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Understanding Social Security Reform
Techniguy 05-02-2005
In earlier days of America, and up until the twentieth century, older Americans depended on their families to provide for their retirement needs. But as society changed, and families got smaller and more spread out across the country, it occurred to President Roosevelt that a system was needed to provide financial security for the retired. There was a long history building up to that, but on August 14, 1935, Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act to provide income for those retired workers age 65 and older.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) began life as the Social Security Board (SSB), and independent and un-funded agency. That didnt work out too well and in July of 1946, the SSB was renamed the Social Security Administration under the President's Reorganization Plan of 1946. The plan included a trust fund held by the government into which workers would contribute a portion of their wages each payday through withholding taxes. Records were kept and at retirement, workers would begin drawing out on a monthly basis, the money they had put into the system. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Particularly since most people didnt live too many years beyond retirement and would die before their savings were gone.
Today the situation is different. People live longer and there are many more retired persons drawing Social Security than ever before. In 1946 there were 16 workers paying into the system for every retiree, which allowed the fund to develop a huge surplus. Today, there are only three workers paying in for each retiree and in twelve years there will be only two. Oh, that huge surplus that was in the fund? Congress spent it on other spending programs and left in its place, worthless government bonds that can only be paid back by borrowing from other government funds. In other words, IOUs This practice started decades ago and by 1980, the Social Security Trust Fund was nearly gone. Benefits are now being paid right out of the General Fund which means they are borrowing money intended for other purposes and using it to cover their responsibility to Social Security. They are now calling Social Security a pay as you go plan. Even if that money were still in the fund, it may not be enough to keep the system solvent for long.
Social Security taxes for workers today are 7.65 percent of their gross pay and withheld along with the income tax from our checks. That means out of every hundred dollars you make, $7.65 goes to Social Security. Or to put it another way, If you make $1000 gross on a check, $76.50 will go into Social Security. With the private accounts that President Bush is proposing, only 4% of that, or $3.06 of that $$76.50 will go into your private account to earn interest, and $73.44 goes into the old SS system which doesnt earn you a dime. It's not much but it adds up over a lifetime. Another part of the plan calls for a reduction in Social Security benefits by 26% in 2041. By then, the money you have saved in your private account will more than make up for the difference, your benefits will actually be increased by combining both the Social Security and the private account payments. Unfortunately, those over 50 are not eligible for the plan, we're too old. This is intended for younger workers. It will not apply to anyone over 50 today. Those over 50 are stuck with the old system. Its not likely that any of us will see the year 2041. Private accounts are like an IRA or 401k retirement plan. Pres. Bush is just trying to include a little of those advantages in Social Security.
There is much concern about people not skilled in the Stock Market to be able to manage their own investments. People worry about catastrophes like Enron and fear loosing their retirement. These worries are unfounded. For one thing, this reform plan is about choices, your choices. If you dont know the Stock Market, you dont have to. The SSA will have a staff of investment professionals who will invest your money wisely for you. You will have the choice to manage it yourself if you prefer, or you can hire your own broker, its up to you. If the SSA investors handle your investment, the money will be put into a wide range of low risk mutual funds. By spreading the money over a wide variety of stocks, this prevents something like Enron from ruining your retirement. If you have $10,000 invested and 1% of that investment is in a company that goes bankrupt, the most you will loose is $100. But remember, your money will be invested in LOW RISK stocks with a long and proven track record which makes it unlikely that any of your companies will fail. You dont like Wall Street? No problem. You can have your account invested in government securities and bonds instead. And remember, even after 2041, you will still be receiving 74% of your current SSA retirement benefits. By then, your private account will have grown and be able to pay you more than you could get under the current system. When you die, your private account is passed to your next of kin, unlike with the current system which simply keeps the rest of your money. You own the account, not the government. This is a big plus for families and for your children.
There is a catch though, and this is probably what Democrats in Congress oppose the most. When you take 4% out of the system, that leaves less money going into the system to fund the people now collecting Social Security benefits. That's what the talk about borrowing $2 billion is about... to make up for that loss. If Congress would cut their wasteful spending and pay back the bonds in the SS fund, borrowing $2 billion wouldnt be necessary but what are the chances of them doing that? You have to ask yourself this question; Who do you trust more with your retirement savings, Wall Street, or Democrats in Congress? Or for that matter, even Republicans. Both have violated your trust and already spent the money you invested in Social Security. Ill put my trust in Wall Street if I have a choice and let Congress either get their pork money elsewhere or kill the pig. Another measure under consideration and almost sure to pass is raising the SSA retirement age from 65 to 67. That gives Social Security two more years to collect funds and cuts two years off of everyones retirement years representing a big savings to the Social Security system.
The Demos say they can fix the problem just by raising everyone's taxes. That's their solution to everything. Do you want your taxes raised to fix a system that Congress screwed up? Why not hold their feet to the fire and hold them responsible for their deeds? They never suggest cutting their spending and paying back the IOUs. Even that would be only a temporary solution until the Baby Boomers all die but then again, that just might be long enough. So to keep the system alive, there has to be other measures other than just adding private accounts which only enhance retirement checks and keep Congress from spending your money. The answer would be to convert the entire system into private accounts as theyve done in Galveston Texas where they have opted out of the Social Security System in favor of private investment accounts. The money is still withheld from their checks but doesnt go to the federal government but rather to their personal account. A retiree in Galveston who would be getting $1600 a month from SSA is instead getting about $3500 a month from his private retirement account. This system is not unlike the retirement plan used by Congress and has been successful everywhere including in foreign countries where Social Security is paid entirely by investments in Stocks and Bonds.
But that would leave all of us who will be retiring soon and those already retired without any money in the pay as you go system since Congress already spent the surplus, and workers taxes would be going to their private accounts. We have to depend on the workers now paying into the system to fund the current SSA checks instead of paying our money back to us that we paid in, as was originally planned. Yes, the thieves in Congress some 20 or 30 years ago stole all of our SS money and spent it elsewhere. So for the present time, the current system must remain, but I can see it converting more and more over time into private accounts as young workers today grow old and begin collecting from their investments. In time, the whole system could be working more like Galvestons.
Finally, you should understand that at the present time, everything is still on the table and open to suggestion and discussion. No plan has been decided upon yet. What I have given you here is what is being proposed for consideration by Congress. To me, it sounds like a great plan for the future. Commercial investments are good for the country and good for your retirement. I only regret that this proposed plan wasnt available when I was young and just starting out in the job market. If it had been, I wouldnt now be worrying about how Im going to get by after retirement.
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If you want to become more popular on Instagram, you should know that making the decision to buy followers will be a smart choice. If you're not really popular on Instagram, you may find that it's difficult to get followers the "old-fashioned way". When you buy Instagram follower, you'll send a message of success which leads to more organic, non-paid followers in the future.

