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ZURICH/LONDON (Reuters) - Swiss bank UBS AG is nearing a deal to settle claims some of its staff manipulated interest rates and could reach agreement with U.S. and British authorities by the end of the year, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.
UBS is expected to pay more than $450 million to settle claims some of its employees submitted false Libor rates, the New York Times reported earlier.
Britain's Barclays Plc was fined $453 million in June for manipulating Libor benchmark interest rates, and remains the only bank to settle in the investigation, which led to the resignation of the bank's chairman and chief executive.
U.S. and UK regulators, which released their settlements with Barclays at the same time, are working together on the UBS investigation and could release an agreement by the end of the year, although the timing could slip into next year, the person familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The reliability of the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, has been cast into doubt by the rate manipulation accusations. Libor is intended to measure the rate at which banks lend to one another and is used as a benchmark for $300 trillion of contracts and loans across the world.
UBS was the first bank globally to report suspected rate rigging, and has said it has received conditional immunity from some authorities for cooperating in their probes.
A UBS spokeswoman told Reuters that the bank was in the midst of discussions with authorities in the United States and Britain in connection with Libor investigations and has been cooperating fully with the regulatory and enforcement authorities, but gave no further details.
Britain's Financial Services Authority declined to comment beyond confirming the already established fact that the FSA is investigating UBS.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the U.S. Justice Department, investigating the Libor matter in the United States, declined to comment.
Other banks are also anxious to draw a line under the probe, which is well into its second year. British bank Royal Bank of Scotland said last month it hoped to reach a settlement on its part in the rate-rigging scandal - likely to result in fines for the bank - and expected to start talks soon.
Morgan Stanley has estimated that 11 global banks linked to the Libor scandal could face $14 billion in regulatory and legal settlement costs through 2014.
Switzerland is also investigating 12 U.S., European and Japanese banks suspected of conspiring to manipulate interbank lending rates. They include Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings and RBS.
"In Switzerland we are still investigating the case. We are in contact with other authorities," said Competition Commission official Olivier Schaller, but provided no further details.
Tobias Lux, spokesman for Swiss regulator FINMA, said the regulator was making efforts to clarify the issue, but declined to comment further.
Reuters parent company Thomson Reuters Corp collects information from banks and uses it to calculate Libor rates according to specifications drawn up by the British Bankers Association (BBA).
Additional reporting by Sakthi Prasad in Bangalore; Editing by Mike Nesbit and Jane Merriman


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At a public forum at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y last night, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sounded optimistic that the league's competition committee will soon approve an expansion of the playoffs to 14 teams, with the extra games possibly held on Friday or Monday.
Adding a seventh team to each conference as a third wild card "is under serious consideration," Goodell said. It'd be easy enough to tweak the current playoff format by taking away one of each conference's first-round byes, and having that 2-seed play the 7-seed. Goodell formally has no say in the matter, but after touting the excitement of Week 17, in which nearly every game had playoff implications, he sounds like he's all for playoff expansion.
"That's extraordinary and we want to keep that. If we could increase that, and again this is about believing in better, can you make it better, can you make those races better by adding two more teams? That's compelling and that's what we're looking at."
More football, more playoff football, can only be a good thing. (Disagreements are welcome down in the comments, but you're wrong.) But where do you cram in two extra games to an already-packed wild card weekend? It'd be possible to have early, late, and night games on both Saturday and Sunday, but Goodell raised the possibility of something more unorthodox.
"They're going to study some aspects of that because when would those games occur and one team would get a bye in each conference and you'd have six games on the weekend. So would you have three on Saturday, and three on Sunday? Or do you get one on Friday and two on Saturday and two on Sunday and one on Monday? I think those are the kinds of things we want to evaluate."
Remember what I said about more football being good? Yeah, I don't want to watch a playoff game on a Friday night. But a cold January Monday night, when there's nothing much else on the sports calendar? Sounds perfect, and we're already conditioned for Monday night football. No one asked me, but I'd prefer two games on Saturday, a full slate of three on Sunday, and a single Monday game.
Playoff expansion seems inevitable, and probably to 16 teams some day soon. It means more money, and the NFL has room to grow without extending the actual length of the postseason. The NBA and NHL playoffs are interminable, while baseball has been able skirt the point of diminishing returns by adding first a five-game series, then a single play-in game, keeping the entire postseason under a month. If the NFL can cram more games into a weekend without having to add a whole new week, it's going to happen.
What's not likely to happen: a change in the league's seeding procedures. Every year some 11- or 12-win wild card is forced to go on the road to play a weaker divisional winner, but that's exactly how the NFL wants it. "I don't think there is momentum for reseeding," Goodell said. "There might be momentum in the media, but the first objective of any team is to win your division, and when you win your division, you should have a home game."

subset: commoncrawl


text: Please notice the ColorGATE event calendar and sales partner events e.g. open house dates. We are pleased to welcome you! If you would like to have more detailed information on any of the individual date or would like to contact us for any other reason, we are only too happy to hear from you.


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"Bulletin Board," Friend, Nov. 2012, 12–13
Bulletin Board
Journal Junction
Each month this year you can write a little bit of your own history in your journal. This month write about what you look like. What color are your hair and eyes? How tall are you? Do you have freckles? Do you wear glasses? If you want, tape or glue a photo of you to your journal page, or draw a picture of yourself.
Missionaries by the Numbers
50,000 missionaries who teach the gospel around the world
350 missions around the world
24,000 missionaries who go through the missionary training center in Provo, Utah, in a year
500 young people who leave on their missions every week
15 missionary training centers
Good Word
This month's good word is symbol. A symbol is something that stands for or reminds us of something else. Look on page 15 to find out what symbol Jesus used when He taught about the Good Shepherd.
Fruit S'mores
Break a whole graham cracker in half so you have two squares. Spread cream cheese on one square and place slices or small pieces of fruit on the cream cheese. Try blueberries, bananas, strawberries, or another favorite fruit. Put the second cracker square on top of the fruit and press gently. Enjoy your fruit s'more!
Missionary Moments
Even though you won't serve a full-time mission until you are older, you can do things now to be a missionary. Here are some things children like you have done to share the gospel.
I invited my teacher from school to my Primary program, and she said she wouldn't be able to go because she would be traveling. But she wanted to hear what I had been working on in church all year. She asked me if I would stand in front of the class to give my speaking part and sing some of my Primary songs. I was very nervous, but I didn't want to let my teacher down. I sang a verse of "Follow the Prophet." One of my friends in my class from another ward joined me, and we sang a second verse together. Then another friend got brave and joined us for a third verse. The class clapped, and my teacher was proud of us. I was glad I had the courage to do it!
Sophia L., age 6, Massachusetts
In the April 2011 general conference, President Monson asked the members of the Church to make a contribution to the Church's General Missionary Fund if they could. We collected aluminum cans for many months and then turned in the cans for recycling. We gave the money we received from recycling the cans to the General Missionary Fund. We each look forward to serving a mission one day. Our family loves to follow the prophet.
Rebecca, Wyatt, and Sarah W., ages 11, 8, and 9, Idaho
Gratitude Bookmark
Cut out this bookmark and glue it onto heavy paper. Put it in your scriptures. When you read your scriptures, you can write something on the bookmark that you are grateful for.


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I've been taking levodopa for years to treat my Parkinson's disease. Lately, though, it hasn't been as effective. Are there any other treatment options?
It is quite common for the effectiveness of levodopa to change over time. Fortunately, there are other treatments available. Some are very high-tech, reflecting the latest scientific knowledge. Others are very low-tech, reflecting the wisdom of the past.
Parkinson's disease occurs when a certain part of the brain does not make enough of the chemical signal dopamine. Dopamine is one of the natural "neurotransmitter" chemicals that one brain cell uses to send a signal to another cell. It has many effects, one of which is to help coordinate movement. Without dopamine, hands tremble, arms and legs become stiff, movement slows, and balance and coordination fail. You may have trouble walking, talking, swallowing and doing everyday tasks.
Drugs such as levodopa can fill in for natural dopamine and ease symptoms. If the drug has become less effective, your doctor can try adjusting the dose or schedule of your medication. That often restores effectiveness. There also are other types of medicines, which can be used alone or in combination with levodopa, and your doctor may want you to try one of these.
A non-drug type of treatment that has been used for more than a decade to help control Parkinson's symptoms is known as deep-brain stimulation (DBS). It involves placing a tiny wire called a lead in the part of the brain that controls movement. A matchbook-sized stimulator is implanted under the skin below the collarbone. The lead and stimulator are connected to each other by a second wire. This wire runs under the skin of the shoulder, neck and head. The device emits small pulses of electricity that are received by the wire in the brain and help to coordinate movement. DBS — either alone or in combination with levodopa — might help control your symptoms.
Another, much lower-tech option is tai chi. Tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice that we've talked about several times before in this column. It involves slow, graceful movements that flow smoothly from one challenging pose to the next.
Tai chi enhances balance and muscle strength. It helps prevent falls and girds against physical decline. People with Parkinson's can also reap these benefits of tai chi. An excellent book about tai chi, "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi," by my faculty colleague Dr. Peter Wayne.
The benefits of tai chi in people with Parkinson's disease were demonstrated in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers randomly assigned study participants with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease to twice-weekly sessions of tai chi, strength-building exercises or stretching. After six months, Parkinson's patients who did tai chi were stronger and had much better balance than patients in the other groups. The tai chi group also had significantly fewer falls and slower rates of decline in overall motor control.
When I was a medical student, there were few treatments for Parkinson's disease. That has changed dramatically, due not only to scientific progress but also to the scientific study of ancient practices.


