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2018 Volkswagen Golf S Tsi Bluemotion Technology 5dr
- Make:
- Model:
- Body:
- Colour:
- Mileage:12,891
- Fuel:
- Engine:
- Gearbox:
- Engine Size:1395cc
- Insurance Group:16E
- MPG Combined:53.3mpg
- CO2:119 g/km
- MTPLM:1,800 kg
Engine & MPG
- Engine Size:1395cc
- MPG Extra-urban:64.2mpg
- MPG Combined:53.3mpg
- MPG Urban:41.5mpg
Dimensions & Weight
- Height:1,476 mm
- Width:2,027 mm
- Length:4,349 mm
Performance & Safety
- 0-62MPH:9.3 seconds
- BHP:121bhp
- Top Speed:126mph
Volkswagen Golf Features
- Air Conditioning
- Bluetooth
- iPod Connectivity
- Remote Central Locking
- Remote Alarm
- Folding Rear Seats
- CD Player
- Radio
- MP3 Player
- Automatic Electric Windows
- Electric Mirrors
- Isofix
- Multiple Airbags
- Power Steering
- Adjustable Steering Column
Used cars you can trust. Guaranteed.
All of our Volkswagen Approved used vehicles are sold with a minimum of 12 months warranty from the day you collect your vehicle. You also have a minimum of 12 months roadside assistance which includes homestart, recovery and European travel.
All component unlimited mileage warranty
With a Volkswagen Approved Used warranty you are covered for the costs (limited to parts and labour inclusive of VAT up to the maximum claim limit) of repairing or replacing the covered components below that have suffered sudden electrical or mechanical failure occurring within the area of cover and during the period of cover.
Electrical and mechanical failure includes failure due to wear and tear for the first 100,000 miles from first registration under the warranty section of this cover, damage by water ingress and consequential failure, limited to £2,000 per claim inclusive of VAT for the latter.
What is covered?
All electrical and mechanical factory-fitted components are covered against electrical or mechanical failure unless listed in the 'What is not covered' section.
What is not covered?
Replacement parts and labour will be paid for with the following exceptions:
Routine service items
Bodywork, glass (including heated) and seals
Wear and perishable items as follows:
All adjustments, cambelt timing, diesel timing or cleaning
Brake discs, drums and frictional material
Bulbs and fuses
Clutch pressure plates, bearings and frictional material
Coolant pipes and hoses
CV boot gaiters
Exhaust systems including DPF filters (although catalytic converters are covered for internal failure only)
Non-genuine manufacturer's parts that are not of a matching quality
Tyres and wheels
Un-encased drive belts
Upholstery, interior and exterior trims
Washer pipes and vacuum hoses
Wiper blades, arms and washer jets
Wiring and connections (including HT leads and aerial co-axial cables)
Similar Vehicles
* Spread over the term
** Included in final payment
† Included in initial payment
M J Warner is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Finance Subject to status. Other offers may be available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers. Postal Address: Hare Street, , Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0EA.


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Mouth or throat pain or sores
Certain chemo drugs or radiation to the head and neck can cause a sore mouth, mouth sores, or a sore throat.
If you have these problems, eating soft, bland foods and lukewarm or cool foods can be soothing. On the other hand, foods that are coarse, dry, or scratchy may make you feel worse. You may also find that tart, salty, or acidic fruits and juices; alcohol; and spicy foods are irritating.
Rinse your mouth regularly with a salt, baking soda, and water solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart water). This helps prevent infections and helps your mouth feel better. Gargle with the mixture to relieve a sore throat, but don't swallow it.
What to do for a sore throat
- Avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods, as well as pickled and vinegary foods, tomato-based foods, and some canned broths.
- Avoid rough-textured or hard foods, like dry toast, crackers, chips, nuts, granola, and raw fruits and vegetables.
- Choose lukewarm or cold foods that are soothing. Very hot foods can cause discomfort. Try freezing fruits, and suck on frozen fruit pops, fruit ices, or ice chips.
- Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
- Avoid irritating spices like chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and pepper. Season foods with herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Eat soft, creamy foods like cream soups, cheeses, mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs, custards, puddings, cooked cereals, and canned liquid food supplements (see chart).
- Blend and moisten foods that are dry or solid. Mix them in with soups or sauces, gravies, and casseroles.
- Avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol (which will cause burning).
- Your doctor can prescribe a "swish and swallow" numbing mouthwash. Ask about this.
- Puree or liquefy foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow.
What to eat or not eat when your throat is sore*
|Foods that may cause problems
|High protein
Soft, bland meats and casseroles like chicken and rice, macaroni and cheese, and tuna noodle casserole
Ground meats
Creamed soups
Eggnog, milk, milk shakes
Spicy foods like spaghetti, tacos, chili
Whole meats if not well tolerated
|Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
Bread, if tolerated
Cooked cereals, cold cereals with milk
Crackers, hard-crust breads, salted rolls
|Fruits and vegetables
Soft, non-acidic fruit and vegetables, if tolerated
Citrus fruit and raw vegetables
|Drinks, desserts, and other foods
Non-acidic juices like apple juice and pear nectar
Decaffeinated coffee, tea, and soft drinks
Pudding, cake, cookies (as tolerated), pie
Ice cream, sherbet
Citrus juices (grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime), tomato juice
Caffeinated drinks, alcohol
Pickles, vinegar, spices
Potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, snack chips
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
What to do for mouth sores
- Eat soft, bland foods like creamed soup, cooked cereal, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, and pudding.
- Puree or liquefy foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow.
- Eat foods cold or lukewarm, rather than hot, to reduce mouth irritation.
- Tilt your head back to help foods and liquids flow to the back of the throat for swallowing.
- Drink through a straw to bypass mouth sores.
- Avoid irritating spices, seasonings, and condiments like pepper, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg, salsa, pepper sauces, and horseradish.
- Avoid rough, dry, or coarse foods.
- Eat high-protein, high-calorie foods to speed healing.
- Look for yogurt made without citric acid.
- Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, and tobacco.
- Rinse your mouth often with a baking soda, salt, and water mouthwash (made with 1 quart water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt – shake well before each use) to help keep your mouth clean and make you more comfortable.
- Your doctor can prescribe a "swish and swallow" mouthwash with a numbing agent if needed. Ask about this.
What to eat or not eat when you have mouth sores*
|Foods that may cause problems
|High protein
Ground, chopped, or blenderized meats, poultry, or fish
Egg, cheese, and bean dishes
Milk shakes, yogurt, and commercial liquid nutritional supplements
Whole meats, poultry, fish, dry meats
|Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
Moistened breads
Cooked cereals, cold cereal soaked in milk
Pasta and rice in sauce
Dry toast, hard rolls, dry crackers, English muffins, bagels
|Fruits and vegetables
Cooked or blenderized fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables (unless very ripe, soft, and juicy, like applesauce, bananas, and watermelon); citrus fruit, pineapple, and other acidic fruits
Pickled fruit; raw and pickled vegetables
|Drinks, desserts, and other foods
Fruit nectars
Flavored gelatin
Ice cream, sherbet, pudding
Butter, margarine, and vegetable oils
Carbonated drinks
Cookies and cakes unless soaked in milk
Crunchy snacks like pretzels and chips
Condiments like pepper, pepper sauces, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg, salsa
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
Nutrition for the Person With Cancer During Treatment
- Benefits of good nutrition during cancer treatment
- Cancer and cancer treatment affect nutrition
- Before treatment begins
- Once treatment starts
- Managing eating problems caused by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy
- For people with weakened immune systems
- How to cope with common eating problems
- Appetite changes
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Mouth dryness or thick saliva
- Mouth or throat pain or sores
- Nausea
- Swallowing problems
- Taste and smell changes
- Weight gain
- Nutrition after treatment ends
- To learn more
- Recipes to try during cancer treatment
Last Medical Review: July 15, 2015 Last Revised: July 15, 2015
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.

subset: commoncrawl


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The aluminium plates were each a piece of art, characteristically malled by the years they'd served. So impressive as well were the steaming hot rolls of colourful towels offered to the customers at the end of the meal. The cheerful and attentive hosts, especially the uncle in a Hawaiian shirt with loud hibiscus print, looked like they enjoyed their roles very much. A rarity these days, don't you think? In the background, Christmas songs sung in Mandarin where played. All these, and the food, made my first Sek Yuen experience on Christmas day a most satisfying one.
Dad recounted his few banquet attendances here some 30 years ago and praised their signature creations, including the chilled bowl of meat and jelly. Some of these dishes are long lost, he said. According to dad, the sweet and sour pork here is an all-time favourite. I must agree. Everyone can make sweet and sour pork, of course. But to take it beyond a high school science project of combining plain bottled ketchup and deep-fried pork requires some techniques. Or what we Cantonese call kung fu. At first glance, the blistering nuggets appeared to be the result of deep-frying in overheated oil, which usually causes the meat to be undercooked. Not at all, thankfully. In fact, each piece was cooked tender, pink to the core. Kung fu! Coat the crunchy golden fried batter with a balanced sauce of syrup, tomatoes and starch, and it's a colourful and appetizing dish.
I reported my menu to dad after that lunch and he seemed pleased that I had the pei pa duck, which was air-dried then deep-fried and yet, came just minimally greasy. This is a dish that has been with the restaurant for the longest time and it's really not difficult to understand its longevity. Addiction was that crack of the crispy skin followed by the taste of well-salted, succulent meat. If I'd proceeded with my plan for a bottle of affordable bubbly, nothing too fancy and difficult to pronounce, for this occasion, it would have paired this duck nicely, I'm sure.
My folks have been telling me that Sek Yuen is exemplary of classic Cantonese fare. But what is classic? I'm not sure if my limited knowledge and young tastebuds, furthermore marred by all these new fusion/confusion cuisines, grant me the ability to recognize such complexities - a skill that comes only with age and a long love for food. But I do know that good taste is always here to stay. And that's how I'll remember Sek Yuen.


