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Hawaii's national parks are attracting fewer visitors than last year. Mid-year tallies were substantially down from last year and showing signs of getting worse.
Tourism is one of the main engines driving Hawaii's economy. Consequently, the decline in visitation this year (attributable to higher air travel costs and related factors), has lots of people fretting about the negative implications for jobs, tax revenues, and the state's general economic health.
One of the things that Hawaiian officials watch very carefully is attendance at the state's various national parks. The parks are distributed among different islands and vary greatly in accessibility and attractiveness. Like lodging, food, and gas sales, national park attendance figures can provide useful information about trends in the spatial distribution of tourist activity and spending within the state. Naturally, gateway communities are especially attentive to the attendance data.
For Hawaii tourism statistics, see this site. The results of an interesting study of Hawaiian island tourist perceptions and preferences can be viewed at this site.
Mid-year tallies at the national parks have been discouraging to many Hawaiians. As of July, year-to-date attendance at the state's national parks was down 9.4%. Moreover, July's total attendance was just 425,946 -- 15.1% less than last year. That's nearly 76,000 fewer park visitors for that one month alone, and a strong indication that things may get worse before they get better.
The steep declines in attendance are not uniformly distributed. The state's two big nature-based parks, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park, registered larger than average declines, and so did some of the smaller cultural/historical parks.
The Big Island accounts for about one-sixth of Hawaii tourist arrivals, and total visits were up in both 2005 and 2006. (Statistics for all the islands can be viewed at this site.) At Hawaii Volcanoes on the Big Island, year to date attendance was down nearly 14% as of July, and attendance for July was off more than 17%. Haleakala (on Maui, which gets one-fourth of Hawaii's tourist arrivals) was down even more. In July of this year it tallied nearly 19% fewer visitors.
The biggest July decline, 26%, occurred at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a small cultural/historical park on the Big Island's Kona Coast. (You can learn more about this park, including the circumstances of its redesignation, at this site.)
Hawaii's easy to get to national parks have been least affected. Most conspicuously, year to date attendance for the USS Arizona Memorial, one of Hawaii's most popular tourist attractions, declined less than 9% in July and was down less than 6% for the year. The Arizona is extremely accessible because it is situated at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu (which accounts for nearly half of all Hawaii tourist arrivals) not far from the Honolulu tourism/convention hub.
On the island of Molokai, visitation at both Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kalaupapa National Historical Park has been about the same as last year (meaning not very high).
Most state officials expect an eventual return to normal visitation levels for the state and its national parks. Hawaii tourism has always been cyclical, with arrivals and lengths of stay waxing and waning with factors such as broad scale economic trends (booms, recessions), air travel costs, air travel safety concerns (the post-9/11 air travel dropoff being a prime example), and Asian tourism trends (such as the shifting destination choices made by Japanese honeymooners and vacationers).
But could it be different this time? Might these attendance declines be a warning of worse yet to come?
Hawaiians have some good reasons to contemplate a potentially painful transition to a less vigorous visitor industry in which the main objective will be to increase visitor-days (get internationals and mainlanders to stay in Hawaii longer) and boost per capita tourist spending.
I don't see credible travel experts forecasting any quick return to the cheap air travel that underpinned Hawaii's boom in convention and tourism trade for many decades. (It was the transition to jet airliners in the 1960s that put Hawaii's tourism and convention trade in fast forward mode.)
I do see speculation that terrorist threats or incidents involving passenger airlines or air terminals will sharply deter air travel to Hawaii sooner or later. I do see trends in Asian tourism (the rise of China, the rapid aging of Japan, the emergence of new tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, etc.) that are steering this tremendously important visitor segment away from Hawaii. This is not to mention economic and demographic trends in America with happier implications for mainland tourism magnets Las Vegas and Disney World than for more distant, exotic locations like Hawaii. No, if I were a Hawaiian tourism official I would be preparing people for more bad news.
The implications for Hawaii's national parks are obvious. International and mainland visitors drive attendance in these parks, and to get these people to visit the parks you first have to get them to visit Hawaii. Given the above-cited facts, it's hard to escape the conclusion that further attendance declines may be in the offing, especially at Hawaii's two big nature-based parks and the small cultural/historical parks on the Big Island.
Is there any reason to think that these parks can't easily and quickly shift to lower levels of visitation? I don't think so. Allowing that staff and budget adjustments might compel the curtailment of some services or programs, and perhaps the closing of some lesser-used facilities, essentially the same managerial policies and practices that have proven effective in the past should work just fine. And anyway, as some park advocates might quickly to point out, less "people pressure" and traffic in the parks is not necessarily a bad thing for park resources and visitor recreational satisfaction.


text: This morning I was zoning hardware at work and I came upon a box of Winchester 12ga 3.5 mag BB shot with eight shells missing. I thought Holy Crow I hope there isn't someone walking around the store with a sawed off 12ga and a big chip on his shoulder. Makes me wonder why just steal a few

subset: commoncrawl


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How to Build an Adjustable-shelf Bookcase
This bookcase has two adjustable shelves. Its double-wall construction adds strength to the unit while concealing the plywood edges and creates flush sides that allow you to slide books out without catching them on the face frame. You can easily make it taller, and its subassembly construction goes so quickly that you may want to build two of them at the same time to flank a window or fireplace.
Other materials
Red oak plywood is the material of choice here, but you can save money by using melamine-coated fiberboard and concealing the edges with veneer tape. Painted birch plywood is another practical option, and it's stronger than fiberboard. Built as shown, the bookcase makes an impressive addition to your home.
About 8 hours to build, plus finishing time
Tape measure, try square, framing square, electric drill/driver, bits, countersink bit, table saw, circular saw, bar clamps, router, router bits, hammer, nail set, needle-nose pliers, sander
Measuring, sawing
Assemble materials and tools, prepare large work area
What is used to hold shelves?5/1/2016 04:01:43 PM Report Abuse
I believe the entire height should add to a total of 48", and the 43 3/4" is either a type or it refers to the back (N). The 47 1/4" side panels extend all the way to the bottom of the entire structure, which would make the full height 48", and they would fit.9/11/2015 08:49:32 AM Report Abuse
I just downloaded the exploded view and notice that the overall height of the case is 43 3/4". If the side panels are to be 471/4' something doesn't add up. Please let me know what the dimensions are to be. Thanks, Reid4/18/2014 01:41:11 PM Report Abuse
- Build a Bookcase to Fit Your Style and Needs
- Extra Storage Space to Your Home
- Choosing the Right Tool for Your Built-in Project
- Choosing Shelving Materials & Hardware
- Mastering Basic Woodworking & Carpentry Skills
- Joinery: Assembling Your Project's Wooden Parts & Subassemblies
- How to Finish Wood
- Easy Shelf Projects That Look Great
- Add Extra Storage Space to Your Home


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Proposed dam will destroy 'significant' caves: scientist
If a new dam is built on the Belubula River at Needles Gap, chances are, a network of virtually untouched caves will be flooded, and valuable information will be lost forever.
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That's the warning from a leading scientist and caving society in the NSW central west.
Earlier this week, the NSW Government announced a $1m funding allocation in the state budget for a feasibility and scoping study to be carried out for a new dam to be built on the Belubula River at Needles Gap.
While the project is in its infancy, there's concern that the construction of a dam will wipe-out geologically significant fossil deposits, a hot spring, and the Cliefden Caves.
While the caves have remained virtually untouched, as they're located on a private property, there's a fear that valuable scientific information will be lost.
"Once the caves go under water, they'll basically fill up with silt and it'll destroy all the beautiful decorations and a lot of the fossil records," says the Vice President of the Orange Speleological Society, Denis Marsh.
"It's quite renowned as a significant fossil site. There's been 32 new species of fossil identified in the area and a lot of universities come up to do studies and teach students."
The potential Needles Gap dam will fill with water from the Carcoar Dam's downstream runoff.
"It's questionable whether there'll be enough flows to warrant putting a dam at the site," says Denis.
"The National Parks and Wildlife Service have done an assessment of the caves. They've been identified as quite significant and have been listed on the register of the national estate as needing [ongoing] protection.
"They've been well protected and well preserved. They're still in pristine condition because they've been located on private property and there's not access to the caves."
Armstrong Osborne is an Associate Professor and caves specialist at the University of Sydney.
He did research into the Cliefden Caves in 1976 when the idea for a dam was initially floated, and says the caves have high significance.
"These are some of the oldest marine fossils in New South Wales," he says.
"There's a whole range of different sorts of fossils; there's what might be the world's oldest reef- it's not a coral reef, it's a reef made-up of large shells.
"What's important about the Cliefden area is not just the caves, but also a very important, internationally significant fossil deposit on the site; and the caves also contain some rather unusual mineral deposits."
The site is also home to a rare 'maze cave'.
"This is a cave that has a pattern like criss-crossing lines. Inside the cave there are right-angled junctions with small passages running almost at right-angles to each other.
"Caves contain evidence of events that aren't preserved in the general geological section, so you can find out information about climatic information that we don't know about."
Assc. Prof. Osborne says there're a limited number of things that can be done to save the caves from inundation.
"When the dam disappeared in the 1970s, people never thought it would come back again.
"[The caves] are listed on the register of the national estate, but it was sort of de-commissioned a few years ago, and sites like Cliefden were supposed to be transferred to the State Heritage Register, but it simply didn't happen; so they're in this weird sort of limbo.
"The government is hardly likely to buy [the site] if they want to flood it."
With a lot more scientific research on the caves still to be done, Assc. Prof. Osborne says the dam shouldn't go ahead.
"What we're doing now is mobilising a group of people to try and catch-up on the science. Things will be happening and we're expecting to have a scientific seminar [about the site] sometime next year.
"The present arrangements work extremely well, [and] we don't need them flooded. Lots of really important sites aren't converted into tourist attractions."
Assc. Prof. Osborne spoke to ABC Central West Mornings presenter, Kia Handley.


