text:
States with the highest and lowest tax burdens
During the 2010 tax season, Americans paid 9.9% of their income on state and local taxes. This number, according to a report by The Tax Foundation, is up from 9.3% in 2000, but is basically unchanged from 2009. Per capita income in the U.S. fell from $42,539 in 2009 to $41,146 in 2010, while taxes fell slightly, from $4,160 in 2009 to $4,112 in 2010.
In some U.S. states, the burden on residents relative to their income rose substantially. In New York state, taxes paid per capita rose by more than $200, while income per capita fell by more than $1,100.
According to the report, residents in New York paid 12.8% of their income on state and local taxes last year. In Alaska, residents paid just 7% of their income on non-federal taxes. Based on the Tax Foundation's State and Local Tax Burden Rankings for 2010, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the largest and smallest tax burden on their residents.
The most important factor in how much a state demands of its residents is its ability to bring in income from out-of-state. In 2010, 73.8% of tax revenue to state and local governments came from state residents. In some states, however, much more of total tax revenue came from non-residents. In three — Alaska, North Dakota and Wyoming — more than half of tax revenue came from out of state. In Alaska, which benefits from taxes on energy companies operating in the state, residents are responsible for just 24.5% of all tax income.
All 10 of the the states with the lowest tax burdens received at least 32% of tax revenue from people who didn't live in the state. In six states, it was more than 43%. Included on this list are those with large oil infrastructure, like Wyoming, Louisiana, Texas and Alaska. Nevada is heavily reliant on tourism, rather than oil, and 44% of its tax revenue comes from out of state.
Ten states with the lowest and highest tax burdens:
In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Tax Foundation economist Scott Drenkard explained that many states also have lower tax burdens because they have smaller government. "They don't collect that much in taxes" Drenkard said, "so they don't have that much of a burden." This includes states like New Hampshire and Texas, which collect substantially less than the national average per capita. Among the 10 states with the lowest tax burdens, five are in the bottom 10 for total tax collections relative to population size.
"On the flip side," explained Drenkard, "those states in the top 10 are states where they're not really capable of exporting their tax burden — they don't have mineral resources, but they're also high-tax states in general." Of the 10 states with the highest tax burdens, seven were among the largest tax collectors relative to population size.
While sales and excise taxes and corporate taxes have the potential to export a portion of a state's tax burden to non-residents, property tax and income tax are more likely to largely fall on people living in the state. Six of the 10 states with the highest tax burdens are in the top 10 for property tax rates. Eight of the 10 states with the largest tax burdens are in the top 15 for income tax collections per capita. This includes New York, which has the highest tax burden on residents, as well as the highest income taxes per capita collected for the fiscal year 2010.
Based on the Tax Foundation's annual State and Local Tax Burden report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the ten states where residents paid the most in state and local taxes relative to per capita income. We also reviewed per capita income and property, income, excise and sales taxes, which were all for the 2010 fiscal year, with the exception of excise tax rates, which are as of July 1, 2012, and property tax collections, which were for fiscal year 2009. 24/7 Wall St. also reviewed cost-of-living data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Institute for the second quarter of 2012.24/7 Wall St. is a financial website offering news and opinion.
Get more information: Top 20 states with the highest and lowest taxes.
24/7 Wall St. is a financial website offering news and opinion.


text:
Welcome to our site, a blog dedicated to the cutting-edge do-it-yourself projects that we develop at home.
Shanni and David are the authors of the book "Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-On Projects," which will help you understand Quantum Physics through hands-on experiments that you can conduct at school or at home! For our modern/quantum physics site, please go to diyphysics.com.
David is also the author of the book "Design and Development of Medical Electronic Devices," which will let you master the building blocks of medical devices. David has over twenty years of experience in the design of Medical Electronic Instrumentation, most of it developing active implantable medical devices. For David's implantable devices site, please go to implantable-device.com.
We discuss all of our other projects on this site. There is plenty of information, so take your time exploring. Please navigate through the permanent pages, as well as through the many blog post categories listed in the sidebar to the right.
We hope that you enjoy reading our blog.
The Prutchis

subset: commoncrawl


text:
TAMPA, Fla. (NEXSTAR) — To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, we're highlighting some must-try dishes sure to be a hit at any family meal or dinner party!
You can check out our "Sabor Latino" program hosted by Peñate and Marco Villarreal to see top chefs from across the nation bring their creations to life.
Feeling adventurous? If you want to try and make the recipes at home, you can scroll through them in the gallery below:
Hispanic Heritage Month is a 30-day period honoring the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.


text:
Judge: Illinois must set money aside in state worker pay dispute
SPRINGFIELD -- A Cook County judge has ordered the state to take steps to ensure that union workers whose raises were canceled last year can be paid in the event he rules the raises must be reinstated.
Judge Richard Billik ordered the state to submit vouchers to the comptroller's office for unspent salary money in some agency budgets. About $18 million in general fund money and an undetermined amount from other state funds is involved, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The money will not be paid out unless Billik determines that canceled raises for about 26,000 state employees should be reinstated.
Gov. Pat Quinn initially canceled raises for 30,000 unionized state workers that were due last year because he said the General Assembly did not budget enough money to pay them. The employees worked in 14 state agencies.
Since then, the administration found enough money in the budgets of six of those agencies to pay the raises. Higher-than-expected retirements and other attrition made the money available, the administration said. Just over 2,000 employees were affected, according to the Quinn administration.
However, union workers at the departments of Corrections, Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Natural Resources, Public Health and the Human Rights Commission have not received raises that were due under their union contracts. Most of the workers are AFSCME members. Their contract called for raises of 2 percent July 1, 2011, 1.25 percent Jan. 1 and another 2 percent Feb. 1.
Quinn spokeswoman Kelly Kraft reiterated that no money is being paid yet.
"Vouchers will not be finalized or paid out until, at the very least, there is a final order from the trial court as to what payments … can be paid and are owed by the state," Kraft said.
The state can continue paying bills run up during the last fiscal year until Dec. 31. However, payment vouchers for them must be submitted by Aug. 31.
"The Quinn administration is doing everything possible to avoid honoring its contract with frontline state employees," said AFSCME executive director Henry Bayer. "If the end of August passed without this order, the state would claim it ran out the clock and couldn't be held accountable."
Billik is continuing to do fact-finding to determine if, in fact, money wasn't available to honor the raises. He has previously ruled that the Quinn is not obligated to spend money that wasn't appropriated by the General Assembly.
Doug Finke can be reached at (217) 788-1527.


