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Characteristics by State
In this section we examine characteristics of immigrants and natives by state. In order to obtain more statistically robust estimates at the state level, we use a combined two-year sample of the March CPS 2010-2011 for income, poverty, health insurance, educational attainment, and welfare use. Elsewhere in this paper, such as in Tables 10, 11, 12, and 26, we examined these and other issues at the national level based on only the March 2011 CPS. Thus, the national totals in the earlier tables will not exactly match the national totals found in the state tables. However, the difference between the national figures using only the 2011 CPS and a combined two-year sample are quite small. The state figures for public school enrollment, home ownership, and household crowding are based on the 2010 ACS and will match national totals found elsewhere in this report.
Household Income and Home Ownership. The first two columns of Table 29 report average household income in the top immigrant-receiving states. The second two columns report the more commonly used median household income of immigrant and native households. The states are ranked based on how much higher the native median income is than the immigrant median income. While in most of the top immigrant-receiving states native median income is higher, this is not true in every state. In Maryland and Virginia, the median household income of immigrant households is roughly the same as that of native households.
Where the difference in median household income between immigrant and native households tends to be much larger is in per-capita income. (Per-capita median income is calculated by dividing total household income by the number of people in the household.) Even in Maryland and Virginia, the per capita median income of immigrant households is 42 and 20 percent lower respectively than that of natives. In some states, the difference with natives is even larger. In Arizona, Colorado, Texas, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Illinois, and Massachusetts the per-capita household income of natives is at least 50 percent higher than immigrants. The per-capita figures indicate that immigrant households are a good deal poorer than native household once household size is taken into account.
The last two columns in Table 29 show the share of immigrant and native households that are owner-occupied. In most of the top immigrant-receiving states the gap between immigrant and native home ownership is 10 percentage points or more. However, it is interesting to note that in Nevada and Arizona, where immigrant household income tends to be much lower than that of natives, and as we will see poverty and welfare use tend to be much higher, home ownership rates are much closer than in many of the other top immigrant-receiving states.
Public Schools. Immigration has a very significant impact on public schools in many states. Table A3 in the appendix shows the number of public school students from immigrant and native households in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Immigrants comprised the largest share of public school students in California, Nevada, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona. In these states more than one in four primary and secondary public school students are from immigrant households.
Table A3 also shows the share of public school students in immigrant and native households in poverty. Nationally, 28.9 percent of public school students from immigrant households are in poverty. Of all public school students in poverty, 29 percent are from immigrant households. In California 60.4 percent of public school students in poverty are from immigrant households, as are 41.8 percent in Nevada, 42.9 percent in Arizona, and 38.1 percent in Washington state. Even in some states not traditionally thought of as being heavily impacted by immigration, a very large share of public school students in poverty come from immigrant households. For example, 37.3 percent of public school students in Rhode Island in poverty are from immigrant households, as are 32.1 percent in Nebraska and 28.6 percent in Minnesota. Immigration has had a very large impact on the number of low-income public school students in the country and in many states.
Table A4 in the appendix shows the number and share of public school students by state who speak a language other than English. In 13 states, at least one out of five students lives in a household where a language other than English is spoken at home. In California and Texas, 48 and 37.2 percent respectively of all public school students live in such households. This does not necessarily mean that all of these students do not speak English well. But it does mean that school systems across the country will have to provide appropriate language instruction for some significant share of these students. Tables A3 and A4 show that immigration has added a large number of students to the public school system, many of whom speak a language other than English.
Table A5 in the appendix shows the average number of students per 1,000 households for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Like the national numbers already shown in Table 20, in almost every state there are many more public school students per immigrant household than per native household. In fact, Table A5 shows that in 28 states the number of students per immigrant household is 50 percent larger than for native households. In North Carolina, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada the number of public school students per immigrant household is roughly twice that of native households.
Table 29 showed that immigrant household income tends to be a good deal less than native household income for most of the top immigrant-receiving states. For example, in Arizona the median household income for immigrant households is 60 percent less than that of natives and the mean household income is 40 percent less. Table A5 shows that immigrant households have twice the number of public school students than native households in Arizona. Even in Virginia, where immigrant household income is slightly higher than natives', the average household still has 59 percent more public school students compared to native households. Since households are the primary unit by which taxes are assessed and collected, the relatively low income of immigrant households coupled with the much greater demand they create for public education means that in many parts of the country there will be a significant increase in school enrollment without a corresponding increase in the local tax base.