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We deliver a range of educational youthwork activities in schools and communities across Norwich. We have four priorities to focus on:…Read More
The name says it all - Norwich YFC works in Norwich! Well and the surrounding areas. Which isn't always easy to…Read More
Norwich YFC currently employs 7 youthworkers and 2 part time office staff. We also have a team of 3 gap…Read More
Schools Work
We deliver focused programmes that supports the RE curriculum and raises young people's understanding of Christianity across schools in Norwich…Read More
Music & Media
We use a variety of music and media forms to engage with young people, allowing them to express their talents…Read More
We want to work effectively with other organisations and churches to engage with more young people. Whether it's a formalised partnership…Read More
Resourcing Others
We provide a range of resources for young people and churches to help them grow their outreach and their faith.…Read More
Meet the Team
Nick Blanch
Nick leads the overall direction, vision and strategy of NYFC, while managing his excellent staff! Nick is a speaker, dreamer, writer of silly scripts and makes a good cup of tea. He doesn't like coffee, so his coffee making skills are email@example.com
Paul Roast
Schools Worker
Paul is our dedicated schools worker and is responsible for all our major schools projects, including The Anti-Bullying Roadshow, Easter Uncovered and Prayer Spaces. Paul is a gifted worship leader, engaging story teller and supports Luton Town. Never-mind, we still love firstname.lastname@example.com
Sarah Ballard
Music Youth Worker
Sarah is responsible for our mobile recording studio, Tracks. Sarah also runs music groups in schools, mentors young people and works with Ben on our music youth group, The Jam. Sarah has a background in community choirs and loves seeing how God uses music in others lives. She is also our master baker - very handy at email@example.com
Ben Lawrence
Media Youthworker
Ben is our media mogul and is responsible for our YouTube projects, design work and oversee's our band 'Storehouse'. he also works with Sarah on our music youth group, The Jam. Ben enjoys throwing crazy ideas at Nick and sitting in coffee shops to 'people watch'. Yes, that is an actual pastime and we all think it's a bit email@example.com
Emmi Marlow
Youthworker - Poringland and Brundall
Emmi runs youth cafes across Poringland and Brundall, mentors young people and does a bit of detached work too. A former art student, she is quirky, fun and an avid board firstname.lastname@example.com
Dave Cossey
Youth Worker - Bramerton
Dave runs various clubs and schools work in the Bramerton area as a partnership project with Bramerton Youth R Us (BYRUS) which is part of a parish of 11 churches! Locations include Surlingham, Thurton and Rockwell St Mary's. Dave has spent the last 5 years in China and subsequently is amazing at cooking Chinese food - so the rest of the team are always trying to get invited to his for firstname.lastname@example.com
Rupert Appleton
Student Youthworker (Meadow Way Chapel)
Rupert is currently studying youthwork at CYM, Ridley Hall. His placement is with Meadow Way Chapel, overseen by NYFC. Rupert is involved in all aspects of the church's youth group and runs a weekly lunchclub at Hellesdon High School. A keen sportsman and lover of shorts in winter, Rupert is from 'Royal' Tunbridge Wells but sometimes pretends he has a London email@example.com
Becca Savory
Office Manager
Part of the dyanmic duo that oversee all things administration and keep all the youth workers in good order. Becca is meticulous, efficient and great with funding. She's a real prayer warrior and another clean freak – Fliss and Becca's shared desk is always the most email@example.com
Fliss Jones
Office Manager
Part of the dyanmic duo that oversee all things administration and keep all the youth workers in good order. Fliss has been a part of NYFC since the dawn of time and yet still looks young! She is a passionate worship leader with a strong pastoral spirit and an obsessive love for email@example.com
Abi Walter-Browne
Student Youthworker (Taverham Evangelical Church)
Abi is currently studying youthwork at Moorlands Theological College. Her placement is with Taverham Evangelical Church, overseen by NYFC. Abi is involved in all aspects of the church's youth group and will be developing links in the community. A positive thinker, organised and reliable, Abi is always willing to have a go at anything including experimenting with her hair styles!
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Sad to see hear of this, Tom has been a real encouragement to our team over the years. The last time we heard him... https://t.co/IkgDuBP8Es
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We officially now have over 50 stories for our book! Half way there!! If you agreed to write a story, please,... https://t.co/000q9rn2LM


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CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1268, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF ACT, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - May 05, 2005)
Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, passage of this legislation demonstrates our commitment to our brave men and women in uniform and acknowledges that they need resources in order to accomplish their mission and return home safely. It also offers support for the families when a loved one pays the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of fighting for freedom.
All along, I've been concerned about the lack of progress reports coming from the Pentagon. This bill finally requires the Pentagon to use real performance indicators to report to Congress with our progress in terms of security, economic, and Iraqi security force training goals.
The money that will go directly to help our troops is of course the most important part of this bill. It increases the military death gratuity to $100,000 and increases life insurance benefits to $400,000 for families of soldiers killed while on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We've all been hearing reports about the lack of adequate personal and vehicle armor. Congress has funded these critical protections in the past and we're doing so once again in this bill. I hope that this money will quickly be turned around to provide the needed add-on vehicle armor kits, new trucks, more night-vision equipment, and essential radio jammers to defeat the roadside bombs that are injuring and killing our troops almost every day.
Our troops should not be compromised. Resolving the current instability in the region is in the long-term best interests of all Americans-failure in Iraq would lead to irreparable consequences. Thousands of American troops have been in Iraq for more than 2 years. We have to take care of them and ensure that they can come back home as soon as possible.


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Staff Writer
POWAY -- Poway High School students will return to class after their spring break to find a uniformed San Diego County sheriff's deputy assigned to their campus on a full-time basis.
School and city officials announced the addition Friday, after city officials agreed Poway would pay for the deputy's presence through the end of the school year.
The deputy, who will be armed, will be on hand at the campus every weekday during school hours, starting March 16, the officials said. The move will cost the city about $16,500.
The money will come out of funds already budgeted for law enforcement in the city, City Manager Jim Bowersox said.
The decision to place a full-time deputy at the school was made after representatives of the city and the Poway Unified School District met several times in recent weeks to discuss shared concerns, including school security.
Bowersox said everyone involved agreed having a deputy on campus full time is a good idea in the wake of two recent school shootings in the county.
City officials felt the matter was pressing enough that quibbling over who pays for the deputy's presence didn't make sense, he added.
"The city … stepped up and said it's something that's important to both of us," Bowersox said. "We said, 'We'll get this thing going and figure out the details later.'"
Talks over whether the school should have a deputy next year and who might pay for that will continue, officials said.
Poway Unified School District spokeswoman Sharon Raffer said the deputy's presence will put Poway High on a par with the district's other two high schools.
The campuses -- Rancho Penasquitos' Mt. Carmel High and Rancho Bernardo High -- have each had a uniformed San Diego Police Department officer assigned to them for some time, she said.
"I know that (those) two high schools that presently have an officer there find that person extremely helpful," Raffer said.
Poway High's law enforcement officer will be a sheriff's deputy because the city contracts with the Sheriff's Department for law enforcement in Poway. Although the other two high schools are within the school district, their communities are part of the city of San Diego.
Poway High had a deputy assigned to it briefly after the shootings, which occurred March 5 at Santana High School in Santee and March 22 at Granite Hills High in El Cajon.
Two people died and another 18 were wounded in those incidents allegedly carried out by distraught students.
Poway High Principal Scott Fisher said Friday the deputy's presence helped reassure the school's 3,280 students and 250 employees their school was safe.
The presence of a uniformed law enforcement officer also serves as a deterrent to would-be troublemakers and provides intervention in potential problems, Fisher added.
"This is something I have believed is a need even before the recent shootings," he said of the decision to assign a deputy to the campus. "We're very happy about it."
Bowersox said city officials also received phone calls, letters and e-mails from residents asking that a deputy be stationed at the school in the wake of the shootings.
By assigning the deputy to the campus, Poway also is following the lead of other school districts, that have full-time law enforcement officers at their high schools, Bowersox said.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors also recently voted to place law enforcement officers at all high schools in unincorporated areas.


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It is Saturday afternoon here on the East Coast and we're wasting the day by tidying up the office. In the process we found a few more sets of our Titelmedia drink coasters (in case you did not know, Titelmedia is Highsnobiety, Snobette, Radcollector, Lilsnob, and us).
They make a perfect addition to your coffee table, bar, or just about anywhere you want to lay down your beverage. For the letterpress nerds: each coaster was hand stamped and printed by Repeat Press.
There are two ways to win a set of the coasters:
1. head over to Facebook and LIKE the Selectism page and this contest post.
2. or follow SELECTISM on Instagram for even better odds of winning.
Good luck all.


