text:
TEXAS RECORD: Finished fifth in the spring race.
LOOKING AHEAD: Logano said, "We want to go out there and contend to win all three of these races. I feel like we have a good shot at winning all of them for sure. We've been really good on the 1.5-mile tracks this year and two of the final three are mile-and-a-halves. That has been our strong point this season. And then you add Phoenix on top of that and we ran top-10 all day there in just our second race together earlier this year before we had fuel issues late in the race."
LOOKING BACK: Logano was not pleased with his 14th-place finish at Martinsville. "That was not the type of finish that we envisioned coming out of practice on Friday and Saturday," said Logano, who started sixth. "I felt like we had a car that was capable of winning or at least running in the top five. We were looking good early. We got off a bit on our adjustments, but we went back on them and the car was pretty good. Then about halfway through the race we got off sequence with our pit stops and that really hurt us. We got stuck out on the track with older tires and never got the yellow flag that we thought would come. So we fell back and lost all of our track position and spent the rest of the day trying to get it back."
ETC.: Like most kids, Halloween was one of Logano's favorite "holidays" when he was growing up. He said one of his favorite memories was when he and his roommate and friend Coleman Pressley dressed up as the lead characters from the movie "Dumb and Dumber." Logano laughs as he adds he also used to dress up as a race car driver when he was a kid.
39 RYAN NEWMAN, Chevrolet
Team: Stewart-Haas Racing
WHERE HE STANDS: 12th, 106 points out of first place. Lost one spot last week.
TEXAS RECORD: One win and four top-10 finishes in 20 starts including a 10th in the spring race.
LOOKING AHEAD: Newman said, "I always look forward to racing at Texas. I love the speed at Texas. It's a fast race track. Texas is actually one of the fastest tracks we go to all year, so you have to be at the top of your game because things can happen pretty quickly. It's a track I've always liked, although it doesn't necessarily show in my finishes."
LOOKING BACK: On the restart with 185 laps to go, Newman dived underneath Kevin Harvick. But as Newman moved up the race track, he was not clear of Harvick. The two made contact with Newman spinning backwards into the first-turn wall. The damage was severe enough that Newman was forced to go to the garage area for repairs. He returned 65 laps later to finish 38th. "We were making progress," said Newman. "We didn't start out the day too strong, but I felt like we had a chance to come out of it with a good finish. I don't know what happened there with the 29 car. The next thing I know, I'm in the wall."
ETC.: In looking back at the 2013 season, Newman feels "we've been good at times this season, but not as consistent as we needed to be to be a contender for the championship. Having said that, we aren't just going to give up on the rest of the season. Our goal is to get back into the top-10. I think we're 30 points out of the top 10 heading into Texas. I want to be one of the drivers getting up on the stage at the (championship) banquet in Las Vegas."
5 KASEY KAHNE, Chevrolet
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
WHERE HE STANDS: 13th, 124 points out of first place.
TEXAS RECORD: One win and five top-10 finishes including four top-five's in 18 starts.
LOOKING AHEAD: Kahne believes the new Gen-6 car makes it easier for drivers to run well at 1.5-mile tracks like Texas. "As a driver, it just gives you more overall grip so you can just push harder. You can push harder on entry (into the corner), pick the throttle up, be underneath another car and not be so worried about losing it, getting loose, sliding, spinning out or any of that stuff. I think it just gives you just a little bit more security with what you are doing."
LOOKING BACK: On a restart with 320 laps to go, the inside line got jammed up behind leader Jeff Burton, who spun his tires as the green flag was waved. Kahne slowed but was hit from behind by Denny Hamlin. The contact sent Kahne spinning into the second-turn wall. He was four laps down by the time he returned to the track as he finished 27th. "We had a pretty decent car," said Kahne. "I thought we might end up with a pretty good day. But everything got jammed up on that one restart and I got the worse of it. Just another frustrating day."
ETC.: Kahne will be racing of his favorite cars this weekend at Texas. Kahne finished third in the car at Indianapolis and seventh at Michigan. He also drove it at Chicagoland Speedway in September and finished 12th. "We just have a lot of confidence in this car," said crew chief Kenny Francis. "We have high hopes for it this weekend. We want to finish the season on a high note, beginning with Texas."


