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<p>Iraq War going to hell, with U.S casualties approaching 2000 dead and 25,000 wounded, at a cost of $200 billion and rising.</p>
<p>Poverty in America on the rise in a period of supposed economic growth.</p>
<p>Republican Party a cesspool of corruption.</p>
<p>White House being investigated for outing undercover CIA agent.</p>
<p>Abortion rights under serious threat, with the Supreme Court being packed with right-wing judges.</p>
<p>New Orleans, just drying out from disastrous flood, being raped by White House-linked corporate pirates and scam artists.</p>
<p>Budget deficit topping half trillion dollars.</p>
<p>Gas and heating oil crisis looming, while oil companies reap record profits.</p>
<p>Bush poll numbers hit historic low as even some Republicans abandon him as an incompetent.</p>
<p>Oh yeah-all this and global warming and the end of human life as we know it.</p>
<p>Man, if you were an opposition politician looking to make a run for Congress next years, or for president in 2008, this would be a magical time.</p>
<p>But where’s the opposition?</p>
<p>The media tell us that the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008 are Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson and maybe John Kerry. What all these people have in common is their deafening silence on all the issues of importance facing Americans and America.</p>
<p>Not one dared show her or his face at the record demonstration against the Iraq War held in front of the White House last weekend.</p>
<p>None has spoken out on the Republican corruption scandals.</p>
<p>None has called for a public program to hire all the displaced of New Orleans to put them to work rebuilding the destroyed city. Instead, they are allowing Bush and the Republican Congress, with the acquiescence of Louisiana’s corrupt local Democratic Party, to bring in speculators and the same profiteers who have been sucking up the reconstruction money in Iraq.</p>
<p>None has offered a plan to attack the U.S. deficit and the hollowing out of the American economy.</p>
<p>None of these “leading opposition candidates” has even taken any kind of strong stand on global warming-for example calling for a tax surcharge on low-mileage cars and trucks and strict limits on carbon emissions by power plants plus a crash program to develop alternative energy sources.</p>
<p>The truth is that when it comes to the Democratic Party, the purported opposition party, there is no there there. It no longer exists.</p>
<p>You’d think the sorry experience of the last two presidential campaigns, where two Democratic candidates, Al Gore and John Kerry, ran spineless, uninspired campaigns that managed to avoid taking a progressive stand on any critical issue of the day, and predictably went down to defeat, dragging Democrats in Congress down with them, would have been a lesson: political cowardice and wedge issue pandering has no future.</p>
<p>Yet here we are five years into the Bush presidency, with Republicans imploding on their own greed and ineptness, and the Democrats are still afraid of their shadows.</p>
<p>Unless someone comes forward soon with an inspired progressive agenda, it’s probably time to let the Democratic Party go the way of the Whigs.</p>
<p>Simply letting the Republicans flounder will not win a single election, much less the race for the White House.</p>
<p>It used to be said that pulling the lever for a third party candidate was wasting your vote. These days, voting for a Democrat is wasting a vote.</p>
<p>DAVE LINDORFF is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567512283/counterpunchmaga" type="external">Killing Time: an Investigation into the Death Row Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal</a>. His new book of CounterPunch columns titled “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567512984/counterpunchmaga" type="external">This Can’t be Happening!</a>” is published by Common Courage Press. Information about both books and other work by Lindorff can be found at <a href="http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/" type="external">www.thiscantbehappening.net</a>.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p>
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<p>CLARIFICATION</p>
<p>ALEXANDER COCKBURN, JEFFREY ST CLAIR, BECKY GRANT AND THE INSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF JOURNALISTIC CLARITY, COUNTERPUNCH</p>
<p>We published an article entitled “A Saudiless Arabia” by Wayne Madsen dated October 22, 2002 (the “Article”), on the website of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalistic Clarity, CounterPunch, www.counterpunch.org (the “Website”).</p>
<p>Although it was not our intention, counsel for Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi has advised us the Article suggests, or could be read as suggesting, that Mr Al Amoudi has funded, supported, or is in some way associated with, the terrorist activities of Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda terrorist network.</p>
<p>We do not have any evidence connecting Mr Al Amoudi with terrorism.</p>
<p>As a result of an exchange of communications with Mr Al Amoudi’s lawyers, we have removed the Article from the Website.</p>
<p>We are pleased to clarify the position.</p>
<p>August 17, 2005</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | What Opposition Party? | true | https://counterpunch.org/2005/09/29/what-opposition-party/ | 2005-09-29 | 4 |
<p>Here we go again . . .</p>
<p>"Big Bang Theory" star Mayim Bialik takes little joy in Thanksgiving. She doesn't much like all the food, hates the slaughtering of innocent turkeys and feels ashamed that America celebrates a day of genocide.</p>
<p>In a video posted to Youtube on November 16, Bialik explains the "4 Reasons" why she doesn't like Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>Bialik's first reason for disliking the beloved holiday pertains to her disdain for gluttony, saying she hates how people use the day as an excuse to eat too much food. Fair enough. However, her second reason was a bit more pointed, being that she's a vegan who hates the thought of killing innocent turkeys:</p>
<p>I don’t like the tradition of killing a bird that in most cases has been genetically modified so that it’s so big that it can’t even stand up and then you lay its carcass on a tray and you carve it up and then you eat it. I don’t like that tradition. I don’t want that one. And I know; you think, “you vegans ruin everything.” Well, you know what? I think your tradition of killing an animal and laying its carcass and eating the skin and the flesh of it — I think its gross. That ruins it too.</p>
<p>Her third reason pertained to the holiday's similarities with the Jewish holiday Sukkot, also a harvest festival with lots of food. Bialik, as most Americans, is probably unaware that the pilgrims <a href="https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/sukkot-the-harvest-holiday/" type="external">wanted the original feast to coincide with the Jewish holiday Sukkot</a>, and since few have this as common knowledge, she gets a pass.</p>
<p>Predictably, the fourth and last reason Bialik dislikes Thanksgiving is because it ostensibly celebrates genocide — when those evil colonialists killed off helpless Indians and took their food as spoils.</p>
<p>History is written by the winners. I grew up coloring pictures of pilgrims and indigenous people — we called them Indians when I was a child — having this beautiful Thanksgiving together. The truth is, European invaders came to this land, took it from the indigenous people, raped, pillaged, gave them all sorts of diseases, called it their own, and desecrated a culture. It is one of the grossest examples of genocide in recent history and much as I don’t want to think about that, it’s really hard for me not to think about that when I think about Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>To Bialik's credit, she does appreciate Thanksgiving for instilling gratitude in people and the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."</p>
<p>This ridiculous talking point that Thanksgiving celebrates genocide has become common parlance among leftists and the brainwashed public. To get the true story about Thanksgiving, see the PragerU video " <a href="" type="internal">What's The Truth About The First Thanksgiving?</a>"</p> | 'Big Bang Theory' Star Mayim Bialik: I Don't Like Thanksgiving Because Veganism and Genocide | true | https://dailywire.com/news/23842/big-bang-theory-star-mayim-bialik-i-dont-paul-bois | 2017-11-21 | 0 |
<p>The <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/ireland/140602/mass-grave-childrens-home-800-babies" type="external">discovery</a> in Tuam, Galway earlier this month sparked international outcry.</p>
<p>The children were likely <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/ireland/140602/mass-grave-childrens-home-800-babies" type="external">buried</a> in secret in a concrete tank next to the St. Mary's Mother and Baby Home for a period of 36 years. The home closed in 1961.</p>
<p>Charlie Flanagan, Ireland's minister for children and youth affairs, said Tuesday it was <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/dublin-announces-full-probe-catholic-baby-homes-190754431.html" type="external">"absolutely essential"</a> to establish the facts about such homes, which were commonplace in Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.</p>
<p>The investigation will probe burial practices at the homes, as well as high mortality rates.</p>
<p>Newly-discovered <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/ireland/140602/mass-grave-childrens-home-800-babies" type="external">reports</a> show that many children at the home in Tuam died from malnutrition and neglect, or from complications associated with measles, pneumonia, TB, gastroenteritis, and other diseases.</p>
<p>As many as 333 unwed mothers and children were living there in 1944, far exceeding the home's capacity of 243. Most children were between the ages of 3 weeks and 13 months.</p>
<p>Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was among several high-profile Catholic leaders to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/catholic-leader-seeks-irish-probe-into-mass-graves/2014/06/08/ea8bb1b4-ef3a-11e3-ba99-4469323d5076_story.html" type="external">call for</a> an investigation after the discovery made <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2645870/Mass-grave-contains-bodies-800-babies-site-Irish-home-unmarried-mothers.html" type="external">headlines</a> worldwide.</p>
<p>"Sadly, the mass grave at Tuam is probably not unique," Martin Sixsmith, author of "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee," wrote in an opinion piece for the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/06/800-dead-babies-are-probably-just-the-beginning/" type="external">Washington Post.</a></p>
<p>The book, later made into an Oscar-nominated film, tells the true story of Philomena Lee, a young Irish woman was staying in an Irish home for unwed mothers in Tipperary in the 1950s when suddenly one day the nuns took her 3-year-old son, who was adopted by an American couple.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-real-philomena-lee-finds-hollywood-ending-to-adoption-story/2014/02/04/a907b510-8db7-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_story.html" type="external" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-real-philomena-lee-finds-hollywood-ending-to-adoption-story/2014/02/04/a907b510-8db7-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_story.html" type="external" /></p>
<p /> | Ireland launches investigation into Catholic homes for unwed mothers after reports of mass baby graves | false | https://pri.org/stories/2014-06-11/ireland-launches-investigation-catholic-homes-unwed-mothers-after-reports-mass | 2014-06-11 | 3 |
<p>After polling over 5,000 millennial voters in the key battleground states, conservative non-profit <a href="http://turningpointusa.net/aboutus/" type="external">Turning Point USA</a> learned quite a bit about what that key voting bloc plans to do in November. One of the things about 78% of them won't be doing is voting for Donald Trump. But before Hillary Clinton begins celebrating too much, she should know that over half of them reject her too.</p>
<p>TPUSA polled a total of 5,514 millennial voters in the key battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina. Of the total polled, 40% were Democrats (2,260), 25% were Republicans (1,365), 24% were Independent (1,306), 6% were Libertarian (321), and 5% were "other" or unknown (262 and 10, respectively).</p>
<p>Overall, only 21.8% of the millennials said they were voting for Trump (including just 66% of Republicans, 3% of Democrats, and 13% of Independents).</p>
<p>Clinton fared better, but not as much as one might think, particularly with the large sample of self-described Democrats polled. She earned the support of just 43.2% overall (77% of Democrats, 6% of Republicans, and 36% of Independents).</p>
<p>Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson managed 14% of the vote. But over 20% of the respondents said they were planning on a "no vote." In other words, political apathy/despair has set in for 1 out of 5 millennials.</p>
<p>TPUSA also asked them about their priorities and learned that, despite the concerted effort among Democrat leaders and their cohorts in the left-wing media, all the same traditional concerns topped the field. By far their biggest concern was the economy, which dwarfed all other issues, followed by national security in a distant second and education.</p>
<p>Here's the breakdown of the top issues: jobs/economy (37.7%), national security (12.1%), education (11.4%), healthcare (8.7%), war/peace (7.7%), guns (6.2%), immigration (4.1%), and abortion (3.3%).</p> | Turning Point USA Polled 5,000 Millennials In Key Battleground States. Here's What They Learned. | true | https://dailywire.com/news/8819/turning-point-usa-polled-5000-millennials-key-james-barrett | 2016-09-01 | 0 |
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<p>English teacher Tom Rademacher talks with his high school juniors Kierra Murray, left, and Ana Silverman on Tuesday at Fair School in Minneapolis. (Jim Mone/The Associated Press)</p>
<p>LOS ANGELES – When his high school English students came to class, Tom Rademacher knew there would be one thing on their mind: a grand jury’s decision not to indict the white police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.</p>
<p>So the Minneapolis teacher put aside his lesson plans for the day and asked them a simple question: How did they feel?</p>
<p>Some teens said they were sad, others angry. One said he logged off Twitter and Facebook to avoid dealing with upset friends.</p>
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<p>“That’s the definition of white privilege,” student Nia Golston replied. “You get to look away while I, being African-American, have to live like this.”</p>
<p>In the aftermath of the Ferguson announcement, classrooms across the nation are taking up uncomfortable topics – race, police use of force and poverty, among others – to give students a voice and help them make sense of events.</p>
<p>Some teachers are using the discussion to weave in history lessons. One school in the Bronx read Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”</p>
<p>Others are reviewing primary source documents, like officer Darren Wilson’s grand jury testimony, to study the case in detail. Some are just inquiring about the emotions evoked by the killing of a person not much older than most high school students.</p>
<p>In a story so focused on young black people and their communities, “we aren’t hearing enough from black teenagers about what they’re feeling and what they’re thinking about and what their experiences are,” Rademacher said.</p>
<p>Sites such as <a href="http://TeachableMoment.org" type="external">TeachableMoment.org</a> and groups including Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit in Brookline, Massachusetts, are providing teachers with guidance on incorporating Ferguson into their lessons. Teachers are sharing their ideas and classroom experiences online with hashtags such as #FergusonSyllabus and #FergusonInClass.</p>
<p>“All the things you hear in the larger community are happening in the microcosm called the classroom,” said Steve Becton, social program director of urban education at Facing History and Ourselves. “For the teachers not allowing it to happen, I think it’s a missed opportunity.”</p>
<p>Becton advises teachers to ask nuanced questions: What is the role of law in society? And if a law seems insufficient, how can it be challenged? What is the relationship between African-American males and law enforcement?</p>
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<p>“How do we help students understand that history?” Becton asked. “Ultimately education is not about facts and dates and figures but about participating in democracy and participating in a civil discourse.”</p>
<p>School districts in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have provided teachers with instructions for leading Ferguson discussions.</p>
<p>“The goal is to assist students in being able to exercise their First Amendment rights, to speak out on things they feel passionate about,” said Holly Priebe-Diaz, intervention coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District.</p>
<p>Teacher Gregory Michie, who instructs middle-school students in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood in Chicago, spent five weeks earlier this year discussing the context of the Ferguson case, First Amendment issues and media coverage.</p>
<p>“I teach in a neighborhood where a lot of kids have seen violence,” he said. “There is a certain level of mistrust, skepticism.”</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the topic is less welcome or completely off-limits. Teachers in one Illinois classroom, for example, were advised earlier this year not to talk about the case in class.</p>
<p>The hesitation sometimes comes from parents or students.</p>
<p>Rademacher has encouraged students to stay focused on having a discussion, not winning an argument. That approach produced a robust exchange of ideas.</p>
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<p /> | Classrooms reflect on Ferguson decision | false | https://abqjournal.com/504605/classrooms-reflect-on-ferguson-decision.html | 2 |
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<p>Dear Liz,</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>I inherited enough money to pay off my mortgage, which has a 3.2% interest rate for another 12 years. I am 67 and retired. I have been advised to buy floating-rate funds rather than pay off the mortgage. What do you think?</p>
<p>-- Gary</p>
<p>Dear Gary,</p>
<p>Paying off your mortgage can be a bet that interest rates won't rise very much or very fast. Floating-rate funds are a bet that they will.</p>
<p>Floating-rate funds invest in bonds and other debt with variable interest rates. These funds are designed to do well when interest rates rise, unlike traditional bond funds that lose value when rates go up. But these funds are far from risk-free. To get higher yields, the funds often invest in loans to corporations with mediocre or poor investment ratings. The funds limit interest rate risk, but they may offer substantial credit risk.</p>
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<p>Of course, there's no way to know when interest rates will rise or by how much. People who believe inflation and higher interest rates are around the corner may be more likely to hang onto a low-rate mortgage. They're betting that they can get superior returns elsewhere and that inflation will shrink the relative size of their payments.</p>
<p>The decision to pay off a mortgage involves other factors beyond where you think interest rates will go. Taxes play a part as well. A mortgage may offer a substantial tax break, especially in the early years when most of your payment goes toward interest (which is tax deductible) rather than principle (which is not). Over time, the size of the tax break diminishes as that ratio reverses.</p>
<p>Then there's diversification. Financial planners typically advise against paying off a mortgage if such a move would eat up too much of your cash reserves. You can offset that risk at least somewhat by getting a line of credit -- either the traditional kind or via a reverse mortgage -- which would allow you to tap your equity in an emergency. And some people are okay with having less cash on hand, knowing that they have a paid-for house and lower expenses as a result.</p>
<p>Clearly, there's a lot to consider. If the right course for you isn't obvious at this point, then this would be a great issue to talk over with a fee-only financial planner.</p>
<p>Ask the adviser</p>
<p>To ask a question of Liz Weston, go to the " <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/ask.asp" type="external">Ask the Experts Opens a New Window.</a>" page and select "Retirement" as the topic. Read more <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/advisers/retirement-adviser.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Retirement Adviser Opens a New Window.</a> for additional personal finance advice.</p>
<p>Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/coinfo/disclaimer.asp" type="external">Bankrate's Terms of Use Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 2014, Bankrate Inc.</p> | Invest in Floating-Rate Funds or Pay Off Mortgage? | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2014/05/15/invest-in-floating-rate-funds-or-pay-off-mortgage.html | 2016-03-05 | 0 |
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<p>Given the friction and financial woes facing the Girl Scouts these days, perhaps it’s time for a giant friendship circle. Under that long-standing tradition, a ring of Scouts clasp hands and give a little squeeze, accompanied by a silent wish of good will.</p>
<p>Just a year after its centennial celebrations, the Girl Scouts of the USA finds itself in a different sort of squeeze. Its interconnected problems include declining membership and revenues, a dearth of volunteers, rifts between leadership and grass-roots members, a pension plan with a $347 million deficit and an uproar over efforts by many local councils to sell venerable summer camps.</p>
<p>The tangle of difficulties has prompted one congressman to request an inquiry by the House Ways and Means Committee into the pension liabilities and the sale of camps.</p>
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<p>“I am worried that America’s Girl Scouts are now selling cookies to fund pension plans instead of camping,” wrote Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, in a letter last month to the committee chairman.</p>
<p>Compounding the problems are tensions at GSUSA headquarters in New York, where several senior executives have quit or been ousted since Anna Maria Chavez took over as CEO in 2011. Last week, some of the roughly 325 employees there were invited to take early retirement and Chavez said an unspecified number of layoffs are expected in August.</p>
<p>Chavez insists the GSUSA is on the right track, although she acknowledged that sweeping changes in structure and programs over the past 10 years have been difficult for many in the Scouts’ extended family.</p>
<p>Indeed, there’s a common denominator between the GSUSA leaders and their critics – earnest expressions of devotion to the Girl Scouts and fervent hopes that it manages to thrive.</p>
<p>“I care so much about this organization, and that’s why I hate to see it pulled down,” said Suellen Nelles, CEO of a local council based in Fairbanks, Alaska. “We have leadership at the top who are toxic to this organization and need to go.”</p>
<p>Connie Lindsey, the president of GSUSA’s governing board, said the board had confidence in Chavez.</p>
<p>Since 2003, the Girl Scouts have undergone a thorough transformation aimed at making their programs and image more relevant to a diverse population of girls. Changes have affected uniforms, handbooks, program materials, even the logo and the fine print on the boxes of Girl Scout cookies.</p>
<p>“Our brand, as iconic as it is, was misunderstood – it was dated,” Chavez said in an interview Friday.</p>
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<p>Yet, today, the Girl Scouts have about 2.2 million youth members, down from more than 2.8 million in 2003. Donations to the national office and local councils plunged to $104 million in 2011 from nearly $148 million in 2007.</p>
<p>The biggest change – implemented from 2006 to 2009 by Chavez’ predecessor, Kathy Cloninger – was a realignment that slashed the number of local councils from 312 to 112. It was intended to increase efficiency, but resulted in the departure of many longtime employees and volunteers.</p>
<p>Among other consequences, the mergers affected the Girl Scouts’ national pension plan, because many employees were added to it as an inducement to take early retirement.</p>
<p>One council, the Nashville-based Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, is suing to get out of the pension plan. The lawsuit contends that the GSUSA added as many as 1,850 employees to the plan who hadn’t contributed to it, leaving local councils with an unplanned-for liability.</p>
<p>It is also asking Congress to pass legislation that would provide relief by stretching out the timetable for local councils to pay into the pension plan. Without such relief, councils could face a 40 percent increase in pension expenses next year and be forced into layoffs and program cuts, according to GSUSA.</p>
<p>Financial stress has already prompted many councils to consider selling off old summer camps, both to gain revenue and reduce maintenance costs.</p>
<p>In many states – including Iowa, Ohio, New York, Alabama and Missouri – the sell-off plans provoked intense debate. Pro-camp activists argue that camping is integral to the Girl Scout experience; local leaders contend that today’s girls are less keen on camping than their predecessors.</p>
<p>Chavez, 45, took over as the GSUSA’s first Hispanic CEO after serving as chief executive of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. She’s pleased by a 55 percent surge in the number of Hispanic Girl Scouts since 2000.</p>
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<p /> | Dissension, fiscal woes beset Girl Scouts | false | https://abqjournal.com/213780/dissension-fiscal-woes-beset-girl-scouts.html | 2013-06-24 | 2 |
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<p>Victoria Martens</p>
<p>A memorial service for 10-year-old Victoria Martens drew a crowd to Copper Pointe Church in northeast Albuquerque on Saturday. Martens was raped, killed and partially dismembered in August, and three adults, including Victoria’s mother, Michelle Martens, have been charged in connection with the gruesome slaying.</p>
<p>Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden, Gov. Susana Martinez and Attorney General Hector Balderas attended the event and spoke during the service, as did the pastor of Family Church, which Martens attended with her grandparents. Pictures of Martens were displayed, and a slideshow of her and her younger brother was played on large television screens in the church, which hosted the event because it can easily accommodate hundreds of people.</p>
<p>“It was good seeing people come together and recognize what happened, and celebrate the girl’s life,” said Daniel Wieck, a city resident who attended.</p>
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<p>A ceremonial casket was at the service, since Victoria’s body hasn’t been released by the Office of the Medical Investigator, said Lainie Brunetto, the projects manager at Copper Pointe.</p>
<p>Laura Bobbs, whose young daughters were friends with Victoria, said many of Victoria’s relatives were in attendance. Bobbs said Victoria leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents.</p>
<p>“When I look around this church today, I see our community. We are all so different, but we share one common thing: We care about this family, and we care about Victoria,” Eden said during the nearly two-hour ceremony.</p>
<p>Albuquerque police officers responded to the scene of Victoria’s killing and Eden has said officers were troubled by the horrific scene.</p>
<p>Michelle Martens, Fabian Gonzales and Jessica Kelley have all been arrested in the case. They are all charged with first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13, intentional abuse of a child under 12 and many other counts. In criminal complaints filed against the trio, police say Martens admitted that Gonzales and Kelley raped her daughter while she watched. Gonzales then strangled the girl and Kelley stabbed her.</p>
<p>After Victoria was dead, she was partially dismembered and burned before police arrived at the West Side apartment complex where she lived, according to the court documents.</p>
<p>Gov. Susana Martinez speaks during the Saturday memorial service for Victoria Martens, who was brutally killed in August. Three adults, including her mother, have been charged with her murder. (Jim Thompson/Journal)</p>
<p>Martinez was emotional during her remarks and her voice cracked at times when she described Victoria as a sweet, kind little girl.</p>
<p>“I cannot imagine what this casket holds – a little girl who deserves to still be here,” she said.</p>
<p>Balderas said Victoria, as described to him by teachers, had a spark and was friendly with special needs children.</p>
<p>“One thing that resonated with me, as someone who tries to protect children, is that she truly was a borrowed angel,” he said. “It’s what perfectly articulates why so many New Mexicans are in pain.”</p>
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<p /> | Mourners bid farewell to ‘a borrowed angel’ | false | https://abqjournal.com/878197/mourners-bid-farewell-to-a-borrowed-angel.html | 2 |
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<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Six New Mexico companies have been hired as subcontractors for the Facebook data center project in Los Lunas, the social media giant announced today.</p>
<p>In a post on the data center’s Facebook page, the company said subcontracting packages had been awarded to Kone Elevators &amp; Escalators, Western States Fire Protection, Safety Counseling Inc., Terracon Inc., Huitt-Zollars, and 814 Solutions. All the businesses have Albuquerque-based operations.</p>
<p>“We’re just getting started,” said Facebook in the post. “The construction will support thousands of jobs in the region, with hundreds of construction workers on site daily, and lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in investments.”</p>
<p>Seventy percent of the subcontracting packages have yet to be awarded, according to the post. The general contractor on the project is Portland, Ore.-based Fortis Construction Inc.</p>
<p>Representatives of the state’s construction industry expressed concern last month when Fortis said its subcontractors could have no more than 20 percent of their annual revenue committed to the data center, a requirement that would render a large number of New Mexico businesses ineligible for the project. The company later said the requirements were flexible and that it was committed to hiring locally.</p>
<p>Fortis will hold a job fair in early 2017 for those seeking positions with Fortis or a subcontractor.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Facebook data center hires 6 NM subcontractors | false | https://abqjournal.com/909555/facebook-data-center-hires-6-nm-subcontractors.html | 2 |
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<p>When Paranormal Activity 3 chalked up record-setting numbers at last weekend’s box office (its $54 million was the most ever for a <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2011/08/15/fright-night-s-marti-noxon-on-shaun-of-the-dead-evil-dead-ii-ghostbusters-more.html" type="external">horror</a> film), Stuart Fischoff wasn’t surprised. “Films like <a href="http://www.movieline.com/2011/09/fantastic-fest-paranormal-activity-3-a-spooky-misfire-but-is-there-still-time-to-salvage-it.php" type="external">Paranormal Activity 3</a> have a pre-registered audience just waiting for the latest Hollywood bouquet of blood, sweat, tears, and chills to exquisitely fill our lust for horribly sweet sensations,” says Fischoff, professor emeritus of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, and senior editor of the online Journal of Media Psychology.</p>
<p>The fact that some people like to be scared out of their wits never ceases to baffle those of us who would as soon see Freddy Krueger slash his way through A Nightmare on Elm Street as we would have surgery without anesthesia. But to masters of the genre, as well as to experts in media psychology, it makes perfect sense. In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/%20B0057DBN42/thedaibea-20/" type="external">Danse Macabre</a>, Stephen King described “terror as the finest emotion, and so I will try to terrorize the reader.” What makes it so fine? “One of the major reasons we go to scary movies is to be scared,” says Fischoff. But the scare we crave—and this applies to haunted houses and spooky corn mazes no less than to horror movies—is a safe one. “We know that, in an hour or two, we’re going to walk out whole,” says Fischoff. “We’re not going to have any holes in our head, and our hearts will still be in our bodies.”</p>
<p>But those hearts will likely be pounding a bit harder than if you had just seen, say, Dolphin Tale. And that accounts for a lot of the appeal. “If we have a relatively calm, uneventful lifestyle, we seek out something that’s going to be exciting for us, because our nervous system requires periodic revving, just like a good muscular engine,” says Fischoff. A 1995 study found that the higher people score on a scale that measures sensation-seeking, the more they like horror films. “There are people who have a tremendous need for stimulation and excitement,” says Fischoff. “Horror movies are one of the better ways to get really excited.”</p>
<p>That may explain why <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2011/06/24/the-life-zone-review-ken-del-vecchio-s-controversial-pro-life-horror-film.html" type="external">horror movies</a> are most popular with younger audiences. Teens and twenty-somethings “are more likely to look for intense experiences,” says John Edward Campbell, an expert in media studies at Temple University. That fades with age, especially as people become more sensitive to their own physiology: middle-aged and older adults tend not to seek out experiences that make their hearts race, and feel that real life is scary enough. (Did we mention foreclosure? Unemployment? Divorce?) They don’t need to get their scares from movies. Or as Fischoff puts it, “Older people have stimulation fatigue. Life’s [real] horrors scare them, or they don’t find them entertaining any more—or interesting.”</p>
<p>One of the more counterintuitive findings in the science of fear is that the stronger the negative emotions (fear, worry, anxiety...) a person reports experiencing during horror films, the more likely he or she is to enjoy the genre. Distress and delight are correlated. “The pleasure comes from the relief that follows,” says Campbell. “It provides a cathartic effect, offering you emotional release and escape from the real world of bills and mortgages and the economy and relationships.”</p>
<p>The catharsis theory is one of several that have been floated over the years to explain the appeal of being scared out of your wits. Freud suggested that horror was appealing because it traffics in “thoughts and feelings that have been repressed by the ego but which seem vaguely familiar,” as a 2004 paper explained. Jung argued that horror touches on primordial images in the collective unconscious. But since there is no evidence that many of us have repressed feelings of drowned children like Freddy marauding through a summer camp in Friday the 13th, let alone that that’s part of our collective unconscious, such psychoanalytic explanations for the appeal of fear have fallen by the wayside.</p>
<p>Instead, scientists suspect that other motivations, besides catharsis, are at work. One comes from the fact that horror movies, even slasher flicks, generally stick to an almost Victorian moral code. You can be pretty sure that the girl who has sex with her boyfriend will wind up dead (as parodied in the <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2011/04/16/film-inspired-cocktails-a-twist-on-the-bloody-mary-for-scream-4.html" type="external">Scream movies</a>), as will teenagers who pick up deranged hitchhikers. Horror films thus appeal to people who like predictability and neat ends, hold the ethical relativism: in these movies, there is no question about who the bad guy is. And despite the high and often gory body count, the films tend to have a (relatively) happy ending. “Control lost under the cover of darkness is rediscovered in the light of day; danger posed by things unknown is reduced by increased knowledge and predictability,” explained clinical psychologist Glenn Walters of Kutztown University in that 2004 paper (written when he worked at a federal prison in Minersville, Pa.)</p>
<p>He suggests that the appeal to teenagers also goes beyond thrill-seeking and catharsis. Horror movies help young people learn to manage terror. “They can either succumb [to frightening images] or learn to manage,” he argues. “By learning to suppress feelings and display mastery or cling to others in a dependent ploy for protection, a person learns to cope with another aspect of his or her environment, a skill that may be useful in dealing with more than just horror pictures.” That may explain another oddity of the genre: horror movies are popular date films. “Teenage boys enjoyed a horror film significantly more when the female companion... expressed fright, whereas teenage girls enjoyed the film more when the male companion... showed a sense of mastery and control,” Walters argued.</p>
<p>Perhaps most fundamentally, horror films are popular because they speak to the basic human condition of existential fear, the knowledge that we are all doomed (albeit not as messily as Jason’s or Freddy’s victims). By sitting through a fictional depiction of that fact—even if the movie’s victims slough their mortal coil in a more sensational way than most of us, God willing, will—we face our greatest fear.</p>
<p>Yet when people are asked to name their top 25 <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2010/10/24/best-horror-movies-chosen-by-wes-craven.html" type="external">favorite films</a>, horror almost never makes the cut, Fischoff and colleagues found. (The Godfather, Star Wars, Casablanca, and The Sound of Music jostle for room at the top; the closest the horror genre comes is an occasional appearance by Ghost, which is more romantic than scary.) “Horror is almost no one’s favorite genre,” says Fischoff. The two horror films named by the most people, Nightmare on Elm Street and The Exorcist, each got only six mentions from the 560 people surveyed. People 50 and older almost never name a horror film as one of their 25 favorites (0.2 percent of this group’s top 25 lists include a horror movie). But the genre accounts for only 3.2 percent of the top films named by people 13 to 25, and 2.3 percent of those named by those 26 to 49. (For whatever it’s worth, the ethnic group that names the most horror films to its top 25 lists is Latinos.)</p>
<p>Why is horror less popular than other genres? “Generally, people anticipate feeling entertained and feeling good when they leave a movie,” explains Fischoff. But while horror films excite and arouse, they “often leave people feeling nervous and unsettled,” despite any catharsis. “This is not a state which leads to fond memories.” As anyone with nightmares after Nightmare can attest.</p> | Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies: Fear, Catharsis, a Sense of Doom | true | https://thedailybeast.com/why-our-brains-love-horror-movies-fear-catharsis-a-sense-of-doom | 2018-10-02 | 4 |
<p>Nov. 17 (UPI) — Luis Fonsi’s and Daddy Yankee’s mega-hit Despacito cleaned up at the 2017 Latin Grammy Awards Thursday night, winning awards in several categories, including record of the year and song of the year.</p>
<p>The song also won for best short-form music video and best urban fusion performance for the partial English version of the song featuring <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Justin_Bieber/" type="external">Justin Bieber</a>. The Grammy haul capped off what has been an incredible year for Despacito, which broke the record for most streams on Youtube with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk" type="external">more than 4.3 billion</a>.</p>
<p>Fonsi, who is from Puerto Rico, said Despacito is a “hymn” to the island, which was ravaged by Hurricane Maria in September and is still struggling to recover.</p>
<p>“Everything I do, and everything I will do, now more than ever, is to continue celebrating my island, my culture, my homeland and my music, and to make sure the public knows that Puerto Rico needs help,” Fonsi said.</p>
<p>Residente, who is also from Puerto Rico and opened the awards show with a dedication to the island, was nominated in nine categories and won in two, including best urban album for Residente, his self-titled solo record and best urban song for Somos Anormales.</p>
<p>Panama-born <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Ruben_Blades/" type="external">Ruben Blades</a> won the coveted album of the year for his Salsa Big Band.</p>
<p>Colombian superstar <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Shakira/" type="external">Shakira</a> took home best contemporary pop album honors for her El Dorado, her 11th studio album.</p>
<p>Spaniard Alejandro Sanz was honored with the person of the year award, which he dedicated to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He was later joined on stage with 30 <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/daca/" type="external">DACA</a> recipients, who sang as a choir during one of his performances of the night.</p> | 'Despacito' wins big at 2017 Latin Grammy Awards | false | https://newsline.com/despacito-wins-big-at-2017-latin-grammy-awards/ | 2017-11-17 | 1 |
<p>The mandate from Jeff Bezos is clear: Bring me “Game of Thrones.”</p>
<p>That’s the word that has the creative community buzzing this week about a major strategy shift underway for <a href="http://variety.com/t/amazon/" type="external">Amazon</a> Studios’ original series efforts.</p>
<p>The CEO of the e-commerce giant is said to have tasked Amazon Studios chief Roy Price with honing the focus on high-end drama series with global appeal. Amazon’s decision this week to <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/z-the-beginning-of-everything-canceled-amazon-1202550213/" type="external">scrap plans for a second season</a> of period drama “Z: The Beginning of Everything” reflects the new marching orders.</p>
<p>On Friday, Amazon confirmed five new projects — series greenlights for a period drama from Paul Attanasio and Wong Kar-wai and a comedy starring Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph; two comedy pilots; and a Seth Rogen-produced comic book adaptation eyed as a straight-to-series order — that reflect the drive to find shows that deliver sizzle in the water-cooler environs of social media and can travel around the world.</p>
<p>In an interview on Friday, Price told Variety&#160;that there is a new focus on finding “big shows that can make the biggest difference around the world” in growing Amazon Video’s reach and Amazon Prime subscribers. “Tong Wars,” the drama penned by Paul Attanasio and directed by Wong, is a prime example of a period piece that blends the epic history of Chinese immigration to the U.S. with a crime potboiler. “It’s a very compelling show,” he said.</p>
<p>Price said the strategic course has been informed by the wealth of data available to Amazon and is the consensus of senior management, including Bezos.</p>
<p>“It comes out of&#160;analysis of the data and conversations among the leadership team,” Price said. “We’ve been looking at the data for some time, and as a team we’re increasingly focused on the impact of the biggest shows. It’s pretty evident that it takes big shows to move the needle.”</p>
<p>Price cited Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle,” the unscripted “Grand Tour,” and the new comedy “The Tick” as examples of existing shows that fit the bill of having global appeal. And he doesn’t mince words about his interest in finding a show that packs the wallop of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”</p>
<p>“I do think ‘Game of Thrones’ is to TV as ‘Jaws’ and ‘Star Wars’ was to the movies of the 1970s,” Price said. “It’ll inspire a lot of people. Everybody wants a big hit and certainly that’s the show of the moment in terms of being a model for a hit.”</p>
<p>Price pointed to the move Amazon made in January to recruit former Fox International Channels exec Sharon Tal Yguado to lead a new event series development unit focused specifically on sci-fi, fantasy and genre series. Price pointed to AMC’s “Preacher” and Starz’s “American Gods” as shows that have resonated strongly for Amazon in markets outside the U.S. where it has acquired rerun rights.</p>
<p>“The biggest shows make the biggest difference around the world,” Price said. “If you have one of the top five or 10 shows in the marketplace, it means your show is more valuable because it drives conversations and it drive subscriptions. … We’re a mass-market brand. We have a lot of video customers and we need shows that move the needle at a high level.”</p>
<p>With this focus, Amazon could not justify moving ahead with season 2 of “Z.”&#160;Industry sources said Karl Gajdusek, the showrunner recruited to steer season 2 of “Z,” was plainly told of the shift in strategy when the surprise call came down on Thursday that the show was being shuttered. Gajdusek and his team of writers had been working for several weeks on getting the 10-episode order ready for production. “Z” starred Christina Ricci as Zelda Fitzgerald, the socialite wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and a legendary figure from 1920s Jazz Age lore.</p>
<p>Price said the decision on “Z” came down to a simple matter of priorities. He notes that Amazon has an ongoing development pact on the film side with Killer Films, one of the show’s producers.</p>
<p>“We’re glad we did ‘Z.’ We’re proud of the work done on it and the team we had on it,” Price said. “At the end of the day you only have so many slots. With those slots you have to drive viewership and drive subscriptions. Sometimes there are shows that are a little bit on the bubble in terms of their viewership. We went down the road with it but ultimately decided in light of the full spectrum of opportunities we were looking at we would not be able to proceed with the show.”</p>
<p>Amazon is also expected to cut a significant number of current development prospects off of its plate. The service already has several big-ticket series orders in the works for 2018, including the two-season order for Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” the John Krasinski-led adaptation of Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” from Carlton Cuse, Matthew Weiner’s “The Romanoffs” anthology series, and David O. Russell’s untitled crime drama starring Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore.</p>
<p>Multiple industry sources who work with Amazon say it is clear there is pressure on Price and his team to deliver. There has been speculation about the prospect of major management changes at Amazon Studios given the number of industry insiders who have complained about what they see has a difficult working environment at the streaming giant.</p>
<p>“It’s not a good sign when Seattle overrules your decision,” said one prominent producer of Amazon’s reversal on “Z.”</p>
<p>The overhaul of priorities comes amid what sources said is some frustration with the fruits of its foray into original TV content during the past few years. Amazon Studios made an early splash with comedy “Transparent” in 2014, which helped propel the national conversation about transgender issues and has collected high-profile Emmy wins for star Jeffrey Tambor and creator Jill Soloway.</p>
<p>But Amazon hasn’t had much traction in pop culture with many other original series, even after comedy “Mozart in the Jungle” was an underdog winner for comedy series at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards. For all of Amazon’s investment in original series, it’s been eclipsed this season by its smaller rival Hulu with the critically praised “The Handmaid’s Tale.”</p>
<p>There’s been speculation about Amazon reining in its development expenditures — something that Price flatly denies. Amazon’s aggregate spending on original content will be up in 2018 versus this year, he said, although he would not cite specific dollar figures. He also noted that Amazon is shelling out big bucks this season for a marquee sports franchise, “Thursday Night Football.”</p>
<p>“We’re very interested in getting those top shows — something that is broadly popular and admired,” he said. “We want to allocate a lot of our attention and resources going forward to that kind of thing.”</p>
<p>There have already been signals of Amazon’s heightened focus on event and spectacle series.&#160;Tal Yguado has been given ample resources to go after big-name talent. In August, she secured an overall deal with “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman, luring him away from his longtime home AMC. At Fox, Tal Yguado made the savvy decision to help finance and license “The Walking Dead” for the more than 200 Fox-branded international channels. She also worked with Kirkman in developing “Outcast,” which airs across the Fox international channels group and on Cinemax in the U.S. She is said to be targeting other “Walking Dead” talent to make the jump to Amazon.</p>
<p>Tal Yguado came to the streaming service three months after the development team under Price had been reorganized, with comedy head Joe Lewis taking oversight of half-hour and drama series development.&#160;The move has caused some confusion among TV literary agents, who see no clear lines between Lewis’ team and Tal Yguado’s event focus.</p>
<p>Amazon faced another black eye in the creative community this week when reports of strife behind the scenes on another drama series, “Goliath,” emerged along with the news of the show’s third showrunner in two seasons. Clyde Phillips, who took over from creator David E. Kelley for season two, departed the show of his own volition after creative conflicts with star Billy Bob Thornton.</p>
<p>“Goliath” was in production in Los Angeles on its episode five of the 10-episode order at the point when Phillips left last month, according to sources. Lawrence Trilling, a producer on the first season of “Goliath,” has taken over.</p>
<p>Price said he spoke with Thornton on Thursday and was feeling “very hopeful” about the future of the show. He also asserted that Amazon has not had a higher incidence of behind-the-scenes changes on shows than other networks doing comparable volume.</p>
<p>“The reality is it can be a complicated task to create a show. and sometimes it goes smoothly and other times it does not,” Price said.</p>
<p>As for the big-picture of Amazon’s programming focus, Price said there are more deals to be unveiled in the coming weeks that will make the company’s priorities very clear to the creative community. “There are a lot more big, exciting announcements to come, and you’ll see where it’s all going,” he said.</p> | Jeff Bezos Mandates Programming Shift at Amazon Studios (EXCLUSIVE) | false | https://newsline.com/jeff-bezos-mandates-programming-shift-at-amazon-studios-exclusive/ | 2017-09-08 | 1 |
<p>Kraft Heinz Co. reported its first sales increase since its namesake companies merged two years ago, joining other food makers that have found growth abroad as longstanding brands fall out of favor in the U.S.</p>
<p>Kraft Heinz's quarterly revenue rose 0.7% to $6.31 billion, despite a 0.4% decline in revenue in the U.S. On a comparable basis, global sales increased 0.3%. Analysts had expected an even wider increase and a stronger profit margin, and Kraft Heinz shares fell 1.7% to $76.40 in after-hours trading.</p>
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<p>"There's no question that the retail environment, particularly in the United States, will remain both dynamic and challenging," said Chief Executive Bernardo Hees.</p>
<p>Kellogg Co., Mondelez International Inc., Hershey Co. and other food makers have reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings over the past week. At Kraft Heinz, some brands are struggling, including Planters nuts, Kraft cheese and Maxwell House coffee. Others, like Lunchables packed meals, posted sales growth.</p>
<p>Kraft Heinz has pared back some of its low-selling products and reformulated the recipes of others, hoping to boost sales by making them trendier. The company recently began making pre-sliced, processed deli meat from animals that were never treated with antibiotics, and it removed the artificial yellow dye from its classic boxed Kraft macaroni and cheese.</p>
<p>Kraft Heinz was formed in 2015 and is run by executives from Brazilian firm 3G Capital Partners LP, known for their aggressive cost-cutting. Kraft Heinz has said the merger will save it some $2 billion in annual operating costs. Its operating profit margin rose to 26% of sales in the third quarter, from 23% the prior year.</p>
<p>The company tried to buy Unilever PLC earlier this year, and analysts believe Kraft Heinz will keep looking to buy competitors and further streamline operations. Mr. Hees said Kraft Heinz would wait for good opportunities to buy brands that have the potential for higher sales abroad and online.</p>
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<p>"We know how to be fast when applicable," he said.</p>
<p>The company reported a 12% rise in its third-quarter profit to $944 million. Excluding restructuring-related costs, earnings were unchanged at 83 cents a share, topping analysts expectations of 82 cents, according to FactSet.</p>
<p>Write to Annie Gasparro at [email protected] and Maria Armental at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 01, 2017 19:07 ET (23:07 GMT)</p> | Kraft Heinz Sales Rise on Growth Outside U.S.-- 2nd Update | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2017/11/01/kraft-heinz-sales-rise-on-growth-outside-u-s-2nd-update.html | 2017-11-01 | 0 |
<p>“What’s the point of having this superb military you’re always talking about,” Madeleine Albright <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/admin/stories/albright120896.htm" type="external">asked</a> General Colin Powell in the 1990s, “if we can’t use it?”</p>
<p>Albright, then the US ambassador to the United Nations, was frustrated by Powell’s insistence that the United States only use military force when its vital interests were threatened. The US, she seemed to suggest, had to deploy the military for its own sake.</p>
<p>Two decades later, the US military is <a href="https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2014/07/15/the-danger-of-imperial-overstretch/" type="external">more overstretched than ever</a>. It has close to <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/us-military-bases-around-the-world-119321" type="external">eight hundred bases</a> in more than seventy countries. It’s been in Afghanistan for sixteen years with little to show for it, and will probably be there for at least another three for little more reason than inertia. It’s drone bombing several countries, even though <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/obama-drone-war-isis-recruitment-tool-air-force-whistleblowers" type="external">members</a> of the military, including high-ranking officials, <a href="https://qz.com/569779/drone-strikes-are-creating-hatred-towards-america-that-will-last-for-generations/" type="external">openly acknowledge</a> that such strikes perpetuate the very terrorism they’re trying to eliminate.</p>
<p>It’s a counterproductive killing machine. There could be a different&#160;raison d’être for the military, however — a task which the enormous manpower, wealth, and resources of the US military could be directed toward that would bring tangible benefits to millions of people: disaster relief.</p>
<p>The destruction and flooding wrought by <a href="" type="internal">Hurricane Harvey</a> has overwhelmed the federal government’s ability to respond. After Harvey rolled through Texas over the weekend, Brock Long, the head of FEMA, <a href="http://taskandpurpose.com/texas-needs-help-hurricane-harvey/" type="external">pleaded</a> for ordinary Americans to assist the federal response effort. “Helping Texas overcome this disaster is going to be far greater than FEMA co-ordinating the mission of the entire federal government,” he said. “We need citizens to be involved.”</p>
