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Is Trump Beginning to Cave on the Border Wall? | As the presidents partial government shutdown enters its 17th day, his latest effort to persuade Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to fork over $5.7 billion in wall funding seems to revolve around a new building material. I informed my folks to say that well build a steel barrier, Trump told reporters upon his return from Camp David on Sunday. They dont like concrete, so well give them steel. Steel is fine. Steel is actually more expensive than concrete, but it will look beautiful, and its very strong. Its actually stronger. His administration formalized its request for steel-barrier funding on Sunday, writing in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee that such an impediment would create an enduring capability that helps field personnel stop, slow down, and/or contain illegal entries. To some lawmakers, the shift indicates the president is beginning to realize his position is untenable. In an interview on Monday, Senator Chris Coons called the step progress. As of yet, however, there is no sign that Democrats have been moved by this new entreaty. Moreover, as Politico points out, the administration failed to provide a full budget justification for its request. With no clear end to the shutdown in sight, the administration seems to be taking a kind of good cop, bad cop approach to its negotiations with the Democrats. Over the weekend, Vice President Mike Pence was once again deployed to negotiate with Democratic leaders. Trump characterized the talks as productive, but other accounts noted that Democrats were put off by Pences approach. Trump, in turn, has played the bad cop, threatening to bypass Congress and declare a national emergency to get the wall built. I may declare a national emergency dependent on whats going to happen over the next few days, he told reporters Sunday. Well be letting you know fairly soon. Whether he has the legal authority to do so is a matter of hot debate on the Hill; lawmakers seem divided on the question, while other experts hold that the move would be illegal. Trump has also attempted to ramp up pressure on Democrats to make a deal by holding federal workers hostagesomething he seemed to acknowledge in a Twitter taunt over the weekend. I dont care that most of the workers not getting paid are Democrats, I want to stop the Shutdown as soon as we are in agreement on Strong Border Security! he wrote on Saturday. I am in the White House ready to go, where are the Dems? As the impasse approaches record length, the White House has begun scrambling to try to soften the blow of the shutdown on the 800,000 government employees caught in the middle of the fighta sign, perhaps, that the administration is aware of the political toll the loggerheads could exact on the president. As The Washington Post notes, several Trump administration agencies have taken unusual measures in an effort to temper the shutdowns effects, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development sending letters to 1,500 landlords seeking to prevent thousands from being evicted due to the lapse of a government program the Ben Carsonheaded agency didnt realize had expired. But the shutdown has already underscored the administrations incompetence, and its impacts are likely to be even more deeply felt the longer it drags on. If Saturday arrives without a resolution, the Trump shutdown will become the longest in American history. | https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/01/trump-beginning-to-cave-on-border-wall-government-shutdown |
Can Humor Help the Dems Win in 2020? | Back when he worked in the Obama administration, Brad Jenkins probably wouldnt have shown up to work wearing jeans, sneakers, and a T-shirt emblazoned with the cartoon heads of Bernie Sanders and Atlanta rapper Killer Mike. But his outfit is hardly the only thing thats changed: Instead of liaising with thought leaders as an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement, Jenkins has recently been serving as executive producer of the DC arm of Funny or Die, the digital humor platform cofounded by Will Ferrell. Funny or Die now also operates an extensive branded-content business, and in the DC office, Jenkinsalong with former Obama speechwriter David Litthas used humor to help Planned Parenthood, UNICEF, and other organizations get their messages out. Now Jenkins is leaving Funny or Die to launch his own creative agency, Enfranchisement Productions. To find out more about the intersection of humor and politics, we met up with him at Funny or Dies office, which is tucked into the corner of a coworking space near the White House. What I learned at the White House is that Americans dont get their information the way we did a generation agoor even ten years ago. Our team could spend weeks or months [getting the word out about] a white paper that the National Economic Council or the Council on Environmental Quality prepared. But young people werent reading the white papers. They were sharing crying memes from Keeping Up With the Kardashians. They were listening to podcasts. I felt I could engage more effectively through entertaining content. We first try to think of whats going to make people smile and laugh. The White House was doing a big push for increasing the minimum wage. Funny or Die recruited Kristen Bell, and she did a whimsical video as Mary Poppins. We wanted to try and reach a demographic beyond just advocates. Leaving the White House, I had a newfound appreciation for figuring out ways where youre taking off your D or R hats. Because as soon as you come in wearing a hat or a color, people arent going to listen. Theres never been an issue weve worked on where we couldnt find humor. Weve done campaigns for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which is the largest think tank for vegans. You would think vegans are the least funny people in the whole world. Its definitely not the sexiest subject. Its not! A plant-based diet is really not funny. They also have a reputation for not being funny and being critical of those who arent vegan. We did a hilarious video with [rapper] Waka Flocka Flame. We did a video this past year for dairy farmers talking about GMO labelingso that is not funny on its face. We put together a really charming video that got millions of views. With the right writers, execution, and obviously the right performers, anything can be funny. Lets say youre hired by a 2020 presidential candidatewhichever candidate you want. Beto, for sure. Okay, Beto ORourke hires you as, say, chief humor strategist. That comedy is just a tool in the toolbox, but its a tool that people should be wielding a lot more. One thing Id say to every candidate running for 2020 is that you and your staff members have a full movie-studio production capability in the palm of your hands with an iPhone. Thats what Beto did: He turned driving 40 minutes to Laredo into [a lot of] people just watching him drive. It costs zero dollars, and it builds a sense of community. Nothing against the Kardashians, but theyre not solving our countrys biggest problems every day. Yet were following their lives as if they are because theyre telling their story in such a compelling way. Theyre showing their flaws, theyre letting you see their world. Beto did that on the campaign trail. These 2020 candidates, they have to figure out their version of that. Being self-aware is critical. I see a misstep with first-time candidates where they try to force the funny. You do not have to use the tool if it doesnt come naturally. Leave the comedy to professionals. Be self-aware and self-deprecating. Obamas best jokes came at his own expense. One of my favorite jokes was from [his 2014 appearance on the Funny or Dieproduced web series] Between Two Ferns. [Host] Zach Galifianakis asks him, What is it like to be the last black President? Which is just a great line. Youre starting a new company, Enfranchisement Productions. A lot of what I was doing at Funny or Die DC, but with Enfranchisement well tell stories that are not just comedyinspirational stories, working with candidates and influencers and organizations. Its an inside joke. When I started volunteering for Barack Obama in 2007, there were a half a dozen young hopey, changey people, and we called ourselves enfranchisement express. I also thought about what the word means. Were an agency that is about storytelling and entertaining, but ultimately our goal is to do good. All of our creative will be about empowering people. A lot of people think DC is one of the least funny places in the country. Yes, people do sometimes say thats what DC stands for. Now I think bringing comedy to DC is easier because of who the President is. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, his presidency has been defined by dividing the country, and I think that is antithetical to artists. They really do believe they speak for communities that dont have a voice, that are being marginalized or are vulnerable. So theres a huge pushback to Trump. Trump may be divisive, but . . . . I dont know. Yeah, he can be funny. I mean, I think hes an entertainer first, to be honest. If youve seen one of his rallies, there is a lot of laughter. We are an attention economy; whoever has the attention has the power. When he was running in the primary, he had to figure out a way to hack the system, where all the attention was on him all the time. Name-calling, depending on how you look at it, is entertaining. Little Marco is a hilarious nickname. I must admit I did laugh. I laughed, too. Its awful to admit. Low-Energy Jeb is a hilarious nickname. When Donald Trump was elected, there was this fear I had that he was going to so degrade the office of the President and government that young people would become apathetic. They would be like, It doesnt matter if I vote. Both sides are corrupt. You hear this a lot with young people. Theres this kind of both-sides-ism: Everyones dirty, everyones corrupt, everyones just doing the bidding of special interests. Ive been in this town ten years. I can tell you its the exact opposite. The people who do this for a living, they believe in this. What I wanted us to do in the era of Trump was continue to be hopefulcontinue to laugh. This article appears in the January 2019 issue of Washingtonian. Join the conversation! | https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/01/07/can-humor-help-the-dems-win-in-2020/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-humor-help-the-dems-win-in-2020 |
What is Theresa May's Brexit secret? | I can exclusively reveal that EU leaders have agreed that it is their "firm determination to work speedily... so that the backstop will not need to be triggered". OK, I am being childishly facetious. I say "reveal" because more or less all MPs seem to have forgotten that EU government heads said just that in a declaratory text of legal significance - if not binding legal force - on December 13 at the last European Council. Or to put it another way, they went as far as they feel they can go to say that the backstop - so hated by Brexiters and Northern Ireland's DUP - will never be implemented, subject to talks on a long-term trading relationship between the UK and EU going as well and swiftly as they might. As of this moment, EU leaders simply don't know - which is jaw-droppingly surprising, given the proximity both of the life-or-death vote on her Brexit plan and of Brexit day itself. | https://www.itv.com/news/2019-01-07/what-is-theresa-mays-brexit-secret/ |
Was There A Real King Arthur? | By JASON URBANUS January/February 2019 King Arthur has captured the popular imagination in a way that very few legendary characters ever have. The extensive list of books, television shows, movies, and video games that are based on Arthurian lore demonstrates just how ingrained he has become in world culture. The main source for the Arthurian legend is Geoffrey of Monmouths twelfth-century book The History of the Kings of Britain, which chronicles the lives of the earliest British rulers. Although there are a few sparse references to an Arthur figure in documents from the ninth and tenth centuries, Geoffrey gives the first extensive account of King Arthurs life and exploits. The story begins when Arthur is conceived at Tintagel Castle, where the wizard Merlin transforms King Uther Pendragon into the likeness of Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, so that Uther can spend the evening with Gorlois wife Ygerna. Arthur later inherits the British throne at the age of 15 and leads the Britons in several epic battles against the invading Saxons, eventually defeating them. He goes on to extend his empire to Ireland, Iceland, Norway, and Gaul, before being betrayed by his nephew Mordred and killed in battle. While many familiar aspects of King Arthurs story are included in Monmouths version, he does not mention Camelot, Lancelot, the Holy Grail, the sword in the stone, or the chivalric Knights of the Round Table. According to Bournemouth University archaeologist Miles Russell, many details were added to the stories centuries later to make Arthur a more appealing figure. Truth be told, the Arthur of Geoffrey of Monmouth is a deeply unlikable sociopath, a violent, quick-to-anger, murderous thug, says Russell. He is someone who very much fits the Dark Age idea of a successful king, but not a hero for the Middle Ages. Monmouths account of Arthur is frequently derided by todays historians, as it was even by his own peers. At best, he is chastised for getting his facts wrong; at worst, he is accused of inventing the entire tale. Monmouth himself claimed to have simply translated a very ancient book into Latin, but that source material has never been identified. Furthermore, no proof of Arthurs existence has been uncovered, even at Tintagel. There is no evidence that anyone called Arthur lived there, says Russell. Nor is there any archaeological evidence to support the existence of Arthur as a real person. Russell believes that Monmouth cobbled together various different ancient tales, characters, and episodes to create his now-beloved Arthur figure. It is not an entirely original story, as it borrows heavily from the exploits of other well-known legendary rulers, especially Ambrosius Aurelianus, another British warlord who won a decisive battle against the invading Anglo-Saxons. Its clear that rather than inventing everything, Geoffrey used a variety of sources, including folklore, chronicles, king lists, dynastic tables, oral tales, and bardic praise poems, in order to create a patriotic British narrative, he says. Arthur is an amalgam of at least five characters. He is, in effect, a composite Celtic superherothe ultimate warrior for the Britons. | https://www.archaeology.org/issues/329-1901/sidebars/7285-was-there-a-real-king-arthur |
Will Robert Habeck sich aus Twitter und Facebook zurckziehen? | Robert Habeck ist fr berraschungen gut. Manche werden es als wahlkampftaktisch oder populistisch deuten, aber was der Chef der Grnen da gerade auf seinem persnlichen Blog abgeliefert hat, verdient Beachtung: Robert Habeck trennt sich nach einer Reihe von Vorfllen, auf die wir gleich noch nher eingehen, von tausenden Facebook-Freunden und annhernd 50.000 Folgern auf Twitter. Fr eine politische Gre wie Habeck kann das als erstaunliches Risiko gesehen werden, knnte man doch annehmen, dass hier mit einer Lschung groes Potenzial verloren ginge, das mit der Aufgabe dieses Netzwerkes der persnliche Publikationsradius des Politikers sprbar verkleinert worden ist. Mglich ist allerdings auch die Nutzung der Gelegenheit, diesen und jenen Fehler unsichtbar zu machen oder gar Facebook als Platz fr eher ltere Nutzer gegen einen oder merhrere fr jngere zu tauschen. Bei ffentlichen Personen stehen Eingestndnisse, Fehler gemacht zu haben, immer unter Verdacht, selbst Teil der Abwendung von Schaden und Imageverlust zu sein. Wie Robert Habeck sich anschickt, es hier zu machen, ist mglicherweise einfach nur hochprofessionell. Robert Habeck hat nach Selbstbekunden eine Nacht lang wach gelegen, darber nachgegrbelt, wie es passieren konnte, dass seine und auch Daten seiner Familie gehackt wurden, wie es passieren konnte, dass er sich so missverstndlich in Videos ausgedrckt hat zum einen anlsslich der Bayernwahl und zum anderen jetzt zu Thringen: Im Kern rufe ich in diesem Video dazu auf, die Thringer Grnen im Wahlkampf zu untersttzen., schreibt Habeck. Aufgenommen hatte das Video der grne Landesverband. Trotzdem ging nun schief, was Habeck da eingesprochen hatte: Gesendet wurde jetzt ein Video, das so klang, als wrde ich Thringen absprechen, weltoffen und demokratisch zu sein. Jeder darf seines Glckes Schmied sein, wenn es darum geht, sich vorteilhaft darzustellen. Manche meinen, Twitter und Facebook sind dafr die idealen Medien. Jeder auf seiner Seite kommentieren, lschen, nachbessern, neu einstellen, wie er mag. Nur sind es genau diese Medien, die in den letzten Jahren zu den hufigsten Botschaftern prominenter Fehltritte geworden sind. Die Medien schauen mir Argusaugen auf die Accounts der Prominenten, die 24/7 verffentlichen, was sie gerade umtreibt. So kann der eine schlaflose Kommentar um 2:32 Uhr schon mal das Ende einer veritablen Karriere einluten oder zum Jobverlust fhren, wenn beispielsweise nur ein Smiley nach einem allzu sffigem Kommentar falsch gesetzt wurde. Macht ihm keine Spa mehr, bereitet ihm schlaflose Nchte, wo er lieber durchschlafen will. Er komme nun zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Welt von Twitter auf ihn abfrbt. Unbewusst htte er sich auf die polemische Art von Twitter eingestellt. Twitter sei, so Habeck weiter wie kein anderes digitales Medium so aggressiv und in keinem anderen Medium gibt es so viel Hass, Bswilligkeit und Hetze. Offenbar triggert Twitter in mir etwas an: aggressiver, lauter, polemischer und zugespitzter zu sein und das alles in einer Schnelligkeit, die es schwer macht, dem Nachdenken Raum zu lassen. Offenbar bin ich nicht immun dagegen. Eine bemerkenswerte Diagnose. Wann genau das sein wird und warum nicht gleich, wird abzuwarten sein. Denn verstummen kann er als Politiker nicht. Das ist unrealistisch. Habeck hadert auf seinem Blog mit sich selbst. Er ringt um irgendwelche Weisheiten, wenn er sich fragt, warum er so ein bser Twitterer geworden ist: Dabei ist mein politisches Ding doch genau das Gegenteil. Die Interessen der anderen Seite sehen und ernst nehmen, nicht berheblich oder besserwisserisch zu agieren. Das ist jetzt zweimal von mir konterkariert worden. Habecks vernichtendes Urteil ber Twitter: Es desorientiert mich, macht mich unkonzentriert, praktisch, wenn man in Sitzungen verstohlen aufs Handy schaut. Grundstzlich, weil ich mich dabei ertappt habe, wie ich nach Talkshows oder Parteitagen gierig nachgeschaut habe, wie die Twitter-Welt mich denn gefunden hat. Und das ist die Schere im Kopf. Als wre Politik eine sich selbst erfllende Prophezeiung. Ganz wie nebenbei brigens auch im Sinne der Selbstvermarktung; dann nmlich, wenn Verknappung das Mittel der Wahl ist: Habeck hat genau den Rckzugsmoment im Leben eines aufstrebenden Politpromis erwischt, wo die Medien lngst jeden Strohhalm aufnehmen, wo man keine Fhrten mehr in den sozialen Medien legen muss, um wahrgenommen zu werden. Habeck und seine gerade so aufstrebenden Grnen sind medial momentan immerhin die Partei der Stunde, nachdem sich die Grnen von Altlasten wir Katrin Gring-Eckard und Cem zdemir getrennt haben und das neue Fhrungsduo die Partei bundesweit in die Nhe der Zwanzigprozenthrde getragen hat. Wir werden sehen ob wirklich, ob tatschlich aus persnlichen oder aus Karrieregrnden oder wegen allem zusammen. Wie er das macht, verlsst jedenfalls die Muster der Berufspolitikerschar mittelmigen Zuschnitts. Was immer Habeck tut und vorhat, seine Worte ber Facebook und Twitter in ihrem Einfluss auf ihre Nutzer nicht zuletzt Politiker bleiben. Denn sie stimmen. | https://www.tichyseinblick.de/daili-es-sentials/will-robert-habeck-sich-aus-twitter-und-facebook-zurueckziehen/ |
Is Surviving R. Kelly Enough to Finally End His Career? | Photo: Lifetime/MSN Ive never before started a television show thinking, I hope this works. But thats exactly the mindset that I had when I began watching the six-part Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly. Its a desperate and naive feeling to put even small hopes of social change on a commercial mass-media product, but I couldnt help searching for the shot, the piece of tearful testimony, the miserable detail that would finally convince millions of Americans to care about black women and girls enough to turn against R. Kelly. Directed by filmmaker and writer dream hampton, Surviving R. Kelly chronicles nearly 30 years of the R&B singers alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of black girls and women from his hometown Chicago. Beginning with his early life and his own experiences of childhood sexual assault by a family member, the film moves through his life and music career via survivor interviews, expert testimonies, and archival footage. What emerges is a portrait of a serial predator and abuser enabled by a network of family, friends, and employees. The stories of Kellys disturbing and violent behavior are heartbreaking, as is seeing the toll its taken on the survivors and their families. During one interview, Jerhonda Pace, who met Kelly outside of his child pornography trial when she was only 15, is asked to describe the physical abuse Kelly inflicted on her. The way her face changes as shes overcome with the painful memories is an arresting transformation we see more than once in the survivors as they tell their stories. Surviving is just the latest in a long list of recent work exposing the somehow still-at-large Kelly. Over the past two years, investigative journalist Jim DeRogatis has written a number of stories for BuzzFeed about Kelly, including the July 2017 piece that first publicized allegations that Kelly entraps and sexually abuses a number of young women in his homes. (DeRogatis, who broke the first major story about Kellys teenage victims for the Chicago Sun-Times in 2000, is noticeably absent from Surviving because he is working on another film on the subject.) In October 2017, Rolling Stone published an extensive account of the abuse Kitti Jones says she endured from Kelly over three years. In March of last year, the U.K. channel BBC Three premiered R. Kelly: Sex, Girls, and Videotapes, after which the singers executive assistant and entertainment lawyer resigned. And on a grassroots level, the #MuteRKelly movement has succeeded in drawing increased scrutiny to the singer online as well as getting a number of the his performances in major cities cancelled. Its impossible at this point to claim ignorance of Kellys many awful transgressions. Anyone who has been following the stories will recognize Pace, Jones, and Lizzette Martinez among the survivors featured in the series. Alongside them are the parents fighting tirelessly to find the daughters currently under Kellys control. (During the series, we see one mother, Michelle Kramer reunite with her daughter on screen and then convinces her to leave the hotel where she is staying with another of Kellys alleged current victims.) Survivings poignant moments come from the testimonies of these brave people. But beyond the accounts of unimaginable abuses, the series main accomplishment is in laying bare how Kelly has been able to continue on for so long. A network of on-payroll enablers surround him, some of whom shared their stories with hampton with varying degrees of shame and shamelessness. Demetrius Smith, Kellys former tour manager and personal assistant, shares how he had papers forged in 1994 so that the then-15-year-old singer Aaliyah could marry the then-27-year-old Kelly. Im not proud of that, he says shortly before laughingly recounting when Kelly said, I do. In another scene, Kellys brother describes his pederasty and predation as a preference. Later, an employee who has their identity obscured starts crying at the realization of the sick behavior they enabled. At one point, Kellys ex-wife Andrea Kelly brings up one of the murkier branches of the singers network. While many documentaries chronicling the recent past rely on nostalgia to draw us in, Surviving R. Kelly uses it to inspire the viewers to examine their own place in Kellys timeline. Episode 1 shows how music media treated rumors of Kelly and Aaliyahs marriage as salacious gossip points. Episode 4 reminds how millions of us bopped along to Ignition just months after a video of him urinating and raping a teenage girl became publicly known and available. It reminds us of how we laughed when Chappelles Show and The Boondocks turned the video into TV comedy fodder and looked on bemused a couple years later when Kelly released the bizarre opera Trapped in the Closet. There is that sliver of us (I assume to be overwhelmingly black women) who rejected Kellys work as soon as news first broke that he married a 15-year-old Aaliyah. But as Kellys continued success illustrates, the majority of us have not long been among them. The discomfort Surviving inspires in Kellys current and former fans is necessary to the shows inherent mission: to make sure he is no longer able to fund his abuses via his career. Still, one unexpected discomfort I felt while watching came from the series treatment of the survivors and their stories. Part of that was based on the sensationalist editing that gave Surviving the tone of a, well, stereotypical Lifetime movie. Throughout it, heavy survivor testimonies are paired with dramatic, tip-toeing soundtracks that come off as obtrusive attempts to heighten the drama of their stories. Archival photos and video are treated with the type of quick cuts and film-negative effects that have become commonplace for salacious true-crime stories about violence against women. Another point of discomfort, for me, stemmed from what seemed like questionable decisions on the part of the production. In one scene, survivor Asante McGee takes the cameras on the tour of the Atlanta mansion where Kelly once imprisoned and abused her. The scene doesnt provide any valuable insight and instead shows us McGee being retraumatized before our eyes. Just being here and just looking at this door is about to bring back a whole bunch of memories that I never thought Id have to revisit, she says, giving the impression that this trip wasnt her idea. Her subsequent breakdown after finding herself back in Kellys old master bedroom only strengthens that assumption. In another instance, Michelle Kramer asks the cameras not to ride in the car with her and her daughter as they flee the hotel where she has been kept captive. However, audio from the microphone Kramer is wearing as they drive off is included. Shaky shots from the productions tailing car fade in and out as we hear the mother and daughter cry, overwhelmed by the pain and elation of what just occurred. As joyful as the outcome is, the scene comes off as oddly covert and prying. It was a precious, intimate moment cheapened by the microphone and the crews intrusion. One of the more bizarre production decisions was to include footage of not one but two allegedly abusive men condemning R. Kellys actions as examples of a changing tide in the entertainment industry. In the final episode, radio host Charlamagne tha God periodically appears to comment on Kellys continued career. I always say if you want to get away with murder, kill a black rapper. If you want to get away with sexual assault, assault a young black girl, he says as a troubling way to highlight how Kellys choice of victims helps him escape legal consequences. The point, that Americans simply do not care about black girls, is much better made later by #MuteRKelly co-founder Oronike Odeleye. When clips of Charlamagne and fellow radio host Joe Budden decrying Kelly on their shows appear in a montage highlighting black men in radio who have publicly turned away from the artist, its never mentioned that Charlamagne has been accused of sexually assaulting minors and has joked about sexual assault on his show, or that Budden has been accused more than once of physically assaulting his romantic partners. The decision to include these two alleged abusers completely unrelated to the events of the film remains highly questionable. Days after the final episode aired may be too soon to measure the Survivings material consequences for Kelly, if any. But if the series has immediately accomplished anything, its been sparking conversation around ending the abetting and veneration of other abusers acting in plain sight. During the shows airing, many on social media called attention to 32-year-old rapper/singer Drake, who has alluded to having emotionally intimate relationships with at least two teenagers. On the evening of the premiere of the first two episodes of Surviving a 2010 video of him kissing and touching a 17-year-old girl onstage at a concert made the rounds online. Meanwhile, others have taken the opportunity to talk about childhood sexual assault, particularly in the black community, and instances when offenders are often given passes while young victims are labelled mature or fast. Still, there remains a contingent of R. Kelly fans and others who still just cant quite believe these survivors. As it stands, Kelly will never lose all of his supporters for the simple fact that some people truly dont care what he did and does to black women and girls. A TV series cant change that or bring Kelly down. But perhaps a legion of viewers, inspired by survivors, can. Stay in touch. Get the Cut newsletter delivered daily Email By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. | https://www.thecut.com/2019/01/is-surviving-r-kelly-enough-to-finally-end-his-career.html?utm_source=nym&utm_medium=f1&utm_campaign=feed-part |
Is Paddy really Vinnys dad on Emmerdale? What is Mandys big secret? | Emmerdale has tonight left viewers with a big mystery to solve as Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) came to the conclusion that best mate Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) might well have a secret son. Advertisement The reappearance of his cousin Mandy (Lisa Riley) has left Marlon with a big worry after he admitted to new wife Jessie that he thinks the village vet might have a child he knows nothing about. I think Paddys got a son. I think thats why Mandys back. But Im not going to let her turn his life upside down, Marlon was seen vowing in Mondays cliffhanger scene. Marlon came to this conclusion after Sam broke the news that Mandy had arrived back in the company of 16-year-old Vinny who has the very Paddy-like traits of being stuttery and awkward. As long-time viewers will recall, Mandy hasnt been in contact with Paddy since 2001 when she made a brief return in order to win him back, only to think twice about her plan after seeing how settled he was with post office worker Emily Dingle. Asked recently whether Mandy still has feelings for Paddy, actress Lisa Riley said: I dont want to give anything away thats going to be a nice surprise. Its the question that everyone wants to know, even my dad has been asking me! So Ill let that evolve on screen. And I think youll like it. As to how it ended between them 17 years ago, Mandy doesnt have regrets. And if she did, shed shed just make a joke and play the bravado card anyway. Advertisement Fans can expect more revelations when Emmerdale returns tomorrow at 7.00pm on ITV | https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2019-01-07/is-paddy-really-vinnys-dad-on-emmerdale-what-is-mandys-big-secret/ |
How do we put the likeability issue in its place? | Take a recent example, when a politico.com story posed the following loaded question about newly announced 2020 Democratic presidential nomination contender Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren: How does Warren avoid a Clinton redux written off as too unlikeable before her campaign gets off the ground? Any time the public focus lands on female politicians and their likeability the result is eine kleine shitstorm, as German chancellor Angela Merkel, one of the most admired and arguably still the most powerful female leader in the world might well put it. The truth is there is nothing inherently sexist in discussing whether you like a certain political leader, male or female. Ask me how much I liked former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He once joked even his friends didnt much like him. Yet when it comes to politics, were never going to get rid of the likeability question. We just need to put it in its place. How anyone could possibly waste time wondering about any strong female candidates likeabilty when arguably the most detestable and unfit president in history occupies the White House is beyond comprehension. Reactions included Democratic strategist and feminist commentator Jess McIntosh tweeting: Dont fall into the sexist trap of treating women running for president like theyre running for prom queen. She summed it up with lose likeability as a metric. The story itself was more nuanced but that line, which quickly made its way toward a social media thrashing of its underlying assumptions, rankled many women. Ask Hillary Clinton, who won the presidential popular vote by a huge margin in 2016, but never got away from that central misogynistic question: Yes, but why dont people like you? But there is everything sexist in making that question the most important metric about a woman candidate, especially because theres some evidence to suggest that the more power a woman seeks or achieves, the less likeable she becomes. Ask former Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, who may well have deserved to be politically defeated last year, but never-ever-deserved the hate and viciousness directed her way. Well after her defeat Wynne bravely went on a CBC radio call in show to reveal the quantity and alarming nature of some of those threats against her and her family. Threatening to rape or murder a female leader has nothing to do with disliking their policies and everything to do with a far more ancient and dangerous hatred and impulse. As ambitious women, we are always surprised the first time we feel the heat of that hateand sometimes by how cleverly its packaged. In my twenties, I was shocked when a man who met me in the course of my work said youre smart as a whip in a tone of such loathing that at first I thought it was a compliment until it dawned on me that he thought I had no right to my own opinions. Ironically, decades later, that kind of gender-based hate is more raw today, more nakedly displayed. In some ways, however discouraging that is, it makes it easier to deal with. The media has to stop being lazy enough to make likeability the central issue in any womans campaign. Its tempting to do so because it also allows for exploration as to why there still is a double standardeverything from a womans voicetoo soft, too loud-her wordsineffective or whoah, she swears a lother looks. Women being called ugly is one of the first go-tos from those threatened by the power of their ideas. What if we never asked a woman about her likeability but assumed, as with many male politicians that they are both liked and loathed. As for the women politicians themselves, theres never been a more heartening range of role models to show us how to put likeability in its place. Cheekily. Like newly elected Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, who when a so-called damning video surfaced of her goofily dancing her heart out in school days simply made another short video of herself dancing through the halls of power before she got on to more serious issues like fairly taxing the rich. Elegantly, Like history-making new/old Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who at 78, returns to power as one of the most deft, tough and effective political leaders anywhere in the world. Even before she battled a short insurgency in her own party to reclaim her role as speaker, Pelosi calmly took on Donald Trump in a televised White House meeting Mr. President, she said, please dont characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats, who just won a big victory. Pelosi recently advised women to not worry about likeabilty but to just be yourself. Implacably. Lets end with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in power since 2005 and likely stepping down as promised in 2021. You never catch Merkel, who also holds a doctorate in quantum chemistry, ever overtly trying to be likeable. Theres no room in her big brain for that. But in fact, by being stable, smart, calm and practical, Merkel has achieved likeability liftoff just by being herself. For evidence watch what could have been an embarrassing moment from last Novembers Armistice Day ceremonies in France when an elderly and confused Frenchwoman mistook Merkel, standing next to French president Emmanuel Macron, for being Madame Macron. Not once but twice Merkel , with a half-smile simply batted it back, while the elderly woman persisted. No explained Merkel, I am the chancellor of Germany. Of course she is. It was a charming and I hate to say, immensely likeable moment. Judith Timson is a Toronto-based writer and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @judithtimson | https://www.thestar.com/life/opinion/2019/01/07/how-do-we-put-the-likeability-issue-in-its-place.html |
How about a taxpayer shutdown? | Well, this is awkward. The federal government has been shut down for three weeks now and it is hard to find a single tax-paying, Average-Joe citizen who has been affected unless, of course, you happen to work for Uncle Sam. It is literally true that you could go from building to building along the National Mall and completely shutter a good number of federal government agencies and it would take years before the first regular American knew the departments had been killed off. (Except, of course, for the incessant, alarmist yammering about it from the left-wing media.) In that case, it would be literally never. Sure, its a big deal if you are a federal employee or a contractor who earns a living off the Byzantine web of debilitating red tape and federal bureaucratic regulations that define most of the federal government these days. Otherwise, even if you are actively looking for ways the government shutdown might affect you, it is nearly impossible. Now, stop and think about that. Take a look at your last pay stub. Look at the percentage of your check that went to Uncle Sam. You didnt even get to hold that money. It just got dumped right into the government coffers. Now compare that amount of money that you spend on something else. Say, a car payment. Or bills around the house. The house note. Now consider that you made your payment every month on that car but you never got to drive the car you were paying for. Or you paid all your house bills but the heat never came on. The lights never worked. Or, if they did, they came on so dimly that you couldnt actually see the light. Obviously, there are exceedingly important, yet amorphous, things that your payment to the federal government pays for. The most important, of course, being enough aircraft carrier groups that nobody gets any funny ideas about invading our rich little island home here. But even when it comes to this the single most important job of the federal government Washington fails. Sure, we have the greatest, most powerful military ever assembled by human beings. But we have an illegal invasion of millions of immigrants across our Southern border and these people cannot even build a wall to stop it. Of course, the idea that the federal government can be shut down for weeks and nobody notices is a matter of great alarm to the left-wing media. So, they write wacky stories to scare you into thinking that this government shutdown is actually something terribly grave. Three dead in national park system as shutdown wears on. I am not making this up. This took not one but two crack reporters from The Washington Post to think that one up. I am not sure which is worse: Reporters so stupid that they think a federal government employee could have prevented these accidents or a couple of reporters so craven that thought it was acceptable to politicize such tragedies. Either way, the biggest outrage in the whole sordid mess is that even though nobody seems to notice that the government has been shut down for three weeks, innocent taxpayers are still paying all the bills. You know, if Republicans in Washington were actually serious about winning one of these government shutdowns, they should immediately introduce legislation to bar the federal government from collecting any taxes while the government is closed. No work, no pay. Now, that is a fight that even Republicans could win. Contact Charles Hurt at [email protected] or on Twitter @charleshurt. Copyright (c) 2019 News World Communications, Inc. - This content is published through a licensing agreement with Acquire Media using its NewsEdge technology. VN:F [1.9.6_1107] please wait... Rating: 10.0/10 (3 votes cast) | http://www.gopusa.com/how-about-a-taxpayer-shutdown/ |
Should Berkshire Hathaway Stock Be Sold After Apples Plunge? | Shares of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A , NYSE: BRK.B ), like most other stocks, have been under pressure over the past few months. However, after Apples (NASDAQ: AAPL ) recent guidance cut, BRK stock took a hit, falling almost 10% on Jan. 3. Apple is now down almost 40% from its highs, but that hasnt hurt BRK stock as much as some may have anticipated. Lets take a look. Berkshires Holdings Apple is Berkshires largest holding, as BRK currently owns about $36 billion of Apple stock. The company owned over 252 million shares of Apple stock as of Berkshires latest 13-F filing, although well find out what Buffetts been up to soon enough. Given how much BRK has loved Apple in the past and Buffetts generally long-term outlook, Id imagine that Berkshire has used the 40% plunge of Apple stock to buy more of the tech giants shares. But Berkshires $36 billion of Apple stock is well below the $59 billion that it had in October when AAPL was trading for more than $230 per share. And of course, Apple stock sometimes goes on large runs as well as extended pullbacks. After Apples guidance cut, investors are justifiably concerned about its business. However, the companys results will have many positive aspects as well. Given the large beating that Apple stock has already suffered, its reasonable to believe that buyers are just around the corner. The fact that Berkshires largest holding took a 40% beating over the last 13 weeks is a tough pill to swallow for owners of BRK stock. But the performance of AAPL stock wouldnt be so negative for BRK stock if BRK s next two largest holdings werent under pressure too. Specifically, the company has a $21.5 billion stake in Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ) and a $20.6 billion stake in Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC ). In fact, over the last three, six and 12 months, Berkshire only has one stock {Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO )} in the green among its top 10 largest positions. Now obviously Berkshire owns a lot of private companies, and has a ton of cash and strong cash flow. Im not saying it should be down 40% like Apple, but maybe BRK.B stock could drop more than some investors realize. Trading BRK Stock Theres little doubt that Apples recent plunge sparked concerns about BRK stock last week. Berkshire Hathaway stock went from $205 to $191 in the blink of an eye, although it has subsequently rebounded to $197, putting it well above a critical support zone between $185 and $190 and above its 100-week moving average. Given how well Berkshire Hathaway stock has held up, I dont hate the idea of a long position. Specifically, some investors may want to use cash-secured puts as an attractive alternative means of getting long. Others may want to wait for a potential, larger decline of BRK.B stock. If the overall market comes under pressure this month, BRK stock could head to the bottom of its support, near $185. If the markets decline is prolonged, Berkshire Hathaway stock could drop a bit further, to the backside of its prior-downtrend resistance, which is depicted by the blue line. If that scenario unfolds, BRK.B stock could end up in the low-$180s. My one concern is Berkshires earnings. The company usually releases earnings just before the weekend, giving investors time to sort through the report. Due to accounting changes, though, the company has to report unrealized gains or losses in its stock portfolio as net income. Thats going to result in an ugly number this quarter, but well have to see how investors react to it. I like BRK.B stock as a long-term holding, but I believe that it could drop in the short-term. Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell is long AAPL and JPM. | https://investorplace.com/2019/01/should-berkshire-hathaway-stock-be-sold-after-apples-plunge/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InvestorPlace+%28InvestorPlace%29 |
Does Weed Cause Schizophrenia? | Subscribe to our free newsletters. Over the weekend you might have noticed a MoJo piece about a new book by Alex Berenson called Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. Stephanie Mencimer says the book takes a sledgehammer to the promised benefits of marijuana legalization, and cannabis enthusiasts are not going to like it one bit. Probably not. But its worth noting that although I didnt notice anything flatly incorrect in Berensons claims, theres nothing all that new about them. And he does overstate the risks, I think. Heres a very quick roundup of what we know: About 10-15 percent of teens who try marijuana become dependent. This is roughly similar to the rate for alcohol dependency. If you have schizophrenia, marijuana use will make it worse. Anyone with persistent psychotic symptoms should be kept far away from cannabis of any kind. However: It is far less clear whether regular marijuana use causes schizophrenia. Drug researchers have been studying this for decades, and have concluded that theres some evidence of a causal effectbut not a strong one. Thats the consensus so far, anyway. For example, marijuana use has increased considerably over the past 20 years, and so has the potency of marijuana. And yet, on a nationwide basis, theres been no increase in diagnoses of schizophrenia. It affects less than 1 percent of the population, and thats stayed steady for a long time. Even if marijuana affects the onset of schizophrenia, the real-world effect is probably small. If the risk increases by as much as 40 percent, for example, thats an increase from perhaps 0.5 percent to 0.7 percent. Nothing is perfect, and theres no question that marijuana isnt harmless. Among other things, no one with schizophrenia should get near the stuff, and if you have a family history of severe mental illness you might want to think twice about using it. That said, the notion that smoking marijuana significantly increases the risk of schizophrenia in the future is not really supported by the literature. Theres probably some risk, but its fairly small and the evidence for it is fairly weak. As with so many other things, though, daily use by teens is generally not a good ideaespecially given the extremely high potency of modern pot. Anything that affects brain development even modestly should be used sparingly by teens whose brains are still in the process of maturing. Theres no need to panic, but its unquestionable that allowing your teen to become a serious stoner is a bad idea on a whole bunch of levels. | https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/01/does-marijuana-cause-schizophrenia/ |
Were Andy Samberg And Sandra Oh The Nicest Hosts In Hollywood? | Superstars of Golden Globes night - presenters Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh - dubbed themselves the 'nicest people in showbusiness': and reaction to their turn hosting the big award gig was not far off. Oh said she wanted to make this award show - the 76th - lighter than last year's and the duo were careful to avoid politics, or even the Time's Up movement. Sandra Oh also took home a Best Actress gong at the awards she hosted During the last awards season, Hollywood was reeling from allegations against several powerful men in media, including Harvey Weinstein, Louis CK, and Matt Lauer. Every show of last season had heavy undertones about sexual harassment in and outside of Hollywood, by both hosts, presenters and during interviews on the carpet as well. MORE: Andy Samberg And Sandra Oh To Co-Host Golden Globes 2019 This year, Samberg - who stars in cop show comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine - and Oh - who played Eve in BBC's stand-out show of last year, Killing Eve - lightened the mood and indulged in more gentle roasting of actors on the night. Golden Globe co-host, Andy Samberg, helped keep the ribbing light The pair launched into sweet ribbing of the crowd including Spike Lee, Jeff Bridges, Amy Adams and Michael B. Jordan. "Amy, save some for the rest of us you mega-talented piece of dog crap!" Oh joked. "Hey Jeff, I wish you were my dad," Samberg added. MORE: Sandra Oh Wins Best Actress In A TV Series Drama Oh and Samberg were first paired as award presenters during a comical set at the Emmys last year. During last night's Golden Globes - during which Oh won Best Actress in a TV Series Drama award for her role in Killing Eve - Oh ripped up the winner's envelope, and joked about the 2017 Oscars 'La La Land' slip-up before the duo pieced together the card and announced the actual winner. Speaking prior to the event, she said: "I know when Andy and I were talking about the feeling that I really want to bring, and really focus on, is just to have a moment of joy." A number of people on social media commented the pair had 'flipped roasting on its head' at the ceremony and another called the pair 'treasures'. | http://www.contactmusic.com/andy-samberg/news/where-andy-samberg-and-sandra-oh-the-nicest-hosts-in-hollywood_6264365 |
Did Paresh Rawal hint at another Narendra Modi film? | On Monday, the first look of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic, starring Vivek Oberoi, was unveiled. Reports have been popping up now and then about Paresh Rawal bearing an uncanny resemblance to Modi and the proficient star is soon to wear the PM's hat. While the project was announced last year, we did not hear much about its progress. Now, in an interview with the press, Rawal finally spilt the beans on playing Narendra Modi on the big screen. When Rawal was quizzed on whether he will be doing a film on Modi, he replied, "Biopic can only be one. They've made it their way, I'll do it in my way." He further added, "A film on Modi will go on floors after the election, most likely." Reportedly, Rawal, who is a staunch Modi supporter and a Member of Parliament had previously expressed that playing Narendra Modi will be a challenging task for him. He remarked that getting into the shoes of PM Modi wont be easy. It will be a hugely challenging role. Well, so after Vivek Oberoi's biopic of India's PM, we will also witness another movie on the same line. Interestingly, we will see if Paresh Rawal will essay the role of Modi or not. That, only time will tell. | https://www.in.com/entertainment/bollywood/did-paresh-rawal-hint-at-another-narendra-modi-film-282215.htm |
Who sets the moral tone of the nation? | Last week Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post saying President Trump's character "falls short." But this opinion extends beyond Romney. According to a Gallup poll, 59 percent of Americans say President Trump provides "weak moral leadership." Gallup has tracked Americans' views of moral leadership for years. For context, during the Clinton administration, 72 percent of adults said that it was "very important" for the president to provide moral leadership for the country. When asked the same question in May of last year, 66 percent of American adults agreed with that sentiment. Guests: Sister Simone Campbell Executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice Elizabeth Cobbs Professor of history at Texas A & M University To listen live you can use the audio player above. | https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/04/miller-who-set-the-moral-tone-of-the-nation?refid=0 |
