text:
As of May 04, 2001, 'grg' has been renamed GURGLE. Reads record and field information from a dBase 3+ file, delimited ASCII text file, or an SQL query to a RDBMS and produces a report listing. The program was designed primarily to produce a TeX/LaTeX formatted output, but plain ASCII text, troff, PostScript, HTML, or any other kind of ASCII based output format can be produced also. The program is ideal for generating large bodies of text where various parts of the text are substituted with information from a database. It's particularly useful for generating mainly static web pages with small amounts of dynamic content. A definition file controls the formatting process, which holds the report, page, and record layouts, what fields to display, and where. Other useful functions include sorting, filtering, and data manipulation of records in the database. Main features include:
- Multiple input databases or queries
- Support for ASCII delimited text, dBase 3+, CA-Ingres, GNU SQL, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases
- Sorting of database records
- Automatic banner placement at the start of each sorted group
- Filters using regular expressions or useer defined function
- Five main text bodies-- header, footer, record, 1st page, and nth page
- User defined macros, text bodies, and equations on field contents, including the conditionals
- User configurable input parsing patterns (default is like awk)
- Include files
- Environment variables
- System variables
- Multiple file output
- General purpose processing language
- Optional GUILE support
DocumentationUser manual available on line from http://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/timc/gurgle/; user manual
version 1.61
released on 21 January 2010
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From the Manufacturer:
Anxiety Free is a powerful formula to help manage stress and anxiety. The ingredients in Anxiety Free have been shown to help increase general feelings of well-being, increase resistance to fatigue, stress and tension, and counteract the effects of stress.
Manufactured by Ridgecrest HerbalsContains no corn, dairy, gluten, soy, wheat, yeast or animal products.

subset: commoncrawl


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Step Inside Poppy Montgomery's Home
Three years ago, when Hank Azaria hired decorator Eric Hughes to design his new SoHo apartment, the actor was leaving Manhattan on a high note. He had just finished a run as Sir Lancelot in the smash-hit Spamalot, which garnered 14 Tony nominations, including a best actor in a musical nod for Azaria in his first Broadway role. Because his client had to rush back to Los Angeles to continue work on the Showtime series Huff, a New York-based Hughes was left with a remarkable amount of freedom and time to give the actor exactly what he wanted—a comfortable home away from his primary residence in L.A. that would be equipped with a state-of-the-art media room and a full-service gym. And last but not least, the space had to accommodate long, rousing Thursday-night poker games.
In the kitchen, the Eugene light fixture is by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort.
Azaria is a brilliant mimic, something well-known to fans of The Simpsons, for which the actor provides voices for several characters, including Apu the convenience-store owner and Moe the bartender. But his verbal acrobatics are also a kind of mask; his nature is shy, and he likes to keep a low public profile. So his loft apartment has no splashy address. It does, however, come with a heady provenance—Azaria bought it from artist Cindy Sherman—and distinctive bones.
In the guest room, a Colette bed by Crate & Barrel upholstered in Catwalk fabric by Lulu DK.
Take Three


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Greenpeace Drama on the High Seas | Activists Confront Taiwanese Vessel
Contributing Monkie Sarah Backhouse
Topics of Interest greenpeace activists, threatening fish stocks
Published on June 2, 2008
Section Green Report / Media
I love drama on the high seas. And Greenpeace activists certainly delivered earlier this week, painting the word "pirate" on the side of a Taiwanese fishing boat in Pacific international waters. Greenpeace accused the long-line fishing vessel "of hunting down precious marine species — including an endangered turtle — in international waters north-east of the Solomon Islands", an area Greenpeace wants declared as marine reserves.
Boarding rubber duckies launched from their mother ship, the Esperanza, Greenpeace activists confronted the vessel called "Ho Tsai Fa 18" and began to "free the fish, sharks and endangered turtle caught on its hooks" as well as (possibly displaying pirate-like behavior themselves) taking one of the vessel's radio beacons and a fishing line. Greenpeace resorted to these drastic measure due to inaction on behalf of international fishing authorities.


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Farah Pandith, Senior Advisor for Muslim Engagement to the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, writes about celebrating Iftaar at the U.S. Department of State October 5, 2007.2:03 pm The currency in Washington is information. What do you know? Where did you get it? How authentic is it? Thus, it is no different in the Department of State where on this Friday afternoon I was getting calls from inside and outside government from people interested in learning who had been invited to Secretary Rice's annual Iftaar. I have not seen the final list yet this afternoon, but it is always of interest to some. Who are the selected ones and why were they picked? But it is "close hold" for now... so good luck to those who keep calling to see a name they recognize. Hey, maybe we can start a rumor? Did I just see Jay-Z walking down the hall?
3:30 pm (For those of you who don't know -- an "iftaar" is the breaking of the fast. We are almost at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and for those observing the fast; you do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset each day for 30 days. For almost a decade, the US government has hosted Iftaars in various ways. Last night (Thursday), President Bush hosted his annual Iftaar at the White House. Tonight, Secretary Rice will be doing the same. In fact, our Ambassadors in many countries host Iftaars as well. Someone told me this afternoon that in the Europe and Eurasian region alone there have been 25 Iftaar dinners hosted by our Ambassadors thus far.)
Last year the U.S. Department of State honored Muslim women, this year the special guests are educators. I still haven't seen a final list of acceptances though....
4:56 pm I am running late for a meeting, but have just seen the final list and it is going to be a really diverse crowd of American Muslims from all over the country as well as guests who are visiting from around the world. No Jay-Z...
6:14 pm Leaving for the 8th floor to join the Iftaar which should be in full swing at this point.
8:47 pm I just got back from the Iftaar. It was great. I love that it was all about the importance of education. Secretary Rice highlighted the role of education and specifically used an example within Islam -- Muslims believe that that angel Gabriel said the word "iqraa," the Arabic word for "read" or "recite" -- to the Prophet Muhammed. Even the menu cards were true to theme, they were all printed with the quote "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave -- The Prophet Muhammad" in both English and Arabic.
I arrived to find that they had opened the balcony doors and guests were mingling outside looking at a perfect fall sunset. I ran into Dr. Yayha Basha, who had accompanied me and two other American Muslims on the first "Citizen Dialogue" program to Europe in the spring of 2006, where he talked about Islam in America to hundreds of Muslims in Denmark, The Netherlands, and Germany. I believe he flew in from Detroit for the event this evening. I saw Assistant Secretary David Welch surrounded by a group of folks, and as I passed him I spotted a friend, Saeeda Mirza, who is doing great things in New York with an NGO called One Nation. You've got to see what they are doing -- go to One Nation for All. They are bringing American Muslims together to make a difference -- pushing back against stereotypes, pulling together voices of Muslims who condemn terrorism, etc. But, truly, the best part of this Iftaar for me was to see the magnitude of smart, hard working Americans who are building stronger communities through education and knowledge. I introduced Assistant Secretary Dan Fried to Saeeda, as I know that he is interested in what is taking place in Muslim communities in Europe and within the United States. Saeeda and Dan hit it off -- when I left they were talking about a place they both know in upstate New York where she grew up.
Though there is a great deal of talking, laughing, and people watching at the start of the event, it quieted down when Imam Magid of the All Area Dulles Islamic Center called the prayer. Some folks left to pray in a nearby room and the rest of the group continued to mingle and eat fresh dates and dried figs as they broke their fast.
I was keen to meet guests and learn about what they are doing. Take Shaista and Ray Mahmood, for example, who were sitting at a nearby table. They have done dozens of events to bring the interfaith community together. They are hosting an Iftaar at their home for Secretary Chertoff, and last year they did one for UnderSecretary Karen Hughes and brought her on Eid to a local mosque so she could experience that celebration. Or Mohamed Elibiary, co-founder of the Freedom and Justice Foundation, who raised $100,000 dollars in private capital for scholarships for American Muslims. He is using that money to build an endowment for a program that will support young American Muslims who are interested in public service. Or Chris Seiple, who is President of the Institute for Global Engagement and is doing excellent work to build bridges of understanding in a wide variety of ways.
For these Americans, the importance of coming to an Iftaar hosted by the US Department of State was significant. They told me that they were proud that we were doing it -- and I am too. Several people, when I told them I was asked to do a blog on the event, said the attention to education and its value to Muslims will be noticed in the Muslim community. One guest said that he was amazed that someone had taken the time to make the posters with quotes from the Quran that lined the hallways. All were about the importance of education.
For many of the guests, highlight of the evening was a chance to see and -- in some cases meet -- Secretary Rice. Her remarks can be read on Department of State website . She singled out examples of notable Muslims who have made a difference to the world because of their contributions in science or due to their courage to stand up for democracy.
I was pleased when I looked around the room and saw the diversity of professions, ethnicities, and backgrounds. When Secretary Rice mentioned that there were Muslim high school kids who were visiting from other countries in attendance, there was surprise on many faces. I was surprised too -- how cool is that? "Hi, I went to America and I broke the fast with the US Secretary of State!"
Whether a high school kid, someone like Shahid Javed Burki (a well- known development economist) who was at my table, or a Hill staffer, the opportunity to take part in the Iftaar tonight was a great experience. Showing respect for Islam in this way has become an American tradition.
I've gone to more than 35 cities in Europe over the course of the last seven months as Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary Dan Fried and the question I get most often is "what is life like in America." Tonight, in its symbolism and its message, it was the best of America.
Jack in Maryland writes:
Farah, I really enjoyed reading your piece. I am touched by the fact that at State Department you commemmorate a muslim festival in such a remarkable way. Your description is very poignant.
Mason in California writes:
Could you please comment on the Department's Christmas celebration?
Thank you.
Thomas in Pennsylvania writes:
It would be interesting to see a complete calendar of religious/cultural observations by the State Department or the White House. I can see Church/State Establishment issues if only one or even a select few religions are recognized. On the other hand it is nearly impossible to separate culture from religion and intercultural communication is not aided if one party refuses to recognize such a major portion of the other culture.
This was a thought provoking post. Thanks.


