text:
Weber, Max
Max Weber 1864-1920
German sociologist, economist, and political theorist.
Regarded as one of the founders of modern sociological thought, Weber has had an immense impact on social science in the twentieth century, especially in the United States, and was one of the first to construct a systematic, methodological approach to the study of human behavior in society. Basing his conclusions on the comparative study of nearly all the major world cultures, Weber analyzed the economic, political, intellectual, histori cal, and religious factors that contribute to modem social realities. Among his major contributions to the field of sociology are his assessments of modern bureaucracy, his study of the nature of charismatic leadership throughout world history, his models of rational and non-rational social behavior based upon his theory of "ideal types," and his examination of the circumstances that made the growth of western capitalism possible. As part of the latter, Weber's Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus (1904-05, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism) has had a profound effect on the study of the ethical and religious dimensions of economic issues. Weber's other significant achievements include the elevation of comparative and empirical research in sociology and the related integration of wertfreiheit, or value-neutrality, as the ideal for field. Weber's work in the realms of economics and political science is likewise highly valued, especially as it indicates his role in German political life during the early years of the twentieth century.
Biographical Information
Weber was born in Erfaut, Germany, on April 21, 1864. His father was a prosperous lawyer involved in German political circles and his mother was a religious woman who nonetheless emphasized the importance of secular education. Weber received classical instruction in his youth and later attended the University of Heidelberg to study law, history, and economics. He left the university briefly in 1883 to serve in the German army, but returned to his studies the following year, first at the University of Berlin and later at Göttingen. Passing the bar in 1886, Weber practiced law for a time, and in 1889 completed his doctoral thesis on the rise of medieval trading companies. A second dissertation, an agrarian history of the ancient world, appeared in 1891 and earned Weber the widespread admiration of his colleagues. The following year he undertook a renowned study of the economic conditions common among peasants in Prussia. He married Marianne Schnitger, his distant cousin, and later his biographer, in 1893. Weber accepted a professorship in economics at Freiburg University in 1894 and later a position as economics chair at the University of Heidelberg. Incapacitated in 1897 after his father's death, Weber suffered from an extreme depression and nervous illness for several years, though he had largely recovered by 1902. The next period of his life saw an increased literary production including his editorship and frequent contributions to the Archiv für Sozialwissenschaft und Sozialpolitik (Archive for Social Science and Social Policy). For the next fifteen years Weber devoted himself to the research and composition of his Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft: Grundriss der verstehenden Soziologie, 1922 (known in English as Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology), which included his studies of the great eastern religions and cultures. He returned to a professorship at the University of Munich in 1918 while writing Economy and Society, a massive work that was left incomplete due to his death from pneumonia on June 14, 1920.
Major Works
Taken as a whole, Weber's works on sociology and economics detail a nearly systematic development, encompassing the great cultures and religions in world history. His early works, though narrower in scope, adumbrate many of the themes that occupied his greatest writings, Economy and Society and the Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Religionssoziologie (1920-21). Die römische agrargeschicte in ihrer bedeutung für das staats und privatrecht (1891, The Agrarian Sociology of Ancient Civilizations) illustrates Weber's approach to structural and comparative history as a means of uncovering the facts relating to modern sociology. In his well-known The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Weber argues that the Protestant Reformation was an important step in the increasing rationalization of western civilization and demonstrates the connection between the values of Protestantism and the rise of capitalism in Europe. The work also inspired Weber to study the sources of capitalism and the reasons why similar systems had failed to develop in eastern cultures. For his Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Religionssoziologie, Weber studied the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and ancient Judaism, evaluating the relation of each to the development of rationalization in the modem era. In addition, Weber assessed the characteristics of modern bureaucracy by evaluating conditions found in China, India, and Imperial Rome. His masterwork, Economy and Society, contains a system of extraordinary depth and breadth, combining historical and comparative sociological research and analysis. Weber elucidates his concept of the "ideal type," a construct used for evaluating individuals and societies across huge spans of time, and explains his methodology predicated on the ideal of value-neutrality. As for his economic writings, a series of lectures entitled Wirtschaftsgeschicte: Abriss der univer-salen Sozial und Wirtschaftsgeschicte (1923) reflect his systematic, empirical, and comparative approach to the subject.
Critical Reception
Weber's worldwide influence on the field of sociology is perhaps second only to that of Karl Marx, and may be even more pervasive in the Unites States. Likewise, those who have criticized the specifics of his theories almost never fail to acknowledge his seminal contributions to social science. His importance is also borne out by the growing number of English translations of his works. Also, the controversies that Weber's conclusions have sparked continue among sociologists just as the methods of study and analysis that he devised endure.
Principal Works
Entwicklung des Solidarhaftprinzips und des Sondervermögens der offenen Handelsgesellschaft aus den Haushalts und Gewerbegemeinschaften in den italienischen Städte (sociology) 1889
Zur Geschichte der handelsgesellschaften im mittelalter: Nach südeuropäischen Quellen (sociology) 1889
Die römische agrargeschichte in ihrer bedeutung far das staats und privatrecht [The Agrarian Sociology of Ancient Civilizations] (sociology) 1891
Die Verhältnisse der Landarbeiter im ostelbischen Deutschland (sociology) 1892
Die Börse (sociology) 1894
Der Nationalstaat und die Volkswirtschaftspolitik (sociology) 1895
Die "Objektivität" sozialwissenschaftlicher und sozialpolitischer Erkenntnis (sociology) 1904
Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus [The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism] 1904-05
Parlament und Regierung im neugeordneten Deutchs-land: Zur politischen Kritik des Beamtentums und Parteiwesens (sociology) 1918
Wissenschaft als Beruf [Science as a Vocation] (lecture) 1918
Politik als Beruf [Politics as a Vocation] (lecture) 1919
Das antike Judentum [Ancient Judaism] (sociology) 1920-21
Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Religionssoziologie (sociology) 1920-21
Hinduismus und Buddhismus [The Religion of India: The Sociology of Hinduism and Buddhism] (sociology) 1920-21
Konfuzianismus und Taoismus [The Religion of China: Confucianism and Taoism] (sociology) 1920-21
Gesammelte politische Schriften (sociology) 1921
Die rationalen und soziologischen Grundlagen der Musik [The Rational and Social Foundations of Music] (sociology) 1921
Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Wissenschaftslehre (sociology) 1922
Religionssoziologie [The Sociology of Religion] (sociology) 1922
Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft: Grundriss der verstehenden Soziologie [Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology] (sociology) 1922; revised edition, 1956
Wirtschaftsgeschichte: Abriss der universalen Sozial und Wirtschaftsgeschichte [General Economic History] (economics) 1923
Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Sozial und Wirtschaftsgeschichte (sociology) 1924
Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Soziologie und Sozialpolitik (sociology) 1924
Jugendbriefe (letters) 1936
Essays in Sociology (sociology) 1946
Schriften zur theoretischen Soziologe, zur Soziologie der Politik und Verfassung (sociology) 1947
Aus den Schriften zur Religionssoziologie: Auswahl (sociology) 1948
The Methodology of the Social Science (sociology) 1949
Soziologie, weltsgeschichtlich Analysen, Politik (sociology) 1955
Staatssoziologie (sociology) 1956
The City (sociology) 1958
Rechtssoziologie (sociology) 1960
Max Weber on Charisma and Institution Building: Selected Papers (sociology) 1968
The Interpretation of Social Reality (sociology) 1970
Max Weber on Universities: The Power of the State and the Dignity of the Academic Calling in Imperial Germany (sociology) 1973
Roscher and Knies: The Logical Problems of Historical Economies (sociology) 1975
Critique of Stammler (sociology) 1977
Weber: Selections in Translation (sociology) 1978
Max Weber on Capitalism, Bureaucracy, and Religion: A Selection of Texts (sociology) 1983
Peter M. Blau (essay date 1962)
SOURCE: "Critical Remarks on Weber's Theory of Authority," in The American Political Science Review, Vol. LVII, No. 2, June, 1963, pp. 305-16.
[Originally delivered as a lecture at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in 1962, the following essay examines the role of authority and bureaucracy in Weber's sociology.]
Max Weber has often been criticized for advocating a wertfrei, ethically neutral approach in the social sciences and for thereby denying to man, in the words of Leo Strauss, "any science, empirical or rational, any knowledge, scientific or philosophic, of the true value system." On the other hand, Carl Friedrich points out...
(The entire section is 8015 words.)
Hans H. Gerth (essay date 1964)
SOURCE: "Max Weber's Political Morality," in Max Weber's Political Sociology: A Pessimistic Vision of a Rationalized World, edited by Ronald M. Glassman and Vatro Murvar, Greenwood Press, 1984, pp. 29-38.
[Originally presented as a lecture at Hokkaido University in Japan in 1964, the following essay discusses Weber's thoughts on the major political movements of the twentieth century, most notably fascism and totalitarianism.]
Since World War II, Max Weber has become as influential and controversial as Karl Marx was before the conversion of the latter's thought into dogma by one-party socialist states. Karl Jaspers, the psychiatrist and existentialist philosopher, saw...
(The entire section is 3422 words.)
Guenther Roth (essay date 1964)
SOURCE: "Political Critiques," in Scholarship and Partisanship: Essays on Max Weber, by Reinhard Bendix and Guenther Roth, University of California Press, 1970, pp. 55-69.
[Originally delivered as a lecture at a meeting of the American Sociological Association in 1964, the following essay articulates major objections to Weber's socio-political views, concluding that Weber sought to reconcile through his work the tension between opposing theoretical stances.]
Max Weber has been a major target for a series of critiques aimed at political sociology in general, if not at most of social science. These critiques either use a sociological approach for political purposes or...
(The entire section is 4189 words.)
Reinhard Bendix (essay date 1970)
SOURCE: "Sociology and the Distrust of Reason," in Scholarship and Partisanship: Essays on Max Weber, by Reinhard Bendix and Guenther Roth, University of California Press, 1970, pp. 84-105.
[The following essay, originally read as the Presidential Address to the 65th Annual Meetings of the American Sociological Association in 1970, examines Weber's essay "Science as a Vocation" and the late-twentieth century disillusionment with science.]
Historical Perspectives and Sociological Inquiry as the theme of an American sociological convention would have been incongruous twenty years ago. It is not so today. We meet amidst upheaval directly affecting the academic...
(The entire section is 7730 words.)
Carl Mayer (essay date 1973)
SOURCE: "Max Weber's Interpretation of Karl Marx," in Social Research, Vol. 42, No. 4, 1973, pp. 701-19.
[In the following essay, which was originally presented as a lecture at the University of Constance in 1973, Mayer contends that Marx's theories only became an important element of Weber's work after his illness from 1899 to 1902.]
More than thirty years ago, Albert Salomon published an essay in which he asserted not merely that Max Weber's work could be understood only if seen against the background of Karl Marx but also that Weber's work itself was the product of an intense, life-long preoccupation with Marx. This assertion is not literally correct. In the first...
(The entire section is 6084 words.)
Dirk Käsler (essay date 1979)
SOURCE: "Methodological Writings," in Max Weber: An Introduction to His Life and Work, translated by Philippa Hurd, Polity Press, 1979, pp. 174-96.
[Originally published in German in 1979, the following essay examines the three main tenets supporting Weber's methodology.]
[If] we speak of Weber's methodology today, we mean for the most part those methodological observations which originally appeared separately in periodicals and which were published posthumously in 1922 by Marianne Weber under the title Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Wissenschaftslehre (Collected Essays on Scientific Methodology). We must realize that these collected texts consisted of casual projects...
(The entire section is 8859 words.)
John Owen King III (essay date 1983)
SOURCE: "American Apocalypse: Max Weber," in The Iron Melancholy: Structures of Spiritual Conversion in America from the Puritan Conscience to Victorian Neurosis, Wesleyan University Press, 1983, pp. 289-322.
[In the following essay, King discusses Weber's struggle with the alienation and moral stringency of Puritanism as evidenced in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.]
If my own activity does not belong to me, if it is an alien compulsive activity, to whom does it belong? To a being other than myself. Who is this being? The gods?
[Karl Marx, from the "economic-philosophic manuscripts" of 1844, in the...
(The entire section is 14627 words.)
Anthony T. Kronman (essay date 1983)
SOURCE: "Modernity," in Max Weber, Stanford University Press, 1983, pp. 166-88.
[In the following essay, Kronman explains Weber's reaction to and interpretation of the trends in modern social life.]
Beneath its richly detailed surface, Weber's Rechtssoziologie exhibits a surprising consistency and unity of purpose. Throughout, Weber is concerned with a single subject—the development of the institutions and forms of thought most characteristic of the modern legal order. 'Our interest', he remarks, 'is centred upon the ways and consequences of the "rationalization" of the law, that is, the development of those juristic qualities which are characteristic...
(The entire section is 11837 words.)
Vatro Murvar (essay date 1983)
SOURCE: "Max Weber Today: An Introduction to a Living Legacy," in Max Weber Today: An Introduction to a Living Legacy: Selected Bibliography, Max Weber Colloquia and Sumposia, 1983, pp. 1-30.
[In the following essay, Murvar discusses major issues in the critical literature on Weber's writings.]
Max Weber (1864-1920) is generally recognized as one of the major figures in sociological, political and economic theory. Comparisons of his intellectual and scientific legacy with the thought of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx, Tocqueville, Keyes and other have been commonplace. Moreover, the extraordinary impact of Weber's interdisciplinary, historical-comparative, however...
(The entire section is 5907 words.)
Rogers Brubaker (essay date 1984)
SOURCE: "Weber's Moral Vision," in The Limits of Rationality: An Essay on the Social and Moral Thought of Max Weber, George Allen & Unwin, 1984, pp. 91-112.
[In the following essay, Brubaker examines the underlying philosophy of ethics in Weber's works.]
Weber presents himself as an empirical scientist, not as a moral philosopher. It is true that he has no moral philosophy in the traditional sense. He elaborates no rules of individual conduct, harbors no vision of an ideal society. And the standard terms of moral argument—good, right, ought, should—are conspicuously absent from his vocabulary. Yet the whole of his scientific work is informed by a fundamentally...
(The entire section is 7538 words.)
Dennis Wrong (essay date 1984)
SOURCE: "Marx, Weber, and Contemporary Sociology," in Max Weber's Political Sociology: A Pessimistic Vision of a Rationalized World, edited by Ronald M. Glassman and Vatro Murvar, Greenwood Press, 1984, pp. 69-81.
[In the following essay, Wrong explains the influence of Marxist theory on Weber's thought.]
The failure of our multiple particular researches conducted with increasingly precise and complex methods to cumulate into a coherent overall vision of the world largely accounts for the immense flowering of interest in recent years in the so-called classical sociologists. This new interest has been especially pronounced in the cases of Marx and Weber, both of...
(The entire section is 4224 words.)
Hans-Ulrich Derlien (essay date 1991)
SOURCE: "Beaurocracy in Art and Analysis: Kafka and Weber," in Journal of the Kafka Sociely of America, Nos. 1-2, 1991, pp. 4-16.
[In the following essay, Derlien examines the Weberian influence in the works of Franz Kafka.]
Sociology of literature is based upon the assumption that literary fiction, through the personal concern of the artist, reflects societal conditions. Yet, surprisingly little sociological work has been undertaken to analyze the reflection in literature of bureaucracy as a social phenomenon—at least in the German speaking countries. Elsewhere the administrative novel as a special genre has been extensively discussed (Egger 1959; Kroll 1965; Savage...
(The entire section is 7245 words.)
Bryan S. Turner (essay date 1996)
SOURCE: "Logic and Fate in Weber's Sociology," in For Weber: Essays on the Sociology of Fate, second edition, SAGE Publications, 1996, pp. 3-28.
[In the following essay, Turner discusses Weber as a neo-Kantian thinker, and contrasts his sociological ideas with those of Karl Marx.]
With the development of various radical movements in the social sciences in the 1960s and 1970s, Marxists became increasingly insistent on demonstrating the presence of a sharp dividing line between conventional sociology and Marx's theory of society. In mounting a critique of the claims of sociology to a scientific status, Marxists have frequently selected Max Weber's sociology as the...
(The entire section is 8328 words.)
Further Reading
Weber, Marianne. Max Weber: A Biography, translated and edited by Harry Zohn. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1975, 719 p.
Annotated English-language edition of Weber's life, written by his widow.
Kivisto, Peter and William H. Swatos, Jr. Max Weber: A Bio-Bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press, 1988, 267 p.
Groups Weber's works by subject matter and notes works in English translation. Includes several introductory biographical and historical essays.
Murvar, Vatro. Max Weber Today—An Introduction to a Living Legacy: Selected Bibliography. Brookfield,...
(The entire section is 802 words.)