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Just call it the YouTube effect, or Netflix if you prefer. A struggling economy probably doesn't help either.
For the first time since 2004, the worldwide shipment of televisions fell in 2011. There were a total of 247.7 million boob tubes shipped across the globe last year, down 0.3 percent since 2010.
"The causes of slow demand in 2011 were complex, and although LCD TV showed growth, results were well below industry expectations," Paul Gagnon, director of North America TV research for DisplaySearch, told The Los Angeles Times.
He said in part the low shipment levels were caused by excessive inventory levels early in the year in both the U.S. and European markets.
Also a decrease in demand in Japan after that country cut government subsidies that almost encouraged switching out digital boxes.
There is also the growing phenomenon of people cutting the cable and satellite chord and going to the web and hand held devices for cheaper, or often free, entertainment.
Cable and satellite subscriptions are down across the country.
Comcast (this publication's parent company) lost 238,000 television subscribers in the second quarter of 2011 alone, while Time Warner Cable lost 130,000, Dish Network lost 135,000.
Television consumers searching for cheaper alternatives during economically difficult times was cited as one of the reasons people were cutting the chord.
The industry has taken notice and several rivals have come out to compete with the likes of Netflix, including from Amazon, Comcast and Hulu.
YouTube has started investing heavily in producing original content and trying to encourage media companies to think of the Google-owned video-sharing site as a viable destination to distribute original content.
Google's Vice President for Global Content Partnerships Robert Kyncl said at CES this year that while the industry worries about what Apple or his company is working to do to shape the future of television, that the next wave is already staring everyone in the face: It's called web television.
The consumer might have just figured that out.
Worldwide TV Shipments Fall
YouTube, Netflix may be part of the reason for the fall.
Just call it the YouTube effect, or Netflix if you prefer. A struggling economy probably doesn't help either.


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2004 Mini Cooper: Mountain Dance
It's been forty-one years since a brigade of private and works Minis first charged through this part of the world, conquering the impossibly grueling Coupe des Alpes Rally and claiming a spot in the hearts and garages of automotive enthusiasts in England and beyond for generations to come. From where we sit, hustling over one-and-a-half-lane country roads and puttering through centuries-old villages, it's hard to imagine anything's changed in those four decades.
We're here to run a quartet of Minis-three new and one vintage-through a small portion of the original Alpine Rally, which abused cars, drivers, and navigators for some 2400 miles in three segments, including two dozen special stages on roads open to the public, eight harrowing hill-climbs over mountain passes, and a brutal seventeen-lap stint on the Monza road-race circuit in Italy. Easily the most picturesque of all international road competitions, the Coupe des Alpes also proved a vengeful beast. Of the eighty-seven cars that departed the rally's start/finish in the seaside town of Marseille on a Thursday evening in June 1963, only twenty-four would make it back on the following Tuesday morning. When the dust settled, the diminutive Mini, a newcomer to such competition, had made a memorable showing, winning the touring-car category, the women's Coupe des Dames category, and the coveted team prize.
Our trio of new Minis includes a standard Cooper with a five-speed manual gearbox, another equipped with a paddle-controlled continuously variable transmission, and a third with the John Cooper Works package, which employs a new cylinder head, exhaust system, and engine-management software to nudge the normally aspirated in-line four's output from 114 to 124 horsepower and its torque from 110 to 114 pound-feet. (The Cooper kit is a Europe-only option, but a version of the dealer-installed package for the Cooper S is available in the States; it bumps the supercharged engine's horsepower from 163 to an even 200.) The old Mini in our group is a magnificent 1991 model, modified to Group N rallying standards with a full roll cage, fire-suppression kit, and racing seats with five-point harnesses. From the outside, however, aside from its flared wheel arches and twelve-inch gold-toned alloys wearing V-rated Yokohama Advan rubber, our little red '91 is a dead ringer for the Mini's inaugural 1959 model.
From the Paris-like hurly-burly of ancient Aix-en-Provence, just to the north of Marseille, we launch out into the countryside for a two-day excursion up and over the French Alps, meandering 500 miles through the mountains before nosing south and rolling into the glam capital of the Riviera, Nice. The highlights of the trip are, unquestionably, the conquest of two of the passes employed for the original Coupe des Alpes's preuves, or high-speed hill-climbs: the 4962-foot Col d'Allos and the 5129-foot Col de la Cayolle.
The whole of France is exquisite, but no place in the country captures the imagination quite like the incomparable French Alps, a region that stretches from the Mediterranean coast north to Lake Geneva in Switzerland. From an enthusiast driver's standpoint, this is nothing short of heaven on earth. The asphalt is smooth and tenacious, and one gets the impression that the road's creators determined its course by chasing a butterfly. Turns, twists, and dips are incessant and unpredictable. A distant cacophony of copper bells on a herd of Alpine cattle, far up over the ridge, beckons through the thin air like a siren call. Switch-backs squiggle up the mountainside with a playfulness that belies the grave consequences of a misplaced tire. It's a free-form roller coaster, and the Mini was born to ride it.
Old Mini and new are simply sublime out here. As they did in 1963, they are ready and willing to shame cars of exponential value and power on roads like this. As teams in that '63 rally discovered-fielding big cars, including a Citron DS, a 3.8 Jaguar, and even a V-8-powered Ford Falcon from America-long legs, too much power, too much mass, and too liberal dimensions are liabilities on Alpine roads. The Mini's beefy suspension setup and quick steering, abetted by nearly equal track and wheelbase dimensions, give it a kind of Jack Russell terrier willingness to romp.
One after another, we skip through movie-set hamlets that dot the Provenal landscape. Native slate and tile roofs rise from the lolling yellow grasslands like geologic formations, topping walls of timber and stone wherein wine has flowed and bread has baked for eons. There is no suburban sprawl here, no Stop & Shops or Sam's Clubs; there is no squandering of space at all. There seems to be no more expenditure of resources than is required to live well. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Mini-born of a similar philosophy-has a certain celebrity status here. The cars prove to be a remarkable social lubricant, pulling locals out of cafs and boulangeries for a closer look and a broken English question or two. We, in turn, offer a broken French answer or two and savor a moment of Franco-American goodwill, brokered by a foursome of charismatic Brits.
As good as the modern Mini is on its own, you really appreciate the brilliance of it only when it steps out with the car that is its bug-eyed inspiration. The sight is a rare and indelible treat for an American-considering the scarcity of old Minis in the States-and one that fixes the brand's mystique in ways no amount of clever advertising can.
When you drive the original back-to-back with a 2004 model, you realize, first of all, just how far the craft of automaking has come in forty-five years, in terms of occupant protection, level of equipment, and suppression of noise, vibration, and harshness. But you realize something else, too, something more surprising. Heated seats and xenon headlamps are all well and good, but it's the things that make a car a car-how it goes, how it stops, and how it turns-that truly define a vehicle. And by that standard, the BMW-engineered iteration holds remarkably true to the car engineered by Sir Alec Issigonis. In an age when retro too often suggests nothing more than fake scoops or ovoid headlamps, the modern Mini stands apart. It embraces not merely the delightful appearance of its forebear but its soul as well.
As our second and final day eases to a close and we roll toward Nice and the sapphire Cte d'Azur with the red '91 in the lead, the two-cylinder charm of Alpine France gives way to the twelve-cylinder hum of the Riviera. Mercedes SLs and Ferrari 456s supplant Citron 2CVs, but the Mini's magnetism endures. This cheeky urban runabout turned international motorsport sensation possesses the remarkable ability to bridge social gaps, enchanting leisure class and working class alike. It looks as compelling parked in front of a dilapidated farmhouse as it does in front of the belle epoque hotels of the Promenade des Anglais. Success is a tremendous aphrodisiac, and the Mini has known its share of successes in this pretty corner of the world. The new car basks in the glow of the old's triumphs, and the old car sees its legend grow in the radiance of the new.
That, we would say, is retro done right.


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While Orange Box has quickly become one of the more popular titles of recent times for both console players on the Xbox 360 (and soon the PS3) and legions of happy PC gamers, the news is not all good about Valve's latest outing. Complaints are coming in that Valve has begun to hunt down and lock out any users who purchased the game internationally, effectively rendering these users' purchase useless.
One user, Todd, explains that thousands of crafty North American gamers looking for a deal have "bought the product (and hence, the serial numbers) at well known international game stores" at a significant markdown. Activation of the purchased titles went off without a hitch. However, Valve apparently has taken issue with the region-specificity of some international versions and has begun locking out accounts of those living in North America, but owning international serial numbers with the message that the purchased game is in the "incorrect territory."
To make matters worse, customers who've purchased another copy of the game from a North American vendor have reportedly been having trouble getting the legit game to function after the international key has been locked out. A thread on Fat Wallet, an online consumer-based deals site where the original discount was largely advertised, documents the ordeal.
Based on the anecdotal evidence in the forum thread, it seems as though Valve has made quite the blunder here: the customer service presented by the thread is particularly jarring. We'll have more on the story as it develops.