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In this episode Jack plays a cop who beats a confession and a Lucky Strike cigarette commercial out of Humphrey Bogart. The Jack Benny Program, starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th-century American comedy.
Jack Benny Show – Guest Humphrey Bogart (1950)
CategoriesClassic TV Comedy Free Classic Movies
Readers Comments (1)
I did enjoy viewing The Jack Benny show again. Seeing and hearing Jack Benny and Humphrey Bogart in this skit, brought back many memories of these two talented performers. However, It is ironic to see Humphrey Bogart doing a cigarette commercial. The sad truth is, it was cigarettes that gave Humphrey Bogart lung cancer, which ultimately took his life. That, as we all know, is not something to laugh about. Thank you again, for the memories.


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|Wayzata, Minn.
|High School:
|The Blake School
|The Blake School
Notes: Sister, Kelsey '07, played forward for Yale ... Voted smartest and funniest player on the team in midseason survey as a sophomore ... 2007-08: AWHCA All-Academic ... ECAC Hockey All-Academic ... Six points (1-5-6) in 31 games ... 2006-2007: ECAC All-Academic ... Appeared in 30 games, scoring two goals and adding six assists ... Scored first collegiate goal in 3-0 win over UConn at the Nutmeg Classic Dec. 29 ... Scored again in the next game, a 7-3 win over Quinnipiac Dec. 31, to help Yale to its first Nutmeg Classic championship ... Assisted on one of Kelsey Johnson's goals in 5-0 win at Union Jan. 6, part of a four-point day for the sisters ... USA HOCKEY: Selected to attend the U.S. Junior National Development Camp four times ... Before Yale: Lettered for five years at The Blake School and was captain as a senior ... All-State and All-Conference for four years and part of a Class A State Championship in 2003 ... Picked as one of the stars of the game in the championship ... All-state swimmer ... All-conference in track (distance) ... Earned state recognition in band (trumpet), math and French competitions ... Off the Ice: Member of Branford College ... National Merit Finalist ... Member of the Cum Laude Society ... Graduate of the Blake School ... father, Rob, is a 1968 Yale grad ... Has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity ... Coaches with Yale Youth Hockey ... Volunteered with MicroGrants, helping families move out of poverty. Nickname: Bear, Bits, Béreee Jeansen (French accent) Favorite musician: Brad Paisley Favorite food: Corn dogs Best present/gift you ever received: A necklace my parents gave me Who would you switch places with for a day? Michael Jordan Pre-game routine: Eat Peanut M & Ms Favorite quote: "Once I dated a shepherd." - Lilija Favorite TV show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air What is your most prized possession? My confirmation ring


text:
At least its a start.
S&L, I quess Britain must be blinded by alternative energy just like me.
Britain commits billions to green growth
LONDON | Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:20pm EDT
(Reuters) - Britain will commit around 3 billion pounds ($4.72 billion) to fund low-carbon technology as part of a review chiefly aimed at cutting its budget deficit, the government said on Wednesday.
As part of the review, the government said it would cut half a million public sector jobs, raise the retirement age and slash the welfare state in the biggest spending cuts in a generation.
"Like the rest of the public sector we have taken some tough decisions, but we remain on course to deliver on our promise to be the greenest government ever," Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said.
The Conservative finance minister George Osborne pledged 1 billion pounds for investment in a commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plant at a power station as part of a UK goal to become a world clean technology leader.
The government said it was still committed to funding four plants in total.
Utility company E.ON said earlier on Wednesday that it had withdrawn from the government's CCS demonstration competition, leaving Iberdrola's Scottish Power plant at Longannet as the only remaining contender.
Osborne said the government would set aside another 1 billion pounds for its Green Investment Bank (GIB) and 860 million pounds for its renewable heat incentive, which pays homes and businesses for using renewable heat, such as ground source heat pumps.
It would devote 200 million pounds mostly to the development of offshore wind power projects.
"I have set aside 1 billion pounds of funding for the bank but I hope much more will be raised from the private sector and from the proceeds of future government asset sales."
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said earlier on Wednesday in a letter to Liberal Democrat members that the GIB would be funded with at least 2 billion pounds but the government was originally aiming for funding of around 6 billion pounds.
"One billion pounds for the green bank was more than some feared but it still about a quarter of what's needed to have a big impact on green energy and growth," said Steve Lang, head of clean energy at Ernst & Young.
The government plans to introduce the renewable heat incentive in 2011-2012, but not in the form of the previous Labour Government's renewable heat levy, which the coalition said was too complex.
It should increase UK renewable heat production 10-fold over the next 10 years, the government said.


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Gwen Stefani Pregnant With Third Child?
No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani is reportedly pregnant with her third child. The fabulous frontwoman and fashion designer has two sons with hubby, Bush singer Gavin Rossdale. She is 43.
A source told InTouch that Stefani and Rossdale "couldn't be happier" about welcoming their third child and about expanding their brood.
So far, there has been no confirmation about Stefani's condition and status from her camp or from the singer herself. If she is indeed preggers, this could slow down the process on a new No Doubt platter...or not.
The insider said, "She's just trying to focus on resting right now. She wants to make sure that all is well with the baby."
Stefani's firstborn son Kingston is 7 and his little brother Zuma is 5. Can you imagine if Stefani finally had a little girl who would inherit that enviable closet and perhaps mommy's fashion sense?
Kingston and Zuma are precious, grabbing the best DNA from both mommy and daddy. They are two of the most well-dressed Hollywood tots we've ever seen. But could you imagine Gwen with a girl?
If Gwen Stefani is indeed expecting, PopCrush sends her our very best!


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IUCN has joined forces with the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to help coordinate their respective energy projects in Pacific island nations. IUCN's Energy, Ecosystems and Sustainable Development Livelihood Initiative (EESLI) and SPREP's Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP) held a joint meeting in Apia, Samoa in November 2008 to map a coordinated way forward for the projects.
"This joint meeting marks an historic occasion with two organisations coming together to collaborate on separate energy programmes," says IUCN's Energy Advisor, Anare Matakiviti. "For IUCN the occasion is an opportunity to assess the past six months and map the best way forward. The meeting also provides an opportunity to enhance the synergies that we have tried to build with PIGGAREP over the past months. IUCN, through the EESLI and SPREP, through its PIGGAREP project have developed a working arrangement that we hope will assist both organisations deliver their respective programmes more effectively."
According to Matakiviti, the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region as a means of combating climate change and its impacts is the common thread that binds the two programmes together. While PIGGAREP is focusing on ways to create an environment for wide spread application for renewable energy in the region by removing barriers that inhibit the creation of such an environment, EESLI is building hardware projects to demonstrate the application of renewable energy. The EESLI is being treated as a co-financing project for the PIGGAREP project.
The Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are participating in both projects and have expressed their support for developing this type of collaborative way of working.
Explaining the need for coordination, Matakiviti highlights the increasing number of different renewable energy programmes in the Pacific and the challenges of national capacity to efficiently manage and utilise the significant financial resources being made available to them.
"We hope to help address this lack of absorptive capacity at the national level by finding a mechanism that allows us to coordinate the various projects and pool our resources without diluting the effectiveness of the separate initiatives," he says.
He further notes that the past experiences of the participating countries in managing energy programmes will be integral to developing such mechanisms.
"Most of the representatives who attended the joint meeting in Apia work in the Energy Department of their countries and have a lot of experience to share," says Matakiviti. "IUCN believes in working closely with the country focal points and other key stakeholders and through this partnership arrangement we will be able to overcome the many challenges we encounter on the way."
Matakiviti adds that IUCN recognises and acknowledges the wealth of knowledge that is reposited in regional organisations such as SPREP and the Secretariat of the Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC); and with development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the Australian and New Zealand Agencies for International Development (AusAID and NZAid) in implementing energy programmes in the region. IUCN hopes to build synergies with the energy and climate change programmes implemented by these organisations and has already initiated consultations with several donors and organisations.
"We will be pursuing clear working arrangements with these development partners as we have carried with the PIGGAREP project. We believe working together under a clear collaborative framework will enhance the delivery of our respective programmes and make a change in the lives of the people we are trying to serve," he says.


