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The Politics of Debt in America
Posted on Jan 30, 2013
By Steve Fraser, TomDispatch
(Page 2)
Scenes of public pathos were commonplace. Inmates at the New Gaol, if housed on its upper floors, would lower shoes out the window on strings to collect alms for their release. Other prisons installed "beggar gates" through which those jailed in cellar dungeons could stretch out their palms for the odd coins from passersby.
Poor and rich alike wanted out. Pamphleteering against the institution of debtor's prison began in the 1750s. An Anglican minister in South Carolina denounced the jails, noting that "a person would be in a better situation in the French King's Gallies, or the Prisons of Turkey or Barbary than in this dismal place." Discontent grew. A mass escape from New Gaol of 40 prisoners armed with pistols and clubs was prompted by extreme hunger.
In the 1820s and 1830s, as artisans, journeymen, sailors, longshoremen, and other workers organized the early trade union movement as well as workingmen's political parties, one principal demand was for the abolition of imprisonment for debt. Inheritors of a radical political culture, their complaints echoed that Biblical tradition of Jubilee mentioned in Leviticus, which called for a cancellation of debts, the restoration of lost houses and land, and the freeing of slaves and bond servants every 50 years.
Falling into debt was a particularly ruinous affliction for those who aspired to modest independence as shopkeepers, handicraftsmen, or farmers. As markets for their goods expanded but became ever less predictable, they found themselves taking out credit to survive and sometimes going into arrears, often followed by a stint in debtor's prison that ended their dreams forever.
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Enough of the old moral faith that frowned on debt as sinful lingered. The United States has always been an uncharitable place when it comes to debt, a curious attitude for a society largely settled by absconding debtors and indentured servants (a form of time-bound debt peonage). Indeed, the state of Georgia was founded as a debtor's haven at a time when England's jails were overflowing with debtors.
When Congress finally passed the Bankruptcy Act, those in the privileged quarters at New Gaol threw a party. Down below, however, life continued in its squalid way, since the new law only applied to people who had sizable debts. If you owed too little, you stayed in jail.
Debt and the Birth of a Nation
Nowadays, the conservative media inundate us with warnings about debt from the Founding Fathers, and it's true that some of them like Jefferson—himself an inveterate, often near-bankrupt debtor—did moralize on the subject. However, Alexander Hamilton, an idol of the conservative movement, was the architect of the country's first national debt, insisting that "if it is not excessive, [it] will be to us a national blessing."
As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton's goal was to transform the former 13 colonies, which today we would call an underdeveloped land, into a country that someday would rival Great Britain. This, he knew, required liquid capital (resources not tied up in land or other less mobile forms of wealth), which could then be invested in sometimes highly speculative and risky enterprises. Floating a national debt, he felt sure, would attract capital from well-positioned merchants at home and abroad, especially in England.
However, for most ordinary people living under the new government, debt aroused anger. To begin with, there were all those veterans of the Revolutionary War and all the farmers who had supplied the revolutionary army with food and been paid in notoriously worthless "continentals"—the currency issued by the Continental Congress—or equally valueless state currencies.
As rumors of the formation of a new national government spread, speculators roamed the countryside buying up this paper money at a penny on the dollar, on the assumption that the debts they represented would be redeemed at face value. In fact, that is just what Hamilton's national debt would do, making these "sunshine patriots" quite rich, while leaving the yeomanry impoverished.
Outrage echoed across the country even before Hamilton's plan got adopted. Jefferson denounced the currency speculators as loathsome creatures and had this to say about debt in general: "The modern theory of the perpetuation of debt has drenched the earth with blood and crushed its inhabitants under burdens ever accumulating." He and others denounced the speculators as squadrons of counter-revolutionary "moneycrats" who would use their power and wealth to undo the democratic accomplishments of the revolution.
In contrast, Hamilton saw them as a disinterested monied elite upon whom the country's economic well-being depended, while dismissing the criticisms of the Jeffersonians as the ravings of Jacobin levelers. Soon enough, political warfare over the debt turned founding fathers into fratricidal brothers.
Hamilton's plan worked—sometimes too well. Wealthy speculators in land like Robert Morris, or in the building of docks, wharves, and other projects tied to trade, or in the national debt itself—something William Duer and grandees like him specialized in—seized the moment. Often enough, however, they over-reached and found themselves, like the yeomen farmers and soldiers, in default to their creditors.
Duer's attempts to corner the market in the bonds issued by the new federal government and in the stock of the country's first National Bank represented one of the earliest instances of insider trading. They also proved a lurid example of how speculation could go disastrously wrong. When the scheme collapsed, it caused the country's first Wall Street panic and a local depression that spread through New England, ruining "shopkeepers, widows, orphans, butchers… gardeners, market women, and even the noted Bawd Mrs. McCarty."
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text: At the end of the second quarter, we had 8 equity strategies and a variety of styles, with top quintile -- top quartile 3-year records and 6 in that top quartile for 1 year. And this include funds like the capital income, Pru Bear, InterContinental and Strategic Value Dividend.Equity fund net flows are essentially break-even for the first 3 weeks of July, and much of the improvement is due to the Kaufmann Small Cap Fund moving from negative flows in the second quarter to positive flows early in the third quarter. Second quarter flows in equity separate accounts were positive, led by the strategic value strategy. We are continuing to see RFPs for strategic value income, both domestic and international, as well as other strategies and the Clover Small Value equity strategy as well. Read the rest of this transcript for free on seekingalpha.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Is it safe to go indoor tanning three times a week? Is indoor tanning safe at all?
We recommend against indoor tanning.
The radiation produced by tanning devices can damage your skin, just like sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, whether from a tanning device or the sun, increases your health risks and risk for skin cancer.
~The Doc
Page Updated 10.11.2012


text:
Original review on Letterboxd:
Films And Games In Review... 2012 Edition.
The Perks of being a Wallflower (2012).
Charlie: I really wanna be a writer but I don't know what I'd write about. Sam: You can write about us.
I've never been to high-school, for two simple facts:
A. I went to a boarding school since the age of 4, then moved to another boarding school at 9, which I will attend until I graduate.
B. I'm not yet old enough.
I've always been a relatively social person, and, thankfully, I've never had any particularly tragic happenings in my life, so I was never damaged by it, (that's not saying I'm a sane person, though.)
Nevertheless, due to the terrific writing, and a perfect cast that give amazing performances, this film should be relatable to anyone, directly, or otherwise.
It's a brilliant film, and I don't feel the need to emphasize that point, besides saying that it's one of the year's finest releases, and a must-watch. There is, however, a problem I spotted with, "Perks."
They make the lead, Charlie, (played brilliantly by Logan Lerman, who I used to dislike, (The Lightning Thief...),) very tragic. The reason for which one can consider it a problem is better explained in the review linked at the bottom. Nevertheless, his tragicness works for the plot, and later on a few twists. For this reason, I can't personally hold it against the film, though it's certainly there, and some surely can.
Overall, this film is amazing. It's cast is simply fantastic, the script is as close to perfection as it could be. The soundtracks is not only a standout, but it's also emphasized upon. Add all this together to get one hell of a film, and a brilliant way to wrap 2012.
4.5 / 5 = A fantastic effort, one that everyone must see. One of my all-time favorites.
Happy New Year, everyone.
The review mentioned earlier: letterboxd.com/jaycgallagher/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/


text:
Canada's already cozy film market may soon become a little cozier. We hear that the country's No. 1 independent film distributor, Alliance Films, is angling to acquire one of its largest competitors, Maple Pictures — and is deep into talks with Lionsgate to buy its 10% stake in Maple. Lionsgate is looking to pay down debt following a year during which it fended of a hostile takeover attempt by corporate raider/shareholder activist Carl Icahn to give the company to his son Brett. Lionsgate stock right now is still stuck in neutral. The Maple stake is considered peripheral. Maple grew out of Lionsgate in 2005 — it was known as Lionsgate Films before the company spun off the unit. It's run by two former Lionsgate executives, Laurie May and Brad Pelman, and continues to distribute Lionsgate films, DVDs, and TV shows in Canada.
Lionsgate Talking To Canada's Alliance Films About Deal For Maple Pictures
20 Comments
That is terrible news for the Canadian scene. Maple Pictures was great. Alliance will take it over and ruin the once proud name. Alliance Films is run by a bunch of nitwits with Law Degrees.
There is absolutely no creativity at Alliance. Even those without law degrees (I have to take your word on this one) are more like bureaucrats. Their advertising always look cuts and paste campaigns.
Alliance already controls enough in Canada that this deal should be prevented by the government. But the again, Alliance only became what it is by virtue of its government connections.
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.
I'm not impressed. Canadian should be working together not trying to bid one another out. Maple Pictures is a great distributor, they know their audience! I'm hoping to hear something from them… You've got our back Maple!
Maybe Alliance will fire all of Maple's staff. One can only hope :-)
Bitter much?
So it's a good day if 50 people lose their jobs?
All Maple cares about is flipping Lions Gate films in Canada. On their own they couldn't distribute their way out of a wet paper bag
Nice to hide behind your tag name there madsammy. How do you know what Maple Pitcures does and does not care about?!?
Charles Layton does not have a creative bone in his body, and will likely destroy all that Brad and Laurie have built. Sad state of the industry when I hear about this.
Another one bites the dust…
This is truly the end for the Canadian film distribution industry. Who's left? E-One? Mongrel? Alliance will have major marketing and financial muscles to just basically annihilate anyone who tries to make a run at their american lines…
Wow, madsammy, nice comment. For you to suggest an entire team of 50 people should be fired is really sad…
I happen to know many people at Maple who are very talented team and just great people overall….
Me too – a lot of great people at Maple!
Charles Layton not creative? He financed insidious, the most profitable film of the year. using that mojo now to buy Maple is creative enough to get you nitwits rolling around
. Guy's been in movies since you were in diapers. A survivor, a thriver, you should have his instincts or his career. Good luck with that.
Ditto. Charles Layton knows more about film business than than anyone of you morons will ever know!
What proud Maple name? And you're absolutely right madsammy, how many Canadian films has Maple successfully released? Without Lionsgate there is no Maple.
All they do is copy everything Alliance does and oh by the way, most of the staff over there are ex-Alliance employees so if they've done anything right its because they learned how to do it from the #1 distributor in the country.
ps – Brad & Laurie = real creative types (ya right!)
MAPLE PICTURES is the BEST :(
Peter – you should be fired!!
I know a few people that work at Maple and they are great people and I wouldn't want them to lose their jobs, but, this is not Alliances' fault. Why should people be angry with Alliance because they are in the position to take advantage of a situation that has been brought to them. Alliance is not the number one indie distributor in Canada for no reason. It took a lot of hard work, great employees and great leaders like Victor Loewy, Robert Lantos and now Charles Layton to bring that company to where it is today.
Look at it this way: since Layton took over Alliance, the company has shrink about 50%. A visionnary. Ask Goldman Sachs what they think about the great value creation of the past 4 years at Alliance!


