Kelsey is a freelance writer based in Southern Virginia. She enjoys traveling with her family to destinations from national parks to amusement parks and loves sharing tips and stories from along the way.
Electric cars were once rarely spotted, but today, they make up over 7% of the total market. That’s a huge increase from 4.9% in 2022 and just 3.1% in 2021.
What’s next for electric vehicles and green travel? If you ask one LA-based aviation company, it’s electric airplanes.
In a notable industry advancement, Ampaire Inc., a company specializing in electric aviation technology, has achieved the first-ever hybrid electric flight into Palo Alto Airport. CEO Kevin Noertker piloted the Electric EEL aircraft, showcasing the current capabilities of hybrid electric airplanes and their role in the future of aviation.
The flight’s completion into Palo Alto, a nucleus for technological innovation, illustrates Ampaire’s progress in developing aviation that may reduce carbon emissions and operational costs. This event could be indicative of the industry’s readiness to adopt hybrid-electric planes.
Ampaire claims these planes can retain full flight range without necessitating new airport infrastructure. The Los Angeles-based company is focused on electric aircraft development, aiming to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint and enhance accessibility through electrification.
CEO Kevin Noertker commented on the occasion, “The flight into Palo Alto Airport is not just a technical verification of our systems but a clear message that the era of electric aviation is upon us.” Ampaire’s event in Silicon Valley was an opportunity for local investors and stakeholders to gather insight into hybrid electric aviation’s potential impact on air travel.
Ampaire asserts that its optimized hybrid electric airplanes can offer fuel savings of over 50 percent compared to conventional aircraft. The company highlights these airplanes’ operational cost benefits along with their ability to operate within existing airport environments. Its technology has been applied in various flight applications, including routes in Hawaii, Scotland, and across North American regions.
This milestone may signal to the aviation industry and interested investors that Ampaire is progressing toward broader commercial viability and aligning with sustainability goals. The implications of such technological developments for the travel industry and the environment remain a subject of interest.
Since the maiden flight of its Electric EEL technology testbed aircraft in 2019, Ampaire has achieved the longest flight for a hybrid electric aircraft and the inaugural flight of the Eco Caravan, dubbed the world’s largest hybrid electric airplane.


text:
NASHVILLE — Better buckle up Tennesseans, the road to new transportation funding to address the state's $10.5 billion backlog of highway and bridge projects is already getting pretty rocky, and the trip has just begun.
Senate Republican leaders said Thursday they felt sideswiped by a proposal offered up Wednesday by House Majority Leader Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and Assistant Majority Leader David Hawk, R-Greeneville.
It calls for scuttling the governor's plan to raise $278.5 million for the state and an additional $117 million for counties and cities. Hawk and Casada's idea is avoiding any increase and instead grabbing a quarter percentage point off the 7 percent sales tax from the state's general fund, which pays for most non-transportation programs.
In fact, they think it may be the only thing that can move through a key House Transportation subcommittee.
Republican Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a former Finance Committee chairman and 38-year legislative veteran, argued the state has relied for decades on fuel taxes as a dedicated source of revenue for roads.
Meanwhile, McNally, who has seen the impact of recessions on Tennessee finances in 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2008, warned the economy is cyclical and sales taxes take a nose dive when a downturn strikes. It's been nine years since the last recession, he noted.
"Our economy runs in cycles," the Oak Ridge lawmaker said. "I'm hopeful with the new president we can extend our run, but nine years is a long time to have growth in the economy."
Haslam has proposed boosting the state's 21.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax for the first time since 1989 by 7 cents. Diesel, now at 18.4 cents per gallon, would rise by 12 cents. Because the state is expecting some $950 million in new revenue this budget, half or more of what it usually sees, the governor is coupling fuel tax increases with the same amount of tax cuts supporting the general fund.
Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, a former Transportation Committee chairman, argued that relying on the sales tax for a set amount of revenue in a state that has a pay-as-you-go policy on road construction and maintenance is too risky.
And Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, questioned why House proponents didn't come speak to him. He said he can't tell at this point whether Hawk's proposal will be one of several debated to change Haslam's yet-to-be-introduced bill or as a separate measure.
"It's better to work together toward a common end," Norris said. "If the game is to divide and conquer, then the game is over. If it dies in the House, it dies."
Hawk said this week that his plan is far more simple and has fewer "moving parts" than Haslam's. He said the issue of tax cuts can be addressed in a separate measure.
Haslam, meanwhile, told reporters Thursday his bill will put gas tax increases and tax cuts in other areas in one package. Describing gas taxes as "user fees," the governor argued it's the fairest way to fund transportation needs.
"I don't like the idea that somebody that barely drives has money go to subsidize a road for somebody from California that's driving down I-40," Haslam said. "That just doesn't seem fair."
Meanwhile, Andy Ogles, executive director of Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee, held a news conference Thursday saying $200 million a year from the general fund should be earmarked for roads. He also said he sees no immediate crisis, and he pointed to the state's $1 billion surplus in one-time money and the nearly $1 billion in new revenue.
"When you have a billion-dollar surplus in recurring revenue being paid by hardworking families, you don't raises taxes. That's nonsensical, that is disingenous and, quite frankly, I would call it theft," The Associated Press quoted Ogles saying.
Meanwhile, minority Democrats appeared to be enjoying the GOP's rough ride and likened it to Haslam's disastrous proposal to expand Medicaid two years ago, which Ogles helped torpedo as the group flooded some Republicans' districts with radio ads attacking them for supporting "Obamacare."
"It's Groundhog Day, and here we are four days into the session and the supermajority has sabotaged the governor's key initiative," jabbed Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jeff Yarbro of Nashville.
Contact Andy Sher at email@example.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.

domain: finance


Analysis: Missouri lawmakers opt for privacy in budget deals
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Updates with quotes from lawmakers and political scientists and additional details about budget negotiations
As the clock winds down for Missouri lawmakers to compromise on some of the most contentious bills of the legislative session, questions are being raised about closed-doors negotiations that allow a few key players to shape state policy out of the public's sight.
Those behind-the-scenes deals played a prominent role in last week's passage of the state's $26 billion spending plan for next year. At issue was a proposal by lead budget writer and Columbia Republican Sen. Kurt Schaefer, who sought to rein in spending by the Social Services, Mental Health and Health and Senior Services departments by granting those agencies a collective pot of money instead of individual program allotments.
Schaefer's budget proposal was significantly different from the House recommendations, which in some cases gave those departments more money than they had requested and followed traditional budgeting by divvying out money to specific programs and services.
A panel of lawmakers from the House and Senate was assigned to hash out a compromise. But public meetings between those negotiators were repeatedly postponed as a few key lawmakers haggled behind closed doors.
Missouri's open meetings laws allow elected officials to privately discuss items that will be voted on as long as a quorum of members hasn't been met.
Schaefer and House budget chairman Rep. Tom Flanigan, a Republican from Carthage, unveiled the final product Wednesday night for the first time publicly. Their deal eliminated the lump-sum method, and instead scaled back the House's recommended budget increases for individual agencies by millions of dollars.
The timing of that proposal's unveiling meant most lawmakers, particularly members of the Democratic minority not involved in the private negotiations, voted on the budget Thursday after only a few hours of review.
Democrats, who have little bargaining power in the Republican-controlled Legislature, criticized the process.
"Jamming through a budget while denying lawmakers and the public any chance to adequately review it is an irresponsible way to spend $26 billion in taxpayer money," Assistant House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, of Kansas City, said in a statement.
Such negotiating tactics are common in statehouses across the country, said political scientists and several lawmakers. Even the U.S. Constitution was drafted behind locked doors in 1787.
Former Democratic Rep. Chris Kelly, of Columbia, who as House budget chairman during the 1980s and 1990s, recalls one year in which a single point of contention on the budget remained between him and with Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Wilson, of Columbia: a position in the Department of Revenue.
Kelly and his counterpart wouldn't budge on whether to cut the job or keep it. So, while sitting in Wilson's basement, the two agreed that the winner of a game of billiards would have the final say. Kelly lost.
Schaefer defended the closed-doors negotiations on some major budget provisions by noting that the final product came after months of open discussion, contrasting the billiards wager made years ago.
Flanigan and Schaefer both pointed to numerous public hearings, legislative debates and public votes on earlier drafts of the budget package.
Ironing out a compromise with fewer participants is sometimes necessary to shield lawmakers from criticism from the many lobbyists and interest groups all vying for a piece of the budget pie, said University of Missouri-Columbia political scientist Peverill Squire.
Squire said private deals also could speed compromise with campaigning lawmakers such as Schaefer, who may be is running for attorney general in 2016 and is "playing to a different constituency."
Still, the secretive nature of the final budget negotiations stands in stark contrast with House and Senate discussions on a bill that would revamp the state's student transfer law for unaccredited school districts. Squire said policy-driven legislation, such as the transfer bill, relies more heavily on public input for legitimacy.
A negotiating panel on the student transfer bill met for the first time last week in public to discuss some of the major sticking points between the chambers. A request by Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, to break off in small groups and privately negotiate was denied. Instead, panel members agreed, meetings will continue to be open.
Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine covers Missouri government and politics. Follow Summer Ballentine at https://www.twitter.com/esballentine
An AP News Analysis