Overcrowded Households. Table A6 in the appendix shows household crowding by state. Table A6 shows household crowding is much more common among immigrant households than native households — 12.7 percent versus 1.9 percent. Because overcrowding is so much more common among immigrant households, they account for a larger share of all overcrowded households. As Table A6 shows, nationally 13.8 percent of all households are headed by an immigrant, yet immigrant-headed households account for 52 percent of all overcrowded households. In California, immigrant households account for 71.8 percent of all overcrowded households, even though they are 31.4 percent of all households.
It may not be surprising that immigrant households account for a very large share of overcrowded households in states such as New York (63.9 percent), Texas (54.9 percent), Illinois (54 percent), Nevada (52.7 percent), and Arizona (45.8 percent). What is more surprising is that they are 57.3 percent of overcrowded households in Maryland, 52.1 percent in Nebraska, 48 percent in Minnesota, and 39.7 percent in Utah. Immigration has added significantly to the stock of overcrowded households in many states, including some that are not traditionally seen as heavily impacted by immigration. In all, immigrant households account for one-third or more of overcrowded households in 25 states plus the District of Columbia.
Poverty and Near Poverty. Table 30 reports the percentage and number of immigrants and their U.S.‑born children who live in poverty compared to natives and their children. As in the other tables in this report, the figures include immigrants and the U.S.-born minor children (under age 18) of immigrant fathers. While the foreign-born tend to have much higher poverty rates in the top-receiving states, in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey the difference with natives is not that large. In contrast, immigrants and their children tend to have much higher rates of poverty in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington State. Turning to the share in or near poverty, (defined as below 200 percent of the poverty threshold), with the exception of Virginia, immigrants and their young children have much higher rates of poverty/near poverty than natives in the top states of immigrant settlement. As already discussed, those with incomes below this amount usually do not pay income taxes, and they typically become eligible for means-tested programs.
Health Insurance Coverage by State. Table 31 shows the share of immigrants and their children without health insurance by state. With the exception of Massachusetts, the difference between immigrant and native insurance coverage rates is enormous. In 10 of the states shown, immigrant rates of uninsurance are double those of natives.
The impact of immigration on the health care system as a whole can also be seen when we consider the share of immigrants and their minor children who are either uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, which is shown in the second half of Table 31. Based on the 2010-2011 CPS, the share of immigrants and their children on Medicaid or without health insurance is 49 percent.49 In comparison, 28.5 percent of natives and their young children are uninsured or on Medicaid. In Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, California, New York, Georgia, and Minnesota, more than half of immigrants and their children are either uninsured or on Medicaid. Moreover, in New York, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and Washington state nearly half of immigrants and their children are uninsured or on Medicaid. The impact of immigration on the health care systems in these states and the nation is clearly very large.
It is worth noting that by subtracting the share on Medicaid or uninsured from the share who are uninsured the percentage on Medicaid alone can be calculated. In most of the states listed in Table 31, immigrants and their children are more likely to be on Medicaid than natives and their children. In Massachusetts, where the rates of uninsurance are very similar for immigrants and natives, part of the reason for this is that 30 percent of immigrants and their young children are on Medicaid compared to 18.4 percent of natives.
Earlier in this report we observed that immigration had a very large impact on the nation's health care system. Table 32 shows the share of each state's population comprised of immigrants and their minor children and their share of the uninsured and in poverty. The table reads as follows: immigrants and their minor children comprise 36.8 percent of California's overall population and they are 51.2 percent of those in poverty. They are also 52.3 percent of the uninsured in the Golden State. Table 32 shows that immigrants tend to be a much larger share of the poor and uninsured in these states than they are of the overall population.
Welfare Use by State. Table 33 shows the percentage of immigrant- and native-headed households using at least one major welfare program. Programs included are TANF, SSI, general assistance, Food Stamps, WIC, free/subsidized school lunch, public/rent subsidized housing, and Medicaid. As we saw in Table 12, the biggest difference in program use is for Medicaid and food assistance programs. For state governments, Medicaid is a particular concern because between one-third to one-half of the program's costs are typically borne by state taxpayers. The largest percentage-point differences in overall welfare use for immigrants and natives are found in Minnesota, New York, Texas, California, Colorado, Washington, and Arizona. The smallest differences are in Virginia, Georgia, Nevada, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Estimated State and Federal Income Tax. In addition to welfare use, Table 33 also shows estimated income tax payments for immigrant and native households. Based on the characteristics of immigrant families and individuals, the Census Bureau estimates tax liability. That is, what should be paid in income taxes given income, dependents, home ownership, etc. This estimate does not have any information about tax compliance. It is only an estimate of what should be paid if the law is followed. Figures for state and federal tax are shown in the far right of Table 33. In terms of state income tax, native households have higher tax liability than immigrant households in every state but Virginia. The average difference across the states shown is 29 percent, which is significant. The Census Bureau's estimated state tax liabilities indicate that in almost all of the top immigrant-receiving states that have state income taxes, immigrants pay less than natives. It is worth noting the Bureau's estimated tax liability (state and federal) likely understates tax liability for those with high incomes.
