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Please note: This is NOT the most current catalog.
Chair, 2013-14: Thomas Williamson, nationalism, health, globalization, cultural theory, Southeast Asia
Faculty, 2013-14: Ibtesam âl-Atiyat, Arab world, gender, social movements, global interdependence, Islam; Carolyn R. Anderson, identity, kinship, theory, gender, Native North America, Western Europe, Scandinavia; Christopher Chiappari, religion, identity, social change and development, immigration, Latin America; Bruce Nordstrom-Loeb, gender, family, race and class; Ryan Sheppard, family, gender, race/ethnicity, social movements, quantitative research; Theodore Thornhill, race and ethnicity, African-American history and culture, education, class, crime and social control, religion
Sociology and anthropology share the belief that society and culture shape us in powerful ways and that we can only know ourselves when we understand our social and cultural context. Our personalities and choices reflect who we are, but so do the groups and social institutions to which we belong (peers, family, religion, politics, occupations).
Sociology grew out of efforts to understand the nature and problems of modern industrial societies, while anthropology grew out of European and American colonial encounters with diverse world cultures. Both seek to explain the relationships among individuals, groups, institutions, culture, and meaning; both seek insights into the pressing personal and social issues of our day.
Sociology and anthropology contribute to current debates in politics, philosophy, theology, and other areas about multiculturalism, environment, gender, inequality, "Third World" development, welfare reform, globalization, and immigration. All require clear understanding of life's social and cultural dimensions.
Occupations drawing on sociological and anthropological knowledge include policy research and planning, human resources and industrial relations, public and international relations, law, medicine, ministry, counseling, education, management, social work, and marketing. Both disciplines also help prepare students for social service and justice work.
Overview of the major
Humans are social and cultural beings. This means that they depend
upon each other and cooperate, forming social relationships and social
groups, which make up society. For societies to work, members must
communicate with each other, primarily through language. They must
also share beliefs, values, and meanings that are passed down from one
generation to another. These learned meaning structures make up the
culture of a group or society. Society and culture are interrelated in
very complex ways, and both sociology and cultural anthropology are
interested in this interrelationship.
Sociological research includes both micro-level community studies and
macro-level national and transnational studies, using both
ethnographic or qualitative methods and quantitative methods.
Anthropological research is generally ethnographic, using qualitative
methods at the micro- or local level. Both disciplines are very
concerned with the dynamics of power, especially the ways in which
social structures create inequalities among members of the society and
how these inequalities are culturally justified. Both are also
interested in processes of social and cultural change.
Sociology and cultural anthropology are closely related disciplines
that share certain theories and methodologies. Both are critical
disciplines because they are comparative, leading students to look at,
understand, and question their own societies and cultures. Majors in
sociology/anthropology explore sociological and anthropological
theories in two core courses. They design and conduct independent
research in quantitative and ethnographic methods core courses. In the
senior seminar, majors consider and critique the ethics of sociology
and anthropology and their impact on their own personal ethics and
morals in depth. They also select one course examining social
institutions, one course concentrating on a geographical area of the
world or a topical area of particular interest to them, as well as two
elective courses. Sociology/anthropology majors are highly encouraged
to apply and test their skills by studying abroad, doing an
independent study or research project, and/or completing an internship
for one or more of ther elective courses.
The major in sociology/anthropology requires completion of at least nine courses distributed as follows: five core courses (Sociology/Anthropology 291, 292, 371, 373, 399) and four elective courses, including at least one course from the area and topical groups (230s, 240s) and one from the social structures and processes group (260s). Majors are also required to take Statistics 110. Statistics 110 must be taken before Sociology/Anthropology 371. Students are permitted to take one of the four elective courses, but not a core course, S/U. An introductory course is not required but may be used as an elective for the major.
Students who study abroad on a St. Olaf program that includes a sociology or anthropology course may petition to have this course count as an elective toward their major. One independent study/research course or an off-campus field internship supervised by department faculty may also count as an elective toward the major.
A social studies education major with an area of emphasis in sociology/anthropology is available. For more information, see http://www.stolaf.edu/services/aac/socstudiesed.htm. Faculty in the Sociology/Anthropology Department may be asked to provide academic supervision of internships that students arrange in community agencies (see Sociology/Anthropology 294 and 394). For details on off-campus programs, see the International and Off-Campus Studies section of this catalog. The Sociology/Anthropology Department is a core participant in the following interdisciplinary majors: American studies, race and ethnic studies, Asian studies, Latin American studies, social work, nursing, and women's studies. The Sociology/Anthropology Department also contributes to the Africa and the Americas, family studies, and the Middle Eastern studies concentrations.
Level I and level II courses count for one or more of HBS, MCD, MCG, or HWC. In addition, 292, 371, and 373 carry WRI, 232 and 371 carry ORC, and 399 carries EIN credit. 121 and 128 are open to first-year students only. There are no prerequisites for level II courses except for 267and 268, and 373 is open only to juniors and seniors.
level I COURSES
This course helps students explore the connections between society and their own lives. Students answer challenging questions such as "Do we have a 'human nature'?," "Why does social inequality exist?," "What is race?," and "How do societies change?" In answering these questions students learn to develop a sociological imagination. In doing so they review the various research methods and theories that form the sociological tradition. This course is open to first-year students or students in certain accredited programs. Open to all students when taught during the summer. Offered each semester. Counts towards American studies major.
128 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
How do anthropologists study other cultures? Peoples around the world create different realities through the ways they conceptualize experience (cultures) and how they organize themselves to do what they need to do (societies). Anthropologists describe and compare cultures and societies, focusing on different aspects such as family and kinship, inequality and power, religion and values, economy and technology, cultural and social change. This course is open to first-year students or students in certain accredited programs. Offered each semester. Counts toward race and ethnic studies and women's and gender studies majors; and Africa and the Americas, race and ethnic studies, and women's and gender studies concentrations.
232 Thailand: Culture, Institutions, and Interactions
This course offers a sociological understanding of Thailand, focusing on Thai culture and the institutions of education, religion, and economy, drawing partly on guest lecturers and visits to Thai sites. It also provides beginning skills and experience in ethnography social scientific observation and interpretation of interactions in "the field" for example, among Thai students, monks, and vendors and customers in markets. Offered during Interim.
234 Native North American Cultures and Religions
As an overview of the variety of belief systems and ways of life, this course explores ethnographic case studies of Native American groups from the major culture areas of North America north of Mexico. Topics addressed in this course include language families, social organization systems, ecological and economic adaptations, material culture, religions, and revitalization movements. This course will also examine the impacts of colonial encounters upon Native American cultures. Offered every other year in the fall or spring semester. Counts towards American studies major and race and ethnic studies major and concentration.
235 Introduction to Islamic Feminisms
This course focuses on the theories, political goals, strategies, and activities of the emerging trends of Islamic feminisms. After mapping the landscape of this movement and identifying its different manifestations, students investigate Islamic feminists' readings and interpretations of the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic history. The course examines methods Islamic feminists use in interpreting and reinterpreting such sources, politics and strategies they employ, and the impact of their work on Muslim women's lives worldwide. Offered during Interim. Counts toward women's and gender studies major and concentration.
Focusing on present day Arab and Middle Eastern countries, the course explores the role of the institutions of family and religion in maintaining continuity, while also identifying sources of change such as the colonial experience, regional and global interdependence, the social impact of oil, fundamentalist movements, and the co-existence of traditional and "modern" values. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester.
237 Forging a Latin American Culture
This course explores the forces that shape contemporary Latin American society, including material and cultural interactions with Europe, Africa, and the U.S. Emphasis is placed on understanding the formation of the region in terms of the responses of key groups of actors (indigenous peoples, women, peasants, workers, the poor, migrants, revolutionaries) to the actions of outside and/or more powerful forces and institutions (foreign invaders, the state, the military, missionaries, multinational corporations). Offered annually in the fall or spring semester. Counts toward Latin American studies concentration. Not offered 2013-14
Asian Studies/Sociology/Anthropology 239: Modern Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a diverse region, stretching from the sleek high-rises of Singapore to hermetic Rangoon; from Islam to Buddhism; from computer chip manufacture to swidden agriculture. Students read ethnographies, novels, and local histories to better understand Southeast Asian family life, religion, language, and education. Through focusing on the experience of modernity, students examine how Southeast Asians make sense of their group affiliations, their pasts and their futures. The course aims to challenge contemporary understandings of place, entitlement, and home both in Southeast Asia and beyond. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester or during Interim.
242 Contemporary Native American Issues
What do self-determination and cultural identity mean for Native American peoples today? Students examine the impact of colonization on Native American peoples, including federal policies, treaty rights, and sovereignty. Issues include economy and politics on reservations, family and gender roles, orality and literacy, persistence and revitalization of religious life and culture, urban life, and recent social movements and organizations. Offered every other year in the fall semester. Counts towards American studies major and race and ethnic studies major and concentration.
245 Crossing Borders: Transnational Migration in a Globalized World
This course examines contemporary transnational migration from a sociological perspective. Students investigate major patterns, causes, and consequences of transnational migration, and explore key issues including immigrants' unequal access to power and resources. Students use major public databases on migration and produce a project on a specific immigration issue or group. Offered periodically during Interim.
This course explores the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from several social science perspectives. Students examine whether gender and sexual orientation (both heterosexual and homosexual) are socially constructed or biologically natural, and what cross-cultural and historical examples can tell us. Students also study controversies over the family and religious status of GLBT people, why homosexuality has become such a political issue, and movements for change. Offered during Interim. Counts towards American studies major and women's and gender studies major and concentration.
248 Sociology of Dying, Death, and Bereavement
This class investigates death-related behavior from an American and cross-cultural perspective, seeking to understand patterns of social interaction surrounding and giving meaning to dying, death, and bereavement. Topics include: death meanings and anxiety, religion and death-related customs, the dying process, hospice as a social movement, biomedical issues, the funeral industry, death rituals, and the social understanding of the bereavement process. Offered during Interim. Counts towards American studies major, and biomedical studies (for students through class of 2016) and family studies concentrations.
Hunters and gatherers, herders and agriculturalists who have developed successful strategies for utilizing natural resources while maintaining ecological balance are in danger of losing their ways of life. Deforestation, dams, pollution, global warming, desert expansion, and population pressure -- the products of globalization and economic development -- are threatening the loss of invaluable cultural knowledge as well as sustainable adaptations. Students explore humans and the environment and the survival of indigenous peoples. Offered every other year in the spring semester.
SOCIAL structures and processes COURSES
This course provides a social science understanding of the "contemporary American family" and analysis of marriage and family issues from a cross-cultural perspective. Students discuss issues of dating and mate selection, marital and parent-child relationships over the family life cycle, gender issues, work and family roles, and problem-related issues affecting families (divorce, violence and death) caused by rapid changes in society. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester. Counts towards American studies and women's and gender studies majors and family studies and women's and gender studies concentrations.
261 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
This course compares gender patterns and issues in various cultures around the world, such as Latin America, the Middle East, India, the U.S., and East Asia. How do cultural expectations for women and men vary? Why do some societies have more gender equality than others? How do economic and political change, including globalization, impact gender roles? How do U.S. and Third World feminism compare? Offered annually in the fall or spring semester. Counts towards race and ethnic studies major and concentration and Africa and the Americas and women's and gender studies concentrations .
Approaching the world as a "global village," the course will focus on the development of the world as an interdependent entity, the relationship between the "developed" and "developing" world, alternative explanations for planned social change, and new institutions for this international world. Global challenges such as the information revolution, population, the status of women, and migration are analyzed to illustrate this interdependence. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester.
264 Race and Class in American Culture
Students explore the continuing significance of color, class, and immigration in the U.S., with a focus on the experiences and concerns of African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asian-Americans. The course examines the nature and functions of prejudice; the relationship among race, class and gender; the persistence of racism and inequality; and social policies and social movements intended to create greater social justice. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester. Counts towards American studies, race and ethnic studies, and Latin American studies majors; and race and ethnic studies, Africa and the Americas, and Latin American studies concentrations.
265 Religion, Culture and Society
This course examines and analyzes religious beliefs, meanings, rituals, and organizational patterns from empirical and theoretical perspectives. Students are introduced to the sociological study of religion through its foundational thinkers as well as current theoretical approaches and research in the field. Important contemporary issues and debates examined include secularization, conversion, new religions and religious movements, gender and sexuality, and fundamentalism. Offered occasionally in the fall or spring semester.
This course introduces students to the study of crime and the criminal justice system from a sociological perspective. Topics include types of crime; theories of crime causation; the role of the criminal justice system in social control; the racial and social class implications of the criminal law and law enforcement strategies; and drug policy. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester or during Interim.
How do people understand illness and healing? How does social inequality shape health? These are among the questions explored by medical anthropology. In this course students examine the ways people in different societies experience their bodies, by looking at AIDS in Haiti, old age in India, and childbirth in the United States. Students investigate diverse understandings of health, different means of promoting healing, and the role of power in providing medical care. Prerequisite: one sociology/anthropology course. Offered annually in the fall or spring semester. Counts toward biomedical studies concentration (for students through class of 2016).
How does social class stratification shape individuals' life chances in the U.S.? This course introduces students to classical and contemporary theories of social class; seminal empirical studies that investigate the power of social class in shaping both individuals and the nature of the society in which they live; the relationship between class, race, and gender; poverty and public policy; and class consciousness and class conflict. Prerequisite: Sociology/Anthropology 121 or another 100-or 200-level sociology/anthropology course. Offered annually.
291 History of Sociological Theory
This course provides an overview of the major thinkers who sought to create a science of human society, the ideas they found fundamental to a science of society and how human society changes through history. Classical thinkers such as Marx, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, and Mead are studied along with the schools of theory which they inspired: positivism, interpretive and critical conflict theory. Open to sociology/anthropology majors only. Prerequisite: one sociology/anthropology course. Offered annually in the spring semester.
This course introduces students to anthropological theory and the "culture" of the discipline itself. Students examine anthropology's formation during the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Empire, which called for new explanations of human differences and gave new significance to the nature and meaning of "culture." They explore the method of participant observation research, the question of whether anthropology is a science, the problem of representing one culture to another, and the changing nature of ethnographic writing. Open to sociology/anthropology majors only. Offered annually in the fall semester.
294 Internship
298 Independent Study
299 Topics in Sociology-Anthropology
The department periodically offers courses on special topics. The specific title is listed in the class and lab schedule when it is offered. Prerequisites to be determined by instructor.
371 Foundations of Social Science Research: Quantitative Methods
Students gain the skills necessary to conduct and critically evaluate quantitative research. Students learn the underlying theoretical assumptions and orientations of quantitative research, including research design, sampling techniques, strategies for data collection, and approaches to analysis. Students gain practice in data analysis by conducting a research project and using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), a standard in sociology. Open to sociology/anthropology majors only. Prerequisite: Statistics 110 or 212. Offered annually in the fall semester. Counts toward environmental studies major (social science track).
373 Ethnographic Research Methods
Students learn to design and conduct qualitative research in the tradition of sociological and anthropological ethnography. Students discuss theoretical approaches to ethnography and learn data collection methods through case studies and fieldwork assignments. Students use their own research to gain experience in interpreting field notes, doing analysis, and writing an ethnographic interpretation of their research findings. Open to junior or senior sociology/anthropology majors only. Prerequisite: Sociology 291 or 292. Offered annually in the spring semester.
394 Internship
396 Directed Undergraduate Research: "Topic Description"
This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Prerequisite: Determined by individual instructor. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.
398 Independent Research
This seminar offers in-depth reading, writing, and discussion on a selected topic from areas common to sociology and anthropology with an emphasis on contemporary analysis and ethics. Specific content will vary from year to year. The seminar is open to senior sociology/anthropology majors only. Offered annually in the spring semester.