text:
How would you like to deliver a fee invoice for your services that comes to £600 million? For just one year's work. Can you think of anyone who could?
Radio 4's 'File On 4' show will reveal tonight the latest details of an ongoing scandal which has just become dramatically worse.
I was able to inform File On 4 of the results of my latest research into the scale of investment management fees paid by local council pension funds.
There are now publicly available reports from around 100 separate local government pension funds (the LGPF) across the UK.
Adding up all of those separate funds' investment management fees, the grand and shocking total comes to £597 million - for just one year's work!
The year before I had pointed out in my book The Secret Wealth Garden that there was a scandalous payout to the investment managers of a record £477 million.
I was personally shocked then that those kinds of sums were being annually creamed off the pension savings pots of 5.3 million local government workers and pensioners.
This is a £600 million payout from funds where the average pension currently paid out is £4,800 a year - for women the average payout is just £2,800 per year.
These are the savings pots of mainly poor council workers. With this year's fee bombshell just dropped, you have to ask: In whose interests are the council workers' pension funds ultimately being run?
But here's the rub. While the investment managers get paid their £600 million, taxpayers are being asked to pay hundreds of millions of pounds extra to make up what I believe to be illusory deficits in these healthy and wealthy funds.
In Birmingham alone, for example, the council was presented last year with a pay-up demand of £80 million, as one of the employers of the West Midlands Local Government Pension Fund.
The hard-up council started paying the bill in the sum of £17 million last year and over the next three years is paying about £23 million a year.
This, all while the pension fund making the demand is currently paying out £11 million a year in investment fees. It's paid out £35 million in fees over the last three years.
You have to ask why these funds didn't get their own houses in order first by radically cutting their payments from the fund to ineffective, unnecessary investment managers before asking you and me as taxpayers to help them out?
Your local council's revenue is being taxed by these funds before they even start to address their reduced spending due to austerity cuts.
I would suggest the cart is being put well and truly before the horse here. Or even that stable doors are being bolted long after the investment managers' horse has bolted off into the sunset.
If you take out £600 million a year for the next 22 years (the notional lifecycle of these illusory pension fund deficits) from these pension funds and factor that in now, then I would suggest that very little in the way of a demand from you and me would be necessary.
It's a merry-go-round whose tickets are made available to the exclusive already very wealthy few. The tickets aren't subsidised by the taxpayer, they are paid for in full.
The investment managers simply (though disguised in a myriad apparently market-based, benchmarked, objective mechanisms) cream off about 0.26 per cent of the funds pretty much every year, come rain or come shine.
If the funds take a dive, they get their 0.26 per cent. If the funds have a spike, they get their 0.26 per cent. Performance of the fund really is irrelevant.
In fact, their £600 million was for a net return on investments which was (in percentage return) HALF what it was the year before when they got £477 million.
The trick is for each fund to benchmark their performance against the 100-odd others. That way, as long as everyone else is performing to the same rubbish or great standard, you get paid the same. That's essentially how the game works. 0.26 per cent is not much, you might think.
But the combined total of the UK's council workers' pension fund last year, I was also able to reveal to the BBC, is a staggering £232 billion. That's how they get their payout.
The returns to the council workers' funds by being actively managed by these investment managers simply does not justify the stellar returns being doled out to them.
Without system-wide public sector intervention to save the financial system from collapse, and then the pumping in of £trillions into the markets through quantitative easing, over the last six years these funds would have been left in a parlous situation.
Equity markets and asset prices have soared as a result. It takes simply no skill or expertise to have 'managed' these funds' investments to their current height in such a rising market. Tracker investments would have delivered the same results.
Let's face it, the fund managers are not being paid a fee for performance, they are simply effectively being paid an annual salary with built-in massive annual increases while the council workers, whose money these funds actually are, have suffered pay freezes.
It would be cheaper and more responsible to appoint a few of the world's top investment managers and pay each of them a top salary to oversee a tracker-based system.
Instead, over the last three years, the investment managers have been paid £1.5 billion.
William McChesney Martin Jr. was the longest serving chairman of the US Federal reserve. He is famous for saying that it was the Fed's job "to take away the punch bowl just as the party gets going".
Why do I get the feeling that, just as some of us (including, possibly, the Government) have woken up to the fact that so much wealth is being leached away from these funds, that the investment managers sensed in the air their massive, jewel-encrusted punch bowl (filled with the world's finest and most expensive concoctions) was about to be removed, and that the party was about to stop, so they thought they'd better take a bigger, perhaps last, long cool draught from the bowl of £600 million?
John Clancy is a Labour Birmingham councillor in the Quinton ward

domain: news


About The OUCC
Welcome to the website of the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC).
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact us.
To represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education and creative problem solving.
What We Do
Our job is to give all Indiana consumers a voice when decisions are made that could affect utility rates and services.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) represents the interests of residential, commercial and industrial utility customers in cases before the:
- Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),
- Indiana Court of Appeals, and Indiana Supreme Court
Our attorneys and technical experts are involved in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer matters.
The OUCC and IURC are separate state government agencies, with the IURC designated under Indiana law to make decisions in cases involving regulated public utilities and the OUCC serving as the consumers’ legal and technical representative in those cases. Simply put, the OUCC represents the public and the IURC serves as the impartial fact finder and decision maker in cases that come before it.
For additional information, please see our introductory brochure.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is one of the oldest state agencies of its type in the United States. Created in 1933 by the Indiana General Assembly, the agency was initially the Office of Public Counselor.
In 1981 the General Assembly replaced the Public Counselor's Office with the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. Appointed by the Governor, the Consumer Counselor serves a four-year term.
Since the appointment of Sherman Minton of New Albany in 1933, there have been a total of 24 people serving as the Utility Consumer Counselor from towns and cities throughout the state.
About the Utility Consumer Counselor
William I. Fine was appointed the 24th Utility Consumer Counselor (UCC) for the State of Indiana by Governor Eric Holcomb, effective January 9, 2017. He was reappointed in December 2020 to serve through January 13, 2025. Bill brings 40 plus years of experience as a practicing Indiana attorney to his role as the state’s Utility Consumer Counselor.
Before joining the OUCC, Bill served in the Indiana House of Representatives, representing Munster, Highland, and portions of Hammond and Griffith.
Bill has also served on the Board of Managers for the Lake County Bar Association, the Lake County Election and Voter Registration Board, and the Indiana Public Defender Commission.
Bill oversees a dedicated staff of more than 50 professionals including attorneys, analysts, engineers, and additional employees who represent Indiana’s residential, commercial, and industrial ratepayer interests in state and federal utility regulatory proceedings. He was recently elected Vice President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). He is a member of the Critical Consumer Issues Forum (CCIF) Advisory Committee and served on Indiana’s 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force (2019-22).
A Hammond native, Bill is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington), Purdue University (MA), and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University (BA).