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What is "Wilderness"?Wilderness is the land that was - wild land beyond the frontier...land that shaped the growth of our nation and the character of its people.
Wilderness is the land that is - rare, wild places where one can retreat from civilization, reconnect with the Earth, and find healing, meaning and significance.
The Idea of Wilderness
An artistic rendering of America's movement westward into what was then considered a fontier wilderness.
Wilderness, by Law
The signing of the Wilderness Act into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964.
"...lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition..." Section 2(a)
"...an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man..." Section 2(c)
"...an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvement or human habitation..." Section 2(c)
"...generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable..." Section 2(c)
"...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation..." Section 2(c)
"...shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic use." Section 4(b) More...
The Wilderness Act's Author
Howard Zahniser wrote the first draft of the wilderness bill in 1956 and shepherded it through 65 rewrites and 18 public hearings.
Other Laws Affecting WildernessAlthough the Wilderness Act is the single piece of guiding legislation for all wilderness areas, many other laws affect wilderness. Some laws have designated additional wilderness areas, subsequent to the initial 54 areas designated under the Wilderness Act. Others guide management, such as the Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. More...
Where Wilderness Areas Are Found
Wilderness areas are found in 44 states and Puerto Rico.
Wilderness Truths and MisconceptionsUnfortunately, many misconceptions exist about wilderness. Some people think that wilderness is a "lock-up" of land that locks people out. Others think many popular recreational activities are prohibited in wilderness. Some people believe that wilderness is a forested backyard or a park down the street. Still others think that wilderness areas are found only in big western states or in Alaska. In fact, none of these statements is true. More...
Benefits of WildernessWilderness contributes to the ecologic, economic and social health and well being of our citizens, our country and our world. The benefits wilderness areas provide are as diverse as the areas themselves and are highly valued. In addition to providing "outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation," the Wilderness Act specified that wilderness "may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, education, scenic, or historical value." Overall, wilderness areas provide a host of both direct and indirect benefits. More...
Threats to Wilderness
Biophysical and social recreation impacts are often associated with overuse. Compacted soil and root exposure can damage campsites and nearby vegetation, while crowding can reduce the quality of wilderness experiences.
Wilderness Movement LeadersMany prominent historical figures contributed to what has become the modern wilderness movement. However, today Americans still share a special connection to wilderness. Those who travel to wilderness or work in wilderness, professionally or as volunteers, tell heartening stories of inspiration and reward. More...
Designating WildernessOnly Congress can designate wilderness, however, just about anyone can recommend wilderness to their elected representatives in Congress. Often these recommendations come from federal land management agencies or citizens, and sometimes agencies, advocacy groups and ordinary citizens work together to develop recommendations. Once recommended to Congress, both the House and the Senate must agree on which areas should be designated and their exact boundaries. After the House and Senate agree, the proposal is forwarded to the president to sign into law or veto. Historically, only one veto has occurred--in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. However, during his administration in 1984, more new wilderness areas were designated than in any other year. More...
Wilderness Stewardship
America's wilderness areas are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service and National Park Service.
- Nash, R. (1982). Wilderness and the American Mind (3rd ed.). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
- Dawson, C. P. & Hendee, J. C. (2009). Wilderness Management: Stewardship and Protection of Resources and Values (4th ed.). Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.


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Tech Solidifies Partnership with Amarillo College, Oct. 15, 2008
Tech And Amarillo Sharing $3.2 Million Federal Grant
By Thomas Guengerich
SOCORRO, N.M., Oct. 15, 2008 – New Mexico Tech has partner institutions around the globe and is now forming an important new alliance with a junior college in north Texas.
Amarillo College and Tech recently received a two-year, $3.2 million grant for campus equipment and improvements from the U.S. Department of Education's Title V program, according to Dr. Ricardo Maestas, Vice President of Student and University Relations.
"This new project is an exciting new partnership for New Mexico Tech," President Dr. Daniel H. López said. "Forming alliances with a strong academic junior college will help build lasting relationships and help bring bright transfer students into our already strong programs."
With the grant, Tech will purchase equipment for five academic programs, install wireless Internet service in academic buildings and establish a transfer program with Amarillo College, Maestas said.
"The over-arching goal is to give New Mexico Tech a transfer program from an established two-year college, with the intent of attracting more Hispanic transfer students," Maestas said.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act Grant is designed to couple a junior college with a four-year college. Tech had tried several times to apply for the grant with Luna Community College in Las Vegas. This year, Tech found success in a partnership with Amarillo College.
Dr. Deidre Hirschfeld, materials engineering professor, will coordinate the academic effort. She said the new collaboration will include shared academic resources, joint-taught classes and faculty visits.
"This should turn out to be a good pipeline of students for New Mexico Tech," Hirschfeld said. "Many Amarillo College graduates go on to universities in Texas, which are typically much larger than Tech. This gives them a connection with a smaller, more personal school."
The grant aims to encourage Hispanic students to continue their studies after finishing a two-year degree, particularly in the areas of science, engineering and math. Maestas said the Title V program aims to increase college opportunities for low-income, first-generation minorities.
Amarillo College has a strong pre-engineering program, which makes them an especially good fit for a partnership with Tech, Maestas said. Amarillo College is also a strong, Hispanic-serving institution.
"This is a great opportunity for New Mexico Tech," Maestas said. "We have set a goal to increase minority enrollment. Here, we are partnering with a quality institution."
Hirschfeld said Amarillo College has a rigorous curriculum for students interested in pursuing engineering degrees.
"Their students who succeed in their math and chemistry curriculum will have no problem at New Mexico Tech," she said.
Amarillo has enrollment of more than 10,000 degree-track students and 38,000 continuing education students. New Mexico Tech has about 1,900 students. Using grant funding, Tech will create a transition center and a transition coordinator to assist Amarillo College students move seamlessly into the Tech campus setting.
The new partnership is focused on five departments: Mineral Engineering, Physics, Petroleum Engineering, Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.


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The mythological era has spawned some interesting characters around. Check them out and be sure to vote for them in the 30th Poll of the Texturing Contest.Dismiss Notice
The 20th iteration of the Terraining Contest is upon us! Join and create exquisite Water Structures for it.Dismiss Notice
Hivers united and created a bunch of 2v2 melee maps. Vote for the best in our Melee Mapping Contest #4 - Poll!Dismiss Notice
Check out the Staff job openings thread.Dismiss Notice
[Snippet] Fly
Discussion in 'Graveyard' started by Krogoth, May 5, 2014.


text:
Please see the following public references for information.
Feel free to list wings and specific frequencies actually heard here. Please do not quote old references (as frequencies have been shifted to narrowband, as documented in the MT article above), MT or any other copyrighted or so-called classified sources.
CAP Basic Repeater Plan R-01 thru R-111
November 2009 - The Civil Air Patrol RadioReference.com Database is in the process of being updated from Wideband to Narrowband. Some info could be related to the outdated Wideband channels. Please contribute new/current information, so we can expand the DB
CAP Additional Information can be found in the Arizona (US) and U.S. Government (AZ) articles
Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN)
California Wing Tactical Call Sign: "Yosemite"
State of Colorado DTRS
Iowa Civil Air Patrol - RACOM - IL, WI, MN, NE, SD, IA
Kentucky Civil Air Patrol uses Ky Emergency Management - Ky National Guard in areas where the CAP coverage isn't adequate.
Louisiana > Lafayette (Parish) Lafayette Consolidated Government
North Carolina > Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER)
Minnehaha County
South Dakota State Radio System
Harris County
Wichita Falls
Ch. 01-04 were Simplex using 100.0 Hz [Universal Access Tone]
Ch. 05-? were usually the State-Wing and Adjacent State Wing channels [Repeaters]
A repeater with 203.5 Hz was a Temp / Tactical Repeater
Refresh this page from the latest database entry
Return to DB page: Civil Air Patrol
Return to Wiki page: Common Frequencies


