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School of Allied Health Sciences
Allied Health Home Page
Coleman Hall (CF) 120
1140 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
(317) 274-4702
Clinical Laboratory Science/
Medical Technology
Coleman Hall (CF) 120
1140 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
(317) 274-4702
Educational programs in clinical laboratory science/medical technology are located on the following Indiana University campuses: Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University Medical Center; Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne, Parkview Hospital; and Indiana University Southeast (New Albany).
Description of the Profession Clinical laboratory science/medical technology is a diverse, science-oriented profession aimed at accurate performance of clinical laboratory procedures on biologic samples from patients. The results from these procedures are used by physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases. Some of the tasks that clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists perform are listed below:
These laboratory personnel continually evaluate the quality of the results from procedures and instruments and solve any problems that relate to inconsistencies. Excellent communication skills are required to interact with other members of the health care team, to teach, and to manage individuals under their supervision.
Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists typically work in laboratories located in hospitals, clinics, physician group practices, blood centers, medical research facilities, or medically oriented industries.
Graduates of the Program Students who successfully complete the senior/professional year of the clinical laboratory science/medical technology program and have a baccalaureate degree are eligible to take national certification examinations. Nationally recognized certification is a requirement for employment in many settings.
Credentials Required to Practice M.T.(ASCP), Medical Technologist; or C.L.S. (NCA), Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Licensure Requirements to Practice There is no state licensure in Indiana; however, some states require licensure in addition to or instead of national certification.


text:
Pope Francis is asking for forgiveness for priests who sexually abused children.
He's also pledging to impose penalties for such acts.
Today's remarks are the Pope's strongest condemnation yet of sexual abuse by Catholic Clergy.
Last month he appointed a group to advise the church on the issue.
Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|[TenTec] For Sale - Omni VI
|email@example.com (firstname.lastname@example.com)
|Wed, 15 Oct 1997 15:45:08 -0400 (EDT)
Gang, I have a near mint Omni VI with all filters except the 250HZ (including the narrow first IF 500 HZ filter). This is a beautiful rig in every respect, and is also in line for Option 3 Modification if you are interested. Reason for sale: Located a Six Plus at a good price (and no wait!). Price is $1550, please contact me via E Mail, or phone 210-493-6265 before 5PM CDT please. You'll love this rig! Paul, KB8N -- FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm Submissions: email@example.com Administrative requests: firstname.lastname@example.com Problems: firstname.lastname@example.com Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
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text:
Sabian Xs20 Brilliant Rock Ride CymbalProduct #583751 Sabian 583751 DDL Ride Cymbals https://www.esnapw.com/rses/ESnapServlet?MerchantNumberSent=63655
- Write a Review
- Seen a Lower Price? Click Here.
45 day price guarantee, 45 day return policy, 100% secure shopping
- Buy New
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Item Note:
This product has been discontinued but may be available as a Open Box item.
Similar Items
Made from the same alloy as higher end models.
Heavy weight means more metal for a solid, highly defined stick response that cuts clearly, and powerful bell for playing hard-hitting grooves.
Crafted using an innovative manufacturing technique, Xs20 delivers bright sounds, professional looks, and great feel at a nice price, making this the ideal choice when you discover that sound matters.
- Heavy weight
- Modern style
- Bright sound
- B20 bronze: 20% tin, 80% copper with traces of silver


text:
Philips SHL9705A/28 Stereo Headset for $19.99. Shipping is $5.00 for a total of $24.99 shipped. Here is a screenshot for your reference. The stereo headset features 40-millimeter drivers, ear cushion with automatic multi-directional adjustment, aluminum headband, and customizable remote and microphone controls for Android phones.
Great Deals and Coupons 1


text:
Appalachian Seeds - Welcome!
Our 2016 seed crop is ready for sale! Check out some of our new varieties from our trials this year. We're so excited to share these delicious 'new' finds with you! Remember
|We were delighted to be at Meredith College March 13, 2012 for a convocation featuring Bill Landis and the premiere of his new film Seeds. Appalachian Seeds is proud to be part of this project.
|Appalachian Seeds Farm and Nursery received a 2012 grant from the Appalachian Botanical Alliance!
We are a small, family farm producing certified organic heirloom tomato seeds and plants, eclectic medicinal and culinary herbs, and a diverse selection of heirloom vegetable plants.
We have been growing many heirloom tomato varieties since 1998. Our specialty has always been heirloom tomato seeds and heirloom tomato plants. (see list of tomatoes we grow on the family farm, with pictures and descriptions) Our work with heirloom tomatoes has been featured in Southern Living magazine (May 1999, Timeless Tomatoes), Back Home magazine (Mar/Apr 2002, Grow "Real" Tomatoes) and Blue Ridge Country magazine (July 2004, Meet Mr. Tomato) among others.
Today we offer many unique and unusual open-pollinated, annual and perennial flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, and gourmet vegetables (see availability list with descriptions). In addition we are now growing a diverse selection of edible landscape plants including elderberry, blueberries, grapes, and figs in 1 gal containers.
We mainly sell our plants to regional garden centers and organically-minded stores like the Hendersonville Community Coop and French Broad Food Coop, Earth Fare, B.B. Barnes in Arden, Villagers in west Asheville, Roots and Fruits Market and Mellie Mac's Garden Shack in Black Mountain, Fletcher Valley Natural Foods in Fletcher, along with heirloom tomato seeds and heirloom tomato plants on our website. See bedding plants and tomatoes. We are also at the Organic Growers School in March, NC Herb Festival, the first weekend in May each year, and Growin' in the Mountains at the end of April both at the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville, NC.
PLEASE NOTE: Our heirloom tomato plants are NOT available at Jesse Israel Garden Center this year.


text: If you'd like I can attach a photo of the x-ray taken at the 2nd neurosurgeon's office (it's not super clear - I took the pic while he was out of the room). Plus I have a copy of my MRI films that show my partially corrected spine (since I was lying down). If you think it'd be a help, I can post those as well.


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'Dallas' Is A Big Hit
Twenty-one years after it went off the air, a revamped "Dallas" returned to primetime on top of the ratings.
The TNT drama scored the number-one scripted series premiere on cable television this year on Wednesday night after 7 million viewers tuned in to catch up on the oil drilling Ewing family.
TNT brought back the original cast along with a new generation of actors playing the Ewing kids, including Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman, as well as newcomers Jesse Metcalfe, Josh Henderson, Brenda Strong and Jordana Brewster.
Gray returns as Sue Ellen Ewing, JR's ex-wife and the mother of their son John Ross (Henderson). But things are different. Gray explained, "It was with whole new Sue Ellen because she'd been gone for 20 years. She had taken John Ross with her to London with Ian McShane, smart. So, I had to do a lot of homework for Sue Ellen.
"I had to really find out where would she be? Who would she be with? What are her values now? Why did she change? Is it solid change, or is it just surface change? Where would she be and what would she be doing with her new life?"
"Dallas" airs Wednesday nights at 9/8 central.


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The site linked below is a collection of HTML 5 examples implemented in the chrome browser, to run them you will need Chrome. I have been using Chrome as my core browser now for about 3 months and have to say I am impressed with the speed and functional separation of code in each Tab. Each tab is ineffect its own browser, problems in one do not impact on any of the other tabs or cause the browser to crash. In three months the browser has not lost control.
The demonstrations in the link are mostly graphical but they do show the power of what we are about to experience. We can expect a much richer user-experience with the ability to implement a rich set of business rules. To my mind another foundation stone that will underpin cloud based services.
The browser version of Asteroids takes me back (remember you need a chrome browser to make these work)


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Paramount Sues Loan 'N Go For Loading Purchased Movies Onto Customer iPods
Categories: BigMedia v NewTech • Cases • DMCA-like Laws • Fair Use/Dealing • New Business Models
Text of Complaint (Nov 3, 2006)
This one doesn't surprise me. It is more of the same – big media bites off its nose to spite its face by bringing lawsuits against any new business model that they don't sanction. In this case, Boston's Load 'N Go offers a service to their DVD-purchasing customers, by copying their purchased movie onto an iPod. You would think Paramount would appreciate vendors adding value for customers buying Paramount's products. But no, they choose to sue, presumably to force honest purchasers to purchase the movie twice, once on DVD and again as a download. The DMCA makes such copying, even for what otherwise would be fair use, illegal. So, thanks to the DMCA, Paramount seems to have a case. Chalk another one up for Paramount and another loss for honest consumers. This is precisely the thing that drives honest consumers to BitTorrent.
[Nov 29 Update: No doubt Paramount wishes to do what Warner Bros is now doing with videos sold at Walmart. According to CNN, Techcrunch and others, if you buy Warner's "Superman Returns" at Wal-Mart, you can pay an additional $1.97 to play it on portable devices, $2.97 more to play it on PCs or laptops, or $3.97 to play it on either portable devices or PCs/laptops. Ah, the old Big Media nickel and diming profit strategy. Don't you love it!]
[Nov 30 Update: Ha! It appears the EFF has come to the same conclusion – I wonder if they read my blog before writing this.]
Sources: Engadget | ars technica | ComputerWorld | TechWeb | NeoSeeker | Information Week | MacWorld | Torrentfreak | CNet | PC Advisor | EFF | EFF 2