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Editor for this issue: Michael Appleby <michaellinguistlist.org>
Rank of Job: Areas Required: Research Other Desired Areas: Education University or Organization: Educational Testing Service Department: HR State or Province: NJ Country: USA Final Date of Application: Open until filled Contact: Mike Smith mlsmithets.org Address for Applications: Rosedale Road Princeton NJ 08541 USA * Modified issue 12.48: Please note corrected fax number: 609-497-6022. * SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST - Natural Language Processing The Research and Statistics Division at Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey has a great opportunity for someone who wants a challenging and rewarding position. We are seeking a senior level Research Scientist with the following qualifications: a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computational Linguistics or highly related field. The position will be with the Natural Language Processing Group in the Center for Assessment Design and Scoring. The Center conducts research on the integration of psychometrics, cognitive science and technology with the goal of enhancing the scientific and societal value of assessments. The work for this position involves the conceptualization and research of algorithms, processes, or systems using natural language methods to assist in the creation and analysis of test content (e.g., the automatic creation of test questions and the automatic analysis of test questions to characterize their difficulty). The work also involves the ability to apply scientific, technical and software engineering skills in designing and conducting natural language processing research studies and in developing and contributing to the development of new products or services for education. Evidence of independent substantive research experience is required. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the application of natural language processing in the development of educational assessment products in a multidisciplinary environment. The supervision of a small number of staff may be required. ETS offers competitive salaries, outstanding benefits, two retirement plans, 3 weeks vacation, generous relocation, a stimulating work environment, and ample opportunity for professional growth. ETS is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Please send resume including salary requirements to: Mike Smith: email mlsmithets.org, or fax 609-497-6022Mail to author|Respond to list|Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue


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Top 10 Canadian Comedians
Sometimes, it seems like Canadians have taken over Hollywood. And, you might notice that most of that country's exports have a better-than-average sense of humor (sorry: "humour"). You'll find Canucks invading the stage on "Saturday Night Live" thanks to Canadian creator Lorne Michaels, and that show has brought us such talents as Martin Short, Norm Macdonald, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers and Dan Aykroyd. Throw in other sketch comedy triumphs like "In Living Color" and "SCTV," some stand-up for good measure and writing credits galore, and you've got your list. You know you're jealous, eh? In this video, WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the Top 10 Funniest Canadian Comedians.


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by Anton Shilov
A financial analyst said in a note to customers that based on various sources, Microsoft Corp. may launch its own-brand mobile phone already next month. The rumoured phone is supposed to be similar with Zune HD portable media digital player and is not projected to become a very popular in Microsoft's range.
"Our recent industry checks indicate Microsoft will be debuting its own phone sometime in the next two months. We expect the new phone to debut soon, at either the Feb 15-18 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona Spain, or possibly at CTIA in Las Vegas one month later," said Jefferies analyst Katherine Egbert, reports All Things Digital.
At present not a lot is known about the code-named Pink phone itself, but the analyst claims it will be "Zune-like", will feature 5MP camera, 1280x720 high-definition video playback and will come with a service allowing to purchase music.
"We don't have any information about the cost of the Pink phone, nor do we know what service providers might be partnered with Microsoft. Revenue from the phone is also very unlikely to be meaningful for many years. However, the new phone might explain why Microsoft has allowed WinMo to dwindle to <10% mobile OS market share. Pink would be the 'third screen' (after Windows and Xbox) and final component in Microsoft's "3 screens and a cloud" strategy," said Ms. Egbert.
Considering the fact that Microsoft does not manufacture its hardware products itself, it is highly likely that Zune phone will be made by large contract manufacturers, such as Foxconn Electronics, which makes Apple iPhones and iPods, or HTC, which makes Nexus One for Google.


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I have little conspiracy theory about the cancellation of the 1980 Wings Japanese tour.
But first let me hear all of you thoughts and facts, and whatever you'd like to add.
Did Paul want to get busted, was it an act just to break-up Wings and cancel a tour that may be an unsuccessful one?


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Well, that's promising, at least. There were people of all ages at the Bryan Adams concert I saw in march (brilliant!), so if only the media and the record companies can start seeing the light, and stop releasing all the rubbish that they do, then maybe . . . please!
The difference between genius and insanity is merely the difference between success and failure.