Will Qualcomm Raise Its Dividend in 2019? | One thing potential investors in Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) stock might find attractive is that the shares currently offer a substantial dividend yield of 4.38%, making it one of the largest among semiconductor stocks. Admittedly, one of the factors that has contributed to Qualcomm stock offering such a large yield is that the stock itself hasn't been a great performer. It's off significantly from its peak and was a pretty poor performer in 2018. A Qualcomm Snapdragon chip next to several snapdragon flower blooms More Image source: Qualcomm. I think the answer to that question is yes. Here's why. Qualcomm's history suggests so Qualcomm has a history of boosting its dividend, as the following chart illustrates: QCOM Dividend Chart More QCOM Dividend data by YCharts. Although past performance is no guarantee of future success, companies that value their dividend programs strive to increase their dividends each year, if they're able to. Not only do dividends contribute to a company's total stockholder return, but a company that pays a substantial dividend and has a history of increasing it each year is more likely to be on the radar of investors who value income and dividend growth versus a company that delivers more sporadic increases. Qualcomm can easily afford to Right now, Qualcomm's lucrative wireless technology licensing business -- known as Qualcomm Technology Licensing, or QTL -- is under pressure because Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) refuses to pay. The two companies are currently engaged in a bitter legal battle, and although Apple's refusal to pay has wrought havoc on QTL, Qualcomm has managed to get a few good punches in recently, as well, as Apple has been forced to remove its older iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 from sale in Germany. Nevertheless, even as the two companies battle it out, the reality is that Qualcomm's business -- such as it is -- can still easily support a dividend increase. The company's current dividend on an annualized basis is $2.48 per share. The company is expected to generate non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $3.85 in fiscal 2019 (up a smidgen from the $3.69 it turned in during fiscal 2018), so the company's business performance -- should it come in close to what analysts expect -- should easily support a bigger dividend from here. (The magnitude of that increase, though, is still a significant unknown.) | https://news.yahoo.com/qualcomm-raise-dividend-2019-190100004.html |
Will the Rally in Gold ETFs Continue? | Gold ended 2018 on a strong note buoyed by volatile trading in global equities, rising concern about economic outlook and government shutdown in the United States. Though the yellow metal declined nearly 1.6% in 2018, it rebounded sharply in December and gained about 5%. Recently, golds spot price rose above the 200-day moving average and the 50-day moving average may also be exceeded in the coming weeks. Gold topped a more than six-month high on Jan 2 as the dollar fell along with Asian equities after disappointing data from China cemented fears of a slowdown in global economic growth. Per Chinese National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) was 49.4 in December. For the first time in two years, Chinas manufacturing activity has entered into a contraction phase. Per Benjamin Lu Jiaxuan, a commodities analyst at Phillip Futures, the fragility in market confidence is a boon for gold. Golds climb was aided by the weakening of dollar in December amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will stop the three-year rate hike cycle in 2019. Per CME Group Fed watch tool, financial markets are not foreseeing a rate hike this year. This will diminish the demand for the greenback and help the non-yielding bullion (read: Fed Hikes Rates But Offers Dovish Outlook: ETFs to Play). Demand for gold is likely to rise in the first quarter of the year due to seasonal factors like the Chinese New Year. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, was hovering near a two-month low recently. A softer dollar makes the greenback denominated bullion cheaper for investors holding other currencies. However, U.S. economy is expected to remain healthy overall, which may diminish safe haven appeal. Also, any strong economic reports could increase expectation of rate hikes. ETFs in focus The uncertainty surrounding trade talks and signs of easing global economic growth will sustain demand for gold ETFs. However, a steadily performing U.S. economy will increase investors risk appetite resulting in lower safe haven demand. Against this backdrop, we highlight the popular gold ETFs in detail. These have been performing strongly over the past four weeks (as of Dec 31) (see: all the Precious Metals ETFs here). SPDR Gold Trust GLD The ETF is designed to track the price of gold bullion. It is the first U.S. traded gold ETF. The fund has AUM of $32.4 billion and an expense ratio of 0.40%. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Medium risk outlook. The fund has returned 4.2% over the past four weeks (read: Palladium ETF Tops Gold in 2018: Will It Rally in 2019?). iShares Gold Trust IAU This is the second-most popular gold ETF. The funds AUM is $11.5 billion and its expense ratio is 0.25%. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a Medium risk outlook. The fund has returned 4.2% over the past four weeks. Aberdeen Standard Physical Swiss Gold Shares ETF SGOL The fund has an AUM of $846.7 million and an expense ratio of 0.39%. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a Medium risk outlook. The fund has returned 4.2% over the past four weeks. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust GLDM The fund has AUM of $396.9 million and an expense ratio of 0.18%. It has returned 4.3% over the past four weeks. GraniteShares Gold Trust BAR The fund has AUM of $314.5 million and an expense ratio of 0.17%. It has returned 4.2% over the past four weeks and carries a Zacks ETF Rank #3. Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ISHARS-GOLD TR (IAU): ETF Research Reports GOLD (LONDON P (GLD): ETF Research Reports ETFS-GOLD TRUST (SGOL): ETF Research Reports GRNT-GOLD TR (BAR): ETF Research Reports SPDR-GOLD MINI (GLDM): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report | https://news.yahoo.com/rally-gold-etfs-continue-184506401.html |
Did Sarah Hyland Have a Nip Slip at the Golden Globes? | Leave it to Sarah Hyland to make a potential wardrobe malfunction look flawless! The Modern Family star captured a stunning selfie with boyfriend Wells Adams on her Instagram Stories ahead of the 2019 Golden Globes and from a certain angle, it appeared she suffered a nip slip. Hyland, 28, looked stunning in a cleavage-baring green-and-navy patterned dress that showed off her fit figure, while the Bachelor in Paradise star, 31, sported a slick, dark tux. The photo wasnt the only time the low-cut gown seemingly showed off a little more than she anticipated. Ummm unfortunate angle! It looks like the star from the Access microphone is a censor covering a nip slip! @Sarah_Hyland #ROTFL, a Twitter user wrote alongside a shot of Hyland getting interviewed with the mic strategically placed. Ummm unfortunate angle! It looks like the star from the Access microphone is a censor covering a nip slip! @Sarah_Hyland #ROTFL Keith Edward (@Tweettermary) January 7, 2019 The couple who started dating in October 2017 appeared to have a blast at the 76th annual awards show, with Adams looking on in adoration at his girlfriend as she posed solo on the red carpet at one point during the night. God, I love this one, the Your Favorite Thing podcast host gushed alongside a video showing Hyland strutting her stuff. Adams opened up to Us Weekly on Friday, January 4, about the potential of wedding bells ringing in his future with Hyland. Everyone thinks [Sarah and I are] engaged right now We are not engaged, let me just say that, he dished. We just moved in together, so I think were still kind of, like, feeling each other out, but its gonna happen eventually. The reality star noted one important thing that needs to happen before a proposal can take place he needs to get the ring! Sign up now for the Us Weekly newsletter to get breaking celebrity news, hot pics and more delivered straight to your inbox! Download the Us Weekly iPhone app now! | https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/did-sarah-hyland-have-a-nip-slip-at-the-golden-globes/ |
Does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez want to "soak the rich"? | Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backs the idea of a "Green New Deal" for the U.S., a plan popular in progressive policy circles under which the federal government would pour billions of dollars into renewable energy. Raise taxes on the rich to their highest level since 1980, just before Ronald Reagan started hacking rates. The top tax on the wealthy should rise to as high as 70 percent, Ocasio-Cortez told "60 Minutes" on Sunday. That approach stands in stark contrast to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which gave the lion's share of benefits from reducing federal income tax rates to top earners and corporations. Not surprisingly, conservatives are bashing Ocasio-Cortez' ideas. Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist wrote on Fox News that her "soaking the rich" plan is "the opening shot in a renewed war against middle class taxpayers." Raising the so-called marginal tax rate on the rich would mark a return to the more progressive tax structure of the 1950s and 1960s -- under Presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, for instance, the rate on those in the top bracket topped 90 percent. Here's what you should know about Ocasio-Cortez's plan and how higher tax rates would work. It's about higher marginal rates -- not a flat rate Rep. Steve Scalise, R.-Louisiana, tweeted that Ocasio-Cortez's approach would lead to the government taking away "70% of your income." Yet that comment misleadingly suggests that every dollar earned by taxpayers would be docked at a flat 70 percent -- that isn't what Ocasio-Cortez is proposing. Republicans: Let Americans keep more of their own hard-earned money Democrats: Take away 70% of your income and give it to leftist fantasy programs https://t.co/NxJPSCqvrt Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 5, 2019 Her plan focuses on marginal tax rates, a progressive tax system that's the basis of the U.S. tax code. It works by taxing the lowest amount of income at the lowest tax rate, and then increasing it gradually as a person's income rises. The goal is to tax lower earners at lower rates, while assessing higher rates on wealthier Americans. Sometimes lost in the criticism of Ocasio-Cortez' plan is the fact that higher marginal rates are paid only on each dollar earned above a particular tax bracket. For instance, single Americans now pay at a rate of 10 percent on earnings up to $9,525, while any earnings between $9,526 and $38,700 are taxed at 12 percent. Currently, the top rate for single taxpayers kicks in at 37 percent for every dollar earned over $500,000 in annual income. Jacking up the top tax rate likely wouldn't impact you Ocasio-Cortez doesn't favor imposing a 70 percent tax on the merely rich. Rather, that rate would be for people with annual income of at least $10 million or so. That's why it's not likely to hit your wallet -- only the top 0.1 percent of income earners are likely to come close to that, as this group enjoys average adjusted gross income of $7.3 million. And only 140,000 tax filers make this much money, compared with nearly 70 million who make up the bottom 50 percent of earners. The economy still grew when tax rates were high The U.S. economy boomed in the '50s and '60s when, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, the top rate ranged between 70 percent and 92 percent. Of course, no time periods in economic history are directly comparable. In the post-World War II era, for instance, the baby boom drove massive spending on the housing market and productivity was much higher than it is today. But the point is that higher top marginal tax rates don't appear to cause lower economic growth. Other developed countries have high tax rates Several advanced economies around the world have top tax rates approaching what Ocasio-Cortez favors, and by many measures they enjoy higher standards of living than the U.S. "What we have in mind ... and my policies most closely resemble what we see in the U.K., in Norway, in Finland, in Sweden," she told "60 Minutes." Sweden has a top rate of 70 percent, Matt Bruenig, founder of People's Policy Project, a left-leaning advocacy group wrote in Jacobin magazine. Sweden is ranked No. 11 by the Social Progress Imperative, which looks at the capacity for a country to meet "basic human needs." The U.S. ranks No. 25, just below Portugal. Ocasio-Cortez's plan echoes findings by economists including Nobel laureate Peter Diamond and Berkeley professor Emmanuel Saez, who estimated that the ideal marginal tax rate should be 73 percent. Most other economists (including many conservative and pro-business experts) agree that a fair and productive society includes some form of progressive tax system, even if they vary in their calculations of what that should be. But that may be looking at the wrong question. Higher taxes on every dollar earned above $10 million isn't likely to lower multimillionaires' drive to remain rich (though it could arguably encourage them to seek ways to avoid taxes). Perhaps a more relevant question: Whether the tax system could encourage people to enter lower-paying yet socially useful jobs, such as teaching or scientific research. One study found that a "radical" policy of imposing taxes according to professions -- such as providing tax breaks to teachers while imposing higher taxes on hedge fund managers -- "could grow the economy dramatically," its authors wrote in the Harvard Business Review. Ocasio-Cortez didn't address such ideas, but her goal in taxing the extremely rich at higher levels is to guarantee a job for every American at a fair wage. "When you can't provide for your kids working a full-time job, working two full-time jobs. When you can't have health care. That is not -- that is not dignified," Ocasio-Cortez said. | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-tax-plan-70-rates/ |
Could Stocks Rally Even As Parts Of The Economy Are Recessionary? | Authored by Charles Hugh Smith via OfTwoMinds blog, It's not yet clear that the stock market swoon is predictive or merely a panic attack triggered by a loss of meds. We contrarians can't help it: when the herd is bullish, we start looking for a reversal. When the herd turns bearish, we also start looking for a reversal. So now that the herd is skittishly bearish, anticipating a recession, contrarians start wondering if a most hated rally is in the offing, one that would leave most punters off the bus. The primary theme for 2019 in my view is everything accepted by the mainstream is not as it seems. Everything presented as monolithic and straightforward is fragmented, asymmetric and complex. Take "recession." The standard definition of recession is two consecutive quarters of negative GDP. What we're seeing develop is certain sectors are already in recession, others are sliding while others are doing OK. So the question of stocks rising or falling partly depends on which parts of the economy are most heavily weighted in the stock market. If the sectors most heavily represented by listed stocks are doing OK, then other chunks of the economy can be in freefall and stocks could still rise. There's also the psychological state of market participants. Was the 20% decline in the 4th quarter a much-delayed reaction to impending recession or was it a panic attack caused by the Federal Reserve withdrawing some of its largesse, i.e. It it turns out to be more panic-attack than rational response, a relief rally might be expected. Then there's the usual bag of tricks to consider. When stocks slide, analysts quickly drop revenue and profit estimates, setting up the potential for "positive surprises" so beloved by Bulls. It's an old game, lowering estimates enough so even weak earnings will appear to be "beat estimates." The panic-attack topics may have been overblown. The US economy is simply not as dependent on exports as China or Germany. The panic-disorder pundits are also expecting disaster from the US dollar. If it strengthens, everything falls apart, and if it weakens, well, everything still falls apart. In a more measured view, if the USD weakens, that's positive for US exports and it takes pressure off USD-denominated debtors, which by the way include Chinese companies to the tune of $2 trillion, and trillions more owed by emerging market debtors. Making it easier for these debtors to service their USD-denominated debt would be a definitive plus for global stability and would not damage the dominance of the USD. (see chart below) If the USD strengthens, then the US becomes even more attractive to non-US capital, a definite plus. But wait, autos and housing are crashing. This is supposed to doom the entire economy to raging recession, but look at the market capitalization of auto and housing stocks. The two sectors don't even equal one tech giant. They've already been priced for a recession without end. Then there's profits. Profits need to tank to trigger a fundamental revaluation of stock prices. Sure, many stocks were priced to perfection; now, after a 20% decline (more, in many cases), not so much. As I've been saying for years, ours is a neofeudal system, not by accident or as a result of a few bad players, but as a result of its very design. Having stipulated that exploitation and rising inequality are built into the system, the net result is tremendous profitability for those who've rigged quasi-monopolies and cartels to protect their revenues and margins. Please note the 35% decline in oil prices. The pundits are cheering a miserly 3% wage gain, without noting that's an average number, meaning the usual suspects pulled down big increases while the bottom 80% got the scraps. In any event, a 3% increase isn't going to snuff cartel profits. Since cartels and monopolies keep raising their prices and reducing the quantity and quality of their goods and services, they can handle the 3% increase in compensation costs. Everyone knows Sickcare is a train wreck of ever-higher costs for diminishing returns, and Corporate America has struggled to find ways to limit the predation of everyone's least favorite cartel (though national defense and higher education are close runner-ups). But not much has changed in Sickcare; it's broken, but unlikely to trigger a recession. The economy could use a market-clearing recession, but it's not yet clear that the stock market swoon is predictive or merely a panic attack triggered by a loss of meds (i.e. the Fed Put). * * * Pathfinding our Destiny: Preventing the Final Fall of Our Democratic Republic($6.95 ebook, $12 print): Read the first section for free in PDF format. My new mystery The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher: The Disappearance of Drake is a ridiculously affordable $1.29 (Kindle) or $8.95 (print); read the first chapters for free (PDF). My book Money and Work Unchained is now $6.95 for the Kindle ebook and $15 for the print edition. Read the first section for free in PDF format. If you found value in this content, please join me in seeking solutions by becoming a $1/month patron of my work via patreon.com. | https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-07/could-stocks-rally-even-parts-economy-are-recessionary?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29 |
Will Trump repeat terrorist claims debunked (even by Fox News) when he visits the border? | Opinion: You know their desperate when administration propaganda is being exposed by its primary propaganda outlet. President Donald Trump (Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images) You know President Donald Trump is getting desperate when even Fox News is pointing out the lies the administration is telling about terrorists on the border. All in an effort to build support for Trumps wall. Trump has been making a false claim about thousands of potential terrorists trying to enter through the southern border. Other administration officials, like Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen tried to pass off the same lie. Sarah Sanders give it a try, but... Then, on Fox News this past Sunday it was the turn of Trumps press secretary Sarah Sanders. Only this time instead of simply being able to spread the untrue White House propaganda Sanders bumped into journalist Chris Wallace. He pointed out, first, that while over 3,000 what we call special interest aliens were stopped at the border, special interest aliens are just people who have come from countries that have ever produced a terrorist, theyre not terrorists themselves. And, Wallace added, the state department says, quote, there were no credible evidence of any terrorist coming across the border from Mexico. Fox's Chris Wallace is ready for her That information comes from a state department report. A number of other news operations have used it to debunk the White House claptrap. But that hasnt stopped Trump and his associates from spreading the untruths. Sanders said, We know that roughly nearly 4,000 known or suspected terrorists come into our country illegally, and we know that our most vulnerable point of entry is southern border. Wallace again was ready to point out the baloney. I know the statistic, he said, I didnt know if you were going to use it, but I studied up on this. Airports. Not always Sanders said. It's the government's own report Airports. The state department says there hasnt been any terrorists found coming across the southern border, Wallace said. Thats true. The report reads in part: At years end there was no credible evidence indicating that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico, worked with Mexican drug cartels, or sent operatives via Mexico into the United States. It goes on. Rebuilding a wall of lies Sanders persisted, but Wallace to his credit wasnt having it. But theyre not coming across the southern border, Sarah, theyre coming and theyre being stopped at airports, he said. A wall built on lies can be toppled by the truth. That isnt the problem. The problem is it easily can be rebuilt. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/07/trump-border-wall-chris-wallace-fox-news/2505327002/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/07/trump-border-wall-chris-wallace-fox-news/2505327002/ |
Could 2019 be the year South Carolina lawmakers approve medical marijuana? | This story was published in conjunction with Carolina Cannabis News. Jill Swing, who lives in Charleston, laughs wearily as she talks about the upcoming state legislative session. It will be her sixth session advocating for legal access to medical marijuana. Swing is one of the parents who founded the S.C. Compassionate Care Alliance, a group that advocates for access to medical cannabis in South Carolina. Her daughter Mary Louise has intractable epilepsy and cerebral palsy. She takes cannabidiol (CBD) oil to control her seizures. "I would very much like to be done with this so I can get the medicine I need for my child and go on with my life," Swing tells Carolina Cannabis News. "But I'm a realist. I know that it's an uphill battle. I think it is achievable." click to enlarge Provided Jill Swing with her 11-year-old twins, Winfield and Mary Louise. Mary Louise has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. On Jan. 8, when the South Carolina legislature reconvenes for its 2019-2020 session, state lawmakers have promised to raise the issue of medical marijuana once again. While several bills have been pre-filed in the S.C. General Assembly, the bill that appears to have the best shot of getting passed into law is the Compassionate Care Act. Last year, it made history when it was approved by both the Senate Medical Affairs Committee and the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (3M) Committee. The session ended, however, before a full vote could take place. "We had a tremendous amount of forward motion last year getting the bill out of committee in both chambers," Swing says, "and so hopefully we'll be able to build on that momentum and not backtrack. That's going to be the goal. We've got a lot more lobbyists coming in on this issue. It's just all about getting one-on-one time with our lawmakers and making it happen." The Compassionate Care Act, first introduced by S.C. Sen. Tom Davis of Beaufort, would allow doctors to recommend the medical use of cannabis to certain patients with "debilitating medical conditions," such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It would also create the necessary programs and processes to oversee the cultivation, processing, and dispensing of cannabis in South Carolina. click to enlarge S.C. Press Association S.C. Sen. Tom Davis Sen. Davis has spent the last several years trying to get access to medical marijuana legalized in South Carolina. "I've not been frustrated that it's taken four years for us to get this done," he tells Carolina Cannabis News. "I really think this next session is going to be the year that we get it over the top. "We've really worked hard the last few years on making sure this was a very conservative, very tightly regulated medical cannabis bill that provided patients with medicine that they need under the direct supervision of a physician but wasn't going to ... lay the foundation for recreational." Additionally, Davis says, the last few years have given him and other proponents the opportunity to educate other lawmakers on cannabis' medicinal properties. "That's really why I think we're going to be successful this year because we've reached a critical mass of the number of legislators who truly get this now, who understand both the science behind it and who've also talked to people in their community who are as passionate about this as I am," Davis says. Swing, for her part, says she and other advocates have their work cut out for them this session. While state law enforcement will remain their biggest opposition spokespeople have raised concerns about medical marijuana opening the door to legalized recreational use other groups opposed to the medical marijuana legalization include, unsurprisingly, the pharmaceutical lobby, the South Carolina Medical Association, and the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) via its opposition campaign The Blunt Truth. "At the end of the day," Swing says, "all we have to do is convince 170 people up in Columbia that this is the right thing to do for our state." The business side The real story, Swing says, is that more influential business leaders are getting involved to push for the Compassionate Care Act. "The economic development piece is huge," she says. "The opportunity for a new industry in our state, for people to make money that really gets a lot of people's attention." click to enlarge Provided Jill Swing "Every lawmaker has something that makes them tick something that they get super excited about," Swing continues. "It may be that they're from a predominantly agricultural community. If they see there's an opportunity for farmers in this, they're a little more likely to support it. If they see there's an opportunity for economic development in their community, then that's something that's going to get their attention." One of those influential, business-minded people is Rosie Craig, a longtime Columbia resident and former high-end furniture manufacturer. Three years ago, she found herself at a presentation about the health benefits of medical marijuana where Swing was one of the speakers. It was an issue Craig didn't know much about: Among her many endeavors in the past several decades, she is perhaps best known locally for helping to restore Columbia's historic warehouse district. "I have a reputation of wanting to make the world this is very idealistic a better place while I'm here," she tells Carolina Cannabis News. During that presentation, Craig says she was moved by the stories she heard. At one point, she recalls, a child had a seizure. "I saw its mother treat it with a little squirt from a bottle and within a minute or two, this seizure had stopped. That's how profound cannabinoids are." Last spring, however, she became convinced that it was going to take more than patient testimonies to sway lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis. "We have had baby buggies and wheelchairs and deeply suffering South Carolinians at the Statehouse for four years asking the legislators to pass a bill," Craig says, but to no avail. Since then, Craig says she's had numerous conversations with other business leaders about the potential for a new booming industry in the state. That's why she plans to make sure lawmakers understand what legalizing medical cannabis would mean for the state's economy. The potential for jobs and revenue is huge, Craig says. "One grow in its very inception brings 25 strong, well-paying jobs," she explains. "Within two years, there is strong profit. But initially you've got 25 strong jobs; you've got all the construction work; you've got all the auxiliary spinoffs; you've got sales tax coming in; you're spending $35,000 a month with the power company to support a grow. That's economic development. That's business." Of course, Craig says, the ultimate goal in legalizing medical marijuana is to bring relief to people who are suffering. "I am more determined now than [I was] even three years ago when my heart broke [as I watched] children convulsing that big pharma could not help." She adds: "I'm not ashamed of being a capitalist. Because you have to have gas in the tank to get anything done. I'm very pro-business, but I'm also a humanist." Carolina Cannabis News was founded in 2018 to produce independent news coverage of the cannabis industry in North and South Carolina. | https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/could-2019-be-the-year-south-carolina-lawmakers-approve-medical-marijuana/Content?oid=26137453 |
Will politicians campaign in the creeks? | By Paul Orie THE greatest riddle confronting the people of Ndokwa East Council of Delta State today is underdevelopment. How to extricate themselves from this permanent state of distress is a distressing task particularly in a multi-ethnic state where the struggle for resources remains tense. For the calm and peaceful people of Ndosimili of Ndokwa East, this season of electioneering campaigns with politicians in the state issuing campaign promises to various communities in Delta State, they (Ndokwa East) people have not seen any politician from any of the political parties driving into Ndokwa East communities with their campaign vehicles festooned with posters like what is seen in Warri, Ughelli, Obiamku, Umutu, Ozora, Oleh, Asaba, Agbor, Sapele and a host of other communities across the state. They cannot campaign in the over 90 percent of Ndokwa East towns because vehicles, motorcycles cannot access the largely reverine areas of the Local Council. The terrain remains a hindrance to all forms of human activities. Furthermore, Ndokwa East communities are sandwiched between the River Niger and Ase Creek, the latter being a major tributary of the former. Sadly, one finds a lot of River Niger distributaries and rivulets either meandering through or truncating the various communities, their forests and farmlands. This is the proximate reason why politicians in the state who profess to bring development to the people through politics abhor travelling to Ndokwa East to canvass for votes in the communities safe for Ashaka and Ossissa Along Ase creek with motorable terrain. One has to state clearly that the deliberate policy of politicians, governors of the state not to study where they govern intend to govern, is an act of unpatriotism and dereliction of duty which they will not accept. For record purposes, the only high ranking government officials who visited Ndokwa East were the late former military Governor of Midwest State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia who in 1975 flew on aircraft to Aboh for the installation of the present monarch of the town, Obi Imegwu; General Ibrahim Babangida in 1988 flew into Okpai to commission the gas plant and later former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo travelled by road through Ashaka to Okpai to commission the Independent Power Plant, IPP, in 2005 owing to the protest by Ndokwa women compelling him to travel there by road to see the agonising situation of the people of Ndokwa East. Also in 1995, under the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, following the persistent agitation of Ijaw and Ogoni revolutionaries against the continued administration of injustice on the oppressed Niger Delta people, which has not ceased, the Ministers of Petroleum Resources, Finance and Internal Affairs, Chief Dan Etiebet, the late Chief Melford Okilo and the late Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji were in Okpai, known to have a large gas reserve where they had their lunch after touring oil communities in the region. Their trip to Okpai, in Ndokwa East was worthless because it did not add any soothing balm or value to the development of the people, same to the earlier visits of the personages earlier mentioned who cannot describe the area they travelled to. It is worth stressing here that in 1983, the late Professor Ambrose Alli, the Governor of the former Bendel State, had to commence his re-election campaign from Utchi with a terrain that frightens Delta State politicians, including Delta North policitical actors. This is a moral and political challenge for all the political actors/actresses. The clear options are there: they either make a voyage with speed boats from Asaba on the West Bank River Niger downstream to Onya or even to Patani through Ijaw neighbouring communities sharing common boundaries with Ndokwa East communities. The second option traverse Ndokwa East communities by road from Asaba through Oko in Oshimili Local Council down to Utchi, Okpai Aboh to Onya. The third option is to navigate the Ase creek from Abala Uno through Inyi, Onuaboh, Iselegu, Ossissa downstream, to Ashaka, Anyama, Ibadeni, Azagba, Ekpe, Ase, Asaba Ase, again to Patani. What a rewarding voyage! Though it will be a rewarding trip if politicians of the state decide to move to Ndokwa East through the options provided above and use their experience to evolve policies that will uplift not only Ndokwa East communities, but other reverine communities of Delta State if they do not defy the yearnings of people they rule or intend to rule. Definitely a tremedous shock and a large dose of frustration in Ndokwa East people; the unrestrained menace of flood and coastal erosion closing in on the communities with damaged buildings and cracked walls; several of them collapsing, farmlands being washed away and deserted communities as a result of this. The victims of flood and erosion now reduced to refugee status, taking refuge in Ashaka, Kwale and starting new life outside their homeland. Next, the campaigning politicians will see the vanishing aquatic splendour, the flora and fauna pummelled by oil exploration, chiefly by AGIP, Sterling oil and others. The beautiful tropical forest dying, water transportation stymied by poor vision of our politicians since 1960. Other agonising things they will see include clear stagnating socio-economic development, absence of electricity, markets, school buildings devastated by flood, inaccessibility of the local council communities by roads, people drinking water from unsanitary sources lake, polluted River Niger. The stagnating economic lives of the people worsened by the drying up of Ase creek and other creeks, hampering water transport. A rewarding trip awaits Delta State politicians, but will they come out with policies that will improve the area or as usual turn around to defy the yearning of the calm Ndosimili people of Ndokwa East they intend to lead with policy recoil. At this juncture, it is instructive to emulate the patriotic and monumental steps of Professor Alli. Orie, National Publicity Secretary of Ndosimili Development Union, Lagos. | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/will-politicians-campaign-in-the-creeks/ |
Was Cassie On A Mission To Upset Diddy When She Posted #TrainerBae? | Weve already heard the rumors about Diddy feeling betrayed by Cassies new relationship. Now, sources have reportedly told People magazine the music mogul feels Cassie posted photos of her new bae to purposely upset him. If there is anyone who knows how absolutely devastated Diddy has been since Kims death, its Cassie. He cant believe she feels the need to post pictures with her new guy. Its like she did it to upset Diddy more, the source supposedly told People, before going on to call the entire situation just ridiculous. There is just no need to post pictures on social media at this point. Diddy is having enough of a hard time. The Me & U singers new man, Alex Fine, was reportedly hired by Diddy to work as Cassies personal trainer. It is unclear when Fine and Cassies business relationship became more, but Cassie denies any allegations of cheating while she was still in a relationship with Diddy. Photo: WENN, Instagram | https://hiphopwired.com/797531/cassie-posting-new-boyfriend-upset-diddy/ |
Can Oregon basketball establish identity before Kenny Wooten returns? | EUGENE In the aftermath of Bol Bols season-ending foot surgery, Abu Kigabs transfer and Kenny Wootens surgery for a broken jaw, Oregon has eight healthy scholarship players and needs to figure out a new way to win games. The Ducks knew Bol, their leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker was likely done for the season after he got hurt several weeks ago, but it doesnt make adjusting to his loss any easier. When you lose that kind of size, that kind of skill, that kind of shot blocking, that timing, theres something that you have to alter, said senior Paul White, who has had to play more at power forward and some at center since Bols injury. "You really dont find a 7-2, 7-3 big man that can do what Bol does. It does hurt the team, but were not using it as an excuse. As far as our identity goes, its just something that we have to fight through and figure out what is our identity. Thats when we rely on the coaches and the rest of my teammates to figure that out. The loss of Kigab, who missed his last three games with a foot injury, matters more in the energy he brought to the court than the contributions he made in the box score. But Wooten, who is averaging 6.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season, is expected to return in three to five weeks. Until then, Oregon (9-5, 0-1 Pac-12) will be without a rim protector, severely undersized and need to call upon freshmen Francis Okoro and Miles Norris far more than they played during the first two months of the season. Weve got to play with what weve got and then hopefully we do get him back some time, Oregon coach Dana Altman said. But our team early had a defensive identity, right now we dont. We gave up a lot of easy baskets in transition, a lot of easy baskets (on Saturday) that good defensive teams (dont). We made some mistakes offensively and our guys, theyre so worried about one end of the court, weve got to do a better job on both ends of the court and get that identity. "With Kenny, our defense will improve because he is good inside, but until then our freshmen have to step up. Francis has to play well, Miles has to play well. Our defensive identity has to change. While pressing on defense clearly can be effective for Oregon, which climbed out of an 18-point hole before losing to Oregon State on Saturday and had similar comeback attempts fall short at Houston and Baylor, theres no way the Ducks can play with such tenacity on defense every night with such a short bench. Foul trouble would become an issue from game to game and in the long-run the Ducks, who rank 275th in adjusted tempo with 67.4 possession per 40 minutes, according to KenPom, would risk wearing down the few available players left. I think in spots we can use it, Altman said. Its going to be pretty hard with our numbers to stay in that kind of defense for long periods of time. I think it something that weve used and we can use. Oregon had 73 possessions in its 77-72 loss to Oregon State, which dictated a fast pace early and built a huge lead before the Ducks came back. Its hard to see where UO will find enough offense to be competitive playing with so many possessions. The Ducks will likely be underdogs in their next five games against UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington before ending the stretch with Washington State. If Wooten can return by then, or after the trip to Utah and Colorado or even following the home games with Cal and Stanford, Oregon would still have anywhere from seven to 11 Pac-12 games remaining. That would still be enough time to determine how best to play in order to try and make a run in the Pac-12 Tournament, which might be Oregons only way to an NCAA Tournament bid or any postseason appearance this season, depending on how the next few weeks go. White said the Ducks have to find answers before Wooten returns though. We cant use that as a crutch or else our season goes down the drain and nobody wants that, especially me, this being my last year, White said. But nobody on this team wants that. Were not making excuses for ourselves, we never have. ... Going forward we have to find our identity and I think we will. Watching film, dissecting some of the things that we can get from (Saturdays) game, I feel like although it is a loss in our record but its something we can build on." | https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/can-oregon-basketball-establish-identity-before-kenny-wooten-returns.html |
Can CBS Go Without Nielsen? | On New Years Day 2019, Nielsens contract with CBS expired. Both sides had been in negotiations, but were unable to come to an agreement. It has been estimated the previous contract between the two parties had a value exceeding $100 million. Besides the broadcast network, the CBS contract includes their 28 owned and operated stations, primarily in major TV markets. CBS claims that Nielsens audience measurement is inadequate in todays multi-platform environment and that Nielsens asking price is too high. Without a contract, CBS will not have access to any current or past audience data. CBS will, for now at least, rely on audience data from Comscore and other sources for ratings. Comscore uses return path data from several satellite companies and cable operators including AT&T/DirecTV, Dish, Cox and Charter. Comscore represents the biggest challenge to Nielsens dominance since Arbitron (now owned by Nielsen) left local TV measurement in 1993. Virtually all prominent ad agencies and television network/station are Comscore clients. Several station groups now use Comscore as the currency of negotiations with advertisers. In January 2019, Gray Television, in the wake of its acquisition of Raycom for $3.6 billion, announced they were expanding the use of Comscore in 80 of the 91 TV markets in which they own and operate stations. In December 2018, Comscore announced they had expanded its local TV market agreement with Scripps, which owns 33 stations in 24 markets. Previously, two station groups -- Nexstar and the Bonten Media Group -- had replaced Nielsen with Comscore. A majority of these station groups own stations in smaller markets that had relied on weekly TV diaries for ratings. As audiences fragmented in a multichannel and on-demand environment, both advertisers and stations expressed frustration at the inadequacy of paper diaries. As a result, Nielsen has, at long last, replaced TV diaries with people meters, return path data, modeling and now measures out-of-home viewing in the larger markets. Nielsen also recently renewed its agreement with Hearst Television, which owns and operates stations in 28 TV markets. Comscore joins a long list of rivals that have tried to replace Nielsen as the primary TV ratings source. All of the previous efforts have failed. Heres a brief history: AGB introduced the people meter to the U.S. in 1986. Nielsen quickly introduced its own people meter and AGB soon shut down its U.S. operations. In 1987, R.D. Percy developed heat sensors that passively measured TV audiences, which failed to gain traction in the marketplace. Four years later, Arbitron introduced ScanAmerica, which combined people meters for TV ratings with a wand that measured UPC codes for product purchases. The single-source service was available in several local TV markets. Less than one year later, ScanAmerica, with a limited number of clients, shut down. The next potential Nielsen competitor came from the broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in the form of SMART (System for Measuring and Reporting Television). The broadcasters argued that Nielsens measurement was favoring cable television. The ratings initiative failed five years later for lack of seed money. The last major threat was ErinMedia, which issued a lawsuit against Nielsen in 2006. ErinMedia announced the usage of viewing data from digital set top cable boxes to measure audiences. When Nielsen made a similar announcement, ErinMedia lost funding. Among the claims in the lawsuit was Nielsens use of long-term, staggered contracts to ensure no competitor can get a foothold in the TV ratings business, thus stifling competition. The lawsuit was settled in 2008. Whether CBS can continue to go without Nielsen ratings depends on advertisers. CBS relied on Nielsen to develop audience estimates to negotiate billions of ad dollars with their ad agency clients. Carrie Drinkwater, the Executive Director of Integrated Investments at MullenLowe MediaHub, says, short-term, CBS not having Nielsen data is not an issue. We have Nielsen ratings, we have upfront guarantees and we can notify the network of any audience shortfalls, Drinkwater notes. CBS has benefitted from Nielsen ratings; it has been the top-rated network for years. The CBS audience is older, which Nielsen has had no trouble measuring, compared to younger age groups which have given them problems. In the upcoming weeks, CBS will be airing three of its highest rated telecasts, the AFC Championship Game, Super Bowl LIII and the Grammys. Drinkwater feels CBS and Nielsen will come to some agreement before the Super Bowl. CBS is following Fox and Sinclair Broadcasting as using the competition from Comscore as bargaining chip when negotiating with Nielsen. In June 2014, the Fox station group, after making a long-term deal with Rentrak (since acquired by Comscore), was prepared to drop Nielsen. The two parties struck an agreement at the eleventh hour. After announcing it was considering moving to Comscore as its primary ratings provider, the Sinclair Broadcast Group, in February 2018, renewed its agreement with Nielsen. The impasse with CBS marks the first time a broadcast network intends on using Comscore as its primary ratings currency. Competition in audience measurement provides the industry with more innovation at a lower cost. Both Nielsen and Comscore are working on improving their cross-platform audience measurement capabilities, something advertisers and networks have been demanding. Comscore could be the biggest threat to Nielsens audience measurement capabilities in decades. As audience measurement companies expand to other platforms providing accurate viewing data is essential. George Ivie, the Executive Director and CEO of the Media Rating Council states, in todays new TV-based measurement approaches such as audience ascription to return path data, data integration and modeling. The process of audience measurement should be transparent and undergo audits that have protected the marketplace for years. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2019/01/07/can-cbs-go-without-nielsen/ |
Is the Post-National State even possible? | The Post-National State is an oxymoron. Its one of those ideas that George Orwells 1984 so brilliantly illustrates, in which people committedly believe two polar opposites at the exact same time. Lets begin with the concept of Post-National. It isnt one you are likely to find in too many dictionaries. But getting a feeling for the dictionary meaning of Post, in the sense of after, and of National, in the sense of a culturally, geographically, politically or ethnically delineated jurisdiction. So, the Post-National concept posits that countries and borders are irrelevant and redundant. But at the same time adding the word State to the concept of Post-National is a huge contradiction in terms, given that the definition of State in the sense it is used here, means a politically unified people occupying a definite territory, negates the whole concept of Post-Nationalism. Like Humpty Dumpty, when the Left uses words they mean exactly what the Left chooses them to mean, neither more nor less. The question, as Humpty Dumpty so eloquently put it is, which is to be masterthats all. And thats where this whole Post-National State turns out to be a scam designed to import an endless supply of uneducated, needy voters beholden to the much-maligned State for sustenance. In short, its an end run around logic. Back in the day, we kids used to call this wishful thinking, because even then, most eight-year-olds would have figured someone was trying for a free lunch, listening to what the Left credulously, calls logic. What theyre selling isnt exactly what most non-gullible people are looking to buy. The way its explained elicits images of happy people standing around a solar campfire, holding hands and singing Id like to force the world to sing in perfect harmoneeee. While borders are eradicated and everyone is just freely moving from anywhere to somewhere. And if theres no point in anyone having legitimate ID, then we dont really need such outdated concepts as police or security forces to protect us from harm. In fact, if we take the Post-National idea to its logical conclusion, then we really dont have a need for government at all, as there are no clearly defined jurisdictions over which to govern. If you prefer a shorter word for the Post-National State, its Anarchy. But we all know that Americas Left is anything but anarchist, given how much they like to be in control. Those advocating for the Post-National State have their eyes on a much larger piece of cake and that is a borderless world run by an unelected and unaccountable gaggle of bureaucrats. This could be the United Nations, the World Economic Forum of Davos fame or any other cabal of supranational organizations modeled on the European Union. When a nation gives up control of its borders it ceases to be a nation. We need to beware of those who advocate giving up control of our borders, as there is no long-term benefit except to take power away from the people and vest it in an unaccountable bureaucracy that would then start seriously redistributing our wealth. Only YOU can save CFP from Social Media Suppression. Tweet, Post, Forward, Subscribe or Bookmark us Klaus Rohrich is senior columnist for Canada Free Press. Klaus also writes topical articles for numerous magazines. He has a regular column on RetirementHomes and is currently working on his first book dealing with the toxicity of liberalism. His work has been featured on the Drudge Report, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, among others. He lives and works in a small town outside of Toronto. Older articles by Klaus Rohrich Please adhere to our commenting policy to avoid being banned. As a privately owned website, we reserve the right to remove any comment and ban any user at any time.Comments that contain spam, advertising, vulgarity, threats of violence and death, racism, anti-Semitism, or personal or abusive attacks on other users may be removed and result in a ban.-- Follow these instructions on registering | https://canadafreepress.com/article/is-the-post-national-state-even-possible |
