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ELAINE S. POVICH is a veteran Washington Correspondent. Until embarking on her freelance career, she covered Congress and politics for Newsday for eight years. Prior to joining Newsday, she was a Freedom Forum fellow engaged in a study of the relationship between Congress and the media. She is the author of "Partners and Adversaries: The Contentious Connection Between Congress and the Media," written during her fellowship and published in 1996.
Before her fellowship, Povich was the Chicago Tribune's chief congressional correspondent. In 1995, she was awarded the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for distinguished reporting on Congress.
Recent Stories By Elaine S. Povich:
Show Me the Money: Sports Betting Off and RunningSeptember 10, 2018
Are you ready for some football? How about some football bets? With the opening of the NFL season, states that recently legalized sports gambling are hoping to cash in through increased tax revenue....
Sports Gambling May Not Be a Jackpot for StatesMay 22, 2018
Some states were getting ready to jump into sports gambling even before the U.S. Supreme Court legalized it last week, lining up legislation that would allow their states to cash in as quickly as...
More States Are Turning to Toll Roads in 2018January 9, 2018
Get ready, drivers. With gas tax revenue stagnant and transportation funds scarce, states are turning to toll roads in 2018 to fill treasuries and manage traffic — despite outrage from motorists and...
The Devilish Details Causing Confusion Over Soda TaxesSeptember 1, 2017
This year Seattle, Philadelphia and Cook County, Illinois, slapped extra excise taxes on soda and other sweetened beverages in what they touted as an effort to reduce obesity, save public health...
How Trump's Tax Plan Could Hurt the Affordable Housing MarketApril 26, 2017
The planned A.O. Flats housing development in this city's Jamaica Plain neighborhood was billed as an oasis for low- and middle-income families, a place where they could get affordable housing in an...
Tax-Free Bonds Get a Second Look as Trump Eyes Infrastructure PlansFebruary 24, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Structures built with municipal bonds stand out in this city. There is the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and new parking garages for a revitalized restaurant and apartment...
States Fight a Tax on Sugary Drinks that Could Raise $92 Million a YearOctober 17, 2016
Voters in three California cities and one in Colorado will decide next month whether to slap a special tax on sugary drinks like soda and sports thirst-quenchers after costly, high-stakes campaigns...
Why Some States Are Backpedalling on Sales Tax HolidaysAugust 29, 2016
Many back-to-school shoppers used to be able to count on sales tax holidays at this time of year. But more states are disappointing them by rejecting or cutting back on the small tax breaks, as they...
Enough Already on Tax Credits for Moviemakers!May 21, 2015
Louisiana residents may go gaga over Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson when they arrive in the state later this year to film a movie about the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. But...
The New Push Toward Taxing Nonprofit GroupsMarch 5, 2015
Marlene DiMarco-Hammond paused while sorting through some gently used clothing at the thrift store run by Freeport Community Services, a nonprofit organization. "This center was really, really...
The Heated Battle to Tax Electronic CigarettesJanuary 23, 2015
SUNSET, Utah - Taking a long inhale and blowing a cloud of vapor, Jason Jones, who has owned the Vapor Mania store here since 2011, considered what a tax would do to his business, which includes...
Public-Private Partnerships Boost State InfrastructureNovember 14, 2013
Still strapped for cash in the aftermath of the recession, states increasingly are partnering with private companies to build and maintain highways, prisons, water facilities, tunnels and even...
Elaine S. Povich Directory
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The first step for step to starting a business in New Mexico is writing a business plan.
A lot of people only write a business plan because the bank won't loan them money until a business plan is submitted. That's a valid reason, but there is a more important benefit. Writing a business plan gets the ideas out of the entrepreneur's head and helps to create a roadmap for where they want the business to go. Business planning is a critical element to creating a successful business.
- Read more about how to write a business plan and what goes into one.
- Here is a free Business Plan Template we created to help you get started.
- If you need more inspiration, try these free Sample Business Plans.
- Last if the business plan template and sample business plans don't provide enough guidance, check out software like Live Plan to guide you through writing the business plan and creating financial projections.
The second step to starting a business in New Mexico is selecting a business entity.
The business entity is sometimes referred to as the business structure. This is how a business is legally organized to do business. The four primary business entities include the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and LLC. A brief description of each is below.
A Sole Proprietorship is an individual entrepreneur that decides to go into business for themselves. This is the easiest and least expensive of the four entities to set up. The owner is personally responsible for all debts and actions of the company. This is called unlimited liability and is the biggest downside to the sole proprietorship. This means if the business is sued, the owner's personal assets are potentially at risk. The owner will also pay self-employment tax on all business profits and may pay more in taxes than other entities.
There is no filing to create a sole proprietorship in New Mexico.
Learn more about the sole proprietorship.
General Partnerships consist of two or more people conducting a business together. Like the sole proprietorship, the partnership has unlimited liability. If the partnership were to be sued, each of the partner's personal assets are potentially at risk. The partnership itself does not pay tax from business income. Instead, profits and losses are passed through to the owner's personal tax return. This income is subject to self-employment tax.
New Mexico requires a Statement of Partnership Authority that is signed by each general partner. The fee to file is $50.
Learn more about the partnership.
A Corporation is a legal business entity that is separate from the individual. While corporations are more expensive and complicated than sole proprietorships and partnerships to form, the major advantage is that the corporation shields the owner's personal assets should the corporation be sued.
There are multiple ways a corporation can elect to be taxed. Also, there is no self-employment tax with a corporation as income to the owner(s) will come from either a salary or dividends.
The filing fee to form a New Mexico corporation in New Mexico is $100. The Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about the corporation.
The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular business entity choice. It provides the liability protection of a corporation with the ease of operation like a sole proprietorship. The Limited Liability Company does not have the many burdens a corporation such as holding a board of directors meeting, shareholders meeting, taking minutes, etc. The LLC also has the greatest tax flexibility of the four entities. Income can be taxed as a pass-through entity like the sole proprietor or partnership or as a corporation.
The filing fee to form a New Mexico LLC is $50. The Articles of Organization must be filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about the LLC and how to form your New Mexico LLC with our step-by-step guide.
To learn more see the comparison of business entities.
Forming a corporation or LLC doesn't require an attorney but can be made easier and done right with the help of a formation service. Some popular services include:
IncAuthority - $0 plus state fees & free registered agent the first year!
IncFile - $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!
ZenBusiness - $49 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!
After deciding on a business entity, the next step in starting a business in New Mexico is to register a business name.
New Mexico does not require a business to register an assumed business name.
Corporations and LLCs have to pick a name at the time of filing for the entity and each corporation/LLC has to be uniquely named.
Learn how to check the availability of corporation and LLC names in New Mexico.
A trademark can legally stop others from using names, slogans, or logos that are associated with another brand, product or service. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) manages the registration of trademarks.
Before settling on a name, check the USPTO database to see if the name you want to use isn't registered to another business.
Registering your business name will not necessarily stop anyone else from using the name you choose. To protect your business name, consider registering for a trademark.
The Employer Identification Number or EIN (sometimes referred to as the Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN) is a nine-digit tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number identifies a business operating in the U.S, tracks tax returns and is used to open a bank account. Much like what a social security number is to a person, the EIN is a social security number for a business. While most businesses will need to get an EIN, some do not.
Partnerships, corporations and many LLCs OR sole proprietorships with employees must file for an EIN.
Sole proprietorships or a single-member LLC with no employees is NOT required to get an EIN. In these instances, the owner's social security number is used.
Filing the EIN online takes only a few minutes and the number is available immediately. For more information about how to apply and to see our video with a step-by-step guide, check out how to file for an EIN.
To start a business in New Mexico, certain licenses and permits will be needed. Depending on the activities and location of the business, licensing may be needed from federal, state and local agencies. Some common registrations include:
Business Licenses – The state of New Mexico doesn't have a general business license; however, many cities require a business license in order to operate.
Combined Reporting System Number – All businesses will need to register for a New Mexico Combined Reporting System Number from the Taxation and Revenue Department. This number is commonly used to report gross receipts tax.
Professional Licensing – Some services such as barbers, handyman services, interior designers, and recyclers require licensing in New Mexico. While this isn't a license on the business, licensing is required in order to operate.
Learn more about New Mexico business licenses and permits.
Obtaining financing for a small business can be a stressful and time-consuming process. Similar to getting a home loan, the bank is going to want lots of documentation on your personal finances in addition to a solid idea and the business plan.
As a rule of thumb, banks will want to see the owner invest 15%-25% of their money (equity) into a start-up business. That can include cash but also any buildings, tools, vehicles, inventory and equipment that will be used in the business. It is likely that the bank will want a lien on those items.
Credit score is going to play a large part in getting a loan approved. Start-up business loans are largely based on the owner's personal credit and their personal financial statement.
There are a number of options to finance a business. A few of the more popular ones include:
Conventional Bank Loan – These are available at many financial institutions like banks and credit unions. Banks are typically very conservative and place a lot of weight on the owner's personal credit, equity and collateral. After reviewing the business plan and personal financial information, they will respond with a yes, no or maybe. Yes is great but we recommend talking with at least three banks to get the best rates and terms for your business. No isn't necessarily bad, as a bank may have many loans with other businesses in your industry or they don't make loans for your type of business (restaurants are a typical example). If your loan has more risk than they want or if you don't have sufficient credit, equity or collateral they may answer with a maybe and want a loan guarantee.
Expect the loan approval process to take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months (and possibly more) depending on the amount being borrowed, the complexity of the project and owner's personal financial condition.
SBA Loan Guarantee – When a small-business loan is riskier than the bank wants to take on, there are loan guarantee programs from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This is a federal program that provides a guarantee to the bank that will pay a percentage of the loan back to the bank if the loan isn't paid by the business owner. The percentage depends on the program but typically ranges from 50%-85%. Contrary to popular belief the SBA doesn't provide business financing but they do help in getting money to small businesses by taking a majority of risk and encouraging the bank to make loans. Another thing to note is that SBA guaranteed loans will cost the owner more in closing costs, fees and interest.
Peer-to-Peer Lending – Sometimes a bank isn't the best option, due to the difficulty in getting a start-up business loan, credit purposes or the time needed to get funding. In this case, peer-to-peer lending provides an interesting way to borrow money without going to a bank. These are personal loans and rates will vary on the owner's credit. Loans will typically go up to the $35,000 – $40,000 range. Two popular options are Prosper and LendingClub.
Grants – There is a lot of information online about all of the free money for businesses and most of it isn't true. There are some small business grants. Most are for established businesses doing research and but occasionally there are private grants for business startups. Do your research before applying and don't pay for information telling you where the grants are, no matter how good their money-back guarantee is. All of the federal grant information is available for free at http://grants.gov.
Here is more information about finding money to start a business.
Loans for start-up businesses are very reliant on the owner's personal credit score. Before stepping into a bank for financing, it is a good idea to know your credit score. Typically scores above 650 are considered viable so if you aren't sure, get a copy of your credit report. If there is anything incorrect on your report, take care of those issues before going to the bank. Higher scores not only have a greater approval rate, they also get lower interest rates, saving money over the course of the loan.
You can request a free credit report once a year from AnnualCreditReport.com. This report won't have your score, but it will show all of the credit activity under your name from the three credit reporting companies; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This information can be used to fix incorrect information.
Hiring employees is a complex and often intimidating process for a new business owner as there are multiple agencies to register with and labor laws to understand.
In New Mexico, a business will register with the IRS, Department of Taxation & Revenue, Department of Workforce Solutions and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Businesses are responsible for reporting new hires, verifying employees are eligible to work in the U.S., and withholding state and federal taxes.
Employers will also pay federal and state unemployment taxes, Social Security and Medicare in addition to staying on top of state and federal labor laws.
Learn more about the steps to hiring your first employee in New Mexico.

