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"If im going to be forced to pay for their health care they should atleast do their part to lighten my load. Same goes for smokers and alcoholics, dont ask me to pay for the health care of those who do not care enough about themselves to take care of themselves."
The logic of "if you are going to make me pay, then , , , the State and I own your *ss and get to tell you what to do" makes me really, really, really leery.
FWIW, IMHO the idea of the Canadian system prohibiting people seeking out private sector options is, in the deepest and truest sense of the word, a form of slavery.
The logic of "if you are going to make me pay, then , , , the State and I own your *ss and get to tell you what to do" makes me really, really, really leery..
Know what makes me leery?? close to %40 income tax rate on 150k and above, 13% govt/provincial sales tax, oppressive property tax (some how even in this down turn my property value went up, it might of had soemthing to do with the appraiser not liking me calling her comrade and asking her why i should pay more in taxes because i chose to put the money into my home instead of a beer and pot like some of the others in my small town)..................... the list goes on.
I must think our founders are turning in their graves at the reality that Democrats are taxing certain groups of citizens in uneven ways and then doling out those founds to buy votes from their supporters, and THAT is precisely how they keep power.
And to boot they are expanding those on the dole to maintain this power - with conmfiscation of other people's wealth.
Huss, Just getting back to you... Huss wrote: "Doug, We do business in Brazil, India, The Republic of Georgia and Israel on a regular basis. Right now we are quoting Aerospace work in Brazil and for the life of me, I can not get the Brazilians to commit to a long term agreement in U.S $. The Indians just signed a contract with us in Canadian dollars and the Georgians will only take U.S $'s as a last resort..."
The dollars slide covers about the time that I have been out of exporting unfortunately. A so-called strong dollar was a problem also.
Seems to me that if Brazilians do not want to commit to buy(?) longer term in US$ they are expressing lack of confidence in their own currency?
Robert HiggsRegime Uncertainty in the 1930s: A New Deal Insider’s Account
In the mid-1990s, when I was engaged in the research that would eventually be published early in 1997 in an article titled “Regime Uncertainty” (a modestly revised version of which appears as chapter 1 of my Depression, War, and Cold War), I had not read Raymond Moley’s book After Seven Years, published in 1939. Mea culpa. I should have read it much earlier. I am embarrassed to admit that although I purchased a copy in a used-book store many years ago, it sat on my shelf unread until recently.
Not for nothing is this book a standard source for New Deal historians. Moley was the leading figure in the “Brains Trust” that guided Franklin D. Roosevelt’s policy thinking and speaking during the 1932 campaign and, to a lesser extent, during the interregnum between Roosevelt’s election and his inauguration as president and, to a still lesser extent, even later (but then not as an organized group). Although Moley’s association with FDR grew somewhat strained after the president’s first year in office, he continued to work as a close adviser and speechwriter for several years until, in 1936 and 1937, he could no longer countenance the direction in which Roosevelt was taking the New Deal.
Had I read the book before the mid-1990s, I would have recalled then that Moley gave one of the clearest, best informed accounts ever written of the problem of regime uncertainty in the 1930s, an account all the more valuable and weighty because he was the ultimate insider, a man who had worked at the heart of the New Deal from its inception (he even lays claim [p. 23, fn. 6] to having given this political program its name). As I noted in my own article (see Depression, War, and Cold War, p. , my “hypothesis is a variant of /an old idea: The willingness of business people to invest requires a sufficiently healthy state of ‘business confidence.’” Moley’s discussion proceeds under this well-worn rubric.
In the following long quotation, I present Moley’s most sustained and complete account, which appears on pp. 370-72 of the volume published in New York by Harper and Brothers in 1939. He begins this account by faulting the president for, among other things, “a failure to understand what is called, for lack of a better term, business confidence.” He then goes on to write (I omit here one small footnote giving publication details for a book cited):
Quote
Confidence consists, on the one side, of belief in the prospect of profits and, on the other, in the willingness to take risks, to venture money. In Harry Scherman’s brilliant essay on economic life, The Promises Men Live By, the term is, by implication, defined much as Gladstone defined credit. “Credit,” Gladstone said, “is suspicion asleep.” In that sense, confidence is the existence of that mutual faith and good will which encourage enterprises to expand and take risks, which encourage individual savings to flow into investments. And in an age of increasing governmental interposition in industrial operations and in the processes of capital accumulation and investment, the maintenance of confidence presupposes both a general understanding of the direction in which legislative and administrative changes tend and a general belief in government’s sympathetic desire to encourage the development of those investment opportunities whose successful exploitation is a sine qua non for a rising standard of living.This, Roosevelt refused to recognize. In fact, the term “confidence” became, as time went on, the most irritating of all symbols to him. He had the habit of repelling the suggestion that he was impairing confidence by answering that he was restoring the confidence the public had lost in business leadership. No one could deny that, to a degree, this was true, The shortsightedness, selfishness, and downright dishonesty of some business leaders had seriously damaged confidence. Roosevelt’s assurances that he intended to cleanse and rehabilitate our economic system did act as a restorative.
But beyond that, what had been done? For one thing, the confusion of the administration’s utility, shipping, railroad, and housing policies had discouraged the small individual investor. For another, the administration’s taxes on corporate surpluses and capital gains, suggesting, as they did, the belief that a recovery based upon capital investment is unsound, discouraged the expansion of producers’ capital equipment. For another, the administration’s occasional suggestions that perhaps there was no hope for the reemployment of people except by a share-the-work program struck at a basic assumption in the enterpriser’s philosophy. For another, the administration’s failure to see the narrow margin of profit on which business success rests - a failure expressed in an emphasis upon prices while the effects of increases in operating costs were overlooked - laid a heavy hand upon business prospects. For another, the calling of names in political speeches and the vague, veiled threats of punitive action all tore the fragile texture of credit and confidence upon which the very existence of business depends.
The eternal problem of language obtruded itself at this point. To the businessman words have fairly exact descriptive meanings. The blithe announcement by a New Deal subordinate that perhaps we have a productive capacity in excess of our capacity to consume and that perhaps new fields for the employment of capital and labor no longer exist will terrify the businessman. To the politician, such an extravagant use of language is important only in terms of its appeal to the prejudices and preconceptions of a swirling, changeable, indeterminate audience. To the businessman two and two make four; to the politician two and two make four only if the public can be made to believe it. If the public decides to add it up to three, the politician adjusts his adding machine. In the businessman’s literal cosmos, green results from mixing yellow and blue. The politician is concerned with the light in which the mixture is to be seen, the condition of the eyes of those who look.
Mutual misunderstanding and mutual ill will were, of course, unavoidable in the circumstances, and the ultimate result was a wholly needless contraction of business [in 1937-38] - a contraction whose essential nature was so little understood that it was denounced in high governmental quarters as a “strike of capital” and explained as a deliberate attempt by business to “sabotage” recovery.
After Seven Years contains many more nuggets of valuable information for the student of the New Deal or of Franklin Roosevelt himself. If you are at an early stage of your learning, do not wait as long as I did to read it.
By PETER FERRARA The federal income tax code is now so mangled that we can probably increase federal revenues with a 0% income tax rate for a majority of Americans.
Long before President Barack Obama took office, the bottom 40% of income earners paid no federal income taxes. Because of refundable income tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), in 2006 these bottom 40% as a group actually received net payments equal to 3.6% of total income tax revenues, according to the latest Congressional Budget Office data. The actual middle class, the middle 20% of income earners, pay only 4.4% of total federal income tax revenues. That means the bottom 60% together pay less than 1% of income tax revenues.
This actually resulted from Republican tax policy going all the way back to the EITC, which was first proposed by Ronald Reagan in his historic 1972 testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on the success of his welfare reforms as governor of California. Besides calling for workfare, Reagan proposed the EITC to offset the burden of Social Security payroll taxes on the poor. As president, Reagan cut and indexed income tax rates across the board and doubled the personal exemption. The Republican majority Congress, led by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, adopted a child tax credit that President George W. Bush later expanded and made refundable, while also reducing the bottom tax rate by 33% to 10%.
President Bill Clinton expanded the EITC in 1993. But it was primarily Republicans who abolished federal income taxes for the working class and almost abolished them for the middle class. Now Mr. Obama has led enactment of a refundable $400 per worker income tax credit and other refundable credits, which probably leaves the bottom 60% paying nothing as a group on net.
Many conservatives are deeply troubled by this, arguing that everyone should be contributing something to the tax burden. They worry that, not paying for any of the tab, this majority will see no reason not to vote for limitless spending burdens. But are conservatives now going to campaign on increasing taxes on the bottom 60%, arguing that is good tax and social policy? Steve Lonegan recently demonstrated in the New Jersey gubernatorial primary that this is not a viable political position. He proposed a 3% state flat tax which, while very good tax policy, would increase taxes slightly for the bottom half of income earners. His victorious opponent Chris Christie pounded away in advertising on that point.
But what if Republicans proposed a federal tax reform with a 0% income tax rate for the bottom 60% of income earners? With that explicit 0% tax rate framing the issue, abolishing the refundable tax credits that actually ship money to lower income earners through the tax code would become politically viable. Trading an explicit 0% tax rate for the bottom 60% in return for eliminating the refundable tax credits would likely be at least revenue neutral, and probably result in a net increase in revenue.
Such tax reform can and should be combined with overall welfare reform based on work that would ensure an adequate safety net for the poor. Considering the success of the 1996 reform to the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, further reform could result in huge overall savings. Besides AFDC, there are 85 more federally administered welfare programs that could benefit from reform.
Moreover, we should then be free to adopt sound tax policy for the top 40% of earners who make 75% of total income. Suppose we tax all of the income of those top 40% once with a 15% flat tax? That would be close to revenue neutral on a dynamic basis (i.e. counting work incentive effects).
The usual distribution arguments against such a flat rate would not apply because the bottom 60% would bear a 0% rate. All flat tax proposals effectively try to do the same through generous personal exemptions that are tax neutral for low- and moderate-income workers. But the explicit 0% rate would make the reform more easily understood.
This -- rather than adopting still more refundable tax credits as some conservatives are advocating -- is also the way to eliminate the distorting tax preference for employer-provided health insurance. For the bottom 60%, there would no longer be any health insurance tax preference, and for the rest the favoritism would be reduced to a minimal 15%. Or the tax exclusion for employer provided health benefits could be eliminated altogether, affecting only the top 40%. The economic distortions caused by every other tax preference in the code would be minimized or eliminated entirely in this same way.
Contrary to the fears of conservatives, this tax system would sharply limit the size of government. No politician would dare suggest imposing income taxes anew on the bottom 60%. While the last two Democratic presidents won by running on a tax cut for the middle class, that game would be over. Instead conservatives can argue for middle-income and working-class votes to protect the 0% tax rate from big government liberals. As the Obama administration will soon learn, higher income earners have flexibility in their taxable income and increasing revenues by raising taxes on them is not easy.
Mr. Ferrara is director of entitlement and budget policy for the Institute for Policy Innovation. He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan.
The IRS released data today on the distribution of income taxes. It shows that the highest-earning taxpayers shoulder a considerable burden of the federal income tax.
According to the IRS, the top 1 percent of taxpayers paid over 40 percent of all federal income taxes in 2007. That is a higher share than the bottom 95 percent of taxpayers combined! They paid just over 39 percent.
The top 1 percent, those earning over $410,000, consists of 1.4 million taxpayers, while the bottom 95 percent contains 134 million.
In 2000, before the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that some claim disproportionately benefited the rich, the top 1 percent paid less than 38 percent of income taxes while the bottom 95 paid almost 44 percent. Since the tax cuts, the top 1 percent’s share increased over 2 percentage points while the bottom 95 percent’s share decreased 5 percentage points. Those that argue the tax cuts solely benefited the rich are mistaken.
President Obama plans to raise the top 2 marginal tax rates on those making over $250,000 a year, and Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) wants to slap a 6 percent surtax on top of that to partially pay for a government take over the health care system. These tax hikes, in addition to damaging the already badly weakened economy, will further shift the burden of the income tax to the highest earners.
In contrast, the bottom 40% of taxpayers pays no income taxes on average. In fact, they get money from the tax code well above anything they paid in because of refundable credits. And President Obama’s Make Work Pay credit, passed as part of the stimulus, will increase the money redistribute to these non-taxpayers.
It’s a dangerous situation when a majority of voters can get services and benefits from the government for no cost because there is no incentive for them to limit the growth of government. President Obama’s and Chairman Rangel’s redistributive tax policies will further push the burden of income tax to high earners while giving more benefits to non-taxpayers. But as the IRS data show, the economy cannot afford anymore spreading the wealth around.
A banner headline at the top of the Washington Post Sunday Metro section reads
It’s Time for Deeds to Step Up to the Plate on a Tax Increase
Columnist Robert McCartney, for years the top editor of the Metro section, says that Virginia’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee should “Propose to raise taxes to fix the roads. Yes, you read that correctly. Raise taxes.”
No doubt a lot of Republicans are hoping that Deeds will take the Post’s advice.
McCartney goes on to say that taxes must go up because (in bold) “The public sector needs to expand.” Because, you see, the infrastructure is failing in Virginia and also in D.C., and “Virginia’s roads clearly require extra revenue.”
Well, let’s see. Virginia’s state budget doubled between 1996 and 2006, from $17 billion to $34 billion. And the governor’s office estimated last December that the state would spend $37 billion in 2009 and $37.6 billion in 2010. Thanks to the recession, and to the state’s habit of spending during good years as if the party would never end, those numbers may drop slightly. But even with the current shortfalls, the budget’s gone up by $20 billion in the past 14 years, and they can’t find enough to fix the roads? What have they spent that extra $20 billion on?
Do Mr. McCartney, Mr. Deeds, and other tax-hikers ever think about prioritizing state spending? The Virginians who call themselves the Tertium Quids do. They urge the legislators to review the recommendations of the Wilder Commission and the Virginia Piglet Book to find some opportunities for savings.
But as usual, state governments spend with abandon while the money rolls in, and then when the lean years hit, they declare that they’ll need more money to teach math and fix the roads. It’s called the Washington Monument Syndrome — never cut the waste, the fat, the golf courses, the layers of bureaucracy, the fringes, the frills; threaten to cut the most basic or traditional or popular functions of government in order to pressure the voters to go along with a tax increase. Journalists shouldn’t play along.
Meanwhile, the Post’s Outlook section fronts a column by economist Gregory Clark declaring that we need to
Tax and Spend, or Face the Consequences
Specifically, he says, there will be no jobs for the stupid people in the new dynamic economy, so those of us with jobs are going to have to be taxed to the bone to support a huge class of nonworkers — or face revolution, I suppose. Which is even worse than congested highways.
Alas, it is a constant frustration to the Post that, as Gregory Clark puts it, “The United States was founded, essentially, on resistance to taxes, and to this day, an aversion to the grasping hand of the state seems fundamental to the American psyche.”
By CHARLES MURRAY America is supposed to be a democracy in which we're all in it together. Part of that ethos, which has been so essential to the country in times of crisis, is a common understanding that we all pay a share of the costs. Taxes are an essential ingredient in the civic glue that binds us together.
Our democracy is corrupted when some voters think that they won't have to pay for the benefits their representatives offer them. It is corrupted when some voters see themselves as victims of exploitation by their fellow citizens.
By both standards, American democracy is in trouble. We have the worst of both worlds. The rhetoric of the president tells the public that the rich are not paying their fair share, undermining the common understanding from the bottom up. Meanwhile, the IRS recently released new numbers on who pays how much taxes, and those numbers tell the people at the top that they're being exploited.
Let's start with the rich, whom I define as families in the top 1% of income among those who filed tax returns. In 2007, the year with the most recent tax data, they had family incomes of $410,000 or more. They paid 40% of all the personal income taxes collected.
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David Klein .Yes, you read it right: 1% of American families paid 40% of America's personal taxes.
The families in the rest of the top 5% had family incomes of $160,000 to $410,000. They paid another 20% of total personal income taxes. Now we're up to three out of every five dollars in personal taxes paid by just five out of every 100 American families.
Turn to the bottom three-quarters of the families who filed income tax returns in 2007—not just low-income families, but everybody with family incomes below $66,500. That 75% of families paid just 13% of all personal income taxes. Scott Hodge of the Tax Foundation has recast these numbers in terms of a single, stunning statistic: The top 1% of American households pay more in federal taxes than the bottom 95% combined.
My point is not that the rich are being bled dry. The taxes paid by families in the top 1% amounted to 22% of their adjusted gross income, not a confiscatory rate. The issue is that it is inherently problematic to have a democracy in which a third of filers pay no personal income tax at all (another datum from the IRS), and the entire bottom half of filers, meaning those with adjusted gross incomes below $33,000, have an average tax rate of just 3%.
This deforms the behavior of everyone—the voters who think they aren't paying for Congress's latest bright idea, the politicians who know that promising new programs will always be a winning political strategy with the majority of taxpayers who don't think they have to pay for them, and the wealthy who know that the only way to get politicians to refrain from that strategy is to buy them off.
For once, we face a problem with a solution that costs nothing. Most families who pay little or no personal income taxes are paying Social Security and Medicare taxes. All we need to do is make an accounting change, no longer pretending that payroll taxes are sequestered in trust funds.
Fold payroll taxes into the personal tax code, adjusting the rules so that everyone still pays the same total, but the tax bill shows up on the 1040. Doing so will tell everyone the truth: Their payroll taxes are being used to pay whatever bills the federal government brings upon itself, among which are the costs of Social Security and Medicare.
The finishing touch is to make sure that people understand how much they are paying, which is presently obscured by withholding at the workplace. End withholding, and require everybody to do what millions of Americans already do: write checks for estimated taxes four times a year.
Both of those simple changes scare politicians. Payroll taxes are politically useful because low-income and middle-income taxpayers don't complain about what they believe are contributions to their retirement and they think, wrongly, that they aren't paying much for anything else. Tax withholding has a wonderfully anesthetizing effect on people whose only income is a paycheck, leaving many of them actually feeling grateful for their tax refund check every year, not noticing how much the government has taken from them.
But the politicians' fear of being honest about taxes doesn't change the urgent need to be honest. The average taxpayer is wrong if he believes the affluent aren't paying their fair share—the top income earners carry an extraordinary proportion of the tax burden. High-income earners are wrong, too, about being exploited: Take account of payroll taxes, and low-income people also bear a heavy tax load.
End the payroll tax, end withholding, and these corrosive misapprehensions go way. We will once again be a democracy in which we're all in it together, we all know that we're all paying a share, and we are all aware how much that share is.
Mr. Murray is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. His most recent book, "Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America's Schools Back to Reality," will be out in paperback later this month (Three Rivers).
Thank you Crafty and thank you Charles Murray for important points very clearly and constructively: "Our democracy is corrupted when some voters think that they won't have to pay for the benefits their representatives offer them."
Pres. Reagan unfortunately needed to make the following point to help fend off the charge that across-the-board rate cuts were really just tax cuts for the rich: he showed how 6 million or so of lower income working people would become free of the federal income tax altogether. This was a winning point politically and worth it at the time to rescue our collapsing economy and win the cold war, but also a critical mistake for the future.
Flat tax and the Fair tax proposals make the same mistake. To compare favorably with the current tax system, these proposals typically exclude the first 50k or so of income.
The current spending 'discussion' is a farce. Start all kinds of new entitlements with no mechanisms to ever control costs and then demagogue about someone else needing to pay for it.
If we had a rational tax code and at least a goal of a balanced budget then we could begin a national dialog about spending.
Getting everyone to pay their share of the tax on EVERY dollar earned is an illustration of what they mean by the expression of putting the toothpaste back in the tube. Once these people become total non-contributors, any change is a tax increase on the poor.
On the expense side, remember the story about 10 people going into a restaurant. 1 is going to pay 40% of the bill and maybe 4, 5 or 6 of them will pay nothing at all no matter what is ordered and consumed. Now have a rational discussion about costs and take a majority-rules vote... As Murray points out so well, our system is corrupted.
If we had a true flat-rate tax on all income, no matter who earned it or how, then the proverbial restaurant table could have a rational discussion about ordering hors d'oeuvres and desserts. The rich would still pay far more than their share but everyone would have a stake in the outcome.
Murray's solution is more politically palatable, which I will re-quote. I was going to add to his that we should end withholding too so people see what they pay but as I read deeper into his proposal, but it is already in there! Some politician should take his idea verbatim and run with it.
Quoting Murray:
"Fold payroll taxes into the personal tax code, adjusting the rules so that everyone still pays the same total, but the tax bill shows up on the 1040... End withholding, and require everybody to do what millions of Americans already do: write checks for estimated taxes four times a year."
George Stephanopolous pointed out what he considered the obvious, that a $9 trillion dollar gap will need made up with new revenues and the obvious one is a federal Value Added Tax, not instead of, but on top of all of our other federal taxes.
The sales tax is a government revenue source that currently belongs to the states and localities if they choose to use it. We won't have power and control at the state level when the revenues are controlled by the feds.
By PETE DU PONT Congress is in recess and many Americans are on vacation, but all that will end when Labor Day has passed and the House and Senate are back at work.
And that means the Europeanization of America will again be in full gear, from expanding government control and regulation of as many things as possible, to raising taxes, expanding the size of government, and reducing the choices individuals are allowed.
The Treasury reports that our country's federal debt has doubled in nine years, rising steadily, year by year, to $10.72 trillion from $5.67 trillion in 2000. Our deficit for the current year fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, is expected to total $1.8 trillion, four times last year's figure, leaving us with a federal debt of $38,500 for every U.S. resident. Our economy is doing poorly; it will shrink about 2.6% this year. Unemployment in July reached 9.4% and will likely further increase, and tax revenues are down $353 billion over the first 10 months of this fiscal year.
So we can easily see what is just around the corner. Earlier this month Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Larry Summers, director of the National Economic Council, opened the door, suggesting that taxes on all taxpayers will have to go up. As Stephen Moore noted in The Wall Street Journal, "it would take almost $16,000 more from every household in America to balance the budget this year." We certainly won't get to balanced budgets for decades, but substantially higher taxation seems inevitable.
All of which leads to the essential economic question: Which tax increases do the current administration and Congress intend to enact? There are more than a dozen, all of which would negatively affect our economy.
One has already been signed into law by President Obama: an increase in the tax on tobacco, to $1.01 a pack of cigarettes from 39 cents, and to as much as 40 cents a cigar from a nickel--increases of 159% and 700%, respectively. This is expected to bring in $8 billion a year. Next up is a possible increase in alcohol, beer and wine taxes, raising about another $6 billion annually, and perhaps another $5 billion a year on sugary drinks will be enacted.
Then come a series of substantial tax increases that are on the Washington agenda that, if enacted, will create real problems for our country's economy.
First, allowing the expiration of the previous Bush administration tax cuts at the end of 2010. These reductions increased government tax receipts by $785 billion (just as the Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts increased tax revenues) and gave us eight million new jobs over a 52-month period. The cuts go away if Congress does nothing, raising tax rates on the top earners will to 39.6% from 35%, and on the next-highest bracket to 36% from 33%. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that 55% of these tax increases will come from small-business income.
Next comes Rep. Charles Rangel's additional tax increases, a part of the House health-care bill. The House Ways and Means chairman calls for a 1% surtax on couples with more than $350,000 in income, 1.5% on incomes more than $500,000, and 5.4% on incomes more than $1 million. The extra tax would kick in at lower levels for unmarried taxpayers. And if promised health-care cost savings don't materialize, the surtaxes would automatically double.
The House health-care bill contains several tax increases that would hit couples earning under $250,000 a year, contrary to President Obama's promises: $8.2 billion of tax increases for people using health savings accounts or other tax-free savings to purchase over-the-counter drugs; a "Comparative Effectiveness Research Tax" of $2 billion on all private and "public option" insurance, plus up to 8% paid by employers--mostly small businesses--that don't offer health insurance. There is even a proposed tax on individuals who do not have health insurance.
Then come some other tax increases the administration has favored:
• An increased tax on American companies doing business in other countries.
• Raising or abolishing the wage cap on Social Security taxes, which would effectively convert Social Security into a welfare program.
• Reducing the tax benefit for itemized deductions like charitable contributions, which would reduce philanthropy.
And then there's the Waxman-Markey "cap and trade" bill that has passed the House and will be taken up in the Senate this fall. It would give the government total control of the production, prices, availability and use of energy and add a global energy tax to imported goods--serious American protectionism. It would shrink America's economy by $400 billion each year and cause the loss of some 2.5 million jobs. For a household of four it would cost an average of about $3,000 a year. By 2035 the total family annual increased cost would be $4,600 for power, food, supplies, gasoline and transportation.
All told, the administration and Congress are pushing massive tax increases. Without a specific proposal we don't know how much taxes would go up if the Social Security ceiling is raised, but add the others up and we see up to $200 billion--and it could well be much more--in annual tax increases on businesses, individuals and the overall economy, which is already in recession.
The Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henninger observes that "to an independent voter or moderate Democrat, President Everyman is starting to look like a salesman for the superstate." These many proposed tax increases reinforce the point. They not only would be economically damaging, but chart a very scary course for our country.
The Left Is Right -- Taxes Are a Moral IssueTuesday, September 15, 2009
One principle that all those on the left hold is that taxes constitute more than an economic issue; they are, first and foremost, a moral one. Economists on the left may argue for higher taxes on economic grounds but they and we know that at bottom, higher taxes, especially "taxing the rich," is what they believe morality demands.
For example, there are obviously only two possible ways to reduce government deficits: reduce spending or increase taxes (or some combination of both). The left advocates the later; the right advocates the former. Left-wing spokesmen, such as New York Times economics columnist and Princeton University professor of economics Paul Krugman, may offer economic arguments for raising taxes in order to lower government deficits, but their real motivations are moral: reducing economic inequality (by redistributing income) and expanding government (because government is the most effective way to help all citizens).
Now, as it happens, not only is there is nothing wrong with being animated by moral concerns -- we should all be. The problem with the left's advocacy of higher taxes is not that it is rooted in moral concerns. The problem -- actually the two problems -- are these:
First, higher taxes are rarely morally defensible. In fact, on purely moral grounds -- in other words, even if they did effectively reduce the deficit without paying an economic price for doing so -- they are usually not moral. More on this below.
Second, higher taxes are usually economically counterproductive. This does not matter to the left, however, because economic growth is not what most interests the left. Since Karl Marx, the left has always been far more interested in economic equality than in economic growth. It is true that liberals such as John F. Kennedy were more concerned with economic growth than with economic equality -- which is why he advocated lowering taxes -- but for much of the last century, unlike today, there was a major difference between liberal and left.
Now to return to the moral arguments, my difference with the left is not that I oppose morality dictating economic policy. I believe, in fact, that virtually all social policies should be rooted in moral concerns. My difference with the left is that I am convinced that moral considerations dictate lower, not higher, taxes.
It is too bad that libertarians and conservatives rarely take on the left on moral grounds because the left's moral foundations are as weak as their economic foundations.
The very notion of an income tax is morally debatable. On what moral grounds can the state force a citizen essentially at gunpoint to give away his legally and morally earned money? Why isn't taxation a form of legalized stealing? The obvious answer is that common sense dictates that citizens have the moral right, even the moral obligation, to vote to give money to, at the very least, enable a government to fund a police force, sustain a national defense, and help those incapable of helping themselves or of being helped by others.
But at some point beyond that, taxation becomes nothing more than legalized stealing. Obviously, people will differ over where exactly that point is, but no rational person disputes that such a point exists. No one could argue that a 100 percent tax -- even if it paid for every need every member of the society had -- was moral and not simply a form of theft.
So moral problem No.1 with taxation is the morality of forcing other people -- under threat of violence -- to give their money away.
A second moral problem is having some people give at a greater percentage rate than others. The biblical notion of tithing, for example, is entirely universal -- everyone gave a tenth what he had. No one was forced to give half while others gave a tenth.
A third moral problem is allowing those who pay no tax (such as the federal income tax) to vote on how much others will be forced to pay. It is quite difficult to morally defend the fact that about half of Americans pay no federal income tax, yet they determine how much the other half will be forced to pay.
A fourth moral problem is that the higher the taxes, the more decent people become cheaters. One of the leading religious ethicists of our time, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of two volumes of Jewish ethical law, told me years ago when he lived in Israel during the height of its socialism with its correspondingly high taxes that he witnessed the finest citizens, religious and secular alike, having to cheat on taxes or be rendered impoverished. I have never forgotten that.
I know no one in America today -- and I know extraordinarily honest and generous people, liberal and conservative -- who does not in some way "cheat" on taxes -- as, for example, reporting expenses as business expenses that are not really so. I place the word cheat within quotation marks because not all cheating is illegal. Some people figure out how to avoid paying what the law demands through completely legal, but ethically questionable, means.
At a certain level of taxation, virtually every honest person is reduced to cheating either legally or illegally.
A fifth moral problem is that the higher the tax rate, the lower the charity rate. This is universally true. The more people give to the state, the less they give to their neighbor -- and even to members of their family -- in need.
And sixth and only finally because of the limitations in size of a single column, the higher the taxes, the less people are inclined to work hard. Why should they? At a given point, people just conclude that work is for suckers.
And I haven't even begun to discuss the economic failings of higher taxes.
So, next time someone on the left advocates higher taxes, remember two things: He or she is coming from a moral, not an economic, position. And the moral case against higher taxes is far more powerful than the moral case for them.
By Gene SchwimmerLike many Americans who watched their savings nosedive in the market crash of '08, I've had to retrench, rethink and re-strategize my retirement plans. One course I've considered is to spend less and save more. The second is, somehow, to get a nickel for every time some Liberal said or wrote something like this:
The last time the top income tax rate was 39%, the United States enjoyed a booming economy, rising incomes, low unemployment and expanding budget surpluses.
Unfortunately, that simple truth has been ignored by Republican propagandists and mainstream media alike during the debate over President Obama's stimulus plan and budget proposal.
Well, there's certainly a lesson here for Obama and the Democrats, and for Republicans, too. Surprisingly, it's the same lesson, and a lesson neither expects.
But first, a brief digression to dispel the Liberal claim that only "the rich" benefited from the Bush tax cuts:
Individual Income Tax Due in 2008,Bush Law versus Clinton Law
For taxpayers who take the standard deduction and have no children
Taxpayer
Tax That Would Have Been Owed under Clinton-Era Tax Law
Tax Owed under Current Law, with Bush Tax Cuts
Single, income of 30,000
$3,157.50
$2,756.25
Single, income of 50,000
$7,262.50
$6,606.25
Married, income of $50,000
$5,085.00
$4,012.50
Married, income of $60,000
$6,585.00
$5,512.50
Single, income of $75,000
$14,262.50
$12,856.25
Married, income of $75,000
$9,426.50
$7,762.50
Single, income of $125,000*
$29,378.50
$26,472.25
Married, income of $125,000*
$23,426.50
$19,462.50
*This chart does not take into account the Alternative Minimum Tax
Source: The Tax Foundation
As the table shows, taxpayers in all income brackets paid less in taxes under Bush than under Clinton. Now about those budget surpluses. Here, courtesy of the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, is the record of annual federal tax receipts for the "Clinton surplus" years, 1998-2000, and for the years following, up to 2008.
Year
Receipts (in billions of dollars)
1998
1,777.9
1999
1,895.0
2000
2,057.1
2001
2,020.3
2002
1,859.3
2003
1,885.1
2004
2,013.9
2005
2,290.1
2006
2,524.5
2007
2,660.8
2008
2,475.0
Note the amounts (in billions) for 1998, 1999 and 2000: $1,777.9, $1,895.0 and $2,057.0, respectively. But look, too, at the number for 2001: $2,021. What's so special about 2001? That's the year in which the "Bush tax cuts" became law, when Bush signed the bill, on June 7, 2001. But the bill did not become effective until the next year, 2002. In 2001, when Bush was signing the new rates into law, America was still under the then-current Clinton rates -- and so, the $2.021 trillion the federal government collected in 2001, was collected under the old Clinton tax rates, not the new Bush rates.
Now compare 2001's receipts to 2000 and what do you see? From 2000 to 2001, federal tax receipts declined under the Clinton tax rates.
Any Democrat who wants to blame the "Bush tax cuts" for the drops in tax receipts in 2002 and 2003, must first explain the drop that occurred in 2001 under the Clinton rates.
And then, when they've done that (if they can), they can explain the increases, in every year from 2004 through 2007, under the lower Bush tax rates.
Ah, but I digress, because we were talking about the "Clinton surpluses" or, to be more specific, the "Bush tax cuts'" supposed responsibility. And here's where it where it really gets interesting, because, for the Democrats' argument that the "Bush tax cuts" caused the deficit to make sense, tax receipts during the Bush years would have to have been less than they were under Clinton's tax rates. And indeed, tax receipts were less in some years, but not in others. And beginning in 2004, under the lower Bush tax rates, receipts rose, for four years running, and in 2008, even after a decrease from 2007, stood at $2.475 trillion -- 22.5% higher than the highest year under the Clinton tax rates.
So tell us, Democrats, how could the Bush "tax cuts," under which total tax receipts increased, have erased the surplus and caused a deficit?
(By the way, I put "tax cuts" in quotes because, as we just saw, taxes, i.e., total receipts actually went up, so it actually was a Bush tax raise. Bush did not cut taxes, he cut tax rates.)
Note also that three of the four budget-surplus years come after 1997, the year Clinton signed the bill Democrats seem to have forgotten, the Tax Relief Act of 1997, which lowered the capital gains tax rate, from 28% to 20%..
But if tax cuts did not cause the deficit, what did? Do you really need to ask? As always, the true culprit is spending. Here are the amounts for 2001-2007 (the latest year for which I could find a hard number):
This one's a no-brainer. Note, first, that in every year, including 2001, 2002 and 2004, when federal receipts went down, federal expenditures went up. Bad enough, but look also at the percentages. In the period 2001-2007, federal receipts rose 31.7% ($2.0203 trillion to $2.6608 trillion), but federal expenditures rose 44.7% ($2.9869 trillion to $4.3213 trillion). As I said, I don't have hard figures beyond 2007, but for both years, undoubtedly, spending will be up and tax receipts will be down.
The 53% of us who pay federal taxes are doing our part, sending Congress more of the fruits of our labors every year. But for our representatives and senators (of both parties, sadly), what we send them is not enough. It's the spending, stupid -- or, as I like to say, it's the stupid spending. And for that, Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, get the blame. Why did the Founding Fathers create three branches of government and a system of checks and balances if not for Congress to prevent the executive from spending unlimited amounts of money on whatever he wants? Congress is supposed to put checks on the president, not write checks to the president, at least not blank ones. Or so I thought.
But there's a bigger point, here, one that both parties miss, but more to the detriment of Republicans than Democrats. Currently, the argument over taxes and surpluses revolves around the effects of changes in tax rates. Republicans argue that tax rate increases "kill jobs," Democrats argue that they do not. Democrats argue that raising taxes raises revenue, Republicans argue that it does not. Conversely, Democrats argue that cutting tax rates reduces revenue and turns surpluses into deficits; Republicans argue that doing so does neither.
Both parties are right -- and wrong, for the actual numbers, including those in the tables above, taken in aggregate, demonstrate no relation between tax rates on the one hand, and tax receipts, jobs, economic growth, surpluses or deficits. Indeed, a look at the entire history of U.S. tax receipts and federal expenditures, show deficits in years where tax rates were much higher than today, and surpluses in years before we had any income tax at all.
Now, the big question. Armed with these facts, what should be the Republicans' strategy going forward?
First, Republicans should acknowledge the numbers and concede that we can have growth and prosperity, and the higher tax revenues that result therefrom, under tax rates higher, even significantly higher, than today's. But, in the very next breath, Republicans should challenge Democrats to admit that we can have growth -- and increasing tax revenues -- with lower tax rates, including the Bush tax rates, too. If Democrats balk, then Republicans should make sure that the American public sees the numbers.
Then, challenge the Democrats to acknowledge that tax receipts -- even after 9/11, even in the midst of "the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression--were higher at the end of the Bush Administration (and under the Bush tax rates) than at the end of the Clinton Administration (under the higher Clinton tax rates) and thus, as a matter of simple logic, the Bush tax cuts could not possibly be responsible for the deficit. Indeed, had Congress acted responsibly and controlled spending, had Congress still increased spending, but increased it below the rate at which tax revenues were increasing, the budget surplus would still be very much with us. And again, if Democrats balk, then Republicans should show the American people the numbers.
Then, based on the record and the numbers, Republicans should point out the obvious: Though Congress can decide to raise tax rates, and determine what those rates will be, Congress cannot predict how much revenue will be raised or even whether any revenues will be raised at all. But we do know, and can see in the current revenue numbers, the economy's strength is very much a key factor in determining tax revenues. In other words, Republicans should argue, if Democrats want more tax revenues to spend, the only sure way to do so is to work with Republicans to enact and promote pro-growth fiscal policies. Simply raising tax rates will not do the trick, and imposing new, costly mandates, such as Cap and Trade, national health care and environmental regulations up the wazoo, will make things even worse.
And finally, Republicans should do what they've never done: raise the moral issue. In calling for higher taxes, Democrats cite two reasons. One is their desire to raise revenues to do all the things Democrats want to do. But as we've seen, we can get higher tax revenues under lower tax rates just as well as (and, some would say, better than) we can under higher tax rates.
The other reason Democrats cite is to "make the wealthy rich pay their fair share." But numerous studies have shown that as tax rates have gone down, the percentage of taxes paid by "the wealthy" goes up.
Clearly the federal government can increase its tax revenue with either lower, or higher, rates and, thus, as far as the goal or raising revenue is concerned, the choice of tax rates, within reason (obviously, with a tax rate of zero, we get zero revenues), is totally arbitrary. That being the case, Republicans can ask the Big Moral Question: If we can increase revenues with both lower and higher rates, why is it not better to increase them with lower rates? And if our goal is to "make the wealthy pay their fair share" and the share of taxes paid by the wealthy increases under lower rates, why do Democrats continually advocate higher rates?
The answer is so obvious, I need not state it. But the Democratic Party and every Democrat who advocates higher tax rates should be made to do so, and publicly.
Obama and the left machine is actually proposing a TEMPORARY program to boost employment? Is that what we want? Temporary hiring? A government program to boost private sector employment? They are also proposing the largest tax ever (cap and tax) on heavy manufacturing and a takeover of health care, housing, banking, energy and auto manufacturing...
The White House is finally coming to realize that taxes affect job creation. Terrific. Its solution seems to be to bribe employers for hiring new workers, albeit only for a couple of years. Less than terrific.
Alarmed by the rising jobless rate, Democrats are scrambling to "do something" to create jobs. You may have thought that was supposed to be the point of February's $780 billion stimulus plan, and indeed it was. White House economists Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein estimated at the time that the spending blowout would keep the jobless rate below 8%.
The nearby chart compares the job estimates the two economists used to help sell the stimulus to the American public to the actual jobless rate so far this year. The current rate is 9.8% and is expected to rise or stay high well into the election year of 2010. Rarely in politics do we get such a clear and rapid illustration of a policy failure.
This explains why political panic is beginning to set in, and various panicky ideas to create more jobs are suddenly in play. The New York Times reports that one plan would grant a $3,000 tax credit to employers for each new hire in 2010. Under another, two-year plan, employers would receive a credit in the first year equal to 15.3% of the cost of adding a new worker, an amount that would be reduced to 10.2% in the second year and then phased out entirely. Why 15.3%? Presumably because that's roughly the cost of the payroll tax burden to hire a new worker.
The irony of this is remarkable, considering the costs that Democrats are busy imposing on job creation. Congress raised the minimum wage again in July, a direct slam at low-skilled and young workers. The black teen jobless rate has since climbed to 50.4% from 39.2% in two months. Congress is also moving ahead with a mountain of new mandates, from mandatory paid leave to the House's health-care payroll surtax of 5.4%. All of these policy changes give pause to employers as they contemplate the cost of new hires—a reality that Democrats are tacitly admitting as they now plot to find ways to offset those higher costs.
Alas, their new ideas are little more than political gimmicks that aren't likely to result in many new jobs. Congress doesn't want to give up revenue for very long, so it would make the tax credits temporary. Thus anyone who is hired would have to be productive enough to justify the wage or salary after the tax-credit expires—or else the job is likely to end. An employer would be better off hiring a temp worker and saving on the benefits for the same couple of years.
The tax credit would also inevitably go to some employers already planning to hire, or reward companies that lay off some workers only to hire others to take advantage of the tax credit. And it would reward parts of the country that are growing, such as Texas, at the expense of those that aren't, such as Michigan. In other words, it is a very inefficient business subsidy.
We know all this because a new jobs tax credit has already been tried—in the Carter Administration. In 1977 as he entered the White House, Jimmy Carter proposed a jobs credit and a Democratic Congress passed it. Its unfortunate history was recounted in 1980 by then-Treasury official Emil Sunley in a chapter of "The Economics of Taxation," a book edited by Henry Aaron and Michael Boskin for the Brookings Institution.
As Mr. Sunley summarized: "The impact of the credit on jobs was slight. In many firms those who make hiring decisions did not understand the firm's tax status." He added that, "Because the capital stock is fixed in the short run, to increase employment significantly, demand for output must increase. An incremental tax cut tied to employment will not by itself generate that increase in demand. Moreover, a temporary incremental credit is unlikely to affect significantly the long-run substitution of labor for capital." Call this Job Creation 101.
President Obama first floated the hiring credit in January, but it died after opposition from Democrats who seemed to get the joke. "If you have a company and you're selling fewer shingles, $3,000 isn't going to get you to hire somebody when your sales are shrinking," said Senator Chuck Schumer. Yet now even some Republicans, such as House GOP whip Eric Cantor, are saying they're receptive to the idea. Mr. Cantor ought to know better.
The lack of U.S. job creation is a big problem, but the quickest way Washington could help would be to stop imposing more financial burdens on hiring. And if Democrats really want to reduce taxes on labor, the cleanest way would be to reduce the payroll tax rate. They could finance a permanent payroll cut by using the $300-$400 billion or more in unspent stimulus money, rather than continuing with the transfer payments and pork barrel spending that have failed so miserably to create jobs.
By PAUL SULLIVANPublished: December 25, 2009 WITH 2010 a few days away, there are several tax matters that wealthy investors need to consider next year. The two at the top of the list are whether they should convert their taxable retirement account to a tax-free Roth individual retirement account and how to deal with the uncertainty over the estate tax.
Janine Racanelli, managing director of the Advice Lab, says there are ways to give money to grandchildren other than through an estate.
Jere Doyle, wealth strategist at Bank of New York Mellon, said the wealthy should not get their hopes up for an end to the estate tax.
“There is frustration due to the legislative uncertainty,” said Daniel Kesten, partner in the private client services group at Davis & Gilbert, a tax firm. “Congress had eight years to address this, but they waited until the last year when two wars and health care interrupted their thinking.”
That leaves the wealthy with decisions to make about two of the biggest financial events of their life: retirement and death.
ROTH CONVERSION Starting in 2010, there will no longer be an income limit for Roth I.R.A.’s, which allow people to contribute post-tax money that can appreciate tax-free. The income limit has been $100,000 a year for individuals. The question is whether converting an existing I.R.A., the proceeds of which are taxed when distributed, into a tax-free Roth I.R.A. makes sense.
While Congress approved the change in 2006, the opportunity to convert seems to come at an enticing time. Those whose pretax retirement accounts lost a lot of their value in the last two years might want to withdraw the money, pay tax on the amount and then put it into a Roth. For wealthy investors who do not see themselves falling into a lower income tax bracket at retirement or who believe tax rates will rise significantly, this could be a shrewd move.
But this requires a degree of omniscience that few showed with the recession that began in December 2007. “Why bother?” asked Tony Guernsey, head of national wealth management at Wilmington Trust. “Is it that much money?” He used the example of buying a Treasury bill with a week to maturity: you know the government will pay you back. But the same cannot be said for what the tax landscape — or your wealth — will look like when you retire.
The bigger benefit may come to people who plan to pass their Roth on to heirs. Unlike regular retirement accounts, there is no minimum distribution requirement with a Roth, and the tax-free treatment of its assets can be passed to an heir. “The real benefit is coming in the estate planning aspects,” said Mitch Drossman, national wealth strategist for Bank of America private wealth management. “The beneficiary must take minimum distributions. But it will be growing tax-free and distributed tax-free.”
ESTATE TAX The elephant in the room is the estate tax. Congress has adjourned for the year without making any changes in that tax law. So as of now, that means the tax will disappear in 2010 before reverting in 2011 to the old rate of 55 percent for estates worth more than $1 million.
Jere Doyle, wealth strategist at Bank of New York Mellon, said the wealthy should not get their hopes up for an end to the estate tax. He pointed out that an estate did not have to submit its first tax bill until nine months after a person’s death. The Senate could wait, then, until the summer to decide on the estate tax and make it retroactive to the beginning of the year. This would wreak havoc on estate planning. Even if the Senate acted early in the coming year, it could still lead to a flurry of legal challenges on the constitutionality of reinstating a tax that had disappeared.
But there is a broader issue for moderately wealthy people. When a person dies now, the value of his or her assets gets a “step-up in basis,” which means for tax purposes the assets are valued on the day of death. Without an estate tax, this provision disappears, and the appreciated value is subject to capital gains tax.
The Internal Revenue Service will grant a $1.3 million “artificial basis” on assets of a single person and $3 million for couples if the estate tax disappears. But on the rest of the assets, the heirs will have to determine what the original cost was and pay the capital gains on the appreciated amount. For long-held stock that has split many times, this could be extremely difficult.
“If there is no estate tax in 2010, we have an income tax problem for a larger group of the population,” Mr. Kesten said. He estimated that the number of people affected would go from 6,000 to 60,000.
Still, most advisers and accountants expect that an estate tax will be reinstated, and this has pushed the wealthiest to find new ways to reduce its impact. “If we’re resigned to an estate tax existing, it’s not a call on where rates will go but an acknowledgment we won’t have a repeal,” said Janine Racanelli, managing director and head of the Advice Lab at J. P. Morgan Private Bank.
One way is through giving money to heirs above the $1 million lifetime exemption level and paying the 45 percent gift tax now. This may seem odd at first, since the estate tax is currently the same rate. But the benefit comes from how the taxes are applied: the gift tax is added like sales tax, while the estate tax is deducted like income tax. Mr. Kesten noted that a person with a $30 million estate could give roughly $20 million to his heirs during his lifetime and pay $10 million in gift taxes, or he could leave the $30 million to them and they would receive $15 million, after estate taxes.
Ms. Racanelli points out that giving money to grandchildren above the exemption rate is also better than leaving it to them through the estate. She said a person could save more than $500,000 in taxes on $1 million by giving the money now.
An option to avoid gift and estate taxes is to lend money to heirs. The Internal Revenue Service rate for such intrafamily loans in December is 0.69 percent for up to three years. The money the child makes investing above the I.R.S. rate is not subject to the higher 45 percent gift tax, but instead the lower 15 percent capital gains tax, Mr. Doyle said. If you die before the loan is repaid, however, the outstanding balance could be subject to income tax.
GIFT TAX EXCLUSION One of the most basic but highly effective estate tax strategies is the annual gift tax exclusion. The I.R.S. in 2009 allowed people to give up to $13,000 a year to anyone they wanted, tax-free. (This exclusion is separate from the $1 million lifetime exemption.)
But this is something that many wealthier people overlook, said Phyllis Silverman, vice president and senior trust adviser at PNC Wealth Management. “They’re all very busy and the idea of $13,000 per individual may not make an impact on their minds,” she said. “But when they sit down with their financial adviser, they can see how it will lower their estate costs.”
For those with an estate subject to a 45 percent estate tax, each $13,000 gift will save them at least $5,520 in estate tax, Ms Silverman said. Or consider this example: A married couple with a $10 million estate gives $13,000 a year each to six people for a decade. At the end of that time, they will have given $1.56 million tax-free. Based on the current estate tax rate, they will have also saved $702,000 in taxes by moving that money out of their estate before they die.
By PETE DU PONT Weather-wise it has been a very cold January, and politically the Scott Brown Senate victory has chilled Washington even further for Democrats. But if the Democratic economic policies continue nevertheless, this year will be nothing like the bitter economic January we will be living in a year from now.
Government spending has already hugely increased, and so has the size and scope of government, but next year there will also be substantial tax increases for a great many Americans. The first reason will be the expiration of the Bush tax cuts . The top personal income tax rate will rise next Jan. 1 to 39.6% from 35%, a hike of nearly one-eighth. The dividend tax rate will rise to 39.6%, more than 2½ times the current 15%. And the capital gains tax rate will rise by a third, to 20% from 15%. If the House health care bill had passed, all three of these rates would have risen to 45%.
The estate tax, which fell to zero this year under the Bush tax cuts, will return in 2011--or sooner, if Congress acts to restore it. Another likely tax increase will be on the income of private equity and hedge-fund managers, from the capital gains rate of 15% to the new higher income tax rates. It has already been passed by the House and is supported by the Obama administration, as is an additional 10-year, $90 billion tax on banks aimed at "rolling back bonuses for top earners." It would affect some 50 banks, insurance companies, and large broker-dealers.
Meanwhile a number of last year's tax deductions have disappeared due to the failure of Congress to extend them into this year. The tax deduction for state and local sales taxes is one; the deduction for college tuition and fees is another; and the 50% write-off for small businesses for capital purchases--equipment, machinery or building a new plant--has disappeared as well, which will have a negative effect upon the construction of new business operation facilities.
Add on to all of these increases the biggest government deficits and spending increases (to 26.5% of gross domestic product from 21%) in half a century, the protectionism of free trade downsizing through the "buy American" requirements, China import restrictions, and the administration limitations of Columbia, South Korea, and Panama free trade agreements, and we have a very different, and not very prosperous, America ahead of us.
Or as economist Arthur Laffer wrote in his January Economic Outlook, we "cannot have a prosperous economy when government is overspending, raising tax rates, printing too much money, over-regulating and restricting the free flow of goods and services across national boundaries." We are, in his words, simply "moving in the wrong direction."
***But what Mr. Laffer sees as most important is a substantial American economic collapse coming to us in 2011. His reasoning is simple and sensible: the impending 2011 tax increases will lead Americans to get their incomes into this year and pay the current lower tax rates. That will mean a 2010 GDP growth 3% to 4% higher than it otherwise would have been, and that will look very good.
But when the huge tax-increase agenda arrives a year from now, the economy will begin to decline, and will be some 3% to 4% smaller than it otherwise would have been. The artificially high growth in 2010 followed by artificially low growth in 2011 would "represent a larger collapse than occurred in 2008 and early 2009," Mr. Laffer writes.
He also points out that there is a four- to eight-month gap between market performance and economic performance. Indeed, the market has often reflected good or bad tax news four to eight months ahead of their impact on the economy. We historically saw that after the Harding tax cuts (1922), the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill (1929), the Kennedy tax cuts (1963) and the Reagan tax cuts of 1983. If this pattern repeats, we could see the market begin to deteriorate sometime in the summer or fall of this year.
In modern times the Kennedy, Reagan and George W. Bush tax rate reductions helped spur economic growth. the Obama tax rate increases will have the opposite effect. Americans headed to the polls this fall, worried about the increasing size and spending of the federal government, possibly a falling market, and next year's looming tax increases, may reproduce next November the voter revolt we saw in the 1994 congressional elections. That led to a Democratic presidency and a Republican Congress, which together were better for the American people than the full-scale liberalism we see in the current administration.
NEW YORK (Reuters.com) --The Obama administration's plan to cut morethan $1 trillion from the deficit over the next decade relies heavily onso-called backdoor tax increases that will result in a bigger tax billfor middle-class families.
In the 2010 budget tabled by President Barack Obama on Monday, the WhiteHouse wants to let billions of dollars in tax breaks expire by the endof the year -- effectively a tax hike by stealth.
While the administration is focusing its proposal on eliminating taxbreaks for individuals who earn $250,000 a year or more, middle-classfamilies will face a slew of these backdoor increases.
The targeted tax provisions were enacted under the Bush administration'sEconomic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Among otherthings, the law lowered individual tax rates, slashed taxes on capitalgains and dividends, and steadily scaled back the estate tax to zero in2010.
If the provisions are allowed to expire on December 31, the top-tierpersonal income tax rate will rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent. Butlower-income families will pay more as well: the 25 percent tax bracketwill revert back to 28 percent; the 28 percent bracket will increase to31 percent; and the 33 percent bracket will increase to 36 percent. Thespecial 10 percent bracket is eliminated.
Investors will pay more on their earnings next year as well, with thetax on dividends jumping to 39.6 percent from 15 percent and thecapital-gains tax increasing to 20 percent from 15 percent. The estatetax is eliminated this year, but it will return in 2011 -- though therehas been talk about reinstating the death tax sooner.
Millions of middle-class households already may be facing higher taxesin 2010 because Congress has failed to extend tax breaks that expired onJanuary 1, most notably a "patch" that limited the impact of thealternative minimum tax. The AMT, initially designed to prevent the veryrich from avoiding income taxes, was never indexed for inflation. Nowthe tax is affecting millions of middle-income households, but lawmakershave been reluctant to repeal it because it has become a key source ofrevenue.
Without annual legislation to renew the patch this year, the AMT couldaffect an estimated 25 million taxpayers with incomes as low as $33,750(or $45,000 for joint filers). Even if the patch is extended to lastyear's levels, the tax will hit American families that can hardly beconsidered wealthy -- the AMT exemption for 2009 was $46,700 for singlesand $70,950 for married couples filing jointly.
Middle-class families also will find fewer tax breaks available to themin 2010 if other popular tax provisions are allowed to expire. Amongthem:
* Taxpayers who itemize will lose the option to deduct state sales-taxpayments instead of state and local income taxes;
* The $250 teacher tax credit for classroom supplies;
* The tax deduction for up to $4,000 of college tuition and expenses;
* Individuals who don't itemize will no longer be able to increase theirstandard deduction by up to $1,000 for property taxes paid;
* The first $2,400 of unemployment benefits are taxable, in 2009 thatamount was tax-free.
Liberal or conservative, republican, democrat, indie, etc......if you are fed up with our current tax system and advocate some system of reform (FairTax, Flat Tax, no tax, etc.), join the 66,000 and growing on-line revolt. Free, fast, & easy:
U.S. Sales Tax Rates Hit Record HighWilliam P. Barrett, 03.08.10, 6:00 AM ETWhile President Obama's push to raise federal income taxes for the wealthy gets lots of attention, the continuing upward creep in the sales tax rates imposed by state and local governments has gotten less notice.
But Vertex Inc., which calculates sales tax for Internet sellers, reports that the average general sales tax rate nationwide reached 8.629% at the end of 2009, the highest since the Berwyn, Pa., company started tracking data in 1982. That was up a nickel on a taxable $100 purchase from a year earlier and up nearly 40 cents for the decade. The highest sales tax rate in the country now stands at 12%.
In Pictures: America's Highest Sales Taxes
During 2009 seven states and the District of Columbia raised sales tax rates, with one jurisdiction--North Carolina--actually doing it twice. Only four states hiked rates in 2008 and only one in 2007. Given state budget problems, the 2009 state sales tax increases aren't surprising. States have also been raising income tax rates on the wealthyand on corporations and boosting excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco. With states now facing record budget shortfalls, more tax increases seem likely.
State level sales tax generally accounts for only about two-thirds of the total sales tax bill. The rest comes from levies assessed by counties, municipalities, Indian tribes and special-purpose taxing districts funding mass transit, urban renewal and even stadiums. Among lower level jurisdictions such as counties and towns, Vertex counted 649 new or increased sales tax rates during 2009 and just 192 reductions.
The result is a wide range of combined sales tax rates across the country. At the bottom: 0%, found in all of Delaware and New Hampshire, and most of Montana, Oregon and Alaska. The country's highest rate now is 12%, in the tiny portion of tiny Arab, Ala., (population 7,500) sticking into Cullman County. The rest of the northern Alabama town, in no-sales-tax Marshall County, pays just 8%.
Right now Chicago has the highest big-city rate, 10.25%. But in a move forced by Cook County lawmakers, the rate is scheduled to drop on July 1 to 9.75%, matching that of Los Angeles. In New York City the total bite is 8.875%. Other high big-city rates include San FranciscoandSeattle(9.5%), New Orleans (9%), Houston, Dallas and Charlotte (8.25%), Las Vegas (8.1%) and Philadelphia and Atlanta (8%).
In Arizona, voters will go to the polls May 18 to pass judgment on a 1% rise in the state's 5.6% rate for three years. If approved, the rate in Phoenix would jump from 8.3% to 9.3%.
Some of the highest sales taxes in the nation are designed to grab dollars from tourists. The New Orleans International Airport has a special 10.75% rate, while Snowmass Village, the ski resort in Colorado, levies a 10.4% sales tax. (Many locales also impose special higher taxes on services purchased by tourists, such as rental cars and hotel rooms.)
Nationally, sales taxes in 2008 generated more revenue for state and local governments--about $450 billion, a recent Government Accountability Office report suggests--than did either property taxes ($411 billion) or personal income taxes ($310 billion).
At the federal level and in some states, the income tax is progressive, with higher rates imposed on upper-income taxpayers. But rich and poor pay the same sales tax rate. In many states, however, there's no sales tax on food or medical prescriptions.
The combined local sales rate is what local merchants charge for in-person customers. Through a parallel system called the use tax, it's also what residents in a given jurisdiction are supposed to pay on purchases over the Internet from out-of-state sellers, but such payments are widely flouted. Congress has declined to pass legislation that would require large Internet only sellers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com to collect sales taxes for all states. (Currently, they only have to do so for states in which they have some physical presence.)
Many big online merchants, including Wal-Mart, Dell, Office Depot Inc. and Staples Inc., collect sales taxes from Internet buyers. Some states, with New York in the lead, have adopted new "Amazon" laws designed to force the Web giant and others to collect their taxes. More such laws are likely this year.