How Far Has Gambia Gone In Being An Oil Producing Nation? | 1 SHARES Share Tweet QUESTION OF THE DAY Speculation are rife that The Gambia is about to exploit its oil potential. Some have even started to count the chicken before the eggs are hatched. The President has given his opinion to the National Assembly and no one should go on with speculation. He said that major international companies have indicated interest in exploring and commercialising the oil potential of the Country. First there must be licensing of Blocks A2 and A5 before an exploration well could be drilled. In short, if the Presidents speech is to go by even an exploration well has not been drilled to confirm what is available in oil (hydrocarbon) resources. Hence drilling for commercialsation is yet to be. | https://foroyaa.gm/how-far-has-gambia-gone-in-being-an-oil-producing-nation/ |
Why Are The New York Mets Dealing Away So Many Prospects? | One of the big criticisms of former New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson was the decay of the organizations farm system. The Mets farm system, which produced quality big leaguers such as Jacob deGrom and Michael Conforto early in Aldersons run, fell to a bottom ten group over the past few years due to a combination of poor drafting and player development. The system began to make a turnaround this season thanks to an infusion of young talent, and new GM Brodie Van Wagenen appeared to double down on that improvement by importing Allard Baird and Jared Banner from the Boston Red Sox to help transform the way the Mets develop their own players. Van Wagenen has counteracted that movement, however, by trading away a lot of young minor leaguers for seemingly marginal upgrades to the organizations depth chart. When the Mets hired Van Wagenen back in November, he made it clear his goal was to win now and win in the future. Van Wagenen started his run with a bunch of win now moves, including the big trade with the Seattle Mariners to land Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. That deal cost the Mets two of their most recent first round picks, right hander Justin Dunn and outfielder Jarred Kelenic, but many figured the trade would be justified as the first step in a series of win now moves. Van Wagenen followed that trade by signing Jeurys Familia and Wilson Ramos in free agency to fill two more big holes, but he followed that by strangely declaring the Mets were the favorites in the National League East despite having more needs to address. That announcement, which came at the press conference introducing Ramos, also included a statement that the Mets still had real money to spend. Since that day, the Mets havent signed a major league free agent but have been signing players to minor league deals, like Gregor Blanco, Rajai Davis, Arquimedes Caminero, Hector Santiago, and Zach Lee. Those moves went to address organizational depth, which is fine since most of the Mets top talent is at the lower levels of the minor leagues. That plan continued this weekend, when Van Wagenen made three trades to improve the fringes of his roster while sending out some valuable minor league pieces in the process. The first move was the Keon Broxton trade, which saw the Mets move on from Bobby Wahl while also parting with righty Adam Hill, their fourth round pick in the 2018 draft, and infielder Felix Valerio. The deal, on its own, has merits since Broxton is an excellent defender in center field and has a 20/20 season under his belt already, with some viewing him as a potential replacement for Juan Lagares (and his $9 million salary). The Mets, however, are planning on platooning the pair, which makes little sense since they are virtually the same player. The moves the Mets made yesterday also make little sense. The Mets started the day by trading with the Houston Astros for 26 year old infielder J.D. Davis and minor leaguer Cody Bohanek from Houston in exchange for three more prospects: Luis Santana, Ross Adolph, and Scott Manea. Adolph, a 19 year old outfielder, was the Mets 12th round pick in 2018 and had a strong debut season in Brooklyn. Santana, who FanGraphs was preparing to rate as the Mets 10th best prospect prior to the trade being finalized, is a high upside middle infielder who spent last season hitting .348 with a .446 on base percentage in Low-A Kingsport. Manea, a catching prospect, has already drawn rave reviews from Astros GM Jeff Luhnow (tweet below courtesy of Astros beat reporter Chandler Rome). Thats right, the Astros GM is extremely complementary of the third player they got from the Mets in the deal, which is a good sign the Mets may have overpaid. The 26 year old Davis won the Pacific Coast League batting title last season, but he hit just .175 with a homer and five RBIs in 103 big league at bats for the Astros last season. Davis has upside and was blocked at multiple positions in Houston, but according to many scouting reports he profiles like Wilmer Flores with the ability to play the corner outfield spots. That is a steep price to pay, in terms of prospects, to land a younger and cheaper version of Flores. The Mets also dealt away catcher Kevin Plawecki yesterday for pitcher Walker Lockett and infielder Sam Haggerty, both of whom are now inside the organizations top 20 prospects according to FanGraphs. Lockett gives the Mets starting pitching depth at the upper levels of the minor leagues while Haggerty had a decent year at AA, but this return seems light for Plawecki. While Plawecki was not going to play for the Mets following the acquisition of Ramos, they dealt away a guy capable of starting in the league (it says more about the state of catching than Plaweckis ability) for two upper level minor leaguers with limited upside. The Mets gave away four low level minor leaguers with upside in exchange for Broxton, an infielder who could be a AAAA player, and another minor league infielder. Since Van Wagenen has taken over, the Mets have dealt away five of their top 30 prospects (according to MLB.coms rankings) and three of their top 12 draft picks from last season. The majority of those prospects have been at the low levels of the minor leagues, which makes sense since FanGraphs recent chart shows only eight of their top 25 prospects have played above A ball. The article also produced another alarming note, which was highlighted by MetsMerized Onlines Michael Mayer on Twitter. In essence, this means that the Mets arent committing enough resources to scouting, so thats why they seemingly never take back low minors players with upside in trades. The Mets dont know which players to find, so they instead insist on guys closer to the big leagues with a more limited upside. This fits the Van Wagenen model of trying to win right now since the majority of the prospects he have traded are at least 3 or 4 years away from contributing at the big league level. These players wont help the Mets win now, so getting valuable depth to help protect against injury is something. The risk Van Wagenen is running is that he is robbing Peter to pay Paul, punting several potentially valuable future trade chips (at minimum) in order to address his needs right now. Its fair to say that Van Wagenen may not value these prospects as much as Alderson did because he didnt sign them, but unless his team produces a quality draft and international free agent signings the Mets could be in deep trouble in a few years. This philosophy is made even more strange because the pieces Van Wagenen is acquiring at a high prospect cost are depth pieces that could be added via free agency. This goes back to ownership, which claimed at the start of the offseason that they wanted to win right now. Saying they want to win now is one thing, but the Mets havent acted like it by refusing to even meet with the two generational free agents on the market or increasing payroll beyond 2018 levels. The Cano trade was a cash neutral trade for 2019 and the Mets have paid $49 million in free agency for Familia and Ramos. The Mets still need several more bullpen pieces, a starter in the outfield (Lagares and Broxton isnt good enough), depth in the rotation, and someone who can play shortstop when Amed Rosario needs a day off. That is an awful lot of holes for a team that wants to win now, and instead of filling them with big league free agents Van Wagenen has been forced to trade prospects for cheap depth pieces. Its hard to fault Van Wagenen given how little wiggle room he has been given by the Wilpons, who clearly have refused to raise payroll much beyond their $155 million outlay from the start of 2018. Van Wagenen also has the anchors of almost $45 million in dead money on his 2019 payroll thanks to the deals for David Wright and Yoenis Cespedes, even though the Mets are collecting insurance on both contracts that has yet to be reinvested. When you have that little room to work with and are given a mandate to win now, this explains why valuable prospects are going out the door for fringe major leaguers. Van Wagenen is doing his best to make the most out of a bad situation, but the Wilpons refusal to simply spend top dollar to land premium players will continue to bite the franchise in the long run. | http://www.sportsmedia101.com/mlb/new-york-mets/2019/01/why-are-the-new-york-mets-dealing-away-so-many-prospects |
Is the key to happiness being married? | Middle-aged people seeking a meaningful life should consider marriage, friends and spending less time alone. Over-50s are more likely to judge life worth living if they are married and see their friends at least once a week, a study has found. Spending too much time on your own, or in front of the television, may make life feel less meaningful. This is important because people who see their lives as worthwhile are more likely to be top earners and less likely to be ill, depressed, obese or poor sleepers. Over-50s are more likely to judge life worth living if they are married and see their friends at least once a week, a study has found Researchers at University College London questioned more than 7,000 people aged 50 to 90 on how meaningful they felt their life was. Those who judged life most worthwhile were 16 per cent more likely to be married and 13 per cent less likely to live alone. They were 13 per cent more likely to see friends at least weekly, and much more likely to be a member of an organisation, from church to Neighbourhood Watch or a social club. The research found those whose lives held least meaning spent almost twice as much time alone during the day - more than six hours on average. They spent 50 minutes more a day watching television. Lead author Professor Andrew Steptoe, from the department of behavioural science and health, said: 'Social engagement is a very important component of living a meaningful life for many people. 'Being a member of an organisation may be meaningful in itself, but it can also provide social contact. Married couples are less likely to die of skin cancer because they spot warning signs earlier than singles, research found last April. A study of 50,000 American skin cancer patients found that, of those who were married, 45.7 percent had stage 1 tumors, which have a 98 percent survival rate. The chance of catching the disease so early dropped 32 percent for single patients, 38 percent for divorced, and a staggering 70 percent for widowed. The University of Pennsylvania researchers admitted they were stunned by the stark difference in diagnoses. They said the findings should help dermatologists tailor their advice to patients, suggesting screening at an earlier age for single patients and inviting partners into clinic appointments for home-screening training. 'Finding meaning when you are sitting on your own is quite tricky, since for most people this is linked to their relationships. 'We were struck by how important this feeling of meaning was, with people who saw their lives as meaningful being much more healthy as well as being socially engaged.' The study asked older people to rate how meaningful they felt their lives were on a scale of zero to 10. Asking a range of other questions about people's lives, they found those who rated their lives most meaningful, with a score of nine or 10, were 10 per cent most likely to be among the highest earners. These people were around a third less likely to be depressed, were less obese and were a fifth more likely to get good or very good sleep at night. They walked faster, ate better and were less likely to be disabled or suffer from chronic illnesses. Experts believe a sense of meaning can give people the motivation to live more healthily, with those who see life as most worthwhile also 11 per cent more likely to exercise. To get that sense of meaning, the results suggest it is important to spend time with other people. Those who rated their life's meaning between zero and two spent five hours and 18 minutes alone during the average day, compared to two hours and 46 minutes for people who saw their lives as more meaningful. People were more likely to see their life as worthwhile if they volunteered, did a cultural activity like visiting a museum or the theatre at least every few months. People whose lives were less meaningful spent four hours and two minutes watching television in an average day, compared to three hours and 17 minutes for those who saw life as less worthwhile. On the results, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Professor Steptoe said: 'There seems to be a virtuous circle, as having a good relationship with others improves people's sense of meaning, which can then lead to more social activities.' | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6565563/Is-key-happiness-married.html |
Would Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 70% tax proposal work in UK? | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the newly elected Democrat congresswoman, has floated the idea of US income tax rates as high as 70%. Although only an idea for now, her intervention raises questions over whether such a policy might work in another country with sharp economic divisions: the UK. Potentially applying to earnings above $10m a year, she argued that the wealthiest Americans needed to pay their fair share in taxes to help fund a Green New Deal for the US to combat climate change, while also tackling inequality. Britain was used to higher top rates of income tax as recently as the late 1970s, when the highest rate was set at 83% under the Labour government of Jim Callaghan, before the rise of neoliberal economic policy under Margaret Thatcher. The prevailing logic in UK government since has tended to be that lower headline rates of tax help to encourage individual enterprise; empowering wealth creators and jobs, and to attract the brightest and best to Britain, boosting economic growth. Thatcher oversaw reductions in the top tax rate to 60% and then to 40% by 1988, where it has remained until Gordon Brown introduced a 50% additional rate on earnings above 150,000 after the 2008 financial crisis. George Osborne, however, cut that additional rate to 45% in 2012, arguing that Brown had not managed to bring in any additional revenue because wealthy taxpayers altered their arrangements to avoid the tax. Debates have raged over the optimum levels for individual taxation in the UK ever since income tax was first introduced in 1799 in preparation for the Napoleonic wars. Governments in the 21st century have tended to worry that higher tax rates might cause the richest in society to change their behaviour to avoid taxes, losing them potential revenue, or to flee the country altogether. During the 1970s, the US economist Arthur Laffer argued that higher tax rates would only generate higher revenue up to a certain level, before revenue declined, a theory known as the Laffer curve. The idea was that the more money the government took, the less incentive there was to work. If the government took 100% of your income, there was no point in working. Higher income tax rates could result in wealthy individuals shifting their earnings into company shares, which attract a lower rate of taxation as capital gains, or into offshore vehicles. Globalisation has increased in recent decades, meaning that the super-rich can more easily relocate their tax affairs. Higher tax rates may also stand to reduce household spending, as the state takes money that individuals would otherwise spend, damaging the economy. On the flipside, however, the state may have more money to spend to boost the size of the economy, for example through more investment in education or infrastructure. Economists say for this reason, among others, the evidence is mixed that lower rates can boost revenue from taxes, or the size of the economy. Scandinavian economies such as Sweden have higher rates than the UK, without falling behind in the global economic league tables. Stuart Adam, a senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said: All the scare stories that everyone will leave the country are clearly nonsense. But saying there will be no response is clearly nonsense also. The question is where we are in between and its difficult to know. Rising levels of inequality since the 2008 financial crisis, as well as the ballooning government budget deficit, have, however, raised renewed questions over whether higher income tax rates could be used to redistribute wealth. There is a sixfold difference between the income of the top 20% of households and those of the bottom 20%. Meanwhile, wealth inequality is much worse, with 44% of the UKs wealth owned by only 10% of the population, five times the total wealth held by the poorest half. Today the UK has a basic rate income tax of 20% for earnings above 11,500; a higher rate of 40% on earnings more than 45,001, and the additional rate of 45% for income more than 150,000. As much as the actual rate of taxation, these thresholds matter. First, they mean that not all of a persons earnings are taxed at the same level: someone earning 200,000 a year, for example, would only hand over 45% to the government on 50,000. The rest would attract lower rates of taxation. There are about 31 million people in Britain paying individual income tax. About 26.3 million pay the basic rate, while 4.3 million pay the higher rate and only 393,000 pay the additional rate about 1% of all taxpayers. However, despite being in the minority, the top 50% paid 90.6% of total income tax (about 178bn) collected in 2015-16. The top 1% of taxpayers paid 28.8% of the total. Given the low numbers of high tax-payers involved, Ocasio-Cortezs suggestion of a 70% rate for those earning more than $10m (about 6.3m) would mean very few people outside of FTSE 100 chief executives and hedge fund bosses would pay such a rate. Sign up to the daily Business Today email or follow Guardian Business on Twitter at @BusinessDesk For this reason, many economists say that higher tax bands are more useful as signals of political virtue, rather than as revenue raisers. Wealth taxes levied on items such as property and inheritance money might instead be a better idea, according to Carys Roberts, a senior economist at the IPPR thinktank. Total household wealth has rapidly risen to almost 13tn, with the top 10% owning half of it, and is taxed at comparatively low rates. We need to have conversation on tax, about recapturing some of the huge gains that are being made at the top of society. The only point where I differ is in how best to do that, she said. | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/07/would-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-70-per-cent-tax-proposal-work-in-uk |
Is a new rival emerging for New England? | As the Steelers appear to be a dilapidated, down the pan team, headed for a fiery, violent crash, it is time to question wether they will be considered a rival of ours next year. Of course, the Patriots run should come to a close once their older veterans leave, like Brady, Gronk, Belichick. However, different from the Patriots, the Steelers main problem is keeping their younger stars happy. We all know about the Bell debacle that developed over a two year period. Now, the Steelers are considering exploring the trade market for Antonio Brown this offseason. Big Ben is not getting any younger and although he would still have Juju Smith-Schuster as a target, life without Brown for an older quarterback like Roethlisberger would be a painful and embarrassing season for him. Life without Antonio Brown, who holds a spot in every discussion of the best receiver in the league, would almost force Big Ben to hang up the cleats. The locker room in Pittsburgh is toxic and out of control, leadership is flawed, and teammates turn on each other faster than rats abandoning a sinking ship. Tomlin might have his moments as a good football mind but relying on him to control his teams behavior or even his own is a dangerous risk. Andrew Luck by Keith Allison on 16 September 2018 Out with the old, In with the new Meanwhile, watching Andrew Luck pitch to a receiving corps lacking any huge star is scary. TY Hilton is pretty good, but not a guy who scares the living daylights out of defensive coordinators. The Colts put together fantastic performances versus the Titans and Texans, both divisional opponents with good defenses. The Colts are the future. Their whopping projected 118 million dollar cap space in 2019 is scary for a team that is currently making a playoff run. The Colts may not win it all this year but they will be a daunting force to any team not prepared for them in 2019 and beyond. With their main needs being a running back, defensive linemen and defensive backs, there is no better year to grab one of each through either the draft and or free agency. Discussion and rumors already link LeVeon Bell to the Colts, which would make a huge difference to their already thriving offense. I will assure you, every running back on the free agent market is salivating at the sight of Indianapolis. A team with a boat load of money, a great offensive line, and an indoor stadium is running back paradise. If the Colts check off all the needs on their shopping list this offseason, that team would be a group no one would want to face. So, New England, forget Pittsburgh, they are as dead as a maggot in a freezer. The Colts, who we hated during the Manning years and after the whole Deflategate saga are the guys to hate again. Which is convenient because they already hate us back. A marque matchup of Brady vs Luck is something that Pats fans should be accustomed to over at least the next one or two seasons. Share this: Related View the original article on | http://www.sportsmedia101.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/2019/01/is-a-new-rival-emerging-for-new-england |
Why has Ukraine's Orthodox church split from Russia? | After centuries of close ties, Orthodox churches in Ukraine have cut links with Russia. The eastern Orthodox church has over 250 million members around the world, with its spiritual leader based in Istanbul. But for followers in Ukraine, there's a new found independence. Churches there have officially cut ties with the Russian branch of the church - accusing it of what they call 'pro-Moscow propaganda'. But the decision has angered Russian leaders, with Moscow warning of serious consequences for what it calls political maneuvering. Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Valentin Yakushik - professor of political science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Marat Shterin - professor of sociology of religion and department head of theology and religious studies at King's College London Alexander Bratersky - senior foreign policy writer at Gazeta.ru newspaper Source: Al Jazeera News | https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2019/01/ukraine-orthodox-church-split-russia-190107201448662.html |
Will Trumps Wall Be Invisible? Or Made of Clay? | On this weeks episode of Omnishambles, hosts Jackie Kucinich and Sam Stein welcome The Daily Beasts national-security and immigration reporter Betsy Woodruff and White House and Trumpworld correspondent Asawin Suebsaeng, the latter of whom Sam and Jackie failed to keep locked in a broom closet during podcast taping, eventually acquiescing to his pleas to get micd. On the issue of President Donald Trumps proposed big, beautiful, steel(?) wall, Betsy stopped by the show to discuss why the idiotic arguments on border security and immigration are not exclusively the domain of Team Trump and the right. Betsy also breaks down how the conversation of border barriers sounds behind the scenes and in the halls of places like the Department of Homeland Security, as opposed to how they sound splashed across cable news and @realDonaldTrumps frenetic Twitter. Sam asks the class if we may be headed for an endgame of a big, secret, invisible Trump wall. Swin ponders that liberals would still hate the racism wall if it were made of clay instead of steel or concrete. Subscribe and listen to Omnishambles for free on Apple Podcasts and Google Play. | https://www.thedailybeast.com/will-trumps-wall-be-invisible-or-made-of-clay?source=articles&via=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29 |
Is the so-called 'midlife crisis' a real thing? | Posted Middle age is often seen as life's pivot point. A hill has been climbed and the view over the other side is unsettling. As Victor Hugo said: "forty is the old age of youth" and "fifty the youth of old age". The idea adults in midlife face a dark night of the soul or desperately escape from it, hair plugs flapping in a convertible's breeze is deeply rooted. Studies show the great majority of people believe in the reality of the so-called "midlife crisis" and almost half of adults over 50 claim to have had one. There is good evidence a midlife decline in life satisfaction is real. Population surveys typically find both women and men report the lowest satisfaction in middle age. The Australian HILDA survey locates the lowest life satisfaction at age 45 and the Australian Bureau of Statistics singles out the 45-54 age bracket as the glummest. Middle age may be dislocating for some but there is little evidence it is usually a period of crisis and despondency. Psychologically speaking, things tend to get better. If there is a small dip in how people evaluate their lot even if it is objectively no worse than before this is understandable. Our attention shifts from time past to time left, and that requires a process of adjustment. Clearly there are many grounds for being unsatisfied with life during the middle years. There is good reason to be sceptical. For one thing, it's hard enough deciding when the midlife crisis should occur. Concepts of middle age are elastic and change as we get older. One study found younger adults believe middle age stretches from the early 30s to 50, whereas adults over 60 saw it as extending from the late 30s to the mid-50s. In one US study a third of people in their 70s defined themselves as middle-aged. This research accords with a finding middle-aged people tend to feel one decade younger than their birth certificate. One study suggests not. It indicates instead that self-reported crises simply become steadily more common as we age. Among study participants in their 20s, 44 per cent reported a crisis, compared to 49 per cent of those in their 30s, and 53 per cent of those in their 40s. In another study, the older the participants, the older they reported their midlife crisis to have occurred. People aged over 60 recalled theirs at 53 while those in their 40s dated theirs to 38. Arguably there is no distinct midlife crisis, just crises that occur during midlife but might equally have occurred before or after. What the theorists thought The psychoanalyst Elliot Jaques, who coined the term "midlife crisis" in 1965, thought it reflected the dawning recognition of one's mortality. "Death", he wrote, "instead of being a general conception, or an event experienced in terms of the loss of someone else, becomes a personal matter". The key achievement of middle age, according to Jaques, is to move beyond youthful idealism to what he called "contemplative pessimism" and "constructive resignation". He argued midlife was when we reach maturity by overcoming our denial of death and human destructiveness. Carl Jung presented a different view. He argued midlife was a time when previously suppressed aspects of the psyche might become integrated. Men could recover their unconscious feminine side or anima, previously submerged during their youth, and women come alive to their hidden opposite, the animus. Chimps hold a clue Less profound explanations have also been offered for midlife dissatisfaction. It's when children may be leaving the family home and when adults are generationally sandwiched, required to care for children and ageing parents. Chronic illnesses often make their first appearance and losses accelerate. Workplace demands may be peaking. But there may be something to it that's even more basic and biological. Chimpanzees and orangutans aren't known to suffer from existential dread, empty nest syndrome or job stress. And still, they show the same midlife dip in well-being as their human cousins. One study found chimps in their late 20s and orangutans in the mid 30s showed the lowest mood, the least pleasure in social activities, and the poorest capacity to achieve their goals. The researchers speculated this pattern might reflect age-related changes in brain structures associated with well-being that are similar between primate species. Midlife as a time of growth, not crisis Crisis episodes may not be tightly tied to adverse life events. Research often fails to show clear connections between adversities and self-proclaimed crises. One study found reporting a midlife crisis was not associated with recently experiencing divorce, job loss or death of a loved one, and was primarily linked to having a history of depression. The idea middle age is a time of psychological gloom is also belied by research evidence. The U-shaped life satisfaction curve notwithstanding, most change during midlife is positive. Consider personality change, for example. One longitudinal study that followed thousands of Americans from age 41 to 50 found they became less neurotic and self-conscious with age. These personality changes were unrelated to the adults' experience of life adversity: resilience, not crisis, was the norm. Another study that followed a sample of women from age 43 to 52 showed they tended to become less dependent and self-critical, and more confident, responsible and decisive, as they aged. These changes were unrelated to the women's menopausal status or empty nest experiences. Other research tells a similar story. In general, psychological changes during midlife are positive. Personality becomes more steady and self-accepting, while positive emotion, on average, gradually rises through the lifespan. Even the self-reported midlife crises may have a silver lining. One study showed the more crises people reported, the more empathetic they were towards others. It is perhaps unsurprising older adults choose middle adulthood as the phase of life they most prefer. The challenge is to come out the end of middle age with life satisfaction restored, as most do. Victor Hugo says it well again: "when grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable". Nick Haslam is Professor of Psychology at University of Melbourne. This piece first appeared in The Conversation. Topics: community-and-society, health, australia | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-08/is-the-midlife-crisis-a-real-thing/10688806 |
What is the truth behind Resistance's forced adoption storyline that really got people talking? | RTS NEW WAR of Independence drama Resistance began last night, prompting the usual online debate about the dramatisation of historical events. Creator Colin Teevan was expecting as much, telling TheJournal.ie that dealing with Twitter reaction is all part and parcel of making TV shows. Teevan is especially used to the reaction, having also been behind 1916 drama Rebellion from three years ago. Resistance is a direct follow-up to Rebellion, following several of the same characters from the Easter Rising to the War of Independence. When he spoke to us, Teevan said that some of the best stories he came across when researching for the show were not from gun battles or the high politics but from the little asides of history. It was one such subplot that got a lot of people talking on Twitter. In last nights Resistance, a character working in Dublin Castle called Ursula Sweeney was shown fighting to see her son who had been taken from her by nuns in a convent. We heard that Sweeneys son is to be adopted to a wealthy family in Boston against her wishes and that there is little she can do about it. In desperation, shes put in contact with the IRA and is told they may be able to get her son back if she starts feeding them information. Judging by the reaction online, the inclusion of a forced adoption storyline seemed to be divisive among those watching the show. Hi people giving out about why their showing fictional parts such as the women struggles etc in the show! The reason is cos the women of that time & their stories NEVER got propr told until now! I'm glad #RESISTANCE in including other storylines A.C (@lilmizzirish) January 6, 2019 Source: A.C /Twitter What some pointed out however is that this particular storyline is based on fact, even if the true life story is based in Cork and not Dublin. The case concerned is that of Josephine Marchment Brown and the retrieval of her eldest son from Wales by the IRA. Josephine subsequently married Florence ODonoghue, Corks top IRA spy who later became a historian. Their story is told in the book Florence and Josephine ODonoghues War of Independence and it details the influence for the forced adoption storyline we saw in Resistance. Josephine was the daughter of an RIC officer from Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick and her first husband was Coleridge Marchment, who died in the First World War. Florence and Josephine ODonoghue. Source: irishacademicpress.ie After his death, Josephine lost custody of her eldest son Reggie to her parents-in-law following a bitter custody battle. During this period, Josephine worked at the Victoria Barracks and was secretary to the head of the British Army in Munster and she was put in touch with the IRA by a local priest. It was agreed that she would pass on details of British troop movements to the IRA who then kidnapped her son from Wales and brought him back to Ireland. The operation was partly organised by Florence ODonoghue and was approved by Michael Collins. Even when her son was returned, he stayed with Josephines sister and she could only meet him in secret for the duration of the War. Her work became a vital source of information amid the intense fighting in the region and even more key when Munster was placed under martial law in 1920. Josephine married Florence in secret on 27 April 1921 and they lived out their lives in Loughlene, Douglas Road, Cork with their two sons and two daughters, and her two sons from her first marriage. The kept the story of Reggie secret for 40 years and Josephines work as a spy went largely untold until the 1950s. She never claimed a military pension she was entitled to. | https://www.thejournal.ie:443/rte-resistance-josephine-4426816-Jan2019/ |
Will Project Ara snap into place at MWC 2015? | New rumours suggest that Google's unique modular smartphone, Project Ara, will be coming to Barcelona in March for Mobile World Congress 2015. Around 50 of its modular components are also expected to be displayed, though it's rumoured that not all of them will be in working condition. The main Project Ara handset should be a complete working version, however. Project Ara's modules will allow owners to easily swap out and upgrade various parts of their phone, such as the camera, RAM and graphics capabilities, and although we don't know how much the modules will sell for, Toshiba's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Shardul Kazi has indicated that the company's modules will range in price from $50 (around 32, AU$65} to $500 (325, AU$650). Module support Toshiba has recently announced that it will be partnering with Einfochips to produce chips for Project Ara handsets, and it has already designed two different versions of the phone, the Spiral One and the Spiral Two. The Spiral Three is also expected to be announced, so we may see some Toshiba-branded modules along with Project Ara at MWC 2015. Here's a working Project Ara prototype in action Via PhoneArena | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/will-project-ara-snap-into-place-at-mwc-2015-1284601 |
Can the D.C. Council put the public interest first? | A stack of sports betting slips are displayed at the SugarHouse Casino, where gamblers can now place bets in Philadelphia on Dec. 13, 2018. (Matt Rourke/AP) The D.C. Council can demonstrate at Tuesdays legislative meeting that it puts the public interest first. The council should refuse to approve emergency legislation to immediately implement sports betting in the city by allowing the DC Lottery to ignore procurement rules and award a sole-source contract to Intralot, which operates the DC Lotterys gaming system. Competitive contract bidding rules exist to ensure that the District obtains the services it seeks at the most reasonable and economical prices. Before giving the DC Lottery a green light, the council must decide whether changing the bidding process to favor Intralot serves the citys interest. Lawmakers must also decide whether Intralot is, in fact, the only source capable of implementing the councils recently approved sports betting legislation. The council shouldnt be stampeding into abandoning common sense. Yet, that is what sponsors of the emergency legislation, the DC Lottery and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, would have city lawmakers do. DC Lottery Executive Director Beth Bresnahan in a Jan. 3 letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) argued that a sports bidding contract is needed right away because the costs of delay are significant. Bidding the contract competitively would take up to three years, she contended, costing the city over $60 million in lost sports betting revenue. In addition, Bresnahan cited a study (paid for by the DC Lottery) that claimed the imposing competitive bidding upon the DC Lottery would allow Virginia and Maryland to offer sports betting before the District, thus raking in revenue that may never be recovered by the city. The council shouldnt fall for the DC Lotterys apocalyptic scenario. A few days given to thoughtful consideration are not a few days wasted. Previous council-approved sports betting legislation opted against a competitive and open sports betting market in favor of giving exclusivity to the DC Lottery and its gambling provider, Intralot. The DC Lottery and Intralot, after all, are virtually arm in arm in the gaming business. Under the D.C. Charter, the D.C. attorney general is responsible for charge and conduct of all the citys law business, and for upholding the public interest. A case can be made that the Districts chief legal officer, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine, should be present at the table to ensure there is an arm's-length relationship, and that the interests of District citizens are promoted. Giving the DC Lottery a monopoly over legal sports betting in the District may be a done deal, but the DC Lotterys push to hand over this massive contract without bidding should be resisted. District citizens come first. Read more: The Posts view: The D.C. Council should take care as it considers legislation on legalized sports betting Guy Bentley: D.C. should place a high wager on sports betting | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/07/can-dc-council-put-public-interest-first/ |
Who wants to broadcast Trumps border crisis speech? | A section of reinforced fencing along the U.S-Mexico border in San Diego County, Calif., on Sunday. (Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images) Media critic The president tweeted on Monday afternoon: I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019 And the Erik Wemple Blog is displeased to inform you that the president has been Addressing the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border for nearly four years. It began with his slandering of Mexicans as rapists during his campaign kickoff speech in June 2015, continued through his rhetoric on the need for a border wall, and intensified with these remarks in 2018: "We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in were stopping a lot of them. You wouldnt believe how bad these people are. These arent people, these are animals, and were taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate thats never happened before. It didnt stop there. On Nov. 1, just days before the midterm elections, President Trump staged a late-afternoon scare-address about immigration. And last week, he hoodwinked a pair of cable-news networks by promising a briefing on the shutdown, only to deliver a rally complete with Border Patrol officials. The importance of the wall was duly affirmed. Those are the questions that the networks are surely trying to answer before committing themselves to forking over their air time to Trump. The networks would ask: What news are we going to make?" recalled a press aide in the Barack Obama White House. Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs reported that the networks' decision had already been reached: Screenshot However, the Erik Wemple Blog hasnt received confirmation from any network that theyll accede to the White House request. An informed source, for example, told this blog that the matter is now being discussed at NBC. A source at CBS said the network is considering the request; and we are awaiting word on the deliberations at Fox [Broadcasting] and ABC. Back in 2014, the networks turned down an airtime request from the Obama White House for an address on . . . immigration. There was a feeling among networks' executives that the speech was too political. Consistency, accordingly, would appear to require the same response to Trump. As weve written before in this space, the president has nothing new to say on the topic of immigration; he offers only new and equally mendacious ways of saying the same thing. He says those false things in rapid succession, too, meaning the networks have little hope of feasibly correcting the record. Nothing coming from this White House is reliable including initiatives enunciated by Trump himself. Dating back to his presidential campaign, Trump has been trained by aides to speak about the dangers of immigration at every turn. As the New York Times reported, the whole subject of the wall was a mnemonic device of sorts, a way to make sure their candidate who hated reading from a script but loved boasting about himself and his talents as a builder would remember to talk about getting tough on immigration, which was to be a signature issue in his nascent campaign. It worked: Trump has exhausted himself on immigration. And if he really does make news during this address, let him do so either on cable news or on a livestream somewhere. The networks will have time to wind back the tape and update their viewers. They can then organize panel discussions and tally the lies. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/07/who-wants-broadcast-trumps-border-crisis-speech/ |
What is the point of Sarah Sanders? | White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders talks to reporters about the government shutdown outside the White House on Friday in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) Opinions editor The amount of spotlight on the White House press secretary is often inversely proportional to the fortunes of his or her administration. When asked to handle dozens of questions on different issues with verbal dexterity, even the most capable can stumble and stammer at times. All thats expected is to not create new mistakes that could have been easily avoided. So it really says something that current press secretary Sarah Sanders cant even reach that low bar. On Fox News Sunday, Sanders tried to defend the presidents obsession with a border wall by arguing it would keep out terrorists. We know that roughly, nearly 4,000 known or suspected terrorists come into our country illegally," she told host Chris Wallace, "and we know that our most vulnerable point of entry is at our southern border. Youll notice there that Sanders didnt say those terrorists were coming through the southern border; she just put the two clauses next to each other and hoped viewers would connect the two. But Wallace was having none of it: Wait, wait, wait I know the statistic, he replied, I didnt know you were going to use it. But I studied up on this. Airports. Flummoxed, Sanders could only stammer, Not always." Wallace then administered the final blow: The State Department says there hasnt been any terrorists that theyve found coming across the southern border with Mexico. Unable to contest the administrations own data, Sanders was reduced to repeating the just-discredited talking point. That wasnt Sanderss only rough patch Sunday morning. She said, The presidents not fighting for the wall, then within 20 seconds said, He wants the wall. She claimed were not holding anybody hostage by refusing to sign bills funding departments unrelated to homeland security, before admitting that President Trump wants to keep those agencies' funding on the table to stop kicking the can down the road" and force a confrontation on the wall. And she had no answer on whether Trump could declare a national emergency to build a border wall. (She would only say that whatever action he takes will certainly be lawful" hardly a ringing endorsement.) That said, those stumbles are less about Sanderss competence and more about the fact that her bosss shutdown strategy has boxed in his staff and his party. They have to pretend that the shutdown isnt Trumps fault even when he admits it is. But the 4,000 terrorists screw-up is entirely of Sanderss own making. Since those numbers have been debunked for months, other Trump administration members have been slippery enough to stick to vague warnings about the risk that we have terrorists come across that border." But Sanders whos supposed to be a professional at this just blundered right into being easily embarrassed on national television. Wallace and the Fox News Sunday team deserve credit for prepping for Sanders and calling her out. Read more: Erik Wemple: Sarah Sanders on her legacy wish: Transparent and honest Erik Wemple: No one is perfect: Heres how Sarah Huckabee Sanders excuses Trumps conduct Jennifer Rubin: Sarah Sanders has a knack for lying Erik Wemple: MSNBC declines to allow Sarah Sanders to dictate its programming Molly Roberts: Sarah Sanderss diabolically clever attack on Jim Acosta Emily Miller: In defense of Sarah Sanders | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/07/what-is-point-sarah-sanders/ |
Why do sharks dive? | A juvenile tiger shark. Tiger sharks at Ningaloo Reef are thought to search the seafloor for prey as they dive down and scan for silhouettes as they swim up to the surface. That's what UWA student Sammy Andrzejaczek is hoping to find out for her Ph.D. research. Sammy captured 24 tiger sharks at Ningaloo Reef and attached tracking devices to them for up to 48 hours. Best described as Fitbits for sharks, the devices recorded activity rates and other data 20 times a second. "I can even look at each individual tail beat," Sammy says. "It helps us understand why they move the way they do, how environmental change might impact their movements and how removal of prey species from the water column may affect their movement." Caught On Camera The tags also contained video cameras, so Sammy could see the habitats the sharks moved through and the animals they encountered. She watched how the sharks reacted to prey and how the prey reacted to the sharks. Sammy and her colleagues tagged tiger sharks to find out why they dive. Credit: SAMMY ANDRZEJACZEK Spoiler alert: Tiger sharks can be pretty lazySammy says something as simple as a turtle noticing a shark and turning away could cause the shark not to bother hunting the turtle down. "It's all the interactions that are happening on a daily basis that we don't actually usually see," Sammy says. "Because if you put a human in the water, it's not a natural system any more." "We get the daily life of a tiger shark without having to distract it from its normal routine." Spam And Nails Sammy says tiger sharks feed on just about everything. "Stomach content analysis has found their normal prey items, such as turtles and rays and fish," she says. "But they've also found some really interesting things, such as licence plates, cans of spam and nails." "So they've got a very broad diet." Tiger sharks may search for food as they move up and down through the water column, Sammy says. See what tiger sharks do when they dive. Credit: SAMMY ANDRZEJACZEK "On the way down, they're scanning the seabed for prey," she says. "And then on the way, up they're searching for silhouettes of prey at the surface." Ningaloo's top predators Sammy says studying top predators like sharks can help us understand the ecosystem as a whole. How tiger sharks move through Ningaloo Reef and feed can help us figure out how they might be impacting the animals beneath them in the food chain, she says. But hours of watching tiger sharks hunt hasn't put Sammy off the animals at all. She says her time tagging sharks at Ningaloo was the best month of her Ph.D., if not her life. "At first, I was a bit apprehensive about it getting that close to some very big animals," Sammy says. "But they were very chilled once you had them restrained alongside the boat." "They'd just sit there, you'd attach the tag, you'd take the line off and they'd just swim off really calmly, it was pretty amazing to see. They're just absolutely beautiful animals." Explore further: Fifty years of decline in Queensland's coastal sharks | https://phys.org/news/2019-01-sharks.html |
How do carrier proteins transport ADP and ATP in and out of mitochondria? | The mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier protein in the mitochondrial inner membrane, which carries out the vital task of transporting ADP into mitochondria and ATP out. Credit: MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit Scientists at the MRC-MBU in Cambridge, U.K., have discovered how a key transport protein, called the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier, transports adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the chemical fuel of the cell. This process is vital to keep us alive, every second of our lives, for all of our lives. This work will help us understand how mutations can affect the function of these proteins, resulting in a range of neuromuscular, metabolic and developmental diseases. Cellular structures, called mitochondria, are the powerhouses of our cells. Every day, we humans need our own body weight in ATP to fuel all of the cellular activities. Nerve impulses, muscle contraction, DNA replication and protein synthesis are just some examples of essential processes that depend upon a supply of ATP. Since we only have a small amount of ATP in our body, we need to remake it from the spent product ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and phosphate using an enzyme complex, called ATP synthase, which is located in mitochondria. In this way, every molecule of ATP is recycled roughly 1300 times a day. For ADP to reach the enzyme, and for the product ATP to refuel the cell, each molecule has to cross an impermeable lipid membrane that surrounds the mitochondria. The mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier is involved in the transport of ADP in and ATP out of mitochondria. The carrier cycles between two states; in one state, the central binding site is accessible for binding of ADP, called the cytoplasmic-open state, and in another, the binding site is accessible for binding newly synthesized ATP, called the matrix-open state. A key question has been how the protein is able to convert between these two states, changing its shape to transport ADP and ATP specifically, without letting other small molecules or ions leak across the membrane. The paper, "The molecular mechanism of transport by the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier," published in Cell, describes how scientists have solved the structure of the carrier trapped in the matrix-open state. The carrier was trapped in this state by using a compound called bongkrekic acid, a lethal toxin that binds to the protein and stops it from working. The researchers could also rely on Nanobody technology. Nanobodies are fragments of llama antibodies, which bind specifically to the matrix-open state, and the structure of carrier-nanobody complex with bound bongkrekic acid was determined by X-ray crystallography. Together with earlier structures of the cytoplasmic-open state, this discovery reveals how the carrier works at the atomic scale. The carrier is incredibly dynamic, using six moving elements to transport ADP or ATP across the membrane in a unique and carefully orchestrated way. The ADP/ATP carrier is just one member of a large family of related transport proteins that bring different compounds in and out of mitochondria, and based on this discovery, the scientists believe that this mechanism is likely to work in a similar way for the whole family. There are many diseases associated with dysfunction of these carriers and for the first time we understand how mutations affect their molecular function. Explore further: Helping to transport proteins inside the cell More information: Jonathan J. Ruprecht et al. The Molecular Mechanism of Transport by the Mitochondrial ADP/ATP Carrier, Cell (2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.025 | https://phys.org/news/2019-01-carrier-proteins-adp-atp-mitochondria.html |
