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@@5254541 <h> World War II vets want to expand Honor Flights <p> Clutching a poster featuring her likeness from her days as a Marine Corps airplane mechanic , Helen Ehlers , 89 , of Wheaton , soaks in the adoration from a fellow DuPage County Marine Corps League member welcoming her home from an Honor Flight trip to Washington , D.C. , to see the World War II Memorial . <p> Courtesy of Read Boeckel <p> Snapping to attention during last month ? s Honor Flight visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington , D.C. , Navy veteran Bob Banks of Glen Ellyn , standing in the middle , is flanked by Marine Helen Ehlers of Wheaton , right , and former Air Force First Lt. B.L . Dunjill . <p> Courtesy of Read Boeckel <p> Former Marine Corps airplane mechanic Helen Ehlers , 89 , of Wheaton , being pushed by fellow veteran Bob Banks of Glen Ellyn , says her recent Honor Flight trip to see the World War II Memorial in Washington , D.C. , was ? awesome. ? Making sure all that era ? s veterans feel that way is the job for younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , secretary of the charity and a guardian on this trip . Navy Corpsman Steve Taylor stands to the right . <p> Courtesy of Honor Flight Chicago <p> The work that goes into every trip for World War II veterans can be exhausting , admits Honor Flight Chicago President Jody Kopsky of Palatine . But the gratitude and emotional rewards always recharge her energy . <p> Courtesy of Honor Flight Chicago <p> This poster features a photo of Wheaton resident Helen Ehlers , now 89 , taken during her service as a Marine Corps airplane mechanic . Honor Flight volunteers welcoming veterans home after a trip to the World War II Memorial go beyond the call to show their gratitude . <p> Already a volunteer with the USO that assists our military , Palatine 's Jody Kopsky signed up in 2009 to be a guardian on an Honor Flight trip for aging World War II veterans . She accompanied her Navy veteran father , Tom Zimniewicz , who is 90 and still lives in Glenview , on that pilgrimage to see the World War II Memorial in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a not-for-profit charity that has provided free flights for 3,903 World War II local veterans since it began in 2008 . It 's completed 45 flights , and already has booked flights for 2013 . <p> Escorted on the trip by former Marine and Honor Flight secretary Read Boeckel , 63 , of Glen Ellyn , the 89-year-old grandma 's sweet smile gives no clue to a military past that is hard for her five grandchildren to grasp . <p> A 1941 graduate of Morton High School in Cicero , Ehlers started working in the Western Electric factory while many of her male classmates went off to war . <p> " That was n't challenging work for me , and I wanted to do more , " Ehlers remembers . " My brother Steve was in the Army , my brother Joe was in the Navy and I decided to be a Marine . " <p> She enlisted in January 1944 , with the consent of her widowed father . <p> " All my friends thought I was stupid , " she says , recalling how the factory had just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . I wanted to be in the military . " <p> The Marines sent her for training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina . <p> " Talk about segregation , " Ehlers says with a chuckle . " The men were trained separately , and they trained for combat . " <p> The women did receive the physical fitness training and strict discipline demanded of men , but her drill instructor " did n't swear at us , " Ehlers says . She landed in another factory job , this time repairing and building instrument panels for fighter planes at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point , N.C. <p> " I was happy , " she says . <p> She finished her service in 1946 , came back to her civilian factory job , married Richard Ehlers , moved to Lisle and became a mother to a daughter , who now lives in St. Charles . <p> Getting off the plane after her recent trip to D.C. , Ehlers was greeted by a crowd at the airport , including a volunteer holding a giant poster with her Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Your Service ! Semper Fi . " The outpouring of gratitude brought tears to the eyes of the widow and always-faithful old Marine . <p> " For some reason , I just thought the men should go , and I kept putting it off , " Ehlers says of her Honor Flight . " I 'm glad and grateful I was eligible . " <p> On the daylong journey , she chatted with Bob Banks , a great-grandfather from Glen Ellyn . <p> " It was just one emotional shock after the other , " Banks says of the trip . A frequent traveler with his wife , Stella , the 87-year-old Banks had seen the World War II Memorial , but never like this . <p> " It was different when you are there with a group of your peers , " says Banks , who adds that the trip reminded him of all the benefits he got serving as a hospital apprentice first class in the Navy . <p> " My tour in the service is what gave me direction for my lifelong career . It extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes Banks , now a retired dentist . Born in the small downstate hamlet of Pittsburg as the middle of five children of coal miner Artie Banks and his wife , Ethel , Banks was a student at Crab Orchard High School when he was drafted in the fall of 1943 . <p> " I really wanted to graduate high school first , but they took me right out of my senior year in high school , " he recalls . <p> " My first time anywhere was the train ride from Southern Illinois to Great Lakes , " says Banks , who trained at the naval station near North Chicago before spending most of the war in Maryland , where he asked for ship duty but spent all his time on dry land . " It was a wonderful experience , growing up in a small town in Southern Illinois and suddenly you are meeting people all over the United States . " <p> Seeing how much their fellow citizens recognize and thank them for their service makes an impact on the veterans , Kopsky says . <p> " @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time we tear up , " Kopsky says . " It does it to us , too . It 's pretty powerful stuff . " <p> A Marine gunner on the USS Bunker Hill aircraft carrier , Sam Gevirtz of Lake Barrington shot down attacking Japanese planes , saw shipmates killed by bombs and was wounded by shrapnel . The emotional visit to the World War II monument is " hard to describe , " says Gevirtz , 88 , who spent his career in the shoe business and is now a grandfather of four and great-grandfather to three . " I never thought the kind of things we experienced could foster that kind of tribute . " <p> Kopsky , who has a master 's degree in naval warfare , interviews Honor Flight veterans and keeps a collection of comments such as : <p> " I thought we were ancient history , " says Chet Ross of Arlington Heights , who added that everyone agreed the trip " was one of the best days of our lives . " <p> " I ca n't tell you how I felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , " says Ed Kaps of Hinsdale . " All I can say is thank you . " <p> " I still have tears in my eyes , " notes Al Zelent of Gurnee . " It was a fantastic day I 'll never forget . " <p> Honor Flight volunteers work long hours to make sure the veterans get letters from loved ones and are greeted in D.C. and back home by throngs that include everyone from motorcycle clubs to bagpipers , Kopsky says . <p> " You 're all tired and worn out , " she says . " Then you read these flight comments and you are like , ' OK . Let 's go ! ' " <p> Most of the Honor Flight veterans use a wheelchair for at least part of the trip . Watching them being wheeled through the airport , Kopsky says she sees something else . <p> " I see 18- and 20-year-olds storming the beaches of Normandy , flying in the skies over Germany and fighting in the jungles of the Philippines , " says Kopsky , a stockbroker and vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ <p> With even the youngest World War II veterans nearing 90 , everyone realizes the group dubbed the " Greatest Generation " wo n't be around much longer . <p> " Some of the hubs are choosing to carry it on to veterans of Korea and Vietnam , " Kopsky says , adding that the local chapter of this nationwide charity has n't decided what will happen . " We 're so focused on trying to get all the World War II veterans . " <p> Those veterans who have been on the Honor Flight trips all say they hope the veterans of Korea , Vietnam and our 21st century wars can receive the appreciation and love given to World War II veterans . <p> " I 'd like to see them do that because the Vietnam veterans have so little recognition , even though they do have a beautiful memorial , " Banks says , extending that thought to all of the veterans in wars since he served . " They probably suffer more than any of the World War II guys . Their effort was there , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there . " <p> " They all have a story to tell , " Gevirtz says . <p> " As far as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans , " Boeckel says , " I pray that when they are in their 80s some organization steps up and takes them to see their memorial . " <p> To find out more about the 2013 trips , sign up a veteran , donate or volunteer , contact Honor Flight Chicago at

@@5254641 <h> Always Get Invited Back : How to Be the Best Man at the Dinner Party <h> Your foodie friend is having people over , but when you ask what you can do to help , he says , " Nothing . " That 's a lie . From predinner drinks to pro-level prep work , here 's a ten-step guide to being a three-star dinner-party sous-chef <p> 1 . Bring a good bottle -- but do n't make it wine . Wine is a fine thing to bring to a dinner party ; it 's also what everybody else is bringing . Instead , spring for a bottle of top-shelf olive oil . It 's easier to spend money on this stuff when it 's a gift , which means you 'll be dropping more on your buddy than he 'll ever spend on himself .

@@5254741 <p> The feature is so helpful that it might seem like a no-brainer to decide what to pin . But the catch is , you can only pin one thing at a time . <p> Whatever you most recently pinned shows up at the top of the page , and the rest goes into a hybrid of chronological order with some prioritization of the most engaging posts ( of course , things you hide or delete do n't show up ) . <p> Here 's a list of things you might want to pin to the top of your timeline page on Facebook . <h> What People Need To Know <p> What do people encountering your brand for the very first time need to know ? Capture it all in a video , and then put in introductory text . <p> Alternatively , create an image or infographic and include in writing the information you want to get across . Remember that status updates can now go as long as 60,000 characters -- the equivalent of 240 typed pages -- so you have plenty of room to say whatever you need people to know . <p> If your page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't necessarily include your office locations , so you might want to include this in the " need to know " post . You probably do n't want to regurgitate what you already have written in the about section , however . <h> Frequently Asked Questions <p> You could write this as a status update if your information is 60,000 characters or less ( If your FAQ is longer than that , we strongly suggest you get to know the delete key on your computer ! ) . <p> Or , write a FAQ using the native notes application on Facebook , or try using

@@5254841 <h> Why does the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere remain constant ? <p> In the absence of human activities , the amount of carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) in the atmosphere remains relatively constant because of what is known as the carbon cycle . Animals breathe out carbon dioxide , but plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into living matter , which animals eat , convert back into carbon dioxide and breathe out . This balance is only upset when carbon is extracted from under the ground and

@@5254941 <h> Why Sinofsky 's departure makes me a happy Windows enthusiast <p> Summary : I never like to hear of people getting fired , but Sinofsky leaving could mean the return of my long-lost passion for Windows ! Here 's a list of 3 things I 'd like to see a Sinofsky-less Windows team achieve , as well as some additional thoughts . <p> It 's been well over 24 hours now and most of you have heard of Steven Sinofsky 's departure . ( If you have n't , then read up on the topic here . ) The loss of the Windows chief is something of a bittersweet occurrence for me : for all of his professional quiescence and well-known likeability ( sarcasm ) , the man got things done around there . Windows 7 is absolutely my favorite OS in existence , leaving me wanting for nothing . That 's not to say that I ca n't be sold on new features I do n't yet know I would like , but save for that , Windows 7 brought about some ridiculously awesome changes ( taskbar enhancements , etc. ) that have left me happier than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Windows 8 , there 's speculation that Sinofsky screwed the pooch , and that , specifically , landed him on his rear-end in the alleyway behind 1 Microsoft Way ; however , I do n't buy that -- primarly because Julie Larson-Green was ( so far ) placed in his position and arguably had as much ( if not more ) to do with Windows 8 as Sinofsky . Regardless of the reason why Steven was let go of , I 'm happy that the Windows reigns are shifting to someone else who , I hope , will champion a mentality somewhere between the Allchin days and Sinofsky 's knack for getting things done . <p> 1 : Bring back the Start menu in Windows 8 : This one is self-explanatory . I know a lot of people out there enjoy the new UI and you think the rest of us should just suck it up and abandon our creature comforts , but to you all , I say , " shove off ! " WE WANT OUR START MENU BACK ! <p> 2 : Windows 7 SP2 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Windows 7 SP1 image . 100+ updates downloaded and installed after the fact ( not including one failed reset , which rolled back settings and made me install them AGAIN ) , I was reminded of why a Windows 7 SP2 is sorely needed -- even if just to slipstream all these darn updates . Not to mention , there are a couple of persistent issues with Windows 7 that -- despite plenty of time -- have never been fixed ; i.e. , folder views constantly resetting and icons forever breaking with the installation of new programs . But this is me , the computer enthusiast tech blogger ; not the IT guy who has to deploy countless Windows 7 SP1 installs along with a gazillion updates . <p> 3 : Relentless passion for Windows ( think " Longhorn " ) : Ever since Jim Allchin was let go of , the intense enthusiast passion for Windows has all but died , and Microsoft needs to get it back . How , you ask ? I have absolutely no idea , but I 'm hoping a Sinofsky-less Windows team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a once SERIOUS Windows enthusiast , I know what made legions of dedicated Windows fans tick : leaks of builds with exciting stuff to dig out of them , and eye candy that inspired multitudes of wallpapers , shell enhancements , and more . <p> Now , I know that enthusiasts of that nature are few and far between , but guess what ? They 're an extremely vocal bunch ( Psst ! One of them is sitting right here , writing this article for a broad audience on ZDNet ! ) . And , in addition to me , you have far more credible and awesome Microsoft bloggers here ( Mary-Jo Foley and Ed Bott ) who keep their fingers on the pulse of the scene and the community , and they reflect and report on that pulse -- something that has the potential to generate tons of excitement . <p> If Microsoft is open for something different , they might do well to consider a grassroots movement to generate excitement from all the angles Sinofsky shut down : the " enthusiast effect , " as I 'll call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? It WORKED . Not since the release of Windows 95 had Windows users and developers been punchdrunk with excitedness for Windows . <p> With that said , head on over to the following Windows Longhorn gallery I just put together and see for yourself how dull Windows 8 looks in comparison . While the overall vision may have been to grand , visually speaking , Windows Longhorn is hands-down the most exciting version of Windows that Microsoft has ever put forth . So , without further ado , click the image below ( or just click here , whichever ) : <p> Windows Longhorn : still the most exciting Windows UI to date ( gallery ) <p> That sure beats the pants off of Windows 8 's UI , do n't you think ? Granted , I realize that some of these features are dated almost 10 years later , but I still think it looks fresh and exciting . Regardless , the excitement that was generated during this time was just unbelievable . And since then , I 've watched Microsoft try -- in vain -- to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and create something visually exciting that people actually want to use again ; not this " Modern " tile garbage that 's about as useful for a mouse-and-keyboard user as a cinder block is for a bowler . <p> Julie , I really hope you 're reading this , because I 'm appealing to you ! Please bestow these things upon us , your loyal users , and in return , I shall bestow upon you good tidings of ambrosia , along with the finest samplings of milk and honey ! ( To share with the team , though , of course . ) <p> At the end of the day , Steven Sinofsky is a human being and I do n't like the thought of people being let go of ; however , viewing this situation purely from my stance as a Windows enthusiast , I have n't been this happy or fired-up about the potential for Windows in a very long time . So , here 's to hoping for a much more exciting Windows ahead : for users , developers , professionals , and everyone in-between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see happen with Windows now ? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below ! <h> Talkback <h> Huh ? <p> Huh ? Sorry , I walked into Best Buy and within a dozen swipes of a Windows 8 touch screen I was in awe ! This is where computing is going - keyboards are son 19th century anyway . So if I am a graphics guy I can use the add-ons I currently use . Or if I am a gal that likes keyboards I can use one . Or if I am standing in line at the bus stop I swipe to read my paper . Any glitches will be forgotten a couple of years from now - other OS 's will be playing catch up for years . <h> Re : " keyboards are son 19th century anyway . " <h> Nearly ... but shallow <p> I agree with sentiment of Chapman 's post ... but I think he explores symptoms , instead of the disease itself . <p> 1 . The start menu banishment ... and the constant schizophrenia of the W8 UI ... are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific path . Like UAC in Vista all such tactics are resented . However the copying of the insidious APPL-esque business model of a locked-down , taxed ecosystem is what ZDNET commentator should be concentrating on ... the withdrawal of openness : few are up to the task . <p> 2 . A symptom of MSFT 's lack of customer focus , salesmanship and marketing . <p> 3 . Agreed : we have been forced to endure complete crap like Windows Home Server ... and I would n't trust Storage Spaces for a few years ... but these and other misadventures show that the MSFT is led by shareholder value , profit driven technology decisions ... and not the interoperable technology which made it a great companion to the Internet . <p> 4 . MSFT 's tax on developers and the launch of Surface show that the company has no regard for the partners and ecosystem through which it prospered ... and more simmering resentment will eventually find the company out , unless it manages to rule with a rod of iron . <h> OTOH ... <p> ... just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vista ... so W9 could be the recovery of the good work done in W8 . So let 's hope Julie has the intellect , skill and honesty to turn the ship before it hits the iceburg ... and maybe root out a few more who are unwilling to cooperate . <h> Of all things Windows you pick UAC ? <p> Some design decisions do need to force on to users , for better or worse , and UAC is by far one of the most important decision in terms of security . Every modern OS have such permission elevation mechanism so you 'll be hard pressed finding one that does n't have UAC-like security elsewhere . Also unlike Win8 start button you can turn that off anytime . <p> Your other points are just opinions . You need more evidence to back those up pal . <h> LOL <h> Steve Ballmer <p> Unfortunately , Windows will never go back to being the same old good Windows before Windows 8 . That is as long as Steve Ballmer is in charge . Steve Ballmer said he 's going all in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him in office . Get him out and maybe we 'll see Windows going back to the way most people like it . <h> Why Sinofsky 's departure makes me a happy Windows enthusiast <p> 1 . Its called the start screen now . Put your mouse in the lower left corner to see it , same spot as the start menu and acts the same . 2 . Agreed , Microsoft should continue supporting Microsoft Windows 7 until its end of life cycle . Rolling out service packs is a great way of getting the latest patches and new features . 3 . The passion was never gone , you are just changing in your ways . Operating systems to you are n't as exciting as they once were since you been doing it for so many years . I still have the passion and think Microsoft Windows 8 is the way to go . <h> Start screen is not the same <p> Where is my " most used app " list from the left side column of the menu ? Where are the pop-up list of most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the application in the menu ? <p> I ca n't say I 'm missing the cramped scrolling view of the all applications section of the Windows Vista/7 start menu ( we should have the expanding view like on previous Windows without having to revert to a one column classic start menu ) , but I 'm missing the rest of it . <p> I 'm with you on service packs , the business likes that and to my knowledge almost no companies deploy a Windows version before its first service pack , but service packs are becoming less frequent with each Windows release ( NT 4 --&gt; 6 , 2000 --&gt; 4 , XP --&gt; 3 , Vista --&gt; 2 , Win7 --&gt; 1 ) . <p> I also think that passion is n't gone , despite being hated , Vista had a lot of innovation that were n't always well implemented and stuck on machines still not powerful enough for it , but none the less revolutionary . Windows 7 fixed it . Windows 8 also is revolutionary ( maybe not in a way I like but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edges that no doubt will be ironed out by the time Windows 9 comes along . <h> The reputation that Vista Longhorn generated <p> I seriously do not want those days . The moving target schedule of an OS . Please , you seriously want Windows 9 to come out 5 years later ? Mr. Sinofsky built a tight engine that produces releases on schedule . We have to look at how computing has evolved , it is no longer point and click , Touch is a first class input citizen . Enthusiast are a minority compared to the over 1 billion average users who really do n't care about Aero Glass and simply want an OS that is stable , beautiful and functional . Personally , I think the Start Menu should make a return and keep the Start Screen as a go to pinned link on the Start menu if you are using a Tablet/Convertible touch screen device . <h> Stephen <p> You must drive a 1988 Lincoln Continental . Great for 1988 , not so good now . Enterprise computing or most computing for that matter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the reason why MS is trying to catch back up . The world does n't want gas guzzling giant computers any more and for those that do there will always be Win7 . The world is moving on even if you are n't . You probably have a main frame in your basement too . <h> Nuclear winter <p> Frankly , somebody has to pay for the mess that has been put inside Windows , and more widely , inside Microsoft.Microsoft always had detractors , but also had a huge community of fans who spent hours , miles , and energy to defend a certain way of delivering software , which always included superior design and quality . But for monthes now , we ( the Community ) have seen the boat heading directly into the iceberg , deaf to all the warnings . The Windows line of products has been confiscated by few people and Steve let them do it , having no better solution then a big bang to catch again the public attention . But even for that , the public did n't care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a limit in what enthousiasts can do to promote a line of products . If the product stinks , they can not make miracles . My opinion is that Windows Community is entering a nuclear winter , and should find other vendors to make their living.Vista was a spring rain compared to what is in front of us

@@5255041 <h> Resolved Question <h> The idea that life arises from nonlife is ..... Biology help ! ! ! ! ? <p> 3 . The idea that life arises from nonlife is A evolution B biogenesis C spontaneous generation . D metamorphosis <p> 13 . How did Cro-Magnons differ from earlier species of humans ? A They made tools B They walked on two feet . C They had culture . D They migrated . <p> 26 . Which of the following is an advantage of segmentation ? A reduction of moving parts B allows for greater cephalization C the exoskeleton provides protection D separate function for different segments <p> 34 . In which type of muscle would you expect to find the most mitochondria ? A bicep B hair C arm bone D skin <p> 35 . What is the relationship between the action potential and synapsis ? A The action potential is an electric current that passes from dendrites to axons at the synapse . B The synapse is a gap in the myelin sheath that allows the propagation of the action potential down the axon . C The action potential transmits information from the cell body to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an electric current that passes through the axon and causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse . <p> 36 . Which of the following is responsible for marinating the pH level of blood ? A lymphatic system B excretory system C all of the above D none of the above <p> 38 . Which of the following would most likely occur first if the circulatory system suddenly stopped working ? A Blood clots would form in the arteries . B Cells would die from a lack of oxygen . C Skin cells would become infected with bacteria . D Body temperature would fall , causing hypothermia . <p> 44 . What are the two classifications of hormones ? A steroid and amino acid B endocrine and non-endocrine C enzyme and non-enzyme D acid and endocrine <p> 49 . Human development takes how many days from fertilization to birth ? A 288 B 65 C 330 D 597 <p> 50 . During which stage does a human experience hormonal and sexual development ? A infancy B childhood C adulthood D adolescence <h> Other Answers ( 1 ) <p> 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of those are correct - the ancestors of Cro Magnon ( also known as modern Homo sapiens ) , but go with the " culture " one ... even if it is wrong . Culture was the most highly developed among modern Homo , when contrasted with ancestors . But tool manufacture began with Homo habilis . Bipedalism began in Australopithecus or Ardipithecus . Migration of human ancestors ( depending upon what we mean ) probably began with Homo erectus . As for culture , once again , I can make a strong case for culture existing in the common ancestor of humans and non-human apes , as chimpanzees , gorillas , and orangutans can be argued to have " culture " ... but it 's probably the best answer . 26- D 34 - Only one of those things is a muscle . And actually , the answer should read " biceps " . If we 're being scientifically accurate , there is no such thing as a " bicep " . The full name for the muscle in the upper arm that flexes the elbow is biceps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arm . 35 - D 36 - C 38 - B 44 - B 49 - A ... 9 months ... you probably