text:
hahaha u're evil 😛
yeah, i use firefox coz it rulez!
The phone rings and I pick it up, because that is what one does with a phone…
Telemarketer: Hi I'm calling on behalf of [Insert phone company which calls so much it could be classified as stalking], would you be interested in changing over to [Insert stalkers name again]? If you change over now we'll pay half of your existing bill.
Nikita: Half you say?
Telemarketer: Yes, half.
I was reeling her in, giving her a taste of a sale and then…
Nikita: No, I wouldn't, but let me ask you a question. What is your current web browser?
Telemarketer: Excuse me?
Nikita: Web browser, the software you use to view websites, most people use Internet Explorer.
Telemarketer: Ahh yeah, I umm, think I use that one.
Nikita: Ok, well did you know that there is an alternative?
Telemarketer: No.
That no had a strong 'you have got to be fucking kidding me' tone attached to it.
Nikita: Firefox is one of the alternatives. It's safer, faster and a hell of a lot cooler.
Telemarketer: Ooookkk.
Tone now more of a sarcastic 'you're insane and I'm so about to hang up'.
Nikita: If you'd like more information go to Getfirefox.com.
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds, and then I could hear her rustling around, possibly looking through the manual on what to do if the person you're calling tries to talk you into something.
Telemarketer: Um, sur-k…
I beleive that is a new word, a mixture of sure and ok, that oddly enough sounds like a great name for a breakfast cereal. "Sur-K, it'll put the Sure in your K." Possible explanation for the new word: She was contemplating why she was a telemarketer when a tiny section of her brain that knew it was wrong exploded and the 'e' never made it from her brain to her vocal cords and out of her mouth. It was then that I decided it was time for me to go.
Nikita: Thanks for your time and remember, use the fox.
I had to go, I had other telemarketers to try and covert, such as the insulation dude who was due to ring any minute to enquire if I'm hot in summer and cool in winter and offer to reverse it for me. I also had to make cookies in the shape of the Firefox logo to hand out to the Mormons when they stop by way too early next Sunday morning.
"No I don't believe in god, but tell me this, do you believe in the great almighty Firefox?"
hahaha u're evil 😛
yeah, i use firefox coz it rulez!
Thats tooo funny.
Rock that browser boat!
He-he, okay, you made me laugh out loud here.. 🙂
Kitta, you are my new hero! I worked as a telemarketer for one summer (because the job application said "Reservation Agent" and the pay was decent) and hated when people would get angry on the phone (just say no and hang up). But this… reversal would have made my day! It's low on hostility and high on the "wtf factor." This is (by far) the best thing I've heard for dealing with telemarketers.
PS: Long time reader, first time caller
hehe this is actually a brilliant idea. Now, I know what's a good way to counter annoy those telemarketers that I can't stand wasting time with on the pphone. Good job and funny
…The phone rings, I answer…"Hello"…
Telemarketer: Hello Mr. Ed I'm calling on behalf of the Brand X credit card company and we'd like to offer you a chance to sign up for our new Titanium card…
Me: *silence*
Telemarketer: Hello, Mr. Ed are you there?
Me: No, Mr. Ed isn't here. I'm Mr. Smith, Mr. Ed's landlord, and that no good bum owes me 6 months back rent! If you hear from him will you let me know?
Telemarketer: Uuuuummm, OK Mr. Smith, sorry to bother you…CLICK.
They don't call me anymore.
Hehe, that's great.
lol last time i was in a telemarketing place there was actually a card on the wall telling them what to do in certain kinds of situations such as that, one of them actually suggested that they cry like a baby. Go firefox!
Brilliant! Next time somebody calls me up and tries to sell me life insurance, I'll try to sell them . . . birth control.
(And Firefox.)
LOL, that was good. I get so sick of those darn telemarketers. That one got a taste of their own medicine. LOL… and I bet they won't call again either.
That's awesome. I hate getting calls from Telemarketers and I will generally just hang up. I think I'm going to try what you just did to have some fun.
Lol, nicely done.
Pingback: LeonLandGersing.com : Powered by Poem
Oh my, I don't know whether to bow down, throw petals at your feet or sing hali-kitta-ulah!! 😛
That is the coolest thing I've heard all year.
ROFLMFAO <— see? I never type that, ever…
Hello! I discover your site by chance.
I like it !
I will return to read you! With soon, good work. From Belgium,
Now there is a form of evangelism I can get behind.
Haha,excellent 🙂
whenever I get spam email these days I sent them an email back with a page full of links for my website.
hahaha, that is one of the best ideas I have heard yet! I should try to sell somethign to the telemarketers too. hehe.
you're lovely! i would never have thought of doing that LOL
I like your method…. I might use it someday, although I think I might try to sell them on Opera. I use Firefox for gmail, but find Opera wayyyyy more cooler. Especially with the new version that uses voice commands!!! How cool is that???
I like your method…. I might use it someday, although I think I might try to sell them on Opera. I use Firefox for gmail, but find Opera wayyyyy more cooler. Especially with the new version that uses voice commands!!! How cool is that???
Cheers for the return fellow monkey lover.
Genius Kitta… genius.
I love it! One telemarketer phoned and asked if she could ask me one question, I said sure, she asks if I have double glazing, I say no, she then preceeds to ask if I'd ever consider it, at which point I inform her I've answered her one question and that in reflection, it probably wasn't the best…
i LOVE to mess with the telemarketers! there is no greater joy than seeing the 'unknown' pop up on my caller id durring dinner… as any sympathy for the telemarketer i may have had is instantly dissipated by their interuption of my dining! i don't get many calls these days.. maybe i'm on a list.
I use Firefox…….my cousin told me about it a month or so ago. It's a sweet deal. But what's your infatuation with it?
Nice one Girl!
Made me laugh out loud!
Destined to become urban legend.
i would love to see you in action with the saturday morning mormons. I think you'd give john saffron a run for his money
You're an angel. 🙂
A very funny one.
ROFL!!! HAHA Nikita your such a nerd! I love it!!! keep it up!
You write the best Internetisms ever.
Now that you are one with the fox, we just have to convert you to the one true faith Linux!!
Nice one. I would do that here but there's two problems.
One: telemarketers are, for the most part, recordings. Yes, people are that lazy here.
Second: I'm one of the 20 people that knows how to use the internet, let alone a computer.
Of the other 19, most use Firefox.
Pingback: just a.juby
You. Are. A. Genius.
What I fun !
Gotta try this out … last month already called 3 or 4 of those poor beeings 😉
lmfao :p you're pure genius.
That's awsome. My technique was yell at them and tell them to leave me alone. But trying to convert them to something is a better idea. Messing with peoples minds is wickked fun.
I love Firefox best browser available. I used to use Mozilla but, Firefox is bettter
Your going to kill me, that's how funny you are.
I am still lauging about the cookies.
LMAO! I have been thinking of new ways to amuse myself when those god awful telemarketers call! You have given me inspiration! I think I might just convert them into Mac users….. 🙂
Hahaha! I'll try it next time~
That was great. I never tried to convert them but I have used the tactic of acting insane, generally telling them about my pet dog and his habits ( I don't have a dog , but I am a bit crazy) They eventually get tired of listening to me and hang up. I think I may try this on the next Mormans that visit. Thanks Kitta for the insight.
That is a brilliant solution to the telemarketer problem! Very funny!
I totally agree with you about firefox.
Haha, that's the best!!! i should try that sometime.. 🙂
Pingback: Sahanya
Looks like I'm not the only one suffering from unsolicited phonecalls. If you're into making fun of callers, check out egene mirman's dialogues with homophobous marketers from Oklahoma: http://www.eugenemirman.com/shows.html (scroll to Anti Gay Phone Call I and II).
Nice , firefox hit 51 mill,thanks to your efforts ….haaaa
ROFL, this is a great idea, I once saw a sheet on the net of research someone was doing for a thesis, on how to question and extract info from telemarkerters, had fun with that. Will have to try the idea of selling stuff back to them 🙂
just reading back through entries…
all i can say is that i love you beyond all human measure for comfusing telemarketers in such an amusing and worthwhile way 😀
I thought I was the only person who did that that kind of thing to telesales people.
I once tried to sell someone our old falling apart metal shed, they were very confused and hung up on me.
The best site with nice design.
Pingback: • the unreliable narrator • : if we stay swimming here forever we will never be free


text:
What is the Geo font?
Geo Font families
The Geo font includes the following font families:
- Geo
Geo Preview
Here is a preview of how Geo will look. For more previews using your own text as an example, click here.
Want to download Geo Font?Click here to download from MyFonts →
The Geo font includes the following font families:
Here is a preview of how Geo will look. For more previews using your own text as an example, click here.
Well i'm sorry to tell you that it isn't free. Most fonts featured on FontsAnon.com is a premium font that you have to pay for. You will not find a free download of Geo so do yourself a favor and don't waste your time searching the internet for one.
It's unlikely that a free download for Geo will come your way. There are too many websites that claim to offer "Free Downloads" of premium fonts, but these are just scams to get you to click on a link which will either take you to a spammy landing page or you risk getting viruses on your computer. In the rare occasion that you do find a free download for Geo remember that it's illegal to use a font if you didn't pay for it!
If you really want Geo and you want to truly own it the legal and safe way, and support the designers and publishers, then click here to visit the download and purchase page on MyFonts.com. Here you will be able to obtain the proper license. The designer and publisher deserves to be paid for their work, as they have put in the hours and the creativity to produce such an amazing font. Good luck with your purchase and future use of this font. :)


text:
From ProMED Mail, this morning:
To summarize the current situation, as of 6:00 AM GMT on 26 May 2009 a total of 12 954 cases and 92 deaths of influenza A (H1N1) infection have been officially reported to WHO from 46 countries, up from 12 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths from 46 countries on 23 May 2009.
According to a later PAHO update (from 18:00 GMT-4) a total of 12 536 confirmed cases and 95 deaths are attributable to the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in 15 countries in the Americas region. There is mention of a case in Chile with a history of travel to the Dominican Republic. According to newswires today (26 May 2009) and earlier (see prior ProMED-mail posts), there have been several cases in other countries with a history of travel to the Dominican Republic, even though the Dominican Republic has not officially confirmed any cases of influenza A (H1N1) as yet.
According to newswires, Singapore has confirmed its 1st case and New York City has confirmed 2 additional deaths attributable to influenza A (H1N1) infection — both in individuals with history of preexisting diseases.
For a map of reported confirmed cases, worldwide, as of 06:00 GMT 26 May 2009, see here.
So: with >10x the number of confirmed cases than there were suspected cases in Mexico at the start of the outbreak, we have 92 deaths in ~13 000 cases. This means the case fatality rate is 0.7% – compared to the accepted figure of 0.2% for normal flu. Not much different to the previous figure I calculated just 9 days ago – and it's still spreading. 4000 more cases in that period.
We're in for a long winter, here in the southern hemisphere…and us without a vaccine. Ah, well.