Who's No. 1 in The Press boys basketball Elite 11? | Thank you for Reading. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. A subscription is required to continue reading. Thank you for reading PressofAtlanticCity.com. If you are a current subscriber you are granted an all-access pass to the website and digital newspaper replica. Please click Sign Up or Login to activate your digital access. If not, please click Sign Up to subscribe and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information, or you can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 10 free articles. Thank you for reading PressofAtlanticCity.com. Please click Get Started. If you are a current subscriber you are granted an all-access pass to the website and digital newspaper replica. If not, we ask that you purchase a subscription and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information, or you can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 10 free articles. | https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/who-s-no-in-the-press-boys-basketball-elite/article_9a421368-12be-11e9-b53a-1b1f86ef3ad1.html |
Who's on the ballot this spring in Lake Country? | Buy Photo The spring election is shaping up, as candidates had until Jan. 2 to file for candidacy. Municipal and school board positions will be on the ballot. (Photo: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Buy Photo The spring election season is gearing up, with the deadline to file for candidacy Jan. 2. No primaries are needed in Lake Country. The general election will be April 2. There will be several races for the top elected position in a variety of municipalities, including the town of Ashippun, town of Ixonia, town of Ottawa, village of North Prairie and village of Pewaukee. Several incumbents are not seeking re-election, including Ashippun Town Chairman Steven Panozzo and Delafield Town Chairman Larry Krause. Here's a list of whose names you will see on the April ballot: Town of Ashippun Chairman (two-year term) James H. Meyer, W2833 Roosevelt Road Chris Enders, W2372 Schure Drive Incumbent Steven Panozzo is not seeking re-election. Supervisor No. 2 (two-year term) William S. Bremer, W1056 Harding Road (inc.) Tom Wasemiller, N667 Westview Drive Supervisor No. 4 (two-year term) David J. Adkins, N826 Highway 67 David Guckenberger, W1456 Highway O Incumbent James Meyer has not filed for re-election. Town of Delafield Chairman (two-year term) Roy Troy, N30 W28853 W. Lakeside Dr., Pewaukee (current supervisor) Incumbent Larry Krause is not seeking re-election. Supervisor positions (two seats, two-year terms) Edward Kranick, N34W29637 North ShoreDrive (inc.) Billy Cooley, N5W31946 Whitetail Run, Delafield Town of Genesee Chairman (two-year term) Sharon Leair P.O. Box 183 Genesee Depot (inc.) Treasurer Carol McCormick (inc.) Supervisor (two seats, two-year terms) Jeff Schmittinger S47 W33699 Fox Hollow Dousman (inc.) James Morris S26 W33080 Morris Road (inc.) Town of Ixonia Chairman (two-year term) Perry T. Goetsch, W808 Rockvale Road (inc.) Matt Taylor, N8202 Pritchard Farm Road Supervisor (two at-large seats, two-year terms) Peter Mark, W1786 Rockvale Road (inc.) Jeff Taylor, N8915 Branch Road (inc.) Janet McConaughey, N8144 LaSalle Circle Town of Lisbon Chairman Joseph Osterman,N51 W24181 Lisbon Road (inc.) Supervisor No. 4 Rebecca Plotecher,N79 W25605 Plainview Road (inc.) Supervisor No. 2 Marc Moonen, W227 N8023 Tamarack Road (inc) Town of Merton Chairman (two-year term) Tim Klink, W334 N6834 Stone Bank Road (inc.) Supervisor (two seats, two-year terms) Richard Morris, W339 N9280 Townline Road (inc.) Don Herrick, N70 W31091 Club Circle West (inc.) Town of Oconomowoc Chairman (two-year term) Robert Hultquist, N52 W35495 W. Lake Drive (inc.) Supervisor No. 2 (two-year term) John Roelandts, N73 W36398 South Shore Drive (inc.) Supervisor No. 4 (two-year term) Terry Largent, W359 N5707 Surrey Drive (inc.) Town of Ottawa Chairman (two-year term) Cheryl D. Rupp W346S2996 Holland Court (inc.) Michael Purnell W349S3090 Waterville Road Supervisor (two seats, two-year terms) Ben Wiedenman, S28W38295 RW Igl Lane, (inc.) Jim Smukowski S31W34964 Holland Lane Keith Alexander S28W38320 RW Igl Lane Village of Chenequa President (two-year term) Jo Anne F Villavicencio 5587 N. Highway 83 (inc.) Trustee (three seats, two-year term) John Syburg 6577 N. Highway 83, (inc.) Michael O. Pranke 32179 W Oakland Road (inc.) C. David Meyers 6378 N Brumder Drive (inc.) Judy Hansen 32377 W Oakland Road Village of Dousman President (two-year term) Jack Nissen, 1811 W. Ottawa Ave. (inc.) Trustee (two seats, two-year terms) Rita Plisis Hawk, 198 S. Main St. (inc.) Kathy Bleecker-Piirto, 233 E. Ottawa Ave. Linda Dierbeck, 198 Ridgeway Drive Incumbent Harold Dessart is not seeking re-election. Village of Hartland President (two-year term) Jeffrey Pfannerstill, 1140 E. Capitol Drive (inc.) Trustee (three seats, two-year terms) Ann Wallschlager, 1148 Mary Hill Circle (inc.) Randy Swenson, 709 Canterbury Circle (inc.) Rick A. Conner, 1260 Four Winds Way Robyn Ludtke, 222 W. Park Avenue Village of Lac La Belle A caucus is set for Jan. 16. Village president and two trustee seats are up for election. Village of Merton Caucus on Jan. 21 President and two trustee seats up for election Village of Nashotah President (two-year term) Rich Lartz, N44 W32776 Watertown Plank Road (inc.) Trustee (two seats, two-year terms) Jackee Gardne, N47 W32811 Oakwood Ave. (inc.) Theresa Urbanchek, N33 W33319 Maplewood Road (inc.) Village of North Prairie President (two-year term) Gary Nickerson, 220 S. Oakridge Drive (inc.) Amber Pellegrino, 179 Crooked Stick Path (currently a trustee) Trustee (three seats, two-year terms) Frank Rewasiewicz, 303 N. Main St. (inc.) David Stellpflug, 603 Karin Drive (inc.) Shawn Budiac, 216 Cypress Point Matt Budiac, 222 Cypress Point Deborah Hall, 404 Karin Drive Incumbent Dan Jump is not seeking re-election. Village of Oconomowoc Lake President (two-year term) Michael Bickler, 35941 N. Beach Road Incumbent Joseph Birbaum is not seeking re-election as village president, but is seeking a trustee seat. Trustee (three seats, four-year terms) Joseph Birbaum, 4750 Hewitts Point Road Paul Fischer, 36108 South Beach Road, (inc.) David Zimmermann, 35831 Hewitts Point Road (inc.) Incumbent Michael Bickler is not seeking re-election as a trustee, but is seeking the village president seat. Village of Pewaukee President (two-year term) Jeffrey Knutson, 759 Glacier Road (inc.) Tara Sonneberg, 388 Park Ave. Trustee (three seats, two-year terms): Jay Baumann, 228 Third St. Edmund J Hill, 303 Sunset Drive (inc.) Tony Hopkins, 551 Kettle Woods Court Bob Rohde, 766 Glacier Road (inc.) Municipal judge (one seat, four-year term) Melissa B. Murray, 1065 Oak Circle (inc.) Village of Summit President (two-year term) Jack Riley, 35701 Whitaker Lane (inc.) Trustee (two seats, two-year terms) Sandy Casterline, 3215 N. DeKoven Drive (inc.) Kraig Arenz Sr., 1960 N. Golden Lake Road (inc.) Village of Wales Caucus on Jan. 7 President and three trustees up for election City of Delafield The City Clerks Office declined to provide home addresses for candidates. Aldermanic District No. 1 (two-year term) Doug Saloga Incumbent Jeff Krickhahn has not filed for re-election. Aldermanic District No. 3 (two-year term) Jackie Valde (inc.) Aldermanic District No. 5 (two-year term) Matt Grimmer (inc.) Aldermanic District No. 6 (one-year term) Kevin Maples (inc.) Aldermanic District No. 7 (two-year term) Tim Aicher (inc.) City of Oconomowoc Aldermanic District No. 1 (two-year term) Karen Spiegelberg, 559 Greenland Ave. (inc.) Aldermanic District No. 2 (two-year term) Lou Kowieski, 131 N. Locust St. (inc) Aldermanic District No. 3 (two-year term) Andy Rogers, 820 Byron Drive Incumbent Michael Miller has not filed for re-election. Aldermanic District No. 4 Kevin Ellis, 925 Autumn Ridge Drive (inc.) City of Pewaukee Mayor (two-year term) Steve Bierce (inc.) Aldermanic District 1 (one seat, two-year term) Ray Grosch, N29 W26628 Peterson Drive (inc.) Aldermanic District 2 (one seat, two-year term) Colleen Brown, N9 W27808 Woodridge Lane (inc.) Aldermanic District 3 (one seat, two-year term) Brian Dziwulski N24 W22637 Meadowood Lane (inc.) Municipal judge (one seat) John Fuchs (inc.) Paul Petterson Arrowhead School District Four seats Hartland-Lakeside seat (three-year term) Donna Beringer, N45 W28912 E. Capitol Drive, Hartland (inc.) Lake Country seat (two-year term) Darrell Beneker, N43 W33450 Glen View Court, Nashotah (inc.) North Lake seat (three-year term) Susan M. Schultz, N66 W30860 Red Fox Run, Hartland (inc.) Braden M. Pusch, W316 N8545 Sunset Way, Hartland Richmond seat (three-year term) Kent W. Rice, N47 W27010 Greenhill Drive, Pewaukee (inc.) Cindy Milgram, N48 W25291 Aberdeen Drive, Pewaukee Hartland-Lakeside Schools Three seats; two three-year terms, one one-year term Shannon Foley, W289 N4137 Farm Valley Court, Pewaukee (inc.) Ken Patterson, 108 Trails Edge Court, Hartland (inc.) Todd Nelson, W291 N3381 Summerhill Road, Pewaukee (inc.) Kettle Moraine Schools Two seats, three-year terms David Deaven, N2 W31952 Twin Oaks Drive, Delafield (inc.) David J. Zeier, N19 W29051 Golf Ridge N., Pewaukee (inc.) Lake Country School Three seats; two three-year terms and one one-year term Elizabeth Gould, 4006 Hickory Knoll Road, Hartland (inc.) Monique Henry, 2804 Burries Road, Hartland (inc.) Darrell Beneker, N43 W33450 Glen View Court, Nashotah (inc.) Merton Schools One seat, three-year term Katie Welnetz, W283 N6211 Hibritten Way (inc.) Andy Olson, W278 N6928 Leslie Lane North Lake School Two seats, three-year terms Marty Iverson, N73 W30491 Polo Court S. (inc.) John Marchek, W295 N8437 Camp Whitcomb Road (inc.) Oconomowoc Area Schools Two seats, three-year terms Kim Herro, N5391 Golden Lake Park Road (inc.) Scott Roehl, N7995 Green Tree Lane (inc.) Pewaukee Schools Three seats; two three-year terms and one two-year term John Blask, 1324 Hillwood Blvd. (inc.) Ann Wright, N33 W23855 Fieldside Road (inc.) Steve Dankert, 438 Majeskie Drive (inc.) Larry Taylor, N24 W26750 Accent Court Richmond School Three seats; two three-year terms and one two-year term Brian ODonnell, N51 W26895 Carlene Drive, Pewaukee (inc.) Michael Reagan, N60 W27161 Trappers Run, Sussex Adam Wozniak, N61 W26327 Bracklyn Drive, Sussex Incumbents Cindy Milgram and Victor Frangopoulos are not seeking re-election. Stone Bank School Three seats, two three-year terms and one one-year term Kurt A. Prange, W324 N5911 Road M, Nashotah (inc.) Cara Glatkowski, W328 N6363 Robin Lane, Nashotah (inc.) Jennifer Anderson Warwick, N84 W33137 Becker Lane Daniel Arnold, N67 W32397 Wildwood Point Road Swallow School Two seats; three-year terms Darin Clark, 1130 Four Winds Way, Hartland (inc.) John Huggett, 1201 Mary Hill Circle, Hartland Gregory Zimmerman, 1207 Mary Hill Circle, Hartland Incumbent Aaron Dentz is not seeking re-election. Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/2019/01/07/municipal-school-candidates-spring-2019-election-lake-country/2500057002/ | https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/2019/01/07/municipal-school-candidates-spring-2019-election-lake-country/2500057002/ |
Will DOJ side with defendants who want Supreme Court to kill M&A class actions? | (Reuters) - On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Emulex v. Varjabedian, which revived a shareholder class action challenging the companys disclosures in connection with its 2015 acquisition by Avago Technologies, a Broadcom subsidiary. On its face, as my Reuters colleague Lawrence Hurley reported, the case presents the narrow question of whether shareholders suing over allegedly deficient tender offer disclosures must allege fraud, as most federal circuits have concluded, or just negligence, as the 9th Circuit held in its Emulex ruling. Emulexs lawyer, Gregory Garre of Latham & Watkins, hinted in his petition for certiorari that theres no such right in Section 14 of the Securities and Exchange Act, which regulates disclosures in proxy materials and tender offers. George Conway of Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz elaborated on that theme in a bold amicus brief for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that explicitly called on the Supreme Court to shut down shareholder class actions claiming tender offer disclosure violations. Listen to the On the Case podcast. That makes the Emulex case much more consequential than it would be if this were merely a fight over pleading standards. As you know, shareholder class actions challenging M&A deals have become a booming industry in federal court, after Delaware Chancery Court made it clear in late 2015 that its judges would no longer approve fees for M&A class action settlements that delivered only additional proxy disclosures to shareholders. Delawares crackdown pushed plaintiffs lawyers to federal court, where, in the last two years, theyve filed hundreds of securities class actions in the wake of merger announcements. Most of those cases end up being voluntarily dismissed in exchange for additional disclosures and a mootness fee for plaintiffs lawyers without meaningful litigation. In effect, defendants pay a fee to shareholder lawyers to police their disclosures in federal court. With Emulex now on the Supreme Courts docket, its going to be really, really interesting to see what the Trump administration has to say about shareholders right to bring these Section 14 class actions, known derisively as deal tax litigation. The Securities and Exchange Commission, as Ill explain, has a long history of backing private shareholder litigation to enforce securities laws, arguing time and again that private class actions bolster government enforcement. But backing an implied right of action in a statute that does not mention private shareholder suits would cut against the philosophy of the Trump Justice Department, especially when the business lobby contends that plaintiffs lawyers are abusing that private right of action. Typically, the SEC strongly influences the governments position in securities cases at the Supreme Court, even though the solicitor general represents the executive branch. In a case like Emulex, according to a lawyer familiar with the process, the SEC commissioners will typically vote on the agencys view of the issues after hearing from career lawyers. That formal vote is passed along to the solicitor general, who also hears from both sides before deciding what (if anything) the Justice Department will say in an amicus brief in the case. It would be quite unusual for the Justice Department to take a position contrary to the recommendation of the SEC commissioners, although we wont necessarily know about it because the SEC vote and the SGs deliberations are private. The SEC, as I mentioned, traditionally backs shareholders in securities class action disputes at the Supreme Court. In 2014s Halliburton v. Erica P. John Foundation, for instance, the Justice Department urged the justices to reaffirm the precedent that makes it possible for shareholders to sue as a class over fraudulent corporate representations. And lest you protest that Halliburton was litigated during a Democratic presidential administration, consider that the Justice Department previously sided with shareholders in the case that set the crucial precedent under scrutiny in Halliburton, 1988s Basic v. Levinson. That case was litigated when Ronald Reagan was president. In fact, the only example I found of the Justice Department backing a securities class action defendant in a major case at the Supreme Court was a 2004 amicus brief in Dura Pharmaceuticals v. Broudo, when the George W. Bush administration asked the justices to tighten the definition of loss causation. Interestingly, the government has previously take a stance on the private right of action under Section 14. Back in 1976, when the SEC used to file its own amicus briefs at the Supreme Court instead of being represented by the solicitor generals office, the SEC opined in Piper v. Chris-Craft Industries that Congress intended to give private parties a right to sue over misleading tender offer disclosures when lawmakers passed 1968 changes to the Securities and Exchange Act. Those changes, passed in response to a wave of abusive tender solicitations, anticipated enforcement by both the SEC and private parties, according to the SEC. Rarely is the commission in a position to take court action before it is not already too late to unscramble the eggs, the amicus brief said. On the other hand, the contestants who have a significant economic stake in the manner in which the contest is conducted also have the greatest incentive to detect violations and vigorously pursue remedies, all in furtherance of the purposes of the act. (The Supreme Court ended up siding against the plaintiff in the Christ-Craft case, finding that a spurned tender offerer does not have a right to sue under Section 14 but leaving open the question of whether shareholders can sue.) Of course, 1976 was a long time ago, and the Supreme Court, as the U.S. Chambers brief in the Emulex case argues, has become increasingly reluctant to discern an implied private right of action in statutes that dont specifically address suits by private plaintiffs. Conway told me he wouldnt be surprised if tension between the SECs history of backing securities plaintiffs and the solicitor generals reluctance to endorse an implied right of action leads the government to skip filing any amicus brief at all in the Emulex litigation. Id be surprised if the Justice Department sits on the sidelines of a major securities case. But DOJ didnt respond to my email query. Emulex counsel Garre declined to comment on DOJs potential involvement and shareholder counsel Daniel Geyser didnt get back to me. So well just have wait and see what, if anything, DOJ has to say. | https://www.reuters.com/article/otc-scotus-classaction-frankel/will-doj-side-with-defendants-who-want-supreme-court-to-kill-ma-class-actions-idUSKCN1P120N |
What's the history behind the Twelfth Night Revelers? | This week's kickoff to the Carnival season on Twelfth Night (Jan. 6) also marked the 150th anniversary of one of New Orleans' oldest Carnival krewes: the Twelfth Night Revelers (TNR). Morgus the Magnificent made his debut 60 years ago New Orleans' own mad scientist aired on TV six decades ago TNR is the second-oldest Carnival organization behind the Mistick Krewe of Comus. TNR staged its first parade and ball on Jan. 6, 1870. The group continued to present a street parade until 1876, when it became a ball-only krewe. Twenty-five years ago this week, New Orleanians watched in disbelief as a seven-alarm fire destroyed a local landmark the Fair Grounds Race According to "Mardi Gras Guide" publisher Arthur Hardy, TNR introduced many important Carnival customs, including presenting debutantes as the queen and maids in its royal court. TNR also introduced political satire with its 1873 parade, titled "The World of Audubon." Most meaningful of all, the Twelfth Night Revelers helped introduce and popularize the New Orleans custom of throws when a float rider dressed as Santa Claus in its 1871 parade tossed trinkets to the crowd. TNR members, who call their leader the Lord of Misrule, costume as masked chefs at the ball. A large cake (resembling a wedding cake more than a king cake) is wheeled onto the floor. Members of the royal court are invited to enjoy a "slice," and the young woman who selects the piece containing a gold bean is named queen. | https://www.theadvocate.com/gambit/new_orleans/news/blake_pontchartrain/article_83007734-0adb-11e9-9906-d3f32d7434cc.html |
Why is there a Melvil Dewey Drive in Metairie? | Hey Blake, While driving through Metairie recently, I noticed there is no 13th Street among the numbered streets between Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Causeway Boulevard. Instead, what would be 13th Street is called Melvil Dewey Drive. Dear reader, If you don't know the name Melvil Dewey, you've no doubt heard of his Dewey Decimal Classification system, which is still used by libraries around the world. Born Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey in 1851 in Adams Center, New York, he changed the spelling of his first name to Melvil as a young man. According to the Library of Congress, that was in part because of his keen interest in simplified spelling, which also led him to drop his middle name and for a short time even spell his last name as Dui. He invented the Dewey Decimal System for classifying books when he was 21 and worked as a library assistant at Amherst College. His reputation as the "father of modern librarianship" led Jefferson Parish leaders to honor him by renaming 13th Street in Metairie for him in 1967. A parish council resolution sponsored by Councilman Anton Pilney suggested the change. It was prompted by the October 1967 opening of a new headquarters for the Jefferson Parish public library system, located near Causeway Boulevard and 13th Street. The hospital for women and children operated from 1905 to 1979, when it went bankrupt. According to a Nov. 19, 1967 Times-Picayune article, Pilney's resolution was designed "to recognize Melvil Dewey on the occasion of the recently completed 30,000-square-foot library headquarters located on North Causeway Boulevard, which will greatly improve the library service afforded the residents of Jefferson Parish. The two fit neatly together, which is the way Dewey liked things to be." The library headquarters, later called the Lobby Library branch, remained open until 1997, when the library system moved its headquarters to the much larger East Bank Regional Library on West Napoleon Avenue. The former Lobby Library building now is an office for the Jefferson Parish Department of Juvenile Services. | https://www.theadvocate.com/gambit/new_orleans/news/blake_pontchartrain/article_904e7edc-0ada-11e9-b064-e773c9bf6596.html |
When Will The Wendy Williams Show Return? Is The Wendy Williams Show Canceled? | Wendy Williams fans were majorly disappointed today after their beloved Wendy Williams Show didn't air as it was originally planned. The show was expected to come back on Monday, January 7, but had to be postponed after Wendy suffered from a shoulder injury. Wendy Williams will be returning with all-new episodes of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, January 14, 2019, an Instagram post was captioned on Saturday, January 5. After fracturing her shoulder, Wendy is on the mend and wants to return pain-free and be 200%, delivering the best show that millions of viewers tune-in to watch. After a two-week long hiatus, the host was excited to be back on-air, reminding fans to be ready for a new year of great episodes. 3 DAYS until Im back! New year means new shows, she previously shared on Instagram. Make sure you tune-in on Monday. On December 20, Wendy revealed she had a hairline fracture, which led her to take pain medication and power through for her fans. But despite her good intentions, she wasnt able to give her best and needed a break. I promise you a better Wendy in 2019, she wrote. I will get some much needed rest and healing over these next couple of weeks. Wendy is known for being outspoken about her health issues, primarily with Graves disease an autoimmune disease incorrectly targeting the thyroid. The host has previously taken time off to address these issues and continue on with her hit show. Here's hoping we see the queen of tea back on air stronger than ever. | https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a25781264/when-will-wendy-williams-show-return-2019/ |
Will SC teachers walk out of school in 2019 over pay issue? | A growing number of S.C. teachers warn they will walk off the job unless legislators raise their pay and pass reforms removing burdens in the classroom in the General Assembly session that starts Tuesday. But another bloc of teachers worries the threat of a walkout could torpedo efforts to pass K-12 reforms at the State House. In my two decades in the classroom, there has never been a legislative session where, going into it, teachers are as engaged as they are now, said River Bluff High School teacher Mike Burgess. (But) it would be premature to immediately go straight to a walk out. However, a once-small group of teachers rapidly emerging as a power is threatening a walkout and finding support. Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. In a conference call last week, representatives of SCforED spoke with teachers who have gone on strike elsewhere, said Lisa Ellis, founder of the teachers group. For example, West Virginia teachers walked out last year for almost two weeks and, afterward, were given a 5 percent raise. The grassroots group also recently took to Twitter, sharing news articles, photos and videos about teacher strikes in Los Angeles. Via Twitter and through its a closed Facebook group with 19,000-plus members, SCforED also has asked teachers to wear red to the Governors Mansion Wednesday, hours after Gov. Henry McMaster takes the oath of office for a four-year term. The group also has proclaimed Jan. 29 as Lobby Day, calling on teachers to leave work and lobby legislators. SCforED is calling for 20 percent raises for teachers, far more than the 5 percent the group previously supported. A 5 percent raise also has been endorsed by the state Education Department and two other teachers groups the Palmetto State Teachers Association and S.C. Education Association. We recognize were not policymakers, SCforEDs Ellis said. Were not people who know the ins and outs (of the Legislature). Were teachers. But, we are of the mindset that ... whats worked in the past is not working, so we need to do something that catches peoples attention. Education reform is set to be the top priority for the states 170 legislators in this years session. Powerful House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington, is drafting a K-12 reform plan that will address school funding and policy. Meanwhile, Republican McMaster is planning to make education a focus of his State of the State address and executive budget, both this month. At the State House, lawmakers and some education advocates have advised teachers to let the legislative process play itself out before walking out. I understand the frustration from teachers, said Kathy Maness, a former teacher who now is the head of the Palmetto State Teachers group. But, before theres a walk out, teachers need to make sure they make those personal contacts. Make calls. Write letters. Invite House and Senate members to their classroom. (The first contact) should not be on the State House steps or the lobby of the General Assembly. The state Education Department says it wants teachers involved in the reform efforts. Obviously, we want teachers in the classroom teaching the students, said Education Department spokesman Ryan Brown. They want that as well. Rather than act in a defiant way, wed like teachers to act in an advocacy role, along with us. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, agrees. What Ive found up here (in Columbia) is that threats and taking that type of adversarial approach do not lead to the results that you want to get in the end, he said. We need as many well-intentioned people at the table to address them. But at least one lawmaker said she would support teachers walking out, even standing with them on the State House steps. Weve got to take off the rose-colored glasses and be real here, said state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg. I dont see us doing anything without force being applied. | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/south-carolina/article223819175.html |
Why Is Bohemian Rhapsody The Award-Season Movie People Love to Hate? | Sunday nights Golden Globe wins for the Queen/Freddie Mercury bio-pic Bohemian Rhapsody didnt happen until very late in the telecast. The movie only had two nominations, so it was pretty much out of sight, out of mind until the final two awards of the night, which were Best Actor in a Drama won by Rami Malek for his performance as Mercury and Best Picture, Drama. The reaction online was swift and decisive. And PISSED. Suddenly, a Golden Globes that had been full of good vibes and wins for the likes of Sandra Oh, Regina King, and Ben Whishaw (not to mention Jeff Bridgess exuberantly semi-comprehensible acceptance of the Cecil B. DeMille award) was plunged into deepest darkness. The Best Picture wins for Bohemian Rhapsody and also Green Book, the feel-good story about a white driver who learns to appreciate and befriend a world-class black pianist, were a pox on an evening where films like A Star Is Born, BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, The Favourite, and If Beale Street Could Talk were either shut out or relegated to other awards. The loud and enthusiastic response within the Beverly Hilton ballroom to the two Bohemian Rhapsody wins had no kind of reflection on film Twitter, where even the sweetest and most unassuming werent safe like Eighth Grade star, and Globe nominee, Elsie Fisher, who was inundated with clap-backs after she tweeted her congratulations to Malek and his film. On some level this happens every year. Critical faves get slapped down when the votes go to less discerning/more populist award voters, which is another way of saying that different people have different taste, and since Twitter is an engine for turning everyday disappointment into towering grievance, post-award show time is an angry time just as a rule. But with Bohemian Rhapsody, its a different flavor. People are legitimately mad at the film for what they see as very legitimate reasons, and right now, theyre running head-first into the brick wall of realization that the rest of the moviegoing country appears to have LOVED this movie. Sitting at #13 on the year for domestic box office for 2018, the film is poised to top $200 million. Its Cinemascore, which is meant to judge audience satisfaction after they see the film, is a pristine A. And while critics may not hate Bohemian Rhapsody as much as they hated, say, Gotti, its still far more disliked than most awards contenders ever get to be. For as much as people like to stoke a critics-versus-regular people narrative, generally speaking, even the most populist award-winners are loved by critics. The Kings Speech (which beat The Social Network) was 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. 95%. Both 91%. Even Crash, the bane of many Oscar-watchers existence, holds a 74% fresh rating. Bohemian Rhapsody sits at 62% on RT, which still counts as fresh, but which would rank it as the worst-reviewed Best Picture nominee since Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. With the exception of that movie, no other Best Picture nominee scores that low until you go back to Chocolat in 2000. But 62% fresh doesnt explain the pitched tenor of the anger out there towards Bohemian Rhapsody. To explain that, you have to look in a few directions. Biopic Fatigue Has Become Biopic Frustration This is the mildest of the reasons, but I do think its at the root of one of the other ones. Biopics tend to flatten out the lives of their subjects and funnel them through a verrrry familiar formula in order to turn the messy and complicated lives of real people into the familiar arcs of a story that audiences can love. Bohemian Rhapsody is a huge offender in this area, and as a result, the life of Freddie Mercury is presented as a familiar arc of talent, beset by demons, nearly destroyed by excess, and ultimately redeemed by that same talent plus the love of his friends, lovers, family, and especially bandmates. Critics and I realize im speaking in very broad generalizations here, ironically enough cant stand biopics for this. Theyre formulaic and safe and dont allow the audience to sit with any kind of messy resolutions. Audiences (again, generalizing here) love these stories because of their familiarity. Queen is a band they love, and seeing their story rendered in a way that makes sense based on the decades of other movies exactly like this adds up to a feel-good movie, even though its about a musician who ended up dying of AIDS. Bohemian Rhapsody ends in a way that allows Freddie Mercurys music to triumph, and thats why the people who love it, love it. Accusations of Homophobia That flattening and formula that allows Freddies music to triumph, however, also allows Freddies bisexuality to for a good chunk of this movie stand in for the kind of excess that plays the villain in movies like these. Which makes it very easy to fit Bohemian Rhapsody for the black hat of homophobia. It doesnt help that the shortcuts and factual inaccuracies that beset all biopics here come across like queer erasure. In a movie that already casts rampant gay sex as the path to destruction (and ultimately death), its hard to ask for the benefit of the doubt when the movie, say, switches up the order of when Freddie told his bandmates he had AIDS. By hewing so closely to the biopic formula, Bohemian Rhapsody leaves itself open to every possible critique from gay audiences/critics, from demonizing sexuality to making a movie about a queer icon in a way that is clearly intended for a straight audience. Which is doubly ironic considering it comes from a gay filmmaker. Which leads us to the big one The Bryan Singer Factor This is the biggest source of anger, yet the one that must be most vaguely articulated. Since long before the Kevin Spacey accusations emerged, there has been persistent talk about a giant #MeToo bombshell waiting to drop on Bryan Singer, who was accused in a 2014 civil lawsuit of drugging and raping a minor; though the lawsuit was later withdrawn. In December of 2017, in the wake of the Kevin Spacey news, Singer was accused of the 2003 rape of a 17-year-old boy on a yacht in Washington state. If the Spacey revelation was met with a chorus of unsurprised voices whod all heard the whispers and rumors about his bad behavior for years, that may well go double for Singer. Singers behavior on the set of Bohemian Rhapsody was more a matter of public record, in that Singer was fired as director mid-way through production after reportedly not showing up to set and clashing with star Rami Malek and replaced with Dexter Fletcher. Neither Singer nor Fletcher were thanked in the Best Picture acceptance speech by producer Graham King, though Singer took the moment to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press on Instagram. All of which is to say that the enmity out there for Bohemian Rhapsody is a snowball that is both about and not about the specific quality of the film itself. It takes a movie that many critics think is bad and bad in ways that feel particularly insidious towards the life and queer legacy of Freddie Mercury and ties it to a filmmaker who, given the myriad accusations against him now and whatever may emerge in the future, absolutely no one is looking to see get honored. The Oscar nominations are announced January 22. The 91st Academy Awards arent until February 24. Which means that whatever is yet to come out about Bryan Singer, however we end up litigating the problems with the queer aspects of the film, the Golden Globe victories last night have pretty well ensured that were going to be talking about Bohemian Rhapsody right through until Oscar night. Dont stop yourselves now. | https://decider.com/2019/01/07/why-is-bohemian-rhapsody-the-award-season-movie-people-love-to-hate/ |
What's next for four teams eliminated in NFL playoffs' wild-card round? | CLOSE SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes gives us one key for every wild card winner if they want to advance even further in the playoffs. USA TODAY Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) drops back to pass before the game Los Angeles Chargers in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports) Four more teams met their end in the NFLs wild-card round of the playoffs this weekend. Now, the Ravens, Texans, Seahawks and Bears all head for the offseason. All four reached the postseason this year after failing to do so last season, and each franchise has a chance to build on their now completed campaigns. But they must learn from the mistakes that cost them a chance to advance to the divisional round. Here are some of the most important lessons each defeat provided these four squads this weekend. Ravens John Harbaugh did the right, albeit unpopular, thing in sticking with Lamar Jackson despite the offense's struggles for three quarters in a 23-17 loss to the Chargers. The Ravens' line played so poorly (surrendering seven sacks and paving the way for only 90 rushing yards) that although Joe Flacco may be a more adept passer than Jackson at this point, he wouldn't have had any more time to operate. The rookie had earned the right to remain in the game after sparking the Ravens midseason turnaround and getting this team into the playoffs. He must learn to protect the ball better after fumbling three times, but one of the biggest lessons is for Baltimores coaches. The Chargers were intent on neutralizing Jackson and the run after losing to Baltimore two weeks earlier. Gus Bradley got more speed on the field by replacing his linebackers with defensive backs, and the tactic worked. Meanwhile, Baltimores coaches didnt appear to come into that game with a different plan from the first meeting, and it took far too long for them to adapt. Not until the fourth quarter did they utilize a jumbo package to take advantage of Los Angeles' smaller lineup and also offer more pass protection. And the Ravens didnt start attacking downfield until well into the second half. After just 17 passing yards in the first half, Jackson notched 177 yards and two touchdown passes in the final two quarters. In his seven regular-season games as a starter, Jackson obviously displayed great running ability, but he made enough impressive throws to indicate that he was capable of more under offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Now in Year 2, its on his coaches to further develop him and better equip him to succeed while Ravens brass upgrades the rest of the offense. Bears A fantastic defense and a year of significant growth from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky paved the way for an NFC North title and playoff appearance in Matt Nagys first season. But it all came to a crushing end with a blocked field goal by Cody Parkey. The immediate reaction from many is that the Bears need to upgrade at kicker. Parkey struggled this season, making just 76.7 percent of his field goals (ranking 28th in the NFL). But the Bears shouldnt have let it come down to that. Their offense must capitalize more consistently. Two takeaways resulted in just three points, and only one of Chicago's three red-zone three trips yielded a touchdown. Texans Deshaun Watson shined in his return from the torn ACL that cut his rookie season short. But the Texans success came to a screeching halt in a lopsided defeat to the AFC South rival Colts. Its clear that Houston needs to do more to support Watson. He was sacked three times (and a league-high 62 times this season). Houstons need for offensive line upgrades was evident as Indianapolis harassed Watson throughout the game and sacked him three times. Additional offensive weapons and a bolstering of the secondary also are needed. The Texans cant make the mistake of counting on Watsons superb abilities to mask their deficiencies. Seahawks Pete Carroll and Brian Schottenheimer might not admit it publicly, and the coach described any criticism of his offensive coordinator as garbage, but both men should have remorse about the lack of flexibility they displayed in Seattles 24-22 loss to Dallas. Its fine that the Seahawks' identity is centered on their ability to run the football. But a team has to be able to adjust. The Cowboys defense limited Seattle to just 73 rushing yards and one touchdown on 24 attempts. The Seahawks consistently faced third-and-long situations, managing just a 2-for-13 conversion rate and just 11 total first downs. It took too long for the coaches to figure out that they needed to attack the Cowboys through the air. Had they done so sooner, that would have forced Dallas to back off some and then paved the way for more success on the ground. Wilson certainly is capable of capitalizing on downfield strikes, so his coaches erred in this area. In addition to expanding the playbook this offseason, the Seahawks should make it a priority to give Wilson some more weapons. Follow Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones. | https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/mike-jones/2019/01/07/nfl-playoffs-ravens-bears-texans-seahawks/2506615002/ |
Will Caterpillar Raise Its Dividend in 2019? | 2018 was a tough year for heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT). Despite strong economic conditions in its home market, Caterpillar struggled from a combination of weaker economies abroad and the negative impact of trade tensions between the U.S. and key trading partners, especially China. The result was a nearly 20% decline in the machinery giant's share price for the year. Yet dividend investors still have a lot to like about Caterpillar. With a solid dividend yield and a streak of dividend growth that hit the 25-year mark during 2018, many investors see Caterpillar as a great way to get healthy amounts of income that are likely to increase over the long run. Below, we'll take a closer look at Caterpillar to see whether investors should prepare for tougher times. Dividend stats on Caterpillar Current Quarterly Dividend Per Share $0.86 Current Yield 2.7% Number of Consecutive Years With Dividend Increases 25 years Payout Ratio 55% Last Increase July 2018 Data source: Yahoo! Finance. Last increase refers to ex-dividend date. A catch-up year for Caterpillar's dividend Caterpillar's yield got a nice bounce over the past year, rising from roughly 2.3% this time last year to about 2.7% today. That came about as a result of two things: the drop in Caterpillar's share price, and the annual boost it made to its dividend payment around midyear. For most shareholders, Caterpillar's woes throughout the year were depressing. After such a long economic expansion in the U.S., many investors focused on the potential for a reversal in Caterpillar's economic fortunes as a reason to get rid of the stock. Long-term investors in the equipment company understand that in a cyclical business, even what seems to be a rock-bottom valuation can be misleading, especially if earnings are artificially inflated during good times and then see significant drops when tougher times emerge. A row of Caterpillar engines in a factory environment attached to piping. More Image source: Caterpillar. Yet the good news for income investors was that Caterpillar returned to a more typical level of dividend growth during the past year. After enduring its last cyclical downturn in the mid-2010s, the heavy-equipment maker responded by limiting its dividend hikes to the greatest extent possible while still technically maintaining its streak of annual dividend increases. That included just a $0.01-per-share boost in 2017. But in 2018, Caterpillar gave shareholders a hike of more than 10%, resulting in the current $0.86-per-share quarterly payout. | https://news.yahoo.com/caterpillar-raise-dividend-2019-220300516.html |
Are We In A Secular Bull Market? | Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com, Just recently, Jeff Saut from Raymond James made a very interesting statement with respect to the recent market decline. Speaking to last weeks Dow Theory sell signal, we really cannot decide to ignore it, as we did with two previous false sell signals, or honor it because we continue to believe this is a secular bull market. It is an interesting point and one that has been prognosticated by several Wall Street analysts and bloggers in recent months like Josh Brown who recently penned: If Ari is correct, then we are currently enduring a cyclical bear market but the secular bull market that began in 2013 with fresh S&P 500 record highs is still intact. Here is the problem with the analysis. Secular markets, bull or bear, are not defined by price movements. For example, if the market is down 20%, the technical definition of a bear market, then any rallies and subsequent declines that set new lows, are not defined as a secular bear market. It is just a bear market where prices are trending lower rather than higher. What defines secular, or very long-term, markets are valuations. The chart below shows the history of secular bull market periods going back to 1871 using data from Dr. Robert Shiller. One thing you will notice is that secular bull markets tend to begin with valuations around 10x earnings and end at 23-25x earnings or greater. (Over the long-term valuations do matter.) But, here is the other problem I have with both Josh and Jeffs thesis of a price based breakout defining a new secular bull market. The chart below compares the last secular bear market that ran from 1963 to 1982 as compared the current cycle. Notice the chart for this previous period stops in 1973. I will show you the rest of this period in a moment. Also, importantly, note the level of valuations. What is important, besides the very similar pattern between the two periods, is the breakout in 1969 did not start a new secular bull market. Rather, it was a setup for the next major decline. Okay, but the breakout in 1972 was surely the beginning of the new secular bull market right? Not so fast. The second breakout in 1972, like the previous, was the setup for the final market dive that reset valuation levels back to historic secular bear market lows. That crash also created the necessary extreme negative in investor psychology. The 1974 bear market low was also known as a black bear market as investors were so brutally ravaged they did not return to the markets in earnest until nearly two decades later. As noted above, it is not just price action that denotes secular bull and bear market periods. It is valuations. What drives long-term secular bull markets is valuation expansion. In order to have the magnitude of valuation expansion needed to support a secular bull market, you must both start at under-valued levels and have the economic factors and investor enthusiasm to support a return to over-valued levels. The ability to have a 1982-2000 affair is highly improbable. The 1982-2000 secular bull market cycle was driven primarily by a multiple expansion process which began with valuation levels of 5-7x earnings and a dividend yield of 5%. Interest rates and inflation were at extremely high levels and were at the beginning of a 40-year decline which would increase profitability as production and borrowing costs fell. The first chart shows the secular bear market of the 60s and 70s with an overlay of valuations, dividends, interest rates and inflation. You will notice that at the beginning of the bear market in the 60s valuations were high while everything else was low. By the end of the secular period, these factors were reversed. Now, lets juxtapose that previous period with the much beloved, and hoped for, secular bull market of the 1980s and 90s. There were several contributing factors that drove that particular secular bull market: Inflation and interest rates were high and falling which boosted corporate profitability and reduced discounting factors making the value future earnings higher. The extreme negative sentiment of the late 70s was finally undone by the early 90s. (At the turn of the century roughly 80% of all individual investors in the market began investing after 1990. 80% of that total started after 1995 due to the investing innovations created by the Internet. The majority of these were boomers.) Large foreign net inflows to chase the tech boom drove prices to extreme levels. The mirage of consumer wealth, driven by declining inflation and interest rates and easy access to credit, inflated consumption, corporate profits, and economic growth. Corporate profits were boosted by the deregulation of industries, wage suppression, outsourcing, and productivity increases. Pension funding requirements and accounting standards were eased which increased corporate profits. Stock-based executive compensation was grossly expanded which led to more accounting gimmickry to sustain stock price levels. The dual panel chart below shows the economic fundamentals versus the S&P 500 and the change that occurred beginning in 1983. (Red dividing line) We can simplify this by overlaying debt versus the underlying economic variables. Currently, there is simply an inability to create the kind of debt-driven consumption growth seen during the 80-90s. Despite much hope that the current breakout of the markets is the beginning of a new secular bull market the economic and fundamental variables suggest otherwise. Valuations remain at very elevated levels which are the opposite of what has been seen previously. Interest rates, inflation, wages, and savings rates are all at historically low levels which are normally seen at the end of secular bull market periods, not the beginning of one. The table below shows the difference between 1980 and today. Lastly, the consumer, the main driver of the economy, will not be able to again become a significantly larger chunk of the economy. With savings low, income growth weak and debt back at record levels, the fundamental capacity to re-leverage to similar extremes is no longer available. Lets also not forget the singular most important fact. The breakout of the markets in 2013 was not one based on organic economic fundamentals but rather through massive monetary interventions by Central Banks globally. The previous secular bull markets in our history we ones which were derived from extreme undervaluations, washed out financial markets, and extreme negative sentiment. Such is clearly not the case today. While stock prices can certainly be lofted higher by further monetary tinkering, the larger problem remains the inability for the economic variables to replay the tape of the 80s and 90s. At some point, the markets and the economy will have to process a reset to rebalance the financial equation. However, it is precisely that reversion which will create the set up necessary to start the next great secular bull market. Unfortunately, as was seen at the bottom of the market in 1974, there will be few individual investors left to enjoy the beginning of that ride. | https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-07/are-we-secular-bull-market?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29 |