In terms of federal income tax, the difference with natives is much larger. On average native households have federal income tax liability that is 40 percent higher. Again, Virginia is the exception. This report has shown that immigrant households have higher rates of welfare use and public school enrollment. And immigrants and their children are much more likely to lack health insurance. Perhaps most important, immigrant households are much larger on average than native households. These facts coupled with lower average income tax liability raise the clear possibility that immigrant households are a significant net fiscal drain. However, several things must be kept in mind. First the tax estimates are not actual tax payments or even self-reported tax payments, they are Census Bureau derived estimates. Tax compliance rates are likely to differ significantly for immigrant and native households, particulary for illegal immigrant households, which are included in the data. Second, state and federal income are not the only taxes collected by government. Third, welfare and education are by no means the only sources of expenditures for state or federal government. In short, the tax estimate and the other information in this report are not a balance sheet of taxes vs. expenditures. But the information is consistent with the very real possibility that immigrant households are on balance a net fiscal drain.
Education Levels by State. Table 34 shows the education level of immigrants and natives (ages 25 to 65) in the top immigrant-receiving states. As has already been discussed at length, a much larger share of immigrants than natives have not completed high school. This is also the case in every state in Table 34. The difference is largest in Colorado, followed by Texas, California, and Arizona. The gap is smallest in Virginia, Florida, and Massachusetts. At the high end of the educational distribution the situation is somewhat different. In states such as Colorado, Arizona, California, Texas, and North Carolina immigrants are much less likely to have at least a bachelor's degree. However, in a number of states immigrants are as likely or even more likely to have completed college, including Florida, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, and Virginia. Looking back on Tables 29 to 33, they show that, in general, in states where immigrant educational attainment is lowest relative to natives the gap with natives in socio-economic status tends to be the highest. In contrast, where immigrants are more educated, the gap is much smaller.
State Work Force. Table 35 shows work force characteristics by state. The first column shows the number of immigrant workers in each state based on 2010/2011 data. The second column shows the number of immigrant workers in the state who arrived in 2000 or later. The third column shows the share of all workers in the state who are foreign-born. Thus the table reads as follows: Based on 2010 and 2011 data there were 5,537,000 immigrant workers in California, 1,457,000 of whom arrived in 2000 or later. Overall, 34.4 percent of all workers in the state were immigrants. The fourth column shows the number of natives (18 to 65) not working, the fifth column shows the percentage of natives (18 to 65) working in 2010-11, and the sixth column shows the share of natives (18 to 65) working in 2000/2001. Thus, in California, 5,405,000 natives ages 18 to 65 were not working in 2010/2011. Overall, 64.9 percent of natives in this age group held a job. Column six shows that in California at the beginning of the last decade 74.1 percent of natives in this age group worked. The last three columns in the table show the same information as columns four, five, and six, except that the figures are only for young natives (18 to 29) with no more than a high school education. This includes high school dropouts and those who have graduated high school but have no additional schooling. Young workers are reported separately because they are the group most likely to be in competition with immigrants for jobs at the bottom end of the labor market.
Table 35 shows that immigrants make up a large share of workers in almost all of these states. In California, immigrants are more than a third of workers, and they are roughly a quarter of all workers in New Jersey, New York, and Nevada and about a fifth of workers in Florida, Texas, and Maryland. The table also shows that in all of these states there is a very large population of working-age, native-born people who are not employed. For example, in California, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina there are more than one million working-age natives not employed. If we compare the number of natives not working to the number of post-2000 immigrants it shows that in almost every state the number of natives (18 to 65) not working is about four times the number of newly arrived immigrants. And in many states the proportion is even larger.
