Advantages of Employing Commercial A/c Solutions Advantages of Business
HVAC Services, provide business home heating, ventilation, cooling down as well as cooling solutions for industrial properties such as grocery stores, stores, hospitals and also offices. These solutions been available in many kinds of a/c that consist of forced-air, heat pump and gas. They have the ability to install or repair heating systems, heating systems as well as ac system in business residential properties. Furthermore, they offer solutions like cleansing, inspecting, repairing, setting up and keeping furnaces and air conditioning systems. They are likewise proficient to perform regular repair work and maintenance. These specialists are qualified as well as educated to execute all types of upkeep service commercial air conditioning systems. These service technicians guarantee that the systems are in proper functioning problem by checking the temperature gauge and also changing it if required. In addition, they can execute leak detection by examining the ducts, examining the filters as well as carrying out maintenance checks on the refrigerant degrees. They additionally provide emergency maintenance solutions at the request of the customer and also assistance to prepare of budget plan estimates and also business propositions. The service technicians utilize top notch industrial heating and cooling system devices for business home heating as well as air flow. These industrial cooling and heating solutions are developed to improve effectiveness and expand the life of business heating and cooling down systems. The technicians have the ability to service refrigeration, heating and also cooling systems. For the functions of heating, they service the systems in addition to air-conditioning and the systems used to disperse as well as problem the indoor air. In addition to home heating and also cooling systems, the service technicians are qualified to fix pumps, filters and also motors. The examination of devices and repair services and also upkeep services of business hvac devices are necessary to preserve the performance and also performance of the system. There are many advantages of employing specialists to maintain your devices consisting of saving money on costs in addition to prompt repair work and upkeep. In order to avoid breakdown of your tools, working with specialists will ensure the smooth performance of the equipment for a prolonged duration. When you get in touch with a specialist to keep your industrial heating and cooling systems, you can anticipate specialist and proficient solutions that are established for your certain requirements. Professional industrial heating and cooling systems professionals make use of innovative tools to do the maintenance services efficiently. For effective services, it is important to collaborate with a technician before the scheduled maintenance solutions so regarding achieve the wanted result. When you hire a specialist to carry out the needed maintenance solutions of business cooling and heating systems, you are guaranteed of reliable and prompt repair work of equipment. You can rely on the specialists as they have the understanding and also abilities to do the repair work effectively. Usually than not, these firms use repair service service warranties in addition to their services so as to ensure total customer complete satisfaction. Moreover, fixing the home heating and cooling requirements of the industrial rooms will certainly be made trouble totally free as the service technicians are educated and experienced to execute repair work in a timely manner.


These sophisticated missiles are the pride of the Coalition. Capable of anti-starship and anti-ground combat, the Hunters are fire-and-forget weapons with highly sophisticated computerization, sensors, and AI.
After a priority list is downloaded into the missile immediately prior to launch, it travels on its own, avoiding enemy point-defense and locking on to the best target available by priority. The computers factor in everything from enemy velocity to the intensity of enemy point-defense fire and range to determine the best target.
Attempts by the League to deploy Hunters have noticeably failed. The Matrinads, however, are very close to finishing their own version


How do you detect the last record in a result set when using php and mysql. In ASP its EOF (End of File). Whats the php/mysql equivalent? I'd like to know the last record so i can draw a line after it or close a tag or anything else.
You can use mysql_num_rows to see how many rows there are in the result set and keep a counter to know how many rows you've printed.
Or you can just loop through the rows and print your line/tag/whatever right after the loop:


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George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative
Affordable Care Act, Medical Homes, Childhood Asthma, Asthma
The medical homes provisions of the Affordable Care Act offer a major opportunity to advance high quality, cost-efficient health care for children with asthma. This policy brief examines evolving national medical homes policy in a childhood asthma context. Following a brief background that examines childhood asthma and explores the origins and evolution of medical homes policy (a concept developed with children in mind), the brief then describes how the Affordable Care Act can advance the implementation of medical homes policies to improve health outcomes for children with asthma.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Lyon, Meagan; Markus, Anne Rossier; and Rosenbaum, Sara J., "The Affordable Care Act, Medical Homes, and Childhood Asthma: A Key Opportunity for Progress" (2010). Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative. Paper 53.

domain: health


R&M Electronics was founded in 2010 in Penang, Malaysia. For the past decade, R&M Electronics has grown from a design house to a full-scale manufacturer of automated test systems for the semiconductor industry. Our focus is mainly on advanced design and development to meet the challenges of small form factor packages, high power and stringent temperature test requirements.
With extensive experience on the factory floor, we provide engineering services to support the production needs. Critical components such as test socket and thermal control unit (TCU) in an automated system require knowledge of the actual end-user environment in order to meet a high throughput rate while maintaining good components’ life. Therefore, our commitment to providing quality services is from the design to the lab or test floor.
Besides semiconductor fields, we also serve telecommunication, automotive and other industries. Over the years, we have built up strong-tie relationships with our clients in Asia, the United States, and China. We leverage years of experience and skills in design and manufacturing of mechanical and electrical systems to help our customers meet their goals in terms of quality, productivity and cost effectiveness.