West Virginia adopted the country's first sales tax in 1921. Periodically, the federal government has considered a national sales tax, but such proposals have never gotten traction.
In Canada, which has a national 5% sales tax, all but two of the provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan) have combined sales taxes of 12% or higher. The highest is the 15.5% hit on Prince Edward Island.
Acknowledging it would be a highly unpopular move, White House economic adviser Paul Volcker said yesterday the United States should consider imposing a "value added tax" similar to those charged in Europe to help get the deficit under control. A VAT is a national sales tax that, like state and city sales taxes, would be collected by retailers.
Volcker, at the New-York Historical Society, told a panel on the global financial crisis that Congress might also have to consider new taxes on carbon and energy.
The VAT suggestion was immediately met with outrage by Republicans.
"It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Obama White House would advocate a European-style tax to help finance their European-style government health-care plan," said Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
JACOB LAKSINHope in JerseyIn the state’s latest tax war, Governor Christie is standing firm.11 April 2010New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s recently unveiled budget has been alternately hailed and condemned for imposing spending cuts on the economically ailing state, but one item that’s not actually in the proposed budget has proved the biggest flashpoint: the so-called “millionaire’s tax” surcharge on incomes of $400,000 or more. Former governor Jon Corzine enacted the tax on a one-year timeline to replenish the state’s chronically empty coffers and bolster depleted revenues. By allowing it to expire, Christie has touched off a charged but vital debate about the kind of state New Jersey is—and the kind it should be.
The death of the millionaire’s tax has provoked howls of outrage from New Jersey Democrats. State Senate president Stephen Sweeney complained that while Christie’s budget forces lean times on the state, “the only people that got a break are the higher-income people.” Sweeney has threatened that the Democrat-controlled state legislature would block the budget unless the tax is reinstated. The New Jersey Star Ledger was equally incensed, raging that “the governor can’t possibly justify deep tax cuts for the state’s wealthiest families while he’s imposing these spending cuts.” The paper charged that by refusing to tax the rich more, the governor was engaging in “class warfare.” With the goading of politicians and the media, New Jersey residents have also warmed to the idea that the rich are not sharing in the sacrifice that tough times demand. Despite having a broadly favorable view of their new governor and little appetite for additional tax hikes, they oppose eliminating the tax on high earners.
Christie’s critics would seem to have a strong case: Why should the rich get a tax break, especially when the governor is asking the state to tighten its collective belt? The fiscal reality is more complicated. For one thing, many of those hit by the millionaire tax aren’t really millionaires, but small businesses. Of the 63,480 income tax returns filed for incomes of $400,000 and more in 2008, over half had some small-business income, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Moreover, New Jersey’s wealthy already face one of the heaviest tax burdens in the country. According to the latest figures, the top 1 percent of income earners pays 45 percent of state income taxes, the consequence of a highly progressive tax structure that will put New Jersey into a sixth-place tie this year with New York for the nation’s highest top marginal income-tax rate. With the sunset of the millionaire’s tax surcharge, New Jersey returns to the still-high rate established in the original “millionaire’s tax”: passed in 2004 by then governor Jim McGreevey, it considers individuals making $500,000 or more as millionaires, raising their tax rate to 8.97 percent. New Jersey also has the second-highest sales tax rate; the sixth-highest corporate tax rate; and the highest property taxes in the nation. Overall, as Christie points out, New Jersey collects more state and local taxes as a percentage of income than any other state. Affluent residents, of course, pay the largest share.
And their tax burden is likely to increase even without the millionaire’s tax. With President Obama set to let the Bush tax cuts expire this year, Tax Foundation staff economist Mark Robyn points out that New Jerseyans earning over $500,000 annually could face a 50 percent marginal tax rate—that is, each dollar earned past the $500,000 threshold will be taxed at nearly 50 percent. As Robyn suggests, that “increases the likelihood that high-income New Jersey residents will seek out states with a lower tax rate.”
Evidence suggests this tax-driven exodus is already underway. Several studies have documented that New Jersey’s tax burden is driving wealth—as well as the jobs, job opportunities, and revenues it creates—from the state. The most recent is a February study conducted by the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, which found that New Jersey lost more than $70 billion in wealth between 2004 and 2008 as wealthy households departed for lower-tax states like Pennsylvania and Florida. An October 2007 Rutgers University study on income by public policy professors James Hughes and John Seneca made similar findings. Examining Census Bureau and Internal Revenue Service data, they found that by 2005 New Jersey had lost nearly $8 billion in gross income since the start of the decade. As a result of the income loss and the associated drop in consumer spending, the authors estimate, the state lost nearly 39,000 jobs, $2.76 billion in gross domestic product, and $85.4 million in state sales- and income-tax revenues. Their study didn’t offer a sole explanation for the vanished income, but Professor Seneca says that high taxes are one probable cause. “Certainly, if you talk to tax accountants and estate advisors, the anecdotes are numerous that the general tax structure is a factor,” he says.
In fleeing for more tax-friendly locales, high-income earners have left New Jersey with some unwelcome distinctions. The state now ranks fifth-highest in the country in outward migration, with 450,000 residents moving out since the beginning of the decade and 400,000 moving in—a net loss of 50,000. Even that doesn’t convey the full impact of capital flight, because those who leave tend to be wealthier—and pay more in income taxes—than the new residents, who are often immigrants. Rutgers’ James Hughes, dean of the school’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, points to a telling economic indicator. New Jersey ranks in the top three states in the nation in providing business for leading moving companies like Van Lines and Mayflower, but those companies don’t do nearly as much business with those moving into the state. “That suggests that the people who are leaving are wealthier while those moving in have nothing to move in,” Hughes observes. Combine the outflow of wealth with the spending of the state’s perennially profligate legislature, and it’s not hard to see why New Jersey is facing a $10.7 billion budget deficit this year.
That bleak economic outlook may explain why Democrats have not moved to reinstate the millionaire’s tax, even as they’ve decried the Christie administration for failing to do so. “When Democrats criticize Christie for not renewing the millionaire’s tax, they are in essence blaming themselves,” says Joseph Malone, the Republican budget officer in the state assembly. “Democrats have the majority in the state assembly and the state senate, so if they want to raise this tax somebody should step up and move forward with the legislation. They are blaming Christie for something they and the Corzine administration wouldn’t do.”
Republicans have mostly cheered Christie’s refusal to raise taxes, but some object to various aspects of his budget and what they might mean for the state’s financial future. The biggest concern: the budget eliminates $848 million in property tax rebates while cutting aid to schools and municipalities. That could force districts to make up for the lost revenue by raising property taxes. Paul Mulshine, the lone conservative columnist at the Star Ledger, warns that “local property taxes will skyrocket under the Christie budget.” Democrats could also capitalize on the aid cuts to offer voters a stark choice: pay more in taxes or raise them on the rich.
That is not necessarily a winning argument, however. As City Journal’s Steven Malanga points out, even in the absence of state aid, New Jersey school districts are already flush with cash. New Jersey’s education spending per pupil is 60 percent above the national average, and state schools have been on a costly spending spree since 2001, hiring thousands of new teachers even as enrollment has grown by a modest 3 percent. Amid the ongoing fiscal crisis, taxpayers are unlikely to be receptive to suggestions that they bankroll the schools’ already-bloated budgets by paying more in property taxes. Meanwhile, Governor Christie has tried to prevent the possibility of a property tax hike. To that end, he has called for a constitutional amendment to limit property-tax rate increases to 2.5 percent per year and promised to back municipalities in contract negotiations with unions.
Others worry that Christie’s budget could lay the groundwork for a tax hike on the rich because it doesn’t do enough to shrink the size of government. The most vocal conservative critic in this regard has been Steve Lonegan, the fiery former mayor of Bogota, New Jersey, who lost out to Christie in last year’s gubernatorial primary. “New Jersey already has an enormously progressive tax code in the country and the Democrats want to make it worse,” says Lonegan, now head of the New Jersey chapter of the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity. “That said, I’m very concerned that Christie’s budget is creating a political environment in which Democrats will offer taxes on the wealthy as the only solution.” As an example, Lonegan notes that, despite promises to cut spending, Christie’s budget actually increases several government welfare programs. The governor supports expanding Medicaid enrollment for children up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, and he has proposed expanding food stamps to 185 percent of the poverty level. “We can’t be putting more people on the dole when we should be putting them to work,” Lonegan protests. More broadly, he worries that the failure to cut government entitlements “gives Democrats the leverage they need to raise taxes on the high income earners we desperately need to build this state.”
Republicans in the state legislature seem confident that it won’t come to that. Assemblyman Malone dismisses the Democrats’ carping about the millionaire’s tax as little more than “political rhetoric.” In private discussions, he says, his Democratic colleagues admit that another tax on the rich will jeopardize the revenues the state needs to regain its financial footing. “Unless there’s a 100 percent reversal in revenues, the starting point for the budget is that there is no additional money,” says Malone, who notes that the past year alone saw a 12 percent decline in revenues—the worst in state history. “Democrats don’t want this turmoil, and I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t understand the depth of the financial crisis we face in the state.” Matt Rooney, founder of the conservative New Jersey politics blog Save Jersey, agrees. No matter what they may say in public, Democrats are unlikely to oppose the budget because it doesn’t contain a tax increase. “Dire circumstances and public opinion have Democrats over a barrel,” Rooney says. “The uncomfortable truth is that many Democrats do know better.”
If that’s indeed the truth, then the squabbling over the millionaire’s tax and the amped-up charges of “class warfare” are nothing more than a noisy political sideshow. After years of financial mismanagement, this is a hopeful sign that the state is not condemned to repeat the past.
I understand that when you want a service, there is a cost. How someone can ever get a service by not paying for it is just beyond me. Making someone else pay for it is theft. It does not matter how rich the guy is that a thief steals from, scaling on either side of the equation does not affect the operation. ( nice copyright notice by the way). Taxes are a legalized theft, the "Voluntary" is a fiction that is like the voluntary contribution to the bosses birthday fund, or attendance at the office Xmas party..........The latter two have become more so in recent years, mainly because the bosses use of the "your fired" gun has become limited.........
If everyone is paying a flat percentage, or a pay as you go fee, then everyone is paying a fair share. Otherwise we are talking about a redistribution system, which is patently unfair. Many people with money are perfectly willing to share some out to charity, and that is only right. It is perfectly right to be a scrooge too, it is their property, but there is a certain negativity attached to these types of folks.........
Living in most cities has a pay as you go sales tax, if you don't like it you can move. Fees are the same way, if you do not like it then live without the service. When the government majkes a service/fee mandatory is when they are limiting life, liberty and happiness. Tjhat is what authoeitarion states do, and I will always have and issue with those types of laws/ means of earning revenue.
"If everyone is paying a flat percentage, or a pay as you go fee, then everyone is paying a fair share."
I am with Rarick on this one (unfortunately that only makes two of us). Every dollar earned should be taxed the same. Then we all have the same stake in our nation when we vote for or against programs, taxes and expenditures. That is the way public spending gets scrutinized and contained. Necessary assistance should be addressed only on the spending side and better yet on the private charitable side.
Since this is politically impossible, then the compromise has to be to move only in the direction of flatter, wider and simpler taxes that reach further into the electorate, not to target or isolate any group as the party of free lunch and class warfare proposes.
I guess this could go under spending, education or another topic.Yet since we are talking about NJ there is a titanic fight between newly elected Gov. Christie and teachers unions.I keep seeing commercials telling us how Christie is hurting our children by trying to cap pay increases for teachers and asking them to contribute into their own pensions.
Tjhe other alternative I have seen is a national sales tax. everything but food. There would be a certain guaranteed income from clothes and other necessary items, and people would be paying in scale to income too. That would satisfy both side of the political equation, if everyone was working to their principles and not their agenda, eh?
"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation." --Justice John Marshall, McCullough v. Maryland, 1819
Rarick, GM, all(please see discussion in this thread from around March 2009 on this topic)In the hypothetical, I like the 'fair tax' as well. Closer to the theme of the founders who had only import duties then which I do not like now. I like the Laffer proposal with 11% flat income tax plus 11% corporate income tax MUCH better, but is also not possible politically.
The transition to consumption-only taxes from where we are now is impossible at this time. It requires FIRST a repeal of the federal government's power to tax income. Otherwise you are creating an additional layer of taxation. Our opponents are talking about a VAT right now as an ADDITIONAL layer of taxation. Repeal of the 16th amendment is not going to happen in this political environment, you won't win support from independents, moderates Dems or moderate Republicans, and you need roughly 75% support to end all income taxation when we are more than a trillion a year in the red already.
The Week /Congress's Carried Interest Tax Folly~~~~~~JOHN RUTLEDGE, The Wall Street Journal (05/22/10): Nero fiddled while Romeburned, but at least he didn't strike the match. Members of Congress aredoing Nero one better. In the middle of the second global financial crisisin two years, Congress is preparing to dramatically raise a key tax rateon long-term investment. This is sure to discourage capital investment,increase the cost of money to start and grow businesses, and depressreal-estate and stock prices, all at the worst possible time.
Last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.) andHouse Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D., Mich.) released jointlegislation that would among other measures significantly raise the tax on"carried interest." Now the tax rate on these long-term capital gainsearned by the general (managing) partners of investment partnerships is15%. The new law would raise the rate to as high as 38.5% (three-fourthsof the gain would be taxed at ordinary income tax rates and one-fourth atcapital gains rates, both of which will be increasing as well).
Tax rates matter. And what matters about them is what activities gettaxed, not who gets taxed. When you increase the tax rate on an activity,you get less of it. The only question is how much less of it you will get.
Nero fiddled while Rome burned, but at least he didn't strike the match.Members of Congress are doing Nero one better. In the middle of the secondglobal financial crisis in two years, Congress is preparing todramatically raise a key tax rate on long-term investment. This is sure todiscourage capital investment, increase the cost of money to start andgrow businesses, and depress real-estate and stock prices, all at theworst possible time.
Last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.) andHouse Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D., Mich.) released jointlegislation that would among other measures significantly raise the tax on"carried interest." Now the tax rate on these long-term capital gainsearned by the general (managing) partners of investment partnerships is15%. The new law would raise the rate to as high as 38.5% (three-fourthsof the gain would be taxed at ordinary income tax rates and one-fourth atcapital gains rates, both of which will be increasing as well).
Tax rates matter. And what matters about them is what activities gettaxed, not who gets taxed. When you increase the tax rate on an activity,you get less of it. The only question is how much less of it you will get.
Congress should be asking one question: "Is long-term investment somethingwe really want less of, especially now?" Unfortunately, in today'spolitical climate, tax policy discussions focus almost exclusively uponwho, not what, gets taxed. This means singling out specific groups ofpeople-bankers, Wall Street, "the rich," the owners and executives ofinsurance, oil and drug companies-to punish for our economic difficulties.This may be politically popular but will have bad consequences for theeconomy.
Carried interest refers to the share of the capital gains (typically 20%)earned on long-term investments in real estate, venture capital, privateequity and other investments organized as partnerships that is allocatedto the general (managing) partner. Limited partners (i.e., passiveinvestors) pay this share to align their interests with those of thegeneral partner and to provide incentives for him to increase capitalgains.
Both general partners and limited partners pay taxes based on thecharacter of the income earned by the partnership: ordinary income rateson dividends and short-term capital gains, and the long-term capital gainsrate on the long-term capital gains. Some partnerships, such as hedgefunds, earn mostly short-term gains, and pay ordinary income tax rates.Other partnerships, such as real estate, venture capital and privateequity, make long-term investments. Their profits are mostly made up oflong-term capital gains and are taxed at lower long-term capital gains taxrates as a way to encourage long-term investment.
The economic impact of the proposed tax rate hike is unequivocallynegative for long-term investment. It will lead to changes in the terms ofinvestment partnerships that will reduce after-tax returns for allinvestors, including the limited partners.
Before partnerships are formed, the fees, carried interest, governance andother provisions are heavily negotiated. The proposed tax increase reducesthe after-tax value of carried interest compensation. A material change inthe after-tax economics of something as critical as general partnercompensation will result in an entirely different set of terms in whichboth general partners and limited partners share the pain.
The resulting drop in after-tax returns for all investors will reducecapital committed to long-term investments in partnerships of all sorts.This means less capital formation, less construction activity, lessmanufacturing activity for capital goods makers and their suppliers, fewerstart-ups, fewer jobs, lower productivity growth, and lower wages. Thedirection of these changes is not in question. The only question is howmuch less of these things we are going to get....
By ARTHUR LAFFER People can change the volume, the location and the composition of their income, and they can do so in response to changes in government policies.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that the nine states without an income tax are growing far faster and attracting more people than are the nine states with the highest income tax rates. People and businesses change the location of income based on incentives.
Likewise, who is gobsmacked when they are told that the two wealthiest Americans—Bill Gates and Warren Buffett—hold the bulk of their wealth in the nontaxed form of unrealized capital gains? The composition of wealth also responds to incentives. And it's also simple enough for most people to understand that if the government taxes people who work and pays people not to work, fewer people will work. Incentives matter.
People can also change the timing of when they earn and receive their income in response to government policies. According to a 2004 U.S. Treasury report, "high income taxpayers accelerated the receipt of wages and year-end bonuses from 1993 to 1992—over $15 billion—in order to avoid the effects of the anticipated increase in the top rate from 31% to 39.6%. At the end of 1993, taxpayers shifted wages and bonuses yet again to avoid the increase in Medicare taxes that went into effect beginning 1994."
Just remember what happened to auto sales when the cash for clunkers program ended. Or how about new housing sales when the $8,000 tax credit ended? It isn't rocket surgery, as the Ivy League professor said.
On or about Jan. 1, 2011, federal, state and local tax rates are scheduled to rise quite sharply. President George W. Bush's tax cuts expire on that date, meaning that the highest federal personal income tax rate will go 39.6% from 35%, the highest federal dividend tax rate pops up to 39.6% from 15%, the capital gains tax rate to 20% from 15%, and the estate tax rate to 55% from zero. Lots and lots of other changes will also occur as a result of the sunset provision in the Bush tax cuts.
Tax rates have been and will be raised on income earned from off-shore investments. Payroll taxes are already scheduled to rise in 2013 and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) will be digging deeper and deeper into middle-income taxpayers. And there's always the celebrated tax increase on Cadillac health care plans. State and local tax rates are also going up in 2011 as they did in 2010. Tax rate increases next year are everywhere.
.Now, if people know tax rates will be higher next year than they are this year, what will those people do this year? They will shift production and income out of next year into this year to the extent possible. As a result, income this year has already been inflated above where it otherwise should be and next year, 2011, income will be lower than it otherwise should be.
Also, the prospect of rising prices, higher interest rates and more regulations next year will further entice demand and supply to be shifted from 2011 into 2010. In my view, this shift of income and demand is a major reason that the economy in 2010 has appeared as strong as it has. When we pass the tax boundary of Jan. 1, 2011, my best guess is that the train goes off the tracks and we get our worst nightmare of a severe "double dip" recession.
In 1981, Ronald Reagan—with bipartisan support—began the first phase in a series of tax cuts passed under the Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA), whereby the bulk of the tax cuts didn't take effect until Jan. 1, 1983. Reagan's delayed tax cuts were the mirror image of President Barack Obama's delayed tax rate increases. For 1981 and 1982 people deferred so much economic activity that real GDP was basically flat (i.e., no growth), and the unemployment rate rose to well over 10%.
But at the tax boundary of Jan. 1, 1983 the economy took off like a rocket, with average real growth reaching 7.5% in 1983 and 5.5% in 1984. It has always amazed me how tax cuts don't work until they take effect. Mr. Obama's experience with deferred tax rate increases will be the reverse. The economy will collapse in 2011.
Consider corporate profits as a share of GDP. Today, corporate profits as a share of GDP are way too high given the state of the U.S. economy. These high profits reflect the shift in income into 2010 from 2011. These profits will tumble in 2011, preceded most likely by the stock market.
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Associated Press .In 2010, without any prepayment penalties, people can cash in their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Keough deferred income accounts and 401(k) deferred income accounts. After paying their taxes, these deferred income accounts can be rolled into Roth IRAs that provide after-tax income to their owners into the future. Given what's going to happen to tax rates, this conversion seems like a no-brainer.
The result will be a crash in tax receipts once the surge is past. If you thought deficits and unemployment have been bad lately, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Mr. Laffer is the chairman of Laffer Associates and co-author of "Return to Prosperity: How America Can Regain Its Economic Superpower Status" (Threshold, 2010).
Crafty, Arthur Laffer is exactly right - thanks for finding and posting that. The automatic tax increase at the end of the year are the elephants in the room that no one wants to talk about. Only Democrats can stop that from happening. Even if Republicans win one or both chambers, they take office after the first of the year and anything they pass will require Obama's signature.
By 2012 it will be very difficult to keep calling this country "Bush's mess".-----Quoting Laffer: "...Jan. 1, 2011...the highest federal personal income tax rate will go 39.6% from 35%, the highest federal dividend tax rate pops up to 39.6% from 15%, the capital gains tax rate to 20% from 15%, and the estate tax rate to 55% from zero... Jan. 1, 1983 the economy took off like a rocket, with average real growth reaching 7.5% in 1983 and 5.5% in 1984. It has always amazed me how tax cuts don't work until they take effect. Mr. Obama's experience with deferred tax rate increases will be the reverse. The economy will collapse in 2011.-----I would argue that like Sept 2008, when investors and markets begin to see an impending implosion of values they won't sit around and wait to be the last person to sell off.
The big opportunity now is for Democrats to take some wind out of Republican sails by passing new budgets with new spending reforms coupled with comprehensive tax reforms now. Unfortunately for the republic, that isn't likely to happen.
How the New Wealth Taxes Will Hit You By LAURA SAUNDERS The health-care bill that Congress passed in March contained two surprising new taxes to help pay for the changes: an extra 0.9% levy on wages for couples earning more than $250,000 ($200,000 for singles) and a new 3.8% tax on investment income on those same people (technically, people with "adjusted gross incomes" above those amounts).
Each tax signals a radical change in policy. For workers, the extra 0.9% levy puts a progressive element in what used to be a totally flat tax. The 3.8% tax on investment income also knocks down a longstanding wall by applying a "payroll" tax to unearned income. Until now, FICA taxes for Social Security and Medicare have applied only to wages, not investment income.
While many details remain unclear and the Internal Revenue Service hasn't issued any guidance, here are preliminary answers to the most important questions taxpayers are asking.
These taxes take effect in 2013, two elections away. Might they be repealed first?
Not likely. "Congress would have to undo the health reform, and budget constraints would still be there," says Clint Stretch of Deloitte Tax. "Even if Republicans take control of Congress, President Obama holds the veto pen until Jan. 20, 2013."
How does the 0.9% tax work?
If Joe and Mary each earn $175,000, their total employment income is $350,000. Currently they owe 1.45%—$5,075—of regular Medicare tax, and their employers owe a matching amount. In 2013, the couple will owe an extra 0.9%—$900—on their wages above $250,000, which is $100,000. Their employers pay nothing extra.
What about the 3.8% tax on net investment income?
This levy is keyed to "modified adjusted gross income," with a threshold of $250,000 for couples and $200,000 for singles. (This is simply adjusted gross income for nearly everybody except expatriates, who must add back certain exclusions.) The tax is a flat 3.8% on investment income above the threshold.
How would this work?
Example 1: John and Jane, a married couple, have $400,000 of AGI—$200,000 of wages plus $200,000 of investment income. Because they have $150,000 of investment income above the $250,000 threshold, they would owe an extra $5,700.
Example 2: Anne, a single filer, earns $40,000 but has an investment windfall of $190,000, for total income of $230,000. Because she has investment income of $30,000 above her $200,000 threshold, she would owe $1,140 of additional tax.
Example 3: Retirees Mary and Bill have no wages but they do have a taxable IRA payout of $90,000, plus investment income of $150,000, for a total of $240,000. They don't owe the new tax, because they have no investment income above the $250,000 threshold.
What is investment income?
Interest, except municipal-bond interest; dividends; rents; royalties; and capital gains on the sales of financial instruments like stocks and bonds. The taxable portion of insurance annuity payouts also counts, unless it is from a company pension. So do gains from financial trading, as well as passive income from rents and businesses you don't participate in. All are subject to the 3.8% tax on amounts above the $250,000 or $200,000 threshold, as described above.
Not taxed: Distributions from regular and Roth IRAs and other retirement accounts, including pensions and Social Security, and annuities that are part of a retirement plan. Life-insurance proceeds, muni-bond interest and veterans' benefits don't count, nor does income from a business you participate in, such as a Subchapter S or partnership.
Could the 3.8% tax apply to gains on the sale of a home?
Yes, if there is a taxable gain above the $500,000 ($250,000, single) exclusion for gains on the sale of your residence.
Example: Fred and Fran, who bought their home in a New York suburb for $50,000 in 1972, sell it in 2013 for $1 million. After subtracting the $50,000 cost and $500,000 exclusion, they have investment income of $450,000. If they also have a taxable IRA payout of $70,000 and a pension of $30,000, they would owe the tax of $11,400 on $300,000.
What happens if a taxpayer who owes the new tax on investments also has a large itemized deduction—say, medical expenses or a theft loss?
Even if taxable income is zero because of deductions, he or she could still owe the 3.8% tax. Example: Myra is a single filer with investment income of $100,000 and wages of $200,000. But during the same year she loses $300,000 in a Ponzi scheme. She pays no income tax, but she still owes the new Medicare tax of $3,800 on her net investment income, says Sharon Kreider, a tax expert in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Does the 3.8% tax affect trusts and estates?
Yes, and it can hit them hard. The tax is levied on investment income as low as $12,000 that isn't paid out to beneficiaries. Some believe the tax may also hit children's unearned income subject to the "kiddie tax" if the parents owe it themselves.
What professions are able to avoid this tax?
Ms. Kreider and others see a sweet spot for real-estate professionals. The law deems their rents to be "active" income, so they wouldn't be subject to the investment tax. Often they don't owe self-employment taxes on that rental income, either.
What steps do experts recommend to minimize these taxes, other than taking capital gains before 2013 or buying municipal bonds?
• Examine both your regular and investment income: the higher your regular AGI, the more likely that your investment income will be subject to the new tax. So while Social Security and pensions don't count as investment income, they raise AGI. This makes Roth IRA conversions even more attractive for many. "Roth withdrawals don't raise AGI and aren't investment income," says Vern Hoven, a tax expert in Gig Harbor, Wash.
• Reconsider a defined-benefit pension if you're eligible—say, you're in a small business or have consulting income, says Mark Nash of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Pension payouts don't count as investment income, and the older a taxpayer is, the more he can contribute.
• Taxpayers selling assets should consider installment sales, says Ms. Kreider, if spreading out the income would minimize the new tax.
• For some, life insurance may become more attractive. Because life-insurance proceeds at death aren't subject to this tax, a taxpayer could buy a policy, borrow from it and settle up at death, avoiding income tax on investment gains within the policy. But Mr. Nash cautions that the savings must outweigh the fees and other disadvantages such policies may have.
"'Next year when I start presenting some very difficult choices to the country, I hope some of these folks who are hollering about deficits step up. Because I'm calling their bluff."
That was President Barack Obama, the heretofore unknown deficit hawk, all but announcing the other day the tax trap that he's been laying for Republicans. From what we hear about intra-GOP debates, more than a few will be happy to walk right into it.
You don't need a Mensa IQ to figure this one out. Mr. Obama's plan has been to increase spending to new, and what he hopes will be permanent, heights. Then as the public and financial markets begin to fret about deficits and debt, he'll claim that the debt is "unsustainable" and that the only "responsible" policy is to raise taxes.
White House officials even talk privately about the galvanizing political benefit of a bond market crisis, which would force panicked Members of Congress to accept a big new value-added tax. The President's two looming tax reports—one from his deficit commission and the other from Paul Volcker's economic advisory group—are intended to propose a VAT and other tax options. Whatever their initial reception, the proposals will be there to be pulled from the shelf when the political moment is right.
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Associated Press .Voila, Mr. Obama will have established a new spend-and-tax policy architecture that has the feds taking from 25% to 30% of GDP, up from the roughly 21% modern average.
***This strategy explains why Mr. Obama is now starting to fret in public about deficits and debt. This week he even said reducing the debt will be "our project." Funny how debt seemed a lower priority when he was urging Congress to pass $862 billion in stimulus and $1 trillion in new health-care subsidies.
The Congressional Budget Office is contributing to this political drama by declaring this week that the "federal budget is on an unsustainable path." Of course, but why? The biggest reason is that Medicare and Medicaid keep rising at two to three times the rate of everything else in the economy and, as CBO explains, will eventually take up every dollar of tax revenues raised, leaving no money for anything else, including national defense.
"Slowing the growth rate of outlays for Medicare and Medicaid," advises CBO, "is the central long term challenge for federal fiscal policy." This is the same CBO that blessed ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion to 16 million more recipients.
What CBO's latest apocalyptic report doesn't stress is what we'd call the more important deficit in its forecast: the growth deficit. CBO predicts an annual rate of GDP growth of 2.2%. Yet since 1959 the U.S. economy has grown at an average rate of 3%, and during the 1980s and 1990s it was closer to 3.5%. The compounding effect of restoring this faster pace of growth would mean far more net national wealth and would certainly make debt repayment easier.
Even Mr. Obama's current spending level of 25% of GDP would be more manageable if the slow economic recovery weren't keeping tax revenue at unusual lows. In 2007, the economy threw off revenue of 18.5% of GDP. That fell to 14.8% in 2009 and may not be too much higher this year. The point is that there is no hope of balancing the federal budget without a return to higher levels of economic growth.
This is where Republicans need to maneuver around Mr. Obama's tax trap. He and his White House economists believe that taxes have little effect on growth so they can get revenues to 20% or 25% of GDP simply by raising tax rates or imposing a VAT. But if they're wrong about the impact of those taxes on a still-fragile economy recovery, they could keep the economy on a subpar growth path for years to come. We think the last thing the U.S. economy needs at the moment—and the worst policy for the deficit—is the big tax increase that will hit on January 1 with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts.
Yet we hear that even many Republicans are privately insisting that any extension of those Bush tax cuts must be "paid for" with other tax increases. Under Congress's perverse budget rules, extending those tax cuts will "cost" the Treasury revenue, even though extending those tax rates would only prevent a tax increase.
And because Congress still uses static revenue scoring—meaning no change in economic behavior from tax changes—the Joint Tax Committee thinks it will raise nearly $1 trillion over 10 years from the higher tax rates on incomes, dividends and capital gains. That's highly improbable. After those tax rates were cut in 2003, total federal tax revenue increased by 44%, or $743 billion, from 2003-2007.
In other words, Democrats have rigged the rules so that merely stopping a tax increase will be scored to increase the deficit. These are the same Democrats who haven't "paid for" trillions of spending in the last four years, but watch them soon denounce Republicans as fiscally irresponsible merely for trying to stop a tax increase. Orwell would love modern Washington.
If Republicans go along with this perverse pay-as-you-go logic, they will play into Mr. Obama's hands. He'll gladly offer to raise taxes on the wealthy in order to "pay for" extending the lower Bush rates on the middle class. Never mind that the tax increases on capital gains, dividends and income tax rates will do the most economic harm.
***Republicans need to break out of their rhetorical preoccupation with debt and deficits, focusing their political aim instead on spending and above all on reviving economic growth. They should hold the line against all tax increases and begin to consider a menu of tax cuts to make the U.S. more competitive, especially if the economy continues to underperform.
Mr. Obama's strategy of spending our way to prosperity clearly hasn't worked, as the voters are coming to understand. But if the GOP policy response is merely to bemoan deficits, they will soon find themselves back at their historic stand as tax collectors for the welfare state. To avoid Mr. Obama's tax trap, Republicans also need a growth agenda.
By ARTHUR B. LAFFER The current debate over extending and increasing federal unemployment benefits encapsulates the disagreement between the Democrats in power in Washington and their Republican opponents. What the consequences will be of raising unemployment benefits in today's depressed economy is at issue.
The most obvious argument against extending or raising unemployment benefits is that it will make being unemployed either more attractive or less unattractive, and thereby lead to higher unemployment. Empirical research supports this view.
The Democratic retort is that the economy today is so different from the past that we have to suspend our traditional understanding of economics. With five job seekers for every job opening, the unemployed are desperate for work and increasing unemployment benefits will have very little if any disincentive effect. This view hinges on a total change in employee behavior from "normal" times to the current period of "the Great Recession."
On the face of it, the idea that higher unemployment benefits won't lead to more unemployment doesn't make much sense. Imagine what the unemployment rate would look like if unemployment benefits were universally $150,000 per year. My guess is we'd have a heck of a lot more unemployment. Common sense and personal experience indicate higher unemployment benefits will make unemployment less unattractive and thereby increase unemployment even in the Great Recession. As the chart nearby clearly shows, since the 1970s there's been a close correlation between increased unemployment benefits and an increase in the unemployment rate. Those who argue that things are different today don't have the data to back up their claims.
. ..The Democratic argument also ignores the impact of unemployment benefits on employer costs. Employers don't usually hire people to assuage their consciences. They hire people to make after-tax profits. And if workers require more pay because of higher unemployment benefits, employers will hire fewer employees. Whether increased unemployment benefits incentivize workers to work less or disincentivize employers from hiring more workers, the effect will be the same—higher unemployment.
The second point made by the Obama administration is that unemployment benefits are a great way to stimulate demand. Increased unemployment benefits operate quickly and the recipients spend what they get, which makes these stimulus funds the best bang for the buck.
Here again the facts are in dispute. Studies have shown that previous stimulus spending—much of which was also targeted for the poor and unemployed—was to a large extent saved and not spent. But I'm not going to rest my case on the obvious failure of Washington's prior stimulus packages. Based upon the above logic (as described in the January 2009 white paper co-authored by White House economists Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein) the administration forecast that the unemployment rate would be a little above 7.3% in the third quarter of this year. That isn't going to happen.
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Associated Press .The flaw in their logic is that when it comes to higher unemployment benefits or any other stimulus spending, the resources given to the unemployed have to be taken from someone else. There isn't a "tooth fairy," or as my former colleague Milton Friedman repeated time and again, "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch." The government doesn't create resources. It redistributes them. For everyone who is given something there is someone who has that something taken away.
While the unemployed may spend more as a result of higher unemployment benefits, those people from whom the resources are taken will spend less. In an economy, the income effects from a transfer payment always sum to zero. Quite simply, there is no stimulus from higher unemployment benefits.
To see this, imagine an economy that produces 100 apples. If 10 of those apples are given to the unemployed, then people who otherwise would have had those 10 apples now won't. The stimulus of 10 apples for the unemployed is exactly offset by the destimulus of 10 apples for those people from whom the 10 apples were taken.
Given the massive inefficiencies the government creates in securing resources from the private sector, there may also be a large negative income effect over wide ranges of stimulus spending. This is the proverbial "toll for the troll." These massive inefficiencies could lead to lower output.
To see these effects clearly, imagine a two person economy in which one of the two people is paid for being unemployed. From whom do you think the unemployment benefits are taken? The other person obviously. While the one person who is unemployed may "buy" more as a result of unemployment benefits, the other person from whom the unemployment sums are taken will "buy" less. There is no stimulus for the economy.
But it doesn't stop there. While the income effects sum to zero, the substitution effects aggregate. The person from whom the unemployment funds are taken will find work less rewarding and will work less. The person who is given the unemployment benefits will also find work relatively less rewarding and will therefore work less. Both people in this two-person economy will be incentivized to work less. There will be less work and more unemployment.
Not only will increased unemployment benefits not stimulate the economy, they will at the same time lower the incentives for people to work by reducing the amount people are paid for working and increasing the amount people are paid for not working. It's pretty basic economics.
No one opposes unemployment benefits as a transition aid for people to get back on their feet and find a new job. Unemployment benefits are a safeguard for individuals down on their luck. But to argue that unemployment benefits actually reduce unemployment is disingenuous at best, and could induce our government to enact policies that have the effect of destroying our nation's production base from whence all benefits ultimately flow.
.Any government program that would reduce unemployment has to make working more attractive for both employer and employee. Since late 2007 the federal government has spent somewhere around $3.6 trillion to stimulate the economy. That is a lot of money.
My suggestion would have been to take all $3.6 trillion and declare a federal tax holiday for 18 months. No income tax, no corporate profits tax, no capital gains tax, no estate tax, no payroll tax (FICA) either employee or employer, no Medicare or Medicaid taxes, no federal excise taxes, no tariffs, no federal taxes at all, which would have reduced federal revenues by $2.4 trillion annually. Can you imagine where employment would be today? How does a 2.5% unemployment rate sound?
Mr. Laffer is the chairman of Laffer Associates and co-author of "The End of Prosperity: How Higher Taxes Will Doom the Economy—If We Let It Happen" (Threshold, 2008).
Representation Without TaxationPublished on July 8, 2010 by Edwin Feulner, Ph.D.
Professional sports leagues have ways of ensuring that “the last shall be first.” Teams with bad regular-season records get the top draft choices, theoretically allowing them to bring in the best young talent. Teams with excellent records draft later.
It’s supposedly a way to “level the playing field,” but as any fan knows, it doesn’t work perfectly. Some teams seem to be good season after season, while others usually struggle. In the NFL, for example, the Pittsburgh Steelers have captured six Super Bowls, while the Detroit Lions have never been to one.
Billionaire owners can afford to run their leagues however they wish. But in the real world it makes little sense to punish success or reward failure. Yet that’s exactly what the federal government’s tax policy does.
According to a recent report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, in 2007 (the most recent year for which figures are available) the top 20 percent of earners paid 70 percent of all federal taxes. The bottom 40 percent of earners paid no income tax.
In fact, the CBO reports that during the Bush presidency the tax burden for the bottom 80 percent of taxpayers plunged, even as their income grew. For those in the bottom 20 percent, for example, income increased 4.6 percent, while the tax share paid dropped by 27 percent. The same held true for the next four quintiles—they earned more, yet paid a smaller percentage of taxes.
It’s only the highest earners (the top 20 percent) who saw their share of the tax burden increase. It jumped by 3.4 percent, while they enjoyed a 12 percent increase in their income.
Lawmakers aren’t just talking about taxing the rich; they’re doing it. And political rhetoric, aside, the already disproportionate burden on the highest earners has been growing. Except for “the rich,” Americans tend to be getting more for less.
This matters, because paying taxes should be a civic duty. It gives Americans a stake in our country, and gives us a reason to keep a skeptical eye on Washington. It seems only fair that, while the wealthy will always pay more, everyone should pay something. Everyone, after all, benefits from our unparalleled military might, and we all ought to contribute something, no matter how small an amount, to keep it strong.
Yet the Tax Policy Center reports that 47 percent of households owed no income tax in 2009. In fact, many actually make money through the Earned Income Tax Credit.
It’s time to heed an age-old warning. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy.
It’s unclear who first spoke these wise words. Some attribute them to French-born writer Alexis de Tocqueville. Others cite British writer Alexander Fraser Tytler. Or it may have been an unheralded op-ed writer in the Midwest. The origin doesn’t matter. It’s the insight that counts. When people can vote themselves something for nothing, they will, and they’ll keep squeezing the rich until they have nothing left to give.
Governments have always used higher tax rates to discourage certain behaviors. A recent example is tobacco taxes, which often double or triple the price of a package of cigarettes. Lawmakers don’t want people to smoke, but they don’t want to ban smoking outright. Instead they just keep dialing up the taxes, and fewer people light up.
But the government doesn’t want to discourage economic success. Politicians on both sides of the aisle speak every day about creating jobs and growing our economy. So why do they also implement policies that punish success by over-taxing “the rich”?
We’d better figure that out—and stop it—before we kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.Ed Feulner is the president of The Heritage Foundation.
It has come to this: Congress, quite by accident, is incentivizing death.
When the Senate allowed the estate tax to lapse at the end of last year, it encouraged wealthy people near death's door to stay alive until Jan. 1 so they could spare their heirs a 45% tax hit. Now the situation has reversed: If Congress doesn't change the law soon—and many experts think it won't—the estate tax will come roaring back in 2011.
Not only will the top rate jump to 55%, but the exemption will shrink from $3.5 million per individual in 2009 to just $1 million in 2011, potentially affecting eight times as many taxpayers.
The math is ugly: On a $5 million estate, the tax consequence of dying a minute after midnight on Jan. 1, 2011 rather than two minutes earlier could be more than $2 million; on a $15 million estate, the difference could be about $8 million.
Of course, there is a "death incentive" whenever Congress raises the estate tax. But it hasn't happened in decades; the top rate has held steady or fallen since 1942, according to tax historian Joseph Thorndike of Tax Analysts, a nonprofit group. In fact, the jump from zero to 55% would be "the largest increase in a major tax that we've ever seen," Mr. Thorndike says.
Death or TaxesThat possibility presents a bizarre menu of options for wealthy older people—and their heirs. Estate planning was never cheerful, but now it is getting downright macabre, at least for the tax averse.
"You don't know whether to commit suicide or just go on living and working," says Eugene Sukup, an outspoken critic of the estate tax and the founder of Sukup Manufacturing, a maker of grain bins that employs 450 people in Sheffield, Iowa. Born in Nebraska during the Dust Bowl, the 81-year-old Mr. Sukup is a National Guard veteran and high school graduate who founded his firm, which now owns more than 70 patents, with $15,000 in 1963. He says his estate taxes, which would be zero this year, could be more that $15 million if he were to die next year.
Advisers say the estate-tax dilemma is especially awkward for heirs. "At least in December 2009, people wanted to keep their relatives alive," says Ronald Aucutt, an estate-tax attorney with McGuire Woods in the Washington area. Now he and others are worried that heirs may be tempted to pull plugs on Dec. 31. Economists might call the taking of a life to reap a tax advantage a "perverse incentive." District attorneys might call it homicide.
Taxpayers trying to cope with such surreal situations need to understand how they came to be. The roots go back to 2001, when Congress cut the estate tax rate to 45% from 55% and increased the exemption gradually over a decade. From its 2001 level of $675,000, the exemption rose to $3.5 million per individual by 2009.
Thanks to legislative sausage making, the rules got extreme after that: The tax disappeared altogether in 2010, but was programmed to revert in 2011 to a $1 million exemption with a top 55% rate.
Few Washington insiders expected Congress to allow the tax to snap back so sharply next year. So why, with nine years to act, didn't it fix the problem? Political wisdom holds that estate tax changes can't happen in election years for fear of angering voters, and Hurricane Katrina derailed a 2005 opportunity. Late last year, the House of Representatives passed an extension of the 2009 estate tax, but the Senate didn't act.
Compounding the problem, lawmakers didn't hammer out a fix early this year, as many had expected. Extending the 2009 law retroactive to the beginning of 2010 would have made a seamless transition and resolved issues taxpayers are now facing. Instead, the estate tax has been in limbo all year.
Senators are divided among three possible solutions. Some favor the pre-Bush rate of 55%, while others advocate a 35% rate (with a more generous exemption). A third group prefers the old 45% rate.
Many Washington insiders are betting Congress won't act this year because of an overflowing to-do list, the fall election and fewer than 40 working days left in 2010. At least one near-deal has failed the Senate this year.
Pressure to act will likely grow following the November elections, when Congress is expected to address many other expiring Bush-era tax breaks, including income taxes and capital-gains rates.
Meanwhile, the living and their relatives face a complex calculus with unknown variables. The Internal Revenue Service has yet to issue guidance explaining current estate-tax law, and no one knows if Congress will include retroactive elements when members deal with the tax.
"Not only is the future uncertain, but the past is also. We have no idea what the law is," Mr. Aucutt says.
So far in 2010, an estimated 25,000 taxpayers have died whose estates are affected by current law, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. That group includes least two billionaires, real-estate magnate Walter Shorenstein and energy titan Dan Duncan.
Another unknown is whether—assuming lawmakers act—changes will be retroactive to the beginning of 2010, and if they will be mandatory. Experts say a pure retroactive extension might be constitutional, but they doubt one is feasible at this late date.
"Enough very wealthy people have died whose estates have the means to challenge a retroactive tax, and that could tie the issue up in the courts for years," says tax-law professor Michael Graetz of Columbia University.
Whatever the outcome, few see the zero-tax regime persisting for very long because of the nation's stratospheric debt and deficits. "I don't see how Congress can get out of this without creating winners and losers," says Beth Kaufman, an attorney at Caplin & Drysdale in Washington.
Estate planners and doctors caution against making life-and-death decisions based on money. Yet many people ignore that advice. Robert Teague, a pulmonologist who ran a chronic ventilator facility at a Houston hospital for two decades, found that money regularly figured in end-of-life decisions. "In about 10% of the cases I handled at any one time, financial considerations came into play," he says.
Struggling to LiveIn 2009, more than a few dying people struggled to live into 2010 in hopes of preserving assets for their heirs. Clara Laub, a widow who helped her husband build a Fresno, Calif., grape farm from 20 acres into more than 900 acres worth several million dollars, was diagnosed with advanced cancer in October, 2009. Her daughter Debbie Jacobsen, who helps run the farm, says her mother struggled to live past December and died on New Year's morning: "She made my son promise to tell her the date and time every day, even if we wouldn't," Mrs. Jacobsen says.
In New York the lapsing tax spawned a major family conflict, according to one attorney. As a wealthy patriarch lay dying at the end of the year, it became clear that under the terms of the will his children would receive more if he died in 2010, while his wife (not the children's mother) stood to benefit if he died in 2009. The wife then filed a "do not resuscitate" order and the children challenged it. The patriarch lived a few days into 2010, but his estate, like Mrs. Laub's, remains unsettled given the legislative uncertainty. Mr. Aucutt, who has practiced estate-tax law for 35 years, expects to see "truly gruesome" cases toward the end of the year, given the huge difference between 2010 and 2011 rates.
Without knowing what the estate tax is, has been or will be, advisers say it is difficult to offer counsel that applies broadly, as techniques that work under one version of the law backfire in others.
Entrepreneur Eugene Sukup: 'You don't know whether to commit suicide or keep on living and working.'
Whatever happens, advisers say people who might be affected should take a careful look at their power-of-attorney documents. Under last year's law, large gifts before death sometimes made sense, depending on the state of residence. This year they could be a terrible move.
Advisers also suggest paying attention to health-care proxies. Who will be making choices, using what factors? Anne L. Stone, an attorney in McLean, Va., has an elderly female client who recently instructed her to write a provision into a health proxy directing her children to take estate taxes into account when making end-of-life decisions.
What about the options for taxpayers who are so eager to reduce their heirs' tax burden that they are considering ending their lives? Three states—Oregon, Washington and Montana—allow versions of the practice. Oregon's law took effect in 1997 and Washington enacted a similar one in 2009. Montana's Supreme Court recently ruled that nothing in the state constitution prohibited doctors aiding patients with dying, but voters haven't yet specifically authorized it.
Similarly, some countries, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, have long allowed physicians to aid patients in dying. But only Switzerland extends this benefit to foreigners.
Doctors and hospice professionals, meanwhile, say moving terminally ill patients to places with so-called aid-in-dying laws is usually a bad idea because it adds stress at an already difficult time. "Many people are thinking about [the estate tax], but the truth is that committing suicide is not a normal way of ending your life," says Porter Storey, vice president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
The uncertainty of the legislation is causing stress even for relatively healthy taxpayers like Art Nickel, who is 78 and lives in the Denver area. He owns a substantial sum in low-cost stock accumulated during a 35-year career as an IBM systems engineer. Like Mr. Sukup, he started with nothing and worked his way up, putting himself through the University of Wisconsin and serving in the Air Force.
If it seems as if the tax code was conceived by graphic artist M.C. Escher, wait until you meet the new and not improved Internal Revenue Service created by ObamaCare. What, you're not already on a first-name basis with your local IRS agent?
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson, who operates inside the IRS, highlighted the agency's new mission in her annual report to Congress last week. Look out below. She notes that the IRS is already "greatly taxed"—pun intended?—"by the additional role it is playing in delivering social benefits and programs to the American public," like tax credits for first-time homebuyers or purchasing electric cars. Yet with ObamaCare, the agency is now responsible for "the most extensive social benefit program the IRS has been asked to implement in recent history." And without "sufficient funding" it won't be able to discharge these new duties.
That wouldn't be tragic, given that those new duties include audits to determine who has the insurance "as required by law" and collecting penalties from Americans who don't. Companies that don't sponsor health plans will also be punished. This crackdown will "involve nearly every division and function of the IRS," Ms. Olson reports.
Well, well. Republicans argued during the health debate that the IRS would have to hire hundreds of new agents and staff to enforce ObamaCare. They were brushed off by Democrats and the press corps as if they believed the President was born on the moon. The IRS says it hasn't figured out how much extra money and manpower it will need but admits that both numbers are greater than zero.
Ms. Olson also exposed a damaging provision that she estimates will hit some 30 million sole proprietorships and subchapter S corporations, two million farms and one million charities and other tax-exempt organizations. Prior to ObamaCare, businesses only had to tell the IRS the value of services they purchase. But starting in 2013 they will also have to report the value of goods they buy from a single vendor that total more than $600 annually—including office supplies and the like.
Democrats snuck in this obligation to narrow the mythical "tax gap" of unreported business income, but Ms. Olson says that the tracking costs for small businesses will be "disproportionate as compared with any resulting improvement in tax compliance." Job creation, here we come . . . at least for the accountants who will attempt to comply with a vast new 1099 reporting burden.
Meanwhile, the IRS will be inundated with useless information, because without a huge upgrade its information systems won't be able to manage and track the nanodetails.
In a Monday letter, even Democratic Senators Mark Begich (Alaska), Ben Nelson (Nebraska), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Evan Bayh (Indiana) denounce this new "burden" on small businesses and insist that the IRS use its discretion to find "better ways to structure this reporting requirement." In other words, they want regulators to fix one problem among many that all four Senators created by voting for ObamaCare.
We never thought anyone would be nostalgic for the tax system of a few months ago, but post-ObamaCare, here we are.
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100...
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this...
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7.. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do..
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve ball. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20". Drinks for the ten men would now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes. So the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men? The paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his fair share?
They realised that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by a higher percentage the poorer he was, to follow the principle of the tax system they had been using, and he proceeded to work out the amounts he suggested that each should now pay.
And so the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% saving). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% saving). The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28% saving). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% saving). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% saving). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% saving).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But, once outside the bar, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20 saving," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,"but he got $10!" "Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar too. It's unfair that he got ten times more benefit than me!" "That's true!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back, when I got only $2? The wealthy get all the breaks!" "Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison, "we didn't get anything at all. This new tax system exploits the poor!" The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had their beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and government ministers, is how our tax system works. The people who already pay the highest taxes will naturally get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas, where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D. Professor of Economics.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible
The Financial Times reports that the number of Americans giving up their citizenship to protect their families from America’s onerous worldwide tax system has jumped rapidly. Even relatively high-tax nations such as the United Kingdom are attractive compared to the class-warfare system that President Obama is creating in the United States.
I run into people like this quite often as part of my travels. They are intensely patriotic to America as a nation, but they have lots of scorn for the federal government.
Statists are perfectly willing to forgive terrorists like William Ayres, but they heap scorn on these “Benedict Arnold” taxpayers. But the tax exiles get the last laugh since the bureaucrats and politicians now get zero percent of their foreign-source income. You would think that, sooner or later, the left would realize they can get more tax revenue with reasonable tax rates. But that assumes that collectivists are motivated by revenue maximization rather than spite and envy.
From the FT article:
The number of wealthy Americans living in the UK who are renouncing their US citizenship is rising rapidly as more expatriates seek to escape paying tax to the US on their worldwide income and gains and shed their “non-dom” status, accountants say. As many as 743 American expatriates made the irreversible decision to discard their passports last year, according to the US government – three times as many as in 2008. …There is a waiting list at the embassy in London for people looking to give up citizenship, with the earliest appointments in February, lawyers and accountants say. …“The big disadvantage with American citizens is they catch you on tax wherever you are in the world. If you are taxed only in the UK, you have the opportunity of keeping your money offshore tax free.”
To grasp the extent of this problem, here are blurbs from two other recent stories. Time magazine discusses the unfriendly rules that make life a hassle for overseas Americans:
For U.S. citizens, cutting ties with their native land is a drastic and irrevocable step. …t’s one that an increasing number of American expats are willing to take. According to government records, 502 expatriates renounced U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the fourth quarter of 2009 — more than double the number of expatriations in all of 2008. And these figures don’t include the hundreds — some experts say thousands — of applications languishing in various U.S. consulates and embassies around the world, waiting to be processed. …[T]he new surge in permanent expatriations is mainly because of taxes. …[E]xpatriate organizations say the recent increase reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the way the U.S. government treats its expats and their money: the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that taxes its overseas citizens, subjecting them to taxation in both their country of citizenship and country of residence. …Additionally, the U.S. government has implemented tougher rules requiring expatriates to report any foreign bank accounts exceeding $10,000, with stiff financial penalties for noncompliance. “This system is widely perceived as overly complex with multiple opportunities for accidental mistakes, and life-altering penalties for inadvertent failures,” Hodgen says. These stringent measures were put into place to prevent Americans from stashing undeclared assets in offshore banks, but they also make life increasingly difficult for millions of law-abiding expatriates. “The U.S. government creates conflict and abuses me,” says business owner John. “I feel under duress to understand and comply with laws that have nothing to do with me and are constantly changing — almost never in my favor.” …Many U.S. expats report being turned away by banks and other institutions in their countries of residence only because they are American, according to American Citizens Abroad (ACA), a Geneva-based worldwide advocacy group for expatriate U.S. citizens. “We have become toxic citizens,” says ACA founder Andy Sundberg. Paradoxically, by relinquishing their U.S. citizenship, expats can not only escape the financial burden of double taxation, but also strengthen the U.S. economy, he says, adding, “It will become much easier for these people to get a job abroad, and to set up, own and operate private companies that can promote American exports.”
The New York Times, meanwhile, delves into the misguided policies that are driving Americans to renounce their citizenship.
Amid mounting frustration over taxation and banking problems, small but growing numbers of overseas Americans are taking the weighty step of renouncing their citizenship. …[F]rustrations over tax and banking questions, not political considerations, appear to be the main drivers of the surge. Expat advocates say that as it becomes more difficult for Americans to live and work abroad, it will become harder for American companies to compete. American expats have long complained that the United States is the only industrialized country to tax citizens on income earned abroad, even when they are taxed in their country of residence, though they are allowed to exclude their first $91,400 in foreign-earned income. One Swiss-based business executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of sensitive family issues, said she weighed the decision for 10 years. She had lived abroad for years but had pleasant memories of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Yet the notion of double taxation — and of future tax obligations for her children, who will receive few U.S. services — finally pushed her to renounce, she said. …Stringent new banking regulations — aimed both at curbing tax evasion and, under the Patriot Act, preventing money from flowing to terrorist groups — have inadvertently made it harder for some expats to keep bank accounts in the United States and in some cases abroad. Some U.S.-based banks have closed expats’ accounts because of difficulty in certifying that the holders still maintain U.S. addresses, as required by a Patriot Act provision.
(Sounds like cognitive dissonance to me but I will put this under tax policy)Bill Krystol mentioned this on Fox News Sunday today.
“Our results indicate that tax changes have very large effects on output. Our baseline specification implies that an exogenous tax increase of one percent of GDP lowers real GDP by almost three percent. Our many robustness checks for the most part point to a slightly smaller decline, but one that is still typically over 2.5 percent. In addition, we find that the output effects of tax changes are much more closely tied to the actual changes in taxes than to news about future changes, and that investment falls sharply in response to exogenous tax increases.”
Chistina D. Romer and David H. Romer, ‘The Macroeconomic Effects of Tax Changes: Estimates Based on a New Measure of Fiscal Shocks’, American Economic Review, June 2010---------------------------http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=6958
Christina Romer, Chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and economics professor at the University of California at Berkeley, has published an article (co-authored with David Romer) in the June 2010 issue of the American Economic Review titled “The Macroeconomic Effects of Tax Changes: Estimates Based on a New Measure of Fiscal Shocks.” Unlike her statements in her role as an Obama adviser, this article is serious academic research, published in what is generally recognized as the world’s leading academic economics journal.
In the article, the Romers divide legislated tax changes into those undertaken in response to economic conditions and those that are “exogenous,” by which they mean changes made for other reasons. The expiration of the Bush tax cuts clearly falls into the “exogenous” category, because it is the result of legislation passed years ago, before anybody could have anticipated the economic conditions under which they would expire.
What the Romers found is that exogenous tax increases, such as will occur with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, “… are highly contractionary. The effects are strongly significant, highly robust, and much larger than those obtained using broader measures of tax changes.”
Here is a strong argument, based on solid academic research, for extending the Bush tax cuts, and not letting them expire, made by one of President Obama’s top economic advisers. It will be interesting to see to what extent the insights of Christina Romer, economics professor, have an impact on what that same Christina Romer, adviser to the president, has to say in public about the impending tax rate increases.
Romer, the economics professor, says raising rates now will be “highly contractionary.” Will Romer, the president’s adviser, speak up and tell the public that letting the Bush tax cuts expire will hamper the recovery? Or will she toe the party line and not tell Americans the public policy implications of her own academic research?
Another interesting sidelight here is that the opening footnote in the article says it was written with financial support from the National Science Foundation. Here is a big opportunity for NSF-funded research to have a direct policy impact, because (1) the research has direct policy relevance to current economic conditions, and (2) because it was undertaken by somebody who actually has policy influence.
We shall see if that opportunity for an impact actually results in any policy impact. My guess is, it won’t, and that any policy statements Romer makes on the subject will be based more on politics than on her knowledge of economics.
"Fascinating that she would think this AND publish it!"Could be that a sham-husband / co-author would not withhold the work, just speculating. All researching economists know that excessive taxation chokes off incentives and economic activity; they only argue about the magnitude. Robert Mundell used to use the word "asphyxiating" when he designed the Reagan program. Some economists sell their souls and go to work for the 'progressive' politicians while most of the others stay mostly silent about it while they write abstractions with complexity in obscurity for public grants, a little like the climategate system.
