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Natural selection ends in absurdity or nonsense
Discussion of everything related to the Theory of Evolution.
Moderator: BioTeam
Re: Natural selection ends in absurdity or nonsense
When natural selection first came out it was almost universally rejected. There was a period of 40 years or more where scientists were looking for alternatives to replace natural selection they call this perioud the eclipse of Darwinism. So which alternative theories are there? Theres neo-Lamarckism the notion that aquired traits can be inherited, saltation (evolution by jumps via large mutations etc), theistic evolution, vitalism or orthogenesis (internal directed evolution) etc.
Neo-Lamarckism and Saltation there is evidence that these do occur and have occured. I suggest reading the book Evolution in Four Dimensions by Eva Jablonka Marion J. Lamb where some of this evidence is described. The authors however are not saying neo-Lamarckism or salatation are going to completey replace natural selection, as far as I know no scientist denies that selection occurs. However the role of selection in evolution is still being debated. Some give it a secondary or minor role whilst the neo-Darwinians give it a major role.
Re: Natural selection ends in absurdity or nonsense
Thanks, but none of this will tell me what Jumma's proposal is.
Re: Natural selection ends in absurdity or nonsense
Jumma is obviously an alternative account of the user Gamila who started the thread "Natural selection is proven wrong" on this forum. The arguements of these user/s come from Australian philosopher Colin Leslie Dean. This user/s may be Dean or a friend of his (they appear to use a very similar writing style). They are obviously not interested in proposing any alternative mechanism and some of their comments are very similar to creationists.
He talks about the:
The cambrian explosion. (he is correct here becuase the cambrian explosion does not fit into any gradual theory of evolution) but does not disprove evolution instead we have evidence that this "explosion" came about by complex environmental, developmental, and ecological changes (the mechanisms of which are still being debated today). The cambrian explosion was perfectly natural and does not booster any form of creationism.
Natural selection is invalidated by the fact of speciation. (He is wrong about this and actually dropped this arguement it appears).
His last point:
His arguement here follows that "seeing bad genes can become common this thus makes natural selection wrong which says bad genes should be come rare or less common".
Interestingly this last arguement I sent to some other people and they told me it is wrong as natural selection only occurs after repeated generations. As the author himself has said there is a lot of moving goal posts when it comes to natural selection.
Natural selection is not the only evolutionary mechanism, see my other thread for a handful of other mechanisms but sadly it is a bit dogmatically pushed and overhyped by some people. Scientists like Brian Goodwin and Lynn Margulis admitted that selection exists but said it only has a minor role in evolution, there are other important evolutionary mechanisms such as self-organization or symbiosis etc. So I really don't see a problem any longer.
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Our Views: Janesville should raise wheel tax to fix its streets
Boosting the city of Janesville's wheel tax by up to $38 annually to better keep up with street repairs is a painful but worthy idea.
As much as we hate to see new or increasing taxes and fees, this one makes sense. The city council should consider it when it meets in a budget study session at 6 Thursdayat City Hall.
This city has a history of frugal fiscal management. State-imposed caps on property taxes, however, leave Janesville struggling to keep up with infrastructure needs. Sure, the city could keep borrowing money and spreading the hit to property taxes across more years, as it has done of late, but that means spending more on interest. Taxes sunk into interest payments don't provide a dime's worth of service.
At least the wheel tax—now $10 and earmarked for roadwork—is tied to motorists who use and beat up the streets.
Janesville is not alone. Streets, highways and bridges are crumbling in many municipalities, as well as statewide and across the nation, at a time when repair costs are escalating. This looming problem will only grow worse if we don't sink sufficient money into upkeep.
Keeping infrastructure in good repair is a crucial city council responsibility. Many drivers bemoan conditions of some streets in Janesville. The city was growing and adding streets a couple of decades ago, and those roads now need resurfacing to ward off more extensive reconstruction as they deteriorate further.
The city's proposed budget includes $1 million in borrowing and tapping about $1 million in general-fund revenue for street work. That won't match the needs. In fact, Councilman Douglas Marklein argued in Wednesday's Gazette, "The route we're on, we're not gaining. We're losing."
Public Works Director Carl Weber recommends doubling that amount to $4 million. He says about 31 miles of the city's 254 miles of streets are in poor or failed condition, and that number would more than double within three years at the current funding pace.
Tapping property taxes for that much cash would hurt other services. Each $10 increase in the wheel tax raises more than $500,000. A bump in the tax for three years of nearly $40 per vehicle would help the city avoid excessive borrowing and interest costs that otherwise might total nearly $800,000 in the next 12 years.
After those three years, Weber suggests, the wheel tax could be scaled back or continued for other street work. We seldom see taxes or fees, once enacted or increased, rolled back but hope this one could be someday.
No solution is simple. The city, however, cannot keep lagging in street repair.

subset: commoncrawl


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Our Views: Reward them, and people will walk
People such as Carl Weber see grand things in downtown Janesville's future.
We applaud the city's public works director for his vision and optimism.
Weber is convinced that a vibrant downtown will attract people and that they will be willing to walk a few blocks to get to their destinations.
That downtown vibrancy won't come overnight. Among critical steps will be removing the parking plaza over the Rock River. That's likely in 2015 because the structure is deteriorating and the state Department of Natural Resources won't allow the city to rebuild.
Once the plaza is down, the city can begin turning toward the river and taking advantage of its attributes, much like cities such as Green Bay, Wausau and Milwaukee have done. An expanded river walk, open space for leisure activities, recreational features, and restaurants and taverns with river views are among the possibilities.
The catch, in some people's minds, is the parking that will be lost when the plaza is demolished. Some bordering business owners fear potential customers won't frequent their establishments if parking isn't next door.
That's not giving the downtown visitors or businesses much credit. A new study shows that the longest distance from parking to any destination would be two blocks, and we don't think people will think twice of such walks if they find what they want and are satisfied with their experiences.
Duane Cherek, a city planner, said the city and its residents might need a "cultural change." People in Madison, for example, walk four blocks or more to their destinations downtown.
At a Monday night meeting on parking, several downtown business representatives and a resident said they have no faith that the people of Janesville will adapt. One intimated that the city should look at vacant buildings along the river as possible sites for parking.
That didn't go over with Weber. He wants available space with river access to be used to enhance the attractiveness and usability of the riverfront. People will find places to park to get to the services they want, he said.
We agree, but we also think the city would be wise to consider adding strategic lots that don't take up riverfront property, especially on the river's west side, where parking is less plentiful.
In the end, Weber captured what this is all about.
"We ought to have enough pride in ourselves in this community to know we can have a vibrant and active downtown, and it doesn't have to look like a mall."
Well said.


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nut is nutrition software to record what you eat and analyze your meals for nutrient composition. The database included is the latest USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. This database contains values for vitamins, minerals, fats, calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, etc., and includes the essential polyunsaturated fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6. Nutrient levels are expressed as a percentage of the Daily Value, the familiar standard of food labeling in the United States, but also can be fully customized. Foods can be added from recipes or food labels, and nutrient intake can be graphed. The program is completely menu-driven and there are no commands to learn.
DiaLog (Diabetic Logbook) is a memo application for all diabetics with a Palm Pilot. It enables you to enter your diabetes-related data quickly and easily and to view them later sorted by date. Additionaly, you can calculate the neccesary amount of insulin you will need, based on the sugar and food you're going to eat.
lazar (Lazy-Structure-Activity Relationships) is a tool for the prediction of toxic activities of chemical structures. lazar derives predictions from databases with experimental toxicity data. It searches in these databases for compounds with similar structures and calculates the prediction from their measured activities.
ESP is a secure, automated system that analyzes electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify and report patients with notifiable diseases to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The growing use of electronic medical record systems (EMRs) permits efficient re-use of data already being collected by clinicians during routine private practice, offering an unparalleled opportunity to improve public health practice. Information held in EMR systems includes diagnoses, procedures, laboratory test, and treatment information, as well as patient demographic data. This software permits secure, simple, and robust messaging from electronic medical record systems to public health authorities.
SPINA is software for determining constant structure-parameters of endocrine feedback control systems from hormone levels obtained in vivo. The first version of this cybernetic approach allows for evaluating the functional status of the thyroid gland, i.e. thyroid's secretory capacity (GT) and sum activity of peripheral deiodinases (GD).
GNUmed is a comprehensive scalable software solution for electronic medical practices with an emphasis on privacy protection, secure patient centric record sharing, decision support, and ease of use. It is intended to become a sophisticated decision support system that will elevate the quality of medical care that can be delivered.
A demo program containing many integer sorting algorithms.
A Java library supporting FTPS (FTP over SSL) and SFTP.