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Specialising in Property Management is exactly what we do here at Darwin Rental Specialists! With a combined Real Estate Industry knowledge of over 40 years we will provide you with a positive and rewarding Real Estate Experience.Read More
If you are a current Landlord, Real Estate Investor, or thinking about becoming one then Darwin Rental Specialists will provide you with the professional advice and customer service that you require!Read More
Darwin Rental Specialists is committed to creating the most positive rental experience for our tenants. We appreciate that it can seem a daunting task to try to find a new property, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. We like to think we can help you as much as possible to make finding your new home a smooth transition for you.Read More
Get in contact with us now with any question you may have.Read More
2/14 Grice Crescent, COOLALINGA
FANASTIC MODERN DUPLEX LIVING! Read more!$470.00/Week
4 Murrabibbi Street Leanyer
ELEVATED FOUR BEDROOM HOME WITH A SELF CONTAINED UNIT BELOW! Read more!$580.00/week
19/24 Harry Chan Avenue Darwin
QUIET CITY LIVING WITH WATER VIEWS Read more!$650.00/week


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For Sale
Your family will connect with the superb nature that abounds at Whistling Grove in Wandi. Lush wetlands with stunning native flora and fauna at your doorstep create an idyllic lifestyle for all ages. Whistling Grove offers an outstanding quality of life for you and your family. Choose your block and youll become part of a likeminded community thats minutes to the Kwinana Freeway and Railway, the Cockburn Central Shopping Precinct and Primary Schools in the neighbourhood.
REVIEWS (31):"Awesome range of boutique beers & wine. Cosy, warm & industrial feel. Diverse food selection for pub meals with daily specials"read more
REVIEWS (10):"Guzman Y Gomez had me before they made the decision to only have free range chicken in their chicken meals. Food has always been fresh and with flavour...."read more
REVIEWS (13):"Usually i fly past this shopping center whilst i am on the train to the city or home. I have always been of the impression that car parking was..."read more
REVIEWS (2):"Pretty decent surf shop, nicely located right on the beach front. Its not a massive store but they seem to have a pretty good range of Men's, women's and..."read more


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Women are from Venus, men are from Mars; that's what they say! We often find ourselves fighting or just disagreeing with each other, relationship or not, because of irreconcilable differences between the two genders. It's like we just don't get each other – what in the world are they talking about, and why can't they understand? The explanation might be a lot easier than we think.
I'm sure that many readers will protest to all this, but I'm just talking about the primitive "bootstrap" differences between men and women. You can't battle primitive instincts or biology; we're all hard-wired the same way, which is practically the way of the jungle – this hard-wiring really makes it tough for both genders to get along in today's society.
Here are just a few of the major differences between men and women:
- Men are programmed to have sex and procreate all the time; that's pretty much why they come off as jerks. Women are – and have to be – more selective, because they can practically reproduce once a year. This is why women are in such huge demand and men are in such great supply, because one man can impregnate a virtually endless number of women, while a woman can't get pregnant from more than one man at once. This is also why men keep looking at other women even when they're in a perfectly happy and content relationship – they're "hard-wired" to impregnate as many women as possible.
- Because of this nature, women have to be more selective, and would be crazy to be with just "any" guy. Just about any woman can walk into a bar and say, "Hey, who wants to sleep with me?" while men actually have to battle it out to show that they're better than the rest. This isn't unfair per se (we're all sick of the "women have it easier off" analogy, which is a really dumb excuse when you think about it), it's biology. Each female has to carefully pick out which male they would like to procreate with.
- The unfairness on women's side is that they obviously tend to cling emotionally to their potential mates, whilst some (or perhaps most) men couldn't care less and don't want to commit. Women thus feel used, and men feel pressured into committing to relationships they don't want (or perhaps do but are afraid to pursue). This has been an endless problem from casual dating to long-term relationships and marriage.
- Men who fall asleep after sex aren't pigs, and women who want to cuddle aren't clingy. Orgasm releases the hormone oxytocin, which brings sleep to men and motherly instincts to women. So it's actually a chemical reaction; not emotions that come into play – of course, this hormone does multiply things we feel at that moment.
- Women are more emotional because they're hard-wired to take care of and raise children, while men have to be "alert" and on foot to protect themselves from the kill-or-be-killed wild. Men have to be stronger to show their power over the rest of the herd, and keep predators away from their homes and family, while women have to appear more sane, strong-willed and analytic thinkers in order to raise their family in the right way.
- Women are more analytical and think things over, which helps them make better, more educated decisions for their children and families. Men are more practical and think faster, which helps them get out of dangerous or overwhelming situations (fight or flight reaction).
- Men need to go all the way to calm their insecurities; women only need a slight hint. For instance, a woman is happy and content if she knows that men are interested in her. She really doesn't have to sleep with someone to prove it – it's practically already definite that a guy wants to sleep with her! However, a guy has to make it into a girl's bedroom in order to feel secure; he has to go that extra mile. So, guys, if a girl seems interested, and responds to your advances, but then disappears, don't worry – you probably haven't done anything wrong to drive her away – you just fulfilled and covered her insecurities, which was all she needed in the first place! Be sure that she's grateful (even though you sure won't be!)
- Here's a practical difference: women have a better sense of color, which once helped them gather berries and fruit and helped them stay away from the poisonous ones. Men have a better sense of space which helped them pinpoint and hunt more efficiently, and helped them get away from dangerous situations. This is why women can't park as well, but they're able to tell if your car is pink or salmon!
So next time you don't understand your partner, make sure you understand that men and women are practically two different species! Hopefully, this will have given you a glimpse of why the two genders are so utterly different in their actions and thoughts, and give you the chance to understand your partner better. What do you think of these differences?


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Here's the full video of T.I., B.O.B., Trae Tha Truth, Iggy Azalea and Chip rhyming for BET's 2012 Hip Hop Awards cypher.
Category: "Video"
Kate Upton does the Cat Daddy
Swimsuit model Kate Upton does the Cat Daddy, a dance created by the Rej3ctz. So, I run a Hip-Hop site and I'm just now learning what the "Cat Daddy" is; good or bad thing?
Video: Kanye West – Runaway
Check out the 35-minute "hip hop opera" above.
Affion Crockett – "BMF" (Spoof)
Affion Crockett channels Rick Ross for his latest spoof. "Real niggas get arrested from the fucking start!"
When I Was 17: B.o.B
B.O.B speaks on being signed when he was 17.
Video: CurT@!n$ – 2 Sports Cars (ft. Dom Kennedy)
Off The Dissertation: The Wu-Thesis mixtape.
Video: Waka Flocka "Fuck Dis Industry"
Waka gets some things off his chest in his latest viral video.
Ed Lover: C'mon Son Part 16
Ed Lover gets back to talking about pop culture with this new installment of C'mon Son.
Video: Young Jeezy ft. Yo Gotti – All White Everything
TM103 out September 28th.


text:
Main Forums > Living With HIV
HATE Needles, Passing Out During Labs..Advice?
(1/3) > >>
Overall, since my diagnosis, I've been doing really well with HIV. Atripla has worked amazing for me, and I hardly even think about it. It's so easy to tolerate. My problem is not living with HIV, social life, or even meds. As I'm sure everyone who is poz knows, labs are a periodic reality of living with HIV. For me, my doctor usually orders labs done about every 5-6 months or so, or about twice a year, before I have my appointments with her, so she can monitor all my numbers and make sure I'm doing well. Here's my problem. I have a MAJOR fear of getting blood drawn. Like, severely. I'm not an anxious person either, so it sucks. What's odd is that I don'd mind getting shots in the least. The problem is, whenever I have my blood drawn for labs, going back as long as I can remember, which has been about 3 years, I get really really nauseated, then clammy, then pass out. Initially, it wasn't anxiety-caused, and it didn't even happen every time..But as the incidents of me passing out when getting blood drawn increase, my anxiety and apprehension about having labs done increases. I am filled with dread after I put off having it done for as long as possible, and finally when I do go I'm a nervous wreck.I am a healthy weight, I don't do drugs or anything bad, and I don't have any known medical problems. I make sure to eat a good meal before each lab. But it's like, after they stick me in my arm, after a few minutes, a physiological reaction happens, beyond my control, and I start getting clammy, sweaty, and pass out, and usually feel like I'm going to throw up..The last time I had labs, I even asked if I could have a private room and lay back on a table before they did it, so I'd be more prepared...And I STILL got sick and nearly passed out! Each time, within like 3-4 minutes though, I'm fine again. Is there ANY way to overcome this? Possibly get the blood drawn from a different part of the body than in the bend of my arm? Maybe having it done there is triggering some weird reaction? At any rate, I am lucky that I don't have any major problems, so this probably seems silly to some, but it really fills me with dread every time I have to have labs done. Any suggestions? Thanks!
It's called a vasovagal response. The vagus nerve sends a signal to open your blood vessels, blood pressure drops, and your brain is temporarily deprived of oxygen and you faint.Has your phlebotomist or technician/medical assistant ever suggested you lie down when you have your blood drawn? You and he/she can figure out what will work best for you. Having a cool cloth for your forehead would be nice. You've got four draws a year moving forward so getting a method worked out sooner will reduce your anxiety beforehand.
Thanks, I've heard of that term before. I suspect you may be right about it causing my problem. Because each time I do pass out when I have the blood drawn, it's involuntary, I can't control it, no matter how relaxed I think I am going into it..Last time, I had a private room, and had some juice before, but I don't think I laid down. None of the technicians have suggested I lay down before, but I will request it next time. I also will request a cold rag on the forehead, to see if that helps. I hope I can resolve this, it's just so irritating and embarrassing when it happens.
If they're not suggesting it, and they should be doing everything to prevent your fainting and possibly injuring yourself, then take the reins. There are other little things you can do like increase your salt intake in advance, tense your muscles (like pilots do when pulling g's on steep ascent) but I think your most conservative and easy prevention is lying down.
I used to have troubles with this-- it is indeed vasovagal response. Here's how I deal with it:1. Pick something pleasant to look at in the lab (leave needle out of view).. STARE2. Remember to breatheNumber two is easier said than done, I know.. good lab techs know how to work a patient.. I've had a few tell me to breathe. :D
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text:
The Style Gallery is a great new way for you to view, love, and share outfit photos. It's meant to showcase
all the expressive, creative, and inspirational personalities of our community!
Love you too!
Your email has been sent!
Toss this grey graphic tee over rosy cords and Western booties for a look overflowing with welcoming comfort and charm! Printed with a sweet saying that swaps in spurred boots for letters, this long-sleeved, scoop-neck top is cut from soft jersey knit, so you can swing your partner or swing a quick movie date in easygoing style!
Final Sale: This item cannot be returned or exchanged.
All measurements in inches.
Sorry this item isn't available anymore