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DURHAM, N.H. – Attempting to pull even with New Hampshire at the top of the America East standings, the UMBC volleyball team dropped a straight set decision to the home-standing Wildcats (25-16, 25-23, 25-11), Friday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.
Senior outside hitter Ali Goc (Oshawa, Ontario/R.S. McLaughlin) led the UMBC (16-10, 7-4 AE) attack with nine kills while picking up 15 digs and sophomore Krystal Mlemchukwu (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) added seven winners.
On the back row, freshman libero Casey Griffith (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) recorded a match-best 18 digs in the losing effort.
For New Hampshire (15-12, 9-2 AE), Morgan Thatcher led all hitters with 12 put-aways while Destiny Tolliver was also in double figures, registering 11 kills against the Retrievers. Setter Taylor Dunklau handed out 32 assists and helped the Wildcats out hit UMBC, .276-.138.
The hosts took the initiative from the start, claiming five of the first six points and forcing a UMBC timeout. The Wildcats then took three more points for an 8-1 lead before the Retrievers could mount a comeback. The visitors pulled back within five at 14-9 on one of five first-set kills by junior Hannah Schmidt (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales), but it was not enough as UNH took the opening frame, 25-16.
The second set was tight throughout and particularly at the outset as the teams could not separate themselves by more than one point until New Hampshire ran off four straight points for a 10-7 lead. The lead grew to five, 14-9, on a kill by Abby Brinkman, but UMBC would not go quietly. Chipping away, the Retrievers drew back on terms at 19-19 on a Wildcat attack error. Then, following a UNH timeout, UMBC took the lead behind a kill from Mlemchukwu. Four straight Wildcat points reinstated their lead, 23-20, and they held the Retrievers at bay, claiming the second set, 25-23.
Out of the break New Hampshire reeled off five straight points after dropping the initial rally for a 5-1 lead, and never looked back. The Wildcats hit .381 in the final frame and held the Retrievers to an even .000 hitting efficiency in claiming the match with a 25-11 set win.
UMBC now heads south across the state line to take on UMass Lowell in a Sunday morning contest. The Retrievers and River Hawks are scheduled to take the floor at Costello Athletic Center at 11:00 a.m.


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U.S. law enforcement officers and other officials like judges,
prosecutors, and security guards have been given tremendous power by
local, state, and federal government agencies—authority they must have
to enforce the law and ensure justice in our country. These powers
include the authority to detain and arrest suspects, to search and
seize property, to
bring criminal charges, to make rulings in court, and to use deadly
force in certain situations.
Preventing abuse of this authority, however, is equally necessary to
the health of our nation's democracy. That's why it's a federal crime
for anyone acting under "color of law" willfully to deprive or
conspire to deprive a person of a right protected by the Constitution
or U.S. law. "Color of law" simply means that the person is using
authority given to him or her by a local, state, or federal government
The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating color of law
abuses, which include acts carried out by government officials
operating both within and beyond the limits of their lawful authority.
Off-duty conduct may be covered if the perpetrator asserted his or her
official status in some way.
During 2009, the FBI investigated 385 color of law cases. Most of
these crimes fall into five broad areas:
• excessive force;
• sexual assaults;
• false arrest and fabrication of evidence;
• deprivation of property; and
• failure to keep from harm.
Excessive force: In making arrests, maintaining order, and defending
life, law enforcement officers are allowed to use whatever force is
"reasonably" necessary. The breadth and scope of the use of force is
vast—from just the physical presence of the officer…to the use of
deadly force. Violations of federal law occur when it can be shown
that the force used was willfully "unreasonable" or "excessive."
Sexual assaults by officials acting under color of law can happen in
jails, during traffic stops, or in other settings where officials
might use their position of authority to coerce an individual into
sexual compliance. The compliance is generally gained because of a
threat of an official action against the person if he or she doesn't
False arrest and fabrication of evidence: The Fourth Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution guarantees the right against unreasonable searches
or seizures. A law enforcement official using authority provided under
the color of law is allowed to stop individuals and, under certain
circumstances, to search them and retain their property. It is in the
abuse of that discretionary power—such as an unlawful detention or
illegal confiscation of property—that a violation of a person's civil
rights may occur.
Fabricating evidence against or falsely arresting an individual also
violates the color of law statute, taking away the person's rights of
due process and unreasonable seizure. In the case of deprivation of
property, the color of law statute would be violated by unlawfully
obtaining or maintaining a person's property, which oversteps or
misapplies the official's authority.
The Fourteenth Amendment secures the right to due process; the Eighth
Amendment prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishment. During an
arrest or detention, these rights can be violated by the use of force
amounting to punishment (summary judgment). The person accused of a
crime must be allowed the opportunity to have a trial and should not
be subjected to punishment without having been afforded the
opportunity of the legal process.
Failure to keep from harm: The public counts on its law enforcement
officials to protect local communities. If it's shown that an official
willfully failed to keep an individual from harm, that official could
be in violation of the color of law statute.
Filing a Complaint
To file a color of law complaint, contact your local FBI office by
telephone, in writing, or in person. The following information should
be provided:
• all identifying information for the victim(s);
• as much identifying information as possible for the subject(s),
including position, rank, and
agency employed;
• date and time of incident;
• location of incident;
• names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witness(es);
• a complete chronology of events; and
• any report numbers and charges with respect to the incident.
You may also contact the United States Attorney's Office in your
district or send a written
complaint to:
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
Criminal Section
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, DC 20530
FBI investigations vary in length. Once our investigation is complete,
we forward the findings to the U.S. Attorney's Office within the local
jurisdiction and to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington,
D.C., which decide whether or not to proceed toward prosecution and
handle any prosecutions that follow.
Civil Applications
Title 42, U.S.C., Section 14141 makes it unlawful for state or local
law enforcement agencies to allow officers to engage in a pattern or
practice of conduct that deprives persons of rights protected by the
Constitution or U.S. laws. This law, commonly referred to as the
Police Misconduct Statute, gives the Department of Justice authority
to seek civil remedies in cases where law enforcement agencies have
policies or practices that foster a pattern of misconduct by
employees. This action is directed against an agency, not against
individual officers. The types of issues which may initiate a pattern
and practice investigation include:
• Lack of supervision/monitoring of officers' actions;
• Lack of justification or reporting by officers on incidents
involving the use of force;
• Lack of, or improper training of, officers; and
• Citizen complaint processes that treat complainants as adversaries.
Under Title 42, U.S.C., Section 1997, the Department of Justice has
the ability to initiate civil actions against mental hospitals,
retardation facilities, jails, prisons, nursing homes, and juvenile
detention facilities when there are allegations of systemic
derivations of the constitutional rights of institutionalized persons.


text:
Maine man pleads not guilty in hunter death in Wales
AUBURN, Maine (AP) � A Maine man has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of a fellow hunter.
Forty-one-year-old Christopher Allen was charged with shooting and killing 49-year-old Gerard Parent in November while the two were hunting separately.
The Maine Warden Service says the two men were shooting at the same deer in Wales and one of Austin's shots struck Parent in the chest and killed him.
Austin also pleaded not guilty on Friday to discharging his hunting rifle within 100 yards of a home.
The Sun Journal reports (http://bit.ly/ZDDV7o ) that Allen was ordered not to have or use alcohol nor have contact with Parent's family.
Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com