text:
Wolverine sails as latest junket fails
The Columbus Dispatch - July 26, 2013 09:30 AM
If you asked a random person on the street to name a character from The X-Men, the answer would invariably be Wolverine. Sure, you might get a Professor Xavier, Magneto or Rogue thrown in as an answer every now and then, but Wolverine, played in the movie series by Hugh Jackman, is the face of the franchise. The Adamantium-clawed hero takes center stage in his eponymous film, the second in the X-Men series dealing mainly with Logan the Wolverine.
Set in Japan, the movie begins in World War II before the bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, and it follows Logan's return to the Land of the Rising Sun decades later.
The performance turned in by Jackman is strong. The outmatched villains and endless fight sequences make story development in The Wolverine weak, according to critic Roger Moore.
"Although the take on the superhero franchise by James Mangold (Walk the Line) overreaches, stumbles along blind alleys and turns long and repetitious by its bloodily bland and predictable third act, Jackman is at least given something worth chewing over for the first 90 minutes," Moore said in his review.
The film falls short with its clumsy ending.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Gosh, that's how I feel with my 2 daugthers, but like you said once you think man will they ever just be nice to each other they will one of them gives up her sweater for the other that is cold!
How thoughtful!!
That was nice of him.
You're obviously doing something right as a mother! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Now, if he offers to help clean, you will really know what a great son you have! That's awesome.