text:
What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Proteinuria
- Mayo Clinic: Secondary Hypertension
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
A high protein content in the kidneys leads to proteinuria, which is an abnormal presence of protein in the urine. Blood passes through the kidneys filtering out any waste products while leaving essential compounds, like proteins. Usually, the majority of proteins are too large to pass through into the urine. However, damage to the kidneys can cause this to happen. Initially, there may not be symptoms of this disease; however, swelling of the feet, hands, abdomen and face can occur, which requires immediate medical attention. Several conditions can cause this.
People with diabetes can develop a high protein content in the kidneys leading to proteinuria. The high blood sugar levels in diabetics can overwork the kidneys, causing them to malfunction, explains the American Diabetes Association. According to Pedro Cortes and Carl Erik Mogensen in their book “The Diabetic Kidney,” people with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop proteinuria 1. They were also more likely to show signs of retinopathy, which is damage to the retina that can lead to blindness. Diabetics should carefully watch sugar intake levels to avoid damage to the kidneys.
- People with diabetes can develop a high protein content in the kidneys leading to proteinuria.
- According to Pedro Cortes and Carl Erik Mogensen in their book “The Diabetic Kidney,” people with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop proteinuria 1.
Symptoms of Bright's Disease
High protein amounts in the kidneys often accompany hypertension in pregnant women, according to the text “ABC of Hypertension.” During pregnancy, a woman will exhibit 300mg/l of protein every 24 hours. This type of secondary hypertension can cause kidney failure, notes MayoClinic.com. Similar to regular hypertension that only affects the blood vessels, secondary hypertension doesn’t have any distinct symptoms, although some may experience headaches.
- High protein amounts in the kidneys often accompany hypertension in pregnant women, according to the text “ABC of Hypertension.”
Kidney inflammation, called nephritis, may be indicative of an infection or an autoimmune disease such as lupus, according to KidsHealth 3. The initial symptom of this condition is high protein levels in the kidneys quantified in the urine. Swelling may also occur due to the kidney’s inability to move fluids out of the body. In advanced cases of nephritis, the high protein content can make the urine appear gel-like, according to Phyllis Balch in her book “Prescription for Herbal Healing. 4”
Symptoms of Bright's Disease
A List of Autoimmune Water Retention Diseases
Kidney Cysts & Diet
Side Effects of the Hamdy Diet
Hepatic Encephalopathy Low-Protein Diet
Sticky Urine & Diabetes
Kidney's Function Related to the Circulatory System of the Human Body
Is a Urine Protein Level of 234.0 High?
Complications of Untreated Type 2 Diabetes
What Are the Causes of a Swollen Kidney?
- “The Diabetic Kidney”; Pedro Cortes and Carl Erik Mogensen; 2006
- “ABC of Hypertension”; D. Gareth Beevers et al.; 2007
- KidsHealth: Kidney Diseases in Childhood
- “Prescription for Herbal Healing”; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Protein in Urine. Reviewed October 2, 2019.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Nephrotic Syndrome in Adults. Updated February 2014.
- Gorriz JL, Martinez-castelao A. Proteinuria: detection and role in native renal disease progression. Transplant Rev (Orlando). 2012;26(1):3-13.
- Zeeuw DD, Remuzzi G, Parving H-H, et al. Proteinuria, a target for renoprotection in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy: Lessons from RENAAL. Kidney International. 2004;65(6):2309-2320. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.00653.x.
Skyler White is an avid writer and anthropologist who has written for numerous publications. As a writing professional since 2005, White's areas of interests include lifestyle, business, medicine, forensics, animals and green living. She has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science in forensic science from Pace University.

domain: medical


text: This is another reason why I respect this man so much. A lot of stars don’t care if they hurt their fans feelings or even care for them. Johnny spends hours outside of premiers just to meet fans and sign their pictures. He’s even said, “The only reason I’m here is because of them. The only reason that I still get jobs is because of those people out there who are hanging out in the street waiting to get something signed or say ‘hi’ and shake your hand. So if they want me to come and say ‘hi’, I am more than happy to say ‘hi’ and I’ll do it for as long as they want me to do it. They’re keeping me alive. They’re keeping my kiddies fed so they’re the boss as far as I’m concerned.” I love this man.

domain: sociology


text:
Beautiful 1940s novelty print set featuring a lovely short sleeve blouse, waist fitted, frontal pockets, frontal covered buttons, and a high-waisted skirt, elasticated waist, with a zip and a hook closure.
Condition: Very good to excellent, one button was replaced by an original 1940s Glass button
Blouse: Shoulders 38cm / Sleeves 34cm / Bust 49cm / Waist 36cm / Hips 44cm / Length 67cm
Skirt: Waist 33cm / Hips 47cm / Length 64cm
Visit my instagram @bazvintage

domain: design


Manchester United and Diogo Dalot have agreed to a new five-year contract.
The Portuguese full-back’s new contract is for a further 5 years with a one-year extension option. 24-year-old Dalot joined Old Trafford from Porto in 2018 and so far has 107 appearances for the Red Devils.
“We are all intensely focused on preparations for the FA Cup final at the moment, and we feel that we are at the beginning of a wonderful adventure as a team,” Dalot stated.
Portuguese international Dalot has appeared in 42 games across all competitions this season and has made 11 appearances for his nation.
After finishing third in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, United will take on rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.
Following a string of impressive showings for Portugal at the Qatar World Cup, United began the works to extend his previous contract last December.
The biggest honour in football, according to Dalot, is to play for Manchester United. “We have had some wonderful times together over the last five years, and I’ve learned so much. My love for this club has only grown since the day I joined.”
“I can promise you that I will devote myself to bettering this squad and making the supporters of this club happy,” he added.


TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo will look for strategic partner countries such as China and South Korea for Indonesia to issue bonds in a bid to attract capital inflows. Not only that, economist Tony Prasetiantono said the president will visit the Middle East to sell sukuk or Islamic bonds.
"For the government bonds (SUN), the value is around US$3 billion to US$10 billion. For the sukuk we don't know the value yet," he said in Jakarta yesterday.
Tony said that the government's plan is the right plan, given how Indonesia is in need of capital inflows after the considerable amount of outflows over the past few months. According to Tony, the plan will be implemented in less than two weeks.
Selling government bonds is a short-term mechanism of attracting foreign funds through capital inflows.
Tony said the global bond issuance is due to meet Indonesia's short-term needs to have a "benchmark" that foreign capitals are coming into Indonesia.
"At this time, all investors choose to place their funds in the United States, but conditions over there will reach a saturation point eventually," he said.
In addition to issuing global bonds, the government will apply medium-term strategies to improve economic conditions. Tony said the government will announce deregulation policies such as tax holidays sometime soon.
"Improving structure through deregulation persists even though the impact will not show immediately," he revealed.


text:
Amtrak celebrated 40 years as "America's Railroad" on Sunday, May 1, 2011, a celebration that continues on National Train Day this Saturday, May 7th.
Transportation will stay in the limelight as the country celebrates National Transportation Week 2011, May 16th through the 22nd. In the meantime, Congress struggles to hammer out a six-year Surface Transportation Authorization bill.
This seems the perfect opportunity to re-think the kind of jobs that would be created supporting green transportation infrastructure projects. And no mode of transportation uses less energy and creates less climate-changing emissions than rail, especially high-speed rail (HSR).
In the United States, passenger rail travel is 20 percent more efficient than airline travel and 30 percent more efficient than automobile travel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's 2010 Transportation Energy Data Book.
Amtrak's 40-year anniversary also marks the end of a year-long trial run of an Amtrak green transportation experiment that uses biodiesel in their passenger line that runs between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, a program Time magazine listed as one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2010."
Amtrak officials recently outlined their five priorities for the next surface transportation bill. At the top of the list is to "provide dedicated, multi-year funding for intercity and high-speed rail."
During his State of the Union speech in January 2011, President Obama announced plans to give 80 percent of Americans HSR within 25 years.
The president also touted the Chinese HSR system.
In the six years since establishing its first high-speed rail line, China has become the world leader in HSR development. By the end of 2010, China had 17 HSR lines totaling about 5,219 miles -- the longest worldwide. And on December 3, 2010, China broke the HSR world speed record by reaching 298.9 miles per hour. China plans to more than double its HSR by 2020. Worldwatch Institute estimates that more than $168 billion in investment will be needed to accomplish that goal, but could create an average of 630,000 jobs per year through 2020.
In FY 2010, Congress appropriated $2.5 billion for high-speed and passenger rail improvements on top of the $8 billion in 2009 stimulus funds. Florida and California were the only two projects nationwide to receive initial federal grant funding under the stimulus for a HSR project.
Ironically, Florida's Governor Rick Scott -- in the wake BP's oil washing up on Florida beaches -- turned down the $2 billion in federal money the state was awarded even though Japan's HSR company was considering investing in the project as well.
Japan has been operating HSR since October 1, 1964 and announced in February 2011 it will build a $64 billion "maglev" rail line -- to be the fastest train the world -- linking Tokyo and Nagoya at speeds up 310 miles per hour.
South Korea also plans to upgrade its HSR by 2020 to drastically reduce the time it takes to travel between the country's major cities of Seoul, Busan and Daegu. The project will increase the number of high-speed lines within Korea from 230 miles to 1,648 miles by 2020.
The number of jobs these projects will create is staggering. But HSR is not the only green transportation options to consider.
President Obama must understand the benefits of such green transportation projects. After all, he promoted the use of green transportation and alternative fuels to lessen America's dependence on foreign oil on April 1, 2011 when he rolled-out the "National Clean Fleets Partnership."
That partnership is billed as a call to action for private sector transportation fleets to reduce diesel and gasoline use by switching to alternative fuels such as electric, natural gas, biodiesel and hydrogen. In turn, the companies receive technical assistance from the Department of Energy on research and development regarding DOE's "Clean Cities" initiative.
Looking at green transportation trends in Asia again raises the bar.
China invested $1.3 billion in its electric vehicle industry in 2010 alone, according to Worldwatch which estimates that "if the government continues to prioritize alternative fuel vehicles through 2020, domestic production of these vehicles could reach 16.6 million -- 15 percent of total vehicle production -- and create an average of 1.2 million jobs annually."
Upgrading the infrastructure for more high-speed rail, and transitioning America's private and commercial vehicles to a "green fuel," should be just the start of a total make-over on the level of the National Interstate Highway System project authorized in 1956. The initial cost estimate for that project was $25 billion over 12 years, but ended up costing $114 billion (roughly $500 billion in today's dollars) over 35 years.
The jobs that could be created by such a vision focused on green transportation are worth noting as Congress considers a new transportation bill.