subset: commoncrawl


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Event Description
Pound the Pavement for Peter is a 5K Family Fun Run around the Brookhaven Neighborhood. It was started in 2009 in honor of Peter Hopkins, who, suffering from a Peroxisomal Disorder (PBD), lived his life with many disabilities, and eventually lost his life at age 3. This is event is held to raise awareness and funds to help famililes and children with disabilities and debilitating diseases.
This year the proceeds for the race will support: The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (www.thegfpd.org), The Adaptive Learning Center (www.adaptivelearningcenter.org), and the Medically Complex Care Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (www.choa.org).
Thank you for supporting this race!


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Our Bracknell site is based in the heart of Bracknell next to the Bracknell and Wokingham College. We run three meetings on a Sunday at 9.30am, 11.30am and 6pm. All three meetings have the same content most weeks so you won't miss out whichever meeting you attend, although the children's groups 0-11s run only for the morning meetings.
If you're visiting us for the first time come and park in our Kerith Centre car park and be welcomed by our team. Please continue to use that car park if you have mobility issues. For regular visitors we use the Bracknell and Wokingham College car park, turn left immediately after you exit the roundabout.
Your children are going to love their morning with us - we have fun filled, age appropriate groups to be a part of at both the 9.30am and 11.30am meetings. Register with Kerith Kids for 0-11s.
You can register children (0-11s) 10 minutes before either of the morning meetings in the building across the car park called K2.
Both morning meetings have a group called LIFE Unleashed for 11-14s, they go out part way through the adult meeting - watch the screen for your cue.
Disabled access and toilet is available and we offer signed communication for our deaf and hard of hearing community every Sunday at the 11.30am meeting.
Copyright © 2019 Kerith Community Church. Charity No. 1124519 | Privacy Policy | About us | Jobs | Contact web team


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Meghalaya's opposition National People's Party on Monday renewed its demand for resignation of Congress Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma's for alleged 'nexus' with Garo tribe militant outfit A'chik National Volunteer Council-Breakaway and institution of a Central Bureau of Investigation or the National Investigation Agency probe into the allegation.
The NPP cited media reports quoting an e-mailed statement of the ANVC-B political secretary Ajaju R Marak that alleged the CM of having a close nexus with the ANVC-B and used this nexus to settle political rivalry so that he could remain in power.
Sangma has already denied having any links with militants and termed the allegation a part of conspiracy to malign his image and credentials by his political rivals. "I do not keep links with any militant group. It is known to everybody, the people, the Centre and Union Ministry of Home Affairs."
He said the allegations made by a leader of the breakaway faction of the ANVC-B is "malicious, distasteful and the subsequent developments are demonstrative of a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the image of the chief minister and to create confusion in the minds of the people".
Talking to the media in Guwahati, NPP leader and Member of Legislative Assembly James K Sangma said, "The NPP demands an independent CBI or NIA enquiry into the allegations. The CM should step down immediately to facilitate a free and fair enquiry."
The media reports were based on an email by ANVC-B 'political secretary' Ajaju R Marak purportedly sent to Sangma on December 28 last.
It was released to the local media in Meghalaya on January 10 last, wherein Marak stated that the CM has had links with the outfit and the ANVC-B has done on his bidding several criminal activities such as kidnapping and issuing threats to MLAs to support Sangma.
He also accused Sangma related for an encounter between the ANVC-B and security forces in West Garo Hills a day after the email was released to the media, in which four militants were killed and one escaped with injuries.
Though no official identification of the slain militants have been made, one of them is reported to be Ajaju Marak, the 'political secretary' of ANVC-B and it has been claimed so by chairman Rimpu N Marak.
James alleged that it was a 'fake encounter' on the basis of the timing of the encounter. He demanded an independent judicial enquiry by a sitting or retired high court into the


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!! History Commons Alert, Exciting News
Aguas Argentinas, a recently formed consortium of private companies, wins a 30-year concession to operate Buenos Aire's water utility. It is awarded the concession because it promised a greater reduction in water rates than the other bidders. But it was close. Aguas Argentinas's bid was 26.9 percent, just a fraction higher than the bid of another company, Aguas de Buenos Aires, which offered a rate decrease of 26.1 percent. According to the concession agreement, the company cannot raise rates for at least 10 years (rates have risen 62 percent since privatization was put on the agenda two years ago (see 1991-1993)). Additionally, it must invest $1.4 billion in the system, and connect more than 4,200,000 people to water and 4,800,000 to sewage systems. The foreign stakeholders in Aguas Argentinas include French companies Compagnie Générale des Eaux (later known as Vivendi; 8 percent), Lyonnaise des Eaux (later known as the Suez Group; 25.3 percent), Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona (12.6 percent), and Anglian Water (4.5 percent). The remaining stakes are held by Argentine companies Bank of Galicia (8.1 percent), Grupo Meller (10.8 percent), and Sociedad Comercial del Plata (20.7 percent). Grupo Meller is run by Sergio Meller, a supporter of Argentine President Carlos Menem, and Sociedad Comercial del Plata is owned by businessman Santiago Soldati, another close ally of Menem. [Santoro, 2/6/2003]
Entity Tags: Grupo Meller, Anglian Water, Aguas de Barcelona, Bank of Galicia, Ente Tripartito de Obras y Servicios Sanitarios, Sociedad Comercial del Plata, Suez Group, Obres Sanitarias de la Nacion, Compagnie Générale des Eaux, Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona
Timeline Tags: Water
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Playing the violin can be tricky enough, but an adult playing a preschool-sized violin, plus five other small violins, for a song? That's a feat for any violinist, except Rob Landes.
Listen to Landes's incredible cover of "Believer" by Imagine Dragons using his six violins from his childhood.
► You'll also like: Watch: LDS Violinist Uses Fidget Spinner to Play Epic Michael Jackson, Beethoven Song