text:
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Table of Contents
> Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome
Also listed as:
Cushing's disease, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Hypercortisolism, Cortisol, Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Related terms
Author information
Integrative therapies
Related Terms
Adenoma adrenal glands, adrenal tumor, adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH, benign tumor, buffalo hump, cancerous tumor, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test, cortisol, cortisol-like drugs, corticosteroid, CRH, CRH stimulation test, Cushing disease, dexamethasone, dexamethasone suppression test, diabetes, drug-induced, ectopic ACTH syndrome, endogenous, exogenous, glucocorticoids, hormones, hydrocortisone, malignancy, malignant, moon face, moon face, non-cancerous tumor, oral corticosteroids, pituitary gland, radiosurgery, sex hormones, stereotactic radiosurgery, steroid, steroids, tumor.
Cushing's syndrome, or hypercortisolism, is a condition that is characterized by a fatty hump between the shoulders (buffalo hump), a rounded face (moon face) and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin.
The condition is caused by long-term exposure to high levels of cortisol, a hormone that reduces inflammation (swelling) in the body. Cortisol, also referred to as hydrocortisone, is naturally produced by the adrenal glands in the body. The steroid hormone, which is an essential component of the body's endocrine system, regulates proper glucose metabolism, blood pressure and insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, and it is involved in the inflammatory response.
Excessive cortisol levels may be caused by factors outside of the body (exogenous) or factors inside the body (endogenous). The syndrome is most often caused by high doses of cortisol-like medication (corticosteroids), which are often prescribed to treat chronic inflammation. Cushing's syndrome may also develop if the adrenal glands make too much cortisol, or if the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. When excessive secretions of ACTH cause the condition, it is called Cushing disease. Tumors, either cancerous or benign, cause these glands to produce too many hormones.
Researchers estimate that about 13 million Americans are diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome each year. It is estimated that 10-15 out of one million people are diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome each year worldwide.
Cushing's syndrome can be fatal if left untreated. Severe symptoms may include high blood pressure, bone loss, kidney stones, infections, and sometimes, diabetes. Treatment for Cushing's disease depends on the cause. If the condition is drug-induced, patients are often advised to reduce or discontinue use of the medication. Many conditions that are treated with corticosteroids can also be treated with non-corticosteroid drugs. This allows the patient to either reduce or eliminate the use of corticosteroids altogether. If a tumor is causing the condition, treatment may include surgery and/or radiation therapy. This treatment is typically performed after a diagnosis to prevent the tumor from growing and worsening the patient's condition.
Most patients fully recover from the condition and experience complete remission of symptoms after treatment. However, in some instances, patients with Cushing's syndrome never experience a full recovery to normal adrenal gland function. In such cases, lifelong hormone replacement therapy is necessary to maintain normal levels of cortisol in the body.
Author information
This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service. Cushing's Syndrome. .
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). .
Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. .
Pituitary Network Association. .
The Hormone Foundation. .
Drug-induced (exogenous)
: The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is the long-term use of high doses of oral corticosteroids. These drugs have the same effects on the body as cortisol, which regulates proper glucose metabolism, blood pressure and insulin release for blood sugar maintenance and inflammation. Since this form of Cushing's syndrome is caused by factors outside of the body, it is also called exogenous Cushing's syndrome. Corticosteroids that commonly cause this condition include prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron®) and methylprednisolone (Medrol®).
Corticosteroids are often prescribed to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (autoimmune disorder that causes chronic swelling) and asthma, or to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ. Since the doses necessary to treat these conditions are usually higher than the amount of cortisol produced in the body of a healthy person, some individuals develop Cushing's syndrome.
Individuals may also develop Cushing's syndrome after they receive high-doses of intravenous corticosteroids, which are often used to treat joint pain, bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac between the joint and tendon) and back pain.
Although certain inhaled steroids (used to treat asthma) and steroid skin creams (used to treat skin conditions like eczema) are in the same category of drugs, they generally do not cause Cushing's syndrome unless they are taken in extremely high doses.
: The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, secretes a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. If the pituitary gland produces too much ACTH, Cushing's syndrome may result. A non-cancerous (benign) tumor in the pituitary gland causes excessive ACTH to be secreted, which subsequently stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. When this form of the syndrome develops, it is called Cushing's disease. This form of Cushing's syndrome occurs five times more often in women than men, and it is the most common form of endogenous (caused by factors inside the body) Cushing's syndrome.
In rare cases, a tumor that grows in an organ that does not normally produce ACTH will begin to secrete high levels of this hormone, resulting in Cushing's syndrome. These tumors, which can be benign or malignant (cancerous), are most often found in the lung, thyroid, pancreas or thymus gland. This condition is called ectopic ACTH syndrome. Lung tumors cause more than 50% of these cases.
: If the adrenal glands are not functioning properly and they secrete too much cortisol, Cushing's syndrome may result. The most common adrenal disorder that has been associated with Cushing's syndrome is a non-cancerous tumor of the adrenal cortex, called adrenal adenoma.
Cancerous tumors of the adrenal cortex are rare, but they can also cause Cushing's syndrome. Sometimes, benign tumors on one or both adrenal glands can result in Cushing's syndrome.
Common symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include weight gain (especially around the midsection and upper back), buffalo hump (fatty hump between the shoulders), fatigue, muscle weakness, rounded face (often called moon face), facial flushing, thin and fragile skin that bruises easily, depression, anxiety, irritability, hirsutism (thicker or more visible body and facial hair), irregular or absent menstrual periods in females, erectile dysfunction in males, high blood pressure, acne and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms.
: Cushing's syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because many other conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (hormone disorder in women that causes enlarged ovaries), depression, eating disorders and alcoholism, share some of the same signs and symptoms. Urine, blood and saliva tests are conducted to determine if the patient has elevated levels of cortisol in the body. Patients who have excessive cortisol levels will then undergo imaging studies (body scans that produce pictures of the internal organs) to determine whether a tumor inside the body is causing the condition. If the patient is taking corticosteroids, it is suspected that the medication is causing the condition. These tests may also help the healthcare provider rule out other medical conditions with similar symptoms.
Urine and blood tests
: Urine and blood tests are conducted to measure the patient's hormone levels. Cortisol is present in both the urine and blood. High levels may indicate Cushing's syndrome. For the urine test, the patient may be asked to collect a sample of urine over 24 hours. Levels higher than 50-100 micrograms a day for an adult indicate Cushing's syndrome.
Dexamethasone suppression test
: The dexamethasone suppression test helps determine whether the patient has a pituitary tumor. Patients are given dexamethasone, which is a synthetic glucocorticoid (type of corticosteroid) every six hours for four days. Patients receive low doses for the first two days followed by higher doses for the last two days. Twenty-four hour urine collections are made before the drug is given and on each day of the test. Since glucocorticoids signal the pituitary gland to produce lower amounts of ACTH, the normal response after taking dexamethasone is a decline in blood and urine cortisol levels. Patients who experience no change in cortisol levels at both the low and high doses of dexamethasone may have either an adrenal tumor or ectopic ACTH-producing tumor. Patients who experience no change in cortisol levels at low doses, but normal suppression at high doses of dexamethasone, have a pituitary tumor.
The test can produce false-positive results in patients who suffer from depression, alcoholism, high estrogen levels, acute illness or stress. Also, drugs like phenytoin and phenobarbital may cause false negative results.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test
: The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test helps distinguish between patients who have pituitary adenomas and those who have ectopic ACTH syndrome or cortisol
secreting adrenal tumors. Patients receive an injection of CRH, which causes the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH. Patients who have pituitary adenomas usually experience an increase in ACTH and cortisol levels in the blood. This response is rarely seen in patients who have ectopic ACTH syndrome and almost never observed in patients who have cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors.
Saliva test
: Cortisol levels normally rise and fall throughout the day. Healthy patients experience a significant drop in cortisol levels overnight. If Cushing's syndrome is suspected, a healthcare provider may take samples of the patient's saliva from 11:00 p.m. to midnight. If cortisol levels are abnormally high, Cushing's syndrome is indicated.
Imaging studies
: Imaging studies, including computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, are conducted at the hospital after a patient shows elevated levels of cortisol in the urine, blood or saliva. During these procedures, which are noninvasive and painless, pictures of the internal organs are taken with machines that use X-rays and magnetic waves. These tests are used to determine the cause of the syndrome if the patient is not taking corticosteroids. The imaging studies provide detailed images of the pituitary and adrenal glands. The radiologist (specialized doctor who analyzes the images) will look for abnormalities, such as tumors, which may be causing the condition.
: Treatments for Cushing's syndrome are designed to lower the level of cortisol in the body. Treatment options vary, depending on the cause of the syndrome. Patients may be advised to reduce or discontinue corticosteroid use if the condition is drug-induced. If a tumor is causing the condition, treatment may include surgery and/or radiation therapy. Patients should tell their healthcare providers if they are taking any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter), herbs or supplements. In some instances, patients with Cushing's syndrome never experience a resumption of normal adrenal function, and lifelong hormone replacement therapy is necessary.
Reducing corticosteroid use
: If the cause of Cushing's syndrome is long-term use of corticosteroid medications, the healthcare provider may recommend reducing the dosage of the drug over a period of time, while still managing the underlying condition (like arthritis or asthma). Many conditions that are treated with corticosteroids can also be treated with non-corticosteroid drugs. This allows the patient to either reduce or eliminate the use corticosteroids altogether.
Patients should not alter their doses of corticosteroids or stop taking them on their own. Abruptly discontinuing corticosteroids could lead to deficient cortisol levels in the body. Therefore, patients who are advised to discontinue corticosteroid use must slowly taper off treatment.
: If the cause of Cushing's syndrome is a tumor, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove it. Pituitary tumors are typically removed by a neurosurgeon, who may perform the procedure through the patient's nose. If a tumor is present in the adrenal glands, lung or pancreas, the surgeon can remove it through a standard operation or, in some cases, by using minimally invasive surgical techniques, with smaller incisions. Health risks associated with surgical removal of such tumors include increased risk of bleeding and infection.
After surgery, patients must take corticosteroids to provide the body with the correct amount of cortisol. In most cases, the patient's body will return to normal cortisol levels, and the patient can taper off the medication. However, it may take up to a year or longer for the body to begin producing normal amounts of cortisol after surgery.
Radiation therapy
: If the surgeon cannot remove the entire tumor, the healthcare provider may recommend radiation therapy in combination with surgery. Radiation therapy involves using high-energy X-rays to kill cells in the tumor. Radiation therapy may also be used for patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery.
Radiation can be administered in small doses over a six-week period, or by a technique called stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma-knife radiation). Stereotactic radiosurgery is administered directly into the tumor as a single, high dose of radiation. This limits exposure to surrounding tissues, which minimizes side effects.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include red or irritated skin, mouth sores, difficulty or soreness swallowing, shortness of breath, temporary alopecia (hair loss), fatigue, flushing, macularpapular rash (butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks), loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Most side effects gradually subside once treatment is completed.
Other medications
: If surgery and radiation are unsuccessful, medical therapy may be recommended. Medications commonly used to control excessive production of cortisol include ketoconazole (Nizoral®), mitotane (Lysodren®) and metyrapone (Metopirone®). Medical therapy has also been used before surgery in patients who experience severe symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (such as bone loss and high blood pressure).
In some cases, the tumor or its treatment will cause other hormones produced by the pituitary or adrenal gland to become deficient. In such cases a healthcare provider may recommend hormone replacement medications.
Integrative therapies
Currently, there is insufficient evidence available on the safety and effectiveness of integrative therapies for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome.
If possible, patients should avoid taking high doses of corticosteroids for long periods of time. However, patients should not alter the doses of prescribed medications unless they have consulted with their healthcare providers.
Patients, especially those who are taking corticosteroids, should be aware of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome so that an early diagnosis can be made.
If left untreated, Cushing's syndrome can be fatal. Without treatment, patients may experience bone loss, high blood pressure, kidney stones, infections and/or diabetes. This is because cortisol regulates proper glucose metabolism, blood pressure and insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, and it is involved in the inflammatory response.
Copyright © 2011 Natural Standard (
The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.
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Consumer Fraud
Attorneys for Consumer Class Actions
Kansas City - Nationwide
According to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) most recent statistics, 30 million adults a year become the victims of consumer fraud. Consumer fraud victims often feel powerless, but legal action can help them reclaim what they have lost. At Stueve Siegel Hanson, in Kansas City, we represent consumers across the country in consumer class actions.
Consumer class action lawsuits are among the most effective tools consumers have for protecting their power in the marketplace and "leveling the playing field" with big business. When a large corporation commits fraud or does something wrong that affects a large group, a class action lawsuit enables all the affected people to act with one voice.
Instead of pursuing hundreds or thousands of individual small claims, consumers can unite to challenge the offensive conduct. Stueve Siegel Hanson has successfully handled significant class actions against some of the largest corporations in America, including Hyundai Motors, Sprint Corp., Mitsubishi Motors, Cable & Wireless, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, and Volkswagen. We are currently the lead or co-lead counsel in several cases pending across the country.
Our law firm has the resources and experience to handle complex, large scale consumer class actions. Lawyers at Stueve Siegel Hanson come from large, nationally-recognized law firms. They draw on knowledge gained in federal clerkships and at the top law schools. Stueve Siegel Hanson also runs a paperless law office; we use electronic research tools and litigation software that help us organize even the most extensive national consumer fraud cases.
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Product photography and illustrations have been reproduced as accurately as print and web technologies permit. To ensure highest satisfaction, we suggest you view an actual sample from your nearest Home Depot for best color, wood grain and finish representation. When a Opaque or Opaque with Glaze is specified, the door and/drawer front center panel may be constructed of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).
This Shaker-simple Cottage styling gives off a fresh and updated vibe. Cottage is a full overlay door style.
The wood you choose will determine which finishes are available.
Image coming soon.
Our heirloom technique creates a naturally worn-to-the-wood appearance that says "old world charm." Glazing will enhance areas of wood exposed by oversanding to take on the darker characteristics of the applied glaze for a finish that is warm and perfectly aged. Select trim pieces will feature Heirloom characteristics. See your Home Depot designer for availability.
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ALL DAY ZAZEN FEB. 28, 2009 AT HILL ST. CENTER IN SANTA MONICA and MORE VIDEOS
Back by popular demand, we will have an all-day zazen on Saturday Feb. 28, 2009 at the Hill St. Center in Santa Monica (details on your left). The schedule will go like this:
10:00-10:40 Zazen
10:40-11:00 Chanting
11:00-11:30 Zazen
11:30-11:40 Kinhin
11:40-12:10 Zazen
12:10-1:10 Lunch (BRING YOUR OWN!)
1:10-1:40 Zazen
1:40-1:50 Kinhin (walking zazen)
1:50-2:20 Zazen
2:20-2:50 Samu (clean up)
2:50-3:30 Discussion
OK? I'm keeping the first 2 things like we usually do so that anyone who wants to come just for that can do so and then leave if they like. Folks are welcome to come to any segment of this. But if you come in the middle, nobody's gonna show you what to do, so you better know before hand. Instructions by the lovely Liza Rose of SuicideGirls are linked over there to your left.
Remember THERE IS NO ORYOKI LUNCH. You must BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH! We can all eat together, maybe even say the meal chant. But NO ORYOKI!
I put up a few more Nishijima videos the other day. I'll just put up links this time so that everything runs a little smoother here on the blog. These items are slightly more controversial than the last ones. I was actually baiting him during the talks and trying to get him to say controversial stuff. This is about as much controversy as I got.
Someone asked me why I didn't just put all 3 hours of raw video up. Oy! It took like an hour a piece just to encode each of these short videos in the format you need for YouTube. Maybe someday...
Gudo Nishijima Roshi: The Balance Between Love and Hate
Here Gudo Nishijima Roshi talks about the balance of love and hate in Buddhist practice.
Of course, the word "hate" here does not mean the kind of hate that causes murder, genocide and so on. It refers to the workings of the autonomic nervous system. When hate is unbalanced and overwhelms love we all know there are terrible consequences. Yet when love is unbalanced and overwhelms hate the consequences are equally negative.
I've always found his use of the word "love" and "hate" to describe these subtle states very interesting and useful.
Click here to view
Gudo Nishijima Roshi: Japanese Buddhism in World War II
Gudo Nishijima Roshi gives his opinion about Japanese Buddhism and its support of the war effort during World War II. He agrees with Brian Victoria, author of "Zen at War," that many Japanese Buddhists supported Japan's nationalism during the war and he calls this unfortunate. But he strongly denies Victoria's assertion that his teacher Kodo Sawaki was among them. The exaggerations that Nishijima Roshi refers to in the video are given in great detail on this web page (click to view).
To me, the most telling of these exaggerations is when Victoria quotes Sawaki as saying, "We gorged ourselves on killing" when Sawaki served in the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese war. The Japanese phrase in the source material translated as "gorged" was "hara ippai." In my eleven years in Japan I never once heard anyone use the phrase "hara ippai" (literally: full stomach) in a positive context unless perhaps when speaking of actual eating. When used metaphorically it means "fed up." The quote should have been rendered "We got fed up with killing." Furthermore, the quote isn't even actually from Sawaki at all but by a later biographer who put his own words into Sawaki's mouth. Victoria evidently knew this when he used it but did not qualify the quote.
Other quotations that Victoria used to demonstrate Sawaki's supposed war-mongering are equally dubiously translated or from similarly discredited sources. Conversely, one can find many other quotations by Sawaki from outside Victoria's book in which he clearly denounces war. Victoria's is definitely an important book and says stuff that clearly needed to be said. He just went a bit too far to make his point.
Click here to view
Gudo Nishijima Roshi: Chanting in Buddhism
Gudo Nishijima Roshi talks about the place of sutra chanting in Buddhism and has a few choice words to say about the Soto sect. One should note that in spite of what he says here, Nishijima Roshi also led weekly chanting of the Heart Sutra and other Buddhist texts at his Zen dojo in Chiba, Japan for many years. So his words shouldn't be taken as denouncing chanting entirely. Still, the main focus of his teaching is always the practice of Zazen.
Click here to view
Gudo Nishijima Roshi: How to Wear the O-kesa
Gudo Nishijima Roshi demonstrates the way to put on the o-kesa (or kashaya), the traditional Buddhist robe. Notice he is wearing a kimono under the o-kesa and a Western style dress shirt below that. These are the clothes he just happened to have on when I taped this. Though Nishijima Roshi often wears full Buddhist robes, he believes that the o-kesa is the only truly Buddhist garment. So he often wears it over Western clothes.
His method for tying it is basically Soto style. But there are variations. Some do not hide the cords used to tie it up. Some fold it in a slightly different way.
Sorry for the video drop-outs at the beginning. It clears up pretty quickly.
Click here to view