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.... One day after being denied access to a Guard computer that had its hard drive wiped clean, Sen. Joe Dunn said he would seek legislative subpoenas today to gain access to the information central to his investigation and lashed out at military officials standing in his way.
Dunn launched his investigation last week after the Mercury News reported on the creation of a new National Guard intelligence unit that has been given ``broad authority'' to set up new anti-terrorism projects in California.
.... Concerns that the National Guard was laying the groundwork for domestic spying were heightened by internal e-mails obtained by the Mercury News showing high-level interest in a small Mother's Day anti-war rally at the state Capitol.
One e-mail from a top officer said he was passing along information on the protest to ``our Intell. folks who continue to monitor.''
....Last week, Dunn asked the Guard to preserve any documents related to monitoring of the anti-war rally and the new intelligence unit.
At the same time, computer technicians at the Guard erased the hard drive of a retiring colonel who oversaw the intelligence unit and wrote the e-mail mentioning the ``Intell. folks.''
....After learning that the hard drive had been erased, Dunn demanded immediate access for a computer specialist to recover any data, but was rebuffed by the Guard's top general who said any access would have to be coordinated with Army investigators who launched their own probe Wednesday.
On a separate track, Dunn unveiled new legislation meant to erect stronger anti-spying barriers in California. The senator said he would look to expand federal laws banning the military from engaging in domestic spying to cover the National Guard, which is generally exempt from that regulation.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
California National Guard Spy Case: Update
The San Jose Mercury News reports:

domain: news


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by James Buchanan
John McCain has been a liberal fifth column inside the Republican party for decades, repeatedly sabotaging it and pushing for Amnesty so that the Democrats can get millions of new voters.
It’s hard to believe that McCain won his latest reelection considering how thoroughly despised he is by virtually every conservative and libertarian in America.
It looks like McCain may have broken the law in his latest attempt to stab Donald Trump in the back, and the Justice department may soon be prosecuting John McCain.
An article on Truth Feed reports “This could be the beginning of the end for embattled Sen. John McCain’s life in politics. According to White House officials, McCain is believed to have somehow gained access to the content of President Donald Trump’s private, classified telephone calls with world leaders. And he isn’t keeping quiet about what was talked about either.”
“An analysis of McCain’s …public statements by White House officials, coupled with information from intelligence personnel working with the Trump administration, paints a disturbing picture for McCain — or any elected U.S. politician. Officials believe the senator has inside knowledge of a number of President Trump’s telephone conversations, including at least one conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
“Even more alarming, officials believe McCain is secretly sharing this sensitive information with colleagues and his cabal of friendly mainstream media journalists in a dangerous clandestine campaign to damage Trump’s presidency even before it has a chance to succeed…”
“This audio recording of the phone call is absolutely incredible.”
“It’s time for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to determine the level McCain’s involvement and just how many laws he has broken.”
McCain deserves at the very least to resign in disgrace. He should go to jail for violating secrecy laws and even espionage.
Sending McCain to jail would set an excellent precedent. If a high-ranking Republican can go to jail for violating secrecy laws, then a high-ranking Democrat, like Hillary Clinton can also go to jail for having thousands of classified e-mails on a non-secure server.


The mayor of Pittsburgh summoned all the city’s famous industrial grit on Sunday evening as he promised to drive anti-Semites out of the open and back to their basements, following the gun attack that killed 11 Jewish people.
Thousands of mourners packed into the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum for an eclectic service that featured gospel songs, psalms, the words of Mr Rogers – the puppeteer and TV star who lived locally – and a speech by Naftali Bennett, the nationalist Israeli government minister.
Some in the crowd came to express their grief while others said they had come to show their solidarity.
But it was Bill Peduto, the city’s mayor, who captured the defiant mood of thousands more who braved an autumn downpour to stand outside and listen to the service via loudspeakers.
“Let me tell you something about Pittsburgh: We’re tough. We are proud of our blue collar roots and we are not the type of people that react to threats or actions in a way that takes back from us,” he said, in an address that referenced how the steel city had bounced back from previous hardships.
“We will drive antisemitism and the hate of any people back to the basement, on to computers, and away from open discussion and dialogue around the city, around the state and around this country.”
His words triggered a standing ovation and deafening applause.
Robert Bowers is due to appear in court on Monday charged with the 11 murders. Police say they are poring over his social media accounts where he is accused of sharing anti-Semitic memes and conspiracy theories.
Jeff Finkelstein, chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, channelled Mr Rogers, the beloved children’s performer who once lived in Squirrel Hill, scene of the shooting.
“When you see scary things, look for the helpers,” he said, repeating the entertainer’s gentle catchphrase. “You will always find people who are helping.”
Outside, Cindy Bryce huddled beneath an umbrella with her teenaged daughter. The steady rain was not going to put them off, even if there was no more room inside the memorial and museum.
“This is what Pittsburgh is about,” she said, gesturing at the crowds crammed on the steps beneath the building’s neo-classical facade.
Red Cross volunteer criss-crossed the crowd giving out water or offering counselling services.
Inside, the rabbi of the New Light congregation, and the man credited with shepherding some of the congregants behind a door and saving their lives during Saturday's shooting, described losing pillars of the community who would volunteer not just at the synagogue but in the wider society.
His voice cracking with emotion, Jonathan Perlman said: “What happened yesterday will not break us. We will continue to thrive and sing and worship and learn together.”
Yet for all the talk of rebuilding and of resisting a lone gunman intent on destroying the American commitment to freedom and diversity, there were plenty in the crowd worrying quietly about what the future might bring.
America is heading into midterm elections next week during a particularly febrile part of the electoral cycle. Civility is in short supply among politicians and on Friday a suspect was arrested and charged with sending homemade bombs to prominent liberal figures.
Carri Golden, who lives a couple of blocks from Squirrel hill, said Sunday felt like the day after 9/11: The enormity of it all made it difficult to process.
For her part as a Jew, she wondered if the events at the Tree of Life synagogue were a timely reminder that anti-Semitism remained at large in the world.
“I was too comfortable, too secure,” she said, adding that her husband had been verbally abused on his way to and from synagogue.
“We have to get good out of the pain, we have to honour the victims by making the world a better place.”