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Yesterday members of the General Chiropractic Council received this letter from Peter Dixon. "This is a formal notification that an extraordinary meeting of Council is to be held at 17.00 on Monday 3 March 2008 at the GCC offices. The sole item of business will be the resolution from me for the removal from...
- Featured Posts
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- Freedom of Speech
- The Pharmaceuticle Industry
- Scepticism or Prejudice
- The Skeptic Pit


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Uncommon Article Gives You the Facts on Startup Company That Only a Few People Know Exist
The Chronicles of Startup Company
The business's been around for more than a decade so there's unquestionably a fantastic infrastructure in place. In general, it has a good compensation plan set up, and also for the ideal individual, Dubli can provide a very wonderful income and way of life. A program development business in the very initial phases of writing code will not have to pay much attention to Operations.
Top Startup Company Choices
Since the business is now public, everyone is able to buy stocks up, and there isn't any limitation concerning how many stocks one can buy. A huge company might be able to absorb this type of mistake. Consequently, if you're a startup then choose the first first step of deciding on a excellent website development business and half your problems are solved!
Practically every company recorded was summoned from a university and there are many more in the custom of producing spider silk that may form a company and try to commercialize later on. For many folks, the very best company is one which provides services at cost effective price. Let us try finding an internet advertising and marketing company that may be stated the finest digital marketing agency.
The Ugly Secret of Startup Company
If you're a startup business, a company that's growing very quickly, or an established company that's affected by a sudden event that is bad, the banking system may not function for you. Startup businesses are getting more ideal with all the more dangers that folks are accepting. In the event you would like to run your startup business successfully and should you need to broaden your small business, it's advised that you should make a bid to obtain it from the simplest way possible. Hope you realize that to get a startup provider or institution, your most essential asset for promoting your goods and or services to get small if any cost label is your site, just you've got to get a domain, a hosting company and a site that can help showcase your company on the internet.
The Startup Company Trap
You certainly need to be attentive when appearing at an present business and the reasons they are being marketed. Big businesses are finding that conventions are a good deal easier to manage using VoIP. A company with a requirement for software development can locate many companies which are willing and equipped to supply that support.
The Key to Successful Startup Company
In some instances, the company can be controlled by means of a board of managers that don't necessarily have sufficient time for hands-on small company administration. Regardless of the fact that all firms start the procedure with the specific same intentions of choosing a fantastic video production companies for taking care of their audiovisual manufacturing job, a number of those companies do not find the correct partner. Large management consulting firms supply a more diverse collection of solutions in comparison with boutique consulting firms and therefore are frequently worldwide in scope.
Startup Company – the Story
If you want to minimize the startup relevant items and prefer to concentrate on running a company, franchise could be the perfect solution for you. Startup businesses search for recognition. They have to have an exit strategy to inspire investors to cash in their investments.
Since companies are more inclined towards their core options, the vast majority of the time they're unable to deal with all kinds of development solutions within the restricted time and price range. Apart from that, the company has more access to bandwidth for investors and much more opportunities to acquire different businesses. If four companies start in 1 year, then one particular company is likely to fail in that very year. Several businesses have different approaches which work for them.
If you get a credible narrative, a company that's well progressing on its access to both fund and the correct talent, you are most likely just also off by yourself. Should you own an organization that needs to quickly augment the internal development team with highly technical talent or finish any very important development task without a lot of delay, then the very first point to determine is if your in-house programmers or designers may take up the job with no additional aid and devote entire time to it. Most businesses require a human resources division.
Charting a company program might be stressful, but with the most suitable steps, it's a cake-walk. Therefore, a suitable business program is unavoidable from the achievement of a business enterprise. It's important to get an excellent small business program and to work backward from your outcome all the way back to the start of your strategy, which means you know when you're heading in the appropriate direction and when you have to modify course.
The Essentials of Startup Company You Can Learn From Starting Right Away
If you intend to launch your startup in sometime, you'd be asking yourself about crowdfunding. Depending on the kind and size of the company and the manner that you need to enlarge it, then your startup can be enrolled one of the many legal formats of this construction of a company that's available to you. If you think it, a startup is somewhat like a soccer team at the beginning of the entire year. In the long run, startup or little business financing can be divided up into two large groups.