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The Bachelorette's Ashley Hebert is willing to forgive -- but not forget -- her one-time prince charming, William.
The 26-year-old dental student was head-over-heels for the 30-year-old suitor during a recent Las Vegas-set date, but things changed on Monday's episode when William trashed Hebert during a comedy show outing.
Asked to roast Hebert on a group date, William didn't to rag on the other guys -- as most of his peers did, to keep Hebert in high spirits -- and instead took clear aim at the bachelorette.
"I thought I signed up to be with Emily [Maynard] or Chantal [O'Brien], and then Ashley's here," William said during his portion of the roast, after slamming Hebert for her small chest. "Who gives a s--t?!" (Watch his roast above)
"He couldn't have said anything more hurtful," she said through sobs. Even smarmy Bentley -- who later quit the series -- couldn't believe William's audacity. "I feel the same way, but I'm not going to say it to her face. Like, don't be stupid."
Justifying his actions, William told Hebert: "This was a roast, it wasn't compliment Ashley night."
Later, Hebert shocked fans -- and William -- when offering him a rose, sending a just-unmasked Jeff and Chris D. home instead.
As William gets another chance at love, tell Us: Did he deserve a rose?
By Allison Corneau for Us Weekly. For more Channel Surfing, click here.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
July 23, 2008
Prospectus Preview
Wednesday's Games to Watch
Matchup: Twins (55-45) at Yankees (55-45), 1:05 p.m. ET
Mussina will be facing a different Twins lineup than the one the team has utilized for most of the season, as last night manager Ron Gardenhire switched Denard Span, who had been batting ninth, with leadoff man Carlos Gomez. Gomez played well in the first two months of the season after being handed the starting center-field job, but since May 30 is hitting just .203/.237/.267 in 213 plate appearances, with a 47/7 K/BB ratio. Span, meanwhile, has kept on hitting since his promotion from Triple-A Rochester, and most importantly has kept up his excellent plate discipline-his OBP is now up to .437 and he has walked 15 times against 16 strikeouts in 105 plate appearances. The new lineup should allow the Twins to get more men on base for their lone prolific run producer, Justin Morneau, who despite Gomez's presence in the leadoff spot has still batted with more men on base than any other AL player this year.
Matchup: Rangers (52-49) at White Sox (56-43), 1:05 p.m. CT
Furthermore, throwing a lefty against Texas has been the way to go this year, as Mark Buehrle proved again last night: the Rangers are the only team in baseball with an OPS north of 800 versus right-handers (824), but fall into the middle of the field with a 750 mark against southpaws. In games versus left-handed starters, Texas is 11-20 (.355 winning percentage), compared with 41-29 versus righties (.586). One of the few Rangers batters who has performed better against left-handers is rookie first baseman Chris Davis, who homered last night off Buehrle. Davis already has five extra-base hits in 26 plate appearances against southpaws, notable considering that Davis is himself a lefty. In his minor league career, however, Davis actually put up a nearly identical OPS versus lefties and righties (.315/.378/.573 in 275 PA versus .299/.351/.602 in 873, respectively).
Matchup: Blue Jays (49-51) at Orioles (48-51), 7:05 p.m. ET
A.J. Burnett has yet to pitch at Camden Yards this season, but given the returns from his two games at home against the Orioles this year, he cannot be looking forward to the experience. While Burnett gave up just one home run in those two outings, he was pounded for 17 hits and 15 runs in 9 2/3 innings. Burnett will have to especially watch out for Melvin Mora, who is on a tear of late, with four homers and 14 RBI in his past six games. After last night's five-RBI game Mora now leads the team with 62 batted in despite a sub-standard .246 EqA. As could be expected, Mora is hitting .375 with runners in scoring position, as compared to .206 with the bags empty.
Matchup: Phillies (54-46) at Mets (53-47), 7:10 p.m. ET
One of the Mets that Myers will have to be wary of is catcher Ramon Castro, who has homered and singled in three career at-bats against the Philly right-hander. At this point Castro is still the backup to Brian Schneider, but he has started the last two games, and the barrel-shaped slugger is making a serious case for a much greater percentage of the backstop timeshare-he has two hits in each of his last four starts, with homers in three of those contests. Schneider, meanwhile, has just seven extra-base hits in 248 plate appearances, giving him a sub-.300 slugging percentage and a negative VORP. To this point in the season, Castro has been worth two-fifths of a run more per game (0.256 MLVr to -0.145 for Schneider). Schneider's defense has been keeping him in the lineup, as he has gunned down 15 of 40 on the basepaths (37.5 percent).
Matchup: Brewers (57-43) at Cardinals (57-45), 7:15 p.m. CT
In other news regarding pitchers batting, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has continued his practice of having the team's starting pitcher bat eighth all season, while the Brewers' Ned Yost, who went with the strategy for the first two and half months, moved back to the traditional alignment beginning in mid-June. Has the non-conventional order worked for the Cardinals? It is hard to say it has mattered much either way because of how bad the Cardinals' ninth-place hitters have been, but theoretically the boost in OBP from the last spot in the order-.312, as compared with .260 for the pitchers in the eight hole-has meant more runners on base in front of cleanup hitter Albert Pujols. The Brewers actually have a more ideal player with which to execute the strategy in catcher Jason Kendall, who possesses the on-base skills to be the second lead-off hitter that Cards' shortstop Cesar Izturis does not. Yost must have felt that his club needed a change, however, as at the time he made the switch back, following Milwaukee's June 15 game, the Brewers' offense was producing a disappointing 4.46 R/G. The team's subsequent surge in offense cannot be connected to that switch-Milwaukee has scored 5.35 R/G from June 17 onwards-but the timing of their offensive breakthrough likely ensures that Yost won't be revisiting his experiment.
Caleb Peiffer is a contributor to Baseball Prospectus. He can be reached here.
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Thomas Gray : Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
i) Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
ii) Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?
Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or Flattery soothe the dull cold ear of Death ?
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre (C.U.1967)
Ans. This long passage contains many figures of speech as given below:
i)First two lines and the second and third lines together contain Erotesis or Rhetorical Interrogation. The questions actually confirm the strong negative answer.
ii) Honour , Flattery and Death are examples of Personifications as abstractions are invested with human qualities. They are imagined to behave like human beings. Death seems to have ears.
iii) Mansion is implicitly compared to body and this is an example of Metaphor which consists in the suggestion that the soul resides in the body. But the point of comparison is not stated.
iv) 'Silent dust' is an example of Euphemism which is a tender expression used for unpleasant meaning.
v) Heart in the sixth line is an example of Synecdoche . Heart means the man, in the form of the part meaning the whole.
vi) 'Pregnant with celestial fire' is an implicit comparison and hence constitutes an example of Metaphor. Implicit comparison is suggested between two dissimilar things child and celestial fire.
vii) Periphrasis occurs in the last two lines: 'The rod of empire might have swayed' and 'waked to ecstasy the living lyre'.These are round about way of expressions.
iv)The boast of heraldry , the pomp of power
And all that beauty and all that wealth e'er gave
Awaits alike the inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave( C.U.1964)
Ans. This passage contains many figures of speech which are listed below:
i) Heraldry and Power in the first line, beauty and wealth in the second line are examples of Personification.
ii) 'And all that' occurs twice at the beginning of the clauses in the second line and may be regarded as an Anaphora.
iii) The expression 'Inevitable hour' is an example of Periphrasis as the simple word 'death' is expressed in a round about way. The soft expression is used for 'Death' and from this point of view it is an example of Euphemism.
iv)The last line contains an Epigram. It is apparently contradictory that the paths of glory can lead one not to success but to the grave. But this has a deeper truth that nothing , not even glory , is enduring on earth.
v) The letter 'p' is repeated in 'pomp' and 'power' which are two closely placed words. The letter 'g' is repeated in 'glory' and 'grave' which are two closely placed words. Both are examples of Alliteration.
v)For who to dumb forgetfulness a prey
The first line contains an example of Personification because dumb forgetfulness which is an abstraction is invested with human qualities. It is imagined to be preying on men. Dumb forgetfulness is an example of Transferred Epithet because the epithet 'dumb' does not properly belong to 'forgetfulness' but to men who are forgotten. Similarly, longing look refers to the person and here the epithet longing is shifted from the subject to the object. This is also an example of Transferred Epithet.
It is also an example of Hyperbaton which consists in the inversion of the syntax.
vi) This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned
This is an example of Oxymoron as the two opposite words 'pleasing' and 'anxious' coexist side by side
vii) Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day
The comparison between the cheerful day and warm precinct is implicit and hence constitutes an example of Metaphor.
Nor cast one longing lingering look behind?(C.U.1987)
viii)The letter 'l' occurs in the beginning of 'longing, lingering and look
This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned
ix)For who to dumb forgetfulness a prey
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day
Nor cast one longing lingering look behind?(C.U.1987
The whole passage is an example of Erotesis or Rhetorical Interrogation which in the form of a question confirms the negative intention
vi) Chill penury repressed their noble rage,
Ans. a)The first line contains a Personification as abstraction like 'penury' is invested with human attributes. Penury , here meaning poverty , is personified and it suppresses the rage of the people.
And froze the genial current of their soul ( N.B.U.2000)
b) The phrase 'genial current of their soul' is a round about way of expression for 'joy' or 'happiness'. So it is an example of Periphrasis or Circumlocution.
vii) The curfew tolls the knell of the parting day
Ans. Abstractions like curfew and day are invested with human qualities and are imagined as human beings. The curfew is tolling the knell like a Sexton and the day is dying like a man. So it is an example of Personification.
It is also an example of Metaphor because here the evening is compared to the death.
viii) The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea
Herd means cattle. Here abstract is used for concrete and so it is an example of synecdoche.
viii) The ploughman homeward plods his weary way
This is an example of Transferred Epithet because the adjective 'weary' is shifted from the ploughman to the way. Here the ploughman is weary at the end of the day, the way is not weary although the epithet is shifted .
ix)And leaves the world to darkness and to me( V.U.1996)
This is an example of Zeugma because here the verb leaves connects two words darkness and me although it is appropriate only for one word darkness.
x) Let not ambition mock their useful toil
It is an example of Synecdoche because abstract is used for the concrete as the word Ambition actually refers to ambitious people.
xi)Nor Grandeur herar with a disdainful smil
It is an example of Synecdoche because abstract is used for the concrete as the word grandeur refers to the rich people.
xii) The boast of heraldry , the pomp of power /And all that beauty , all that wealth e'er gave.
It is an example of Personification because here the abstractions like heraldry , power, beauty and wealth are personified because they show behaviour and feeling like human beings.
And , all - these are examples of alliteration as the same consonant 'a' is used at the beginning of the two words.
xiii) Awaits alike the inevitable hour
It is an example of Euphemism as the 'inevitable hour' refers to death avoiding harshness of expression.
And drowsy tinkling lull the distant fields
This is an exmple of Metonymy because container is used for the thing contained as fields refer to the cattle and sheep.
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke.
This is an example of Hyperbaton as the syntax is inverted for poetic effect.
It is also an example of Metonymy as effect for cause is used when the furrow is used for the plough itself.
Or Flattery soothe the dull cold ear of Death?
This is an example of Personification because death is here personified.
Hands that rod of empire might have swayed
This is an example of Synecdoche in which part for the whole is used as hands refer to the ploughmen themselves.
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
This is an example of Synecdoche because individual for classes is indicated as Hampden represents a class of courageous leaders and protestors against tyranny.
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
This is an example of Synecdoche because individual for classes is indicated as Milton represents a class of famous talented poets.
Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
The phrase 'lap of Earth' is an example of metaphor as Earth compared to a mother implicitly . Head is an example of Synecdoche as part for the whole is indicated because head means the whole body of the dead person.
Dr.Ratan Bhattacharjee