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Dunbar Park
300 E. 31st St. Chicago, Illinois 60616
(312) 590-5993
Fee: Free
Age Range: Any
Dr. Seuss' The LoraxThis animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
Rated PG | 86 minutes | 2012*Closed Captioned
Presented by Charter One, with additional support from RCN.
Underwritten by Dunbar Park Advisory Council
Movies in the Parks is presented by:
With additional support from:


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Janesville man arrested for 7th OWI
JANESVILLE—Police arrested a man on drunken driving and drug possession charges early Sunday after pulling him over for a loud vehicle exhaust, authorities said.
According to news release from the Janesville Police Department, police arrested Thomas W. Walters, 50, of Janesville, after pulling his vehicle over for "defective exhaust" in the 400 block of south academy at 2:03 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Walters was intoxicated and had marijuana, drug paraphernalia and bags full of prescription medication in his possession at the time.
It was Walters' seventh operating while intoxicated offense, although he had a valid license during the incident, police said.
He was being held Sunday at the Rock County Jail pending an initial court appearance.��
Last updated: 3:25 pm Sunday, March 16, 2014


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McFetridge Sports Center
3843 N. California Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 478-2609
Fee: Ages: 12 & under, $4; 13-60, $5; 60 & over, $2; Skate Rental $3
Age Range: all ages
Wear your favorite costume and join us for a spooktacular Halloween skating party at McFetridge Sports Center! Enjoy spooky tunes, ghostly decorations, and tasty treats. First, Second, and Third Place prizes for costume contest at each session.
Two Scary Skate sessions:
sponsored by: SMG


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Susan "Sue" Hamre-Nietupski, Iowa City, IA
January 16, 2014
Susan "Sue" Hamre-Nietupski, 63, of Iowa City, IA, died on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA. Sue's infectious smile and love for people will be missed, but not soon forgotten. At the age of five, she was quoted in the Janesville Gazette as saying she wanted to help others when she "grew up," a prognostication she fulfilled and then some. After graduating from high school in Janesville, Sue received her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and remained a lifelong Badger fan. She went on to a career as a professor of special education at the University of Northern Iowa and, most recently, the University of Iowa. With a specific focus on early childhood development, she received numerous awards and recognition for her service to the field of special education, most notably when she and her husband, John, were honored as ARC of Iowa, and ARC of the United States Educators of the Year.
Later in life she was active with the "Voices of Experience" choir and social committee, along with volunteer activities helping persons of need through The Center and St Mark's Church in Iowa City. Her ability to be there as an ear to bend or shoulder to cry on for countless friends lasted all the way through her final days.
Second to her love of helping people was her love of travel. Sue, her late husband, John, and their son, Chris, loved spending time on the shores of Door County, traveling to see their beloved Badgers play, and exploring Europe together.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Nietupski of Iowa City; her parents, Wilmar and Mary (Stanke) Hamre; and grandparents, aunts and uncles, all of Janesville, WI. She is survived by her son, Chris Nietupski of Minneapolis, MN;, countless loving members of the Hamre, Stanke, Nietupski and Biggerstaff families; ever-loving group of friends all over the world; and, of course, her cat, Gabby.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH in Janesville. A visitation will be held prior to the services starting at Noon. Following services, a reception will be held at the CHURCH. Burial will take place at the Milton Lawn Cemetery in Janesville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to support the John Nietupski Memorial Fund, established at the time of John's death in 2008, to help persons with disabilities. Additional services and burial will take place later in the week in Janesville, WI. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. GAY & CIHA FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE of Iowa City, is caring for Sue's family and her services.


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#15771: Wolf
|Artist: Wilfred Cheama - signed - Tribe: Zuni
|Material: Picasso Marble - Dimension: 4 in. long x 1 in. high x 1 in. w
|Special Features: A very realistic wolf from Wilfred - a fine new carving.
|Price: $ 420 (plus $8 shipping per order)
How to Place an Order
First click on an item in our catalog. This will bring up a single-page display with a larger image of the item, full details of the item, and a "BuyMe" button.
When you click on the \"BuyMe\" button, a contact information form appears along with a "Confirm BuyMe" button. You must enter your contact information and may correct any typographical errors at this time. When you are confident that your contact information is correct and click on the "Confirm BuyMe" button, an email is sent to Sunshine Studio requesting that we check the availability of one item. The contents of this email are displayed on your screen. If you need a copy of this email, you can use your computer's PrntScrn command or other means to print a hard copy.
To Cancel an Item or to Correct an Error after Submission: please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com (or phone 1-800-348-9273) mentioning your name, email address, and phone number plus the description of the item or order that you wish to cancel or correct.
After we receive your order, a Sunshine Studio staff member checks our inventory, confirms availability of the item(s) purchased, and sends you an invoice with payment instructions.
An order to Sunshine Studio is built up one item at a time. For an order consisting of several items, select one item at a time and click on the \"BuyMe/Confirm BuyMe\" buttons once for each item before you navigate away from the item chosen.
All items on the Sunshine Studio web site are one-of-a-kind. If we have several similar items, each has a different inventory number. If you click on the \"BuyMe/Confirm BuyMe\" buttons several times from several different items within a short time, we will combine your items into a single order. The shipping fee is applied only once per order.
Note that for some of you (especially if you wish to buy multiple items), it may be more convenient to send an email to email@example.com listing the item(s) that you wish to purchase. This email must contain a list of the inventory numbers of the items that you wish to purchase and a phone number where we can call you in the event that ReplyTo your email does not work. You may also put your request for addional items in the Additional Message box on the contact information form that BuyMe provides. You may phone your order to (800) 348-9273 or (505) 984-3216 if you wish. We also accept fax orders at (505) 986-0765.
Payment Options: Sunshine Studio does not have a credit card page where you may pay with a credit card once you have received your invoice. You may open your PayPal account or sign 12:49 PM 2/13/2017in to PayPal and \"Send Money\" to firstname.lastname@example.com. (We can send a PayPal \"Money Request\" if you ask for such by email.) You may send a check or money order by snail mail to Sunshine Studio, 3180 Vista Sandia, Santa Fe, NM 87506. If you wish to do a layaway, please phone 1-800-348-9273 (505-984-3216 outside the USA) or send an email to set up layaway terms.
The total cost of your order will be the cost of the merchandise plus $8 shipping in the USA for everything that will fit into one mailing box. If the total cost of your merchandise exceeds $300, shipping is free in the USA.
We operate on a Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time schedule. On weekends, we will answer when we are available. There is a voice mail at our phone, but please be patient - it is set to record only after approximately seven rings. We prefer that you call between 10 AM and 5 PM Mountain Time. Note that Mountain Time is 2 hours earlier than Eastern time, that is, if it is 8 AM in New York, then it is 6 AM in Santa Fe.
Please be patient - if you send a "Buy Me" message during business hours, we will answer within a few hours. If you send a message outside of business hours, we may not respond until noon of the next business day. On posting day, we do not answer our phone during the first hour and a half after new fetishes have been posted. Please phone us later in the day on these occasions. Be assured that all orders are handled on a first come, first served basis, in the order that they are received.
For More Details of ordering and shipping policies: please click here.
Turquoise*: See https://www.sunshinestudio.com/turquoise.html for statement of Sunshine Studio Policy on Turquoise.
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Best of The Gazette, Sept. 9, 2013: Police diversity, punting prospects and old-time chords
The Gazette publishes a lot of news in a week. Combine that with all the distractions a weekend brings, and that means there's a good chance you might have missed some important stories. Here's a summary of some of The Gazette's best content from the last week or so:
In 2010, all but one of the department's sworn officers were white. Since then, the department has hired two Latino officers. But the department hasn't accomplished one of Chief Dave Moore's goals: Swearing in the city's first black officer.
Read more: As city diversifies, police department tries to follow
Janesville City Council members must decide whether to sink thousands of dollars into the historic Oakhill Cemetery chapel, which has no immediate use. City staff recommends the chapel be demolished. The council will consider the recommendation at its Monday meeting.
Read more: Janesville City Council will consider demolishing Oakhill Cemetery chapel
Janesville saw more than double its average rainfall level in June, but since then has been well below average. With just 1.8 inches of rain in July and 1.4 in August the area is seeing less precipitation than in those two months of the 2012 drought.
Read more: Dry end of summer a far cry from cool start
With success on a variety of different playing fields and courts, it's a good time to get behind East Troy athletics.
Read more: Something in the water? East Troy High full of successful athletes
Ian Gallagher, the rarely used placekicker and punter for the Big Foot Chiefs, is one of the top punting recruits in the country thanks to his powerful right leg.
Read more: Big Foot's kicker, top punting prospect, boasts big leg
Ted Peck, one of The Gazette's outdoors columnists, took a trip to Park Falls, Wis., to see the St. Croix tackle company's factory firsthand.
Read more: Wisconsin town home to top-of-the-line fishing rods
When police spend time poring over reports to black out details, they're doing nothing to ensure public safety, The Gazette Editorial Board writes. Instead, they're smothering the public's right to know who got arrested, when and for what—and more.
Read more: Our Views: Police should uphold Wisconsin's open records law
Readers are likely to see names and faces of local students and adult athletes in our sports pages, and that's important to our mission, Gazette Editor Scott Angus writes.
Read more: Editor's Views: Sports play critical role in emphasis on local news
Democratic Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election in 2014, citing "the ugly political environment." In the wake of that declaration, columnist Steven Walters takes a look at the state of Wisconsin's government.
Read more: Steven Walters: Cullen says 'private citizen' can do more to serve public
Most members of the Mill Road Band have stories of how they once enjoyed music, lost it and rediscovered life's soundtrack with white hair. The band shows it is never too late to embrace life's soundtrack, Gazette columnist Anna Marie Lux writes.
Read more: Musicians rediscover old-time chords
When spring comes to Wisconsin, people emerge from their homes with one desire: To see green things growing—immediately. But the autumn is just as good, and in some cases better, for planting.
Read more: Plant in the fall to get a jump on spring
Albums reviewed this week include "Hesitation Marks" by Nine Inch Nails and "The Worse Things Get ..." by Neko Case.
Read more: Music reviews for Sept. 5, 2013
Tomato tastings have become a fun late summer event all over the country, Gazette garden blogger Janice Peterson writes.
Read more: Janice Peterson: Tomato tasting events let you try a rainbow of colors
Do you remember walking or bicycling to school? Gazette Opinion Editor Greg Peck does. However, fewer and fewer kids do these days.
Read more: Greg Peck: How many kids walk or bicycle to school these days?
Mostly poor while alive, Whitewater native Edward S. Curtis left us a treasure of Indian tradition. Learn more about him in this video from blogger Glen Loyd.
Read more: Glen Loyd Video: Whitewater boy became foremost American Indian photographer
With more than 21 million quilters in the United States, quilting is seeing a resurgence across the country. Gazette Photo Editor Bill Olmsted recently visited Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville to document one such group.
See more: Quilting becomes more popular with every stitch
Newspaper workers use the term "stand-alone photos" to describe photographs that aren't necessarily associated with any stories. These photos document candid slices of life from the community that might otherwise go unrecorded. Check out this gallery to see The Gazette's stand-alone photos for August 2013.
See more: Stand-alone photos for August 2013
The Gazette regularly publishes art made by local students. August's collection features works inspired by "A Clockwork Orange," Aaron Rodgers and more.
See more: Student art for August 2013