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Guidelines: Encumbrances and Alienation
Guidance about the canonical requirements concerning the alienation or encumbrance of real property owned by the congregation (church buildings, rectories, other buildings, and land). These requirements apply to actions of vestries, mission councils, trustees, clergy, or other bodies within the Church.
Canon I.7.3 of the Episcopal Church requires that the consent of the Standing Committee and Bishop be obtained before a congregation may take action that encumbers or alienates any real property owned or held by the congregation.
There are some obvious ways in which the real property of a congregation could be "encumbered." An example is if a congregation purchases real estate and takes out a mortgage. This is an obvious and immediate encumbrance of the real property. An obvious form of "alienation" is the sale of real estate.
There are other ways in which church property can become encumbered or alienated. For example, if:
• A congregation leases space to a third party.
• A congregation signs an agreement to allow a third party to purchase its real estate in the future.
• A congregation grants a third party a right of first refusal.
• An easement is provided to a third party in relation to real estate.
These are all encumbrances or forms of alienation.
There are other, less obvious ways in which a congregation could encumber or alienate church real estate. One example is if a congregation commits to significant financial obligations that cannot be covered by the congregation's annual budget or financial reserves. In such a case, the failure to meet the committed financial obligations could result in a court judgment against the congregation if it fails to pay, and that would create a lien on church assets, including its real estate.
All of these cases, and others that could reasonably result in an encumbrance or alienation of church real estate, must receive prior consent from the Standing Committee and the Bishop before a congregation can commit to such actions.
For more information and additional examples, please refer to Episcopal Church Canon I.7.3 and Canon II.6.3.
In case a congregation is uncertain about whether prior consent is required, it should seek the advice of either the President of the Standing Committee or the Canon to the Ordinary, prior to taking any action.
• Before signing any legal document, contract or lease, the wardens and senior clergy should review the document to determine whether the outcome might reasonably result in an encumbrance or alienation of church real estate.
• Before contracting for or making significant property changes to Church real estate, including changes to the land, structures on the land, or disposing of architectural elements, the wardens and senior clergy should ask the Standing Committee to review the proposed changes. Please contact the President of the Standing Committee or the Canon to the Ordinary if you have any questions (email, phone, US Postal Service) to see if they advise that the Standing Committee review property changes.
• Provide a brief summary of the plans and/or a copy of any unsigned legal documents.
• Include contact information for the person from your parish taking the lead on the project.
• Also share any timetable or deadlines.
The Standing Committee meets once per month (except for a longer break in the summer). Please take this timing into consideration as you develop your plans.
After the Standing Committee and Bishop have given their consent to Vestry decisions or plans that will or could potentially encumber or alienate church property, congregations can confidently proceed with their plans.
The Standing Committee is eager to advise and support congregations in their mission and ministry, and looks forward to helping Vestries and Clergy in making sound decisions about their stewardship of the Church's assets and real estate.
Download a printable copy of these guidelines here: Encumbrances and Alienation
To encumber church property
The following information is required in order to prepare a formal request to the Standing Committee:
- The requested amount of the encumbrance. (The total loan amount from either commercial lender and/or 412 Sycamore, Inc.)
- The reason for the encumbrance. The more detailed an explanation is preferred. Pictures are extremely helpful.
- A Vestry or Mission Council resolution authorizing the total amount of the encumbrance on the church property.
- A plan on how the church will meet the monthly mortgage payments. A cashflow analysis is required.
- Financial data: a) The church's budgeted financial statements from the past year. This should also include the church's Statement of Financial Position (a balance sheet). b) A current year budget financial statements. Any comments regarding surpluses and deficits, along with any significant changes between years should be noted.
- Any other pertinent data such as: a) Construction or work bids are required. b) Damage reports. c) Capital Campaign pledge projected collections.
For any sale of church property
The following information is required in order to prepare a formal request to the Standing Committee:
- Description of property to be sold.
- Amount of money involved in the transaction.
- A Vestry or Mission Council resolution authorizing the sale.
- Property appraisal.
- How the church plans to use the proceeds from the sale.
Estimated timeline for process
At least four (4) months before anticipated review of Standing Committee, ask for instructions from the diocesan finance officer for encumbrance.
Three (3) months before meeting ask finance officer for any help in preparation of required documentation. Ask for meeting dates and let finance officer know which date chosen.
At least two (2) weeks before the meeting turn in required documents to finance officer. During this time update any information that might have changed.
Finance officer reviews financial aspects of the encumbrance request. Church answers any questions and/or provides new information or documents if requested. Finance officer needs at least 10 working days to review and prepare report to Standing Committee. Standing Committee requires the finance officer to provide an opinion on the request.


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By Sofia Nasir
I envy them, this I admit unabashedly. Their capacity to take on the world and all its complexities with unflagging courage, intermingled with the blessed gift of lingering innocence. I have become so afraid of the world and so dispassionate of life, and I catch the same traces of indifference in places, faces, people. I think it's so easy to forget the beauty of the good when the earth is abound with so much tragedy and tribulation. But there is still life. We just need to remember how to live it once more.
'Once More' series
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As many of you may already know, our Purry-Purry Sauce is our take on the classic South African Piri-Piri condiment. It's a fiery blend of roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, pungent garlic, ginger, chilies and more. While we think it works great as a dip and sandwich spread, and it makes some of the best wings we've ever tasted, we also feel the sauce shines best when it's paired with grilled meats, like chicken or shrimp. Something magical just seems to happen when the sauce hits that piping hot, charred meat — all the aromatics in the sauce bloom, creating a flavor that literally explodes on the palette. Are you drooling yet? (We are….)
Given that, we'd like to share our recipe for Grilled Purry-Purry Chicken, which is a dish we frequently make for guests at our house. Not only is it easy to do (just takes a little time) but we guarantee it'll stop the presses at your next cookout.
Here's what we did:
1 whole chicken, about 4 lbs. in weight, or about 4 lbs. of chicken wings
2 bottles of Fat Cat Purry-Purry Sauce
3 oz. water
salt and pepper to taste
Butcher the chicken so that you have a total of 10 pieces in all, with the whole breast being split into four equal-sized pieces. (If using wings, separate into drummettes and wingettes.)
Mix one bottle of Fat Cat Purry-Purry Sauce and 3 oz. of water in a large bowl (just fill half of one of the empty bottles of Fat Cat Purry-Purry Sauce to measure the water out).
Put the chicken in the Purry-Purry Sauce mixture and toss to coat well. Cover with plastic and place in the fridge to marinate. Marinate as little as 4 hours or overnight.
Pre-heat your grill to medium, or set your coals to produce medium heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper and then set it, skin side down, on the grill, letting the skin brown some, about 4-5 minutes. Once browned, flip the chicken over, allowing the other side to cook another 4-5 minutes. Lower heat and cover grill, cooking until done, about 15-20 minutes longer.
(Note: You may need to move the chicken some during the cooking process to avoid scorching from occasional flare-ups. Having said that, you also want to char the chicken in places, to ensure that grilled flavor comes through.)
Chicken is done when internal temperature reads 165 F for dark meat and 180 F for white meat, or when poked the juices run clear and are no longer bloody.
In the final minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with half of your remaining bottle of Fat Cat Purry-Purry Sauce, letting the sauce char some and form a light but noticeable coating on the meat.
When done, set the chicken on a platter and pour the remaining Fat Cat Purry-Purry Sauce over it, tossing to coat evenly.