@@5255141 <h> A bit about Da Vinci , Leonardo ... <p> Leonardo da Vinci ( April 15 , 1452 May 2 , 1519 ) was an Italian Renaissance architect , musician , anatomist , inventor , engineer , sculptor , geometer , and painter . He has been described as the archetype of the " Renaissance man " and as a universal genius

@@5255241 <p> A few weeks ago I had a thought so heretical that it really surprised me . It may not matter all that much where you go to college . <p> For me , as for a lot of middle class kids , getting into a good college was more or less the meaning of life when I was growing up . What was I ? A student . To do that well meant to get good grades . Why did one have to get good grades ? To get into a good college . And why did one want to do that ? There seemed to be several reasons : you 'd learn more , get better jobs , make more money . But it did n't matter exactly what the benefits would be . College was a bottleneck through which all your future prospects passed ; everything would be better if you went to a better college . <p> A few weeks ago I realized that somewhere along the line I had stopped believing that . <p> What first set me thinking about this was the new trend of worrying obsessively about what kindergarten your kids go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter . Either it wo n't help your kid get into Harvard , or if it does , getting into Harvard wo n't mean much anymore . And then I thought : how much does it mean even now ? <p> It turns out I have a lot of data about that . My three partners and I run a seed stage investment firm called Y Combinator . We invest when the company is just a couple guys and an idea . The idea does n't matter much ; it will change anyway . Most of our decision is based on the founders . The average founder is three years out of college . Many have just graduated ; a few are still in school . So we 're in much the same position as a graduate program , or a company hiring people right out of college . Except our choices are immediately and visibly tested . There are two possible outcomes for a startup : success or failure -- and usually you know within a year which it will be . <p> The test applied to a startup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startup succeeds or fails depending almost entirely on the efforts of the founders . Success is decided by the market : you only succeed if users like what you 've built . And users do n't care where you went to college . <p> As well as having precisely measurable results , we have a lot of them . Instead of doing a small number of large deals like a traditional venture capital fund , we do a large number of small ones . We currently fund about 40 companies a year , selected from about 900 applications representing a total of about 2000 people . 1 <p> Between the volume of people we judge and the rapid , unequivocal test that 's applied to our choices , Y Combinator has been an unprecedented opportunity for learning how to pick winners . One of the most surprising things we 've learned is how little it matters where people went to college . <p> I thought I 'd already been cured of caring about that . There 's nothing like going to grad school at Harvard to cure you of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And yet Y Combinator showed us we were still overestimating people who 'd been to elite colleges . We 'd interview people from MIT or Harvard or Stanford and sometimes find ourselves thinking : they must be smarter than they seem . It took us a few iterations to learn to trust our senses . <p> Practically everyone thinks that someone who went to MIT or Harvard or Stanford must be smart . Even people who hate you for it believe it . <p> But when you think about what it means to have gone to an elite college , how could this be true ? We 're talking about a decision made by admissions officers -- basically , HR people -- based on a cursory examination of a huge pile of depressingly similar applications submitted by seventeen year olds . And what do they have to go on ? An easily gamed standardized test ; a short essay telling you what the kid thinks you want to hear ; an interview with a random alum ; a high school record that 's largely an index of obedience . Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of companies do . A lot of companies are very much influenced by where applicants went to college . How could they be ? I think I know the answer to that . <p> There used to be a saying in the corporate world : " No one ever got fired for buying IBM . " You no longer hear this about IBM specifically , but the idea is very much alive ; there is a whole category of " enterprise " software companies that exist to take advantage of it . People buying technology for large organizations do n't care if they pay a fortune for mediocre software . It 's not their money . They just want to buy from a supplier who seems safe -- a company with an established name , confident salesmen , impressive offices , and software that conforms to all the current fashions . Not necessarily a company that will deliver so much as one that , if they do let you down , will still seem to have been a prudent choice . So companies have evolved to fill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in much the same position as someone buying technology for one . If someone went to Stanford and is not obviously insane , they 're probably a safe bet . And a safe bet is enough . No one ever measures recruiters by the later performance of people they turn down . 2 <p> I 'm not saying , of course , that elite colleges have evolved to prey upon the weaknesses of large organizations the way enterprise software companies have . But they work as if they had . In addition to the power of the brand name , graduates of elite colleges have two critical qualities that plug right into the way large organizations work . They 're good at doing what they 're asked , since that 's what it takes to please the adults who judge you at seventeen . And having been to an elite college makes them more confident . <p> Back in the days when people might spend their whole career at one big company , these qualities must have been very valuable . Graduates of elite colleges would have been capable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so hard to measure in large organizations , their own confidence would have been the starting point for their reputation . <p> Things are very different in the new world of startups . We could n't save someone from the market 's judgement even if we wanted to . And being charming and confident counts for nothing with users . All users care about is whether you make something they like . If you do n't , you 're dead . <p> Knowing that test is coming makes us work a lot harder to get the right answers than anyone would if they were merely hiring people . We ca n't afford to have any illusions about the predictors of success . And what we 've found is that the variation between schools is so much smaller than the variation between individuals that it 's negligible by comparison . We can learn more about someone in the first minute of talking to them than by knowing where they went to school . <p> It seems obvious when you put it that way . Look at the individual , not where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement than the idea I began with , that it does n't matter much where a given individual goes to college . Do n't you learn things at the best schools that you would n't learn at lesser places ? <p> Apparently not . Obviously you ca n't prove this in the case of a single individual , but you can tell from aggregate evidence : you ca n't , without asking them , distinguish people who went to one school from those who went to another three times as far down the US News list . 3 Try it and see . <p> How can this be ? Because how much you learn in college depends a lot more on you than the college . A determined party animal can get through the best school without learning anything . And someone with a real thirst for knowledge will be able to find a few smart people to learn from at a school that is n't prestigious at all . <p> The other students are the biggest advantage of going to an elite college ; you learn more from them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reproduce this at most colleges if you make a conscious effort to find smart friends . At most colleges you can find at least a handful of other smart students , and most people have only a handful of close friends in college anyway . 4 The odds of finding smart professors are even better . The curve for faculty is a lot flatter than for students , especially in math and the hard sciences ; you have to go pretty far down the list of colleges before you stop finding smart professors in the math department . <p> So it 's not surprising that we 've found the relative prestige of different colleges useless in judging individuals . There 's a lot of randomness in how colleges select people , and what they learn there depends much more on them than the college . Between these two sources of variation , the college someone went to does n't mean a lot . It is to some degree a predictor of ability , but so weak that we regard it mainly as a source of error and try consciously to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an anomaly specific to startups . Probably people have always overestimated the importance of where one goes to college . We 're just finally able to measure it . <p> The unfortunate thing is not just that people are judged by such a superficial test , but that so many judge themselves by it . A lot of people , probably the majority of people in America , have some amount of insecurity about where , or whether , they went to college . The tragedy of the situation is that by far the greatest liability of not having gone to the college you 'd have liked is your own feeling that you 're thereby lacking something . Colleges are a bit like exclusive clubs in this respect . There is only one real advantage to being a member of most exclusive clubs : you know you would n't be missing much if you were n't . When you 're excluded , you can only imagine the advantages of being an insider . But invariably they 're larger in your imagination than in real life . <p> So it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing like the stamp of destiny so many imagine them to be . People are n't what some admissions officer decides about them at seventeen . They 're what they make themselves . <p> Indeed , the great advantage of not caring where people went to college is not just that you can stop judging them ( and yourself ) by superficial measures , but that you can focus instead on what really matters . What matters is what you make of yourself . I think that 's what we should tell kids . Their job is n't to get good grades so they can get into a good college , but to learn and do . And not just because that 's more rewarding than worldly success . That will increasingly be the route to worldly success . <p> Notes <p> 1 Is what we measure worth measuring ? I think so . You can get rich simply by being energetic and unscrupulous , but getting rich from a technology startup takes some amount of brains . It is just the kind of work the upper middle class values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor . <p> 2 Actually , someone did , once . Mitch Kapor 's wife Freada was in charge of HR at Lotus in the early years . ( As he is at pains to point out , they did not become romantically involved till afterward . ) At one point they worried Lotus was losing its startup edge and turning into a big company . So as an experiment she sent their recruiters the resumes of the first 40 employees , with identifying details changed . These were the people who had made Lotus into the star it was . Not one got an interview . <p> 3 The US News list ? Surely no one trusts that . Even if the statistics they consider are useful , how do they decide on the relative weights ? The reason the US News list is meaningful is precisely because they are so intellectually dishonest in that respect . There is no external source they can use to calibrate the weighting of the statistics they use ; if there were , we could just use that instead . What they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the usual suspects in about the right order . So in effect what the US News list tells us is what the editors think the top schools are , which is probably not far from the conventional wisdom on the matter . The amusing thing is , because some schools work hard to game the system , the editors will have to keep tweaking their algorithm to get the rankings they want . <p> 4 Possible does n't mean easy , of course . A smart student at a party school will inevitably be something of an outcast , just

@@5255341 <p> Every field has its rock stars . And in the field of election forecasting , the biggest rock star is currently Nate Silver , the baseball statistician turned election number cruncher at the New York Times , who called 49 of 50 states in the 2008 election and was 50 for 50 in the 2012 election -- demonstrating that election forecasting is here to stay . <p> Among political junkies , though , Dr. Sam Wang of the Princeton Election Consortium is nearly as big a rock star , despite not having swanky digs at the New York Times . Wang is a professor of Neuroscience at Princeton , but in 2004 he started forecasting elections based on analyzing the polls . In 2008 he actually called the electoral college exactly -- save for one split Nebraska vote -- which beat Silver 's 49/50 call . His confidence level for an Obama victory last night was 99.2% , and of course , like Silver , he was vindicated . <p> I had a chance to talk to Wang by email about the election and what the future of elections hold with respect to polling forecasts and aggregation . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the polls were accurate , both the aggregators like RealClearPolitics and the forecasters like you and Nate Silver were pretty much on target for calling an Obama victory in the Electoral College . Have you noticed an improvement in the polls themselves over the past few election cycles ? Or have aggregators and forecasters simply gotten better at interpreting them ? <p> Pollsters are expert at their craft . As a group , they have done very well at the state level since 2004 , the year when I started doing aggregation . I do think the aggregation methods are important . My use of median-based statistics is a way to get rid of outliers : if the numbers say Obama +1 , Obama +2 , and Romney +9 , the right answer is probably Obama +1 , the middle value ( median ) , not the average . <p> More sophisticated methods give a sharper picture . For example , my approach extracts lots of information on a day-by-day basis . It was able to identify " shocks " to the campaign that had a real effect : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first debate ( really good for Romney ) . It could also tell when nothing happened ( Republican convention , no effect at all ) . That 's my specialty , getting an optimally sharp picture at all times . <p> One thing I think has emerged is that polls do extremely well by themselves , and did n't need econometric factors to help them . Those econometric factors , which political scientists and Nate Silver love so well , are useful for showing us the tilt of the playing field . Once the ball goes into play , our best measure is polls . <p> Do you think that aggregations and forecasts are going to get more media attention after this election , or do you think the focus is still going to be on day to day polls ? <p> The advantage of focusing on aggregation is that this would cut through the noise of individual stories on single polls , which are often not informative . Worse yet , the most exciting poll is the one that is farthest from the rest -- the outlier . This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! If aggregation does a good job , it can reduce the noise -- and set the stage for better reporting . <p> Another area where aggregation and the media could work together is that surveys still have value for their " internals " -- seeing what men and women think , what voters 40-59 think , and so on . <p> If aggregators and forecasters do become more important , does that pose a danger for your data ? In 1948 , Truman shocked the country by defeating Dewey -- but the polling stopped in September because everyone thought it was a lock . Do you see a danger for your work if media outlets decide not to shell out the expense for polls when forecasts are holding still ? <p> That is a very interesting point . Aggregation depends vitally on good polling data . Really , pollsters are the heroes of this story . That would really kill the goose that lays the golden eggs . <p> Do you think it 's possible for campaigns to use forecasting data to swing an election in the future ? @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still be a foregone conclusion in the summer of an election year ? <p> I do not think aggregation can necessarily influence an election strongly . After the first debate , opinion swung sharply within one day . That was n't pundits or polling -- that was people watching and deciding . However , I do think that this kind of analysis can swing what commentators say . That is a good thing . As the saying goes , you are entitled to your own opinion , but not your own facts . Poll aggregation is a new category of fact to

@@5255441 <h> Why Men Should Not Be Ashamed of Their Sexual Desires <p> Many men may feel confused and ashamed about their fantasies and libidos . Here 's <p> Join our email list : <h> Stay up to date with the latest headlines via email . <p> Long ago , I heard a legend of a Sunday School teacher who taught the kids in her class about Matthew 21:18-22 , in which Jesus gets pissed off at a fig tree for basically no reason and kills it with the religious equivalent of a death ray . <p> So the Sunday School teacher asks the class " Do you understand why Jesus did that ? " And the kids think it over , and admit that no , his killing that tree is a real stumper . So she asks " Do you think it was a nice thing to do ? " And the kids mull that over , and decide that no , it was n't very nice . <p> The point was n't that the kids should think that Jesus was an asshole , the point was that something can be mysterious and not always nice , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this brings me to the subject of sex . <p> I tend to think of the kink community as the R &D; department for cultural notions about sex . They develop models of consent that encompass rape play , they develop models of safety that encompass blood play , they develop models of respect that encompass slave play . They test ideas about sex and consent and desire under extreme conditions , and a lot of what they discover has profoundly useful applications for non-kinky people . Protocols and practices for negotiation , communication , boundaries and mutual understandings ... these things can improve the sex lives of the most vanilla **30;517;TOOLONG couple in the world . <p> What I want to focus on , though , is how kinky folks conceptualize libido . I address this because of all the guys I 've known and talked to who feel confused or ashamed by their libidos . " Why the hell does that turn me on ? " they wonder . " Does being into this make me a bad person ? " " Why do I get off so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Especially when they play into cultural images of male sexuality as toxic , unwelcome , and dangerous , these feelings can be very destructive . <p> What the kink community is very good at is having an open , accepting attitude toward one 's own desires , no matter how weird they may be . An attitude that says that as long as your desires are n't hurting anyone , including you , they 're fine . Where did they come from ? Why do you have them ? Does n't matter . They are what they are , and there 's no cause to beat yourself up over them . You might as well hate yourself for liking cream in your coffee or boxers over briefs . <p> Essentially , the idea is that only wrong way to express your libido is in a way that violates someone else 's boundaries or safety . Whatever weird , perverse thing you 're into , there 's someone else who 'd love to share it with you . Knowing that helps a lot of people feel less alone , less weird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shame that too many people , of all types , carry around with them . <p> There 's other aspects of kinky views of libido that apply well to everyone , such as the idea that it 's perfectly fine to fantasize about things you do n't want to actually do in reality . Learning to separate your fantasies from your actual intentions , without feeling guilty or ashamed about either , is a good start on developing a healthy attitude toward your own sexuality . Just because you enjoy thinking about something does n't mean you want to really do

@@5255641 membership will automatically upgrade to a full year for $79 . <h> Book Description <p> Publication Date : June 15 , 1997 <p> Robert A. Heinlein was the most influential science fiction writer of his era , an influence so large that , as Samuel R. Delany notes , " modern critics attempting to wrestle with that influence find themselves dealing with an object rather like the sky or an ocean . " He won the Hugo Award for best novel four times , a record that still stands . The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was the last of these Hugo-winning novels , and it is widely considered his finest work . <p> It is a tale of revolution , of the rebellion of the former Lunar penal colony against the Lunar Authority that controls it from Earth . It is the tale of the disparate people--a computer technician , a vigorous young female agitator , and an elderly academic--who become the rebel movement 's leaders . And it is the story of Mike , the supercomputer whose sentience is known only to this inner circle , and who for reasons of his own is committed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harsh Mistress is one of the high points of modern science fiction , a novel bursting with politics , humanity , passion , innovative technical speculation , and a firm belief in the pursuit of human freedom . <p> The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the winner of the 1967 Hugo Award for Best Novel . <p> Robert A. Heinlein was the most influential science fiction writer of his era , an influence so large that , as Samuel R. Delany notes , " modern critics attempting to wrestle with that influence find themselves dealing with an object rather like the sky or an ocean . " He won the Hugo Award for best novel four times , a record that still stands . The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was the last of these Hugo-winning novels , and it is widely considered his finest work . <p> It is a tale of revolution , of the rebellion of the former Lunar penal colony against the Lunar Authority that controls it from Earth . It is the tale of the disparate people--a computer technician , a vigorous young female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's leaders . And it is the story of Mike , the supercomputer whose sentience is known only to this inner circle , and who for reasons of his own is committed to the revolution 's ultimate success . <p> The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is one of the high points of modern science fiction , a novel bursting with politics , humanity , passion , innovative technical speculation , and a firm belief in the pursuit of human freedom . <p> The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the " Pre-order both items " , " Pre-order all three items " <h> Editorial Reviews <h> Amazon.com Review <p> Tom Clancy has said of Robert A. Heinlein , " We proceed down the path marked by his ideas . He shows us where the future is . " Nowhere is this more true than in Heinlein 's gripping tale of revolution on the moon in 2076 , where " Loonies " are kept poor and oppressed by an Earth-based Authority that turns huge profits at their expense . A small band of dissidents , including a one-armed computer jock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearly omnipotent computer named Mike , ignite the fires of refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title . <h> More About the Author <p> Robert A. Heinlein , four-time winner of the Hugo Award and recipient of three Retro Hugos , received the first Grand Master Nebula Award for lifetime achievement . His worldwide bestsellers have been translated into 22 languages and include Stranger in a Strange Land , Starship Troopers , Time Enough for Love , and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress . His long-lost first novel , For Us , the Living , was recently published by Scribner and Pocket Books . <p> Written at the peak of Robert A. Heinlein 's creative powers in the mid-sixties , " The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress " ranks with " Stranger in a Strange Land " as his most popular and acclaimed novel . Heinlein was furiously ingenious at this stage in his career , and this novel is an incredible feat of imagination , intellect , and writing talent . It is , however , a difficult and heavy novel ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , loaded with hard science and even harder politics : Heinlein at his best is a writer who attracts and repels the reader at the same time , and no one could read " The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress " without forming some very strong opinions about it . <p> The story follows a revolution on the lunar colonies against Earth authority . The lunar colony was originally a penal colony , but even though the lunar residents ( " Loonies " as they call themselves ) are no longer technically prisoners , they have become economic slaves of the Earth . Also , because of their adaptation to the Moon 's lower gravity , they can not safely return to live on Earth , so their exile is a permanent one . Amidst growing but unorganized discontent amongst the Loonies , four remarkable individuals begin the meticulous planning of a revolution to free the Moon : Mannie , an engineer and our narrator ; Prof. de la Paz ; fiery Wyoming " Wyoh " Knott ; and a newly sentient supercomputer named Mike . Starting from this small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how can the nearly defenseless colonists and miners face down the juggernaut of the nations of Earth ? Mike has an ingenious solution : " Throw rocks at em " ... literally ! <p> Told through Mannie 's point of view , the novel is written in a clipped , abbreviated style that represents the Loonie version of English : many pronouns and articles are dropped , leading to sentences like : " Stomach was supposed to be empty . But I filled helmet with sourest , nastiest fluid you would ever go a long way to avoid . " This takes a few pages to get accustomed to , but soon you wo n't notice the odd style at all and accept it as part of the book 's revolutionary spirit . <p> Heinlein unfolds the revolution in a meticulously detailed style , using lengthy conversations between the characters about how to step-by-step overthrow the authority of an overwhelming power . Heinlein not only provides in-depth details on the technology , but also of the philosophy of revolution and the unusual customs of the Loonies ( such as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novels , this is a trip for the mind , and you have to be prepared to do plenty of thinking along with the passages of action . The novel does tend to drag somewhat in the middle , but the last hundred pages are feverish with both action and ideas . <p> Where Heinlein really triumphs in this novel is in the characterization of Mike the computer . Mike , along with Hal from " 2001 , " is one of great artificial intelligences in science fiction . You will quickly forget , as Mannie does , that Mike is a disembodied voice from a machine , and instead think of him ( or sometimes her ' ) as another character . Mike 's growth from his shaky beginnings as a thinking being is fascinating and one of Heinlein 's great achievements as an author . <p> However , if you are new to Robert A. Heinlein ( or science fiction in general ) , this is n't the novel to start with ( and neither is " Stranger in a Strange Land " ) . You should ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the 1950s , most of which were aimed at teenagers but are nonetheless wonderful books that anyone can enjoy : " Have Space Suit -- Will Travel , " " Starman Jones , " and " Citizen of the Galaxy " are good places to start . Also recommended : " The Puppet Masters " and Heinlein 's short stories from the 1930s and 40s collected in " The Man Who Sold the Moon " and " The Green Hills of Earth . " You should definitely read " The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress " -- it 's an essential classic of the genre -- but you may need to build up to it . After all , as Loonies say : " TANSTAAFL ! " ( " There ai n't no such thing as a free lunch ! " ) <p> I just re-read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress after not having read it since I was a teenager . ( Well , that was in the 60 's , oof . ) I must say , this book holds up well against science fiction written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 90 's that made computers a household item and not just a device at work that spewed out yellow punchtape . <p> Heinlein attended Annapolis and was in the Navy ; his experiences feed into many of his books ( most famously , Starship Troopers . ) And the theme of liberty , alternate marriage styles , animate computers also turn up in many of his works ( Time Enough for Love . ) Heinlein was kind of a libertarian ; his ideas about society show up in many of his novels . <p> The endearing part of this book is the wonderful relationship between Mannie , jack-of-all-trades and computer technician , and Mike , the self-aware computer that runs everything on the Moon from the air systems and transport to accounting and telephones . The moon has been settled by various countries ( Russia , US , China ) and has been turned into a penal-colony and excess population dumping zone . The government is lead by the Warden , who views the post as a sinecure , and aside from keeping general order , does nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transportees have been left to set up a semi-anarchic society ruled mainly by common sense . ( As long as you leave your neighbors in peace , they 'll do the same for you . ) <p> However , when Manny attends a Free Luna rally , he learns that the resources of the moon are being depleted and that without halting the one-way export of resources to the earth , the moon and its inhabitants will be soon be doomed to starvation . Manny joins an ad-hoc revolutionary cabal with his friend the Professor and blonde hot-head Wyoming Knott . Together with Mike the computer , who has an enviable insider view of everything that goes on and a puckish sense of humor , they found the Revolution with a novel cell structure depending on the savvy computer 's abilities to remember everything and keep a secret . Mike takes on the alter-ego as Adam Selene , the revolutionary leader ( and bit of a stuffed-shirt ) and the struggle begins . <p> How the Revolution is fought and won is an exciting tale . The end is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone does survive the heroic struggle for freedom . This is a must-read science fiction book in my opinion , and one of Heinlein 's best . <p> This is my favorite Heinlein novel , and I 've read all of Heinlein 's works . It is a great mixture of adventure , humor , politics , technology , some thought provoking looks at alternate types of marriages , and the most lovable sentient computer ever to grace the pages of a novel . Mike ( the computer ) is really the star of this book , from loving to tell jokes , to deciding to help a group of revolutionary-minded Luna ' citizens ' actually accomplish their dreams of freedom because the human interaction would keep him from being lonely . <p> Along the path to revolution , Heinlein , ( as usual ) , inserts thoughts and ideas that challenge your basic assumptions about what is right , normal , necessary , or appropriate . Is a representative democracy the only ' good ' form of government ? What 's so sacred about a ' majority ' ? @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the representatives pay for their pet projects out of their own pocket - taxes not allowed ! ) . Are polygamy , polyandry , or other forms of multiple marriage wrong or can they be used to help preserve the stability of a child-rearing environment ? How do you most efficiently organize a revolutionary group that must be kept secret from the authorities ( given the assumption that there will always be ' stool pigeons ' ) ? <p> Some have quite correctly noted that this book should not be read by ultra-grammarians , as it is told in first person Luna-speak , an odd pidgin mixture of English and Russian , with occasional items thrown in from Chinese , Finnish , and several other languages . Far from being a detriment , I consider this to be a great accomplishment . Most writers have trouble accurately portraying the dialect , say , of the Deep South in a convincing manner . Here , Heinlein has created his own dialect of the future - and makes you believe it . <p> This book is not quite as deep as Stranger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great books , but it has a faster , more action oriented pace , and characters that you will get emotionally involved with . I cried at the end of this book the first time I read it ( and the second , and the third ... ) and I think you will too . TANSTAAFL indeed - but in