text:
RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent
Animal tissue에있는 RNA를 안정화 시킬 수 있습니다
RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent immediately stabilizes RNA in tissue samples to preserve the gene expression profile, and is supplied in 50 ml or 250 ml bottles. For stabilization of DNA, RNA, and protein in tissue samples, Allprotect Tissue Reagent can be used.
Buy Products
The RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.
QIAGEN's former RNA Stabilization Reagent, was manufactured and offered under license from Ambion, Inc., the owner of the RNAlater® trade mark. Following the expiration of that license and corresponding patents, QIAGEN's new product name for the identical formulation is RNAprotect Tissue Reagent.
Product Details
RNAlater Stabilization Reagent stabilizes and protects the RNA expression pattern of samples during harvest and storage (see figure "RNAlater Reagent prevents degradation of mRNA in tissues"). Immediate protection with RNAlater technology ensures that downstream analyses truly reflect the expression profile of the intact tissues (see figure "RNAlater TissueProtect Tubes prevent RNA changes in tissues"). Samples can be archived without risk of RNA degradation, even after multiple freeze–thaw cycles. RNeasy purified RNA from RNAlater stabilized samples stored under a wide variety of conditions is ideal for downstream processes such as northern blotting and RT-PCR (see figure "Stable RNA in tissues: different temperatures and freeze–thaw cycles").
Once a biological sample is harvested, its RNA becomes extremely unstable. The innovative, aqueous RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent quickly permeates tissues resulting in immediate stabilization of the RNA and preservation of the RNA expression pattern. Gene induction or down-regulation triggered by sample manipulation is also prevented, allowing accurate analysis of gene expression.
For RNA protection and sample storage, tissue samples are submerged in an appropriate volume of RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent immediately after harvesting. RNAlater TissueProtect Tubes provide premeasured volumes of RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent in reclosable tubes for convenient handling and sample storage. The reagent preserves RNA for up to 1 day at 37°C, 7 days at 18–25°C, or 4 weeks at 2–8°C, allowing processing, transportation, storage, and shipping of samples without liquid nitrogen or dry ice. Alternatively, the samples can also be placed at –20°C or –80°C for archival storage.
Animal and human tissues stabilized in RNAlater RNA Stabilization Reagent can be efficiently disrupted using QIAGEN instruments for sample disruption, and used with QIAGEN kits for:
Product Resources
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tigers put their 16-3 series advantage on the line over HBCU rival Alabama A&M, when they welcome the Aggies to the Gentry Center Tuesday.
Over the Thanksgiving week holiday the Tigers (0-8) put forth their two of their best shooting performances of the year. On Tuesday the Tigers narrowly lost at Auburn after shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from distance.
TSU followed that outing with another solid shooting effort at 40.0 percent from the floor.
Jacquan Nobles emerged during the week, after seeing the floor for limited minutes in the team's first six games and without tallying a point coming into Tuesday's game at Auburn. The senior caught fire that night in Auburn as the Greenville, N.C. native reached the 20 point plateau for the first time since Feb. 2 2010. Nobles finished the game with 22 points on 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point land.
The senior followed up that performance with another stellar game from deep on Saturday finishing 3-for-8 from distance with nine points. Over the week Nobles averaged 15.5 points per game, and three 3-pointers.
Senior Patrick Miller continues to have a phenomenal career in a Tigers uniform. The Chicago Ill. native has posted double-figure points in 21 straight games dating back to Jan. 24. In eight games this season, Miller has led Big Blue in scoring seven times. Miller is averaging 21.3 points per contest, with five performances of 20 points or more.
In the low post the Tigers turn to junior M.J. Rhett who is averaging 10.0 points and 8.0 boards per game. On the year Rhett has finished with a team high in rebounds on seven occasions. Last time out the Columbia, S.C. native posted his second double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
On Tuesday, the Tigers will play host to their first HBCU team of the season, Alabama A&M. The Aggies enter the contest with a 1-4 record, including two losses to OVC schools (EKU and Jacksonville State).
The two schools met a year ago in Huntsville, Ala. with the Tigers came out on top in that contest 83-72. That day, then senior forward Robert Covington posted a dominant performance with 27 points, six rebounds and four steals. Miller recorded 15 points and four assists in the victory.
Alabama A&M had four starters reach double-digits in scoring, with Jeremy Crutcher and Brandon Ellis each tallying a team high 16 points.
Now seniors, both Crutcher and Ellis return for the Bulldogs and are a part of a trio of double figure scorers for coach Willie Hayes.
Crutcher is the leader of the Alabama A&M offense, leading the team in both points (12.0) and assists (3.8) per game. Ellis joins Crutcher in the backcourt with an average of 10.0 points and 2.2 per contest.
The Bulldogs frontcourt is highlighted by senior big man Demarquelle Tabb. A swingman for Alabama A&M team is averaging a team high in both points (12.0) and rebounds (7.6).
Coming into Tuesday's matchup Tennessee State holds the series advantage 16-3. Tip time for the game is slated for 7 p.m. in the Gentry Center.


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History of Investments
The FSB had as initial contribution the issuance of 10.201.373 National Treasury Bonds at December 30th, 2008, corresponding to amount of R$ 14.243.999.592,36 at market prices, as provided in National Treasury's Ordinance No. 736 of 2008.
At the same date, the FSB promoted the initial placement in Fiscal Fund of Investments and Stabilization (Fundo Fiscal de Investimentos e Estabilização – FFIE) quotas, as described in Law No. 11,887 of 2008 article 7, the total value of received assets, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 6,713 of 2008. It's a single owner private fund registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliarios - CVM) and therefore regulated by CVM Normative Instruction No. 409 of 2004 and the administrator is Banco do Brasil Gestão de Recursos Distribuidora de Títulos e Valores Mobiliários S.A. - BB DTVM.
On February 19th, 2010, through Presidential Decree No. 7113, was established the Deliberative Council of the FSB (CDFSB), which has as one of its responsibilities to approve the main guidelines for FSB to invest, defining how, when and what type of assets the FSB may invest.
On April 23th, 2010, was enacted Presidential Act No. 487, 2010, amending Law No. 12,096 of 2009, authorizing capital increase in state controlled companies, through transferring the rights of future capital increase. On May 27th, 2010, was issued Presidential Decree No. 7,184 of 2010, authorizing the capital increase of Banco do Brazil SA – BB, with the issuance of up to 286,000,000 common shares through a public offering of primary distribution of shares.
Based upon these two acts, the FFIE decided at an extraordinary general meeting held on June 16th, 2010, to participate in the Public Offering of Common Shares issued by Banco do Brasil SA, through the subscription of 62,500,000 shares, totaling R$ 1,540,625,000.00. The physical and financial settlement, as well as its record in the Securities and Exchange Commission, occurred on July 1st, 2010.
Temporary Law No. 500 of 2010, subsequently converted into Law No. 12,380 of 2011, authorized the Federal Government , through the Executive Branch, and entities of indirect federal government to hire reciprocally or with private fund of which National Treasury is the sole owner, to acquire, sale, transfer shares, including their economic rights, in the equity of the companies in which government has minority control or in the stocks that exceeds the necessary to maintain control of the Government-owned companies. Presidential Decree No. 7,295 of 2010 article 2 authorized Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social – BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) and Caixa Econômica Federal – CEF (Federal Savings Bank) to sell or exchange up to 217,395,982 common shares issued by Petrobras, for FFIE.
Additionally, in September 2010, the general assembly included in FFIE's provisions the possibility of applying up to 100 % of shares issued by publicly traded companies in which the Union holds the majority of shares.
These legal instruments allowed the FFIE to acquire on September 10th, 2010, 77,641,422 common shares (PETR3) with CEF in the amount of R$ 2,426,294,437.50, equivalent to 0.6% of the equity of Petrobras .
After that, the Temporary Law No. 500 of 2010 enabled the Federal Government to transfer the rights of the public offering's shares subscription from its companies (Federal Savings Bank - CEF - and National Bank of Economic and Social Development – BNDES) to FFIE, as shown in the public offering's final prospectus. On September 24th, 2010 the registration and settlement of the public offering occurred, having FFIE subscribed 266,413,905 common shares (PETR3) in the amount of R$ 7,899,172,283.25, representing 2.04% of the equity, and 161,596,958 preferred shares (PETR4) in the amount of R$ 4,249,999,995.40, representing 1.24% of the equity, leaving at the end of the public offering with 3.9% of the equity of Petrobras.
On August 30th, 2012, 51,853,846 common shares of Petrobras owned by the FFIE were exchanged with 48,150,000 common shares of Banco do Brasil held by the Union, in cash amount equivalent to US$ 1,139,229,000.00. This transaction was approved by the Presidential Decree of August 29th, 2012 and approved by ad referendum decision by the President of CDFSB, pursuant to article 3 of Resolution n ° 1 of 2010, and ratified by other members of the CDFSB at the meeting of September 26th, 2012.
Another significant transaction was the partial withdrawal of 11,579,306,053.645 quotas from the FFIE, in the amount of R$ 12.4 billion, occurred in late 2012. This transaction was approved by an ad referendum decision, of the CDFSB's President, pursuant to the Resolution No. 1 of 2010 article 3. These resources were applied in the National Treasury Single Account (Conta Única do Tesouro - CTU), as an FSB resource, pursuant to Law No. 11,887 of 2008 article 4 paragraph 1.
Besides applications in Brazil, the FSB may apply its resources in foreign financial assets through investment in special deposits, held by federal financial institution or through a Ministry of Finance direct investment. The investments abroad will occur from strategic decision of the CDFSB, aligned with FSB Investment Policy.
On July 28th, 2013 the Investment Policy of the FSB was approved, through Resolution CDFSB No. 11, which came to enhance and regulate its previous rules:
Investments in the Law No. 11,887
Law No. 11,887 of 2008, provided, among other statements, that:
"Article 2 The FSB resources will be used exclusively for investment in the purposes specified in article 1 of this Law, by the following forms:
I - Acquisition of external financial assets:
a) Application in special deposits held by a federal financial institution, or
b ) Directly by the Ministry of Finance.
II - Through the establishment of a private fund, as referred to in article 7 of this Law.
Paragraph 1 It is forbidden to the FSB, directly or indirectly, to provide guarantees.
Paragraph 2 Expenses related to the operation of the FSB will be charged to the fund.
Paragraph 3 The FSB investments in financial assets will have a minimum estimated yield per operation, weighted by risk, equivalent to six-month Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate). "
Investments in Presidential Decree No. 7,055
Presidential Decree No. 7,055 of 2009, states that:
"Article 3 FSB investments must suit its purposes, provided in article 1 of Law No. 11,887 of 2008, noting the following:
I - Investments in financial assets abroad should have minimum return equivalent to six-month Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate);
II - Investments in financial assets in Brazil should have minimum return equivalent to Taxa de Juros de Longo Prazo – TJLP (Long-Term Interest Rate), established by Conselho Monetário Nacional – CMN (National Monetary Council);
III - FSB investments will be held in financial instruments issued by entities that hold investment grade assigned by at least two credit rating agencies."
Fiscal Stabilization and Investment Fund - FFIE
FFIE regulation, the composition of the portfolio and the monthly balance sheets, quota value, it's total equity, as well as applications and withdrawals are published at the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) web site (www.cvm.gov.br). To refer to them simply go to guide "Access Rápido", click on "Fundos de Investimentos" and fill "FFIE" or "10.539.257/0001-70" in the first field.
Key Features of Investment Policy
The process of creating the Investment Policy held a wide-ranging discussion, in which were studied international best practices the governance structure of the Central Bank of Brazil in the management of international reserves and the Santiago Principles, which are a voluntary set of practices and values developed by the International Working Group (IWG) of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) (International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds).
The Investment Policy was drawn from this wide range of information and is organized in 4 main tiers:
1. Governance Structure;
2. Benchmark Portfolios;
3. Operating Limits for Portfolio Management, and
4. Measurement of Results.
Tier 1 - Governance Structure
The first tier of Investment Policy refers to the details of the structure of governance, with the establishment of two chambers: the Technical Advisory Chamber (CCT) and the Investment Planning Chamber (CPLIN). For more information on the Governance of the FSB, click here.
Tier 2 - Benchmark Portfolios
Investment Policy presents the Benchmark Portfolios that serve as parameters for the optimal allocation of resources FSB, among several investment alternatives and applications in order to fulfill the purposes set out in article 1 of Law No. 11,887 of 2008, of its institutional mission, and their level of risk tolerance. Three types of benchmark portfolios with specific characteristics are established:
a) Domestic Benchmark Portfolio (Carteira de Referência Doméstica – CRD): allocation related to fixed income assets in the portfolio of the Fiscal Fund of Investments and Stabilization - FFIE, which is the instrument used by the FSB to allocate its resources in Brazil;
b) International Benchmark Portfolio (Carteira de Referência Internacional – CRI): allocation related to the portion of the portfolio of the FSB to be invested in international financial instruments; and
c) Special Portfolios: refer to portions of the portfolio to be managed and monitored separately, due to the implementation of government policies consistent with the purposes specified in article 1 of Law No. 11,887 of 2008, which could incorporate domestic and international assets. This investment policy considers two special portfolios:
I) Special Portfolio 01 (Carteira Especial 01 – CE1): refers to the set of stocks that are part of the FFIE;
II) Special Portfolio 02 (Carteira Especial 02 – CE2): refers to the portion temporarily invested in the National Treasury Single Account, as provided in article 4 paragraph 1 of Law No. 11,887 of 2008.
Quantitative information regarding the implementation of this Investment Policy will be presented quarterly in the Performance Report, and semiannually in the Management Report.
Tier 3 - Operational Limits
One of the tiers of the Investment Policy refers to a set of operational limits to be observed during the execution of investment strategies, which serve to monitor and helps to mitigate risks as well as to contribute to align the effective portfolios to the strategic guidelines established by CDFSB. The main types of risks monitored are: market, credit, liquidity and operational risks.
Furthermore, the operational limits also restrict the concentration of the portfolio in asset classes, issuers and asset instruments.
The operating limits are strictly linked to the authority policy, establishing three levels of authority, and assigning maximum exposure to specific risks to each of them. The levels are:
a) Strategic: responsibility of CDFSB in order to approve the general investment guidelines, as well as other strategic guidelines of the FSB.
b) Executive: responsibility of CCT, which aims to ensure alignment of National Treasury operations relative to the guidelines defined by the CDFSB;
c) Operational: responsibility of National Treasury, assigned as the FSB's manager, in order to comply with the Investment Policy approved by CDFSB, as well as other CDFSB determinations.
Operational and quantitative aspects relating to the third pillar of the Investment Policy will be reviewed periodically by CDFSB and incorporated into the National Treasury assignments for monitoring the investment portfolio.
Pillar 4 - Measurement of Results
Fourth tier of Investment Policy refers to the systematic monitoring of the results in order to ensure that the portfolio is being managed properly, considering the objectives of the Fund. Thus, the performance of the FSB can be measured by an integrated analysis of a set of indicators, including:
a) Adjusted Sharpe Ratio (ISA);
b) Differential Performance of the Effective Portfolio (RDPR);
c) Differential Performance of the Effective Portfolio to the Legal Frameworks (RDPL);
d) Tracking error of the Effective Portfolio (TEPR);
e) Performance Assignment Study (RAS);
f) Evolution of the Global Portfolio Value at Risk (VaR);
g) Stress testing, and
h) Backtesting of the Global Portfolio VaR.
Investment Policy of the FSB (English)
Investment Policy of the FSB (Portuguese)