text:
Debates of June 20th, 2011
House of Commons Hansard #11 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was seniors.
- Question Period
- Business of Supply
- National Research Council
- Regional Economic Development
- Afghanistan
- Human Rights Walkway
- Canadian Heritage
- City of Brampton
- Birthday Wishes
- Repentigny Relay for Life
- Summer Festivals in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe
- Product Safety
- National Aboriginal Day
- World Refugee Day
- World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
- New Democratic Party of Canada
- Listuguj Mi'gmaq
- Betty Fox
- Privy Council Office
- Canada Post
- Pensions
- Mortgage Insurance
- The Senate
- Government Spending
- Ethics
- G20 Summit
- Privy Council Office
- Highway Infrastructure
- Disaster Assistance
- The Environment
- Asbestos
- Special Olympics
- Science and Technology
- Home Ownership
- Foreign Affairs
- Canadian Wheat Board
- International Trade
- Aboriginal Affairs
- National Defence
- Bank of Canada
- Public Works and Government Services Canada
- Labour Relations
- Points of Order
- Transportation Safety Board
- Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act
- Committees of the House
- Poverty Elimination Act
- Employment Insurance Act
- Business of Supply
- Petitions
- Questions on the Order Paper
- Request for Emergency Debate
- Business of Supply
- Points of Order
- Business of Supply
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:30 p.m.
John Rafferty Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to stand today to speak about this issue, particularly since seniors in my riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River are suffering terribly. I am going to relate a couple of stories. I start to tear up when I even think about them, but I will talk about them in a minute.
This issue is not like finding a needle in a haystack. It is as easy as finding hay in a haystack and we can do it. What New Democrats said in their platform they have always stood for, which I will read. It states:
We will increase the annual Guaranteed Income Supplement to a sufficient level in the first budget to lift every senior in Canada out of poverty immediately.
We can do that. Retirement security has always been a priority of the New Democratic Party. It has always been a priority of parties which came before it. In 1927 was the very first pension legislation in this country, brought in by the Independent Labour Party, one of the NDP's forerunners. When New Democrats speak about this motion today, we speak from authority, from history and decades and decades of trying to ensure that seniors do not live in poverty.
What we are faced with now is about 250,000 seniors in this country living in poverty. The debate is not even so much about GIS or CPP as it is about respect and dignity. Those are two things we in the NDP want to talk about today because respect and dignity are what many of our seniors do not have.
I conducted a telephone town hall meeting before the election and there were 8,500 people on the line from my riding. Overwhelmingly, the two things people mentioned in that meeting as being most important were affordability and retirement security. I suspect that is felt right across this country in every riding, rural and urban.
In this budget the Conservatives talk about $1.64 a day for seniors. Everyone in the House will remember that the government, along with the governments of Ontario and British Columbia, conspired to charge seniors an average of $3 a day in HST. That is the average seniors pay in HST. They get $1.64 in this budget, which the government says is fabulous, and with the other hand it takes away $3, and probably much more, in HST.
The hon. member who spoke before me talked about apologizing. I think it is the government that should apologize. It is the government that should apologize for $1.64 a day and saying that is enough for seniors, for respect and for dignity. It is not.
The most vulnerable group among seniors is women. Women make up about 70% of poor seniors in this country. The poverty rate for women in this country in 2008 was double that of men. For seniors who live in poverty, almost 100% of their incomes come from the government. Therefore, $1.64 a day makes me sad.
If the government simply looked at it in economic terms and took away the human element of its decisions, lifting every senior out of poverty in this country is good for this country. It is good for the economy. Where do seniors spend their money? They spend their money in the local communities where they live and they just want an opportunity to buy a present for their grandchildren on their birthdays. That is all they want. They spend it right in their own communities. Therefore, $700 million to lift every senior out of poverty is $700 million that goes right back into local economies.
I want to speak very briefly about some of the seniors I have met in my riding. If people need health care in my riding, they have two choices: Those living in the west end of my riding can go to Winnipeg; if they live on the east side, they go to Thunder Bay. I am not sure how every province works, but Ontario has travel grants. However, people have to put the money out first.
To go from Atikokan to Thunder Bay return costs $300. We do not have trains. We have the occasional bus that goes by. It is either in a private car or a taxi. It is $160 for a one-way trip. People have to put that money out first.
I know seniors who do not go to the hospital when they are supposed to, who do not follow up on appointments because they cannot put the money out first. I know seniors who do not take their medications. They do not buy their medications because they cannot. Or, they split them. They take half every day, or use any other strategy they can to try to save money.
Let me give one example of the face of poverty in my riding. In Atikokan not too long ago, I was speaking with a senior, a man probably in his 80s. His wife had passed away. He had raised four children. They were all gone from the community. He came in to see me one day and he said he could not pay his electricity bill. I asked if he had tried some strategies to reduce the use of electricity. He told me that he uses one light bulb and every second day he unplugs the refrigerator.
The HST from the government was the turning point for that man, for his electricity. That is what seniors go through in this country. That is what seniors go through in my riding.
I know, although there may be members of Parliament here who do not agree or do not see this, it happens in every riding.
What are the other impacts in my riding? Speaking about longevity of seniors, we all go to funerals, or read in the paper about seniors dying. We think that they should not have passed away, that it was too early for them to go. For seniors who have to live below the poverty line, we are talking about malnutrition, depression and suicide.
The biggest indicator of seniors' longevity is the number of friends they have. I do not know if people here know that. How many friends a senior has determines how long that senior will live. However, I know seniors and I talk to seniors all the time who do not have many or any friends. That is because they live below the poverty line and they are embarrassed. What could they invite their friends over to their house for? What could they serve them? What could they talk about? So, gradually seniors lose their friends. It is not because their friends do not want to spend time with them, but because they are embarrassed to spend time with their friends. That is sad, because those seniors will have a whole host of health issues and die before their time.
What can we do? What are the choices? If we do not buy one F-35 jet, that would be enough to lift every senior out of poverty for two years. If we ended the corporate giveaways to big oil companies and banks, we would have more than enough money to lift every senior out of poverty in this country forever.
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:40 p.m.
Bev Shipley Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, as mentioned by my colleague earlier, we have just come through one of the largest global recessions since the Great Depression and the poverty rate for seniors has gone down from 7.9% over a decade or so ago to 5.8%. That is a credible change and it has a lot to do with the action our government has taken. I think 5.8% is too high.
In the last session our government brought legislation forward to increase the GIS, to increase funding for seniors. Each and every one of those members automatically stood and opposed every initiative that our government put forward to help seniors. I wonder if my colleague could respond to that.
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:40 p.m.
John Rafferty Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that comment because it allows me an opportunity to say that in this country we cannot afford to have any senior living in poverty. We cannot afford to have anyone living in poverty in this country.
Government members talk about NDP members not supporting the Conservative agenda. Let me just talk about their collusion with Premier McGuinty in Ontario on the HST. If they want to know why we on this side of the House do not stand up to support them on that it is because they are costing not just every person in Ontario, but particularly seniors who live in poverty in Ontario. The Conservative government is making them poorer. Why would we stand on this side of the House and tell the government that we support what it is doing, that we support it putting seniors right across Canada back into more poverty?
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:40 p.m.
Kevin Lamoureux Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight a couple of quick points followed by a question.
New Democrats seem to be focused on dealing with the income increase, yet at the same time there are many other aspects to getting seniors out of poverty. We need to take a holistic approach. Many different factors would go a long way toward bringing seniors out of poverty.
Toward the end of his remarks my colleague made reference to the cancellation of one jet aircraft. He indicated that would cover the cost of what New Democrats are suggesting.
I have no question in terms of priorities. We in the Liberal Party believe that the government's priorities, the corporate tax breaks, the millions that are being spent on a number of fighter aircraft, are all wrong. With the wealth that Canada has, why are we not treating our seniors better than we are and attempting to lift them out of poverty?
Do the NDP numbers tell them that the cancellation of one aircraft would more than cover the cost of bringing seniors out of poverty?
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:45 p.m.
John Rafferty Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Mr. Speaker, there actually are a number of questions in that question.
I agree with my hon. colleague that we have to take a multi-pronged approach to poverty in this country, seniors' poverty in particular. There is one thing that we can immediately do. We talk about doubling CPP over the next 7 to 10 years. We talk about a number of other strategies that would help seniors to ensure that they would have an opportunity to put a little money in their pockets so they can buy a present for their grandchild on his or her birthday. The GIS increase would provide immediate relief for seniors. I know members on the other side of the aisle agree with me.
The government said it would do something in the budget but they are always quarter measures, always tenth measures. They are not the measures that need to be taken. There is no real commitment from the government to ensure that seniors do not live in poverty in this country.
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
1:45 p.m.
Chris Warkentin Peace River, AB
Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue as seniors are important to all of us. We all have important seniors in our lives. As a matter of fact I spent yesterday with some important seniors in my life, my grandparents, my dad's mom and dad, as well as my mom's mom. I had an opportunity to hear from them and hear their concerns with regard to what the government can do. My grandma just wants to let everybody here know that she needs her mail, If hon. members will do what they can to get that passed, I know my baba would be very appreciative that we brought that to the House today.
In terms of the debate today, we have an important discussion before us that we should be deliberating knowing a number of facts, which I will get into. The most important fact is to recognize that no two seniors are identical. We cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach to seniors in the same way we cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach to child care or any other issue facing our government today.
Therefore, it is important for us to consider that there are many seniors who are in a whole host of different circumstances across this country. That is why it is important that we have a whole host of different measures that we bring forward to address concerns facing seniors today.
It is important to recognize that we have seniors who are still in the marketplace. They are still working and still contributing in paid employment. Just because they are in the workforce does not mean that they are affluent. I know many people who are in the workforce simply because they feel that they need to be.
We also know there are seniors who are facing health difficulties, challenges with regard to their health care, but there are also seniors who are very healthy. Today we have a seniors' population in this country that is growing older than any generation before and they are healthier than any other generation before.
I am pleased to stand in this House today to talk about the many ways that our government is addressing the concerns of seniors, including the $300 million top up to the guaranteed income supplement. This is an important initiative that is being brought forward.
In both budgets 2011, the budget brought forward before the election and the budget brought forward after the election, and during the election campaign our government came forward and said that it would contribute $300 million to top up the guaranteed income supplement. That is an important thing that we all need to recognize our government is committed to doing.
In my riding of Peace River, I met a many seniors who were very concerned and confused during the election campaign. On one side they had a government that brought forward a budget that had a number of measures that were very important to senior citizens. It was not just the $300 million that would be dedicated toward the GIS. There were a whole host of other things in the budget that were important to senior citizens as well. They were very confused as to how the opposition parties could justify calling an opportunistic and unnecessary election that would cost over $300 million to run in the face of the reality that we were under fiscal constraints. They knew personally that they could benefit from the measures that had been brought forward and had been stalled as a result of the opposition parties' torpedoing that budget and the budget measures that were included in that document.
