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Paid Family Leave Benefits
What benefits does the Paid Family Leave Act provide?
The California Paid Family Leave Act (PFLA) provides up to six weeks of partial pay for employees who take time off work:
- to care for a child, parent, spouse, or registered domestic partner (and beginning July 1, 2014, a grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, or sibling) with a serious health condition; or
- to bond with a newborn baby or newly adopted or foster child (or child of a spouse or domestic partner).
Bonding leave is limited to the first year after a child is born or placed with a family. Each parent is eligible for six weeks of paid family leave. An employee may receive up to six weeks of partial pay during any 12-month period. Generally, an employee will receive 55% of his or her weekly wage, up to a capped amount (The weekly wage is calculated by looking at the three-month period, during the previous 15 months, in which the employee earned the most money. The period will vary depending on the month the employee applies for benefits.) The six weeks of leave need not be taken all at once.
Are you covered under the California Paid Family Leave Act?
All employees, including new or probationary employees, in California who pay into State Disability Insurance (SDI) qualify for benefits under PFLA. Some employees, for example, federal employees, do not pay into SDI and are therefore not eligible for these benefits.Check your pay stub to see if you contribute to SDI. PFLA does not require that an employee work for a set period of time before qualifying for benefits. PFLA applies to employees working for employers of all sizes. This means that the PFLA applies to many more employees than the federal and state unpaid leave laws (such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA)), which do not apply to employers with fewer than 50 employees. PFLA recognizes the family relationships created by domestic partnerships, thus allowing domestic partners to receive paid family leave benefits to care for their domestic partner with a serious health condition or to bond with their partner's newborn baby or an adopted or foster child placed with the family.
What is a "serious health condition"?
A "serious health condition" is an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition involving either:
- care requiring a stay in a hospital, hospice, or residential care facility; or
- continuing treatment by a health care physician or practitioner.
The "continuing treatment" provision of the PFLA requires one of the following:
- a condition causing incapacity for more than three days that requires: (1) two or more visits to a health care provider, or (2) one visit with a regimen of continuing treatment and supervision;
- a chronic condition continuing over an extended period of time and requiring periodic doctor visits, and which may cause episodic rather than continuous incapacity;
- permanent or long-term absences due to a condition for which treatment may not be effective (such as terminal cancer) where the patient is under the supervision of, but not necessarily being actively treated by, a health care provider;
- absences to receive multiple treatments for (1) restorative surgery, or (2) a condition which would likely cause a period of incapacity of more than three days if not treated; or pregnancy and prenatal care (see Section 14 below, "Other Publications Regarding Family/Medical Leave" if you would like further information about the special rules that apply to pregnancy).
- Cosmetic treatments or surgery, and treatments for routine conditions, such as the flu, are not generally considered sufficient to count as a serious health condition. "Treatment" under family/medical leave laws includes examinations to determine if a serious health condition exists and evaluation of that condition.
Treatment does not include routine physical, eye or dental exams. The term "health care provider" includes:
- licensed medical doctors;
- clinical psychologists;
- optometrists, dentists, podiatrists;
- licensed nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives;
- clinical social workers; and
- chiropractors (depending on the treatment provided).
If your employer's health care plan accepts certification from your family member's doctor of the existence of a serious health condition to substantiate a claim for benefits, your family member's doctor probably counts as a health care provider under the family/medical leave laws.
Who pays for the leave?
The wage replacement benefits under PFLA are paid for by employee contributions to the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. The employee contribution appears as a withheld tax on the employee's paycheck.
Is your employer required to reinstate you after you take Paid Family Leave?
Unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), which include explicit job protection provisions, the PFLA does not expressly protect an employee's right to be reinstated. PFLA leave can be taken concurrently with (at the same time as) family leave under the FMLA and/or CFRA. These two laws require employers to hold jobs for eligible employees when they return from leave. Therefore employees who receive PFLA benefits concurrently with FMLA/CFRA leave are guaranteed their jobs back when they return to work. However, not all workers qualify for FMLA/CFRA leave (see our Family/Medical Leave Fact Sheets for more information). For employees who are taking FMLA or CFRA job-protected leave, the PFLA provides wage replacement benefits for up to six weeks of the leave. Many employees are eligible for PFLA but not FMLA or CFRA because their employers have fewer than 50 employees, they've been employed for less than a year,they have worked fewer than 1250 hours in the year preceding the leave, or they are caring for a family member not covered under FMLA or CFRA These employees nonetheless have the right to receive six weeks of PFLA benefits, though the leave is not expressly job-guaranteed. An employee who is in this category can negotiate with his or her employer to take PFLA leave on a schedule that fits the needs of both the employee and the employer. An employee who takes the paid leave and is fired during or shortly after the leave may be able to win reinstatement to his or her job by proving that he or she was unlawfully fired in violation of public policy merely for taking the benefit of PFLA (See our Fact Sheet Wrongful Termination for more information).
Can you take paid family leave after taking unpaid family leave under FMLA or CFRA?
No. PFLA leave and FMLA/CFRA leave run concurrently. An employee who is eligible for both PFLA and FMLA/CFRA leave cannot choose to take the two types of leave at different times. These employees can receive up to six weeks of PFLA benefits during their job-protected FMLA/CFRA leaves. However, if you have received PFL benefits to care for a domestic partner, you may be able to take an additional 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave because the FMLA does not cover domestic partners and therefore does not run concurrently with PFL benefits.
What if care can be provided by another family member?
PFLA benefits are not available to an employee for any day that another family member is ready, willing, able, and available to provide the required care. For example, an employee who is unemployed and looking for a job, but unwilling to provide care, is not considered to be ready, willing, able, and available. Individuals who are unsure whether this will prevent them from receiving PFLA benefits should apply.
What if you are receiving Unemployment Insurance or State Disability Insurance?
Employees receiving unemployment or state disability insurance benefits are ineligible to receive PFLA benefits at the same time.
Can your employer require you to take vacation?
Yes. An employer may require an employee to take up to two weeks of earned but unused vacation leave before beginning to receive benefits. An employer, however, cannot require an employee to use sick leave before receiving benefits.
Are Paid Family Leave benefits paid immediately once the leave begins?
No. An individual may not receive PFLA benefits for the first seven days of leave. Any vacation time an employer requires an employee to use before receiving PFLA benefits may be counted toward this seven day waiting period. These first seven days do not have to be consecutive.
Does the leave have to be taken all at once or can it be taken intermittently?
A worker can receive benefits for any length of time—up to six weeks—necessary to care for a seriously ill parent, partner, spouse, child, and as of July 1, 2014 a grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, or sibling, or for bonding with a new child. Therefore, providing all other conditions are met, a worker can get paid family leave benefits when taking intermittent leave. However, workers taking intermittent leave still must observe the 7-day waiting period. Each day that the worker is eligible for paid family leave benefits will count towards this waiting period. For example, if a worker establishes a claim and plans to take two days off each month to care for a parent, the worker will not receive benefits until the middle of the fourth month—after he or she has taken 7 days of leave from work.
What is the procedure for applying for benefits?
To Care for a Seriously Ill Family Member
You can apply online or order a paper application. To receive paid family leave benefits while caring for a seriously ill family member an employee must file a claim with the Employment Development Department (EDD), and obtain a certificate from the treating health care provider stating:
- a diagnosis or detailed statement of symptoms;
- the date the condition began;
- the probable duration of the condition;
- an estimate of how much time the employee needs to care for the family member; and
- that the serious health condition requires the participation of the employee to provide care for his or her relative.
The employee must submit the claim form and certificate to the EDD, not the employer. Activities such as providing psychological comfort, arranging third party care for the affected relative, and directly providing or participating in the medical care all show that an employee needs to care for his or her family member.
To Bond with a New Child
Pregnant women who have received SDI while on pregnancy disability leave will automatically receive a claim form from the EDD for bonding. Other employees must obtain a claim form from the EDD. Bonding claim forms must be accompanied by documentation of the birth or placement of the adopted or foster child.
Where can you get help regarding your family/medical leave rights?
If you have questions about your employment rights or benefits, call our Work and Family Project at 1-800-880-8047, or the Employment Development Department (EDD) at 1-877-BE-THERE.
If you think your employer has violated family/medical leave laws, you can file a complaint with your local office of the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division no later than two years after the earliest discriminatory act (check the U.S. Government listing at the front of your local telephone directory) or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing no later than one year after the first discriminatory act (for information, call 1.800.884.1684).
If you sue your employer for violating family/medical leave laws, the court may reinstate you to your job and award you wages you should have been paid or a promotion you should have received, as well as reimbursement for legal costs. Time limits apply. You should take action immediately if you think your rights have been violated.
Other LAS–ELC Fact Sheets on Family/Medical Leave
- Family/Medical Leave: Your Own Health Condition
- Family/Medical Leave: Caring for a Family Member
- Taking Leave From Work: Pregnancy/Prenatal Care/Bonding With A New Child
- Pregnancy Discrimination
Consult the appropriate agency or an attorney about your rights.
For further information about your employment rights, contact the Work & Family Project.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide accurate, general information regarding legal rights relating to employment in California. Yet because laws and legal procedures are subject to frequent change and differing interpretations, the Legal Aid Society–Employment Law Center cannot ensure the information in this Fact Sheet is current nor be responsible for any use to which it is put. Do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney or the appropriate agency about your rights in your particular situation.