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Why can't good engineers get good jobs?
67 comments post a comment
Are online job applications more of a hindrance than a help? Was your dream job easier to land before the Monster.com's, Careerbuilder's and Google got involved? And is job software filtering good people out for the most minor reasons?
Are online job applications more of a hindrance than a help? Was your dream job easier to land before the Monster.coms, Careerbuilders and Google got involved? And is job software filtering good people out for the most minor reasons?
Some people think so.
Indeed, Peter Cappelli, a management professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book "Why Good People Can't Get Jobs was recently on PBS to discuss just that.
In his interview, Cappelli said online job postings were drawing thousands of candidates for every position, significantly reducing any given individuals fair chance.
Somebody told me that they had 29,000 people apply for a reasonably standard engineering position, and nobody made it through the screening process. The software told them nobody was qualified, said Cappelli.
With the economy still rocky and the unemployment rate high, many internet job postings see themselves flooded with applications. This typically overwhelms regular HR systems, forcing many firms to start using software to sift through CVs.
Unfortunately, since software lacks human judgment, applications can be rejected on the flimsiest of reasons, creating a lose-lose situation for both job seeker and employer.
After all, there is no such thing as the perfect candidate for any job, but HR managers in the past, through face to face interviews and good old fashioned probing, have been able to discern between applicants and decide which is the best fit in terms of skills, ability to adapt to company culture and potential.
No wonder so many tech firms are complaining about talent shortages. Key words pulled coldly from resumes by machine are not going to find the diamond in the rough. So many firms claim to want new hires who display out of the box creativity, but if you failed to tick the right box, your resume may not even end up being read by a real human.
Its time things changed. The Internet is a blessing for many things, but when it comes to landing that dream job, pick up the phone, be persistent and schedule a face to face interview.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section below...


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PHOTOS: The 11 oldest businesses in Janesville
A little luck combined with a passion for generational success has resulted in decades of success for Janesville's oldest businesses. Here is a list of the�oldest 11 still in operation in the city, according to "Janesville's Oldest Continuing Businesses," a book published in 2003 by Albert and Lois Hough.
Founded: 1900
What it does: Supplier of operable partitions, movable walls and glass wall partitions, accordion doors and associated folding doors for creating flexible spaces and acoustic separation.
History: Started as the Hough Porch Shade Co. in New York, the business moved to Janesville in 1902 and started operations as Hough Shade Corp. The company changed its name to Hough Manufacturing Corp. in 1959. J. Michael Borden acquired the controlling interest in the company in 1978. The company became known as Hufcor in 1985.
Founded: 1893
What it does: Full-service florist
History: Founded by Fred and George Rentschler on South Main Street, the business operated several greenhouses and nurseries in Janesville. After a handful of ownership changes, Richard and Elnora Leyes were hired by the relatively new owners in 1949 to manage the business. The Leyes bought the business in 1951, and it has been a family business since. Janesville Floral closed its downtown store in 1995 and consolidated into its store on Mineral Point Avenue, which opened in 1976.
Founded: 1892
What it does: General contractor
History: Founder John Patrick Cullen learned the building trade by apprenticing for his father, who was a carpenter. He then expanded from houses to bigger projects. By 1920, the company was building large projects in the Midwest while not losing its focus on Wisconsin, where it would play a major role in building and renovating some of Janesville's and Wisconsin's most significant buildings.
Founded: 1890
What it does: Full-service florist, casual furniture and garden supplies.
History: Originally a greenhouse business on East Milwaukee Street, research by the Rock County Historical Society dates Fairview to sometime between 1875 and 1890. Harold Carlson bought the business in 1927. After more than 100 years of operation on East Milwaukee, Harold's son, Tom, moved Fairview to Racine Street in 2006.
Founded: 1885
What it does: Provides funeral and cremation services
History: Founded as Nelson Brothers Livery and Undertaking, the home was originally located at the east end of the Court Street bridge. The company bought Kimball Funeral Home, and the name was changed to Nelson-Kimball Funeral Home. Neal Schneider joined the partnership in 1960 and bought the business in 1962. In 1972 the name of the business changed to Schneider Funeral Home, and in 1974 a new funeral home was built on East Racine Street.
Founded: 1884
What it does: Site-work contractors.
History: The company started as Patrick Ryan-Grading Contractors with a team of mules building railroad embankment.� As it grew, it added roadwork and mining in the early 1900s, and by the 1940s, Ryan had become a full-service grading contractor serving both private industrial and public transportation customers. The company later added landfill construction, waste remediation and golf course construction. Today, it is a mass excavator and site-work contractor with expertise in residential, commercial, transportation, entertainment, energy and environmental work.
Founded: 1883
What it does: Regional law firm
History: Started as Fethers & Jeffris & Winans by John Winans, Ogden Fethers and Malcolm Jeffris. Founded with a dedication to business, the firm has been the home for many generations of lawyers who have been instrumental in the growth of Janesville and the Rock County community. The firm's lawyers were instrumental in the formation of the original Samson Tractor and Parker Pen.
Founded: 1882
What it does: Hardware store
History: James Harris founded the Janesville Barb Wire Co. on South River Street in response to regional farm expansions and an increasing demand for barbed wire. The fence, post and barbed wire part of the business was sold in 1937, when the company focused on implements and supplies. Harris Ace now has two stores in Janesville, two in Beloit and one in Monroe.
Founded: 1881
What it does: Regional law firm
History: Started as Sutherland & Nolan, Thomas S. Nolan in 1902 moved the practice to the Jackman & Smith building, the firm's headquarters ever since. The building has had a variety of tenants, including the Rock County National Bank, which moved diagonally across the street in 1961. The firm has grown through the years, continuing to follow its ideals and dedication to the private practice of law.
Founded: 1856
What it does: Custom brews a variety of beers and sodas
History: Joshua C. Gray started brewing Weiss beer and making seltzer water in a facility at 158 S. Locust St. It moved from Locust Street to its current plant on West Court Street in 1959. The plant was destroyed by fire in 1992 but rebuilt the following year. Fred Gray, the great-great-grandson of the founder, took over management of the award-winning brewery in 1995.
Founded: 1845
What it does: Owns and operates newspapers, radio stations and websites in Wisconsin and Illinois
History: Levi Alden and Z.A. Stoddard launched The Janesville Gazette as a weekly newspaper with 300 subscribers. Howard F. Bliss acquired the company in 1883 and passed it to his son, Harry H. Bliss in 1919. Harry's sons, Sidney H. and Robert W., succeeded their father in 1937. Skip Bliss acquired the company as publisher and president in 1992.


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Packer season at a crossroads
There's no truth to the suggestion—made by many fans on social media and even reported by the Chicago Sun-Times—that the story� written by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn jinxed the Packers and led to the injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
I realize some local Packer fans blame The Gazette for reprinting the story Monday. But, hey, the article was already out there.
Sure, as a former sportswriter myself, I would have been reluctant to propose such a story and hesitant to take such an assignment. Yet it was defensive end Shea McClellin who pounced on Rodgers—a reasonable tackle, mind you—and left the Packer QB with a broken left collarbone. McGinn's story was insightful and an unfortunate, ill-timed coincidence.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that the "Journal Sentinel Jinx may not be the equal of the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx, but that isn't making some Packers fans feel any better."
As McGinn wrote: "Losing Rodgers to major injury would be the nightmare of all nightmares. He makes everyone's job easier. Yet, no organization would be better equipped to handle it than Green Bay. Fools will cry that I'm jinxing Rodgers and the Packers by writing about this."
McGinn also wrote: "The guess here is that even if the Packers were to lose Rodgers early Monday night against the Chicago Bears they'd find ways to finish 11-5."
Based on what fans saw Monday night out of backup QB Seneca Wallace, they'd gladly trade their mothers-in-law for an 11-5 Packer finish right now.
In today's Gazette, Packer coach Mike McCarthy pledged confidence in Wallace and expects that, given a full week's worth of practice, Wallace will lead the Packers to victory Sunday against visiting Philadelphia.
Do you agree? Should we hope former Badger QB Scott Tolzien (who got a sizable raise recently to decline an offer to join the Cleveland Browns) is elevated off the Packer practice squad, as reported, and might be better than Wallace? Why is the team not picking up the unclaimed Matt Flynn, who threw six touchdown passes in a Packer victory over Detroit a few years ago (I've heard word about an issue with Flynn's arm)?
More than a jinx, I blame Packer General Manager Ted Thompson for this one. He's supposedly shrewd at choosing talent to develop, but then placed the team's entire hopes on one quarterback. Two QB stiffs the team spent a couple of years trying to groom as backups were so bad (obvious to many fans) that both were cut loose in the preseason. Newcoming reject Vince Young also didn't stick. Now we must do with another reclamation project, Wallace, who had no previous experience in any Packer game—regular season or preseason.
With so many injuries to so many players, can the Packers somehow survive until Rodgers and others return and still limp into the playoffs? If you think they can, do they have any realistic chance of making a deep playoff run?
I'm not holding my breath. Here's one reason why. Just when the Packers needed their defense to step up the most, that unit laid a large egg at Lambeau on Monday night. The defense is not as good as we'd like to think. That will make the job of Wallace—or whichever the next QB replacement flavor of the week is—that much tougher.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or email@example.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or email@example.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.