Those who are not working are either unemployed, which means they have looked for a job in the last four weeks, or they are not looking for work. In total, there are 30 million adult working-age (18 to 65) natives not employed in the 16 states shown in Table 35. There are an additional 22.7 million working-age natives not working in other states. Of those who are not employed, some are discouraged workers who would like to work, but have not looked in the last four weeks and so are not counted as officially unemployed. Some of those not working are disabled, some are parents taking care of young children, and others are college students who could work but do not wish to do so. (There are virtually no college students in the right side of Table 35 because those attending college have at least some education beyond high school and are therefore not included.) It would be mistake to think that all of those not working want to work or are even able to do so. But even if only one in five of the 52.7 million working-age natives not employed got a job, they would be a larger population than the 7.14 million new immigrant workers added in the last decade. Put a different way, if employment rates nationally for working-age natives simply returned to 2000-01 levels (75.2 percent), then 12.2 million more natives would be working in 2010/2011.
The starkest finding in Table 35 is the dramatic deterioration in the employment rate of working-age natives. On average, their employment rate declined by more than seven percentage points in these states from the beginning of the decade. This is a very large decline because, like unemployment rates, employment rates do not swing dramatically. A seven percentage-point decline is a very large change. Even more striking is the decline in the employment rate of young (18 to 29) less-educated natives. On average, the share holding a job in this group declined 15 percentage points in these states. Employment rates were already relatively low for this group, so the decline is that much more profound. In California, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Washington, Illinois, and North Carolina fewer than half of these individuals had a job in 2010 and 2011. In these same states, in 2000 and 2001, roughly two-thirds of this demographic held a job.
Although not shown in Table 35, the dramatic deterioration in employment among natives began before the recession. The share of 18 to 65 year olds working was 72.9 percent in 2006/2007, lower than the 75.2 percent at the start of the decade, even though March of 2006/2007 represents the peak of the last economic expansion. More striking is that the share of young, less-educated natives working was 61.1 percent in 2006/2007 compared to 65.9 percent at the start of the decade. Clearly the current downturn caused a massive decline in work among this population. But the decline began well before the Great Recession.
Table 35 shows that immigrants comprise a large share of workers in many states. But these same states also have a very large number of native-born people not holding a job. If immigration was curtailed in the future, there certainly seems to be a very large pool of potential workers for employers to draw upon. Of course, as mentioned above, many people not working do not wish to work. But again, if employment rates nationally for working-age natives simply returned to 2000-2001 levels, then 12.2 million more natives would be working, which is more than all of the new immigrant workers allowed into the country in the prior decade — legally and illegally.
Illegal Immigration by State
It is well established that illegal aliens do respond to government surveys such as the decennial census and the Current Population Survey. While Census Bureau surveys do not ask the foreign-born if they are legal residents of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), former INS, the Pew Hispanic Center, and the Census Bureau have all used socio-demographic characteristics in the data to estimate the size of the illegal alien population. We follow this same approach.50 Using a combined two-year sample of the CPS (March 2010 and 2011) we estimate 10.5 million illegal immigrants, or slightly less than 28 percent of the foreign-born population. It must also be remembered that these figures are only for those in the CPS, not those missed by the survey. Estimates prepared by other researchers often adjust for undercount in Census Bureau data. While there is debate about the number missed, most research indicates that roughly 10 percent of illegals are not counted in Census Bureau surveys such as the CPS.51 Thus, the true size of the illegal population could be 11.5 million. If the undercount is larger, then the total illegal alien population is larger. By design, this estimate is consistent with those prepared by the Census Bureau, DHS, and Pew Hispanic Center.52
While it may seem obvious, it is important to note that in the discussion that follows immigrants can only be legal or illegal. As a practical matter, this means, for example, that if our estimate for poverty among illegals is too high, then the poverty rate for legal immigrants must be correspondingly too low. Conversely, if the estimated poverty among illegal immigrants is too low, then the poverty rate for legal immigrants must be too high.
One of the most important characteristics of illegal immigrants is the very large share with little formal education. We estimated that 54 percent of adult illegal immigrants (25 to 65 years of age) have not completed high school, 25 percent have only a high school degree, and 21 percent have education beyond high school. As already discussed, this is critically important because education is such a determinant of socio-economic status in the modern American economy. We also estimate that 58 percent of the illegal population comes from Mexico, 12 percent is Central American, 9 percent is from East Asia, and 7 percent is from South America, while Europe, South Asia, and the Caribbean account for about 3 percent each. Although these estimates are consistent with other research findings, including those produced by the federal government, it should be obvious that there is no definitive means of determining whether a respondent in the survey is an illegal alien.