text:
Police officers in Anaheim and Fullerton are testing video cameras that capture their behavior during every encounter with the public – a measure aimed at protecting officers and civilians alike when allegations of misconduct arise.
If the costly devices are eventually purchased, Anaheim and Fullerton could become the first cities in Orange County to make it mandatory for officers to clip the small cameras to the front of their uniforms.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department tested cameras for deputies late last year and plans to conduct another test with equipment from another company soon.
Anaheim Interim Police Chief Raul Quezada said the cameras are one method police can use to determine what goes on during a call. "We want to make sure everyone is protected in every respect possible," he said.
Shortly after taking the helm of Anaheim's police force in May, Quezada mandated that all officers use audio recorders during every call, like in some other departments.
He now wants to buy cameras that would be worn by his force's 300-plus officers, but it could cost $700,000 to $800,000 to purchase them along with computer servers that store the recordings for up to two years. After that, the system would cost about $200,000 annually to maintain.
Quezada said he plans to ask the City Council for money to phase in the new cameras over the next several years. So far, the department has tested five camera models; it will test a sixth before the end of the year.
In Los Angeles, there is a movement afoot for its Police Department to test the devices.
A yearlong study of body-worn cameras conducted by the Rialto Police Department showed a 50 percent drop in use-of-force incidents compared with the previous year, along with fewer citizen complaints about the agency's 115 sworn officers.
In Fullerton, officers are required to use audio recorders, and Chief Dan Hughes is considering whether to make video recorders a requirement for all 144 sworn officers.
For the past three months, one Fullerton officer on each of the four daily shifts has been wearing a video recorder as part of a trial run.
"I believe that in the next decade, every law enforcement agency in the country will be wearing these cameras," Hughes said. "It helps ensure the community's trust in their police department."
Some law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's Department and the Irvine Police Department, require officers to wear audio recording devices during service calls and arrests. Departments in Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Orange allow officers to wear audio-recording devices but don't mandate them.
The Orange Police Department is negotiating with several companies to outfit its police cars with audio- and video-recording capabilities, Sgt. Fred Lopez said. Santa Ana police officials have studied the cost of outfitting vehicles with expanded audio and video, but found the equipment to be too expensive, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
So-called dash cams, mounted inside squad cars and on motorcycles, are used by several local agencies, including the Sheriff's Department and the Newport Beach and Irvine police departments. Fullerton discontinued the use of dash cams because they capture only events occurring in the vehicle's direct field of view and because of the expense of storing mass amounts of video footage, Sgt. Jeff Stuart said.
Kerry Condon, president of the Anaheim Police Association, said he's studying whether video cameras would help or hinder officers. If rank-and-file officers warm up to using cameras, Condon said, he would throw his support behind any proposed policy change.
"It's sad that we've come to a day where law enforcement has to videotape everything we do," Condon said.
"Not everyone loves the police right now, so we have to adjust accordingly."


text:
Motorcycles · ATVs · PWC · Golf Carts · ToolBoxes · Lock-Outs · Jumpstarts · Tire Changes · Fuel Delivery · Winching
1900 Burgundy Cove
Austin, TX. 78727
512-917-4042 (cell)
Kenneth Lahart
Rider Owner
Motorcycle Towing For the most Discerning Customer in Austin, Texas
Thank-you for visiting the Cycle Lift, motorcycle towing, website. We are proud of the long-term relationships we have established with our customers in Austin, Texas. At Cycle lift, motorcycle towing, you will receive prompt, courteous, honest, and quality service. You are our first priority, which is why you will receive quality motorcycle towing at a competitive rate. We are licensed and insured for your motorcycle's protection. Call or e-mail us today for your motorcycle towing and transportation needs.
At Cycle Lift, motorcycle towing, you are dealing with a premier towing company, the best in the industry, we have an exceptional safety and motorcycle towing record. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, we service the central Texas area, with an occasional long haul. We handle all makes and models of motorcycles from the used and abused to the exotics. Our unique method of tying down motorcycles with a closed loop ratchet system on a specialized trailers makes towing wrecks a snap, prevents damage, motorcycle moving or jumping loose while towing. We also move ATV's and small utility vehicles (Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Mule) and jet skis. Dealer and municipal inquiries are welcome.
We Offer:
Motorcycle, Trike and Chopper Towing
Jet Ski & Personal Watercraft Transport
Golf Cart Transport
Lock-Out Service
Jumpstarts & Tire changes
Toolboxes moving (Construction site Job Boxes)
Auto Emergency Roadside Assistance & Fluid Delivery
24 Hour Road Service
Contact Us / Request Quote
Copyright © 2009 CycleLift / Kenneth Lahart | All Rights Reserved. | Designed & Hosted by
Eclipsing Technologies


text:
If you want to get a sense of China's economic priorities, follow the pandas.
Beijing currently has about 50 of the super-cute black and white furballs loaned out to zoos across the world -- and almost all the recent loans have been to countries that have signed major trade and foreign investment deals with China.
It works like this: Agree to export key energy technology to China; get a panda. Supply Beijing with the uranium it needs to power nuclear reactors; get a panda. Sign a free trade agreement with China; get a panda.
The trading partners even pay China a fee for the pandas, which are a hot item that draw customers to zoos.
"Panda loans are associated with nations supplying China with valuable resources and technology and symbolize China's willingness to build guanxi -- namely, deep trade relationships characterized by trust, reciprocity, loyalty and longevity," according to a recent paper by researchers at Oxford University.
Take Scotland. In early 2011, China negotiated multi-billion dollar agreements with Scotland for the supply of salmon and petrochemical and renewable energy technology. And in return? China loaned a pair of its pandas to the Edinburgh Zoo.
Related story: How China's booming panda business works
What did China get out of the deal? Oil drilling technology, said Oxford University's Kathleen Buckingham. "That's what China is investing in. It's not exactly investing in the U.K. as a whole; it's investing in Scotland for the technology and the resources."
Beijing has also been handing out pandas to countries that supply the uranium needed to reach its ambitious nuclear energy targets.
Canada and France both signed multi-billion dollar uranium export deals that coincided with panda loans to the two countries. Australia -- which holds the world's largest uranium reserves -- received a pair of pandas in 2009 after agreeing to supply uranium to China in 2006.
Other countries with panda loans, such as Singapore and Thailand, have inked free-trade agreements with China. The same goes for Malaysia -- all papers have been signed, and the country will soon receive its first pair of pandas.
The panda-for-resources swap is a trend that is likely to grow, especially as China's rapidly expanding economy drives demand for outside resources even higher. There is no shortage of interest in the pandas, either.
"There seems to be a backlog of countries clamoring for pandas," Buckingham said.
Not all of China's major trading partners have been lucky enough to land a panda. Buckingham said this is because the value of the animals is tied to their rarity -- the same reason that diamonds or gold are prized commodities.
"Every zoo has a lion or tiger, but not a panda," she said. "China needs to remain selective in its choice of panda-receiving countries in order to maintain the rarity, and therefore, their value."
Related story: China set to pass U.S. as top oil importer
Strategically handing out pandas to curry favor isn't exactly a new phenomenon.
When Mao Zedong was in power, pandas were gifted to the leaders of the former Soviet Union, North Korea, U.S. and the U.K. From 1972 to 1974, China gifted 24 pandas as "goodwill ambassadors."
But as the power of pandas as a diplomatic and business tool grew, so did the business of pandas.
In the 1980s, as China sought to open up its economy, "all of a sudden they needed dollars, so they had people trying to peddle short-term loans of pandas," said Dave Towne, president of the Giant Panda Conservation Foundation. A pair of pandas were available for a monthly rental fee of $100,000.
After conservationists and watchdogs objected, China instituted reforms that extended loan periods and put a greater emphasis on research.
Related story: 'Panda cam' goes dark in shutdown
Nowadays, approved zoos must still pay fees to China for the privilege of having pandas. A pair costs about $1 million a year, though some agreements may differ. Although caring for a panda can get expensive and zoos often sink additional dollars into conservation projects, they're able to offset some costs as visitors flock to see the pandas.
The panda swap can also cut in the other direction.
The United States, for example, lost two American-born panda cubs in 2010 after President Obama took a meeting with the Dalai Lama over Chinese objections. The cubs -- which China owns regardless of birthplace -- were quickly recalled.
"[China] values pandas as their number one animal," said Suzanne Gendron, director of Hong Kong's Ocean Park Conservation Foundation. "You wouldn't want to give a panda to someone you don't trust."


text:
Steven Battelle Necklaces
Steven Battelle has followed a singular, somewhat circuitous route to his current incarnation as a noted designer of unique treasures of wearable art. – Capturing the feeling and nuance of bygone civilizations long since disappeared and bringing them forth into the modern age. Diverging from an early interest in painting and the visual arts, Steven initially followed a path into the healing professions.