The question remains: why does this not either cause her to leave the administration or persuade them to change course? I recall that Paul Volcker was quietly pushed aside for his own independent thinking. His willingness to stand by the candidate during the meltdown was of enormous political value. His real opinions were not.
Jumping to Geithner who was on all the shows Sunday. We are going to extend the tax cuts for the 95% for reasons that apply better to the 5% who actually might spur investment and hire. First the percentages are a G*d D*amned Lie by deception. We are not taxing people; we are taxing income - and those are not the percentages. By their own hysterical disparity percentages, the punishing tax increases will apply to the 40% of the income that would otherwise be most available for job creation. The purpose of the punishing tax hikes on the rich is "to prove to the world" we are serious about dealing with our debt, by implementing tax policies that are known to be"highly contractionary"!
I would rather see us prove to the world that we are serious about creating optimal conditions for robust private growth and prosperity, but that is NOT their objective. | {
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FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY ON MY CONGRATS ..THE PICTURE THING HAD ME A LITTLE CONFUSED BUT PERSISTENCE ON FIGURE IT OUT AND THE HELP OF GOOD PEOPLE ON THE FORUM MAKES IT EASIER FOR SURE ..THANK YOU ALL BACK STRAPS FOR DINNER | {
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All Posts in Drawing Competition at Delhi Book Fair
Organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), and supported by Federation of Indian publishers (FIP), the 24th Delhi Book Fair was held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from August 25, 2018 to September 2, 2018. Nearly 120 exhibitors displayed their products and services at the event in Hall No. 7 – ABC, D, E, and… (0 comment) | {
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Back when Justin Bieber first came into our lives in 2009, he was a clean-cut 15-year-old whose innocence charmed the world. Now, well, the singer is an inked-up, jet-setting bad boy whose legal troubles rival his recent hit count.
But after turning his body into a walking work of art, Bieber announced on Tuesday (March 25) that he's taking a break from the chair after completing the partial sleeves on his arms.
But before he threw in the towel, the self-proclaimed modern-day James Dean posted pics of a cross he got inked on his chest during a plane ride with famed tattoo artist Bang Bang in January and images of his filled-out lower-arm sleeves.
"Done with tats 4 a while ... Where I wanna be," Bieber wrote alongside an image of his right arm, adorned with fish scales, a boombox and an Korean mask to go along with previous pieces that included the word "Trust" and a court jester. | {
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"Warning! Now system is in safe mode" -- Help!
Hey guys, first time poster here, I'm seeking some help with my setup!
I'm a little bit lost on this one. The only time I'm getting this message every time my system wakes up from being put into sleep mode. Not when it is first booting from being completely off. Here is my setup
XFX 680iLT-SLi
Intel C2D e6750 - 2.66ghz @ 3.4ghz (previously at 3.6ghz, but I dropped it because of this message. That didn't seem to help)
Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4gb 4-4-4-12 / 800mhz (I was trying to overclock this a bit prior to this message)
PNY GTX 465 unlocked to 470
COOLER MASTER RP-600-PCAR eXtreme Power 600W
Not sure what other info you guys might want, but I'd like to figure this out. So far I've been ok with just manually going into the BIOS screen when it gets halted with the Warning, pressing F10, and letting it reboot itself. If I do, it will properly show that its booting at 3.4ghz rather than 2.8, and 4-4-4-12, rather than 5-4-4-18 or something.
Should I just replace the battery on the motherboard or something? I'd assume if that were the issue, it would be doing this on normal start up as well.
I do believe I updated the BIOS somewhat recently, but it didn't seem to give me any errors during it. I'm wondering if maybe the BIOS update caused it to pick up on some error that it wasn't picking up on before? Any help or pointing in the right direction would be much appreciated!
Does the system actually reboot when it wakes up from sleep mode? That is only way it could change to safe mode from sleep mode. Try putting all your bios settings back to stock and put the computer back in "sleep mode" and see if the problem persists.
Originally Posted by Farmer Boe;14487601
Does the system actually reboot when it wakes up from sleep mode? That is only way it could change to safe mode from sleep mode. Try putting all your bios settings back to stock and put the computer back in "sleep mode" and see if the problem persists.
Aww crap, you're right, I never even realized this was unusual. It does go through the full process a reboot would. I just set everything to the motherboard defaults, and when it wakes from sleep mode, everything just pops back up as it was in about 5 seconds. Before it had the full POST and everything. So it seems like it was the overclock that was doing it, but I'll try reloading that, to see if it was really the problem. Not sure if I may have triggered something else in my BIOS that caused this before. | {
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Muck Block
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Muck Block is a slow dissolving block of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. It aids in the reduction of organic pond sludge and odors by digesting leaf litter, dead algae and decaying plant matter. It is a natural approach to treating freshwater ponds and lakes.
If we can assist you in any way, please call or visit our historic hatchery in Cincinnati, Ohio. You will find our staff to be professional, helpful and courteous. We take great pride in the success of our management programs and treat every pond or lake as if it were our own. After all, our family name and reputation are at stake. | {
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A 27-year-old guy in Orlando had been trying to get his Nissan Altima out of an impound lot for about a month after it got towed, but when he finally went to get it back on Saturday, the owner of the lot was out grabbing food and had his keys... | {
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Congratulations message for winning
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) shakes hands with President of Myanmar Win Myint during his official visit to the country in December 2019. (Photo: chinhphu.vn) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh sent congratulatory messages to Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister for International Cooperation Kyaw Tin on the occasion. … [Read more...] about Congratulations on 45 years of Vietnam-Myanmar diplomatic ties
Hanoi (VNA) – The Australia-based website Eastasiaforum.org on May 28 ran an article titled “Vietnam’s COVID-19 political gains” affirming that Vietnam has earned international accolades as one of the successful countries in Asia to contain the coronavirus. According to the author, Vietnam may win more than international praise, especially in political terms. The country has been highly transparent in its response to the crisis through broadcasting regularly on television and keeping its citizens updated on the pandemic via text messages, the article wrote, adding that national media is being inundated with public praise over the effectiveness of government and the Party. It affirmed that the effectiveness of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped boost the country’s prestige in the international arena. With only a fraction of the healthcare budget of other successful countries, the performance of … [Read more...] about Vietnam among most successful Asian countries in containing coronavirus: Foreign media | {
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Monday, September 9, 2013
Hey there! My good friend Justin, over at Dragonblogger.com, is hosting a video game giveaway and guess who's a cosponsor?! That's right, this guy! The cool thing about the Dragonblogger giveaway is that there is no set game to win. You get to pick the game! That's right, as long as the retail price is under $60, you can chose ANY game for any gaming platform or console. That's pretty damn awesome, right?! You can pick any game that is already out or will be released by the end of the giveaway. Most talked about games are out now and others will be available soon. Raymand Legends, Madden 25, Saints Row IV, Lost Planet 3, Grand Theft Auto V. If it's out by the end of October, it's up for grabs! Not a bad deal if you ask me. Now on to some giveaway details.
The giveaway will run from now until the end of October. The giveaway widget will let you know how many days are left so as long as it's not at zero, you're still good to enter. lol Anyways, this giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere but if you live outside the U.S. you will win an Amazon gift code for the game amount not Paypal cash, so you can choose to accept this or re-gift the prize to another person at your choice.
So let's hear it, friends! What game do you want to win? I hear The Last of Us is pretty damn awesome! Bioshock Infinite is still generating buzz! Or maybe Dragon's Crown is more up your alley! If sandbox games are thing, GTA V and Saints Row IV are looking pretty awesome. What ever floats your boat, you can enter to win it here! Good luck!!!
You need to enable javascript to enter this campaign !Powered by PromoSimple. | {
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LG starts rolling out G Pad 10.1 in global markets
LG unveiled a trio of new G Pad tablets – G Pad 7.0, G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.1. The slates were showcased at the MedPi 2014 trade show in Monaco earlier this year, but there was no word on the availability of these devices.
Today, LG has announced the global launch of G Pad 10.1. The company’s largest tablet will be up for grabs in United States followed by other markets in Europe, Asia and Latin America later this month. The pricing hasn’t been detailed as they are said to vary from each market.
The LG G Pad 10.1 brings a host of new software features along with the advanced UX features from the LG G3. As the name suggests, the tablet sports a 10.1-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Under the hood lies a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon chipset along with 1GB of RAM. | {
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Following our listmaking tradition (see the 50 Popular Sites from Germany
and German Startups and Twitter) here is a list of the most anticipated sites – sites in stealth mode, in private beta or requiring some sort of invitation to get in – from Germany. The popularity is based on the current number of bookmarks at del.icio.us.
Actually it is a list of those sites we are aware of and we definitely missed a few, but some German sites you currently don’t get in would not have made for a good headline. Let us know in the comments which sites we are missing. We will beta test everything.
Most sites are in German only so our apologies to our international readers. Since most sites are scheduled to publicly launch this autumn / by the end of the year, this list might be a good indicator on what German startups are up to though. | {
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Nike
Pegasus 30 DC
PROVEN PERFORMANCE ON THE ROAD TO GREATNESS The Pegasus has long been the workhorse that dares to race the thoroughbreds. Celebrating 30 years since its debut, the Nike Pegasus 30 DC Women's Running Shoe continues the legendary tradition with an updated breathable upper and super-responsive cushioning ideal for half-marathon training. Voted "Best Buy" by Runner's World (September 2013)* Support and Ventilation Ultra-light engineered mesh on the upper adds support and ventilation while reducing weight. Unlike the Nike Air Pegasus+ 29, this version features strategically placed no-sew overlays throughout to offer even more support and create a seamless, ultra-comfortable interior. Responsive Cushioning A Nike Zoom unit in the heel delivers low-profile, responsive cushioning. Premium Cushlon foam provides soft, springy and resilient cushioning. Impact Absorption Sidewall cuts on the midsole absorb impact for softer landings and smoother transitions on your run. More Benefits Midfoot saddle with mesh and no-sew overlays for ventilation and a secure fit Internal heel counter wraps the heel for a snug fit Environmentally preferred rubber Waffle outsole for durability and multi-surface traction Flex grooves for a natural, efficient stride Product Details Weight: 8.8 ounces (women's size 8) Nike+ ready * Runner's World is a registered trademark of Rodale, Inc. All rights reserved.
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THE MINIMALIST ICON Simplicity redefined, the Nike Roshe Two Flyknit Women's Shoe features breathable Nike Flyknit material and three layers of cushioning for soft comfort. Supportive Fit Flyknit yarns integrate areas breathability, stretch and support where you need it most for a snug, adaptive fit. Soft Feel The updated midsole features three foam densities for superior, all-day cushioning. The sockliner is made of slow-recovery foam that enhances comfort underfoot. More Details Upper provides a soft, flexible feel Padded collar provides plush cushioning Outsole cutouts for reduced weight SIGNATURE DETAILS Inspired by the practice of meditation and the concept of Zen, the Nike Roshe epitomizes simplicity. It has no embellishments, just basic shoe necessities brought to life with every detail, creating a juxtaposition of seriousness and playfulness. FLYKNIT ORIGINS Nike Flyknit technology was inspired by feedback from runners craving a shoe with the snug (and virtually unnoticed) fit of a sock. Nike embarked on a four-year mission with teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the technology needed to make the knit upper with static properties for structure and durability. Then the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability-all in one layer-was refined. The result is a featherweight, form-fitting and virtually seamless upper.
BREATHABLE AND COMFORTABLE Simplicity redefined, the Nike Roshe Two Breathe Women's Shoe features ultra-breathable textile construction and plush cushioning for a soft ride. Benefits Textile is lightweight and breathable Pull tabs on heel and tongue for easy on and off Triple-density foam sole for exceptional cushioning Waffle-inspired outsole pattern
LIGHTWEIGHT DEFINED Combining new Nike innovations with minimal design, the Nike Roshe Flyknit Women's Shoe has evolved while maintaining its signature simplicity. The result: a beloved style that boasts exceptionally lightweight comfort. Lightweight Support The innovative Flyknit upper is specially stitched to conform to your foot with a snug, comfortable fit feels custom-made and offers support that won’t weigh you down. Extra Comfort The iconic one-piece foam midsole/outsole provides lightweight cushioning for a natural, comfortable stride. The conforming sockliner has ripples of soft, resilient foam for plush all-day comfort. More Benefits Molded sockliner mimics the curve of the foot for added comfort Pull tabs at heel and tongue for easy on and off Eyestays embedded in the upper for a secure, locked-down fit Padding in the collar for comfort Signature Details Inspired by the practice of meditation and the concept of Zen, the Nike Roshe One epitomizes simplicity. It has no embellishments, just basic shoe necessities brought to life with every detail. Almost every part of the shoe reflects an aspect of a tranquil Zen garden: a modified Waffle outsole made to look like stepping stones, an insole that mirrors a raked rock garden, and slightly different midsole side lengths-a juxtaposition of seriousness and playfulness. Flyknit Origins Nike Flyknit technology was inspired by feedback from runners craving a shoe with the snug (and virtually unnoticed) fit of a sock. Nike embarked on a four-year mission with teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the technology needed to make the knit upper with static properties for structure and durability. Then the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability-all in one layer-was refined. The result is a featherweight, form-fitting and virtually seamless upper.
CLASSIC LOOK, PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION. The Nike Cortez Classic PRM QS Women's Shoe brings a premium construction to Bill Bowerman's track classic for plush comfort and heritage appeal. BENEFITS Low-cut collar for comfort and flexibility through the ankle Foam midsole for lightweight comfort Herringbone traction pattern for improved grip CORTEZ ORIGINS The Nike Cortez was Bill Bowerman's first masterpiece, built to be lighter and more weatherproof than any other shoe. In 1972, it put unprecedented cushioning under the fastest feet in the running world and quickly became the most popular training shoe in the country. It was an unmistakable icon—a walking billboard that told your story and declared your affiliation—and came to thrive with fierce style on the streets of Los Angeles. Since then, no shoe has expanded the definition of a running shoe quite like the Nike Cortez.
A MODERN ICON The Nike Air Max Thea Ultra SI Women's Shoe updates the iconic running profile for everyday comfort. Benefits Leather, synthetic leather or textile upper depending on color Ultra cushioning is soft and lightweight Visible Max Air heel unit for cushioning Soft sockliner for a cushy feel Nike Air Max Origins Nike's revolutionary Air-Sole unit made its way into Nike footwear in the late '70s. In 1987, the Nike Air Max 1 debuted with visible air in its heel, allowing fans more than just the feel of Air-Sole comfort—suddenly they could see it. Since then, next-generation Nike Air Max shoes have become a hit with athletes and collectors by offering striking color combinations and reliable, lightweight cushioning.
FLEXIBLE STABILITY The Nike Free TR 6 Women's Training Shoe delivers the flexibility and stability your workout demands with an innovative outsole pattern that expands, flexes and contracts with your foot during every squat and sprint. Flexible, Stable Foundation The tri-star outsole pattern expands and contracts in every direction, with your every step, to disperse pressure evenly and enhance flexibility and stability. Rubber pods wrap up the side of the shoe for even more stability and traction. Dynamic Lockdown Super-strong, ultralight Flywire cables hug your foot for dynamic support, loosening and tightening with your foot's natural motion. Targeted Ventilation The engineered mesh has open areas for ventilation and closed areas for the support you need as you train. More Details Breathable mesh lining in the forefoot Molded ankle foam enhances support and fit Foam midsole/outsole for ultralight comfort Nike Free Origins After learning that Stanford athletes had been training barefoot on the university's golf course, three of Nike's most innovative and creative employees set out to develop a shoe that felt natural and weightless, similar to bare feet. The team spent eight years studying the biomechanics of runners' feet in motion. The results yielded a profound understanding of the foot's natural landing angle, pressure and toe position, allowing Nike designers to build an unconventional and flexible running shoe from the inside out.
AN ICON, UPGRADED. The Nike Air Max 90 SE Women's Shoe combines classic design lines with premium materials for timeless comfort and an elevated look. Benefits Leather, suede and textile construction for premium comfort Max Air unit in the heel for lightweight cushioning Foam midsole offers supportive comfort Durable rubber outsole for traction Nike Air Max Origins Nike's revolutionary Air-Sole unit made its way into Nike footwear in 1978. In 1987, the Nike Air Max 1 debuted with visible air in its heel, allowing fans more than just the feel of Air-Sole comfort—suddenly they could see it. Since then, next-generation Nike Air Max shoes have become a hit with athletes and collectors by offering striking color combinations and reliable, lightweight cushioning.
THE NYLON ICON Celebrating the Southern California cities where it reigns supreme, the limited-edition Nike Classic Cortez Premium XLV Women's Shoe comes to life in classic colorways with shiny golden accents. BENEFITS Nylon or leather upper depending on color Foam sole offers plush comfort Herringbone outsole pattern for traction CORTEZ ORIGINS The Nike Cortez was Bill Bowerman's first masterpiece, built to be lighter and more weatherproof than any other shoe. In 1972, it put unprecedented cushioning under the fastest feet in the running world and quickly became the most popular training shoe in the country. It was an unmistakable icon—a walking billboard that told your story and declared your affiliation—and came to thrive with fierce style on the streets of Los Angeles. Since then, no shoe has expanded the definition of a running shoe quite like the Nike Cortez. | {
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In my late grandfather's bedroom is an unassuming brown cupboard - two doors, ancient wood, exceptionally ordinary. But inside - oh, inside, and I never even guessed it this whole time - is an entire treasure chest of vintage clothes!
Oversized blazers, batwing blouses, shoulder-padded blouses and suits - all of them top-notch quality, all neglected for decades, but still in perfect condition. I felt like a kid in Disneyland again.
After half an hour of Grandma narrating the story of how and when she got each delightful piece, and me trying on my favourites and running to the next room to preen in the full-length mirror, she said I could have whichever ones I wanted! :D Aaaaah! | {
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Configuring an Azure SSO portal
In a previous blog post I show how to enable your Office 365 Azure AD. Once you have access to Azure AD you have access to the free version of Azure AD. Amongst other things this allows you to manage user accounts, synchronise with on premises directories and get single sign (SSO) on across Azure, Office 365 and thousands of web based applications.
To set up this SSO portal you will need to login to your Azure AD as an Office 365 global administrator.
Select Active Directory from the menu on the left and the name of your Active Directory. That should display a screen like that shown above. From the menu across the top select the Applications option.
This will list any pre-configured web apps. If this is the first time here you will probably see that both Office 365 Exchange Online and SharePoint Online have been configured for you.
To add a new application to the SSO portal select the Add button at the bottom of the page.
Next, select the option to Add an application from the gallery.
You should see that there over 2,400 apps currently that you can select from. The easiest way to locate app you want to integrate into your SSO portal is by using the search features in the top right.
Here, I’m going to integrate Evernote, so I simply select the icon in the middle of the page once I have located it in the list.
Different applications have different configuration requirements but in this case with Evernote all I need to now do is assign which users need to access it. I do this by selecting the button Assign users.
This should now take you to a list of users (here, my Office 365 users).
Firstly, select the user you wish to assign the app to and then press the Assign button at the bottom of the page.
This will now prompt you to enter the app login credentials you wish to have for the user. Enter these and select the check icon in the lower right corner.
You should now see that user has a Direct assignment for that app as shown above.
and because we can connected our Office 365 directory to this SSO they can login using their usual Office 365 credentials but now they will only need to do that to access all their web based applications you have configured for them.
Once a user logs into the SSO portal they will see all the apps that you have configured for them. To access any of these they simply click on the icon.
In this case, if I click on the Evernote icon I just configured a new tab in my browser will automatically open and I will be automatically logged into the application using the credential entered at the configuration stage.
So that’s the basics of what’s included for free with Office 365, Azure and the single sign in portal. Is there more that you can do? Sure is, but that will have to wait for an upcoming blog post. | {
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Now FoodsVitamin D-3 is a dietary supplement which contains 2,000 IU of cholecalciferol in each capsule.
Vitamin D3 – is one of the substances we need for the proper functioning. It is one of the vitamins soluble in fat. It is the only vitamin which has steroid structure, is produces from cholesterol, just like the steroid hormones, such as testosterone or cortisol. In the body system, it undergoes multistage transformations. The initial form of cholecalciferol, which is transported to the liver, is converted to calcidiol, and then to the active calcitriol in the kidneys.
Modulation of the immune system functionsVitamin D promotes the reduction in symptoms associated with the impaired functioning of the immune system, such as asthma or atopic dermatitis. It can shorten the time of colds, as it supports the fight against infections. It contributes also to the reduction in the risk of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, which is interesting information as the number of autoimmune disease cases is nowadays growing.
Strong bonesVitamin D plays an important role in bones development and their good condition. This is because of the positive influence on bone-forming cells, referred to as osteoblasts, whose membranes are rich in vitamin D receptors. Their activation allows for more effective division and faster maturation.
Not to mention the influence on the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous, because it is the most important characteristic of vitamin D, and this is a feature we have known the vitamin for since the time of its discovery. The vitamin allows for the more effective transport of the elements mentioned, from the gastrointestinal lumen into the bloodstream, and then for their smoother distribution in the body. Thanks to vitamin D we can also maintain the proper calcium level, because of the reduction in the release of the parathormone which draws calcium out of bone tissue.
Impact on sport condition
Physically active people can be interested in the potential growth in the level of hormone which is particularly important in sports, testosterone. The increase in the level of this steroid means smoother muscle regeneration after training and stronger anabolism, which results in faster sport progression. Vitamin D participates also in the regeneration of muscle functions, and the proper control over muscles is one of the basic elements of success in sports. The studies conducted by the researchers demonstrate also smoother regeneration of muscle fibres damaged due to training.
Protection of the nervous system and mood improvement
Efficient nervous system is essential not only for general well-being and maintenance of cognitive functions, but also for the proper control over the body during the whole life, because any dysfunctions of this system can result in epilepsy, essential tremor or neuropathic pain. In this aspect, protective effects of vitamin D consist mainly in the modulation of calcium channels functions in neurons, which inhibits excitotoxic influence of glutamate due to excessive activation of NMDA receptors in the brain.
It has been demonstrated that vitamin D deficiencies are related to the frequency of depressive disorders; once the deficiency is complemented the researchers reported significant improvement in subjective assessment of life quality and well-being. The researchers indicate also a potential influence of low level of the vitamin on the deterioration in sleep quality, which negatively affects mood during the day, as lack of sleep and regeneration undoubtedly deteriorate the joy of life.
Healthy heart and blood vessels
Maintaining the proper concentration of vitamin D in the body system allows for a reduction in inflammations responsible for atherogenesis, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and infarction. Scientific research has demonstrated that supplementation of this vitamin can reduce the number of cardiovascular diseases. Due to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, the product can be beneficial also for people struggling with too high blood pressure.
Insulin sensitivity and diabetes
The resistance of cells to insulin action can cause much damage in the body system, because of excessive glycation, caused by too high concentration of glucose in blood, and potential growth of adipose tissue whose excess can increase inflammations because of produced cytokines.
Similarly to other ailments, the researchers reported inverse correlation between the concentration of vitamin D in blood, insulin sensitivity level and the risk of diabetes. The supplementation can contribute to the improvement in many indicators of metabolic health. They include fasting insulin level, test result after glucose load and HOMA index.
Now FoodsVitamin D-3 is recommended to everyone who struggles with vitamin D deficiency, especially if it was confirmed by blood tests. It will be also beneficial for people struggling with fragility of bones and teeth, immune system disorders or depression. It is a perfect preventive healthcare in the cold period, as it complements the level of vitamin which cannot be produced by skin due to the lack of sunlight.
Now FoodsVitamin D-3 is a dietary supplement which contains 2,000 IU of cholecalciferol in each capsule.
Vitamin D3 – is one of the substances we need for the proper functioning. It is one of the vitamins soluble in fat. It is the only vitamin which has steroid structure, is produces from cholesterol, just like the steroid hormones, such as testosterone or cortisol. In the body system, it undergoes multistage transformations. The initial form of cholecalciferol, which is transported to the liver, is converted to calcidiol, and then to the active calcitriol in the kidneys.
Modulation of the immune system functionsVitamin D promotes the reduction in symptoms associated with the impaired functioning of the immune system, such as asthma or atopic dermatitis. It can shorten the time of colds, as it supports the fight against infections. It contributes also to the reduction in the risk of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, which is interesting information as the number of autoimmune disease cases is nowadays growing.
Strong bonesVitamin D plays an important role in bones development and their good condition. This is because of the positive influence on bone-forming cells, referred to as osteoblasts, whose membranes are rich in vitamin D receptors. Their activation allows for more effective division and faster maturation.
Not to mention the influence on the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous, because it is the most important characteristic of vitamin D, and this is a feature we have known the vitamin for since the time of its discovery. The vitamin allows for the more effective transport of the elements mentioned, from the gastrointestinal lumen into the bloodstream, and then for their smoother distribution in the body. Thanks to vitamin D we can also maintain the proper calcium level, because of the reduction in the release of the parathormone which draws calcium out of bone tissue.
Impact on sport condition
Physically active people can be interested in the potential growth in the level of hormone which is particularly important in sports, testosterone. The increase in the level of this steroid means smoother muscle regeneration after training and stronger anabolism, which results in faster sport progression. Vitamin D participates also in the regeneration of muscle functions, and the proper control over muscles is one of the basic elements of success in sports. The studies conducted by the researchers demonstrate also smoother regeneration of muscle fibres damaged due to training.
Protection of the nervous system and mood improvement
Efficient nervous system is essential not only for general well-being and maintenance of cognitive functions, but also for the proper control over the body during the whole life, because any dysfunctions of this system can result in epilepsy, essential tremor or neuropathic pain. In this aspect, protective effects of vitamin D consist mainly in the modulation of calcium channels functions in neurons, which inhibits excitotoxic influence of glutamate due to excessive activation of NMDA receptors in the brain.
It has been demonstrated that vitamin D deficiencies are related to the frequency of depressive disorders; once the deficiency is complemented the researchers reported significant improvement in subjective assessment of life quality and well-being. The researchers indicate also a potential influence of low level of the vitamin on the deterioration in sleep quality, which negatively affects mood during the day, as lack of sleep and regeneration undoubtedly deteriorate the joy of life.
Healthy heart and blood vessels
Maintaining the proper concentration of vitamin D in the body system allows for a reduction in inflammations responsible for atherogenesis, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and infarction. Scientific research has demonstrated that supplementation of this vitamin can reduce the number of cardiovascular diseases. Due to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, the product can be beneficial also for people struggling with too high blood pressure.
Insulin sensitivity and diabetes
The resistance of cells to insulin action can cause much damage in the body system, because of excessive glycation, caused by too high concentration of glucose in blood, and potential growth of adipose tissue whose excess can increase inflammations because of produced cytokines.
Similarly to other ailments, the researchers reported inverse correlation between the concentration of vitamin D in blood, insulin sensitivity level and the risk of diabetes. The supplementation can contribute to the improvement in many indicators of metabolic health. They include fasting insulin level, test result after glucose load and HOMA index.
Now FoodsVitamin D-3 is recommended to everyone who struggles with vitamin D deficiency, especially if it was confirmed by blood tests. It will be also beneficial for people struggling with fragility of bones and teeth, immune system disorders or depression. It is a perfect preventive healthcare in the cold period, as it complements the level of vitamin which cannot be produced by skin due to the lack of sunlight.
Directions for use
Dosage
One capsule once a day, during a meal.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MUSCLE-ZONE EXPERTJakub kola
Sunshine vitamin, a true elixir of life. In an ideal world you could spend all day in the sun and thus naturally take care of the level of vitamin D3 in the body. Unfortunately, in our country it is rather impossible. But fortunately we have supplements. Deficiencies of vitamin D3 in our climate are very common, so regular supplementation should be a part of taking care of our own health. According to the manufacturer's suggested dose is 1 tablet per day. It amounts are a little understated. Adults, the elderly and obese should increase the dose to 2 or 4 capsules per day, at least during the period from September to April, when the sun is the least and the natural synthesis of vitamin D-3 is inhibited. Vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, so it must be taken with a meal containing fat. Vitamin D3 combined with vitamin K2. This prevents osteoporosis.
Manufacturer
Now Foods is a company with years of experience in the industry that offers a wide range of nutrients and dietary supplements. Brand is known for its high-quality products designed for hair and nails and supplements supporting the immune system. The offer includes the antioxidant supplements, antibacterial supplements, reducing appetite supplements, products supporting the reduction of body fat and improving digestion. All products are made from natural ingredients.
Vitamin D
Information
Vitamin D belongs to fat soluble vitamins, occurs in three forms: calciferol (vitamin D1) ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), it is formed under the action of sunlight for at least 15 minutes per day. In the absence of sunlight it should be administered in the diet in the form of fish oil (Vitamin A + D3) and fish oils. It is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It is the building substance of bone tissue particularly necessary during pregnancy, childhood, and for athletes. It is a component of dietary supplements and nutrients among competetive athletes. Deficiency of vitamin D causes children growth inhibition, and rickets.For adults - deficiency causes osteomalacia.
Excess of vitamin D causes headaches, alopecia, nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, pain in the long bones, the deposition of calcium deposits.
Dosage: 400 IU units during the day.
Lanolin
Information
Lanolin is obtained in the process of cleaning of raw sheep wool from the so-called wool fat, protecting it from getting wet and unbeneficial weather conditions.
Lanolin is commonly used for the production of ointments and creams with lubricating and softening effect, however, it also found application in the production of dietary supplements and more precisely vitamin D3.
In order to obtain vitamin D3 from lanolin, it undergoes cleaning and crystallization and then proper chemical processes, as a result of which 7-dehydrocholesterol is produced - a precursor of vitamin D3, the same which is produced in skin under the influence of UV radiation. 7-dehydrorocholesterol obtained from lanolin is then subjected to the above mentioned radiation, being transformed to vitamin D3. | {
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
nihilism [ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnē-] n. 1. a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless; a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths; total rejection of established laws and institutions; belief in nothing; 2. the denial of all real existence or the possibility of an objective basis for truth.
[Etymology: German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing]
In the sense that a nihilist "believes in nothing," I doubt any thinking human being has ever been or ever will be one. A person might disavow ("refuse to accept; reject as unjust") established laws and institutions, but only because he believes that there is something better. The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, rejected modern institutions and used assasination and terrorism to affect them. He didn't mail pipe bombs to scientists because he believed in nothing. He wanted to annihilate ("reduce to nothing; destroy utterly") technology, because he believed scientific progress was destroying the planet.
A person who believes all forms of government are oppressive and that human beings would get along better living in a state of nature could be a nihilist, in the sense he rejects established laws and institutions. But if that's his endgame, he's more of an anarchist. From my point of view, anarchists, though they do have a cool symbol, are idiots. Take a look at countries like Somalia, where government completely collapsed. Life became much worse under anarchy. Thomas Hobbes famously wrote in Leviathan, life in a state of nature is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." In Federalist 51, James Madison made clear his belief that human beings, left to their own devices, are not selfless enough to permit anarchy: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
Christian fundamentalist often characterize the irreligious as nihilists or believers in nothing. They evangelize ("preach the gospel") that if there were no God and no afterlife, that life on Earth would mean nothing and that there would be no reason to behave morally. Because they believe God is watching over them (and everyone else), and that He will reward those who behave in the manner He has prescribed (according to their scripture), they believe they must accept God and behave morally and that the meaning of life on Earth is wrapped up in the hope for an eternal life in Heaven. From that perspective, all truth and morality flows from acceptance of their God; and thus rejection of their God is belief in nothing and amoral ("having no moral restraints or principles"). Of course, atheists (and followers of non-Christian religions) don't believe in nothing. Atheists (generally) believe in the scientific explanation of life on Earth and see themselves and all creatures as a part of an evolving planet. Like Christians, they may or may not behave morally. While their moral compass won't be based on religious dogma ("a system of tenets and principles, as of a church"), their moral actions follow a similar pattern of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. An atheist doesn't behave morally in order to receive a reward in the afterlife. Rather, he is kind to others because it feels good to him and because he knows over time that other people will tend to be kind to him in return. The meaning of life on Earth to an atheist is sui generis ("unique") to the individual. Because he does not believe in Heaven, he might believe it more important to make the most out of every day he has. His "afterlife" might be seen in the good works he accomplishes and in the people he affects who live on after him and go on to affect even more people.
Outside of philosophical discussions, the word nihilism isn't commonly used. However, its relative, annihilate, is an everyday word, in reference to actual wars or to sports metaphors for wars. For example, this headline about a recent NBA basketball game read, "Magic annihilate Kings with league-record 23 treys." During the recent war between Palestinians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip, the Arab and far left media portrayed Israel's aim as an annihilation of the Palestinians. Counterpunch: "... the Israeli government's heavily trained and armed military continues its march of death and destruction. ... then there will be a siege to weaken the enemy garrison; then the assault that conquers the position and annihilates the enemy ... And the enemy garrison that they want to weaken with the siege that is spread out all over Gaza is the Palestinian population that lives there. And the assault will seek to annihilate that population." By contrast, Melanie Phillips, writing in the British newspaper, The Spectator, claims enemies of Israel casually call for the annihilation of the Jewish State: "I am standing in a queue waiting to buy a train ticket from London to Canterbury. A well-dressed lady standing behind me informs her friend that she ‘can’t wait till Israel disappears off the face of the earth.’ What struck me was not her intense hostility to Israel but the mild-mannered, matter-of-fact tone with which she announced her wish for the annihilation of a nation."
Friday, January 30, 2009
termagant [ˈtər-mə-gənt]n. 1. a violent, turbulent or brawling woman; 2. (cap.) a deity erroneously ascribed to Islam by medieval European Christians and represented in early English drama as a violent character; a mythical deity popularly believed in the Middle Ages to be worshipped by the Muslims and introduced into the morality play as a violent, overbearing personage in long robes; 3. (adj.) violent, turbulent, brawling, shrewish.
[Origin: from French name given to mythical Muslim god: Termagaunt]
Although it too is not in common usage today, shrew ("a woman of violent temper and speech") is better known than its near synonym, termagant. Both words are familiar to readers of Shakespeare.
Near the end of Part One of Henry IV (Act V, Scene IV), Falstaff (a jolly, fat and unscrupulous knight) bellows, "Embowelled! if thou embowel me to-day, I'll give you leave to powder me and eat me too to-morrow. 'Sblood,'twas time to counterfeit, or that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot too."
The termagant Scot that Falstaff is referring to is a man, Archibald, the 4th Earl of Douglas. So why did termagant come to mean an aggressive or violent woman? Because in morality plays of the Middle Ages, the stock Termagant character was always depicted in long, flowing feminine gowns. English audiences got the idea that the Termagant character, though portrayed by male actors, was female. As a result, termagant came to mean a shrewish woman who was a common scold ("a woman who scolds with loud and abusive speech").
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Act III, Scene II), Hamlet speaks the word in its capitalized sense, as a (mythical and supremely violent) Muslim deity: "O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the cars of the groundlings, who (for the most part) are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I would have such a fellow whipp'd for o'erdoing Termagant. It out-herods Herod. Pray you avoid it."
For reference, periwig-pated means he was wearing a powdered wig on his head of the sort that were fashionable starting in the time of Shakespeare (early 1600s) and ending in the age of George Washington, when they went out of style. Groundlings were members of the audience who sat in the cheap seats. And Herod, viewed from the Christian perspective, was an evil king of Judea who, according to Matthew 2:16-18, ordered the killing of all male children two years old and younger in the village of Bethlehem, in order to prevent losing his throne to a newborn King of the Jews (Jesus of Nazareth), whose birth had been announced to him by the Magi. (Of course, this story in Matthew is entirely fictional.)
Insofar as we disparage a woman of loud and violent temperament today, we refer to her as a bitch ("female dog"). Alanis Morisette sings, "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother;" Snoop Dogg raps, "So all my bitches and my niggaz and my niggaz and my bitches, Wave your motherfuckin hands in the air;" and Eminem croons, "Bitch, please - you must have a mental disease, Assume the position and get back down on your knees." That much bitching gets old. Might I suggest to contemporary performers that they occasionally substitute shrew or termagant for bitch?
Risible is an excellent word that is not in common usage. I don't know why. Most people are risible. That is, they love to laugh. The only other English word I know directly related to risible is its noun form, risibility ("the ability or disposition to laugh; humorous awareness of the ridiculous and absurd").
Risible is not related to rise ("to get up from a lying, sitting, or kneeling posture"). When someone gets a rise out of you, he's not making you laugh. Rather, he's provoking anger or irritation.
I once had a roommate who was inordinately risible. He laughed all the time. He wasn't crazy. He was joyous ("experiencing, causing, or showing joy"). It was fun to watch a sitcom with him, because he laughed out loud at every opportunity. His laughter was infectious. I was happier around him. Sophisticates ("people who have a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience") scoff at television shows that employ a laugh track or a live audience that laughs at every joke, funny or not. I don't share that prejudice. All else held equal, a TV comedy is better to watch when you have others laughing along with you. Of course, if the show is not funny, canned laughter won't change that. But a laugh track will make watching a funny show more pleasurable.
Before the last of laugh -- its etymology is traced back to an onomatopoeic origin in Sanskrit, kakhati, but made it to English, 1557, by way of Anglian hlæhhan, earlier hlihhan, from Germanic klakhjanan -- there a number of good synonyms or near-synonyms to list: cacchination ("rauccous laughter"); cackle ("a loud laugh suggestive of a hen's cackle"); chortle ("a snorting, joyful laugh or chuckle"); chuckle ("to laugh quietly or to oneself"); gale ("a state of excitement, passion, or hilarity brought on by laughter); giggle ("to laugh with repeated short, spasmodic sounds"); guffaw ("a coarse laughter"); howl ("a loud, scornful laugh or yell"); roar ("to laugh loudly or boisterously"); snicker ("to laugh in a half-suppressed, indecorous or disrespectful manner."); snigger ("a disrespectful laugh"); tee-hee ("a sound made in imitation of a giggle or titter"); and titter ("to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement").
Evert is not a common word. Yet, you would think it would be. We commonly turn things inside out, but rarely would someone say, "After washing my socks, I everted them and set them on the line to dry." Perhaps the reason we don't use evert is because invert ("to reverse the position, order, or condition of") is such a close synonym.
I doubt the surname of former tennis champion Chris Evert derives from its lower-case homonym. Last names are often odd versions of other words. Miss Evert's name might well be regional English for "effort" or some other similar sounding word.
The most common use of eversion is with bizarre animals that turn themselves inside out as a form of defense. Sea cucumbers, for example, evert themselves and eject their internal organs in order to discourage other animals from consuming them. I once had the displeasure of eating a sea cucumber at a Chinese restaurant. It had no flavor, but felt like a big hunk of mucus in my mouth.
Extroversion means much the same thing. It is used medically, for example, when a person's eyelids are turned inside out -- that is extroversion.
While evert is a good word we don't use much, everyday English is loaded with common terms containing the same -vert root. They include: avert ("to turn away; to prevent"); convert ("to change something into another form, substance, state, or product; transform; to persuade or induce to adopt a particular religion, faith, or belief); covert ("not openly practiced, avowed, engaged in, accumulated, or shown"); culvert ("a sewer or drain crossing under a road or embankment"); divert ("to turn aside from a course or direction; to entertain by distracting the attention from worrisome thoughts or cares; amuse"); extrovert ("an outgoing person, concerned with things outside himself"); introvert ("a person concered with his inner thoughts"); overt ("open and observable; not hidden, concealed, or secret"); pervert ("to cause to turn away from what is right, proper, or good; corrupt; to interpret incorrectly; misconstrue or distort"); revert ("to return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief; Law, to return to the former owner"); and subvert ("to destroy completely; ruin; to undermine the character, morals, or allegiance of; corrupt").
There are also a number of less common -vert words in our lexicon. They include: advert to ("to turn attention to; to call attention to, as with an advertisement"); ambivert ("a person with personality characteristics found in both an extrovert and an introvert"); controvert ("to raise arguments against; voice opposition to"); intervert ("to turn to another course or use"); and obvert ("to turn so as to present another side or aspect to view").
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
tabernaclen. 1. any place or house of worship, esp. one designed for a large congregation; 2. (often initial capital letter) the portable sanctuary in use by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt to the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon. Ex. 25–27; 3. Ecclesiastical: an ornamental receptacle for the reserved Eucharist, now generally found on the altar; 4. a canopied niche or recess, as for an image or icon; 5. a temporary dwelling or shelter, as a tent or hut. 6. a dwelling place; 7. the human body as the temporary abode of the soul; 8. Nautical: A boxlike support in which the heel of a mast is stepped.
Growing up, the only use of tabernacle I ever heard was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It never occurred to me that in that context Tabernacle was a synonym for temple ("any place or house of worship, esp. one designed for a large congregation"). Vaguely, I had heard of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. I don't recall anyone ever referring to it as the Mormon Tabernacle.
I also was unaware that the word tavern ("a place where liquors are sold to be consumed on the premises; a bar") is related to tabernacle, in that both are, in different ways, inns.
While tabernacle has sprouted a number of offspring meanings, they all have their genesis (pardon the pun) in Exodus 25, where it appears when God is having a chat with Moses, instructing him on his duties of a prophet.
God talking: "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."
Because it sounds so much like the vulgar term for feces, the wood from which God wanted Moses to make both the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant ("the chest containing the Ten Commandments written on stone tablets, carried by the Hebrews during their desert wanderings") sounds funny: It's called shittim [SHIT-im] and it comes from the shittah [SHIT-uh] tree, a type of acacia.
God: "And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof."
A cubit ("an ancient unit of linear measure, originally equal to the length of the forearm from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow, or about 17 to 22 inches") was the standard measure of its day. Using the forearm sounds like an odd standard, unless you compare it to what we use, a foot.
Getting back to tabernacle, it turns out there is an annual Jewish holiday called the Feast of Tabernacles. Growing up, as a Jew, I don't remember this name. However, reading about it, I realize that's because we called it Sukkahs (pronounced SOOK-us, rhymes with LOOK-us, and meaning "booths"). In Hebrew, the holiday should be called Sukkoth (SUE-coat), which is translated Feast of Booths or Feast Tabernacles. It comes less than a week after Yom Kippur ("the day of atonement") in the autumn. My clearest memory of Sukkahs was being forced to build small huts out of twigs and leaves and junk like that. While Sukkas (or Feast of Tabernacles) is a remembrance of the story of Exodus, it is also a celebration of the fall harvest, and involves eating fresh foods that are harvested at that time of year. I have heard that Sukkahs was the inspiration for the Pilgrims' original Thanksgiving.
Pop culture reference: "On the new hit reality series, Evangelical Survivor, host Jeff Ross divided the cast into two teams, the Gentiles and the Goyim, and instructed each to build a tabernacle based on the design described in the Book of Exodus. Guest judge Edwin Moses deemed the Gentiles' tabernacle, which would serve as their home for the next 39 days, more Godly. Celebrating their win, the Gentiles feasted on a pig. Unfortunately, swine is trayf (Lev. 11:7), so they were all struck dead."
Monday, January 26, 2009
elinguation [ē-lin-gway-shun]n. the removal of the tongue as punishment
[Latin: ēlinguāre, ēlinguātus]
Last year, I read this story about a Muslim man in Saudi Arabia who cut out his daughter's tongue and then burned her alive, upon learning that she had become a Christian. There was a similar story out of Santa Ana, from 2005, about a 50 year old man (presumably not a Muslim) who cut his girlfriend's tongue out and let her bleed to death.
These gruesome events got me thinking about this business of elinguation, or cutting out someone's tongue. The practice goes back at least to Biblical times and was a common punishment in the Christian world as recently as 250 years ago. Proverbs 10:31 reads, "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out."
Just being froward ("stubbornly contrary and disobedient") doesn't seem like quite enough to get your tongue removed. However, my understanding is that elinguation was the normal punishment for crimes of slander, perjury and heresy.
Despite the murder of the Saudi Christian, it's not clear to me that Islamic Law calls for elinguation -- at least not in modern times. However, I know that the Muslim prescription for theft is cutting off the hand. And countries like Iran still have stoning and crucifixion for various offenses.
Most of them employing the suffix -tomy ("a cutting"), we have a long list of words for cutting off various body parts, though not usually for penal reasons. For example, when Lorena Bobbitt chopped off her husband's unit, that was a penectomy. The act of cutting off your own penis is autopenectomy. If a surgeon removes a woman's ovaries, that is gonadectomy. For a male, gonadectomy has a common synonym, castration, and a more medical one, orchiectomy.
A hundred years and more ago, castration was common enough for young boys, that opera companies and other choir groups often had a class of high-pitched male singers called castrati. Technically, they were not eunuchs ("a castrated man employed as a harem attendant in the Orient"), because castrati were chopped off entirely to maintain their boyish singing voices. The etymology of eunuch defines the word. From Greek, eune means bed or place of sleeping, while -ouchos means keeping or attending to. Thus, a eunuch is "one who attends to a place of sleeping, such as a bedchamber."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
thrumv. to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, esp. in an idle, monotonous or unskillful manner.n. a thrumming sound.
[1592, from the noun (1553), of imitative origin.]
It's hard to not imitate the sound an acoustic guitar when you pronounce the word thrum, especially if you hold that emm. Onomatopoeia ("the formation of a word by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent") is fun. Bang! Boom! Poof!
A near-synonym for thrum, and more commonly in use, is the word strum ("to play on a stringed instrument by running the fingers lightly across the strings"). While strum doesn't qualify as onomatopoeia, it has an interesting origin: Strum was formed by combining string and thumb.
The guitar-word thrum has a homonym ("a word the same as another in sound and spelling but different in meaning"). The other thrum is "a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed." That thrum is not onomatopoetic. It showed up in English in the 1300s, about 200 years before the onomatopoeia was coined. It came from an Old English suffix -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the tongue), and is related to Old High German trumme, meaning drum.
Noesis is a usable word that nobody uses. It can be a synonym for cognition ("the mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment"). However, noesis is a bit narrower than that. It requires "the exercise of reason," where cognition can simply be awareness.
I think of noesis as the opposite of intuition ("the act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes"). A juror is supposed to use noesis, not intuition, in reaching his determination. But a lot of ordinary people, people who serve on juries, are unreasonable. They look at a defendant and decide if he's guilty. A lot of times, that intuition, is based on prejudice ("a judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts"). If a juror is partial toward the police, for example, he might accept as true whatever a cop testifies, even if other evidence contradicts or disproves that.
Most religious opinions are formed this way: without noesis. Instead of asking questions, considering all known facts, logical arguments and other possible explanations, the religious shuts down his mind and relies on faith ("belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence"), not noesis. Acceptance of the Christian trinity ("the union of three divine persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one God") requires faith, not noesis. The same illogic applies to believing that the Bible is the word of God, that Joseph Smith found some cockamamie gold plates and translated them into the Book of Mormon, which again is supposed to be the word of God, or that Allah literally dictated the Koran to Mohammed.
People who are congenitally incapable of noesis, I don't blame for their irrationality. However, I think a lot of people, otherwise smart, are lazy when it comes to exercising reason and intelligently examining what it is they believe. It's easier to hold on to myths one learned as a child than rock the boat and use judgment. Because we live in a religious world, people who take mythology to task are outcasts, decried, ironically, as prejudiced against faith. Instead of going up against that tide of opinion, it's easier to never examine religious beliefs using noesis.
Friday, January 23, 2009
I guess the tradition of reading a poem at a president's inaugural goes back to Robert Frost at JFK's swearing in. Before Obama invited Elizabeth Alexander to read her "poem" this week, the only other one I recall was the super-blowhard Maya Angelou at Bill Clinton's first inaugural: "A Rock, A River, A Tree; Hosts to species long since departed; Marked the mastodon." What a lousy country we are if we cannot call that crap crap.
Generally speaking, poetry sucks. American poetry. Spanish poetry. Swahili poetry. For every good poem there are ten thousand bad ones -- words thrown together haphazardly, making little sense. If Jackson Pollock had been a writer and not an "artist," he would have been a poet.
I re-realized how much I hate poetry when Ms. Alexander recited "Praise Song for the Day" at Obama's swearing-in on Tuesday. In the way that rap artists sample previously recorded music, her trite rendition made me think she was sampling from television, movies and books:
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each other’s eyes or not, about to speak or speaking."
All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Now she's stealing almost word for word from Dom DeLillo's overrated novel, White Noise. (That book has its moments. The language is playful and the whole Hitler Studies bit is funny. But the plot goes nowhere, the characters are dull and as a slice of life, it rings false. Despite its failings, I am told Lit majors in college today are forced to read it. That says a lot about the yokels teaching Literature.)
Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
A woman and her son wait for the bus. A farmer considers the changing sky. A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.
I'm trying to remember which 1970s TV commercial she stole that image from. I'd prefer, "An Italian actor, dressed up, to look like. An American Indian Chief, stands over a highway, and cries. When he sees whitey, polluting."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed, words to consider, reconsider.
"You're traveling through another dimension -- a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Poem Zone!"
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of some one and then others, who said I need to see what’s on the other side. I know there’s something better down the road.
I can't recall which actor said that line first. It was either Corky in Life Goes On. Or Benny in L.A. Law. Too bad we don't have more retards on TV these days.
We need to find a place where we are safe. We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Mr. Magoo was always walking into that which he could not yet see.
Say it plain: that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Dolly Parton, fake boobs and all, said it better: "Working nine to five, what a way to make living; Barely getting by, it's all taking and no giving. They just use your mind, and they never give you credit. It's enough to drive you crazy, if you let it."
Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.
Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself, others by first do no harm or take no more than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?
Speaking of Love -- Reggie Love, the former Duke Blue Devil, who played on the 2001 championship team that featured Carlos Boozer, Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Jr., Chris Duhon, and Dahntay Jones, is a close friend, basketball buddy and bodyguard of the president. On Obama's court, certainly, the mightiest word is Love.
Love beyond marital, filial, national, love that casts a widening pool of light, love with no need to pre-empt grievance.
Love American Style! My favorite episode was the pilot for Happy Days. It featured Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Marion Ross as Marion, and Anson Williams as Potsie. The actors who played Howard, Joanie and Richie's brother Chuck were all different from those who made it onto the series.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
Except for a sentence which is worth writing, apparently.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp, praise song for walking forward in that light.
I recall, after Sarah Palin did not screw up terribly in her vice-presidential debate with Joe Biden, the idiots on Fox News praised her "great performance." She exceeded expectations. But to me, Sarah Palin was, at best, Tracy Flick, the pretentious high school chick played by Reese Witherspoon -- brilliantly -- in Election. I doubt Tracy Flick would have composed a less original poem than Ms. Alexander did.
[Middle English cokewald, from Anglo-Norman cucuald, from cucu, the cuckoo, from Vulgar Latin cucclus, from Latin cuclus.]
The least interesting thing about the word cuckold is its interesting etymology. It derives from the cuckoo bird, which is known for laying its eggs in the nests of another bird, throwing away the other birds's eggs, and leaving its cuckoo eggs to be cared for by the resident nesters. Going back to the Romans, I guess, the cuckoo's nesting routine was seen as an act of infidelity to her chicks and mate, not even raising his offspring.
The more interesting thing to me is that the word cuckold is so uncommon to most contemporary English speakers. It's just something we don't give much thought to: a woman who cheats on her husband. My guess is that in our culture, the vast majority of married women are faithful to their husbands; and when a woman is not, her infidelity is not seen as being his failing, because in Anglo-Saxon countries, husbands don't own their wives, the way they do in some other cultures.
It also interests me that we have another word, cornuto, which means exactly the same thing. I'm not sure when cornuto came into English -- it comes from Italian, meaning one who is horned -- but having a second word for this same phenomenon suggests to me that back in the old days married Englishmen were more worried about being cuckolded than they are today.
In contrast to the unfamiliarity of cuckold, the word cabrón in Spanish, particularly in a macho country like Mexico, is commonplace. No Spanish speaker is unfamiliar with it. Literally, a cabrón is a cuckold. They are synonymous. For a macho, the idea that his wife would be unfaithful to him is the height of insult. She is his property. For her to sleep with another man makes her a slut and him worse than a fool. Figuratively, cabrón has other meanings in Spanish. With a negative inflection, it can mean jerk or asshole or son-of-a-bitch or any other type of generally bad guy: "Ay, cabrón." But said to a friend, in a joking manner -- and this is its most common usage -- cabrón means buddy. Because it literally is a put-down, you would not casually call someone cabrón if he was not really a close friend, not really your buddy.
One final thought on the cuckold idea: what do you call a woman whose husband cheats on her? I don't think we have a word for that in English. I don't know if any language has such a word. Historically speaking, it's like having a word for a dog whose owner pets someone else's mutt. That dog may feel cheated, but we don't give a damn about his feelings. It's our language, not his. | {
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Let’s be fair on Zionism
You cannot evaluate Zionism through a Zionist Lens
Let me take it from a “Christian Perspective” to make an example. One that is fair. Honest as well. Let us pretend we are speaking of “Southern Baptists”. Let’s put it into that realm.
Let’s say that “Southern Baptists” got control (somehow) of the State of Alabama. They had in power the State Governor and the State Legislative Branch, and they felt that was not enough. They felt they should be treated in Alabama as a Country.
As well, they felt they spoke for “All Christians” and that all Christians should come to the State of Alabama and settle there. Even the Presbyterians should bow to the leadership of the Southern Baptists, and accept their rule, and their philosophy, although (at first at least) they should be allowed to practice and believe in their “Sect Belief” of being a Presbyterian.
Yet this not being enough (as they needed more), they promoted that “Christians Worldwide” were being attacked, and that they “Stood For and Protected” all Christians! To be Anti-Southern Baptist, would, in fact, be “Anti-Christian”.
The Southern Baptists went further (let’s say) and were able to take control of over 90% of the Media. They got control of the Federal Reserve. They got control of leaders, through manipulation and bribes in other States and Countries as well. Always promoting that to be against their efforts was to be “in fact” Anti-Christian.
As outrageous as this seems, that is the story of Zionism
It continues with the influence inside of North America and the spread of their Scofield Bible. Making way of course, for their influence in the Churches of North America, and their promotion of the harm done to them by Anti-Semitism which was nothing more than a “hoodwink”.
Yet for a fair evaluation, I have a link to a video. Calm, and to the point, looking at both sides of the issue (from Churchill on mostly) and explaining the “positive promotions” of Zionism from that of even Churchill, I present: | {
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Description
RYDAR is an ultimate assistant for Uber® driver-partners. Earn more, save time, plan your work in advance and navigate to the best pick-up spots!
MAXIMIZE EARNINGS
Use surge alerts for your type of Uber car to get the highest-paid trips. Check info about surge on the map, and follow alerts about surge increase and decrease within selected area.
NAVIGARE WISELY
RYDAR will show you where your riders hang out. And more – it will suggest you where to go right now to get the highest-paid trips.
PLAN YOUR WORK
View the list of upcoming music and sports events for the next 3 months, add the most interesting of them to your schedule and get alerts when it’s time to drive there and pick up riders who head home.
MANAGE FINANCES
Track your miles automatically and easily add rideshare-specific expenses. RYDAR ensures accurate capture of every trip even in the background and offline, automatic classification and provides detailed IRS-ready reports.
Features
• Wait points: Perfect destination spots suggested by sophisticated algorithms. Head there to pick up riders and get the highest-paid trips.
• Hotspots: Places where riders called for a car yesterday, the day before and will call today based on the history of pick-ups.
• Surge: Push notifications when surge increases and decreases nearby.
• Events: Calendar of big upcoming events and ability to add them to your schedule.
• Expenses: Easy way to add all rideshare-specific expenses.
• Mileage tracker: Convenient way to track your business and personal trips and calculate tax deductions.
• Uber® Driver API: Official API provided by Uber for your convenience.
We’re constantly working to improve the app and make your rideshare trips even more effective. Please stay in touch and share your feedback and suggestions with us:
Support email: [email protected]
Website: https://rydar.io
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RYDARapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RYDARapp
Note: RYDAR may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life.
Subscription info: RYDAR is free to download and use for 2 weeks. After this period, you can use limited version of the app or choose between Pro and Premium subscriptions. Pro subscription gives access to events, surge info and alerts, wait points and calendar. Premium subscription also includes mileage & expenses tracker.
- Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase.
- Subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.
- Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal.
- You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your Account Settings after purchase.
- Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription.
- The cost of subscription to RYDAR is 100% tax-deductible as a business-related expense.
Permissions: RYDAR requires access to your location even when you’re not using the app for the purpose of tracking all your trips and providing relevant info about surge rates near you. Access to your Motion Activity is necessary to correctly capture when your trip starts and finishes using the sensors in your phone. You can also enable RYDAR to send you notifications about surge price change and start of events, but this is optional.
! RYDAR is not a financial advisor. All information provided by the app is for educational purposes only. Please seek advice from qualified tax professionals.
RYDAR is not affiliated with Uber, and any statements made here are made by RYDAR and not by Uber. Uber is not responsible for any products or services of RYDAR. When you download and use RYDAR, you agree to the Privacy Policy https://rydar.io/policy and Terms of Use https://rydar.io/terms.
Screenshots
Reviews
App is dead
1
By Henronavy
Needs to updated to reflect flat rate surge.
Used to be great
1
By Mystra627
Rydar used to be a perfect tool. Now it won't even open, it crashes at the loading screen. I keep it on my phone in hopes of an update but after seven months I think it's time to go.