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Events » Family & Youth Programs » Thursday Summer Fun
Thursday Summer Fun
Untitled, 1969
Helen Pashgian
American, 1934-
Cast sphere, clear polyester resin with insert of clear acrylic rod
7 in. diameter (17.8 cm)
Norton Simon Museum, Gift of the Artist
Helen Pashgian: Discovering New Materials
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Teacher: Staff Educator
Type: Thursday Summer Fun
Helen Pashgian was one of only a few women associated with a group of California minimalists known as the Light and Space artists. Her interest in the perception of light led her to experiment with new materials like glass and liquid plastics. Decorate your own plastic orb to hang in a sunny place.
Meets in Entrance Gallery | Free with admission. This activity is designed for families with children ages 4-10. | No reservations needed

subset: commoncrawl


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11-30-10 PNC Park
I was invited to a season ticket holder event at PNC Park tonight.
However, first we headed to the zoo to spend the final day of my Thanksgiving break.
Since I don't live as close to Pittsburgh anymore, the plan was to go to the zoo for a few hours, and then head over to PNC Park for a batting practice event.
I hadn't been to the zoo in years, probably not since 2000.
Afterwards, I was really happy with how I hit.
We then made our way over to the Pirates clubhouse, where I checked out the Pirates bathroom:
and ate some food in the Pirates locker room:
We peeked in the Pirates weight room:
and trainer's room:
3 Comments
Are you going to do a BHL 2010 season recap of any kind?
That was what I was asking. At worst case if your connection continues to suck. I am sure that Nick and I could take care of next season's BHL.
That's really cool. Did you have to pay anything extra for that or did they simply invite season ticket holders? I'm a Dodgers season ticket holder and I wish they did stuff like that. I mean, they do, or did at least, but it was $500 each (you did get to take BP on the field, though).


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Gov. Walker introduces new WEDC CEO during stop in La Crosse
A semi-private corporation that has been plagued with bad record keeping and high staff turnover has new leadership. That's what brought Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to La Crosse Wednesday.
The governor introduced Reed Hall as the new CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
The group was supposed to aid the Governor with his goal of creating 250,000 jobs, but in it's first year, it struggled to track $56 million in loans to private businesses. "Systematically he has gone through everyone of the issues that has been raised, he's brought in the banker's association, aggressively looked at the audit, this is someone who came in from the outside and said 'hey, we're going to re-establish credibility,' and I think they have," said Governor Walker.
Hall is the former Executive Director of the Marshfield Clinic.
The Governor is introducing Hall at a number of stops throughout the state.
Copyright 2013 by WKBT News8000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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News Release from the office of Senator Carlos Uresti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 16, 2009CONTACT: Rachel Johnston at 512-463-0119
Senator Carlos Uresti Seeks Protection for Texas Families
AUSTIN, TX — State Senator Carlos Uresti filed SB 843 today to protect Texas families from anymore unnecessary harm. On Tuesday, February 11, Kristy Appleby was found shot twice at the parking lot of Bulverde Creek Animal Hospital. Ms. Appleby tried to obtain a protective order, but was denied.
SB 843 extends protective orders beyond just ex-partners but also for those in a dating relationship with ex-partners. Thus, those individuals dating the ex-partner will be able to receive a protective order if an individual from a former relationship intends to inflict physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault.
"SB 843 strives to prevent any further violence by closing the gaps in Protective Order laws. We cannot turn back the clock and bring Kristy back but we can ensure that no other family needlessly suffers when such incidents might be prevented with the proper tools for law enforcement. I promise I will work tirelessly with all my colleagues to bring this issue to the Governor's desk as soon as possible and let Kristy's legacy be one that protects others from this ever happening again," Senator Uresti said.
Texas families deserve better. SB 843 will provide additional security for all Texans. "This bill reaches out to families in their most vulnerable times," Uresti said. "I have been working to protect Texas families since I was elected to the legislature and will continue to fight to ensure our Texas families are the top priority in Austin."
Carlos Uresti is the senator from State Senate District 19 representing over 750,000 residents throughout a 23 county area stretching along the U.S.-Mexico border, from San Antonio to El Paso County, including all or part of the following: Bandera, Bexar, Brewster, Culberson, Crockett, El Paso, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler counties. Covering 55,000 square miles, the district contains 62 school districts and spans two time zones.