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Islamic and Interfaith Themes Tours
Sufi and interfaith tours in jerusalem - one day excursions upon request
The city of Jerusalem can become a place of interfaith dialogue and peace, instead of a reason for conflict. The basis for interfaith dialogue is getting to know the others' beliefs and traditions. Jerusalem is a holy city for Islam and has served as a center for Islamic mystics throughout the ages.
1. Horizontal and vertical journeys – Sufi Islamic mysticism
Jerusalem is the site of Muhammad's ascent to heaven during his miraculous night journey. This ascension is considered by Sufi mystics to be the change from the horizontal journey, coming to Jerusalem, to the vertical journey, meeting God, and they believe it to be the cornerstone of spiritual quest.
Therefore Jerusalem became, over the centuries, a center of Islamic mystics. More than 70 "Zawiya" (Sufi centers) were active here during the Islamic periods, where the required spiritual transformation took place, from one kind of journey, horizontal, to another – that of meeting God. Some of these centers are still active today.
We will start our journey by visiting the Dome of the Rock, the site from where Muhammad made his night ascent to heaven and the third holiest place for Muslims in the world. Many traditions have grown around the site, relating to the night journey and to other Koran passages as well.
Leaving these sacred grounds, we will walk the streets of Jerusalem and see the remains of the ancient Sufi centers, following in the footsteps of famous mystics and sages who lived in Jerusalem and learning from their words of wisdom, which are still relevant today.
2. The Color Tour
In all religions, light symbolizes divinity and darkness the material world. The light divides itself into many colors that symbolize the different aspects of divinity. Though the ages, religious art forms like icon painting and mystic theories like Kabala relate to the different meaning of colors.
We will start our tour with the meaning of color in Judaism: How does it relate to the ten spheres of kabala? What was the meaning of color in Temple worship? What was the meaning of color in the synagogue? We will visit the Temple Institute in the Jewish quarter and some of the most known synagogues there.
Afterwards we will continue on to see some of the most colorful and beautiful churches in Jerusalem: the Latin Patriarch, the Greek Catholic, Petro's Galikantus and more. We will explain the Christian liturgy and iconography in relation to color and symbol.
Following this, will be visit Muslim Madrasa and look at the Dome of the Rock, the most impressive-ever built Muslim monument, with amazing colors and artwork. We will explain the meaning of colors in Islamic Sufi mysticism and its use in meditation. We will finish with a panoramic view of Jerusalem that combines all colors, religions, buildings and people.
3. From where comes my help? – Messianic traditions in the Mount of Olives
According to all 3 western religions, the promised messiah will come to Jerusalem at the end of times, from the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem. This mountain has therefore become sacred, with many Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions relating to the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven after the resurrection.
We will visit the site that Christians and Muslims believe to be the place of the ascension of Jesus – the same place that Jews believe to be the site of the ascension to heaven of the Jewish divine spirit, which left the Temple before its destruction. We will see a sacred Sufi shrine and some additional churches on the Mount, enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city, and start walking down, following in the footsteps of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. We will visit some Jewish graveyards and the tomb of the last three biblical prophets.
In the valley of Kidron we will visit the tomb of the Virgin Mary, All Nations Church and the tomb of Avshalom, son of David. We will then have a break for quiet tea and meditation, in a nearby olive grove.
Mysteries of Israel | 1-700-50-9992 | 054-4751080 | firstname.lastname@example.com | office: email@example.com