text:
The Demon Deacons have been without U.S. U-20 defender Julian Valentin, who was injured in preseason practice and has yet to play this season, but the Wake has been solid with fill-in Justin Lichtfuss playing centerback along side senior Pat Phelan, another former U.S. U-20.
Wake is 6-0-0, its best start to the season since 1984.
Freshman Corben Bone has lived up to his billing as one of the nation's top freshman. The Texan leads Wake with four goals and three assists. Sophomore Cody Arnoux is second with four goals and one assist and seen increased playing time in recent weeks.
Wake Forest coach Jay Vidovich says the Demon Deacons aren't worried about their No. 1 ranking.
"We know that that isn't going to win us a championship trophy," he told the Old Gold & Black earlier this week. "We have a long-term picture of our goals."
Wake reached the Men's College Cup for the first time in 2006 and hopes to return the finals in 2007 when they will held in Cary, N.C.


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Uncyclopedia:Pee Review/Nazi Kittens
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
edit Nazi Kittens
Waylander37 12:39, May 4, 2011 (UTC)
Ive got this one --ShabiDOO 00:57, May 17, 2011 (UTC) Thanks for the advice --Waylander37 19:28, June 3, 2011 (UTC)
|Ill start this all straight out by saying: To me at least, this is a totally random article, with a bunch of off the wall crazy ideas, memes and absurd singe (or even half) sentence lines thrown together with no idea of concept behind it and not one idea being particularly funny. Okay, so that probably feels like a big punch in the face...its not meant to be though and you shouldn't take it that way. There are all sorts of cute ideas in this article and any one of them could be expanded to be funny, especially the moustache one. The moustache bit is cute and has potential. But since not a single idea is developed, since there isnt even anything close to a story line or concept behind this article, none of the potential humour of this article comes out at all. This doesn't mean that the article cannot be rewritten and or restructured. You probably have to make some decisions here (think of it as creative destruction, don't be afraid to delete stuff you have written, even if its funny on its own, even if it makes you laugh in your own head...if it just doesn't fit or it it doesn't flow with whats before or whats after, save that gold material for another article or experiment more). In my humble and honest opinion, you have to cut a whole lot of the content out of this article and build on what is the least silly of your ideas. We all find castrating animals funny in many contexts. So are animals shot into outer space. But a short article talking about all of these things will probably never stop hitting the reader over the head with zany nutty stuff. Suggestions?: cut the dolphin out, cut Japan out, cut the castrating stuff out. Cut most of it, stick to the funniest ideas, plan an overall concept for the article and write. There is material in there...why not pick some of it and go from there?
There are cute moments.
Lets look at this article section by section. The intro is a wikipedia style summary of how the nazi kitten party was formed. The whisker motif is cute though it remains just cute. The next paragraph is a random improvised jumble of memes and ideas that really seems designed to shock and offend, without any real idea behind it. Meownich Putch: This paragraph is even more random. While there is another cute motif "meownich" and some allusions to history, again, i dont understand what the idea here is. You probably have it in your mind...but its not communicated to me. The following paragraph is the first moment something is developed in the article. The moustache motif. There is some cleverness here, a possibility to take an idea further. Why not write a whole lot more about the moustache!? Theres an idea expressed over more than one sentence. While I don´t find it super extra funny, it is cute and could be made into something quite funny with more thought. Political Victory: This paragraph has so many random ideas and absurd things jumping out, I cannot concentrate on anything. While there may be some slightly cute ideas, this paragraph is so jumbled and garbled I can't even laugh if I want to. There is at least two if not on average four ideas mentioned in each sentence. None of them connected in any way to another except that somehow kitten hitler is doing crazy stuff. As I said, take your cute ideas, and develop them and make them funnier! WWII: This paragraph is no different. All the jokes are basically easy ones to make, the french surrender, the Russians lose lives etc. But what about it? There is SO MUCH you can make fun of just on ONE of these topics. Why did the french surrender? How did it happen? Where the French just busy eating croissants when the Germans invaded? Were they caught with their trousers down making love to their many lovers? Were the French just rabbits who spent all day rabbiting and had no feelings for war? To name just a few questions that could be explored on just one of the topics touched on in this section. Any of these could be developed into an entire section, easily. The moustache part is touched on, its cute, again, the closest thing to funny in the article. Why don't you focus more on that? List: Beware of lists! :) WWIII: Cute...again though...pick and develop.
|This article has a funny tone, a lot of off the wall zany cute lines, but it has no concept. Its a silly story about kittens that are Nazi's. Unfortunately not one section has a concept or theme. They are all individual, disconnected sections, which themselves, as sections are a series of disconnected sentences of random jokes. So...the first thing you should do is probably pick a concept. Ideas? You can write the article as though it is a copy of a wikipedia article. Follow the structure of the actual article for Nazi´s or the Nazi party and somehow throw in cats there. I don't think thats going to be easy to do while keeping it very funny. Instead, I would suggest writing an article about post war Europe, destroyed after WWI, where all animals are trying to get along. Meanwhile, cats, somehow, start to gain power, by leading all the other animals. As they grow in power, they start to persecute one particular animal (perhaps dogs, or dolphins, whatever is really funny). The Hitler of the cats should be short and screeching and hysterical when he gives speeches. As the cats try to extend their order, controlling the other animals too much, trying to get other countries to exterminate their dogs, forcing male animals to grow hitler like whisker moustaches, they lose control. Finally, Russian bears, British whatever and American eagels come in with a coordinated attack. The cats hold on until the end. Hitler cat commits suicide with a bullet to the head rather than give in.
This is a concept to work on. A narrative. Its a pretty superficial one, pretty bare, but at least here there is a story line, and something the reader can follow. There is also opportunity here to add some random jokes once in a while, without completely cluttering the entire article with random memes and childish whims. But don't just pick my story line if it doesn't inspire you...make your own. But a story with a beginning, conflict, struggle and resolution (even if its only a few paragraphs). I would suggest that injecting actually funny humour into a structure like that would take TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME TIME! Coming up with ways to play on animal characteristics, finding things about cats that are Nazi like. Finding ways to make the author feel bad for the dog jews...yet still keep it funny. Writing a hilarious Hitler cat suicide scene. Writing character development...will take a lot of brainstorming and conceptualising. I would seriously recommend moving this to your user space for the time being and completely restructuring this article. Look at other articles that have touched on cats, Nazi-ism and over the top ideas for inspiration as well as HTBFANJS. Some writers here take months to polish an article. I don't claim to be a great writer here, but I am still working on an article 6 months after I started it. Im not saying you have to spend 6 months writing something, Im not saying that at all, but all articles need time time time!!! Thought thought thought. Concept concept concept. And funny, not silly.
|Prose and formatting:
|As with humour and concept, this article is completely all over the place prose wise. There is not one single good article in this entire wiki that is random sentences not connected. Perhaps Salamanders is a wild rant of random ideas...though even with that article, each paragraph has a beginning, middle and end with the punchlines varied, well placed in the paragraphs and very well thought out. As your article stands now, I could move the paragraphs around, the sentences around and it really wouldn't change the article at all. Think about that when writing. There really probably should be a clear order to your ideas, sections, structure and content. I shouldn't be able to mix up all the sentences and NOT really change your article. At least in my opinion. As I've said, there are cute ideas that can be developed further. Prove me wrong!!!
|The images are okay, but why not play on the concept of hitler. Make hitler look like a cat. Try to find a picture of the crazy hysterical hitler and add cat ears etc... Ask a chopper to make one. The post man pat image is actually pretty funny, but theres no connection to the article If you do chose to write a narrative much like the structure I suggested, then add images that go along with the story line. As they are now, they are just like the article, random and all over the place. Check out Forum:Vote_for_Unimage_of_the_Year_2011 and you will find an historical leader with ears.
|10 points for encouragement. Writing a funny article about Nazi Kittens is a challenge...go for it. Have fun. Don't hesitate to ask other experienced users for ideas.
|Final Score:
|Don't take this as a big ranting trashing of your article. I seriously encourage you to take the premise, some of your ideas...(make decisions) and expand, plan, conceptualise, think, write, rewrite and spend time on it. Theres no reason this article can't be hilarious.
|--ShabiDOO 04:22, May 17, 2011 (UTC)


text:
1662 Resolutions Ch. 195
WHEREAS, The State of Kansas encourages economic development
and cooperation to maintain and foster the economic stability and con-
tinued growth needed for a prosperous economy; and
WHEREAS, The economic prosperity and well-being of Butler
County, Kansas, will be enhanced and improved by the creation of a port
authority; and
WHEREAS, The Commission of Butler County, Kansas, believes it
in the best interests of the citizens and residents of Butler County, Kansas,
that a port authority be created to preserve, enhance and improve the
economic prosperity of Butler County; and
WHEREAS, The Commission of Butler, Kansas, believes it
take the initiative to create a port authority and that the governmental
units in the counties of Wilson, Elk, Greenwood and Sedgwick, as elected
by appropriate resolution or ordinance, or both, join the port authority
by cooperative agreement; and
WHEREAS, The legislature of the state of Kansas agrees with
Commission of Butler County's assertions: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State
of Kansas,
the Senate concurring therein: That the legislature of the State of Kan-
sas, in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 12-3402 and amendments
thereto, hereby approves the creation of a port authority with all the
powers, duties, limitations and obligations stated in article 34 of chapter
12 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated as the Commission of Butler County,
may, by appropriate resolutions or ordinances, create and that such other
governmental units in the counties of Wilson, Elk, Greenwood and Sedg-
Ch. 195 Resolutions 1663
wick, as elected by appropriate resolution or ordinance, or
both, may join
such port authority by cooperative agreement.
Adopted by the House February 27, 1997
Adopted by the Senate March 26, 1997