@@5255741 <p> According to Nouriel Roubini ( Dr. Doom ) and the prophecy of Edgar Cayce , Wall Street will have a major crash in December of this year . <p> Nouriel Roubini , professor of economics at New York University and chairman of Roubini Global Economics , has reportedly said that the stock market will be in for a major shock by December 18th of this year . <p> Roubini reportedly feels that the alarming economic downturn will cause " the global financial system to implode , " according to a source close to a Wall Street executive . <p> What is most shocking is the Edgar Cayce , known as the " sleeping prophet " predicted back in 1940 that there would be major stock market crash in December of 2012 . <h> Comments <p> edgar cayce did state none of his future prophecies were set in stone . His one concerning Bimminy Road were correct . However this stock market crash prophecy reflects more on Human beings and not the lands of the earth . <p> However ... it would appear we have not changed our ways in order to avoid this ... perhaps there was divine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably not ... we deserve non of Gods grave anymore ... <p> Roubini &; Edgar Cayce the sleeping prophet ... should have let us ... we the sheeple have peaceful unemployed December ... CHRISTMAS break ... instead of this crash &; sky is falling stuff ... If I knew their E-mail address , me would have written both of them a huge PROTEST LETTER ... including complain about BO &; his communists second term , Popeye sour grape situation &; all the missing vote going Walkabout ... ... &; bushes trying to push another Bush down U.S citizens throat in 2016 ... &; how people are cashing in End of the World Scenario &; Misleading Propaganda ( selling underground bunkers ) ... I 'm sure they would have Postponed Major Stock Market Crash of December 2012 &; reverse their PROPHECY ... If any of U folk 's have their E-mail ... Please pass it to me &gt; &gt; &gt; **25;555;TOOLONG ... Thanks <p> The propaganda is mislead and distract for something else , much worse that is coming . Most them do n't even know it , except for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long way . Many CEO 's are leaving for they have done their ponzi job and will build their bunkers in the mountains , or just enjoy

@@5255841 <h> The Best Sherlock Holmes Stories <p> Sherlockians from around the world selected the best Sherlock Holmes stories in the largest and most comprehensive survey on the topic ever conducted . Experts chose the top 12 short stories and ranked the four long tales . My Baker Street Journal article provides a detailed analysis and the following results : <h> Choosing Your First Holmes Book <p> Although the Holmes series began with a novel , you should start by reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes . It includes the first Holmes short stories and 5 of the top 12 overall . To read The Adventures , see the best hardback and the best paperback edition . <p> Points : A 12-point weighting model was used to determine the best short stories . <p> " Ratings " for individual stories were computed by dividing each score by the maximum score for that category and multiplying by 100 . This provides a simple value for comparing the relative positions of stories within a category . <p> " Ratings " for the collected tales were based on the average score of all the stories in a volume and indexed for a top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is often included in His Last Bow , it was counted as part of the Memoirs because of its original publication date . <p> Rank for collected volumes denotes which ranked stories in the Top 12 appear in that collection . <p> In 1927 , The Strand Magazine held a Sherlock Holmes Competition in which it challenged its readers to list the twelve best Holmes stories as selected by Conan Doyle . None of the stories from The Case-Book were eligible since it had not yet been published in book form . Sir Arthur later gave his choices in " How I Made My List " in the June 1927 issue of The Strand Magazine . <h> More Information <p> This page also provides supplementary " story rating " information below for a four-part series of articles by me that appeared in the December 1999 Baker Street Journal . Please refer to the original articles for the principle results and conclusions . <h> " Irregular Participation " <p> The Baker Street Journal reported on three polls to rate the Canon from 1944 to 1959 . However , those reports raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted . My article " Irregular Participation " clears up some mysteries surrounding these prior polls . <h> " Rating Sherlock Holmes " Supplement <p> Since the prior polls all had certain limitations , I sent a proposal to Don Pollock , Editor of the BSJ , to carry out a new and more reliable poll of Sherlockian experts . The 1999 poll of Baker Street Journal readers was the largest and most comprehensive survey ever conducted . My article " Rating Sherlock Holmes " describes and analyzes the 1999 poll results , including rankings for the short stories , the long stories , and the collected tales . <p> The 1999 poll used a 12-point weighting method to rank the short stories . Since the number of first-place votes provides additional critical insight , this information also appears in the table of results . There are , however , many other potential weighting models and some were mentioned in the article . <h> " A Study in Sherlockians " Supplement <p> I had never seen any demographic information on Sherlockians and thought that the 1999 poll offered a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also wanted to see if a voter 's experience or affiliations would relate to their choice of the best stories . My article " A Study in Sherlockians " covers both of these topics for the first time . <p> Because of the large number of participants in the 1999 poll , it was worthwhile to compare the choices of various groups of voters . The December 1999 BSJ article listed only the top choices from these groups . Complete story rankings are provided here for : <h> " The Best of the Best " Supplement <p> After researching prior polls and conducting the 1999 effort , it was clear that each poll brought some unique Sherlockian insight to rating the Canon . My article " The Best of the Best " summarizes the history of these appraisals and determines the all-time greatest stories . <p> Results from five polls reported in the BSJ and SHJ between 1944 and 1999 were analyzed to determine the all-time greatest Sherlock Holmes stories . The December 1999 BSJ article listed only the top choices from these polls . The complete tables are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ " thank-you " to everyone who participated in the 1999 poll . The response was outstanding ! I especially enjoyed the notes that many of you included with your ballots . <p> My first contact with the official Sherlockian community was Donald Pollock . He helped to re-ignite my Canonical interests and his guidance is much appreciated . Thanks for being a great BSJ Editor ! <p> I am always interested in hearing about prior polls and welcome your e-mail on the topic . I am particularly interested in any ballots from the 1944 - 1959 polls and in story scores from the 1989 Sherlock Holmes

@@5255941 <h> Tech 's New Most Meaningless Spec : PPI <p> HTC 's new Droid DNA smartphone has plenty of qualities that make it intriguing . It has a quad-core Snapdragon chipset . It crams a 5-inch display in a body nearly the size of a One X or Galaxy S III . Its Super LCD 3 technology trumps the Super LCD 2 that made the HTC 8x display so lovely . By all accounts it 's a wonderful device . <p> But one thing HTC takes particular pride in is the 1920x1080 display , good for a pixel density of 440 pixels per inch , the highest ever in any handheld consumer device . This should make tech nerds lose their shit , right ? Not quite . Welcome to your new favorite meaningless stat : ppi . <p> The problem with most specs is that beyond a certain point , they fail to be useful . You might remember that when digital cameras first appeared , they left plenty of room for improvement . Part of that improvement involved adding megapixels to the sensor , since getting more detail from the sensor typically involved increasing the dimensions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-2000s , an increase in megapixels no longer meant it was a surefire sign of improvement . My 5MP camera started taking better pictures than your 10MP shooter . Beyond a certain point , unless you 're planning on blowing up your picture to the size of a warehouse wall , megapixels just do n't matter . <p> This same line of thinking manifested itself when contrast ratio became a spec for Plasma and LCD displays ( OMG ONE ZILLION TO ONE CONTRAST RATIO ) -- ca n't see it , does n't matter -- and is now resurfacing as companies enter the pixel density arms race . Increases in pixel density are going from impressive technical feats to masturbatory experiments for the sake of marketing strategy . <p> So what do we make of HTC managing to pack a 1920x1080 display in a 5-inch screen ? When it comes to tangible user benefits , not much . According to those who toil away in research labs , the human eye can not discern granular detail when it is higher than 300 PPI . Hence Apple 's 326 PPI display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some -- notably Dr. Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate -- have argued that no display will be perfectly " retina " until it has a density of 477 PPI . But others , like University of Utah professor Bryan Jones , dispute the basis of Soneira 's reasoning , arguing that from a foot away , displays will actually appear retina when greater than 287 PPI . But even Soneira acknowledeged that the retina effect kicks in when a 300 PPI display is held 18 inches away . You know . Where you hold your phone . <p> Does increased smartphone resolution help for watching high-def movies ? Not really . To really reap the benefit of 1080p video , you need no smaller than a 40-inch display ( and ideally one above 50-inches ) to notice anything awesome while sitting at a comfortable distance . In fact , to theoretically reap any benefits of 1080p video on your phone , you 'd need to be holding it 6-8 inches from your face . No one holds their phone 6-8 inches from their face . <p> Sure , you can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display , but you run the risk of making everything too small to easily view . In fact , the only tangible benefit of a 1080p is that a phone 's chipset does n't then have to waste horsepower scaling down the resolution of high-def content . That 's a minor reward , though , one offset by all that pixel-pushing gobbling up hardware resources and battery life . <p> That 's not to say that the Droid DNA has a bad screen by any means . In fact , our own Brent Rose thinks its the best smartphone screen he 's ever seen , citing its rich colors , and sharp text . But that more to do with HTC 's Super LCD 3 technology and its rendering engines as it does raw pixel density , in the same way that a camera 's ISO performance matters far more than its megapixelage . <p> Does this mean that the display wars are over , and everyone should give up on trying to make better screens ? Of course not . There are plenty of ways to make a better-looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pixel density wars where higher figures have stopped automatically equating to improved performance for users . Any grandstanding about pixel density , from here

@@5256041 <p> Re : Was Tyson taking Roids/PEDs when he was a Kid or is there another explanation ? <p> Tyson just developed earlier than most . It happens in varying degrees . Do n't know about you all , but there were about 2-3 kids i went to grade school with that were naturally ripped and pretty damn athletic and filled out in their early teens ( without touching weights ) . Possibly by coincidence , they were african american and not very well off . i myself reached almost my full height and was fairly filled out with size 12 feet by about age 12-13 or so . unfortunately i only grew a couple more inches to 6 ' 1 so my basketball career fizzled <p> Re : Was Tyson taking Roids/PEDs when he was a Kid or is there another explanation ? <p> This is complete ignorance . He spent his childhood in and out of the penal system . The kids there are often huge , I have firsthand knowledge on that . It 's definitely not unusual to see kids that are 12-15 weighing 180lbs+ of mostly muscle . Those kids really do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or chess , and fighting each other . Most do n't even think about reading books or studying other than when they are forced to for mandatory schooling . But ask anyone that 's been locked up as a youth before or better yet if you have any buddies that have been Correctional officers at a youth camp ask them if they 've seen young teenagers that had the body

@@5256141 <p> The State Attorney 's Office prosecuting the case against George Zimmerman , who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin , mistakenly released a trove of evidence on Thursday that included a grainy photo of Martin 's body and Zimmerman 's college transcript . <p> Not long after Special Prosecutor Angela Corey 's office sent an email to media outlets with the evidence attached , the office issued a statement asking reporters to " please disregard and do not use the information contained in the initial e-mail . It was inadvertently attached . " <p> The Huffington Post will not be publishing the evidence that was released in full . It did not reveal any bombshells in the case , which has been closely watched for months as the State Attorney 's office has incrementally released information . <p> But among the more superficially interesting details gleaned from the leaked evidence came from Zimmerman 's academic record . While Zimmerman , by his own account , longed to have a career in law enforcement , and to follow in his former magistrate father 's footsteps , he earned a D in " Intro To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- Violent Predators " during his time at Seminole State college in Central Florida . <p> He also failed algebra twice , according to the documents . <p> Zimmerman was a student at the college on Feb. 26 , 2012 , when he shot and killed Martin , but he was expelled shortly thereafter due to safety concerns and the high profile nature of his case . <p> Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty , and is currently free on $1 million bond . <p> CORRECTION : A previous version of this article referred to George Zimmerman 's father , Robert , as a " magistrate judge , " which is imprecise . Robert Zimmerman was a magistrate in Virginia , a position that is distinct from that of judge in that state . <p> Loading Slideshow <p> A photograph of George Zimmerman taken the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in Sanford , FL . <p> The gun George Zimmerman used to shoot Trayvon Martin can be seen in this evidence photo . <p> George Zimmerman 's gun and clip can be seen in this evidence photograph taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altercation with the unarmed teen , who was returning to the house where his father was staying on February 26 after a trip to a nearby 7-Eleven . <p> George Zimmerman photographed by police the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Sanford , FL . <p> Cuts can be seen on the face of George Zimmerman in this photo taken by police on the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin . Zimmerman claims that Martin attacked him and banged his head repeatedly on the ground , prompting Zimmerman to shoot the teenager in self-defense . <p> Cuts can be seen on the face of George Zimmerman in this photograph taken the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin . Zimmerman says he shot Martin during an altercation in which Martin slammed his head repeatedly into the ground . <p> George Zimmerman , photographed by police on the night he shot Trayvon Martin in Sanford , FL . <p> Blood can be seen on the head of George Zimmerman in this police photo taken the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin . Zimmerman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-defense . <p> Blood can be seen on the head of George Zimmerman in this police photo taken the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin . <p> Blood and bruises can be seen on the head of George Zimmerman in this police photo taken the night he shot and killed Trayvon Martin . <p> In this Feb. 27 , 2012 image taken from a Sanford Police video posted on a website called gzlegalcase.com by George Zimmerman'sdefense team , Zimmerman speaks to investigators , ( not shown ) at the scene of Trayvon Martin 's fatal shooting a day later giving police a blow-by-blow account of his fight with the teen . On the tape , Zimmerman did a reenactment of the scuffle with Martin in the moments before he shot the 17-year-old from Miami . ( AP Photo/Sanford Police video via Zimmerman Defense Team ) <p> This photo released by the Seminole County Sheriff 's Office shows Shellie Zimmerman . Zimmerman , the wife of the Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman , was charged with perjury and accused of lying when she told a judge that the couple had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being released on $150,000 bond . She was released on $1,000 bond . ( AP Photo/Seminole County Sheriff 's Office ) <p> The State Attorney 's Office prosecuting the case against George Zimmerman , who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin , mistakenly released a trove of evidence on Thursda ... <p> The State Attorney 's Office prosecuting the case against George Zimmerman , who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin help us to keep this a safe and supportive place for writers of all ages to contribute . <p> You know , I 'm Hispanic and I 'm trying to feel for this guy , but man oh man he got himself in some hot water . Personally , I hope he spends time in jail for what he did . Hunting down Trayvon b/c he looked suspicious smh . <p> I agree , , , , and if he has a bipolar disorder or treatment for anxiety - HELLO ! it 's not a crime - its a medical condition and kudos to him for getting treatment ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I got poor grades in college but went on to a great career , , , , , <h> Loading comments ... <p> The biggest problem is the murder 1 charge . A lot has to be proven to make that charge stick . The prosecution should have gone for murder 2 or even man slaughter . Man 1 or 2 may have been a slam dunk conviction . <p> It 's also disturbing the way the judge allowed this to go " prime time " . <h> Loading comments ... <h> Loading comments ... <p> This case seems far more straightforward than greedy lawyers and biased faily members make out ; a neighbourhood watch volunteer is spooked by a stranger and shoots him believing he was being attacked . It was either an accident ( though why carry the gun ? ) or he is racist and meant to killl him , that is for the jury to decide . <p> Tigerbob : This case seems far more straightforward than greedy lawyers and <p> even his lawyer says they ca n't use " stand your ground law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a jury he defended himself he can go free . If you have a problem with that then you have a problem with the USA <h> Loading comments ... <h> Loading comments ... <p> To all that support the skittles kid answer a few things ? Why do TM 's parents need a lawyer does n't the state pay to prosecute ? I mean the first thing the lawyer did was seal the kids school records ............ so they force feed you that he was a good kid right ? Now the pot smoking thief that assaulted people that is the truth ....... is that right ? The stupidest people on here are the ones who try to make him a poor innocent child . Now how does that go ? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes you ca n't make a punk into a hero .......... so buy your shirts in support the facts are the facts . GZ is an innocent man ? ? ? How do I know you ask ? ? wellllllllllllllllllll lets see ok got it **27;268;TOOLONG self defense is not a crime.So try and find someone better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctify them.You missed your mark with this kid . <p> Victims of violent crime such as Mr. Zimmerman have suffered trauma and may not remember all the facts until they can process in their minds what just happened . I have no doubt he was defending himself against an attack . <h> Loading comments ... <h> Loading comments ... <p> For one thing they need a lawyer to sue their son 's murderer . And I suspect they will succeed in that . Travon 's charactor should not be an issue here . His charactor was not known to GZ when GZ targeted him . Look at the facts : GZ packed a pistol and hit the streets . GZ profiled Trayvon as a criminal suspect with nothing more than they way Trayvon looked as justification . GZ tried to gather support for his anticipated actions by calling 911 but was advised not to confront Trayvon . GZ then lamented that these people always " get away " . GZ continued to stalk Trayvon and eventually confronted him . GZ shot the unarmed Trayvon and lied about how it happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what is " not a crime " . Shooting an unarmed man who you had no reason to confront in the first place is murder . You do n't anticipate , create , provoke , confront , escalate and then have the gall to claim self defence . <p> He asked him a question ... GOT IT ? ? ? ? What are you up to .... thats all.The kid did n't like that white guy asking him a question.A QUESTION and he came back to attack him.Since when do you have the right to use violence when you do n't like that someone asked you A QUESTION ? ? ? ? ? He did not stalk him at all and the confrontation was A QUESTION ... do you get it yet ? ? This kid was a weed smoker and seller , a thief and he attacked GZ much like he did the bus driver 2 days before , because he would n't let him ride for free . The parents hired a lawyer to seal the kid 's school records so they can have fools like you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not be further from the truth . i know I just wasted my time saying all this to you , but it may cause some to look at the facts and not some sugar coated version ........... By the way it is spelled defense . You really Bore Me ! ! ! <h> Loading comments ... <p> well , I am sure if GZ was in colorado he would not do the right thing as events in florida showed that he did some mistakes in the shooting and after the shooting . So these events clearly shows that he does n't have the qualifications to be a hero . A hero would n't try to fool the court and try to get advantage of a situation . Believe me , a hero is a hero in all events . It is not something they can be in one place and kill teens in other places because they look suspecious . My wish that he would be in colorado shooting was as a way to make him die as a victim because perhaps some of the victims who actually died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy who could have avoided ending a teen 's life one way or another . I admit that I am mad at GZ , I ca n't accept the fact , that his shooting could have been avoided by at least shooting the kid in his leg or any place where he could still live . <p> 1 . Going on Fox News and stating that killing Martin was an act of God . 2 . Changing lie from Martin chasing him to Martin was " SKIPPING " . 3 . Instrumental in getting his wife jailed and charged with a Felony. 4 . Trying to shake down Ms. Barbara Walters . 5 . Detaining two seven year old black boys and calling 911 because he deemed " Suspicious " . 6 . Making negative and racist statements on his my space page about his own people . 7 . Assault on a police officer . 8 . Assaulted his ex girlfriend . 9 . Molested his cousin for over 10 years . 10 . Used the race card to incite public support and be rewarded for killing Martin . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nor do I ever want to . It is very obvious that you and the rest of his supporters are down with the lie and race card game is playing . On the for real side , I do not think you really believe this dude . You are pissed that this black kid got so much attention by people of all types of creeds , class and color . <p> To you it does not matter that Martin was murdered , because you believe the ends justify the means and another black male has been eliminated . <h> Loading comments ... <p> Evidence " accidentally " released ? OMG . Wait until O ; ' Mara accidentally releases what he knows about Dee Dee and that conversation she says she had but I doubt she will ever see a deposition table let alone get near a witness stand . <p> A quick review of her statements is telling . " You want that , too ? " LOL <h> Loading comments ... <p> Was the painfully unnamable executioner of TRAYVON MARTIN addicted to precription drugs ands did he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or as usual did the murderer simply not care and wing it ? <p> Your sleep problems should improve within 7 to 10 days after you start taking temazepam . Call your doctor if your sleep problems do not improve during this time , if they get worse at any time during your treatment , or if you notice any changes in your thoughts or behavior . <p> If your doctor has told you to take temazepam regularly , talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication . Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually . If you suddenly stop taking temazepam , you may feel depressed or have more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep , or you may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms such as uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body , stomach and muscle cramp s , vomiting , sweating , and rarely , seizures . <p> Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer 's patient information sheet ( Medication Guide ) when you begin treatment with temazepam and each time you refill your prescription . Read the information carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions . You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) website ( http : //www.fda.gov/Drugs ) or the manufacturer 's website to obtain the Medication Guide . <p> " Was the painfully unnamable executioner of TRAYVON MARTIN addicted to precription drugs ands did he know the ends and outs ? Was he advised ? " <p> There is absolutely nothing to indicate that the young man violently attacked and assaulted by Martin was every addicted to any of the legally prescribed medications that he used . There is absolutely no reason to suspect that he did n't know all the needed information about any of his prescriptions . I wonder how severly Martin was addicted to the drugs he used . I wonder if he understood all possible side effects of them - I doubt his dealer every explained them to him . <p> Are you arare that the level of THC in his system showed Martin had not smoked for days ? Are you aware that it is not even proven if marijuana is addictive ? Are you are that all four of GZ 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amphetamines he was taking are widely misused , even if legally prescribed ? How exactly is it , that you feel you can say that a person taking a highly addictive drug , in relatively high doses ,