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Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Cyndi Lauderdale, Hort. Extension Agent
Dec. 31, 2012
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Now that the holiday season is coming to a close, plan on giving your Christmas tree back to the earth by recycling it. Wilson municipalities have Christmas tree collection programs to shred the tree and using them for mulch.
In order to recycle a Christmas tree make sure to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, hardware and stand. Christmas trees that have been sprayed with artificial snow typically will not be accepted for recycling. Avoid placing Christmas trees in the garbage with the rest of the trash. Instead, place on the curbside for recycling. Look in the Wilson Times for times and dates for Christmas tree removal.
Other options for recycling a tree include:
– Submerge tree into a private fishpond. The tree becomes a fish feeding refuge.
– Place in the garden and use as a bird feeder and refuge. Eventually the tree will become brittle and then can be taken apart and chipped into mulch.
– Cut branches off and place on top of landscaped beds for mulch.
Do not burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace. Doing so causes creosote buildup. This reduces the efficiency of your fireplace, is highly flammable and a potential fire hazard.
Recycling your Christmas tree will help to improve the soil and environment, provide wonderful smelling mulch, and substantially reduce the amount of waste entering the landfill.
We all want a greener environment. This is just one way to have a greener 2013.
For all your gardening needs contact the Wilson Extension Master Gardeners on Wednesdays from 1-3 PM at 252.237.0113 or email anytime at email@example.com.
Care to tell us why? Send Explanation


text:
The City of Mill Valley has five employment groups, each with their own Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Salary Schedules. A Memorandum of Understanding defines the expectations, terms and conditions of the working relationship between two parties. All employment groups, except for the Management, Technical, Confidential and Part-Time Employees, are represented by unions. The following are the employment groups and their respective MOUs and Salary Schedules: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFSCME MOU AFSCME Salaries AFSCME Part-Time Hourly
Fire Chief Officers Association Fire Chief Officers Association (Battalion Chiefs) MOU Fire Chief Officers Association (Battalion Chiefs) Salary Schedule
Firefighters Association Fire Fighters Association MOU Fire Fighters Association Salary Schedule Non-Represented Management, Technical, Confidential and Part-Time Employees Non-Represneted Employees ResolutionDepartment Managers Salary ScheduleNon-Represented Employees Salary Schedule Non-Represented Part-Time Salary SchedulePolice Officers Association Police Officers Association MOU Police Officers Association Salary Schedule
If you have questions, or for more information, please contact the Finance and Human Resources Department at (415) 388-4033 or email email@example.com.
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| Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
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Mill Valley City Hall: 26 Corte Madera Avenue | Mill Valley, CA 94941 | City Hall Phone: (415)388-4033 | City Hall Fax: (415)381-1736
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Hundreds remember Majerus at funeral at Marquette
Hundreds of friends and fans have gathered in Milwaukee to remember Rick Majerus, the college basketball coach who recently died of heart failure at age 64.
A Salt Lake Tribune report says former player Al Jensen was among those who remembered Majerus on Saturday as a demanding coach and loyal friend.
Majerus had a 25-year record of 517-216, with 15 20-win seasons and two 30-win seasons. He led Utah to the NCAA finals in 1998, and he also coached at Marquette, Ball State and Saint Louis University.
Saint Louis' 15 current players were listed as official pallbearers. About a dozen former Utah players attended the service, including Keith Van Horn, Andre Miller and Michael Doleac.
Also attending were NBA figures George Karl, Doc Rivers and Del Harris.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.
Tim Chaten
| March 24, 2011
New AppGuide: Foosball Apps For The iPad
A good foosball table can cost over $200. Thankfully you can turn your iPad into one for less than $5. There are some truly fantastic apps to do this and some not-so-good apps. We sort them out in this AppGuide.


text:
You are Here:
News Releases
/ NRCS Announces $632,286 Funding for Bayou Meto (Arkansas County) Mississippi Ri
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 19, 2012 – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White today announced $632,286 in financial assistance available in FY 2012 to agricultural producers for addressing water quality concerns in Bayou Meto Watershed in portions of Arkansas, Jefferson and Lonoke counties through the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI).
NRCS, in partnership with Arkansas County Conservation District, has received funding for the initiative. Producers have until July 18, 2012, to submit applications to receive financial assistance to implement conservation practices. The project area covers 238,106 acres.
"We have recognized that targeting money to a specific watershed is more effective than just 'random acts of conservation'. One of the ways we have done this is through special initiatives within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). MRBI targets specific watersheds for specific water quality and quantity practices," said Mike Sullivan, NRCS state conservationist. "Nine projects were selected in Arkansas through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative portion of MRBI. Funding for the nine new projects will total approximately $49.7 million over the next four years."
"Working together through the Mississippi River Basin Initiative, we are helping private landowners implement complete conservation systems on their land that help them maintain productivity; avoid, control, and trap sediments and nutrients; improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat," Sullivan said.
The goals of the project are to improve water quality, reduce sediment and nutrient loads entering the watershed, enhance wetlands, improve fish and wildlife habitat benefits, and improve the biological health of the streams. Water quality and water quantity will be enhanced through conservation practices in the project area to improve water quality and reduce ground water mining of the aquifer.
"The Arkansas County Conservation District is thrilled to receive approval for the Bayou Meto Watershed MRBI Project. This project has been developed to address the primary resource concerns of water quality in the Bayou Meto Watershed with secondary resource concerns that include water quantity, soil erosion, wildlife and stream habitat," said Sloan Hampton, chairman of the Arkansas County Conservation District. "This funding will enable farmers to adapt a conservation systems approach in selecting practices to be installed on their farms. We feel very fortunate to have one of our projects chosen."
Funding will be available to eligible landowners through EQIP. NRCS will provide financial assistance for a variety of conservation practices for the purpose of reducing the amount of nutrient runoff and soil erosion associated with agricultural production. Land and producer eligibility, adjusted gross income, and all other program criteria for participation must be met to participate in this initiative. Agricultural lands are eligible for enrollment in the initiative.
NRCS and associated conservation partners will deliver this program collaboratively. For more information about the project, conservation practices approved, collaborating partners and an area map, visit Bayou Meto (Arkansas County). Applications may be obtained and filed with the Natural Resources Conservation Service at:
NRCS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Civil Rights | FOIA | Plain Writing | Accessibility Statement
Privacy Policy| Non-Discrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov


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You're Invited to the One Day's Wages Launch Party - 10/24
Join us as we celebrate the official launch of One Day's Wages.
more about the vision and future of ODW from the co-founders, Eugene
and Minhee Cho, enjoy good food, great coffee, and live jazz music as
We're also using this occasion to celebrate Eugene's 39th birthday. Please - no personal gifts but Eugene (and Minhee) do have one birthday request:
Come and hear the vision of ODW and learn more about how your One Day's Wages can fight extreme global poverty in our world today. We hope you'll join us and feel free to invite anyone that wants to learn more about this movement.
Here's the relevant info:
What: Official Launch Party for One Day's Wages
When: Saturday, October 24 // 7.30-9pm
Where: Q Cafe // http://qcafe.org
Why: An invitation to learn about this org and movement
Cost: FREE
Dress: Semi-Formal
And feel free to invite others to join you. You can RSVP via the FACEBOOK Event or email firstname.lastname@example.com