text:
Los Angeles taxpayers will cover Councilman Jose Huizar's attorney bills in his sexual harassment suit, with the City Council voting Friday to approve a legal contract for $200,000 for services.
In a closed-door session, the council backed a contract for Los Angeles-based law firm Walsh & Associates.
Huizar, whose sexual harassment trial starts in November, could be forced to reimburse the funds to the city at a later date, City Attorney Mike Feuer's office said.
A former top staffer to Huizar, Francine Godoy sued the city and the councilman last year, alleging the Eastside councilman — who is married and has four children — sexually harassed her. He maintains the pair had a consensual affair.
Feuer's office is defending the city in the Godoy suit, while Walsh & Associates represents Huizar. But the city is also covering costs at Walsh & Associates because workers are provided with defense funding if the lawsuit is related to their employment, Feuer spokesman Frank Mateljan said.
At the end of the trial, the city could seek reimbursement if Huizar is found liable for actions that were not within course of his employment, Mateljan said.
After the vote, City Councilman Bernard Parks defended the council's decision. "The city had no other choice but…to provide a defense, particularly when the city might also be liable," Parks said.
Huizar wasn't present at Friday's vote.
The vote came the same week a special five-member panel concluded a private investigation into Godoy's complaint. In addition to filing her lawsuit, Godoy filed a complaint last summer with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which prompted a review of Huizar by a city-appointed panel.
Its findings were not made public, but City Council President Herb Wesson said Friday that the unanimous recommendation of the special committee was that "no further investigation is needed."
A spokesman for Huizar's attorney said the "panel concluded that Ms. Godoy's allegations are baseless." "We have maintained all along that Ms. Godoy's claims are false and malicious and that her claims are motivated by greed and a desire to destroy the council member's reputation because he would not help advance her career as she demanded," said Robert Alaniz, spokesman for the office of Walsh & Associates.
Hours later, Godoy's attorney fired back with a statement, saying the "real verdict in this case will be in November after a jury hears about Huizar and his despicable conduct."
The legal jostling comes weeks after the city settled another claim involving the councilman, agreeing to pay a $185,000 to a driver struck by Huizar's city-owned car in 2012.
The councilman, who has made downtown development a top priority, is currently running for re-election.