text:
Back in March, I disagreed with the notion that the Phillies roster needed detonation, as was then being advocated by Jonah Keri of Grantland.com. I thought there were too many pieces still in place to have that outlook going into 2013… that this veteran group had a legitimate shot at contention if enough went right.
Then the season started. To be fair to myself, the performances of Domonic Brown, Chase Utley (when healthy) and Cliff Lee have proven me partially right – there was some gas left in the tank. But the simultaneous play of Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Roy Halladay and nearly the entire bullpen has made it obvious that this core group needs to be broken up.
Keri hasn't let up on his assertion that the Phillies are running themselves into the ground, which came to a head last week in his NL East Trade Deadline Preview. He again advocated a fire sale and hurled some vitriol-filled grenades towards the Phils front office. From Keri:
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and his bosses are either delusional, in denial, terribly misguided, or all of the above. Sure, making drastic changes to a team that's ascended to elite revenue-generating status thanks to big crowds and a pending TV megascore carries risk. But so too does clinging to a group of fading veterans and watching them limit the Phillies to a string of 75-win seasons.
At this point, I'd have to agree. Three months ago, Howard's hot March drummed up some confidence that he could still be a legitimate contributor. He was 18 months from tearing his Achilles on that fateful October night… the night that now looks like the official end to this elite era of Phillies baseball. As of Wednesday, he's (literally) hobbling along with a WAR of 0.3, on pace for 19 home runs and still owed nearly $100 million. Before last night, he hadn't had a hit since June 23.
His contract is an anchor around this organization's neck… an anchor that isn't going anywhere. With him making $25 million a year, it will be awful hard for the Phillies to compete with the rest of their big-time contributors also making eight figure salaries per season. The team will likely be locked into mediocrity – 75-win seasons, if you will – which brings us full circle to Keri.
We are getting slammed with Phils trade rumors every day and that is likely to continue up until the trade deadline. The front office has said plenty of head-scratching things in the last few weeks. But until July 31 passes, it is hard to kill them. Once it does, if the pack of highly paid 30-somethings still inhabits the locker room at Citizen's Bank Park, it should be open season on the Phillies brass.
Like Keri, I think that if Amaro holds onto most or even some of these guys, he is delusional. He's said his job is to put a contending team on the field every year and that players like Lee and Papelbon make that easier to do (courtesy of Jayson Stark). Given the make-up of the other 23 roster spots, I couldn't disagree more. For the past year and a half, we've seen what this team is capable of… and it's not contention.
There's been talk about how Amaro has to try to sell the fans on this team as a contender in order to keep his job or to protect his image – talk that he has backed up through the content of interviews like the Stark one referenced above. That idea looks a bit counterintuitive from here. Unless he takes action and cashes in the trade chips he has, what is sure to result on the field is what will make him look incompetent enough to lose his job (in theory at least, it sure seems like ownership is loyal to RAJ).
Keri references a Daily News story from a few weeks back that compared the Phillies to the Cubs and their downfall after 2008. Sure, the situations are different, but the theory is sound. If this group continues to decline, and all indications are that they will, it is that spiraling performance that should seal Amaro's fate… not a well-intentioned attempt to fix what he messed up.
At the very least, Utley, Rollins, Jonathan Papelbon and Michael Young need to go. All four players are approaching the end of their deals and, outside of Young, have significant value. As Keri indicates, a mediocre team carrying $13 million at the closer position is a ridiculous luxury. An argument can be made for dealing Cliff Lee too. If he doesn't get dealt, the team around him likely won't be good enough for his still-intact abilities to matter.
For the first time in a while, pitching is easier to find than hitting (which also makes Amaro and his rotation money drop look terrible, but that is for another day). This season should close the book on an era of Phillies baseball in which they created an elite offensive with a cheap, homegrown nucleus, and then filled in the holes around that group. This free agent marketplace – in which nearly no elite hitters become available until after their 30th birthday – should make the Phils eager to do the same thing all over again.
It looks like they have one staple in Brown. They hope they have another in the pipeline in Maikel Franco, who we've heard plenty about of late. It's time to get more, and then build from there. Just to throw a name out there, maybe the Phillies can pry an Avisail Garcia-type (near-ready) from the Tigers for Papelbon in addition to the hauls they get for their other stars. It could turn an aging team that is going nowhere into a solid young nucleus with a ton of money to spend. It seems like a no-brainer, which is why Amaro clinging to this group seems so impetuous. He now has 28 days to show us it was all a ploy.
71 Comments
Amaro and logic in the opening title of a column?
A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g., faith unfaithful kept him falsely true).
I don't get the Howard Achilles injury excuse thing.
Any of you take the time to look at his 2011 numbers before that happened?
Which continued a slide.
I guess its a nice narrative that he was elite till that injury but it is not true.
The last time he was elite was NLCS in 2009
Since the WS in 2009
Look at the OPS in each playoff series since then.
His decline has mirrored the decline of the franchise. Right down to his .406 OPS in that last playoff series vs the Cardinals. Which was before the injury.
This line up wasn't good enough to win a title in 2011 with an all time great pitching staff.
I guess I should be happy that 2 years later people see what I was seeing opening day of 2011.
But instead I just scratch my head.
I reiterate.
Deal away.
Until Ruben and Manuel are gone there is no hope.
I think you could even contend with Howard with the right GM and manager.
You cannot with this arrangement.
I still think this team has a decent shot at the playoffs. The Braves will crumble. They rely too much on home runs and a team .240 batting avg(that's a guess) is bound to fall off. Also, the Phillies have been great in the second half with this core group of players. In 2010, they were 48-46 a week after the all-star break and ended the season at 97-65. No need to rush into anything. Take your time Ruben.
Team batting average being used as a meaningful statistic? What is this, the 1950s? Yeesh. There is no proof that the Braves will "crumble." In fact, if anything I bet they surge back, since there is no way the Upton Brothers are *this* bad, and Gattis will return from the DL soon. The Braves will make moves too, and are simply a much better team than the Phils, as the upcoming series will definitely show.
not agreeing that the phils will compete, but for the sake of clarity, the upton brothers have ALWAYS been this bad. they suck. and those contracts are terrible.
Are you serious? BJ Upton has a career .750 OPS with awesome defense in CF (which is about the same batting line as Rollins), while Justin's career .837 OPS is among the active leaders at that position.
Feel free to contradict me with actual facts than baseless, stupid characterizations
You are delusional if you think this team will be in contention come August. They will begin to fall apart, in the standings and the clubhouse. Cliff Lee will get tired of the non-chalant attitude of Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels and the position players will end up at odds. This roster aside from Lee, Utley and Hamels sucks. And even Utley and Hamels' performance this season are pretty mediocre. They have been great in second halves, but Howard is a shell of his former self, can Utley hold up? The Phillies themselves have that aura that they can STILL win with the long ball…NEWS FLASH – Jimmy and Ryan aren't hitting them!!! Delmon has done nothing offensively, which makes his lack of D even MORE painful to watch. This team will NOT finish .500. 2010 when they finished strong was 3 seasons ago, with a completely healthy Halladay and fairly healthy core, with others that contributed heavily (Victorino, Werth) and Howard hitting near 50 HR's and 4 others over or near 20 HR's (Werth, Jimmy, Chase, Victorino.) Get over it. SELL because the ONLY one we can't sell is the worst contract on the books, Howard, and his declining health and that contract are going to be a drain on the organization AND a target of criticism on him and Amaro. He is no longer the center of a franchise like his salary would otherwise indicate.
@Johnny7, that's a lot of speculation on who will get tired of who. Also, your list of who doesn't suck is missing Brown (possible All-Star) and Rollins (at least average).
But the one thing that's most off base is calling Utley's performance mediocre. Here is where he ranks among all second basemen this year:
4th best hitter (by wRC+)…
– Kipnis 152, Carpenter 149, Cano 140, UTLEY 136, Kendrick 132
4th most runs saved (by UZR)…
– Barney 6.7, Carpenter 5.9, Phillies 5.9, UTLEY 5.8, Infante 5.5
Best fielder (UZR per 162G)…
– UTLEY 17.4, Barney 16.4, Phillies 12.7, Carpenter 12.4, Infante 12.0
Overall, despite missing a month of the season, he's been the 5th most valuable MLB second baseman:
– Carpenter 4.1, Pedroia 3.3, Kipnis 3.2, Cano 2.9, UTLEY 2.5
Adjusting for playing time, Utley has been the 2nd best second baseman in the game when on the field (WAR per 700 PA):
– Carpenter 8.1, UTLEY 7.7, Kipnis 6.9, Pedroia 6.1, Cano 5.7
(Phillies should be Phillips)
In fact, Utley deserves to be at the All-Star game.
I misread that you called that night ( game 5 cardinals series) the end of the Phillies being elite to you saying Howard being elite.
I apologize.
There are many here who think the injury was the start. There are also some here who still think he is one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Its moot now as my take on him is now the given.
It is sad watching him play. Sometimes I wish he wasn't a class individual because it would be easy to dislike him.
Your take on him is what ive been saying for a long time. So no arguing from me.
Would you rather the Phillies let Ruben make 5 deals ?
Or the Phillies remove Ruben and Charlie and go from there?
Id rather the second of those 2 scenarios then let Ruben continue to do long term damage.
As for the old man. Charlie is my favorite person to ever put on the uniform. There should be a statue of him put in front of the stadium ( while he is still alive in the next 3-5 years). The only Phillie Id say that for since Schmidt.
But its time for the team to move on.
Move Howard to 7th or 8th in the batting order NOW! He in no way is a clean-up hitter anymore. Deal Michael Young and Papelbon, heck the entire bullpen should be sold, but try to retain Lee if at all possible. I love this team and it is heartbreaking to watch them night after night struggle with each at-bat, let alone defensively. All in all, RAJ has to go.
Can't fire Manuel mid season. He has EARNED more than that. Play out his contract (end of this season) and then respectfully said good bye!
Why does everyone want Ryno? What's he done so great? Have u seen him as the 3B coach?
And @chris c'mon man. They can still contend??? Someone a while back posted what their winning percentage needed to be for like 85 wins and it was high.
because he's someone they've heard of. if he was ryne miller instead of sandberg nobody would be clamoring for him to manage this team. to be honest, we don't know a damned thing about his managing abilities.
Rare that I agree with the columnists here. But I agree with you.
A manager that was beholden to the old guys would be a good thing.
For example even though Howard broke his slump last night. The Pirates are throwing a lefthander at the Phillies tonight. The likely scenario is he will be trotter out there ( hitting 4th no less) and it will only take away any progress made last night.
I want a manager that will manage to win games. By hook or crook. Forget egos or past numbers or contracts etc etc.
Who will start OJ Simpson at first and Charles Manson at 3rd if it means winning a game.
I just don't see that here. I see a team and a manager that pretends its still 2008. 2008 was great but its now 2013.
Agree he is just a patsy though and this teams performance and decline is 90% RAJs doing.
First, you need a face in the lineup everyday with this up-coming TV deal. Chase Utley is still the friggen man, and he'll probaby sign team friendly again given his injury history. We need him around till he really doesn't want to play anymore. Cesar Hernandez can fill in just fine when he isn't there or when he gets days off.
Secondly, Michael Young has value what are you talking about, clubhouse guy, versatile, and if you had not noticed he is hitting the ball.
The players that need to be moved are Rollins, Paps and Young. It will be hard pressed to find someone willing to take on Howard's deal and eating that much salary won't be justified with whoever he's replaced with. Instead get a manager not afraid to play the statistics in order to win. Howard can still hit right handers, and uh darin ruf can hit left handers check the stats. The other benefit to platooning those two is that you can bring howard off the bench to pinch hit where he is hitting .390 with 5 bombs and slugging over 900 with an OPS a few points under 1.400.
Frandsen can start every day at third or we can even platoon him with Cody Asche, that way Asche gets at bats against pitching he should hit better and Frandsen is getting more time because well HE NEEDS IT. Fill right field by landing hopefully Avisail Garcia ( which has been mentioned before me) and attempt to go after Jacoby in free agency. 2 years at 15/year or something, but try hard to land him here. Revere can be a running threat off the bench or eventually traded if they see it fit. At short it is time to give Freddy the bulk of the work, we know he won't screw it up on defense.
That is a hell of a lot more competitive team to me. Oh and keep Chooch because who the he'll be able to teach whoever is next. If Amaro plans to keep some of these guys around which he probably will, they need to be played effectively by a new manager. Or the people above Rube could realize he is a buffoon and we need a GM who can play today's game.
