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Steven Travers: Climate change research in Nature
Steven Travers, assistant professor of biological sciences, spoke with Robert Hahn of KVLY for a story on climate change that covers research on four continents.
As part of ongoing public outreach by the NDSU Office of Research to bring science to many audiences, Travers provided information about NDSU’s contribution as part of an international team of researchers. Study results, published in Nature, show that plants are flowering faster than scientists predicted in response to climate change. This could ultimately affect food chains and ecosystems.
As part of a research team that included NDSU current and former students Kelsey Dunnell, Elise Maxson and Mathew Cuskelly, Travers told Hahn that the global research team has shown that experiments underpredict how plants respond to climate change. Plant data from NDSU provided a goldmine of information for the climate change research. Much of the historical data was collected by O.A. Stevens from 1907 to 1961. Stevens, for whom Stevens Hall is named on the NDSU campus, was recognized as the world’s leading expert on North Dakota plants, fastidiously collecting prairie plants from across North Dakota during his 67-year career at NDSU. Travers told Hahn that Fargo and the state serve as an ideal laboratory to study the impact of climate change on plants that have adapted to long, cold winters.
View the story.
Read more about the research at NDSU and at Nature. | <urn:uuid:0e100def-6eb3-4259-a0c7-c8fec047622e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ndsu.edu/scimath/researchanddiscovery/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955682 | 312 | 2.828125 | 3 |
Sniffing out the VOsFri 15th February 2013
Today the GridPP team at the University of Liverpool release the latest version of their VomsSnooper tools. The toolkit tracks changes and manages user’s software making it easier for grid site administrator to keep their software up to date for every person that uses their machines.
All researchers working on the grid will have particular software requirements and the systems administrators have to keep on top of these. One way the grid simplifies this is by grouing people working on similar experiments or science together into Virtual Organisations (VO), This helps simplify communication, requirement requests and software announcements, however it’s not a cure-all solution.
When you are looking after a computer cluster with a massive number of users and applications, automation is the name of the game. If a sys admin had to manually check every user, every data source and every application running on their machines they’d need more than 24 hours in a day. Unsurprisingly a lot of these processes are automated but when it comes to VO software it’s not the updating that’s a problem, it’s knowing that it needs to be updated.
“The tools we use to configure the software at our sites is pretty good at keeping everything up to date” says Stephen Jones at the University of Liverpool “but it first has to know an update is available. This all hinges on the correct information being available to sys admins and them doing a manual update”. For GridPP sites this information is on a wiki page, a page which was updated by hand, adding extra unreliability.
dog nose by Mark Watson
However Stephen realised that the EGI Operations Portal could hold the key. The portal is a large database containing a wide variety of information about every VO on the grid, including what users are part of it, what resources they have access to and what software it uses. “All the information we need is there” explains Stephen “but it needs to be trawled through, converted manually and the sys admin has to actually remember to do it regularly. This makes the task labour intensive and unreliable. I knew we could do better than that”.
When Stephen started to investigate he discovered that the information was available in a flexible format that can be used to present data so both machines and humans can understand it. “This was important” says Stephen “if a machine can read it, then it can be automated”.
By June last year Stephen had developed the VomsSnooper toolkit so it could keep the wiki page up to date, check that a sites software configuration matched those in the Operations Portal and if it did not create the correct new files for the sys admin. “I was very happy with my progress” says Stephen “but once the application could ‘read’ the information on the Portal I realised I could do a lot more so started adding functionality and thinking of different use cases. Now VomsSnooper can actually perform 10 different tasks“.
This latest release includes updates to extend VomsSnooper to make introducing new VOs easier and simplifying a roll back if any problems happen with newly installed software. “As new, small VOs become common, we need a decent way to bring them into the grid quickly and with the minimum fuss. ” says Stephen “I hope VomsSnooper can make this a reality and would like to more sites adopting the toolkit”. Stephen will be presenting his work at the EGI Community forum, which is in Manchester from April 8th to 12th.
More information on deploying and using the VomsSnooper tools is available on the wiki page http://www.gridpp.ac.uk/wiki/VomsSnooper_Tools. | <urn:uuid:6fb6d555-c283-46e9-a8e0-1747b984c677> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gridpp.ac.uk/news/?p=2695 | 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 | 0.937696 | 795 | 1.765625 | 2 |
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta held talks Wednesday with his Indian counterpart focused on NATO's planned exit from Afghanistan and China's rising power, officials said.
Panetta's two-day visit to New Delhi is part of a tour of the region that has stressed Washington's strategic shift to Asia, with U.S. officials portraying India as an anchor for the new approach.
Panetta met Defense Minister A.K. Antony before giving a policy speech at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.
In his meeting with Antony, officials said Panetta discussed NATO's planned withdrawal of combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 as well an expanding arms trade and joint military training between the two countries.
In talks on Tuesday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Panetta "underscored the link India plays between East and West Asia and how the United States views India as a net provider of security from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan and beyond", his press secretary George Little said.
Indian officials are worried the departure of most of the U.S.-led force could leave a dangerous vacuum in Afghanistan, and question if the Kabul government and its fledgling army will be able to fend off Taliban insurgents.
U.S. officials said Panetta was encouraging India to play a more active role in Afghanistan, despite Pakistan's deep suspicion of its arch-foe's motives in the country.
New Delhi and Washington share a common threat posed by Islamist militants, and the killing of al-Qaida number two Abu Yahya al-Libi, confirmed by the White House on Tuesday, was likely to have come up in the talks.
Before he took over at the Pentagon last year, Panetta served as CIA director and oversaw an expansion of the drone bombing campaign against al-Qaida in Pakistan, as well as the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Earlier on his nine-day tour through Asia, Panetta unveiled plans to shift the majority of the U.S. naval fleet to the Pacific by 2020, a symbolic step meant to signal U.S. determination to preserve its influence in the face of a rising China.
Beijing said Monday the U.S. naval plan was "untimely" and called on Washington to respect its interests in the region.
The tilt towards Asia is designed mainly as a way to check China's role, particularly in the contested South China Sea, reinforcing U.S. diplomacy in support of smaller nations locked in territorial disputes with Beijing.
The U.S. administration views India as a counterweight to China, though in public statements senior officials insist the new strategy is not meant as a challenge to Beijing.
Panetta's visit follows India's successful test launch in April of a new missile capable of delivering a one-ton nuclear warhead anywhere in China, marking a major advance in its military capabilities.
India views the rocket as a boost to its regional power aspirations and one that narrows -- albeit slightly -- the huge gap with China's missile arsenal.
India is investing in military hardware to modernize its armed forces, and the United States has become one of its major arms suppliers, with $8.5 billion in sales over the past 11 years, according to the Pentagon.
Panetta's trip coincides with two weapons deals that are close to being wrapped up.
India has agreed to buy 145 howitzer guns from the U.S. unit of British arms group BAE Systems in a deal worth $560 million. And India is close to clinching a $1.4 billion agreement to purchase 22 Apache attack helicopters manufactured by Boeing, U.S. officials said.
|Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved.||http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/42605| | <urn:uuid:9d6f88a2-4196-4367-9365-d3e410059107> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.naharnet.com/stories/42605-india-u-s-defense-talks-focus-on-china-afghanistan/print | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960305 | 776 | 1.640625 | 2 |
We all have heard the cliché about children being our future. [But] has American society truly bought into it? What we need to grasp is that early childhood education is the key. A healthy cognitive and emotional development in the early years translates into tangible economic returns. Early interventions yield higher returns compared with remedial services later in life.
Our government, our businesses and our private citizens all need to invest in early childhood education if we want a workforce which is globally competitive.
The problems start well before our children enter the workforce. In 2009, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment, the United States' 15-year-olds ranked 25th out of 34 developed countries in math and 17th in science, while over 17 percent of Virginia's third-graders are failing the Standards of Learning (SOL) reading test. Why is that important?
Children who receive a quality early education and healthy, nurturing experiences, before age 5, are shown to have:
• Fewer repeated grades
• Higher graduation rates from high school and college
• Lower teen pregnancy rates
• Lower crime rates
• Lower incarceration rates
• Less reliance on public assistance.
• Higher employment rates
Children, who start behind, tend to stay behind, while children who arrive ready to succeed usually do.
By investing in early childhood programs and services, we're helping to develop young children on all fronts: social, emotional, physical and intellectual.
Investing in the early years means a smarter, more competitive workforce. So why are we focusing all our dollars in the later years?
Our investment is at its lowest during the time when brain development is at its highest.For every dollar Virginia spends on a college student, only 5¢ is spent on a preschool child, according to Voices for Virginia's Children.
The first five years is the period when a child's brain gets wired. Wired is a term used to describe the neuron connections made during this crucial developmental period. Unlike many other parts of the body, the brain is not fully developed at birth. Many children are born with astronomical learning potential, but if the brain does not experience meaningful stimulation, neurons will fail to connect and the neural network will not reach its full potential. Therefore, the first five years are an irreplaceable window of opportunity to mold the kind of learner, worker, and person a child will become.
Many Peninsula children are missing this window. There aren't enough quality preschools and child care centers. Learning disabilities and developmental delays often are caught too late and treated too little.
All children are born ready to learn, but the achievement gap begins to show before kindergarten. David Brooks of the New York Times validated this point: "By even age 5, it is possible to predict, with depressing accuracy, who will complete high school and college and who won't."
There is a big payoff to our community for each child we can convert from a societal cost to a societal savings. Children who get off to a good start are more likely to be productive, contributing members of society which in turn, adds value to our community.
The business community must get involved with and advocate for quality early childhood education. I understand the challenges creating a family-friendly workplace as a small-business owner — I was one for 17 years — but there are many small and cost effective changes that can make a big difference.
A great place to get started is to contact Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula (www.smartbeginningsvp.org). They can help your business 'adopt' a child care center, bring an early-childhood speaker to your next staff meeting, or look for leadership opportunities with an early-childhood organization, such as Smart Beginnings. These simple, yet effective efforts, can be extremely rewarding.
Today's children, tomorrow's workforce, will excel with your support and the support of early childhood development professionals, business leaders, education professionals and government officials. Get involved!
Kuhns is President/CEO, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce | <urn:uuid:99b18364-6ff9-40e2-9cb6-a99374190c04> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://articles.dailypress.com/2012-07-02/news/dp-nws-oped-kuhns-0701-20120702_1_early-childhood-brain-development-neuron-connections | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957727 | 817 | 3.0625 | 3 |
The Stimulating Experience
Immediately after the sense of smell has been aroused, the taste buds are called to order. Splashing your coffee, whether it be black or loaded with sugar, across your tongue is what consuming this popular drink is all about. With the right coffee, roasted and prepared right, your tongue will take on a personality of its own as you sip every hot mouthful. It's also at this point that the true stimulant kicks in: caffeine. In humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. It is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug, but, unlike many other psychoactive substances, it is both legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world. With that said, it is at this point that your other three senses suddenly become more aware.
Your eyes. Your sense of sight. Your vision. How you detect every aspect of making your coffee or watching a skilled barista pulling a shot -- is as stimulating as anything. You look around your kitchen and take in the morning. You glance around the cafe and take in the artwork, hanging on the walls. This is all a part of your coffee experience and your eyes can taste the room as clearly as your mouth can taste that espresso. As the coffee kicks in, your eyes widen and focus and you begin to get motivated as you prepare yourself for your day.
You pour the cup of hot coffee after pressing down on the French press plunger. Your finger deftly inserted into the handle of your favorite (Gimme! Coffee) mug. You run your hand across the counter at Mott Street as you make your way to the other side to grab your cappuccino. You feel the softness inside your gloves as you prepare to step back out into the cold with your coffee. Your sense of touch has been stimulated. The world around you and everything you touch sends signals to your now-sharpened brain. Your every nerve ending has been stimulated by your coffee experience.
You step outside and hear the traffic. You sit at your kitchen table and hear the Gorillaz on your iPod. You listen to the sound of the espresso machine pushing out your Burundi shot. You hear the neighbors next door as they pull out of the driveway and head to work. You hear yourself breath in. And out. It's the start of another day and it has been stimulated. By coffee. | <urn:uuid:95450943-4e90-4d92-b903-471b0fa9835b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gimmecoffee.com/blog/community/the_stimulating_experience/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959128 | 500 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Hwang’s Research Alleged to be “Faked”The Times
(of London) reports that one of Hwang Woo-suk’s research collaborators said Hwang admitted to fabricating some of the material in his human cloning paper. The research team member, Roh Sung-il, said that Hwang admitted to fabrication when Roh visited him in the hospital. Roh was the doctor who provided compensation to egg donors without Hwang’s knowledge. (See “Korean Donors Were Paid For Eggs,” Blog post 11/21/05.) The article says,
"Professor Hwang admitted to fabrication," Dr Roh told the MBC, a Korean television station. "Hwang said there were no cloned embryonic stem cells at all and he did not know that."
(MBC is the television station that has come under fire amidst allegations that journalists working on a documentary program which was to expose Hwang’s work as fabricated coerced people to lie about Hwang. Will they now be exonerated? Or are there still journalistic ethical issues? Who lied when?)
Gerald Schatten of the University pf Pittsburgh, whose withdrawal from collaboration with Hwang began the extensive round of questions and doubts, has now asked that his name be removed from the paper that was published in Science. According to the Times, Roh said that Hwang would ask for a formal retraction of the article; the journal has not yet received a request, though it was contacting Hwang for clarification.
The Times says,
Dr Roh, who provided Professor Hwang with the eggs he used as raw material for his cloning experiments, said that while the scientist appeared to have successfully created cloned stem cells in the first place, most of these had subsequently died because of a virus infection. The team then substituted other stem cell lines, and manipulated data to make it look as if they shared the DNA of the patients from whom they were supposed to have been cloned, he said. The remaining two lines of cloned stem cells were frozen, but it was not known whether they had survived.
Another source, The Korea Times, further quotes Roh as saying that, “But I decided to go public because Hwang today made comments totally contrary to what we have believed is right. I need to clear away people’s suspicion and anguish.” It also reports that a professor at Seoul National University confirmed Roh’s claims and said there are no embryonic stem cells. The two (out of 11) stem cells lines that are still claimed to be genuine are frozen, and members of the team are trying to thaw them to prove that they are cloned.
A New York Times article reprinted in the International Herald Tribune describes the issue of the duplicate photograph:
In the Science article, the cell colony is labeled as being the fifth of Hwang's human embryonic cell lines derived from a patient's cells, but in the Biology of Reproduction article it is designated as an ordinary embryonic cell line generated in the MizMedi hospital in Korea, presumably from surplus embryos created in a fertility clinic.
The story also reports that critics say a prior article, the first (and apparently only) one to describe successful somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning), shows evidence of either an abnormality in a DNA trace machine or hand manipulation of the data.
story reports that there will be a news conference by members of Hwang’s research team tomorrow.
Personal note here—was I too quick to believe in Hwang when the MBC TV station accused him of faking his results? Well, I don’t know. No other scientist had admitted to doubt at that time—as of last week, the journal Science was still saying that the duplicate photos were an error. Schatten had withdrawn citing ethical issues about the egg source, not fraudulent data. At the time I was going with what seemed to be the consensus of the scientific community, that the ethical violations did not change the results of the research. Right now I am in a position where my faith in the peer review and collaborative research process is somewhat shaken—why didn’t Schatten see these errors? Why didn’t the journal editors at Science? Why did all of Hwang’s team stay silent until now? (I can see multiple motives, including the possibility that the work was done in such a way that they did not actually know about the results, so I don’t want to appear to cast blame on them at this point—I just want to hear their story.) If Roh had not come forward, would the university’s inquiry have eventually revealed the deception?
My whole feeling is one of sadness.
I want to end with a statement from Scientific American
, which I will quote at length because I think is important to see their words and not my paraphrase of them:
With considerable disappointment, the editors of Scientific American are immediately removing Dr. Woo Suk Hwang from his honored position as Research Leader of the Year on the 2005 Scientific American 50 list. . . .
The allegations of ethical misconduct were very troubling, but Scientific American’s editors felt it was important to give Dr. Hwang the benefit of the doubt until their veracity could be determined. Even when those charges were borne out, we respected that the ethics of accepted practice in this area of science were still somewhat murky, and we declined to judge him too quickly, although his cover-up of those problems was clearly wrong.
However, scientific fraud is an unforgivable offense against the enterprise of research, and in this case, it completely invalidates the selection of Dr. Hwang for inclusion in the Scientific American 50. Dr. Hwang’s deceit misled Scientific American along with the international scientific community. We regret, in writing about his work and awarding him a place among key technology leaders, having unknowingly misinformed readers about his actual accomplishments. We are also deeply concerned about the lasting damage that this fraud may do to the reputation of stem cell research, which we continue to regard as a highly worthy endeavor generally pursued by scientists keeping to a far higher standard of honesty and ethics. --The Editors | <urn:uuid:c1d8ae77-b713-41d5-bfc9-4e627a58860d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.newdrugs.com/stemcells/2005_12_15_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978443 | 1,267 | 1.546875 | 2 |
There was an excellent article in the NY Times, a couple of days ago, titled Sweet Potatoes Are Not Just for Thanksgiving Anymore chronicling the growing popularity of sweet potatoes. The basic message is, sweet potatoes are good for you because it is a vegetable that has protein, which is fairly unusual, but it also has complex carbohydrates that don’t spike insulin. Apparently, "sweet potatoes have become the darling of the diabetic and weight-loss set, a lifeline for parents whose children demand fries for nearly every meal and a boon for Southern farmers who are looking to replace tobacco". I must admit, I am very partial to the fries myself. Though, what I cook at home is more healthy since I do not know exactly how to fry them to get that mouth-watering crunchy texture. Sweet potatoes is a common vegetable in India ( I was pleased to find the wikipedia article on that vegetable including its Tamil and Hindi names).
The popular variety of preparation in most parts of India is roasted slow over kitchen coals peeling, cubing and seasoning for a vegetable dish as part of the meal. | <urn:uuid:c479f5f4-0b83-43f0-9416-96edfe3f0a34> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dharmakarmaarts.blogspot.com/2010/11/sweet.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96889 | 226 | 1.828125 | 2 |
The linguistic brilliance of HBO's Deadwood.
"What in the hell's that supposed to mean?"
"It means there's a horse for you outside you want to get on before somebody murders you who gives a fuck about right and wrong, or I do."
Deadwood's characters utter long, serpentine sentences, in diction that—depending on the speaker—can ascend to courtly abstraction or sink to the ripest vulgarity. Newspaperman Merrick (Jeffrey Jones), distraught over Hickok's death and disgusted with McCall's acquittal, offers a sarcastic toast: "Should it ever be your misfortune, gentlemen, or mine, to need to kill a man, then let us toast, together, the possibility that our trials be held in this camp."
Given the show's treacherous context, the formality of much of the dialogue offers all kinds of room for strategic insincerity and corrosive irony. When a Deadwood character talks he's almost never saying just one thing. Indeed, one of the pleasures of Deadwood is observing what characters are doing when they speak, where they're heading, whom they're trying to fool and what secret messages they're transmitting. The camp's doctor (Brad Dourif, in perhaps the finest performance of his weird career) examines the corpse of a man who apparently fell to his death, but who was actually pushed off a ridge and then bludgeoned, as he lay groaning on the rocks, by one of Swearengen's men. When the man's widow (Molly Parker) presses the doc on whether he was murdered, the doc—who fears Swearengen like everyone else—responds with a perfect touch of overstatement: "Mrs. Garrett, I do not know how your husband's skull got caved in." Say no more, doc.
While this linguistic artfulness serves the necessary caution of Deadwood's inhabitants, it signals the sheer audacity of David Milch and his writers. They have staked themselves to a dramatic idea that, in its openly literary ambition, could have been laughable. Deadwood is a funny show alright, but that's because, in the unflagging brilliance of its execution, it fulfills its ambition. | <urn:uuid:73214437-3801-4d85-b0b2-5f3bd227b2e4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2004/05/talk_pretty.2.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962731 | 454 | 1.78125 | 2 |
The Hannuka Story – Imshin’s Fantasmagorical Technicolor Version (specially tailored to suit her point of view).
[A forenote: The title is misleading. It's also the best thing in the whole post.]
The Head Heeb links to what he posted about Hannuka last year. I wasn’t reading him last year, I don't think, and I wouldn’t have read this post of his even if I were, since I was sitting Shiva during Hannuka. Here is an excerpt:
On the other hand, I have the luxury of choices that the Maccabees did not. At the time of the Hasmonean rebellion, the Jews of Palestine suffered from religious persecution so severe as to amount to attempted cultural genocide. The Seleucids were not interested in fusing Jewish and Hellenistic tradition; they wanted, instead, to replace the Jewish culture with the Hellenistic. As unpleasant as the Maccabees might seem to those who prefer Judaism with a more worldly focus, they were necessary to the survival of the Jewish community of their time.
I wouldn’t know about how enthusiastically Diaspora Jews, secular or otherwise, celebrate Hannuka, not being one myself. Here it’s just another “little” festival, as opposed to the biggies: the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur) and the three pilgrimages (Succot, Pesach/Passover, and Sahvuot). It’s popular because it’s fun. The candle lighting is fun; the Hannuka Gelt (money) is fun; the latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts) are fun; the s’vivonim (dreidles/spinning tops) are fun. Kids sometimes get to go on organized marches round the streets carrying burning torches and that’s great fun. It’s always been a favorite festival of mine, although it’s meaning has changed slightly now, because I will always connect it to my mother’s death.
The idea of the Maccabees as the ultra-religious fanatics of old is not a new one for me. I’ve never really known what to do with it, but today it suddenly crossed my mind that it’s the same as the Kipling thing. Here we are judging people, who lived thousands of years ago, by today’s values. Jonathan says that if he had lived back then he probably would have been opposed to the Maccabees. But how can he know this? Things were quite different. He points out that what was happening was an attempt of cultural genocide. And this is exactly the point. In those days, you were who you worshipped. Secularism didn’t exist. Nationalism didn’t exist. Cultural genocide, as Jonathan calls it, was standard procedure for dealing with conquered peoples.
Worship was usually localized in this region, with a neighborhood deity being accepted by everyone in the vicinity. Remember the people of the Kingdom of Israel who were exiled and the Samaritans who came in their place? On their arrival, the Samaritans (good or otherwise) commenced worshipping the local god, didn’t they? And that local god just happened to be the One God of the Israelites who were there before. It seems no one thought to fill them in on this particular god’s special quality – that he wasn’t just another local god. They just picked up the rituals and carried them out, no questions asked. (The One God still must have had something about him, because some of those Samaritans lasted it out, and amazingly managed to keep a separate identity from other inhabitants of Samaria down the centuries. Most of them are now living in the town of Holon, south of Tel Aviv).
Anyway, fast forward to Greek times: Spreading their culture among the natives was their way of gaining and keeping control. Seeing as their culture was so vastly superior to what was prevalent in most of the places they reached, this wasn’t a problem. Not so with those pesky Judeans (or were they Jews by then?) who must have found the Greek human-like gods, with their little stories and family squabbles a bit hard to swallow. In short, although the Hellenistic lifestyle was very tempting, the Jews must have seen themselves as greatly spiritually superior. I can imagine that those of less intellectual and more materialistic inclinations would have been those more likely to be swept away by Hellenistic influences. I doubt Jonathan (his Head Heebness), as we know him, would have been among them (Now there’s a thought – the Maccabees as lefty intellectuals, teehee).
All just fun speculation, not to be taken too seriously - a bit like life.
[Afterthought: I should have called this post something on the lines of "It Ain't Necessarily So", but I just loved the current title so much.] | <urn:uuid:bfc54112-5ba6-4cad-b7ca-18663cfcb561> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://imshin.blogspot.com/2003/12/hannuka-story-imshins-fantasmagorical.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977523 | 1,062 | 1.710938 | 2 |
This article is part of a section of the RcTek site devoted to radio controlled model car handling. As car handling is an extremely complex subject, it will be quite some time before it is finished.
This article contains information about suspension droop, which was mentioned on the Forum a couple of times and prompted this article. We also have a further article about the equipment that can be used in assisting you to set droop.
Suspension droop is defined as the amount of downward suspension movement there is in the wheels of a model car. The base measuring point for this droop can either be the chassis or the ride height of the car.
It is responsible for keeping the wheels in contact (or not!) when the front/rear of the car rises or falls - like going into a corner, braking/accelerating or going over bumps.
More droop obviously allows for more wheel travel to keep the tyres in contact with the track surface, but this is at the cost of agility - the car will not change direction as quickly.
The general rule of thumb with droop would be to have just enough to cope with the track you are racing at and no more.
You must also consider the affect that the damping and springing on the car has with increased droop as they have to be able to react quickly enough to move the wheel in and out of any holes, etc..
The multiple nataional and international champion, Ian Oddie of Oddified, gave good advice in his answer to one of the questions about Droop;
As with any suspension setting, there is always a compromise.
Running very little droop does make the car more stable going into corners (car stays flat) but on the exit it will loose drive easier (diff out). Conversely, a large amount of droop will be less stable on the entry to a corner (especially a sweeper) but will give better drive out. More importantly though, running very little droop or even none prevents the suspension working correctly on bumps or when riding curbs and will cause it to bounce around or step out on bumps/curbs.
As you can see, the droop setting is very important, and as rule of thumb, I always set mine so the normal ride height of the car is midway between full droop and the ground. Then adjust the car to suit the specific track.
The accepted method of adjusting the droop on a model car is shown to the left and is by the means of a screw (red) which is threaded into the wishbones that contacts the chassis.
The screws normally are fittted through the top and can be almost any Head Shape, but such as the Serpent cars use a button headed screw (left) that is fitted from the bottom.
If your model car is fitted with alloy wishbones there can be problems with the screws self-adjusting themselves due to vibrations, etc.. The use of a thread locking compound such as Loctite™ is recommended, although an improvement to this is the use of a locknut on the screw as there is no waiting time for setting of the thread lock.
Either plain nuts of self locking nuts can be used, although you will have to thread the latter on backwards. This is most easily achieved by threading the nut on the correct way first and then turning the nut around so that you have some threads cut into the nylon insert.
With plastic wishbones there is not normally any problem, but either of the above methods can provide a solution to worn screw holes.
What we do not recommened in this situation is the use of cyanoacrylate adhesive as it does not have any flexibility to resist vibration and shocks, etc... At the very least you will have a very short time solution, whilst at the worst you will have a screw that you cannot remove.
Suspension Droop Setting Equipment | <urn:uuid:bcc8bf90-39e9-482b-a3dc-1dc6b13a66ee> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rctek.com/technical/handling/suspension_droop.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964272 | 796 | 2.15625 | 2 |
Saturday, May 25, 2013
AUGUSTA – Michael Gordon, a school resource officer at Sanford High School, says smartphones and shifting social media have driven an increase in "sexting" by students at the school.
"It's not like it's one particular type of kid," Gordon said. "I've had kids I've dealt with in juvenile justice before and I've had kids who were high honors and going off to an Ivy League school."
Teenagers who share sexually explicit text messages, even consensually between themselves, could be violating laws aimed at child pornographers. If convicted as an adult, a teenager could end up on the state's sex offender registry.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, which had a public hearing Friday before the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, would address that. But the way L.D. 662 would do so is unclear.
The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, a former Cumberland County sheriff who co-chairs the committee, is an open-ended concept draft, aiming to "create exceptions or other avenues in the law to discourage sexting by minors."
It also seeks ways to punish minors "short of treating them as sexual predators or serious criminals as current law does."
Supporters of the idea suggested that a balance will be needed between assessing maliciousness of individual acts and incorporating public education for middle- and high-school students.
Maine law doesn't specifically mention sexting, but sexually explicit images in a text message could be considered sexual exploitation of a minor, which is illegal.
Gordon said that when he has charged minors in connection with sexting, prosecutors haven't shown a willingness to try the cases, so most have been handled within schools or families.
"If you look at those (pornography) laws, it wasn't designed for the 14-year-old that's dating a girl and they're sending pictures back and forth," Gordon said. "I think we'll all agree the spirit of the law was more for predators that were out looking to take advantage of children."
But Gordon said sexting does have consequences: Bullying or harassment can happen when photos are distributed to people who aren't supposed to see them. But he doesn't think kids should be treated as criminals.
From 2009 to 2012, at least 20 states enacted laws to specifically address sexting by youths, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
At Friday's hearing, Mastraccio and others suggested that the Criminal Justice Committee convene a task force on the issue, composed of school officials, police, prosecutors and other interested parties.
Gordon said police, who need parents' permission to get access to students' cellphones and other devices, should be given the power to seize and delete images from phones to prevent distribution.
Oamshri Amarasingham, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, said the organization supports the bill but wouldn't recommend adding legal penalties for minors who send sexual text messages.
"Legal sanctions are unlikely to deter minors from the practice of sexting, and we oppose the creation of new laws that are likely to be violated," she said. "Public education, not legal sanction, is the appropriate means to address the practice of sexting."
Not all sexting is the same, so all of it shouldn't be punished the same way, said Elizabeth Ward Saxl, director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Violence. For example, two minors sending each other messages in a relationship is less malicious than one of the partners forwarding those messages to others after a breakup.
"Our primary concern is less with the behavior that is consensual in nature and more about bullying, harassing and rooted in gender bias or sexual harassment," she said.
Michael Shepherd can be contacted at 370-7652 or at:
On Twitter: @mikeshepherdme | <urn:uuid:6688c07f-d7d5-4779-8d12-594405add51e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kjonline.com/news/Sexting-maine-kids-legislature-sanford-schools.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969557 | 819 | 1.710938 | 2 |
TEHRAN (Reuters) - A computer virus that experts said may have been created by a state did not affect Iran's nuclear plant or government systems, but did hit computers of staff at the plant and Internet providers, officials said on Sunday.
A senior official at U.S. technology company Symantec told Reuters on Friday that 60 percent of the computers worldwide infected by the so-called Stuxnet worm were in Iran, prompting speculation that the nuclear power plant may have been targeted in an attempt at sabotage or espionage.
Some Western cyber security companies suggested the attack could only have been conducted "with nation-state support," indicating industrial plants in the Islamic state were the target.
The head of the Bushehr nuclear power plant said the virus had only affected personal computers of staff.
"A team is inspecting several computers to remove the malware ... major systems of the plant have not been damaged," Mahmoud Jafari told the official IRNA news agency.
Russia was fiercely criticized by the West for involvement in completing the long-mothballed plant. Moscow says the plant is purely civilian.
Iran's Telecommunications Minister Reza Taqipour said the worm had not been able to "penetrate or cause serious damage to government systems," the state-run newspaper Iran Daily reported.
Authorities said Iran had identified some 30,000 Internet providers infected by the Stuxnet worm, blaming Iran's "foreign enemies for creating the virus."
Diplomats and security sources say Western governments and Israel view sabotage as one way of slowing Iran's nuclear work, which the West fears is aimed at building bombs. Tehran says it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity.
The malware attacks software programs that run Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or SCADA, systems. Such systems are used to monitor automated plants -- from food and chemical facilities to power generators.
"The Stuxnet spy worm has been created in line with the West's electronic warfare against Iran," the newspaper quoted Mahmoud Liayi, secretary of the Information Technology Council of the Industries Ministry, as saying.
Israel, which is assumed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, has hinted it could attack Iran's nuclear facilities if international diplomacy fails to curb the country's program. Iran refuses to recognize Israel.
(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Alison Williams) | <urn:uuid:8c3dd415-08f9-4172-afe2-49eb821fb74f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wsau.com/news/articles/2010/sep/27/iran-says-bushehr-nuclear-plant-not-damaged-by-stu/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00046-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965207 | 480 | 2.25 | 2 |
Coles Hill site has an estimated 119 million pounds of uranium worth over $5 billion at current prices
This blog post is an edited version of an article published in Fuel Cycle Week, V9:N366, March 3, 2010, by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC.
The long-awaited study on the environmental and economic impacts of the giant Coles Hills deposit, a proposed uranium mine site in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, will start this month. The National Research Council will undertake an 18-month, $1.4 million review of the question of whether uranium can be mined and milled safely at the site. [study website]
What's riding on the outcome is the development of a mine with a NI 43-101 report detailing a measured and indicated resource of 119 million pounds of uranium. Also, according to company managers, Virginia Energy (CVE:VAE) plans construction of a mill capable of producing 3.5 million pounds a year.
Large mill needed for the mine
The output yield of the mine is expected to be 1-2 lbs of uranium per ton of ore. Assuming the mine operates 350 days/year, the mill would have to process 5,000 tons/day of ore to produce 10,000/lb/day of U308.
This is a large mill by industry standards. Even so, at this rate, it would take 34 years to mine and mill the resources at the site. The size of the mill operation and its production capacity would expand over time. Actual production would be less as underground mining would not recover all of the resource.
Target audience is the Virginia General Assembly
The State of Virginia currently bans uranium mining, but the General Assembly could overturn it if the study results are favorable to uranium mining. The study is being managed by The Center for Coal & Energy Research at Virginia Tech. The entire cost is being paid for by Virginia Energy as part of its 28% earn-in equity position in the Coles Hill uranium deposit.
Norman Reynolds, CEO of Virginia Energy, told FCW the reason the firm agreed to have the National Research Council do the study "is that their reputation is beyond reproach." Michael Karmis, Director of the Virginia Tech research center agreed. He said, "the source of the money is irrelevant."
Jennifer Walsh, a spokesperson for the National Research Council, told FCW the official sponsor of the study is Virginia Tech. She confirmed that the study is just getting underway with the recruitment of experts to serve on the panel.
"This will take some time," she said. However, she also confirmed that the panel is tasked to complete its work by December 2011.
CEO Reynolds said the study is "an opportunity to have preeminent scientists provide independent and credible information about the development of a uranium mining and milling industry in Virginia."
He said Virginia Energy believes the outcome of the study "will provide Virginia with enough information to confidently bring uranium mining legislation and a permitting framework into being."
Best case scenario for opening a mine
Wales noted that although Virginia is an "agreement state" with the NRC, under the current arrangement, that agency would still have the authority to issue a source materials license for the uranium mill.
"Our best case scenario is that we could be in production with a mine in four-to-five years. However, that's an aggressive time line," Wales said.
He declined to estimate the cost of developing the mine or building the mill. "They're just too far in the future," he said.
Opponents worry about bias
Opponents of the mine are not convinced that the organizational firewall at Virginia Tech between Virginia Uranium and the National Academy will work. Jack Dunavant, a registered professional engineer who heads up a citizens group opposed to the mine, told FCW that he feels the money from the company "will taint the results."
He claims that tailings from the mine and the mill will be disturbed by Virginia's wet weather leading to increased exposure to alpha radiation and increased cancer cases from ingestion and inhalation of uranium dust. The area receives 40-50 inches of rain a year.
"I'm very wary of the conclusions that will come out of this study. Virginia Energy will leave no stone unturned to get their way."
Wales says that area opponents of the mine are ignoring the jobs that will come from the mine and the mill. He said the two facilities will eventually require 300-500 people and pay wages that are "far above the prevailing rates" for other jobs in the region. Wales noted that the current unemployment rate in the area is 15%.
Those economic arguments cut no mustard with Kate Maute, who is leader of a mine opposition group in Pittsylvania County. She told the Danville Register Feb 27 she is doubtful about the economic benefits that would come with development of the mine and she wants absolute certainty about health and safety issues before the mine is allowed to be built.
It is quite possible that no matter what the outcome of the NAS study, opponents of the mine will continue to have doubts about resolution of environmental issues for the project.
# # # | <urn:uuid:991393b3-32f5-4670-b4f2-4b9e5009478d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://djysrv.blogspot.com/2010/03/virginia-uranium-study-starts.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957222 | 1,049 | 2.40625 | 2 |
Dr. Jørgen Peder Steffensen explained the goals of the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling project and what the ice cores can tell us about our climate history.
With temperatures rising, evidence of change above and below the surface.
Just before the last Ice Age, temperatures were 5 to 9 degrees F warmer than today, and global sea level was 13 to 20 feet higher. In July 2009, Climate Central traveled to Greenland to visit scientists drilling into ancient ice for clues about this chapter of the past, and what it might say about the potential effects of global warming this century.
An international team of scientists just wrapped up their first season toward drilling a 1.6-mile core of solid ice in Greenland, bringing them one step closer to reconstructing the climate of the past 130,000 years. Accompanied by a production team from StormCenter Communications, Dr. Heidi Cullen spent some time with these scientists on the ice and in their underground trenches to find out what life is like in this remote place.
The Air Force National Guard is a vital part of climate research in the far north of Greenland. Dr. Heidi Cullen, with a production team from StormCenter Communications, met with the pilots of the 109th Airlift Wing to talk about what it’s like to fly in extreme weather conditions, and their dangerous job – getting people and equipment into Greenland's harsh interior and back.