text:
There's an old adage in marketing that says in order to get a consumer to pull the trigger and buy something, they have to hear about the product three times. There was a time when the blueprint to accomplish that was pretty straightforward. Get reviews from newspapers or magazines and get interviewed on television or radio. Then, go make public appearances at bookstores or book fairs or local meetings, and don't forget to keep writing.
None of those were easy to accomplish and they all took a lot of work to hit the magic three, but at least there was a path to follow that thousands of authors from decades past had taken with some success.
Times have changed. Not only have they changed, they keep changing at an ever-increasing pace.
The internet opened up the world and made it so much easier for authors to reach the public directly. That's the good news. The flip side is there are hundreds of different ways to do it and a lot of them are really good, but may not be right for you.
So, the goal becomes finding the right tools for your genre and your personality and staying up to date about everything that's new, while still finding time to write, and then have a life.
This is where just a little organization can funnel the hive mind of social media down to the essentials. Look for groups, particularly on Facebook, that are not only devoted to marketing books but are also in your genre. If you're in traditional publishing, include that on your checklist. If you're going the indie route, make sure the group is too.
A few other things to add to your checklist are:
- The group is devoted most of the time to marketing – not selling, not writing
- It's invitation-only, so that it's a safe place to share and there's some control over the postings
- There's a monitor who shows trolls (people who complain or bully) the door and kicks them out of the group
- Active members who are sharing information and are willing to answer questions – lots of questions
- Be one of those people and share when you can – admit when you don't know enough to add to the conversation. In other words, participate.
Some of the benefits you can reap from joining together are:
- Doing cross-promotions with others in your genre. There's power in numbers.
- Getting a heads up about a new site that's working for someone. And getting a thumbs down for a site that would only waste your time and your dollars.
- Sharing each other's ads or promotions on each other's social media sites. Again, it's that power in numbers.
- Gaining a realistic view of how well you're doing. It's the equivalent of your water cooler.
- Getting applause when things go well and getting some inspirational chitchat when they don't.
- Testing out new blurbs for your book or, if you're indie, testing out new covers and getting early feedback.
Everything is easier when we work in cooperation with others and come together as a team, building on the information, adding in a post to what's already there. That's the definition of crowd sourcing.
Since I've found my own peeps I've been able to course correct a lot of mistakes I didn't know I was even making and I've come up with a streamlined ad campaign that is even more in line with my budget. Best of all, though, I'm having a lot more fun sharing ideas and cheering on my fellow authors.


text:
More about lettuce:
Wednesday, June 8
Wednesday Dose of Cute: Why Dogs Don't Plant Vegetable Gardens
More about lettuce:
8 comments:
Bert - what a sweet guy but definitely with a determined look in his eyes! And look at his hind legs. Maybe you could tease him with a different dressing each day (joking, I do not want to provoke any reaction)? My own dog, Chica, is a lovely 12 year old mixture of Labrador and Weimaraner, combining all the lovely traits of both races.ReplyDelete
I enjoy your pictures and posts of a rural living from a rather urban environment in Switzerland and look forward to it each day.
Have a lovely summer and a plentiful harvest.
- Catherine6/09/2011 4:18 AM
My dog eats a lot of raw vegetables now. She didn't when younger though. She prefers salads ie lettuce and spinach with dressing though. I give her either a bit of olive oil and sometimes add some lemon juice. Tabbouleh salae is one of her faves!ReplyDelete
Love the photos where Bert rolls over and plays dead!! ;-)ReplyDelete
- Anonymous6/09/2011 7:20 AM
Greens, in limited amounts, are very good for dogs. That's why they eat grass on occasion. Love that Bert stretching his belly on the cool, green grass.ReplyDelete
:) This is true! Lettuce is one veg my dogs leave behind!ReplyDelete
I think you should call this, "Death by Spinach!" YOu always have the best pics!ReplyDelete
Suzanne, Fairchild Farmgirl
It's like eenie, meanie, miney, mo...trying to figure out what my older dog Country will eat every night.ReplyDelete
He's adorable.
He is so cute. Looks like he'd really like to help you. But, he's a dog. Lucky....no work.ReplyDelete
December 2015 update: Hi! For some reason I can't figure out, Blogger hasn't been letting me leave comments on my own blog (!) for the last several months, so I've been unable to respond to your comments and questions. My apologies for any inconvenience! You're always welcome to email me: farmgirlfare AT gmail DOT com.
Hi! Thanks for visiting Farmgirl Fare and taking the time to write. While I'm not always able to reply to every comment, I receive and enjoy reading them all.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and I especially love hearing about your experiences with my recipes. Comments on older posts are always welcome!
Please note that I moderate comments, so if I'm away from the computer it may be a while before yours appears.
I try my best to answer all questions, though sometimes it takes me a few days. And sometimes, I'm sorry to say, they fall through the cracks, and for that I sincerely apologize.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy your e-visits to our farm!