Chase means way more to the Phillies than Beltran ever did to all of the teams he has played on, but true winning is more valuable to the TV deal. You don't believe Young or J-roll can net us some decent prospects going to teams that need help at those positions / experience, especially since neither are too too expensive.
Aside from maybe the Astros for Beltran.
I agree with blowing up some of the core. I disagree with trading Utley unless he comes with a big haul, which he won't. On the trade market, he'll get some mid-level prospects and maybe a major league ready utility guy. His value to the team in terms of leadership and the fact that he is still one of the better fielding and hitting second basemen in baseball tells me that he could still provide value on a reasonable deal (I think a Victorino-type deal – 3/$40-ish million). To be quite frank, Ruben should be shopping Howard to AL teams looking for a big lefty DH and be ready to eat a ton of that contract. Michael Young can provide some value to an AL team, as well. Demon Young needs to be released and Mayberry needs to be playing RF. I'm still not 100% sure of getting rid of Rollins, despite his offensive slide.
Getting rid of Hamels at this point by trade would not get a very good return because of the "what have you done for me lately" philosophy, so trying to trade him would be a poor choice unless they believe this is his new normal. Trading Lee, as much as I hate to admit it, would likely get the biggest return. Trading Papelbon at this point, seems like a no-brainer to me. He reminds me too much of Billy Wagner with his attitude and keeping him around isn't going to help the team in any demonstrable way to get back in to contention even if it is going to happen.
the only guy I wouldn't trade is Lee. and maybe I am delusional too, but I think this organization can compete in the next couple of years. not this year. they're obviously not competing this year. but you can retool with a few trades and compete next year for sure.
Lee, Utley and Ruiz should be kept..
Barring a surprisingly high offer for them, I agree G7.
Papelbon is a must trade so is delmon young and michael young if there is a market. And I would attempt to trade ryan howard over rollins or utley. I think Jimmy and Chase are better to the phillies than the haul you could get for them.
Great article.
Very refreshing to read an article that is showing some tough love for our beloved Phillies.
I've had enough of sports writers trying to be buddies and protecting Amaro and Charlie (Hi Zolecki!)
Let the gloves come off.
And I agree that it's unlikely that Amaro will do the right thing. Trading as much as possible.
Which is ridiculous, considering how Boston traded big, dysfunctional, chunks of their roster last year with a great return.
Signing Howard to that contract was the dumbest idea ever. He's OVERRATED. Sad that the rest of the veterans will most likely be traded. Amaro has driven this team into the ground.
"2011 lineup wasn't good enough to win a title."
How ridiculous is this statement, apparently the lineup was good enough to win over 100 games..which doesn't happen every year..so I think the lineup was good enough to win a title!
seriously. what a bunch of nonsense. ppl want to tell themselves that luck has nothing to do with it. neither does circumstance. gimme a break. the 2011 team is the best team in phillies history. way way way better than the 2008 team by every conceivable measure. they just didn't get the ball to roll their way in the playoffs.
The 2011 team was winning 100 games because of the staff from day 1.
Again go back and read what I said all year.
The line up particularly Howard was easily defensible.
Lasrussa with a very questionable bull pen exploited it over and over again.
How many times did Arthur Rhodes do 3 pitch strike outs after they basically pitched around the Phillies line up to get to him?
That line up wasn't good enough to win the FIRST ROUND of the playoffs with a top 5 all time greatest pitching staff.
Yea they could have won 135 games. With that staff and a good line up they might have.
But with the line up they had they were NEVER winning a title.
These are the types of comments that piss me off.
I predicted that series right down to 1-0 in game 5 BEFORE it happened.
Oh but I am crazy. As ive predicted everything now for 4 years. Almost 100% correctly.
Of course the lineup was good enough…that's baseball, which obviously you don't understand the game..
No the line up wasn't good enough.
Looking back it wasn't good enough in 2010 either.
And here it is 2013 and tis same core players.
If the line up was good enough in 2011 they would have won.
Its not luck when they lose game five 1-0 and no one I knew was surprised.
Most of the non kool aid drinkers saw it coming.
But I digress.
Believe what you want. Have had people in this very thread state this team can contend this year and Howard still has value.
I stopped trying to correct everyone a long time ago.
Think what you want.
I wish I had been wrong and they would have won. And were still good now.
Sadly I wasn't.
The best team doesn't always win, of course. A 5 or even 7-game series isn't evough of a sample for the better team to win more than – what? 60% of the time? Weaker teams win series all the time during the season, so it's not surprising when it happens in the postseason, when teams are much more evenly matches.
Agreeing with Schmenkman on this one as the 2008 team was inferior to the Rays.
"Oh but I am crazy. As ive predicted everything now for 4 years. Almost 100% correctly"
laughin my damn buns off
Is it a possibility that they put Howard on waivers, when that period comes, and if someone claims him we let him go, just to get out from under that contract?
Yes it is a positive that Howard is out of the line up tonight.
Let them blame the knee all they that want.
Its a start and Id like to think they are reading me here for guidance 🙂
Also waiving Howard is great no one is taking on the contract.
His value is none.
You will maybe at some time in a couple of years trade a prospect or 2 with Howard AND pay 15-20 million of Howard contract for nothing in return and gain some relief salary wise.
so you would pay him 18 million to DH for the Yankees to free up 7 million of pay roll in 2015 or 2016.
That's his value. Trading him for Clayton Kershaw isn't happening. OK?
His value is less than 0 because no one will eat the contract, Not even the Yankees.
To pretend there is anymore value is being silly.
Trust me..they are not reading you..stick to your fantasy league..
Good post.
The Kool Aid drinkers need to not only look at the Phillies, but the rest of the division.
Nationals and Braves are already better teams than Phillies. Mets have some promising young players with Harvey, Wheeler et al , so they may already be better than Phillies next year.
And Miami could be a pretty good team in 2-3 years. Certainly they will be better next year than this year.
So Phillies hanging on to the old guard will only prolong a much needed generation shift.
It could get real ugly before it gets better.
Rollins still has another year left of his contract. The offense is based around Howard. I think if he was still healthy and not struggling as much we could compete. The bullpen is a mess thats what costing us. They are hitting better but cannot seem to get them runners home. The offense is still based on the old model of hitting home runs and Howard been a elite (HR) hitter. If the offense is clicking the pitching aint or some other issues. They cant seem to get all facets of the game working together in one game.
Let's see how the team is doing in the last week of July. Maybe the bullpen will get it together. They certainly have a lot of good arms out there. I didn't expect anything out of J.C. Ramirez and he has gone 4 innings without giving up a hit. I am not surprised with the mediocre performance of the team so far this year. But let's put it this way. When the team was 12 games under .500 at the trading deadline last year, nobody gave them any shot but they did make an exciting run. Things can happen quickly. The Dodgers, Angels and Blue Jays all looked like they were hopeless this year. Now those teams are possible contenders. In 2010, the Phillies were 48-46 and looked like a subpar team after a 1-6 stretch in Chicago and St.Louis. Then they finished with 98 wins even after getting swept at home by the Houston Astros. The Phillies have a good starting staff and could be much better if Hamels pitchers as he is capable of doing. This is a crazy game. Who could have guessed that the Yankees would be 5 games over .500 with Jeter, ARod, Texeira, Granderson and Youkalis out for most of the year? Last year, Eric Kratz and Keven Frandsen, gave the team a real spark that nobody could have expected. Things can change from game to game and week to week. Two weeks ago, Ryan Howard got on a tear on the homestand and pounded 3 homeruns and several extrabase hits. Last week, he couldn't hit anything.
Unfortunately, Avisail Garcia is exactly the kind of non-prospect Amaro would target. Under 20 walks per season in the minors, doesn't have much power, but he can hit for average and run a little. Just the athletic out-machine that Amaro lusts for. I fear it's the best we can hope for in exchange for Jonathan Papelbon. There are only a few GMs dumb enough and/or rich enough to spend $13 M on a 60 inning pitcher. And the Phillies have one of them. Dreams of a blockbuster deal are just dreams. Simply getting someone to take on the salary would be an accomplishment.
I don't care all that much for him either, I said so the other day. The Tigers are the ones that are desperate. They are facing a window similar to the one we had in 09, they have to win now. My (faint) hope is the Phils brass is telling them it's Castellanos or no deal.
Oh and believe me, Mr. pizza guy can afford Paps, he goes over the head of his GM and spends like a drunken sailor when he wants someone.
Why would Detroit want Papelbon when they could have John Axeford or K Rod or Bobby Parnell? One important reason is that Papelbon has taken the ball in big series before and succeeded whereas the others have not. The point is that desperate teams will overpay for a piece they perceive will put them over the top a la Hunter Pence and the Phillies in 2011.
Any doubts that this team is cooked have been put to bed over the last week. Howard at 20 million plus is sitting because of a left handed pitcher is starting for the third time in the last five games. Your 144 million dollar"ace" is pushing back a start to "clear his head." If they are hurt DL them. i believe that the Hamels contract will become the Zito contract before long.
They should trade Paps for Avasail Garcia and then trade him and Dom Brown to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. Trade Utley for Joc Pederson. Your outfield will be fast and dangerous with Revere in the middle and really young. Trade Young and Rollins bring up Asche and Galvis. Try to get quality young relievers for each. Put Hernandez on second and platoon Howard with Ruf. If Asche and Hernandez don't work out you bringup Franco and maybe sign a second base man. Resign Chooch and you keep your pitching staff in tact. Fire Manuel and Sandberg will take the young kids to the World Series.
Wow I've never read a post by someone high on bath salts before
I find it absolutely amazing that people want Galvis at SS right now instead of Rollins. Jimmy might be a slacker at times, but he's still playing good defense and has outhit Galvis by a mile both last year and this. (Galvis's ML batting average is .218. I don't feel like looking up his OPS, but with that average, it can't be very good.)
The team needs new blood, but I'd hope it's not iron-deficient an anemic new blood.
Doesn't matter..Jimmy is not a good role model..Galvis plays hard, and will be a solid defensive shortstop..
lmao what a bunch of pseudo-racist tripe.
That's true if I'm gonna bring up bunch of youngsters I want them to learn from a guy like Utley, play hard and don't take it for granted, lun ike some of our other "stars"
Unlike.. must have had too much to drink already
Hey, in case anyone hasn't noticed, Rollins is not the only alleged "role model" on the team. There are 24 other players, plus a manager and several coaches. Sometimes there's also a lot to learn by watching how NOT to do things.
One other thing: Galvis might play hard and will be a good defensive SS. That doesn't mean he's good right now. He's had limited experience above AA, and it's pretty obvious he needs to learn a bit more hitting-wise before he's ready for the majors.
I agree Galvis isn't the answer now… Idk if he ever will be, he's good defensively, but his hitting is real bad and needs a lot more work to say the least
You forgot to mention beloved Chooch, who has lost a step , an out at the plate and could not throw out my grandmother since his suspension…
Get real..
Can anyone explain the justification of keeping Ryan Howard? How do you explain his inability to adjust his stance and swing to put the ball into left field? Is anyone tired of watching him strike out with men in scoring position or not hitting a sacrifice fly or how about not being able to recognize a ball vs. a strike? Trade this guy to the American League and let him DH, he isn't making it as a clean up hitter now! 25 mil a year for a .260 hitter that maybe gives you a few winning hits a season, either trade him, renegotiate his salary or use him as a pitch hitter – at least it would only be one out a game.
George B.
– he makes $20 mil this year, and $25 mil starting in 2014
– for all his issues, as recently as 2011 he was the 2nd best hitter on the team
– even this year, since mid-May he's been the 3rd best hitter on the team, hitting .290, with a .360 OBP, and .489 slugging pct (.849 OPS)
By the way, he has come up with a runner on 3rd and less than two out 25 times this year, and has gotten the run home 15 of those times, or 60% of the time. The MLB average is 51%. There are 108 players in the NL with 10+ of those opportunities, and Howard ranks 21st out of the 108 in getting the runner home.
Since their amazing start ended, the Braves have been as bad as us. Washington isn't great either. We still have a shot, and selling will just cripple this team for years to come. When was the last time a team that sold everyone and fielded a minor league caliber club got anywhere? Look at the Marlins and Astros. Nobody signs with them either. I don't know about some of you "fans," but I don't want to go back to the 90s and being a bad club
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subset: commoncrawl