@@5256241 <p> In today 's hospitals and clinics , vital health information is often lost in translation as English-speaking doctors struggle to effectively communicate with their non-English-speaking patients . <p> Misunderstood or poorly communicated medical information can result in undesirable treatment outcomes , frustration for both patients and doctors and contribute to health disparities . <p> To address the problem , the CT-RI Public Health Training Center at the Yale School of Public Health co-hosted a daylong conference earlier this month with the International Medical Interpreters Association , CT Multicultural Health Partnership and Connecticut Department of Public Health that drew more than 100 health care professionals interested in the new standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in ( CLAS ) due to be released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) this month . <p> Medical school is worthless , noted Dr. Raul Pino , director of health at the Hartford Department of Human Services , if doctors are unable to translate vital health information to their patients . A native of Cuba , Pino recalled the relief of both patients and their physicians when he was called from his former duties as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecting Cultures : Promoting Equal Access to Healthcare , " was held at Yale 's West Campus and focused on promoting access to care for patients with limited or no English proficiency . <p> The 2012 CLAS standards broaden the definition of culture and health , said C. Godfrey Jacobs , a program manager with SRA International and a member of the HHS CLAS standards committee in his keynote address . The standards aim to eliminate disparities by building rapport , developing trust , personalizing care and increasing patient satisfaction . " CLAS ought to be a way of doing business , " he said . <p> The CLAS standards were first published in 2000 as a strategy to address health inequities . The Affordable Care Act also has 62 provisions specifically addressing race , ethnicity and language barriers to health care . <p> At Boston City Hospital , 70 full-time staff members provide medical translation . In addition , treatment rooms are equipped with two-way telephones that can connect within minutes to interpreters of 150 languages . During the last fiscal year the hospital used medical interpreters 205,000 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per request for an interpreter , this is a bargain , " said Eric Hardt , M.D. , associate professor at the Boston University School of Medicine and a physician at the hospital . People with limited English proficiency are administered more unnecessary tests and treatments , have longer hospital stays , more return visits to emergency departments and poor adherence to post discharge instructions . " If you think of medical interpretation as ordering a test or treatment , it 's cheap , " he said . <p> Manual Rodriguez Davalos , M.D. , a liver transplant surgeon at Yale New Haven Hospital and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine , argued that medical interpreters are an essential part of the team . Even when he uses his native Spanish to speak to a patient or family , the rest of the team needs to understand what is being communicated between the patient and physician . <p> In addition to issues surrounding translation , CLAS standards also call for other culturally appropriate services . In an era when African-Americans are affected at higher rates than whites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unequal treatment is a result of social , environmental , health systems and policy factors . The CLAS standards also now include religion and spirituality , said Ellen Boynton , president of ESB Consulting and Training Associates . Providers need to understand their own biases in order to make patients with different backgrounds feel comfortable and supported . <p> The CT-RI Public Health Training Center at the Yale School of Public Health is placing priority on cross cultural communications training for all sectors of the public health workforce and will soon announce a new initiative to be lead by Elaine O'Keefe and Dr. Rafael Perez-Escamilla of the Office of Community Health where the PHTC is based . <p> This Article was submitted

@@5256341 <p> ( Time.com ) -- On August 5 , when a gunman drove to a Sikh temple outside Milwaukee and started shooting his 9mm handgun , some ran and some leapt to stop him . <p> One of the six who died was temple president Santwat Singh Kaleka , who has been hailed as a hero by witnesses who say he tried to disarm the shooter . The first cop on the scene , Brian Murphy , took nine bullets as he also tried to help . Miraculously , Murphy was n't killed . <p> Why do some people confront danger while most scamper for the exits ? <p> Altruism emerges in many disasters . A few weeks ago , three women came forward to say they survived the cinema shooting in Aurora , Colorado , because their boyfriends shielded them . All three men are dead . <p> Services resume after temple shooting <p> Shooting victim : ' I forgive you ' <p> Meet the man behind the Aurora crosses <p> Widow 's kids struggle to understand <p> In January , when the colossal cruiser Costa Concordia foundered on the western coast of Italy , a 57-year-old crewmember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thousands of passengers -- abandoned ship . Thirty-two people died . <p> The difficult thing about studying those who are altruistic during calamities is that most of them die . Also , we like to create heroes . <p> As researchers Selwyn Becker and Alice Eagly pointed out in the journal American Psychologist in 2004 , the idea of heroism exists in virtually every human culture ever recorded -- from cave paintings and folklore to the dawn of literature and right up to , say , " The Dark Knight Rises . " <p> Because heroism is so deeply valued , Becker and Eagly define it as not only noble risk taking but also something selfish , a way to ensure status . <p> Earlier this year , the journal Evolutionary Psychology published a study by two psychologists who found that participants who were willing to endure pain -- having to put their hands into a tub of ice for 40 seconds , or being dunked into a tank of water -- were not only judged to be more likable , but also given significantly more money from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other student volunteers wanted . <p> The study was small -- 78 participants -- and none were threatened with death . But the authors concluded that " engaging in ' self-sacrificial behavior ' is a profitable long-term strategy . " <p> In short , heroic and egotistical impulses can arrive at the same moment . But can we choose between them ? <p> The U.S. Department of Defense has funded studies at Yale designed to examine the difference between service members who are steely during and after combat and those who break . <p> Psychiatrist Deane Aikins , who supervises some of those studies , discourages the idea that heroism is a choice . <p> " The hard part for many people to understand is that the man even being alive is a miracle , " he says , referring to Murphy , the cop in Wisconsin . " It may be that some people have stress hormones that run cooler in dangerous situations . " <p> But after studying hundreds of veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq , Aikins believes that most tried to run but could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , defines many who survive to be called heroes . <p> Aikins does offer one idea about those who help others and then live to be called heroes : they cultivate social bonds before and after the crisis . Service to the military or to a police department pays little in wages , but it can offer the remuneration of social ease and acceptance . <p> In 2005 , the Journal of Personality published a study that examined why some non-Jews helped rescue people from the Nazis and why others did nothing . They found that those who had helped were more likely to report risk-taking behavior -- but the strongest correlation was with those who said they interact with friends and family on a regular basis . <p> Defining a hero is harder than defining a coward -- the latter of whom Ambrose Bierce got right : " One who , in a perilous emergency , thinks with his legs . " Those who saved people in Colorado and Wisconsin probably acted impulsively , unthinkingly , randomly

@@5256441 <h> How do I tell him they want to let him go September 25 , 2012 3:41 PM Subscribe <p> I work on a small office , my stepson also works there . He is bright but for some reason his performance is poor , he makes a lot of mistakes that costs money , and does n't care about the job at all . The office manager told me today that they do n't let him go because they hope my stepson will find another job soon and leave ( he just finish a MBA ) but asked me not to tell anyone . The problem is that I do n't think he is looking for another job . I do n't want to involve my husband . I think my stepson has a great opportunity of looking for job while he has this one . What would be the best way to get him to know it without breaking my promise of not telling anyone ? Thanks ! posted by 3dd to human relations ( 19 answers total ) 2 users marked this as a favorite <p> Regardless of promises , if you tell him , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office manager told you not to do . It was a stupid move on behalf of the office manager , but that 's neither here nor there . Sometimes the only way to get through to a person is a swift kick in the ass , and that 's what is about to happen here . It is unfortunate that he 's going to get canned , but if he keeps making mistakes and does n't give a shit , well , that 's on him as a grown adult . The best you can do is say " hey , if you hate this job so much , maybe you should start looking for another one , " but that 's about it . Any clearer of a hint , and it 's your ass on the line . posted by griphus at 3:46 PM on September 25 <p> ( I 'm going under the assumption that he knows he 's making regular and costly mistakes and that he 's been warned before. ) posted by griphus at 3:48 PM on September 25 1 favorite <p> I once worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no secrets there . I suspect they told you so that you could pass it onto your stepson . So that there would be no messy firings going on . I would also not keep it a secret from my husband , actually . What for ? How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot ? I 'd be blabbing it as soon as I got home from work , actually . It 's family . <p> At the very least , take your stepson out to lunch on a weekend and give him a heads up . If he does n't listen , then wash your hands of the deal . posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:49 PM on September 25 11 favorites <p> he has been warned many times but I guess he just does n't get it . posted by 3dd at 3:50 PM on September 25 <p> And to go on the assumption that he does n't know . You ' might ' be able to say , " hey , not really my business , but I kinda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to correct them before they start getting too noticed . " <p> But do n't tell him what your manager said . Stay out of that part . posted by Vaike at 3:53 PM on September 25 1 favorite <p> " Son , given the number of warnings you 've had about your performance , you might think about looking for a new job before you have to . No , I do n't know anything specific , but I 'm an adult and I can see when someone 's about to be shown the door . " <p> " Boss , you got ta do what you got ta do . If you need to let him go , I 'll understand . " <p> This situation is not of your making . As a side point , as the office manager is probably ( as someone else suggested ) getting you to nudge the person for them in an ethically dubious way , you may in the long run consider whether you want to stay working there yourself . posted by Wordshore at 4:20 PM on September 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the office manager was telling you , basically : <p> " Look , your stepson is crap for the company and kind of a slacker , and we do n't want him around anymore . But we 're reluctant to fire him because we like you , and we suspect that firing your stepson will make you mad . Please go home and tell your stepson to either step up--BIG TIME--or start looking for another job , pronto . I do n't know how much longer we can deal with him , no matter how much we like you . " posted by phunniemee at 4:30 PM on September 25 13 favorites <p> Oh , and as to the " do n't tell anyone " bit , unless the office manager told you specifically not to tell your stepson , I would interpret that as , " do n't tell anyone else in the office about this because we do n't want them to think we 're giving you two special treatment . " posted by phunniemee at 4:33 PM on September 25 7 favorites <p> Given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell them to fire him if they 're going to . It 's on ss , not you , &; you think they should do what 's best for the business irregardless of your familial relationship . <p> I 'd hope my parents would do the same thing , especially if I 'm an MBA &; still a shitty employee . posted by tilde at 4:41 PM on September 25 2 favorites <p> Did the manager tell you not to tell your stepson ? Otherwise , I would interpret the " Do n't tell anyone " as " Do n't tell anyone else in the office . " <p> On preview , what phunniemee said - both of the comments . posted by xmts at 4:49 PM on September 25 <p> They 're trying to avoid firing him and having to pay unemployment costs and are willing to fuck up your home life to do so . Do n't play along . Keep it to yourself and if its brought up again say " I really do n't feel comfortable with you sharing info about another emp with me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family . " posted by phearlez at 4:58 PM on September 25 2 favorites <p> Your office manager put you in this untenable situation - put it back on them . Tell them you 've seen nothing from your stepson to indicate that he 's looking for another job and they should do what 's right for the organization based on that information . <p> Its up to you whether you tell your stepson his job is in jeopardy , but Lyn already provided the script . Honestly though I 'm not sure how you broach this with your stepson without involving your husband . Also note if he gets let go for performance issues then avoiding your husband may not be possible ( think " Honey was he doing a bad job ? Why did n't you say something ? " ) <p> I think this is a family conversation that may be best addressed head on . I think trying to avoid your husband 's not doing anyone any good . posted by bitdamaged at 4:59 PM on September 25 1 favorite <p> Depends on your office culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep home and work separate , but to fire his ass if they see fit . <p> Also , talk to your husband . This is his child and you should n't have to bear this alone . posted by futureisunwritten at 5:07 PM on September 25 <p> Take the kid aside and tell him bluntly : <p> " This job does n't want you , and you clearly do n't want it . Find another before you have to explain why this one fired you " . <p> If he does n't take it seriously at that point , let your manager know to kick him to the curb , no hard feelings will result . posted by pla at 5:21 PM on September 25 9 favorites <p> The office is hoping your stepson will find another job . You can tell him you think he ought to look for another job without adding the part about how the office thinks his performance is bad , because it sounds like they 've already communicated that to him multiple times . <p> As far as I can see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding another job , and if he continues to keep his head in the sand .... well , I do n't think that you are at fault here . posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:24 PM on September 25 1 favorite <p> As an aside , FWIW , your office manager did n't tell you in the hopes you would really keep it confidential . S/he may not want it public knowledge , but you can consider that as a sort of disavowable request that you encourage him to GTFO ASAP. posted by pla at 5:42 PM on September 25 <p> yeap , looks like they are asking me to be the messenger here , and I know they do n't want to piss me off by firing him , even though I already told them once to go ahead and fire him . I like the idea of presenting it to my ss as pla said , find another job before you have to explain why you got fired . I think that will make him move quickly . Thanks everyone for your valuable perspectives . posted by 3dd at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I watched a co-worker get fired , and afterwards , as she was packing things up , she said to me , " they never mentioned that they were unhappy with my performance . " The thing is , because I sat next to her , I also witnessed her receiving multiple reprimands for her performance ( I still remember the wording , too . ) <p> For some people , it just does n't sink in that they 're being told to shape up or ship out . <p> Personally , I think it 's really unpleasant that the OM has turned their professional problem into your personal problem , especially since you 've already told them that they should do what they think is best . I agree that they 're trying to avoid firing him because it 's more expensive that way , and they 're trying to leverage your personal relationship for their own financial gain . Do n't kid yourself that they 're keeping him on because of you

@@5256541 <h> Ancient evidence shows Earth 's CO2 swung back , forth <p> January 12 , 2007 <p> Antarctic glacier photo is by John Isbell , one of the study authors . The fossil photo on the Dateline home page is from study co-author Bill DiMichele and research technician Dan Chaney of the Smithsonian Institution . <p> By Andy Fell <p> UC Davis geologist Isabel MontaAez says the transition from an ice age to an ice-free planet 300 million years ago was highly unstable , marked by dips and rises in carbon dioxide , extreme swings in climate and drastic effects on tropical vegetation . <p> A paper on this topic appeared in the Jan. 5 edition of Science , with Professor MontaAez as the paper 's lead author . <p> " This is the best documented record we have of what happens to the climate system during long-term global warming following an ice age , " MontaAez said . She noted that the findings can not be applied directly to today 's global warming trends . <p> In the mid-Permian , 300 million years ago , the Earth was in an ice age . Miles-thick ice sheets covered much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered the northern polar ocean . The tropics were dominated by lush rainforests , now preserved as coal beds . <p> Forty million years later , all the ice was gone . The world was a hot , dry place , vegetation was sparse , soils little more than drifts of wind-blown dust . " You 'd have to be a reptile to want to live there , " MontaAez said . <h> Ice sheets lefts scars , other clues <p> She and her co-authors derived records of atmospheric carbon dioxide from ancient soils that have been preserved as rocks , and from plant fossils and coal . They extracted a record of sea surface temperatures from the fossils of brachiopod shellfish and looked at the extensive records of past plant life from fossils of the ancient rainforests . To see how glaciers advanced and retreated , the researchers looked at the scars and other clues left by the ice sheets that covered the great southern continent of Gondwanaland , which included most of the land masses of the modern southern hemisphere . <p> The scientists placed statistical constraints on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civil and environmental engineering and director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment at UC Davis . <p> The new data show that throughout millions of years , atmospheric carbon dioxide levels swung back and forth between about 250 parts per million , close to present-day levels , to more than 2,000 parts per million . The ice sheets retreated as carbon dioxide rose and expanded again when levels fell , a pattern compatible with the idea that greenhouse gases caused the end of the late Paleozoic ice age . <p> Scientists had assumed that as the climate warmed , a tipping point would be reached -- and at this point the ice sheets would melt rapidly and for good . Instead , the new data show that the climate went back and forth between the extremes . But the overall trend was to warming , and by 260 million years ago , the ice sheets were gone . <p> Records of fossil plants show rapid changes in tropical plant communities as the climate changed . On scales of a few thousand years , lush forests of tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other plants adapted to a harsher , drier and warmer climate . <p> MontaAez said the data is not directly applicable to today 's global warming because today 's rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide is occurring in a much shorter time scale , for one thing . While these data cover millions of years , similar events might take place during a much shorter time span . <p> " Perhaps this is the behavior one should

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@@5256741 <h> Posted by Jim Hoft on Thursday , November 24 , 2011 , 10:17 PM <p> In his Thanksgiving message this year , Barack Obama reminded us that the economy still sucks and that we are our brother 's keeper . <p> We 're also grateful for the Americans who are taking time out of their holiday to serve in soup kitchens and shelters , making sure their neighbors have a hot meal and a place to stay . This sense of mutual responsibility -- the idea that I am my brother 's keeper ; that I am my sister 's keeper -- has always been a part of what makes our country special . And it 's one of the reasons the Thanksgiving tradition has endured ... <p> I know that for many of you , this Thanksgiving is more difficult than most . But no matter how tough things are right now , we still give thanks for that most American of blessings , the chance to determine our own destiny . The problems we face did n't develop overnight , and we wo n't solve them overnight . But we will solve them . All it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> With all the partisanship and gridlock here in Washington , it 's easy to wonder if such unity is really possible . But think about what 's happening at this very moment : Americans from all walks of life are coming together as one people , grateful for the blessings of family , community , and country . <p> Of course , when Obama reminded us that we are our brother 's keeper , he was n't talking about his brother George . High as a kite , George Obama poses outside his foul-smelling Kenyan slum hut with his friends in Huruma estate . Left to Right : Rastaman , One of the girls in George 's room , George Hussein Obama , Jack , a body guard in the Kenyan slum . ( Thaindian ) <p> Barack Obama 's brother George , also a community organizer , was arrested on a charge of marijuana possession in 2009 . He was interviewed in his slum in 2008 . In 2010 , George Obama , a former gang member , moved to an apartment near the slum in Kenya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama likes the patronizing racism of being " the white mans burden " . He wants nameless faceless tax payers to keep his brother because he wo n't do it himself . Burden whitey with your drug addicted kin , your gang banger cousin , your high school Ho drop outs because its our historical burden to civilize the jungle monkies . Such was the thinking of the Ivy League educated class way back in the 19th century . Its very racist ideology , but he has personally benefitted very well from it . <h> rasqual commented : <p> For what it 's worth , I like what he said here . It 's one of those rare occasions where he speaks of private charity as salutary , without commending the government as the prime mover to solve social ills . Nice restraint . <p> On the other hand , I weary of the president being expected , apparently , to always " say stuff " on holidays -- holidays for every religion , culture , and turned over rock . <p> I 'm a small government guy who thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and those who govern us distantly should be be trivially involved in our day-to-day reality . So in theory , I should value a mayor 's holiday greetings more than a president 's . But I do n't . I do n't care . It 's not their job to mediate significance of the day to us. <h> squeaky commented : <h> JKB commented : <p> Geez , he ca n't even get Thanksgiving right . Does the man know anything beyond the elementary school simplifications taught ? <p> The only reason we celebrate Thanksgiving is because after half the colonists had died from deprivations , they had a couple lucky years that they had a big last meal . Only , the governor got smart , threw off the socialistic community ownership system , assigned individual ownership of plots of land , and there after they had a bounty even exporting food a couple years later . <p> So let us be reminded not that we are our brother 's keeper , but that with the collective comes death and deprivation , with true capitalism , free markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food and a growing economy . <p> In his ' History of Plymouth Plantation , ' the governor of the colony , William Bradford , reported that the colonists went hungry for years , because they refused to work in the fields . They preferred instead to steal food . He says the colony was riddled with " corruption , " and with " confusion and discontent . " The crops were small because " much was stolen both by night and day , before it became scarce eatable . " <p> In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622 , " all had their hungry bellies filled , " but only briefly . The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims , it was famine and death . The first " Thanksgiving " was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men . <p> But in subsequent years something changes . The harvest of 1623 was different . Suddenly , " instead of famine now God gave them plenty , " Bradford wrote , " and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearts of many , for which they blessed God . " Thereafter , he wrote , " any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day . " In fact , in 1624 , so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn . <h> kansas commented : <p> We did n't get into this overnight and we will not get out of it ..................... until Obama is gone . And he leads Romney , who by the way is not a traitorous foreign agent , in Iowa polls by 44 to 38 . So 44 per cent of

@@5256841 <p> John McAfee , founder of the antivirus company that bears his name , says he 's being wrongfully persecuted by officials in Belize and that he fears for his life . <p> McAfee told Wired in a taped interview that he 's trying to elude police . Police began searching for McAfee after one of his neighbors was found dead Sunday morning with a bullet wound to the head . Gregory Faull , a contractor and restaurant owner had complained about McAfee 's dogs as well as the technologist 's armed security guards . <p> John McAfee , founder of McAfee Associates <p> ( Credit : Greg Sandoval/CNET ) <p> Authorities in Belize say they just to want to question McAfee in connection with the Faull 's death and denied any ill intentions toward him . But in his interview with Wired , McAfee kept up his allegations that he is a target of the government and predicted that he will unlikely live very long after he is caught . He claimed that there is very little justice in Belize . <p> " This is what 's going to happen to me , by the way , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . " I will be held without charges . If I survive the 30 days until the government is required to charge an accused criminal , which I doubt very strongly -- lots of people do die in prison here from strangling on their own vomit , hanging themselves because they 're too miserable , or getting beaten to death by fellow inmates or a variety of other things ... if I do survive the 30 days , then some judge will go , ' You 're guilty . Period . ' This is not