Street perspective vs. specification. See Disclaimer.
Abarth 500 (312) 3-door Hatchback 2008 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) SUV 2015
Technical specs | Abarth 500 (312) 3-door Hatchback 2008 is 99.9 cm shorter and 15.4 cm lower compared to Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) SUV 2015. It has 1.9 cm less ground clearance and offers 62% less cargo space.4,5
1. Maximum height | 2. Width with folded mirrors | 3. Max. ground clearance | 4. Most common power unit incl. highest seat mode configuration. Possible deviation of standards. | 5. With rear seats folded down | 6. Curb weight | 7. For illustration purpose only. Starting MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price).


“I’m in shock.”
That was Dylan Chambers’ reaction when the final votes were counted Tuesday night in the 2021 Massac County Consolidated Election.
Chambers, who turned 19 two weeks ago, received 171 votes to become Ward 2 alderman in the City of Metropolis. His competitor, Penny Emery, had 125. Incumbent John Taylor did not run for re-election.
“This is the first start, this is what we hope for, this is what we’ve been looking at,” Chambers said.
Don Canada, current Metropolis Ward 2 alderman, won the Metropolis mayoral seat, which has been held by Billy McDaniel for 16 years. McDaniel officially announced in October his plans not to run for office.
Canada received 351 votes. Three others also were running for Metropolis mayor: Jim Hambrick received 299 votes; current Metropolis Ward 1 alderman Chuck Short received 294 votes; and Robert McDonald received 16 votes.
As precincts began rolling in, voting in both of Metropolis’ contested races was close with one to four votes separating the candidates for much of the evening.
The other four Metropolis offices were uncontested: city clerk, incumbent Jan Adams (832 votes); Ward 1 alderman, Leah Michele Longworth (89); Ward 3 alderman, incumbent Darryl Neill (125); and Ward 4 alderman Chad Lewis (326).
The City of Metropolis will hold its swearing-in ceremony May 10, prior to that night’s city council meeting.
“I’m really thankful for Metropolis and the surrounding area — all the support that’s been pouring through. I could not have done it without the support from everyone. I gratefully appreciate it,” Chambers said. “Now, we just start moving forward, we continue pushing and make the next step and look for the betterment and change with the community. It’s not over, we’re just getting our feet wet.”
In the City of Brookport election, Rance Phillips won the mayoral race with 148 votes. Debbie Workman had 21, while Kathy Tucker had 17. Current mayor Tami Wessel did not run for the office.
Two of Brookport’s aldermen positions were contested. Bronda M. Jones won Ward 1 with 23 votes to Wessel’s 16. David Brannum won Ward 2 with 44 votes, while Jeffery Todd Taylor had 12 and Aaron Jerrell Tucker had three. The remaining Brookport offices were uncontested: city clerk, incumbent Lori Klotz (162); and Ward 3 alderman, Jack W. Anderson (82).
Both of the county’s school boards will have some new faces.
Massac Unit 1 had five candidates run for the four seats available. Elected were incumbents Jeff Brugger with 895 votes, Don Koch (860) and Jennifer Larrison (839) and newcomer William Holt (789). John Willis received 775 votes. Unit 1 is scheduled to hold its swearing-in ceremony at its next regular board meeting April 26.
Joppa-Maple Grove Unit 38 School Board had five candidates run for the three seats available. Elected were incumbent Daniel Burnett with 151 votes and newcomers Rachel Diane Henson with 139 and Corey Willenborg with 137. Incumbents Gail Stubblefield and Stacey Reames received 113 and 104, respectively.
The Village of Joppa Board of Trustees had three seats available with three candidates running. Annie Hubbard received 28 votes, while Charlie Kimmins and Gary Sharp received 22 each.
Of Massac County’s 11,365 registered voters, 1,719 cast ballots Tuesday and during the early voting/mail-in period — 223 early voted or mailed in — for a 15.13% voter turnout.
All of Tuesday’s results are unofficial and will be certificated within the next two weeks.


Mariah Carey: Nicki Minaj Threatened to Shoot Me
Mariah Carey has just confirmed that there was a feud between her and fellow "American Idol" judge Nicki Minaj during the first audition round in Charlotte, North Carolina. "The View" host Barbara Walters said on the show Thursday, October 4 that she spoke to Carey and that the singer told her Minaj has threatened her life.
"Nicki walked off the set and multiple people heard Nicki say, 'If I had a gun I would shoot the b***h'," Walters told her audience. Carey has since hired extra security for safety measure. Carey has also told Walters that Minaj "has not apologized, but they have since been at meetings with producers and judges." After the meeting Minaj warned them that they may be fighting again.
Walters has extended an invitation to Minaj to appear on "The View" and explain her side of story. However, the rapper tweeted, "I don't call tmz n Barbara Walters cuz I stand on my own two feet. Never needed an army. God is good. Insecurity is as cruel as the grave." She added, "I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon. Awww, poor u. Keep them lies cmn."
More Mariah Carey News
- Anne Hathaway Admits She Faked Happiness During Her 2013 Oscar Win
- 'Real Housewives of Miami' Star Larsa Splits From Husband Scottie Pippen Amid Future Romance Rumor
- Former Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth to Baby Boy
- Jennifer Lawrence to Lead Zelda Fitzgerald Biopic
- Kim Kardashian's Family Shares Throwbacks and Birthday Wishes as She Turns 36
- Chris Pratt to Return to TV as Guest Star on His Wife Anna Faris' 'Mom'
- Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams Named Co-Chairs for 2017 Met Gala
- Shailene Woodley Writes Powerful Essay About Her Arrest During Pipeline Protest