text: RSS Events Feeds ProSeed Venture Advantage Business Model Design 5/22/2013 8:30 AM - 5/24/2013 4:30 PM Is built on the successful Business Model Generation approach by Alex Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. You begin by learning how to design a business model that works, and then you'll map your current business model and analyze it against the backdrop of your business environment. You'll generate a S.W.O.T Analysis and armed with all of this information you'll create new business models to drive growth. Learn More: ProSeed Venture Advantage Business Model Design


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The versatile specialist with excellent handling and operating economy.
4×2, 6×2, 6×4, 8×2 or 8×4
D11 or D13 (330 to 480 hp)
The new Volvo FMX
Volvo FMX Classic
The new Volvo FM
Volvo FM Classic
Good visibility is crucial when you navigate through dense traffic or crowded streets. From inside the Volvo FM it's great, because the cab sits low on the chassis and the windscreen is large.
A quick way to dry your clothes, towels and shoes. Fits on the upper bunk or cab wall. Energy-efficient, quiet and easy to store away folded.
The new, gently curved dash not only looks appealing. It's designed for an ergonomic and comfortable driving position with all controls, instruments and storages within easy reach.
Whatever you want to listen to, the audio system won't stop you. Mp3, wma or iTunes m4a? From CDs, USB stick, iPod or via the aux input? Anything goes. View the complete specifications.
Every driver knows the value of a good seat. The one in the new Volvo FM can be adjusted 20 cm fore-aft and 10 cm vertically. And it features a new cushion that's more comfortable than ever.
The Volvo FM interior has been redesigned. Colours and materials have been carefully selected to create a calm and attractive driver's environment. Choose from three different trim levels: Robust, Dynamic and Progressive.
The roomy storage facilities at the front and under the bunk are accompanied by several handy compartments for smaller possessions. There are also two new bedside storage pockets for magazines and other items.
Buttons for cruise control, audio, phone and what's in the information displays, allow you to keep a tight grip on the wheel. With leather as an option, it's a comfortable one.
The energy-efficient and powerful light sources make for fantastic in-cab lighting. All are easily controlled in three preset steps or with the dimmer. When driving in the dark – switch to the red lights to preserve your night vision.
The electronic climate control makes sure you always have a comfortable climate in the cab. Just set your preferred temperature.


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Remembering glory days in the Catskills; A new cookbook celebrates the Vegetarian Hotel
November 26, 2013 —
THE CATSKILLS — In the heyday of Catskills resorts, Woodridge, NY was a thriving village in the Town of Fallsburg, where nearly a dozen hotels attracted summer clientele and weekenders from the big city. One of those resorts was the Vegetarian Hotel, catering to health-minded, mostly Jewish guests, who were seeking something more unassuming than the glitz and glamour and the non-stop pace of activities at places like The Concord and Kutschers.
Now, the Vegetarian Hotel is being celebrated in a cookbook by Verb Konviser, whose family owned and ran the hotel from the 1920s to the 1980s. "The Vegetarian Hotel Cookbook: Old-World, Unique Vegetarian Recipes from Fannie Shaffer's Kitchen," is a loving tribute to his mother.
Fannie Shaffer emigrated to the U.S. from Bialystok, Poland in 1906, and by 1920 she had moved her family from Brooklyn, NY to the small farming village in eastern Sullivan County. The original house, which sat on five and a half acres, had no heat, no electricity and no running water, but they had a milking cow and a large garden.
From this humble beginning, Konviser's parents, who by then were committed vegetarians ("My mother could not accept the slaughtering of animals for human consumption"), began taking in boarding guests to make ends meet. "A lot of relatives began coming up in the summer," Konviser said at a recent book signing event for the cookbook.
By the 1940s, the hotel had grown to 100 rooms on 100 acres of land. Guests came not only to enjoy wholesome meatless meals, based on recipes from Shaffer's Eastern European heritage, but also to engage in sports and outdoor activities; to hear lectures about healthy living (and about the virtues of vegetarianism); and to enjoy evening entertainment, music and dancing.
As a youth, Konviser worked in the hotel, including in the dining room, where he said he learned his mother's recipes. Another of his jobs was to bake the bread at night, including challah on Thursday night for Friday's meal.
In the early 1950s, Konviser went off to war in Korea to serve his country, and after he returned, he took over the hotel's operation. He owned and ran it for 29 years, until the 1980s when it was sold for a summer camp.
Resurrecting his mother's recipes was a long process; Konviser confessed he worked on the project for 20 years. Recipes include 31 salads (from beet salad to tahini eggplant salad), 19 soups (from barley bean soup to millet soup); 54 entrees (from red kidney bean stew to noodle pudding), a handful of dressings and dips and several breads (including pumpernickel and challah).


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One expert says some of the self-driving technology is less than ten years away from being mass produced.far-lighter cars and slashing fuel consumption and emissions by more than a factor of 10 in some cases. Fewer traffic jams would also cut fuel use.
We may soon start to see driverless systems that can take over in certain situations.very confident that what you're instructing the car to do is the right thing?"
Driverless cars mean a big change in car design and improved fuel consumption.Smith said about 90 percent of all crashes are caused at least in part by human error.
Some companies have created small, two-seat driverless vehicles designed only for city streets.As originally pointed out by climate and energy scientist Amory Lovins, only about one percent of the energy in a gallon of gasoline goes to moving the driver forward. About 75 percent of the energy leaves the tailpipe as heat and almost all the rest is needed to move a 4,000-pound car. But the bulk of that 4,000 pounds is only there to keep the driver and passengers safe in the relatively unlikely event of a major crash. If that risk was reduced dramatically, 4,000 pounds might come down closer to 750 to 1,000 pounds.
MORE FROM YALE e360
Rising Hopes that Electric Cars
Can Play a Key Role on the Grid


text: My son will be seven months old next week and has been exclusivly breastfed. I have recently gotten sick and must now take antibiotics that will harm my son if he continues to nurse. I have to take them for seven days. I will continue to pump (and dump the milk) to keep up my supply, but my son will not take a bottle. we have tried other times before but when he refused we didn't push it because it didn't really matter. Now he has to go from nursing all the time to not nursing at all for a week. please help me get him to take a bottle which he will not suck on at all. i have had my huband try as well. I'm afraid he's not getting enough nutrition as he won't eat any baby food either. my son has never taken a pacifier and won't suck on anything but my breast. i am also afraid since he cannot nurse at all that in a week he may forget and won't start again. is that possible? please help!


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Episode 11 | TV-14
Clain is helpless behind a clear wall as Barrot details Phryne's role in the system, but the priest's demented rant is cut short. As the temple begins to collapse and Nessa starts to fade, the future of Fractale—and all of mankind—lies in Phryne's hands.
Dub Expires: 12-12-2014
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/fractaleHide Details