text:
We've established by this time that I have a bit of a thing for a fine piece of fatty ass-crack. I know, I know – I could probably relax with the talk of it, but hey – this is my blog to go with the comic, so if I want to take it to a hairy, sweaty place, I will. However, I wouldn't want destroy opportunities to grow a bigger audience, so I can only say that I'll do my best to find some way to incorporate lean, sweaty fuck-boys into a few comics here and there to whet the appetites of those who may well enjoy that kind of thing. I do, however, stand by my lack of interest in a sexual interlude with Mr. Pitt.
Brad Pitt strikes me as someone I would love to have a beer with, randomly chat with, and that's about it. He seems like a pretty cool guy in general, but nothing that I would bend myself over a table and shout, "PENETRATE ME, Benjamin Button" for. There are very FEW actors, to that point, whom I would ever go that far for, and I can honestly say that there are none outside of my sexual boulevard, who I would even consider going down on, let alone allowing the full-on anal assault.
A thin guy to me is like having sex with a woman. I don't know why – but if my life depended on it, I would try to fill my head with enough football coaches and politicians to get the job done, but it would be a challenge. So, much as I hate to say I understand where the "chub4chub" guys are coming from, I have to accept that I have no place throwing my secret sauce into those occasional belly-filled man-sandwich parties I watch on xtube… And that brings me great pain. But I shall of course accept it and move on…
Until that bottle of ether comes in the mail…
Discussion (9) ¬
But…….why the Cool World reference? WHY?
I have learned to sense the smell of ether around chasers…
Okay, you win. I now have to clean my keyboard because of this strip.
I can't begin to tell you how many hardware stores that became gay after someone walked in. It just happens.
In all seriousness though, I have to agree, I love a chubby guy, and me being chubby I'm chub4chub. So booya! *Does a jig* I'm a full 360 pounds you chasers can't have. Ya try and you'll see where the MMA stuff comes to play.
More or less off topic, but having sex with Benjamin Button (the character, not Brad Pitt) would be really odd. Either he'd be twenty and look eighty or he'd be eighty and look twenty, or something somewhere in between. He just doesn't seem like the person to bang unless you're into men in their 40s.
That's tottaly me lol…my friend casey said she's never taking me to a hardware store ..EVER again lol
I love hardware stores; but from a gay from who works at one, he made the observation that a woman will NEVER ask for a screw in a hardware store. It's always something like a request for "those spirally shaped nails" or making gestures that are probably more obscene than asking for a screw.
As for me, I'd go for Brad Pitt in Fight Club.
Glad to come across your strip, though now I feel I have to slog through the whole year of comments, too
Rondacker´s last blog ..exhibitions – Will Brady at La Paloma in Hartford


text:
My name is Krissy, though online I always use the name Maqeurious (Maqi). I'm a kiwi, which is a New Zealander, for those that don't know, but am living in Kalgoorlie, Australia. When I'm not doing the usual chores I'm either writing, playing video games, reading or watching movies/tv series on DVD. I'm a huge anime, Family Guy and American Dad fan and usually have one of those playing constantly in the background while I'm writing. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I actually turned the tv on and watched it.
If I'm not using my favorite programs to get the juices flowing, then I'm listening to music. Mainly Within Temptation, Nightwish, Pendulum, Apocalyptica, and other gothic symphonic masterpieces. These bands get the 'fantasy' writer in me going. If I'm writing for more a sci-fi genre, like my Mass Effect stories, then I tend to lean towards more metal or rock. It's funny how different music can influence different styles of writing in me.


text:
Recent News
Tales of the Riverbank 2016 Successful Start
Our first event of the summer programme was almost sold out. Liz Shakespeare spoke, with authority through solid research, about…
Tales of the Riverbank programme 2016
Collected memories exploring and celebrating our River Torridge through art, talks, workshops, stories, walks, films, poetry and food. Discover our…
Opportunity for Creatives
This August Bideford Bay Creatives are again filling the town with art in partnership with local businesses and spaces. This…
The Brunswick Wharf Project
The Brunswick Wharf Project needs you!
Are you interested in local history, fishing, shipbuilding or pottery trades? Or does your family have historical links to Bideford and the Port?
Do you live in the East or West side of town?
A new and exciting project from Bideford Bay Creatives starts in January and runs for 14 months. Funded by The People's Health Trust Active Communities grant, we will be working with two neighbourhoods in Bideford, both sides of the water to set up a Community group of volunteers. This group will discover and celebrate local and historical connections to Brunswick Wharf and the Port of Bideford from early maritime history through to the present day.
People taking part will make new friends, get to know each other better, explore and research, share information and dig up the past. With support from Project Co-ordinator Sadie Green, the Community group will meet regularly throughout the year to devise, plan and put in place a programme of public activities for 2016. Training is also available with plenty of tea and cake!
If you and your friends are interested and would like to know more, email email@example.com or telephone Sadie on 07530 508676
Printed information will also be available in the library.
Sadie Green
Project Co-ordinator


text:
Timber Rattlers stopped by Chiefs and themselves
Wisconsin commits four errors in 8-1 loss to Peoria
By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | June 1, 2013 8:22 PM ET
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Peoria Chiefs seemed to take advantage of every Wisconsin Timber Rattlers miscue on Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Chiefs also delivered some key hits on their way to an 8-1 victory over the Rattlers. Wisconsin committed four errors that led to four unearned runs for the Chiefs in the game.
The Timber Rattlers (23-28) had a chance for a big inning in the bottom of the first. Michael Reed singled and Orlando Arcia followed with a hit-and-run single to put runners on the corners with no outs. But, Wisconsin did not score in the frame.
Wisconsin had two outs and none on in the bottom of the third inning. Tyrone Taylor singled to keep the inning alive. Then, Max Walla cracked a double to right to score Taylor for a 1-0 lead.
Peoria (29-24) responded - with help from the Rattlers - in the top of the fourth. Ildemaro Vargas singled and Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch. Jordan Walton bunted up the third base line and Rattlers pitcher Austin Blaski fielded the bunt, but his throw to third sailed down the left field line. By the time the ball was corralled in the corner, two runs had scored and the Chiefs were up 2-1.
Blaski had runners at first and third with two outs in the top of the fifth, but struggled to get the third out. Wilson, Walton, and Patrick Wisdom hit consecutive RBI singles with two outs to push Peoria's lead to 5-1.
The Chiefs had Adam Ehrlich at first with two outs and Blaski made a pitch to get out of the inning, but an error on the grounder to second kept the inning alive. Blaski made another pitch to get out of the inning, but a popup about 25 feet up the third baseline from home plate was dropped. That allowed Ehrlich to score from second base and make it 6-1 in favor of Peoria.
Joe Cuda allowed scattered seven hits over six innings and allowed the one run. He also struck out six while walking just one.
Peoria scored a run in the top of the eighth inning on a two-out error and tacked on one more in the ninth on an RBI double by Breyvic Valera.
The series continues on Sunday afternoon. Jorge Lopez (1-4, 9.24) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria plans to put Hector Hernandez on the mound. Game time is 1:05pm.
The left field berm will be set aside for pets and their owners on Sunday as part of the 5th annual Bark in the Park presented by Invisible Fence by Golrusk, an Invisible Fence Brand authorized dealer, and Golrusk Pet Care Center. Tickets are $5 for owners and free for dogs. Click this link for full details on the event.
It's a Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan, too. Timber Rattlers players will wear Brewers-themed jerseys during the game.
Fans may play catch on-field before the game and get autographs from the players in a post-game autograph session. Time Warner Cable customers receive up to four half-priced reserved bleacher tickets when showing their TWC bill at time of ticket purchase.
Plus, Miller Summer Kickoff continues with Miller Beer products available for $1.
If you can't make it out to the stadium, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.
WP: Joe Cuda (3-3)
LP: Austin Blaski (2-2)
TIME: 2:41 (1:26 delay)
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


text:
Facing TV Problems? Ask a TV Technician.
I will try to help you with this question.
The reason the fuse checks good when on ohms, but voltage jumps when meter on voltage with the black lead on ground, is this fuse is possible on the hot ground side of the power supply, requiring the black lead on the hot ground
I would not worry about this!
Once the VS and VA are OK, there is no issue with the power supply!
Your issue is what we call the main board- this is the board with all the TV inputs and tuner on it !
This is the one causing the HDMI not to work ,also component to work only sometimes !
This is not hard to replace, but will not be cheap, maybe around -$150, if is available.
Let me research a little to see where you can buy this board
Well I was able to purchase a few of those main boards pretty cheap, I have about three of them to try out.
The part# XXXXX this board is:
anything on that board that can be tested to see if there are any problems?
I only show the version-01 to work with this model, there may be some other ones-04,-06 also, but I am not sure they will work with your set!
This issue is pretty straight forward the main board's fault
ok I will check the versions out of the boards I do have.
You can test on the connectors between the power board and the main, to see if you get a 5 and a 12V supplied to the main, if these voltages are OK, then you should not worry about anything else, only main board is the issue
the part number you gave me is the same p/n on the power supply board? I show p/n E3761-050020??
please note a 4.8 to 5.6 and 11-5 to 13 V are still consireded OK as supplies for the main
this part# XXXXX XXXXX manufacturer code, and not the service part#
This manufacturer part code does not give a clear indication about the version..let me see if I can find the manuf code for the correct part#( this would be the number on the board itself)
yes, this is the correct one!
Please see below:
ok let me check
here it shows the cross reference between the service part# XXXXX the manufacturer code- and it is the same with yours
Once you replace this main board, it will resolve the HDMI and component issues you have!
ok nice I see that, maybe I purchased bad boards. I will purchase one from these guys and they it out.
I hope this helps, please leave a positive feedback if you feel I did my best to answer your qustion
you sure did thank you very much!
This seller I indicated you is a reputable seller, they sell all their parts with warranty!
You are very welcome, thank you, XXXXX XXXXX a great afternoon!
You do the same!