Canadians are living longer and healthier lives. It is different from pretty much any other generation before. That means that our seniors are depending on their retirement income for longer periods of time.
As we work to help Canadians achieve their financial security, it is important that our government and all members in this House recognize that things are changing and seniors are living longer and, therefore, we must consider the reality of both.
The most important thing that I believe government can do, or does, is provide seniors with support through our public pension system. This system is highly effective. It is internationally regarded, and for good reason.
This year, Canadians will receive almost $70 billion in benefits through the Canadian pension plan, old age security and the GIS, or guaranteed income supplement. The GIS, which provides extra support to seniors with little or no income, has been a great success in reducing poverty among seniors.
It is important to recognize the facts, and today, during the debate, it is one that is being engaged in. We have anecdotes that are coming forward from all sides. It is important to look at the facts because if we drill down into these facts we will have some revelations that are important for all of us to consider.
It is important for Canadians and for all of us in the House to recognize that Canada has one of the lowest poverty rates among seniors in the developed world at 5.8%. Now 5.8% is still a number that is too high, because there is nobody in the House who would like to see a single senior living below the poverty line, but let us recognize that this is a significant improvement over years past. This rate is lower now than it has ever been under previous governments. It was 6.8% in 2003 and, if we look even further back, it was 7.9% in 1999.
It is important that when we recognize that Canada not only has one of the lowest rates of senior poverty in the world, we recognize a time and a place in which we are seeing this happen. We have just witnessed one of the worst economic meltdowns that we have seen in the last number of generations, the great recession, and it is in this environment that Canada is seeing one of the lowest rates of senior poverty to date.
I watch the news, as do members across the aisle, and we see that, in other countries, simply holding on to the benefits that had been allocated to seniors over past years is the gold standard. As we see governments having to strip away benefits that have been previously allocated to senior citizens, in Canada we are not only saving all of the things that have been provided to senior citizens over the last number of years, we are improving them because, not only do we have one of the lowest rates of senior poverty in history in this country today but in the world as well, we are working to improve and reduce that even further.
Our government's prudent and fiscally responsible economic approach is working. That is why Canadian seniors overwhelmingly supported our government's initiatives during the last election. The new guaranteed income supplement top up will target the poorest and the most vulnerable seniors, providing an additional annual benefit of up to $600 a year for single seniors or $840 a year for senior couples. This measure represents an investment of more than $300 million per year and will further improve the financial security and the well-being of more than 680,000 seniors across this great nation.
It will also represent the single biggest increase in the guaranteed income supplement in over 25 years, and it is affordable without raising taxes. It is an important distinction that I am bringing here. While the opposition parties have committed all kinds of plans of spending billions and billions of dollars on a whole host of different programs, they have also committed to raising taxes on Canadians and Canadian seniors as well.
Looking at what the difference is with regard to what the parties are proposing, I wonder why the opposition parties voted against budget 2011 and why they forced an unnecessary and opportunistic election on the Canadian people, sacrificing over $300 million in government spending that could have been allocated toward benefiting seniors.
I cannot complain about the results of the election but I must question the motivation of the opposition parties with regard to the forcing of the election. I have to wonder why Canadians from coast to coast elected a Conservative majority government.
After talking to people in my riding, and specifically seniors, it has become crystal clear to me that they believe in the plan this government has brought forward. They recognize that it is a prudent and fiscally responsible plan.
Our government has done a whole host of things since we were elected in 2006 and it is important to reflect on some of them. As we look at the reality of the statistics, we have seen the lowest rate of poverty levels among seniors today due to the measures our government has brought forward.
It is important to recognize that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to the issues concerning seniors, which is why we brought forward a whole host of different measures. They include: an increase to the age credit by $1,000 twice, benefiting 2.2 million senior citizens; the pension income credit was doubled to $2,000; pension income splitting for senior couples was introduced; the age limit for registered retirement savings plans was increased from 69 years to 71 years of age; and, the minimum registered retirement income fund withdrawal was reduced by 25% providing over $200 million in tax relief to seniors.
Before those measures were introduced, those people were paying taxes. Today, as a result of these measures, 85,000 Canadian seniors no longer pay federal income tax. In 2011, a single senior earning around $19,000 and a senior couple earning at least $38,000 would not pay any federal income tax at all. I can say that this is greatly appreciated by seniors in my riding
When I talk to senior citizens, many of them want to continue to play an important role in the workforce. It is important that governments continue to encourage people who have reached the age of 65, or an age at which they are recognized as a senior citizen, to stay in the workforce and be allowed to do so. I think we as Canadians benefit from having senior citizens in the workforce contributing in so many unique and important ways.
Opposition Motion—Seniors' Poverty
Business of Supply
Government Orders
2 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Barry Devolin
Order, please. I must interrupt the member at this point. When the House returns to this matter, the hon. member for Peace River will have seven minutes remaining.
National Research Council
Statements by Members
2 p.m.
Royal Galipeau Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, the National Research Council has a proud history that goes back 95 years. Some of its key accomplishments are the pacemaker, computer animation technology and the Canadarm.
It has relied on great leaders like Jack Mackenzie, Larkin Kerwin and now, John McDougall. For over 30 years, I have stood up for the NRC and its cutting-edge science.
For the past five years, in this House and elsewhere, I have promoted the establishment of the technology transfer centre to better market the intellectual property of the NRC.
That is why I am proud that this government has granted the NRC stable funding that has increased by 17% over the last five years, to fund research, help businesses and stimulate the economy.
On top of that, I was pleased to announce two years ago temporary two-year stimulus funding to the NRC under Canada's economic action plan.
As Canada's primary research agency, the NRC continues to benefit from the strong financial support of the government.
Regional Economic Development
Statements by Members
2 p.m.
Lise St-Denis Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank the voters of my riding of Saint-Maurice—Champlain for placing their trust in me in the May 2 election.
I would like to point out to the hon. members that the residents of La Tuque, the birthplace of Félix Leclerc, are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of their city this year. A number of activities will be held during the summer to mark the occasion.
I would also like to highlight the efforts made by the city of Shawinigan to create new, original, dynamic industries in response to the many economic shocks that have hit the wood processing industry.
My constituents have shown courage and determination as they struggle to deal with the restructuring of the global economy. I would like to take this opportunity to let them know that they can count on my continued support in the search for viable economic solutions for the regions.
Statements by Members
2 p.m.
Cheryl Gallant Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, mission accomplished. Now that Operation Athena, Canada's participation in the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, it is with great pride that I recognize the more than 8,500 CFB Petawawa-based military personnel who served in Afghanistan. It has been a long haul from when troops were put on the ground back in 2002.
Our men and women in uniform are motivated by a love of comradeship and a desire to serve our country. We will never forget those soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Canada.
Canadians recognize efforts to bring stability and the rule of law to Afghanistan. As a result, there has been a significant transformation in attitude in Canada as a result of our mission in Afghanistan.
A decade ago, many commentators had written off our military: no more. We have gone from being NATO's biggest freeloader to becoming a respected member of the Western Alliance.
A grateful nation says thanks.
Human Rights Walkway
Statements by Members
June 20th, 2011 / 2 p.m.
Irwin Cotler Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, on July 1, Canada Day, the municipality of Côte Saint-Luc, in my riding of Mount Royal, will induct Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, honorary Canadian citizen, Nobel Peace Laureate and a great heroine of our time, into the municipality's Human Rights Walkway.
Aung San Suu Kyi will join the pantheon of human rights heroes in the walkway, which include: Raoul Wallenberg, Canada's first honorary citizen; former chief justices Antonio Lamer and Gilles Deschênes of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Superior Court of Quebec, respectively; international jurists René Cassin and John Humphrey; and aboriginal heroine Mary Two-Axe Early.
I would like to commend the mayor of Côte Saint-Luc, Anthony Housefather, as well as the members of the city council, who have made the promotion and protection of human rights a priority in their work.
Canadian Heritage
Statements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Pierre Nantel Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Speaker. Above all, I would like to warmly thank the people in the riding of Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher who chose to express their social democratic values by giving me the mandate to represent them. It is a privilege and a responsibility that I will honour with dedication and pride.
I would also like to thank the volunteers, without whom, we all know, political life would be very difficult. Thank you to the three women in my life who supported me in this great endeavour: my daughters, Marilou and Rose, as well as their mother, Johanne. I would also like to thank a fourth woman, my mother, who is 80 and who has tirelessly supported the NDP for more than 20 years. She, too, put in time and hard work.
As the sport critic and deputy Canadian heritage critic, I will ensure, for one, that the Pointe-de-Longueuil development project benefits everyone in Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher by improving the bike path network and its access to the Longueuil metro. Above all, I will ensure that people in the riding again have natural access to the banks of the St. Lawrence.
City of Brampton
Statements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Parm Gill Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the city of Brampton, also known as the Flower City, and its residents on holding its immensely successful sixth Flower City Parade. The parade is a great way to start off the summer. It allows all Bramptonians the opportunity to connect with our community and its heritage, as well as enjoy the day of entertainment and fun. The event drew thousands of Bramptonians to the downtown core to watch the float and entertainers.
This year's parade had a unique theme. It was "Brampton Welcomes Bollywood". As the International Indian Film Academy award celebrations are set to begin in the GTA this week, Brampton also welcomed numerous Bollywood stars during the parade.
The event was a tremendous success. I want to acknowledge hundreds of volunteers for the hard work that went into planning and executing such a great event for all Bramptonians to enjoy.
Birthday Wishes
Statements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Cathy McLeod Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Alex Sim of Kamloops as he celebrates his 86th birthday today with 419 Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta.
At the age of 16, Mr. Sim tried to join the RCAF during the Second World War, but was rejected because of his age. Undeterred, he joined the Canadian army and participated in the Normandy campaign and later served in the Korean War.
Although he went on to a successful career in the army, his passion has always been for flight. He served as president of the Pacific Group of the Air Force Association and as a member of the 886 (Overlander) Wing in Kamloops.
Over the years, he served as a liaison officer between 419 Squadron and 886 Wing. Last year, he was recognized for his years of service and given the honorary title of commanding officer of 419 Squadron.
Recognized by his feisty presence, commanding voice and impressive historical knowledge, please join me in wishing Mr. Sim a happy birthday and to thank him for his dedication to the armed forces and our country.
Repentigny Relay for Life
Statements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Jean-François Larose Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank my constituents, the people of Repentigny, for placing their trust in me on May 2.
My riding is a great place to live. Proof of this is the fact that, even though a multinational like Electrolux is closing, even though families and seniors are getting poorer, and even though our SMEs are overtaxed, the people in my riding still managed to join forces, open their hearts, donate their time and even empty their piggy banks for a good cause: the fight against cancer. The Repentigny Relay for Life, which was held last Friday, has become one of the largest in Canada. Together they raised the unprecedented amount of a little over $500,000 and organized an unforgettable evening.
I call on this government to reconsider its budget, to scrape together what it can and to give more to the people who are our everyday heroes.