text:
Winter roads play a pivotal role in sustaining remote communities that face unique challenges in maintaining their supply chains throughout the year. These communities contend with harsh weather conditions, geographical isolation, and limited infrastructure, making winter roads indispensable during the cold winter months.
Harsh climates and vast distances create obstacles to conventional transportation networks. However, with the cold winter, frozen lakes and rivers can transform into temporary highways, connecting these isolated regions to the rest of the world. They become crucial lifelines, enabling the movement of goods to areas inaccessible by conventional means. According to Spectacular Northwest Territories, nearly 2,000 kilometres of icy highways are carved through terrain impassable in the summertime.
The importance of winter roads extends far beyond mere convenience; it’s what communities need to survive and thrive. Whether it’s food, medical supplies, fuel, or other necessities, the reliability of winter roads directly impacts the well-being and livelihoods of people in these remote regions. Businesses rely on winter roads to access markets, replenish inventory, and sustain operations. Numerous industries depend on these frozen pathways for survival, from mining and forestry to tourism and indigenous enterprises.
Winter roads are indispensable arteries that Manitoulin Transport accesses to help sustain the livelihood of remote communities by servicing its customers. For more information on our services, please contact us at [email protected]

domain: geography


text:
CHADS mission is to save young lives by advancing the awareness and prevention of depression and suicide. Learn more about CHADS here. Learn about how your donation will help below. Contributions to CHADS may be tax deductible.
DONATE NOW online!
Become an Illuminator: Get up close and personal with CHADS' mission by joining our group of committed supporters. For more information, click here.
Donate via mail: Send donations to
P.O. Box 510528
Saint Louis, MO 63151
make checks payable to CHADS Coalition for Mental Health
Did you know:
- 1 out of 8 teenagers have clinical depression.
- We lose more youth to suicide than the top 6 causes of medical deaths combined.
- Half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.
- Many youth will begin to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol resulting in dual diagnosis of substance abuse and depression.
- The earlier depression is treated, the better the chance for a recovery.
- In spite of the number of youth that have depression or that will die by suicide, just a sliver of our national research budget is dedicated to study children with early onset mood disorders.
How will your donation make a difference in the life of a child?:
- $10 will cover one student that was bullied to be included in CHADS support group services for 30 min.
- $25 will cover the cost of the CHADS office utilities for two weeks.
- $50 will cover the cost of a student that is bullying to have 30 min. of one on one CHADS mentoring.
- $100 will cover the cost of one hour of family support for a parent that has a child dealing with mental health issues.
- $200 will cover the cost of a Signs Of Suicide presentation for group of middle, high school or college students.
- $500 will cover the cost of one child’s MRI for CHADS funded research by Dr Luby. Dr. Luby’s research has developed a novel kind of parent-child play therapy used to treat preschool age children diagnosed with depression. This therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in both observed reduction of symptoms and in before and after brain imaging, indicating that the therapy may be changing the way the child’s brain functions.
- Priceless: the value of one life saved from the fatal outcome of mental illness-suicide.


text:
After singing the title track of ‘Rang De Basanti’ in 2006, Daler Mehndi is back again with music maestro AR Rahman.
There is probably no need to tell anyone about how powerful the singer Daler Mehndi is today. Any kind of song you give them, they will take it up a notch and put so much energy in it that the song becomes different in itself. Even he does not shy away from the matter of which genre and in which language the song is. He has completed 25 years in this industry. One of his conditions for singing the song is that he still lies down for a while before agreeing to lend his voice to the track.
He took his voice and said that, ‘I try not to sing those who have a bad effect on our young generation. I have my own style and people call me for that. The secret of my energy is that I do not consume any kind of intoxicant, it is all pure and not artificial. I don’t drink, not even any cold drink.’ Recently, Daler Mehndi sang the song ‘Garda Uda Diya’ from Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush’s film ‘Atrangi Re’.
Had a blast again with AR Rahman
After singing the title track of ‘Rang De Basanti’ in 2006, he is back again with music maestro AR Rahman. He said, ‘We have done a blast again. I was called by AR Rahman sahab when the film was made. Rahman sahib said, ‘There is only one man in my mind’ after that we talked on video call and then I went to Chennai to record the song. This song is breaking many records ever since it was released.
I don’t pay much attention to numbers
Daler Mehndi has seen a lot of changes in the industry since his foray into singing. The latest thing is that nowadays if a song is recorded and released, then more attention is paid to its online numbers. He tells that he is not too worried about it. He has to say about this, ‘I never paid attention to the number. The people for whom this is done, I have broken records, so they are also happy. It is always a pleasure to see how many people are reacting to your songs. However, on the very first day of the release of ‘Garda Uda Diya’, I got 3 thousand comments. It feels good that we are giving pure music to our listeners and not just remixes.

domain: artistic


text:
Steve Azar "The Sky is Falling" Deals With a Difficult Subject Masterfully
Human trafficking IS happening here. In the US. In our communities. We can ALL do something. We can ALL use our time, talents, resources, and gifts to combat human trafficking right now, right where we live. This song was created by:
ONE inspired and compassionate woman in South Dakota, Pat Lloyd, who made a decision to do something impactful;?
ONE national recording artist, Steve Azar, who took on writing, singing, and producing a powerful song to inspire a movement, raise awareness, and bring hope to the hopeless;
ONE 15-year-old singer, Sophie Young, who makes her singing debut as Steve Azar’s duet partner in this song;
ONE Detective Sergeant in South Portland, Maine, Steve Webster, who has experienced first hand the challenges in getting victims off the streets and into safe environments for healing and recovery, and who was instrumental in producing the video and keeping the talent involved well connected;
“The Sky is Falling (Patti Jo’s Prayer)” explores the emotional truth of the matter but ends on a triumphant note of survival.
The Sky is Falling
Released: January, 2015
1. The Sky is Falling 4:10
Item #: Digital-The Sky is Falling


text:
Luis Suarez has given a glowing praise of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and says he prefers him to Kylian Mbappe – even if it is close.
Already with plenty of experience under their belts but with many more years ahead of them than behind, the Dortmund and PSG attackers could be the faces of their generation.
The pair have both been linked with Premier League moves, even though they are already at big clubs. For example, Haaland is a top target for Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Liverpool have also been linked, but their attention seems more fixated towards Mbappe. The Frenchman’s contract with PSG expires in little over a year’s time.
Now, a former Liverpool striker has had his say on which player he prefers. Luis Suarez – now with Atletico Madrid – has revealed his admiration of Haaland.
“He is a great player and he is at a spectacular level,” Suarez told Gerard Romero in an interview (via Football Espana).
“He has an admirable physical power and he is one of the best No.9s in the world and he will mark an era.
“I prefer Haaland a little more, but Mbappe is at a very high level.”
Montero: Real want Haaland, Mbappe next summer
Spanish football journalist Alvaro Montero believes Real Madrid will pursue deals for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe next summer, amid speculation over Mohamed Salah's future.
Of course, Suarez knows all about what it takes to be a top-level striker. The 34-year-old has scored more than 400 goals across his professional career – including 82 for Liverpool.
Haaland drops future hint
Meanwhile, Haaland himself has been speaking about links with Europe’s biggest clubs.
The subject of his future was the hot topic when Haaland reported for international duty.
While the striker has given little away, he was asked what it would take to prise him away from Dortmund.
“They must want me,” he told VG when asked about the possibility of changing clubs.