text:
2016 Found metal and wood, magnifying glass, acorn top, steel rod available $3600
Tag Archives | mechanical movements
Somewhat Clueless
Nuez Moscada
I've been working on a new body of work for 2014, hopefully a dozen new pieces. Most of them will feature escapement mechanisms powered by counter weights. Here's the latest "Nuez Moscada". See if you can find the Nutmeg. Here's a detail:
New Videos!
Just finished editing a slew of new videos of work from my show at William Baczek Fine Arts. For your enjotment: Yelling "Theater" in a Crowded Fire. Ghost Town Waltham Saga #2
With One You Get Birthday Cake
I'm a recent convert to Star Wheels for intermittent movement. It's like a geneva but even better! The Cake comes up every turn or so.
Saga #2
Here's the latest piece to come out of my studio: Saga #2, maybe it's a brief tale of a cat and bunny? I'm starting to work with unusual objects as cams. In this case, the cats' body is a cam which moves the gear engaging the bunny's movement. Aqua Art Miami 2012 BTW: It's time […]
Is Is
I have a habit of randomly selecting titles when I complete work. Some days, I pull a record album (real vinyl) and find a song title I like. For this one I selected "The Changing Face of Harlem" collection of Jazz music from the 40s and song title "Is Is" by Stuff Smith. Oh yeah, […]
Double Clutchin' Daddy
I don't know what's getting into me lately, I keep setting out to do short sketch pieces and before I know it, all this… Check out the double clutch mechanisms, upside-down bell, trademark bird and, of course, daddy. BTW, there's a bit of shaking 1/3 of the way through the video; me trying to stand […]
Reversing Mechanism
Here's the mechanism detailed yesterday. Works like a charm! As always, music while working courtesy WFMU; Irwin's terrific Murial's Treasure archive of vintage Calypso and Soca.
Belle Cranks
I removed half of my bike bell for this one but it was worth it. Little bits and pieces around the house disappear when creating new work. I can just yell next time I need to alert someone when on my bike. This is piece number 8 for the upcoming show at Schoolhouse Gallery. Note […]
Sculpture Seven
I haven't switched to generic titles for my work. It's just that the name of this piece is a bit adult in nature. The mechanism at the top is once again from "Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook" . I feel like Amy Adams as Julie Powell in the movie Julie and Julia. Instead of cooking […]
Wednesday Follow Along
For those of you interested in some of the techniques and hurdles in creating the Mechanical Sculptures on this site, I've documented today's process, so here we go! I've been working on a new piece for a week or so, the heart is a Geneva wheel which spins an axle with some cam-like levers 120 […]
Number 86
I keep a worn copy of 507 Mechanical Movements by Henry T Brown on my workbench. This book, published in 1868 and released by Dover for $7.95 ( probably the best 8 bucks I've ever spent ) is a gem. One of my favorite techniques is to select a mechanism from the book as a […]
Mechanical Confections
For the past three decades I've created "Mechanical Confections", one of a kind automata and kinetic sculpture incorporating found objects, metal and electro-mechanical components. My work has been featured in The Sunday New York Times, Metropolis Magazine, LA. Style and The Boston Globe and exhibited Internationally.
If you're interested in purchasing work, a list of available pieces can be found here. Feel to contact me regarding pricing.


text:
Congratulations to the following residents who plan to continue their studies at the following fellowships:
Brant Hager, M.D. Psychosomatic Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Sara Lane, M.D. Geriatric Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Karl Mobbs, M.D. Forensic Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Pedro Simpson, M.D. Geriatric Psychiatry at University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Three PGY-3 residents from our program are entering the Department's two-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM:
Kara Martinez, M.D.
Kristina Sowar, M.D.
Jonathan Terry, D.O.


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In calculus, integration by parts is a technique of integration applicable to integrands consisting of a product that cannot be rewritten as one or more easily integrated terms — at least, not without difficulty. The technique is particularly useful in cases containing a product of algebraic and transcendental factors.
Given two differentiable functions ,
To use the technique, one identifies suitable functions and and then differentiates to get and integrates to get — ignoring the usual constant of integration term (" "), since it does not affect the final answer.
Note that the rule can also be written
for differentiable functions .
According to the product rule for differentiation, given two differentiable functions ,
- (alternatively, ).
for suitably chosen antiderivatives. Simplifying the right-hand side of the equation,
On the left-hand side, the integral clearly "undoes" the differentiation (by the fundamental theorem of calculus), so
Because the two antiderivative terms can always be chosen to make , this can be simplified to:
Solving for , one obtains the final form of the rule:
Polynomial factor to a large power
A fairly simple example of integration by parts is the integral
Although the integrand only involves algebraic functions, it is a good candidate for the method because expansion of would be very tedious.
The key to the successful use of integration by parts is finding a usable value for . Doing so is something of an art and may require trial and error.
First consider a wrong way to do this integral by parts:
- Let and (since it is the term left over after is determined).
- Thus and .
However, it would be difficult to integrate the second term of the right-hand side of the equation, so this approach will be abandoned.
Here is a better way to handle this case:
- Let and .
- Thus and .
Here integration by parts works quite nicely. It can be easily confirmed by differentiation that the resulting antiderivative is correct.
Note that this integral may also be evaluated using the simpler integration by substitution technique.
Algebraic and transcendental factors
As another example where integration by parts is useful (and, in fact, necessary), consider the integral
Choosing fails, as in the previous (counter)example, since the resulting integral is more difficult than the original. Instead:
- Let and .
- Thus and .
In this case, the second term in the final expression requires another application of integration by parts:
- Let and .
- Thus and .
Substituting the last expression into the previous result:
Note that if the second integration by parts step had instead used and , this would have "undone" the first step and we would have ended up with an integrand very much like the one we started with:
Thus, the correct choice of and is particularly important when multiple applications of the technique are required. In general, if is chosen to be an algebraic function in the first step, it should be algebraic in all subsequent steps.
Choosing and
Fortunately, there is a mnemonic for choosing and , which covers a large variety of integrands:
The letters stand for:
- Logarithmic function
- Inverse trigonometric function
- Algebraic function
- Trigonometric function
- Exponential function
This mnemonic only works when the integrand is the product of two different types of factors. The factor whose type of function appears higher in this list should generally be chosen as , the factor whose type appears lower as .
For example, in the integral
the choices should be , since this is a logarithmic function, and , since this is an algebraic one ("L" appears before "A" in the mnemonic). On the other hand, in the integral
the proper choices are (algebraic) and (exponential).
Note that the second example above also follows the rule suggested by this mnemonic.
If the mnemonic doesn't seem to work for a given integral it is possible that it may be a simpler form that can be evaluated using the substitution method, or perhaps rewritten into a simpler form using algebraic or trigonometric techniques (e.g., trigonometric identities).
A slightly different mnemonic that works almost as well — and has the added benefit of sounding more like an English word — is:
Here the "P" stands for Power, which includes polynomials and roots (fractional powers). The other letters are as above.
Notice that the last two letters are switched in this form; this is usually not an issue, since integrals involving a product of trigonometric and exponential factors can generally be done "either way" (with respect to the choice of and ) or not at all using this technique.


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'Bruno' Premieres in Los Angeles, Cuts Michael Jackson Scene
Sacha Baron Cohen rolled into the Los Angeles premiere of his Bruno flick on top of a giant disco-esque tank top, showing off his signature legs in yet another pair of booty shorts.
The premiere was held at Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre, just hours after the annoucement of Michael Jackson's sudden death.
Coincidentally, the premiere took place almost directly above Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was closed to the public. Fans who tried to gather at his famed star instead took their mourning to the other Michael Jackson star on the Walk Of Fame, belonging to the radio host of the same name.
An MJ-related skit in the movie was also cut just hours before the premiere. In the scene, Bruno interrogates LaToya Jackson about her brother and even tries to get his number out of her cell phone. There is word on whether or not the scene will be added back into the film for its July 10 release.
Other stars on the red carpet include Cohen's wife Isla Fischer, Christina Ricci, Stephanie Pratt, Jonah Hill, and Rosario Dawson.
Check out our huge gallery from the Bruno red carpet!