text:
I have just purchased an M80 and installed it with a stereo jack along side my Anthem StagePro for a stereo setup. I quickly realized that the volume slider does absolutely nothing. I have only tried it in passive mode, I haven't even installed the battery in it yet.
Is the volume slider supposed to not function in passive mode?


text:
The shiny, reflective radiant barrier technology used to protect people and equipment on virtually all manned and unmanned NASA space missions is in use all over Earth, protecting people from the elements.
+ Read More
Industry scientists worked with researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Marshall Space Flight Center in the early 1990s to develop a petroleum remediation product, PRP, now available to consumers and industry that enables them to safely and permanently clean petroleum-based pollutants from water.
+ Read More
Low-temperature oxidation catalysts developed to enhance the operational life of carbon dioxide lasers are being used in the high-speed motor sports arena as air purifiers, so professional racecar drivers do not get carbon monoxide poisoning.
+ Read More
Clearly you know how space exploration impacts each of our daily lives.
In recognition of your accomplishment, please find below a selection of NASA @ Home & City desktop patters for your computer.


text:
Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (42 votes).
In full: great, different sections to this multi-surface race and very well organised and marshalled. tough last 2k but really enjoyed it. liked the bottle of beer will be back again many thanks chris flintDate of review: April 8, 2012
In short: Great RaceIn full: Done this race a few times now and it is always well organised. great marshalls and nice challenging course. Well done skyrac.Date of review: April 25, 2011
In short: Nice mixed terrain 10k with a few punishing hillsIn full: Fairly scenic course through Esholt woods with a shortish road section through Esholt village. Not an easy 10k but very good fun, last 2k contains 2 steep climbs with a cruel one all the way up towards the finish. Well organised, course well marked with km markers sprayed on the trail floor which I thought was a good idea. Also a bottle of specially brewed guiseley gallop beer for all finishers which was a nice touchDate of review: April 24, 2011
In short: nice run alongside the canal with a climb thru the woods to finishDate of review: January 24, 2011
In short: No frills evening race organised by very friendly peopleIn full: Would have appreciated a water station and a 'cleaner' finishing area but a lovely race, friendly people and well organised. Date of review: June 19, 2010
In short: Tough in places but the queueing on single tracks, stiles and bridges spoiled the run for me.In full: This was my second off road 10k and while i enjoyed some of the tough hills on the course i found the run along the canal quite boring. The fact that i started near the back of the crowd meant i couldn't get going for about 2k due to the volume of people in front of me and the impossibility of passing them. The final one and a half kilometres were quite tough.Date of review: April 9, 2010
In short: I loved it - shame it wasnt longer!In full: Having nver done this race before I was pleasantly surprised that North Leeds had so much mud and hills to offer. The woodland was lovely and its a shame there wasnt more of that. There were a couple of parts where you were queueing to use stiles/bridges (and to finish!) and this was a bit of a let down, especially with some runners try to push in front etc....There was good support on the race from marshalls and spectators, and getting a bottle of beer was a good ending to a really enjoyable race.Date of review: April 7, 2010
In short: Muddy and great fun!In full: This was my first 'multi terrain' race and I really enjoyed it. Quite a walk down to the start - probably about 10 minutes and then right from the start it was muddy. Certainly not one for a personal best (I've only been running a year and this was my worst time) due to the narrow paths with no passing places and more to the point, in my case anyway, the last 2k uphill through woods was very slow.All in all a great introduction to off road racing. I can certainly see me doing more. A great way to spend an Easter Sunday, and a lovely bottle of beer for my other half to enjoy :-) Thanks everyone who organised and supported.Date of review: April 4, 2010
In short: MUD MUD MUD.. but FUN FUN.... aches!In full: Highly amusing ankle deep in mud by the start line! Done this before and will do it again... well organised, trail shoes a must and no matter how many times I do this I still don't learn about the terrible hills from Esholt to the finish!Date of review: April 4, 2010
In short: Muddy and lots of uphill bits, but good fun. Date of review: April 4, 2010
Visit the official Runner's World page
Follow Runner's World on Twitter
Click here
Other Natmag-Rodale Sites
Run For Charity
Injury Clinics
About Runner's World


text:
Check out these examples of projects made with Edge Animate, and learn how they were made by downloading and experimenting with the sample files. You can also find sample templates to help you get started with your first Edge Animate project. You'll be an expert in no time!
Learn how Edge Tools & Services can help you and your team tackle animation, coding, responsive design and testing projects for the modern web. This sample features a number of powerful effects using the Edge Commons extensions library, making it an in-depth experience and expanding the possibilities of storytelling with Edge Animate. Created by Simon Widjaja, founder of edgedocks.com.
Add a new look to your virtual wardrobe with this sample, tailored for online stores. This practical example gives you a basic starting point to making your own interactive marquee. Created by Simon Widjaja, founder of edgedocks.com.
Watch these birds soar through the sky with realistic effects, using a sprite sheet and the new motion paths feature in Edge Animate. A parallax effect was added for additional depth. Other features used for effects are CSS filters (depth of field), an animated gradient, and integration with the Edge Web Fonts service. The entire project is also responsive to different screen sizes since it's using a percentage-based layout.
Give your brain a little exercise with this dynamically generated and randomized game. Hover over the banner to expose the game board and match each flower to its mate. This Edge Animate sample depends on the parent page to determine the size of the stage. In addition to a scalable stage, it features dynamic symbols, fonts from the Edge Web Fonts service, some code, and timeline choreography. Best of all, it leverages one transparent PNG for the entire project.
Content Rotator
Create your own interactive image gallery that features smooth transitions.
View Download
Article Browser
Customize this four-article browser with your own content and images.
View Download
Tabbed Viewer
Add tabbed content with fluid animation to your site with this easily configurable navigator.
View Download
Join Creative Cloud to get Edge Animate CC and all the tools you need to create, collaborate, and stay connected.
What is Creative Cloud? →


text: Gibson Trading Company gave Sheplers Western Stores their start! Founded in Wichita, KS. in 1899 by J.W. Gibson, it was originally called the Gibson Harness Company. In 1946, Harry Shepler bought the company and changed the name to Sheplers Saddle & Leather, which paved the way for the worldÆs largest western store! Now customers can find authentic Gibson Trading merchandise perfect for work or play exclusively at Sheplers! Men's Work Shirts are a staple in cowboy closets! This comfortable henley shirt will be your cowboy's new favorite. Shirt features a three-button placket, ribbed collar and cuffs. Shirt is made of 100% cotton. Imported.


text:
by Anton Shilov
Samsung Electronics has introduced a new ultra-high 16MP resolution CMOS image sensor that features Samsung's new backside illumination pixel technology is aimed not only at digital still cameras, but also at advanced mobile applications, such as tablets or even smartphones. Provided that Samsung or other vendors equip the S5K2P1 sensor with proper lenses, it will offer unprecedented picture quality on ultra-portable devices.
The Samsung's S5K2P1 is a 1/2.3" image sensor that supports maximum 16MP resolution and sports advanced 1.34 micrometer (um) backside illumination (BSI) pixel technology. Using Samsung's advanced 1.34um BSI pixel technology, the S5K2P1 delivers excellent sensitivity and low-noise performances, the company indicated. The S5K2P1 also promises to provide brighter and more vivid pictures even at night and dark indoor conditions.
The image sensor is optimized for compact mobile CE devices, with high image quality in video mode. Supporting multiple interfaces, this image sensor is also suited for premium smartphones. The S5K2P1 sensor supports a native 16:9 format video at up to 8.3MP resolution at 60 frames per second and maximum 16MP resolution for point-and-shoot images at 30 frames per second without shutter lag effect.
Surprisingly, but Samsung primarily targets high-performance, advanced smartphones as well as digital still cameras and camcorders with its new offering.
"As the adoption rate of CMOS image sensors in the digital still camera market increases, market demand for imagers such as the S5K2P1, which provides clear and fast video, is expected to grow in 2012. Introducing advanced high-resolution imagers based on BSI pixel technology supports further adoption of Samsung CMOS imagers to compact digital camera and camcorder applications," said Dojun Rhee, vice president of system LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics.
According to market research firm TSR (Techno System Research), the digital still camera market is expected to reach 154 million units in 2012 where a substantial portion of up to 48.2% is forecast to be adoption of CMOS image sensors as the main sensor device.
Samsung's S5K2P1 image sensor is currently sampling to select customers. Mass production for this imager is scheduled for November 2011.