Do New Jersey voters favor drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants? | CLOSE Supporters of a measure to give undocumented immigrants access to New Jersey driver's licenses march through Newark on Monday. Chris Monroe, Special to NorthJersey.com Protesters at December 2018 rally at State House, demanding driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants (Photo: Charles Stile) New Jersey voters, registered Democrats and Republicans alike, support extending access to state drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, according to a new survey conducted by an organization lobbying for the change. The results of the poll, commissioned by the Lets Drive NJ Campaign and released Monday, found that 54 percent of 561 voters surveyed support legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to be issued drivers licenses, while 29 percent opposed it and 17 percent said they were unsure. The survey did not disclose a margin of error for the poll. Even though both Democrats and Republicans supported the measure, registered Republicans were more divided on the issue, with 48 of those surveyed stating they were in favor and 38 opposed. We are here to say that New Jersey cannot hold off any longer on moving this forward," Johanna Calle, director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, one of the organizations coordinating the Lets Drive Campaign, said during a conference call announcing the poll results. "Expanding access to drivers licenses as we all know is a priority for immigrant communities but also for the public safety of everyone. More: Renewed pressure on Murphy to give undocumented immigrants access to NJ driver's licenses More: Here's what new NJ driver's license bill looks like More: Mayors convene in support of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants State lawmakers introduced a bill in November to create two types of licenses: one compliant with the federal Real ID Act that would let users board domestic flights, and one strictly for driving that would be issued to immigrants without legal status, certain senior citizens and others who lack documentation. If the bill were to be adopted, it could benefit up to 460,000 undocumented immigrants living in New Jersey, said Erika Nava, a policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective, a left-leaning think tank. Carlos Castaneda, an immigrants rights activist from Elizabeth, ends hunger strike at State House rally for driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. (Photo: Charles Stile) Supporters of the bill, though, face challenges. Besides dealing with opponents in the Legislature who have said the measure prioritizes immigrants without legal status above everyone else, they also have this year's elections to consider. In November, all 80 seats in the Assembly will be on the ballot, and some political observers have said they expect Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, who is leading the Assembly Democratic campaign, to stay clear of proposals like the driver's license bill that could make his members targets of political attack ads. On Monday, a staffer at the office of Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, one of the sponsors of the driver's license bill, referred questions about the proposal to Kevin McArdle, a spokesman for Coughlin. In a statement, McArdle said Quijano was still finalizing her legislation. "It's a complicated and technical bill and it's critical to get it done correctly rather than quickly,'' he said in an emailed statement. "The speaker is awaiting a finished product for a thorough review before deciding on a course of action and a time frame for moving the bill." Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has said he supports giving access to licenses to immigrants without legal status, and Calle noted that Stephen Sweeney, the Democratic president of the state Senate, also has expressed support. If the Legislature approves such a bill and Murphy signs it, New Jersey would join 12 states, and the District of Columbia, that have extended driving privileges to immigrants living in the country illegally. Read or Share this story: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2019/01/07/do-nj-new-jersey-voters-favor-drivers-licenses-undocumented-immigrants/2502390002/ | https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2019/01/07/do-nj-new-jersey-voters-favor-drivers-licenses-undocumented-immigrants/2502390002/ |
Can the iPad Pro save Apple's slumping tablets? | Apple's latest financial results are pretty much what everybody expected: while Google goes around trying to organise all the world's information, Apple is busily hoovering up all the world's money. Apple is now sitting on $207.5 billion in cash, fuelled partly by Chinese growth that region accounts for 24% of Apple revenues and largely dependent on the iPhone, which shifted 48 million units. Next quarter will make that number look like small potatoes, as this quarter ended just days after the launch of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Macs are doing great numbers too, with a record-breaking 5.7 million Macs sold during the quarter. It's not all good news, though. Apple isn't discussing Watch sales, which suggests they're still relatively small: the 'Other Products' category, of which the Apple Watch is part, grew by $1.15 billion compared to the previous year; that in turn was up $400m over the year before. But Other Products isn't just the Watch. It also includes the Apple TV, Beats, iPods and accessories. Apple may be happy with Watch sales so far, but it isn't happy enough to tell us what the numbers are. The most interesting numbers are the iPad ones, though. Shipments were 9.9 million during the quarter, a drop of 19.5% over the previous year. It's still a big business more than $4 billion per quarter but that's the first time iPad shipments have dropped below 10 million since 2011. It's also the first time that iPad sales generated less money than Mac sales. The short answers are "maybe", and "probably not". iPad Pro won't fix iPad woe The iPad numbers will improve it's a more seasonal product than other Apple kit, so for example iPad Minis are big sellers as gifts in a way that, say, Mac Pros aren't but seasonal variations aside, the trend is still downwards. iPad sales are dropping for a whole host of reasons. It no longer has the market to itself in a world of Samsung Tabs and Kindle Fires. It's being squeezed by ever more capable smartphones and phablets at one end and by ever more portable laptops at the other. It's a device we replace much less often than we do smartphones, partly because each new generation isn't hugely different from the one it replaces. And it isn't generally subsidised by phone companies to make it seem cheaper than it actually is. Probably not: it's an expensive product aimed at a niche market, and if people can't be convinced to drop 399 on a new iPad Air 2 then the bigger iPad's heftier price tag will be an even tougher sell. Pros will love it and it should do interesting numbers in enterprises, but for most consumer iPad users it's overkill. Normal iPad sales may not continue to plummet, but they're unlikely to start soaring either. And Apple's totally fine with that. The big iPad picture There are two interesting trends to look at. The first is the proportion of first time buyers - that is, people who've never bought a tablet before. Apple says that in the west, 40% of iPad buyers are new to tablets. In China the numbers are even bigger: 70%. That ties in nicely with the second trend, which is what Tim Cook calls "cannibalisation of the iPad". According to Cook, that cannibalisation is being done by the iPhone and the Mac, not by rival devices. People are coming on board with the iPad, but once on board they're buying iPhones or MacBooks. This is being spun as terrible news for Apple, but of course it isn't. Apple would much rather sell you a iPhone 6S Plus 64GB or a MacBook than a iPad Air 2 or an Pad mini 2 - both of which cost a chunk less. And if you don't buy anything at all, there's always iTunes media, Apple Music, iCloud storage plans and endless Lightning cable replacements to flog you. As long as you're sticking within Apple's warm embrace, Apple is quite delighted. Apple would only be unhappy if iPads weren't selling because people were switching to Windows or Android, and there's no evidence that that's happening in any significant way. Maybe the problem is that people have got the iPad all wrong. It's not the same kind of product as an iPhone; it's closer to a PC or laptop in terms of its size, its price and its abilities. It's filled and will continue to fill a niche, but for many people the smartphone has become so good that they don't need anything else. Whether it's Facebook user numbers - mobile-only users are 44% now, a figure that's doubled in two years - or US smartphone ownership - up from 35% in 2011 to 64% now, with 19% of owners using their phone as their primary internet device - the trends are all pointing in the same direction: smartphones are winning. It's not that tablets are bad. It's that smartphone just keeps getting better. | https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/mobile-computing/tablets/can-the-ipad-pro-save-apple-s-slumping-tablets-1307646 |
What's next for the Old Town School of Folk Music? | Imagine a company where product sales have declined for seven consecutive years. Where key employees feel so poorly treated that they decide to form a union. And where customers are so upset that they rallied 10,000 people to sign an online petition calling for a change in the companys leadership. Thats one way to describe whats been happening at the Old Town School of Folk Music, a nonprofit cultural institution where thousands of Chicagoans have gathered to learn, play and celebrate music since 1957. The key employees are the schools more than 200 teachers, who will vote this month on whether to unionize through the Illinois Federation of Teachers. The customers are students, whose change.org petition was launched Oct. 23, the day after the school announced it would sell one of main locations a building in Lincoln Park it has owned for 50 years, and which served as its headquarters until 1998 when the school added its Lincoln Square location. (Im the student who, after 18 years of music classes, posted that petition.) Of course, the Old Town School of Folk Music whose executive director, Bau Graves, announced his retirement Thursday is not a company. As a nonprofit organization, founded by teachers and students, it exists to fulfill a social and community mission. While it offers concerts and brings music into schools and neighborhoods around the city, its core reason for being is to teach music especially, to teach people to sing and play with others in a group setting. By teaching music, often to people who thought they didnt have musical talent or skill, the Old Town School builds a remarkable sense of community. And the school has evolved far beyond 1950s-style folk music you can learn an amazing array of instruments, play musical genres ranging from classic rock to Afrobeat, or practice Middle Eastern belly dance, Argentinian tango or the way they dance in Bollywood movies. The proposed sale of the schools building at 909 W. Armitage Ave. shocked students, teachers, staff and donors. It also sparked the creation of Save Old Town School, a student-led group that has been digging deep into the publicly available data (annual financial statements and annual IRS filings) to understand whats gone wrong at the Old Town School. What we found was quite disturbing. Wed seen the school increase prices for group classes by 25 to 30 percent over several years, and for individual lessons by more than 40 percent. We also had heard that enrollment was declining. But until recently, we didnt realize how bad things had gotten. Now, though, weve dug into the data. Student enrollment (group classes and private lessons) peaked in 2011 and has been heading downhill since then starting just after the school went into debt (since repaid) to open an additional Lincoln Square building so it could expand class offerings. Group class enrollment declined 28 percent from 2011 to 2017. Private lesson enrollment was down almost 7 percent. We believe turning enrollment around must be the schools top priority. Student tuition provides more than half of the Old Town Schools revenue and enables the school to pay our wonderful musician-teachers. But weve seen little evidence that the school knows how to market its programs effectively. The schools administrators also have made decisions that we believe have helped cause the enrollment decline. Aside from raising prices, they eliminated the schools monthly First Friday open house in Lincoln Square, which was a great way of introducing new people to the school. They oversaw website redesigns that made it harder to navigate and sign up for classes. They stopped producing printed class catalogs that people wandering into a school building could pick up, get excited about and take with them. What they didnt do was develop a coherent marketing strategy, especially via digital channels. Meanwhile, the schools board of directors was rewarding its top administrators with substantial pay raises. Total compensation for Graves, the schools executive director, jumped 63 percent from 2008 to 2017 to more than $270,000. In the same time period, the number of administrators making more than $100,000 a year rose from one (the executive director) to four. Members of Save Old Town School have asked why the board would reward the schools top administrators with substantial raises when enrollment was falling. What we learned is that administrators had been telling the board that nothing could be done. That people prefer to learn to play music on the internet. That young people these days are into electronic dance music, not guitars. Save Old Town School rejects these propositions. From our own experience, we know the Old Town School truly changes lives. With the right attention to marketing and communications, we believe it is absolutely possible to increase enrollment. A few months now since the announced sale of 909 W. Armitage Ave., there are some encouraging signs. The board of directors has put off the building sale until at least the end of March, and has formed working groups to study enrollment, communications and alternatives to selling the Lincoln Park building. The board is also considering creating a student advisory board, which we believe is essential because, until now, students have had no voice in the way the school is run. Beyond that, Graves departure as executive director creates an opportunity to engage all of the Old Town School of Folk Musics stakeholders and to find a new leader who believes that its possible to boost enrollment and introduce more people to this magical place. Rich Gordon, a professor of journalism at Northwestern University and an Old Town School of Folk Music student since 2001, is one of the leaders of Save Old Town School. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Submit a letter to the editor here or email [email protected]. | https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-old-town-school-folk-music-bau-graves-community-teachers-0108-20190107-story.html |
Did 'Modern Family' star Sarah Hyland have a nip slip ahead of the 2019 Golden Globes? | Sarah Hyland was one of the many celebrities to attend the 2019 Golden Globes Sunday evening. Rocking a low-cut long-sleeved dress paired with strappy silver heels, the "Modern Family" star made her way through the Beverly Hilton hitting up several after parties including HBO's soiree, as well as the InStyle and Warner Bros. event with her boyfriend Wells Adams. However, as first pointed out by Us Weekly, it seems as if Hyland might have shared a little more than she intended to in the hours leading up to the parties. In one of her Instagram Story photos, the star who is seen happily posing next to Adams appears from the camera's angle to have suffered a nip slip. One social media user also tweeted about Hyland's low-cut look while she was giving an interview on the HBO red carpet. "Ummm... unfortunate angle! It looks like the star from the Access microphone is a censor covering a nip slip! @Sarah_Hyland #ROTFL," the person wrote. Despite her accidental wardrobe malfunction, the 28-year-old actress appeared to have a blast at Hollywood's prom, sharing photos throughout the night on her social media. | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/did-modern-family-star-sarah-hyland-have-a-nip-slip-ahead-of-the-2019-golden-globes |
Could MAFS star Nasser Sultan be the next Bachelor? | Nasser Sultan became the unlikely breakout star of Married At First Sight last year. And as rumours swirl he could appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! later this month, it seems Nasser may have yet another TV project in the pipeline. The 51-year-old personal trainer has reportedly been approached by casting agents for The Bachelor who want him to front a 'seniors' edition' of the dating show. The Married At First Sight star, 51, 'has been approached by casting agents for a spin-off series'. Pictured on August 28, 2018 in Sydney According to NW magazine, producers are hoping to make a 'Bachelor-style show for singletons aged 46 and over'. And if industry rumours are to be believed, Nasser is the current frontrunner to lead the series. 'Nasser has already been working with Channel 10 on Trial By Kyle and was in talks to star on I'm A Celebrity as well, so why wouldn't they consider him for the seniors' romance series?' a source told the publication. Looking for love: Nasser rose to fame on last year's blockbuster season of Married At First Sight, in which he was paired with single mother Gabrielle Bartlett (right) Industry rumours: According to Monday's NW magazine, producers are hoping to make a 'Bachelor-style show for singletons aged 46 and over'. Pictured: Nasser and a recent girlfriend Nasser refused to confirm or deny the speculation on Monday, instead telling NW: 'I can't talk about anything yet, but big things are coming for Nass in 2019. And I'm ready to find my soulmate!' However, in a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, he suggested that negotiations with producers had already begun. 'Yes, I am in talks and very excited. I'm sick of the "ripped abs and tattoos" types you always see on TV,' he said. You tease! Nasser refused to confirm or deny the speculation, instead telling NW: 'I can't talk about anything yet, but big things are coming for Nass in 2019' Nasser rose to fame on last year's blockbuster season of Married At First Sight, in which he was paired with single mother Gabrielle Bartlett. The couple's relationship didn't work out, but the former music promoter soon earned himself a cult following. Months after the series wrapped, he appeared as a plaintiff on Trial By Kyle, starring radio host Kyle Sandilands. 2017's Bachelor Matthew Johnson found his 'happily ever after' on the show with jewellery designer Laura Byrne | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6566743/Could-MAFS-star-Nasser-Sultan-Bachelor.html |
What was the deal with Christian Bales accent at the Golden Globes? | Unlike the singer and some other stars who have appeared to randomly acquire an accent, Bale gave an acceptance speech at the Golden Globes that was a reminder he wasnt born in the United States.No, Christian Bale wasnt pulling a Madonna with that accent. Bale won best actor in a motion picture comedy or musical Sunday night for playing former Vice President Dick Cheney in Vice. Bale sounded decidedly British Welsh, to be precise as he joked his way through his speech and thanked Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role. The Golden Globes were apolitical, except that moment Dick Cheney was likened to Satan Twitter was confused and some thought he was putting it all on. Christian Bale has an English accent? ESPN reporter Michele Steele tweeted. Others were amused that some people were surprised, since the veteran star was born in Wales. Christian Bale does so many American roles that when he speaks in his natural accent it just sounds like hes making fun of British people, one person tweeted. | https://wgno.com/2019/01/07/what-was-the-deal-with-christian-bales-accent-at-the-golden-globes/ |
Are Hedge Fund Dollar Store Dreams A Mirage? | At least a half dozen and counting when it comes to Family Dollar, which was taken over in mid-2015 after the scion of company founder Leon Levine warded off a who's who in activist hedge funds and a found a savior in acquirer Dollar Tree. However, due to years of continued challenges in Family Dollar's stores, it is white knight Dollar Tree that has seen its stock stagnate and attract powerful activists who are now calling for a demerger. Here's the rub: The obsession hedge funds seem to have for struggling dollar stores may be little more than a mirage. If Dollar Tree does decide to rid itself of Family Dollar--likely at a lower value than the near $9 billion in cash and stock it paidthe maneuver may prove just how counterproductive the meddling was. After all, Dollar Tree's struggles in digesting Family Dollar may have created a good entry point for hedge fund investors like Carl Icahn and Jeffrey Smith of Starboard Value. On Monday, Starboard Value disclosed a 1.7% stake in Dollar Tree and an 11-page letter calling for a shakeup of the company's board, a sale of Family Dollar, and the implementation of a multi-price strategy at its stores, putting wares above $1 apiece. Family Dollar's issues are apparent and there is some meritalbeit with considerable riskto Starboard's Dollar Tree pricing recommendations, however, it is the hedge fund's competitors in the private equity industry who may uncover the most opportunity. Family Dollar's Wall Street saga began in earnest in the early days of the current economic recovery. At that time, private equity giant KKR & Co. was exiting its surprisingly successful 2007 takeover and revamp of Dollar General and others on Wall Street were looking to replicate the windfall by targeting Family Dollar, the weakest among America's big publicly traded dollar store giants. In 2007, KKR led a $7.3 leveraged buyout of Dollar General. While other large LBO deals languished or went belly up during the ensuing recession, its dollar store gambit thrived as consumers reacted to the crisis by trading down to dollar stores. When KKR re-listed Dollar General on public markets in 2009, it recorded a multi-billion dollar profit and eventually a fivefold return, according to reports. To replicate this dollar store success, in mid-2010 activist fund Trian Partners assembled a large stake in Family Dollar and within a year offered as much as $7.6 billion to take the company private. Though the deal never happened, Family Dollar added Trian's Ed Garden to its board of directors in 2011. A year later, Pershing Square's Bill Ackman built a large position and began speculating on whether Dollar General would look to buy the business. Billionaire John Paulson, famous for his 'big short' of the U.S. housing market, was also a large investor post-crisis and a proponent of a company sale, according to a Bloomberg report. In mid-2014, the pressure mounted when billionaire Carl Icahn built a near 10% position in the company and called for its immediate sale, preferably to Dollar General. Instead, Family Dollar and its CEO Howard Levine decided to sell to Dollar Tree in a hurried process that allowed the company to retain its brand. Dollar General, then run by Rick Dreiling, the executor of its amazing turnaround under KKR, then entered the fray with an unsolicited offer in mid-2014. By the fall, a new activist, Elliott Management, joined in with a large stake and sharp critique of the whole sale process. It meant a half dozen of Wall Street's most recognizable investors had all gnawed over the same bone. Dollar General's hostile offer didn't get far because the Federal Trade Commission called for thousands of store divestitures in the proposed merger, rendering it uneconomic. When Dollar Tree instead sealed the deal with Family Dollar, Dreiling had this to say about the outcome: Todays vote is a loss not only for Family Dollar shareholders, but also for consumers across the country who will not have the opportunity to benefit from the cost savings and efficiencies that we believe would have been created by a merger between Dollar General and Family Dollar." Dollar Stores On The Rise As The Erosion Of The Middle Class Continues Getty Images It seems Dreiling, who retired from Dollar General in 2015 and is now chairman of Lowe's, was right on the money. So too were Icahn and Elliott who foresaw that Dollar Tree was a sub-par buyer. The merger has been a failure. Starboard points out that before the acquisition, Family Dollar same store sales were growing modestly and now they're contracting. Meanwhile, operating margins have compressed nearly a percentage point, despite years' of effort aimed at increasing efficiency. Dollar Tree's shares have suffered as a result of the growth and profit shortfall, lagging Dollar General by 20% since the Family Dollar deal closed in July 2015, per Starboard's calculations. "Dollar Tree significantly overpaid for Family Dollar, and this business is proving to be a meaningful distraction," says the activist fund in its letter and adding, "While we understand that the Company is confident in the accelerated renovation plan, rather than allowing the distraction of Family Dollar to continue to fester, draw significant resources, and adversely impact the Company, we believe Dollar Tree should explore all strategic alternatives for Family Dollar, including a sale of the business." Even if Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar, Starboard would also like the company to consider abandoning its peg to the dollar. While this proposal sounds like a sea change, dollar store competitors like Dollarama in Canada, 99-Cent Only, and Dollar General have long abandoned the pricing gimmick. Starboard isn't alone in its criticisms. Carl Icahn, the prime agent of Family Dollar's sale, has amassed a large position in Dollar Tree. Perhaps, others familiar to the saga will re-enter the situation now that the critics are re-energized. Though far from catering to the 1%, dollar stores are in some respects a fitting target of hedge funds. They're in the cyclical business of retail and they generally benefit from rising consumer spending. But as the low price retailer in most parts of the country, especially rural Amazon-proof markets, they have a built in hedge if economic circumstances change. Take the header on the release of Dollar Tree's 2008 financial results, published in February 2009 as markets were plunging and the unemployment rate surged above 10%: Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Record Earnings per Share Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings per Share Increase 10.6%, To $1.15 Fiscal Year 2008 Earnings per Share Increase 21.1%, To $2.53. If the U.S. is again poised to enter hard times, history indicates Icahn and Starboard's Jeffrey Smith may have a good trade on their hands. However, there are reasons to be skeptical. Same store sales aren't just stagnating for ailing Family Dollar, they are also decelerating at Dollar Tree and Dollar General and recently caused both to cut their full-year guidance. In Canada, dollar store superstar Dollarama has fallen by nearly half since September, and was recently critiqued by short seller Spruce Point. Compounding these decelerating sales figures are surging freight costs due to trucking shortages and e-commerce market share gains. These worrisome fundamentals, combined with a potentially turning economy, make for a risky backdrop to implement dramatic pricing changes, as Starboard proposes. If Dollar Tree does rid itself of Family Dollar, it seems unlikely to do so via a spinoff. After all, Family Dollar same store sales are already falling and a separation may be even more destabilizing. Worse yet, Dollar Tree is still saddled with the debt it took out to buy Family Dollar. After suspending stock buybacks to help finance the 2015 deal, Dollar Tree's only just returned to investment grade status, owning BBB- and Baa3 ratings from S&P global and Moody's, respectively. Dollar Tree is in an increasingly tough place, unlikely to sell Family Dollar to its largest competitor, Dollar General. Nevertheless, investors are starting to call time on the integration despite heavy investment in upgrading Family Dollar's IT systems, logistics and supply chain. This, in addition to the fact that the Family Dollar brand has remained intact, all points to upside for a potential PE buyer. It's all a tried and true recipe for a large dollar private equity carve out, in the vein of KKR's successful Dollar General takeover. "Given the [Family Dollar] banner's scale in a highly attractive channel and its strong free cash flow, we believe private equity, much like it did in 2015, would have genuine interest," said Jefferies analyst Christopher Mandeville in a Monday note. Of course, a private equity acquisition of Family Dollar will be a bit of a disappointment for all of the big name activist funds who have toyed with the company for nearly a decade. Dollar Tree would likely use proceeds to pay down debt and perhaps begin buying back stock using its existing $1 billion authorization, a somewhat unexciting outcome. While Dollar Tree plans to resist Starboard's call to replace its board, the company seems to have a more open mind to the proposals the activist fund laid out in its letter. "We look forward to the opportunity to engage with Starboard regarding any suggestions they may have, and we will continue to stay close to our shareholders on matters of importance to them and keep taking actions to drive shareholder value," the company said. It has hired JPMorgan as a financial advisor. Perhaps none. But it may take just one private equity giant. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2019/01/07/are-hedge-fund-dollar-store-dreams-a-mirage/ |
What should happen now in Zimbabwe? | Opinion / Columnist The problem with every dictator is arrogance and cowardice. They all have fallen after having been factually and truthfully warned and have even been advised on what to do to avoid embarassment and catastrophic results. They all just dont heed to such calls. They have always chosen the harder paths, that of either running away to some other country in exile, eliminating the complainant or have blundered until they are arrested or killed. They are cowards who hide behind guns bodyguards and guns. You know it takes a brave man/woman to say to another I'm sorry', and that usually carries a great reward in return. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is riding on thin ice and he knows that and the consequences for it. At times life becomes so sweet when the historical past is addressed in a participatorily inclusive manner because history can in fact properly shape the future.I think the Predident should resign to some authority and the junta and its powers must be decimated. The authority must include socio political organisations of influence and popular political parties. It's mandate should last for two years during which time it should do away with 'command' everything nonsense, implement reforms, dissolve parliament(because is useless and expensive for nothing), retire securocrats bosses, do away with the Peace and Reconciliation Commission and find a new path, put up real corruption and mines commissions, a new judiciary services commission and come up with a transparent electoral system with an uncaptured electoral commission. They should clean up the reserve bank, the land committees, Zesa and Zimra. After cleaning up the voters' roll they should host a general election open for observation to all interested parties internationally.What should be obvious to all honest Zimbabweans is that asking our current President HE Mr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa to do a good job of the above is hypocrisy of the highest order and so let's just stop wasting our time. There are people in this country who have thrived through corruption and got very rich and are influentially powerful and they are not very many. Doesn't the president know them since you and me know them or is he afraid of them. Normally in life every living thing will put up a shield where it's interests are vested. It looks like the control by the army is undemocratic, anti investment and therefore counter productive. Can the President do away with it. For obvious reasons No. So what do we think we are doing. There is also the talk of white supremacism and imperialists influence as being weapons of the opposition. People don't feed on all those phoney ideologies that propagate stupid philosophies of opportunists. People want jobs to be able to put food on the table and send their children to school. We need a solution and we need it like yesterday and delay will usher us into an even worse horror than the one we experienced in 2007-2008. We are likely to wake up from sleep one day with Constantine Guvheya Chiwenga claiming the presidency Emerson Mnangagwa having resigned and that will be by design by the way. When today passes comes tomorrow and today becomes yesterday - tik tak tik tuk kriiiiiiiiiii! You see 'a single bee is often ignored but when millions come.together, even the bravest run in fear.Clement MoyoMediariln for Peace Centre+263 712 708 284/778 662 [email protected] | https://bulawayo24.com/opinion/columnist/153058 |
Can GE Be Revived With New CEO H. Lawrence Culp? | General Electrics new CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. is the production nerd who could just transform GE. Culp will use the same principles he used to turn around Danaher Corp.: the Toyota Production System, or TPS, according to MarketWatch contributor Douglas Lavin. TPS is a system that attacks waste and exposes employees to end-customer demand, so production is pulled by demand, not pushed by capability. For Culp, it became a fundamental approach to everything at Danaher: HR, accounts receivable, even the R&D process. If Culps devotion to TPS and track record is a guide, GE will soon deliver fundamental improvements in speed, productivity, and in designing features and products that customers want, Lavin writes. That sounds like good jobs and a return to what GE used to be famous for: profitability, growth and a good share price. If Culp can apply those principles to GE, there are clearly opportunities to significantly improve the venerable companys performance, according to The Motley Fool contributor Lee Samaha. Given the overcapacity in the gas turbine industry, GE obviously needs to downsize its operations; that could result in significantly reduced expenditures, Samaha writes. Weak demand for gas turbines may threaten equipment sales, but GE can improve margins in its power services operation. GE is already in process of reducing unit production costs on LEAP aircraft engines at CFM International a joint venture between GE and Safran, he writes. GE has some very valuable franchises, including aviation, healthcare, renewable energy and power, once Culp decides how best to fix problems with that line of business, according to Seeking Alpha contributor Bill Zettler. But the secret sauce to future profits are GEs software assets. Currently, they have what I consider to be a very valuable manufacturing/industrial software product called Predix, Zettler writes. Predix would be a perfect fit for companies like Cisco, Amazon or Microsoft looking to get a foothold in IoT. There is a lot of money to be made with Predix, et al over the next 5 to 10 years. Software has margins GE can only dream about. In November, Culp told CNBCs David Faber on Squawk on the Street that theres an urgency to reduce the companys leverage via asset sales. We have no higher priority right now than bringing those leverage levels down, Culp said. Still, he wont rush the process, to ensure GE gets the best deal. Three possible ways to free up cash: a possible IPO for GEs tremendous health-care business, the sale of its transportation business, and the coming exit of the Baker Hughes oil field services business. Aviation is our crown jewel, Culp said. While GE believes there are various options for how to make use of the strong business, selling part or all of the business is not high on GEs list of options for aviation. Questions about GEs liquidity were put to rest when the company received $20 billion in cash from asset sales, Culp said. Moreover, GE has used only $2 billion of $40 billion of bank lines. That gives us a foundation to really talk to the leverage, he said. Culp joined GE as an independent director in April 2018, was elected lead director in June 2018, and chairman and CEO of GE in September of 2018. He served as president and CEO of Danaher Corp. from 2001 to 2014, during which time the company increased revenues and its market capitalization fivefold to $20 billion and $50 billion, respectively. Investors and analysts alike consistently ranked him as one of the top CEOs in annual Institutional Investor surveys, GE writes on its website. Harvard Business Review named Culp one of the Top 50 CEOs in the world. Culp joined Danaher in 1990 at Veeder-Root, becoming president in 1993. He was appointed group executive and corporate officer in 1995, with responsibility for Danahers environmental and electronic test and measurement platforms. During this time, Culp also served as president of Fluke and Fluke Networks. In 1999, he became executive vice president, in 2001 chief operating officer, and in 2001 president and CEO. Hes No. 14 on Chief Executive and RHR Internationals CEO1000 Tracker, a ranking of the top 1,000 public/private companies. H. Lawrence Culp, Chairman & CEO, General Electric Headquarters: Boston, MA Age: 55 Education: Washington College (B.A. ), Harvard Business School (MBA) First joined company: 2018 Positions prior to joining GE: Chief Executive Officer and President of Danaher Corporation (2001-2014) Named CEO: 2018 | https://chiefexecutive.net/can-ge-be-revived-with-new-ceo-h-lawrence-culp/ |
Should the Broncos re-sign offensive tackle Jared Veldheer? | The Denver Broncos have numerous players set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, and one of the more notable players on that list is offensive tackle Jared Veldheer. Veldheer, a nine-year NFL veteran, was traded to the Broncos last March by the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick. The Broncos got just 12 games out of him as he missed some time with injuries. That is a tough question to answer. Like last year, the Broncos still need help along the offensive line. Veldheer will turn 32 years old this summer, but the team doesnt have great depth at tackle behind him. Andreas Knappe is the only other tackle on the roster. Billy Turner and Elijah Wilkinson could both play the position if necessary, but Turner will be an unrestricted free agent as well. None of those players are great options if the team loses Veldheer or chooses not to try and re-sign him, but when looking at the upcoming market at the tackle spot, it appears to be pretty thin. In fact, Veldheer will be one of the top names available. That means that other teams will be interested as well, teams that likely have more money to use under the salary cap than the Broncos. The tackle spot is one the Broncos should target early in the upcoming NFL draft regardless of Veldheers status with the team. But keeping Veldheer around, mainly because of the lack of depth behind him, would be a good move. To answer the question of whether or not he should be re-signed, the Broncos should. However, if he can get a bigger contract elsewhere, and hell likely receive a bigger offer, they may lose out on him. | https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/07/should-the-denver-broncos-re-sign-jared-veldheer/ |
What Do the Surprise Golden Globes Wins Mean for the Oscars? | 0 Even for an organization as prone to weird picks as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, this years Golden Globes ceremony was all kinds of nutty. While the Globes have the distinction of being the most high-profile awards ceremony in the lead up to the Oscars, most have come around to the notion that the Globes arent really to be taken seriously. After all, not only does the mysterious 90-plus-member HFPA organization have zero voter overlap with those who vote for the Oscars, they are also notoriously susceptible to, well, celebrities. Its fairly well known that if you want to be nominated/win Golden Globes, you often have to put in significant facetime with the HFPA members. Still, even with the knowledge that the HFPA once nominated the forgettable 2010 flop The Tourist for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, the picks last night were all over the place. A Star Is Born was the presumed frontrunner for the Drama trophies given that, well, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are both huge stars and the film itself is the current Oscar frontrunner in a number of categories. And yet when all was said and done, A Star Is Born walked away with only one award: Best Original Song. In A Star Is Borns stead, Bohemian Rhapsody reigned supreme. The film is probably the biggest surprise of this years awards season. Its commercial success cant be ignored, but poor reviews and scathing criticism about how the films fast and loose approach to Freddie Mercurys story has serious ethical concerns led many Oscar prognosticators (myself included) to believe it was a nonstarter. On top of all of that, the films director Bryan Singer was fired during production for reasons that still arent explicitly clear, and the actors/producers refuse to acknowledge or answer questions about Singerwhos also fielding sexual misconduct allegationsnow that the film is on an awards track. But it picked up a SAG nomination for Best Ensemble, has been recognized by the editors guild, and shockingly beat out four critically acclaimed dramas for the Golden Globes top prize. Moreover, Rami Malek triumphed over Bradley Cooper for the Best Actor prize. Well, again, Golden Globes voters dont vote on Oscars, but the ceremony itself can shift momentum in either direction for a particular film or performance. The visibility of the Bohemian Rhapsody wins are undeniable, and Oscar nominations voting opens today, meaning that the Queen biopic is fresh on voters minds. While Im still highly dubious the film has any shot at actually winning Best Picture at the Oscars (Academy voters are far more discerning than the HFPA), it now seems fairly inevitable that Best Picture and Best Actor nominations are in the cardsat the very least. The SAG and other guild nominations signaled there are fans of the movie in the industry, and the Globes wins came at just the right time to boost visibility right before Oscar voting begins. The Globes also gave a much-needed boost to Green Book, which won the most awards of the night with three in totalincluding Best Picture Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay. Peter Farrellys race relations dramedy enjoyed mostly positive reviews, but while the film was expected to be a breakout feel-good box office smash, its performance in theaters hasnt necessarily been remarkable. Moreover, the film has been plagued with drama, as the family of the films central black characterDr. Shirley, played by Mahershala Alihas come out against the film, saying the filmmakers never reached out to them to get Shirleys side of the story. Indeed, the film chronicles the friendship between a racist white driver and a black pianist, but its screenplay was written by the white drivers son. The film was already hit with criticisms for its nave racial themes, and Dr. Shirleys familys statement did it no favors. Of course its not that simple in real life, and wins for Green Book are particularly eyebrow-raising considering BlacKkKlansman and Black Panthertwo films that tackle race relations with far more complexity, and hail from black filmmakersare also in the awards conversation. Nevertheless, when it comes to the Globes effect on the Oscars, Green Book got a much-needed boost, although as with Bohemian Rhapsody Im less confident of its chances to actually win the top award. Indeed, the Globes wins for these two films dont solidfy them as Oscar frontrunners. The Shape of Water, Spotlight, Birdman, and The Kings Speech all failed to win the Globes top honors and yet went on to win the Best Picture Oscarin fact Spotlight won zero Golden Globes, and The Kings Speech only won one. So A Star Is Born and Black Panther are in no way down for the count. The other major Globes shocker came in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama category, where the celebrity-loving HFPA was expected to award Gaga for her stunning work in A Star Is Born. Indeed, Gaga is one of the frontrunners for the Best Actress category at the Oscars, with Olivia Colman (who won Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy) seen as her most serious competition. But the Globes went for Glenn Close, whose performance in her passion project The Wife has been on awards prognosticators radar for some time even though the film itself has little buzz. But the Globes affect on the Oscars also comes down to the speeches, and Close gave one hell of a speech, spurring a standing ovation in the room. In many ways the Globes are seen as an audition for the Oscars. At the end of the day, the Oscars are voted on by peers of fellow professionals in the industry, and sometimes its as simple as, I liked Xs acceptance speech a lot. Id like to see her/him win at the Oscars. Closes speech was pitch-perfect, packed with genuine emotion and an eloquent pitch for The Wifes social relevance as it relates to gender dynamics. If The Wife was the film most people hadnt seen yet, Closes speech no doubt went a long way towards getting voters to finally pop in that screener. Moreover, Closes lack of an Oscar win throughout her impressive career adds an Its time narrative in the vein of wins for folks like Gary Oldman and Leonardo DiCaprio. So no, the Golden Globes dont really matter, but in terms of Oscar, they can (and do) shake up the narrative a bit. Really?! ), the Oscar race admittedly just got a lot more interestingand complicated. Hold on to your butts. | http://collider.com/what-golden-globes-surprise-wins-mean-for-oscars-bohemian-rhapsody/ |
Do Mens Fashion Weeks Have a Future? | The rise of genderless fashion and coed shows are sparking questions over the future of mens fashion weeks. According to data from Launchmetrics, the Media Impact Value a quantitative number generated by an algorithm to measure the impact of relevant media placements of mens showcases around the world has been constantly diminishing as big names exit in favor of coed shows held during the womens shows. Brands are also putting more focus on communicating one unified message across their mens and womens wear departments. Data gathered during the spring 2019 events last June in New York and London showed they have been lagging behind in terms of the buzz created across print, digital and social media, generating 2.1 million euros and 5.8 million euros, respectively, in earned media impact value. Mens showcases in Florence, Milan and Paris, on the other hand, whose schedules are filled with big brand names, continue to hold on to their relevance. Florence and Milan generated a combined media impact value of 49.4 million euros, while Paris Mens Fashion Week generated 57.8 million euros. Virgil Ablohs Louis Vuitton debut lead the conversation last season generating 18.2 million euros and was followed by the likes of Dior, Versace, Prada and Valentino. The company also noted that influencers have been the biggest drivers of media buzz during mens fashion weeks in all five cities, with key names to note including Jon Kortajarena in New York; Hu Bing and David Beckham in London; Xenia Tchoumitcheva in Milan, and Colton Haynes in Paris. The changing retail landscape and digitization of the industry are creating major shifts impacting the future of a mens fashion week, said Alison Levy, chief marketing officer at Launchmetrics, adding that as brands are under bigger pressure to deliver new product to stores quickly and keep customers engaged, they are more likely to get a return on investment from coed shows held during the womens showcases. Today, the trend of coed shows offer brands the opportunity to increase their Media Impact Value from two to 19 times. From a data perspective, there is a lot to support that this is a winning strategy. With womens focused publications, blogs and outlets representing more than 50 percent more of the media landscape than mens, brands showing the two lines together already have an opportunity to reach a larger audience. Additionally, as influencers in mens wear have smaller audiences, the amplification these digital talents bring barely rivals their female counterparts covering womens wear. | https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/do-mens-fashion-weeks-have-future-1202949937/ |
What's the big deal about Kliff Kingsbury? | Kliff Kingsbury has a 35-40 record as a head coach. Hes never won more than eight games in a season. He has no Big 12 Titles or championship game appearances. Hes never coached his teams to a big-time bowl. His defenses have been perennially horrible. Not even bad, theyve been horrible. Kingsbury was just fired as head coach of his alma mater. Kingsburys head coaching record doesnt exactly tell the whole story. Sure, he was 35-40. He was also the head coach of Patrick Mahomes while the MVP candidate was at Texas Tech. Well, Kingsbury was also offensive coordinator when Johnny Manziel was tearing up defenses at Texas A&M. Kingsbury was also the offensive coordinator for Houston when Case Keenum was there setting passing records. Kingsbury even convinced Baker Mayfield to come to play at Texas Tech. Mayfield eventually transferred and Kingsbury went to Mahomes which wasnt a bad choice but the point is that Kingsbury has had influence over three starting quarterbacks and two Heisman winners. As for pedigree, Kingsbury has that as well. He was coached by Mike Leach at Texas Tech. A lot of things can be said about Leach, but one thing that cant be said is that he doesnt know how to coach offense. Kingsbury was eventually drafted by the Patriots and spent a year there where he was in the same room as Tom Brady for a season. He also was on the Saints, Jets, and Bills in some form or another before moving on to coaching. His name has popped up in Patriots offensive coordinator rumors as well as rumors about the Jets and Arizona head coaching positions. So hes got a reputation as a quarterback guru. He had some experience in the NFL under teams with big-name quarterbacks. He also has an innovative and fun offensive scheme. Thats what owners want now. They want the next Sean McVay. Kingsbury checks all the boxes McVay checks. Thats not to say that Kingsbury is McVay. We dont know that he is or he isnt McVay. Its more likely hes not McVay than he is McVay but hes close enough. Hes young, good-looking which matters now in the constantly covered NFL, look at how Matt Patricia was criticized for his appearance this year and he has pedigree. Well, a winning record would be nice. Again, Kingsbury is 35-40 as a head coach at Texas Tech. His defenses were constantly atrocious. They still play some defense in the NFL. Kingsbury will have to prove hes better at managing games than he was in Lubbock. His strategy at Texas Tech seemed to be that the Red Raiders would just outscore the opponent. That doesnt work all the time. Kingsbury also didnt exactly have commensurate talent on his Tech teams when he was going up against Texas, Oklahoma, and even TCU and Oklahoma State. He always had good quarterbacks, but he got the most out of them. Other than that he wasnt exactly working with five-star recruits. Kingsbury wasnt going to be the offensive coordinator for long at USC. If he did well this year, the NFL or a college program would come calling. If the Trojans defense played poorly and USC got off to a slow start, Kingsbury was the obvious heir apparent. Basically, the NFL has sped up the process. They found someone who may not even be a good head coach, but he has everything NFL owners want. Hes young check good looking check has experience with younger quarterbacks and gets the most out of them check coaches an innovative, fun and high scoring offense check. The only problem is his record. Of course, Bill Belichick had a 36-44 record at the Cleveland Browns so anything is possible. | https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2019/01/07/kliff-kingsbury-usc-nfl-jets-cardinals-patriots-head-coach/ |