text:
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better to buy where you intend to get it serviced?
maxwella11 Posts: 14
edited April 2014 in General
giving the dealer you intend to service it with last crack to beat any deal you may have found?
do you indeed get better service if you bought it at the servicing dealer?
do you indeed get better service if you bought it at the servicing dealer?
Absolutely! I think service is the key -- last shot is a good idea. Usually you give the first person you test drive the with the last shot, but that's another issue. Remember it's no badge of honor to have the lowest gross of the month so be prepared for the ol' rope-a-dope with the sales gal. Pitch it as a "number", another "unit moved" at the end of the month. For that extra special deal -- be open to colors and options.
Be careful about the lowest gross profit and the highest interest rate scenario.
daysailer Posts: 720My experience, which seems to be corroborated by comments that I have read here, is that most (if not all) dealers operate their sales and service departments independently. Service departments are a for-profit enterprise regardless whether the vehicle owner or manufacturer is paying the tab, why would they care where the car was purchased? Has anyone actually experienced better service as a result of buying from that dealer? How would you know that your experience would have been different if you did not buy there?
As a service manager, I've been audited and I know for Chrysler and Chevrolet requirements, I was limited on the number of warranty claims I could submit for vehicles other than those we sold.
Additionally, an independent franchised dealer can refuse service on vehicles not sold by their dealership. At two of the dealers I worked at (in service), I was specifically ordered "if it doesn't have our badge on the back, it doesn't come through the door".
The main premise there was at a smaller dealer in my hometown, we'd see folks after the fact that didn't give our dealership an opportunity at all during the purchase process, then go to Houston to the Chevy Supermarket, Landshark, I mean Landmark Chevrolet to talk to a salesman that wouldn't be working there in a week and to get a service tour in a department they'll never see.
That's why places like Landmark have such good CSI ratings - most of their customers are from 80 miles away or further.
Then, of course, the hometown dealer has to listen to embellished stories of fire and brimstone (Imangined warranty complaints) and lose his tail doing warranty work at 40 cents on the dollar.
He simply choses not to lose his tail or deal with customers who have never spent a dime in his store.
I'm off my soapbox now.
I have not experienced a dealer refusing to work on a car due to non purchase there, I honestly thought that was illegal. However, if I thought that I would get bettter service it would be a factor but in the past 5 years or so warranty claims for me have been non existent. In addition, my experience with dealer servie depts has been terrible. Car not serviced (after appt) serviced incorrectly (overfill etc) will only use formula for repairs even though service bays are empty, (elective repairs like timing belts, pumps etc where independent mechanic will do for much less with OEM parts purchased by me via internet) Too much paper work with dealers, I cannot just drop my car off with a note, must spend 20 minutes dropping the car off and signing my life away. Voice mail and cannot get thorugh to service rep. Most delaers are understaffed in the service rep dept and it just takes forever to get a voice to talk to. For exmaple, Ford Contour Water Pump local dealer wanted $130, Ford dealer in texas sold to me for $65 (OEM) (shipping about $10) . Give me a break!!!!!!!
I don't think that doing warranty work is a fun thing for any dealer.
I think this would be a bigger problem if you live in a small town. The customer drives 300 miles to the cut throat big city dealer to save 200.00. Then he/she is first in line demanding free warranty work from the local dealer.
I once heard a Buick dealer tell a customer..." If those guys were good enough to sell you the car, they ought to be good enough to do your warranty work"
If you were the smalll town dealer who would you give priority service to?
In a big metro area it probably doesn't matter as much.
I always look at buying a car and getting it serviced as a package deal. It just seems to make sense to me to buy a car from a dealership where you are happy with the service department also.
The only way you are going to get good service from a dealer service dept is if the salesman is there long enough and has enough clout to intercede and get the job done right as he knows future sales depend on it. My experience is that 90% of salemen are short timers and usless for getting service performed!
Ha, warranty work and 40 cents on the dollar. Now you know how physicians feel when taking you in for a managed care contract!!!!!!
are not in the small town dealers because they can't justify the expense for the small quantity of vehicles that will be hooked to the machine. The small dealer in the small town bets on the consoles while the big dealer in the big city has the more expensive and thorough diagnostic equipment. We usually patronize the dealer who took the risk to stock the car we want. A local lady once bought a very rare and expensive car. One of her conditions was that $5,000 would be in escrow for 6 months and finally paid to the dealer when all of her complaints were satisfied.
kinley -- seriously, that sounds interesting what are the details? What kind of car did she buy? What big city is near you?
I managed a small Chrysler shop (7 techs) and we were REQUIRED by Chrysler to all the diagnostic machines, both roll-around and hand-held that any huge shop would have. You CANNOT repair a vehicle to manufacturer's specifications without the "manufacturer provided" (at YOUR cost) equipment. If you don't have the equipment, you can't do the work. I guess you COULD do the work, you just wouldn't get paid for it.
That's another reason why small shops in small towns sometimes restrict warranty repairs to their customer base. The rest of the shop is doing maintenance work to pay for $200,000 worth of diagnostic equipment!
Armtdm - if your salesman thinks, or says, he can force service into doing something because he has "control", forget it. "Favors" for service have gotten many a service advisor fired - I can't count the number of salesmen I sent "back up front" where they belong. I'm not saleman-bashing - I was one, then moved into fleet, F&I, then service management.
zueslewis -- all good sales people are close with one service advisor and at least one of the top mechanics -- telling you all what to do, not -- but having a "friend" or two in the service department is fundamental for any sales person -- last second PDI's for example. Sales and service is love/hate relationship when it works, it's beautiful, when not then I guess people leave or get sent home :-)
and I've always been close to service when I was in sales and sales mgmt, and had a couple of buddies in sales when I was in service. There's always the green pea who thinks he can threaten your job or the old school sales guy that changes dealerships like underwear that assumes he's your best friend.
He's also the guy bragging about the $10K gross - yeah right! On a Neon, no less!
bretfraz Posts: 2,021Anyone thinking that making friends with a Sales guy will get you extra pull in Service just is not connected to reality. Yeah, there are instances that one salesperson somewhere may have a good friendly relationship with a service guy somewhere else. But counting on that happening as part of a vehicle service strategy? Time to get real!!
If you want great service from the Service Dept, then make the effort to develop a rapport with the Service staff. Be nice, work with them, bring them Krispy Kremes, ask to meet the tech that will work on your vehicle, bring more Krispy Kremes.
I'm saying all this from a Sales perspective, believe it or not. I've never worked a Service job in my life. But I know how to get along and find ways to get people to help you out.
Zig Ziglar once said, "To get what you want, first give others what they want".
wow! i'm speechless ... you'll hand me off to the service department and walk away? Perhaps that's following the rules a little too literally for me.
get rid of you!
Is a salesperson supposed to hold the customers hand while they get their oil changed? A good "turn" to service is nice, as in "Mr Jones, I'd like you to meet Jim, our service manager. he's been with our dealership XX years (months, days..) and he's certified by (insert make here). He's the person I see when I have my car serviced. If you need anything, come see me. Jim will take great care of you. (THEN GO AWAY)
The biggest single thing you can do to get good service is to NOT YELL at the service advisor! I can't count the number of times I've had a new customer (I've never seen them or their car) come in, angry because XYZ dealer's service department didn't take care of them. They've had four check engine light activations, it's on again, and they're in front of me. They scream "you'd better fix my car and right now! Give me a loaner! If you don't fix it right now I'm calling customer assistance, then I'm calling a lawyer!!"
It's happened many times. I just met you two minutes ago and you're reday to call the manufacturer and complain, then call a lawyer? At that point, you have REALLY motivated me to help you. I don't need Krispy Kreme donuts, just a nice customer!
THAT kind of turn is fine, I'm specifically referring to the drop kick into the service dept. "see Frank, and if he's not there see Jane -- down in service around the corner, down the hall, through the double doors, on your right after the coke machine..." that is the typical sales person's turn to service.
Get the best deal you can because sales and service do not complement each other. Go for the lowest price and then develop a rapor with service rep!!!!
Sorry, but I yell and scream and write nasty letters and pull out the lemon law as well. Incompentence rules. I am down to one Ford dealer out of 5 in my area, others I have writen off due to incompetence. Only warranty or special work goes to them, independent mechanic gets everything else as he has been competent for the past 7 years.
My basic complaint against most dealers is that they sell more cars then they can service competently.
And you've blown off four out of five of the Ford dealers in your area.
And you allow them to do your warranty work and the really nasty or difficult jobs that your independent guy can't or won't do?
I'm no defender of Ford dealerships, but somehow, it sounds like you may be pretty hard to satisfy?
Or are they REALLY that bad?
The lady bought an Excaliber in Florida and drove it across the country to her home near here. At the time of comparing diagnostic machines our previous Towncar was taken to Bill Gill L/M in Tacoma. I took the very long printout to the selling L/M dealer in the small town & then the car was repaired correctly. Up until then, the small town Lincoln dealer was betting the odds on the consoles which probably were O K 95% of the time. Needed: new computer, not 6 BMAP's.
I'm not trying to be offensive, but as a service manager I could choose who I wanted for my customer base - when someone would walk in "loaded and ready to shoot" like I percieve you did after not being "satisfied" at other dealers, I think I would point out "Jones Ford" down the street. What is missing from these posts is the very true concept that 99% of technicians work hard, are well educated and honestly try to solve the customer's problems; 99% of all service managers are competent, well trained, have good people skills and "go to bat" frequently against the manufacturer (in favor of the customer) - for anyone to have a hard-core attitude against ALL service departments is ridiculous.
In my job, I see poor service skills in every car line - ESPECIALLY the expensive ones - I think someone needs a nap and needs to quit throwing weight around - that is NOT how you get things done.
at a service manager who was not involved in the original problem. There is no excuse for rudeness. If a customer wants to toss weight, or anger, take it out where the problem occurred.
That said, I'm not sure I agree with the 99% number. I might go with 90% or so of service managers who have the training and raw technical knowledge to perform competently and fairly. But that number drops to about 60% who have the knowledge and the judgement to know when to apply the "corporate party line", and when to fight for the customer. It drops to maybe 20% who, along with having the knowledge and the judgement, also have the people skills to communicate them effectively to the customer. What's scary is that many have the latter two, but not the first.
I had the Service Manager of a major Ford dealership look right at me and say that the usage of 1 Qts. of oil every 950 miles is normal on a new car. That on an engine with Ford-recommended 7,500 mile oil change intervals. When pointed out that between recommended change intervals my engine would consumed 7 quarts of oil, he simply closed his mind and said "That's right." At that point, I went to a competitor to buy my next car, while Ford's objectivity returned.
they way we all argue over statistics. Let me rephrase my post - "most" technicians and "most" service managers.
As a former police officer, I can say that most police officers still believe in the principles that motivated them to become police officers. Some do not.
Either way, back to the service issue - you as a consumer can choose the place you want your car serviced - just remember: the franchised dealer IS NOT *required* to perform work on your car and if you act like a butthead, they CAN and WILL make you leave. That said, if everyone involved acts like an adult, instead of acting like a spoiled child, throwing tempter tantrums, service work will be performed without a hitch. One of the main reasons I left my position as a service manager was because I was sick of bringing home stress caused by someone completely freaking out on me because he or she wasn't getting "their way". I've been called every name in the book because I wouldn't stretch the rules for you - you asked me to stretch the rules after you called me names and made fools out of both of us - then you want a favor?
please, don't anyone be offended that my hackles are up. Service managers and service advisors get abused, that's obvious - I'd dare to say that half of the abuse is brought on by either ignorance or the inability to commincate on the part of the service representative. I've always trained my people to put all their cards on the table before work is done - the "surprise" a customer gets after finding out the shop won't or can't fix the car, can't duplicate the problem, can't fix the problem even if they can duplicate it or in the case of "customer pay" situation, the customer is overcharged.
I'm proud to say I have never had a repair bill come in higher than the estimate. I can't say that I've solved every customer's problem.
If you bring Krispy Kreme donuts to the guy working on your car, remember to bring lots of napkins. Don't want donut glaze on your nice upholstery, do you? ; )
I want to clarify my position on the subject. No, not on the subject of Krispy Kreme donuts, but the subject of buying where you intend to get it serviced.
When I say that I look at it as a package deal, I don't mean that I hope my buying at the dealership will lead to my getting better treatment at service time.
What I meant is that I looked for a dealership where I felt comfortable both with the people who wanted to sell me a car and the people who were going to service that car.
When I buy a car, I like to give the selling dealership first crack at performing maintenance on my car. If they don't treat me right, I take it to another dealership and I cross the first dealership off my list as a place to buy a new car.
How the sales department treats you may get them the first sale, but how the service department treats you can cost them the repeat sale.
And I am the same way. I'm sure many a sale has been lost because of the attitude of the Service Department.
rbrenton88 Posts: 186...when you buy a used car from a distant dealership, only because they had the right car at the time? I come close to passing Dealer A on my way to have service done at Dealer B some distance away. I would love to simply go to the nearest one, but all the service history is recorded at B. Would A mind doing warranty work in that situation, and can they access the same service history?
Yep, service definitely costs the dealer lost sales. I would never buy a Ford agaoin as these have occurrred at three of four Ford dealers in my area where I have had work done
. appnt made, car not even touched when I came to pick it up, no phone call either
. transmission fluid overfilled
. wrong part ordered
. body shop left paint drips
. service rep refused to check tranny fluid level when I claimed it was overfilled, "stated that it is not my job"
. parts dept swore that a rebuilt part was not availalbe by manufacturer, fact is, they did make one.
. here's the picture in my service manual , I say no, my car is different, he say sorry, this manual is right. I say come look at my car. He says, oh, manual is wrong!!!!
So, no more Fords/Mercurys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marts1 Posts: 2The dealership where I bought 3 cars in the last
3 years provides free loaners only for customers who purchased the car being serviced at the dealership.Works great for me.The dealer is 30 miles from where I live,but right on the way to work (another 55 miles).
This discussion has been closed.