text: PARANORMAL INSECT ENCOUNTER CANNOT EXPLAIN ZimplyParanormal posted:11/11/2013 2:59:57 PM I HAVE HAD MANY PARANORMAL THINGS HAPPEN TO ME THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, INCLUDING SEEING UFOS THAT FOLLOW ME HOME AND SENSING A FAMILY MEMBER DEAD TO FIND OUT LATER OF THEIR PASSING. I HAVE SEEN MANY APPARITIONS AND HEARD MANY THINGS, THAT IF IT WASNT FOR MY DOGS, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I IMAGINED MOST OF THEM. WILD ANIMALS DON'T USUALLY FEAR ME AND DOGS RARELY BARK AT ME WHEN THEY SEE ME UNLESS I AM ACCOMPANIED. LATELY I HAVE BEEN MORE OPEN TO THE PARANORMAL SINCE, ITS JUST TOO MANY THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME TO IGNORE! BUT THIS ONE WAS EVEN WEIRDER THAN THOSE (IF THAT COULD BE POSSIBLE) SINCE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN INSECT PARANORMAL ENCOUNTER, NOR CAN I FIND ANY ONLINE. I HAVE HEARD OF INSECTS HOARDING TOGETHER IN A HAUNTED HOUSE IN LARGE QUANTITIES, BUT NOT A SINGLE AND UNSUAL LARGE INSECT BEHAVE THIS WAY. THE STORY GOES AS FOLLOW: ABOUT A WEEK AGO, WHILE FOOD SHOPPING, I HAD AN ARGUMENT WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OVER THE PHONE REGARDING A TRIVIAL SITUATION. I FELT UNFAIRLY ACCUSED BY MY FAMILY MEMBER AND OFFENDED, I THOUGH IT WAS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION AND THERE WAS NO WAY OF REASONING IT SEEMED, SO I LET IT GO AND DECIDED TO GO OVER THE HOUSE AFTER I WAS DONE FOOD SHOPPING. AS I APPROACHED THE ENTRANCE THERE WAS THIS HUGE BLACK INSECT IN THE ENTRANCE TO THE DOOR. THE AREA WAS SOME WHAT LIGHTED. THE INSECT WAS ABOUT 5 TO 7 INCHES LONG AND 1.5 INCHES THICK, IT WAS SHAPED LIKE A CIGAR WITH INSECT LEGS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS BUG WAS UNUSUALLY BIG AND THICK, I MIGHT HAVE SEEN THIS BUG ONCE BEFORE. DO NOT LIKE BUGS AT ALL, UNLESS THEY ARE BUTTERFLIES, BUT I STILL WONT TOUCH THEM. I LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE, SO BIG BUGS ARE COMMON PLACE. MY FAMILY MEMBER HAS A BIG GERMAN SHEPHERD, AND IT BARKS AT EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY, BUT IT DOESN'T USUALLY BARK AT ME. SO I CALL MY RELATIVES NAME OUT LOUD (HE WAS EXPECTING ME), HOPING THAT AT LEAST THE DOG WOULD HEAR, BUT NOTHING! I LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOW, BUT IT WAS AS IF NO ONE WAS HOME EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT WAS ON INSIDE AND THE HOUSE WAS COMPLETELY SILENT, NO TV OR MUSIC, BUT I KNEW FOR A FACT THAT HE WAS THERE, THE HOUSE IS A ONE LEVEL AND A BIT SMALL. SINCE STRANGELY HE OR THE DOG COULD NOT HEAR ME. SO I TRY TO STRETCH MY ARM AROUND AND SQUEEZE THROUGH THE ENTRANCE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO QUICKLY RING THE DOOR BELL BUTTON WITHOUT GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE BUG, THE BUG WAS ON THE FLOOR OPPOSITE TO ME. AS I AM TRYING TO REACH OUT TO RING THE DOOR BELL, TO MY SURPRISING HORROR THE BUG STARTS TO SCREAM LIKE IN AGONY OR FRANTIC FEAR (LIKE AN ALIEN IN A HORROR MOVIE THAT IS GETTING KILLED AND IS SCREECHING IN AGONY WITH A HI PITCHED SOUND), AND THE BUG STARTED JUMPING AROUND 5 INCHES HIGH AND BANGING /HITTING ITSELF ON THE WALL BEHIND IT OR OPPOSITE TO ME, SENSELESS LIKE A CRAZY PERSON IN AN INSANE ASYLUM. SO IMMEDIATELY BACKED OFF AND THE INSECT STOPPED THE CRAZINESS, NEVER HEARD A BUG DO THAT IN MY LIFE!! SO I TRY AGAIN RING THE DOOR BELL AND THE BUG STARTS GOING INSANE AGAIN. I DID IT AROUND 3 MORE TIMES AND SAME THING, MEANWHILE I AM ALSO TRYING TO SHOO THE BUG OUT OF THERE, (STILL MY RELATIVE IS NOT ANSWERING THE DOOR OR THE DOG EVEN REACTING TO THAT HIGH PITCH SOUND FROM THE BUG!). SO I DECIDED TO STOP TRYING TO RING THE DOOR BELL AND START CALLING OUT MY RELATIVES NAME AND THE DOGS NAME WITH NO RESPONSE. WHILE I AM CALLING OUT I SEE THAT HUGE BUG COME TOWARD ME AND STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME POSITIONED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ME AND WHERE I WAS STANDING, LIKE 6 INCHES TO A FOOT IN FRONT OF ME, LIKE IT WAS BLOCKING ME OR CONFRONTING ME, EVEN THOUGH THE BUG FELT THAT IT WAS ON AUTOMATION, LIKE A ROBOT, PROBABLY FROM BANGING ITSELF ON THE CEMENT WALL AND SCREAMING! THE BUG JUST STOOD THERE PERFECTLY STILL AND WOULD NOT MOVE, IT WAS LIKE IT WAS NOT EVEN CONSCIOUS AT THAT POINT, IT HAD NO FEAR OF ME, LIKE A ROBOT. SO I START BANGING ON THE WINDOW AND FINALLY I HEAR MY RELATIVE OPENING THE FRONT DOOR. I WARN HIM ABOUT THE BIG BUG IN FRONT OF ME AND HE KICKS IT INTO THE YARD/GRASS, LIKE 10 FEET OUT. THE BUG DID NOT REACT TO MY BROTHER, AND I THINK IT MADE A VERY LIGHT CRICKET CHIRP. I TOLD HIM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, BUT HE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO ME. THE DOG STILL DID NOT BARK AT ME. I AM AT HIS HOUSE FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR, WHEN THE STEREO TURNS ON ALL BY ITSELF, NOT EVEN THE DOG WAS NEAR IT AT ALL. I ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE SLEEPING MODE THAT KICKED IN, (HE DOESNT BELIEVE IN THE PARANORMAL). SO AFTER ARGUING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, EVEN THOUGH AT THE END IT TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD THING, BECAUSE IT CLEARED SOME THINGS OUT BETWEEN US AND WE PARTED IN VERY GOOD TERMS. SO I AM ON MY WAY OUT THE DOOR AS HE IS OPENING THE DOOR FOR ME SO I CAN LEAVE, WHEN TO BOTH OF OUR SURPRISE, THAT EXACT HUGE BUG IS STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR/ENTRANCE AND EXACTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR, LIKE A ROBOT, NOT REACTING TO US OR THE DOG THERE, AS IF LIKE A ROBOT. THERE IS A SINGLE STEP UP TO THE DOOR AND THE BUG WAS ON THAT SINGLE STEP, AS IF IT WANTED TO BE AS CLOSE TO THE DOOR AS POSSIBLE. THE BUG WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO CLIMB OF THAT STEP AND POSITION ITSELF RIGHT IN THE VERY MIDDLE OF THE DOOR, AS IT WANTED TO BE NOTICED. ALSO SURPRISING IS THAT THE DOG LIKES TO EAT AND CHASE BUGS (SPIDERS, FLIES), EVEN EATS WASP AND LIZARDS LIKE A PREDATOR (GIVES HIM SOMETHING TO DO), BUT THERE WAS NO REACTION FROM THE DOG TO THIS BUG. THIS DOG USED TO LIVE IN THE OPEN COUNTRY AND USED TO HUNT LIKE A WOLF, I AM BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE DOG WASNT AFRAID OF ANYTHING. AGAIN, MY RELATIVE KICKED IT OUT OF THERE AND I RAN OUT THE OPPOSITE WAY OF THE BUG. I LEFT VERY DISTURBED AND CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. I OBVIOUSLY HAVE A WITNESS TO AT LEAST PART OF WHAT HAPPENED. SO OBVIOUSLY NO ONE CAN SAY THAT I IMAGINED EVERYTHING. MY RELATIVE DOESNT BELIEVE IN THE PARANORMAL AS MOST MEN, BUT EVEN HE WAS SURPRISED, BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. I CAN TELL HE WAS A BIT PUZZLED. HE KNOWS I AM A PARANORMAL BELIEVER. MY RELATIVE HAS NOTICED ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE AN EFFECT ON ELECTRONICS, ESPECIALLY COMPUTERS, HE WONT LET ME TOUCH HIS COMPUTERS FOR NOTHING (HE USED TO BE A COMPUTER TECHNICIAN AND STUDIED ENGINEERING) BY THE WAY, I CARRY MY SMART PHONE WITH ME AT ALL TIMES, SO I CAN BE READY TO CAPTURE PARANORMAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO ME SO OFTEN, BUT IT HAPPENS THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE PHONE ON ME, SINCE I WOULD HAVE NOT IN A MILLION YEARS WOULD HAVE EXPECTED ANYTHING UNUSUAL TO HAPPEN, SINCE MY RELATIVE LIVES NEXT DOOR FROM ME (LEARNED MY LESSON). AS USUAL, WHEN I NEEDED THE MOST, I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO MY CAMERA, COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT! (EXCEPT FOR ONE OF MANY UFOS SEEN AND SEVERAL APPARITIONS WHICH GOT ERASED MYSTERIOUSLY EVEN AFTER HAVING COPIES IN DIFFERENT PLACES) I CANNOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET LIKE THIS. TO ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL NO MATTER HOW YOU CUT IT. I AM A MIDDLE AGED WOMEN AND WAS NOT BORN YESTERDAY, I HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD IN REAL ESTATE AND CAN STRETCH A BUCK IN 4 DIFFERENT WAYS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS? THANKS! breeld posted:11/11/2013 6:34:50 PM Well, it definitely would have scared me! Of course, I`m scared of creepy-crawlies, anyway.Jaxerback posted:11/13/2013 8:21:18 PM Two words...lump and hammer..LincolnGenghis posted:11/14/2013 1:06:04 AM Maybe it was a Toe Biter. They are not scared of much bobprin posted:11/14/2013 5:51:03 AM Don't forget to check for ticks.ZimplyParanormal posted:11/21/2013 7:49:09 AM In Reply To:LincolnGenghis posted:11/14/2013 1:06:04 AM Maybe it was a Toe Biter. They are not scared of much Thanks for the photo, but that was not it. it was a cigar shape with legs. 3 inches long approx.ZimplyParanormal posted:11/21/2013 7:58:39 AM In Reply To:Jaxerback posted:11/13/2013 8:21:18 PM Two words...lump and hammer..That bug was too big, any way my family member kicked it out hopefully far from his house. What I consider paranormal was first, how the bug was "waiting" for me in front of and in the middle of the door, a step above the floor. Second: How before that bug came towards me like 2 feet from where it was and just stood there square in the middle of me and doing that right after it was screaming (loudly what sounded like an alien scream) in terror every time I got close. I have lived in warm climate most of my life, so I am very much exposed to bugs of all kinds and sizes. This for me, was very unusual. It went from the bug screeching in terror loudly at me like an Alien, to confronting... to waiting for me in front of the door on floor and the positioned it was in, after being kicked out far. I guess you had to be there. Please log in or become a member to add a post.