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Would you like to save as your currency permanently or for this visit only?
Convenient position a short walk to the metro station. Staff v.friendly and helpful. Room v.modern but still comfortable. Swimming pool great. I stay in a lot of 4/5 star hotels and normally prefer older hotels, but I would definitely give this one 10/10 No evening meals available but with a number of good bistros a short walk away this wasn't really a problem
Friendly No tea or Coffee making facilities in the room
English speaking staff No top bed sheet
Contrary to some reviews on this site, I found the personnel at reception extremely friendly and helpful. I think Oceania actually have read the reviews, and must have instructed the personnel. Some reviewers talked about poor breakfast : untrue ! I took breakfast opposite hotel the 1st day : 11 euro buys you a croissant, orange juice, coffe, and 2 slices of bread and butter. You're much better served, and very friendly, again, in the hotel for 17 euro. It is true, there is no minibar in the room, the remote of the television set did not work very well (small tv also) and no wardrobes to be found. Finally, the 220V-connection is conventionally placed (earth connector at top) but just above the desk, which does not allow any apparatus to be inserted that has a transformer firmly connected to the plug.
Excellent buffet breakfast. Close to Metro. Staff very helpful when we wanted directions to Parc de Princes.
I hated my entire time at the hotel
Windows that open on a busy street, yet when closed block out all sound is what This hotel provides. Separate toilet room from shower area reflects space limitation. Tiny toilet area. Large shower with space for two. Shower pressure lower than ideal. Location good to get to metro and tram; location distant from tourist sights. When pre-paid airport transfer problem occurred, hotel arranged new transportation and refund from travel service provider. We made our flight thanks to the hotels assistance! Ice machine not working. No refrigerator in room
Nice to have a pool. Room was very nice, and staff accomodated our 4 person family by ugrading us to a suite at a reduced price.
Parking place, sauna, swiming pool.
Hotel was lovely, staff were really helpful, parking availability at hotel was excellent and a really good rate, very nice surprise!
The room was a little bit small. Was a little far from the center.
Basically I chose the hotel only for the location, few steps from the exhibition centre....the rest is very average, food bad The welcome by the staff and the way they serve you
The hotel was within walking distance of the Tour Eiffel and the metro station was two blocks down. Breakfast was not included in the price. It was an extra 17 euros a day. Fortunately, Paris has more then enough cafés and places to eat.
Staff & location Rooms are small Very noisy drilling works in other rooms Lobby furniture not clean
Very nice staff, and helpful too. The room was good, I've stayed in average places in Paris and for the price this is more than ok. Was in for just the night, but could get what I wanted nearby, it's also close to the Eiffel Tower so a good location
It is very close to a Metro station and the Eiffel Tower. The staff was very helpful also.
Excellent location. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Rooms were small and a little old.
Location and kind staff. City sound (Metro) is noisy a little.
Staff was very helpfull and curtious. Rooms were correct and clean Parking system is based on a elevator system which does not allow for high top cars, but handsome solution was found in cooperation with Mercure hotel. Breakfast was okay, but basic
The staff is very kindly. The location is perfect.
I liked location, close to almost of of places which as turist you would like to see for me that was very important:) Well there was some small thing in bathroom which I think should be fixed but all rest was ok
Did not like the hotel. Would not pick it in the future. Could not see the Eiffel Tower from the hotel. Additionally, the room was too small.
The hotel is so convenient for the Metro or walking to all the attractions of Paris. The hotel itself is a short walk from La Motte-Picquet station. The rooms are big and air-conditioned with large comfortable beds and L'Occitane bath products. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. We walked all over Paris from here. There are many good restaurants just a step away from the hotel and you feel like you are living amongst the local Parisians of all ages and stages of life. This will be where we stay when coming to Paris in the future. The sink didn't have a plug that worked - a problem for contact lens wearers.
The hotel is very close to Eiffel and metro We stayed 4 nights and our room had not cleaned in this period.
Friendly and helpful welcome desk. Apartement / bathroom are large. View of Tour Eiffel. Directly in Bd Grenelle which is loud but the windows are soundproof. The (optional - 9€) breakfast is nothing to write home about. Air conditioning is somewhat loud and you can't switch it off - but it didn't disturb my sleep.
the gentleman at the desk was courtious, good in giving dircections and which type of transportation would lead you. asked for a room w/a view, a plus. hotel fine, did not to have to figure out that the hotel parking is on the very very bottom floor, no exit signs below. never assume the guest(s) know wher the hotel parking is located
The location is very good. - Right in front of Metro station which has 3 lines and has many restaurants and shops around.
Location There was no bed, only a sofa!!!!
Good location. Friendly staff. Pleasant apartment. There is a subway line that goes under the hotel so there is a rumbling noise fairly frequently. I did not notice it after a day or so but some might have have trouble sleeping if they are on one of the lower floors.
The staff were very helpful and friendly.
I travelled to Paris with 3 friends and was delighted upon arrival in my apartment to discover that we had a view of the Eiffel Tower. The room was ample for our needs, allowing us the option to eat in and to make our own dinner if we wished. The staff were friendly and helpful and the room was clean. We could not have asked for anything more. The hotel is pretty central to all the main tourist attractions and although the metro is right outside the hotel we did alot of sightseeing on foot. We would definitely return to this hotel again for a city break.
Great view if you Stay on the 7th floor! It was good to leave our car in the basement of the hotel and take the bus around. The drinking water where you check in is a great idea!
easy access to public transportation, grocery, restaurants.quiet place to rest after a tour of the city.nice view of eiffel tower. i have to fix the second bed on our first night because the wood that support the mattres is not installed and missing one board ,managed to put the loose board.
The security at night, the location so close to the metro stop and the closeness to eifel tower. did the trick as a one night stay x The rooms need to be aired a lil more x didnt like the smell and there was noone to speak to at reception. this is no reflection on the friendly service x just a wee tip x
The location of the Hotel was good. Close to Eiffel tower and nice walking environment Narrow corridors and elevator.
I do not know. I thinking there was nothing best but was ok.
wifi internet no
The hotel is conveniently located, in partyicular because it is close to the Dupliex metro station and within a short walk of the Tour Eiffel in a reasonably tranquil part of the city. The room was rather basic with not particularly comfortable bed, although it was the 'right' size. The hotel may get noisy, particularly on the lower floors, as it is right next to a street.
great location close to metro, nice french restaurants nearby, helpful staff
Location is convenient. Room size is reasonable by Paris standards. Bathroom and bedsheets are clean. Staff are very helpful. The staff are not very good in English, but adequate for basic communication.
The hotel was in a good location about ten minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower and the Seine; there was a metro station at the end of the street. The room was comfortable and clean. We could see the Eiffel Tower from the room window but not all rooms would have had this view. The continental breakfast was good value for money, 8 euros per person, there was a good choice of cereal, crusty rolls, croissants, orange juice, tea or coffee.
Our grandson was most impressed with the view of the Eiffel tower from the bedroom window. Just what we were looking for. Close to the metro and easy walk to the Eiffel tower
Friendly and helpfull staff, nothing was too much trouble, even waived the price of some coffee drinks , I will very definately use this hotel again
Very good room and hotel Very expensive hotel for those he provide.I pay 18 € for Internet to have 5kb/s .very poor breakfast for 21€
nice room,pleasant staff
nice view from 20th floor. crew very polite.very good breakfast expensive parking. breakfast only until 9:30 am.
Close to the Metro and the Eiffel Tower. Nice view of the Siene River. We were not informed that the Swimming Pool/Sauna/Jacuzzi would close early on a Sunday and as a result were not able to use the facilities. Also I wanted to see my misses in a bikini and this was an opportunity missed!
View + access to a pool (not free, however) + gratuity for children Waiting for breakfast at the restaurant
-very good location, being only a few steps away from Eiffel Tower, very clean and comfortable rooms
the consirage staff were excellant reception never answer phones, i felt the pool and gym areas were for locals only
Good location, and friendly staff.
Not what you expect in Paris if you go in honeymoon, or to "feel" the city, but very ok for business trips. In the same time, very friendly with kids. And the room with the sofa is perfect for a family with kids. Difficult to find pool and other facilities.
The staff was very helpful; very convenient location; fitness available; excellent value Shower a bit difficult because of short screen - no weights in fitness room - no real recommendations for local restaurants
Access to lifts was restricted by cleaners - sometimes they would lock out the use of the lifts to guests - presumably because use the stairs was restricted
Great location, room was nice and had tea and coffee making facilities which was great. Discounted rate was good value for money but wouldn't have paid the rack rate
Quiet room. Small room, no spa.
Friendly staff, clean room. There was a lot of noise from the street. The window leaked, there was a drift of cold air from the window, we had to tighten it with a pillow.
Directly oposite Dupleix Metro station, very covenient. Easy walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and many nearby restaurants.
We liked that the hotel was so central and everything was easy to find and get to even if we were walking. Staff were great and very helpful.
The location was fantastic. The TV had only BBC news and no other english channels.
Perfect location and easy connections
The staff at the reception desk was very helpful and friendly. The buffet was enjoyable.
good atmosphere, clean, quiet
The Hotel is well located, not fare from the Tour Eiffel. The appartment was comfortable but I am sure that with the price we paid we can get better accommodation. The personel was nice but not friendly at all except few cases.
great view on eiffel tower from my window had a broken chair in my room, and fitness center and pool were closed
Dear Sir or Madam, Thank you, for your kindly assistance during our stay at the Pierre & Vacances City Paris TOur Eiffel. We found a very nice hotel stuff and good service. Thanks again.
the location is perfect (15 mins walk from Eiffel Tower), however, still it is 8-10 mins walk from metro stations. The room was ideal! we stayed at 28th floor, and the view was amazing. the breakfast menu could have been more varied. no hair dryer in the room, no room cleaning service. you have a vacuum cleaner in the wardrobe though.
Great location, 3 blocks or 5 mins from Eiffel Tower, Great view of the tower from our 24th floor bedroom, staff were helpful and friendly
New furniture, hi speed internet no tourist information, no housekeeping
Layout of the area The lack of towel and bed linen service
The view from our room of the Eiffel Tower was great it was amazing to be able to go to sleep looking at it twinkle1 Nothing we had the best time
fairly new furnitures they couldn't provide us a room with eiffel view, even if we noticed them before..
the room was comfortable and the personel was very kind
Location No hot water in a cool season, REALLY!!!!! After a long cold day walking, you want to get to your room and get cozy. Well no, turns out when we got there there was no hot water. And I'm 100% sure they knew when they give us the key. Since we stay there only a night, well yeah! they didn't care. They weren't sorry and didn't apologize either. They give us the key to another room to take a shower. Mattress where hard. Floors and walls where dirty. My fears from all the bad reviews I read came true!!
its location,convenient access with the "tramway" just at main entrance,and métro too,across the road. very quiet though; the aspect of the bath tub,bottom seemed scratched, had bad aspect.though clean.
some of the staff were very rude. no 24 hrs room service
the location was ideal for the exhibition centre breakfast was not included and was very expensive as an option
Room was of reasonable size. Room was very very noisy (street side)!!
The proximity to the metro was useful. The staff at the hotel were attentive and helpful during my stay.
On arrival the room key did not work. I reported this to the desk. They gave me another key which did not work. I reported again to the desk. The reception staff eventually entered the room but said the door needed a new battery. When we returned to our room after the rugby match the door still would not work. I had to have 2 attempts to get the night manager to come up. He got us into our room. He said that the door needed repair. The next morning we had to get someone to let us into our room when we had had breakfast. When we returned in the afternoon although they had repaired the door they let us go to our room. The key did not work and I had to return to the desk again and get a new one. I found the whole thing most unsatisfactory.