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August 25, 2011 —
MONTICELLO, NY — In 1926, composer Ray Henderson sat with lyricists Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown to pen what was destined to be a classic: "The Birth of the Blues," which went on to be a major hit for Cab Calloway, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. among others.
Another birth of the blues took place here in Sullivan County, when Slam Allen was born in Monticello, just before the area became famous for the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. I caught up with Allen, now 44, in between European bookings for a cup of coffee in his hometown, as he prepared for a night of music at the Dancing Cat Saloon (www.dancingcatsaloon.com [1]) in Bethel.
"My father was a musician and in fact, was playing a gig the night I was born," Allen said. His dad and uncles, known as The Allen Brothers, were a great influence on the youngster, and he claims that as early as five, he knew where his destiny would take him.
"Family has always been at the heart of it" he continued, "and my musical heritage comes from them. When I finally picked up a guitar at the age of 13, I knew I was home." Allen is soft-spoken off stage, but when the lights come up, it's showtime, and Allen takes the audience along with him for the ride. "That's just how I am," he said. "When I am on stage, it's not just my playground, it's the people's show as well.
"I think of my musical adventure as a journey, and I hope that I can take the audience with me as I continue to explore the musical heritage of the jazz & blues world that has been careening around the globe since the early 1900s. I like to think that I see things as they are and not through rose colored glasses. This journey is not just one of my musical roots, but a deeper, spiritual path that I have been on since I can remember."
Allen spends up to six months a year touring Europe with Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) as one of the headliners for their newest flagship, The Epic, alongside world class entertainment "Blue Man Group" and "Cirque Dreams."
Having just returned from South America, Allen enthused about the audiences he encounters with his band, all over the world. "Many of these folks don't speak English at all," he said, "but music is truly the international language—and when I see grown men cry, with a hand to their heart, I feel fulfilled and grateful that I can share this experience with people from all walks of life." Allen's love of entertaining shines through in everything he does and when he took the stage at the Cat last week, I was in the house.
Many of his musician pals showed up to support Allen, but he managed to turn the tables, and invited several to join the band on stage as they performed two soulful, searing, smokin' sets that ran the gamut of jazz, blues and a bit of funk for good measure. "I feel it is my responsibility," he told the crowd, "to make sure that when you come out to hear Slam Allen, you get to see a show." Performing standards and originals for the crowd, Allen displayed his toothy grin and basked in the glow as the audience leapt to its feet, dancing, swaying and "feelin' it" to their toes.
"I make home wherever I am," he told me, "but the Catskills always calls me back." Never one to rest on his laurels, Allen has bigger dreams, goals and desires, one of which is to give back to the world that "has given so much" to him.
"I am by no means done," he said. Determined to grow as a musician and human being, Allen's spiritual journey has just begun. "Yes, I would love to be rich, but not just for selfish reasons. I already feel rich in my heart. It is truly my desire to put the 'wow factor' back in music and with the help of my friends and family, I feel well on my way."
Charming, endearing and talented, Slam Allen is on the rise. How fortunate for us then, that he makes time to return to the Hudson Valley and share the ride with the rest of us. Singin' the blues is only half of what this man does. Lifting us up and spreading the love is a magical, magnificent gift that must be experienced firsthand. Visit www.slamallen.com [2]. Make no mistake: the "birth of the blues" is back.


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I want to SORTA wean Landon now. He is almost 14 months old and has been exclusively breast fed from day one. I have been on the don't offer don't refuse policy for the last two months and that has helped a lot, but here is the problem... For the first month of this he seemed to only want to nurse in the early morning, right before nap time, and right before bed time. That was perfect for me. I am trying to keep it to being at home now, because he is so active that anytime I nurse him in public he doesn't want to be covered anymore and he splashes my goods to all within a one mile radius (a strange man actually "thanked" him for this...now that was just creepy!!! ). Well in the last few weeks he has been demanding (and I do mean demanding) to be nursed whenever I hold him anywhere near the girls. I pick him up and put him on my hip and he supermans his way down to the utters. I don't know what to do about this. I am in no way ready or in a hurry to wean him completely, but I would like him to stop demanding it all the time. FYI... He eats great during the day as long as I give him anything BUT baby food. He has 3 meals and snacks, and breastmilk in the middle of the day. He does fine with other people during the day and doesn't demand that they breast feed him. So I know it is just me. How can I slow him down without hurting his feelings or our nursing relationship? and how do I get him to sleep a little better at night and not wake up three times.
Thank you in advance for you help,
One tired, haven't gotten a full nights sleep in years, wanting my body back, stay at home momma to the two best kids in the world (I know I am biased)


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Psychoneuroimmunology is an emerging field of western science that embraces holistic health. Key to understanding PNI is understanding the function of the hypothalamus.
Olfaction has a powerful affect on the hypothalamus. Understanding what this really means is the focus of this teleseminar. Learn the connection between olfaction, the limbic system, the hypothalamus, perception, stress and health.
Use your understanding of olfaction and PNI to get better results when working with aroma to support health.
Cindy Black, L.Ac., NCCAOM Diplomate Chinese Herbology and Acupuncture, Founder of Meridian Massage Institute.
Contact Information:
Phone: 941-323-3493
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: www.MeridianMassageInstitute.
AIA teleseminars are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM Mountain Time. The call-in number and access code along with a description of the talk and biography of the speaker are sent two times before each teleconference and again on the day of the conference.


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Little Sparrow and the Eagles
February 12, 2014 —
NARROWSBURG, NY — Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy on Sunday, February 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg for live Americana music and a live birds of prey presentation from Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with local band Little Sparrow taking the stage at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., enjoy "Close Encounters with Eagles and Winter Raptors," and experience the majesty of hawks, falcons, owls and eagles up close.
This event is open to the public with a suggested $5 donation at the door. Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.DelawareHighlands.org or call 570/226-3164 or 845/583-1010.


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January 15, 2014 —
LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The Catskill Art Society (CAS) will present "Reflective Surfaces," a two-person exhibition featuring the photography of Julia Forrest and Flora Hogman at the CAS Arts Center, 48 Main St. CAS will host an artist's talk on Saturday, January 18 at 2 p.m., followed by a free opening reception from 3 to 5 p.m. All are welcome and light refreshments will be served. The show runs until Sunday, February 23.
The exhibition, "Reflective Surfaces," presents two distinctive artists with a series of images refracted and reflected. Whether found in nature or in urban cityscapes, surfaces like mirrors, windows, pools, and puddles become portals that transport us past the boundaries between worlds. No digital alteration is used, yet the subjects can seem fantastic, even surreal, blending figures with landscapes.
Forrest is a Brooklyn based artist. She graduated from Hartford Art School with a BFA in photography. She works strictly in film and prints in a darkroom she built in her apartment. She is currently working as a teaching artist at the Brooklyn Museum, Medgar Evers College, the Newark Museum and Lehigh University.
Hogman survived World War II as a child in southern France, where she subsequently grew up. She came to New York as a young adult, where she studied psychology and practices to this day. She has always been interested in photography as a way to retrieve and retain memories.
For more information, visit www.catskillartsociety.org [1].


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He hit Beeville last week on Tuesday afternoon in time to watch the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department put out a burning garage behind a house on West Fannin Street.
He was up early, in time to be at the BVFD's substation on North Madison Street at 7 a.m. Wednesday to start testing the pumps on four of the fire departments big pumper trucks.
The worst thing about the job, Sosa said, is the heat. But being a native of Waco in Central Texas helps him deal with that.
"I'm used to the humidity," he said as he hooked up hoses to the trailer on his truck and to the second of the four fire trucks he was going to test.
The company Sosa works for, Fire Pump Specialty, is located in West, near Waco. He said the company has been testing fire truck pumps for 27 years.
It takes Sosa about an hour and 15 minutes to test the average fire truck. But getting set up and than taking the equipment back down cuts into the day by a couple of hours.
"I'm looking for it to maintain a certain pressure (pounds per square inch) for a certain time," Sosa said of his tests.
He also looks for other issues that pumps develop like sticking valves and other mechanical situations.
Sosa uses three gauges for his tests. One gauge shows him the vacuum level, one shows the water flow and the other covers the PSI of the water flowing through the hoses.
In recent days, the pump tester has been in several cities around Texas. He said the company is expanding its scope, and he expects to be in some of the neighboring states in the near future.
Sosa was not always a pump tester. "I was a diesel mechanic a lot of years," he said. But that job got harder to do after he developed some serious carpel tunnel problems in both arms.
One day, after he dropped the oil pan off a big, earth-moving machine and heard a noise that raised the hair on the back of his neck, he started looking for another line of work.
"This is my first year," Sosa said of his new career. He traveled with his boss for a while, learning the business. Now, other than the heat and the travel, he enjoys what he does.
Sosa said he was scheduled to test the pumps on Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4 and the big tower truck on Wednesday. He said he hoped to finish up the day by about mid-afternoon.
"It's got some issues, but the pump works," Sosa said after finishing the test on Engine 1.
A few minutes later he delivered the news to Fire Chief Donnie Morris. Shortly after that, Lt. Kirk Delgado showed up and listened in as Sosa explained what he had found wrong up to that point.
Morris explained that fire trucks almost never have to put out as much water and pressure as they are capable of delivering. In all, he was happy with the results of the tests on the first two trucks Wednesday.
Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 343-5220, or at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Puffballs and jelly fungi
October 25, 2012 —
The fall forests are full of fanciful fungi right now. Two common but interesting mushrooms that are easily encountered in the Upper Delaware region are puffballs and jelly fungi.
Puffballs are part of a class of fungi known as Gasteromycetes (stomach fungi) that produce spores inside their fruit bodies. They are most often spherical or pear-shaped with rough outer walls and smooth inner walls that act as pouches for the powdery spore masses contained within.
An opening at the top of the fruit body serves as a vent through which spores are released in "puffs" when raindrops pelt the walls or when the puffball is stepped on or struck by a falling object.
Most jelly fungi are characterized by gelatinous fruit bodies that can absorb or lose water, which enables the fungus to adapt and survive for longer periods of time. In dry weather, the fruit body shrivels up and may almost disappear. Rain restores the fruit body to its gelatinous state and allows the fungus to resume spore production.