<p>At the time <a href="http://www.govexec.com/management/2017/08/8500-federal-employees-are-aiding-harvey-responseheres-what-theyre-doing/140581/" type="external">8,500 federal employees</a> had been dispatched, augmenting local police and firefighters. They’ve since been joined by hundreds of volunteers from <a href="http://www.oesnews.com/california-sends-urban-search-and-rescue-teams-to-texas-to-support-hurricane-harvey-response/" type="external">California</a>, <a href="http://kdvr.com/2017/08/27/colorado-search-and-rescue-teams-head-to-south-texas-after-harvey/" type="external">Colorado</a>, <a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/08/27/pennsylvania-first-responders-deployed-to-texas-for-hurricane-relief-efforts/" type="external">Pennsylvania</a>, and <a href="http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/urban-search-and-rescue-crew-from-lincoln-deployed-to-assist/article_2b02f043-f7bd-5a28-8a19-dbb5ee972821.html" type="external">numerous</a> <a href="http://wamu.org/story/17/08/28/montgomery-fairfax-county-rescue-teams-deploy-texas-hurricane-harvey/" type="external">other</a> <a href="http://www.wbur.org/news/2017/08/27/mass-aid-teams-assisting-harvey-storm" type="external">states</a>, some simply <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/us/cajun-navy-brings-its-rescue-fleet-to-houstons-flood-zone.html" type="external">ordinary citizens</a> with boats. They’ll soon be assisted by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/us/hurricane-harvey-flooding-houston.html?action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=span-abc-region&amp;region=span-abc-region&amp;WT.nav=span-abc-region" type="external">24,000 National Guard troops</a> and <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/08/29/dhs-activates-surge-capacity-force-support-response-tropical-storm-harvey" type="external">more than two hundred volunteers</a> trained as part of the Surge Capacity Force program.</p>
<p>Even so, it hasn’t been enough. As the New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/us/fema-aid-storm-victims-harvey.html?action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=span-abc-region&amp;region=span-abc-region&amp;WT.nav=span-abc-region" type="external">reported on Wednesday</a>, “the scale of this storm has pushed many emergency workers beyond their limits,” with 911 operators overwhelmed and the Coast Guard inundated with more than a thousand calls an hour.</p>
<p>And once the immediate disaster relief is carried out, the scale of the damage will require further manpower and resources. The number of homes that have been damaged or destroyed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/aug/30/tropical-storm-harvey-news-live-louisiana-texas" type="external">has officially reached</a> one hundred thousand. Bridges, roads, and other infrastructure have been <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/30/harvey-floodwaters-topple-bridges-gnaw-roads/616930001/" type="external">severely damaged</a> and require rebuilding. Yet there’s a <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2017/08/28/houston_might_not_have_enough_construction_workers_to_rebuild_after_harvey.html" type="external">shortage of workers</a> with the necessary skills to carry out such work.</p>
<p>That’s where the armed forces comes in. The United States currently has <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-26/here-s-how-many-trans-people-serve-in-the-u-s-military" type="external">1.3 million</a> military personnel around the world, as well as another 800,000 in reserves. It has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-military-idUSKCN1BA2IF" type="external">11,000 troops</a> fighting in Afghanistan, far more than the number of FEMA employees deployed after Harvey. According to <a href="http://time.com/4075458/afghanistan-drawdown-obama-troops/" type="external">2015 Pentagon figures</a>, it has nearly 50,000 personnel stationed in Japan, nearly 40,000 in Germany, nearly 12,000 in Italy, and more than a thousand in Belgium.</p>
<p>What if, instead of being sent to fight and die in forever-wars, these young men and women were retrained and redeployed to assist in disaster relief back home?</p>
<p>There are clear precedents. Through programs like Senior Corps, Americorps, and Learn and Serve America, young Americans already do vital work in education, the environment, and, indeed, in disaster relief. Before that, Americans were employed in public works programs during the New Deal, building dams and bridges and hospitals.</p>
<p>The military’s usefulness in disaster relief is already evident. Besides the National Guard (which is routinely tapped when natural disasters strike), the military has also provided helicopters, amphibious vehicles, inflatable rafts, trucks, and more for the Harvey relief effort. Active duty troops were <a href="https://www.army.mil/article/45029/The_Army_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina" type="external">likewise mobilized</a> to make rescues following Hurricane Katrina. And in Cuba, renowned for its hurricane preparedness, the military <a href="" type="internal">plays a key role</a> in pre-disaster evacuation, helping move residents’ belongings to safety.</p>
<p>Of course, it would be overkill to deploy a million troops domestically to deal with even something as ruinous as Harvey. But Harvey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/30/in-an-era-of-unwelcome-climate-records-hurricane-harvey-wont-be-the-last" type="external">won’t be the last</a> climate disaster. With sea levels rising and the ocean warming, extreme weather events will become both <a href="" type="internal">more common</a> and more severe in the future. By <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/27/extreme-weather-already-on-increase-due-to-climate-change-study-finds" type="external">one estimate</a>, any given area in the world will see 60 percent more extreme rain events, even if warming is kept under two degrees celsius. Coupled with the <a href="http://grist.org/article/why-people-have-to-learn-to-live-with-wildfires/" type="external">increased frequency of wildfires</a>, it’s clear the United States will need a permanent, well-trained, and well-equipped civil defense force to help carry out preparation, evacuation, rescues, and the clean-up and rebuilding effort afterwards. Why not redirect the manpower and some of the resources of the military toward this effort?</p>
<p>The US military is not only a site of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/pentagon-buries-evidence-of-125-billion-in-bureaucratic-waste/2016/12/05/e0668c76-9af6-11e6-a0ed-ab0774c1eaa5_story.html?utm_term=.3924f29970b1" type="external">colossal waste</a>, it inflicts untold suffering around the world and severely harms those it deploys. So what, as Madeleine Albright once asked, is the point of having it? Perhaps if it was put to work dealing with extreme climate disasters, we would find out.</p> | Saving, Not Invading | true | https://jacobinmag.com/2017/09/hurricane-harvey-fema-military-disaster-relief | 2018-10-03 | 4 |
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<p>The idea that the US could be considering classifying the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a “terrorist” organization, based upon some dubious evidence that the organization is supplying some weapons-in particular those shaped charges that have been so effective in roadside bombs against US military vehicles-is pretty preposterous when you consider the source.</p>
<p>Whatever the truth about the activities of the Iranians, certainly when it comes to terror, the US is unrivalled in the world today.</p>
<p>By the latest estimate, over one million people have died in Iraq because of the American invasion of that country, and despite a virtual media blackout over that entire country, and the self-censorship practiced by the US media regarding Iraq, more and more evidence keeps trickling out that the vast majority of those deaths have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the American forces. While we read in lurid detail about every bomb blast detonated by Shia and Sunni fighters that hit Iraqis or that kill or wound Americans, we hear barely a word about the killing of Iraqi civilians by US forces, and it’s clear that adding up all of those publicized Iraqi-on-Iraqi attacks you don’t come close to a million dead. Guess who’s killing the rest?</p>
<p>Nor are we getting any figures on the numbers of dead innocents in Afghanistan, where the blackout on reporting is even more effective than in Iraq.</p>
<p>What is clear is that American tactics are causing an unending slaughter in both places-a slaughter that is clearly not just part of but central to the policy, and that is so serious that it has led to protests from Britain and other NATO countries that have soldiers in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>And let’s be honest: this is no matter of “collateral damage.” It is a deliberate policy of terror. As I’ve written before, when your army is killing vastly more civilians than enemy fighters, the deaths of innocents cannot be termed “collateral damage.” It’s the deaths of enemy fighters which are the “collateral damage.” The innocents are the targets.</p>
<p>Just consider one of the weapons being used by American forces, the so-called GBU-31. Marc Herold, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, who has been documenting the violence in Afghanistan, has investigated the use of this weapon and offers this description of how it works:</p>
<p>“Dropped from a plane and hurtling toward its target at 300 mph, the 14-foot steel bomb uses small gears in its fins to pinpoint its path based on satellite data received by a small antenna and fed into a computer. Just before impact, a fusing device triggers a chemical reaction causing the 14-inch-wide weapon to swell to twice its size. The steel casing shatters, shooting forth 1,000 pounds of white-hot fragments traveling at speeds of 6,000 feet per second. The explosion creates a shock wave exerting thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch (psi). By comparison, a shock wave of 12 psi will knock a person down; and the injury threshold is 15 pounds psi. The pressure from the explosion of a device such as the Mark-84 JDAM can rupture lungs, burst sinus cavities and tear off limbs hundreds of feet from the blast site, according to trauma physicians. When it hits, the JDAM generates an 8,500-degree fireball, gouges a 20-foot crater as it displaces 10,000 pounds of dirt and rock and generates enough wind to knock down walls blocks away and hurl metal fragments a mile or more. ”</p>
<p>Herold notes that several of these terror weapons were dropped by a B-1B bomber earlier this month on a group of Afghans during an open air market outside the town of Baghran, killing an untold number of civilians, including children. The US military described this bombing as a “successful” raid on a gathering of Taliban leaders, and claimed no civilians were present, but the severely injured men, women and children delivered to various hospitals following the attack gave the lie to this cover-up. Furthermore, given the extensive 2600-foot radius of this weapon’s kill-range, it clearly is no “precision” weapon for targeting fighters, if any were even present.</p>
<p>Nor is this weapon the only example of American terror. Far from it.</p>
<p>Stan Goff, in his excellent report on the killing of Cpl. Pat Tillman in Counterpunch magazine, notes that one reason Tillman was killed by his own unit is that the members of his own separated team that fired on him had launched their attack upon a village despite the fact that not a shot had been fired from that village-a clear violation of the Geneva Accords, but an instructive example of how US forces are actually operating in the field. (Tillman himself was also shot while standing up with his arms raised in a sign of surrender-another violation of international law.)</p>
<p>Reports are mounting that make it clear that the US is using a deliberate strategy of terror in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The documented (and illegal) use of white phosphorus bombs, which spray wide areas with a substance that burns through flesh down to the bone, first disclosed in the devastating assault and leveling of the city of Fallujah in 2004, the widespread use of helicopter and fixed-wing “gunships” that inundate football-field-sized areas with bullets and fragmentation weapons, the use of delayed action cluster bombs and shells, the use of concussion weapons and napalm, all speak to a policy of indiscriminate killing.</p>
<p>Americans need to wake up to what the rest of the world already knows: The United States is indisputably the number one terrorist nation in the world today.</p>
<p>Indeed, the very administration that is talking about calling Iranian Republican Guard troops “terrorists” is at this moment developing plans for an unprovoked aerial assault on Iran that would feature the dropping of 30,000-lb bombs, all manner of anti-personnel weapons, and possibly even tactical nuclear weapons, on Iranian targets, many of them in populated areas.</p>
<p>There is a word for this kind of behavior: terrorism.</p>
<p>DAVE LINDORFF is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567512283/counterpunchmaga" type="external">Killing Time: an Investigation into the Death Row Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal</a>. His n book of CounterPunch columns titled “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567512984/counterpunchmaga" type="external">This Can’t be Happening!</a>” is published by Common Courage Press. Lindorff’s newest book is “ <a href="" type="internal">The Case for Impeachment</a>“, co-authored by Barbara Olshansky.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Terrorist Nation? | true | https://counterpunch.org/2007/08/15/terrorist-nation/ | 2007-08-15 | 4 |
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<p>It is common for U.S. companies to conduct mergers with foreign counterparts. However, it seems to be a current trend for them to seek foreign tax shelters in reaction to what are perceived to be high corporate taxes at home.</p>
<p>It is not unusual that Burger King merged with Tim Hortons. By doing so, the new company will account for more than $23 billion in worldwide sales and more than 18,000 locations in approximately 100 countries. It will become the third-largest fast-food chain in the world. By establishing the headquarters in Toronto, the new merger is following a popular strategy called tax inversion, which simply means that a company (in this case Burger King) relocates its headquarters to a country with lower taxes, while still maintaining the bulk of its operations in its home country.</p>
<p>Signs for a Tim Hortons restaurant, foreground, and a Burger King restaurant are displayed along Peach Street in Erie, Pa. (The Associated Press)</p>
<p>For Burger King’s case, the implementation of a tax-inversion strategy is telling. In the U.S., the company is subject to a 35 percent corporate tax rate. In Canada, the company will have to pay a 15 percent corporate tax rate, along with an 11.5 percent tax rate that is applied in Toronto, for a combined rate of 26.5 percent. This results in an 8.5 percent difference, which will allow the Burger King portion of the company’s profits to be subject to a lower tax rate, and thus millions of dollars in savings. These savings can be used in market development or to attract new investors.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The latest wave of companies adopting the tax-inversion strategy has set off finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S., each side accusing the other of adopting counterproductive positions or ignoring the problem while U.S. companies move their headquarters to foreign countries. President Barack Obama has accused these companies of taking advantage of an “unpatriotic loophole” and leaving hardworking U.S. families to pick up the slack. Republicans accuse the president of being a “tax and spend” liberal and providing no leadership on this issue.</p>
<p>Solutions being proposed to fix the loophole range from lowering U.S. corporate income taxes to penalizing tax-aversion practitioners. However, the tax-aversion issue, much like immigration reform, seems destined to end up in a Congress that is stuck in political quagmire when it comes to solving critical issues.</p>
<p>Business environments are not static – they need to constantly be tweaked and improved based upon what the competition is doing. Countries cannot exist without facing competition for attracting new investment and creating jobs by other countries that are desperate for the same things – unless of course we take an extreme example such as North Korea, whose citizens routinely are at the bottom of most socioeconomic charts.</p>
<p>Nor do countries only compete in their own region. On the contrary, countries in regions such as North America have formed trading blocs to compete against other regions of the world. The irony in the Burger King case is that the U.S.’s most important trading partner, Canada, is benefiting at the expense of the U.S.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that countries compete in a global market, and they have to make themselves as attractive as possible to successfully land business investment, which leads to a multiplier effect of supplier bases and new employment. The other cold, hard fact is that the number one goal of corporate boards of directors is to maximize the value of the shareholders’ stock. This often puts a local company in a position of being caught between patriotism for its home country, making money for its stockholders and being able to compete globally.</p>
<p>The solution to the tax-aversion problem is not an easy one. For countries, there is a fine line between attracting businesses to boost the economy versus giving the farm away in order to attract investment. Attracting and retaining investment depends on a myriad of factors including a skilled workforce, supplier bases, good infrastructure, minimal red tape, job-creation incentives and a favorable tax base. Some of these factors will take years to improve, and all of them need to be tended to in the long term. As the competition fine tunes its approach, the U.S. must do the same.</p>
<p>In the meantime, unless we are content as a nation to stand by while companies relocate their headquarters to countries with more favorable tax environments, Obama and Congress need to come up with a solution for the tax-inversion issue as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Jerry Pacheco is the executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program of the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network. He can be reached at 575-589-2200 or at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>.</p>
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<p /> | Tax-inversion strategy can pay dividends | false | https://abqjournal.com/462093/taxinversion-strategy-can-pay-dividends.html | 2 |
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<p>Mexico City.</p>
<p>The tableau of 155 leftist deputies and senators storming the tribune of congress here September 1 to prevent President Vicente Fox from delivering his sixth and final State of the Union address (the “Informe”) should be mandatory viewing for members of both houses of the U.S. Congress who, year after year, burst into servile applause for George Bush when each January he imposes his own infernal Informe upon the citizens of Gringolandia.</p>
<p>One crucial political distinction between these two distant neighbor nations is the presence of a third party in the Mexican mix, one that at least purports to be left of the center. Swindled out of the presidency by fraud this past July 2, the party of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO)–the Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD–appears to have broken with the political class and traditional cronyism.</p>
<p>It is not that the PRD’s hands are clean­ its legislators have regularly prostituted their wares – but in the wake of the stolen election and having been frozen out of any power positions in the brand-new congress despite being Mexico’s second political force, the Party of AMLO has little to lose, and is suddenly speaking its truth to power, a singular position for any politico right or left.</p>
<p>Despite rampant corruption, regular vote stealing, and authoritarian tendencies, Mexico’s multi-party system makes U.S. “democracy” with its two-headed single party rule, look a lot more like Idi Amin’s Uganda than what the Boston tea party had in mind for the future citizens of the United States of North America.</p>
<p>The spectacle of elected officials being pissed off enough to stare down tin-plate potentates like President Vicente Fox topped off weeks of scuffling in and around the 10 kilometer steel wall Mexican troops had thrown up around the Legislative Palace to keep Lopez Obrador’s die-hard supporters from congregating in shouting distance of the congress of the country. On the government side of the barricade, 6000 preventative police (drawn from the military) and Fox’s own presidential guard or the Estado Mayor had turned the congressional precinct into a war zone. One side in this standoff was equipped with clubs, electric shields, tear gas, water cannons, light tanks, live ammunition, and snipers up on the rooftops. The other only with its dreams and its “coraje” (righteous anger.) Guess which side won?</p>
<p>When I first touched down in this mile-high capital a full generation ago, Informe Day was a sacrosanct national holiday. Banks closed, workers got the day off, the streets were lined with adoring fans of the sitting president who was always a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the confetti drizzled down from the heavens above like worthless manna. Each September 1, El Presidente would be escorted into the PRI-controlled congress by a military honor guard and a gaggle of obsequious legislatures for sometimes six-hour speeches to the nation.</p>
<p>But little by little, this pompous ritual, which is not contemplated by the constitution and was first mandated by the PRI’s founder General Plutarco Elias Calles in 1928 with the sole goal of aggrandizing an imperial presidency at the expense of the other two houses of government, has been stripped down to the bone largely due to the incessant heckling of a third party, the PRD.</p>
<p>This year, Informe Day dawned dark and apocalyptic, an evil wind snaking through the deserted streets of the capital in anticipation of violent clashes to come. At 4 in the afternoon, Lopez Obrador summoned his followers to the great Zocalo plaza, where he and 10,000 more have been encamped for five weeks now, to issue marching orders to the left-leaning hordes about to throw themselves against the military’s metal walls. But despite the masses’ eagerness, AMLO’s marching orders were not to march after all. His people now occupied the political heart of Mexico, he reasoned, why give it up? Moreover, the Fox was pouring hundreds of thousands of pesos every day in policing costs just to keep them right where they were, the most strategic space in the nation. So should we march, Lopez Obrador asked the assembly. The vote was mixed, with many hands raised in favor of mayhem and AMLO had to cajole the crowd into non-violence. As if on cue, Lila Downs and Rita Guerrero, two of Mexico’s stellar songbirds, were brought out to warble for the born-again pacifist throng.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, bands of hot-hearted students and workers set out for the nearby Legislative Palace to do battle with the robocops. Although this movement has been miraculously free of violence, after a month of living in the streets, many are itchy for fisticuffs.</p>
<p>While ski-masked youths scrimmaged on the barricades with Fox’s cops and others shook their bodies in the Zocalo, the 155-member congressional delegation of AMLO’s Coalition for the Good of All was examining its options. Having literally forced their way through the military checkpoints and the metal detectors to enter the Legislative Palace, they were in no mood for symbolic protest, as has so often been the antistrophe during the President’s annual address. “We come as aggrieved citizens” warned Carlos Navarete, leader of the PRD in the senate and an ex-communist, and they were going to let the President, his bogus successor Felipe Calderon, and the archly right-wing PAN party know it. Besides stealing the election and unconstitutionally cordoning off congress with the troops, Fox’s PAN, in league with the PRI had rubbed salt in the PRD’s wounds by keeping AMLO’s party out of the direction of every committee in the new legislature. Now it was pay back time.</p>
<p>One after another, the parties, starting with the most inconsequential–the so-called “Alternative Social Democratic Farmers Party” (two seats)–followed each other to the podium to diss the Fox in the traditional run-up to the President’s blahblah.</p>
<p>When it was Navarete’s turn, the Senator seized the microphone to denounce the constitutional violations that had turned congress into an armed camp and declared that he would not budge from the podium until the barriers came down and the robocops sent back to barracks. 154 more leftist senators and deputies solemnly filed onto the tribune and proclaimed their solidarity. In a matter of seconds, the Mexican Congress had been transformed into an extension of the seven-mile encampment of AMLO’s devotees that has clogged the city’s thoroughfares for a month and so enraged the motoring class here.</p>
<p>No matter how many times the frozen-faced PANista president of congress Jorge Zerminio rapped his gavel and ordered the leftists back to their seats, AMLO’s legislators would not be moved. They proudly stood their ground up on the podium, waving signs and banners labeling Vicente Fox “a traitor to democracy” and much worse.</p>
<p>After weeks of being excluded from the cameras of Mexico’s two-headed television monopoly, Lopez Obrador’s message was suddenly being carried on prime time. Both Televisa and its pipsqueak partner TV Azteca, obligated by time constraints and the imminent arrival of the President, could not cut away. There in the eye of the nation, newly-elected senators Rosario Ibarra de Piedra, the grande dame of Mexico’s human rights movement, and the luminous actress Maria Rojo, kept flapping their insolent signs and chanting that Fox was a traitor.</p>
<p>The President and his pouting wife Martita had been helicoptered in from Los Pinos, Mexico’s White House to deliver his State of the Union message. Guarded by hundreds of dark-suited goons, they were then transferred to a fleet of bulletproof SUVs, and warned that there was trouble in the congress. When the convoy pulled up to the principle door of the legislative palace, the President tentatively emerged as if not knowing what to expect–Martita was held back by the bodyguards–and slowly, painfully mounted the great steps of congress (he has a bad back.) The tension was now as taut as a drawn catapult. The sacred scenario of the Informe was about to go kaplooy.</p>
<p>The Fox got about a foot and a half inside the lobby of congress before he found himself face to face with the indignant leaders of the PAN contingent in the new legislature who had the unpleasant task of informing him that the tribune was occupied by AMLO’s dirty yellow scum and for the first time in modern Mexican political history, the President would not be allowed to deliver his State of the Union bullshit to the nation. Fox got gray real quick, his jowly face a mask of indecision and befuddlement for all to see. The cameras were grinding and the whole country glued to the tube as Fox’s authority and what was left of the imperial presidency collapsed into dust.</p>
<p>After conferring with his attorney general, the President must have realized that the final nail had been driven into the coffin of this useless ceremony, handed the text of his Informe to the secretary of the Congress in completion of his constitutional obligations, turned on his heels, and phalanxed by the Presidential Guard, trudged back down the steps of Congress. “ADIOOOOOS!” AMLO’s leftists crooned from the tribune.</p>
<p>Outside, Martita was waiting for the green light to enter the Palace and flout the dazzling new frock the taxpayers had bought her and when she realized that her hubby had been rebuffed, her little face crumpled up in a grimace of disgust. The President and the First Lady were then driven back to the whirlybirds and returned to Los Pinos where Fox was rushed into the presidential television studio to doctor up a tape of the thwarted address pre-recorded for just such a contingency. Broadcast an hour later on all television and radio outlets and intercut with footage of smiling Indians and exuberant school children, the once-inviolable Informe was reduced to an info-mercial.</p>
<p>Meanwhile back in Congress, the leftist legislators clung to the podium despite the snarling insults of the PANistas, waving their mocking signs and tootling little Fox-40 Classic whistles as if they had suddenly all become soccer referees, until they were finally assured that the troops outside were being retired and the metal barriers disassembled. By then, the TV buzzards had long since lost interest in the denouement and one by one faded back into regular programming. Mr. Bean and Bart Simpson now filled the screen.</p>
<p>At the most nerve-wracking juncture in this battle for the soul of Mexico, AMLO had won a stunning propaganda victory, pyrrhic as it may prove to be, and his people celebrated accordingly. In the camps along the Paseo de Reforma and in the Zocalo, supporters embraced and jumped up and down (“he who does not jump is a PANista”), yodeled “adiooooooses” at the Fox, waved flags, detonated bottle rockets, and rehydrated a movement that had been flagging under a deluge of hard rain and bad news.</p>
<p>For Vicente and Martita this farewell fracaso capped a disastrous plunge from grace. Elected in 2000 in a geyser of hope as the first opposition candidate to take the presidency since the PRI had franchised the office, things had soured fast. After pledging to resolve the crisis in Chiapas “in 15 minutes” and promising in his inaugural address to make the Indian rights accords that the Zapatistas had signed with the outgoing PRI government the law of the land, Fox had failed to deliver and the rebels had broken off all contact with his government. Six years later, that southern state still leaked blood.</p>
<p>Here at the end of his reign, Oaxaca was on fire–a new guerrilla group had appeared in public on the day of the Informe–and in the wake of the stolen election, the tangled traffic, and the military takeover of congress, Mexico City was on the brink of a nervous breakdown.</p>
<p>In the six years Fox had occupied the throne of Mexico, the rich had grown exponentially richer and the poor were just as poor as ever. During his years in office, 4,000,000 of Vicente Fox’s fellow citizens had been forced to abandon the country for El Norte because of zero job growth and the depletion of the agricultural sector. The President much hoopla’d “Whole Enchilada” i.e. integral immigration reform had been flushed down Bush’s toilet and the nation had endured six years of legislative gridlock. Hundreds of women had been slaughtered in Ciudad Juarez and the narco gangs were beheading their rivals in broad daylight on the streets of provincial cities. Meanwhile Martita’s sons were about to be indicted for “illegal enrichment.”</p>
<p>With the country divided in half between brown and white, rich and poor, the future – the imposition of Felipe Calderon upon an incredulous populace–looks dim.</p>
<p>The Informe and the display of military might in which it had unfurled was a dress rehearsal for December 1 when Fox will try and hang the tri-color presidential sash around Calderon’s neck as if it were Coleridge’s albatross. AMLO himself is about to set up a parallel government that will dog Fox’s successor for the next six years when the leftist convenes the Democratic National Convention on Mexican Independence Day September 16. A million delegates are expected to attend this milestone in the heroic resistance of AMLO’s people to the imposition of Calderon.</p>
<p>Such a government would be illegal and constitute usurpation of functions, a crime punishable by many years in prison, threatens Attorney General Carlos Abascal. The officious presidential spokesperson, Ruben Aguilar, proposes that Lopez Obrador be tried for rebellion, another felony. The taking of the tribune of Congress by his senators and deputies could result in the cancellation of the PRD’s registration as a political party, the PAN advises. The criminalization of AMLO–Fox has been trying to lock him up in La Palma, the nation’s maximum lock-up, for years–is in the wind.</p>
<p>But September 1 was a moment in this skein that not many Mexicans of meager means and less power will soon forget. “We sure showed those ‘pinches rateros’ who this country belongs to, no Juanito?” bellowed 71 year-old Isidro Garcia, a former boxer who handymans here at the Hotel Isabel, clapping me hard on my bum spine. I saw that same twinkle now gleaming in Isidro’s eye long ago after Cuauhtemoc Cardenas had whipped the reviled Carlos Salinas, the root of much of this evil, out in Michoacan back in ’88. Some precincts had come in 600 to zero not so much for Cardenas but against the PRI. When I asked the colonos what had happened, they would gleefully report “nos hemos chingada el PRI”.</p>
<p>“Do you know what a pendejo (cuckold or idiot) is?” Celia Cruz, an increasingly hunched-over “camarista” (bed maker) here at the Isabel laughed up at me, her eyes dancing to the top of her head, “a pendejo is an “arrogante” (arrogant person) who doesn’t know he is a pendejo. Este Fox! Que pendejo!”</p>
<p>As I top off this chronicle, the seven judge panel or TRIFE that must at last declare a winner in this stolen election, is about to name Felipe Calderon the next president of Mexico, although the court’s rotund condemnation of Fox’s unconstitutional intervention on behalf of his fellow PANista would seem to have called for annulation of the July 2 election.</p>
<p>But for Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinajosa and his elite white ilk, the TRIFE’s confirmation would seem to be another pyrrhic victory when the fury of those who have been once again defrauded out of their votes is measured. This battle for the soul of Mexico is not over yet.</p>
<p>JOHN ROSS’s ZAPATISTAS! Making Another World Possible–Chronicles of Resistance 2000-2006 will be published by Nation Books in October. Ross will travel the left coast this fall with the new volume and a hot-off-the-press chapbook of poetry Bomba!–all suggestions of venues will be cheerfully entertained–write <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | Death of the Mexican Presidency | true | https://counterpunch.org/2006/09/06/death-of-the-mexican-presidency/ | 2006-09-06 | 4 |
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<p>NEW ORLEANS — A federal trial is set to begin in New Orleans for a former BP executive accused of obstructing a congressional investigation into the 2010 Gulf oil spill.</p>
<p>David Rainey has pleaded not guilty to charges that he obstructed the investigation, and that he made false statements about his calculations of the rate at which oil was flowing from BP’s Macondo well.</p>
<p>The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in flames in April 2010, killing 11 people and spewing millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico for months. The well wasn’t capped until mid-July of that year.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt is presiding over the trial. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday; the trial is expected to last about three weeks.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Trial set for ex-BP executive accused of obstructing probe | false | https://abqjournal.com/592563/trial-set-for-ex-bp-executive-accused-of-obstructing-probe.html | 2015-06-01 | 2 |
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<p>Hamilton won the race but needed Rosberg to finish outside of the top three in order to retain his title.</p>
<p>In order to further this bid, he used a technique known as backing up. It was designed to slow Rosberg down and allow pursuing drivers Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Dutch teen Max Verstappen of Red Bull to catch up.</p>
<p>Had they both overtaken Rosberg, then Hamilton’s win would have been enough for the title. Vettel and Verstappen were right on Rosberg’s tail in the closing stages as Hamilton refused to accelerate — even after Mercedes asked him twice.</p>
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<p>First of all, Hamilton ignored a race engineer’s request for him to speed up and then even rebuffed executive director Paddy Lowe’s explicit order to speed up.</p>
<p>“I’m in the lead right now,” he responded to Lowe. “I’m quite comfortable where I am.”</p>
<p>Wolff described Loew’s intervention as “the highest escalation (procedure) we have.”</p>
<p>And he appeared to issue a warning.</p>
<p>“Anarchy doesn’t work in any team or any company,” he said. “Undermining a structure in public means you’re putting yourself before the team.”</p>
<p>Asked if Hamilton could face punishment, Wolff said: “I need to form an opinion, which I haven’t yet” and “everything’s possible.”</p>
<p>Rosberg’s view was diplomatic.</p>
<p>“You can understand the team’s perspective and you can understand Lewis’ perspective,” the German driver said. “So that’s it.”</p>
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<p>Mercedes wanted Hamilton to speed up because it was concerned that Vettel was gaining ground and could have won the race.</p>
<p>Hamilton was totally unapologetic over the incident in the post-race news conference.</p>
<p>Instead, he openly complained about what he considered to be overly zealous interference.</p>
<p>“I don’t know why they just didn’t let us just race. There was never a moment where I thought I was going to lose the race,” Hamilton said. “It’s a bit of a shame they wouldn’t (just let us race). It’s clear (what) their thought process (is).”</p>
<p>Hamilton wasn’t finished.</p>
<p>“We had already won the constructors’ championship, so it was down to me and Nico today. However, they still felt that they needed to make comments,” Hamilton said. “I’m in a position where I’ve had a lot of points lost in the season, so for me I’m out there fighting.”</p>
<p>Hamilton’s latest reference to lost points is a continuation of previous complaints throughout the season with regards to the engine problems that cost him vital points. None more so than during the Malaysian GP, when his engine failed as he was closing in on an easy victory.</p>
<p>“When I look back on the season, if there’s anything to be negative about (it) would be cars failing in certain places,” Hamilton said on Thursday. “(With the same engine) as the car that wouldn’t stop during testing.”</p>
<p>On Thursday, Hamilton had also brought up another issue that still rankles with him.</p>
<p>Prior to the start of the season, Mercedes swapped several mechanics around from each side of the garage in a bid to end the divide that had been growing between the two drivers’ groups.</p>
<p>“You’ll have to buy my book … down the line … in 10 years’ time when I tell you exactly what happened,” the British driver said. “It will be an interesting read.”</p>
<p>In the immediate future, it will also be interesting to see how Mercedes handles this latest incident with Hamilton now that the season is over.</p> | Hamilton’s decision to defy team orders upsets management | false | https://abqjournal.com/896609/hamiltons-decision-to-defy-team-orders-upsets-management.html | 2016-11-27 | 2 |
<p>A man killed his son and then himself on Sunday at a New Hampshire Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) office during a supervised visitation, while an adult counselor present in the room escaped with his life.&#160;</p>
<p>The shooter was 54-year-old&#160;Muni Savyon, <a href="http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/08/11/police-firefighters-respond-report-shooting-manchester-ywca/lkEZNkPlvc0xq3gogNNihK/story.html" type="external">writes the Boston Globe,</a> who shot 9-year-old Joshua Savyon "several times" at the YWCA facility — where Sundays are set aside for child custody exchanges and supervised family visits.&#160;</p>
<p>The shooting took place around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, while an adult counselor was present in the room. The adult counselor managed to escape, and police quickly surrounded the area, <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/11/father-kills-son-ywca/2641333/" type="external">writes the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<p>Muni Savyon — estranged from the child's mother — had made previous murder threats, and appears to have been depressed after returning from a brother's funeral in Israel.&#160;</p>
<p>He was known locally for his attempts at starting a political career <a href="http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/police-investigate-incident-at-manchester-ywca/-/9857858/21420662/-/hsn7iwz/-/index.html" type="external">, writes WMUR,</a> noting that he had run three times for state representative as a Republican, and was active in local Libertarian groups.&#160;</p>
<p>"What would provoke him to take his life and his son's life? I don't think anyone can figure that out," said Rabbi Levi Krinsky of <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/11/father-kills-son-ywca/2641333/" type="external">Chabad Lubavitch in Manchester to the AP.</a>&#160;"My heart goes out to the family."</p>
<p>Krinsky, who had seen Savyon last week, did not suspect that he was suicidal, <a href="http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/08/11/police-firefighters-respond-report-shooting-manchester-ywca/lkEZNkPlvc0xq3gogNNihK/story.html" type="external">he told the Boston Globe.</a>&#160;"He was clearly spaced, his eyes were not focused on me," Krinsky said to the news agency.</p>
<p>"He was just very broken, which I thought was directly related to his brother's passing. Did I think he was suicidal? No. Did I think he was dangerous? Not in the slightest. Apparently this is what he was thinking. End it all."</p>
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<p /> | Man kills son, himself at New Hampshire YWCA | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-08-12/man-kills-son-himself-new-hampshire-ywca | 2013-08-12 | 3 |
<p>President Trump sells his tax plan to the working and middle class.</p>
<p>President Trump is on the road, selling his tax overhaul plan to the working and middle class.&#160;He said it will save American families $4,000 a year.&#160;Many of the details are missing,&#160;but Trump added there will be four tax brackets and more Americans will fall into the 0% bracket.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is giving teens a modern-day allowance.&#160;They can now set up their own logins to shop online and they can buy stuff too. But don't worry mom and dad, you get final say on the purchase.</p>
<p>A mea culpa for Mark Zuckerberg: the Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) CEO apologized for using virtual reality to “tour” the hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico. But the company also announced an expansion of VR – a new headset, the Oculus Go, will ships next year for $200.</p>
<p>On Wall Street, the Fed signaled it will raise interest rates in December.&#160;Stocks closed at record highs Wednesday.</p> | Mark Zuckerberg apologizes for VR tour of Puerto Rico | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/10/12/mark-zuckerberg-apologizes-for-vr-tour-puerto-rico.html | 2017-10-12 | 0 |
<p>When asked by George Stephanopolous of ABC News whether Donald Trump understands the backlash from Trump’s racist comments about Judge Gonzalo Curiel, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said that he doesn’t know whether Trump gets it.</p>
<p>Ryan was interviewed by Stephanopoulos for an interview broadcast on "Good Morning America,” which will air in full on Sunday.</p>
<p>Ryan told Stephanopoulos that Trump called him, prompting Stephanopoulos to ask Ryan about Trump’s understanding of the matter. Ryan replied: "I don’t know the answer to that question,” continuing, “Getting over that kind of a comment is not, that’s, no — this is something that needed to be condemned. That comment is beyond the pale. That’s not political correctness. Suggesting that a person can’t do their job because of race or ethnicity, that’s not a politically incorrect thing to do, that’s just a wrong thing to say."</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/paul-ryan-scold-trump-judge-224171" type="external">Politico</a>, Trump made the phone call to Ryan on Wednesday.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Ryan had <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-gonzalo-curiel.html?_r=0" type="external">called</a> Trump's remarks the "textbook definition of a racist comment,” adding, “I disavow these comments — I regret those comments that he made. I think that should be absolutely disavowed. It’s absolutely unacceptable.”</p>
<p>It should be no surprise at all that Ryan thinks Trump doesn’t understand his own racist remarks; on Tuesday night, when the blowback reached fever pitch, Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-remarks-about-federal-judges-mexican-heritage-were-misconstrued/2016/06/07/bed477f2-2cd4-11e6-9b37-42985f6a265c_story.html" type="external">said</a> Republicans who were upset by his comments about Curiel should “get over it, ideally.”</p>
<p>"I don’t know the answer to that question."</p>
<p>Paul Ryan, on whether Donald Trump understands his comments were racist</p>
<p>In late May, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/even-in-victory-donald-trump-cant-stop-airing-his-grievances/2016/05/29/a5f7a566-2526-11e6-8690-f14ca9de2972_story.html" type="external">at a rally in San Diego</a>, Trump, referring to Curiel, said that he “happens to be, we believe, Mexican.” Curiel was born in Indiana. Later, Trump <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-keeps-up-attacks-on-judge-gonzalo-curiel-1464911442" type="external">told the Wall Street Journal</a> that Curiel’s Mexican heritage presented an “absolute conflict” in the Trump University case over which he is presiding.</p> | Ryan, Asked Whether Trump Understands The Significance Of His Own Racist Remarks: ‘I Don’t Know’ | true | https://dailywire.com/news/6498/ryan-asked-whether-trump-understands-significance-hank-berrien | 2016-06-10 | 0 |
<p><a href="http://variety.com/t/beck/" type="external">Beck</a> will headline the NorthSide 2018 festival in Denmark this summer, joining a stacked lineup that also includes Björk, Queens Of The Stone Age, The National, Tyler The Creator and Father John Misty. The festival takes place in Aarhus, Denmark, between the 7th and 9th of June.</p>
<p><a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/beck-mumford-sons-more-to-headline-iheartradio-alter-ego-concert-exclusive-1202591562/" type="external">Beck</a> is touring in support of his 13th studio album “Colors.” It follows “Morning Phase,” which won the Grammy for album of the year over Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Pharrell Williams in 2015.</p>
<p>“We are very excited to see Beck return to NorthSide — he’s the David Bowie of my generation,” festival rep John Fogde said. “Next year’s lineup could be our best ever.”</p>
<p>NorthSide — which is not to be confused with the annual Northside conference and festival in Brooklyn — is set in Denmark’s second-largest city and European Capital of Culture, is expected to draw more than 40,000 fans. NorthSide prides itself on being a 100% organic festival and won the Greener Festival award for dedication to sustainability.</p>
<p>The 2017 event was headlined by&#160;Radiohead,&#160;The Prodigy&#160;and&#160;Frank Ocean, as part of a brief eight-date tour promoting his “Blonde” album.</p>
<p /> | Beck to Headline NorthSide 2018 Festival (Exclusive) | false | https://newsline.com/beck-to-headline-northside-2018-festival-exclusive/ | 2017-12-01 | 1 |
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<p>The <a href="http://www.ienearth.org/" type="external">Indigenous Environmental Network</a> protested outside the US Embassy in Copenhagen to shame the US government for approving contracts that use tribal lands, such as tar sands, coal, and gas leases.</p>
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<p>This video was produced by <a href="http://theuptake.org/" type="external">The Uptake</a> as part of the <a href="../../../../../../../mojo/2009/12/copenhagen-time-get-over-ourselves" type="external">Copenhagen News Collaborative</a>, a cooperative project of several independent news organizations. Check out the constantly updated feed <a href="../../../../../../../environment/2009/12/copenhagen-news-coverage" type="external">here</a>. Mother Jones’ comprehensive Copenhagen coverage is <a href="../../../../../../../blue-marble" type="external">here</a>, and our special climate change package is <a href="../../../../../../../special-reports/2009/11/climate-countdown" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p /> | Watch: Indigenous People Protest in Copenhagen | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2009/12/watch-indigenous-people-protest-copenhagen/ | 2009-12-11 | 4 |
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<p>Despite our belief that global warming poses catastrophic threats to many of the world's 7 billion inhabitants, we acknowledge that we now lack the technologies to stop it. The purpose of our analysis and policy proposals is to create the political and economic conditions that foster the needed technologies. But there is no assurance that this will happen, and much time and money may be invested in futile and wasteful efforts.</p>
<p>I am not optimistic. Our climate-change debates confuse more than they clarify. They follow a ritualistic script that is now playing out again.</p>
<p>First came a downbeat report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international group of scientists set up by the United Nations. It found that global temperatures have warmed for decades, that man-made emissions are the main cause (atmospheric concentrations are said to be the highest in 800,000 years), and that the effects include rising sea levels, melting ice packs and more heat waves.</p>
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<p>Next arrived the U.S. National Climate Assessment, a study by 300 American experts that's more alarming than the IPCC report. It begins: "Climate change, once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present." Americans already suffer from global warming. Floods are more frequent; wildfires are harder to control; rainstorms are more violent.</p>
<p>Naturally, climate skeptics (aka "deniers") denounced the reports. The evidence was exaggerated, cherry-picked or both, said Paul Knappenberger and Patrick Michaels of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Consider, they said, a contrasting study headed by a Harvard researcher. It found that heat-related deaths in 105 U.S. cities had declined since the late 1980s.</p>
<p>The rhetorical ping-pong - claim vs. counterclaim - suggests a struggle for public opinion. Not really. Right or wrong, the public already believes in global warming. A 2013 Pew poll found that 67 percent of Americans see "solid evidence" that the earth is warming. Though that's down from 77 percent in 2006, the margin is still large. Democrats are stronger believers than Republicans, but mainly because tea party support is low.</p>
<p>It's useful for environmental groups to have global warming "deniers" (and, of course, behind them the sinister oil companies) as foils. The subliminal message is that once the views of these Neanderthals are swept away, we can adopt sensible policies to "do something" about global warming.</p>
<p>The reality is otherwise. The central truth for public policy is: We have no solution.</p>
<p>From 2010 to 2040, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects global emissions will increase almost 50 percent. About 80 percent of global energy comes from fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), which are also the major sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.</p>
<p>At present, we have no practical replacement for this energy.</p>
<p>No sane government will sacrifice its economy today - by dramatically curtailing fossil fuel use - for the uncertain benefits of less global warming sometime in the future. (The focus of the U.S. global warming report on the present seems aimed at bridging this gap.)</p>
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<p>Worse, almost all the projected increases in global emissions come from poorer countries, half from China alone. By contrast, U.S. emissions (and those of most rich nations) are projected to stay stable over the three decades. Economic growth is slowing; energy efficiency is increasing; and, in Japan and some European countries, populations are declining.</p>
<p>Because poor countries understandably won't abandon their efforts to relieve poverty, any further U.S. emissions cuts would probably be offset by gains in China and elsewhere. This dims their political and environmental appeal.</p>
<p>The only real hope of disarming these conflicts is new technology. As yet, no magical fix has emerged. Though increasing, solar and wind power still represent a tiny share of global energy. "Carbon capture and storage" - pumping CO2 emissions from power plants underground - has been discussed for years. So far, it's not commercially viable.</p>
<p>Amid the rhetoric, there's enormous uncertainty about how much warming will occur, what changes it will bring and how easily (or not) we can adapt. My own oft-stated preference is for policies that might dampen global warming but would also address other problems.</p>
<p>The most obvious idea is a carbon tax to help finance government, and stimulate energy-saving technologies and new forms of non-carbon energy. If these technologies went global, the gap between rich and poor countries would narrow.</p>
<p>I do not claim this would be popular or that the desired technologies would materialize. But it's our best bet and would have the added virtue of being honest.</p>
<p /> | Honest carbon tax is our best bet | false | https://abqjournal.com/398898/honest-carbon-tax-is-our-best-bet.html | 2 |
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<p>The UNAM Space Team, a group of students from the Faculty of Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM by its Spanish acronym) won the top prize of the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/centennial_challenges/sample_return_robot/index.html" type="external">NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge 2016</a> competition, as it was announced this October 5th, 2016. Jokingly, some newspapers and media outlets have criticized Trump’s anti-Mexican campaign by mentioning this extraordinary achievement.</p>
<p>“Fans of Donald Trump can officially start freaking out: Mexicans are invading the US space program,” said a columnist in remezcla.com. It is indeed ironic that Ana Buenrostro, Érik Gutiéerrez, Genaro Marcos, Bryan Pérez, Luis Gerardo Guitiérrez, Yessica Reyes, Eduardo Solís and Luis Ángel Castellanos from UNAM and César Augusto Serrano from the Polytechnic Institute (IP) received the Hans von Mulan NASA/Worcester Polytechnic Institute Award for Best Team with their “Rover-2” robot precisely the year that a US tycoon won the Republican presidential nomination partly because he boosted his campaign insulting Mexican people.</p>
<p>However, the irony goes well beyond this presidential campaign’s Martians-invade-us-like narrative and a Mexican robot able to perform tasks like the Curiosity’s on Mars.</p>
<p>These computer, electronic engineering and industrial mechanic students who started building their robot in 2012 studied in a public – not semi-public, not chartered – university. It means they don’t have student loans to pay. They won’t reach retirement with a pending college debt to pay, like many people in the US. Their tuition is completely free in a capitalist system. Their excellent teachers in one of the best world universities and the largest of Latin America didn’t cost them a penny, and most of them come also from public elementary schools.</p>
<p>It doesn’t mean that their free tuition didn’t cost anything at all to anyone. Like widely respected Mexican historian Alfredo Lopez Austin put it during his keynote speech inaugurating the Anthropology career in August this year, “education gratuitousness means a lot of things. It is not just about not charging any money, but about not seeing education as a commodity. Education should be for everyone, and it is paid by the people’s taxes money, not the government. Most of all, by sharing knowledge with everybody, public education leads us to a commitment.”</p>
<p>It took about a decade for many UNAM professors like him to acknowledge this, but eventually some of them did. If the Sample Return Robot Challenge 2016 winners were able to study regardless of their parents monthly income, their financial status, social class, race or religion (which are all a factor to access private universities), that is not only because they are brilliant and disciplined but because their predecessors did pay the price of keeping UNAM public.</p>