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EVENT: B Strong Ride 2017
EVENT DATE: Aug 12, 2017
Ian MacGregor
B Strong Ride is a bicycle event that celebrates cancer survivorship and funds a complete year of cancer care at the Boulder Community Hospital Center for Integrative Care and also benefits the George Karl Foundation.
Both organizations have deep personal impacts on people whose lives are impacted by cancer. Supporting them moves our riders and sponsors to super human efforts.
Founded in 2011, B Strong Ride has been an outstanding success:
- Over $2 million raised
- Over 4,500 riders
B Strong is for:
- Cyclists of all ages and abilities and
- Not just cyclists. B Strong is a family event with outstanding food and entertainment throughout the day. During and after the ride, Celestial Seasonings will be open for tours and tastings. There are also two great museums within a mile: Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art and, Shelby American Collection.
The Team: $0 TOTAL RAISED SO FARJOIN THE TEAM
Want to help Fundraise or Volunteer for this amazing Fundraiser? Join the Team


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When goalkeeper Matt Lampson was going through his life-and-death struggle with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007, his chances of surviving – much less someday playing pro soccer – were not good.
He was diagnosed with Stage 4 of the disease – the worst type – which kills more than 1,300 people in the United States annually, according to the American Cancer Society.
After months of chemotherapy, Lampson was cleared to resume playing and attended the inaugural Columbus Crew Soccer Academy tryout that fall.
"He couldn't get through the warm-up, literally could not get through two minutes" said Andrew Arthurs, the team's senior vice president of business development and executive director of Crew Juniors youth club.
Over the next few months, Lampson endured several rounds radiation to destroy the final cancerous nodes and he gradually improved to the point where he helped the Crew finish third at the Development Academy National Finals in 2008.
From there, Lampson, now 22, spent one redshirt season at Northern Illinois but returned to his hometown to play the past three seasons at Ohio State. On Thursday, he signed a Home Grown Player contract with the Crew.
Despite his brush with death, he had no doubt this day would come.
"It's like any kid playing soccer; we all have the dream to play pro soccer," Lampson told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. "But after that experience that I had, there was nothing that was going to stop me from achieving it. The drive that I have now from the experience, that's what's gotten me to this point. If anything, it helped me be a better person."
Arthurs said the 6-foot-3, 190-pound goalkeeper has all the physical and technical attributes to be successful like other 'keepers, but that "his determination and the will to overcome things" sets him apart, something with which Lampson agrees.
"I value life much more – not to say other people don't – just because I've gotten the look at some things most people only see once in their lives and it's at the end of their lives," Lampson said. "I value so much what I have and want to do the most with it. That's what I want more than anything. That and what I accomplish with my second chance at life to be really what defines me, not necessarily defeating [the disease] in the first place."
Lampson grew up in the Columbus suburb of Hilliard and attended St. Charles Preparatory while being a constant at Crew games. It's surreal for him to know the players he used to watch are now running the team, but that didn't stop the affable youngster from having some fun.
"I remember seeing [technical director] Brian Bliss when he was actually playing – he was still bald, but he was still playing," Lampson cracked. "Robert [Warzycha] was playing as well. [Assistant coach] Ricardo Iribarren? He was a little lighter back then, but they all could play and they're now my coaches."
In a more serious moment, Lampson said he hopes his visibility with the Crew can help him raise money and awareness about cancer, especially blood cancers.
He then reverted to form to get his point across.
"I'll say I had lymphoma and they say, 'Is that a good dinner'," Lampson said. "I go, 'No, that's not a meal.' Hopefully, I can do what I can with the platform I now have to get support for the causes that are important to me."
Lampson beats cancer en route to pros
When goalkeeper Matt Lampson was going through his life-and-death struggle with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007, his chances of surviving – much less someday playing pro soccer – were not good.


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Union Pacific Corporation Invites You to Join Its First Quarter Earnings Release Broadcast
Omaha, Neb., March 28, 2006 In conjunction with Union Pacific Corporation's (NYSE: UNP) First Quarter 2006 Earnings Release, you are invited to listen to its presentation that will be broadcast live over the Internet or via teleconference on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
|Union Pacific Corporation's First Quarter 2006 Earnings Release
|Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 8:45 a.m. ET
|www.up.com (under Investors)
|Live over the Internet – Simply logon to the Web at the address above
|Dial-in telephone access
Domestic 877/407-8293
International 201/689-8349
Contact: Jennifer Hamann, Assistant Vice President - Investor Relations at (402) 544-4227
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.
If you are unable to participate during the live teleconference, the call will be archived on Union Pacific's Web site at http://www.up.com. To access the replay, click on Investors.
(Minimum requirements to listen to broadcast: Windows Media Player software, downloadable free from https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.aspx, and at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to the Internet.)
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.