An international team of climate scientists, working on the NEEM research project, has just completed their first season toward drilling a 1.6-mile deep vertical core of solid ice in Greenland, looking for clues about ancient and future climates. In July of 2009, Dr. Heidi Cullen traveled to Greenland with a production team from StormCenter Communications to visit the team, and discuss their findings. | <urn:uuid:4c8e4b59-502a-4c99-98ea-87a48dd5fe7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.climatecentral.org/videos/category/show/arctic-and-greenland | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937874 | 382 | 3.8125 | 4 |
Pavai Nombu, also known as Margali Nonbu, is observed in Tamil Nadu during Margazhi masam or Margali month. It is said that Andal performed Pavai Nonbu to merge with Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu). Pavai Nombu is performed by women for prosperity and to get good husbands. The history of Pavai Nonbu is more than 2000 years old and is mentioned in the early Tamil scriptures. In 2011, Margali month begins on December 16.
General belief is that the Pavai Nombu was observed for Katyayani (a form of Durga). It is said that Gopis first observed it to get Lord Krishna as their husband. Women and girls observing Pavai Nombu woke before sunrise bathed in the
and made an image of Goddess Katyayani with the clay found on the river bank and offered prayers to the Goddess to get good husbands. It is believed that Andal performed the Pavai Nombu to merge with Sri Ranganatha. Kalindi River
Today, women and girls undertaking Pavai Nombu during Margali month take bath at dawn and visit temples and read a verse from Thiruppavai composed by Andal. | <urn:uuid:10583736-b542-4b7e-ab78-15f032d3fa14> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/12/pavai-nombu-during-margazhi-month.html?showComment=1229570220000 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970361 | 254 | 2.640625 | 3 |
We should be making public lands whole
I'm fed up with members of Congress who claim that the government doesn't have the money to do right by our national lands. Steve Stuebner's story on the threatened subdivision inside Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a prime example of how our elected leaders are letting us down (HCN, 12/9/96).
Each year $900 million of offshore oil and gas royalties goes into the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Congress created the fund in 1964 specifically to buy lands for recreation use and wildlife protection. That money has saved thousands of special places from cement trucks and Gucci developments. But last year Congress agreed to spend only 16 percent of that money to buy threatened areas. The rest went toward other programs. Maybe some of it went to subsidize mining companies, grazing interests, and logging operations on our lands.
We need that money. Under federal law, it is supposed to be invested in lands so that we, and those who follow us, will have a full complement of natural areas. With one of the fastest population growth rates among industrialized nations, we should be saving these lands before they are gone. Right now, funding is needed to acquire tracts from willing sellers in the Gallatin, Roosevelt and Wenatchee national forests, to name just three. Appropriations also are vital for the protection of Anasazi sites at Aztec Ruins National Monument. The list is long.
Conservation groups are organizing a campaign aimed at convincing Congress to put the fund's revenues to their intended purpose. The longer these investments in our natural legacy are put off, in the Sawtooths and elsewhere, the more difficult it will be to do our duty for future generations.
Pamela Pride Eaton
The writer is The Wilderness Society director for the Four Corners region. | <urn:uuid:ce64a143-9e76-49ea-9165-c2e90134c650> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hcn.org/issues/100/3125 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94717 | 369 | 2.421875 | 2 |
is such an unspeakable act that it is hard to find words.
First there is the very obscenity of a young woman's being targeted for planned gang rape by six men, including the driver of the bus in which she was riding and several other males – her alleged attackers, now facing murder charges – and her being savagely beaten, raped, sodomized with an iron rod with such force that surgeons had to later remove her intestines in trying to save her, and thrown from the bus to ultimately die of her awful injuries.
Then there is the further horror that, while this particular case made global headlines due to its blood-curdling brutality and the relatively high class stature of the victim, India's tradition of men beating, raping, and murdering women with impunity is long, pervasive, and still widely-approved.
All of this is part and parcel of a deeply-entrenched patriarchy in which a woman (or a girl) can be promised and delivered to a man as de facto chattel for marriage and servitude, and in which women suffer one of the highest rates of rape in the world. Were it not for the explosion of pent-up outrage by Indian women in the wake of this highly-publicized torture and murder, it might have continued to be business as usual. Even after this sensationally horrific crime, Indian officials continue to respond to protestors with rapespeak. This from an Al Jazeera piece by Naomi Wolf:
It is not simply the high rate of rape in India that is driving the protests' virulence. In a passionate speech, Kavita Krishnan, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association, spoke to the deeper issue behind the protests: the blame-the-victim culture in India around sex crimes. She notes that government and police officials recently insisted that most rapists cannot be prosecuted in India, because, as one official put it, they are known to the women attacked. Other officials have publicly suggested that victims themselves are "asking for it" by their use of freedom of movement.
Like other coexisting regimes of rule by repression, including those of race and sexual orientation, rule by gender is both ruthless and steadfast. We hear an avalanche of reasons why we cannot change it: It's what God wants, it's what nature wants, it's what the public wants, it's what the law says, it's what people are going to do regardless. We've heard it all before on each unique front of battle, including gender rights: Maybe it's not fair, but you people just have to accept reality.
One front of battle in the war for gender equality is, of course, that of class. Indian feminist and publisher Urvashi Butalia has some interesting things to say about this. Listen to a radio interview in which she talks about how the bitter resentment of millions of low-income Indian men left behind by global capitalism expresses itself partly through rage and violence toward women, particularly toward "uppity" upwardly-mobile women who have the gall to seek education and equality. Women like the victim in this attack, who was a 23-year-old university student. The more women gain, the greater the desire of insecure men to dominate and punish them.
The conditions faced by women in parts of the developing world, where capitalist and pre-capitalist brutalities meet, are particularly dire. But before we pretend that elemental issues of gender justice exclude the West, consider this from Wolf:
This return to pre-feminist discourse is not confined to India. Italy is having a similar debate about whether women's clothes and behaviour invite rape. Even in Sweden, activists complain, rapes in which the men know their assailants go unprosecuted, because the victims are not seen as "good girls."
And this from yesterday's Huffington Post:
WASHINGTON -- Despite a late-stage intervention by Vice President Joe Biden, House Republican leaders failed to advance the Senate's 2012 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, an embattled bill that would have extended domestic violence protections to 30 million LGBT individuals, undocumented immigrants and Native American women.
"The House leadership would not bring it up, just like they wouldn't bring up funding for Sandy [hurricane damage] last night," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a key backer of the Senate version of the bill, in an interview with HuffPost. "I think they are still so kowtowing to the extreme on the right that they're not even listening to the moderates, and particularly the women, in their caucus who are saying they support this." | <urn:uuid:3e08cb77-7f84-4fa1-82fd-c14edaa50f4a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://aliasbruce.typepad.com/alias_bruce/2013/01/the-gang-rape-and-murder-of-a-young-woman-in-india.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971815 | 934 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Ancient Athens periodically held public votes to decide which citizens should be banished. If a person’s name was written on enough clay shards, he was “ostracized” and sent into exile for ten years. On one such occasion, a man handed a blank shard to Aristeides, not knowing who he was. He urged him to banish the person named Aristeides simply because, “I am tired of hearing him everywhere called ‘the righteous.’”
In our previous study we determined that for the Jews, “the righteous” were the people who kept God’s laws. While no one except God is completely righteous, they understood what it meant for a man to be righteous in a relative sense. Some, like the Pharisees, took great pride in achieving this kind of righteousness.
It was most upsetting, therefore, when Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). What did “righteous” mean to Jesus?
Many people are called “righteous” in the Gospels: Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon, Abel, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus himself and God. Jesus spoke often of “the righteous,” using the term to refer to God’s people who kept God’s laws. God sends rain, for instance, on “the righteous and the unrighteous.” Jesus said that many prophets and “righteous men” had longed for the Messiah. But Jesus condemned the Pharisees, who on the outside appeared to be righteous and decorated the tombs of the righteous, but on the inside were full of hypocrisy and wickedness. So righteous people did exist, but they weren’t the Pharisees.
Jesus twice clearly indicated whom He considered to be “the righteous.” In Luke 14 Jesus taught His followers to befriend the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. In doing so they could look forward to being “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Similarly, in Matthew 25 Jesus described the scene at Judgment Day. The righteous—those who reached out to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned—will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom.
So, in partial answer to our original question, for Jesus the “righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees” is an actual goodness, not merely something superficial. For the rest of our answer, however, we must wait for Righteous: Part 3. | <urn:uuid:dd876b8c-747f-4b0f-82ba-389eba4a3b86> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://occ.edu/Alumni/default.aspx?id=2335 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961102 | 562 | 3.15625 | 3 |
When I stroll through the aisles of my local garden center in early March, I feel like "The Jerk," Navin R. Johnson.
"The only thing I need is this packet of Big Boy Hybrid tomato seeds. I don't need anything else. Just these Big Boy Hybrid tomato seeds... and those yellow squash seeds. The Big Boy and the yellow squash seeds and that's all I need... and these Royal Burgundy bean seeds. The tomato, squash, and bean seeds and that's all I need...I don't need one other thing, not one... oh, I need these Clemson Spineless okra seeds."
Every year at this time, this home gardener itches to pull the wool mittens off of his green thumbs. The best scratch is a trip down to my local plant palace, Merrifield Garden Center. During spring, I visit Merrifield so often, I might as well endorse my paychecks straight to them – not because it's expensive, but because I always want to grow what they've got. And when it comes to seeds, they've got it all. From aubergines to zucchini and everything in between.
"There’s some old heirloom varieties, some unusual varieties, things that may not be available to you as plants," points out David Yost, a horticulturalist at Merrifield. "I know one thing that has been increasingly popular is people liking to grow old heirloom varieties. These are varieties that may not yield as much, they may not have the disease resistance, but they’ll have wonderful fragrance or wonderfully flavor to endorse them."
It's no secret that home gardening is quickly becoming very popular around the country. Whether they live on the mesas of New Mexico or in the high-rises of Boston, people want to grow their own food for the dinner table.
Growing fruit and vegetable plants from seed has come a long way from the old mail seed catalog days. A couple of clicks of the mouse, and you can have seed varieties from all over the world delivered to your doorstep.
But once you get your packets of future produce, where do you go from there? Yost offers some simple guidelines to maximizing the seeds.
Not everyone can grow everything in every place. As hard as you might try, odds are you won't be able to grow artichokes outside in Wisconsin.
"You're going to be selecting things that grow well in your climate," says Yost. "We're here in the mid-Atlantic region in Virginia and it's really fantastic because we can grow cool season crops...things that love temperatures anywhere from light frost up to 50-60 degrees. Whereas in the summertime, we totally switch over and grow peppers, tomatoes, basil, and things that thrive during the warm weather."
Odds are your local garden center will provide seeds that are suitable for your climate.
In The Zone
Yost's mistake #1: Starting your seeds too early. What's good for California isn't good for Connecticut. Times to start seeding, indoors and out, vary greatly based on your climate zone. If you're not familiar with the zone system, the National Arboretum can help you out. Granted, the map is tricky to understand, and looks like a box of crayons left too long in the sun.
His advice is to find your zone's last on-average frost date, then subtract 6-8 weeks. That's typically when you want to start your summer crop seeds indoors, and plant cool season seeds directly in the outside soil.
Containers, seed starter mix, a water tray, grow light, a spray bottle, and some patience. It may be a bit of an investment the first season you grow from seed. The beauty is that, aside from the starter mix, everything can be used year after year.
Container size is a personal preference. If you have lots of room, you can start seeds in a bigger container. I start mine on the window sill of our bedroom, which doesn't offer much space, so I prefer the small cell-pack containers. But as Yost assures, "There's no right or wrong."
Drop 'em In The Dirt
Seeds shouldn't be planted too deep into the starter mix (or in the dirt, if you're sowing them straight into the ground outside). Most seed packs will tell you how deep to sow the seeds. Typically, it's not very far under the surface - somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4" deep.
Sun and Water Make The Plants Go Wild
"The second biggest problem is not providing sufficient light," explains Yost. "All of these vegetables like full sun." Once your seeds germinate, it is essential to keep giving them water and proper light. Water-wise, you don't need to soak the plants, just keep the soil moist and damp."
"As for light, the seeds need every ray they can get. A south-facing window in your house is a perfect spot this time of year. If you do get cloudy days, or don't have a space in you house with direct sun exposure, you MUST get a grow light and leave it on for 12-16 hours per day. Every garden center offers a variety of lights, including ones with timers, in case you aren't always there to turn the light on and off.
Plants need space to grow. If you plant three or four seeds in a single cell-pack, and all of them germinate, eventually you will have to play favorites and whittle it down to one plant.
"People feel compelled when they buy a package of seed, and there's a hundred seeds in there, to grow every one. What's going to happen is they're going to compete with each other and you end up with one hundred weak plants," says Yost. "Pare it down to what you can provide each plant so it has ideal growing conditions."
Seeds need some time to acclimate to new temperatures. "The third most common mistake is you've got these plants, you've nurtured them, you've cared for them, they're growing, your little seedlings. They need to go through a transition process before they go straight into the garden," explains Yost.
"We talk about hardening them off, acclimating them to the outdoor environment. If you take them from your sheltered indoor environment and pop them straight into the garden, they're not adapted to the heat, the cold, and the wind. You need to make that transition out there."
In my experience, I've had bigger, better, and tastier harvests from plants I've grown from seed - with a few exceptions.
First, I've found that buying herbs as plants, rather than seeds, has proven more bountiful. Rosemary, for example, takes quite a while to germinate and grow into a large-sized plant that I can continuously harvest.
As Yost explains, I may have to chalk this one up to impatience. "This takes an investment in time," says Yost. "People are busy, they may not have the room, they may not have the space. There may be a number of reasons you'd just rather come in and purchase the plants and let our growers do the work for you."
But if you have the time, Yost says, you should start with seeds.
"There's just something unique about taking a seed, planting it, caring for it, nurturing it, watching it germinate, watching it grow, taking it all the way to harvest, putting it on the table...just being part of that entire cycle is fantastic."
This home gardener can't wait to dig in.
From around the web
« Previous entryNo one warns you about the durian burps
« Previous entryNo one warns you about the durian burps | <urn:uuid:2fec1797-19fa-4fa8-98e3-9436b75e9bf3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/03/19/getting-started-in-your-garden/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9657 | 1,640 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Greyhound Dog Breed
Nicknames: English Greyhound
|Right Breed For You?||Surprisingly, these active dogs can be adapted to apartment life, in part, because they are so relaxed indoors. In the case of racing dogs, it may be they think your house is a big crate, and they’d be essentially correct. It’s not until they get outside and see things to chase and investigate that they become restless. The breed is good with children, and greyhounds tolerate a great deal of shenanigans from older children without problem.||Discount Pet Supply Recommendations|
|Height:||27-30 inches (68-76cm)|
|Weight:||60-70 pounds (27-32kg)|
|Life Span:||10-12 years|
|Litter Size:||6-9 puppies|
|Color:||Brown, white, black tan, grey and any combination of those colors in large spots may be evident. They are said to be either solid colored or piebald. A tan brindle is also very common.|
|Recognized By:||CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR|
The favored dog of betting tracks everywhere, this tall and slim dog is all about speed. They have been clocked in excess of 40 miles per hour and absolutely love running. Their gait is graceful and easy.
Greyhounds have many adaptations that facilitate their fantastic speed. For instance, their spines are unusually flexible and they can often be seen in what appear to be impossibly hunched positions. Their tails are long and slightly curled at the bottom. Their bones are long and thin and they often appear as if they need a sandwich because of their very deep chests and small waists.
Their heads are small for the size of their body and the ears are small for the size of their head. They are primarily sight and scent hounds and certainly have the height and keen eyesight to see a long way.
As a breed, the next most obvious greyhound characteristic is their obsession with chasing down and snapping the neck of any small creature that your dog may spy. This includes the family cat and it is generally not recommended that greyhounds share a home with a cat or any other prey-like animal that might be your pet such as ferrets, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, etc. Even specimens that don’t seem nearly as interested in chasing small animals will go after them, often when you least expect it.
In the home as companion animals they are very relaxed, often to the point of laziness. While they love physical activity, they seem to forget this when confined to a house and make very good housedogs, assuming your couch is large enough to accommodate them.
Very short, fine hair is continually shed. However, there’s so little of it most people don’t notice. Some greyhounds so thoroughly shed in the summer that they go bald on the chest, though this is considered a fault in show.
In fact, the coat is so thin that many greyhounds are seen sporting sweaters during the winter months in temperate climates. It may become a bit spotty during the summer moult.
The origins of the greyhound go back to the early middle ages, when traders brought Sloughi dogs to England from Arabia. They became the basis for what would soon become a fearsome hunting dog the ability to run down game without stopping. They are usually associated with the hunting of smaller animals such as fox, but have been known to catch up with and take down full-grown deer.
They were also prized for ability as a sight hound as well and have been selected for a long time to have a noble carriage when not actually on the hunt but ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice.
The breed itself is known to have been the companion of nobility from the 16th century onward; achieving particular fame in Great Britain during the 19th century when dog shows first became popular.
Since the early 20th century there have been essentially two breeds of Greyhound that are registered with separate stud books: racing dogs and show dogs. As such, they differ with the show dogs typically making better companion animals because they have fewer congenital disorders later in life.
The breed has gotten larger and heavier over the course of the 20th century. As such, they may be somewhat more prone to hip dysplasia.
Unless you’re a rabbit, greyhounds are among the most gentle and calm dogs with your family or strangers. They are generally not interested in the affairs of people unless there is a chance they’ll be let outside for some running.
Quite intelligent, the greyhound is able to pick up training rather quickly. The racing industry has had a profound effect on the breed, with many dogs having been bred for speed and the ability to remain calm in the crate before being sprung for a race. As such, while there may be many disorders that plague this breed in old age, they usually are very good with people, though not always friendly in the traditional sense of the word.
Greyhounds are usually quite good with other dogs, and former racing dogs have already been well socialized while young. If you buy a greyhound pup you’ll have to do that yourself, but they seem to readily accept the company of other dogs.
The breed is surprisingly good with children, and greyhounds tolerate a great deal of shenanigans from older children without problem. Being somewhat fragile, they are leery of roughhousing and will simply get up and walk away from a situation they deem dangerous. Very young children may find themselves chased due to their high pitched squeals that sound more like wounded animal than a human being.
Barking is usually not a major problem, as this too has been carefully bred out of the dogs, though they often bark and yip when confined too long or are chasing prey. In a household situation they make terrible guard dogs since they’re simply too relaxed to care much what humans are doing.
Generally speaking greyhounds are healthy dogs, in no small part because they have to be. Sadly, the greyhounds bred for racing have several ailments, many of which don’t’ appear until later in life.
The typical racing career of these dogs is just a few years, so they have been bred for many generations in the United States, Great Britain with only the first few years of their lives in mind. Show dogs are often healthier as a general rule, but may actually be a bit higher strung.
- Hip and joint disorders: hip dysplasia is a somewhat common disorder that can strike dogs as young as 3-4 years, though is more common over 5. There is very little that cane be done for this genetic disorder other than trying to prevent it through gentle work when the dog is still a pup.
- Broken bones: greyhound bones are quite delicate for such a big dog. They can harm themselves by too vigorously chasing something over rough terrain. If your dog is limping, get him or her to the vet for an immediate exam.
- A common effect: Chemical sensitivity means your dog could break out in hives after bathing or after flea treatment. Consult a vet before administering sub-dermal chemical flea and tick control. If you put a flea collar on your dog, be sure to check and make sure they’re not reacting badly to it. Baby and puppy shampoos can usually be used without problem, though your greyhound is unlikely to need more than the annual bath.
Though the problem is rare,most greyhounds are fed small meals several times a day to avoid bloat,the painful twisting of the stomach that can accompany especially large meals.
Keeping a greyhound well groomed is very simple, since their coat is so fine and thin already. In fact, a simple rub with a hound cloth or a quick combing with a rubber dog comb to stimulate the skin will be much appreciated every week or two.
Dogs that are allowed out for exercise will usually have enough work on a hard surface to keep their nails short without requiring trimming, but those greyhounds that still have their dewclaws (they are often removed when the dogs are young) will need them trimmed every few weeks.
Since they have floppy ears (rose ears, they’re called), they will benefit from regular ear cleaning. This can be very carefully accomplished with a gauze pad used to gingerly wipe around the outside of the ear. Never plunge a q-tip into your greyhound’s ear canal. It’s an even worse idea for your dog than it is for you.
The well-groomed greyhound will also have careful attention paid to the condition of their skin, as they can have trouble with allergies. This may include hives, pustules, redness, swelling or scaly dander that resembles eczema. Be careful of what you put on, as it could make it worse. Severe cases should be nipped in the bud and a vet consulted.
The coat is impregnated with dog oils that keep them from getting too wet or dirty. This may seem a little unlikely, especially in the worst of the summer when they become a bit patchy. Regardless, they should only be bathed when absolutely necessary – usually bathing as an annual event is sufficient for most Greyhounds. They love the occasional dip in the lake or misting as long as there’s no soap around.
It is a good idea to get your dog used to the handling that even a simple regimen. This means making sure you go through the motions and carefully examine their paws ears on a very regular basis when your greyhound pup is new. If you’re adopting a former racing dogs, they are just as devoid of the social graces as the newborn pup, so making sure your greyhound can be handled without incident.
These dogs love to run. While they are famous as couch potatoes when indoors, they get the bug as soon as they go outdoors and you will have to take special care to train them to leash walking without pulling you along for the ride.
Since they are usually easy with other dogs they do very well in dog parks with off-leash areas. Here, they can carouse with other dogs and really enjoy their ability to outrun every other member of the pack.
Many people also take them for a run while they pedal a bicycle; there bicycle dog leashes especially made for this. This is usually a fine form of exercise, but care must be taken to not injure the dog, as hey can be a bit spindly. Their paws are also very small and very frequent running on asphalt can damage the pads. It’s a good idea to inspect their feet regularly and perhaps get them booties for protection.
The training of a puppy differs greatly from the training of a retired racing dog that one may adopt, though they still have to learn many of the same things. For instance, the organizations that train dogs for new homes after racing careers often have to teach them how to climb stairs, though they seem to take to furniture readily.
Both will likely have to be housebroken, too. This is usually fairly quick for the adult dog, though greyhound puppies take to it very quickly, too. Older dogs that do have some difficulty often respond to the crate training they should have already mastered in such situations. Be sure the crate is plenty big so your dog can turn around without having to compress his or her spine to do it.
They tend not to bark very often at all and can easily be trained out of it if the trait develops as a pup. Usually taking your greyhound for a walk is enough to get all the pent up energy out of their systems and defuse the bark.
While they are generally good with other dogs, when the pack is larger then four or five dogs, they can be some conflict, especially among males, though females are by no means exempt. You can work on this with your dog by using a “turning out muzzle” and rewarding good behavior.
Though greyhounds can be a bit stubborn at times as far as training goes, but they do usually want to please their owners. Though not particularly protective to the family group, they are loyal and often bond to family members in very short order upon arrival. | <urn:uuid:8dfbd370-bab6-4164-ac3c-cc15b0b0757c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.remarkabledogs.com/search-your-dog-breed/search-by-dog-breed-group/hound-group-dog-breeds/greyhound/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976639 | 2,586 | 1.734375 | 2 |
In a way, this is a more interesting hypothesis than the more commonly asked question about what the world would be like if the Germans had won World War II. Several historians have noted that both world wars should really be considered a single conflict with a long armistice in the middle. If this viewpoint is valid, then the official outcome of the first phase of this conflict may have been important for reasons other than those usually cited.As a preliminary matter, we should note that the actual outcome of the First World War was a near thing, a far nearer thing than was the outcome of World War II after 1941. While it is true that the United States entered the war on the allied side in 1917, thus providing vast new potential sources of men and material, it is also true that Germany had knocked Russia out of the war at about the same time. This gave the Germans access to the resources of Eastern Europe and freed their troops for deployment to the West. The German Spring Offensive of 1918 actually succeeded in rupturing the Allied line at a point where the Allies had no significant reserves. (At about this time, British Prime Minister Lloyd George was heard to remark, “We are going to lose this war.” He began to create a record which would shift the blame to others.)
The British Summer Offensive of the same year similarly breached the German lines, but did a much better job of exploiting the breakthrough than the Germans had done a few months earlier. General Luddendorf panicked and demanded that the government seek an armistice. The German army did succeed in containing the Allied breakthrough, but meanwhile the German diplomats had opened tentative armistice discussions with the United States. Given U.S. President Wilson’s penchant for diplomacy by press-release, the discussions could not be broken off even though the German military situation was no longer critical. While the Germans were not militarily defeated, or even economically desperate, the government and general public saw no prospect of winning. Presented with the possibility of negotiating a settlement, their willingness to continue the conflict simply dissolved.
[Read more at FirstWorldWar.com] | <urn:uuid:5971cd76-5b9c-41e0-a6eb-540871ab7a5a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://disinfo.com/2009/11/if-germany-had-won-the-first-world-war/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973448 | 430 | 3.953125 | 4 |
Volunteer, Learn a Language
Combine Language Study and Volunteer Work in Guatemala
As soon as I saw the big brown eyes on this particularly small salesperson, I knew I would buy something. She fluttered from person to person hawking typical Guatemalan gifts around the Central Park of Antigua. I watched her sales techniques closely. She would smile, lean on the legs of potential buyers and not go away. I really don't think any one wanted her to leave. Who could resist such a persistent and adorable child?
Floras mother hopes no one can resist as she sends her 4-year-old daughter out to work every day selling gifts to the tourists. You may think this is a hard life for a 4-year-old child, but Flora is one of the lucky children of Guatemala. Flora has a family, a home, and most importantly, a job. Since 70 percent of the population in Guatemala lives in extreme poverty, children work to help their families survive.
Thousands of less-fortunate children in Guatemala are without homes and are in danger. Street children sleep in doorways, dodge violence, beg for money, sniff glue, and go hungry.
Bruce Harris, an advocate for childrens issues in Central America, is the executive director of the Latin American youth program called Casa Alianza, a program that offers support and shelter to street children. Since such programs subsist on little private funding, they rely heavily on volunteer workers. The children need caring people to hold them, play with them, and show them that they are loved.
Guatemala offers many affordable opportunities to study the language, learn the culture, and, at the same time, help a child by volunteering your time. To plan a learning holiday in Guatemala the recommended option is first to take an immersion Spanish course at a reputable language school. Then you can practice the language while volunteering for an established childrens program. If you do not need to learn the language, go straight to the youth programs for their current list of volunteer opportunities or join one of the groups that plan trips throughout the year to help communities in need.
Study in Antigua
Although there are other places in Guatemala to learn Spanish, Antigua is the best for those new to the country because hundreds of other students from all over the world are there learning the language as well. (Just be careful not to do what I did at first and chat away in English to the many interesting people from all over the world.) The cost to study Spanish is approximately $80 for a 5-day program of four hours of instruction a day.
In a total immersion program you share the home of a local family. A private room, three meals a day, and a shared bathroom make for quite the homey stay. The time talking with your family is very helpful in your studies of the language. When I would say something like "The meal is very cat today" the family just giggled and corrected me. A homestay costs between $55 and $65 a week. A few schools also provide lodging on their campuses, and some will work with local hotels for special rates if this suits you better.
Choosing a Language School
When choosing a language school, consider the schools teacher-student ratio and recreational activities. Most schools offer a one-to-one teacher-to-student ratio. You learn the language through conversation, largely about each other, so you become well acquainted. Some schools organize excursions to local villages, coffee plantations, and volcanoes.
If you plan to volunteer after your studies are done, make sure to choose a language program that has a connection with several different volunteer programs. Lilian Santizo, the administrative director of Academia de Profesores Privados de Espanol (A.P.P.E.), told me that A.P.P.E. has an extensive list of programs and will work with you to find the right fit.
Volunteering opportunities are usually with schools, hospitals, orphanages, recreational programs, health programs, and programs for street children.
Volunteer Work Only
If you are interested in volunteering without studying Spanish, the recommended way to do so is to go through one of the language schools, such as Centro Linguistico La Union (www.launion.edu.gt). Juan Carlos Martinez, the director of La Union, will help you find a program for no extra fee. Certain schools will set you up with accommodations and volunteer work as an extra service. You can also research volunteer work through the Internet: I have found that Idealist.com is a particularly good web site because it lists programs in Guatemala that are currently looking for volunteers and employees; it also gives you the web sites for the actual programs.
Volunteer work in Guatemalan missions usually involves group trips, most of which are planned through churches and are for a very short period of time. Calling your local churches is the best way to go about finding a church that organizes group volunteer trips to Guatemala. Another way to find mission work is through the Internet at the Global Outreach of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synods web site for mission work. If you are up to organizing your own group volunteer trip, Helps International and Amerispan will assist you.
Here are some quick tips on how to choose a study program, and how to get the best deal.
Since you need to know the language at least at a basic level for participating in most youth volunteer programs, taking language classes, even for a week is highly recommended. You will be working with children, so dont be shy to use what you learn with your homestay family. Do not pass up the chance to not only practice the languagebut also learn more about the Guatemalan culture by living with a local family.
Many of the language programs are very similar in what they offer, so consider the accommodation options, what kind of activities and volunteers programs they offer, and the cost.
Activities are usually free, but make sure they offer ones that interest you. Also, find out if your teacher accompanies you on any of these.
Although usually a little more expensive, studying Spanish in other parts of Guatemala is also recommended because there are less foreigners and more local people with whom to interact.
Finally, remember that there are many other types of volunteer programs, such as environmental work, farming, and animal care offered through the schools.
For More Info
Academia Profesores Privados de Espanol (A.P.P.E.), www.appeschool.com. See costs at www.appeschool.com/courses/index.php. Recreational activities, volunteer opportunities (extensive list). Has volunteer only and accommodations services. | <urn:uuid:56b677f0-7fc0-4c86-87ae-76a076ffa3aa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0305/volunteer_learn_language_guatemala.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959837 | 1,388 | 2.359375 | 2 |
| ASIS&T 2006
||START Conference Manager
Trained vs. untrained searchers’ interaction with search features in digital libraries
Yuelin Li, Xiangmin Zhang, Jingjing Liu, and Ying Zhang
ASIS&T Annual Meeting - 2006 (ASIS&T 2006)
Austin, Texas, November 3-9, 2006
The purpose of this case study was to investigate how trained and untrained searchers would interact with search features in digital libraries. Trained searchers are those who have received professional training in information search. They are assumed to have better search skills and know more search tactics, and thus can search more effectively in digital libraries than untrained searchers. By comparing different types of users’ search interactions with a digital library, the study intended to inform search features design in digital libraries for supporting untrained users. The study was conducted with the IEEE Xplore digital library (v.2.0). The results indicate that the participants in the trained group overall made more uses of the search features in the IEEE Xplore digital library. They were able to manipulate advanced search and search fields better, and they realized that they could get more information about the retrieved items if changing result display format to “citation & abstract”. On the other hand, the untrained searchers, especially the UE group, did not seem to know to use these interaction features. Based on the findings, some suggestions on interaction design of the search feature in the IEEE Xplore digital library are proposed. | <urn:uuid:64c6e5c1-8657-4378-a29c-7dd73ccdb6d4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.asis.org/Conferences/AM06/papers/299.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936397 | 314 | 1.882813 | 2 |
Located at the heart of Luzon, Pampanga is mostly known for two things: its religious sites and events, and its cuisine. Although religious relics and food are the most common attractions throughout the province, there are various attractions per municipality. There are the natural springs of Mt. Arayat and the giant Christmas lanterns of San Fernando, among others.
Pampanga has had played a large part in the history of the Philippines, starting from Spanish colonial times, to World War II, until the present. Some highlights:
- The province was discovered by Spanish explorer Martin de Goiti.
- Pampanga is also known as one of the first eight provinces in the country to revolt against Spain during the colonial period.
- During World War II, Pampanga was known for housing the prominent guerilla unit called the "Hukbalahap."
- More recently, Pampanga is also known for having been greatly affected by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption of 1991.
- Kapampangans take pride in for having produced three many outstanding personalities in public service, education, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences, entertainment, and business, including three of the country's presidents (Diosdado Macapagal, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III), chief justices (Jose Abad Santos, Artemio Panganiban), senate presidents (Gil Puyat, Manny Villar), and the first Filipino cardinal (Rufino Santos).
There are many sights to see and things to do in Pampanga:
- For history buffs and those interested in seeing religious sites and relics, there are a wide array of historical attractions, churches, and shrines in the province, aside from Pampanga's many festivals that take place in different times of the year.
- Travelers looking for adventure will find many activities to enjoy: trekking to Mt. Pinatubo, taking a dip in the Puning Hot Springs, and taking the Mt. Pinatubo sky tour.
- Foodies won't be lacking for new things to try as Pampanga is well-known for its wide array of delicacies and specialties such as tocino, sisig, tibok-tibok, and different kinds of kakanin.
Getting There and Away
Genesis Transport Service, Inc., Victory Liner, and Bataan Transit have buses that offer several trips to San Fernando City, Pampanga from their bus terminals in either Pasay City or Avenida, Manila, or catch the bus at its stops along EDSA in Metro Manila. To get to other towns in Pampanga, there are jeepneys to different towns at the Central Terminal in San Fernando City. | <urn:uuid:7b51d25e-f06c-4637-ad27-7a03056fc8d7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.travelbook.ph/media/guides/pampanga-2/?filter=1&mode=subpage-accomodations&type=directory&area_id=145&sec_id=accommodations&alpha_start=r_n | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953471 | 576 | 2.59375 | 3 |
A Captivating Vision
Why Chinese house churches may just end up fulfilling the Great Commission.
April 1, 2004
The Back to Jerusalem movement began in the 1920s, went underground for decades, and now hopes to send 100,000 missionaries to 51 nations. Critics who perceive missionary efforts as rooted in Western imperialism will find their assumptions defied by this movement of Chinese Christians who want to reclaim Christianity's ancient missionary roots. Paul Hattaway, a New Zealander working in Asia, has extensive connections with Chinese house-church leaders. He is the author, with three leaders of Chinese house-church networks, of Back to Jerusalem: Called to Complete the Great Commission (Gabriel Resources, 2003). CT senior writer Tim Stafford reached Hattaway in Thailand.
What is the Back to Jerusalem movement?
The name unfortunately leads a lot of people to believe that it's about evangelizing Jerusalem or Israel. That's not the case at all. When the Chinese say "Back to Jerusalem," they're talking first of all about a geographical advance of the gospel throughout history. The gospel started in Jerusalem and then spread in a generally westward direction into North Africa and Europe. Throughout history it has continued to spread westward around the globe, with China as its farthest advance. With a Chinese mindset, they see that to fulfill the Great Commission is to encircle the whole globe with the gospel, until it goes back even to where it began. Their aim is not Jerusalem or Israel, but all the countries and unreached people groups between China and Jerusalem. Along the old Silk Road, which once brought trade from the Middle East to China, you find approximately 5,200 unreached people groups and tribes.
How did it start?
The vision goes back to the late 1920s, when a group called the Jesus Family had formed in China. They lived ...
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Use these quick notes to help you revise each topic from the Chapter. You can also download a PDF with revision cards to print double sided and 2 slides per sheet to get small cards to play revision games… Animated Science Physics AS Revision Cards Chapter 1 but the information is the same as on this post!
1.1 Inside the Atom
NucleonsProtons and Neutrons make up the nucleus. They have a mass of 1 relative to each other but an actual mass of 1.67 x 10-27kg. The proton carries a charge of +1.6 x 10-19C. In certain calculations you must use the actual values.
ElectronsAre negatively charged -1.6 x 10-19C and have a opposite charge to that of a proton.
IsotopesIsotopes are simply elements with more or less neutrons. This means that they can be more unstable than the ones usually found in the periodic table. Often Isotopes appear in small % so effect the relative mass of a sample. Carbon is a good example with many isotopes
- C14 is b- emitter 5730 years T1/2)
- C13 is stable
- C12 is stable
- C11 is b+ emitter (20.3min T1/2)
- C10 is b+ emitter (19.2s T1/2)
IonsOf course ions will be more tricky at A level. Instead of thinking of the removal of an electron as – -1 or the atoms charge becomes +1 to form a +1 ion i.e. Na+.
Now we think about ions as….
- 1.6 x 10-19C -> +1
- 3.2 x 10-19C -> +2
- 4.8 x 10-19C -> +3
Specific ChargeWhen we think about an ion, atom or particle it has what is called a specific charge. This is a simple idea of the charge C/mass kg so should come out in Ckg-1. So the specific charge on a magnesium 24Mg ion is found by adding all nucleon masses which is 24 x 1.67 x 10-27kg. Then the overall ion charge which is 3.2 x 10-19C and dividing to produce a value of 8.04 x 106CKg-1. You don’t add all the charges as they cancel out.