<p>Some of them – more than 600 – were willing to go to jail and confront emeritus professors as renowned as López Austin himself during the longest and heavily smeared student’s shutdown of the university facilities (April 20th, 1999 – February 7th, 2000), just to prevent the University Governing Body (Consejo Universitario) to force the students to pay a small fee, which in privatization language translates as “the first month is on us, only to set skyrocketing interests for the rest of your life,” as credit cards do.</p>
<p>Many low-income students knew that, so they refused to settle for the trick of “only a small fee.” That’s why they put on a very uneven fight at the turn of the millennium, welcoming 2000 on the picket lines. As one of their emblematic banners read, “We are closing this university’s doors today so that they are open for you tomorrow.” Their fight against the government’s privatization reforms didn’t count on social media activism resources at that time but it was set to benefit Mexican millennials, while their counterparts at the specialized US colleges with no comprehensive education face now loans that will take some of them decades to pay.</p>
<p>There was a lot a stake in that transitional fight between analog and digital era. It paid off richly, but it also faced new enemies and forms of attack. Like all of the student movements defending public education in Mexican history, this one faced police infiltrators, espionage tactics to divide the movement, corporate media slandering campaigns and Catholic Church top leaders promising hell for the strikers’ supporters. That was not new. However, unlike no other one, these students must fight an unprecedented form of “friendly fire” – that from older generations. Legendary ´68 leaders who survived the infamous October 2nd massacre were now elected officers, newspapers’ editors in chief, publishing houses’ board members, famous columnists and award-winning intellectuals who wanted to keep their seats in Congress or editorial boards by cutting a deal with the Government and being “the heroic ones” who “managed to end the strike.” These heirs of the ´68 Movement had the progressive media in their hands to portrait as “the good, moderate fellows” those students who wanted to cut a deal, while the strikers were nothing better than “infiltrators,” “irrational,” “violent,” scary kids who kidnapped the facilities to destroy them. They even had a menacing nickname, “los ultras,” (“radicals”), against “los moderados” (“moderates”) as if defending universal college education were the most sectarian thing to do.</p>
<p>When strikers refused to accept an unbelievable proposal of “voluntary increase,” daily reports started depicting them as indolent squatters who didn’t want tougher examinations. US press presented as “insiders’ images” pictures of garbage and rats which could have been photographed at any dump. Even now, more than a decade later, a Cannes-awarded movie (“Güeros,” which means “blonds,” defending blond people, no kidding), portrays them celebrating Dionysian bonfires and ruining scientific research by shutting down labs (which was not true, since strikers allowed access to labs so that sciences students could go on with their experiments).</p>
<p>The “coup de grâce” against their image as a legitimate students’ movement came from journalists, scholars and authors frequently associated with, or board members of “La Jornada” progressive newspaper, whose reputation preceded them as the ´68 student movement champions, like Elena Poniatowska and Carlos Monsiváis. They not only joined the slandering campaign against the strikers but signed a letter asking law enforcement authorities to enter the facilities and arrest the students. Nevertheless, those leaders who were called “moderates” are now elected officials themselves, with one of them, Carlos Ímaz, notoriously involved in a <a href="" type="internal">video-taped corruption scandal</a>.</p>
<p>Where are now the tenacious, scary “ultras,” who made public education possible for over fifteen years more? Was time in prison worth the results? Former Hispanic Literature student Guadalupe Lezama, who was arrested during the strike, has a daughter who was just accepted in the public pre-college school system heading to UNAM. Zara, 14, who just passed the examination, is often called by her mother “daughter of the strike.”</p>
<p>“I was never privileged,” she explains when being interviewed for CounterPunch. “I was never an indulged daughter. No one in my family were activists of the Students Movement of 1968 which ended up in the ‘leftist’ PRD. I belong to ‘the resented ones,’ those who are tossed crumbs and still won’t accept them. We were the unfitting ones, without even money to buy the books, whose presence made the University look ‘bad.’ The media featured us like that. After 10 months of barely sleeping and not eating well, with a destroyed morale, anyone ends up lumpenized. They put us off limits – at the end of the strike we didn’t care if we died right there for an ideal. Even so, they expected us to smell like Chanel perfume.”</p>
<p>Q: Many professors at your Faculty in particular portrayed you as obtuse, ridiculous, and dangerous. They even wrote books making fun of you. Weren’t you scared that your teachers could retaliate and thought all that about you after the strike?</p>
<p>A: They already thought that already before the strike. I remember these professors’ discriminatory treatment at the Faculty before – their scolding of students who couldn’t afford the books and their looking down on our humble outfits. You don’t need a strike to know all that.</p>
<p>Q: What about famous intellectuals who would be in your way in the future, especially in your line of work?</p>
<p>A: We weren’t afraid of the intellectuals’ views about us. Actually, during a XEW radio interview and conference call with them, Monsiváis tried to lecture the audience on why we were such a plague; I replied and he insulted me a lot, but ended up hanging up the phone. On that day, I won the debate.</p>
<p>Guadalupe was arrested on December&#160;11, during the strikers’ protest to free Mumia Abu Jamal. “We were charged for mutiny, and illegally sent to prison for allegedly breaking an anti-mutiny officer’s shield and boot. Thanks to the lawyers in our Strike General Council (CGH) and our fellow fundraisers, we were released five days later.”</p>
<p>Sixteen years later, CGH former law students and graduate lawyers like Jorge Miranda, 35, are now instrumental in helping release political prisoners unjustly charged in Mexico City. Miranda belongs to the Lawyers League Primero de Diciembre (honoring the date of the protest for which it was founded), which successfully defended and helped release political prisoners like students condemned for protesting President Peña Nieto’s inaugural ceremony, and the San Bartolo Ameyalco community leaders fighting against the construction of an hydraulic system for the privileged 1% (while they didn’t have running water).</p>
<p>“History proved we were right. It is now impossible to deny, even for the most reactionary student, that it is because of CGH that everyone gets free education at the University, and therefore have access to a better quality of life” Miranda informed&#160;CounterPunch. “A majority of our opponents must now keep their opinions and threats to themselves, because the strikers’ generation is facing and solving many of the problems caused by State terrorism and capitalism in our country.”</p>
<p>Miranda’s Lawyers League just won a major legal victory for political prisoners, after the Supreme Court ruled that the new Article 362 – Attacks on Public Peace for Mexico City is “unconstitutional,” and therefore should be void.&#160; “It was a collective effort, not just mine,” Miranda says. “For the first time in Mexican history, through an appeal process, it is now forbidden to criminalize and stigmatize political protesters. Former Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed this law, which was implemented by his successors Marcelo Ebrard and Miguel Ángel Mancera. The Article, now declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, contained ambiguous language for ‘violence,’ ‘extreme violence,’ and ‘public peace,’ leaving a wide range of free interpretation for whoever is in charge of enforcing the law. Because of its ambiguity, the law could be applied to almost anyone protesting in the country’s capital, sending a dissuasive message to the people across the country about ‘the risk of getting involved in politics or rallies.’ At the end of the day, it is a violation to free speech. We provide legal assistance to political prisoners without asking for monetary compensation, since it is a way to give back to the people the support they gave us during the ten-month strike. UNAM is sustained by public budget, that is, money paid by all Mexicans.”</p>
<p>If anyone considers this kind of legal assistance “radical,” Miranda would say it is important to remember where the “moderates” ended up working. “They are now in government offices at medium and low levels,” he says. “They were rewarded by their opportunistic, divisive role as strike breakers, acting then and now from the fake left of PRD and Morena political parties. Some of them are also scholars who are still working to dismantle public education in UNAM. They had embedded teams in the unsuccessful movement YoSoy132, which undemocratically forced these new students’ groups to proscribe the CGH legacy. It is a legacy for which we learned many different ways of thinking and organizing ourselves. I read all kinds of authors and learned and experienced how the State turns fascist, how the media and paramilitary groups are used to strengthen State terrorism, increase US military intervention and apply FMI and World Bank policies. It’s all about turning Mexico into a maquila country.”</p> | A NASA Award-Winning Mexican Robot Made in Public Education | true | https://counterpunch.org/2016/10/12/a-nasa-award-winning-mexican-robot-made-in-public-education/ | 2016-10-12 | 4 |
<p />
<p><a href="" type="internal">Facebook</a> users' personal information could have been accidentally leaked to third parties, in particular advertisers, over the past few years, <a href="" type="internal">Symantec Corp</a> said in its official blog.Third-parties would have had access to personal information such as profiles, photographs and chat, and could have had the ability to post messages, the security software maker said."We estimate that as of April 2011, close to 100,000 applications were enabling this leakage," the blog post said.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>" ... Over the years, hundreds of thousands of applications may have inadvertently leaked millions of access tokens to third parties," posing a security threat, the blog post said.</p>
<p>The third-parties may not have realized their ability to access the information, it said.</p>
<p>Facebook, the world's largest social networking website, was notified of this issue and confirmed the leakage, the blog post said.</p>
<p>It said Facebook has taken steps to resolve the issue.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>"Unfortunately, their (Symantec's) resulting report has a few inaccuracies. Specifically, we have conducted a thorough investigation which revealed no evidence of this issue resulting in a user's private information being shared with unauthorized third parties," Facebook spokeswoman Malorie Lucich said in a statement.</p>
<p>Lucich said the report also ignores the contractual obligations of advertisers and developers which prohibit them from obtaining or sharing user information in a way that "violates our policies."</p>
<p>She also confirmed that the company removed the outdated API (Application Programing Interface) referred to in Symantec's report.</p>
<p>Facebook has more than 500 million users and is challenging <a href="" type="internal">Google</a> Inc and <a href="" type="internal">Yahoo</a> Inc for users' time online and for advertising dollars.</p> | Facebook May Have Leaked Your Personal Information: Symantec | true | http://foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/05/11/facebook-leaked-personal-information-symantec.html | 2016-03-04 | 0 |
<p>(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)</p>
<p>Kristen Stewart was seen locking lips with rumored girlfriend Soko in France this week.</p>
<p>Stewart and Soko’s romantic week in Paris began with Soko welcoming Stewart with a bouquet of flowers. Later the same day, the two spent time at a local park where they were seen laughing and hugging. The pair were also seen holding hands before they were snapped smooching on the Parisian streets.</p>
<p>Soko, real name&#160;Stephanie Sokolinski, is a 30-year-old French singer and actress. Stewart, 25, has been relatively tight-lipped about her sexuality, but she did reveal in an interview with <a href="http://www.nylon.com/articles/kristen-stewart-september-2015-cover" type="external">Nylon</a> she doesn’t think she’s being secretive.</p>
<p>“Google me, I’m not hiding.&#160;If you feel like you really want to define yourself, and you have the ability to articulate those parameters and that in itself defines you, then do it. But I am an actress, man,” Stewart told Nylon. “I live in the fucking ambiguity of this life and I love it.&#160;I don’t feel like it would be true for me to be like, ‘I’m coming out!’ No, I do a job.”</p>
<p>Stewart is no stranger to low-profile relationships thrust into the public eye. She previously dated her “Twilight” co-star Robert Pattinson beginning in 2008, but did not address their relationship until 2012.</p>
<p>Check out a gallery of Stewart and Soko’s PDA on <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Kristen-Stewart-Soko-Kissing-Paris-40575029#photo-40575029" type="external">PopSugar.&#160;</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Kristen Stewart</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nylon</a> <a href="" type="internal">PopSugar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robert Pattinson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Soko</a> <a href="" type="internal">Twilight</a></p> | Kristen Stewart spotted making out with rumored girlfriend | false | http://washingtonblade.com/2016/03/17/kristen-stewart-spotted-making-out-with-rumored-girlfriend/ | 3 |
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<p>According to Reuters, China’s navy has now seized an “unmanned, underwater US Navy vehicle in international waters of South China Sea.” The Obama administration has been absolutely inept with regard to checking Chinese territorial ambitions in the South China Sea – by destroying our naval capacity, Obama has opened up the region for serious Chinese aggression.</p>
<p>Here’s CNN:</p>
<p>In the latest encounter in international waters in the South China Sea region, the USNS Bowditch was sailing about 100 miles off the port at Subic Bay when the incident occurred, according to the official. Bowditch had stopped in the water to pick up two underwater drones. At that point a Chinese naval ship that had been shadowing the Bowditch put a small boat into the water. That small boat came up alongside and the Chinese crew took one of the drones.</p>
<p>China’s been building up resources in the South China Sea in order to exert leverage on countries from South Korea to Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines. The South China Sea is the thoroughfare for one-third of all seaborne commercial goods, as well as half of all the oil for Northeast Asia. China has been building a man-made island in the South China Sea, seized land throughout the area, and overruled any claims from nations including Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Chinese navy has even blockaded the Philippines from operating in parts of the area. Even though the UN ruled that China violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, China simply ignored them and went ahead with its plans anyway.</p>
<p>The Obama administration has done virtually nothing to check those activities. America says it’s committed to free trade and free navigation, but the Chinese government is interested in hampering that. Thanks to our military cuts, according to author Robert Kaplan, we won’t be in position to defend Taiwan by 2020 – and other countries in the region are feeling the heat. Thanks to Donald Trump’s stated opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, China has been moving toward its own goal of setting up a regional trade bloc in the area as well, compromising American reach and influence.</p>
<p>China’s economy is no roaring giant – it’s actually weak, dependent on borrowing and government spending. They also have a severe demographic problem thanks to their one-child policy – a surplus of military-age men. This means that Chinese aggression is likely to increase, not decrease.</p>
<p>China’s gambit here is designed to both humiliate President Barack Obama and to test Donald Trump. In 2001, China downed a US Navy intelligence aircraft and held Americans hostage for weeks while the two sides negotiated an exchange of “sorries.” The United States expressed “regret and sorrow” over the death of a Chinese pilot and its entrance into Chinese airspace. China played it as an apology.</p>
<p>Trump has made noises about standing up to China, and his initial phone call with the Taiwanese president signaled willingness to oppose China. But will he be willing to threaten Chinese interests to send a signal? His isolationist tendencies will be at war with his aggressive tendencies here.</p>
<p>Trump clearly doesn’t have the power to do so right now, since he’s just president-elect – hence the timing by the Chinese, who don’t actually have to risk Trump’s wrath. But this will be an interesting test of just how far Trump’s willing to go. China is certainly watching.</p> | BREAKING: China Seizes US Navy Unmanned Vehicle | true | https://dailywire.com/news/11682/breaking-china-seizes-us-navy-unmanned-vehicle-ben-shapiro | 2016-12-16 | 0 |
<p>The former Arizona cop preparing to go to trial for shooting and killing an unarmed man in a hotel hallway last year is now arguing that it would be “unfair” to show the jury body cam footage of the shooting.</p>
<p>But the footage is probably the strongest piece of evidence that will determine whether or not Mesa police officer Philip “Mitch” Brailsford truly feared for his life when he shot and killed Daniel Shaver after ordering him to come crawling towards him on January 18, 2016.</p>
<p>Brailsford, who has since been fired, described it a “terrifying” experience, but so do all cops who shoot and kill unarmed citizens. That’s just Cop Spin 101.</p>
<p>Shaver was a pest control worker from Texas who was staying in a La Quinta Inn in Mesa when he met up with two acquaintances and brought them to his room to show them his pellet gun.</p>
<p>At one point, he or somebody in the room was pointing the pellet gun out the fifth-floor window, which prompted somebody on the ground floor to call police.</p>
<p>Several Mesa police officers responded and made their way up to the fifth-floor, ordering everybody outside the room. Shaver, who was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, no longer had the pellet gun in his hand.</p>
<p>But police still ordered him down on his hands and knees and ordered him to come crawling towards them.</p>
<p>“Please don’t shoot me,” Shaver pleaded, according to witness statements.</p>
<p>But Shaver’s shorts slipped off as he was crawling towards them, which is when his hand instinctively reached down to hold them up.</p>
<p>And that Brailsford claimed, made him fear for his life, prompting him to fire five rounds from his personal AR-15 with the words, “You’re Fucked” inscribed on it.</p>
<p>Five other cops that had their guns trained on Shaver did not fire, so evidently, they were not as terrified as Brailsford, the son of a veteran internal affairs cop with the Mesa Police Department.</p>
<p>The judge determined that the fact Brailsford personally had the words, “You’re Fucked” on his rifle is not admissible in the trial.</p>
<p>But the judge has not determined whether showing the video of the shooting to the jury would be unfair to Brailsford, who was “in shock” when he learned he would even be charged for the shooting death.</p>
<p>Shaver’s widow, Laney Sweet, has since filed a lawsuit against the Mesa Police Department.</p>
<p>Video from the shooting incident – minus the actual shooting – has since been released to the public, which you can see below.</p>
<p>Commentary by Jon Masters,</p> | Arizona Cop Heading to Trial for Killing Unarmed Man Claims it Would be “Unfair” to Show Jury Body Cam Footage of Shooting Death | false | https://studionewsnetwork.com/news/arizona-cop-heading-trial-killing-unarmed-man-claims-unfair-show-jury-body-cam-footage-shooting-death/ | 2017-10-19 | 3 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p>Nikki is working with me, Elizabeth Tawney Gross, certified professional organizer in chronic disorganization, and owner of Organizing For Everyday, LLC. You can read the continuing story in the posts and learn along with Nikki as we organize her house room by room.</p>
<p>Up to now: Nikki and Elizabeth, the professional organizer, have been sorting Nikki’s clothes. They organized the hanging clothes and the shoes, and designed new shelving for the closet. While they wait for Nikki’s husband to get the shelves installed, they address the heaps of clothes on the chair and the floor.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p><a href="http://sage.abqjournalfit.com/2012/09/08/nikki-works-with-elizabeth-the-professional-organizer-from-ask-the-experts/" type="external">Part one</a>&#160; |&#160;&#160; <a href="http://sage.abqjournalfit.com/2012/09/15/headline-31/" type="external">Part two</a>&#160;&#160; |&#160;&#160; <a href="http://sage.abqjournalfit.com/2012/09/22/headline-59/" type="external">Part three</a>&#160;&#160; |&#160;&#160; <a href="http://sage.abqjournalfit.com/2012/09/29/what-about-those-dresser-drawers-from-ask-the-experts-elizabeth-tawney-gross/" type="external">Part four</a>&#160;&#160; |&#160;&#160; <a href="http://sage.abqjournalfit.com/2012/10/06/what-you-see-is-organized-from-ask-the-experts-elizabeth-tawney-gross/" type="external">Part five</a></p>
<p>To come up with solutions to the mounds of clothes, Elizabeth asked Nikki where she got undressed and where the dirty laundry went. Nikki said she usually got dressed and undressed near the chair. That explained the “half dirty” clothes draped over the chair. They were waiting to be worn again.</p>
<p>When Elizabeth asked how often she actually wore the clothes again, Nikki told her that most of the time she couldn’t wear them again because they got so wrinkled heaped on the chair. Elizabeth suggested that they hang a rack with hooks on the back of the door so the “half dirty” clothes could be hung up and remain ready to wear.</p>
<p>Nikki and Mark’s dirty clothes ended up on the floor because the only laundry hamper in the house was in the hall bathroom. Elizabeth recommended that Nikki either put a hamper in the master bath or in the bedroom. She advised Nikki to get one without a lid to make it even easier to get clothes in the hamper. After all, who doesn’t enjoy shooting a two pointer with their dirty socks?</p>
<p>Nikki and Mark are working with Elizabeth to reclaim the master bedroom as a calm, peaceful place to wake up to, and wind down from, their busy lives.</p>
<p>Next post: The shelves are up. Nikki and Elizabeth can put things away.</p>
<p>Copyright© 2012 Elizabeth Tawney Gross, Organizing For Everyday, LLC</p>
<p>Ask the Experts panelist Elizabeth Tawney Gross is the owner of Organizing for Everyday and a certified professional organizer in chronic disorganization. Send her a question at [email protected]. Find out more about her at <a href="http://www.org4everyday.com" type="external">org4everyday.com.</a></p>
<p>To ask Elizabeth a question, type in the comments field below. Or ask a question by emailing [email protected].</p> | The Case of the 'Half-Dirty' Clothes, from Ask the Experts' Elizabeth Tawney Gross | false | https://abqjournal.com/3873/the-case-of-the-half-dirty-clothes-from-ask-the-experts-elizabeth-tawney-gross.html | 2 |
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<p>Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, who is charged with policing statements that disclose the income of elected officials, failed to report her own pension income of about $11,000 over the past two years.</p>
<p>Cegavske said she inadvertently overlooked the payments.</p>
<p>“There was no intent, and I’m for full disclosure,” the Republican said.</p>
<p>Steven Malanga, a fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute in New York, said the lack of disclosure indicates a potentially bigger problem.</p>
<p>“If it’s an oversight, then it suggests a shocking lack of attention to the law you are enforcing,” said Malanga, who researches pensions for the nonprofit think tank.</p>
<p />
<p>Cegavske isn’t alone in failing to disclose that she’s <a href="" type="internal">collecting a pension and a salary</a> from taxpayers. Of about 70 elected officials in Nevada who are collecting a pension, eight did not report the information on their financial disclosures, a Review-Journal search of records shows.</p>
<p>After collecting a legislative pension since 2014, Cegavske did not disclose the payments until Jan. 17. She also amended her previous disclosures to reflect the pension.</p>
<p>She said she caught the mistake this year because changes to reporting requirements prompted her to review everything in her disclosure form.</p>
<p>“I have no problem being open and putting it out there,” she said.</p>
<p>Wayne Thorley, Cegavske’s deputy secretary for elections, said civil penalties are possible for failing to file accurate information. But since Cegavske took office, he said, there have been no fines for failing to disclose income.</p>
<p>Thorley said the agency does not have enough staff to review the reports and instead relies on complaints. Penalties are typically reserved for people who intend to hide income and fail to correct their disclosures, he said.</p>
<p>“If it is done inadvertently, we ask them to amend it,” he said.</p>
<p>Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, a Democrat, has a $4,200 annual legislative pension on top of a $93,000 salary from Clark County. But she did not list the legislative pension on her disclosures until the Review-Journal questioned the omission.</p>
<p>“That’s an error on my part, and I will have to rectify it,” she said in January. “I didn’t even think of it.”</p>
<p>Contact Arthur Kane at [email protected]. Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ArthurMKane" type="external">@ArthurMKane</a> on Twitter.</p> | Nevada Secretary of State doesn’t disclose pension income | false | https://reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada-secretary-of-state-doesnt-disclose-pension-income/ | 2017-07-07 | 1 |
<p>Rather than bridging economic disparities between students, higher education seems to be widening them; although Google's new customizable maps sound like a great idea, they filter out a lot of useful information; and although some would like to blame the collapse of the middle class on the Internet, truth is it was falling apart long before the World Wide Web. These discoveries and more below.</p>
<p>On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/05/why-american-colleges-are-becoming-a-force-for-inequality/275923/" type="external">Why American Colleges Are Becoming a Force for Inequality</a> Higher education should be closing the gap between the rich and the poor. But college economics are driving them further apart.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/is-this-virtual-worm-the-first-sign-of-the-singularity/275715/" type="external">Is This Virtual Worm the First Sign of the Singularity?</a> A far-flung team is trying to build the first digital lifeform to work out the basic principles of the brain.</p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/conversation/2013/05/17/its-time-for-journals-to-be-author-reviewed/?cid=pm&amp;utm_source=pm&amp;utm_medium=en" type="external">It's Time for Journals to Be Author-Reviewed</a> A friend sent her most promising manuscript to a journal that we'll call The Ivy League Business Review. She received immediate confirmation that it was received, although the e-mail did not indicate whether or when it would be sent out for peer review.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2013/05/potential-problem-personalized-google-maps-we-may-never-know-what-were-not-seeing/5617/" type="external">The Potential Problem With Personalized Google Maps? We May Never Know What We're Not Seeing</a> Google has crammed a dozen notable updates into the revamped Google Maps that was unveiled this week at the tech giant's annual I/O developer conference.</p>
<p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nsfworkshop/~3/3M3pdAtH6ZI/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email" type="external">Who Owns the Future? Not the Middle Class</a> Jaron Lanier, in the latest contribution to the public conversation about how we live with technology, blames the Internet for the fall of the middle class. Only the problem is he's wrong.</p> | College: A Lesson in Inequality | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/college-a-lesson-in-inequality/ | 2013-05-20 | 4 |
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#time" type="external">Timeline</a> | <a href="#else" type="external">Elsewhere</a></p>
<p>| <a href="#short" type="external">In Short</a></p>
<p><a href="#askcat" type="external">Ask Catalyst</a> | <a href="#math" type="external">Math Class</a></p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>TIMELINE <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Oct. 5: Naval academy</p>
<p>A noisy crowd of about 300, mostly students and anti-war demonstrators, forced</p>
<p>district officials to cut short a presentation of plans to open a naval academy</p>
<p>inside Senn High School in Edgewater next year. Following intense heckling,</p>
<p>officials stopped a promotional video for military schools and adjourned early.</p>
<p>Protestors decried the plan as military recruitment of poor, urban youth. CPS</p>
<p>says it wants to provide parents and students with more choice. Senn officials</p>
<p>say they fear the academy will take up too much space.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Oct. 6: Capital funding</p>
<p>Schools CEO Arne Duncan makes a plea for state legislators to approve $500 million</p>
<p>in school construction matching grants. If the program is not approved during</p>
<p>the November veto session, Chicago stands to lose about $110 million slated</p>
<p>for repairs, renovations and new construction for overcrowding relief. Suburban</p>
<p>and Downstate education leaders joined Duncan to make the plea. The School Board</p>
<p>last month approved a $369 million capital budget. CPS’ capital budget</p>
<p>for 2004-05 is $660 million.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Oct. 14: After-school</p>
<p>Thirty-four schools will share a $3.1 million 21st Century Community Centers</p>
<p>federal grant and $1.8 million in private funds to become community schools;</p>
<p>32 schools are already in the program and offer after-school academics and activities.</p>
<p>A new report from Mathematica Policy Research found that elementary students</p>
<p>in the 21st Century program, which is nationwide, improved their attendance,</p>
<p>reported feeling safer after school and had high expectations for finishing</p>
<p>college. There was little impact on test scores.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#top" type="external">(Back to top)</a></p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>ELSEWHERE <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Tennessee: Grading policy</p>
<p>About 75 percent of high schools would have to change their grading policy under</p>
<p>a state plan to require a standardized system, according to the Oct. 17 Memphis</p>
<p>Commercial Appeal. The proposed policy would primarily affect how schools</p>
<p>give out grades of A and B. Students would have to receive scores of 94-100</p>
<p>on assignments to receive an A and scores of 85-93 to receive a B. Currently,</p>
<p>only 25 percent of school districts set grading standards that high. Any score</p>
<p>of 69 or below would count as an F.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Detroit: Achievement gap</p>
<p>Test scores are lower in Detroit Public Schools now than when the state took</p>
<p>over the school system five years ago, according to the Oct. 16 Detroit</p>
<p>Free Press. Students now lag even further behind students in the rest of</p>
<p>the state in every subject (math, science and reading) and at every grade level</p>
<p>except for high school reading, according to the paper’s analysis.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Minnesota: Teacher quality</p>
<p>Minnesota is poised to become the first state to work with the non-partisan</p>
<p>Teaching Commission on a plan to improve teacher quality, according to the Oct.</p>
<p>14 Duluth News-Tribune. Among the proposals are higher pay for teachers</p>
<p>in fields such as math and science; giving teachers more say in how schools</p>
<p>are run; improving schools and colleges of education; and providing better professional</p>
<p>development. Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants lawmakers to agree to link a boost in education</p>
<p>spending to better teacher performance.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#top" type="external">(Back to top)</a></p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>IN SHORT <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p />
<p />
<p>“We need teachers, whether they are ‘qualified’</p>
<p>or not, who can teach in a creative way. My algebra teacher, he’s inventive.</p>
<p>Everyone shows up for his class on time.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Richard Guss, Harlan High sophomore, at an Oct. 13 panel discussion</p>
<p>on teacher standards under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#top" type="external">(Back to top)</a></p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>ASK CATALYST <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p />
<p />
<p>If a student enrolls in a magnet high school but later wants to</p>
<p>return to his or her neighborhood school, can the neighborhood school refuse</p>
<p>him?</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>CPS parent, name withheld on request</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Yes. Once a student enrolls at a school, magnet or regular, that school becomes</p>
<p>his home school, and no transfer is automatic. While CPS policy cites several</p>
<p>reasons for accepting a transfer student—e.g. it promotes desegregation</p>
<p>or reduces a threat to the student’s well being—it offers none for</p>
<p>rejecting one. Ed Klunk of the CPS Office for High School Programs says that</p>
<p>even in situations where the student formally meets the transfer criteria, the</p>
<p>decision rests with the school. He recommends that students and parents who</p>
<p>are seeking a transfer meet with the neighborhood school to discuss the reasons,</p>
<p>or try to arrange for counseling or tutoring at the magnet school. He notes</p>
<p>that students who are denied transfers may appeal to the area instructional</p>
<p>officer.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>E-mail your question to <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external" /></p>
<p>or send it to Ask Catalyst, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500, Chicago,</p>
<p>IL 60604.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#top" type="external">(Back to top)</a></p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>MATH CLASS <a type="external" href="" /></p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Only 22 percent of high school seniors nationwide</p>
<p>who took the ACT in the 2003-04 school year met benchmarks</p>
<p>for college readiness: an ACT science score of 24, a math score</p>
<p>of 22 and an English score of 18, according</p>
<p>to the recent ACT Inc. report “Crisis at the Core: Preparing All Students</p>
<p>for College and Work.” Those scores demonstrate readiness for college</p>
<p>courses in biology, algebra and English composition, respectively. In Chicago,</p>
<p>only 2 high schools posted school-wide scores at or above the</p>
<p>benchmarks in 2002-03 (the latest year available at press time).</p>
<p>Another 6 posted scores high enough to meet the English benchmark,</p>
<p>but fell short of the mark in science and math. 7 schools did</p>
<p>not have ACT scores available.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p><a href="#top" type="external">(Back to top)</a></p> | Notebook | false | http://chicagoreporter.com/notebook-4/ | 2005-09-14 | 3 |
<p>NEWPORT, N.H. (AP) - Authorities in New Hampshire say a police cruiser struck a pedestrian as blowing and drifting snow caused whiteout conditions.</p>
<p>State police say an officer was responding to a call in Newport during the storm Thursday and struck 68-year-old Thomas Cummings, who had just parked in his driveway and was walking in the road, attempting to get onto his walkway to go inside his home. The officer, 42-year-old Michael Batista, was from Goshen.</p>
<p>Police said Cummings was conscious and alert. He was taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.</p>
<p>Police said the weather was a significant contributing factor to the accident, which remains under investigation.</p>
<p>NEWPORT, N.H. (AP) - Authorities in New Hampshire say a police cruiser struck a pedestrian as blowing and drifting snow caused whiteout conditions.</p>
<p>State police say an officer was responding to a call in Newport during the storm Thursday and struck 68-year-old Thomas Cummings, who had just parked in his driveway and was walking in the road, attempting to get onto his walkway to go inside his home. The officer, 42-year-old Michael Batista, was from Goshen.</p>
<p>Police said Cummings was conscious and alert. He was taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.</p>
<p>Police said the weather was a significant contributing factor to the accident, which remains under investigation.</p> | Police cruiser strikes pedestrian in whiteout conditions | false | https://apnews.com/4eb4ff201b564bb79a2f4f42e8fafbc2 | 2018-01-05 | 2 |
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<p>PHOENIX — A woman has filed a lawsuit against the Phoenix suburb of Avondale and two of its police officers, claiming they forced her to take a sobriety test at the side of a city street while she was naked from the waist down.</p>
<p>The lawsuit filed earlier this month said the woman had removed her pants before the 2016 traffic stop because she had soiled them earlier due to an incontinence problem.</p>
<p>The officers, she said in the lawsuit, ignored her repeated pleas to let her put her pants back on before she exited her car.</p>
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<p>The woman had been a victim of sexual violence earlier in her life and was traumatized by the traffic stop, the lawsuit said. The Associated Press is not identifying the woman because it generally does not name people who have been victims of sexual assaults.</p>
<p>Avondale police spokesman Jaret Redfearn declined comment Wednesday on the lawsuit.</p>
<p>The incident was investigated by Avondale police and the officers were cleared of wrongdoing, said the woman’s lawyer Patricia Ronan.</p>
<p>But Ronan said the inquiry was flawed because her client was never formally interviewed by the person who conducted the investigation. The police report about the stop makes no mention of the woman being naked from the waist down, Ronan said.</p>
<p>The woman and her boyfriend were pulled over on March 5, 2016, as they headed home after at the Phoenix International Speedway, the lawsuit said. She was the designated driver.</p>
<p>When Officers Ronal Bergeron and Justin Iwen approached the car, she explained that she wasn’t wearing pants because of her incontinence problem and asked if she could put them back on before got out of the car, the lawsuit said.</p>
<p>The woman said that Iwen did not acknowledge her concerns and instead demanded that she get out of the car, the lawsuit said.</p>
<p>She repeated her request, but Iwen declined and told her to get out of the car. Once outside the car, Iwen again refused another request to let her cover up, according to the lawsuit.</p>
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<p>Vehicles passed by as she stood on the shoulder of the road and performed the field sobriety test, and the woman tried to pull down her shirt to cover up but that did not work, the lawsuit said.</p>
<p>She was given a written warning for an improper left turn but insisted she did not make an illegal turn, the lawsuit said.</p>
<p>It asks for unspecified monetary damages.</p>
<p>The woman earlier filed a notice of claim precursor to a lawsuit seeking $250,000.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/jacques%20billeaud .</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story corrects in the 3rd paragraph that the lawyer’s last name is Ronan, not Ronana.</p> | Arizona lawsuit: 2 cops made woman take DUI test half-naked | false | https://abqjournal.com/969953/arizona-lawsuit-2-cops-made-woman-take-dui-test-half-naked.html | 2017-03-15 | 2 |
<p>The tawdry <a href="" type="internal">inner-workings</a> of “StopRush” are being exposed day by day, after an “infiltrator” released recordings and other evidence via <a href="http://thetrenches.us/" type="external">The Trenches</a> website.</p>
<p>Among the revelations are&#160;alleged use of fake Twitter accounts, employment of an investigator allegedly linked to Brett Kimberlin, and a variety of other tools which, if exposed at the time the Rush secondary boycott was at its height, would have revealed the movement to be <a href="" type="internal">even more astroturfed</a> than originally believed.</p>
<p>The recent&#160;revelations are important in another respect.</p>
<p>MSNBC commentator Krystal Ball was involved from the start in the StopRush movement, interacting with Angelo Carusone of Media Matters and a Twitter user going by the pseudonym “@Shoq” to form the working group to coordinate Twitter and online contacts with Limbaugh advertisers.&#160; I detailed all this in my post on March 21, 2012, <a href="" type="internal">Independent Rush boycott group coordinated with Media Matters</a>.</p>
<p>Ball was one of the&#160;organizing&#160;participants, as detailed on the FAQ page of the original StopRush online website:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Ball continued to play a role on Twitter in pushing the Rush secondary boycott, but less was known about her participation with the group behind the scenes, such that she likely would have known about all the alleged tactics.</p>
<p>As <a href="http://theothermccain.com/2012/06/22/e-mails-expose-msnbc-hosts-involvement-in-stoprush-boycott/" type="external">Stacy McCain</a> points out today, recent e-mails revealed at The Trenches indicate that Ball remained a key member of the group to the present day:</p>
<p>MSNBC host Krystal Ball was in close communication with leaders of an online boycott aimed at advertisers on Rush Limbaugh’s popular radio show, e-mails between the boycott leaders indicate.</p>
<p>Attempting to discover the identity of an infiltrator in their group, the #StopRush leader <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/shoq" type="external">@Shoq</a> (aka “Shoq Value,” who is believed to be an activist named Matt Edelstein) indicated that Ball had warned another member about the suspected “right wing disrupter.” The other member had “already inquired with Krystal last week, and Krystal said ‘we don’t like or trust this guy,’” Shoq wrote in <a href="http://thetrenches.us/2012/06/matt-edelstein-and-stoprush-employed-brett-kimberlins-pal-neal-rauhauser-as-their-private-investigator/" type="external">an e-mail published Thursday by Brooks Bayne at The Trenches</a>.</p>
<p>It is hard to believe that Ball would not know what was taking place behind the scenes at StopRush if she was involved in weeding out infiltrators.</p>
<p>As McCain points out, Ball just landed a spot on MSNBC’s new afternoon show, <a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/new-msnbc-show-is-to-feature-a-panel-of-political-pundits/" type="external">The Cycle</a>:</p>
<p>MSNBC’s plan for a new 3 p.m. program is illustrative of a cable news trend. It’s an ensemble show with a cast of four fresh-faced political pundits.</p>
<p>The hour long show, given the name “The Cycle,” will start on Monday. It will be hosted by Touré, Krystal Ball, S.E. Cupp and Steve Kornacki, all of whom are contributors to MSNBC, a progressive-leaning cable news outlet. The network confirmed the lineup of hosts on Thursday, after <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/06/msnbc-introduces-the-cycle-at-pm-126960.html" type="external">reports by Politico</a> and other news outlets.</p>
<p>I am not calling for MSNBC to fire Ball, not at all.&#160; But I do think that in order for viewers to put Ball’s commentary into perspective, Ball needs to come clean with what she knew about the tactics of StopRush and when she knew it.</p>
<p>I think it would be a great start to the program if on the first show S.E. Cupp asked that question.</p> | What did Krystal Ball know, and when did she know it? | true | http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/06/what-did-krystal-ball-know-and-when-did-she-know-it/ | 2012-06-22 | 0 |
<p>The tent city was a disaster for downtown Beirut businesses. There were many pedestrian-only streets and families would let their children play on the streets. The downtown was rebuilt after Lebanon's 15 year civil war ended in 1990 and it was a symbol of the country's rebirth. But the recent tension left the downtown awash in checkpoints and barbed wire. Diners and shoppers stayed away and hundreds of businesses closed. Today thousands of residents came back. at lunch today the restaurants that managed to survive were busier than they'd been since 2006, and others opened their doors for the first time in a year. Lebanese are cautiously optimistic about their new downtown and about the political stability.</p> | Beirut tent city dismantled | false | https://pri.org/stories/2008-05-22/beirut-tent-city-dismantled | 2008-05-22 | 3 |
<p>(Reuters) - Canada’s No. 2 marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis Inc has agreed to buy smaller rival CanniMed Therapeutics Inc for C$1.1 billion ($852 million) as companies jostle to benefit from the country’s legalization of recreational marijuana use later this year.</p>
<p>The agreement to create the world’s top marijuana producer by market value follows months of tensions between the companies. Aurora had originally made a hostile bid capped at C$24 per share for CanniMed, and increased it to C$43 in the new offer.</p>
<p>The deal marked the world’s biggest marijuana industry transaction, bringing the value of cannabis deals so far this year to $1.2 billion, more than double 2017’s total, itself a record, according to Thomson Reuters data.</p>
<p>(Factbox on top global marijuana deals:)</p>
<p>The activity has been largely concentrated in Canada, which is set to legalize recreational use of marijuana by mid-2018, becoming the second country in the world to do so after Uruguay.</p>
<p>With countries including Australia and Germany allowing medical marijuana and many others moving closer to doing so, Canada’s early move gives it an edge. While several U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use, the substance remains illegal at the federal level.</p>
<p>By buying CanniMed, Aurora hopes to bolster its capacity to meet domestic demand and increase distribution around the world.</p>
<p>“The action is where the medical cannabis export markets are, which are much larger than Canada,” said Chris Damas, editor of the BCMI Cannabis Report. “CanniMed has patents, they have relationships with different universities, research and clinical trials, and export relations with other countries, and Aurora wants to add to their own relationships in Europe.”</p> ‘QUITE A JOURNEY’
<p>Canadian cannabis stocks have been on a tear in anticipation of the surge in demand, but have prompted fears of a bubble and predictions for corrections from many market commentators. But so far the sector has continued on a relentless upward path.</p> FILE PHOTO: A marijuana plant is seen at the The Global Marijuana March in Toronto, May 7, 2011. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File Photo
<p>CanniMed rose 11.7 percent to close at C$41.90 after jumping as much as 23 percent. Aurora shares reversed earlier gains to end 5.5 percent lower at C$13.98.</p>
<p>Still, Aurora shares are up 395 percent over the past three months, while CanniMed has risen 257 percent.</p>
<p>CanniMed was itself engaged in a friendly deal to buy Newstrike Resources Ltd, but called it off on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Newstrike shares tumbled 19.2 percent before it was halted as the company prepared to raise C$51.48 million to “fund strategic growth opportunities.” The stock fell 17 percent on Tuesday.</p>
<p>“It’s been quite a journey, but the things we’re going to do together in 2018 and beyond will be amazing,” Aurora Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley told Reuters. “Newstrike wasn’t really on our radar screen. Our interest was primarily in CanniMed.”</p>
<p>The deal would give the combined entity a market value of C$7.4 billion, overtaking current world leader Canopy Growth Corp’s C$6.7 billion. Canopy shares closed down 4.8 percent at C$34.87 in their third session of losses.</p>
<p>“If I were Canopy, I’d be concerned,” Damas said. “The bigger Aurora gets, the more competition (Canopy is) going to face in both Canada and overseas.”</p>
<p>Still, Canopy will retain its leading position, with capacity at existing and planned facilities exceeding those of both Aurora and CanniMed.</p>
<p>The new combined entity’s market value would also top some older and well-established Canadian companies, including Bombardier Inc, which is valued at about C$7.1 billion.</p>
<p>Aurora’s revised offer of 3.4 of its shares for each CanniMed security, equates to C$43.00, based on an implied share price for Aurora of C$12.65, a 15 percent premium to CanniMed’s closing price on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The deal requires shareholder and regulatory approvals. Aurora has received support from 36 percent of CanniMed shareholders, it said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Nichola Saminather in Toronto and Anirban Paul in Bengaluru; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Richard Chang</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dropped on Monday, with the S&amp;P and Nasdaq suffering their worst day in just over five weeks, as concerns over increased regulation for large tech companies was spearheaded by a plunge in Facebook shares.</p>
<p>Facebook shares tumbled 6.8 percent as Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg faced calls from both U.S. and European lawmakers to explain how a consultancy that worked on President Donald Trump’s election campaign gained access to data on 50 million Facebook users.</p>
<p>The stock had its worst day since March 2014 and was down 10.8 percent from its closing record hit on Feb. 1, to put the stock squarely in correction territory, a drop of 10 percent from its high.</p>
<p>Facebook’s plunge weighed heavily on the S&amp;P technology sector, down 2.11 percent, as well as the Nasdaq, off more than 2 percent. Both indexes had their worst daily performance since Feb. 8.</p>
<p>Other major companies with large tech businesses also dropped as recent concerns over regulation in the arena increased. Apple lost 1.53 percent while Alphabet fell 3 percent and Microsoft declined 1.8 percent.</p>
<p>“What’s chilling to an investor is whether Facebook will be able to get advertisers to pay for the rich data they pay for today,” said Kim Forrest, Senior Portfolio manager, Fort Pitt Capital, Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>“Investors are not only concerned about losing advertising dollars. They’re also concerned these companies might come under relatively heavy regulation.”</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 335.6 points, or 1.35 percent, to close at 24,610.91, the S&amp;P 500 lost 39.09 points, or 1.42 percent, to 2,712.92 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 137.74 points, or 1.84 percent, to 7,344.24.</p> FILE PHOTO: The sun rises behind the entrance sign to Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park before the company's IPO launch, May 18, 2012. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach/File Photo
<p>The S&amp;P once again fell below its 50-day moving average, seen as a technical support level, for the first time since early March. The Nasdaq came about 2 points from its 50-day before paring losses.</p>
<p>Investors were also cautious ahead of a two-day monetary policy meeting at the U.S. Federal Reserve starting on Tuesday.</p> Slideshow (8 Images)
<p>The market believes the Fed is set to raise interest rates on Wednesday as Thomson Reuters data shows traders expect a quarter-percentage-point hike to be a certainty. Investors are now grappling with the question of whether an improving economy could lead to more hikes than anticipated.</p>
<p>“Some of the more salient questions investors have is, has the tone of the Fed, which this time last year was certainly more skewed towards being dovish, has it now extended to becoming more hawkish?” said Eric Freedman, chief investment officer for U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Minneapolis.</p>
<p>Industrials fell 0.82 percent against the backdrop of worries about a global trade war, which are set to dominate a two-day G20 meeting in Argentina.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-stocks-instant-analystview/analyst-view-tech-sector-selloff-leads-wall-street-sharply-lower-idUSKBN1GV2D2" type="external">Analyst View: Tech sector selloff leads Wall Street sharply lower</a>
<p>Selling was broad, with each of the 11 major S&amp;P sectors in the red. The CBOE Volatility index touched a high of 21.87 in one of its sharpest gains since the market sell-off in February.</p>
<p>Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 3.71-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 2.68-to-1 ratio favored decliners.</p>
<p>Volume on U.S. exchanges was 6.9 billion shares, compared to the 7.2 billion average over the last 20 trading days.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Sinead Carew; Editing by Nick Zieminski and James Dalgleish</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>(Reuters) - Salesforce.com Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CRM.N" type="external">CRM.N</a>) is in advanced discussions to acquire U.S. software maker MuleSoft Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MULE.N" type="external">MULE.N</a>), people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, as it looks to expand its offerings beyond customer relationship management software.</p> FILE PHOTO - The Salesforce logo is pictured on a building in San Francisco, California, U.S. October 12, 2016. REUTERS/Lily Jamali/File Photo
<p>The acquisition, which the sources said could be worth more than $6 billion, would be Salesforce’s biggest ever deal, illustrating Chief Executive Marc Benioff’s push to supplement the company’s cloud-based portfolio with new technology.</p>
<p>A deal could be announced as soon as this week, the sources said, cautioning that negotiations had not been finalized and that an agreement was not certain.</p>
<p>The sources asked not to be identified because the negotiations are confidential. Salesforce and MuleSoft declined to comment.</p>
<p>MuleSoft shares jumped more than 20 percent to $39.88 after Reuters reported the talks, giving the company a market value of $5.3 billion. Salesforce shares were up 0.3 percent at $125.31.</p>
<p>Based in San Francisco, MuleSoft makes software that automatically integrates disparate data, devices and applications to help companies’ networks run faster. It could help Salesforce win business from customers which are not yet ready to transition their systems to the cloud.</p>
<p>Buying MuleSoft would help Salesforce build a larger enterprise apps ecosystem around its own products, Barclays Plc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=BARC.L" type="external">BARC.L</a>) analysts wrote in a research note, adding that MuleSoft could command a premium given its rapid growth and good fit.</p>
<p>Salesforce Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, led a $128 million funding round in MuleSoft in 2015.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=CRM.N" type="external">Salesforce.com Inc</a> 125.81 CRM.N New York Stock Exchange +0.83 (+0.66%) CRM.N MULE.N BARC.L KO.N MCD.N
<p>MuleSoft has more than 1,000 customers, including Coca-Cola Co ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=KO.N" type="external">KO.N</a>), McDonald’s Corp ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MCD.N" type="external">MCD.N</a>), Spotify and Unilever ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=ULVR.L" type="external">ULVR.L</a>). It went public about a year ago.</p>