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Throughout America's history, there have been people who denied threats from our enemies. During the Revolutionary War, significant numbers sided with the British monarchy. Enablers in politics, the media and even religion helped Communism remain in power for seven decades in the Soviet Union. German Nazis had their U.S. apologists.
The presidential election in Egypt, won by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi in a race where three-quarters of Egyptians voted for someone else, challenges contemporary deniers and enablers who refuse to acknowledge the threat advancing Islamism poses to Israel and the West. Enough Egyptians voted for Morsi to allow Islamists to achieve greater political power than at any time since the Brotherhood's 1928 founding.
Morsi mouths the words the West wants to hear (he was educated in America). He speaks of being president of "all Egyptians," promising to honor all international agreements made by the Hosni Mubarek regime.
A cleric, Safwat Higazi, introduced Morsi at a May 1 campaign rally and stated the Brotherhood's objective: "Our capital shall be Jerusalem, Allah willing." That seems to signal the real direction in which Morsi could take his country. It is certainly in line with Muslim Brotherhood thinking.
After more than three years of pandering and apologizing to the Islamic world, the Obama administration has produced a tree bearing rotten fruit. The White House congratulated Morsi on his victory. What else could it do? It won't admit error or acknowledge that the "Arab Spring" is starting to resemble a Siberian winter.
Iran continues its nuclear weapons program and threatens to wipe the "Zionist entity" off the map. Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Israel and urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran, to which Russia has been providing nuclear technology. Should Egypt again become hostile to the Jewish state (the recent terror attacks from the Sinai border area are a sign that 32 years of stability along the Egyptian-Israeli border could unravel), Israel may be in greater peril than at any time in its modern history.
Sixteen months ago, the Brotherhood declared disinterest in the Egyptian presidency, vowing not to run a candidate. Add that to the long list of lies and empty promises that numerous Arab and Islamic leaders have peddled to the West.
Columnist Max Boot seemingly buys into the fantasies of the apologists, enablers and deniers. In a Commentary magazine article titled "Let the Brotherhood Rule in Egypt," Boot writes, "As long as a Brotherhood government must face voters in the future, popular sentiment will act as a check on its illiberal tendencies."
Many dictators have been elected once.
"Regardless," Boot added, "it is a tragedy that the will of the Egyptian people, who plainly long for Western-style democracy and not an Iranian-style theocracy or a sclerotic police state, is being thwarted."
Really? The Egyptian parliamentary election confirmed polling that indicates 60 percent of Egyptians favor complete adoption of Shariah law. Shariah law does not require that future elections be held. Those polls also show an overwhelming majority of Egyptians want a religious government, stoning as a form of punishment, and limits on women and Christians in office.
The New York Times' David Kirkpatrick is not fooled by false promises. In an April 23 story, Kirkpatrick wrote, "(Morsi) has argued for barring women and non-Muslims from Egypt's presidency on the basis of (Shariah) law. He has called for a council of Muslim scholars to advise Parliament. He has a track record of inflammatory statements about Israel, calling its citizens 'killers and vampires.'"
The Muslim Brotherhood knows how Westerners think. They are playing us for fools. If we believe what has happened in Egypt and the upheavals in the rest of the Mideast will lead to democracy, human rights, equal rights for women and religious minorities, freedom of speech and press, then we are fools.
These fanatics do not intend to stop with Israel. Their ultimate target is America, by elections and/or other means.