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Trouble with the CIB
You might recall that the CIB is the quasi-government agency that runs our fine athletic facilities including Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, and Victory Field. The problem stems from our Indiana Pacers' desire to not pony up the 15 million or so a year that it costs to maintain the Fieldhouse. Our beloved Colts convinced the CIB to cover the costs of maintaining Lucas Oil Stadium when it signed the greatest lease in the history of leases a year or so ago. It also appears that the CIB may not have computed the correct amount of money needed to maintain the "Luke." The CIB, suffice to say, is in financial trouble.
There are various proposals being floated around to address this problem. And, of course all center around raising your taxes. In this economic environment the fine taxpayers of the county aren't excited about paying more and more out of pocket.
The Mayor's office has put its two cents worth in to try to solve this problem. For the most part I don't like the proposal. My reasoning and various counter proposals on the issue now follow.
Expansion of Taxing District: I actually think this is a good idea. The plan is to have the various inn keeper taxes from the new JW Marriott hotel go towards the CIB. My problem is it doesn't go far enough. It should include additional hotels, which would in turn raise additional revenue. There are several hotels that have sprung up around Lucas Oil Stadium. Suffice to say they were not built because of their proximity to the Diamond Chain Company or the Speedway Gas Station. Because those hotels directly benefit from its location in relation to the stadium why not have the taxes collected from them go directly to the CIB?
Increase in Rental Car Fees and Hotel Fees: This is a horrible idea. For one both were already raised to build the Luke. Two, the city already has some of the highest taxes on these in the nation. This is really a "cut off your nose to spite your face" argument. Our economy depends on our town's convention business and both the Fieldhouse and the Stadium were built in part based on that business. However, we could tax ourselves out of the convention market if we continue to increase these taxes.
Alcohol Taxes: I oppose this for one reason: why should taxes be extended to those who may or may not reap the benefits from our athletic facilities? Sure one could argue simply "don't drink" but honestly, is that really feasible? Not that I associate with a bunch of drunks but who do you know that doesn't consume alcohol? I am going to guess not many.
Parking Fees: This idea is ridiculous and was proposed only by the Mayor's office. Why pass on the costs of the CIB to the average downtown worker? Do we really want to further encourage business to move to the North side of town or worse (from a taxing standpoint) the suburbs?
Colts/Pacers contribute five million dollars: Under normal circumstances I would think this would be a great idea. The only problem is it won't work. The Colts signed a legally binding document called a lease. The have no legal duty to pay anything additional other than that which is stated in the lease (unless it is modified by both parties). I assume one could argue that if it was law (that the Colts would have to pay five million dollars) then the Colts would have to pony up. But, that causes additional consequences. Is the lease still valid? Has there been a frustration of purpose? Imagine opening up lease negotiations again if the Colts go down that road. They will. A few hours after the first CIB plan was announced the Colts had already posted its position on its web site. Suffice to say the Colts aren't interested in contributing any additional money.
Counter proposal: So what the hell should we do because we have to do something. I believe that all additional taxes should be directly be levied on those who benefit from the facilities.
1.) Create an additional excise tax on all food, beverages, and clothing sold at the facilities. It wouldn't have to be anything crazy. I propose to add fifty cents to the cost of a beer, ten cents to the cost of a hot dog, a quarter to the cost of a soda, and a special additional one percent tax to all clothing sold at any of the three facilities. At least those who benefit from the facilities are paying its cost. Fifty cents on a beer is steep but it isn't going to stop most folks from having one.
2.) Use the facilities more than they are used now. Both Conseco and the Luke are used as concert venues from time to time but not enough. Conseco could actually be used for more concerts in the summer but generally doesn't try to compete with Verizon Wireless Music Center. That's a shame because attending a concert at Verizon sucks. It is too much of a pain to get there. Because there are multiple ways to get in and out of downtown that isn't as much as a problem when attending a concert there. If the Luke had two additional concerts a year (40,000 attendees) and Conseco three additional concerts (10,000-15,000 attendees) and an additional tax of three to five dollars per ticket was added, this would raise an additional half million in tax revenues. Plus, there would additional taxes raised from spending within the facility. Further, the city could bid on a few things they haven't hosted before such as the NBA All Star Game, the X-Games, or a establish a bowl game. All would increase revenues.
There is also way too much dead space at the Fieldhouse. The Pepsi Center on the top floor is worthless and not used. The Starbucks sits empty most of the time as does the bar on the first level. That space could be converted to a destination restaurant like a microbrew. This would allow additional money to be spent at the facility even when not in use.
Victory Field Naming Rights: I hate this idea but desperate times call for desperate measures. Even in this economic climate I bet naming rights would go for a million a year.
Slots: I am not completely sold on this idea and I completely sensitive to its counterpoint. Indiana depends on gambling way too much. However, it would raise significant revenues and would be a voluntary tax. I may not know many people who don't drink but I know a lot of folks that don't gamble. Plus, it would allow Union Station to be self-sufficient. Most of the tenants at Union Station are not for profits that don't pay rent. I never see the building's main concourse used. It is far too beautiful to sit idle and no one has come up with a better idea. Plus, if Union Station becomes self sufficient and an asset any money used by the city for its up-keep could go to other additional needs.
Pacer's contribution: This will work because the Pacers want to renegotiate the lease (and it contains a clause that allow them to). The Pacers should contribute something to the Fieldhouse's upkeep because that is the deal they signed. But, I do believe that they are in a tough financial situation due to the economy and attendance issues. The attendance issue is going to resolve itself because the Pacers have done a great job righting this ship. Attendance went up this year and with a team on the rise, I expect it to continue. The Pacers also have a superstar in the making. I have no doubt that the city's love affair with my beloved Pacers will return. So the city should agree to have the Pacers' contribution to the CIB to maintain the Fieldhouse to be completely contingent on the team's revenues. When they are down they don't contribute as much but when they have the financial ability to do so they do. It only makes sense.
I hope that this situation resolves itself. The Pacers, Colts, and Indians contribute much to the Indianapolis community and some of my greatest memories involve all three. But, I believe some more creative thinking outside of simply raising taxes across the board most be done to solve this problem.