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Sophisticated Marijuana Tunnel Located & 20 Tonnes Of It Were Seized! (6 Football Fields Long. Between California & Mexico)
"A tunnel nearly half a kilometre long used to transport drugs has been found under the US border with Mexico. It was discovered in a warehouse in Otay Mesa, San Diego. More than 20 tonnes of marijuana were seized, US and Mexican officials said. In Tijuana, soldiers raided a warehouse in an industrial area that concealed the tunnel entrance and seized four more tonnes of marijuana." - Sydney Herald News
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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ASHEVILLE � An American Legion team pitcher struck in head by a line drive during a weekend game has been released from the hospital.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Brandon Norton was released from Mission Hospital Tuesday. Norton suffered a fractured skull when he was hit above the right ear with two outs in the ninth inning of Asheville Post 47's road game against Hickory.
Coach J.D. Hinson said the ball hit Norton with such force that it bounced back toward the plate.
Stoney Norton said the injury caused his son to have some bleeding around the brain and that there was still swelling late Monday afternoon. He said his son is concerned about being able to play again.


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The safety and security department believes it is more beneficial to prevent crimes than to react to them. The primary means for accomplishing this goal are our crime prevention programs.
These programs are based on the concepts of eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunities and encouraging students, faculty and staff to be responsible for their security and the security and safety of others. The following crime prevention programs and projects are employed by KCAI:
The college's personal safety escort program escorts for persons walking on campus or traveling from the campus to the parking areas during all hours when personal safety is a concern.
A crime-prevention program, accompanied by brochures and videos, is presented as a part of orientation at the start of each academic year. Security staff and outside law-enforcement agencies conduct the presentation, with an open-question format.
This program to identify and correct deficiencies in exterior lighting, locking hardware and safety of the grounds is conducted by the department of safety and security on an ongoing basis.
The OI program of engraving serial numbers, Social Security Numbers or owner-recognized numbers on computers, bicycles and other valuable items is coordinated by the department of safety and security. Engravers are made available to members of the campus community free of charge.
Awareness programs and presentations are provided in conjunction with the office of student life, the Student Living Center, local law enforcement agencies and the department of safety and security on crime prevention or security-related topics such as auto theft prevention, personal safety on campus, rape prevention and reporting, crime reporting and subject identification, fire safety, protecting your possessions, residence hall security, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, date rape prevention, auto safety and security on the road.
Safety and security meetings are held on a monthly basis. A select group from staff, faculty, students and security personnel address safety and security concerns of the entire campus community.
According to federal law, specifically the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, the KCAI department of safety and security is required to report "statistics concerning the occurrence on campus of criminal offenses reported to local police agencies, or to any official of the institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities."
The Kansas City Art Institute's viewbook provides an overview of KCAI's academic programs, students, faculty, alumni and campus. Download the viewbook here (PDF)
Download the student handbook for information about student services, degree requirements, the grading system, course reservations, academic appeals and academic standings.


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Where is LJ/AmL on S. Berger?
Jack asks this very pertinent question about why the silence on S. Berger from the establishment library press? I'm willing to say "let them have Christmas off, that is why no news," but, when the 12 Days are over, let's bet : Will there be coverage of this story? Also, if the theif in question had been a high-ranking Republican, is there someone who doubts whether the Archives official who nabbed him would be on the cover of LJ/AmL?
Jack writes: "THIS MORNING MARKS ONE WEEK SINCE THE RELEASE of the National Archives inspector general's official report on former national security advisor Sandy Berger's theft and destruction of highly classified documents from the Archives in Washington, D.C.
The heavily redacted report, made public by Pajamas Media (viewable here), recounts Berger's removal of documents from the Archives building (pdf):
Mr. Berger exited the Archives on to Pennsylvania Avenue, the north entrance. It was dark. He did not want to run the risk of bringing the documents back in the building risking the possibility [redacted] might notice something unusual. He headed towards a construction area on Ninth Street. Mr. Berger looked up and down the street, up into the windows of the Archives and the DOJ, and did not see anyone. He removed the documents from his pockets, folded the notes in a "V" shape and inserted the documents in the center. He walked inside the construction fence and slid the documents under a trailer.
There has been no mention of the inspector general's report at Library Journal. No mention at American Libraries. No story at LISNews. Not a word.
The reader is invited to imagine the bloodcurdling howls, the rending of clothes we would even now be witnessing from our library media and institutions, had such an official report been released concerning any former official of a Republican administration, let alone a former national security advisor.
There was a word
But just as when a tree falls in the forest with no one around no once cared that I posted it. See Sandy Berger is a scumbaglisnews.org>.
OK one person did ask the same question you are asking why is the ALA and the library community not up in arms about this truly library related revalation.
Because Berger worked for Clinton and Clinton is the golden child that is my guess.
Re:There was a word
Sorry, mdoneil, but that doesn't wash. With people like you around who still hate Clinton and still blame him for America's problems six years after he stopped being president? And your lies about the press being liberal don't wash in light of the media criticisms I've seen recently, either.
Guess again. Your conspiracy theory is too fringe lunatic. If ordinary people aren't paying attention to an issue, it is almost invariably because they have other things on their minds distracting them from it.
If you want to play the chickenshit-bullshit politics game, however, I'll ask you how come there isn't more outrage over the administration's action to remove EPA materials from public access, a government action with the potential to affect all citizens throughout the country, while you are showering shit and derision in all directions over the unilateral actions of a single individual.
now wait a minute ...
Actually I think someone stole a copy of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" from my library. I demand that ALA release a statement immediately. I also expect ALA to go into a frothing heap of rage when our left-side men's room urinal does that thing it does when the valve leaks.
Maybe because other copies remained?
Sandy Berger has been rightly punished for his crimes, but according to this articlewashingtonpost.com>, the Bush Justice Department concluded that other copies of the documents existed and had already been given to the 9/11 commission.
It also looks like ALA has issued at least three statementsgoogle.com> on this subject.
Given that apparently nothing has disappeared from the permanent record and that Mr. Berger has been punished, that seems like enough comment to me.
Re:There was a word
I complained about the EPA fiasco too. I can't tell you why there is not more public outrage, but I told my elected representatives and Mr. Bush how I felt. I can't assume they actually read my email, but at least I told them.
Re:now wait a minute ...
My brother and his wife have 3 copies of What to Expect When You're Expecting (since they're expecting and people keep giving it to them)> I'm sure they would be happy to donate one. I didn't know it was classified though like the documents Sandy Burger stole.
Re:Maybe because other copies remained?
Stealing classified documents is wrong, stealing classified documents and hiding them where anyone can find them only compounds the wrong. The fact that there were other copies does not make hiding classified documents in a construction trailer any less serious.
Re:Maybe because other copies remained?
No one disagrees with this. What more do you want?
Re:Maybe because other copies remained?
Well he screwed up majorly, lied at first to save his own butt. I think he should get what all people get for doing that these days...
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
Re:Maybe because other copies remained?
I want everyone to be treated the same. A fine and loss of clearance for stealing classified government documents, please. If some guy from Compton did this he would be in prison, because some well connected scumbag does it he pays a fine for which he could probably write a check from petty cash.
Berger is a lawyer, he should know better. A fine and loss of security clearance for a few years... oh boy I'm sure that was tough for him. I would hope that any lying, stealing scumbag would spend a few nights in the cooler with all the other criminals. It is not like it was unpaid parking tickets the man stole classified documents from the national archives.
Link to full report
I didn't notice a link to the full report in the original post. The Federation of American Scientists has the full IG reportfas.org> online.
As I said, I believe that Mr. Berger was justly punished for his crimes. The ALA statements I linked to agree. His criminality isn't at issue. Only the amount of coverage and how much national security and the public's right to know has been compromised.
Re:Nice Try Daniel
Does this mean in 07 we will finally hear no more hysterical comments from the ALA about the Patriot Act, because they have commented a zillion times on this in the past????
Mr. Berger's crimes are done. The PATRIOT ACT is a continuing blemish on our society and mockery of our fundamental values.
But yes, if the Democrats had the guts to repeal USAPA (which they will not), I would expect ALA's comments on the Act to wind down and stop.
Will not run for office
I don't plan on running for any offices outside the library field. I don't have the temperament for it.
When you say things like "In all the comments I've read of yours over the years, Daniel, I have come to feel you are an expert in the art of obfuscation." providing a few examples would help prove your case. Additionally, the record shows I'm willing to admit that I'm wrong or made mistakes when confronted with evidence.
Simple slurs don't move me or anyone who doesn't already share your point of view.
This thread made me go to the Justice Department web site to see what they had to say about Sandy Berger. After all, they are the agency charged with prosecuting federal crimes and have a history of zealousness in prosecuting leaks of classified information.
Imagine my surprise when I found that the most recent DOJ mention of the case I could find was their annual report from February 2006usdoj.gov>, which contained a summary of the case. The next most recent mention appears to be an April 2005 press releaseusdoj.gov> noting Mr. Berger's guilty plea. This is around the same time that ALA made their statements.
Why should the ALA get worked up over new press releases if the department that charged Mr. Berger isn't interested in prolonging the matter? Do you want ALA to engage in "Bush-bashing" by suggesting his DOJ isn't zealous ENOUGH?
Re:Maybe because other copies remained?
A fine and loss of clearance for stealing classified government documents, please.
What happened to Ollie North when he did it? Where is your outrage against the Iran-Contra affair? Why aren't you comparing this incident to others in the past? Is it because North was a Reagan lackey and Reagan was a Rethuglican?
How about Nixon's CREEP, which not only stole documents but broke into other people's offices to do it, and the documents stolen happened to be medical records which are protected just as much by patient confidentiality as intelligence documents are by security classification?