Radar
1
By nfruberdrivrr
Terrible dont pay for this junk this is the worst crap ever. Asking for $$$ cash at each miserable step and never getting any usage worth a praise
Doesnt work as advertised
1
By Sai 803
I never get notifications when the surge is in my area after I paid for the premium subscription. I’ve tried reaching out to them but the only form of contact is thru email. Which could take days to weeks for a response. I’m currently being charge for something I don’t want or need as of now it’s useless!! Help!!!
perfect
5
By swister1142
a requirement if goal = efficient resourceful uber driver...100% not in question
Needs updating but good app and worth it
4
By JimmyZ123
Needs a little updating. Would like to see the expense app updated and have the ability to take pics of receipts. Also many times the default is personal for milage and I have to go back in a change them to business. Need a better or faster way to pick business or personal for mileage tracker. Over hall good app and it works just fine. I think over time with updates and it will be a five star hands down
Not Great!!! Should be more information updated in real time
3
By benpaul35
Should be updated!!!
Totally useless
1
By jj58225
Save your money.
Doesn’t incorporate Lyft, doesn’t show routes, the only thing useful it does is alert you to surge opportunities, but I’ve never benefited from that. | {
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The Earth-Atmosphere Energy Balance
The earth-atmosphere energy balance is the balance between incoming energy from the Sun and outgoing energy from the Earth. Energy released from the Sun is emitted as shortwave light and ultraviolet energy. When it reaches the Earth, some is reflected back to space by clouds, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some is absorbed at the Earth's surface.
However, since the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, its radiating energy is much weaker (long wavelength) infrared energy. We can indirectly see this energy radiate into the atmosphere as heat, rising from a hot road, creating shimmers on hot sunny days.
The earth-atmosphere energy balance is achieved as the energy received from the Sun balances the energy lost by the Earth back into space. In this way, the Earth maintains a stable average temperature and therefore a stable climate. Using 100 units of energy from the sun as a baseline the energy balance is as follows:
At the top of the atmosphere - Incoming energy from the sun balanced with outgoing energy from the earth.
Incoming energy
Outgoing energy
Units
Source
Units
Source
+100
Short wave radiation from the sun.
-23
Short wave radiation reflected back to space by clouds.
-7
Short wave radiation reflected to space by the earth's surface.
-49
Longwave radiation from the atmosphere into space.
-9
Longwave radiation from clouds into space.
-12
Longwave radiation from the earth's surface into space.
+100
Total Incoming
-100
Total Outgoing
The atmosphere itself - Energy into the atmosphere is balanced with outgoing energy from atmosphere.
Incoming energy
Outgoing energy
Units
Source
Units
Source
+19
Absorbed short wave radiation by gases in the atmosphere.
-9
Long wave radiation emitted to space by clouds.
+4
Absorbed short wave radiation by clouds.
-49
Long wave radiation emitted to space by gases in atmosphere.
+104
Absorbed longwave radiation from earth's surface.
-98
Longwave radiation emitted to earth's surface by gases in atmosphere.
+5
From convective currents (rising air warms the atmosphere).
+24
Condensation /Deposition of water vapor (heat is released into the atmosphere by process).
+156
Total Incoming
-156
Total Outgoing
At the earth's surface - Energy absorbed is balanced with the energy released.
Incoming energy
Outgoing energy
Units
Source
Units
Source
+47
Absorbed short wave radiation from the sun.
-116
Long wave radiation emitted by the surface.
+98
Absorbed longwave radiation from gases in atmosphere.
-5
Removal of heat by convection (rising warm air).
-24
Heat required by the processes of evaporation and sublimation and therefore removed from the surface.
+145
Total Incoming
-145
Total Outgoing
The absorption of infrared radiation trying to escape from the Earth back to space is particularly important to the global energy balance. Energy absorption by the atmosphere stores more energy near its surface than it would if there was no atmosphere.
The average surface temperature of the moon, which has no atmosphere, is 0°F (-18°C). By contrast, the average surface temperature of the Earth is 59°F (15°C). This heating effect is called the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse warming is enhanced during nights when the sky is overcast. Heat energy from the earth can be trapped by clouds leading to higher temperatures as compared to nights with clear skies. The air is not allowed to cool as much with overcast skies. Under partly cloudy skies, some heat is allowed to escape and some remains trapped. Clear skies allow for the most cooling to take place.
Atmosphere Topics
How cloud cover can affect nighttime temperatures
Greenhouse warming is enhanced during nights when the sky is overcast. Heat energy from the earth can be trapped by clouds leading to higher temperatures as compared to nights with clear skies. The air is not allowed to cool as much with overcast skies. Under partly cloudy skies, some heat is allowed to escape and some remains trapped. Clear skies allow for the most cooling to take place.
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910 | {
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Buddhist Dating in Ojus, FL
Match.com is the best place to search The Sunshine State for online singles. Match.com makes it easy to find Florida singles through this free personals site. Think about how much you spend on a night out at a bar. Or how much you spend on a movie and a bag of popcorn. How quickly would you give up one of these for a lifetime of love with someone special? Is it worth it? Get started now and find out for yourself! We are all born for love...Match.com was born to find love in Ojus, Florida. | {
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Support Center
What is an activation requirement?
Last Updated: May 02, 2016 04:28PM CEST
All bonuses which are given on the basis of a qualifying deposit have an activation requirement: This is the turnover required using your own withdrawable balance before you can use the bonus money. In most cases it is one-time the qualifying deposit amount.
You can use the qualifying deposit amount and the bonus amount together in one bet. If you e.g. deposit €100 and get a €20 deposit bonus, you can place a bet with a total stake of €120 as you fulfill the activation requirements with this bet. In case of a fixed odds bet however the price has to be at least 1.50. | {
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Thursday, October 26, 2006
There can't be many situations that feel more surreal than sitting at home, minding your own business, and then having Shaq Attaq bust in and falsely accuse you of being a kiddie porn freak. Alright, it didn't go down exactly like that, but still. | {
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The Corolla achieved a good three-star rating and came close to gaining four stars. The car's structure performed well in the frontal crash and the driver's door operated normally after the impact. In the side-impact test, the car's weakest aspect was protection for the driver's chest. That said, it was good enough to meet legislation to be introduced for new models in October. Pedestrian protection earned two stars. The bumper area needed work to improve protection, however. | {
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The Lipscomb Bisons and Belmont Bruins were playing for the 125th time, but the pregame buzz was this time around the game was going to be different.
The Bisons prevailed 64-53 in front of a record crowd of 5,414 fans Monday night at Allen Arena. With the win the Bisons move to 5-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. ETSU and Campbell are 4-1 in the conference.
It was the fourth win in a row for the Bisons.
Overall, the Bisons are 8-7. Belmont fell to 4-2 in the A-Sun, 9-7 overall.
“I was proud of how we played,” said Lipscomb coach Scott Sanderson. “It was a good win for us.”
It certainly lived up to that "something different" billing. As the two teams celebrated the 20th anniversary of when the game between the two rivals was first dubbed the “Battle of the Boulevard” the game proved to be more of a defensive game than an offensive one.
The Bisons shot 36.7 percent for the game, hitting 22-of-60 shots. They were three-of-23 from 3-point range, 13 percent. Belmont shot 35 percent from the field, hitting 21-of-60 tries. They were successful on only 12 percent of their shots from 3-point range, three-of-25.
“When you play those guys we know each other so well it is like a grid lock,” Sanderson said. “It is hard to get good shots on the perimeter and hard to get good shots from the low post.
“It was one of our better efforts defensively. You have to guard if you are going to shoot like we did. If we will guard like that, and play offensively the way we have been playing, then all of sudden there is a huge separation.”
In the first 20 minutes the Bisons missed all 10 of their 3-point attempts. Belmont was much better, hitting one of 11.
The Bisons shot 35.5 percent from the field, hitting 11 of 31 first half attempts. Belmont was held to 28.6 percent from the field, hitting only eight of 28 shots.
After 20 minutes the Bisons held a 25-19 lead.
“I thought we got decent shots in the first half,” Sanderson said. “We just missed them. We haven’t been 0-for-10 on 3-pointers all year long. Again, a lot of the credit goes to Belmont.”
In the second half it was more of the same for both teams.
Belmont cut the Bisons lead to six points, 29-23, with 18:41 left in the game.
The Bisons continued to control the game, twice leading by 16 points. From the 13:15 mark of the second half Belmont was never able to cut the lead to single digits. With 8:30 junior guard Josh Slater sank a pair of free throws with 8:30 remaining for a 49-33 advantage.
Belmont pulled within 10 points, 51-41 on a lay-up by guard Jon House.
The Bisons once again opened up the lead, going ahead again by 16, 61-45, on a fast break lay-up by guard Jacob Arnett.
The biggest lead for the Bisons was 19 points, 64-45, as Slater hit a pair of free throws with 2:18 left.
Belmont closed out the game with a 6-0 run.
“I told our guys to keep moving the basketball and take good shots and they would eventually drop for us,” Sanderson said. “Jordan Burgason hit a couple from the outside and then some other shots started falling for us in the second half.” | {
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Walmart and Straight Talk Wireless, America's largest no-contract cell phone provider, announced that starting on Jan. 11, customers in more than 2,000 Walmart stores and online at Walmart.com will have access to the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4 on Straight Talk's $45 no contract unlimited talk, text and data plan.
Solutions Spotlight
The responsibilities of the retail CIO can essentially be boiled down to four major roles: Business Transformer, Customer Expert and Advocate, Technology Visionary and Culture Warrior. In this e-book, Oracle chief communications officer Bob Evans examines how great retail CIOs rise to challenges of fulfilling each role, even as they inevitably gravitate toward one role over the others. | {
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Tom Crowl
Tom Crowl is a high-energy comedian and ventriloquist who brings almost 30 years of professional entertainment experience into each new performance. A rare talent, Tom is often recognized from his appearance on NBC’s Last Comic Standing as well as his performances at corporate events, associations, fairs, theaters and resorts around the world. Through the years, Tom has had the pleasure of working within a vast range of environments and has entertained crowds of fans from every walk of life. Tom has been the featured opener for recognized celebrities and high-profile acts including The Drifters, Chubby Checker, Rodney Atkins, The Marvellettes and The Diamonds. He’s been the preferred performer for events hosted by Coca-Cola, Armstrong, Oxy Permian, the National Association of Postal Supervisors and the Strathmore Foundation. He has also received accolades for his shows at resorts from Cancun to West Virginia and New York. | {
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Since 1963, from its roots in an emergency fundraising drive for the fledgling dancer Merce Cunningham (led by Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and John Cage), the Foundation for Contemporary Arts has endured as an artist-led enterprise to support other artists, with the awarding of unrestricted $40,000 grants among its primary pursuits. Winners for 2017 were announced today—they include a formidable mix of established and emerging artists, in a range of different disciplines. In addition, the FCA announced a new annual Dorothea Tanning Award to be given alongside the existing awards, this one going to the poet Liz Waldner and supported via a $1 million endowment gift from the Destina Foundation. | {
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Contact
About us
Indfloor Group was established in 2004, following several requests on behalf of beneficiaries, as well as on behalf of construction or interior design companies that needed complete and quality solutions for the completion of flooring works, irrespective of their type: sports, indoor, outdoor, industrial, PVC or epoxy floors, carpet or parquet. | {
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Geneva motor show: Hybrid Proton concept
Geneva motor show unveiling; first picture
Close
This is the first picture of a hybrid Proton concept that has been designed by the Italdesign Giugiaro studio and is said to preview a production model.
The four-seat, five-door hatchback is 3550mm in length, but Giugiaro says it is "set to revolutionise traditional segmentation in the car market" and "was developed with the aim of optimising the available onboard space and car access ergonomics". | {
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Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Iceland’s Hidden Gem
Snæfellsnes Peninsula was one of the regions I was most excited to explore. On our second day in Iceland (after a perfect day in Reykjavík), we took a day-trip to the northwest. It was a long day (at least 16 hours) but one of our favorites of the trip! We had no schedule to stick, as the sun didn’t set until midnight, and pulled off the road anytime something caught our eye (like Icelandic ponies!). Since most tourists only head south, we saw less than a dozen other travelers all day.
We spent the morning petting Icelandic ponies + baby sheep, watching ships sail by in Stykkishólmur and soaking up the sunshine with locals at Súgandisey. For lunch we tried a famous Icelandic hotdog in Stykkishólmur (I don’t like hotdogs, but they were delicious). I wanted to hike to the top of Kirkjufell, but due to time constraints we settled on splashing in Kirkjufellsfoss and enjoying the views from below.
For dinner we drove to Hótel Búðir where we saw the little Black church and hiked along the beautiful coast towards Arnarstapi + Hellnar before one of the best meals of my life (I still dream about the lamb dish). Then, we dashed across an open field in nothing but our swimsuits in search of a secret hot spring (don’t go anywhere in Iceland without a swimsuit!). When we found Landbrautalog, the sun was setting behind volcanoes + snow capped mountains… it was one of those evenings we will never forget.
Sleep: AirBNB in Reykjavík’s 101 District (Hótel Búðir didn’t have availability, otherwise we would have loved to stay there a night) | {
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Sword, the hilt made up of a pear-shaped pommel with button, chiselled with acanthus leaves and showing traces of gilding; oval grip bound with fish-skin, and steel collars at either end; crossguard of oval section curving towards the point, with a single side-ring, similarly decorated and ending in acanthus leaves chiselled and gilt; tapering, double-edged blade of diamond section with a maker's mark on both sides. It has no ricasso. | {
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Oh, Boston you’re my home
I love the Boston Marathon. I’ve loved it my entire life. I remember watching it on TV as a little kid and following it obsessively as a high schooler on the track team. I lived on the course in graduate school and stood outside in awe, cheering the runners as they went by my little section of the Green Line. I saw Uta Pippig crap her pants on national television and go on to win the race in 1996. I watched Meb take the laurel crown back for Americans in 2014 in a year that we so desperately needed a champion. I watched in horror in 2013 as the events unfolded after the bombing.
My family is from Boston. My parents were raised there, children of Irish immigrants, and I was born there. I lived there for 5 years when I was getting my PhD and it became home again. The city, and its marathon, will always have a piece of my heart.
On Saturday before the race, I got to see the world premiere of Boston: The Documentary as a guest of my mom’s boyfriend Bill Rodgers. Yes, *that* Bill Rodgers – the 4 time winner of Boston and NYC marathons. The Boston Pops played live and we got to see it in the gorgeous Wang Theater. All the top runners were there milling about and getting interviewed. I highly suggest getting a chance to see the film if you can. It was only in theaters one night, but there is supposed to be a DVD release in the near future. The film is extremely interesting and tastefully covers the 2013 bombings, but still provides great entertainment, excitement and a historical perspective on the race and what it has meant to its competitors and the city for the past 121 years.
We met Scott Jurek!The crew after the film
Needless to say, after watching the film on Saturday and going to the expo on Sunday, I was excited to run. I was lucky enough to get a chance to run Boston for the third time – this time was the first time I qualified (3:20:02 at Maine Coast Marathon 2016). I’ve been training for the VT100, so I really didn’t taper much leading into the marathon. The plan was always to run it as a training run, but at Eastern States in March I realized that BQ pace felt like a jog to me for the entire 20 miles. The week before Boston, I decided to cut back a bit on mileage and actually go for a BQ since the weather was projected to be the mid-50s/low-60s. The plan was to go out at 8:05-8:10 min/miles for 16 miles, try to hold that pace through the Newton Hills, and then hammer it in at sub-8min/mile pace for the last 5 miles.
Mother nature had something else in store. Sunday the temperatures neared 90 degrees in the city and it never got under 65 degrees overnight. Even lining up for the start in Athletes’ Village, it was clear it was going to be a hot day. I was running with my friends John and Rhyan who had BQ’ed last spring with similar times for the first mile or two when they went to go for a quicker pace. I decided to try to stick to my original plan as best as I could, despite the heat and the excitement. Unfortunately, I had reset my watch earlier in the week and my watch was only giving me “current” pace rather than my normal “lap” pace, so I only could see my splits after I’d go through a mile marker. I was fairly on pace, but I did have a couple downhill miles that went sub-8min in the first 6 miles – something I didn’t want to do until miles 21-26. By mile 8 or so it was clear it was going to be a very long, hot day. I caught up to John and Rhyan and they were both not feeling well. We stuck together for a little bit, but by about 13 miles in, they had dropped back and I didn’t see them again.
The last two times I ran Boston, I was so surprised how quickly the scream tunnel at mile 13 would come up. This year, it felt like forever to get halfway. I was feeling OK, but it was SO hot. I was taking a sip of Gatorade at every water stop, then swapping sides of the road to grab a water at the next water stop in the same mile. I just figured I’d continue to keep my pace and stay hydrated and see what happened. I went through the halfway point at 1:45- basically perfect pace to run a 3:31 or so marathon which is 4 minutes under my BQ time.
The second half was where things started to get a bit rough. It was clear from the people around me that we were hitting hard times. People were pulling over with leg cramps and to puke every few seconds. I saw so many bloody nipples. Then there were the people with “the leans” – when you see it you’ll never forget it. Runners can’t stay upright and they look like they are bending into a C-shape. Once someone starts that it’s just a matter of time until they are down. I had to stop at a med tent at mile 17 to tell them that there was a runner coming up who they might need to pull. He was covered in blood and vomit and leaning so badly I don’t know how he was still moving. Around mile 18, I caught up to my friend Scott who was having a tough race. I made him smile through a photo station, but quickly I realized he wasn’t coming with me to the end. I said goodbye and good luck and kept on trucking up the hills.
The Newton hills were very uneventful this year. Since I’ve been training on real hills so much, a few bumps on the pavement weren’t going to mess with me too badly. I did slow a bit knowing that any extra effort I gave could put me on the wrong side of heat exhaustion. I chugged up the hills and was very ready to see SIX03 at mile 20. I made a promise with myself that if I got to them at 2:50 or under, I’d run right by them and go for the BQ. Sure enough, I saw them and I was at 2:47 – I had a chance to get the BQ if I ran 7:40min/miles or so for the last 5 miles of race. I ran by SIX03 and whooped and yelled and smiled and gave high fives but kept going without stopping. In retrospect I wish I stopped, but at that point I was still on BQ pace.
I got to the top of Heartbreak Hill feeling good and with two ice pops that I got from an adorable little boy and his dad. I requested green ones and I ran miles 21-22 with two freeze pops sticking out of my mouth like walrus tusks while weaving through people to get to open fire hydrants and hoses spraying water on to the course. As I rounded the corner into Chestnut Hill/BC the heat got to me. All I could smell was sweat, beer, and BBQs and my stomach flipped. I got woozy and felt a little lightheaded. The heat finally got to me. My legs were fresh, but if I wanted to drop to pace to get a BQ I was going to send myself to the med tent. It was game over and time to jog it in.
I ended up getting to stop and see my brother and sister-in-law around mile 23.5 and hang out with them for a minute or so (calculated from my Strava data moving vs. elapsed time) and take some pictures. By that point, I was just having fun with it, but those who had been pushing hard were really feeling bad. I watched so many people stop and puke and stretch out cramps. I felt like sometimes I was the only one still running around me since so many people had slowed to a stumbling walk.
The last two miles or so of Boston always get me. You’re in the actual city and the crowds are 10 people deep. It’s pure euphoria. I can’t help but smile and every year I’ve gotten a little teary eyed coming into Kenmore. I can’t help but get overwhelmed by the feeling of gratitude and privilege I have to run the world’s greatest race in my city. I didn’t buy my race photos, but in every single one I’m grinning like a complete fool. Right on Hereford, left on Boylston. The finish line is still almost a half mile away, but it’s there and you can see it. To the left is the bar I used to go to my first year in graduate school and drink frozen margaritas on hot days. I felt like such an adult. A few blocks up is the restaurant where I had my PhD defense party and my brother’s college graduation party. And then, it’s over.
This year, while my fastest Boston, I finished in a slightly disappointing 3:38:08. I would have liked to BQ, but the marathon is a cruel beast and you’re a victim of circumstance. As I came across the line, I almost immediately saw my friends Liz and Tim who had press passes. We chatted and I found out many others in our club has either dropped out or had tough days.
In the days following I felt really conflicting emotions. I was very proud of myself for running a smart race in tough conditions, but I also felt really guilty. It wasn’t my A race, but I ran pretty decently and ended up having a fun day. A few others I knew who were really focused on Boston didn’t get to finish. It felt wrong that I was training through it and didn’t even taper or train specifically for a marathon and still could pull off what I did. My legs didn’t hurt and I was running the next day like nothing had happened. I guess this means very good things for my VT100 training, but it also felt somehow unfair to others who had worked so hard for it watch the day blow up in their face.
So, all in all, I’m OK with it. I still love Boston. I may even want a BQ for 2018 – who knows? For now, the plan is to take this week easy as a “recovery” and then gear back up and tackle a 50 miler on May 13th! | {
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S’pore Inc: This FT is best
… he has managed to survive such problems and his business has grown from nothing to 80 employees. Spotting a gap in the airfare market 10 years ago, Martin Symes left a career as an airline executive to move into travel e-commerce.
S’pore -based Wego has announced plans to merge with HolidayIQ, an internet travel firm based in Bangalore, India. | {
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Exploring economic and financial instability within global markets and economies.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Upside of Arguing
“Arguments continue after hours for the fun of it. This is an important factor in the proofing of ideas: because it is only through a process of rigorous and prolonged argument - with people not sympathetic to your ideological bent - that ideas are refined and matured. Or, sometimes, revealed to be riddled with flaws. Whichever it is, it's a valuable process.”Read it at The AgeIntellectual substance abuseby Parnell McGuinnessParnell begins the piece by noting an important revelation: “both the right and the left care about creating a healthier, happier, more prosperous society.” This recognition is often forgotten in policy debates, as each side attacks the other’s goals, not realizing that the true differences lie in the means by which that end is realized. An unfortunate consequence of the technology age has been to encourage sound-bit advocacy, discouraging lengthy public debates about why certain policies will or will not most effectively create a better society. Within my personal life I generally try to fulfill the message in the quote from Parnell at the top of the page. Although my family and friends may at times be frustrated by my efforts, I often try to engage in arguments with those holding different ideologies. Occasionally I will even attempt to make an argument opposing my own ideology, if I believe it will encourage a more rigorous discussion of the ideas. The purpose of these actions is not to argue for the sake of arguing, but to ensure the ideas I pursue are the most logically sound. At the heart of this article appears to be a belief in the natural selection of ideas similar to either Darwinian evolution or Schumpeter’s “creative destruction.” Parnell seemingly hopes to inspire think tanks to engage each other in greater public debate instead of focusing on advocating policies to fit a political bias. I think Parnell offers a great lesson about learning and hopefully think tanks will adhere to some of his suggestions going forward.
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Thank you to all my readers. This blog is meant to encourage discussion and learning about macroeconomics, financial markets and public policy. Please note or email questions and comments. You can also follow this blog on twitter at Bubblesandbusts.
Disclaimer
All views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of any associated organizations or companies. | {
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When you think of public infrastructure, you probably think of roads, bridges, and possibly, water towers. These often massive structures are a staple of 21st-century urban planning, they're all around us... but have you ever | {
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Haiti Hotel Promotes “Urban Mural” Culture
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A historic Caribbean hotel is beautifying the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince with a stunning mural of Haitian art.
The mural, commissioned last summer by the hotel’s management team and created by renowned Haitian graffiti artist Jerry Rosembert Moise, wraps around the popular Le Plaza hotel to feature the globally-famed creativity of Haitian artisans.
Rosembert Moise, assisted by Nadia Todres, an American photographer resident in the country since 2010, is known for highlighting the vibrancy of Haiti’s art and culture.
After the devastating earthquake in 2010, Rosembert Moise took his painting tools to the streets of Port-au-Prince with a strong political message, but today he uplifts his compatriots with lively artistic renderings of Haitian life.
Rosembert Moise in front of his mural
His work, redolent with the humor and color of Haitian life, also graces the walls of a new shopping and restaurant compound in Pétion-ville, enlivening an otherwise undistinguished corner of town. He is nearing completion of his latest creation, which features lush jungle scenes, on the walls of Le Plaza, which is located in a dense urban setting.
“As one of the few hotels that has stayed open in downtown Port-au-Prince during these challenging years, there is no way that we could miss this opportunity to celebrate Haitian culture and beautify this historic downtown area for the benefit of citizens and visitors alike,” said Marc Pierre-Louis, General Manager of Le Plaza. “We hope more visitors will come and see the creativity of our people, and the vibrant history and culture of this, the second-oldest independent state in the hemisphere.”
About Le Plaza Hotel
A tranquil sanctuary in the heart of Port-au-Prince, Le Plaza Hotel is tucked discreetly behind courtyard walls that conceal a lush oasis of historic trees and fragrant tropical flowers. Established 60 years ago, this 95-room hotel is soulful and stunning, an exuberant testament to the island’s history and heritage. Beloved by long-time guests who delight in the hotel’s exceptional cuisine, local artwork and unbeatable central location, it’s a favored choice for visitors seeking “the real Haiti” from a home base that’s both stylish and secure. For more information visit www.plazahaiti.com. | {
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What’s worse than cops who abuse their position to force a teenager to have sex and perform fellatio on them? That would be having those same two cops resort to victim-blaming in order to avoid an indictment as a result of their heinous acts. | {
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Are grizzly bears becoming unbearable?
U.S. grizzlies are finally bouncing back, but with civilization encroaching on their habitat and climate change shrinking their food supplies, many are once again testing their rocky relationship with people.
Grizzly bears are no pushovers. They're some of the biggest, strongest, most adaptable omnivores alive, with no natural predators except people. And even we can't hide our admiration: Humans have used grizzlies as symbols of power and persistence for centuries, from Native Americans' bear dances to Sarah Palin's political metaphors.
Recently, though, grizzly bears across the U.S. West have begun to seem more like the Bad News Bears. After spending 35 years clawing back from generations of hunting and habitat loss — which wiped out all but a smattering of grizzlies in the Lower 48 states — their luck now appears to be running out again. Food sources are vanishing from key habitats like Yellowstone National Park, forcing resurgent grizzly populations to be creative. And that could be bad news for more than just bears.
From Wyoming to Washington, overcrowded grizzlies are already being pushed into new territory by their peers. But with dietary staples like whitebark pine nuts, cutthroat trout and miller moths now disappearing, too, experts fear even more of the bears could gravitate to places where other food sources — and people — are more abundant.
"We are seeing increases in conflicts," says Chris Servheen, who coordinates grizzly rehab for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, although he blames the violence mainly on population shifts: "We have increases of bears and increases of people in bears' habitat." A grizzly thought to be protecting its cub attacked seven backpackers earlier this month in a remote part of Alaska, one of several recent assaults to make international headlines. Grizzlies also killed two people near Yellowstone last year, and Wyoming's human-grizzly conflicts hit a record of 251 in 2010. ("Conflicts" include attacks on property, livestock and humans.) Not only is that high for one state, but it's 76 percent above average for the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), which normally has about 142 conflicts a year. And the problem is expected to get worse.
While these run-ins are a real danger to people, however, they're still far more fatal to bears. At least 42 GYE grizzlies were killed by people in 2010, up from 24 in 2009 and 37 in 2008 (the 2000-'07 average was 16 per year). Still, there are now 600 grizzlies in the area — plus a few hundred more across the U.S. Northwest, and 50,000 in Alaska and Canada — so extinction clearly isn't imminent. In fact, grizzlies came off the U.S. endangered species list in 2007, with officials citing a tripled population since 1975. But they went back on the list two years later, after a federal judge ruled the FWS had downplayed its own studies suggesting the bears may still be at risk. Old threats like hunting and logging are gone, but the judge cited a new, more subtle scourge: food shortages, many of which could worsen with global warming.
Nonetheless, the U.S. government is once again working to remove grizzlies from the endangered species list, arguing the loss of whitebark pine trees isn't a serious threat. Bears in general are secretive and resourceful, so it is hard to know how grizzlies will react to the curveballs of climate change, and therefore hard to know just how endangered they really are. But to understand how much upheaval the bears can and can't handle, it helps to first appreciate what they've already been through.
A grizzly past
American grizzlies date back to ancient brown bears that crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia, eventually spreading as far as the Great Lakes and Mexico. There were up to 100,000 of them across North America when Europeans arrived, but that quickly changed, since the settlers reacted to bears much like they did to wolves: by killing them. What began as self-defense, revenge and trophy hunting grew into all-out war by the mid-1800s, eliminating grizzlies in Mexico and most U.S. states. Logging and road building piled on, and by the 1900s only a few grizzly enclaves were left in the Lower 48, mostly in Yellowstone.
Bears are clever, though, and Yellowstone grizzlies soon learned to capitalize on their new neighbors: Tourist surges in the 1880s had created a trash problem, leading park officials to dig open-pit dumps. These also became open buffets for bears, drawing crowds of grizzlies and black bears — and more tourists. It seemed harmless at first, and the park even built bleachers; by the 1920s, up to 3,000 spectators gathered nightly at the Old Faithful dump to watch its evening feeding program.
It didn't take long for this to erase the bears' fear of people, and conflicts soared to nearly 50 per year from the 1930s to the '60s. When the federally commissioned Leopold Report came out in 1963 — advising national parks to preserve nature as a "vignette of primitive America" — it was clear Yellowstone had to change. All open dumps were closed by the early '70s, but with so many bears reliant on trash for food, grizzly populations then plummeted. The drop was so severe that all U.S. grizzlies outside Alaska were added to the endangered species list in 1975.
Thirty-five years later, that protection seems to have worked. Scientists announced in 2010 that 603 grizzlies now inhabit the GYE, more than triple their population in the '70s, while other grizzly groups have also grown in the Rocky Mountains and North Cascades. This comeback already convinced U.S. officials to "delist" grizzly bears from the endangered species list in 2007, and although U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy later ordered them relisted, the Obama administration is now pushing to have grizzlies delisted once again. "We don't think there was any basis for the decision he made overturning that," Servheen says of Molloy's 2009 ruling. "So that's why we're appealing that decision. The bears are recovered."
Pining for pine cones
There are several ways climate change could harm grizzly bears, but no one is sure exactly how much of an effect any of them has. Unlike polar bears, which feed almost entirely on seals, grizzlies eat diverse diets that buffer them against environmental changes. "It's often said that it's easier to describe what grizzly bears don't eat than what they do eat," Servheen says. Having worked with grizzlies for the last 30 years, he says they're adaptable enough to weather nearly any storm. "In general, the feeling is that grizzly bears are resistant to climate change," he says. "They may be one of the most resilient species out there."
Many experts do agree that global warming won't kill off grizzlies anytime soon; in fact, it may even help them move farther north, spelling more trouble for polar bears. But the loss of fattening foods like whitebark pine nuts does force the bears to change their behavior — and anytime a 600-pound killing machine does that, it's worth taking notice. Plus, according to conservation advocate Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity, it's not a matter of any single factor harming grizzly populations.
"In the short term, yes, grizzlies have adapted very well," Robinson says. "But they're also facing ever-expanding human developments that make life increasingly difficult. And when you factor in trying to expand the area that a grizzly has to roam to meet its nutritional requirements, it's a recipe for disaster."
Below are four major food sources that are declining in many grizzly habitats:
•Whitebark pine: Although grizzlies are infamous for stealing people's food and trash, we aren't the only victims of their thievery. The bears also dig up piles of whitebark pine nuts that squirrels have buried for winter, using them to fatten up before hibernating. The squirrels bury enough of these piles that they still don't starve, even with hundreds of grizzlies' raiding their stashes, and in some areas the nuts are actually bears' No. 1 source of fat during fall. It has raised some concern, therefore, that whitebark pine trees around the U.S. West have begun dying in droves.
First came an invasive fungus called "blister rust," which was introduced from Europe in 1910 and has since decimated American whitebark pines. But now bark-eating pine beetles are also killing whitebarks, since the Rockies' warming climate helps them survive winter. This problem has exploded across the Western U.S. since 2000, and while it echoes a similar outbreak from 1909 to 1940, many experts blame this one on global warming. Regardless of its cause, the combo of blister rust and pine beetles has been brutal to whitebarks, killing nearly 75 percent in the GYE alone. And as the U.S. Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team warned in its 2010 Whitebark Pine Mortality Report, "bears tend to eat more meat when whitebark pine seeds are not available, and ... there is an increase in hunter-grizzly bear conflicts and bear mortalities in poor seed years. Extensive areas of beetle-killed whitebark pine may exacerbate this trend."
But as Servheen explains, few grizzlies aren in danger of starving. Whitebark pines have always had good and bad years, and while it's clear they're now stuck in a long-term free fall, those past fluctuations prepared grizzlies to adapt. "Certainly whitebark pine is declining throughout its range," Servheen says. "But grizzlies are not dependent on whitebark pine for survival. This is a food that's not widely available every year anyway, and the bears are used to that, so they switch to multiple foods. Now they're just eating those other foods more often." Yet grizzlies have only adapted to temporary whitebark shortages, Robinson argues, and annual improvisation could prove more difficult: "There are naturally good pine-nut years and bad pine-nut years, but global warming is making more and more years bad pine-nut years."
•Cutthroat trout: When grizzly bears go fishing in North America, one of their top targets are cutthroat trout, members of the salmon family named after their distinctive red-colored throats. These trout are split into several subspecies in different drainage basins, but they're a widespread staple of grizzly diets throughout much of the Rockies as well as the Cascade Range. And much like whitebark pines, they're also under attack from converging forces.
Some subspecies of cutthroat trout have been endangered in the past or remain threatened by hydroelectric dams, which can prevent them from swimming upstream to spawn. Not only does that hinder their ability to reproduce, but it also makes them unavailable to grizzly bears, which normally catch the exhausted fish as they swim upstream against the current. The introduction of non-native fish is another danger, since the invasive species often outcompete cutthroat trout yet don't swim upstream to spawn, thus robbing a food source from grizzly bears without offering an alternative.
And also like whitebark pines, cutthroat trout may be at risk from global warming. As the U.S. Forest Service warned in a 2009 science brief, "Climate change is expected to cause increased water temperatures, earlier snowmelt and lower summer water flows" in the U.S. West, which could upset the balance of cutthroat trout habitats. "Increased water temperatures may threaten survival of trout at low elevations and low latitudes," the brief said, adding that earlier snowmelt and more rain-on-snow events in winter "may fundamentally alter the hydrologic regime of many river systems, particularly affecting early life stages of trout" and other salmon. It also points out one possible benefit, though: expanded habitat at higher elevations and latitudes.
•Army cutworm moths: On top of pine nuts and trout, another major source of protein for grizzlies is army cutworm moths, aka miller moths, which congregate by the millions at high-altitude habitats in summer. The moths seek shade under boulders during the day, coming out at night to feed on nectar. But grizzlies are too smart to miss that opportunity, trudging up to Yellowstone's talus slopes, for example, and often eating up to 40,000 moths a day. That provides each bear with the equivalent of 20,000 kilocalories per day, entirely in moths. (By comparison, that's 10 times more food than most humans eat in a day.)
The moths also happen to be an agricultural pest at lower elevations, and farmers regularly use pesticides against them. Those toxins aren't believed to pose a direct danger to bears, but they can kill large numbers of a favorite grizzly food source. Human disturbance of moth clusters is apparently also a threat, as an IGBST study found that in areas where people had bothered the moths, grizzlies spent less time feeding and were more aggressive. Perhaps the broadest risk is thought to be climate change, though, if for no other reason than the uncertainty it brings. The temperature-sensitive moths may shift flight patterns along with changing climates, but there's no evidence that grizzlies can't adapt, either by following the moths or eating something else. What is unclear is how such changes might affect other areas of grizzly life.
• "Winter kill" animals: While grizzlies are losing key food sources that help them fatten up in fall, Robinson says an important springtime staple is disappearing, too: "winter kill" carrion, or animals that died during the winter. "As winters become more mild, fewer elk and bison are likely to die, leaving less winter kill for grizzly bears," he says. It may sound strange to be worried that certain animals aren't dying enough to feed other animals, but carrion is a critical part of grizzlies' early-season diet, since the bears are still groggy, have exhausted their fat reserves, and aren't very adept at bringing down big game even in normal circumstances. (They do hunt large mammals, but usually focus on juveniles or the elderly, since grizzlies aren't fast or agile enough to chase down healthy adults.)
When grizzlies wake up from hibernation and can't find protein-rich meals like dead elk and bison, they often react like a person who starts the day without coffee: angrily. That's what concerns Robinson. He worries that climate change is clamping down even on one of the planet's most opportunistic omnivores, gradually whittling away its food supplies until it's once again forced to test its rocky relationship with people.
"It's really the adverse synergy of all these factors that are hitting grizzlies harder and harder," he says. "They are increasingly likely to wander farther in search of food, and that brings them into contact with human society, which is also expanding. This creates a greater chance of something bad happening to either one."
While Servheen disagrees about the role food shortages play, he doesn't deny that humans and grizzlies are now facing off with dangerous frequency. "That's our biggest challenge," he says. "Keeping up with the people in bear country."
More information
To learn more about grizzlies and bears in general, check out the following links from MNN. And also be sure to watch the video clip below, which features footage of grizzlies catching salmon as they jump upstream. | {
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(NaturalNews) As various amounts of aluminum begin showing up in food products tested at the Consumer Wellness Center Forensic Food Lab, it's becoming clear how metals like aluminum can build up unnecessarily in the body, taxing the organs over time.
A percentage of ingested aluminum is naturally retained by the food going in as it passes through the body. This is denoted by the metal retention factor, a concept discovered in gastric acid solution, pioneered by lab director Mike Adams. (Higher metal retention factor is better.)
Still, a percentage of the aluminum going in is released into the gastrointestinal tract. As the body processes the food, aluminum can make its way to the kidneys while the organs try to sort it out. Over time, the aluminum can accumulate in organs like the kidneys, where it begins to breed toxicity, leading to kidney disease.
What is active vitamin D?
Specific antioxidants, vitamins and minerals are being studied for their ability to help remove metals such as aluminum from organs like the kidneys.
A study from the Department of Pediatrics, of the Ankara University School of Medicine, found that active vitamin D can help remove pent-up aluminum from the kidneys of chronic kidney disease patients.
Active vitamin D is a form of vitamin D called calcitriol, which acts as a steroid hormone with a role in regulating phosphorous and calcium levels. Many cells in the body have receptors for vitamin D, showing how the human body is intended to connect with sunlight's natural vitamin D.The sunlight's vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is created in the skin from the molecule 7-dehydrocholesterol when the sun's light energy is absorbed.
If a person is deficient in vitamin D3, they will need to receive additional vitamin D from plants, which is vitamin D2, or ergosterol.
The vitamin D present must now be metabolized and activated in the human body to work. Carrier proteins transport the vitamin D in the blood to the liver, where it is hydroxylated by the enzyme 25-hydroxylase. Then, on its way to the kidneys, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol becomes a substrate for 1-alpha-hydroxylase, yielding 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, or calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D.
How might active vitamin D restore calcium and phosphorous levels to normal in people? For one, it may remove toxic aluminum accumulation that can block needed minerals and their benefits.
The researcher's focus was to investigate interactions between serum aluminum concentrations, the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and active vitamin D in chronic kidney disease.
In the study, 10 pediatric chronic kidney disease patients were enrolled alongside 20 healthy controls. From the onset, researchers analyzed the blood levels of aluminum, PTH, alkaline phosphatase phosphorus and calcium in the patients. A regimen of oral calcitriol (active vitamin D) was administered for four weeks.
Active vitamin D did not necessarily affect PTH or alkaline phosphatase. In those short four weeks, it did not noticeably change values of calcium or phosphorous either, but it did show significant impact on aluminum levels in the kidneys.
In control patients, changes in aluminum levels in the kidneys were not statistically significant.
Remarkably though, aluminum levels in all participants, starting at a median of 27.2 ng/ml and range of 11.3-175 ng/ml, declined significantly to a median of 3.8 ng/ml and range of 0.64-11.9 ng/ml after oral calcitriol was administered for just four weeks.
Sunlight activated in the body is medicine
This evidence may help us understand how to help chronic kidney disease patients by dealing with the root cause of metal toxicity. In this case, sunlight can be the best medicine, reconfigured in the kidneys and liver to become biologically active. In its active state, vitamin D can go into the kidneys and remove environmental toxicity factors like aluminum.
Get alerted on heavy metals and pesticide test results for foods and supplements
Natural News is about to begin releasing lab test results for off-the-shelf food, supplement and pet food products, covering heavy metals, nutritive minerals, pesticides and herbicides. These details will be released exclusively to Natural News email newsletter subscribers (FREE) and will NOT be publicly posted on the website. To be alerted, join our free email newsletter now, and watch for lab test results in the weeks ahead.
Enter your email address below to subscribe to our email announcement list (but don't use gmail). Your privacy is protected and you can unsubscribe at any time. If you don't join our email list, you may never see our valuable content again via Facebook, Google or YouTube. CENSORSHIP has now reached EXTREME levels across the 'net. The truth is being suffocated. Subscribe now if you want to escape the delusional bubble of false reality being pushed by Google and Facebook. | {
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Stop Honey Singh concert - online petition spreads
An online petition seeking cancellation of popular rapper Honey Singh's New Year's Eve performance at the Bristol Hotel in Gurgaon Monday night, is doing the rounds online. The outrage is for his use of crass lyrics around women.
The petition, "GM of The Bristol Hotel Gurgaon India: Stop Honey Singh's performance", has been posted following the death of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang-rape in Delhi.
Honey Singh's songs like "Lak 28 kudi da", "Brown rang" and "Angrezi beat" are peppy and popular among masses. But it is his 2006 song "Ch**t", which has been pinpointed in the petition by Kalpana Mishra on www.change.org.
The webpage reads: "The nation is outraged at the ease with which rape happens, at the unnecessary death of a young woman whose entire life lay before her. We know that these rapes occur because in the India of today rape is acceptable to many men."
When IANS contacted Bristol Hotel, a source confirmed the concert in on.
"The Honey Singh performance is on. It starts at 8 p.m.," said the source.
Even filmmaker Kunal Kohli is against Honey Singh's gig.
"Honey Singh should not be allowed to perform in India. To write lyrics like that is disgusting, to be allowed to perform them, a shame. Come on Gurgaon, show the world, boycott Honey Singh, two days after Nirbhaya/Damini dies, you can't let him sing such lewd songs," Kohli posted on Twitter. | {
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Archive for April 27th, 2012
This week, a member of the ColorJoy discussion group on Ravelry(Ravelry requires a free membership… no spam involved) talked about her previous avoidance of multicolored knitting. Her belief was that she had “no talent.”
Despite the impossibility of that statement being true for a knitter, I think she felt that color combining was something born inside us or not. She presented the subject as innate, not learnable.
She was interested in my Crystal Sock from Knitty.com. She joined in a conversation with others who are doing a knitalong with this design. I encouraged her with a shorter version of this post, and it helped her. Maybe it could help you, as well.
It’s Never too Late to Learn
Luckily for us, color combining is something that can indeed be learned. I’ve been practicing it since I was a child… this was my focus from a very early age. However, you can join me in the fun! Start easy and work outward.
Three Parts to Any Color
Colors have three different attributes. We learn two of them as we grow up (light green/ dark blue), but the third is not discussed much. That one often is the problem when something seems not quite right with a grouping of colors/yarns.
Hue: blue, green, orange…
Value: dark, medium, light
Saturation (also called intensity or chroma): hot, intense, soft, dusky
(essentially, does it have any gray/black added or is it pure)
Debbie Bliss and Martha Stewart favor colors with a little softness… with gray in them, in medium to light values. Kaffe Fassett seems to use warmer tones, rich and often toned down a bit. Lucy Neatby? Kristin Nicholas? Intense color, and lots of it. We seem to be color sisters. (Note that what we wear is not always what we design.)
My Personal Biases… with Reasons Behind Them
Me? Saturated most of the time, the brighter the better. My purples may go dark… yellow-green or silver may be light, but usually I stay to medium values. Turquoise? I love it from warm/light aqua to dark teal. Gray or no gray, dark or light… this color seems to make me look good no matter what “flavor” it is.
My personal preference is for cool colors that are totally intense, no gray or brown added… mediums, not too dark or light. That’s MY thing. I look best in this sort of color. If you look best in soft color or warm tones, you’ll have a different take.
Since nearly everything in my closet is magenta/hot pink, purple, turquoise, hot yellow-green… all my colors look great together though I never buy “outfits.” I’ve got intense blue-toned colors and they all work.
Scheme 1: Monochromatic Combinations
– Variations on One Color
I have so much of turquoise/blue-green in my closet and jewelry box that sometimes I end up wearing many versions of it all at once. I’ve found that once you get to the 3rd version of a color all together, they no longer look like they “don’t match.” They then morph into what artists call a “monochromatic” (one color) color scheme. At left, you see me in one version of turquoise monochrome.
We all know someone who wears all beige (a warm neutral, as opposed to gray which is a cool neutral). Top to toe, neutral. They look pulled together, right?
Think of it, though. Those beige sweaters are not the same color as the beige purse, beige belt, jacket, shoes. Often they are in the ballpark but not “matching.” (Don’t let me go on the “matching clothing is a marketing tool” road right now… I’m talking practical color combining today.)
This simple method of combining “colors” is a monochromatic color scheme. It’s simple, and effective.
You can do this with your own best color. Look great in loden green? Indigo blue? Charcoal? Red? Purple? Go for it.
Likely your most-chosen color makes you look and feel great. If you can free yourself from worrying about “matching” exactly, you can combine 3 or more versions of that color on the same day (and look Marvelous, Darling).
If you are doing knitting colorwork, however… be cautious. You will want to go dark/ medium/ light versions of the same color to pull off enough contrast.
The above neckwarmer shows a light icy robin’s-egg blue with a darkish teal. Both colors are in my favorite blue-green range but with enough value contrast to really show off the stripes. These colors would work for finer patterning in stranded (“fairisle”) colorwork as well.
Scheme 2: Analogous Colors-Color Neighbors
An easy way to start combining colors if you’re new to the idea, is to group colors touching one another on the color wheel. Try a Sedona desert look with red/orange/salmon, or spring pond with purple/blue/turquoise/green (as seen on right).
Grouping things like this is called “analogous” color. Humans tend to like this sort of assortment (think batiks in indigo plus purple and green).
Here’s a lap blanket knit by my Sis-in-Love Diana (as a gift for me) from my Kristi Comfort Shawl /lap blanket pattern. The colors are analogous pink/purple/blue (what we call pink is a light purple-red/magenta on the color wheel)… all saturated, light to dark and all in between:
Next is an analogous combination of periwinkle (medium-light, muted blue-purple) and a lighter, also-muted blue-green. In this case, the contrast worked for stripes but might not work for more subtle colorwork.
Scheme 3: Contrast
I learned contrast first using polymer clay. The details in some clay work are so tiny, that colors near one another in the wheel (or sometimes in value) can blend together. This lack of contrast makes a failed project, and you can’t unravel a mistake in polymer clay. (Photo below, Polymer Gifts class projects by Brenda, Lori, Gwen and me.)
I took a few classes from Nanette Roche, author of The New Clay. This was the first book available on Polymer clay, and it still stands tall as an overall reference rather than a how-to-make-a-project book.
Nanette talked a lot about contrast in class. She was the first person I knew who talked about warm/cool as a type of contrast. Before her, I thought of it only as dark/light.
Since then, I’ve found that I can play with colors which are closer together in value (both medium) if one is warm and one is cool. For example, medium blue contrasts very well with medium red. This gave me a lot more flexibility, many more options. I continue to be grateful for this lesson.
Here are two examples of warm/cool contrast in knitting colorwork. Note that on the right hat, the “warm” is actually a yellow-green which might look cool next to a different set of colors. That hat benefits from value difference (a light versus a medium-to-dark multicolored yarn).
Below is a muted dark blue-green with a saturated light yellow-green (analogous colors with value and saturation contrast):
Here I show a Dark and Medium-light muted greenish-blue and a light cool neutral (silver-gray). Also I show a dark purple (barely muted and looking cool next to the other colors), with Medium bright saturated red, and light saturated warm yellow:
What if it Looks Wrong?
Of course, theory won’t do it all for you. I tend to go to the yarn shop or into my stash, grab a bunch of yarns I think might work together, and plunk them all down on a table. Then I add and remove yarns from the pile until I get what I think will work. See?
These are all a little grayed, and I used them all blended in the one project shown below. I feel it worked well.
Usually if I have a grouping of yarns and one looks way off, it’s an intensity/saturation problem. All saturated except for one soft/muted color? The muted one will look dirty or gray. All subtle and muted except for one crayon-like color? Even if they are all the same value, the non-muted color will feel wrong and possibly garish.
I also look to see if my colors are warm versus cool. If I’m choosing six colors and one of them is warm but the rest are not (or vice-versa), that one may look wrong.
Generally, it’s a saturation issue about 90% of the time when something goes wrong. We tend to think blue goes with blue or pink goes with pink, but not always!
I taught this lesson in person a few years back at a library branch. One knitter who attended also is a quilter. She recently thanked me, and said she’s not having problems choosing fabrics as she did before my class. I’m thrilled.
In Summary (?)
Remember, colors look different depending on which other colors they are near. It really requires a look, not just a theory, to find what works well.
Did this information help you? I sure hope so.
I’d love a conversation about this. If you have any questions, input, further ponderings… I’d love to hear from you in the comments. You can post as a guest if you don’t want to sign up for a Disqus username/password.
I appreciate you deeply. May this information benefit you in some way. Hugs for now…
Who is LynnH?
LynnH is Lynn DT Hershberger of Lansing, Michigan, USA. She considers her artistic medium to be color, whether it
be knitting, printmaking, polymer clay or embellishing with paints. She also creates recipes with allergy-friendly,
gluten-free, and vegan-friendly ingredients. | {
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Brochures
Interskill Learning wants to make it easy for you to provide online e-Learning to your students. We have a library of brochures, demos and presentations that you can use to familiarize yourself and your management team with our products. | {
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Friday, 31 October 2008
Mhm, it seems that I chose the wrong side of the Atlantic. First, the LHC produces a big firework display instead of small black holes, and then the CDF collaboration at the Tevatron discovers new physics. About the CDF anomaly in multi-muon events, see Tommaso's post or the original paper. Together with a few CERN fellows we had an impromptu journal club today, and we have reached the conclusion that, well, we don't know :-). The anomaly occurs in a theoretically difficult region, the B-baryon spectrum is poorly known, the local Monte Carlo magicians are very sceptical about modeling the b-quarks, etc, etc. It does not mean, of course, that one should shrug it off. Whether we want it or not, the CDF anomaly will dominate particle model-building for the next few months.
Meanwhile, there is already one model on the market that, incidentally:-), looks relevant for the anomaly: SuperUnified Theory of Dark Matter. One can immediately cook up $e^N$ variations of that model, but there seem to be 3 basic building blocks:1) The "visible" sector that consists of the usual MSSM with the supersymmetry breaking scale $M_{MSSM} \sim$ few hundred GeV.2) The dark sector with a smaller supersymmetry breaking scale $M_{dark} \sim $ GeV. It includes a dark gauge group with dark gauge bosons and dark gauginos, a dark Higgs that breaks the dark gauge group and gives the dark mass to the dark gauge bosons of order 1 dark GeV. In fact it's all dark. 3) The dark matter particle that is charged under the dark group and has a large mass, $M_{DM} \sim $ TeV. Unlike in a typical MSSM-like scenario, dark matter is not the lightest supersymmetric particle, but rather some new vector-like fermion whose mass is generated in the similar fashion as the MSSM mu-term.
The dark group talks to the MSSM thanks to a kinetic mixing of the dark gauge bosons with the Standard Model photon, that is via lagrangian terms of the type $f_{\mu\nu} F_{\mu \nu}$. Such mixing terms are easily written down when the dark group is U(1), although for non-abelian gauge groups there is a way to achieve that too (via higher-dimensional operators). Once the dark gauge boson mixes with the photon, it effectively couples to the electromagnetic current in the visible sector. Thanks to this mixing, the dark gauge boson can decay into the Standard Model particles.
The SuperUnified model is tailored to fit the cosmic-ray positron excess PÀMELA and ATIC/PPB-BETS. The dark matter particle with a TeV scale mass is needed to explain the positron signal above 10 GeV (as seen by PAMELA) all the way up to 800 GeV (as suggested by ATIC/PPB-BETS), see here. The dark gauge bosons with a GeV mass scale play a two-fold role. Firstly, they provide for a long range force that leads to the Sommerfeld enhancement of the dark matter annihilation rate today. Secondly, the 1 GeV mass scale ensures that the dark matter particle does not annihilate into protons/antiprotons or heavy flavors, but dominantly into electrons, muons, pions and kaons. The second point is crucial to explain why PAMELA does not see any excess in the cosmic-ray antiprotons. Supersymmetry does not play an important role in the dynamics of dark matter, but it ensures "naturalness" of the 1 GeV scale in the dark sector, as well as of the electroweak scale in the visible sector. I guess that analogous non-supersymmetric constructions based, for example, on global symmetries and axions will soon appear on ArXiv.
What connects of this model to the CDF anomaly is the prediction of "lepton jets". In the first step, much as in the MSSM, the hadron collider produces squarks and gluinos that cascade down to the lightest MSSM neutralino. The latter mixes into the dark gauginos, by the same token as the dark gauge boson mixes with the visible photon. The dark gaugino decays to the dark LSP and a dark gauge boson. Finally, the dark gauge boson mixes back into the visible sector and decays into two leptons. At the end of this chain we obtain two leptons with the invariant mass of order 1 GeV and a small angular separation, the latter being due the Lorentz boost factor $\gamma \sim M_{MSSM}/M_{dark} \sim 100$.
The perfect timing of the "lepton jets" prediction is unlikely to be accidental. A new spying affair is most welcome, now that the paparazzi affair seems to by dying out. While waiting for CDF to find the traitor and hang him on the top pole, I keep wondering if the SuperUnified model does indeed explain the CDF excess. If you take a look at the invariant mass distribution of the anomalous muon-pair events (right panel) it does not resemble a 2-body decay of a narrow-width particle (for comparison, admire the J/Psi peak in the left panel), which it should if the muons come from a decay of the dark gauge boson. Or am I missing something? Furthermore, it has been experimentally proved that bosons are discovered in Europe, while only fermions can be discovered in the US. This is obviously inconsistent with the Tevatron finding the dark gauge boson ;-)
Thanks to Bob, Jure and Tomas for the input.
See also Lubos' post on the SuperUnified model.
For more details and explanations on the CDF anomaly, see the posts of Peter and Tommaso and John.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Yesterday, PAMELA finally posted on ArXiv her results on the cosmic-ray positron fraction. In the last months there was a lot of discussion whether it is right or wrong to take photographs of PAMELA while she was posing. Here at CERN, people were focused on less philosophical aspects: a few weeks ago Marco Cirelli talked about the implications for dark matter searches, and Richard Taillet talked about estimating the positron background from astrophysical processes in our galaxy. Finally, PAMELA had her coming-out seminar two days ago. PAMELA is a satellite experiment that studies cosmic-ray positrons and anti-protons. She has a better energy reach (by design up to 300GeV, although the results presented so far extend only up to 100 GeV) and much better accuracy than the previous experiments hunting for cosmic anti-matter. Thanks to that, she was able to firmly establish that there is an anomaly in the positron flux above 10 GeV, confirming the previous hints from HEAT and AMS.
Here are the PAMELA positron data compared with the theoretical predictions. The latter assume that the flux is dominated by the secondary production of positrons due to collisions of high-energy cosmic rays with the interstellar medium. The two lines are almost perpendicular to each other :-). In fact, the discrepancy below 10 GeV is not surprising, and is interpreted as being due to solar modulation. It turns out that the solar wind modifies the spectrum of low-energy cosmic rays, and in consequence the flux depends on solar activity which changes in the course of the 22-years solar cycle. Above 10 GeV the situation is different, as solar modulation is believed to produce negligible effects. Even though the secondary production of positrons has large theoretical uncertainties, one expects that it decreases with energy. Such a power-law decrease has been observed in the flux of anti-protons who also may originate from secondary production. The positron fraction, instead, significantly increases above 10 GeV.
Thus, PAMELA shows that the secondary production is not the dominant source of high-energy positrons. The excess can be due to astrophysical sources, for example young near-by pulsars have been proposed as an explanation. But what makes particle physicists so aroused is that dark matter annihilation is a plausible explanation too. It might be that PAMELA is a breakthrough in indirect dark matter searches. It is less known that there are other experiments that see some excess in the cosmic ray flux. Most interestingly, two balloon-borne experiments called ATIC and PPB-BETS see an excess in the total electron+positron flux (they cannot distinguish the two) with a peak around 700 GeV. This adds to the EGRET gamma-ray excess at a few GeV, and to the WMAP haze - an excess of diffuse microwave background from the core of our galaxy.
A dark matter candidate that fits the PAMELA excess, must have rather unexpected properties. If the observed dark matter abundance has a thermal origin, the dark matter annihilation cross section naively seems too small to explain the observed signal. As usual, theorists have magic tricks to boost the annihilation rate today. One is using the so-called boost factor: if dark matter clumps, its density is locally higher than average, and then the average annihilation rate also increases with respect to the case of a uniform distribution. However, this does not save the day for the most popular dark matter candidates. For example, the MSSM neutralino typically requires a boost factor of order a few hundred, which is probably stretching the point. The latest trick is called the Sommerfeld enhancement: if the dark matter particle feels some attractive long range forces (other than electromagnetism, of course), a pair of particles may form a bound state, which enhances the annihilation rate.
Another challenge for particle models is the fact that PAMELA sees no excess in the antiproton flux. This means that the dark matter particle must be hadrophobic, that is to say, it should decay preferentially into leptons. Again, the most popular dark matter candidates, like the MSSM neutralino, do not satisfy this criterion. However, particle models compatible with the PAMELA data do exist, for example Minimal Dark Matter (though this one is not compatible with the ATIC/PPB-BETS peak), or recent Exciting Dark Matter.