<p>Salesforce holds more than 18 percent of the global customer relationship management software market, followed by Oracle Corp ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=ORCL.N" type="external">ORCL.N</a>) with 9.4 percent, according to 2016 figures provided by research firm IDC.</p>
<p>Alphabet Inc’s ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=GOOGL.O" type="external">GOOGL.O</a>) Google acquired a competitor of MuleSoft called Apigee Corp in a $625 million deal in 2016.</p>
<p>Salesforce has benefited from companies switching to cloud-based services due to the lower costs and high level of scalability. Last month, it posted a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street targets, fueled by growth in its cloud-based sales and marketing software.</p>
<p>Reporting by Liana B. Baker and Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Additional reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Bill Rigby and Meredith Mazzilli</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose to their highest level in three weeks on Tuesday as tension in the Middle East and the possibility of further falls in Venezuelan output helped offset the negative impact of growing U.S. crude production.</p> FILE PHOTO: A motorist holds a fuel pump at a Gulf petrol station in London April 18, 2006. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/File Photo
<p>Brent crude LCOc1 futures for May delivery rose $1.75 to $67.80 a barrel, a 2.7 percent gain by 12:09 p.m. EDT, their highest level since late February. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures for April delivery rose $1.72 to $63.78 a barrel, a 2.8 percent gain.</p>
<p>The more active May U.S. crude futures CLc2 rose $1.76 to $63.89 a barrel.</p>
<p>“Geopolitics has come to the fore in today’s trading session, not least because the Saudi crown prince is on an official visit to the U.S. where the issue of Iran is expected to be on the agenda,” said Abhishek Kumar, senior energy analyst at Interfax Energy’s Global Gas Analytics in London.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia called the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers a “flawed agreement” on Monday, on the eve of the meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Trump has threatened to withdraw the United States from the accord between Tehran and six world powers, raising the prospect of new sanctions that could hurt Iran’s oil industry.</p>
<p>Worries about falling production in Venezuela, whose output has been halved since 2005 to below 2 million barrels per day (bpd) PRODN-VE due to an economic crisis, also supported oil markets.</p>
<p>The International Energy Agency said last week Venezuela was “vulnerable to an accelerated decline” and that the Latin American country could trigger a renewed drawdown in stocks.</p>
<p>However, increased output in the United States, Canada and Brazil has capped oil price gains. The ramped up production threatens to undermine cuts made by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in an effort to draw down a global supply glut.</p>
<p>Appetite for U.S. crude is adding to the headache facing OPEC. A widening discount of WTI to Brent crude makes it more attractive for foreign refiners to process U.S. oil. Brent is the benchmark for several Middle East and other global crudes.</p>
<p>The premium of Brent crude to WTI WTCLc1-LCOc1 rose above $4 a barrel on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Market participants will look to data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute to provide further indications of U.S. supply. Analysts expect the data, scheduled to be released at 4:30 p.m. EDT, to show that U.S. crude inventories rose for the fourth straight week.</p>
<p>Gasoline futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange RBc1 rose 2.7 percent in Tuesday’s session to a high of $1.9769 per gallon, their highest since August 2017.</p>
<p>Data from market intelligence firm Genscape showed gasoline inventories in the New York harbor region fell by about 1.1 million barrels last week, traders who saw the data said.</p>
<p>Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Frances Kerry</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>NEW YORK, 2018 - U.S. stocks joined a broad decline in global equity markets on Monday as traders turned cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week and amid continuing concerns about the threat of a global trade war.</p> Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York, U.S., March 19, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
<p>At the same time, shares of Facebook Inc ( <a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">FB.O</a>) shed nearly 7 percent after reports that a political consultancy that worked on U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign gained inappropriate access to data on 50 million of the social network’s users. That decline dragged other technology stocks, which have led the market higher over the last two years.</p>
<p>“If they start to decay, then it may leave investors wondering what’s left to become the new leader to resume the bulls’ advance,” said Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.DJI" type="external">.DJI</a> fell as much as 425 during the session and ended won 335.60 points, or 1.35 percent, at 24,610.91. The S&amp;P 500 <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.SPX" type="external">.SPX</a> index lost 39.09 points, or 1.42 percent, to 2,712.92 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite <a href="/finance/markets/index?symbol=.IXIC" type="external">.IXIC</a> index dropped 155.07 points, or 1.8 percent, to 7,334.24.</p>
<p>MSCI’s main 47-country world stock index fell 1.1 percent in afternoon trading after European stocks dipped and benchmark U.S. indexes declined. Global equities are on their worst run since November.</p> EYES ON CENTRAL BANKS
<p>The drop in European and U.S. indexes came as central banks appeared to be preparing for more rate hikes. A Reuters report that the European Central Bank expects a rate hike by mid-2019 started helping the euro recover from a difficult morning against the dollar.</p>
<p>Wall Street is looking toward the Fed’s two-day policy meeting, which concludes on Wednesday, with 104 analysts polled by Reuters expecting the central bank will raise rates 25 basis points to a range of 1.50 percent to 1.75 percent.</p>
<p>Yields in benchmark 10-year Treasuries held steady, reflecting investor rate hike expectations.</p> FILE PHOTO: The seal for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is on display in Washington, DC, U.S., June 14, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
<p>After the meeting, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a his first press conference as the central bank’s new chief.</p>
<p>Analysts at JPMorgan see a risk the Fed might not only add one more rate rise for this year but for 2019 as well.</p>
<p>“The worst case is the ‘18 and ‘19 dots both move up - the Fed is currently guiding to five hikes in ‘18 and ‘19 combined, but under this scenario that would shift to seven hikes,” they warned in a note to clients.</p>
<a href="/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=FB.O" type="external">Facebook Inc</a> 166.8438 FB.O Nasdaq -5.72 (-3.31%) FB.O .DJI .SPX .IXIC
<p>“Stocks would probably tolerate one net dot increase over ‘18 and ‘19, but a bump in both years could create problems.”</p>
<p>The dollar index .DXY fell 0.4 percent, with the euro <a href="/finance/currencies/quote?srcCurr=EUR&amp;destCurr=USD" type="external">EUR=</a> up 0.39 percent to $1.2335</p>
<p>Any nod to four hikes would normally be considered as bullish for the U.S. dollar, yet the currency has shown scant overall correlation to interest rates in recent months.</p>
<p>Dealers cite concerns about the U.S. budget and current account deficits, chaos in the White House, better growth in overseas markets, particularly Europe, and the risk of a U.S.-led trade war.</p>
<p>Fears of a global trade war triggered by Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports cast a cloud over a two-day G20 meeting in Buenos Aires this week.</p>
<p>The prospect of higher U.S. interest rates weighed on non-yielding gold XAU=, which touched its lowest in more than two weeks but turned positive in later trade, up 0.3 percent at $1,317.49 per ounce by 1:33 p.m. EST (1733 GMT).</p> Related Video
<p>Oil prices eased after ending last week with a solid bounce. U.S. crude CLcv1 fell 0.5 percent to settle at $62.06 per barrel and Brent LCOcv1 settled at $66.05, down 0.24 percent on the day.</p>
<p>Reporting by David Randall; Editing by David Gregorio and Cynthia Osterman</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a> | Canada's Aurora Cannabis to buy rival to create world's most valuable weed firm Wall Street drops as regulation worry sinks tech shares Exclusive: Salesforce in advanced talks to buy MuleSoft - sources Oil rises to three-week high on Middle East tensions, Venezuela concerns Global stocks sink in worst slide since November; eyes on Fed meeting | false | https://reuters.com/article/us-cmed-m-a-auroracannabis/canadas-aurora-cannabis-to-buy-rival-to-create-worlds-most-valuable-weed-firm-idUSKBN1FD1T6 | 2018-01-24 | 2 |
<p>Tune into virtually any major sport in Australia, from rugby to cricket to tennis, and you’re likely to be bombarded by commercials touting the latest odds on the game.</p>
<p>Legal sports gambling is a multi-billion-dollar industry in Australia, where betting websites sponsor major teams and buy up stadium naming rights.</p>
<p>Imagine a “Bet365″ logo plastered across the back of a Los Angeles Laker’s uniform instead of the player’s name or a “Centrebet” logo occupying center-ice at a Boston Bruin’s game. Even play-by-play commentators at tennis matches talk about winning bets rather than sets.</p>
<p>There’s been a 50 percent rise in spending on gambling advertising this year alone, according to one survey. And now bookies are joining sports commentary teams. Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the industry has finally crossed a line.</p>
<p>“The thing that’s really been frustrating me, and I think worrying families,” Gillard said, “has been the constant reference to live odds. It’s been the integration of gambling representatives into what appears to be the broadcast, the commentary, the round, the ground, the round (of) play.”</p>
<p>Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, the man who oversees broadcast regulations, was more succinct.</p>
<p>“Australians are sick of having gambling, and live odds in particular, rammed down their throat,” he said.</p>
<p>Broadcasters and the government are facing a public backlash against the growing saturation of gambling messages in what’s viewed by many as a family activity.</p>
<p>“What we’re concerned about is not whether or not these are deliberately targeting children, but whether or not children are exposed to the advertising,” said Samantha Thomas, who researches the health and social impacts of gambling at the University of Wollongong. “We have children — sometimes 10 to 13 percent of a sporting match audience — being exposed to a very, very adult message and a very adult product.”</p>
<p>So the prime minister gave broadcasters an ultimatum — fix this or we’ll fix it for you.</p>
<p>Within hours the broadcast industry released a new voluntary code of conduct (which they describe as unprecedented). Gone will be the constant references to live odds; so too those bookies taking part in play-by-play commentary. But generic gambling commercials will still be allowed during scheduled breaks, like half-time.</p>
<p>That’s prompted some critics, like Andrew Wilkie, a parliamentarian who’s long argued for restrictions on gambling, to say the voluntary code doesn’t go far enough.</p>
<p>“It’s only a tiny step,” Wilkie said. “It doesn’t deal with the key issue — that we’re allowing the promotion and advertising of gambling during the day when children are watching TV.”</p>
<p>A parliamentary committee and at least two states are now looking at ways to get rid of those omnipresent logos on uniforms and stadiums, something the new broadcast guidelines don’t cover. The sports teams have been largely quiet about it, in light of the public backlash over the saturation of gambling messages in sports.</p>
<p>Sports betting still accounts for just a small fraction of the money that Australians spend on gambling, coming in well behind slot machines and horse racing. But the big international online gambling companies say they’ve got their eye on Australia for a major expansion in the coming years, with the rollout of new smartphone apps for sports gambling.</p> | Australia moves to rein in pervasive gambling messages in sports | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-06-19/australia-moves-rein-pervasive-gambling-messages-sports | 2013-06-19 | 3 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines (all times local):</p>
<p>9:55 p.m.</p>
<p>Mexico says it regrets the United States’ decision not to exclude it from tariffs on imported washing machines and solar panels.</p>
<p>It says it will “use all available legal resources in response to the U.S. decision.” It says its inclusion in the application of protections is “regrettable” given the U.S. International Trade Commission determined no damage exists to U.S. industry as a consequence of imports of Mexican washing machines.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump says approving the tariffs will help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican casts Monday’s decision as part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>His administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years. For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:15 p.m.</p>
<p>An association representing solar installers says a U.S. tariff on solar panels will lead to the delay or cancellation of billions of dollars of investment in solar energy.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Monday he was approving tariffs on imported solar energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican says it’s part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>The Solar Energy Industries Association says the tariff will result in the loss of 23,000 industry jobs this year.</p>
<p>One of the group’s members is Bill Vietas, president of RBI Solar in Cincinnati. He says government tariffs will increase the cost of solar and depress demand, reducing orders and costing manufacturing workers their jobs.</p>
<p>Whirlpool chairman Jeff Fettig say the decision on washing machines will create new manufacturing jobs in Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>5:55 p.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump is approving tariffs on imported solar-energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers.</p>
<p>The administration cast Monday’s decisions as part of Trump’s pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>The administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years.</p>
<p>For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.</p>
<p>The U.S. solar industry is split over the issue. Two small subsidiaries of foreign companies that made solar cells in the U.S. favor tariffs, but a larger number of companies that install solar-power systems say their costs will rise and jobs will be lost.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines (all times local):</p>
<p>9:55 p.m.</p>
<p>Mexico says it regrets the United States’ decision not to exclude it from tariffs on imported washing machines and solar panels.</p>
<p>It says it will “use all available legal resources in response to the U.S. decision.” It says its inclusion in the application of protections is “regrettable” given the U.S. International Trade Commission determined no damage exists to U.S. industry as a consequence of imports of Mexican washing machines.</p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump says approving the tariffs will help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican casts Monday’s decision as part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>His administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years. For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>6:15 p.m.</p>
<p>An association representing solar installers says a U.S. tariff on solar panels will lead to the delay or cancellation of billions of dollars of investment in solar energy.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Monday he was approving tariffs on imported solar energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican says it’s part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>The Solar Energy Industries Association says the tariff will result in the loss of 23,000 industry jobs this year.</p>
<p>One of the group’s members is Bill Vietas, president of RBI Solar in Cincinnati. He says government tariffs will increase the cost of solar and depress demand, reducing orders and costing manufacturing workers their jobs.</p>
<p>Whirlpool chairman Jeff Fettig say the decision on washing machines will create new manufacturing jobs in Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>5:55 p.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump is approving tariffs on imported solar-energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers.</p>
<p>The administration cast Monday’s decisions as part of Trump’s pledge to put American companies and jobs first.</p>
<p>The administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years.</p>
<p>For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.</p>
<p>The U.S. solar industry is split over the issue. Two small subsidiaries of foreign companies that made solar cells in the U.S. favor tariffs, but a larger number of companies that install solar-power systems say their costs will rise and jobs will be lost.</p> | The Latest: Mexico slams US decision on solar panels tariff | false | https://apnews.com/c3d9c61a59b04c8bb0af0b9698ed112d | 2018-01-23 | 2 |
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<p>WASHINGTON – Don’t take anything for granted. The conservative activists on the Supreme Court may not be able to halt the inexorable shift toward acceptance of gay marriage, but we probably should expect them to try.</p>
<p>The two big cases being argued this week could turn out to be landmarks that confirm the nation’s progress toward marriage equality – or speed bumps that impede it. Either way, the destination is clear: Six out of 10 Americans approve of gay marriage, according to a Washington Post poll, including 80 percent of adults under 30. That looks less like a question than a decision.</p>
<p>You’d think the justices would have these numbers in mind as they consider Proposition 8, the voter initiative that revoked gay-marriage rights in California, and the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of legally performed same-sex unions. But the conservative wing of the court has no great respect for public opinion. Nor will the court necessarily be influenced by California’s refusal to defend Proposition 8 or the federal government’s refusal to defend DOMA. The court showed judicial modesty in upholding President Obama’s health care reform, but that was the exception, not the rule.</p>
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<p>Even a double defeat for the forces of fairness and inclusion is conceivable, although such a result would be so illogical that even this court probably couldn’t manage it with a straight face.</p>
<p>If the justices were to reverse the lower court ruling that invalidated Proposition 8, they would essentially be saying that taking away the marriage rights of a certain class of citizens is a decision that should be left to the states. But then upholding the DOMA statute would award the power to deny marriage rights to the federal government.</p>
<p>Such intellectual contortion might not disturb the slumber of the unapologetic social engineers on the court – Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. But it might unsettle the other conservatives, Justice Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts.</p>
<p>A double victory for the good guys and gals seems somewhat more plausible, at least as a matter of law and the Constitution.</p>
<p>The court could strike down DOMA, taking the position that marriage should be left to the states – which would be consistent with the conservative majority’s reverence for states’ rights. And on Proposition 8, the court could accept the opponents’ view that since gay marriage was legal in California when the initiative was approved, the measure unconstitutionally takes away rights from a targeted class while leaving those same rights intact for others – a violation of equal protection.</p>
<p>This result – probably the best that can realistically be hoped for – would not end the battle over gay marriage, which is recognized in just nine states plus the District of Columbia. But it would allow the rapid progress toward marriage equality to continue, and it’s pretty clear where this freight train is heading.</p>
<p>There is, of course, the possibility that the court might choose to frame its rulings in both cases as narrowly as possible, effectively ducking the issue and leaving it to elected officials to work out. But if the justices wanted to take a pass, why did they agree to decide these cases in the first place?</p>
<p>And there’s also the remote possibility that the court might make a sweeping ruling that recognizes marriage equality throughout the land. I would be shocked if this happens now – but I’m sure it will someday.</p>
<p>The obvious issue that these two cases do not explicitly raise, but that will have to be addressed sooner or later, is mobility. This is a peripatetic society; we move from state to state. How can two men or two women be married in one state but not in another?</p>
<p>This was the situation with interracial marriage before the court’s landmark 1967 ruling in Loving v. Virginia. If today’s court were one that cared about being on the right side of history, it would use that precedent to rule that if a couple is considered married in Massachusetts and Maryland, it must be considered married in Montana and Mississippi, too.</p>
<p>But this isn’t that kind of court. More likely is an attempt to hold back the tide – or a grudging acknowledgement that marriage equality’s time has arrived.</p> | Gay marriage coming with or without court OK | false | https://abqjournal.com/182236/gay-marriage-coming-with-or-without-court-ok.html | 2013-03-26 | 2 |
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<p>There are two ways you can certify for your weekly benefits: via the online system (www.dws.state.nm.us) and the 1-877-NM-4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984) toll-free number. The UI Tax &amp; Claims System is available online Sunday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The self-service certification option on the 1-877-664-6984 number is available 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Customer Service Agents in the UI Operations Center are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.</p>
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<p>The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions has implemented many changes to the UI Tax &amp; Claims System available at <a href="http://www.dws.state.nm.us" type="external">www.dws.state.nm.us</a>. Since October 2012 all individuals applying for and receiving UI benefits must log into the New Mexico Workforce Connection (NMWC) online system (www.jobs.state.nm.us) first to access the UI Tax &amp; Claims System. Once officially logged into the NMWC system, there is a link under “Quick Menu” on the left side of the screen titled “Unemployment Insurance.”</p>
<p>UI claimants must maintain usernames and passwords for both the online NMWC system (www.jobs.state.nm.us) and the UI Tax &amp; Claims System. The NMWC system is New Mexico’s official online portal to employment resources including résumé assistance, the Unemployment Insurance system, virtual job-matching services, labor market information, and much more.</p>
<p>In addition to the new UI Tax &amp; Claims System, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits have been extended. On Jan. 2, President Barack Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 which extended the EUC program through Jan. 1, 2014. Claimants will continue to be potentially eligible for up to 14 weeks of EUC Tier 1 benefits and up to 14 weeks of EUC Tier 2 benefits for EUC claims filed before Dec. 28, 2013. The legislation does not increase the number of weeks of federal extensions, only the time period that an individual may be potentially eligible for Tier 1 or Tier 2 benefits in New Mexico. There is no phase-out period associated with this extension. The last payable week for any EUC benefits regardless of any benefit amounts remaining on the claim is the week ending December 28, 2013.</p>
<p>The federal EUC program offers separate benefit tiers to claimants who have exhausted their regular state Unemployment Insurance benefits (26 weeks). There are no additional benefits available to claimants who have exhausted all EUC Tiers. As of July 2012, the maximum number of weeks for Unemployment Insurance benefits in New Mexico is 54 weeks (26 weeks of regular benefits + 14 weeks Tier 1 + 14 weeks Tier 2).</p>
<p>The federal extension claims are complex and determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions regarding eligibility for or continued certification of the federal extensions, you will need to contact a Customer Service Agent in the UI Operations Center, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call volumes are highest on Mondays and Tuesdays and decrease Wednesdays through Fridays.</p>
<p>This is a regular column written by the N.M. Department of Workforce Solutions. For more information, go to <a href="http://www.dws.state.nm.us" type="external">www.dws.state.nm.us</a>.</p> | New system aids business, unemployed | false | https://abqjournal.com/161776/new-system-aids-business-unemployed.html | 2013-01-20 | 2 |
<p>NEW ORLEANS — There seems to be no alternate route to a college football championship, especially when recent GPS history indicates the road to the title, with very few detours, runs directly through either Clemson or Alabama.</p>
<p>For the third consecutive year, Clemson (12-1 and ranked No. 1) will face Alabama (11-1 and ranked No. 4) in the College Football Playoff, this time in the semifinals played Monday in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.</p>
<p>The winner will play the winner of the No. 2 Oklahoma-No. 3 Georgia semifinal for the national championship on Jan. 8 in Atlanta.</p>
<p>The two previous Clemson-Alabama matchups were for the title: Alabama beat Clemson 45-40 behind a pick-six and a surprise onside kick in 2016, and Clemson retaliated in 2017 by rallying from an early 14-0 deficit to win 35-31 with a touchdown engineered by quarterback <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Deshaun-Watson/" type="external">Deshaun Watson</a> in the final seconds.</p>
<p>The rubber match figures to be a test of steel.</p>
<p>“All these games are like a dogfight, so you have to be able to overcome adversity and everybody has to take ownership to do their job,” said Crimson Tide coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Nick_Saban/" type="external">Nick Saban</a>, who has won four national titles in his 10 seasons at Alabama and another at LSU. “It comes down to what do you want to accomplish and what you are willing to do to do make it happen.”</p>
<p>Clemson coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Dabo-Swinney/" type="external">Dabo Swinney</a> didn’t have to be reminded what he liked about playing Alabama for the title the last two years.</p>
<p>“Well, I enjoyed it a lot last year — last year was great, it was wonderful, one of the best moments of my life — and it stunk the year before,” Swinney said. “The fun is in the winning, and I don’t enjoy losing, ever. It’s been great to compete against Alabama.</p>
<p>“As we tried to grow our program the last eight years, nine years, one of the things that was a goal of mine nine years ago was to build a program that can be consistent and to build a program that can beat the best — and Alabama has been the best.”</p>
<p>Even though Clemson had a superior regular-season resume and assumed the top ranking entering the playoffs, Alabama was installed as a three-point favorite. While that may have rankled the Tigers privately, in public, they have been dutifully circumspect.</p>
<p>“Well, that’s just a testament to Alabama and the program they’ve been,” said defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, a key member of Clemson’s stout front seven that rushes the passer and stuffs the run equally as well. “They’ve been the model program in college football since as long as I can remember. They’ve earned that. We’re not worried about being the underdog (against) Alabama. No disrespect to them, we’re just worried and focused on us and on what we need to do.”</p>
<p>The biggest difference this year compared with the previous two Clemson-Alabama meetings is the absence of Watson, who nearly rallied Clemson in the 2016 championship game and then engineered the winning drive last year.</p>
<p>Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant is finishing a stellar season as a dual threat — rushing for 646 yards and 11 touchdowns and completing 244 of 362 passes for 2,678 yards and 13 touchdowns against six interceptions — but he has yet to be tested on the biggest stage.</p>
<p>“I am just going to embrace it and take a moment pregame and leading up to kickoff and take a deep breath and enjoy it,” Bryant said. “I am not going to do anything differently than I did early in the season. They are very physical and they are going to run and be up in your grill talking, but that is something we have seen throughout the course of the season.”</p>
<p>Alabama may hold an edge at the quarterback position, even though sophomore <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jalen-Hurts/" type="external">Jalen Hurts</a> is coming off a subpar performance in the Crimson Tide’s only loss of the season, a 26-14 road defeat to Auburn in which he completed just 12 of 22 passes for a season-low 112 yards.</p>
<p>The Tide went scoreless in the final 28 1/2 minutes, and Hurts was the target of criticism after the game despite throwing for 15 touchdowns against one interception the entire season.</p>
<p>“I just have to stay true to myself, do what’s gotten me here,” said Hurts, who was Alabama’s second-leading rusher (768 yards) behind Damien Harris (906 yards). “At the end of the day, this is my team. These are my guys, and my guys believe 100 percent in me, so I have to be myself and lead. They want to see the leader in me, and that’s what I need to do.”</p> | Sugar Bowl: Title-game berth on line in Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers rematch | false | https://newsline.com/sugar-bowl-title-game-berth-on-line-in-alabama-crimson-tide-clemson-tigers-rematch/ | 2017-12-29 | 1 |
<p>J.J. Abrams is considering killing Jar Jar Binks. While the controversial character will not be a character in the director’s new&#160;Star Wars film, he is considering including the character’s death as a bit of fan service. “I have a thought about putting Jar Jar Binks’s bones in the desert there. I’m serious! Only three people will notice, but they’ll love it,”said the director when sitting at an editing station.</p>
<p>Abrams is committed to making his new film a service to old-school&#160;Star Wars&#160;fans. The director’s closest friends say they haven’t seen him acting so childlike since he was, well, a&#160;child.&#160;“He turned back into an 11-year-old boy,” said LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy when describing Abrams’ demeanor when on the director’s chair.</p>
<p>Abrams himself chalks his childish behavior up for the successful practical effects that were used on&#160;The Force Awakens. He was particularly taken by the new Millenium Falcon set.&#160; “I mean, walking onto the Millennium Falcon set? To be on it, it’s insane. There were people who literally cried when they walked onto that set. It’s a strange thing, the effect it has,” said Abrams of that set piece.</p>
<p>The new film will make extensive use of the practical effects that entranced original&#160;Star Wars&#160;audiences in the 1970s and 80s. Annie Leibovitz’s recent photgraphs for&#160;Vogue show a plethora of puppets and rubber suits that will more effectively replicate the world of the original films than the computer-generated imagery of George Lucas’ more recent prequels.</p>
<p>Another practical effect that excites Abrams at the moment is a creature similar to a Jawa that appears in a sandy desert scene. The new creature is “a classic, old-school seesaw puppet,” said Abrams, meaning that it is installed on a lever and buried in the ground.</p>
<p>The director has only good things to say about the creator of&#160;The Force Awakens’&#160;practical effects. The director praised Neal Scanlan’s facility with puppets, especially the new sand creature. “We just buried it in the sand, and Neal Scanlan, the creature guy, pushed down on one side and the thing came up on the other side,” said Abrams.</p>
<p>While George Lucas has spent decades digitally retouching the original&#160;Star Wars films, Abrams thinks that computer manipulation will dilute the purity of practical effects.&#160;“It’s so old-school and crazy. We could improve this thing, but at some point do we lose the wonderful preposterousness?”said Abrams when talking about the pressure to digitally manipulate unpredictable practical effects.</p>
<p>A hotly anticipated feature of the new film is Harrison Ford’s return to the role of Han Solo, Abrams is optimistic about the star’s performance in&#160;The Force Awakens, and says that Ford’s performance as Han will be much less disappointing than his recent Indiana Jones performance. Ford is “excited to get back in those shoes again, which was really interesting because I thought he hadn’t been a fan,” said Abrams of the famously crotchety actor.</p>
<p>The younger director’s notes seem to have realy spurred the veteran actor to shed some of the tics that have gotten him through many paycheck-cashing action roles. “There was a fire in his eyes that you see in the movie,” said Abrams, adding, “I knew that he had done in some movies a kind of more growly thing, and I didn’t want Han to be growly,” said the director.</p>
<p>All in all, the new&#160;Star Wars film should have something for everyone excited about the series’ history and mythos.&#160;The Force Awakens&#160;will certainly have high expectations when it debuts.</p>
<p /> | J.J. Abrams hints at a dead Jar Jar Binks in ‘The Force Awakens’ | false | http://natmonitor.com/2015/05/06/j-j-abrams-hints-at-a-dead-jar-jar-binks-in-the-force-awakens/ | 2015-05-06 | 3 |
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<p>LONDON — Global stock markets traded in narrow ranges Tuesday, a day after U.S. stocks notched up further record amid hopes that U.S. lawmakers will finally approve big tax changes.</p>
<p>KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, Germany’s DAX was down 0.1 percent at 13,303 while the CAC 40 in France fell 0.1 percent 5,413. The FTSE 100 index of leading British share rose 0.1 percent to 7,544. A day after closing at record highs, the two main stock markets in the U.S. were poised for a steady opening with Dow futures and the broader S&amp;P 500 futures both up 0.1 percent.</p>
<p>TAXES: Congressional Republicans appeared to garner enough support to approve changes that initially would cut taxes for most Americans but by 2027 would increase the burden for most. The House of Representatives was scheduled to vote Tuesday and the Senate on Wednesday. Most of the benefits go to businesses and the wealthy, which Republicans say would goose the economy and benefit all. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cuts will widen the government’s budget deficit by $1.45 trillion.</p>
<p>ANALYST TAKE: “While it may have taken longer to deliver than he expected, it would appear that Republicans determination to give Americans an early Christmas present has paid off, although there has been numerous debates about who actually stands to benefit most from the bill,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA.</p>
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<p>ASIA’S DAY: The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.9 percent to 3,296.54 while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.2 percent to 22,868.00. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.7 percent to 29,253.66 and Seoul’s Kospi declined 0.1 percent to 2,478.53. Sydney’s S&amp;P-ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 6,071.80 and India’s Sensex added 0.5 percent to 33,767.74.</p>
<p>CURRENCIES: The euro was up 0.3 percent at $1.1819 while the dollar was steady at 112.55 yen.</p>
<p>ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude rose 29 cents to $57.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange while Brent crude, used to price international oils, was up 19 cents to $63.60 in London.</p> | Global stocks steady after more landmarks on Wall Street | false | https://abqjournal.com/1108477/asian-stocks-mixed-after-wall-street-gains-on-tax-cut-hopes.html | 2017-12-18 | 2 |
<p>Express Inc. (EXPR) will report its next earnings on Nov 30 BMO. The company reported the earnings of $0.08/Share in the last quarter where the estimated EPS by analysts was $0.08/share.</p>
<p>Many analysts are providing their Estimated Earnings analysis for Express Inc. and for the current quarter 8 analysts have projected that the stock could give an Average Earnings estimate of $0.43/share. These analysts have also projected a Low Estimate of $0.41/share and a High Estimate of $0.44/share.</p>
<p>In case of Revenue Estimates, 8 analysts have provided their consensus Average Revenue Estimates for Express Inc. as 713.84 Million. According to these analysts, the Low Revenue Estimate for Express Inc. is 667.3 Million and the High Revenue Estimate is 753.5 Million. The company had Year Ago Sales of 678.78 Million.</p>
<p>These analysts also forecasted Growth Estimates for the Current Quarter for EXPR to be 48.3%. They are projecting Next Quarter growth of 114.3%. For the next 5 years, Express Inc. is expecting Growth of 12% per annum, whereas in the past 5 years the growth was -20.44% per annum.</p>
<p>Some buy side analysts are also providing their Analysis on Express Inc., where 0 analysts have rated the stock as Strong buy, 0 analysts have given a Buy signal, 1 said it’s a HOLD, and 0 analysts rated the stock as Sell. (These Recommendations are for the Current Month Only reported by Yahoo Finance.)</p>
<p>When it comes to the Analysis of a Stock, Price Target plays a vital role. Analysts reported that the Price Target for Express Inc. might touch $10 high while the Average Price Target and Low price Target is $9.5 and $9 respectively.</p>
<p>The Relative Volume of the company is 1.55 and Average Volume (3 months) is 2.43 million. The company’s P/E (price to earnings) ratio is 46.51 and Forward P/E ratio of 18.98.</p>
<p>The company shows its Return on Assets (ROA) value of 1.5%. The Return on Equity (ROE) value stands at 2.9%. While it’s Return on Investment (ROI) value is 11.1%.</p>
<p>While looking at the Stock’s Performance, Express Inc. currently shows a Weekly Performance of 21.3%, where Monthly Performance is 58.01%, Quarterly performance is 61.36%, 6 Months performance is 58.96% and yearly performance percentage is -4.66%. Year to Date performance value (YTD perf) value is -1.02%. The Stock currently has a Weekly Volatility of 7.70% and Monthly Volatility of 5.65%.</p> | Price Target Analysis Express Inc. (EXPR) | false | https://newsline.com/price-target-analysis-express-inc-expr/ | 2017-12-06 | 1 |
<p>80,000 dead; 8,000 disappeared. Peter Lee reports and lays out the strange saga of the Shivalingam of Amarnath. “Food security”… “sustainable agriculture”…”slow food”… “food sovereignty.”&#160;R.G. Davis separates the real from the phony in the world of organic food.&#160;Meet the women trying to reform America’s insane sex offender laws.&#160; JoAnn Wypijewski describes their struggle.</p> | The Battle for Kashmir | true | https://counterpunch.org/2011/08/08/the-battle-for-kashmir-2/ | 2011-08-08 | 4 |
<p>Gizmodo <a href="http://gizmodo.com/mike-huckabee-tweets-about-scrapping-the-election-of-se-1797327901" type="external">weighs in</a>:</p>
<p>Why does Huckabee, whose daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders just became the White House Press Secretary, want state legislatures to choose US Senators? Obviously he’s frustrated with last night’s failure of the Republicans to repeal Obamacare. But the reason that repeal of the 17th Amendment would favor his party is because the majority of state legislatures are Republican. The Republicans control both chambers in 33 states. Not because the majority of Americans are Republican, mind you. But because Republicans have gerrymandered their way into power.</p>
<p />
<p /> | Mike Huckabee Has The Obamacare Sadz | true | http://joemygod.com/2017/07/28/mike-huckabee-obamacare-sadz/ | 2017-07-28 | 4 |
<p>The Spanish economy is at a stand-still and unemployment remains at 20 percent. Meanwhile there has been a rise in prostitution. Brothels seem to be doing pretty good business, especially a new one along the French border. It's called Paradise and it claims to be the largest in Europe. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from La Jonquera, Spain.</p> | Europe largest brothel' | false | https://pri.org/stories/2010-11-19/europe-largest-brothel | 2010-11-19 | 3 |
<p>PARIS (AP) — Thirsty for fabulous sightseeing, strolling and shopping? Paris has got you covered. Or maybe you’re simply . thirsty. No problem. Whether you fancy Champagne atop the Eiffel Tower or coffee at a sidewalk cafe, here are five ways to raise a toast, Parisian style.</p>
<p>POP AT THE TOP</p>
<p>A flute of Champagne is a celebration. A flute of Champagne at the pinnacle of the Eiffel Tower is just that little bit extra. An elegant and enduring monument to 19th-century know-how, the tower attracts around 7 million visitors a year, which means you’re probably going to have to put up with some lines. But this is worth a wait. Online tickets are available although they tend to sell out fast. If you want some exercise, you can buy a stair ticket to climb the 704 steps to the second floor and then buy an elevator ticket to the third (top) floor, although you may have to wait if the top is full. The Champagne Bar is more of a takeout window than a bar, serving regular fizz for about $15 a glass and Mumm rose Champagne for $20. Open daily noon-10: 45 p.m. except for a one-hour break 5:15 p.m-6:15 p.m. Tower hours: 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m., slightly longer in summer. Note stairs are open late in summer only, closing at 6 p.m. the rest of the year. More here: <a href="http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/preparing-your-visit/opening-times." type="external">http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/preparing-your-visit/opening-times.</a></p>
<p>HEMINGWAY HANGOUT</p>
<p>Cole Porter is said to have composed music in the dark and cozy alcove known as the “little bar” at the Ritz Paris. Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway “liberated” the place after the Allies marched into Paris in 1944. Stories vary but the liberation mainly appears to have taken the form of downing a significant number of martinis. Today, you can visit the cozy drinking spot which was renovated and restored a few years ago and is now known as Bar Hemingway, one of three in the grand hotel. The vibe here is comfy man cave_leather chairs, a bust of Hemingway, lots of memorabilia including a few manual typewriters and a fine line-up of cocktails. A good choice to honor Hemingway’s legacy is the clean dirty martini that has the requisite briny olive taste but is clear, not cloudy. Located at 15 place Vendome, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.</p>
<p>CAFE SOCIETY</p>
<p>Back in the day, Les Deux Magots buzzed with the talk of artists and intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Picasso. Today, it’s more of a tourist haunt, but there’s still plenty of atmospheric charm at this cafe in the tony Saint-Germain-des-Pres area. Snag a seat in the outdoor area and watch the (well-dressed) world go by as you sip on a classic double espresso. Located at 6 place Saint-Germain des Pres, 7:30 a.m.-1 a.m. And if you can’t find a spot at the Deux Magots try the nearby Cafe de Flore, 172 boulevard Saint-Germain, also charming and also embedded in the city’s intellectual and artistic history.</p>
<p>CHIC CHOCOLATE</p>
<p>A rich, dark, pudding-y brew, the hot chocolate at the Angelina cafes comes with a separate small cup of whipped cream. Expect a dash of tableside theater as the waiter lifts the jug high to send a stream of molten chocolate cascading into your cup. There are a few locations, including the original, Belle Epoque-style tearoom at 226 rue de Rivoli, as well as branches near the Louvre and the Luxembourg museums. No museum entrance required to visit the Luxembourg location and you have the added bonus of being able to walk off some of that chocolate in the large and lovely gardens. Rivoli location hours 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. weekends. More here: <a href="http://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/." type="external">http://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/.</a></p>
<p>CLASSIC COCKTAILS</p>
<p>Harry’s New York Bar, near the Palais Garnier at 5 rue Daunou, comes by its name honestly. It was founded in 1911 by an American jockey who had a Manhattan bar dismantled and shipped over. The style is old-school; the white-coated bartenders ply their trade with businesslike efficiency and the paneled walls are covered with mementos, including pennants from several American colleges and paper money from all over. Fun on a busy evening but also excellent in the quiet of a rainy afternoon. The bar is said to be the birthplace of several drinks including the French 75 and the sidecar. But it may be best known as the home of the bloody mary and still serves up a hearty version featuring a liberal amount of Worcestershire sauce and plenty of vodka. According to legend, famous customers include Humphrey Bogart, Coco Chanel and, you guessed it, Hemingway. Open noon-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Michelle Locke tweets at <a href="https://twitter.com/Locke_Michelle" type="external">https://twitter.com/Locke_Michelle</a></p>
<p>Thirsty for fabulous sightseeing, strolling and shopping? Paris has got you covered. Or maybe you’re simply . thirsty. No problem. Whether you fancy Champagne atop the Eiffel Tower or coffee at a sidewalk cafe, here are five ways to raise a toast, Parisian style, through a series of five signature drinks.</p>
<p>You can celebrate a visit to the Eiffel Tower at the landmark’s Champagne bar. Make a toast to Ernest Hemingway with your martini at his old hangout at the Ritz Paris. Or give yourself a boost with a double espresso at Les Deux Magots. At Harry’s New York Bar, try the classic bloody mary. And warm up with a hot chocolate at the Angelina cafe near Luxembourg Gardens.</p>
<p>PARIS (AP) — Thirsty for fabulous sightseeing, strolling and shopping? Paris has got you covered. Or maybe you’re simply . thirsty. No problem. Whether you fancy Champagne atop the Eiffel Tower or coffee at a sidewalk cafe, here are five ways to raise a toast, Parisian style.</p>
<p>POP AT THE TOP</p>
<p>A flute of Champagne is a celebration. A flute of Champagne at the pinnacle of the Eiffel Tower is just that little bit extra. An elegant and enduring monument to 19th-century know-how, the tower attracts around 7 million visitors a year, which means you’re probably going to have to put up with some lines. But this is worth a wait. Online tickets are available although they tend to sell out fast. If you want some exercise, you can buy a stair ticket to climb the 704 steps to the second floor and then buy an elevator ticket to the third (top) floor, although you may have to wait if the top is full. The Champagne Bar is more of a takeout window than a bar, serving regular fizz for about $15 a glass and Mumm rose Champagne for $20. Open daily noon-10: 45 p.m. except for a one-hour break 5:15 p.m-6:15 p.m. Tower hours: 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m., slightly longer in summer. Note stairs are open late in summer only, closing at 6 p.m. the rest of the year. More here: <a href="http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/preparing-your-visit/opening-times." type="external">http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/preparing-your-visit/opening-times.</a></p>
<p>HEMINGWAY HANGOUT</p>
<p>Cole Porter is said to have composed music in the dark and cozy alcove known as the “little bar” at the Ritz Paris. Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway “liberated” the place after the Allies marched into Paris in 1944. Stories vary but the liberation mainly appears to have taken the form of downing a significant number of martinis. Today, you can visit the cozy drinking spot which was renovated and restored a few years ago and is now known as Bar Hemingway, one of three in the grand hotel. The vibe here is comfy man cave_leather chairs, a bust of Hemingway, lots of memorabilia including a few manual typewriters and a fine line-up of cocktails. A good choice to honor Hemingway’s legacy is the clean dirty martini that has the requisite briny olive taste but is clear, not cloudy. Located at 15 place Vendome, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.</p>
<p>CAFE SOCIETY</p>
<p>Back in the day, Les Deux Magots buzzed with the talk of artists and intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Picasso. Today, it’s more of a tourist haunt, but there’s still plenty of atmospheric charm at this cafe in the tony Saint-Germain-des-Pres area. Snag a seat in the outdoor area and watch the (well-dressed) world go by as you sip on a classic double espresso. Located at 6 place Saint-Germain des Pres, 7:30 a.m.-1 a.m. And if you can’t find a spot at the Deux Magots try the nearby Cafe de Flore, 172 boulevard Saint-Germain, also charming and also embedded in the city’s intellectual and artistic history.</p>
<p>CHIC CHOCOLATE</p>
<p>A rich, dark, pudding-y brew, the hot chocolate at the Angelina cafes comes with a separate small cup of whipped cream. Expect a dash of tableside theater as the waiter lifts the jug high to send a stream of molten chocolate cascading into your cup. There are a few locations, including the original, Belle Epoque-style tearoom at 226 rue de Rivoli, as well as branches near the Louvre and the Luxembourg museums. No museum entrance required to visit the Luxembourg location and you have the added bonus of being able to walk off some of that chocolate in the large and lovely gardens. Rivoli location hours 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. weekends. More here: <a href="http://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/." type="external">http://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/.</a></p>
<p>CLASSIC COCKTAILS</p>
<p>Harry’s New York Bar, near the Palais Garnier at 5 rue Daunou, comes by its name honestly. It was founded in 1911 by an American jockey who had a Manhattan bar dismantled and shipped over. The style is old-school; the white-coated bartenders ply their trade with businesslike efficiency and the paneled walls are covered with mementos, including pennants from several American colleges and paper money from all over. Fun on a busy evening but also excellent in the quiet of a rainy afternoon. The bar is said to be the birthplace of several drinks including the French 75 and the sidecar. But it may be best known as the home of the bloody mary and still serves up a hearty version featuring a liberal amount of Worcestershire sauce and plenty of vodka. According to legend, famous customers include Humphrey Bogart, Coco Chanel and, you guessed it, Hemingway. Open noon-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Michelle Locke tweets at <a href="https://twitter.com/Locke_Michelle" type="external">https://twitter.com/Locke_Michelle</a></p>
<p>Thirsty for fabulous sightseeing, strolling and shopping? Paris has got you covered. Or maybe you’re simply . thirsty. No problem. Whether you fancy Champagne atop the Eiffel Tower or coffee at a sidewalk cafe, here are five ways to raise a toast, Parisian style, through a series of five signature drinks.</p>
<p>You can celebrate a visit to the Eiffel Tower at the landmark’s Champagne bar. Make a toast to Ernest Hemingway with your martini at his old hangout at the Ritz Paris. Or give yourself a boost with a double espresso at Les Deux Magots. At Harry’s New York Bar, try the classic bloody mary. And warm up with a hot chocolate at the Angelina cafe near Luxembourg Gardens.</p> | 5 signature Parisian drinks and where to find them | false | https://apnews.com/65906f6c14a34c2caa7c8935c5be7f8c | 2017-12-26 | 2 |
<p>By Juan Cole | —</p>
<p>What an incredible year this has been! Informed Comment has gone from strength to strength. We expect 2015 to be as dramatic, and will continue to expand our coverage, with both expert opinion and observers on the ground. I tried but failed to enlist a regular Middle East-based correspondent, but will keep trying, and did succeed in attracting many submissions from freelancers in the region this year. Be sure to <a href="" type="internal">sign up for delivery of the daily postings by email so you don’t miss even one.</a> Our aim is to be even more comprehensive, and to provide insights on world developments not found elsewhere that challenge lazy conventional wisdom and inside-the-beltway tunnel blindness. We seek to provide visitors with one-stop access to high quality curated sources for research on the Middle East, including maps and key documents and translations. That endeavor obviously requires resources, and the more we have the more we can do. Your support allowed me to pay guest columnists for some of our more popular entries this year.</p>
<p>Thanks to all those who have contributed in the past to make it possible for Informed Comment to continue and improve. This year those who contribute to Informed Comment will become members with a Golden Lion beside their own name in the comments as recognition for your role in making this site possible. You will also be included in a private newsletter only for contributors with some additional big picture behind-the-scenes analysis which will be newsletter only.</p>
<p>Those of you who donated last year supported important trips to the region so as to have first-hand, on-the-ground impressions that would help me interpret the news. I’d like to tell you about those trips, below.</p>
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<p>This is a time of vast transformations in the Middle East, and it has never been more important for us to understand what is happening there. I, along with guest columnists, covered and will continue to cover key developments in a way seldom found in the MSM (which obsessed over a lost airliner, a New Jersey bridge, a Solange-Jay-Z tiff, and a phony Benghazi “scandal” instead of reporting news). The Obama administration is pursuing negotiations with Iran that, if ultimately successful, will change the face of the world. The Obama administration’s effort at Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations were derailed by the intransigence of PM Binyamin Netanyahu’s far right government, setting the stage for another Israeli attack on little Gaza (during which ABC news showed an Israeli rocket strike near non-combatants and labeled it a Hamas attack on Israel). Sweden recognized Palestine, and the British and Spanish parliaments urged this step on their governments. Tunisia has passed a new constitution guaranteeing women’s rights and freedom of belief and expression, and conducted new parliamentary and presidential elections in which the Muslim fundamentalists lost to secularists. Egypt saw the consolidation of a new military dictatorship and the crushing of the Muslim Brotherhood. Iraq collapsed, with the government losing 40% of the country’s territory to an insurgent “caliphate” that erased the border with eastern Syria– perhaps the most dramatic alteration of borders in the region since World War I. These events drew the US back into Iraq militarily for the first time since 2011. Radical al-Qaeda affiliates or offshoots took over most rebel-held territory in Syria, besieging the Kurdish city of Kobane, even as the nationalist Baath government reasserted itself along the urban trunk road from Damascus up to Aleppo. Stay tuned in 2015 to the outcomes of these weighty developments!</p>