subset: commoncrawl


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Young car designers can detail their rides with Wooky Entertainment Inc.'s Design Masters collection of sophisticated technical drawing sketchbooks that put them in the drivers' seat. Developed specifically for boys, this year's new "models" feature a range of Ford-licensed wheels for them to trace, color, and detail precisely to their own specifications.
This year, Design Masters adds The Ford Motor Company to its "showroom" with five debut vehicle models. Each one presents base model vehicles and color instructions for kids ages 7 and up to follow or creatively interpret into their concept car. Artists get to choose the wheels, spoilers, bumpers, and emblem, as well as a range of car parts to create their very own vehicle designs.
The new Design Masters offerings the existing lineup, which includes Lamborghini Gallardo, Aventador LP700-4, and Sesto Elemento sketchbooks. Wooky Entertainment has also launched a Design Masters website at www.facebook.com/mydesignmasters.


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Italy Yacht Charter
contact form
Yacht charter
regions and bases
Boats for sale
Yacht purchase enquiry
Save your money and sign up!
By checking this check box, I agree that this site uses my email address for periodic offers and updates.
By sending enquiry, I consent to having this site collect my name, phone number and email address in order to use them for contact purposes.


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Liverpool have made their second move of the January transfer window with an £8m bid for the Internazionale midfielder Philippe Coutinho, though they may have to improve their offer to tempt the Italian club to sell.
Brendan Rodgers has turned his attentions to the 20-year-old, who has one senior cap for Brazil, having grown frustrated with Liverpool's prolonged attempts to agree a fee with Blackpool for Tom Ince. Inter have rejected Liverpool's opening offer for Coutinho but negotiations are expected to continue.
The Brazilian emerged amid much fanfare at Vasco da Gama and signed for Inter for €4m aged 16, though he remained in Brazil on loan until 2010. Coutinho has made only 28 league appearances for Inter, however, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Espanyol.
He has become frustrated with a lack of opportunity at San Siro and Liverpool are hopeful of adding the talented midfielder to the £12m signing of Daniel Sturridge before the end of the transfer window.


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With narrow tires, small brakes, loose chassis, and no ABS, old cars aren't the safest things in an emergency situation. The occupants of two Australian cars found this out the hard way, as one classic skidded into the path of another.
On a classic car tour in southern Australia, a 1970s Ford Falcon XY GT locked up while panic-braking for a slow car ahead. That send the Ford across the center line and into the path of a 1960s Holden EK sedan. The crash knocked the Holden clear off the road, as the older car's dash cam video shows.
No one suffered more than minor bumps and bruises in the crash.


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We here at Republibot have long gone on record as being dubious about this whole "Global Warming" thing. Our individual opinions vary from outright disbelief that the phenomenon is actually happening to a grudging admission that something is going on, but we're unsure whether or not it has anything to do with us stupid humans. All three of us agree, however, that fear of Global Warming has been shamefully used to scare people out of their money and their votes. And it's been highly effective at that.
Back during the whole "Inconvenient Truth" thing, when every government agency was forced with the Stalinist reality of either agreeing with the ignorant hippies or being pilloried in public and having their funding cut, NASA went on record as saying that Gore was right, the world was getting warmer, we're all gonna' die, and it's all our fault, now can we please get back to working on that piece-of-crap space station that we don't even own, if it's ok with you?
Nowadays, with the Democrats firmly in office, NASA appears to feel a bit more secure about casting a dissenting voice (Make of that what you will), and have admitted that the Sun probably has a whole lot more to do with temperature on Earth than whether or not you drive a Prius and eat vegitarian.
Daily Tech addressed this in a recent article in which they state:
>>>While the NASA study acknowledged the sun's influence on warming and cooling patterns, it then went badly off the tracks. Ignoring its own evidence, it returned to an argument that man had replaced the sun as the cause current warming patterns. Like many studies, this conclusion was based less on hard data and more on questionable correlations and inaccurate modeling techniques.
The inconvertible fact, here is that even NASA's own study acknowledges that solar variation has caused climate change in the past. And even the study's members, mostly ardent supports of AGW theory, acknowledge that the sun may play a significant role in future climate changes.<<<
If you go to their site here http://www.dailytech.com/NASA+Study+Acknowledges+Solar+Cycle+Not+Man+Res... they've also got some charts that compare global temperatures to cycles of sunspot activity, and not surprisingly they more or less mirror each other.
Science Daily posted a longer version of basically the same story a few months back here http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512120523.htm
and of course if you want to tool around the NASA site to find the original sources for this info, this link'll get you started http://search.nasa.gov/search/search.jsp?nasaInclude=global+warming
Of course this info comes as no surprise to any of us here, since weather data we've been getting back from Mars over the past 30-odd years strongly suggests that Mars is having a mild bout of Global Warming as well. Clearly, we can't be responsible for that, since there's never been a single person on the Red Planet.
I should point out that we here at Republibot are not the kinds of people who automatically gainsay any environmental concerns. We do openly admit that there are many serious ecological threats and crises throughout the world - Deforestation, the reduction of Tropical Rain Forests, heavy metal dumping at sea, and of course the alarming increase in the ammount of lead in our atmoshphere over the last century. (The ammount of lead in the air is ONE THOUSAND times what it was 110 years ago!) These are real, clear-and-present dangers to humanity and the world itself. Our objection to the Global Warming mania is that even if it's real, it's a very minor problem that is part of a natural cycle we can't do anything about anyway - there have been 35 "Hot ages" in the last three million years, and obviously we couldn't have caused any of those - and all the money and attention blown on this non-issue is detracting more legitimate and immediate environmental concerns.
Or, to put that another way: We're not anti-environment, we're anti-frightening-the-gullible-public-to-make-a-few-bucks-and-ignore-real-problems. We've got a very strong anti-frightening-the-gullible-public-to-make-a-few-bucks-and-ignore-real-problems agenda here at the 'bot.
Tell a friend!