text:
Lieutenant Governor Donohue, Majority Leader Bruno, Speaker Silver, Leader Nesbitt, Leader Patterson, Comptroller Hevesi, respected members of the Legislature, fellow New Yorkers.
The budget I propose today will spell out the very difficult decisions that current fiscal conditions demand of us.
All of us agree that New York faces serious economic challenges in this fiscal year and beyond.
Over the past few weeks, I've spoken of the need for tough choices.
Now, the time for making those tough choices has come.
And as I see it, our choices are limited to two.
It's a clear choice between taxes and jobs.
If New York's record prior to 1995 proves anything, it's that high taxes are the surest way to weaken the economy and drive jobs across New York's borders.
Conversely, New York's record since 1995 shows that cutting taxes encourages initiative, sparks new investment and creates jobs.
Our eight-year fiscal record demonstrates this -- irrefutably.
Likewise, the record we inherited eight years ago demonstrates that raising taxes discourages initiative and investment, and leads to massive job losses.
...Which means that raising taxes this year -- or any year -- is the wrong choice.
We must choose jobs.
So today, I urge you to stand with me and send the right message to the New Yorkers who are worried about their jobs, to those who need jobs, and to the entrepreneurs who create jobs: Let's take the option of raising job-killing taxes off the table on Day One of this year's budget process.
Instead, let's follow the course that we know leads to economic renewal -- the course that lifted New York out of the economic crisis we inherited eight years ago.
Then, we faced a $5 billion deficit, runaway government spending and excessive taxes that fed a bloated government bureaucracy.
Of course, there is a difference between that crisis and today's.
That crisis was the result of more than a decade of misguided policies and poor fiscal management.
Today's enormous deficit was caused by events beyond our control -- the September 11th attacks and the decline of the stock market, compounded by the national recession and the unique problems of the financial industry which is so crucial to New York's economy.
There is only one way to lift New York out of this fiscal crisis -- by creating private sector jobs that are the foundation for public sector resources.
The reason we've been able to make record investments in areas like health, education and the environment is because our tax cuts sparked new investment and new jobs which strengthened our economy and expanded our tax base.
In the weeks and months to come, the debate over this budget will take many twists and turns.
But, again, ultimately the debate comes down to a simple choice: jobs or taxes.
My budget rejects job-killing taxes.
My budget chooses jobs.
Our budget must do the same.
As clearly as I can, let me state the hard facts behind New York's fiscal crisis and the steps we must take to end it.
We face a two-year, $11.5 billion dollar shortfall, a budget gap larger than the total annual budgets of 36 other states.
As a result of the terrorist attacks, New York suffered the direct loss of nearly 100,000 jobs.
Coupled with the national recession, the stock market decline and the problems facing the financial services industry, New York has a deficit of $2.2 billion in the current year, over and above the $8.8 billion deficit we've already closed.
In the coming fiscal year, we face another $9.3 billion deficit.
It is a staggering amount, particularly when you understand what we have already done to properly manage our fiscal affairs.
Immediately after September 11th, we took quick action.
We reduced the government workforce, cut back on agency spending, restructured our debt to take advantage of low interest rates, and took other smart steps to manage the people's money.
That is how we were able to close an $8.8 billion shortfall to date.
These actions will help close another $700 million over the balance of this fiscal year.
We must, however, act quickly to protect our schools, public employees and fiscal stability by closing the remaining $1.5 billion current year shortfall.
Since early December, we have been working together to close this gap with funds from securitizing the tobacco settlement.
I urge you to take prompt action on this measure.
For all we've done, let us not forget that the total of this year's deficit and next year's deficit combined, amounts to a budget shortfall of almost $20 billion.
Never before has our state faced this type of fiscal challenge. But we are New Yorkers. We met the challenges after the barbaric attacks of September 11th. We met the challenges of putting New York back on the path of strength and opportunity.
And we will meet the challenges before us today.
But we must do so while continuing to look toward the future. It's not just about getting through this budget or even the next. Quick fixes will not solve our fiscal crisis.
My spending plan was crafted with New York's future in mind. It's a job- creating budget based on long term economic growth.
Yes, there are difficult decisions to make, but I know we will make the right ones because we have made them before.
Prior to September 11th, we set aside the highest level of fiscal reserves in state history. Because we had the foresight to protect surplus funds -- because we took responsible steps to ensure we were prepared for the worst -- we are better prepared today than other states to make the tough choices.
Those decisions won us praise from fiscal watchdogs who -- a year after September 11th – said New York had weathered a storm that would have crippled a less prepared state.
When I addressed you two years ago, I said that "fiscal restraint is more than just sound economic policy, it's our obligation.
We have to prepare our State to withstand a potential slowdown in the national economy."
That was months before any official declaration of a recession, but I saw it coming and we prepared.
That was also months before the attacks.
I urged you to hold the line on spending to gird against the national recession.
My call for fiscal restraint led to some significant battles here in Albany, battles we can not afford to repeat.
Now more than ever, we cannot afford to be blind to the fiscal realities we face.
This year, more than ever, we need to work together to put in place a budget, and that budget must spend less than last year's.
I welcome an honest debate in the weeks to come, but let's work together to get the budget done promptly so that we can ensure the recovery that will allow us to again make the new investments in education, health care, and the environment that we all support.
Last year, knowing that tough decisions would have to be made in this budget, we froze salaries for all appointed employees earning over $75,000.
And we asked all agencies of government, with the exception of Public Security, to reduce their operating costs by five percent.
In the forefront of our efforts to reduce spending and find new efficiencies in State government is the Executive Chamber, where we said we'd reduce costs by 10 percent, but we're going to do even more.
In the coming year, we'll reduce Executive Chamber costs by roughly 19 percent.
In all areas of government -- starting with my office and my staff -- we must work aggressively to eliminate waste, consolidate functions, and reduce overhead costs.
We must streamline our state workforce to ensure that it is as lean and as efficient as it can be.
Since 1995, we've reduced the size of government by nearly 20,000 positions, while actually increasing efficiency. The budget I present today calls for a state workforce reduction of an additional 5,000 positions.
Those reductions are targeted intelligently to maximize the efficiency of our government and to provide the greatest opportunity to avoid layoffs.
As we have in the past, we will work closely with the public employee unions, while striving at all times to keep any layoffs to a bare minimum.
Trimming the state bureaucracy and cutting costs at our agencies will help. But state operations account for only 15 percent of the state budget. Those cuts will only get us so far.
We cannot expect to fully solve New York's fiscal problems unless we spend less than we did last year and make reductions in almost every area of the budget.
One area of the budget that will be exempt from spending cuts is public security.
To protect New Yorkers in the post-September 11th environment, my budget includes $180 million for public security activities, an increase of seven percent over this year.
This includes $8 million in new funds to support an additional 120 State Troopers to protect and bolster security along our northern border.
Overall, we have to spend significantly less. In 1995, you and I passed a budget that spent 2.2 percent ($720 million) less than the year before.
This year, I will ask you to pass a budget that spends 2.9 percent ($1.1 billion) less than last year.
These are the difficult decisions we have to make -- decisions that will result in less funding to worthwhile programs that we all support.
I don't want to reduce spending for these programs. None of us do. But then, none of us was elected to make just the easy decisions.
We can either cut these programs today and allow for the growth that will fuel them tomorrow, or subject New Yorkers to job losses and a fiscal crisis for years to come.
But as we make the necessary cuts, we're also going to make sure our health care system remains the best and strongest in the nation.
Our Health Care Reform Act has helped make New York's health care system the best in the world.
But these difficult times mean we must make it more effective and more efficient.
This budget will protect HCRA and extends it for an additional two years.
Across the country state governments are grappling with the high cost of new medical treatments, spiraling prescription drug prices and the needs of America's growing senior population.
New York is no different.
A failure to address Medicaid spending growth could jeopardize the vital health programs we have championed together.
This budget will not do that.
We will propose reforms that will reign in Medicaid spending this year, including steps to control prescription drug costs – the fastest growing segment of Medicaid.
At the same time we will reaffirm our commitment to providing care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers through our nationally renowned programs – Child Health Plus, EPIC and Family Health Plus -- which will continue to be the best in the nation.
Our Medicaid reforms will also help New York's local governments.
The new Medicaid cost-savings measures will generate $160 million in savings for New York City and $395 million for county governments during the next two years.
These savings will grow even larger in future years.
We are also going to continue our push for legislation we proposed last year that would provide counties and New York City with a total of $172 million in new fiscal relief by eliminating the requirement that these governments repay previously advanced State Medicaid funds.
Our Budget also takes additional actions to help local governments cope with their own fiscal challenges.
It includes a comprehensive mandate relief package that would provide new incentives and greater flexibility to municipalities to reduce costs and remove long-standing impediments to greater efficiency.
Also, in spite of our own fiscal difficulties, the Budget maintains nearly $800 million in unrestricted State aid for cities, towns and villages at current levels -- including more than $327 million for New York City.
At the same time, with actions contained in the Budget -- and through other measures -- we are committed to providing the City with more than $1.2 billion in net fiscal benefits in our fiscal year.
These measures include: new mandate relief measures, additional support from the Battery Park City Authority...
...support for legislation advanced by the City that would provide new fiscal relief, authority to restructure City debt...
...additional airport lease payments from the Port Authority, and continued partnership to achieve full Federal reimbursement of World Trade Center costs.
Much of the fiscal relief provided in the Executive Budget for New York City is recurring -- and will in fact grow in future years.
Clearly, the most difficult decisions facing us involve education – an area where we have worked together to make record investments.
As someone who was educated in New York's public schools -- and as a father whose children have benefitted greatly from our excellent public school system -- the last thing I want to do is reduce spending on education.
However, the crisis is that bad. We have no choice.
In these difficult fiscal times, we need to focus on the fundamental aspects of our school aid formula – those components that are absolutely critical to the basic mission of K-12 education.
Therefore, some of the most significant reductions are in categorical programs -- programs that we all support.
Certain categorical programs will be suspended -- while others such as Bilingual Education, Improving Pupil Performance, Categorical Reading and Magnet schools will be maintained.
In addition to categorical reductions and certain other reductions, operating aid will be reduced by four percent, or roughly $400 million, with reductions made on an equitable basis – with a greater share targeted to those districts that have the greatest means to sustain them.
We will also provide greater flexibility to our schools in the use of State aid – allowing local officials to have increased ability to manage local resources during these difficult times -- and we will provide meaningful mandate relief for our schools.
On education, we've made record investments, year after year.
Currently, the State is providing 50 percent more in school aid than we did in 1995.
And even with the difficult decisions we will be making this year, school aid will be $3.6 billion more than it was in 1995.
And this year – despite our spending restraint – we will remain among the nation's leaders in per pupil spending.
Let me be clear: I believe in public education. I'm a product of public education.
In 1995, my priorities were clear -- straighten out our state's finances, restore our state's economic competitiveness, and create the economic growth necessary to make record investments in education.
Those priorities haven't changed.
We've done it before. Now we must do it again...
...so that we can once again make record investments for our children, our teachers and our future.
And as we adopt a budget that creates jobs and grows us out of crisis we must continue the long tradition of compassion that sets New York apart.
In addition to preserving our successful health care initiatives we will continue to fully fund welfare benefits, day care slots and other programs critical to New York families.
We also fulfill our commitment to the New York State Cares program.
This budget expands New York State Cares, providing additional opportunities for developmentally disabled New Yorkers to have a home in the community.
Our policies have also allowed working families to keep more of what they earn.
We've dramatically increased the Earned Income Tax Credit over the past eight years -- making it one of the most generous in the nation.
Our tax cuts have reduced income taxes on those making less than $30,000 a year, by nearly 50 percent, and we have removed more than 400,000 working families from the tax rolls altogether.
They don't pay a dime in state income taxes.
In fact, according to a national study, New York's lower income working families pay less in state income taxes than virtually any other state in the nation.
We've done well. But even in these difficult times, we can do more.
That is why this budget will increase the earned income tax credit to 30 percent, maintaining New York's national leadership in providing help to working families.
As a result of this increase, 20,000 additional lower income working families will be removed from the income tax rolls.
As we work together to address the challenges of today – we must work just as hard to embrace the promise of tomorrow.
It all starts with good jobs and the high tech economy. All of us know that a good job is the key to building a strong family. That is why we must continue on the path to growth, and continue building the foundation for 21st century economic renewal.
You and I have worked hard to transform our economy into a global leader in high tech research, innovation and manufacturing.
For years, the pieces of the puzzle were all right here in New York, with the exception of two critical components – a competitive economic climate and aggressive state government support.
Together, we've worked to put all the pieces in place. Starting with our Centers of Excellence and complemented by our STAR centers, Advanced Research Centers and CAT centers, we're bringing together world class companies and the best and brightest minds at our top-flight academic institutions to work on a common goal...
...turning New York's brainpower into state-of-the-art products manufactured within the State's borders, creating tens of thousands of new jobs in the process. Every day, that vision is moving closer to reality.
In fact, in the last three years alone we have attracted more than $3.5 billion in high tech investments to our State.
Business Facilities Magazine now ranks New York State 4th in the nation in high tech growth – up from 10th just three years ago.
And Site Selection magazine's most recent ranking had us 3rd in the nation in attracting new and expanded corporate facilities -- our highest ranking ever. And it won't be long before New York is number one.
The arrival of International Sematech to Albany – whose formal signing we announced yesterday – could have the greatest impact on our state's economy since the opening of the Erie Canal.
It's going to ignite a high-tech economic boom throughout our state. It is going to do for New York what it has done for Austin, Texas – create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
The foundation of the Empire State High Tech Corridor is rapidly being built.
When complete, it will stretch from Long Island to Buffalo, and from Plattsburgh to Lower Manhattan, and it will mean a future economy where all students with a degree in science, math or computers will be able to begin a high-tech career right within commuting distance from their hometown.
To achieve that promise we must continue our efforts. The competition for high-tech economic development is intense. We have been aggressive... we must stay aggressive.
My budget will fully fund SEMATECH and our Centers of Excellence.
I will also propose a new high tech investment tax credit to leverage up to $250 million of new capital investments.
Access to capital is critical to high-tech firms – especially in their initial phases of start up.
These venture capital dollars will be targeted to small businesses linked to our on-going high tech efforts.
Already our Centers of Excellence are targeting companies from around the country and the world to come to New York to take advantage of our burgeoning high-tech clusters.
This proposed tax credit will be a powerful additional resource that will further increase our competitive advantage against other states vying for the high tech economy of the future.
As with all budget items, I urge you to move quickly on this important measure. Make no mistake, these are very difficult times, but if we make the right decisions we can turn crisis into opportunity.
It was the smart decisions we made to confront the economic crisis we inherited in 1995 that led to smarter policies which allowed us to make record investments in education.
It was the smart decisions we made in 1995 that allowed us to dramatically expand health care for New York's children.
It was the smart decisions we made in 1995 that allowed us to make historic investments in the environment and so many other crucial areas.
At that time -- when New York State's finances were in crisis -- those decisions seemed tough.
But ultimately, the decisions we made marked a turning point for New York.
The process of confronting the fiscal and economic crisis of 1995 made us stronger, because we made a decisive choice -- and the choice we faced then is the same choice we face today.
It's a choice between taxes or jobs.
None of us want to make cuts to our most precious programs and projects, many of which I have personally championed. After all, we've spent eight years making the right decisions so we could make record investments in these programs.
Making these tough choices will require courage, leadership, and honesty.
If we truly care about the future of New York, each of us must demonstrate all three of those qualities in the days, weeks and months to come....
...Because each of us will be approached by well-intentioned groups -- people we know and respect -- who will want us to devote more funds to programs that are well-intentioned and worthwhile.
Do we have the courage to tell them that, yes, your request for funds has merit, but in this time of crisis, the money simply does not exist?
Are we honest enough to tell them that, yes, your cause is worthy, and I support it, but the state just doesn't have the resources?
Do we have the leadership to say, yes, tough decisions are being made, but those decisions are necessary to lift New York out of its current crisis to a brighter future?
Do we have the courage, the honesty and the leadership to make these decisions?
Each of us will provide the answers to these questions in the weeks to come.
We didn't create this crisis, but if we face it head on, and if we face it together, we can end it.
We've done it before, we must do it again.
The choice I've presented to you today -- the choice between jobs and taxes -- is real. The grave consequences of making the wrong choices are just as real.
A vote to raise job-killing taxes is a vote to prolong the crisis well into the future. A vote to reduce spending instead is a vote to end it quickly by creating jobs and strengthening our economy.
During previous budget years, you and I have had the courage to set aside our differences to find common ground.
In a democracy, that is as it should be. But as we seek common ground, we can not afford to take half measures on a crisis that requires our full commitment.
Nor do we have the luxury of making compromises that ultimately result in a budget that only partly addresses the crisis.
Ultimately, I'm the one who must approve a final budget. But I know that the final product is best when it reflects the collaborative efforts of us all.
If we leave this auditorium divided from the start, we've already failed. Let's not do that. Let's not break faith with one another, because if we do, the repercussions will be laid at the doorstep of the very New Yorkers who elected us.
We know what works and what doesn't.
The course we must pursue is clear, and I'm confident that we will make the right choice quickly and with a united voice ...in times of crisis, New Yorkers have always stood tall, stood firm and stood together.
In this hour of economic adversity, there is, among New Yorkers, a real sense of uncertainty -- about jobs, about the future, about the outcome of this budget.
Nothing would send a stronger and more positive message to the people of New York than our willingness to stand together and say with one voice:
We will meet these challenges. We will make the tough decisions. And together, we will lead New York to its greatest day.
If we have the courage to do that, then -- ironically -- the budget we will ultimately be proudest of will be the one we wish we never had to pass.