walking distance to the Effiel tower. and it had parking. nice place
The location, close to my business appointment This was the second time in this hotel. The rooms are not clean. I had a non-smoking room, but it smelled as someone just had smoked. Personel had opened the window, and put in an electric aplliance to hide the smell. Internet access cost are high. Breakfast: plates, forks, glasses: everything is not clean.
we should have better room. room was combined-room...small one
The hotel is very convenient for the Paris Expo site at Porte de Versailles (two stops on the tram) and is located right outside the Balard metro station. Relatively basic, functional rooms, don't expect luxury. Overpriced.
Excellent location. The bed covers were very indecent -had Cigarette burn holes in them. The room was basic. No mini bar in room & not even a coffee pot. The electrical socket at very inconvienently located.
7min from Eiffel tower, good location, underground parking view from the window in the room was crap
Central to my activities in Paris there was no information on services in the room. there was no laundry service. there was no shower in the bathroom. The bathroom heater did not work. there was no ironing facilities.
Kindness of the staff, the sweetest atmosphere inside the hotel nothing at all!!!
The location was good - its next to the metro station and 10 min walk from Eiffel Tower. The safety is non excistant - the all keys were available for anybody to take while receptionist no where in sight. The Breakfast is poor as well - the croissant and breadroll just lay in the plate
They were very helpful They do not have alarm clock in the room. I askd for wakeup call & they didn't call me & I almost missed my shattle to airport
The location is great Room was too small
That it was close to the main street The twin room was too small for two and the beds uncomfortably small;the wash room was equally uncomfortably small and had no provisions for water splashing onto the floor.The heaters seemed not to be working well.
Room and the bathroom was way too small. Bathroom has no ventilation or exhaust. The quality of the mattress was very poor, and the blankets were dirty/unwashed.The reception svc was poor, and when asked about any svc included, the answer was "It is a mistake of the website through which you booked the hotel". The shuttle svc was not provided from the airport, (and it is not free). The price of the shuttle is not mentioned any where on the web site. I did not like this hotel.
In the centre of the city. Near by the subway, witch in paris means near by everyplace. At a fair price
Close to Metro and cafes Old carpets. Tiny room.
Good location
Pleasant staff, good district, nearby Metro, Ideal for Exhibition Centre
Single woman on a business trip I felt really safe. Hotel staff suggested excellent restaurants good atmosphere and not too expensive. The area is really buzzing during the day and feels really safe at night. Trendy bar at the corner if needed... Possibly, the only thing was the phone that did not seem to work very well.
very clean room very uncomfortable bed, to hard.
Good transportation.Room is too small.Room cleaning service is good. Not enough space for hanging cloths.
nobody to let you in to the hotel at 0700 hrs - so I had to walk aroung waiting for it to open - very strange for a hotel
The location of the hotel was very good for getting to the centre of Paris. I would have liked tea making facilities in the room and a double bed rather than two single beds pushed together!
very nice late night staff. Close to the underground station. Very far from Eiffel tower even that it said it was close.
Great location. Near metro stations. Convenient to Eiffel Tower and other sites. Staff spoke English fairly well. No place to unload luggage from your car.
Excellent location! The metro station is just around the corner. Breakfast service to room, but too expensive.(same price including children) Better go out to take by yourself.
The room is spacious old, abit run out,the lift is too small.
Very very very bad fake photos in the site, the hotel remind us the film (vacancy) specially room 81 Every thing is bad in this hotel
Location was Great .. Walking distance to Eiffel Tower and resturants and bars all around. Rooms are not soundproof. We Heard everything that was going on throughout the entire Hotel. They also turn off the air-conditioning in the middle of the night, so the rooms are extremely hot. Also, hotel airport shuttle is horrible. It was like taking a tour of the entire city of Paris. We beg the driver to stop at a taxi stand to get a taxi, becasue he was taking too long, and we would have missed our flight. This was after driving around for an hour (and the driver was still not on his way to the airport. he had to pick up more people from different hotels) We made it by the grace of God. I would recommend using a personal taxi instead of the Airport Shuttle when you are leaving.
Very small room (don't go by the pic), after the weekend we were shifted to a bigger room. Desk staff (esp at night ) was rude.
Very friendly staff, good location, value for money Rooms small enough (but expected given price). Room was non smoking but heavy smell of smoke
Nice staff, good location Noise, rooms are not clean enough.
They let us check in early and thats it. I had seen the comments about how thin the walls in the hotel are but thought I could cope with it, I was wrong. I could hear every converstaion from the adjoining two rooms and the guests in the next room even had the cheek to knock the walls and ask us to be quiet, no privacy at all. The staff are also very rude. I went down to ask for an iron and was told by the lady on reception that she was on her break and to come back in 15 mins. When i came back down they told me i had to go down to the cleaners quarters (which are horrible) to iron my shirt. The next night i asked again to iron another shirt,when i went down to reception they said i couldnt do it until the cleaner came back at 6:30am the next morning, absolutely useless hotel.
good location for trips little bit small room
we really enjoyed our stay at the hotel and found the staff very helpful not really
pets allowed the room it was too small and for nothing cleaning, the carpet was horible. It was impossible to walk without shoes.
Top end of my budget for the trip but it did not disapoint.
Pleasant room with good shower, well located for three Metros (Charles Michales, Dupleix, Emile Zola) Hi-speed internet was not available during my stay
On the first day the girl at the reception was friendly, we weren't much in hotel mostly out so just went at night. We had rebooked again for 21-22nd feb however had called and spoken to a guy in the morning informing due to family emergency we want to cancel our reservation however got an email saying we didn't. Why lie just to make money..
Location of Hotel was perfect for what we were looking for. NO
The overall ambience of the hotel was very good. The lift was on the small side!
It's proximity to the Metro station and surrounding area. The room was very small, there were no drink making facilities, there was no shower curtain in any of the rooms which made showering a very wet experience for the whole bathroom and the beds had waterproof mattress covers on them which we had to remove as they made us sweat terribly. The last thing we didn't enjoy was not having breakfast included.
The hotel and staff where very good. When using the shower the bathroom floor got very wet as no curtain or divider is provided!
I liked the neighbor and the friendliness of the staff. The elevator was larger than most other hotels in the star and price range. The room was also larger than most in this clasification. The shower was wonderful. The hotel carpeting is in bad need of replacement--it was dirty and frayed. Also the room was very noisy. We requested a quieter room, but were told that twin rooms were only on the street side. There was no shower curtain and only 1 hand towel.
nice people, good service, all ok no
Location is really great (easy to find, just in front of the metro station, 10 minutes walk from the eiffel tower). Unfortunately, this is all. Room service was really disturbing. Every day in the morning (at random time) they entered even without a knock.Also, there is no sound isolation at all, you hear everything that happens in rooms around you. Bottles in minibar were covered by mold. Also, as it was mentioned, there is no curtain in the bathroom.
Walking distance to the Eiffel Tower. Very worn and tired interior. Air conditioning not working well enough to keep the room comfortable. Make sure to ask for a room not facing the street. Having to keep the window open, the street noise was unbearable most of the night.
Centrally located General upkeep of the rooms could have been better
the staff ,always good staff make a business fly .our best wishes to the cleaning lady always with a smile and cheery outlook .please tell here this lack of tea/coffee making facilities in room
Clean , quiet , staff are nice , breakfast is good. None
It was located in a nice neighbourhood with easy access to metro stations Breakfast could have a larger variety
Everything you need and nothing you dont. It was cheap, clean, comfortable, and modern, with good location and staff. Cant ask for more.
Lovely residential area with nice restaurants and shops nearby, close proximity to two Metro lines, short walk to Eiffel Tower and the river, hotel was nicely renovated The only real negative for me was the "glass" door between the bathroom and bedroom. It makes for a distinct lack of privacy. Also, light comes in from the bathroom window in the morning, making the curtains in the bedroom useless.
The localization is excellent, bytheway is very quite and close to the torre Efffel drugstore, supermarket, brasseries, and "station de metro".
Very closed to the location very small room, as well known in Paris
Pleasant, friendly reception staff made us feel welcome. The hotel has a good location within easy walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, river boats, metro and local restaurants.
Affordable price, close to metro, quiet at night time Rooms too small, glass door on bathroom!!
Excellent location, very nice hotel for the money (given how expensive Paris is).
well - situated, clean, friendly staff, room was made up every day, fast wi-fi bathroom's door was made of glass and you could see through it, towels not very clean, bad smell of vinegar at the corridors
Booked a family room. It was actually two adjoining rooms so we also had two baths as well. Rooms were clean. Perfect setup for our family of four. Morning continental breakfast is served but you are charged a fee. Staff friendly and speak English. Location is close to Eiffel tower and transit stations. Would recommend.
The staff was excellent, very friendly! Great location!
The hotel was in a great location and it had a feel of European hotel. The problem we had was with Priceline. We booked the hotel based on getting feedback that the room accomodated 2 adults and 2 children. This was not the case. We had to buy another room which doubled the price. Very disappointing!!!!
Very clean, quiet, close to metro, safe,cute decor, nice simple breakfast Breakfast was 11 euros per person, however, everything in Paris is expensive
Great location, great staff, very comfortable and quiet, 10mn from eiffel tower
nice, clean hotel
It is clean and bed is very comfortable. It is of 10 min to Elffel Tower. I'd recommend it.
clean, tidy, good location for price water conduit is done very badly-you can hear everything from neighbouring rooms across the wall.
Staff very helpful, location Would have liked a kettle in the room
The staff were very friendly, and the room was very comfortable and clean, and of reasonable proportions for paris.
Excellent location. Could not check in as room was not ready as per confirmed hotel check in time. Room size to be indicated on the web site as photographs create a different perception - room and bathroom very small.
No specified comments
Quiet cleanliness room Nothing
Good-sized room & bathroom and relatively easy access to the Exhibition Centre at port de Versailles
location was excellent, when getting out of the metro station (exist No 3) the hotel is just to the right. you can see the eiffel tour from most rooms.breakfast is very simple but good, proabably not worth the 9eur, but if you don't want to waste time finding something else this is the best option. losts of restaurants nearby (even Mcdon).good sound insolation from the street. good channel variety (mostly french).rooms were small but everything you need is there. nothing really. it's a 3* hotel so don't expect anything spectacular but still quite confortable.
Breakfast buffet was very poor, no cold cuts only one type cheese, rolls very hard.
Convenient location, close to metro. Large rooms, very clean, friendly professional staff. Bit noisy at front of hotel. Overall very impressed.
Tour Eiffel view too noisy street (even with closed window), but Tour Eiffel view and center :); shampoo was added after request (after two weeks staying);
Staff very helpful and kind.
All right!
We booked a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Great room and fantastic view. Unbeatable value for the price we paid. Pictures don't do the room justice. Very spacious and the window has the Classic french iron gate. Even our bathroom had a window with view of Eiffel Tower!! Lovely experience! Worth every penny. Other hotels in budget could not guarantee view.. Very close to metro with free wifi. Very close to starbucks and McDonalds.
The view of the Eiffel tower and the convinience of the metro at your doorsteps. The place was full of cafes and street side restaurants and grocery markets. The washroom didn't have a shower curtain and thus water used to spill out. The rooms were small and the lift smaller , but in terms of Parisian standards this was a good value for money. Some of the staff could have been a little polite.
Good location, close to tourist attraction, shop and restaurant Standard room for the price we have paid
If can offer breakfast is better Good
excellent location, helpful staff, great value for money mattrasse was uncomfortable (everything hurts the next day)