text:
United Microelectronics Corp. said it was interested in acquisition of He Jian Technology from Suzhou, China, and the board of directors had been given a green light to make an appropriate proposal to the company. The move comes with no surprises as the global economic recession puts smaller makers of semiconductors in rather hard situations.
"In order to facilitate UMC's global business reach beyond its current markets, to help expedite business growth, to increase profitability, to enhance shareholder value and to increase UMC's business competitiveness, UMC believes that a production base in China is key," a statement by UMC reads.
He Jian, which was established in late 2001 as a semiconductor foundry business, operates an 200mm fab in Suzhou, China with a monthly capacity of 41 thousand wafers. According to UMC, He Jian has made significant inroads into the China market and has established strong relationships with local companies across the semiconductor supply chain. He Jian was profitable from 2005 to 2007 and its operating performance and financial condition remain promising.
During the past six months, the global semiconductor market suffered in the significant financial crisis that led to a worldwide economic downturn. The net value and market value of many semiconductor companies were negatively impacted. Conversely, China's market was relatively strong during this period, attracting many customers that preferred the option of local production. UMC viewed these circumstances as an opportunity to invigorate itself towards long-term growth. After considering the required manpower, capital and time required to build a new fab, which would exceed one year, UMC proposed the acquisition of He Jian.
In addition to realizing the value of the 15% ownership interest in the indirect holding company of He Jian held in trust for UMC and promoting its shareholders' interest, UMC could acquire a fully built, fully staffed and fully operational production base. UMC further anticipates that the strong foundation established by He Jian in China will lead to further gains in market share. For He Jian, as an independently operated semiconductor foundry company, the acquisition is expected to accelerate market penetration and increase profitability as a result of being incorporated into UMC's world-class operations.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement governing the acquisition, holders of shares of the holding company that indirectly own He Jian, but excluding the 15% ownership interest held in trust for UMC, are entitled to receive an aggregate consideration of approximately $285 million. These holders may elect to receive payment in the form of cash or an equivalent value of UMC common stock or American Depositary Shares (ADS). The basis of the number of shares to be delivered will be calculated by using the arithmetic average closing value of UMC's common shares and ADSs during the 6-month period prior to, but excluding, April 29, 2009, the date of the doard of directors' meeting.
Consummation of the Acquisition is subject to approvals from governmental authorities, the passage of appropriate resolutions of the shareholders of UMC and the holding company of He Jian and certain other customary conditions.
After the consummation of the acquisition, UMC plans to integrate resources, reduce operating costs, and expand business scale, as well as to rapidly shorten the time required for establishing a production base in China. With China's current market still growing and the eventual overall semiconductor industry recovery, UMC expects to expand the potential to grow its long-term revenue and earnings. The expanded international presence of UMC will also enhance its global competitiveness in the rapidly developing semiconductor industry.
Tags: UMC, He Jian, Semiconductor, Business


text:
Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (102 votes).
In short: Very hot day, and some killer hills particularly in the second half, but a very rewarding experience & extremely friendly.Date of review: May 24, 2009
In short: Tough because of the hills . . .In full: however a very enjoy enjoyable. This is a really good half marathon one of the best i've done . . . Despite the hills I'd recommend this for new runners . . . give it ago . . .Date of review: May 24, 2009
In short: Superbly organised, challenging but fun eventIn full: Really enjoyed the run - Really gruelling climbs but so well organised and such a good atmosphere - I'm definitely going back next year and next time I might try and run all the way up the hillsDate of review: May 24, 2009
In short: very tough and hotIn full: first time for me at this race and I had a good race really hot but what a race will be back next yearDate of review: May 24, 2009
In short: Oh what a race! The sun cooked me this year though!In full: Love this race, 10 minutes slower than last year despite being fitter and stronger the sun zapped me before the hills did! Highly recommended (the race not running in 25 degrees thats just silly!)Date of review: May 24, 2009
In short: Well done BuxtonIn full: Great race and the hills weren't as bad as expected, did walk a little however. Thanks to all. Hope everyone got round ok in the heat. Date of review: May 24, 2009
In short: great race , great town , and bank holiday monday to recover .Date of review: May 29, 2008
In short: Well worth the pain for the viewsDate of review: May 29, 2008
In short: Great Race, Good Atmosphere, Fantastic SceneryDate of review: May 26, 2008
In short: Fantastic scenery, quite challenging...Great race!Date of review: May 26, 2008
Visit the official Runner's World page
Follow Runner's World on Twitter
Click here
Other Natmag-Rodale Sites
Run For Charity
Injury Clinics
About Runner's World


text:
[Skip to content]
You can keep up to date with the latest in Parkinson's research by clicking on the 'View all >' links below, and then on individual research papers of interest. You can also subscribe to our Research news feed to receive an email or text when new information is added.
Subscribe to this page >


text:
This event is expired.
Fam Bam
November 25, 2011
Showings at 6:30 and 7:10 pm*
Koret Auditorium, de Young
*Pick up a free ticket at the Koret Auditorium entrance (near the Membership desk) starting at 5:30 p.m., while they last.
Fam Bam is a short documentary that provides a critical look into the structure of the black family in America. It delves into the many layers of how this structure helped assuage the influences of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the crack era. Epps documents the beautifuly unique nature of this complex family structure in a manner designed to heal the community, celebrate diversity, and teach others about its depths. The story will be told through the use of video, archival footage, still photos, audio, text, animation, and sculptures.
Community activist and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps developed his skills through public access shows and classes at the Film Arts Foundation into a film career with the acclaimed documentaries Straight Outta Hunters Point and The Black Rock. Epps has collaborated on projects with Google, Yahoo, Discovery Channel, Current TV, and a host of other media partners. His passion for advocacy of underserved communities has led him to give back by working with various community art spaces as well as serving on the boards of two local nonprofit organizations. Epps currently has several projects in the works and looks forward to shooting his first feature film this summer.
This event is part of the 2011 Artist Fellow series presented with our collaborating partner, the African American Art & Culture Complex.
For more information, visit the Artist Fellows website and blog.


text:
166 ratings
By Event
Wine Riot DC
Wine & Wishes 2012
Second Floor Mini Rager
Second Glass Crash Course
Wine Riot DC
Wine Riot New York
Paso Robles Wine Festival
Wine Riot Chicago
Muscadet, Shuck Yeah!
Wine Riot Boston
Wine Riot LA
Dry Creek Vineyard Barrel Tasting Weekend
Vino Viagra and the Panty Remover
Boston Wine Expo
Paso Robles
Second Glass Wine Riot Boston
Pre-Wine Riot Tasting at Bauer Wine & Spirits
Mass Innovation Night #19
Girls in Tech
By Style
Avery A.
The wine that got you into wine
table wines of Aix-en-Provence
Drunken munchies
fried avocado
If I could only drink one wine forever
Vinho Verde
After too much wine I talk endlessly about
Tandem bikes and the library
Showing wines matching:
Tasted at event: Boston Wine Expo
Enoitalia Prima Perla Prosecco
Italy, Veneto
she liked it!
2007 Trefethen Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
USA, California, Napa Valley
she loved it!
2007 Esporao Reserva Red
Portugal, Alentejo, Reguengos
she loved it!
2009 Esporao Monte Velho Red
Portugal, Alentejo
she loved it!
2009 Hill and Dale Sauvignon Blanc
South Africa
she loved it!
2009 Tukulu Chenin Blanc
South Africa
she loved it!
2008 Trivento Torrontes
Argentina, Mendoza
she liked it!
2009 "Perle Di Piera" Blue Pearl Prosecco
Italy, Veneto
she loved it!
NV The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio
USA, California
she loved it!
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel
USA, California, Sonoma County
she loved it!


text:
Read two translations of the poem written by St. John of the Cross.
Many of history's greatest scientists considered their work to be a religious endeavor, a direct search for God. Pioneers like Newton, Copernicus, and Galileo believed that their discoveries told humanity more about God's nature than had been known. Beginning in the early 18th century, science and religion came to be at odds — the gap widening most famously with the publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species.
In recent years, a new dialogue has begun, driven by leading scientists across the world. Host Krista Tippett explores with three scientists, each of whom is working in a field that's rapidly advancing our understanding of what it means to be human. From very different perspectives, they suggest that our most sophisticated 21st-century discoveries may be driving us back to questions of faith.
Share Episode
Shortened URL
is an Anglican priest and geneticist at Virginia Commonwealth University.
is a computer scientist and former theological advisor in the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab.
is an immunologist at Yeshiva University in Manhattan and a scholar of the Talmud.
Selected Readings
Read the complete passage from this book of the Old Testament.
The following biblical passage recited by Krista and read during the program was taken from Celebrating Common Prayer: A Version of the Daily Office SSF.
About the Image
The exhibit "PhotonQ - The Darth Vader Artificial Intelligence Network" on display at a contemporary art museum in Paris.
Episode Sponsor
Share a Reflection
I feel that anything or
I feel that anything or anyone that questions Jehovah God's realization has nothing to tell me or anything to sell me. For I know that He is real and the world would be worse off than if He wasn't real. Because of His grace and mercy we all can or could live a somewhat peaceful life now, and for sure an eternally peaceful life after death.