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Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
Lecture 11
The Cognitive Approach
The Behaviorist/ learning approach
The consequences of behavior and their impact
Shaping and the learning of gender roles
Observational Learning approach
The Cognitive Approach
The approach that focuses upon the thought processes underlying learning.
The approach that gives importance to cognition when understanding and explaining behavior.
This theory gives importance to the internal states of the person as well as the environmental events; however
it is the thinking and perception that is the key factor.
The term cognition refers to "knowledge" as well as "the process of knowing"
Cognitive approach emphasizes:
o Thoughts
o Feelings
o Thinking
o Values
o Expectations etc
o The core of the cognitive approach is the idea that people's thinking determines how they will
perceive the world, and how these perceptions will be acted upon.
The Cognitive Approach to Gender Roles
The theory proposes the interaction of mental schema and social experience in directing gender role behavior.
The cognitive approach focuses upon the child's "understanding". A child's understanding refers to the way
he/she perceives and tackles a phenomenon. Information about gender is organized into sets of beliefs about
the sexes i.e. gender schema Gender schema (plural schemata or schemas) is a mental framework that organizes
and guides a child understands of information relevant to gender. Example: information about which toys are
for girls and which toys are for boys forms schema that guides behavior.
Example: If a child has seen women being respected n his family, he will perceive women as a respectable
being; and if he has seen women being battered and maltreated he will perceive them as some low grade
Lawrence Kohlberg's Cognitive Development Theory: The concept of Gender Constancy:
Children understand gender just as they understand anything else. Children have experiences with people of
both genders, they think about their experiences, having made sort of mental notes of what males and females
do, and adopt behaviors performed by people of their own sex. Children do their own gender typing
themselves. They make classifications of themselves and of others as male or female, and organize their
behaviors around that classification. The gender roles that children adopt are organized around this
classification. Behaviors consistent with their own gender are adopted. This is reflected in their use of language,
clothes, toys etc. According to Kohlberg, acquisition of gender roles results from gender constancy i.e., a child's
understanding and awareness that his/ her sex is permanent, constant, and will never change. Gender
constancy is also known as sex category Constancy in modern literature. Gender appropriate behaviors are
adopted after the realization that sex is a permanent feature of personality. Gender constancy emerges
somewhere between 3-7 years of age. Gender constancy is the key to gender typing, according to Kohlberg.
Gender constancy is not a phenomenon that occurs at once, at one point in time. It takes place in three stages (
Ruble & Martin, 1998; Szkrybalo & Ruble):
Gender identity: Age 2-3 years; Becoming aware of one's own gender, and that of others.
Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
Gender stability: Realization of boys and girls that they will grow up as men or women respectively, i.e.,
gender is a fixed, permanent, quality and an integral feature of their personality.
But at this stage they understand this on the basis of superficial, external appearances, and stereotyped
Gender Consistency: The awareness that gender remains the same no matter what one wears, how one
behaves, whatever hairstyle one has.
Although Kohlberg put forth the concept of gender constancy as a significant theme, there is not much solid
research evidence supporting it. Different researches have yielded findings quite different from, and even
contrary to, Kohlberg's hypothesis that gender constancy stage is the point where children actually learn gender
roles and relevant appropriate behaviors. It has been seen that at 2 ½ years of age children begin to prefer the
company of children of their own sex. Also, girls are more interested in dolls and boys in cars (Ruble & martin,
1998). Long before attaining the stage of gender constancy, children exhibit gender- typed preferences (Bussey
& Bandura, 1992; Ruble & Martin 1998). Children can categorize activities and objects by gender, know a lot
about what males and females do, and often acquire gender appropriate behaviors (G. D. Levy & Carter, 1989;
Leucke Aleksa, Anderson, Collins, & Schmitt, 1995). Five- year old boys having reached gender constancy, or
almost there, pay more attention to male characters on TV and watch more sports and action programs in
comparison to other age mates (Leucke- Aleksa et al., 1995). Children tend to develop more complex beliefs
about gender later on; also they tend to become more flexible in their views about gender roles (Ruble &
Martin 1998; M. G. Taylor.1996).
Gender Schema Theory:
"A schema is a mentally organized network of gender- related Information that influences behavior" (Papalia
et al. 2001).
Gender schema is a mental framework that organizes and guides a child's understanding of information
relevant to gender.
For example information about which toys are for girls and which toys are for boys form schema that guides
According to gender schema theory, children first develop a simplified concept of male female distinctions
and later on apply it universally (Bem, 1989, 1993).
First of all children learn what sex they are.
Then they develop a concept of what it means to be male or female in their culture, and on the basis of the
development of this concept they begin to take on gender roles
Whatever observations they have of men and women, they organize those around the gender schema that they
have formed as a result of their observation of how their society classifies behaviors as male and female
including clothes and toys etc.
For example a child observes that it is always the mother who cooks, and the father is always the on who fixes
electrical appliances and faults. Gradually he develops the concept that household chores are meant to be done
by the mother (woman), and tougher tasks are handled by the father (man).
This leads to the assimilation of other similar ideas and perceptions, a realization that men are strong and
women weak.
If the father has to cook on a rare occasion, it doesn't match with the "all in control schema of the father" and
the child notes this discrepancy.
Gender schemata influence judgments about behavior thus promoting gender stereotypes.
Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
The gradual process of development of gender schema:
Gender identification
Children believe it is possible to change sex by
wearing clothes of opposite sex. Can identify
household gender stereotypes: (mechanical tools used
by father and the mother works in kitchen). Gender
labeling is learned.
Gender stability
Sex is stable over time, not situations. Older peers and
siblings are models for social learning of gender roles.
Boys may play with the toys socially labeled as girl's
toys but do not own them ultimately. Child applies
labels to self and others, but they may be inconsistent
Gender consistency
Sex is stable. Children value and imitate same sex
behaviors. This leads to development of gender
appropriate attributes
Slaby and Frey (1975): children with gender consistency attend more to the same-sex model
Children use cognitive processes to choose appropriate gender-related behaviors. Cognitive theory argues that
gender behavior is learnt by viewing others' behavior through social learning process
Learning of Gender Roles by Preschoolers
Preschoolers do have an idea of gender roles, but their cognitive experiences are simple, not complex. They see
things in simpler terms i.e., at concrete level. They see males and females as total opposites, as they judge
things on their appearance and face value; for example, thinking that the volume of water changes when
poured into differently shaped glasses; or the volume of plasticine changes when its shape is changed. Past
experiences have not yet assimilated into their existing schema. Preschoolers' cognitive patterns are egocentric
and static. Children develop a simplified concept of male- female distinctions and then apply it universally
(Bem, 1989, 1993).
Children form a script describing what the various gender roles should be, and then intellectually follow that
script (Levy, & Fivush, 1993; Martin, 1993).
Children fit their cognitive experiences into the script they have. If their experiences are vague, ambiguous, or
contradictory, then preschoolers look for the script. In a study children were given gender neutral, unfamiliar
toys. Initially they tried to find out and decide if they were meant for boys or girls. Then they made a decision
considering which ones they wanted to play with or not (Martin et al., 1995).
The Concept of Self- socialization
Children are the protagonists in their own gender role socialization, and act as active agents.
Self- socialization is a three- step process:
Around ages 5-6, children learn to classify themselves as males or females, and sex as a permanent quality is
Children are motivated by this self- categorization to value characteristics and behaviors associated with their
They try to bring their own behavior at participant with the behaviors considered gender appropriate in their
culture. (Geis, 1993).
So children identify and note gender behaviors, identify and note their gender identity, and make effort to
remove disparities between the two.
Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
Piaget's stages of cognitive development and development of gender roles
2-4 years
Thinking is concrete, not logical, judges on appearance. Gender
Uses cues such as dress, hair, Can change sex if appearance is made
Develop categories associated with sex/gender.
Identify them as male or female.
Use stereotypes as rules
7-12 years
Thinking is logical, but limited to
operational Stage
Cognitive understanding of
permanence of gender develops
Formal Operational
12 year-
Thinking is scientifically logical, can be applied to abstract concepts.
Adolescents become more rigid in
Is the Cognitive Approach the Only Best approach?
This approach has ignored the role of biological factors that are involved in developing cognitive schema.
Cultural differences in forming gender roles are not addressed
Table of Contents:


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I know I already wrote about the horror that was my holiday to cancun but I forgot a bit.
Right now, I'm drinking cranberry juice out of a litre carton in a black bag, on a bus. I am trying to stave off a uti and no one anywhere sells reasonable sized containers of the stuff, which reminded me.
I was getting a uti in Mexico. On top of everything else. Maybe it was just dehydration. Who knows?
We were staying in an all inclusive resort with wristbands whose colours indicated how posh your inclusive deal was.
I had a budget wristband. All drinks were included *except* cranberry juice which had been reserved for the luxury wristband wearers.
Cranberry juice is very obviously a luxury beverage.
It took me half an hour and twenty dollars to bribe the male waitstaff for a carton of the juice.
There was a certain amount of begging involved. Like so many things, I can't really believe that happened.