So, it seems, we have to wait and see till the smoke clears up. Certainly, a single indirect detection signal has to be taken with all due scepticism (so many have died before). Only combined efforts of several experiments can lead to a convincing conclusion. As for the moment, if somebody pointed a gun to my face and made me choose one answer, I would probably go for an astrophysical explanation. On the other hand, if the PAMELA excess is really a manifestation of dark matter, the LHC could concentrate on more interesting issues than discovering and undiscovering the MSSM. It seems that astrophysicists have at least one more year to sort this thing out by themselves.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Today, soon after publishing the damage report, CERN is organizing the LHC Inauguration Ceremony. Given that the restart date is unclear (in private conversations, the estimate September 2009 appears most often), some lesser souls may feel dissonance. However, CERN is here to push the frontiers of science, and organizing an opening of a damaged accelerator is truly innovatory. The current DG himself must have had some doubts, as he cautiously writes "Dear Council Delegates, I would like to thank you for your reactions to my suggestion to maintain the LHC Inauguration Ceremony on October 21 2008, as initially foreseen...". Fortunately, the diplomats vehemently supported the idea, since they were already promised molecular cuisine.
Thus, CERN is overrun today by men in suits normally unseen at this latitude. This must be the first time foreign diplomats ever visit Geneva, so that unprecedented security measures were taken. All CERN parkings had to be emptied from cars, and those that remained are likely to be exploded. The roads connecting CERN to Geneva and France are now closed. The public buses that normally take this route run with a police escort, and they are not allowed to stop near CERN. It is not clear if the trespassers will be shot, or only impaled.
If you're curious what's on the menu, there will be a webcast here. This time there will be no live commentary, unless something funny happens. There is a rumor that during the ceremony the current DG will give a speech and vanish.
About Résonaances
Résonaances is a particle physics blog from Paris. It's about the latest news and gossips in particle physics and astrophysics. The posts are often spiced with sarcasm, irony, and a sick sense of humor. The goal is to make you laugh; if it makes you think too, that's entirely on your own responsibility... | {
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New study shows tobacco a drag on Indiana economy
State ranks seventh in the nation in adult smoking rates.
State ranks seventh in the nation in adult smoking rates.
December 21, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) -- Indiana's economy would be better off without tobacco production or use, a Ball State University study found. Although some businesses such as tobacco growers and bars that cater to smokers would suffer, other sectors of the economy would benefit from reduced health costs, increased productivity and shifts in consumer spending, according to the study financed by the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency. "If you were to wave a magic wand and turn Indiana into a nonsmoking and never-smoker place, everyone would live longer," said Patrick Barkey, director of economic and policy studies at Ball State University. Every day, 1.2 million Indiana residents buy and smoke an average of 1.4 packs of cigarettes, the Star Press reported Sunday. Indiana ranks seventh in the nation in adult smoking rates and eighth in the rate of deaths attributed to smoking. Longer lives would mean increased productivity as people kept working and spending money on goods and services instead of medical care, the study found. "The cumulative effect of that is pretty large," Barkey said. "If people didn't spend money on tobacco, they'd spend it on other things. In fact, that would actually be good for Indiana economy." Tom Capehart, a senior economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, said tobacco does have some positive effect on the economy. "In a non-major tobacco-producing state like Indiana, one of the main economic impacts is tax revenue," he said. "It's a diversified business, which provides jobs." Barkey said a tobacco-free Indiana might lose some jobs but could see as many as 175,000 new ones created. | {
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In his paper, Schneider tries to account for the fact that the payoff may vary, depending on the the school the student attends. The "Harvard-educated hedge fund manager" may be making, or used to make, hundreds of millions a year, he notes, while the "graduate from Bob's college" may get promoted from assistant manager to manager of the retail store at the mall as a result of his degree. To get a better handle on the variation, the former statistics czar uses longterm federal survey data to compute actual earnings for graduates of colleges at different levels of competitiveness.
He also accounts for tuition expenses and the cost of the earnings that are foregone while a student is studying in college. He concludes that, while college does indeed provide a substantial payoff for most students at most colleges, it's nowhere near the $1 million figure that gets quoted so much. That number, in fact, may be three times too high, according to Schneider.
Keep that in mind the next time you get a notice of another tuition increase from your child's college. | {
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Seriously? Athens named the most innovative city in Europe
Greece’s capital city Athens won the “European Capital of Innovation” award for 2018. Photo: Getty Images
The most innovative city in the European Union isn’t what you’d expect.
The European Commission has announced that Athens is the winner of its annual “European Capital of Innovation” prize on Tuesday. Greece’s ancient capital city has risen from the ashes of a recent series of Greek financial crises to grab this highly sought coveted prize.
“Through innovation, Athens has found new purpose to turn around the economic and social crisis. It is proof that it’s not the difficulties but how you lift yourself that matters,“ said Carlos Moedas, EU commissioner for research, science and innovation.
The title comes with €1m (£870,000) in prize money that “will be used to scale up local innovation activities and collaborate with other cities,” the European Commission said in a statement.
The European Commission said Athens stood out for a range of initiatives and campaigns that have revitalised the city, including the renovation of the historic Kypseli public market to create a new area for social entrepreneurship, exhibitions, workshops and theatre shows.
Another programme called “Curing the Limbo” gives refugees and migrants the opportunity to connect with other residents to learn the language, develop new skills and find employment.
The city is even testing out smart recycling bins in City Hall and some primary schools, which provide real-time information about people’s recycling habits.
But not everyone was on-board with the choice of Athens for this prize.
“I would not say it’s the most innovative city I can think of but I can say that recent problems have focused the Athenians on getting the basics right,” said Joe Dignan, an expert in smart cities and founder of the consulting firm, Kintechi. “Athens is a great example of not wasting a crisis.”
Dignan said Athens’ recent decision to create a new role for a chief digital officer (CDO) was a smart idea to help drive local innovation.
“The appointment of a CDO was critical in getting the disparate agencies to sign up to a strategic plan that starts with access to ubiquitous connectivity,” he said.
More than two dozen cities across the EU applied for the prize, with the competition judged by a jury of experts from local administrations, universities, businesses and non-profit organisations. Runner-up cities were Aarhus in Denmark, Hamburg in Germany, Leuven in Belgium, Toulouse in France, and Umeå in Sweden.
The Athens announcement was made at the high-profile annual Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. | {
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Lucasfilm paid tribute to Taylor in a post on the Star Warswebsite, stating: "From the iconic opening shot of a massive Imperial Star Destroyer chasing the Rebels' Tantive IV to the setting of twin suns on Tatooine, Taylor played a large role in establishing the visual identity of the entire series."
George Lucas added in a statement: "Gilbert's work truly stands the test of time... I had the privilege of working with him on Star Wars. He was a true expert in his craft.
"Gilbert's inspired work will live on in the many films he contributed to throughout his long career."
Before Star Wars, Taylor had already worked on such classics as Dr Strangelove, A Hard Day's Night with The Beatles and Roman Polanski's Repulsion.
Taylor was also involved in the likes of The Omen, Dracula in 1979, Flash Gordon and The Bedroom Window. | {
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With december arround the corner, we have to
start getting ready with all the events and celebration. This time of the year
is perfect to wear velvet, silky garments, or/and sequins as I`ve done with
these amazing pants that I`ve got a couple of seasons ago and, as I couldn`t
help it, I had to match it with this great t-shirt and sneakers showing off my
rebel and informal side (it`s me)
Thank you so much for all the visits and
comments, specially regarding my stomach infection, of which I`m much better.
Happy Wednesday!! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Five things we learned from Camp Practice
Giants.com's Dan Salomone takes a look at five things we learned at practice on August 8th
1) Following is a look back at Jayron Hosley’s draft profile from last year: “He is undersized but plays with tenacity and a sense of urgency when around the ball. Hosley is an extremely scrappy player who finds a way to make an impact.” Hosley may have hit some bumps as a rookie in 2012, but coaches always praised his scrappiness. He showed it on Thursday with another interception in which the 5-foot-10, 178-pound cornerback wrestled the ball away from the 6-foot-1, 200-pound wide receiver Keith Carlos.
2) The Giants spent the early portions of Thursday’s practice working off the cards in preparation for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It slowed the speed down a little as everyone just wanted to come away from the day as healthy as possible. It also meant a heavy focus on the run game on both sides of the ball. The Giants continue to tinker with different combinations on the defensive line, and Cullen Jenkins was again playing defensive end in place of Justin Tuck, who missed his second straight practice. Read more about Tuck’s status here.
3) We listed safety Ryan Mundy as a player to watch before the start of training camp, and after 11 practices, Tom Coughlin had this to say: “Ryan Mundy has done a nice job. He’s an outstanding special teamer, but he’s also learned the secondary. I’ve been pleased with the way he’s worked.” That kind of sums up his career in Pittsburgh, where he will return on Saturday night when the Giants take on the Steelers in the first preseason game. Mundy, playing behind Pro-Bowl safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Steelers before signing with the Giants this offseason.
4) The practice report wouldn’t feel complete if I didn’t bring up special teams. After all, it does dominate the first half of practice every day. Anyway, there is a backup plan for everything, and long snapper duty is no different. Linebacker Mark Herzlich took a few reps in place of Zak DeOssie in punt formations, but sent a few over the head of Steve Weatherford. If you don’t think it’s important, just read this article from 2011.
5) General manager Jerry Reese, echoing the words of executive scout Jeremiah Davis, referred to Louis Murphy as a “knife” that can take the top off defenses when he signed the wide receiver this offseason. While Murphy has been somewhat quiet in camp, he made some noise on Thursday before the team travels to Pittsburgh. On the first play after the Giants moved indoors in the middle of practice due to rain, Murphy broke free for a deep completion from Eli Manning. | {
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Our vision, our work
MissionAdvancing a new planetary vision
Tellus Institute strives to advance a planetary civilization rooted in justice, well-being, and sustainability. Our work addresses key dimensions of a transformative global praxis—understanding, vision, and action—by fostering scholarship, developing scenarios, and mobilizing networks for change. At this perilous juncture in human affairs, Tellus now more than ever joins engaged thinkers and thinking activists the world over in shaping a global transition, the great challenge of our time.
History at a Turning PointOur journey to planetary civilization
The world has entered the Planetary Phase of Civilization, a new epoch of accelerated change and heightened risk. Long threads of interdependence—economic, cultural, technological, political, and environmental—are binding the planet’s people and biosphere into a single community of fate. Some form of globalized civilization will take shape in the coming decades, but its ultimate character remains uncertain and contested. The path of world development depends on how we respond collectively to emergent crises and opportunities.
Dangerous PathwaysThe perils of conventional development
The conventional development paradigm assumes twenty-first century challenges can be adequately addressed through piecemeal market and policy adjustments. But a system that privileges profit over need, growth over resilience, and state-centrism over global governance would be ill-equipped for coping with looming non-conventional perils. Quite plausibly, Conventional Worlds scenarios could veer rather abruptly toward some form of Barbarization scenario, a descent into anarchic chaos, perhaps, or global repression.
Transforming Our WorldEmergence of a global community
The risk of evolutionary drift and catastrophic decline is all too real, but not inevitable. We still have time and world enough to shape a Great Transition, a civilization where the health of the environment, the breadth of human solidarity, and the quality of lives become the legitimate measures of development. Turning toward such a future depends on our collective capacity as global citizens to gain new insights, embrace new values, and take common actions. | {
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} |
Gold Prices Plummet as Fed Considers End to Stimulus (Update 1)
Written by: Joe Deaux01/04/13 - 2:22 PM EST
Tickers in this article:
ABX AEM GLD GOLD IAU KGC
Updated from 1:17 p.m. EST with settlement prices
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Gold prices plummeted Friday, a day after the Federal Reserve released minutes that reported mixed sentiment among Fed members about the central bank's extremely loose monetary policy. Gold dropped 0.85% on Thursday .
Gold for February delivery plunged $25.70, or 1.5%, to settle at $1648.90 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The gold price traded as high as $1,664.50 and as low as $1,626 an ounce, while the spot price was sinking $11.90, according to Kitco's gold index.
"A market that has been so badly hooked on a single drug (QE-ludes?) will have a problem when the pusher even remotely signals that supplies may be drying up," Jon Nadler, senior analyst at Kitco, wrote in a note on Friday.
Silver prices for March delivery shed 77 cents, to $29.24 an ounce, while the U.S. dollar index was climbing 0.07% to $80.57.
The Federal Open Market Committee -- the Fed's policy-making wing -- said Thursday that there were potential risks to financial stability over a disorderly finish to the fiscal cliff, impending disagreements about raising the debt ceiling and possible deterioration of conditions in Europe.
Major U.S. equity markets and gold prices sank immediately after the Fed minutes revealed that members expressed mixed opinions as to how much longer the open-ended mortgage-backed securities purchases and longer-term Treasury bond purchases should last.
"A few" of the members said ongoing stimulus would be warranted until the end of 2013, according to the minutes, while "several" others thought it would probably be appropriate to slow or end the programs "well before" the end of this year. Still, others said there was a need to continue considerable policy accommodation.
Simply, analysts and gold investors generally view the quantitative easing measures implemented by the Fed as inflationary policy, which makes gold a safe-haven asset to defend against inflation.
Gold prices have soared since the Fed and the U.S. government began massive stimulus packages meant to prop up the tumbling economy in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Gold prices came off their lows Friday after an announcement the unemployment rate ticked higher to 7.8% in December from the previous month's 7.7%. The Fed stated last month that it would keep interest rates near zero until unemployment reached 6.5%, and with the rate moving further from that target it likely gave investors some hope that it would give the central bank some incentive to maintain its current policies.
The Fed's minutes did not signal any unity among members for a specific expiration date of easing and low interest rates, and these measures almost certainly won't end in the near term.
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"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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IDM - #002: Solar System alignment defense
Project #002
Topic:
"Solar System alignment defense";
For years Nasa and other space-research organizations have worried about the effects of a metor coming into the earth's rotation, yet it has now come to the attention of these organizations that for earth to survive as it is, ALL the planets in the system must be held in their natural orbit around the sun. If a metor were to destroy mars, the system itself would be thrown out of loop.
It is up to you to design a defense system to protect the entire solar system from catastrophes.
I'm assumig the orbits don't travel in straight lines, but also move up and down in that orbit. But even so, in bajimillions of years, and/or in the supposed bajamillion years before now, shouldn't have/will pluto hit our old firend, the neptune.
I'm assumig the orbits don't travel in straight lines, but also move up and down in that orbit. But even so, in bajimillions of years, and/or in the supposed bajamillion years before now, shouldn't have/will pluto hit our old firend, the neptune.
No, the orbits are tilted and never actually intersect. But it is interesting to note that from time to time, Pluto isn't the farthest planet from the sun. Be sure to save that trivia gold for your next awesome party. Chicks dig astronomy facts.
theres 3 basic types of asteroids.
1 a single asteroid
2 a pair of asteriods (normally rotating around each other)
3 a small cluster or group of smaller asteroids.
the problem is that each has its difficulty in being destroyed. the first can be destroyed by a nuke if small. however if larger a nuke would do nothing more then put a dent in it
2 since theres 2 asteriods you need 2 bombs or one well placed on that could destoy 1 and blast the on of cousre enough to miss a planet
3. believe it or this would be the hardest to defend against. it'd be extremely dificult to manuever a nuke into the middle of the cluster, but more then likey after the explosion the pieces would simply come back together due to the gravity's atraction.
Think i might join in on this one.. sounds although a little complicated. How kind of extreme/futuristic are we allowed to go, as in plain old NUKE em out of the sky or bigg ass gravity rays that move them out of the way? Any limits at all, or they gotta be 'realistic'.... ?
Sounds like an impossibly task realistically, but we can only try.
Andy.
This idea interested me, so I registered for the forums . What level of technology is being assumed for this design? Is it up to us, or do we have to work to today's tech/very near future stuff? I quite liked the idea of a huge nanobot Dyson Sphere around the solar system, with the 'bots attaching to the asteroid, using its mass to replicate and fashion themselves into an engine using the asteroid itself as the reaction mass. Obviously this isn't really feasible with NASA tech right now , so I want to know if I have to change my idea.
so then we are talking about a single piece of equipment? i immediately thought that every planet would have to have its own orbiting version of this thing, or it would never work.
cheers,
k
well my design in just several large peices of equipment that work together, so at least 1 or 2 may be in range to take care of the asteroid, while the third or fourth will have time to make it, or can kind of be the rear guard so nothing sneaks up on them. i dunno
New
Hello, sounds really interesting. I dusted off my account, which I had never used for this one. Lot of freedom with it, I think any kind of technology is going to be acceptable on this.
Seems to me that a simple answer is required to be able to pull this one off, but for it to be effective it needs to take into consideration that the universe is freakin' big. The first thing that struck my brain was an energy barrier powered by a direct feed into the sun or something, but that wouldn't be enough power to generate a glowing energy shield around the universe. I don't think it would make a great picture either.
Anyway, this sounds kool, i prefer this to cow since i'm more into tech stuff and sci fi.
Direct energy feed from the sun is a good idea for someone who can't read
theres no way it could be something that could cover the whole solar system, just not that many resources, and prob would be cost-inefficient unless there was a huge threat that was powerful enough to take out a solar system, taking that into mind that the tech level would have to be pretty high for both species, both would need a massive power supply.
oops, just read its only for meteors, well i'll leave that one there since it took some time to write. Well you could put a massive steel wall to float around with rockets to guild it in the way of flying icy balls!
ha, I was thinking of something that could maniplulate the sun and use it for a defense, use its energy to break up the threat, but i don't know if having something powerful enough would cause major side effects, unstability, possible collapse, black holes, loss of energy.
Or i was thinking something like halo, i thought of it before halo came to mind so i didn't take the idea straight from it. could be a massive ring or sphere capable of linking up and creating a sheild for a short time, maybe a few hours, but powerful enough to totally destroy meteors, the power supply would maybe come from artifical sources, maybe fusion reactions, nuke and so on, yet the tech would be alot more advanced so we would have great means of produncing power, and also use the suns energy with maybe mini solar power/converter rings.
just my ideas.. good luck too all! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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For more information please contact venusflytrapjewels. Unique adornments for vixens | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Jackshaft Assembly (extra bushing)
Bike:1997 Electra Glide Standard - FLHT
Project:Starter replacement
Information source:Official Factory Service Manual (P.N.99483-97A)
I pulled the primary chaincase cover to remove the jackshaft bolt and pulled the starter from the machine. My issue:Had to leave the house fast, so I just laid all the parts on the floor for later. Now I have a bushing that is not showing on the starter jackshaft assembly parts diagram. I am almost (99%) sure this bushing came from the jackshaft from the starter side. Can anyone confirm this?
Attached Files:
I think it is a bushing for the Primary on the inside where the extension shaft comes thru. I'm looking at the parts manual P/N99456-97 on page 48, item #19(p/n33445-94). It shows 2 different bushing in the primary. When you put the coupling back on it goes only 1 way for the jack shaft to seat properly. It has a keeper ring inside of it that is offset from center. I believe the shorter depth goes to the starter side.
tourbox
This bushing also has a wear mark on the inside dead center of the bushing like a shaft has been spinning (maybe from the jackshaft) inside of the bushing. Maybe this bushing flushes with the boss of the primary chaincase lip seal.
Will the extra bushing fit on the smooth end of the pinion gear? If it does then it goes in the outer primary cover. 4 speeds had a bearing in there. They went to the bushings on 5 speeds. I think #19 I spoke of earlier is the bushing for the coupler of the pinion gear(larger diameter).
I don't know of any bushing between on the jack shaft on the starter side.
tourbox
This bushing also has a wear mark on the inside dead center of the bushing like a shaft has been spinning (maybe from the jackshaft) inside of the bushing. Maybe this bushing flushes with the boss of the primary chaincase lip seal.
Will the extra bushing fit on the smooth end of the pinion gear? If it does then it goes in the outer primary cover. 4 speeds had a bearing in there. They went to the bushings on 5 speeds. I think #19 I spoke of earlier is the bushing for the coupler of the pinion gear(larger diameter).
I don't know of any bushing between on the jack shaft on the starter side.
tourbox
Click to expand...
Looks like you found your answer, check it for play on the end of the shaft before reinstalling it
Conclusion:I now have a extra bushing, maybe the prior owner placed this bushing on the jackshaft. I can not find any reason or manual diagram for this bushing. So, I replaced the the old starter drive clutch (assembly/overrunning) with a Spyke's replacement starter drive clutch part #:400111 and now I'm going for some wind théräpÿ. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
About the Conference
Every three years, Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) organises the Asian Intercultural Conference – an international gathering of theatre professionals, scholars and academics. The 2014 Conference was presented in collaboration with The Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay, with the theme “New Intercultural Theatre: Methods, Techniques and Strategies of Making Contemporary Theatre”. The inaugural AIC 2008 (themed “Theatre Today: Seeking New Paradigms”) saw 80 participants from 16 countries engaged in a lively and critical review of contemporary theatre and intercultural work in Asia.
2017 sees the return of AIC, presented by ITI and once again, in collaboration with The Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay.
About ITI
ITI began as the Theatre Training & Research Programme (TTRP), founded in 2000 by renowned dramatist, Kuo Pao Kun (1939–2002), and the current Director, T. Sasitharan, after a period of research, reflection and preparatory work, including discussions with an international panel of consultants. ITI is inspired by the unique experience of contemporary theatre in Singapore over four decades and, in particular, by Kuo Pao Kun’s artistic vision and multicultural practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Go find the spec sheets on the various brands and check the base material. That is your answer. Each manufacturer has it's name for each base material. For example Amsteel Blue is the Sampson rope trade name for UHMWPE based cordage. Once you understand the various names you are throwing around you will have your answer.
Vectran is advertised as having less 'creep' than Amsteel. Whether it does or not, I've found Amsteel to be better for splicing. The holes I've made (e.g. for the bury in a whoopie sling or UCR) open up in Vectran more markedly. Might be that it's a looser weave, I dunno. I stick with Amsteel now. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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Release Highlights
The FreeBSD kernel now supports Capsicum Capability Mode. Capsicum is a set of
features for sandboxing support, using a capability model in which the capabilities are
file descriptors. Two new kernel options CAPABILITIES and CAPABILITY_MODE have been added to the GENERIC kernel. For more information about Capsicum, see http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/security/capsicum/.[r219129]
The hhook(9) (Helper
Hook) and khelp(9) (Kernel
Helpers) KPIs have been implemented. These are a kind of
superset of pfil(9) framework
for more general use in the kernel. The hhook(9) KPI
provides a way for kernel subsystems to export hook points
that khelp(9) modules can
hook to provide enhanced or new functionality to the
kernel. The khelp(9) KPI
provides a framework for managing khelp(9) modules,
which indirectly use the hhook(9) KPI to
register their hook functions with hook points of interest
within the kernel. These allow a structured way to
dynamically extend the kernel at runtime in an ABI
preserving manner.[r216758, r216615]
A new resource accounting API has been implemented. It can
keep per-process, per-jail, and per-loginclass resource
accounting information. Note that this is not built nor
installed by default. To build and install them, specify options RACCT in the kernel configuration
file and rebuild the base system as described in the FreeBSD Handbook.[r220137]
A new resource-limiting API has been implemented. It works
in conjunction with the RACCT
resource accounting implementation and takes user-configurable
actions based on the set of rules it maintains and the current
resource usage. The rctl(8) utility has
been added to manage the rules in userland. Note that this is
not built nor installed by default. To build and install them,
specify options RCTL in the kernel
configuration file and rebuild the base system as described in
the FreeBSD Handbook.[r220163]
[powerpc] FreeBSD/powerpc now supports Sony Playstation 3
using the OtherOS feature available on firmwares 3.15 and
earlier.[r217044]
The FreeBSD usb(4) subsystem now
supports USB packet filter. This allows to capture packets
which go through each USB host controller. The
implementation is almost based on bpf(4) code. The
userland program usbdump(8) has been
added.[r215649]
ipfw(8) now supports
the call and return actions. Upon the call number action, the
current rule number is saved in the internal stack and
ruleset processing continues with the first rule numbered
number or higher. The
return action takes the rule number
saved to internal stack by the latest call action and returns ruleset
processing to the first rule with number greater than that
saved number.[r223666]
For Infiniband support, OFED (OpenFabrics Enterprise
Distribution) version 1.5.3 has been imported into the base
system. Note that this is not built nor installed by default.
To build and install them, specify WITH_OFED=yes in /etc/src.conf and rebuild the base
system as described in the FreeBSD Handbook.[r219820]
The FreeBSD TCP/IP network stack now supports IPv4 prefixes
with /31 as described in RFC 3021, “Using 31-Bit
Prefixes on IPv4 Point-to-Point Links”.[r226572]
The FreeBSD TCP/IP network stack now supports the mod_cc(9) pluggable
congestion control framework. This allows TCP congestion
control algorithms to be implemented as dynamically loadable
kernel modules. The following kernel modules are available
as of 9.0-RELEASE: cc_chd(4) for the
CAIA-Hamilton-Delay algorithm, cc_cubic(4) for the
CUBIC algorithm, cc_hd(4) for the
Hamilton-Delay algorithm, cc_htcp(4) for the
H-TCP algorithm, cc_newreno(4) for
the NewReno algorithm, and cc_vegas(4) for the
Vegas algorithm. The default algorithm can be set by a new
sysctl(8) variable
net.inet.tcp.cc.algorithm. The
value must be set to one of the names listed by net.inet.tcp.cc.available, and newreno is the default set at boot
time. For more detail, see the mod_cc(4) and mod_cc(9) manual
pages.[r216109, r216114, r216115, r218152, r218153, r218155]
An h_ertt(4) (Enhanced
Round Trip Time) khelp(9) module has
been added. This module allows per-connection, low noise
estimates of the instantaneous RTT in the TCP/IP network
stack with a robust implementation even in the face of
delayed acknowledgments and/or TSO (TCP Segmentation
Offload) being in use for a connection.[r217806]
A new tcp(4) socket option
TCP_CONGESTION has been added. This
allows to select or query the congestion control algorithm
that the TCP/IP network stack will use for connections on
the socket.[r218912]
The ng_netflow(4)netgraph(4) node now
supports NetFlow version 9. A new export9 hook has been added for NetFlow
v9 data. Note that data export can be done simultaneously in
both version 5 and version 9.[r219183]
The geom_map(4) GEOM
class has been added. This allows to generate multiple geom
providers based on a hard-coded layout of a device with no
explicit partition table such as embedded flash storage. For
more information, see the geom_map(4) manual
page.[r220559]
The graid(8) GEOM class
has been added. This is a replacement of the ataraid(4) driver
supporting various BIOS-based software RAID.[r219974]
A tws(4) driver for
3ware 9750 SATA+SAS 6Gb/s RAID controllers has been
added.[r226115]
The FreeBSD Fast File System now supports softupdates
journaling. It introduces a intent log into a
softupdates-enabled file system which eliminates the need for
background fsck(8) even on
unclean shutdown. This can be enabled in a per-filesystem
basis by using the -j flag of the
newfs(8) utility or
the -j enable option of the tunefs(8)
utility. Note that the 9.0-RELEASE installer automatically
enables softupdates journaling for newly-created UFS file
systems.[r207141, r218726]
The FreeBSD Fast File System now supports the TRIM command when freeing data blocks. A
new flag -t in the newfs(8) and tunefs(8) utilities
sets the TRIM-enable flag for a file system. The TRIM-enable
flag makes the file system send a delete request to the
underlying device for each freed block. The TRIM command is specified as a Data Set
Management Command in the ATA8-ACS2 standard to carry the
information related to deleted data blocks to a device,
especially for a SSD (Solid-State Drive) for optimization.[r216796]
The FreeBSD NFS subsystem has been updated. The new
implementation supports NFS version 4 in addition to 2 and
3. The kernel options for the NFS server and client are
changed from NFSSERVER and NFSCLIENT to NFSD and NFSCL. sysctl(8) variables
which start with vfs.nfssrv. have
been renamed to vfs.nfsd.. The
NFS server now supports vfs.nfsd.server_max_nfsvers and vfs.nfsd.server_min_nfsverssysctl(8) variables to
specify the maximum and the minimum NFS version number which
the server accepts. The default value is set to 3 and 2,
respectively.[r221124]
An implementation of iconv()
API libraries and utilities which are standardized in Single
UNIX Specification has been imported. These are based on
NetBSD's Citrus implementation. Note that these are not built
nor installed by default. To build and install them, specify
WITH_ICONV=yes in /etc/src.conf and rebuild the base
system as described in the FreeBSD Handbook.[r219019]
A readline(3) API set
has been imported into libedit. This is based on NetBSD's
implementation and BSD licensed utilities now use it instead
of GNU libreadline.[r220370]
The rtld(1) runtime
linker now supports shared objects as filters in ELF shared
libraries. Both standard and auxiliary filtering have been
supported. The rtld(1) linker's
processing of a filter defers loading a filtee until a
filter symbol is referenced unless the LD_LOADFLTR environment variable is
defined or a -z loadfltr option was
specified when the filter was created.[r216695]
A bug in the tftpd(8) daemon has
been fixed. It had an interoperability issue when
transferring a large file.[r224536]
The utmp(5) user
accounting database has been replaced by utmpx(3). User
accounting utilities will now use utmpx database files exclusively. The
wtmpcvt(1) utility
can be used to convert wtmp files
to the new format, making it possible to read them using the
updated utilities.[r202188]
The zpool(8): utility
now supports a zpool labelclear
command. This allows to wipe the label data from a drive
that is not active in a pool.[r224171]
A list of all platforms currently under development can be found
on the Supported
Platforms page. | {
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} |
Kendrick Lamar Recalls That the First Time Dr. Dre Called Him, Thought It Was a Prank
From the Beginning
At this point, Kendrick Lamar is internationally known. He has a certified platinum album, a few Top 40 singles, and a Grammy Award under his belt. With a net worth of $35 million, the rapper even made Forbes‘ 30 Under 30 list. However, he traveled a long way to get where he is now.
Raised on the streets of Compton with connections to Bloods, Lamar hasn’t been shy about seeing certain things too early in life. One sight he was probably destined to see? Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre filming the music video for “California Love” in his hometown.
As an eight-year-old seeing his idols so close up, this moment was a pivotal point in Lamar’s life.
Nine years later, K. Dot released his first full length mixtape, Youngest Head N**ga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year). From there on, the Cali native kept working and grinding, never letting his work ethic falter.
He knew he had made it when the idol he saw as a child called him.
Credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images
Prank Calls?
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
“I was on tour with my brother Jay Rock, and I was his hype man. I wasn’t the main attraction. I was just there to get the crowd ready, get my own thing out, support my bro at the same time. It was Tech N9ne’s tour,” Lamar shared on The Howard Stern Show. “Me and my boy, we was eating at Chili’s — I’ll never forget it — we was eating at Chili’s, and we got a call like, ‘Yo, Dr. Dre likes your music.'”
The star went on to say that he hung up because he thought it was joke. Thankfully, Dr. Dre kept trying. After a few more calls, Lamar finally took it seriously, saying the call “definitely” changed the course of his life.
Advertisement
Rap Idols
Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images
Nowadays, Lamar is the idol eight-year-olds are looking up to — and what an idol he is.
During an interview with Forbes, the rapper showed just how much he loves hip-hop as a genre, revealing that he only wants the best for it as a whole. According to the “Loyalty” rapper, in order for hip-hop to continue thriving and growing, everyone has to realize that music is a reflection of artists’ personal style. More than that, all musicians have to respect each other.
“That’s why I can’t shun a lot of the artists that may not be a Kendrick Lamar. But this is what I tell them every time I see them… be yourself and do what you do but also know who laid down the groundwork,” Kendrick said.
He dropped tons of knowledge on the style that rappers like 21 Savage, Young Thug, Future, and Desiigner have made popular. He even offered big-brother-like advice to younger artists.
“Don’t go on your interviews and diss them and say you don’t like them and you don’t care for them,” he said, addressing those who actively speak out against their fellow artists. “That’s your opinion, that’s cool but you have to respect them.”
“He is the arch of no compromise, no concession, and very colorful with it,” Pharrell said. “And that’s what, I feel like, that’s what is very interesting about his journey. Because if you understand him then, you know anything that he’s ever done is just what he’s really, really, really felt.”
Can you believe he hung up on Dre? SHARE this article and let us know your thoughts! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Our adventures as vegan homeschoolers…
Hands of a Child Note Pack FREEBIE!!!!
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Hands of a Child! We are Super Members we love it so much.
We are moving more toward notebooking versus lapbooking lately, so this is a great freebie for us. It was announced on their Yahoo! group. If you are not signed up for the newsletter or group, DO SO! It is a great resource. They tell about all of the upcoming sales, answer questions, etc. One of the great things about HOAC is their thoroughness and customer service.
The free note pack is for their Single-Celled Organisms unit. This is geared for grades 5-8, but it is really easy to tone down (or beef up) an HOAC unit. Another thing we love about them! If you have never tried notebooking, or don’t even know what it is, grab this while it is free! There is a whole section at the beginning that explains what notebooking is, what a note pack is and how to use it. It’s very step-by-step and easy to understand.
To sign up for Hands of a Child’s newsletter, head over to their site. There is a tab at the top for “Newsletter”. While you’re there check out their $5 EBook of the Week. These are full units they discount and change out every week! This week it is the Renaissance.
Great resource for ANY diet (Vegan, Veg, GF, etc)
Homeschool Items We Use
Blog Resources
Disclosure
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that I may receive compensation if you click a link or buy an item through a link on my site. I will never post a link for something we don't use or believe in! That's just not me. Thank you for supporting this blog! :) | {
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Impact Video And Daktronics Score A Perfect 10
Impact Video and Daktronics announce the addition of a tenth trailer-mounted Daktronics light emitting diode (LED) video display to Impact Video’s fleet of mobile systems.
The new screen, using Daktronics proven 23 millimeter ProStar® technology, measures approximately 22 feet high by 30 feet wide, and is identical to the largest Illuminator® system in Impact Video’s fleet of ten. The system contains a full on-board control room with preview monitoring and switching capability that ... | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Background
In addition to Queue's GATK-wrapper codegen, relatively slow scala compilation, etc. there's still a lot of legacy compatibility from our ant days in the Maven scripts. Our mvn verify behaves more like when one runs ant, and builds everything needed to bundle the GATK.
As of GATK 3.4, by default the build for the "protected" code generates jar files that contains every class needed for running, one for the GATK and one for Queue. This is done by the Maven shade plugin, and are each called the "package jar". But, there's a way to generate a jar file that only contains META-INF/MANIFEST.MF pointers to the dependency jar files, instead of zipping/shading them up. These are each the "executable jar", and FYI are always generated as it takes seconds, not minutes.
Instructions for fast compilation
While developing and recompiling Queue, disable the shaded jar with -Ddisable.shadepackage. Then run java -jar target/executable/Queue.jar ... If you need to transfer this jar to another machine / directory, you can't copy (or rsync) just the jar, you'll need the entire executable directory.
# Total expected time, on a local disk, with Queue:
# ~5.0 min from clean
# ~1.5 min per recompile
mvn -Ddisable.shadepackage verify
# always available
java -jar target/executable/Queue.jar --help
# not found when shade disabled
java -jar target/package/Queue.jar --help
If one is only developing for the GATK, skip Queue by adding -P\!queue also.
This document explains the concepts involved and how they are applied within the GATK (and Queue where applicable). For specific configuration recommendations, see the companion document on parallelizing GATK tools.
1. Introducing the concept of parallelism
Parallelism is a way to make a program finish faster by performing several operations in parallel, rather than sequentially (i.e. waiting for each operation to finish before starting the next one).
Imagine you need to cook rice for sixty-four people, but your rice cooker can only make enough rice for four people at a time. If you have to cook all the batches of rice sequentially, it's going to take all night. But if you have eight rice cookers that you can use in parallel, you can finish up to eight times faster.
This is a very simple idea but it has a key requirement: you have to be able to break down the job into smaller tasks that can be done independently. It's easy enough to divide portions of rice because rice itself is a collection of discrete units. In contrast, let's look at a case where you can't make that kind of division: it takes one pregnant woman nine months to grow a baby, but you can't do it in one month by having nine women share the work.
The good news is that most GATK runs are more like rice than like babies. Because GATK tools are built to use the Map/Reduce method (see doc for details), most GATK runs essentially consist of a series of many small independent operations that can be parallelized.
A quick warning about tradeoffs
Parallelism is a great way to speed up processing on large amounts of data, but it has "overhead" costs. Without getting too technical at this point, let's just say that parallelized jobs need to be managed, you have to set aside memory for them, regulate file access, collect results and so on. So it's important to balance the costs against the benefits, and avoid dividing the overall work into too many small jobs.
Going back to the introductory example, you wouldn't want to use a million tiny rice cookers that each boil a single grain of rice. They would take way too much space on your countertop, and the time it would take to distribute each grain then collect it when it's cooked would negate any benefits from parallelizing in the first place.
Parallel computing in practice (sort of)
OK, parallelism sounds great (despite the tradeoffs caveat), but how do we get from cooking rice to executing programs? What actually happens in the computer?
Consider that when you run a program like the GATK, you're just telling the computer to execute a set of instructions.
Let's say we have a text file and we want to count the number of lines in it. The set of instructions to do this can be as simple as:
open the file, count the number of lines in the file, tell us the number, close the file
Note that tell us the number can mean writing it to the console, or storing it somewhere for use later on.
Now let's say we want to know the number of words on each line. The set of instructions would be:
open the file, read the first line, count the number of words, tell us the number, read the second line, count the number of words, tell us the number, read the third line, count the number of words, tell us the number
And so on until we've read all the lines, and finally we can close the file. It's pretty straightforward, but if our file has a lot of lines, it will take a long time, and it will probably not use all the computing power we have available.
So to parallelize this program and save time, we just cut up this set of instructions into separate subsets like this:
open the file, index the lines
read the first line, count the number of words, tell us the number
read the second line, count the number of words, tell us the number
read the third line, count the number of words, tell us the number
[repeat for all lines]
collect final results and close the file
Here, the read the Nth line steps can be performed in parallel, because they are all independent operations.
You'll notice that we added a step, index the lines. That's a little bit of peliminary work that allows us to perform the read the Nth line steps in parallel (or in any order we want) because it tells us how many lines there are and where to find each one within the file. It makes the whole process much more efficient. As you may know, the GATK requires index files for the main data files (reference, BAMs and VCFs); the reason is essentially to have that indexing step already done.
Anyway, that's the general principle: you transform your linear set of instructions into several subsets of instructions. There's usually one subset that has to be run first and one that has to be run last, but all the subsets in the middle can be run at the same time (in parallel) or in whatever order you want.
2. Parallelizing the GATK
There are three different modes of parallelism offered by the GATK, and to really understand the difference you first need to understand what are the different levels of computing that are involved.
A quick word about levels of computing
By levels of computing, we mean the computing units in terms of hardware: the core, the machine (or CPU) and the cluster.
Core: the level below the machine. On your laptop or desktop, the CPU (central processing unit, or processor) contains one or more cores. If you have a recent machine, your CPU probably has at least two cores, and is therefore called dual-core. If it has four, it's a quad-core, and so on. High-end consumer machines like the latest Mac Pro have up to twelve-core CPUs (which should be called dodeca-core if we follow the Latin terminology) but the CPUs on some professional-grade machines can have tens or hundreds of cores.
Machine: the middle of the scale. For most of us, the machine is the laptop or desktop computer. Really we should refer to the CPU specifically, since that's the relevant part that does the processing, but the most common usage is to say machine. Except if the machine is part of a cluster, in which case it's called a node.
Cluster: the level above the machine. This is a high-performance computing structure made of a bunch of machines (usually called nodes) networked together. If you have access to a cluster, chances are it either belongs to your institution, or your company is renting time on it. A cluster can also be called a server farm or a load-sharing facility.
Parallelism can be applied at all three of these levels, but in different ways of course, and under different names. Parallelism takes the name of multi-threading at the core and machine levels, and scatter-gather at the cluster level.
Multi-threading
In computing, a thread of execution is a set of instructions that the program issues to the processor to get work done. In single-threading mode, a program only sends a single thread at a time to the processor and waits for it to be finished before sending another one. In multi-threading mode, the program may send several threads to the processor at the same time.
Not making sense? Let's go back to our earlier example, in which we wanted to count the number of words in each line of our text document. Hopefully it is clear that the first version of our little program (one long set of sequential instructions) is what you would run in single-threaded mode. And the second version (several subsets of instructions) is what you would run in multi-threaded mode, with each subset forming a separate thread. You would send out the first thread, which performs the preliminary work; then once it's done you would send the "middle" threads, which can be run in parallel; then finally once they're all done you would send out the final thread to clean up and collect final results.
If you're still having a hard time visualizing what the different threads are like, just imagine that you're doing cross-stitching. If you're a regular human, you're working with just one hand. You're pulling a needle and thread (a single thread!) through the canvas, making one stitch after another, one row after another. Now try to imagine an octopus doing cross-stitching. He can make several rows of stitches at the same time using a different needle and thread for each. Multi-threading in computers is surprisingly similar to that.
Hey, if you have a better example, let us know in the forum and we'll use that instead.
Alright, now that you understand the idea of multithreading, let's get practical: how do we do get the GATK to use multi-threading?
There are two options for multi-threading with the GATK, controlled by the arguments -nt and -nct, respectively. They can be combined, since they act at different levels of computing:
-nt / --num_threads controls the number of data threads sent to the processor (acting at the machine level)
-nct / --num_cpu_threads_per_data_thread controls the number of CPU threads allocated to each data thread (acting at the core level).
Not all GATK tools can use these options due to the nature of the analyses that they perform and how they traverse the data. Even in the case of tools that are used sequentially to perform a multi-step process, the individual tools may not support the same options. For example, at time of writing (Dec. 2012), of the tools involved in local realignment around indels, RealignerTargetCreator supports -nt but not -nct, while IndelRealigner does not support either of these options.
In addition, there are some important technical details that affect how these options can be used with optimal results. Those are explained along with specific recommendations for the main GATK tools in a companion document on parallelizing the GATK.
Scatter-gather
If you Google it, you'll find that the term scatter-gather can refer to a lot of different things, including strategies to get the best price quotes from online vendors, methods to control memory allocation and… an indie-rock band. What all of those things have in common (except possibly the band) is that they involve breaking up a task into smaller, parallelized tasks (scattering) then collecting and integrating the results (gathering). That should sound really familiar to you by now, since it's the general principle of parallel computing.
So yes, "scatter-gather" is really just another way to say we're parallelizing things. OK, but how is it different from multithreading, and why do we need yet another name?
As you know by now, multithreading specifically refers to what happens internally when the program (in our case, the GATK) sends several sets of instructions to the processor to achieve the instructions that you originally gave it in a single command-line. In contrast, the scatter-gather strategy as used by the GATK involves a separate program, called Queue, which generates separate GATK jobs (each with its own command-line) to achieve the instructions given in a so-called Qscript (i.e. a script written for Queue in a programming language called Scala).
At the simplest level, the Qscript can involve a single GATK tool*. In that case Queue will create separate GATK commands that will each run that tool on a portion of the input data (= the scatter step). The results of each run will be stored in temporary files. Then once all the runs are done, Queue will collate all the results into the final output files, as if the tool had been run as a single command (= the gather step).
Note that Queue has additional capabilities, such as managing the use of multiple GATK tools in a dependency-aware manner to run complex pipelines, but that is outside the scope of this article. To learn more about pipelining the GATK with Queue, please see the Queue documentation.
Compare and combine
So you see, scatter-gather is a very different process from multi-threading because the parallelization happens outside of the program itself. The big advantage is that this opens up the upper level of computing: the cluster level. Remember, the GATK program is limited to dispatching threads to the processor of the machine on which it is run – it cannot by itself send threads to a different machine. But Queue can dispatch scattered GATK jobs to different machines in a computing cluster by interfacing with your cluster's job management software.
That being said, multithreading has the great advantage that cores and machines all have access to shared machine memory with very high bandwidth capacity. In contrast, the multiple machines on a network used for scatter-gather are fundamentally limited by network costs.
The good news is that you can combine scatter-gather and multithreading: use Queue to scatter GATK jobs to different nodes on your cluster, then use the GATK's internal multithreading capabilities to parallelize the jobs running on each node.
Going back to the rice-cooking example, it's as if instead of cooking the rice yourself, you hired a catering company to do it for you. The company assigns the work to several people, who each have their own cooking station with multiple rice cookers. Now you can feed a lot more people in the same amount of time! And you don't even have to clean the dishes.
Memory considerations for multi-threading
Each data thread needs to be given the full amount of memory you’d normally give a single run. So if you’re running a tool that normally requires 2 Gb of memory to run, if you use -nt 4, the multithreaded run will use 8 Gb of memory. In contrast, CPU threads will share the memory allocated to their “mother” data thread, so you don’t need to worry about allocating memory based on the number of CPU threads you use.
Additional consideration when using -nct with versions 2.2 and 2.3
Because of the way the -nct option was originally implemented, in versions 2.2 and 2.3, there is one CPU thread that is reserved by the system to “manage” the rest. So if you use -nct, you’ll only really start seeing a speedup with -nct 3 (which yields two effective "working" threads) and above. This limitation has been resolved in the implementation that will be available in versions 2.4 and up.
Scatter-gather
Applicability of parallelism to the major GATK tools
Please note that not all tools support all parallelization modes. The parallelization modes that are available for each tool depend partly on the type of traversal that the tool uses to walk through the data, and partly on the nature of the analyses it performs.
Tool
Full name
Type of traversal
NT
NCT
SG
RTC
RealignerTargetCreator
RodWalker
+
-
-
IR
IndelRealigner
ReadWalker
-
-
+
BR
BaseRecalibrator
LocusWalker
-
+
+
PR
PrintReads
ReadWalker
-
+
-
RR
ReduceReads
ReadWalker
-
-
+
UG
UnifiedGenotyper
LocusWalker
+
+
+
Recommended configurations
The table below summarizes configurations that we typically use for our own projects (one per tool, except we give three alternate possibilities for the UnifiedGenotyper). The different values allocated for each tool reflect not only the technical capabilities of these tools (which options are supported), but also our empirical observations of what provides the best tradeoffs between performance gains and commitment of resources. Please note however that this is meant only as a guide, and that we cannot give you any guarantee that these configurations are the best for your own setup. You will probably have to experiment with the settings to find the configuration that is right for you.
Tool
RTC
IR
BR
PR
RR
UG
Available modes
NT
SG
NCT,SG
NCT
SG
NT,NCT,SG
Cluster nodes
1
4
4
1
4
4 / 4 / 4
CPU threads (-nct)
1
1
8
4-8
1
3 / 6 / 24
Data threads (-nt)
24
1
1
1
1
8 / 4 / 1
Memory (Gb)
48
4
4
4
4
32 / 16 / 4
Where NT is data multithreading, NCT is CPU multithreading and SG is scatter-gather using Queue. For more details on scatter-gather, see the primer on parallelism for the GATK and the Queue documentation.
1. What is Scala?
Scala is a combination of an object oriented framework and a functional programming language. For a good introduction see the free online book Programming Scala.
The following are extremely brief answers to frequently asked questions about Scala which often pop up when first viewing or editing QScripts. For more information on Scala there a multitude of resources available around the web including the Scala home page and the online Scala Doc.
2. Where do I learn more about Scala?
http://www.scala-lang.org
http://programming-scala.labs.oreilly.com
http://www.scala-lang.org/docu/files/ScalaByExample.pdf
http://devcheatsheet.com/tag/scala/
http://davetron5000.github.com/scala-style/index.html
3. What is the difference between var and val?
var is a value you can later modify, while val is similar to final in Java.
4. What is the difference between Scala collections and Java collections? / Why do I get the error: type mismatch?
Because the GATK and Queue are a mix of Scala and Java sometimes you'll run into problems when you need a Scala collection and instead a Java collection is returned.
Use the implicit definitions in JavaConversions to automatically convert the basic Java collections to and from Scala collections.
import collection.JavaConversions._
Scala has a very rich collections framework which you should take the time to enjoy. One of the first things you'll notice is that the default Scala collections are immutable, which means you should treat them as you would a String. When you want to 'modify' an immutable collection you need to capture the result of the operation, often assigning the result back to the original variable.
9. What is _ / What is the underscore?
François Armand's slide deck is a good introduction: http://www.slideshare.net/normation/scala-dreaded
To quote from his slides:
Give me a variable name but
- I don't care of what it is
- and/or
- don't want to pollute my namespace with it
10. How do I format a String?
Use the .format() method.
This Java snippet:
String formatted = String.format("%s %i", myString, myInt);
In Scala would be:
val formatted = "%s %i".format(myString, myInt)
11. Can I use Scala Enumerations as QScript @Arguments?
No. Currently Scala's Enumeration class does not interact with the Java reflection API in a way that could be used for Queue command line arguments. You can use Java enums if for example you are importing a Java based walker's enum type.
If/when we find a workaround for Queue we'll update this entry. In the meantime try using a String.
3. What is the best way to run a utility method at the right time?
Wrap the utility with an InProcessFunction. If your functionality is reusable code you should add it to Sting Utils with Unit Tests and then invoke your new function from your InProcessFunction. Computationally or memory intensive functions should NOT be implemented as InProcessFunctions, and should be wrapped in Queue CommandLineFunctions instead.
Queue relies on a lot of Scala traits / mixins. These dependencies are not always picked up by the scala/java compilers leading to partially implemented classes. If that doesn't work please let us know in the forum.
7. Do I need to create directories in my QScript?
No. QScript will create all parent directories for outputs.
8. How do I specify the -W 240 for the LSF hour queue at the Broad?
Queue's LSF dispatcher automatically looks up and sets the maximum runtime for whichever LSF queue is specified. If you set your -jobQueue/.jobQueue to hour then you should see something like this under bjobs -l:
Queue will not re-run the job if a .done file is found for the all the outputs, e.g.: /path/to/.output.file.done. You can either remove the specific .done files yourself, or use the -startFromScratch command line option.
1. Background
Thanks to contributions from the community, Queue contains a job runner compatible with Grid Engine 6.2u5.
As of July 2011 this is the currently known list of forked distributions of Sun's Grid Engine 6.2u5. As long as they are JDRMAA 1.0 source compatible with Grid Engine 6.2u5, the compiled Queue code should run against each of these distributions. However we have yet to receive confirmation that Queue works on any of these setups.
2. Running Queue with GridEngine
If all goes well Queue should dispatch the job to Grid Engine and wait until the status returns RunningStatus.DONE and "hello world should be echoed into the output file, possibly with other grid engine log messages.
1. Basic QScript run rules
Queue will run functions based on the dependencies between them, so if the @Input of CommandLineFunctionA depends on the @Output of ComandLineFunctionB, A will wait for B to finish before it starts running.
2. Command Line
Each CommandLineFunction must define the actual command line to run as follows.
Constructing a Command Line Manually
If you're writing a one-off CommandLineFunction that is not destined for use
by other QScripts, it's often easiest to construct the command line directly
rather than through the API methods provided in the CommandLineFunction class.
For example:
def commandLine = "cat %s | grep -v \"#\" > %s".format(files, out)
Constructing a Command Line using API Methods
If you're writing a CommandLineFunction that will become part of Queue and/or
will be used by other QScripts, however, our best practice recommendation is
to construct your command line only using the methods provided in the
CommandLineFunction class: required(), optional(), conditional(), and repeat()
The reason for this is that these methods automatically escape the values you
give them so that they'll be interpreted literally within the shell scripts
Queue generates to run your command, and they also manage whitespace separation of command-line tokens for you. This prevents (for example) a value like MQ > 10 from being interpreted as an output redirection by the shell, and avoids issues with values containing embedded spaces. The methods also give you the ability to turn escaping and/or whitespace separation off as needed. An example:
The CommandLineFunctions built into Queue, including the CommandLineFunctions
automatically generated for GATK Walkers, are all written using this pattern.
This means that when you configure a GATK Walker or one of the other built-in
CommandLineFunctions in a QScript, you can rely on all of your values being
safely escaped and taken literally when the commands are run, including values
containing characters that would normally be interpreted by the shell such as
MQ > 10.
Below is a brief overview of the API methods available to you in the CommandLineFunction class for safely constructing command lines:
Collections as Arguments
A List or Set of files can use the CommandLineFunction.repeat() utility method, as described above:
class MyCommandLine extends CommandLineFunction {
@Input(doc="input file")
var inputFile: List[File] = Nil // NOTE: Do not set List or Set variables to null!
// -fileParam will added as many times as the QScript adds the inputFile on this instance of MyCommandLine
def commandLine = required("myScript.sh") + repeat("-fileParam", inputFile)
}
Non-File Arguments
A command line function can define other required arguments via @Argument.
These are the most popular Queue command line options. For a complete and up to date list run with --help or -h. QScripts may also add additional command line options.
1. Queue Command Line Options
Command Line Argument
Description
Default
-run
If passed the scripts are run. If not passed a dry run is executed.
dry run
-jobRunner <jobrunner>
The job runner to dispatch jobs. Setting to Lsf706, GridEngine, or Drmaa will dispatch jobs to LSF or Grid Engine using the job settings (see below). Defaults to Shell which runs jobs on a local shell one at a time.
Shell
-bsub
Alias for -jobRunner Lsf706
not set
-qsub
Alias for -jobRunner GridEngine
not set
-status
Prints out a summary progress. If a QScript is currently running via -run, you can run the same command line with -status instead to print a summary of progress.
not set
-retry <count>
Retries a QFunction that returns a non-zero exit code up to count times. The QFunction must not have set jobRestartable to false.
0 = no retries
-startFromScratch
Restarts the graph from the beginning. If not specified for each output file specified on a QFunction, ex: /path/to/output.file, Queue will not re-run the job if a .done file is found for the all the outputs, ex: /path/to/.output.file.done.
use .done files to determine if jobs are complete
-keepIntermediates
By default Queue deletes the output files of QFunctions that set .isIntermediate to true.
delete intermediate files
-statusTo <email>
Email address to send status to whenever a) A job fails, or b) Queue has run all the functions it can run and is exiting.
1. Introduction
As mentioned in the introductory materials, the core concept behind the GATK tools is the walker. The Queue scripting framework contains several mechanisms which make it easy to chain together GATK walkers.
2. Authoring walkers
As part of authoring your walker there are several Queue behaviors that you can specify for QScript authors using your particular walker.
Specifying how to partition
Queue can significantly speed up generating walker outputs by passing different instances of the GATK the same BAM or VCF data but specifying different regions of the data to analyze. After the different instances output their individual results Queue will gather the results back to the original output path requested by QScript.
Queue limits the level it will split genomic data by examining the @PartitionBy() annotation for your walker which specifies a PartitionType. This table lists the different partition types along with the default partition level for each of the different walker types.
PartitionType
Default for Walker Type
Description
Example Intervals
Example Splits
PartitionType.CONTIG
Read walkers
Data is grouped together so that all genomic data from the same contig is never presented to two different instances of the GATK.
Data is split down to the interval level but never divides up an explicitly specified interval. If no explicit intervals are specified in the QScript for the GATK then this is effectively the same as splitting by contig.
The data cannot be split and Queue must run the single instance of the GATK as specified in the QScript.
original: chr1:10-11, chr2:10-20, chr2:30-40, chr2:50-60, chr3:10-11
no split: chr1:10-11, chr2:10-20, chr2:30-40, chr2:50-60, chr3:10-11
If you walker is implemented in a way that Queue should not divide up your data you should explicitly set the @PartitionBy(PartitionType.NONE). If your walker can theoretically be run per genome location specify @PartitionBy(PartitionType.LOCUS).
The first two files are scanned for a common header. The header is written once into the output, and then each file is appended to the output, skipping past with the header lines.
If your PrintStream is not a simple text file that can be concatenated together, you must implement a Gatherer. Extend your custom Gatherer from the abstract base class and implement the gather() method.
Note that the generated GATK extensions will automatically handle shell-escaping of all values assigned to the various Walker parameters, so you can rest assured that all of your values will be taken literally by the shell. Do not attempt to escape values yourself -- ie.,
Listing variables
In addition to the GATK documentation on this wiki you can also find the full list of arguments for each walker extension in a variety of ways.
The source code for the extensions is generated during ant queue and placed in this directory:
build/queue-extensions/src
When properly configured an IDE can provide command completion of the walker extensions. See Queue with IntelliJ IDEA for our recommended settings.
If you do not have access to an IDE you can still find the names of the generated variables using the command line. The generated variable names on each extension are based off of the fullName of the Walker argument. To see the built in documentation for each Walker, run the GATK with:
java -jar GenomeAnalysisTK.jar -T <walker name> -help
Once the import statement is specified you can add() instances of gatk extensions in your QScript's script() method.
Setting variables
If the GATK walker input allows more than one of a value you should specify the values as a List().
Specifying an alternate GATK jar
By default Queue runs the GATK from the current classpath. This works best since the extensions are generated and compiled at time same time the GATK is compiled via ant queue.
If you need to swap in a different version of the GATK you may not be able to use the generated extensions. The alternate GATK jar must have the same command line arguments as the GATK compiled with Queue. Otherwise the arguments will not match and you will get an error when Queue attempts to run the alternate GATK jar. In this case you will have to create your own custom CommandLineFunction for your analysis.
This will run the UnifiedGenotyper up to 20 ways parallel and then will merge the partial VCFs back into the single snps.vcf.
Additional caveat
Some walkers are still being updated to support Queue fully. For example they may not have defined the @Input and @Output and thus Queue is unable to correctly track their dependencies, or a custom Gatherer may not be implemented yet.
We have found it that Queue works best with IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition (free) or Ultimate Edition installed with the Scala Plugin enabled. Once you have downloaded IntelliJ IDEA, follow the instructions below to setup a Sting project with Queue and the Scala Plugin.