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For Immediate Release
January 30, 2013
School Environment Matters: State Board of Education administers first Illinois 5Essentials Survey to help improve student learning
Students, parents and teachers weigh in on school climate and learning conditions
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that starting Feb. 1, students and teachers will be given the first statewide opportunity to weigh in on learning conditions and school climate, indicators that have been proven necessary for strong student outcomes, including better attendance and improved student performance. The State Board joins UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute in providing an online survey, called the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, to help the state's nearly 4,000 schools better identify their strengths and areas needing improvement.
"As educators, we have long understood that test scores alone do not represent the full scope of school life and learning," said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will finally help us paint that fuller picture of learning conditions and guide local and state improvement initiatives so that every student has access to a world-class education."
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey (Organizing Schools for Improvement) asks about leadership, collaboration, family involvement, instruction and the school environment and will be administered between Feb. 1 and the end of March to all certified K-12 teachers and students in grades 6-12 across the state.
As part of the first statewide survey, Gov. Pat Quinn has declared Friday, Feb. 15 "Illinois 5Essentials Day" and encourages schools to take 15 minutes on the 15th to provide important feedback on learning conditions and school climate. "I urge Illinois teachers and students to take 15 minutes for this unique opportunity to share their insights," Gov. Quinn said. "Teachers are on the front lines and students are our most important stakeholders; their first-hand impressions of school conditions are essential to learning what works and what needs improvement."
Governor Quinn noted that strong participation is needed; at least 50 percent of students and teachers at each school must fill out this survey in order for ISBE to have enough data to generate a school-level report. The approximately 15-minute-long survey provides a comprehensive assessment of school organizational culture with reports to help drive school improvement on the five indicators or "essentials":
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environment
- Ambitious Instruction
5Essentials generates data that helps schools target resources and make decisions that help accelerate learning and test score gains. 5Essentials also demonstrates that teachers and students can play a crucial role in school reform: What they share about their schools reliably predicts whether those schools are likely to improve or stagnate.
Based on 20 years of research conducted by the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research in more than 400 schools, including Chicago Public Schools, the 5Essentials has been shown to be strongly predictive of school improvement. Schools strong in 3 to 5 of the Essentials are 10 times more likely to improve student learning than schools weak in 3 to 5 of the Essentials. Those differences remain true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlates with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment and high school graduation.
"The survey has helped us to identify those areas where we are strong and those areas needing improvement," said Ernesto Matias, principal at Wells Community Academy in City of Chicago Public Schools District 299. "It gave us the benefit of hearing the voices of teachers, students and parents about the way things are working in the school."
In addition to being used in CPS, a version of the 5Essentials survey has been administered in schools in Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Indiana.
"This survey was eye-opening and is already making a difference," said Kimberly Capron, an instructional specialist at Wayne Elementary School in Detroit Public Schools. "It really generates baseline data to help us figure out where we're at and what changes need to take place. It's not a punitive or a `gotcha' exercise but has truly led to some positive changes."
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey, required to be implemented this school year by Senate Bill 7, passed in 2011, represents Illinois' first effort to administer a statewide survey of learning conditions to teachers and students. Statewide summary results will be shared with ISBE this summer. Schools will receive their results this summer and ISBE will incorporate results into the 2013 school report cards, typically released by ISBE at the end of October. Federal Race to the Top funds are covering the cost of the survey.
During this inaugural year, districts have the option of asking parents to participate in the survey. ISBE is considering requiring parental participation in the 2013-14 school year.
While this survey may help inform state policy and improvement initiatives, it is primarily intended to help schools at the local level by identifying strengths and areas that need improvement and provide more comprehensive information about each school for parents and community members.
For more information visit: https://illinois.5-essentials.org or http://www.isbe.net/performance/html/5essentials.htm.
Follow us: Visit the official ISBE website at http://www.isbe.net.


text:
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Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Climate Change in the Pacific Southwest
Pacific Islands
EPA Region 9's Pacific Islands Office is supporting the Pacific Island territories in planning for their future energy needs and to adopt renewable energy. We are working with the territories to initiate an energy strategy planning process and work group (involving local and federal stakeholders), held an energy workshop in Saipan on June 22 (in conjunction with our 26th Pacific Islands Environment Conference), and are assisting the territories in planning for use of their Recovery Act funding.
Pacific Islands Environment Conference Held June 22-25, 2009 in Saipan
Region 9 worked with the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Department of Environmental Quality (CNMI DEQ) to organize our bi-annual Pacific Islands Environment Conference from June 22-25 in Saipan. The theme of this year's conference was "Climate of Change: Energizing a Sustainable Future for Pacific Islands." The conference was attended by over 400 participants from across the Pacific and the U.S. mainland, which included the governors of CNMI and Guam as well as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment) and the EPA Region 9 Acting Regional Administrator.
As part of the conference, Region 9 organized a CNMI Energy Summit to provide an overview of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency strategies to conference participants and public officials. The Energy Summit was followed by the first official meeting of the CNMI Energy Steering Committee. This committee is charged with developing a long-term plan to reduce CNMI's dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Alternative Energy from Violations: A Renewable Energy Project in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands
Saipan Southern High School's (SSHS) consumption of diesel generated power is now expected to decrease following the installation of the CNMI's first alternative energy project, which will use a combination of both solar and wind sources on campus. The project was proposed to the school by the now defunct Concorde Garment Manufacturing Co. of Tan Holdings as an alternative means of settling the fines it owed to EPA for violations of environmental rules.
Concorde recognized that Saipan schools are suffering financially due to recent dramatic increases in the cost of electrical power and frequent power outages. The Public School System was excited to accept the project since these outages often cause the schools to close, resulting in a disruption to education, scheduling, and student transportation. Increased power costs also severely impact school budgets, resulting in reduced educational services to students.
The project will not only allow the school to cut its monthly electrical bill by $250 per month but will benefit student's education. Students will acquire and analyze wind and solar data, while teachers integrate the mechanics of alternative energy sources into the natural science curriculum of SSHS.
The energy produced by the wind turbine and solar panels will be recorded and measured by means of the Sky Stream's internal data logging system and by the Green Meter.


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We welcome your review and comments. Please note that the findings and opinions expressed in these papers do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of the U.S. Department of Education.
View the first eight papers that were commissioned and presented at the High School Symposium.
Click on the downloadable file to download the document in MS WORD .
- The Role of Career and Technical Education: Implications for the Federal Government
MS WORD (242K) By Marie Cohen and Douglas J. Besharov
- Youth Tuitionships: An Alternative Funding Arrangement to Improve Markets and Respect Individual Learning Differences MS WORD (227K) By Graham S. Toft
- The Role of Career and Technical Education in High School
MS WORD (129K) By Virginia R. Miller
- Solutions for Failing High Schools: Converging Visions and Promising Models
MS WORD (116K) By Nettie Legters, Robert Balfanz, and James McPartland
- Improving the Performance of High School Students: Focusing on Connections and Transitions Taking Place in Minnesota
MS WORD (151K) By Cynthia Crist, Mary Jacquart, Ph.D., and David A. Shupe, Ph.D.
- How Should "Quality" Technical Education and Training be Defined?
MS WORD (141K) By James Everett, Mary Gershwin, Homer Hayes, James Jacobs, and Robert Mundhenk
- Implementing the "Education Consensus": The Federal Role in Supporting Vocational - Technical Education
MS WORD (137K) By James Jacobs, W. Norton Grubb, and David Gardner
- The Federal Role in Vocational and Technical Education at the Secondary Level: Principles for Moving Toward a Greater Emphasis on Supporting Systematic Innovation and Rigorous Evaluation
MS WORD (121K) By James J. Kemple
- New Program Development Strategy and Supply/Demand Analysis: The Relationship Between Postsecondary Degree Program Outcomes and Occupational Needs in Minnesota
MS WORD(945K) By Pradeep Kotamraju, Ph.D., Bruce Steuernagel, and Mary Jacquart, Ph.D.
- Improving State Accountability Systems for Postsecondary Vocational Education
MS WORD(108K) By Robert G. Sheets
Last Modified: 10/16/2007


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Reduce the number of nightly shootings from three to one. You can gain bonus points if you reduce the number to zero shootings per night.
I'll gladly give you a hint: Stricter gun laws are not the answer to the problem. Try getting the district attorneys and judges to enforce the ones that are presently on the books and hand out severe penalties. No work release privileges or home monitoring. It doesn't work. You cannot rehabilitate a criminal mind. INCARCERATE THEM. Make jail life miserable, then people will not want to end up in the jail. It will be a deterrent to them. Get the idea?