<p>Our new format, driven by a technical plug-in, has allowed four or five postings a day on world affairs and progressive politics, so that I’ve been functioning as an editor in finding or soliciting these other pieces for you. I brought out a new book a few months ago, <a href="" type="external">The New Arabs: How the Millennial Generation is Changing the Middle East,</a> which has been widely and favorably reviewed and which makes an excellent holiday present for your friends and relatives :-)! In our pages, we’ve had eyewitness accounts from Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey, and searching, critical opinion pieces on politics and Islam. And, I’ve continued to give you an interpretive essay every day of the year on what I think is the most important or interesting story of the day. (Those who like the old <a href="" type="internal">weblog view and are mainly interested in my essays can still find it here (click on the underlined text).</a> We were up to nearly four and a half million page views last year, from slightly over four the year before. Informed Comment also has a big presence in social media. Twitter impressions for November alone were 1.3 million. I’m proud to say some 45 percent of our readers are women, and 60 percent of you are 34 and younger.</p>
<p>Years ago I decided that I did not want to put Informed Comment behind a firewall and charge a subscription fee for it. That just isn’t who I am. In my own view, there has been a long crisis between the United States (and perhaps much of the West) and the Muslim world that I felt a duty to attempt to interpret and analyze for both publics, not just for well-heeled elites. More recently issues have arisen such a climate change and the energy and water crises, which have a great deal to do with the Middle East and South Asia, my areas of expertise. This is a democratic blog, for the people and in dialogue with the people, for the common weal.</p>
<p>Although I have some research funds from my university, there are categories of expense it does not cover, and my ability to go spontaneously to the region when there are important developments is enhanced by your subscriptions (academic fellowships have to be plotted out at least a year in advance, which is too inflexible for my style of academic journalism). Also, I do some pro bono speaking and traveling for, e.g. peace groups, and you support those expenses, too. Your support gives me the determination and courage to go on.</p>
<p>Visits to the region this year included a trip to Egypt last spring, so that I could gauge the political atmosphere in the run-up to the presidential elections. I found the atmosphere fearful and repressed in some respects, as the government is increasingly going after human rights Non-Governmental Organizations and jailing protesters. In other respects, there was among the people I met (from all walks of life) a happiness to be shut of Muslim Brotherhood rule (one working class man told me it had been like being in prison). Nor was the population all that cowed– there were lots of labor strikes, which the government clearly feared to put down with a heavy hand. I did attend a concert by dissident singer Mohamed Mohsen, who was later disinvited from performing at the Cairo opera house because he is not on board with Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s turn to neo-authoritarianism. The concert was packed with very enthusiastic young people who I suspect were blowing off some frustrations in this way.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /> (Screenshot from the concert via Youtube).</p>
<p>I also went to Turkey, where the talk was about the over 1 million Syrian refugees now in that country and the lurching of the Justice and Development Party government toward more authoritarian government, with heavy press censorship and repression of peaceful protest.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /> Ataturks’ Tomb in Ankara</p>
<p>I attended while in Ankara the World Middle East Studies Association meeting and gave a paper on cyber-activism in Tunisia. I was privileged to meet a number of young academics and activists from Egypt, Tunisia and other countries of the Middle East, and to learn from their perspectives.</p>
<p>Middle East issues are often framed by right wing media such as Fox Cable News in Islamophobic and frankly racist ways. Unscrupulous “news” providers play on the comparative lack of good information and analysis to manipulate public opinion on these matters so as to create fear and promote right-wing policies. Informed Comment is one of the few solid counterweights to this propaganda. Corporate news outlets, even relatively liberal ones, can almost never report evenhandedly on controversial issues such as the plight of the stateless Palestinians, because of fear of consumer boycotts. Likewise, much of the MSM in the US seems determined to obscure the dangers and sources of climate change, perhaps influenced by the vast wealth of Big Carbon or even because their parent companies are invested in that sector. Informed Comment is unconstrained by such considerations.</p>
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<p>When events call for first hand reporting, I will continue travel for research and journalism to places where important developments are unfolding affecting US foreign policy, including of course the Middle East. Your contributions also allow me to solicit and pay for pieces from stringers on the scene.</p>
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<p>Your donation helps me keep Informed Comment independent and prolific. Together we keep independent media alive. I would like to thank all my readers and contributors again for your support in 2014 and look forward to an even more productive 2015 together. Thank you for supporting our independent thinking and dialogue!</p> | Annual Informed Comment Fundraiser | true | http://juancole.com/2014/12/2014-annual-informed-comment-fundraiser.html | 2014-12-01 | 4 |
<p />
<p>Sportswear maker Under Armour reported a 22.2 percent rise in quarterly sales, as demand for its running and basketball shoes and accessories grew.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Net income rose to $128.23 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 from $100.48 million a year earlier.</p>
<p>On a per-share basis, earnings rose to 29 cents per Class C share from 23 cents. The company earned 29 cents per Class A and Class B share, from 23 cents, a year earlier.</p>
<p>Revenue rose to $1.47 billion, from $1.20 billion.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Jessica Kuruthukulangara and Gayathree Ganesan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>(The following is the original story published by FOX Business)</p>
<p>After a muddled start to the year, several analysts expect Under Armour Inc. (NYSE:UA) to reassert its status as a Wall Street darling when it reports third quarter earnings on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Rapid international growth is expected to continue, especially in Asia, where chief executive Kevin Plank recently toured with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. And with the upcoming release of the latest edition of Curry’s basketball sneakers on Oct. 27, firms are optimistic about Under Armour’s stock heading into 2017.</p>
<p>“After the challenges Under Armour faced in the first half of 2016 (winter inventory hangover, management departures, Sports Authority bankruptcy), we believe 3Q will begin to show a normalization of demand trends,” Canaccord Genuity analyst Camilo Lyon wrote in an Oct. 21 note.</p>
<p>Like industry leader Nike Inc. (NSYE:NKE), Under Armour has seen its stock price drop steadily in 2016 amid uncertainty in the athletic apparel industry. Lingering inventory issues from an unseasonably warm winter, coupled with the loss of key retailer Sports Authority to bankruptcy, had a negative impact on Under Armour’s bottom line, even as it continued to make strides in the international market and footwear space.</p>
<p>With troubles related to Sports Authority’s demise now in the rearview, Wall Street is predicting a strong finish to the fiscal year.</p>
<p>Under Armour is expected to report earnings per share of $0.25 for 3Q 2016, an increase of $0.02 compared to the same period one year ago, according to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. Revenue is expected to increase 25% to $1.5 billion year-over-year.</p>
<p>Lyon reiterated his Buy rating for Under Armour’s stock, citing Curry’s star power and expanded product offerings in the running, training and golf categories. He expects the brand to thrive in China, where Curry’s basketball sneakers have been particularly popular.</p>
<p>“We expect the rapid growth internationally to continue for the foreseeable period. We are especially encouraged by the momentum in China, which is expected to exceed $150 million in 2016, making it UA’s largest international market,” Lyon wrote.</p>
<p>Piper Jaffray is similarly bullish on Under Armour’s prospects, upgrading the company’s rating to overweight earlier this month.</p>
<p>“We believe the environment for athletic is healthier today vs. four months ago when management negatively pre-announced,” Piper Jaffray analyst Erinn Murphy wrote in an Oct. 19 note. “Further, our international field work suggests the brand is gaining traction in Europe and Asia.”</p>
<p>Much of the optimism related to Under Armour’s efforts is tied to its growing success in the footwear space. The buzz generated by Curry’s sneaker line likely led retailers to stock up on the new model ahead of the holiday season.</p>
<p>“We see the potential for upside to sales supported by strong trends abroad and accelerating footwear sales with the sell-in benefit of the Steph Curry 3.0,” Murphy said, adding that she expects inventory levels to be “clean” heading into 4Q.</p>
<p>Under Armour’s partnership with Kohl’s is projected to drive significant growth in 2017 and beyond. Plank is expected to provide further detail on that partnership, as well as Under Armour’s reported agreement to produce uniforms for Major League Baseball, during the post-earnings conference call on Tuesday morning.</p> | Under Armour Reports 22.2% Rise in Quarterly Sales | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/10/24/under-armour-reports-22-2-rise-in-quarterly-sales.html | 2016-10-25 | 0 |
<p />
<p>In the Foreign Policy special report “Unconventional Wisdom”, a series of essays purporting to challenge conventional beliefs on a broad range of topics, Leslie H. Gelb asserts that with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, “ <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/02/unconventional_wisdom?page=0,6" type="external">America Pressures Israel Plenty</a>“. Gelb describes as “myths” the notion that Israelis “have been the main stumbling block to peace” and that the U.S. “has failed to use its influence to pressure Israel”. Examining Gelb’s argument in favor of the respective corollaries – that “Israel has a long and compelling history of making major concessions to Arabs”, and that the U.S. “has pushed and pulled Israel” in that direction at “each step” – is instructive.</p>
<p>The validity of the latter assertion depends upon that of the former, for which Gelb offers several ostensible examples: Israel’s return of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt under the terms of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979, and repeated offers to return most of the West Bank to the Palestinians. The Sinai, writes Gelb, was “booty of a war it did not start and an act of territorial generosity unprecedented in modern history.” Gelb doesn’t name the war in which Israel conquered the Sinai for readers not familiar with the history. This is perhaps just as well, since it is difficult to reconcile the claim Israel “did not start” the June 1967 “Six Day War” with the completely uncontroversial fact that it was Israel who fired the first shot.</p>
<p>Gelb cannot be unaware of that fact, so presumably he is clinging here to the conventional wisdom that Israel’s surprise attack on Egypt was “preemptive”. It would be an understatement to say that there is scant evidentiary basis for the implication that Egypt had intended to launch an offensive war against Israel. Indeed, the documentary record contradicts that claim, its enormous and somewhat inexplicable popularity notwithstanding. When U.S. President Lyndon Johnson later asked Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser why he had amassed troops in the Sinai, Nasser replied, “Whether you believe it or not, we were in fear of an attack from Israel. We had been informed that the Israelis were massing troops on the Syrian border with the idea of first attacking Syria, there they did not expect to meet great resistance, and then commence their attack on the UAR.” Johnson had little cause to disbelieve Nasser’s explanation; he had been informed prior to the war by his Director of Central Intelligence Richard Helms that Israel could “defend successfully against simultaneous Arab attacks on all fronts … or hold on any three fronts while mounting successfully a major offensive on the fourth.” The CIA assessed that “Israel could almost certainly attain air supremacy over the Sinai Peninsula in less than 24 hours after taking the initiative or in two or three days if the UAR struck first.” The CIA also described Egypt’s military positions in the Sinai as a “defense line”.</p>
<p>Israel’s own intelligence assessment concurred with the U.S.’s that the likelihood of an Egyptian attack was slim. As current Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael B. Oren observes in his book Six Days of War, “By all reports Israel received from the Americans, and according to its own intelligence, Nasser had no interest in bloodshed.” In Israel’s own view, “Nasser would have to be deranged” to attack first, and war “could only come about if Nasser felt he had complete military superiority over the IDF, if Israel were caught up in a domestic crisis, and, most crucially, was isolated internationally—a most unlikely confluence.” Yitzhak Rabin, later Prime Minister, told Le Monde the year following the war, “I do not think Nasser wanted war. The two divisions he sent to the Sinai would not have been sufficient to launch an offensive war. He knew it and we knew it.” Prime Minister Menachem Begin similarly acknowledged that Israel’s war on Egypt in 1956 was a war of “choice” and that “In June 1967 we again had a choice. The Egyptian army concentrations in the Sinai approaches do not prove that Nasser was really about to attack us. We must be honest with ourselves. We decided to attack him.”</p>
<p>Gelb in effect purports to challenge one series of “myths” by propagating others. But the historical accuracy of his argument – or lack thereof, rather – is not the only fallacy here. Gelb’s rejection of international law, implicit in his description of territorial gains as “booty” and the return of that territory as “concessions” and acts of “generosity”, is also instructive. The underlying assumption of these characterizations is that Israel had some kind of right or legitimate claim to that territory. Yet “the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war” is a well-established principle under international law. This principle is cited, for example, in United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 calling upon Israel to withdraw from territories it occupied during the ’67 war: the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, the Syrian Golan Heights, and the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza Strip. As Dr. Norman Finkelstein (author most recently of ‘This Time We Went Too Far’ about the consequences of Israel’s ’08-’09 devastating invasion of Gaza) has observed, if one operates in a framework of what Israel is entitled to under international law, rather than in the framework of what Israel wants, then it becomes apparent that the number of “concessions” Israel has made in this regard has been precisely zero. &#160;Less than zero, actually. Returning to Gelb’s argument, consider Israel’s “generosity” in supposedly offering to return “more than 90 percent of the West Bank” – a demand for a major territorial concession from the Palestinians. Respecting international law, Gelb’s argument crumbles.</p>
<p>Gelb’s claim of U.S. “pressure” to get Israel to make “concessions” falls apart as a corollary, but is nevertheless worth further examination. He cites “President Barack Obama’s recent scolding of Israel over its West Bank settlements” as evidence. The issue of Israeli settlements –illegal under international law – has been ongoing since Obama took office, with this claim of “pressure” on Israel from his administration being a familiar refrain. The first chorus was heard shortly after coming into office when the administration initially called upon Israel to cease settlement activity in the interests of furthering peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. This request coincided with the announcement that under no circumstances would the U.S. consider scaling back U.S. support for Israel that effectively empowers Israel to carry on its policies of continued settlement expansion and ongoing occupation. The message was not lost upon the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.</p>
<p>The more recent incident of “pressure” Gelb refers to came in the form of an offer to reward Israel with 20 F-35 jet fighters and promises to protect Israel diplomatically, such as through use of the U.S. veto in the U.N. Security Council. In other words, a continuation of the status quo. (Consider the Obama administration’s vow to ensure that the findings and recommendations of the U.N. Goldstone report – which found that both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes during Israel’s assault on Gaza – would not be endorsed by the Security Council, or its expressions of solidarity in response to Israel’s having killed nine peace activists in an illegal assault upon the humanitarian vessel the Mavi Marmara in international waters). All that was requested in return is that Israel would cease settlement expansion for 90 days, East Jerusalem, which the International Court of Justice has observed is “occupied Palestinian territory” under international law, excluded. Implicit in the terms of this proposal was that Israel could return to its illegal activities elsewhere in the West Bank after the allotted time, and yet retain the F-35s (courtesy of U.S. taxpayers) and continue to be assured of U.S. diplomatic support. Also revealing is the fact that there was no hint that if Israel refused this offer, the U.S. would stray from the status quo arrangement. The arms deal is expected to go forward despite the failure of talks (and despite the suspension of production of the F-35 line). In short, U.S. “pressure” consisted in this case of an offer to continue the U.S. policy of effectively rewarding Israel for violating international law, with ongoing illegal settlement construction in East Jerusalem and just a brief hiatus elsewhere in the West Bank, with it being well understood that if this offer is refused, the status quo will continue anyhow.</p>
<p>The actual facts and true nature of the U.S.-Israeli strategic partnership notwithstanding, Gelb still manages to express dismay that the “Arabs have not wanted to credit Washington’s role as a peacemaker because they think the United States is capable of exerting even more pressure on Israel.” Gasp! It is certainly true, as his next sentence declares, that “the American role has been real and substantial” – but not in the way Gelb intends it. The irony that in his ostensible effort to challenge faulty conventional wisdom, Gelb actually sticks very much to it should not be lost upon the reader.</p> | Leslie H. Gelb’s Not So Unconventional Wisdom | false | http://foreignpolicyjournal.com/2011/01/22/leslie-h-gelbs-not-so-unconventional-wisdom/ | 2011-01-22 | 1 |
<p>Earlier this week, following Hillary Clinton's stunning defeat during the New Hampshire primaries, it was widely reported that the Congressional Black Caucus PAC had endorsed the former Secretary of State.</p>
<p>Lost in the media coverage was an important distinction between the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), made up of 48 elected officials, and the political action committee (PAC) that actually endorsed Clinton.</p>
<p>On February 11, Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, one of the 48 members of the CBC, posted on Twitter.</p>
<p>Indeed, the CBC PAC not only does not speak for the 48 elected members of Congress, it turns out the committee's board is made up primarily of lobbyists.</p>
<p>As <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/" type="external">reported</a> by The Intercept, members of the PAC's board include eleven lobbyists, two PAC managers, and only seven elected officials.</p>
<p>Board members include:</p>
<p>According the <a href="http://www.cbcpac.org/leadership" type="external">PAC's website</a>, other board members include:</p>
<p>The Intercept&#160;also reports:</p>
<p>A significant percentage of the $7,000 raised this cycle by the CBC PAC was donated by white lobbyists, including Vic Fazio, who represents Philip Morris and served for years as a lobbyist to Corrections Corporation of America, and David Adams, a former Clinton aide who now lobbies for Wal-Mart, the largest gun distributor in America.</p>
<p>The CBC PAC has&#160; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/" type="external">refused to disclose the process</a> behind the Clinton endorsement, saying only that it came about as the result of a vote from the 20 member board.</p>
<p>No specific vote tally has been released by the PAC.</p>
<p>Another member of the actual Congressional Black Caucus,&#160;Rep. Barbara Lee (CA) spoke about the PAC's endorsement on Democracy Now, <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/2/11/as_congressional_black_caucus_pac_prepares" type="external">saying</a>,</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Featured image from&#160;Rep. Keith Ellison on <a href="https://twitter.com/keithellison" type="external">Twitter</a></p> | Congressional Black Caucus Cries Foul Over Supposed Clinton Endorsement (VIDEO) | true | http://addictinginfo.org/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-cries-foul-over-supposed-clinton-endorsement-video/ | 2016-02-11 | 4 |
<p>TUCSON (AZ)New York TimesBy LAURIE GOODSTEIN</p>
<p />
<p>ope John Paul II yesterday accepted the resignation of the ailing Bishop Manuel D. Moreno of Tucson, who presided over a diocese that is now on the verge of bankruptcy because of large financial settlements with victims of sexually abusive priests.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>In a noon Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, Bishop Moreno told congregants yesterday that he had prostate cancer and was in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. He is retiring after 21 years in Tucson at age 72, three years before bishops usually tender their resignations.</p>
<p>Bishop Moreno's replacement is Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, who has been helping to guide the diocese since October 2001, when he was appointed as the bishop's coadjutor, or intended successor, because of Bishop Moreno's declining health.</p>
<p>Last year Bishop Moreno suspended 19 priests accused of abuse, said Fred Allison, the bishop's spokesman. Before that, the diocese had 83 active priests and 31 others listed on its rosters as retired, sick or absent.</p>
<p>"I would be remiss if I didn't say my days here have also had turmoil and difficulty, pain and remorse," Bishop Moreno said at yesterday's Mass. "To those who my actions or inactions have caused pain, I renew my contrition."</p> | Resignation of Bishop in Troubled Tucson Diocese Is Accepted | false | https://poynter.org/news/resignation-bishop-troubled-tucson-diocese-accepted-0 | 2003-03-08 | 2 |
<p>MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 16, 2018--Evoking the passion, power and purpose of Milwaukee’s flourishing arts scene, <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcushotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Marcus%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts&amp;index=1&amp;md5=10413944fd43a9314b2aaa2ba15f4aa7" type="external">Marcus ® Hotels &amp; Resorts</a> announced today that it is reinventing the 221-room InterContinental Milwaukee into a creatively bold independent arts hotel. Daring to blend impeccable hospitality with curated exhibits, contemporary installations and engrossing live performances, Milwaukee will soon be home to one of the country’s most immersive and inviting arts hotel experiences.</p>
<p>“The arts spark conversation and debate. The arts inspire and heal. They are part of our daily life, while also serving as an escape. And the arts bring people together, despite differing tastes, backgrounds and experiences,” said Greg Marcus, president and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation. “For generations, Milwaukee’s arts scene has been central to the city’s health, vibrancy and reputation as a culturally relevant home and destination. By reimagining this hotel’s place in our community, we aspire to serve as a welcoming, freeing space for those who wish to experience Milwaukee through an entirely different lens.”</p>
<p>Three key elements – the modern design of the hotel, its prime location in the heart of the city’s growing arts and entertainment district, and Milwaukee’s extraordinary creative community – will all come together to design an experience unlike any other. The curtain is expected to rise on the redesigned property in mid-2019, unveiling a hotel nestled within a dynamic, urban arts scene. Featuring collections and standalone pieces from international and local artists, both known and up-and-coming, the hotel will also serve as host to performing arts experiences. Building off the success of Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts’ ground-breaking Artist-in-Residence program at The Pfister Hotel, the property will also feature a similar working studio where guests can share in the evolution of each artist’s work up close and personal. Its on-site culinary destinations will celebrate local flavors and customs while creating a bite or sip that challenges tradition. And completing the experience, guests will not only be able to see and taste all that local artisans have to offer, but also touch and feel it through locally-procured products that celebrate our roots, and service that warmly envelops them from the moment they walk in the door.</p>
<p>The Marcus Corporation and its leadership team have long been avid supporters of the arts in Milwaukee, with the impact seen throughout the community. For example, years ago Steve Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corporation, led the group that brought internationally renowned artist Robert Indiana to Milwaukee to paint the Mecca basketball floor, creating one of the largest canvases ever to national and lasting acclaim. The company helped lead the formation of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) in Milwaukee, which today is the leading funding source for many performing arts organizations. It provided the lead donation for the campaign that led to the naming of the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, Milwaukee’s premier, multi-use performing arts venue. This past summer, Steve Marcus created and vigorously championed Sculpture Milwaukee, which is one of the largest urban outdoor sculpture galleries in the world. And, most recently, the company donated its ownership of the Warner Grand Theatre to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to be used as its next performance venue.</p>
<p>“We have long held a deep-seated passion for how the arts enhance the vibrancy and interconnectedness of our communities,” concluded Marcus. “With this project, we saw a very special opportunity to push the envelope and create an entirely new concept that pays homage to the arts. Ultimately, our hope is that a visit or a stay at this hotel will inspire our guests to explore more of what’s possible and experience our community in a way that is more personal. So much so that when they leave, they are already planning their return to see what’s next.”</p>
<p>For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts, please visit: <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2FMedia.MarcusHotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=http%3A%2F%2FMedia.MarcusHotels.com&amp;index=2&amp;md5=d91c15ba9d50ecb8644c3bef33168ce2" type="external">http://Media.MarcusHotels.com</a>.</p>
<p>About Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p><a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcushotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Marcus%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts&amp;index=3&amp;md5=49c6290a54ff1a9091891447aef3bf92" type="external">Marcus ® Hotels &amp; Resorts</a> is a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcuscorp.com%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=The+Marcus+Corporation&amp;index=4&amp;md5=488401610778153b5dda2f91adb51ffb" type="external">The Marcus Corporation</a> (NYSE: MCS). It owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. For more information, please visit: <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.marcushotels.com%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.marcushotels.com&amp;index=5&amp;md5=82fe901f550780ac44d631ace8043ca0" type="external">http://media.marcushotels.com</a> and follow the company on <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMarcusHotels%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Facebook&amp;index=6&amp;md5=937fe58c2c8d76d4ac543f24d1f93851" type="external">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fmarcushotels%3Flang%3Den&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Twitter&amp;index=7&amp;md5=a7e6337ad728d6621c4aeeee501471bc" type="external">Twitter</a> (@MarcusHotels).</p>
<p />
<p>View source version on businesswire.com: <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en/" type="external">http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en/</a></p>
<p>CONTACT: For Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p>Megan Hakes</p>
<p>Direct: 414.376.3080</p>
<p>Mobile: 414.788.6599</p>
<p>[email protected]</p>
<p>KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WISCONSIN</p>
<p>INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT ARTS/MUSEUMS TRAVEL LODGING</p>
<p>SOURCE: Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p>Copyright Business Wire 2018.</p>
<p>PUB: 01/16/2018 11:34 AM/DISC: 01/16/2018 11:34 AM</p>
<p>http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en</p>
<p>MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 16, 2018--Evoking the passion, power and purpose of Milwaukee’s flourishing arts scene, <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcushotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Marcus%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts&amp;index=1&amp;md5=10413944fd43a9314b2aaa2ba15f4aa7" type="external">Marcus ® Hotels &amp; Resorts</a> announced today that it is reinventing the 221-room InterContinental Milwaukee into a creatively bold independent arts hotel. Daring to blend impeccable hospitality with curated exhibits, contemporary installations and engrossing live performances, Milwaukee will soon be home to one of the country’s most immersive and inviting arts hotel experiences.</p>
<p>“The arts spark conversation and debate. The arts inspire and heal. They are part of our daily life, while also serving as an escape. And the arts bring people together, despite differing tastes, backgrounds and experiences,” said Greg Marcus, president and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation. “For generations, Milwaukee’s arts scene has been central to the city’s health, vibrancy and reputation as a culturally relevant home and destination. By reimagining this hotel’s place in our community, we aspire to serve as a welcoming, freeing space for those who wish to experience Milwaukee through an entirely different lens.”</p>
<p>Three key elements – the modern design of the hotel, its prime location in the heart of the city’s growing arts and entertainment district, and Milwaukee’s extraordinary creative community – will all come together to design an experience unlike any other. The curtain is expected to rise on the redesigned property in mid-2019, unveiling a hotel nestled within a dynamic, urban arts scene. Featuring collections and standalone pieces from international and local artists, both known and up-and-coming, the hotel will also serve as host to performing arts experiences. Building off the success of Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts’ ground-breaking Artist-in-Residence program at The Pfister Hotel, the property will also feature a similar working studio where guests can share in the evolution of each artist’s work up close and personal. Its on-site culinary destinations will celebrate local flavors and customs while creating a bite or sip that challenges tradition. And completing the experience, guests will not only be able to see and taste all that local artisans have to offer, but also touch and feel it through locally-procured products that celebrate our roots, and service that warmly envelops them from the moment they walk in the door.</p>
<p>The Marcus Corporation and its leadership team have long been avid supporters of the arts in Milwaukee, with the impact seen throughout the community. For example, years ago Steve Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corporation, led the group that brought internationally renowned artist Robert Indiana to Milwaukee to paint the Mecca basketball floor, creating one of the largest canvases ever to national and lasting acclaim. The company helped lead the formation of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) in Milwaukee, which today is the leading funding source for many performing arts organizations. It provided the lead donation for the campaign that led to the naming of the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, Milwaukee’s premier, multi-use performing arts venue. This past summer, Steve Marcus created and vigorously championed Sculpture Milwaukee, which is one of the largest urban outdoor sculpture galleries in the world. And, most recently, the company donated its ownership of the Warner Grand Theatre to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to be used as its next performance venue.</p>
<p>“We have long held a deep-seated passion for how the arts enhance the vibrancy and interconnectedness of our communities,” concluded Marcus. “With this project, we saw a very special opportunity to push the envelope and create an entirely new concept that pays homage to the arts. Ultimately, our hope is that a visit or a stay at this hotel will inspire our guests to explore more of what’s possible and experience our community in a way that is more personal. So much so that when they leave, they are already planning their return to see what’s next.”</p>
<p>For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts, please visit: <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2FMedia.MarcusHotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=http%3A%2F%2FMedia.MarcusHotels.com&amp;index=2&amp;md5=d91c15ba9d50ecb8644c3bef33168ce2" type="external">http://Media.MarcusHotels.com</a>.</p>
<p>About Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p><a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcushotels.com&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Marcus%C2%AE+Hotels+%26+Resorts&amp;index=3&amp;md5=49c6290a54ff1a9091891447aef3bf92" type="external">Marcus ® Hotels &amp; Resorts</a> is a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marcuscorp.com%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=The+Marcus+Corporation&amp;index=4&amp;md5=488401610778153b5dda2f91adb51ffb" type="external">The Marcus Corporation</a> (NYSE: MCS). It owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. For more information, please visit: <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.marcushotels.com%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.marcushotels.com&amp;index=5&amp;md5=82fe901f550780ac44d631ace8043ca0" type="external">http://media.marcushotels.com</a> and follow the company on <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMarcusHotels%2F&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Facebook&amp;index=6&amp;md5=937fe58c2c8d76d4ac543f24d1f93851" type="external">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fmarcushotels%3Flang%3Den&amp;esheet=51743861&amp;newsitemid=20180116006348&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Twitter&amp;index=7&amp;md5=a7e6337ad728d6621c4aeeee501471bc" type="external">Twitter</a> (@MarcusHotels).</p>
<p />
<p>View source version on businesswire.com: <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en/" type="external">http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en/</a></p>
<p>CONTACT: For Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p>Megan Hakes</p>
<p>Direct: 414.376.3080</p>
<p>Mobile: 414.788.6599</p>
<p>[email protected]</p>
<p>KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WISCONSIN</p>
<p>INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT ARTS/MUSEUMS TRAVEL LODGING</p>
<p>SOURCE: Marcus Hotels &amp; Resorts</p>
<p>Copyright Business Wire 2018.</p>
<p>PUB: 01/16/2018 11:34 AM/DISC: 01/16/2018 11:34 AM</p>
<p>http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180116006348/en</p> | Marcus® Hotels & Resorts to Curate New Hotel Concept Celebrating the Arts | false | https://apnews.com/amp/c6acf0f0a50c46e3acf673e987909be5 | 2018-01-16 | 2 |
<p />
<p>A growing and increasingly longer-living global population makes healthcare one of the most attractive sectors for investors, but I thinkthat genetic research, robotic surgery, and marijuana legalization could be the industry's biggest money-making opportunities. If so, then Illumina Corp.(NASDAQ: ILMN), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), and GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH) could be smart stocks to buy.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Researchers are increasingly finding that disease is caused by genetic abnormalities, and often, those discoveries are being made using machines and disposable supplies sold by gene-sequencing giant Illumina Corp.</p>
<p>IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.</p>
<p>Illumina is the largest manufacturer of systems used to sequence genetic code, and it's launching new machines this year that could make gene sequencing quicker and cheaper.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>There are more than 7,500 of Illumina's machines installed at customers already, and increasing spending on DNA-driven research projects globally, such as precision medicine initiatives in China and the United States, should provide significant revenue and profit tailwinds for years, if not decades.</p>
<p>The company's machines can cost $1 million, or more, but the company really benefits from the ongoing sale of consumables necessary for these machines to operate. As more machines are deployed, revenue for consumables is growing, and since consumables offer more attractive profit margins, that's fueling earnings growth. Since 2011, Illumina's sales and profit have grown by compounded annual rates of 18% and 21%, respectively.</p>
<p>Although the boom-and-bust nature of research budgets means there will be some quarters that are better than other quarters, I believe Illumina's unlikely to lose its dominant position in this market, and if I'm right, then a trend over time toward medicine that aims to correct genetic abnormalities will provide significant opportunities for Illumina to reward investors. The company's newest machines could accelerate that trend, because they could eventually help lower the cost of sequencing genomes from $1,000 today to $100. The NovaSeq 6000, which costs about $1 million, began shipping this quarter.</p>
<p>Good news! Surgery is getting increasingly more precise, and that's reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.</p>
<p>At the forefront of this trend is robotics, and when it comes to robotic surgery, there's no better pure-play stock to buy than Intuitive Surgical.</p>
<p>Using research pioneered by DARPA for use on the battlefield, Intuitive Surgical pioneered the development of sophisticated machines that allow surgeons to control robotic arms when performing many surgeries, including prostate and gynecological procedures. Advances in these robotic systems should significantly expand their use in more procedures in the coming decades.</p>
<p>Today, there are almost 4,000 of Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci robotic systems installed at hospitals, and similar to Illumina, the high cost of these machines is only part of the reason I think Intuitive Surgical's going to be a big, long-term winner.</p>
<p>A da Vinci system can cost a hospital $1.5 million, but the average amount spent on replacement instruments and accessories used in operations is especially lucrative. According to management, every da Vinci procedure can produce up to $3,500 in instrument and accessory revenue. That's a lot of margin-friendly revenue when you consider that over 4 million procedures have been performed with these systems, including 750,000 last year alone. Instrument and accessory revenue totaled $1.4 billion, or about 70% of sales, in 2016.</p>
<p>SOURCE: INTUITIVE SURGICAL.</p>
<p>As robotic surgery systems improve, surgeons become more comfortable with them, and as use expands into new areas, such as colorectal surgery and hernia repair, it wouldn't surprise me if Intuitive Surgical's sales and profit march considerably higher over the coming decade.</p>
<p>Overwhelmingly, Americans view on medical marijuana has shifted positive, and as a result, over two dozen U.S. states have passed pro-medical marijuana laws that break down barriers to access.</p>
<p>IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.</p>
<p>While no one knows how a new administration in Washington, D.C. <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/11/27/is-donald-trump-declaring-war-on-marijuana.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">may affect marijuana momentum Opens a New Window.</a> in the short term, the long-term potential for marijuana to gain ground as a viable alternative medicine <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/14/heres-how-big-the-opportunity-could-be-for-marijua.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">is big Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>GW Pharmaceuticals could be the drugmaker best positioned to profit from a widespread embrace of medical cannabis. The company's been working on marijuana-based medicines since the 1990s, and it could soon launch its first marijuana derived drug in America.</p>
<p>Last year, GW Pharmaceuticals reported trial results from three separate studies showing that a purified formulation of cannabidiol, or CBD, can reduce the number of seizures experienced monthly by patients with tough-to-treat forms of childhood-onset epilepsy. Specifically, GW Pharmaceuticals showed that patients receiving its Epidiolex experienced about 40% fewer seizures than they did before beginning treatment.</p>
<p>The positive efficacy, plus a safety profile that doesn't seem to be raising eyebrows, suggests that Epidiolex could become an important new drug used by doctors to treat patients who don't respond well to existing epilepsy medications. GW Pharmaceuticals estimates that up to one-third of the 2.2 million epilepsy patients living in the U.S. aren't responding adequately to existing medication.</p>
<p>If the FDA green-lights Epidiolex (management plans to submit an application to the regulator soon), then it can be prescribed by doctors nationwide, regardless of whether medical-marijuana laws have been passed in the doctor's state. That's potentially a huge advantage over medical dispensaries, which only market products without the FDA's blessing in states that have passed laws that are friendly to medical marijuana.</p>
<p>GW Pharmaceuticals isn't stopping its marijuana research with epilepsy, either. The company's studying marijuana cannabinoids in other indications, and while results in the past haven't panned out nearly as well as in epilepsy trials, that doesn't mean programs evaluating it in schizophrenia and autism won't bear fruit.</p>
<p>Because I believe that most Americans will continue supporting access to medical marijuana, and that improving perceptions will remove the stigma associated with its use, the future could prove to be very bright for GW Pharmaceuticals shareholders.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than GW PharmaceuticalsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=65412b30-290b-479a-9e2c-f6f282fe96f6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and GW Pharmaceuticals wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=65412b30-290b-479a-9e2c-f6f282fe96f6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/EBCapitalMarkets/info.aspx" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned.His clients may have positions in the companies mentioned.The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Illumina and Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | 3 Huge Healthcare Trends and How to Invest in Them (Hint: One Is Marijuana) | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/03/12/3-huge-healthcare-trends-and-how-to-invest-in-them-hint-one-is-marijuana.html | 2017-03-17 | 0 |
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<p>Delta Group Electronics CEO Harry Mueller speaks at the AED luncheon Thursday.</p>
<p>The adoption of a single-sales tax change made New Mexico more competitive in attracting new businesses, but an expansion of the state’s job-creation fund is needed to help close those deals.</p>
<p>That was the conclusion of Gary Tonjes, president of Albuquerque Economic Development Inc., speaking Thursday at the organization’s Quarterly Investors’ Luncheon.</p>
<p>“It’s important for us to have all of the tools at the ready to be able to compete for world-class projects,” Tonjes told hundreds of business leaders at the Sandia Resort &amp; Casino. “And some of those that we have been missing out on has been the job-creation or closing fund.”</p>
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<p>As part of its fiscal 2014 budget, state lawmakers established a $3 million “deal-closing” fund, joining nearly 40 states that rely on that money to attract new companies and help existing firms expand.</p>
<p>Still, that pales by comparison to what’s happening in other states, Tonjes said, singling out Arizona ($25 million), Florida ($100 million), Texas ($250 million) and California ($30 million this year, $150 million next year.)</p>
<p>“We’re not saying we have to be at those levels,” he said, “but we do have to have a meaningful closing fund to be able to capture some of those exceptional opportunities that we’re going to be presented with.”</p>
<p>Tonjes said his organization and others are actively involved in trying to close several major deals, each of which would bring hundreds of good office, manufacturing and service sector jobs to New Mexico.</p>
<p>But he also acknowledged that the state just learned it had been eliminated from the competition for one of the “top two or three projects we’ve ever worked on.”</p>
<p>State officials are submitting a revised version of its proposal, but Tonjes said it would be “rare” to be placed back in the running for what he called a “world-class” manufacturing project.</p>
<p>Still, he said, there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the state’s short-term economic future.</p>
<p>“The pipeline is filling up,” he said. “We’re working now on some of the best projects that we’ve worked with in years, and also we have more active projects today than we have had in years.”</p>
<p>Attendees at the luncheon also heard from two keynote speakers affiliated with Albuquerque companies: Harry Mueller, president and CEO of Delta Group Electronics; and Paul Butler, chief operating officer and vice president of engineering for Lumidigm, which is engaged in fingerprint authentication technology.</p> | AED seeks expansion of state’s job closing fund | false | https://abqjournal.com/266001/aed-seeks-expansion-of-states-job-closing-fund.html | 2013-09-19 | 2 |
<p />
<p>Shares of Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) jumped 4% Friday morning after a new report signaled the struggling PC maker could unveil the largest leveraged buyout since the financial crisis as soon as Monday.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>According to Reuters, Dell is close to sealing the widely reported deal to sell itself to a group led by founder and CEO Michael Dell and private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners.</p>
<p>The transaction is scheduled to be finalized over the weekend, however the announcement could be pushed back as the group completes last-minute details, Reuters reported.</p>
<p>FOX Business’s Charlie Gasparino reported last week that momentum in the proposed leveraged buyout has slowed due to disagreements over the pricing.</p>
<p>Under the current discussions, Michael Dell would take a majority stake in the technology company, while Silver Lake and software behemoth Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) would become minority shareholders, Reuters reported.</p>
<p>The Reuters report didn’t indicate a price for the deal, but Dell’s $23 billion market capitalization signals it would be the largest leveraged buyout since the financial crisis wreaked havoc on the economy in 2008.</p>
<p>The buyout group has reportedly received financial backing of up to $15 billion from four investment banks: Barclays (NYSE:BCS), Bank of America Merrill Lynch (NYSE:BAC), Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) and RBC Capital (NYSE:RY).</p>
<p>By going private, Dell, which has been hit by the industry shift away from PCs, is betting it will be able to complete its transformation faster away from the scrutiny of Wall Street.</p>
<p>Shares of Round Rock, Texas-based Dell rallied 4.04% to $13.78 Friday morning, leaving them up a hefty 36% so far in 2013. Even with the recent gains, Dell’s stock is off about 25% over the past 12 months.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | Report: Dell Deal Could Be Unveiled Monday | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2013/02/01/sources-dell-nears-buyout-deal-could-come-as-soon-as-monday.html | 2016-01-29 | 0 |
<a href="" type="internal">leading some to question to the enforceability of the laws.</a> As of Monday morning, only one Republican elector–Chris Suprun of Texas–had publically stated his intention not to vote for Trump. Moore wrote in a Facebook post: Share on
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<a href="" type="external">Email</a> | Michael Moore Offers to Pay Fines for “Faithless Electors” | false | http://thewhim.com/michael-moore-offers-pay-fines-faithless-electors/ | 2016-12-19 | 2 |
<p>SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio (AP) - A man accused of harassing a neighbor and her disabled children for the past 15 years sat at a street corner Sunday morning with a sign declaring he's a bully, a requirement of his sentence.</p>
<p>Municipal Court Judge Gayle Williams-Byers ordered 62-year-old Edmond Aviv to display the sign for five hours Sunday. It says: "I AM A BULLY! I pick on children that are disabled, and I am intolerant of those that are different from myself. My actions do not reflect an appreciation for the diverse South Euclid community that I live in."</p>
<p />
<p>The Northeast Ohio Media Group reported ( <a href="http://bit.ly/1ieU3sA" type="external">http://bit.ly/1ieU3sA</a> ) that Aviv arrived at the corner just before 9 a.m., placing the hand-lettered cardboard sign next to him as he sat in a chair. Within a couple of minutes, a passing motorist honked a car horn.</p>
<p>Court records show Aviv pleaded no contest in February to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. His attorney didn't return a telephone call for comment.</p>
<p>Aviv has feuded with his neighbor Sandra Prugh for the past 15 years, court records show. The most recent case stemmed from Aviv being annoyed at the smell coming from Prugh's dryer vent when she did laundry, according to court records. In retaliation, Aviv hooked up kerosene to a fan, which blew the smell onto Pugh's property, the records said.</p>
<p>Prugh has two adult adopted children with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and epilepsy; a husband with dementia, and a paralyzed son.</p>
<p>Prugh said in a letter to the court that Aviv had called her an ethnic slur while she was holding her adopted black children, spit on her several times, regularly threw dog feces on her son's car windshield, and once smeared feces on a wheelchair ramp.</p>
<p>"I am very concerned for the safety of our family," Prugh wrote in a letter to the court for Aviv's sentencing. She said she just wants to live in peace.</p>
<p>The judge also ordered Aviv to serve 15 days in jail and to undergo anger management classes and counseling. He also had to submit an apology letter to Prugh.</p>
<p>"I want to express my sincere apology for acting irrationally towards your house and the safety of your children," Aviv wrote. "I understand my actions could have caused harm but at that time I was not really thinking about it."</p>
<p>Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</p> | Man Sentenced To Hold 'I Am A Bully' Sign For 5 Hours | true | http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/bully-sign-sentence | 4 |
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<p />
<p>When Brazil's No. 3 airline, Azul, unveiled plans to begin flying to the U.S., it ignited speculation about whether it would partner with JetBlue Airways . After all, the two airlines were both founded by Brazilian-American businessman David Neeleman. (They are also both named after the color blue!)</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Initially, the speculation didn't lead to any action. Last year, Azul Brazilian Airlines seemed to lean in a different direction, partnering with United Continental . At that time, United also bought a 5% stake in Azul for $100 million.</p>
<p>Azul is starting to partner with U.S. airlines. Photo: Wikimedia Commons user <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMRBAER_E195LR_%288372025517%29.jpg" type="external">Joao Carlos Medau Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>More recently, the long-expected JetBlue-Azul alliance has started to become a reality. Let's take a look at why the two upstart carriers are deepening their ties.</p>
<p>Azul and United partner upUnited Continental had a very good reason for investing in Azul. Brazil is a key international market for global airlines, and United's two main rivals have already partnered with the two largest airlines in Brazil: TAM and GOL.</p>
<p>Additionally, United's hubs aren't particularly well located for flying to Brazil. As a result, to be successful there, it <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/070115/united-airlines-about-expand-brazil-ual-aal.aspx" type="external">needs a local partner Opens a New Window.</a> that can provide connecting traffic at major airports in Brazil. With TAM and GOL both taken, Azul was the only viable option.</p>
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<p>However, that's not to say the United-Azul partnership was a match made in heaven. United only flies to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, whereas Azul has its main hub at Viracopos Airport -- more than 50 miles from the center of Sao Paulo.</p>
<p>On the flip side, United doesn't have a very big presence in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, the first two cities on Azul's U.S. route map. As a result, the United-Azul partnership hasn't opened up many convenient connecting opportunities yet.</p>
<p>JetBlue and Azul team up, tooFortunately, Azul's agreement with United Continental doesn't seem to restrict it from partnering with other U.S. airlines. Last fall, just a few months after announcing the United partnership and investment, Azul and JetBlue signed an interline agreement, allowing customers to buy a single ticket for itineraries connecting between the two carriers.</p>
<p>There's more to the JetBlue-Azul partnership than management ties. JetBlue has growing focus city operations in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, allowing for seamless connections from Azul's hub to various other cities in the U.S.</p>
<p>Azul and JetBlue recently signed a one-way codeshare agreement. Photo: JetBlue Airways</p>
<p>Accordingly, Azul and JetBlue tightened their relationship this week. Azul plans to place its own airline code on a variety of JetBlue-operated flights from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in a "one-way codeshare" arrangement. This will make it even easier to buy tickets combining Azul- and JetBlue-operated flights.</p>
<p>More room to grow this relationshipWeak economic conditions in Brazil have taken a big bite out of air travel demand there. This has forced Azul to slow its growth, including on international routes.</p>
<p>However, it is likely to add a route from its base at Viracopos Airport to New York's JFK Airport sooner or later. United Airlines pulled out of the JFK market entirely in late 2015. By contrast, JetBlue is the largest domestic carrier there and could supply lots of connecting traffic for Azul flights to Brazil.</p>