Periodic TableIn the periodic table all atoms have a symbol A = mass or protons + neutrons in relative form i.e. 1+2 = lithium. Z = proton number. You must learn these terms!
Probing the NucleusRutherford did an experiment to investigate the nucleus. He fired alpha radiation at the nucleus and found that most went through and a few returned deflected at 180° or near to. The conclusion was that the nucleus was very small and very positive with a lot of empty space around it
1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei
Strong Force Acts on nucleons only as they contain quarks. It keeps the nucleus stable; short-range attraction to about 3 fm, very-short range repulsion below about 0.5 fm. This balance causes nucleons to be happy at the distance to make a stable atom.
Electrostatic ForceAll charged particles i.e. protons, electrons, positrons, muons etc.. either attract or repel each other. The force gets very large at small separations.
Alpha Decay This is where 4 nucleons (2p &2n) split from the nucleus of an atom to make the atom more stable. Z & N become Z-2 & A-4. Alpha always have the same energy for a particular atom i.e. 5MeV.
Beta (β-) DecayAn atom has a nucleon decay via the weak interaction. A neutron converts to a proton and emits a β- particle (or e-) and an electron anti-neutrino. There is symmetry for charge before and after. The particle and anti-particle share the energy of the decay differently for each emission.
Beta (β+) DecayThis is the same process as Beta (β-) but opposite as a proton converts to a neutron and emits a beta + particle (or e+ positron) and an electron-neutrino. There is symmetry for charge before and after. The particle and anti-particle share the energy of the decay differently for each emission.
Gamma DecayA Gamma ray (γ) is emitted from the atom which has no charge or mass.
NeutrinosThese are produced in the Sun by the weak interaction (β+ or β- decay). They have no charge or mass and are not affected by strong or electromagnetic force. They are fundamental particles. There are three types, or “flavours”, of neutrinos: electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos. Each type also has a corresponding antiparticle, called an antineutrino with an opposite chirality. You will not need the tau for AS Physics.
Electromagnetic WavesThis is energy in the form of waves. The formula to express the speed that an EM wave travels in a vacuum is c = fλ. The speed is always 3.00 x 108ms-1. We often use the suffix of nm for the wavelength visible light i.e. 500nm or 500 x 10-9m
PhotonsElectromagnetic waves are produced when a charged particle such as an electron collides with atomic electrons to make electrons change shells or very fast electrons are slowed down in matter to produce x-rays. Photons have zero mass but carry both energy and momentum. We call these waves or short bursts “photons” or wavepackets. We can think of them like particles or packets of energy containing an energy E = hf (where f is the frequency of the wave, h = the plank constant 6.63 x 10-34Js). Or as c=fλ. E = hc/λ
A simple example would be what is the frequency of a 600nm EM wave….
c/λ = 3.00 x 108 ms-1 / 600 x 10-9m = 5.00 x 1014Hz
What is the Energy of the wave…..
E = hc/λ = (6.63 x 10-34Js x 3.00 x 108 ms-1)/ 600 x 10-9m = 3.32 10-19J or 2.07eV
The Electron Volt The electron volt is a very simple way of expressing a little quantity of energy. It saves us using tricky figures i.e. 3.32 10-19J = 2.07eV. What we do is simply divide the energy in Joules by the value of the charge on the electron or 1 x 10-19JeV-1.
Laser Beams A laser beam is simply a lot of photons all discharged at the same time and in phase with each other. This is a property called coherence. We mean all the ups and down happen at the same time and they are of the same frequency. The power of a laser beam of energy E = hf…… P = nhf where n is the number of photons.
1.4 Particles and antiparticles
Matter & Anti MatterYou should know that for every type of particle, there is a corresponding antiparticle. The positron, the antiproton, the antineutron and the antineutrino are the antiparticles of the electron, the proton, the neutron and the neutrino respectively. They have the same mass but opposite charge (if charged). In the case of hadrons this is because they are made up of anti-quarks. When matter and antimatter meet they annihilate.
PET Scanning“Positron Emission Tomography” is a process where a radioactive tracer is injected into the body. The body then metabolises the isotope at a certain rate. The isotope then decays and producing a position which decays into two gamma ray photons when it hits an adjacent electron. These photons are picked up and mapped to produce 3D images.
Rest Energy Sometimes we talk of the rest energy of a particle. This is the energy it takes to form a particle. The units we usually use to express this are Joules or electron volts. However, we often use MeV or GeV which are 1 x 106eV or 1 x 109eV respectively.
Annihilation In which a particle and a corresponding antiparticle collide and annihilate each other, producing two photons of total momentum and total energy equal to the initial momentum and energy of the particle and antiparticle, including their combined rest energy 2mc2.
Pair Production In which a high-energy photon produces a particle and its antiparticle. This can only occur if the photon energy E= hf = hc/λ is greater than or equal to 2mc2, where m is the mass of the particle, with rest energy mc2 for each particle of the pair produced. More generally, particles are always created in particle–antiparticle pairs. The masses of particles and their antiparticles are identical. This often happens when a photon passes near a nucleus.
Cloud ChambersThese chambers show us charged particles by creating droplets in a saturated gas. The particles can be deflected by a magnetic field and show momentum and charge +/- to an observer. Carl Anderson found the positron by this method.
1.5 How particles interact
The Electromagnetic ForceThe Electromagnetic force acts only between charged particles and is transmitted by the mass-less particle THE PHOTON.
The Strong InteractionActs between the nucleons in atoms (protons and neutrons) and is transmitted by the Gauge Boson called the GLUON. Theory has predicted that there are 8 of them but you don’t need to know this. Can effect mesons (explained later in unit) as they contain quarks as well (explained later in unit)
The Weak InteractionActs over an even shorter range than the strong interaction. It acts on both Leptons and Hadrons and is transmitted by 3 bosons called; W+, W- and Z Bosons. It is often called “decay” as the particles which are effected by it change into something else.
Gravity The gauge boson that transmits the gravitational force is the GRAVITON. This has never as of yet been discovered and is predicted to have zero mass.
W+ & W- Bosons The W Boson is an exchange particle which has a very short life time 10-27s so it does not travel very far.
It operates at a distance of 0.001fm.
W+ & W- Bosons are exchanged during interactions or decays
Feynman DiagramsThe eminent Physicist Richard Feynman invented a graphical method to represent interactions of particles. The only thing that really means anything is the time and direction of the arrows. The angles are not significant. You need to know about several main diagrams for weak interactions AS Physics…
- β+ Decay
- β- Decay
- Electron Capture
- Neutron-neutrino interaction
- Proton-antineutrino interaction
All these interactions obey conservation of charge and mass laws. You should look for symmetry across the diagrams to help you remember them.
Now try the quiz….
AS Chapter 1 Matter and Radiation | <urn:uuid:92ade8e7-fc89-4165-af43-444c372b38f2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.animatedscience.co.uk/1-1-inside-the-atom | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.908109 | 2,412 | 4.1875 | 4 |
I originally posted this over at my other blog awhile back, but I decided it might be worth putting up here.
Those who are old enough might get the Brady Bunch reference in the title of this post. If not, well, you’re on the Internet already–use a search engine and figure it out.
I’ve been talking about the Bible of late: how I came to read it all the way through, not once but twice (third time in progress), what some of the intrinsic limitations in understanding it are, and some of my reactions as I re-read it for the first time in thirty-odd years. In last of these posts, I left off noting how appalling the violence in the Old Testament is. That’s where I want to pick up here.
I’ve already noted that the sheer quantities of sex and violence in the Bible truly amazed me the first times I read it as a teenager and an early twentysomething. Amazed me, but didn’t make too deep an impression. Youth is like that, I guess. I never really thought of it as an issue of theology–or theodicy. I guess I just stashed that away in the heap of contradictions that most people hold in their mind regarding religion. God is a God of Love, and all that Old Testament stuff where He kills people or orders them killed, by the droves–well, that was way back then, wasn’t it, and–hey, what’s for lunch?
Reading all this at the age of forty-eight is very much a different experience. Things such as the plauges and destruction God sent against His own people (Numbers 11:33, Numbers 16:1-35, and Numbers 25:1-4), the (lauded) behavior of Phineas (Numbers 25:5-9) which causes God to stop the last-mentioned plague, the mandates to kill all the men, women, and children in various cities in Canaan when the Jews return from Egypt (Joshua 6:20-27, 8:24-26, and 11:10-15, among others)–and that’s just in the parts I’ve re-read so far. There’s plenty more nastiness to come, too–just for a couple of examples, check out 2 Samuel 24 and 2 Kings 2:23-25. Examples could be multiplied quite a bit.
The point is that I’ve decided that I do not like the Old Testament as a whole very much at all. Now before you burn me as a heretic, let me note a few things. First, “don’t like” is not the same as “doesn’t believe” or “doesn’t accept”–at least in the sense that I accept that OT as the Word of God, or to put it another way, as revealed Scripture. Please note that “accept” is not synonymous with “accept literally” or “accept without reservations” or “accept uncritically” or “accept without careful interpretation”. Please note also that “doesn’t like” is not synonymous with “disrespects” or “disobeys”. If a thoughtful person read the Bible (or in fact any other Scripture) without at least some points of disagreement or difficulty, I’d have grave suspicions about said person. Of course, “disagreement” does not necessarily imply “rejection” or “disobedience”, either. These are important points to note, in my view, since they are all too often conflated.
In short, I do not agree with Marcion of Sinope, though I find I have become much more sympathetic to him. Marcion was a bishop in the 1st and 2nd Centuries–thus within the second or at most third generation of the Church. He also was–or became–a heretic. Marcion, as with the case with many others (including myself, as described above), noticed the sheer frequency and intensity of unpleasantness in the OT, and also observed that on the face of it, at least, the God of love, mercy, and compassion preached by Jesus seems somewhat different from the jealous, vengeful, smiting God of the OT. Theologians have attempted to resolve that seeming paradox in various ways over the centuries. Marcion took the simplest tack–the God of the OT and the God of the NT seemed so different because they were different.
In short, Marcion taught that there were two gods–the violent, vengeful, wrathful god of the OT, who created the material world and who duped mankind into thinking he was the real God; and the True God, the God of love, who is also the Alien God, since He has nothing whatsoever to do with the material cosmos or with evil. This God sends Christ into the world to undo the deceptions of the OT god and to save mankind from him and from the material world.
It’s important to note that while this is obviously similar in many respects to the Gnostic worldview, Marcion’s teaching differed from Gnosticism on some points, and on others it’s impossible to tell either way. Thus, scholars still debate whether he should be classed as an early Gnostic. Whichever way one may go on that question, it is not germane to the point at hand here.
Given Marcion’s beliefs, he (logically) rejected the entire Old Testament, all of the Gospels but an expurgated version of Luke (he left out the Infancy narrative), and all of the rest of the New Testament except for some of Paul’s letters. In fact, Marcion’s was the first Christian canon. The compiling of lists of canonical scriptures by the orthodox began as a response to Marcion, and continued until the canon we now have was finalized.
As I said, I am not a Marcionite. I do, however, find his view more viscerally and emotionally appealing as I read the Bible again after all these years. I’m not quite sure why–perhaps I’ve grown more cynical. Maybe suffering and the general messiness of life have become more real to me and I have thus become less able to blithely tolerate a supposedly loving God who seems not only to be OK with this but who seems actively to perpetrate it with distressing frequency. In many ways it would be very easy for me to just jettison the Old Testament altogether (whether that would entail leaving the Church would be another and even more complex matter) and cast my lot with that of Marcion and the other teachers (mostly, but not exclusively Gnostic) who held similar ideas.
I cannot do that, though. That would be the easy solution. Easy solutions are nice as well as–well, easy–but if the easy course of action were usually the right one, we’d live in a Utopia now. The more complex path is to integrate the OT somehow with all its messiness and ugliness, while cleaving to the NT vision. How–or even why? That’s what I’ll be talking about in the near future. | <urn:uuid:1d20544a-2663-43e9-9ae9-5035e7e93e3f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aleksandreia.com/2012/04/14/marcion-marcion-marcion/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96975 | 1,539 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Bloomberg Remark Sparks Heated 9/11 Hero Debate, Michael Bloomberg
Mayor Bloomberg's comments about Police Detective James Zadroga's death, in which he said Mr. Zadroga is not a hero, has sparked a firestorm within the former detective's family and the NYC police dept.
Bloomberg Remark Sparks Heated 9/11 Hero Debate
NEW YORK (AP) ―
The recent disclosure that a police detective who died of a lung ailment after toiling for months at ground zero may have been improperly injecting drugs has prompted a heated debate in New York City over what constitutes a hero.
The argument over the life and death of James Zadroga echoes a situation in Boston, where two lauded firefighters who died in a blaze were later found to have been intoxicated on the job. One had a blood alcohol level of 0.27 when he died. The other had cocaine in his system.
The disclosures revived old concerns about police officers and firefighters, whose high-stress jobs have long been thought to make them prime candidates for drug and alcohol abuse.
The inner turmoil of these everyday heroes has been a staple of TV cop shows for decades, and lately in dramas like FX television's "Rescue Me," about a group of New York City firefighters who go home to lives of alcoholism, depression and family disarray.
Experts say there may be truth behind the fiction.
"We might think of them as stress resilient," said Dr. Terence Keane, who heads the behavioral science division of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
But the reality, he said, is that the on-the-job pressure for these types of emergency workers can be overwhelming. "Their job is 95 percent boredom and 5 percent terror," he said.
The pressure can grow even greater after a major disaster like the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Studies have indicated that a number of emergency service workers involved in the response suffered from post-tramatic stress disorder.
"The amount of loss was so extreme that it could have exacerbated existing problems with mood, anxiety, alcohol and drugs," he said.
Do these types of flaws disqualify someone from hero status?
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested earlier this week that Zadroga's public image had been altered by a medical examiner's report indicating that the detective had been grinding up and injecting pills, fragments of which later lodged in his lungs.
"We wanted to have a hero. There are plenty of heroes. It's just that in this case, the science says this was not a hero," he said Monday.
Later, confronted with public outrage over his comments, Bloomberg backpedalled, calling Zadroga "a great NYPD officer" who had repeatedly risked his life for the city and had gotten sick from breathing contaminated air at ground zero.
He said it would be up to the public to decide whether Zadroga was a hero.
"You can use your own definition," Bloomberg said. "I think it's a question of how you want to define what a hero is."
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, a Pittsburgh-based philanthropy that awards medals and cash grants to regular people who perform heroic acts, doesn't have a problem deciding who deserves recognition. As of this month, 9,130 people had received a Carnegie Medal, and the group adds another 100 to the list every year.
The commission looks closely at the act of bravery itself, but makes no attempt to probe a person's background or moral character, said spokesman Douglas Chambers.
"Whether that person had a shady background, or had been incarcerated or was a child abuser ... none of that information is important to us," Chambers said. "We don't care. All we care about is the act. Did that rescuer risk his or her life to an extraordinary degree?"
Recipients over the years, he noted, have included a prison inmate who saved a guard from an attacking dog.
The question of whether Zadroga, or Boston firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne, are heroes isn't one the Carnegie commission will address; with some exceptions, the group generally focuses on recognizing civilians who are drawn unexpectedly into extraordinary circumstances.
Zadroga's family has disputed the allegations that his son took any medications improperly, and at least two other medical experts have concluded that the material found in his respiratory system included microscopic shards of World Trade Center debris.
In Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino said this month that he was angry and disappointed over news of the autopy reports of Cahill and Payne, who died in a fire last summer, but also suggested that the hero label still sticks.
"Two of Boston's finest died doing their job keeping our city safe," he said. | <urn:uuid:c27892e2-f923-4cd7-91da-ac0a73bf9875> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://911blogger.com/news/2007-11-01/bloomberg-remark-sparks-heated-911-hero-debate-michael-bloomberg | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979856 | 976 | 1.5 | 2 |
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A public opinion survey by a major international non-profit group says most Afghans believe their country is headed in the right direction but still worry about the lack of security resulting from the 11-year war.
A poll released Wednesday by the Asia Foundation says a large majority of Afghan adults back efforts to negotiate and reconcile with armed insurgent groups.
Only 30 percent of respondents in the poll expressed sympathy for the guerrillas, while nearly two-thirds said they did not support them.
The in-person survey of 6,290 adults from all 34 provinces, conducted with support from several international development agencies, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.1 percentage points. The Asia Foundation's annual surveys are regularly cited by many groups working in Afghanistan.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read the original story: Poll: Most Afghans optimistic about future | <urn:uuid:48d88caa-f985-401e-9624-7cd10094a631> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.coloradoan.com/usatoday/article/1703901?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930718 | 198 | 1.648438 | 2 |
I see a lot of protesters and occupiers calling themselves activists these days, but these people have little clue what a real political activist is. To drop the word political from the term political activist makes you a protester, nothing more. The word activist stems from the word action and although protesting is an important pursuit, to become part of the political process and be actively working toward political goals is what being an activist really is.
We have a very serious problem in this country. The general public has become so disillusioned with the corrupted mainstream political parties that they have stopped taking part in the political process altogether. In the last general federal election only 61.1 percent of the eligible registered voters even bothered. In the recent Toronto/Danforth by election in which I was campaign manager for the leader of the Canadian Action Party it was even lower at 43.4% which is less than half the people who could vote did! A lot of people I have met in the Truth movement and in Occupy suffer from the same lack of insight as the general public, in the fact that they strive for political change and yet refuse to become part of the political process.
The problem with the protest community is the failure to follow through with any one action or set of demands. The powers that be have no fear of protesters and will simply ignore the protesters, knowing that they will move on until the next scandal. Those in power have no fear and will simply let the police step in if the protesters become pests. One reason the protesters are less of a problem for the politician is the fact that they do not get involved in the political process. The protester is not a threat to him or his power base. Some believe that getting the word out to the public about the things being protested have value, again this might be true if the media were not as controlled as the political process and the public were politically involved, which they no longer are.
The argument heard most often, not only from the public but also from the people who wrongly think they are activists, is that the system is corrupt and all the politicians are crooks, why bother voting when both main parties are the same? This brings us to the big lie, one these same politicians whisper at debates: “To vote for a fringe party or independent is a waste of a vote.” Many also wrongly believe that these fringe parties and independents are no different than the mainstream parties, or that they have no real chance of winning. Well that’s what the professional politicians want too. Because buying into that puts you back to why bother voting.
Recently a 12-year-old girl by the name of Victoria Grant became a YouTube sensation with a speech about why Canada should return to utilizing the Bank of Canada. This girl got many views with her message and yet The Canadian Action Party has had this policy as its main platform for years and nobody has paid attention, why?
If the people of Canada want to see real change in this country they need to drastically step up their game. Marching in protests, handing out flyers and putting up posters is a noble pursuit, but it does not make you an activist. At a recent protest I had a well-known protester start yelling at me that he “has had his camera broken, been arrested three times” and given his whole life over to the cause. “So don’t tell me I’m not an activist!” Sorry no, he’s a protester. An activist would be working in some real way to bring about the political policy that he supports, this is only accomplished by participation in the political process.
Besides protesting and educating the public the real activist must get personally involved in the process. This means joining a political party or supporting a candidate at elections. Another method is talking to politicians, in a non-confrontational setting, to convince that politician or party that you represent the power base that supplied them with their job. Attending council meetings and writing articles on who does and does not support your cause. Form groups in your community to show that you are a clear voting bloc that needs to have your considerations taken into account. Or even run for office yourself with your voting bloc as support.
There are only two ways that Canadians are ever going to see any kind of real political and monetary reform in this country. You could have a violent bloody revolution where intuitions fail, general mayhem and many people die. Even then there is no guarantee that what you’re left with will be any better than what you have now. The other way is to become politically involved and support an independent candidate or small or fringe party that’s not influenced by banks, corporations or foreign powers.
Organizing and participating in protest is an important and necessary pursuit for a political activist, but not the whole game and certainly not all it will take to see the real kind of political change we need and must have if Canada is to be a healthy and happy society. | <urn:uuid:d3366edc-2fe3-4025-99ea-20f6e22dc778> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.intrepidreport.com/archives/7441 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979554 | 1,010 | 2 | 2 |
MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images
Blood turns brown with age. Revolutions do not. Vile rags now hang in a corner of the square, the last clothes worn by the martyrs of Tahrir: a doctor, a lawyer among them, a young woman, their pictures strewn above the crowds, the fabric of the T-shirts and trousers stained the colour of mud. But yesterday, the people honoured their dead in their tens of thousands for the largest protest march ever against President Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship, a sweating, pushing, shouting, weeping, joyful people, impatient, fearful that the world may forget their courage and their sacrifice. It took three hours to force our way into the square, two hours to plunge through a sea of human bodies to leave. High above us, a ghastly photomontage flapped in the wind: Hosni Mubarak's head superimposed upon the terrible picture of Saddam Hussein with a noose round his neck.
Uprisings don't follow timetables. And Mubarak will search for some revenge for yesterday's renewed explosion of anger and frustration at his 30-year rule. For two days, his new back-to-work government had tried to portray Egypt as a nation slipping back into its old, autocratic torpor. Gas stations open, a series of obligatory traffic jams, banks handing out money – albeit in suitably small amounts – shops gingerly doing business, ministers sitting to attention on state television as the man who would remain king for another five months lectured them on the need to bring order out of chaos – his only stated reason for hanging grimly to power.
But Issam Etman proved him wrong. Shoved and battered by the thousands around him, he carried his five-year- old daughter Hadiga on his shoulders. "I am here for my daughter," he shouted above the protest. "It is for her freedom that I want Mubarak to go. I am not poor. I run a transport company and a gas station. Everything is shut now and I'm suffering, but I don't care. I am paying my staff from my own pocket. This is about freedom. Anything is worth that." And all the while, the little girl sat on Issam Etman's shoulders and stared at the epic crowds in wonderment; no Harry Potter extravaganza would match this.
Many of the protesters – so many were flocking to the square yesterday evening that the protest site had overflowed onto the Nile river bridges and the other squares of central Cairo – had come for the first time. The soldiers of Egypt's Third Army must have been outnumbered 40,000 to one and they sat meekly on their tanks and armoured personnel carriers, smiling nervously as old men and youths and young women sat around their tank tracks, sleeping on the armour, heads on the great steel wheels; a military force turned to impotence by an army of dissent. Many said they had come because they were frightened; because they feared the world was losing interest in their struggle, because Mubarak had not yet left his palace, because the crowds had grown smaller in recent days, because some of the camera crews had left for other tragedies and other dictatorships, because the smell of betrayal was in the air. If the Republic of Tahrir dries up, then the national awakening is over. But yesterday proved that the revolution is alive.
Its mistake was to underestimate the ability of the regime to live too, to survive, to turn on its tormentors, to switch off the cameras and harass the only voice of these people – the journalists – and to persuade those old enemies of revolution, the "moderates" whom the West loves, to debase their only demand. What is five more months if the old man goes in September? Even Amr Moussa, most respected of the crowds' favourite Egyptians, turns out to want the old boy to carry on to the end. And woeful, in truth, is the political understanding of this innocent but often untutored mass.
Regimes grow iron roots. When the Syrians left Lebanon in 2005, the Lebanese thought that it was enough to lop off the head, to get the soldiers and the intelligence officers out of their country. But I remember the astonishment with which we all discovered the depth of Syria's talons. They lay deep in the earth of Lebanon, to the very bedrock. The assassinations went on. And so, too, it is in Egypt. The Ministry of Interior thugs, the state security police, the dictator who gives them their orders, are still in operation – and if one head should roll, there will be other heads to be pasted onto the familiar portrait to send those cruel men back into the streets.
There are some in Egypt – I met one last night, a friend of mine – who are wealthy and genuinely support the democracy movement and want Mubarak to go but are fearful that if he steps now from his palace, the military will be able to impose their own emergency laws before a single reform has been discussed. "I want to get reforms in place before the man leaves," my friend said. "If he goes now, the new leader will be under no obligation to carry out reforms. These should be agreed to now and done quickly – it's the legislature, the judiciary, the constitutional changes, the presidential terms that matter. As soon as Mubarak leaves, the men with brass on their shoulders will say: 'It's over – go home!' And then we'll have a five-year military council. So let the old man stay till September."
But it's easy to accuse the hundreds of thousands of democracy protestors of naivety, of simple-mindedness, of over-reliance on the Internet and Facebook. Indeed, there is growing evidence that "virtual reality" became reality for the young of Egypt, that they came to believe in the screen rather than the street – and that when they took to the streets, they were deeply shocked by the state violence and the regime's continued, brutal, physical strength. Yet for people to taste this new freedom is overwhelming. How can a people who have lived under dictatorship for so long plan their revolution? We in the West forget this. We are so institutionalized that everything in our future is programmed. Egypt is a thunderstorm without direction, an inundation of popular expression which does not fit neatly into our revolutionary history books or our political meteorology.
All revolutions have their "martyrs", and the faces of Ahmed Bassiouni and young Sally Zahrani and Moahmoud Mohamed Hassan float on billboards around the square, along with pictures of dreadfully mutilated heads with the one word "unidentified" printed beside them with appalling finality. If the crowds abandon Tahrir now, these dead will also have been betrayed. And if we really believe the regime-or-chaos theory which still grips Washington and London and Paris, the secular, democratic, civilized nature of this great protest will also be betrayed. The deadly Stalinism of the massive Mugamma government offices, the tattered green flag of the pathetic Arab League headquarters, the military-guarded pile of the Egyptian Museum with the golden death mask of Tutankhamen – a symbol of Egypt's mighty past – buried deep into its halls; these are the stage props of the Republic of Tahrir.
Week three – day sixteen – lacks the romance and the promise of the Day of Rage and the great battles against the Egyptian Ministry of Interior goons and the moment, just over a week ago, when the army refused Mubarak's orders to crush, quite literally, the people in the square. Will there be a week six or a day 32? Will the cameras still be there? Will the people? Will we? Yesterday proved our predictions wrong again. But they will have to remember that the iron fingernails of this regime have long ago grown into the sand, deeper than the pyramids, more powerful than ideology. We have not seen the last of this particular creature. Nor of its vengeance.
Like Robert Fisk on The Independent on Facebook for updates | <urn:uuid:a7dc7c08-341d-4476-a9b5-0e2a24ec8aad> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://markganzersblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/robert-fisk-week-3-day-16-and-with.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96627 | 1,656 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Our local attractions include History and Heritage in Rhondda Heritage Park and Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery; Culture and Events in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Aberdare Park and theatres like the Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy; and countryside attractions like Dare Valley Country Park and Barry Sidings, the Taff Trail and a whole host of cycle trails and walks.
For a full list of all the attractions we have in the area please go to www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tourism
Hustle and bustle, engines revving and horns blaring - there’s none of that nonsense here. Although we did hear about a tailback at a kissing gate once.
The nice thing about the Valleys is there is so much of them. So you can cycle on the Taff Trail. You can walk on the Ridgeways. Relax by the rivers. Or paraglide off the cliffs. However you like to escape the stress of modern life you can probably do it here.
And we are only 10 minutes away from a motorway!
For more information on all the activities in the area
please go to:- www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tourism
History & Heritage
Rhondda Cynon Taf is steeped in heritage and provides the perfect place to explore the roots of the industrial revolution.
But its not just about the industrial revolution, we have a rich and varied history that encompasses the Romans, Normans and Chartists to name a few.
For more information on the History & Heritage of the area please go to :- www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tourism
Towns & Villages
Whether you want craft shops or gift shops, traditional markets or town-centre stores, our town centres can supply them all.
Pontypridd and Aberdare with their bustling markets; old-fashioned main streets in Treorchy, Tonypandy and Porth; crafts and culture in Llantrisant; the small high streets of Mountain Ash and Ferndale, all of them set in dramatic countryside with fantastic walks and tourist attractions only minutes away.
For more information on the uniqueness of our
towns and villages please go to :- www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tourism
With a wide selection of restaurants and cafes within Rhondda Cynon Taf, you will be spolit for choice. We have a long tradition of Italian Café’s culture with ever town in the area having at least one Italian café. We have fine ding down to an art in the area with a number of high class restaurants using locally produced/sourced food and drink to create a unique dining experience.
For more information please go to:- www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tourism | <urn:uuid:deff3f00-b91f-4084-bf9a-1184072e34d5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/leisurelibrariesculture/tourismandtravel/localattractions/localattractions.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917877 | 597 | 1.5 | 2 |
Construction Employment Declines Over Fiscal Cliff Anxiety
Barely one-third of states added construction jobs on either a monthly or annual basis in November, as the prospect of a more severe contraction in 2013 keeps hiring down, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that the threat of the looming fiscal cliff’s spending cuts and tax increases is offsetting slight growth in construction spending and keeping employment levels down.
“While construction spending has been rising for over a year, contractors have held down employment levels out of fear that failure in Washington to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff’ will trigger a recession and cause many projects to be canceled,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “If the nation can get past this unnecessary, self-induced crisis, there should be a strong upswing in construction hiring in 2013.”
Simonson noted that only 20 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between November 2011 and November 2012, while employment shrank in 30 states. Hawaii jumped to the top ranking for percentage of new construction jobs (8.4 percent, 2,300 jobs), followed by Nebraska (7.3 percent, 3,000 jobs), Texas (6.7 percent, 37,400 jobs), Minnesota (6.5 percent, 5,900 jobs) and Arizona (6.2 percent, 7,000 jobs). Texas added the most new construction jobs over the past 12 months, followed by California (26,400 jobs, 4.8 percent), Arizona and Minnesota.
Among states losing construction jobs during the past year, Delaware again lost the highest percentage (-8.9 percent, -1,700 jobs), followed by Nevada (-8.2 percent, -4,400 jobs) and Arkansas (-7.3 percent, -3,400 jobs). New York lost the most jobs (-16,100 jobs, -5.2 percent), followed by Illinois (-11,200 jobs, -5.9 percent) and Pennsylvania (-10,700 jobs, -4.8 percent).
Among the 19 states that added construction jobs between October and November, Vermont had the largest percentage increase (4.4 percent, 600 jobs), followed by Louisiana (4.0 percent, 4,900 jobs) and Nevada (3.1 percent, 1,500 jobs). Michigan had no change in construction employment over the month, while 30 states and D.C. lost jobs, with D.C. having the steepest percentage drop (-7.4 percent, -1,000 jobs). Texas lost the largest number of jobs for the month (-8,300 jobs, -1.4 percent). Indiana had the second-steepest and second-largest declines (-4.8 percent, -6,200 jobs).
Association officials said the threat of the fiscal cliff was already having an impact on construction employment in most states. They noted that a survey of several hundred construction firms the association released earlier this month found that many firms have already delayed hiring or reduced staff because of the threat of federal spending cuts and tax increases included in the fiscal cliff.
“Thousands of construction workers will be spending the holidays wondering if their leaders in Washington can resolve the fiscal cliff before it costs even more jobs,” says Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “Cutting key investments and raising taxes on employers will undermine any chances for a construction industry recovery next year.”
|Last Updated on Friday, 21 December 2012 23:51| | <urn:uuid:fc5acd74-6b57-4d6b-8840-848aa63cfd92> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.masonrymagazine.com/latest-news/1522-construction-employment-declines-over-fiscal-cliff-anxiety-.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939664 | 731 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Parameterization from Analysis Services - Cascading Picklists
March 26, 2008
About the Series ...
This article is a member of the series MSSQL Server Reporting Services. The series is designed to introduce MSSQL Server Reporting Services (Reporting Services), presenting an overview of its features, with tips and techniques for real-world use. For more information on the series in general, please see my initial Database Journal article, A New Paradigm for Enterprise Reporting. For the software components, samples and tools needed to complete the hands-on portion of this article, see BlackBelt Administration: Linked Reports in Report Manager, another article within this series.
As we learned in Mastering OLAP Reports: Parameters for Analysis Services Reporting, Pt. I and Mastering OLAP Reports: Parameters for Analysis Services Reporting, Pt. II, a common enterprise reporting requirement is the capability to filter reports at run time for specific information. We noted that this is typically managed via parameterization (known in other enterprise reporting applications as prompting) where the filter criteria is requested (and hence the consumer is prompted) when the report is run. Depending upon the parameter type (the most common are type-in and picklist), the filters are typically enacted when the consumer types or selects a value, or a series of values.
In Customize Automatically Created Parameter Support Objects Pt. I, we reviewed type-in and picklist parameters in general, and then concentrated our focus, once again, upon picklist parameters, which we noted to be a frequent choice among information consumers for user-friendly operation within reports. We next focused upon the effective use of parameter defaults, in Parameter Support Objects, Pt II: Support OLAP Parameter Defaults with Datasets, in making reports that contain parameters even more user-friendly and efficient at runtime.
In the most recent article of this series, Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, we extended our examination of parameterization support yet further, continuing our work within the scenario we established within Customize Automatically Created Parameter Support Objects Pt. I, again with an objective of meeting the need of the hypothetical client to support parameterization, including picklists, within the report, but with a significant difference: We exposed the steps involved in offering a simple means of supporting our solution from within the Analysis Services layer of the integrated Microsoft BI solution. In examining the support of parameterization from Analysis Services, we created a new clone of an existing sample OLAP report, containing a Matrix data region, to which we made structural modifications, to prepare for our practice exercise session. We next discussed, and then implemented, an approach, from within Analysis Services, to meet the need of our hypothetical client to support Report Parameters from the Analysis Services layer of the integrated Microsoft BI solution. Finally, we accessed and employed the new Analysis Services parameter support components from within Reporting Services, reviewing how the various components of the parameter support solution we proposed were tied together, and concluding with a preview of the report to observe the effectiveness of our solution in runtime action.
In this article, we will continue to work with the basic OLAP report we created in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services. Our focus will be primarily to perform a refinement from the perspective of the support we provided from the Analysis Services layer of our integrated BI solution. We will establish cascading picklists within the report we created in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services (just as we will undertake the addition of support for intuitive parameter defaults at runtime in our next article), for greater user-friendliness and overall operational efficiencies. In pursuing this refinement within the support of parameterization from Analysis Services, we will:
Support Parameterization from Analysis Services
Objective and Business Scenario
As any regular reader of this series is aware, parameterization can be implemented in many ways to fit client business needs, ranging from the most basic picklist prompts to sophisticated prompts that push the envelope, with regard to going beyond out-of-the-box uses for these components. In Mastering OLAP Reports: Parameters for Analysis Services Reporting, Pt. I and Mastering OLAP Reports: Parameters for Analysis Services Reporting, Pt. II, we noted that one of the most impressive enhancements introduced with Reporting Services 2005 is its capability to automatically create the complete chain of components, including filter, report parameter, and supporting dataset(s), that we need to quickly add basic parameterized filters to our reports. We discussed the fact that the automatically created objects serve us well with minimal modification in many cases; we emphasized, however, the frequent need to tweak the components supporting parameterization, often a bit beyond mere cosmetics, to obtain more sophisticated features. In two subsequent articles of our series, Reporting Services: Customize Automatically Created Parameter Support Objects and Parameter Support Objects, Pt II: Support OLAP Parameter Defaults with Datasets, we outlined some of the customization needs that might arise, and got some hands-on exposure to the steps required to make the modifications involved.
As we mentioned within these two articles, as well as within many others throughout my various Database Journal series, we might offer solutions to meeting reporting requirements that are completely contained within the reporting layer of the integrated Microsoft business intelligence solution, but that other options exist at the Analysis Services and MSSQL Server RDBMS levels. An important consideration during the design phase of any implementation effort, as we have noted repeatedly, is that, while we can still manage much customization within the reporting / presentation layer of our integrated business intelligence solution, we also have multiple options for placing the intelligence behind parameterization (as well as other functionality) within other layers of the solution. For example, I have often supported parameter picklists with support objects I have created within the Analysis Services database that serves as a data source for the report(s) under consideration. As I have emphasized in many other of my articles, one of the numerous advantages of placing the intelligence into layers outside Reporting Services lies within the fact that we can thus avoid adding the intelligence to support our needs within every individual report where it is useful; it also means a central point of maintenance, the enforcement of consistent application of the logic and / or business rules across multiple reports, and other benefits.
Working with a new basic OLAP report in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, we began with an objective of meeting the need of a hypothetical client to support parameterization, including picklists, within the report. In that article we exposed the steps involved in offering a simple means of supporting our solution from within the Analysis Services layer of the integrated Microsoft BI solution, and then accessed and employed the new Analysis Services parameter support components from within Reporting Services. Finally, we previewed the report to observe the effectiveness of our solution in runtime action.
NOTE: When we consider the fact that we have many options for where to install the intelligence within the multi-layered BI solution, we can begin to see that a grasp of all layers is critical. For a general summary of my opinions surrounding the importance of thinking "multi-dimensionally" within the design and implementation of a business intelligence system, see Multi-Layered Business Intelligence Solutions ... Require Multi-Layered Architects.