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Tim O'Reilly is the founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, Inc., thought by many to be the best computer book publisher in the world. In addition to Foo Camps ("Friends of O'Reilly" Camps, which gave rise to the "un-conference" movement), O'Reilly Media also hosts conferences on technology topics, including the Web 2.0 Summit, the Web 2.0 Expo, the O'Reilly Open Source Convention, the Gov 2.0 Summit, and the Gov 2.0 Expo. Tim's blog, the O'Reilly Radar, "watches the alpha geeks" to determine emerging technology trends, and serves as a platform for advocacy about issues of importance to the technical community. Tim's long-term vision for his company is to change the world by spreading the knowledge of innovators. In addition to O'Reilly Media, Tim is a founder of Safari Books Online, a pioneering subscription service for accessing books online, and O'Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, an early-stage venture firm.
oreillynet.com Copyright © 2006 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


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University of the Sciences has forged an important relationship with Far East University (FEU) in Korea during a signing ceremony on Thursday, May 17, 2012.
From left to right: Chul Soo Ye, Far East University (FEU) professor of computer science and dean of academic affairs; Ji Hyun Kim, FEU professor; Dr. Yun Kim, FEU chair professor and vice provost; Marvin Samson, USciences interim president; Kee-il Lyu, FEU president; and Dr. Russell J. DiGate, USciences provost.
Central to signing the Memorandum of Understanding is the establishment of an exchange program to provide students from both universities with an educational, scientific, and cultural experience. As the program fortifies, the partnership will explore new opportunities, including joint faculty and academic program develop and the exchange of scientific materials and publications.
"University of the Sciences looks forward to working with our Korean colleagues. The healthcare industry has and will continue to be a global effort. It is entirely appropriate that the training of healthcare personnel follow that same path. We can learn a lot from one another," said Provost Dr. Russell J. DiGate.
This summer, a pilot study abroad program will be launched and facilitated by USciences' Occupational Therapy Program Chair Dr. Paula Kramer and Professor Rochelle Mendonca. They will travel to Korea with three OT students from July 21 to August 4. Conversely, FEU students will study at USciences from August 11 to August 25.
While at FEU, USciences students will be earning three credit hours. Students will explore healthcare and occupational therapy in Korea, observe treatment options, understand how culture affects practice, and compare the country's health care system to that of the U.S. Coursework will incorporate various learning activities, including: lecture series, discussions, review of case studies, and touring clinical and cultural sites.
"I'm very excited about the benefits that can be derived from this summer's faculty and student exchange program between USciences and Far East University," said Dr. Walter Perry, associate dean of student affairs and director of multicultural affairs. "I look forward to continuing and developing this relationship in the years ahead."
The delegation that visited USciences included FEU President Kee-il Lyu, Chair Professor and Vice Provost Yun Kim, and Professor Ji Hyun Kim.
USciences has collaborated on this international partnership with the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia, E. Harris Baum Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Korea, Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh, and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.


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Last month I wrote about the difficult effort to find the political "center"—or for that matter, to even define it. For some, this elusive center presents an opportunity, and their search is motivated by a sense that there might be advantage to be gained by formulating an attractive vision of a unifying, centrist politics. They calculate that the right person, with the right set of "non-partisan" positions, could leverage people's frustrations with business-as-usual and draw a strong following.
For others, perhaps less cynical, the motivation comes from a perception that the increasing polarization of our political system truly has made progress impossible and has stymied meaningful action on the many issues that confront us.
This center, one supposes, would represent some kind of "middle ground" along the left/right spectrum, some place where enough people of goodwill from different sides could coalesce to reclaim power from the "extremes."
But even if such a point of view could be coherently put forward, it would not transcend our divisions—it would only add another player to the practical and philosophical conflicts we have. Entrenched partisans, from force of habit if nothing else, would resist what they would see as betrayals of their deeply held principles.
We are an increasingly diverse nation, and I believe that when democracy is allowed to function properly, solutions can be crafted even from that diversity—because of it, not in spite of it. But to make that happen, for a government to be a government of "all the people," then it must be rooted in a different kind of "center."
This center is not simply a matter of compromise, or a mere averaging of extremes in the hopes of minimizing overall dissatisfaction. This center would appeal, not to our "lowest common denominators," but rather to our "greatest common factors."
It is not the middle of the road—it is the ground upon which the road is built.
I am speaking here of "center" in a sense that is familiar, as a matter of personal experience, to martial artists and mediators, potters and performers. It is a place of internal stillness even when one is in motion, of focused calm even in the midst of chaos. When one is in contact with this center, one is able to respond to the requirements of the moment with minimal yet perfectly appropriate effort. "The centered state," says aikido master Thomas Crum in his excellent book, "The Magic of Conflict," "is simple, natural and powerful." It is a state of heightened awareness, of insightful perception, of profound integration of body, mind and spirit.
Now consider: what would it mean to govern from such a state, or to have a government that was not centralized, or even centrist, but truly, deeply centered.
Such a government would not be rigidly bound by ideology, but would be flexible and fluid. It would respond quickly, but not reflexively; it would not be easily swayed by fear, anger, or panic. It would not be monolithic, mind you—it would be broad-based and inclusive, but have effective and efficient decision-making mechanisms for identifying and balancing the various needs and interests of the different parts of society. It would able to apply the right kinds of action to the particular situation at hand, whether such action might be labeled "liberal" or "conservative."
Best of all: beginning the creation of such a government does not have to wait for the establishment of a new party, or the issuance of a think tank proposal.
It begins when we find where the true center is: within ourselves.


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text: 6 West by Steve Hunziker Best Sellers Trending Art Best Selling Paintings Best Selling Abstract Art Prints Best Selling Photography Best Selling Posters Popular Subjects Animals Architecture Childrens Art Floral & Still Life Landscape Maps Military & War Music Science Fiction & Fantasy Skylines Spiritual Transportation Featured Artists Brickhut Cozamia Eric Joyner Erin Ashley James Niehues Jennifer Lommers Jonas Gerard Marcia Baldwin Mark Lawrence Michael Creese Michael Tompsett Collections ArtLoversOnline Design Pics The Fine Art Masters Panoramic Images Retro Images Archive StockTrek Images WorldWide Archive Create Your Own Photo Canvas Custom Frame Photos West by Steve Hunziker (2011) Sign inCustomer Service Cart Houzz Share on Tumblr Tweet +Add to Cart Available Sizes inches / cm Petite $57.50 Small $69.00 Medium $86.25 Large $115.00 Grande $230.00 Massive $345.00 » component prices Print Frame Mats Glazing Fitting Customize Framing or choose Canvas Print Customize Canvas or choose Framed Art Print Click to save as artist's preferred kit Paper Enhanced MattePremium Photo GlossyPremium Photo LusterUltraSmooth Fine ArtHahnemuhle Photo Rag 308Hahnemuhle Fine Art PearlHahnemuhle Torchon Mounted? ★★★☆☆ Details Paper print only, too large to frame online. Frames Choose a color » ø Top Mat | Middle Mat | Bottom Mat ø Glazing Style Soft EdgeWhite EdgeBlack EdgeImage WrapUnstretched 1½ inches thick (3.75 cm) Product Details Artist grade canvas, archival inks, wooden stretcher bars, and UVB protective coating Availablity Usually ships within five business days. Artist Steve Hunziker Platinum MemberCollection GeneralDescription A dramatic pictorial representation of the Centennial Land Run Monument, Oklahoma City. Horse riders, covered wagon, a classic sepia tone western motif. Popular Configurations Stretched Canvas Modern Lines Contemporary White Classical Baroque Unframed print Explore More from the same collection View All Steve Hunziker's Recent Work About the artist Steve Hunziker, Chattanooga, Tennessee Member Since March 2009 Artist Statement Well my great creative quest began about 40 years ago. I can still almost see it – with reckless abandonment a 25 year-old recovering hippie packed up his Toyota Landcruiser, grabbed his Bible, his camera, his wife and two young daughters, and leaving Deer Creek, Illinois in the dust he began his long journey into the world of higher education, fully intending to change the world for the better. Yes, I was truly inspired, inspired to inspire others I was, and still am, actually. I had that much going for me anyway...not much else actually. I remember reading in the Bible that "the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." And so there it was, my great commission – simple enough – all I had to do was to create within me a perfect heart, or at least a good one, and the Lord would show forth His eternal power and Godhead through the works of my hands – how hard could that be? Well to make a long story short – I prayed for the power of God on my life, I got untreated lyme disease for seven years, lost my job, my ministry, my strength, my mental focus, and of course hope itself was heading out the door...but I clung to Him. I had that much going for me. Come to find out, that's all I ever really needed – just trust in the Lord. At some point in my wilderness wandering I read what an artist named Oswald Chambers said, "The biggest enemy of our devotion to Christ is our service to Him." And that's when it started to come to me. God, Himself was at work in my life destroying my idols – the works of my hands – so He could do something beyond my own ability. Jesus, the greatest artist of all time, put it this way, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Here's the thing; before any inspiring work can be possible in our lives, it has to become completely impossible for us to do in our own ability. We must rise above our ability, we must see beyond what we're capable of. The truth is, when it comes to creating inspiring art, inspiring others, getting saved, saving others, baking really great biscuits...etc. we must get over Mr. satisfaction, get down off our high horse, get a glimpse of our own pathetic inability and get a hold of what God wants to do and how He wants to do it. Well to make a short bio even shorter, I said all that to say this, God is good, all the time, and He always knows what's best for us. That's my bio, my song, my theme...Trust in the Lord with all your heart, seek Him, find His power and His love. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." – Psalms 40:1-3 "...For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." – Genesis 41:52 God Bless, Brother Steve 423-304-1997 email@example.com www.stevehunziker.com Community Comments Catalog Details Product No 3830544 Subjects Animals, Horses, Landscape, Mountains Style Historical Medium Tags Hunziker, Steve, america, freedom, frontiersman, historic, launch, pioneer, settler, western, wild-west Create Frame Photos Photos on Canvas Sell Sell Art Online Become an Affiliate Get a Trade Account Common Questions Company Info About Us Contact Customer Comments Return Policy Social Tumblr Pinterest Twitter Facebook Instagram Our Wall Art Family CanvasOnDemand | Photo Canvases GreatBigCanvas | Decorate Huge Terms of Service Privacy Policy Copyright © 2016