Is it fair to criticize Mark Zuckerberg for the controversial billing practices of the San Francisco hospital named after him? | source Mariana Bazo/Reuters The billing practices of the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital are under fire after a Vox article detailed how some privately insured patients have been surprised to receive a bill as high as five figures. The public hospital was named after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, after the couple made a $75 million donation in 2015 to build a trauma center. Some people are now criticizing Zuckerberg himself on social media, despite the fact that he has no impact on the day-to-day operations of the hospital. People are criticizing Mark Zuckerberg for the billing practices of a San Francisco-based hospital named after him that has reportedly left some privately insured patients with five-figure debts. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, formerly called San Francisco General Hospital, was named after the Facebook founder in 2015 after he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, made a $75 million donation. However, Zuckerberg himself has no impact on the day-to-day operations, though it is largely associated with his likeness. Emergency room bills reviewed by Vox detailed how the hospital is considered out-of-network for those with private insurance. This means it doesnt accept the kind of health-insurance coverage that most people get through their jobs, which can leave people with large bills if they visit the hospital for care for example, one woman ended up with a $31,250 bill for a broken ankle. On social media, some people have been criticizing the Facebook founder for the hotels policies, showing just how sticky it can be to have a hospital with your name on it. Of course not, but #zuckerberg did. (@Jason) January 7, 2019 But the crucial context is that Zuckerberg is not currently involved in implementing policy at the hospital. The public hospital, in its own words, is there to serve those who are underserved by only accepting public health coverage (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, and all the programs that fall underneath), according to the Vox report. The perils of naming rights https://t.co/SfZiyRZR74 nilay patel (@reckless) January 7, 2019 The fact that Mark Zuckerberg is getting flak for the billing practices of SF General is just amazing. Dude gave $75m for a $1bn+ renovation (ie he bought some equipment). Hes not setting policy. https://t.co/UW9ZYezGNa Julia Carrie Wong (@juliacarriew) January 7, 2019 In fairness, Zuckerberg gave this public hospital $75 million and got his name stuck on it. He has no financial interest in it. Its a huge public hospital that put itself out of network for all insurers the less sexy reality. But dont let that stop the click baiting. https://t.co/EGm6sfi8wm Quentin Hardy (@qhardy) January 7, 2019 Yes, the less sexy reality, as one Googler put it, is far more nuanced. But with his name front and center on the hospital, the Facebook CEO has found himself in this position before. Take for example just last month, when a San Francisco politician asked the city attorney to remove Zuckerbergs name from the hospital amid Facebooks latest privacy scandal. This damning story by @sarahkliff underscores how much of what we think of as a marketplace for medical services is simply a fiction. When youre incapacitated, you cant make the informed choices about hospitals that you can with brands of yogurt. https://t.co/f2WWv7Qmgv Brian Fung (@b_fung) January 7, 2019 I am really confused about this. You aren't relying on their insurance. You're relying on the hope they have enough personal wealth to cover the bill. I have spent a year reading emergency room bills. I've read about 1,200 of them. A few months ago, I noticed that one hospital had bills that were *really* different from the rest: Zuckerberg San Francisco General. (1/11)https://t.co/XjHpmZq3i9 Sarah Kliff (@sarahkliff) January 7, 2019 Though, the fact remains: denying all private insurance is quite rare and, frankly, frowned upon by many healthcare advocates. The Vox report examines how when someone is involved in a traumatic accident near Zuckerberg Hospital, they are most likely going to be taken there potentially without recollection or the ability to search for an in-network provider making it more likely they will be surprised when the bill comes in the mail. Its a valid concern, and some politicians are already looking into how to combat these surprise ER bills, but thats a different discussion than as to whether Zuckerberg is to blame for patient experiences at the hospital he donated to. Nu Wexler (@wexler) January 7, 2019 And finally, in case the answer to that sarcastic question wasnt clear no, Zuckerberg doesnt control what gets billed and how much. Sarah Kliff, writer of the Vox piece, explains in her reporting how she found the city of San Francisco, or more pointedly, the citys Board of Supervisors, is the one setting the prices. | https://www.businessinsider.sg/is-it-fair-to-criticize-mark-zuckerberg-for-san-francisco-hospital-named-after-him-2019-1/ |
Who are the key SC players in the K-12 education debate? | Overhauling South Carolinas K-12 education system is expected to be the General Assemblys top priority when legislators return to Columbia Tuesday for the start of a two-year-long session. Here is a look at some of the key players in the education debate: 1. House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington Few in the debate will carry as much weight as Lucas, who is working on comprehensive reform proposal that will address K-12 spending and policy, said chief of staff Michael Anzelmo. Details have not been publicly released. But Lucas has met with Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and House Ways and Means Committee chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, who now leads the states powerful budget-writing committee. Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. 2. Gov. Henry McMaster, R-Columbia Having the governor in your corner to push reform will prove important in the General Assembly. McMaster is expected to make education a focus of his State of the State address and executive budget, both later his month, spokesman Brian Symmes said. 3. The states more than 53,000 K-12 teachers: Teachers say they will make sure S.C. lawmakers hear them this session. After watching teachers walk off the job in other red states last year, S.C. teachers say they want lawmakers to take them seriously increasing their pay and removing classroom burdens. That effort has been helped by the creation of a new group, SCforEd, which has built a large social media following. 4. S.C. schools Superintendent Molly Spearman, R-Saluda: Spearman has asked lawmakers to spend close to $155 million to pay for a 5 percent raise for teachers, bringing them to the Southeastern average. Spearman, a former state representative, has sway with Gov. McMaster, who asked her to play a role in his campaign last year. 5. State Rep. Rita Allison, R-Spartanburg, and state Sen. Greg Hembree, R-Horry The respective chairs of the House and Senate education panels will be charged with passing any education reform proposal. Allisons committee will review Lucas plan. But Hembree will be tasked with building consensus among senators. | https://www.islandpacket.com/news/politics-government/article224021465.html |
What if 'We the People' forced our own 'shutdown'? | CLOSE POTUS to address the Shutdown in primetime Tuesday night; Katie Brennan files lawsuit against NJ, Alvarez, Murphy campaign APP NewsBreak, Asbury Park Press A guard enters the closed National Archives building in Washington, DC on Dec. 22, 2018. A partial US government shutdown began at midnight, Dec. 22, when a funding agreement between Congress and President Trump could not be reached. (Photo: ERIK S. LESSER, EPA-EFE) My dad, God love him, lived to be 90 and right up to his last breath was a devoted baseball fan. Coming out of Brooklyn, as we did, even after he and my mom retired here to the desert dad remained devoted to Dem Bums as he forever referred to the Dodgers. But just as he was approaching home plate in his life, the salaries of baseball players started going right through the roof, as he described it, resulting in ticket prices following suit. To add insult to injury, a baseball strike was called in August 1994, resulting in the remainder of that season being cancelled, including the postseason and, for the first time since 1904, the World Series. In my dads opinion, the strike was nothing more than millionaires fighting billionaires and damn the fans who were paying all their salaries. Give em a taste of their own medicine! he growled. Think that would get their attention? Valley Voice: Playing 'What if?' on life an intriguing pastime Valley Voice: We humans excel at damaging where we must live It would, I had to admit, definitely get their attention. While I also realized it would be an impossible idea to implement, I knew at least one person who would enjoy hearing it, and maybe support it. That would be Howard Cosell. I had worked with Howard during my stint with ABC Sports and had stayed in touch with him over the years. Unfortunately, Howard was not in the best health at the time and had other pressing issues to consider. Indeed, he passed away not long after, as did my dad. Dad's "rebellious" idea eventually faded from my mind's eye. Until recently. In these last weeks, the more Ive read, heard and watched the agonizing news regarding the government shutdown, motivated by the conflict between our president and our congressional representatives, the more Ive thought about my dads fan-strike plan. To the baseball players and owners, the fans were almost incidental. Lately, it seems exactly that same way twixt our elected officials and we, the citizens/voters who have put them in office. The arguments and decisions being made by the executive branch on the one side and the legislative branch on the other seem to have little to do with we the people and our actual needs and more to do with the self-contained power struggles within the confines of the Washington bureaucracy. Like the baseball owners and players, our so-called leaders seem to have forgotten who put them in the rarefied air they seem to enjoy so much. Wouldst that there was a way to remind them of that. Hey, wait a minute! Maybe there is. Wonder what my dad and Howard Cosell might say. Frank V. Furino (Photo: Courtesy photo) Frank V. Furino is a former TV writer/producer, current board member of SafeHouse of the Desert, and faculty member of the local Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Email him at [email protected]. Read or Share this story: https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2019/01/07/what-if-americans-forced-own-shutdown-frank-v-furino-valley-voice/2506668002/ | https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2019/01/07/what-if-americans-forced-own-shutdown-frank-v-furino-valley-voice/2506668002/ |
Is every protester an extremist? | Tony Abbott is in the paper this morning being soft on crime and tough on protesters. The former prime minister also said that kid-glove policing was no excuse for the rally. Victoria Police has been widely criticised for more than a year over its handling of youth crime in Melbourne. Were all against soft-touch policing, were all against kid-glove policing, but that doesnt mean that we should be supporting extremists, of the left or the right, Mr Abbott said. Yet Abbott himself has appeared at protests where some participants got over-excited. I want the protest to be civil. I want it to be entirely in keeping with the Australian tradition. But lets not get too precious about these things. Im quite sure there were people at the St. Kilda protests who are not neo-Nazis or racists and dont appreciate being categorised as such. Right now the Liberals are signalling their tough-on-crime credentials (see the number of we-have-deported-foreign-criminals stories in the Australian over the last few days) so youd think exploiting concerns about soft-touch policing and sentencing in Victoria would be well-thought out and pre-planned. But no. | http://catallaxyfiles.com/2019/01/08/is-every-protester-an-extremist/ |
Will the Supreme Court Keep LGBTQ Workers From Being Fired? | The Supreme Court on Friday considered taking three cases that could determine whether an employer can legally discriminate against employees for being LGBTQ. If the Court agrees to hear some, or all, of the petitions, it will be testing both the strength of employment discrimination law under Title VII and retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedys LGBTQ rights legacy. Two cases, with two different outcomes in the lower courts, present the Court with the question of whether the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibitions on discrimination because of sex include discrimination on the basis of a persons sexual orientation. In Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that Title VII does protect an employee from being fired because they are gay. In that case, Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor, sued Altitude Express, claiming the company fired him for being gay and failing to conform to the macho male sex stereotypes of his co-workers. Altitude Express wants the Supreme Court to reverse the Second Circuit. The second case involves Gerald Bostock, who alleges he was fired from his job as a child welfare services coordinator for a Georgia countys juvenile court system after his employer found out he is gay. In May, a three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled in an unpublished per curium decision that Bostock couldnt sue his employer, because Title VII doesnt ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Bostock wants the Supreme Court to reverse the Eleventh Circuit. The Supreme Court has previously avoided answering this question, declining in December 2017 to take the case of Jameka Evans, a Georgia security guard who claimed she was harassed at work and forced to quit her job because she is a lesbian. The Eleventh Circuit ruled against Evans, creating a split with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which had previously ruled Title VII covered such claims. Evans unsuccessfully asked the Supreme Court to step in. This time, the Court has re-listed both Bostock and Zarda for consideration together a signal the justices are giving the question a serious second look. In R.G & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on behalf of Aimee Stephens, a Michigan funeral director who was fired once she began transitioning at work. It is analytically impossible to fire an employee based on that employees status as a transgender person without being motivated, at least in part, by the employees sex, the Sixth Circuit opinion states. Discrimination because of sex inherently includes discrimination against employees because of a change in their sex. The Trump administration has, not surprisingly, sided with the employers in these cases, which has further clouded the legal waters around the scope of Title VII. First, in Zarda, the Justice Department reversed course from the Obama administrations previous action and argued to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that Title VII does not bar sexual orientation discrimination. Then, in October 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memorandum stating that Title VIIs prohibition on sex discrimination encompasses discrimination between men and women but does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity per se. The administration is making those same arguments to the Supreme Court now in Harris Funeral Homes, where it is a party. The court of appeals misread the statute and this Courts decisions that Title VII encompasses discrimination on the basis of gender identity, Solicitor General Noel Francisco wrote in the governments brief. But while thats the position of the Trump administration, it has also asked the Supreme Court not take up the Harris Funeral Homes case until it decides what, if anything, to do with the Zarda and Bostock cases and urges review of those decisions first. If the Court does so, it is almost certain that the government will make similar arguments. Its a request that could have far-reaching consequences for LGBTQ employees. Thanks in part to the Obama administrations steps toward recognizing sexual orientation discrimination under federal law, the federal courts had largely moved away from earlier decisions that found such claims not to be covered. But that dramatically changed with the Trump administration. Since coming to power, the administration has not just repeatedly argued against LGTBQ discrimination protections, it has affirmatively attacked the rights and status of transgender people as well as recently as November, it asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the challenges to its failed transgender military ban. Currently 26 states do not expressly prohibit sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination in employment. Should the Supreme Court determine federal law does not protect LGBTQ employees, that would leave workers in those states even more vulnerable to on-the-job discrimination. And with a decidedly more conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh replacing Anthony Kennedy, the former swing vote on LGBTQ rights cases, a 5-4 ruling allowing businesses to discriminate is a very real possibility. The Court could decide as early as Monday if it will take any or all of the cases. If it does, it would hear arguments in early spring, with a decision likely in June. Support Independent Journalism Psssttt! While youre here we need your help. Since Donald Trump took office, progressive journalism has been under constant attack and companies like Facebook and Google have changed their policies to limit your access to sites like Truthout. The result is that our articles are reaching fewer people at a time when we need genuinely independent news more than ever. Heres how you can help: Since Truthout doesnt run ads or take corporate or government money, we rely on our readers for support. By making a monthly or one-time donation of any amount, youll help us publish and distribute stories that have a real impact on peoples lives. This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. | https://truthout.org/articles/will-the-supreme-court-keep-lgbtq-workers-from-being-fired/ |
Will Trump Consign Humans to the Fate of the Dinosaurs? | Sixty-six million years ago, so the scientists tell us, an asteroid slammed into this planet. Landing on whats now Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, it gouged out a crater 150 kilometers wide and put so much soot and sulfur into the atmosphere that it created what was essentially a prolonged nuclear winter. During that time, among so many other species, large and small, the dinosaurs went down for the count. (Dont, however, tell that to your local chicken, the closest living relative its now believed of Tyrannosaurus Rex.) It took approximately 66 million years for humanity to evolve from lowly surviving mammals and, over the course of a recent century or two, teach itself how to replicate the remarkable destructive power of that long-gone asteroid in two different ways: via nuclear power and the burning of fossil fuels. Talking about accomplishments: as humanity has armed itself ever more lethally, it has also transformed itself into the local equivalent of so many asteroids. Think, for instance, of that moment in the spring of 2003 when George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and crew launched the invasion of Iraq with dreams of setting up a Pax Americana across the Greater Middle East and beyond. By the time US troops entered Baghdad, the burning and looting of the Iraqi capital had already begun, leaving the National Museum of Iraq trashed (gone were the tablets on which Hammurabi first had a code of laws inscribed) and the National Library of Baghdad, with its tens of thousands of ancient manuscripts, in flames. (No such asteroid had hit that city since 1258, when Mongol warriors sacked it, destroying its many libraries and reputedly leaving the Tigris River running black with ink and red with blood.) In truth, since 2003 the Greater Middle East has never stopped burning, as other militaries Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Russian, Saudi, Syrian, Turkish entered the fray, insurgent groups rose, terror movements spread, and the US military never left. By now, the asteroidal nature of American acts in the region should be beyond question. Consider, for example, the sainted retired general and former secretary of defense, Jim Mad Dog Mattis, the man who classically said of an Iraqi wedding party (including musicians) that his troops took out in 2004, How many people go to the middle of the desert to hold a wedding 80 miles from the nearest civilization? Or consider that, in the very same year, Mattis and the 1st Marine Division he commanded had just such an impact on the Iraqi city of Fallujah, leaving more than 75% of it in rubble. Or focus for a moment on the destruction caused by some combination of US air power, ISIS suicide bombers, artillery, and mortars that, in seven months of fighting in 2017, uprooted more than a million people from the still largely un-reconstructed Iraqi city of Mosul (where 10 million tons of rubble are estimated to remain). Or try to bring to mind the rubblized city of Ramadi. Or consider the destruction of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the former capital of ISISs caliphate, left more than 80% uninhabitable after the US (and allied) air forces dropped 20,000 bombs on it. All are versions of the same phenomenon. And yet when it comes to asteroids and the human future, one thing should be obvious. Such examples still represent relatively small-scale local impacts, given whats to come. What Osama bin Laden began with just 19 fanatic followers and four hijacked commercial airliners the US military continued across the Greater Middle East and North Africa as if it were the force from outer space (which, in a sense, it was). It doesnt matter whether youre talking about cities turned to rubble, civilians slaughtered, wedding parties obliterated, populations uprooted and sent into various forms of exile, the transformation of former nations (however autocratic) into failed states, or the spread of terrorism. Its been quite a story. And its not faintly over yet. More remarkable still, just about all of this has largely been ignored in the country that functionally made it so. And thats just to begin to mention the kinds of destruction that have gone on largely unnoticed here. In the first 18 years of this century, tens of millions of people have been uprooted and displaced more than 13 million in Syria alone from what had been their homes, lives, and worlds. Many of them were sent fleeing into countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Sooner or later, more than one million Syrians made it to Europe and 21,000 even made it to the United States. In the process, Washingtons wars (and the conflicts that unfolded from them) unsettled ever more of the planet in much the way those particulates in the atmosphere did the world of 66 million years ago. So consider it an irony that, here in the US, so few connections have been made between such events and an unceasing series of American conflicts across the Greater Middle East and Africa or that the thought of even the mildest sorts of retreats from any of those battlegrounds instantly leaves political and national security elites in Washington (and the media that cover them) in an uproar of horror. Consider this a tale of imperial power gone awry that were anyone here truly paying attention could hardly have been uglier. And no matter what happens from here on, its hard to imagine how things wont, in fact, get uglier still. Im not just thinking about Donald Trumps Washington in 2019, where such ugliness is par for the course. Im thinking about all of those lands affected by Americas unending post-9/11 wars (and the catastrophic American-backed Saudi one in Yemen that goes with them) about, that is, the region and the conflicts from which Donald Trump sorta, maybe, in the most limited of ways was threatening to begin pulling back as last year ended and about which official Washington promptly reacted. Were talking, of course, about the conflicts from hell that have long been labeled the war on terror but given the spread of terror groups and the rise of the anti-immigrant right in Europe and the United States should probably have been called the war for terror or the war from hell. And its this that official Washington and much of the mainstream media cant imagine getting rid of or out of. Naturally, doing so will be ugly. In functionally admitting to a kind of defeat (even if the president insists on calling it victory), Washington will be tossing aside allies Kurds, Afghans, and others and leaving those who dont deserve such a fate in so many ditches (just as it did in Vietnam long ago). Worse yet, it will be leaving behind a part of the world that, on its watch, became not just a series of failed or semi-failed states, but a failed region. It will be leaving behind populations armed to the teeth, bereft of normal lives, or often of any sort of life at all, and of hope. It will be leaving behind a generation of children robbed of their futures and undoubtedly mad as hell. It will be leaving behind those cities in rubble and a universe of refugees and insurgents galore. Even if ISIS doesnt rebound, dont imagine that other horrors cant arise in such circumstances and amid such wreckage. Ugly will be the word for it. And for some of that ugliness, you can indeed thank Donald Trump, whether he withdraws American troops from Syria, as promised, or not. After all, heres the strange thing: though no one in Washington or elsewhere in this country had paid more than passing attention to it, the recent Syrian withdrawal decision wasnt The Donalds first. Last March, he froze $200 million that had been promised for Syrian aid and reconstruction, money that assumedly might have gone to derubblizing parts of that country and rather than being up in arms about it, rather than offering a crescendo of criticism (as with his recent decision to withdraw troops), rather than resignations and protests, official Washington and the media that covers it just shrugged their collective shoulders. It couldnt have been uglier, but Washington was unfazed. As for countermanding the presidents order and staying, we already know what more than 17 years of endless American war have delivered to that region (as well as subtracted from the American treasury). Heres one thing for sure: ugly wouldnt even cover it. And keep in mind that, despite Donald Trumps recent Syrian and Afghan decisions (both of which are reversible), so much of what passes for American war in this century, including the particularly grim Saudi version of it in Yemen and those Air Force and CIA drone assassination strikes across much of the region, has shown little sign of abating anytime soon. Using Up Precious Time And then, of course, theres that other issue, the one where withdrawal cant come into play, the one where ugly doesnt even begin to cover the territory. In case you havent instantly guessed and I suspect you have Im thinking about whats happening to the place known to its English-speaking inhabitants as Earth. It no longer takes a scientist or a probing intelligence to know that the planet that welcomed humanity all these thousands of years has begun to appear a good deal less gracious thanks to humanitys burning of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By now, no matter where you live, you should know the litany well enough, including (just to start down a long list): temperatures that are soaring and only promise to rise yet more; a record meltingof Arctic ice; a record heating of ocean waters; ever fiercer storms; ever fiercer wildfires (and ever longer fire seasons); rising sea levels that promise to begin drowning coastal cities sometime later this century; the coming of mega-droughts and devastating heat waves (that by 2100 may, for instance, make the now heavily populated North China plain uninhabitable). Nor do you have to be a scientist these days to draw a few obvious conclusions about trends on a planet where the last four years are the hottest on record and 20 of the last 22 years qualify as the warmest yet. And keep in mind that most of this was already clear enough at the moment in planetary history when a near-majority of Americans elected as president an ardent climate-change denier, as were so many in the party of which he became the orange-haired face. And also keep in mind that the very term climate-change denier no longer seems faintly apt as a description for him, his party, or the crew hes put in control of the government. Instead, they are proving to be the most enthusiastic group of climate-change aiders and abettors imaginable. In other words, the administration heading the country that, historically, has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases is now in the business from leaving the Paris climate accord to opening the way for methane gas releases, from expanding offshore drilling to encouraging Arctic drilling, from freeing coal plants to release more mercury into the atmosphere to rejecting its own climate-change study of doing more of the same until the end of time. And thats certainly a testament to something. Ultimately, though, what its doing may be less important than what it isnt doing. On a planet on which, according to the latest U.N. report, there are only perhaps a dozen years left to keep the long-term global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees centigrade, the Trump administration is wasting time in the worst way imaginable. An Asteroidal Future Even 18 years into a series of quagmire Middle Eastern wars, the US could still withdraw from them, however ugly the process might be. It could indeed bring the troops home; it could ground the drones; it could downsize the Special Operations forces that now add up to a secret army of 70,000 (larger than the armies of many nations) at present deployed to much of the globe. It could do many things. What Washington cant do what we cant do is withdraw from the Earth, which is why we are now living on what I increasingly think of as a quagmire planet. In the 1960s, that word, quagmire (a bog having a surface that yields when stepped on), and its cognates swamp, sinkhole, morass, quicksand, bottomless pit were picked up across the spectrum of American politics and applied to the increasingly disastrous war in Vietnam. It was an image that robbed Washington of much of its responsibility for that conflict. The quagmire itself was at fault or as historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., put it at the time: And so the policy of one more step lured the United States deeper and deeper into the morass until we find ourselves entrapped in that nightmare of American strategists, a land war in Asia. Embedded in the war talk of those years, quagmire was, in fact, not a description of the war as much as a worldview imposed on it. That image turned Vietnam into the aggressor, transferring agency for all negative action to the land itself, which had trapped us and wouldnt let us go, even as that land was devalued. After all, to the Vietnamese, their country was anything but a quagmire. It was home and the American decision to be there a form of hated or desired (or sometimes, among Americas allies there, both hated and desired) intervention. Much the same could be said, of course, of the Greater Middle East in this century. When it comes to this planet in the era of climate change, however, quagmire seems like a far more appropriate image, as long as we keep in mind that we are the aggressors. It is we who are burning those fossil fuels. It is, as our president loves to put it, American energy dominance that is threatening to submerge Miami, Shanghai, and other coastal cities in the century to come. It is the urge of the Trump administration to kneecap the development of alternative energies, while promoting coal, oil, and natural gas production that is threatening the human future. It is the acts and attitudes of Trumpian-like figures from Poland to Saudi Arabia to Brazil that threaten our children and grandchildren into the distant future, that threaten, in fact, to turn the Earth itself into a rubblized, ravaged planet. It is Vladimir Putins Russian petro-state that is at work creating a future swamp of destruction in the Arctic and elsewhere. It is a Chinese inability to truly come to grips with its use of coal (not to mention the way its exporting coal plants to Africa and elsewhere) that threatens to make our world into a morass. It is the lack of any urge on the part of fossil fuel CEOs to keep it in the ground that will potentially take humanity down for the count. In that context, think of the man who, from his earliest moments in the Oval Office, wanted to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, filled his cabinet with climate-change aiders and abettors, was desperate to obliterate his predecessors modest steps on climate change, and never saw a coal mine, oil rig, or fracking outfit he didnt love as the latest asteroid to hit Planet Earth. Under the circumstances, if the rest of us dont get ourselves together, we are likely to be the dinosaurs of the Anthropocene era. Donald Trump himself is, of course, just a tiny, passing fragment of human history. Already 72, he will undoubtedly be taken down by a Big Mac attack or something else in the years to come and most of his record will become just so much human history. But on this single subject, his impact threatens to be anything but a matter of human history. It threatens to play out on a time scale that should boggle the mind. He is a reminder that, on this quagmire planet of ours, we the rest of us have no place to go, despite NASAs plans to send humans to Mars, the rise of privatized projects for space tourism, and a Chinese spacecrafts landing on the far side of the moon. So, if we care about our children and grandchildren, as 2019 begins there is no time to spare and no more burning issue on Planet Earth than this. Support Independent Journalism Psssttt! While youre here we need your help. Since Donald Trump took office, progressive journalism has been under constant attack and companies like Facebook and Google have changed their policies to limit your access to sites like Truthout. The result is that our articles are reaching fewer people at a time when we need genuinely independent news more than ever. Heres how you can help: Since Truthout doesnt run ads or take corporate or government money, we rely on our readers for support. By making a monthly or one-time donation of any amount, youll help us publish and distribute stories that have a real impact on peoples lives. To stay on top of important articles like these, sign up to receive the latest updates from TomDispatch.com here. | https://truthout.org/articles/will-trump-consign-humans-to-the-fate-of-the-dinosaurs/ |
How will UM coach Manny Diaz win back South Florida when it comes to recruiting? | Manny Diaz believes the formula is simple: Win and they will come. With the exception of 2017, the Miami Hurricanes have not won enough to keep the elite high school players home. Now, Diaz and his staff, which he still has not completed, have work to do to cut off the pipelines schools like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Florida State have laid to South Florida. We will always be defined by how well we recruit Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, pushing out to the state of Florida line through I-4, Diaz said last week. We have to make sure the high school football coaches in South Florida know that we are honest and true with our evaluations, that the guys that can make it happen on the fields down here we believe can make it happen for the Miami Hurricanes. Coaches will be back on the recruiting trail at the end of the week with signing day Feb. 6. Little can be done, though, to make an impact this year with more than 80 percent of the top 300 players, according to the 247Sports Composite, inking letters of intent last month during the early signing period. The top four prospects in Dade County are going to Clemson (No. 1), Georgia (2) and Florida (3, 4). The seven best in Broward are leaving the state with Alabama inking three (Nos. 1, 2, 6). The highest-ranked player in Palm Beach, Palm Beach Central cornerback Akeem Dent, has enrolled at Florida State. The highest rated player in the tri-county area to sign with Miami is safety Keontra Smith from Hollywood-Chaminade, the 11th-best prospect from the three counties. The Hurricanes, though, still are pursuing Wellington athlete Marc-Antony Richards, the No. 2 recruit in Palm Beach and No. 7 in South Florida. Miamis class currently ranks from No. 33 (247Sports) to No. 42 (ESPN) nationally. The Hurricanes did a bit better the last two years, but still let the best players get away. In 2018, Miami signed three of the top 10 prospects in South Florida (DT Nesta Silvera, WR Mark Pope, CB Al Blades Jr.). In 2017, the Canes held onto two of the top three prospects in Dade County (OL Navaughn Donaldson, CB Trajan Bandy) but lost out on the top six Broward players. Diaz equates high school players looking to go to the most successful programs to NBA All-Star Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors. Alabama has poached the top two players in Broward this year and the top player in 2018, Georgia nabbed the No. 2 player in Dade this year and No. 1 in Dade and No. 2 in Broward in 2018 and Clemson stole the best Dade prospect this year. The world has changed and I'm going to blame the NBA, Diaz said. Once Kevin Durant went to the Warriors when they were 3-1 up (on Golden State in the 2016 playoffs before losing the series) when he was at Oklahoma City the year before, kids want to go where the winning is. Diaz could take that back even further and to his own home town when LeBron James and Chris Bosh teamed up with Dwyane Wade to win two titles with the Heat. You have to create the winning to get them to come to where the winning is, he said. There's a natural tendency to be drawn to the places that are currently on top, which, that's fair. So, the only way you can battle that is you have to put out a product that makes a kid say, 'I've got to go do that,' and they've thought that for a long time. If Miami gets back to those glory days when coaches like Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson and Butch Davis could pick and choose from the elite players in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties, thats when you start winning them over. We have to continue to pound on it where the ninth graders and the eighth-graders are like, Look at the Miami Hurricanes. I want to be that guy,' " Diaz said. Diaz added that connection to UM then will continue through his high school years. "(He'll say) 'My friends are there and I know that guy, and I knew that guy because he kicked my butt when I was in 10th grade and he was a senior. I want to go play where he plays. I think setting the tone like that will be the key to the recruiting." [email protected] @tomdangelo44 | https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190107/how-will-um-coach-manny-diaz-win-back-south-florida-when-it-comes-to-recruiting |
Can the LAUSD Ensure Student Safety During a Strike? | - Advertisement - "In addition to threatening the health and safety of students, a strike would also..." - Exhibit A in LAUSD Court Filing For over 25 years the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has been unable to satisfy the terms of a Consent Decree meant to ensure that students with special education needs receive the education that they are entitled to by law. Yet when faced with a strike by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), the District has suddenly shown a concern "that students with disabilities not be deprived of legally-mandated services." Therefore, lawyers for the District asked the court to enjoin "UTLA, its officers, and representatives from causing, encouraging, condoning, or participating in any strike, slowdown, or other work stoppage by any UTLA bargaining unit member who provides educational services to LAUSD special education students." Included in the motion filed by the LAUSD is a statement that "students with serious disabilities will be placed in extreme danger of injury due to lack of trained personnel or supervision." According to the District, these students "could get hurt, hurt themselves, or hurt others" if teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and therapists are allowed to participate in the strike. In summary, a strike would threaten "the health and safety of students" and "affected special education students will be irreparably harmed". Without commenting on LAUSD's claims about the danger faced by students with special education needs, the court has ruled against the District and refused to prevent any teachers from participating in the strike. This will create a situation that the LAUSD says will be dangerous for children. - Advertisement - "I also don't want to talk about what our plan is for the strike." - LAUSD Board Vice-President Nick Melvoin While the LAUSD only covered children with special education needs in their court filing, the well-being of all of the District's students should be called into question. There are approximately 30,000 members of UTLA who are set to go on strike. There are only "about 400 substitutes and 2,000 credentialed district staff" available to cover their positions. While "L.A. Unified has said that all schools will be open during the strike", LAUSD Board Vice-President Melvoin, has told parents that "if we get to a point where we think it is not going to be safe, we will close schools." Unfortunately, he was unable or unwilling to state how that decision will be made. He said that it was "all about ratios", but could not state what those ratios are. While the Board Member stated that the ultimate decision is up to the principal, an off-camera voice says that it is the bureaucrats at Beaudry who make the final decision. Whether a student has typical or special needs, the LAUSD is not going to be able to provide the normal education experience without teachers in the classroom. Yet the District seems determined to keep the schools open. As one parent reminded Melvoin: "If my kid gets injured, you have much bigger issues." - Advertisement - Carl Petersen is a parent and special education advocate, elected member of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and was a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race. During the campaign, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action and Dr. Diane Ravitch called him a "strong supporter of public schools." His past blogs can be found at www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. | https://www.opednews.com/articles/Can-the-LAUSD-Ensure-Stude-by-Carl-Petersen-Public-Education-190107-92.html |
Is the MacBook Pro headphone jack next on Apple's chopping block? | Not if it's on the side of an Apple product, it seems. Apple now seems to be raising its axe above the MacBook Pro headphone jack. Apple has been sharing a survey with MacBook users according to MacRumors, with one question asking "Do you ever use the headphone port on your MacBook Pro with Retina Display?" Having already pulled the plug on the 3.5mm port on the iPhone 7, it now seems Apple is considering doing the same on the MacBook, getting a feel for how many people would be offended by its removal. Elsewhere, Apple is also asking its users how often they use the SD card slot, and the precise ways in which they upload images from a camera to the Mac. Battery life satisfaction also came up. We're well overdue a MacBook update (and a Mac Pro desktop revision too, which hasn't been touched by Apple in more than 1,000 days), though with an expected October release on the cards, it's unlikely that any findings from this survey will affect the next immediate generation of machines. It's worth noting too that Apple is only asking users of the premium Retina Pro line on their thoughts - though any potential change is likely to trickle down across the range. But the headphone jack removal may be even more keenly felt on the MacBook than even the iPhone. As a portable music making machine with only rudimentary speakers, it'll be missed by anyone looking to hook up monitor speakers to blast out their Garageband tunes. | https://www.techradar.com/news/computing/is-the-macbook-pro-headphone-jack-next-on-apple-s-chopping-block-1328658 |
How will All Elite Wrestling affect WWE and the landscape of professional wrestling? | Its impossible to know the limit to All Elite Wrestlings potential. In the past, companies have entered the uncertain, WWE-dominated grapple market and although they arrive with lofty dreams, sometimes they find a profitable position they are comfortable with and refuse to move on from it. One suspects that AEW will be aiming for the stars from the outset due to the financial backing of billionaire Tony Khans, combined with the drive of Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks that has been already been demonstrated on multiple occasions. Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year Khan, Rhodes, and AEW are not the first to jump into wrestlings cobra pit not knowing whether theyll get poisoned or emerge wearing new snakeskin boots, but theyre doing it at a time when mainstream stars are scarce, even if match quality is at its finest ever. The absence of creativity in WWE is reflected by their declining ratings, with new faces failing to have the same impact as a part-time Brock Lesnar or a John Cena whose interest is waning. Wrestlings most devastating juggernaut, the premier promotion for the best part of the last 40 years, may take a brief glance at AEW to see what this potential new rival is doing, especially if the new entitys monetary muscle turns the heads of some of the market leaders performers. Throughout WWEs dominant period, many would-be usurpers have tried to grab their audience and attention with largely disastrous results. But the wrestling landscape was far more commercially viable in years gone by. WCW famously took the battle to Vince McMahon in the mid-90s when they were guided by the innovative Eric Bischoff and the bottomless barrel of cash provided by media mogul, Ted Turner. Wrestling then was far more mainstream than today and a handful of guys were household names that bookers felt could attract eyes to their product. The rise of WCW from around 1995 came at a time when wrestling had seemingly peaked. The cartoonish 1980s phase had burnt out, but prized names such as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage still contained a respectable value that WCW believed it could exploit. Combined with a ruthless talent pinch from their big rivals that saw Kevin Nash and Scott Hall swap the New York grind for the more chilled Atlanta-based company, WCW booked the former WWE staff like they were the most powerful people on Earth. For two years, everything WCW touched turned to gold as they ruled the wrestling kingdom until WWE finally adopted a more contemporary approach in 1997. Fast forward to 2002 and WCW was no longer in business, but what did exist was TNA and the vision of Jeff Jarrett that underpinned the group. With wrestling still riding somewhat high in the aftermath of the ridiculously popular and profitable Attitude days, Jarrett retained a list of valuable commodities that the longtime viewer could theoretically relate to as Hall, Savage, and Ken Shamrock showed up during the companys infancy. Later on, TNA would be blessed with the likes of Scott Steiner, Christian [Cage], Kurt Angle, Mick Foley and Booker T. However, despite paying these superstars big wages, the creative direction failed to match bygone years and TNA ultimately became a nuisance itch that the McMahon family comfortably scratched. Today, the wrestling landscape in terms of star names and creative prosperity is as barren as ever. AEW is not being built on the back of a boom period where readymade names can step in and catapult a fresh promotion into the consciousness of new fans. There may be opportunities to approach Bill Goldberg, Ryback and CM Punk, names that would resonate with a casual follower, but such talents are scarce and they may not even move the needle that much, as suggested by the minimal err Impact when Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff navigated their limousine into TNA in January 2010. With WCW the only wrestling organisation leaving their fingerprints on WWEs battered frame in recent times, it makes sense to admire their approach and take a look at how they did it and whether AEW is in a position to land similar blows. Three essential factors to reach prominence are a lot of money, innovative storylines and a television slot that is accessible to as many viewers as possible. WCW had all three thanks to Turner, Bischoff and TNT. So far AEW has Khan, Rhodes, who will serve as a producer, and the TV situation is not yet finalised although sources suggest that there are many interested parties. If AEW can land their weekly show on a platform available to the bulk of Americas population then how they present their wrestlers will be their biggest challenge and thats where creative comes into play. Bischoff signed Nash and Hall, respectively the worst drawing WWE champion of all time at that point, and a career mid-carder, and he fashioned them into the greatest angle of all time as they invaded WCW and destroyed everybody who tried to stop them. On the back of this daring experiment, Bischoff and WCW were in control of the wrestling world for the best part of two years before the product became stale and a rejuvenated WWE, inspired by the creative direction of their rivals, returned to power. People were prepared to believe in WCW as they provided a stunning alternative to what WWE was showing at the time, and thats what AEW has to do from the outset; be brave and be different. The next few weeks will tell us more about AEWs long-term strategy. With Khan and Rhodes at the forefront of their rally, it suggests that their plans will be bold and that WWE could perhaps have to monitor what is going on behind them. Since the demise of WCW, multiple groups have emerged with the hope of stealing vast portions of WWE viewership, but every one has either failed or tempered their grand aspirations. AEW is the latest to the fold and well soon figure out which one of WWEs countless rivals theyll most resemble. | http://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/all-elite-wrestling-cody-rhodes-young-bucks-tony-khan-wwe-professional-wrestling/19a98indtksj211lid33pf8hfc |
What Existed Before the Big Bang? | Xuanyu Han/Getty Images It is difficult enough to imagine a time, roughly 13.7 billion years ago, when the entire universe existed as a singularity. According to the Big Bang theory, one of the main contenders vying to explain how the universe came to be, all the matter in the cosmos -- all of space itself -- existed in a form smaller than a subatomic particle [source: Wall]. The question itself predates modern cosmology by at least 1,600 years. Fourth-century theologian St. Augustine wrestled with question of what existed before God created the universe. His conclusion was that the Biblical phrase "In the beginning" implied that God had made nothing previously. Moreover, Augustine argued that the world was not made by God at a certain time, but that time and the universe had been created simultaneously [source: Villanova University]. In the early 20th century, Albert Einstein came to very similar conclusions with his theory of general relativity. Just consider the effect of mass on time. A planet's hefty mass warps time -- making time run a tiny bit slower for a human on Earth's surface than a satellite in orbit. The difference is too small to notice, but time even runs more slowly for someone standing next to a large boulder than it does for a person standing alone in a field. [source: Redd]. Based upon Einstein's work, Belgian cosmologist Rev. Georges Lematre published a paper in 1927 that proposed the universe started out as a singularity and that the Big Bang led to its expansion [source: Soter and Tyson]. Following this line of logic, the title of this article is fundamentally flawed, y, time only came into being as that primordial singularity expanded toward its current size and shape. Far from it. This is one cosmological quandary that won't stay dead. In the decades following Einstein's death, the advent of quantum physics and a host of new theories resurrected questions about the pre-big bang universe. Keep reading to learn about some of them. | https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/before-big-bang.htm |