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Very few Americans going to bed hungry
Last week, an Agriculture Department study showed that 16.4 million U.S. households containing 49.1 million people experienced "food insecurity" in 2008, up from 12.2 million households containing 36.2 million people in 2007. Fortunately, Congress has already addressed some of the problem with a significant food-stamp boost in the stimulus package adopted in February.
But is "hunger" widespread in America? Headlines about the study ("49 million Americans report a lack of food," declared The New York Times) implied that famine stalks the land. The stories were salted with terms such as "alarming" and "dramatic." The data, however, don't support this dire portrayal.
The USDA report is based on a survey of 44,000 households.
They were asked whether, and how, a lack of funds affected their eating habits. The first question was whether the respondent had ever "worried" about running out of food in the previous 12 months -- not actually run out of food, just worried about it. A "yes" answer counts as "food insecurity."
Adults were asked if they ever lost weight due to a lack of food money -- but not how much weight or what they weighed before. In theory, a 300-pound man who lost a pound could count as "food-insecure."
The least severe forms of "insecurity" were the most commonly reported. "Worry," with 19.7 percent of households, topped the list, followed by running out of food before money came in to buy more (15.3 percent). In neither instance did respondents actually eat less than usual.
Only about a third of the 16.4 million "food-insecure" households reported that any member experienced even a brief reduction in actual food consumption. Only 0.1 percent of children went without food for a whole day in 2008. This was actually down from 0.2 percent in 2007.
Is it "alarming" that 99.9 percent of American children ate at least something every day despite the worst economic downturn since the Depression? Or is it a tribute to American abundance, and to the safety net, public and private?
In fact, 2008 was the best year in eight decades for food affordability, according to the USDA. It took 5.6 percent of income to feed an average family of four. Food is so readily available that, on the very day that the USDA issued its report, health policy expert Kenneth Thorpe of Emory University in Atlanta reported that, if present trends continue, 43 percent of Americans will be obese by 2018.


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Carleen Walsh, an Interdisciplinary Studies major with concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, and Literature, recently completed her Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio, earning 45 credits for knowledge she gained through her professional and personal experiences – that's the maximum number of PLA credits a Marylhurst student can earn! Here is a list of the courses Carleen wrote for:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Introduction to Law – Fundamentals
- Introduction to Law – Substantive Areas
- Criminal Law
- Litigation
- Evidence
- Observation and Guidance I
- Environment and Curriculum II
- Instructional Strategies – Reading
- Interpersonal Communication
- Effective Listening
- Introduction to Christian Bible
- Nutrition
- Backpacking: Map and Compass
One thing of note that Carleen included in her Final Reflection Essay was this:
As I was writing each essay, I was totally caught up in what I was writing about, and became aware how much knowledge I gained through different experiences. Some of these experiences were over 10 years ago, but I was back at that time as I was writing the essay, and reading material showed me how much I know about a certain subject.
Hear Carleen talk more about her PLA experience here:


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Library Board: Invest in Current Building?
Ann Arbor District Library board meeting (Sept. 20, 2010): A request to replace an aging chiller – the piece of equipment that acts as an air-conditioner for the downtown library – led to a broader discussion among library board members on Monday night about how much they should invest in a building that not long ago they planned to demolish.
They ultimately approved replacing the chiller for $108,555 – but also agreed to plan a retreat where they'll discuss the issue of the downtown building in depth. The retreat will be scheduled sometime after the Nov. 2 election, when seven candidates will vie for four seats. In addition to the four incumbents running – Jan Barney Newman, Barbara Murphy, Carola Stearns and Ed Surovell – two other candidates attended Monday's meeting in the audience: Vivienne Armentrout and Lyn Powrie Davidge. Nancy Kaplan is also running for a board seat.
The board heard a report that employee benefits are over budget, primarily due to increased health insurance costs. The administration has addressed that issue by changing the insurance options for its non-union employees, a move that's expected to bring the expense back to its budgeted amount by the end of the fiscal year.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board and staff heard a presentation by Stearns, a geologist, who described the effects of glaciers on this region's topography, in part by looking at the layers of earth exposed during excavation for the underground parking garage being built adjacent to the downtown library building.
Chiller Replacement: How Much to Invest?
On the agenda was a request to either repair or replace one of two chillers used to cool the downtown library building at the corner of Fifth and William. The chillers were installed in 1989, with an expected lifespan of 20-30 years. A condenser coil on one of the chillers was damaged this summer, causing the loss of refrigerant. AADL director Josie Parker reported that most of the time, the chiller wasn't fully operational and the building got "a little clammy." Because replacing the chiller in the summer would mean closing the building – it would be too hot for staff and patrons – the best time to replace it is in the fall or winter months.
The board was asked to consider four options: 1) repairing the chiller at an estimated cost of roughly $64,000; 2) replacing it with a new Trane chiller for $112,600; 3) replacing it with a new McQuay chiller for $108,555; or 4) do nothing. The administration recommended replacement with the less expensive McQuay chiller.
Prue Rosenthal asked whether it made sense to wait until next year to replace it, so that the warranty would be activated closer to the time when they're actually ready to use the equipment. Ken Nieman – associate director of finance, HR and operations – said that if they ordered the new chiller now, it likely wouldn't be installed until December. It would be possible to wait and install it in February or March, he said, but they'd need to get new bids if they waited. Another factor: The company that's building the underground parking structure next to the downtown library currently has a crane on site that the library could use to unload the chiller, Nieman said. Otherwise, the library would need to rent a crane – a cost not included in the bid.
Carola Stearns asked for the rationale to buy a new one, rather than replace renovate it, given the cost as well as the uncertain plans for the downtown building. [The board and administration had planned to construct a new building on that site, but had called off plans to do that in late 2008, citing concerns about the economy. The topic has emerged repeatedly in board discussions since then, and was a focus of the board's February 2010 working session to develop its strategic plan for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015.]
At Monday's meeting, Parker responded to Stearns by saying they'd taken a conservative approach in recommending replacement. Nieman pointed out that there are no current plans to do anything with the downtown building. During the summer, he said, the building's pumps were running 24/7 to circulate cold water as an alternative to the crippled chiller – that's causing wear-and-tear on the pumps, too. The chilled water is circulated through the building's air-handling systems. Board member Jan Barney Newman noted that the board had recently approved replacing two of the building's five air-handlers as well.
Stearns said it was clear that they needed to replace the chiller and keep the library open. But it's uncomfortable, she said, because they were being asked to spend over $100,000 that hadn't been budgeted for equipment, and they're not taking into consideration the broader context of the building's future. The building won't likely be around another 20-30 years, she noted. At some point, the board needs to look at how much they've already spent, how much more they'll likely need to spend, and when they should put the brakes on investing more in the current building.
Board chair Rebecca Head said she understood Stearns' perspective, but they couldn't predict the future. It would be hard to identify a specific amount, she said, "but that doesn't mean we shouldn't discuss it."
Stearns then asked where the chillers would be located when Library Lane opens. The new east/west sidestreet will be located directly north of the library, between the library and the parking structure. The equipment will likely stay were it is, on that north side of the building, Nieman said. The roof isn't structurally designed to handle the weight, and if they move the chillers to the parking lot on the east side, they'd also have to reroute plumbing. Parker added that if the chillers are kept at their current location, the library still has the option of adding a door on the north side, opening out onto Library Lane.
Ed Surovell weighed in, saying he agreed with the decision to replace the chiller. Repair was a gamble, he said, especially on an old piece of equipment. The bigger question is: How much longer do they continue to invest in the building?
Rosenthal noted that at some point, given the current economic conditions, they might have to consider renovating the building instead of replacing it with a new structure, as they had previously planned. She acknowledged that although they had rejected the idea of renovation, they might need to rethink that now.
Head suggested focusing their board retreat on this issue, and proposed holding the retreat after the Nov. 2 election. She said it made more sense to wait until then – presumably so that potential new board members could participate.
Outcome: The board voted unanimously to replace the broken chiller with a new McQuay chiller, to be installed by Pace Mechanical at a cost of $108,555. Margaret Leary had left the meeting early and was not present for the vote. The board subsequently approved transferring $110,000 from the library's fund balance to the capital outlays budget, to cover the cost of the project.
Changing Legal Counsel
AADL director Josie Parker explained that the law firm Dykema handled all the library's legal matters except for those related to real estate, which were handled by Butzel Long. There was an attorney change at Butzel, and she said it seemed like an appropriate time to shift the real estate work back to Dykema.
Ed Surovell said he had no prejudice against Butzel or Dykema, but "I have a strong preference for firms that are headquartered here, of which there a number." He noted that the "horse was out of the barn" and it wasn't worth holding up the vote, but he hoped that in the future they could take that into consideration. Pointing out that he had very good friends at both law firms, Surovell said, nonetheless they are "carpetbaggers."
Outcome: The board unanimously approved changing its legal counsel for real estate matters from Butzel Long to Dykema.
Finance Report
Ken Nieman, associate director of finance, HR and operations, gave the finance report, which looked at the months of July and August. The reports to the board typically cover the previous month, but there was no meeting held in August.
At the end of August, the library had a positive fund balance of $7.6 million, Nieman said. He noted that six items are over budget through August, but are expected to fall back in line later in the year. The largest item over budget relates to employee benefits, and reflect an increase in health insurance costs that took effect July 1. [The budgeted amount of $250,000 has been exceeded by nearly $17,000.] Nieman said they are implementing cost-saving measures that are expected to address this issue by the second half of the fiscal year.
Later in the meeting, board chair Rebecca Head reported that the board's executive committee – consisting of Head, Jan Barney Newman and Prue Rosenthal – had discussed the issue of health insurance costs, and confirmed with Parker that Parker, as director, had the authority to offer AADL's non-union employees alternative health insurance plans aimed at cutting costs for the library. Head said all three plans that were offered provide good coverage, and one of the plans is at no cost to employees. No additional details were provided.
AADL employs 250 people, including 100 full-time benefited workers. Of those full-time workers, 52 are represented by unions.
Director's Report
Josie Parker provided both a written and verbal director's report to the board. She noted that more than 9,000 people participated in AADL's summer reading program, including 2,771 adults – numbers that are "very good," she said. Of the total participants, 52% reported that they'd finished the program, meaning that they read the recommended books. Probably more people completed it but didn't report back, Parker said, but even 52% is a good result.
Parker reminded the board that she represents the library on a countywide cyber-citizen task force that's focused on how to use the Internet in a safe, productive way. It's a coalition spearheaded by Washtenaw County commissioner Kristin Judge that includes representatives from law enforcement, the courts, education, local government and nonprofits. A kick-off breakfast will be held Oct. 6 from 8-10 a.m. at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building, and Parker encouraged board members to attend. She noted that it's very relevant to the library's work, given that the library provides Internet access to its patrons.
Parker also reported that she recently attended a Success by Six legislative breakfast – the library is involved in that effort. She posed a question to the board that attendees at the breakfast had been asked: When you think of the most common age for expulsion, what comes to mind? One board member suggested eighth grade. In fact, for private schools, kindergarten has the highest expulsion rate, Parker said. Success by Six trains daycare providers to help parents deal with behavioral problems – like biting – that lead to expulsion. It's an interesting conversation to have about school readiness, Parker said. It's not about counting to 10 or learning your colors – it's about learning the behavior to stay in school. "This is something I care a great deal about," she said.
Board member Barbara Murphy had a question about an item in Parker's written report, which mentioned that the library now provides web hosting services for Washtenaw Literacy, and that the Huron Valley Community Network has relocated its computer server to AADL's datacenter. Murphy said she supported these partnerships, but wondered how they were selected.
Parker said that the nonprofit and AADL must have parallel or complementary missions, and that the library doesn't provide financial support or content development. AADL doesn't advertise this service, she said, and it typically takes a long time to work out terms of the partnership, depending on how much the nonprofit needs or wants from AADL.
Resolutions of Thanks
The library board unanimously passed resolutions of thanks for the service of two employees, both named Janet Smith, who recently retired.
Janet P. Smith worked for the library since 1983, most recently serving as manager of access, user services and collections. In her director's report, Josie Parker stated that Smith's interest in local history and geneology led to the library offering classes on computer searching as well as enhancements to the library's special collections. "Janet will be missed by her colleagues for her wit and wisdom, both always given with respect and humor," Parker wrote, "and offered in abundance."
Janet A. Smith joined AADL in 1987, and worked in bindery services. "To say that she personally touched almost every item that was purchased by the Library at some point or other over two decades would not be an exaggeration," Parker wrote. "Her quiet smile, competence and work ethic were appreciated by her colleagues, and will be missed by us all."
Ann Arbor Under Ice
At the end of the meeting, board member Carola Stearns gave a presentation on the impact of glacial formations in the Ann Arbor area. A geologist, Stearns had taken advantage of the deep excavation in the city-owned Library Lot, located directly north of the downtown library building, to explore the exposed strata. An underground parking structure is being built on that site.
Most of her presentation focused a broader overview of glacial activity in North America and in the Ann Arbor region, where three "end moraines" – the linear pile-up of debris and sediment at the end of a glacier – define the local topography. The three moraines running through Ann Arbor are the Fort Wayne Moraine, the Outer Defiance Moraine and the Inner Defiance Moraine.
In the last "glacial maximum," the Ann Arbor area had been totally covered by the Laurentide ice sheet, which stretched down into Ohio. The glacial sediment from that period is 100-200 feet deep here.
In the Library Lot pit itself, Stearns said she found nothing surprising or interesting – just 55 feet of coarse, well-bedded, well-sorted sand and gravel. She had hoped for a big tree stump or something that would provide material that could be dated.
Stearns mentioned that she's spent time in Killians Killins gravel pit, located near Wagner and Liberty, where about 100 feet of gravel and sand is exposed. Ed Surovell described Killins as a "remarkable sight."
Stearns received a round of applause after her presentation.
Present: Rebecca Head, Margaret Leary, Barbara Murphy, Jan Barney Newman, Prue Rosenthal, Carola Stearns, Ed Surovell. Also: Josie Parker, AADL director.
Next meeting: Regular board meetings are typically held on the third Monday of the month, with the public portion of the meeting starting at 7 p.m. in the library's fourth floor board room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. The board's next regular meeting is on Monday, Oct. 18, 2010. [confirm date]