text:
VIDEO: First Look - LUCY HALE Debuts Video for New Single 'You Sound Good To Me'
'Pretty Little Liars' star Lucy Hale appeared on Sirius XM from Music City Theater in Nashville yesterday to premiere her new single "You Sound Good To Me" and other songs from her highly anticipated country album to a live audience and via satellite on The Highway, channel 59. Check out the video for the new single below!
"You Sound Good To Me," written by top tunesmiths Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, is the actress and singer's first single and is now available for download at iTunes and Amazon.In the weeks following the premiere of "You Sound Good To Me," fans will have the opportunity to get to know Lucy through exclusive interviews, performance videos and behind-the-scenes footage on a dedicated page across VEVO's apps,VEVO.com and syndication partner web sites. Declared an Artist to Watch in 2014 by Shazam and the first USA Today On The Verge pick of the new year, the Memphis born-and-raised 24-year old singer and actress first started singing along with the radio to her favorite Martina McBride, Faith Hill and Shania Twain songs. While Lucy Hale made her mark early on as an actress, best known for her role on the hit ABC Family drama Pretty Little Liars, she is eager to share her longtime love for music, with her country debut album due this year on DMG Nashville/Bigger Picture Group.

domain: entertainment


text:
(Cushing) - Three people were arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with the discovery of a meth lab in Cushing. Cushing Police Chief Terry Brannon issued a statement via Nixle describing what happened Tuesday... Read More.
This afternoon, Cushing police went to a residence in the 1200 blk E. Greenlee Street, to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. While police were at the residence, they encountered a person coming out... Read More.
(Cushing) - The Payne County Sheriff's Department and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics And Dangerous Drugs is investigating what is believed to be thge remnants of a methamphetamine lab. The disocivery was reported to... Read More.
(Cushing) - Cushing Police continue the investigation into the discovery of what is believed to be working meth labs in Cushing. Police Chief Terry Brannon released a statement about the investigation Friday morning. ... Read More.


Nuclear submarines do have the capability to answer one of Australia’s “great strategic challenges” but there are a lot of impediments.
Retired Rear Admiral and Naval historian James Goldrick told Sky News while nuclear submarines have the ability to “go much faster for much longer” than diesel electric subs, which solves Australia’s “tyranny of distance,” there are two major roadblocks.
Despite arguments which suggest a potential for a nuclear submarine program in collaboration with other countries including France, it would be “very expensive,” he said.
“Nuclear submarines cost a great deal more than diesel submarines”.
Rear Admiral Goldrick also said there was an issue in terms of “opportunity cost” when it comes to a nuclear submarine program in Australia.
“What could you do with the resources that your putting into nuclear boats that you could use to do other things for defence.”