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All-Star leadership role a natural fit for Wright
Set to bat fourth in Midsummer Classic, Mets captain also heading Derby team
NEW YORK -- David Wright walked into the Mets' clubhouse at Citi Field as usual on Monday, headed to his locker and went about his day. His routine might have been somewhat the same, yet this was no normal afternoon. It was All-Star Monday, the day before the big event, and Wright was playing host.
"It feels good to walk into your home clubhouse, say hello to the same familiar faces that you say hello to every day, have the same locker, and kind of sit back and just look around and enjoy it," said Wright, a seven-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby participant. "You're talking about some of the best players in the game in one room, sitting around just hanging out.
"I hope there's more moments like that in the next couple days where I can just kind of take a deep breath, exhale, and see how fortunate I am to be in this position."
Just as Wright has become the face of the franchise for the Mets, in a way he is the face of Major League Baseball this week in Flushing. As the longest-tenured Met, the best hitter on his team and the most accomplished third baseman in the National League, Wright was an obvious choice to make his seventh Midsummer Classic alongside first-time All-Star pitcher Matt Harvey.
But Wright's duties do not end there. He must participate in All-Star events and multiple news conferences. He must serve as the Home Run Derby captain. He may not have the most eye-popping numbers of any All-Star player, but he is the one who so many fans at Citi Field are coming to see.
"David Wright is the player's player," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He's the man's man in our clubhouse. He personifies exactly what you want a Major League player to be."
Collins, who is also spending his week at Citi Field as a member of NL manager Bruce Bochy's coaching staff, raved mostly about Wright's leadership. Since becoming team captain in March, Wright has become a more vocal leader, most notably calling a players-only meeting after a game on June 15.
At the time, the Mets were 24-39. They have gone 17-11 since.
"When I talked to [general manager] Sandy [Alderson] about making him the captain, it wasn't about making speeches," Collins said. "It was because what he does to get ready for a game is second to none. If you're a young player and you just follow David Wright around, do what he does to get ready to play a game, you're going to play better."
More and more, players around the league talk about Wright in the reverential tones reserved for stars of a generation. A full decade of consistent baseball will do that for a player, particularly when combined with a sterling off-field reputation.
Already the franchise leader in many major statistical categories, Wright has batted .301 with 217 home runs over the first 9 1/2 years of his big league career. Playing this season with inconsistent protection around him in the lineup, Wright has hit .304 with 13 homers, 44 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
"He's the captain of the New York Mets," Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "He embodies that. He's a huge role model for a lot of kids. He's a consistent player and he's always going out there and giving it his all, and he's doing it in New York on the big stage."
Largely for those reasons, Bochy selected Wright to hit fourth in his starting lineup Tuesday, reasoning that Home Run Derby captains should hit cleanup. Wright blushed at the assertion, considering he has developed into more of a pure hitter and less of a classic slugger over his decade in New York.
But Wright also understands his responsibilities in the All-Star Game differ from those in his daily life as a Met.
"I'm not sure about the hitting fourth," Wright said. "It's probably more of a hometown-type thing, but I appreciate it. Hopefully the butterflies aren't too big and I go out there and play well, because I'd really like to go out there and play well for those fans."
Between Wright and Harvey, Mets fans should have plenty to watch during Tuesday's game. And despite all the changes this franchise has gone through in recent years, Wright's status as an All-Star centerpiece should come as no surprise.
As Collins noted, "We all know he's a star."
The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.


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The Secretary-General met yesterday with the President and the Registrar of the International Court of Justice and the Presidents of the international criminal courts and tribunals based in The Hague.
The Secretary-General commended the UN and UN-assisted criminal tribunals for leading the way in the fight against impunity. He stressed that it is vital for victims of serious international crimes to see the judicial process take its course. The Secretary-General also pointed out that ensuring accountability can be an essential element in post-conflict reconciliation and a return to peace and security.
As the Peace Palace is celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Secretary-General noted that the Peace Palace is a monument to the idea that we can bring about an international system based on peace, justice and freedom for all through our common efforts. The Secretary-General also expressed his appreciation for the ICJ's work in shaping international law and contributing to international peace.
The Secretary-General and the Presidents and the Registrar discussed the importance of Member States' cooperation with the ICC and the UN and UN-assisted tribunals, including in relation to the arrest of indicted persons; the provision of secure funding for international criminal justice; and the need for dedicated and sustained efforts towards the fulfilment of the mandates of the tribunals.
Source: UNSG
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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There's this thing that men, women and everyone do where they like to make unsolicited comments on your personal appearance. I was prey to this at an early age. While my sister had nicknames like Pretzel and Sticks, my relatives thought to cleverly offset these with my nicknames of Pork Chop and Garfield. Then somehow they are genuinely surprised that I had a weird relationship with food and had a brief love, hate, vomit affair with an eating disorder in my mid 20s.
In much the same way, it's common for men in the club to pass judgement on our appearance. "It's just so nice to see a woman with real curves these days." Note to such men, no matter how you phrase it, few Australian women like to be told they have put on weight, are curvy, or voluptuous. Down here on lonely island we run behind the booty loving times of the USA and UK. It's hard to keep up with the rest of the world when you're clutching onto a snack pack of celery sticks, sprinting on minimal calories with bow legs cause you're trying to maintain your box gap at a pace.
Back in the day when I would allow the men to speak their minds, I'd have bets placed on what the status of my pubic hair would be. Bald like a prepubescent girl? Landing strip? Untrimmed? Some creative topiary perhaps? The latter would always be the witticism of the group imbecile with a laugh like the stupid hyena from The Lion King. Not knowing the term "topiary" it would usually be expressed more along the lines of, "Yeah! I bet fifty bucks she has her bush cut into the shape of a fucking rooster or something. Cock on 'er box! LOL. Like on Edward Scissorhands. ROFL. Edward VAGINAhands. LOL. Why was that faggot crying if he got to trim bushes all the time?? (more LOLing and ROFLing)" Yes, yes. We get it dickhead. Excellent use of a double entendre "bushes". Clever. This is what we, as dancers deal with on a regular basis. Some girls are so professional that they can even make themselves giggle with conviction. I cannot.
To turn the tables, I'd like to address the not so recent trend of the fluffy beard. The beard so big, long, puffy and lustrous that it has the consistency of freshly spun fairy floss at a state fair. Untrimmed. Requiring the launch of beard oil products into the Anglo world. Caressing the space around it as it drifts in the breeze, seemingly with a body and mind of its own. Enjoying the tickling sensation of sweat gathering at the tip of the tuft, dripping to the ground below. Every time I see one, I can only think of a hairy armpit in my face at a festival, and a vagina on someone's face. An untrimmed, 1980's vagina coat.
Before I ever kissed someone with a big, bushy beard, I'd always imagined what that would feel like. Then I did kiss someone with a big, bushy beard and I found that I'd imagined with great accuracy, how gross it would be. The beard part. Not the mouth, lips, tongue part. Just the fluffy face pubes, like a million flies on my face, grazing their little wings just inside my nostrils. The man was beautiful, gentle charisma, funny as fuck, was my hero with a perfect nose, blue eyes bursting like sunbeams, sweetest soul and built like a tattoo covered giant in a cowboy hat…with a vagina face. I'd like to say that I'm patiently waiting for the trend to shrivel up and die, as patiently as a mother who hopes it's just a craze as she observes her 13 year old son has just started smoking weed and listening to limp bizkit…. But I'm not. Patient that is. I'm so bloody over it. I am a single woman dealing with the stark reality that 95% of men fall into at least one of the following categories: boring, couldn't handle a dinner party with me and my friends, can't handle my job even though they say they have "no judgement", have beards, have dad bods. Seeing a potentially cute face trying to claw it's way to stardom through the obstructive curtains of a fluffy beard is such a waste. Makes me feel like a guy at a peep show who's gold coins never up the game. In so many cases I can see the cute eyes poking out over the puff of vagina face, the suggestion of plump kissable lips, a cheeky smile (dimples perhaps???), but unlike many women considering a labiaplasty, the lips of the man never quite protrude from the bush with 100% transparency out into the open air.
Every time I notice myself having these hateful thoughts, maliciously imagining myself taking to this or that face with a can of shaving cream and a razor, I feel slightly ashamed. I'm embarrassed because years later, I have discovered common ground between myself and the hyena from the Lion King pissing his pants laughing over the Cock on a Box. Schlepping my way around judging this and that, minus laughter, add forlorn whimper. Fingers crossed it's only a few months before you all look back at your beards in photographs and wonder "What was I thinking? My strong jawline is hidden. My perfect cheekbones…hidden. My eyes….look promising but overshadowed by the ramshackle garden of pubes on my face."
This is my Christmas wish. That all beards be reduced to rough stubble or shaved entirely. It's shallow and selfish I know. But I can't help it.