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Here is X-men number 2 for this week, Mystique. While she was a bit player in the world of mutants, in the comics, the movie universe has changed that. The other big change was her look. While always blue, she was not so naked or scaley. This is a painting on illustration board and with gouache paint. For the next X-Men character we will be going away from the traditional painting and go into the digital paint world.
Join me at-

domain: artistic


text:
Making the decision to pursue a career in medicine is a significant and life-altering one, and selecting the best medical school is essential. The esteemed St. George’s University (SGU) offers prospective medical professionals a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If you’re thinking about going into medicine, enrolling at SGU in January 2024 might be the crucial move that puts you on the path to a successful and meaningful future.
St. George’s University Overview
Nestled on the picturesque island of Grenada in the Caribbean, St. George’s University has earned its reputation as a leading medical school, attracting students from around the world. Established in 1976, SGU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to providing high-quality medical education, fostering innovation, and producing well-rounded healthcare professionals.
Why Choose St. George’s University?
Global Recognition and Accreditation
SGU holds accreditation from various international accrediting bodies, including the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). The university’s School of Medicine is also listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, attesting to its global recognition.
Diverse and Inclusive Learning Environment
One of SGU’s strengths lies in its diverse and inclusive student body. Students from over 140 countries create a rich cultural tapestry, enhancing the overall learning experience. This diversity prepares future healthcare professionals to thrive in multicultural and global healthcare settings.
Cutting-Edge Facilities and Technology
SGU continuously invests in state-of-the-art facilities and technologies to provide students with a contemporary and immersive learning experience. From well-equipped laboratories to simulation centers, students have access to resources that mirror real-world medical practices.
Clinical Rotations Worldwide
The university’s extensive network of clinical training sites spans the globe. SGU students have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in renowned hospitals and healthcare institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and beyond. This global exposure enriches students’ understanding of diverse healthcare systems and practices.
At SGU, you will learn from a distinguished faculty comprising experienced clinicians, researchers, and educators. The faculty is dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment, ensuring that students receive the guidance and mentorship needed to excel in their medical studies.
Enroll in January 2024: A Strategic Decision
Choosing the right time to begin your medical journey is crucial, and enrolling in January 2024 at SGU offers several advantages:
Flexibility and Convenience
The January start date provides flexibility for students, allowing them to commence their medical education at a time that aligns with their personal and academic schedules. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for individuals considering a career change or those completing prerequisite courses.
Small Class Sizes
With a January intake, students benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering a more personalized and interactive learning experience. This intimate setting enables closer interaction with faculty, creating an environment where students can actively participate in discussions and receive individualized attention.
Accelerated Graduation Timeline
Starting in January allows students to progress through their medical education on an accelerated timeline. SGU’s well-structured curriculum ensures that students cover the necessary material efficiently, enabling them to graduate and enter the workforce sooner than traditional medical programs.
Competitive Edge in Residency Match
Graduating in advance of traditional timelines provides SGU students with a competitive edge in the residency match process. Being eligible for the match sooner enhances the opportunities for securing a preferred residency program and specialty.
Immediate Integration into the Global Medical Community
By starting in January, students have the chance to integrate into the global medical community sooner. SGU’s diverse student body and international clinical rotations facilitate networking with peers,
faculty, and healthcare professionals worldwide, establishing connections that can be invaluable throughout one’s medical career.
The application process for the January 2024 intake at St. George’s University is straightforward yet thorough. Prospective students are required to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and other relevant documents. The admissions team evaluates applications holistically, considering academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and a genuine passion for a career in medicine.
SGU is committed to making medical education accessible and offers various scholarship opportunities for eligible students. These scholarships are merit-based and aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community service. Aspiring medical professionals are encouraged to explore these opportunities and apply for scholarships that align with their achievements and aspirations.
Enrolling in January 2024 at St. George’s University is a strategic and empowering decision for anyone aspiring to embark on a medical career. The university’s global recognition, commitment to diversity, cutting-edge facilities, and faculty expertise make it a standout choice for medical education. The January start date provides flexibility, smaller class sizes, and an accelerated graduation timeline,
offering students a unique and advantageous path to becoming healthcare professionals. If you are passionate about making a difference in the world of medicine, seize the opportunity to begin your medical journey at St. George’s University in January 2024.