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Welcome to the TCSD Wildflower page!
Below you will find updates, FAQs and general information about the Wildflower Triathlon Festival, May 2-4, 2014 at Lake San Antonio, CA. click for Official Website
Facebook event
Carpool list - http://j.mp/WOaR1G
Registration for the Avia Wildflower 2014 Festival is open!
Wildflower is consistently ranked in the top 5 of all triathlons. Combining location, size, competition and atmosphere, Wildflower is a unique tradition and rite of passage for many triathletes. TCSD had over 180 competitors last year.
Wildflower 2014 offers:
- 3 races (MTB short, Olympic, and Half IM)
- Lake swims, hilly bike courses and mostly on trail runs with great aid stations
- Club competition (TCSD won the Long Course competition in 2010)
- ITU Long Course qualifier
- Huge Expo/Food park with a stage and kids play area
- Tent or RV camping
TCSD Plans
Our volunteers make a huge effort to provide members a unique and great experience. This includes:
- Carpool list - http://j.mp/WOaR1G. It's a long ride - save money & make new friends by carpooling!
- Side trips before and after the event
- Kids race/family activities
- A large communal campsite
- Tent pick up and delivery to the site
- Saturday evening BBQ
- Sponsor items
We need YOUR help - cooks and kitchen 'staff' are especially important!
We also encourage your ideas and experiences from past Wildflowers -- what was good, what can we improve?
Wildflower FAQ
What do I need to do now?
Register and indicate TCSD as your club. We will get a "rebate" of $10 for each club registrant. This money will go directly toward Wildflower expenses such as the club dinner Saturday night.
Use the link below:
Do I pay for camping? What is the camping pass all about? Do I pay now?
You pay for camping in one of two ways. If you are tent camping, you need a camping pass for the number of nights you will be at Wildflower between Thursday and Sunday. The camping pass is PER CAR (TriCal wants us to carpool as it makes it easier to leave Sunday if there are fewer cars). So, it is in your favor to share the expense with others and carpool either from San Diego or from Paso Robles, the nearest town. (We will maintain a car pool roster to help members accomplish this).
If you have an RV, you pay for a designated space and that is also your camping pass. You can try to get a space in the D loop where the TCSD camping area is but that is not guaranteed.
If you want a little more privacy or quiet, you can camp anywhere you like in the park and still hang out with TCSD.
If you are sure that you are driving, you can buy the pass now during registration. If you aren't sure, you can wait and buy the pass later in March or April.
Where is Wildflower?
At Lake San Antonio recreational area in Monterrey County about 25 miles west of Paso Robles in Central California. About a 6 hour drive from San Diego.
What is the course like?
On top of the official page maps, you can search for the course on your favorite GPS tracking site.
Here's the bike ride of the half: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/27575590/
* more links will be added soon *
Do I have to camp?
No, you can stay in Paso Robles but getting into the race on race day is a challenge.
How do I keep informed on Wildflower 2014?
Come back to view updates on this page, follow the mailing list & the Facebook event page
Ran Shenhar and Linda Rich
Wildflower 2014 Coordinators
More Information
Arriving, Drop-off and Parking
We will be parking in a designated overflow area near the campsite.
Drive into the loop, find your tent, drop your stuff and then park in
overflow. Please do not block anyone or cause an access issue.
We usually get the infield of loop D of the Redonda Vista campground. This is the first
loop on the right of the main camping area at the top of Lynch Hill.
There is a TCSD banner so you can't miss us.
There will be a common area for meals, campfires, etc. Most of the
tents will be inside the loop. There are other non-TCSD campers in
the loop; please respect their privacy and sites. There are showers
nearby but they can get very crowded especially Saturday PM after the
long course race. You can ride over to the other loops and find
better access.
Need a volunteer for firewood.
There is a general store with some supplies near the transition area.
The expo also has plenty of race related items like suncreen, goggles,
racewear, etc.
Bike Mechanics
If your bike gets out of tune or something breaks, there are mechanics
at the transition area on Friday and Saturday to help out.
Food Prep Area
There will be a general food prep area with tables, stoves, etc.
Please respect others equipment, (pots, pans, etc.) and clean up any
food you prepare. We will have hygiene items (wipes, gels, etc.)
available; please use them.
Potluck on Friday Night
Don't buy the pasta meal...bring your preferred meal plus something to share. Please
clean-up/dispose of any leftovers.
BBQ on Saturday night
We need volunteer for the BBQ! Please email us.
KID ACTIVITIES: Need a volunteer to plan/coordinate a kid's race or event.
Registered Members
(will be updated shortly)
Average high: 67
Average low: 48
Email us with your name, phone number, day leaving, returning, camping pass paid/needed, space for passengers/bikes and we will post here.


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Steven Walters: Wisconsin businesses, special interests reap $600 million in tax breaks
The number came in time for the annual state Republican Party convention: Tax-code changes Republicans enacted will cut taxes by $1.93 billion over four years, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported.
Republican Gov. Scott Walker, up for re-election in November, made that number a centerpiece of his convention speech. He'll repeat it hundreds of times before the Nov. 4 election.
Since Republicans took control of the Capitol in 2011, Walker told the convention, "We reduced the burden on you—the hard-working taxpayers of this state—by nearly $2 billion.
"While other states have raised taxes, we've lowered taxes by about $2 billion. … We said we would lower the tax burden every year we're in office."
But a fine-print reading of the 54 tax-code changes in the fiscal bureau's report finds that:
-- Income and property tax cuts, and other tax-code changes that helped families, totaled $1.32 billion—about two-thirds of the $1.93 billion.
-- Businesses, investors and special-interest groups got dozens of tax breaks worth more than $600 million. That includes property tax cuts that helped businesses.
The tax breaks for businesses and special-interest groups didn't attract much attention because they were overshadowed by three income and property tax cuts Walker and Republican legislators pushed through in a year.
The LFB summary lists some of the biggest pro-business breaks, and their benefit over four years, as:
Deduction for new hires, $134 million; new manufacturing and agriculture tax credits, $126 million; deduction for some pre-2009 business losses, $126 million; deferring capital gains taxes on Wisconsin investments, $76 million; limiting economic development surcharges on businesses, $16 million; new research credits for noncorporate taxpayers, $9.4 million; and removing a cap on credits by "angel" investors, $5 million.
It's interesting to consider three specific industries that just got new tax breaks.
First, Senate President Mike Ellis pushed a bill exempting the maintenance of private airplanes from sales taxes, saving that industry $3.1 million each year.
An Ellis aide said the change would help Gulfstream, which employs hundreds at its facility at Outagamie County's airport. Every neighboring state except Iowa already offers that tax break, the aide added.
Second, commercial TV and radio stations will no longer have to pay sales taxes on their equipment and electricity purchases. That will save them $2.2 million each year.
A Wisconsin Broadcasters Association memo for legislators said the tax exemption provides "parity with newspapers," which were exempted from collecting sales taxes 40 years ago.
The WBA memo added: "Wisconsin's radio and TV stations are economic engines! … Broadcasters are the conduit to growing every sector of Wisconsin's economy by creating markets that put money into the pockets of those that are hiring."
Third, Wisconsin manufacturers of modular homes won a sales tax exemption saving them about $980,000 per year.
Without the tax break, said Ross Kinzler, executive director of the Wisconsin Housing Alliance, "It is likely modular home production would leave the state because Wisconsin is a net export state—most homes produced leave the state."
Other industries, and the four-year tax breaks they got, include printers, $2.3 million; makers of fertilizer-blending equipment, $1.8 million; direct mailers, $1 million; and makers of snow-making equipment, $300,000.
Democrats voted against most of those tax cuts, accusing Republicans of having the wrong priorities.
"Taking money from our local schools and denying our children the opportunity of a quality education is a recipe for failure," Democratic Sen. Jennifer Shilling, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, said when asked about the $1.93 billion in tax cuts.
"Wisconsin has dropped from 11th to 35th in terms of job creation, and too many middle- class families continue to struggle as a result of the misguided agenda over the past three years," Shilling said, adding:
"Failing to invest in middle-class families, small businesses and local communities will prevent Wisconsin from reaching our full potential and continue to hamper job creation efforts."
Todd Berry, president of the nonprofit Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, warned that some of the 2011-2015 tax cuts could come back to haunt officials.
The 2011-15 changes used state dollars to replace property taxes that would have otherwise paid for schools and technical colleges—a diversion future governors and legislators may not be able to sustain, if tax collections fall, Berry explained.
Steven Walters is a senior producer for the nonprofit public affairs channel WisconsinEye. Email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Egg farm says its can source enough eggs for customers after fire
WHITEWATER—A rural Whitewater egg farm is working to secure enough eggs to supply its customers after a massive fire at the farm destroyed a hen barn and killed 280,000 chickens last week.
S&R Egg Farm spokesman Dan Gorecki said the farm plans to rebuild a three-story egg-production barn destroyed Friday in a fire that killed more than one-tenth of the 2.4 million hens at the farm at 9416 N. Tamarack Road southeast of Whitewater.
Gorecki said the farm is bringing in eggs from outside sources to supply customers, and he said the egg farm was running at a "fairly normal" capacity Monday.
"From a standpoint of operations, we're running a fairly normal day. We are down one building. We've got sources to get eggs to make sure our customers won't have a shortage from the farm," Gorecki said.
Gorecki said pending an evaluation by the S&R Egg Farm's insurance company, he was unable to give a cost estimate of the damage from the fire. He said a cause was still unknown.
The barn, which housed chickens in cages on three floors, erupted in flames about 7:30 p.m. Friday, officials said. It was one of 14 hen barns at the farm, all of which are outfitted with conveyors and equipment to move eggs, feed hens and clean away manure, Gorecki said.
The barn that burned was at its full capacity, and had 280,000 chickens inside, Gorecki confirmed.
Firefighters from several fire agencies from three counties poured more than 500,000 gallons of water onto the hen barn in a massive, four-alarm firefight that spanned Friday night into late morning Saturday.
Fire crews returned to the smoldering building shell Sunday, fire officials said.
Fire investigators still were working to learn a cause, but as of Saturday afternoon, fire officials seemed doubtful they would learn much about what sparked the fire.
The fire was so hot and did so much damage to the hen barn that Lauderdale-La Grange Assistant Fire Chief Dave Nelson on Saturday said "I don't know if they'll ever know (a cause) due to the destruction."
The fire did not affect the farm's egg-handling and packaging divisions or company offices, which are on a different part of the 800-acre farm, Gorecki said.
Gorecki said workers run daily inspections of chicken cages and monitor conditions in each of the farm's hen barns. He said the company plans to build a new barn to replace the one that burned "soon," but he wasn't sure exactly when construction could occur.