text:
compiled by Janice Sanford
1. On January 17, 1938, the New York Times reported the official formation of the Euthanasia Society of America.(22) Within a year, the organization was ready to offer a proposal that would legalize "the termination of human life by painless means for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary suffering." According to Charles Nixdorff, the society's treasurer, the measure was limited to voluntary euthanasia because public opinion was not yet ready to accept a broad scope encompassing infants and incompetents. However, the article noted that the society "hoped eventually to legalize the putting to death of non-volunteers beyond the help of medical science."(23) Dr. Foster Kennedy, the euthanasia society's president declared that euthanasia was "needed mainly for defectives." He urged the "legalizing of euthanasia primarily in cases of born defectives who are doomed to remain defective, rather than for normal persons who have become miserable through incurable illness." (24)
2. The following year, Dr. Kennedy came up with a plan for child euthanasia. In an American Journal of Psychiatry article, he wrote: "I believe when the defective child shall have reached the age of five years — and on the application of his guardians — that the case should be considered under law by a competent medical board…" If careful board examination determined that the child was considered to have "no future or hope of one," he continued, "then I believe it is a merciful and kindly thing to relieve that defective — often tortured and convulsed, grotesque and absurd, useless and foolish, and entirely undesirable — of the agony of living."(26)
3. In 1999, Peter Singer, a former professor at Australia's Monash University, became the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at the Princeton University Center for Human Values. At Princeton, Singer is molding and shaping the views of future leaders in medicine, law, education and business.
Singer's appointment was met with shock and dismay by those who were aware of his views. He is an outspoken advocate of infanticide and euthanasia. In a 1983 article, Singer negatively compared the value of a handicapped newborn with that of a pig:
If we compare a severely defective human infant with a nonhuman animal, a dog or a pig, for example, we will often find the nonhuman to have superior capacities, both actual and potential, for rationality, self-consciousness, communication, and anything else that can plausibly be considered morally significant. Only the fact that the defective infant is a member of the species Homo sapiens leads it to be treated differently from the dog or pig. Species alone, however, is not morally relevant.(37)
NOTE:I think that's enough to give you an idea of the mindset of those pushing euthanasia and assisted suicide. And everyone who reads this board knows that George Felos is a member of Choice in Dying. Right?
NOTE: Felos was already a member of choice in dying- when he handled the Estelle browning case in 1988..
NOTE: In 1991, the Euthanasia Society of America became known as Choice in Dying.
4. On November 19, 1985, a competent Estelle Browning executed a declaration that provides, in part:
If at any time I should have a terminal condition and if my attending physician has determined that there can be no recovery from such condition and that my death is imminent, I direct that life-prolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn when the application of such procedures would serve only to prolong artificially the process of dying. At eighty-six years of age, Mrs. Browning suffered a stroke. She was admitted to the hospital on November 9, 1986, where her treating physician diagnosed a massive hemorrhage in the left parietal region of the brain, the portion that controls cognition. Because Mrs. Browning was unable to swallow, she underwent a gastrostomy on November 20 during which a feeding tube was inserted directly into her stomach.
In addition, Mrs. Browning stipulated that she desired not to have "nutrition and hydration (food and water) provided by gastric tube or intravenously." [FN2]
5. Nearly two years after Mrs. Browning suffered her stroke, the guardian filed a petition in circuit court to terminate the nasogastric feeding based upon Mrs. Browning's living will. At the evidentiary hearing, the guardian presented additional evidence of Mrs. Browning's wishes. The evidence reflected that a
predecessor living will, written in 1980, contained the same provisions for rejection of medical treatment at issue as the one presently before the Court.
Believing that the death of a witness to the 1980 will might have rendered the will invalid, she executed the 1985 document. Neighbors also testified that Mrs.Browning had expressed her wishes orally in this regard several times. Mrs. Rose Kings, a close personal friend of Mrs. Browning since 1965, witnessed Mrs. Browning execute the 1985 document. She testified that Mrs. Browning signed the declaration about two days after visiting patients in a nursing home and had said, " 'Oh Lord, I
hope this never happens to me ... thank God I've got this taken care of. I can go in peace when my time comes.' " Mrs. Kings' husband added that Mrs. Browning had a friend in the hospital on life- support and remarked that she " 'never want[ed] to be that way.' "
6. Dr. James Barnhill, a neurologist, described Mrs. Browning as noncommunicative and essentially existing only by virtue of fluid and nutrition supplied by the feeding tube. Dr. Barnhill opined that she was in a persistent vegetative state, which he defined as the absence of cognitive behavior and inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.
7. The trial court found that Mrs. Browning could continue to live for an indeterminate time with artificial sustenance but that death would result within four to nine days without it. Construing Florida's "Life-Prolonging Procedure Act," sections 765.01-.15, Florida Statutes (1987), the trial court concluded that
death was not imminent, and it denied the petition.
NOTE: George's father,James G. Felos, was Mrs. Browning's guardian so I would think he handled this part of Browning.
Where was I? Oh, yes. I was talking about the connection between Felos and choice in dying. And Mary Labyak's hospice originally being named for Elisabeth Kubler-Ross [a proponent of humanizin death-whatever that means]. Has anyone got anything to add, before I continue.........? (smiling)
NOTE: Most of the same main player in the Browning case were involved in the terri schiavo case. Wasn't choice in dying involved in schiavo too
Dr. James Avery
Dr. James Barnhill
George J. Felos
Choice in dying
NOTE: Both, the browning and schiavo cases, just happened to take place in Pinellas county, Florida. just happened duh duh
8. This is an interesting letter written by George felos on March 29, 1991. Gives one a little insight into what happens on down the road a little:
9. State law allows patients to refuse food and water only if they are competent and are terminally ill. Doctors testified that Mrs. Browning was never terminally ill, although they said she could not speak and had difficulty moving. They said removing the feeding tubes would end her life.
10. In March Judge Thomas E. Penick Jr. denied Ms. Herbert's request to disconnect Mrs. Browning's life support. But in April the 2d District Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that Ms. Herbert, as Mrs. Browning's legal guardian, had the right to order the removal of the feeding tubes.
NOTE: Judge Thomas E. Penick Jr. -Another player in the Terri Schiavo case
NOTE: in the Estelle Browning case Choice in Dying was called Society for the Right to Die:
NOTE: Something to remember as you search for the truth behind the cases.....
11. Deciding whether ambiguous signs of wakeful life indicate consciousness
is beyond the power of medicine, at least at this time,
and possibly in principle. Thus, in cases where wakefulness is evident
(as it is for PVS patients), there is good reason to be very
cautious about assuming that conscious life is extinguished.
Notes of interest:
A. "One will need to live with individuals' deciding with consenting others when to end their lives, not because such is good, but because one does not have the authority coercively to stop individuals from acting together in such ways. In a secular, pluralist society one will need to accept euthanasia by default."
"Fashioning an Ethic for Life and Death in a Post-Modern Society," the Hastings Center Report, 1989
B. Jack Kevorkian, MD, a retired pathologist also known as 'Dr. Death' who has aided over 130 people in ending their lives, stated the following in a 1990 interview with Cornerstone magazine:
"I believe there are people who are healthy and mentally competent enough to decide on suicide. People who are not depressed. Everyone has a right for suicide, because a person has a right to determine what will or will not be done to his body. There’s no place for people to turn today who really want to commit suicide. Teenagers, and the elderly especially, have nowhere to turn. But when they come to me, they will obey what I say because they know they’re talking to an honest doctor."
NOTE: These notes are to give the reader an insight into the mindset of those seeking to force death on the disabled and the mentally depressed- at the time Terri Schiavo collapsed.
12. Terri Schiavo collapsed 24 or 25[both dates can be found on different Schiavo case documents] of February 1990.
NOTE: She lived in various nursing home, as a disabled woman who was not terminal. Whose only care needs were the same as other brain injured patients who are unable to care for themselves.
13. Ronald Cranford is a featured speaker at the 1992 national conference of the Hemlock Society. The group recently changed its name to End of Life Choices. Cranford is a member of the board of directors of the Choice in Dying Society, which promotes doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Here we see Ronald Cranford and George Felos had something in common. They both have/had ties to to Choice in Dying.
NOTE: I say "had" because Ronald Cranford, like Jim King died from cancer.
14. We have for review In re Guardianship of Browning, 543 So.2d 258 (Fla. 2d DCA
1989), in which the district court certified the following question as one of great
Whether the guardian of a patient who is incompetent but not in a permanent
vegetative state and who suffers from an incurable, but not terminal condition, may
exercise the patient's right of self-determination to forego sustenance provided
artificially by a nasogastric tube?
15. Mrs. Estelle Browning died naturally before Felos appealed the lower court's decision.....(am I right so far George?)...with her feeding tube still in place.
16. We have previously held that competent and incompetent persons have the right
to determine for themselves the course of their medical treatment. Today we hold
that, without prior judicial approval, a surrogate or proxy, as provided here, may
exercise the constitutional right of privacy for one who has become incompetent and
who, while competent, expressed his or her wishes orally or in writing. We also
determine that there is no legal distinction between gastrostomy or nasogastric
feeding and any other means of life support. This case resolves a question of an
individual's constitutional right of self- determination. We are hopeful that this
decision will encourage those who want their wishes to be followed to express their
wishes clearly and completely.
NOTE: It is apparent, at this point, who should get the credit for feeding tubes getting on the life-support list: George James Felos.
NOTE: It should also be apparent that felos needed a "test" case. He needed an incompetent person, not terminal, who depended on a feeding tube for food and water..... It took a few years......to find just the right test case but, around 1995.... he found just the case. right George?
13 A I did not wait. I met you in the
14 beginning of 1996, I believe. I was talking to
15 another attorney.
16 Q Well, okay. I have to caution you not
17 to testify as to any communication you might have
18 with your attorney because of attorney/client
19 privilege. Let me ask it this way. Did you seek
20 to put into motion your decision to remove the
21 feeding tube before the petition was filed in May
22 of 1988 (sic)?
Direct testimony of mike by felos
[note: Nana posted this on my forum on Nov 30, 2006. Thanks Nana]
NOTE: As you can see, Felos' adrenalin is really working over time-he is so excited he use browning case year, as year mike filed to have Terri's feeding tube remove.........
NOTE: Wasn't it Deborah Bushnell [that's not married name, I don't think] who introduced mike to George felos?
23 THE COURT: You keep saying '88.
24 MR. FELOS:'98. Thank you.
25 Your Honor.
1 Q (By Mr. Felos) When did you make the
2 decision and start putting it in motion?
3 A In 1995. End of 1995.
19. February 13, 1997 - Mary Labyak, The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, Inc., files Annual Report, replacing Rev. Barry R. Howe with George J. Felos. http://justiceforterrischiavo.us/1997.h6.jpg
20. March 5, 1997 - Michael hires George Felos, a Florida right-to-die attorney. Michael signs giving Felos the authority "to represent him in connection with the withdrawal and/or refusal of medical treatments."One of the first things Felos did was have the finances sealed.[Mark Fuhrman, Silent Witness, page 135]
21. May 06, 1997 - Letter from Deborah A. Bushnell, attorney for Michael Schiavo, to Judge Shames, Re: Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo http://justiceforterrischiavo.us/1997.h2.jpg
22. May 11, 1998 - Michael Schiavo filed a petition to discontinue Terri's feeding tube.
23. The petition proceeded under the constitutional guidelines enunciated in In re Guardianship of Browing, 568 So.2d 4 (Fla. 1990). App.1, Page 5.
The District Court of Appeals found that there was an apparent conflict of interest between Schiavo and Terri. Nevertheless, the Court did not believe that a guardian ad litem had to be appointed to represent her at trial. It felt that "in essence" the trial court acted as both the guardian ad litem and the surrogate of Terri. The Court further found that while a societal values expert offered little in the way of relevant testimony, the consideration of that testimony was not reversible error. After reviewing the medical evidence as to Terri's condition, it felt that the trial court considered the appropriate standard in reaching its conclusion.
Indeed, the District Court's decision expressly stated that the case was being decided "under the constitutional guidelines enunciated in In re Guardianship of Browning, 568 So.2d 4 (Fla. 1990)."
The District Court's decision was fundamentally different that the position that the Florida Legislature takes when conflicts between wards and guardians are at issue.[744.391, 744.309, 744.446, 744.474, 744.3215, 744.3715 Fla. Stat.(2001)
By accepting the opinion of a societal values expert who never met Terri who testified that Terri wanted to die because of things she might or might not have said in her everyday living, before her collapse, the court encourages other courts to accept hearsay evidence in other cases where the patient has no written directive.
The District Court decision, by asking Judge George Greer to wear multiple hats in the court room, moved away from its own decision in Browning.
Browning envisioned two situations:
One where the guardian first brings the issue to the court and
another where a decision to withdraw life support is brought before a court by others.
In both instances, the Greer Court was to act as a traditional fact finder.
The District Court, in the Terri Schiavo case, changed that.
24. April 16, 1999 -(12) "Persistent vegetative state" means a permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there is:
(a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind.
(b) An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment....
(17) "TERMINAL CONDITION" means:
a condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which there is no reasonable medical probability of recovery and which, without treatment, can be expected to cause death....
In order to ensure that the rights and intentions of a person may be respected even after he or she is no longer able to participate actively in decisions concerning himself or herself, and to encourage communication among such patient, his or her family, and his or her physician, the Legislature declares that the laws of this state recognize the right of a competent adult to make an advance directive instructing his or her physician to provide, withhold, or withdraw life-prolonging procedures, or to designate another to make the treatment decision for him or her in event that such person should become **incapacitated and unable to personally direct his or her medical care....
NOTE: June 18, 1990 - Judge Robert F. Michael signs an order determining that Theresa Schiavo is totally incapacitated, and appoints Michael Schiavo "plenary guardian."
The petition proceeded under the constitutional guidelines enunciated in In re Guardianship of Browning, 568 So.2d 4 (Fla. 1990). App.1, Page 5.
25. February 13, 2000 - Dr. James Avery "accompanied Robert and Mary Schindler. on a visit to Theresa Marie Schiavo, their daughter at the Palm Gardens Nursing Home in Largo, Florida. I observed Mrs. Schiavo interact with her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, for a period of approximately thirty (30) minutes. No physical examination was performed. Mrs. Schiavo seemed to respond to her mother's touch and verbal stimuli. The responses were basically of three(3) distinct types: a turning of the head toward the source, a change in facial expression, and guttural noises.... under the circumstances, a swallowing study or pudding food challenge is warranted...
NOTE:I had to put Dr. Avery's affidavit here...for the mire fact that he was one of the Dr. in the Estelle Browning case .
NOTE: this is felos arguement in browning-note he mis-spells Dr.Avery's last name.I know this is true because it's spelled correctly on other court documents in browing.
See I mis-spelled Browning by accident, in last post. But got it right the first time. That's called a mistake. But George's document never corrects the mistake in the spelling of Avery.
26. January 24, 2000 - Terri's life is on trial in Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer's Courtroom. http://www.geocities.com/purple_kangaroo_angela/1990-1991/Michael24jan2000guardianship-p1-89.txt
27. February 11, 2000 - Judge Greer ordered the removal of Theresa Marie Schiavo's feeding tube.
28. March 3, 2000 - Terri is admitted to Woodside Hospice but won't be moved there until later.
29. April 10, 2000 - Michael Schiavo moved Terri from Palm Gardens Nursing Home to the Woodside Hospice Facility. In an emergency hearing, Judge Greer denied a request by Attorney Campbell to return Terri to Palm Gardens Nursing Home.
30. 2000- March 24 – Judge George W. Greer ordered and Adjudged as follows:
As to visitation with Theresa Schiavo, any person related by blood or marriage to the Ward are permitted to visit the Ward at Palm Garden of Largo Nursing Home at any time. Any persons on the stipulated visitor’s list are permitted to visit the Ward at Palm Garden of Largo Nursing Home if accompanied by a relative of the Ward. However, no visitation shall ever consist of more than six persons at any given time. These terms shall remain in effect until and unless modified in writing by the Court or by stipulation of the parties.
The Respondents, Robert Schindler,Jr., andSuzanne Carr, are prohibited from photographing, taking videos, or taking any other like pictorial representations of the Ward, or causing same to be taken by other persons, without prior approval of this Court. The Respondents, Robert Schindler, Jr., and Suzanne Carr are further prohibited from causing the Ward to be examined by any physician without prior approval of this Court. The parties have the right to seek Court modification of these terms in the future should they desire to do so.
The Petitioner is hereby granted the authority to hire a security guard for the protection of the Ward in a time and manner of his discretion, so long as the security guard in no way hinders or interferes with visitation between the persons set forth in Paragraph 1 above and Theresa Schiavo. The Petitioner is also granted the authority to hire a security guard for his own person, should he choose to do so. The costs associated with hiring security personnel as set forth herein shall be borne by the Guardianship of Theresa Schiavo.
31. 2000- March 24 – Judge George W. Greer ordered and Adjudged as follows:
As to visitation with Theresa Schiavo, any person related by blood or marriage to the Ward are permitted to visit the Ward at Palm Garden of Largo Nursing Home at any time.
32. But- Terri Schiavo had already been admitted to Woodside Hospice When Judge Greer signed that order.
33. March 3, 2000 - Terri is admitted to Woodside Hospice but won't be moved there until later.