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Towards a Declaration of Economic IndependenceOriginally published February 1, 2009; revised October 6, 2009
After a decade of narcissistic greed, reckless deregulation, and supply-side economics run amok, America's chickens are finally coming home to roost. Our bubble-driven economy is imploding before our eyes. The financial sector is in ruins. More Americans are being laid off every day, despite the fact that these layoffs only compound the problem inasmuch as a worker without a job is that much less likely to be able to continue paying off their mortgage or credit card bills, much less purchase anything beyond the bare necessities of life.
If there's a silver bullet out there today capable of slaying every one of our current economic woes, that silver bullet can only be job creation and retention. A worker with a job can continue paying their mortgage, perhaps with a slight modification in terms thus helping to support the rapidly collapsing value of a wide variety of distressed Wall Street mortgage-based assets. A worker with a job that pays a living wage can continue to pay their credit card debts thus boosting the long-term viability of the Financial Services industry. A worker with a job retains discretionary income, and with it the ability to support consumer demand and continued economic growth. A worker with a job pays state and local taxes and does not become a burden on either.
We stand at a moment in our national life where the interests of investors, management, and workers have become inescapably linked. We stand at a moment where we must come together as Americans or see our way of life undermined, if not completely destroyed. There is at least one path available to us that can, in time, reverse the current downward trajectory of the economy, become the engine of sustained American economic growth in the first half of the 21st century, and knit us together as a people. From my perspective, that path begins with a simple, if shocking proposition (especially when proposed by a liberal Democrat) the reduction or elimination of Federal corporate taxes on authentically True Blue corporations and small businesses.
The germ of the idea: True Blue Corporate Citizens
Our current economic equation is daunting. American labor simply cannot compete with low-cost foreign labor if wages are the only consideration as they appear to be to management in most multi-national corporations. In time, over the next half-century, wages will begin to equalize across the planet. But with our economy imploding and Wall Street needing yet another rescue and likely another in the not-so-distant future, were this financial tsunami to resume time is something that America does not have on its side.
Given the extraordinary financial pressures that workers are currently confronted with, coupled to our current economic implosion, cuts in wages offer no way out of this woeful equation especially given the likely impact of wage reductions on consumer demand. Hence, the best remaining remedy available to government might be an attempt to make what I describe as True Blue Corporate Citizens much more competitive, both domestically and internationally, by helping them dramatically slash the cost of doing business. I see two primary ways to accomplish this: one, slashing Federal corporate taxes on any company doing business in America that achieves a critical mass with regard to the hiring of American workers and the purchasing of US-sourced services; two, the adoption of a national health care system funded through an increase in the payroll tax.
Conservatives have insisted for years that corporations do not pay corporate taxes at all, but instead pass the cost of these on to consumers. These taxes are then reflected in higher prices. I am proposing that we put their theory to the test. I propose that Congress implement a program where these taxes would be slashed for a trial period, BUT ONLY for companies that achieve a still-to-be determined critical mass with regard to the hiring and retaining of American workers, expressed as a percentage as well as the purchase of American-based services. That is, to qualify for this optional tax benefit, a company's workforce must be, say, 90% American; or if it outsourced functions, like programming, back office, technical support, etc., those services would also have to be provided by another True Blue firm. Domestic subsidiaries of multi-national corporations that produce goods specifically for the US market could also participate. Companies operating in America that preferred offshoring jobs and services beyond this stipulated level, as is their right, would continue to operate under existing tax provisions.
This approach is intended to accomplish several things. First and foremost, if conservatives haven't been pulling our leg all along, it would lead to significantly lower prices for American-made goods and services, thus making every True Blue Citizen company that much more competitive domestically and globally which should, in turn, lead to increased revenues. Secondly, it would lead to enhanced wages and employment for Americans who work for these companies, a natural by-product of which would be a bolstering of domestic consumer demand, and by extension, Wall Street and the Financial Services industry. Remember, every new American job created means potentially one less person likely to default on their mortgage, either today or in the future. But perhaps most importantly it would reestablish for many Americans a sense of shared national destiny, thus reinforcing a realistic case for the social contract.
While neo-conservatives in particular have made much of the ultimately romantic, Lockean foundations for the social contract, I contend that Hobbes represents a more realistic model for our time. I contend that should this economic implosion continue, and government not be able to afford the enhanced social net that Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress have proposed, we would almost assuredly have some version of Hobbes' State of Nature emerge, involving potentially violent class struggle especially in parts of the nation where gun ownership is widespread or, at the very least, tremendous social upheaval and suffering coupled to the rise of radical political movements (as in the 1930s and 1960s).
Sorry, no voodoo practiced here
What I am proposing is neither a give-away to corporations or any form of voodoo economics. We have to pay these tax cuts. The obvious way to pay for any elimination of Federal corporate taxes on this select group of True Blue Citizen companies is to raise individual tax rates and for the purposes of this argument I am suggesting a return to those of the extraordinarily prosperous Clinton-era. Obviously, the economists would have to crunch the numbers and come up with rates that would allow this approach to be revenue neutral. That specifically implies a significant increase of taxation on Dividends PAID OUT by all Corporations and Capital Gains and on the profits that are too often disproportionally PAID OUT through salary and benefits to upper management.
For working Americans this will also mean higher taxes. I am willing to wager that the vast majority of American workers would rather pay Clinton era taxes on decent wages than low taxes on unemployment benefits, welfare, or no income at all. American labor has always been willing to do, and pay, their fair share especially when one considers labor's indispensable role in creating the consumer demand that leads to the riches that too many investor and management types mistakenly see as either their God-given right or just reward for imagined Herculean efforts. These rates of taxation could eventually be reduced once revenue neutrality had been legitimately achieved through the intended increase in domestic production.
This approach would almost certainly require adjustment be made in the way that business is done. It might, in fact, lead to many business running tighter ships, especially in terms of executive compensation, given that any financial largess would now be coming directly out of the company's profits as opposed to taxes owed to government. It also would eliminate the huge, unfair tax advantage that individuals who incorporate currently enjoy vis-ΰ-vis Americans who are paid via a W-2.