text:
On a summer evening at JFK/UMass Station, police say, a Quincy man robbed a person standing on the platform. The robber's weapon? The pit bull tugging on his leash.
A few weeks later, Eric Coldwell walked onto the back porch of his Weymouth home and watched as his own 60-pound pit bull terrier, Maizy, tackled his 9-year-old son, Thomas —
Those two incidents frame the question: Is the pit bull an animal to fear, or to love? That question, said Rob Halpin of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, "sums up the fight we've been in for years."
If pet adoption rates are any indication, pit bulls have plenty of love to give. Pit bull adoptions are climbing statewide and, in the biggest surprise, extending into the suburbs.
The number of pit bull adoptions in Massachusetts has shot up in recent years, Halpin said, with most of that increase in the past two years. In 2003, 146 pit bulls were adopted from MSPCA shelters in Massachusetts. This year, the number stands at 216.
Even the White House has weighed in with support. In late August, the Obama administration responded to an online petition with more than 30,000 signatures requesting that breed-specific dog bans, which often target pit bulls, be outlawed on the federal level. "The simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they're intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive," the administration said.
The MSPCA acknowledges that the pit bull is still the preferred choice of many young, single men who see it as a way to boost their tough-guy image. But it doesn't stop there.
"The fact that we're seeing more Coldwell families owning pit bulls these days and fewer like this alleged robber is a sign of how times are changing," Halpin said.
Hype or truth?
It has been six years since NFL quarterback Michael Vick was charged with federal crimes for helping to run an interstate pit bull fighting ring, and killing and torturing losing dogs, a crime the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said caused anemic pit bull adoption rates to fall further.
"People were scared of pit bulls because of their fighting ability, when, ironically, the dogs were abuse victims, and it was their owners and handlers who needed to be feared," Halpin said.
That has been the argument for years, even back to a 1987 Sports Illustrated cover story with an image of a menacing pit bull and the headline: "Beware Of This Dog."
But is it that simple? It's the owners, not the dogs?
It was certainly the owners in the case of an abandoned pit bull found wandering near a Quincy playground Aug. 31. The young female dog, dubbed "Puppy Doe," was emaciated and had been tortured, authorities said, including being stabbed, burned, and beaten.
In response, some state lawmakers are proposing steeper fines for animal cruelty and creating a statewide registry of convicted animal abusers, not unlike the Sex Offender Registry.
However, not everyone is so eager to jump to the pit bull's defense.
Robert Clendening of Wakefield was walking his small dog and pushing his toddler grandson in a stroller in August when a neighbor's pit bull and boxer charged him.
Clendening said he warded off the boxer, but the pit bull was relentless, jumping and snapping at Clendening's dog as he held the smaller animal aloft and kicked at the pit bull with one leg.
Clendening, his grandson, and dog escaped into the clubhouse of their condo complex.
But the pit bull followed and continued to throw itself at the clubhouse door, Clendening said, adding he doubted that a different breed of dog would have pursued him so aggressively.
There is some data, and plenty of examples, to support him.
In summer 2011, Boston police officers shot and killed a pit bull in Dorchester, after the unleashed, unmuzzled dog chased a teen and appeared to the officers to be circling her, poised to attack. The dog's owner said it chased the girl because she ran, and it just wanted to play.
An Andover man stabbed a pit bull to death with a kitchen knife in May 2010 after the dog attacked the man's wife as well as the neighbor who owned the dog. And in October 2009, a pit bull reportedly bit a 12-year-old girl's foot at her school bus stop in Dorchester and would not let go until a passerby pulled the dog away.
"It's difficult to hear about these stories, because the incidents happened," Halpin said. "But I would say this: Considering how many dogs we have of all breeds, these terrible incidents don't suggest a dog-biting epidemic, certainly not a breed-specific epidemic."
During the same period of those pit bull attacks, a golden retriever-Labrador mix fatally mauled a 2-month old baby in South Carolina, and a black lab in Denver nearly ripped a boy's scalp off in what the boy's father and dog's owner said was an unprovoked attack.
But if there is one difference experts agree on between a labrador's attacking and a pit bull's bite, it's that the pit bull is stronger, bites harder, and is more likely to result in grave, or even fatal injuries.
The Insurance Information Institute says that pit bulls top the list of dogs cited in bite claims against homeowners' policies. And a 2009 dog bite study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that over a five-year period in Philadelphia, 51 percent of dog attacks were carried out by pit bulls, 9 percent by Rottweilers, and 6 percent by mixes of pit bulls and Rottweilers.
Seeing the other side
Gary Patronek, an animal epidemiologist and assistant professor at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, said he has seen so many examples of non-pit bull attacks that he has been encouraging people for more than two decades to stop measuring dog behavior and risk by breed.
"There's a certain amount of hysteria that comes with that type of measurement," said Patronek, who has written extensively on dog bites. "But the hysteria doesn't match the facts. I've simply seen no evidence over the years that pit bulls are any more of a risk than any other breed. In fact, what I've found is that the risk rests almost entirely in environmental factors like a dog's surroundings and how it's treated by its owners."
That is certainly how Marla Andrews of West Newbury feels. She has two adult children and a pit bull — her third in two decades.
"I grew up like most people of my generation — I'm in my 50s — in communities of labs and golden retrievers and spaniels," Andrews said. She said her family adopted its first pit bull, named Comet, in the 1980s, shortly after her son was born. "A few years later my daughter was born," she said, "and Comet was like Lassie with the kids."
It was not until she and her family moved from Nantucket to West Newbury around 1990 that Andrews noticed a problem with owning a pit bull.
"We got weird glances while walking Comet," she said. "People would cross the street to get away." Andrews, now a volunteer at the MSPCA-Nevins Farm and the owner of another pit pull, Jupiter, said she has noticed people seem less scared these days.
"People don't cross the street anymore," she said. "People actually approach to pet Jupiter."
Uphill battle
With so many pit bulls awaiting adoption, the MSPCA decided the only way it could coax would-be adopters to consider a pit bull was to spend time with "pit bull-like dogs" at shelters. The organization officially refers to the dogs as "pit bull-like," because "pit bull" is not a singular breed, but rather a mix of up to five dog breeds, including the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier.
Harrison Forbes, author of the book "Dog Talk," owner of several pit bulls, and a dog behavioral expert, said that while he is confident pit bulls do not have an inherent behavior problem, what separates pit bulls more than anything from other dogs is their size and strength.
"Pit bulls are very strong dogs," he says. "They were bred initially to hunt large animals. And for more than 200 years after that, they were bred to be fighters. You can breed certain things out of dogs, too. But that does not happen after just one or two generations. It will take a while, during which time any change will be attributable to responsible dog ownership."
Don Cleary, director of communications for the National Canine Research Council, said America's love and fear of specific dog breeds goes back to the aftermath of the Civil War, when Massachusetts issued its first breed ban — against bloodhounds, fearing that the breed had human "bloodlust," since it was used to hunt runaway slaves. The pit bull, he said, was "America's favorite dog at the turn of the 20th century. "They were in family portrait photos, in pictures as sports team mascots. Let's not forget the dog Pete on 'The Little Rascals.' "
Alex Talarico, a 30-year-old graduate student in Lexington, is in his second year of pit bull ownership. His dog, Max, was surrendered to the MSPCA in December 2012 when its owners could no longer care for it.
"My girlfriend and I had a Saint Bernard — a rescue dog," Talarico said. "And when he passed, we just wanted another big, goofy, lovable dog. But we met Max and decided to be open-minded and take him for a walk.
"The rest is history. We love him. My mother, who I live with, was nervous at first. But her fear wasn't so much of the dog as it was what the neighbors would think."
James H. Burnett III can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesBurnett.