Illegals by State. Below we examine the demographic characteristics of illegal aliens by state. Since the sample size is much smaller for individual states than for the nation as a whole, the results should be interpreted with caution, especially for the smaller states. In addition to issues associated with sample size, it should also be remembered that the identification of illegals in the survey also contains some error. Table 36 reports our best estimates for the number of illegals by state in the CPS. (It should be noted that even if the undercount is 10 percent nationally, as many researchers think, it is possible that this not uniform across states.) Table 36 shows that California has by far the largest illegal population, followed by Texas, Florida, and Illinois. Those four states account for half of the illegal immigrant population.
Employment of Illegal Immigrants. Table 36 shows the number of illegal immigrants in the labor force in each state. In total, nearly 7.1 million illegal immigrants (7.8 million if adjusted for undercount) are in the U.S. labor force. This equals 67 percent of the total illegal immigrant population in the United States. Table 35 showed the number of native-born 18- to 65-year-olds not working and the number of young (18 to 29) less-educated natives not working by state. Table 36 reports the number of less-educated natives 20 to 65 not working and the number of teenagers (16 to 19) not working. Less-educated is defined as having no education beyond high school. It is often suggested that there are simply no young or less-educated Americans available to fill jobs taken by illegal immigrants. Like Table 35, Table 36 shows that there are a very large number of potential workers in the top immigrant-receiving states. In the states shown in Table 36, there are 12.5 million less-educated adult natives (20 to 65) not working and 7.3 million native-born teenagers not employed. Nationally, there are 35.6 million people in these two categories. While many of the individuals not working many not wish to work or cannot work, if only one in five took a job it would roughly equal the entire illegal immigrant work force.
Poverty Among Illegals. Table 37 reports the share of illegals and their U.S.-born children (under 18) who live in poverty or near poverty, with near-poverty defined as less than 200 percent of the poverty threshold. Not surprisingly, Table 37 shows that illegals tend to have a very high rate of poverty and near-poverty. Recall from Table 30 that, based on the 2010 and 2011 CPS, 13.2 percent of natives and their children lived in poverty.53 At 26 percent, the national rate for illegal immigrants by themselves is about twice that of natives. The rate is even higher (30 percent) when their U.S.-born children are included.
The share of illegals in or near poverty follows the same pattern as the share in poverty. Rates for illegals tend to be dramatically higher than those of natives. In every state shown, with the exception of Massachusetts, Washington, and Virginia, the majority or close to a majority of illegal immigrants and their minor children live in or near poverty.
Nationally, illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children account for 9.9 percent of all persons in poverty, compared to their 4.9 percent share of nation's total population. Illegal aliens clearly have low incomes, and the low-income population in the United States is clearly larger because of immigration. Nonetheless, illegal immigration accounts for only a modest share of the total population in poverty. Moreover, it should also be clear that most illegal immigrants do not live in poverty.
It is worth noting that of all immigrants and their children who live in poverty, 40 percent are illegal aliens or the young children of illegal aliens. Based on the 2010 and 2011 CPS, 4.4 million illegal immigrants and their children live in poverty, out of 11.4 million immigrants and their children in poverty. Most low-income immigrants are not illegal aliens. Put a different way, legal immigration has a larger impact on the size of the poor population in the United States than does illegal immigration.
Health Insurance Among Illegals. Table 38 reports the share of illegal immigrants and their minor children without health insurance coverage. Not surprisingly, most illegals are uninsured. Nationally, we estimate that 62 percent of illegals lack health insurance, compared to about 14 percent of natives (see Tables 11 and 31). When their U.S.-born children are counted the figure is 50 percent. Because these children are eligible for Medicaid, they tend to be more likely to be covered by insurance than their illegal immigrant parents.
Illegals also account for a large share of the total uninsured population. Nationally, 14.6 percent of all uninsured persons in the United States are estimated to be illegal aliens or the young children of illegal immigrants. This compares to their 4.9 percent share of the nation's total population. In some states the impact is much larger. In Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, roughly one-fourth of the uninsured are illegal immigrants and their children. In New Jersey, Washington, and North Carolina roughly one-fifth of the uninsured are illegal immigrants.
Welfare Among Illegals by State. Table 39 shows the share of households headed by illegal aliens using various welfare programs. It shows that a large share of illegal alien households use the food assistance programs (food stamps, WIC, and free lunch) and Medicaid. But use of cash assistance (TANF, State General Assistance, and SSI) is generally very low. It should also be added that the share of households headed by illegals in public or rent-subsidized housing is zero in our estimates.54 It must be remembered that, in general, illegals cannot use the welfare system themselves. But their U.S.-born children can be enrolled in Medicaid and receive food assistance. Table 39 reflects the fact that a very large share of illegal immigrants have low incomes and as a result their children can enroll in means-tested programs. This is important because it means that efforts to bar illegals from using welfare programs will be ineffective. Very few are using these programs directly and their U.S.-citizen children will continue to enjoy the same welfare eligibility as any other American citizen.