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Everything You Need To Know About Domino Before 'Deadpool 2'
A few days ago we learned of the rumor that two actors had been identified as frontrunners for major roles in Deadpool 2: Kyle Chandler as Cable and Mackenzie Davis as Domino. Both are relatively unknown, but have been highly praised in the movies and series they appeared in; Chandler earned an Emmy for his role in Friday Night Lights and Davis's turn as Cameron Howe in Halt and Catch Fire has been outstanding.
While we've already covered the kind of crazy comic book history that Cable and Deadpool share, who exactly is Domino? Domino's character contributes to Deadpool's story on many levels, as her arrival teases the introduction of the X- Force and her close relationship with Cable puts her more than once in Deadpool's path.
See also:
Domino Has An Origin Similar To Deadpool's
Domino, whose real name is Neena Thurman, was created by a secret government program attempting to create the perfect weapon. When the project failed, she was the only subject who survived and was saved from the experiment by her biological mother, who brought her to a church where she could safely grow up.
With her messed up childhood and the absence of her parents, it didn't take long for Domino to go rogue and join a team of mercenaries called Six Pack. Sound familiar? Her power might be even cooler than Deadpool's, though, as instead of having healing abilities she's able to manipulate probabilities. Which basically means that she has more luck than anyone else, as any situation can have a positive turnout for her no matter how small the chances.
Domino Has Close Ties With Cable — And A Complex History With Copycat
What makes Domino's introduction to a new Deadpool movie really interesting, though, lies in her ties to various characters in the Deadpool universe. She's extremely close to Cable, who we know is a good buddy of Deadpool's — most of the time. She first met him in the Six Pack before becoming his trusted ally in the X-Force, going as far as taking control of the group when Cable was out and about (that's what time-traveling heroes tend to do). Even more than an ally, she's also had a romantic relationship with Cable, and she's flirted with Colossus before, so she couldn't fit into Deadpool's world any easier.
Her introduction in the comic books also gives her a bit of a history with Copycat, the shapeshifting mutant who was (supposedly) played by Morena Baccarin's Vanessa in Deadpool. Domino's first appearance on the page in New Mutants #98 was actually Copycat pretending to be her, as she'd been hired by a villain named Mister Tolliver to spy on Cable while the real Domino was held captive. However, Copycat's mission failed as she grew attached to the team, and Cable eventually found out and arranged to free Domino.
Is The X-Force Coming To The Deadpool-verse?
Now that 20th Century Fox has brought Deadpool as well as Psylocke and Wolverine to the big screen, the arrival of Cable and Domino could mean that we're soon to see at least an early iteration of the X-Force. Especially when the X-Men's Colossus has been trying for so long to bring Deadpool into the group, the rougher alternative of the X-Force would seem like the right compromise to solo Wade.
Created in 1991, the X-Force comics have been a constant among fan favorites, so the demand for a movie adaptation is certainly there. The presence of the X-Force in the movies would also bring us closer to a Deadpool/X-Men merge, so here's hoping!
Who do you want to see playing Domino in Deadpool 2?


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Positive Feedback ISSUE
argent audio
Jaden Pursang interconnects
as reviewed by Fown-Ming Tien
As the saying goes, you don't miss something until it's gone. I've had to deal with this recently, due to my job relocation. Having no place to call home meant that I was without all of my personal belongings, including my audio equipment and my computer. This meant no equipment reviews, but more importantly, it meant NO MUSIC!!! When I finally got my belongings out of storage, the first thing that I unpacked was my audio system. Pots, pans, and clothes could wait—I wanted music and I wanted it NOW! This review was long overdue, and a new room was going to require time and tweaking. The next thing I did was set up my home theater system so that I could use it to run in a new pair of 30-inch Argent Audio Pursang interconnects.
After a few weeks of reacquainting myself with my system, I was ready to try the Pursangs. I already owned a pair of excellent-sounding Argent Audio Jaden Signature interconnects, which were among the best and most neutral cables I had tried in my system, but Ric Cummins of Argent told me that his top-of-the-line Pursangs were considerably better. The question was: How much better could they possibly be? My system already sounded incredibly balanced, so I had a difficult time fathoming that the Pursang could improve the sound. Was I in for a surprise!
Ric offers the Argent Audio Pursang RCA interconnects in two standard lengths, 30 and 36 inches, which sell for $900 and $950 respectively. Made-to-order lengths are available. The Pursangs are constructed with small-gauge silver wire with a TPFE dielectric and core. They are hand wound in a non-parallel, aphasic-field weave and terminated using locking gold connectors.
I inserted the Pursangs between my preamp and DAC, and was amazed at the improvements in dynamics. I also heard more weight and authority, especially with respect to attack, on John Mayer's Room For Squares album. I never felt that the Jaden Signatures were lacking in dynamics, weight, or speed, but compared to the Pursangs, it sure seemed like they were. The strength of the Jaden Signatures was their finesse and musicality. I had heard other interconnects that had more weight, but they were always lacking in musicality, balance, and finesse. Not so with the Pursangs, which maintained the balance and musicality of the Jaden Sigs but delivered more of everything. In short, the Pursangs are Jaden Signatures on steroids!
With the Pursangs, the soundstaging of my system approached levels that I had not experienced before. My old listening room was smaller than the new one, and the soundstage I got with the Jaden Signature interconnects was fabulously wide and deep, stretching well beyond the boundaries of the speakers. Nevertheless, it was not as seamless. With the Pursangs, the speakers vanished into the background, and I was left with a soundstage complete with the performers in my living room! The improved clarity was incredible. On Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Echo, the guitarist stood to the left of the left speaker, while the drummer was behind the equipment rack. Tom Petty was singing directly in front of me.
Amazed with this, I pulled out a disc even more capable of taking advantage of the system's soundstaging abilities—The Carl Saunders Sextet's Live in San Francisco disc, an excellent outdoor concert recorded by Jim Merod. With the Pursangs in my system, this disc sounded more lifelike than it ever has. The piano was off to the left side of the stage, the percussionist was on the far right side of the stage, the bassist was clearly centered behind, and the trombone and trumpet were center stage. Merod's recording also showcased another of the Pursangs' strengths—their transparency. This outdoor performance had an airiness that really made it sound live in my living room. If the trumpet honked, the Pursangs unabashedly passed the sound straight through, just as you would hear it at a concert.
The last thing I wanted to confirm was the Pusangs' bass performance, so I played Diana Krall's Look of Love. I had always loved the Jaden Signatures' ability to render bass quickly and tightly without making it overpowering. The bass with the Pursangs was even more powerful, tight, and fast, yet it still had no overhang. This was, again, the best I had heard my system sound!
The Argent Audio Pursang interconnects were clearly a step above any other cables I have tried. The thing about the Pursangs is that absolutely no other cables sound so balanced. The timbre of instruments and voices is accurate. Highs, mids, and lows are all there, with no frequencies sticking out like sore thumbs. The result is the most musically involving experience I have ever enjoyed in my system. I have heard many cables that do some things right, but the Argent Pursangs are the first to do it all right! If you are in search of very neutral, balanced, revealing, and refined interconnects, I highly recommend that you give the Argent Audio Pursang interconnects a try. They are the best I have experienced to date. Fown-Ming Tien
Pursang interconnects
Argent Audio
Coming Soon: More on the Argent Pursangs by Marshall Nack


text:
Online Program
Measuring the Spatial Pattern of Illiteracy Problem in Iraq-2007View Presentation *Faisal G. Khamis, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
Keywords: spatial autocorrelation; illiteracy; mapping; global and local Moran statistics; governorates of Iraq
Although many studies examined the existence of spatial pattern of illiteracy problem in developing countries in improving the culture level or social status and reducing the inequalities in illiteracy between areas of such country, there is still much work to be done. The objective was to investigate the spatial structure of illiteracy percentage across different governorates to provide implications for policy makers, investigating the hot spots of illiteracy, and showing visual picture for illiteracy. The study utilized cross-sectional census data for 18 governorates collected in 2007. Mapping was used as a first step to conduct visual inspection for illiteracy using quartiles. Two statistics of spatial autocorrelation, known as global and local Moran's Ii, were carried out for examining the global clustering and local clusters respectively. The global clustering was found in illiteracy and it was confirmed by the significant local Moran's Ii, statistic. Out of 18, four governorates were found as local clusters in illiteracy. In conclusion, the illiteracy varied across different governorates with black spots in northern, western, and southern parts of the country.