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Contribute your own thoughts, experience, questions, and knowledge for the benefit of all MedPage Today Healthcare Professionals and Expert Patients™.Post a comment
debbi dunkley
Xarelto does indeed need to have an antidote developed. This should have been required before approval for use. Sadly, my father died this past August secondary to a new prescription for Xarelto which was written for his atrial fibrillation. He was dead within two weeks resulting from a hemoragic brain bleed which was unable to be stopped. In addition,he suffered greatly from severe pain and pressure as the bleeding continued. I hope that others will speak out to remove this drug from the market now!.


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No One Killed Jessica has undoubtedly been an awaited film. The subject is intriguing, the trailer is promising and the song doesn't leave your head!
Release Date: 7th Jan 2011
Director: Raj Kumar Gupta
Cast: Vidya Balan, Rani Mukerji
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala (UTV Motion Pictures)
During the period of 1999 – 2006, every time one opened the newspapers in India, s/he came across a snippet carrying news of the Jessica Lall murder case. As time passed by, the articles became confusing and the development convoluted. The result was a general drop in interest rate among citizens. In 2006, the verdict was out and the accused Manu Sharma was let free.
The film, No One Killed Jessica attempts to make a cinematic representation of the events surrounding this hi-profile case and trace the journey of these characters. We can now safely say it succeeds.
In the introductory titles, Rani Mukerji's voice-over describes the administrative capital of the country, Delhi and importance and abuse of power in the city. One can't even avail an application to a government office without influence, she states.
As an audience, you witness a model bartender being shot, her sister pursuing the murder case, trials and tribulations that ensue and the final court hearing. And despite knowing what you see to be the truth, you can't do nothing. Raj Kumar Gupta, director, screenplay and dialogue writer establishes this predicament beautifully. Thousands of informed citizens, 300 witnesses, 7 willing to testify and yet, no one could send Manu Sharma to jail.
Vidya Balan delivers a stellar performance as Jessica Lall's sister, Sabrina Lall. You choke when she gasps for the first time on hearing of her sister's injury. While her journey proceeds, your emotions are wrung too. Eventually, you can't help but well up with tears on watching her break down. It has to be one of the finest roles she has essayed.
Taking the performance a notch higher is the interaction between Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji. Their scene has to be the one with the most impact. At that point in the film, Meera (Rani Mukerji) delivers a necessary paradigm shift. The audience and Sabrina (a central character) is made to realize that the events so far haven't been a personal battle, instead, they have been a fight for justice. Following closely is a flashback scene of Jessica that couldn't have been more aptly timed. Watch out for it.
Rani Mukerji is back with a bang, ladies and gentlemen. She pulls off with gusto an adamant character, a modern day journalist who won't stop for nothing. She is the show stealer adding the required charm and literally lighting up the screen with her acting chops.
As is already made clear in one of the title slides, the content is influenced by several media reports and articles. A special thanks has been delivered to Tehelka who performed the sting on important witnesses. However, of most importance here is the script that brings together all the available facts and fictionalises what is necessary. The presentation is not that of a docu-drama. It is, instead a cinematic episode that unfolds with passion and vigour. You will appreciate the emphatic presentation of a series of events you were merely acquainted with.
– Dhruvi Shah


text: On 30.08.2007 06:19, ron minnich wrote: > On 8/29/07, Carl-Daniel Hailfinger <c-d.hailfinger.devel.2006 at gmx.net> wrote: >> I'd say it should accept a lar archive via serial console, perhaps using >> ymodem, and start executing the first member of the lar. >> >> A bit more detailed: If the BIOS fails to verify its checksum, it >> outputs a message telling you about it over serial, waits for signature >> to arrive over serial (a standard char sequence with repetitions at the >> beginning), reads until it has one complete signature, switches serial >> to ymodem and accepts a lar archive. The first member of the lar is then >> executed. >> >> The "wait for signature" is there to allow people to use multiple tries >> getting serial speed right. OTOH, if the code outputs a continuous >> stream of "TESTTEXT\n" while waiting for serial input, the other side >> can verify serial speed settings as well. >> >> What do you think? > > That's the way to go. Can we invert the speaker line each time a byte is written out over serial? With 115200,8,N,1 we would get an inversion frequency of 11.52kHz and a tone frequency of 5.76kHz. Comparing that tone to some downloadable audio sample would allow people to find out if serial was driven with the right speed. Regards, Carl-Daniel


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Fernanda Santos: Fernanda Santos is a journalist who covers Arizona and New Mexico as Phoenix bureau chief for the "New York Times." She was one of the speakers for the series which brings prominent media and communication professionals to ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Join me tonight as we get to know Fernanda Santos. Welcome to "Horizonte" and welcome to Arizona. Tell us about what you told the students a few weeks ago.
Fernanda Santos: I told them about the experience of being an immigrant, which is who I am, covering this country and covering a lot of stories about immigration, and to me I think what this experience had taught me the most is the fact that immigrants many times come to this country and they think about assimilating wiping out their identity and becoming American except that we forget that this country, the definition of American is a very flexible, elastic definition, and as I worked as a journalist, as I guess I got older and more mature, wiser maybe, I began to understand that being who I am and being -- bringing my immigrant heritage to what I did and how I did things was what made me special. So, my message to them was mostly, you know, whether you are an immigrant or not, there is always something that makes you special and that is how people should try to be, not try to be like somebody else.
Jose Cardenas: You came to the country as a college student and it was after that that you got into journalism.
Fernanda Santos: Uh-hmm.
Jose Cardenas: How did you come to work for the "New York Times"?
Fernanda Santos: Well, I was a reporter in Rio de Janeiro, which is where I grew up, grew up in Rio, came here to go to graduate school and never really wanted to stay. It was never part of my plan. As I was in graduate school, I found out that I could stay a year with a work permit and try my hand at journalism in this country, I thought why not? Maybe I can get a job here and go to Brazil and get a job there. I started small. I got my first job at a newspaper in Western Massachusetts, the republican in Springfield. And from there, to Lawrence, Massachusetts, daily news in New York, and it was one of those things where the stars aligned at the right time. I think also a lot of -- about getting to the "Times" has to do with timing. I think I was the right person at the right time to show up at their door and also I -- I worked really hard. I mean, I really -- I still do, and I really worked hard. I clearly remember talking to a recruiter from the times, first person I got to talk to, and I worked at the daily news at the time, a tabloid newspaper, and she said, you know, we like you. We think you're great. You have a lot of good things to add and we don't know if you can write. What she was saying they were not sure if I could write like a times journalist would write, which is different than a daily news would write – those were two different formats. I took a big gamble. I applied for a fellowship overseas and I got it. I Quit my job at the daily news and I went and crossed my fingers and everything worked out and I got hired after a few months of working at "people" magazine.
Jose Cardenas: At the Times you covered a variety of topics, education, crime, politics, we have a picture of you with mayor Bloomberg.
Fernanda Santos: I think I was eight or seven months pregnant maybe in that picture.
Jose Cardenas: Was politics a particular aspect of your job in New York that was I assume of great interest?
Fernanda Santos: It is interesting, because my biggest interest in journalism are stories driven by people. What I found about covering city hall as a beat, you know, when you are there all of the time, we had a bureau inside city hall, we were always around with me and two other reporters around the mayor or city council, was that it got to a point that I felt I was losing a connection with the world, with the city around me. I was hearing all of these politicians talk about all of these things but I really wasn't understanding to the same level that I felt that I understood before how the people out there perceive whatever policies they were proposing or laws they were signing, etc. It was a very interesting experience. I had never really covered politics in this country. The Bloomberg administration is a very interesting one. I was there for the whole battle for the third term. He changed a lot so that he could run for the third term and he won. He is still in office. But it wasn't the most rewarding thing I ever did from a personal standpoint and I think a lot about my job is not only a professional reward, but also a personal reward. I think that --
Jose Cardenas: What would you say has been the most rewarding aspect in terms of the topics that you have covered?
Fernanda Santos: I don't think there is one specific thing that I can say a crime is my favorite topic or social issues or child welfare or immigration -- I think that the stories that have satisfied me the most are the stories that have given me the opportunity to talk to people and go to places that I never thought I would be or people I never thought I would meet, you know. I find that my job allows me to learn every day. Be it, you know, in a sentencing in federal court, which is what I did on Wednesday, or a, you know, spending time with a woman cooking tamales in her kitchen, which is what I did on Sunday. There is always something to be learned. That is what I think is so cool about it.
Jose Cardenas: You talked about going places may have not thought you would be at or doing things -- we have a picture of you in Columbia, I assume these are soldiers --
Fernanda Santos: They are community police officers.
Jose Cardenas: What was the focus of the story there?
Fernanda Santos: This was part of my fellowship. I wanted a short-term fellowship and a reporting fellowship. I didn't want to just go and study something. I wanted to actually report on it. I had to be very intrigued about the 50% decline in the violent crime rate in Columbia over the course of 10 years, the perception of the violent city because of the drug battles and -- so, you know, I went there and I ended up spending a lot of time in this place where this picture where this picture was taken. More than a million people live there. A lot of them, most of them are very poor people, and Colombia -- they had started this community policing program, which was a way to bring people closer to police officers and get them to trust the police. There was a big issue of trust. And I thought it was a very counterintuitive idea to get people who always feared the police to work cooperatively with them, and putting these police officers, walking the beat in perhaps one of the most violent parts of the city. So, I just kind of hung out with them for awhile and walked around and got to see places that many Colombians have never seen.
Jose Cardenas: You have been in Arizona since April of this year?
Fernanda Santos: Yes.
Jose Cardenas: Succeeding mark Lacy, the first person from the "New York Times" to be a bureau chief here in Arizona. He made a comment at a forum about a year or so ago about Arizona being in the news a lot. And that being the reason why the "New York Times" is here. Since you have been here, you have covered a tremendous variety of topics, from car washes to raise moneys for various causes including sadly funerals, to the ethic studies issues in Tucson, recent elections. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of course. Is the range of issues what you expected it to be?
Fernanda Santos: It is what I always dreamed it to be. Because the thing that always was intriguing to me about Arizona was that, you know, it can't just be all about -- crazy politics. There has to be more to this state. What I have found coming here is that we should have had somebody here earlier. There is obviously a lot that goes on here that is either so unique to this state that makes it incredibly interesting for the "New York Times" readership or reflective of issues or situations in other parts of the country that make it a perfect place in which to base a story.
Jose Cardenas: We have one other picture I want to get on before the interview ends of one of those experiences. This is you in -- climbing a water tower in Mexico.
Fernanda Santos: Yes, I was visiting some border towns. What was clear to me, American side, small business districts on the American side suffering a lot from the tight enforcement because for a long time they had relied on Mexican customers crossing the border to shop. And in this specific case, I was in Douglas, Arizona, and the town on the other side -- where this is very, very real, and as a matter of fact, the mayor of Douglas, small business owner who is struggling, a family business that has been there for generations. I wanted to have a sense of really how connected these two cities were. Of course everything is very flat in terms of the housing. Two-story homes at most, and on the American side, there wasn't really anything --
Jose Cardenas: Mexican side they made you climb the water tower--
Fernanda Santos: I asked to climb the water tower. They said sure, go ahead and I did and got a great view.
Jose Cardenas: There is so much to talk about. I'm sure we will have you back on the show to talk about some of the other articles that I know you are working on. We are out of time sadly for now. Thank you so much
Fernanda Santos: Thank you.
Jose Cardenas: That is our show for this Thursday evening. For all of us here at "Horizonte," I'm Jose Cardenas. Have a good night.