subset: commoncrawl


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The West End Frame Shop is a local small business that has operated in Media, PA for 26 years. We offer custom framing services at a fair price.
ME Photo & Design LLC is a boutique photography studio specializing in creative portraits, documentary wedding photography and eclectic art.
Bittersweet Kitchen serves creative comfort food and small-batch baked goods. Everything is made fresh and breakfast and lunch are served all day.
"We're not fast food! We're good food fast"
Giota West End Hair Styling & Barber Shop
Waxing Hair Removal Service in Media
Desert Rose serves authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Street Food. Patrons are welcome to BYOB. Our food is based on an eclectic mix of Moroccan, Israeli and Iraqi cuisine. Desert Rose offers a casual atmosphere while providing an authentic artisan culinary experience. From the house baked pita bread to the hand scooped falafel and daily built chicken shawarma, Desert Rose provides an array of authenic and flavorful dishes. Our daily spun traditional Israeli style hummus with tahini and olive oil as well as warm hummus with eggplant and poached egg are a few examples of our homemade dishes.
Law Office of Maureen C. Repetto, specializing in divorce and family mediation.
Full service HD video production; creative, technical and pedagogical writing, on-line education, market research. communication consulting, live streaming, post-production and graphics, animation.
We are a boutique salon that provides our surrounding communities with quality hair trends and quality products. Prodigy Salon… the salon with solutions.
Famous Hand Carved Roast Beef Sandwiches, gourmet quality burgers, salads, healthy food options and a kids menu from a Media restaurant family over 50 years in the making!
As financial professionals, we are committed to helping people just like you create solutions for their retirement assets. Once we understand your risk tolerance, time horizon and goals, we'll work diligently to develop a program that carefully balances investment growth with the preservation of capital.
In today's ever changing economic environment, there are both challenges and opportunities. We work closely with our clients to help them navigate a path towards continued financial security.
A Center City vibe right in downtown Media. Consider this your palate's passport to a myriad of culinary splendors. Azie Media offers creative Asian fusion fare, sushi & specialty cocktails in a chic modern space.
Welcome to enso. Visit our studio and you will find a warm, inviting atmosphere where students of all levels of experience and flexibility have found a safe, supportive place to practice yoga. Here, with guidance from our experienced and talented instructors, you will be able to cultivate stillness and strength.
320 is a family owned market with locations in Swarthmore (since 1991) and Media, PA (since 2011) specializing in fresh, seasonal lunch and dinner options, craft beer, natural wine and local grass fed cheeses. We have a cafe at each location where you can enjoy one of our amazing salads, sandwiches or burgers . Stay for dinner and pick from a huge selection of craft beer and uniquely curated natural wine. We've recently been recognized by both local and national press as having one of best natural wine selections in Philadelphia and beyond. Home of the greatest pico de gallo ever.
Chinese Take-Out and Delivery
No Stress. Professional massage in a calm, quiet, relaxing environment. Janine Davis, LMT incorporates several techniques to accommodate your needs, from relaxing Swedish to Sports and Deep Tissue, as well as Hot Stone, Prenatal, and Reiki. Come to the NO STRESS zone! She has been serving the community since 2003. For your convenience, you can schedule online through her website or call today!
Lighting Solutions Inc. has been supporting commercial and residential lighting needs since 1996. We provide excellent customer service, superior industry knowledge, and we shine with a creative spirit for the experience of light.
Title Alliance has been forming successful single and multi-state title joint ventures with lenders, realtors, and builders since 1983. We work with our partners to establish in-house title and settlement operations, dramatically enhancing their customer service and increasing their profit.
Specializes in Addiction Therapy, Counseling, Social Work


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Facebook began rolling out its new Photo Sync feature, in which new pictures you take get automatically uploaded to Facebook albums from your iOS or Android phone.
The feature isn't available to everyone yet (and a few lucky testers have been using it since August), but today marks the official roll out date for the new feature. After turning it on, you can sync up to 2GB of photos automatically to a private album on Facebook, which you can then share with your friends or the public as you desire (just like the Instant Upload feature on Google+). To turn it on, just head to Photos (iOS 6 required on the iPhone), scroll down to the bottom, and select Sync. You can sync over Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and data, and you can delete photos you don't want to save space. Hit the link below to see more, and keep an eye out for the feature when it rolls out to you.
Photo Sync | Facebook Newsroom