1. Build Queue on the Command Line
Build Queue from source from the command line with ant queue, so that:
- The lib folder is initialized including the scala jars
- The queue-extensions for the GATK are generated to the build folder
2. Add the scala plugin
In IntelliJ, open the menu File > Settings
Under the IDE Settings in the left navigation list select Plugins
Click on the Available tab under plugins
Scroll down in the list of available plugins and install the scala plugin
If asked to retrieve dependencies, click No. The correct scala libraries and compiler are already available in the lib folder from when you built Queue from the command line
Restart IntelliJ to load the scala plugin
3. Creating a new Sting Project including Queue
Select the menu File... > New Project...
On the first page of "New Project" select
Create project from scratch
Click Next >
On the second page of "New Project" select
Set the project Name: to Sting
Set the Project files location: to the directory where you checked out the Sting git repository, for example /Users/jamie/src/Sting
Uncheck Create Module
Click Finish
The "Project Structure" window should open. If not open it via the menu File > Project Structure
Under the Project Settings in the left panel of "Project Structure" select Project
Make sure that Project SDK is set to a build of 1.6
If the Project SDK only lists <No SDK> add a New > JSDK pointing to /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6
Under the Project Settings in the left panel of "Project Structure" select Libraries
Click the plus (+) to create a new Project Library
Set the Name: to Sting/lib
Select Attach Jar Directories
Select the path to lib folder under your SVN checkout
Under the Project Settings in the left panel of "Project Structure" select Modules
Click on the + box to add a new module
On the first page of "Add Module" select
Create module from scratch
Click Next \>
On the second page of "Add Module" select
Set the module Name: to Sting
Change the Content root to: <directory where you checked out the Sting SVN repository>
Click Next \>
On the third page
Uncheck all of the other source directories only leaving the java/src directory checked
Click Next \>
On fourth page click Finish
Back in the Project Structure window, under the Module 'Sting', on the Sources tab make sure the following folders are selected
In the Project Structure window, under the Module 'Sting', on the Module Dependencies tab select
Click on the button Add...
Select the popup menu Library...
Select the Sting/lib library
Click Add selected
Refresh the Project Structure window so that it becomes aware of the Scala library in Sting/lib
Click the OK button
Reopen Project Structure via the menu File > Project Structure
In the second panel, click on the Sting module
Click on the plus (+) button above the second panel module
In the popup menu under Facet select Scala
On the right under Facet 'Scala' set the Compiler library: to Sting/lib
Click OK
4. Enable annotation processing
Open the menu File > Settings
Under Project Settings [Sting] in the left navigation list select Compiler then Annotation Processors
Click to enable the checkbox Enable annotation processing
Leave the radio button obtain processors from the classpath selected
Click OK
5. Debugging Queue
Adding a Remote Configuration
[[File:queue_debug.png|300px|thumb|right|Queue Remote Debug]]
In IntelliJ 10 open the menu Run > Edit Configurations.
Click the gold [+] button at the upper left to open the Add New Configuration popup menu.
Select Remote from the popup menu.
With the new configuration selected on the left, change the configuration name from 'Unnamed' to something like 'Queue Remote Debug'.
Set the Host to the hostname of your server, and the Port to an unused port. You can try the default port of 5005.
From the Use the following command line arguments for running remote JVM, copy the argument string.
On the server, paste / modify your command line to run with the previously copied text, for example java -Xdebug -Xrunjdwp:transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=5005 Queue.jar -S myscript.scala ....
If you would like the program to wait for you to attach the debugger before running, change suspend=n to suspend=y.
Back in IntelliJ, click OK to save your changes.
Running with the Remote Configuration
Ensure Queue Remote Debug is selected via the configuration drop down or Run > Edit Configurations.
Set your breakpoints as you normally would in IntelliJ.
Start your program by running the full java path (with the above -Xdebug -Xrunjdwp ...) on the server.
6. Binding javadocs and source
Add javadocs:
Add sources:
In IntelliJ, open File -> Project Structure.
Click on "SDKs" under "Platform Settings".
Add the following path under the Sourcepath tab:
/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0_29-b11-402.jdk/Contents/Home/src.jar!/src
Defining new CommandLineFunctions
Queue will run functions based on the dependencies between them, not based on the order in which they are added in the script! So if the @Input of CommandLineFunctionA depends on the @Output of ComandLineFunctionB, A will wait for B to finish before it starts running.
1. Introduction
GATK-Queue is command-line scripting framework for defining multi-stage genomic analysis pipelines combined with an execution manager that runs those pipelines from end-to-end. Often processing genome data includes several steps to produces outputs, for example our BAM to VCF calling pipeline include among other things:
Local realignment around indels
Emitting raw SNP calls
Emitting indels
Masking the SNPs at indels
Annotating SNPs using chip data
Labeling suspicious calls based on filters
Creating a summary report with statistics
Running these tools one by one in series may often take weeks for processing, or would require custom scripting to try and optimize using parallel resources.
With a Queue script users can semantically define the multiple steps of the pipeline and then hand off the logistics of running the pipeline to completion. Queue runs independent jobs in parallel, handles transient errors, and uses various techniques such as running multiple copies of the same program on different portions of the genome to produce outputs faster.
2. Obtaining Queue
You have two options: download the binary distribution (prepackaged, ready to run program) or build it from source.
- Download the binary
This is obviously the easiest way to go. Links are on the Downloads page. Just get the Queue package; no need to get the GATK package separately as GATK is bundled in with Queue.
- Building Queue from source
Briefly, here's what you need to know/do:
Queue is part of the GATK repository. Download the source from the public repository on Github. Run the following command:
git clone https://github.com/broadgsa/gatk.git
IMPORTANT NOTE: These instructions refer to the MIT-licensed version of the GATK+Queue source code. With that version, you will be able to build Queue itself, as well as the public portion of the GATK (the core framework), but that will not include the GATK analysis tools. If you want to use Queue to pipeline the GATK analysis tools, you need to clone the 'protected' repository. Please note however that part of the source code in that repository (the 'protected' module) is under a different license which excludes for-profit use, modification and redistribution.
Supported QScripts
Most QScripts are analysis pipelines that are custom-built for specific projects, and we currently do not offer any QScripts as supported analysis tools. However, we do provide some example scripts that you can use as basis to write your own QScripts (see below).
Example QScripts
5. Visualization and Queue
QJobReport
Queue automatically generates GATKReport-formatted runtime information about executed jobs. See this presentation for a general introduction to QJobReport.
Note that Queue attempts to generate a standard visualization using an R script in the GATK public/R repository. You must provide a path to this location if you want the script to run automatically. Additionally the script requires the gsalib to be installed on the machine, which is typically done by providing its path in your .Rprofile file:
Note that gsalib is available from the CRAN repository so you can install it with the canonical R package install command.
Caveats
The system only provides information about commands that have just run. Resuming from a partially completed job will only show the information for the jobs that just ran, and not for any of the completed commands. This is due to a structural limitation in Queue, and will be fixed when the Queue infrastructure improves
This feature only works for command line and LSF execution models. SGE should be easy to add for a motivated individual but we cannot test this capabilities here at the Broad. Please send us a patch if you do extend Queue to support SGE.
DOT visualization of Pipelines
Queue emits a queue.dot file to help visualize your commands. You can open this file in programs like DOT, OmniGraffle, etc to view your pipelines. By default the system will print out your LSF command lines, but this can be too much in a complex pipeline.
Objective
Test that Queue is correctly installed, and that the supporting tools like Java are in your path.
Prerequisites
Basic familiarity with the command-line environment
Understand what is a PATH variable
GATK installed
Queue downloaded and placed on path
Steps
Invoke the Queue usage/help message
Troubleshooting
1. Invoke the Queue usage/help message
The command we're going to run is a very simple command that asks Queue to print out a list of available command-line arguments and options. It is so simple that it will ALWAYS work if your Queue package is installed correctly.
Note that this command is also helpful when you're trying to remember something like the right spelling or short name for an argument and for whatever reason you don't have access to the web-based documentation.
Action
Type the following command:
java -jar <path to Queue.jar> --help
replacing the <path to Queue.jar> bit with the path you have set up in your command-line environment.
Introduction
Processing data originated in the Pacific Biosciences RS platform has been evaluated by the GSA and publicly presented in numerous occasions. The guidelines we describe in this document were the result of a systematic technology development experiment on some datasets (human, E. coli and Rhodobacter) from the Broad Institute. These guidelines produced better results than the ones obtained using alternative pipelines up to this date (september 2011) for the datasets tested, but there is no guarantee that it will be the best for every dataset and that other pipelines won't supersede it in the future.
The pipeline we propose here is illustrated in a Q script (PacbioProcessingPipeline.scala) distributed with the GATK as an example for educational purposes. This pipeline has not been extensively tested and is not supported by the GATK team. You are free to use it and modify it for your needs following the guidelines below.
BWA alignment
First we take the filtered_subreads.fq file output by the Pacific Biosciences RS SMRT pipeline and align it using BWA. We use BWA with the bwasw algorithm and allow for relaxing the gap open penalty to account for the excess of insertions and deletions known to be typical error modes of the data. For an idea on what parameters to use check suggestions given by the BWA author in the BWA manual page that are specific to Pacbio. The goal is to account for Pacific Biosciences RS known error mode and benefit from the long reads for a high scoring overall match. (for older versions, you can use the filtered_subreads.fasta and combine the base quality scores extracted from the h5 files using Pacific Biosciences SMRT pipeline python tools)
To produce a BAM file that is sorted by coordinate with adequate read group information we use Picard tools: SortSam and AddOrReplaceReadGroups. These steps are necessary because all subsequent tools require that the BAM file follow these rules. It is also generally considered good practices to have your BAM file conform to these specifications.
Best Practices for Variant Calling
Once we have a proper BAM file, it is important to estimate the empirical quality scores using statistics based on a known callset (e.g. latest dbSNP) and the following covariates: QualityScore, Dinucleotide and ReadGroup. You can follow the GATK's Best Practices for Variant Detection according the type of data you have, with the exception of indel realignment, because the tool has not been adapted for Pacific Biosciences RS data.
Problems with Variant Calling with Pacific Biosciences
Calling must be more permissive of indels in the data.
You will have to adjust your calling thresholds in the Unified Genotyper to allow sites with a higher indel rate to be analyzed.
Base quality thresholds should be adjusted to the specifics of your data.
Be aware that the Unified Genotyper has cutoffs for base quality score and if your data is on average Q20 (a common occurrence with Pacific Biosciences RS data) you may need to adjust your quality thresholds to allow the GATK to analyze your data. There is no right answer here, you have to choose parameters consistent with your average base quality scores, evaluate the calls made with the selected threshold and modify as necessary.
Reference bias
To account for the high insertion and deletion error rate of the Pacific Biosciences data instrument, we often have to set the gap open penalty to be lower than the base mismatch penalty in order to maximize alignment performance. Despite aligning most of the reads successfully, this creates the side effect that the aligner will sometimes prefer to "hide" a true SNP inside an insertion. The result is accurate mapping, albeit with a reference-biased alignment. It is important to note however, that reference bias is an artifact of the alignment process, not the data, and can be greatly reduced by locally realigning the reads based on the reference and the data. Presently, the available software for local realignment is not compatible with the length and the high indel rate of Pacific Bioscience data, but we expect new tools to handle this problem in the future. Ultimately reference bias will mask real calls and you will have to inspect these by hand.
We have discovered a bug that seriously impacts the results of BQSR/ BaseRecalibrator when it is run with the scatter-gather functionality of Queue. To be clear, the bug does NOT affect BaseRecalibrator runs performed "normally", i.e. WITHOUT Queue's scatter-gather.
Consequences/ Solution:
Please be aware that if you have been using BaseRecalibrator scatter-gathered with Queue (GATK versions 2.0 and 2.1), your results may be wrong. You will need to redo the base recalibration of your data WITHOUT scatter-gathering.
This issue will be fixed in the next release (version 2.2). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you!
I'm using Queue 3.4 with a Univa GridEngine cluster. Everything runs fine, and at first the time between job submissions is only a few seconds. But the rate at which queue submits jobs to the cluster slows to a crawl - up to 40 seconds per job after a few hundred submissions, and slowly increasing. Any idea what might be happening here? With a scatterCount of 1000, it can take a full day just to submit all jobs to the cluster for a HaplotypeCaller run.
We've run in to a situation where we have hundreds of queue managed GATK HaplotypeCaller.scala jobs which we'd like to run. This has led to hundreds of instances of Queue.jar in their post scatter watching state holding on to cores in our cluster. I'm curious about plans for Queue and whether or not a job dependency tree model has been considered for future versions, or whether or not this is already available.
By that, I mean something along the lines of the scatter kicks off the child jobs and a check/resubmit_faileds/gather job is queued on the cluster with a qsub -W depend=after:child1jobid[:child2jobid: ...:childNjobid]. The initial scatter job would end, freeing up a core, and resources would be available to the sub jobs. Then, when the child jobs finish up, the dependencies would be met and the next job would execute (when resources are available) and pick up the successful, resubmit the failed, lather, rinse , repeat.
Thanks in advance for your patience with me in the phrasing of my question, as I am approaching this as a cluster admin, not as the developer who has implemented the queue.
Hi,
I have several questions about the function "UnifiedGenotyper" and its corresponding Qscript.
I first test this function on a single chromosome of my chicken sample (bam file is about 800M) to call SNPs, and set the ploidy value to 30. It took me half a day to finish. Is it normal that it took so long for a single chromosome?
As a result of this, I tried to use the scatter-gather to parallel my job in order to get the full use of my multi-node server. I built my own script based on modifying the ExampleUnifiedGenotyper.scala.
I defined "ploidy" as an argument in my Qscript, then I assign a value of 30 to ploidy in my bash command line.
2.The script ran successfully, but the output VCF file was based sample_ploidy=2. It seems that it does not respond to the argument "ploidy". Then if I add one command line in the def script() part, which is" genotyper.sample_ploidy = qscript.sample_ploidy ". GATK will give warning of errors "sample_ploidy is not a member of TestUnifiedGenotyper.this.UnifiedGenotyperArguments".
Could you please help point out where I did wrong?
Also, I have some questions about how to assign values to argument such as " this.memoryLimit" and "genotyper.scatterCount".
Based on the explanation given in the example scala file, argument "this.memoryLimit" sets the memory limit for each command.
So in my case, I have only one command in my script, so that I can assign as much memory as I have to it?
I am running on a server that has multiple-node, each node with 16 cores, and each core has 8G RAM. So in my understanding, if I run this job on one node with 16 cores, can I assign "this.memoryLimit=128" (16*8)? Do I understand correctly?
about the scatterCount, can I assign it with the number of cores I have in the server? That is, based on the example I listed above, 16.
Thank you very much for your help and time!
Attached is my Qscript in relating with my question.
I'm running Queue-3.3-0 on an Ubuntu server, and running it deletes every file in the working directory. I've only tried this on one machine so far, but I reproduced this behavior repeatedly in different situations and confirmed that the directory emptied is the precisely the current directory, at least in my setup.
This behavior seems dangerous to me. I can submit a detailed bug report.
The HaplotypeCaller documentation recommends using Queue to parallelize HaplotypeCaller instead of -nct, so I've been attempting to do that, however I can't seem to get Queue to do any kind of parallel processing. I'm currently working on a machine with 8 cores and I'm consistently getting Queue to run, but it only runs single-threaded. I don't have access to a distributed computing environment, but I don't see why Queue wouldn't be able to parallelize on one machine with multiple cores, and I see no documentation indicating that threading by Queue is only available in distributed computing environments.
What I've done is a minimal modification of the ExampleUnifiedGenotyper.scala script to use it to run HaplotypeCaller. I have tried running it a couple of times to see how it would run. I tried a couple times with just the reference file and mapping file as input, plus I tried a couple times with an intervals file listing each of the chromosomes as separate intervals. Every time, it ran single threaded.
I've found several articles and comments indicating that Queue should be used to Scatter/Gather a job and even explain how Scatter/Gather works, so I was under the assumption that this is just what Queue does and it would use multi-core systems to their full advantage, however this is not my experience and I don't see anything in the documentation to explain why. If it could be explained to me either how I'm running the command wrong, or why Queue can't be used to parallelize on one machine, I would be very grateful.
The call of Command1 in Command2 seems to be skipped. How should I do properly in this case? The motivation is because Command2 is too long, and complicated, so I want to split the work into smaller steps.
I'm working on trying to get a parallel version of the ShellJobRunner working in Queue, which would allow us to parallelize some parts of our workflows that are running single core on a full node using the ShellJobRunner and thus are wasting a lot of resources. I thought that I'd made some rather nice progress, until I noticed that if I tried to use it for any job running longer than about 5 minutes the job runner would exit saying that it's job failed, while in reality the job keeps running (so it obviously it did not fail, and Queue doesn't kill it either).
The code I've come up with so far is available here: https://gist.github.com/johandahlberg/a9b7ac61c3aa2c654899 (And as you can see it's mostly stolen from the regular ShellJobRunner, which with some Scala future stuff mixed in)
I'm guessing that the problems comes from me abusing the ProcessController (and admittedly there are warnings in the source for it for not being thread safe), but I'm not sure if there is any way that I can get around it. Any pointers here would be extremely appreciated - also if there is any general interest in this feature I'd be happy to clean up the code a bit and submit a pull request on this upstream.
Hi guys,
I've been trying to do something supposedly simple: i.e. annotating a VCF file with a custom annotation, using Queue with a custom wrapper.
I followed the instructions here
https://www.broadinstitute.org/gatk/events/3391/GATKw1310-Q-4-Advanced_Queue.pdf
However, since I'm working with a VCF file, I thought about distributing better my job(s) by scattering/gathering the input, benefiting of Queue functionality.
I thought, following this presentation
https://www.broadinstitute.org/gatk/events/3391/GATKw1310-Q-3-Queue_Parallelism.pdf
that .scatterCount would be available natively by extending commandLineFunction, but apparently I get a message saying it's not a member of my class.
Would you please suggest how can I scatter/gather a VCF file if I have to process it with a custom wrapper?
I haven't found this question answered before, but happy to read elsewhere if it's been already.
Right now, when I run "java -jar Queue.jar QScript.scala", scalac ("QScriptManager") complains that it can't find classes and objects that are in the same package as my QScript, as well as methods declared in my package object. When I try to import these explicitly, I get "object is not a member of package x".
How can I tell Queue to pass to scalac all of the files in my package?
The contents of the folder /share/data/resources/gatk_v3.3/tests/.queue/scatterGather/gatk-2-sg/gather-out/ is: gather-realigned.bam.utt
So it appears that the name of this file is getting mangled at some point by Queue. The other parts of the pipeline we have tried so far seem to work (BaseRecalibrator, RealignerTargetCreator) so not sure if it BAM output specific.
We are utilizing Queue/GATK (3.3-0-geee94ec) which has been cloned from the gatk-protected repository in conjunction with a custom jobRunner for HTCondor. We can provide additional info as needed.
It appears that the "-L unmapped" parameter is the reason for the error. Is this a bug in how Queue creates the scatter for FindCoveredIntervals? The error says that only read walkers should be processing with "-L unmapped". Is there a way to force it to not include unmapped reads so I can avoid the error?
I would like to run HaplotypeCaller on some WGS samples from 24 individuals. I have attempted to use the multithreading option but would instead like to use the scatter-gather approach with Queue on our cluster as this will hopefully run much quicker. I see that there was a patch written for Queue to work with PBS scheduler some time back, however, I am struggling to find the associated documentation for it. Could you please point me in the right direction or provide some advice on how to do this.
I am trying to add non-GATK software to my current Queue pipeline and have been following the Advanced Queue Usage.
However, I get the following error when running my bash script and I don't see where this error is coming from. Do I fail to import a needed library?
INFO 13:40:59,347 QScriptManager - Compiling 1 QScript
ERROR 13:40:59,551 QScriptManager - map.scala:18: not found: type CommandLineFunction
ERROR 13:40:59,555 QScriptManager - class RunBlast extends CommandLineFunction {
ERROR 13:40:59,557 QScriptManager - ^
Lets say that I have lots of files to fetch, so I add jobs in a for loop over a Seq of file names. I then add jobs downstream jobs as usual. The problem that I run in to is that all 1000+ fetchFile.sh (which uses irods/irsync behind the scenes) sessions will start at the same time, choking the system and nothing will get downloaded.
One solution to my problem would be to be able to set a limit in my fetcher case class, to tell Queue to never submit more than 5 (or so) of these jobs to the cluster. Is that possible, or can anyone see another way around this?
I am wondering about future plans for the Queue framework. I find it a useful framework to write and run pipelines in computing clusters. However, I found myself often wanting to use Queue in pipelines without any GATK walkers at all. Are there any plans in the future to release Queue as its own, GATK-independent package?
I know that internally there are some shared classes (e.g. the command line parser), and refactoring them so that Queue can be GATK-free may require a little more work. But I'm just interested to know if there are already plans to do this (or perhaps even already ongoing).
I've been using Queue extensively recently, and it's great. I'm now trying to run a Qfunction that takes a list of input files, and uses them all as dependencies just as they would be if they were single inputs. Here's an example of what I want:
Is there a way in Queue to let a job executed locally instead of submitting it to the cluster with drmaa? I know this must be possible since the scatter jobs are also not submitted at the cluster, could only not find how to do this.
I adapted the example UnifiedGenotyper script to run HaplotypeCaller. Unfortunately, so far I haven't been able to get it to use multiple CPUs. I am using a server with 64 cores (AMD Opteron) and 512 gb RAM. Invoking the -nct option made no difference either. The example job is a highly heterogeneous set of 6 samples with a 270 mbp reference. Predicted runtime: 6 weeks (and we will need to genotype batches of up to 40 samples...). The script creates ten output directories (/.queue/scatterGather/hc-1-sg/temp_01_of_10, etc), but files are only produced in one of them.
The local guru cannot spot the problem either. I attach the script - I will appreciate some feedback.
As a sidenote, does the memoryLimit refer to the entire process, or is it per core?
I have a question about choosing the number of scatter jobs when running the HaplotypeCaller in Queue.
Basically, is there a hard and fast rule about how small you can split up the job? From what I understand of HC, given it does local reconstruction of haplotypes anyway, splitting into more jobs shouldn't affect the results.
(My current dataset is mouse whole-genome data with 24 samples, and even scattered into 250 jobs, the longest jobs still took ~6d to run... I'd love to be able to speed it up if I have to re-run HC by splitting into more jobs. As long as it doesn't affect the results!)
I'm stumped by some behavior regarding job submission by Queue (although I'm not sure if the problem is related to Queue).
I wrote a QScript and tested it on a single machine running SGE; everything worked entirely as expected. I've since moved the analysis over to a cluster using UGE. Everything works mostly as expected, except for 2 issues: one I posted about on the forums here, and one where the job submissions begin taking longer over time.
When the pipeline is first started, jobs are submitted rapidly (within a few seconds of each other). Over time, jobs take increasingly longer (e.g. minutes) to submit, regardless of the job. The trend can be seen in the attached .pdf file. I can kill the pipeline, immediately restart it (both from scratch or not), and reproduce the behavior. Additionally, I can qsub the same jobs from a bash for loop without any problems.
The terminal pauses after outputting the "FunctionEdge - Output written to..." line for a minute (or more) between each submission, even with (what I think are) simple jobs:
On the single machine with SGE, these same jobs were submitted almost instantaneously, and I can qsub the same jobs from a bash for loop on the cluster just as fast. I'm guessing its some sort of interaction between Queue and the architecture that I'm overlooking? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get some traction in tracking down the cause, or has anyone seen similar behavior before?
As an aside, my .out files all contain something similar to the following errors at the beginning of the file (I haven't been able to track down the source, and I'm not sure if it is related; it doesn't seem to affect the output of the job):
Thanks to previous replies can run Queue and the relevant walker on a distributed computing server. The question was if I define my scala script to require an argument for the output file, using the -o parameter like so:
How do I direct the output to pipe the result to a specified directory? Currently I have the code:
genotyper.out = swapExt(qscript.bamFile, "bam", outputFile, "unfiltered.vcf")
Currently when I include the string -o /path/to/my/output/files/MyResearch.vcf
The script creates a series of folders within the directory where I execute Queue from. In this case my results were sent to:
/Queue-2-8-1-g932cd3a/MyResearch./path/to/my/output/files/MyResearch.unfiltered.vcf
when all I wanted was the output to appear in the path:
/path/to/my/output/files/MyResearch.unfiltered.vcf
Our cluster is setup in such a way that each compute node has a fairly generous scratch disk associated with it. This means that it would be really nice to be able to write temporary files to those scratch disks instead of having to write them over the network to the globally accessible disk. I've been experimenting with different ways of trying to do this using Queue, but so far I've come up short.
Since Queue tries to create all temporary directories (or at least check for their existence) before the jobs are run. I would like to know if there is any way that I could redirect the temporary outputs to the scratch disk using environment variables (To achieve something like this in the end: mycommand -tmp $TMPDIR ...). Since Queue basically just sends commands to be executed on the compute nodes I don't understand why it's necessary to check all temporary dirs before hand. I'm sure I'm missing something here, and I'd like to know what.
From my understanding of Queue I could see two types of temporary files that need to be written to globally accessible disk. The first being the compiled QScript, which location I guess could be set by changing the following piece of code in org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine from:
Of course not hard coded, but feed into the the QCommandLine as an argument, but this is just to illustrate the point.
And the other one would be scatter-gather jobs, which can be explicitly redirected using: --job_scatter_gather_directory, to make sure that all of those end up in a globally accessible part of the file system.
All other temporary files should be possible to write to local non-globally-accessible disk? Or am I completely wrong here, and this is not a path worth pursuing further?
I'm trying to use Queue with Torque through the PbsEngine jobRunner. The institutional cluster I'm trying to use doesn't allow users to select a queue. You are supposed to request the proper resources and a job routing algorithm selects the right queue for you.
I was able to confirm that doing this change allows me to use Queue in this kind of enviroment.
I'm working on add RSEM to our RNAseq pipeline which uses Queue. RSEM takes a number of inputs on the command line, so I have a case class and override commandLine for this to work. Nothing special there.
However, RSEM wants a prefix of the output sample names. If i give it sample_name, it will generate a whole bunch of files, sample_name.genes.results with expression values for genes, sample_name.isoforms.results with expression values for isoforms, sample_name.genome.bam, sample_name.genome.sorted.bam and sample_name.genome.sorted.bam.bai with mappings etc, etc.
I wrote my first script in scala to run haplotyperCaller walker of GATK. However, I am running into some errors when I execute the *.scala script. I am unable to figure out the source of error, any help will be appreciated.
I wrote my first script in scala to run haplotyperCaller walker of GATK. However, I am running into some errors when I execute the *.scala script. I am unable to figure out the source of error, any help will be appreciated.
I've been using Queue for pipelineing now for a little while, and have run in to an issue with the job report. The issue is that it's blank, after the pipeline has finished, the entire contents of the file is
I've been running Queue using the old DataProcessingPipeline.scala script (unmodified) for over a day now, and I'm starting to think there's an infinite loop. The output keeps adding Qnodes. Right now it's up to almost 1700000 QNodes. I've run the same script before with 1000 smaller bam files (about 1/2Gb each) and that seemed to work fine. Now I'm trying to run it on 1000 exomes, each on average 8Gb. I'm using the following options:
I'm not even sure how I'd go about debugging this or if this is normal, but it does seem very strange to me. No output seems to have been created during the last 24 hours either, other than the log file.
I am working on a Queue script that uses the selectVariants walker. Two of the arguments that I am trying to use both use an enumerated type: restrictAllelesTo and selectTypeToInclude. I have tried passing these as strings however I get java type mismatch errors. What is the simplest way to pass these parameters to the selectVariant walker in the qscript?
Complex Queue pipelines with a large number of intermediate steps can generate more log files than actual output, cluttering the working directory. This patch introduces a command-line parameter --logDirectory/-logDir that allows those files to be sequestered into a single directory.
The use of absolute pathnames changes the behavior of logDir. The possibilities are:
logDir is not specified: No change from the existing behavior (the .out file is in the same directory as the @Output)
The location for the @Output element is relative: The relative path for @Output will be rooted in logDir (whether logDir is relative or absolute)
The @Output element is absolute: logDir is ignored, as if it were not specified
My assumption is that absolute directories will be rare, and that when they are used they should override any other considerations. I've tested that this works as described when logDir is not specified and when it has a value of "log" (i.e., a relative path).
At the urging of the GSA team, and following a nice model introduced by @Johan_Dahlberg, I'd like to open this change up for public comment. Obviously, I'm only considering a fairly restricted use case. Does this behavior make sense to others? Does it break anybody's workflow in any significant way?
So I've finally taken the plunge and migrated our analysis pipeline to Queue. With some great feedback from @johandahlberg, I have gotten to a state where most of the stuff is running smoothly on the cluster.
I'm trying to add Picard's CalculateHSMetrics to the pipeline, but am having some issues. This code:
Hi there,
I do apologise in case this question has been answered already but I couldn't find an updated thread on it.
In my previous code I had a conditional based on the number of samples to modify the percentBad parameter in VariantRecalibrator.
Now I get an error from my scala code as if the value were not anymore a member of the class.
Checking again in the Best Practices and in the VariantRecalibrator documentation I can't find it anymore.
Could you confirm it's not used anymore? or am I doing something wrong?
I am reading through the most recent workshop slides on Queue, and trying to write a scala script to connect the GATK walkers. However, I'm confused how to use the output of last walker as input for the next walker, especially when you have multiple outputs from the last walker. For example, I wrote the following script to connect RealignerTargetCreator and IndelRealigner, and I have a list of bam files as input to RealignerTargetCreator. I don't know whether I should have multiple outputs from RealignerTargetCreator, and how to use the multiple output from RealignerTargetCreator as input for IndelRealigner. My confusion is highlighted as bold comment text below:
Hi team,
I have Java 1.6 installed in my system. I know that GATK works now with Java 1.7, but I work in a shared system and I can not change the default java version so I downloaded Java 1.7 and I work asigning the java version at the call:
If I run:
/jre1.7.0/bin/java -Djava.io.tmpdir=tmp -jar Queue.jar --help
works fine, but if I try:
/jre1.7.0/bin/java -Djava.io.tmpdir=tmp -jar Queue.jar -S myScala.file ....
I get the following error:
I am trying to build Queue from Sting package downloaded from Github, but the ant building process always fails with different errors. I wonder if there's any alternative way to build Queue. Is there any scala script available that I can study or customize for automating GATK runs?
I'm wondering if there's any way to skip the GATKCommandLine line in the vcf-header (in a vcf file generated by UnifiedGenotyper). I thought that the --remove_program_records would do this but it doesn't seem to do the trick. I'm still seeing the header line.
The reason this is important to me is that I'm using the Pipeline test code provided in Queue and, as you know, this is based on md5 sums, and as the time when the tests was run is included, the md5 hash changes for each run. So, if there is no way to skip the header, is there any other, better way to do this.
When using queue for BQSR scatter/gather parellelism I've been seeing the following:
java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: Table1 188,3 not equal to 189,3
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.recalibration.RecalUtils.combineTables(RecalUtils.java:808)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.recalibration.RecalibrationReport.combine(RecalibrationReport.java:147)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.gatk.walkers.bqsr.BQSRGatherer.gather(BQSRGatherer.java:86)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.function.scattergather.GathererFunction.run(GathererFunction.scala:42)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.InProcessRunner.start(InProcessRunner.scala:53)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.FunctionEdge.start(FunctionEdge.scala:84)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.QGraph.runJobs(QGraph.scala:434)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.QGraph.run(QGraph.scala:156)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine.execute(QCommandLine.scala:171)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.commandline.CommandLineProgram.start(CommandLineProgram.java:245)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.commandline.CommandLineProgram.start(CommandLineProgram.java:152)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine$.main(QCommandLine.scala:62)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine.main(QCommandLine.scala)
I'm using gatk version: v2.4-7-g5e89f01 (I can't keep up the pace with you guys). I'm wondering if this is a know issue, and if so, if there is a workaround or a fix in later GATK versions.
This is not a question, per se - I suppose it's more of an observation.
We recently upgraded LSF on one of our clusters to v9.0.1, and quickly discovered that Queue can't submit jobs. The reaction was rather violent - the entire JVM crashed, and the stack trace showed it dying in lsb_submit(). We downgraded LSF to v8.3.0, and everything is working fine (so far).
I know Queue is compiled against the LSF v7.0.6 API, it would appear that it's not binary-compatible with LSF 9.x.
I'm working on a set of related Queue scripts. I would like to have functionality shared between them, ideally in separate scala files which would be imported. Is there a way to specify additional paths for the Queue scala compiler to search or do I have to bake my library into the gatk when I build it?
I've noticed some strange behavior from Queue where in some cases, when I scatter/gather the Unified Genotyper in indel-mode it will introduce Cycles in the graph. This causes to Queue to die with a StackOverflowError which seems to be caused by the graphDepth function in QGraph due to the recursion becoming unbounded. This cause me some headaches yesterday as I tried to figure out how to make the function tail-recursive, before noticing the message: ERROR 17:18:21,292 QGraph - Cycles were detected in the graph this morning.
This leads me to one request and one question. First the request: It would be nice if Queue would exit if the graph validation fails, as it would make identifying the source of the problem simpler. It this possible?
Secondly the question: do you have any ideas as to what might cause the cycles?
I have tried looking at the graphviz files and I cannot identify any cycles from those (though when looking at the s/g-plots it's really difficult to make any sense of it).
Right now I've solved this by setting this.scatterCount = 1 in the indelCall case class, however this doesn't feel quite satisfactory to me, so any pointers for a more robust solution would be greatly appreciated.
Hello, I`m new to GATK and Queue. I understand that we can write a QScript in Queue to generate separate GATK jobs and run them on a cluster of several nodes. Can we implement GATK or Queue on google hadoop?
First, I have to qualify my question with that I'm a unix sysadmin- trying to get the "queue" functionality implemented in our cluster so our analysts can play. I'm hoping my question is simple, here goes:
We have SGE, and I have downloaded the binary "queue" package.
My first attempt at executing the "hello world" example came up with this error:
ooops! Seems I can't find the drmaa library by default. So, I fixed that by adding the following directory to the library search path on the node: /gridware/sge/lib/lx-amd64 (which is where that library lives).
Success! Sort of. The error above is resolved, but I am now getting the error below, and this is where I'm stuck. It doesn't look like the job is actually getting submitted, OR, it's getting submitted and dies. I would really appreciate any insight the team can offer, we are very excited to try to get this environment to work, thank you in advance!
I just managed to use HaplotypeCaller with the lasted version of Queue to call variants on 40 human exomes. The HaplotypeCaller job were scattered into 50 sub jobs and spread in our cluster with Sun Grid Engine.
The problem I found is that sub jobs take quite vary time to finish, which is from 5 hours to 80 hours and majority of them are below 55 hours, hence the whole job were actually slowed down by just a few longer sub jobs. I know that part of the difference were definitely caused by the performance of the cluster node running the job, but I think the major cause of the difference is reply on how the job were split. The qscript I used is adapted from here (without filtering part), from which I can not figure out how the job were split. Hence, I am wondering if anyone could tell me based on what (Genomic Regions ?) HaplotypeCaller job were actually scattered and how I can split the job more evenly so most of the sub jobs will finish at about the same time.
At the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, our environment requires that jobs on our high performance clusters reserve an entire node. I have implemented my own Torque Manager/Runner for our environment based on the Grid Engine Manager/Runner. The way I have gotten this to work in our environment is to set the nCoresRequest for the scatter/gather method to the minimum required of eight. My understanding is that for the InDelRealigner, for example, the job reserves a node with eight cores, but only uses one. That means our users would have their compute time allocation consumed eight times faster than is necessary.
What I am wondering is are there options that I am missing where some number of the scatter/gather requests can be grouped into a single job submission? If I were writing this as a PBS script for our environment and I wanted to use 16 cores in a scatter/gather implementation, I would write two jobs, each with eight commands. They would look something like the following:
My qscript for GATK printreads walker takes very long time for gather function( BAM gather function) which uses picard mergesamfiles. How can I write custom gather function in qscript to improve the performance.
1. I want to try mutli-threading for picard mergesamfiles ( which is false by default)
2. I also to try simple concatenation of bam files (scattered bam files are already sorted)
My lab is trying to use Queue, but out pipeline is spawning very large number of jobs (as would be expected). Our lab has very spiky data processing requiernments and it would be useful to be able to limit the number of jobs queue submits at a time so other, non-queue jobs can process in parallel. Is this possible?
BUILD FAILED
/hpc/users/lindem03/packages/gatk-mssm/dev/build.xml:509: Java returned: 1
at org.apache.tools.ant.taskdefs.Java.execute(Java.java:111)
at org.apache.tools.ant.UnknownElement.execute(UnknownElement.java:291)
at sun.reflect.GeneratedMethodAccessor4.invoke(Unknown Source)
at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25)
at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:597)
at org.apache.tools.ant.dispatch.DispatchUtils.execute(DispatchUtils.java:106)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Task.perform(Task.java:348)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Target.execute(Target.java:392)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Target.performTasks(Target.java:413)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Project.executeSortedTargets(Project.java:1399)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Project.executeTarget(Project.java:1368)
at org.apache.tools.ant.helper.DefaultExecutor.executeTargets(DefaultExecutor.java:41)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Project.executeTargets(Project.java:1251)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Main.runBuild(Main.java:811)
at org.apache.tools.ant.Main.startAnt(Main.java:217)
at org.apache.tools.ant.launch.Launcher.run(Launcher.java:280)
at org.apache.tools.ant.launch.Launcher.main(Launcher.java:109)
When I run ant in debug mode I see the directory with the newly build GATK classes on classpath. Is there something else I might be missing. I am trying to upgrade from 1.6...
GATK Queue implements a Scatter/Gather algorithm to create a set of intervals in order to parallelise data alalysis. If -scatter_gather option is issued, a respective number of interval files will be created and the input BAM files will be processed using these intervals. However a question arises what happens if the point of subsequent analysis is at or near the start/end of an interval? Are all the codes which support -l/-L options robust in the respect to interval positions? Since the input files are not actually spliced, all information is available to the processing program which could make the right decisions so that no artefacts are produced.
Are there any restrictions on interval creation? Perhaps it should be at least a few read lengths. Anything else?
Thanks in advance!
I was frustrated by the .metrics file from MarkDuplicates getting deleted as an intermediate file, so I set isIntermediate=false for that step in the DataProcessingPipeline. But now I'm getting tired of manually deleting the intermediate bams.
So my request is, could that field be changed from an @Output to an @Argument? This would be on line 50 of org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.extensions.picard.MarkDuplicates.scala. I also made that a required field in my local copy, since it is required to run the Picard tool.
A similar but opposite problem is that the bai file from the IndelRealigner step is not deleted - but that looks like it would require either special handling for that walker in Queue or for the index file to be an argument to the Java walker. Neither is a particularly appealing solution.
I had no problem to run GATK two weeks ago. But today, when I run the following GATK command, I got error message. It seems it cannot load library " liblsf.so". Please see below. Is there any change recently on GATK library?
I'm building a variant calling qscript (it's available here), heavily based on the the MethodsDevelopmentCallingPipeline.scala. I cannot however run into trouble when setting the "this.scatterCount" of the GenotyperBase to more than 1 - in which case I get a NullPointerException (I include the full error message below).
As you can see, I'm using the files from the gatk bundle, and I guess these should be alright for this purpose? Just to be clear I use the "-res" parameter to point to the directory where all the resource files are located, dbsnp, hapmap, etc. and the -sg parameter is what controls the scatter/gather count.
I've tried to search in the code for what might be causing this, and I can conclude that the org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.GenomeLocParser.parseGenomeLoc is called with str (its parameter) being an empty string, which is what causes contig to be null, which in turn creates the NullPointerException on line 408 when this line is executed:
stop = getContigInfo(contig).getSequenceLength();
This, I guess, is the obvious stuff, but this far I haven't been able to figure this out any further that this. I'm not sure if this is caused by a bug in my script, or by a bug in the GATK. Right now I'm thinking the latter of the two, since I have used the scatter/gather function in other scripts without any trouble.
Any ideas of where to continue from here, or confirmation that this is indeed something related to the GATK code would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Johan
ERROR 16:22:50,781 FunctionEdge - Error: LocusScatterFunction: List(/bubo/proj/a2009002/SnpSeqPipeline/SnpSeqPipeline/gatk/NA12878.HiSeq.WGS.bwa.cleaned.recal.hg19.20.bam.bai, /bubo/nobackup/uppnex/reference/biodata/GATK/ftp.broadinstitute.org/bundle/2.2/b37/dbsnp_137.b37.vcf, /bubo/nobackup/uppnex/reference/biodata/GATK/ftp.broadinstitute.org/bundle/2.2/b37/human_g1k_v37.fasta, /bubo/proj/a2009002/SnpSeqPipeline/SnpSeqPipeline/gatk/NA12878.HiSeq.WGS.bwa.cleaned.recal.hg19.20.bai, /bubo/nobackup/uppnex/reference/biodata/GATK/ftp.broadinstitute.org/bundle/2.2/b37/dbsnp_137.b37.vcf.idx, /bubo/proj/a2009002/SnpSeqPipeline/SnpSeqPipeline/gatk/NA12878.HiSeq.WGS.bwa.cleaned.recal.hg19.20.bam) > List(/bubo/proj/a2009002/SnpSeqPipeline/SnpSeqPipeline/gatk/.queue/scatterGather/.qlog/project.snpcall-sg/temp_1_of_2/scatter.intervals, /bubo/proj/a2009002/SnpSeqPipeline/SnpSeqPipeline/gatk/.queue/scatterGather/.qlog/project.snpcall-sg/temp_2_of_2/scatter.intervals)
java.lang.NullPointerException
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.GenomeLocParser.parseGenomeLoc(GenomeLocParser.java:408)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.interval.IntervalUtils.parseIntervalArguments(IntervalUtils.java:84)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.commandline.IntervalBinding.getIntervals(IntervalBinding.java:97)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.interval.IntervalUtils.loadIntervals(IntervalUtils.java:538)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.interval.IntervalUtils.parseIntervalBindingsPair(IntervalUtils.java:520)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.utils.interval.IntervalUtils.parseIntervalBindings(IntervalUtils.java:499)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.extensions.gatk.GATKIntervals.locs(GATKIntervals.scala:60)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.extensions.gatk.LocusScatterFunction.run(LocusScatterFunction.scala:39)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.InProcessRunner.start(InProcessRunner.scala:28)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.FunctionEdge.start(FunctionEdge.scala:83)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.QGraph.runJobs(QGraph.scala:432)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.engine.QGraph.run(QGraph.scala:154)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine.execute(QCommandLine.scala:145)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.commandline.CommandLineProgram.start(CommandLineProgram.java:236)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.commandline.CommandLineProgram.start(CommandLineProgram.java:146)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine$.main(QCommandLine.scala:62)
at org.broadinstitute.sting.queue.QCommandLine.main(QCommandLine.scala)
Is there any where I can find the integration test file with the md5sum "45d97df6d291695b92668e8a55c54cd0", which is used in the DataProcessingPipelineTest class? Since my tests fail with another md5sum calculated I would be interested to know what the differences between the files are.
Hi there,
I wanted to reproduce in my variant calling Queue script the same conditional you have in MethodsDevelopmenCallingPipeline, i.e. including InbreedingCoeff depending on the number of samples.
However, in that script the number of samples is passed to the Target object as an integer, and I would like to count it from the bam file list passed as an input to the script.
What is the best way to get Queue to optimize utilization of a given number of cores in an SGE cluster? The DataProcessingPipeline.scala has a hidden parameter "scatter_gather" which sets the nContigs variable. Is it safe to use this option? For example, if you had 100 cores available in your cluster could you set the option to 100? Is there any advantage to setting it higher?
Without setting it, Queue appears to set the nContigs value based on the number of chromosomes in the BAM input. So if using a whole genome BAM it's 25, your example Chr20 data it's 1, or with an unaligned BAM it's 0. So if starting with unaligned data, it appears to run on a single core?
I am having difficulties getting Queue to determine the order of jobs added to the queue. Using the @Input and @Output definitions of input and output files, the dependencies are defined and Queue waits for one output method to finish prior to starting the subsequent method.
Since the order the method is added to the queue does not determine the dependencies, my assumption is that Queue looks at the names of the variables added to the queue to determine which method's output is another method's input. Regardless, I've tried working with variable names in both added methods along with those defined in the @Input and @Output. All of my trials seem to come up short as Queue runs the jobs in a manner inconsistent with the @Input, @Output, and variables defined and added as arguments to methods added to the queue.
What is the secret with defining the order of jobs added to the queue? Are there any additional rules in defining variables or the @Input/@Output that I am missing?
Queue purports to offer users a seamless pipelined integration of BWA, Picard and GATK. Yet Queue requires BAM files as input, implying I would need to call BWA separately to do alignment and then Picard or samtools to convert to BAM, then go back to Queue to work with the BAMs. At this point I run into compatibility issues for instance as described here. So is there a way I can set Queue to take FASTQ files as input?
This is not very useful for telling the jobs apart. I'm running my jobs via drmaa on a system using the SLURM resource manager. So the cut-off in the name above can be attributed to the slurm system cutting of the name. Even so, I think that there should be more reasonable ways to create the name - using the function.jobName for example.
So, this leads me to my question - is there any particular reason that the job names are generated the way they are? And if not, do you (the gatk team) want a patch changing this to using the funciton.jobName instead?
Furthermore I would be interested in hearing from other users using gatk queue over drmaa, since I think it might be interesting to develop this further. I have as an example implemented setting a had to implement setting a hard wall time in the jobRunner, since the cluster I'm running on demands this. I'm sure that there are more solutions like that out there, and I would be thrilled to hear about them. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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Monday, September 13, 2010
Barney's Fashion's Night Out: Advanced Style
The other night Debra and I went to Barney's Fashion's Night to see Maayan co host a game of musical chairs. I was delighted to see so many older ladies and gentleman in the crowd of fashion spectators. I spotted two spectacular gals from afar and couldn't resist taking their photo with Debra. All three women treat style as a form of art and much of what they wear is either thrifted, gifted, or handmade. Marjorie Nezin, in black, is a designer who makes wearable art and Debra made her hat and jewelry out of banana fiber. These three visual artists show us that you don't have to spend a lot of money on clothes to look good, you just have to put a little thought into it!
All three women look incredible, but I am especially loving Marjorie's jacket. It looks like it was made from different fabrics woven together in strips like a basket; I've never see anything like it! I bet those women are having fun at fashion week showing off their inexpensive but astonishingly creative outfits!
I am thinking "gifted, thrifted or shifted". This plays up the two meanings of "shift"; either to "shift for oneself" or "to repurpose". Also, it rhymes. But, whatever you call it, it is divine!PS-Please forgive the linguist in me. | {
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841 - 75 Weldrick Rd ERichmond Hill,Ontario
Welcome To 841-75 Weldrick Rd East In The Heart Of Richmond Hill. Renovations Have Just Completed On This Lovely Split Level 2 Bdrm 2 Bath Condo. Fantastic Layout With Open Living And Dining Space, Well Appointed Kitchen With Stone Backsplash And Breakfast Bar, Balcony With Views Of Courtyard, Ensuite Laundry, New Flooring Throughout, Access From The Unit To Underground Parking. 1 Parking And *2 Lockers* Incl. Turnkey Opportunity!Show Description
Condos
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. | {
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Seriously, the BEST part of being a photographer is that I get to take photos of events like this...the birth of a new niece!
It's always such a wonderful thing to witness another human entering this world and it's even better when I get to watch as my sweet sister and husband bring this perfect little person into the family! Welcome to the world baby Azure!
This is all insanely beautiful. I'm dumbfounded at how beautiful Nicole looked during the entire process. That is NOT normal, right? Wow what a beautiful mama. And Amelia- you captured such a sweetness in all of these. I took my breaths quietly as I moved on to each delicate and precious picture. They are all so lucky to call you family!
As a photographer and soon-to-be aunt to my sister's first baby, I completely melted more & more as I looked at each image. Every single one is filled with emotion and tells a story. Even the simple wall with the clock=brilliant. Your sister is stunning and Azure-----model baby! That dark hair and those lips! It's almost too much to soak in. She's so so perfect. This is by far one of my favorite posts of yours. Congratulations to your family! Pure joy...
Sister, I'm crying over here.... Completely balling, I'm in awe at how perfectly you captured every.single.detail. So perfectly too. You are so wonderful for doing this for my sweet Azure. I am so lucky to have photos so intimate for our family to remember. I want to frame them all, I love this! And I love you! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
These photos give me goosebumps, and actually make me want to experience labour again, if only to have someone photograph it! So incredibly stunning! What an amazing mama, that shot of her crying is perfect. And that baby? What a beautiful child. Sigh. Such a fantastic job, Amelia! xoxo
Oh My !! Are you kidding me Amelia ? Seriously such raw emotion my chest was pounding at the emotion felt in this images and the love. My beautiful friend captured with all the love around her... blessed
(10.03.12 09:36 AM)
Marisa said:
Absolute perfection! Very moving images...loved every second of scrolling through it! :)
Through all the years of being a photographer, I have never been asked to photograph a surprise proposal! So when Andrew (the groom-to-be) contacted me about the idea I was ecstatic! He wanted to pop the question to his lovely girlfriend Lia at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland!! He had it all set up for them to be walking by and a characterture artist would lure them into a drawing of them together. When all was done the artist would flip the photo around and show Lia what was being drawn and then Andrew would drop down on his knee for the actual proposal. I LOVED watching this from afar, I was nervous and excited just waiting for it all to happen. I'm SO glad that I was able to be part of such a momentous occasion, so-much-fun!
Let the photos tell the story....
Apparently Lia has been following this blog for quite some time...she recognized me!:)
The rock.
She said, "Am I allowed to do this?!" LOL!
Love me some goooood shadows!
My favorite shot of the day!
Congrats to Lia & Andrew!!! I can't wait for the wedding next August!!!
Oh I have been waiting for this session to hit the blog ever since I saw you mention it on twitter awhile back. LOVE this so much! You made Disneyland look so peaceful!
(09.28.12 01:04 PM)
lia said:
I'M not sure if I was more happy to be engaged or to see you Amelia. lol thank you SOOOO much for capturing probably one of the most amazing moments in my life. The quality of your pictures are phenomenal but more importantly the moments you captured this day brings me so much joy!! you are the best. | {
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Introduction ...
How Far From Pleasant Valley to ...
We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers, Almanacs & Directories that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Pleasant Valley to various places of note, such as the White House.
With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance<1> beginning in Pleasant Valley to:
Juneau [Map], which is the State Capital of Alaska, lies 609 miles [980.1 km] to the Southeast (SE). If you could drive a straight line from Pleasant Valley to Juneau, with an average speed<2>of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take just over a day to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 35 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 24 days.
The White House (Washington, DC [Map]) is 3,243 miles [5,219.1 km] to the East (E). Driving would take 7 days, a buggy would take 127 days and walking would take 185 days.
The shortest distance<3> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock [Map]) is 5,753 miles [9,258.6 km] and it lies to the North (N).<4>
The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba [Map]) is 6,459 miles [10,394.8 km] and it lies to the North (N).<5>
The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican [Map]) is 4,971 miles [8,000 km] and it lies to the North Northeast (NNE).<6>
Communities Also Named Pleasant Valley ...
We have found 132 communities that share the name Pleasant Valley.
While the name Pleasant Valley is unique within Alaska, we know of another 132 communities with the same name in the United States and Canada.
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Butte CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.<8>Although located in Butte County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Dooly CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Dooly County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Bingham CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Bingham County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Anderson CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Anderson County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Butler County
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Butler CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Butler County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Graham CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Graham County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Lincoln County
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Lincoln CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Lincoln County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Pottawatomie County
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Pottawatomie CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Pottawatomie County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Flathead CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Flathead County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Sussex CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Sussex County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Tuscarawas CountyThis community is historic.Although located in Tuscarawas County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Vinton County
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Vinton CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Vinton County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Lancaster CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Lancaster County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Palo Pinto CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Palo Pinto County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Chittenden CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Chittenden County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Fairfax CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Fairfax County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Our profile page for Pleasant Valley, Clark CountyWe found mention of this community, but have little information.Although located in Clark County, we don't know the location of this community within the .
Off-the-Road Links ...
Footnotes ...
<1>
Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance from Pleasant Valley. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Pleasant Valley) to Point B.
While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Pleasant Valley to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.
We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Pleasant Valley, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer.
Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. The community might still exist or it might have existed for just a short period of time. Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, families in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc.
Also keep in mind that the community could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community. | {
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Jan 5, 2011
Dog done
I put the last stitches in the beagle this morning right before lunch. I enjoyed stitching him. The pattern was nice as far as all the colors being in blocks without confetti stitching. And the finished design really looks life-like! (And no, I haven't washed and ironed the design yet so it's wrinkledy and hoopy.)
I do however have a complaint about the choice of symbols. Many of the symbols were similar, and the similar ones were unfortunately right next to each other in the design. I had to be very careful and check twice. All in all though, I would recommend this designer to others.
The chart is "Beagle Dog" by Orbis Pictura and I bought and downloaded it from Creative Poppy. The designer specializes in dogs and horses according to the website. I stitched this pattern on 16 count white Aida with the recommended DMC. It is for a quilt our stitching group is doing for a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
About Me
Howdy! I'm a Native Texan living in Texas with my dear husband (DH) of 25+ years. We share our home with Annie, a rescued Jack Russell terrier. I'm past the half-century mark. My main hobby is cross-stitching. My other hobbies include reading, and finishing and/or staining and/or painting anything DH makes out of wood and brings into the house. I occasionally sew when needed. We live in the country in an old hunting cabin that we're renovating ourselves. We're card-carrying tightwads. | {
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Human Motion Lab
Insights Into the World of Biomechanics and Biofeedback Training
Accelerating Golf Instruction with Precision Coaching
by Deanna Zenger
Many Paths, One Destination
As coaches, we often ask students for results. “Take the club back to parallel” or “Get the butt of the club pointing at the target line.” In doing so, we forget that there are many ways for our students to achieve what we, the coaches, request, and that this seemingly miniscule omission has consequences that reach far and wide.
The challenge is that the human body is amazingly complex; it can use different muscles in different ways to achieve the same result. Just as there are many different routes to travel from one place to another, there are many different ways to execute the same movement pattern.
To illustrate this point, when I teach I often use the example of lifting a glass. I ask students to close their fingers around a glass… then ask them to cock their wrist to lift the glass. Next I say, “Use your forearm to lift the glass,” pointing out how the forearm bends the elbow. I then ask them to employ the muscles in the back of their arm, so the upper arm raises the glass. Finally, I say, “Just use your shoulder,” with the effect of raising the entire arm and wrist just to lift the glass. The point here? Depending on students’ ingrained movement patterns and past experience, including injury, I can ask for a movement and get it done in a huge variety of ways. There are just so many ways to lift that glass!
Coaching to an End Result
Now let’s return to the golf swing and our simple command to take the club back to parallel. In its simplest form, we are asking for one action. At a minimum that action requires two body parts to move: the arm and the hand. Right? That is what we asked for. However, to get the club to our desired end result in the desired way, other body parts must be moved, even if they are not moving themselves. For example, the shoulders will rotate as a result of moving the hand and arm. Which moved first? The torso will also rotate because the movement travels down the spine.
Still with me? What else then? Well, the hips have to move if we want swinging the club back to feel comfortable. And the hips can move in two ways: from the ground up or from the top down. Depending on the next action, the legs—all the way down to the feet—will move, and they should because we are using gravity here to assist with the movement and ground forces (or GRF). All this just to bring the club back to halfway!! And people wonder why we just stop at “take the club back to parallel.”
The point is that we, as coaches, naturally coach to “an end result.” And unless we understand what needs to move and in what order, the student will move anything and everything in any order to execute our commands. Have you ever had a sore back and tried to get up off a couch? You did it, but it wasn’t pretty! You recruited whatever muscles you had to so you could get off that couch.
Accuracy and Acceleration
Back to the student taking the club back to parallel. Assume that visually the student does what we asked. Will he or she be able to do it consistently? Was it done in a way that loaded power or got the club there so it could efficiently move to where it needed to go next? If so, is the student likely to perform the movement without a coach present and directing it?
In most instances, the answer is a simple “no.” Students have neither the knowledge nor the muscle patterns to take what they accomplish during the lesson off the lesson tee. They’re not feeling it. There simply haven’t been enough proper reps to ingrain a new pattern of movement.
This is where I use K-VEST to accelerate my teaching and my player’s practice. K-VEST helps me communicate more accurately and more quickly. I can have a student literally step into “take the club back to parallel,” so that my words are enhancements to the visual and auditory signals produced by K-VEST. This takes a real burden off me as a teacher.
Yet the system actually goes a step beyond this by re-aligning the student/teacher relationship, further accelerating learning. In this context, I am now coaching the student to create the movement pattern being asked for by the K-VEST biofeedback avatar. So when the movement is done correctly and we hear the biofeedback tone, my student and I celebrate together : I am no longer the judge. And then, when I have finished teaching, my student can continue to practice until the proper movement is stored away. That way the lesson is truly learned. When you have repetitive, consistent reproduction of movement, your client will be able to successfully anchor a new movement pattern.
I can spend 30 minutes training players exactly where I want them to be using K-VEST biofeedback, and have them successfully learn new movement’s specific to their personal swings. And without my being there, players can then train and accurately reproduce the movement, and I know they’re doing it as I have taught.