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Board approves Hope Orchards' site plan for barn
Hope — The Planning Board approved Hope Orchards' site plan for renovations to the barn at 431 Camden Road, adjacent to the home of owners Brien and Emily Davis Tuesday, July 1.
Brien Davis had come to the Board May 6 to let the members know of his proposal to build an enclosed porch on the east side of the barn to house a seasonal home kitchen for the preparation of products from the orchard to be sold in Hope Orchards' store. He also proposed to build two apartments, one 850 square feet, the other 1,000 square feet, at a later time, but wanted to have the necessary approvals in hand ahead of time, he said Tuesday. In addition, Davis has paved the barn driveway.
Davis said the reason for the renovation was, "to keep the structure alive and weather-tight."
The porch to house the kitchen is already under construction. With regard to the apartments, the Board told Davis at the May 6 meeting that the main concern would be the provision of an adequate septic system. Hope Orchards shares a septic system with the Town Office and the School Union 69 Administration office. According to the site plan, the system has a new 1,000-gallon septic tank, and Code Enforcement Officer Jon Duke has certified that it has sufficient capacity for the proposed apartments. Davis has two years from the date of the Planning Board's approval to present a plan for the apartments.
Duke said Wednesday, July 2, that when Davis is ready to build the apartments, he will have to apply to the Board of Selectmen for approval, and that portion of the project might be subject to a town meeting vote, because the septic system is shared with the town.
In other business, the Board elected officers for the next year. Tug Kellough was re-elected as chairman, John Fallows was chosen to serve another year as vice chairman and Jessica Snyder was voted in again as secretary.
The Board tabled the other item on its agenda, a subdivision off Route 235 proposed by Eric Simon, in order to give ample notice to abutters to the project. A meeting was set for Wednesday, July 16, at 3:30 p.m. in the Town Office to consider the item.
Staff Profile
Sarah E. Reynolds is copy editor for the Courier Gazette and Camden Herald.
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Sarah E. Reynolds has been a reporter and writer for more than 20 years, winning awards from the Maine Press Association and other professional organizations. She loves to read, ride her ATV and play word games.
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As we all know the audio visual club is an amusement newspaper and also a website which is published by The Onion. Since the audio visual club comes in print as well as in the website, the print section comes with the interviews of many interesting people though in a shorter version. It doesn't end here only. It has got other things as well. These include the reviews of newly released games, movies and books. Pop cultures are also given importance in the audio visual club. If you feel that you need to read and know more about the interviews and information that are given in the printed section then you can always check out the website of the audio visual club. The more detailed versions of your search are always available in the website. The website also gives you new reviews on a daily basis and much more than that which are available in print.
Earlier when the website was newly launched it had no option for people to comment and hence it was difficult to get the direct feedbacks from the people. Later when the website was developed and redesigned, a new section was opened for the people to comment. This was and still is a very vital point because it enables the audio visual club to hear from the public directly. Since audio visual club deals with a lot of sectors, that's why the comments that are posted by the people should not be offensive or abusive. If you think that audio visual club works on a small ground then you may well be wrong. They have a huge link with the recent music releases, movies, television shows, games and other videos which include various interviews. Talking about music releases in the audio visual club, some of the major music launches that they have covered so far are Take Care by Drake, Camp by Childish Gambino, Hello Sadness by Los Campesinos, Ambition by Wale, Abdication by Reigning Sound, Free Clouds by Carter Tanton, Spills Out by Pterodactyl, Guilty Pleasure by Brokencyde, Crazy Clown Time by David Lynch, Parallax by Atlas Sound, Evanescence by Evanescence and many others. If you consider the likes of movies then also you will get a big list. Jack and Jill, Immortals, Elite Squad: the Enemy Within, The Conquest, Into The Abyss, London Boulevard, The Love We Make, The Last Rites Of Joe May, The Son Of No One, Killing Bono, Youth Goeth In Love, The Rum Diary, Anonymous, Like Crazy and Silver Bullets to name a few. There are also the reviews of recent DVDs such as Kuroneko, Island Of Lost Souls, Maniac Cop, In A Glass Cage and Laurel and Hardy. Some of these are well known as they have made way to the elite group of DVDs. Book lovers should also get a lot of interest because you will find books such as Zone One, A Life In The Dark, You Are Not So Smart and The Magic Of Reality. So it would be a great experience for you if you go through the audio visual club. It is bound to bring a change in you.]]>
For such purpose, the audio visual media has lots of games for you where you can indulge yourself. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Lord Of The Rings: War In The North, Battlefield 3, The Cursed Crusade, Batman: Arkham City, Aliens: Infestation, Glitch, Rage, Dark Souls, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, Burnout Crash, Gears Of War 3, Dead Island and Pirates Of Black Love to name a few.
Modern Warfare 3 is an action packed game which deals with a collection of military that are set out to fight the cruel battles against black operations during the time of the third world war. Not only is it a fighting game but also an interesting game as well. There are various missions such as rescuing a kidnapped president and fight to save a heavy gas attack on London. The characters of the game are distinctly made and perfectly suits to the plot that has been set. Where Modern Warfare 3 is action based, Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a game based on strategy. The story of this game is a bit literary in nature and has lots of narratives. There are mainly four characters with whom you can play with- Eradan, Gimli, Farin and Andriel. The Cursed Crusade is a different kind of game with a totally new style of story line. The protagonist of the game had been sent to hell because they had tried to flee from death. In this game these people are trapped and they do not have much power within them. The main hero of this game is Denz who is a young knight. His father never came back from his last crusade and that is why Denz is in search for his father. Throughout the game he has a partner named Esteban and together they fight battles and destroy castles. In this way the game unfolds to higher levels where the tasks get harder and harder. If you are addicted to comics then Batman: Arkham City will definitely bring your comic character to life. Here you will be able to play the role of Batman. If you have played The Dark Knight then this game would surely give you much more than that. Batman: Arkham City comes with more enemies than before and along with that comes more thinking of your brain and skilful strategy. In this game you will be privileged with free access to roof tops and other places unlike The Dark Knight where you had to upgrade yourself in each and every step in order to get the new privileges.
So get going with all these super cool games in the audio visual club because you also need some time for entertainment.]]>
To know about the history of the audio visual club we need to know what it is in real. The Onion is the main root to the audio visual club. It gave birth to what we know as the audio visual club which deals with entertainment newspaper and a website. The main objective of the audio visual club is to give the reviews of the newly released movies, television shows, music launches, new books and games. And also not to forget, the live coverage and interviews and the latest news of various Medias and other pop customs. The presentations of the audio visual club are not at all serious but carry with it a good sense of humor to make it more interesting and attractive.
The Onion was first found in 1988 and five years later in 1993 a student of University of Winscon- Madion, Stephen Thompson, came up with the idea of bringing in an entertainment section in The Onion. This section later was renamed as The Audio Visual Club and hence the stone started rolling. Thompson's ideas were practical as the audio visual club helped in the expansion of The Onion worldwide. After a few days of research and experimentation it was observed that selling of advertisements were really easy than to sell film reviews and also people's taste were bent towards the lists of concerts and not towards the regular news which most of the times appeared to be satiric. The audio visual club came up with their internet launch in 1996. At that time the internet was not that regular for the common people and hence many of its print features were missing. Later in 2005 the website developers came up with a new and better designed website that had the provisions for the readers to comment and also write their own blogs. However in 2006 another design for the website was set up where there were regular updates unlike the older version which updated their news and views on a weekly basis.
The audio visual club started to get popularity and in October 2007 it reached its high for the first time with an astounding one million visitors. From then on there was no looking back. Towards the end of 2009 it was reported that the website of the audio visual club had over 1.4 million visitors. To add to it, it started receiving over 75000 comments monthly. December 2004 saw the resignation of the creator of the audio visual club, Stephen Thompson and Keith Phipps was his replacement. In 2002 the audio visual club launched a compilation containing 68 interviews. These interviews had already been featured earlier but since they became such a hit that the audio visual club decided to bring on a collection of those interviews. It was named as "The Tenacity of the Cockroach: Conversations with Entertainment's Most Enduring Outsiders". The audio visual club came up with their second book in October 2009 titled as "Inventory: 16 Films Featuring Manic Pixie Dream Girls, 10 Great Songs Nearly Ruined by Saxophone, and 100 More Obsessively Specific Pop-Culture Lists. This was also available in their website.]]>
Many professionals spend time doing interviews on the radio and television as well as play poker on the television and much more in order to advance the game. If they wanted they could sit in a casino all day and make money, but instead they work on improving the game and adding to the already large amount of poker players playing the game. Poker has been played for decades upon decades, but it was never really popular until about a decade ago when more people found the game and started playing it.
Before then many poker players shaped the game that we all love today though and we'll recognize some of them for there amazing efforts in this article. I won't be able to list all of the influential players that have graced us with there presence, but I will be listing some of the more notable players.
Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson is by far the most influential player in poker history and has been playing for decades. He is a pioneer in the game and every poker whether young or old has heard and seen Doyle play on the television. He seems to always be on television shows, and he also owns his own online poker room which has helped the online players have a place to play.
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth has been playing in major tournaments since the late 80's and since then has won more Texas Holdem WSOP Bracelets then any other poker professional out there. He know spends time playing in television games and WSOP tournaments and has helped shape the poker world. He is known as the Poker Brat and actually has a clothing brand being released shortly. Phil is sponsored by the UltimateBet.com online poker site.
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is the younger poker player's role model and has been playing poker for years now. Everyone who has started playing poker in the last decade has definitely heard of this player. He spends time playing the game he loves, but also spends time teaching players how to win on his website. He has spent countless hours improving the game and outlook on the game and has done a great job at proving poker isn't only for mean mugging guys.
There are more influential players in poker, but it would take days to list them all here. The above three players have done gone through a lot of work in evolving poker and now it's one of the most popular games played around the world. It's a great game to learn and you'll never become bored of playing it as there is the excitement of potentially winning money. Daniel recently signed a contract with www.PokerStars.net to be one of their top level pros.]]>
As a general rule, most winning hands are determined by the highest 2-pair if not the highest pair as compared to straight, flush or similar big hands. This means that if a player begins with a straight or even a flush draw, he or she must have a minimum of 2 high cards if not one card, which should be higher than others on the board.
When this happens, the draw hands and those with low pair starting hands need to focus on improving their hands if they cannot turn a high pair fast enough to stay in the game.
Should board cards beat the high hand a player holds, it is smart to fold if the player thinks this is the best draw hand he or she can hope to have. It is also wise to play high hands early and fast so that any improvement chances are limited to the initial stage of the game by thinning out any competition, should it exist.
Finally, in 7-card stud poker, it is advisable to slow play only draw hands if a player is aiming to simply encourage others in the game to keep adding to the pot hoping for a hit with high pot odds.
Now, coming to definitions for different hands in 7-card stud poker, "High cards' are described as 10 through Ace while 'Low cards" are naturally at the other spectrum of the deck that is 89 through 2.
If your starting hand has one of the pair cards down and the other card up, this is termed as a 'Split pair.' But if both your pair cards are in the hole for your starting hand and the side card is the kicker up, then it is classified as a 'Concealed pair.'
You may have also heard of 'Door card.' This refers to the up card that is kept face up during a starting hand. Coming to 'Dead cards,' these are cards that have already been revealed and thus, no longer considered part of the deck.
Now, during a 7-card stud poker game, when one comes across the term 'Fast play' as mentioned earlier in the article, it simply means to make a bet, raise and continue to raise in order to eliminate as many players as possible in the quickest time possible, to reduce competition. The opposite of this tactic is called 'Slow play,' which requires a player focused on winning to check and call in order to make opponents comfortable and keep adding to the pot just to increase his or her pot odds.
Finally, coming to 'Check-fold' this is a stage when a player is required to check if able, or fold but only if the player is bet into, not otherwise. It is advisable to accept all free cards that are offered, say pros.
This game is usually played with 2 to 8 players and has a fixed limit betting procedure with 5 betting rounds after every player antes up.]]>
As you might have guessed, there is a tight element to the tight aggressive strategy and there is an aggressive element. The tight element is playing tight. The meaning of playing tight, for those who do not know, is being very selective about the PokerStars.net hands that you choose to play. A player who is playing tight will fold a good deal of the hands that they get. Most of the hands that you are dealt in any given hour at the poker table will be unworthy of play. As such, you should be folding the majority of your hands. By playing tight you will limit your downside risk by avoiding bad or problematic hands and keeping as many chips in your stack for when you get really good hands.
When you do get hands that are worth playing, a tight aggressive player will play them very aggressively. There is a saying that goes if your hand is good enough to call it is good enough to raise and this is a motto that the tight aggressive player takes very seriously. Hands that you are playing as a tight aggressive player should be good; therefore, you should be playing them very aggressively by betting and raising. While being aggressive means that you should be attacking the pot and making moves, it does not mean that during the additional betting rounds you should not reevaluate your position should the status of the board change.
Using a tight aggressive playing style when you play poker online involves more than just folding hands that are poor and playing extremely aggressively when you get hands that are good. Using the tight aggressive play style correctly involves being able to think while you are sitting at the table and react to changes in your environment. Using a tight aggressive strategy in poker is a very intellectual approach to the game and is the most popular approach to the game used by many of the world's best pros. By folding the majority of the hands that you are dealt and playing the hands that are good very aggressively, you should be able to instantly improve your overall play and start to put more money into your stack.]]>
Your poker chip count in relation to the average stack and blinds will determine the most ideal bubble strategy. For a player that is short stacked, the first thing you should do when you start getting close to the bubble is start playing extremely tight. Do not let any chips out of your stack that you do not have to let go of. Unless you have a premium hand, or you have to double up to survive, a short stacked player should play conservatively, moving all-in or folding.
If, however, you have a deeper stack, the bubble plays a much less important role. Being further up in chip count means you can continue to play without fear of being knocked out as the bubble person. Instead, you can use the other players bought of conservatism to increase the size of your chip stack. It is every poker player's biggest fear to be knocked out on the bubble, so playing on that fear can net you a lot of chips and give you a lot more strength than you would otherwise have.
Depending on the number of people in the tournament, the bubble phase can last quite a while. As soon as the game approaches the point where the bubble person will be decided in the near future, all risky betting is shut down and everyone who is in danger of being knocked out is doing everything they can to wait it out until they can finish in the money. The number of people folding almost every hand they get is staggering and if you are in a deeper stacked position, you can use this to your advantage. After the bubble person has been knocked out, most things return to some semblance of regularity at PlaySolidPoker.com.
Playing during the bubble phase can be extremely nerve-racking or extremely enjoyable depending on the depth of your stack. Being the first person out of the money is a terrible feeling and it is the goal of everyone not to be put in that position. As such, if you are short stacked make sure you morph into a total nit and do not open up until the bubble has passed. It is even better if you have just paid the blinds, as you will last at least another round all the way around the table.]]>
The best thing that you can do when playing from the hijack position on Full Tilt Poker is to make sure that you pay attention to every action that people take before it is your turn to act. By focusing on everything that the other players do, you will be able to make a much better decision when it is your turn to act. What you do when the action comes to you depends upon what the people in front of you have done. There are so many options available to a player in this position that a lot of it is also dependant on personality.
One of the strategies that is perfectly suited to the hijack position is stealing the blinds. Almost everyone is expecting players to steal the blinds from the cutoff position but the number of people expecting it from the hijack is significantly less. As such, you will be able to get away with stealing the blinds more often from the hijack position when compared to the cutoff. In addition to stealing the blinds, you can play almost any two cards from this position depending on whether anyone has raised in front of you. Assuming that action has been pretty weak in front of you, you can often bluff completely and put in a big raise to get more money than if you were just trying to steal the blinds.
There are some occasions that you should play a little more slowly when in the hijack position on a site like PokerStars.com. One specific situation where it is ideal to put the brakes on is when the actions in front of you is really light and you have a very solid hand. In these situations, you can easily push out the rest of the people at the table if you make a sizeable raise, which will usually result in a decreased return on your premium hands. Thus, high quality hands can be played slowly to extract extra money from your opposition. While it does give the potential of trapping yourself, it also leaves open the option of re-raising if someone raises behind you.]]>
The fact that the blinds are always increasing is something that should be at the forefront of your mind when you are playing poker in a tournament environment. Because the blinds are always increasing, you cannot sit and wait for the premium hands to come to you. In order to be successful, you need to open up the acceptable range of hands and make big plays when the opportunities arise. Every chip that you leave on the table is an increasingly difficult thing to get back and as the tournament goes on, the importance of having a solid foundation becomes more and more important.
Additionally, because the table you are sitting at is always changing, your chance to feel out your opponents is greatly reduced. In a cash game, you can often be playing with the same people for many hours on end and get a very good feeling for how they play. This is not the case in a tournament scenario where you are changing tables multiple times in an hour. As such, it is important to focus on the numbers a lot and, if you are able to get a read on the players quickly, to use that to your advantage while you can.
The pace in tournament poker is usually much faster than traditional cash games. This pace can often fluster players who are not used to the rapid pace of play. When you are playing Texas Hold'em in a tournament, you need to make your decisions quickly and go with them. Tournament poker is no time to second-guess yourself and playing slowly can result with you behind the curve, which is a terrible place to find yourself. Make decisions quickly and either raise or fold but do not spend a lot of time ruminating on a hand unless it is a situation where most or all of your chips are at stake.
Getting acclimated to online tournament play can take a while. The differences between cash game poker and tournament poker are extensive and the only way to get a good understanding on the mechanics of tournament play is to sign up and struggle through some small stakes tournaments. Understanding the differences and what is important will go a long way to taking you farther in your tournaments but experience is definitely the best teacher.]]>