It should also be noted that the high rates of Medicaid and food assistance use by illegal immigrant households is not caused by an unwillingness to work on the part of illegals. In fact, 96 percent of illegal household have at least one worker, much higher than the rate for native households. Rather, with half of adult illegals not having completed high school, their average income in the modern economy will be very low. The American welfare system is geared toward helping low-income workers, especially those with children. Since a very large share of illegals work, have low incomes that reflect their education, and have U.S.-born children, it should not be surprising that many illegal households use the welfare system. Use of means-tested programs by illegal workers is important because it indicates that the desire of employers to have access to large numbers of unskilled immigrant workers creates significant costs for taxpayers. This does not mean that the overall effort to help low-income workers is misplaced. But it does raise the question of why we have an immigration policy that tolerates so many unskilled illegal workers.
Illegals and the School-Age Population. Table 40 reports the estimated number and share of the school-age population (five to 17) in the United States that is comprised of illegal immigrants. Overall, illegals account for 1.3 million school-age children, or 2.4 percent of all five- to 17-year-olds. This is smaller than the 3.4 percent illegals represent of the nation's total population because immigrants, including illegal aliens, generally come to the United States after age 17, so there are relatively fewer illegal immigrants under age 18. Table 40 also shows that school-age illegal aliens plus the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens comprise about 7.2 percent (3.9 million) of the total school-age population. In states like Nevada, Arizona, Texas, California, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey illegal immigrants comprise a much larger share of the school-age population than they do nationally.
Since per-student expenditures in the United States are roughly $10,000 a year, it is likely that some $13 billion annually goes to educate illegal aliens in public schools. The total cost for educating illegal aliens and their U.S.-born children likely comes to over $39 billion a year.
School expenditures for illegal immigrants and their children provide a good example of how what one chooses to include in a cost estimate of illegal immigrants will have a very large impact on the results, even if there is some agreement on numbers. There are many more U.S.-born school-age children of illegal immigrants than there are children who are illegal immigrants themselves. Including the U.S.-born children in any cost estimate dramatically increases the expenditure side of the ledger. Because the presence of these students in the country is entirely the result of illegal immigration, it is reasonable to count them as a cost. But some researchers may choose not to do so. And this decision will likely change the results. Therefore, it is important when examining cost estimates to see what is included, particularly as it relates to the U.S.-born children of illegals.
Illegals' Household Income. Table 41 shows the average income and size for households headed by illegal immigrants. We use average income and not median income because at the state level it is not possible to calculate median income figures because of sample size in most states.55 Thus, the incomes in Table 41 may seem high, but they are mean or average incomes, not median incomes. (For those interested, the last row at the bottom of Table 41 does show the median household income of illegal immigrants for the entire country.) Proportionately, the difference between the median income of illegal immigrants and natives is very similar to the difference in mean incomes.
Not surprisingly, Table 41 shows that the mean income of illegal households is much less than the mean income of native households in every state. At the same time, these households are much larger on average than native households. Overall, the average income of natives is 39 percent higher than those of illegal immigrants and illegal alien households are 56 percent larger on average. As already discussed, lower household income coupled with larger household size means that illegal alien households will pay less in taxes and use more in services than native households because households are the primary basis on which taxes are assessed and benefits distributed in the United States. Even assuming that illegals pay all the taxes they are supposed to, given their average household income and size it is difficult for them not to create a significant fiscal drain.
The fiscal problem associated with illegal immigrant households can be seen in the area of public education. As discussed above, the total cost for educating the children of illegal immigrants is roughly $39 billion a year. We estimate the combined total income of illegal immigrant households at about $162 billion. If these estimates are correct, it would mean that just to cover the costs of education they would have to pay 24 percent of their income. Even if illegal immigrants paid all the income and payroll taxes that they should, given their lower income and large household size it seems doubtful that they would pay enough in taxes to cover the education of their children, let alone all the other costs they create.
But again, this is because of the education level of illegals, not because they do not work. The vast majority of working-age illegals work. In fact, we estimate that 96 percent of illegal alien households have at least one person working. This compares to 76 percent of native-headed households. But because of their education levels, a very large share of illegal immigrants have low incomes. This is the primary reason that their presence in the United States tends to strain public coffers.