Having created, in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, a basic sample OLAP report containing a matrix data region, to which we added simple filter / parameter combinations (based upon structures we created within Analysis Services) and having previewed the effectiveness of our solution for rudimentary runtime parameterization, we will next delve into the modifications we need to make to meet additional business requirements of a hypothetical client, the AdventureWorks organization.
To detail the specifics, the same client team with which we consulted in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, the Adventure Works Customer Care department, has made an additional request for our support in accomplishing its objectives. Our client colleagues inform us that information consumers have asked that they refine the report we created together in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services to make the existing parameterization even more user-friendly by providing cascading behavior.
As most of us are aware, in a cascading picklist scenario, the set of values of one parameter depends upon the value chosen in another, typically previous parameter. For example, the first parameter could present a list of states within which the organizations customers reside. When the consumer selects a state, the set of possible values presented, from which to select the second parameter, is updated with a list of cities within the chosen state. A third parameter could then display a list of customers within the selected city. The customer name, or other identifying number, could then be used to filter the report to a particular customer. The process of filtering a list of parameter values, based upon a value from a previous parameter, is described as cascading (and also sometimes known as hierarchical or dependent).
We confirm our understanding of the foregoing need, and propose to construct a working example of a way to provide the cascading picklists that our colleagues have requested for the new report parameters an example, we add, that can be modified to drive different picklist behavior, should the consumers request further refinements after road testing the initial enhancements.
Preparation: Locate and Open the Report Project and Report Created in Pt I
As a part of preparation for our practice session in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, we created a clone of a sample OLAP report, containing a matrix data region, for which we ascertained connectivity of its shared Analysis Services data source. We then made structural modifications to the report, to prepare for our practice exercise session with three date-related parameters, whose additions to the report were requested by our hypothetical client. We created, within the graphical Design Mode of the MDX Query Builder, three filters for which parameterization was enabled via the Filter pane setting.
We discussed, and then implemented, an approach to meet the need of our hypothetical client to support Report Parameters from the Analysis Services layer of the integrated Microsoft BI solution. We then accessed and employed the new Analysis Services parameter support components from within Reporting Services, examining how the various components of the parameter support solution we proposed are tied together to support our runtime parameters.
In this practice session, we will resume where we left off at the end of Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, modifying our newly created Report Parameters further to support the cascading behavior requested by the client, as described in the section above. We will perform the preparation and practice steps which follow within the SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio, as we did within Support Parameterization from Analysis Services.
1. Reopen SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio, as appropriate.
2. Close the Start page, if desired.
3. Reopen the AdventureWorks Sample Reports project, which contains the sample reports that ship with the Reporting Services component of the MSSQL Server 2005 suite, as well as the clone report we created in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services.
4. Reopen the report with which we conducted our practice session in Support Parameterization from Analysis Services, which we named DBJ_OLAP_Report, by double-clicking the report within the Solution Explorer.
DBJ_OLAP_Report opens in Layout view, as shown in Illustration 1.
We are now ready to begin working with the existing report to add support for cascading picklists. | <urn:uuid:675699e9-d7f9-4309-a82c-5a0804df9546> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/print.php/3736246 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.907559 | 2,313 | 1.65625 | 2 |
I am a cyclist. It’s a simple statement, but you have to understand what it means. I fully support the cycling community by being a law abiding cyclist. That’s probably an oxymoron based on what I see on an almost daily basis.
Why underline cycling? The true cycling community is one that supports cycle commuting, recreational cycling, trail usage, amateur and professional racing and along with supporting the riders and organizers of events, we also support drivers, pedestrians and the lawmakers and law enforcement staff who provide safety in a potentially dangerous environment.
While it is admirable for people to cycle to work, or recreationally, it is also a requirement to understand and abide by the simple and easily to understand laws. I fully believe that we should require a licensing system for bicyclists because the entry criteria of “has a bike” isn’t enough.
It is of absolute importance that you as a cyclist, and as a driver, fully understand the Highway Traffic Act and how cycling and the law come into play on our Ontario roads. Far too many times I see cyclists and drivers making horrible, dangerous and illegal decisions and it’s really infuriating that the standard is set so low for some people.
First assignment: Read this!
A large number of cyclists do these things far too often:
- Run red lights
- Pass cars on the right
- Pass between car lanes to advance position in traffic
- Jump onto the sidewalk to avoid cars
The Toronto Star recently did a great article chronicling the cyclists who breezed through the red light over the course of an hour at a very busy intersection. The result was frightening.
HTA 147 – Slow moving traffic travel on right side – any vehicle moving slower than the normal traffic speed should drive in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the road except when preparing to turn left or when passing another vehicle. For cyclists, you must ride far enough out from the curb to maintain a straight line, clear of sewer grates, debris, potholes, and parked car doors. You may occupy any part of a lane when your safety warrants it. Never compromise your safety for the convenience of a motorist behind you. Set fine: $85.00 | <urn:uuid:61c93b2f-50aa-45b9-92ab-d32c242abee7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.discoposse.com/index.php/2011/07/13/cycling-and-the-ontario-hta/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00046-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956142 | 466 | 2.0625 | 2 |
Available as an option on all Cayenne models, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) has already proven its ability to cope with the harshest requirements of the racetrack. It is available in conjunction with 20-inch wheels or larger for the Cayenne Turbo and with 19-inch wheels or larger for all other Cayenne models.
The discs are made from a specially treated carbon-fibre compound that is silicated in a high-vacuum process at approximately 1,700 °C. The resulting material is not only much harder than cast iron, it is also more resistant to heat.
Even at high temperatures, the thermal resistance of the PCCB disc ensures outstanding dimensional stability. The ceramic material is totally resistant to corrosion and offers excellent acoustic damping properties.
PCCB enables shorter braking distances – no matter how tough the driving conditions. The pedal response is fast and precise with only moderate input required. Excellent fade resistance ensures greater balance when slowing from high speed.
The key advantage of PCCB is a total weight saving of approximately 50% compared with equivalent cast-iron discs. As well as enhancing performance and fuel economy, the unsprung and rotating masses are lightened. The results: greater comfort and road-holding on uneven road surfaces plus better handling and agility.
Optional for all Cayenne models. | <urn:uuid:76a2c2ab-b03b-4014-a53a-b4967200ec87> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.porsche.com/kbase.aspx?pool=australia&type=kbase&id=9pa-e2-v6-detail-safety-pccb&lang=none&callpath=%2Faustralia%2Fmodels%2Fcayenne%2Fcayenne-s%2Fdetail%2F | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910069 | 277 | 1.5625 | 2 |
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina fails to protect the interests of state residents enrolled in health maintenance organizations nearly as well as it should, chiefly because the organizations have grown so fast that laws and regulations have not kept up, according to a new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study.
The study, conducted UNC-CH's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research in association with the N.C. Institute of Medicine, included an HMO report card sprinkled with 13 letter grades ranging from two As to two D-minuses. Overall, North Carolina's HMO consumer protection received a C-minus when compared with other states and industry standards.
North Carolina has experienced an explosion in the growth of HMOs and managed-care companies, said Pam C. Silberman, a lawyer who is research associate at the Sheps Center and a member of the institute. Between June 1994 and November 1996, the number of licensed full-service HMOs skyrocketed from 10 to 23, with several HMO license applications pending review.
HMO enrollment here grew steadily in the early 1990s, with annual increases of between 50,000 and 100,000 people, Silberman said. By the end of 1996, 954,967 people were enrolled in full-service HMOs or point-of-service plans across the state.
In general, we found that the North Carolina Department of Insurance does a relatively good job enforcing current state HMO laws, she said. However, North Carolina lacks an adequate array of laws to ensure that consumers are fully protected.
Silberman directed the study of state oversight of HMOs in partnership with Dr. Thomas C. Ricketts, deputy director for
health policy analysis at the center. The researchers closely analyzed laws governing HMOs in North Carolina and looked
specifically at the state's si
Contact: David Williamson
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | <urn:uuid:15fb1095-809c-4c8f-8fbf-0212dcd2df7b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-2/UNC-CH-Study-Shows-State-Protects-HMO-Clients-Poorly-11816-1/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960063 | 396 | 1.570313 | 2 |
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 24, 2012) — The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and Plugged In: The Northwest Kentucky Energy Initiative recently sponsored an energy research tour in Lexington for high school students from western Kentucky.
A group of 13 students from Henderson County High School and Union County High School visited the CAER labs where they met with researchers and learned about their projects. They also toured Fayette County Public School's Locust Trace AgriScience Farm.
Sarah Mardon, program coordinator for CAER in western Kentucky, organized and led the tour. Mardon is also an adviser for the Henderson County High School Energy Club.
"The students are members of the energy club at their school and have been learning about a variety of energy sources and how to save and monitor energy use," Mardon said. "Viewing a net-zero school like Locust Trace allowed the students to see renewable energy sources in action. Talking with researchers about their work provided students with a better understanding of why we do energy research and what they will need to do now and in the future if they wish to pursue a career in research or energy."
The students viewed and learned about the renewable energy features such as solar photovoltaics during their tour of Locust Trace, and they met with various research groups at CAER, where they discussed the uses of carbon fibers, how algae can be used to mitigate carbon dioxide, coal combustion byproducts such as fly ash, and coal gasification technology.
The students also learned about opportunities to join Kentucky Energy Clubs, and how they can become involved in these types of research.
"This region has made energy and energy-related jobs as a target sector in our economic development strategy," said Kevin T. Sheilley, Plugged In Steering Team member. "However, to have these jobs we must have individuals with the skills necessary to compete for these positions. Plugged In has made partnering with UK CAER and our education initiatives a key to our efforts."
For more information, visit. www.caer.uky.edu/blog. | <urn:uuid:1aba5891-1b9a-46d8-8ff6-f687f387ed9d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://uknow.uky.edu/content/western-kentucky-high-school-students-tour-uk-research-labs | 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 | 0.960971 | 432 | 2.453125 | 2 |
Fort Gordon is creating new barracks and upgrading old ones.
The newest buildings can be seen along Chamberlain Avenue near Dwight D, Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
"This is part of the 'Grow the Army' initiative," said Col. John Holwick, Fort Gordon's garrison commander.
The modular buildings provide space for about 4,000 trainees.
"They started in January," he said.
The contractor is scheduled to turn over the first of the completed units sometime this week, he said.
Other barracks near Barnes Avenue are being upgraded. Referred to "rolling pins" because of their shape, these older buildings are designed to hold eight people per room. They are being converted to a college dormitory format that allows two occupants per room.
"They were built in the mid-'60s, early '70s," Holwick said.
Units were housed together, and each had its own cooks and dining facilities.
Another group of barracks has been undergoing upgrades for about eight years. Located near Lane Avenue, the "volunteer Army barracks" were built in the mid-1970s. Improvements over the years included converting the flat-top roofs to pitched roofs.
These barracks are for military people who have long-term assignments on post. Sailors, military police and military intelligence personnel live in them. The two-person rooms are being converted to single-occupancy rooms.
"Because of funding, we can only do two or three at a time," Holwick said.
The Columbia County News-Times ©2013. All Rights Reserved. | <urn:uuid:3c7398de-0b36-4075-b367-006ea05c0b35> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2008/05/18/new_228931.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984829 | 321 | 1.617188 | 2 |
SIWI works with partners from governments, private sector and other key actors to ensure that the policies and practices they adapt to provide water, energy and food can power a transition towards a green economy. We explore the links between water, energy and food demand, and search for integrated approaches to policy, planning, management and development of water resources, through:
- Analysis of the water, energy and food nexus at different scales, highlighting challenges and opportunities to foster sustainable economic growth.
- Evidence-based platforms for exchange of experiences, knowledge and perspectives on elements of the water, food and energy nexus at the appropriate scale.
- Support to policy reform and change in order to improve water efficiency in all aspects of the water, energy and food nexus.
SIWI supports clients and partners working with water, energy and food in four main areas:
SIWI performs research of water, food and energy dynamics at different scales, and identifies opportunities to unlock synergies through new policies and management approaches. Our key areas of expertise cover the role of water in energy production; strategies to expand renewable energy generation; and opportunities to improve efficiency throughout the food supply and value chain. Specific services include regional mapping of water, food and energy linkages; analytic support to enhance integration of water, food and energy policies; and development of site-specific best practices frameworks.
SIWI offers insights into the new trends in innovation, governance, management, technology and human behaviour that impact the flows of water, energy and food at all levels. We also provide technical support to policy reform and change to improve water efficiency in all aspects of the nexus, and highlight opportunities to better coordinate policy, management and development of water resources. Specific services include options assessment and impact analyses for sustainability planning; implementation of best practices in water storage and infrastructure development; and strategies to reduce food losses and waste.
Platforms for informed decision-making
SIWI connects actors working in different sectors and builds evidence-based platforms for them to exchange experiences, knowledge and perspectives on water, energy and food issues at the appropriate scale.
SIWI develops and delivers tailored capacity building programmes for policy makers and practitioners working in the water, food, energy and environmental sectors to help them mitigate risks, confront challenges and identify opportunities in the water, energy and food nexus. | <urn:uuid:c73029ee-5d3c-473e-a1a6-e15ad9000d12> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.siwi.org/knowledge-services/water-energy-food-nexus/ | 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 | 0.914536 | 462 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Pulmonary Q&A by Dr. Schiffman
I have COPD. Recently I experienced a pneumothorax due to a prick from insertion of a port. Since returning home I have been experiencing lightheadedness and am very unstable when I try to walk or stand. I am also experiencing memory lapses. I was taken off my blood pressure meds by my treating physician, are these symptoms common?
If a pneumothorax is significant in size, it can alter the functioning of the lung and result in shortness of breath, chest pain, and a lower oxygen level. Anxiety, hyperventilation (rapid breathing), and a lower oxygen level in the bloodstream can cause lightheadedness as well as instability. A severe pneumothorax under tension can cause decreased cardiac output and a lower blood pressure; this too could cause lightheadedness or instability. If left untreated, it usually results in loss of consciousness and/or death. Once a pneumothorax is successfully treated the symptoms usually resolve right away. It is important to remember that a pneumothorax can recur if the puncture site in the lung is at all fragile. A repeat chest x ray can confirm the recurrence of pneumothorax.
Thank you for your question.
Last Editorial Review: 1/2/2007
Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE! | <urn:uuid:5d7f0b5e-4bb9-4ace-add1-6bdce63f03c2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=78784 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924118 | 285 | 2.03125 | 2 |
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The Official Hope Center Blog
Category Archives: General
by: Sara Hart- Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator for HOPE Center Rape … it can happen anytime, any place. It does not only happen to women, but also to men and children. Rape should not be just a “woman’s issue,” but … Continue readingPosted in General, Sexual Violence | Leave a comment
The Sons of the American Legion are hosting an Omelet Breakfast for the benefit of HOPE Center. Sunday May 15th American Legion- 112 NE 5th St. Faribault 8:30am – Noon $7 adults ~ $3.50 for kids 12 and under Buy … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
As you know we depend on funding from many sources, one of our much appreciated sources is the United Ways of Faribault and Northfield. Today (Friday April 29th) the United Way of Faribault is having a fundraiser. Good food, good cause … Continue readingPosted in Collaborative Efforts, Fundraising, General | Leave a comment
By Sara Hart, Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator To many people April is just another month of the year, but Nationally April is recognized and declared Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month. This is a time for us as … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
There has been a lot of news about HOPE Center in the Daily News recently here are some of the links to stay updated on the most current events! An upcoming event for HOPE Center and the Community Action Team … Continue readingPosted in Collaborative Efforts, Domestic Violence, General, Presentation, Sexual Violence | Leave a comment
Life here at HOPE Center has been hectic. Moving, purging dusty files that have been piling up in the corners of our office as we attend to the daily crisis calls and people who walk through our doors. Wondering how … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
We are so excited!! We now have a new, hopfully more user-friendly website for you to find out more about what HOPE Center has been up to and what we are doing. We HOPE you like it! Let us know … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
Using video games to help prevent domestic violence: In Development at Champlain College: a Video Game to Help Prevent Domestic Violence By Jill Laster A team at Champlain College wants to educate boys about the effects of violence against women. … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
Sexual, physical, and psychological violence cause as much illness and death among women ages 15-44 as cancer. -Executive Summary, 2003 This is an impressive statistic. We all know someone who has had cancer. In fact, we could probably name upwards … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment
A new normal for the state’s nonprofits Minnesota charitable organizations on the fault line: looking for how to bridge the sustainability gap. By DANIEL JOHNSON Last update: June 13, 2010 – 3:57 PM An interesting article on the current situation … Continue readingPosted in General | Leave a comment | <urn:uuid:da0953a9-b63f-4a5a-a6be-127eaebebf18> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hopecentermn.org/category/general/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924754 | 730 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Despite Bloom Energy deal, utilities see little fuel cell impact
- June 13, 2011
While Bloom Energy scored a preliminary massive deal to sell fuel cells to Delaware utility Delmarva Power (subject to terms and regulatory approval), utilities in general are not all that interested in fuel cell technology, according to the latest report from consultants with Black & Veatch. A Black & Veatch report released on Monday found that utilities think that fuel cell technology will have one of the least impacts on their businesses in comparison to other types of green technology.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being “no impact” and 5 being “significant impact”), utilities found that fuel cell tech like Bloom Energy’s ranked a 2.65, having a smaller impact than biofuels, modular nuclear power, electric vehicles as battery storage, carbon sequestration technologies and overall energy storage on a utilities’ business. Fuel cells are “making slow progress,” in the minds of utilities, found the report.
Black & Veatch analyst Mark Gabriel explained to me via email some of the reasoning behind utilities’ skepticism, including that fuel cells have been around for over forty years, have always been five years away from commercialization and have always seemed to struggle with scale and cost.
A fuel cell is a device that chemically converts fuel — including natural gas, biogas, biofuel and hydrogen — into electricity. Oftentimes fuel cells use metal catalysts like platinum and nickel. The process is often more efficient than combustion, and when a carbon-free fuel is used, the electricity generation can be cleaner than natural gas and coal power plants. Fuel cells are also commonly distributed technology (not located at a central power plant but located at the user’s site), and taking out the distribution process of the electricity can also be more efficient.
But beyond the unusually large 30 MW potential deal between Bloom Energy and Delmarva, not many utilities have embraced fuel cells via commercial scale installations. Out of the utilities that have implemented the technology, most have installed small, and often pilot-sized, fuel cell devices.
PG&E has a plan to install 3 MW’s worth of fuel cells, including a 1.4 MW fuel cell from FuelCell Energy that will be installed at California State University, East Bay, and two fuel cells — one 200 kW fuel cell from Bloom Energy and a 1.4 MW fuel cell from FuelCell Energy — that will be installed at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Southern California Edison will also install three fuel cells that will provide 3 MW on California campuses, including two FuelCell Energy systems at CSU, San Bernardino, and CSU, Long Beach, and one Bloom Energy fuel cell at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
These California campus projects are pilot projects and will help PG&E and SCE utilities learn about how fuel cells work. It should be noted that PG&E and SCE are also two of the more aggressive and progressive utilities when it comes to green technology and meeting the state mandates for renewable energy.
The total PG&E fuel cell project will cost $20.3 million, plus operational costs of $9 million; the SCE project will cost $19.1 million to install and $9 million in operation and maintenance costs. The costs of these California fuel cell projects is so high that at one point last year, an administrative law judge in California made a preliminary decision to recommend against fuel cell projects for California utilities, because they were deemed too costly at “three times the price paid to renewable generation.” California regulators ended up not listening to that advice and approved the utilities’ fuel cell contracts last year.
The Bloom Energy deal with Delmarva has some important conditions. For instance, the state regulatory body needs to approve the deal. Also, legislation needs to pass to include the use of fuel cells in Delaware’s renewable energy mandates, which say that 25 percent of utility-produced electricity needs to come from clean power by 2025. Oftentimes (as is the case in California), fuel cells are only included in a state mandate if they use biogas for fuel and not natural gas.
As Black & Veatch analyst Gabriel put it: “Fuel cells still require fuel, usually natural gas that is reformed as part of the process of making electricity. There is no free lunch . . . it still takes a fossil fuel, either in a thermal reaction or chemical, to make electricity.” | <urn:uuid:538c1609-66ea-48d4-8875-407946869997> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www20.csueastbay.edu/news/2011/06/fuel-cell-pilot-sized-small.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952376 | 921 | 2.21875 | 2 |
The Vile Maxim, the Deficit Fetish, and the Unelected Dictatorship
It’s useful to step back from the dominant terms in political play to examine what’s really going on behind misleading language. An excellent if hardly novel case in point is the evocative phrase “Right to Work,” used by right-wing politicians like Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to provide friendly cover for legislation that viciously weakens workers’ political and economic power by permitting employees covered by union contracts and collective bargaining agreements to withhold union dues. The legislation (the latest state-level version was rammed through the Michigan state assembly two days ago over and against public opinion at the end of a lame-duck session) has nothing to do with granting anyone employment rights and everything to do with increasing the economic and political leverage of the employer class.
Another case study in the Orwellian manipulation of language and the citizenry is the political drama surrounding the so-called fiscal cliff, which replaced the personalized quadrennial electoral extravaganza (Noam Chomsky’s excellent phrase) as American mass media’s top leading domestic news story the day after the presidential election. Reflecting their common servility and allegiance to a highly organized and class-conscious section of the nation’s unelected dictatorship of corporate and financial power, the United States’ political and media class is outwardly obsessed with U.S. government debt – with “the deficit.”
The fiscal fixation is childish and irresponsible in a country plagued by mass unemployment, endemic job insecurity, and related widespread poverty. As numerous liberal economists citing Keynes and led by the Nobel laureates Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz point out, deficit spending is required as a stimulus to recovery and deficits are overcome with the growth that follows. This occurred after World War II, when the deficit was much larger.
But that’s not all that gets lost in the current mass-mediated deficit mania. Let’s assume that “the deficit” is a genuine problem with grave long-term implications for the U.S. economy (i.e., crippling interest payments, loss of national sovereignty, and more). Two obvious solutions are to (1) cut U.S. “defense” (really empire, to make another counter-Orwellian correction) expenditures and (2) initiate serious health care reforms on the model of the health insurance systems that prevail in other industrial powers. The $1 trillion-a-year-plus Pentagon System, which accounts for nearly half the world’s military spending and supports more than 1000 military bases across more than 100 countries, makes up nearly half the deficit. It is a massive taxpayer-financed subsidy to high-tech global corporations (e.g. Boeing, General Electric, and Raytheon) that are highly proficient at the technical displacement and global out-sourcing of American jobs. At the same time, economist Dean Baker has shown that the mammoth medical cost reduction that would result from introducing Improved Medicare for All (basically single-payer health insurance on the model of Canada and other leading industrial states) would abolish the deficit and likely create a U.S. budget surplus.
But neither a serious peace dividend nor a serious health reform dividend is considered remotely possible in Washington, thanks to the entrenched power of the corporate military-industrial and medical-industrial complexes and the financial sector.
Another related and even more obvious solution to “the deficit” would be to restore the progressive levels of taxation levied on rich Americans during the post-World War II level, when the U.S. economy was the envy of the world. No small amount of “the deficit” could easily be found in the fortunes of the American 1 percent, which possesses as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent of Americans, including the 400 richest Americans, who together possess as much wealth as the bottom 50 percent.
This, too, is “off the table,” It does not merit serious discussion in official circles. This is despite the fact that the public supports significantly increased taxation of America’s obscenely wealthy Few. That public supports serious health care reform (something rather different than the corporatist version passed by Obama and the Congress in 2010) and significant reductions in “defense” spending. For what it’s worth (not much in America’s money-soaked dollar democracy), it also believes that the jobs crisis, not “the deficit,” is America’s leading economic problem at present.
The fact that none of these three basic methods for deficit reduction (peace dividend, socialized health insurance, and anti-plutocratic taxation) are considered worthy of debate in the circles that matter (including the potent opinion-shaping corridors of corporate media power) amidst the latest outbreak of “deficit fetishism” (Stiglitz’s excellent phrase more than two years ago) suggest two very important points. First, the great state-capitalist “deficit hawks” aren’t actually serious about slashing “the deficit.” Representing multinational corporations and investment houses who possess no particular commitment to the United States (its economy, society, or government) as such, they see the deficit fetish in its latest incarnation – the “fiscal cliff” (heir to last year’s equally elite-manufactured debt-ceiling crisis) – as a useful weapon with which to assault social programs for poor and working class Americans and to undermine the notion that government has a positive role to play in providing comfort and security for ordinary Americans.
Second, the biggest deficit in America today isn’t the fiscal one. It’s the democracy deficit – the gaping chasm between the nation’s claim to be the global homeland and headquarters of popular governance and the harsh reality of how its politics and policy are coldly subordinated to a “hidden senate” of concentrated wealth and power.
Elections aside, this unelected upper chamber is currently determined to rollback everyday Americans’ sense that they deserve decent treatment now and in their senior years, after decades of hard work and contribution to public retirement programs “You’re going to have to do something,” Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein recently told CBS News, “to lower peoples’ expectations of what they’re going to get, the entitlements and all people think they’re going to get, because you’re not going to get it.” A fascinating if garbled comment from a super-entitled $16 million-per-year arch-plutocrat who sits atop a leading financial firm that helped push the national and global economy (and the federal budget, it’s worth noting) over the cliff – and then profited handsomely from that collapse with help from billions of dollars in federal taxpayer bailout money. He is a leading member of “Fix the Debt” (FTD), a coalition of 95 leading corporate and financial CEOs that calls for “shared sacrifice” to “prevent disaster and renew America’s economic strength.” FTD has raised more than $60 million to lobby for a “debt deal” that makes significant long-term cuts in “entitlements” (Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid).
Why are these hyper-elite “deficit scolds” going after Social Security, a well-managed and widely popular program that doesn’t feed the deficit since it is self-funded? Beneath all the deceptive bluster about the system’s supposed crisis (a longstanding Wall Street propaganda myth), the financial overlords don’t want to pay taxes for lesser Americans’ pensions and (more importantly) want to cash in the privatization of the masses’ retirement accounts, which promises to provide a fee and investment bonanza for those expert at raking super-profits from others’ savings.
There’s vicious self-interest behind the “millionaires’ movement” for what Blankfein and other FTD leaders call “fiscal responsibility” and “shared sacrifice.” It all harkens all-too-perfectly back to what Adam Smith called the “vile maxim of the masters of mankind: ‘All for ourselves, and nothing for other people.’” Resistance starts with de-coding and deflating deliberately mystified rhetoric to see the real interests behind the masters’ false and frankly socio-pathological claims of benevolent national concern.
Paul Street (www.paulstreet.org) is the author of numerous books, including Empire and Inequality: America and the World Since 9/11 (Paradigm, 2004), Segregated Schools: Educational Apartheid in the Post-Civil Rights Era (Routledge, 2005); Racial Oppression in the Global Metropolis (Rowman&Littlefield, 2007), The Empire’s New Clothes: Barack Obama in the Real World of Power (Paradigm, 2010), and (co-authored with Anthony DiMaggio) Crashing the Tea Party: Mass Media and the Campaign to Remake American Politics (Paradigm, 2011). Street can be reached at email@example.com
Noam Chomsky, Interventions (
Noam Chomsky, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy (
For more details, sources, and commentary, see
A more accurate term than “deficit hawks” when it comes to describing the powerful
This even as the FTD CEO’s own pension plans are well-stocked and as they have savagely under-funded employee pension plans in their own corporations. See Christie Wilkins, “’Fix the Debt’ CEOs Underfund Employee Retirement, Demand Cuts for Elderly,” Huffington Post, November 27, 2012.
Adam Smith quoted in Noam Chomsky, “Crisis and Hope: Theirs and Ours,” Boston Review (September–October 2009), at http://bostonreview.net/BR34.5/chomsky.php and Noam Chomsky, World Orders Old and New (New York: Columbia University Press, 1996), 5.
Joel Bakan, The Corporation: the Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power ( | <urn:uuid:0e86b10c-0153-4c9e-a538-ca302950fdbf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.zcommunications.org/the-vile-maxim-the-deficit-fetish-and-the-unelected-dictatorship-by-paul-street | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931552 | 2,160 | 1.5 | 2 |
Actions of the Wichita City Council have shown that campaign finance reform is needed. Citizen groups are investigating how to accomplish this needed reform, since the council has not shown interest in reforming itself.
Consider recent actions by the council and its members:
The common thread running through these incidents? Council members voting to enrich their campaign contributors. Each of these — and there are others — are examples of a “pay-to-play” environment created at Wichita City Hall. It’s harmful to our city in a number of ways.
First, overpriced no-bid contracts and other giveaways to campaign contributors isn’t economic development. It’s cronyism. It’s wasteful and abusive of taxpayers and erodes their trust in government.
Second: Citizens become cynical when they feel there is a group of insiders who get whatever they want from city hall at the expense of taxpayers. At one time newspaper editorial pages crusaded against cronyism like this. But no longer in Wichita.
Additionally, when it is apparent that a “pay-to-play” environment exists at Wichita City Hall, it creates a toxic and corrosive political and business environment. Companies are reluctant to expand into areas where they don’t have confidence in the integrity of local government. Will I find my company bidding against a company that made bigger campaign contributions than I did? If I don’t make the right campaign contributions, will I get my zoning approved? Will my building permits be slow-walked through the approval process? Will my projects face unwarranted and harsh inspections? Will my bids be subjected to microscopic scrutiny?
We need laws to prohibit Wichita city council members from voting on or advocating for decisions that enrich their significant campaign contributors. A model law for Wichita is a charter provision of the city of Santa Ana, in Orange County, California, which states: “A councilmember shall not participate in, nor use his or her official position to influence, a decision of the City Council if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will have a material financial effect, apart from its effect on the public generally or a significant portion thereof, on a recent major campaign contributor.”
We’d also need to add — as does New Jersey law — provisions that contributions from a business owner’s spouse and children will be deemed to be from the business itself. Additionally the contributions of principals, partners, officers, and directors, and their spouses, are considered to be from the business itself for purposes of the law. These provisions are important, as many city council members in Wichita receive campaign contributions from business owners’ family members and employees as a way to skirt our relatively small contribution limits.
Such campaign finance reform would not prohibit anyone from donating as much as they want (under the current restrictions) to any candidate. Nor would the law prevent candidates from accepting campaign contributions from anyone.
This reform, however, would remove the linkage between significant contributions and voting to give money to the contributor. This would be a big step forward for Wichita, its government, and its citizens.
Proponents see three paths towards campaign finance reform. One would be to press for a law in the upcoming session of the Kansas Legislature. Such a law would be statewide in scope, and could apply to city councils, county commissions, school boards, and other elective bodies.
A second path would be to use the municipal initiative process, which was used by community water fluoridation advocates in Wichita this year. Under this process, a group writes a proposed ordinance. Then, it must collect about 6,200 valid signatures on petitions. If a successful petition is verified, the city council must either (a) pass the ordinance as written, or (b) set an election. For the fluoridation initiative the council voted to call an election, which was held as part of the November general election. (The initiative failed to obtain a majority of votes, so the proposed ordinance did not take effect.)
There is also a third path, which is for the Wichita City Council to recognize the desirability of campaign finance reform and pass such an ordinance on its own initiative.
If we take the affected parties at their word, this third path should face little resistance. That’s because politicians who accept these campaign contributions say it doesn’t affect their voting, and those who give the contributions say they don’t do it to influence votes.
If politicians and contributors really mean what they say, there should be no opposition to such a law. Citizens should ask the Wichita City Council to pass a campaign finance reform ordinance that prohibits voting to enrich significant campaign contributors.
In 2008 the Wichita City Council approved a no- and low-interest loan to Bill Warren and his partners. Reported the Wichita Eagle: “Wichita taxpayers will give up as much as $1.2 million if the City Council approves a $6 million loan to bail out the troubled Old Town Warren Theatre this week. That’s because that $6 million, which would pay off the theater’s debt and make it the only fully digital movie theater in Kansas, would otherwise be invested and draw about 3 percent interest a year.”
When questioned about election donations:
“I would never do anything because of a campaign contribution,” said [former council member Sharon] Fearey, who received $500 from David Burk and $500 from David Wells.
“I don’t think $500 buys a vote,” said [former council member Sue] Schlapp.
“One has nothing to do with the other,” [Wichita Mayor Carl] Brewer said.
Also in 2008, the Reverend Dr. Kevass J. Harding wanted to spruce up the Ken-Mar shopping center at 13th and Oliver, now known as Providence Square. Near the end of June, Kevass Harding and his wife contributed a total of $1,000, the maximum allowed by law, to the campaign of Wichita City Council Member Lavonta Williams (district 1, northeast Wichita). This was right before Harding appeared before the city council in July and August as an applicant for tax increment district financing (TIF).
These campaign contributions, made in the maximum amount allowable, were out of character for the Hardings. They had made very few contributions to political candidates, and they appear not to have made many since then.
But just before the Ken-Mar TIF district was to be considered for approval, the Hardings made large contributions to Williams, who is the council member representing Ken-Mar’s district. Harding would not explain why he made the contributions. Williams offered a vague and general explanation that had no substantive meaning.
In August 2011 the council voted to award Key Construction a no-bid contract to build the parking garage that is part of the Ambassador Hotel project, now known as Block One. The no-bid cost of the garage was to be $6 million, according to a letter of intent. Later the city decided to place the contract for competitive bid. Key Construction won the bidding, but for a price $1.3 million less.
The no-bid contract for the garage was just one of many subsidies and grants given to Key Construction and Dave Burk as part of the Ambassador Hotel project. In Wichita city elections, individuals may contribute up to $500 to candidates, once during the primary election and again during the general election. As you can see in this table complied from Wichita City Council campaign finance reports, spouses often contribute as well. So it’s not uncommon to see the David and DJ Burk family contribute $2,000 to a candidate for their primary and general election campaigns. That’s a significant sum for a city council district election campaign cycle. Click here for a compilation of campaign contributions made by those associated with the Ambassador Hotel project.
Council Member Jeff Longwell (district 5, west and northwest Wichita), in his second term as council member, led the pack in accepting campaign contributions from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel project. For his most recent election, he received $4,000 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $2,000 from David Burk and his wife. Total from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel project: $6,000. When Longwell ran for Sedgwick County Commission this summer, these parties donated generously to that campaign, too.
Council Member Lavonta Williams (district 1, northeast Wichita) received $5,000 from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel: $3,000 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $2,000 from David Burk and his wife.
Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer received $5,000 from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel: $4,500 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $500 DJ Burk, David Burk’s wife.
Council Member and Vice Mayor Janet Miller (district 6, north central Wichita) received $3,500 during her 2009 election campaign from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel: $1,500 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $2,000 from David Burk and his wife.
For his 2011 election campaign, Council Member Pete Meitzner (district 2, east Wichita) received $3,500 from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel: $2,500 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $1,000 from David Burk and his wife.
For his 2011 election campaign, Council Member James Clendenin (district 3, southeast and south Wichita) received $1,500 from parties associated with the Ambassador Hotel: $1,000 from parties associated with Key Construction, and $500 from David Burk and his wife.
What citizens need to know is that the Wichita City Council was willing to spend an extra $1.3 million of taxpayer money to reward a politically-connected construction firm that makes heavy campaign contributions to council members. Only one council member, Michael O’Donnell, voted against this no-bid contract. No city bureaucrats expressed concern about this waste of taxpayer money.
Finally: This summer while Longwell was campaigning for the Sedgwick County Commission, campaign contributions from parties associated with Walbridge, a Michigan-based construction company appeared on Longwell’s campaign finance reports. Why would those in Michigan have an interest in helping a Wichita City Council member fund his campaign for a county office? Would the fact that Walbridge is a partner with Key Construction on the new Wichita Airport terminal provide a clue?
These contributions are of interest because on July 17, 2012, the Wichita City Council, sitting in a quasi-judicial capacity, made a decision in favor of Key and Walbridge that will cost some group of taxpayers or airport customers an extra $2.1 million. Five council members, including Longwell, voted in favor of this decision. Two members were opposed.
On July 16 — the day before the Wichita City Council heard the appeal that resulted in Key Construction apparently winning the airport contract — John Rakolta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Walbridge and his wife contributed $1,000 to Longwell’s campaign for Sedgwick county commissioner.
Then on July 20, three days after the council’s decision in favor of Key/Walbridge, other Walbridge executives contributed $2,250 to Longwell’s campaign. Besides the Walbridge contributions, Key Construction and its executives contributed $6,500 to Longwell’s county commission campaign. Key and its executives have been heavy contributors to Longwell’s other campaigns, as well as to Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and many other Wichita City Council members. | <urn:uuid:711571b2-7a93-4323-9244-8f83a2ad2fd4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wichitaliberty.org/tag/janet-miller/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970289 | 2,383 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Release Date: 5/5/2008
Clarksville, Ark. --- Tyler Wilson said roller coasters and amusement parks will never be the same for him again. Kathy Erickson called it an experience of a lifetime. Jessica Reed described it as the most amazing thing she has ever done.