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Filing penalty goes up in Montpelier
MONTPELIER City homeowners who were late filing their Vermont homestead declaration form will face a higher penalty this year.
That is because, for the first time, the Montpelier residential education tax rate is higher than the nonresidential rate.
The penalty will be 8 percent of the education taxes due on the property instead of 3 percent, according to Finance Director Sandy Gallup.
The rates are set in state law, she said in a recent memo to the City Council and staff, and hinge on which local education tax rate is higher.
The penalty will be assessed for people who missed the April 15 deadline, and will be added on this years tax bill, Gallup said Friday.
Based on decisions the Legislature made this year, the residential education rates increased substantially, Gallup said. Also, local cost (per) student has an impact on residential education tax rates. ... Many towns have residential rates that exceed nonresidential rates.
The penalties are collected and retained by the city, Gallup said. For the average homestead property, this (change) would mean an increase in penalty from $110 to $294, she wrote.
The state statute allows the town or city to waive or reduce the homestead declaration late filing fee, Gallup said.
It wouldnt necessarily be by an appeal process. It would be the City Council making a decision to eliminate or maybe reduce the 8 percent late fee for all late filers, she said. She recommended the council address this at its August meeting, when members expect to discuss the possibility of lowering the late payment fees for property taxes.
According to the Vermont Department of Taxes website, appeals of the penalty can be made to the town where the late filing penalty is billed and collected. The law provides for a hardship appeal, the website notes. Hardship is defined as: full-time active military duty outside of Vermont; serious illness or disability of the homestead owner; or serious illness, disability or death of an immediate family member of the homestead owner.MORE IN This Just In
BARRE TOWN — Firefighters faced a collection of adverse conditions as a house... Full StoryWILLISTON Police are asking for help identifying the man who tried to steal roughly $800 worth ... Full StoryNEWBURY Police said somebody stole booze and change from a Welch Road residence. Full Story
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"I love the 'Open Forum for Non-Catholics' shows. I have learned so much from these programs, and they've helped me to not be caught off-guard when I'm called to answer friends, family members, and co-workers who question the teachings and doctrines of the Church."
~ Tom
Q&A Newsletter
"If I have written anything erroneous, I submit all to the judgment and correction of the Holy Roman Church, in whose obedience I now pass from this life."
~ Thomas Aquinas; philosopher, theologian, author, Doctor of the Church, patron of Catholic universities, colleges, and schools; on the Real Presence


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DD is now 17 months and we nurse about 4 times a day (two morning, two evening) and I am on micronor. AF came back in the middle of October for the first time in about a year and has been coming back about every other week since And, I don't mean that AF just stops by for a quick visit. AF sticks around for 5-7 days and it is heavy I am really tired of AF.
I had my annual exam at the end of October (AF had already made her 2nd appearance in 3 weeks) and my OB said oh, it's probably just your body getting back into the swing of things. (I like my OB because she's laid back, but sometimes I don't want her to be quite so laid back, ya know?)
Any one else have frequent AF visits? Should I be concerned about the frequency and heaviness? I just don't know what to do and AF is definitely driving me a little crazy


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Specific Learning Disabilities
The Illinois State Board of Education is committed to the understanding of the learning process and the identification of teaching strategies and styles necessary to help all students succeed. To this end, an effort is first made to meet the needs of all students in the general education setting. In this setting, as barriers arise, schools and educators are expected to implement strategies that address student needs under the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework. In some instances, due to a disability that adversely affects the students' education, there is a need for more targeted interventions under special education services. To best respond to these students' individual needs, the IEP team needs to clarify the nature and extent of the "Specific Learning Disabilities" that need to be addressed.
Learning disabilities (LD) are neurological disorders that can make it difficult to acquire certain academic and social skills. Whether you are a parent, educator, or an adult with a learning disability, learning about this disability will help you support your child's or your own success in learning and life.
- Information-processing disorders are learning disorders related to a person's ability to use the information that they take in through their senses – seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching. These problems are not related to an inability to see or hear. Instead, the conditions affect the way the brain recognizes, responds to, retrieves, and stores sensory information.
- Language-related learning disabilities are problems that interfere with age-appropriate communication, including speaking, listening, reading, spelling, and writing.
For more information on learning disabilities, go to the National Center for Learning Disabilities at http://www.ncld.org/.
Language and Math Difficulties
- Reading Disability: For most children with learning disabilities receiving special education services, the primary area of difficulty is reading. People with reading disabilities often have problems recognizing words that they already know. They may also be poor spellers and may have problems with decoding skills. Other symptoms may include trouble with handwriting and problems understanding what they read. A reading and language-based learning disability may be commonly called Dyslexia. For more information and additional resources regarding dyslexia, visit http://eida.org/
- Writing Disability: If your student has trouble with spelling, handwriting, and putting thoughts on paper, it may be due to a learning disability. Writing requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. Among the disabilities that affect writing are Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia.
- Math Disability: Two major areas of weakness can contribute to math learning disabilities: Visual-spatial difficulties, which result in a person having trouble processing what the eye sees, and/or language processing difficulties, which result in a person having trouble processing and making sense of what the ear hears. Dyscalculia is a learning disability related to math. Those with dyscalculia may have difficulty understanding math concepts and solving even simple math problems.
It is important to reiterate that, although the identification of the above conditions constitutes a disability, it does not automatically mean that the student is eligible for special education services. An evaluation is necessary to determine if the disability adversely affects the student's education.
It is critical that school districts and faculty seek opportunities to know how these conditions can be identified as early as possible, how these disabilities affect their students' performance, and what interventions have shown by research to be the most effective.
- ISBE Targeted Learning Disability Brochures (Updated 4/16)


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Freedom New Mexico
Our latest experiment with Keynesian liberalism — led by the last two presidents — has predictably failed and the economy is in shambles. President Barack Obama will need a miracle to win re-election in 2012, no matter who runs against him and no matter how unpolished or gaffe-prone that candidate may be.
Obama will announce his latest plan to fix the economy next week, and it is certain to involve more federal spending. We cannot possibly spend our way to prosperity, a fact Americans have figured out.
Want change? Toronto banker and writer David Lee says look to the north. Canada thrives as a result of dramatic reductions in government spending enacted by the right and two brave politicians on the left. At a time when the rest of the developed world struggles with unmanageable debt, high unemployment, riots in the streets and other forms of civil unrest that are tied directly to economic despair, Canada mesmerizes financial experts with falling unemployment, a government surplus and other inspiring indicators.
"The approach to government largesse that differentiated Canadian policy from that in the rest of the world is now paying dividends as the financial media swoons over Canada's current fiscal situation," wrote Lee, in an article published Monday by the Ludwig von Mises Institute. "If there is a lesson to be gleaned from this experience, it is that, whatever the supposed short-term benefits may be, the long-run economic implosion necessitated by rampant government spending can only be delayed, never averted."
Under the leadership of prime ministers Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chr


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Richard Childress Racing
Recent News
Kevin Harvick Wins at Kansas Speedway
October 6, 2013
Author: Nate Ryan
Date: Sept. 6, 2013
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kevin Harvick was the foremost survivor of a treacherous race at Kansas Speedway, winning Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 from the pole position.
The Richard Childress Racing driver scored his third Sprint Cup victory of the season, taking the lead from teammate Jeff Burton after the second-to-last restart and fending off Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and Carl Edwards.
The 22nd win of Harvick's career moved him up to third in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings, 25 points behind leader Matt Kenseth.
To see the article as it appears on USAToday.com, click here.