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(Riflessioni strategiche) Financial Regulators' Global Variety Show (Howard Davies, Project-Syndicate, 22 febbraio 2013)
In the early phases of the financial crisis, it was fashionable to argue that the United States' system of regulation needed a fundamental structural overhaul. Differences of opinion between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) had obstructed effective oversight of investment banks and derivatives trading (only the US believes that it makes sense to regulate securities and derivatives separately).
Indeed, the plethora of separate banking regulators had created opportunities for banks to arbitrage the system in search of a more indulgent approach to capital. Likewise, the lack of a federal insurance regulator had left AIG regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the New York State Insurance Department, which proved to be a wholly inadequate arrangement.
Little has come of these arguments. The Dodd-Frank Act did succeed in putting the OTS out of its misery, but jealous congressional oversight committees have prevented a merger of the SEC and CFTC, and nothing has been done to rationalize banking supervision. So the American system looks remarkably similar to the one that turned a collective blind eye to the rise of fatal tensions in the early 2000's.
One factor that contributed to institutional stasis was the absence of a persuasive alternative. In the decade or so leading up to the meltdown of 2007-2008, the global trend was toward regulatory integration. Almost 40 countries had introduced single regulators, merging all types of oversight into a single all-powerful entity. The movement began in Scandinavia in the early 1990's, but the most dramatic change came in 1997, when the United Kingdom introduced its Financial Services Authority (I was its first chairman).
Other countries adopted slightly different models. A fashionable approach was known as "twin peaks," whereby one regulator handled prudential regulation – setting capital requirements – while another oversaw adherence to business rules. But twin peaks itself was further subdivided.
The Dutch model brigaded the prudential regulators inside the central bank, while the Australian version was built on a separate institution. These integrated structures seemed to offer many advantages. There were economies of scale and scope, and financial firms typically like the idea of a one-stop (or, at worst, a two-stop) shop. A single regulator might also be expected to develop a more coherent view of trends in the financial sector as a whole.
Unfortunately, these benefits did not materialize, or at least not everywhere. It is hard to argue that the British system performed any more effectively than the American, so the single-regulator movement has suffered reputational damage. And the continuing travails of the Dutch banking system – another bank was nationalized last month – suggest that it is easy to fall into the gap between twin peaks.
The truth is that it is hard to identify any correlation between regulatory structure and success in heading off or responding to the financial crisis. Among the single-regulator countries, Singapore and the Scandinavians were successful in dodging most of the fatal bullets, while the UK evidently was not. Among the twin peak exponents, the Dutch system performed very poorly indeed, while Australian financial regulation may be considered a success.
Does it matter whether the central bank is directly involved? Many central bankers maintain that the central bank is uniquely placed to deal with systemic risks, and that it is essential to carry out monetary and financial policies in the same institution. Again, it is hard to find strong empirical support for that argument.
The Dutch and American central banks, with direct oversight of their banking systems, were no more effective in identifying potentially dangerous systemic issues than were non-central bank regulators elsewhere. Canada is often cited as a country that steered its banks away from trouble, even though they sit uncomfortably close to US markets. But the Bank of Canada is not now, and has never been, a hands-on institutional supervisor. So perhaps the US Congress has been right to conclude that changing the structure of regulatory bodies is less important than getting the content of regulation right.
Elsewhere, though, a lot of structural change is under way. In the UK, every financial disturbance leads to calls to revamp the system. There were major overhauls in 1986, and again in 1997, when the Bank of England lost its banking supervision responsibilities as a delayed response to the collapse of Barings. Next month, it gets them back – and more.
For the first time, the Bank of England will supervise insurance companies as well. A similar change has been introduced in France, where a new Prudential Control Authority has been created. The British and French rarely agree on anything; one is tempted to say that when they do, they are highly likely to be wrong.
It is difficult now to discern a coherent pattern. Certainly, the trend toward full-service single regulators outside the central bank has slowed to a crawl (though Indonesia is consolidating regulators at present). There is no consensus on the role of the central bank: in around a third of countries, it is the dominant player, in another third it has responsibilities for banks only, while in the remaining third it is a system overseer only.
We could see this as a controlled experiment to try to identify a preferred model. After all, financial systems are not so different from one another, particularly in OECD countries. But there is no sign of a considered assessment being prepared, which might at least help countries to make better-informed choices, even if it did not conclude that one model was unambiguously best. The G-20, under its current Russian presidency, is now in search of a role. Here is a useful practical task it might take on.


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Monday December 15, 2008 12:05 pm
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.5.6 update
Time to fire up Software Update once again if you're a Mac owner, as Apple has just unleashed the OS X 10.5.6 update into the wild. This one features a large number of changes, but here are some of the one that caught our eye:
Address Book
Improves reliability of Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications.
Improves the reliability of AirPort connections, including improvements when roaming in large wireless networks with an Intel-based Mac.
Includes general improvements to gaming performance.
Includes graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, Aperture, and iTunes.
Includes overall performance and reliability fixes.
Improves Connection Doctor accuracy.
Fixes an issue that could cause messages identified as junk to remain in the inbox.
Fixes an issue that could cause Mail to append a character to the file extension of an attachment.
Addresses an issue that could prevent Mail from quitting.
Improves reliability when printing PDF attachments.
Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the web at me.com. (Finally!)
Time Machine
Fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found.
Improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule.
Apple has detailed all changes on the page linked below.
Read More | OS X 10.5.6 update details
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Apple just released Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.7 for download via Software Update its Leopard operating system that is intended to fix a variety of bugs and security issues, as well as provide expanded hardware support. OS X 10.5.7 includes patches for issues related to network stability and performance, as well as issues related to logging in to Gmail and synching contacts on Yahoo. The update also includes a patch to improve the accuracy of several Dashboard widgets, including Unit Converter, Stocks, Weather, and Movies.
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This particular gif is a scene from the TV series Arrested Development. In it, the character GOB (George Oscar Bluth) says that he has made a huge mistake ("I've made a huge mistake")
I haven't watched the series myself (don't hurt me for saying that), so I'm not completely sure what this "huge mistake" was. If you know, feel free to enlighten me (and others) in the comments section below.


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Steps must be taken to dissuade drivers from illegally using cellphones while behind the wheel to prevent the risk of injury to other motorists or pedestrians, says an editorial by two Canadian doctors.
And paradoxically, they write in this week's British Medical Journal, technology itself may provide the solution.
Dr. Barry Pless and son Dr. Charles Pless of Montreal say although there is still scientific uncertainty about the link between cellphone use while driving and the risk of collisions, the proliferation of mobile phones means distracted driving is undoubtedly on the rise.
A number of studies over the last two decades have had mixed findings as to whether conversing or texting on a mobile phone while driving boosts the risk of having a motor vehicle accident.
But the editorial argues that the potential for injuring or killing other people due to distracted driving means policy makers must not wait for "solid proof" before acting.
While hands-free cellphone use in the driver's seat is probably the least risky activity, followed by conversing with a phone to one's ear, "texting is most dangerous — terrifyingly so," said Barry Pless, professor emeritus of pediatrics and epidemiology at McGill University.
Public education campaigns may have some effect but are unlikely to stop all drivers from taking out their mobiles — a goal that has not even been achieved by legislation across Canada that bans the use of cellphones while behind the wheel, Pless said Tuesday from Montreal.
"So part of the responsibility lies with the law makers to make sure the penalties are severe," he said, noting that New York state has proposed legislation that would double a young driver's licence suspension from the current six months for texting while operating a vehicle.
"If you're a kid and you know you're going to lose your licence for a year ... and you have a reasonable expectation of being caught, then one hopes that you will be persuaded not to do it."
According to the Canadian Automobile Association website, provincial fines range from a high of $400 in P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador, with the loss of three to four demerit points respectively, to a low of $115-$154 in Quebec, with three demerit points lost. Ontario's fine is $155 with no lost demerit points, the CAA site shows.
Pless said if a driver believes there's a good chance he or she won't be caught by police using a cellphone and the penalty isn't significant, "then who cares? Then you'll keep on."
Paradoxically, that leaves technology as the best solution for curbing the use of mobile technology, the editorial suggests.
That could include software that prevents texting while driving set as a factory default; mobile phone pull-out areas with free Wi-Fi access; automatic messages informing callers the recipient is driving; and a sensor such as a signal-jamming key that prevents cellphone reception in a vehicle.
"Ultimately, a technical solution is needed that blocks texting and conversations by drivers while permitting passengers to use their phones as they wish," the Plesses write.
"Until nudging works fully, regulatory bodies must be instructed to incorporate the best available technological preventive measures into all new mobile phones and cars."
Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a staff physician and researcher at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, co-authored a 1997 study that found talking on a cellphone while driving quadrupled the risk of having a collision.
Since then, he said, "the technology has become so much more popular and so much more affordable that there are now way more users on the horizon, thereby causing our initial study to somewhat underestimate the magnitude of risk."
As well, that study did not include texting while driving, which Redelmeier said is "enormously disruptive."
While educating drivers about the dangers of cellphone use behind the wheel is a useful adjunct for road safety, it cannot be the sole intervention, he said, and laws banning mobile communication while driving achieve only about a 70 to 80 per cent adherence rate in Canada and the U.S.
Economic incentives might increase that compliance, said Redelmeier, an internist who often treats patients severely injured in motor vehicle accidents. For instance, insurance companies could demand cellphone data from drivers following a crash, with the understanding rates would increase if the mobile technology had been in use at the time.
Still, he agreed that technology could be the answer, if it could be designed within certain limits.
"If you could find some way of preserving all of the useful emergency calls, the Good Samaritan reporting of mechanical breakdowns or criminal activity or medical emergencies, and then blocking these remarkably frivolous phone calls that are just not worth the risk, that would be great.
"As a physician, that would make sense to me."


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Dates Set for Harold Prince's Prince of Broadway
We now have dates for the previously reported Main Stem premiere of Prince of Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club. The long-in-the-works musical, which celebrates the career of the 21-time Tony-winning director and producer Harold Prince, will begin previews on August 3, 2017. Opening night is scheduled for August 24 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
"Of course I'm delighted that many of my favorite artists will be interpreting the material from a lifetime of work," said Prince in a statement.
Prince of Broadway is set to be helmed by Prince himself with co-direction and choreography by Susan Stroman and will include original songs, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Jason Robert Brown, along with a book by David Thompson.
The musical pays tribute to Prince's 60-year career and examines the circumstances and fortune, both good and bad, that led to him creating some of the most beloved theater of all time, including West Side Story, The Pajama Game, Cabaret, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Company.
No word yet on casting, but last year's Japanese world premiere starred Ramin Karimloo, Shuler Hensley, Tony Yazbeck, Emily Skinner, Josh Grisetti, Bryonha Marie Parham, Mariand Torres, Nancy Opel, Reon Yuzuki and Kaley Ann Voorhees.
The production will feature set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Howell Binkley and musical direction by Fred Lassen. Hamilton's lead producer, Jeffrey Seller, is credited as a creative consultant.
Prince of Broadway was originally slated to open on the Great White Way in 2012 starring Sierra Boggess, Richard Kind and Skinner.
Check out Broadway.com's exclusive interview with Prince below!