The three University of the Ozarks students were discussing their experience in NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Flight Program at the
The U of O team spent the time in
In order to apply for the program, the Ozarks team had to come up with a viable experiment, develop it and make a proposal to NASA. Ozarks’ experiment was to determine if microgravity has an effect on water absorption by polyelectrolytes. The highly absorbent polyelectrolytes are valued for their ability to retain water, a quality that makes it useful in diapers and potting soil. The precise influence of gravity on the polyelectrolyte effect had never been tested before.
McFarland and Reed came up with the experiment idea last summer while Reed was working in a summer internship program in a chemistry lab at the
“We really put a lot of work into it and we had no idea what to expect,” said Reed, a junior biology and chemistry major from
The Ozarks team’s reduced gravity experiments went off without a hitch. Though only four students per team are typically allowed to fly, Ozarks’ team alternate, Gibson, was allowed to fly with another team that was short a member.
All five U of O students said their experience in reduced gravity was a thrill of a lifetime.
“It was truly one of the ‘wow’ moments of my life,” said Reed. “There’s really nothing that compares with weightlessness. I can’t even find the words to explain it.”
Wilson, a junior pre-med major from
Though the U of O team was still analyzing the results of the experiment several weeks after the test flights, early indications were that microgravity did affect the polyelectrolytes’ absorption speed and ability. The team will issue a final report to NASA three months after the flight analyzing the experiment’s effectiveness, scientific findings and the conclusions that were drawn from the results.
“This kind of testing can have a lot of implications for future space travel,” McFarland said. “NASA doesn’t accept these proposals unless they can be beneficial. I think it was a very rewarding process for our students to come up with an experiment and follow it all the way through the process.”
Erickson, a senior psychology major from
“There was a lot of stress involved in meeting deadlines and getting things finished, but it was so very much worth it,” she said.
McFarland said he first learned of the program while in graduate school at the
Part of the proposal the U of O team submitted to NASA included an education outreach component that will have the Ozarks students talking about the NASA program to other college students and even students in high school and junior high.
“Hearing from someone who had been through the program was what really got me interested in going for it,” said Reed. “Now that I’ve been through it, I can’t wait to talk about the program and the opportunities that are out there for other students.”
Ozarks was one of 40 teams of college students from throughout the country that participated in the annual program that was started by NASA in the mid 1990s. Only about 40 percent of all colleges that apply are chosen for the program. Ozarks is only the third university from
“The students are already talking about applying next year with a follow-up experiment,” said McFarland. “Even before we got back home they were talking about their next experiment proposal.” | <urn:uuid:e001d42c-e00a-4351-8026-036c2623996d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ozarks.edu/visitors/news/news_story.asp?NewsID=3280&ArchiveYear=2008 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979902 | 811 | 2.140625 | 2 |
Today Year 4 launched their Olympic Village project.
James and Matt will be teaching across Year 4 regularly this term and they are leading a project which involves the children working in teams to plan and design their own Olympic Village.
Each team will have a different landscape to adapt in order to provide their Olympic village and will be expected to work within the requirements of the budget available as well as the expectations of planners and the sustainability advisers. The teams will need to elect a Chair, a spokesperson, a sustainability adviser and a planner, to deliver their projects.
Working in this way will provide lots of opportunities for maths in real life context, role play, presentation skills and geographical enquiry. This unit will be a model of the creative integrated curriculum the school will be looking to develop throughout the coming academic year.
The link you can access by clicking here leads to a document which will be the children’s starting point today as they open the project. | <urn:uuid:a47ee71b-e5fc-492a-96ec-088dbd70b9fd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.canonburyprimaryschool.co.uk/school/news/year-4-olympic-village-project/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963481 | 191 | 2.265625 | 2 |
- European Mortgage Federation
European Mortgage Federation
European Mortgage Federation (EMF)
The European Mortgage Federation is a European trade association active in the credit sector. It groups together financial institutions whose main business consists of granting mortgage loans in the Member States of the European Union and Norway.
The Federation was founded in 1967 and its secretariat is based in Brussels. The Federation brings together private and public mortgage lenders, including universal/commercial banks, mortgage banks, savings banks, mutual & co-operative banks, building societies, umbrella companies and insurance companies. Together they grant around 70% of residential and commercial mortgage loans in Europe.
The Independence of Valuers (September 2007)
Author: José Ramón Ormazabal | <urn:uuid:898e9412-0f02-4935-a43f-ddc87fda58a4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tegova.org/en/p491ad004e9a35 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927527 | 145 | 1.84375 | 2 |
This thirteenth volume in CPO's comprehensive survey
of Bach's organ music features Gerhard Weinberger at the organ of the
Grauhof Monastery, near Goslar. As ever there is an imaginatively planned
programme of music from the Third Part of the Clavierübung, beginning
with the E flat Prelude and then the Fugue, interspersed with a collection
of chorale preludes. However, I have to confess that when listening
I was drawn to re-programme the player in order to hear the Prelude
and Fugue together.
The booklet notes are thorough and well written, and
give full explanations of what is done and the reasons why it is done.
And since we have the technology, why not use it when deciding what
we will listen to and when?
The recording engineers have captured the music in
a pleasing acoustic, although not as sonically impressive as in some
other recordings in the series. Even so, the music still makes a strong
impression. Weinberger is an experienced artist and he understands this
repertoire, choosing his tempi wisely. He also succeeds in conveying
the personalities of the shorter chorale preludes which form the central
part of the programme. These more intimate aspects of Bach's organ works
can cause acoustic difficulties in recordings, but this is never a problem
here. This is playing of artistry and sensitivity to be sure.
The Prelude and Fugue in E flat major is a substantial
composition, of some sixteen minutes duration. It is commonly known
in England as the 'St Anne' (though not in the documentation of this
CD), because of the similarity between Bach's fugue subject and the
first line of the hymn tune 'St Anne', probably composed by William
Croft (1678-1727), to which the first line 'O God, our help in ages
past' is sung. It is not thought that Bach was familiar with the hymn,
however, so the similarity is merely a coincidence. Be that as it may,
Weinberger performers the music with the utmost assurance, though (see
comments above) the decision to spread the Prelude and the Fugue either
side of the chorale preludes does rob the complete work of some of its
majesty. It is better, on balance, to indulge the opportunity to reconnect
The documentation is excellent, with full details of
the instrument as well as the music. As usual from this source, the
English translation occasionally reads a little oddly, but generally
the production standards are very high. This is true also of the recorded
sound and the performances by this fine organist.
see also review by Chris Howell | <urn:uuid:9ffefc48-c62b-48fd-8343-2fd25fc05172> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Mar03/Bach13.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954331 | 576 | 1.695313 | 2 |
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AWADmail Issue 75April 8, 2002
A Weekly Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Interesting Tidbits about Words and Languages
From: Anu Garg (garg AT wordsmith.org)
The People v. Potty Mouth:
From: Eric Grosshans (uhclemATfrii.com)
As the eyes are the window to the individual soul, so is language the window to the cultural soul. Consider; the Spanish word for handcuffs is "esposas", same as that for "wives".
From: Louis Hansell (louis.hansellATtelephoneintelligence.com)
There is hidden meaning in choosing Spanish words just after Easter: Rabbits are involved in Easter because of the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Eatra/Ostara. She was identified with the dawn (sunrise services) and fertility. Likewise, the prolific rabbit symbolized fertility. (A separate story is how and why all these pagan symbols of fertility get involved in the Christian celebration.)
The Phoenicians ventured to the Iberian peninsula about 1100 BC. The rabbit was native to this area, and that was the only area the rabbit inhabited at that time. They mistook this animal for the African hyrax, another animal similar to the rabbit, and called the land by that name, "i-shapan-im", meaning "island of the hyraxes"; from the Semetic word for hyrax, "shepan", meaning "one who hides". That is where the Latin name Hispania comes from.
From: Leigh Wynkoop (ljwynkoopATyahoo.com)
A Nags Head, North Carolina hotel changed hands several years ago, and we found to our amusement that the new owners had changed the name and the huge letter-by-letter signage atop the building from "RAMADA HOTEL" to "ARMADA HOTEL." How convenient!
From: Simon Done (sdoneATtrl.co.uk)
When discussing 'salver', you mention the idea of a Proto (mother) Indo-European language (PIE). This idea is fairly well accepted. However, you choose an inappropriate word to illustrate this. Naranja arrived in Spain with the Arabic Moors (along with, for example, izquierda for the direction 'left'). Perhaps this is part of an even earlier common language, but it is not part of the huge lexicon of words that have common roots in PIE. One example is father/padre/pere/vater. Another is brother/bruder/frere. I believe that brother in Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language) is 'bhraatr'. This demonstrates the geographical spread of PIE, and I think is one of the words that triggered the idea of, and research into, a common root language. Naranja demonstrates word movement, but not PIE.
A second point is that the word naranja probably spread with the fruit itself, since the new users has no need for a word for something they did not have, whereas the idea of a brother/brater would have existed (and had a different name) before the new word arrived. This second type (word-substitution) would seem more interesting than the first (word-import), involving conflict rather than mere novelty.
From: Gokul P.R (gokulATcgi.cgl.co.in)
It's interesting to note the similarity in words from languages seemingly unconnected. Theres a word 'Mesa' in Malayalam, the language spoken in Kerala the southern tip of India, which also means 'Table'. I think that this would be so because of the Sanskrit link (most Indian languages have influences of Sanskrit, which also is proved to be linked to other languages of the west like Latin Spanish, German etc.).
From: Deborah Firestone (deborahfirestoneATcompuserve.com)
There is an area in south Boulder, CO called Table Mesa. I always thought it rather silly: "Table Table".
From: Mathieu Joly (jolymATparl.gc.ca)
I find it interesting that today's Word, mesa, of Spanish origin, is 'sandwiched' in your definition between two words of FRENCH origin, i.e. BUTTE and PLATEAU. Another example of the particular 'genius' of the English language in adopting easily words from other languages.
From: Jim McIntyre (jimcintATaol.com)
Interestingly, in Mexico, the organization known in the U.S. as Mensa, (for those scoring in the top 2% on a recognized intelligence test), is instead known as Mesa. I am told the organization was named Mensa as a sort of Latin pun, it is a round table table (mensa) where all are equal, but also from mens, mind. However, in Mexico, the word mensa is a slang term that I've been told loosely translates as "stupid woman".
From: Craig Nielsen (nielsencraigAThotmail.com)
My mom has always accused me of over thinking life. Perhaps the thought pattern I went down as I read your AWAD for mesa bears her out. Being a longtime employee in the oil industry and thus a dedicatee to our planet earth, I felt I knew all about the geophysical phenomenon that is a mesa. However, the second sentence of your definition (the qualifier, if you will) that said, a mesa is an area bigger than a butte but smaller than a plateau made me wonder; does this flat-top size relationship translate to towns? Such that, towns built on buttes being smaller than towns built on mesas being smaller than plateau towns. It seems to be so - Mesa, AZ is bigger than Butte, MT and Mesa, CO elephantines over Crested Butte, CO. But yet, there are no plateau towns (according to the U.S.P.S. zip code finder). Cogitating further, that is to say, continuing this logic to its next step ... will continued population growth coupled with never ending surface erosion eventually force these same four towns to "enlarge" their names or "graduate up" to someday becoming Plateau, AZ being larger than Mesa, MT and Plateau, CO out populating Crested Mesa, CO? Would this then leave room for the really small towns built on, say, peaks (Silver Peak, NV and Twin Peaks, CA) to aspire to simultaneously erode and procreate thereby becoming Silver Butte, NV and Twin Buttes, CA?
From: Cathy Ross (crossAToxfamamerica.org)
I live in Lima and I wanted to alert you to a new meaning of the term "cabana" in Peru. Cabana happens to be the name of the poor fishing town where President Alejandro Toledo, the first Peruvian president of indigenous origins, grew up as a boy. Since Toledo is famous for perennially arriving at meetings late, sometimes hours late, Peruvians are now referring to "la hora Cabana" or "Cabana time" to signify extreme tardiness or an excessively relaxed schedule.
From: Dennis Ference Susan Toy (theviewATcaribsurf.com)
Thank you for the Word A Day emails, Anu. I am writing from the island of Bequia (pronounced "beck-way") in the country of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, a multi-island state in the Eastern Caribbean. The country is proud to include a small group of islands that make up an area in the Southern Grenadines called the Tobago Cays, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful group of cays in the world and perhaps everyone's dream of the perfect Caribbean panorama. We pronounce cay "kee" here.
From: Jesse Sequoyah Taylor (chiefsequoyahATjuno.com)
I was born and raised in the Western US where we have a great culture based upon rugged individuality and outdoorsmanship. In subscribing to AWAD today I was intrigued by this week's theme of English/Spanish word borrowings. Many of the words unique to the 'Old West' still in use today are words borrowed from the Mexican Vaqueros:
lariat= la reata (rope/whip)
Colorado= colorado (red/colorful rocks)
Most other common foods and places have retained their original Spanish/Mexican meaning.
From: Lindsay Smith (ljsmithATmelbpc.org.au)
Belatedly catching up on my word(s) of the day. Re American influence, I test children's vision and over the last ten years besides coming in wearing baseball caps they pronounce the last letter of the alphabet now as "Zee" rather than the traditional "Zed".
All slang is metaphor, and all metaphor is poetry. -G.K. Chesterton, writer (1874-1936)
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© 2013 Wordsmith | <urn:uuid:893345bb-bf41-4cdb-b70c-4305c1ab4f9d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wordsmith.org/awad/awadmail75.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937947 | 1,924 | 2.40625 | 2 |
Self Fencing Resource
A Self-Fencing resource is one which automatically guarantees exclusive access to its resource. IBM's ServeRAID controllers, for example, are self-fencing.
Certain other resources (like a Disk Reservation resource for example) can be effectively to fence other resources (like the disk they depend on), can also be considered to be self-fencing, since only one such resource can be logically started at a time.
Self-fencing resources are distinct from resources which do not require fencing at all in order to maintain their integrity. | <urn:uuid:71f1d0aa-0db2-43bc-abf4-8134d99b306f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.linux-ha.org/wiki/Self_Fencing_Resource | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942748 | 115 | 1.898438 | 2 |
YouTube Opens New Chinese Language Web Site
Although executives from the Google Inc. subsidiary said during a media gathering that the purpose of the new site was to provide YouTube in more languages globally, it's not clear that Taiwan needs the help. People from the island have already taken to the original English site in droves, to poke fun at government officials, start political movements and much more.
One user uploaded a news clip showing the island's Minister of Education, Tu Cheng-sheng, picking his nose. He was waiting for a chance to respond to criticism over another incident caught on video in which he purportedly fell asleep during a briefing on damages brought on by Typhoon Krosa, which recently hit the island. The minister said he was only resting his eyes.
The island's Government Information Office Minister, Shieh Jhy-wei, called on people across Taiwan to use YouTube as a weapon against China's attempts to thwart the island from gaining membership in the United Nations. He asked people to post videos to YouTube showing off the island's beauty and democratic progress, as part of the UN for Taiwan campaign to join the UN.
Taiwan tries to join the organization every year -- and fails, mainly due to pressure from China. Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, and remain at odds due to political differences. China, still under Communist rule, regards democratic Taiwan as a renegade province and has vowed to use force, if necessary, to take the island. Taiwan, which has held free presidential elections since 1996, has sought its own path, and insists it cannot accept being part of a nation such as China where leaders are not freely elected.
The Taiwan site is the eleventh localized site opened by YouTube. The company has also opened a Chinese-language site aimed at Hong Kong, as well as a Japanese site, and sites for France, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and other countries.
YouTube hasn't opened a site focused on China yet. The company's main site is currently being blocked by censors in China.
The company's goal in localizing the sites is to draw more users from around the world. "We don't want English to be a barrier to YouTube," said Sakina Arsiwala, international manager at YouTube, during a press gathering in Taipei.
The opening ceremony in Taipei was a homecoming for YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, who was born in Taiwan. | <urn:uuid:22418cee-1c45-45fe-bb4c-5e15e288ee33> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pcworld.com/article/138596/article.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979877 | 493 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Benefits of Nectarine
Nectarines are smaller and smooth skinned golden yellow with large blushes of red. Their yellow flesh has a noticeable pink tinge, with a distinct aroma and a more pronounced flavor. There are more than 100 varieties of nectarine, in freestone and clingstone varieties.
Nectarines are low in calories and are naturally fat free.
Good amount of beta carotene, an antioxidant that help protect against cancer and other diseases by reducing the cellular damage that occurs when the body burns oxygen.
Nectarine is overflowing with bioflavonoid; it is especially rich in carotenoids. Bioflavonoid is antioxidants found in plant pigment that help your body fight off cancer as well as other diseases
Nectarines are also high in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps control blood cholesterol levels. The skins contribute insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation.
The problems with constipation can be easily dealt with if one eats one or two nectarines per day.
Nectarine is also good sources of lycopene and lutein. These phytochemicals are especially beneficial in the prevention of heart disease, macular degeneration, and cancer.
If you are prone to constipation one of the best things you can is eat a nectarine or two a day during season. A nectarine a day keeps a fruitless visit to the toilet away.
100 gm of calories contains:
Water: 87.59 g
Protein: 1.06 g
Fat: 0.32 g
Carbohydrate: 10.55 g
Fiber: 1.7 g
Sugar: 7.89 g
Calcium: 6 mg
Iron: 0.28 mg
Nectarines provide very good sources of carotenes, potassium, flavonoids, and natural sugars. Nectarines are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta carotene.
Health tips for Nectarine
This fruit possesses low caloric value. An average-sized nectarine contains only 50 calories. Apart from that there is no fat present in the fruit. Both of these make the nectarine perfect for all those who want to lose weight.
Apart from all the previously mentioned facts this fruit looks so great. Nectarines are colorful and attractive and their fragrance is astonishing. One simple look and the one will instantly feel the desire to eat it.Benefits of Nectarine can be healthy for you and may help you lose weight when included in your diet & exercise plan. To help you lose weight in a healthy balanced way and keep it off, see the Fitho weight loss diet plan, designed by dieticians and experts, now available for Rs 799. | <urn:uuid:d965a324-1563-49c4-8cfa-abbdba1b4656> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fitho.in/guide/fruits/nectarine/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924558 | 573 | 2.46875 | 2 |
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or Call: 866-966-3043
A man named Roger Williams and his religious followers were exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and they moved and founded Providence, which is the capital of Rhode Island. Williams believed in something that was important to the founding of Rhode Island and of the United States. This was the principal of liberty of conscience.
The land was originally known as “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” but later was shortened to Rhode Island and it officially became part of the Union in 1790 as one of the original 13 states. It is also one of the six states considered ot be part of New England. Rhode Island’s area puts it as the smallest state in the U.S. The State flower is the violet and the state tree is the red maple. The state is also known as the “Ocean State” as it is an island on the Atlantic Ocean.
Rhode Island Cities...
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- Brown University, Providence
- Bryant College, Smithfield
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- Roger Williams University School Of Law, Bristol
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- University Of Rhode Island, Kingston
- Zion Bible Institute, Barrington
Rhode Island Convention Center Hotel Finder... | <urn:uuid:d19a40e4-7a20-424a-8c9c-f7b59b1f63cc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oc-usa.com/cities.html?state=Rhode%20Island&st=RI | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931089 | 322 | 2.78125 | 3 |
‘None even come close, the words.’
‘Word-inflation,’ Stice says, rubbing at his crewcut so his forehead wrinkles and clears.
–David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest
Ferdinand Pierce extinguished his mutilated cigar in the ashtray to his left and thumped his meaty fist against the table. Perversely intrigued by the spectacle of his hand’s initial contact with the tabletop and subsequent expansion into a fleshy pulp, board members fell silent.
“Gentlemen,” Ferdinand said.
His audience widened its eyes, which widening was the Universal Symbol of Attentiveness.
“I’ve called you together to avert immanent crisis,” continued Ferdinand, all in one breath. “You represent the brightest minds of the Communication Corporation™” (the tacit “TM” unarticulated but undeniably present) “and America’s only hope.” He placed his hands on his heavy stomach in a gesture of support. “As you gentlemen know, The Communication Corporation™” (ditto) “is without competitors in its sector, save for The United States Manufacturers of Brail, who, rather obviously, have a very limited customer base.”
His statement was met with eye-widening signifying agreement (signifying also recognition of the subtly derisive unspoken omission of the unspoken “TM” which, rightfully, belonged at the end of “The United States Manufacturers of Brail”—an unstated slight only a room of Communication Corporation™ specialists could detect).
“Well, gentlemen, we’re about to return to a state of communicative anarchy. To the time of interpretative chaos.”
The board members, well versed in the Corporation™’s history, knew that the two preferred modes of expression prior to the invention of Words©, patented by the Corporation™ in their most rudimentary form early in the 1950s and perfected by the 80s (though never completed, as that was a poor business model), had been 1) elaborate pantomime and 2) flag semaphore. The transition to Words© had been gradual and had faced resistance from semaphoric scholars, who claimed the translation of silent works into Words© was near impossible and who violently gesticulated something to this effect at a series of wordless hearings. Academia opposed the operation, conspicuously not-articulating complaints that the proposed system was capitalistic, homogenizing, and impersonal, that to mass-produce communication undermined its private character, robbing each utterance of its singularity. In a deliberately vocal press-release, the then young (and surprisingly thin) Ferdinand Pierce had delivered the compelling counterargument that the effect of myriad individual languages (the accepted and inevitable result of speech-by-semaphore, a notoriously hermeneutically challenging medium, and speech-by-elaborate-pantomime, an art long considered to be the same. Since, both events have been incorporated into the Olympics, in formal recognition of their difficulty) was universal misunderstanding. This simple argument secured the Corporation™’s virtual monopoly on communication. The board members nodded in acknowledgement of the above specificities, all of which were implicit in Ferdinand’s statement, present in the interstices between his Words© (something only a trained Communication™ professional could be expected to recognize. This, incidentally, was the reason Implications© had been such an unsuccessful product, lasting only a month on the market and incurring monumental net losses).
Satisfied that they had understood, Ferdinand proceeded. “Throughout the Corporation™’s history, we’ve never been faced with as severe an inflationary cycle. As you know, Words© were initially in such high demand that we could barely meet it. Of course, since then, we’ve managed to expand our production capacity substantially, and we’re able to donate Words© to charities at minimal cost to the company and at maximum benefit to our public image.”
The board members knew he was referring primarily to the Articles© and Prepositions© lines, which were staples in any basic vocabulary, and which the Corporation™ allowed the government to distribute in basic welfare packages, along with food stamps and health insurance, for a reduced fee. Annually, the Corporation™, motivated by some combination of philanthropic seasonal spirit and concern for appearances, gave away baskets of Words© in the Ye Olde English© and Vintage 70s Slang© lines—lines that were doing poorly in standard retail settings anyway (something which, the Corporation™ adamantly maintained, had nothing to do with their selection as the Words© in the yearly giveaway baskets).
“But, gentlemen, the entire American economy has become dependent on the Love© line, a line whose production, I’m afraid, we’ve disastrously bungled.”
The board members, accustomed to Ferdinand’s habit of stopping just short of his meaning, as waves stopped just short of mid-beach, had grown expert at the art of Ferdinand-interpretation, and were well-informed enough to supply for themselves those vital pieces of information which he neglected to mention or euphemistically passed over. This was a prime example of the latter tactic. The Corporation™, in a gross initial underestimation of Love Words© success, had manufactured a number incapable of meeting market demand. Indeed, tales from this time of scarcity persisted, and, allegedly, words like “love,” “dear,” and “adore” had acquired, in their rarity, such a staggering value that to possess them sent people into ecstasies. These stories, to the modern and well-stocked American, had the “when-I-was-your-age-I-walked-miles-to-school-in-the-snow” quality of fiction, and were not widely believed. It was historical fact, however, that Love Words© had once been remarkably expensive. The couples who’d been privileged enough to own Words© of such immense worth and such incredible meaning were so few that they were all well-documented, the most celebrated example being that of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, who won their set in an elite auction for the price of 20 million dollars (a sum worth more prior to subsequent inflation). There were rumours of imprudent couples who had sacrificed everything to purchase Love Words© and financially crippled themselves in the process. Reportedly, such couples were so enthralled with the new horizons of Communication™ opened to them that they hardly cared or remarked upon their living conditions. One such couple, the owners of a French edition of Love Words©, had been reduced to extreme poverty but had not even noticed until years later, when they found themselves suddenly destitute, which events reportedly forced them to deal in black market puns (an endeavor producing more financial difficulties in that it necessitated the further purchase of a Secondary Associations© set) in order to subsist. But, legend had it, even then, the couple was blissfully happy, steeped in incomparably valuable meaning, able to Communicate™ so fully that their entire frame of reference was shared. Love Words© were so rare, it was said, that each time one was spoken, it had the novelty of a word never-before-heard, a color never-before-seen, a pitch never-before-sung, and as such evoked indescribable sensations. Love Words© were startling each time they were repeated; they were forever unsettling, so strange and shocking that their owners never grew immune to their power. To own them was to learn them anew each time one spoke them, it was said, as to love was to fall in love with the object of adoration at each encounter . This particularly popular account was generally considered to be the fabrication of the Corporation™’s wily advertising department, as such happenings appeared unrealistic to the point of unimaginability to jaded modern listeners, who were quick to point out that it was near impossible to ignore the indignity of operating a Punnery, even Paris’s first, in this era of directness and maximized efficiency.
The Communication Corporation™, upon realizing Love Words©’ profitable potential, launched an advertising campaign written by Pablo Neruda and entitled 20 Love Poems and a Song of Despair, a initiative purported to be the most moving and effective in advertising history. Again, however, the Corporation™ issued too few sets, provoking consumer outrage. In a final attempt to correct their error, the Corporation™ had so excessively overcompensated that the market was practically flooded with Love Words©, now purchased for any and all occasions. The phrase “I love you ” quickly replaced “thank you” as the country’s most common phrase. It became a response to almost anything, from the provision of information regarding weather conditions to the loan of a pencil. The preponderance of love served to quickly devalue Love Words©. In a touching and ironic return to the favoured speech patterns of the Silent Time, the romantic few relied on symbols—flowers, chocolates, and the like.
The board members knew all this. Some widened their eyes; others nodded.
“The Corporation™ won’t go under,” Ferdinand said, slapping the table heartily. “We’ve got lines whose obscurity renders them inflation-proof. The Literary Language© line, for one, is absolutely unsusceptible. Rare editions of the Philosophical Terms© line are priced at around a billion dollars. They’ve maintained their value and appeal. Gentlemen, I am not concerned for the company. No, I am concerned for America, for its integrity, for its ongoing economic and expressive crisis. And so, gentlemen, I turn to you to save the Love Line©, which, I will add parenthetically (is not our sole source of revenue but was, until this latest inflationary cycle, extremely lucrative). Gentlemen?”
The question hung in the air.
Silence. The board could not find words radical enough for their thoughts.
1 Love©, Fall in Love©, and Object of Adoration© are the exclusive property of The Communication Corporation™.
2 Also the exclusive property of The Communication Corporation™–increasingly unenviably, much to the Corporation™’s dismay. | <urn:uuid:4b53cec3-b1bc-4cfb-a9f1-ec233e5a5f5e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://stonefencereview.com/tag/winter-2012/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972143 | 2,188 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Are you like most Americans who are extremely addicted to sugar? According to the American Heart Association, the average adult in America eats 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day or 150 pounds a year. While an average teen eats considerably more, closer to 34 teaspoons a day; this is twice the sugar than is recommended. Although it tastes good, sugar is extremely dangerous to our health, especially to children. Too much sugar has been shown to play a significant role in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, early aging, an immune suppressant and lack of energy. Because sugar is everywhere and is extremely addictive, it is very challenging to cut sugar from your diet but it’s well worth the effort. Your skin will clear up; you will have more energy, lose weight and strengthen your immune system.
The first place to start is to eliminate beverages with sugar (sweetened coffee, teas, sodas, and juices) and stick to water, carbonated water and unsweetened tea. Recognize all names of sugar and read your labels such as brown sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, and particularly high fructose corn syrup as it is the most prevalent in sweetened beverages. The sugar used in today’s sodas and snacks is not the same as it used to be. It is sweeter and more addictive. Even the sugar-free sodas and sugar-free food cause you to gain weight by perpetuating your desire for the highly sweet taste and eventually giving in to sugar. Beware of fat free food, as it often means more sugar to compensate for the lack of fat and maintain the indulgent taste. It is very important to accurately read labels to be able to calculate how much sugar is in a product. 4 grams of sugar equals 1 teaspoon. You will be shocked by how much sugar is in your drinks or fat free yogurt. Don’t forget to calculate sugar based on number of servings in a container. We will say it again because it is worth repeating from our last blog, “if it’s white it isn’t right”. Any carbohydrates made out of white flour (bagels, breads, cakes, pasta, etc) immediately convert to glucose when consumed. Although fruit is a natural sweetener, be careful not to eat more than 5 servings, as it is sugar too.
There are many things you can do to eliminate the craving for sugar. First, drink plenty of water, get a good night’s sleep and exercise daily. When we are run down, the first think we crave is sugar for quick energy. Eliminate caffeine as some times this stimulation can cause sweet cravings. Try to eat sweet vegetables with fiber, like sweet potatoes and yams. Fiber slows the sugar’s digestion into your blood stream; it will make you feel satisfied and reduce sugar spikes. Finally, take a dropper of marine plankton in some coconut water when you are tired and need energy. If you are craving something sweet have a shot of De Nude Chocolat, filled with antioxidants and over 20 energizing, mood-elevating superfoods and herbs to improve your immune system. | <urn:uuid:19fafcfc-3f48-4b0d-8955-5cc7622439c2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://islandsuperfoods.com/are-you-addicted-to-sugar/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00057-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94556 | 645 | 2.953125 | 3 |
An interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Popularizing science has become a personal passion for astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Director of New York City's Hayden Planetarium and a monthly essayist for Natural History magazine, Tyson has also served on presidential commissions on the aerospace industry and the future of space exploration. His latest book, Origins, is a pocket history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the appearance of life on Earth.
American Scientist Online managing editor Greg Ross asked Tyson to discuss the latest riddles in cosmology, the prospects for discovering extraterrestrial life and the best ways to inspire the next generation to pursue these inquiries.
Increasingly, the study of origins seems to rely on combining insights from astronomy, geology, biology and other fields. What challenges does that pose within the scientific community, and how can we overcome them?
The traditional branches of science that we have all come to know from high school and college are published in separate journals, and each has developed its own methods and tools of inquiry. These habits breed a lexicon in one discipline that is typically mysterious to the next discipline.
Since astrophysicists had little insight into the Big Bang without the help of particle physicists, and since chemists had little insight into the origin of the elements without nuclear astrophysicists, and since planetary geologists had little insight into how to look for life on other planets without the help of biologists, and since biologists had little insight into the environments in which extremophiles thrive without the help of geologists, and since paleontologists' view of mass extinctions was incomplete without the help of asteroid and comet specialists, we see that entire vistas of inquiry today would be impossible without a meaningful cross-pollination of disciplines.
Funding umbrellas help this cause, such as NASA's astrobiology programs, which formally bring together the astrophysicist and the biologist (and others) to inquire together about the search for life in the universe. Indeed, only after this program appeared did the search for life in the universe begin to mean something other than the search for intelligent life.
What stokes this activity today are research journals with cross-pollinated subjects like astrochemistry, astroparticle physics and, of course, astrobiology. A next generation of scientists will surely have among them people who identify their professions by these titles.
You note that most of the mass in the universe is so-called "dark matter," whose existence we can only deduce from its gravitational influence. You call this the longest-standing mystery in astronomy. Do you favor any particular explanation?
When you are a hammer, all of your problems will look like nails to you. So if you ask particle physicists what dark matter is, they will all tell you it's composed of weakly interacting supersymmetric particles. If you ask a multiverse cosmologist, you might hear that dark matter is the gravity from ordinary matter in a parallel universe.
If you ask scientific iconoclasts, they might say our understanding of gravity is wrong and in desperate need of revision. I am personally agnostic on the "matter"—although my reading of the history of science tells me that such a long-standing problem (now going on 70 years), when solved, will likely solve other problems not imagined at the moment to be related.
You point out that we probably won't find intelligent life in our own solar system, and that interstellar distances pose great obstacles to communicating with distant planets. Does that cancel any hope of interacting with other civilizations?
If by "interact" you mean visit other stars, then there is indeed no hope: Human travel to distant solar systems lies beyond any current projection of either our technology or our science. The distances are too great, and the first rule of science research is that your experiment should not last longer than your own lifetime.
If by "interact" you mean have a conversation, that would be difficult. With light travel times of decades to the nearest stars that resemble the Sun, one does not send radio messages with the hope of engaging in witty repartee.
For many of us, the most memorable landmark in televised cosmology was Carl Sagan's Cosmos in 1980. Did your acquaintance with Sagan influence you as you worked on the recent PBS Nova miniseries Origins?
With Carl Sagan setting the standards of science communication, my first priority was to practice how to say "bill-yun." Beyond that crucial step, I conducted the rest of the tapings knowing that the audience can detect when you are in love with a subject. And, as Carl was quick to say, "when you are in love, you want to tell the whole world."
As a planetarium director involved in outreach programs, what do you consider the most effective ways to promote appreciation of science?
Don't get in the way of children who find it natural and obvious to explore the world around them—even if it means they make a mess of your kitchen or living room. It's all about your perspective on these things. When my daughter was two and she poured her cup of milk on the dining table and watched it drizzle between the leaves, and then drip down to the floor, she was performing experiments in fluid dynamics.
Let 'em play. When you do, the kids do not have to be reintroduced to ways of questioning nature, and the task of promoting science would be a trivial exercise.
Otherwise, at least for kids ages 10 to 16, the "cool" factor is important. Is what you showed them so cool that they want to show or tell someone else about it? If so, you have succeeded in planting a seed.
Earlier this year President Bush appointed you to the "Moon, Mars and Beyond" commission, charged with making recommendations for new initiatives in human space exploration. What's the latest news there, and what are the next steps?
NASA has already begun its reorganization in response to our final report, which called for the agency to restructure itself around an exploration initiative in which the entire solar system becomes our backyard. In this way, NASA will not be specifically destination-driven. The key difference between the 1960s Apollo era and now is that NASA will pay for programs as they arise in the service of the vision. This, we hope, will create a more sustainable enterprise, with goals that can be modified en route as science and technology require or allow.
In your autobiography, The Sky Is Not the Limit, you noted the success of robotic space exploration and wrote that "We should not measure our spacefaring era by where footprints have been laid." Given the high cost and risks, why do you support a manned mission to Mars?
When I wear my scientist's hat, I do not support a manned mission to Mars. The cost versus the return on such a mission is embarrassingly low. But when I wear my public educator hat, I see and experience the public's vicarious thrills of watching their own species go into orbit and beyond. Astronauts are the only kind of celebrity I know who can have a line of people waiting for their autograph, even if the line of people does not know in advance the astronaut's name.
This level of interest runs deep and filters through Congress and on to funding streams. That's why the science programs of NASA have never been more than one-third of the agency's budget. So the social and political reality differs from how the scientific community would rather see it.
And since I spend large parts of my time at that intersection, I fully understand that urge to explore with humans and will not try to fight this basic human urge.
Cosmology still holds many unanswered questions. Which ones intrigue you most, and where do you think we'll find the answers?
My top three: What was around before the universe? Are there multiple universes? Is there a theory of everything?
String theory and related investigations in the quantum realm are hot on the trail of these questions, but I am impatient. When I started asking the string theorists nearly 20 years ago, "How much longer?" they said, "In a few more years, we are almost there!" And every two years since then, they have given me the same answer. So I do not know where to place my confidence. Einstein came up with general relativity within 10 years of special relativity. Johannes Kepler came up with his third law of planetary motion within 10 years of his first two laws. You would think legions of highly regarded string theorists could do better than 20 years. But it doesn't seem so. Maybe we are barking up the wrong tree.
» Post Comment | <urn:uuid:1d2c4755-6ae4-4238-af5a-7d42a7db3803> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/neil-degrasse-tyson | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957285 | 1,763 | 2.6875 | 3 |
Thousands of plants for sale and free gardening advice from the experts on Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12
DENVER—Let Denver Botanic Gardens help cultivate your green thumb – purchase your plants for the new growing season at our annual Plant Sale! Due to increased demand, plant inventories have increased for the Sale on Friday, May 11, from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Sale will feature rare and unusual plants from around the world that are suited for diverse landscape conditions. Overall, more than 85,000 of the very best plants to grow in the Rocky Mountain region will be offered, including perennials, annuals, water-smart plants, herbs, vegetables, rock alpine plants and much more. The always-popular Grown at the Gardens plant offerings will once again be featured during this sale. Pre-packaged kits will be available for urban dwellers interested in growing a variety of plants in their own container gardens.
