-testing-the-tour-guides | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952653 | 972 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Last week we recapped some of the family stories you all shared in response to our original culture post. We heard about everything from revolutions and mob ties to being multilingual and moving all over the planet.
This week, as promised, we get to the best part: holidays and food. There were more responses on these subjects than all the rest put together, and many of them were among the most interesting comments—who knew that you could eat maple syrup over snow, for example?
Once again, we’ve organized some of your great comments below, and not just in the hope that you’ll invite us over for hot-pepper-eating contests, salty fish, and baklava. Salud, Sparklers!
On the menu for this evening we have…
Bee_04: we eat lots of italian baked goods at christmas. and lotsa tabouli (sp?) and hummus and grape leaves at my grandparents house.
Sardinboks: At Christmas eve (because that is when we celebrate and open presents) some of us eat pinnekjøtt (literally stick meat).
cemmers: I am from Louisiana, so our food has a cajun influence (as well as plenty of other cultures).
Acryliccherries: i’m fortunate enough to be only one thing: spanish (as in from spain) i can’t even begin to explain the different kind of foods i eat at home from what my friends do…i have a home-cooked meal every single night, with at least some sort of colorful rice and beans..
nylitjunkie09: I’m Dominican…Whenever my American friends come over for dinner, they’re always so excited to try our “exotic” food. In my family, it’s my friends’ pot-roasts and casseroles that are “exotic”!
Eebyenoh: *Fajuata(I think that’s how it’s spelled) is something we eat often. It’s black beans and rice, usu. w/ some kind of vegetable on the side. A lot of cultures have bean-and-rice dishes, I’ve noticed!
Sparky_1403: My family sticks with the usual big Italian family culture. You know; Pasta and lots and lots of Italian bread.
Punkwc: Every Christmas Eve we have home made pizza…don’t know why. Every thanksgiving we have cranberry ice, which is my great grandma’s recipe for this cranberry slushy stuff that everyone loves. Every Christmas Dad bbqs some type of meat.
xMeganxMassacrex: So we go to ginormous Greek gatherings, that we call–Sundays. Deargod, it’s not easy when you’re vegetarian. “You don’t eat meat?! Why not? Noo! You eat meat! Here! Have some souvlaki! Why you not eating?”
These were new to us...
sagegugg: growing up in vermont, we always have sugar on snow during the winter months.
for those who are unaware of God’s little gift, sugar on snow is when maple syrup is cooked over a stove, then poured over packed snow, it hardens, and makes a wonderful piece of sugary bliss. best with a pickle and crackers:]
Icelidia: I’m 100% Russian. We eat a lot of salty fish and salty…other stuff and drink everything at room temperature. I didn’t think the latter was that weird until my friend pointed it out.
Proxidike: Speaking of “simit” (think bagel,but wider -more delicious!- and covered with sesame) we eat that for breakfast with cheese (feta/kashkaval mostly),olives (yum!) etc. and drink mostly tea…24/7! Throughout Ramadan we fast and when it’s time to eat (iftar) after sunset,here comes the pide!(a special kind of bread) and one of the types of desserts made is gullac (veeeery thin sweet pastry with rose water,walnuts or hazelnuts and pomegranate)… and we make baklava like no other!!!
Bearsley: i love my heritage!!! (sorry if that sounded like an ending scene form some Disney channel short but im very enthusiastic right now cuz im eating mashed potatoes and pizza!!!!!! at the same time!!!!! and its (surprisingly) good!!
On holidays we…
Emilyksu: I’m from where we call, “Little Sweden USA” so, we have Swedish festivals in our town. So, when I saw Swedish as part of your heritage, I got excited! If you want to get in touch with that side, check http://www.vimeo.com/65016 out… I’m one of the dancers in that clip actually!
Azure_Sora: Since we’re asian, we get to all these cool holidays!! We have Tet(you guys know it as Chinese New Year) in January or February…the Moon Festival is sometime in the fall, also based on the lunar calendar, and Memorial Day for our ancestors, which is a little before the Moon Festival in August…most Vietnamese celebrate Christmas, even though most of us are Buddhist, other Vietnamese are Catholic.
AlicePotter95: In the Dominican Republic you don’t get your presents until January on the Day of the Kings, which is on January 5, I think.
Lady_Samlet: Anywho we’re a normal American family. Easter involves Easter egg hunts. Fourth of July involves your run of the mill hometown fireworks show and homemade ice cream (if we’re lucky). Thanksgiving involves turkey and dressing. Christmas involves a roast (yum) and presents.
luvRulz131: I’m a pure Korean…our greatest holiday is Chusuk, 8.15 in lunar calendar. On Chusuk, we play a game called 강강술래 where everyone holds hands and dance in a circle.
ErikaJene: I always wish for a white Christmas but being from North Carolina it hardly ever snows…:/
AgentJellyBean: Holidays, etc aren’t especially different, but if we’re celebrating with the Hispanic side of the family meals feature hot pepper eating contests, singing/dancing, and a lil bit of Spanglish. xD
NiNiintheNorth: IRISH!!!!!! I love it. We celebrate all the usual holidays like christmas and easter but they are not really like holidays the are seen as being as very religious and important as most people are devout Christians (either roman catholic or protestant). We also celebrate lots of the old pagan holidays like Lughnasa and Samhain, these are always lots more fun and involve huge amounts of alcohol and dancing. We also have dances called céilís which are so much fun.
swimmingislife57: we have cannoli and ravioli for christmas, and the 21+ family members use the german/irish side as an excuse to get totally drunk on weddings/graduations/birthdays/every day.
Lorimelon: the main thing that’s different about us is that we have a large family (my dad’s parents are divorced) and so we usually have three christmas dinners; moms family some time before christmas, Nana and Papa on christmas day, and Grandma and grandpa on boxing day.
makemusicals: We do Shabbat every Friday and I go to temple with my dad on the high holidays. We celebrate Chanukah for 8 nights every winter. We don’t have an bizarre traditions. Except fasting on Yom Kippuer. Which was on my birthday this year.
two_00_seven: English-Irish-Swedish-Aussie, mate. I love summer Christmas, it’s much better than having all that snow and being cold. I have experienced it, I’m not talking through my hat here.
NCSGgirl: Recently we moved to England…as far as holidays go, we celebrate Chinese New Year (or try too), Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 4th of July and Thanksgiving are the tiniest bit awkward in England.
Lyra_Rose: I was born in South England so we do party for Guy Fawkes Night and celebrate Bank Holiday and all.
But we moved here to America when i was littleish. We watch fireworks on the 4th of july (come on fireworks are great!) but we don’t have a party or anything or go anywhere, or even set off fireworks since those are illegal in California, i mean come on though I’M BLOODY ENGLISH!
Downthestairsigo: I was born in Iraq and when I came here there was a major culture shock. One of the big differences are weddings. Well, that’s more of a religion thing but culture has an impact on that too. So, here’s how a Muslim wedding would go:
First, before a couple decides to get married they can “date” but there’s always a chaperone tagging along. And then you can’t do this for very long because neighbors will start talking. Then the couple can go through with the engagement. The groom goes to the bride to ask her parents for her hand. Then everyone in attendance says the first few verses of the Quran. They are then engaged. Instead of the diamond engagement ring they both wear the wedding band on their right hand on the ring finger. During engagement if they want to see each other outside of school or work a chaperone has to be in attendance.
After that (and the wedding usually takes place right after this) is what we call the writing of the book. What happens is a matzune (which is like a Shaik only just for marriage which is the equivalent of a priest) asks the father of the bride if he will give his daughter to the groom and the groom then repeats after the matzune that he will take the bride under God’s will. Of course, the bride is there to give her consent. Then everyone says the first few verses of the Quran again.
The wedding then follows but this is a little different too. The bride and groom make this big entrance together and they go to their places. Then they switch the wedding bands from the right hand to the left. And they are now married. The bride also gets a necklace, bracelet and earrings. And the groom also has to put down this upfront fee so if they get divorced the woman can sustain herself for at least a little. Nowadays, this isn’t very necessary because women can work more but the marriage won’t be complete without it.
Thanks again to everyone for the awesome responses! We wish we could fit them all in! | <urn:uuid:5cd99b08-31cf-46ec-b3e5-bb2cea841723> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://community.sparknotes.com/2009/07/17/sparkler-holidays-and-food-favorites | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946188 | 2,362 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Museum viewing pod. Courtesy Adobe Museum of Digital Media.
Recently, Adobe Systems Incorporated released a new product. Not an update to its existing suite, which include tools of the online trade such as Photoshop, Acrobat Reader and Flash, or some new software to fulfill ever-evolving
creative needs. Instead, it is an online destination for viewing digital art entitled the Adobe Museum of Digital Media (AMDM).
After waiting for the museum to load, you are greeted by a tour guide with a peculiar accent, whose likeness resembles a cross between a jellyfish and an eyeball. The museum has one current exhibit, a specially-commissioned piece by internationally acclaimed artist Tony Oursler, who is best known for his disconcerting projection installation works. As the museum has just launched, there is a limited amount to see: plans for the “building”, a chat with the curator, Tom Eccles, more chatter from the jellyfish-eyeball, the commissioned artwork by Oursler, and a comments section.
Before getting into the details of the museum itself, it is worth interrogating why it is considered by its creators to be a museum at all. The press release states the mission of the museum to be “...an interactive venue to present and preserve groundbreaking digital media works, inspire creative ideas and experimentation, and provide a forum for expert commentary on how digital media influences culture and society”. The mission is sound, but except for the word “preserve” there is little in it that specifically invokes the mantle of “museum”. As the AMDM is an obvious marketing exercise which promotes the use of digital tools (that Adobe happens to create), it’s a short leap of logic to conclude that “museum” was simply decided on as a word with greater impact than “gallery” or “showcase”.
READ ON » | <urn:uuid:fcf937be-34c4-4873-b74c-83a29e7a8434> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://rhizome.org/editorial/tags/digital/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945625 | 399 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Defiance, Missouri is an unincorporated community in Saint Charles County, Missouri. It was named in the late 1800s. Defiance is located approximately 40 miles west of St. Louis. Ivy has described it as a "cornfield-mosquito-ranch in the middle of nowhere". The Arbogast Funeral Home is located in Defiance.
In the comic
In "Defiance", Viktor tells Rocky that he can procure quality alcohol in Defiance. Rocky and Ivy journey to a farm located in Defiance in "Begorra", finding a spring house filled with bottles of liquor. There is a cemetary located near the farm, as shown in "Dead-run".
Rocky and Ivy are chased by a hearse before they can enter the spring house, and Rocky is injured and rendered unconscious during the pursuit. It is revealed that there were two men in the car, Abelard and Bobby; Bobby refers to Abelard, the driver, as an "ordained maniac" in "Haymaker". In "Undertaker", it is revealed that they work at the Arbogast Funeral Home, which was previously affiliated with Lackadaisy.
In "Gravediggers", Bobby relates the story of his, Elsa's and Abelard's involvement with Lackadaisy - during the early days of Prohibition, when Atlas was still developing his empire, he arranged, possibly with Ruby's help, to have trains arriving in Defiance loaded with liquor. Bobby, Abelard and Elsa would store the liquor for Atlas. At some point, "cattle rustling, train robbing rabble" began to rob from them, going so far as to shoot their organ player. Atlas in turn brought Viktor and Mordecai to Defiance; upon catching one of the rabble, they began burying him alive until he provided them with further information - the liquor that the rabble was stealing was in turn being sold to "boys from the city", who were involved in a turf war with Marigold. At this point Bobby is cut off by Elsa, who asks him not to tell Ivy more "awful stories", though Ivy is eager to hear more. | <urn:uuid:d7ee0652-5608-4b7a-a8ec-028f5cbe136e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lackadaisycats.com/wiki/index.php?title=Defiance&oldid=2468 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985653 | 444 | 1.757813 | 2 |
This may be hard to believe in the aftermath of Superstorm …
President Barack Obama makes an opening statement during his news conference, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
This may be hard to believe in the aftermath of Superstorm …
Whether you are gathering a small group for weekend or throwing…
An Interstate 5 bridge over a river collapsed north of Seattle,…
This gallery contains photos published May 16-23, 2013.
Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate…
Updated: Thursday, 13 Dec 2012, 3:51 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 13 Dec 2012, 12:07 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy is slowly digging out of its deepest economic hole since the 1930s. And if nothing else, the next four years should be better than the last four.
But American policymakers, newly re-elected President Barack Obama and a still-divided Congress could either speed that progress or derail it.
The same deep political divisions that bedeviled 2012 -- clashes over the scope of government and whether to tame deficits with spending cuts, higher taxes or both -- will also dominate the Washington dialogue in 2013 even if the president and Congress defuse a ticking fiscal bomb.
Although America's recession technically ended in mid-2009, recovery has been shallow and bumpy. Since then, economic growth has averaged a shade over a weak 2 percent. Unemployment -- 7.7 percent in November -- stands near where it was when President Barack Obama took office.
Obama and GOP leaders in Congress struggled toward year's end in search of a compromise to avert a fiscal cliff, a series of year-end mandatory spending cuts and tax increases. But their differences were wide and resolving them not easy.
Elections in this country decisively gave Obama a second term but kept the balance of power in Congress the same as before, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrat the Senate.
Despite these status-quo elections, change was erupting elsewhere in the world.
Israelis and Palestinians remained stuck in their old patterns of hostility, but their neighborhood was quickly changing as the Arab Spring scrambled the dynamics of the Middle East. Violence sprung up in Syria and Egypt. And a belligerent Iran with nuclear ambitions hovered over the region. North Korea successfully tested a long-range missile. As China named new leaders for the next decade, Obama shifted some of his gaze to Asia and became the first president to visit reclusive Myanmar.
Both sides also were paying new attention to America's neighbors to the south as immigration reform jumped to the front burner following the drubbing dealt Republican immigration hardliners.
Hispanics now make up 10 percent of the electorate, and their percentage is expanding. Vanquished GOP nominee Mitt Romney, who once suggested illegal immigrants "self deport," won only 27 percent of the Hispanic vote to Obama's 71 percent.
It was also the year of Big Money -- the most expensive presidential election ever and the first since the "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling in 2010 opened the floodgates to independent expenditure organizations and super-PACs. In all, a record $6 trillion was spent by presidential and congressional campaigns. Neither Obama nor Romney took strings-attached federal campaign funds, the first time both major candidates declined public financing.
The Supreme Court in June handed the president a key victory by upholding his signature health care overhaul that both sides are now calling "Obamacare." But the ruling had a double edge. It also made the Medicaid expansion, central to the new law, optional for states -- an option now complicating deficit-reduction efforts to trim Medicaid entitlement spending.
More presidential debates were staged than ever: some two dozen during the Republican primaries, then three presidential showdowns and one vice presidential debate.
The GOP field began large, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, pizza entrepreneur Herman Cain and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota -- each taking turns briefly outpacing Romney in polls.
That internal party challenge helped push Romney, who governed Massachusetts as a moderate, ever rightward politically. Yet Romney was never completely able to win over conservatives.
And his penchant for saying things that emphasized his wealth and lack of a common touch, from saying that "47 percent" of Americans don't pay income taxes and expect government benefits to his postelection assertion that Obama won by giving "gifts" to key constituencies. Such tin-ear comments helped isolate him from top Republican leaders, who all but disowned him after the election. Except for a private lunch with Obama at the White House in late November, the Romneys ended the year out of the limelight at their home in La Jolla, Calif.
But running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, a potential 2016 GOP presidential contender, returned as a power in fiscal deliberations as head of the House Budget Committee.
As campaigns droned on -- Republicans held their convention in late August in Tampa, Fla., and Democrats in early September in Charlotte, N.C. -- Americans could rejoice at the intricate but successful landing of Mars rover Curiosity in a crater near the Martian equator in August, a shot in the arm for a troubled U.S. space program.
Meanwhile, U.S. oil and gas output surged so fast -- driven by new drilling methods and the discovery of vast new reserves in North Dakota and elsewhere -- that the U.S. was poised to overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest petroleum producer.
politicians have long called for more energy independence, yet Obama delayed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline between Canada and the U.S. He headed into 2013 under increasing pressure to act from environmental activists and oil producers.
Although stimulus programs sponsored by Presidents George W. Bush and Obama have largely expired, the Federal Reserve was helping to keep the economy growing by holding down short-term interest rates and printing hundreds of billions of dollars to buy Treasury and mortgage bonds to stimulate borrowing, spending and job growth.
But Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who coined the term "fiscal cliff" crisis, cautioned that if it couldn't be resolved by year's end, "I don't think our tools are strong enough to offset the effects."
The combination of huge tax hikes and spending cuts, while trimming the deficit, would also likely throw the country back into recession, Bernanke and other economists said.
"President Obama does not want to preside over another recession. ... He wants to be treated well in history books," said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at Cal State University Channel Islands. "Republicans, coming out of a defeat at the polls, do not want to be viewed as obstructionists destroying jobs."
Both sides were under enormous pressure to strike a deal. And another crisis loomed beyond the cliff as the government yet again neared its borrowing limit.
It will shortly hit the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling. Creative bookkeeping can extend the day of reckoning to February. But absent an agreement, "both sides would be back at the negotiating table in a matter of weeks over a much bigger threat to the economy -- the inability of the federal government to pay its bills," said Isabel Sawhill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Debt-limit gamesmanship in 2011 led to the first-ever downgrade of the credit rating of U.S. Treasury bonds and rattled financial markets.
Obama asked Congress to raise the borrowing limit unconditionally as part of his end-of-year laundry list of fiscal-policy demands -- but Republicans were resisting.
Obama frequently was portrayed as anti-business during his first term. But he's lately courted corporate leaders, many of whom back his call for raising top tax rates, if only to gain more economy certainty.
In the months ahead, watch for Obama to become "an extraordinary cheerleader for business," suggested billionaire investment guru Mario Gabelli.
To Thomas Cronin, a political science professor at Colorado College, the "whole year seemed dedicated to campaigning. And most of it took place in swing states."
Obama "came to Colorado 17 times during his first term. Rarely did he go to states that weren't up for grabs." With both candidates visiting only swing states, "it's a real disincentive to vote for people in the minority party in a state that they know is going the other way," Cronin said.
The deadly terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Bengazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 -- and flawed explanations later by the White House and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice -- raised a late-year foreign policy dilemma for Obama, aggravated by the sudden resignation of retired four-star Gen. David Petraeus as CIA director in an extra-marital affair.
Obama's quick management of federal relief efforts involving late-season Superstorm Sandy, which devastated a wide swath of the Eastern Seaboard, won applause from both parties.
The year saw droves of congressional departures from defeats and resignations. There will be a dozen new faces in the Senate and 81 in the House.
Elections took a toll on many veterans, including longtime Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., felled in a primary challenge by a tea party supporter who was later defeated. And Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., a favorite of the tea party, resigned in early December to head the conservative Heritage Foundation, insisting he was "leaving the Senate better than I found it."
Also leaving was Rep. Barney Frank, the witty longtime Massachusetts Democrat who served for a time as chairman of the House Financial Affairs Committee.
"Not running for re-election means I no longer have to be nice to people I don't like," Frank told reporters. | <urn:uuid:5f33b06f-d3b6-4b60-817a-eba81193f7e0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www3.wdtn.com/dpps/news/in-slow-recovery-many-2012-fights-to-carry-over-nd12-jos_5088728 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969014 | 2,014 | 1.65625 | 2 |
This is Demi and her friend Trenton Cole Bailey Stout. They were best friends. They had known each other since Demi was 2. He was a year older than her. He stayed at their house a lot, it was like his second home, and Dallas was like his sister. They both lived in Colleyville, Texas. As they grew up, their friendship only got stronger. But you see, since Demi was a grade below him, she didn’t know his friends, what was going on, and all that in his grade. Like she said, she’d gotten suicidal thoughts when she was 7, but he got her through it all. She stayed strong for him. She started getting an eating disorder, and he could tell, he worried about her, so he tried to stand up for her, but it didn’t work very well. He was bullied before that, but just in his own grade, after trying to stand up for Demi, he was bullied in both the grade below him and his own grade, making it nearly impossible to have friends, or feel safe. He and Demi were a lot alike, they both struggled so much with peer pressure, bullying, and that type of stuff. One day, the walked to school together, Trenton seemed fine. They had a normal day and went home, hung our for a while at Demi’s house, then he went home. Demi was about 12. Trenton was about 13. The next day, he didn’t walk to school with her, worrying her. But she thought he might’ve been sick- even though he was never sick and had never missed a day of school in his life. She thought about him all day and worried about him. At the end of the school day, she’d still heard nothing about him, no one knew what happened, not his friends, not anyone in his grade, not the teachers, not her friends, which turned her stomach in knots. As she was about to walk home, she got a call from her mom. Her mom was crying, and told Demi that Trenton had died. Demi didn’t believe her and ran home. Her mother hugged her tightly, as the ambulances surrounded her house, and Trenton’s house. She ran over to his house, and she saw his body. She didn’t think he looked like the Trenton she knew. The Trenton she had loved. She fell to her knees crying, and her mom just held her. After a while, her mother explained what had happened. Trenton had hung himself with his belt, because of how bullied he was. Demi immediately blamed herself, wishing she could’ve helped him, even just one little sentence, she was convinced, could’ve changed his mind. And that’s when she admitted to had fallen in love with Trenton. Her first love, ripped away from her. She never got to tell him, she was too scared, but she always wondered how he felt about her, but she would never get to know. That’s what pushed her over the edge, and that first night- she cut for the first time. It felt to het like the pain was flowing out of her, so she kept doing it.
This post is in remembrance of Trenton Cole Bailey Stout. | <urn:uuid:26fdf763-a192-4724-9cea-0aadb911ecfb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://laughterland.tumblr.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.997421 | 700 | 1.742188 | 2 |
…And rightly so. He wrote, after a vote to allow debate on repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell failed to clear a 60 vote plurality: DADT didn’t fail. The Senate did:
The bill repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell didn’t fail: The Senate did. The bill got 57 votes, not 49. As Dylan Matthews pointed out, a procedural failsafe that’s theoretically meant to protect the rights of minorities was just used to restrict the rights of minorities — which is how it’s always been, of course.
The various players are excitedly blaming one another. Anonymous aides to Harry Reid are arguing that Susan Collins’s demands would’ve meant so much conservative obstruction that there wouldn’t have been time for a vote. Collins was just on the television saying that if Reid had only given her more time, the bill would’ve passed.
I don’t care who’s right. And nor should anyone else. The diffusion of responsibility that comes from deciding law through complex parliamentary gamesmanship rather than simple majority-rules votes is the problem. What happened today is that a majority of the Senate voted for a bill that the majority of Americans support. The bill did not pass. Neither Harry Reid nor Susan Collins are ultimately responsible for that. The rules of the Senate are.
Harry Reid has got to know that Klein is right. He also has to know that the only way he’ll have a legacy worth remembering is if he sees to it that the filibuster is reformed, and reformed dramatically. There’s a way to do it, and an absolute need.
Klein’s point that the filibuster has always been used by Senate minorities set on restricting the rights of society’s minorities is well taken and worth emphasizing. Until the last decade, that was almost the only purpose it had been used for, especially before final passage of the Civil Rights Act, and the realignment of political parties that it compelled. I’m sure some good filibuster examples exist, mostly of judicial appointments (Bernie Sanders eight hour speech against tax cuts for the wealthy wasn’t a filibuster). And I could see preserving the filibuster in cases of lifetime appointments to the federal bench. But for legislation and presidential appointments to executive agencies and the White House itself, allowing a minority to obstruct legislation forever, and to block the President from employing his chosen staff, is simply undemocratic and absurd.
It’s time to fix this flawed institution. | <urn:uuid:1617117c-ff9b-47c3-b567-ce68389fc7ca> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://scienceblogs.com/tfk/2010/12/13/ezra-klein-is-shrill/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960074 | 528 | 1.523438 | 2 |
With kratom leaves, you can view the beauty of the leaves, the delicate veins that wind along their underside. It’s a visual link to the plant and to nature. It reminds you of the long path this leaf has taken, over hundreds of miles, through the hands of lots of unseen people, right to you.
Powdered leaf, on the other hand, is regular leaves in powder form. This allows for easier, more consistent measuring since there are no bits and pieces of leaf and veins in the kratom. Everything is uniform and easy to handle. Many people prefer this to the whole leaf kratom. To each their own.
In whole or partial leaves, you can see the veins, which give the kratom a different visual appeal. This also impacts the way the incense works. We offer red, white, and green veined varieties of popular strains. Each has slightly different alkaloid concentrations and ratios, which means different incense experiences for you—even if the incense is from the same area!
Location is everything. Trees grow particularly well in certain locations. Winds and strong storms at certain times produce growth spurts, while wind and storms at other times can kill or cripple a young tree. It’s this element of chance that good location evens out. Over time, the genetics of the kratom trees in the area adapt to the ecosystem through natural selection.
Also, the health of kratom leaves depend on the health of the soil. That’s why we take so much care to make sure the soil is taken care of.
Leaves, powdered or in pieces, are a great way to start experiencing kratom. They aren’t extracted. There’s no amplification of the experience. It’s just simple dry leaves like the ones you see piled high on the ground during autumn. | <urn:uuid:25fea635-d980-4c65-8e0f-905b49a4f782> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.superkratom.com/component/tienda/products/4-kratom-leaf.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93407 | 384 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Special to the Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
United Way of the Wabash Valley, in partnership with the Vigo County School Corp., Clay Community Schools, Southwest School Corp. and Kid Kare Project, a United Way community partner, is inviting the community to help local families as the school year approaches. They are hosting the 4th annual community-based school supply drive called “Stuff the Bus.”
“Stuff the Bus” challenges residents of the six counties the United Way of the Wabash Valley serves to bring as many new classroom necessities as possible for local students. All supplies collected from the event will be given to the participating school corporations or agency to distribute to students in need.