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- Joined: Mar 14, 2023
- Last Login: Jul 3, 2023, 4:47am CDT
Live 3D Earth Map : World Maps : Live 3D Earth Map: World Maps app provides a free satellite map with 3D views, voice navigation, GPS speedometer, compass, and route planner. It allows users to discover famous places, share their location, and track their speed, distance, and time. The app also offers features like parking manager, address finder, and nearby places.


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For Students
At the Smithsonian
Explore by Topic
Secrets of the Smithsonian
Events for Kids
Everything Art
Science & Nature
History & Culture
People & Places
New & Cool
Digging for Answers
Search the web and beat the clock in this new game.
Smithsonian Education
Mystery Invention
Can you guess the identity of an early model of a common household object?
Smithsonian Education
My Wonderful World
Take a trip around the world with Smithsonian resources.
Smithsonian Institution
America on the Move
Discover how planes, trains, and automobiles shaped America.
American History Museum
The American Presidency
Learn all about the men who have led our nation.
American History Museum
The Wright Brothers
Learn about flight, send E-cards, and conduct experiments.
Air and Space Museum
Kids Collecting
Explore the Smithsonian's collections and learn how to start your own.
Smithsonian Education
Black Wings
Learn about the triumphs of African American pioneer aviators.
Air and Space Museum
On Time
Take a few minutes to consider the changing meaning of time.
American History Museum
World War II Aviation
Read stories of World War II land-based fighter aviation.
Air and Space Museum
The Star-Spangled Banner
Explore the dramatic history of the flag that inspired the national anthem.
American History Museum
Who's Owney?
Learn about Owney, a dog mascot of the Railway Mail service.
National Postal Museum
The Great War in the Air
See the aircraft that took to the skies during World War I.
Air and Space Museum
Games & Activities
Choose Ur Style
Play dress up with traditional or modern African styles.
African Art Museum
America on the Move Games
Become a director by selecting vehicles for a new movie.
American History Museum
Postal Quizzes
How much do you know about stamps and history? Test yourself!
Postal Museum
The Great History Mystery
Follow the clues and see if you can identify famous Americans!
National Portrait Gallery
George Washington Portrait
Follow clues to learn about George Washington's portrait.
National Portrait Gallery
Viking Board Game
Play Hnefatafl, an old Norse board game.
Natural History Museum


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Robert Peterson, MD
Robert Peterson, MD - Board certified plastic surgeon in Honolulu Hawaii
Robert Peterson, MD - Board certified plastic surgeon in Honolulu Hawaii specializes in plastic surgery for the breast, body and face. Breast augmentation, breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tuck are some of the procedures offered.
Honolulu (; Hawaiian: [honoˈlulu]) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is located in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu, and is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city. Honolulu is Hawaii's main gateway to the world. It is also a major hub for business, finance, hospitality, and military defense in both the state and Oceania. The city is characterized by a mix of various Asian, Western, and Pacific cultures, as reflected in its diverse demography, cuisine, and traditions.
Aliamanu - Salt Lakes - Foster Village, Arts District, China Walls, Chinatown, Chinatown, Diamond Head State Monument, Downtown, Ewa, Hahaʻione Valley Neighborhood Park, Hawaii Kai, Hawaii Living, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center, Hickam Field, Honolulu County


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Brand: Hapuka
Prominent Colour: Multi
Product Description: On the Occasion of Diwali, Christmas, Anniversary, Birthdays these items can be readily turned into a wonderful Gift Item.
These items have antique elegant design that gives addition to you Home décor or can be use for the decoration of Restaurants, Bars.
Best For Home Decor, Perfect For Gifting. Easy-Go as very portable can be assembled and disassembled and can be cleaned easily
Item Code: 2176
Item Name: Hapuka Multicolor Metal Brass Hookah
Item Dimensions LxWxH ( Inch)- Height : 7
Material: Metal
Features: Dishwasher Safe
Manufacturer/ Packer/Importer: Bright Trading Company, Abdul Hadi Road, Asalatpura, Moradabad - 244001 , U.P
Seller: Mahaveer Exports, Hanuman Vihar, Sec-49, Noida-201301, U.P
Country Of Origin: India
Material Care Description: Gentle Hand Wash
Item Weight (g): 450


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The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured a stunning visible image of Tropical Cyclone Dumile on Jan. 4, 2013 at 1020 UTC (5:20 a.m. EST) as it moved away from La Reunion Island and Mauritius. The MODIS image showed a tight swirl of clouds around Dumile's center as it maintained cyclone (hurricane) status, where the most powerful and highest thunderstorms were east and south of the center of circulation. The image also showed the eastern coast of Madagascar to the left of the storm.
At 0900 UTC (4 a.m. EST) on Jan. 4, Tropical Cyclone Dumile's maximum sustained winds were near 70 knots (80.5 mph/129.6 km/h). It was located near 25.4 south latitude and 54.2 east longitude, about 260 miles (299.2 miles/ 481.5 km) south-southwest of La Reunion.
La Reunion remains on a blue alert, which is expected to be dropped as Dumile continues moving away. Dumile was moving to the south at 11 knots (2.6 mph/20.3 km/h) and generating very rough seas with wave heights to 32 feet (9.7 meters).
On January 4, local news sources reported winds up to 110 miles per hour had battered La Reunion, along with torrential rain as Dumile passed within 56 miles of the island's west coast. The storm caused downed power lines and damage to roadways in the French island.
Dumile continued moving over open ocean and transitioned to an extra-tropical storm on January 5 as it encountered stronger vertical wind shear and cooler waters. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its last advisory on the storm late on that same day.
Image Facts
Date Acquired: 1/4/2013
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:


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Flat | Semi-Detached | Detached | Terraced | |
Homes sold in the last 12 months | 269 | 419 | 419 | 420 |
Average house prices | £168,485 | £328,998 | £532,766 | £281,271 |
Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire is one of England's fastest-growing conurbations. At first, the large town struggled to shrug off its reputation as being "the home of plastic cows!" Since then, it has developed so much; nowadays, city and town reviewers continually offer nothing but praise.
Being only 55 miles from London, the town is a popular residential area with commuters. Affordable property in Milton Keynes has always been easy to find, and the choice is not restricted to new build homes (houses, bungalows, flats...). Older, traditional properties can be found on the outskirts.
In Milton Keynes, many stunning, high-specification family homes - some of them unique executive dwellings - are designed to be in keeping with traditional Buckinghamshire building styles. So by buying a new property in the area, you'll be able to enjoy a wonderful blend of past and present.
Milton Keynes is easily accessible from Junctions 13 and 14 on the M1 motorway, the A5 dual carriageway cuts through the town's western edge. Trains from Milton Keynes Central Railway Station to London Euston leave regularly every day. London Luton is the nearest airport.
Milton Keynes is home to the renowned Cranfield Postgraduate University, but its educational offerings don't end there. As well as the new University Centre Milton Keynes (UCMK), the town is also the HQ for the Open University (OU). State schools in and around the area number around 130.
Theatre-lovers will be in their element in the town - The Milton Keynes Theatre hosts all the big name productions and shows and is the most successful theatre outside London's West End. Also, some of the world's most popular musical acts perform at The National Bowl each year.
Finally, as well as Milton Keynes itself being so alluring to new home seekers looking to relocate, there are also some charming, much sought after villages and towns locally, where homes to buy or rent can be found. For instance, Leighton Buzzard, Banbury and Wellingborough are all worth a look.
Source acknowledgement: House price data produced by Land Registry
This material was last updated on 14 February 2024. It covers the period from 01 January 1995 to 28 December 2023. and contains property transactions which have been registered during that period.
Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right . This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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text: How I Met Your Mother is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. It all started when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), dropped the bombshell that he was going to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realized that he had better get a move on if he, too, hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is his friend Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a confirmed bachelor with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he's sure it's love at first sight, but destiny has something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future.