<p>So far, the Azul-United partnership seems very one-sided. Azul has shown no particular desire to add flights to United Airlines hubs. As a result, if United wants to leverage the value of Azul's broad route network, it probably needs to start flying to Viracopos Airport itself.</p>
<p>On the other hand, some of JetBlue's top focus cities happen to be in big markets for travel to and from Brazil. Azul naturally wants to serve these markets -- which could drive it to deepen its ties with JetBlue in the coming years.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/30/jetblue-and-azul-brazilian-airlines-grow-closer.aspx" type="external">JetBlue and Azul Brazilian Airlines Grow Closer Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGemHunter/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Adam Levine-Weinberg Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of JetBlue Airways and United Continental Holdings, and is long January 2017 $17 calls on JetBlue Airways. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | JetBlue and Azul Brazilian Airlines Grow Closer | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/03/30/jetblue-and-azul-brazilian-airlines-grow-closer.html | 2016-03-30 | 0 |
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<p>Student loans can be a necessity. They can also be a way out of a more difficult semester or year. In my case, I thought I needed a loan, but in hindsight I see that I didn’t.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>In personal finance my eternal truth is this: If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. I borrowed $5,000 from the government during my freshman year of college. I had no scholarships and only about $1,000 saved from my summer job. My parents generously helped me throughout college because they planned ahead and saved a fixed amount for me. I took out a $5,000 <a href="http://www.credit.com/loans/student-loans/student-articles/types-of-student-loan-programs-and-differences/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_1&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">federal Direct subsidized Stafford loan Opens a New Window.</a> in 2010 to attend school. But it was more than enough to cover tuition that year, and I used the remainder to pay for my dues and activities as a member of a Panhellenic sorority. The T-shirts and events add up!</p>
<p>1. I wish I’d known that a sorority wasn’t necessary.</p>
<p>I now realize that if I had to use borrowed money to pay for it, I couldn’t afford it. I wish I had used the loan for tuition only and spread it into the next school year. I’m now paying interest on T-shirts that I don’t even have anymore.</p>
<p>2. I wish I’d known how much taking out a loan really costs.</p>
<p>My $5,000 was taken out in 2010 with an interest rate of 6.8%. The lender put me on a 10-year timeline with monthly payments of $80.39, but I’ve been making payments of $250 and plan to increase it as I earn more so I can pay it off in two years, and <a href="http://www.credit.com/debt/strategies-for-paying-off-student-loan-debt/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_2&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">pay less in interest charges overall Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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<p>3. I wish I’d known how to reduce my interest.</p>
<p>You can work really hard in the summer to avoid loans, reduce the amount you need, or pay off the principal and/or interest that has already gathered. I wish I had portioned part of my summer earnings to pay down my loans while I was in school so that I’d be that much more ahead when I graduated.</p>
<p>I am glad that my student loans are relatively smaller in comparison to many of my peers. I am astounded by the stories I hear of $40,000+ in student loans. I earned generous scholarships during my other three years in school and was able to avoid digging myself further into debt.</p>
<p>Avoid loans as much as you can. <a href="http://www.credit.com/debt/how-to-pay-for-college-without-building-mountain-of-debt/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_3&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">Take the smallest loan possible Opens a New Window.</a>. Whenever possible, borrow from the government because they usually offer better interest rates. Pay it off as soon as possible to avoid paying back much more than what you borrowed! As you pay down your loans, take comfort in the fact that you are building a positive credit history, which will help you in the long run because a good credit score gets you access to cheaper interest rates, <a href="http://www.credit.com/tools/lifetime-cost-of-debt/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_4&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">meaning you pay less on debt over time Opens a New Window.</a>. You can see <a href="https://www.credit.com/free-credit-score/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_5&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">two of your credit scores for free on Credit.com Opens a New Window.</a> to see where you stand, and how your student loans are affecting your credit. And if you’re having trouble making your monthly payments, reach out to your loan servicer to see what <a href="http://www.credit.com/loans/student-loans/student-articles/repayment-options-for-student-loans/?utm_source=Fox&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=IB_6&amp;utm_campaign=before_taking_student_loans" type="external">alternative payment programs Opens a New Window.</a> you’re eligible for.</p>
<p>A recent graduate of Georgia College in Milledgeville, Maggie Perkins is a newlywed living on a small scale farm in Lilburn, GA. She's working towards balancing student loan payments and new household expenses all while keeping up with work, "pre-marriage" friends and our ever changing lives. Her desire to complete the Tough Mudder conflicts with her love of Nutella and watching House of Cards on Netflix.</p> | 3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking Out Student Loans | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2014/11/19/3-things-wish-knew-before-taking-out-student-loans.html | 2016-03-04 | 0 |
<p>FARMVILLE, Va. — Crowded conditions at the Baptist collegiate ministry serving Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College have been eased with the addition of 870 more square feet in its student center.</p>
<p>The construction project came in response to several years of exponential growth and badly cramped conditions. Two years ago, in the midst of a sluggish economy, campus minister Cheri Wise knew God was urging her to take a step of faith.</p>
<p />
<p>“I believed God had provided the students for the ministry and that he would provide the resources to accommodate them,” said Wise. “Even so, I have to admit it was scary taking that step.”</p>
<p>Construction began over winter break and was finished mid-March of this year. The facility, which is located on Longwood’s campus in Farmville, serves both that campus and nearby Hampden-Sydney.</p>
<p>The first use of the new space — which meets ADA requirements with a handicapped bathroom and paved parking lot — coincidently fell on a special “International Night.”</p>
<p />
<p>According to this past year’s BCM president, Amber Hare, “I don’t know where we would have put all of the people that came if the addition hadn’t been completed, but God’s timing is always perfect.”</p>
<p>One hundred and ten people attended that night — the biggest turnout of the year. It was an exciting night of celebration and praise as God’s word was proclaimed and sung in multiple languages.</p>
<p>Longwood senior Darci Guess said, “The new building is fantastic. Thinking back, it’s almost impossible to imagine how we ever fit in the old space. People have always said that BCM is like their home, and I think that statement rings even truer now that we have a little more elbow room.”</p>
<p>A new Virginia Baptist church start in Farmville, which provides a contemporary expression of worship, is also enjoying the enlarged space.</p>
<p>Pastor Scott Word, who started Northview Church in October 2010, says, “The expansion of the BCM has been incredible. God has provided us with an awesome space.”</p>
<p>“It’s a mutually beneficial situation,” said Wise. “Northview has provided a stage, track lights and mounted projectors that we get to use. The students love it.”</p>
<p>Hare explains, “I love the opportunity we have to worship the Lord Thursday nights with BCM, but also on Sundays with Northview Church. A building labeled BCM turns into a place of genuine worship where the only label that matters is ‘Follower of Christ.’ ”</p>
<p>The Virginia Baptist Mission Board voted to take the money for the new addition from Mission Board reserves and allow the Farmville area BCM to pay it back. It enabled construction to begin immediately.</p>
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<p>“That was a huge blessing, because it would have taken us years to raise $105,000,”&#160; said Wise. “But we needed the space right away. We were already so cramped; it was only a matter of time before our numbers started dropping.”</p>
<p>There is no deadline for repayment to the Mission Board, but the weight of the debt feels heavy to those involved. BCM began requesting donations this spring and has repaid $35,000 thus far.</p>
<p>A major source of contributions is from etched bricks priced at $300 each. These can be purchased by alumni of LU or HSC with name and graduation year or simply in honor/memory of friends or loved ones. They can also be etched with the name of a church or association.</p>
<p>The bricks will form a cross on the outside of the building and also be used to line sidewalks. Donations of any size can be sent to BCM Building Fund, 303 Griffin Blvd., Farmville, VA&#160; 23901.</p>
<p>Reality for Chelsea Gordon as a freshman included space issues and a construction project. She states, “It wasn't bad before all of the renovations, it was cozy and easy to meet and greet, partly because there was no open area. After the building renovations, however, everyone can now walk around and have personal space. I am so excited to see what God has in store for Hampden-Sydney and Longwood’s campuses this upcoming year. It’s amazing to see God’s light shining through all of the beautiful faces he has touched.”</p>
<p>Wise added her excitement about the coming year. “We’ve been working hard to involve Hampden-Sydney more in the ministry, and for the first time this year our president is a Hampden-Sydney student. I can’t wait to see what God does among the men on that campus as well as among the students at Longwood, now that we aren’t limited and distracted by the building. I’ve known for some time that God is up to something in Farmville and I’m excited to stand back and see what all he has in store.”</p> | New addition enhances ministry at Longwood, Hampden-Sydney | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/newadditionenhancesministryatlongwoodhampden-sydney/ | 3 |
|
<p>CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The new opposition-dominated congress on Wednesday swore in three lawmakers barred by the Supreme Court from taking their seats, setting up a confrontation with the ruling socialists in this oil-exporting nation mired in deep economic troubles.</p>
<p>The three had not been seated Tuesday when the opposition took control of the National Assembly for the first time in 17 years but congressional leaders swore them in Wednesday as the body's first act of official business.</p>
<p>Socialist lawmakers stormed out, saying the defiance to the high court would automatically void of constitutional legitimacy any laws passed by the new legislature.</p>
<p>"Confrontation is coming. Confrontation is inevitable," warned Diosdado Cabello, the legislature's previous president and the country's second-most powerful socialist leader.</p>
<p>The high court said its order preventing the lawmakers from the remote state of Amazonas from taking their seats was to give justices time to look into allegations of electoral fraud.</p>
<p>The move enraged the opposition, which called it an attempt by judges loyal to President Nicholas Maduro to undermine the opposition's landslide victory in legislative elections last month. Maduro's foes won by a single seat a two-thirds majority in congress that would give it the power to censure Cabinet officials and even rewrite the constitution.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court has never ruled against the ruling socialist party, and opposition leaders charge that it has become an extension of the executive branch.</p>
<p>Maduro on Wednesday called the swearing-in of the three lawmakers a "grave" mistake and accused the opposition of trying to sow instability and provoke a "huge crisis."</p>
<p>His remarks came in a two-hour televised address in which he juggled his Cabinet to prepare for what he called a "counter-offensive" against an emboldened opposition that has vowed to remove Maduro by constitutional means within six months.</p>
<p>As part of the shuffle, he named as his new vice president Aristobulo Isturiz, a former education minister under the late President Hugo Chavez who is currently governor of the oil state of Anzoategui. He replaces Jorge Arreaza, who married Chavez's eldest daughter and will now assume control of the government's social programs.</p>
<p>Two army generals kept their jobs as the powerful defense and interior ministers despite speculation they would be sacked. But a third military man was replaced as economic czar by a little-known leftist academic.</p>
<p>The military has traditionally been the arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela and under Chavez and Maduro its power was greatly enhanced. But discontent, especially among the military's lower's ranks is believed to be spreading, and some saw in Maduro's decision to order officials back to the barracks following the electoral defeat an attempt to curb their influence.</p>
<p>Most of the other top Cabinet posts were unchanged or recycled to socialist stalwarts.</p>
<p>Maduro did not announce any new economic initiatives that he has said are coming, just repeating a pledge that he will soon declare a national economic emergency. Venezuelans are burdened by triple-digit inflation and chronic shortages, with the oil-dependent economy in the world's deepest recession.</p>
<p>Besides swearing-in the suspended lawmakers, opposition leaders in congress on Wednesday also angered Maduro's supporters by ordering that portraits of Chavez be removed from the National Assembly building.</p>
<p>A video of the new head of congress, Henry Ramos, giving the order that all Chavez portraits be taken away played in heavy rotation on state media Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.</p>
<p>CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The new opposition-dominated congress on Wednesday swore in three lawmakers barred by the Supreme Court from taking their seats, setting up a confrontation with the ruling socialists in this oil-exporting nation mired in deep economic troubles.</p>
<p>The three had not been seated Tuesday when the opposition took control of the National Assembly for the first time in 17 years but congressional leaders swore them in Wednesday as the body's first act of official business.</p>
<p>Socialist lawmakers stormed out, saying the defiance to the high court would automatically void of constitutional legitimacy any laws passed by the new legislature.</p>
<p>"Confrontation is coming. Confrontation is inevitable," warned Diosdado Cabello, the legislature's previous president and the country's second-most powerful socialist leader.</p>
<p>The high court said its order preventing the lawmakers from the remote state of Amazonas from taking their seats was to give justices time to look into allegations of electoral fraud.</p>
<p>The move enraged the opposition, which called it an attempt by judges loyal to President Nicholas Maduro to undermine the opposition's landslide victory in legislative elections last month. Maduro's foes won by a single seat a two-thirds majority in congress that would give it the power to censure Cabinet officials and even rewrite the constitution.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court has never ruled against the ruling socialist party, and opposition leaders charge that it has become an extension of the executive branch.</p>
<p>Maduro on Wednesday called the swearing-in of the three lawmakers a "grave" mistake and accused the opposition of trying to sow instability and provoke a "huge crisis."</p>
<p>His remarks came in a two-hour televised address in which he juggled his Cabinet to prepare for what he called a "counter-offensive" against an emboldened opposition that has vowed to remove Maduro by constitutional means within six months.</p>
<p>As part of the shuffle, he named as his new vice president Aristobulo Isturiz, a former education minister under the late President Hugo Chavez who is currently governor of the oil state of Anzoategui. He replaces Jorge Arreaza, who married Chavez's eldest daughter and will now assume control of the government's social programs.</p>
<p>Two army generals kept their jobs as the powerful defense and interior ministers despite speculation they would be sacked. But a third military man was replaced as economic czar by a little-known leftist academic.</p>
<p>The military has traditionally been the arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela and under Chavez and Maduro its power was greatly enhanced. But discontent, especially among the military's lower's ranks is believed to be spreading, and some saw in Maduro's decision to order officials back to the barracks following the electoral defeat an attempt to curb their influence.</p>
<p>Most of the other top Cabinet posts were unchanged or recycled to socialist stalwarts.</p>
<p>Maduro did not announce any new economic initiatives that he has said are coming, just repeating a pledge that he will soon declare a national economic emergency. Venezuelans are burdened by triple-digit inflation and chronic shortages, with the oil-dependent economy in the world's deepest recession.</p>
<p>Besides swearing-in the suspended lawmakers, opposition leaders in congress on Wednesday also angered Maduro's supporters by ordering that portraits of Chavez be removed from the National Assembly building.</p>
<p>A video of the new head of congress, Henry Ramos, giving the order that all Chavez portraits be taken away played in heavy rotation on state media Wednesday.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Associated Press writer Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.</p> | Venezuela opposition swears in lawmakers barred by court | false | https://apnews.com/amp/efafa88cac504a4fa2866c68e5f6fb81 | 2016-01-07 | 2 |
<p>7:45 PM PDT</p>
<p>Wallace asks about entitlements. Good for him. How this was saved for the last question of the last debate is beyond me. Wallace asks about a grand bargain on entitlements including tax increases. Trump says we must lower taxes and repeal and replace Obamacare.</p>
<p>Hillary says we need to put more money into Social Security, that's part of raising taxes. She says Trump will try to get out of it. Trump: "Such a nasty woman." She says she wants to expand entitlement.</p>
<p>Wallace asks for closing statements. Hillary says she's reaching out to all Americans. She says she knows the awesome responsibility of protecting the country and trying to make life better. She says children and families have been her life's work.</p>
<p>Trump: She's raising her money from the people she wants to control. Trump says he wants to Make American Great Again. He says our military is depleted. He says we need to take care of our veterans. Trump says he's helped black people and Latinos more than she has in ten lifetimes. He says we can't take four more years of Barack Obama, and that's what you get when you get Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>7:30 PM PDT</p>
<p>Hillary asked about using American soldiers in Iraq. She says we won't do it as an occupying force. She then blabs about "no-fly, no-buy" or something. She then says she wants a no-fly zone in Syria.</p>
<p>Trump is asked if we're able to push ISIS out of Mosul, should we put American troops in? Trump says we had Mosul, but when we left, we lost Mosul, now we're fighting again for it. Trump says they wanted to get the leaders of ISIS in Mosul, and they're going to attack Mosul. He again does his "element of surprise" routine. Trump says the leaders have all left. He cites Patton and MacArthur again.</p>
<p>Trump says Obama made lots of mistakes, but they want to look good for the election, so they're going in. Trump says Mosul is going to be much tougher than they thought. Mosul will be a wonderful thing and Iran should write us a letter of thank you, just like the stupidest deal of all time, a deal that gives Iran nuclear weapons. Trump says we're going to take Mosul, and Iran will be the beneficiary. Trump says Hillary was there when they withdrew. You shouldn't have been in Iraq, but you should never have left the way you did.</p>
<p>Hillary smiles awkwardly. She says Trump keeps denying he supported the invasion. Trump interjects, "wrong." She's still trying to trigger him. She then name checks Bin Laden, whose body has been used more than Bernie's in Weekend At Bernie's.</p>
<p>Hillary calls Trump unfit. Trump says Hillary's unfit. Trump says John Podesta said some terrible things about Hillary; so did Bernie Sanders. If you think going into Mosul is a good idea, you have terrible instincts and judgment.</p>
<p>Hillary says Sanders says Trump is the most dangerous person ever to run for president.</p>
<p>Wallace asks Trump about Aleppo, and says it hasn't fallen as Trump claimed. Trump argues with the questioner. Wallace says Trump said Syria and Russia are fighting ISIS, but they've been shelling Aleppo. Trump says Aleppo is a humanitarian disaster, but it has fallen. Trump says this is because of Hillary Clinton. By fighting Assad -- "and now she's going to say he loves Assad" -- he's "much tougher and smarter" than Obama and Hillary. Trump says we don't know who the rebels are. This is utterly incoherent. But so is she. He finishes "lotsa luck, Hillary, great job." It's like watching two giraffes trying to eat the same leaf, tangling their necks, and strangling to death.</p>
<p>Trump concludes by saying that we can't let unsafe refugees in.</p>
<p>Hillary says she wants a no-fly zone. Wallace says this may start a war. What does she say? She says she wants safe zones on the ground. She says millions of people inside Syria are being dislocated. She doesn't answer the question about a no-fly zone. Hillary says she won't slam the door on women and children from Syria, but we'll do careful vetting. That doesn't solve our internal challenges with ISIS. She says we have to be smarter here at home.</p>
<p>Trump says she'll defeat ISIS? We never should have let them happen in the first place. They had a cease-fire in Syria, and during the cease-fire, Russia took over vast swatches of land. We are so outplayed.</p>
<p>Wallace asks about the national debt, 77% of our GDP. He says that Clinton would raise debt to 86% of GDP; under Trump it would rise to 105% of GDP. Why are they both ignoring this problem? Trump says they're wrong because we're going to grow GDP. Trump predicts recession if Hillary's elected. He says we can go higher than 4%. He says if we grow the economy, we have a tremendous machine. He neglects to mention he opposes entitlement reform. He's back to trade deals.</p>
<p>Hillary asks when Trump thought America was great when he says "Make America Great Again," and before he rushes and says "Before you," Hillary says he's been criticizing our government for decades. He took out an ad in 1987 during the time Reagan was president and said that we were the laughing stock of the world. He was criticizing Reagan. She says Trump portrays himself as "I alone can fix it." She says if you look at the debt, she pays for everything she's proposing. She says tax increases won't diminish growth.</p>
<p>Trump says Reagan was wrong on trade. Nobody does it right.</p>
<p>7:15 PM PDT</p>
<p>Wallace asks Trump about whether the election is rigged. Pence pledged to "absolutely accept the results of this election." Ivanka said the same thing. So, will he make the same commitment to accept the results? Trump says he will look at it at the time. Trump says what he's seen is so bad: the media is so dishonest and so corrupt and the pile-on is so amazing. Trump says there are millions of dead people registered to vote. Trump says Hillary shouldn't be allowed to run. She's guilty of a serious crime. It's rigged. Trump says he'll keep us in suspense.</p>
<p>Hillary says that's horrifying. Every time Trump thinks things aren't going in his direction, he calls it rigged. Hillary says the FBI concluded there was no case; Trump said it was rigged. Trump lost some primaries, everything was rigged. Trump U was sued, he claimed the court system was rigged. There was a time he didn't get an Emmy three years in a row and he said the Emmys were rigged. Trump says he should have gotten it. Hillary says it's funny but also really troubling. That's not the way the democracy works. We've had free and fair elections, we have accepted outcomes, we must accept that. Hillary says when you're whining before you're even done, you're not up to doing the job.</p>
<p>Trump says that the investigation was rigged. That's true. But saying the election is rigged is both stupid and bad politics.</p>
<p>7:00 PM PDT</p>
<p>Wallace asks Trump about nine women saying that he groped or kissed them without their consent. He asks why so many different women would all make up these stories? Trump blames Hillary for dropping this information. Trump says Hillary and Obama hired people to be violent at his rallies -- that's the James O'Keefe story. Trump says he didn't apologize to his wife because he didn't do anything. He says these women, they want either fame or her campaign did it. Trump says they're after ten minutes of fame. It was all fiction, all lies. This is not particularly smart.</p>
<p>Hillary says at the last debate, Trump talked about what he did to women. After that, a number of women came forward. Hillary says Trump gave rallies where he said he couldn't have done those things because the women weren't attractive enough to be assaulted. Trump says he didn't say that (he kinda did). Hillary gets indignant about Trump's sexist response to the women: "Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger." Hillary's got this big speech planned, and the music swells...</p>
<p>Trump says he has respect for women. He says he wants to talk about something slightly different. He again blames Hillary's "sleazy campaign." He says what isn't fictionalized is her 33,000 destroyed emails after getting a subpoena. What happened to the FBI? Trump says he doesn't know.</p>
<p>Hillary says every time Trump is pushed on something uncomfortable, he swivels to denying responsibility, and it's not just about women. He never says he's sorry. He went after a disabled reporter, mocked and mimicked him; went after Mr. and Mrs. Khan, the parents of a soldier KIA; he went after McCain; he went after a judge with Mexican parents. She goes through the litany. Amazing that Trump is getting hammered into the ground over this. "This is a pattern of divisiveness, a dark and dangerous vision of our country, where he incites violence, applauds people who are pushing and pulling and punching...that is not who America is," Hillary says.</p>
<p>Wallace asks Hillary about giving away special access, and why isn't what she did "pay to play"? She says she furthered our country's interests and our values. She says she's thrilled to talk about the amazing Clinton Foundation (except for all the corrupt crap). Wallace pushes her again -- she says Clinton Foundation is great. Trump calls it a criminal enterprise. Trump says Hillary took money from countries that push gays off buildings and mistreat women -- so why won't she give back the money from those countries? Trump says the Clinton Foundation was a disgrace in Haiti.</p>
<p>Hillary says the Clinton Foundation spends 90 percent on programs. She says she has the highest rating. She says the Trump Foundation is a scam, bought a six-foot portrait of Trump. She says Haiti is super poor. She neglects that the Foundation scammed Haitian citizens, as per Peter Schweizer.</p>
<p>Wallace asks if Trump used the cash on legal issues. Trump says no. Hillary says we can't check any of this thanks to tax return non-transparency. Trump says he obeyed the law on paying taxes, but Hillary could have changed the law and never did.</p>
<p>6:45 PM PDT</p>
<p>Trump says we have a country of laws, you can leave and come back in and become a citizen (that's touchback amnesty, for those counting).</p>
<p>Hillary calls "open borders" a "rank mischaracterization." She says this used to be a bipartisan issue, talks over Wallace.</p>
<p>Wallace hits her on her speech in Brazil for which she was paid $225,000. Is her dream "open borders"? Hillary says she was talking about energy. Hillary then swivels to hit Wikileaks for espionage in order to avoid the question.</p>
<p>Trump says that was a great pivot off of the "open borders" question. The crowd laughs. Trump says Hillary wants "open borders." He doesn't know about Putin. He'd be happy if everyone got along well. He was doing so well until he started defending Putin.</p>
<p>Hillary calls Trump a Putin puppet, says that Putin's helping out Trump because Trump's his favorite. Hillary says that the attacks came from the Kremlin and they're designed to push this election. Trump says she has no idea who hacked. Hillary cites 17 intelligence agencies. Hillary says he'd rather believe Putin than the military and civilian intelligence professionals sworn to protect us. Trump says she doesn't like Putin because Putin has outsmarted her every step of the way. Wow. Blew up over Putin.</p>
<p>Wallace asks if Trump will condemn Russian interference. Trump says he condemns -- Putin isn't his best friend. He reiterates Putin has outsmarted Hillary every step of the way.</p>
<p>Hillary says Trump has been casual about nuclear weapons. He said if we had them, why not use them? Hillary says when the president gives the order on nuclear weapons, the order must be followed. There are four minutes between the order and the button being pushed. She cites 10 people who have held that position against Trump.</p>
<p>Trump says he has 200 generals and admirals, 21 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients endorsing him. He says we're being ripped off by other countries.</p>
<p>Hillary says the United States has kept the peace through our alliances; Trump wants to defend our alliances. She says she'd work with our allies in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.</p>
<p>Wallace moves on to economics. He says Hillary wants more government involvement; Trump wants to get government out. She talks about spending tons of your taxpayer dollars on climate change and infrastructure. This is command and control economics. She says we'll have the wealthy pay their fair share. She says Trump's plan will cost us jobs.</p>
<p>Trump says Hillary's plan will raise taxes dramatically. Trump says we'll do a lot of things for college tuition, but we'll have a massive increase under Hillary Clinton's plan. Trump says Japan, Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia should be paying us more money. Trump says we're going to have a lot of free trade, but right now we have a lot of horrible deals.</p>
<p>Hillary says she wants to translate Trump -- he says "you can't." She says Trump will advocate for the largest tax cuts you've ever seen. She says she will not raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000. That's nonsense. She says she won't add to the debt. That's also nonsense. She accuses Trump of adding $20 million to the debt.</p>
<p>Wallace asks Hillary about Obama's plan -- his infrastructure plan sucked, and led to the lowest GDP growth since 1949. Hillary says that her plan is a "combination." She blabs about Bush.</p>
<p>Wallace says Trump's plans for the economy are unrealistic, that they don't add up with regard to the debt, that the oil industry won't grow us because prices are too low. Trump smacks the Obama economy. Trump says that he's made friends over the last year, and they cry when they see what's happening -- and he blames free trade again. Trump randomly says TPP was the "gold standard" for Hillary.</p>
<p>Hillary says that TPP isn't good enough. She says there's only one person onstage who has shipped jobs to Mexico -- to 12 countries including Mexico. Hillary says China's illegally dumping steel and aluminum into our markets. She says Trump buys Chinese steel and aluminum. He goes around with "crocodile tears" but he's "given jobs to Chinese steelworkers, not American steelworkers."</p>
<p>Hillary starts to talk -- Trump shuts her down. "My turn." He says Hillary only has bad experience. He says for thirty years she's been in a position to help. Trump says she talks but has never gotten anything done. He says at State Department, $6 billion was missing. Trump says, "If you become president, this country is going to be in some mess."</p>
<p>Hillary says that what he said about the State Department is untrue. She goes into her stump speech about what wonderful experience she has. This time she contrasts herself with Trump -- he was discriminating in real estate, he was insulting a former Miss Universe, he was hosting "The Celebrity Apprentice." She's happy to compare experience.</p>
<p>Trump says look at her real record: Syria, Iraq, Libya. She created ISIS. She grins awkwardly.</p>
<p>6:25 PM PDT</p>
<p>Trump says he's pro-life, and Wallace asks him about Roe v. Wade. Trump says if it's overturned, it will go back to the states. He struggles to say he'd overturn it, says his justices would be pro-life.</p>
<p>She babbles about difficult decisions and why Roe is deeply important, then blabs about how Planned Parenthood is wonderful. Wallace asks her about partial birth abortion; she says this is really tough and we need it.</p>
<p>Trump says it's ridiculous to say you can rip a baby out of the womb of the mother in the ninth month, on the final day. Hillary says that's not what happens, calls it scare rhetoric. She then cites some of the women she's met with. She says it's one of the worst possible choices, and the government shouldn't make those choices. She tries to equate China and Romania with the United States.</p>
<p>Trump says nobody has business doing that four days prior to birth.</p>
<p>It would sure be nice to have an eloquent pro-life spokesperson on stage to tear Hillary apart over this nonsense.</p>
<p>Wallace asks about immigration. Trump's excited because he knows something about the issue. He talks about strong borders, touts the ICE union rep endorsement. He talks about the heroin problem, attributes it to illegal immigration and an open border, which is at least partially true. Trump says that "we have some bad hombres and we're gonna get 'em out."</p>
<p>Hillary talks about a young girl she's met, Carla, who was worried about her parents being deported. Hillary decries the notion of a massive law enforcement presence to round up "undocumented" people. She says we'd have to put them on "trains" -- using deliberately evocative language. Gross. She rips Trump's meeting with the president of Mexico. She says we are a nation of laws and immigrants and she'll push comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.</p>
<p>Trump rips NAFTA again, says it's one of the worst deals ever. He says Hillary Clinton fought for the wall in 2006. She never gets anything done, so the wall wasn't built.</p>
<p>Hillary says she was for border security. She rips Trump for criticizing criminal illegal immigrants. She says bringing illegal immigrants out of the shadows will stop exploitation. She says Trump underpaid undocumented workers, and that Trump threatened to deport them.</p>
<p>6:15 PM PDT</p>
<p>I'm livetweeting this thing with a yelling six month old next to me. Shockingly, he's not one of the nominees.</p>
<p>The two competitors enter; Hillary's wearing her Christian Bale outfit from Equilibrium. Wallace asks about the Supreme Court. Hillary says that the Supreme Court raises the central issue: what kind of country do we want to be? Then she launches into her sillytalks about how the Supreme Court must be filled with magical godkings who do nice things for the leprechauns. She rips Citizens United, a decision about an organization that made a documentary Hillary didn't like.</p>
<p>Trump says the Supreme Court is what it's all about. As opposed to the hokey pokey. He says that Justice Ginsburg said mean things about him. He continues by saying Hillary Clinton will shrink the Second Amendment into a small replica, like Mike TV from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Trump says he wants the Constitution interpreted the way the founders want. He says it's all about the Constitution the way it was meant to be, and those are the people he would appoint.</p>
<p>Hillary says she supported the Second Amendment, but she doesn't want people to be threatened or killed with guns. Which has nothing to do with the Second Amendment. She then says 33,000 people per year die from guns. She neglects to mention half of those are suicides.</p>
<p>Wallace asks Trump if Hillary will defend the Second Amendment. Trump says Hillary was very angry about Heller. Trump says Scalia was involved and it was well-crafted. He says people who agree with the Second Amendment were upset with her. Hillary says that dozens of toddlers kill people with guns, because not everyone who has a loaded gun in the home takes appropriate precautions. This is horse crap. No law about storing guns will prevent idiot parents from being idiots.</p>
<p>ORIGINAL:</p>
<p>So, we've finally reached the third debate. This is the one where Anakin Skywalker loses all his limbs and becomes Darth Vader, Natalie Portman dies in childbirth, and Yoda goes into exile. Or something.</p>
<p>This is going to be the uncut, unedited presidential debate if George Lucas finally got to produce a debate the way he wanted to, with all the CGI, all the Senatorial deliberations about trade treaties, and nearly as much jabber about midichlorians.</p>
<p>For my thoughts on what's going to happen tonight, <a href="" type="internal">click here</a>. It basically comes down to Donald Trump throwing red meat to the Breitbart commenters in an effort to shore up his subscription base for Trump TV, and Hillary Clinton attempting to sidestep the fact that she is the most corrupt human being ever to run for the presidency.</p>
<p>And you thought Obama outlawed waterboarding.</p>
<p>Soon it begins.</p>
<p>It can't end too soon.</p>
<p>WARNING: If this liveblog begins to lose coherence as we progress, it's because of heavy drunkenness, which is a hazard of this particular job.</p> | LIVEBLOGGING THE 3RD DEBATE: Apocalypse Now | true | https://dailywire.com/news/10023/liveblogging-3rd-debate-hang-your-butts-ben-shapiro | 2016-10-19 | 0 |
<p>Campus Reform's Caleb Bonham took to the streets of Charleston, South Carolina to tell students how much they owe the federal government.</p>
<p>He'd begin by asking students what their birthday is followed by what they would do with a large sum of money (which was actually how much their share of the debt was). "What would you do if you had over $800,000?" <a href="http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=6367" type="external">Bonham asked one student</a>who casually replied with "probably buy a couple ounces of pot." Needless to say, when Bonham revealed that was how much he owed, his reaction wasn't joyous. In fact, it had to be censored. When he asked a group of ladies how they could fix the debt problem, they answered, "tell Obama to get out of the White House. Get him the hell out." Check out the video below.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">JOIN TheRebel.media</a>for more news and commentary you won't find anywhere else. <a href="http://www.TheRebel.media/crowdfund" type="external">GET INVOLVED in our 100% grassroots crowdfunding campaign</a> and help us bring you fresh content every day!</p> | NEWS: The reaction of these students when they learn their share of the national debt is priceless | true | http://therebel.media/students_react_when_they_learn_their_share_of_the_national_debt | 2015-03-19 | 0 |
<p>Virginia House of Delegates Democratic candidate Shelly Simonds celebrates her fleeting win with Latoya Breckenridge at Simonds' victory celebration on Tuesday night.Latoya Breckenridge</p>
<p>Latoya Breckenridge, a 34-year-old accountant from Newport News, Virginia, was on her way to a nail appointment on Tuesday when a friend texted her with some good news:&#160;A recount had just reversed the results for the state House of Delegates race in her district, giving Democrat Shelly Simonds a one-vote victory over the Republican incumbent and ending the GOP’s 17-year majority. Breckenridge hastily rescheduled her plans so she could attend Simonds’ victory party later that evening. “I was so happy because she could have easily given up, just being 10 votes shy of winning [prior to the recount],” she says. “It was good that she persevered.”</p>
<p>Breckenridge had persevered, too, going to great lengths and getting into trouble at work to make sure her vote was counted—a vote that ultimately changed the outcome of the race.</p>
<p>If there was ever a textbook case for the typically hyperbolic adage that every vote counts, the race in Virginia’s&#160;94th District was it. But some votes were harder to come by than others. Breckenridge was one of almost 30 voters in the district who had to cast a <a href="https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/voter-rights-responsibilities/index.html#Third" type="external">provisional ballot</a> because they&#160;did not bring identification that complied with the state’s&#160; <a href="https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/in-person-voting/index.html" type="external">strict voter ID guidelines</a>, their names were not in the poll book at their assigned precinct, or they had asked for an absentee ballot but then opted to vote in person. In order for their votes to count, they then had&#160;to bring the required identification or affidavits to their local electoral board within&#160;a narrow window of time.</p>
<p>Breckenridge was volunteering for a local tax commissioner candidate,&#160;so she figured she wouldn’t be close to the polls on Election Day and requested an absentee ballot. When November 6 arrived and her ballot hadn’t, she opted to fill out a provisional ballot at her polling precinct. As Breckenridge watched Republican David Yancey take a 13-vote lead by the following day, she felt like she was witnessing history. “I’d never experienced a race so close in numbers, especially one that was so close to me,” she says.</p>
<p>The close margin sent campaign volunteers scrambling to track down provisional voters, who are often unaware of the steps required of them. Each campaign received a list of these voters in anticipation of the “provisional ballot meeting”—the validation and counting of provisional ballots, which happens only after other votes have been tallied. Anna Scanlon, Simonds’ campaign manager, had only four days to find them and get them to the Newport News registrar’s office to validate their votes.</p>
<p>Simonds’ field organizers made countless phone calls and visits to voters’ homes. Scanlon’s team made every effort to try to simplify the process—in one instance, she brought a notary to a voter’s home to swiftly execute a required affidavit. “Those votes would not have counted if we hadn’t gone&#160;to people’s houses and knocked on their doors,” she says. She reminded the provisional voters of the stakes. “It’s only 12 votes right now,” she told them. “Your vote could be the difference.”</p>
<p>Breckenridge was on the receiving end of those pleas. Simonds’ campaign inundated her with phone calls urging her to come to the Newport News&#160;registrar’s office on the morning of Monday, November 13,&#160;between 8 and 10 a.m.,&#160;to validate her provisional ballot—the only time window in which those ballots would be validated.&#160;“Quite a few people contacted me—two or three representatives from Shelly’s camp,” she recalls. Scanlon, who had met Breckenridge through their work in local politics, made a personal call. “I was like, ‘Latoya, do not let me lose this,’” Scanlon says.</p>
<p>As it turns out, the phone calls were necessary. When Breckenridge had cast her provisional ballot, none of the precinct’s poll workers had told her that provisional ballots required follow-up. “I thought they would just take my ballot and see I hadn’t cast an absentee ballot,” she says.</p>
<p>Showing up in person on a Monday morning was no small ask. Breckenridge works as an accountant in Williamsburg, a roughly one-hour drive from her home in Newport News. She’d also already taken a lot of time off to work on the tax commissioner candidate’s campaign, and missing more time in such a short period irritated her boss. “I missed a lot of work, my regular paycheck work, in the time leading up to the election,” she explains. “I really needed November 7 to be the end of the election hoopla.” Breckenridge received a write-up&#160;at work for missing two hours to visit the voter registrar that Monday. But no amount of professional punishment could have dissuaded her from making the effort. “After realizing the magnitude of my vote potentially not being counted, I felt like there was too much at stake,” she says.</p>
<p>In the end, the efforts of Breckenridge, Scanlon’s team, and six other provisional voters paid off: Simonds picked up seven votes to Yancey’s four in the provisional ballot meeting, tightening Yancey’s lead to just 10. The margin made all the difference during the recount, which found 11 more votes for Simonds. “Everyone gets to say their one vote is the difference, but we wouldn’t have been 10 votes down going into the recount if not for the provisional ballot chase,” Scanlon says. For Breckenridge, Simonds’ one-point win helped her “to know, having actually fought for my own vote, that my vote really does count and matter.”</p>
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<p>She had made the difference and turned a 51-49 GOP majority in the House of Delegates into a tie. That lasted for all of a day. A&#160; <a href="http://www.dailypress.com/news/newport-news/dp-nws-94th-district-judge-certification-20171220-story.html" type="external">court decided on Wednesday</a>&#160;that an improperly filled-out ballot that had been discarded was actually a vote for Yancey, bringing the race to a tie and setting up <a href="http://wtkr.com/2017/12/21/virginia-dept-of-elections-to-draw-names-on-dec-27-to-determine-winner-in-house-of-delegates-race/" type="external">a drawing</a> on December 27 to determine the winner.&#160;</p>
<p>Breckenridge was disappointed, but she didn’t regret the sacrifices she made to vote. She hopes the race will help voters understand how important the electoral process is, and what’s required of people to effectively participate in it. “Somehow, we have to get the point across to people who don’t vote all the time how important it is to vote,” she says. “I’m thankful my kids got a better understanding of the process, of what it means, getting to know the people who are making decisions on your behalf, holding them accountable. It’s amazing that people don’t take the time.”</p> | We Found the Woman Whose Vote Tipped Control of Virginia’s Legislature | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2017/12/we-found-the-woman-whose-vote-tipped-control-of-virginias-legislature/ | 2017-12-21 | 4 |
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<p>Matthew’s death toll in the U.S. climbed to 34, more than half of them in North Carolina, in addition to the more than 500 feared dead in Haiti.</p>
<p>In Greenville, a city of 90,000, officials warned that the Tar River would overwhelm every bridge in the county by sundown, splitting it in half before the river crests late Wednesday. Evacuations were ordered there and in such communities as Goldsboro and Kinston, as rivers swelled to some of the highest levels ever recorded.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of people, some of them as much as 125 miles inland, have been warned to move to higher ground since the hurricane drenched the state with more than a foot of rain over the weekend during a run up the East Coast from Florida.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>An angry Gov. Pat McCrory asked people to stop ignoring evacuation orders and driving around barricades on flooded roads: “That is unacceptable. You are not only putting your life danger, you are putting emergency responders’ lives in jeopardy.”</p>
<p>In the hard-hit town of Lumberton, along the bloated Lumber River, sporadic looting was reported, and a North Carolina trooper searching for people trapped by the floodwaters killed a man who confronted officers with a gun Monday night, police said.</p>
<p>Authorities gave few details, but McCrory said the shooting happened in “very difficult circumstances,” adding: “Tension can be high when people are going through very, very emotional circumstances.”</p>
<p>In Lumberton, patience was wearing thin.</p>
<p>Ada Page, 74, spent two nights sleeping in a hard plastic folding chair at a shelter put together so hastily there were no cots and people had to walk outside in the back to use portable toilets. She complained she didn’t even have her children’s telephone numbers with her.</p>
<p>“I left at home all my clothes, everything. The only thing I have is this child and what I was driving,” said Page, who was with the 8-year-old granddaughter she takes care of.</p>
<p>The full extent of the disaster in North Carolina was still unclear, but it appeared that thousands of homes were damaged. Many likened Matthew to Hurricane Floyd, which did $3 billion in damage and destroyed 7,000 homes in North Carolina as it skirted the state’s coast in 1999.</p>
<p>McCrory said thousands of animals drowned, mostly chickens on poultry farms, and he was deciding how to dispose of the carcasses safely.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The flooding extended to South Carolina, where 150 people had to be rescued Monday from the tiny town of Nichols, downstream from Lumberton. On Tuesday, some residents returned in boats to survey the damage.</p>
<p>Also flooding were the Neuse River, which reached a record crest in Goldsboro on Tuesday, and the Tar River, which threatened Princeville, a town founded in 1865 by freed slaves and destroyed by Floyd’s flooding 17 years ago.</p>
<p>After that, the river flows into Greenville, where Danita Lynch wasn’t taking any chances. She helped her 59-year-old mother load nearly all her belongings into a box truck and get to higher ground.</p>
<p>“We decided to pack her up yesterday. The water is right across the street,” Lynch said.</p>
<p>East Carolina University in Greenville canceled classes for the rest of the week for its more than 28,000 students.</p>
<p>Mary Schulken, the school’s executive director of communications, said that as the Tar began flooding over the weekend, she had to move her 98-year-old mother and her belongings out of her retirement community next to the river.</p>
<p>“She was fearful, upset, anxious, and when she’s that way, I’m that way,” Schulken said. “I know that is a personal experience that is being repeated and has the potential to be repeated many times over in this community.”</p>
<p>Not everyone was obeying the evacuation order.</p>
<p>Angie Hamill was still serving drinks Tuesday afternoon at the Players Retreat Bar next to the river in Greenville. Brown muck from Floyd could still be seen above the chair rail, though the water wasn’t forecast to rise quite that high this time.</p>
<p>The gambling machines and an ATM were removed from the bar to keep them safe.</p>
<p>“We don’t have any games, but we have beer and we have soda,” Hamill said, “and as long as I can keep it cold, we’ll be OK.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to show that the school is named East Carolina University, not Eastern Carolina University.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Dalesio reported from Lumberton. Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Nichols, South Carolina; Jack Jones and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina and Tom Foreman Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.</p> | North Carolina braces for more flooding in downstream towns | false | https://abqjournal.com/864846/rescuers-again-retrieving-people-from-floods-after-matthew.html | 2016-10-11 | 2 |
<p>(Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas)</p>
<p>Washington Blade celebrates the winners of its 15th annual 2016 Best of Gay D.C. Awards at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6-9 p.m.</p>
<p>There will be complimentary Tito’s Vodka cocktails from 6-8 p.m. and food sampling from Best of Gay D.C. finalists. Ba’Naka will host the event with performances by competition winners and finalists. Early Bird tickets are $10 and day of tickets are $15.</p>
<p>For details, visit <a href="" type="internal">washingtonblade.com/best-gay-dc-party</a>.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Banaka</a> <a href="" type="internal">Best of Gay D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT nightlife</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tito's Vodka</a> <a href="" type="internal">Town Danceboutique</a></p> | 15th annual Best of Gay D.C. Awards coming next week | false | http://washingtonblade.com/2016/10/13/15th-annual-best-gay-d-c-awards-coming-next-week/ | 3 |
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<p>Bear Creek 73, Chatfield 70</p>
<p>Boulder 51, Abraham Lincoln 45</p>
<p>Clear Creek 59, KIPP Denver 57</p>
<p>Columbine 50, Arvada West 42</p>
<p>D'Evelyn 84, Standley Lake 77</p>
<p>Dakota Ridge 73, Ralston Valley 48</p>
<p>Denver Science &amp; Tech Green Valley Ranch 66, Liberty Common 47</p>
<p>Eaglecrest 67, Cherry Creek 64</p>
<p>Evergreen 70, Green Mountain 54</p>
<p>Golden 70, Littleton 50</p>
<p>Lewis-Palmer 58, Discovery Canyon 49</p>
<p>Overland 52, Grandview 51</p>
<p>Rangeview 69, Broomfield 50</p>
<p>Skyline 71, John F. Kennedy 62</p>
<p>Smoky Hill 66, Arapahoe 48</p>
<p>The Vanguard School 63, Colo. Springs Christian 59</p>
<p>Thomas Jefferson 39, Hinkley 36</p>
<p>Valor Christian 70, Wheat Ridge 29</p>
<p>Bear Creek 73, Chatfield 70</p>
<p>Boulder 51, Abraham Lincoln 45</p>
<p>Clear Creek 59, KIPP Denver 57</p>
<p>Columbine 50, Arvada West 42</p>
<p>D'Evelyn 84, Standley Lake 77</p>
<p>Dakota Ridge 73, Ralston Valley 48</p>
<p>Denver Science &amp; Tech Green Valley Ranch 66, Liberty Common 47</p>
<p>Eaglecrest 67, Cherry Creek 64</p>
<p>Evergreen 70, Green Mountain 54</p>
<p>Golden 70, Littleton 50</p>
<p>Lewis-Palmer 58, Discovery Canyon 49</p>
<p>Overland 52, Grandview 51</p>
<p>Rangeview 69, Broomfield 50</p>
<p>Skyline 71, John F. Kennedy 62</p>
<p>Smoky Hill 66, Arapahoe 48</p>
<p>The Vanguard School 63, Colo. Springs Christian 59</p>
<p>Thomas Jefferson 39, Hinkley 36</p>
<p>Valor Christian 70, Wheat Ridge 29</p> | Wednesday's Scores | false | https://apnews.com/amp/b9d48fde247a4506948dde74ba26474b | 2018-01-18 | 2 |
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<p>A: Your basic strategy is acceptable, but it does carry certain risks. You may already be aware of these risks, but let’s review them to be sure.</p>
<p>First, a contribution to a simplified employee pension is due by the due date of your tax return for the year of the contribution, and this due date includes any extensions that you may have obtained.</p>
<p>An SEP is like an IRA, but it has larger allowed contributions. Also, contributions to an IRA must be made by the original (non-extended) due date of the return for the year of the contribution.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>So obtaining a valid extension to file your return also extends the date that you are allowed to make a contribution to your SEP.</p>
<p>Since October 15 is a Sunday, you now have until October 16 to make the $6,000 contribution.</p>
<p>You can file the federal and state tax returns at any time. The returns that you plan to file determined the tax liability assuming that a $6,000 SEP contribution will be allowed as a deduction.</p>
<p>Filing the returns now will, as you note, provide you with some needed cash from the refunds. For this reason you should file now provided you have all the information to file a complete and accurate return.</p>
<p>Now let’s discuss the various problems that may arise with this strategy. I can think of three. You seem aware of the basic issues, so you should be able to work around these problems.</p>
<p>First, to defer the contribution until October you must have a valid extension. A valid extension requires a proper estimate of your 2016 tax liability. If for some reason your self-prepared return is not “right,” you may not have made a proper estimate of your liability. Extensions are seldom challenged for failure to make a proper estimate. But the consequence of an invalid extension would be serious to your plan.</p>