“School supplies are getting more and more expensive,” said Dan Tanoos, Vigo County School superintendent. “With the help of the United Way we are making sure the supplies are getting to the people who need them the most, as schools can use the supplies on an as-needed basis. The ‘Stuff the Bus’ project is a great way to ensure that our students are equipped with the supplies they need to do their very important school work.”
Stuff the Bus helps provide children in need with a fresh start to the upcoming school year through the donation of much needed new school supplies.
Each school within the four participating corporations and agencies will receive the supplies.
“The ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign is a great opportunity to show that everyone can make a difference to help advance the common good in the area of education.” said Troy Fears, executive director of United Way of the Wabash Valley. “School officials tell us that children routinely show up to school without the basic tools they need to do their school work. United Way is committed to ensuring that all of our children have access to the basic foundation they need to succeed in school, setting them up for lifelong success.”
A real school bus will be outside donation locations on the following dates:
• Aug. 3 — Clinton Walmart from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 6 — Terre Haute Walmart on South US 41 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 7 — Brazil Walmart from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 8 — Staples on South U.S. 41 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 9 — Terre Haute Walmart on Indiana 46 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 10 — Sullivan Walmart from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The school corporations are looking for a variety of items including: back packs, pencils, pens, composition paper, crayons, colored pencils, construction paper, glue, glue sticks, pencil cases, scissors, erasers, binders, rulers, book covers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, Band-Aids, and art pads.
For more information on items to donate, or to make a monetary donation, contact Troy Fears at United Way of the Wabash Valley at (812) 235-6287 or by email at email@example.com. | <urn:uuid:21f63968-963c-4eed-a5ee-12323a854b88> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tribstar.com/bigstory2/x1841409656/United-Way-Valley-schools-prepare-to-Stuff-the-Bus/print | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939075 | 689 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Danny Boyle’s secretive Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics has finally been revealed. Taking audiences on a beautifully chaotic journey through many iconic moments in modern British history, Boyle’s opening ceremony made for an awe-inspiring beginning to the world’s most legendary event.
However, while much of the world watched live as the 2012 London Olympics began, American audiences had to wait until primetime to watch the lighting of the flames. Looking to make up much of the $1.3 billion that NBC spent on the rights to the Olympics, the Opening Ceremony that American audiences watched was vastly different than what the rest of the world witnessed.
Continuously cutting to commercials throughout, the subtle, nuanced program that Danny Boyle planned out was all but eviscerated, as a need to recoup some of the money spent on the Olympic rights took its toll on a ceremony that the world was raving about just hours before. Though some may have been happy about the faux fast-paced Olympic Ceremony (coming in 30 minutes under the live broadcast), many who watched had issues with NBC’s coverage.
Appropriately complaining about not being able to watch the Olympic Ceremony live with the rest of the world, many complaints quickly turned to the abundance of commentary that was provided by Today Show hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer – and later NBC Sports commentator Bob Costas, taking over for Vieira. Stepping over many of the beautifully crafted moments of the Opening Ceremony, it was almost impossible for anyone to have appreciated Boyle’s carefully planned program the same way they could have if it was aired live, uninterrupted, and without such substantial commentary.
At one point questioning whether something was “creepy” or “cute,” Lauer and Vieira’s commentary quickly became familiar to anyone who has had to sit next to talkative theater goers. With many people taking to Twitter to question whether they could stop talking long enough for viewers to actually enjoy the opening ceremony, we pose the question to you…
How did NBC do with the coverage of the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony? | <urn:uuid:57146907-7b02-4fde-aa5d-32152a62c09d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://screenrant.com/2012-opening-ceremony-london-olympics/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976587 | 440 | 1.671875 | 2 |
|NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OPEN SCHOOLING FOR SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS|
Tamana was the first institute to conceptualize formal school certification for special needs students. It applied for accreditation to National Open School to run their programmes for its students. For two years the course coordinators-Ms Vinita Krishna, Ms Renu Bedi worked on the special curriculum which was put into operation after Tamana received the status of Special Accredited Center Of NOS in 1999. Initially, Tamana conducted the Open Basic Education (Level A & B) courses for the disabled and the disadvantaged. Classes were held from class 1 till class 8 level. In November 2011, Tamana received accreditation for running Class 10 and class 12.
Students from other schools can also apply for the course at Tamana. Students are first assessed by special educators to assess their readiness for NIOS. Admissions are taken all the year round. Parents have to register the child at Nai Disha. Assessment date is given at time of registration.
C-10/8 Vasant Vihar New Delhi - 110057
Tel: - 26151587/26148269
Coordinator: Ms. Yasmeen Begum, Contact No: +91 9873972910
Timings of NIOS classes: 9.30 am - 1.30 pm, Every Saturday
For queries, please call, Ms. Rency Joy at 26151587 | <urn:uuid:4f92a28e-d1d1-4f5c-97fc-7e2bbd6b97d1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tamana.org/NIOS.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937376 | 296 | 1.765625 | 2 |
"California is aging, and is already home to the largest population of dependent adults in the nation," Yamada said in a press release. "There should be clear standards for training and background checks for agency-based caregivers who wish to serve this vulnerable population."
AB 322 authorizes the California Department of Social Services to license and regulate private home care agencies that hire and match home care aides with clients that need nonmedical assistance to live at home independently. Many seniors and persons with disabilities, or their families, choose private home care agencies to secure the services of a comprehensively screened professional caregiver and avoid the liabilities and tax consequences of being an employer of an independent caregiver.
Currently, the only requirement to establish a home-care agency in California is a business license. The lack of oversight and regulation of private home-care agencies can leave consumers without safeguards to protect them from negligent or criminal conduct. The Home Care Services Act of 2013 responds to an industry call for regulation.
Yamada represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or parts of Colusa, Lake, | <urn:uuid:ad5da54e-69c6-4df6-a80e-9607aef73be0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thereporter.com/ci_22609411/assemblymember-mariko-yamada-d-solano-introduces-assembly-bill | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94586 | 219 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Songfacts®: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
This was inspired by a nostalgic trip lead singer Dexter Holland took to his old neighborhood, Garden Grove in Orange County, California. Many people he knew were met tragedy (i.e., car accidents, nervous breakdowns, etc.).
Holland: "You grow up in America, and you're supposed to have a bright future."
The rest of the album explores other, more light-hearted, aspects of life in the United States.
The title is a takeoff on the name of a concert documentary and compilation album released by The Who in 1979 called The Kids Are Alright.
This was featured in the film The Faculty. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)
Songs Discussed in Movies
, Reservoir Dogs
, Willy Wonka
. Just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.
Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)
Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.
Kristian Bush of Sugarland
Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards. | <urn:uuid:c7a23089-a0e0-4024-8d1c-3a1e82288be9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2465 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959261 | 270 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made some comments this week that some say reversed his campaign’s view that the health care reform law’s individual mandate is a tax, not a penalty. The distinction is important to Romney’s campaign because as governor of Massachusetts he signed into law a health care bill that included a mandate, which has been considered a penalty, not a tax. Basically, Romney is now saying that the law he signed isn’t a tax, but the law President Obama signed is. “Well, the Supreme Court has the final word,” Romney said. “And their final word is that Obamacare is a tax. So it’s a tax.” Romney said the mandate is a tax because the majority of justices on the Court say so, however, he didn’t specifically agree with them. | <urn:uuid:1126edc5-e0f8-4f6a-b29e-bd95f7ec033b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2012/07/05/romney-says-mandates-a-tax-but-also-sides-with-jus?t=disability | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986198 | 174 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Club EJ Director Leslie Fields Tapped for Obama Administration Post
Leslie Fields, the Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships Director for the Sierra Club, has been appointed by President Obama to the Board of Directors of the Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Committee.
"I'm honored to have been appointed," says Fields, who will remain in her position at the Club. "Hopefully we can bring an environmental justice perspective to the administration based on the Sierra Club's great EJ and partnerships work. We're the only mainstream environmental group that has a dedicated, robust EJ program that's embedded in communities all across the country. The Club has made a commitment to environmental justice and it's paying off in benefits for the communities we work with, and for the Sierra Club itself."
The Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center (NUATRC) was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and incorporated in 1991. It is named after the late Congressman Mickey Leland, whose efforts on behalf of public health contributed significantly to the passage of key amendments to the Clean Air Act. NUATRC is a research facility that has been specifically charged to sponsor and gather scientific information on the human health effects caused by exposure to air toxics.
The Center's research program, developed collaboratively by experts from academia, industry, and government, seeks to fill the gaps in scientific data that are required to make sound environmental health public policy decisions. Its objectives are to study the health effects of exposure to air toxics; develop new approaches and methods for assessing the potential risks resulting from exposures to air toxics; and provide sound, peer-reviewed scientific data for regulatory purposes.
Fields was formerly the International Director of Friends of the Earth and she is currently an adjunct law professor at Howard University School of Law. She serves on the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies' Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change, the American Bar Association's Environmental Justice Committee, and on the board of Horn Relief. | <urn:uuid:b3c235a0-49b3-4d78-84de-de71021d1d99> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sierraclub.typepad.com/scrapbook/2011/03/club-ej-director-leslie-fields-tapped-for-obama-administration-post.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95122 | 417 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Advising Brown Bag Series: The Academic Advising Committee sponsors a series of Brown Bags open to the entire campus community during the academic year. This series provides informal exchanges monthly about topics of current interest in order to assist faculty with students' success. Click here for the schedule of Brown Bag topics. Following each session, this information exchange is summarized and sent to all faculty. Click here for a recap of the brown bag sessions for September, October 2, October 17 (The State of Mental Health on College Campuses, Resilience, Motivational Interviewing), November 1, November 14, February, March, April. Click here for a brief overview of how and why to send an academic alert or a student of concern referral.
Advisor Handbook: Now in its 3rd edition, the Advisor Handbook provides in-depth information about the College's advising program, advising specific populations, policies and practical guidelines, and campus resources. The Handbook also includes examples of many of the College's forms in its appendix to illustrate our policies and guidelines. Click here to view the Handbook online: http://lemoyne.edu/tabid/1186/default.aspx
My College Plan: This exercise, while required at the end of the first semester in concert with the academic advisor, is an important intentional step for any student toward discerning a student's personal values and career and academic interests and abilities. It will provide students with an opportunity to reflect, do some serious research into the course work required for the major, and begin thoughtful planning about a student's future college and career path. My College Plan is the start of an ongoing conversation that students should have with their academic advisors, and any other campus mentors. It should be considered a living document to revisit periodically.
When to use WebAdvisor: You may know WebAdvisor (http://webadvisor.lemoyne.edu) as the College's online registration system, but were you aware that it is also a very helpful resource for academic advisors. Advisors can view information related to their active advisees within the "My Advisees" section of WebAdvisor. Here you will be able to view the student transcript, class schedule, student profile, and test summary. In addition, as an advisor, you can also evaluate the student's current program/major or run a What if scenario if the student is considering a change of discipline. Concerns with the information displayed on WebAdvisor should be directed to the Registrar's Office at email@example.com or 315-445-4456.
When to use Echo: As an advisor, part of your responsibility includes working with your advisees prior to their course registration. To approve/clear students for registration, advisors should utilize Echo (http://echo.lemoyne.edu) to identify students who have followed the appropriate steps to communicate their anticipated registration plans. Approving a student for registration automatically make them eligible for registering once their registration time arrives provided that they do not have any registration holds, such as a bursar or student development hold. In addition, Echo also allows the advisor to view the student's course history and if FERPA was signed giving a family member access to grade reports.
Students of Concern (E.A.S.E.): The Early Alert System Exchange provides avenues for professors, administrators, and staff to assist Le Moyne students who show signs of needing support for their academic success. The Academic Alert and the Student of Concern tools enlist a team of consultants to aid students toward that success. Click here for more information.
Students in Crisis: Often, the academic advisor is a student's life line and the first point of contact when a student has a situation that requires immediate attention. Click here to view specific guidelines for providing support to your students.
Le Moyne College Student Handbook: This Student Handbook contains the policies and procedures for students and information about Le Moyne's history, mission and culture as well as a number of the services and resources available to students. The policies contained in this Handbook are applicable to all students - undergraduate, graduate, and part-time, and students are responsible for being aware of these policies and following them accordingly. Click here to view the Handbook online: http://www.lemoyne.edu/tabid/847/default.aspx
NACADA Resources: The National Academic and Advising Association (NACADA) provides comprehensive resources for professional development and achieving student success within higher education. The NACADA Clearinghouse features member written articles addressing more than 250 advising topics. Annotated bibliographies help advisors read more about issues, and member suggested web links connect advisors to more than 10,000 relevant resources. Click here to view the current resources available: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/index.htm | <urn:uuid:7182e987-e6d9-4f37-abcd-d9bab5cdfce3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lemoyne.edu/AZIndex/OfficeofAcademicandCareerAdvising/Resources/tabid/3089/Default.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935902 | 993 | 1.679688 | 2 |
The Lande project is concerned with formal methods for constructing and validating software. Our focus is on providing methods with a solid formal basis (in the form of a precise semantics for the programming language used and a formal logic for specifying properties of programs) in order to provide firm guarantees as to their correctness. In addition, it is important that the methods provided are highly automated so as to be usable by non-experts in formal methods. [More ...]
For more details consult our activity report. | <urn:uuid:33a1a01f-bcd1-4d73-9865-2bbbbaaffedd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.irisa.fr/lande/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944957 | 101 | 1.601563 | 2 |
For More than twenty years, “What’s Happening To Me?” has helped parents explain puberty to their children who are experiencing “growing pains.”
More than one million children and young adults have enjoyed the humor and honesty in this book, while learning what really happens to their bodies as they mature.
Peter Mayle and Authur Robins are the bestselling team also responsible for “Where Did I Come From?”
About the Author
Peter Mayle (born June 14, 1939 in Brighton) is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. He spent fifteen years in the advertising industry before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. His 1989 book A Year in Provence became an international bestseller; it chronicled a year in his life as a British expatriate in Ménerbes, a village in the southern département Vaucluse.
His books have been translated to more than twenty languages. He writes for magazines and newspapers. A Year in Provence was produced as a TV series starring John Thaw and screened in 1993. His novel A Good Year was the basis for the 2006 film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott and starring actors Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.
Peter Mayle lives in Lourmarin, situated in Luberon, in Provence, France.
British Book Awards named A Year in Provence Best Travel Book of the Year (1989) and Author of the Year (1992). The French government made him a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in 2002, for coopération et francophonie.
Audience: Teenager / Young Adult
For Ages: 9 - 12 years old
For Grades: 4 - 7
Number Of Pages: 188
Published: 1st August 2000
Dimensions (cm): 19.8 x 12.9 x 0.5
Weight (kg): 0.186 | <urn:uuid:86a1df16-2b7e-40c9-ab11-5b6e1cc95dc1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.booktopia.com.au/what-s-happening-to-me--peter-mayle/prod9780818403125.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958915 | 436 | 1.5 | 2 |
How People Voted
15% For, 85% Against
20 votes cast
S. 1561, The Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act of 2009
- This item is from the 111th Congress (2009-2010) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
S. 1561 would ensure safe, secure, and reliable marine shipping in the Arctic, including the availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts, oil spill response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic. | <urn:uuid:ed89240b-fa77-4880-85d7-30cbd65fd004> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_SN_1561.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931651 | 119 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Countdown to the School of Engineering and Applied Science
Over the summer of 2011, Hofstra announced the establishment of a School of Engineering and Applied Science. The new school will combine and expand Hofstra’s existing departments of Engineering and Computer Science to develop a curriculum that emphasizes high-tech research, practical work experience and interdisciplinary study, integrating resources and faculty from other parts of the institution, including the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine and the Frank G. Zarb School of Business. One key feature of the new school will be a co-op program in which partnerships with a network of industry leaders will offer students substantial work experience before they graduate.
On June 14, 2012, Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz announced the appointment of Dr. Simon Ben-Avi, an acting dean at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art - one of the nation’s top-ranked engineering schools, as the inaugural dean of Hofstra’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Dr. Ben-Avi began his career at The Cooper Union in 1984, as a professor of electrical engineering, and later became an associate dean in 1997. He also served as the institution’s C.V. Starr Distinguished Professor of Research for a decade. Dr. Ben-Avi has experience as an entrepreneur, a consultant, and has performed clinical trials and research projects with medical institutions, including Lenox Hill Hospital.
“It is a rare opportunity to create a new educational model, building on the existing strengths of an outstanding national institution of higher education, partnering with other science and art programs,” Dr. Ben-Avi said. “I look forward to the challenge of creating an engineering program and curriculum that connects students to industry and theory to application, encourages research and innovation while making a real difference in our region and our world.”
In conjunction with the new school, Hofstra is investing $4.5 million to upgrade facilities for the engineering and applied science programs, $3 million to renovate labs, classrooms and offices in the programs’ current home in Weed and Adams halls. The University is also building a new, $1 million biomedical engineering lab funded by the Empire State Development Corporation and supported by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. The renovations are funded in part by a New York State grant, ENGine, in which Hofstra and Stony Brook University have partnered to increase the number of engineering students in the region.
The new school makes Hofstra only the third university in the New York metro area to have schools of law, medicine and engineering. | <urn:uuid:8c5e2bab-2a68-46a0-9836-32d8aaecbe22> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/SEAS/seas_countdown.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950195 | 536 | 1.617188 | 2 |
2010-2011 School Year Ends Successfully
- May 26, 2011
More than 42,700 East Baton Rouge Parish School System students completed the 2010-2011 school year today. On the last day of school, May 24, School System Superintendent John Dilworth took the opportunity to thank students, teachers, principals, school staff, parents and the East Baton Rouge community for another great year.
“I am very proud of the achievements made over the past year,” Dilworth said. “Over the past year, 78 percent of our schools showed growth with 37 meeting or exceeding average state growth in test scores. Our graduation rates increased by 3.2 percent to 60 percent for on-time graduates and the drop-out rate decreased from 10.2 percent to 5 percent since May 2008. And today, we received news that our spring test scores increased.”
This year, Ryan Elementary joined the ranks of the districts eight other Blue Ribbon Schools, which include Baton Rouge Magnet High School, Forest Heights Elementary, Glasgow Middle, McKinley Middle Magnet, Northeast Elementary, Shenandoah Elementary, Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet and Westdale Heights Academic Magnet schools.
Students are scheduled to begin the 2011-2012 school year on August 10.
Principal Brister in Washington, D.C., to Accept McKinley Middle School’s Second Blue Ribbon Award
On Tuesday, November 13, 2012, Principal Herman Brister (pictured, left) and the school’s Teacher of the Year, Lynn Williamson (right), were in Washington, D.C., accepting McKinley Middle Academic Magnet School’s National Blue Ribbon Award from U.S. Department of Education’s Director of National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Aba Kumi (center). The event, which recognized some 314 schools from across the United States, was held at the Omni Hotel. Click herefor story.
Subscribe to the EBRPSS eNews to receive our bi-weekly eNewsletter. | <urn:uuid:1f6f1914-ca85-407e-87e6-818a41be470b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.ebrschools.org/explore.cfm/ebrpssnews/201011schoolyearends | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946826 | 403 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Pulse of The People: State is not doing enough to address hunger
Anti-hunger advocates were pleased that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s written State of the State address included 10 pages devoted to the problem of hunger and the need for action.
Unfortunately, hunger did not make it into the actual speech he delivered.
Anti-hunger advocates were stunned when the governor’s actual budget proposals eliminated direct funding allocations for critical anti-hunger programs such as HPNAP (funding for emergency food) and WIC (Women, Infants and Children.) Instead, they were lumped together into a new “block grant” with other programs in the Health Department. The amount of funding proposed for these programs was a $13 million cut from prior funding levels.
Since the Great Recession started in 2007, the number of people fed at emergency food programs has increased by more than 60 percent, while state funding has remained stable and federal funding has been cut. Two-thirds of the program said that their funding form government and private donations has dropped, while 90 percent saw more guests this year. Even the stage agency that works with EFPs had recommended a $10 million increase in funding for emergency food.
A recent statewide survey of such programs by the Hunger Action Network found that 20 percent of the three million or so guests are seniors, a big increase. Unfortunately, the governor is proposing keep the same funding level for the Meals on Wheels programs.
More than a third of the guests at EFPs are the working poor. Anti-hunger advocates were glad that the governor proposed an increase in the state minimum wage to $8.75 an hour but were disappointed that he failed to support indexing it to inflation like many other states do. Most anti-hunger advocates have been asking for a minimum wage of at least $10 an hour, with indexing.
The governor’s budget largely ignored that much of the state is still hurting from the Great Recession. Governments at all levels need to increase their investment in targeted job creation and overall spending to stimulate the economy. The so-called recovery has restored far fewer jobs than any other “post-recession” bump in our history, and middle-class jobs are being replaced with poverty wages one.
Mark A. Dunlea
Hunger Action Network of New York State Continued...
Location, ST | website.com
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Vito Ciccarelli talks about Trojans and the things they do in their communities. | <urn:uuid:5dbbba88-a0c7-4689-b746-4e6d7e98be3e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2013/02/19/opinion/doc51227d066b519160074045.txt?viewmode=3 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959449 | 731 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Fed's Rosengren Says More QE is NeededAugust 7, 2012 @ 9:15 AM EST
Fed Update: Rosengren Says Fed QE Needed
In a NY Times interview, Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren (who is not a voting member of the FOMC this year) said that he was in favor of the Fed further expanding its holdings of Treasury and mortgage bonds – a program commonly referred to as quantitative easing (QE).
Rosengren added that the central bank should steadily continue its purchases until it was satisfied with the direction of the economy.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Rosengren likened the economy to a swimmer treading water and getting nowhere.
Rosengren told the Journal that many measures of the job market remain soft. For example, Rosengren pointed to the percentage of the population that is employed, which fell from 58.6% in June to 58.4% in July and is lower than it was at the beginning of the year.
The Boston Fed President added, "That calls for a more substantive action than we've taken to date," he said. "We need a pro-growth monetary policy."
Aaccording to the WSJ, Rosengren is part of a wing of policy activists at the Fed who have pushed for more aggressive responses to a weak economy. The WSJ noted that Rosengren's decision to speak out forcefully in favor of more Fed stimulus is a sign of the momentum building inside the Fed for a new phase of action. The goal of an additional bond-buying program would be to drive down long-term interest rates, drive up stocks and push down the value of the dollar, which many officials believe would spur overall economic activity.
Rosengren also said that the Fed should gradually reduce the 0.25% interest rate it pays banks for the cash they leave on reserve. Note that the ECB recently cut the rate the central bank pays on deposits. Such a plan is designed to encourage banks to take higher risks with their capital reserves.
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S&P 500 - Last 12 Month
Remember, you are in control your email alerts! You can receive alerts for more than 25 free research report alerts including: The “10.0” Report, The Insiders Report, ETF Leaders Report, and The Focus List. | <urn:uuid:d9963e85-9c45-41ce-a6ca-e6b8cc160354> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stateofthemarkets.com/report/17650/Fed-s-Rosengren-Says-More-QE-is-Needed | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959728 | 603 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Posted at: 11/07/2012 11:32 PM
By: Dan Levy
ALBANY - The end of the political campaign season and the nation breathe a collective sigh of relief, that for a while at least, we won't be subjected to an endless barrage of tv campaign ads.
And in case you didn't notice, never before have Americans been subjected to the level of negative ads as this year. According to a political advertising analysis done by the Wesleyan Media Project, Americans have been subjected to more than $800 million worth of presidential campaign ads alone, with more than 80% of them, they say, negative.
It's one of the things in American life that's not only unappealing, it's unavoidable. Over the last several months in this country, more than one million presidential campaign ads alone have run somewhere, the overwhelming percentage of them were negative.
"They are fed up understandably," said Skidmore College political scientist Ron Seyb. "It's like a jackhammer pounding their head every day between five and eleven P.M. and there was just no respite from it.
Dr. Seyb says candidates run them, first, because there's no penalty for it, but secondly, because they work, especially on so-called low involvement voters, people who don't follow campaigns very closely and get their information from the ads.
"Handlers often times do what works," Seyb says, "They're in the business of winning campaigns."
But Professor Seyb also points out negative ads can also backfire, by creating hyper-polarization and hyper-partisanship.
"For somebody who actually is genuinely undecided or genuinely independent, they don't see a home for themselves in either of these parties," Seyb opines. "They see both parties as being reprehensible and that causes them to demobilize out of the political process."
Those who remain in the political process will undoubtedly continue to get bombarded by ads in which, according to the Wesleyan Media Project, "distortion is the norm; deception is an art form; and accuracy is as rare as a found artifact."
"If we stay on this same campaign trend line, it's just going to become more and more acute as we move through the next election cycle," Seyb says.
The Washington Post reports that President Obama spent $457 million on campaign ads, compared to $356 million for Mitt Romney. The Post also reports 85% of the president's ads were negative, while 91% of Romney's were negative.
For that survey, negative ads were defined as those ads that mention the candidate's opponent in them. | <urn:uuid:37ec206c-0696-47d2-aa23-a249db6143a1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S2827120.shtml?cat=10114 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979843 | 550 | 1.820313 | 2 |
MOD spectrum under the spotlight
A lot more than defence of the realm
The UK Ministry of Defence has published its first consultation on the huge quantity of radio spectrum it has unfettered access to, though it turns out the usage isn't as exclusive as it first appeared.
The Cave report: an analysis of how radio spectrum is used in the UK, identified 23 bands that are allocated to the MOD, and suggested that the military should pay market rates or hand over the spectrum for market trading. This first stage of a detailed audit focuses on four of those bands, including one that could be available for commercial usage by the middle of next year.
406.1 – 430MHz is a nice chunk of spectrum close to that used for analogue TV and with decent range and building penetration, and one that the MOD has identified as possibly being surplus to requirements. 3.4 – 3.6 GHz might also be up for early trading, though 3.1 – 3.4GHz has been declared off limits because of NATO commitments, while 2.7 – 3.1GHz might turn out to be too complicated to throw into the free market.