Legal Immigrants
Table 42 shows the characteristics of adult immigrants by legal status based on the 2010 and 2011 CPS. It also shows characteristics for less-educated legal immigrants. (Less-educated is defined as having no more than a high school diploma.) There are several important findings that can be drawn from the table. First, the inclusion of illegal immigrants in Census Bureau data does reduce the overall socio-economic status of immigrants. But in most cases it does not fundamentally change the overall picture. For example, the poverty rate for adult immigrants overall is 18.5 percent — 61 percent higher than for native-born adults. When adult illegal immigrants are removed, the figure for adult legal immigrants alone is still 15.9 percent — 38 percent higher than for adult natives. The share of adult immigrants in or near poverty follows a similar pattern. It is 51 percent higher than adult natives overall and it is 33 percent higher for legal immigrants alone. Health insurance coverage shows a more significant narrowing with natives when illegal immigrant are excluded, but legal immigrants are still much more likely than natives not to have insurance. Table 42 shows that the overall welfare use rate for all immigrants is 63 percent higher than native households. When illegal immigrants are excluded it is still 45 percent higher.
Average income and median earnings show a somewhat different pattern. The gap between immigrants and natives is moderate in size to begin with and excluding illegals narrows the difference further. For example, the average income of all adult immigrants is 81 percent that of natives, for adult legal immigrants it is 90 percent. This confirms what has been shown elsewhere in this report: A large share of immigrants have very low incomes and live in or near poverty, lack insurance, and use the welfare system. But the overall averages or median incomes are closer to natives. This is true for immigrants generally as well as for legal immigrants.
The second conclusion to draw from Table 42 is that legal status is no guarantee of success. Less-educated legal immigrants have low income, low health insurance coverage rates, and high welfare use relative to natives. Many in Congress, as well as President Obama, have argued for giving legal status to illegal immigrants as well as increased levels of legal immigration. Since illegal aliens are overwhelmingly less-educated, we can gain insight into the possible effects of legalization by looking at the economic situation of less-educated legal immigrants. As will be recalled, we estimate that 54 percent of illegal immigrants have not graduated high school and 25 percent have only a high school degree. Thus eight out of 10 illegal immigrants have no more than a high school education.
Table 42 shows that legal immigrants with this level of education make extensive use of the welfare system. Nearly half of households headed by less-educated legal immigrants use at least one major welfare program. The share of adult less-educated legal immigrant adults living in poverty is 23 percent and the share in or near poverty is 52 percent. Poverty and near-poverty are very common among less-educated legal immigrants, as is the share without health insurance (30 percent). Because education is such a key determinant of economic outcomes, legalization will not solve the problems of welfare use or low income associated with an illegal immigrant population that is largely unskilled.56 Further, the results in Table 42 do not mean the socio-economic status of illegal immigrants would not improve with legalization. What it does mean is that a legalization would almost certainly leave illegal immigrants much poorer on average than natives or even the average legal immigrant.57
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Enhancing Detection of Small Esophageal Varices by PillCam ESO
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00911131
Recruitment Status : Withdrawn (Loss of funding)
First Posted : June 1, 2009
Last Update Posted : June 19, 2015
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Increasing intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) with an abdominal binder will increase pressure within smaller esophageal varices which will therefore enhance the ability of capsule endoscopy to detect these varices better.
Therefore, the aims of the investigators' study are as follows:
- To determine if using an abdominal binder to increase IAP can increase the detection rate of small esophageal varices when using capsule endoscopy.
- To determine if using an abdominal binder to increase IAP during capsule endoscopy has a comparable detection rate of small esophageal varices to conventional endoscopy.
|Condition or disease
|Esophageal Varices
|Device: Capsule endoscopy (PillCam ESO) Procedure: EGD Device: Capsule endoscopy (PillCam ESO) with abdominal binder
|Phase 3
Esophageal variceal bleeding is a common and life-threatening complication of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis of liver. It is associated with a mortality rate of up to 50% in these patients. Prophylactic treatments to prevent variceal bleeding, therefore, assume paramount clinical significance. Currently, primary prophylactic treatments using pharmacologic agents with non-selective beta blockers as well as endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) are effectively employed in preventing variceal bleeding. The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) guidelines recommend that patients with Child's stage A cirrhosis and portal hypertension with platelet count less than 140,000/mmq or portal vein diameter > 13mm and those patients classified as Child's B and C cirrhosis should undergo screening endoscopy for esophageal varices. Patients with cirrhosis and no esophageal varices detected during screening should undergo endoscopy ever three years. Patients with small esophageal varices are recommended to be screened endoscopically every 1 to 2 years.