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The Early Scholars Tutoring Program continues to receive widespread recognition for providing children with a customized curriculum that leads to success. Parents continually endorse this fun, academically challenging environment, which engages students while fostering excitement in learning. They cite the high value of norm-referenced diagnostic assessments, which offer essential insights into their children's academic needs. They continually applaud the personal attention of certified and trained teachers who engage their children through custom learning plans to address specific needs.
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|My and my Dad circa 1979. Love the hair and those plaid pants.
Turns out he got so excited about having lunch with Dad he didn't want to tell him when he needed to get to the bathroom and had a little overflow issue. At first my husband wasn't sure what to do because I had neglected to bring along any back-up pants.
So he came up with this wardrobe option to get them through the rest of lunch, give me time to finish my thing , and get us back home again. I don't think I would have come-up with it in a thousand years. But it totally worked. Good job, Dad. I'm so glad you're my partner in this crazy adventure called parenthood.
Maybe I can get him to do a guest post tutorial on how to make children's clothes out of take-out bags. Might be a popular one.


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Offense Awakes Late
Doc was deprived of a chance to win 20 games, the Phillies offense came to life too late and the Cardinals finished the season as the only team with a winning record against Charlie's bunch.
A couple of weeks ago, the four playoff teams were pretty well set. Mike Ondo, Director of Professional Scouting, had everything mapped out for the last two weeks of the season. All of a sudden, the Cardinals, the Giants and Rays have come to life, the Braves have stumbled big time and Ondo's blueprint has been altered. "We'll start following the Cardinals the rest of the season when they leave town," he said.
If the Cardinals emerge as the wildcard entry, they will meet the Phillies, whom they defeated six times in nine games. Despite not doing well against the Redbirds, the Phillies finished 27-16 versus the NL Central, matching their best record set in 2008.
Doc, an 18-game winner, allowed four runs for just the fifth time in 31 starts this season. He'll start one more time this weekend in New York.
The four runs hiked the Phillies team ERA from 3.00 to 3.01. Since earned runs officially became a statistic in 1912, 3.01 ranks as the fourth best in club history: 2.18 in 1915, 2.36 in 1916 and 2.46 in 1917. Wonder about the Phillies worst ERA? Try 6.70 in 1930, still a major league record.
Sellout was the 200th consecutive. Barring a rainout, the Phillies will lead the majors in attendance for the first time in their history.
Now, the offense, which has scored 28 runs in the last 11 games. What makes it even more scary, nine of those runs came in one game, Saturday's clincher. Monday night, two of the three runs came in the bottom of the ninth.
No sense in fretting about Monday night's loss. There's a game at 1 Tuesday afternoon and then a 7:05 night game against the Nationals, who have the best record in the east against the Phillies, 6-8. Look for Charlie to use a different lineup in each game, resting some of the everyday players.
Alumni Views
What changes would you make in baseball? Questions was posed to Phillies Alumni.
Mickey Morandini, (2B, 1990-97; 2000)
"MLB should eliminate the DH. Add instant replay for all plays (you get two challenges per nine innings and one extra challenge if it goes extra innings). Do not add playoff teams. Have a draft salary cap and a salary cap for amateur foreign players."


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Tigers Drop A Pair at Tech, Series Finale on Sunday
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State flip-flopped positions in the standings with Tennessee Tech on Saturday afternoon as the Golden Eagles took the first two games of the Ohio Valley Conference series. TTU jumped out early and earned a win in game one, 7-0, before using two big innings to grab the night cap, 8-1.
TSU entered the day in ninth place, one game out of the final spot for the OVC tournament, and sat half a game ahead of TTU. The Golden Eagles improved to 14-31, 6-10 in conference, as they passed TSU who is now 16-29, 4-11 in the OVC.
Rebekka Gross led the day at the plate for the Tigers as she collected three of the seven hits on the day for the women in blue. Gross also drove in the lone run of the day, as she shot a ball into center to plate Lindsey Burgess.
Tech's Danielle Libertore surrendered hits to Gross and Burgess in game one, with five walks and five strikeouts on her way to her third shutout of the season. Libertore improved to 7-10 as her offense dropped Shea Morris to 9-11, by touching the junior pitcher for seven runs, five earned, on 11 hits.
Tech scored two runs in the first, three in the third and a run in each the fourth and the sixth.
The Tigers looked to change things in game two by sending seven batters to the plate, but could only manage one run after loading the bases on Tech pitcher Hannah Weaver. With two outs and Burgess on first, TSU strung together three consecutive hits by Kate Morris, Jayna Hanawahine and the run scoring hit by Gross.
Weaver would get in trouble again the fourth on back-to-back hits by Gross and Ashley Haynes, but escaped any damage as her defense turned an inning ending double play. The first and the fourth are the only two innings Weaver would face more than three batters in an inning.
Hannah St. Clair held the Golden Eagles attack at bay for the first two innings. Things would change in the third as 11 hitters stepped to the plate for TTU and pieced together seven hits and a walk to score five runs.
Tech would add three runs in the fifth to extend their lead to seven and create the final score of 8-1.
St. Clair dropped to 3-9 after surrendering 13 hits and three walks for eight earned runs. Weaver took the win and moved to 5-16.
The two teams will conclude the series at 1:00pm on Sunday afternoon at Tech Softball Field. The games can be heard on tsutigers.com and seen on ovcdigitalnetwork.com.


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Today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe GMC van is said to be a former Southwestern Bell service truck. It rocks a V8, and that fact might just help you decide if its price is worth accepting the charges.
The general consensus surrounding yesterday's no wing and a prayer Windmiller Gyrocopter was that it would be a great way to find out all there is to know about this death thing all the kids are talking about. Regardless of its potential for ending ones life, fully 55% of you approved of its price and said live and let fly.
Sometimes you don't feel like flying. In fact sometimes, staying earthbound is far more desirable. One of those times is today because we have a rockin' 1970 GMC Handi-Van that sports one of the optional V8s.
This GMC represents the second generation of the Chevy/GMC Van, which looked similar to the first but did in fact sport significant changes. One of those was the move of the headlights from above the grille, where they aligned perfectly with the rear-view mirrors of most cars, to down in the grille. It also has a slightly wider doghouse to accommodate the V8 engine, the first generation having been designed exclusively around the straight four and six.
This one is a short wheelbase edition (90-inches) which features a small vestigial window behind the front passenger door. The other side is all panel with the exception of a small slider punched through high up in the middle. The ad says that this is a former Southwestern Bell truck and the faded paint bears that out.
That paint is pretty rough - like Mustang Ranch mattress rough - but the steel underneath seems to be pretty solid. The only major booger is a hole in the horizontally slatted grille which gives the van kind of a toothless joe appearance. The seller might call it character.
That V8 is wedged in the doghouse pretty tightly and while it looks as road-worn as the rest of the truck it does seem to sport a coil-on distributor which we all know ain't original. Owing to the 2bbl carb on its top it's probably the 307 (200-bhp) which had been introduced in '68 in replacement of the 283, instead of the expected 350. Here it's backed up by a three-on-the-tree manual which must have one of history's longest and most convoluted shift mechanisms.
There's only a single shot of the interior so it's hard to say just how creepy it might be, but hey, you're looking at an old telephone service van so of course it's going to be creepy. On the outside, new steelies and clean meats make it look like the patina is intentional and not driven by poverty.
The funny thing is these kind of trucks balance on a precipice - being just a rattle canned FREE CANDY and I♥DAHMR license plate away from being a horror movie set piece.
I think you'll be pretty hard pressed in this day and age to find another GM van of this era and spec and after all, they are pretty cool. The seller of this one thinks so and is asking $5,500 for a new owner to raise their coolness factor by buying it.
What's your take on this V8 Telephone van for $5,500? Does that ring your chimes, or does it make you think anyone paying that much is a ding-a-ling?
You decide!
Dallas Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your Kinja handle.


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Once a reluctant reader, author Jason Reynolds never imaged that he would become a writer of books for students in middle grades. And not just a writer, a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors.
During the live webcast, Mr. Reynolds discusses his reluctance to reading because the classics did not reflect the urban environment in which he grew up. Inspired by rap lyrics from Queen Latifah, he discovered poetry and his writing voice. Reynolds shares his writing tips and philosophy on life.