The MOD is allocated 35 per cent of the UK spectrum below 15GHz, for which they pay £50m a year. This might seem unreasonable until one notices that 99 per cent of that spectrum is shared with secondary users. The military has always been tolerant of other people using its frequencies, as long as they don't get out of hand, but a new owner will likely want to make greater use of the bandwidth and thus squeeze out those secondary users – many of which are government departments or research establishments.
Just identifying all those secondary users is a major undertaking, and getting agreement from all of them to change the arrangements could well be impossible - which is why 2.7 – 3.1GHz isn't going to be publicly traded any time soon.
For the other bands the MOD plans to ask UK regulator Ofcom for Recognised Spectrum Access (RSA) as their current allocation is just that – an allocation, without surrounding legal framework. An RSA would enable the MOD to sell off frequencies or sub-let them, as well as restricting how they are used – though the MOD reserves the right to ignore those restrictions in times of national emergency and so forth.
All this is only about spectrum usage in the UK. When it comes to "battle space" the MOD will continue to use what works and is compatible with our allies, though it is considering a central database of all their spectrum usage – in a format compatible with our NATO partners at least.
The consultation, which is open until 5 September, also lays out the timetable for audits of the remaining spectrum used by the MOD, as well as identifying some of the secondary users who are most likely to suffer from greater commercialisation of spectrum. ® | <urn:uuid:24140362-a1d7-47e0-91d9-9a5ff64017bf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/03/mod_spectrum_audit/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968593 | 574 | 1.84375 | 2 |
I have noticed a trend lately with the magazines I subscribe to. The paper is getting thinner and the magazines just seem flimsier. And the content is more fluff than substance. It no longer feels like a treat to curl up with these magazines. I was starting to lose hope and then Natural Child World magazine arrived in my mailbox.
The first thing you will notice about the magazine is the look of it. The cover is glossy, the pages are thick and the photography is beautiful. THIS is what a magazine should be. Just based on the look and feel of it alone, this is something I can get excited about reading. But we've all learned that appearances aren't everything and you can't judge a book -- or a magazine in this case -- by its cover. It's what's on the inside that counts, right? So let's take a peek inside, shall we?
As a mom of a child who is intolerant to certain foods, the above article really spoke to me. It offered practical tips and suggestions for what to do if you suspect you child has food sensitivities. Elsewhere in the magazine, in the article "Life, Family And Our Pursuit of Happiness," I learned that scientists have discovered that 40% of our happiness is intentional. That means that once you remove genetics (50%) and circumstances (10%) we are still left with 40% of our happiness that we can control. That is HUGE and makes me feel a lot less like a victim and a lot more like I am in the driver's seat when it comes to joy and happiness.
Natural Child World seems like it's a magazine for the person I've become and hope to be. I am more socially aware and am working to be a better person, wife, mom and friend. Natural Child World supports those goals.
While you're at the website, be sure to preview Natural Child World and request your FREE issue. That's right, FREE. And speaking of things that are free, Natural Child World is giving one lucky Mess For Less reader a year's subscription to the magazine. Now you can be inspired too! You can find Natural Child World on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Entry and rules are below. Good luck in the giveaway!
Disclosure: I was sent this product for review. All opinions expressed are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
a Rafflecopter giveaway | <urn:uuid:ff71a365-d0aa-48c9-90f9-d4256cdb541d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.messforless.net/2013/02/natural-child-world-magazine-review-and.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969127 | 491 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Scott Bigelow | 910.521.6351 | email@example.com
University Communications and Marketing
Monday, February 13, 2006
Tavis Smiley as good as promised in UNCP speech
Media star Tavis Smiley implored a Black History Month audience of nearly 1,000 at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke to make “America as good as its promise.”
Smiley, who has talk shows on PBS and National Public Radio, spoke February 11 in the Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC) as part of the University’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
“Black History Month is a critical time of reflection,” Smiley said. “We celebrate Black History Month because somebody did something yesterday. The eyes of the future are looking back at us and praying for us to see beyond our time.”
An enthusiastic GPAC audience gave him standing ovations before and after his speech. The crowd kept him talking for nearly two hours.
Smiley posed the question: “Are we (the African American community) better off today?” He noted a Newsweek magazine cover that proclaimed, “Now is the best time to be Black in America.”
Smiley rejected the idea. Black Americans may be better off than at any time in their 400-year history in the New World, but compared with their white counterparts, African Americans lag far behind in every category, he said.
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans exposed America’s racial divide, he said. Smiley noted polls citing that the majority of Blacks saw the crisis brought by the hurricane as racism, but the majority of whites did not see it the same way.
Three groups failed during Hurricane Katrina’s crisis - government, the media and the people, he said.
“We learned that we cannot depend on the government,” he said. “Your president was in Texas chopping wood, and it took him a few days to get there.”
“Folks in New Orleans were dying in the water and stranded on their roofs, and the secretary of state (Condoleezza Rice) was buying (expensive) shoes,” Smiley said.
In separate photographs, Smiley said the media portrayed Black victims as “refugees” and “looters” and whites as “survivors” who “found food.”
“The media can’t tell between a citizen taxpayer verses a refugee,” he said. “They told our story recasting us as refugees, not as taxpayers.”
Smiley rejected the huge amount of Hurricane Katrina relief as charity, and said African Americans are aware of the difference between charity and love.
“Even the president eventually figured it out that Katrina raised some difficult questions,” he said. “But after making the best speech of his life, what did he do? He went back and suspended the Davis Beacon Act (minimum wage laws) for workers and brought in the same (contractors) we put in Baghdad without competitive bidding.”
America’s destiny is “inextricably tied” to the success of the African American community, Smiley said. He continues to hold great hope.
“When we make Black America better, we make all of America better,” he said. “The struggle of Black America has made America better.”
“Are you hopeful?” he asked. “Yes, I believe we can live in an America that is as good as its promise. I’m hopeful, but I am not stupid.”
Too often “our aim is too low, and too many of us have been knocked down and been afraid to get back up,” Smiley said.
“As President Bush said, we have to ‘fight against the bigotry of low expectations,’” he said. “That is brilliant, and I wish I’d thought of that.”
“Black folks have been liberated, but we have not been freed,” Smiley said. “That’s something we have to do for ourselves.”
To Black leaders, he issued this challenge: “We cannot lead the people, unless we love the people. We cannot save the people, unless we serve the people.”
As individuals, Smiley said, “each of us should write our obituary, then go out and live it.”
Sportscaster Roy Firestone concludes the 2005-06 Distinguished Speaker Series on March 28. Questions about the series may be directed to the Office of Student Activities at 910.521.6207 or email firstname.lastname@example.org.
© The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
PO Box 1510 Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 • 910.521.6000 | <urn:uuid:a845cbb7-1f16-4b1b-b953-e0f3064b5ac9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://uncp.edu/news/2006/tavis_smiley.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970405 | 1,054 | 1.8125 | 2 |
2. But this being the case, how to this opinion that should not be contrary which the Apostle says, “For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive according to the things he hath done by the body, 2710 whether good or bad;” 2711 this, thou signifiest, thou dost not well see. For this apostolic sentence doth before death admonish to be done, that which may profit after death; not then, first, when there is to be now a receiving of that which a person shall have done before death. True, but this question is thus solved, namely, that there is a certain kind of life by which is acquired, while one lives in this body, that it should be possible for these things to be of some help to the departed; and, consequently, it is “according to the things done by the body,” that they are aided by the things which shall, after they have left the body, be religiously done on their behalf. For there are whom these things aid nothing at all, namely, when p. 540 they are done either for persons whose merits are so evil, that neither by such things are they worthy to be aided; or for persons whose merits are so good, that of such things they have no need as aids. Of the kind of life, therefore, which each hath led by the body, doth it come, that these things profit or profit not, whatever are piously done on his behalf when he has left the body. For touching merit whereby these things profit, if none have been gotten in this life, it is in vain sought after this life. So it comes to pass as well that not unmeaningly 2712 doth the Church, or care of friends, bestow upon the departed whatever of religion it shall be able; as also that, nevertheless, each receiveth “according to the things which he hath done by the body, whether it be good or bad,” the Lord rendering unto each according to his works. For, that this which is bestowed should be capable of profiting him after the body, this was acquired in that life which he hath led in the body.
2 Cor. 5.102 Cor. v. 10540:2712 | <urn:uuid:acfdc11b-b7b4-4fb4-837d-92d0ed999ab8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030805.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977075 | 472 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Topics :: Immigration Equality
- 1 thru 8 of 8
By Jason St. Amand | Tuesday Feb 5, 2013
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he expects the Senate to pass the immigration reform, which protects LGBT bi-national families, even though conservatives, including Sen. John McCain, have strongly opposed the idea.
By Jason St. Amand | Wednesday Apr 4, 2012
Five same-sex immigrant couples filed a lawsuit in order to challenge DOMA. The federal law prohibits the couples from obtaining green cards even though they legally married in states that recognize marriage equality.
By Eric Miller | Friday Oct 28, 2011
Immigration inequality for bi-national same-sex couples was among myriad of topics discussed during this week’s Out and Equal Workplace Summit in Dallas.
By Michael K. Lavers | Wednesday Oct 5, 2011
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke at an Immigration Equality fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
By Megan Barnes | Friday Aug 19, 2011
Anthony John Makk continues to fight his possible deportation back to his native Australia after an immigration court last month denied him permanent residency as the spouse of an American citizen.
By Michael K. Lavers | Monday Mar 7, 2011
Federal authorities have ordered Rockville, Md., resident Edwin Echegoyen to surrender his partner Rodrigo Martinez for deportation on Wednesday, March 9. Martinez, who came to the United States from El Salvador on a tourist visa in 2003, fears he will suffer anti-gay persecution in his homeland.
By Matthew E. Pilecki | Friday Feb 18, 2011
While most couples celebrated Valentine’s Day over toasts of champagne, Anton Tanumihardja faced the very real possibility Immigration and Customs Enforcement would deport him to his native Indonesia by the end of the day.
By Joseph Erbentraut | Monday Jan 24, 2011
For those LGBT individuals seeking political asylum in the United States, the road may prove to be an ardous one. In fact, it may even more difficult today. EDGE’s Joe Erbentraut offers this report.
- 1 thru 8 of 8 | <urn:uuid:c564ca1c-91ee-47d4-ada1-63feb57688e9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=topics&tag_id=3709 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942976 | 445 | 1.515625 | 2 |
THE LIBRARY LANR,
Published monthly from October to June by
Hamilton Smith Library, of the Univer t" k ibr7
of New Hampshire
Entered as second-class matter October 10, 1927, at the post office at Durham, iw a hire, und the
act of August 24, 1912.-
Vol. 15 JUNE. 1940
IT NEVER WORKS
THE CENSOR MARCHES ON, by Morris L. Ernst and Alexander Lindey.
Although in recent years there have been many judicial decisions on the liberal
side, censorship is still rampant. It must be continuously fought if freedom, the
only condition under which literature and art can develop, is to be maintained. The
authors discuss censorship in literature, the theatre, the movies, and other fields,
showing up its stupidities, its absurdities, and its utter failure to accomplish its
ends. They are particularly shocked at the lack of scientific method on the part
of those who would protect the public morals, substituting guesses for impartial
findings. These maintain, for instance, that a person whose morals would be
harmed by an improper movie is automatically immune to such corruption if he is
a member of the board of censorship previewing that same movie. A list of the
forbidden books of the last three thousand years is practically a roster of the
world's great literature, including such works as the Odyssey, La Fontaine's Fables,
Robinson Crusoe, Goethe's Faust, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Huckleberry Finn, Leaves
of Grass, and many other surprising titles. Will The Grapes of Wrath be on this
list a thousand years hence? The censors might as well put out their bonfires.
A NEW DEALER AMONG THE YANKEES
A SOUTHERNER DISCOVERS NEW ENGLAND, by Jonathan Daniels.
'Wife, it's too beautiful a night to stay in the house. I think I'll go out and
kill a hog.' This remark of a Vermont farmer is quoted by Mr. Daniels in his
lively survey of contemporary New England, as typical of the mingling of the prac-
tical and the poetic in the Yankee temperament. Much as we enjoyed A Southern-
er Discovers the South, in which this observant North Carolina editor presents a
picture of the social and economic conditions among all classes of people in his
own section, we are certain to read with more active curiosity this book in which
he has his say about us, based on a tour of New England which he made in 1939.
Coming to us a Southerner, a Democrat, and an ardent supporter of the New Deal,
he does not come, however, as a spy into enemy territory, but as an American,
eager to see for himself this much misunderstood region, and to try to estimate
what part it should play in the regeneration of the entire country. Connecticut,
playground of writers and rich New Yorkers; Quoddy Bay and its still unharnessed
tides; Manchester and the idle Amoskeag; rural Vermont, and the struggling in-
dustrial cities of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are some of the spots he visits.
From Governor Saltonstall down to immigrant boys pulling onions in the fields
near Amherst and French Canadians in Aroostook, Mr. Daniels has talked with
most of us, and he tries not only to record the beliefs of New Englanders, but to
find the reason for them and to interpret their meaning. Not by ourselves can we
survive, he thinks, but as a part of a nation we are willing to make sacrifices for.
"ONE THING I REMEMBER,
SPRING CAME ON FOREVER .."
COME SPRING, by Ben Ames Williams.
No matter how long and desolate the Winter, Mima Robbins always felt that
joy and success would come with the Spring, and with the passing of many years,
she was able to prove the wisdom of her belief. As a girl of nineteen, she came
with her family to Penobscot Bay to homestead. Her bravery, and that of all of
them, was tried that first terrible winter at Seven-Tree-Farm until they had suc-
cessful crops, but her sense of triumph in the Spring was undaunted, and the clear-
ing grew in the Maine woods. Her love for the gay young soldier, Joel Adams,
was strong and patient enough to enable her to wait through several Springs until
he became reconciled to the settled life of a farmer. Mima knew quite well what
she wanted, and had the brave patience to wait for it. Although the American
Revolution was their generation's war, although families around them had to give
up the struggle and go back down river to the town, although disaster changed
their plans and famine stalked one Winter, Mima and Joel found in each new
Spring together a wider horizon for living.
CHAD HANNA, by Walter D. Edmonds.
Here is an antidote for the blues. Anyone who in childhood tagged along
ecstatically at the end of a circus parade, or daringly offered peanuts to the ele-
phant, should thoroughly enjoy Chad Hanna. Mr. Edmonds has reconstructed
the life of a small circus of one hundred years ago so vividly that we feel we know
each member of the troupe from Mr. Huguenine to Oscar the lion.
Chad Hanna was handy boy at the Yellow Bud Tavern in Canastota when
Mr. Bisbee arrived with the posters of Huguenine's Great and Only International
Circus. The day the circus showed, Chad's plans for the escape of a runaway
negro miscarried and he had to leave town, so he joined the circus as roustabout.
You know Chad will marry Caroline Trid, you know Huguenine's will have to
fight their rival, you know Burke will get Albany and Buck, but your interest never
wanes because Mr. Edmonds makes each event better than you pictured it. We
need more books like Chad Hanna in these troubled times.
AND GLADLY TEACH?
MISS MUNDAY, by Sophia Engstrand.
Of lives of doctors, farmers, housewives, even college professors we've had
a-plenty, but few indeed have been the stories of American public school teachers.
But here is one, a realistic, skillfully drawn picture of the life of Helen Munday,
English teacher in the River Port, Wisconsin, high school. At 20, just out of
college, Helen had faced her career with eager anticipation. What work could
compare with that of helping to educate, to make better and happier the lives of
youth? At 30 she was beginning to wonder. Was the joy that came from her
success as a teacher worth the loneliness, the hypocrisy, the malicious scheming of
politicians that she was called upon to endure silently? Her friendship with Adam
LaFond, an "east side" fisherman, was the first break in the set pattern into which
her life had been forced. But Helen Munday was too set by her years of teaching
into "west side" conventionality, and she could not make the adjustment which she
herself thought that she wanted more than anything else. There will be many
who will think Mrs. Engstrand's is too harsh a portrayal. But though the in-
dividual details may not be entirely characteristic, none can dispute the picture as
"SHE WALKED IN BEAUTY..."
MR. SKEFFINGTON, by Elizabeth.
Lady Frances Skeffington, accustomed to universal homage to her charm and
beauty, found as she approached her fiftieth birthday, that everything was wrong.
True, she had been quite ill, and had expected some unflattering consequences, but
to see in the altered glances of her friends, and the open stares of strangers, what
a poor creature she had become, was bewildering. Then, too, she was constantly
seeing Job, whom she had not seen in reality since that year a quarter-century be-
fore when she had felt it necessary to divorce him. And see him she persisted in
doing, behind the fish dish, when there was no fish dish, under the desk, and after
awhile, everywhere she went. Something had to be done, of course, not only
about "laying" Mr. Skeffington's ghost, but also about her own peace of mind. The
nerve specialist recommended inviting Mr. Skeffington to dinner, but that was too
simple a solution. The cure was more than that; it is as we go with Fanny Skef-
fington in search of her peace of mind across the paths of the many who had loved
her that we see her as she is, and learn the value of what she becomes. So cleverly
written is this delightful novel, that when the problem is solved, we like Fanny
are ready for it, and greet it with emotions that would have been impossible for
us, and for Fanny, at the beginning of it all.
UPON SUCH BITTER PYRAMIDS IS GENIUS BORN
THE STAR-GAZER, by Szolt de Harsanyi.
The fire of imagination, enthusiasm, intellect and moral courage, lifts the story
of Galileo Galilei above the class of the ordinary biographical novel. Thus is the
character of the "star-gazer" portrayed. It is the constant struggel of a unique
intellect against the social institutions that bound and tortured, and would have
crushed, a weaker man. What power was it that made Galileo capable of rising
above the surroundings of personal oppression and antagonism offered him by an
angry church? Perhaps it was his ability to remain through it all a deeply pious
individual. Szolt de Harsanyi is considered Hungary's leading novelist, and we
can easily see-beautiful in translation-the strength and intensity of language so
characteristic of his nationality.
JOSEPH VISSARIONOVICH DJUGASHVILI
STALIN'S KAMPF, edited by M. R. Werner.
This is a selection of the significant writings and speeches of Stalin under the
following topics: The Profession of Revolution; Inside Russia; The Politics of
Communism; The World and the Soviet. The picture of Stalin which emerges
is not a counter-part of the one we know. In reference to the non-aggression pact
with Poland in 1931, we read, "There are politicians who promise a thing one day,
and the next day either forget all about it, or else deny that they promised any
such thing, and do so without blushing. That is not our way." Speaking of the
Party's attitude toward religion, we find this assertion, "We carry on and will
continue to carry on propaganda against religious prejudices. Our legislation
guarantees to citizens the right to adhere to any religion." He ridicules the state-
ment that members of the American Communist Party get orders from Moscow.
He affirms that the Soviet's foreign policy is essentially a policy of upholding the
cause of peace. The liquidation of the intelligentsia is mentioned without a hint
of the inhuman slaughter by which it was accomplished. In short, the Stalin pic-
tured here is such a good fellow, we advise you to read Stalin, by Eugene Lyons
to get another side of the picture.
SHANGHAI; CITY FOR SALE, by Ernest O. Hauser.
NEWS IS MY JOB, by Edna Lee Booker.
One of these books is essentially a history of Shanghai, the first to be written;
the other a reporter's records of interviews and events. Shanghai; City for Sale
is most interesting reading. Although possibly a bit critical of "foreign devils" the
author makes their coming to China a very special story. How the English and
Americans develop their commerce and the city is unique and the city's rise and
fall is closely allied with China's trade and revolutions.
The second book, containing the glamor and thrill of an oriental city, is by a
woman reporter on the China Press. From her first fantastic impressions of the
exotic and colorful city, Miss Booker proceeds to relate the events from 1922 to
1940. Even through the war news there is the personal element in the book
which enhances its interest and oriental flavor.
GROWTH OF HATRED
EUROPE TO LET, by Storm Jameson.
"The memoirs of an obscure man" is the sub-title. The obscure man is an
English journalist who was in the last war in Europe and has not yet seen the
present war. He meets Germans, Czechs and French, watching their hatred and
unrest grow. Everyone has hatred for someone, if not himself. The true bitter
character of the people in this book is a clear explanation of the horrors they can
create today. Why shouldn't they destroy homes, when they do not know what
happy home life is? Why should they love science and the arts, when fine teachers
are removed if not sufficiently patriotic, or if they are Jews; when the military
life is forced upon all of them? While the facts are symbolic rather than true,
and the characters seem slightly difficult to comprehend, this picture of Twentieth
Century Europe is worth looking at.
RISE OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS
MODERN FRENCH PAINTERS, by H. R. Wilenski.
How satisfying it is to discover a book that is carefully outlined, its material
all sorted in orderly fashion. This new book by Wilenski describes the lives and
ambitions of the modern painters of France, both separately and collectively, to
form a true chronological picture, from the Impressionist school to the present
day. The story begins in the 1860's with a discussion of the development of
Manet from Realist to Impressionist. His associates, Degas, Cezanne, Renoir,
and others are brought into the play, as the author calls it. There is great difficulty
in promoting their Impressionist work, and they are confronted with refusals from
the Salon des Beaux Arts to show their pictures. Later politics defeat them, yet
their story goes on.
SHORT STORIES FROM THE SOUTH
WHEN THE WHIPPOORWILL -, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
These ten short stories and a novelette by the author of The Yearling, are an
addition to regional literature. Most of the characters are Florida "Crackers"
and the vernacular is so well-handled you may find yourself adopting it in an un-
guarded moment. The humor of Alligators and the three stories in which Quincey
Dover figures relieves the pathos of Jacob's Ladder, A Crop of Beans and The
Pardon. Of the remaining stories, A Mother in Mannville is perhaps the most
appealing. There is an unmistakable ring of authenticity aboul these stories, be-
cause Mrs. Rawlings writes about a region and a people she knows and under- | <urn:uuid:5f1e2f39-d9d2-49a6-b70d-45a0ed42163d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00089423/00113 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95969 | 3,236 | 1.765625 | 2 |
When a family-owned business has been around for 65 years, there are always new discoveries.
By that I mean ... we're forever finding precious old photos and mementos tucked away in odd places.
The other day, Mrs. Koch bounded into my office carrying a big box.
Look what we just found in the attic over Liberty Bell!
It was, indeed, a treasure trove of Koch and Santa Claus Land memories.
They're one and the same, really. Can't separate family photos from park photos.
There were old photos, slides, movies ... and this:
Now why in the world would we have an old menu in storage?
And one that's written on, for heaven's sake!
Here's the story...
In 1955, Bill Koch (five years before he married Santa's daughter, Pat Yellig) went on an around-the-world tour. He was quite the adventurer and enjoyed himself immensly. Nowadays, he would probably have been a blogger, but back then, he typed up "letters to home" about his trip, which were eventually made into a book for his family members.
While in Rome (sorry, couldn't resist) ... Mr. Koch dined at the famous Ristorante Alfredo.
Yes, that Alfredo.
Honest, this is Alfredo. This is the wonderful Italian who created the soothing mixture of noodles, butter and parmigiano cheese to help his expectant wife regain her appetite (Alfredo II was on the way, after all!).
Alfredo loved to make theater when he prepared his dish for others.
Although not a boisterous man, Bill Koch instinctively knew how to promote. He put Santa Claus, Indiana, on the map.
Can't help but wonder if that delicious plate of pasta, prepared with a proud flourish, might have inspired him in any way.
We lost that wonderful man not quite a decade ago. Nathan and Mrs. Koch are working on a tribute video, which we'll post here in a week or so.
Meanwhile, for those of you who are intrigued by the menu cover, we scanned the inside and back for you. | <urn:uuid:7cf18898-f40f-49ea-9f4c-6f204f254414> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://holidayworld.com/holiblog/tags/mrs-koch?page=11 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9726 | 449 | 1.539063 | 2 |
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the United Auto workers is laying off 58 members of its staff. The Office and Professional Employees International Union, which represents UAW staff, is crying foul.
If collective bargaining really were the great deal for workers that its union propenents claim it to be, then layoffs would be rare and concessions would be mild when they came up at all. But collective bargaining is not magic fairy dust that makes hard economic decisions go away. As the Freep article itself notes, the UAW has lost nearly 75 percent of the membership it had from its peak in 1979, and it was just a couple of years ago that two out of the Big Three were in bankruptcy.
The fact that the UAW is a union, and thus supposedly dedicated to improving the lot of workers, does not negate the economic realities that the UAW faces: its services just aren't as much in demand as they once were. And hence the union doesn't need as much staff as it once did.
OPEIU Local President Audrey McKenna argues that the UAW could have held on to jobs by economizing elsewhere. That may or may not be the case — union financial reporting is still inadequate and if anything getting worse — but Ms. McKenna sounds naive when she claims to be shocked by the UAW's decisions: "You know that your bosses know better because they have fought corporations that have pulled anti-union stuff ... you really don't expect that from a union employer." But union officials are no less human than other bosses, and the economic imperative to stay within a budget is very real, even if it is often inconvenient for union officials and unionized workers. It would be better for all, unionized workers especially, if the union establishment could bring itself to acknowledge that. | <urn:uuid:57f51692-37fe-4532-a9ed-4010c3726fa7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mackinac.org/16022 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985507 | 359 | 1.796875 | 2 |
This morning my assistant, Bryan DeWire, found out his father, who 24 hours ago seemed in fine health, didn’t make it through emergency heart surgery. This afternoon, my wife called me in tears to update me on a very difficult day trying to raise and teach 5 young children. Very different, yet real and painful experiences of God’s providential reign in lives of Christians I love.