Will Acer's 15-inch Ultrabook spark sales lift? | Sales of Intel Ultrabooks are reported to be failing to take the hefty bite out of the notebook market that Intel was hoping and Taiwanese suppliers blame Europe's lack of appetite for Intel's slim yet powerful MacBook Air pretenders. Intel was hoping that its Ultrabook products would account for around 40 per cent of laptop sales in 2012, but that estimate has now been revised downwards to 20 per cent. It's because these so-called Ultrabooks are not setting alight a fire of passion in the pit of Europe's souls. On the continent, we prefer 15-inch laptops, or so reckons Digitimes' weirdly specific Taiwanese supply chain source. And therein lies the problem: there are no 15-inch Ultrabooks on the market. Enter Acer, which the sources also suggest is about to rock out a 15-inch Timeline Ultra to appease the European and American markets. It's not just that though, Ultrabooks are also proving to be rather more expensive than planned, more often tipping over 1,000 than not; but prices are expected to come down as the year progresses. From Digitimes | https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/computing/pc/will-acer-s-15-inch-ultrabook-spark-sales-lift-1063567 |
Why is The Bachelor obsessed with virginity? | This past summer, Ashley Iaconetti and her mother were watching "The Bachelorette" when one of the contestants, 26-year-old Colton Underwood, announced that he was a virgin. The Bachelorette was surprised - and so was Ashley's mom. "There's no way he's a virgin," Ashley recalls her mother saying of the former professional football player. Many people think of male virgins as dorky and bumbling with women, while Colton resembles a confident Ken doll come to life. Ashley had also been open about her virginity while competing on "The Bachelor" and "Bachelor in Paradise" in her late 20s, so she was disappointed that her own mother didn't believe Colton. She remembers saying, "How could you say that when you birthed me?" Now, Colton's lack of sexual experience is returning to prime time. He's this season's lead on ABC's "The Bachelor," which premieres Monday night. And a lot of viewers at home will likely be also saying: There's no way he's a virgin. Well, there is a way - and ABC won't let us forget it for a moment. The season's trailer shows female contestants wondering why he's a virgin and joking about taking his "V card." This season's tagline: "What does he have to lose?" An Entertainment Weekly report from Bachelor mansion describes the shows' producers and contestants constantly bringing it up. On night one, a woman introduces herself while dressed a sloth costume, saying: "I . . . heard . . . you . . . like . . . to . . . take . . . things . . . slow." Groan. Advertisement Colton Underwood burst onto the scene during season 14 of The Bachelorette. It was his good looks, love for dogs and vulnerability that charmed. Photo / Getty Conversations with past Bachelor Nation virgins reveal that the reality show and its spin-offs often use wholesome things - such as virginity and the search for a husband and wife - as ways to talk about the more titillating aspects of dating, in ways that can feel exploitative. "The Bachelor," in its first season with a virgin in the main role, seems poised to focus on sex in every episode, and could end up feeling sleazier than ever. "It's so bizarre that they focus on it," Ashley says in a phone interview. "There's a virgin every other season. Is that really so rare that it's fascinating?" Among young millennials like Ashley, who's now 30 and engaged, abstaining from sex isn't that rare. A recent study shows that, among 20- to 24-year-olds, 15 percent say they haven't had sex since turning 18 - more than twice the share that it was in the 1990s. Suzannah Showler, author of the book "Most Dramatic Ever: The Bachelor," sees something crass in "The Bachelor's" obsession with Colton's virginity. Viewers "might not notice the offering up of someone's virginity up as a prize in a game show, but that is what is happening," she said in a phone interview. Colton Underwood visits Universal Studios Hollywood on August 8, 2018 in Universal City, California. Photo / Getty Former Bachelor Nation contestants who were openly virgins say that immediately became their story line. Ryan Hoag, who competed on DeAnna Pappas's 2008 season of "The Bachelorette," wrote in an email that every interview he did on the show "dealt with my virginity" and that he was constantly prodded to talk about it with other cast members and DeAnna, in ways that often felt forced. "The reason I didn't last on the show was because I refused to say what they asked me to say or do what they wanted me to do," Hoag writes. "They typecast you and if you fulfill your character, you stay around." Christen Whitney, a 2017 contestant, recalls being prodded by producers to discuss her virginity with Bachelor Nick Viall sooner than she was ready to reveal it. "They were always encouraging me to bring it up with Nick, but at the end of the day I was able to say: No, this is absurd," Whitney says in a phone interview. "I would never bring this up on a first date, and he's not bringing up with me his sexual past." After that, Whitney says, the subject was "more or less dropped." She lasted just three weeks on the show and later went on "Bachelor in Paradise," where her virginity was part of her intro but wasn't discussed much, she says. Sadie Murray, the runner-up on the 2007 season, wasn't too bothered by producers telling her to discuss her faith and her virginity with Bachelor Lorenzo Borghese. Sometimes she declined, but eventually she told Lorenzo, noting that "it didn't matter to him at all. I think it mattered more to the show," she says. "You don't realize that will be your only story line when you're giving the one-on-one interviews" with producers, Murray says. "It was clearly part of my story, and why wouldn't it be?" Murray adds. "It's a show and there has to be different characters: She's the crazy cowgirl. She's the loud mouth. She's the slutty girl. I just happened to be the virgin." (Warner Bros., the show's production company, did not respond to a request for comment on how the show treats virginity.) The moment of reveal can be teased out for several episodes. When Colton finally told Becca last season, another contestant referred to it as a "skeleton in the closet," which rubbed Ashley the wrong way. "I don't like the way that they always have to make the virgin revealing their virginity as like this dark thing that is a turnoff for people," Ashley said on an episode of her podcast this summer. "The Bachelor" has a tradition of talking about sex by not talking about it. The lead dates multiple women - and meets several women's families - while trying to determine who's "here for the right reasons" (read: love and marriage) versus "the wrong" ones (a quick romp or fame). Then the final two or three advance to the Fantasy Suite, for some "off-camera time." In the Fantasy Suite a Bachelor or Bachelorette can sleep with none or all of his or her finalists. But unless someone (ahem, Nick Viall) explicitly brings up sex when the cameras are rolling again, viewers at home don't necessarily find out what happens off-camera. Unless a contestant is a virgin. Then that choice is vaunted into the category of: Information the Bachelor Must Know. And viewers wait to see if this makes a person too inexperienced to get engaged. In the same way that contestants who lead with their sexuality are questioned as to their sincerity and readiness for marriage, virginity is cast as a red flag or an "obstacle to overcome." Showler, the author, says that the casting of Colton raises provocative questions, as anyone crowned as the Bachelor is supposed to be seen as the ultimate available person. "What does it mean that in 2019 that is somebody who hasn't had sex?" she asks. "Is a virgin the new ultimate male?" More than a year into the #MeToo era, it's a timely question. Especially a TV series that has had its own controversies surrounding consent. In 2017, its "Bachelor in Paradise" spinoff briefly halted filming after an investigation into alleged misconduct between two contestants. Warner Bros. found that no misconduct had occurred but set a limit for contestants of two alcoholic beverages per hour. On the 2018 season of "The Bachelorette," one cast member was found to have been convicted of indecent assault and battery, after groping a woman on a harbor cruise in 2016. Former contestants say there's another positive potential in the show harping on one man's lack of sexual experience: It could challenge preconceived notions of what a virgin looks like. ABC and Judd Apatow recently shared revised versions of the movie poster for the 2005 comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," pasting an image of hunky Colton where a nerdy Steve Carrell used to be. Christen, who on the show was abstaining from sex for religious reasons, notes that in pop culture, virgins are usually portrayed as "super-insecure" (and that guys get judged even harsher than women do). "But I think it's the opposite," she says. "It takes a lot of confidence and security to make a decision and stick with it." For Ashley and Colton, the decision to wait hasn't been linked to religion. It's more about wanting to be in a strong committed relationship before taking that leap. "I'm not waiting for marriage," Colton told Bachelorette Becca Kufrin during a one-on-one date. "I'm waiting for the right heart." Though Colton now sounds confident in that decision to wait, he hasn't always. During last season's "Men Tell All" episode, Colton described once feeling ashamed of his lack of experience. "I feel like people think I'm less of a man because of that, and that's the hardest thing for me to hear," Colton said, his voice breaking. In the four years since she first discussed her virginity on the 2015 season of "The Bachelor," Ashley has had to deal with her own accusations of: Virgins don't look like that. Virgins don't kiss like that. But she's also had heartwarming experiences of young women reaching out via social media and in real life to say: Hey, thanks for making me feel normal. Now that a man is owning his decision to wait, Ashley thinks Colton could have a similar effect on men, who might think to themselves: "This really hot guy is also a virgin, so why would I feel behind or like I'm missing out?" She adds, "He's really making virgins cool." | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12187114 |
Did Freddie Kitchens convince the Browns hes their next head coach in his interview Monday? | CLEVELAND, Ohio A funny thing happened to Freddie Kitchens on his way to proving to the world that he could call plays in the NFL and knock it out of the park. He overshot it a little bit and became a legitimate head coach candidate for the Browns. Kitchens, 44, interviewed with the Browns Monday for their head coach vacancy. The seventh candidate interviewed, hell have a chance to convince the Browns he deserves to be their ninth full-time head coach in the expansion era. Critics argue that Kitchens, who started out the season here as running backs coach/associate head coach, isnt ready to be a head coach, but he begged to differ last month in one of his weekly press conferences. I mean, who the hells ready to be a head coach,'' he said. Kitchens is right, of course. Plenty of NFL coaches have been successful in their first seasons despite little evidence they would be. When the Rams hired Sean McVay in 2017 the youngest head coach in the NFL at the age of 30 he hadnt even called played in his two seasons as Redskins coordinator under Jay Gruden from 2014-16. It didnt stop McVay from going 11-5, winning an NFC West title and being voted AP NFL Coach of the Year. When the Bears took a leap of faith on Matt Nagy this season, he had only called plays for six games as coordinator under Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Again, it didnt stop him from going 12-4 this season, and if not for a blocked field goal in Sundays 16-15 loss to the Eagles, hed be facing the Saints in the NFC Divisional round this weekend. After taking over midway through the season when Hue Jackson and Todd Haley were fired, Kitchens established himself as an effective, innovative, aggressive play caller who could get the most out of Baker Mayfield and keep him upright. He embraced offensive concepts old and new, including the wishbone and the spread. In the first eight games of the season with Haley calling the plays, Mayfield went 1-4 with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He completed 58.3 percent of his attempts for 1,471 yards and was sacked 20 times. The Browns averaged 21 points in those games and scored 18 points or less on four occasions despite a boatload of takeaways In the last eight games under Kitchens, he went 5-3, with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 2,254 yards and was sacked only five times. The Browns averaged 24 points in those games, and scored 18 points or less on only two occasions. The Browns, however, faced some of the worst-ranked defenses in that span, including those that were 28th, 31st, 32nd and 32nd. They also failed to beat a winning team in those games. But the Browns were so intent on keeping Kitchens in some capacity that theyve blocked other NFL teams from interviewing him for their offensive coordinator positions. In addition, he received rave reviews from national football experts and analysts, including NBC Sports Peter King. Kitchens sounds exactly like the kind of coach teams in a coaching search should investigate, King wrote in his Football Morning in America Column. Everyones looking for the next (Sean) Payton, the next Sean McVay. Could it be the barrel-chested Alabamian who, despite never having been a coordinator before, has turned the Cleveland offense into must-see TV in his seven weeks on the job? Kitchens, who bonded with Mayfield and developed a mutual trust with him, stressed last month that he definitely, no doubt wants to be a head coach and would love it to be here. I like it here and I like it here a lot, and everybody around here knows that I like it here, said Kitchens. I love the town of Cleveland. Cleveland and I get along well. I didnt have a starting point in this league. I didnt have a dad as coach in the league. I grew up the son of a tire maker at Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant in Gadsden, Alabama. Benjamin E. Mays said those who start behind in the game of life must run faster to catch up, and I feel like Ive been running fast my whole life. And thats the way its going to continue, so whether its here or what, Im just here to do a job right now, this week and this year. McCarthy is on hold for now, per report Dorsey was been impressed with Kitchens eight-game on-the-job interview. Hes moved the ball, Dorsey said. Hes gotten the ball out of the quarterbacks hands quicker. Hes put some flair and different route combinations together that help out the quarterback. Overall, hes kind of moved the bar on the offensive side of the ball. He also praised his play calling ability, something Kitchens had never done before except in the Browns' fourth preseason game against the Lions. Ive always said play calling is an art, not a true science, said Dorsey. You have to feel the moment. I think Freddie has a good feel for that type of thing. What wed like to do is learn a little bit more about Freddie. That is why we are going to sit there and talk to him. Kitchens resume is also impressive. He played quarterback for three seasons at Alabama under Gene Stallings, and understands the position. Hes also worked for some of the brightest minds in football, serving as a grad assistant under Nick Saban at LSU in 2000, and coaching tight ends for the Cowboys under Bill Parcells in 2006. He spent 11 years in Arizona working under Ken Whisenhunt and Bruce Arians, spending four seasons coaching quarterback Carson Palmer. Under Kitchens tutelage, Palmer set multiple single-season team records, including passing yards (4,671), touchdown passes (35), and passer rating (104.6). Arians thinks so much of Kitchens that he recently told NFL Network that hed keep him on as offensive coordinator if he got the Browns job. Instead, Arians is a frontrunner for the Bucs job. Why the Saints' Dan Campbell should be a leading contender for the Browns head coach vacancy If Kitchens doesnt get the Browns head coach job, theyll strongly recommend him to the new head coach as coordinator, especially if its a defensive coach. The first six candidates interviewed were interim coach Gregg Williams, former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell, former Vikings interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell, Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Kitchens might also pair well with Campbell, whos also a Parcells disciple, and would likely hire someone to call the plays. The Browns' in-house search committee, according to ESPNs Adam Schefter, includes owner Jimmy Haslam, Executive Vice President JW Johnson, Dorsey, assistant GM Eliot Wolf, Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, Vice President of Player Personnel Andrew Berry. A source said that list, which excludes Vice President of Player Personnel Alonzo Highsmith, is incomplete. | https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01/did-freddie-kitchens-prove-to-the-browns-hes-their-next-head-coach.html |
How should the administration proceed after North Korea's nuclear test? | This is a rush transcript from "Special Report," January 6, 2016. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BILL CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: North Korea will freeze and then dismantle its nuclear program. Only as it does so, will North Korea fully join the community of nations. GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: The North Korean regime will find respect in the world and revival for its people only when it turns away from its nuclear ambitions. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: North Korea's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons is a path that leads only to more isolation. It's not a sign of strength. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (via translator): As of today, January 2016, at 10:00 a.m., North Korea's first hydrogen bomb test was successfully conducted. JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The initial analysis that's been conducted of the events that were reported overnight is not consistent with North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test. (END VIDEO CLIP) BRET BAIER, HOST: Long history of North Korea, provocation against the U.S., against the world. Now they say they have a hydrogen bomb. A quick brief history here on the -- what North Korea has done with its nuclear program. Admits, first acknowledges it had a secret program in 2002, conducted its first underground test, 2006, second test after walking away from talks, 2009. In 2013, third test using what it called a miniaturized nuclear device, and then January, just this past couple of days, North Korea claiming it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. Let's bring in our panel, Charles Lane, opinion writer for the Washington Post, editor in chief of Lifezette, Laura Ingraham, and syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer. CHARLES LANE, OPINION WRITER, "WASHINGTON POST": Well, this turn of events is a reminder for those who believe you can talk regimes like this out of their nuclear weapons that history has not been terribly kind to that proposition. North Korea has been sort of fiddling with one American administration after another, starting way back really with the George H. W. Bush administration, which was the one that withdrew the U.S. nuclear weapons from South Korea in an effort to win some kind of reciprocity from the North in the first place. And President Obama has treated the problem I think with what could be called benign neglect, basically staying away from and in a way hoping it would all go away or that China would somehow take care of it. And now we're stuck with this. It doesn't sound like they actually exploded a hydrogen bomb. We don't know, but the evidence that's coming out makes me skeptical. But what's revealing here is they think it is in their interests to claim that they're doing so. And they obviously are trying to see what the reaction of the various players in the region will be and then how they can use -- exploit that reaction to play these countries one off against the other. BAIER: Laura, as Chuck mentions, multiple administrations are culpable here about North Korea. But the Obama administration really has not talked about this at all and did not put any pressure on China, which is the lynchpin when it comes to North Korea. LAURA INGRAHAM, EDITOR IN CHIEF, LIFEZETTE.COM: I remember, I think it was 1993, Madeline Albright clinking champagne glasses with Kim Jong-il, and there was a great breakthrough which of course completely collapsed. This has happened time and again. We have to look at this in context with what's happened over the past 10-15 years over multiple administrations. Bipartisan blame I think goes to our neglect of Asia. We never pivoted to Asia in this administration. However, we have spent trillions of dollars and gotten ourselves trillions of dollars in debt and we have become weaker and weaker and weaker in Asia, being able to influence world events in Asia. We obviously are almost singularly focused on Middle East and Asia gets neglected. I think we have to look at our economic policy, look at our attraction and affection for globalism, because we have seen America's position in the world erode as our financial standing has eroded. So taking care of business at home, shoring us up would make us more influential and perhaps be able to do something more than send out poor old Josh Earnest to make another comment. BAIER: Speaking of the Middle East, and there are questions about how this factors in in the big picture with the Iran nuclear deal. Take a listen to this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CAPT. CHUCK NASH, (RET) FOX NEWS MILITARY ANALYST: This whole thing about an Iranian nuclear deal, they're just outsourcing the design, development, and testing, because these other countries have the ranges where they can actually do the tests. In North Korea we just saw one happen. EARNEST: I'm just saying that I can't confirm the veracity of those kinds of claims. But I can suggest that because of the leadership in the United States and other international institutions like the United Nations, there are significant barriers to those two countries doing exactly what you described. CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Well, there are. But, look, the main culprit here is not Iran. The main culprit is China. And I would give Obama a pass on this. I don't think there's anything he could have done that would be different from what his predecessors had done. In fact I would argue that the Clinton and the Bush administrations made things worse. They fed the North Koreans. They were hoodwinked into accepting all kinds of swaps and deals which were useless. At least Obama stayed out of it. We would have had no effect. The fact is that nothing that we can do is going to have any effect. We're talking about sanctions, would have no effect. There's only one way to affect what the North Koreans do, and that is through China. And China has no interest in squeezing off or strangling the regime. But China supplies the food and the fuel. One way that we could do it, with a simple statement from the United States, it shall be the policy of the United States to look favorably upon Japan and South Korea acquiring a nuclear deterrent, and that we would give whatever assistance is required, end of statement. I can assure you that will have an effect on China, which is the only player here that matters. BAIER: Next up, Republicans with sharp elbows, Democrats with some difficult definitions. Content and Programming Copyright 2016 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2016 Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. | https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/how-should-the-administration-proceed-after-north-koreas-nuclear-test |
Will ex-cons rush to register as Amendment 4 takes effect? | JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Some people in Florida with felony convictions will be eligible to register to vote Tuesday, as Amendment 4 goes into effect. The amendment, approved by nearly 65 percent of Florida voters in November, states those convicted of a felony who complete all terms of their sentence will have their right to vote restored. The new law does not apply to people convicted of murder or sexual offenses. Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan said he anticipates a rush of people will register in the morning. His office opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday. It doesnt have a whole lot of impact on my organization, except that we will be receiving a whole lot more applications, I am sure, because the eligibility, or the verification -- if you will -- of the application is all done by the Secretary of States office, Hogan explained. We have extra application forms, made sure we have enough pens. We will process them as they come in. Hogan said his office usually has 13 days to process an application and get it to Tallahassee electronically. Then the state will process the application as it relates to eligibility. Florida was one of a few states whose Constitution permanently disenfranchised felons and granted only the governor and the state cabinet the authority to restore a persons voting rights -- until Amendment 4 was passed by voters. Randy Reep, a criminal defense attorney, said his clients convicted of felonies have been passionate about Amendment 4. If we look back retrospectively, I think you will see a larger population of convicted felons who have their rights restored (will) vote than those who never lost them to begin with, Reep said. Those are people who have an actual interest. Jerod Powers, a father of two, served more than five years for aggravated battery with a firearm and was released in 2002. I did my time. I did my probation, Powers said. I am glad they gave us our voice back. According to Hogan, the state will determine if an ex-con meets the criteria of Amendment 4 and will then inform the Supervisor of Elections Office, who will then notify that individual. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. | https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/will-ex-cons-rush-to-register-as-amendment-4-takes-effect |
Who gets to keep the dog in a divorce? | For some people, their pet is almost like their child. And when a relationship breaks down, the battle for custody can become bitter with some owners opting to go to court to determine who should be the one to take sole ownership of the animal. Metro.co.uk spoke to Vanessa Lloyd Platt, who runs Lloyd Platt & Co, a law firm specialising in divorce. She said that put simply, a pet is effectively property under UK law. (Picture: Getty) In the minds of the judge and the law pets are chattels so they will be described in the same genre of furniture, she said. But for some people they can become like a son or daughter and can be there to provide a source of comfort to them through the divorce. MPs have 'serious concerns about the security situation' around Parliament People think they have the right to a relationship with their pet, but the rights are related to who bought it, who paid for it and who pays insurance for it. Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the time, people dont have evidence for these payments, and the cases can get very difficult and go into thousands of pounds of legal fees. In most cases, the court will look into what is in the best interest of the pet, and will get in an expert to say who is in the best position to look after it. Divorce lawyer Vanessa Lloyd Platt spoke to Metro.co.uk abot the legalities of a dispute over an animal (Picture: REX/Shutterstock) For example, if it is a dog and one owner lives in a flat and one lives in a country house, the court could decide the country house would be better as the dog could have the fields to run around in. Another factor a court could take into account is children, and Vanessa said if the animal was bought for them then a court will most likely have it stay with them. Of course, some partners might decide to split custody of their animal, a choice that might not always be the best thing for the pet. Vanessa said: Sometimes the court will say the couple can share ownership, but when I did the research with the Kennel Club and the Blue Cross, they found sharing isnt always in the best interest of a dog, as it can profoundly upset the dogs psyche. First picture of man charged with stabbing dad to death on Surrey train It can be quite harmful to a pet if their routine is upset and you shouldnt assume you will divide the time in half. Advertisement Advertisement After coming across so many disputes between former partners and their pets, Vanessa teamed up with Blue Cross to come up with a pet-nuptial agreement, a specially created document to plan for pets futures and help avoid heartache if a relationship should end. It sets out the right of ownership in the event of a divorce or relationship breakdown and covers ongoing pet care. I decided to look at all the law relating to contract and childrens law and adapt it so it was sensible to apply to animals and pets, Vanessa said. The first thing is consider what is best for the pet you are arguing over. 'Perfectly healthy' boy, 10, dies 72 hours after routine surgery to remove kidney stones Vanessa said: Always see if you can reach some kind of sensible agreement over it. The more you can agree on things the better your ongoing relationship can be. People can become very stuck on issues when going through a divorce, whether it is about a house, a car, furniture or a pet. It can become consuming, overwhelming and unnecessary but if you put your mind to it you can come to an agreement. Advertisement Mediation is always helpful and we mediate an enormous amount disputes involving pets. We really think its a drastic thing to go to court over an animal and people harden when they do. If you have a story for our news team, email us at [email protected]. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/07/who-gets-to-keep-the-dog-in-a-divorce-8320217/ |
What issues will dominate Irish education in 2019? | Leaving Cert reform: decision time Classrooms in the run-up to the Leaving can resemble military training grounds where students are drilled to produce perfect answers to potential questions based on marking schemes. Students are stressed, teachers have little choice, creativity suffers. Much of this dilemma lies at the heart of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) senior cycle review. It is due to get serious this year when it focuses on subject choice, pathways to further or higher education and learning outcomes. A discussion document is due in the coming months and proposals could be on the Ministers desk by the end of the year. Its Technological University Dublin, formed from the merger of DIT, IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown, with some 28,000 students. The Munster bid Cork Institute of Technology and IT Tralee is likely to be next. A southeast bid consisting of Waterford Institute of Technology and IT Carlow may follow, if they can sort out infighting. Technological universities hold the promise of greater scale and strength though whether they amount to more than an elaborate name-plate change remains to be seen. Education reform slows down Richard Brutons tenure in education was marked by detailed action plans, vaulting ambition and a flurry of reforms. Principals and teachers, though, were fed up with initiative overload. Since Joe McHugh took over, the former teachers had read the mood. Gone are the quarterly targets and outcomes; in their place is a greater focus on consultation and consensus. Expect fewer circulars and more steady change over the year ahead. Junior Cycle rubber hits the road Junior Cycle reforms billed as changes that embrace modern teaching, learning and assessment methods will really hit home this year. While English became the first subject to be tested last year, science and business studies join the club this year; followed by foreign languages and art next year. Its a big challenge for schools, which will have to grapple with more classroom-based assessments and teacher meetings to discuss grades and learning outcomes. Teacher union grumbling cant be too far behind. Junior Cycle reforms are due to take flight in the coming year. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Third-level funding We have had a decade of inadequate investment and an abysmal failure of successive governments to address how we can sustainably fund a system so central to the success of individuals and wider society. While the system is keeping its head above water, Irish universities are being left in the slipstream of rival jurisdictions such as China, which are benefiting from massive investment. Expect our universities to demand more funding or less control by the Government over staffing numbers or salary caps. Whether policy-makers will act is another matter. Teacher supply problems Teacher shortages at primary level mostly linked to a shortage of substitute cover should begin to ease soon. At second level, though, it will continue to be a major issue in key subjects: pupils across many schools are being left without qualified teachers in Irish, science, foreign languages, maths and other subjects. An obvious solution is sharing teachers across schools, even if some patrons and management bodies baulk at the prospect. Maths teachers are among those in shortest supply at second level. Photograph: iStock Career guidance review The career guidance profession suffered harsh cuts during the austerity years and it may now face a new threat: a Department of Education review of career guidance. Guidance counsellors argue their position is crucial to protecting pupils wellbeing and steering students on the right career pathway. Employers grumble that counsellors are too often out of touch with latest developments. Much may hinge on the outcome of this review. Students mental health Anxiety levels among pupils are reaching alarming levels. While hard to say for sure whats behind it always-on social media or time-pressed families may all have a role the scale of it is beyond doubt. Teachers cant be expected to act as professional counsellors, but we will need better access to mental health supports. Pilot projects being trialled this year that provide school-based access to therapy will be watched closely to see if they offer a blueprint for responding to these and other issues. Compulsory Irish up for debate A consultation is taking place on how to build a fair exemptions system for Irish. But the system is so full of holes it raises the wider issue of whether Irish should still be compulsory. The NCCAs senior cycle review is likely to throw up this issue later this year. Expect debate over this sacred cow of Irish education to reignite once again. Its a question that goes to the heart of concerns over the standard of advice available to pupils in religious-run schools. The Oireachtas education committee is set to back legal change to oblige all schools to provide access to fact-based sex education regardless of school ethos. If policy-makers are brave enough, this could signal another major shift in the State wresting back control from religious groups on education matters. School building structural concerns Joe McHugh jokes that when he took on his new brief as minister for education last October, he learned to become a quantity surveyor, a brickie and a hod-carrier within hours of his appointment. Controversy broke last year over rapid build schools constructed by Western Building Systems having structural problems. While temporary repairs were rushed in a few schools, the issue hasnt gone away. More detailed assessments on 42 schools will get under way this year. While no one knows for sure what will emerge, there is one certainty: the remediation bill will get bigger and bigger. Apprenticeships come of age On paper, its a no brainer: new apprenticeships offer students a chance to earn a decent wage, secure a degree and get a job at the end of it. A key barrier remains the status problem with further education: most parents prefer their children to go to higher education. Solas, the body with responsibility for the sector, is beginning to make progress building stronger pathways between further and higher education. This could well be the key to tackling the status issue.It shouldnt be a surprise if record numbers opt for apprentices in the coming year. 2018 WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR... Graduates The economy has rebounded and skills shortages mean graduates in key areas are in high demand. Computer science grads are best paid (with most earning up to 45,000 within months of leaving college) and have the highest employment rates. Computer science graduates are most likely to earn the highest salaries within months of leaving college. Photograph: iStock Rebecca Carter The Leaving Cert student from Co Wexford successfully argued that delays in the State Examinations Commission appeals process meant she would miss out on her veterinary science place in UCD. The High Court agreed with her and many other students now stand to benefit from a speeded-up appeals system. Rebecca Carter. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Healthy children Despite concerns, latest figures show the vast majority of nine-year-olds are not overweight or obese and have a generally good diet; children are eating more fruit and vegetables than they did a decade ago. The proportion of children reported as very healthy is on the rise. ... AND A BAD YEAR FOR... Higher Education Authority The State regulatory body for higher education lost its chief executive, Dr Graham Love, who stood down over what sources described as micromanaging by the department. Western Building Systems Inspections revealed that remedial work was required to make safe some of the schools it built for the Department of Education. Considerable sums have been spent on temporary repairs; more detailed structural assessments on a total of 42 schools will get under way during the coming year. Kildare and Wicklow Education Training Board The findings of an investigation into the spending of taxpayers money at the board have been referred to the Garda for further investigation. An investigation commissioned by the Department of Education was highly critical of the board and its then chief executives handling of a range of issues, such as the disclosure of family ties to companies hired by the organisation. | https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/what-issues-will-dominate-irish-education-in-2019-1.3745295 |
Are Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Engaged to be Married? | Marriage even with all its vaguely religious and conservative connotations is surprisingly trendy among young, hot, famous people right now. (Blame it on Hailey and Justin, or Ariana and Pete, or Meghan and Harry). So it wasn't surprising when Travis Scott recently confessed to Rolling Stone that he was feeling ready to propose to Kylie Jenner, 21-year-old mother of his child. Reading the profile, you got the feeling their marriage was a question of if, not when. Some recent evidence supports it: Kylie has shared several not-so-subtle visual hints on Instagram, where she can be seen posing with a huge diamond ring. The duo are known to refer to each other as "husband" and "wifey" on social media. Also, Kylie has a history of shielding big life events from public view. There's no reason to believe she'd be honest with us about getting engaged or wed, although it's also true that she's a billionaire who can afford to buy herself diamond jewelry. Kim Kardashian is no help either. She literally told Ellen that she has "no idea" whether the two are married or not. Which can't be true. Here's a photo of Kylie and a multi-million dollar-looking rock: On New Year's Eve, Jenner's BFF Jordyn Woods posted then took down a photo of her and Kylie, who was wearing a similar ring. It was quickly replaced with this image, where Jenner's right hand is obscured: You'll just have to make up your own damn mind, because we won't get any answers until exactly when Kylie feels like giving them. | http://www.papermag.com/kylie-jenner-engaged-2625368169.html |
When are the Oscars 2019 and who are the favourites to win? | The video will start in 8 Cancel Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email We are now into awards season for the entertainment world as the TV and film industry heads inexorably towards the Oscars. Monday, January 7, saw members of the the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences begin casting their votes online. They have just eight days to decide who they want to win Best Picture as well as their other favourites. On the same day, four guilds - representing art directors, cinematographers, film editors and writers - are revealing their nominees. Nominations for this year's Oscars close on January 14 and are announced on January 22. Final voting to decide the winners then opens on February 12 and closes on February 19. We'll then find out who the winners are when the gold envelopes are opened at Oscars 2019 on February 24 at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. In the UK, the 91st Academy Awards will be shown live on TV from 1am to 5.30am on Monday, February 25. The glittering ceremony will be screened on ABC in the US and on Sky in the UK. Best Foreign Language Film - Roma Best Animated Short - Bao Best Documetary Short - Black Sheep Best Live Action Short - Caroline (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) But the odds are changing following some surprise wins at the Golden Globes It was a disappointing night for A Star Is Born at the Globes, with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper losing out in the acting categories and Cooper losing out on the directing prize to Roma filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron. The film's only win was best original song, for Shallow, which was collected by Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson. Bohemian Rhapsody was the big winner of the night, scooping the prize for best drama and best actor, which was awarded to Rami Malek for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury. It's now led to the odds falling for A Star Is Born, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper being named winners at the Oscars this year. | https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/oscars-2019-who-favourites-win-15643786 |
Will the government shutdown affect schools? | Some parents are concerned that Congress' inability to pass a budget will affect K-12 students. But federal funding for Title I programs, special education, school meals and other elementary and secondary education programs is unaffected because the funds have already been distributed to school districts. Some Head Start programs could run out of money if the shutdown continues through Feb. 1. That would require Congress to allow the longest shutdown in history. The shutdown would reach its 42nd day if it extended to the first day of February. The previous record for a government shutdown occurred in December 1996 and January 1997, when the federal government closed for business for 21 days. But no Head Start programs in Oregon will be affected even if the shutdown were to extend into February, said Marc Siegel, communication director for the Oregon Department of Education. Oregon Head Start programs are fully funded through the end of September, he said. Oregon schools are funded mainly by state income taxes and by local property taxes. Statewide, federal funding only accounts for about 8 percent of Oregon school districts' budgets. | https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/01/will-the-government-shutdown-affect-schools.html |
How often has the highest temperature in the January-to-March period in Chicago occurred in January? | Greg Mate, McHenry, Ill. Dear Greg, In 148 years of Chicagos official temperature records, 1871 through 2018, the highest temperature in the January-February-March period has occurred in January only seven times. That is the answer to your question: only once every 21 years, on average. The highest temperature has happened in February 13 times (just a little over once every 11 years); and, as we would expect, the highest temperature in the January-February-March period has occurred in March the greatest number of times: 125 times. In three years 1896, 1972 and 2001 the highest temperature was tied between February and March. Chicagos winter climate is cold, but on rare occasions temperatures in January do, indeed, reach mild levels. | https://wgntv.com/2019/01/07/how-often-has-the-highest-temperature-in-the-january-to-march-period-in-chicago-occurred-in-january/ |
Can I Get a Pelvic Exam or Pap Smear on My Period? | If you feel pretty damn proud of yourself for scheduling a Pap smear or pelvic exam, we dont blame you. This kind of preventive care is incredibly important but also easy to put off or cut from your schedule the moment you get too busy. So, kudos to you. First, lets go over the difference between a pelvic exam and Pap smear. You might mentally lump these together under the category Important Vaginal Exams You Know You Should Get, but theyre a little different. A pelvic exam is usually performed as part of your annual well-woman visit , although you may need one outside of that if youre experiencing symptoms like unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain. During the exam, your doctor will check your vulva , vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum, and pelvis for any abnormalities, the Mayo Clinic says. This typically involves performing a visual inspection of your vulva to look for anything like irritation or sores, inserting a speculum to hold the walls of your vagina apart to view your vagina and cervix, and doing a manual exam to feel your pelvis, inside your vagina, and possibly inside your rectum. A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, involves collecting cells from your cervix to detect cervical cancer and to look for cellular changes that suggest this kind of cancer may develop in the future, per the Mayo Clinic . To perform a Pap, a medical professional will insert a speculum into your vagina, then take samples of your cervical cells using a soft brush and a flat device called a spatula, the Mayo Clinic explains. Not exactly the kind you cook with, but the same basic idea. Those samples go to a lab that can check for any potentially concerning changes in your cervical cells. You can get a Pap during a pelvic exam, but its unlikely youll have one during every pelvic exam. Current guidelines recommend that people with vaginas start getting Pap smears at age 21 and get another one every three years until age 65. People with vaginas who are 30 to 65 can opt for a Pap smear every three years, a Pap plus HPV test every five years, or just the HPV test every five years, according to the most recent guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force . (While a Pap looks for changes to cervical cells that can result from HPV, an HPV test specifically looks for the presence of this sexually transmitted infection, which is less common and more potentially concerning after age 30. Heres more about how HPV tests work .) You might need to have a Pap more frequently if you get an abnormal Pap result or have risk factors like a history of cervical cancer. Its usually OK to get both a pelvic exam and Pap smear when you have your period, but it may affect the results of your Pap. Doctors say theres usually no reason why you need to avoid getting a pelvic exam while on your period with one exception: if youre having a pelvic exam because youre dealing with weird discharge. If someone is on their period, its going to be difficult to do an appropriate evaluation of an abnormal discharge, Dr. Streicher says. That doesnt mean you should just cancel your visit, since abnormal discharge can happen for a variety of reasons that benefit from prompt treatment, like sexually transmitted infections . But it does make sense to call beforehand and discuss the specifics with your doctor or a member of their team so they can tell you whether or not to come in based on the full scope of your symptoms. As for a Pap, you can technically still get one during your period, but it can still be better to schedule the test for a time when you dont expect you'll be menstruating. Depending on how heavy your flow is, your period may affect the results of your test. Usually if it's during the lighter part of the cycle it shouldn't be a problem, Jessica Shepherd , M.D., a minimally invasive gynecologist at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, tells SELF. [However], sometimes women can bleed too much to get an adequate sample of cells for the Pap. Of course, you may not always know when your period is going to show up. For women with irregular periods , theres no way of knowing when theyll get their periodI see that a lot, Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, tells SELF. We may not get the best representation of cervical cells given that there will be an additional amount of red blood cells, but if this is the only time you can take to get your Pap test, you should still get it. The world wont end if you decide to get a Pap even on your heaviest flow day. The worst that will happen is youll have to go back to get retested, Lauren Streicher, M.D., a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. If your flow is heavy and you dont want to take the chance that youll have to retake your Pap, its 100 percent OK to do a pelvic exam and then come back for your Pap when your period is done, Dr. Greves says. Also, you shouldn't feel like you cant have these exams while on your period because its "gross" for your doctor. Its not. Theres nothing shameful or disgusting about your period . Bloody vaginas are basically a gynecologists bread and butter. Thats what we dowe see people bleed all the time, Dr. Streicher says. With that said, its normal if you dont quite feel comfortable getting examined while on your period. A good doctor will understand that, and while they might try to explain why you shouldnt feel ashamed, they wont (or shouldnt) judge you for it. Some women request not to be examined when theyre bleeding, and thats fine, Dr. Greves says. As always, if youre not sure what to do, call your doctor. And, ultimately, if youre having any concerns about your sexual or reproductive health, you should see your ob/gyn whether you have your period or not. Related: | https://www.self.com/story/pelvic-exam-pap-period |