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The North West Guitar Show organisers have confirmed that the event will be heading back to Cheshire's Haydock Park Racecourse Exhibition Centre on Sunday 19 May.
There are over 100 dealers and retailers set to take part in the show and there are live performances/ demos confirmed from the likes of blues rockers The Ben Poole Band, Fret King's resident shred-head Gavin Coulson, swing-man Anth Purdy and local heroes The Andy Bennett Band.
Key sponsors of this year's event include Fret-King and Vintage Guitars, John Hornby Skewes (distributers of Danelectro, Hughes & Kettner, Dunlop etc.), PMT, Dawsons Music and My Guitar Lessons.
In addition, there will be the chance to try out a whole range of new and vintage guitars, amps and pedals, plus the opportunity to buy, sell and trade used gear and generally chat to knowledgable types about all things guitar.
As usual, tickets are priced at a very reasonable £7.00, parking is free and the venue will have a licensed bar and refreshments available.
Finally, you should know that the 2013 event marks the 50th guitar show organised by Peter and Gail Hoarty, the husband and wife team behind Northern Guitar Shows, so well done to them.
Head to the Northern Guitar Shows site for more information.


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After Brain Injury, New Astrocytes Play Unexpected Role in Healing
DURHAM, N.C. – The production of a certain kind of brain cell that had been considered an impediment to healing may actually be needed to staunch bleeding and promote repair after a stroke or head trauma, researchers at Duke Medicine report.
These cells, known as astrocytes, can be produced from stem cells in the brain after injury. They migrate to the site of damage where they are much more effective in promoting recovery than previously thought. This insight from studies in mice, reported online April 24, 2013, in the journal Nature, may help researchers develop treatments that foster brain repair.
"The injury recovery process is complex," said senior author Chay T. Kuo, M.D., PhD, George W. Brumley Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Pediatrics and Neurobiology at Duke University. "There is a lot of interest in how new neurons can stimulate functional recovery, but if you make neurons without stopping the bleeding, the neurons don't even get a chance. The brain somehow knows this, so we believe that's why it produces these unique astrocytes in response to injury."
Each year, more than 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 795,000 people a year suffer a stroke. Few therapies are available to treat the damage that often results from such injuries.
Kuo and colleagues at Duke are interested in replacing lost neurons after a brain injury as a way to restore function. Once damaged, mature neurons cannot multiply, so most research efforts have focused on inducing brain stem cells to produce more immature neurons to replace them.
This strategy has proved difficult, because in addition to making neurons, neural stem cells also produce astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, known as glial cells. Although glial cells are important for maintaining the normal function of neurons in the brain, the increased production of astrocytes from neural stem cell has been considered an unwanted byproduct, causing more harm than good. Proliferating astrocytes secrete proteins that can induce tissue inflammation and undergo gene mutations that can lead to aggressive brain tumors.
In their study of mice, the Duke team found an unexpected insight about the astrocytes produced from stem cells after injury. Stem cells live in a special area or "niche" in the postnatal/adult brain called the subventricular zone, and churn out neurons and glia in the right proportions based on cues from the surrounding tissue.
After an injury, however, the subventricular niche pumps out more astrocytes. Significantly, the Duke team found they are different from astrocytes produced in most other regions of the brain. These cells make their way to the injured area to help make an organized scar, which stops the bleeding and allows tissue recovery.
When the generation of these astrocytes in the subventricular niche was experimentally blocked after a brain injury, hemorrhaging occurred around the injured areas and the region did not heal. Kuo said the finding was made possible by insights about astrocytes from Cagla Eroglu, PhD, whose laboratory next door to Kuo's conducts research on astrocyte interactions with neurons.
"Cagla and I started at Duke together and have known each other since our postdoctoral days," Kuo said. "To have these stem cell-made astrocytes express a unique protein that Cagla understands more than anyone else, it's just a wonderful example of scientific serendipity and collaboration."
Additionally, Kuo said first author Eric J. Benner, M.D., PhD, a former postdoctoral fellow who now has his own laboratory at Duke, provided key clinical correlations on brain injury as a physician-scientist and practicing neonatologist in the Jean and George Brumley Jr. Neonatal-Perinatal Research Institute.
"We are very excited about this innate flexibility in neural stem cell behavior to know just what to do to help the brain after injury," Kuo said. "Since bleeding in the brain after injury is a common and serious problem for patients, further research into this area may lead to effective therapies for accelerated brain recovery after injury."
In addition to Kuo, Eroglu and Benner, authors include Dominic Luciano, Rebecca Jo, Khadar Abdi, Patricia Paez-Gonzalez, Huaxin Sheng, David Warner and Chunlei Liu.
The research was supported by the National Biomedical Technology Resource Center (P41 RR005959); the George and Jean Brumley Endowment; the Sontag Foundation; the David & Lucile Packard Foundation; the March of Dimes; and the National Institutes of Health (DP2 OD004453-01).
IMAGE: Artist rendition of a special astrocyte. Courtesy of Andrew Swift.


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Saint Zacharias
Our editors will review what you've submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
- English:
- Zachary
- Died:
- March 14/22, 752, Rome
- Title / Office:
- pope (741-752)
Saint Zacharias, (born, San Severino, duchy of Benevento [Italy]—died March 14/22, 752, Rome; feast day March 15), pope from 741 to 752.
The last of the Greek popes, Zacharias was supposedly a Roman deacon when he succeeded Pope St. Gregory III in November/December 741. His pontificate was devoted to diplomatic relations with the Lombard and Frankish kingdoms and with the Byzantine Empire. He initiated a policy of conciliation with the Lombards while endeavouring to dissuade their rulers, Liutprand and Rachis, from conquering the Byzantine exarchate of Ravenna. Successful, he thus made peace with the Lombards. He maintained amiable relations with the Byzantine emperor Constantine V Copronymus, whom he advised to restore the veneration of icons.
Zacharias's relations with the Franks were similarly cordial, and his correspondence with St. Boniface, the apostle of Germany, shows how great his influence was on contemporary events in the Frankish kingdom. In 741 he made Boniface legate and charged him with the reformation of the whole Frankish church. He supported the deposition (751–752) of Childeric III, the last Merovingian king, and authorized the Frankish church to anoint Pippin III the Short as king of the Franks. Zacharias's action in the transference of the royal crown from the Merovingians to the house of Pippin (Carolingians) began a new era for church and state by establishing the Carolingian-papal alliance, which was to be of the greatest significance in future relations between pope and emperor and was of extreme importance to the theorists and controversialists of the Investiture Controversy (11th and 12th centuries). The latter dispute concerned secular rulers' right to invest bishops and abbots, which right became one of the paramount aspects in the struggle for power between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.
Zacharias is known especially in the East for his Greek translation of the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory I the Great.


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Content-type: text/html
#include <assert.h>
The <assert.h> header defines the assert() macro. It refers to the macro NDEBUG which is not defined in the header. If NDEBUG is defined as a macro name before the inclusion of this header, the assert() macro is defined simply as:
#define assert(ignore)((void) 0)
Otherwise, the macro behaves as described in assert(3C).
The assert() macro is redefined according to the current state of NDEBUG each time <assert.h> is included.
The assert() macro is implemented as a macro, not as a function. If the macro definition is suppressed in order to access an actual function, the behavior is undefined.
See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attributes:
Interface Stability | Standard |
assert(3C), attributes(5), standards(5)