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Most companies keep their research and development labs private, rarely to be seen or photographed by the media. However, on our recent trip to Taipei, MSI granted us access to its sanctum sanctorum, which includes a design room filled with product prototypes and sketches and a game room where the staff goes to test out the company's latest high-end systems. Your next laptop could be designed and tested here.
Founded in 1986, Taiwan's MSI (aka Micro-Star International) manufactures components such as motherboards and graphics cards, along with full-fledged notebooks and all-in-one PCs. Though the company sells a number of mainstream and budget notebooks, it is best known for high-end gaming systems like the GS60 Ghost laptop and AG270 Gaming All-in-One. Many consumers don't know that the company also serves as an ODM (original design manufacturer), making systems for other companies and that it sells a variety of B2B products, including the video kiosks you find in the back of Taiwanese cabs.
MORE: Best Gaming Laptops 2014
At MSI's office complex in New Taipei City, the company seems as focused on gaming as it does in its marketing and product releases. From the outside, the two-building complex seems rather non-descript, without a logo or serious branding to let passersby know that they're just feet from where some of the leading gaming computers are designed. The lobby and elevator leading up to the offices were similarly free from bling. Within the office itself, most employees sit in quiet cubicles.
However, the company is as serious about gaming as it is about getting work done. Some of the people who work on its gaming laptops and desktops moonlight as professional tournament gamers and many others just love to play in their spare time. To help test equipment and encourage these employees to let off steam, MSI has built a high-tech game room.
Like MSI's gaming systems, the room has a black-and-red color scheme, and it comes complete with shiny black walls and tables with cherry red chairs. There are two long tables on either side of the room, which during the time of our visit, had various gaming laptops and mice on top. However, MSI Product Manager Clifford Chun told us that the company also play tests desktops in this space.
At the front of the room is a control station, which has been used to broadcast small gaming tournaments held in the room. At the back of the room is a shorter table with room for another two players, making a total of a dozen seats for gamers. A set of illuminated plastic spikes for holding gaming headsets sits on the back right wall.
Chun told us that World of Tanks is one of the most popular games with MSI employees. Some of the staff's professional gamers play in Game of Tanks tournaments.
When we were there, the front right corner of the room was covered with photos of cars and trucks, alongside concept sketches of the company's upcoming GT72 Dominator notebook. Chun explained that the company's designers were inspired by the look of high-performance automobiles and tried to model the Dominator's chassis after them. MSI is going so far as to give the notebook a rear grill that looks a lot like the front grills on certain Mercedes trucks.
Just outside the game room, MSI has a wall filled with photos of the various professional gaming teams it sponsors. Chun said that the company not only sponsors teams all over the world, but also brings gamers into its design process, showing them prototypes and working their feedback into the finished products.
We also got to visit MSI's design studio room, where the company keeps a number of its old laptops while sketching out designs for new ones. On tables along the walls, we saw some of the company's classic systems, including an MSI Wind netbook from 2009 and a GT660 gaming system from 2010.
MORE: The Best Gaming PCs You Can Buy
We were particularly fascinated by some of MSI's old prototype designs that never made it to market. One of the designs was an ultraportable notebook with a swiveling keyboard that turns over to reveal a giant touchpad surface underneath.
The walls of the design room were covered with both concept sketches of the new Dominator and a number of sample lid designs in different colors. The designers told us that they are considering using a red, blue or gold lid on a future gaming laptop, and we saw samples of each lid design.
Though the design studio we saw was devoted to laptops, Chun told us the company has other studios for all-in-ones and for motherboards and graphics cards. That's because design matters a lot, even for internal components.
As we left the New Taipei campus behind us, we were left with a strong impression that MSI is a company with a laser-like focus on reaching PC gamers. There's a lot of competition for the tens of billions of gaming dollars that will be spent this year, but MSI is finding its niche by participating in the community it hopes to serve.


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Justia Antitrust & Trade Regulation Opinion SummariesArticles Posted in Supreme Court of Texas
Kyle v. Strasburger
This case arose from an allegedly forged home-equity loan. Plaintiff sued the lenders, bringing several claims, including statutory fraud and violations of the Texas Finance Code and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The trial court granted summary judgment for the lenders without stating its reasons. The court of appeals affirmed. The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed and remanded in part, holding that the court of appeals (1) properly affirmed summary judgment on Plaintiff's constitutional forfeiture claim; and (2) erred in holding that Plaintiff's remaining claims were barred on statute of limitations and waiver grounds. View "Kyle v. Strasburger" on Justia Law
Sloan v. Law Office of Oscar C. Gonzalez, Inc.
Plaintiff sued Defendants, attorneys Eric Turton and Oscar Gonzalez and the Law Office of Oscar C. Gonzalez, alleging that they misappropriated $75,000 in trust funds that Turton received after settling a case on Plaintiff's behalf. The jury found that all three defendants were engaged in a joint enterprise and a joint venture with respect to Plaintiff's case and committed various torts in relation to Plaintiff. In response to a proportionate-responsibility question, the jury assigned forty percent to Turton, thirty percent to Gonzalez, and thirty percent to the Law Office. The trial court entered judgment holding all three defendants jointly and severally liable for actual damages, pre-judgment interest, additional Texas Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act damages, and attorney's fees. Gonzalez and the Law Office appealed. The court of appeals concluded that Plaintiff could only recover for professional negligence, which amounted to $77,500 in actual damages. The court's opinion did not address the jury's proportionate-responsibility findings but nonetheless applied those findings in its judgment, ordering Gonzalez and the Law Firm to each pay Sloan $23,250. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the court of appeals erred by failing to address the sufficiency of the evidence of a joint enterprise or joint venture or the legal implications of those findings. Remanded. View "Sloan v. Law Office of Oscar C. Gonzalez, Inc." on Justia Law


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Some diets are focused on specific health benefits while others are designed to make you feel...
Category - Food & Nutrition
The evolution of the Identity Woman is the ultimate goal, and a large part of the ability to achieve hinges on self-care, starting with awareness of our bodies. Contributors in this section share substantial information in an easy to digest voice. They educate us on subjects such as nutritional value, ingredients, and healthy eating behaviors. In this way, we become more thoughtful about what we put into our bodies and how that affects us physically and emotionally. We, thus, make better choices to promote our own well-being.
How to Boost Mood and Increase Energy Naturally
How moody are ya? Here are a few ways to level out and manage your moods better.