Will the gamble of providing reservation to upper caste communities work for BJP in 2019? | India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 8: The cabinet decision to provide 10 per cent reservation to economically backward upper cast communities in the election year may help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to sail through 2019 Lok Sabha elections but the fear of decision being counter productive cannot be ruled out. But before it becomes a reality, it has to pass through many test. Actually decision in this regards has been taken a few months ago and even Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that he not only favours but also supports reservation to poor people in the upper caste communities. Paswan's party has always included this in their manifesto. But with this actually the Modi government is trying to win over already angry upper caste people. Also Read | Centre plans for 10 percent reservation to upper castes ahead of Lok Sabha polls Reports have been reaching the government that the BJP has lost Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh due to anger of upper castes but it was more pronounced in Madhya Pradesh. The report coming from Uttar Pradesh is socking to the BJP leaders. Upper cast community is not supporting the BJP in the state despite a Rajput and a saffron clad sadhu at the helm. If the BJP is not getting good report from the Hindi heartland, what will happen to the party in the rest of the country. The BJP has been trying from very long that it will be able to placate upper caste community people. But it failed to do anything. The repercussion of this reservation to upper caste may harm the party the way it had harmed the party in the case of SC/ST Act. The BJP made amendments in the SC/ST Act going against the Supreme Court decisions but this has not gone down well with the upper caste and they felt there was no need to amend the law in Parliament. But the BJP did this with the hope that the entire Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe will rally behind the BJP. But the SC/ST have said that they secured their right by fighting on the streets. Many other stakeholders came in between and the BJP was not even acknowledged by them but upper caste got infuriated by this decision and campaigned against the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Now the Union cabinet has approved 10 per cent reservation which is likely to be taken to the court and second Other Backward classes and SC/ST will call it infringement in their rights. Check here This might also go against the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections if the issue is not handled carefully. These are some desperate moves that the BJP is trying to make to win 2019 Lok Sabha elections but they don't seem to be giving desired results. However, with its allies if the matter is taken to people in the right manner it may help the BJP but this is definitely cause another layer of division that is not good for the healthy society. Reservation for poor upper caste was being demanded by several organisations so they will claim it to be their achievement. | https://www.oneindia.com/india/will-the-gamble-of-providing-reservation-to-upper-caste-communities-work-for-bjp-in-2019-2833494.html?utm_source=/rss/news-india-fb.xml&utm_medium=23.50.225.237&utm_campaign=client-rss |
What Happens When a Sole Proprietor Dies Without a Will? | Sole proprietor businesses are often too closely tied to their owners to be the same without them. For owners, their businesses are their whole lives, so it can be especially devastating when the owner dies. When a sole proprietor dies, they usually leave behind assets and debts. Like any death, if the owner leaves behind a will, that document will settle their assets and debts. When a sole proprietor dies and leaves behind a will, all people need to do is follow it. However, sole proprietors may not have a living will to leave behind. When that happens, things can get complicated. Sole proprietors are responsible for their businesses assets, which means theyre responsible for its debts too. Settling the businesss and the owners personal remains can be tough. It helps to know about the processes of handling an owners passing. And dont think about death too much, or else it may hinder your business through the power of negative thinking. Keep reading below to learn what happens if a sole proprietor dies, without a will. When a Sole Proprietor Dies, Their Debts Remain Debts dont die; they only go away when they get settled. In a sole proprietorship, any debts that the sole proprietor takes out is their personal responsibility. It doesnt matter if they take money out for the business or not. That means any debts that the sole proprietor took out goes to their next of kin according to the states probate law. The IRS and state laws do not see sole proprietorships as any different from a persons personal financial dealings. The next of kin will usually choose to dissolve the sole proprietorship after inheriting such sudden debt. This means they need to cancel any licenses and registrations the sole proprietorship had. To settle debts from the business, the next of kin usually sells any assets associated with the business. Usually, that sale covers the debt. However, there are times when the debt may exceed the assets value, leaving the next of kin responsible for paying it back. To avoid this, sole proprietors should hire a will lawyer while they can. Having a will protects their loved ones from sudden expenses after their death. Also, a will lets the people they leave behind know that you thought of them in life its an important, small comfort in a dark time. Two Things Are Sure In Life: Death and Taxes When a sole proprietor dies, the next of kin should notify the federal government. Contact the IRS and notify them about the death. However, their dealings with the IRS dont end there. The next of kin also need to file a final tax return for the sole proprietorship. Even though the company may shutter after its owner dies, it still likely conducted business during the fiscal year. Youll still need to account for that income. Having A Will Protects You, Your Business, and The People Close To You Getting a will is one of the most responsible things any person can do. When a sole proprietor dies, it will protect their family and business partners. Yet, accepting that fact is an important part of being a responsible person. Making a will means planning for an inevitable future without you and its a way of caring for the people you love. While youre alive, its important to run an efficient business, and we can help with that. Although we dont offer a template for a will, we offer many other document templates that will make your sole proprietorship a success. Use these documents to make sure you leave behind a successful business for your loved ones. | http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/attorneys/what-happens-when-a-sole-proprietor-dies-without-a-will/ |
What Does Losing The Golden Globe Mean For Lady Gaga's Oscar Chances? | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic The momentum behind A Star Is Born has been strong ever since it premiered to a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival in August. Critics and audiences alike are raving for Bradley Coopers first turn as a director, and for Lady Gagas first starring role in a major motion picture. Since then, the film has picked up nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, SAG Awards, Grammys, Producers Guild Awards, and has been honored at the AFI Awards and Palms Springs International Film Festival. But for all of these honors, of the films five Golden Globe nominations which was among the most nominations a single entity received this year they only picked up one award at the January 6 ceremony, Best Original Song, and lost out on in the Best Picture, directing, and acting categories including Lady Gagas Best Actress nod. Jacopo Raule/FilmMagic Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga at the Venice Film Festival First, lets establish the most important point of all: The Golden Globes and the Oscars have entirely different voting bodies. For the Globes, voters are members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, made up of journalists from around the world (or, ahem, the globe). At the Oscars, were getting the opinion of Hollywood insiders, including actors, directors, producers, editors, casting directors, cinematographers, and so on. Different voting bodies means there is potential for different results. How often these different results are seen in the Best Actress category is another matter, made slightly more complicated by the way the two awards shows organize their honors. The Golden Globes separates films into two categories, letting movies compete as a drama or as a comedy/musical, so the Golden Globes produces two Best Actresses each year, one drama and one comedy/musical. The Oscars, on the other hand, does not separate by genre, narrowing the pool of nominees down from ten slots to five. Im not going to say that means its more difficult to secure an Oscar nomination, but statistically, it is less likely, which isnt good news for anyone, Lady Gaga included. Fortunately, the love Lady Gaga and the film have already received not only in the form of nominations, but also in celebrity adoration and internet meme-ification means shes definitely going to be on voters minds as they review their ballots. George Pimentel/WireImage Lady Gaga with her 2019 Golden Globe for Best Original Song The Academy, historically made up of older white men, loves to reward years of hard work. In the past ten years, only two nominees won the Best Actress category on their first ever nomination: Sandra Bullock in 2010 after shed appeared in approximately 17,000 movies and Brie Larson in 2016, whose acting in Room was simply stunning. (The preceding decade was more welcoming of first-timers, during which time six of the ten best actresses were first-time nominees and many of whom were Hollywood heavy-hitters with established rsums: Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, and Marion Cotillard.) Theres one more piece of not-great news for Gaga: The last time the Academy awarded a Best Actress who didnt also receive the Globe was Halle Berry in 2002. Of course, correlation is not causation, but that fact must make Glenn Close (a six-time Oscar nominee, zero-time winner) and Olivia Colman feel good about their Oscars odds. (And seriously, have you seen The Favourite?) Now, these voting patterns could be very different at this point in time. Over the past few years, the Academy has made a widely publicized effort to establish a more inclusive body of voters meaning more people of color, more women, and more young people. Theyve added approximately 2,000 new members over the past three years as part of their pledge to double the Academys diversity by 2020 increasing the number of people of color from 8 percent to 16 percent, and upping the percentage of women by a few points to 31 which could (and hopefully will) result in a shift in who is recognized at the ceremony. Its also worth noting that Lady Gaga is no stranger to the Oscars, and should she be nominated, it wouldnt be her first time. In 2016, she picked up a nomination alongside Diane Warren in the Best Original Song category for their song, Til It Happens To You, which appeared in the documentary The Hunting Ground. She followed up her nomination with an impactful performance at the ceremony that featured over 50 sexual assault survivors, all tagged with words like survivor and not your fault, standing with her on stage. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Lady Gaga performing at the 2016 Academy Awards Gaga had also been tapped to perform at the ceremony one year earlier months before she debuted her acting chops in American Horror Story: Hotel as the Academy honored the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music. Another positive sign for Gaga: Shallow is shortlisted for Best Original Song, and since the Academy members are probably still kicking themselves for not giving her the award the first time around after that room-silencing performance, and because of the mainstream success of the song, I, for one, will be shocked if she doesnt snag that award. In short, they like her, they really like her her music, at the very least. Its hard to say exactly what this all means for Lady Gagas chances in an acting category, particularly because the crossover from musician to prestige actress is slim. We can look to Madonna, who won Best Actress, Musical or Comedy, at the 1997 Golden Globes for her role in Evita, and who had previously performed at the Oscars but that might not result in the prediction most are hoping for. Madonna did not receive a Best Actress nomination at that years Academy Awards. (The film, however, received five nominations and won Best Original Song for You Must Love Me, which Madonna performed at the ceremony.) We can also look to Cher, who, in 1988, took home the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Moonstruck after securing the Golden Globe. Unfortunately for Gaga fans, Chers monumental win came with her second acting nomination at the Academy Awards, after having lost Best Supporting Actress for her role in Silkwood in 1984. (She did win the Golden Globe that year, though marking her first win on the motion picture side.) Tommaso Boddi/WireImage Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, and Lady Gaga at the TCL Chinese Theatre Still, where theres a will, theres a way, and Gaga, Cooper, and the entire A Star Is Born team certainly have the will. For the past few months, theyve taken every opportunity to champion the movie everywhere from major film festivals to local theaters. Theyve done sit-down interviews with reputable outlets detailing the artistry that went into the project. Theyve told us, time and time again, just how much they believe in the work they did, all to generate the kind of buzz thats reserved only for the best projects of the year, to get as many voting members of the Academy to see their film, to love their film, and to tell their colleagues about the film. But just in case those voting members still hadnt heard of their movie, they put up viral billboards in the swankiest parts of Hollywood. They immortalize their hand and footprint outside of Hollywood's famed TCL Chinese Theatre. They send out screeners or copies of the movie so voting members of the Academy can watch at home, and they hold special For Your Consideration screenings for members who want to get the full movie-going experience. They attend luncheons and events where they can chat with voters face-to-face. And they do all of this with one goal in mind: to win Oscar gold. The intense campaigning began with the films world premiere in Venice, all leading up to today, Monday, January 7, when the first round of Oscars nominations voting opens, and, if a nomination is secured on Tuesday, January 22, the campaigning will continue until the final round of voting closes just days before the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 24. In the meantime, its hard to say what boxes the Academy members are checking off and whether their habits from the past will shine again. But one thing is for sure: A Star Is Borns Oscars campaign is going strong, and Lady Gaga is fully diving in. | http://www.mtv.com/news/3108923/lady-gaga-oscar-chances/ |
Does Cuonzo Martin think MU can score enough in SEC play? | On Thursdays teleconference for Southeastern Conference basketball coaches, Mizzous Cuonzo Martin said he was struggling to find flaws in Tennessee. Then he watched the No. 3 Volunteers dismantle Georgia by 46 points on Saturday in a 96-50 victory. When he spoke again Monday, Martin struggled to say if he had any more success scouting Tennessee. I thought they played well, Martin said, smiling. Digital Access For Only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. Missouri opens SEC play on Tuesday at home against the leagues toughest team and the Tigers will need all hands on deck if they want to upset Tennessee. MU is riding a six-game winning streak, but has some glaring issues going up against the Vols, who have a lot more scoring and experience than Mizzou. The Tigers are currently last in the SEC in scoring, averaging 69.1 points per game despite leading the conference in three-point shooting. Tennessee is ranked first, with 86.3 points per game. Martins team has been able to go 9-3 without star player Jontay Porter, largely because of Missouris scoring defense, which is No. 33 nationally at 63.2 points per game and second in the SEC. Porter tore his right ACL and MCL before the season. Martin doesnt think the Tigers low scoring will be an issue in conference play, because he thinks most teams scoring numbers will drop by five to 10 points in the SEC. He added that Missouris scoring will likely go up as his freshmen continue to develop and MU can gain more possessions by cutting down on turnovers. Hed like to see Mizzou take more shots inside the three-point arc. Missouri beat Tennessee 59-55 in Columbia last season, which Martin attributed to good defense, but will be hard-pressed to win with a repeat performance. Sharpshooters Kassius Robertson and Jordan Barnett both graduated and the Vols held Georgia to just one three-pointer on Saturday. Both teams did a good job defensively, Martin said of last years game. First half, we were 0-for-7 from three. There has to be more than just threes. You have to be able to make plays around the rim. Defensively, Martin said Tuesday will be a strong indicator for where MU is given the Vols leading scorers in Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield. Williams is an All-American candidate and averages 19.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Martin called Williams one of the five best players in college basketball right now. Missouri will likely use senior Kevin Puryear, a Blue Springs South graduate, on Williams and he is up for the challenge. The 6-foot-7 forward had 12 points and 10 rebounds in last years game and wants to see where he stands against one of the the conferences best players. Were playing a pretty complete team, Puryear said. Tennessee will be just the fourth top-three team to visit Mizzou Arena since 2009 and the first since No. 1 Kentucky in 2015. Missouris nonconference schedule has put the Tigers in good shape to flirt with a postseason tournament appearance but a win on Tuesday would really put MU in discussion for the NCAA Tournament. Martin isnt worried about all that. Im not consumed with their ranking, he said. Whats most important is protecting your home court. | https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article224040405.html |
Will Trump Really Declare a National Emergency to Build the Wall? | While fielding questions from reporters in the Rose Garden last week, President Trump floated the idea of circumventing Congress and using the military to build his long-promise border wall. We can call a national emergency because of the security, he said. I havent done it. I may do it. But we can call a national emergency and build it very quickly. If anyone doubted the president was serious, several outlets have since reported that the White House has been discussing the prospect. Negotiations to resolve the issue and re-open the government have not been going well, with Democrats steadfastly refusing to include border-wall funding in a spending bill and Trump refusing to accept a bill that does not include over $5 billion of taxpayer money allocated toward its construction, which could ultimately cost as much as $70 billion. Something has to give. We can only stay like this for so long, a White House official told CNN on Saturday. Bringing the military into the picture may seem ridiculous and implausible, but then again so did shutting down the government. On Monday morning, Trump tweeted something Rep. Adam Smith (D-VA) said Sunday on This Week with George Stephanopolous in an attempt to legitimize a potential national emergency declaration. Congressman Adam Smith, the new Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, just stated, Yes, there is a provision in law that says a president can declare an emergency. Its been done a number of times. No doubt, but lets get our deal done in Congress! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019 What Trump conveniently didnt include in his tweet was the second part of Smiths quote. In this case, I think the president would be wide open to a court challenge saying, Where is the emergency? You have to establish that in order to do this, he told ABC on Sunday. But beyond that, this would be a terrible use of Department of Defense dollars. Smith isnt the only lawmaker to question the legality of Trumps scheme to follow through on his biggest campaign promise. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told MSNBC on Sunday that the president absolutely does not have the authority to declare a national emergency in service of building a border, adding that it seems to him that if theres any national emergency its because of the individual whos sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sen. Jeff Merkely (D-OR) agrees. The law is very specific about a declaration of war, about the type of threat thats posed to the United States, he told CNN on Monday. Realize that in the year 2000, there were 200,000 people at peak coming to our border, 200,000. Were at about a fifth of that right now. So how could this possibly be framed as a national emergency? As Merkely noted, illegal immigration in no way warrants the declaration of a national emergency. But Trump appears poised to use any means necessary to construct a border wall. Its not as if declaring a national emergency just occurred to him last week, either. In December, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon explained to New York Magazine that declaring a national emergency and enlisting the military to build the wall may be the presidents best course of action. You either have a crisis or you dont, he said. If its a crisis, act like it. Declare a national-security emergency on the southern border. Deploy troops not to assist the Border Patrol but to replace them, then you bring in the Army Corps of Engineers to build the wall. Get the backhoes out and start digging. The Democrats, the Establishment Republicans, the media, maybe the courts they all go nuts. Everybody fights it. But you are Trump, and you are finally building a fucking wall. It may not be this easy. As Popular Informations Judd Legum points out, the National Emergencies Act of 1976 states that if the president calls a national emergency, the House of Representatives can pass a resolution to rescind it. Once that happens, the Senate has 18 days to uphold the House resolution. Though the Republican-controlled Senate has yet to rebuke Trump in any significant way, giving him the power to commandeer the military for a vanity project would be a new low, although one to which it would be unwise to put it past the GOP to sink. Theres also the issue of a potential court challenge, as Smith pointed out on Sunday. Americans may discover the extent of the presidents authority sooner rather than later. On Monday, Trump announced that he will address the nation regarding the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border from the Oval Office on Tuesday night. A few hours before the announcement was made, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted that Trump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the front lines of the national security and humanitarian crisis, where he will surely give yet another address flanked by a cadre of border agents. I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019 Whether Trump will use the address to declare a national emergency or simply stress the need for border security as he has been doing since he shut down the government over it, theres no doubt it will be rife with lies and mischaracterizations. | https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-national-emergency-border-wall-775804/ |
Why is a vegan sausage roll so controversial? | 2019 is shaping up to be the year of the vegan. Earlier this week, UK bakery chain Greggs released its eagerly awaited vegan sausage roll, much to the delight of its customers. Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside said the company decided to launch the product this month as its "contribution to Veganuary", an annual campaign that challenges participants to take up a vegan diet for the month of January. But, as is to be predicted in our modern times of outrage, not everyone was thrilled by the addition to the bakery's menu. While the response has been largely positive, some were offended by the mere notion of a meat-free sausage roll, among them British journalist Piers Morgan. Nobody was waiting for a vegan bloody sausage, you PC-ravaged clowns. https://t.co/QEiqG9qx2G Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 2 January 2019 "Nobody was waiting for a vegan bloody sausage, you PC-ravaged clowns," Morgan tweeted, racking up tens of thousands of likes and retweets. As is so often the case with Morgan, he's wrong: in 2018, more than 20,000 people signed a petition calling on Greggs to introduce a vegan alternative to their traditional pork-filled sausage roll. That's to say nothing of the 250,000 who signed up to Veganuary globally in 2019, which the campaign's organisers have said is the most ever. Apparently meeting consumer demand is now PC. It's a tad ironic that Morgan, who has repeatedly denounced "hypersensitive" snowflakes, could be driven to spluttering paroxysms of rage by a fungal protein-filled pastry. But he isn't the first to react to the existence of veganism with seemingly disproportionate hostility. Anti-Vegan Sausage Roll Protest in Manchester pic.twitter.com/RTJsC4Sb47 Paul Brierley (@therealbriman) 5 January 2019 In 2017, the claws came out when a cat rescue group held a fundraising sausage sizzle with vegan snags at a Bunnings in Melbourne. Some attacked the organisers for corrupting a "sacred" tradition and pledged to boycott the event. Late last year, William Sitwell, editor of Waitrose magazine resigned from his position after making comments about "killing" vegans and joking that they should be "trapped" and "force-fed" animal products after he was pitched a series of articles about meat-free dishes by a freelance journalist. Make them eat steak and drink red wine?" Sitwell wrote. While Sitwell later apologised, his comments typify the irrational abuse vegans cop as plant-based diets move increasingly into the mainstream. On Friday, one man even uploaded a video of himself buying a Greggs vegan sausage roll only to throw it in the bin. Freelance food writer Selene Nelson received an email from Waitrose Food magazine editor William Sitwell that joked about killing vegans and forcing them to eat meat. Picture: Instagram In 2016, a Roy Morgan Research study found that Australia has more than two million vegans and vegetarians. According to market researcher Euromonitor International, Australia is the third fastest growing vegan market in the world. Between 2014 and 2016, the number of vegan food products in Aussie supermarkets shot up by 92 per cent, according to The Food Revolution Network. Our packaged vegan food market is set to reach $215 million next year. The benefits of ditching animal products are numerous. In May 2018, a comprehensive study from Oxford University involving 40,000 farms in over 100 countries found cutting down on meat and dairy consumption is "the biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth - not just greenhouse gases but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use." According to another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a well-planned vegan diet is associated with weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, lower risk of type 2 diabetes and even protection from some cancers. While most vegans have at some point been cornered by a meat eater and interrogated about their iron levels, the study also concluded that contrary to popular belief, vegans "do not experience anaemia more frequently than others". All of this is to say lentil-munchers don't deserve such a bad rap. For all the tired stereotypes depicting vegans as self-righteous scolds, it's the meat-eaters who seem unable to resist the compulsion to shame, mock and belittle them at every turn. There are echoes of the "traditional values" rhetoric so often used in the same-sex marriage and gender fluidity debates in the argument over vegan pastries. For staunch traditionalists like Piers Morgan, it's as if the vegan sausage roll represents another institution under attack; another confusing and uncomfortable change in a society learning and growing at head-spinning speed. But the fact that vegans now have more options than ever before doesn't mean the meat-eating majority can't still enjoy a steak. Nor does it make it okay to declare open season on those who choose to abstain from animal products entirely. Here's a thought: perhaps those seething over a harmless vegan treat could take a leaf (no pun intended) out of the vegan community's book, and live and let live. Seb Starcevic is a freelance writer. @SebStarcevic | https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/why-is-a-vegan-sausage-roll-so-controversial/3616285/ |
What's up with the Yankees? And how could it affect White Sox pursuit of Manny Machado? | originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com The most pressing question in the White Sox pursuit of Manny Machado isn't whether he was at Sunday's Bears game. He wasn't. It's what the heck the New York Yankees are doing. Because there's a legitimate case to be made that they're moving on from Machado with some of the other moves they've made of late. And if that is the case, it will dramatically change everything, as it's been reported plenty of times that he supposedly prefers to land in The Bronx and play for the team he grew up rooting for. Scroll to continue with content Ad But there are so many things going on with the Yankees that a union between them and Machado seems, let's just say more complicated than it does with the White Sox - who have reportedly already made an offer, one characterized last week by USA Today's Bob Nightengale as "serious" and "closer to $200 million than $300 million" - or the "spend stupid" Philadelphia Phillies. Story continues Let's start with the Troy Tulowitzki signing, which didn't and still doesn't seem like something that would greatly impact a pursuit of Machado. Tulowitzki is a five-time All Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, sure, but he's also 34 years old and coming off a lost season in which surgery on both heels kept him out completely. He's played in 66 games since the start of the 2017 season. The Toronto Blue Jays paid the nearly $40 million left on his old contract to get rid of him, yet there's plenty of speculation the Yankees might have signed him (to a league-minimum deal, remember) with thoughts of him starting. That thinking would likely bring an end to their pursuit of Machado, as he would be the likely candidate to start at shortstop, at the very least until Didi Gregorius (slated to become a free agent after next season) returns several months in after recovering from Tommy John surgery. But Tulowitzki seems more like a zero-risk move that could also act as a type of insurance policy should the Yankees miss out on Machado. Simply put, Troy Tulowitzki wants a ring and knows that Manny Machado greatly enhances the #Yankees' chances. https://t.co/gf8iKSAoK6 Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 7, 2019 As is often the case when discussing free agents, money could end up the biggest issue. And whether the Yankees merely want to remain relatively flexible as their fleet of young stars inches toward big raises or are using Machado's supposed preference as a bargaining tool, they reportedly aren't willing to offer the kind of long-term, record-breaking contract it was assumed Machado would command when the offseason started. The Yankees don't need Machado, the winners of 100 games last season and the potential preseason World Series favorites without him. And so they don't need to win him over with a massive contract offer. The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly in a similar spot in the Bryce Harper derby, unwilling to make a gargantuan contract offer and in a fine position without his services, the winners of the last two NL pennants. But the Yankees are the Yankees, of course, and they've never let dollars get in the way of improving their team. So look what they've done in recent days, bringing back Zach Britton on an expensive free-agent contract that keeps him in their bullpen for the next three seasons at $39 million. Britton's got a great track record, sure, and the Yankees are facing the possible defection of Dellin Betances to free agency following the 2019 season, but that's an awful lot of cash. They could have saved if they gave David Robertson the same deal he got from the Phillies, but maybe they just wanted Britton. And they might not be done splurging on relievers, either, as Adam Ottavino reportedly has their interest, too. After his 2.43-ERA, 112-strikeout season in 2018, he's expected to cash in on a multi-year contract. That means even more dollars spent on the relief corps - and more of that offseason budget not spent on Machado. There have been multiple offseason rumors about them potentially trying to trade Miguel Andujar, the guy with just 154 major league games under his belt who almost won AL Rookie of the Year honors last season. Keeping that 23-year-old in the lineup for years to come - and at a much cheaper price than Machado - would seem like a no-brainer, but Machado, as White Sox fans know, is a heck of a player. There's been suggestion, too, that the Yankees could try to move Andujar to first base, where their current starter is Luke Voit. Machado's supposed preference for the Yankees and their hole at shortstop made them the most sensible option when it came to Machado's landing place. But they are doing things the other suitors in this derby aren't doing, which at this point in the process effectively means they're going on with their offseason rather than sitting patiently while Machado deliberates. The White Sox have added in small ways, as expected, considering where they are in their rebuild. There might no be no stereotypical Plan B in the form of a significant consolation-prize signing should they miss out. The Phillies have added a couple big names in Robertson and Andrew McCutchen, but remember they have "stupid" money they've vowed to spend and they view themselves as far closer to contention, whether or not that's actually a reality in the increasingly competitive NL East. In the end, the size of the contract offer could wind up the difference maker (big shock, right?) and the White Sox have already made an offer, per Nightengale, one that could, if we're connecting some various dots, be in the ballpark of seven years and $210 million. Certainly the possibility for those numbers to be larger exists. If the Yankees don't want to go that high, or come anywhere near that high, then that's a sizable gap that could cause Machado to abandon his preference. The Phillies, of course, are in a similar position to the White Sox when it comes to offering a big contract, and according to Nightengale's latest update - which also focuses on the unknowns surrounding the Yankees - they remain the two most aggressive pursuers. The #Yankees are either playing it coy, trying to gauge the Andujar trade market, or simply have no intention of offering Manny Machado a $200 million-plus contract. The Chicago #WhiteSox and Philadelphia #Phillies remain the most aggressive teams for the prized infielder. Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 7, 2019 In other words, stay tuned. But if the Yankees aren't quite as "in" on this whole thing than it initially seemed, perhaps "stay tuned" changes to "buckle up." Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the White Sox easily on your device. | https://sports.yahoo.com/whats-yankees-could-affect-white-163906136.html?src=rss |
Can Trump order the U.S. military to build a border wall? | U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reiterated Monday that the White House is looking into whether President Donald Trump can declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border that would allow him to order the military to build a wall. Trump said Tuesday afternoon on Twitter that he will give a speech Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Some are speculating he will declare a national emergency in the speech. But Yale Law Professor Bruce Ackerman tells CTV News Channel that there is no legal way for Trump to use such a decree to build his border wall. Ackerman points to a U.S. Supreme Court case decided when President Harry Truman nationalized steel mills and ordered all striking employees back to work during the Korean War, in violation of federal law. The Supreme Court holds that this is unconstitutional to use the Commander in Chief power to violate federal domestic law, according to Ackerman. That is precisely what President Trump is proposing to do. Ackerman also points to a 1956 statute that states: Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force ... to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. This means that, immediately, members of the army are going to have to make a hard choice, says Ackerman. Should they obey the president and commit a criminal offence or should they uphold the rule of law and disobey the president? This is a tragedy, Ackerman went on. The crisis of this kind in which the military has to decide whether its going to uphold the law or obey the president is precisely the scenario that has led many Latin American countries to military coups for the last 150 years. Worse yet, hes violating the Constitution in a way that requires each military man to decide whether hes going to obey the Constitution as he is sworn to do in his oath or the president of the United States, Ackerman added. Earlier this week, Ackerman outlined a number of reasons in an op-ed for The New York Times about why hes certain Trump cant legally order the military to build his wall by declaring a national emergency. In addition to it not being constitutional and violating the 1956 statute, he writes that its possible to imagine a situation in which the president might take advantage of the most recent exception, enacted in 2011, which authorized the military detention of suspected terrorists associated with Al Qaeda or the Taliban, but goes on to say that would be unconscionable. Trump did claim on Friday that there are terrorists coming through the southern border and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Fox News last week that nearly 4,000 known or suspected terrorists have come into the country illegally, mostly from Mexico. A State Department report issued in September found "no credible evidence indicating that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico, worked with Mexican drug cartels or sent operatives via Mexico into the United States." With files from The Associated Press | https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/can-trump-order-the-u-s-military-to-build-a-border-wall-1.4244267 |
Will Coca-Cola Raise Its Dividend in 2019? | It's hard to find a dividend stock that can match the history that beverage giant Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) has had. For decades, the stock has generated impressive double-digit percentage returns for its shareholders, and Coca-Cola has managed to do well even during tough times for the rest of the economy. Dividend investors have also seen big rewards from holding Coca-Cola stock, with more than a half-century of consistent, reliable dividend growth. As the company once again makes some major moves toward a more capital-efficient strategic vision, shareholders want to know if they can expect continued dividend growth from Coca-Cola. With that in mind, we'll look more closely at the company to see whether it's likely to keep moving its dividend higher in 2019. Dividend stats on Coca-Cola Current quarterly dividend per share $0.39 Current yield 3.3% Number of consecutive years with dividend increases 56 Payout ratio 236% Last increase March 2018 Source: Yahoo! Finance. Last increase refers to ex-dividend date. Coca-Cola's dividend looks fizzier than ever Investors have enjoyed steady and impressive growth not just in Coca-Cola's share price but also in its dividend payout. The beverage giant has made a habit of making modest single-digit percentage increases that nevertheless add up to significant dividend growth over time. For instance, in 2008, Coca-Cola paid slightly less on a per-share basis in dividends than it did in late 2018 -- but since then, the stock has gone through a 2-for-1 stock split. That means effective payouts have more than doubled. Dividend investors have seen growth slow down to some extent, though. The 2018 increase of $0.02 per share set the new payout at $0.39 per share, and that 5.4% increase was quite a bit less than the 8% to 9% increases that it often made early in the 2010s. KO Dividend Chart More KO Dividend data by YCharts. As we've seen in past years, though, Coca-Cola's dividend raises questions of sustainability right now. A payout ratio above 200% usually indicates problems that could threaten a dividend cut in the future, but much of the reason why the beverage company has seen earnings drop has to do with the corporate restructuring moves it's made lately. In particular, the effort to refranchise Coca-Cola's bottling operations stands to make its capital asset structure look much simpler in the future -- but it comes with short-term pain in the form of extraordinary charges that keep earnings down and make payout ratios look artificially high. Coca-Cola looks for better business ahead From a fundamental standpoint, Coca-Cola is working hard to look better financially. Revenue has taken a hit because of its bottler refranchising, but margin improvement has been significant, and that stands to continue into 2019. | https://news.yahoo.com/coca-cola-raise-dividend-2019-010600553.html |
How Will the New Tax Law Affect Retirees? | The changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law late in 2017 will be reflected in 2018 tax returns, which are filed this spring. The law is one of the most sweeping tax code reforms of the last three decades, and is likely to affect all Americans who file tax returns. Many of its provisions are certain to affect retirees. Here's a look at four of the most significant. Puzzled looking older man reviewing documents, pencil in hand. More IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES. 1. The standard deduction is nearly doubling. Deductions are amounts subtracted from income, lowering the taxable income and thus reducing the total amount owed in tax. Taxpayers must choose between two categories: the standard deduction and itemized deductions. If filers choose the standard deduction, they exclude a set amount from their income. If they choose to itemize, they subtract the dollar value of each deductible category. The new tax law almost doubles the standard deduction, from $6,350 to $12,000 for single filers, and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married people filing jointly. On the face of it, the considerable hike in the standard deduction sounds significant. It may not be as far-reaching as it initially seems, though. In years past, filers using the standard deduction could include a personal exemption as well, as long as no one claimed them as a dependent . For 2017, for instance, single filers using the then standard deduction of $6,500 could also subtract $4,150 from their income for a personal exemption, making the total adjustment $10,650. But the personal exemption was eliminated under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, so folks taking the standard deduction for 2018 won't have access to also taking a personal exemption any longer. The jump in the 2018 standard deduction thus represents more of a muted increase from the former standard deduction plus personal exemption level, rather than effectively doubling the past standard deduction. The gain is more than 12% for a single filer, for instance. That's still a nice increase, and it more than makes up for the elimination of the personal exemption. But it's just not as much as an initial comparison of amounts might lead you to believe. The increase in the standard deduction has the resulting effect of making itemization necessary for fewer people, including retirees. In the past, itemizing as many deductions as possible was the smartest move, as long as the total exceeded the amount of the standard deduction plus the personal exemption. Common deductions included mortgage interest up to $1 million, a level that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has now reduced to $750,000. The rise in the standard deduction might mean that retirees can achieve roughly the same overall deductible by taking the standard amount as they could by itemizing. Once you get an idea of what your itemized deductibles add up to, you can decide whether itemizing still makes sense. If not, taking the standard deduction can save time, effort, and tax-preparation expenses. 2. The deduction for state and local taxes has been capped. There's also a brand new cap on another widely used deduction: state and local taxes, including property tax (SALT). In the past, the total could be deducted, period. Your SALT total made no difference to its deductible status. But for 2018 and beyond, SALT deductions are restricted to a total of $10,000. | https://news.yahoo.com/tax-law-affect-retirees-001500568.html |
Can the London Underground go carbon neutral? | Last year the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced plans to make the city carbon neutral by 2050. A London Assembly measure in December called for that to be brought forward to 2030. Either way, the London authorities are setting themselves ambitious decarbonisation plans, including the roll-out of low emissions vehicles, a 2 gigawatt solar energy target, zero waste and an expansion of green space. One of the biggest challenges will be transport. Transport for London (TfL) is the citys biggest energy user, and any plan to decarbonise London will have to tackle its iconic subway system, the London Underground. The Underground was the worlds first subterranean railway, opening its first line in 1863. It now includes over 250 miles of track over 11 lines, carrying some 1.3 billion passengers a year. Its now complemented by an Overground network, and together they use 1.2 terrawatt hours of energy. The first step is to make the tube as energy efficient as possible, and work on that has been underway for a while. TfL began experimenting with regenerative braking in 2015, similar to the technology used in hybrid cars, and they estimate that capturing the energy of slowing trains can cut 5% of their energy use. This also generates less heat and dust, and cuts down on ventilation costs. Extensive Internet of Things connectivity is providing data to optimise train times and speeds, as well as cutting maintenance costs. Battery storage is also being installed at key points in the network to regulate electricity supply and prevent waste. Energy effiency measures in stations include low energy lighting, and better escalators. Controversially for Londoners bred to stand on the right, escalators are 30% more efficient if people stand on both sides and nobody walks. This is yet to be implemented across the network, and I wouldnt want to be in the city on the day that it is, but trials have shown that it reduces queuing too. The tube generates a lot of heat from all that electrical equipment, friction, people, and commuter anger at people who stand on the left on the escalators. At the moment that excess heat goes into the walls, and the network relies on mechanical cooling systems. One possibility, being tested at the moment, is capturing this heat and using it to warm homes at the surface. More efficient stations are helpful, but 83% of TfLs energy use is in moving things around, and the biggest difference they can make is to switch to renewable energy. Thats hard to do at this kind of scale, and TfL have had to be creative. One solution is to buy energy as locally as possible, helping to reduce transmission losses. In November it put out a call to suppliers to try and shift to more local power. Its partnering with local housing associations and companies to source energy for offices and stations, and of course it can generate its own. Following 10:10s pioneering research last year, TfL is looking into using trackside solar power. Obviously a lot of the network is underground, but large parts of it run overground too, and TfL often owns the trackside land and buildings. There is also talk of a private wire supply from the regions, providing 15-20% of the tubes power needs from a wind farm on the Thames Estuary. A carbon neutral London Underground is a mammoth task, but one that could inspire other transport authorities to up their game and set more ambitious targets. If London can do it, at this scale and with all its ancient infrastructure, others can too. | https://makewealthhistory.org/2019/01/07/can-the-london-underground-go-carbon-neutral/ |
Could Netflix's Domestic Member Growth Beat Estimates? | Shares of streaming-TV company Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) are rising sharply on Monday, following more optimistic analyst commentary on the stock. The company could post better-than-expected domestic subscriber growth in its important holiday quarter, wrote Piper Jaffray analyst on Monday (by way of Barron's). With Netflix set to report its fourth-quarter results on Jan. 17, investors will be watching closely to see how many new members the company added during the quarter. The company has seen member growth pick up recently, but some investors worry the streaming-TV giant could face headwinds in member growth domestically, given the company's significant penetration in the United States. A red couch facing a TV in a home theater More Image source: Getty Images. Netflix's domestic subscribers will increase about 11.5% year over year in Q4, forecasts Piper Jaffray analysts Michael Olson. That would be above the consensus analyst estimate and management's guidance for the quarter, both of which currently call for about 10% year-over-year growth in the key metric. Olson forecasts international subscribers will be in line with the consensus analyst estimate. Jaffray's forecast is based on Web-search trend data. The firm's search index has boasted a 0.92 to 0.93 correlation to Netflix's subscribers in previous quarters, according to Jaffray. Jaffray also noted that he believes a trend of shifting consumer spending from traditional TV to connected TV will be a multi-year boon for Netflix. With these catalysts in mind, Olson reiterated his $430 12-month price target for the stock. Even after the stock's 4.7% gain at the time of this writing at 2:30 p.m. ET on Monday, this implies 38% upside for the stock. Subscriber growth trends Netflix has seen significant momentum in its subscribers recently. Paid members for the combined period of Q2 and Q3 of last year were 11.5 million. In the same period in 2017, Netflix added 9.7 million paid subscribers. Domestically, however, Netflix's growth in 2018 was slightly below growth in 2017 for these periods. Combined domestic net subscriber additions for Q2 and Q3 of 2017 were 1.97 million, compared with 1.87 for the same period in 2018. Netflix is optimistic about its fourth quarter. Management guided for 7.6 million new paid subscribers, up from 6.62 million paid subscriber additions in the fourth quarter of 2017. Netflix expects 1.5 million of these new subscribers to come from the U.S., with about 6.1 million coming from international markets. That compares with a mix of 1.47 million U.S. subscribers and 5.16 million international subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2017. Investors will know exactly what Netflix's subscriber additions for the fourth quarter were when the company reports its fourth-quarter results later this month. More From The Motley Fool Daniel Sparks owns shares of Netflix. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | https://news.yahoo.com/could-netflix-apos-domestic-member-234600956.html |
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