<p>Second, you must actually make the SEP contribution. If you fail to do so, then your previously filed return is not accurate, your liability is understated, and you will have tax, interest, and penalties to pay.</p>
<p>One penalty will be a negligence penalty for not making a contribution that you had claimed as a deduction. But there could also be a late filing and late payment penalty because the extension is now invalid. I say “now” because the failure to make the SEP contribution may mean the original estimate of tax shown on the extension was not a proper estimate. This makes the extension invalid and your tax return late.</p>
<p>Finally, when you make the SEP contribution you must be sure that the custodian records it as applying to the 2016 tax year.</p>
<p>James R. Hamill is the director of Tax Practice at Reynolds, Hix &amp; Co. in Albuquerque. He can be reached at [email protected].</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p /> | Extension also applies to SEP | false | https://abqjournal.com/999995/extension-also-applies-to-sep.html | 2 |
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<p>Gerard was born on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana, flew on bombing missions in Europe in World War II, and served in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. His military and public service was important, but his most important legacy is the Indian self-determination policies he drafted as a Congressional staffer and, later, implemented as Interior’s first Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.</p>
<p>The federal government has a special government-to-government relationship, called the “trust responsibility,” with Indian tribes. This relationship stems from federal laws and treaties, as well as history. Willingly, and too often unwillingly, tribal nations gave up all or parts of their lands and resources, relocated to less desirable lands and made other concessions in exchange for promises from the federal government to provide for Indian people.</p>
<p>As every child learns in school, these treaty promises frequently went unfulfilled and the federal government’s performance sometimes fell short. In the mid-twentieth century, Congress considered terminating the special relationship to tribes and, for a few tribes, actually succeeded. The goal was to force assimilation into mainstream American culture and put an end to the federal government’s continuing obligations.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The termination policy had a catastrophic effect on tribes, leading to the loss of countless acres of land from tribal hands, crises for tribal economies, and negative health and education outcomes for Indian people who had relied on federally provided health care and education.</p>
<p>Forrest Gerard joined the staff of the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee in 1971 at a time when the failures of the termination policy were becoming obvious. Although his boss, Senator Henry ‘Scoop’ Jackson, had been an advocate for termination, Jackson allowed Gerard to spearhead the transition to a new policy.</p>
<p>With Gerard’s behind-the-scenes leadership, Jackson helped to restore Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo. He also introduced a resolution disavowing termination policy and later succeeded in passing the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.</p>
<p>The genius behind the Indian self-determination law was that it allowed tribes who are unhappy with the provision of promised federal services to obtain federal funding to provide those services themselves.</p>
<p>In other words, instead of obtaining BIA or IHS employees, tribes obtained federal contracts, producing a fundamental transformation of federal services to Indian people.</p>
<p>This new approach has succeeded for two reasons.</p>
<p>First, it emphasizes accountability. Rather than federal officials, who are protected by civil services laws and are accountable only to officials in Washington, it is now tribal leaders who have the power – and responsibility – to provide governmental services to Indian people. If the tribal leader fails, tribal citizens can vote him or her out of office in the next election.</p>
<p>Second, it has increased tribal governmental capacities. Tribes are now run by professionals who can make tribal government work in a culturally appropriate way. Tribal governments can often provide federal services more efficiently and more cheaply than the federal government can, bringing more services to Indian people out of the same level of appropriations.</p>
<p>Gerard provided much of the genius needed to make all of this happen, both on Capitol Hill and at the BIA. As a staffer, Gerard shepherded the law through Congress. When Congress elevated the position of Commissioner of the BIA to Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Interior, President Jimmy Carter chose Gerard as the first person to hold this office.</p>
<p>At Interior, we continue to work through implementation of the self-determination program. Indeed, it has required a fundamental change in the role and identity of the BIA.</p>
<p>But it is hands down the most successful federal Indian policy in American history. The late Forrest Gerard deserves much of the credit.</p>
<p /> | Forrest Gerard’s legacy is self-determination for tribes | false | https://abqjournal.com/331527/forrest-gerards-legacy-is-selfdetermination-for-tribes.html | 2 |
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<p>SAN BERNARDINO (CA)The Press-EnterpriseBy MICHAEL FISHERTHE PRESS-ENTERPRISE</p>
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<p>A Yucca Valley priest who resigned last year after Inland church leaders learned that he had inappropriately touched three boys in 1993 will be allowed to work at a Riverside seminary.</p>
<p>The Diocese of San Bernardino said Friday that the Rev. Ponciano Ramos will start working July 1 at the Divine Word Retreat Center, operated by the religious order to which Ramos belongs.</p>
<p>For now, Ramos will handle administrative duties, and he will be barred from engaging in public sacraments, such as saying Mass, hearing confessions or presiding at weddings, baptisms or funerals, the Rev. Howard Lincoln, spokesman for the diocese, said by telephone Friday.</p>
<p>Ramos may gradually be allowed to return to public ministry, Lincoln said.</p>
<p>Ramos resigned in April 2002 after diocese officials learned that he had been convicted of three misdemeanor battery charges in Indiana. Court records show that after stink bombs were set off at a school, Ramos had conducted a search, including putting his hand into the underwear of three boys, but prosecutors concluded that the touching had not been sexual.</p>
<p /> | Bishop allows priest to work at retreat center | false | https://poynter.org/news/bishop-allows-priest-work-retreat-center | 2003-06-07 | 2 |
<p>Photo of Zach Dorman and Adam Taylor by Lily Abood</p>
<p />
<p>[Guest bloggers Lily Abood, Ben Jervey, and Adam Taylor are writing from the road this week while <a href="http://ride350.blogspot.com/2009/07/route.html" type="external">biking 350 miles</a> to raise awareness of <a href="../../../../../../climate-cover" type="external">climate change</a> issues. This post is the third in the <a href="../../../../../../category/primary-tags/ride350" type="external">Mother Jones</a> <a href="../../../../../../category/primary-tags/ride350" type="external">Ride350 Dispatch</a> series.]</p>
<p>You know the old question: If you could host a dinner party with 3 people, living or dead, from the entire arc of history, who would they be? There was a moment today when I felt as if I were living my answer to that question—except there were 17 guests, and they were all very alive. And they weren’t guests; they were my teammates. And we weren’t eating dinner; we were pedaling through fog-shrouded redwood groves. And we were laughing.</p>
<p>Granted, it’s hard not to smile when you’re enjoying an activity you love in a sublime setting.&#160; Yesterday morning, the satisfaction of being in a community of friends surrounded by a community of very old living trees was enough to elicit a blissful howl from my throat. And considering the mellow roll of the terrain, the meander of the road along the Eel River, it’s not surprising that our mutual sentiment bordered on elation.&#160;</p>
<p>Fast forward three hours, when the road had ceased to meander. We found ourselves on a much more direct, not to mention uphill, highway route. Instead of a scenic river we saw 18-wheel logging trucks, and the mist of the ferns were replaced by sweat droplets on baking asphalt. But the team conquered the disappointing change of scenery with good spirits: More laughter was heard over the cacophonous hammer of hydraulic breaks.&#160;</p>
<p>Nick and David stopped for 30 minutes to talk to the docent at an interpretive center, only to spend the next ten (yes, it only took them ten) minutes catching up with the pack for lunch. We met a trio of touring bikers from Washington State, each over 60 years old and encouraging us to “keep paying into social security!”&#160;They were interested in <a href="http://www.350.org/" type="external">350</a>, and at a rest stop under a freeway overpass, we discussed the upcoming negotiations in Copenhagen.&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>We stopped at the world famous <a href="http://www.confusionhill.com/" type="external">Confusion Hill</a> where the proprietor was kind enough to fill our water bottles. No pressure to buy a flimsy magnet, just service with a smile and a “good luck!” as we continued down the road.</p>
<p>When I finally crested the rise to <a href="http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=423" type="external">Standish Hickey State Park</a>, my dad recounted for me the exuberance and exhilaration on the faces of every rider that had arrived prior. And as I dismounted my trusty steed I was greeted with high fives from the 17 that made it to the party.</p>
<p>Ride350 is not a race, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not going to have a darn good time chasing each other up these hills. So although it’s barely dawn and I’ve got 6,000 feet of climbing ahead of me, I can smell my best friend Zach’s percolated coffee brewing, and I look forward to two-wheel traveling for another day. —Adam</p>
<p /> | Ride350 Dispatch: Hills and High Fives | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2009/10/ride350-dispatch-exuberance/ | 2009-10-21 | 4 |
<p>History is about to repeat itself, though on a smaller scale. 9/11 is scheduled to happen all over again. And again, it will happen all over Lower Manhattan.</p>
<p>While the whole world knows about the collapse of the Twin Towers (although the collapse of five surrounding buildings that day goes virtually unmentioned) and while the catastrophic health consequences from the dispersal of toxic debris and from the fires which burned for over three months becomes obvious as more people fall ill, the world outside of Lower Manhattan is not aware that at least three more highly contaminated buildings are scheduled for demolition in the near future. The United States Environmental Protection Agency which was found by its Inspector General to have lied about the air quality after 9/11, continues to refuse to perform its legally mandated duty by taking the lead in the ‘deconstruction’ of at least one of those buildings, the former Deutschebank at 130 Liberty Street.</p>
<p>Hounded by Lower Manhattan residents and advocacy groups such as the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, (1) 9/11 Environmental Action (2), the New York State Public Employees Federation (3) and the New York Environmental Law and Justice Project (4), the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation which now owns 130 Liberty acknowledges the contamination of the building. Tests performed by Deutschebank in preparation for litigation found asbestos at up to 150,000 times normal background levels in addition to astronomical levels of other contaminants including dioxin, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs.) In addition, the use of the sprinkler system on 9/11 resulted in mold and the bacterium which causes Legionnaire’s disease.</p>
<p>LMDC has assured the community they intend to abide by all city, state and federal regulations. However a deconstruction like this one is unprecedented in a residential neighborhood so those regulations do not go far enough. LMDC has hired a fleet of consultants and contractors to execute the deconstruction and related tasks such as air monitoring. According to Kimberly Flynn of 9/11 Environmental Action this leads to a patchwork effect in which “everyone is in charge and no one is in charge.”</p>
<p>Residents of 125 Cedar Street next door to 130 Liberty have testified to the urgent need for an emergency response plan which became highlighted a few months ago when windows fell out of the building. LMDC’s recent suggestions have included calling 911. Joel Kupferman of the New York Environmental Law and Justice Project also points out that the building is next to subway grates and an emergency fan system which could potentially spread the contaminants at 130 Liberty Street to commuters.</p>
<p>Following 130 Liberty Street, Fiterman Hall, a Borough of Manhattan Community College building which is owned by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and is contaminated with dioxin, is also scheduled for demolition.</p>
<p>The final building in the doomed trio, 4 Albany Street which is contaminated with asbestos and lead, is currently owned by Deutschebank which, being a private institution, is not obliged to engage in the same degree of public process as the other two entities. That demolition is already underway.</p>
<p>Other buildings downtown are also slated for demolition in the name of rebuilding and renewal. However, little is known about their levels of contamination.</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.nycosh.org/" type="external">http://www.nycosh.org/</a></p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.911ea.org/" type="external">http://www.911ea.org/</a></p>
<p>3. <a href="" type="internal">http://query.nytimes.com/</a></p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.nyeljp.org/" type="external">http://www.nyeljp.org/</a></p>
<p>JENNA ORKIN is one of twelve original plaintiffs in a potential class action lawsuit against the EPA. She is a member of the <a href="http://www.wtceo.org/" type="external">World Trade Center Environmental Organization</a> and can be reached at: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> &#160;</p> | The Toxic State of Lower Manhattan | true | https://counterpunch.org/2005/02/03/the-toxic-state-of-lower-manhattan/ | 2005-02-03 | 4 |
<p>Pete Souza,DPA/ZUMAPress</p>
<p>This <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175633/" type="external">story</a> first appeared on the <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch</a> website.</p>
<p>Think of it as a simple formula: if you’ve been hired (and paid handsomely) to protect what is, you’re going to be congenitally ill-equipped to imagine what might be. And yet the urge not just to know the contours of the future, but to plant the Stars and Stripes in that future has had the US Intelligence Community (IC) in its grip since the mid-1990s. That was the moment when it first <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175336/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_war_is_a_drug/" type="external">occurred</a> to some in Washington that US power might be capable of controlling just about everything worth the bother globally for, if not an eternity, then long enough to make the future American property.</p>
<p>Ever since, every few years the <a href="http://www.dni.gov/index.php/about/organization/national-intelligence-council-who-we-are" type="external">National Intelligence Council</a> (NIC), the IC’s “center for long-term strategic analysis,” has been intent on producing a document it calls serially Global Trends [fill in the future year]. The latest edition, out just in time for Barack Obama’s second term, is <a href="http://www.dni.gov/index.php/about/organization/national-intelligence-council-global-trends" type="external">Global Trends 2030</a>. Here’s one utterly predictable thing about it: it’s bigger and more elaborate than <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174985/Engelhardt_spying_on_the_future" type="external">Global Trends 2025</a>. And here’s a prediction that, hard as it is to get anything right about the future, has a 99.9% chance of being accurate: when Global Trends 2035 comes out, it’ll be bigger and more elaborate yet. It’ll cost more and still, like its predecessor, offer a hem for every haw, a hedge for every faintly bold possibility, a trap-door escape from any prediction that might not stick.</p>
<p>None of this should be surprising. In recent years, with a <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/30/us-intel-budget-topped-75-billion-in-2012/" type="external">$75 billion</a> collective budget, the IC, that historically unprecedented labyrinth of <a href="http://www.intelligence.gov/about-the-intelligence-community/" type="external">17 intelligence agencies and outfits</a>, has been one of Washington’s <a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/articles/a-hidden-world-growing-beyond-control/" type="external">major growth industries</a>. In return for almost unfettered funding and a &amp;rsquo-than-decade-long <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175629/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_supersizing_secrecy/" type="external">expansion</a> of its powers, it’s promised one thing to the American people: safety, especially from “terrorism.” As part of a national security complex that has benefitted enormously from a post-9/11 lockdown of the country and the creation of a permanent war state, it also suffers from the classic bureaucratic disease of bloat.</p>
<p>So no one should be shocked to discover that its forays into an anxiety-producing future, which started relatively modestly in 1997, have turned into ever more massive operations. In this fifth iteration of the series, the authors have given birth to a book-length paean to the future and its dangers.</p>
<p>For this, they convened groups of “experts” in too many American universities to count, consulted too many individual academics to name despite pages of acknowledgements, and held “meetings on the initial draft in close to 20 countries.” In other words, a monumental effort was made to mount the future and reassure Washington that, while a “relative economic decline vis-à-vis the rising states is inevitable,” the coming decades might still prove an American plaything (even if shared, to some extent, with China and those rising powers).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com" type="external" /></p>
<p>Frack Is the New Crack</p>
<p>Having grown to immodest size, the “trends” in the project’s title were no longer faintly enough. Instead, the language of Global Trends 2030 has bloated to match its mammoth pretensions. These days to nail down the future for American policymakers, you need Megatrends (“Individual Empowerment,” “Diffusion of Power”), Game-Changers (“Crisis-Prone Global Economy,” “Governance Gap,” “Potential for Increased Violence”), Black Swans (“Severe Pandemic,” “Much More Rapid Climate Change,” “A Reformed Iran”), and Tectonic Shifts (“Growth of the Global Middle Class,” “Unprecedented and Widespread Aging”), not to speak of Potential Worlds or fictional futuristic scenarios in which those Megatrends, Game-Changers, Black Swans, and Tectonic Shifts mix and match into possible futures.</p>
<p>Out of this, what exactly have the mavens of American intelligence, the representatives of the last remaining global superpower, concluded? Here would be my partial summary: that we should expect the rise of nothing much we don’t already know about; that various versions of the knowable present can be accurately projected into the future; that much depends on what happens to the Earth’s greatest state (with China nipping at its heels)—whether, that is, with its “preponderance across the board in most dimensions of power, both ‘hard’ and ‘soft,'” the US will remain a benevolent “global security provider” or “global policeman” of planetary stability or—disaster of disasters—pull in on itself, creating a declinist fortress America; that the true American crisis might be a decrease in military spending; that odds are the global economy, with more than a billion new “middle class” consumers, could do marginally better or worse; that Iran might (or might not) build nuclear weapons; that global conflict could increase somewhat (with an emphasis on resource wars)—or decline; that the national state could hang in there with something like its present power or lose some of it to nongovernmental bodies and “smart cities,” and so on.</p>
<p>There are, however, a few topics that seem to have gone MIA in the National Intelligence Council’s version of our future world. You won’t, for instance, find these words emphasized in Global Trends 2030: corporations—they seem to have no role worth mentioning in the world of the future; depression—yes, “recession,” or even in extremis “collapse,” but not “global depression,” not even when the US is compared to the planet’s previous great imperial power, nineteenth century Britain, and so to an era when depressions were rife (a possible “great depression” gets a single “low probability” mention); imperial—since we’re the only… ahem… great you-know-what left, that’s not an appropriate word for the world of 2030; revolution—oh, there was one of those in 1848 and it can be mentioned, but despite the fact that the globe has been convulsed by unexpected uprisings and unforeseen movements in recent years, in 2030, revolution is unimaginable; capitalism—no need even to say it in a world in which nothing else exists, and to use it might imply that by 2030 another system of any sort could arise to challenge it, which is, of course, inconceivable; Israeli nuclear weapons—why bring up the Israeli nuclear arsenal, which actually exists and will assumedly be there in 2030, when you can focus on that fabulous black swan Iran and its (as yet) nonexistent nuclear arsenal.</p>
<p>Finally, military base — undoubtedly a perfectly acceptable term for the NIC in Global Trends 2040, once the Chinese establish a few of them abroad. In the meantime, in a world in which the US still has about <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175558/tomgram:_engelhardt,_till_death_do_us_part/" type="external">ensuring</a> instability, <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175564/engelhardt_the_military_solution" type="external">chaos</a> in distant lands.</p>
<p>You’ll find a section on drones, but not on our drone wars and how they might play out in 2030. (Another verboten set of words now associated with those wars are <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obamas-leadership-in-war-on-al-qaeda.html" type="external">kill list</a>. You’ll find the Arab Spring discussed in passing, but not the Indian Spring. (You know, the one that occurred in 2023 in that youth-bulge of a nation when rising expectations met economic frustration.) You’ll read much about resource problems and potential resource wars, but not about the 800-pound gorilla in the global room. The single looming crisis threatening the well-being of the planet, climate change, while certainly discussed in passing, is essentially ducked on the grounds, it seems, that by 2030 it won’t really have hit yet. (Assumedly, none of the group meetings the NIC called were held in the <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175475/william_debuys_the_parching_of_the_west" type="external">parched US southwest</a>, the <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175544/ellen_cantarow_the_new_eco-devastation" type="external">fracking</a>, to which they return again and again. I kid you not. For them, frack is the new crack and if this document (god save us) were ever made into a movie, it might be called Frack to the Future. Yes, in most of their future scenarios, fracking, releasing all that <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175601/klare_the_new_golden_age_of_oil_that_wasn't" type="external">extreme energy</a>, makes the US energy independent, a natural gas exporter, and practically ensures that 2030 will once again be an American year! Yippee!</p>
<p>Time’s Democracy</p>
<p>Above all, the National Intelligence Council’s analysts have managed to largely banish the single most essential, unavoidable, and bracing aspect of the future: surprise. That tells you far more about the Washington world the authors inhabit than what may happen in 2030. But before I get to that, give me just a second to pat myself on the back.</p>
<p>After all, I’ve done you an enormous favor. I’ve actually read Global Trends 2030 from its two-page “dear reader” letter from the chairman of the NIC and the report’s “executive summary” though its 136 two-columned pages, and even its interminable acknowledgements. And let me assure you, it’s put together by perfectly intelligent people and has some interesting nuggets in it. The assembled crew has even tried its hand at writing bits of futuristic fiction and at least one of them, a “Marxist” analysis “updated” for the twenty-first century, has some passing entertainment value.</p>
<p>In the end, though, the document, like the IC itself, is an overblown artifact of Washington’s own limitations and fears. It’s also mind-numbingly, bone-blisteringly dull and repetitive, featuring elaborate charts laying out what you’ve just read as if you were simply too thick to take it in paragraph by paragraph. It’s exactly the sort of thing that no bureaucratic collective should be allowed to inflict on the great unknown, and that no one raised on H.G. Wells, Arthur Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip Dick, Ursula Le Guin, George Orwell, William Gibson, or for that matter, Suzanne Collins should ever have to endure.</p>
<p>And yet, the strangeness of this project, historically speaking, should get your attention. Stop for a moment and think about time and the state. States have traditionally had an urge to control the past (sometimes working hard to gain a monopoly on the writing of history). And—no surprise here—most states have the urge to control the present. But the future? The future is time’s democracy. No government can secure it. No military can invade it. No intelligence agency can embed its operatives in it.</p>
<p>This is why the Global Trends series that originally emerged from the increasingly self-confident world of the “sole superpower” holds a certain fascination. It represents a unique state foray into the future, a singular attempt to corral and possess it. Once upon a time, the distant future was the province of utopian or dystopian thinkers, pulp fiction writers, oddballs, visionaries, even cranks, but not government intelligence services. Peering into it was, at its best, a movingly strange individual adventure of the imagination, whether you were reading Edward Bellamy or Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Yevgeny Zamyatin or H.G. Wells, George Orwell or Aldous Huxley.</p>
<p>That was, of course, before the Pentagon began <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/2298/nick_turse_if_you_build_it_they_will_kill" type="external">planning</a> for the weaponry of 2020, 2035, and 2050; before war turned nuclear and so, with the exception of two cities in 1945, could only be “fought” in think tanks via futuristic scenario writing. It was before the leaders of the sole superpower were so overcome by <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/101850/engelhardt_bush's_faith" type="external">hubris</a>that they began to suspect the future, like the present, might indeed be theirs.</p>
<p>And yet the future is, and remains, everyone’s, always. Until it actually comes to pass, your guess is as good as the CIA’s or the NIC’s. Probably better. They may, in fact, be the worst possible candidates to write about the future. Even when they know the rap against them—as laid out in Global Trends 2030, their inability to let go of “continuities” for “discontinuities and crises”—it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>They simply can’t bring themselves to think outside the box. They don’t dare surprise themselves, no less give the future its surprising due, even though—my own guess—ours is likely to be a world increasingly filled with those discontinuities. The rise of China, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Arab Spring, the eruption of both the Tea Party and the Occupy Movement, even the tiniest of unexpected trapdoors in history—like <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175619/engelhardt_an_obit_for_the_general" type="external">Paula Broadwell</a> taking down America’s “greatest” general—are conceptually beyond them. Surprise is their poison. They would prefer to palm a few cards and play from the bottom of the deck rather than acknowledge that the future just isn’t theirs.</p>
<p>Apocalypse When?</p>
<p>The early years of the George W. Bush era proved a visionary, if quite mad, moment. That was when Washington <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175351/engelhardt_pox_americana" type="external">blew a hole</a> in the oil heartlands of the planet and may have launched the Arab Spring. More recently, policymaking has been firmly restored to an administration of managers and the American imperial imagination, such as it was, began to atrophy. Global Trends 2030 reflects that all-American reality, which is why it’s less like entering the future than getting a guided tour of the airless corridors of Washington’s collective mind as 2013 begins.</p>
<p>Of course, the future is an impossibly tricky thing to guide anyone through. Take China, for example. No one would claim its rise isn’t a fact of world historical importance. Still, I think it would be fair to say that, from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth, an individual who accurately predicted the next bizarre and spectacular twist in China’s path to the future would have been laughed out of any roomful of experts: the collapse of imperial China, the improbable rise of Mao Zedong’s communist movement out of the chaos of invasion and civil war, or—most improbable of all—the creation by China’s Communist Party, after a decade of startling radicalism and extremism, of an unprecedented capitalist powerhouse (slated, as Global Trends 2030 points out, to pass the US as the globe’s leading economy by 2030, if not earlier).</p>
<p>So why should anyone imagine that, when it comes to China, present trends can simply be extrapolated into the future? And yet so it goes for the folks of Global Trends 2030, who project a more daring than usual series of scenarios for that country, ranging from cooperation with the US in hegemonic regional harmony to growing nationalism and “adventurism” abroad to (an extreme improbability, as they see it) an economic “collapse” scenario that shocks the global economy.</p>
<p>Still, let’s take one prominent fact of Chinese history, which the analysts of the National Intelligence Council ignore (although China’s leaders are deeply aware of it or they wouldn’t have moved to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/19/china-arrests-religious-cult-apocalypse" type="external">Christian cult</a> of the Mayan apocalypse). Under stress, China has a unique <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rebellions_in_China#Yellow_Turban_Rebellion" type="external">huge peasant rebellions</a>, often fed by syncretic religious cults, have swept out of the Chinese interior to threaten the country: the Yellow Turbans, the White Lotus, the Taipings of the mid-nineteenth century, and most recently Mao’s own movement, among others.</p>
<p>Already today, in economically upbeat times, China has <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/rising-protests-in-china/100247" type="external">tens of thousands</a> of “mass incidents” a year in which citizens protest <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-officials-bow-protests-against-factory-122959453.html" type="external">polluting factories</a>, peasants <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-16192541" type="external">take over</a> local villages, and so on. If the Chinese economy takes a major hit between now and 2030, amid growing economic corruption and increasing inequality, who knows what might actually happen?</p>
<p>With the rarest of exceptions, however, the authors of Global Trends 2030 relegate the shock of the future to outlier “black swans” like a pandemic that could kill millions or solar geomagnetic storms that knock out satellite systems and the global electric grid (a scenario the writers of NBC’s hit show Revolution got to well ahead of the NIC’s experts). Otherwise, when it comes to a truly disjunctive world, for better or worse, forget it in Global Trends 2030.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m atypical and yet I can imagine worse than they seem capable of describing without even blinking, starting with a full-scale, gob-smack <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175422/mike_davis_the_crash_club" type="external">global depression</a>. In fact, if you have an apocalyptic turn of mind, all you need to do is look at the information they supply—some of which their analysts consider good news—and it’s easy enough to grasp what a truly extreme world we may be entering.</p>
<p>They tell us, for instance, that “the world has consumed more food than it has produced in seven of the last eight years” (a trend they hope will be reversed by the genetic modification of food crops); that water is running short (“by 2030 nearly half the world’s population will live in areas with severe water stress”); that demand for energy will rise by about 50% in the coming 15 to 20 years; and that greenhouse gases, entering the atmosphere as if there were no tomorrow, are expected to double by mid-century. By their estimate, in 2030 there will be 8.3 billion high-end omnivores rattling around this planet and more than a billion of them, possibly two billion, will have entered some abysmally degraded version of “the middle class.” ;That is, there will be more car drivers, more meat-eaters, more product buyers.</p>
<p>Throw in climate change—and the “success” of fracking in keeping us on a fossil fuels diet for decades to come—and tell me you can’t imagine the odd apocalyptic scenario or two, and a few shocking surprises as well.</p>
<p>A Wishing Well on the Global Mall</p>
<p>Think of Global Trends 2030 as a portrait of an aging, overweight Intelligence Community (and the academic hangers-on who work with them) incapable of seeing the world as it is, let alone as it might be. The National Intelligence Council evidently never met an apocalypt or a dreamer it didn’t want to avoid. Its movers and shakers seemingly never considered putting together a panel of sci-fi writers, and in all their travels they evidently never stopped in Uruguay and paid a visit to the radical writer Eduardo Galeano, or even consulted his 1998 book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0312420315/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">Upside Down: A Primer for the Looking-Glass World</a>.</p>
<p>At one point, discussing global consumerism—and remember this was the year after the first Global Trends report came out—he wrote:</p>
<p>“Consumer society is a booby trap. Those at the controls feign ignorance, but anybody with eyes in his head can see that the great majority of people necessarily must consume not much, very little, or nothing at all in order to save the bit of nature we have left. Social injustice is not an error to be corrected, nor is it a defect to be overcome; it is an essential requirement of the system. No natural world is capable of supporting a mall the size of the planet… [If] we all consumed like those who are squeezing the earth dry, we’d have no world left.”</p>
<p>With the rising powers of “the South” and “the East,” we’ll now have a chance to see for ourselves, perhaps by 2030, just how accurate Galeano might have been about the fate of this ever more crowded, ever more resource-pressed, ever hotter and more tumultuous planet of ours. We might learn up close and personal just what it means to add a billion or two extra “middle class” consumers at such a moment. By then, perhaps we’ll be able to take our pick from extremities of all sorts, ranging from old standbys like revolution or fascism to new ones that we can’t even imagine today.</p>
<p>But don’t read Global Trends 2030 to find out about that. After all, the nightmare of every bureaucracy is surprise. We’re not spending $75 billion on “intelligence” and <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-28/politics/36030342_1_wyden-amendment-fisa-amendments-act-surveillance" type="external">giving up</a> what were once classic American rights and liberties to encounter a bunch of unsettling surprises. No wonder the NIC folks can’t bear to imagine a fuller range of what might be coming. The Washington bubble is too comfortable, the rest too frightening. They may be living off <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175325/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_the_united_states_of_fear/" type="external">our fear</a>, but don’t kid yourself for a second, they’re afraid too, or they could never produce a document like Global Trends 2030.</p>
<p>As a portrait of American power gone remarkably blind, deaf, and dumb in a world roaring toward 2030, it provides the rest of us with the functional definition of the group of people least likely to offer long-term security to Americans.</p>
<p>Boil it all down, in fact, and you have a single, all-too-clear New Year’s wish from the US Intelligence Community: please, please, please make 2013, 2014, 2015… and 2030 not so different from 2012!</p>
<p>Tom Engelhardt, co-founder of the <a href="http://www.americanempireproject.com/" type="external">American Empire Project</a> and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608461548/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">The United States of Fear</a> as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/155849586X/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">The End of Victory Culture</a>, his history of the Cold War, runs the Nation Institute’s <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch.com</a>. His latest book, co-authored with Nick Turse, is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086EF89K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tomdispatch-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0086EF89K" type="external">Terminator Planet: The First History of Drone Warfare, 2001-2050</a>. You can see his interview with Bill Moyers on supersized politics, drones, and other subjects by <a href="http://billmoyers.com/content/tom-engelhardt-on-supersized-politics-in-the-2012-election/" type="external">clicking here</a>.</p>
<p>[Note to readers: This is the second piece I’ve written recently on what to make of the US Intelligence Community. The first, which appeared on December 16th, was “ <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175629/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_supersizing_secrecy/" type="external">The Visible Government, How the US Intelligence Community Came Out of the Shadows</a>.”]</p>
<p>Follow TomDispatch on Twitter @TomDispatch and join us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tomdispatch" type="external">Facebook</a>. Check out the newest Dispatch book, Nick Turse’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Changing-Face-Empire-Cyberwarfare/dp/1608463109/" type="external">The Changing Face of Empire: Special Ops, Drones, Proxy Fighters, Secret Bases, and Cyberwarfare.</a> To stay on top of important articles like these, sign up to receive the latest updates from TomDispatch.com <a href="http://tomdispatch.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6cb39ff0b1f670c349f828c73&amp;id=1e41682ade" type="external">here</a>.</p> | The Future According to the US Intelligence Community | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/us-intelligence-global-trends-2030/ | 2013-01-03 | 4 |
<p>The state agency responsible for economic development across New York says companies last year created 76 of the nearly 2,100 new jobs promised over five years in return for tax breaks under the Cuomo administration's Start-Up NY program.</p>
<p>The first annual report from the Department of Economic Development says 30 companies began operating in 2014 among 54 initially approved for the program.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>According to the report, they made $1.7 million of some $91 million investments promised over five years as part of Start-Up NY. The program has established 356 tax-free zones at 62 colleges and universities that act as sponsors.</p>
<p>The agency says another 26 businesses have been approved so far this year, while 12 have withdrawn applications.</p>
<p>Industries participating in the program include biotechnology, software and manufacturing.</p> | NY agency: Businesses have created 76 of 2,100 jobs promised under Cuomo's Start-Up program | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2015/04/03/ny-agency-businesses-have-created-76-2100-jobs-promised-under-cuomo-start-up.html | 2016-03-09 | 0 |
<p>A look at the 10 biggest volume gainers on Nasdaq at the close of trading:</p>
<p>American National Insurance Co. : Approximately 255,100 shares changed hands, a 1,268.1 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares fell $8.83 or 8.4 percent to $96.46.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Authentidate Holdings Corp. : Approximately 1,359,200 shares changed hands, a 2,475.4 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares fell $.29 or 47.3 percent to $.33.</p>
<p>Carver Bancorp : Approximately 49,500 shares changed hands, a 1,999.3 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares fell $.65 or 11.5 percent to $5.00.</p>
<p>1st Constitution Bancorp : Approximately 97,600 shares changed hands, a 1,613.5 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $.11 or .9 percent to $11.80.</p>
<p>Heat Biologics Inc. : Approximately 594,400 shares changed hands, a 1,421.9 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $.95 or 12.9 percent to $8.30.</p>
<p>Meru Networks Inc. : Approximately 1,729,400 shares changed hands, a 1,628.2 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares fell $.76 or 32.2 percent to $1.60.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>Pendrell Corp. : Approximately 4,376,500 shares changed hands, a 2,002.6 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $.01 or 1.0 percent to $1.00.</p>
<p>RMG Network Holding Corp. : Approximately 8,874,500 shares changed hands, a 33,806.8 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $.69 or 65.7 percent to $1.74.</p>
<p>Recro Pharma Inc. : Approximately 480,800 shares changed hands, a 2,334.9 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $1.21 or 36.8 percent to $4.50.</p>
<p>Seneca Foods Corp. : Approximately 893,200 shares changed hands, a 4,759.8 percent increase over its 65-day average volume. The shares rose $.50 or 1.9 percent to $26.54.</p> | Top 10 Nasdaq-traded stocks posting largest volume increases | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2015/03/02/top-10-nasdaq-traded-stocks-posting-largest-volume-increases.html | 2016-03-05 | 0 |
<p>Michael Reynolds/ZUMA</p>
<p />
<p>On Thursday, House Republicans will vote on an <a href="" type="internal">anti-Obamacare bill</a> that could toss up to 1.5 million Americans off their employer-sponsored health plans. To make the case that this is a good idea, top GOPers are misrepresenting what the legislation would do. They claim the measure would help prevent companies from reducing worker hours in order to cut employees’ health insurance benefits. Yet the legislation would likely encourage businesses to decrease hours so the firms could avoid providing health insurance to workers. “While political leaders often stretch the truth to make their case, they usually don’t claim the opposite of the truth,” Robert Greenstein, the president of the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), <a href="http://www.offthechartsblog.org/republican-leaders-deploying-untruths-on-40-hour-health-bill/" type="external">noted Wednesday</a>. “That, however, is essentially what Republican congressional leaders are doing.”</p>
<p>The bill House Republicans introduced Wednesday would change the way the Affordable Care Act defines full-time work and, thus, who is eligible for employer-sponsored health care. Currently, the ACA <a href="http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-employer-mandate/" type="external">requires</a> companies with 50 or more employees to provide affordable health coverage to 95 percent of their full-time workers or pay a penalty. This measure, called the employer mandate, begins to go into effect <a href="http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-employer-mandate/" type="external">this year</a>. Under the 2010 health care law, full-time work is defined as 30 or more hours per week. The GOP bill would change the law’s definition of full time to 40 hours per week.</p>
<p>Such a move would obviously lead to the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance for many people who work between 30 and 39 hours per week. But there’s the bill would have another impact too: It would give employers a powerful incentive to cut the hours of Americans who work 40-plus hours per week to escape the obligation to provide them health insurance. And health care policy experts note that it is more likely that a firm would slice the hours of a 40-hours-per-week worker than an employee who toils 30 hours a week. (More on that below.) Changing the full-time threshold to 40 hours would put some 1.5 million Americans at risk of having their hours docked and their insurance yanked, according to a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-07/republicans-to-chip-at-obamacare-by-redefining-work-hours.html" type="external">recent report</a> by the Congressional Budget Office.</p>
<p>Yet top Republicans are claiming the opposite. On Tuesday, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/01/06/obamacare-health-insurance-rep-paul-ryan-editorials-debates/21360381/" type="external">said</a> the bill would enable “more people [to] work full time.” Late last year, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/john-boehner-and-mitch-mcconnell-now-we-can-get-congress-going-1415232759" type="external">argued</a> the measure would protect the 40-hour work week by “removing an arbitrary and destructive government barrier to more hours and better pay created by the Affordable Care Act.”</p>
<p>As I <a href="" type="internal">reported</a> Monday, here’s why companies would be more likely to reduce workers’ hours under the GOP bill’s 40-hour threshold than under the current 30-hour per week cutoff:</p>
<p>The 30-hour threshold was intended to discourage companies from cutting workers’ hours. Nearly half of Americans work 40 hours a week or more—meaning that, under current law, employers would have to cut those workers’ hours by more than 25 percent to avoid buying them health insurance. But if the threshold were 40 hours, as the GOP envisions, many employers would only have to cut workweeks a tiny bit to avoid buying health insurance for their employees. “Raising the threshold to 40 hours would place more than five times as many workers at risk of having their hours reduced,” Paul van de Water, a senior fellow at the [CBPP], <a href="http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&amp;id=4028" type="external">wrote</a> in 2013.</p>
<p>A flock of prominent conservatives—including political analyst Yuval Levin and columnist Ramesh Ponnuru— <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/us/politics/resistance-from-right-slows-gop-press-to-redefine-full-time-worker.html?ref=politics" type="external">have also chimed in</a> against the 40-hour bill.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, President Obama vowed to veto the law if the Senate approves it. But that doesn’t mean the bill won’t become law. It’s possible that Republicans will attach the measure to a must-pass spending bill this year that would be extremely difficult for Obama to oppose.</p>
<p /> | The GOP’s New Attack on Obamacare May Be the Most Destructive Yet | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2015/01/republican-obamacare-full-time-work-cbpp/ | 2015-01-08 | 4 |
<p>Danny Fulton gets into bed every night at 10 p.m., plenty of time for a solid eight hours of rest before his alarm goes off in the morning. But the 31-year-old —who’s struggled to sleep all his life — almost never falls asleep before 3 a.m. Instead, he watches television, plays on his tablet, or checks his phone for work emails.</p>
<p>“I’m not decompressing, I’m not checking out, I’m keeping myself going for hours and hours and hours on end,” Fulton said. “The devices really empower me to do that. It’s not the device’s fault, I certainly control [them]. But sometimes, I cannot. I can’t put it down.”</p>
<p>Fulton’s not alone. At least 95 percent of people use some kind of electronic device — TV, a computer, a phone or a tablet — within an hour of bedtime, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Nearly one in five adults sends or receives work-related email before bed.</p>
<p>The problem? Those electronic devices may be contributing to our sleep-deprived society. Eight-five percent of American adults tell the Better Sleep Council they have trouble sleeping at night. One in ten suffers from more serious chronic insomnia, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Since lack of sleep is linked to obesity, depression, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the CDC declared sleep deprivation a “public health epidemic” in 2014.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Watch: This is how much sleep you should be getting</a></p>
<p>“The big problem with light exposure that we get from electronics is that it is delaying what our brain interprets as sunset,” said Dr. Charles Czeisler, a sleep doctor at Harvard Medical School. He explained the blue light from our screens sends a signal to our brains that it’s still daylight, triggering a surge of energy and blocking the melatonin that makes us sleepy.</p>
<p>So what can you do to boost your chances of getting a good night’s rest?</p>
<p>Paradoxically, even though many Americans are staying up to get more work done, lack of sleep can make for a more difficult day at the office. Seventy-five percent of people over 30 who don’t get enough sleep say it affects their work, according to the National Sleep Foundation.</p>
<p>“If you're exhausted, you're exhausted and people can tell," said Fulton. "We all need to be shooting our best game, playing our best game every day in today's world. When you don't get enough sleep, you have no chance to do that.”</p> | Sleepless in America: How Digital Devices Keep Us Up All Night | false | http://nbcnews.com/nightly-news/sleepless-america-how-digital-devices-keep-us-all-night-n381251 | 2015-06-24 | 3 |
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<p>CONNOR: Las Cruces native a former Bingaman aide</p>
<p>WASHINGTON - Michael Connor, a Las Cruces native who served as a water policy expert in the office of former Sen. Jeff Bingaman, was unanimously confirmed Thursday as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.</p>
<p>Connor, 50, had been working as commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. He will start his job as second-in-command at the Interior Department on Monday. Connor's nomination sailed through the Senate on Thursday on a 97-0 vote. He will replace David J. Hayes, who was in the post for four years before accepting a position as a Stanford Law School professor.</p>
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<p>Connor's maternal grandfather was a tribal leader with Taos Pueblo, and Interior officials have said he is the first person with such Native American roots to serve in such a high-ranking post at Interior, which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies.</p>
<p>"Mike is exactly the right person to help lead this department - thoughtful, smart, organized and full of energy," Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a statement. "His wealth of knowledge, experience and collaborative approach to complex challenges will be of great benefit to me and to this department. Mike is a true public servant, and this new role will tap all of his experiences for the benefit of the American people."</p>
<p>As deputy secretary, Connor will serve as the agency's chief operating officer and will help lead a department of more than 70,000 employees with an annual budget of about $18 billion. In a Journal interview Thursday, Connor said he was gratified by the strong show of support in the Senate.</p>
<p>"You couldn't ask for anything more," the former Senate aide said. "It's indicative of our ability to work together with folks on the Hill."</p>
<p>He cited water management and drought mitigation, energy production and Native American issues among the top priorities in his new job.</p>
<p>"We want to try to secure as much water as possible but also make sure we're making investment to deal with these droughts as they continue," Connor said.</p>
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<p>Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, both New Mexico Democrats, cheered Connor's confirmation and predicted he would make New Mexicans proud.</p>
<p>"Mike Connor is a dedicated public servant with the experience and background needed to help meet our nation's goals for energy independence and our environment," Heinrich said. "He is passionate about finding solutions on a range of issues important to New Mexico, including land and water conservation and addressing climate change."</p>
<p>Udall said, "As a native New Mexican with about two decades of experience in the public sector, he possesses a wealth of knowledge about matters that are important to New Mexico and that will be invaluable in his position as Deputy Secretary in the Interior Department."</p>
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<p /> | New Mexican confirmed as deputy secretary of interior | false | https://abqjournal.com/360609/new-mexican-confirmed-to-interior-dept.html | 2014-02-28 | 2 |
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<p>A 32-point opening period helped the Wildcats build a big enough cushion to help ensure another state football crown for the school. Lovington won a 60-43 shootout over the Chargers to claim its 15th title since the state began determining champions through playoffs in 1953.</p>
<p>“It don’t ever get old winning. Going out on top, that’s what the seniors wanted to do,” said Lovington quarterback Jacob Jameson, who riddled the Academy offense for 407 yards passing. “I just hope we showed the younger guys the senior leadership and hopefully they can get a run at it next year.”</p>
<p>It was a senior for Academy (11-1), standout Brandon Branch, who started the scoring-fest when he returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. When the Chargers succeeded on a two-point conversion, the visitors were up 8-0.</p>
<p>Lovington (11-2) took all of six plays and a minute and a half to respond. Completions by Jameson to Robert Perez, Chris Keeler and Robert Hargrove moved the ball quickly downfield. The Wildcats’ quarterback finished the drive with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone.</p>
<p>The next possession for Academy was also a quick one, but not nearly as fruitful for Branch &amp; Co. Branch fluttered a pass to the left sideline and Keeler snagged it for Lovington at the Chargers’ 31. Two plays later, Jameson hit Perez for a 9-yard touchdown strike.</p>
<p>Although Academy’s offense would hit its stride later in the game, with Branch eventually piling up 240 yards rushing, the visitors were stymied early. The Chargers had only one first down in the first quarter and their first two punts eventually turned into the third and fourth TDs for Lovington – one on another 1-yard run by Jameson and the other on a 34-yard Jameson-to-Keeler connection.</p>
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<p>With his team up 25-8, Keeler picked off another Branch pass with less than a minute to go before the end of the first quarter. Immediately after that play, Jameson scampered 24 yards untouched through the shell-shocked Academy defense and Lovington owned a 32-8 lead before the second period even began.</p>
<p>“Our offense just came out on fire. We preached all week that we had to, and we did that,” Jameson said. “And those two interceptions, those were big momentum swingers and we just kept scoring.”</p>
<p>Academy was seeking its first football championship in school history. Last week, in a semifinal victory over Raton, the Chargers lost running back Nash Phillips to injury. At the start of the 3A title game, replacement back Kase Rattey went out with a concussion.</p>