text:
My brain has foggy recollections, memories,
Of the things we were promised, to be given,
As children, a world of peace, of standing in protest,
Flowers garlanding rifles held to sway children
By children no older than themselves.
The soldier shot, nerves and muscle, scared,
Not thinking of killing, not thinking
Of pelting rocks. Afraid. Unsure. A child of time
Given orders to stand by, to wait. Make them go away.
Orders again years after Kent. Waiting for the fog to come here, too.
Foggy recollections of Camelot, children in play,
Played in vinyl, surround sound. A glimpse into intense
Cherishing of time. The President's Missus. Bravely
Facing the loss of a civilization, as she sat waiting, as the nation paused, then
Rushed out of the White House, a widow, out of time.
She was tall, classic, classy, a champion of children, well-educated
A woman who bore solitude in her heart. Her public face perfect.
A woman bearing in her arms, the children. Protecting them.
Mourning her husband John, her brother-in-law Robert, Martin
Luther King, all three martyrs to peace. She remained silent.
But her dream of peace arising from battle and blood was
Taken up and thrown, like feathers from a nest quickly disappearing
Erasing the stigma of violent victimization as others took up the flag of
Skin, of religion, of contesting savagery. Or so we thought.
Life fell from her hands into the ocean of solitude and ignorance.
She was a princess , a wife, lost, out of time but standing, but seen as
Perfection. Mother, editor, dressed in dark memories swirling in fog.
Clothes of the soul, shared by photographs stolen when she didn't want to be seen,
Of private moments. With the population who couldn't buy the tags of her style.
It's so hard to see her now, under her packaging, with memory fading.
Foggy, recollections of the time. Childlike I believed, I still believe,
Making the decision to stand in the line of fire, to protect, being
Like her in my soul. Strong, able, sad, but never at peace.
For the world didn't change as promised. Fog flew into the spaces as
She slipped away into obscurity and fairy tales. Moving into subtitles of time.


text:
Rachel Weisz's Wavy, Tousled, Brunette Updo
Nicole Richie Long, Tousled, Wavy Hairstyle with Bangs
Thandie Newton Black, Curly, Romantic Hairstyle
Kate Beckinsale Funky, Brunette Updo
Uma Thurman Romantic Updo
Olsen Twins Romantic, Curly Hairstyles for Prom
Michelle Williams Blonde Updo
Mandy Moore Long, Tousled Updo
Lindsay Lohan Curly, Blonde Ponytail
Leighton Meester Wavy Updo with Highlights
Katherine Heigel Curly, Tousled Updo
Kate Bosworth Wavy, Formal Half-Updo
Julianne Hough Blonde, Curly, Romantic Updo
Julianne Hough's curly, romantic hair with ringlets can be done even if you have straight hair. Here's what to do:
1. First, work a curling cream through your damp hair (make sure to get the sections underneath, too).
2. Then, blow dry your roots using a diffuser -- don?t use a brush, you're going to want to keep the curl, not smooth it out.
3. Once hair is completely dry, section off hair and use a curling iron to create ringlets (spray hairspray before and after curling).
4. Create a side part, and pin the ends of your hair into a loose bun.
5. Pull out the ringlets in the front and finish with a light-hold hairspray.
Julianne Hough Blonde, Curly Half Updo
Julianne Hough's curly half updo is perfect for those who have long hair and an oval face, and want a formal style for their next big occasion. How to do it:
1. To get started, rub a curling cream through your damp hair, making sure to get the tips, too.
2. Then, blow dry your roots with a diffuser -- don?t use a brush, just your fingertips.
3. Once hair is completely dry, section off hair and use a curling iron to create ringlets (spray hairspray before and after curling).
4. Next, create a side part, extending all the way to the back of your crown.
5. Pull back half of your hair on both sides of your face and join the two sides. Twist around the tips into a neat bun and pin to secure.
6. To finish, mist hair with a light-hold hairspray.


text:
During the summer of 2011, I spent three magical months in a southeast Asian island nation that has recently made its way into newspaper headlines and radio interviews. The Philippines was the place I learned to scuba dive, eat fertilized duck eggs, and formed friendships that have continued long after my return flight home. It is a country of beauty and unyielding hope for a better tomorrow.
I want to thank all my friends and family who reached out to me after hearing about the mass devastation due to Typhoon Yolanda. All of my close friends and host families are safe, protected in other parts of the 7,000+ island country. And while the death toll is less than previously estimated, thousands of people are without homes, food, water or clean clothes. My friend Vivienne recounted a story she heard from a friend living amidst the chaos and struggle for survival:
"It looked like a re-enactment of a zombie apocalypse. People there started destroying homes, banks, groceries. It's crazy. One of my friend told me that her friend who lives there sleep with guns already."
There are a number of organizations currently receiving donations. Due to poor infrastructure and limited transportation, cash donations are preferred for those living outside of the Philippines.
- Give A Little- http://www.givealittle.co.nz/org/shelterbox
- World Vision- https://www.worldvision.org.ph/content/super-typhoon-yolanda-relief-efforts
- UNICEF- http://donate.unicef.ph/campaign/24/typhoon-yolanda-emergency-appeal
- Philippines Red Cross- http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
I will continue to update the post with more organizations accepting aid. My friends in the Philippines are working directly on the ground and I will try to find additional ways to contribute to the cause. Search hashtags on Twitter (#TyphoonHaiyan #yolandaPH #reliefPH #BangonCebu #BangonVisayas #PhilippinesTyphoon) and like these Facebook pages:
- Help Malapascua – Stay up to date with the region's relief efforts.
- Bundles of Joy – Write a letter to show your support.
- Adopt a Town for Christmas – Find a list of reputable organizations with people on the ground. Contact information and donation pages are available.
Before and After Pictures (Time Magazine)
"So open your heart
Give what you can
We're all responsible
For our fellow man."
Excerpt from A Helping Hand by Ray Hansell