@@5256941 <h> ? I Don ? t Want to Go to School ! ? And What You Can Do about It <p> Nearly every morning before school , Josh , 9 , will scream , cry and do anything possible to stay home . " He 'll whine on and on , ' I do n't feel well . I hate my teacher . School is boring , " say his parents , Suzanne and Rob , who report that they have hit the wall with his behavior . " He used to like school , " said Suzanne . " I 'm not sure what happened , but in the last few years it 's become a battle just to get him out the door . " <p> If you 're a parent , it 's almost inevitable that you 're going to be faced with your child not wanting to go to school at some point . The most important thing is that you identify the problem correctly . Is it workload , peer pressure , or your child 's individual way of coping ? It 's vital for parents to look at your child 's situation closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social problem ? Or is this a kid who lacks sufficient problem-solving skills to help him solve the problem of getting out of bed when he does n't want to ? Sometimes kids are afraid of a bully , and actually , avoiding school is one of the first signs that your child is being bullied , so be sure to investigate that possibility . And there are other kids who just do n't want to respond to structure and who have a hard time with authority . Not going to school becomes another avenue of acting out for them . In all of these cases , it 's important for you to understand that the kid 's refusal to go to school is his way of solving a problem that 's real to him . As we see over and over again with some children , the way they solve problems gets them into more trouble . That 's why it 's very important that you help your child develop problem-solving skills on his or her own , so that when problems arise on any level over anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure it out successfully . callout1:right <p> Your child may also complain of being bored of school . Some research indicates that when some kids say they 're bored , that they 're actually mildly angry . And you know , kids do get angry with school , it is boring sometimes . But parents have to be able to tell their kids that it 's their responsibility to go to school . You need to say , " You have to go to school even when you 're bored . That 's your responsibility . It 's not about your mood , it 's your responsibility . If you want it to be less boring , find some more interesting things to do there to balance it out . " <p> It 's about Motivation and Consequences ( Just like it is with Adults ) <p> The truth is , millions of people get up and go to work every day . One way of seeing it is that these people have solved the problem of going to work successfully . The reason they 've solved their problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that help them function successfully in the real world . <p> When we look at adult problem-solving skills , two things stand out : motivation and consequences . The motivation is why they have to go to work . They have to feed their family , they have to feed themselves . They work harder to have a nicer car , nicer clothes , to go out at night . These are motivations . The consequences are if they do n't get up and go to work , they lose their job . Over time , they lose many jobs and they wind up in trouble socially and economically . <p> The same motivation and consequences apply to your child when he does n't want to go to school , and you need to teach that to him now . As the parent , you have a two-part goal : to get that kid go to school and to help or him identify and solve the problem associated with him not wanting to go to school . <p> Motivation is pretty easy because it 's easy to reward people . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something like this , " If you get up on time , you 'll be able to stay up until 9 p.m . You 'll be able to listen to your radio after bedtime to help you go to sleep , or if you get up on time , you can have an hour in your room to relax and you wo n't have to have lights-out right at bedtime . " At all times , parents should connect getting up for school on time with good grades and good performance and give kids lots of approval for that . In fact , one thing a parent might say to a kid is , " I really like it that you get up well in the morning . Do you ever feel like not getting up ? What do you tell yourself when you do n't feel like getting up ? " You 'll learn how your child thinks and how he solves the problem . <p> Giving consequences can be just as simple . The key is not getting into a power struggle with the child , and connecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start using consequences at an early age when the child resists going to school . Sometimes consequences involve withholding something , like not letting the child stay up later , and sometimes they involve enforcing something . " You have n't gotten up on time all week , so for the next week , your bedtime is an hour earlier . And if you get up on time , we can talk about you going back to the schedule we had before , but right now you 're going to have to show me . " <p> If your child has a problem with getting up in the morning , certainly TV , video games and cell phone time should be taken away and consequences should be given by withholding them or limiting the time your child can have with these things . <p> Set New Limits and Let the Child Face Natural Consequences <p> Not going to school is the symptom of a bigger problem sometimes . The kid is not meeting his responsibilities overall in school and at home . Several things need to be noted here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibilities . It has a lot to do with how seriously they take their responsibilities today . Parents of kids who resist and fight going to school should be looking at a whole new way of communicating with their kids and a whole new approach to responsibility in the home . Ask yourself : " Does my child resist me on most things I ask him to do ? Does he meet assigned responsibilities in the home ? Does he have fairly unlimited access to things like video games and computer games ? " If the answer is yes , it 's probably time to set limits on these things so that you can use them as a consequence or a reward for getting up and going to school . Believe it or not , it can be done . It 's easier than parents think to restructure how to do things with their kids . <p> A few quick tips : Do n't try to have a serious discussion in the morning about the getting up problem with a child who wo n't get up . That 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're too busy justifying their excuses and fighting with you . That problem-solving discussion should take place later . Second , if getting up becomes a chronic problem , parents have to accept that there are consequences imposed by the school and society , not just by the family . You should let the child be late and not give an excuse . Write a note saying : " He would n't get out of bed , please hold him accountable for his lateness . " If that means a detention , that 's great . You should not protect your kids from consequences . Older kids who miss class are going to fail , and that 's a consequence in itself . <p> So this week , if your child wo n't get out of bed or throws a fit again about going to school , think about these three things . First , it 's important to correctly identify the problem . Problem-solving skills require problem-identifying skills . Parents who are not equipped to do this should seek cognitive-behavioral oriented help . Secondly , parents need to decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of bed on time consistently , which to me says that they solved the problem of getting out of bed successfully . And third , do n't be afraid to use and enforce consequences and limits . There are consequences to not meeting responsibilities in the world , and that should start when you 're a child . And the difference between punishment and consequences needs to be understood by parents in order for them both to be used effectively . <p> Where Does Accountability Ultimately Lie ? <p> I want to focus on two things here : With younger children chronically refusing to get out of bed , parents should try to involve the school system or community- based in home intervention resources to give them support in dealing with this problem . With older children and teenagers , the same supports should be sought ; however , often teenagers will resist even higher levels of intervention if they have a pattern of oppositionality and defiance . While parents should confront this with all the resources at their command , they must also work on accepting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the media and their own youth culture . Parents may actually be disempowered when it comes to getting their kids to meet certain functions or go to school . In this case , you should seek a stronger type of intervention for your home , and also accept that as children become teenagers they develop the power to resist parental efforts and sometimes they actually choose to fail . I have known many young people who have gone back to school to get GEDs , night school diplomas , trade school certificates and college degrees after failing out of school . Parents should work on accepting that as children become teenagers and young adults , the responsibility , the accountability and the social consequences fall more to your kids than to you . As a parent , do the very best you can , and then accept what you have no control over . <p> Parents may often feel alone in dealing with these types of power struggle behaviors in the home . Frankly , in many cases , they are alone . The youth culture -- and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concept that kids should not be held accountable for not meeting their responsibilities . It 's irrational to think that kids are going to do the hard work it takes to learn the skills they need to survive as adults without some clear motivation/consequence system in their lives . As a society , and certainly as an educational culture , we have accepted the myth that kids do n't benefit from being held sternly accountable . The acceptance of this myth is part of the theory base that is producing and accepting so much mediocrity in our teenagers and young adults . Easy for us , too bad for them . <h> Get articles delivered to you weekly ! <p> James Lehman , MSW was a renowned child behavioral therapist who worked with struggling teens and children for three decades . He created the Total Transformation Program to help people parent more effectively . James ' foremost goal was to help kids and to " empower parents . " <h> READER 'S COMMENTS <p> Thank you . You are the FIRST professional I have heard who has acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media and sad to say many in the field of psychology have bought into the mentality of the youth culture , which grossly overlooks the accountability factor ( of one 's behavior ) because it is so frantically focusing on the cause of the behavior . Of course , the cause of behavior is certainly important as you state , and worthy of exploration . But , whatever the cause , reality exists and we must deal with a world that is not so interested in only the why ; it is interested in accountability . We must prepare our children for that reality . I have ordered the Total Transformations program and only wish I did it 10 years ago . <p> Comment By : i.roberts <p> These are some good ideas . I 'm going to give this to my son who hascustody of his 4 children after a nasty divorce , now the kids are being nasty to him . <p> Comment By : Diane <p> This excellent article was very timely for our home . We homeschool and do n't have outside motivators like being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before class to get them get moving and start " school " . Natural consequences become tough to identify . It only leaves us with a reward system . That has problems when they tend to expect something in return for just doing what they are responsible for doing . <p> Comment By : Sue <p> This article is right on with my 12 year old daughter . We try to balance her boredom with extra curricular activities . <p> Comment By : Bobbo <p> Often kids are bored at school because they are used to being entertained ( by TV , game systems or computers ) . Reading takes effort , as does learning the unfamiliar . One way to reduce boredom at school is to reduce the stimulation outside of school . Children need to be content to play alone without a screen and without peers . They need to learn to enjoy a good book . If they are overstimulated at home , then school will most certainly seem boring . Schools which ask parents to shut off the screens during the school week are finding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the classroom . <p> Comment By : Linda M <p> My pre-kindergardener is complaining about going to school ( she is there only 3 1/2 days per week ) . She says the worksheets are too hard , or that her teacher is mean . I know that they complete the worksheets together as a class , no one is left to do them on their own . And , the teacher she has is very structured and fairly distributes discipline . However , my daughter has had this teacher for more than 2 1/2 years now . As my child 's class moved , so did the teacher . Could she simply be " bored " with the teacher ? There are 2 teachers in this classroom -- I never hear anything bad about teacher #2 . <p> Comment By : Cara C <p> I faced this same problem 3 out of 5 days a week . My 9 year old son , says he hates school , he has no friends , no one likes him , he hates library , he hates art etc . I contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve him more in the extra things they do like have lunch with the children , ( lunch bunch ) During lunch the principal will take about 6 children into the conference room to have lunch and they will play a game ( UNO ) while they eat . He mediates and plays along with them , the children LOVE it . Making my son a classroom helper also gets him more involved in school as well . Today was a little easier to get him out the door . They have bad days like all of us do . I 've listened to the audio CD three times , the third time I 've written all the steps down and refer to them when a situation arises that may need a combination of steps to help get through the situation . <p> Comment By : GiJane <p> My son gets up great but does not see why he needs to go to school . He feels it 's a violation of his rights ! He is 10 and very bright but says that he feels pressure . He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but frankly , he does n't seem overworked to me . How should we respond to his ideas of what life should be like that are n't reality . We 've talked about life , jobs , income , etc . <p> Comment By : Phogan <p> James , After reading your articles the answers seem so easy and practical that I am ashamed that I could not formulate them for my children . Your guidance and structure should be taught to every new parent . Floyd <p> Comment By : Floyd <p> this article is right on point . however i have three sons and the two eldest are the ones who are the hardest to get up in the morning . at night i have all of them to get together their clothes for school the next day . this cuts out time for looking around in the morning and gives them extra minutes to sleep in. this does not help either . it is something about going to bed at night that just wo n't let them settle in. they want to watch television , play video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekends are the days for these things . they wo n't listen . i have taken the computer and ipod away from my eldest son and this just makes us tug -of- war to the facts of who is running what and who is getting away with whatever . i have tried to see things their way but it does n't work.i have scolded , grounded , and even stopped their friends from calling but the fight continues.where do i go from here ? <p> Comment By : egypt <p> I too have a gifted son who hates school and is not challanged by his gifted program . He has already skipped a grade ans is in advanced classes as part of his giep . He does n't fight about going to school because he really loves learning . He just chronically complains that his classmates are " stupid " and just do n't want to learn . <p> Comment By : mcamom <p> Dear Sue--I also homeschool a son who argues about almost every assignment ! His friends who go to traditional school can not go out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . Some days he just says " I do n't care " and refuses anyway , but it sure hurt the day a whole bunch of friends came to the door and he could n't go out to play until school work for the day was done . Another consequence he gets is that I give less and less assistance the longer he puts off the work . It 's not my job to be " on call " for him any time of day or night when he finally decides to do his work . I 'm not going to stop making dinner because he suddenly decides I have to help him with fractions " right now ! " <p> Comment By : Jan <p> My kid is board . He does very good in school . Since we moved here , he has commented time and time again how things are too easy . He says , " Why should I have to go and be taught somehting I already know about ? I do my homework in 2 minutes ; then my teacher tells me to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! Why are things so easy here ? Everything used to be harder and more interesting . I never had to worry about being board . " I have to agree . The teachers should be responsible for making sure these kids do n't get board . There list of activities should be more exploritory and consist of activities condusive to a four grader 's learning . <p> Comment By : very concerned parent <p> * For parents whose gifted children may be bored of school : Check out these websites--good information about gifted children and how to nurture them : The National Association of Gifted Children : http : //www.nagc.org/ The National Foundation for Gifted and Creative Children : http : //www.nfgcc.org/ Some good tips on how to keep gifted children interested in learning ! <p> Comment By : Elisabeth Wilkins , Editor <p> Glad I found this article . Had a horrible morning and not looking forward to repeating it . This along with the 800# for support have given me hope . <p> Comment By : finally hopeful <p> I am a step-mother of a child who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food in time to go to school . Also , every time my husband , even her own mother or me try to show the right thing to do she seems she doesn ? t care . For example , it was very nice outside this weekend and I told her to clean her room , eat her dinner and breakfast she would go with me , my husband , and her step-grandfather to the park to play . She did not clean her room nor did she not eat her food . It seems like she does not care and that she should be able to do whatever she wants whenever she wants to do it . Another example , there was a parade at a near by town that we where going to attend and I told her you better hurrying and eat your breakfast so we can go to the parade . But she told me that she was going because she wants too , and we almost missed the parade because it took a five year old 30 minutes just to eat one bowl of cereal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the right thing due to she just doesn ? t care . And I am feeling that I am losing her and myself . I am so tired of the fighting and the screaming . I just want to play and go shopping with her . I am at my last straw . Ps . I have been raising her since the age of four . Also , I have known her since she was three years old . <p> Comment By : missy <p> My 10 year old , 5th grade son has been refusing to go to school since pre-k . He would get up , we would drive there , then at the school door he would fold his arms and say , " No " . We found that his immune system is constantly weak and he is always sick . Some symptoms showed-up later ( ear infection , etc . ) . Do n't under estimate the power of sleep . Believe it or not , my 10 year old need 12 hours every day ! Part of our " Total Transformation " is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work like magic ! <p> Comment By : Barb <p> I have a very defiant 13-year-old son who out of the last 9 days , had refused to go to school 8 of them . I read this article hoping for some insight and got just that . Thank you for taking the time to help us parents who love are children but just do n't know how to help them see what they need to do . I hope that when I finally get the Total Transformation system , I will be more equipped to help him deal with his insecurities , low self-esteem , and inability to cope with his responsibilities without outbursts . <p> Comment By : Mom in crisis <p> I can relate , but on a different level . My daughter is 9 and failing Third Grade . She was in a private religious school for K-2nd , and we had to fight every year to get her to do enough to pass . She was going to be retained in 1st beacause of math . I bought the same exact program they used and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour or longer if she was interested . Within two weeks I had her getting A 's and B 's in math , and she was allowed to move onto 2nd Grade . The teacher was great , and communication was excellent . Grades were better this year , but still the struggle again in math . Again I purchased the same math program for the new school year and taught her myself . She again , pulled her math up and was passed to the next grade . We had some personal issues with the school and among other things it was decided that she go to public school . She started out fine , atleast she was n't failing math ! After a few weeks went by and they started to learn the new curiculum she got lost quick . This time it was n't just math it was everything . We do the parent/teacher conference and they tell us that she is capable of doing the work , she just refused to put in any effort . You get her to try and she is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two teachers and they both tell me , when she does n't want to do it , she just does n't do it . It 's not that she can't- she just wo n't . We have no problems with her getting the homework done , no problems getting up in the morning of going to bed at night . She even says that she likes school most of the time . We 've tried reasoning-you have to go it 's your job , we 've tried taking all privilages from her - she does n't care ! How can I convince her that if she does n't make an effort and pass that she will never get anywhere in life . I want to stop it before we get to Jr High and it 's too late ! Any real advice anyone ? <p> Comment By : Lisa <p> Lisa It 's just an idea , but my son was similar to what you explained in your comment above regarding your daughter . He 's in 6th grade now . However , in the earlier grades , he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the teachers reported he was last one finished , slow , refused to do the work , or was doing something other than the work assigned , etc . It ended up he had sensory integration issues ( room too loud , too much light , too many people , pulsating florescent lights bothered him , uniform too restrictive / itchy , etc . ) His little body was on such overload and working so hard to keep it together at school , it was difficult for him to use cognitive functioning for anything higher such as learning . I do n't know if that helps . There 's a wonderful book entitled The Out-of-Sync Child that gave me insight into this problem . You can probably get it from your local library . An occupational therapist diagnosed him in second grade . We also filled out a sensory questionnaire . When filling that out , it was the first time I could clearly see he must be on overload and then recognized all the little odd things he did ( or did n't do ) were signs that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was knowing there was such a thing as sensory integration dysfunction . I realized I had the same " problem " when I was in school ... not finishing my work , not starting my work , being the last one finished , taking comfort when I was younger in hiding out under a desk or behind the coats on the coat rack , hiding out in the bathroom to read a book instead of being in class , always sick with some " ailment " and at the nurses office where I 'd get to sit in a chair or lie down in the dark which was comforting , always identified by the school as the " gifted child " and " not working up to my potential , " and always in trouble with my mom who said I did n't " apply myself " when in fact I felt I was doing all I could . I did n't know I had had a problem until I read that questionnaire and then book and saw , " Look , that was ME and that is my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . Occupational therapy helped somewhat , but just understanding what the problem was for us was a huge help for me in having empathy for my son . I talked with the school to ask for their support . Many of the teachers were great . Some , not so . The OT person was wonderful . Some schools even have a " clean " room with full spectrum lighting , couches ( my boy complained " the seats are too hard , that 's why I did n't write my assignment " and you hear that and think , " Oh , come on ! " but it was really true ! ) air purification systems , no harsh chemicals used on the tables / floor , and quiet ! ( The whine of the computers drove me nuts as a kid sometimes , and my boy complains that the refrigerator is too loud and he ca n't do his homework ! ) So , just thought I 'd share that with you in case you were n't aware of sensory integration . By the way , my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( like a PSAT ) last year and did very very well . This year he won a national science competition . I went on to get my MBA with an excellent GPA , and have had a very successful career with a financial institution as a VP . We are doing ok . We 're all , including the rest of our family , happy and healthy . Best of everything to you . Hope this has helped . <p> Comment By : Tess <p> My child , who has always loved school , is afraid to go to school now after serving a very harsh detention . ( sitting in chair , facing wall , not able to move , speak , touch anything , do schoolwork , or nap -- must sit up ) for 1 hour . ( for playing around in line ) He is a very enthusiastic and energetic 8 year old boy , and schools do n't seem to like that very much . <p> Comment By : Jannette <p> This Article is VERY WEAK in the sense that it CONTINUOUSLY HARPS on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school . It does not address any complexities or different causes that might be contributing to this refusal .. My child is a very very bright , sharp , ahead of his class by couple of grades in reading and at least one grade in math , early to bed early to rise , responsible , little 4 1/2 plus y.o . He has pretty regular teachers and seems fond of them , he has not given me any particular reason for why he does not want to attend school .. he just tells me that he 'd like to take off once in a while .. he wants a lot of breaks from school .. he is happiest if school was only on for 4 hours or if he had to attend every alternate day .. that is his dream school he says .. and one in which they could play outside for several hours daily .. He wakes up between 5:45 - 6:15 am DAILY and has done so always , he eats a healthy breakfast , has ample time to play and bicycle before school time .. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He dresses himself .. sometimes even does his school work .. all in the morning prior to school . Now you see why the above article was so flat for me and I came away with nothing helpful : - ( ( Anyway just thought there might be others who might have felt that way too . <p> Comment By : Bosuji <p> I have a child that is 10 years old and is in 5th grade . He does have some learning disabilities ( dyslexia ) , reads at beginning 3rd grade level , can not spell , diagnosed with ADHD , and he is absolutely defiant . He is in special classes at school , and he literally expects everyone to do everything for him . He does not do his homework , he will " lose " his assignment notebook on purpose , thinking that he wo n't have to do homework , he loses the sheet the teacher gives him that has the assignments . Even if he does by chance do his homework , he will not turn in it and it is lost . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him do his homework . He is getting in trouble because he sneaks things from home all of the time ( toys &; pokemon ) and he generally does not care about anything . We have taken away things , they do n't get TV time and video games on school nights , we have tried rewarding him for good behavior , we have tried the earn special things , and it does n't work with him at all . We have worked with the school , we have the IEP , we have tried literally everything and it seems like we are fighting a losing battle . <p> Responses to questions posted on EmpoweringParents.com are not intended to replace qualified medical or mental health assessments . We can not diagnose disorders or offer recommendations on which treatment plan is best for your family . Please seek the support of local resources as needed . If you need immediate assistance , or if you and your family are in crisis , please contact a qualified mental health provider in your area , or contact your statewide crisis hotline . <p> @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Go to School ! ? And What You Can

@@5257041 <h> Tue , 11/13/2012 - 1:24pm <p> I would just like to say how proud I am that America made the right choice last Tuesday and re-elected President Barack Obama . He 's the man who will take all the money from the hard working people and give it to the lazy ones . <p> There 's no one better to represent the country with the highest obesity rate .