<p>“These guys have a lot of character and they’ve played with character all year long,” Academy coach Kevin Carroll said. “I’m real proud of them, I don’t think they’ve disgraced themselves at all out here today. I think (the season) is probably the crowning achievement in school history, having 24 guys go this far.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Lovington Grabs 15th Title | false | https://abqjournal.com/233274/lovington-grabs-15th-title.html | 2 |
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<p>Edmond Trujillo of Albuquerque caught a 26-inch catfish and a 17-inch catfish at Tingley Beach. He was using nightcrawlers.</p>
<p>Irene Sanchez of Clovis caught a 5-pound, 14-ounce channel catfish on Sept. 30 at Greene Acres Lake. She was using liver and cheese and outfished her husband.</p>
<p>Tyler Decker of Amarillo caught and released a 4.62-pound largemouth bass on Sunday at Ute Lake. He was using a topwater lure.</p>
<p>At Shady Lakes, Kai Backus-Weiss, 7, of Evanston, Ill., caught a 20-inch rainbow trout using nightcrawlers on Saturday. - Evander Rafael, of Albuquerque, used worms to land a 20-inch rainbow on Sunday.</p>
<p>AROUND THE STATE</p>
<p>SANDIA LAKES : Fishing at all three lakes has been very good for trout. Anglers have had the most success using panther martins, Pistol Petes, and salmon eggs. Catfish fishing has been good using garlic chicken livers, worms, and various stink baits. We last stocked on Sept. 29 with rainbow trout. Cassandra Espinosa, manager</p>
<p>SHADY LAKES: We are only open on Saturdays and Sundays at this time of year and will soon close for the season. Over the weekend the trout were biting at a slow to moderate pace. Our last trout stocking for the season was Aug. 29 so the pace will continue to slow. There are few golden rainbow "Palomino" trout remaining in the ponds. The bigger trout are averaging 17 inches and easy to see in the clear water to challenge you. Bass reports have slowed as well with the cooler weather. By this time of year they have seen it all. Big bluegill are still hanging around the fish gutting station; they're semi-active on flies and worms. Jan Phillips, director</p>
<p>NOTES from GAME &amp; FISH: Water flow on the SAN JUAN RIVER below Navajo Lake on Monday morning was 616 cfs. Fishing through the quality water section was good using Griffith's gnats, scintillas, root beers, parachute Adams, zebra midges, small pheasant tail nymphs and woolly buggers. The dry fly action has been a bit sporadic. Fishing through the bait waters was fair to good using salmon eggs, worms, jerk baits, wooly buggers, copper John Barrs and San Juan worms.</p>
<p>At NAVAJO LAKE, fishing was fair using worms, creature baits, tubes, spinners and crank baits for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.</p>
<p>Fishing at ELEPHANT BUTTE was fair using crank baits and spoons for white bass. Fishing was fair using shrimp, nightcrawlers and cut bait for catfish.</p>
<p>At EAGLE ROCK LAKE, fishing was very good using worms, salmon eggs, PowerBait and spinners for trout.</p>
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<p>Trout fishing was good using PowerBait and salmon eggs at LAKE ALICE.</p>
<p>At LAKE MALOYA, trout fishing was fair using PowerBait, salmon eggs and Pistol Petes.</p>
<p>Fishing was good at EAGLE NEST LAKE using worms for perch.</p>
<p>Trout fishing at MORPHY LAKE was fair to good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, woolly buggers and Pistol Petes under a bubble.</p>
<p>Stream flow on the RIO GRANDE on Monday at the Taos Junction Bridge was 286 cfs. Fishing was good using woolly buggers, poundmeisters, small crank baits, spinners, PowerBait and salmon eggs for trout.</p>
<p>Trout fishing on the PECOS RIVER was good using prince nymphs, copper John Barrs, salmon eggs, PowerBait, Panther Martins and worms.</p>
<p>Fishing on the RED RIVER was good using streamers, San Juan worms, PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs for trout.</p>
<p>Trout fishing was good at SHUREE PONDS using woolly buggers, Pistol Petes and San Juan worms.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Trout fishing at SANTA CRUZ RESERVOIR was good using Pistol Petes under a bubble, PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms.</p>
<p>At UTE LAKE, fishing was good using slab spoons and blade baits for limits of white bass. Walleye fishing has picked up with several reports of fish being caught by anglers using jig and minnow combinations.</p>
<p>At COCHITI LAKE, fishing was slow with just a few smallmouth bass caught by anglers using jigs and crank baits.</p>
<p>Fishing at FENTON LAKE slowed considerably with just a few trout caught by anglers using salmon eggs.</p>
<p>Fishing on the JEMEZ RIVER was fair using worms and salmon eggs for trout.</p>
<p>At CONCHAS LAKE, fishing was fair to good using worms for bluegill.</p>
<p>Fishing at PERCH LAKE was very good using beef liver, live worms and small plastic worms for catfish.</p>
<p>At SANTA ROSE LAKE, fishing was good using worms, grubs, tubes and crank baits for smallmouth bass.</p>
<p>Fishing was slow for all species at BLUEWATER LAKE.</p>
<p /> | Fishing Line | false | https://abqjournal.com/656278/fishing-line-204.html | 2 |
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<p>Hugo Chavez is dead.</p>
<p>But you could say the former president won again in Venezuela.</p>
<p>His handpicked successor Nicolas Maduro eked out a victory in yesterday's presidential vote.</p>
<p>But it was much closer than expected, 50.7 to 49.1 percent.</p>
<p>The opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles, called for a recount, citing what he says were voting irregularities.</p>
<p>Reporter Phil Gunson in Caracas said the narrow margin was surprising, considering Maduro's huge advantage.</p> | Nicolas Maduro wins Venezuelan Election by a Narrow Margin | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-04-15/nicolas-maduro-wins-venezuelan-election-narrow-margin | 2013-04-15 | 3 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />After I watched Sarah Palin’s <a href="" type="internal">now infamous Iowa Freedom Summit speech</a>, one of the first thoughts that went through my mind (after my brain tried to process the insanity) was that I really hope Jon Stewart dedicates at least part of his show on Monday to this absurd nonsense. Thankfully my prayers were answered as last night he absolutely tore apart <a href="" type="internal">Palin’s incoherent babbling</a>.</p>
<p>Though before he could even get to her idiocy he made sure to address several of the other featured speakers at this conservative event. And, wow, did this “freedom summit” provide writers, political commentators and comedians with tons of material.</p>
<p>“A lot of Republicans who will never be president met this weekend,” Stewart began.</p>
<p>He then poked fun at Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s “go big and go bold” line from the speech, asking, “Wait, isn’t that the tagline for Tide?”</p>
<p>Following Walker’s remarks he showed a clip of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), comparing him to Ned Flanders from The Simpsons for his bizarre attempt to seem extremely over-the-top folksy in his address to the crowd.</p>
<p>Next up was Mike Huckabee who went on for quite a while on some strange rant about pig killing and making sausage that led Stewart to the logical&#160;conclusion that he must have been hungry and really wanted some sausage.</p>
<p>But it got even better when he played Rick Perry’s absurd comments where the former Texas governor seemed to be trying to outdo Howard Dean circa 2004 when the former Democratic presidential candidate more or less destroyed his campaign <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwkNnMrsx7Q" type="external">following his famous yell</a>.</p>
<p>And while all of the aforementioned Republican speeches were indeed ludicrous, none of them came anywhere close to the stupidity that Sarah Palin exhibited during her speech.</p>
<p>“Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it may be the rare brown-haired Alaskan podium seeker,” Stewart said as he began playing parts of Palin’s embarrassing speech.</p>
<p>“Well, it was all going fine, until her subjects stopped talking to her verbs,” he mocked.</p>
<p>After playing another clip of Palin’s unintelligible gibberish, Stewart quipped, “You know, that’s the kind of talk you normally hear right before the pharmacist says, ‘Ma’am you’ve got to leave the Walgreens.’&#160;Now we know what it’s like to get cornered by Palin at an open bar wedding.”</p>
<p>He then hilariously played Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln commercial with Palin superimposed over him giving part of her speech. It’s something that just has to be seen&#160;to be fully appreciated.</p>
<p>This was easily one Stewart’s best segments in recent memory. Then again, it’s hard not to have a great comedic segment when a large group of 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls all appear at the same event. And the saddest part is, all Stewart really had to do was play clips of&#160;exactly&#160;what these GOP presidential hopefuls said. The best comedy writers in the world often can’t come up with anything as hilarious as&#160;quoting Republicans verbatim.</p>
<p>Watch the segment below <a href="http://dailyshow.cc.com" type="external">via Comedy Central</a>:</p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://thedailyshow.cc.com/" type="external">The Daily Show</a>Get More: <a href="http://thedailyshow.cc.com/full-episodes/" type="external">Daily Show Full Episodes</a>, <a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/indecision" type="external">Indecision Political Humor</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow" type="external">The Daily Show on Facebook</a></p>
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<p><a href="" type="internal">These 5 Moments Show Why We're Going To Desperately Miss Jon Stewart On 'The Daily Show'</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Bent Back Mountain: Sarah Palin's Iowa Speech Translated</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">The DNC Responds to Sarah Palin's Embarrassing Iowa Gibberish with Two Words</a></p>
<p>0 Facebook comments</p> | Jon Stewart Mocks Sarah Palin’s Iowa Gibberish: ‘Ma’am You’ve Got To Leave The Walgreens’ (Video) | true | http://forwardprogressives.com/jon-stewart-mocks-sarah-palins-iowa-gibberish-maam-leave-walgreens-video/ | 2015-01-27 | 4 |
<p>The U.S. <a href="" type="internal">Postal Service</a> announced Tuesday that it plans to raise stamp prices early next year, filing price changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission for the first time in 18 months.</p>
<p>The Postal Service, which reported third-quarter losses despite higher revenue from its shipping services, has seen declining mail volume as consumers rely more on electronic communications.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>First-class letters weighing 1 ounce or less will cost 45 cents, a 1-cent increase, when the price change goes into effect Jan. 22. The price for additional ounces will remain unchanged at 20 cents.</p>
<p>The cost to send letters to international destinations other than Canada or Mexico will be $1.05, the largest price increase at 7 cents. Letters going to Canada or Mexico will cost 85 cents, a 5-cent increase, and postcard prices will increase 3 cents to 32 cents each.</p>
<p>The Postal Service also said prices for standard mail, periodicals, packages and other services will change, and Tuesday’s announcement does not pertain to express and priority mail prices.</p>
<p>"The overall average price increase is small and is needed to help address our current financial crisis," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement. "We continue to take actions within our control to increase revenue in other ways and to aggressively cut costs. To return to sound financial footing we urgently need enactment of comprehensive, long-term legislation to provide the Postal Service with a more flexible business model."</p>
<p>The price increases are an indication that the Postal Service continues to pursue additional sources of revenue. The Postal Service warned in August that without significant changes, it could experience a cash shortfall and default on payments to the federal government. Recent proposals by the Postal Service call for significant layoffs and an end to Saturday mail delivery in order to reduce operating costs.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | U.S. Postal Service Plans to Raise Prices in 2012 | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2011/10/18/us-postal-service-plans-to-raise-prices-in-2012.html | 2016-01-29 | 0 |
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<p>Germany has warned Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of using Nazi measures.</p>
<p>Germany said that Turkey had gone too far with the accusations. The diplomatic argument between both countries is intensifying.</p>
<p>The European Union and Turkey have been stuck in a fiery crisis. The crisis will have a negative effect on Turkey's bid to join the EU.</p>
<p>Tensions are increasing in Turkey. The country is expected to hold a vote on the 16th of April. The referendum is meant to expand Erdogan's powers.</p>
<p>The diplomatic conflict started after the German authorities and other EU states refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign.</p>
<p>The Turkish ministers wanted to campaign for a yes vote on the EU states. The move led to an explosive response from the Turkish President.</p>
<p>President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the spirit of Nazi Germany was rampant in Europe.</p>
<p>Erdogan said that when Turks call them Nazis, they get uncomfortable. He was referring to Europe. Erdogan was speaking in a televised speech on Sunday.</p>
<p>Erdogan was referring to Merkel when he said that they are employing Nazi measures. He said that Merkel was employing Nazi measures against his Turkish brothers in Germany who planned to hold campaign rallies for a yes vote in the referendum.</p>
<p>Sigmar Gabriel who is Germany's Foreign Minister said that Erdogan's comments were shocking. He also said that Germany is tolerant but not stupid.</p>
<p>The vice-president of Merkel's CDU party, Julia Kloeckner also reacted by saying that Mr. Erdogan has lost his mind. She also urged the EU to freeze the financial aid amounting to billions of euros to Turkey.</p>
<p>Germany is home to 1.4 million Turkish voters. The country hosts the world's largest Turkish diaspora.</p>
<p>The current diplomatic conflict has ruined the relationship between NATO allies, Turkey and Germany.</p>
<p>Turkey reacted angrily after a Frankfurt rally took place on Saturday. The rally was urging a no vote.</p>
<p>Turkey's Foreign Minister accused the German authorities of being the worst example of double standards. He pointed out that Germany allowed the pro-Kurdish protest yet it prevented the Turkish ministers from campaigning.</p>
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<p>Many of the protesters carried symbols of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The party is listed as a terror organization by the EU, U.S. and also Turkey.</p>
<p>Turkey also reacted with anger after Germany's Intelligence Chief said he was not convinced by Turkish claims that the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen was behind the failed July coup aimed at overthrowing Erdogan.</p>
<p>The diplomatic conflict has left Turkey's ambition to join the EU hopeless as the referendum is around the corner.</p>
<p>Erdogan made matters worse when he said that he believed parliament would agree to pass a bill to restore capital punishment which he said that he would sign.</p>
<p />
<p>Erdogan made a clear warning that he could reverse the 2004 abolition of capital punishment.</p>
<p>The abolitions is a pre-condition for joining the EU.</p>
<p>The European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned that any return of the death penalty in Turkey would be a "red line". Gabriel told Der Spiegel said that Turkey is very far from agreeing with the EU.</p>
<p>The conflict is damaging Turkey's relations with key EU members and Turkish-Dutch ties. Erdogan urged the Turks in Europe to have more children so that they can tilt the demographics.</p>
<p>SOURCE: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/erdogan-accuses-merkel-using-nazi-measures-133838348.html" type="external">yahoo.com/news/erdogan-accuses-merkel-using-nazi-measures-133838348.html</a></p> | Stop Using Nazi, Merkel Warns Turkey | true | http://thegoldwater.com/news/1857-Stop-Using-Nazi-Merkel-Warns-Turkey | 2017-03-19 | 0 |
<p>What are they thinking? What makes their perceptions so different from mine? That’s what I wondered as I saw a few counter protesters at Times Square on Thursday evening. They held high a banner that read, “Support the Troops” and they were saying, “Finish the mission.”</p>
<p>Certainly, they were outnumbered by a couple of hundred people who were rallying in reaction to George Bush’s neoconservative surge of lies on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>I moved closer to the Bushites and began to talk. “Support the troops. Bring them home. The mission is a catastrophe. Send no more of our young to die for oil. They’ve suffered enough and so have the Iraqis.”</p>
<p>Sunsara Taylor, a Jedi Master who <a href="" type="internal">outtalked Bill O’Reilly</a> last week when she appeared on his show, was hoisted to the shoulders of a fellow peacemaker. She shouted, “There’s no way to make good on a war that was illegitimate and illegal to begin with.” The crowd cheered her on and she continued, blasting George Bush for the invasion and occupation of Iraq and his call for more troop deployment to the country.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day, I had attended a vigil at Foley Square to call for the closing of the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay and an end to state-sanctioned torture. Thursday marked the five-year anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees at Gitmo. I donned an orange jumpsuit and sat in a cage with a fellow protester as religious leaders from all faiths spoke of the torture being committed in our names.</p>
<p>On my way home from the first action, I saw a group of people gathered around someone who sat on the sidewalk. As I approached, I could see so much blood. A moaning woman was holding the side of her head as blood dripped from her hand. &#160;I thought about our servicemen and women and the blood they see each day. I thought of the Iraqis and the blood of their loved ones. The image of the woman is still in my head. The image of war will be in the minds of our troops and the Iraqis forever.</p>
<p>Later, as I lay in bed, I thought about the people who still support this war. What can they possibly be thinking?</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | A Day of Action and Questions | true | https://counterpunch.org/2007/01/12/a-day-of-action-and-questions/ | 2007-01-12 | 4 |
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<p>Image source: Pixabay.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Happy beginning of the week, precious-metals investors! Chances are, your mining holdings had a pretty impressive day.</p>
<p>As of 3 p.m. ET, spot gold was up nearly $15 an ounce to $1,258.60, which places gold well within striking distance of the closing highs it hit in February. Silver was even stronger on a percentage basis, rising to $15.93 an ounce as of 3 p.m. ET, which is 3.7% higher than where silver closed on Friday, April 8.</p>
<p>Gold's major catalysts What's the impetus behind these strong moves? For starters, the U.S. dollar has been weak of late, losing value to a number of global currencies, including the euro. As you may already know, gold and the U.S. dollar have an inverse relationship. When the dollar rises, gold tends to fall; and when the dollar falls, gold prices tend to rise. With the U.S. dollar dropping since December, it increases the attractiveness of holding gold, which is perceived to be a better asset to store value for the time being.</p>
<p>Fed chair Janet Yellen. Image source: Flickr user Day Donaldson.</p>
<p>Second, the U.S. Federal Reserve has been taking its eggshell stance to raising interest rates to new heights. Originally slated to raise lending rates four times in 2016, the Fed's comments have suggested that it'll be cautious about boosting lending rates in the near term in light of recent weak GDP growth in the U.S. and in key developed countries. If interest rates stay low, yields on assets like bonds should also remain low. Since gold offers no dividend, it tends to be a more alluring investment opportunity in a low-yield environment. Central banks around the globe have also been increasing their holdings of physical gold.</p>
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<p>Lastly, gold is a fear and uncertainty hedge. Right now, there's enough uncertainty regarding growth in China, Europe as a whole, and the U.S. to cut with a knife. There's also political instability in certain regions, as well as concerns about crude prices that have plunged over the last two years. Gold is often viewed as a safe-haven investment when numerous uncertainties arise.</p>
<p>These five miners had a phenomenal day The result -- at least for today -- is that if you're a shareholder in any of these miners, you likely have a smile stretching from one ear to the other:</p>
<p>Although rising underlying commodity prices have helped all five of these miners today, and the aforementioned catalysts are playing a role, each has a unique story why their share price is off to the races.</p>
<p>Image source: Silver Standard Resources.</p>
<p>Silver Standard Resources has been soaring ever since Claude Resources , a Canadian gold miner Silver Standard Resources has proposed to acquire in a nearly all-stock deal, reported its production results for the first quarter last week. Claude Resources achieved record production of nearly 20,700 ounces of gold in Q1, and it's pumped up its cash and bullion position to $45.2 million. If the deal is approved by Claude's shareholders, it would likely be immediately accretive to Silver Standard's bottom line, and it would add more gold diversity via Claude's Seabee Mine to Silver Standard's silver-heavy resource portfolio.</p>
<p>Less than a month ago, B2Gold announced its own equally impressive results in the fourth quarter. It produced more than 131,000 ounces of gold, an 18% improvement over the prior-year period, all while all-in sustaining costs, or AISC, dropped to $807 an ounce, a 15% year-over-year decline. The company's outlook also calls for full-year production growth of around 37,000 ounces at the midpoint of its guidance. If gold prices continue to rise and B2Gold can keep its expenses down, its margins will expand.</p>
<p>Sandstorm Gold, which is a royalty streaming company instead of a traditional miner, sees even more immediate benefits when gold prices rise. More recently, though, it's benefited from the sale of AuRico Metals common stock. Sandstorm's holdings netted the company more than $10 million in profit, which it'll use to help lower its outstanding revolving credit facility debt to $66 million. Debt and high costs are what got the gold industry into some trouble back in 2011-2014, so seeing companies take the initiative to reduce debt and maintain low expenses is encouraging.</p>
<p>As for IAMGOLD, a miner of gold, silver, and other byproducts in West Africa, as well as North and South America, its catalyst, like B2Gold, was a solid earnings report (although its quarterly report came in February). The company's 806,000 ounces of production exceeded the midpoint of its own guidance; it more than doubled the amount of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and bullion compared to the end of the previous fiscal year; and AISC was within its expectations and would have been 5% lower had some hedging activities not worked against the company. It's looking like another promising year for IAMGOLD in 2016.</p>
<p>Image source: Eldorado Gold.</p>
<p>As for Eldorado Gold, it receives the most immediate impact courtesy of an upgrade from Credit Suisseon April 8. Covering analyst Anita Soni upgraded the company to an "outperform" rating from "neutral" and set a price target of $4 on shares of Eldorado Gold. Soni suggested that the negative drivers of Eldorado's Skouries mine in Greece have been adequately priced into its share price, and that other catalysts, such as modest production growth in the coming four years, as well as a dovish Fed, should move its valuation higher.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that each of the situations should be taken uniquely. The last thing you want to do is lump all miners into one basket. There are differing fundamentals with each of these companies, and investors will want to dig into each individually to get the full story.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, a low-yield environment coupled with uncertainty does appear to bode well in the intermediate term for gold and silver miners -- and that's something you may want to take note of.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/11/catalysts-aplenty-send-gold-and-silver-stocks-roar.aspx" type="external">Catalysts Aplenty Send Gold and Silver Stocks Roaring Higher Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a>owns shares of Claude Resources but has no material interest in any other companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen name <a href="http://caps.fool.com/player/tmfultralong.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">TMFUltraLong Opens a New Window.</a>, track every pick he makes under the screen name <a href="http://caps.fool.com/player/trackultralong.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">TrackUltraLong Opens a New Window.</a>, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/TMFUltraLong" type="external">@TMFUltraLong Opens a New Window.</a>.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Catalysts Aplenty Send Gold and Silver Stocks Roaring Higher | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/04/11/catalysts-aplenty-send-gold-and-silver-stocks-roaring-higher.html | 2016-04-11 | 0 |
<p>President Obama once confided to a top adviser that he believes he is “the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this office.”</p>
<p>In an interview by an Israeli TV station, former Obama adviser David Axelrod recalled the president venting in a moment of contemplation about criticisms that he doesn’t support Israel strongly enough, JPupdates.com <a href="https://jpupdates.com/2015/06/01/obamas-close-advisers-open-up-about-strained-obama-netanayhu-relationship/" type="external">reported</a>.</p>
<p>“You know, I think I am the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this office,” the president told Mr. Axelrod. “For people to say that I am anti-Israel, or, even worse, anti-Semitic, it hurts.”</p>
<p>White House press secretary Josh Earnest endorsed the sentiment Tuesday, saying Mr. Obama gave a heartfelt speech at a Jewish synagogue in Washington last month that expressed “the kinds of common bonds and common values that are embodied in his administration that are [also] advocated by the Jewish community.”</p>
<p>“The president does feel that kind of kinship,” Mr. Earnest said.</p>
<p>The TV report came out in advance of <a href="https://jpupdates.com/2015/06/01/obamas-close-advisers-open-up-about-strained-obama-netanayhu-relationship/" type="external">an exclusive interview</a> that Mr. Obama conducted with Channel 2’s Ilana Dayan, which will be broadcast later Tuesday.</p>
<p>Mr. Axelrod also was critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has had a frosty relationship with Mr. Obama.</p>
<p>“The world of politics everywhere is divided into two categories: the first and more common is the people who run for public office because they want to be somebody,” Mr. Axelrod said. “A smaller group is made of respectable people who run for public office because they want to do something – something positive. Shape the future in a positive way. I think Benjamin Netanyahu completely falls in the first category. He is a great politician. He knows what he needs to do to get through the next election. But it seems to me that Israel has to think about what they need to do to get through the next generation.”</p>
<p>Martin Indyk, U.S. special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations from 2013 to 2014, told Ms. Dayan that “Israelis are ungrateful to this president.”</p>
<p>“They never appreciated his rule whereby nothing will harm the security of Israel,” Mr. Indyk said. “Obama did not manage to get that statement out so that the Israelis can really feel it. You are an emotional nation, not a rational nation. You work from your gut and not your mind. “</p>
<p>He said of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech to Congress this spring, which the White House opposed: “The prime minister really stuck his finger in President Obama’s eye, and this is a disturbing development.”</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times, LLC. <a href="http://license.icopyright.net/3.7280?icx_id=/news/2015/jun/2/obama-i-am-closest-thing-jew-has-ever-sat-oval-off/" type="external">Click here for reprint permission</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Obama’s boast: ‘I am the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat’ in the Oval Office | true | http://washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/2/obama-i-am-closest-thing-jew-has-ever-sat-oval-off/ | 2015-06-02 | 0 |
<p>Theres no question that OPECs recent talk of a crude oil production cut is good news for oil investors. However, the latest report from the organization suggests that the global oil industry is still a long way from balanced.</p>
<p>A new <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-opec-report-idUSKCN12C187" type="external">OPEC report Opens a New Window.</a> revealed some discouraging figures and projections, sending the United States Oil Fund LP (ETF) (NYSE:USO) down 1.3 percent in Wednesday morning trading.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The USO is up more than 7.8 percent in the past month on reports that OPEC could soon agree to its first crude oil production cut since 2008. Last month, OPEC members announced a plan to cut crude production to between 32.5 million and 33.0 million bpd. However, the latest numbers from September revealed that OPEC upped its production by 220,000 bpd to 33.39 million bpd.</p>
<p>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/16/10/8546626/ken-bone-was-the-star-of-the-debate-for-energy-investors" type="external">Ken Bone Was The Star Of The Debate For Energy Investors Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>OPEC's September production number is its highest monthly number since 2008.</p>
<p>However, perhaps the most discouraging numbers for oil investors are OPECs latest 2017 projections. The organization is now calling for a 200,000 bpd rise in non-OPEC production in 2017, up 40,000 bpd from its previous forecast. Russia is the primary non-OPEC production driver.</p>
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<p>OPEC is now calling for 32.59 million bpd in OPEC crude oil in 2017, suggesting an average surplus of 800,000 bpd. Just a month ago, OPEC was calling for a 2017 surplus of only 760,000 bpd.</p>
<p>OPEC did not alter its 1.15 million bpd global demand growth projection for 2017.</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">Full ratings data available on Benzinga Pro. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Do you have ideas for articles/interviews you'd like to see more of on Benzinga? Please email <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a> with your best article ideas. One person will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card!</p>
<p>2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.</p> | OPEC Says Crude Oil Surplus Will Continue To Grow In 2017 Despite Potential Production Cut | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/10/12/opec-says-crude-oil-surplus-will-continue-to-grow-in-2017-despite-potential.html | 2016-10-12 | 0 |
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<p>A plant we despise so much we named it ragweed gets its revenge this time of year.</p>
<p>Ragweed’s allies include countless grass species, and chenopods, a family of plants with colorful names like pigweed, kochia and Russian thistle, better known as tumbleweed. All spew billions of pollen grains that torture our sinuses in late summer and fall.</p>
<p>Rains this week damped down Albuquerque’s pollen count to medium levels, said Dan Gates, who calculates the city’s pollen counts. But grasses, chenopods, sage and ragweed have released high levels of pollen since late August, he said.</p>
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<p>Grass pollen levels in particular have been high this August because abundant summer rainfall resulted in a bumper crop of fast-growing grasses, he said.</p>
<p>Whether pollen levels rebound depends on the weather – rain tamps down pollen levels but dry, windy weather scatters it widely, Gates said.</p>
<p>Pigweed, a member of the chenopod family, grows in a field near Downtown Albuquerque. It’s one of the pollen-laden plants aggravating allergies in late summer and early fall. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)</p>
<p>“If it warms up and dries out and the winds pick up, we’re going to see pretty good pollen days, I suspect,” he said.</p>
<p>Gates said he has a particular respect for ragweed. He poked the plant with a stick but stays away from seed pods loaded with yellow pollen.</p>
<p>Ragweed pollen looks like “an evil-looking spikey ball” under a microscope, he said.</p>
<p>“Ragweed just produces so much pollen,” Gates said this week in a weed-choked field near Downtown Albuquerque. “I’m not allergic to it, but I stay away, because it’s a nasty little pollen. It’s definitely not my favorite plant.”</p>
<p>Much of the year brings pollen from one species or another. Trees, including juniper, elm, ash, cottonwood and mulberry, broadcast pollen in the spring. Chenopods, sage, grass and ragweed release pollen in late summer and fall.</p>
<p>For thousands of people with allergies, pollen causes an immune response that inflames the upper-respiratory tract, causing itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing and sneezing.</p>
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<p>Doctors who treat New Mexicans for respiratory symptoms are often hard pressed to distinguish allergies from viral infections, said Dr. Randall Knott, a pediatrician at University of New Mexico Hospital.</p>
<p>“It’s very easy to get the two confused,” he said. “If they just have sneezing and itchy nose and watering eyes, it could easily be allergies, but early on a cold can look a lot like that.”</p>
<p>Fever, diarrhea and severe cough are telltale symptoms of viral infections, he said.</p>
<p>Personal experience can also offer clues.</p>
<p>“If you have a history of allergic symptoms, particularly around this time of year, and you’ve got sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and not any other symptoms that suggest a virus, then it’s probably allergies,” he said.</p>
<p>Antihistamines and nasal steroids are the standard treatments, Knott said. Visit a doctor if allergies are severe.</p>
<p>“You can really be compromised by allergies,” Knott said. “You can be exhausted and not sleep well. You are more at risk for sinus infections.”</p>
<p>The city of Albuquerque tracks the pollen count daily. The pollen count in Albuquerque and on the West Side can be found on the Journal’s Weather Page or visit <a href="http://www.cabq.gov/airquality" type="external">cabq.gov/airquality</a> and link to “today’s status.”</p>
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<p /> | Revenge of the Ragweed | false | https://abqjournal.com/460970/pollen-levels-high-after-rains.html | 2 |
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<p>Former Arkansas governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Friday he supports reality TV family the Duggars amid <a href="" type="internal">allegations that their oldest child molested underage girls</a> as a teenager.</p>
<p>"Good people make mistakes and do regrettable and even disgusting things," Huckabee said in a statement about the Duggars, the stars of the TLC show "19 Kids and Counting," which follows their lives as a large, conservative, evangelical Christian family.</p>
<p>"No one needs to defend Josh's actions as a teenager, but the fact that he confessed his sins to those he harmed, sought help, and has gone forward to live a responsible and circumspect life as an adult is testament to his family's authenticity and humility," Huckabee said.</p>
<p>Josh Duggar, 27, issued an apology on Thursday and quit his job after In Touch Weekly magazine published a police report that claimed he had fondled multiple girls.</p>
<p>"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," Josh Duggar said in statement on the Duggar family Facebook page. He expressed remorse but did not directly address the allegations.</p>
<p>"Josh's actions when he was an underage teen are as he described them himself, 'inexcusable,' but that doesn't mean 'unforgivable.' He and his family dealt with it and were honest and open about it with the victims and the authorities," Huckabee said.</p>
<p>The Duggars, Arkansas residents, have in the past endorsed Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist pastor.</p>
<p>There has been no response to the allegations yet from TLC, the network that airs the Duggars' reality show. This is the second such allegation against one of the network's stars in six months; last October, TLC swiftly canceled "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" after the matriarch of that reality TV family was accused of dating a sex offender.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Son in Duggar TV Family Apologizes After Molestation Allegations</a></p> | Mike Huckabee Voices Support For ‘Honest And Open’ Duggar Family | false | http://nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mike-huckabee-voices-support-honest-open-duggars-n363366 | 2015-05-22 | 3 |
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<p>Running out of money in retirement is a major concern for older Americans, especially since so many are considerably behind on savings. But apparently the aptly named <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2015/09/20/45-of-americans-face-a-retirement-crisis-how-3-sta.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">retirement crisis Opens a New Window.</a> is more serious than we thought. According to a recent Transamerica study, 43% of workers 50 and older claim that their greatest retirement-related fear is outliving their savings. A survey released last year by the American Institute of CPAs had similar findings, with 57% of financial planners listing running out of money as their clients' primary retirement concern. This sentiment is further driven home by an Allianz study of over 3,000 baby boomers in which 60% were more afraid of outliving their savings than actually dying. But if running out of money in retirement really is a fear worse than death, why aren't more Americans doing something about it?</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.</p>
<p>You may have heard that a large number of Americans are unprepared for retirement, but here are some sobering statistics:</p>
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<p>So why aren't we saving more? For many, it's a combination of factors. Hefty mortgages, college tuition payments, and other short-term needs have a way of trumping retirement savings.</p>
<p>But it's not just a matter of misplaced priorities. Many Americans have, in recent years, fallen victim to stagnant wages and fewer options for saving. Pension plans have all but gone away. Employers are stingy with 401(k) matching dollars. Worse yet, far too many low- and middle-income earners work for companies that don't offer a 401(k) to being with. In fact, in the past few years, 401(k) coverage has been on the decline. According to a 2015 Transamerica survey, only 66% of U.S. workers were offered an employer-sponsored retirement plan in 2015, compared to 76% in 2012.</p>
<p>It's for these and other reasons that outliving retirement savings is a huge concern for so many seniors. The question is: What can we do about it?</p>
<p>If you're an older American who's worried about late-in-life finances, you basically have two choices: You can throw your hands up in the air and admit defeat, or you can take steps to change your long-term financial picture. Even if you no longer have the luxury of being decades away from retirement with a world of saving and investment options, you can still find ways to eke out extra savings as your career draws to a close.</p>
<p>First, you can start by taking advantage of catch-up contributions and socking away as much money as you can in an IRA or 401(k) plan. Currently, anyone 50 and older is allowed to contribute up to $24,000 to a 401(k) and $6,500 to an IRA each year. If you max out on either option for as little as three years, it'll make a huge difference in the grand scheme of retirement.</p>
<p>Imagine, for instance, that you're able to amass an extra $72,000 by maxing out your 401(k) contributions during your last three working years. Over the course of a 20-year retirement, that's an additional $3,600 a year, or $300 a month, to work with, and those figures don't even account for the fact that you might further grow that sum with smart investments. Even maxing out an IRA for three years would give you another $19,500 for retirement, which translates into almost $1,000 extra each year for a 20-year retirement. Furthermore, if your employer offers a 401(k) match, you can get your hands on even more last-minute retirement cash.</p>
<p>Finally, if all else fails, you do have the option to extend your career a few extra years, or take on some type of part-time work in retirement. If you find something you enjoy, it's a win-win -- you'll get to earn money while occupying some of your newfound free time.</p>
<p>While running out of money in retirement is a legitimate concern, it's not too late to change your fate. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of amassing enough savings to last for the remainder of your life.</p>
<p>The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-social-security?aid=8727&amp;source=irreditxt0000002&amp;ftm_cam=ryr-ss-intro-report&amp;ftm_pit=3186&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Older Americans Are More Afraid of Running Out of Money Than Death | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/09/25/older-americans-are-more-afraid-running-out-money-than-death.html | 2016-09-25 | 0 |
<p>A senior militant leader was killed during a gun battle with Russian security forces as they hunted three Muslim women dubbed “black widows” and other terror suspects ahead of the Winter Olympics, officials said.</p>
<p>As the leader of the so called “Babayurtovskiy” gang, Eldar Magatov was suspected of bombings, attacks on law enforcement officials and extorting money from businessmen, the National Anti-Terror Committee (NAK) said in a <a href="http://nac.gov.ru/nakmessage/2014/01/21/v-khode-kto-v-dagestane-neitralizovan-glavar-tn-babayurtovskoi-bandgruppy.html" type="external">statement.</a> They operated in the restive region of district of Dagestan.</p>
<p>Officers managed to negotiate the release of two women and two children who were holed up with Magatov before he engaged them in the fatal firefight, the NAK added.</p>
<p>In a separate incident, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Fatina Ubaidatova told the Associated Press that troops elsewhere in Dagestan had defused an explosive device placed near a village administration building and engaged in a firefight with militants holed up in a house.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, officers continued to hunt for the so called "black widow" terror suspects who they believe are planning to target the final stages of the Olympic torch relay with suicide bomb attacks.</p>
<p>Wanted posters distributed by police say that Jhannet Tsakhaeva, 34, and 26-year-old Zaira Alieva, who also hail from Dagestan and Turkmenistan native Oksana Aslanova, 26, have been dispatched by underground groups to attack between Tuesday and Thursday.</p>
<p>It's thought they are planning to strike in Rostov-on-Don, where the torch is expected to arrive Wednesday, before making its way to the Olympic city of Sochi.</p>
<p>In addition, wanted posters seen by NBC News on Tuesday identify two men — Ruslan Saufutdinov, 21, and Murad Musaev, 25 — who the posters say are planning attacks in southern Russia.</p>
<p>Reuters contributed to this report.</p> | Militant Leader Dead in Shootout as Russia Hunts ‘Black Widows’ | false | http://nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/militant-leader-dead-shootout-russia-hunts-black-widows-n14226 | 2014-01-22 | 3 |
<p>Faced with an ever-increasing shift to digital technologies and crippling pension payments, Canada Post announced Wednesday that it would eliminate home delivery and raise the price of a stamp to $1.</p>
<p>The mail carrier is losing millions annually, and faces a billion-dollar deficit by 2020.</p>
<p>“Canada Post has a mandate to fund its operations with revenues from the sale of its products and services, rather than become a burden on taxpayers,” the organization said <a href="https://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/aboutus/news/pr/2013/2013_action_plan.jsf" type="external">in a press release</a>. “If left unchecked, continued losses would soon jeopardize its financial self-sufficiency and become a significant burden on taxpayers and customers.”</p>
<p>Studies by the mail carrier and an independent body predicted $1 billion in annual losses by 2020 unless changes were made.</p>
<p>To avoid that fate, Canada Post announced a five-part plan:</p>
<p>1. Eliminating home delivery, and replacing it with community mailboxes. 2. Raising the price of stamps from 63 cents to $1 (85 cents if you buy in bulk). 3. Establishing more franchise outlets rather than stand-alone post offices. 4. Finding savings, such as greater investment in technology and fuel-efficient vehicles. 5. Eliminating 8,000 jobs (Canada Post expects 15,000 retirees over five years).</p>
<p>The changes begin next year, with hopes they are all implemented by 2019. Canada Post said using community mailboxes instead of personal delivery would save the company $500 million.</p>
<p>Already 10 million households get their mail by walking down the street or around a corner to a community mailbox. By next year, the remaining five million households will join their neighbors.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the Canadian government has given Canada Post <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-post-changes-mean-8-000-fewer-jobs-1.2459776" type="external">a four-year reprieve</a> from special payments to address a $6.5 billion deficit in its pension plan.</p>
<p>With the announcement, Canada became the first G7 country — the world’s strongest economies — to eliminate home delivery, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canada-first-g7-country-to-cut-universal-postal-service/article15873688/" type="external">the Globe and Mail reported</a>.</p>
<p>Is this a uniquely Canadian problem, or could the United States Postal Service and UK's Royal Mail be next?</p>
<p>On Sept. 30, the USPS defaulted on a $5.6-billion pension health benefits payment.</p>
<p>Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe told a Senate committee at the time that the USPS was “in the midst of a financial disaster” and “burdened by an outdated and inflexible business model.”</p>
<p>Congress requires the USPS to save billions annually for retiree health benefits, which contributed to the carrier reaching its debt limit last year.</p>
<p>“The Postal Service continues to be in a financial crisis,” USPS representative Patricia Licata <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/01/news/economy/postal-service-default/" type="external">told CNN Money</a>. “Without passage of comprehensive legislation as outlined in our five-year business plan, current projections indicate that we will have a dangerously low level of liquidity in the foreseeable future.”</p>
<p>The USPS lost $5.1 billion in 2011, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/14/us-usa-postal-decline-idUSTRE81D0OO20120214" type="external">Reuters reported</a>.</p>
<p>In other words, American mail carriers are watching their Canadian counterparts closely.</p>
<p>So why does it look so much better in the United Kingdom?</p>
<p>In October, the Royal Mail joined the FTSE 100 index of blue-chip companies and its stock price has surged, according to the BBC.</p>
<p>It now enjoys market capitalization of six billion pounds (or nearly $10 billion) thanks to a stock price of 600 pence ($9.80).</p>
<p>The Royal Mail also renegotiated labor contracts and pension reform, which generated a one-time profit of 1.58 billion pounds ($2.5 billion).</p>
<p>The British government sold off 60 percent stake in the Royal Mail this October.</p>
<p>Is that the answer for North America?</p>
<p>Probably not, analyst Robert Atkinson wrote in June for the <a href="http://www2.itif.org/2013-postal-reform.pdf" type="external">Information Technology and Innovation Foundation</a>.</p>
<p>Public backlash and “Congressional meddling” stand in the way of a USPS too damaged to offer an attractive target to investors.</p>
<p>“If you go to privatization, you guarantee that either prices will go up, or quality will go down,” <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/why-u-k-privatize-postal-u-t-195031232.html" type="external">Atkinson told Yahoo Finance</a> in October. “American voters overreact to these kinds of things… They don’t want any kind of pain inflicted upon them.”&#160;</p> | Canada Post eliminates home delivery, raises stamps to $1 to avoid billion-dollar deficit | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-12-11/canada-post-eliminates-home-delivery-raises-stamps-1-avoid-billion-dollar-deficit | 2013-12-11 | 3 |
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<p>Q: I’m getting ready to put my house on the market and my broker is encouraging me to stage the house. I am moving but she wants me to leave a lot of my furniture for the staging while it sells. Does it make sense to do this? I don’t want to move without all of my stuff. What should I do?</p>
<p>A: I know we’ve talked about staging before, but it warrants talking about it again. If you are in a position to stage your house — do it — even if it means living without your furniture for a while. You don’t have to leave all of it. Just leave enough so the house feels warm and welcoming and so prospective buyers can see how everything will fit. If you really can’t stand the idea of leaving any of your belongings, then are some other options: buy some decent, but used and cheap furniture for the staging; rent furniture by the month; leave very few pieces behind when you move.</p>
<p>The above three options allow you to keep more of your personal belongings while still making your house look as good as possible. But the first two options will cost you more money. If you’re lucky, you’re real estate broker has some staging materials and can contribute to the cause. But you’re still going to have to spend some money or leave some belongings behind.</p>
<p>What about not staging at all, you ask? Well, it’s always an option, but zit’s not the best one. Even just a little bit of staging goes a long way in making your home stand out from the crowd and make you more likely to garner showings and hopefully an offer.</p>
<p>Don’t forget, we’re still in a buyer’s market and unless you happen to have a house in one of the few areas without a lot of competition, you’re going to need to do whatever you can to sell your house, including some staging.</p>
<p>Talia Freedman is a Realtor with Signature Southwest Properties — This article appeared on page 07 of the Albuquerque Journal</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Stage your home to gain advantage | false | https://abqjournal.com/175597/stage-your-home-to-gain-advantage.html | 2013-03-07 | 2 |
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<p>“Life Summer/Winter” by Ralph Watts is just one fine example of the artist’s consummate mastery of the woodworking process.</p>
<p>The 17-artist installation includes works by Maude Andrade, Lou D’Amico, Suzanne Marshall, Carol Sanchez, Ralph Watts, and Barbara Woods.</p>
<p>Due to the large number of artists in this high-quality exhibition, this review will only touch on several highlights.</p>
<p>For many years, Andrade has focused on abstractions based on natural forces and surface textures, often using heavy impasto paints to literally build her compositions. Her latest efforts are part of her “Epicenter Series” based on the ellipse as an underlying structural element.</p>
<p>“Blue Morpho” by Barbara Wood bridges the often-distant worlds of fine art and craft with her exemplary execution and design skills.</p>
<p>Larry Bell also executed a series based on the ellipse. His motivation was inspired by how we perceive the circle in our quotidian activities. Round dinner plates become ellipses when we sit at the table. Automobile wheels and hubcaps become ellipses when passing by or turning away from us.</p>
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<p>In Andrade’s mind, the ellipse represents wave forms, sound echoes and the ripples caused by a stone idly tossed into a pond. Albert Einstein once credited his eureka moment while developing his general theory of relativity to observing the intersecting ripples created by tossing several stones into a placid pond.</p>
<p>To her patterned substrate ellipses Andrade adds what she describes as a “skin of oil paint,” which gives each of her works an individual narrative.</p>
<p>“Future Perfect” by Maude Andrade is part of the artist’s “Epicenter Series” of new abstractions based on the occurrence of ellipses in nature.</p>
<p>D’Amico is a longtime stoneware ceramic artist who has mastered the art form. Though his large vessels ranging from jars to vases in this show may have practical uses, it would be a true shame to hide the luscious purple interior of a work like “Jadiniare” that almost glows in the dark.</p>
<p>His large-scale pottery forms are inspired by classical forms with roots reaching back thousands of years through many cultures, including ancient Greece and dynastic China. Though D’Amico embraces the past, he manages to personalize each skillfully executed piece with charm and grace. These are some of the best contemporary ceramics that I’ve seen in a long while. And their generous sizes make them even better.</p>
<p>Marshall is a well-known printmaker who is transitioning from highly detailed formal geometric assemblage toward a more fluid abstract vision. Her new work is stunning.</p>
<p>Sanchez is a printmaker with a penchant for hard work. The mezzotint process she uses is the most labor-intensive intaglio printing method.</p>
<p>The results, however, are well-worth the required effort. Sanchez offers a series of images based on life forms and other, sometimes creepy, life forms that are richly colored in earth tones and are rendered to appear three-dimensional.</p>
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<p>Mezzotint was originally developed to reproduce old master paintings for publication. Sanchez creates original masterpieces of her own design – a tip of the hat to Sanchez’s independent spirit and prodigious skill set.</p>
<p>Wood as an art medium has attracted artists and craftsmen like bees to flowers for centuries. Just when you think you’ve seen some of the best wood sculptures and crafts, along comes a guy like Watts to raise the bar.</p>
<p>Among woodworkers there are turners, carvers, laminators, inlayers and furniture makers. Watts is all of the above and has mastered every approach to woodworking.</p>
<p>In jaw-dropping works like “Life Summer/Winter,” Watts builds an entire ecosystem out of finely carved and stained pieces of wood representing trees, geology and rooted life forms.</p>
<p>His knowledge of earth history and ancient Native American cultures informs an elegantly turned bowl titled “Mimbres Coatimundi” featuring Mimbres pottery motifs. Watts adds another wow factor to an already impressive collection of artists.</p>
<p>Woods is a fabric artist who tired of designing clothes and decided to press her silk-painting skills toward building Tiffany and other art Nouveau designers-style lighting fixtures. Her drop-dead gorgeous ersatz stained-glass lamps are constructed from painted silk stretched over composite floral forms that mimic the best that Louis Comfort Tiffany had to offer. Woods’ works are lovely and well-done.</p>
<p>This is a great, albeit crowded show that is well-worth a visit. There are many superb artists lurking hereabouts.</p>
<p /> | Weyrich Gallery show brings together 17 artists | false | https://abqjournal.com/911182/artistic-convergence.html | 2 |
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