The Gardens’ renowned horticulturists, industry professionals and volunteers will be available at the Sale to answer questions about the best plants for your own garden. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own wagons to the Sale.
This year’s sale takes place on National Public Gardens Day - a national day of awareness in which communities nationwide are invited to visit and learn about the important role public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.
NEW THIS YEAR: An offering of plants from around the globe, as well as unique domestic plants and a large selection of hard to find summer bulbs, will be available at this year’s Sale. For the bulb enthusiast, jump start your fall planting by pre-ordering fall bulbs. While visiting the Gardens, guests can enjoy the 2012 signature exhibition, Kizuna: West Meets East.
Admission to the Sale is FREE and all proceeds benefit education programs at the Gardens.
In preparation for this popular event, the Gardens will close at noon on Thursday, May 10.
PLANT SALE PREVIEW PARTY
Thursday, May 10
4 – 8 p.m.
The Plant Sale Preview Party hours have been extended this year for plant enthusiasts who want the very best selection of plants to purchase before the general public! Enjoy appetizers, wine and beer while you shop. Our plant experts will be on-hand to answer your gardening questions. Tickets are $35, $50 at the door (if available).
NEW THIS YEAR: Personal shopper service! Those who purchase the extra service will have the opportunity to work directly with a member of the Gardens’ horticultural team who will act as a “personal shopper” to assist them in selecting the perfect, unique plants for their home gardens. A shopping cart will be specifically reserved for this experience. The personal shopper service is available for purchase at the time of ticket purchase for the event.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.botanicgardens.org . | <urn:uuid:aa95b480-ed5e-4368-a656-aa3d3fa4fdf0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.botanicgardens.org/print/768 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937478 | 637 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Crowley, Jasper (William Jasper), 1900-1976 donated Crowley lands to the community in 1972. He was a teacher at the Old Miakka one-room Schoolhouse from 1933-1943. When Fruitville Elementary School opened up he became the first principal and the Old Miakka Schoolhouse was closed. Jasper believed he witnessed the birth of delinquency in children first hand. In the 1930s and 1940s, “Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child” philosophy was widely practiced. Also, children worked on the farm–nearly all people lived on enough land to keep a garden and some chickens and chores needed to be completed before fishing could take place.
Jasper felt, as many pioneer families did, that if children worked in the garden it connected them to natural systems and taught them to be self-sufficient, which also gained them self-confidence. He also thought it was important that children understand where their food came from and also learning self-reliance skills were necessary tools for life. Jasper would bring young men to work the farm who had gotten into trouble or ran away from home. Oral histories from some of these young men are testament to the notion that bringing them to the farm and teaching them about wild plants and how to build shelters, purify water, and other survival skills helped them to know they could provide for themselves if necessary. This gave them self-confidence and many young men became productive citizens when the odds were against them.
Following the early mission of Crowley, we bring children to Crowley to understand natural systems and where their food comes from. We teach them about completely self-reliant early cultures and impart them with a desire to become more self-sufficient and more mindful of preserving natural resources.
THE CROWLEY STORY “Come on inside now, with the rest of us…” pleaded the counselor from the girl’s club. A suspicious looking 9-year-old girl held the door cracked and peaked in at the rest of the girls and the dog. The girl looked up at the counselor and shook her head, refusing to open the door all the way. When further encouragement met with opposition, the counselor gave in to her and the group headed for the picnic tables outside. “Why don’t we begin by asking if you have questions or concerns you want to share?” offered the...read more
The Children’s Discovery Path is a 3/8 mile long nature hiking path with five discovery stations where a child can stop and learn about animals, birds, and insects that are native to southwest Florida. Along this path, there are five interactive stations: Birds of Prey, Bats, the Gopher Tortoise, Spiders, and the Florida Panther. Each station has a fun, hands-on activity where path explorers can jump, climb, see, and feel what it is like to be one of these...read more
A Day in the Life of a Florida Pioneer Program On Site Field Trip or In-Class Exploration Students studying life of early Florida pioneers will delight in this experiential learning program. Hands-on activities allow students to imagine what it would be like to live in Florida at the turn-of-the-century. A Day in the Life of a Florida Pioneer 2 hour on site tour Students will be met by period costumed, living history facilitators who will divide the students into 4 groups for their pioneer experience. Each group will visit: Museum,...read more
The environmental program teaches children about Florida natural history–identification, life history, distribution, abundance and interrelationships among and between individuals, populations and species. Ecology components include exploration of relevant notions of ecological diversity and stability. In-class or On-site. WHEN: Please call or email to make arrangements. Click here to access the Field Trip Information Form. COST: Staff led program Preschool – 12th Grade – $5 student Includes admission for teachers...read more
Eagle Projects, Past and Present There are young men who break away from the pack, and these are Eagle Scouts. Within this group there are Super Eagles, who soar above the rest. Meet Dreke Cuthbert, one of the Suger Eagles. Derek went above and beyond with this project, a moveable chicken coop. Not satisfied with creating yet another chicken tractor Derek built a replica of the Tatum House as a Coop Deville. Not only did he create this amazing and beautiful tractor, he also wrote and illustrated a how to booklet for others who may want to...read more
Teachers! Crowley is a great place to bring your students for a field trip! All you need to do is fill out the Field Trip Form by clicking on the link below. Download the field trip form in PDF Formatread more
Crowley is offering Horse Whispering classes for all ages. Horse Whispering involves communicating with horses in such a way as to instill a sense of safety and confidence. Contact us for more details.read more | <urn:uuid:360d6ce0-cd24-43b9-8887-ad1bc214c240> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://crowleyfl.org/programs/youth-programs/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963535 | 1,018 | 2.875 | 3 |
New stolen digital certificates are used by the multi-purpose backdoor Qbot. The criminals behind the Qbot trojan are certainly not inactive. As I mentioned in a blog post earlier this month, after a quiet summer we have seen a batch of new Qbot variants. An interesting fact is that the malicious binaries were digitally signed.
The most common malware technique for avoiding detection is to create loads of “fresh” variants. Actually, the component that changes so frequently is the packer – the outer layer of the malware, used by malware authors to encrypt the malware and make it harder to detect – whilst the functionality of the malicious code inside
The anti-malware industry isn't a suitable environment for the thin-skinned. We get used to receiving "more kicks than ha'pence" (see http://www.virusbtn.com/spambulletin/archive/2006/11/vb200611-OK).. In particular, I've grown accustomed to the fact that many people expect all the following from an AV product: Absolute Protection Absolute Convenience Absolutely no False Positives Absolutely no charge False positives (FPs) are
It’s that time of year when everyone wants a top ten: the top ten most stupid remarks made by celebrities, the ten worst-dressed French poodles, the ten most embarrassing political speeches, and so on. Our research team came up with a few rather more serious ideas, most of which are considered at some length in our about-to-be-published
Retrospective or “frozen” testing involves testing the ability of one or more products to detect threats proactively, using techniques such as advanced heuristics rather than signature detection. | <urn:uuid:6f56bb4f-dbbc-4cf9-a683-842e57415558> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.welivesecurity.com/category/packer/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.920225 | 356 | 1.875 | 2 |
intend on doing?
“I intend on doing something about that”
Just came across this in the latest Baldacci novel.
First time I’ve seen this particular form so I’m not sure if it was a slip by author, editor, proof-reader, typesetter, or all of the above; or is it common in some parts of the English speaking world?
I’d think that “I intend to do ...........” or “I am intent on doing .........” would be the normal form. | <urn:uuid:cbc56f15-9281-4ae6-b184-d9eb65e874bd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://painintheenglish.com/case/5034/sort:PostComment.created/direction:asc | 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 | 0.95522 | 117 | 1.65625 | 2 |
- Photograph by Jim Harrison
For a decade, Lawrence Lessig, a mild-seeming legal scholar, pursued the intricacies of updating American copyright law to reflect the rise of the digital era, the Internet, and new means of producing and disseminating texts, music, images, and software. Based first at Harvard, then Stanford, he co-founded organizations such as Creative Commons, a nonprofit that gives people legal tools to control use of their creative output, and argued that mashups (of songs or YouTube videos, for example) are culturally important products that (in some circumstances) can be legal under the principle of fair use.
He felt he was making progress: “The public was getting it. Businesses were getting it. Universities. Everybody had come to the recognition that ‘There is something wrong with the existing system,’ and that it needed to be updated—but we were making no progress in the context of policymakers.” At first, he was puzzled. But gradually he realized the problem lay in the sclerotic, gridlocked policymaking system itself—particularly in Congress. “We weren’t making any progress because money was so inherent and tied to decisions,” he says now. “The public domain had no lobbyists. The ideas of the public domain weren’t even on the table because there was no infrastructure for putting them there.”
As long as Congress remains in the thrall of “the economy of influence”—its members dependent on money to fund reelection campaigns—“no progress would be made on copyright or any other public-policy question,” he explains. “It wasn’t just esoteric areas like copyright, it was also fundamental issues like global warming, healthcare, or any number of others.”
That set Lessig off in a new direction—including an exploratory, aborted run for Congress and, ultimately, in 2008, a return to Harvard. He now directs the Safra Center for Ethics, serves as Furman professor of law and leadership at Harvard Law School, and investigates the American government and what ails it. His findings, recently published in Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress—and a Plan to Stop It, have led him to conclude that nothing less than overhauling the way elections are funded—involving a tool never before invoked in American democracy—is required.
“A Republic, if You Can Keep It”
Lessig comes to his conviction that American democracy is dysfunctional as a lawyer and citizen who has migrated from Reagan Republican to concerned liberal. His apprehensions about Congress transcend partisanship. He has worked with Tea Party leaders and Occupiers alike because he sees grass-roots intervention as the only way to fix a system that is broken. A host of issues threatens the nation, he points out, and every informed citizen knows it, yet Congress can’t achieve much. Elected representatives deadlock on key points such as reform of the financial system—after its failures nearly cause a global meltdown—even when solutions seem obvious and attainable.
When Lessig contemplates this impasse, he sees political polarization as merely a symptom of a much deeper sickness: Congress has been “corrupted” by its members’ dependence on money from lobbyists—and from the special interests hiring those lobbyists—to fund their reelection campaigns.
This “dependence corruption,” described in Republic, Lost, does not mean venal corruption: bribery or bags of cash for personal use. The Framers of the Constitution, he points out, sought to guard against that by explicitly outlawing the corrupting potential of gifts from foreign nations in Article 1.
A portrait set in diamonds (a gift to Benjamin Franklin) and other expensive gifts had been lavished on representatives of the emerging nation by European rulers, and “raised a reasonable concern,” Lessig writes. “Would agents of the republic keep their loyalties clear if in the background they had in view these expected gifts from foreign kings?” Likewise, “the Framers wanted to avoid…Parliament’s loss of independence from the Crown” resulting from royal gifts of “offices and perks” that pulled members “away from the view of the people they were intended to represent.” The Founders were aware of the fragility of the system they had fledged: when Franklin walked from Independence Hall as the Constitutional Convention ended, Lessig writes, a woman asked what he had wrought. “A republic, madam,” he replied, “if you can keep it.”
The Framers, Lessig says, had just one kind of dependence in mind for members of Congress: a dependence on the people. He quotes The Federalist (the then-anonymous essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay that are often used as a contemporary account of the Framers’ intentions) to make this point: number 52 describes the House of Representatives as that “branch of the federal government which ought to be dependent on the people alone” (emphasis added).
But in the last two decades, Lessig writes, members of Congress have developed a fearsome dependency: campaign cash. The total amount spent on campaigns by all candidates for Congress in 2010 was $1.8 billion. Fundraising has become a way of life, and extravagant giving has been institutionalized; only the diamonds are missing.
Lessig cites the example of Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana), chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, whose position gave him a critical role in the debate over President Obama’s healthcare proposal. Between 2003 and 2008, Baucus received $5 million in campaign contributions from the financial, insurance, and health industries. But Lessig also cites similar examples from both sides of the aisle, blaming neither political party in particular. The corruption, he says, is systemic and systematic: in 2009 alone, lobbyists spent $3.5 billion, or about $6.5 million per each elected member in Congress.
Do gifts of money really change recipients’ behavior? Studies have suggested that, on any particular issue, there is no apparent link between a legislator’s vote and lobbyist money—the data don’t show a pattern that can be discerned. “But certainly,” Lessig says in an interview, “money can affect what goes into the bills” before Congress on issue after issue. “Let’s say we are talking about healthcare: money guaranteed that single-payer health insurance was not on the table. There could be nothing more fundamental to that bill than that.”
Furthermore, Americans don’t believe all that money has no effect—and that is a problem in itself. If the 99.9 percent of Americans who don’t have enough money to buy access to Congress believe their participation in their democracy doesn’t count for much, he says, they will choose to do something else, such as make a rational choice to play with their children instead.
And the need for campaign cash does have one clear and important effect, Lessig argues. Members of Congress now spend between 30 and 70 percent of their time raising money rather than deliberating as they were elected to do. For example, even as fundraising has increased exponentially since 1994—the moment when control of Congress began shifting back and forth between Democrats and Republicans, intensifying the need for campaign funds to secure a majority—so the amount of time members of Congress spend in committee meetings has dropped dramatically. “I don’t have enough data to say money is the driver,” Lessig admits, “but it is consistent with that proposition.”
When Lessig makes this case in speeches, he reports, reactions range from disbelief to rationalization. “Some say, ‘It can’t possibly be true.’ Others say, ‘They’re raising money; they are spending time connecting to people.’ That ignores the fact that they are connecting to 0.1 percent of the people, which is not ‘connecting to people.’” But “the vast majority” is stunned into recognizing “There is something really wrong here.” Lessig likens this dependency on money to cocaine addiction, in which users spend “70 percent of their time feeding their habit.”
The corrupting influence of money manifests itself in Washington culture in other ways as well. When Lessig interviewed convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff as part of a series hosted by the Center for Ethics last December, for example, Abramoff described how offering a member of Congress or congressional staffer a high-paying job on K Street (home to big lobbying firms) is, in effect, a way of hiring them on the spot. They may be two years from the end of their terms, Abramoff said, but from that moment—with no money down—they are, in the back of their minds, working for their future employer. Lessig therefore suggests extending the ban on moving from Congress to a lobbying job from the current one year for House members and two years for staffers and Senators to seven years.
In the Hands of the People
The problem of money in politics runs deep, with effects that are difficult to untangle, but Lessig cites a particularly dramatic instance to illustrate his point. Between 1995 and 2009, he reports, the government spent more than $70 billion subsidizing corn production. As a result, “Every $1 of profits earned by [food conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland’s] corn-sweetener operation costs consumers $10,” says Lessig, quoting from a Cato Institute study.
Some of the support was intended to aid family farms, but the benefits have accrued mainly to large companies. Meanwhile, the subsidies have made high-fructose corn syrup cheap and raw corn so inexpensive that some farmers feed it to their cattle. Now the corn sweetener—present in 40 percent of the food on grocery shelves—has been implicated in the obesity and diabetes epidemics. And cattle—which don’t digest corn properly—develop gastrointestinal bacteria that must be treated with antibiotics, in turn facilitating the evolution of drug-resistant “super bugs” that can infect humans. “You begin to poison people through the food-production system,” Lessig says. “There’s nobody on the right who can say this is a good thing. And people on the left who might have supported this system originally, because it was going to support family farms—they don’t like this either. Yet think about the political will that would be necessary to turn this spigot off! I don’t think we have that political capacity.”
That conviction and the Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (which allows corporations and unions unlimited spending on independent political communications) have led him to call for a constitutional convention—something that hasn’t happened since the Constitution was written—to propose amendments that would ensure Congress is truly dependent on the people alone. It seems an extreme approach, but Lessig discusses many other possible remedies and strategies for achieving them in his book, such as donor anonymity (to break the clear link between contributions and political favors) or one-issue candidates who vow to quit Congress once reformed. He follows those remedies down forking paths, seemingly to every possible outcome, and concludes that a convention has the best, albeit slight, chance of success.
The Constitution describes a mechanism for triggering such a gathering (two-thirds of state legislatures must call on Congress to convene a convention, and three-quarters of the states, 38 in all, must ratify any proposed change for it to be adopted), but every time the country has faced the prospect, Congress has acted first, “most famously in the context of the Seventeenth Amendment” mandating direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote, Lessig reports. “The states came within one vote of calling for a convention” and Congress responded to this reformist pressure.
Lessig does not say what, exactly, such a convention should propose. Elsewhere in Republic, Lost, he advances the idea of democracy vouchers, a publicly funded campaign-finance system that would give every citizen $50 to support his or her candidate of choice, and would limit total contributions from any single person to $100. But this system would apply only to candidates who “opt-in,” says the libertarian Lessig, leaving other candidates to take money from super PACs, corporations, or industry lobbyists.
A constitutional convention could make limiting that kind of contribution clearly legal, as he clearly hopes that it would, while leaving the specifics to the delegates themselves, who he believes should be ordinary citizens from across the country, “a random selection drawn from the voter rolls.” In fact, he writes: “I recognize that of all the insanity strewn throughout this book, this will strike readers as the most extreme. Ordinary citizens? Are you crazy? Proposing amendments to our Constitution? When two-thirds of Americans can’t even identify what the Bill of Rights is?”
Yet it is a solution characteristic of Lessig, this former chairman of the Pennsylvania Teen Age Republicans who turned liberal while studying philosophy at the University of Cambridge in England—an unconventional, innovative, and radical thinker. His proposal in a single stroke does away with experts, politicians, and activists.
It also highlights Lessig’s idealism: a commitment to American democracy bordering on faith. In One Way Forward: The Outsider’s Guide to Fixing the Republic, an ebook he published in February as a follow-up to Republic, Lost, he describes the principles that ordinary citizens—perhaps including those named to a constitutional convention—might pledge to uphold: “To provide that public elections are publicly funded; to limit, and make transparent, contributions and independent political expenditures; and to reaffirm that when the Declaration of Independence spoke of entities ‘endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights’ it was speaking of natural persons only.”
As principles go, simple. And in his e-book, Lessig concludes that, measured against problems such as fascism, institutionalized racism, and sexism that “our nation tackled throughout the course of the twentieth century,” this “narrow but profound flaw at the core of our Constitution…that has allowed our government to become captured” by moneyed special interests is “tiny by comparison.” What it will take to fix things, he says, is for Americans to recognize that “the corrupting influence of money is the first problem facing this nation. That unless we solve this problem, we won’t solve anything else.” | <urn:uuid:9da62db0-27ee-4bb4-80e5-b11666040fcd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/07/a-radical-fix-for-the-republic | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963425 | 3,065 | 1.921875 | 2 |
The only way to achieve financial security is to monitor your tax and financial affairs throughout the year. And what better way to kick off the new year than to tidy up your financial and tax house. Here are some tips to get you started.
Take control of your credit cards. Over-reliance on credit cards hurts you in several ways. With interest rates typically in double digits, it’s the most expensive way to borrow money. Think of those monthly interest payments as draining off dollars that you could be investing in a home or saving for your retirement. And too much debt can hurt your credit score and make other borrowing more difficult. It takes time and discipline to reduce credit card debt, but it’s well worth the effort.
Rid yourself of “stuff” you don’t use. Are you paying for a cell phone you rarely use? A magazine you never read? A mail-order video service you forgot about? An extra cable box for that basement TV you never watch? A membership to a gym you rarely attend? If so, now is the time to dump those wasted services and pocket the cash.
Build a cash reserve for emergencies. Your financial situation can quickly spin out of control if you can’t come up with cash when you need it. If you lose your job, you might have to live on reduced income for several months. Or there could be unplanned medical bills, car repairs, or home repair costs. Even if you have insurance, reimbursements can take time and there are deductibles to meet. Work hard to put aside at least three months’ living expenses. Invest it in a safe, liquid account, and resist the temptation to raid it for non-emergencies.
Save regularly and save smartly. Develop the habit of saving something every month, no matter how small the amount. The earlier you start, the longer your savings will have to compound for retirement. Save as intelligently as possible. If you have a 401(k) plan that your employer matches, that’s probably the best investment you’ll find. Other tax-advantaged plans usually make sense, especially for younger investors. But developing a regular savings habit is the key.
Diversify your investments. You’ll reduce your risk by spreading investments among stocks, bonds, and real estate. Within each category, diversify among different industries and companies. The worst thing you can do is to have everything tied up in stock of the company you work for.
Identify your tax opportunities for 2012. There are many credits and deductions available to you in such areas as retirement, education, home ownership, and child care. Identify those that will reduce your taxes, and make adjustments as needed to qualify for those tax breaks.
Get that new filing system started now. Purge your old files. Destroy documents that you don’t need. Create new files for your 2012 documents. Keep a tax and financial calendar that shows all deadlines for making payments and filing returns. And if you don’t have a filing system, create one in order to organize and locate your tax and financial records.
Educate yourself about financial matters. You don’t have to get a degree in finance, but read financial articles on topics that concern your affairs. Consider taking a seminar in basic investing. Ask questions of your advisors. The more you know about finance, the more you can take control of your own financial health. | <urn:uuid:d7684e49-5c92-4be5-9421-f52df0e72e23> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rlhcpa.com/2/category/financial%20matters/1.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950579 | 709 | 2.125 | 2 |
First, I’d like to acknowledge that I did not come up with “Serf Pride” to describe the Jubilee festivities, although I sure wish I did! The credit for that phrase goes to this person.
Last weekend, we were visiting friends out of town, and we couldn’t escape the wall-to-wall media coverage of Serf Pride. Those friends had adapted an old slogan from some 24 hour sports network to describe the media coverage: EAT! SLEEP! QUEEN!
I wasn’t even going to acknowledge Serf Pride by bothering to write about it, but then I read this article in the Guardian about how the UK government forced people on social assistance to work the river pageant. (h/t babble) And no, they didn’t get paid for it – they were voluntold. But it gets better – they bussed them in the night before and forced them to sleep on the ground under the London Bridge.
We already know that Serf Pride is a celebration of the 1% taking their place in the ruling class of society due to their birth into a family of the 1%. That so many of the 99% buy into this jingoistic crap is a perpetual head-scratcher, but I’m pretty much resigned to that.
But this story, about the unemployed being forced to work the pageant for free? That goes beyond the everyday ordinary pathetic scene of the 99% happily grovelling before, and declaring their loyalty to, the 1%.
This has moved from pathetic to offensive. This is pure class warfare, friends. And the fact that it’s being waged so openly by the richest against the poorest in order to celebrate the reign of the richest shows just how brazenly confident the 1% are that the 99% will just go along with it and won’t fight back. | <urn:uuid:d2cfc44a-1157-4b7d-9fef-caf6ed6f2802> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://classrage.ca/?tag=royal-family | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968152 | 390 | 1.507813 | 2 |
David Cohen, a Singapore-based analyst at regional economic commentators Action Economics, said "In the short term, the damage could even knock off almost 1% of the country's GDP, Longer-term though, it will balance out, through the rebuilding exercise which will be positive for growth will all the construction taking place. It could turn positive in about 12 months."
There will also be concerns about damage to productive capacity, Mr Cohen said, and industrial production may suffer as a consequence of the damage caused.
Electronics giant Sony has six factories - four in Miyagi and two in Fukushima - in the north-east of the country, the region which suffered the brunt of the quake.
"Production in all factories has been halted for now," said Sue Tanaka, of the firm's communications department.
If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on ycombinator or StumbleUpon. Thanks | <urn:uuid:74b02084-e274-4338-8fde-478dbbd1f6a0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/03/financial-impact-of-japanese-earthquake.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955319 | 187 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Posted by: CSHoldsworth on Aug 20, 2011
Tagged in: woods , wood , weird , Unknown , trees , traveller , the travelling man , story , spooky , sketch , portrait , pencil , Myths , imagery , image , illustration , fiction , drawing , Draw , demonic , art
A story I wrote whilst in my Foundation year:
The Travelling Man
Written and illustrated by Christopher Holdsworth
This is the face of The Travelling Man
I’ll tell his tale as best I can.
Mysterious, strange and sinister is he,
It was one fateful night this all came to be.
He travels by night,
Few think that’s quite right.
Yet the secret to his tales,
Is in the darkness he prevails
Why is this I hear you ask?
And to explain is quite the task.
For you see once upon a time,
Before you heard this dark rhyme,
The Travelling Man made a deal with a most terrifying soul.
Now begins a story that will make your skin crawl.
This tale begins with a cold winters wind, howling at the face of this bard.
He stumbled upon a wood,
He’d take shelter if he could,
But the forest made him recoil as if he’d been stabbed by a shard.
He had no choice but to venture inside
As in the cold this old man would surely have died.
His feelings of this place made his withered heart race.
As the evil in this place made his tracks pick up pace.
Deeper and further trudged The Travelling Man into the forest of old.
The Twisted faces of the trees made his blood run cold.
Once familiar and friendly in light,
Now gave even the bravest of men a fright.
Stories say the forest was dead,
But that was all just a myth in his head.
For something here most frightful stirred,
Yet it could not be seen, barely even heard.
Deep in the forest a whisper made him shake,
‘What could it be?’ he thought
‘A bird? A snake?’
The whisper appeared again once more,
But this time it howled like a ghoulish groan.
The Travelling Man now knew
That in this lonely old forest he wasn’t alone.
Up in front of him a shadow appeared,
A demon it was, what he had most feared.
The shadow spoke in a most vicious voice,
Giving the man the eventual option of choice.
‘You’ve entered my forest, you’ve trespassed my wood,
And on this cold winters night, I shall drain your blood’.
‘What brought you here? What is it you do?’
Mockingly asked the shadow, as he already knew.
You see the shadows see all,
The past, the present and new
‘I travel and tell tales of foreign land’
Handing the shadow books with a tremble of his hand.
The Travelling Man fell to his knees with a thud,
Looking at the stars past the tree tops above.
Remembering times of travelling with his clan,
He came up with a most evil plan.
The bard asked the shadow ‘Why eat me when you could have more?’
With a little more confidence he rose from the floor.
‘You’d sacrifice your family and friends for your life?’
The demon knew the honesty of his story was quite strife.
The shadow looked deep into the Traveling mans eyes and announced,
‘You’re a man full of deceit, betrayal and lies’
‘I’ll give you a choice, your life or your soul’
To which he replied without hesitation ‘My soul! My soul!’
‘Your ignorance is your down fall old fool,
Soon you’ll rather have died, now I’m going to get really cruel.
I will follow you forever until the end of your days,
In your sleep, in your nightmares
You’ll be trapped in a never ending maze.
Around each corner I’ll always be there,
It’ll drive you so mad, it will be too much to bare.
With me by your side you needn’t worry,
You won’t be bothered in much of a hurry.
You tried to offer me your family and friends,
Now I’ll cut off your social ends.
I’ll throw them all into a bottomless canyon,
From now on I’m your only companion.
You’ll feel forever alone but never alone you’ll be.
Now go sit upon your lonesome throne beside me’
The Travelling Man left the forest that night,
Been stripped of all his will and his might.
Forever will the old man travel in the dark,
Having been banished from the light for his foolish remark.
He had become a wandering drone,
Forever the shadow in his side a thorn.
Now you know the story of The Travelling Man,
Try to get some sleep as best you can. | <urn:uuid:76d02d63-3125-4fb0-9f1b-c9a8f62698a4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.totalartsoul.com/all-blogs/the-travelling-man.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943425 | 1,123 | 2.046875 | 2 |
The town of Worthington, Minnesota was named for the Worthington family of Ohio, Among its members were Thomas Worthington, once Governor of that state. Worthington is one of the oldest names in America. From a member of the Worthington family it is learned that the named can be traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest in England. It is a Saxon name and originated before the time of William the Conqueror. The Saxons bearing the name lived in Derby, and there was a town of the same name. Some members of the family came to America on the Mayflower.
Submitted by: Worthington Community College, Worthington, Minnesota. | <urn:uuid:7be17f46-fe44-4921-9ef3-b74896932de8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://worthy2be.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/worthington-descendants-%E2%80%93-vol-1-no-4-page-4-fall-1983/?like=1&_wpnonce=ab93ff8ff3 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975465 | 142 | 3.4375 | 3 |
is it worth overclocking the graphics card without overclocking the cpu
I do plan on overclocking my cpu just waiting as I was supposed to have a water cooler and no longer do! I also have no clue on how to do it as I thought you just used some program like et6 or smart 6 which really is a complete misleading name more like smart not to use 6 or Every Time is will F#$K
well I'd say no and yes. No because if you're running off an i5-2500K then yes its worth OC'ing the GPU. But if you were to be running off a Core2Duo/Quad then the OC on the GPU only would be useless.
here's what i think of the other questions;
1| post back with your entire system specs, and we can move on from there regarding OC'ing.
2| Watercooling? please be more specific about the unit/parts you're using as WC setup.
3| when we know what CPU,mobo and ram combo you're using we can help with your OC'ing session.
I thought u just used some programs like et6 or smart 6 which really is a complete misleading name more like smart not to use 6 or Every Time is will F#$K
there are different programs to OC the GPU, but like i mentioned above there will be no need to OC the GPU if you have older hjardware. ONE more thing; your mobo should be able to handle an OC session
p55-usb3 fb gigabyte mb
8mb 1333 mhz kingston ram ddr3
6950 ddr3 saphire 1gb gc
I5 2.8mhz cpu
as for watercooling it doesnt exist anymore when I sent it back to get gc fixed it seems they removed it and forgot to return it (H6) Cool master or Corsair i think
3 Big ass fans plus 1 on power supply and 1 on grapkics car (5 all up)
Antec 300 case
Wd Blue Cavier 6gb/s 1tb (HD using 6gb/s sata 3 slot)
Windows 7 64 bit
Aito N10752 850w power supply (not sure the true wattage)\
Looking at crossfireing my gc with a 6970 as I was told I could by asus
alright I am using 1080p on a 22 inch LG LED and also I use 1080p on my 42inch to play games sometimes or watch movies allot. also u see what I have and u see my power supply. I had a computer guy I bought it say I can crossfire easy and another comp guy say I cant with this (the same guy who said I cant also said I only needed 450w to power my system) I see I have a 8 pin pci in the specs and 2x 6pin but doesnt say pci can I actually crossfire?
I bellievew this to be the power supply I have as it is the only 850w aito I can find and when I look up a 6970 it says u need atleast 1 8pin (i think it says to crossfire for this) and one 6 pin which I do bellieve I have
next when I sort out my water cooler problem I will gratiously ask How do I overclock using bios but not yet.
ALSO as I wont overclock my system without a wc is it worth overclocking my gf card yet or should I wait until I get my wc and overclock my system? to be honest I can play what I want as it is without overclocking the gc fine on hyper graphics on a single 1090p monitor
1| do you need to overclock now? no
2| should you OC in the future? Yes
3| Do you need to OC with the current monitors you have? NO
4| I'm not familar with that Aito PSU, can't get anything with a google search either. Please take the time to get a Quality PSU and then address the WC problem.
So here's how you should tackle the issues;
1| get a quality PSU
2| get a nice WC loop installed
3| OC the beast out of that machine.
Now you might say, Oh i aint splashing another dime on another PSU!
well then be prepared to shell out a good amount of money for replacing all the blown up parts in your case. A cheap manufacturer may be kind enough to replace the parts damaged by their hardware but in the case of a PSU, they expect that you know what its intended use is, that it wouldn't come near the 850W (or whatever wattage they advertise) and that you won't push the PSU to its limits.
But when they find out that you've not done the above, then all they'll say is this - " have a nice day"
if you can get an NZXT Hale 80+ PSU, Cooler master or corsairs HX or TXv2 series or a lil costly but you can pick up a thermaltake 850W toughpower grand. I own one and its superb!
skimping on the PSU is like skimping on tires after buying a porche 911 turbo. You bought that car to take it to its limit, but itf the tires go out - you may not be on this earth to buy a new set to try out the cars abilities. capiche?
about OC'ing ,my advice would be to start another thread and have more people look at the issue.
FYI - that 6950 is enough umph in that card to power either monitors for intense gaming sessions. I own a 6870 BE and i know i can push it with an OC on my Q9550 while gaming off a 46" LCD tv.
google search power supply calculator and fill in the places with your system specs. You'll then begin to see the full picture with system power req's. From the looks of that PSU, 82 USD for a 850W PSU that isn't even 80+ rated is kinda a deal breaker for me.(i used currency converter to see how much it costs in AUS) | <urn:uuid:9cc99afe-3977-47f6-8ee1-0d0ed5b45e45> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268293-29-graphics-card-overclocking | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953243 | 1,286 | 1.59375 | 2 |
We're members at the Ayn Rand Center, covering economics and liberty.
After Rick Perry called Social Security a Ponzi scheme, pundits everywhere smugly assured the world that Perry is crazy because, after all, the government can never really go bankrupt: it can always print money to pay its debts. Of course, that’s hardly a comfort to those who know what hyperinflation can do to an economy.
In any case, Perry can be commended for daring to violate the first law of politics: whatever you do, do not question entitlements. Despite the fact that the big three entitlement programs–Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare–have the U.S. government facing upwards of $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities, they largely remain a third rail: touch not lest ye be voted out of office.
Why are they sacrosanct? Because, whatever else you can say about the entitlement state, no one disputes that it’s a moral imperative. Inefficient? Maybe. Expensive? You bet. But morally questionable? Absolutely not.
The problem with the entitlement state is not simply that it is bankrupting this country–the problem is that it is morally bankrupt.
The basic principle behind the entitlement state is that a person’s need entitles him to other people’s wealth. It’s that you have a duty to spend some irreplaceable part of your life laboring, not for the sake of your own life and happiness, but for the sake of others. If you are productive and self-supporting, then according to the entitlement state, you are in hock to those who aren’t. In Marx’s memorable phrase: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
As we’ve argued in past columns, no system that treats you as other people’s servant can be called moral. What made America the noblest nation in history was that it was the first country founded on the idea that each of us has a right to live and work for our own sake, that it’s our own job to try to make the most of our life, and that the government’s sole purpose is to protect our freedom to do so.
Some have raised objections to this line of argument, however. Here are three of the most popular objections.
1. “The entitlement state is no different from insurance.”
When Social Security first passed, under FDR, most Americans regarded being “on the dole” as shameful. One way the program garnered widespread support was by positioning itself, not as welfare, but as insurance. Medicare would later take the same tack. You pay in when you’re young and healthy, and when money is paid out to you, you’re not going on the dole–you’re simply getting back what’s yours. | <urn:uuid:e1bbb223-696e-4cf0-8c4b-c1412ee75113> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.forbes.com/sites/objectivist/2011/09/13/the-entitlement-state-is-morally-bankrupt/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959625 | 608 | 2 | 2 |
Step 1: I simply turn the lawn upside down, shovelful by shovelful. I learned the hard way that smaller shovelfuls are easier to lift and flip, and break down faster. Work from the outside in, piling the soil up toward the center. Leave a small ditch all the way around the edges so the soil won't spill over onto the street and sidewalk.
Step 2: Use the shovel to break up the sod clods a little bit. I don't spend a lot of time on this step. I don't till.
At this point you have choices. I've gotten a lot of advice from a lot of people. At some point, I quit listening and just followed my instinct. I'm going to describe four methods, all of which I've used with success.
*For my first drought-tolerant parking strip, I added about 1 inch of quarter-10 gravel (not quarter-minus) and dug it in very lightly. Then I added about 2 inches of compost and dug that in. Then I planted and mulched with about an inch of the quarter-10.
*For another parking strip, I did the same as the first except I didn't use any compost because the plants I used want lean soil. After digging in the gravel a little bit, I left it for two months. Again, weeds weren't much of a problem. I will admit that without compost, the soil looked pretty compacted. But when I dug for planting, it was nice. Almost all the grass had decomposed and the drainage was good. Once I got it all planted, I mulched with a thin layer of gravel. After a while, the plants filled in, and not much soil showed.
*For a regular garden bed (as opposed to a parking strip), all I did was turn over the sod and leave it for several months. Then I put about 3 inches of compost on top and planted.
* For another regular bed, I put one layer of cardboard, edges overlapping, after digging up the grass. Then I put 10 to 12 inches soil mix (order from the same companies that supply compost; ask for a mix of sandy loam, pumice and compost. They should know the correct proportions). Other people use compost, which is cheaper. I planted immediately.