Lesson here… let’s be careful of what we ask for. Specific and precise coaching makes for real and lasting improvement. Vague coaching makes for the opposite. Know—don’t guess—what our students are feeling or how they produce the end results we request. Then make consistent, accurate, repetition of movement the key to a successful change in a movement or swing. | {
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Kim Possible Fuck
Kim Possible is that sexy bitch you used to jack off to when you were a kid when your parents where out at the supermarket and your little was busy putting dresses and makeup on all your Gundam models so this sex game should bring you some nostalgia. | {
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A great B&B, located near the metro and train stations which makes it an excellent starting point for all the sightseeing. The owner Pietro was a really kind and helpful host, he gave us valuable tips on what to see and how to get about...More
Lovely stay! Pietro and christina are the sweetest host ever! Nice , clean and homey feel of this place would make you forget that u r actually in italy! Far away from home :) . I will definately stay in this place again in my...More
I really liked this B&B and Pietro and Christina were super nice. As a matter of fact, al the guest that stayed there were really nice too. The breakfast was decent for European standards; your usual breads, cheeses, cereal and fruit. They even have noodle...More
The owner Pitrro & his wife Cristina were very nice to all guest and very helpful from the first moment you see them. They welcomed me and they made me feel like I'm at home. They took care of me and gave me really good...More
We are 2 girls from HK. We stayed at Biancagiulia for 3 nights in July 2014. We got warm hospitality from the host Pietro and Christina. They gave us useful advices and guides on where to visit. The room and toilet was very tidy, clean...More
TripAdvisor gives a Certificate of Excellence to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers.
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Top amenities
Free High Speed Internet ( WiFi )
Breakfast included
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Breakfast included
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Air Conditioning
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USD 70 - USD 491 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
Room types
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2
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Old school vibe from the very beginning is the onlyway to describe the Esquilino neighbourhood. TheEsquilino takes pride in being one of the oldest areasin Rome for its key location on one of the city’sfamous seven hills. From an ancient neighbourhood toits modern incarnation as a multicultural hub,Esquilino always has something going on—polyglotvendors debate street artists while kids play pick-up
...More
basketball games. Look around you: this area isn’tlike the historic centre. Liberty architecture, largepiazzas, and long boulevards mix with archaic arches,secret side alleys, and beautiful churches like SantaMaria Maggiore.
Hi,
When you get down from the train from Termini Station turn immediately on the left, you'll find Via Giolitti (...."VIA" in Italian means "street").
Follow this street until the fork with "Via Rattazzi", about 100 mt... More
Hi,
When you get down from the train from Termini Station turn immediately on the left, you'll find Via Giolitti (...."VIA" in Italian means "street").
Follow this street until the fork with "Via Rattazzi", about 100 mt.
Take "Via Rattazzi" and then after the first crossroad with "Via Filippo Turati" continue and you will cross "Via Principe Amedeo",
turn on the left and after few meters you will find Biancagiulia B&B at number 149 (intercom is on the right).
...are about 350 meters walking.
Best Regards
Cristina e Pietro
Dear Puneet,
we are sorry but we don't have availability of rooms with balcony in those days.
But we confirm you the availability of a double room, with private bathroom,
The room price is 70 € at night and included italian... More
Dear Puneet,
we are sorry but we don't have availability of rooms with balcony in those days.
But we confirm you the availability of a double room, with private bathroom,
The room price is 70 € at night and included italian breakfast.
The “City taxes” are 3,5€ at night for person older than 10 years old.
About the an airport pick up If you want I can organize it.
The transfer cost is 60€ and need only to know the number of flight and the time of arrival. When you arrive to Fiumicino airport, you'll find a men with a signboard with your name.
Let me know!
Regards Pietro | {
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im gunna go with mike williams, just because i think with the proper coaching staff he could be moved to TE and used as an excellent underneath option. He was way more dominant in college then williamson, who was raw out of college and is still raw IMO. Id take williams, due to his college career and potential to succeed as a TE with proper motivation
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Goosemahn
The APS is strong in this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by killxswitch
Tears for Fears is better than whatever it is you happen to be thinking about right now.
One of the big misconceptions in the NFL is that a WR will give you immediate impact. Most rookie WRs have average rookie years. Its uncommon to see great impact from a WR his rookie year. Colston, Randy Moss, these guys are the exception, not the rule.
Usually, WRs contribution improves greatly his sophomore year, but sometimes it takes a little longer for some guys. Troy Williamson, while he's been a major disappointment thus far, could be an example of this. Im willing to give him one last year to prove he can hold onto the ball. If he can just catch the damn thing, he'll be a good player.
Mike Williams doesn't fit the Lions' offense (nor did he understand it last year)... which is why he probably wont see the field (or make the team). If he was moved to a team that could use his abilities, he could be a great player. People forget the prospect he was and what he did in college... hes got that talent but needs a system not built on speed.
Troy Williamson, on the other hand, has got great speed and some experience. If he improved his catching (which will most likely happen in time), he could become a true threat.
It's too early to write either of these players off (as many have done). Williams could easily "resurrect his career" if moved to a team that could use his abilities... and Williamson could do the same if he improved his catching.
im gunna go with mike williams, just because i think with the proper coaching staff he could be moved to TE and used as an excellent underneath option. He was way more dominant in college then williamson, who was raw out of college and is still raw IMO. Id take williams, due to his college career and potential to succeed as a TE with proper motivation
I think the problem with both of these guys is the "systems" they've played in haven't featured them.
In college BMW was thrown to pretty often..and in S.C. Troy "jump started" the offense. In the pro's , they've been forced to learn that there is only 1 ball and many many other people who can contribute.
Neither has adjusted well, and both have been healthy benches (even last year...for T.W. the FINAL game of the year, when the Vikes had NOTHING to play for...he was a scratch.) I personally don't think either will ever have success playing for the teams they're currently under contract with.
It all depends if Mike Williams ever decides to actually show up for games. He's a big, quick, and unbelievably talented receiver, there's really no reason that he shouldn't be a dominant player in this league if he realizes that he actually has to be some effort in while he plays. I doubt he realizes it this year, but if the Lions release him, hopefully he gets resigned by someone and realizes the error of his ways, I truly think he has a future in this league.
I don't see Williamson as ever being a "star" in this league (his hands aren't good enough for him to be an elite receiver), but hopefully he'll mature into a decent player. I think that in the right system, he'd be an excellent number 2 receiver, he's still young and hardworking guy with world class speed. At the very least, he'll be a good slot receiver and return man somewhere, though he just doesn't fit the Vikings' current system. I think he'll have a better year than Williams this year, though not a great year; the work they're doing to improve his vision should help the drops somewhat.
i'd take BMW because if willaism showed dedication and did what he had to do in terms of his weight and dedication then he could be a dominating wr. Williamson just seems like he cant catch the ball. The problem with BMW is not his size but his attitude and effort
i'd take BMW because if willaism showed dedication and did what he had to do in terms of his weight and dedication then he could be a dominating wr. Williamson just seems like he cant catch the ball. The problem with BMW is not his size but his attitude and effort | {
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Pune Airport Shirdi Taxi Service
Pune to Shirdi Package can be taken for a one day return trip - with the convenience of pick up and drop from hotel or residence. Shirdi, also known as the Land of Sai, is a small town, known mostly for the saint Shirdi Sai Baba. During important festivals like Dussera, Guru Poornima and Babas Death Anniversary; lakhs of devotees visit Shirdi for pilgrimage. Sai Baba; Popularly known as the 'Child of God', Sai Baba preached tolerance towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood. Shirdi was where the saint Sai Baba lived till his samadhi in 1918. Today, it is a pilgrimage center and millions of his devotees from all over the world come each year to pay their respects. Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Sai Darshan is very popular and thousands of devotees throng the shrine every day. Pune to Shirdi Tour Package Of one day return trip by car can be booked right here on puneshirditaxi.info Pune Shirdi Taxi Car Cab Bus Coach Hire Rental Service
Pune to Shirdi Tour Package
Pune to Shirdi Tour Package - Itinerary:
Places covered: Shirdi and Shani Shignapur.
Pune to Shirdi Tour Package - Timings: 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.
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Places to visit in Shirdi
Places to visit in Shirdi are:
Samadhi Mandir
Dwarka Mai Mandir
Chawdi
Hanuman Mandir
Places to visit near Shirdi
Places to visit near Shirdi are:
Trimbakeshwar
Shani-Shingnapur
Saptashringi Devi Temple
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Shirdi Darshan can be sought at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, which opens around 04:00 hrs and stays open till about 22:00 hrs. Early mornings the waiting time in the queue is approximately 60 – 90 minutes, other times of the day the waiting can go from 2 hours to 3 hours. On Thursday & Weekends the waiting time for Shirdi Darshan in the queue can be as high as 4 hours. There are sufficient benches for sitting while queuing for Sai Darshan. For Kakad Aarti you need to be in the queue by 3.30am or before. Different pooja timings at Shirdi : Pooja Timings at Shirdi
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Pune to Shirdi Package Tour - More Information
Pune to Shirdi Package Tour - More Information:
Wiki page on Shirdi
Map Of Shirdi
Google Map of Shirdi
Hotels in Shirdi
Hotels in Shirdi - Trip Advisor Link
Pune Airport Shirdi Taxi Service
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Rent a cab from us to fulfill all your travelling needs. Rent it at reasonable tariff and get a luxurious fleet. By hiring a cab from us you don’t just rent a cab you also get a chauffeur to drive you wherever you want and whenever you want.Classic Tourist Taxi Service. Type of Services :- Air conditioned Taxis, cabs, vans, mini buses on hire / rental basis. Area of Operation from Pune,Maharashtra, India to any destination in Maharashtra, India. Classic Tourist Taxi Service Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India.Reservation Desk | {
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Sunday, September 28, 2014
Last Week, a friend of mine here in Singapore was talking to a bank salesman about a home loan. I also happened to join this discussion with the salesman who was representing a leading bank that
happens to give home loans for NRI’s from Singapore as well. During this
discussion, the gentleman happened to elaborate on many of the eligibility criteria
and with a little bit of digging, the rationale behind the same was also
touched upon. So, I thought, why not share these details with all of you…
Why this Article is Important
Buying a home is a
significant investment for most of us. Not all of us have enough cash in our
bank accounts to make a full payment for the house. So, inevitably we end up
taking up a home loan which is a 10 years or more financial commitment. Though
we think about points like our monthly income before availing this loan, we may
miss out on some of the finer aspects of the loan evaluation criteria and this
might adversely impact our loan eligibility. So, why miss out on our dream
home?
When should I do all
this?
This is a very tricky
question. You should start thinking about all these aspects of the loan
evaluation at least 4-6 months prior to you actually sign-up for the home loan.
Finding a good house is a lengthy process and for most of us, we identify a
good house only after a few months of search. So, the moment you start thinking
about buying a house, you must start thinking and planning for all these
aspects…
Step 1 – Review your
Credit Report
The first
and most important consideration for any Bank is the “Credit Report” of the
borrower. In India CIBIL is the entity that offers these credit reports. So, if
you apply for a loan (any loan) the first think the bank would do is, request a
copy of this report. A few weeks ago, I had written an article titled “Everything You Want to Know About Your CIBIL Credit Score- Explained!!!” which will help you understand what this credit score is and
how you can improve it.
Once
you have decided that you are going to buy a house, you should purchase your
credit report from CIBIL and review it to make sure that your credit score is
good. You must also review it to make sure that all the info in the report is
correct. If your credit score is at least over the 700 mark (the closer it is
to 900 the better) there is a good chance that your loan will get approved.
If you are someone who does not have any loans now, you can ignore this
step. However, if you have taken a few loans, then you must do this.
It would be a good idea to close-off all (or at least part) of your loan
commitments before signing up for the home loan. All banks will deduct your existing
loan repayments (EMIs) from your monthly income before calculating your loan
eligibility. Plus, the more the number of loans you have, the difficult it
would be for you to obtain a loan. So, better close out your loans before the
home loan agreement is signed.
Step 3: Review your
Bank Balance
Have you spoken to any
bank about a home loan? If you had, the bank would’ve asked you to submit at
least 6 months of your Bank Statement, from the bank account where your salary
is getting credited. (For NRI’s the NRE Account statement is also asked for,
over and above your salary account statement from the country where you are
employed).
You might be thinking,
am giving you my payslip, employment records etc but why am I being asked for
my bank statement?
Simple. The bank would
like to know your spending habits and also check if you maintain sufficient
balance to repay your loans. For ex: If you are availing a loan of 50 lakhs
that require you to repay Rs. 60,000/- every month, the bank would like to
check if you maintain sufficient balance. Someone who maintains an average of
50,000 rupees or more would have a greater probability of getting this 50 lakh
loan in comparison to someone who maintains only 5,000 rupees.
Step 4: Review your
Banking Habits
If you are someone who
has the habit of timely repayment of bills and dues, you can ignore this step.
If you are someone who issues cheques or has monthly EMI deductions from your
bank account but, do not maintain sufficient bank balance, you may need to
concentrate on this point heavily. Any bounced payment (Cheque/EMI/Bill
Payment) would adversely affect your loan eligibility. No bank would grant a
loan to a customer who has a history of missed payments. A Bank would expect
you to clean up your habits at least over the past 6 months to 1 year so that they
can trust you with a loan.
Step 5 – Review your
Documents
Most banks request the
same kind of documents from its customers for loans. The most important of them
would be:
Loan Application
(Filled-in with Photographs)
Address Proof
(Telephone Bill, Electricity Bill etc.)
Identity Proof (Passport,
Driver’s License etc.)
Latest salary slips –
At least 3-6 months
Tax Return Filings (Or
Form 16) for at least the past 3 years (The more the better)
Bank Statement – At least
6 months
In addition to the
above documents, you would also need to submit copies of all property papers
that you desire to purchase.
Tip: It is always
recommended to verify the property documents available with the seller before
entering into an 'agreement to buy'. Generally, banks do not process a loan
application without the 'agreement to buy/ sell'. If you are not confident on
the property documents, it is always advisable to consult a property lawyer
well in advance. The lawyers analyze the chain of the property and help you in
making the decision to buy or reject the property. They also help in execution
of the sale/purchase transaction.
Some Last Words:
Getting a home loan is
a lengthy process and banks would closely scrutinize your application before
granting you the loan because it is a huge commitment. If you were a bank and
someone is asking you for a 50 lakh loan, wouldn’t you closely evaluate the
loan applicants details? The more confident you are, the more comfortable you
would be to grant the loan – isn’t it?
So, as a customer, it
is our responsibility to make sure that we submit all the necessary artifacts to
improve the banks confidence.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
All of us work really hard and it would be unfair if our money/investments aren’t working as hard as we do. To force our money to work hard, it is inevitable that we consider the stock market. And, if you are novice investor, taking the mutual fund route is the best. So, if you are someone who is new to the stock market as well as Mutual Funds, this article will help you make up make up your mind and decide…
As always, if you feel some more of your Questions are still left unanswered, feel free to sound off in the comments section…
Before We Begin: Why this Article..
A couple of days back, a friend of mine who I have known for almost a decade pinged me. He was hearing a lot about our stock market being in a “Bull Run” Phase and wanted to take advantage of this momentum. He was very new to the stock markets and felt that going the Mutual Fund Route would be the best for him. During the discussion he suggested that, some of the questions he had would be useful to other blog readers who may be sailing in the same boat as he was. So, here we go…
As a new attempt – this article is structured in a Q & A or Conversational Format between me and my friend.
Anand: Hi Rajesh, sure da. Yes, Mutual Funds are the best choice for people like us who are busy with a regular day job and cannot track our investments on a daily basis.
Rajesh: Yes da. What route would you suggest? Do I need a lot of money to start investing in Mutual Funds?
Anand: No da, not required. You can start off with a very small amount.
Rajesh: Is it? What is the Minimum amount da?
Anand: It depends on the mutual fund da. Most funds would accept investments as small as Rs. 500 or Rs. 1000 (This varies from fund to fund) if you commit to Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). I had written an earlier article about SIPs in April 2012. Click Here…
Rajesh: Oh, must I commit to an SIP?
Anand: Yes da. No matter what the market phase is (Bull or Bear), SIPs are the best choice for people like us because you can start with small amounts, it brings discipline to investments plus it helps us average out our gains/losses by investing every month.
Rajesh: Ok da. I have been going through many stock market websites. Am confused da. What website will give me clear cut ideas?
Anand: What is the bank with which you have a DEMAT Account?
Rajesh: I have XXXXX Bank DEMAT Account da.
Anand: Check their website itself da. Their DEMAT Account is one of the best in the Indian markets.
Rajesh: But, wont they recommend only their mutual funds?
Anand: No da. They CANNOT/WILL NOT. No Demat Account provider can recommend his/her funds only. It is against the laws set forth by SEBI. As a Demat Provider, they are expected to be neutral and put the customers interest in the forefront. So, they will recommend mutual funds from all fund houses (not just theirs)
Rajesh: Oh ok. What fund would you recommend for me?
Anand: It depends on the amount of risk you are willing to take da. How much money are you willing to lose?
Rajesh: What are you asking da? Am investing to make money da not lose.
Anand: No Rajesh. All stock market investments come with an inherent risk. There is always a probability that your investments will go-down in value. For ex: Now the stock market is at never before highs (27000 for Sensex and 8000 for Nifty). If for some reason the market tanks and goes down by 30% there is a chance that your investment will go down by an equivalent % or more as well… That is why I asked you, how much money you are willing to lose/risk.
Rajesh: Ok da. I want to invest in the stock market but don’t want to lose a lot of my money da.
Anand: Fund Classification – By Risk (High to Low)
Thematic/Sector Oriented Funds
Small/Mid-cap Funds
Diversified Equity Funds
Blue Chip Funds
Balanced Funds
Debt Funds
Rajesh: So, what would you recommend for me da?
Anand: The first 3 are extremely risky da. So, I wouldn’t recommend them for you. First tell me how much are you willing to invest each month.
Rajesh: Am thinking around 3000-4000 rupees per month da
Anand: Ok. Whatever is the amount you decide, split it into two and start off SIPs in two different Mutual Funds. Choose one Balanced Fund and one Blue Chip Fund.
Rajesh: Doesn’t a Balanced Fund Invest in the stock market?
Anand: Yes da, they do. But, they invest only around 50% in stock market instruments. The remaining goes into safe investments which means, around 50% of your investment is safe.
Rajesh: What is a Blue Chip fund da?
Anand: Blue Chip is nothing but a fancy term for Large Cap companies. Blue Chips are extremely large and successful companies that have a long history of profits. State Bank of India, Reliance Industries, ONGC, NTPC, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank etc are some classic examples. There around 100 or so super large companies in our country and these mutual funds predominantly invest on such companies only. Even the ELSS sub category of mutual funds invest only in blue chips
Rajesh: What is the advantage of investing in blue chips?
Anand: Though the price of blue-chip shares may not go out of the roof like a small cap or mid cap company, nor will their price go down as fast as their smaller counterparts. Because of their size and profitability, investors will not panic much and their stock prices will remain stable even during tough times. This does not mean you wont make any losses, but the relative % or probability is lower in comparison to other sized companies.
Rajesh: Ok Da. Tell me two funds – one in blue chip and one in balanced category that I can invest in.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
With Inflation and Cost of Living going out of the roof these days, we are all striving really hard to Earn More or to Invest Wisely or to Pick up a Part-Time Job etc etc. All this is very good. Obviously, nothing can replace "More Income". However, there are a few simple tips that can actually help us reduce our expenditure which in-turn can result in "Additional Savings". The Idea behind this article is to suggest a few very simple, easy to follow Ideas that can really help us reduce our monthly expenses..Before we Begin: Many of the ideas here might sound like - "Aah, I already knew this" types. More importantly not all of us may have the luxury or options of following them due to certain constraints. So, browse through the list and try to implement as many as possible. A point to note here is that, only Ideas that can result in quantifiable cost savings are listed down here.
Idea No. 1: Eat at Home - More Often
In this current generation where both husband and wife are employed, either or both of them come home pretty late in the evening and end up dining outside. Though this is inevitable in many cases, at least try to make dinner at home on days you reach home on time. If you are someone who has the luxury of a "Home Maker Wife" then try to get your lunch packed. Your wife is anyways going to pack lunch for your kid(s) and I am pretty sure she would have absolutely no issues packing lunch for you as well. Some people have this illusion that carrying a lunch-bag makes me look aged. Trust me, if you try this out for a month and calculate how much you save at the end of the month/year - you will feel Awesome...
Savings:
Dining Out - For 2 Pax: Avg. Rs. 100/- per day.
Dinner @ Home At least Twice a Week: Rs. 1000/- saved per month
Lunch @ Office Canteen: Avg. Rs. 40/- per day
Getting Lunch Packed Dily: Rs. 1000/- Saved per Month
Idea No. 2: Always Pay your Bills - On Time
Most of your monthly bills like - TV, Internet, Phone, Credit Card etc come with hefty fines if you miss the payment deadline. Many of us are very busy and occupied with our day-to-day work and end up consolidating these payments maybe Once or Twice a month. This can actually result in missed payments and fines. You may not mind paying a 50 or 100 rupee fine for late payment once in a while but if this is a recurring pattern, imagine all the money you are wasting unnecessarily?All we need is a little organization. For the next couple of months, track the dates when all your bills come-in and make a TO-DO List that would remind you when each bill is due. I do this and trust me, the first couple of months was very hard because I had to literally check my letter-box everyday but now I know when each of my bills is due and it has been over a year since I actually missed a bill payment.
Savings: Quantifying this is actually difficult but lets assume one bill getting missed every 2 months and that bill comes with a Rs. 200 fine for late payment (Like most credit cards).
Missed Credit Card Payment: Rs. 200 fine
5 Missed payments in a year: Rs. 1000/- wasted
With our Credit Score being given so much more weightage these days, missed payments can significantly dent your credit history and cause problems in future when you want to go for a Home Loan or Car Loan..
Idea No. 3: Always Track your Overdraft Account
These days many banks are offereing Overdraft facility for customers who hold "Salary Account" with them. An overdraft account is nothing but a facility where the customer can actually withdraw/use more funds that he actually has in the account and then repay once funds area available (More or less like a credit card). However, every time you dip into overdraft money, you are charged a fixed fee (Around 200 to 500 rupees). Plus, the money you use is chargeable at hefty interests (Around 10-12% per annum or more). On top of this, you are charged a yearly "Annual Fee" as well. So, firstly, if you are someone who always maintains enough balance in your bank account and would not need this Overdraft facility, "Surrender" this option. You can save easily around 1000 rupees or more in Annual fee every year. If you are someone who needs this overdraft facility, try to limit the number of times you dip into the overdraft account.
You may think I am crazy to actually suggest this as an Idea but sadly, many of us not are fully aware of what is the minimum balance requirement in our bank account. Some banks expect 5000 rupees and some expect 10000 rupees. Most banks charge you penalties & fees for "Not Maintaining Sufficient Balance" in your account which is a few hundred rupees for every instance your balance goes below this threshold. On top of this, if you issue cheques or set up recurring bill-payments that bounce due to insufficient funds banks hcarge hefty penalties (At least 500 rupees or more). Not to mention the hassle and head ache of chasing down the person who we owe money and explaining the error hoping for the fact that they wont legally sue us. In case of recurring bill payments, add the penalties for missed payments plus they too will charge you for bounced payments.
A simple oversight error where you actually forgot that your credit card bill is due on a certain date will cost you Rs. 1,400/- rupees plus a damaged credit history.
Idea No. 5: Dont Just Use Any ATM. Use Only Your Bank's ATM
Gone are the days when banks offered you the privilege of using any banks ATM Machine if you have a "Salary Account" with them. These days banks charge you for using other bank ATM's and this fee ranges from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200/- per transaction. Many banks offer a certain number of free transactions every month/quarter but keeping track of how many times we actually used another banks ATM machine is an added headache. So, the best option would be to use only the ATM machine of the bank with which you have your account. Of course this idea isnt really applicable when you are in an emergency kind of situation (On a vacation/trip in a town where you are not able to find your banks ATM) but as far as possible, lets try to avoid this fee.
Savings:No. of Transactions in Other Bank ATM's each month: At least 2-3
Fee for using that ATM: Approx Rs. 200 per month
Amount Wasted per year: Rs. 2400/-
Idea No. 6: Avoid Credit Cards with Annual Fee
These days most banks issue Credit Cards that are "Free for a Lifetime" which means No Annual Fee. But, sometimes banks add a "Catch" to the card member agreement where the card isnt actually Free. They say - Free If you Spend at least Rs. 50,000 in a year or some sort of condition. If you fail to meet that condition, you will be charged a hefty annual fee (Usually around Rs. 1000 or more) Then there are those cards that charge you hefty annual fees just because those cards are considered cool to own. Many people apply for credit cards from certain establishments just for showing off as a "Status Symbol". For Ex: Owning an American Express credit card would cost you around Rs. 5000 in annual fee each year. That is a lot of money. You can actually get a free-for-life credit card from most major banks in India that are co-branded with either Visa or MasterCard that will offer you just as much features like Amex at little or no cost. Of course, you cannot flaunt your Visa credit card because just about everyone would have it...
Savings:Annual Fee for one credit card: Avg. Rs. 1000
No. of Credit Cards Owned: 5
Amount Saved by Switching to Free Credit Cards: Rs. 5000
Idea No. 7: Use your Landline Phone
In this day and age of Mobile phones, we make almost all our calls using our mobile phone. But, we invariably have a land-line phone because your Internet Service Provider usually bundles the landline phone and internet connection. This landline usually comes with its share of "Free outgoining calls/minutes" and in some places like Singapore, calls made via landline are unlimited FREE. Irrespective of what mobile phone you use (Prepaid or Postpaid) the number of minutes available for outgoing calls is limited. In case of prepaid the phone will get disconnected when you cross that minutes barrier and in case of Postpaid the amount you will pay beyond those initial minutes is hefty. Why not use your landline to make some calls? we can save a lot of money this way..
One of the things many of us fail to do is - Keeping our Automobile (Bike/Car) in Top condition. We usually use it until the point that it breaks down (or is on the verge of breaking down). Though this is ok, the fact is that, by servicing our car/bike regularly we can accomplish three things:1. The Ride Quality will always smooth and chances of unexpected breakdowns or problems is reduced signifiantly2. Though the regular service cost runs into a few hundred rupees each time, by keeping the car in good condition, you can save a lot of money on unwanted replacement of spares due to improper servicing. For ex: By replacing your engine & Gear oil every 3 months, you can keep your engine and associated components in prime condition. Yes, this will cost you a few hundred rupees each time but imagine having to replace your Engine or Gearbox?3. By maintaining your vehicle in proper condition, it will not unnecessarily consume fuel. With the price at which we get Petrol & Diesel, saving every liter of petrol counts. By properly maintaining your Car, your cars mileage will improve by at least 1-2 km per liter. If you drive 500 kms per liter, you would have earlier had to fuel 50 liters (@ 10 kmpl). Now, you will just have to fuel 42 liters. 8 liters worth of Petrol/Diesel saved right away.
Amount Saved on Fuel: Rs. 500/- per month (or more depending on how much you drive)
Idea No. 9: Switch Off All Electronic Appliances - Once Used
Did you know that when you hit the "Power Off" button on your TV Remote and leave, your TV continues to consume around 10-15% of electricity in the background? In fact most electronic devices consume about 10% electricity while in stand-by mode. Your laptop, Mixer, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washing Machine etc - all of them consume electricity when the "Power Switch" is still "ON". So, if you are done watching TV, dont just power off using remote, switch off the power supply. Do the same for other devices also.
Savings:Average Electricity Bill Per Month: Rs. 2000/-
Amount Saved by Switching Off: Rs. 200/- per month
Amount Saved in One Year: Rs. 2400/-
Idea No. 10: Pay-Off Loans & Credit Card Debt As Soon As Possible
Any loan that you are repaying includes two components - Principal and Interest. The principal is the actual amount that you borrowed which you are repaying. But, the Interest is the fee's that you are paying for the loan. So, the earlier you repay the loan, the lower the interest you are repaying. Sometimes, it may not be possible to pay off our credit card in one shot. In such cases the card issuing bank will charge us an Interest until the date that you fully repay the original outstanding due. So, try to repay this debt within the first 2-3 months because the interest is usually calculated from the date of purchase and on the full transaction amount even if you are repaying a part of it every month. So, if you get any sudden influx of funds (Ex: Bonus) pay-off loans and outstanding debt.
Think of it this way - The money you are paying as Interest is nothing but Money you are giving the bank to become rich. You have a duty to repay the loan/amount you borrowed but it is also your right to repay quickly with as little Interest as possible. So, paying interest over a long duration of time is as good as throwing away money...
Some Last Words:Some of these Idea's are pretty straightforward and are easy to implement. Some of these ideas may not be feasible for you. For ex: you may not have an Overdraft Account which means Idea no. 3 is useless for you. Similarly, if you dont own a Car or Bike, Idea No. 8 will be useless for you. Irrespective of how many Ideas you can follow, each of them will result in sizeable cost savings which you can utilize for other essential expenditures..Happy Saving Money!!!
Friday, September 5, 2014
This term - "Wilful Defaulter" has been making rounds for the past week especially because one of the richest men in India Mr. Vijay Mallya was tagged as a "Wilful Defaulter" a few days ago. I have been wondering for a while now - Why aren't any banks pressuring Mr. Mallya to repay the thousands of crores worth of money he owes them. If a common man fails to repay a loan (or credit card outstanding) that's worth just a few thousand rupees, he is put through tremendous hardships including jail time and/or banks taking possession of their property/assets to reclaim their money. So, if for just a few thousand rupees if someone has to endure all this, what about someone who owes a few thousand crores...
With Banks declaring Mr. Mallya as a Wilful Defaulter, things have taken an interesting turn because Mr. Mallya has declared that he is going to contest this tag of being named a "Wilful Defaulter" in court.
The purpose of this article is not to analyze whether there is any legal merit in this whole situation because honestly - I am No Lawyer. But, what we can do is, try to understand what is this Wilful Defaulter tag and how it would affect the person who has been given this tag...
So, Who is a Wilful Defaulter?
As per the official definition from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) a wilful defaulter in one who as a borrower has the ability to pay, but is unwilling to pay.
If I owe 50,000 rupees towards my credit card but for some strange reason I don't want to pay my bill even though I have more than enough money to repay, the bank that issued this credit card to me can declare me as a "Wilful Defaulter". Plain and simple - isn't it?
Can a Bank just declare someone as a Wilful Defaulter - All by Themselves?
No, definitely NOT. Banks follow an elaborate procedure, as laid down by the Reserve Bank of India, before declaring somebody as a wilful defaulter. Such cases are looked into by a committee of higher functionaries headed by the executive director and two GMs/DGMs of the bank.
So, What is the purpose of this whole exercise where you tag someone as a Wilful Defaulter?
The first and foremost purpose is to "Name and Shame" the individuals, who even though have the means to repay their debt are intentionally holding-off from doing so. As part of this process, the bank will publish photographs of defaulters and other details in newspapers and at notice boards of bank branches.
Talk about someone who is popular and easily identifiable being declared a defaulter in all of the banks branches across inda along with their photo? Or worse, what about a half page Ad on any of the top news papers with their photo? Wouldn't that be extremely shameful?
Anyways, the wilful defaulter tag is not only a naming and shaming exercise, but could also entail significant criminal and financial liabilities. Obviously, if someone were to just display photos and call people defaulters, they may not care much...
So, what are the limitations a Wilful Defaulter faces in India?
According to the RBI, Banks can do the following:
1. Write to securities market regulator (SEBI) to debar these Wilful Defaulters from accessing the securities market. So, if Mr. Mallya wants to raise debt (Via bonds) or go public (For one of his new companies), he may be prohibited from doing so.
Impact: You may be wondering, does this really matter? Definitely Yes because, the securities market is the biggest sources of funds for companies - either via shares or bonds and if this is blocked, companies may find it really hard to expand...
2. Banks will not grant additional loan/credit facilities to such wilful defaulters. In case of fraud, such persons can be debarred from institutional finance for floating new ventures for 5 years.
Impact: Not all companies run on cash. They use floating credit accounts to pay their day-to-day expenses and then offset the same once they receive the cashflow out of their sales. So, by blocking any new/existing credit facility, banks can significantly dent the companies ability to run properly.
Impact: The individual could be jailed and his/her assets taken over by the bank to recover their money. Of course, this will take a long time due to the limitations of our judicial system but can be fast-tracked if the authorities feel the need to...
4. Companies that have Wilful Defaulters as part its "Board of Directors" will be prevented from accessing the Securities Market
5. Banks Will Not Do Business with any company where a person who was declared as a Wilful Defaulter is a member of the board of directors
Impact: Companies will now be cautious on who they assign as a Board of Director. In this case with Mr. Mallya, he is a member of the board of 4 companies and all 4 of those companies may end up with significant impact unless he gives-up his position in the Board...
Some Last Words:
As you can see, being declared a Wilful Defaulter is not only a shameful situation, it will have significant impact on all the businesses where the individual is a part of. So, people will try their best to make sure they arent tagged as one. This is the reason why Mr. Mallya is presently contesting the banks declaration in court.
Every Investor is looking for the next hot stock tip. A stock whose price will double or triple in a few months. However, one of the often ...
Important Disclaimer
All the contents of this blog are the Authors personal opinion only and are not endorsed by any Company. This website or Author does not provide stock recommendations. The purpose of this blog is to educate people about the financial industry and to share my opinion about the day to day happenings in the Indian and world economy. Contents described here are not a recommendation to buy or sell any stock or investment product. The Author does not have any vested interest in recommending or reviewing any Investment Product discussed in this Blog. Readers are requested to perform their own analysis and make investment decisions at their own personal judgement and the site or the author cannot be claimed liable for any losses incurred out of the same. | {
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Ms. Maricha Matthews
"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'."
----Dan Rather
As a Diverse Learners Instructor and Department Chair, I seek to ensure that all students are receiving an equitable education. My teaching philosophy begins with "All students can learn." I work with all administrators, teachers, clinicians and staff in the building to make sure that students are receiving the services needed to be successful in school and in life.
I have a degree in Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Chicago State University, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University and a Master of Education-Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to these degrees, I began my post-secondary matriculation at Clark Atlanta University where I studied Mass Media Arts-Public Relations.
I am excited to have begun my teaching career at Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy and look forward to many years here ensuring that all students learn and achieve their dreams! | {
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Friday, August 31, 2007
New time and a beehive of lurve.
Happy ginger day chumlies. I have shaved yet another half a minute off my row time. I am now 24:30 for 5000M. I don't know if this is good or not as I have no one to compare it with, but it is faster for me, so that will have to do. So happy am I with this improvement that the only way I can impart my joy it to give you a splendid helping of Gingerosity. I particularly like his Beth Lynch-iness in this one. He's just short the dangly earings and the leopard print.
And goddammit I'm impressed with your rowing results. It sounds very good in my (unskilled) opinion. I haven't tried it for a long time, but at one point I had good intentions of getting fit that way. However after 10 minutes I always felt like I was on the verge of dying, so I stopped... ;)(I'm not the most patient person in the world when it comes to stuff like that...and many other things, eheum)
Medbh, I didn't I'm afraid. Do you have a link?Eva, the first time I tried it I was pretty terrible too, but after maybe four or five attempts I finally hit a bit of a stride and after that it didn't seem so bad. I can't pretend to be confident that I'm powering along, but I do feel much fitter because of it. I'm convinced that the more exercises you try-chopping and changing- the better your body responds to what it is asked to do (or so it seems to me).
Hah, I have LOVE that photo, but it's a pug. My Batman will be FAAAAR more batacular, plus his cape will be satin. The paramour thinks I"m nuts. But then he would. Personally I can't wait to traipse around Bushy Park yelling, 'Batman, where are you?' and Batman, wait'Ad break over, what happened to Catherine? Will Grissom ever walk right? Who can say?
Have you been over at Fresh Hell's lately? She's got a pic of a French bulldog in a Mexican (sarape? is that what they call them?) and sombrero. But I bet his name isn't batman. I bet it's "Hombre Bacardi."
Cheers for the link Medbh. It's an interesting read. Chumlie Finn is a triathete and regularly whips the ass of gals and guys her junior. And I remember telling her about the couple who sailed past me in the Phoenix park one day, going up hill, they were about 60 and chatting, I watched them go and could do nowt but shake my head in awe-and trundle after their wake.
On my way back from the dog park this morning with my setter I saw an elderly gentleman walking a black French Bulldog. So cute! (The dog, not the old guy.) I just couldn't help myself....I squealed "Batman!" You've created a monster, FMC. Now, to get the fiance to trade in this tragically shaped puppy he brought home...
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About Me
I'm a bouncy, opinionated, messy haired marathon running (!) bibliophile. I wear high heels and have delightful ankles. I'm a devoted drinker. I want a French Bulldog puppy whom I shall call Batman and dress in capes on occasion.
I would also like a pug, whom I shall name Mister Woo. He can remain capeless, but I will make sure he wears a diamante collar at all times.
Both dogs will submit to repeated snorgling and high pitched squeals that only a dolphin would normally tolerate.
I hate Reiki/psychics/mystics/frauds with all my liver. Also, I'm firmly against Jazz and poetry/poems/pomes/ peoms or any of that stuff. I believe in the healing power of ginger. | {
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NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Pau Gasol, Andre Miller, Beno Udrih
Six days remain until the NBA trade deadline, and we are seemingly closer to finding out which trades have some substance to them and which are purely smoke and mirrors.
The New York Knicks looked to be buyers at the deadline, with reports circulating the team was trying to send Iman Shumpert to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Kenneth Faried. But, according to the latest NBA trade rumors, the team may look to shed some players as well.
The New York Post reportedBeno Udrih could be on his way back to San Antonio. The Spurs tried to re-sign the point guard over the summer but Udrih instead chose the Knicks. Udrih has fallen out of favor under coach Mike Woodson and has since requested a ticket out of the Big Apple.
The Post also names the Washington Wizards, who were believed to covet Nuggets veteran Andre Miller, as a potential trading partner for Udrih. The Wiz could offer a second-round pick or rookie Glen Rice Jr., believed to have been a target of New York during last year’s draft.
The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly been shopping former No. 2 overall pick Evan Turner, and a new team has apparently entered the mix. The Dallas Morning News speculated the Dallas Mavericks are a logical destination for Turner and Spencer Hawes, who is also on the block. Dallas is sitting sixth in the Western Conference and could use a more capable scoring threat at the center position. The Sixers are reportedly seeking draft picks, something the Mavs already owe the Oklahoma City Thunder, but have the expiring contract of Shawn Marion to dangle.
The potential Los Angeles Lakers-Phoenix Suns blockbuster including Pau Gasol is all but dead, according to multiple reports. The Suns broke off trade talks for the big man because the Lakers’ asking price was too high, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Lakers are quite a long-shot to make the playoffs this season, but Gasol stated his preference was to stay in Hollywood. “I think there’s something potential,” he said in reference to the Suns possibly trading for him, “but right now the offer would have to chance a little to make it considerable.” | {
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Sony debuts new 4K cameras at CES 2015
Although primarily a 'consumer' electronics show, Sony showcased two new 4K cameras at CES 2015 that could appeal to prosumers, micro-budget productions and extreme sports videographers.
At Sony's press conference for CES 2015, the electronics giant touted its leadership position across a vast field of consumer product categories, from smart home devices, wearables, home audio and, of course, its display technology and Playstation offerings. Those hoping that the company would unveil a revolutionary camera suited for professional video work may have been disappointed, but there are other conventions, like NAB and IBC, which are more likely venues for such announcements.
Sony did, however, bring two new cameras to the stage, each with the ability to shoot 4K video. The first is the Sony FDR-X1000V Action Camera, which is another shot across the bow of action cam leader GoPro. GoPro's current flagship Hero 4 model can shoot 4K as well, but taps out at 15 fps capture (Correction: The Hero 4 Black can capture 4K at 30 fps). The FDR-X1000V, on the other hand, can shoot 4K at 30 fps at a relatively robust 100Mb/s bitrate and 1080p HD at up to 60 fps. Here's an interview style video by Sony that profiles the FDR-X1000V:
Sony also has the HDR-AS200V on display at its CES booth. This is another new action camera almost identical to the FDR-X1000V in appearance and function, but without 4K capture.
The other camera announcement on the slate was for a camcorder Sony COO Mike Fasulo called "4K for $1K," the FDR-AX33 Handycam. By now, the $1,000 price barrier for a fixed lens 4K camera has already been breached by last year's LX100 from Panasonic, but that model has the form factor of a compact still camera. For those who want the simplicity and ease-of-use of a compact camcorder (and for whom 4K video capture is a requirement), the FDR-AX33 might be a compelling choice, as it is the world's first 4K Handycam with balanced optical SteadyShot. Once again, Sony has prepared a video that introduces the camera and its features:
While these two cameras might not excite those who put a premium on image quality (and have the budget to achieve it), these cameras put 4K squarely into the hands of consumers, prosumers and the GoPro crowd. As 4K video capture penetrates all levels of camera systems, it will be interesting to see what Sony and other companies do on the professional front to further distinguish higher end from starter models. | {
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} |
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In this world, Professional Wrestling is Serious Business, so the next generation of superpowered wrestlers is getting trained at the Hercules Factory, and Mantarou is no exception. While Mantarou is a coward, he's usually willing to fight when the chips are down, and this wins him a few friends: Terry the Kid (Terry "The Grand" Kenyon), an American (and, by default, Texan); Seiuchin (Wally Tuskett), an anthropomorphic walrus; and Gazelleman (Dik Dik Van Dik), an anthropomorphic gazelle and supreme victim of The Worf Effect.
The action is organized into arcs. The first arc deals with the gang's attempt to graduate; the second arc deals with their struggles against the evil dMp; the third arc focuses on their battles against the new graduates of the Hercules Factory; and the final and longest arc deals with the Chojin Tournament, a gigantic battle between the world's greatest wrestlers.
There are two manga series — one that is running in Weekly Shonen Playboy in Japan and is being sold in volumes in the US, and another that appeared in V-Jump in Japan, follows a different continuity.
Tropes:
Quite the opposite in the case of Mantarou — Kinnikuman was extremely happy to have a son to continue the bloodline of the Kinniku clan that he pampered Mantarou to the point where he became a Spoiled Brat. It makes sense when you read the original series and see that Kinnikuman's father Mayumi, while not a bad person, completelyfailed at being a good father to both of his sons and Kinnikuman probably didn't want history to repeat himself.
Played painfully straight with Kinnikuman's Evil Counterpart, Kinkotsuman. His constant abuse of his son and wife created one of the most monstrous heels in the history of the series.
Aerith and Bob: Seiuchin's mother is named Suzy and his sister is named Dorothy.
Hydrazoa, being made out of water, has the ability to absorb his opponents into his body and drown them, causing this.
Be Careful What You Wish For: Kinkotsuman was nothing more than a Big Bad Wannabe in the original series, who tried desperately to defeat Kinnikuman but was thwarted every time. In hope of finally beating Kinnikuman, he put his rather milquetoast son, Bone Cold, through hellish training. The result? Bone Cold became a certified Bad Ass, but part of his motivation of becoming one was because he hated his old man's guts (who at this point, had an epiphany and tried to make amends) and wanted to distance himself from how lame Kinkotsuman was.
Terry the Kid throws a race at one point to save a drowning child (whom nobody had seen drowning because they were busy watching the race). According to him, he was motivated by a memory of his father throwing a contest to save a puppy from an oncoming train — an incident seen in the original Kinnikuman.
Also like Akuma Shogun in the original series, Checkmate is unable to feel pain, thus he doesn't know when he's injured, however it turns out to be a bigger deal for him than it does for Akuma Shogun.
The Demon Seed arc heavily resembles the Seven Devil Choujin arc.
Mantarou's fight against Dialbolik/Tel-Tel-Boy is similar to his father's battle with Stecasse King in the original series.
Casanova Wannabe: Along with inheriting his father's incredible physique and his Eleventh Hour Superpower, Burning Inner Strength (which was called Ultimate Muscle in the English dub) it looks like Mantarou inherited his father's rather poor luck at wooing the ladies. Well, Suguru did manage to get two girls to truly like him; Mantarou at least managed to get two girls to follow him around... for some reason.
Kinnikuman Great appears once more in the Ultimate Choujin Tag Team arc, this time as a disguise for Choujin otaku Chaos Avenir. Due to a tear in the mask, his hair pokes out of the forehead of it, just like Mantarou. In the Finals however due to Chaos' death, Kinnikuman Great arrived with his mask restitched and it was Kevin Mask.
Warsman does this twice. First as Kevin Mask's trainer Kuroé (Lord Flash), and then as Hells Bear Belmond.
Mammothman as Hells Bear Michael.
Character Development: by the time the Choujin Olympics comes to an end, you will see a completely different Mantarou during his matches, he is more than capable to act without Meat giving him advice every minute, when the Ultimate Choujin Tag Team arc kicks in Mantarou can be considered an independent fighter already, he no longer acts cowardly during the matches and is now the one to pass some advice to his partner Chaos.
Clean Dub Name: Subverted! Gazelleman was renamed "Dik Dik Van Dik" for the english dub, a change that went over so well that after American TV show X-Play reviewed the (actually good) Ultimate Muscle Gamecube game Adam Sessler started wearing a Dik Dik T-Shirt, constantly referenced Dik Diks and even put (radioactive) Dik Diks into the X-Play online videogame! There was also an anime magazine that listed this as "the number one best name change ever".
Compensated Dating: One-shot villain The Rigany manages to force this on a minor female character in the manga.
Kid Muscle: Hey I just got it, that "K" on Terry's forehead must stand for Kiss— Meat: Hey! Why don't you watch your mouth kid. If you use profanity they'll send you packing right off this planet. Kid Muscle: Why didn't you say so you son of a— Buffaloman:Enough!
Darker and Edgier: Unlike the original Kinnikuman, which was classified as Shounen, this series is classified as a Seinen manga, resulting in the series being much more violent than its predecessor.
Death's Hourglass: Suguru was given this by Satan in a form of a spider with the help of the evil alliance of the Lightning, Thunder, Neptuneman, and Mammothman before the semi-finals of the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament. It does three options to try to halt the process: Power of Love by a hug from his mother, Bibinba, or Mari (he didn't with the third since he's being faithful to Bibinba); turning upside-down to turn the sand back, and using Iron Sweat, which is caused by breaking friendship as a Seigi Choujin, as a magnet to prevent the sand from ever flowing. With the help of Terryman berating him, the third option got rid of it once and for all.
Played frighteningly straight with Mantarou. Since he didn't have full control of his Burning Inner Strength he wouldn't completely heal from his battles. At one point we see all the scars he had accumulated to that point and it is horrifying.
Dirty Old Man: Jijioman, who makes up the more active half of Barrierfreeman.
Discard and Draw: When Brocken Jr.'s arm has been cut off by Lightning and Thunder, Jade no longer knows how to do the Red Rain of Berlin because memories of learning the move in the past from Brocken was altered. Fortunately, it is replaced with a new technique from Brocken back then who had a hook arm due to the altered past called "Brocken's Repatriation " which turns Jade's left leg into a sickle!
Ditto Fighter: Bloxx/Legocs is capable of shaping himself into a mold of any opponent, copying not only their appearance but their abilities and tactics. After doing so to Kevin Mask, their fight quickly turned to a merry-go-round of Cross Counters
Do Not Call Me Paul: Mantarou originally hated his name because he found out why he was named as such. Subverted in the fact that he either got over or stopped caring about how he was named.
Kevin Mask is an Expy of Real Life professional wrestler Kevin Nash. Not only is this evident in Mask's name, but also in that Mask's body build and "screw tradition" philosophy are extremely similar to Nash's. Also, much like Nash, he doesn't lose.
The Constellation is more than likely an Expy of Black Hole, another Devil Choujin from the original Kinnikuman.
Face-Heel Turn: While almost totally absent from the original Kinnikuman series, there are several instances of it happening here, including Neptuneman, Sunshine, and Ashuraman (Three villains from the previous series who had been "befriended", Brazilian fighter Ricardo, and most recently, Seiuchin. Ricardo is an interesting case, as he didn't so much turn evil as he decided to stop resisting his evil nature.
The Faceless: Mantarou and Suguru (and some other major Kinniku fighters), both son and father's real faces are unknown, truth to be told most of the Kinniku race would qualify if their masks weren't so blatantly modeled exactly like their real faces that one couldn't tell they were wearing one if not for their Ultraman-shapped heads. The few instances Mantarou and Suguru shows a glimpse of what their real faces might look like it proves that they are nowhere as Gonk looking as their masks imply, it must be divine as in the Ultimate Choujin Tag Tournament arc when both take off their masks, their faces are so impossibly cool that it blinds the crowd thus preventing their faces to be known, also the silhouettes are more detailed this time around to at least confirm they are not ugly, it could be above average even.
Fake Brit: An in-universe example with Checkmate. Despite his personality being that of a classic, British gentleman, he's actually from Monaco.
Fan Disservice: The non-sexual kind. Warsman and Mammothman teaming up in the most current arc was, in spite of being foreshadowed heavily earlier in the arc, nice to watch since both have always been fan favorites in spite of the latter being an Omnicidal Maniac. Then Mammothman suffers from Chronic Backstabbing Disorder...
Fantastic Racism: One of the main reasons why the Demon Seeds made a Face-Heel Turn by siding with Satan/General Terror was due to their dissatisfaction with their treatment by normal humans. The humans' treatment of the Devil Choujin is somewhat justified because, well, the Devil Choujin did try to take over the world... multiple times.
Kevin Mask really hates his father, Robin Mask due to the Spartan-like training he forced him to endure. Bone Cold, son of Harmless Villain Kinkotsuman, became incredibly cruel thanks to his old man abusing him and his mother.
Ashuraman made a Face-Heel Turn due to his his son going absolutely crazy after finding out about his Devil Choujin days. The fact that he, along with the other Devil Choujin were treated rather harshly by humans for their misdeeds despite switching sides did not help matters.
Generation Xerox: Played straight with Canadian Boy and Specialman Jr. Obviously subverted with Mantarou (who was a lot less heroic than Suguru at the start), Terry the Kid (who actively tries to not be like his father) and Kevin Mask (who also sought to be different from his father). The subversion of the trope is inverted with Maxman, who looks nothing like his grandfather, Sneagator (a Devil Choujin from the original series) but is just as intimidating as him.
Genius Bruiser: Scarface's power and speed make him a force to be reckoned with, but his real strength is his mastery of wrestling techniques and his intelligence.
Give Him a Normal Life: Kinnikuman decided to try this with Mantarou and thus had his fight records annuled so that his son wouldn't know of his evil-fighting career. It kinda backfired in that Mantarou became incredibly lazy and cowardly. It does pay off during Mantaro's fight against Tel Tel Boy. Tel Tel channels Suguru, hoping to instill some "fear of the father" in the son, but since Mantarou's grown up thinking his dad as nothing more than a bumbling idiot, it backfires. Completely.
Go Mad from the Revelation:After finding out that his father used to be a particularly nasty villain,Ashuraman's son, Shiva totally snaps and kills his mother, which results in his father having to perform a Mercy Kill.
Heel-Face Revolving Door: Kevin Mask was going through this phase when the series began, but now seems to be on the Face side. Scarface is pretty much stuck in this trope for now.
Implacable Man: Check Mate was introduced as a villain who felt no pain. Mantarou turned this against him, pushing Check's body beyond its limits without him knowing. After his Heel-Face Turn, Check lost this aspect of his character.
Improbable Age: Mantarou and his pals begin their wrestling careers at age 14.
Gazelleman graduates the Hercules Factory as the # 1 overall wrestler. He never wins a single match (save for one in an anime Filler arc, and another in the V-Jump manga, which follows a different continuity).
The same can be said for Jade. Despite being described as the best fighter of the new graduates, since his introduction he's only won two matches.
Insistent Terminology: Doubled as a Running Gag in the anime. People would often stress the wrong part of Mantarou's full name (ie. Kinnikuman Taro instead of Kinniku Mantarou). Cue Mantarou correcting them with visual aid.
Invincible Hero: For some, Kevin Mask amounts to this. Has yet to lose a match in the manga. The single arguable counterarguement was when he and Scarface fought the last two Akuma Choujin in the Demon Seed arc, Voltman and Ashuraman. But it was a match where losing one teammate amounted to a loss, so Scarface was the one that was defeated instead. This is mostly due to Popularity Power, since Kevin comes in first place in nearly every character poll. Mantarou, meanwhile, is lucky to even be in the top ten. He does lose in the semi-finals of the V-Jump manga — and not even to Mantarou!
I Was Quite a Looker: Subverted. The flabby, aged Kinnikuman was simply better built in his younger days. It's unknown whether or not his facial features have deteriorated thanks to Mask Power.
Joke Character: Both this and its predecessor are full of such characters. For instance, two of the Chojins who make it to the wrestling part of the Chojin Crown are a Lego—err, building block man and a high-tech toilet man named "Wash Ass" in the Japanese version (his mentor was a character from the original series who was a urinal from the Inca Empire). In the dubbed version, at least, the latter character is also a successful actor on the side (he's called the Hollywood Bowl).
Dial Bolic/Tel Tel Boy killing famous wrestlers just to get an audience's attention.
His fellow dMp member Maxman is no better; when Dial Bolic/Tel Tel Boy fails to beat Mantarou, Maxman kills him (yes, by kicking him).
Neptuneman, after Wally/Seiuchin regains his humanity, teams up with Mammothman, and they proceed to literally rip his face off.
Suguru and Terry were shooting dogs at an alarming rate in their match against Mantarou and Chaos. Fans were not pleased.
Dead Signal and Clioneman both attempted to kick the dog (or more accurately, smash the dog and incinerate the fans, respectively). Coincidentally, they never made any major appearance outside of a cameo in the anime-only Poison Six Pack arc after their defeat.
Rinko (Roxanne) and Jacqueline are supposed to be this for Mantarou, but unlike his father's interests back in Kinnikuman, Mantarou's are obviously not as interested on him as his father's, whom had their eyes for him not long after their introduction. In Mantarou's case, it is implied at best because later in the series both girls hang around with him just for hell of it; Suguru at least had a few chapters dedicated to him and his interests developing some romance; poor Mantarou has none.
Adding insult to Mantarou's injury, Suguru's triangle with Bibimba and Mari still gets some attention in the Ultimate Choujin Tag Team arc just because is conveniently set in the past, something that was wrapped up in canon decades before is more important than the new impliedLove Triangle, yep.
Mars/Scarface takes this to an extreme with his "Madness Mask" that gives him a drastic power boost whenever he puts it on.
Meaningful Name: Ikemen's name is of the ironic variety; it means "handsome man", which he's anything but.
Mega Manning: Scarface's most oft-used ability is that of analysis, which he uses to create improved versions of several techniques that get used against him.
Moral Myopia: Peshango's reaction to Ricardo's true nature, to immediately attempt to kill the man for being a by-birth Evil Choujin, along with the attitudes of Ricardo's fellow students. And the discrimination was BEFORE it was revealed he killed the old man.
New World Order: The dMp, which stands for "Demon Manufacturing Plant," though in the US dub, it is said to stand for "Destruction, Mayhem, and PAAAAIIIIINNN!"
No Koreans in Japan: Averted. Unlike the original Kinnikuman, there are several Korean Chojin including Namul, Jijimiman, Bossam, and Tteok.
Old Superhero: The heroes of the previous series are made painfully aware of their age in their initial (failed) attempt at combating the dMp.
Out of Focus: Out of the six other chojins who graduated from the Hercules Factory in episode five with Kid Muscle, Terry, Wally and Dik Dik, one of them (Barbarian) is killed off shortly afterwards, and the others practically vanish after the Generation X storyline.
Patronymic: Played straight with Terry the Kid, who borrows from his father Terryman's name. Subverted with Kevin Mask, who is part of the Robin family that for generations adhered to this trope (His great grandfather was Robin Grande, grandfather was Robin Knight, and father Robin Mask).
Redemption Equals Death: Seiuchin/Wally during the Ultimate Choujin Tag Team Arc. After being turned into a truly horrifying psychotic Perfect Choujin by Neptuneman, to the pont of killing Checkmate, Barrierfreeman, Comrade Turbinski/Iloukhine and Scarface, plus breaking Jade's neck, he is finally snapped out of it during the match against Warsman and Mammothman. He dies shortly there after, pushing Warsman out of the way of the new team of Neptuneman and Mammothman's Optical Fiber Cross Bomber — which strips all the skin off of his face.
Remnants of the dMp have a habit of showing up in most story arcs after their organization's collapse in the first.
For that matter, Scarface sought to revive the dMp using the trophy for the Ultimate Tag Tournament.
Ret Gone: In a story arc set in the past, Brocken Jr. loses his right arm in a match, thus removing his trademark Red Rain of Berlin attack. In the next match, Jade attempts the move and is shocked to find he can't do it. Looking at a photo shows that Brocken Jr.'s hand is now a hook, therefore Brocken could never have taught the move to Jade. After some time for Jade's mind to adapt to his new memories, he now knows a leg-based version of the move: Brocken's Repatriation.
Verbal Tic: In the anime, Mantarou gained a penchant for replacing the polite sentence-ender "masu" with "massuru/muscle".
Weak, but Skilled: Suguru of all people. 28 years of downtime have wrecked havoc on his physique, but he can still pull off some killer submission techniques.
The Worf Effect: Originally Gazelleman's specialty, but because he's been less and less active as a fighter recently, it appears to have been passed on to German brawler Jade. It probably didn't help when Gazelleman began to be regarded as a joke in-universe as well. The fact that even he admits he's a Joke Character now pretty much ends any chance of him being competitive again.
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Early Childhood Education
Program Description: The Early Childhood Care and Education program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in child care and related fields. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive either a Early Childhood Care and Education diploma and have the qualification of an early childhood care and education provider or an Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science Degree with a Paraprofessional Specialization. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.
Employment Opportunities: The field of Early Childhood Care and Education is diverse and offers numerous career opportunities. Graduates of this program may find employment in the following settings: child care, Head Start, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, public and private primary schools, school age child care, programs for individuals with special needs, public school paraprofessionals as defined by No Child Left Behind Act, child care resource and referral agencies, and early intervention programs.
The Augusta Technical College does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender or disability.