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About the Authors: Samuel M. Witten serves as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration and David J. Kramer serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
Fifteen-year-old Meesu was born in Thailand, and grew up there, but she is not a Thai citizen. Like some members of hill tribes, she is not a citizen of any country. Without citizenship, she faced travel and work restrictions in Thailand and was trafficked to Malaysia to be a sex worker. When Malaysian police busted the prostitution ring, they could not send Meesu home because she was not Thai. She languished in jail for months.
Meesu's case is sadly not unique. She is one of the world's many stateless people. The United Nations estimates that worldwide there are up to 15 million people who are unable to exercise their "right to nationality," the human right that underpins the relationship between individuals and governments.
Stateless people often say their very existence is ignored. Philosopher Hannah Arendt, who became stateless when she fled Nazi Germany and later acquired U.S. citizenship, described the right to nationality as the right to have rights, and wrote: "The loss of a community willing and able to guarantee any rights whatsoever has been the calamity which has befallen ever-increasing numbers of people."
It was the surge in the number of stateless around World War II that led the drafters of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights to include Article 15, which states that "Everyone has the right to a nationality" and should not be deprived arbitrarily of his or her nationality. Still, millions of people -- such as the Bidoon in Kuwait and the Rohingya in Burma (the young woman in the photo, above, belongs to the Rohingya ethnic group and lives along the Bangladesh-Burma border) -- remain stateless, and as a result, suffer from discrimination in access to education, employment, health care, marriage and birth registration, property rights and other abuses.
Although the problem of statelessness persists, international attention to it has drifted to the margins in recent decades. Data on statelessness is scant and seldom highlighted. We do not know, for example, whether the global number of stateless people is increasing or decreasing over time. Issues of citizenship and nationality are politically delicate and often considered sovereign matters. In some cases, governments lack the capacity to officially recognize and document all their citizens; and in other cases, statelessness legally or effectively results from systematic discrimination or gaps in citizenship laws and procedures. In the most egregious cases, governments have denationalized their citizens for political reasons.
In an effort to increase awareness about the existence of stateless people and the problems they face, the U.S. Department of State has begun to include a section on statelessness in our annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. This change is part of our effort to elevate the issue on the world human rights agenda. Published last month, the reports describe the scope of the problem in 50 countries in all regions of the world.
In addition to these country reports, the Department of State is increasing its support for stateless populations through diplomacy and humanitarian assistance. American diplomats press foreign governments to prevent and resolve situations of statelessness within their territory. We have advocated publicly for the protection of stateless persons in Congress and around the UN General Assembly.
The United States is the single largest donor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whose mandate includes the protection of stateless people. Last fiscal year, we provided over $363 million to UNHCR, including contributions to the agency's core budget that supported protection and assistance programs for stateless populations. We also provided $2.5 million in targeted funding to address statelessness in 2007. For example, the Department contributed $689,000 to a UNHCR program to construct or rehabilitate 10 schools and to issue temporary ID cards for 150,000 stateless Rohingya in Burma's Northern Rakhine State, which improved their access to health care and other services.
Solutions for stateless people require government action. Especially where stateless persons lack access to naturalization, and where discrimination embedded in nationality laws results in significant stateless populations, governments must rectify their laws and policies. Universal birth registration is another important step in preventing statelessness from occurring. We urge other governments and non-governmental organizations to step up their efforts on this issue.
As for Meesu, the fifteen year old trafficking victim and citizen of nowhere, she was eventually sent back to Thailand. After months of negotiation, the Thai government agreed to consider accepting, on a case by case basis, stateless people who could prove previous residence in the country. Until we all make a broader effort to reduce statelessness, however, millions of individuals will continue to be deprived of the "right to have rights."
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Assist. Sec. Kramer,
I have a simple question that probably would require a pretty complex answer from various agencies of the US gov. but I hope you'll give me your thoughts and ideas as to how desirable and do-able it might be to implement.
In my state, we've got a lot of open space, and room for a lot of folks. How difficult would it be to simply offer the stateless, all 15 million of them , a place to call home?
Seems to me it would solve the problem and allow them a chance at self sufficiancy and a life. Which is totally consistant with tradional values that built this nation.
In a sense, it would be more efficiant to bring them to the aid rather than the aid to the people. Though aid alone can't resolve the core issue of legal status.
Only the willing among nations can.
SNP in Syria writes:
Either what is suggested by Eric in NM., or Get the U.N. to force these rickety dickeys regimes to comply with International Laws and Humanitarian issues, kick them out of the U.N. downgrade Diplomatic relation, sanctions by international community or simply get ready of these regimes that are nothing but hindereth to human progress by force. If you can not do it, get others to do it, SNP can help. Our future as mankind and the progress that needs to be made this Century can not simply be controlled by few regimes. There is more to life and humanity future than oil contracts, DOS have forgotten the mission they are paid for. The U.N. is obviously an obsolete organization that has failed in its missions. Someone must take the lead and make the charge to resolve this tainted past of our human history. It devaluate all mankind moral standards no matter where these human rights violations occurs. It must be stopped.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ SNP, (chuckle)....that's a keeper..."rickety dickey" indeed. Though we must agree to disagree on your charictarization of DoS efforts in this regard.
Been thinking how it could be managed not in lieu of ongoing DoS efforts to get countries to review status, but to augment the effort and offer a safe harbor of last resort, rather than see folks subjected to abuse and imprisoned for lack of legal status.
Way I see it, we have the capacity to house a lot of folks on mothballed US military bases initially, and get FEMA to hire as many as possible at a living wage to assist the US in disaster clean up after hurricanes, floods, etc.
I'm not suggesting a free ride for anyone, and hard work promotes self esteem in general. Giving them the chance to contribute something back for taking them in would serve everyone's interest.
I'm kind of drawing upon the old CCC program that FDR instituted during our great depression as inspiration as to how such a program might work in practicality.
I don't believe it will require radical changes in policy to implement, but it would have to pass Congressional scrutiny and legistlation.
I think I've offered a solution to that so that it would pass in a Congressional vote.
In any case, someone more knowledgable than I would have to flesh out this bare bones idea in order for it to work as envisioned.
I mean we are talking about providing at least 10 million jobs in the process, and obviously the work is there to be done, but Congress has got to fund the program, and have oversight.
It may be that a lot will eventually be given status from other countries, but America has always lead by example, and if other nations are going to take a cue from this, that would be a very good thing because absorbing 15 million is no easy task under any circumstances.
It would be impossible to integrate them in communities in any traditional aplication DoS has in place today. That many people at once would simply overwhem that process.
This is why I suggest alternative housing till individual applications for permanent refugee status can be sorted out.
Plus the fact that a lot of portable housing would have to be included in such a program, and to some extent this investment would go directly back into the American economy in the manufacture and increased jobs needed to fill the need.
Language barriers would take time to resolve, but interpretors exist within the private sector who have sucessfully immigrated to the US from the same locals.
I think it is do-able, and unless there's some huge roadblock I don't know about, it would be desirable as well.
But let's see what Mr. Kramer has to say on the matter.
Zharkov in U.S.A. writes:
It is the state itself which creates the condition of "statelessness". It is the state and its employees which deny status.
Jews escaped Nazi Germany and then became "stateless" after Roosevelt refused to allow them to enter America.
Under global government, both individual statelessness and individual freedom will be eliminated.
Susan in Florida writes:
This is a deeply compelling report. I did not realize that so many people in the world are stateless. It does seem as if the U.N., as well as the United States, should put more pressure on the countries where this is a huge problem which they choose to ignore. It is a humanitarian problem that rivals any of the other problems we face in the world today, including terrorism, as it probably is used by the terrorists to recruit desperate individuals to do their dirty work. Also, I would like to say how saddened I was by what happened at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen. I want to express sympathy to all who lost a friend or relative in the latest terrorist atrocity.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
I'd like to second Susan's comments regarding the attack on the US embassy in Yemen, and offer my thanks to brave souls and condolences to the families of the policemen , civilians and first responders who lost their lives.
Joe in Tennessee writes:
This is getting old. You keep rehashing the same line...pity, pity, pity which is an emotional state and solves nothing.
While you may think everyone in America feels they have a country....try asking all the millions displaced now by the very Government they live under. There are banking regulations which were directly violated and supported. Speculation in oil was set up by a Congressional tax loop hole in the 90s....and the list goes on. Who makes refugees to begin with? It is almost hypocritical to even post this.
Do any of you realize how many Americans now feel like refugees in their own land? How many feel as though they have been abandoned by their representation and that that representation cares more about others than their own?
Which is worse, the above or the greatest democracy on earth putting its citizens on the streets?
We are all refugees in reality, some just more than others..and very few of their own doing. Take all your money and privileges away in America, what are you? -- and there are more and more of them daily.
The Department Of State should include America on its list should it not? The DOS is not just about everyone else, without a strong America, Democracy is a peril.
I do not have to imagine it, I have seen it and how many decades has this been going on without resolove?
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Ah, the soft bigotry of low expectation and protectionism finds a voice....
Joe, your targeting parameters are so off, you're laying fire on friendlies.
Let me buy you a clue here. You have reason to blame someone, start with your representives to Congress from Tennessee, and tell them to cut out the pork and earmarks.
USAID and DoS don't build bridges to nowhere. They stretch evey dollar approved by Congress to the max with dilligent oversight in order to save people's lives which in turn generates the respect and goodwill for America nessessary to "drain the swamp" of potential terrorist recruitment.
This is just one reason why DOD is so adament about fully funding the Dept of State in Congressional testimony.
Now let me suggest to you Joe that if it was you sitting in hut in Africa, dying of AIDS because you didn't have American supplied medicine, and your son was covered in mosqito bites and showing signs of malaria because American supplied mosqito netting never arrived, and your daughter was sold into sex slavery because she was the only available breadwinner, and that was her only hope of employment...to feed you....
And one of the friendly folks that brought 9/11 on came to you and offered to buy your daughter back and get some quinine for you son, and put some bread on your table for strapping on a suicide vest (since your dying anyway), so you could get even with the US for not sending the aid you know it could have provided in the first place....
What you gonna do then I wonder?
And you claim to be for "America First"....I find that to be patheticly hypocritical.
More's the pity, I pity you.
Anna in Washington, DC writes:
Thank you for drawing attention to this issue. I did not know that there were so many individuals who could not claim their right of nationality. It has made me think about how much we still rely upon the state for our protection.
Also, I'm really impressed with the photograph. There are certain photos that one never forgets -- the well-known image of the young woman from Afghanistan on the cover of National Geographic comes to mind. For me, this is one of those photos, too.
Joe in Tennessee writes:
QUOTE: Now let me suggest to you Joe that if it was you sitting in hut in Africa, dying of AIDS because you didn't have American supplied medicine, and your son was covered in mosquito bites and showing signs of malaria because American supplied mosquito netting never arrived, and your daughter was sold into sex slavery because she was the only available breadwinner, and that was her only hope of employment...to feed you....END QUOTE with spelling cor.
ERIC: I helped lay wire for huts in Darfur, put my life in harms way to deliver food shipments...it is you who is very far off base. Everything is relative and you simply MOVED my Premise to suit a verbal attack for some unknown reason...but, Simply put:
When you were a child and you were not able to do something else your buddy was allowed to do or have, what did your father say: Oh, ok, we should too or did he say: that is their house, this is my house!
Our house is not as strong as it needs to be to continue and help as we did. It is a reality, what about that do you not understand? We can't keep printing money...that is the bottom line.
America and Americans need to come first, not last. We need to rebuild in every respect. The UN can do more, religions can do more...why America all the time?
You pound the bible: so why can't Evangelist give up a few homes and their excessive payrolls, planes, etc. and feed more people or pay taxs so the US govt. can spend more for the poor? ... An entertainment tax would suit it fine.
WWJD...buy a 1,500 suit, horses, many homes, vacations which cost tens of thousands of dollars, have their name put on the doors of Rodeo drive for the clothing they purchase for work they do not perform, get real. You want pity, let the Churches do more than cry for money from the poor in America. They cannot even work collectively because of their own greed and pride. It is easy to give away others people money is it not?
..And I know how spread out the money is and always has been. I seen first hand the lack of medical supplies and food... We cant fix everything and everyone.
You want to talk about delegation, where in the Constitution or Bill of Rights does it read:
Americans should do without Jobs, homes and food so the Government can give to other countries? WHERE IS YOUR LEGAL SUPPORT?
It was NEVER a POINT OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES as a NATION to begin with. Who delegated the Congress to give everything away? The People?
It is a bureaucracy that was developed.
You want a simple solution: Your dealing with leaderships who would rather have weapons than food for their people...so why not just eliminate the leaders? Why continue to drip suffrage throughout the world and try to patchwork help and aid to the point it is today?
It is humanities responsibility...but not one Nations obligation. America has always done much more than its share; but, we are in a bind now. I presume your eating well. How many meals a week do you give up and take that money saved and give to another country? Should I have to do the same thing if you do?
I would like to know where you were or are in the actual scheme of things. Are you involved since you seem so overdriven with compassion, what have you personally done?
Americas good nature is not a question -- but our foundation is. If you had limited funds, who are you going to feed first: Your child or someone you don't know or see? What is a truthful answer?
That is the reality of the situation. WE cannot keep printing money we cannot back up. Gods Trust is limited right now; if you do not believe me wait.
I do not know why your reading what you want in many post...are you a journalist?
Personalization is the last act of a poor defense.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Joe,
According to Article I of the Constitution, the Congress shall have the power to:
Originate all bills for raising revenues
Collect taxes, duties, and excise, pay debts, and provide for the common defense
Borrow money on the credit of the United States
Regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states
Establish a uniform rule of naturalization
Establish a uniform rule of bankruptcy
Coin money
Promote the progress of science and useful arts
Establish tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court
Declare war (Congress adjusted this power with the War Powers act)
Raise and maintain the military
Make all laws necessary for the execution of our constitution and government
Override Presidential veto with two-thirds majority vote.
Foreign affairs totals about 1% of the nation's overall budget, yet you continually blame the Dept of State for the domestic woes that occur due to Congressional failure to have a coherant domestic policy.
As I said, your targeting is way off base.
My economic situation personally has me down to less than the equivelent of 1 MRE per day...(wasn't kidding John in Greece that my cat eats better than I do.) Kids are adults now and don't need me to put bread on their table.
I have been homeless, I have fed and housed the homeless. I build bicycles for the homeless on request, because it turns a homeless person into a commuter.
I've volunteered at homeless shelters, painted dorms etc. Volunteered for Mil service, but told I was to old and too slow for a first timer, but it didn't stop me from being a volunteer for homeland defense.
Don't let my being a professional houspainter fool you into thinking that's all I've done in my life, or suffered through. Poverty generally sucks bro, and I do know from personal experience over decades. And if the federal government wasn't right now helping me with housing, I'd be on the street, instead of having picked myself up by the bootstraps for the umteenth time. Might be anyway soon now with a messed up shoulder and loss of work with worker's comp ( AIG was the carrier of all the luck) fighting the claim.
So when I tell you that these domestic matters affect me personally, it is the truth. But this is a foreign affairs blog and that's where my focus is.
I've not just seen what you've seen, around me, I've lived it bro....so get off your small minded podium and correct your targeting parameters.
I don't blame DoS for my troubles like you do. You sound like a disgruntled former employee.
No personal attack involved Joe, but if you think that about 12 cents from every taxpayer anually in this nation is too much to give to the world, to keep this nation from letting the world go to hell, and that if we cut the world off it won't affect America directly as a result in exactly the way I described, then you are not thinking of America first. Period.
And the day al Quaida sets off a nuke in Nashville because we were not able to feed the world for lack of State Dept funding, you'll personally understand exactly what I mean when I say such reasoning is patheticly hypocritical.
According to the Federalist Papers, the power surrendered by the people, is first divided between two distinct governments (the legislative and the executive).
Since the President makes foreign policy and Congress funds the State Dept and all of its many programs, foreign assistance included. You now have your constitutional answer.
We are a nation at war, and the first hit we took was directed specificly at our financial infrastructure, military command and control, but missed the executive and legislative infrastructure because of a few brave souls that made sure that plane never made it past a field in Pennselvania.
I look at the golden parachute con artists on Wall Street as little more than fifth column "useful idiots" to the enemy we face in the war on terror.
So quote me to your congressman if you would, because whether you appreciate my perspective or not, I'm dead on target.
P.S. You wrote from last week's quest of the week....
"I understand why you did not post my last entry.
Methodology is not general knowledge; however, it does verify I am who I am and who I was -- period. What transpired was not of my doing but of a Society I presume.
In any event, would anyone here like to identify a valid background for discussion? As the same people seem to monopolize this blog, what, in effect, are your backgrounds? "
Joe, I have a retired US Marine Colonel sitting in my living room as I write this who would like to know your MOS and branch of service.
Please provide verifiable credentials of your knowledge of political and/or military strategy.
Old buddy of mine who's stood back to back with me in some tight situations, and he'd like to satisfy his curiosity about your post above.
Vijai writes:
it is heart touching blog.