-- Kym Pokorny | <urn:uuid:71cb14cf-9695-48b7-83e5-a7ecf6045b59> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2012/09/create_a_drought-tolerant_bed.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970185 | 480 | 1.601563 | 2 |
"Guess what I had for breakfast?"
As the "health coordinator" in an overcrowded school in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood, Benjamin Spoer fielded that question a lot. For two years, his job at Abraham Lincoln High School was to help its 2,500 students take responsibility for their own health — to steer them toward exercise, good nutrition, and other habits that ward off chronic illness.
That's a hard sell for many American teen-agers, even in upscale neighborhoods where the message is reinforced by organic-food stores, personal trainers, gym classes, and achievement-oriented families. In a rough New York neighborhood, though, most of the students' daily experiences, from omnipresent ads for junk food to grocery stores with no fresh produce, were nudging them in the opposite direction.
So when a student asked Spoer to "guess what I had for breakfast,” it often was for the pleasure of telling the health guy that she'd eaten three Pop Tarts with a milkshake.
He wasn't exactly surprised. In the kids who were eager to tune him out, he saw himself, not many years earlier. These days Spoer is six-foot-five, lean and broad-shouldered, with red hair and a lively curiosity about the world. But 10 years ago he was a pudgy middle-schooler with few friends, cadging money for extra candy and hiding the peanut-butter-cup wrappers from his parents.
"I was engaged in 'eating my feelings,' " he says.” “Most of the people I dealt with were sure they were happy and yet couldn't figure out why they felt so bad."
After his mother found a pile of candy wrappers in the couch, she availed herself of the kind of resources one doesn’t find around Lincoln High School: she found Spoer a personal trainer, who hooked him on fitness and nutrition. That transformed the chocolate-smuggling C student into a triathlete, marathoner, and rower who routinely earned A's on his report card. "Exercise is what gave me my life," he says.
He graduated from UC Berkeley in 2007 with a degree in philosophy, plans for law school, and a career ambition to become an advocate for children and teens. So Spoer eagerly signed on for a two-year stint working for HealthCorps, a "Peace Corps for health" started in 2003 by the cardiac surgeon Mehmet Oz. HealthCorps recruits — 15,000 so far — are new college graduates who work, for long hours and minimal pay, to help students in underserved high schools assume greater responsibility for their personal health. An independent study recently found that students exposed to Health Corps cut down their soda intake and scored about 10 percent better than average on a test of health knowledge. Most significantly, students were 36 percent more likely to say they had recently become more physically active.
Spoer first walked into his basement office at Lincoln in September 2007; he was almost 22, close enough to the students' age to remember how they see the world (which is part of the HealthCorps strategy). The students’ desire to compete and assert themselves against authority, Spoer realized, could as easily work for him as against. "High schoolers have so much to prove," he says. "Playing off that was probably my best motivational tool."
His first move was to set up a booth in the cafeteria. Then he announced that if anyone could ask him a health question he couldn’t answer, he’d give them a free t-shirt. “I was thronged with kids, 16 to 20 deep, yelling health questions at me,” he recalls. Students were impressed that he knew his stuff (he gave away just three shirts), and even more so that he'd field any question, from "What is diverticulitis?" (a swelling in the wall of the intestine) to "Why is my friend's penis so small?" (Answer: "Probably because he's a small person overall.")
Many other "challenges" followed, each one aimed at engaging teenagers without infringing on their sense of autonomy. (On one occasion, he challenged students to eat nothing but whole grains for a day.) His manner announced to students that he wasn't trying to boss or manipulate them; he worked for them, not the other way around.
"These kids' lives are really hard," Spoer says. "Sometimes the only thing that makes everything okay is a milkshake. If that's what makes your life livable, don't let some dude at school get in your way. But I want you to understand what you're doing to yourself. Understand the consequences."
Spoer also knew he couldn't change teenagers without engaging parents, teachers, and the school itself. He set up a referral system for the guidance department; students who were having chronic problems could be sent to meet with him during the day. To show students the link between nutrition and performance, he kept his office supplied with bread, jelly, and peanut butter. "Peanut butter has good fat and it has protein. Couple that with carbohydrates and a glass of water, you actually have all four macronutrients that you need to have a satisfying meal." Also, he notes, "It's pretty easy to get people's attention when you're handing out free food."
Teachers, eager to see the students improve their performance in class, were happy to become involved. Some even offered an extra five points on a test score to each student who’d eaten breakfast every day that week. Parents, though, were a harder sell, often for reasons that underscore why obesity can plague poorer neighborhoods. Some complained, rightly, that fresh vegetables were hard to find in their local stores. Spoer encouraged them to visit a farmer's market a few subway stops away in a much more prosperous neighborhood, but many teens and parents didn't feel at ease there.
One of Spoer’s most ambitious challenges asked students to pledge to eat only nutritionally sound foods for an entire two weeks. Those who signed up had to keep a food log and attend two or three meetings a week. Each also was given a button to wear, “so other kids can see you're part of the challenge and bond over it," Spoer says. More than 50 students signed up, and about 30 stuck with the program to the end. "Every single one said they had more energy. A couple had really good improvements in grades. The athletes all performed better on the field. They were freaking out."
HealthCorps, which was designed to find and test ideas, has spread some of Spoer's: His "challenge" approach has been used by volunteers in other schools, as has the "stump the health guy" booth. Meanwhile, the organization changed him as well. Having finished his two-year stint with the program, he now works with it on a new project, "HealthRaisers," a network of athletes who raise money for healthy-lifestyle programs and promote fitness in their communities. He dropped plans for law school and now is preparing to apply to graduate school in health psychology. The mysteries and subtleties of motivation fascinate him, and he often steers the conversation back around to the subject.
"I would say, 'There are no prizes for successfully completing the challenge. Nobody wins it. Your body will give you back prizes that are so much better than anything I can give you.’" Of course, he says, "Half the kids wanted to complete the challenge just so they could tell me they didn't feel any better. If you want to improve your life to spite me, go for it."
David Berreby blogs about behavior at Bigthink.com and has written about science for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and many other publications. He is the author of Us and Them: The Science of Identity, published by Little, Brown. | <urn:uuid:34f7a266-4e2b-4fc2-9417-158bd847ebcc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/articles/the-health-mentor | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986891 | 1,647 | 1.851563 | 2 |
Since voting is already under way in Ohio, this Times investigation of voters being removed from the rolls in violation of federal law is troubling to say the least. At least six swing states appear to have illegally removed voters, ironically while these states were trying to comply with the 2002 Help America Vote Act intended to, um, help America vote.
Just how the states have deviated from the law varies: in Colorado and Michigan they're removing voters less than 90 days out from an election (not OK except in cases of death); Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio seem to be misusing Social Security data to verify voter registration (as illustrated in this graphic); and three other states have troubling use of the data as well. Under federal law, using Social Security data to verify voter registration is to be an absolute last resort as federal databases are less reliable than state.
To see what the investigation found, read more.
The Times found that, for instance, Nevada used the Social Security database more than 740,000 times to check voter files and found 715,000 nonmatches. Though the irregularities don't appear to be partisan, due to aggressive voter drives by the Obama campaign, those voters could be disproportionately affected.
With episodes of voter fraud already surfacing, and questions as whether foreclosure or mental illness affects voting status, does this new information indicate serious problems with our voting system? Do you anticipate big problems at the polls next month, or are these isolated incidents? | <urn:uuid:284d5fa5-f8c7-4973-9dc2-45695435e215> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tressugar.com/Voters-Swing-States-Removed-From-Rolls-Illegally-2335526 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946023 | 299 | 1.992188 | 2 |
Pecan farmers are closely monitoring and protecting their crop these days as the nuts are pushing toward final maturity. The bug getting the most attention right now is the Pecan Weevil. This insect is a larger version of its infamous kissing cousin the Boll Weevil. From August through September is when weevils start their annual emergence from the orchard floor to attack pecans.
This summer, some Dougherty County 4-H'ers decided to help farmers by building Pecan Weevil monitoring traps. Farmers bought these traps from the 4-H Club and mounted them on trees where weevils have been a problem in the past. Once or twice a week, the traps are checked for newly emerged weevils to see if a pesticide application is necessary. Ideally, this detection system helps farmers use less pesticide and when spraying does become necessary it will be more timely and effective.
The Pecan Weevil is considered the most damaging of all insects infesting Georgia pecans. University of Georgia entomologists measure economic impact in terms of money spent on insect control and income lost from their damage. Statewide this one pest can pick pecan producer's pockets for over $9 million. No wonder they are serious about finding and stopping Pecan Weevils.
Adult weevils emerge from the soil starting in early August, but the migration can last well into September. Many times farmers notice increased emergence after a heavy rain softens the soil. Before pecan shells harden, punctures from feeding cause the nuts to drop prematurely. More significant damage occurs when mated females start laying eggs inside the immature pecan kernel.
Other than hurricane force winds, weevil egg laying damage is the last major hurdle farmers may face before harvesting their crop. The eggs hatch into grubs and feed inside the protected kernel for about 30 days before leaving behind a worthless nut.
Many people have found the small circular exit holes left on pecan shells by the mature grub. Next, they burrow into the ground and remain in the larval stage for one to two years before pupating into an adult Pecan Weevil.
The adult remains in the soil until the following August, when the whole process starts over again. As the adult weevils emerge, they walk or fly to a pecan tree to start feeding. Information from Texas A&M shows that 77 percent of emerging adults fly to and light on a nearby tree trunk at a height of 6- 8 feet. That's where the 4-H traps are standing guard. Like a vertical fish trap, they catch the weevils as they walk upward toward the tree canopy for their annual party.
Dougherty 4-H'ers made over 80 traps this summer to help protect America's favorite nut crop. Proceeds from the project helped send two 4-H'ers to summer camp. This program is just one example of how today's farmers are using Pest Management tools to be more selective and efficient in their pesticide use. The University of Georgia has developed other detection methods for Pecan pests. Every other spring they offer training in Tifton at the "Pecan Scout School." For more information contact your local county agent.
Rad Yager, UGA County Extension Agent for Dougherty County can be reached at (229) 436-7216 | <urn:uuid:8fc2777c-fd52-4de1-9fb9-5f9d4b838809> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2010/sep/21/4-hers-monitor-pecan-weevils/?news | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937221 | 681 | 3.375 | 3 |
Educators now can choose from a city-approved list when buying materials that adhere to the Common Core standards in math and English. Schools won’t get the new materials until September though, months after students take the first Common Core-aligned exams.
A frank assessment of the Bloomberg legacy and what awaits the next mayor were the highlights of a breakfast panel hosted by City & State and SchoolBook. You can hear it here.
As the city expands its special education reforms across the city, the new policy has run into a few speed bumps. Families and schools are struggling to understand and meet the requirement that neighborhood schools serve almost all the students in its community even if that means adding staff and providing services the school has never provided before.
Speaking on WNYC, the city’s chief academic officer, Shael Polakow-Suransky, said the city was opening its hot line this week for parents of special education students ahead of this fall’s overhaul of special education programs. Listen to the conversation, and share your comments.
The city is proposing to give a small number of students who have been held back at least once a chance of moving ahead to the next grade if they fail their state exams again this summer. But the students’ principals will have to prove they are making progress on at least two measures of performance.
More than 5,000 New York City teachers have been assigned to score the state math and reading exams. The work happens at several sites around the city during the school day, which means students are without their regular classroom teachers for several days at a time.
In an effort to expand the introduction of a new set of learning standards into the city’s public schools, officials are asking science and social studies teachers to introduce more reading and writing into students’ classwork. This school year, English and math teachers have already begun to adapt their lessons to the new requirements.
School progress reports, standardized testing and legal battles over private school tuition were all in the news over the weekend, with Michael Winerip comparing two South Bronx schools, Gail Collins examining “A Very Pricey Pineapple,” and Jenny Anderson looking at what happened when some parents tried to withdraw their child from private school.
At a bit before midnight, more than three months after the idea was first proposed, the Panel for Educational Policy voted to reconstitute two dozen city schools by closing them, replacing most of their staff members and reopening them with new names. The vote was the end of a prolonged process, a day of drama and a very long, emotional night.
The president of the principals’ union makes a case to save Bushwick Community High School, a transfer high school that is slated to be closed. Ernest Logan writes: “Not one student I encountered on my recent visit could figure out how losing their principal, teachers and cherished school name was going to help them.”
Schoolbook is a site dedicated to news, data and conversation about schools in New York City.
Tell us what’s going on in your school. You can e-mail us with your tips or documents, or call 646-801-9698 and leave a voice message.
Join the Public Insight Network and help our journalists cover education in the city. Your stories and insights can help us create relevant and distinctive reporting. Join more than 100,000 people and become a trusted source. | <urn:uuid:abff83dd-a9a3-47e1-be65-7be0d0ee2981> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.schoolbook.org/tag/shael-polakow-suransky | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970106 | 700 | 1.84375 | 2 |
There is one theory that Noakes rebukes that I do think is dominant, and that I did believe. According to Hill's theory, VO2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken up and used, should be a good predictor of athletic performance. (Even Wikipedia says this.) Noakes cites many acticles (including one written by Peter Snell, the 3 time gold medalist from New Zealand who became a physiologist) to argue that VO2 max actually isn't a good predictor. I understand that VO2 max might not be the only factor in performance but certainly it's one of them, right?
But back to the main argument. In my opinion, we already knew the brain's role in training and racing well. Noakes provides some evidence to help really drive the point home, such as the fact that people go harder in races than in practice, pointing to an obvious role of the brain and motivation. His best argument comes from observations of athletes at the end of an race. The finish line is in sight and you start sprinting. It doesn't matter if you've run 3 miles or 26 miles, you'll pick up the pace when you're almost done. According to Hill's theory, at this point your muscles and heart should be at their most fatigued point and not able to speed up. But your brain knows you're almost done, and so you can.
After convincing the reader of the role of the brain, the question is what can we do about it. How can we be tougher mentally? Noakes doesn't answer this. The answer may be obvious and cliche: believe in yourself and practice that in your training. The boxes under "Centrally-acting performance modifiers" in the chart at right show some of the factors that studies have indicated play a role in mind over muscle. Swishing Gatorade in your mouth (not even actually drinking it), trying to win prize money, and seeing the finish line can all fool your brain into feeling better.
One thing that struck me personally was at the end. He talks about how, in a close race, it's not physiology that determines the winner, but mentality. He basically says that the loser decides to lose and accepts second place. Yikes, that's a bit harsh. But he goes on: "Especially interesting would be studies of the performance of athletes competing in events in which they do not have any knowledge of the quality of the opposition." I'll admit, I Google-stalked Orange Shirt in a "my marathon is over, what the heck do I do with myself" moment. I found out she used to run for Hansons Brooks and has a 2:35 marathon PR. Are you freaking kidding me? If I had known that, no way would I have gone after her. I would have settled for second, not believing I had a shot. Obviously Orange Shirt wasn't running a 2:35 that day, but if I had know what an amazing athlete she is, I would have mentally given in. And as Noakes argues, that would have been my brain limiting my performance, not my muscles.
One of the best parts of the paper is his quotes from famous runners, ranging from Sir Roger Bannister (1st man to break the 4:00 mile, also known as Dr. Bannister, a neurologist) to Paavo Nurmi (a nine time gold medalist.) He throws in some Vince Lombardi and Muhammad Ali quotes for those non-runners. But he's missing Eminem: You can do anything you set your mind to. | <urn:uuid:15fe034c-95c6-46ca-b4ef-d474cd19dce7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.milestothetrials.com/2012_04_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976179 | 733 | 2.25 | 2 |
|acute pancreatitis as side-effect of meds
Jun 13, 2000
A friend was just hospitalized with acute Pancreatitis. He was on the triple combination therapy. Can you tell me what causes this condition and what one can do to prevent it or at least foresee it's happening
| Response from Dr. Boyle
There are many causes of pancreatitis, some associated with HIV disease and some not. These include alcohol use, gallstones, infections (e.g. CMV or MAC), metabolic abnormalities (e.g. high triglycerides) and medications (notably pentamidine, ddI and ddC, but sometimes others). Avoidance of medications associated with pancreatitis, avoidance of alcohol and correction of any metabolic abnormalities are the most appropriate steps to avoid a recurrence of pancreatitis. Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.
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Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material. | <urn:uuid:e825296a-795c-4340-b969-bac0bddfec33> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SideEffects/Q4538.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9152 | 298 | 2.078125 | 2 |
2005 Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act:
Whose Side is the USDA on?
2005 Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act: Whose Side is the USDA on?
The situation for animals in U.S. laboratories, animal dealers, exhibitors, and intermediate handlers is very grave. The USDA/APHIS/AC is arbitrarily decreasing enforcement actions at a time when the numbers of violations of the Animal Welfare Act and the number of animals negatively impacted by those violations is increasing dramatically (44% for violations and 321% for animals effected). The USDA/APHIS/AC is deliberately choosing not to prosecute offenders, is reducing fines to the level of non-existence, and is also promulgating misleading information.
Statistics regarding the use of animals in laboratories has been reported in such a way (by omitting information about the use of animals in federally owned laboratories) so as to give the appearance of a reduction in the use of animals in experimentation, at a time when the actual total is rising. These omissions have been made by a part of the federal government who actually uses more animals intramurally than any other agency. However, the majority of the USDA’s own animals are specifically excluded from all protections of the Animal Welfare Act – even though these are the same species that are protected in the labs of private universities and other research facilities.
Any non-governmental entity with such a poor record would either go out of business or would make massive changes in the hierarchy of the agency in question. However, things continue without major alterations at the USDA – despite internal documentation of malfeasance. When inspectors can’t even be bothered to count animals, what hope is there that federal law is being enforced with any degree of reliability? Though the reported totals of violations and animals effected by those violations are skyrocketing, how many violations go unreported? How much protection do animals really receive?
Additionally, many other federal agencies use substantial numbers of regulated species in experimentation. The Department of Defense is estimated to utilize over 36,000 regulated animals per year. The National Institutes of Health uses an estimated 16,500 regulated animals per year. The Veteran’s administration experiments upon roughly 13,000 regulated animals per year. Other miscellaneous agencies (including the EPA, Department of the Interior, etc.) use another 11,200 regulated animals per year.
The research facilities which contain these animals receive no outside inspections; they agencies are expected to be self-regulating. There is no independent oversight. There are no prosecutions, no fines, and no meaningful enforcement actions. The roughly 127,500 animals in federally owned laboratories have no meaningful protections. There is no law, because there is no realistic enforcement.
We welcome your comments
This site is hosted and maintained by:
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Thank you for visiting all-creatures.org. | <urn:uuid:d7216624-e68c-4d7f-88c9-ad6bb323125b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/articles-2005enf-con.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936702 | 584 | 2.28125 | 2 |
School Superintendent Michele Lawrence told parents and community advocates of Latino students that she opposes the breakup of Berkeley High School into small schools within the 3,400-student school.
“I’m a little hesitant to open another system when I see this one so in need of repair,” Lawrence said to the group of about 80 people who gathered at Rosa Parks Elementary School on Sunday for a forum organized by local Latino organizations. Lawrence also cited possible budget cuts as one of the reasons she hesitated to begin the process of rearranging the high school.
The superintendent, herself a Latina, met informally with leaders of a number of Latino organizations before the larger meeting to discuss some of the most pressing concerns for Latino parents, particularly the high drop out rates and lack of preparation for college.
Mercedes Sanders, a guidance counselor at Berkeley Alternative High School and member of Chicanos/Latinos for Academic and Social Success, said the forum was intended to inform parents about Lawrence’s vision for the Berkeley schools.
“The large high school is our concern,” Sanders said. “Students are getting lost because they don’t feel comfortable, they’re alienated and they choose to leave.”
Lawrence said that although smaller schools create a more intimate atmosphere for students, they do not guarantee quality teaching.
“Unless you look and make certain that we have effective teachers who are well-trained and delivering good information, whether it’s big or small it has to be effective teaching,” she said.
Lawrence said the focus should be on the California High School Exit Exam, which students from the class of 2004 will be required to pass in order to receive a high school diploma. The legislature approved a bill last month that would allow the State Board of Education to postpone that date, and the bill is awaiting the governor's signature.
The superintendent said she is opposed to giving out different types of diplomas to different students, something that has been suggested by some educators as a way of providing challenging requirements to students with different abilities.
“I think that’s going to be bad for minority children,” she said. “I think what we really have to do is make certain that we have Saturday programs, after school programs and summer school to make certain that these students are staying on track.”
One parent expressed concern that minority students in the district are being neglected. Her daughter, a freshman at Berkeley High School who is in the Spanish for native speakers’ class, said students in the class had been without textbooks since the first day of school. Lawrence said that she would follow the issue up on Monday.
Lawrence said she is particularly concerned about school attendance, noting that Berkeley High does not do a good job alerting parents about student attendance because of its inefficient system. Nonetheless, she told parents it is up to them to make sure their children are at school and that they should call the attendance office at least once a month to check on their child’s attendance.
“Don’t let your child fall through the cracks while we’re fixing the system,” she said.
Lawrence told the groups that she and the board had set five goals for the school district: security and safety of students, communication, accountability, school maintenance and understanding of the school district budget.
Lawrence said she is investing lots of time in reviewing the budget because the majority goes to pay personnel.
“You must know where those people work, who they are and what they get paid,” she said. “We’re very sloppy; records have just not been kept up.”
The superintendent said budget cuts are likely in December. “It’s not awful but it is serious and we’ll be (spending) time on the budget,” she said.
Lawrence said she hopes that once the five goals she has set have been accomplished, the district will be able to look at more specific problems.
“We can’t get diverted from the five things,” she said. “We must build upon those five things so that all the children in this school district can achieve much better than they are now. And I think we can do this together.” | <urn:uuid:5d3c7220-9998-409c-adff-7a6aeb6b5541> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-10-09/article/7334?headline=District-leader-opposes-breakup--By-Ofelia-Madrid-Special-to-the-Daily-Planet | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971491 | 889 | 1.671875 | 2 |
This week, skywatchers will have the chance to catch a winking "demon star" in the night sky.
The star, known as Algol, is located in the constellation of Perseus, the Hero, and has been known since ancient times as "The Demon Star."
Algol has a long and venerable history. Its name comes from the Arabic word al-ghul, which means "female demon." But, contrary to popular belief, the name seems to have nothing to do with the star's behavior, but rather, is due merely to Algol's position marking the head of the Gorgon Medusa in ancient Greek mythology. According to the myth, gazing at Medusa could turn a person to stone. | <urn:uuid:9d8378cb-eed1-4eff-abdf-4c76a5c9bf2a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ccstargazers.org/modules/AMS/index.php | 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 | 0.977075 | 152 | 2.890625 | 3 |
E-mail Providers Team Up to Help Fix ‘Broken’ System
Some wonder if the promise of e-mail as an indispensable business tool is turning into a nightmare.
"It increasingly is broken," Silicon Valley venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson told USA Today. "Spam, fraud, phishing schemes, all this other stuff is more than an annoyance. The future of the medium is at stake."
Market researchers say scams, viruses and junk e-mail cost more than $15 billion in personal losses and lost workplace productivity last year.
Last week, America Online, Yahoo, EarthLink and Microsoft, the nation's largest carriers of e-mail, urged smaller Internet providers to freeze infected e-mail accounts or limit their use. The effort is intended to slow the number of "zombie PCs" that are hijacked to send spam without the user’s knowledge. AOL found that 89 percent of attempted spam on its network last month came from zombie PCs.
"We want to make sure other online neighborhoods are clean," says Nicholas Graham, a spokesman for AOL, which shuts down infected accounts. The large ISPs want the smaller providers to patch security holes, verify identities of e-mail senders and monitor unusually high volumes of mail.
The battle is clearly uphill as schemes get more sophisticated. Phishing, for example, tricks consumers into revealing personal data by responding to spam that appears legitimate. The Anti-Phishing Working Group said phishing attacks soared to a record 1,125 unique schemes in April, compared with 402 in March. As for viruses, nearly 1,000 viruses surfaced in May, the most since December 2001, after Nimda and Code Red hit, according computer-security company Sophos.
Users are starting to distrust e-mail, using it more carefully or even opting against buying goods online or paying bills over the Internet. Some companies are even considering returning to postal mail, USA Today reported.
"I'm less likely to attach a document knowing the recipient may delete it out of (fear) of receiving a virus," says Aaron Itzkowitz, an account manager for a software company in Florida. "And I will delete an unfamiliar e-mail rather than open possibly infected e-mail."
"E-mail gives criminals what they want: a degree of anonymity," says Bruce Townsend, who coordinates cybercrime investigations for the U.S. Secret Service. "Law enforcement does not have the financial or technological resources to cope with all these cases. But we have a lot of techniques" to find many, he said. | <urn:uuid:cfaa7c58-f31f-43e0-8566-6bfe86fecc18> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.accountingweb.com/print/133932 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939998 | 525 | 1.960938 | 2 |
Published September 22, 2012
family , LDS , Missionary , Mormon Culture , Mormon Doctrine , Mormonism , Personal/Family , Scriptures
Tags: LDS, Mormon, Mormon Culture, Mormonism, Scriptures
A paraphrased story from my #2 son:
We have recently moved to a small town in western Ohio. My #2 son is one of only two young men in the local high school (as far as I know). He is participating on the football team and just the other day the team had a meal together. At the table where he sat, the conversation turned to the practices of Mormonism. The report of the conversations went something like this:
“So you believe there should not be any sex before marriage.”
“Yes”, my boy said.
“What would you do if a pretty girl came up to you, unzipped your pants, and gave you a hand job?”
“I would probably slap her face.”
“No you wouldn’t”
“Yes I would”
“What about Adam and Eve, they weren’t married”
“Yes the were”
My son then pulls out his IPod and goes to Genesis 1 to show that Adam and Eve were husband and wife.
“Dude. You have the scriptures on your IPod?!”
The boy seemed to handle it pretty well. And seems to have no fear.
I have been wondering about the question of whether members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ought to be more optimistic about the after-life than members of other Christian faiths. In asking this, I am not wondering which group is more smug, arrogant and self-righteous. I am also not asking this in terms of who is more confident in being doctrinally correct. What I am wondering, is given the basic theology of different religious traditions (Mormonism and mainstream Protestants for example), who should be more optimistic about the after-life? In making such comparisons, I will of course be generalizing and over-simplifying to very high levels. But I hope that thinking and discussing this will have some positive results.
Continue reading ‘Who Should Be More Optimistic About The After-Life?’
Dan Peterson makes what I feel is an excellent point in a recent article here.
The basic point is this, people know that terms like ‘non-Christian’ and ‘Cult’ are loaded terms, and they use them anyway. They may justify this by telling themselves that they are using a lesser known meaning or use of a word, while the audience will largely take away the common use of the word. Peterson does a good job of bringing this out.
I know that the church is true.
This statement is repeated over, and over again on the first Sunday of every month in Fast and Testimony meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Members, of course, are not forced to say this, but most of them do. This certain statement bothers a few people when they hear it. They will often say that the ‘know’ part is to strong, and ‘true’ is a pretty strong word as well.
Continue reading ‘I Know the Church is True – Or – Epistemology of a Testimony’
Published August 17, 2011
LDS , Mormon Culture , Mormonism
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints take some pride in the claim that there is no paid ministry in the church. This is true enough on the local level, where local leaders volunteer all of their time without financial compensation. But I understand that it is also true that many (if not all) full time general leaders of the church do get paid – something along the lines of what a college professor might earn. If this is not true please correct me, but it is my understanding, and I will proceed as if it were true.
Continue reading ‘Paid Ministry and Corruption’
Published June 9, 2011
Mormon Doctrine , Mormonism
I have read with interest some posts at FPR about prophets, and what they ought to be like. It so happens that I have just started reading some Kierkegaard, and he had some interesting things to say about prophets and apostles.
David Paulsen has an excellent article that was published in BYU studies about Kierkegaard and Joseph Smith. As I related in a previous post, Mormons will like some of what Kierkegaard has to say regarding Christian apostasy. In the Book on Adler, Kierkegaard gives five characteristics that he would expect from one who had the true mantle of authority. They are:
Continue reading ‘Kierkegaard on Prophets/Apostles’
I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Georgia. While I was there, I came across many conservative, fundamentalist, Southern Baptists. These folks appeared to be heavily influenced by Calvinist theology. I learned to love the people, but I hated the theology. Perhaps missionaries who serve in the southern U.S. should receive some type of therapy upon the completion of their mission, because I still get a little grouchy whenever I hear the term ‘grace’.
Continue reading ‘Grace vs. Grace Alone’
One of the themes of conference that emerged for me was that of agency. Elder Hales and President Monson (priesthood session) both spoke on this topic directly. One idea from the scriptures, which both men shared, is that agency is God-given. This might seem unambiguous and straight forward, but it brings to my mind questions about what is agency, and how is it given?
Continue reading ‘General Conference and Agency’
Published September 27, 2010
LDS , Mormon Doctrine , Mormonism
The subject of meritocracy was stated on the facebook status of one of my friends. A hyper-intelligent and talented philosopher who is very knowledgeable about Mormonism confidently declared meritocracy a false doctrine to be refuted. This is a subject I posted on once or twice and wanted to do it again and figured now may be as good a time as any.
Continue reading ‘The Merits of Meritocracy’
I heard a rumor once, that when the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve were finished with ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’, that it was suggested that this document be added to the scriptures – perhaps as a section in the Doctrine and Covenants. As the rumor goes, President Hinckley decided not to do that because it would make members feel that they needed to go out and buy a new set of scriptures. A nice set of new scriptures is quite expensive, and the task of printing new scriptures for much of the church membership would be a significant one.
For the sake of argument, let us assume for the moment that this rumor has some truth to it. Do nice, expensive scriptures lead to a functionally closed canon? Unfortunately, I think the answer might be yes.
Continue reading ‘Do Nice, Expensive Scriptures Lead to a Functionally Closed Canon?’ | <urn:uuid:85d90f3b-6cf7-4009-b08e-cc528dffcac0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://smallsimple.wordpress.com/category/mormonism/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967387 | 1,494 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Wickham and Alice Skinner of St. George, Me., have provided a gift to help the University of Maine Art Department’s Visual Resources Library with the mammoth project of building a digital collection.
The VRL currently holds approximately 60,000 traditional slides as well as films and support equipment. Bringing this collection into the 21st century calls for digitizing slides, scanning and purchasing new images, installing new storage and image delivery systems, and acquiring new support equipment. New skills must be learned by all.
Creating digital versions of UMaine’s visual resources means that they will be more accessible and usable as tools for scholarship and instruction by the art department. Images will be protected from wear and tear; centrally located; and accessible to the art department’s faculty right from their desks.
“Going digital has ushered in not only more efficient and diverse approaches to organizing and obtaining information, but has quantitatively enhanced the quality of our presentations,” says Professor Susan Groce, chair of the Art Department, noting that the Skinners’ generous gift is vital to the overall success of the digitization project begun last year.
“Initiating the digital conversion has had a chain reaction throughout the department in the way that all of us prepare our lectures and presentations. Digitization of the VRL is a very worthwhile and necessary project at the core of what we do.”
Wick, who served on the University of Maine System Board of Trustees for 10 years, says he and Alice are gratified to have helped with the technology project.
“It seemed very fundamental and basic to get the art department’s images on to a digital format so they can be much more readily used by students and faculty,” he says. “It’s a teaching aid that will be used in many different courses. It will also allow students the ability to do research for their coursework.”
Resource Librarian Krista Molnar-Smith says that nowadays faculty and historians rely almost exclusively on digital images to teach art since slide films have become largely obsolete. “If we don’t preserve this collection digitally, then professors will not have teaching materials.”
Recalling the exciting new art programs and courses trustees reviewed and approved over the years, Wick says, “the considerable increase in enrollment, energy and zeal, and the tremendous progress the art department has made is very exciting. I see the art department as one of the major strengths of the University and one of its unique aspects that fits the state of Maine and its tremendous attraction to artists.”
Wick also has a personal affinity for art. An amateur painter, he is President Emeritus of the renowned Farnsworth Museum in Rockland.
Krista says the Skinners’ gift helped jump-start the digitization process and advance it faster than the department could have otherwise.
“Their generous gift was a great help, allowing us to hire a student who was dedicated solely to the digitization project.”
So far, 1,778 slides have been digitized, according to Krista, who says the complex initiative involves “not only digitizing slides, but also developing viewing, delivery and presentation systems for the images; instituting cataloguing and archiving systems; and providing and maintaining various technical equipment required for the scanning and archiving tasks, as well as equipment for faculty use in class presentation and development.”
Thanks to the Skinners’ philanthropy, the Introductory Art History Survey, one of the department’s largest classes, was taught entirely with digital images for the first time in the spring of ’08. The Survey of Art History II class will go that same route in the fall.
Krista says other goals include making the digital collection available to faculty through a website; implementing a new and more efficient database; purchasing new images for the collection; and adding equipment to accommodate a fast-growing and ever-changing field. To that end, the department aims to obtain for faculty a second portable digital projector and a second computer to use within the VRL that will contain the website of images and other helpful tools for class preparations.
“All of these changes will be ongoing, since as we all know, technology changes day by day,” she says. “However, this is what makes the project so exciting. Ultimately, it will benefit our students tremendously.”
Image Description: Historic Lord Hall has been completely renovated and now houses the Department of Art which includes the Visual Resources Library | <urn:uuid:b3f90897-f962-4474-b5ba-0db10ff6b06c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://umaine.edu/development/blog/2008/08/19/skinners-help-art-department%E2%80%99s-visual-resources-library-build-digital-collection/?tpl=textonly | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953352 | 935 | 1.960938 | 2 |
I’ve found myself listening to a lot of Hugo Alfven and Hakon Borresen this week. Their symphonies captivated me, thanks to #symphonyaday on Twitter, and I quickly looked for as many recordings of their respective works as I could find. When I noticed the two men were born within a few years of one another, I decided to find music by a few of their contemporaries as well. This week’s pieces were all composed by men born in the 1870s. Enjoy!
1. Hugo Alfven (1872-1960) –“Dalarapsodi” (Dalecarlian Rhapsody), Op. 47, “Swedish Rhapsody No. 3” (8.553729) This beautiful programmatic piece depicts a young sheppard girl’s dream. Alfven wrote, "I imagine a shepherd-girl sitting on the grass at her mountain farm in the quiet and deserted woodlands, blowing her horn. I want to depict her dreams, her longing. In the distance she hears a bridal procession pass by and in her dreams she is once more among her friends down in the village. She remembers merry dances in the evenings and church on Sundays and the exalted solemn hymns. She shivers as she remembers the night when a strange man appeared among them, seized a fiddle and played wild and strange tunes that made the people go mad. It was the Devil himself. The shepherd-girl starts up with a cry of fear, then she wakes from her horrible dream and looks around in confusion. Quietly she takes up her horn again. I hear the same melody as in the beginning. And the woods answer her, sighing deeply."
2. Guillaume Lekeu (1870-1894) –Violin Sonata in G major (AR-0012-2)
3. Hakon Borresen (1876-1954) –Symphony No. 1 in c minor (8.554950)
4. Ludolf Nielson (1876-1939) –Babelstarnet (The Tower of Bable), Op. 35 and Skovvandring (Forest Walk), Op. 40 (8.224157
5. Hugo Alfven –Vaggvisa (Lullaby) (BIS-CD-633)
6. Paul Jeanjean (1875-1929) –Prelude et Scherzo (MM1024) Piece for bassoon and piano; short and sweet with a fun, bouncy scherzo
7. Henri Zagwijn (1878-1954) –“Zeergedragen” (CC72166) This little-known Dutch composer was entirely self-taught with a small body of work. This is the only piece we have in the NML, and it’s a great piece for solo harmonium.
8. Hakon Borresen –Violin Concerto in G Major, Op. 11 (DACOCD465-466)
9. Roger Quitter (1877-1953) –Country Pieces (8.223444) Great English composer—His pieces are childlike, light and just plain fun.
10. Henry Hadley (1871-1937) –Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 132 (TROY305) | <urn:uuid:522ef205-d4b9-425b-9c96-2fa2376d1d93> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://naxosmusiclibrary.blogspot.com/2010/02/check-it-out_24.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951639 | 710 | 2.0625 | 2 |
A cadre of high-profile CEO’s came out to lobby Capitol Hill in an effort to get Social Security and Medicare on the table when the deficit reduction is negotiated.
Most of the companies they represent don’t even offer pension plans, and several more haven’t contributed enough funds to cover expected payouts.
Bailed out Goldman Sachs CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, said “Social Security wasn’t devised to be a system that supported you for a 30-year retirement after a 25-year career.” Lloyd, with numbers like that, no wonder Goldman Sachs needed a bailout. The fact is most people have a working career of 35-45 years and the average time for recipients on Social Security is only 16.1 years! Then they die.