Lest the idea be somehow misunderstood, let me reiterate that this plan is intended to be revenue neutral and is envisioned as providing a technical adjustment that will allow True Blue Companies to better compete domestically against companies who largely exploit low wage foreign labor, both here in America as well as internationally. It is not intended in any way, shape or form as a supply side tax cut. And were it not to lead to lower prices and increased employment, these provisions would automatically expire after a reasonable period time (perhaps two years).
In a larger sense what I am proposing is ultimately a re-orientation of the American economy from one that rewards passive investment, and exploitation of both American and foreign labor, to one that rationally rewards effort. I realize that many conservatives have been brainwashed over the past few decades and now believe that most forms of taxation amount to little more than highway robbery. For these individuals I can only suggest a study of the history of violent peasant and worker revolutions. There was a time in human history when what historians call the Great Chain of Being offered a degree of security for an aristocracy be that aristocracy of the inherited variety, ecclesiastical, or economic. Let me strongly suggest that this era is long behind us. While Conservatives to this day remain obsessed with debunking FDR's New Deal, I argue that, far from betraying Capitalism, by preventing America from falling into a Hobbesian State of Nature at the very movement that Soviet-style Communism was seen as a credible alternative, Roosevelt literally saved it. If we descend this time into more or less Hobbesian chaos, in the aftermath of an economic downturn that could well shatter what remains of our sense of shared national destiny, these alleged conservatives will long for the day when progressive taxation was rightly seen as the price for stable contemporary civilizations.
I'll not touch on the national health care component of this proposal, inasmuch as it has been convincingly argued elsewhere except to point out that healthcare costs comprise a significant component in the wholesale price of every American product or service. By gradually transferring these costs to individuals, while simultaneously expanding access, enhancing efficiency, and establishing portability, we establish a rational, sustainable foundation for the maintenance of the healthcare system. There is no free lunch, and at this time of potentially extreme crisis we must not hope for one.
United we stand, divided we fall
While every loyal American sincerely hopes for the success of the economic stimulus plan currently moving through Congress (unlike repugnant ideologues like Rush Limbaugh), I see no rational basis for believing that this plan will accomplish much of anything with regard to reversing America's longer-term economic trajectory. It cannot so long as there are CEO's who think like 3M's George Buckley, who recently defended his company's closing of 16 plants, and drawing down of inventory and capital spending (as reported in Ellen Simon's December 28 AP story, December consumer confidence drops to all-time low) in this fashion:
"Is this healthy? All of us acknowledge we're collectively making the situation worse, but I think the first responsibility we have as leaders of companies is to make sure that we ensure the health and survival of our own companies first, not necessarily other people's companies, or, for that matter, the whole U.S. economy."Given this kind of thinking and make no mistake, Buckley's perspective is entirely rational, given the flawed set of assumptions that we have been collectively conditioned to accept workers should expect neither change in managerial attitudes nor some resurrected notion of civic virtue any time soon. Given the prevalence of this type of thinking, I argue that we have literally created a crisis whose resolution is either the economic devastation or transformation of our nation.
In his famous study of mid-nineteenth century American Democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville cites an ethos prevalent throughout much of the country that is best described as self-interest well understood. That is, he observed an America where most people (except in the South, with regard to the issue of slavery) understood that blind selfishness led nowhere, and how a notion of shared economic prosperity was both virtuous and sensible. Let me suggest in the strongest possible terms that this insight may be key to our ultimate recovery in the years to come.
We have entered an era in which even United States Senators speak casually of revolution. Talk of revolution of one sort or another is everywhere heard and seen, on blogs, on television and radio, in barbershops and on street corners. And make no mistake: this sentiment did not originate in the media. It is a spontaneous reaction by human beings to the events of our time.
In my mind the two great challenges that we confront as Americans are these: one, to fundamentally redefine what it means to be an authentic patriot in contemporary America; two, to implement realistic, rational, sustainable free-market strategies that stand a credible chance of meeting the challenges presented by global economic competition. If we are indeed one people, then we necessarily share an economic destiny regardless of whether one is an investor, a manager, or a worker. If we do not share a destiny, if we are indeed nothing more than self-interested actors out only for personal gain, wed to a profoundly narcissistic conception of liberty, then all talk of connections based on mystic chords of memory and national destiny amount to little more than quaint romantic illusions and are best dispensed with here and now.
Let me be clear: I am not advocating the adoption of old-style Protectionist trade policies, such as those that were implemented in the 1930s. For instance, there would be no tariffs imposed on foreign-products. I am instead arguing that we overhaul the American economic engine so it can better compete within a global economy, while lifting all boats here at home. I am advocating that we embrace, in the phrase first immortalized by the Scottish Enlightenment, and then Thomas Paine, Common Sense.
It is in the interest of the American people that we implement economic policies that reward those who create jobs for Americans who sincerely want to work in exchange for a living wage. Workers pay taxes, pay mortgages, support families, and pull their own weight. Given our free market system, every True Blue Corporate Citizen can be thought of as providing an invaluable service and hence is deserving of our gratitude, as best expressed in the form of transformational tax legislation. In contrast, companies that place the interests of management and investors ahead of its American workforce must be seen as acting rationally, perhaps even sensibly, given our current flawed collective assumptions but decidedly not in the best interests of the United States of America, and especially so at a moment when this entire economy is imploding before our eyes. They must be seen as the amoral actors they are, actors who can hardly be trusted with the awesome task of defending America's economic future.
Finally, the ethical remedy to this emerging crisis strikes me as not one merely of enhanced personal virtue, as suggested by many conservatives although rejection of get-rich-quick schemes, mindless prosperity consciousness, pie-in-the-sky aspirations, myths promoting the ideal of self regulating markets, not to mention media lionization of the most ruthless and reckless among us, would certainly be a good thing. The appropriate ethical remedy in my mind requires the introduction of bold, game-changing economic policies that encourage collective virtue namely, the creation and sustenance of secure, highly skilled, highly paid jobs right here in America. Americans have proved themselves willing to work as hard as any people on earth. We would never be content to become the lackeys of a would-be corporate or investor elite in the international oligarchic system that the supply-siders ultimately envisioned. We would almost certainly launch a second American Revolution before that came to pass especially amidst the emerging tone of these times. So instead of standing by and watching the nation we love descend into financial ruin, foreign dependence, social upheaval, and potentially a second American Revolution, why not instead simply declare independence but this time, economic independence?
Matthew Carnicelli, © 2009. All rights reserved. Originally published February 1, 2009; revised October 6, 2009.