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Area Deaths
ATTESSA BRUENI, 22, Grand Forks, formerly of Williston, died Jan. 15 near the Kolding Dam, west of Grand Forks. Funeral Wednesday, 11 a.m., New Hope Wesleyan Church, Williston. Visitation Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Fulkerson Funeral Home, Williston.
KENNETH ALEXANDER, 89, Devils Lake, formerly of rural Churchs Ferry, died Friday in a Devils Lake hospital. Funeral Wednesday, 11 a.m., Leeds Lutheran Church, Leeds. Visitation Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m., in Nelson Funeral Home, Leeds.
PEARL MONGEON, 95, Rugby, formerly of Rolette, died in a Rugby nursing home. (Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby)
JOANNE ROCKVOY, 78, Willow City, died Thursday in a Rugby hospital. Funeral Tuesday, 11 a.m., First Lutheran Church, Willow City. Visitation Monday, 1 to 7: p.m., in Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.
RUBY GOWIN SCH-OENWALD, 93, of Glenburn and Minot, died Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in a Garrison nursing home. Funeral service Saturday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. in Glenburn Baptist Church, Glenburn. Visitation Friday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 7 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
MARY "MAE" RUSCH, 85, Sherwood, died Friday at a Minot hospital. (Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)
CARL CARLSON, 90, Ryder, died Friday in a Garrison hospital. (Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison)
LEONARD GRAUMAN, 94, Fessenden, died Friday in a Harvey nursing home. Funeral Wednesday, 2 p.m., Concordia Lutheran Church, rural Fessenden. Visitation Tuesday, 3 to 6 p.m., in Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden.
GEORGE BRUNER, 95, Drake, died Friday in a Harvey nursing home. Funeral Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Drake. Prayer service Monday, 7 p.m., in the church. Visitation Monday, 3 to 5 p.m., in Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home, Drake.
MARIAN ALBRIGHT, 90, Willow City, died Thursday in a Mohall nursing home. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau)
LEORA GREEN, 90, Bismarck, formerly of Harvey, died Friday in a Bismarck nursing home. (Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey)
CAROL BJELLAND, 70, Minot, formerly of Berthold, died Thursday in her home. Memorial service Jan. 31, 1 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold. There will be no reviewal but people may sign the memorial book Jan. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m., in Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
JACK SIM, 65, Williston, died Friday in a Williston hospital. (Everson Funeral Home, Williston)


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October 8-10, 2013, Berlin, Germany - GRID-Arendal staff participated in the GEO5 evaluation team, promoted Polar and Cryosphere inputs for the new report, and discussed the role of collaborating centres with GEO project team.
The two-day workshop was organised by the UNEP GEO team and led by the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC). The MCC aims to promote deliberative communication and decision-making at the interface between science, policy and society.
UNEP invited lead authors and coordinating lead authors to provide feedback on experiences with GEO5 production, both in terms of content and process, in order to improve on the experience when producing GEO6.
The UNEP team is doing a more comprehensive evaluation of the impact of their overall assessment reports and collaborative research initiatives. The core objective of this research is to enhance the understanding of global environmental assessment processes, in order to develop options for improving future practices.