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Despite severe doubts about the global economy, the markets continue to rally. Last week was another good week for the broader indices. The S&P 500 gained 1% to finish at 1405.87, the fifth consecutive week of gains for the index. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 is up 10.2% and the Dow is just 7% off its all-time high of 14,164.
Amid the positive environment, InvestorPlace contributors recently made a bunch of stock recommendations: Here are my ETF alternatives to those picks.
Media Stocks
Portfolio Grader — Louis Navellier's system for ranking stocks — highlighted three media stocks Monday, Aug. 6, whose rankings improved a grade in the previous week. Of the three, I'm focusing on Fisher Communications (NASDAQ:FSCI), a Seattle television and radio broadcaster that began in 1910, oddly enough, as a flour milling operation.
Today, FSCI owns 20 television stations and three radio stations in Washington and Oregon. Its Portland TV station (KATU) and Seattle TV station (KOMO) accounted for 60% of its $66 million in television revenue in the first two quarters of the year. Those two stations drive the bus.
For those looking for an ETF alternative to this tiny micro-cap, you're not going to find anything that owns Fisher in a meaningful way — but media's not a bad way to go, so I'd recommend you buy the PowerShares Dynamic Media Portfolio (NYSE:PBS), which owns 30 media companies, including Belo Corporation (NYSE:BLC), its nearest rival in terms of revenue.
If you are dead-set on wrapping FSCI into the fold, the iShares Russell Microcap Index Fund (NYSE:IWC) does hold Fisher — but at a tiny 0.13% weighting, alongside 1,346 other micro-cap stocks.
On Tuesday, Charles Sizemore made a compelling case for Visa (NYSE:V), arguing that its growth in emerging markets combined with a global move to a cashless society puts Visa in the middle of the action. In addition, the continued growth of e-commerce has it benefiting whether Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) or some other online retailer wins the day. Visa gets paid to process transactions, so as long as it continues to provide a seamless process, its major concern is that consumers keep spending.
Somewhere in the world, they always do.
Unless you're interested in financial services in general, I'd go with the First Trust US IPO Fund (NYSE:FPX), which has Visa as its largest holding at a 10.51% weighting. Replicating the IPOX-100 US Index, its performance over the past three years earned a five-star rating by Morningstar among a group of 1,526 funds. I've never been a fan of IPOs, but this ETF proves they can perform while providing buy-and-hold investors a useful investment.
At midweek, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor Kyle Woodley explained why Fossil (NASDAQ:FOSL) was worth owning despite the severe volatility in high-end retailing.
Woodley quite rightly points out that Fossil, although often compared with Coach (NYSE:COH) and Tiffany (NYSE:TIF), is really a notch or two lower in terms of price point. Because of this, it's harder for both the company and analysts to know where revenues and earnings are headed. In May, it provided a bleak 2012 outlook that sent its stock tumbling 40% on the news. Fast forward three months, and its stock jumped 31% on better-than-expected Q2 earnings, as well as a full-year adjusted earnings per share estimate of $5.34 — 7 cents higher than the consensus analyst estimate.
In addition, because Fossil's wholesale revenues are significantly higher than direct-to-consumer, it's really more like Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) than Coach.
Retail's tricky right now, making individual stock picks very hazardous. Although I agree with Kyle that you can trust Fossil in the long run, at this point, a consumer discretionary ETF is a safer bet. I'd go with the Select Sector Consumer Discretionary SPDR (NYSE:XLY), a group of 83 stocks that includes Fossil at 0.32%.
Research In Motion
Fellow Canadian Brad Moon was feeling speculative Thursday suggesting Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) was still worth something. The biggest proof: Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax Financial — and often considered the Canadian version of Warren Buffett — now owns close to 10% and is its largest shareholder.
Fairfax has grown its book value 23.5% annually over the past 25 years. If anyone can smell a turnaround, it's Watsa. Besides, Watsa's investment is approximately 10% of its $3.8 billion portfolio of common stock holdings and just 1.2% of its total assets. So Watsa's bet is a diversified gamble.
To make the same play, an ETF is definitely the way to go. The First Trust NASDAQ CEA Smartphone Index Fund (NASDAQ:FONE) is my preferred choice, with Research In Motion weighted at 2.18%. None of the 65 holdings exceeds a weighting of 3.25%, and they are divided 45% among handsets, 45% in software and hardware, and 10% in network providers. Should RIMM bounce back, this fund definitely will benefit.
CVS Caremark
Susan Aluise ended the week by offering up three reasons why CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS) is a healthy company worth owning.
I've liked it ever since CVS acquired Caremark back in 2006, bringing the drug store retailer together with the leading pharmacy benefits manager in America. Since the deal was announced, its stock is up 63% compared to flat for the S&P 500. Recently, CVS has gained market share thanks to Walgreen's (NYSE:WAG) spat with Express Scripts (NASDAQ:ESRX). Whether CVS keeps the market share seems to be investors' biggest concern. Personally, I think both CVS and Walgreen will do just fine no matter what happens in the PBM battlefield.
The ETF pick here is an easy one — the Market Vectors Retail ETF (NYSE:RTH) — with both CVS and Walgreen in the top 10 holdings at 5.03% and 5.02%, respectively. In addition, McKesson (NYSE:MCK), America's largest pharmaceutical distributor, is a top-10 holding.
As of this writing, Will Ashworth did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.


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Zoe gets gobbled up in all the comments when a picture hits facebook. Oh you silly Facebook atheists. I wonder if grandma understands the baby-eating jokes. Oh well, keep 'em coming, they make me laugh. [Read more…]
My daughter thinks daddy lives in the computer
September 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment


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Re: Function definition
>I need to define a function f(theta,phi) as
>f(theta,phi) = f1 if 0 <= theta <= theta0, 0 <= phi <= phi0 f(theta,phi)
>= f2 otherwise
>where theta, phi are spherical polar coordinates, <= is less than or
>equal to and theta0 and phi0 are constants.
Assuming that all the variables have numerical values, this function
definition should do what you want:
f[theta_,phi_]:=f1/;0<=theta<=theta0 && 0<=phi<=phi0 f[theta_,phi_]:=f2
The first line applies only when the condition 0<=theta<=theta0 &&
0<=phi<=phi0 holds, and the second line applies otherwise.
Stephen P Luttrell
Signal Processing and Imagery Department DERA Malvern, St.Andrew's Road
Malvern, United Kingdom, WR14 3PS
+44 (0)1684 894046 (tel)
+44 (0)1684 894384 (fax)
luttrell at signal.dera.gov.uk (email)