Also this morning I read this sentence in a pamphlet titled, “Honey Out of the Rock,” by Puritan Thomas Wilcox,
“Judge not Christ’s love by providences, but by promises.”
Experiences are very powerful. They often feel more powerful than promises. So it's tempting to interpret prosperity and ease as God’s blessing and tribulation as God’s displeasure. And sometimes they are. But often they are not.
Actually, what we see all the way through the Bible is the Lord training his disciples to trust his promises more than providences. Think of Abraham and Sarah waiting for Isaac, or Jacob losing Rachel, or Joseph in slavery and prison, or Job’s suffering, or David running from Saul. Think of Lazarus and the heartbreak of his death and the constant tribulations of Paul. And of course Jesus set the ultimate example by looking to the joy set before him as he endured the cross (Heb 12:2).
Strange, isn’t it? In the Bible pain is often the path to unspeakable joy and prosperity is often an obstacle to it. What’s going on?
Simply, God wants us to treasure what we can’t see more than what we can.
“For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18).
And we find out that it’s pain more than prosperity that makes us look for what our eyes can’t see, and long for a satisfaction that doesn’t exist in this world.
So Thomas Wilcox’s advice is worth heeding. For those of us who are experiencing a bitter providence, Wilcox goes on to say,
Bless God for shaking off false foundations, for any way whereby He keeps the soul awakened and looking after Christ; better sickness and temptations, than security and superficiality. | <urn:uuid:37c728fc-cc24-47c2-b49b-f93d3cffbaf6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/trust-promises-not-providences | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9533 | 494 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Adderall is a prescription drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but now more and more women in their 20s and 30s are turning to drug for relief.
Many of those women don’t have a prescription; they’re using the drug to cope with the demands of life.
Kelsey Barber once used Adderall and now she’s warning others about its dangerous and potentially deadly impact, after the experience wasn’t quite what she expected.
"It was like a roller coaster of I'm tired but I’m awake. It was hard to sleep and it would make it hard for the next day when I was tired but couldn't sleep,” Barber said.
Barber says she always felt anxious and could barely function, let alone make it through the day.
"You don't really have an appetite that's what makes you crash is the lack of eating and your blood sugar gets really low and you just feel like crap,” Barber said.
But hundreds of women like Barber are gravitating to the drug because it kills their appetite, helping them lose weight.
Others say it gives them just the boost they need to accomplish daily tasks.
“Even when prescribed appropriately sometimes it can cause problems as a stimulant, it can increase heart rate, increase blood pressure,” said Dr. Davidd Levy of the Family Medical Group.
The drug is used to help with focus and concentration, but can become addictive.
In eight years, Adderall prescription for women between ages 26 and 39 have gone up 750 percent.
“Can this be deadly? Absolutely, Adderall has the side effects besides just the inconvenient side effects like palpitations and high-blood pressure,” said Levy.
“For people that take it and they feel good and their grades are going up, their productive and losing weight, it could be very addictive and they can't function like a normal person without it,” Barber said. “It’s not good…you can’t live like that. I don’t recommend it.” | <urn:uuid:545fa3fc-0955-47cd-9e05-b5961f210f8f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.9wsyr.com/content/family_healthcast/story/More-women-taking-Adderall-to-cope-with-daily/QXRRGmjlLUqEsYKM5wWdag.cspx?rss=1421 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970895 | 455 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Ink on paper, sent to people in the mail: It sounds so 19th Century. But in the 21st Century, it
may be the most powerful communications tool we have.
In a communications environment that has shattered into a thousand shiny pieces, direct mail stands as perhaps the most powerful and effective tool to deliver a political message.
With the game-changing advances in modeling, experiment informed targeting and message testing, no medium can be more effectively targeted than direct mail. And nobody does it better than Winning Mark: we use ground-breaking techniques and technologies to reach exactly the voters you need. And independent research has shown that our mail does an extraordinary job of moving voters where you need them to go.
What others say:
Over the past three election cycles Winning Mark has helped the Humane Society Legislative Fund have an impact in 30 candidate and ballot measure campaigns in 18 states. They get it all right: creativity, strategy and complex logistics, and always with extraordinary service.
President, Humane Society Legislative Fund
In terms of the total statewide vote margin, the estimated effects are remarkable.
from their study of Winning Mark's Voter Guide Project, 2009 | <urn:uuid:18cd6cff-7123-4c37-b44b-a4e7222c7289> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.winningmark.com/services/direct-mail/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933109 | 234 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Almost half of children in single-mother homes live with never-married mothers
Nearly one in two children in single-mother homes live with mothers who have never been married. Four decades ago, that figure was one in 16, one-seventh of today’s figure.
Living Arrangements of Children Living in Mother-only Households since 1968
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2011. | <urn:uuid:71676a8e-5809-4548-acb2-2f47a71be4e0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.familyfacts.org/charts/145/almost-half-of-children-in-single-mother-homes-live-with-never-married-mothers | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935101 | 89 | 1.6875 | 2 |
A family reading night has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sonoran Science Academy, 2325 W. Sunset Road.
The evening, with guest readers, dancers, displays and activities, is being hosted by The Rockin Readers, a Sonoran Science Academy after-school book club.
Family Reading Night is intended to “encourage families to turn off the television, computers, video games and other forms of entertainment and spend time reading and being read to,” a release said. It is specifically aimed at elementary and middle school-aged children and their families. “We hope to educate parents about reading strategies, encourage families to read together and learn from each other.”
A number of businesses are participating.
“This event will be a fun and positive experience for SSA families, and a fantastic beginning to what I hope will become an SSA tradition,” said book club sponsor Charmaine Thomas.
Sonoran Science Academy is a K-12 charter school in Northwest Tucson. The college preparatory school emphasizes science, math and computer science along with a liberal arts foundation. | <urn:uuid:d94385a5-ed6c-4d84-b3b5-6782eade7a08> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://explorernews.com/news/pima_pinal/article_689d4d6d-bc88-5fd0-ac6d-b96edbff6b8b.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947524 | 237 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Town hall meeting at RU to review Citizens United case Oct. 10
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission will be the topic for a town hall meeting Oct. 10 at Radford University.
The free public event will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Hurlburt Student Center on campus. Co-sponsors are the RU department of political science, the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, the RU Political Science Society and the Quality Enhancement Plan Initiative.
The nation’s highest court ruled in 2010 that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. The goal of the town hall meeting “is to highlight the implications of the court’s decision for this presidential election,” said Radford professor Margaret Hrezo, chairwoman of the political science department. “One of the outcomes of the decision is the movement of vast sums of money to Super PACs—committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against candidates.”
So far in the current presidential campaign, Super PACs have spent more than $275 million, Hrezo said.
RU professor Jack Call, chairman of the criminal justice department, will moderate the town hall meeting, which will begin with a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session.
Guests on the panel will be John Tedesco, associate professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Communication, and Nicholas Abramszyk, who has years of experience working with Congress and special-interest groups in Washington.
Other panel members will be Tanya Corbin, RU assistant professor of political science, and RU students Jesse Lynch and Justin Blankenship.
The panel will make a brief presentation of the facts and outcome of the case. The focus will then shift to its implications for campaigns and the electoral process as a whole.
Founded in 1988 and based in Washington, Citizens United is a conservative nonprofit group that states its mission as restoring the U.S. government to “citizens’ control” and asserting American values of “limited government, freedom of enterprise, strong families, and national sovereignty and security.” The organization supports a number of educational projects, including advertising and documentary films.
– Submitted by Deanne Estrada
No Comments »
No comments yet. | <urn:uuid:72399a51-4c11-4bb3-a48f-015420ee9316> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.roanoke.com/theburgs/community/2012/10/03/town-hall-meeting-at-ru-to-review-citizens-united-case-oct-10/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930624 | 494 | 1.601563 | 2 |
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Yep, insurance companies can serve as examples of how to create products that meet needs innovatively. But they fail to spread the message to the max
What if we told you insurance is one of the most innovative industries we know? (Hold the smirks. We are serious.)
What if we went further and said that the insurance industry was poised to assume the leadership position when it comes to creating new products, services, and business models in our economy? You'd probably think we were trying to sell you a whole life policy.
Well, the fact that you don't believe us—and again we are totally sincere about this—says a lot about the problem insurance companies have when it comes to innovation, a problem that we bet your industry may have as well. And therein lies a tale.
Innovation in Life Insurance
Let's back up a step. We believe that innovation occurs when: 1. There is a significant need or insight. 2. A product, service, or business model meets that need. 3. There is clear communication that connects No. 1 to No. 2.
By this definition, the insurance industry is clearly innovative—at least when it comes to creating a product that fulfills a need. Consider some of the more obvious benefits available through one type of coverage: life insurance.
A. Need or insight
Your heirs need money while your assets are in probate.
Life insurance benefits are paid quickly.
Your heirs receive the benefits from your policy quickly.
You need a way to protect your assets from creditors.
Creditors cannot get at your life Insurance assets.
Your assets are protected.
You want to make sure your heirs aren't saddled with any of your debts (including estate taxes and funeral expenses).
You can take out a life policy whose benefits are specifically designed to cover these costs.
Your loved ones are not burdened with expenses caused in your life or death.
You want to provide an estate for your loved ones, or to help fund a charity, after your death.
You can take out a life insurance policy and have the proceeds fund whatever you want.
You create the legacy you want.
The table begs one obvious question: Did you know about these benefits? Probably not. The insurance industry often has two of the three key ingredients for successful innovation: the need and the idea. What is missing is the ability to communicate these ideas in a way that is relevant to increasingly busy people.
A Failure to Communicate
An aside: The fact that up until now the insurance industry has fallen down when it comes to innovation is ironic because innovation couldn't happen without insurance. Every year, hundreds of new products are launched. Products that you put on your skin, your kids, your pet—services that require you walk up steps, get on new rides, and use heavy equipment. Business models that require you to write down your Social Security number and push "Send." The fact is that most of these new ideas would never be launched unless the potential liability associated with each was covered by—you guessed it—insurance.
So, you would think that the insurers would be a master at communicating the benefits they offer. But the fact that they are not is, unfortunately, not unusual. Many times the best insights and products are overwhelmed by poorly executed communication. If you don't agree with this, consider that perhaps the most successful insurance marketing in the past decade involves a talking duck and lizard.
There is nothing wrong with using a cute symbol to get someone's attention. But how many people could tell you a) the names of the companies employing either symbol, and b) what products they're selling, and c) what specific benefits those products offer? Our research shows: not many. Your honor, we rest our case.
The good news is that it is incredibly easy to fix this part of the equation, particularly when you have a suite of products that are quite flexible and a CEO who believes change is necessary. For this reason, we believe the whole insurance industry is at a dramatic tipping point. Expect to see much more relevant and creative products soon. Why? Because we believe insurers are taking a cue from other industries and beginning to uncover meaningful and immediate needs that their products can readily serve. Once they figure out a way to communicate them effectively, watch out.
Communication Is Essential
Two of the questions we always ask when people complain to us that their hot new innovation effort has yet to gain traction: "Do people know about it?" and "Do they think they need it?" Invariably we hear some variation of "Of course they do" in answer to the first question and "How could they not?" to the second. Let's stop here for a second. Do you know that feeling you get in your gut when your IT department explains—using industry shorthand—a cool new technology? Think. What percentage of those words did you understand or care to understand?
Do you remember how you felt on your first day in chemistry class, when you were being passionately taught something that had no relevance to you at all? What if this is how you are making your customers feel? What if they don't understand your product? What if the words you are using don't resonate with them? What if they don't see the benefits? What if they don't think your product is worth their time?
Think back to our definition of innovation. It occurs when need + product (to fulfill the need) + communication (about how the product fulfills the need) are completely intertwined. If the communication fails, your whole innovation effort is severely crippled.
Next time, we will talk about how to communicate your innovation effectively. | <urn:uuid:8861c53d-8d14-4177-8801-1cce0e3a73f5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2009-06-16/insurers-effective-innovators-lmostbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967826 | 1,177 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Breast Density Does Not Factor Into Pre-Op MRIs Detecting Additional Malignancies
Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients should undergo a pre-operative MRI exam even if their breasts are not dense, a new study indicates. The study found no difference between the usefulness of 3T breast MRI in detecting additional malignancies and high risk lesions in dense versus non-dense breasts. "There are currently no guidelines that define the role of breast density in determining if a pre-operative MRI should be performed. However, anecdotally, we know that pre-operative MRI exams tend to be ordered more frequently in younger patients and/or patients with dense breast tissue," said Reena Vashi, MD, one of the authors of the study.
The study of 127 patients, conducted at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT found that 3T MRI detected additional malignancies in 26 percent of patients who had breasts that were not considered dense and in 25 percent of patients with dense breasts, said Dr. Vashi. There was no difference in the patients with dense breasts compared to those without dense breasts in regard "to the size of lesions detected, or the distribution of the lesions," Dr. Vashi said. In both populations, a significant and statistically similar percentage of patients had unsuspected additional cancers in the opposite breast or in a separate quadrant from the known cancer in the same breast, necessitating a change in surgical management.
This study provides incentive for more research, said Dr. Vashi. "If these results are reproducible, we propose that the decision to perform pre-operative breast MRI not be influenced by breast density," she said. | <urn:uuid:662972bd-308e-4aed-b73b-b827ebb9907e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.surgicalproductsmag.com/print/news/2012/05/breast-density-does-not-factor-pre-op-mris-detecting-additional-malignancies | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960648 | 337 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours every day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wares and services. And here, the Egyptians are most at home in this powerful, modern and ancient city.
Alexandria and Cairo
some more of Cairo. We hit the famous Khan el Kalili souq - soft-toy singing camels for Africa (literally) and other interesting sights. Busy entrance to Khan el-Kalili souq ...
Posted in Jac & Chalky's Excellent Adventure by JacChalky | <urn:uuid:2db6a024-ae7e-480e-83e3-bd869462f0f9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.travellerspoint.com/apartments-es-ci-207.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930741 | 135 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Lakeridge Health in Durham deserves latest kudos
February 27, 2013
Durham residents have likely heard the stories of c. difficile outbreaks in Ontario hospitals in recent years, prompting massive disinfectant campaigns and causing patient recovery setbacks.
Such outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bugs are among the new challenges being faced by Ontario hospitals, but not so much for Lakeridge Health.
Provincial Health Minister Deb Matthews paid a visit to the Oshawa site last week to acknowledge the hospital system's efforts at reducing antibiotic use at the hospital and for its success in reducing infection rates.
It's the culmination of an ongoing program started by Lakeridge Health officials in November 2011. The program, with the slogan 'Excellence Every Moment, Every Day', has resulted in a 30-per cent reduction in antibiotic use, which amounted to a sizable 42-per cent reduction in drug costs.
Furthermore, the program has resulted in a drastically reduced rate of c. difficile infections among patients. The average Ontario infection rate is currently .34 per 1,000 patient days, while at Lakeridge it's been calculated at .06, or about one-fifth the provincial average. That, the health minister noted, is an extraordinary reduction rate of 90 per cent since Lakeridge undertook the reduction campaign.
Not only does the program show that hospital infections can be effectively managed with an organized effort and strong leadership, it shows what can be accomplished when a committed team of professionals works for a common purpose.
Every staff member whose duties took them in contact with patients throughout their shifts bought into the 'Excellence Every Moment, Every Day' program. Their individual efforts contributed to the team's achievement.
And the results are clearly measurable. To continue to inspire these efforts at Lakeridge Health hospital sites, we encourage ongoing updates to illustrate to staff and patients how well the effort is faring. We encourage patients to speak freely with their hospital caregivers to learn how they too can minimize the incidence of opportunistic infections.
Lakeridge can certainly celebrate this achievement, and staff deserve the recognition. But it is an achievement that can be topped, a program that can be improved, always with a view to the best outcomes for patients.
Perhaps that can be best ensured by opening a new chapter in the program: 'Excellence Every Moment, Every Day and Every Tomorrow'.
-- Metroland Media Group Ltd., Durham Region Division
This article is for personal use only courtesy of DurhamRegion.com - a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. | <urn:uuid:ec162178-aba3-4cd3-a74f-4813450d714c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.durhamregion.com/print/1585415 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940557 | 515 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Landslide could take "significant amount of time" to repair on rail line serving Scunthorpe - buses to deputise
A LANDSLIDE on the railway line into Scunthorpe could take a "significant amount of time" to repair, say Network Rail officials.
A replacement bus service is likely to continue for the coming days between Doncaster and Scunthorpe, causing journey delays of up to an hour.
Emergency engineering work is being carried out by Network Rail at the part of track affected, at Hatfield & Stainforth,but the stability of the ground is a concern for workers.
Disruptions to service have been predicted until at least Saturday, February 16.
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The landslide was caused by a 'spoil tip' from Hatfield Colliery, a mine situated next to the railway, sliding under the track and causing it to break up.
A 'spoil tip' is a pile built of accumulated spoil - the overburden removed during coal mining.
A spoksperson for Network Rail said: "The problem has been caused by a spoil tip next to the railway moving underneath the tracks.
"Repairing the track itself is not the problem. Stabilising the ground is the difficult bit. It is going to be a significant amount of time we think, and certainly looks like being more than a few days before it is repaired.
"If there is any way of restoring rail service in the meantime, we will do so once it is safe."
A spokesman for Hargreaves Services, the company that manages Hatfield Colliery, said: "It is clear that there is a problem.
"The cause of the problem, though, is yet to be categorically identified. Since this morning we have been at the site with Network Rail, our own engineers and some external civil engineering experts.
"We had a series of meetings to determine the cause of the problem and what risks it might pose."
The landslide has affected First TransPennine Express services between Manchester Airport and Cleethorpes, which will not run between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. Northern Rail services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe via Crowle and Althorpe have also been suspended until further notice.
Some freight trains are now being diverted at Barnetby, taking the line through Brigg and Kirton Lindsey, or going through North Kelsey and on to Lincoln. | <urn:uuid:24cdf4e0-c8a4-4e82-ac46-caa0d420c2b8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/Landslide-significant-time-repair-rail-line/story-18127075-detail/story.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96354 | 555 | 1.617188 | 2 |
The Cleveland4 kids could really use your support! The FB page is facebook.com/freethe4,
We're on twitter as well (@Freecleveland4) and we have a website
cleveland4solidarity.org. You can also email letters to
firstname.lastname@example.org and the support group will mail them out for
you. (Just include a return address if you want them to write back) We
also have letter writing parties every month. (: , On our website you
can find all the info for writing, donating, and buying shirts. Along
with other various form of info and updates!
The current penal system in America is not working. It
doesn't take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that it
predisposes prisoners to recidivism (a relapse into a life of crime). Since man is ultimately a product of his environment, the current
system's products speak for themselves: failure. The system's practices
set its occupants up for exclusion from the mainstream success stories
Except for the families, friends, and
loved ones of prisoners and ex-prisoners, most Americans have not really
considered their plight and daily struggles. Though various studies
show that from one-half to two-thirds of parolees return to prison for
violating the conditions of their release, or for re-offending, few
(taxpayers, prosecutors, politicians, or CEOs of corporations) seem to
have really pondered the critical question: Why is this colossal
recidivism taking place on our soil?
Reintegration Circle in CA
Have the citizens of this great
industrious nation become so detached and desensitized that they could
care less about prisoners' lives? I hope not, because prisoners
desperately need your assistance in reintegrating back into society and
upholding the anticipation that they will become an asset to their
respective communities. According to Richard Gustafson, a columnist and
retired teacher who taught 30 years at Miami Valley Career Technical
Center, "National statistics indicate that recidivism is cut in half
with support from the community."
It is my unyielding belief that
recidivism is also tremendously reduced when the system pursues its
once-desired effect: rehabilitation. However, rehabilitation is a thing
of the past. It was in 1790 that the first penitentiary in this country
opened its doors to house criminals. The purpose of this new creation
was to place criminals in a confined area, where they might ponder over
their crimes, repent, and reform themselves. Hence, the term
"penitentiary." Much has changed in the last three decades due to the
influences of tough-talking, opportunistic politicians who reduced
funding for rehabilitative programs to almost nil. So much so that
rehabilitation, or producing a repentant person, is no longer the
...The current objective is to warehouse
prisoners and deliberately create thecircumstances for their failure.
This crude objective is being perpetrated to perpetuate "job security"
for parole officials, individuals in corporate America, and the like,
who benefit financially from the prison boom, which currently
incarcerates 2.1 million people in our nation's prisons. This new trend
of merely warehousing and punishing prisoners is not conducive to the
security and stability of this nation. All it does is mentally crush
prisoners' wills and doom them to inevitable failure.
As a result of this new trend, prisoners
are being released with no skills, no education, no support system, no
job, and only a few dollars in their possession to try to make it in
this dog-eat-dog world. Indeed, a recipe for disaster. It's implausible
for ex-prisoners to survive under these bleak conditions. Let us not
forget that unemployment, poverty, exclusion, and a lack of education
and guidance are the ingredients which led to their imprisonment. So how
can the system, or any rational human being, expect ex-prisoners to
succeed when they're still caught in a catch-22 cycle?
Although a job is an essential means of
support that helps people acquire the things they need, trying to secure
a job is an ex-prisoner's greatest obstacle. Except when family or
friends have been able to secure them employment, ex-prisoners are
refused work due to their criminal history, something they can't change.
With this revolving door being slammed in their faces, how do we expect
them to react when they're stuck between a rock and a hard place? They
then end up adopting the only culture they know: survival of the
fittest. In plain old English, they resort to exploiting their old ways
of living -- that is, victimizing others to survive. Because of this
induced failure, I share the below sentiments of El-Hajj Malik
El-Shabazz a.k.a. Malcolm X:
"I have no mercy or compassion in me for a
society that crush[es] people and penalize them for not being able to
stand up under the weight."
Yet, it is my yearning hope that society
will come to realize that in spite of their crimes, prisoners have the
same tools, the same potentials, the same basic human desires, and the
same capacity for change and positive development which all other
citizens possess. They just need assistance in effectively developing
their latent potentials. People change -- even I have changed. In fact,
life itself is a process of transformation.
With this said, it is my prayer that
people will call on their elected officials to push for rehabilitative
programs in prisons, as well as re-entry programs in society, that will
help prisoners reintegrate in their communities and become law-abiding
In the struggle for prison reform,
Siddique Abdullah Hasan
ABOUT: Siddique Abdullah Hasan is the founding editor of Compassion,
a newsletter to develop healing communication between capital
punishment offenders and murdered victims' families. The respected Sunni
Muslim prison Imam was sentenced to death for his alleged leadership in
the 1993 Lucasville prison rebellion. WHERE: He is currently on death row at
Ohio's supermax prison, in Youngstown, and is appealing his sentence. WHY: For more on his case, see Staughton Lynd's Lucasville: The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising
(Temple University Press, 2004). CONTACT: To contact Hasan about writing a
column on issues relating to incarceration and prison life, send
Siddique Abdullah Hasan (Carlos Sanders) / # R 130-559 / OSP/878 Coitsville Hubbard RD /Youngstown, OH 44505
RedBird was asked to speak on prison abolition and how it relates rape culture and sexual assault. Here's the reading.
* * *
Hi, I'm Kate and I'm part of a group called RedBird Prison
Abolition here in Columbus. We support prisoners in Ohio. And I'm here because
I love taking things back. I wanna take this night back. I wanna take it back
to my mom and grandma and say look at this bad ass shit we're doing, (except I
wouldn't swear, because they don't like that.) I wanna keep having nights like this, and I want to hold them
up to rapists as a threat and as an example of the power that us here have to
not only defend ourselves but take the offensive against a culture that's been
steeped in rape for so long that some of us are way past bitter. Because we deserve
a hell of a lot better, and you bet we can get it.
The first step being that we ‘get it’. All around us it's
like we're standing in the middle of a big connect the dots drawing where the
dots are things like the justice system, crime, education, prisons, the war on
drugs, rape culture, the military... and the lines connecting them all are colored
white for supremacy, are exclusively straight and cis in their direction and
happen to be drawn by primarily male and able bodied men. It's despicable. And
I hope you all wanna smudge up this drawing as much as I do. (Am I in the right place for this? Yeah? Alright.)
I'm also here as a prison abolitionist because prison is an
integral part of keeping those dots connected, of upholding patriarchy and
white supremacy. Now you might be like, prison, Abolition, isn't that kind of
at odds with halting sexual assault? I mean, what about all the rapists who are
in prison? And that is an excellent question cuz the prison and justice system
do as much to halt or even diminish sexual assault as a fraternity. What about
those rapists? They're coming right back into our communities with less
stability and fewer opportunities to do much else than what gets people sent
back to prison. And this is of course if they even went to prison in the first
place. Often times people, especially white money men aren't even convicted.
Courts deal with rape and sexual assault on an individual
level, which is not without it's benefits, though the state daintily steps over
acknowledging systemic problems which often result in the severe detriment of
survivors. There is the case Marissa Alexander, who in 2010 after giving birth
nine days previously to her son defended herself against assault that, from
previous experience, she feared may be deadly. She fired a warning shot into
her ceiling. The court thought she didn't need to. It also thought her
assaulter's history of convictions and testimonies from others were
inadmissible. The prosecutor asked for a 20 year sentence, minimum, for Marissa
and got it.
There is also the recent case of CeCe McDonald who's assault wasn't
specifically sexual assault, but an assault where in court, the assailant's
swastika tattoo and three previous convictions for violent assault were ruled
inadmissible as evidence that attacks against her were motivated by her race
and gender identity. (CeCe is a Trans woman of color.)
To hell with this justice system, police and prisons. We can
do better than this.
Cuz here's where it stands now. The criminal court process
has a penchant for re-traumatizing people who choose to go that route, and many
do not for that very reason. The threat of conviction makes it less likely that
a ‘perpetrator’ will get past denial and own up to what they did, which is
often what one needs as a survivor to begin moving on.
This increases rates of PTSD and even sometimes ends up
incarcerating the survivor themselves.