text:
Echidnas (pron.: /ɨˈkɪdnə/), sometimes known as spiny ant eaters,[2] belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. The four extant species, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of that order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs.[3] Although their diet consists largely of ants and termites, they are no more closely related to the true anteaters of the Americas than to any other placental mammal. They live in Australia and New Guinea. The echidnas are named after a monster in ancient Greek mythology.
Echidnas are small, solitary mammals[4] covered with coarse hair and spines. Superficially, they resemble the anteaters of South America and other spiny mammals such as hedgehogs and porcupines. They have elongated and slender snouts which function as both mouth and nose. Like the platypus, they are equipped with electrosensors, but while the platypus has 40,000 electroreceptors on its bill, the long-billed echidna has only 2,000, and the short-billed echidna, which lives in a drier environment, has no more than 400 located at the tip of its snout.[5] They have very short, strong limbs with large claws, and are powerful diggers. Echidnas have tiny mouths and toothless jaws. The echidna feeds by tearing open soft logs, anthills and the like, and using its long, sticky tongue, which protrudes from its snout, to collect prey. The short-beaked echidna's diet consists largely of ants and termites, while the Zaglossus species typically eats worms and insect larvae.[6]
Long-beaked echidnas have sharp, tiny spines on their tongues that help capture their prey.[6]
Echidnas and the platypus are the only egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes. The female lays a single soft-shelled, leathery egg 22 days after mating, and deposits it directly into her pouch. Hatching takes place after 10 days; the young echidna then sucks milk from the pores of the two milk patches (monotremes have no nipples) and remains in the pouch for 45 to 55 days,[7] at which time it starts to develop spines. The mother digs a nursery burrow and deposits the young, returning every five days to suckle it until it is weaned at seven months.
Neocortex makes up half of the echidna's brain, compared to one-third of a human brain.[8] Due to their low metabolism and accompanying stress resistance, echidnas are long-lived for their size; the longest recorded lifespan for a captive echidna is 50 years, with anecdotal accounts of wild individuals reaching 45 years.[9] Contrary to previous research, the echidna does enter REM sleep, but only when the ambient temperature is around 25°C (77°F). At temperatures of 15°C (59°F) and 28°C (~82°F), REM sleep is suppressed.[10]
Male echidnas have non-venomous spurs on the hind feet[citation needed]
|This section requires expansion. (November 2012)
Male echidnas have a four-headed penis. During mating, the heads on one side "shut down" and do not grow in size; the other two are used to release semen into the female's two-branched reproductive tract. The heads used are swapped each time the mammal copulates.[11]
Molecular clock and fossil dating suggest echidnas split from platypuses 112.5 million years ago.[citation needed] Echidnas evolved from water-foraging ancestors which returned to living completely on the land, even though this put them in competition with marsupials.[12] Consequently, oviparous reproduction in monotremes is suggested to confer advantages over marsupials, a view consistent with present ecological partitioning between monotremes and marsupials.[12]
Echidnas are classified into three genera.[13] The genus Zaglossus includes three extant species and two species known only from fossils, while only one extant species from the genus Tachyglossus is known. The third genus, Megalibgwilia, is known only from fossils.
The three living Zaglossus species are endemic to New Guinea.[13] They are rare and are hunted for food. They forage in leaf litter on the forest floor, eating earthworms and insects. The species are:
- Western long-beaked echidna (Z. bruijni), of the highland forests;
- Sir David's long-beaked echidna (Z. attenboroughi), described in 1961 and preferring a still higher habitat;
- Eastern long-beaked echidna (Z. bartoni), of which four distinct subspecies have been identified.
The two fossil species are:
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is found in southeast New Guinea, and also occurs in almost all Australian environments, from the snow-clad Australian Alps to the deep deserts of the Outback, essentially anywhere ants and termites are available. It is smaller than the Zaglossus species, and it has longer hair.
The genus Megalibgwilia is known only from fossils:
- M. ramsayi from Late Pleistocene sites in Australia;
- M. robusta from Miocene sites in Australia.
Echidna in popular culture
Knuckles the Echidna is a red echidna featured in the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog. Knuckles made his debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Genesis. The echidna appears on the reverse of the Australian 5-cent coin. Millie, an echidna, was a mascot for the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 1–2. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=10300002.
- ^ "Short-Beaked Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus". Park & Wildlife Service Tasmania. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=4796. Retrieved October 2012.
- ^ Stewart, Doug (April/May 2003). "The Enigma of the Echidna". National Wildlife. http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?articleId=763&issueId=61.
- ^ Augee, Michael; Gooden, Brett; Musser, Anne (2006). Echidna : extraordinary egg-laying mammal ([Second ed.] ed.). Collingwood: CSIRO. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-643-09204-4. http://www.publish.csiro.au/samples/echidna_sample.pdf.
- ^ "Electroreception in fish, amphibians and monotremes". Map of Life. 7 July 2010. http://www.mapoflife.org/topics/topic_41_Electroreception-in-fish-amphibians-and-monotremes/.
- ^ a b "Zaglossus bruijni". AnimalInfo.org. http://www.animalinfo.org/species/zaglbrui.htm.
- ^ "Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)". Arkive.org. http://www.arkive.org/short-beaked-echidna/tachyglossus-aculeatus/biology.html.
- ^ Gill, Victoria (19 November 2012). "Are these animals too 'ugly' to be saved?". BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20323753.
- ^ Cason, M. (2009). "Tachyglossus aculeatus". Animal Diversity. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Tachyglossus_aculeatus/. Retrieved October 2012.
- ^ Nicol, SC; Andersen, NA; Phillips, NH; Berger, BJ (March 2000). "The echidna manifests typical characteristics of rapid eye movement sleep". Neurosci. Lett. 283 (1): 49–52. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(00)00922-8. PMID 10729631. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394000009228.
- ^ Shultz, N. (26 October 2007). "Exhibitionist spiny anteater reveals bizarre penis". New Scientist. http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12838. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
- ^ a b Phillips, MJ; Bennett, TH; Lee, MS (October 2009). "Molecules, morphology, and ecology indicate a recent, amphibious ancestry for echidnas". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106 (40): 17089–94. doi:10.1073/pnas.0904649106. PMC 2761324. PMID 19805098. http://www.pnas.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=19805098.
- ^ a b Flannery, T.F.; Groves, C.P. (1998). "A revision of the genus Zaglossus (Monotremata, Tachyglossidae), with description of new species and subspecies". Mammalia 62 (3): 367–396. doi:10.1515/mamm.19188.8.131.527.


text:
Supermarket bookends
"The Fiscal Times" is recirculating "Consumer Reports'" annual review of supermarkets, which placed Wegmans at the very top and Walmart Supercenters just one place above the very bottom. The review was conducted in 2012 with 24,000 customer surveys and looked at issues such as price, cleanliness, customer service and food quality. Though Walmart beat out every other supermarket chain but one for last place, it still got high marks from customers for low prices. Reminds me of the joke where a restaurant customer says, "The food wasn't very good, but they give you a lot of it!"
Tops didn't fare very well, either, coming in sixth from the bottom. Tiny Trader Joe's, which operates stores about one-tenth the size of Wegmans or Walmart, also came out a winner for its customer service, food quality and layout, coming in second behind Wegmans.


text:
Sort by: Viator Recommends | Traveler Rating | Most Recent
Palm Springs Suggested Itineraries
By Viator, January 2015
Someone says Palm Springs, I think sun, relaxation, golf. I should probably add to that list dramatic landscape, swimming, shopping and eating. Located in the Colorado Desert 100 miles southeast of ... Read more
Visiting the San Andreas Fault from Palm Springs
By Viator, November 2014
Come see one of the largest fault lines in the world - the San Andres Fault! Forming the very backbone of California, the San Andreas Fault extends 810 miles up the ridgeline of California and is the ... Read more
Still Time for Palm Springs Polo
By Hudson, USA, May 2011
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE ... Read more


text:
I have 2 baby male parrotlets. They are weaned and ready for new homes. one is blue and the other is green. Born December 10 and 11, 2016. Blue is pictured…$250
I have 2 baby male parrotlets. They are weaned and ready for new homes. one is blue and the other is green. Born December 10 and 11, 2016. Green is pictured…$250
This is Lola Belle. She is a very sweet baby Macaw that belonged to my mother who recently passed away. Lola is still very young. We're looking for a home…$1,000
Ducky is a four-year-old orange-winged Amazon that is ready to go to his new home$1,000
Spanish Timbrado Canaries for Sale - excellent singers. Healthy, beautiful family-raised birds (born Spring 2016). Colors are yellow and variegated…$100
Breeder pair of African grey Congo parrot, I am retiring from work and need to have more time to travel. The female could be used as pet or breeder as…$1,395
Relocating to the Northeast and selling my adorable, sweet Amazon. Willie has been with us in the family for years and gets along with dogs, cats, other…$1,200
Very sweet/tame, just weaned baby cinnamon Greencheek conures. 2 availableNo Price Listed
Very sweet gentle baby, 1 left . normal grey 12 weeks old.No Price Listed
my Congo African grey parrots. 4-18 mons old and DNA'ed male and female. They will come with food, nuts, and play stand, large cage and toys, an avian…No Price Listed


text:
teaskeptic wrote:Wuyi and gyokuro both sound great to me.
marlena wrote:I would like to see Kenya, Bolivia, Vietnam and other different locations. Some of these teas are very good, some are awful, but they are neglected areas of tea production. Perhaps the US, British and others could also be covered. We could break new ground!
marlena wrote:Perhaps the US, British and others could also be covered.
Mr. Usaji wrote:Tea snobs seem to be interested only in China, Taiwan, and Japan (and Korea), but I don't know if that's because very little good tea is grown in other countries, or because they don't export it, or it's just that tea snobs are prejudiced. Maybe a combination of the three.marlena wrote:Perhaps the US, British and others could also be covered.
I challenge you to show me some tea grown in the US (not counting Hawaii) or Britain!
Mr. Usaji wrote:Wow, I wonder if it's any good. At $10 for 1.6 oz, I hope people don't use it for "sweet tea"!
I can't believe they grow tea in Britain, though. If they could, I'm sure they would have been doing it for centuries.
edkrueger wrote:Did I mention Gyokuro?