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November 26, 2006
Honest Problem Solving
Problem definition is among the most critical -- essential -- elements of effective problem solving. Taking the time, putting in the effort and gathering as many views as possible about the nature of the problem at hand dramatically increases the odds that effective solutions will be found. As a quick illustration, consider the family who, month after month, see themselves falling deeper in debt. Does this family have a credit problem to solve or a spending problem to solve? The airwaves are filled with commercials offering to help such families solve their credit problem -- an indirect, anecdotal piece of evidence that a whole lot of families in this situation are choosing to define their problem as access to credit instead of finding different approaches to spending. Until the families change the way they define their problem, the odds are against them finding solutions that work.
That's plain common sense.
So, what are we to make of these sentiments from Senator Chuck Hagel on the problem we call Iraq:
"The time for more U.S. troops in Iraq has passed. We do not have more troops to send and, even if we did, they would not bring a resolution to Iraq. Militaries are built to fight and win wars, not bind together failing nations. We are once again learning a very hard lesson in foreign affairs: America cannot impose a democracy on any nation -- regardless of our noble purpose.
We have misunderstood, misread, misplanned and mismanaged our honorable intentions in Iraq with an arrogant self-delusion reminiscent of Vietnam. Honorable intentions are not policies and plans. Iraq belongs to the 25 million Iraqis who live there. They will decide their fate and form of government."
Problem definition: We've got to move beyond noble purpose and honorable intentions if we are to find a solution to this problem.
That, of course, is dishonest. Senator Hagel knows very well that the government of George W. Bush did not enter Iraq with a noble purpose or honorable intentions. The record shows that less than two weeks after taking office, the Bush Administration began plans for "taking out Sadaam". It used 9/11 to push those plans forward. They lied about WMD. They lied about Sadaam's connections to 9/11. They lied about Sadaam's connection to al-qaeda. They lied about the cost of the war. They lied about their preparedness for the post-war occupation. They lied about how things were going. They lied about their questionable methods, such as those used at Abu Ghraib. They continued to change the definition of the problem they were seeking to solve (e.g. what constitutes 'victory') and misrepresented and lied about how they described the situation in order to fit the message of the day. Throughout the affair (and as recently as a month ago in the run up to the mid-term elections), they demonized as traitors anyone who did not agree with their lies.
There were no honorable intentions. There never was a noble purpose. Quite the opposite. Yes, there was ideology. But, ideology and noble purpose are not synonyms. Did Hitler have a noble purpose? Did Stalin? Would you call the events triggered by the madness of Rev. Jim Jones linked to a noble purpose? How about Osama bin Laden? Noble purpose? Honorable intentions?
The Bush Administration defined the problem to be solved in at least three ways: First, to win and retain political power in the United States. Second, to "take out Sadaam" as part of Rumsfeld's 21st century military vision. And, third, to strike anywhere and everywhere that, famously, there was even a 1 percent chance that anti-Americanism and/or terrorism could be found.
There is nothing either noble or honorable about any of this.
And until folks like Senator Hagel rid their problem definitions of perpetuating these lies, the big lie of honorable intentions and noble purpose will continue to cloud our capacity for clear problem definitions and clear problem solutions.
We will make much faster progress when people like Senator Hagel find the stomach to acknowledge the full picture. The Senator correctly describes the actions of the US government when he writes: "misunderstood, misread, misplanned and mismanaged."
Now, the Senator -- and others -- must also speak as clearly about the fact that the Government of The United States acted dishonorably and did so with purposes linked to power, greed and arrogance. If our government is now to move forward, it must do so with a renewed fidelity to the rule of law and our historic aspirations toward decency, fairness, tolerance and liberty and justice for all. And the first and truest step toward doing this is: stop lying.
Our government has acted wrongly. And like a family who continues to seek easy credit instead of taking responsibility for spending, we will not find workable solutions to the mess we've created if we perpertuate the dishonarable lies that produced this mess in the first place.
When one reads Senator Hagel -- especially when he concludes on the note of supporting the Baker-led Iraq Study Group - one sees that the real problem being defined is still the first plank of the problem as defined by George W. Bush's crowd from the beginning: how to win elections and retain political power in the United States? How to spin the messages through our media and political markets about Iraq in a way that will let political leaders who compete in those markets -- as well as the media companies and their celebrities who have replaced news with promotion -- get the troops home without acknowledging that those same troops were sent off to fight, get injured and die for a lie.
Senator Hagel -- and James Baker -- are seeking access to more credit. And they most definitely are not prepared to take full responsibility for our spending problem -- i.e. what's been and will continue to be spent in blood, treasure, values, the rule of law and our national honor and decency.
Posted by Doug Smith at 12:45 PM | Permalink
November 25, 2006
Day Of Reckoning
The United States remains one of the rare -- and certainly the largest -- pharmacuetical markets where government has refused to step in to curb pricing and other practices. Defenders of these practices point to the ideological instruction of shareholder value extremism: we must have free markets in which companies use profits and capital to innovate through research and development that, in turn, bring us ever new and more effective pharmaceuticals. The problem, of course, is when any single answer -- in this case profits and shareholder value -- is repeatedly used like a catechism without reference to it's actual, fact based effects, even the constructive aspects become emptied of all reason, all possibility.
Should we construct our affairs so that pharmaceutical companies make profits and offer an attractive return to those who provide them capital?
Should we construct our affairs so that pharmaceutical companies drive profitability through kick-back like rewards to doctors who promote their high priced drugs, research and development trials conducted without oversight by independent agencies with sufficient resources to maintain objectivity, campaign funding provided to politicians (who declare themselves anti-science) in exchange for extending legalized monopolies needed to support high prices, product development processes that favor marginal advances on existing drugs over fundamentally new drugs (including life-style drugs instead of life-saving drugs), marketing and advertising campaigns that draw attention toward life-style and away from real need, and, finally, legislation that sets up complexly regulated distribution of drugs to older folks who neither themselves (nor their adult children) can even ever hope to understand -- and all because each and every one of these practices and more help pharmaceutical companies do in the United States what they cannot do elsewhere: make unsustainable profits?
Should we continue to allow all of these usurious and unethical practices?
The free market crowd of zealots have become so detached from the facts on the ground about how markets actually operate that it comes as no surprise that Big Pharma is gearing up to fight against allowing for the free market importation of lower priced drugs from Canada.
Here's the problem. If you're an executive in a Big Pharma company, you know that the United States market is your last, best hope for sustaining unethcially high prices and shareholder value. Why? Because other markets are now 'off limits' to such practices because the governments in those marekts have chosen to blend their concern for Big Pharma profitability with their concern for the health and well being of all of their citizens (not just the top 10%).
For the red meat eating ideologues out there, please re-read: these governments blend their concern for profits and people. Blend. They do not prevent or advocate or wish that Big Pharma become indigent groups operating at unsustainable losses.
No. They wish for and hope and listen to reason to help Big Pharma and all private sector companies make profits -- reasonable and sustainable profits. Because that's how markets work.
But, these other governments -- unlike the government of the United States -- have said "No" to single answer, shareholder value extremisim. They know that this form of extortion is no more sustainable than continual, persistent losses.
So, if you're a Big Pharma exec and you look at the markets around the world and you see that, for the most part, your profits will be hemmed in except for one -- the US -- then what do you do?
You put the peddle to the metal in the US and do whatever it takes to drive as much profitablity as possible out of this last 'frontier'. Do the math! If you have 10 markets and 9 of them -- at best -- would produce, say, 10% return on investment while your financial markets are 'demanding' you maintain 25% in total -- then you better get a heckuva lot higher profitability out of that 10th market if you hope to make the total performance meet these expectations.
So, when a mid-term election shifts Congress from R to D, and the D group knows there's not much reality left to what we used to refer to as 'middle class' -- quick fact: the top 1% in this nation have 40% of the assets and they can definitely afford the high prices of Big Pharma's US market drugs while the lowest 60% of families have 1% of the assets and cannot -- and this D group identifies the free market idea of importing lower priced drugs -- well then the 'free market' Rs and their Big Pharma paymasters are going to go to work quickly to ensure that free market thinking like the D's offer do not imperil the 'free market' profits of the status quo.
Posted by Doug Smith at 12:19 PM | Permalink
November 19, 2006
Invest Today In A Free Press
How would you like to invest in the growth of an independent press? Well, go to the Media Development Loan Fund today and you can do just that by putting your money in a safe, low yield bond.
Over the past decade, MDLF has provided low-cost financing and technical assistance (learning related to financing, distribution, business planning, etc) to more than 50 independent media companies -- radio, TV, newspaper, internet and more -- in nearly a score of nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central Europe, Russia and elsewhere that are transitioning toward the possibilities of democracy.
MDLF provide both low cost loans as well as takes equity stakes. They, in turn, use innovative instruments to gather the capital needed for their important work. In particular, with the participation of major financial institutions, MDLF offer investors low interest returns (e.g. up to 3%) in safe bonds -- what they call 'social bonds'. In effect, you can invest in press freedom around the world.Posted by Doug Smith at 01:33 PM | Permalink
November 14, 2006
Market Magic
See my article in Slate about how we can use the idea of "dynamic deductibility" to create a new kind of security around the right to trade the timing and size of a charitable deduction -- and, thereby, foster a real capital market for non-profits.Posted by Doug Smith at 01:40 PM | Permalink
November 12, 2006
Six Sigma Upside Down
Six Sigma programs have been a common aspect of the quality movement that swept industry over that past twenty years. Among the key principles of these programs are (1) all work can be described in terms of step-by-step processes; (2) there are always 'customers' of these processes (that is, people, whether inside a company or, more traditionally, beyond it like real customers) who receive the benefits of the work at hand; (3) defects or errors matter to these customers; (4) data can be kept about such defects; (5) a variety of problem solving and improvement efforts can be made to continuously root out the causes and eliminate such defects; and, (6) those involved will do better if continuously challenged to reduce the number of defects.
Six Sigma itself is a statistical notion conveying that there will be less than 3.4 errors or defects for every milllion opportunities. This is a steep mountain to climb. Still, as an aspiration, it has vastly improved the quality of work over many years now -- especially when combined or driven through an expectation of continuing reducing the number or incidence of errors at some rate (e.g. every year cut defects by 70% or 90% or some other goal).
The six sigma statistic crossed my mind while reading about the track record of the federal and state Road Home program designed to help Katrina victims with the money needed to repair or replace damaged homes. Whether organizations are governmental or private sector, one doesn't expect six sigma performance in an effort only 14 months old. 3.4 four errors out of a million opportunities would be too high a bar.