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The Idle Banter non specific race ultra thread
tis true about conserving stuff. I didn't get to the start line, i was training for the 10in10 but got injured in jan, so have been deffered too next may, i once camped at the national trust site by langdale and awoke on the sunday to see the marathon was on, i didn't run just sat in the pub and ate the biggest full english, did bump into a few forumites though.
How's training for the Lakeland
that's a lot achieved already this year. sounds like it is all going well. makes my measly 50mile a week seem a bit low. but i am starting from scratch again and have a master plan, so as long as i stick to it i should be ok.? the best thing that has happened to me training wise was getting a new dog (a 12month old Dalmatian) i have never run so much! i'm not chasing miles and schedules now either, i'm just grabbing his lead and off out we go mostly hills and fields and track.
i ran last night and it tried a few time to rain but never actually managed it.
Crikey FR - this thread is a bit quiet - hope I'm not gatecrashing . Just to echo how dry it is, my sister lives up on 't moors above Hebden Bridge and said that there's been some bad fires up there recently. Hope this promised rain arrives tonight to extinguish them and soften everything up - running off road is nearly as bad as running on road (only nearly though!) at the moment, as the ground is so hard!
My next proper race is the Yorkshireman marathon (though I'll probably do the Indian Queens half when I'm on holiday in Cornwall in August) .... can't recommend the Yorkie enough as an "entry level" off-road marathon. Well marshalled, cheap to enter, very supportive runners and, of course, it's in Yorkshire ... so what more do you want?
Good luck with the 100 and Kielder. Fancied doing the latter myself, but I was a bit slow off the mark. Maybe next year!
hello hello
just checking the equipment
both you and sp have reminded me to get my HP sauce entry in pronto..its nearly full
must dash back soon
Hello all.
Yes, all runfurther races seem very popular this year. Doing osmotherley tomorrow and thats full now. Early start to get up there but will be fun. Can't wait
Well done FR on a great run. 66 mins is an incredible improvement.
I really enjoyed it . My only previous run was 2 year ago when it rained for most of the day. Very different this year, lot warmer and the views on the course looked superb.
Had a bit of a mare though ending up 22 mins slower than before. Didn't have a great start when my friend whom i was running with had a really nasty fall shortly after the bucket drop. After a while she said she was ok to walk back to the start, but subsequently found out she had broken her wrist in 2 places !
On a much less serious scale, I'd had a fair bit of calf ache before the race but thought i'd run it off. Didn't work out like that though and was struggling almost to the extent that when i got to the 22 mile check point I was very tempted to do what nearly all in the group i was in did, and change to the 26 mile option.
However i kept going on the 33 route and very glad i did. Slower time but still loved it all and looking forward to next year ! Great also that the race did what they threatened to do and had a kit check during the race presumably with a 30 min penalty to those not carrying the required kit.
nice one lads n lasses, espec sp for perservering, and fr/sz for pb's
ive seen the youtube piece
hope to be back there next year
Fellrunner wrote (see)
Sound`s like a class finish SZ, it`s always handy to maintain that KILLER KICK for the finish, doe`s wonders for the morale when you nail the freeloaders (those thst use you to navigate for them) on the finish line.I will have to look back on last years time for HP 40 now and see what I feel about doing about it.But first off there is the Lakeland 100 to enjoy, I guess your confidence is high now for the 50, watch out for CD though especially now he is into micro navigation after successfully naving west to east of the country.
Sound`s like a class finish SZ, it`s always handy to maintain that KILLER KICK for the finish, doe`s wonders for the morale when you nail the freeloaders (those thst use you to navigate for them) on the finish line.
I will have to look back on last years time for HP 40 now and see what I feel about doing about it.
But first off there is the Lakeland 100 to enjoy, I guess your confidence is high now for the 50, watch out for CD though especially now he is into micro navigation after successfully naving west to east of the country.
he was wearing killer heals i believe
my last hp40 took me on an unscheduled and unwelcomed detour...my brain had gone onto standy mode
the only people watch out for me fr with my navving skills will be the mountain rescue teams
schoolboy error fr..bit like robert greens..cost me at least 30 mins
i will be running for joy with the wind in my sails..and whatever i get i get
i think with your mileage you'll do that..look at osmotherley as a case in point
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sync.rb - 2 phase lock with counter $Release Version: 1.0$ $Revision: 22455 $ $Date: 2009-02-19 10:40:37 -0600 (Thu, 19 Feb 2009) $ by Keiju ISHITSUKA(firstname.lastname@example.com)
Sync_m, Synchronizer_m Usage: obj.extend(Sync_m) or class Foo include Sync_m : end Sync_m#sync_mode Sync_m#sync_locked?, locked? Sync_m#sync_shared?, shared? Sync_m#sync_exclusive?, sync_exclusive? Sync_m#sync_try_lock, try_lock Sync_m#sync_lock, lock Sync_m#sync_unlock, unlock Sync, Synchronicer: include Sync_m Usage: sync = Sync.new Sync#mode Sync#locked? Sync#shared? Sync#exclusive? Sync#try_lock(mode) -- mode = :EX, :SH, :UN Sync#lock(mode) -- mode = :EX, :SH, :UN Sync#unlock Sync#synchronize(mode) {...}
Commenting is here to help enhance the documentation. For example, code samples, or clarification of the documentation.
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If you wish to post a correction of the docs, please do so, but also file bug report so that it can be corrected for the next release. Thank you.
If you want to help improve the Ruby documentation, please visit Documenting-ruby.org.


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Darker Than Black: Gemini of the Meteor
The Doll Sings in the Winter Wind
Episode 33 | TV-MA
Suo and July find themselves in a dangerous situation thanks to a double-crossing supposed ally. Later, when the young pair is abducted by an especially sinister Contractor, BK-201 must spring into action.
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/darker-than-blackHide Details


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My girlfriend and I got the Dens sampler and loved the Sencha packets. The tea was so much better in quality than the stuff we had gotten from Teavana. I see on this forum that a lot of people buy from yuuki-cha. Is that better than the Den's? We're ready to order more green tea and are just trying to figure out whats really the best. The money isn't an issue (within reason of course) so we really just want to get the best teas we can. Does organic make a difference in taste? Any suggestions would be super helpful. We want to order tea now but I really just want to make sure we're getting the best we can be getting. Thanks!
EDIT: yuuki-cha has something called Shincha. What is that exactly? I know we like sencha but we're open to trying anything. Thanks!
EDIT 2: Looking @ http://www.yuuki-cha.com/organic-sencha is just overwhelming. There are so many different types of sencha and I just have no clue what they all are!


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My friend and colleague Gabe Johnson has shot and produced every single Minimalist video (more than 200.) Here he describes his favorite one to shoot (and more importantly to eat.)
My 25 Favorite Minimalist Recipes
Here are my 25 all-time favorite Minimalist recipes (for one reason or another.) What are yours?
The 20 Most Watched Minimalist Videos
Here are the 20 most watched Minimalist videos (the perfect way to kill an hour!)
The Minimalist: Exit Stage Right
Today I'm bidding farewell to The Minimalist. It's been thirteen wonderful years (almost 700 columns.) I may be leaving the Dining section (there might be some return appearances,) but I'm not travelling far. Starting next week I'll be writing in The Times opinion pages (and in a new blog there as well,) and beginning in March in The Times Magazine (plenty of recipes, most Sundays.) Check back throughout the day for some bonus links.
Roasted Beets get a Japanese Twist
By Freya Bellin
Beets happen to be delicious simply roasted on their own, but the spice mixture in this recipe really livens them up. It's hot and citrusy and goes quite well with the natural sweetness of the beets. The headnote below mentions that you'll have extra spice mixture, and you most certainly will. Sprinkle on a small amount at a time to cover the beets and add more as needed; it was much spicier than I expected it to be. I also highly recommend trying out the honeyed walnuts mentioned in the variation. The honey downplays the spice of the seasoning a bit, and the nuts add a nice crunch.
If there's one thing I learned from cooking this dish, it's that peppercorns and sesame seeds are nearly impossible to grind by hand. A spice or coffee grinder help tremendously. Your hands will thank you. Recipe from The Food Matters Cookbook.
The Best (and Simplest) Potato Salad
Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Makes: 4 servings
Time: 30 minutes, plus time to cool
To me, the best and simplest potato salad is made of just-boiled potatoes dressed in a freshly made vinaigrette. If you're in a hurry, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl, then just add the potatoes. Parsley and chopped onion are easy, flavorful additions. Recipe from How to Cook Everything.
The Minimalist: Whole-Grain Pancakes
Whole grains add tenderness and great flavor to pancakes.
Hippie Rice
By Freya Bellin
The 60s may be behind us, but this recipe is sure to please your nostalgic inner hippie. It is undeniably healthy, and the ingredients work together in a really unique and flavorful way. Nutty brown rice is sweetened by raisins, complemented by sunflower seeds, and balanced out by fresh broccoli. I love the heat that the red chile flakes add, and toasting the sunflower seeds adds a lot of flavor. The raisins get nice and plump when mixed in with the warm ingredients, and while they may seem out of place with broccoli, they're really an excellent sweet accent. Next time I would actually increase the measurement to about 1/2 cup.
Its being a one-pot dish is big plus. You toast the sunflower seeds, cook the rice, and steam the broccoli all in the same saucepan. Just be careful not to add too much water with the rice, otherwise the rice and broccoli can get mushy. Better to err on the side of too little and add more as you go. The result is a hearty side dish that's special enough that you'll be excited to serve it, but also simple enough that you can add it to your weeknight repertoire. The olive oil and lemon juice that are added at the end create a nice, simple dressing, and I added a bit more salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pretty much any protein—simply seasoned chickpeas would work, or up the hippie ante with tofu, mentioned below. Recipe from The Food Matters Cookbook.
Grilled or Broiled Chicken Kebabs
Makes: 4 servings
Time: About 30 minutes, plus time to marinate
Well-seasoned grilled or broiled kebabs will make anyone a convert to dark-meat chicken. You can use chicken breasts here too, but watch them closely so they don't overcook and dry out.
Other protein you can use: turkey thighs; pork or veal shoulder, steak, or loin; sturdy fish like swordfish or salmon. Recipe from How to Cook Everything.
The Minimalist: Fazzoletti with Chunky Pesto
If the idea of undertaking fresh pasta at home makes you want to cry, you may need a pasta handkerchief.