@@5257141 <h> One Case at a Time <h> September 6 , 2012 <p> On Monday an employee of the Boston Public Works Department washed the vomit and half-dried paint off of the pedestrian bridge over the highway in Allston . Even after the cleaning , miniscule shards of broken glass still lined the grubby edge where the concrete walkway meets the chain-link fence above . The layers of spray-painted messages , mostly about occupying Boston and the godly importance of art vis-a-vis capitalism still cling tightly to the concrete below . This past weekend 's contribution of emesis and takeout containers that greeted me on Monday morning , however , are gone . In four years of traversing this bridge daily it has never been cleaned , and I was sad to see the most recent history removed . <p> The bridge is the exact halfway point between my home and my work . The ramp up to the bridge from the sidewalk on either side is steep . The highway below is broad and busy . Even on cloudy mornings the John Hancock and Prudential buildings jut upward through the mist to the east , and on clear nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the taillights on the highway below . The concrete walkway is just wide enough for two bicycles to pass each other easily . <p> Many of my companions on the bridge are immigrants , men in their twenties and thirties riding old mountain bikes with a plastic bag of belongings hung off the end of the handlebars , young women with toddlers in cheap strollers looking down at the passing cars . They are headed from the buses that pass through Allston to the neighborhood of neat , tightly packed two-family homes to the north . But I prefer the hipsters . Not to disparage the immigrants , who always give me earnest smiles and whose children politely step to the right when I pass on my bike , but I love the hipsters more . I love them , with their tight black jeans and their single-speed bikes . I love their tattoos , and their shitty haircuts , and I love the muffin top that unrepentantly crawls over the top of their tight little jeans . I love the muffin top above the black jeans the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on women . I love the musical instruments slung over their backs , and I love that they are always smoking . I love whichever of them started the thing when they throw the wet paint on the pedestrian bridge at night , because paint is fucking impossible to get off a bike . The one day it got me they had put it right at the northern end of the level part of the bridge , the part I ca n't see until I 'm on it because the ramp up is so steep . The paint was white and the trail I left down the length of the bridge left me cursing until I looked back and saw how pretty it was , the white line , and realized that it would happen a hundred more times that morning and the lines would intertwine . <p> Lately I have been running . In the mornings it is a struggle to awaken abruptly to a sports bra and synthetic shorts but the sun is well below the horizon and the air is clear and cool and the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the fun part , the second half when I dodge delivery trucks , orthodox jews and hungover drunks , and then cruise smoothly down the last hill to the tree-lined avenue that brings to me to the hospital where I work . I have a little pouch that straps around my waist that carries my license , work ID , subway pass , credit card , housekey , iPhone , pager and a pair of clean underwear . There is a mix on this iPhone named " wake the fuck up " that is instrumental in me enjoying the first mile . There is more Lady Gaga involved than would normally befit a 34-year-old mother of two . And sometimes when I arrive , 4.15 miles after leaving my home and my sleeping family , I am the strongest and most beautiful woman on earth , and I float through my day with my legs and my cheeks feeling pink and perfect . <p> In the afternoons it is hot , and the second half of the run is the boring half along the highway with the flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way home makes me sad because it is only halfway , so I stop to stretch my hamstrings and stare at the buildings through the haze . There is a pair of dirty underwear in the pouch now , and I am tired . <p> When I get home I land face-down in the frigid kiddie pool in the backyard and I think suddenly that it would be a great idea to run to work in the morning . <h> May 17 , 2012 <p> When I clicked on the " View Your Exam Results " link on the American Board of Anesthesiology website , I thought something rashly exuberant would engulf me . I thought that everyone in the lunch room would turn suddenly , throw their reheated pasta and cafeteria sandwiches high aloft with glee and balloons would gush from the cracks between the fluorescent lights on the ceiling as the whole world burst into song . <p> But instead , there was only the word on the computer screen . At the right top corner of the webpage it read " Pass . " <p> I smiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finished my case . As I saw my friends I told each one , receiving the heartiest hugs that I have ever been given in the hallways of the operating room . It was over . <p> Board certification in Anesthesiology has four elements . You need to complete an accredited residency program . You need to be neither drug-addicted nor a criminal . You must pass a written examination . And finally , the year after you finish residency and take the written exam , you need to pass an oral board examination . This last step is the most daunting , and I will never have to do it again . <p> After the new year I decided that I would study for half an hour every day . The exam was in April , so I had four months . Half an hour every day , no excuses . There were some excuses , but they were rare . I started in January , when the sky darkened before I picked the kids up from school and we ate dense , spiced chili with hot cornbread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put them to sleep at 7:30 and I would study for half an hour , and many nights the half an hour would bleed on into an hour , and then on into another fifteen minutes , until I went upstairs to sleep . <p> The key to the oral exam is practicing conveying your ideas out loud . So I would send Miles to the basement , where there is a computer and a TV and a comfortable couch , and I would talk to myself . Read a question , answer it out loud , check the answer . The kids always want to pretend -- tigers , Star Wars , mice , dinosaurs , so the pretending was natural . I sat at my kitchen counter for half an hour and pretended that white men in suits were asking me questions and that I was answering each question perfectly . I even laughed . At times I challenged them . <p> On the day of the exam it was raining in Boston and I parked my car in an expensive garage and borrowed a friend 's suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in only one location , and all the oral board examiners and examinees fly there and congregate like flies to fly paper . <p> Each hotel room has two examiners and one examinee . In each room I worked through a case scenario for 25 minutes and was peppered with unrelated questions for another 10 minutes . The first room contained a nice older white man and a nervous young white man . The second room contained a nice older white man and a nervous young brown woman . They asked reasonable questions . I gave reasonable answers . <p> After it was over I drove home and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich . I drove to my favorite place and went for a six-mile trail run in a light rain . I picked the kids up just as school was getting out . It was a good day . <p> On my way home after the good news I felt different . My mind wandered to the nights I have been on call , the only anesthesiologist in the cavernous hospital , and the times when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an attending my patient , who had had a massive facial trauma , developed a leak in her breathing tube at 2:00 in the morning . " Leave the tube in " the surgeons suggested , " we 'll change it later in the ICU if we need to . " But because the person who would change the endotracheal tube two hours later in the ICU was me , I elected to change it early and prophylactically in the controlled setting of the operating room with the surgeon standing by with a knife in his hand . I told each person exactly what to do and I had three backup plans . It was a scene from one of my nightmares , but I did the right thing . It went smoothly . <p> The oral boards questions are always imperfect scenarios , where any answer would be at least partially wrong . The reason for failure is often stage fright , but the purpose of the exam is to have a window into how you behave in the operating room . It is the last step toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would act reasonably when the answer is not immediately evident . They will pass you if they believe that you will be a good , safe anesthesiologist . <p> So although I know a few of them and I know that they are fully human , I imagine these oral board examiners as an imposing and heavy-cloaked crew . I see them as my five-year-old would want them to be . It is a dark and stormy night and the Keepers of the Golden Chalice are gathered around the cauldron . They have sipped from its clouded opalescent waters and they have decided who will be invited to dance at midnight under the next full moon , wearing nothing but the white flowers of the night-blooming jasmine in their hair . They have engraved their list on a heavy scroll , and my name is on it . <h> January 3 , 2012 <p> The anesthesia scheduling office accidentally placed me in an operating room tomorrow with a patient who is a Jehovah 's Witness . It was a paperwork slip-up ; I am new and someone forgot to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are three options for anesthesiologists at my hospital : You will provide anesthesia for Jehovah 's Witnesses <p> For all operations <p> Only for operations that are not expected to involve great blood loss <p> Never <p> Of course , all anesthesiologists agree to care for Jehovah 's Witnesses who have a life-threatening emergency if we are the only one available . <p> I had chosen number three : never . I called the scheduling office and they apologized and switched me to a different operating room . <p> My lack of faith in any nameable higher being is so firm that I can not reconcile it with what Jehovah 's Witnesses would ask me to do . Their practice comes , of course , from the bible . According to watchtower.org , the official website of the Jehovah 's Witnesses , the belief that " Taking blood into body through mouth or veins violates God 's laws " comes from three biblical passages : Gen. 9:3 , 4 ; Lev . 17:14 ; Acts 15:28 , 29 . They read as follows , in order as referenced : <p> @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food for you . As in the case of green vegetation , I do give it all to you . Only flesh with its soul -- its blood -- you must not eat . " <p> " For the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood by the soul in it . Consequently I said to the sons of Israel : You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh , because the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood . Anyone eating it will be cut off . " <p> " For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you , except these necessary things , to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication . If you carefully keep yourselves from these things , you will prosper . Good health to you ! " <p> A survey of the " beliefs " section of watchtower.org reveals that Jehovah 's Witnesses also believe the following ( all verbatim ) : <p> Christ died on a stake , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the battle at Har-Magedon <p> Human death is due to Adam 's sin <p> Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ <p> Satan is invisible ruler of world <p> Jehovah 's Witnesses ' individual approach to blood products varies somewhat , but the basic premise is simple : they will not receive blood products , even if this refusal will lead to their death . They must sign a special consent form and we go over each blood product individually to determine if they will accept it . <p> Some refuse blood , plasma and platelets but will accept heat-treated human protein . Some will donate blood for themselves in advance whereas others believe that once it leaves the body it can not return . Some accept salvaged blood from intraoperative suction devices , and others allow blood to be withdrawn from a vein and re-transfused hours later , as long as the circuit containing the blood was never disconnected from their body . <p> But for most it is simple . No blood products , even if it means death . <p> @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Witnesses because I disagree with their beliefs would not quite capture it . We are each entitled to our own beliefs , religious and otherwise . What I am not capable of doing is letting a human being under my medical care die from a completely preventable cause . <p> I am morally incapable of letting someone bleed to death . In my operating room , when I am delivering anesthesia , I am responsible completely for that person 's life . This responsibility weighs heavily on me until each patient is safely out of the operating room . I welcome the weight . I care for each person deeply . <p> I have no religious beliefs . I was raised without religion and am happy for it . I make my own decisions based on the moral and ethical boundaries of my society , self and family . Because I have no religious framework of my own , I am thoroughly incapable of understanding or accepting a Jehovah 's Witness 's stance . To me it seems ridiculous , based on nothing . I will not participate in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I am sure that I will never let a person bleed to death if I can prevent it . So the choice is simple : number three . I do not take care of them . If one comes in bleeding to death in the middle of the night and I am the only anesthesiologist in the hospital , I am stuck . I will do it their way because the alternative is morally inferior . I hope that never happens . <p> " But everyone always said you were a great resident Felicity , you 're going to be a great attending too . I 'm sure everything will be fine tomorrow . " <p> " But that 's the problem . I 'm not sure everything will be fine tomorrow . I could easily kill someone tomorrow . Every day I could easily kill someone . I thought I loved this before -- as a resident I loved the hard cases , the sick patients , but now it 's ... it 's just petrifying . " <p> I have not killed anyone . I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had any egregious errors or unexpected complications . I have a strong safety net of other anesthesiologists if I need it . But I am in a continuous state of pure fear . <p> I thought I loved this , the stress of the unknown , the pure challenge of the most complex physiology . I had no idea how different it would be once the ultimate responsibility rested with me . <p> There is always the one moment . I connect a patient , a live human whose family I have met and handed a box of tissues to , to the various monitors and give him oxygen to breathe . I cycle the blood pressure cuff and double-check my suction and move all of the airway equipment and all of the drugs into perfect position so that I can reach everything without more than rotating my ankle . I watch the expired oxygen concentration to make sure that the nitrogen in my patient 's lungs has been completely replaced by oxygen . And then , there comes this moment when I turn the stopcock and push the syringe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tubing completely . When I am done I turn the stopcock again and flush it in completely with saline . <p> Now it is done . I have taken away the will to breathe . There is no going back now . I must breathe for this patient . It is usually quite easy but if I can not mask ventilate him and I can not intubate him then he can die . I have seen that only one time in three years but for now , in these days when I am just beginning that is all I can think of . Every time I turn the stopcock and say " Okay , you 'll feel a little burning in your arm but that 's just the medicine that puts you off to sleep . I 'll take good care of you and you 'll see your family soon , " I am petrified . <h> September 30 , 2011 <p> Today was a perfect early fall day , the kind when you leave the house in jeans and a fleece jacket and end up sweating through your T-shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school , red in the face with my handed-down pale freckled complexion . Eli trailed behind him , hiding and seeking the Kindergarten girls along with his big brother . <p> I struck up a conversation with the mother of Keenan 's playmate . Her daughter was a beautiful , leggy 5-year-old girl with deep dark eyes . In the small talk I mentioned that I am at home this week , but next week Keenan will be back in the before-school program because my husband and I both go to work early . <p> " What do you do ? " <p> " I 'm , well , " I stumbled . " I actually just finished my residency last week , so that 's why I 'm on vacation right now , but next week I start work again , so I 'm actually ... I 'm an anesthesiologist . " <p> Awful . Bad job , Felicity . I need to work on smoothing that out . This will not be the last after-school mom small talk conversation I find myself in when I have to answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , " I 'm a doctor , " but then people inevitably ask what kind of doctor and so really this only mystifies the profession more severely and makes it sound as if you were trying to make it sound intimidating , when it already sounds intimidating . <p> I finished residency last week , at 4:29 PM on a Wednesday . I just walked out of the operating room , changed out of my scrubs , picked the kids up from school and made dinner . <p> Although publicly awkward , I want to sing a victory song . After eight years of medical training I am done . It started in Baltimore , on a steaming day in late summer . None of us realized that the T-shirts we wore that first day would be emblazoned on an I.D . badge attached to our little white coats for four years . <p> I got hit by a car on my road bike in the fall of my third year of medical school , and I spent two months after that cordoned on the couch , left leg tightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put them on ( and reading medical physiology of course ) . Keenan was born a year to the day after the accident . Eli was born nearly three years later . I worked a full day , had dinner on the back deck , and went back to the hospital to have a baby before bedtime . When my in-laws brought Keenan to the hospital to visit the next morning he hit the big red emergency button on the wall -- because it was red , and large . He saw Eli 's umbilical cord and was impressed that his baby brother had , in his estimation , two penises . The baby sweaters are in a storage box in the basement now , waiting for someone to have a baby so I can pass them along . Eli is two years old . Sometimes now they giggle with an evil sound and run away , together , laughing . <p> The victory song goes like this . I am thirty-three years old . I am an anesthesiologist . If the unthinkable happens and you come to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double-check the drugs before I give them to you . I will track your blood pressure closely and slow your speeding heart down . I will treat your pain skillfully . When you awaken I will look into your eyes and I will calm you . I have wanted this for so long , and I have two beautiful children and a husband who have endured every single one of the two hundred nights I have slept in the hospital over the last four years , and I am going to make it all worth it . I am going to do a perfect job . <h> September 3 , 2011 <p> He taunted me encephalopathically from his hospital bed . He called me closer . <p> " Can I get some of those drugs now ? " <p> " No , I ca n't give you the sedation until we are in the endoscopy room , " I answered . <p> " Oh . " His bearded face and yellow eyes were briefly sad , until the memory of our conversation faded into the hepatitic haze . <p> " @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? " <p> " Nope , I 'm not giving you any drugs until I hook you up to the monitors , and that does n't happen until I take you into the endoscopy room . " I tired of my own answers , rearranging words to appease my own desire for a freshly structured sentence . He did not tire . <p> " So , are you going to start the drugs now ? " He asked , again for the first time . <p> I tried to cancel it , the whole thing , but his daughters did not realize that he was dying . They knew that he kept bleeding and that the bleeding was the start of the whole thing and that the doctors might be able to stop the bleeding , so they agreed to the endoscopy . It is hard to tell what dying looks like if you have never seen it so close before . <p> He never stopped drinking , but he starting vomiting up blood one day and went to the emergency room . He was almost dead then but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells , plasma and platelets as his body ejected it , again and again . His liver was ruined , he was bleeding to death and he was still drunk . The doctors put a breathing tube in and did an endoscopy , sliding a long thick tube into his esophagus and tying off the bleeders with thin rubber bands . <p> It worked . The bleeding stopped . He withdrew from the alcohol violently and slowly . The breathing tube came out . But his kidneys stopped working completely and the doctors put a dialysis catheter into a thick vein in his neck so a machine could do the work meant for kidneys . His blood stopped clotting and the transfusions poured in . His liver no longer did anything really , just took up space in the hardened right upper quadrant of his distended abdomen . It did n't make the clotting factors that prevent blood from pouring out endlessly from every scratch . It did n't filter out the toxins that were poisoning his brain . It was thick and hard and would n't let blood pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distended veins that lined his esophagus , and every so often they would burst , and the blood would pour out . <p> I had never seen numbers this bad . <p> " Damn ! " I muttered to myself as I looked over his chart in the morning . <p> " Damn . " <p> " He is sick . " <p> I armored myself against the Gastroenterologist who would be doing the procedure . I calculated his MELD score , the number for grading the severity of liver dysfunction that assigns a slot on the liver transplant list . <p> My patient would not be getting a liver transplant . You have to convincingly and permanently stop drinking before anyone will give you a new liver , but the MELD score is based on several predictive laboratory values and can be plugged into a number of other scientifically verified calculators for estimating outcomes . I thought the result would help convince everyone to steer entirely clear of this man . <p> His 90-day mortality was 97% . So it was nearly sure that he would be dead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning that if I gave him anesthesia for a procedure , there was a 71% chance that he would be dead in a week . His 30-day postoperative mortality was 98% : he was virtually guaranteed to be dead in a month if we did something to him . <p> The bottom line was that he was dying , and doing a procedure , despite its benefits , brought with it added risks . He would die soon with or without it . It could slow down the bleeding , but it would require an anesthetic that could easily tip him over the edge and it was impossible to know which force would prevail . I did not want an anesthetic provided by me to be the most proximate cause of his inevitable death . <p> My heavily armored argument failed . The Gastroenterologist understood me but was defenseless against the patient 's daughters , who wanted " everything done . " <p> I retreated back to the procedure room and talked with the endoscopy nurse as we set up for another case . <p> " It 's funny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cases , but there 's really only two reasons . If he was a Jehovah 's witness I could refuse to do the anesthesia for the case and nobody would bat an eyelash . If it was an abortion I could refuse to participate . But him , he 's just dying and I think we should just leave him alone , and everyone looks at me cross-eyed when I say we should cancel it . I would n't even think of refusing to personally do the case . " <p> But another bad thing happened in the hospital then and I was swept away to where I was needed and never saw him again . If this were a book I would have the right ending , I would know how and when he died and I would teach a lesson to you . I would paint you a picture of the thick droplets of blood slowly passing inward as the thin yellowed blood oozed out . I would tell you what the faces of his daughters looked like when they said to me , " We just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he was dying . " But this is a blog , so the story does not end , but continues on as we continue on , imperfectly . <h> August 8 , 2011 <p> When I stepped out of the revolving door in the hospital lobby this morning the air was cool and moist . There were pockmarks on the sidewalk from where raindrops had been and a man and a woman were smoking . They sat on the curb and through the open back of his hospital gown a tatoo snaked down his left side . Her hospital I.D . bracelet hung from the narrow part of her left arm and she smoked with her right . I walked slowly . <p> The air was only cool in the way that the morning is cool . It was opressively wet but it had not yet started to warm . I walked slowly and undeliberately toward the bicycle rack on the ground floor of the parking garage . Twenty-four hours had passed since I locked my bike to the rack and walked into this building . There had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was time for me to go home . <p> A policeman directed traffic agressively through the intersection caddycorner to the hospital 's main entrance . I waited until he signaled me to cross . A cluster of ambulances was blocking the road adjacent to the sidewalk that leads to the parking garage . <p> Another policeman signaled me to walk alongside the ambulances in the road , not on the sidewalk . As I rounded the corner I saw the flash of a steel laryngoscope blade entering a fat man 's mouth . The man was having a cardiac arrest on the sidewalk and he was being intubated by an EMT . His body recoiled with each chest compression . The man with the laryngoscope blade got the breathing tube in on the first try . I walked slowly . I was wearing a T-shirt and gym shorts and sandals and carried my bike helmet in my left hand . I hoped that they could get the fat man up off the sidewalk . There is some sort of construction and there are barricades along the sidewalk , but

@@5257241 <h> ' The Scale of the Universe , ' by Two Teenage Brothers <p> Please be patient while this page loads -- it takes several minutes . But it does include , after all , the entire universe . <p> You may see a blank space below , then a gray box . Stick with it . When it 's finished loading , prepare to be mesmerized . <p> Click " Start , " and then use the slider across the bottom , or the wheel on your mouse , to zoom in -- and in and in and in ... or out and out and out ... It will take you from the very smallest features postulated by scientists ( the strings in string theory ) to the very largest ( the observable universe . ) <p> If you want background music ( or do n't want the distraction ) , click on the musical note in the upper right corner . Apologies if you 're using a mobile device ; the tool uses Flash animation , which does n't work with all operating systems . <p> But a lot of work went into it . It turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by Cary Huang , a 14-year-old ninth grader from Moraga , Calif. , with technical help from his twin brother Michael . <p> Michael and Cary Huang ( Cary is on right in blue T-shirt ) . Huang family photograph . <p> " My seventh grade science teacher showed us a size comparison video on cells , and I thought it was fascinating . I decided to make my own interactive version that included a much larger range of sizes , " said Cary in an email forwarded by his mother . " It was not a school project -- just for fun . However , my science teacher loved it so much she showed it to the class ! My brother , Michael , helped me put it on the internet . " <p> Cary said he worked on the project , on and off , for a year and a half , getting information from Wikipedia and astronomy books . It is now spreading virally online . <p> Click on objects in the animation for more information . Cary said he invites people to correct any errors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said ; the first had less information in it , and the graphics needed work . <p> " We 're not sure what we want to do after we finish school , although we 're both interested in computer programming and animation , " said Cary . " And astronomy is also cool ! " <p> Asked if he thought there was a lesson to be learned from the project , Cary wrote , " I would like to say that humankind is a very small part of the universe we live in . There could be so much more out

@@5257341 <h> A Frolic of His Own Plot Summary <p> Preview of A Frolic of His Own Summary : <p> A Frolic of His Own follows the legal entanglements of a plagiarized playwright , Oscar Crease , along with his quirky federal judge father , hapless girlfriend , Lily , controlling stepsister , Christina , overworked but affable corporate lawyer , brother-in-law , Harry , and assorted advocates , agents , artists and clergymen who are all looking out for their own best interests . <p> Oscar Crease is an independently wealthy college history teacher , who craves recognition . He discovers that the play he wrote over a decade ago , Once at Antietam , which was rejected for television , has been lifted to serve as the basis for a blockbuster Hollywood movie , The Blood in the Red , White and Blue . Reviews emphasize bad acting , spectacular battle scenes and sex . Oscar is affronted and determined to sue . He is also ready to sue his insurance company , rather than accept a No Fault settlement , after being run over by his own

@@5257441 <h> President 's Volunteer Service Award <h> Main Menu <h> About the Award <h> Background <p> America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service . Now , more than ever , volunteers are renewing their commitment to help others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families , as neighbors , as communities and as a nation . <p> The President 's Council on Service and Civic Participation ( the Council ) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve . The Council created the President 's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who , by their demonstrated commitment and example , inspire others to engage in volunteer service . The program continues as an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service ( CNCS ) . <p> Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service , encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires other to make service a central part of their lives . <p> The President 's Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hours of service over a 12-month time period ? ? or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime . <h> Award Criteria <p> Any individual , family or group that meets the program 's criteria can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours served over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime.A Criteria for recognition are : <p> Recipients must be United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States . <p> Awards are issued for service hours served within a 12-month time period or over the course of a lifetime . <p> Awards are issued for volunteer service only.A Additional levels of participation with the organization , i.e. charitable support , are not a factor considered for the award . <h> Award Eligibility <p> Any individual , family , or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad . The

@@5257541 <p> The Center for Food Integrity is dedicated to building that consumer trust and confidence -- bringing together stakeholders at every level of the food chain to reach consumers in meaningful ways with a unified voice and address the issues most critical to consumers . <p> We invite you to learn more about who we are and what we do , and how you can benefit from the tools , research and education we provide to build consumer trust in today 's food system . <h> What is the Ethical Choice for People , Animals and Planet ? <p> How can today 's food system meet the growing global demand to produce more food using fewer resources ? Learn more and join the conversation . <h> Current News , Events &; Information <p> 2012 Consumer Trust recorded

@@5257641 <p> Accused movie theater shooter James Holmes makes his first court appearance at the Arapahoe County on July 23 , 2012 in Centennial , Colorado . According to police , Holmes killed 12 people and injured 58 others during a shooting rampage at an opening night screening of " The Dark Knight Rises " July 20 , in Aurora , Colorado . ( Photo by RJ Sangosti-Pool/Getty Images ) <p> A deep dig into the background of San Diego-native and accused Aurora , CO shooter James E. Holmes by The New York Times paints the picture of a mentally ill , awkward loner who , as the clock wound down to the night of the deadly shooting , " was descending into a realm of darkness . " <p> On the one hand he had a " quirky sense of humor , " peers said , taking a class project at Westview High School near Rancho Peasquitos into an unexpected , comical direction . On the other , he professed to liking hallucinogenic drugs , frequently gave no or one-word answers and told a fellow University of Colorado student he " wanted to kill people ' when his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> Holmes is accused of killing 12 and injuring 58 after opening fire during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises at an Aurora movie theater on July 20 . The Times interviewed " more than a dozen people who knew or had