text:
A review of security risks posed by Chinese telecommunications companies, ordered by the White House, turned up no evidence that Huawei had spied on behalf of China.
According to Reuters, the 18-month investigation concluded that Huawei was risky for other reasons, such as being susceptible to hackers. As for a clear connection between Huawei and the Chinese military, however — long a point of fascination given founder Ren Zhengfei's stint in the Chinese army — there was no evidence.
That's not to say that the White House-ordered investigation, which analyzed reports of suspicious activity and vetted telecommunications equipment buyers, completely contradicts the congressional report. Just that there was no smoking gun of espionage.
This week's TechNewsWorld podcast looks at U.S. concerns about Chinese telecommunications companies.
Pirate Bay Heads to the Cloud
The Pirate Bay, the world's most popular (and most vilified) file-sharing website, has moved its entire operation from servers to the cloud.
As TorrentFreak reports, the switch, which knocked the site offline for all of five minutes, will cut costs and, perhaps most importantly, make the site even more immune to police raids.
With the omnipresent threat that its servers could be seized, The Pirate Bay's switch provides insulation from authorities.Being in the cloud allows the site to hop borders without any downtime, an unnamed Pirate Bay representative told TorrentFreak. The source added that if one cloud provider either cuts off the site or goes offline, The Pirate Bay can simply buy new virtual servers and hop to the next cloud.
The move to the cloud is the most recent in a string of stories surrounding The Pirate Bay. In September, one of the site's co-founders, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, was arrested in Cambodia and later extradited to Sweden, where he faces jail time stemming from Pirate Bay-related copyright infringement. Then, earlier this month, Web host PRQ — which was also cofounded by Svartholm and which used to host The Pirate Bay — was raided and taken offline. The Pirate Bay went offline — and simultaneously came back online — in unison with PRQ.
Chinese E-commerce Has Amazon-Sized Ambition
360buy.com, China's second-biggest business-to-consumer website by revenue, is set to launch an English-language site this week.
According to The China Daily, 360buy.com wants to employ the same model — and on the same scale — as Amazon. 360buy.com vice president Shi Tao said Amazon has long been a "role model" for the company.
360buy.com plans to eventually set up warehouses in other countries, which would enable it to store Chinese products overseas and deliver them quickly to foreign markets. The company's en.360buy.com site currently has a "Coming Soon" message (next to a leggy blonde whose arms are full of presents and shopping goodies).
Tech In Asia says that 360buy.com's expansion will provide a case study for how Chinese Internet companies might fair overseas.
Amazon Heads to…The Amazon
Amazon, the world's top online retailer, has engaged in talks to purchase Brazilian bookseller Saraiva.
Sao Paulo-based Saraiva publishes books and then sells them both online and through a chain of stores.
According to Bloomberg, Amazon could use the deal to expand its operations in Brazil. Tapping into an emerging market like Brazil could be a boon for Amazon, as spending on items such as the Kindle and fulfillment centers have sliced into the company's profitability.


text:
Last Sunday, at a high school in Newtown, Connecticut, President Obama gave one of the most extraordinary speeches of his presidency. In a room full of grieving family and friends of the victims, full of traumatised first responders, and, importantly, full of interfaith officials from the community representing the old book, the new book, the book after that, and other magical books of fables and spells, Obama revealed the limits of faith. Take the nods to biblicism for what you will (I don't take them for much), the absolute centre of the Newtown speech is Obama's admission that Corinthians 4:16 or Matthew 19:14 are quite useless to a president like him.
Funerals can be fascinating affairs. They are to human experience what "limit cases" are to certain kinds of math or science: classes of events or occurrences where extreme phenomena reveal previously hidden truths. Funerals are moments where we confront ourselves, our thinking, and the limits of our beliefs. They are like epistemological twilight zones, experiential dramas where we get to glimpse the edge of life and death, but also the edge of belief and the contours of thought itself.
Death brings pain and anxiety so extreme, so profound, that we need answers. If you're a true believer you throw your hands to the heavens because this death, like all deaths, is just part of "his" plan, God must have a reason; he always does. But if you're burdened by a brain, dealing with the irreversibility and the senselessness of death is also known as an existential crisis.
Most of the time the existential crisis triggered by death is internalised (the depression of the mourner). It's an intimate crisis, private and personal. It includes all of the normal questions: Why God? Why did this happen? Why did you let my loved one die? But it includes all of the truly big questions as well: Why death? Why her? Why now? Why not me? Why am I alive? What is the purpose of my life? What is the purpose of life itself?
Funerals push this private crisis to the fore. By externalising inner reflection they are like existential public spectacles. That's what makes them fascinating. The vehicle for the externalisation is the funeral oratory by the lay: we all know what the priests are going to say, it's what the regular person says in these very mystical proceedings that is far more interesting. Every word by the mourner is a chance to peer inside that mourner's mind and find out what they really believe in.
Last Sunday in Newtown, the president let us peer into his mind.
The entire country – and the entire world – has been transfixed by the absolute horror of the deaths in Newtown. The crime is so ghastly, so absolute, so senseless, and the victims so young, so truly innocent, so helpless… It's hard to say anything in the face of this kind of terror, but people must, and they do. And it's now, in times like this, that those words become so important.
The president chose his words very carefully.
The interfaith vigil address was, from all accounts, written by Obama alone. It begins and ends where you would think it would: in the Bible. It starts with 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Scripture tells us… 'do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away… inwardly we are being renewed day by day;'" and it ends with Matthew 19:14: "'Let the little children come to me,' Jesus said, 'and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'" But these biblical bookends aren't important in an analysis of Obama's thinking; it's a standard rhetorical move in most funeral oratory, everyone thumbs through the Bible for an appropriate passage to make themselves sound spiritually literate.
But Obama's Newtown speech isn't biblical exegesis. It's not about those passages, it's not about the Bible at all, or faith more generally, or heaven, or hell, or any of that stuff.
The heart of Obama's Newtown speech is godless.
The first section is about the people of Newtown, the survivors, the principal, the teachers, the police, and the rest of the community. It's about their heroism, their courage, their ability to come together as a unified community in a time of great need. Obama applauds these people, he applauds the things they did that awful day, and the things that they are doing together in its aftermath.
Obama: "As a community, you've inspired us, Newtown. In the face of indescribable violence, in the face of unconscionable evil, you've looked out for each other, and you've cared for one another, and you've loved one another. This is how Newtown will be remembered."
And then he pivots: he switches from the tone and rhetoric of your basic funeral oratory, to a completely different discursive planet altogether.
Obama: "But we as a nation, we are left with some hard questions. […] Can we honestly say that we're doing enough to keep our children – all of them – safe from harm?" […] I've been reflecting on this the last few days, and if we're honest with ourselves, the answer is no. We're not doing enough. And we will have to change.
To Obama – President Obama, not Barack Obama – God is a bit player in American life, life that increasingly includes shootings like the one in Newtown. In the face of those evil deeds, God is powerless. He doesn't do anything: nothing bad, and nothing good either. He's just there, on the sidelines, stroking his beard. He didn't kill the children in Newtown, that wasn't part of his grand plan, but he couldn't stop the killing either. In Obama's epistemology, God is ineffectual. More ineffectual than Speaker Boehner.
The president, the community of Newtown, and the country can be useful, and that's what the president is doing now; that's why he is finally going to take action, why he's going to reform gun laws in the country, why he's going to take as many guns away as he can.
Remarkably, at the end of the speech Obama actually articulates the fundamental existential dilemma that he has been wrestling with…
Obama: "All the world's religions—so many of them represented here today—start with a simple question: Why are we here? What gives our life meaning? What gives our acts purpose?" […]
His solution to these "big questions" is simple, material, and hippy…
Obama: There's only one thing we can be sure of, and that is the love that we have – for our children, for our families, for each other. The warmth of a small child's embrace – that is true. The memories we have of them, the joy that they bring, the wonder we see through their eyes, that fierce and boundless love we feel for them, a love that takes us out of ourselves, and binds us to something larger – we know that's what matters. We know we're always doing right when we're taking care of them, when we're teaching them well, when we're showing acts of kindness. We don't go wrong when we do that.
I don't hear a lot of God in Obama's words. I do hear a lot of Mr. Rogers though.
Thank Rogers for that.
Previously - David Frum Is (Still Just) a Canadian Conservative


text:
Prompted by the news of a new album release from Kate Bush, I've been revisiting her earlier work. Specifically my two favourite albums, The Dreaming and Hounds of Love, the later arguably being one of the greatest albums ever released, certainly by a British Artist.
Its release in 1985 coincided perfectly with my 'teenage angst' years and it resided almost permanently in my Aiwa auto-reverse personal stereo for three or four years, thus I became intimately acquainted with it.
Many of the tracks contain audio samples of things such as clips from films and various sound effects. Hello Earth is the penultimate track on The Ninth Wave which is the name given to side 2 (remember when albums had sides.)
The track begins with voice samples which I believed were taken from television coverage of the early Columbia Space Shuttle Missions. The samples are quiet and overlap each other and it is therefore difficult to be sure exactly was is said, so far I've come up with this:-
Voice 1. "Columbia now at nine times the speed of sound"Voice 2. "Roger that, Dan, I've got a solid TACAN locked on, er, TACAN (delivery?)"Voice 3. "The (tracking/backing data?), map data and pre-planned trajectory are all one line on the block"Voice 4. "Show your block decode"
The first Columbia mission (STS-1) was launched in 1981, I remember watching the launch with great excitement in our school library on one of those TV's on wheels. Between this first launch and the release of Hounds of Love Columbia flew five more missions, STS-2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 with Challenger taking over duties for STS-6, 7 and 8. TACAN incidently is the acronym for Tactical Air Navigation System.
With the power of the Internet now at my disposal I thought it might be interesting to try and track down the sources of the samples. So I headed over to Youtube and began watching old coverage of the missions.
I was initially looking for 'Columbia now at nine times the speed of sound' but the first sample I came across was 'The (tracking/backing data?), map data and pre-planned trajectory are all one line on the block' which can be heard at 37 seconds on the following video:-
Hearing those words was a seriously weird experience. It's no exaggeration to suggest that I've listened to The Hounds of Love several hundred times and to hear the words outside the context of the track was bizarre.
Thusfar I've had no luck finding the other samples, I would particularly like to track down 'Columbia now at nine times the speed of sound' so any help would be appreciated.
I also noticed that Kate now has Youtube channel, so go on over and watch some of those classic videos:-