domain: finance


text:
Thanksgiving is so soon!! If you need another idea for a quick but delicious side dish or just want a healthy meal planned for any night this week, try this dish. There are so many fall flavors and the overall result is perfectly filling for a lighter dinner. Like all recipes, it’s easy to change up. Don’t like kale? Add Spinach instead. Don’t have bulgur? Make it with brown rice or quinoa.
Pumpkin Pistachio Kale Bulgur with Maple Tofu
Serves 2, vegetarian + vegan, 30 minutes or less
1/2 cup bulgur (or grain of choice)
2 Tbsp raw pistachios
1/2 red onion
1 1/2 cups kale
4 tbsp orange juice
5 Tbsp pumpkin puree
salt + pepper (to taste)
1 tsp garliv
pinch of turmeric (optional)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 cup tofu cubes, firm
Prepare bulgur according to directions on package. I used my rice cooker, but on the stove will work as well. If you have any leftover grains, use those!
Chop the onion and saute in a pan with a little olive oil. After about two minutes add 2 tbsp pistachios and toast for one more minute. Add 2 tbsp pumpkin, a little more oil, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp orange juice, garlic, and tumeric. Stir around. Add in kale and cook until kale is wilted/incorporated. Remove from heat while bulgur finished cooking.
Meanwhile, cube tofu and add to a pan on high heat (either non-stick or with a little bit of oil). Drizzle with maple syrup and let cook until tofu begins browning (or a little longer if you like it crunchy!)
Once bulgur is done cooking, add it into the pumpkin mixture with the remaining pumpkin puree and orange juice. If the mixture is too dry add a little vegetable stock or some water. Mix well.
Add the tofu mixture into the bulgur. Combine well and serve.
Shared on Healthy Vegan Fridays (carrieonvegan.com)!

domain: food


text:
2012_04_Journal of Educational Technology - Passively Classifying Student Mood and Performance within Intelligent Tutors
Abstract: It has been long recognized that successful human tutors are capable of adapting instruction to mitigate barriers (e.g., withdrawal or frustration) to learning during the one-to-one tutoring process. A significant part of the success of human tutors is based on their perception of student affect (e.g., mood or emotions). To at least match the capabilities of human tutors, computer-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS) will need to “perceive” student affect and improve performance by selecting more effective instructional strategies (e.g., feedback). To date, ITS have fallen short in realizing this capability. Much of the existing research models the emotions of virtual characters rather than assessing the affective state of the student. Our goal was to determine the context and importance of student mood in an adaptable ITS model. To enhance our existing model, we evaluated procedural reasoning systems used in virtual characters, and reviewed behavioral and physiological sensing methods and predictive models of affect. Our experiment focused on passive capture of behaviors (e.g., mouse movement) during training to predict the student‟s mood. The idea of mood as a constant during training and predictors of performance are also discussed.
Sottilare, R. A., & Proctor, M. (2012). Passively classifying student mood and performance within intelligent tutors. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 15(2), 101.