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Looming Litigation
In-house counsel dealt with more litigation and regulation headaches in 2012, and most corporate attorneys expect that trend to continue in the coming year, according to Fulbright & Jaworski's 9th Annual Litigation Trends Survey. After declining in 2011, litigation rose for both U.S. and U.K. companies last year, with labor and employment lawsuits and contract litigation leading the way domestically.
The number of regulatory investigations also climbed to a five-year high in 2012, the survey reported, and only 3 percent of respondents expect a decrease in whistleblower allegations over the next 12 months.
60% Respondents that acted as plaintiffs in the last year
92% Respondents that expect the number of legal disputes facing their companies to stay the same or increase in the coming year
60% U.S. companies that retained outside counsel for assistance in a regulatory investigation in 2012, up from 55 percent in 2011
72% U.K. companies that retained outside counsel to help with regulatory investigations last year, up from a mere 27 percent in 2011
Rising Revenues
Early indicators show that 2012 was a profitable year for top U.S. law firms, according to numbers collected by The American Lawyer. Last month, 45 of 200 firms had responded to the publication's survey, and the results showed average growth in profits per partner (PPP) and revenue last year.
Houston-based Bracewell & Giuliani enjoyed the biggest increase in PPP in 2012, thanks in part to its acquisition of 14 partners from Vinson & Elkins. Kansas City-based Shook Hardy & Barcon was less fortunate, however, owing largely to the loss of its client, tobacco company Lorillard.
6% Average revenue increase for U.S. law firms in 2012, up from 4.4 percent in 2011
7.4% Average increase in profits per partner in 2012, up from 5.1 percent the previous year
42.2% Percent increase in profits per partner at Bracewell & Giuliani, the law firm with the most growth
-16% Decrease in profits per partner at Shook Hardy & Bacon, which saw the largest decline in growth
Part-Time Positions
Women lawyers lag behind their male counterparts when it comes to reaching the upper echelons of law firms and legal departments. But they're surpassing men when it comes to working part-time, according to a new study from the National Association of Legal Career Professionals.
According to the study, the number of women working part-time in the legal field far outstrips the percentage working part-time in other industries. Of architects and engineers who work part-time, for instance, only 29 percent are female.
6.2% Lawyers who work part-time
70% Part-time lawyers who are women
13.5% Female law firm lawyers who work part-time
2.7% Male law firm attorneys who work part-time
Supporting Suits
A fear of meritless private antitrust suits has driven some courts to raise the procedural barriers for bringing such cases before a jury. But antitrust suits aren't wholly without defenders, if an academic paper from two law school professors is any indication.
The paper's authors examined 60 large private antitrust class actions, and found that the vast majority had at least one indicator that the plaintiffs' case had merit. More than half the cases, for example, resulted in settlements of more than $100 million, indicating that those plaintiffs were likely to succeed in litigation.
88% Percentage of cases that had at least one indicator of merit
28% Cases involving defendants or employees who were subject to criminal penalties
25% Cases in which plaintiffs survived or prevailed on motions for summary judgment or similar motions
Editing Expectations
U.K. law firms saw modest growth last year, but a slow quarter ending Jan. 31 has caused the country's top 100 firms to lower their 2013 earnings expectations, according to Deloitte's Quarterly Legal Sector Survey. Jeremy Black, a partner at Deloitte's professional services practice, partially attributed the revised expectations to domestic competition and a challenging economic climate.
3.5% Income growth among U.K. law firms for the quarter ending Jan. 31
3.3% Revised growth projections for the 2013 fiscal year for the surveyed firms
5.7% Initial 2013 growth projections for the 100 firms surveyed


text:
Intel expects growth in 2013
10 comments
SAN FRANCISCOExecutives from Intel Corp. said Thursday (Jan. 17) they expect the company to grow sales modestly in 2013 as the company benefits from blurring lines between notebook PCs and tablets and customers design products around new Intel chips.
Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.) reported fourth quarter sales in line with analysts' expectations, but the company's profit for the quarter fell short of estimates. Intel also forecast that sales would decline 7 to 9 percent in the first quarter, a decrease that company executives described as in line with seasonal norms.
Paul Otellini, Intel's president and CEO, told a group of analysts on a conference call following Intel's financial report that he was excited by new tablet form factors and tablet-notebook convertibles at last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
"At CES last week, I was struck by our industry's renewed inventiveness," Otellini said. "PC manufacturers are embracing innovation as we are in the midst of a radical transformation of the computing experience with the blurring of form factors and the adoption of new user interfaces. It's no longer necessary to choose between a PC and a tablet."
Otellini acknowledged that Intel's core PC processor business was hurt in 2012, when PC sales declined in large measure because consumers chose tablets instead. But Intel hopes to catch a bigger piece of the tablet wave in 2013, and the company is actively pushing its Ultrabook concept for low power, ultrathin notebook PCs.
Over the past 12 months, Otellini said, Intel was worked with partners to increase the number of Ultrabooks on the market from roughly 20 to more than 140. Currently, 10 tablets built around the Clover Trail version of Intel's Atom processor are shipping, with several more expected in coming months, he said.
Otellini said he was excited about the portfolio of products that Intel plans to market in 2013. The company plans to launch its first Haswell processor in the first half of the year, which promises major improvements over Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture for form battery life and usability.
Intel also plans to bring to market 22-nm versions of its Xeon and Atom products from the data center and deliver the first 22-nm tablet and smartphone SoCs to customers. Intel also plans to start building the industry's first 14-nm chips toward the end of this year, Otellini said.
Otellini said Intel was well positioned to take advantage of trends in computing in a period of "transition and hyper-innovation."


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Who We Are
What defines Gymboree Group?
The answer is simple:
The heart of our business is the celebration of childhood. Gymboree Group's family of specialty retail brands offer unique, high-quality products delivered with a personal approach to customer service.
Our headquarters are located in San Francisco, California. We also have opportunities in the following locations:
- 586 Gymboree retail stores in the United States and Canada
- 173 Gymboree Outlets launched in the United States
- 150 Janie and Jack shops in the United States
- 380 Crazy 8 stores in the United States
- Distribution Center in Dixon, California
We work as a team-combining the energy, talent and enthusiasm of our employees. By sharing common values and goals, our employees make it possible for Gymboree Corp. to grow larger, faster and more successful. New concepts are welcomed and respected. Creativity is nourished and supported. Not surprisingly, Gymboree Corp. employees are highly motivated to create the best products available for their customers, teams and themselves. Our employees are justifiably proud of their successes.
Gymboree Group is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds.