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Tom Brady, Patriots steamroll AFC-leading Texans
- Brady leads the way with 296 passing yards and four touchdowns for the Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The stage was bright, the opponent tough, but the conclusion nearly forgone.
Tom Brady escaped the pocket anyway, abandoning his protection for an awkward third-down sprint of 6 yards at the end of the third quarter, with his New England Patriots already up 28-7 over the Houston Texans. New England would win 42-14 on Monday night.
Brady wanted to make a point, no matter the score, and he fired up a spoiled home crowd with an emphatic fist pump, eliciting chants of "M-V-P."
"I don't run too often, so I've got to show them that I can still do it a little bit," Brady said. "I was pretty fired up at that point. That was a big moment in the game."
And who is Brady is putting on notice?
"The opposing defenses that say I can't run and won't move out of the pocket," he said. "At least there's a little bit of a threat there. Not a big threat; I'm not like RGIII there or anything, but I can make a first down."
Soon after Brady earned a first down by a yard, taking a hit in the process, he was pulled for backup Ryan Mallett. No point in keeping the 35-year-old Brady on the field during a blowout, even if the opposing Texans brought a league-best 11-1 record into the game.
From the jump, those 11 wins didn't help the Texans at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots (10-3) scored on their first three possessions, including two touchdown passes to Hernandez, his first scores in almost two months. Brady wound up with 296 yards on 21 of 35 passing for four touchdowns with no interceptions.
The win marked the 10th season Brady has led the Patriots to at least 10 wins, and the scoring outburst puts New England on pace to finish eight points shy of the NFL record 589 they scored in 2007.
Monday's performance – against the NFL's sixth-ranked defense -- should lift Brady into the league MVP conversation, if he wasn't there already. His willingness to take a hit was reminiscent of a younger man, who won Super Bowls in 2002, '04 and '05.
Wide receiver Donte Stallworth joined the team two years after the last one, in 2007, and saw Brady win his first MVP award that season with an NFL-record 50 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions. Stallworth rejoined the team last week when injuries struck New England's receivers. He caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Brady as the team's third receiver.
The difference between that Brady and the one we saw Monday night? Just a few more wrinkles in his face, Stallworth says.
"He's probably right," Brady says. "It's called kids, marriage, a few losses over the last five years. Those will add some grey hairs and some wrinkles."
No doubt the Patriots' early-season stumbles added new furrows in Brady's brow as well. These Patriots on Monday looked nothing like the crew which lost two in a row – once to Arizona (now 4-9) – in the season's first three games. The Patriots have rebounded with seven straight wins, taking their last four by a margin of 90 combined points. Only the Broncos, with their eight consecutive wins, are hotter.
"That's a good locker room in there right now," coach Bill Belichick said.
Somehow, the only constant has been Brady. He's got 29 passing touchdowns and four interceptions, which would tie the fewest in his career if he doesn't throw another. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski, Hernandez and go-to receiver Wes Welker have each dealt with injuries, along with several offensive linemen. Every week, the Patriots are tailoring their game plan around some absence. This time, Julian Edelman was lost to a season-ending foot injury. Enter Stallworth, add Brady, and you get immediate production.
Along with Stallworth and Hernandez, Brandon Lloyd caught a touchdown pass, and the Patriots managed 130 rushing yards. Plus, the offense allowed only one sack to a team boasting a defensive player of the year favorite in pass rusher J.J. Watt. Guard Logan Mankins, returning from injury, said the success in protection had something to do with Monday being Matt Light Night. The retired Patriots tackle was honored at halftime.
"I would say most of the night (the blocking) went pretty good," Mankins said. "It was like we had six guys out there so (Light) helped us a lot."
But all the night's successes weren't good enough for Brady, drafted a year before Light in 2000. Brady lamented the failure to put up touchdowns on the four possessions following the opening run. He saw room for improvement and a reason to prove a point that is, at this juncture, academic.
"Number 12," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said, "he's just a great player."


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Other "levers" to invoke behavior change
Many NGOs, particularly environmental NGOs, are in the business of seeking to change people's behavior. As anyone with experience trying to do so will tell you, this can be no small order. There are only so many "levers" that one can manipulate to try to influence what someone chooses to do or not do.
Often the biggest lever, and sometimes the only one of consequence, is financial. Farmers in developing countries aren't going to adopt organic practices unless it saves them substantial money on inputs and/or gives them access to a premium market. People aren't going to stop poaching endangered animals as long as there is a healthy market for them.
What I find really interesting are the other levers. In addition to making something a status symbol, appealing to parents' concern for their children's health, making something "cool", passing relevant laws, etc. I've heard of a couple others recently that I hadn't come across before. I spoke a couple months ago to a woman who had spent time in Somalia with an organization aiming to reduce the practice of open-field defecation (i.e. promoting the use of toilets). When their initial efforts were disappointing, they started essentially a marketing campaign saying how distasteful of a practice it was to not use a toilet. The message caught on and people started using toilets much more, mostly because they now felt ashamed not to. Obviously shame is not a lever to use lightly, particularly for an outside organization, but it is a potentially powerful one.
The other I just heard about just today. There is a protected forest, Bajra Baharahi, near a school I was visiting outside Kathmandu, Nepal. The woman from Sarvodaya Nepal that I was meeting with told me that growing up everyone said that if you took anything, even one dead leaf, from that forest that you would have bad luck. When she later came to work in that community, she found out that rumor was started as part of conservation efforts. Superstition! I love it.
What levers have you found effective?
1 Comment
Umaabout 11 years ago
Good one Bill. Liked the word 'levers'..


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Investigation in violent Bedford burglary continues
Limited description of attacker released
Bedford police said they have compiled a lot of evidence in their investigation of an attack on a local couple, but they are still trying to identify a suspect.
Eduardo Quesada and his wife were attacked in their house nearly two weeks ago. Police said the two arrived home to find a masked burglar inside.
Police held a town hall meeting Thursday night to address questions from the community.
"I wish there was more information that I had," said Chief John Bryfonski. "I wish that I had a name, because if I had a name, then I would be leveraging the media and you all to help us find this individual."
Since the Thanksgiving weekend attack, people in Bedford have been on alert. Workers at Riley's Gun Shop in Hooksett said a handful of people from the town have come in to purchase guns.
Bedford's chief said he has received a pile of concealed gun permit requests, but he said they could have been requested for a number of reasons.
Bryfonski said he has brought in the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency to assist in the investigation because of their specialized technological capabilities.
Authorities searched the Quesada home and its two-acre property for nearly two weeks collecting evidence. Quesada is still recovering in the hospital while his wife was released last week. Their 2-year-old daughter was not injured in the attack.
The burglar was described as 6 feet tall and dark-skinned, but of unknown ethnicity.
Bryfonski said he is taking the crime personally and is confident it will be solved.
Meanwhile, neighbors said they're concerned about the 30 minutes it took police to gather a tactical force. They're wondering whether it's time to boost police resources, including manpower and technology.
"That 30 minutes the chief talked about last night, I think it was concerning for everybody," Jonathan Zdziarski said.
Zdziarski said it's time for Bedford to hire more officers.
"From what I gather from some of the national standards and state standards that are out there, we're probably about five guys short total, not to mention equipment," Zdziarski said.
While Bryfonski said his department has taken the crime personally, it appears many residents did the same.
"I think, personally, public safety should be one of the bigger priorities in the town," Zdziarski said.