domain: psychology


text:
It’s a long drive from Florida to Denver, but Leonel Perez and his colleagues at the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) don’t mind. In fact, they arrived in the Mile High City three weeks early for Cultivate, a food, beer, and music festival sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill.
They were not drawn by a love of burritos. In the days leading up to Cultivate, Perez, Jake Ratner, an organizer for Just Harvest USA, and several other CIW organizers will hold dozens of community events, speak at many churches, and give classroom presentations at all Denver’s major universities. Then, on Oct. 6, the day of the festival, Perez will build a giant stack of tomato buckets just outside the festival to represent the daily toil of 30,000 impoverished tomato workers.
Over the last decade, Perez and others at CIW have pressured major food companies like McDonald’s, Whole Foods, and Sodexho to join something called the Fair Food Program. Now, they’re ratcheting up pressure on the burrito giant in hopes of a similar deal.
“We’ll continue these demonstrations until Chipotle signs,” says Ratner.
Ordering at Chipotle is famously simple: Select one of four meats, then black beans or pinto, then salsas. The company’s politics, on the other hand, are maddeningly complex. Why won’t Chipotle — a company that has gone to great lengths to broadcast its high-quality, “ethical” food — shake hands with tomato workers?
Just as important, why aren’t more people upset with Chipotle’s intransigence?
What the Ells is going on?
The impoverished Florida village of Immokalee is the epicenter of the U.S. tomato industry. From December to May, 90 percent of the nation’s tomatoes come out of these fields. They’re picked by a fluid workforce of more than 30,000 migrant laborers who have suffered beatings, sexual assault, wage theft, and slavery [PDF]. If that weren’t enough, the pay is poor and the conditions subhuman.
A number of nonprofits have rallied to the CIW’s cause: Rater’s Just Harvest, plus the Student/Farmworker Alliance, Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, the Alliance for Fair Food, and Rabbis for Human Rights – North America. The campaign began with a boycott of Taco Bell in 2001. Since then, it and nine leading companies have committed to the Fair Food Program.
Food companies that join the program enter binding contracts with the CIW. They agree to pay a penny more per pound directly to the workers, which doesn’t sound like much but significantly raises their take-home pay. The program also requires shade tents and ice water in the fields, health and safety monitors, sessions to educate workers about their rights, and a confidential enforcement program run by the Fair Food Standards Council in nearby Sarasota. A grower who doesn’t stick to the agreement risks losing his ability to sell to the 10 big fast food and grocery retailers who have signed on.
Over the last 18 months, organizers like Ratner and Perez have intensified their efforts to get Chipotle to sign. In May 2011, University of Colorado students protested the commencement address given by Chipotle CEO Steve Ells. On May 1 of this year, protesters affiliated with the Occupy movement condemned Chipotle during a march through New York City. On July 27, CIW and Just Harvest coordinated protests at Chipotle restaurants in 25 cities.
Considering the appalling conditions and the worthy alternative offered by the Fair Food Program, why won’t Chipotle sign on? It’s a mystery complicated by the company’s refusal to take a consistent position. As Leonel Perez, a CIW organizer, explains, “Every time [CIW approaches Chipotle], they seem to have another excuse.” (CIW has even issued a point-by-point rebuttal of Chipotle’s “explanations.”)
It’s hard to be sure, but some organizers believe the resistance has come from the highest levels of Chipotle, perhaps even from CEO and chair Steve Ells himself. Ells is different from a lot of food executives because he started the company and rolled its first burritos. He loves to tell an I-saw-the-light story about visiting a farm and realizing that most pigs don’t have great lives, and has often championed the values behind Chipotle.
But those values get complicated fast when you’re talking about an enormous mobile workforce, and it’s not clear that Ells gets that. Says Ratner, “You can’t take the same top-down approach that you might use for humane treatment of animals and just apply it to farmworkers. It takes the recognition of those workers as equal partners every bit as important as Chipotle’s customers.”
Other organizers believe that Ells hasn’t bothered to read the many reputable reports (not to mention the award-winning book Tomatoland) that have come out of Florida’s abominable tomato fields.
“That’s why time and time again the CIW has invited Ells to Immokalee,” Ratner says.
Whose integrity — Chipotle’s or its customers’?
The Cultivate festival provides a high-visibility opportunity for organizers — who stack tomato buckets, talk about the harsh realities of workers’ lives, and encourage people to get involved in the campaign. The festival also demonstrates Chipotle’s phenomenal success. At the Chicago edition of Cultivate, held in September, thousands of festivalgoers — mostly young and white — crowded before the main stage to hear a lineup anchored by G Love. They sipped local microbrews and watched cooking demos by star chefs like Richard Blais and Paul Kamen featuring ingredients from area farms. They bought tofu tacos and sampled the fare at Chipotle’s new Asian concept restaurant. Want to learn about Chipotle’s wonderful relationship with avocado farmers or test out an iPad game called Pig2Pasture? There were booths for that, too. At each, Chipotle staff stamped your festival program. Collect four stamps and you landed a coupon for a free burrito.
If the festival sounds like a roaring success, try reading Chipotle’s annual report. The company’s revenue has tripled since 2006. In 2011, it earned a staggering $2.24 billion.
That suggests two things. First, a burrito boycott is not going to work. Second, the deplorable conditions in Immokalee have not yet dented Chipotle’s reputation.
Why not? Usually, the specter of human slavery at least makes consumers think twice.
It turns out that Chipotle’s vaunted “Food with Integrity” campaign — as illustrated by its pasture-raised, rBGH-free sour cream, for instance — probably helps insulate the company from whatever outrage people feel at its underwhelming human rights record.
I talked to Marc LiVecche, an ethicist at the University of Chicago, about how a huge concern like slavery could fail to affect people’s buying habits.
“There’s definitely a feeling of moral exhaustion that sets in,” LiVecche explained. “Folks begin to wonder how many issues they might possibly need to keep track of when shopping. The tacit perception sets in that it’s too hard to walk around in modern life and have integrity 100 percent of the time. When facing questions about a particular company, people look for trustworthy authorities. If they’ve heard good reports about that company, that can counterbalance the issue that’s being raised.”
In other words, sour cream can trump slavery, given the right circumstances.
That does not deter organizers like Ratner and Perez. “Chipotle is symbolic of the divisions between the food movement and the food justice movement,” says Ratner. “It threatens the Fair Food Agreement. If corporations go it alone, as Chipotle wants to, it undermines the whole system of market consequences protecting the workers.”