@@5257741 <h> SUBSCRIBE <p> The world abounds with experts purporting to hold the " secret " to success ( yes , pun intended for that horrible video The Secret ) . The thing is , it 's often tied to a gimmick or some program they want you to buy . The reality is that there is one single behavior that I 've found is instrumental in EVERY aspect of my life -- from career success to my health to my relationships to my finances . It impacts EVERYTHING and it is relatively easy to do , yet so few of us exercise the discipline to do so . ( and our federal , state and municipal finances would be in much better shape if this were practiced as well ) <p> Want to know what it is ? <p> Read More on the easiest , most basic success factor that most people fail at . <p> It " s hard to stay the course on a plan of savings . I think most people are better off with illiquid investments that are hard to sell , so that they have to think for a while before they cash out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtuous behavior , unless you take it to extremes . The problem is that if you get good at it , you do tend to take it to extremes . There needs to be a balance . <p> I thoroughly enjoyed this Darwin , and I think you may be onto something . <p> Combine ' delayed gratification ' with the innate drive to work hard , and not much can stand in your way . <p> This reminded me of a point in my early life . I was killing myself working minimum wage jobs , plus commission jobs , and funding college on credit cards ( while raising my son too ) . <p> One ( rare ) night off , we were playing cards with a group of friends and one of the guys told me his factory was hiring . I could have started off at $9 an hour , plus benes , and it was a union gig . <p> I passed , said I was doing what I needed to do to make sure that in ten years I was n't making $9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on the wall even back then ) , and that I was gaining skills and education that would make me marketable in nearly any economy . For years , I was derided for my efforts by friends and family alike . <p> Then the factories started shutting down , the opportunities dried up , and the factory-rat workers found out that after 10 years in a factory you are qualified to flip burgers and not much else . As I tell my children , and anyone that asks , a REAL education can NEVER be taken away from you . It is truly one of the few things in life that can not be stolen . <p> My daughter is seven and she has more money saved than most adults . When she was very little ( like 1 , 1-1/2 ) , I got her a piggy bank and called him the " College Piggy . " Every coin she found ( and quite a few she " found " on my dresser ) went into College Piggy . Birthday money , Christmas money , all went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowance and we sat down and assigned her extra things she could do to earn money . The only requirements were that she does them without being nagged ( reminded yes , nagged no ) and that 20% of her allowance goes to College Piggy . Not even two years later and she has saved over $115 for college from her allowance alone . <p> With the rest she blows about 15% on crap , 15-50% is spent on books , and the rest is long-term savings where she plans for future purchases . Right now she is saving for a Kindle Fire and over the summer she bought her Wii and a bunch of games ( used ! she is as frugal as mommy ) . <p> I only wish that my parents had made saving and delaying gratification a normal , healthy , part of my life . Instead I 've had to fight my materialistic demon that is always trying to justify spending now and saving later . <p> Thanks again Darwin , you are right , if our culture began embracing this , it might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds like " DARWIN " has unleashed the one sure fire way to live a perfect life just by delaying instant gratification ! <p> I will not deny that ' delaying ' is not an important aspect of building a better future -- in almost all aspects of life . But there are many people that did delay instant gratification , worked their ass 's off for a few decades and through no fault of their own ENDED UP WITH NOTHING in the way of financial assets . Just remember this -- your most excellent life can change forevere in an instant ! All it takes is an accident , an illness , two or three years of unemployment , your house to be flooded / desroyed by mother nature , etc and your game is changed . <p> Every one of you should keep the following sentance in your mind as you look out over your family and all that you may own -- " It ' s not very far from a penthouse suite to a cot in the basement " - <p> I wonder what you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of saving money when the value of her money in that piggy bank goes to zero . Maybe you should be teaching her about ' currency conversion ' by helping her to load up on some Canadian Dollars or some Canadian silver Maple Leafs . <p> Studies have shown that only around 30% of the population are capable of undertaking delayed gratification . This phenomena can be measured even in young children , and children who are capable/incapable of it hold those positions throughout life . I do not think it can be taught . <p> Screech -- Great point . This country is clearly lacking in critical thinking skills ( National Geographic just released a national poll showing 7% of the country believes Planet of the Apes can really happen within a lifetime , as well as other ridiculous sci-fi movies ) . But in regards to being really smart/lucky , analytical , etc. , there are many people that end up in only mildly lucrative jobs that still live a great life in all regards because they 're frugal , in shape , form great relationships , etc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes just being happy and financially secure based on a low-cost lifestyle . <p> Kill Bill -- True , I wish all people used soap . When I travel overseas especially . <p> TeresaE -- Great story ; I 've had my fair share of regrets in " taking the bait " , like the crappy summer internship I took once which paid better , but did nothing for my development or resume . <p> chiefdarkcloud -- I 'd much rather have a large sum of assets/money for retirement and risk losing some during a crash/hyperinflation than have shit and then have half a shit . And people always deride the stock market due to the crash from a few years back , but for those that did n't panic and sell , they made it all back ; my 401(k) looks great ! <p> llpoh -- You probably ca n't " teach " this behavior much like you ca n't teach leadership and ca n't teach other behaviors , but by reinforcing it and demonstrating by example , you 're at least setting the stage for what normal/acceptable behaviors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tree . Many 20-40 somethings I know that have lousy financial habits grew up in households where their parents were pretty bad with money too . The ones with frugal parents seem to do a little better . Just my own anecdotal observation . <p> I save at least 20% of my income every year . I now have 5X my income saved . My goal is 20X . I do this automatically thru payroll direct deduction and systematic withdrawals from my bank account . I never see the money and do not miss it . <p> The key to success is simple -- write out your goals and then write an action plan to achieve them . Every successful person in history has mapped out their success . People who fail , or never come close to reaching their goals do n't do this . Here 's to your success ! <p> She ca n't ( truly ) buy a Wii with silver dollars . Soon some more people will figure it out , but for right now , our customers pay us with fiat , we pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funny about the conversion , her dad &; I disagree greatly about the what is coming . He absolutely does not want to exchange her College Piggy money into silver , while I do . We split the allowance ( he pays one week , I pay next ) so I 'm taking half of CP money ( I have two big jars of it hidden away too ) and her and I are going to start buying some silver with it here and there . <p> She 's only seven , so I ca n't get too technical with what is going on , but she likes silver and gold so I think she 'll buy right into it . <h> If you feel you have received some value from this site , donations will be gratefully accepted to help support my efforts to provide you with the truth about our unsustainable economic policies <h> Make Recurring Donation <h> To Donate by Check <h> Random Quote <p> All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way . People can foresee the future only when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome . Political language ... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable , and to give an appearance

@@5257841 <h> Outrageously Funny Groucho Marx Quotes <h> They Spare No One ! <p> Groucho Marx and his brothers had an unmatched flair for comedy . However , it was Groucho Marx who became the reigning king of comedy in the forties . Even today , Groucho Marx quotes are regarded as evergreen classics . On this page , you can read a collection of hilarious Groucho Marx quotes . <p> Are you going to believe me , or what you see with your own eyes ? <p> As soon as I get through with you , you 'll have a clear case for divorce and so will my wife . <p> Laugh and the world laughs with you . Cry and you 're probably watching the wrong channel . <p> Who are you going to believe , me or your lying eyes ? <p> Time wounds all heels . <p> Whoever named it necking was a poor judge of anatomy . <p> Why do n't you go home to your wife ? Better yet , I 'll go home to your wife , and outside of the improvement , she wo n't notice any difference . <p> Behind every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife . <p> A man is only as old as the woman he feels . <p> A moose is an animal with horns on the front of his head and a hunting lodge wall on the back of it . <p> A woman is an occasional pleasure but a cigar is always a smoke . <p> Alimony is like buying hay for a dead horse . <p> All people are born alike -- except Republicans and Democrats . <p> And I want to thank you for all the enjoyment you 've taken out of it . <p> Why should I do anything for posterity ? What has posterity ever done for me ? <p> Why was I with her ? She reminds me of you . In fact , she reminds me more of you than you do ! <p> Bury me next to a straight man . <p> Anybody who does n't like this book is healthy . <p> Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot . <p> From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> Funny , I 've met a lot of pin-up girls ,

@@5257941 <h> You May Also Like <p> Samsung and AT &T; are getting ready to launch a new smartphone , superphone , phablet or whatever else you want to call it , and I picked one up earlier today . It 's the first time I have used or even held the device personally , and I really need to share some immediate thoughts even though a full review is forthcoming . This is a phone , after using it for a few hours , that feels like it is too big to be taken seriously . That 's the end of it . I do n't care if you like large screens on mobile devices , I do n't care if you love Android , and I do n't care if you love 4G LTE -- this is a device fit for use only by such a small subset of the human population that I ca n't fathom how AT &T; and Samsung are putting so much marketing resources behind it . Check out images of the Galaxy Note in the gallery below , and the rest of my thoughts follow after the break . <p> The Galaxy Note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great dual-core processor , a solid camera , a beautiful display and good build quality , and it runs on AT &T's; new 4G LTE network that delivers incredibly fast downloads speeds . Plus the battery seems actually decent so far , which is a triumph for modern smartphones . <p> Throw all of that right out the window . <p> The phone is too big . You will look stupid talking on it , people will laugh at you , and you 'll be unhappy if you buy it . I really ca n't get around this , unfortunately , because Samsung pushed things way too far this time . <p> You ca n't use it one-handed , and I ca n't even type on it easily with two hands . I 'm almost offended by this product , and I love a lot of what Samsung is doing -- in fact , the company 's current flagship is my favorite Android smartphone in the world . But the Galaxy Note just feels like a joke . And the worst part ? Look at the display and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything else ? <p> I feel like no one else is saying this , and since I 've not ever been one to hold back what 's on my mind I absolutely will -- enough is enough . I 've had it with incremental updates to Android smartphones every two weeks , I 've had it with the super-sized ridiculousness , and I 've had it with all of these marketing gimmicks . Just focus on a quality product , and you wo n't have to release eight " flagship " models a year . <p> But you have a stylus that comes with it , so I guess that makes up for any similarities with rival devices . Kind of like those lollipops you 'd get at the dentist after someone just went Mike Tyson on your tooth . <p> Jonathan Geller is the founder of Boy Genius Report , now known as BGR . What began as a column on popular gadget blog Engadget quickly grew into one of the siteTs biggest draws , and Jonathan soon detached the wildly popular column to create

@@5258041 <h> Skype Preview for Windows Phone 8 is now available ! Hands on video . <p> Oh what a weekend it has been . With the launch of Windows Phone 8 on AT &T; and Verizon and T-Mobile expected in the next week , it has been quite exciting but now it is coming to full steam with the release of Skype for Windows Phone 8 . <p> Yes , the app is now slipping out to the Store and we managed to get our hands on it . Heck , we 're even going to give you a video demo of it after the break to see it in action . <p> Skype for Windows Phone 8 brings the dream to reality of mobile VOIP . By running seamlessly in the background ( like on Window 8 ) , users can sign in once and always remain online without having to worry about battery life . That trick is done through Microsoft hosting your presence in the cloud on their servers instead of you using your phone . In turn , you 're always on ( though you can set yourself to " invisible " should you wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video chat is supported , which works much better now due to WP8 's increased hardware ( dual core 1.5GHz CPUs and that new GPU ) . Users can chat while talking , switch to speakerphone or the earpiece , minimize calls and even turn off the screen -- it 's all there . Calls come in like " normal " phone calls giving you the experience of Skype just being there . <p> From our brief experience with it , we were quite impressed with the quality and the abilities . Time will tell if there are bugs and optimizations that need to be done in order to improve things , but so far , it 's pretty awesome . <p> You can pick up Skype for Windows Phone 8 here right now in the Store . If you 're having trouble downloading it , give it some time as this link is hot of the presses . <p> Note : If you are still getting the old version , you 'll have to wait until the Store gets the update pushed out in your area/region . But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and in the UK . Also , use the link *on your phone* not via the web for quicker results <p> i had asked this question in the skype forum last week and never got an official answer other than set yourself to invisible ... But , lets say i use my WP8 device with Skype while out and about somewhere , i come home , and want to log on to a desktop/laptop skype now ? Where will my incoming calls be routed to ? Will my chatr msgs be routed to both clients ? Questions that need to be answered before we use the WP8 version which keeps us always available . I love the idea of it - but need a way to route calls etc . <p> Messages and calls are pushed to all connected clients ( instances ) . You simply answer as usual from whichever device you want to use . So if you have 3 devices ( 2 computers 1 phone - as is commonplace for me ) then they will all receive messages and calls . You ca n't move a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or re-join if its a group conversation ) . <p> i know this is how it works with my touchpad and its integrated chat/calls with skype . But atleast with the touchpad i have the option to completly log out of it and do nt have it chirping or ringing when i am sitting in front of my desktop or laptop . I think an option to not allow calls/msgs would be beneficial . I knew the answers to my questions , i wanted some feedback and open discussion about it tho ! : ) <p> Ok . Had to disable my data connection to get it to allow me to log in - so no 3G or LTE for me . Now that I 'm in on Wifi , I can make voice calls and send messages but all video calls fail before connecting ... <p> My question is , was n't this supposed to integrate with the OS ? Are contacts going to show up in People as well so I can make calls from the People Hub ? <p> Edit Nevermind , was able to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my question is , how long does it take to update the list ? I added a Skype contact in my home specifically to test this , and regardless of my efforts , I can not get them to show up in the People Hub . <p> All my skype account contacts imediately showed up on the people hub . just had to link most of them to the real contacts . Only problem i see is that on the toast notifications , it shows the aliases of the contacts instead of their names . Eg " dinis.costa000 " instead of " Dinis Costa " for example . A pity , since some contacts have really funky aliases which are not easy to identify <p> " In addition , full video chat is supported , which works much better now due to WP8 's increased hardware " . How about some statistics to back up that statement ? Skype and Tango both worked fine on my Focus S and L900 . It 's just the WP8 coding and backend improvements that allow Skype to work in the background like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a 1280x763 resolution device with a dual-core 1.5Ghz CPU and advanced GPU with 2x the RAM running on an NT kernel ( instead of CE ) will handle video OTA better than 2010 hardware ? Seriously . I need to give you " statistics " to back that up ? <p> One of my most visited sites , really look forward to all the news on here and appreciated the time and effort you put into reviews . Perhaps the guy above was after some specifics in the review , e.g. the frame rate was a lot smoother than on the Focus S , and the video call was in a much clearer resolution . Otherwise it can be hard to guage , as a reader , how much better this is than on the first gen handsets , if the review simply states it 's better , rather than quantifying in what ways it is better . I 'm not having a go , just trying to see the other point of view - hard to interpret emotion/intention from purely written words . Anyway , I for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trying out the new Skype version . All the best : ) <p> I installed it , but it would n't let me log in using my MSFT account ( which has been linked to my Skype ) . So , I uninstalled , restarted the phone and tried your link again and this time it 's saying incompatible . <p> ... it ca n't be a regional problem since I have n't moved anywhere in the past couple hours ... Hope it comes back in the morning=/ <p> I hate all of you for having ( mostly ) Lumia 920 and myself for wanting one so bad ! : D Enjoy it , guys and gals , for those of us who ca n't because we live in ****** ***** ***** Balkan countries . Damn , I 'm going to strangle that T-Mobile Croatia b***h from customer support who told me waiting for Lumia 920 to arrive in Q1 2013 " is n't that long " . She probably has an iPhone 5 , which arrived almost instantly on major carriers in the country , so what does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the multitask ? If I leave the app ( back arrow or windows button ) I 'm disconnectd from Skype , ca n't get call or even notification for text message . I 'm on L920 in France and skype 2.0.0.473 it seems that the issue come from my skype windows client ( 5.10 ) ( that I use for professional stuff , the account on my lumia is my personal one ) <p> Update : After some more testing it seems to work as intended . It only looks like the Skype App is fooling you with that connect status after opening . Actually you stay online the whole time and recieve messages . Checked with Skype on Android from another phone . <p> I was wondering whether the chat stuff was integrated with the messaging hub ? Also , how is it integrated with the people hub ? If it 's not , can anybody imagine why ? Would make so much sense . Was n't that a selling point of the first WP release ? <p> Seriously , this is ridiculous . First , the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even really work if I just switch to another app ... when using the multitasking app switcher to get back to skype , it builds up a new connection . Im goin on- and offline everytime I do anything but use the app actively . Next : Where 's the system integration we were waiting for ? Having the skype contacts in my people hub ? That 's all ? Not even that is fully working : My contact pages do n't reflect the received skype messages in contact History . Having skype only within the skype app and not within my messages hub and in contact history is a big fail , now we are as good as any Android phone : Using separate apps for every way of communication . Why is it that they can integrate Facebook ( inlcuding chat ) , MSN messenger , Twitter , Linkedin , into the system , but not their own future messaging system ? That makes totally no sense to me . Correct me if I 'm wrong , but a full Windows Phone Skype integration is what was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later " moved " to the apollo update , and finally announced only available for WP8 . Now here I am holding my new Lumia 920 and got a big disappointment . <p> agree ! That skype is a alpha . Its not integrated at all . I want to have not even a skype-app to run or download , it has to come as an option to call them via skype instead of mobile from your contact-list .. the chats are in messages .. and so on .. this skype is ( hopefully ) just kind of : hey guys , sorry , we need longer , but at least you can use it ) . As far as I guess , ( by looking into the integration-idea ) it will be a high priority @ Microsoft to get this fixed <p> I am a bit confused about this too ... It does seem from my brief testing that Skype must be started after a reboot for incoming calls . It can be closed right away , but it must have been started . Not a huge deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ <p> Open Points so far : - Userlist is not linked like in People ( 3 times the same person ) - I have bad echos while talking . Hear myself . - My phone is screenlocked with code and i have to enter the code before I can switch from Speaker to headfone . Thats too long though , Need

@@5258141 <h> What I saw with Karl Rove on election night <p> The night of the Iowa caucuses Karl Rove and I got entrance poll information at the same time as we sat on the Fox News Election coverage set in New York . Entrance polls are for caucuses -- exit polls are what they do in primaries . <p> Within a few minutes of the first caucus results we were both busy trying to figure out who was going to win the Iowa event that would start someone on their way to the GOP nomination . Karl and I had not been on air much together . <p> Truth be told I ca n't think of a single thing we had ever agreed on . I had vehemently opposed the war in Iraq -- he had been a senior advisor to the president that led us into it . I ran the Dean campaign in 2004 to end the war and lost -- he had run the reelection campaign for George Bush and won . I had railed against the Bush preemptive doctrine -- for all I knew Rove might as well have written it . To say I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be an understatement . I am not sure he felt much kinder things about me . <p> Karl was turned slightly away from me going over precinct results for completed caucuses and scratching out the math by hand on multiple sheets of paper -- I was turned slightly the other way doing the same . Within 5 minutes of receiving the entrance poll numbers and the first early precinct results we turned to each other to compare notes . I said " I ca n't believe it but Rick Santorum is going to eke past Romney and win this thing . " Karl looked down at his sheets of equations and said he could n't believe it either -- that Santorum was going to give Romney a dogfight no one had really expected -- but he had Romney with a slight mathematical advantage . The two of us had calculated the race in minutes to within a tenth of a percent of each other . <p> We would work through the night -- Karl would identify the two precincts out of all the precincts in all the 99 counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing feat . <p> Chris Wallace started to call us the " Space Cowboys " on the air and held up reams of our calculations to show the audience why he had given us the name . <p> Through it all our calculations would swing slightly back and forth . At one point my math showed that Karl was right and Romney would win . Minutes later Rove would run some new precinct results and come to the conclusion that I had been right and Santorum would win . Later we would realize that we were both right . Iowa in the end would be decided by fewer than a 100 votes -- both of us had been arguing narrowly on each side of a 100 vote margin of error . I learned then that no matter how different Karl Rove and I were or how wide our differences on the war , tax breaks for the wealthy or superpacs ( I hated them ) we had a very similar way we looked at numbers and calculated election results -- so similar we often came up with the same numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's projections and we did n't BS each other or spin . <p> As the primaries moved forward it got to the point where we ran through the counties together . One of us calling out a county we wanted to look at -- the other calling out results -- then one of us pounding the numbers into a calculator or computer and offering an opinion of what they meant -- " that 's not good for Newt " , " Romney is doing better with catholics " -- in state after state we got it right and usually ahead of when we could say it on the air . We are not the Fox News Decision Desk and we ca n't call a state on the air before they call it -- but often we would have if we could . The Decision Desk had to be certain -- had to be careful -- The Space Cowboys ? We often muttered into our mics , " why have n't you guys called this ? " Frustrated that we knew what was going to happen but knowing they were right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conventions I was doing some focus groups in Ohio when I saw the dam break against Mitt Romney among undecided voters . They were undecided but when you asked them why they were not voting for Romney they would volunteer that they were worried about Bain Capital or did n't like him hiding his tax returns , or that Romney wanted the auto industry to go bankrupt -- fair or not -- the unanswered negatives on Romney had taken hold -- and I knew in my gut Ohio was over -- Romney would never win it . <p> A few days later I was in Chicago . David Axelrod was in Iowa traveling with the President but I got an email from him saying he would be back the next day and if I stayed we could get together . When I mentioned to Ax that I thought Obama was going to win Ohio and that Romney was a terrible candidate for the Midwest , he told me he had always thought the same thing and that their polling for weeks had had the President ahead by 4 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . I knew they were building a massive early vote and get out the vote effort in Ohio and other key states . Armed with my focus group experience , Axelrod 's comments reinforced my own confidence that Ohio was moving solidly in Obama 's direction . <p> By now Karl Rove and I were doing an electoral map projection every other Monday or so with Bret Baier who anchored Special Report on Fox News . We tended to agree on what the polling was saying about most states -- but Ohio was among those we rarely agreed . I almost always thought it should be lean Obama -- Karl almost always thought it should be a toss up . To be fair though there were weeks when Karl made it a lean Obama state on his map . But at some point it dawned on me that not once had there been a single week where anyone made a case for making Ohio lean Romney . <p> Then one day at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina the Obama team invited the Fox News contingent in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . When we walked into the briefing Jim Messina , the President 's campaign manager , and I started to talk as others found their chairs and he whispered to me that he had seen two new internal Democratic polls in Ohio that showed 9 point leads for Obama in the state and that the President 's lead had expanded since I had seen Axelrod a few weeks earlier . <p> I was certain whoever won Ohio was going to be the next President of the United States and I had now become pretty sure Ohio and the Presidency would be won by Barack Obama . <p> For four years the Obama campaign had been working on their Ohio firewall and it was becoming clear it was going to hold . Even after the first debate when polls everywhere showed the race tighten Ohio proved stubborn for Romney . Things got closer in Ohio too -- but Obama always held his lead there . <p> Back in April Karl Rove had outlined the 3-2-1 path of states Romney needed to put together to win 270 electoral votes and the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had won in 2008 against Obama . Then he had to win three states the GOP had traditionally won that Obama had taken from them in 2008 -- Indiana , North Carolina and Virginia . If he won those three Romney had to win both Ohio and Florida and if he won those two he had to win one out of the other 5 or so remaining swing states . The Obama campaign had set out to block that path by mounting an all out campaign in all the 3-2-1 states except for Indiana . Winning just one of the critical 3-2 states would make it not impossible but very tough for Romney to get to 270 electoral votes -- winning Ohio would be a huge stop for Obama . <p> Every Monday on Special Report I would argue that Romney was not going to win Ohio . But other after the first debate other paths to 270 for Romney began to open up . Karl would argue that Romney could win Colorado and Wisconsin or another combination of swing states that included Wisconsin and that would make up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney campaign late in the game started talking about taking Pennsylvania ( plan C ) . <p> The thing that was so different about this election was that no matter how confident Axelrod and Messina were about all the swing states or I was about Ohio -- Karl Rove and Rich Beeson or whoever you talked to on the GOP side was just as confident about Ohio or Virginia or other key swing states for Romney . Both sides were convinced their model was right . About three weeks out from election day it hit me whoever was right was going to win over 300 electoral votes . The race was too close -- if Romney 's model was right he was n't tied in all those states he was slightly ahead in them and would win them all . But I was sure Obama 's model was right . I knew something about the new metrics from the Dean campaign I managed in 2004 -- politics had changed -- undecided voters do n't break automatically to the challenger anymore , targeting is better , social networks have changed organizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving away from the Republican party . If the Obama model was right he would sweep the swing states . Someone was wrong and I was pretty sure it was the guys in the Grand Old Party . <p> On the Monday before the election when Bret Baier asked me for my final electoral map showing what I thought would happen the next day I projected 303 electoral votes for Obama -- projecting every swing state to Obama except for North Carolina and Florida . Saying " if Obama 's model is right I think he will take Florida too " . I am still kicking myself for being such a chicken -- I knew they would all go one way but I had chickened out on Florida . Axelrod had even sent me an email urging me to take a flyer on Florida -- he thought they were going to surprise there -- but I had chickened out of calling it . No excuses . Ca n't explain it . Would anyone believe 332 ? <p> Election Night <p> So what happened on election night ? Where is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason neither Rove nor I can get into the Ohio Secretary of State 's website to get any county data -- or any data for that matter . We both tore into the Florida and Virginia election data the second their polls close . <p> Karl started calling out GOP leaning counties in Florida and I started to call out the percentages Obama and Romney were getting in them . Rove quickly pointed out that Romney was performing two percentage points ahead of the 2008 McCain percentage in these counties . I called out Palm Beach , Broward and Miami-Dade and the Obama and Romney percentages in those huge Democratic leaning counties -- and early on Obama was performing 2.8 points ahead of where he did in 2008 . Obama was winning Hillsborough county by 6 points ! It was going to be close -- really close . It 's was almost like that first night in Iowa we had together at the beginning of the whole thing -- Karl convinced Romney would pull it out by a few votes -- and I was convinced Obama had Florida . Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more . <p> We started to look at Virginia . Same thing -- it 's a dead heat everywhere and everything is coming in except for Fairfax county and Virginia Beach . Virginia Beach is leaning Romney hard and Karl thinks there might be enough there for Romney to pull it out . He has to pull it out -- it 's a 3-2-1 state -- hell they are all 3-2-1 states . Fairfax county is moving hard for Obama and I think there are more votes still out there than there are in Virginia Beach . I think maybe just maybe Obama can win Virginia too and start to run up his electoral victory . <p> A little later plan B would fall too as they called Wisconsin for Obama . <p> Plan A is all that is left for Romney -- he has to win Ohio , Virginia and Florida . All are 3-2 states and when one goes so too goes the Presidency . Win them all or Romney never gets to Colorado or any of the 1 states . <p> Chris Wallace off air is begging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Karl and I get the same error messages we have gotten all night long . <p> At that moment two emails come in at the exact same time . <p> Chris Wallace received an email that he would read on the air from someone high up in the Romney campaign -- that email says that Romney will win Florida by 10,000 votes . Virginia is tight and Ohio is moving their way . At that same moment I receive an email report from an Obama contact insisting that Obama will win Florida and with it the Presidency , Virginia is close but they will win it -- but ( and this is a direct quote ) " Ohio is scary " . Chris reads his email to Karl and me off air -- I read my email to the two of them . And then I turn to Chris Wallace and said -- " wow would n't it be the ironies of ironies if we ended up calling Ohio for Romney and everyone thought he won the presidency and then it turned out that Obama won Florida and won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled to see if we could get into the Ohio Secretary of State 's website again . Karl yelled out that he had gotten in . And just at that moment we hear in our ear Bret Baier declare that the Fox News Decision Desk has called the state of Ohio for Barack Obama . <p> We were separated from the main anchor desk that Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly hosted the election coverage from by a good 30 feet or so -- but it felt like miles . <p> I blurted out to Chris Wallace and Karl Rove , " Do they understand the implications of that call ? " I felt calling Ohio was tantamount to calling the presidency and thought we would be seeing blazing graphics declaring Obama reelected . Just as I asked the question I realized immediately why we were not seeing it -- I knew Florida was gone to Obama -- the Decision Desk may have been pretty sure it was going that way but from their perch Obama was not over 270 electoral votes yet -- neither Virginia nor Florida had been called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said " Of course they understand what this means -- but we have to wait for those other states to call it " . <p> Just then Karl Rove 's phone rang it was someone in the Romney campaign .... you know the rest . <p> Joe Trippi is a Fox News contributor and political strategist who has worked for Ted Kennedy , Walter Mondale and Gary Hart and turned Howard Dean into an unlikely presidential front runner in 2004 . For