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Around 20 years ago a programmer at MIT quit his job to develop a complete and free Unix-style operating system--the GNU system. That programmer was Richard Stallman, also known as rms, the founder of the Free Software Foundation.
Since 1984 he has fought for software freedom and created the concept of free software. Software is considered free if users have the following four freedoms:
Copyleft licenses protect these four freedoms. The most prominent license is the GNU General Public License, which allows the author to retain a copyright and permits redistribution and modification under terms designed to ensure that all modified versions of the software remain under copyleft terms.
In this period of threats to freedom, Federico Biancuzzi interviewed this freedom paladin.
FB: GNU/Linux (the complete OS!) is probably the most known free software project. What do you think about the fact that Linux (the kernel!) uses a proprietary program to manage its source code?
RMS: It is unfortunate when anyone uses proprietary software. Using it publicly for the development of a prominent free software package is particularly unfortunate, because it sets a bad example for the community.
Related Reading
Linux Pocket Guide
FB: Isn't there any free alternative under development?
RMS: There are already free programs that do the same basic job. Linus Torvalds feels they are not convenient enough, and he values convenience more than he values standing firm for freedom. I think that is leading the community in the wrong direction.
As part of the GNU Project, Tom Lord is developing a new free source control system called Arch, which we hope will outdo the proprietary ones.
But just because we are competing with proprietary software on issues of technical merit doesn't mean we think people should choose the program for source control based on technical qualities alone. That would mean assigning zero value to freedom itself. If you value freedom, you will resist the temptation to use a program that takes away your freedom, whatever technical advantages it may have.
FB: What do you think about proprietary software? Does it have low quality? Is it unsecure? Does it restrict freedom too much? Is it unethical?
RMS: Proprietary software is unethical, because it denies the user the basic freedom to control her own computer and to cooperate. It may also be of low quality or insecure, but that's a secondary issue. I will reject it even if it is the best quality in the world, simply because I value my freedom too much to give it up for that.
FB: Would you accept a federal law in the United States to enforce the distribution of source code with every type of software?
RMS: I am not calling for such a law as of now, but I think that would be a valid consumer protection measure--like requiring food products to publish the list of ingredients.
Of course, some software companies would object to this, just as some food companies resisted the requirement to publish the ingredients and nutritional information. The question should not be up to them.
FB: Which license do you think should be chosen?
RMS: I don't understand that question clearly. Chosen by whom, for what?
FB: I mean if such a law were to pass, which license do you think the government should impose for software source code?
If the government gives any company freedom to choose or write a license for its source code, probably most of them will be very restrictive, something like "look but don't touch."
RMS: The question was about a hypothetical law requiring "every type of software to be distributed with its source code." This would not require any particular license for that source code; it would only require that the user get the source code. How users can use the source code is a separate question.
To consider that question, we have to start by asking ourselves what might limit the user in his use of said source code. The answer is, only government-enforced restrictions such as copyright law and contracts. So if the government wants to ensure that all source code is free software, it doesn't need to intervene to achieve this. It need only stop intervening to make the source code nonfree.
FB: Do you think it's a good idea to port a free software project to a proprietary OS such as Windows?
RMS: Porting free applications to nonfree operating systems is often useful. This allows users of those operating systems to try out using a few free programs and see that they can be good to use, that free software won't bite them. This can help people overcome worries about trying a free operating system such as GNU/Linux. Many users really do follow this path.
However, we need to be careful to avoid suggesting that the purpose of free applications is to be used on a proprietary system in that way. Using free applications is a step forward, but it doesn't take you all the way to freedom. To reach that destination, we need to avoid the proprietary software that denies users their freedom.
FB: Don't you think that having all those tools free of charge will let common users on that platform?
RMS: I don't quite understand this question, but I should mention that "free software" means "software libre." It is not necessarily "free of charge." There are companies that sell thousands of copies of free software every month.
FB: I do know the difference between free as "free beer" and free as in "freedom." This question is about "free beer." There are a lot of free software that comes free of charge. What I want to underline is the fact that most of the proprietary software for proprietary operating systems costs money. Imagine a common computer user, one that doesn't even know about software licenses. He bought his new computer and paid $100 for Windows. Now he would be able to use, free of charge, a lot of free software. Why should he try GNU/Linux? You say "freedom."
RMS: Yes, and I will keep saying "freedom." The advantages of saving money are sufficiently obvious--people don't need me to explain that. However, our age emphasizes money so much that people sometimes forget to value freedom. That is something we need to remind them about.
FB: OK, but how can we explain to him that he should change his OS because his current one doesn't provide the source code under a free-software license? He doesn't even know what source code is!
RMS: Free software is controlled by the users. When you get a copy, you own it.
If you buy a house, you are free to change it. If you don't know how to change it yourself, you can hire a carpenter or a plumber to change it for you. The same with software. Every user can take advantage of the the freedom to change the software. If it's free, you can persuade your cousin the programmer to change it for you, or you can hire someone.
Nonfree software is controlled by its developer. The developers often implement malicious features--for example, to spy on the user or to restrict the user. Sometimes they keep the malicious features secret. But they also figure that people will be so desperate for the software that they will accept it even with malicious features. Users can't remove the malicious features, because they don't have the source code.
This cannot happen with free software, because free software is controlled by the users. If ever a free program had a malicious feature, any programmer could remove the malicious feature and release a modified version--and all users would choose that version, including nonprogrammers. You won't have to make this change yourself, because someone else will have done the job for you before you get it.
The users of free software also decide how to develop it. On most issues, most users want the same thing. Sooner or later, some user who knows how to program, or has money to pay for changes, will make the changes that you want.
FB: What is your opinion on the fact that Linux (the kernel!) supports binary drivers without too many problems? I'll make an example: the OpenBSD project didn't support Atheros wireless chips because they require a binary HAL provided with an incompatible license for their goals and policy. They act consistently. Do you think that Linux (the kernel!) should try a similar rigorous approach?
RMS: Yes! And so should the developers of GNU/Linux distributions. This is very important.
FB: Do you think that hardware manufacturers should make public all the datasheets, docs, specifications, and details about their products? Something like free (as in freedom) hardware?
RMS: If a hardware developer won't tell you how to use the hardware they sell you, don't buy it.
I am not campaigning for laws that would require all software to come with source code, but I do think that governments should require all new computer hardware that is sold commercially to come with full specifications.
FB: Would you sign and promote a petition or an initiative for free access to hardware specifications?
RMS: I'd endorse any sort of nonviolent democratic political activity to promote such a law.
FB: It seems that Sun Microsystems wants to release Java source code. Do you think that a language such as Java could spread more if it were covered by the GPL?
RMS: I think that's a secondary question. Whether a particular programming language becomes more or less popular is just a technical issue. That Sun's Java platform is nonfree is a social, ethical issue--more important than a merely technical issue.
We're not waiting for Sun to start respecting our freedom. We're developing free replacements for all the various parts of the Java platform. We don't have all the features yet, but you can write and run Java programs.
If you develop a Java program on Sun's Java platform, it won't really be platform-independent; it will depend on a specific proprietary platform. If you use our Java platform to develop it, then it really will run on all platforms.
FB: Don't you think that the problem is who controls its development and with what aim?
RMS: The problem with proprietary software is that a specific developer controls its development--you, the user, do not. Every nonfree program has a lord, a master--and if you use the program, he is your master.
Different masters have different aims; some masters are nicer than others. However, comparing one master with another is a distraction from the real issue, which is liberty. Liberty means is not having a master. With free software, you do not have to worry about what aims the master has for developing the program, because you are free to decide for yourself.
FB: What do you think about reports that Sun Microsystems will create an open source project around its Solaris 10 operating system?
RMS: I am not sure what that means concretely, and I do not advocate open source. If Sun makes Solaris free software, then it will be respecting the users' freedom. That is the right thing to do. Making Solaris free would be a substantial contribution to the free software community, but since we already have software (GNU/Linux) that does more or less the same thing, it would not be a major contribution such as OpenOffice was or as freeing Java would be.
FB: Do you think to promote something like a fork or maybe replace Hurd with its kernel?
RMS: I do not understand that question. Fork of what? Replace Hurd with whose kernel?
FB: I was talking about replacing the Hurd kernel with the Solaris 10 kernel (obviously only if free software).
RMS: This would be possible, but I don't see a purpose in it. There is already a free kernel that works quite well with the GNU system--namely, Linux. Why would we want to replace it with the kernel of Solaris?
FB: For the same reason GNU develops Hurd?
RMS: When we started developing the Hurd, there was no free kernel. Our motive was to get a free kernel.
Since we now have a free kernel that works, namely Linux, it's no longer essential to develop the Hurd. We are continuing to work on it for two reasons:
Neither of these advantages applies to the idea of using Solaris.
FB: What is the status of Hurd development?
RMS: The Hurd runs, but not reliably. The developers are working on it slowly now, although one is arranging to get funds to work on it a substantial fraction of his time. The developers have concluded that Mach is unreliable as a microkernel and that they need to transplant the Hurd to L4 instead. But this requires substantial rewrites.
FB: What type of competition there will be between a complete GNU/Hurd and GNU/Linux?
RMS: When GNU/Hurd is running reliably, it and GNU/Linux will both be free operating systems (provided one does not add nonfree packages to them). So the choice between them would be a purely practical choice. I hope that the Hurd will offer increased power from its architecture.
FB: This is a bit long to read ...
Quoting from The Hurd and Linux:
When we started developing the Hurd in 1990, the question facing us was, "How can we get a free kernel for the GNU system?'' There was no free Unix-like kernel then, and we knew of no other plan to write one. The only way we could expect to have a free kernel was to write it ourselves. So we started.
Quoting from Linux and the GNU Project:
Aside from GNU, one other project has independently produced a free Unix-like operating system. This system is known as BSD, and it was developed at UC Berkeley. It was non-free in the 80s, but became free in the early 90s.
Quoting from Open Sources: Voices from the Open Source Revolution:
The BSD originated networking code and supporting utilities were released in June 1989 as Networking Release 1, the first freely-redistributable code from Berkeley.
The licensing terms were liberal. A licensee could release the code modified or unmodified in source or binary form with no accounting or royalties to Berkeley. The only requirements were that the copyright notices in the source file be left intact and that products that incorporated the code indicate in their documentation that the product contained code from the University of California and its contributors. Although Berkeley charged a $1,000 fee to get a tape, anyone was free to get a copy from anyone who already had received it. Indeed, several large sites put it up for anonymous ftp shortly after it was released. Given that it was so easily available, the CSRG was pleased that several hundred organizations purchased copies, since their fees helped fund further development.