Don’t be fooled. Social Security is not part of the national debt, and it’s solvent until 2033. Medicare and Medicaid are part of the debt, but here’s a fix that nobody is talking about: why don’t we increase the contribution levels from 6.2 percent to 7.2 percent, and in additional increments going forward if needed?
Critics will scream about a tax increase, but I say “so what.” We’re just putting money aside for when we need it later in life, aren’t we?
In a recent survey of the 10 most prosperous countries in the world, Norway, Denmark and Sweden topped the list, while the USA didn’t even make the list. The Scandinavian countries all have much higher taxes than we do here.
People in those countries are happy to pay higher taxes because they expect and they get high quality services and benefits. Why can’t we take some lessons from them and do the same here? We could, if our focus was on improving the lives of all of us instead of maximizing profits for somebody at the expense of others. | <urn:uuid:812ad993-5ba0-4292-a6db-7b891f14cca5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://queensledger.com/pages/full_story/push?article-CEO%E2%80%99s+Want+Entitlements+Cuts%20&id=21241792 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928968 | 400 | 1.648438 | 2 |
Ridge Says RFID Boosts Security
CHICAGO -- Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this week told the manufacturers and users of radio-frequency identification technologies that their work will protect Americans from terrorism.
It will also make inventory tracking more efficient for retailers like Wal-Mart and their thousands of suppliers, he said.
"That's one of the beautiful things about RFID," said Ridge. "It's another security measure embedded in the U.S. economy."
Ridge, who recently left his job as DHS chief, ushered the department through several RFID pilot programs, including programs that use tags to secure shipping containers from tampering, and those that use both RFID and biometrics to track workers entering secure airport facilities.
Ridge recently joined the board of Savi Technology, an RFID contractor for the DHS.
Some observers of RFID technology development are worried by Ridge's support for RFID technologies for tracking people.
At a conference in Chicago that brought together RFID tag manufacturers, software developers and freight-shipping managers, Ridge declared that "biometrics and RFID will make us safer."
Ridge called a recent test of RFID to identify passengers and cargo "an enormous success."
Ridge also said the government can be trusted to safeguard the personal data it gathers from RFID tags.
"We struggle with privacy a lot," said Ridge. "But with political and private-sector oversight (and digital firewall technologies), we can limit access to the data."
But Homeland Security may be moving too quickly to adopt RFID, especially as a tool in ID documents, said Jim Harper, director of information studies at the libertarian think tank the Cato Institute.
The market for RFID technology is overheating, said Harper.
"There is an RFID bubble under way," said Harper, "and the government is right there with it, even though there is no proven ROI (in terms of intelligence gathering) for using it. I just hope the bubble bursts early in homeland security for the use of RFID for people monitoring."
Harper said businesses like Wal-Mart and government agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense should be allowed to use RFID to improve the tracking of goods in their massive supply chains. "That's where RFID seems to work," said Harper. "That's the wheelhouse of the technology."
But asked whether the Homeland Security Department should be allowed to carry out its plan to embed RFID chips in passports, Harper said, "No."
"It's unacceptable," said Harper. "In the U.S., it's a non-starter politically. And I'll do everything in my power to stop it from happening."
But the government does have legitimate reasons for tracking individuals with RFID, said Marc Roberti, editor of RFID Journal, which hosted the conference where Ridge spoke.
"Combined with biometrics and using encryption," said Roberti, "RFID can be faster and much more secure than mag stripes," referring to the magnetic strips found on the backs of many ID, credit and bank cards today.
While mag stripes can be easily copied, said Roberti, RFID chips are substantially more secure from such tampering.
DHS is using a type of RFID technology for which data encryption is an option.
That's why Roberti is puzzled by Homeland Security's refusal to use encryption on its new passport, nicknamed the e-passport, in order to ensure that RFID readers worldwide can read it.
Without encryption, many engineers believe the e-passport, for which the department is already soliciting bids from RFID suppliers, will be easily accessed by unauthorized individuals with RFID reader devices.
"That makes no sense," said Roberti. "The standard (to which the chips in the e-passport are expected to comply) is a universal standard. I really have no idea why they are not using encryption." | <urn:uuid:3830e4ea-0ce3-447e-886f-dd32585c5446> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2005/04/67192 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954272 | 820 | 1.578125 | 2 |
The production of the neurotoxic methylmercury in the environment is partly controlled by the bioavailability of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg(II)) to anaerobic bacteria that methylate Hg(II). In sediment porewater, Hg(II) associates with sulfides and natural organic matter to form chemical species that include organic-coated mercury sulfide nanoparticles as reaction intermediates of heterogeneous mineral precipitation. Here, we exposed two strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria to three forms of inorganic mercury: dissolved Hg and sulfide, nanoparticulate HgS, and microparticulate HgS. The bacteria cultures exposed to HgS nanoparticles methylated mercury at a rate slower than cultures exposed to dissolved forms of mercury. However, net methylmercury production in cultures exposed to nanoparticles was 6 times greater than in cultures treated with microscale particles, even when normalized to specific surface area. Furthermore, the methylation potential of HgS nanoparticles decreased with storage time of the nanoparticles in their original stock solution. In bacteria cultures amended with nano-HgS from a 16 h-old nanoparticle stock, 6–10% of total mercury was converted to methylmercury after one day. In contrast, 2–4% was methylated in cultures amended with nano-HgS that was aged for 3 days or 1 week. The methylation of mercury derived from nanoparticles (in contrast to the larger particles) would not be predicted by equilibrium speciation of mercury in the aqueous phase (<0.2 μm) and was possibly caused by the disordered structure of nanoparticles that facilitated release of chemically labile mercury species immediately adjacent to cell surfaces. Our results add new dimensions to the mechanistic understanding of mercury methylation potential by demonstrating that bioavailability is related to the geochemical intermediates of rate-limited mercury sulfide precipitation reactions. These findings could help explain observations that the “aging” of mercury in sediments reduces its methylation potential and provide a basis for assessing and remediating methylmercury hotspots in the environment. | <urn:uuid:7673c876-fa73-42c8-9b0b-bff85fdc4217> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ceint.duke.edu/biblio/methylation-mercury-bacteria-exposed-dissolved-nanoparticulate-and-microparticulate-mercuric- | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927135 | 437 | 2.53125 | 3 |
In Fox Interview, Bill Clinton Refers to Obamacare in the Past Tense
A Freudian slip from Slick Willy?
3:11 PM, Feb 23, 2010 • By MATTHEW CONTINETTI
Major Garrett recently conducted a revealing interview with former president Bill Clinton. They touched on a range of topics, including the president's health, Haiti, and the current state of the Democratic party. What struck me, however, is how Clinton kept referring to Obamacare in the past tense.
My favorite part is when Clinton says, "I think that they either needed to move faster or slower." Now that's Clintonian equivocation!
In a recent episode of Inside Washington, Mark Shields observed that since 1960 there have been only two presidents to leave office after eight years with 65 percent approval ratings: Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Shields then said, "Tell me the ideological grid in which they fit."
Will do. Both Reagan and Clinton, the first from 1981 and the second from 1995, governed from the center-right. Clinton's major achievements in office include NAFTA and the WTO, welfare reform, balanced budgets, and a capital gains tax cut. In 1996, Clinton prematurely declared the "era of big government is over." Government spending as a percentage of GDP was lower at the end of Clinton's presidency than at the beginning. Before Hurricane Monica struck, he was poised to push a Social Security reform that may have included personal accounts.
Sure, Clinton was helped by an incredible economic boom and eight years of apparent peace. But to his credit, after 1994 he learned that Americans do not want to be governed from the left. You would have thought Obama would get this, too, since in 2008 he campaigned from the center, as a figure who transcended both race and politics and would govern in a non-ideological fashion. Then he turned around in 2009 and handed the keys to Nancy Pelosi, David Obey, Henry Waxman, and Harry Reid. Democrats: Great Society liberalism is just as ideological as Reaganism!
Why won't Obama take a page from President Clinton, whom he has derided in the past, and thereby save his presidency? Simple. Because he hasn't been forced to. And he won't be forced to -- unless the Democrats lose Congress. | <urn:uuid:ec980370-a3df-486b-ad5f-2ed814b17f9d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/fox-interview-bill-clinton-refers-obamacare-past-tense | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971993 | 464 | 1.640625 | 2 |
inPort, December 4, 1996 Students urged to combat hatred By Susan DeRuiter For InPort/PORT COLBORNE KENNETH MCVAY FROM the B'nai Brith Canada League for Human Rights had three questions for Port Colborne High School students who attended his recent presentation: * What kind of world do you want to live in? * How does the material you are going to see affect you? * What do you think should be done about this? "You guys own the world," said McVay. "You'll be in university, on city council and in business...you decide... you've got to fix it." McVay went on to give several illustrations of individuals who are spreading lies and hatred on the Internet. "Denying the holocaust doesn't affect the Jewish community alone, it causes pain and dissention in the whole community," said McVay. The human rights representative said denying the holocaust is part of Hitler cleansing, making him look like a misunderstood patriot and making fascism respectable. But the fascism murdered millions of people, he pointed out. Having all the students stand, McVay illustrated how for one reason or another they would all have been killed during the Second World War. Some sat down because they had bad genes that would have been considered inferior, some had Slavid backgrounds, some would have helped a Jewish friend and one was Jewish. "You would all be dead," said McVay. It has been said that Hitler was able to do what he did because good people did nothing. McVay says he is attempting to bring good people to action. "They (neo-nazi organizations) are going to be looking for you... you're prime recruiting material," McVay told the students. Giving example after example of men involved in spreading hate, McVay asked "What are you going to do about it?" "Kill him, torture him, ignore him," were some of the replies. Violence that leads to violence will not better society, said McVay. Ignore him and in six months swastikas will appear on buildings and Jewish cemetaries will have their head stones knocked over. That's what happened in Windsor when George Burdi moved there McVay reminded the students. "There is a solution that works," said McVay. "A solution that will undo his work and make it more difficult - education. Community education and community involvement are the only things that work. "We are a society that lives in denial," said McVay. "We pretend we don't have these problems or we get the government to pass a law to make it illegal. When we stop living with denial and start solving the problem in our community, we make things happen. Don't propagate a lie."
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Home · Site Map · What's New? · Search Nizkor | <urn:uuid:a148bb68-7bdc-4b2e-9090-1deeee089c6b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nizkor.org/ftp.cgi/people/ftp.py?people/m/mcvay.ken/press/in-port.961204 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98378 | 593 | 2.25 | 2 |
Where the Trail Led
Unclear Danger: Inside the Lackawanna Terror Case
By MATTHEW PURDY and LOWELL BERGMAN
Published: October 12, 2003
LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — The journey into the heart of Al Qaeda began here, in the frayed Yemeni-American neighborhood of this former steel town just south of Buffalo. For Sahim Alwan, a 28-year-old youth counselor, husband and father of young children, it led to a house in the Afghan city of Kandahar, where he came face to face with Osama bin Laden.
It was the spring of 2001. Mr. Alwan and a group of American men had traveled to Afghanistan convinced of their obligation as Muslims to prepare for holy war. At guesthouses and at a military training camp, men talked menacingly of martyrdom, and Mr. bin Laden assured his recruits that, in the fight with America, he had men "willing to carry their souls in their hands."
"I said, `Damn, this is real,' " Mr. Alwan recalled.
He demanded to leave the camp, he said. But first, Mr. bin Laden requested a final meeting. Ushered into a private room, Mr. Alwan sat alone with the Qaeda leader on a carpet and pillows. Mr. bin Laden asked how American Muslims viewed suicide operations.
"We don't even think about it," Mr. Alwan said he answered nervously.
Mr. bin Laden said nothing, he recalled. "Just a smile."
The meeting ended with pleasantries. "He stood up," Mr. Alwan said. "And I stood up. Shook his hand. Walked outside."
Mr. Alwan returned home, and three months later, on Sept. 11, all Mr. bin Laden's hints came clear, when 19 hijackers carried their souls in their hands. In the aftermath, the case of "The Lackawanna Six" became a showpiece for the Bush administration's war on terror.
"We've broken Al Qaeda cells in Hamburg, London, Paris, as well as Buffalo, N.Y.," President Bush declared in his State of the Union address last January. And in July, the team that cracked the case won the Justice Department's top award from Attorney General John Ashcroft, who has said the arrests "sent an unambiguous message that we will track down terrorists wherever they hide."
But an examination of the case by The New York Times and the PBS documentary program "Frontline" demonstrates that behind Washington's sweeping proclamations is a more measured victory over a profoundly ambiguous threat.
After the suspects kept up a cover story about their trip for more than a year, Mr. Alwan and five other men from Lackawanna pleaded guilty to training with a terrorist organization. And investigators determined that the men had been recruited by an American Muslim with connections to the upper echelons of Al Qaeda.
But counterterrorism officials never figured out the mystery that consumed them through the long, tense, terror-obsessed summer of 2002: What, if anything, did Al Qaeda have in mind for its Lackawanna recruits? In fact, the federal prosecutor whose office won the guilty pleas, Michael A. Battle, does not call them a terrorist cell. "It's a heavy burden to prove," he said, "and I wasn't prepared to do that."
Lackawanna was the first major test of a retrofitted law enforcement establishment whose mission is less to solve terrorist crimes than to make sure they do not happen in the first place. The inside story of the case — pieced together from interviews with investigators and counterterrorism officials, as well as a review of confidential documents — reveals a government feeling its way across a fresh landscape to crush a threat it cannot quite grasp.
Peter Ahearn, head of the Buffalo F.B.I. office, described the riddle of prevention this way: "If we don't know for sure they're going to do something, or not, we need to make sure that we prevent anything they may be planning, whether or not we know or don't know about it."
The imponderability of the men from Lackawanna made them a magnet for the government's deepest suspicions and anxieties. An arsenal of new antiterrorism tools was applied to their case — enhanced surveillance, interrogation of enemy combatants and a free flow of information between criminal investigators and intelligence officers, once barred by rules devised to protect Americans from improper domestic spying.
But the men's true intentions remain locked away with them. Mr. Alwan, speaking to The Times in a rare interview of an American Al Qaeda recruit, said that the men had no plans, no hatred for America, and that when he walked away from Osama bin Laden, he left Al Qaeda behind. He explained his trip to Afghanistan as "a lot of curiosity." Yet he acknowledged lying to authorities in a failed attempt to avoid jail.
The question posed last fall by prosecutors still stands: "Why do a group of young Yemeni-Americans, born and brought up in Lackawanna, N.Y., and, in the majority of cases married with children, suddenly leave their otherwise unremarkable lives to spend six to seven weeks in a terrorist training camp, then quietly slip back into roles of middle-class Americans?"
An Unforgettable Visitor
The Yemeni neighborhood of 3,000 people is concentrated on four long blocks in Lackawanna's depressed First Ward, which stretches from the husks of mills along Lake Erie to a railroad bridge that separates it from the rest of town. | <urn:uuid:acc77b0b-6f75-46ce-bdb7-c5761ca17121> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/12/nyregion/12LACK.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968242 | 1,150 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Democracy on Life Support: A broader crisis?
These are long versions of the answers that experts gave us for the Lead Article “Democracy on Life Support” which deals with the rollback of democracy in some Eastern European countries. The article is focusing on the situation in Hungary. Below you find the answers from our three interviewees to the following question…
Do Orbán’s politics contribute to the broader economic and political crisis in Europe? If so, how? If not, why do you see them as isolated?
Hartmann: The Hungarian economy is neither large enough nor damaged enough to be a (main) contributor to the economic crisis in Europe. However, austerity measures not being taken might set the Hungarian budgeting off balance in the years to come. Also, populist and nationalist regressions in Europe have been dealt with before, so that Orbán’s policies in themselves are not a major crisis factor, but rather just contribute to the overall picture of political regression in Europe. What is, however, an unfortunate development is the slow and lukewarm response which the erosion of rule of law in Hungary has been receiving from Brussels and other European capitals. If the EU is perceived to be a paper tiger when it comes to democracy and human rights standards, establishing standards which it is unable or unwilling to keep up at home, a crisis of legitimacy arises which will be hard to overcome.
Citizen X: In the last ten years, Hungary was a typical instance of budgetary imbalance, state indebtedness and irresponsible economic processes. In this period burdened by a world economic crisis, Hungary, most unfortunately, needed and still needs the help of the international monetary institutions, and the situation necessitates a powerful crisis management as well. The ambivalent negotiation policy of the Orbán government against the IMF does not help the stabilization of the Hungarian economy or the recovery of the trust of the markets, and it has negative effects on the EU as well. It is characteristic of the Hungarian government that it mixes economic interests with political interests – just think about the introduction of the strict flat tax system or the redemption of the MOL shares, or, on the other side, about the new Labor Code. Such behaviours sometimes strengthen, other times weaken the positions of the country and its society. Their contradictions should be eliminated, and then Hungary could play a positive role and become a good example, strengthening the EU as well.
Szálkai: Hungary is a member of the EU, therefore the Hungarian government cannot be treated isolated from it. Hungary represents the EU and influences its international judgement and economic credibility with its political and economic decisions. If Hungary experiences a decline in democratic values, let alone European values, or in economic growth, it definitely contributes to a decrease in trust and credibility towards the EU – and, in this way, it contributes to the deepening of the economic and political crisis in Europe as well. | <urn:uuid:fbd8ae9c-1368-474d-a8f3-f2e6e1a6d276> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://futurechallenges.org/2012/08/democracy-on-life-support-a-broader-crisis/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954245 | 588 | 1.953125 | 2 |
The following methods of training are for building an athlete’s "Work Capacity" which will help the athlete train harder and longer to get greater results. These types of training methods are to be used at the beginning of training and only used up to 4 weeks. Then methods of training would be changed to a more traditional concept of training. After completing the first month of training you would start a more traditional and sport specific program, and then two to three workouts per month you would go back and address the "Work Capacity". Understand that this method of Work Capacity will only develop athletes for so long and more sports specific concepts need to be implemented. | <urn:uuid:ed7e0a1f-a893-4722-8502-086a93876a9c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://xlathlete.com/browse_drills.jsp?sport_program_id=437&browse_sport_id=0&drill_type=0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963798 | 129 | 2.546875 | 3 |
Cultures of Empire
This module focuses on the cultural and historical geography of British colonialism in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. You will explore some of the discourses through which modern colonialism was constructed. You’ll have opportunities to consider how colonialism and imperialism were not simply a matter of military conquest and economic exploitation but involved a process of imagining through which colonized places and peoples were represented in particular ways. The module is concerned primarily with the historical moment (the period roughly between 1870 and 1914) when European (particularly British) influence was most dramatically extended throughout the non-European world. It employs a thematic approach to consider how colonialism was powerfully shaped through spatial themes and different ‘imaginative geographies’. | <urn:uuid:4875f7cf-f9e6-45fa-a6a9-dbe22da8a208> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/undergraduate/modules/cornwallcampus/three/geo3423/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00076-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959316 | 147 | 3.328125 | 3 |
The chances of your being kidnapped or taken hostage are small. If it does happen, your chances of survival are
high. Kidnapping is a terrifying experience, but
you probably possess more personal resources than you think to cope with the situation.
Remember, you are of value to those who are holding you only if you are alive, and they want to keep
you that way. Your best defense is passive cooperation. The more time passes, the better
your chances of being released alive.
Kidnapping can happen anywhere -- you can be
taken off the street, from a car, or from your hotel room or residence. The
best opportunity for escape is in the beginning, during the confusion of the
apprehension while you are still in a public place. If escape is
impossible or too risky, you should nevertheless try to cause as much commotion as safely
possible to draw attention to the situation. You need to make others aware that an
abduction has taken place so that the authorities are notified and the search can begin.
Otherwise, it could be hours or days before your absence is reported. Also
see Defensive Driving Overseas.
Once you have been forced into a vehicle, you
may be blindfolded, beaten (to cause unconsciousness), drugged, or forced to lie face down
on the floor of the vehicle. In some instances, hostages have been forced into trunks or
specially built compartments for transporting contraband. If drugs are administered, do
not resist. Their purpose will be to sedate you and make you more manageable. It is
probably better to be drugged than to be beaten unconscious. If you are conscious, follow
your captors instructions.
While being confined and transported, do not
struggle. Calm yourself mentally and concentrate on surviving. Attempt to visualize the
route being taken, make a mental note of turns, street noise, smells, etc. Try to keep
track of the amount of time spent between points. You will be asked
questions about this after your release in an effort to determine where
you were held.
Once you have arrived at your destination,
you may be placed in a temporary holding area before being moved again to a more permanent
detention site. If you are interrogated:
- Retain a sense of pride but act cooperative.
- Divulge only information that cannot be used
against you. Make every effort to avoid embarrassing the U.S. and the
- Do not antagonize your interrogator with
- Concentrate on surviving. If you are to be
used as a bargaining tool or to obtain ransom, you will be kept alive.
After reaching what you may presume to be
your permanent detention site (you may be moved several more times), quickly settle into
- Be observant. Notice the details of the room,
the sounds of activity in the building and determine the layout of the building by
studying what is visible to you. Listen for sounds through walls, windows or out in the
streets, and try to distinguish between smells. Note the number, names,
physical description, accents, habits , and rank structure of your captors. Try to memorize this information so that you can report it after
- Know your captors. Memorize their schedule,
look for patterns of behavior to be used to your advantage, and identify weaknesses or
vulnerabilities. Use this information to assess opportunities to escape.
- Expect to be accused of being an intelligence
agent and to be interrogated intensively. Do not admit to any accusations. Keep your
answers short and don't volunteer information or make unnecessary overtures.
- Try to establish a rapport with your captors.
Family is a universal subject. So are sports and many hobbies. Your
goal should be to get the hostage takers to view you as a real person,
rather than simply an object. Listen actively to the terrorists'
feelings and concerns, but never praise, participate in, or debate their
"cause." If you know your captors' language, use it. Ask them
to teach you their language.
- Speak normally. Don't complain. Avoid being
belligerent and comply with all orders and instructions. Once a level of rapport or
communication is achieved, try asking for items that will increase your personal comfort.
Don't be afraid to ask for anything you need or want such as medicines, books, or papers.
Make requests in a reasonable, low-key manner.
- Plan on a lengthy stay and devise a way to
keep track of the passage of time. If isolated, you can approximate time by noting changes
in temperature between night and day, the frequency and intensity of outside noises
(traffic, birds), and by observing the alertness of guards.
- Establish a daily schedule of mental as well
as physical exercise. If your movement is extremely limited, use isometric and flexing
exercises to keep your muscles toned. To maintain your strength, eat what you are given
even if it does not look appetizing and you don't feel hungry. Use relaxation techniques
to reduce stress.
- If you detect the presence of other hostages
in the same building, try to devise ways to communicate.
During interrogation, do not be uncooperative, antagonistic, or
hostile towards your captors. Captives who display this type of behavior are often
held longer or become the object of torture or punishment. Take a simple,
tenable position and stick to it. Be polite and keep your temper. Give
short answers. Talk freely about nonessential matters, but be guarded when
conversations turn to matters of substance. Don't be lulled by a friendly
approach. Remember, one terrorist may play "Good Guy" and one
"Bad Guy." This is the most common interrogation technique.
Watch for signs of "Stockholm
Syndrome" which occurs when the captive, due to the close proximity and the constant
pressures involved, begins to relate to, and empathize with, the captors. In some cases,
this relationship has resulted in the hostage becoming sympathetic to the point that he/she
actively participates in the activities of the group. Establish a friendly rapport with
your captors, but maintain your personal dignity and do not compromise your integrity.
If forced to present terrorist demands to
authorities, either in writing or on tape, state clearly that the demands
are from your captors. Avoid making a plea on your own behalf.
Be patient, as hostage negotiations are
often difficult and time consuming. Remember, your chances of survival
increase with time. Most episodes of kidnapping or hostage-taking end with no loss of life or physical injury to the
you will probably be released or rescued. Do not try to escape unless you are certain of
success. If you are able to escape, go first to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to seek
protection. If you cannot reach either, go to a host government or friendly government
If an attempt is made to rescue you, keep a low profile and immediately follow all
instructions. Rescue will generally be attempted only after negotiations
have failed. That means that lives of hostages, terrorists, and rescue
forces are all at risk during the rescue. You don't want to be shot in the confusion while
the rescue team identifies the terrorists, who may try to disguise
themselves as hostages. To protect yourself, follow these rules:
- DO NOT RUN. Drop to the floor and
remain still. If that is not possible, cross your arms on your chest,
bow your head, and stand still. Make no sudden moves that a tense
rescuer may interpret as hostile.
- Wait for instructions and obey all
instructions you are given.
- Don't be upset if a rescuer isn't sure
whether you are a terrorist or hostage. Even if you are handcuffed and
searched, do not resist. Just wait for the confusion to clear.
Related Topic: Defensive
Driving Overseas, DoD Code of Conduct. | <urn:uuid:c55af1ea-a680-4745-babe-c50f49af9464> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wright.edu/rsp/Security/T5terror/Kidnap.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927131 | 1,699 | 2.546875 | 3 |
: Odyseas Elytis
The unique hot spring of the gulf of Gera, 10 minutes distance by car from our resort dates back to the beginning of the last century. Renovations have respected the original architecture of the baths. The seperate baths for men and women are the largest on the island. The water is comfortably warm and you could easily spend a day paddling around or lounging on the ledges that line the pool. The big marble swimming pool looks thousand years old.
The nearest beaches also ten minutes by car situated out of the gulf are Haramida beach and Agios Ermogenis beach. You can find a lot of tavernas around the area.
Lesvos is blessed with Award-winning beaches, traditional villages, more varieties of birds and wildflowers than anywhere in Europe, pine forests, medieval castles, scenic harbors with cafes and inexpensive seafood restaurants abundant fish, museums including two of the finest art museums in Greece, and some of warmest, friendliest people in all Greece.
Lesvos (or Lesbos) has been a favorite location for artists, writers, philosophers, romantics. It is the native land of Sappho, Alcaeus, Theofrastos student of Aristoteles, Ermarhos student of Epicurus, down to Teriade the famous modern art critic and publisher who donnated a Modern art museum to Lesbos, the Nobel prize honnored Oddyseas Elytis and many other famous greek writers.
Furthermore, the natural beauties of the island, thankfully, are still unharmmed from human intervention and provide a prevailing atmosphere which sustains that rich intellectual and cultural heritage .
The tiny beaches of Lesbos and its unrivalled sunsets complement the island's most important natural resource, it's olive grooves which cover 40% of the island. Side by side with these features,are the works of man down the centuries: Aeolian column capitals, houses of incomparable architectural beauty and traditional industrial buildings find it easy to co-exist with works of art of invaluable value.
If you can come to Lesvos in the spring you will amply be awarded with one of the most incredible displays of wildflowers and wildbirds you have ever seen. Lesvos is a main stop in the migration routes for European birds coming from Africa and has an amazing variety of local birds. | <urn:uuid:b2814127-5158-499b-b1d7-052716de649c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.homeaway.co.in/holiday-home/p861701 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.901681 | 493 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Morava Mountains over Korce
Korce (alb. Korçë or Korça) is the largest city of south eastern part of Albania. It is situated at the foot of Morava Mountain on a plateau 800 m above sea level, near the border with Greece. It has a population of around 62,900 people (2008 estimate), making it the seventh largest city in Albania. Korce is said to be the cleanest town in Albania. It has old buildings in various states of repair surrounding the Cathedral which was built in 1992. Quaint cobblestown streets run between and behind the main streets.
Korce became an important trading and handicraft centre in the 18th century due to the development of trade with neighboring regions. It has been an important religious center for Orthodox Christians and Muslims for centuries. During the Ottoman period it became one of the centres of the growing Albanian identity. The first school teaching in the Albanian language was established there in 1887, followed by Albania's first school for girls in 1891.
It snows every winter in Korce which makes it an ideal town for winter sports. As a centre of culture and trade it has charming villas with beautiful gardens testament to this past. The town has a rich mixture of religious monuments, with beautiful orthodox churches mainly found, in the little town of Voskopoja half an hour drive from Korca, as well as Islamic ones the most important being the Mosque of Iliaz Bej Mirahorit build in 1469, one of the oldest in Albania.
In Korce neighbourhood many prehistoric settlements and cemeteries have been discovered, such as Maliq, Kamnik, Podgori, Ten, Trajan etc.: the finds are on display in the Prehistoric Museum. Korça makes a natural starting-point for excursions to Voskopoja, Dardha, Vithkuq, Balkan Prespa Park and other places, as well as for ramblers who wish to visit Lake Ohrid.
What to see
Christ Revive Cathedral
National Museum of Medieval Art - it covers a period from the 5th to the 19th century and you can see there works by Albania's most famous painters of the Middle ages, as well as beautiful works by anonymous goldsmiths, silversmiths, woodcarvers and armourers.
Gallery "Guri Madhi"
The "Bratko" Museum: Antiquaries and collections from far east
National Education Museum
Archaeological Museum: Occupies the rooms of two traditional 19th-century houses. Approximately
Mosque of Iliaz Bej Mirahorit
Orthodox Cathedral - Christ Revive Cathedral
Voskopoja - village 13 km west from Korce. It was an important centre that remains to this day as an abundant storehouse of art works.
Balkan Prespa Park - 25 km north-east from Korce. Area of two freshwater lakes shared by Greece, Albania, and the Republic of Macedonia. With an abundance of rare fauna and flora, the area was declared a Transnational Park in 2000.
Dardha - unforgettable mountain spot, 20 km south-east from Korce, at 1,350 m above sea level. There is snow during the three months of winter, the air is crystalline, and the water of the village’s many natural fountains is pure and cold.
Vithkuq - mountain village, 25 km south-west from Korce.
Korce Area in Photos | <urn:uuid:984c4b64-0fef-4857-b7b2-7f4eaee957ed> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://infoalb.net/02conavstivit/con_korca.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957292 | 731 | 2.265625 | 2 |
MSc in Cardiovascular Science and MSc in Cardiovascular Science (clinical)
The Institute of Cardiovascular Science has brought together world leading scientists and clinicians across the greater UCL campus working in cardiovascular research to teach on this new MSc. The Cardiovascular Science MSc offers specialised training in state-of-the-art cardiovascular science (with exposure to leading research scientists and cardiovascular clinicians) and aims to provide scientists and clinicians with an in-depth knowledge of the cardiovascular health and disease and how this can be applied to improve healthcare through basic research and clinical understanding. Students who wish to continue in the field of cardiovascular science or enter pharma industry, will obtain a very thorough background in cardiovascular research. UCL, UCLH, Institute of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the UCL Heart Hospital has world leaders in this field, and many of the proposed talks will be given by top ranking scientists/clinicians. Many of our students are doctors, allied health professionals or graduates in biomedical science who wish to pursue a life-long career in academic health research.
- Heart and Circulation Physiology
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Microvascular Biology
- Animal Models of Cardiovascular Disease
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Drug Discovery
- Basic Statistics
- Paediatric and Adult Cardiology
A minimum of an upper second-class Honours degree in a scientific or medical discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants should be confident using computers and show some evidence of numeracy (minimum GCSE Mathematics or statistics or a module with a good mark in their degree) Professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations and approved by UCL, together with at least three years of appropriate professional experience will also be considered. In some instances such a candidate may be prescribed a qualifying examination. Find out more about the course here.
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
The admissions deadline for the 2013/4 academic year is 2nd August 2013.
All applicants must complete an application form. You should ensure that your application form is accompanied by:
- At least two references. If you are a recent graduate, at least one should be an academic reference.
- A transcript of the qualifications upon which you are relying for entry, which if not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
- A Curriculum Vitae
- Where appropriate, evidence of English language ability / qualifications.
Page last modified on 19 nov 12 15:22 | <urn:uuid:7373628c-7d8d-417f-a2d4-926f0071c746> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cardiovascular/teaching/msc/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910152 | 515 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Pow-Wows, or Long Lost Friend, by John George Hoffman, , at sacred-texts.com
TO CURE THE POLL-EVIL IN HORSES, IN TWO OR THREE APPLICATIONS.
Break off three twigs from a cherry-tree: one towards morning, one towards evening, and one towards mid. night. Cut three small pieces off the hind part of your shirt, and wrap each of those twigs in one of these pieces; then clean the poll-evil with the twigs and leave them under-the eaves. The ends of the twigs which had been in the wound must be turned toward the north; after which you must do your business on them, that is to say, you must dirty them; then cover it, leaving the rags around the twigs. After all this the wound must be again stirred with the three twigs, in one or two days, and the twigs placed as before. | <urn:uuid:2a6704b0-1dce-4ed1-85b0-b23ed654192f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sacred-texts.com/ame/pow/pow022.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963295 | 197 | 1.5625 | 2 |
|Chicago protected bike lane, courtesy koonce on flickr.|
By the end of this year, Chicago will have built 25 miles of protected bikeway. You can see what the Chicago protected bikeways look like below. Each mile costs £175,000 to build. London has spent up to £2million per mile on vastly inferior bike routes. The London bike routes are, for the most part, blue paint painted on the inside of bus lanes and car parking spaces.
What's very revealing about the plan is that, just like his London counterpart, Chicago's mayor promises to "Improve the reliability and consistency of workday auto travel times on monitored major streets."
London's mayor has a near-identical strategy to "smooth traffic flow [which] will mean less stop-start traffic, more predictable journey times and fewer obstacles for pedestrians."
I've never had a problem with the concept of 'smoothing traffic flow' for its own sake. My issue with Boris Johnson's policy has been the way London's Mayor puts smoothing traffic flow as his absolute key transport objective for London's streets without building any of the safeguards that are needed to prevent a bloodbath. The way that Boris Johnson has implemented 'smoother traffic flow' has been wholly irresponsible so far. Can't cross the street? That's because traffic lights have to be removed to smooth traffic flow. Can't build a protected bikeway like Chicago? That's because we can't take away any space from the motorist because it might disrupt traffic flow. And so on.
|How London designs a Greenway cycle track|
Pathetic isn't it?
Courtesy Crap Walthamstow blog
|How Chicago designs a Greenway cycle track|
One that looks usable and practical
Courtesy Grid Chicago blog | <urn:uuid:ad1e153c-bd8a-415a-bc36-96cbaf7b63ec> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2012/05/chicago-joins-london-and-promises-to.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94448 | 368 | 1.75 | 2 |
The only breed specific cancer I can really think of is Bone Cancer and it tends to happen in Larger Breed dogs, especially greyhounds. I also know a deerhound breeder who knows a wolfhound breeder that bred her dogs at age 2-3, the female got Bone Cancer at age 5 and when all of the puppies from that litter turned 5 they got it as well.
Again although common in large breeds/greyhounds bone cancer isn't limited to those breeds. I've known a poodle who had it, a shepherd, a chow cross, a labrador, several greyhounds.
I've seen lymphoma in an Australian Shepherd, English Mastiff, Pit Bull, English Setter, Springer Spaniel, Boxer.
I've seen nasal cancer in a cat, my own mutt dog, a Shar Pei, and a toy poodle.
I've seen mast cell tumors in a couple of Boxers and lots of labs.
I don't really think, unless it is in a dog's family tree that you can really pin point specific cancer. Obviously if the dog comes from dogs that have had cancer, it is more likely to get that cancer if it is in the gene pool.
Seth, CGC & LiLo
♥♥Sofie - Always in my heart. ♥♥ | <urn:uuid:fcb983eb-c0f5-4240-bf8d-1a2c8c73da2f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pitbulltalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=373867 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973554 | 277 | 1.960938 | 2 |
Understanding Surgical Weight loss
May 4, 2012
UnityPoint Health - Des Moines
Understanding Surgical Weight Loss
Obesity causes a lot of different illnesses including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. UnityPoint Health - Des Moines offers Bariatric surgery to help people that are suffering from obesity and have ran out of other weight loss alternatives. The people that fall into this category are people with a body mass index over 40.
There are two main types of bariatric surgery: gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric banding. Gastric bypass surgery permanently reduces the size of the stomach. Adjustable gastric bypass surgery involves placing a band around the opening of the stomach. Having a smaller opening creates a smaller stomach, which causes a person to eat less. This band can be removed in the future.
Surgical weight loss is a very serious decision. A doctor should be consulted before coming to a decision of whether or not to do it. Many people face chronic illnesses from their obesity, and having surgical weight loss may be the fastest and best way for them to get back to a healthy state of living. After surgery, a patient may still need medical attention to help them recover from their heavy weight.
UnityPoint Health - Des Moines has a support group for people that need help making a decision on whether or not to go through with surgery. For more information, please visit the Weight Management Classes & Events section. (http://www.iowahealth.org/classes-and-events.aspx?typeid=16&id=35) | <urn:uuid:21124894-fd1f-4cb5-bd26-36550b44bbb9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.iowahealth.org/article.aspx?id=683&Understanding+Surgical+Weight+loss | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939209 | 316 | 2.34375 | 2 |