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Third Swing: My Comments to the APA for a Less Harmful Gender Dysphoria Category in the DSM-5
June 19, 2012 11 Comments
My objective for GID reform in DSM-5 is harm reduction– depathologizing gender identities, gender expressions or bodies that do not conform to birth-assigned gender stereotypes, while at the same time providing some kind of diagnostic coding for access to medical transition treatment for those who need it. I and others have suggested that diagnostic criteria based on distress and impairment, rather than difference from cultural gender stereotypes, offer a path for forward progress toward these goals. This post is an update to my earlier comments to the APA in June, 2011.
The Gender Dysphoria (GD) criteria proposed by the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group for the DSM-5 represent some forward progress on issues of social stigma and barriers to medical transition care, for those who need it. However, they do not go nearly far enough in clarifying that nonconformity to birth-assigned roles and victimization from societal prejudice do not constitute mental pathology. The improvements in the APA proposal so far include a more accurate title, removal of Sexual Orientation Subtyping, rejection of "autogynephilia" subtyping (suggested in the supporting text of the GID category in the DSM-IV-TR), recognition of suprabinary gender identities and expressions, recognition of youth distressed by anticipated pubertal characteristics, and reduced false-positive diagnosis of gender nonconforming children. However, the proposed GD criteria still fall short in serving the needs of transsexual individuals, who need access to medical transition care, or other gender-diverse people who may be ensnared by false-positive diagnosis.
The proposed Gender Dysphoria criteria continue to contradict social and medical transition by mis-characterizing transition itself as symptomatic of mental disorder and obfuscating the distress of gender dysphoria as the problem to be treated. The phrase "a strong desire," repeated throughout the diagnostic criteria, is particularly problematic, suggesting that desire for relief from the distress of gender dysphoria is, in itself, irrational and mentally defective. This biased wording discourages transition care to relieve distress of gender dysphoria and instead advances gender-conversion psychotherapies intended to suppress the experienced gender identity and enforce birth-assigned roles. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has stated that, "Such treatment is no longer considered ethical." (SOC, Ver. 7, 2011)
Transitioned individuals who are highly functional and happy with their lives are forever diagnosable as mentally disordered under flawed criteria that reference characteracterics and assigned roles of natal sex rather than current status. For example, a post-transition adult who is happy in her or his affirmed role, wants to be treated like others of her/his affirmed gender, has typical feelings of those in her/his affirmed gender, and is distressed or unemployed because of external societal prejudice will forever meet criteria A (subcriteria 4, 5 and 6) and B and remain subject to false-positive diagnosis, regardless of how successfully her or his distress of gender dysphoria has been relieved. Once again, the proposed criteria effectively refute the proven efficacy of medical transition care. Political extremists and intolerant insurers, employers, and medical providers will continue to exploit these diagnostic flaws to deny access to transition care for those who need it. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has affirmed the medical necessity of transition care for the treatment of gender dysphoria. (SOC, Ver. 7, 2011)
The criteria for children are slightly improved over the DSM-IV-TR, in that they can no longer be diagnosed on the basis of gender role nonconformity alone. However, the proposed criteria are unreasonably reliant on gender stereotype nonconformity. Five of eight proposed subcriteria for children are strictly based on gender role nonconformity, with no relevance to the definition of mental disorder. Behaviors and emotions considered ordinary or even exemplary for other (cisgender) children are mis-characterized as pathological for gender variant youth. This sends a harmful message that equates gender variance with sickness. As a consequence, children will continue to be punished, shamed and harmed for nonconformity to assigned birth roles.
A New Distress-based Diagnostic Paradigm.
An international group of mental health and medical clinicians, researchers and scholars, Professionals Concerned With Gender Diagnoses in the DSM, has proposed alternative diagnostic nomenclature based on distress rather than nonconformity (Lev, et al., 2010; Winters and Ehrbar 2010; Ehrbar, Winters and Gorton 2009). These include anatomic dysphoria (painful distress with current physical sex characteristics) as well as social role dysphoria (distress with ascribed or enforced social gender roles that are incongruent with one's inner experienced gender identity) For children and adolescents, these alternative criteria include distress with anticipated physical sex characteristics that would result if the youth were forced to endure pubertal development associated with natal sex. For those who require a post-transition diagnostic coding for continued access to hormonal therapy, the criteria include sex hormone status. Psychologist Anne Vitale (2010) has previously described this distress as deprivation of characteristics that are congruent with inner experienced gender identity, in addition to distress caused directly by characteristics that are incongruent.
Building on this prior work, I propose that gender role component of gender dysphoria, including distress with a current incongruent social gender role and distress with deprivation of congruent social gender expression, can be more concisely described as impairment of social function in a role congruent with a person's experienced gender identity. I believe it is also important to include other important life functions, such as sexual function in a congruent
gender role. This language would provide a clearer understanding of the necessity of social and medical transition for those who need them.
These alternative criteria acknowledge that experienced gender identity may include elements of masculinity, femininity, both or neither and are not limited to binary gender stereotypes. They also define clinically significant distress and impairment to include barriers to functioning in one's experienced congruent gender role and exclude victimization by social prejudice and discrimination.
Suggested Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Dysphoria in the DSM-5
I would like to suggest the following diagnostic criteria for the Gender Dysphoria for adults/adolescents and children–
A. Distress or impairment in life functioning caused by incongruence between persistent experienced gender identity and current physical sex characteristics in adults or adolescents who have reached the earlier of age 13 or Tanner Stage II of pubertal development, or with assigned gender role in children, manifested by at least one of the following indicators for a duration of at least 3 months. Incongruence, for this purpose, does not mean gender expression that is nonconforming to social stereotypes of assigned gender role or natal sex. Experienced gender identities may include alternative gender identities beyond binary stereotypes.
A1. Distress or discomfort with one's current primary or secondary sex characteristics,
including sex hormone status for adolescents and adults, that are incongruent with
experienced gender identity, or with anticipated pubertal development associated with
natal sex.
A2. Distress or discomfort caused by deprivation of primary or secondary sex
characteristics, including sex hormone status, that are congruent with experienced
gender identity.
A3. Impairment in life functioning, including social and sexual functioning, in a role
congruent with experienced gender identity.
B. Distress, discomfort or impairment is clinically significant. Distress, discomfort or
impairment due to external prejudice or discrimination is not a basis for diagnosis.
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (2011), Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People, http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care_FullBook_1g-1.pdf
Lev, A.I., Winters, K., Alie, L., Ansara, Y., Deutsch, M., Dickey, L., Ehrbar, R., Ehrensaft, D., Green, J., Meier, S., Richmond, K., Samons, S., Susset, F., (2010). "Response to Proposed DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria. Professionals Concerned With Gender Diagnoses in the DSM." Retrieved December 4, 2010 from: http://professionals.gidreform.org
Winters, K. and Ehrbar, R. (2010) "Beyond Conundrum: Strategies for Diagnostic Harm Reduction," Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 14:2, 130-139, April
Ehrbar, R., Winters, K., Gorton, N. (2009) "Revision Suggestions for Gender Related Diagnoses in the DSM and ICD," The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) 2009 XXI Biennial Symposium, Oslo, Norway, http://www.gidreform.org/wpath2009/
Vitale, A. (2010) The Gendered Self: Further Commentary on the Transsexual Phenomenon, Lulu, http://http://www.avitale.com/
Copyright © 2012 Kelley Winters, GID Reform Advocates


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Things are incredibly different in Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's world these days.
A near death experience can do that to a person — as the 73-year-old political powerhouse can attest.
Patterson was a passenger in a car heading back to his Pontiac office with his driver James Cram after a Republican candidates' forum when their car was hit by another at an intersection on August 10.
Patterson and Cram sustained serious injuries. Cram remains hospitalized.
"I feel lucky to be to be alive," Patterson said from an easy chair in his living room during taping of "Michigan Matters." "I had compound fractures of both wrists, an ankle, knee, femur, ribs, fractured my hip."
He underwent numerous surgeries to repair broken bones.
He lay unconscious for 18 days. Doctors told his family he has less than a three percent chance of surviving.
His family kept vigil at his hospital bed. So, too, his work family that includes Kelly Sleva, Gerald Poisson, Phil Bertolini, Mike Zehnder and others.
He's defied the odds and is continuing his recovery.
His daily routine today starts with hours of intense and painful rehab he knows he has to endure to get better.
Since August he's lost about 40 pounds ,at which he can chuckle as there is some irony. In recent years, Patterson has made an annual pilgrimage to Pritikin Center in Florida to get healthy and lose a few pounds.
This year, losing weight is the last thing he need worry about.
Instead, he's trying to keep up with a regimen of drinking three supercharged calorie infused vitamin shakes to give him nutrients and calories to also help heal his bones.
He came home from the hospital two weeks ago, telling doctors at the rehab facility that the "hospital room was simply getting smaller and smaller" and he was checking out.
Patterson, who needs a wheelchair, also has help at home for things he isn't able to do yet like getting out of his easy chair to walk across the living room to get a book from the bookshelf.
He made an appearance at his office last week and held an emotionally charged press conference and meeting with department heads with daughter, Mary Warner, by his side.
On Tuesday night, Patterson made his first political appearance at the Oakland County GOP Victory event, arriving by wheelchair and surprising the audience when he made it on stage and was able to stand on his own.
"It took a tremendous amount to do that," he said.
As Patterson continues his recovery, he hopes to walk with a cane in a month or two and eventually on his own.
With the holidays around the corner, Patterson's grateful for a lot of things like being given a second chance at life.
"We had a Thanksgiving tradition in our family where we shared stories why each person was thankful," Patterson said.
"We stopped it five years ago (after his beloved 28-year-old son, Brooksie, died in a snowmobile accident).There was an empty chair. It didn't seem appropriate."
"I think we're going to start that back up this holiday," he added