The prison system does not rehabilitate people, it
traumatizes them, presents a sparse few opportunities upon release, save the
opportunity to do something that'll put you back in prison. All the
administration has to do is sit back and wait. It's quite the racket. Or
rather, industry. Ohio is one of the only states left with “rehabilitation”
still in its name. Most everybody else has dropped it.
And just a quick fact on prisons and female prisons, nearly
80% of people inside are mothers. Just think of what an effect this has on
families. In some states, women give birth to their children while restrained
in shackles. Talk about abuse. Women, men and people who prefer neither of those
genders get thrown in female prisons for all kinds of reasons, but the fastest
growing segment of the prison population is women of color.
When someone first
asked me to take a guess at this percentage (of growth) I failed utterly. The number of women
of color have increased in prisons by over 80, no, sorry, 800% in the last 36
years. That's from 1977. And this is NOT because black or latina women commit
more crimes than say white women. In fact, studies have shown that with regard
to drugs, whites have more of a habit. Communities of color are intentionally targeted (by police and law enforcement) for
incarceration-- making them basically shit otta luck when it comes to expecting
anything but slow torture from the justice system.
This is the system we're working with now. And I don't want
these things to stop us from doing the very best that we can with it when we do
use it. Especially when it benefits the survivor and is what they want. But I
want us to see it for what it is, as a system that makes money off of actively
destroying people's lives. And not just other peoples'. It effects all of us.
And, just to be clear, good riddance to rapists who get
locked up per survivors wishes, because this is an accountability. But let's
strive to do better than relying on prisons, police and prosecutors that
support the very things we're fighting against. People have done better in the
past using practices like restorative justice, talking circles, and even
societies that utilize vigilante justice deal with harm more satisfactorily
than the pervasive violence the prison system wreaks on our communities today.
Let's work toward accountability on our own terms and that meets survivors’
needs. Let’s learn to trust one another, as much as we can anyway and take back
Warden Johnson at Madison Correctional in Londond OH is no longer allowing books, magazines, and religious cassette tapes to be sent to prisoners who are blind. For 20 years the Cleveland Public Library provided these to blind prisoners, but not anymore... funny thing is Dispite the fact that this clearly violates the American Disability Act-- One prisoner informed us that he is still permitted to receive Field & Stream magazine where there's advice on how to make a 1,000 yard shot with a rifle. It also advertizes where to buy cheap ammunition and assault rifles.
David Hughes, the prisoner who got the magazine says, "It's ironic that I'm allowed this kind of literature since I'm in prison for shooting a Muskingum Co. sherriff car with the sherriff in it."
He says he would prefer that access to the Cleveland Library be returned, as what's going on now is humorous, yes, but he'd like to read something else.
from Madison Correctional Institution
Note: David wrote in a complaint that "Sighted prisoners have access to books, magazines and written religious material [...] through the prison library," which doesn't provide much for prisoners who are blind.
He also says that Disability Rights Ohio has been willing to do little about protecting prisoners' rights.
April 11th, 2013, Youngstown, OH- Four prisoners housed at Ohio State Penitentiary began refusing food today. Greg Curry, Siddique Abdullah Hasan, Jason Robb and Bomani Shakur, who have been housed at OSP since it opened, are demanding that media outlets be allowed to come for sit-down on-camera interviews with them. In a recorded announcement, Bomani Shakur described the hunger strike as a "protest [of] the state's unfair and unreasonable refusal to grant us access to the media... I am an innocent man. This is injustice, the state of Ohio is trying to kill me."
Numerous news sources have recently contacted the prisoners because of their involvement in the Lucasville Uprising twenty years ago. The hunger strike was timed with the anniversary of the uprising, along with a conference focused on taking another look at what happened in 1993.
"There are two important reasons for media access. The first is to humanize the prisoner... the second... [is to give] the prisoner a way to contribute to the search for truth about his alleged crimes" wrote long time prisoner advocate Staughton Lynd. "[When] a journalist and a prisoner can speak face to face... the reporter [can] ask follow-up questions as in a courtroom cross-examination." Lynd also cites legal opinions that advocate a right for prisoners to speak to the media. See Staughton's full statement at Re-ExaminingLucasville.org.
The prisoners announced the hunger strike during a brief informal telephone interview with The Associated Press, who ran an article on the eve of the hunger strike. Siddique Abdullah Hasan and Jason Robb were convicted of complicity in the murder of the hostage guard officer Vallandingham and condemned to death. They maintain their innocence and argue that as negotiators of the agreement that ended the uprising, they actually avoided further loss of life. Bomani Shakur (also known as Keith Lamar) and Greg Curry both surrendered on the first day of the uprising, but were charged and convicted of killing perceived snitches in the first hours of the disturbance. They both also maintain their innocence. Curry is serving a life sentence. Shakur has appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Supporters of the Lucasville Uprising Prisoners have planned a three day conference memorializing the Lucasville Uprising and re-examining the investigations and prosecutions that produced these convictions. The Re-Examining Lucasville conference will take place at Columbus State Community College on the weekend of April 19th-21st.
Advocates are also encouraging supporters to call Warden David Bobby at OSP and request that he negotiate with and allow media access. Warden Bobby can be reached at 330-743-0700 ext 2006. Supporters can also write to the prisoners at the following addresses.
Trans Identities and the Prison Industrial Complex by Alec Armstrong and Genelle Denzin
Our workshop will begin with a short presentation on
the ways our justice system has historically affected and still affects
transgender folks in the US. We will include discussion of current ODRC
policy on housing and healthcare for transgender people who are in
prison. We will examine recent instances of transgender people’s
experiences with the criminal justice system and instances of support
and organizing to address these issues. The rest of the workshop will be
facilitated discussion with the goals of thinking critically, creating
meaningful connections between people, and collaborating on ideas for | <urn:uuid:71029b27-fc2a-4f03-8255-859acd6b1d37> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.redbirdprisonabolition.org/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95584 | 3,817 | 1.5 | 2 |
Indiana University Health Pathology Laboratory offers some of the most comprehensive laboratory services in Indiana. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the laboratories perform more than 10 million tests a year. In addition to IU Health, laboratory testing referral services are provided to hospitals and physicians in Indianapolis and around the state.
Specializing in allergy testing, apheresis, endocrinology, flow cytometry, hemostasis and thrombosis, molecular diagnostics, stem cell, virology and specialized anatomic pathology, the laboratories complement and support the diagnostic needs of IU Health's specialty physicians.
Our Point of Care program is nationally recognized for its comprehensive program, training and competency, testing more than 5,000 nurses in bedside testing. Satellite laboratories offer outpatient services at a number of locations both on campus and around Indianapolis. The laboratories are accredited by the following: CLIA, JCAHO, CAP, ISDH, AABB, FACHT and the FDA.
More than 400 laboratorians are employed by IU Health: managers, medical technologists, lab assistants, phlebotomists and administrative and support staff with associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.
Specialized pathologists provide pathology services and serve as medical directors. The pathologists are active scholars who conduct research and publish papers, books and journal articles.
The staff and pathologists, along with the IU School of Medicine, assist with formal teaching programs, including the following:
- School of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- School of Cytotechnology
- School of Histotechnology
- Pathology Resident/Fellowship Program
- Graduate Degrees in Pathology
In cooperation with the IU School of Medicine, research laboratories are part of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and provide training ground for graduate work in pathology. Department research includes Alzheimer's Disease, Batten's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as cryobiology, amyloidosis, neurobiology, neural transplantation, infectious disease and oncologic pathology. Other research laboratories on the IU and IU Health Methodist campuses contribute to the specialized testing capabilities of IU Health.
The environments of academic and service excellence enables the IU Health Pathology Laboratory to provide some of the most comprehensive laboratory and pathology services to the community and state. | <urn:uuid:57156c37-ca95-42e6-ab86-f51f4a86ff7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://iuhealth.org/health-professionals/pathology-laboratory/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931648 | 468 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My Garden is a simple story told largely through bright illustrations. After helping her mother water and weed the family garden, a young girl describes her perfect garden, where the flowers would never die, planted jelly beans would grow into jelly bean bushes, and the “tomatoes would be as big as beach balls.”
The story is a little silly, too - for example, the girl shares her solution to a problem facing gardeners around the globe: rabbits. She shares, “In my garden, the rabbits wouldn’t eat the lettuce because the rabbits would be chocolate and I would eat them.” The accompanying illustration is below right:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The library just hosted its second Stuffed Animal Sleepover - and judging by the pictures, the little fuzzy guys did anything but sleep! Check out the slideshow...sure looks like they had fun!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
this link for more information about the PBS Kids Trash to Treasure contest.
Monday, April 12, 2010
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK (April 11-17, 2010) celebrates libraries, librarians, and the pleasures of reading. We invite you to come visit YOUR library!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
- Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
- Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
- Fablehaven: Secret of the Dragon Sanctuary
- Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
"For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...
Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most."
Sound interesting? Visit the library and check one out! Visit http://brandonmull.com/ for information about all the titles in the series, as well as book trailers, games, and other fun stuff. | <urn:uuid:ddcf9c3c-3c61-4b82-b4ea-5d557cf3f079> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dreyfusdragon.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944038 | 525 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Last week, to kick off the countdown to Independence Day, we asked you a simple question: What does freedom mean to you? We encouraged our friends and fans to have it out on the Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Facebook page….and wow, did you guys come through!
Right now we’ve had more than 200 responses with CVA friends offering their definitions of freedom (and more than 900 “Likes”). Here are a few of our favorites from the conversation:
Nancy Sandoval Freedom means to me, being able to have a choice and a voice. I choose where to live, how to live and how to vote, which is also my voice. Thank you for sacrificing so I could have this way of life. I owe the Veterans more than I could ever repay.
Lynn Coggins My Daddy and his 2 brothers all served in the Military. It makes me proud to say they fought for my freedom. Men and Women are still fighting for the same freedom today for me. Thank you.
Ronald Whitson Freedom means, ALWAYS remembering the thousands who have given so much, including those who suffered losing quality of life because of war injuries to those who gave their lives to make sure that WE have the right to vote against the politicians that try to take our freedom, who are just as great a threat, as any forign power!
Randy Campbell Freedom is the ability to serve my country for 20 yrs and not be afraid to admit that it is the greatest country and the most outstanding NAVY in the world
Kate Lester Freedom is my son in law Chris, serving somewhere in the Middle East. Freedom is my husband, Charlie, who represents even unpopular legal cases. Freedom is my grandmother, Laura, who fought to make it legal for trade unions to assemble in Ohio over 100 years ago. Freedom is the ability for me to post this without fear of reprisal by the government or those who disagree with me. God bless the U S A and all those who sacrifice for its’ continuance.
We can’t republish all the responses, but please log in to the CVA Facebook page and read through. There’s a wide variety of responses, and many are extremely thought-provoking—lots of thoughts on individual liberty, patriotism and what is owed to our veterans. What a great way to get people talking and thinking about what the July 4 holiday really stands for.
If you haven’t left your thoughts about what freedom means to you, I hope you’ll do so now. And be sure to visit us here again Tuesday, when we’ll be releasing CVA’s latest web video just in time for the 4th! | <urn:uuid:067abea8-e8ab-4c4d-9ded-a98c7ea0c0d5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://concernedveteransforamerica.org/2012/07/02/the-meaning-of-freedom-what-you-said/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961982 | 564 | 1.6875 | 2 |
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has raised its short-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to 'A-2' from 'A-3'. At the same time, it affirmed its 'BBB' long-term issuer ratings on The Bahamas and noted that the outlook remains stable - reflecting a projected gradual tightening of the government's fiscal stance over the next several years as growth turns positive, as well as generally stable external financing. In addition, the transfer and convertibility assessment remains at 'BBB+'.
The change in the short-term foreign currency resulted from the revision of Standard & Poor's criteria on the linkage between long-term and short-term ratings for sovereigns. The Bahamas' track record of political and macroeconomic stability has delivered high per capita GDP, but the Bahamian economy remains vulnerable due to dependence on one primary sector and geographic market . S&P projects growth of 2.5% in 2012 and 2013 as tourism-related construction supports growth, despite a sluggish outlook for the U.S. economy.
The agency said the ratings could come under pressure if The Bahamas’ fiscal deterioration persists and its economic base erodes more severely. Conversely, the ratings could be raised if the government takes a more proactive policy response to reduce debt or if economic prospects strengthen, more sharply improving the country’s external balance sheet. | <urn:uuid:a5a8f76f-0751-4482-8da5-6efcae0b6e2a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bfsb-bahamas.com/news/download/services.php?id=3114&cmd=view&pre=y | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931127 | 279 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Even with a four-year contract, Mr. Alonso is well aware that momentum for reform can be fleeting, and he is wisely striking early and often. He expects to see some positive results sooner rather than later, but turning a battle-worn ship around could take a decade - and requires a broad array of support from many players in the city and state.Alsonso's plans include increased autonomy for principals (and control of funds to boot) but without the crutch of the central office to blame when things go bad. Alsonso is also trying a combined middle/high school model that it is hoped will keep older kids in school longer rather than dropping out. Whether his ideas produce results of course remain to be seen.
But it is the time frame for reform and results that is troubling. We want change to show results immediately and while Alsonso, and his peer in Washington DC Michelle Rhee are moving quickly (and largely on a similar track) it is hard to imagine seeing any measurable results in these education cesspools in anything less than three years. Do we have the patience and stomach to wait that long?
In a culture so used to instant gratification, it is hard to imagine that the public in Baltimore and Washington having the patience to wait. So the dilemma is this: In order to see change, we have to allow it to take root, but can we stomach the continued poor performance of the schools as they are until that time. The reason is that while the reforms gestate, thousands of students continue to be ill-served by the schools they attend.
I think everyone interested in education reform faces this dilemma, but few, if any, really talk about it. Will a child in, say the sixth grade, be in a position to reap some of the rewards of changes made today (assuming they work)? What about an eigth grader? Certainly, it seems unlikely that present day tenth grader will see any significant changess by the time he or she graduates? Have we done a disservice to that child by not going faster?
There is, of course, no simple answer to the dilemma and only one real option. Try something and wait. Doing nothing means we have surrendered to the disfunction and it is heartening to see that leaders like Rhee, Alonso and the hundreds and thousands of teachers and administrators really are trying their best. They are tackling the problem head on and not shying away from the problems they see. If that were the only quality in play, I would be optimistic. But with dozens of other efforts, from charter schools, to homeschooling, to experiments in methods, classes, schools, etc., I am confident in the extreme that America's ingenuity will find the right balance of options and delivery to satisfy students and their parents.
However, that optimism doesn't diminish the heartache I feel now. I know that education reform is an evolutionary process and the intellectual side of me knows that change does not and will not happen over night. But the emotional side of me weeps for the high schooler who is cheated because we as a society were too change resistant, too scared, too blind or just plain too stupid to see how poorly we treated our students to effecuate any sort of change sooner. It breaks my heart to see what our ineptitude has wrought. | <urn:uuid:a9a79e37-e9c8-4735-8df1-90a261e25657> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mattjohnston.blogspot.com/2008/03/speedy-school-reform-oxymoron-that.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974093 | 678 | 1.78125 | 2 |
For those waiting for the completion of the January 2013 C++ 31 videos series, the final 10 videos should appear on the calendar in the next couple of days. The 10 remaining videos (there actually may be a couple more after that) are recorded and are now being edited and rendered so that they can be accessed. The remaining topics include: more on LiveBindings, using InterBase XE3 ToGo, C++Builder 64-bit compiler inline assembler, building 64-bit C++ InterBase UDF (user defined functions) DLLs/Dylibs, multi-tier application development with DataSnap and using 3D models in your C++ applications.
Sorry to not get all of the editing, rendering and posting done before January closed. Stay tuned to the video calendar and this blog for the links to the remaining 10 videos. Also, if you have ideas for additional C++Builder short videos, post comments below. There is always Feburary, March and beyond to deliver additional quick learning videos. | <urn:uuid:a6dde95c-cc12-476e-921d-afedf613db2a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.embarcadero.com/davidi/2013/02/01/42434 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930725 | 208 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Training & Forms
To ensure that each member of the Administrative Panel is familiar with the student handbook, policies and procedures of the board, training is provided annually. On occasion we also have guest speakers such as Attorneys provided by EIIA (our insurance carrier) as well as Webinars on best practices in Judicial Affairs in Higher education.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.
Schools must have written permission from the parent or student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. For that reason before releasing any information to parents regarding infractions, a signed release of information form must be on file in the office of the Judicial Affairs before discussing any matters concerning the student’s disciplinary record. | <urn:uuid:19791d4c-d43c-4935-908e-bf8a1c46f3a7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://bethune.cookman.edu/campuslife/studaffrs/judicialaffrs/forms.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959388 | 231 | 1.773438 | 2 |
POSTAL EMPLOYEES HARM THEIR CAUSE
The U.S. Postal Service is responsible for its own cutbacks!
My observations over the past number of years is that the Post Office employees are the main reason they are being phased out of the mail business. Of course online bill pay services and the internet are partially to blame, but the laziness and lack of knowledge of postal employees is really to blame.
There is no longer door-to-door service in most areas now. They are also not very knowledgeable about their own services.
I called every Post Office in this area the other day looking for federal duck stamps. Most of the employees that I spoke to did not even know that such a stamp existed. I even called one office in Beaumont that told me they had no more available, but in fact they did.
They also give in most cases very poor customer service. I think that it is because they feel that their jobs are protected. That is no longer the case.
If federal employees want to keep their jobs, they may want to take a class in quality customer service. Otherwise, you may be out of a job sooner than you think.
Eugene Byars, Lumberton
BEAUMONT PARK IS TREASURED BY MANY
I am writing this letter to commend the city of Beaumont for its wonderful Wuthering Heights Park.
I am largely wheelchair-bound, and my husband takes me there at least once a week, where he is able to push me all around the block on the asphalt. We find that the park is used by many different people, many of whom are often walking dogs or pushing baby strollers. All agree that it is a splendid spot.
Please continue to make places like this where people like me can enjoy the great outdoors!
Connie S. Alexander, Beaumont | <urn:uuid:a1e75800-c6c1-49b2-89ed-4ac15dd1035d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/opinions/letters/article/LETTERS-Postal-employees-harm-their-cause-4158706.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972178 | 387 | 1.5 | 2 |
Pheasant Ridge, located in the "Red Rose City" of Lancaster - the oldest inland city in the United States - offers families a picturesque residential community nestled in one of the nation's most popular destinations: historic Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Snuggled along the north and west by the mighty Susquehanna River, Pheasant Ridge is rich in culture and diversity and is an ideal place to call "home".
Tour the Federal mansion of James Buchanan, our 15th President. Stroll through the Lancaster Cultural History Museum, which features 18th and 19th century furniture, decorative arts and silver or visit the Quilt and Textile Museum, Lancaster's newest museum featuring textile arts, clothing and quilts. Discover the North Museum of Natural History and Science, which provides residents of all ages with a universe of hands-on discovery, the wonders of space and the largest planetarium in central Pennsylvania.
Perhaps shopping is your preferred recreational activity. Residents of Pheasant Ridge will enjoy more than 200 outlet stores within easy reach of the community. Lancaster's Central Market, the country's oldest farmers market and one of the area's most unique attractions, contains a wide array of booths where enticing foods and the bounty of freshness can be found. Kitchen Kettle Village, built around one of Lancaster's most famous kitchens, offers 32 shops where everything from fresh fudge to Shaker furniture is being made. Everyone will delight in the sights and scents of this rare gem.
The proximity of the community to Philadelphia and Baltimore (each approximately 75 miles away) means Pheasant Ridge sports enthusiasts have their pick of real major league entertainment! Check out the Philadelphia Flyers, Phantoms and 76ers at the Comcast Spectacor. Attend a Baltimore Orioles game, or cheer on the Ravens and Blast. Access to just about every type of sporting event is just a short drive from your door.
Pheasant Ridge is surrounded by everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle! Why not visit Pheasant Ridge today? We know you'll be sold! | <urn:uuid:b5f5150b-b93f-4e0c-89e0-889596a233a9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.suncommunities.com/pheasant-ridge/AboutUs.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94694 | 416 | 1.523438 | 2 |
The importance of Back links For a Web optimization Campaignby Bill Berg How to win the lottery
When it comes to internet
search engine optimization, it's vital the purpose performed by backlinks not be dismissed. While many people currently are becoming more mindful
on the essential worth of appropriate key phrase use inside their optimization strategies,
these back links are
sometimes neglected. Without
the need of them, most internet sites can by no means deal
with to achieve their utmost rate of publicity across cyberspace.
A backlink is just what it sounds like: a web site link that sends a computer consumer back again to some given web site. A link of this nature is tactically positioned on other internet websites, and will be found possibly inside different subject material or inside of a checklist of these kinds of websites. Most back links get the sort of text that includes the website's name. Customers who simply click around the text will be directed for the internet site.
The notion behind the back again hyperlink technique is one which every website operator must fully grasp. As important as key terms are for acquiring and having a completely optimized web-site that internet search engine users can simply locate, they can't reach their entire potential without having applying back links. Discussion board postings, weblog content, and report marketing all rely upon again website link use to connect the subject material into a certain web-site.
In the event the serps crawl via and appraise web sites on the internet, the crawlers accumulate facts relevant to information and one-way links. This info is then evaluated by engines' ranking plans in an try to ascertain each site's relevancy and price to possible viewers. Internet sites are then ranked in accordance with all the number of links they have got, considering that that is deemed to generally be an indication that other individuals come across the site valuable.
Of course, the need for relevancy hues each factor of this process. Although you can find some firms that have adopted a tactic of flooding the world wide web with web page links, this method is not often successful. The fact is always that the major search engines became ever more adept at winnowing out inbound links between web-sites that bear no association to one more.
This has altered the way that the greatest online marketers tactic linkage from one particular internet site to a different. Since search engines like google only give credence into a website link if your site on which it is discovered is in some way relevant for the target internet site, it is actually no longer adequate to simply area backlinks where ever they are permitted. Somebody who posts a hyperlink to some furniture web page on the forum dedicated to political dialogue will discover that the various search engines give that backlink tiny or no credence.
Thus, when site proprietors article back links, they should really generally ensure that which they achieve this on weblogs, community forums, and short article directories, the content material on those people web-sites should be somehow correlated on the connected web page. It will support to guarantee that any search engine views the goal web-site for a beneficial resource of knowledge.
There's simply no gaining about the significant function that a properly executed backlink approach plays in any internet search engine optimization attention. When these inbound links are employed in the ideal way, they're able to assist to ensure that any internet site has the publicity it has to draw the right form of focus in the serps.
Confessions of a Lazy Super-Affilia...
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Add URL To Directory And Get High Q...
Add URL To Directory And Get High Quality Backlinks To Your Website.
Created on Jan 23rd 2012 19:08. Viewed 114 times. | <urn:uuid:74a04b08-4f79-4da7-b746-1259e8abaf54> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.apsense.com/article/the-importance-of-back-links-for-a-web-optimization-campaign.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932527 | 793 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Ten Commandments Must Go
Some Dixie county residents said they are prepared to fight to save a monument they argued defines who they are. A federal judge ruled the 10 commandments, which sit visibly in front of the Dixie county courthouse, must go. The ruling comes almost 5 years after the monument was put in place.
"To the death.. yes, that's pretty strong words but I believe sir we'll fight as long as there is anything left to fight with," said Marlene Makhan.
For a full report, watch the video on the right side of the page.
- Dixie County Will Fight to Save Ten Commandments
- Cross City Residents Angry at Ten Commandments Monument Verdict
- Ten Commandments Protest
- Ten Commandments Case in Dixie County Comes to a Close
- Special Operations Command
- Fire Victims Say Renters Insurance is a Must
- City of Ocala: School District Must Pay Up
- Students Must Pass Algebra 1 To Graduate
- Florida Supreme Court Rules State Workers Must Contribute to Pensions
- UF Top Ten Law School For Hispanics: Magazine | <urn:uuid:155fde14-cbe1-4eb8-abca-21050be70b29> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2011/07/ten-commandments-must-go | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933042 | 229 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Muscat: The Government of Oman has decided to shape a regulatory framework for Islamic finance as it is willing to make shariah-compliant products available to the public by the end of this year.
It is the stated aim of the country to facilitate its people with Islamic finance this year therefore Oman government has planned to introduce a framework for regulating shariah-compliant products as early as possible.
There may not be quick profits in the begging as the logistical challenges and limited size of the market may not lure investors to the business.
According to the Capital Market Authority officials, Legislation covering Takaful (Islamic insurance) and Sukuk (Islamic fixed income securities) are likely to be finalized by the end of the third quarter of 2012.
The Takaful team leader at the CMA, Ahmed Al Harrafi, informed that approval of the country's first Takaful license will follow soon afterwards, as the regulator has already received three applications for this.
The Senior Director at the CMA, Mohammed Al Abri, commended the efforts of Oman’s central bank saying that this complements efforts by the country's central bank to introduce a law that will supervise Islamic banks; the law is in its final stages of review.
Oman hinted at introducing Islamic finance, partly to prevent outflows of funds to sharia-compliant institutions elsewhere in the Gulf last year even though it insisted for years that its banking industry should be purely conventional.
But the introduction of the regulatory framework may not produce a rapid surge of activity. Many institutions are still grappling with the need to obtain product expertise, arrange oversight by boards of Islamic scholars, train staff and build computer systems.
The Head of Islamic Banking at Oman Arab Bank, Azmat Rafique, commented, “There is an expectations mismatch.”
“On the ground things haven't been finalized...and banks are still gathering teams and systems,” he added.
Last week newly formed Bank Nizwa, the country's first Islamic bank, failed at a shareholders meeting to appoint its board of directors, despite an initial public offer of shares that raised $156 million last month. This could potentially delay its schedule for launching products.
The analysts said that banking competition will become tougher in Oman now. Bank Nizwa obtained its banking license last year along with Al Izz International Bank, another new Islamic institution; they will bring the total number of locally incorporated banks to nine.