@@5258241 <p> At the Regional Center of the East Bay we envision a future where people with developmental disabilities are truly a part of their community . We also recognize that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have unique and changing needs . We seek to meet those needs by providing information and services that are community-based , flexible , accessible and responsive to each unique situation . <p> The Regional Center of the East Bay provides or coordinates quality services and supports that may include : <p> Adaptive Equipment and Supplies - Durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs , bath equipment and personal lifts ; small adaptive equipment items ; dedicated communication devices that enables the consumer to further interact with his / her environment and leads to greater independence . <p> Additional Staff - when a consumer is in immediate danger of placement in a State Developmental Center , or needs to adjust to a new home or program , or when there is a facility which is not staffed to provide the appropriate level of supervision needed by the consumer 's temporary illness . <p> Behavioral Intervention Programs - assessment , training and consultation with family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in behaviors that pose a serious threat to their living arrangement or program . <p> Child Care - for consumers less than 13 years old , when their parents work on a full-time basis or attend vocationally-oriented educational programs where their schedule can not accommodate the child care need and who do not have a natural support system which provides child care . <p> Counseling Services and Psychotherapy - for consumers involved with the criminal justice system , whose health and safety are at risk due to dangerous behavior , depression or excessive fear . <p> Day Program - for adults who have completed public school services to increase their skill levels , prepare for a maximum level of independence in their community and to prepare for work . <p> Diapers - for consumers between the ages of 5 and 18 who are incontinent of bowel / bladder with potential for skin breakdown . <p> Early Intervention and Prevention Services - tutors , assessment , ongoing consultation and monitoring for children under 3 years of age , with a diagnosis indicating autism or suspected autism . <p> Independent Living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independently without supervision and support services . <p> Infant Programs - home-based and center-based stimulation programs , which encourage the development and adjustment of infants and maximize the ability of families to better provide for the special needs of their infants . <p> Mobility Training - to support consumers in community integration and independence through the use of public transportation . <p> Nursing Services - when a medical condition exists and there is a need for periodic , intermittent relief for the primary caregiver ( respite ) or continuous nursing intervention . <p> Parental and Genetic Services - genetic testing and counseling to any parent determined to be at high risk of having a developmental disabled infant . <p> Parenting Training - skills training for parents with a developmental disability , in order to maintain and strengthen the family unit and promote the development of the child . <p> Residential Service for Adults / Children - for those who prefer to live in a licensed community care home , who need the care and supervision provided by such a facility . <p> Respite Services - intermittent relief to families who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs are beyond that of persons without disabilities . <p> Specialized Medical and Dental Care - must be specifically related to the consumer 's developmental disability . <p> Supported Living Services - services and support for persons to live in homes that they own , lease or rent . Range of services and supports may include : assistance in finding a home ; social , behavioral and daily living skills training and

@@5258441 <p> Our data partners will research the update request and update the information on this page if necessary . Research and follow-up could take several weeks . If you

@@5258541 <h> Resolved Question <h> How to memorize all of this information in two days ? <p> I just found out yesterday that I have a test in World Civilizations ( aka the class I really need to do good in ) in Tuesday . We received a study guide with 25 questions , each one involving several different phrases . Yesterday and today , I worked on finding some answers to the questions ( and all of my other homework ) Tomorrow and Monday will be focused on memorizing the information ... I 'm a little worried that I wo n't be able to . any advice ? I know it probably does n't , but I 'm a sophomore in high school , if that makes any difference <h> Best Answer - Chosen by Voters <p> Memorization is the simplest thing a person can do . All it takes is repetition . Make flashcards , write the important information down multiple times , etc . Two days is a good amount of time , if you think about it , to memorize 25 things . Set out a specific time period during your day to memorize the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute break , go back for another 15 minutes , etc . Test yourself as well . Make up mini-tests and see how you do . You should see yourself progress as you continue studying the information . It is n't so much memorizing words , but understanding the concepts and information . Once

@@5258641 <h> i thought i was the only one but now .... <h> i thought i was the only one but now .... <p> I used to think maybe there was something wrong with me as to why I have suffered so much and continue to suffer due to pcism . I too was raised in a religious home where I was taught we were the only right ones and everybody else was lost . I remember being told that i would be left behind in a rapture and most likely get killed . thats rough for a little boy to handle . I often could not concentrate at school , and my grades suffered tremendously . often times had to be sent home due to panic attacks . this was in the ninth grade ! I grew up and developed general anxiety disorder and depression . still taking meds for those . now my son who is an adult cant even hold a job because he lives in fear , so i support him . I was discouraged to go to college so i ended up in my fifties with an ok job but I wonder what I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still dealing with things and I hope you folks can offer help . It 's hard to seek professional help because therapists do nt seem to know much about pentecostalism , at least the ones Ive seen . I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in this forum ! thanks for being there ! <p> The good news is you are not the only one who experienced what you have , so you are not alone . Anxiety disorders are the common consequence of exposure to Pentecostalism . Everyone is my Pentecostal family suffered from generalized anxiety and/or panic attacks . That says a lot about just how unhealthy Pentecostalism is . We were taught to fear demons , the devil , the rapture and being left behind , and most of all the face-to-face encounter with the angry Pentecostal God . Even death offered no escape from the fear ! <p> I encourage you to stick with your therapist/doctor and accept the help he/she can offer . Most on this forum can offer you understanding and the we 've been there and have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> Your story is achingly familiar . Growing up I thought something was wrong with me and everyone else in church was normal . Nowadays I can look back and see the pente church I grew up in for the total insane asylum it truly was . You are so right to wonder about what " might have been " if not for the pente church ...... I 've wondered about that A LOT . It definitely changed who I was , to be subjected to the terror and the insults I heard as a small child . And the perception of the pente church in my community changed the way that others related to me ...... my teachers , coaches , parents of my friends , they all saw me as a child of members of that crazy whacked out church with the strange noises going on all hours of the night . I 'm sure they thought I was as ignorant as the rest of them . <p> I hope you find lots in this forum that will help you and give you peace . Take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 'll be able to help your son . <p> had some wierd dreams and woke up about 5am and started feeling triggers of panic . I took my meds and got up and watched tv for about an hour . did not have a full blown panic attack but I could feel the depression and hopeless thoughts but after about an hour was able to fall back asleep . still dealing with issues I guess . <p> Welcome ! You 're definitely NOT alone . I think I 've been on here for close to three years , and it took quite some time before I could talk about my story at all . Still a lot of things I have n't shared . Things are much better , but I can still get triggered into some pretty awful places . <p> Elizabeth Niederer wrote : Welcome ! You 're definitely NOT alone . I think I 've been on here for close to three years , and it took quite some time before I could talk about my story at all . Still a lot of things I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can still get triggered into some pretty awful places . <p> I 'm relieved you shared that Elizabeth . I read posts , feel I have so much to say but when it comes to saying it , I just ca n't . Do n't seem to have got to the place where I can easily verbalise stuff . It surprises me every time . <p> And xpentedean , welcome . As Elizabeth said , you 're most definitely not the only one . But I remember when I used to think I was the only one too . <p> After years of being told that nothing was wrong and that doubt came from Satan ... I finally got a whiff of the proverbial coffee . It helped that I has supportive friends outside who basically told me that they 'd be there to help when I cam out of it . I did , and they were . <p> If you can , find a support group . Something for abusive relationship survivors , or for ex-members of ( we do not you the ' c word ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups ) ... It is easier to deal with the world if you have a little help finding your way in it . <p> No , you are not alone . We are here . And we are here to help and support you . <p> Yes , Molly , if you go back through my posting history ( please , do n't feel obligated to do that LOL ! ) , somewhere in there I wrote a post where I said exactly that . The emotional pain was so bad that I could even begin to put it into words . I was so grateful to see myself in

@@5258741 <p> Anyone have any ideas on what can be done . I 'm guessing we need to locate the linux driver fro the card and then compile + add it to Openelec build . Not that familair with the process as I 'm a Windows

@@5258841 <h> How To Appraise A Car That Has Been In An Accident ? <p> Some of you may know that i got into an accident two months after i got my MS3 , and i really havent been happy with the car since then . <p> The damage was mainly to the left front corner . No frame damage , no airbag deployment . <p> Total cost to fix with paint and labor was just over 7k . <p> Ive looked at some cars on cars.com , and when i pull up the carfax and it shows an accident , the car is only priced 200 or so below retail . <p> So i was just curious on what is taken into account when setting the price on a used , wrecked car . <p> I may be in the new car market soon , so i figured i may get more if i sell privately . <p> vas25tl 2012-05-01 17:28:10 +0000 #2 <p> I think it 's different for every person since there is not real logic/book to appraise a car that has been in an accident but has a clear title . <p> I look at how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off accordingly . 9 times out of 10 though if I see a dirty carfax , I move on to the next vehicle . <p> crazyasiantl 2012-05-01 17:57:26 +0000 #3 <p> The shop repainted the whole front end , and the whole left side , just have a good match/blend. so almost half of the car was resprayed <p> JS + MS3 2012-05-01 17:36:33 +0000 #4 <p> Sell it couple thousands below the KBB market value ? <p> or just sell it to a dumbass on craiglist @ the market value ? <p> Did you not get any money out of that accident from the insurance for this ? I ca n't remember . <p> And you should go to Carmax to get it appraised to start off . <p> or post a thread over at mazdaspeedforums.org . Explain the situation . Make it a fair deal and sell it to the member ? <p> AZuser 2012-05-01 18:39:24 +0000 #5 <p> You have n't really been happy with the car because they did n't fix it correctly or some other reason , which is ? <p> If I was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car as it is now based on mileage and overall condition , but for one that 's never been in an accident . <p> I 'd then adjust the price based on : <p> - what type of accident it was involved in and how severe <p> - the quality of the repair and whether OEM parts were used or not <p> - who did the repairs ( experienced/well known body shop with a good reputation , unknown body shop around the corner , DIY , etc . ) <p> - photos/documentation of damage and repairs ( before and after photos , bill showing what parts were replaced and used , etc . ) <p> Personally , I 'd expect at least $1,800-$2,000 less than a non-accident MS3 assuming OEM parts were used , it was a quality repair done by an experienced/quality shop , you had pics/documentation of before and after , no air bags deployed , no structural damage , etc . I 'd want a bigger discount if any of the above could n't be shown or determined . <p> But like vas25tl said , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how I 'd look at things if I was considering a car that 's been in an accident , though I generally avoid cars that have been in accident(s) . <p> crazyasiantl 2012-05-01 19:01:08 +0000 #6 <p> The car was fixed perfectly by a professional , just knowing that the car has been in an accident kinda spoiled the fun for me . <p> I do have everything documented and saved every piece of paperwork from the body shop and insurance <p> And Aaron , did n't get anything from the accident . Just a headache and a fixed car <p> This was my first and hopefully only accident . But ill be better prepared to fight it next time if this whole insurance fiasco happens again . <p> AZuser 2012-05-01 18:40:43 +0000 #7 <p> Too late now , but in the future , try to get some sort of compensation for depreciated value if you 're ever in an accident , the other party is at fault , and the car is of significant value ( i.e. the car is n't a beater ) . <p> Even if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be worth less than a non-accident car . Compensating you for depreciated value will help offset that loss if you ever sell . <p> JS + MS3 2012-05-01 20:40:12 +0000 #8 <p> What 's the market value of

@@5258941 <h> Could viruses be used to treat acne ? <p> Scientists have isolated and studied the genomes of 11 viruses , known as phage , that can infect and kill the acne-causing bacterium Propionibacterium acnes , potentially paving the way for topical therapies that use viruses or viral products to treat this vexing skin condition . Their results are reported in the September 25 issue of mBio r , the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology . <p> " There are two fairly obvious potential directions that could exploit this kind of research , " says Graham Hatfull of the University of Pittsburgh , an author of the study . " The first is the possibility of using the phages directly as a therapy for acne . The second is the opportunity to use phage-derived components for their activities . " <p> P. acnes is a normal resident on human skin , but its numbers increase substantially at puberty , eliciting an inflammatory response that can lead to acne . Although antibiotics can be effective in treating acne , antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes have emerged , highlighting the need for better therapies . <p> Hatfull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists from the University of California , Los Angeles , isolated phages and P. acnes bacteria from human volunteers with and without acne , then sequenced the phages ' genomes . What they found in those genomes was surprising . The phages were all remarkably similar , sharing more than 85% of their DNA , an unheard of level of similarity among viruses , which usually exhibit a great deal of diversity . This lack of genetic diversity suggests that resistance to phage-based antimicrobial therapy is less likely to develop , they say . <p> All of the phages carry a gene that makes a protein called endolysin , an enzyme that is thought to break down bacterial cell walls and kill the bacteria . Enzymes like this are used in other applications , says Hatfull , suggesting that endolysin from these phages might also be useful as a topical anti-acne therapeutic . " This work has given us very useful information about the diversity of that set of enzymes and helps pave the way for thinking about potential applications , " he says . <p> From here , Hatfull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be used therapeutically , but phages like these can also provide useful tools , like genes and enzymes , that can be used to manipulate and understand the bacteria they infect . " The information derived from these phages helps contribute toward those kinds of genetic tools , " says Hatfull . <p> ### <p> mBio r is an open access online journal published by the American Society for Microbiology to make microbiology research broadly accessible . The focus of the journal is on rapid publication of cutting-edge research spanning the entire spectrum of microbiology and related fields . It can be found online at http : //mBio.asm.org . <p> The American Society for Microbiology is the largest single life science society , composed of over 39,000 scientists and health professionals . ASM 's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences as a vehicle for understanding life processes and to apply and communicate this knowledge for

@@5259041 <p> so smile , on a count of three caught up in the kodak moments , that we ca n't develop i think i was framed i think i was framed <p> you drive by , on an avenue i could n't change the subject , upset about not havin you it 's internal , the fire of a sunset burnt inferno love is a potion , or a poison i 'd take it , to be her boyfriend eyes are open , lips are moistened <p> so smile , on a count of three in the kodak moments that we ca n't develop the cameras ' light , a glamorous life ,

@@5259141 <h> Springbase Case Study : Skinit.com <p> Leading e-commerce retailer increases revenue by over $10,000 per month with Springbase business application platform <h> Testing to Optimize Visitor Conversions <p> Skinit is the global leader in mobile device personalization , offering customers the largest portfolio of skin designs and electronic devices , with each skin custom cut to fit perfectly on each device . Skinit 's online ordering and customization tools allow consumers to create branded , designed , and personalized electronic device covers , or skins , using high quality 3M products . <p> When Skinit rolled out their Dynamically Generated Landing Pages earlier this year , they needed a custom app built to quickly scale the development of over 1,000 custom designed landing pages . Within days of the app being completed , they were able to immediately start batching out custom pages and push out paid search ad links as well as affiliate links . The end result was not only huge gains in efficiency and scalability , but also nearly $10,000 in additional revenue generated through increased conversion rates . <p> Before they were able to roll out this new initiative , however , Jason Reeder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application platform that would offer both quick implementation and scalability at a reasonable cost . <p> " For years we had been using Excel spreadsheets and custom-built macros to handle the data manipulation process . Upon seeing the first demo , I immediately knew that Springbase would be a huge step forward in efficiency . I learned a few weeks later that we could also integrate with vital third-party business tools like the Google AdWords API , which was icing on the cake , " recalls Reeder . " I 'd been trying to break free of Excel and Access , but few cost-effective solutions were available . We needed a highly customizable solution with a real interface -- one that allowed us to manipulate simple query code on the fly and would be able to generate over 300,000 lines of custom product fields within seconds . " <p> Skinit needed an efficient and stable business application platform on which they could quickly and continually add new custom apps to help support their many SEM campaigns and e-commerce initiatives . <h> Finding a Platform <p> Skinit looked at several options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or were prohibitively expensive . <p> " The process of getting the app developed on Springbase was amazing . The team had a refreshing take on platform applications and customer service . Their sales and engineering teams took the time to listen to our specific needs , and were completely hands-on , helping us at every step to build our initial application . Springbase exceeded my expectations and continues to provide some of the finest service I 've encountered with any vendor . The cost savings and gains in efficiency we realized by using Springbase has been unbelievable , " said Reeder . <h> Springbase as a Platform <p> Springbase had Skinit 's dynamic landing page creation application up and running in just two weeks . Skinit has since commissioned Springbase to develop 4 additional applications , all hosted within the same account . <p> " It was amazing how quickly Springbase helped get us on our feet . Their teams were willing to put in the effort to walk us through the entire process , giving us just the amount of support we needed . " <p> Working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own custom application without having to vie for the limited time and resources of their internal IT department . <p> " Our engineering and IT teams did n't have the bandwidth for this project , so I had to find a workaround solution . In the end , we saved over 100 man-hours using Springbase to develop this solution . We could have easily spent over $5,000 just to get it off the ground , not to mention the cost of ongoing support . With Springbase , we were able to get launched quickly at a fraction of the cost . " <h> Results <p> Springbase 's development platform has enabled Skinit to quickly launch apps to support revenue generating marketing activities and has helped to create high levels of process efficiency . <p> " The application we built on Springbase is saving us 10 -- 12 hours per week . To edit 30 URLs , it would have taken 4 -- 5 hours . Now that we 're fully integrated , it takes just 15 -- 20 minutes . It allows us to focus on our core strengths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources or hardware maintenance , " said Reeder . <p> With a tighter feedback loop , Skinit has also been able to sync their dynamic landing pages with keyword and product-specific targeting to provide increased user engagement for their web visitors . <p> " The dynamic landing pages we 're now able to create using the Springbase app have already helped increase conversion rates , reduce bounce rates and improve our Google quality scores for paid search campaigns -- all of which translates into approximately $10,000 in increased revenue for Q3 . This combined with overall cost savings and increased efficiency should put the value of the app at over $50,000 through the end of the year . Right now , Springbase is the best value in the marketplace . Springbase is an efficiency tool and it gives us a competitive advantage . We 're 100% with Springbase . " <h> About Springbase <p> Springbase is a business application platform that enables professional software developers to build custom web applications faster . With the Springbase cloud IDE and integrated relational database engine , developers