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U.S. Accuses Goldman Sachs of Fraud
By LOUISE STORY and GRETCHEN MORGENSON
Published: April 16, 2010
Goldman Sachs, which emerged relatively unscathed from the financial crisis, was accused of securities fraud in a civil suit filed Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which claims the bank created and sold a mortgage investment that was secretly devised to fail.
The move marks the first time that regulators have taken action against a Wall Street deal that helped investors capitalize on the collapse of the housing market. Goldman itself profited by betting against the very mortgage investments that it sold to its customers.
The suit also named Fabrice Tourre, a vice president at Goldman who helped create and sell the investment.
The instrument in the S.E.C. case, called Abacus 2007-AC1, was one of 25 deals that Goldman created so the bank and select clients could bet against the housing market. Those deals, which were the subject of an article in The New York Times in December, initially protected Goldman from losses when the mortgage market disintegrated and later yielded profits for the bank.
As the Abacus deals plunged in value, Goldman and certain hedge funds made money on their negative bets, while the Goldman clients who bought the $10.9 billion in investments lost billions of dollars.
According to the complaint, Goldman created Abacus 2007-AC1 in February 2007, at the request of John A. Paulson, a prominent hedge fund manager who earned an estimated $3.7 billion in 2007 by correctly wagering that the housing bubble would burst.
Goldman let Mr. Paulson select mortgage bonds that he wanted to bet against — the ones he believed were most likely to lose value — and packaged those bonds into Abacus 2007-AC1, according to the S.E.C. complaint. Goldman then sold the Abacus deal to investors like foreign banks, pension funds, insurance companies and other hedge funds.
But the deck was stacked against the Abacus investors, the complaint contends, because the investment was filled with bonds chosen by Mr. Paulson as likely to default. Goldman told investors in Abacus marketing materials reviewed by The Times that the bonds would be chosen by an independent manager.
Mr. Paulson is not being named in the lawsuit.
In recent months, Goldman has repeatedly defended its actions in the mortgage market, including its own bets against it. In a letter published last week in Goldman's annual report, the bank rebutted criticism that it had created, and sold to its clients, mortgage-linked securities that it had little confidence in.
"We certainly did not know the future of the residential housing market in the first half of 2007 anymore than we can predict the future of markets today," Goldman wrote. "We also did not know whether the value of the instruments we sold would increase or decrease."
The letter continued: "Although Goldman Sachs held various positions in residential mortgage-related products in 2007, our short positions were not a 'bet against our clients.' " Instead, the trades were used to hedge other trading positions, the bank said.
In a statement provided in December to The Times as it prepared the article on the Abacus deals, Goldman said that it had sold the instruments to sophisticated investors and that these securities "were popular with many investors prior to the financial crisis because they gave investors the ability to work with banks to design tailored securities which met their particular criteria, whether it be ratings, leverage or other aspects of the transaction."
Goldman was one of many Wall Street firms that created complex mortgage securities — known as synthetic collateralized debt obligations — as the housing wave was cresting. At the time, traders like Mr. Paulson, as well as those within Goldman, were looking for ways to short the overheated market.
Such investments consisted of insurance-like policies written on mortgage bonds. If the mortgage market held up and those bonds did well, investors who bought Abacus notes would have made money from the insurance premiums paid by investors like Mr. Paulson, who were negative on housing and had bought insurance on mortgage bonds. Instead, defaults spread and the bonds plunged, generating billion of dollars in losses for Abacus investors and billions in profits for Mr. Paulson.
For months, S.E.C. officials have been examining mortgage bundles like Abacus that were created across Wall Street. The commission has been interviewing people who structured Goldman mortgage deals about Abacus and other, similar instruments. The S.E.C. advised Goldman that it was likely to face a civil suit in the matter, sending the bank what is known as a Wells notice.
For months, S.E.C. officials have been examining mortgage bundles like Abacus that were created across Wall Street. The commission has been interviewing people who structured Goldman mortgage deals about Abacus and other, similar instruments. The S.E.C. advised Goldman that it was likely to face a civil suit in the matter, sending the bank what is known as a Wells notice.
Mr. Tourre was one of Goldman's top workers running the Abacus deal, peddling the investment to investors across Europe. Raised in France, Mr. Tourre moved to the United States in 2000 to earn his master's in operations at Stanford. The next year, he began working at Goldman, according to his profile in LinkedIn.
He rose to prominence working on the Abacus deals under a trader named Jonathan M. Egol. Now a managing director at Goldman, Mr. Egol is not being named in the S.E.C. suit.
Goldman structured the Abacus deals with a sharp eye on the credit ratings assigned to the mortgage bonds associated with the instrument, the S.E.C. said. In the Abacus deal in the S.E.C. complaint, Mr. Paulson pinpointed those mortgage bonds that he believed carried higher ratings than the underlying loans deserved. Goldman placed insurance on those bonds — called credit-default swaps — inside Abacus, allowing Mr. Paulson to short them while clients on the other side of the trade wagered that they would not fail.
But when Goldman sold shares in Abacus to investors, the bank and Mr. Tourre only disclosed the ratings of those bonds and did not disclose that Mr. Paulson was on other side, betting those ratings were wrong.
Mr. Tourre at one point complained to an investor who was buying shares in Abacus that he was having trouble persuading Moody's to give the deal the rating he desired, according to the investor's notes, which were provided to The Times by a colleague who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to release them.
In seven of Goldman's Abacus deals, the bank went to the American International Group for insurance on the bonds. Those deals have led to billions of dollars in losses at A.I.G., which was the subject of an $180 billion taxpayer rescue. The Abacus deal in the S.E.C. complaint was not one of them.
That deal was managed by ACA Management, a part of ACA Capital Holdings, which changed its name in 2008 to Manifold Capital Holdings.
Goldman at first intended for the deal to contain $2 billion of mortgage exposure, according to the deal's marketing documents, which were given to The Times by an Abacus investor.
On the cover of that flip-book, it says that the mortgage bond portfolio would be "selected by ACA Management."
In that flip-book, it says that Goldman may have long or short positions in the bonds. It does not mention Mr. Paulson or say that Goldman was in fact short.
The Abacus deals deteriorated rapidly when the housing market hit trouble. For instance, in the Abacus deal in the S.E.C. complaint, 84 percent of the mortgage bonds underlying it were downgraded by rating agencies just five months later, according to a UBS report.
It takes time for such mortgage investments to pay out for investors who short them, like Mr. Paulson. Each deal is structured differently, but generally, the bonds underlying the investment must deteriorate to a certain point before short-sellers get paid. By the end of 2007, Mr. Paulson's credit hedge fund was up 590 percent.
Mr. Paulson's firm, Paulson & Company, is paid a management fee and 20 percent of the annual profits that its funds generate, according to a Paulson investor document from late 2008 titled "Navigating Through the Crisis."
No kidding, this is exactly what everyone's known all along, that GS, and their insider clients, have been profiting by betting against the very debt products they help to package and sell.
Is the U.S. Government really getting serious about going after these guys? NO WAY. There are always token fall guys and this is all theatre and show.
Think about the timing of this. It comes just as I have been talking about a "triggering event" that will take the blame for turning the markets. This suit was reported AFTER the open on OPTIONS EXPIRATION day. Why now? My suspicious mind says that it was timed to allow the options sellers and contract speculators to walk away and to instill maximum damage on the retail buyers of the ALL TIME RECORD number of option call buyers who were in the market just yesterday.
Markets almost always turn on such sentiment extremes, but I know that Goldman controls the government and absolutely is in control of the S.E.C. too! It's almost a joke to me that they would turn the markets by allowing the S.E.C. to bring suit against themselves. And I'm willing to bet the majority of people will believe there's no way they would do that. Want to bet?
Watch future events unfold, I can almost guarantee that there will be fines that are later mitigated, that a few people may take a fall, but nothing real or meaningful will come of it other than an opportunity to profit on the short side after running the market up to bubble extremes. It's a nice game to play when you control all the pieces on the board. Meanwhile the people of the world are simply played as fools and pawns. How's that feel, were you long the market?
How many times before people learn that what's most important is not WHAT backs your money, but WHO is in control. America gets what it deserves, karma's a bitch and it seems to be going around.
Not an hour before the release of this I was talking about bubbles and triggering events that take the blame. Take a look at the 30 day, 30 minute chart of Goldman Sachs. All parabolic profits of the past month GONE in an instant:
Here's a 3 month version:
The XLF is hit hard by this, breaking its current uptrend. To the people who do not understand the VIX sell signal and were saying that it was not valid, I have only this to say:
Media ecstatic of late? Do you enjoy record setting roller coaster rides with your investments and your markets? Think 60% market dives and 70% + recoveries are normal and healthy? There's no doubt more games are coming, it's not normal and it's not healthy. It's Enron times a million.