Still, it came as a bit of surprise that, in a process essentially aimed at providing money to needy homeowners, the pace at getting it wrong would be so wildly at odds with six sigma. Indeed, the numbers turn six sigma on its head. Instead of getting it wrong 3.4 times out of million, this program has gotten it right only 22 times out of 79,000.
Only 22 home owners have actually received cash -- out of nearly 79,000 who have applied.
In six sigma upside down terms, this translates as "of every million opportunities to get it right, those doing the work in the Road Home program succeeded 278 times."
So, here's a suggestion to the Road Home program:
Invite all who have applied to the program to a football stadium. Ask them to use their application as their ticket to get in. Take the $7.5 billion allocated to the program, divide it up by the projected number of those in attendance, put that amount in a cashier's check on the stadium seats, provide some entertainment and call it a day.
Will there be defects?
Will there, for example, be folks who spend the money on something other than home repair or rebuilding? Will there be folks who shouldn't get the money? Will people get the wrong amount of money?
But, here's my guess: The number of defects will be far lower than the current rate of getting it wrong at a pace of 999,732 times out of a million.
Posted by Doug Smith at 12:26 PM | Permalink
November 11, 2006
Note To Joe Nocera: Almost There
Joe Nocera of the The NY Times visited the annual Corporate Social Responsibility conference this past week and came away dazzled by the paradoxes. The contradictions would have been hard to miss. For example, what must Joe have wondered as he spoke to Exxon Mobil's and Chevron's corporate social responsibility representative the week following the Stern Report catalogue of the catastrophic risks of continuing to treat environmental damage as an externality. Ditto for Pfizer's 'do-gooder' who, as a person undoubtedly seeks to better human kind and cannot be held individually accountable for his company's maniacal focus on bottom line practices such as kick-back like rewards for doctors who push Pfizer products, research and development trials conducted without objective oversight, campaign funding to politicians who support extending legalized monopoly, product development efforts aimed at minor improvements over fundamental innovation, and marketing campaigns that draw attention away from health risks while misleading consumers about the actual costs of new drugs.
Ditto for Ford Motor Company -- whose advertising mantras for years and years (e.g. "No Boundaries") use the imagery of pristine environmental experiences to push gas guzzling SUVs. Or, how about General Electric? Having fouled the Hudson River for decades, GE poured tens millions of dollars into delaying court-ordered cleanup and miselading the public about it's actions because, from a shareholder point of view, the costs incurred in delay outweighed the costs of the clean up. McDonalds? The same week it's representative chatted about the company's sense of social responsibilty at the NY City confab, McDonalds was also funding the effort to fight a NY City ordinance banning transfats.
The list could go on. Joe could not avoid the paradoxes. When, for example, the McDonald's rep claimed corporate social responsibility is "core to the way we do business", Joe noted: "You could wonder about that."
Nocera picked up this theme again in his conclusion. Having ceaselessly breathed in paradox and contradiction, Joe opined that for companies to become substantively responsible -- as opposed to PR-oriented "responsible" -- would demand all responsible values become core to those companies' business models.
Hurrah for Joe! He is dead on correct. Now, Joe, go back, re-read and re-think this declarative statement you make earlier in the article:
"Do shareholders come first -- above other stakeholders (another favorite buzzword at the conference... encompassing customers, employees, activists and so on)? Of course."
Joe, Joe, Joe. There can never -- never -- be fundamental change to the core business models if shareholders come first and their concerns are the trump card of any discussion. Never.
But, Joe, listen up carefully. This last comment does not reflect today's either/or orthodoxy. The orthodoxy embedded in your all-too-facile "of course". The orthodoxy that insists that either the shareholder comes first. Or the shareholder comes last.
No. The shareholder cannot come last. We saw a long run of the poor consequences from the 1950s through the 1980s of what happens when the shareholder came last. We must pursue shareholder value. We must celebrate shareholder value.
But we must not make shareholder value the trump card of all human affairs conducted by business -- especially if we, as I think we should, choose capitalism as an essential philosophy for the well being of the planet.
Joe, if you are to help us change the core business models then you've got to erase your robocall "Of course" about the primacy of shareholder value. You've got to think again and somehow, some way discover the more profound declaration that the shareholder, like other core constituencies, must abide in equivalency of importance. The shareholder does not come first. Nor does the customer come first. Nor does the employee come first.
The shareholder does not come last. Nor does the customer come last. Nor does the employee come last.
Sustainable and ethical corporations must shift their core business models to this formulation: "Shareholders provide opportunities to the people of the enterprise and their partners to deliver both value and values to customers who generate returns to shareholders who provide opportunities to the people of the enterprise and their partners to deliver both value and values to customers who generate returns to shareholders who..... and on and on."
That is an ethical and sustainable scorecard. And it reflects this unprecedented and undeniable fact of the 21st century human condition: we live in a world of markets, networks, organizations, friends and families in which our organizations are the new communities that determine the fate of our planet. Our primary ethical challenge can only be met when organizations reintegrate our legitimate concern for value with our equally legitimate concern for other values. Failing this, our most dominant organizations -- for-profit enterprises -- will continue putting value first and, thereby, continue propelling our global society toward social, environmental, political and economic disasters.
Joe, consider only this illogical aspect of your all-too-easy-and-orthodox "of course": Who are these shareholders who come first? I'm imagining you are a shareholder. But, let me ask this, are you a customer? Are you an employee?
Put differently, does Joe Nocera the human being come first? Or, do your concerns only matter to the extent that you happen to own stock in one more enterprises?
Should we put one of our dominant shared roles (investor) above the other dominant shared roles of our new age of human kind (employee, customer, family member, friend)? And where does that leave the extraordinary number of folks on this planet who are not investors?
Joe, if we wish to take your constructive insight about changing core business models as an essential condition to the fate of this planet, then we must move beyond either/or-ism to both/and. We must not elevate any role to trump card status while also avoiding subordinating any role as a last concern.
We must learn to practice the new golden rule: "As employees do unto others as customers, investors, family members and friends what we would have them do as employees to us as customers, investors, family members and friends."
When the employees and executives of Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Pfizer, Ford, General Electric and McDonalds begin practicing this golden rule in earnest, we'll all witness social responsibility (as well as environmental, medical, legal, political, technical, family, spiritual and economic responsibility) blended into the daily lives of those who make, sell, distribute and service the many good things we depend on for leading our lives.
We will experience and have good things to have that are truly 'good'.
Posted by Doug Smith at 12:44 PM | Permalink
November 09, 2006
Grounded and Clear
Effective communication demands being both grounded and clear. Communicators who are grounded convey -- and are in fact -- deeply rooted in their conviction about what they are saying. Listeners get a sense those roots go deep -- very deep into the ground on which the speaker stands. There's a strong message in this: unshakeability. (Notice, though, that unshakeability does not have to equate with stubborness or obstinancy. I can be unshakeable in what I'm conveying AND also be unshakeable in my openness to considering alternatives).
Effective speakers are also clear. By clarity, I mean the words used spell out in straight forward, understandable and logical fashion what it is the speaker is saying.
Being both grounded and clear does not insure those listening will agree. But it does insure they will believe that you as the speaker know what you are about and are committed to your point of view. When Rush Limbaugh recently disparaged Michael Fox for Fox's pro-stem cell research commercial, Limbaugh was both grounded and clear in his disparagement. He was deeply rooted in his own conviction that Fox was using his disease as a ploy and Limbaugh was also clear about how and why Fox was doing this.
As a listener, I found Rush Limbaugh's grounded and clear sentiments in this case to be yet one more piece of evidence that Rush Limbaugh is a repugnant, despicable man. Still, he got his message across because he was grounded and clear.
Speakers who are grounded yet unclear, or who are clear yet ungrounded, or who are neither grounded nor clear can never hope to to elicit an effective response -- whether that response is agreement, disagreement or a blend.
Instead, such speakers betray their own lack of conviction and/or understanding in what it is they are saying. When, for example, President Bush chose to read a prepared statement about dumping Rumsfeld at yesterday's press briefing, Bush immediately showed he was neither grounded nor clear about his action. In contrast, his defense of Rumsfeld for the past few years was a much more grounded and clear communication. He didn't need notes. The message was grounded and clear: Rumsfeld is doing a great job and he's staying.
Yesterday's use of notes dumped all that. And, if you had the chance to see Bush, you also saw that he could barely keep his feet planted behind the lectern -- let alone firmly rooted there. His body language was as muddied as his verbal language.
Like the example of Limbaugh's contemptible words about Michael Fox, Bush's years-upon-years choice to stick with Rumsfeld was, to many, a tragic case of poor leadership. But he was grounded about it. He was clear. We knew where he stood.
All we know now is that he's extraordinarily uncomfortable about dumping Rumsfeld. He doesn't really believe in it. And he isn't totally sure why. He may be doing what others have advised (or, less kindly, told him to do).
But we'll have to watch the coming days, weeks, months and two years to find out if George W. Bush can regain his footing and his clarity about what he and his Presidency are all about. That tens of millions of Americans may well disagree with any formulation he re-discovers is a separate issue from whether the man himself can ever communicate effectively about what, why and whether he has any purpose to his life.Posted by Doug Smith at 03:28 PM | Permalink
November 08, 2006
Moving The Foul Lines
This past Sunday, the local newspaper endorsed the incumbent Congressman John Sweeney against his challenger Kirsten Gillibrand. Throughout his career in politics, Sweeney has repeatedly behaved in ways that raise questions about his character -- incidents suggestive of problems with alcohol, a variety of questionable fundraising and lobbying practices, and violent behavior -- including a report of domestic violence in December 2005. He has never, however, been charged with any specific crime.
He did, though, rise within the Republican-controlled Congress. As the endorsing editorial noted, he held a position of power that could benefit bringing home the bacon to his district. And, with regard to Iraq, the endorsing editors noted that, while Sweeney has voted with Bush, he had recently questioned the wisdom of some of the choices made by the Bush Administration.
On the other hand, the endorsing editors went on to point out Ms. Gillibrand had lived much of her adult life outside the Congressional district and had failed to run for a more local office.
The day after the endorsement, a group of leaders met with the endorsing editors to criticize their choice -- mostly because of Sweeney's domestic violence incident -- an incident that Sweeney first denied, then acknowledged, then denied, then acknowledged, then refused to cooperate with.
The endorsing editors told their visitors that, while they appreciated their concern, they believed they had made the correct endorsement because Sweeney has not been charged with any crime.
So, there we have it. The foul lines on what is permissable to consider about questions of character -- at least for sitting members of Congress who have power to bring home the bacon -- has moved. If you are a challenger, you can be judged not ready for office because you've lived most of your adult life outside the district and you haven't earned higher office by holding more local office. If, however, you are a powerful, sitting member of Congress, you deserve re-election so long as you haven't been charged with any crime.
Posted by Doug Smith at 01:35 PM | Permalink