Reading these pages, I found something that I don't understand: if BSD was already available in June 1989 with a free license, why didn't you start with its kernel instead of writing Hurd from scratch? The same question is valid for the choice of the Linux kernel in 1991.
RMS: Only parts of BSD were available in June 1989 with a free license. Look carefully at what it says here:
The BSD originated networking code and supporting utilities were released in June 1989 as Networking Release 1
The "BSD-originated networking code" is just a part of a kernel.
FB: What type of free license were those parts using?
RMS: I think it was the original BSD license, same as BSD 4.4 later, but I am not certain.
FB: Wasn't that BSD license free enough?
RMS: This license does qualify as free software, but I think it is not as good as some free software licenses because it doesn't protect the freedom of all users. It allows middlemen to make the software proprietary, which means they distribute the software to others but without the freedom.
FB: Why have you chosen to write a new license (the GPL)?
RMS: I think I see a confusion here. My decision to develop GNU licenses had nothing to do with any of the BSD licenses. The BSD licenses were used after the GNU GPL.
In 1985 or 1986 I visited the people at Berkeley CSRG and asked them to please separate their work from the AT&T Unix code. I asked them to release their code as free software rather than making it available only to AT&T licensees. I did this because I wanted to be able to use BSD code in GNU.
FB: I know you are the founder of the free (as in freedom) software movement; however, I don't understand how you could define as freedom all the limits that the GPL imposes. For example you must make available modified source code for software released to the public, and it must be under the same GPL. It seems to my eyes that the BSD license gives more freedom to users, developers, and businesses. Am I wrong?
RMS: This is what ensures that the users have the four freedoms. The BSD licenses do not ensure this, and thus not all users have these freedoms.
The BSD licenses (there were more than one of them) do not give more freedom. What they offer, to those who can take advantage of it, is power: power to deny others' freedom. That is not a good thing.
See this page for more explanation.
FB: The first GPL version dates from February 1989. A second version came out in June 1991. Why?
RMS: I don't remember what the specific changes were, but you could compare the two versions and see. We made each change for a very specific reason. It is like releasing version 1.2 of a program: you find bugs, so you fix them.
FB: Is there any version 3 planned?
RMS: We are working on another version, but there are some places where we are not sure of what is right to do.
FB: Why is the GPL so long and full of legalese?
RMS: The GPL is a legal document, so it is written in legalese. Otherwise it would not work. It has the simplest words I could find that unambiguously state these conditions clearly.
FB: On October 7, 2004, Jeff V. Merkey made the following offer on the linux.kernel mailing list:
We offer to kernel.org the sum of $50,000.00 US for a one time license to the Linux Kernel Source for a single snapshot of a single Linux version by release number. This offer must be accepted by **ALL** copyright holders and this snapshot will subsequently convert the GPL license into a BSD style license for the code. In other words, what we are asking for is the ability to snapshot kernel.org at 50K a pop for a license to each 2.<even number> release, then take any even number release private. This allows all changes to a 2.<even number> release to be used for a particular release per license without returning changes. This money will be made payable to kernel.org and must be accepted by everyone.
What do you think about this offer?
RMS: It would be foolish for people to accept. Why let him provide Linux to users without respecting their freedom? If I had contributed to Linux, I would say no to him, and insist that he must respect the users' freedom.
I have not written any part of Linux, but that's what I do regarding the programs I have developed.
FB: Some developers promptly refused the offer, so it seems there are no chances to see a BSD-licensed Linux snapshot.
RMS: Good on them!
FB: However, I'm wondering if this situation will change in the future; after all, Linux already uses a proprietary software to manage its source code. It could be a really bad example for the free software movement: giving away freedom for money. Do you have any plan to be sure this would never happen?
RMS: I can't see the future, but I would guess that the people who said no this time will keep saying no.
Linus sets a bad example for the community by using nonfree software in this prominent, public way. I criticized him on the linux.kernel list when he did it, and I think that by raising the issue I helped dissuade other projects from doing likewise--if so, that has reduced the harmful effects of this example.
The FSF cannot do more than that in regard to Linux, since we are not involved in development of that particular program.
FB: Today Linux is just a kernel, so you still have direct control over other parts of the OS. That's why the name GNU/Linux for the complete OS.
RMS: That isn't what the name GNU/Linux means; it has nothing to do with that. The name GNU/Linux means that the system started out as GNU, with Linux added.
Nowadays, the system includes thousands of packages developed by thousands of developers, but at the base it is still GNU with Linux added.
FB: Thanks for this explanation. I think I wasn't the only one with this wrong idea, because the Debian project homepage states: "Debian uses the Linux kernel (the core of an operating system), but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux."
Have you ever thought that one day Linus Torvalds could choose to become the leader of a GNU/Linux distribution?
RMS: No, because he has always said he isn't interested. If he wants to do it, of course he is entitled to. Anyone can do this.
FB: Today the magic word in IT is Linux, and there's a lot of confusion between the meaning of free software and open source, and Linux and GNU/Linux. Don't you fear that GNU and the FSF could lose acknowledgment and influence in that case?
RMS: The word fear is rather strong. What I feel is concern about a real problem. The GNU Project loses influence when people attribute our most important past work to someone else, and that reduces the effectiveness of the work we do today.
Tens of millions of people now use an operating system that was developed as a sustain campaign for freedom--something unique in the history of computing--and they don't know it. The name Linux has never been associated with making freedom the goal; that idea is associated with the name GNU. When people think the system is Linux, they learn a false picture of why it was developed. They think it was developed by Linus Torvalds, who wanted to learn and have fun.
Both enjoyment and freedom can motivate people to develop free software; each of these motivations can inspire people, if they know about it. I want the users of GNU/Linux to know that the system exists for the sake of freedom, because then some of them will be inspired to join in defending our freedom. There are never enough defenders of freedom in the world.
FB: As you said, there are "never enough defenders of freedom in the world"; however, DistroWatch.com counted more than 350 GNU/Linux distributions. Don't you think that this is a dispersion of resources?
RMS: There is a certain amount of waste, but not as much as you would think. Many, probably most of these distros are derived from other distros, and maintaining a derived distro is not a lot of work.
FB: How would you define Apple's Darwin? Both proprietary and open source?
RMS: Darwin is currently free software, not proprietary. (It is also open source.)
However, two years ago some of the code in Darwin had a different license. It was open source, but it was not free software.
FB: I was looking at the operating systems market of the past few years. I think that every Mac OS X release keeps adding innovations that improve the experience of its users, but I don't see this type of improvements in any commercial (Red Hat, Mandrake, Novell/SuSE ...) GNU/Linux distribution. It seems to me that these big companies build a complete product simply putting together the result of various external projects. They take Linux (the kernel!), GCC, and other GNU utilities, XFree/X.Org, KDE/Gnome, and so on. Where are the innovations for the user?
RMS: Your last question embodies the assumption that innovation is what we want and freedom is secondary. I think it's just the opposite: freedom is most important, and innovation is nice as long as we maintain our freedom.
I never asked myself whether free software would mean more innovation, because what I want is freedom. Free software is software that respects your freedom. Proprietary software denies the user freedom. If proprietary software is innovative, I still won't use it. I've fought for 20 years for my freedom and yours, and I won't give it up just for the sake of convenience.
Innovation is good when it respects people's freedom, but bad when it is bait for people to give up their freedom.
FB: I was talking about business companies that already defend freedom releasing free software, so freedom is already there. They can innovate or not. That's just an aspect of business. They could prefer to spend money on big marketing ads. The only suspicion was that the GPL could be a deterrent to innovations.
RMS: The GPL prohibits nonfree modifications. The only "innovations" which the GPL might interfere with are those that would be nonfree. Do you see a problem in that? I don't. If a program is nonfree, it is an attack on social solidarity. I am glad if I can prevent that program from being developed.
FB: I read that Microsoft claimed that GPL kills innovation for businesses.
RMS: The GPL is designed to protect the freedom of free software. It says that modified versions of the software must be free as well. This is what Microsoft does not like. Microsoft thinks it should be entitled to use our work in its own products--even when those products are proprietary.
Microsoft won't let us use their source code in our programs, but they think we are obliged to let them use our source code in their programs. Microsoft says, "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine."
But will our protection of the users' freedom prevent certain innovations? Perhaps. When an innovation would come only at the cost of our freedom, the GPL says no. Is that a bad thing? That depends on your values.
If all you value is innovation, and you don't value your freedom, then you might consider it a bad thing that the GPL firmly protects the users' freedom. If, on the other hand, you value freedom, you will be glad that the GPL prevents unscrupulous software developers from using some tempting innovation as bait for users to give up their freedom.
Since I am determined to keep my freedom, I won't use nonfree software. So if your innovation would be nonfree software, please don't write it. Please do something else, something that won't deny users their freedom.
FB: Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer said, "About three years ago, we made software security a top priority." Is software security a primary goal of GNU?
RMS: I would not say that, but we do try to make it secure.
FB: Why hasn't GCC included any memory protection technology (PDF) yet?
RMS: I will ask the GCC developers to take a look at these methods and report to me about the possibility of installing one or more of them in GCC.
FB: After reading the paper I've sent you, what do you and GCC developers plan to do?
RMS: They are now prepared to work with the people who wrote ProPolice. I hope the result will be to install ProPolice, but it will take some time.
FB: Does the GNU Project accept and recognize standards, such as IEEE standards and de facto standards?
RMS: We follow all standards when doing so is useful for users. However, we do not treat them as authorities, merely as suggestions. When it is more convenient for the users if we depart from a standard, we do so.
For instance, the C standard "requires" that the compiler print a diagnostic for many kinds of input that doesn't fit the syntactic rules of the standard. GCC has various C extensions that give meaning to some cases that don't fit the syntactic rules of the standard. It does not print any diagnostic when you use them. This therefore conflicts with the standard.
For the sake of correct compilation of all standard C programs, I added an
option called
--ansi to turn off syntactic extensions. But even
that doesn't print an error message for all cases where the standard demands
one. So I added
--pedantic also. To get the behavior demanded by
the standard, you must specify
--pedantic --ansi.
We say that there is no reason to use
--pedantic; it is just
there to satisfy pedants who would otherwise say, "This isn't really an ANSI C
Some GNU utilities such as
df and
du do not follow
the POSIX spec unless you set the environment variable
POSIXLY_CORRECT. Normally GNU
df and
print disk space figures in units of k. POSIX says to print disk space figures
in units of 512 bytes. If you set
df and
du do that. (My original plan was to name it
POSIX_ME_HARDER.) I would guess that very very few users set
If users don't like these decisions (or any others we make), they are free to change them.
Copyright (c) 2004, Federico Biancuzzi.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article are permitted worldwide, without royalty, in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.
Federico Biancuzzi is a freelance interviewer. His interviews appeared on publications such as ONLamp.com, LinuxDevCenter.com, SecurityFocus.com, NewsForge.com, Linux.com, TheRegister.co.uk, ArsTechnica.com, the Polish print magazine BSD Magazine, and the Italian print magazine Linux&C.
Return to the Linux DevCenter.
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