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5 best proofs of evolution
Discussion of everything related to the Theory of Evolution.
Moderator: BioTeam
I see your reading (or honesty) is poor. I made no observation of your drivel re. existence of God. Speaking of honesty - it would serve that purpose if you would use only one name in this discussion. That the drivl was in quotes is irrelevant as you offered no source - but oddly now defend that it (and here you in 1st person) made no claim that God did not exist.
I don't care that you "support" evolution - the support of some poorly-educated pompous techncian is of no consequence. And do spare us the childish ad hominem - I repeated the science of the matter and offered no opinion and didn't even identify ID. Again, try to address honesty with more rigor in your future posts.
Last edited by JackBean on Thu May 31, 2012 8:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: deleted insults
likewise I am still waiting on you enlightening regarding evolution or your comments can be resume by word silly or you got nothing to offer!!!
anyway since this is a post to put possible proves of evolution
another example that could implied that evolution or at lest that there is dynamic change in today fauna is the larvae (caterpillars) that eat banana leaves in the island of Hawaii how it has adapt to be able to eat a plant that was not there before.
another example of survival of the fittest is went European introduce carnivores and herbivore in the island of Australia and Tasmania an how they in part help in the extinction of 11 species clear example of supremacy and one of the laws observed by Darwin.
Again child, please attempt to understand science - esp. the concept of scientifc theory. There is no proof for evolution - it is a scientifc theory. Your shallow unreferenced examples (examples are not proofs in any case) are at best sophomoric. Why are you so dense? Is it congenital?
And calm down - your eagerness to remind us of your ignorance leaves misspellings galore. Entertaining as these may be, they really serves no purpose but to suggest illiteracy accompanies your ignorance.
I stated in another post that is a theory never said it is a law you keep insisting on this you sure have a hard head. did you read post topic 5 best proofs of evolution or you also dont understand plain English. there is no absolute proves of evolution or we will not be having this conversation in the first place. so how is what I list before not and indication of the existence of evolution or a similar system and respond in something else instead of saying sophomoric etc.... you still fail to offer something better!
or do you also have a PHD in entomology and marsupials
I can see 4 reasons why you jorge are responding to my post
1) you need to feel superior to other and want to annoy me that might be the case the plz do tell since this is a general biology post for all type of background even for engineers or technicians
2) you want to teach me but so far you have only achieve annoying me with your simplistic rhetoric and not bothering with teaching anything about evolution
3) you believe I don't belong here if that is the case you should open then a post for only PHD I will be sure to never visit
4) maybe you are annoy that I believe in evolution ( note that I use the word believe
not fact or law) and and you in ID and you find my post insulting if that is the case plz also tell me why am I being insulting and debate what i bring to the table in that case
Re: 5 best proofs of evolution
Various ravens,
Many people adhere to a strict application of the word "proof". I am one, but I can also accept the concept "most likely true". Much of science deals with the latter, and so many professionals with much better qualifications than Jorge describe evolution as a fact. This forum often gets a bit heated, so just ignore posts that get insulting. The source of Jorge's tirade is a mystery.
Neither "most ikely true" nor "proof" are relevant scientific terms. Science does not deal with most likely true. Where do you get that silliness? Certainly not from any scientific expertise on your part. Again - the term is scienitfic theory - do look it up and if you can understand the concept, please pass it on.
No scientists with any expertise describe evolution as a fact and you do not know my qualifications (the appropriate term is credentials) nor those of others. Read please - it is a scientific theory.
Suggest folks ignore your ignorance and inablity to read as they would raven's by either of his names.
Odd that so much ignorance is proud to show itself - wbla's is as replete as raven's.
Jorge...it's a philosophical conversation! Where did you get your education? The University of Phoenix?
Note please the title of Gould's book (even you ignorant folk shoud have heard of Stephen J. Gould)
The structure of evolutionary theory
SJ Gould - 2002 - books.google.com
The world's most revered and eloquent interpreter of evolutionary ideas offers here a work of explanatory force unprecedented in our time--a landmark publication, both for its historical sweep and for its scientific vision. With characteristic attention to detail, Stephen Jay Gould etc.
Evolutionry THEORY.
I am now convinced - raven (by either of his names) really is THAT stupid, and I know we can count on his whining childish ad hominem.
At risk of confusing the children further, I'll observe that some have argued that evolution is so well accepted and lacking competing scientific concepts that it is effectively a "fact." That is subjective and outside the concept of science as facts in biology are data.
from wikipedia (one of its better entries)
A scientific theory is a set of principles that explain and predict phenomena. Scientists create scientific theories with the scientific method, when they are originally proposed as hypotheses and tested for accuracy through observations and experiments. As with all forms of scientific knowledge, scientific theories are inductive in nature and do not make apodictic propositions; instead, they aim for predictive and explanatory force.
apodictic means expression of a necessary truth or absolute certainty.
further from the wikiedia entry, specifically mentioning evolutionary theory
Characteristics of theories
Essential criteria
The defining characteristic of a scientific theory is that it makes falsifiable or testable predictions. The relevance and specificity of those predictions determine how potentially useful the theory is. A would-be theory that makes no observable predictions is not a useful theory. Predictions not sufficiently specific to be tested are similarly not useful. In both cases, the term "theory" is hardly applicable.
In practice, a body of descriptions of knowledge is usually only called a theory once it has a minimum empirical basis, according to certain criteria:
It is consistent with pre-existing theory, to the extent the pre-existing theory was experimentally verified, though it will often show pre-existing theory to be wrong in an exact sense.
It is supported by many strands of evidence, rather than a single foundation, ensuring it is probably a good approximation, if not completely correct.
[edit] Non-essential criteria
Additionally, a theory is generally only taken seriously if:
It is tentative, correctable, and dynamic in allowing for changes as new facts are discovered.
It is among the most parsimonious explanations, sparing in proposed entities or explanations—commonly referred to as passing the Occam's razor test. (Since there is no generally accepted objective definition of parsimony, this is not a strict criterion, but some theories are much less economical than others.)
This is true of such established theories as special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, plate tectonics, evolution, etc. Theories considered scientific meet at least most, but ideally all, of these extra criteria.
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text:
Ringhand will seek Senate seat, Spoden won't
EVANSVILLE—State Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, said Wednesday she will run for the 15th Senate District seat that incumbent Tim Cullen plans to vacate at the end of this term.
Sheriff Robert Spoden said he won't run for the seat.
Ringhand said she resigned her position as secretary for the Assembly Democratic Caucus on Tuesday.
"After learning of Sen. Cullen's retirement last month, I spoke with my family, friends and neighbors about the future of our Senate seat," Ringhand said in a news release. "The decision for me is clear: now is the time to run."
Ringhand is a former member of the Evansville City Council and former mayor. She was elected to the state Assembly in 2010 and serves the 45th District.
"While I will continue serving in the state Assembly through the end of my term, it is important to me that our leadership team be comprised of members fully committed to returning our caucus to the majority," she said.
Ringhand, a lifelong resident of Rock County, lives in Evansville with her husband, Gordy. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, she helped run the family business, Ringhand Meat and Beverage. She is a member of the Janesville Literacy Connection, Stoughton Hospital Board, Evansville Energy Independence, Green County Local Emergency Planning Committee and VFW Auxiliary in Evansville.
Ringhand is the first declared candidate for Cullen's Senate seat.
State Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Milton, said Monday he has formed an exploratory committee to consider a bid for the Senate seat.
Via Facebook, Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden, also a Democrat, said Tuesday� he will not be a candidate for the Senate seat.
"I have truly enjoyed being your sheriff," he posted. "While I respect those of you who have encouraged me to run, I have spent 45 of my 50 years of life involved in some way with the sheriff's office. I love being your sheriff and intend to finish my term and seek another term."


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Milton wants its main drag back
MILTON—Milton Mayor Brett Frazier wants public input before he makes a pitch to the the state Department of Transportation to turn Janesville Street into Business 26 in the wake of the Highway 26 bypass.
Frazier said local businesses continue to spout evidence that the bypass is causing commerce there to dry up. The bypass opened last fall and swept 16,000 cars a day out of Milton's eastside downtown.
Travelers still point out that there's no direct access to Milton's interior and complain about the lack of signs pointing drivers to Milton at key bypass interchanges, making it confusing, inconvenient and difficult to get into town, Frazier said.
The city continues asking the state Department of Transportation to place more signs along key bypass exits to direct drivers into Milton, but Frazier also is considering a plea to the DOT for some kind of exit at the southeast end of the city near Arthur Drive.
Frazier said an exit and signs there could give drivers a "choice" of whether to swing around the city on the bypass or go directly into Milton's eastside business district.
It would allow drivers to "bypass" the bypass if they wanted to go straight into Milton, he said.
The south end of Janesville Street, which used to carry Highway 26 through Milton, is cut off from the bypass.
The DOT designed roundabout interchanges at Highway 59 as the main bypass exits for travelers to go into Milton.
Instead, "there's been a 130 percent increase in traffic on some side roads and side streets, like Parkview Drive and John Paul Road, because many people don't want to go in the city on the Highway 59 interchange," Frazier said.
The city had first approached the DOT in 2013 about Janesville Street being cut off.
"We talked about that last year when we found out that the Mobil station was being cut off. We talked with the DOT about that at a minimum the option of folks being able to stay on Highway 26 or veer off into Milton before the bypass," Frazier said. "The state had issues that the bypass project had reached too great a state of completion for changes like that."
Frazier scheduled a listening session next week to get input from downtown business owners and residents on how the lack of a clear link between the bypass and Janesville Street is affecting businesses and driver access in the eastside downtown.�
"I'll be asking the chamber to coordinate a list of business owners who are in favor of some sort of action to restore more access to our businesses, the Goodrich Square (eastside downtown) businesses specifically," Frazier said.
Frazier said he'd then request a meeting with DOT officials on changes along the corridor, whether it be more signs or an access road off the bypass.
Frazier has the blessing of both the city council and the Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, but he wants to be sure local stakeholders have input in any pitches he'd make to the DOT.
"I want to make sure we understand the problems, the potential solutions and any unintentional results of those solutions before wasting anyone's time," Frazier said.
City Administrator Jerry Schuetz is calling the cutoff between the bypass and Janesville Street a "design flaw" by the DOT—a glitch that's become more glaring now that downtown businesses are feeling the bite of less traffic and fewer customers.
"Now we're hearing post-bypass impact discussion from our business folks. One could make a compelling argument that business routes were continued in other bypass projects," Schuetz said. "We want to express (to the DOT) that it's a business concern. You did them (business routes linked with bypasses) in Jefferson, Whitewater and Fort Atkinson. Why not in Milton?" Schuetz said.
Despite the uptick in traffic on side streets, some of the more than 50 businesses in Milton's eastside downtown have been complaining of falloff—or at best, inconsistency—in business since the bypass opened last fall.
"One day, we'll get $160 in customer traffic, another day, we'll get $400. There's no rhyme or reason to it at all. But it's been that way since the bypass. It's not good, and it's frustrating," said Bill Drew, owner of Charming B's, a coffee and sandwich shop located in a former church just off Janesville and High Streets in Milton's eastside downtown.
The city did not fulfill a request from The Gazette for data comparing pre-bypass and post-bypass traffic counts along Janesville Street and the city's east and west downtowns.
Traffic on Janesville Street is down, according to a traffic count taken last year, Schuetz said.
Schuetz said the DOT has said it could take 18 months for drivers to acclimate to the bypass. He said that's a long time for businesses already struggling.
"The mayor and city staff does not want to have those business suffer the negative impositions of that bypass for a year and a half or longer. They might not be able to make it that long without help, whether that's directional signs, or, potentially, exits," Schuetz said.