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Eric Zassenhaus Sr Editor, Digital
Eric Zassenhaus is a Sr Editor, Digital for KPCC. Prior to joining KPCC, Eric worked at KTVU in Oakland, KQED in San Francisco, and assisted mid-career reporters in learning new skills at UC Berkeley's Knight Digital Media Center.
Eric has also served as editor at several magazines and as art director at Tikkun magazine in San Francisco. He has worked at several book publishers, including City Lights Books, where he cut his teeth building the publisher/bookstore's website.
Eric graduated from U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School for Journalism, where he concentrated in digital and multimedia journalism.
Stories by Eric Zassenhaus
It's an expensive world after all: Disneyland hikes ticket prices
It may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but no one ever called it the cheapest. Prices for all tickets and parking went up Sunday.
San Diego fire update: Families return home at Camp Pendleton
Governor Brown said he was preparing for the worst fire season on record, as families returned home at Camp Pendleton as three fires on base continued to burn.
Man shot, killed by Ontario police after Mothers Day party
Police say Jose Raul Herrera, 59, was shot and killed in Ontario Saturday night after threatening officers with a weapon.
Crews have knocked down Palisades fire after close call
Los Angeles fire authorities say they have a brushfire that broke out near homes in the Pacific Palisades area has been extinguished.
Garcetti expects a 'protracted fight' from Donald Sterling
On CBS' "Face the Nation," L.A.'s mayor said he didn't think Sterling would step down as the team's owner and said he was bracing for a "painful" fight.
Etiwanda Fire burns into second day; 53 percent containment
Authorities say the wildfire east of L.A. did not grow overnight and is 53 percent contained. They hope calmer winds will let firefighting helicopters take to the air.
Gold Line track shut down by sagging power line
The Pasadena Police Department warns of traffic delays and other issues until at least 6 p.m. Wednesday after a sagging power line blocked one of the tracks.
Suspect ID'd in Sun Valley crash that left officer critically injured [updated]
Police have identified the woman they say is responsible for leaving a veteran motorcycle officer in critical condition Saturday.
Santa Barbara spring break party turns into riot, officers injured
A UC Santa Barbara police officer was seriously injured and at least five sheriff's deputies were hurt after a spring break party known as Deltopia turned ugly Saturday night in Isla Vista.
3 people have died of meningitis in LA County this year
Three L.A.-area men who contracted meningitis died in February and March, the L.A. County Department of Public Health reported Thursday.
SoCal to receive twin storms on Monday, Tuesday nights
A storm system will make its way down to L.A. from the Bay Area Monday night, where it's expected to add a few drops of relief to SoCal's record drought.
Pasadena power outage leaves city in the dark
A "pretty large" power outage left city streets and homes in the dark in Pasadena Monday night.
Smog agency to enforce beach fire pit restrictions Monday
A district spokesperson says the restrictions will help protect the air quality for beachside dwellers, without banning the practice of burning wood at SoCal fire pits.
ABC Family pilot 'Alice in Arabia' pulled after backlash
A pilot for ABC Family was pulled from production this weekend after generating concern that it was based on stereotypes of Saudi Arabia and Muslim women.
UC hospital strike averted by contract deal (Updated)
Union officials say a planned strike by thousands of University of California hospital workers has been averted after contract talks yielded a deal.