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Illinois Learning Standards
Fine Arts
The Illinois Learning Standards for Fine Arts were developed using the National Standards for Arts Education, 1985 State Goals for Fine Arts, various other national and state resources, and local standards contributed by team members.
Throughout time, the arts have been essential to human existence. When people create in sounds, images, gestures and words, they discover ways to shape and share their thoughts and feelings with others. The arts enrich the quality of life. All students deserve access to the arts through creation, performance and study.
Young children "respond to gestures and movement before they react to the spoken word. They understand and explore sound before they learn to speak. They draw pictures before they form letters. They dance and act out stories before they learn to read" (Fowler, 1984). The fine artsdance, drama, music, and visual artsare fundamental ways of knowing and thinking. In addition to their intrinsic value, the arts contribute to children's development. Recent research shows that study in music improves test scores in spatial temporal reasoning in young children (Rauscher, 1997).
Works of art are some of the highest achievements of civilization. In school, students learn the language of the arts and how to interpret visual images, sounds, movement and story. Because the arts are both universal and culturally specific, they are a powerful means of increasing international and intercultural awareness. Through the arts, students gain a greater understanding of their own cultural heritage, as well as a sense of the larger world community.
The Illinois Learning Standards in the Fine Arts address the language of the fine arts, sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive qualities and how the arts are similar, different or related to each other. Students also learn about production and performance in the arts and the role of the arts in civilization. When students study the arts they become informed audience members and informed consumers of the popular culture including electronic media. The standards in fine arts define a comprehensive arts education and reflect a commitment to a quality education for every Illinois school child.
Applications of Learning
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and deepen their understanding of basic knowledge and skills. These applied learning skills cross academic disciplines and reinforce the important learning of the disciplines. The ability to use these skills will greatly influence students' success in school, in the workplace and in the community.
Solving Problems
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose solutions supported by reason and evidence.
Problem solving is integral to the artsproviding students the opportunity to innovate and seek original solutions to open-ended problems. Multiple solutions are constructed using various sensory modes, traditional and electronic media and tools, and individual and group experiences. Students learn the relationships between processes and end products; they learn to communicate ideas, themes and meaning through solving problems in their art work.
Express and interpret information and ideas.
The arts are forms of communication extending beyond reading, writing, listening and speaking. Communicating in the fine arts means learning to translate ideas through dance, drama, music and visual arts. Students also participate in the communication process as receivers observing, analyzing, evaluating, critiquing and interacting.
Using Technology
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate results.
Computers, synthesizers, film and video provide opportunities to create and record sound composition, animated images, montages and other works. These experiences can lead to careers in areas such as music, graphic arts, video and film production, scene design and choreography. Technology (CD-ROM, slides, film, video, laserdisk, on-line services) also can link the classroom with the work of renowned artists and performers.
Working on Teams
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members of groups.
Individual creativity and inspiration are at the heart of the arts, but so are collaboration and group dynamics. Teamwork activities include planning dramatic scenes, developing choreography, creating group murals and performing music in ensembles. These activities give students experience in communicating ideas, considering the ideas of others and reaching consensus.
Making Connections
Recognize and apply connections of important information and ideas within and among learning areas.
Through the arts, students observe how dance, drama, music and visual art reflect history, society and everyday life. They see links between the individual and society in the creation and understanding of works of art. The arts relate to and reinforce other learning areasfor example, dance and the language arts (action relating to words and poetry), drama and social science (theatre conveying history and culture), music and mathematics (note duration expressed in fractions),