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-T / T / +T | Comment(s)
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
U.S. Air Force Increasing Cyber Security
The U.S. Air Force has issued a new task order to General Dynamics Information Technology to provide modernized base-level network security boundary support at all active Air Force and Air National Guard bases worldwide.
General Dynamics will provide the support to the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The contract has a potential value of $25.3 million over two years if all options are exercised.
Under the task order, General Dynamics will provide network management upgrades to Air Force Integrated Network Operations and Security Centers and Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team locations. The upgrades will also allow top increase visibility into network traffic across the Air Force Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet).


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Gast Distributor
Florida Customers Only
Gast K478 - GAST REPAIR KIT-03/0523 Q-UNIT (SP) Gast Part
About Gast
Since 1921, Gast Manufacturing, Inc. has embraced its position as a leader in
the design and manufacture of air-moving products. We're extremely proud of our reputation for making quality air motors, vacuum generators, compressors, and vacuum pumps. But we're even more proud of the positive impact we make on our customers' bottom line.
Achieving such a leadership position in a complex industry is not a simple task. But we've done it by adhering to some rather simple principles: understand the industry better than anyone else, make better products than anyone else, and serve the customer like no one else.


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|Print Page
Amanda Poss and Joshua Spigarelli
Gordon and Dawn Poss are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Amanda Louise Poss to Joshua Robert Spigarelli, son of Robert and Karen Spigarelli.
A reception will be held in their honor on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 7-8 p.m. With dancing until 11 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 838 Westwood Blvd, in Price.
|Print Page


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November 29, 2010 WIC Update
SUBJECT 1: WIC Record Destruction
SUBJECT 2: ST-9612 Printers
SUBJECT 3: Formula Discontinuation-NeoCate One+
- WIC Record Destruction: Attached is the current letter on audit closure and WIC record destruction for records from Federal Fiscal Year 2005 (through September 30, 2005) and older, unless prohibited from doing so by other state or local restrictions. At the time of destruction all audits should be closed and there should be no findings. Please refer to WIC Operations Manual (WOM) ER # 1.06000 on Local WIC Provider Record Retention and Destruction. That policy will direct you on how to properly destroy WIC records and document the destruction. It will also provide you with a link to state law that covers records that your agency's legal counsel or governing body have determined to be medical records. Please contact your district administrative technical assistance staff with any questions.
- ST-9612 Printers: Source Technology has stopped making the ST-9512, small check printer. The printer that replaces it is the ST-9612 printer. The MOWINS Check and Cartridge Reorder form,
has been updated to include the ST-9612 toner cartridge. If you need additional small check printers in the future, you will receive the ST-9612 and not the ST-9512 printer. Be sure to order the correct toner cartridge for the printers you have. If you have questions, please contact Mark Davis at email@example.com or 573-526-5323 or 800-392-8209.
- Formula Discontinuation --- NeoCate One + formula (Nutricia North America) will be discontinued February 1, 2011. The following two formulas are available for participants who are receiving NeoCate One +:
Can size
NeoCate Junior
14.1 oz
NeoCate Junior with Prebiotics
14.1 oz
WIC Audit Closure Letter to LWPS 11-29-10


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8 Post-Downgrade Bank Stock Bargains
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Now is the time for long-term investors to consider building positions in heavily discounted bank stocks.
Following last week's decent showing for bank stocks in the wake of ratings downgrades by Moody's Investor Service, increasing clarity on banks' enhanced regulatory capital requirements, continued U.S. economic reports showing a growth slowdown, and signs that European leaders could muddle their way through saving the common currency, heavily discounted high-volume bank stocks may be able to begin recovering to levels reached earlier this year.
The KBW Bank Index (I:BKX) closed at 45.09 Friday, up 1% for the week and up 14.5% year-to-date, however, the index was down 10% from its closing high of $50.26 on March 26.
For the investment banks, the ratings downgrades announced by Moody's act as something of a "reset" for Morgan Stanley (MS) and Goldman Sachs (GS) , especially after the ratings firm surprised investors -- and apparently even Morgan Stanley -- with a two-notch downgrade , instead of the expected three-notch downgrade.
With investor jitters continuing for Morgan Stanley over weak second-quarter revenue prospects in a tepid economy, even Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Carrier -- who sees 41% upside for the shares, based on a $20 price target and Friday's closing price of $14.14 -- rates the shares a "Hold."
So why should investors consider Morgan Stanley? One reason is that the shares of this profitable investment bank trade for just over half their reported March 31 tangible book value of $27.37. The company is also very strongly capitalized, with a Basel I Tier 1 common capital ratio of 13.3% as of March 31, increasing dramatically from 12.7% the previous quarter and 8.9% a year earlier.
Under Basel III, allowable Tier 1 capital will be reduced, while risk-weighted assets will increase, pushing the Tier 1 common ratio down, but banks have until January 2019 to achieve full compliance with the new capital standards, and Morgan Stanley estimated in its first-quarter 10-Q filing that "its pro forma Tier 1 common capital ratio under Basel III will be in a range between 8% and 10% by the end of 2012." With a minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio requirement of 7.5%, plus a possible 2.5% capital buffer required as a "systemically important financial institution," Morgan Stanley could conceivably comply with the enhanced capital requirements by the end of this year, or five-years before the fully phase-in of Basel III requirements.
Under new regulatory guidance for "advanced banks," Citigroup analyst Keith Horowitz on Thursday estimated that Morgan Stanley's pro forma Basel III Tier 1 common equity ratio would be 8.5%, which is within the range of 8% to 9% that Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman recently estimated. That's considerably higher than Citi's estimates for JPMorgan Chase , Goldman Sachs , Bank of America and Wells Fargo , although, of course, several of those names have been posting higher recent returns on equity than Morgan Stanley.


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GAMMA RZR 100T Tennis Racquet
Product Information:
Punish the ball and hit more powerful shots with the GAMMA® RZR® 100T tennis racquet. This tennis racquet is built for players who want to launch every tennis ball they hit from anywhere on the court. The RZR® 100T has just enough bulk for deep heavy groundstrokes and big booming serves because of better racquet balance and increased stiffness. Even better, every player will have better shot control thanks to the RZR® Tac grip.
** Learn more about Racquet Stringing Services available at select DICK's Sporting Goods locations **
- Unstrung racquet
- Swing Type: Moderate
- Provides optimal balance between the handle and head
- Enough bulk for deep heavy grounders and big booming serves
- RZR® Tac grip for better racquet control and comfort
- Model: RGR1T
- Racquet length: 27"
- Head size: 100 sq. in.
- Weight (strung): 11.5 oz.
- Swing weight: 338 (s)
- Balance (strung): 335 mm
- Width: 24-26-22 mm
- Stiffness: 77 RA
- Tension: 55-62 lbs.
Country of Origin: ChinaWeb ID: 17482216