text:
Tampa Bay Rays
Rays' spring training tickets on sale to public today
ST. PETERSBURG - Single-game tickets for Tampa Bay Rays spring training tickets go on sale to the general public online beginning today and through other outlets beginning Saturday. The Rays begin their fourth spring season at Charlotte Sports Park in Charlotte County on March 4 against the Minnesota Twins. Sales for for single-game tickets begin at 10 a.m. exclusively at raysbaseball.com. At 10 a.m. Saturday, single-game tickets go on sale via phone at 1-888-FAN-RAYS (1-888-326-7297), online at raysbaseball.com or at the Charlotte Sports Park box office, Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Rays Tampa store at 400 N. Tampa St.Single-game tickets will range from $7 to $27. Spring season tickets are $272 for the 16-game home schedule. Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS or go to the team website to purchase. Rays Insider subscribers had the opportunity to participate in a special online pre-sale on Thursday, but the deadline for registration was noon Wednesday. The first workout for pitchers is Feb. 21. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 26. Here is the Rays' home spring training schedule at Charlotte Sports Park: Sunday, March 4 - Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m. Monday, March 5 - Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 - Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m. Thursday, March 8 - Detroit Tigers (ss), 1:05 p.m. Friday, March 9 - Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m. Sunday, March 11 - Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m. Monday, March 12 - Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 - Miami Marlins, 1:05 p.m. Thursday, March 15 - Philadelphia Phillies, 1:05 p.m. Sunday, March 18 - Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 - New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. Friday, March 23 - Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Sunday, March 25 - Miami Marlins, 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 - Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m. Saturday, March 31 - Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m. Monday, April 2 - Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m.
Trending Now
Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter thanks his former dance instructor from Tampa in touching tribute (w/ video)


text:
Age: 35
Occupation: Actor
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0
Funnyman Russell Brand has been making waves in the U.K. since he started stand-up comedy in the early 2000s. But the rascally Brit has a rising profile in the States, hosting the MTV Video Music Awards, starring in Get Him to the Greek and marrying pop star Katy Perry. And the laughs will continue Brand has taken Dudley Moore's role in a remake of the 1981 comedy Arthur, which hits theaters this month.
Next Jeff Bridges


text:
The Board of DirectorsBob Evans Farms, Inc.Attention: Corporate Secretary8111 Smiths Mill RoadNew Albany, OH 43054Ladies and Gentlemen: Based on the previous communications that we have had with the management and the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. ("Bob Evans" or the "Company"), you are no doubt aware that Sandell Asset Management Corporation ("Sandell") is one of the Company's largest shareholders. While we found our most recent discussion with Steve Davis and Paul DeSantis on October 11 to be quite cordial, we are profoundly concerned by the Board's lethargic approach to taking action to enhance shareholder value at Bob Evans. In view of your apparent failure to even promptly give serious consideration to the actions we proposed to increase value, let alone actually taking any such actions, we have retained the proxy solicitation firm MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to help us evaluate our options, including a possible consent solicitation, to allow shareholders to seek change at the Company. We note that significant time has elapsed since our initial July 16 th discussion with Mr. Davis and our August 5 th letter and subsequent conference call with Lead Independent Director Michael Gasser. Furthermore, our September 23 rd letter to the Board addressed many of the key matters that we had previously spoken about with Mr. Gasser. As such, the Board has had over three months to consider the salient points that we had highlighted regarding actions that we believe would deliver significant value to the Company's shareholders. One can then imagine our extreme disappointment at being told by Steve Davis on October 11 that the Board would review our ideas "in due time." Three months can easily be characterized as "due time" and the Company's dilatory stance in no way reflects an understanding of the urgency with which these matters should be treated. Shareholders of Bob Evans can no longer afford to suffer this Board's apathetic posture as they have in the past. As a particularly glaring example of this apparent apathy, we note that the vast majority of current Board members had presided over the persistent poor results at the Mimi's Café restaurant chain for almost six years before finally taking action to sell Mimi's at a $133 million loss in February 2013. The unfortunate example of Mimi's is just one of a number of troubling cases that we have discovered that make us question the Board's motivation. Subsequent to our September 24 public filing we have learned from both former shareholders as well as equity analysts that actions similar to those we advocate have been proposed to the Company over many years, all to no avail. Furthermore, we have learned of two separate, multi-billion dollar real estate investment firms that would have a keen interest in pursuing a sale-leaseback transaction with Bob Evans; both firms' valuation assumptions are consistent with ours, and one firm in particular claims to have tried on many occasions over the last several years to get an audience with Bob Evans but has never received a reply from the Company. These strike us as worrisome examples of a board governed by inertia, or even indifference, rather than its fiduciary responsibilities. To recap, our plan encompasses three broad ideas, namely: (1) the separation of BEF Foods; (2) the sale-leaseback of real estate owned by Bob Evans Restaurants, and (3) the repurchase of shares via self-tender(s).
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text:
Research Topics
Elaine O Petrof
Affiliation: Queen's University
Country: Canada
Detail Information
- From stool transplants to next-generation microbiota therapeuticsElaine O Petrof
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Gastrointestinal Research Unit, Queens University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Electronic address
Gastroenterology 146:1573-82. 2014..We discuss 2 pathways in the development of this new therapeutic class: whole microbial communities separated from donor stool and an assembly of specific fecal microorganisms grown in vitro...
- Microbial ecosystems therapeutics: a new paradigm in medicine?E O Petrof
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases GI Diseases Research Unit, Queen s University, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
Benef Microbes 4:53-65. 2013..More than simply a new probiotic treatment, this emerging paradigm in medicine may lead to novel strategies in treating and managing a wide variety of human diseases...
- Bacteria-free solution derived from Lactobacillus plantarum inhibits multiple NF-kappaB pathways and inhibits proteasome functionElaine O Petrof
Department of Medicine, GIDRU, Division of Infectious Diseases, Queen s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Inflamm Bowel Dis 15:1537-47. 2009..The purpose of this study was to determine whether normal commensal bacteria could inhibit inflammatory pathways important in intestinal inflammation...
- Influence of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 on TLR4-induced activation of antigen presenting cells is dependent on the order of receptor engagementVandana Gambhir
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Immunobiology 216:988-96. 2011..Consequently, engagement of VDR by 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ can partially interfere with TLR-4-L-induced activation of pAPCs only when it occurs before TLR-4 stimulation...
- Administration of defined microbiota is protective in a murine Salmonella infection modelSarah Lynn E Martz
Dept Medicine, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
Sci Rep 5:16094. 2015..typhimurium from gaining access to the systemic circulation. We conclude that MET-1 may be protective against enteric infections besides C. difficile infection. ..
- Small molecule immunomodulins from cultures of the human microbiome member Lactobacillus plantarumRostyslav Zvanych
Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, M G DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
J Antibiot (Tokyo) 67:85-8. 2014..Administration of these compounds resulted in decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma, which is of noted importance in gastrointestinal immune homeostasis. ..
- Probiotics in the critically ill: a systematic review of the randomized trial evidenceElaine O Petrof
Department of Medicine, Queen s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Crit Care Med 40:3290-302. 2012..The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of probiotics in critically ill patients on clinical outcomes...
- Cross, but not direct, presentation of cell-associated virus antigens by spleen macrophages is influenced by their differentiation stateAttiya Alatery
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Immunol Cell Biol 88:3-12. 2010..Accordingly, Sp-Mphi can have an important role in regulating T-cell responses through cross-presentation depending on their differentiation state...


text:
Bandy Van Cleave and Williamson has been around a long time. Nearly 60 years and counting. And although much about the Nashville skyline and the nature of the insurance industry has changed around us, our commitment to our clients remains the same: we are about people, not production. We value our relationships and want to grow with you to meet your business or family insurance needs. Learn more…
Bandy Van Cleave & Williamson, LLC
(615) 320-0294 phone | (615) 321-0285 fax
116 20th Ave South | Nashville, TN 37203


text:
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Conn's (CONN) shares are climbing, up 6.7% to $49.74, on Monday following first quarter earnings results that were ahead of analysts consensus estimates.
The company reported a 31% year over year quarterly earnings increase to 81 cents per diluted share, beating Thomson Reuters estimates by 8 cents.
Revenue was up 33.6% to $335.5 million, beating estimates of $328.5 million, as same store sales rose 15% over the previous year.
Must Read: Warren Buffett's 25 Favorite Stocks
TheStreet Ratings team rates CONN'S INC as a Hold with a ratings score of C+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:
"We rate CONN'S INC (CONN) a HOLD. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed - some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth and compelling growth in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself and weak operating cash flow."


text:
WBEZ News
O'Hare expansion deal to focus on south end of airport
Part of the O'Hare International Airport expansion has been given the green light. Part of the big goal in expanding O'Hare is to construct runways that are parallel to each other and don't criss-cross. The airport is the second-busiest in the country, and city officials have said Chicago's economy would suffer without updating the airport.
Joe Schwieterman is a professor of transportation at DePaul University. He said the $1.17 billion agreement between the federal government, the City of Chicago, and two major airlines could resolve one of the trickiest parts of the expansion on the airport's south side.
"The city pulled something off here that is pretty impressive," Schwieterman said. "They got the federal government to ante up, they got the airlines to stand in unison so that critical south runway can move forward. That's a huge payoff."
Officials have proposed adding a runway and relocating major roads on the south end of the airport. The parties involved in the expansion say they will negotiate the rest of the modernization plans in two years.


text:
the subject of dreams is indeed linked to your thoughts during the day, so if you think about swtor a lot, ye you might dream about it
I dream of weirder shit >.>
WTH is sleep!
the subject of dreams is indeed linked to your thoughts during the day, so if you think about swtor a lot, ye you might dream about it
Monk, I need a monk!!!
:C I've been playing a lot of LoL lately, and I've imagined a few times how awesome it would be to get a penta-kill as Soraka with her starfire spell.
So um... not wierd :P To us, anyways!
Had one last night where me Trolls and the guild were having an all out brawl with the republic, right before I woke up me and this sentinel were having this force duel and I was doing the malgus scream from hope xD
Why should it be weird to have a dream about one's hobbies? *shrugs*
I had a dream a few nights ago that I was a Bounty Hunter.....maybe my dreams are telling me to roll BH first?
I've been having dreams about twi'lek dancing girls is that strange?
I know I may get infracted for this, but yes, you all are wierd!
(though this might just be me being jealous for not having dreams about twi'lek dancing girls)
My dreams are crazy. Having a dream about playing a video game isn't that weird.
I've got a 5 week old baby, so this thread just makes me sad about all the sleep i'm not getting
Oh how I envy you!
I had a dream last night where I smacked someone in the face with a Motorbike. Not like, I drove into him. I was swinging the Motorbike around like a weapon.
I sure hope that doesn't mean anything. So for the sake of self-preservation, I'm going to say that no, you're not weird!
It's normal. It feels weird because it's about a video-game, but people normally dream about things they experienced or want to experience in real life and since you want this game and are excited about it, it's normal to dream you are playing SWtoR.
Same thing happened to me in WoW, specially during those times I was playing hardcore with a lot of pressure from PvE and PvP. I used to dream about Illidan and how I should tank those fucking flames or about getting the dam PvP shoulders in my Warlock (no, I didn't played as SL\SL and nether with a Druid, so it wasn't simple lol)
"I'll tell you something, my Tenchi, you know the carnival comes and goes. But if you wait for a while, it'll always come back to you, Tenchi."~Ryoko TENCHIxRYOKO FTW!
"The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
The Force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined. The crystal, the blade, the Jedi. You are one.