domain: law


text:
With Jeff Baker on DL, Cubs turn to homegrown DJ LeMahieu
By TONI GINNETTI email@example.com May 30, 2011 7:26PM
Updated: July 7, 2011 3:31PM
More than half the Cubs’ roster is now homegrown, including the latest arrival, infielder DJ LeMahieu from Class AA Tennessee. On Monday, he took the place of Jeff Baker, who was put on the disabled list after trying to pinch-hit Saturday despite a nagging groin injury.
‘‘I wanted to see Bake the other day, and I didn’t think he looked comfortable,’’ manager Mike Quade said. ‘‘I think it’s the best thing to just get him healthy.’’
LeMahieu, 22, drafted in the second round in 2009 out of LSU, is the 15th player on the roster from the Cubs’ system. He was hitting .358 with 15 doubles, two triples, two homers and 27 RBI in 50 games in Class AA. He pinch-hit in the eighth inning Monday, grounding into a double play.
“My coach first said you’re going to [Class AAA] Iowa, and I was really excited,’’ LeMahieu said. ‘‘A couple hours later . . . [minor-league director] Oneri Fleita called and said, ‘Change of plans. You’re going to Chicago.’ I said, ‘Have I been traded?’ He said, Ever hear of a Wrigley Field?’ ’’
Right-hander Matt Garza (bruised right elbow) threw on flat ground from 90 feet on Monday and could pitch off a mound Wednesday. Quade wasn’t ruling out a start Sunday in St. Louis.
† Rookie Tony Campana celebrated his 25th birthday with four stolen bases, including two in the second inning Monday, making him the first Cub to steal twice in one inning since Alfonso Soriano did it on Aug. 25, 2008. Campana also stole second in the third inning and third in the fifth. His four steals were the first for a Cub since Juan Pierre stole four on June 15, 2006.


National Women's Soccer League 2023: Check how to watch, list of all teams and upcoming matches this week
As the premier women's soccer league in the United States, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draws some of the most skilled footballers from all corners of the world.
How to watch NWSL?To watch NWSL games live, viewers can tune into the CBS network, which includes CBS Sports, Paramount+, and TSN+. All 176 matches of the 2023 season will be broadcasted by CBS on its multi-platform network, making the games easily accessible online and on television. Additionally, NWSL highlights can be found on the NWSL YouTube channel and Paramount+.
NWSL matches this weekThis week, several exciting matches from the 2023 NWSL season are available to watch on TV and stream online.
The action begins on March 25 with the match between North Carolina Courage and Kansas City Current, airing live on Paramount+. The game will be followed by San Diego Wave versus Chicago Red Stars, which will be shown on CBSSN at 10 pm ET.
On March 26, viewers can enjoy four live-streamed matches on Paramount+: Washington Spirit versus OL Reign at 4 pm ET, Portland Thorns versus Orlando Pride at 5 pm ET, Houston Dash versus Racing Louisville at 7 pm ET, and Angel City versus NJ/NY Gotham at 9 pm ET. Additionally, the Portland Thorns versus Orlando Pride game will also be available to watch on TSN+.
NWSL: List of all teamsThe NWSL comprises 12 teams that will compete in the 2023 season, with each team representing a different city in the United States. The teams and their respective locations are as follows:
- Angel City FC - Los Angeles, California
- Chicago Red Stars - Bridgeview, Illinois
- Houston Dash - Houston, Texas
- Kansas City Current - Kansas City, Kansas
- NJ/NY Gotham FC - Harrison, New Jersey
- North Carolina Courage - Cary, North Carolina
- OL Reign - Seattle, Washington
- Orlando Pride - Orlando, Florida
- Portland Thorns - Portland, Oregon
- Racing Louisville FC - Louisville, Kentucky
- San Diego Wave FC - San Diego, California
- Washington Spirit - Washington D.C.
- Who won NWSL 2022?
Portland Thorns FC
- When was the National Women's Soccer League founded?


text:
Team StarKid, the remarkably popular Chicago-based theater company known for its Internet-based musical parodies, is embarking on a second national tour.
Dubbed "Apocalyptour," the new "all ages" (by necessity, given the youth of the core StarKids demographic) show will launch at the House of Blues in Chicago on May 9 and play 21 cities between then and June 10, when it culminates at the
Cities on the tour include
The new live show will feature a score by Darren Criss (who will not appear in person) and include "greatest hits and upcoming releases" from a variety of StarKids musicals. Team Starkid's first tour was a huge hit, selling out many dates.