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Policy Insights
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How Have Insurers Fared Under the Affordable Care Act?
This analysis tracks the financial performance of insurers in the individual market by evaluating trends in the medical loss ratio (MLR) in the pre-ACA landscape from 2010 to 2013 and estimates the MLR for the first full year of Affordable Care Act implementation in 2014. Findings suggest that although performance varied among insurers, insurers overall had roughly comparable financial performance in 2014 as in recent prior years.Perspective Read More
Insurance Markets in a Post-King World
This perspective addresses how insurance markets might respond if the US Supreme Court sides with the plaintiffs in the King v. Burwell case. The case challenges the legality of premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low- and middle-income people buying insurance in states where the federal government rather than the state is operating the marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Perspective Read More
Shaping the U.S. Global Health Policy Agenda: Key Considerations for the Future
This Policy Insight outlines eight questions that are likely to shape the U.S. global health response in the last two years of the current presidential term and beyond.Perspective Read More
The Potential Side Effects of Halbig
The Halbig case, if it prevails, would have far-reaching side effects on the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate and the functioning of the individual insurance market.Perspective Read More
Open Enrollment: Insights from Medicare for Health Insurance Marketplaces
This Policy Insight draws on the experiences of Medicare beneficiaries during Medicare's annual enrollment period to consider whether consumers with health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act's new marketplaces will shop for a better deal during their open enrollment season.Perspective Read More
Measuring the Impact of Ebola: Will it Reach 1.4 Million?
This Policy Insight take a deeper look at several key measures of the impact of the current Ebola epidemic in West Africa, including estimates of current cases, prevalence and death rates, as well as a consideration of the future projections of Ebola's burden in the months to come.Perspective Read More
Medical Debt Among Insured Consumers: The Role of Cost Sharing, Transparency, and Consumer Assistance
This policy insight examines medical debt among insured consumers, exploring how high cost sharing in health insurance plans can contribute, and explaining how greater transparency could help consumers avoid some financial pitfalls. It also provides an update on provisions of the Affordable Care Act meant to increase health plan transparency and bolster consumer assistance.Perspective Read More
How Much (More) Will Seniors Pay for a Doc Fix?
In this Policy Insight, the Foundation's Cristina Boccuti and Tricia Neuman examine how Congress' effort to permanently stave off scheduled cuts in Medicare's physician payments could affect what Medicare beneficiaries pay for their care — both in premiums and in other potential changes — to offset the cost of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) "doc fix."Perspective Read More
One Year into Duals Demo Enrollment: Early Expectations Meet Reality
One year into initial enrollment in the Medicare-Medicaid financial alignment demonstrations for dual eligible beneficiaries, some initial insights are beginning to emerge. This policy insight highlights key challenges and trends emerging in states' demonstrations.Perspective Read More
The Mystery of the Missing $1,200 Per Person: Can Medicare's Spending Slowdown Continue?
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thestoatyone wrote:Agree with this in general, and "Fat..." looks to be a pretty good read from the third or so of it I've read.
Got to take issue with this though -The bigger picture is that it's NOT calories in vs out. Two different people can eat the same 2000 calorie day and be equally active, while one thrives on it and the other does not. Studies have shown this to be true.
In the immortal words of scotty "A' can'y change th' laws o' Physics!"
Calories into a system will always equal calories out. People may have genetic predispositions to higher appetite, to finding physical activity more gruelling etc. but the overall thermodynamic balance will be maintained.
I take issue with that as well. Thermodynamics are same for everyone.
However, what CALICO might've meant is that some folks have different resting basal metobolic rates? Thus, a person like me can consume the same amount of calories as a friend, but I'll burn calories just sitting. Thus, we we workout for the same amount of time, I'll end up loosing weight while the other person could gain weight. Thus, it would look like we had the same intake vs. usage of calories, but it all depends on metabolic rates, efficiency of digestion and more.
So while the thermodynamics might be the same, there is a difference between actual calorie absorption, as well as metabolic rates, in individuals that'll make a simple food-in vs. exercise-out equation quite meaningless amongst individuals.
But I might be clutching at straws to explain someone else's posts. CALICO, thoughts?


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Greetings TeaFriends to another TeaDay. Please stop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.
Yesterday we discussed first purchase of Spring. You can please continue to discuss yesterday's topic.
Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Day 4 of Spring. How will this Spring differ from last Spring ... in terms of TEA. Please share of course!
We are all looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with ... everyone. Bottoms up.


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Topic: Images Not Loading... sometimes
I am a complete newb to Rails (and Ruby for that matter), and I have been trying to get a database set up using my existing website as the template. My problem is this: the index.html loads showing all the entries in my database and the images appear just find, if I click a single entry in the displayed list, the "show" action is also fine, but the problems start when I then click the "edit" link on the "show" page. WHAM! No images appear, just the data, and BTW I also loose the stylesheet settings at this same time. My stylesheet is in the "stylesheets" folder inside "public" and my images are in a folder named "images" also inside public.
I don't get it? Why does it work at one "level" but when I drill down one more all the paths to images and stylesheets "break"???
PLEASE HELP... and speak s--l--o--w--l--y and use small words


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Oh FFS…Posted: November 6, 2012 by aliceaitch in Fun With Media
So where the flibbertyfuck is that golden lining coming from? Don't people realize that replacing damaged tangible goods costs someone money and/or labor?
FFS is so right.
You just don't get it. If those rich people (spit) didn't have to spend that money they would have put it in their mattresses.
It's like you don't understand economics.


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Eric Idle on Spamalot & his friendship with Beatles star George Harrison
Jul 23 2010
by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpoo ... -26913145/
Ex-Python Eric Idle tells Catherine Jones about his hit show Spamalot and friendship with the Fabs' quiet one
"THE Liverpool Empire! I know it well," exclaims Eric Idle from his place, recumbent on a sofa opposite me. Really? I exclaim. "Err, not that well," he concedes with a smile. "I have played there, the Pythons played there in about '74."
1974. Just about the time Eric, one of the youngest members of the Monty Python team, was knocking around with close friend George Harrison, who was himself a huge Python fan.
There was only a month in age between the pair, but the 67-year-old satirist says there was more to it than that.
"We were also close in our groups. I was sort of the odd one out in our group too; there were two blocks (of writers) and then me," he explains, referring to George's lone songwriting role alongside the partnership of Lennon and McCartney.
"We definitely gelled, and he was fabulous."
The former Beatle appeared in an episode of Eric's Rutland Weekend Television TV show, sending himself up by insisting on singing a song about wanting to be a pirate.
Later he took a mock news reporter's role in the Fab Four-inspired Rutles' film, All You Need is Cash.
"And he paid for the Life of Brian, the whole shebang," adds Eric, who stayed with Harrison's widow Olivia on this latest visit to the UK from his home in LA.
"He was a great man, well loved. We miss him."
George Harrison would no doubt have loved Spamalot, the all-singing, all-dancing homage to Monty Python's Holy Grail which arrives at the Empire next month.
"I watched it in Manchester and it was fabulous," says the former Python, who was born in South Shields but whose early childhood was spent in Wallasey where he went to St George's school. "I haven't seen it in English for a year. I saw it last in Madrid.
"This is a whole new production so it was really exciting – the costumes and sets, nothing was familiar. But it's a really good company.
"They go off like a rocket and they're very funny, and cute, and there's only a few of them so they do the whole show – it's a bit like a Python show, they're running around changing.
"It's much more in the spirit of Python than a huge West End musical where you have 12 singers and dancers. I was really impressed."
Eric, who has lived in the United States since the 1990s, plays God in a part which is pre-recorded. And although he says he admires actors, he maintains he has no desire to act himself any more.
"I don't like acting," he reveals. "I never really liked it. Films are awful and boring, but I've always liked making things up and creating and so now I just work on what I want to do.
"At school (the Royal School in Wolverhampton where he was sent as a boarder after Wallasey) we had a puppet theatre which we used to write for, and puppetry means funny voices.
"Then Cambridge University was cabaret, doing funny things and skits and comedy, and then Python was an extension of that.
"And Python was an extraordinarily good acting school. You'd go out filming and you'd play six or seven people a day, and masking yourself and becoming somebody different is actually rather a fun thing to do.
"I liked doing that and I think we all got quite good at acting by the end of it. And then it was hard to act without really weird characters."
Writing, he says, is what he really likes, and despite penning Spamalot with musical collaborator John de Prez, he prefers to work alone.
"Who wants to talk in the mornings? It's awful!" he exclaims.
"What, wait until John Cleese has made 17 cups of coffee, read the Daily Telegraph twice, made a few phone calls, put his feet up then say now what shall we write? I'm home by then, I'm gone.
"I'm an early bird and I very much believe in the subconscious and what comes first, and I think you have a golden moment.
"I have about half-an-hour, 40 minutes, where everything is very clear and obvious and after then it all goes a bit muddy.
"So I like that early time; that and putting things away for about four months and then coming back is one of the best things you can do in writing, because it's so clear, you go "duh!", you know."
Spamalot was a number of years in gestation, with Eric first getting the idea to adapt the supremely silly Arthurian-style quest – featuring the never-say-die Black Knight, hilariously abusive Frenchmen and a killer rabbit – after getting involved in a Holy Grail DVD game.
The remaining Pythons gave the project the thumbs up, but it took a year to sort out the legal details. The show finally opened in late 2004 in Chicago before moving to Broadway.
And the rest is history – albeit Python-skewed.
Eric recalls: "I knew it was funny from opening night. From its preview night even. I mean, they were in hysterics from the off. And that's when I thought, 'oh we did a good job of adapting this'.
"The thing is, it isn't just for fans. What always pleases me is seeing the people who don't like Python or have never seen Python or who don't care about Python.
"It's a jolly good show to go and see, it's fun and you don't have to know anything or bring anything in to explain it."