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Prosecutors will argue that Brent violated conditions of his bond and will seek to have it revoked before he goes to trial on a manslaughter charge in the death of former teammate Jerry Brown.
Brent's vehicle crashed on Dec. 8 in Irving, Texas, and Brown, a passenger, was killed. Brent's blood-alcohol level reportedly was twice the legal limit.
Brent's hearing on at 10 a.m. ET will be before Dallas judge Robert Burns.
According to ESPN.com, Brent says he didn't drink alcohol and that his attorneys were trying to find out how alcohol got into his system. ESPN also reported that the device has gone off several times.
Brent is awaiting trial on charges of intoxication manslaughter in Brown's death. He is free on $100,000 bond.


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May 22, 2012—Kelsey Brummel of Sheridan received the 2012 Outstanding Major in Marketing Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.
Brummel is a senior majoring in marketing with a minor in interactive media studies/convergent media. She is the daughter of Don and Marcee Brummel and a graduate of Somonauk High School.
She is active in the College's Entrepreneurship and International Business Organization (EIBO) and was among a group of students who developed an international export strategy for a Naperville business. Together, they gave an oral presentation based on their work at North Central's 2012 Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research. She also gave a presentation titled "The Proliferation of International Education" at the Academy of International Business in Florida in fall 2011.
Brummel's name regularly appears on the College's Dean's List, which recognizes students with high academic achievement.


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By Sean Greene 7:35pm, April 27, 2013 - Updated 2:14pm, April 28, 2013
VIDEO: Sixers management and Sen. Chris Coons discuss the impact of a D-League team in Delaware.The Philadelphia 76ers have announced the purchase of an NBA D-League team and will place them in Newark under the name "Delaware 87ers" next season.
The team will become the 6th D-League team to be owned entirely by an NBA franchise, and wants to be nicknamed the "Sevens" when they open up play in the 2013-2014 season which runs from November to April.
The 76ers join Cleveland, San Antonio, Golden State, Oklahoma City, and the Knicks as teams that own 100% of franchises in the now-17 member league.
87ers was selected as the team name in tribute to December, 7, 1787, the day Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution.
Some of the other team names in the league include the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Maine Red Claws, Reno Bighorns, and the Tulsa 66ers. The league was founded in 2001 and all teams have an affiliation with at least one NBA franchise. The Sixers had been connected to the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce along with three other teams.
There is an 8-round NBA D-League Draft which will help construct the Sevens roster, which also has allocated spots for locally based players, players owned by the parents club, and players who have previously played for the franchise.
According to the team's website, single game ticket prices for the 87ers run from $9 for bleacher seats to $125-$150 for floor seats, with the higher price coming near center court.
The team will play its games at the Bob Carpenter Center, with a yet-announced training location, with the team's offices located in Wilmington.
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Here at Kids Crooked House, we believe it's the right of every child to experience the joy of active, imaginative play. Our award-winning construction and designs are intended to inspire families of all shapes and sizes. Whimsical shapes, uniquely crooked roofs, curious angles, hand-crafted in Maine from sustainably harvested wood, in a rainbow of colors and delivered right to your doorstep.
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2009's "Your Season Has Come."
Soooooo remember the Mets' slogan of 2007? That brassy, cocky declaration that "Your season has come"? The Mets have since learned their lesson the hard(est) way, and they no longer base their slogans on events that haven't happened yet. No, now that enough of the season has passed, the Mets' crack marketing team has begun its work on the slogan for 2009. Our season has not come. So what will our slogan be instead?
Pick Me Up Some Mets has received these mock-ups exclusively from a source within the organization. Here are the slogan ideas in the running to capture the essence of 2009. Got a favorite?
Oh, Mets.
6 Comments
I have one that I've been floating around for a few months. it's not exactly a slogan for next year.
Mets 2012: Rejuvenated at 50!
Love these. Oddly enough, posted something similar at Upper Deck's blog today: http://upperdeckblog.com/2009/08/o-pee-chee-baseball-2009-new-york-mets-checklist/.
What can you do, other than have a sense of humor about it?🙂
2009 Mets.
Your OFF SEASON has come.
2009 Mets;
Your OFF SEASON has come.
2009 Mets;
Your OFF SEASON has come.
Hilarious. Rough year for you guys, huh? I know those very well. When you're healthy, next year, I can see you guys being something strong.


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USS Yangtzee Kiang
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The USS Yangtzee Kiang was a 24th century Federation Danube-class runabout operated by Starfleet. This ship was assigned to Deep Space 9.
One of the first three runabouts assigned to Deep Space 9, the Yangtzee Kiang was delivered to the station by the USS Enterprise-D shortly before stardate 46388. Following the disappearance of the USS Rio Grande into what would later be known as the Bajoran wormhole, the Yangtzee Kiang, commanded by Kira Nerys, pursued a Cardassian Galor-class cruiser under the command of Gul Dukat, who was attempting to open the phenomenon. The Yangtzee was unsuccessful, and was witness to the wormhole's temporary sealing shortly after. (DS9: "Emissary")
Not long after, the Yangtzee Kiang was used by Bajoran terrorist Tahna Los in an attempt to destroy the wormhole using a bilitrium-based explosive device. After rendezvousing with a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, his attempt was thwarted by Major Kira. (DS9: "Past Prologue")
Later that year, the Yangtzee Kiang took Kai Opaka through the wormhole to visit the Gamma Quadrant, where it crashed on a penal moon 0.35 light years from the Idran system terminus. The Yangtzee Kiang had received a mysterious subspace signal from an artificial satellite orbiting the moon and was fired upon in orbit. The vessel was unrecoverable. (DS9: "Battle Lines")
The Yangtzee Kiang was replaced at Deep Space 9 by the USS Orinoco. (DS9: "The Siege")
|Danube-class runabouts
|USS Gander • USS Ganges • USS Mekong • USS Orinoco • USS Rio Grande • USS Rubicon • USS Shenandoah • USS Volga • USS Yangtzee Kiang • USS Yukon • NCC-73918 • Unnamed
External linksEdit
- USS Yangtzee Kiang at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works


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Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen feels it's very important for Ryan Johansen's contract situation to be settled before training camp opens in a about a month from now.
Sam Gagner led the Blue Jackets to a 4-1 victory on Monday with two goals and two assists.
Marcus Johansson scored two goals, including the overtime marker, in Washington's 3-2 win over Buffalo Monday night.
Bryan Rust had a hat trick and registered an assist to lead the Penguins in an 8-5 victory over Ottawa Monday night.
Matt Beleskey will miss six weeks because of a knee injury.
Zdeno Chara will return to the lineup on Monday.
The Montreal Canadiens are terming Alex Galchenyuk (leg) as "out indefinitely."
Anthony Duclair will be a healthy scratch on Monday.
Taylor Fedun's previously undisclosed injury is a shoulder issue.
It looks like Louis Domingue will play between the pipes Monday night.
Jhonas Enroth has been placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Zdeno Chara (lower body) will probably return on Monday.


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R.A.D. Systems - basic self defense classes for women will begin again in September, 2010. The class requires a total of twelve hours of participation. To Pre-register or for more information please contact Sgt. Kathryn H. Allen at LUPD 592.3049 or email email@example.com
FAX 434-582-7616 (24hr) E-Mail email@example.com
Non-Emergency Phone # 592-7641 Emergency Phone Dial # 3911