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You'll never get a clue what's being done to, and within, this country from the complicit "mainstream" media. But a KGB expert who defected to the good guys was explaining it for us back in the 80s. Yuri Bezmenov tried to warn us:
Stage One: Demoralization – Elimination of American Exceptionalism, fundamental change of national identity, structural deconstruction of foundational principles, elimination of religion. Embedding a new societal design upon the psyche of generations through ideological academia. Peer pressure by elites upon academics and society to convince that prior values were inherently flawed, racist, prejudiced etc. National identity is diluted with aspersions toward historical references. National history is re-written, re-defined, and molded to fit the new intended behavioral model and create the new values.
Stage Two: Crisis – Creation of economic, financial, and national security crisis. Also includes social crisis and breakdown of previous self-evident restrictions on moral behavior. Cloward Piven approach to overloading the system, ie more takers than producers. The crisis produces benevolent leaders who will promise to deliver "things" (Hope and Change) to meet people's needs through Social and Economic Justice. False illusions that the situation is under control if certain strategic directions are followed (Bailouts, Stimulus, Jobs Bills, Regulations of industry, Unconstitutional Power Grabs, Dismissal of Historical Laws, Changes in legislative processes, Changes in checks and balances of power etc).
Stage Three: Normalization – The uncomfortable feelings of change including losses of freedom are absorbed and accepted. Lost national identity becomes accepted as the norm within the new societal model. A period of national rebranding transition where people are so overwhelmed by the change they become numb and begin to accept a 'new normal'. This period of normalization lasts indefinitely as the progression is continually advanced and acceptance takes place in small controlled doses. (New limits on behavior, Regulations, TSA Patdowns, Intrusions into privacy, Controls into daily life) These things begin to be accepted as "just the way it is now"..
Stage Four: Destabilization – Unlike the period of "Crisis" the people who helped orchestrate the change are now no longer needed. The new overarching centralized governmental model begins to take control. Leftist usurpers who initially thought they were going to be part of the new power structure begin to realize they were used and manipulated and they themselves become the new enemy. Because they have first hand knowledge of the agenda they are the primary target for elimination. They may simply be disregarded, obfuscated, thrown out, or they may be collected, imprisoned, or worse killed. There is no longer room for dissention. Dissent is only possible within the free system that has now been deconstructed. Therefore the leftist purpose is served once the destabilization is complete. Totalitarian Government takes control…
One cannot be intellectually honest and look at this video and the summary of the Four Stages Bezmenov has outlined and not see distinct and similar, albeit creepy, parallels to today. Granted the historical examples he presents in the video (Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany, USSR, Poland, etc) are extreme in their Stage Four result, or are they?
Perhaps a reasonable person would argue that elimination of economic capacity (to live freely) is just as restrictive as living inside a walled camp. If you cannot live freely, earn a living freely, move about without restrictions, and determine for yourself your choices, then what really is the difference between being thrown in an internment camp and having the invisible chain link fence of diminished freedom built around your home?
If government can control your income through taxation, employment and redistribution; tell you what to eat by deciding your choices for you; tell you how much energy you are allowed to consume through rules and regulation; tell you what kind of car you can be allowed to drive; tell you what type of toilet you can buy; tell you what kind of detergent you may wash with; determine what information you have access to through the TV media and internet access; and then control your capacity to receive the healthcare of your choice; then really what is the difference between living in a collective camp under such rules and living where you are now but following the same rules ?
I would argue that we are solidly in the middle of stage #3 (normalization) while all around us Stage Four (destabilization) is beginning, perhaps as planned. We talk about the new "ism's" all the time. Heck, most of what we discuss is our reluctance to engage in acceptance of the "normalization" and our seeming frustration to be able to influence "it" to stop presenting us with new acceptance challenges.
What say you?


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Reflecting on Singapore's World Streetfood Congress
More Singapore
An Introduction to Singaporean Food A Late Night Food Crawl with Makansutra's K. F. Seetoh A Tour of a Singaporean Wet Market
One of the greatest—if not the greatest—appeals of Singapore is the local cuisine and the food culture. The city-state is seeing a growing number of international food events, including World Gourmet Summit, Savour and as of last month, the World Streetfood Congress. KF Seetoh, Singapore's food ambassador and founder of Makansutra, launched the first World Streetfood Congress event in June, championing local heritage cuisines around the world.
Alongside partners like Anthony Bourdain, the World Streetfood Congress showcased select street food vendors and food trucks from 10 cities around the world for a weeklong food fair (SGD$28 per day inclusive of SGD$20 vouchers). WSFC also included a full two-day dialogue session, featuring presentations and discussions by food and beverage professionals (editors, chefs, food TV personalities, and government officials) for a whopping SGD$750 (USD$592).
Maybe it was the confusion between the price tags or limited pre-publicity, but the first few days of the World Street Food Congress saw minimal crowds. It was unfortunate for the vendors, but a big plus for me since I had no wait between trying fried bananas from Vietnam or pork shoulder sandwiches from Denmark.
But the real purpose of the World Streetfood Fair is to have serious discussions on the longevity of street food around the world. In his keynote address, Bourdain asked the audience, "It may sound fancy, but how do you think escargot came about? Do you think the first person who first ate snail was some gourmet? No! He was probably a very hungry sonuvabitch." The gourmet restaurant isn't where innovative food is born, he continues. Born out of necessity and often desperation, street food is made of humble ingredients and created into something palatable, comforting and delicious.
Seetoh aims to professionalize the street food culture so that a new generation of hawkers may arise as the world continues to modernize. This of course begs the question of how the beauty of the humble street stall can be preserved when it becomes commercialized and expanded beyond its native city of origin. Is teaching street food vendors how to turn their dish into a commercial enterprise the solution to saving street food? Heck, does street food even need saving? One thing's for sure, the history of a people is on their plates, and that's not insignificant.
Seetoh handpicked the 37 vendors himself, taking into account the more obvious factors such as taste, heritage, and popularity, but more surprisingly, also their ability to expand and replicate in other cities. At the 10 day event, each of the vendors were, for the most part, only permitted to use the regionally sourced ingredients provided for them by the WSFC organizers (to the dismay of some operations).
At least five Singapore stalls graced the Jamboree, with classics such as chicken rice (Wee Nam Kee), bak kuh the (Joo Siah), and curry puffs (Indian Muslim Bakery & Confectionary). Other countries who got to cooking included Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the United States (Oregon), Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Denmark.
Here were some of the highlights.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Are you interested in studying Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones with other genealogists? Would you like to discuss the concepts in a small group format? There are five new groups open for registration now. To participate send an email to genproofstudy at gmail.com
The Gen Proof study groups are organized to study the new book Mastering Genealogical Proof, by Thomas W. Jones. This is an exceptional textbook detailing the application of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). The exercises will help you develop the skills you need to be comfortable applying the GPS to your genealogy work. This study program will consist of small groups of nine members and a mentor who will guide the discussions and answer questions. As you read the book highlight the key points and jot questions in the margins so you are prepared for your discussions.
For more details on the Gen Proof study groups see the following blog posts:
Fall Gen Proof Study Group Schedule
Start Date
Corey Oiesen
Sept. 23rd
Asynchronous discussion board
Christina Sharbrough, CG
Sunday, Oct 6th
Text chats Sundays at 8:30pm Eastern and discussion board
Liz Stratton
Oct 6th
Asynchronous discussion board with option to video chat
Eric Stroschein
Oct 6th
Asynchronous discussion board
Debra Hoffman
Thursday,Oct 10th
Video chats Thursdays
9:00pm Eastern and discussion board
Group formats:
Video chat – These groups will meet weekly or bi-weekly at a designated time for a one hour video chat on a private Google Hangout. You MUST have a computer or a tablet with a headset and microphone to participate. This is great for those who like to meet in real time and video chat to discuss the subject.
Text chat – These groups will meet weekly or bi-weekly at a designated time for one hour in a private chat room. You type your thoughts and questions via text chat and others will respond and discuss the concepts in real time. This format is good for those who do not want to video chat, but like a designated time each week to meet and discuss the subject.
Asynchronous discussion board-- These groups do not meet at a designated time but have ongoing discussions on a private Google + Community discussion board throughout the week. The mentor will log on each day to answer questions and highlight certain concepts, and participants should check in daily also.


text: Pure insanity courtesy of NASA. "Interstellar" is only a movie but this is what our tax dollars is funding. ---- Space Settlements spreading life throughout the solar system "I know that humans will colonize the solar system and one day go beyond." Mike Griffin, former NASA Administrator. A billion years ago there was no life on land. In a phenomenal development, by 400 million years ago land life was well established. We are at the very beginning of a similar, perhaps even more important, development. Today Earth teems with life, but as far as we know, in the vast reaches of space there are only a handful of astronauts, a few plants and animals, and some bacteria and fungi; mostly on the International Space Station. We can change that. In the 1970's Princeton physicist Gerard O'Neill, with the help of NASA Ames Research Center and Stanford University, discovered that we can build gigantic spaceships, big enough to live in. These free-space settlements could be wonderful places to live; about the size of a California beach town and endowed with weightless recreation, fantastic views, freedom, elbow-room in spades, and great wealth. In time, we may see millions of free-space settlements in our solar system alone. Building them, particularly the first one, is a monumental challenge. If this sounds exciting, read on. http://settlement.arc.nasa.gov/


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"[Gilgamesh] has never been better served than in this new translation…Maier's contribution is the meticulous scholarship that envelopes the book…John Gardner's contribution…is the translation itself: lyrical, sinewy, emotionally uncompromising and rhythmically brilliant."
— William L. Moran, The New York Times Book Review
"The authors brilliantly achieve the goal of infusing the poem with new life and meaning for the modern reader"
— Ronald Bailey, Newsday
"A moving and exceptionally readable version of the poem."
— Aaron Shurin, The San Francisco Chronicle