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Battery manufacturer A123 Systems, which got nearly $250 million in grant money under President Barack Obama's 2009 stimulus program, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday morning – just in time for Republican Mitt Romney to add the firm to his indictment of Obama's green-energy program. In the first debate with Obama, Romney used the collapse of solar firm Solyndra to attack Obama's energy agenda.
Herwig Prammer / Reuters
Energy Secretary Steven Chu
"A123's bankruptcy is yet another failure for the President's disastrous strategy of gambling away billions of taxpayer dollars on a strategy of government-led growth that simply does not work," said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul on Tuesday.
But A123, based in Watertown, Mass., but with manufacturing plants in Michigan, got funding under the administrations of both Obama and President George W. Bush. The firm got a crucial influx of early money from the Bush administration in 2001 and 2003. In fact, the firm might not have been alive in 2009 to get its Obama stimulus funding if it hadn't been for earlier subsidies under the Bush administration.
In a speech at a business conference on Sept. 4, 2008, then-Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman noted that in 2003 his department had made an award under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to A123 Systems for work on lithium-ion batteries.
"While this company now has major private investors, on many occasions the company's founders have described this SBIR grant as their first source of outside funding," Bodman said. "And the results, now just five years later, are remarkable. This company now employs over 1,100 people who produce batteries with an unprecedented combination of power, safety and long life…"
He added, "I've had the pleasure of visiting A123 Systems, located right outside of Boston, and I can tell you firsthand that this company is doing terrific work."
According to Jan. 21, 2010, testimony by current Energy Secretary Steven Chu before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, A123 Systems received SBIR grants in 2001 and 2003 totaling $850,000 to refine its lithium-ion battery technology.
Bush also laid the foundation for Obama administration subsidies to alternative-energy firms when he signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. (GOP vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan voted against the bill, partly due to an earmark in the measure that he said would benefit one forestry company.)
The 2007 law created, but did not fund, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program. In the summer of 2008 as the automobile industry was beginning to fall on hard times, Midwestern lawmakers proposed $3.75 billion to activate the ATVM and make loans to U.S. vehicle and battery firms.
When Obama became president, one of his highest priorities was to spur manufacturing of alternative-energy technologies and vehicles. The Energy Department used ATVM grants as a way to subsidize green-energy firms. On Aug. 5, 2009, Vice President Joe Biden announced $1.35 billion in DOE grants to spur advanced battery and electric vehicle manufacturing. A123 Systems got $249 million of that money.
"Terrific news," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. "A123 Systems is doing the kind of cutting-edge work we need to get our manufacturing industry back on track and create jobs here at home… These grants are a wise investment that will pay many dividends."
That summer of 2009 was a buoyant time for the firm, which launched its initial public offering in September, raising $390 million. "The IPO entered venture capital lore, a beacon for clean-tech entrepreneurs everywhere," reported Climate Wire. The stock surged from its IPO price of $13.50 a share to more than $28 before 2009 ended.
The firm also got another Energy Department grant of $5 million to determine whether its batteries could store emergency power for the electric grid.
In January 2010, A123 was one of the firms benefiting from another stimulus cash influx – as the Labor Department announced the state of Michigan would get $5 million in grant money to train workers in green-energy skills.
In September 2010, Obama called Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to congratulate her and A123 Systems for opening the largest lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in the United States in Livonia, Mich.
"It is incredibly exciting to see how far you guys have come," Obama said, in remarks reported by the Detroit News. "This is about the birth of an entire new industry in America -- an industry that's going to be central to the next generation of cars."
But there were skeptics.
By early 2011 one stock analyst, Theodore O'Neill, now at Litchfield Hills Research, told Climate Wire that A123 was heading for "a giant train wreck" in the next few years. He said the tiny numbers of U.S. battery-powered vehicles would not create enough demand for A123 to make a profit.
By this summer GOP lawmakers were raising the alarm about a Chinese firm taking majority ownership of A123 Systems. "We need to be sure that when the federal government invests close to a quarter of a billion dollars in grants to a company, that the technology developed as a result of this taxpayer support doesn't end up in China," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.
But that Chinese investment didn't happen, and on Tuesday A123 filed for bankruptcy. A larger firm, Johnson Controls, will buy its factories in Michigan.
In an interview Tuesday, O'Neill said, "The Fisker Karma was the only car taking the A123 batteries. And I started calling around to dealers and as late as November of 2011 the dealers still didn't have cars to sell. So you had A123 going ahead and building a 600,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for which there's no end market. It's not clear to me how much the Department of Energy is to blame for having A123 expand as rapidly as they did in advance of actual demand or whether it was all (A123's chief executive) David Vieau" who erred in his forecast. "It's probably a little bit of both," he said.


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'We all know' isn't enough
We all know President Obama was secretly born in Kenya.
And that there will soon be enough Muslims here to take over the country.
And that Presidents Hoover, Truman and Eisenhower collectively deported 15 million illegal aliens.
We all know these things -- if by "we" you mean certain conservative bloggers and the gullible people who believe them and if by "know" you mean "take as gospel, even in the absence of evidence." Otherwise, "we" don't know anything of the sort.
So I am intrigued by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's recent statement: "We all know that the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules." She was responding to a reporter who had asked her for proof of an earlier statement that most illegal immigrants carry narcotics for drug cartels.
Brewer went on to say, "They're coming across our borders in huge numbers. The drug cartels have taken control of the immigration. ... So they are criminals. They're breaking the law when they are trespassing and they're criminals when they pack the marijuana and the drugs on their backs."
You'll notice the one thing she didn't do was answer the question. The one thing she didn't do, or even attempt to do, was explain upon what statistics, facts or chain of logic she based her claim.
I will say I have no idea whether that claim is true, though I suspect it's not, given that those on the front lines of the immigration battle -- U.S. Border Patrol agents -- have cast doubt upon it. Mario Escalante, a spokesman for the Border Patrol, told The Associated Press the service could not provide the number of detainees caught carrying drugs, but "I wouldn't say that every person that is apprehended is being used as a mule." T.J. Bonner, speaking for the union that represents the agents, went further, telling CNN Brewer's claim doesn't "comport with reality."
You'd think these men, because of their professional standing, could speak with authority on the matter. You'd think their opinions would carry weight. You'd think that would give pause to the governor's airy, unsubstantiated assertions. You'd be naive.
Indeed, hours after speaking with the reporter, Brewer repeated those assertions in a statement. It is, she said, "common knowledge" that Mexican drug cartels use illegal immigrants to smuggle narcotics.
"Common knowledge," she says. "We all know," she says. Again, note the lack of proof. The statement is quantifiable, yet the governor doesn't bother to quantify. But then, you only quantify for the benefit of the head. You toss the raw, red meat of emotion for the benefit of the heart. In this case, the emotions being appealed to could hardly be clearer: nativism, xenophobia and that old standby, fear.
At the dawn of the Internet, we were promised a Jeffersonian utopia of instantly available information that would make us a wiser, more enlightened citizenry.
Instead, we find ourselves stranded in a Misinformation Age where truth is multiple choice, geared to your political beliefs, and one need never burden one's cherished and preconceived ideas with anything as fusty and outdated as a demand for verification.
But some of us are cantankerous apostles of the old school, some of us reflexively suspicious of appeals to the heart that willfully bypass the head -- especially when made by those in position to make policy and law on the basis of things "we all know." So it seems not a lot to ask that next time Brewer says the majority of illegal immigrants are drug mules, she finally do the one thing she has failed attempts to do: Prove it.
Contact Pitts, a columnist for the Miami Herald, at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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How. Now. Cloud.
No two organizational journeys to the cloud are exactly alike. But, many similarities exist. We see clients grapple with the same questions quite often. Questions around:
If and when to move ERP systems to the cloud.
How to make a business case when cloud ushers in an entirely new business model.
Strategizing for security in the cloud.
In the short video snippets below, our cloud executives offer practical tips on typical business scenarios where the cloud can deliver.
Cloud's benefits do not always fit neatly into the old capital expense model. Building a business case for cloud requires a new way of thinking about the benefits of linking IT and business goals, says Mark Grindle, cloud strategy executive.
The cloud compels everyone involved to adapt to shifting roles, and governance models ultimately hinge on striking the right balance. Keep three things in mind, says Saideep Raj, managing director, Cloud First Applications.
Cyber threats grow more onerous every day. But a one-size-fits all solution is not wise, according to Rudy Bakalov, Accenture security executive.
Think big, start small. In the early stages, that's a reasonable mindset. But sitting around too long is inadvisable as competitors ramp up their cloud-enabled systems and scale, says Adam Burden, managing director, Advanced Technology and Architecture.
Amid rapidly-growing demand and products coming from a variety of sources, the journey to cloud-based ERP is interesting, to say the least. Some products are poised to "catch fire," says Stephanie Arnette, managing director, Oracle cloud practice.
A sound strategy involves effectively planning use of public and private cloud capabilities seamlessly, even within the same business service, according to Heath Whelan, cloud strategy executive.
Cloud enables business to stretch across platforms, devices and value chains and drive speed-to-market. But it's not just about going faster, according to Saideep Raj, managing director, Cloud First Applications.
The cloud can be a secret weapon in your divestiture playbook, a lynchpin for getting the deal done. Making it happen usually comes down to three essential elements, according to Shannon Gilbertson.