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GoogleTM Bomb: The Untold Story of the $11.3M Verdict That Changed the Way We Use the Internet
Health Communications, Incorporated, Sep 1, 2009 - Computers - 246 pages
When Revenge Turns to E-venge . . . TAKE COVER with Google Bomb!
Google Bomb (n) or 'link bomb': Internet slang for a certain kind of attempt to raise the ranking of a given page in results from a Google search. (Wikipedia)
In today's technology-dependent world, the Internet has become a legal lethal weapon against the privacy and reputations of its users. Based on Sue Scheff's landmark Internet defamation case that gave face to online harassment, cyberbulling, privacy invasion, and Google bombs, and stirred Internet regulation and free-speech debates, Google Bomb arms readers with information, legal advice, and reputation defense tips from one of the country's top cyber abuse attorneys, JohnW. Dozier Jr.
Dozier, who specializes in legal matters involving online defamation, copyright and trademark infringement, and hacking, uses Scheff's story as a backdrop to lay the groundwork for a personal plan for reputation defense that anyone from business owners and students to job seekers and employers to parents and bloggers can implement easily and immediately to help them maintain a searchable online image.
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GoogleTM Bomb: The Untold Story of the $11.3M Verdict That Changed the Way ...
John W. Dozier, Jr.,Sue Scheff
No preview available - 2010


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Back at No. 2, Federer Eyes Sampras' Mark
Roger Federer has nothing to prove. He must accomplish nothing, short of finally beating Rafael Nadal again in a Grand Slam, to secure his legendary status. He is one of a handful of players to earn the right to be mentioned... more »


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I've been thinking a lot about Nguyen Thi Thanh ever since departing from Saigon in the summer of 2008. In the three years since I first sat down to interview her, there's no doubt that her life has changed. In a corner of the city previously unknown to tourists, she now finds herself dishing up noodles to a steady stream of Anthony Bourdain fans. These days, it seems that a trip to Saigon isn't complete without bargaining in Ben Thanh Market, flagging down a cyclo for a rusty ride, and sitting on a stumpy stool slurping up a Lunch Lady-made noodle soup.
I have often wondered how the Lunch Lady's livelihood and that of her tight-knit community have been impacted by the fame and influx of foreign dollars made possible by modern travel journalism. Have her prices skyrocketed? Is her cooking watered down? Mostly, I wondered if I messed up something really great by blabbing about it to someone who had access to a global audience.
I found the 46-year-old proprietress more or less unchanged since we last met. She was clad from head to toe in a colorful do bo (Vietnamese pajamas) with a well-worn non la (conical hat) atop her head. Her smile was as big as ever. Nearly every table was occupied on this sunny afternoon, which meant that she and her team of workers were up to their ears in orders.
Continue reading 'Life After Bourdain: Reuniting with the Lunch Lady'


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Victoria Secret coupons: Trading and giveaway thread NO BUYING/SELLING/PAYPAL/EBAY LINKS trades must be <=5 dollars in value
Score +6
Thread DetailsLast Edited by anastaciab August 5, 2009 at 02:40 PM
in an effort to clear up all the clutter in the VS thread and in hot deals please post here if you have or are looking for a Victoria Secret coupon. Be advised that there are rules to SD trades: they are as follows:
READ THESE!!! $5 per trade only is enforced on SD by the MODS
*These Rules Have Been Updated!
Please Read Them ALL*
You are welcome to trade anything you please, as long as it is $5 or under (retail value, not perceived value) excluding coupons. Please be aware that you are trading at your own risk! If something happens, the Moderators will not get involved. You need to work out the problems/issues with the other party on your own. You cannot negatively bash a �bad trader� in your signature, or anywhere else on Slickdeals.net It is a Personal Attack, and is not allowed here.
You may contact a moderator after you have made every effort possible to resolve the issue(s).
Remember, you are trading at your own risk! We are unable to enforce any sanctions or force a user to act since we do not monitor nor endorse this activity. Further, we cannot guarantee that administrative sanctions will occur as a result of abuse without positive proof.
Do NOT offer money of any kind! It's a self promotion for personal gain (monetary gain), and it's not allowed! Money cannot exchange hands between SD member. This is includes PMs, posts, or any other forms of communication on SD! You cannot ask for money/Pay Pal in "exchange". That is selling, and is not allowed here. Same for referrals! You cannot have people take part in referrals as part of your �trade�.
1. Must be $5 or under (retail value, perceived value). Anything more will be removed (moderators reserve the right to remove your entire post if necessary). Repeat offenders will be warned.
2. Don't like the $5 rule? Don't participate here
3. You may only trade for something for $5 and under and only offer something $5 and under.
4. If there is a problem with your trade, or the person you are trading with you need to work it out on your own and in PRIVATE. Moderators will no longer be getting involved in disputes. Alert the Moderators of any dishonest or bad traders after resolution attempts have been made.
5. What number rule is this? That's the MAXIMUM retail value your trade must be.
6. Have fun, be fair and honest.
7. $5 or under ONLY.
8. Post only what you would like and what you have. All replies and dealing should be done via PM.
9. F�nf, cinq, cinco, пять, cinque, vijf, fem, five. Got it? Good!
10. You must list he amounts of the items you are trading. Don't say �GC�, say �$3 GC�. Be honest & specific.
11. Coupons carry a value of only 1/20 of 1 cent. Therefore, they are OK if the OFF amount exceeds $5.
12. You can trade an item that have a value over $5 for any other item that has a value of $5 or less. For example, you can trade a Fandango GC (ARV $13.50) for a $5 Amazon CG. Bu you cannot trade the Fandango code for something over $5 (like a $14 Amazon GC).
13. Keep the chit chat to a very low minimum, so it does not clutter the board!
14. PLEASE edit your original post when what you were offering for trade is gone (just GONE is fine!)
15. You can only �bump� your trade list once in a 24hr period.
If you do not follow these rules, this thread will be closed by a mod and ruin it for all the Slick Dealers who enjoy it. YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN THE SLICK DEALS DOG POUND IF YOU IGNORE RULES! Please, do not ruin it for those who love this thread!
Thank you javaFlower for rules #8 & #14. Thank you javaFlower & DawnMarie for rule #10 and thank you mamajayjay for rules #11 & #12.
2,217 Comments
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They can be any amount, but please be reasonable.
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Sanders in limelightJune 03,2014
The warnings have been there about shortcomings in health care for veterans, and many of those warnings have come from Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
When Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned last week, there was a widespread sentiment that he was a good leader who had to go because the magnitude of the problems at the department had grown too large for him to address effectively. The wait times at VA hospitals had become excessive, according to a report from the inspector general, leading officials at some hospitals to falsify information. There were charges that some veterans had died because they had not received care in a timely fashion.
Sanders has always fashioned himself a champion of the people, and returning veterans, mainly from the working class, have always been a natural constituency for him. He will convene a hearing Thursday to allow his committee to address the VAs problems, and he is proposing legislation that attacks the issue on a number of fronts.
Sanders points out that the VA anticipates 125,000 new patients in the coming year, with a wide variety of ailments, but President Barack Obamas budget request for the 2015 fiscal year is up only 3 percent. He says the department has a history of underestimating the number of new patients it will be called upon to serve, and Sanders is requesting an additional $1.6 billion.
Sanders bill would do a number of other things.
n It would allow the VA immediately to remove senior executives who perform poorly.
n It would allow veterans unable to get appointments with the VA to go to community health centers, military hospitals or private doctors.
n It would allow the VA to lease 27 new health facilities.
n It would create emergency funding to hire doctors, nurses and others, authorizing scholarships for medical students and forgiveness of college loans for doctors and nurses who go to work for the VA.
The VA has not been gutted by Congress, but the pressure to control spending has prevented the growth in programs needed to address the number and the unique needs of returning veterans. Even Obama, hemmed in by a conservative Congress, has been forced to propose budget levels that do not keep pace with the need.
Conservatives argue that the private sector ought to be adequate to the needs of veterans and that instead of building up the VA bureaucracy, veterans ought to be given vouchers. But the VA exists because veterans have unique medical needs best addressed by a medical system capable of taking on problems such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Further, veterans have earned the medical attention that the VA is meant to provide.
Throwing money at the problem of veterans medical care may be exactly what is needed. A policy of mindless austerity creates a tendency toward guaranteed mediocrity: Cut as far as you can and when the agency has become adequately mediocre, then you know you have cut enough.
But veterans deserve more than mediocre health care, and government spending on providing it is something to be proud of, not scoffed at. That doesnt mean encouraging waste. Indeed, the kind of crackdown on malfeasance now underway is what is needed to make sure that veterans get the care they need.
Sanders package has elements that conservatives could embrace, such as authority to fire poor leaders and authority to seek care for the time being outside the VA. This moment in the VAs history ought to be a time for a comprehensive review of the strengths and shortcomings of the agency.
In fact, it is likely that many agencies, stripped of manpower by budget cuts, are teetering at the edge of mediocrity and would benefit from a review of their mission. One thinks of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, whose work Republicans have tried to sabotage.
Now is the time to make government work for our veterans, and Sanders will have a say on the topic Thursday.MORE IN EditorialsProtesters converged on a bank in Montpelier early this week to show their solidarity with the... Full StoryPhil Scott will take office next month after winning with a margin of 51.11 percent to 43. Full StoryIdeologues and partisans work from the outcome backward. Full Story
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