For information on Title IX, contact the Title IX Coordinator,
Shannon Patterson at (706) 771-4013 or in Building 100.
For information on ADA/504, contact the ADA/504 Coordinator,
Karissa D. Wright, at (706) 771-4067 or go to the Counseling Center in Building 1300. | {
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} |
When the 34-19 Celtics roll into Cleveland tonight to play the 11-42 Cavs, they will do so without the services of Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris. The injury bug has also struck Robert Williams and Aron Baynes:
Grande goes on to note that the Celts are 1-12 in their last 13 road games without the services of Irving.
With key rotation players out, expect Boston to rely on crucial minutes from Semi Ojeleye, Daniel Theis and even Brad Wannamaker. When Kyrie missed the last matchup against the Cavs in Boston on January 23rd, Terry Rozier (26 points), Marcus Smart (nine points, four assists) and Wannamaker (11 points, three assists) helped the Celts coast to a 123-103 victory. | {
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Pages
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Snowy Sunday - Church, Bazaar, Family Dinner, Family Devo/Prayer
Our house has beautiful windows - everywhere. This fact led a few decorating woes...but WOW....it paid off this morning. Look at the views...and I deleted the ones from the nook as they looked blueish. I love all the windows - they make it seem as if you are very close to nature - from the warmth of the house. ::snort:: Even Michael has agreed curtains would block the views - and so we continue - as the previous two owners were - curtain less. We have blinds in the bedrooms and they had some on a few of the living room windows - I think due to their TV.
Living Room Windows
Kitchen Window
Dining Room Windows
1.5 inches over night....not a lot but a respectable start
There is nothing as exciting, peaceful and serene as an early morning covered in snow....or a late evening's snowfall. Here are some shots from the yard.
Side yard
back yard
Looking towards the back woods
Guessing we won't be cooking out much longer
Along the road
I deliberately did NOT take photos of the RV....but it seems my flash was noticed.....Izaak wondered what sort of odd lightening storm they were getting. Ah, just the mother in law outside in slippers and pj's taking photos.
"Our" mountain finally has some snow on it's face....we suspect it will never be completely covered in snow because of it's sheer face. It will be fun to watch and see.
Snow covered range behind just starting to peek through
A funny thing happened at church. My parents were being honored for 50 years of ministry at their church. My sweet Sister in law, Sherri, texted some photos. I always turn my phone down. I have a really loud, long harmonica text notification sound as I kept ignoring texts. She sent about 7 photos. I was nonchalantly moving my foot to cover the purse where the phone was....as it repeatedly went off. Michael was having none of it. He leaned over and said, "De'Etta - that's YOUR phone." We were in one of the front rows. Good times. I'll share the photos in a new post.
Very thankful for my fur line Crocs
Our church fauxpas couldn't have been too terrible. We were asked for info for the church directory and they took our photo. I think our church hunt is pretty much over. It was HARD to find a church which felt like home to all of us - but in the end, the majority of us feel at home in this church and all of us find things we love here. We love the worship, the size, the community outreach, Pastor Shannon's sermons, the kids like the youth group....there is no women's ministry.
We met up back at the house after church (everyone goes to different churches). After I got soups going, we left Michael and the boys cleaning and we finally stole away for a GIRLS DAY OUT. I've been sorely missing outing with friends, coffee dates with friends, having people over to the house....and so has Bre. We hit a holiday bazaar at the Fairgrounds. Alaska has to have the prettiest state fairgrounds in the nation. ::wink:: Note Stacia and my thrift finds - we look like marshmallows - but we're WARM marshmallows.
Gideon, Bre, Me, Stacia
As we walked through the exhibit, someone called out, "Hey, Bre." WHUT? We know someone! And that's why we love living on base or in a small town. It was her MOPS leader.
Larissa was sick and didn't come out. The youth at their church were on a camping trip (hope it was in cabins with heat) and so Jared was able to join us for dinner. Jamin, CoRielle and BreZaak were here too. Josiah is putting in lots of hours as he works up to leaving Walmart for his new job. It is always nice to have a chance to get us all together. We're all busy during the week and can go days and weeks without seeing each other if we aren't intentional - which is certainly better than months - but you know.
Gideon is a charmer @ 5 months
Bre "brought the Word" this evening. We continue to work through Philemon. The takeaway - "Let love speak loudest." It is a good seed to let germinate this week.
Izaak, Bella, Bre, Gideon
Arielle is 36 weeks pregnant. She says she's had a long talk with Baby S and he's agreed to come on time. Gideon decided to come five weeks early....we will soon welcome our first Alaskan born Gherkin here in the valley - and life will change again. YeHaw! | {
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Boston area slang - One who is different simply for the sake of being different. Often wears dirty old clothes and does stupid, outlandish things in public for attention. Wants everyone to know they are different.
"Ayo, you seen those blue hats carrying around dead squirrels our front the building son? Dudes are wilin'." | {
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Categories
Search Results for: Templates For Medication Administration Records
Alberta sulphur research | university calgary, Alberta sulphur research ltd. was incorporated as a not-for-profit research organization in 1964. the company conducts research in the field of chemistry as it.
The history hypnosis, The history of hypnosis is full of contradictions. on the one hand, a history of hypnosis is a bit like a history of breathing. like breathing, hypnosis is an.
Artisteer - web design software joomla template maker, Artisteer - automated web designer. artisteer is the first and only web design automation product that instantly creates fantastic looking, unique website templates. | {
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} |
Crozscore:
Crozscore:
Software Description:
erplain is a web-based, integrated solution to manage your customers, sales and inventory. We understand that changing systems can be stressful so we made erplain very simple to implement and very intuitive. We can easily import your excel datasheets and export other data as much as you like. Erplain has been developped to help businesses to focus on growth and profitability instead of time consuming processes (win-win).
Software Description:
Cliently is a lead generation and sales automation tool:
find leads from a curated database of over 150 million business people and decision makers;
Summary:
Monitor your top prospects' business critical events, and pitch to them at the right time.
Summary:
Tests every minute
File integrity monitoring
Form testing
Content checking
Performance monitoring
Uptime monitoring
Cliently Leads
$79.001 user(s) / month
Included in plan:
100 Premium Leads or Postcards
Send Unlimited Emails
Send Unlimited Video Messages
Create Unlimited Flows
Import/Export Lead Lists
Built-in CRM functionality
Cliently Teams
$279.005 user(s) / month
Included in plan:
400 Premium Leads or Postcards
Send Unlimited Emails
Send Unlimited Video Messages
Import/Export Lead Lists
Built-in CRM functionality
Pricing:
Starting from: $5.99/month
Credit card required: N/A
Contact us for larger plans and special offer for agencies.
Super
$5.99unlimited server(s) / month
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Hyper
$14.993 server(s) / month
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Extra
$19.995 server(s) / month
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Ultra
$29.9910 server(s) / month
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Multi
$39.9920 server(s) / month
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Super Annual
$59.001 server(s) / year
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Hyper Annual
$149.003 server(s) / year
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Extra Annual
$199.005 server(s) / year
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Ultra Annual
$299.0010 server(s) / year
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
Multi Annual
$399.0020 server(s) / year
Included in plan:
1-Minute Monitoring Frequency
FAQs:
No FAQs associated with this application.
FAQs:
What is this service generally used for?
We found that our most successful customers use Cliently for:
daily lead generation;
lead enrichment: especially as we combine traditional B2B data sources with data from social media;
sales automation: scheduling emails, sending video messages embedded in emails, even sending postcards to prospects - all while being able to set waiting times in between touchpoints, start/stop rules, and getting tracking information (email open, email read, etc.).
sales-as-a-service: especially for entrepreneurs who do not want to rapidly scale their sales team, we've leveraged our team of sales experts and cold called, qualified prospects, and written emails and call scripts on our customers' behalf.
What platforms does this service support?
Cliently is a web app, meaning it can be easily accessed straight from your browser. It's also designed responsively, so you can use it just as well from your mobile device's browser.
What are some applications this service is commonly used in tandem with?
Cliently integrates with:
* Twitter: you can follow/unfollow/retweet prospects directly from the app;
* Gmail: from where your emails will be sent;
* Other Email applications;
* Salesforce: for customers who want to leverage our curated B2B database while also continuing to use Salesforce CRM and other applications;
* Other CRMsl
* Scheduling apps like Calendly;
Who are the main user groups of this service?
We help small-to-midsize enterprises who are looking for a scalable end-to-end sales solution that can help them directly grow their businesses. | {
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Amy Winehouse - Take The Box текст песни, lyrics
Your neighbours were screaming
I don't have a key for downstairs, so I punched all the buzzers hoping you wouldn't be there
So now my head's hurting
You say I always get my own way
But you were in the shower when I got there, I'd have wanted to stay, but I got nothing to say
Cos you were so beautiful before today
But then I heard what you got to say...man that was ugly
The Moschino bra you bought me last Christmas
Put it in the box, put it in the box
Frank's in there and I don't care
Put it in the box, put it in the box
Just take it
Take the box
Take the box
I came home this evening and nothing felt like how it should be
I feel like writing you a letter but that is not me...you know me
Feel so f*cking angry; don't wanna be reminded of you
But when I left my sh*t in your kitchen, I said goodbye to your bedroom it smelled of you
Mr False Pretence, you don't make sense
I just don't know you
But you make me cry, where's my kiss goodbye?
I think I love you
The Moschino bra you bought me last Christmas
Put it in the box, put it in the box
Frank's in there and I don't care
Put it in the box, put it in the box
Now take it
Take the box
Just take it, take it
Take the box
And now just take the box
Take the box
Take the box | {
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} |
Here is the queer story of David William Duck, related by himself.
Duck is an old man living in Aurora, Illinois, where he is
universally respected. He is commonly known, however, as "Dead
Duck."
"In the autumn of 1866 I was a private s... Read more of A Man With Two Lives at Scary Stories.ca | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
SpaceWarfare
SpaceWarfare is a 2D arcade style shooter game, in which the objective is to survive as long as possible and to collect as many points as possible to achieve a massive high score! Earn credits by destroying enemies to use in the shop to buy more ships and upgrades!
Source code is included for those that are interested, however distributing a copy or remix of SpaceWarfare is not permitted. If you have made a cool change and/or have a cool idea please feel free to tell me! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
This Tuesday, September 1st, 2015 A.D., we are having an all out Bavarian rager at the Iron Press Anaheim. An Oktoberfest kick-off worth it’s beer maids, has to have some big German inspired food to pair up with some big tasty beers. Check out the food specials we have planned for you all...
DINNER SPECIAL:THE YODELING BRATShipped in fresh from Sierra Nevada’s ranch in Chico, we have artisanal bratwursts fit for a German king! We braise those brats in Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, finish them on the grill, envelope them in a fluffy roll, then top them with nutmeg spiced apple compote, a dollop of aioli and a squirt of beer mustard. The finale to this savory dish is a sprinkle of fried capers and a side of housemade pickles. Yodel-aaaaa-heeee-hoo!!!”
DESSERT SPECIAL: DAS STREUSELThis dessert will make your tummy sing, “Danke schoen. Darlin’ danke schoennnnn!” Our famous Belgian waffle infused with fresh blueberries, then topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a heavy sprinkling of brown sugar streusel! And just maybe a little drizzle of our leche maple syrup to bring it all together!
With that said, make sure to wear your STRETCHY lederhosen! You’re gonna need the room once you get a load of our yummy food and beers. Trust us… You definitely don’t want to miss this event. Plus, we’ll have Dj Lex bringing you the jams. Hope you can make it! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
The Slow Path to Professionalism
The financial advice industry has been under the regulator's microscope since the global financial crisis shed light on some of the shadier advice practices occurring across the financial services landscape. A sudden decline in capital markets, as seen in the GFC, unearthed a subset of consumers who were the unwitting recipients of negligent advice, unaware of the degree of investment risk they were actually exposed too. The uncovering of systemic cultural and procedural flaws, resulting in inappropriate advice from a subset of advisers, many within some of Australia's leading institutions, forced a broad based governmental response.
To date, the broad raft of industry reform has tended to create more noise than action. Although there are some notable positives, there remains significant room for improvement.
THE PATH SO FAR
There have been Parliamentary Joint Committee reviews and detailed Inquiries by some rather serious people, a variety of legislative amendments, lots of reporting, a great deal of media buzz and, from stage right, a change in government. Legislative uncertainty has prevailed, media scrutiny has continued and further occurrences of flawed advice within leading institutions have emerged.
Due to the uncooperative nature of some rogue senators the partial legislative unwinding proposed by the current government was itself unwound when FOFA revisions failed to pass through the Senate. Throughout this period of reform our political leaders displayed the incredible knack of communicating the very essence of complicated industry reform through one line slogans, zingers and poorly executed winks. It comes as no surprise that it has been incredibly difficult to address wholesale and complex industry reform when there are many stakeholders whose needs/views have to be canvassed and contemplated. With the financial services industry making up approximately one twelfth of the Australian economy, getting reform right should remain a significant priority to our economic custodians.
THE TARGET
Financial advisers provide an important role as conduits between the financial services industry and consumers. Industry reform was initiated to enhance adviser professionalism, so all advisers acted impartially and ethically, in the best interest of consumers. A simple goal to be sure, but one which is too often distorted by competing stakeholder interests.
THE RESULTS SO FAR
Positives
Consumer awareness, particularly amongst more sophisticated investors, is at an all-time high;
A best interest duty is now law;
Banning of conflicted remuneration is now law (eradicating direct conflicts of interest);
Far more transparent fee reporting requirements have been introduced;
Negatives
Significant increase in the regulator’s influence on the provision of advice has somewhat commoditised advice delivery, potentially resulting in sub-optimal outcomes for clients;
Education standards for advisers remain far too low;
Professional bodies have not been empowered to transition the industry into a profession;
Indirect conflicts of interest still exist for advisers employed by, or licensed through, a financial institution;
There remains a lack of differentiation between aligned advisers and those who operate without any indirect conflicts of interest;
Overly prescriptive regulatory requirements may have the unintended consequence of adviser consolidation into vertically integrated institutions.
THE WAY FORWARD
To date, too much focus has been on constraining the manner with which advisers engage clients. There has been a considerable lack of action on improving the ethical, educational and professional standards of advice providers. To truly address the needs of consumers seeking financial advice, policy makers and regulators will be more effective if their focus shifts from legislating how market participants engage, to empowering the transition of advisers into professionals.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee (PJC) inquiry, released in December 2014 has provided a catalyst for detailed discussion in this area, floating a set of reforms that specifically targeted education and professional standards. This focus on professionalism, deliberate on by the PJC Inquiry, has been strongly echoed by an array of key financial services stakeholders in their respective submissions to Treasury, responding to the recent Financial System Inquiry (FSI) report.
In pursuit of a transition to professionalism, some simple measures will be far more effective at improving advice quality than the previous seven years of noisy but somewhat toothless reform:
Legislate that all financial advisers must become a member of an accredited professional body, such as the FPA or AFA; and
Legislate that these professional bodies have the capacity to impose sanctions or disqualify membership;
These two simple changes will fast track the path to a self-regulated profession where industry participants are motivated to enhance the standing of their profession by weeding out providers of inappropriate advice. Both the AFA and FPA already have in place a rigorous code of ethics and are both well attuned to the intricacies of the financial services industry. A myriad of other professions, like medicine, dentistry and the law are self-regulated in this manner. By empowering a profession to self-regulate, the participating professionals take responsibility for elevating industry standards and protecting the value of their profession. This is not a new idea.
INTRODUCE A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL BARRIER TO ENTRY.
A higher level of education, results in a higher barrier to entry, which in turn increases the opportunity cost of acting unprofessionally. An obvious beneficiary of higher education standards are advice consumers, who become recipients of more aptly skilled advisers. Additionally, increased education standards provide a broader set of learning opportunities for individuals to develop an appropriate understanding of personal moral and ethical frameworks.
It is not, and should not, be a regulator’s responsibility to mandate down to a process level how and in what capacity market participants engage each other. However, in the absence of professionalism amongst a subset of market participants, this regulatory response is an understandable reaction. The latest report reviewing the role advisers have in providing life insurance advice, the Trowbridge Report released in March, has again taken an unnecessarily prescriptive approach to advice provision. This is yet another example of an industry review significantly overlooking the far more important aspect of improving adviser professionalism. In fact, a likely outcome if recommendations from the Trowbridge report are accepted, is further consolidation of advisers into vertically integrated institutions.
If industry regulators continue to externally constrain how market participants engage each other, or introduce further prescriptive advice process requirements, we are certain to see a significant reduction in client access to qualified advisers, especially those practising independently. The recommendations outlined above are no different to the existing structures in place for almost all other professions. For once a solution that is simple, cost effective and proven to have worked in other industries exists and yet for all its merit has been, at present, quietly overlooked. | {
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Featured Client
Workout schedules and meal plans are auto-generated based on user age, gender, and dietary restrictions. US RDA(s) are used.
Migration Projects
The rate of change in technology, especially after the advent of the Internet, has made re-engineering and migration a routine exercise in most organizations. Sometimes it is voluntary or driven by user demand for more features and other times it is forced by vendors withdrawing support for older hardware and systems.
Highlights
Once we receive the migration / re-engineering requirement from our client, a core analysis and evaluation team which contains an experienced project manager and a domain expert is identified to analyze the legacy system and evaluate the work amount that needed to fulfill the migration task. Once the core team is established, the following tasks will be carried out.
Grasp the requirements by studying the related documentations and learning the legacy system through net meeting or VPN.
Develop the solution of moving the system and business logic to new architectures, languages or web-based environments,according to our understanding of the requirement.
Define the migration methodology and plans.
Business model (ODC, Fixed cost, T & M) is agreed.
Provide a reasonable cost depending on the project scope definition.
Resources build-up & Training: The next step in the migration process is to build the whole project team and set up the required infrastructure environment.
The whole team comprised of project manager, system architect, developers, testers is identified.
Setup simulation development environment.
Team training of the requirement, migration plan, and communication skills before the project execution.
Project Execution
Detailed analysis:- We have multiple ways of communication as necessary with your team such as conference calls, e-mail, in-person to get detailed understanding of your requirement. During this phase, we develop an optimal solution which will maximize reusing of the existing software modules and tests to reduce the cost.
Design
Structure design and detail design is completed in this phase.
Implementation
The implementation stage contains two iterative sub stages. In the first iteration sub stage, all the functions of the application will be implemented and unit test will be carried out simultaneously. In the second iteration sub stage, the application will be perfected and optimized, all the source code will be completed and testers will join to test the completed system. Once the first testing iteration is done, alpha version of the system will be delivered for your review.
Thorough Testing
The alpha version of the system is tested with focus on system integrity, functionality, performance compatibility to ensure a quality and stable migrated system.
Technology Migration
Option Matrix offers migration of products from older legacy technologies to newer open technologies to ensure better integration with other vendors’ tools. This ensures significantly faster acceptance of the products in the market. We migrate existing legacy applications to newer open technologies to ensure scalability, future expansion and better integration with products in the market.
Application Migration
Our application migration services include:
Static to Dynamic
We offer to upgrade static websites to dynamic database driven ones. The migration from static to dynamic enables clients to harness the power of the Internet. They can manage updates to the website themselves. Larger volumes of data can be stored and published on the website. A dynamic website also enables various interactive and personalization features to be built into the solution.
Upgrade to a higher version of the same technology
To take advantage of the features provided in a new release of a technology we offer to upgrade the application. At Option Matrix we offer to migrate older versions of .net applications to the latest versions
Change in Platform
Platform migration is advisable in case the scope of the existing application is to be expanded to include other platforms. For example, the migration of a desktop application to a web based one.
Database Migration
Database migration is the process of moving data from one database to another. We offer the services of our database administrators to migrate databases from Microsoft SQL Server to Oracle and vice versa activities is our primary philosophy. Our culture is based on the premise of excellent quality and all ideas are derived out of this basic goal. Our database migration services include:
Migration from one database platform to another such as Microsoft SQL Server to Oracle and vice versa.
Upgrading to the latest version of the database to take advantage of the new features/functionalities.
Migration from one platform to another enabling an application to support multiple database platforms.
OS Migration
Option Matrix offers migration of products from older operating systems to newer operating systems like Windows 2000 and Linux to leverage technological and Total Cost of Ownership benefits. We help enterprises migrate application to a corporate standard ensuring easier maintenance and lowercost of ownership. This ensures significantly faster time to market with a complete set of products across all popular operating systems. Using our proven product re-engineering methodology and software professionals who are skilled in the latest tools and technologies, we can help you meet your product/application release deadlines easily.
CEO Agenda
The main source of advantage in the business comes from the business leaders's unique way of thinking and doing things. Organisations are often like photo copies of their business leaders. Have you created a custom software that reflects your unique way of thinking and doing business?
Technology is a magnifier. It loudly highlights both what is brilliant as well as the gaps in the processes. Dynamic business leaders are not intimidated by gaps but embrace the transparency and visibility of information to create a adaptive fast paced enterprise.
You should not use custom software everywhere in the business but only in those processes that are very special and unique to your business and which make you superior and specialized compared to the competition.
Lab on Hire
We have great respect for innovative product development enterpreneurs who risk time and capital to make technology accessible to the masses. Option Matrix serves as an offshore development partner for product companies around the world with tremendous enthusiasm and pride | {
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} |
With the aerospace expertise of ULA and Stratasys’ additive manufacturing technology, numerous components were 3D printed for the Atlas V ducting system in the rocket’s payload fairing. The parts include brackets, nozzles, and panel close-outs and were 3D printed in ULTEM™ 9085 on a Fortus 900mc Production 3D Printer. ULA credits Stratasys with assisting them in engineering, production tooling and production parts.
For ULA, additive manufacturing solutions allowed for design flexibility and unique material properties to optimize parts that can withstand the harsh launch environment. It also resulted in substantial cost and time benefits in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods.
“Stratasys continues to be a great supplier to ULA, supporting our Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles. Our partnership has enabled Stratasys to bring parts such as tooling and support equipment into ULA’s factory in Decatur, Alabama to help us build rockets,” said Greg Arend, ULA manager, Additive Manufacturing.
“It’s been impressive to see how ULA has innovated with industrial 3D printing, and we are excited to continue working with them to push the technology further,” says Scott Sevcik, Director, Business Development – Aerospace & Defense at Stratasys.
See
video to learn more about some of ULA’s 3D printed parts and how they were qualified for launch.
For more than 25 years,
Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) has been a defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive manufacturing – shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel, the company empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company’s solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and manufacturing flexibility – reducing time-to-market and lowering development costs, while improving designs and communications. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers for prototyping and production; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and professional services; and the Thingiverse and GrabCAD communities with over 2 million 3D printable files for free designs. With more than 2,700 employees and 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards. Visit us online at:
www.stratasys.com or
http://blog.stratasys.com/. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
I’m gonna take this chance
Welcome to Psychology 101, class, today we will be talking about Psychological Projections.
I learned about projections in Santa Monica University, and we had to write a massive paper on it, which I had to redo because I guess I hadn’t explained that I understood projections correctly the first time. However, ever since the very first time I even heard about projections, which was even before uni, the concept has been one of the most essential tools in my evolution.
And part of me accepting that as such an essential tool in my life, was due to the fact that I had grown with a fiercely independent woman. Despite what my culture and society were simultaneously telling me, my mother was showing me that we did not need men, or anyone that didn’t want to be there, really, to get by, to raise a child, to have fun, to be happy. Eventually, I did put too much pressure on myself to “not need anyone” due to my own understanding and needs, but before that, there was one fierce understanding:
if someone doesn’t want to be with you, you don’t need them.
And it wasn’t just that, it was also the understanding that I was in charge of my own feelings. Because I didn’t want to give others the power to control my life. I understood this, yes, but as one does, I put myself in relationships with people then give them control of my emotions, which was stupid.
I’d like to think I’ve learned to not do that anymore.
Projections allowed me to take better responsibility for my feelings, to deeply understand that Eleanor Roosevelt quote in every poster in middle school: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
“Some issue has been pushed into the unconscious. But that issue has energy and is constantly looking for release from its prison in the unconscious. So, it projects it through the lenses of the eye—a convex psychological eye that can only look at the external world rather than the internal one—and the issue is suddenly seen in someone else.” -Dr Andrea Mathews, Psychology Today
More simply put:
“Projection is a psychological defense mechanism in which individuals attribute characteristics they find unacceptable in themselves to another person.” GoodTherapy.Org
You see what you are.
What I did with this knowledge, and my natural inclination towards over-analyzing everything (can’t.stop.) was that every time someone caused any type of upset within me, I tried to figure out what part of me I was hiding from myself.
Or at least, that was my intention. Along with this understanding and these tools, I also developed entitlement. This was also part of an identity-forming that had taken place to due various factors that did not stop within my own household, but were also due to how society perceived me and how that entitled me to certain behavior, reactions, and experiences. Things like a good education, people being nice to me because they found me attractive or beautiful, having the ability to be myself for the most part because I presented in a way that was “normal” to people and thus did not make them uncomfortable, having a society that was fully adapted to able-bodied people as myself, and of course, being treated like a princess by my family.
So along with the intent desire to be in control and independent of my emotions, I also many times felt like people “owed” me a certain type of behavior. It has taken me being in my 30’s to really understand that, look at that, and tell myself “if you were disappointed, it was due to your own expectations. Reshape those expectations, and release disappointment.”
Is everything absolutely 100% My responsibility? No. Sometimes people are selfish, dense, hurt or afraid, and will hurt you. And there is or was nothing that “should” or “could” have been done differently, because the nature of life is balance, and that means disappointment sometimes. At that time, it is up to us to assume our responsibility to do what we can now, with what we have now, with the knowledge and experience to make us wiser now, and after an appropriate length of time licking our wounds,
doing
something
about it.
Within the confines of our abilities, capacities, talents, and context. Continuously blaming the same person, the same thing, the outer world in general, or feeling like life is out to get us at a constant level is remaining in persistent denial.
I have explored activism and social rights for a while now as a natural answer to my desire to expand and actively practice my compassion and this has allowed me to explore the concept of victimhood at different levels.
And what I have seen, is that there is always someone that has it worse and is doing better, or that has it better and is doing worse than us. There are many ways that we can fall victim, there are many ways in which we can allow ourselves to validate that sense of “they owe me”, because our surroundings, context, education, or other, boxes us, limits us, is violent towards our livelihood, gives us free tools for separation, anger, illness, denial, and makes us work for freedom, happiness, wellbeing, union, peace.
That fact that things are unfair, that we are right in our judgment of how hard shit is, also entitles us to giving up.
I remember being absolutely deeply depressed and saying, “no one else can help me, but neither can I.” And it was the absolute truth. Because that’s what I believed, and saw. Then days passed, and moments passed, and if I thought things were unbearable before, they got truly unbearable thrice over.
I decided that I either was going to make life bearable or I was going to kill myself. I wanted to change my truth but I didn’t know how. So I just kept working on saying that I wanted to change my truth. I decided to face all my projections, to look at my limits and ask myself which ones were real and which ones was I telling myself, which ones had I placed on myself?
The first untruth I discovered was that it was not true that no one could help me.
Every day, friends in Minneapolis area were helping me, or at least trying to. My parents, though clueless, had the ferocity of their love for me, actively holding me every day whether I noticed it or not. My sister had gone from an 18 year old child to a 20 year old young woman and supported me in her own way, extending her love to me constantly. I used acceptance as a natural cleanser to all the muck that I had convinced myself of, and gratitude as the lens through which to take a look at my life through. Things softly started to develop. Tiny, in small steps, with outbursts here and there. But my statement of “no one else can help me, but neither can I” had evolved into a question, “how can I help myself, and how can others?” This question provided the fluidity I needed to adapt it as a way of life.
I call this my spirituality, though others may call it applying psychology. Either way, acknowledging the upset that other people, the world, or circumstances cause me, gives me the control to change how I feel and act about it.
The more marginalized a group is, the more anger there is within the community. One can understand, for example, if a group of black queer women are going to angrily protest a sick society. But even within the most marginalized group, I have seen confidence, love, and community.
That gives me hope, strength, and perspective.
And it makes dealing with my projections fun, in a way, because it becomes an adventure. Slaying demons and dragons is adorable in fairy tales but terrifying in reality, and those things very much exist within your psyche. The brain is a powerful vessel of knowledge and imagination. We are incredibly skilled when it comes to keeping things from ourselves. The problem is it comes out into our bodies. It took a psychologist and an Ostheopathic Physician here in France to tell me that if my body was so blocked, maybe I needed to start opening up to the parts of me that I was hiding from myself. This was BEFORE the most violent depression I’ve ever had in my life. Do people always know how to slay their dragons and demons? No. Some people need medicine. Or therapy. Or a career, or a loving family, a pet, a trip, or maybe all of the above. Some people don’t make it, and their dragons eat them up and depression claims their bodies. Other times, people just don’t want to believe or accept the flaws they have to look at within themselves, and rather continue to blame the world.
But to me, I owe it to myself, because I love myself and I want happiness, and I owe it to my family and community, because I want them to love themselves and be happy, to acknowledge my projections, to face them, to work on them, and take every upset as a chance to heal something within me so that I am more in charge of how I feel, and people can affect me less.
And part of that has meant to fill myself with warmth, confidence, light, and then saying “fuck that guy” and never wasting time on a person again. Removing toxic people from our lives is Our responsibility. Sometimes people or situations are just shitty, and you gotta accept it, own it, and do whatever you can about it. Do it angrily, do it happily, do it because you know you deserve joy, but do it.
SeLoFest17 Challenge
The Prompt: Think about the last time you had any kind of upset that lingered a bit and hit a nerve. Think of a circumstance that perhaps you may not want to acknowledge. Explore the feelings around it, and how you felt about the other person or circumstance.
The activity: With the upset in mind, take a look at the following sentences to help you write out a thought pattern and figure out what you might be projecting.
The last upset I had was ___________________________________________
The emotions I felt were ___________________________________________
I think the reason why I feel like this is because ___________________________
If there is something I don’t want to admit to myself about this it’s_____________
What scares me about this situation is _________________________________
Even though I know it isn’t true, I’m afraid that __________________________
Other times that I have felt this way were when __________________________
If I were to be compassionate with myself, I would like to forgive myself for ______
I would forgive the other person for____________________________________
The Truth of Truths is that __________________________________________
In your journal: one of my favorite things about valentine’s day online are all the awesome valentine meme there are. I really like the classic candy hearts. Super gross to eat (sugary chalk, anyone?), but really pleasing to look at. In your journal, create valentines for yourself that consist of true, compassionate, affirming statements that can reframe how you might see the projection that you saw before. Give yourself permission to let go of this particular projection, even if that takes various tries. If this feels too ridiculous to you, talk to your inner child about helping you get over yourself, and taking a look at the projection of why making valentines for yourself might feel dumb.
If you can’t come up with a valentine ideas, just cut out, draw, stamp, or paint a bunch of hearts, and write the statements inside. Make sure to consider how much room you’ll need to write in them. The aim of the activity is that when you look at that page, you feel the completion of a cycle, and confidently responsible for yourself.
Published by Maëlle
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2 thoughts on “I’m gonna take this chance”
This is a very well written, and it is clear that you have a coherent understanding of “Projections” or “Mood Therapy.” If you get a chance and are interested in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I reccomend reading “The New Mood Therapy by David Burns” | {
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Exposed Hydrophobic Residues in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpr Helix-1 Are Important for Cell Cycle Arrest and Cell Death
Affiliations
Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America,
Immunology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Affiliations
Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America,
Immunology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Figures
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein viral protein R (Vpr) is a major determinant for virus-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cytopathicity. Vpr is thought to perform these functions through the interaction with partner proteins. The NMR structure of Vpr revealed solvent exposed hydrophobic amino acids along helices 1 and 3 of Vpr, which could be putative protein binding domains. We previously showed that the hydrophobic patch along helix-3 was important for G2/M blockade and cytopathicity. Mutations of the exposed hydrophobic residues along helix-1 were found to reduce Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death as well. The levels of toxicity during virion delivery of Vpr correlated with G2/M arrest. Thus, the exposed hydrophobic amino acids in the amino-terminal helix-1 are important for the cell cycle arrest and cytopathicity functions of Vpr.
This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.
Funding: This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, USA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Introduction
The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr has many well-characterized functions and properties during HIV-1 infection that appear to be dependent on binding to partner molecules [1], [2]. Vpr is incorporated into budding HIV-1 virions [3], and within cells, Vpr mostly localizes to the nucleus [4]. These two properties are thought to allow Vpr to facilitate infection of non-dividing cells, by mediating the nuclear translocation of the viral pre-integration complex [5], [6]. This is accomplished through an interaction with a member of the nuclear transport pathway, importin-α [7]. However, the necessity for Vpr during infection of macrophages is controversial because a recent study has shown no difference in the infectivity of viruses lacking Vpr versus wild-type viruses [8]. In addition, in chemically growth-arrested cells, Vpr was found to be non-essential for infection [9]. Vpr has been reported to increase the transcriptional activity from the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter, as well as several other promoters, through the binding of cellular transcription factors, such as Sp1 [10], [11], [12]. The HIV-1 mutation rate during reverse transcription is reduced by a binding of Vpr with uracil DNA glycosylase 2 and the incorporation of the latter into viral particles [13], [14]. However, besides bringing UNG2 into viral particles, Vpr is also able to reduce cellular levels of the enzyme by directly delivering it to an E3 ubiquitin ligase containing DCAF-1, DDB1, and Cul4 [15], [16], [17]. Vpr is a major effector of HIV-1 cytopathicity [18], [19], [20], [21]. Finally, Vpr is able to halt the proliferation of infected CD4+ T cells by causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase [22], [23], [24], [25].
Vpr is a very small protein of only 14 kD (96 amino acids) and has no known enzymatic activity, no recognizable domains in the NCBI database, and no structural homologues in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), so the molecular basis of its actions is not completely understood [26]. Vpr functions are thought to depend on binding with partner proteins [1], [2]. The NMR structure of full length Vpr provides some insights into the possible mechanism of Vpr activity [27]. Vpr forms a bundle of three α-helices folded around a hydrophobic core with flexible termini. The structure reveals solvent exposed hydrophobic amino acids along helices 1 and 3 of Vpr [27]. In principle, hydrophobic patches seek to be solvent inaccessible and therefore we conjecture that a hydrophobic substance, perhaps another protein, likely interacts with these patches. Therefore, we hypothesized that these hydrophobic patches serve as protein interaction sites that might be important for Vpr functions.
Separate regions within Vpr have been shown to be critical to many Vpr functions [28]. Incorporation into budding virions has been mapped to the amino (N)-terminal half of Vpr, particularly the amphipathic helix-1 [29], [30], [31], [32], [33]. Vpr helices 1 and 2 have also been shown to be important in the nuclear localization of Vpr [29], [30], [33], [34], [35], which depends on an interaction between Vpr helix-1 and importin-α, an integral component of the nuclear import pathway [7]. However, a number of studies have highlighted a role for the carboxyl (C)-terminal portion of Vpr in nuclear localization, as well [4], [36], [37]. The ability of Vpr to increase transcription from the viral LTR promoter was mapped to the C-terminal half [38], [39]. Historically, the region containing helix-3 and the flexible C-terminus of Vpr has been shown to be necessary for G2/M cell cycle arrest [29], [30], [40]. Thus these distinct portions of Vpr appear to differentially regulate Vpr functions, likely through the binding of different partner molecules.
Recently, we published a structure-function based study exploring the role of the exposed hydrophobic residues along Vpr helix-3 in cell cycle arrest, nuclear localization, Vpr dimerization, and cell death [18]. This first look at the role of this hydrophobic patch found that these residues are indeed important for G2/M arrest. However, the role of these amino acids in cytotoxicity is less clear. The levels of death were proportional to the levels of cell cycle arrest induced by hydrophobic patch mutants during virion delivery of Vpr. However, when these same mutants were expressed during HIV-1 infection, the levels of cell death were similar to wild type Vpr, likely due to a G1 arrest of the infected cells as opposed to G2/M blockade [18].
Although the N-terminal helix-1 of Vpr has not been previously associated with cell cycle arrest, we hypothesized that the exposed hydrophobic patch along this α-helix could serve as a protein interaction region with a partner protein necessary for this function. We performed a similar structure-function based approach to test the involvement of the helix-1 exposed hydrophobic residues in cell cycle arrest and cytopathicity [18]. Mutation of these amino acids reduced G2/M arrest and cytopathicity during virion delivery of Vpr. Similar to our previous study [18], cell cycle arrest and cell death were correlated when Vpr was delivered by non-replicative virions. These data suggest that the hydrophobic patch along Vpr helix-1 is important during cell cycle arrest and cytopathicity, probably serving as a protein binding region.
HIV virus stock and virion delivery of Vpr
HIV-1 viral stocks were produced in 293T cells by transfection using ExGen 500 according to the manufacturer's instructions (Fermentas). Virion delivery of Vpr has been previously described [18], [41], [43], [44]. A plasmid encoding a reverse transcriptase mutant with the vpr gene deleted (pNL4-3e-n-GFPRTm, VprΔ22-86; a gift from E. Freed, National Cancer Institute, NIH) and a plasmid encoding the VSV-G envelope protein (pLVSV-G) were transfected into 293T cells to produce VSV-G pseudotyped virions. Plasmids encoding WT and mutant Vpr were co-transfected in order to transcomplement the Vpr-deficient virus. Jurkat cells were infected in 12-well plates in the presence of Polybrene (5 µg/ml; Sigma-Aldrich). Virus was adsorbed for 30 min at 37°C in 5% CO2, and then the plates were centrifuged for 30 min at 800× g at room temperature.
Transfection
An Electro-Cell manipulator (BTX) apparatus was used to transiently transfect Jurkat cells by electroporation. A total of 4×106 cells were resuspended to a concentration of 10×106 cells/ml with 10 to 15 µg of DNA in a 4-mm gap cuvette (Bio-Rad Laboratories) and electroporated at 260 V and 1,060 µF. Transfected cells were transferred to fresh supplemented RPMI and assayed after 3 days. A plasmid encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was cotransfected at a 1∶5 ratio to the Vpr expression plasmid to identify transfected cells. The human codon-optimized Vpr plasmid, hVpr [18], [41], was used to express WT Vpr. Mutations of W18 and L22 were generated using a PfuUltra II (Stratagene) site-directed mutagenesis protocol.
Assays for cell cycle and cell viability
DNA content analysis was performed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. Cells were fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 10 min at room temperature, washed in PBS, and incubated in 70% ethanol for at least 30 min. Cells were washed again in PBS and stained with DNA staining solution (5 µg of PI/ml, 50 µg of RNase/ml, and 0.45 mg of sodium citrate/ml in PBS) at room temperature for 30 min. Stained cells were examined using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson), and a constant number of cells were measured. Viability of infected cells was assessed by the exclusion of the vital dye propidium iodide, measured for a constant period of time (30 sec) per sample. All flow cytometric data were analyzed by using FlowJo software (Tree Star, Inc.).
Immunoblotting
Jurkat cells, 293T cells, and concentrated virus stocks were lysed in a 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) buffer (2% SDS and 10% glycerol in 60 mM Tris-HCl [pH 7.5] with 1 U/µl of DNase [Benzonase nuclease; Novagen] and Complete protease inhibitor cocktail [Roche]) for at least 30 min at 4°C. A bicinchoninic acid assay (Pierce) was used to determine protein concentration of the lysates. Equal masses of protein were loaded onto a 4 to 20% Bis-Tris SDS gel (Bio-Rad Laboratories) for SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and protein was transferred to nitrocellulose using a semidry transfer apparatus (Bio-Rad Laboratories). Nitrocellulose blots were blocked in 5% nonfat milk in 0.1% PBS-Tween 20 (PBS-T). Blots were probed with primary antibody overnight at 4°C, followed by secondary antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase diluted 1∶5,000. All antibodies were diluted in 5% nonfat milk in PBS-T. After each antibody incubation, blots were washed three times in PBS-T. The bands were imaged by using enhanced chemiluminescent or SuperSignal West Dura substrates (Pierce). Densitometry was performed using ImageJ software (NIH). The primary antibodies used include Vpr antiserum (a gift from K. Strebel), p24-capsid (AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program; 6457), and β-actin (Sigma-Aldrich; A1978).
Results
The core of the Vpr protein (amino acids [AA] 17–77) is comprised of three α-helices folded around a hydrophobic core [27]. Figure 1A shows the boundaries of Vpr helix-1 (AA 17–33), helix-2 (AA 38–50), and helix-3 (AA 56–77) [27]. The animo (N)- and carboxyl (C)-termini were found to be flexible and unstructured (Figure 1). Along helices 1 and 3 of Vpr are several solvent-exposed hydrophobic amino acids (Figure 1, red for amino acids of helix-1 and blue for those of helix-3). The rest of the Vpr surface is hydrophilic, with only a few sporadically spaced hydrophobic amino acids partially exposed to the solvent environment (Figure 1C, E, and G). Using a previously successful strategy [18], we employed a structurally based mutagenesis approach to disrupt the hydrophobic patch on Vpr helix-1. The residues tryptophan (W) 18 and leucine (L) 22 were mutated to alanine (A) (small, non-polar), serine (S) (polar), or glutamic acid (E) (charged, highly hydrophilic) in order to disrupt the chemical nature of the hydrophobic patch to varying degrees. Although L26 is also exposed to the surface of the protein, the side chain has lipophilic interactions with the core of the protein as well [27] (Figure 1C, E, and G). Therefore, mutations of L26 would probably destabilize the entire protein. We attempted to minimize any possible disruption to the secondary and tertiary structure of Vpr by only mutating amino acids with outward facing side groups.
(A) A wire and box diagram of Vpr. The gray boxes represent the 3 helices of Vpr, and the upper set of numbers denotes the boundaries of each helix. The lower set of numbers identifies exposed hydrophobic residues along helix 1 and helix 3. (B) A tube diagram of the side view of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of HIV-1 Vpr (PDB: 1M8L) indicating hydrophobic amino acids exposed on the apparently solvent exposed surfaces of helix 1 (red) and helix 3 (blue). (C) A space filling diagram of the side view of HIV-1 Vpr using a hydrophobicity color scheme. The exposed hydrophobic residues along helices 1 and 3 are colored as in (B). Positively charged or polar amino acids with high hydrophilicity are colored light blue. Purple residues are negatively charged with high hydrophilicity. Polar amino acids with low to neutral hydrophobicity are gray, and highly hydrophobic, nonpolar residues are brown. The α-carbon peptide chain is black as in (B). (D) C-terminal end view of HIV-1 Vpr helical core indicating the hydrophobic patches colored as in (B). (E) A space filling end view as in (D) colored as in (C). (F) Top view of HIV-1 Vpr helical core indicating the hydrophobic patches colored as in (B). (G) Top view of HIV-1 Vpr using a space filling diagram colored as in (C).
In the previous analysis, some of the Vpr helix-3 mutants could not be expressed [18]. Therefore, we first tested the expression of the helix-1 mutants by western blot analysis as previously described [41]. All Vpr mutants expressed at similar levels as WT Vpr in HEK293T cells (Figure 2A). Since helix-1 of Vpr is responsible for the incorporation into budding virions by binding to the p6 region of Gag [30], [31], [32], [45], we also studied the helix-1 mutants for Vpr incorporation by producing non-replicative virus using a reverse transcriptase mutant and Vpr deficient strain of HIV-1 (NL4-3e-n-GFPRTm, VprΔ22-86) and trans-complementing Vpr with separate expression plasmids as previously described [18], [41]. Although expression was comparable in the 293T producer cells, WT and mutant Vpr were differentially packaged into virions (Figure 2B–C). We calculated the percent of Vpr that is incorporated into the virions (relative to WT Vpr) by comparing the relative intensities (by densitometry analysis of the western blots) of the Vpr protein bands to the p24 capsid structural protein. All of the Vpr helix-1 mutants were packaged into virions at approximately 40–80% of the level of WT, except for L22E, which was only ∼20% compared to WT (Figure 2C).
Figure 2. Hydrophobic residues on Vpr helix-1 are important for incorporation into virions.
(A) 293T cells were co-transfected with pcDNA3-hVpr plasmids expressing WT or mutant Vpr (or the empty vector control), pLVSV-G, and pNL4-3e-n-GFP RTm, VprΔ22-86 to produce virus for virion delivery of Vpr. At day 2 the virus stocks were harvested and the 293T cells were lysed. Western blot indicates protein levels for WT or mutant Vpr (bottom). A western blot for β-actin is used as a loading control (top). (B) Lysates were prepared from the virus stocks in (A). Viral lysates were analyzed for protein levels of WT or mutant Vpr by western blotting as in (A) (bottom). The HIV-1 p24 capsid (p24 CA) is shown as a protein loading control (top). (C) Densitometry of all bands in (B) was performed. The intensity of the Vpr protein band was normalized to p24 CA and plotted as % Vpr incorporation relative to WT Vpr for each mutant. The data are shown as the mean ± the standard deviation of three independent experiments.
We first characterized the cell cycle arrest activity of the helix-1 mutants by using virion delivery of Vpr (Vprv) as previously described [18], [41]. We titrated the amount of WT Vprv to provide matched control levels of Vpr for the mutants. All of the mutants were delivered into the Jurkat cells at similar levels as the medium dose of WT Vprv (G2,M/G1 = 4.6) by western blot analysis (Figure 3A). Interestingly, mutation of W18 to any of the substitute residues (A, S, or E) greatly reduced the Vpr-induced G2/M arrest (Figure 3B). Glutamic acid had the greatest effect (G2,M/G1 = 1.4), as predicted, since the negatively charged glutamic acid should disrupt the chemical nature of the hydrophobic patch to the greatest degree. W18 may assist the binding to a partner protein through stacking interactions of the aromatic ring structure, which could explain why all mutations of this residue had a pronounced effect. The alanine substitution of L22 had no effect on Vprv cell cycle arrest. However, the L22S (G2,M/G1 = 3.2) and the L22E (G2,M/G1 = 1.7) mutations reduced the G2/M arrest (Figure 3A).
WT or mutant Vpr proteins (denoted by the single letter amino acid changes) were delivered (Vprv) into Jurkat cells. Virions containing WT Vpr were titrated (md, medium) so that a matched Vpr protein control could be compared to the mutants. (A) Western blot of the Jurkat cells for WT and mutant virion-delivered Vpr (bottom). β-actin is shown as a protein loading control (top). (B) Histograms of cell cycle analysis at 41 hr post-infection show DNA content of PI-stained cells by flow cytometry. All samples represent 10,000 cellular events. G1 and G2/M populations were modeled using the Watson Pragmatic cell cycle model, and the G2,M/G1 ratio in each infection is shown. The data are representative of three experiments.
Transient transfection can also be used to evaluate Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest [18], [41]. Equivalent expression of the mutants was confirmed by western blot analysis, and all of the mutants were expressed at a similar level as the WT sample relative to the loading control (Figure 4A). The same cell cycle trend was found with transfection as with virion delivery. All substitutions for W18 reduced cell cycle arrest. Whereas the L22A mutation had minimal effect, mutations to S and E both showed less accumulation of cells in G2/M than WT (Figure 4B). These results indicate that the exposed hydrophobic patch on Vpr helix-1 is important for cell cycle arrest function, corroborating the virion-delivered Vprv system.
Jurkat cells were co-transfected with pcDNA3-hVpr plasmids expressing WT or mutant Vpr (or the empty vector control) and pEGFP-N1 as a transfection marker at a ratio of 5∶1. (A) Western blot of the Jurkat cells for WT or mutant Vpr (bottom). A western blot of β-actin was used as a protein loading control (top). (B) Histograms of cell cycle analysis at 61 hr post-transfection show DNA content of GFP+, PI-stained cells by flow cytometry. All samples represent 10,000 cellular events. G1 and G2/M populations were modeled using the Watson Pragmatic cell cycle model, and the G2,M/G1 ratio in each transfection is shown. The data are representative of three experiments.
The previous study on the helix-3 hydrophobic patch (I63, I67, and I74) found a correlation between cell cycle arrest and cytopathicity for the mutants using virion delivered Vprv[18]. We examined the helix-1 mutants for a similar correlation. WT and mutant Vpr was delivered into Jurkat cells, and the cell cycle profile and viability of these cells were assessed over time as previously described (Figure 5) [18]. Similar to the previous report, we found that wild type Vprv reduced the cell viability to approximately 65% over the course of infection (Figure 5B). G2/M arrest correlated with the toxicity of the helix-1 mutants during virion delivery (Figure 5C). The L22A mutant, which has comparable cell cycle arrest function as WT, also showed similar cell death activity (Figure 5). The other mutants exhibited reduced cytopathicity proportional to the reduction in cell cycle arrest. The W18E and L22E mutants showed the most pronounced reduction in toxicity, corresponding with the most attenuation of G2/M arrest (Figure 5). Although cell cycle arrest correlated with cell death among the Vpr mutants, some discrepancies still existed. For example, Vpr L22S caused more arrest than both W18A and W18S (Figure 5A); yet L22S caused less death than W18A/S (Figure 5B). These results suggest that the exposed hydrophobic residues along Vpr helix-1 are important for cytopathicity, and that G2/M arrest frequently correlates with cell death, similar to the results with the helix-3 mutants [18].
(A) WT or mutant Vpr proteins (denoted by the single letter amino acid changes) were delivered (Vprv) into Jurkat cells, and separately Jurkat cells were co-transfected with pcDNA3-hVpr plasmids expressing WT or mutant Vpr (or the empty vector control) and pEGFP-N1 as a transfection marker at a ratio of 5∶1. Infected and transfected cells were analyzed for DNA content of the PI-stained cells by flow cytometry. G1 and G2/M populations were modeled using the Watson Pragmatic cell cycle model, and the G2,M/G1 ratios were plotted on the x-axis. (B) The viability of the Vprv-treated cells was monitored over time by flow cytometry (detection of PI-negative, forward-scatter high events), and the percentage of viable cells is plotted over time. These data are representative of three experiments. (C) The G2,M/G1 ratios and viability of Vprv-treated cells at 165 hour post-infection from three independent experiments were plotted. Each measurement is color-coded as in (B). Spearman's rank test was used to determine the correlation.
Discussion
Vpr likely functions by binding with partner proteins [1], [2], [28], and our lab has previously shown a role for the exposed hydrophobic patch along Vpr helix-3, an expected protein-protein interaction site, in the G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell death functions [18]. Here, we present an analysis of another expected protein binding domain, the hydrophobic patch of Vpr helix-1, for Vpr-induced G2/M arrest and cytopathicity, as well as virion incorporation. Although, the expected defect in virion incorporation was observed with the mutations we created, this is the first examination specifically of the hydrophobic patch residues. The L22E mutant was particularly impaired in virion incorporation, suggesting that the introduction of a negative charge at this site inhibits the binding of Vpr to the p6 region of the Gag polyprotein. We found that the exposed hydrophobic amino acids W18 and L22 are important for both G2/M arrest and cytopathicity, and that these two properties of Vpr are correlated.
We found that specific mutants of W18 and L22 reduced cell cycle arrest to varying degrees in both virion delivery of Vpr and transient transfection. The differences between the mutations to A, S, and E at each position were most apparent with Vprv due to the higher degree of cell cycle arrest caused by this technique. However, even though the differences were smaller using transfection, the same trend was seen between the mutants (Figures 4 and 5A). The correlation between G2/M arrest and Vpr-induced death caused by Vprv is similar to our previous study of Vpr helix-3 [18]. However, analysis of the helix-3 mutants in the context of HIV-1 infection did not show reduced cytopathicity. This was due to a G1 arrest caused by the mutant Vpr. Even though the infected cells exhibited a more normal DNA content profile, the cells were still inhibited from proliferating [18]. It would be interesting to test whether the helix-1 mutants relieve G2/M arrest but promote a G1 arrest during HIV-1 infection, and thus still kill the infected cell.
Vpr is thought to mediate all of its known functions through the binding of partner molecules [26], [28]. We and others have shown that Vpr binds to the 14-3-3 family of scaffold proteins [42], [46]. This interaction induces a large molecular complex nucleated on the 14-3-3 protein that consists of a number of cell cycle regulatory proteins [42]. Recently, multiple groups have found that Vpr binds to an E3 ubiquitin ligase comprised of DCAF1/VprBP, DDB1, Cul4, and Roc1 [16], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52]. Vpr is proposed to recruit an unknown but critical cell cycle component into the E3 ligase complex and induce the abnormal degradation of that unknown cell cycle protein. This mechanism has already been shown to occur for the UNG2 protein [15], [16], [17]. Perhaps the hydrophobic patch of Vpr helix-1 and/or helix-3 participates in the interaction between Vpr and any of these partner proteins. Thus, it would be interesting to examine the role of exposed hydrophobic residues along these α-helices (W18, L22, I63, L67, and I74) in Vpr-dependent molecular complexes.
A close examination of our data and the results of the helix-3 study reveals that none of the mutants completely abrogated G2/M arrest [18]. However, all of these mutants only substitute a single residue. It is possible that a single change in either of the hydrophobic patches is not enough of a disruption of the chemical nature of the putative protein interaction site. Therefore, testing combinations of mutants, such as W18A and L22A, may further reduce cell cycle arrest and cell death cause by Vpr. Another possibility is that the exposed hydrophobic amino acids along both Vpr helices could actually comprise one protein interaction site. The hydrophobic side groups do orient to the same outward “half” of the core of Vpr (Figure 1). However, the “ridge” of arginines along helix-3 (Figure 1C, E, and G) would likely disrupt the continuity of a single large hydrophobic patch. Perhaps mutations in both patches are necessary to completely inhibit the G2/M arrest function.
We have previously shown that HIV-1 causes a necrotic death of the host CD4+ T cells and T cell lines [53], [54]. The accessory proteins Vpr and Vif are independently able to cause this cytotoxicity [19]. Interestingly, both Vpr and Vif are able to induce a G2/M cell cycle arrest, suggesting that cell cycle arrest may be the cause of HIV-induced necrosis [19], [42]. In fact, mutants of the exposed hydrophobic residues of Vpr helix-3 cause a G1 cell cycle arrest in the context of HIV-1 infection. This G1 arrest still leads to the death of the host cell, indicating that any inhibition of proliferation of HIV-1 infected cells will cause the death of the cell [18]. It would be interesting to test whether the helix-1 mutants also induced a G1 arrest in the context HIV-1 infection leading to cell death. Further investigation into the exact mechanism linking cell cycle arrest to cytopathicity could provide possible targets for therapies that would reduce the depletion of CD4+ T cells during HIV-1 infection.
We found that the exposed hydrophobic amino acids W18 and L22 are important for both G2/M arrest and cytopathicity, and that these two properties of Vpr are correlated. Although this is not the first study to implicate the amino-terminal region of Vpr in cell cycle arrest, there are unresolved questions in the previous mutagenesis findings. Mutations of hydrophobic core residues, such as A30L [29] and H33R [40], would likely cause misfolding of the protein around the core [27]. Introduction of proline residues into the first α-helix, such as the E21,24P mutation [30], would destroy the helical structure of that region, and probably alter the entire global structure of Vpr [26]. We cannot be certain that the W18 and L22 mutations that we introduced did not significantly alter Vpr structure without further structural examination. However, these residues do not interact with the hydrophobic core of the protein, and disruption of the local secondary structure by the substitute residues is unlikely. Therefore, this is the first study showing a role for the helix-1 hydrophobic patch in Vpr-induced G2/M arrest and cytotoxicity.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Anthony Fauci for the use of his BL-3 laboratory; Klaus Strebel for anti-Vpr antiserum; Eric Freed for the reverse transcriptase mutant HIV plasmid; Keiko Sakai and the members of the Lenardo laboratory for helpful discussions. The following reagent was obtained through the AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH: HIV-1 p24 Gag Monoclonal Antibody (#24-2) from Dr. Michael H. Malim [55], [56]. DLB was a student in the FAES (NIH)-Johns Hopkins University Cooperative Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences. RAB was a student in the NIH-University of Pennsylvania Graduate Partnership Program in Immunology.
Author Contributions
Conceived and designed the experiments: RAB DLB MJL. Performed the experiments: RAB BC-D. Analyzed the data: RAB BC-D DLB MJL. Wrote the paper: RAB MJL. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
HOBOKEN – The Hoboken Dual Language Charter School, popularly known as HoLa, will add a seventh and eighth grade next September, said the president of the school’s board of trustees on Wednesday.
The school, which currently runs through sixth grade and is one of the only dual-language schools of its kind anywhere in the northeastern United States, faced an uphill battle to be granted the expansion after the majority of the Hoboken Board of Education advocated against its expansion application. The superintendent of schools, Mark Toback, also wrote a letter to send to the state, advocating against the expansion for various reasons.
Still, on Wednesday, the state Department of Education (DOE) granted the expansion.
"We are grateful that the DOE recognized our school's hard work. We are also incredibly humbled by the enormous community and elected official support we received. Eleven of our elected representatives wrote letters of support for HoLa's expansion to the Department of Education, joining the hundreds of parents who have called for HoLa's expansion to the 8th grade,” said Board President Barbara Martinez. “We are proud to join Hoboken's list of public K-8 schools and look forward to serving more of our community's children in our public charter school.”
For a full story on HoLa’s expansion battle against the local school board, see http://bit.ly/MOq91U. – Dean DeChiaro
it is interesting that a lot of people claim the hoboken reporter should be retitled as the hoboken distorter as they only seem to publish certain items as breaking news or only half heartedly cover items of importance to the city of hoboken. unfortunately that HR has not reported on Beth Mason's election reporting violations reported everywhere else is a bit strange? | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Phlebotomy Basics For Nurses
Mary H. Nielson, DNP, APRN-BC
The processes of phlebotomy are pivotal for patient care. Nurses may have to perform phlebotomy for their patient in various health care settings. Understanding the procedures, processes and reasons behind phlebotomy is the key to ensuring patient safety and positive patient outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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