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Threat of the Week: May 7, Ready or Not
You remember Project Blitzkrieg, don't you?
Probably you don't, actually, and that is because the late 2012 cyber-attack – said to be the brainchild of Russian criminals who intended to cripple and loot the top 30 U.S. banks – amounted to a whole lot of bluffing. If it happened at all, nobody much noticed.
There is the thought to ponder as you contemplate what may or may not happen on May 7, the day of a supposedly huge DDoS attack that will be aimed at banks and others, according to a press release posted by the hacker group Anonymous on Internet bulletin board pastebin.
The language is obscene, the argument is unstructured, but it seems to say that come May 7 a DDoS attack will be unleashed that will bring the United States to its knees.
But note that deep down in the commentary is this line: "And to the American people we suggest switching your bank accounts from a big bank to a local union."
Is that an endorsement of the credit union movement? Impossible to say.
Just as it is impossible to say if anything at all will occur on May 7. "These are not people who operate in a framework of rules. They do not have to act on their announcements," said David Britton, a DDoS expert with 41st Parameter, a Scottsdale, Ariz., security company.
Exactly what Anonymous will do is unknown. But there nonetheless are facts that are known.
A first is this: DDoS has been a plague on the nation's biggest banks, along with a few credit unions, for some months, but "the primary impact has been down time. This has not disrupted our society in any meaningful way," said Hugh Smallwood, chief technology officer at Maryland CUSO Ongoing Operations.
Yes, Patelco and University Federal Credit Union – to name two credit unions known to have suffered DDoS outages – were knocked offline for parts of a couple days. But that was that.
Many New Jersey, New York and Long Island credit unions were knocked offline for day after day by Hurricane Sandy.
Besides, noted Britton, "DDoS attacks are so widespread, every organization has been impacted. I'm not sure it has a stigma to have suffered an attack."
By now, just about every money center bank has been knocked offline by DDoS for at least a few hours and if the giants fall, the message is that nobody is safe so there is no shame in a DDoS outage.
Another fact: for credit unions that have not yet put in place plans for responding to a DDoS attack, know that it is too late to do much to mitigate any attacks that might come on May 7.
What can be done, however, is "work with your ISP and Web host to see what mitigation help they can provide," said Ken Otsuka, a risk specialist with CUNA Mutual in Wisconsin.
He also stressed taking steps to ensure that member data stay safe throughout a DDoS attack (there have been reports that sometimes, although uncommonly, DDoS is used as a diversion as fraud is committed).
Note, too, that credit unions with no, or sparsely used, online banking need do nothing. Present day DDoS is aimed at paralyzing the online portal, period. And it usually does nothing at all to the mobile banking channel which, in most cases, will be fully functional throughout a DDoS attack – a point that may interest members who want to perform digital transactions as an attack transpires.
Then there is the biggest question which is what to do after May 7, assuming there are in fact widespread outages in the U.S.? Pressure may grow for many credit unions to have in place at least bare-bones defenses. "I think most bigger than $500 million in assets will decide they need protection," said Smallwood.
He stressed that he was not suggesting that even those credit unions need the capability to deflect the high-volume attacks that have lately been thrown at money center banks by al Qassam, a hacker group usually said to be allied with the government of Iran. Those attacks are massive, and even top 10 banks struggle to assemble the resources to ward them off.
But those $500 million and bigger credit unions had better get ready to ward off lower grade DDoS because a 2013 reality is that garden-variety DDoS is becoming a fact of life.
The more press coverage there is, the more every cyber miscreant will decide to throw a little DDoS at whatever institution annoys him or her in the moment and that means protections probably will indeed be needed.
The good news: many vendors – including Smallwood's Ongoing Operations – are scrambling to put together affordable DDoS packages.
At what cost? Smallwood – who said Ongoing Operations' solution is now in pilot – will probably cost in the $1,000 to $4,000 per month range.
What about smaller credit unions, for which those amounts may seem staggeringly large? "Some credit unions will decide to do nothing about DDoS," said Smallwood. "They will decide it is OK to go offline for a few hours and wait it out."
Exactly that happens, frequently, in summer thunderstorms in much of the country – and nobody gets too agitated when the power goes out for an hour here and there.
The same may become our response to DDoS.
Either way, we will know more – about DDoS threats and how we respond – come Tuesday, May 7
Also Rea
- Was May 7 Only a Test?
- May 8: Attacks But No Time to Let Guard Down
- Mixed Views in LinkedIn Poll on May 7 Warning
- No Takedowns Reported Tuesday
- Anonymous May 7 Target List Includes CUs
- Krebs: DHS Memo Says 'More Bark Than Bite'
- CO-OP Issues DDoS White Paper
- CUNA Explains Thinking Behind Warning
- Reactions Vary to May 7 Warning
- DDoS Attacks Often Fraud Diversions
- Mark Your Calendar (or Not) for May 7 Attacks
- CUNA Issues May 7 DDoS Warning


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State Sen. Tim Cullen won't seek re-election
MADISON—At least three possible contenders said "maybe" when asked Thursday whether they might run to take over Wisconsin's 15th Senate District seat, and they might be just the tip of the iceberg.
Sen. Tim Cullen announced Thursday he won't run for re-election in 2014.
Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson; Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville; and businessman Rick Richard, a Republican who ran for the seat in 2010, all indicated they would consider running to replace Cullen.
"First, I wish Sen. Cullen well and thank him for his service to the state. I don't have any concrete plans at the moment, but it's certainly a conversation I would like to have with my family, friends and supporters," Richard said.
�Richard, like Cullen, lives in the town of Janesville. Richard in April was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Rock County Board.
"I'm strongly considering it, but no decision has been made at this time," Jorgensen said. "And today is Sen. Cullen's day."
Ringhand said the announcement surprised her, so she had not given it serious thought, "but if it's an open seat, I certainly may consider it."
Jorgensen said he has valued Cullen's counsel, something echoed by the third Assembly representative in Cullen's district, Rep. Deb Kolste, D-Janesville.
"He has been the best mentor," Kolste said.
She gave a firm, "No," when asked about running for Senate.
"He taught me in the beginning, 'Don't be about small politics. Be about good ideas, and don't be punitive in your legislation,'" Kolste said.
Cullen practiced what he preached when he was chairman of a special Senate committee on mining, taking the stand that mining would happen and focusing on how to do it in the most environmentally sound way, Kolste said.
Tim Lindau, chairman of the Rock County Republican Party, said he hadn't talked to anyone about running for Senate, but he noted Joe Knilans, who formerly held Kolste's Assembly seat, and Evan Wynn, a former assemblyman from Whitewater, would have to be considered.
Rock County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Southers noted as potential candidates the three Democratic Assembly members who represent parts of the 15th District—Jorgensen, Kolste and Ringhand. He also mentioned the three who lost to Kolste in the Democratic primary last year—Janesville City Council member Sam Liebert, former councilman Yuri Rashkin and Janesville School Board member Kevin Murray.
Both party chairmen noted there might be others in business or other sectors who also might decide to run.
Cullen dropped no names. He told The Gazette he made his announcement early so others who might be interested would have time to think about it.
Candidates can start circulating nomination papers in April.
"I am confident the people of the 15th Senate District will elect a wonderful person to replace me," Cullen said in a statement.
Cullen's middle-of-the-road politics rankled his party's leaders at times, but that did not stop him from reaching across the aisle.
He also served as a state senator in the 1970s and '80s and often talked of returning to the days when it was normal for legislators of both parties to be friends, which Cullen believed could lead to good lawmaking.
Cullen failed in that quest, and he indicated Thursday that the political climate at the Capitol played a role in his decision.
"I am not proud of or pleased by the fundamental conclusion I have reached: that I can make a bigger difference in my community as a private citizen than I can in the ugly political environment we see now in Wisconsin government," Cullen said in a statement.
Cullen said he plans to get involved in local issues he cares about. He plans to fundraise and work more closely with two local nonprofits he founded, the Cullen Government Internship Program and the Janesville Multicultural Teacher Opportunities Scholarship Fund. He said he would work for Healthnet, the free clinic in Janesville.
Cullen said he also wants to start a foundation that would address the problem of poor youths who don't get the encouragement and discipline they need to succeed in school.
Cullen said it will be easier to raise money for his causes when he's not bound by the restrictions of being a senator.�
Cullen, 69, said he is in good health for a man of his age. He noted he has 16 more months as a state senator, and he plans to serve out his term.
Cullen said that in his remaining time as senator one of his top issues will be legislative redistricting. Both parties have used the process to redraw districts to their benefit. Cullen said he plans an announcement next week on the topic.
Kolste said she is not surprised Cullen plans to continue his public service after he becomes a private citizen. As for the Legislature, she said, "When Senator Cullen leaves, there will be one less voice of reason.''
Among those issuing accolades for Cullen on Thursday was one Republican, Sen. Dale Schultz of Richland Center, who had worked with Cullen on several issues.
"There's a deep hunger in Wisconsin for true statesmen, and Tim is one of the few," Schultz said.