According to central bank data, Oman will thus have 19 commercial banks for a population of only about 2.8 million, with the three largest lenders initially accounting for about 60 percent of total banking assets.
Competition will be increased by the fact that conventional banks will be allowed to use Islamic windows to offer shariah-compliant products through their existing branch networks. Bank Muscat, which has Oman's largest branch network of 130 offices, this week joined Bank Sohar and National Bank of Oman in saying it would deliver products this way.Rafique predicted that 10 percent of existing bank customers in Oman would eventually make the switch to Islamic banks, which would also attract a similar number of people who are currently outside the banking sector because of their religious belief in avoiding interest. | <urn:uuid:ef53d65d-7c10-41b8-91ee-ec95402c4800> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.islamonline.com/news/print.php?newid=642638 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959689 | 658 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Whether to outsource or insource, that is (one of) the questions.
For axe and saw maker Tuatahi Racing Axes & Saws, the question resolved itself a number of years ago says its office manager, Jo Fawcett.
The 45 year old company, started in Masterton by her father Eddie who as a competitive axeman was originally asked by others to sharpen their blades, and then to make the finished product, used to get others to carry out the forging component of making the axe head.
“But we found that some of our axes were bending and breaking,” she says. The company made the decision to bring this forging side back and also bought the power-hammer required to form the axehead.
Tuatahi orders 25 tonnes of the specialty steel at a time in 3 – 5 metre lengths. A five kilo block of this is in turn crafted into an axehead.
There is still a large degree of hand forming in the axes and Eddie, as well as Jo’s brother Grant are still competitive axemen and “they have a feel how an axe or saw should run.”
“They’re very particular, and if they aren’t happy will keep tweaking the blade or edge until it is just right. It is a skill that takes years to develop. Grant is more into the management side of the company these days, but is teaching the other guys, passing the skills on.”
As well as the racing axes and saws, Tuatahi is also looking to expand its working implements side of the business. Racing axes and saws currently make up about 60% of the company’s almost $1 million a year turnover.
In this regard Jo Fawcett notes two particular trends.
The USA’s Obama administration has opened up more heritage trail areas in America’s forested areas. The US Forest Service only allows hand held equipment to be used in clearing and maintaining these trails, and Tuatahi’s M-tooth and Peg and Raker Work saws are the preferred implement for these gangs.
The greenie movement and a bit of a back to basics wish among some foresters and farmers is also seeing the revitalisation of interest in using hand axes and saws instead of chainsaws.
“A lot of silverculturists are using hand saws,” says Fawcett. “They like to know they’ve done a day’s work, and there’s the whole fitness aspect for some people too.”
From a business point of view, Tuatahi is looking to become more streamlined.
“At the beginning of the year, we decided we wanted to start at the beginning,” she says, “and really look at how we are doing things.”
This started with how Tuatahi takes orders, organises the factory, invoices and packages its products. “We’ve concentrated on having more systems in place.”
This should help reduce the axes and saw waiting times (for orders) and enable Tuatahi to have actual stock implements on its shelves.
“That would allow us to go down a completely different path, instead of chasing our tail all the time,” Fawcett says.
“Making sure we’re on top of our game would enable us to look more fully into that United States market, where we know we have a big demand for what we produce.”
She says the USA doesn’t have any axe manufacturer which produces the same quality as Tuatahi, the nearest competitor being hatchet makers, “which is not the same market as us.”
One new market would be firefighters’ axes, which the company hasn’t yet had the time to investigate properly.
Automation of some of its processes, particularly to produce the $295 work axes is something that Tuatahi would like to develop. Having had a limited success with a prototype machine to help grind the teeth of its racing saws means that the company knows it has a challenge to replicate some of the handmade operations.
“We’re keen on R&D,” she says, “we have to reinvent ourselves all the time. We encourage the staff to look at ways to streamline production, and if there’s ways to speed things up, that will be great as a way for us to catch up on our orders.” | <urn:uuid:3df24919-fecd-4d89-9ee6-b547fe8aa94b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sticknz.net/2012/07/05/maintaining-quality-edge-major-focus-of-axe-maker/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963034 | 943 | 1.578125 | 2 |
"Your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick." "I'll judge you all and make damn sure that no-one judges me."
Posted 06 September 2012 - 12:40 PM
Without birth records who can call her wrong? Calling her right is the same problem. Let's allow this woman to enjoy her status, after all she causes harm to no-one. Congratulations lady, on your age or your audacity.
I'd love for one of these centurions, when asked for their secret to a long life to reply with, "It's a curse, I guess".
My grandfather lived to be 104... On his 100th birthday he was asked for the secret... He grinned a bit and said "Smoke a cigar every day, drink lots of liquor and chase the women until you forget what your chasing them for..."
It sounded interesting until it said it was reported by the Daily Mail whereupon I just closed the tab lol
Each human cell contains 7 repair genes which are SIRT1 to SIRT7
These are your defences to keep you alive and healthy during times of famine and drought. In normal humans they are activated when things are missing from your diet -
1. Low calories (trigger is low blood insulin)
2. Low protein (trigger is low blood insulin)
3. Low water
Basically your body boasts its repair mechanisms during famine and drought to prevent it incurring any damage. However the repair mechanisms are potent and over repair. The result is damage to cells and dna which already existed is also corrected. This slows down, halts and can even reverse aging.
Scientists advise a long-term calorie restricted diet with high-nutrition and low protein if you want to live to 200. In addition red grapes and red wine contain a potent activator of Sirts which is reveratrol. That fruit pigment activates them even when your body being isnt in famine-drought mode and provokes a more extreme response when it is. Blueberries make your insulin levels plummet so they are good too.
Other activators of Sirts are - moderate exercise, heat shock, cold shock, injury, infection, lack of sleep, low doses of radiation and low doses of toxin. Basically your cells upregulate their repair when under stressors but the mechanisms over repair. Its likely you can far exceed 200 without drugs or gene therapy.
Scientists already acknowledge that the first person to reach 200 is already alive so 127 is totally plausable.
Finally I forgot whole cows milk. Estrogen de-ages cells by increasing the length of telomeres. Mice have been completely de-aged using it. In humans it will work the same as we both have the same Sirts. In humans it might increase the risk of cancer as we live longer than mice and are therefore more likley to have damaged cells in our bodies which can turn cancerous.
Edited by Mr Right Wing, 06 September 2012 - 02:10 PM. | <urn:uuid:d5343373-7af8-4f62-8e71-ba481ae91ffb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?s=a712a80c59c6a7ffd2be420cc1e3eb25&showtopic=233317&st=0&p=4447557&forceDownload=1&_k=880ea6a14ea49e853634fbdc5015a024 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961597 | 612 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Oct 2012, 2:36 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Oct 2012, 2:36 PM EDT
NEW YORK CITY - A massive transformer explosion left much of Manhattan in the dark Tuesday morning.
The explosion happened just before 8:30 last night as Hurricane Sandy slammed into New York City.
Con Edison says it could take up to a week for repairs to be made and for power to be restored to the tens of thousands of customers.
There is no word yet on whether the explosion was directly related to the storm.
It happened as Con Ed intentionally cut power to 65,000 customers in lower Manhattan in an effort to protect equipment and allow for quicker restoration. | <urn:uuid:3791c756-df2a-425c-a02c-9e001a4c2333> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/video/caught_on_tape/caught-on-camera-transformer-blast | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936177 | 142 | 1.539063 | 2 |
LAPORTE - A discharge into Loyalsock Creek spotted Friday has been identified as mud, clay and sediment from natural gas operations, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Vacationers from the Baltimore, Md. area contacted the Sun-Gazette Saturday seeking answers why they found sludge and a green, opaque color in the creek.
John Erich, state Department of Environmental Protection emergency response manager from its northcentral office in Williamsport, said the release happened around noon Friday near the Laporte and Cherry Township border when crews were making an "open trench cut across the stream."
Erich said natural gas transmission lines are being constructed there for the Marc 1 pipeline project. Inergy Midstream L.P. was identified as the company doing the work.
Inergy is in the process of building a 39-mile, 30-inch gas pipeline interconnect there, according to its website.
Erich said the company's "best practice management failed" causing the release of a "significant amount" of mud, clay and sediment into the creek.
He said DEP was on scene after the incident and provided assistance to the company after the discharge was stopped.
There was no danger to the public or environment because of the release, Erich said.
"It's just mud from where they dug from the stream," he said.
A representative at Worlds End State Park said no advisories were issued swimmers or campers at the park. | <urn:uuid:274a6f4d-6e2c-454f-8c0b-eaa5a6e0582b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/582839.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969187 | 304 | 1.789063 | 2 |
From what I have seen of the soy hysteria, protein powders would seem to be the worst, so if those do not have adverse effects natural soy foods are less likely too.
I was perusing a forum I usually no longer read. A nutrition major who has been vegan and taking large amounts of soy protein powder daily for two years ( about 170 grams )went to his doctor and insisted on having blood work for all of the boogey man substances people try to scare vegans with.
All of his nutrients were high.
His estrogen levels were low normal for a man his age.
His testosterone levels were high normal for a man his age.
Years ago when such things still worried me I got PMed a similar account from a middle aged weight lifting buff who went and had his hormones measured after years of heavily hitting the soy. Sure enough, everything came back normal.
It isn't the best thing in the world to eat extracts instead of whole foods, nor is it good to not get variety. However, I think the anti-soy stuff is hype.
Soy Beans.....yes, even the straight beans taste great. They are a wealth of nutrition beyond just protein. They are also CHEAP and CHEAP compared to foods offering similar level of individual nutrients. Soy is a real threat to livestock and dairy producers, both of which have loads of money to fund FUD.
I have tempeh, soy beans, or tofu 2-3 times a week.
I am going to enjoy them from now on without any doubt.
Yeah, I agree with you generally, though I have to say that I think GM soy is a different thing entirely. I read a few studies and it appears that the protein molecules get all twisted up and messed around when they genetically modify them and that makes them extremely hard to digest. Obviously, things which are extremely hard to digest are not a good idea to eat on a regular basis. However, that said, I dont see a problem with eating non GM soy and it's what I normally take as its currently the only non-animal protein available in Spain. I haven't had any problems with it and I do like the taste, but I haven't had noticable results and I have also been concerned about the way they pack artificial sweetners and flavours into it!! I dont know if its the same in the US but here, every soy protein powder is full of other nasties! Well, to combat that, I've finally got a group of people together from my gym, who eat meat, but are willing to go in on a bulk shipment for pea protein from the UK and that's gonna work out at less than 10 euros a kilo so I'm very happy! I like to combine my proteins and as I take soy milk, soy yoghurt, soy cream, textured soya protein etc in my everyday diet, well I don't want to take soy protein supplements too! I've read, and I'm sure that you know better than I do, that soy has an inhibitor of a certain amino acid (not sure which one off hand) which is very important for muscle growth...from what I've read, pea protein however, has a much better amino acid profile..anyway I'll let you know how I get on with the pea protein
But to sum up, I dont think soy is bad for your health, just personally, it hasn't delivered results for me. | <urn:uuid:9788648c-b1dd-41c3-91df-ee0118b287d2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=201051 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983621 | 708 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Budget Storm Could Sink U.S. Plan to Rule Sea and Sky
- 5:00 PM
Back in 2009, the Navy and the Air Force secretly shook hands on a new way to work together to fight future wars against major powers. It’s called AirSea Battle, and not much about it has been made public. But the Air Force’s second in command publicly fretted on Wednesday that some of its core components might not be affordable.
The basic concept behind AirSea Battle is to maintain U.S. dominance of the air and sea, as the Navy War College’s Milan Vego writes in this month’s Proceedings, and overpower any nation that might try to push the United States back from its shores through advanced missiles, stealth aircraft or a blue-water fleet of its own. (If this nation sounds like China to you, you’re paying attention.) “Central to AirSea battle,” said Gen. Philip Breedlove, Air Force vice chief of staff, is the Air Force’s planned new “long-range, penetrating bomber aircraft.”
Ah, the next bomber: first announced in January by then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and successor to the failed, unaffordable “2018 bomber.” The idea is for the new long-range bomber to be “optionally manned” — that is, have a drone mode — and carry either nukes (gulp) or conventional bombs to anywhere on earth.
But it’s got to be “designed and developed using proven technology,” Breedlove told a crowd convened by the Mitchell Institute for Air Power Studies. “We have talked to the potential competitors for this business. Where we want to start is today. We don’t want to lean very far forward.”
Why? To make sure the new Long-Range Bomber doesn’t go the way of the 2018 bomber. “We need to be able to afford this system, so we can afford to buy 80 to 100 of these platforms,” Breedlove said. That’s a lot — between four and five times more planes than the Air Force’s fleet of B-2 Stealth Bombers.
Now factor in the budget pressures the Pentagon is under to reduce its budget by $400 billion over 12 years. Breedlove appeared positively spooked. “We are coming under increased and what seems to be prolonged fiscal pressure that will challenge our ability” to remain technologically ahead of the Chinas of the world, Breedlove said. “We’re flying the oldest air force we have ever flown.” The Air Force has to find a way to refurbish its air fleet, modernize its satellites and design a new bomber — even as it chops $49 billion out of its five-year budget.
The bomber isn’t itself the end-all and be-all of AirSea Battle. It’s got work with a “family of systems” in the Navy and Air Force, from aircraft carriers to the future Navy/Air Force/Marine Corps F-35 stealth fighter — err, already the most expensive weapons system in history. “Exquisite systems,” the voguish military buzzword for single-purpose tech, is outre in the era of budget cuts.
But long-range strike is the heart of AirSea Battle, Breedlove said. Whether that’s from a carrier, a bomber, a sub, a flying jammer, or all of them working together, the point is that the Navy and Air Force have to come from anywhere in the world to overwhelm weapons systems that would otherwise keep the United States at bay. “It allows us to penetrate from lightly contested to severely contested airspace and networks,” he said.
And AirSea Battle is central to how the Navy and Air Force intends to fight in the western Pacific. It doesn’t help that the Navy is facing its own maintenance crisis, with over a fifth of the fleet assessed as unready to fight and the looming obsolescence of over 70 Reagan-era ships. If the Air Force’s next bomber gets to be as pricey as its intended, junked predecessor, then the whole plan might have to be revisited.
Breedlove didn’t stick around to address what happens then, or to discuss how the long-tange bomber program will plan for cost controls. He said he had to get back to the Pentagon. For a budget meeting.
Danger Room senior reporter Spencer Ackerman recently won the 2012 National Magazine Award for Reporting in Digital Media. | <urn:uuid:5a05e903-6507-4ec1-b1e8-65b6b1e86448> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/07/rule-sea-sky/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947875 | 965 | 1.695313 | 2 |
Each individual has a unique tolerance level for how much physical and emotional stress they can endure before something starts to give. Far too often people ignore the warning signs that their stress levels are becoming unmanageable and it takes a crisis of some kind to get them to change.
The speeding ticket from God
A couple of years ago I was rushing to work and made the split-second decision to keep going through a light when I knew very well that it was going to turn red. Moments later I was pulled over by an irate cop and on the receiving end of the full extent of his wrath along with a major ticket. As I waited for him to return to my car, I started to cry, not with frustration or self-pity but out of sheer relief that I hadn’t caused an accident.
The irony of this story was that I was on my way to give a seminar about how to manage stress and avoid burnout. I felt so profoundly grateful that I had received a wake up call without hurting someone else in the process. It really seemed like an enormous blessing in disguise and ever since then I have referred to this occasion as the time I received a speeding ticket from God.
My wish for you is that you don’t wait until something goes wrong or until your health begins to suffer to pay attention.
Watch for the symptoms
Excessive stress manifests physically and emotionally in a variety of ways. Here is a list of some common ones.
- Change in appetite. Losing or gaining weight is often a clear indicator that things are getting out of hand. Food may lose it’s appeal, or if you are like many people, you may find yourself downing too many of what I like to call “consolation calories”. If you notice that you have a stress-activated sweet tooth, you may be seeking comfort. If it is more generalized over consumption, you maybe trying to stuff your feelings down along with the extra food.
- Drinking etc. Monitor your alcohol consumption, that goes for any drug of your choice – including the more subtle forms of escapism like excess TV watching.
- Sleep. Losing sleep or can’t get enough of it; either way you will notice that you are feeling tired all the time. Ironically, increased exercise will give you more energy and creating soothing bedtime routines may also help.
- Tolerance. One of the more unpleasant side-effects of your stress for those around you is a decreased level of patience. Notice if you find yourself snapping at people; for me how I react to drivers cutting me off is a great litmus test.
- Memory. Short term memory problems can also be an indicator of stress. Concentration can also be affected.
- Getting sick. Stress has a direct effect on your immune system. More frequent colds can sometimes reveal that your body is taking notice before your mind.
- Clumsiness. “Less Haste, More Speed.” I find that I become more clumsy and less coordinated when very stressed, although it’s hard to discern how much of this is due to rushing.
- Relationships. For an instant reality check on your stress level, ask the people closest to you. They will be able to inform you whether you have been neglecting them and also whether they think you have been taking your stress out on them.
- Humor. How often are you laughing and smiling? If you can’t remember the last time, you have definitely been taking life too seriously for too long.
- Futility. A sense of hopelessness about what feels like endless burdens and a lack of purpose can also be clues.
This list is just a starting point.
Some of these may seem irrelevant or conversely, glaringly obvious. You might be able to come up with three of four more that I haven’t even mentioned right off the bat. You are the expert. The most important thing is that you start to become more conscious of how you are doing before you reach breaking point.
Start to develop your own list of red flags and warning signs, so you can take evasive action and avoid burning out. | <urn:uuid:1b6d0d7d-c085-411d-a615-e35112232b41> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/how-to-avoid-burn-out-10-symptoms-of-severe-stress.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970141 | 857 | 1.820313 | 2 |
For millions of U.S. consumers, one screen in the living room is not enough.
A new study from KPMG finds that 60% of American television viewers are devoted multitaskers, watching TV and accessing the Internet at the same time.
"We continue to see that multitasking is getting bigger and bigger," said Paul Wissmann, leader of KPMG's U.S. Media & Telecommunications practice. "It's getting to older generations as well, as there are more and more options in front of them."
That has implications for network programmers and advertisers, which can no longer be sure which screen is drawing the viewer's eyes, Wissmann said.
Even though multiple devices vie for consumers' attention, the survey revealed that most people still prefer to watch television shows, movies and other video on the TV. A small number of those surveyed -- just 14% -- prefer to watch video on their smartphones or tablets, the survey found.
"What this may portend is that while we keep putting our eyes on anywhere, any time [access on portable screens], it may be that we want the flexibility of the Internet on our television set," Wissmann said.
That suggests the next big disruption in living room viewing may come from "smart TVs," those Internet-connected sets that afford the viewer access to traditional TV shows as well as online services such as Netflix, Hulu or Amazon.com.
"If you look at people still wanting to see things on a television -- and the fact that now, we're providing them with the flexibility that they get from their computer and mobile device on the TV -- that's a pretty interesting potential future we have out there," Wissmann said.
KPMG's findings were based on a global online survey of 9,000 people in nine countries, including the U.S., which was conducted Oct. 1-15. | <urn:uuid:b3d4c9ff-c977-4677-9a1c-29a9d281b47f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-study-majority-of-us-consumers-watch-tv-and-surf-web-simultaneously-20130128,0,7900948.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972091 | 388 | 1.710938 | 2 |
By Margery Weinstein
Everyone has a story about a manager who gets great results but achieves a low employee retention rate. Her authoritarian style is fantastic for inspiring work output (if only out of the fear it inspires in employees), but not so fantastic at maintaining employee quality of life. Likewise, most also have a story of a manager who is a lot of fun to work with, and whose employees have stuck by his side for more than a decade, but whose department’s financial performance isn’t so hot. Believe it or not, there is room in your company for many different management styles. You just have to figure out the best way to develop these leaders so your company makes the most of the best they have to offer.
At Cartus Corporation, a company specializing in global mobility and workforce development support, the key to making the most of leadership strengths is to train managers to be self-aware. “We don’t use a formal approach to assessing management styles at Cartus, although we do incorporate style into many of our management development programs. Our focus is on self-awareness, understanding who we are, knowing our preferred style and approach, and adapting—and maximizing—that approach for greatest success,” say Senior Vice Presidents of Global Human Resources Amy Meichner and Training Manager Amy Stone. “We view style as an element of diversity, and we value all differences, including cultural, generational, backgrounds, experience, and style.” The company uses the DiSC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness) leadership style assessment to teach employees about the approach they tend to take.
By becoming aware of their own preferred style, leaders can modify that style for use with various constituents and situations, Meichner and Stone explain. “A flexible leadership style improves engagement and motivation and helps others by leading in the most suitable way,” they point out. “Additionally, leaders who are self-aware create an open environment that encourages feedback and adaptive behavior. If a leader is interested in learning how employees choose to be led, entire teams and organizations will recognize this approach. Open feedback, adaptive behavior, and ongoing improvement will become standard practice.”
The approach Cartus takes is backed up by company research. A 2010 Cartus survey found that 28 percent of global job assignments fail because of employees’ inability to adapt to the host location. “It seems to follow that, like all leadership competencies, modeling self-awareness by seeking feedback and adapting is the most effective way to influence one’s own and others’ development,” say Meichner and Stone.
While Cartus believes in cultivating manager self-awareness, it does not believe there are good and bad management styles. “When overused, or solely used, any style can be toxic. Most leaders have a variety of styles and learn to use them in combination,” Meichner and Stone say. “There are behaviors that are quite toxic, such as unprofessional communication, anger, ridicule, or other behaviors that reduce self-esteem or create fear. Sometimes, these behaviors become habits that result in an overall toxic approach.”
That said, Meichner and Stone do believe there are certain leadership ideals to strive for. “We believe the ideal management style is a blended one that suits both the organization and the individual, and creates the best outcome in all situations,” they say. “All leaders should be aligned to a common vision, mission, values, and strategy, but how they get there can be unique to each individual. Having different approaches or styles allows us to connect with many different audiences, all of whom also have different styles. A self-aware and adaptive leader is the one we view as most effective. Great leaders give each individual what they need.”
For CareSource, a Medicaid managed care provider in Dayton, OH, grooming leaders to be the best possible managers means following a detailed process for assessing their management tendencies, says Director of CareSource University Jackie Smith.
“CareSource assesses management/leadership styles utilizing a number of processes. First, our mission statement and corporate values are integrated across all of our people processes, so assessment begins with the recruiting process,” she says. “Our HR team assesses every candidate for fit within our unique culture—‘serving the underserved.’ Upon hire, we continue this approach by supporting all new managers with a Leadership Transition Coach who works with those new to the organization to transition their leadership experience into successful management outcomes.”
CareSource’s leadership training integrates the competencies and behaviors from its performance management system into its curriculum. Semi-annually, managers are assessed on how they are demonstrating those competencies. The company uses multiple assessment tools. All managers complete a personalized feedback session on their Myers-Briggs type (MBTI) assessment. “This content also is applied in our MBTI and Leadership program, which focuses on how to use Myers-Briggs type to enhance leadership skills,” Smith explains. The company also uses Gallup’s Strength Finder to identify the manager’s strengths and build plans for using those strengths most effectively with their team.
A new addition to CareSource’s assessment processes is the New Leader Assimilation. “Sessions are held with both manager and team using the Appreciative Inquiry methodology to determine what’s working and what could be done differently to enhance the manager’s and team’s effectiveness, Smith explains. “Finally, we use the Leadership Challenge 360-degree instrument, Leadership Practices Inventory, as a development tool to allow leaders to assess their effectiveness and build an individualized learning plan.”
Smith notes that the company’s leadership assessment process’ ultimate goal is to adequately plan for its next generation of leaders. “All of these processes feed into our succession planning and mentoring programs where we assess managers/leaders against our competencies and behaviors, as well as a culture matrix,” she says. “Based upon the outcome of the assessment, high-potential leaders are placed in a variety of development options, including mentoring, where skills are further developed with an internal mentor.”
The ideal picture of a CareSource leader is articulated in the company’s official management competencies: service orientation, organizational awareness, teamwork, communication, and organizational leadership.
Implement a Situational Leadership Model
At BÖWE BELL + HOWELL (BBH), a provider of high-performance document management solutions and services, an Organizational Talent Management (OTM) Model works best for developing effective managers, say Lana Chandra, executive director, BBH University and Organizational Development, and Jennifer Gallant, Training and Development manager for the company’s Business School.
BBH uses a variety of methods and models to assess the styles of its leaders. “The Situational Leadership model has been used for all customer-facing leadership,” notes Chandra. “The Richardson Group and the Consultative Selling model have been used for Sales Management.”
However, when it comes to overall performance, BBH uses an internally created tool, the Organizational Talent Management (OTM) Model. “The company’s signature OTM model was created using a variety of different models, and ranks employees in three different areas: competence, strengths/qualities, and mind-set,” says Chandra. “By assessing the qualities of a good leader, specifically the mind-set components, the model is particularly helpful in evaluating current leaders and identifying future ones.”
Feedback from peers is an important part of the manager development process. Part of its Situational Leadership curriculum is a 360-degree assessment. From these results, the company believes leaders gain insight into their leadership style usage and their power-base influence. “When leaders use the most effective leadership style, they are more likely to get the intended results from their teams,” says Gallant. “If they are mismatching their style to the situation, the 360-degree assessment gives them the awareness they need to adjust their leadership style.”
BBH’s leaders primarily were using the S1-S2 leadership styles, which involved a lot of telling and selling to their teams. “When leaders spend all their time directing every move of their team and convincing them that each task is necessary, results are not achieved,” says Gallant. “After several hands-on practical style labs and a second 360-degree assessment, we saw enormous change. Leaders were able to move to an S3-S4 style of participating and delegating with their teams, which was more efficient and effective and based on their employees’ ability.”