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It's never easy coming back from vacation, so thank you Texas for all you do to make the transition so much easier.
In case you missed it, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed the State Guard there to monitor a U.S. military training exercise this summer to make sure it isn't a cover being used by the federal government as part of a plan to seize control of the state.
Granted, this is nuts, but you have to admit it must be fun to live in Texas.
I mean, if the government wants to seize anything around here they just use lawyers and eminent domain, which is pretty bland stuff in comparison.
What is significant about Abbott's involvement is it lends an air of...


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5 US Ski Resorts Worth Visiting In The SummerMany of America's best resorts remain open during the summer months, including one that's even open for snow skiing.
Leaf To Be Released To Texas AuthoritiesMontana's parole board has decided to release former quarterback Ryan Leaf to authorities in Texas, where he was recently sentenced for violating his probation.
Guide To Yellowstone National ParkRefer to this visitor's guide to Yellowstone National Park - the world's first national park featuring more geysers than any other location in the world.
Lewisville Man Accused Of Trying To Run Down Pedestrians A 28-year-old North Texas man is jailed in southwestern Montana after prosecutors say he was trying to hit pedestrians with his sport utility vehicle near a bar.
Leaf Could Serve Texas Time In Montana PrisonThe Texas prosecutor who brokered a 10-year probationary sentence for former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf in 2010 says he is working on a plea deal that would allow the Montana native to serve his sentence in his home state.
Senate Vote Could Keep Cargo Planes In TexasA Senate committee was expected to approve a bill Thursday that would keep eight Texas Air National Guard cargo transport planes in the state.
Texas Prosecutor Rescinds Warrants For LeafRyan Leaf's attorney says Texas prosecutors have canceled their outstanding warrants until the ex-NFL quarterback completes drug treatment in Montana.
Ryan Leaf Sentenced To Drug TreatmentFormer NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf could spend 15 months locked down in Montana, first in a drug treatment facility and then in a pre-release living center as part of a judge's sentence.
Ryan Leaf Pleads Guilty To Stealing PainkillersFormer NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that he broke into a home in Montana and illegally possessed prescription painkillers.
Ryan Leaf Reaches Plea AgreementFormer NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has reached a plea agreement on his drug and burglary charges filed in Montana. The details of the plea agreement have not been filed.
Ryan Leaf's Arraignment PostponedRyan Leaf's arraignment, on charges that the former NFL quarterback broke into two homes in Montana and stole prescription drugs, has been postponed.
Ryan Leaf To Be Arraigned In MontanaRyan Leaf is to be arraigned on charges that the former NFL quarterback broke into two homes in Montana and stole prescription drugs.


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School personnel numbers balloonApril 17,2014Each time the possibility of school funding cuts is discussed, we are bombarded by the resulting near certainty of teacher lay-offs. The numbers presented below indicate that the number of teachers is not the root problem; their administrative back-up on the other hand according to The School Staffing Surge by Benjamin Scafildi, Americas K-12 public education system has experienced tremendous historical growth in employment, according to the U.S. Department of Educations National Center for Education Statistics. Between fiscal year (FY) 1950 and FY 2009, the number of K-12 public school students in the United States increased by 96 percent, while the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) school employees grew 386 percent. Public schools grew staffing at a rate four times faster than the increase in students over that time period. Of those personnel, teachers numbers increased 252 percent, while administrators and other non-teaching staff experienced growth of 702 percent, more than seven times the increase in students.
That hiring pattern has persisted in more recent years as well. Between FY 1992 and FY 2009, the number of K-12 public school students nationwide grew 17 percent, while the number of FTE school employees increased 39 percent. Among school personnel, teachers staffing numbers rose 32 percent, while administrators and other non-teaching staff experienced growth of 46 percent, 2.3 times greater than the increase in students over that 18-year period; the growth in the number of teachers was almost twice that of students.
RutlandMORE IN LettersMost people have now heard about fake news influencing the American voter this election cycle. Full StoryI have something to say to those liberals who are horrified about Trump being elected president. Full StoryDonald Trump railed against Hillary Clintons close relationship with Goldman Sachs, saying she... Full Story
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Since 2010, officials of the Alaskan municipality Homer have spent $847,000 to conduct an initial energy audit and implement energy efficiency improvements that will drop the city's energy bill by $100,000 annually, a reduction of approximately 14 percent.
For most people, the notion that the green gunk coating various pond and river bottoms is a potential fuel source sounds like science fiction. But the fact is, several projects sponsored by the Energy Department are actively developing various ways to turn that "green gunk", called algae, into a renewable and sustainable transportation fuel that will help reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Over the past two weeks, we've featured a number of stories about how advanced biofuels are strengthening our national security and creating economic opportunities across the country. Today, we want to hear from you as we host a live Twitter Q&A on biofuels with Dr. Valerie Reed, Acting Manager of the Biomass Program – starting at 1 PM EST this afternoon.
Recent reports commissioned by the Energy Efficiency Buildings Hub highlight the potential of a massive retrofit project aimed to reduce the area's building energy use by 50 percent in the next 10 years.
A revolutionary new turbine technology for hydropower plants is one step closer to its first commercial deployment. The Alden Fish-Friendly Turbine could change the game for hydropower generation in the United States, and it is likely to have significant export potential.
Earlier this month, United States, Japanese and European Union officials, along with a number of industry stakeholders, met for a "Trilateral Conference on Critical Materials for a Clean Energy Future." I had the opportunity to give a keynote address and discuss the role of critical materials in clean energy technologies with a wide range of experts.
For many, a barrel of oil is almost synonymous with its most prominent product, gasoline. While almost 40% of a barrel of oil is used to produce gasoline, the rest is used to produce a host of products including jet fuel and plastics and many industrial chemicals. As the United States works to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, we must recognize the complexity of that dependence and work to replace the whole barrel.
China has become the world's largest producer of solar modules. But did you know that these Chinese manufacturers are using technology breakthroughs developed in the United States? What's the disconnect in the US's ability to deploy it?
In the U.S., businesses tend to invest in research that will pay off in the short term. National laboratories are filling a gap by conducting the essential research that will change the game 10 to 20 years down the road. Learn more about how years of conducting advanced research in both the private and public sectors led to battery technology that made electric cars possible.
Benton County, Oregon residents constructed a livestock building powered by 306 roof-top solar modules funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
1000 Independence Ave. SWWashington DC 20585202-586-5000


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I'm a numbers and data kind of guy, and I view my investments very "statistically."
I will only invest in stocks that have favorable risk/reward (in my view), and I usually like to control the volatility of my trades with options.
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source: www.mcb.harvard.edu/mcb/news/news-detail/3706/new-course-mcb-170-laura-magnotti/
Brain Invaders: Building and Breaking Barriers in the Nervous System
January 23rd, 2014
MCB 170: Brain Invaders: Building and Breaking Barriers in the Nervous System
The brain has evolved a unique but very effective system to protect itself from invaders. In this course, we will explore the specific defenses that the nervous system uses to protect itself. We will also examine how some pathogens evade or breach those defenses and the impact of those invasions. Finally, we will explore how scientists have been able to translate their understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms into technologies for research and therapeutic applications.
Meeting Time: M., W., 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Biological Labs 1058 (16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138)
Prerequisites: LPSA/LS1a and either MCB 80, or MCB 54
For additional questions, please e-mail
View the course website for MCB 170