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Ronnie E. Thomas, Janesville, WI (1940 - 2014)
May 14, 1940 - January 6, 2014
Ronnie E. Thomas, age 73, a longtime Janesville resident, passed away Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center. He was born May 14, 1940, in the Town of Stark, Vernon County, WI, the son of the late Earl and Elva (Smith) Thomas. Ronnie attended grade school in Ontario, WI, then attended Sandhill, which was a one-room school, and ultimately graduated from Ontario High School, Class of 1958. He married the former Goldie Winchell in 1958, and they had three children together. Following his divorce from Goldie, he married the former Delores L. JaDoul on March 12, 1966. She preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 2012.
Ronnie worked for over 34 years at General Motors Corp., retiring in May, 1992. He then became a "full-time" volunteer! With his wife, they chose to be involved with SHARE, the Special Olympics, were bell ringers for the Salvation Army, delivered Meals On Wheels, and also worked with the Rock County Council On Aging. They also were very actively involved with LaborFest, the National Mutual Benefit group, and also enjoyed being Mrs. & Santa Claus, and also serving as Easter Bunnies! Ronnie and Delores won many awards for their various activities, and were given the honor of being placed on the Rock County Wall of Honor for their years of dedication. He was a longtime active member of the U.A.W. Local 95, was a Guide and also Vice Chair of the Local 95 Retirees, and ultimately the Chairperson starting in July, 2012.
Ronnie is survived by his three children: Patti Jo (Jeff) Vincer of Pecatonica, IL, Ronnie Dale Thomas of Whitewater, WI, and Scott Evan (Janet Williams) Thomas of Janesville; his two granddaughters and his great-grandson: Cassie (Andy) Bauling and Brianne (Jarret) Bauling and her son, River, all of Pecatonica, IL; his three sisters: Beth (Jerald) Cary, Kay (Roger) Sullivan, and Elaine (Meryle) Mueske; his brother, Terry (Kim) Thomas; his very special friend, Annie Prochazka of Janesville; and by nieces, nephews, and many friends. Besides his beloved wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dale Thomas; and his twin sister, Connie Thomas.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at the WHITCOMB-LYNCH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, with Sue Priebe officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, from 4 until 7 p.m., or on Saturday from 12 until 1 p.m. at the FUNERAL HOME.
Whitcomb-Lynch Funeral Home & Cremation Services
21 S. Austin Rd., (608)752-2444


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A record share of U.S. corporate-bond trading has moved to computers as buyers who traditionally transacted over the phone seek faster ways to buy and sell in a market where Wall Street's human traders are retreating.
Investment-grade volumes on MarketAxess Holdings Inc.'s electronic system are on pace to exceed $400 billion in 2013 after surging 45 percent to $44 billion in September from a year earlier, according to data from the company, which estimates it captures about 90 percent of electronic trades among the dollar- denominated notes. That's equal to 14.3 percent of all market activity, including business done over the phone, up from 12.2 percent a year earlier.
Investors are seeking alternatives to establishing bond prices by calling multiple Wall Street firms, which experienced an estimated 20 percent decline in debt-trading revenue in the third quarter as they curb holdings used to facilitate trades. U.S. corporate-bond buyers expect to conduct 30 percent of their volume electronically by 2015, according to McKinsey & Co. and Greenwich Associates.
"The industry is very open to alternative solutions because of the inventory challenge with the dealers," said Niamh Alexander, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods who expects MarketAxess to capture 20 percent of investment-grade bond trading in the U.S. by the end of 2015. Investors are "open to it and the dealers are open to it as well."
The shift has prompted firms from BlackRock Inc. to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to explore creating their own platforms. BlackRock, which managed $3.86 trillion in assets as of June 30, considered helping to create its own network before saying in April it would instead route trades through MarketAxess. Goldman Sachs added trading sessions this year and increased the amount of money it makes available to buy securities on an electronic system it started in 2012, known as GSessions.
Deutsche Bank AG, the biggest bank in continental Europe, combined its investment-grade credit and interest-rates units in North America last year as it emphasizes its electronic debt-trading platform.
Moving to electronic bond-trading systems may reduce transaction costs by as much as five times because it forces dealers to compete more openly through automated auctions, according to a study last year by Terrence Hendershott, an associate professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley, and Ananth Madhavan, global head of trading research at New York-based BlackRock.
"You want to induce more competition amongst the dealers," Hendershott said in a telephone interview last week.
The 21 primary dealers that do business with the Federal Reserve have reduced net investment-grade bond holdings to $10 billion, an 11 percent decline since April 3, when the Fed started reporting the data, after cutting a broader measure of corporate debt by 76 percent since the October 2007 peak.
Investment-grade trading volumes on MarketAxess's system expanded 21 percent in the first nine months of the year to $333.6 billion, from $275 billion in the corresponding period of 2012 and $248.1 billion in the first three quarters of 2011, according to data from the New York-based company.
The growth is three times the 7 percent increase during the same period in average daily transactions tracked by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Average volumes on a given day increased to $12.7 billion from $11.9 billion, bringing total trades for the first nine months of the year to $2.4 trillion.
MarketAxess's share of all investment-grade bond transactions in the U.S. swelled to as high as 16.6 percent in June as trading volumes fell to about the lowest ever as a proportion of the market.
"It's harder and harder to call any one dealer and get liquidity," said Peter Tchir, founder of New York-based hedge- fund adviser TF Market Advisors. "Longer term, I expect more bond and derivative trading to occur on electronic platforms."
Investors use systems such as MarketAxess to request price quotes on bonds from multiple dealers at the same time, with the idea of accepting the best offer within a set period of time.
Traditionally, those prices have been negotiated directly between investors and brokers over the phone. Dealers buy a bond from a client at one price and sell the same security to another for a higher amount, profiting from the gap.
While the dollar-denominated investment-grade bond market has increased 71 percent since 2008 to about $4.3 trillion, the size of each transaction declined to about $565,000 in the three months ended June 30, compared with about $970,000 in the first three months of 2007, according to Trace, Finra's bond-price reporting system, which tracks both electronic transactions and those negotiated over the phone. The average investment-grade trade on MarketAxess' system was $600,000, according to Rick McVey, the company's chief executive officer.
"Dealers do not have the balance-sheet capacity to warehouse large block trades from investors the way they used to, so investors are breaking trades down into smaller sizes," he said in a telephone interview.
Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News, also offers electronic bond trading through its fixed-income trading platform and doesn't disclose volumes.
Citigroup Inc., the third-biggest U.S. bank, reported a 26 percent slump in fixed-income trading revenue in the three months ended Sept. 30 from a year earlier, contributing to a $3.23 billion profit for the period that missed analyst estimates, according to a statement today from the New York- based lender.
Fixed-income trading revenue excluding an accounting adjustment dropped to $2.78 billion, compared with an estimate of $3.04 billion from Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Moshe Orenbuch.
The biggest U.S. banks' fixed-income trading revenue probably fell 20 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier on lower volumes, Richard Staite, an analyst at Atlantic Equities LLP, said in a Sept. 23 report.
"It's a reasonable-size business in terms of revenues for them, but they don't have the balance sheet capacity to be the backstop for the market," said Roger Rudisuli, a partner in McKinsey's corporate and investment banking practice, speaking about dealers generally. "They cannot play this role anymore."
Elsewhere in credit markets, a measure of corporate credit risk in the U.S. fell to an almost five-month low as Senate leaders were poised to reach an agreement as early as today to bring a halt to a fiscal standoff that has threatened to tip the nation into default. Creditors of Energy Future Holdings Corp., taken private in the biggest leveraged buyout on record, will keep negotiating for a restructuring plan after one group quit confidential talks.
The Markit CDX North American Investment Grade Index, a credit-default swaps benchmark that investors use to hedge against losses or to speculate on creditworthiness, fell 0.7 basis point to 76.2 basis points as of 10:01 a.m. in New York, according to prices compiled by Bloomberg. The measure is trading at about the lowest level since May 22 in data that adjusts for the effects of the market's shift to a new version of the index last month. Bond markets were closed yesterday in the U.S. for the Columbus Day holiday.
The emerging Senate deal would stave off a potential default by extending the nation's borrowing capacity, end the 15-day-old government shutdown and change the immediate deadlines in favor of three new ones over the next four months.
In London, the Markit iTraxx Europe Index, tied to 125 companies with investment-grade ratings, fell 2.4 basis points to 89.3 basis points.
The indexes typically fall as investor confidence improves and rise as it deteriorates. Credit swaps pay the buyer face value if a borrower fails to meet its obligations, less the value of the defaulted debt. A basis point equals $1,000 annually on a contract protecting $10 million.
In the Energy Future talks, outlines of three unadopted proposals submitted by different groups were included in a filing today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Each would have restructured more than $40 billion of debt via pre-negotiated bankruptcy filings by the company and most of its units, excluding regulated power-line group Oncor Electric Delivery. All of the plans contemplated keeping the company and its units together post-Chapter 11.
Creditors are seeking to reach terms on a pre-arranged bankruptcy filing by Nov. 1, the filing shows. Lenders are divided over how much of Energy Future's $43.6 billion in debt will be extinguished, and how lenders will carve up ownership of the Texas power company. Energy Future is due to make about $270 million in interest payments Nov. 1 -- cash more senior creditors want the company to retain by filing for bankruptcy.
Texas's largest electricity provider has struggled to reduce debt since it was taken over in a $48 billion deal in 2007 led by KKR & Co., TPG Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. The leveraged buyout left Energy Future with more than $40 billion in debt in an unsuccessful bet natural gas prices would rise.
Bloomberg News