Ahmed El Mohamady scored in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Reading in the English Championship outing on Saturday.
The Egypt midfielder opened the scoring in the 51st minute, after being picked out by Anwar El-Ghazi, to mark his second goal this term.
Josh Sims was fouled in the penalty area in the stoppage time and Sam Baldock fired the ball past the goalkeeper Oerjan Haaskjold Nyland to salvage a point for Paul Clement’s charges.
El Mohamady played the full duration, while Jonathan Kodjia who netted twice during the week was replaced by Neil Taylor in the 90th minute. Ghana’s Albert Adomah came on for El-Ghazi in the 67th minute.
Gambia’s Modou Barrow was substituted for Cote d’Ivoire’s Yakou Meite and Nigeria’s Sone Aluko left the stage for Sims in the 46th and 67th minute respectively for Clement’s side.
Villa are placed fourth in the table having accumulated nine points from five matches.
Bruce’s men will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in the English second division when they trade tackles with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on September 1.


text:
FORMER CARPATHIAN FOREST GUITARISTS ANNOUNCE DRUMMER FOR NEW PROJECT, THE 3RD ATTEMPT
With the band’s debut live appearance coming up at Blastfest in February, it was announced today that Tybalt (FORTID, ETHEREAL FOREST, DEN SAAKALDTE, ex- HEATHEN DEITY, ex-PANTHEON I) will be joining THE 3rd ATTEMPT on drums. Tybalt originally came on board as a session drummer for the Blastfest appearance, but after taking part in rehearsals, it was decided that he would join the band on a full-time basis.
Formed last year by former CARPATHIAN FOREST guitarists Tchort (GREEN CARNATION, ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST, ex EMPEROR, ex BLOOD RED THRONE) and BloodPervertor (ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST, APOSTASY, ex NEONGOD), THE 3rd ATTEMPT also recently announced their new frontman, former MIDNATTSVREDE and NECROCAVE vocalist Kaahrl Ødemark, who was selected following online auditions that drew in submissions from applicants from all over the world.
The decision by the two guitarists to leave CARPATHIAN FOREST came as a shock to many fans, who had seen the recent re-emergence one of Black Metal’s most iconic bands on the live circuit as a sign of things to come. But, as Tchort recently explained, the desire of the two musicians to explore new horizons and work within an environment that re-ignited the creativity and enthusiasm that they no longer felt within the confines of their former band, made it clear to them that it would be better for everyone, including CARPATHIAN FOREST who would benefit from an injection of new blood, if they were to forge a new path for themselves.
The band’s appearance at Blastfest, in Bergen, Norway, will take place on the 18th February on board the boat “Showline” which will take fans on a 5 hour cruise of Bergen’s spectacular fjord, and which kicks off the 4 day festival.
Currently mulling over several approaches from record labels, THE 3rd ATTEMPT recently debuted a demo track “The Beast Within”, which also features CARPATHIAN FOREST’s Daniel Vrangsinn on bass and Anders Kobro on drums. “The Beast Within” can be heard here:
More information about THE 3rd ATTEMPT can be found on the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/the3rdattemptofficial
If you really would like to support Antichrist, you can just Share our article.
You can also support Antichrist by sending a couple bucks to cover some webhosting expenses. =>> PayPal


text:
|Israel-Taiwan life sciences conference|
A recent conference in Tel Aviv brought together scientists from Taiwan and Israel in an effort to strengthen bilateral co-operation in life sciences.
The 2nd Bilateral IsraelTaiwan Life Sciences Conference, titled “From Basic to Translational Research in Life Sciences”, was held 7-9 June at Israel’s Tel Aviv University (TAU).
Leading scientists from both sides presented their latest work at the conference. According to Israel’s representative office in Taiwan, this was the largest science event between the two countries to take place in Israel.
Eighteen speakers and poster presenters from Taiwan, as well as other speakers and research students from Israel, attended the conference.Please login or register to see the full article


- Genealogical Adam and Eve 13/12/2019
- I learn how to manipulate the masses (in 1963) 10/12/2019
- Murdering opinions 02/12/2019
- You can’t exclude human influence from science 27/11/2019
- “Alexa, what is the real cost of your switching on my lights?” 25/11/2019
Daily Archives: 31/08/2012
E O Wilson is interviewed in the Guardian about his recent work on group selection. He says some uncharitable things about his detractor Richard Dawkins’ status as a scientist, which hasn’t stopped the BBC booking the latter in for their Life Scientific series on Radio 4. A trailer for that suggests that Dawkins’ post-scientific interests will be over-represented, which is a shame because it’s been a good series hitherto. But I want to range wider than Dawkins or Wilson, and wider than controversies in evolutionary theory too (except to note in passing that they are alive and well in the Guardian).


text:
This post was originally published on this site
AVANTASIA have released a new music video!
The new music video, for the track The Moonflower Society, is taken from the symphonic/power metal band spearheaded by Tobias Sammet‘s upcoming new album, A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society, which is scheduled to be released in October this year. The new song features a guest appearance from MAGNUM‘s Bob Catley.
Speaking about the new song, band mastermind Tobias Sammet says, “a moonflower is a creature of the night that blossoms when the world is asleep. For me, it stands on one hand for the weird characters I populate my songs with, and on the other hand for the weird characters I surround myself with in AVANTASIA. Just let yourself fall into a wonderful, mysterious journey.”
Watch the official music video for The Moonflower Society here:
A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society is set for release on October 21st via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-orders are available now and can be purchased here.
For more information on AVANTASIA like their official page on Facebook.
The post Avantasia release new music video for ‘The Moonflower Society’ appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.


text:
Whose Work Is Housework?
Not many of us relish doing housework. Most of us hardly get a kick out of cleaning the mini-blinds and baseboards. Kids? They tend to enjoy it even less. But if we all live in the house, and we all benefit from being a part of the family, the question then becomes: who’s work is housework?
One of the main things that kids want to believe about themselves is that they matter, that they are important. The truth is, no one wants to feel useless or redundant. But we often rob our kids of the opportunity to learn that they, too, can make a meaningful contribution, by doing too much for them.
When our children are newborns, we literally have to do everything for them. That constitutes good parenting when our kids are tiny. However, as they grow, we need to remember to encourage their abilities by increasing their responsibilities. The more practice they get, the more skilled they get. None of us intend to raise kids who are still bringing their laundry back home for Mom to do when they’re 27. But how will they learn to separate whites from darks if we don’t teach them? Young kids enjoy pitching in – because they enjoy the feeling of being useful and important in the family.
Consider what jobs your kids could learn or pitch in with, or take over if they’re able. You can even ask them what jobs they would like to learn, or would feel comfortable taking over.
Tidying up and putting toys away every night is a great place to start. Even toddlers can pitch in. My daughter used to sing a clean-up song she learned in pre-school that included the lines “clean up your mess” and, interestingly, “share your mess”. I think that’s a great message to send. Cleaning isn’t a punishment or to be avoided, it’s something we share as a family. Contributing really does give children of all ages a sense of meaning and value. This leads to improved self esteem and confidence.
Chores, whether it’s dusting, or picking up clothes and putting them in the hamper, or cleaning a toilet, or making dinner, are all learned skills. We can’t hand our kids a scrub brush and some cleaner, then turn them loose on the bathroom and expect them to instinctively know what to do. So it’s important that we set them up for success. Be aware of what their abilities really are and take the time to train them in how to do their job to the best of their ability.
This can, however, take some time and effort on your part. I’d never argue that it isn’t easier or faster to just do it ourselves. So make sure you give yourself the time to thoroughly teach your kids what they need to know to do the job well. No one will feel good about themselves if you get frustrated and critical, or if they begin to feel as though they can’t achieve a certain standard.
Most of us don’t get giddy at the thought of taking out the garbage. But our attitude toward housework will greatly influence our children’s attitudes toward it. If we view it matter-of-factly as a responsibility we all have as a member of the family, our kids will develop of a matter-of-fact attitude about it as well. And they’ll get to experience a great feeling of being capable.
More thoughts on How To Get Your Kids To Clean Up.
Use Family Meetings to sort out chores within your family.
If you’re tempted to pay your kids an allowance for doing chores, read this article first.
Just make sure you’re not nagging. Kids hate that.