Another aspect of BBH’s leadership assessment, the power base assessment, reveals to leaders from where they draw their power. “Leaders who have personal power can influence anyone, whereas leaders with positional power can only influence their direct reports,” Gallant says. “Leaders who know their power base, and how to balance it, accomplish tasks not only through their team, but through cross-functional teams, as well.”
Whatever the leadership assessment results, trainers at BBH are open-minded about management styles. “One of the biggest mistakes companies make is assuming there is one perfect management style and that every leader must use it. Organizations should encourage and coach their leaders to be adaptable,” says Chandra. “Adaptable leaders can decipher different situations and vary their management style to take appropriate action. Regardless of the situation, leaders must communicate based on the staff’s needs and realize they don’t have all the answers. Their true role is to create success through effective influence on those they lead, formally and informally.”
2011 Training Top 125 companies CHG Healthcare Services, Inc., and Buckman offer their top tips for making the most of your leaders’ management styles: | <urn:uuid:ff9a85f1-39a9-4101-b248-b7cd31e8b763> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.trainingmag.com/article/x-factor | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950968 | 2,076 | 1.625 | 2 |
University of Colorado officials announced Friday they are again taking bids to relocate three 1920's-era bungalows from the Grandview Terrace area -- a final effort before the historic structures are demolished.
During the request-for-proposal process conducted this summer and fall, CU didn't receive any proposals that met the qualifications despite a collaboration with the city that offers up to $300,000 in incentives. In fact, the school only received one application and it was incomplete, said Malinda Miller-Huey, a campus spokeswoman.
But, city and university officials would like the houses to be relocated and preserved.
"If we don't find a qualified match this time, they'll be demolished," Miller-Huey said. "This is the last deadline. We really feel like it's important to make the effort and we would like to see the bungalows preserved and are giving it one more try."
The university announced in July it was taking bids from qualified house movers and contractors to relocate the houses from 1220, 1243 and 1244 Grandview Ave., and an amendment was made in August to increase the funds available for repair and relocation.
CU officials will pay $50,000 toward the costs of moving each house once a submission has been accepted and the house is successfully relocated, minus costs that CU pays for asbestos abatement. That's roughly equivalent to what CU would spend to demolish the houses.
Additionally, Boulder officials will pay $50,000 if the property is relocated within the city of Boulder and an application for landmarking the building is submitted.
Miller-Huey explained the bungalows are difficult and expensive to move, which has been a deterrent.
Under the revised schedule, opportunities for a walkthrough and inspection of the properties will be held on Dec. 20 and a mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held Jan. 3.
The proposal evaluation and selection period will be conducted from Jan. 17 through Jan. 24 and the contract award notification is estimated to go out on Feb. 1.
Interested parties should read the full request for proposals and the addendum, which will be available next week at http://tinyurl.com/92aq5yk
Historic preservation proponents have been hoping for the bungalows to be relocated.
The bungalow at 1220 Grandview Ave. once belonged to George Reynolds, a well-known CU professor and respected biblical, Shakespearean and English literature scholar, according to Abby Daniels, executive director of Historic Boulder.
Reynolds, who died in 1964, left his bungalow to the university and donated money to the city of Boulder for a library branch, which is named in his memory.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at 303-473-1132 or email@example.com. | <urn:uuid:38f9ed9d-c28c-403f-bb65-4e55575cbb38> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dailycamera.com/recreation-columnists/ci_22146410/entertainment/entertainment/entertainment/classicalmusic | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965038 | 580 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Tue December 27, 2011
There's Something About 'Matilda'
While pantomime performances of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are traditional English holiday entertainment fare, there's a new hit in town. Londoners are flocking to Matilda the Musical, a souped-up version of Roald Dahl's well-known children's novel, playing in London's West End.
The production by The Royal Shakespeare Company has been proclaimed the best British musical in years. But despite most of the cast being under 16, this show is certainly not just for kids.
Matilda is an unusual girl. She's a bookworm, her parents are abusive and her school headmistress is a battle-axe. That could make for a depressing story, but London audiences have been wowed by Matilda's determination not to be repressed.
To help tell her story, the Royal Shakespeare Company engaged British playwright Dennis Kelley to adapt the novel and Tim Minchin, one of Australia's top comedians, to write the music and lyrics.
If you're familiar with Minchin's work, you'll know that music is an essential part of his comedy. But there's a big difference between an hour-long comedy routine and a full-length musical that tells a story. Minchin says he was ready for the challenge.
"The idea of spending two years trying to make a children's story into something that makes kids and grownups laugh and cry ... I love it," he says.
As Minchin wrote the 17-song score, he realized he had a lot in common with Roald Dahl.
"He liked mucking around with words, doing stupid rhymes, being a bit naughty — all those things I do in my comedy," Minchin says.
Matt Wolf, a writer for the International Herald Tribune, says Tim Minchin's approach was just what London audiences and critics were looking for. He says theater-goers were tired of Andrew Lloyd Webber revivals.
"With Tim Minchin, that was totally out of left-field — looking toward the world of comedy and Australian comedy, too — to write a show that in many ways is so quintessentially English," Wolf says. "I think his score is a major achievement. It's not imitative or suggestive of anyone else. It has its own flavor, texture, wit, energy."
From songs about growing up and carrying heavy burdens to being a child and making mischief, the score captures both 5-year-old Matilda's precocity and her very child-like inability to express her feelings, especially when she realizes she has psycho-kinetic powers.
"I had this build up because I wanted to talk about the moment when she does magic with her eyes," he says. "She has this realization that maybe she's not normal."
In that moment, Minchin says, Matilda's in a panic. Someone's shouting at her and he says her brain is fizzing.
"She's trying to work through this idea that everything's relative and she can't be objective about her own mind," he says. "I wrote the first half and then I thought, 'What is it? What does she feel?' And then I stumbled on this idea that actually what she craves in her life is for everyone to just shhhhh."
Anyone who wants to adapt Dahl's work for stage or screen must get permission from his widow, who sets strict criteria. Despite Matilda's success, the estate's managing director, Amanda Conquy, says the estate was initially cautious about saying yes.
"There were films being developed over the past 10 years and we were very occupied, happily, on those," she says. "We've steered rather clear of musicals because we know they have an incredible capacity to go wrong."
Conquy says she's glad that the production has been so successful. There's even talk of taking Matilda to Broadway.
London audiences can get their Dahl fix with another musical adaptation of his work next year, when filmmaker Sam Mendes directs the stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. | <urn:uuid:22577d7d-aa45-41a6-ac2c-5881a94ba70d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wkyufm.org/post/theres-something-about-matilda | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984072 | 840 | 1.632813 | 2 |
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- When it comes to attitudes about the economy, Americans continue to see the glass as half empty, according to the latest reading on consumer morale.
The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 48.5 in September -- its lowest level in 7 months -- and down from August's negatively revised level of 53.2, the Conference Board, a New York-based research group that compiles the index, said Tuesday.
The index has been volatile this year, not trending in any one direction for more than three months in a row. High unemployment and unfavorable business conditions have dragged the index down to a painfully low level, far below 90 -- the level which indicates a stable economy.
"Overall, consumers' confidence in the state of the economy remains quite grim. And, with so few expecting conditions to improve in the near term, the pace of economic growth is not likely to pick up in the coming months" Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center said in a release.
Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected a much smaller decline, with the index touching 53.
In September, the number of consumers calling business conditions "bad" outweighed those saying conditions are "good" by nearly 6 to 1. Similarly, those saying jobs are "hard to get" far outnumbered those saying jobs are "plentiful." And the number of consumers with gloomy attitudes about both future employment prospects and business conditions, also increased.
"We're going to have to see some strong and steady job gains to convince consumers that the recovery is underway right now," Franco said. "While the recession may be over, it's still not feeling that way to consumers."
The consumer confidence index is based on a survey of 5,000 U.S. households and is closely monitored because consumer spending drives two-thirds of the nation's economic activity.
Microsoft is making a bid to own the living room with its new entertainment device. More
Only a tiny fraction of small businesses must comply with new Obamacare rules. And most of them are already providing insurance to employees. More
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a series of aid programs available to tornado victims who live in one of the Oklahoma counties declared a disaster area by President Obama. More | <urn:uuid:fb4d4068-ab63-41ca-ae55-e42dccbd7024> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.money.cnn.com/2010/09/28/news/economy/consumer_confidence/index.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941596 | 462 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Again, I chose another recipe blindly. And another – one of many, it seems – that has neither a name nor instructions listed. Only a list of ingredients. I could tell it was some kind of baked item. Perhaps biscuits, I thought … but the ratio of wet to dry ingredients wasn’t right. And it wasn’t cake or cookies either because it only called for a tablespoon of sugar (at least that’s what I think the recipe meant). The amount of baking powder told me it was something that was meant to rise a lot, but it had too many eggs to be pancakes. That leaves … waffles. At least, that’s how I decided to interpret the recipe. That was just fine by me, because I love waffles!
As much as I love waffles, however, the absolute BEST thing about this particular recipe is that it was written on the back of an envelope addressed to my father’s sister, the original 2¢ stamp still on the front, and a postmark dated 1963. To me, this was more than just a recipe – it’s a piece of my family history.
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp margarine
- ½ Tbsp sugar
Since 3 cups of flour sounds like A LOT, I decided to cut the recipe in half. I mixed all the ingredients together as I would a regular waffle recipe. I remained true to the recipe with the small exception of adding a little salt.
What I ended up with was very thick batter – almost what I would expect for making muffins.
I thought I must have interpreted the recipe wrong, so I took a good long look at it again. And then I saw it – right at the very top was what looked to be a faint impression of the word “waffles” that had been almost completely worn away. I had gotten it right, and regardless how the waffles actually turned out, this was turning into quite a find!
I went ahead and put the waffle batter into my Belgium waffle maker and cooked for 4 minutes.
I wanted to taste the waffle right away, but anyone who knows Russian Mennonite waffles, knows they always come with “White Sauce”. I looked through Grandma’s recipe box for such a recipe but found nothing, so I used my own.
(White Sauce, for those uninitiated, is a homemade warm vanilla pudding that’s served over waffles. There are several versions out there, but mine is adapted from the Mennonite Treasury of Recipes)
WHITE SAUCE FOR WAFFLES:
- ¼ cup waffle batter
- 1 Tbsp flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cups milk
Whisk all ingredients together in a medium sauce pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Let it come to a boil and take off heat. Serve sauce over waffles.
In the end, the waffles themselves weren’t great (I actually prefer my own recipe over this one). But what an amazing discovery the written recipe was in itself. I’ll definitely treasure this one! | <urn:uuid:5bdbfcf2-f1d0-4107-89f6-87a7d7a46405> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://grandmasoldwoodenrecipebox.wordpress.com/tag/waffles/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972299 | 698 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Shaquille O’Neal spent three years as a basketball player at LSU before moving onto an NBA career that saw him visit the NBA Finals six times and win four championships. That's almost unfathomable now, given that he averaged 13.9 points and 12 rebounds as a freshman.
Perhaps based on his own experience, he believes three years in college is a good idea for all players before they enter the NBA draft.
Speaking to the NCAA convention Tuesday in Grapevine, Texas, O’Neal said if he were in charge of draft eligibility rules, it would “probably say three-and-done.”
The NBA has had an age limit of 19 and one year out of high school for all draft entrants since the 2007 draft. Previously, players had to be 18 and could attempt to make the league directly out of high school.
When O’Neal was in college it never happened. That changed three years after he finished his college career, when Kevin Garnett entered the draft directly out of Chicago’s Farragut Academy in 1995. For a decade, it became common for high school players to enter the draft, and now it is common for players to leave college after a single season.
It’s derisively called “one-and-done,” and NCAA president Mark Emmert has repeatedly denounced the practice. In negotiating its most recent collective bargaining agreement, the NBA attempted to bump up the limit to age 20 and two years removed from high school. But the idea was tabled at the close of a long lockout and the 19 limit remains in place.
"A lot of guys do it because of their financial situation, and they need to do it. That's the only way to provide a better means for their family,” O’Neal said, according to the Associated Press. “So when you look at it from that aspect, I understand it."
Kentucky’s John Calipari, who has coached a number of one-and-done players, has been most outspoken about his desire for the age limit to be increased to 20, an idea that has gained broader support among college coaches in recent years. | <urn:uuid:71dc0350-359a-40cb-bba0-3599c5a6f8fd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2013-01-17/shaquille-oneal-one-and-done-lsu-nba-draft-age-limit-eligibility-kevin-garnett?modid=recommended_5_5 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986482 | 452 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Greetings from southeast Alaska! Orcas, commonly called killer whales, are really members of the porpoise family. Like their dolphin cousins, orcas swim in small family groups (pods) and display the same intelligence, sociable group behavior, and occasional playfulness as other marine mammals in the porpoise family. I was with a small group of my own for a cruise vacation along southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage, and the captain of Fantasy Cruise’s Island Spirit was confident that we’d see at least one pod of orcas, along with other wildlife native to Alaska. We sure did; take a look at this amazing video.
The captain of our small cruise ship was as astounded as his passengers. In his 20 years of whale watching, he’d never seen anything like this. The orcas were not, of course, putting on a show for the benefit of us Alaska tourists — Captain Jeff Behrens suggested that the adults were teaching the two babies in the pod how to breach and how to slap their tails against the surface of the water. We were incredibly fortunate that the killer whales had decided to start their lesson right off the bow of his ship.
This travel experience is just about as clear an example of the benefits of taking a small cruise ship Alaska vacation as any. Small cruise ships like Fantasy Cruise’s Island Spirit safely cruise into smaller bays and inlets into which the larger cruise ships cannot fit. This pod of orcas, along with the humpback whales, seals, adorable sea otters, and other marine mammals, come into those tranquil bays — a day didn’t go by on our Alaskan cruise vacation that we didn’t see some incredible wildlife. As seen in the video, those orcas were in no hurry to leave, either; the smaller size of this cruise ship may have been less intimidating. While there’s no guarantee that you would see a family of killer whales teaching their babies to breach, the odds are better on a small Alaskan cruise ship vacation.
Thank you to Fantasy Cruises for hosting this southeast Alaska cruise travel vacation. | <urn:uuid:a33a2dbc-54cb-47d3-b689-344b19b6a535> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thevacationgals.com/killer-whales-breaching-off-alaska-cruise-ship/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979121 | 440 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Father Andrew Apostoli of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is an author and EWTN host.
At the age of 78, when most men are either retiring or already retired, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger began a new and awesome period in his life. On April 19, 2005, he was elected as the 265th vicar of Christ, taking the name of Pope Benedict XVI. People may well have wondered: Considering his age, what will the new Pope be able to accomplish in the remaining years of his life?
The answer is: a great deal! As we mark the fifth anniversary of his papal election on April 19, 2010, we realize he has already done so much. He brought to his new responsibilities a deep spirit of prayer, a great theological depth, and a zeal to proclaim “the presence of the living Christ to the whole world,” as he told the College of Cardinals the day after his election.
He set clear goals for himself. Probably the most significant of them was his determination to appeal for Christian unity. As he said in his inauguration Mass: “Let us do all we can to pursue the path toward unity!” His actual intent was to reach out “to all men and women of today, to believers and nonbelievers alike.” He sent greetings to the Jewish people, whom he said shared a joint spiritual heritage with Christians, and he even received an invitation from 130 Muslim scholars to dialogue with them about religion.
But his primary focus was to foster unity among all Christians. He realized how all Christians throughout the world were being persecuted by ever increasingly secular as well as fanatically religious governments which are attacking the basic Christian values of the sacredness of human life, the sanctity of monogamous marriage and the family, and religious liberty. In unity there will be strength!
Furthermore Jesus’ prayer “That all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be one in us” (John 17:21), and Jesus’ mandate “There shall be one flock then, one shepherd!” (John 10:16) no doubt stirred the heart of Pope Benedict. As he said in a talk in Cologne, Germany, during World Youth Day, “It is the Lord’s command, but also the imperative of the present hour, to carry on [ecumenical] dialogue, with conviction, at all levels of the Church’s life.”
The Pontiff’s thoughts and prayers became expressed in actions. Like Pope John Paul before him, Pope Benedict has stressed the importance of charity in ecumenical dialogue for Christian unity. With the Orthodox, Pope Benedict made great strides. He met with the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox when he visited Istanbul (Constantinople). He has also had very favorable relations with the new Russian Patriarch of Moscow, whom the Pope knew when he was a cardinal.
A great step in the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue was the so-called “Ravenna Document” issued by an international commission of Catholic and Orthodox theologians in October 2007. It reaffirmed the blessings we have in common, such as the holy Eucharist, the sacraments, and an ordained hierarchical priesthood. It also acknowledged some of the problems that needed to be dealt with, particularly viewing the Church on the universal level, where the primacy of the Pope will be a crucial question.
Pope Benedict XVI, responding to those Anglicans who desired full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage, issued a new apostolic constitution that would allow the Anglicans to have “personal ordinariates,” like personal dioceses, which would allow them to be in full communion with the Catholic Church while maintaining elements of their Anglican identity.
So favorable was the Pope’s constitution that many Anglicans are considering rejoining the Catholic Church after nearly 500 years of separation! Pope Benedict has also met with the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
The Holy Father has reached out to still other groups in attempts to draw them into the ecumenical dialogue and, God willing, eventually reunion in the one Church Christ founded. They include the Lutherans, the Methodists, the Reformed Churches as well as the World Council of Churches.
His efforts at reunion for other groups that have separated from the Catholic Church over time included lifting the excommunication of four bishops from the Society of St. Pius X who were ordained without proper papal permission by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
So what can happen in five years? A great deal! Maybe there’s much truth in the old saying: “Life begins at 80!” (Even more so at 78!)
About This Series
Now more than ever, we need to be reminded of what a Pope is. On the rock of Peter our Church is built. To him and his successors — Christ’s vicars — have been entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. Christ prayed for him that his faith might not fail, that he might strengthen his brethren.
The untold story right now in the media is how much God has worked through Pope Benedict XVI in his first five years as Pope. That’s why we began to commission short essays to honor him for his anniversary just a few weeks ago.
As the media tries in vain to pin the lion’s share of the blame for the developing abuse scandal on him, those essays are now taking on a meaning and depth we couldn’t have imagined. We’re fortunate to have this man leading us, and these tributes tell why.
We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did.
— The Editors | <urn:uuid:a5b7ad07-3426-4b92-9b06-c5029ba294ad> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/christian_unifier/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977099 | 1,200 | 1.679688 | 2 |
If you're up early Wednesday morning and the weather is promising, bundle up and go outside. The Quadrantid meteor shower, the first of 2012, should be at its best between 3 a.m. and dawn, Eastern time. If you get lucky, you may get a silently satisfying sky show.
The Quadrantids are often the most intense of the year's regular meteor showers, but also one of the shortest. They happen when Earth passes through the narrow trail of debris left by an asteroid called 2003 EH1, so they only last a...Full Story | <urn:uuid:32d6744c-c980-4d6e-be89-693a515b9bd8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/quadrantid-meteor-shower-2012-shooting-stars-wednesday-dawn/comments?type=story&id=15279375 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951813 | 116 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics) is a development-stage company. The Company is focused on its research and development of REOLYSIN, which is its cancer therapeutic. REOLYSIN is developed from the reovirus. This virus has been demonstrated in tumour cells bearing an activated Ras pathway. Oncolytics is directing a clinical trial program with the focus of developing REOLYSIN as a human cancer therapeutic. The clinical program includes clinical trials, which it sponsors directly along with Third Party Clinical Trials. Third Party Clinical Trials are clinical trials that are being sponsored by other institutions. As of December 31, 2011, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Leeds and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio (CTRC) were sponsoring part of its clinical trial program. Oncolytics uses contract toll manufacturers to produce REOLYSIN. | <urn:uuid:70479b62-57ad-4edf-9624-53d48466015a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.google.ca/finance?q=oncy | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963518 | 193 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Bribes and prejudice
Anti-graft measures worry Egypt's economists
Egypt's anti-corruption purge has sparked debate between idealists calling for a full reckoning and pragmatists concerned about the effects on a tottering economy. This 2011 article is from Ahram Online, May 4.
by Michael Gunn“Thief! Thief!"
Cries echo around the prim apartment-lined streets of an upscale northern Cairo neighborhood as a bowed but finely-groomed figure emerges into the winter night flanked by two black clad police officers.
Expensively-cut suit offset by clinking handcuffs, this once proud pillar of the business community is frogmarched past a baying crowd then bundled up steep metal steps into the dark interior of a police wagon. As the convoy rumbles away in a blare of horns, enraged citizens surge forward hammering the trundling vehicle with their bare hands. The chant builds: "Give us back our money!"
It's a scene that's been repeated across Cairo's wealthier enclaves since Mubarak's fall in mid-February as state prosecutors, egged on by overwhelming popular sentiment and compelling evidence, have swooped on dozens of members of Egypt's business elite.
The vast majority of cases involve figures from the former regime -- a sign of how tightly entwined business and politics had become during Mubarak's 30-year rule. The accusations are legion: elaborate and stunningly remunerative under-the-table deals, bribery, favoritism, and massive squandering of state funds.
Many view the Egyptian revolution incomplete if it fails to bring a full reckoning for decades of corrupt business practices. But dig too deep, claim some influential commentators, and Egypt risks destroying successful companies, scaring off investors, and causing long-term economic damage.
Insiders talk of a “culture of anxiety” within Egypt’s business community, as members speculate on whom the prosecutor general will target next. Several prominent businessmen Ahram Online tried to interview had already relocated abroad.
"There are people who are very worried right now," says Hesham Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian American Business Association, a frequent commentator on economic issues on Egyptian TV who is close to key business figures. "Many are already awaiting trial, others have run out the country. There will be people getting deeper into corruption to hide their previous corruption."
The fall has been sudden and humiliating. Steel tycoon and NDP chief whip Ahmed Ezz was one of the first to be detained and now languishes in Tora prison, southern Cairo. At least a dozen corruption suspects have joined him.
Even those under investigation who have remained free -- like Ahmed Heikal, the founder of investment bank Citadel Capital -- have been hit with travel bans. At least 25 former regime officials with suspect business interests have found their assets frozen.
Central bank limits on capital transfers, put in place to halt the flight of misbegotten funds, have had side effects on companies reliant on overseas suppliers, slowing deliveries, and further hampering trade.
Egypt’s post-revolution economy is tottering, with depleted tourism revenues and stalled manufacturing facing off against a widening budget deficit and popular pressure for expanded public employment and subsidy programs.
Most proponents of a full corruption purge argue on the basis of morality and justice but others believe there’s a compelling case for its long-term economic benefits. In this view, endemic corruption was a barrier to deeper foreign investment and eradicating the worst practices will boost investor confidence.
“It’s not true that investors are being sent away by the wave of investigations against businessmen,” says Mohamed Metwally, chairman of the Arab Company for Investment and one of the few prominent businessmen to participate in anti-Mubarak protests from the start.
“Countries abiding by the rule of law which have effective anti-corruption legislation actually attract money. It's a sign of safety for businessmen and investors that nobody is above the law."
A recent report by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) cited foreign unease about investing in North African countries based on fears of the need for bribes, a favors system, and a lack of transparency.
That was certainly the case in Mubarak’s Egypt, according to Omnia Hussein, Egyptian coordinator for TI. "It was a system where business and politics fed on each other," she says. "Those in the cabinet and the legislature had massive economic interests in the private sector they were supposed to be monitoring."
Restructuring is likely to take years, if the example of post-Suharto Indonesia -- a corrupt dictatorship par excellence -- is any guide. Some 10 years after Suharto’s 1998 resignation, much of his fortune remained missing and his corrupt business practices were still mired in legal investigations.
Hussein says, “We need to differentiate between the enablers -- the corrupters -- and those who just played by their rules -- the corrupted."
Regaining investor trust can be done, says Hussein, by following a case-by-case approach. Laws that were tailored to people's business interests, such as those dealing with procurement and land settlement, allow investigators to target specific violators and beneficiaries.
Some businessmen so far untouched by scandal welcome the scrutiny but others complain of 'mudslinging' accusations used to settle personal scores against businesses that may have done nothing wrong.
A business analyst told the Financial Times last week: “The prosecutor doesn’t want to look bad, so he shoots first and asks questions later."
As one financial commentator puts it, the prosecutor general only has 18 hours a day and 365 days a year to do his work -- the immensity of Egyptian corruption may be beyond even the broadest investigations.
At the same time, New Egypt will have an uphill struggle trying to sideline practices of off-the-books agreements, nepotism, and favoritism, that long predate Mubarak’s rule.
"We’re not talking about just the last 30 years, we’re talking centuries,” says Hesham Ashmawy.
To see the whole article, click here
JJS: When insiders steal public revenue, I wonder how much it really matters whether or not that public revenue had been “rent” -- spending for land and resources. In such cases, popular American economist Henry George over a century ago suggested that public revenue be paid out as a dividend to citizens, skirting the corrupt politicians and their insider backers. Well, Egypt has oil, and an oil dividend is paid by Alaska; as a start, could Egypt adopt the Alaskan model?
Editor Jeffery J. Smith runs the Forum on Geonomics.
US outspends everyone on arms, funding enemies, too
Switzerland allows teens to sell themselves
Corruption Leads to More Corruption
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Page One Page Two Archive Discussion Room Letters What's Geoism? | <urn:uuid:02eaa056-d587-4ca8-a1f0-45f5ea3f160e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.progress.org/2011/abovethe.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946584 | 1,451 | 1.5 | 2 |
China yesterday said it was considering an offer from the Seychelles to host Chinese naval ships in the Indian Ocean nation, highlighting the increasing global reach of a navy that recently launched its first aircraft carrier.
State-run media gave prominent coverage to the Seychelles offer to allow rest and resupply for Chinese ships in the multinational force conducting anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, which China has joined since late 2008.