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Recommendations for dog-friendly hiking trails in Vancouver and some tips for trail etiquette and how to be prepared.
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Dobies Growing Guides
Vegetable Garden Planner
A fast-maturing Sweetheart type. One of the earliest pointed-head cabbages. Dwarf and compact with solid heads and few outer leaves. RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Summer/autumn cutting - maturing time approximately 20-26 weeks from sowing.
Code: 433137
Code: 433142
Hardiness:-10 degrees
Aftercare - Easy:True
Aftercare - Moderate:False
Aftercare - High:False
Edible Flower:False
RHS Award of Garden Merit:True
Likes Acidic Soil:False
Beds & Borders:True
Greenhouse, Glass House or Home:True
Prefers Full Sun:True
F1 Variety:False
Sow March-May in ¾" deep drills (shallow grooves) 15cm (6") apart on prepared seed beds outdoors. Plant out June-July, 45cm (18") apart each way. Can also be sown in a cold frame in January for early crops.
Plant Herb Garlic Chives amongst your cabbages as this has been shown to deter Carrot Root Fly. HEALTH BENEFITS - Antioxidant. Good source of Vitamin C (Anti-ageing, wound healing, decreasing blood cholesterol and prevention of infections. Assists the body in absorbing iron). ANTIOXIDANTS: Term used to describe a number of organic substances such as vitamins A, C & E, the mineral Selenium and 'Carotenoids' - the pigments which colour many fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are thought to help prevent cancers, heart and stroke problems by assisting in the 'mopping up' and expulsion from the body of substances known as 'free radicals' which can be created by exposure to various environmental pollutants. COOKING HINTS - Try to use all healthy outer leaves as these darker green leaves contain most nutrients.
All Dobies products should reach you in perfect condition, just as they left us. If you are dissatisfied in any way with their condition on arrival, please let us know within 14 days. We are only liable for the cost of the goods as quoted on the website plus the cost of delivery if the goods are faulty.
Order online or call 0344 967 0303 For product or any other queries, please email Customer Services Customer Services call 0333 240 5933
Dobies, Long Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7SX


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Company honored in "NOD Salutes" series in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NEW YORK - As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to a close, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) salutes Exelon Corporation, one of the nation's leading competitive energy providers, for its dedication, leadership and support of disability employment initiatives.
As part of its monthly Salute series, NOD acknowledges companies who support the organization's mission by hiring people with disabilities and helping to support other employers who seek to do the same. Exelon, as part of its diversity and inclusion commitment, is an industry leader in incorporating people with disabilities into its workforce, partnering with organizations to recruit talented individuals with disabilities and veterans. Additionally, the company's Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team, comprising employees of all levels from across the company, and its disability-focused employee resource group promote an inclusive corporate culture.
"The approach Exelon has taken to incorporating people with disabilities into its workforce should serve as a model for all businesses in America," said Carol Glazer, president of NOD. "By creating awareness, regularly engaging with its employees, and stepping up to support NOD's mission of inclusion, Exelon is helping close the hiring gap between employers and people with disabilities."
In June, the Exelon Foundation, the company's nonprofit philanthropic arm, made a $300,000 pledge to support NOD's disability employment initiatives over the next three years. This grant supported the development of NOD's Disability Employment Tracker, an important new tool that will help companies across a range of industries assess their own readiness to launch or expand their hiring of people with disabilities and veterans. The funding also will go toward convening members of NOD's CEO Council, which offers business leaders support and resources for building a diversified workforce. The first such gathering took place on October 8th at the Pyramid Club in Philadelphia, featuring a discussion on the future of the labor force with panelists from DiversityInc, Lowe's, Walmart, and Sodexo. At the event, Exelon's Philadelphia utility, PECO, announced its own disability hiring commitment. PECO began working with NOD earlier this year through the organization's "Start on Success" student internship program, in which the utility hosted summer interns and hired some of them into permanent positions.
"Unemployment is a very real problem for Americans with disabilities and represents an opportunity for employers like Exelon that recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce leads to smarter business decisions and a better understanding of how best to serve their customers," said Exelon Senior Vice President and General Counsel Darryl Bradford, who leads the company's Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team. "NOD is on the forefront of efforts to understand and solve disability employment issues, and Exelon is proud to count it as a valued partner."
"Exelon is well-deserving of this salute in our series," continued Glazer. "We're inspired by its commitment to people with disabilities, and we are honored to list Exelon among our most esteemed corporate partners."
For more information on the National Organization on Disability and its "Salutes" series, visit www.nod.org.


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Hand Painted Mug
Your morning latte art deserves an equally artful container! Alcohol ink swirls around this hand painted mug in a delicate mix of color and metallic. Each mug is one-of-a-kind, painted and sealed by hand.
4 inches tall with tapered base, holds 10 ounces. 3 inch diameter opening.
Stoneware. Microwave safe. HAND WASH ONLY.
Carefully packaged and shipped via USPS first class mail. Shipping upgrades and gift wrap options are available at checkout.
Processing time
Most items are made to order and created and shipped within 3-5 business days, unless otherwise noted:
- Face masks are currently shipping in 5-10 days, depending on demand at time of order.
- Quick ship items are marked as such and ship within 1-2 business days.
- Holiday pre-order items will ship by December 7
Some made-to-order items like trays have a longer lead time, which will be noted in the item description.
Estimated shipping times
- Canada : 1 - 2 weeks
- North America : 3 - 5 business days
- Europe : 2 - 4 weeks
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose. Please note that many carriers are currently facing delays due to COVID-19.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
I gladly accept returns and exchanges on standard items for a 10% restocking fee. Returns of items that are defective are damaged are allowed for no fee.
Just contact me within: 4 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
Request a cancellation within: 24 hours of purchase (no cancellations allowed or ready to ship items).
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
- Custom or personalized orders
- Items on sale
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs unless item arrives damaged or defective. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Questions about your order?
Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.


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Quickly and easily submit your application for a free automobile insurance quote using our easy to use website. As a customer, you will enjoy our suite of customer service forms all from your local agent.
Insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company.
8801 Research Blvd Suite 104 | Austin, TX 78758 | Phone: 210-245-5151
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Opting for aluminum over steel in new automobile construction to improve fuel economy is also the best way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to a new study by the United States Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
"As the U.S. works to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote clean energy and combat climate change, this report definitively documents why aluminum offers the most promise for cutting total automotive-related carbon emissions and energy use," said ORNL's Sujit Das, expert on product lifecycle assessments.
The ORNL study modeled a typical 2012 crossover SUV reflective of the average on-the-road vehicle in the U.S. in terms of weight, performance, fuel economy and materials mix of steel, high-strength steel and aluminum.
Building on an earlier crossover SUV study by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Light-Duty Vehicle Mass Reduction and Cost Analysis — Midsize Crossover Utility Vehicle, Aug 2012), ORNL researchers analyzed a baseline SUV (a comprehensive mix of mild and high- strength steel), a lightweight steel vehicle (optimized for maximum use of high-strength and advanced high-strength steel), and a lightweight aluminum intensive vehicle (including currently available body, doors, trunk and hood applications).
"This study adds even more evidence that switching car bodies from steel to aluminum is the next logical step for car makers to take in the drive to reduce emissions," said Randall Scheps, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Transportation Group (ATG) and automotive marketing director for Alcoa, Inc. "There is already ample evidence that aluminum is a safe, durable and cost effective material for car bodies. Now ORNL has shown that aluminum is better than steel on a full lifecycle CO2 basis. That is the icing on the cake."
Highlights from the ORNL study include (as listed by the ORNL):
- Reducing vehicle weight with aluminum can result in the lowest total vehicle lifecycle environmental impact – cradle-to-grave – as compared to both traditional and advanced steels.
- An aluminum-intensive vehicle can achieve up to a 32 percent reduction in total lifecycle energy consumption, and up to a 29 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, compared to a typical vehicle on the road today which uses traditional and high-strength steel in the body construction.
- While a lightweight steel vehicle has a lower production phase environmental impact, those initial gains are erased by higher energy use and carbon emissions during the steel vehicle's use phase.
- More than 90 percent of automobile energy consumption and carbon emissions occurs during the vehicle's use phase, with the mining, production and manufacturing phases accounting for just 10 percent or less.
- For an aluminum intensive vehicle, the breakeven point in its use phase for making up the energy consumed during the initial production phase is 9,300 miles – of which most automobiles on U.S. roads would reach in their first year of operation.
"The ORNL environmental report is timely as there is an increasingly loud aluminum buzz in the auto industry right now – and with good reason. Automakers are projecting to double aluminum use within less than a decade as high-volume, all aluminum vehicles move from design studios to showrooms in the not-too-distant future. We already knew aluminum offers great fuel economy, safety and performance advantages, and now it's proven to be best positioned to cut greenhouse gasses and save energy too," said Scheps.
The ORNL said modeling for this study conforms to internationally recognized standard practices (ISO 14040 and 14044). Comparative data sets used in the study were provided directly to ORNL researchers by the U.S. steel and aluminum industries respectively, both sets of which are current, peer-reviewed and publicly available. The Aluminum Association underwrote the effort.
The ORNL study is consistent with an earlier independent study by the magnesium industry which also concluded that aluminum has the smallest carbon footprint of competing materials when examining total lifecycle CO2 emissions.
Additional benefits of aluminum come from its recycling properties. Recycling aluminum saves 95 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production, and requires only 5 percent of the energy. Also, nearly 90 percent of automotive aluminum is recovered and recycled and aluminum is infinitely recyclable without degradation to the material.
Full study, facts, and other research about how aluminum in vehicles can be found on the www.drivealuminum.org website.