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Here is some advertisement for a nice website that I just came across a few months ago and that I particularly like.
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Washington, DC is extremely proud to bring you OrthodoxSermons.org! By God's grace, we are happy to provide the largest collection of Orthodox sermons in English on the web for absolutely FREE! Our goal is simple: to spread the word of God and the Orthodox faith to all the ends of the earth by offering a free and accessible database full of spiritually-enriching materials. Check back often as we promise to keep the site updated regularly.
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I just added those last two requirements tonight, because, guys, living in the "downtown" area is TOTALLY my thing.
For instance, this morning I jogged past the new music store, a coffee shop, two thrift stores, and a farm show. At lunch time, Levi, Charlotte, and I popped in to the farm show for some quick playing time in the corn box.
And then this afternoon, Levi and I dragged the bench from our patio set to the end of the block and parked it on a main road (sidewalk) in order to reserve the best seat in the house for the Farm Show Parade that took place this evening.
A few hours later, Herb got home from work, the Bowman family met at our house to use our driveway and enjoy our company during the parade, and then we walked to the fair for dinner. I HATE crowds, but I loved seeing pretty much the whole town getting dinner together. Then, around 6:40 I was starting to panic, wanting to make sure we got back to our bench before the show started.
"The parade is starting!" I said when I saw a rush of people walking in one direction.
"No, that's everyone leaving the fair to go watch the parade," Herb assured me.
And as we walked back to our block (about .5 a mile away), I took in the scene. Every house was lit, even on non-parade route streets. People were
Our parade-watching group included Kylee and Justin (our friends from college, who actually were our neighbors during our first year of marriage), and their children (one of whom is a little boy Levi's age). We quickly discovered that the louder you cheer for EVERY float, the more candy they throw.
Anyone want some tootsie rolls? I was really loud.
Of course, Kylee and I were all sappy talking about watching thing through our sons' eyes...everything is new and special and exciting.
So, that's my recap. Community is awesome. Friends are awesome. Fair food is awesome.
My heart is full!
PS - Do you see the older guy in the background in the picture above? You see the cane in his hand? He definitely used that cane to LITERALLY steak candy from babies. Reaching for that Laffy Taffy? Bam! Cane attack. It's a dog eat dog world, folks.


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Tax Policy: Criteria for an Effective Trigger Mechanism
In recent days, some have suggested that one potential path to compromise on proposed reductions in the rates of the business profits tax (BPT) and business enterprise tax (BET) would be to make such changes subject to a "trigger" mechanism of some kind – that is, to make the changes contingent upon the attainment of certain criteria. Lowering the rate of the BPT from 8.5 to 7.9 percent and the rate of the BET from 0.75 to 0.675 percent, as the version of the FY 2016-2017 budget approved by the legislature in June would do, would not only impair New Hampshire's ability to make investments in education, infrastructure, and other public services essential to widely shared economic prosperity but also deliver the bulk of their benefits to a relatively select set of very large corporations.
Should policymakers elect to adopt such rate reductions and to pair them with a trigger mechanism, they should strive to structure that mechanism so that it protects, to the maximum extent possible, New Hampshire's long-term fiscal outlook and so that it ensures any rate reductions achieve their purported policy goals. In particular, any trigger mechanism should:
Recognize that New Hampshire's business taxes have yet to recover fully from the national recession. Based on preliminary data from the Department of Administrative Services, combined BPT and BET revenue fell, after adjusting for inflation, by more than $120 million between FY 2008 and FY 2015. Economic factors may have contributed to this decline, but previous changes in tax policy have certainly had an impact as well. This decline, in turn, creates enormous fiscal strains and leaves New Hampshire unable to adequately support mental health services, higher education, or local communities. A sound trigger mechanism would ensure that no rate reductions occur until a complete recovery has taken hold and combined BPT and BET revenue has returned to its prior peak, after accounting for inflation.
Make rate reductions contingent upon real and sustained revenue growth. Proponents of rate reductions frequently assert that future revenue growth will compensate for the revenue loss associated with reductions in the rates of the BPT and BET. Accordingly, a sound trigger mechanism would require that business tax revenue grow at a rate sufficient to keep such revenue from declining, once rate reductions have been implemented and after adjusting for inflation. (The program costs that state revenues are intended to meet grow from one year to the next; a responsible trigger mechanism would thus account for inflation.) In addition, the trigger mechanism should require that such growth be sustained for multiple years before permitting future rate reductions to occur, so that rates do not fall in response to a temporary uptick in collections.
Ensure specific economic growth targets are met. Proponents of changes to New Hampshire's business tax system have also repeatedly argued that such changes are necessary to make New Hampshire more competitive and that they will lead to more robust economic growth. Consequently, a meaningful trigger mechanism would, in addition to establishing the fiscal criteria described here, require that the Granite State economy meets certain benchmarks (for instance, employment, wage, and personal income growth in excess of national and regional levels) before future rate reductions are instituted.
Allow New Hampshire to replenish its budgetary reserves and maintain them over time. At the close of FY 2014, New Hampshire's Stabilization Fund, also known as the rainy day fund, held a total of $9.3 million in reserves. According to documents produced by the Legislative Budget Analyst's Office, the version of the FY 2016-2017 budget approved by the legislature was expected to bring that sum to $23.8 million by the end of FY 2015, though that number may change as the state closes its books on FY15. In either case, those reserves remain considerably below the levels recommended by public finance experts and leave New Hampshire vulnerable to future economic downturns. As reductions in the rates of the BPT and BET would necessarily diminish the size of any future surpluses and therefore curtail New Hampshire's capacity to build up reserves, a sound trigger mechanism would make future rate reductions contingent upon reaching an adequate balance in the Stabilization Fund.
Not amount to closing the barn door after the cows have left. In 2011, New Hampshire enacted a reduction in its tobacco tax, dropping the tax rate on cigarettes from $1.78 to $1.68 per pack. While that reduction was accompanied by a trigger mechanism, that trigger was not pulled until after the state had lost considerable revenue. Policymakers should learn from that experience and structure any business tax trigger mechanism so that it is prospective rather than retrospective.
Prevent future rate reductions from occurring during, and therefore exacerbating the effects of, future recessions. While the above criteria, taken in combination, may provide a safeguard against such an outcome, policymakers may wish to structure the trigger mechanism so that it delays future rate reductions if total General and Education Fund revenue is expected to decline in a given year.
Failure to incorporate the preceding elements would reduce the effectiveness of any trigger mechanism and likely increase the adverse fiscal and economic consequences of business tax rate reductions.