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The Blood of a Poet
This event is expired.
Free general admission for students and faculty with ID. A surcharge of $10 applies for special exhibition entry.
In the exhibition: Tour and Poetry Performance
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Some of the Bay Area's finest younger poets will be performing their work in conjunction with a tour led by Julian Cox, Founding Curator of Photography and Chief Administrative Curator, FAMSF. Performers include Hollie Hardy, Zarina Zabrisky, Safiya Martinez, Justin (Etc.), Mariama Lockington, and SB Stokes.
A separate poetry performance will begin in the Rodin Galleries at 3:00 p.m. This event is organized in partnership with Paul Hoover, Professor of Creative Writing and Literature, San Francisco State University.


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Wal-Mart has SAF. I've tried all three yeast brands and think there is a difference. Give SAF a chance sometime and let me know what you think.
SAF and Red Star brands are made by the same company called LeSaffre, they bought Red Star Yeast a couple years ago. I have used both Red Star/SAF and Fleishman's Active Dry Yeast. I have purchased both brands from www.spiceplace.com.
do those of you who use active dry yeast usually proof it first? i started just throwing my red star active dry yeast in with the dry ingredients, and i can't tell if there is a difference or not in the end result.-scott
Road pizza what is the deal on the ice?


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War Kill
Beaumount April 2, 2009
Benny the Bull
Bred by Tomoka Hills Farm (a division of Dixiana)
Winner of the Gr. II True North
Michael Iavarone accepts the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Sprinter on behalf of Benny the Bull and IEAH Stables.
Smile Sprint H. - July 12, 2008 (video)
Benny the Bull ($4.60) takes the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap, a Breeders' Cup Challenge race at Calder on July 12, 2008.
True North H. - June 7, 2008 (video)
Benny the Bull ($3) rolls to victory in the Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap at Belmont Park on June 7, 2008.
Golden Shaheen - March 29, 2008 (video)
Benny the Bull wins the $2 million Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba on March 29, 2008.
Millions Sprint - Jan. 26, 2008 (video)
Benny the Bull ($4) takes the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26, 2008.
De Francis Dash - Nov. 24, 2007 (video)
Benny the Bull ($4.60) scores a Grade 1 victory in the $250,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park on Nov. 24, 2007.
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High Blues
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Multiple stakes placed colt and winner of the Tejano Run S.


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Whether it's choosing the right words or a skin-friendly adhesive, each act of kindness you extend to your patients matters.
Now there's a gathering place to find tips on kinder, gentler procedures and products, see how others are putting kindness into practice and even share your own story.
Introducing the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Multi-position Upper Body Warming Blanket
In the Health Care Business, 3M is working to make our health care products, manufacturing operations, and packaging more sustainable.


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The Tree Coroners
To save the West's forests, scientists must first learn how trees die.
There are few better places than Frijoles Mesa to study the mortality of trees. This tongue of land lies partly within the grounds of Los Alamos National Laboratory in northern New Mexico's Jemez Mountains. To the west rises Cerro Grande, a mountain riddled with the charred skeletons of fir and pine trees. To the southwest are the lingering scars of another fire, one so intense that its heat alone killed trees that weren't consumed by the flames themselves.
The mesa itself is an exceptionally tough place to be a tree, even where the land has escaped conflagration. This summer, many ponderosas were so short of water that their weakened limbs snapped like pretzel sticks. The trees that sit behind a padlocked gate off State Road 4 were also struggling. This is tree physiologist Nate McDowell's outdoor laboratory. Here, he's enclosed piñon and juniper trees in transparent silos, cranked up the heat and deprived many of water – in order to watch them die.
McDowell spent his early career studying the towering conifers of his native Pacific Northwest and came to Los Alamos in 2003, eager to begin a U.S. Department of Energy job that would allow him to set his own research agenda. But looking out his office window at New Mexico's characteristic piñon-juniper woodlands, he had second thoughts. "This is not a forest," he scoffed. The stout, pear-shaped junipers – one of the most common species here – resembled ill-kept hedges more than trees, all arms and twisted torsos, barely showing any leg. "They were like a weed to me," he remembers.
Like weeds, junipers are durable. Those outside McDowell's window were still green, but the piñon around them were dead. During the deep drought of 2002 and 2003, piñon died throughout the Southwest in historic numbers. Had the Old Testament told stories of forest die-off, as it did of floods, the carnage around Los Alamos would have been called "biblical": More than 90 percent of the area's piñon succumbed. "What a bummer," McDowell sulked. "I'm a tree physiologist, and the trees are all dead. What am I gonna do?"
At first, the cause of the trees' demise seemed obvious. The punishing drought badly weakened them, and when beetles bored through their bark, the trees couldn't muster enough sap to pitch them out. Once inside, the beetles mated, multiplied, dug tiny tunnels and spread a fungus that cut off the flow of water and nutrients, killing the tree.
But Dave Breshears, a University of Arizona professor and arid lands ecologist who had studied the woodlands for years, suspected that the truth was more complicated. During the 1950s drought, tree death seemed less extensive, even though that drought was longer and drier than the more recent one. What was different about this drought was temperature: It was a degree or two hotter.
Breshears' observations inspired McDowell to take a second look at the struggling forest. It's common knowledge that trees die during and after a drought, McDowell says, but "nobody can predict where it will happen, when it will happen, what trees it will happen to. That means we don't understand it. That was exciting to me – there's a science question there."
Why do trees die? It's a deceptively simple question in urgent need of answers: Trees are dying at alarming rates not only in the Southwest but in Colorado, the Northern Rockies, Alaska and elsewhere. This summer in northern New Mexico, even junipers began to expire in droves.
It might seem surprising that, in 2013, we don't know how trees die. We understand tree growth so well that we can decipher its code – tree rings – and reconstruct droughts thousands of years in the past. So why is tree mortality such a mystery?
"There has been a long tradition in plant science where, if your plant died during your experiment, you were bummed out," McDowell explains. "It was like, 'Ugh, we've gotta start over.' The question was never, 'Why did it die?' " Besides, he adds, tree death didn't seem particularly pressing. "I think people inherently look at trees as these stable things in our lives, like mountains. We didn't know there was a problem."
Western forests are confronting new versions of familiar foes. In the 1990s, a series of warm winters and summers in south-central Alaska allowed bark beetle populations to explode and kill millions of old spruce trees. Beetles gained similar strength in the Rockies during mild winters in the late '90s and early 2000s, killing not only their usual victims but also entire hillsides of ancient whitebark pines, which live at altitudes once too frigid to support the insects.
Farther south, piñons were also attacked, but by a beetle that, unlike its fellows in the Rockies, typically preys only on the weak. Here, scientists believed the industrious insects were less the cause of death than the final straw: a strong shove to trees with one foot already dangling over the cliff.
You're absolutely 100% correct! Too many people (TMP) is the number one cause of all the planet's woes. And it's this ecological principle known as carrying capacity that we don't seem to understand. We focus on symptoms like food shortage, air pollution, poverty, overgrazing, energy shortage, I could fill this page with environmental problems that all stem from the same cause - TMFP.
Put 1,000 cattle in a 1,000 acre BLM pasture, and in time it'll be a wasteland. Put 300 fish in a 5 gallon tank and in no time all the oxygen is gone. And here's one we see all the time. Two pet horses in a big backyard, and the owner has to buy expensive hay because the land can't support the demand. That's what exceeding carrying capacity is all about. It's right under our noses and no one seems to get it. The earth is just a big pasture; a few more billion people added to an already taxed carrying capacity and the results are inevitable. Maybe the pope has some good ideas. Maybe the environmental media, like the one we're reading now, ought to focus on this and introduce the idea of carrying capacity to the masses. We talk about incentives for good grazing practices, how about incentives for not having kids?!