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UConn hoping for more 'luck' vs. Gators
It was yet another huge shot for Shabazz Napier, a 15-foot buzzer-beater that gave UConn a 65-64 win over Florida on Dec. 2 at sold-out Gampel Pavilion — perhaps Napier's signature shot as a Husky.
Or, as Gators coach Billy Donovan said at the time, it was simply "luck."
"His shot really was luck," Donovan said that night, "in the fact that the ball was tipped to him. If it's tipped anywhere else, it's out."
While Donovan's interpretation of the game's ending may sound like sour grapes, he's not wrong. A recap: With the Huskies trailing by a point in the final seconds, Napier dribbled straight into a Florida trap, nearly turning the ball over. He put up a wild shot that barely grazed the rim and caromed off the backboard — and off DeAndre Daniels' fingertips — straight back to Napier. And, given a second chance, Napier swished the game-winner as time expired.
Recalling the game in a conference call on Monday, Donovan reiterated what he stated on Dec. 2 — that Daniels' tip was the key play of the game.
"I thought Daniels made a tremendous play, keeping the loose basketball alive," Donovan said. "Napier got a great look at the free throw line and knocked it down for their team."
Indeed, Donovan never really meant to suggest that Napier's shot was lucky, just the fact that he got a second chance. He said on Monday that the loss was actually good for his Gators.
"It was really our second road game, we had played Wisconsin early, our second game," Donovan recalled. "When you play against a good team and you've got to battle, fight, go back and forth, it helps you understand just how hard you have to battle, fight and persevere. It was a great venue, a great crowd. Any time you play in a game like that, it's a chance to learn and grow. Obviously, it was a tough loss for us, losing at the buzzer. We knew where we needed to get better and improve. We gave up some offensive rebounds down the stretch."
Indeed, Florida apparently has made some adjustments since that game: the Gators haven't lost since then, reeling off 30 straight entering Saturday's rematch in a Final Four battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 6:09 p.m. (TBS).
"They just play so hard," UConn coach Kevin Ollie said of Florida (36-2). "They don't give an inch on the defensive or offensive end. They play fast-break ball, but then they play fast-break in halfcourt, too. What I mean by that is, every screen is hard, you can't take a play off or relax. For us to beat a team like that, we couldn't relax for one minute."
Napier, who was named a first-team All-American on Monday, finished with 26 points in that Dec. 2 game. Casey Prather had 19 for the Gators, Patric Young 17 and Scottie Wilbekin, named a third-team All-American on Monday, added 15.
There were some variables to that game that certainly didn't hurt the Huskies. For one, Florida was without the services of three key players — Kasey Hill, who was out injured; Chris Walker, who was still awaiting word on his NCAA eligibility; and DeVon Walker, who was limited to just two minutes by injury.
Perhaps most importantly, Wilbekin sprained his ankle with about four minutes remaining in the game and never returned.
And it still took a bit of "luck", inside their own sold-out home gym, to eke out the victory. Ollie seemed to recognize that the Gators were short-handed after the game that night.
"They're going to be real good," Ollie promised, presciently, on Dec. 2. "That's money in the bank right there. In March, they're going to be a team to be reckoned with."
In April, too.


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Mere days after Spain received a bailout deal, wary investors and some eurozone officials turned their attention to Italy, proving that contagion fears are far from soothed. Others were more sanguine about the situation, or perhaps had more faith, as Fitch Ratings said it was unlikely that Italy would need its own rescue.
Italy's industry minister has said that the Italian government had put in place reforms that had bolstered the country's economy and that Rome had no need to look for outside assistance. But Finance Minister Maria Fekter of Austria on Monday said that was not the case, Reuters reported.
The minister said that Italy could be the next in line for a bailout. "Italy has to work its way out of its economic dilemma of very high deficits and debt, but of course it may be that—given the high rates Italy pays to refinance on markets—they too will need support," Fekter said in a television interview quoted by Reuters. On Tuesday, Fekter backtracked to say that she had no indication that Italy was considering any such action.
Fekter is not the only eurozone official to see problems on the horizon for Italy. Lars Feld, who sits on the German government's council of economic advisors, was quoted saying, "Overcoming the troubles in Spain will bring calm to the markets for a while, but the chances are not so small that Italy may also come under fire, in particular as the promised labor market reform has turned out to be less ambitious."
And it isn't just eurozone officials who fear potential fiscal woes for Italy. Observing the increase in Italian bond yields, Brenda Kelly, senior market strategist at CMC Markets in London, was quoted saying, "We're looking at a major problem possibly for Italy, with its bond yields climbing above 6% for the first time in quite a long period of time."
She added, "It being the third largest economy [in Europe], it does actually set the scene that the contagion effect can't necessarily be contained to Spain."
Reflecting the mood of many, Darren Sinden, senior sales trader at Silverwind Securities, said in the report, "Spain's problems are not fully solved, and there are concerns of contagion to Italy. And then we have got the wild card of the Greek elections."
However, Ed Parker, managing director of Fitch Ratings, disagreed—at least for now—with the assessment on Italy, saying in a Bloomberg report that Italy was unlikely to need help from outside in managing its finances. "Italy is much closer to getting to a sustainable macroeconomic position," Parker was quoted saying Tuesday. "It is now running a pretty small budget deficit, has a much lower current account deficit, doesn't have these problems in the banking sector." Parker did concede, though, that "Italy does have high levels of government debt so there is very little headroom there to absorb any further negative shocks." He added, "It is very dependent on the interest rate at which it can borrow, which is high, higher than its growth rate, and so it is in this situation where the market interest rate has self-fulfilling impacts on Italy's credit worthiness."
Even ratings agencies are not in full agreement on the situation in the eurozone. Prior to the announcement of the Spanish bailout, Moody's had said Friday that it might review the ratings of several eurozone countries because of events in Spain and Greece. "As Spain moves closer to the need for direct external support from its European partners, the increased risk to the country's creditors may prompt further rating actions," Moody's said in a statement.
Fitch itself said all eurozone countries could see their ratings fall because policymakers have so far failed to end the debt crisis. It also said Spain would "significantly" miss its debt targets.
Parker added that Fitch's main scenario is for Italy not to need external help. "If interest rates are lower, then Italy, after this year, won't have to do a lot more fiscal consolidation," he was quoted saying. "Its budget deficit is already low and its government debt will be on a path of stabilization and decline."


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Archived Boards and Threads... > Classic Themes
[Theme] Hommage à YaBB 1 Gold
(1/6) > >>
Thought as a homage to the immortal YaBB 1 Gold and with Tim's kind permission converted into SMF format. This theme was active in my parenting community during 2001 until I converted to YaBBSE in december 2001.
The credits for the layout go to the YaBB team. The buttons have been made with CAE's button generator.
Attached to this post are the thumbnail and the theme package in english language.
For the translation in other language please use CAE's button generator.
Very old and very strange colours but still a beauty.
Hmm I like it! It looks pretty similar... the only thing is that orange part... should it have the border like that?
Which orange part do you mean?
Indeed I tried to install the good old YaBB 1 Gold on my xampp but was not able to get it alive. So I am not 100% sure about every detail.
Well you can actually get the template.html out of it, that has a lot of the stuff. The orange part I'm talking about is the titlebg, I believe.
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H7216A/B-310 3G Technology Overview
2 Days | Classroom Training | Where & When | Advantages of Keysight Training
Audience: Engineers interested in the new 3G cellular technology, whose responsibilities will include either testing of mobiles in manufacturing or installation and maintenance of base stations.
This 2-day course will introduce engineers to the concepts of third generation cellular technologies. It begins with a quick review of CDMA concepts, gives a brief history of where the standards have come from, and then provides the students with a fundamental understanding of the two 3G technologies: cdma2000 and G3G WCDMA.
What you will Learn
- Basic knowledge of the two 3G cellular technologies
- 1X EV Overview
- Concepts of cdma2000 and its features and technologies
- Concepts of the harmonized global third generation WCDMA system, its features, advantages, and technologies
- Creating and analyzing signals
- Measurement challenges for the two systems
- How mobiles operate in these more complex networks
- Be able to create and analyze signals for the 3G systems
- An appreciation for the added complexity of these systems
- Students should have completed the courses leading up through CDMA Basics, or have an understanding of analog and digital communications systems and the CDMA technology.
- Overview of IS-95 Concepts
- Technology Roadmap
- 1X EV Overview
- Concepts of CDMA2000
- Concepts of 3GPP WCDMA
- Creating and Analyzing Signals for WCDMA and CDMA2000 and Measurements on the Two Systems
- For complete course details, click on the Education Datasheet below
Where & When
|For more information
|call for price
|Call to Schedule
|+1 877 894-4414
|How to Enroll
Prices shown are list prices and are subject to change without notice. Terms & Conditions


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Become one of historys greatest warriors and work as a team to conquer heavily‐armed fortresses, infiltrate enemy strongholds and more.
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