However, the reports were careful to reaffirm China’s firm policy of not establishing permanent military bases overseas, a cornerstone of Beijing’s claim that it is not seeking regional hegemony or military alliances.
“China’s position is clear. China has never set up military bases in other countries,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Liu Weimin (劉為民) told reporters at a daily news briefing.
Chinese ships assigned to the anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden have visited several ports to allow their crews to rest and to take on supplies, including in Yemen and Oman on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.
The China Daily newspaper said the invitation from the Seychelles was issued during a visit to the nation by Chinese Minister of National Defense Liang Guanglie (梁光烈) earlier this month.
The Chinese navy has grown in recent years into a force spanning the globe, sending ships to the Caribbean on goodwill missions and into the Mediterranean to escort vessels evacuating Chinese from the fighting in Libya. | <urn:uuid:f7ccf648-f451-48ae-8955-fdc04ed21b19> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/12/14/2003520689 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958598 | 317 | 1.75 | 2 |
Eisenhower Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Judith B. Zacher,MD, FACS authored a chapter in the recently published book Mastopexy and Breast Reduction: Principles and Practice. Her chapter,“Extent of Symptoms Preoperatively and Success of Breast Reduction for Symptomatic Macromastia: Personal Experiences,” discusses the relief of symptoms after the reduction mammoplasty.
Information in the chapter is based on Zacher’s original research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1995, analyzing the data on 130 women. For her current book chapter, Dr. Zacher reviewed the subsequent literature, evaluating more than 2,000 women who had undergone breast reduction.Dr. Zacher found that the women all had significant relief from their back pain, shoulder grooves and rashes. None of the current studies show any relationship between grams of tissue removed, the surgical technique used, and the degree of symptom relief.Non-surgical attempts to improve symptoms were shown to be less than five percent effective and weight loss was only 30 percent helpful in those who were able to lose weight.
Of all the cosmetic and reconstructive breast procedures Dr. Zacher performs — augmentation, lifts, old implant removal, and mastectomy reconstruction, Dr. Zacher says her breast reduction patients are the most impacted.“It changes how women live,” says Zacher.
Dr. Zacher was born and raised in Southern California, graduated from The Ohio State University School of Medicine and is Board Certified in plastic surgery. After practicing in Columbus,Ohio and serving on the clinical faculty at The Ohio State University, Dr. Zacher returned to California. Dr. Zacher has also published additional articles on a diverse range of subject matter including the management of fingertip injuries, electrical burns and breast-feeding after reduction mammoplasty | <urn:uuid:ecfc9e8e-5d03-4d76-873b-fa2e441b3e9e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.emc.org/healthyliving.cfm?id=855&action=detail&dataRef=1488&source=511&issue=554 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947452 | 378 | 1.664063 | 2 |
Following in the footsteps of Google Labs and FamilySearch Labs, subscription website Ancestry.com has launched a new section of its site called Ancestry Labs.
Following in the footsteps of Google Labs and FamilySearch Labs, subscription website Ancestry.com
has launched a new section of its site called Ancestry Labs
. There, the company's techies can let you test new products and gather your feedback (via a green Feedback tab on the right side of the screen).
Not all the new ideas are destined to be part of Ancestry.com. "The projects we place in this area are likely to be early prototypes, and although some of them may make their way into the main Ancestry.com site, some may not," according to the company's announcement.
Person View, the first Ancestry Labs project, includes two components:
- Web Records, which searches for your ancestor on the internet, shows you basic information from matching web pages, and links you to those pages.
You may remember a dustup over the similar Internet Biographical Collection, which was pulled down shortly after its introduction in August 2007 amid copyright and other concerns. That collection cached web pages' content and displayed the results on Ancestry.com, so the compiler missed out on credit and the traffic.
Ancestry.com hopes to avoid those mistakes with Web Records by linking to the source site and making it easy for webmasters to opt out of being in search results.
- Person Consolidation is a way of viewing search results that groups matches by person, rather than by record type. Your results show each person's name with links to categories of records—Ancestry Records, Family Trees (with no living people included) and Web Records—for that person.
You'll see just the first 10 matches to your search. It simplifies your results, but the algorithm can make mistakes by grouping together records for two different people, or displaying one person as different people.
From the March 2011 issue of Family Tree Magazine | <urn:uuid:9150a780-7820-41cb-8244-f98e3795d24f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://familytreemagazine.com/article/ancestry-labs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933965 | 410 | 1.773438 | 2 |
|Tentative Thesis (identifies the advertisement's target market, central message, and effectiveness): The Gatorade website effectively convinces aspiring athletes that Gatorade is a key ingredient of peak performance and athletic success.|
Sentence (sums up the identity of the target market): The target market
of the Gatorade site is aspiring athletes striving to maximize their
performance and reach greater levels of success.
Support (specific details and explanations of how they prove the identity of the target market for the advertisement):
Detail: Home page: Cam
Detail: Athletes link
"Keep Her in the Game," "Quest for Greatness," and "Everything to Prove"
Gatorade’s target market is aspiring athletes striving to maximize their performance and reach greater levels of success. Cam Newton on the home page places an immediate emphasis on athletics in general, and, as a young NFL star, Newton has particular appeal to the younger adults who probably make up the largest percentage of the target market. His recent entry into the NFL (just two seasons ago) also makes him more relatable to aspiring athletes. The rest of the professional athletes Gatorade features through the athletes link appeal to a broad range of amateur athletes: young (Cam Newton and Coco Ho, a professional surfer), middle-aged (Michael Jordan and Kerri Walsh), male and female, and into a wide range of sports (from mainstream sports to BMX racing and dance). The very fact that Gatorade uses these celebrity endorsements implies that their target market consists of aspiring, amateur athletes, the very people most likely to admire and emulate these stars. It is also interesting to note the less obvious link to FAQs at the bottom of the home page. Answering questions such as whether an NFL linebacker and a high school gymnast need the same amount of Gatorade, how much sodium is in Gatorade, where to buy it, and how to read the expiration date addresses issues of interest to aspiring athletes in training. This link also implies the target market of aspiring athletes because they are the ones who would depend on such information, unlike the professional athletes, who often have hired training staff. Lastly, the Gatorade video programs provide a focus on various categories of aspiring athletes: from young girls (“Keep Her in the Game”), to amateur athletes trying to break into the professional level (“Quest for Greatness”), to NFL rookies trying to prove they belong in the professional ranks (“Everything to Prove”).
Kirk Lockwood Home | IVCC Home | <urn:uuid:c34802e9-3dd3-43da-a8df-3179b58013fb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www2.ivcc.edu/lockwood/Current/1001/Essay2/GatoradeOutlineTargetMarket.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933474 | 532 | 1.664063 | 2 |
EDEN Organic Kukicha Tea is crafted from four different clippings of the tea bush (Camellia sinensi). The first clipping is from three year old, semi-wild plants, from which twigs from the under part of the bush are trimmed in autumn. The second clipping consists of thick twigs, which are harvested every 10 years, usually in mid-winter. During the autumn and winter the caffeine level is at its lowest. The third and forth clipping, done every year in March and June, consists of small, thin twigs, stems and mature brown dried leaves. These are the pruning that stimulate the growth of fresh green shoots. After harvesting the twigs are steamed to soften them, and then place outside to dry in the sun for about one week depending upon the weather. Next, the sun dried twigs are placed in brown paper sacks and stored for 2 to 3 years in order to fully develop the best flavor. This process is called aging. After aging, the twigs are cut, and graded according to size. The twigs are separately roasted, according to size, to ensure even roasting, in gas fired cast iron rotating ovens. This patient and ceremonious roasting slowly develops the distinctive smoky flavor and aroma that has made Kukicha Tea so popular among macrobiotic and natural food aficionados.
Also known as 'twig tea', Kukicha is the lowest in caffeine of the traditional teas. EDEN Organic Kukicha Tea contains 90 percent less caffeine than regular brewed coffee. It is soothing and balancing with a rich flavor and is an ideal meal's end serving.
Most tea bags contain a plastic that allows them to be heat sealed. We didn't think this was any way to treat good tea. Every part of an EDEN tea bag reflects the highest care, from its oxygen washed manila fibers, to its crimped seal and 100 percent cotton string. No whiteners or plastics used.
The flavor of tea reflects the soil it is grown in, the season picked, and the curing process. EDEN Organic Kukicha Twig Tea is nurtured according to strict organic standards. The growers are dedicated to the stewardship of their land, water,and tea bushes. This dedication shows in their skillful traditional handling that gives us the best organic tea in the world.
All true teas stem from the plant Camellia sinensis, an attractive perennial shrub about five feet tall with gentle rounded leaves and tender twigs. Tea become green, black or other varieties depending on the time of harvest, and the way they are cured and handled.
Kukicha tea was popularized in the U.S. and Europe in the 1960s by George Ohsawa, the founder of modern macrobiotics. Mr. Ohsawa considered kukicha to be the perfect complementary beverage for a grain based or mostly vegetarian diet, due to its alkaline qualities and very low level of caffeine.
Kukicha's natural tannins aid in digestion of grains, and gives it the peculiar ability to neutralize both acids and alkalines in food we consume. Due to its particularly low levels of caffeine, Kukicha is considered to be an ideal beverage for both children and adults. Kukicha blends well with apple juice. Simply mix half kukicha and half apple juice for a perfect beverage for children. Kukicha is one of the most popular teas sold in natural food stores.
EDEN Organic Kukicha Tea is produced in the ancient traditional manner as it has been for centuries. EDEN Traditional Teas contain no added flavorings, dyes, or additives whatsoever during processing. | <urn:uuid:0affcb75-5e75-456c-b5a9-9dc6181bd052> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edenfoods.com/store/product_details.php?products_id=110550&eID=s2oel5s64gsrmi8hqb2d049614 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953261 | 767 | 1.648438 | 2 |
Part of complete coverage on
All creatures great and small at Frankfurt's Animal Lounge
October 4, 2012 -- Updated 1630 GMT (0030 HKT)
Operated by Lufthansa Cargo, the Frankfurt Animal Lounge in Germany facilitates the movements of more than 100 million animals every year.
Frankfurt Airport's Animal Lounge
Man's best friend
- Frankfurt Airport's Animal Lounge handles more than 100 million animals annually
- Domestic pets and exotic creatures including rhinos, polar bears and crocodiles jet in and out
- Facility opened in 2008 and is the world's busiest animal airport hub
Each week The Gateway goes behind the scenes of the world's major transport hubs, revealing the logistics that keep goods and people moving. This month, the show is in Frankfurt, Germany.
(CNN) -- With 56.4 million passengers, Frankfurt was the world's ninth busiest airport in 2011, according to airport trade organization, Airport Council International.
But when it comes to animal arrivals and departures, the German gateway takes top billing.
More than 100 million animals jetted in and out of Frankfurt's Animal Lounge last year including 2000 horses, 14,000 cats and dogs, 80 million ornamental fish and 300 tons of worms.
Frankfurt Airport: A strategic hub
Restaurant food on an industrial scale
Run by German carrier Lufthansa, animals range from domestic pets to more exotic specimens destined for zoos and animal reserves, explains Axel Heitman, director of the Animal Lounge.
Frankfurt Airport: facts and figures
"A polar bear was on his way home from the Alps after doing some shooting for some advertising and was really gentle actually," Heitman said.
"He had his owner next to him and he took the entire trailer ... and then we had him transported back to Canada."
The 3,750-square meter facility opened its doors in 2008 and is equipped with non-slip floors and climate-controlled chambers to help make an animal's stay as comfortable as possible.
A team of 60 trained vets and qualified animal handlers are also on hand round the clock to monitor them when they arrive.
Read more: The world's transport gateways
"When they are in transit, for example, [the staff] would take them out of the kennels and feed them and if they are here overnight, they will walk them around the facility," Heitman says.
Most animals can travel in the belly of passenger planes, but Lufthansa also has a fleet of 18 freight aircraft which can accommodate all shapes and size of animal -- be it hippopotamuses en route to the Philippines from Israel or rhinos and even crocodiles.
There is no such thing as an average day, Heitman says.
"Every day we learn new things because, as you can imagine, there is a huge variety of animals," he said.
Part of complete coverage on
May 14, 2013 -- Updated 0907 GMT (1707 HKT)
Romanian president, Traian Basescu, aims to steer Constanta Harbor on his country's eastern coast towards a new age of prosperity.
April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1812 GMT (0212 HKT)
Singapore may be tiny but it is also one of East Asia's most powerful trading hubs.
April 22, 2013 -- Updated 1117 GMT (1917 HKT)
Which Asian hub has been crowned the world's best airport? Clue: It has a swimming pool, cinema and nature trail amongst its many ancillary features.
April 3, 2013 -- Updated 1210 GMT (2010 HKT)
Golf courses, cinemas, live concerts, art exhibitions, IMAX cinemas and ice rinks -- some airports are travel destinations in themselves.
The ports at Rashid and Jebel Ali have helped drive economic growth in Dubai and the wider Middle East region.
December 21, 2012 -- Updated 1820 GMT (0220 HKT)
Test your knowledge of the Middle East's biggest shipping hub which has transformed trade locally and around the world.
December 13, 2012 -- Updated 1401 GMT (2201 HKT)
The traditional wooden vessel remains a permanent fixture in Dubai and a reminder of the city's maritime history.
December 5, 2012 -- Updated 1828 GMT (0228 HKT)
Jebel Ali is more than a local port. It's a hub for the entire region, handling 80% of the UAE's international trade.
November 28, 2012 -- Updated 1108 GMT (1908 HKT)
Istanbul's busy waterway will soon see the construction of a new transport hub designed to look like the seabird in flight.
November 22, 2012 -- Updated 1152 GMT (1952 HKT)
An ambitious railway project is pulling Asia and Europe closer with the construction of the world's deepest submerged tunnel.
November 21, 2012 -- Updated 1215 GMT (2015 HKT)
As The Gateway travels to Istanbul, we take a closer look at this historic maritime city that straddles Europe and Asia.
October 29, 2012 -- Updated 1523 GMT (2323 HKT)
In the capital Tokyo, nearly half of all commuters travel by train, heavily outweighing other modes of transport. But it can be a stressful experience for the uninitiated.
October 18, 2012 -- Updated 1403 GMT (2203 HKT)
In Japan, rail rules as the transport mode of choice. Test your knowledge of Japan's rail network with our CNN quiz.
Today's five most popular stories | <urn:uuid:82934434-967e-42d5-9db4-680a8e5539fb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/04/world/europe/frankfurt-animal-lounge/index.html?hpt=itr_t1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932826 | 1,148 | 1.835938 | 2 |
Great Neck, New York – Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel announced that the New York State Assembly passed several measures she supported which will strengthen the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE). Both programs offer eligible tenants an exemption from rent increases and apartment owners credit against real estate taxes.
“Seniors and those with disabilities on fixed incomes cannot afford rent increases. This legislation will help our seniors and neighbors with disabilities stay in the communities that they love and that they’ve helped build,” said Assemblywoman Schimel.
Included in this legislation are measures that require municipalities that have the SCRIE program to conduct outreach, respond to applicants in a timely fashion, provide assistance in community settings, and ensure that individuals who have difficulty speaking or understanding English have a fair opportunity to participate in the program. Moreover, it requires that individuals receiving benefits under the DRIE program are seamlessly transitioned to the SCRIE program upon reaching the 62 years of age. | <urn:uuid:5ec487a7-e189-4611-a4ff-e1779c72d238> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michelle-Schimel/story/47959/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945246 | 210 | 1.601563 | 2 |
From the MBJ staff
Solar energy may be the wave of the future, but Mississippi should be careful where it comes to being an investor in new companies promising the moon — er, sun.
Evergreen Solar in Massachusetts went bankrupt last month, leaving that state hanging after an investment of more than $40 million of taxpayer dollars in the business.
Then, last week, solar panel maker Solyndra’s bankruptcy left stakeholders and industry observers wondering what the firm’s dramatic collapse will mean for the solar industry. At the same time Solyndra was announcing its bankruptcy, Gov. Haley Barbour was announcing his proposed deal to invest $75 million to bring Calisolar, of Sunnyvale, Calif., to Columbus. He said the company will create 951 direct full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $45,000 plus benefits. Calisolar’s Columbus facility will produce solar silicon.
Stion, which will make make thin-film solar panels in Hattiesburg, was awarded a $75-million loan from the Mississippi Legislature and plans a Sept. 16 ribbon cutting. The company says it feels comfortable in the marketplace with its thin-film technology.
By all accounts Solyndra was doing well, building a 1-million-square-foot factory and employing 1,100 workers to make its cylindrical CIGs solar panels.
But, while the company that “had been hailed as a poster child for the cleantech economy” fell apart, “its failure doesn’t spell the end for a robust solar market,” say investors and solar officials.
However, the company’s failure should make Mississippi officials much more leery about the millions of dollars they have doled out trying to bring jobs to a crippled Mississippi economy.
Mississippi has also awarded a large loan — $50 million — to solar company Twin Creeks, which will manufacture crystalline silicon solar panels in Senatobia. If Calisolar’s $75-million loan is approved, Mississippi’s total solar investment will come to $175 million.
You could say Barbour and other industry recruiters for Mississippi are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Yet, there are still many serious questions that must be answered as we loan piles of money into alternative energy startups.
Alain Harrus, a venture capitalist with Crosslink Capital, which is invested in another government-backed solar company, Abound Solar, told the San Francisco Business Times that Solyndra was a well-run company, whose demise was inevitable.
“They executed as well as one can be expected to on this type of scale,” he said. “The technology — it’s a success. Commercially, they got caught in a down-slope on the pricing. At the end of the day you can’t ship things if it costs more to ship than what you can get money for.”
The fact that Solyndra did nearly everything correctly and still went bankrupt should be terrifying for Mississippians.
Investment in solar power shouldn’t stop, but we have to be very careful to make sure the money of all Mississippians is spent well and that government can see the forest for the trees.
The real question is, what is the forced liquidation value of these companies? Mississippians have a right to know. If these companies fail and a fire sale occurs, how could taxpayers recover compared to what they put in? If the numbers are close to the loans amounts, these might not be bad deals. If not, then we could be in serious trouble. | <urn:uuid:9efce892-769a-46e4-b6e5-eced4ed925f2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://msbusiness.com/editorsnotebook/tag/calisolar/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95323 | 759 | 1.625 | 2 |
U.S. counterterrorist forces will now be allowed to target individuals found to be plotting attacks on U.S. territory, even if U.S. intelligence cannot identify the person by name, two senior U.S. officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive strategic matters.
Prior practice required militants to be identified as part of a lengthy legal vetting process. Now, tracking an individual in the act of commanding al-Qaida fighters or planning an attack on U.S. territory or American individuals can land the person on the shoot-to-kill list, officials said.
"What this means in practice is there are times when counterterrorism professionals can assess with high confidence someone is an AQAP leader, even if they can't tell us by name who that individual is," one of the officials said, referring to al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
The White House did not approve wider targeting of groups of al-Qaida foot soldiers, a practice sometimes employed by the CIA in Pakistan, and strikes will only be carried out with Yemeni government approval, officials said.
The new policy will widen the war against AQAP, Yemen's al-Qaida branch, which has gained territory in fighting against the Yemeni government. AQAP has become a top draw for foreign fighters, who used to travel to Afghanistan or Pakistan to fight. Special operations raids in Afghanistan and CIA drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal regions - not to mention last year's U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden there - have made them less desirable destinations, U.S. officials say, whereas al-Qaida's Yemen branch is seen as gaining ground against a government that is allied with the Americans.
The past year of political turmoil in Yemen, since the start of revolts linked to last year's Arab Spring, is "making it harder for them (the Yemeni government) to take a focused effort against al-Qaida" one of the officials said. "So these are counterterrorism tools designed to protect U.S. interests and homeland."
The expanded strikes would not be used in support of the Yemeni government's fight against internal opponents, the official added.
Yemeni officials reached Thursday said they have not yet been briefed on the change but said Yemen's new President, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, has requested increased U.S. counterterrorist cooperation, seeking a new influx of U.S. military trainers and advisers, the Yemeni officials said.
Hadi also gave the green light to expanded CIA drone activity, in parallel with ongoing U.S. military strikes, one of the officials said.
The U.S. has carried out 23 airstrikes in Yemen since last May, with twelve of those strikes in 2012, according to The Long War Journal, a website that tracks U.S. counterterrorism and militant activity. | <urn:uuid:cf834c36-d53b-4d37-8979-f1f3a3fc2c0b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://djournal.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Officials-+Expanded+drone+strikes+approved%20&id=18371982&instance=lead_story_left_column | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95857 | 576 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Mr Tacey, a keen sportsman who has been a member of the Woodthorpe tennis club for many years and continued playing until his mid-eighties, is also a keen Nottingham historian. He keeps a large collection of files containing Nottingham’s facts and figures going back many years and continues to add to them on a regular basis.
At a young age he served with the Air Force but given his engineering skills he was released to work for Rolls Royce over the war years. At the end of the war he joined a printing company where he taught many young apprentices technical and printing skills.
He was invited to join Nottingham Polytechnic as a lecturer on print and design and for the next 33 years further prepared many successful students for a career in the printing industry. He was also the College’s Deputy Head.
Mr Tacey receives support from Home Instead with twice weekly visits and has developed a very good understanding with Steve, his Home Instead CAREGiver. Steve describes Mr Tacey as being a “magnificent man” and says that it is a pleasure to be able to help and share time with him.
The Home Instead team presented Mr Tacey with a birthday card and a box of chocolates. To learn more about Home Instead in Nottingham, call 0115 9226116 | <urn:uuid:f2ce85f4-419c-4e66-9b0b-0840a6ea56df> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.homeinstead.co.uk/nottingham/1029.do | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983489 | 270 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Free baby Craigslist post was a 'joke'
CLINTON, Miss., March 2 (UPI) -- Police in Mississippi said a Craigslist posting offering a baby boy free for the taking was "a bad practical joke" by a high school student.
Clinton Police Chief Don Byington said officers tracked the cellphone number in the posting to an 18-year-old Clinton High student and discovered a friend of the teenager had created the advertisement as "a bad practical joke," The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, reported Thursday.
Byington said the teenager's phone number was used in the posting without his permission. He said the prankster took the baby picture used on the site from a Google image search.
"We've talked to everyone involved, and we are consulting with the district attorney's office to see if there are any charges to be brought," Byington said. "We are exploring that."
Firm: Workers distracted by March Madness
CHICAGO, March 2 (UPI) -- A Chicago outplacement firm said employers should be aware of lost productivity from fans who follow the NCAA March Madness tournament.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. said employers across the country can expect to lose millions of hours worth of productivity while the Division 1 men's basketball championship tournament is ongoing due to workers watching games online, checking scores and managing pool brackets.
The firm said employers will probably spend a total $175 million paying distracted workers during the first two days of March Madness.
"Statisticians, economists, academia and college basketball fans will likely scoff at that estimate, and rightfully so. It is to be taken with a grain of salt, as it is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek look at how technology continues to blur the line between our professional and personal lives. Ultimately, March Madness will not even register a blip on the nation's economic radar and even the smallest company will survive the month without any impact on their bottom line," said John Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
"It's an opportunity to remind workers that practicing some moderation in their March Madness viewing will go a long way toward keeping managers off their back. Meanwhile, it is equally important for employers to cut workers some slack, particularly in an economy that has left many workplaces understaffed and overworked," Challenger said.
Spell-checked text closes two schools
GAINESVILLE, Ga., March 2 (UPI) -- Officials shut down two schools in Gainesville, Ga., Thursday after an auto corrected text message appeared to threaten a terrorist act.
The message -- which said "gunman be at west hall today" -- was sent to the wrong number around noon, and it wasn't even intended for West Hall Middle and West Hall High schools.
The actual text was "gunna be at west hall today" but the sender's new cellphone changed the spelling of "gunna" to "gunman" and law enforcement was notified, the Gainesville Times reported.
Lockdowns were ordered at both schools as officials investigated and authorities said the person who received the message did the correct thing by reporting it.
"It was a combination of odd circumstances," a Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.
"The school system always relies on law enforcement for school safety and anytime they request a lockdown we go with that request," a Hall County Schools spokesman said. "We always take every precaution concerning a potential threat or danger."
Police: Men, 71, accused of teen attack
SHALIMAR, Fla., March 2 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said they arrested two 71-year-old men accused of beating a 15-year-old with metal golf ball retrievers.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said Ronald Richardson and Donald Nieto were golfing Saturday at the Shalimar Pointe Country Club when a group of teenagers blew an air horn at them while they were teeing off at the ninth hole, the Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, reported Thursday.
The teenagers fled when the men tried to approach them, but one 15-year-old soon returned because he had left his jacket.
Deputies said Richardson and Nieto used the metal golf ball retrievers to repeatedly strike the teenager and prevent him from picking up his jacket.
The teenager, who was not seriously injured, was able to obtain video of the incident and the manager of the country club recognized the attackers.
Richardson and Nieto were arrested and charged with child abuse.
|Additional Odd News Stories|
LAS VEGAS, May 20 (UPI) --Teen pop star Justin Bieber was greeted by both cheers and jeers when he picked up the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
OKLAHOMA CITY, May 20 (UPI) --A mile-wide tornado cut a devastating swath through the Oklahoma City area Monday, destroying schools, a hospital and other structures.
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, May 20 (UPI) --A Canadian jazz singer apologized for botching the U.S. national anthem at the Memorial Cup junior ice hockey game in Saskatchewan.
SAN ANTONIO, May 20 (UPI) --BP has take "a significant step" toward selling a California oil refinery and regional retail networks to Tesoro Corp. after getting U.S. federal approval. | <urn:uuid:8ab5f490-c2b2-4dc5-ba1d-8b63de282cae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/03/02/Watercooler-Stories/UPI-27521330687800/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967297 | 1,103 | 1.515625 | 2 |
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