text:
Welcome to Washington, where you can smoke pot but can't buy it
SPOKANE, Wash. - While possession of marijuana is now legal in Washington, prosecuting drug crimes remains a top priority for local law enforcement for one obvious reason: Legally you can smoke it, but there is no legal way for you to actually purchase it.
Dealers, who will obviously have more customers, will still have drugs units from the police and sheriff's office looking for them. Pushing drugs is still a criminal enterprise and police are still planning plenty of busts.
"This isn't kind [of] a license to kill, to go out and do whatever you want when it comes to pot and other drugs. We're still going to enforce the law," Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub said.
That's because dealers still use violence to protect their turf and their inventory and will accept stolen property as a form of currency when selling to their customers.pot enforcement
"People don't pay for drugs with money all the time. People pay for drugs with stolen items that come from your house. Your flat screen TVs, your iPads, your electronic devices," Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Chamberlin said.
Because the federal government still views marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, you can still get into trouble for possessing even small amounts of marijuana on federal property. For example, most local ski resorts operate in national forests. Smoke out there and if you get caught you're breaking the law. University campuses are also off-limits for smoking marijuana.
On Thursday, Fairchild Air Force Base advised its airmen that despite the passage of Initiative 502 there is still a service-wide ban on the use or possession of marijuana. The same message was sent out by the headquarters for the Washington Army National Guard Wednesday afternoon.
However, roadblocks aside, if you're over the age of 21, and ideally in the privacy of your own home, small amounts of marijuana is now legal for consumption.
"Yes, you can use it in your private residence, but if you're out in the park, if you're out walking down the street, you know that's illegal, that's basically using that controlled substance out in public just like alcohol, so it's no different than an open container of alcohol," Chamberlin said.
By this time next year, Washington State is required to have licensed stores up and running where you can legally purchase marijuana. The state also plans to issue licenses to farmers who will grow marijuana for those stores by the end of May.
- Update: Northern Idaho authorities clear deputy in fatal crash
- One person killed in early morning house fire
- Viral video features Spokane area airmen being blocked by protesters
- 92-year-old man attempts snow shoeing for first time
- Thousands participate in Spokane Women's March
- Thousands turn out for Women's March on Spokane


text:
PSS21WT Pegasus Glass Side Splash - White
Indulge in the remarkable style of Pegasus, for your kitchen or bath. Pegasus products include their signature faucets, along with distinctive bath accessories and furniture, vanities, mirrors, pedestal sinks, toilets and kitchen sinks. Designs range from the timeless and traditional to the sleek and contemporary.
This accessory becomes a "must-have" component piece when installing Pegasus glass vanity tops against side walls. Sidesplashes are available in black and white to match the Pegasus glass vanity tops.


text:
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
Honoka Will Help You!
Episode 31 | TV-PG
Hermit returns from his self-imposed seclusion, eager to beat Kenichi once and for all. His time away was spent training, but nothing could prepare him for who he must deal with next - Honoka!
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/kenichi-the-mightiest-discipleHide Details


text:
Filed under: Fun n Games, Science/Technology | Tags: Building Stuff With Lego, lego robot, science models
(click to enlarge)
Those wonderful little blocks do more and more. Max Shepherd, a biomedical engineering major built a robotic Lego arm that mimics a human arm and hand's range of motion. He has been building Lego models since he was 10 years old. His Lego limb can flex and spread its fingers, curl its thumb, make a fist, rotate its wrist, and if desired— flip people off.
This article from Wired has sixteen fascinating science models; things undreamed of when you were ten years old. So if your kid gets all wrapped-up in making models from his Lego blocks, it may be more than just a game — it may be a fabulous future career.
Just don't leave them on the floor. It really hurts when you step on a block in your bare feet.
1 Comment so far
Leave a comment
Lego is the best "toy" ever invented. Ever.


text: Walter Lim, DDM, MSD, DDS, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Science in Dentistry from Indiana University specializing in the field of Prosthodontics. He continued his education by acquiring a DDS degree from the University of Detroit Mercy where he currently directs preclinical courses in Removable Prosthodontics and is active in the clinical instruction of dental students. In 2006, Dr. Lim was appointed Pre-Clinical Program Coordinator for the Department of Restorative Dentistry, having responsibilities in curriculum management as well as assessing preclinical issues for the department.


text:
Sorry that I've not written back before but life out here on the "Back In the US" leg has got hectic; we've been out on the road for 30 days now and we've already got 16 shows under our belts. And whilst that's not quite the
whistle-stop rate of the early Beatles tours, we're not exactly hanging about. What is especially cool out here on this leg is that the show is going down so stormingly we're breaking house records in all the places we've played - 15 cities we've done and we now hold the house records in every one of them. Maybe we've got something here. And the crowds are getting so loud! We played in Oklahoma the other night and you could hear them all yelling OVER the PA. If that keeps up we're gong to have to up the power by another million watts just to hear ourselves on stage.
You've probably heard by now that we've changed the set around a bit on this leg, adding "Let 'Em In," "Michelle" and "She's Leaving Home," and I'm very gratified to see that these "new" songs are going down well. You can kind of judge that by the sight of all the couples holding each other and swaying in their own private smooch during the songs. It's good to see that. Good that you're reaching somebody to the extent that they're oblivious to all who are around them; a bunch of waltzing figures in the crowd, just dancing in their own private love bubble as we soundtrack their moment. Makes you feel like "The Wedding Singer" up here onstage. But that's OK; the privilege of touching you guys is what it's all about.
And I'm chuffed that "Freedom" is going down so well now. It was a
crowd-rouser on the "Driving USA" leg, but now there's so many flags out there in the crowd and so much honest fervour for the spirit of the song that you feel like you're at a Fourth of July rally. That's humbling, giving America a little song on which it can vent the passion we all feel over the reasons that made me write that song. As I've said, we're all in this together.
One of the great things about the way this tour is panning out is this new band of mine. They're not only so into it up on the stage, but all of them are good enough musicians to be able to cope when the whim strikes me to throw something unscripted into the set - like we did the other night in Houston when we suddenly launched into "Midnight Special," seemingly appropriate for the lyric 'And if you ever get to Houston, you better act right'. It's a number we'd been doing at the sound check and it fitted the moment. I like to ring the changes like that; like when we played some nights back in St. Louis on the night of John's (Lennon's) birthday. I was introducing "Here Today," the song that I wrote for John, and the crowd just stood in this unending ovation at the mention of his name. So I thought, OK, this is a bit crazy but let's all sing "Happy Birthday" to John. Here. Today. Now. That was moving for me. We did another change in St. Louis (New Orleans Paul!) when my old mate from the Wings days, Thaddeus Richard, came backstage as a one-man brass section. We got him up to play on "Lady Madonna," which was cool.
Cool too is the news that on the first day, on-sale for the tickets to our coming Tokyo and Osaka (shows), they sold 170,000. It's always good to play Japan because I know the fans are into it all down there. But I also know that the stewards at the gigs like to keep everyone in their seats, because that's the accepted way - be polite, be respectful and stay in your seats and clap. Between you and me, I've got a feeling that we should give them stewards a shock this time around. Never mind what the rules say; how about WE say that we break the rules and you guys in Japan party and bop as much as you want to. Let your hair down, guys; and if they give you any problem with their rules tell them Paul said it was OK to holler and leap about. Don't worry about 'convention', pass the word and let's keep it among ourselves - give the stewards a Mac Attack. I'll back you up; nobody ever got busted for dancing at a rock show.
And anyway, the more you enjoy yourselves - whether it be in Japan or Oz or anywhere - the greater your chances of getting in this film that we're making out here on the road. We've got camera crews out there in the audience every night filming the wildest of the wildness. And although we've already filmed a lot of the American crowds on the first leg for 'Back In The U.S' - the DVD of the tour (both front of stage and backstage) that we've got coming out with the live album on November 26th, little is it known that we are STILL filming for something special besides. I'm very excited by this; we're filming now for a secret website that's going to be accessible to everyone who buys the DVD. I'm not sure I'm allowed to tell you this yet, so don't say I said it. But what happens is this - you buy your DVD, which is a cool little insider view of life on this tour, plus the best of the gigs, and then you put the DVD into your computer and because the DVD will be encrypted, it'll get you into this secret website that'll be full of stuff happening now or that which has yet to happen. I'm very into that - for the cost of the DVD you get this constant memory of the gig with this built-in ticket to the future. And anything is going to happen up there on that site; there will be extra songs from Sound Check that nobody's seen before; there's a lot of takes of a lot of you fans interviewed by our cameras, there's going to be a whole special show that will be shot totally in private just for you and other stuff that we're working on now. As I say, we're filming at every gig for this website, so if you want to try to get featured on it, get yourself noticed. I'm sure you'll find a way...........
One last thing; the promoters tell me that by the time we get down to
Australia for the Melbourne gig, we'll have sold just under one million tickets. That means somebody in Oz is going to buy the Millionth Ticket. And I hear there's a whole bunch of surprise treats - like flights to see a show outside of Oz and more - in store for whomever gets that millionth ticket.
Good luck. I hope it's you.
Anyway, I've got to go and do a show now. Nice talking to you. Let me hear any feedback you've go on this and any ideas for what you might like besides. See you soon at the gigs.
Keep rockin' PAUL


text:
|Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005)
|Rating: 7.2/10 (41,629 votes)
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Stars: Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts
Runtime: 23 min
Rated: TV-G
Genre: Comedy
Released: 13 Sep 1996
|Plot: Ray Barone seemingly has it all. A wonderful wife, a beautiful family, a great job, a nice house on Long Island. There's only one problem. His obnoxious parents (who live across the street) and his jealous brother are always getting in the way.
Everybody Loves Raymond season 02 episode 12 online free