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Yes, you can change your mailing address, phone number and email address by selecting "Edit Account" from the menu.
Show All Answers
Using our online bill pay system, also known as "Click2Gov," saves you time, money and postage by not having to write and mail a check. It's a convenient, hassle-free payment option. All you have to do is complete the enrollment process online.
You can also:
No, this service is currently free of charge. However, if you pay your bill with a bank debit card and your bank returns the transaction, your payment will be reversed by the City of Elgin. We will charge your account the standard $25.00 fee for each returned transaction.
The City of Elgin is committed to providing a secure Internet environment for your transactions. We have taken precautions to ensure your information is transmitted safely and securely. The level of security is achieved in part by:
We chose VeriSign SSL for secure e-commerce and confidential communications.
We strongly urge you to use a browser that supports a level of 128-bit encryption for your security. Versions 4.0 or greater of Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer will support this level of security. If you use a different browser, verify that it supports this level of encryption for your security and confidence.
Anyone who is an active water customer of The City of Elgin may enroll in the program. If you are paying a water account that has been shut off for non-payment, you must contact 311 (847-931-6001) to re-establish your service during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You must have a PC with an internet connection and an email account, because you will receive a verification email from the City of Elgin that contains the password for your account, which can be retained for your records. Although we do not recommend any specific browser, for security reasons we have tested C2G on the Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers. Have a copy of your bill handy, as you will need your account information during the initial enrollment process. Your account must be in "active" status to enroll.
Have a copy of your latest bill handy, as you will need the following information on the first page:
Customer Account ID - include the "-" (hyphen) in your full account ID
Last payment amount
Click here to access the online payment webpage
Once you have logged in you can pay, view comprehensive, current account information, billing history, and service and consumption summaries.
To contact the City of Elgin 311 Department, simply dial 3-1-1 or call 847-931-6001, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
This will depend on your specific brand of monitor, but generally: Go to your PC desktop and click on the right hand button on your mouse: A box will pop up - select "Properties". (The "Display Properties" box will appear.) Look for and click on the "Settings" tab Look for the area that allows you to change the "pixel" settings. (Your settings should be at least 1024 by 768 pixels for best viewing of the online bill pay site).
Cookies are small files deposited on your computer that allow the City of Elgin to recognize you while you are on the online bill pay site. Most browsers provide an option to notify you as cookies are being written or to automatically accept cookies from a list of trusted domains you establish.
To verify your settings, the process will vary depending on which browser you use, e.g.:
If this happens, please contact 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or calling 847-931-6001 during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm CST.
You can pay by credit or debit card, if the card has the Visa, MasterCard or Discover logo. We do not accept other cards at this time.
Payments are processed the same day. We transmit our batch requests once a day, and the clearing house processes all received transactions at midnight. When your payment is entered into the Click2Gov system, it will show as "pending" until the money is received. The transaction is then posted to your account the same day it is received by the City of Elgin.
Yes, we will reverse the transaction, and as with other returned items, i.e. bank drafts or checks, we will charge your account the standard fee, which is currently $25.
Click2Gov will accept partial payments. However, you must contact 311 if a payment plan is needed to pay the remaining balance. If your water service has been shut off and you are paying a delinquent bill, you must contact 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 847-931-6001 to re-establish your service.
Click2Gov enables you to enroll in Auto Pay. From the "Account Information" screen, select "Auto Pay". The next screen will prompt you to select "Enroll" from the menu. If you already have credit card information in your billfold you may select "Enroll". Follow the instructions on the subsequent screens to complete the enrollment process.
If you wish to have your payments automatically withdrawn from a checking account, select "Other ACH" and follow the instructions on the subsequent screens to complete the enrollment process. If you would like to charge your payment to a different credit card or you don't have any credit card information in your billfold, select "Other CC" and follow the instructions to complete the enrollment process. Once enrolled, the payments will be charged as directed on the due date of your water bill.E-Check: Please verify routing and account information when enrolling in Auto Pay to avoid additional charges.
Yes, you will continue to receive your bill in the mail. The City of Elgin offers an e-mail alert that lets you know when your latest water bill is available for viewing online as well as the bi-monthly statement paper bill. If you need more information on this process please contact 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 847 931-6001.
Go to the main Click2Gov screen and click on the blue "Forgot PASSWORD?" button. A New Screen will appear. You will be asked to enter your account number. Then click on the "Remind Me" button, and you will see the message, "Your PASSWORD has been sent to the email address listed for your account." You will receive an email containing your password. When entering your PASSWORD, please remember it is case sensitive, i.e. if you chose a PASSWORD of "Password", then entering "password" would not be accepted.
Yes. Regardless of the payment method you choose, by enrolling in Click2Gov you will continue to receive a paper bill in the mail and still retain the ability to view your bill online.
When you make a payment, on the "Account Information" screen when you enter your card information, look at the bottom of the screen just above the "Continue" button. You will see a small box with text next to it that says, "Save this card information in my billfold." Click on the box, and the card information will be saved when you click on the "Continue" button. The next time you log in to your account:
If you have saved your previous card information in your "electronic billfold", you can update that information by:


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Ubuntu without Unity
Last updated Dec 6, 2011 — 75527 views[Updated Sep 21, 2012] — Although it's not without passionate supporters, Unity, Ubuntu's new default user interface has generated considerable controversy and consternation among faithful Ubuntu users since its introduction last year. For those who prefer a traditional GNOME desktop, this post provides a straightforward method of setting up and configuring a current Ubuntu desktop based on GNOME 3's "Fallback" mode, which works with both Ubuntu 11.10 and 12.04.
This article was originally based on Ubuntu 11.10 but has been updated to include Ubuntu 12.04, which can also be used without the Unity desktop using the method detailed below. The screenshots were made using the original Ubuntu 11.10 implementation. Please note: There is one important difference between the use of GNOME Fallback mode on Ubuntu 11.10 and 12.04: When using Ubuntu 12.04, to add, move, or delete panel applets, or to access and modify panel properties (size and background), you must press THREE buttons at once — the Alt and Windows menu keys on your keyboard, plus the right button on your mouse. With Ubuntu 11.10, on the other hand, those functions require pressing TWO buttons — the Alt key on your keyboard, plus the right button on your mouse. |
What's so special about Unity?
Ubuntu's new default Unity user interface marks a dramatic departure from the GNOME desktops of earlier Ubuntu releases. According to Canonical, the distribution's commercial backer and the instigator of Unity, the new shell brings a more modern "visually rich" graphical user interface to the desktop — one that was "inspired by smartphone and tablet design thinking."
Unity's clean workspace has a launcher on the left
Canonical's hope in creating Unity was for a single user interface to be usable on all types of personal computers, including netbooks, notebooks, desktop PCs, and tablets.
In addition to being a departure from past GNOME desktop designs graphically, Unity is also an attempt to "move away from traditional interfaces, embracing fast and powerful search as the best way to find applications and files," explains Canonical. "This is a trend that comes to Ubuntu from the Web, where users have come to prefer search as the starting point for most journeys. Searching is hosted in the dash. The dash brings files, applications, music and video together in a single location. It's all searchable through the same bar."
But do users really want this? Can a common UI really be equally efficient both on mouse-and-keyboard oriented desktops and laptops, and on touch-based tablets? Are users ready to fundamentally alter how they interact with their systems, both graphically and operationally?
As it turns out, many diehard Ubuntu users have tried Unity and rejected it, preferring to stick with the more traditional GNOME desktop style of previous Ubuntu releases, which they've been efficiently using for many years.
The question of whether Ubuntu's switch to Unity as its default UI was a good or bad idea will be answered by its success or failure in the marketplace. But for now, the move certainly seems to have shifted momentum in the direction of Linux Mint 12, an OS that leans on current Ubuntu (and Debian) packages — but avoids Unity entirely.
Rather than suggesting a switch to Linux Mint or other non-Unity Linux distributions, this post shows how you can easily use standard Ubuntu (v11.10 or later) without Unity, by installing a few packages and tools, and tweaking some configuration settings. Although your preferences will probably differ from what's recommended below, you'll end up with the tools to tune your Ubuntu desktop's look and feel to your liking.
For more background on Unity and on Canonical's controversial decision to make it Ubuntu's new default shell, check out these resources and articles:
- Wikipedia article about Unity
- Ubuntu's Unity info page
- A Disturbing Dialog About Ubuntu and Unity (Linux Magazine)
- Ubuntu: Wake up and smell the Unity against you (ExtremeTech)
Sidestepping Unity
One of Linux's many strengths is that it's highly configurable and flexible. Accordingly, what appears below is just one way to configure a fresh Ubuntu installation to work without Unity, and in a vaguely Windows-like style. The overall procedure involves installing GNOME Fallback mode, adding a few tools and desktop themes, reconfiguring GNOME's notification and task panels, and tweaking some settings.
As you'll soon see, the suggested configuration implements a desktop that features a pair of thin, horizontal panels at its bottom. The upper one is a traditional GNOME taskbar, while the lower panel provides docking space for a main menu button, launchers for a few favorite apps, a status widget tray, and several system control buttons. Alternatively, you can easily setup a more "normal" (pre-11.10) Ubuntu configuration with a taskbar at the bottom and a menu/status panel at the top. The choice is yours!
Oh, and before I get flamed in the comments, I want to make it clear that none of what appears below is my invention — it's simply a matter of aggregating tips and procedures found elsewhere. Surprisingly, it took a fair amount of googling and experimentation to come up with — and test — a simple procedure for configuring Ubuntu 11.10 or 12.04 to work more-or-less like Ubuntu 10.10.
Installing Ubuntu
For starters, grab the appropriate 32- or 64-bit Ubuntu ISO image for your system from Ubuntu's download page and burn it onto a CD or DVD. After backing up your valuable data, boot from the Ubuntu disc.
You'll be offered the option of either trying out the OS without installing it, or beginning the installation immediately. Once you're ready to began the install, start the process and respond to the few prompts from installer. For typical single-OS or dual-booting installations on desktop PCs and laptops, it's quick, simple, and straightforward.
Here are a few screenshots of the process:
Installing Ubuntu is a quick-and-easy process
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
After your installation is complete and you boot up Ubuntu, you'll arrive on its Unity desktop. The screenshots below provide a quick tour of some the basic features of Ubuntu's Unity desktop. For more details on Unity and its features, refer to the references listed above.
Lots of eye candy here…
Touring Ubuntu's Unity shell desktop
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
Installing and configuring GNOME Fallback
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open up the Ubuntu Software Center by clicking on this item in the left-column and then search for, select, and install the "gnome-session-fallback" package (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
- While we're in the Ubuntu Software Center, let's save time by searching for, selecting, and installing each of the following tools:
- Advanced Settings (aka gnome-tweak-tool)
- Configuration Editor (aka gconf-editor)
- dconf Editor (aka dconf-editor)
- "gnome-colors"
…after installing all these, exit the Ubuntu Software Center app. We'll use them later.
- Now, log out of Unity by clicking the gear-shaped widget at the right edge of the top panel and selecting "Log Out" — see this screenshot.
- This brings you to the login screen from which you'll return to your Ubuntu desktop, but in a non-Unity mode. Click the gear-shaped widget shown at the upper-right corner of the login block in the middle of the screen, and select "GNOME Classic" from the drop-down list (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
- Enter your password followed by hitting the Enter key, and you should find yourself at a blank GNOME desktop like that shown at right (click image to enlarge).
- Next, alt-right-click (Ubuntu 11.10) or alt-windows-menu-right-click (Ubuntu 12.04) on a blank area of the upper panel, select "properties" in the dropdown list, and choose "bottom" to move the status panel to the bottom of the desktop (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
Configuring the panels
At this point, you've created a dual-lower-panel GNOME desktop. The upper of these two panels contains a tray where tabs will appear corresponding to each app you open. The lower of the two panels needs to be configured next. The following steps will add an apps/places menu button, shut-down button, space for docking favorite app launchers, status notification area, and volume and trash widgets to the lower panel:
- Alt-right-click (Ubuntu 11.10) or alt-windows-menu-right-click (Ubuntu 12.04) over the "Applications Places" widget at the left end of the lower panel and then select Remove from Panel; then do the same with the username widget located near the right edge of the lower panel
- Now, alt-right-click (Ubuntu 11.10) or alt-windows-menu-right-click (Ubuntu 12.04)over the date widget in the center of the lower panel, select "Move", and slide it over to the right section of the lower panel.
- Alt-right-click (Ubuntu 11.10) or alt-windows-menu-right-click (Ubuntu 12.04) over a blank area of the lower panel blank area, click "Add to Panel", and then select/add the following widgets: Main Menu; Show Desktop; System Monitor Trash; and Shut Down (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
- Use the alt-right-click/move process (as above) to reposition all the newly-added widgets to where you want them.
- Alt-right-click (Ubuntu 11.10) or alt-windows-menu-right-click (Ubuntu 12.04) over a blank area of the lower panel, click Properties, and adjust the panel's Size to 32 or more pixels, or whatever size you prefer (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge); then make a similar adjustment to the upper of the two panels (the taskbar).
Here's how your Ubuntu GNOME Fallback desktop might look following the above procedure steps:
(click to enlarge)
Tailoring and dressing up the desktop
We're nearly done. Let's go through a few additional steps to further tailor the system to our needs…
- Drag favorite app launchers from the main system menu to the lower panel dock. Note that the lower panel dock has three distinct regions — left, middle, and right — to which you can drag app launchers. For our example, we've added these favorites to the left section of the dock: Home Folder, Firefox, Thunderbird, Terminal, Text Editor, Calculator, and the Banshee music player; you'll find them all in the Menu system (note: the Home Folder is located in Menu > Places). Of course, your list will differ from ours.
- Now's a good time to change the desktop wallpaper to whatever you like. This is done via a right-click on any blank area of desktop to open up the desktop Appearance tool (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge); then select Change Desktop Background. I installed my favorite, a NASA nebula image after clicking the + symbol below the thumbnails of the default wallpaper options, and navigating to the Downloads folder in my Home Folder, where I had downloaded it by clicking this link.
Here's how our Ubuntu GNOME Fallback desktop looks at this point:
(click to enlarge)
Now, let's proceed with a few more UI and theme tweaks:
- Using Advanced Settings (Menu > Other > Advanced Settings), let's configure some desktop theme settings:
- Select the Desktop tab and enable all of the desktop icon options (Trash, Home, Computer, Networking, and mounted drives); see left screenshot below.
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
- Select the Theme tab, and from there choose your preferred Window, Cursor, GTK+, and Icon themes; the screenshot at the right, above, shows the settings used in this post.
- Select the Desktop tab and enable all of the desktop icon options (Trash, Home, Computer, Networking, and mounted drives); see left screenshot below.
- Next, let's change the position and order of GNOME's close/minimize/maximize buttons from Ubuntu's default upper-left position and arrangement (which is similar to the arrangement of Apple's OS X colored blobs); instead, we'll move them to the upper right and use an arrangement that matches Windows 7's (minimize/maximize/close).
To accomplish this, open up the Configuration Editor (Menu > System Tools > Configuration Editor), navigate to apps > metacity > general (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge); then, enter new text in the contents of the "button_layout" variable, to set its value to "menu:minimize,maximize,close" (but without the quotation marks), and hit Enter to activate it — the new window management button scheme should immediately take effect on the tool's window.
- Now, let's change the GNOME theme's text highlight color from Ubuntu's default orange to a shade of blue, consistent with our selected "GNOME Brave" theme. To modify the highlight color, open the dconf Editor tool, at Menu > System Tools > dconf Editor; using the tool, navigate to org > gnome > desktop > interface, and find the line labeled gtk-color-scheme (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
Enter a new value for that variable by copying the text from the line below, and then press the Enter key to activate it (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge).
The text highlight color in menus and elsewhere should immediately change to the new value.
- One more theme adjustment is to change the color of the minimize button (the "X") located at the upper-right corner of windows from Ubuntu's default orange color to something that matches our theme. Unlike other tweaks we've made, this one requires opening up a terminal app and entering a couple of commands on the Linux command line, to install the Ambiance Blue Theme Suite. Don't worry, it's not hard; just follow these steps:
- Open up the Terminal app (Menu > Accessories > Terminal)
- Type each of these commands followed by the Enter key…
- sudo add-apt-repository ppa:satyajit-happy/themes
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install ambiance-blue-theme
Now, open up the Advanced Settings tool (Menu > Other > Advanced Settings), select theme in the left section, and choose "Ambiance Blue" for both the GTK+ theme and Window theme settings (see screenshot at right; click to enlarge). The background of the "X" widget in the upper-right corner of the tool's window should immediately change from orange to blue.
So that's it! We're done. Here's how our finished Ubuntu desktop looks:
Ubuntu GNOME desktop with personalized settings
(click to enlarge)
The screenshots below illustrate many of the steps of the configuration process described above.
Tweaking Ubuntu's GNOME Desktop
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
Here are some screenshots showing our modified Ubuntu GNOME desktop:
Touring the tweaked GNOME desktop
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
All this, and Unity too!
It's important to realize that, although we created a modified GNOME desktop similar to the GNOME desktops of Ubuntu 10.x and earlier, we haven't eliminated Unity from the system. As you can see in the screenshots below, you still can logout of your modified GNOME ("GNOME Classic") desktop and then login to the Unity desktop to see what you're missing and familiarize yourself with it (select "Ubuntu" from the gear symbol dropdown when logging in). And then you can return to the modified GNOME desktop by logging out of the Unity desktop and selecting "GNOME Classic" from the gear symbol dropdown when logging back in.
Whichever shell you were using during your last desktop session is what comes up when you login next time, unless you select a different shell from the gear symbol dropdown at the login prompt.
Switching back and forth between GNOME Classic and Ubuntu Unity
(click thumbnails to enlarge)
Who knows — in time we all may come to love Unity!
For further information
You can download the free Ubuntu operating system from the Ubuntu.com download page. If you prefer moving to an alternative, a ready-to-use, non-Unity GNOME/Linux distribution derived from both Ubuntu and Debian Linux packages is available for free download from the Linux Mint website. For more details on Unity, visit Ubuntu.com's main Unity page. For additional GNOME 3 themes beyond the Blue Ambiance one referenced in this post visit the Gnome Look website.