text:
HAUL: Sephora Lipgloss Lab
Im not usually a fan of lipglosses but this was a deal not to miss out on! With Christmas just around the corner, Sephora is filled with gift sets and palettes! One gift set that caught my eye was the Sephora Lipgloss Lab.
A total of ten FULL SIZED lipglosses for $49, is such an amazing offer!
A great gift for a loved one or friend, or great for professional use.
Sephora Lipgloss Lab is retaling at SGD49.00 at Sephora Singapore ♥


text:
Hawking Technologies, Inc., a leading
developer of innovative wired and wireless networking solutions for home,
workgroup, and corporate users, has announced that it has begun shipping
the Hi-Gain Wireless-G Range Extender. The new, high performance Wireless-G
Range Extender expands Hawking's award-winning line of Hi-GainTM Wi-Fi Range
Extending products, which allow users to effectively increase the distance
and performance of their wireless networks.
The HWUR54G works by taking the wireless signal from ANY wireless 802.11b/g
access point and retransmitting it at a higher rate, effectively doubling
the distance of a given wireless network. The Range Extender is placed
midway between the original wireless access point and the area that is
experiencing poor wireless coverage. The HWUR54G eliminates the need for
running long Ethernet cables across the floor to extend internet coverage.
The Hawking Wireless-G Range Extender features new technology that enables
the Extender to extend any wireless 802.11b or 802.11g signal.
"Wireless repeaters that are currently on the market are all proprietary and
work only with specific models of that specific brand. There is no
guarantee that one chipset will work with another chipset. This creates a
lot of havoc in a market of end users that just want the product to work out
of the box. Hawking has done extensive research and development to create a
new 'repeater' that is compatible with all wireless access points regardless
of the brand, chipset or network type. It works out of the box.
Installation of previous repeaters was also another hurdle in getting them
into the home and office. The configuration protocol (WDS) used by current
repeaters is too confusing for the average user to understand. The HWUR54G
features breakthrough setup features that allow users to simply enter in the
SSID of the original access point that they wish to repeat." says Jason
Owen, Product Marketing Manager at Hawking Technologies.
The Hawking Wireless-G Range Extender installs easily onto any home or
office network. The user loads the web-based configuration utility and
enters in the SSID of the access point that requires extending. The
Extender is then placed at the desired location for wireless range
extension, and powered on. New advancements in software coding eliminate
the need for confusing setup features and options.
The Hawking Wireless-G Range Extender is compatible with Hawking's entire
line of Hi-Gain Wi-Fi Range Extending antennas and boosters for further
range extension. From home applications that require range extension to
another bedroom or backyard to office applications that require going from
one building to another, the HWUR54G is the perfect solution.


text:
On December 31, 2011 the Net International Investment Position (NIIP) of the United States was a little worse than negative 4 trillion dollars. This means that total holdings of U.S. assets such as stocks, bonds (private and government) and real estate, by foreigners exceeded total holdings of foreign assets by people in the United States by more than $4 trillion. This is more than one quarter of the annual GDP of the United States. Despite this negative position, in 2011 American-owned assets had still generated $235 billion—1.6 percent of GDP-- more income than was lost in corresponding payments to foreigners.
This unusual set of circumstances is not likely to continue. Earlier this month, the OECD released a report "Looking to 2060: Long-term global growth prospects" based on the baseline projections of its June Economic Outlook. The report projects that real per-capita GDP in the United States will rise 1.58 percent per year from 2010 to 2060. That is, output per person will be 119 percent higher in 2060 than in 2010. On the other hand, the OECD also projects that an increasing amount of that production will represent income to foreigners.
Apart from a brief surplus in 1991, the last 30 years have seen negative U.S. net national savings in the form of the current account deficit—essentially a large trade deficit offset in part by a small net income from assets. The OECD projects that the current account deficit will grow to a record 6.4 percent of output by 2030 (over $1 trillion annually in today's economy) before steadily recovering over the next three decades as net foreign investment in the United States declines. This projected pattern of current account deficits implies large sales of U.S. assets to foreigner and therefore further deterioration of the U.S. NIIP. By 2038, net foreign ownership of U.S. assets will rise from 26.7 percent of GDP to something closer to 54.5 percent.[1] If these assets generate a return akin to government bonds, then in 2040 this will represent a flow of cash out of the United States equal to about 4 percent of GDP or $640 billion a year in today's economy.[2]
Source: OECD and author's calculations.
So if net interest payments still continue to increase, why does the current account balance improve? The answer is that between 2030 and 2040, the trade balance must improve. At the same time the United States loses (public and private) net interest income from foreigners, the U.S. is selling relatively more goods in comparison to purchases. The latter means the United States gradually retains what was a flow of money out of the country amounting to 3 percent of GDP. Usually this would be accomplished by a drop in the real value of the dollar, which would make U.S. goods cheaper to the rest of the world and foreign goods more expensive to people living in the United States.
Source: OECD and author's calculations.
In effect, the OECD's analysis implies that after growing by more than 100 percent as a share of GDP, the United States NIIP will eventually stabilize as the United States' trade deficit moves toward balance and eventually a modest surplus.
The OECD's analysis is interesting for two reasons. First it highlights the long-term implications of large trade deficits. Instead of the United States buying more than what it pays for from abroad, it will eventually be selling more abroad than what it imports. This corresponds to a reduction in living standards of roughly 4 percent compared to a situation where we continue to run trade deficits of the current size.
It is important to recognize that this drop in living standards is due to the trade deficit, not the budget deficit. The reason we have a trade deficit is because the dollar is higher than a level that is consistent with balanced trade. Those who are upset about the prospective drop in living standards due to greater foreign ownership of U.S. assets should be upset first and foremost about the over-valued dollar, not the budget deficit.
The second point is that even with a larger share of output being drained off by foreigners, there is still projected to be a large rise in living standards over this period. Over the full 50 years output per person is projected to increase by 120 percent. Even if an additional 4 percent of output is diverted to foreigners who own U.S. assets, output per person will still have more than doubled over this period.
A third point is that the switch from having a trade deficit to surplus is likely to have a big impact on distribution. While we protect many high-paying occupations from international competition (e.g. doctors, lawyers, etc), we force other workers to compete with the lowest paid workers in the world. When conditions of competition turn again in the U.S. favor, this will improve the situation of manufacturing workers and other workers subject to international competition relative to doctors and lawyers. This gain in relative position, and the implied rise in wages, could easily swamp the negative effects of increased foreign indebtedness.
In other words, most workers will probably be better off when our trade deficit moves toward balance. They would probably be best off if this adjustment happened next week rather than 25 years from now.
[1] This assumes inflation in the United States runs two percentage points slower than the rest of the world, and foreign assets depreciate correspondingly. According to the OECD data, the average growth in the GDP deflator in the rest of the world-- weighted by net savings— approaches about 4 percent per year, compared to 2 percent in the United States.
[2] The net interest on assets would be greater than the implicit interest on net assets because U.S. government bonds are projected to generate a higher rate of interest than foreign government bonds by 2022. Even with a zero net investment position, the interest income would be less than interest outgo.


text: On Thu, 3 Jun 2004, Marco Baringer wrote: > > i have a relativly large data set which i keep in memory (about 59MB) > under the form of a list. to avoid having to process the data each > time the app starts i'd like to put it all in a compiled file which i > can simply load, the trick i'm using is this: > > data.lisp: > > (in-package :my-package) > (setf *data* #.*data*) > > unfortunetly openmcl dies in vector-push-extend (i end up the kernel > debugger) when attempting to compile this file. is there some limit > i'm running into? > > -- > -Marco Exceeding a limit on the total size of an array - 2^24 - isn't supposed to drop you into the kernel debugger. (It's not clear how you could exceed that limit unless something tries to create something larger, and I don't think that there's a way to create a large array without checking to see if this limit has been exceeded and signaling an error if so.) COMPILE-FILE uses a hash table to detect circularity; hash tables store alternating keys and values in a single underlying vector (and there are a few other words of information in that vector), so there's an upper limit of a bit under 2^23 on the number of values that can be kept in a hash table. Depending on the length and structure of *DATA*, I can imagine that this could be approached; but it's not really clear how VECTOR-PUSH-EXTEND fits into this ... If you can reproduce this, could I see the output that :B (backtrace) and :L (show lisp register values) produce in the kernel debugger ?