Currently, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) under conscious sedation is the gold standard for variceal screening. However, EGD has certain limitations especially when used in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Prolonged conscious sedation may have an adverse effect on encephalopathy. EGD also may not be cost effective for screening esophageal varices.
The use of PillCam ESO capsule endoscopy to detect esophageal varices has become an attractive alternative to conventional endoscopy especially in patients unwilling to undergo EGD. Identifying patients with small varices, which have the potential for progression to large varices and bleeding, is an important clinical issue to address.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|0 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Crossover Assignment
|Single (Investigator)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A New Technique to Enhance Detection of Small Esophageal Varices by PillCam ESO Capsule Endoscopy
Active Comparator: Screening esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD)
EGD will be performed utilizing conscious sedation. During EGD, the endoscopist will capture pictures of the esophageal body, Z-line, lower esophagus and proximal gastric folds. Grading of esophageal varices will be performed by all investigators using the Italian Liver cirrhosis project.
Patients who are found to have small grade varices and meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study.
Procedure: EGD
Patients will undergo conventional EGD under conscious sedation for routine screening of esophageal varices.
Other Name: Esophagoduodenoscopy
Active Comparator: Capsule Endoscopy
The capsule endoscope will be swallowed by the participant with 100cc of water and simethicone in the supine position. Recording is done for 2 minute in this position and then the head will be elevated to 30 degrees for 2 minutes and then 60 degrees for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the patient will sip10cc of water and after 15 seconds, they will sit upright and sip water again. They can then walk and resume normal activity for 15 minutes. The videos will be reviewed and graded by a gastroenterologist experienced with capsule endoscopy and will be blinded to the patient's clinical and procedural history as well as the most recent EGD. The varices will be graded using the Given Imaging software that grades varices as no varices (C0), small varices or < 25% of esophageal circumference (C1), and large varices or > 25% of esophageal circumference (C2).
Device: Capsule endoscopy (PillCam ESO)
The capsule endoscope is placed in the mouth and the patient is asked to swallow it with 100cc of water with simethicone in the supine position. Recording is done for 2 minute in this position and then the head is elevated to 30 degrees for 2 minutes and then 60 degrees for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the patient sips 10cc of water and after 15 seconds, they sit upright and sip water again. They can then walk and resume normal activity for 15 minutes.
Other Name: PillCam ESO
Active Comparator: Capsule Endoscopy with abdominal binder
Before swallowing the capsule endoscope, an inflatable girdle is wrapped around the waist above the umbilicus and held in place by a an abdominal binder. The pressure is increased by 10mmHg for 10 minutes. The PillCam ESO is placed in the mouth and the patient is asked to swallow it with 100cc of water with simethicone in the supine position. Recording is done for 2 minute in this position and then the head is elevated to 30 degrees for 2 minutes and then 60 degrees for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the patient sips 10cc of water and after 15 seconds, they sit upright and sip water again. They can then walk and resume normal activity for 15 minutes.
Device: Capsule endoscopy (PillCam ESO) with abdominal binder
An abdominal binder with and inflatable girdle is wrapped around the stomach prior to swallowing the capsule endoscope. The girdle is inflated to 10mmHg for 10 minutes. The capsule is swallowed by the patient and the routine method for the procedure is performed.
Other Name: PillCam ESO
- Detection rate of esophageal varices using different screening modalities. [ Time Frame: 30 days ]
- Patient tolerability of each screening modality. [ Time Frame: 1 day ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- patients identified with grade I and grade II esophageal varices by conventional endoscopy who are returning for screening or surveillance
- patients who have had endoscopic banding of varices in the past
- patients aged 18 years or older
- patients able to give consent
- patients eligible and willing to undergo upper endoscopy and PillCam ESO capsule endoscopy
Exclusion Criteria:
- dysphagia
- Zenker's diverticulum
- pregnancy
- esophageal stricture
- gastric or intestinal obstruction
- multiple abdominal surgeries
- cardiac pacemakers
- implanted electronic medical devices
- cognitive impairment
- also, patients found to have bleeding, requiring banding, or other complications on screening EGD the day of the trial will not proceed to capsule endoscopy
- urine pregnancy test will be conducted prior to participation; this is part of the standard procedure for women of child-bearing age undergoing upper endoscopy in the GI lab
all patients being evaluated for the current study will be evaluated for the presence or absence of overt portosystemic encephalopathy:
- Those found to have overt portosystemic encephalopathy will then be graded based on the standard scale of grade 1 through 4 portosystemic encephalopathy. Assessment of whether patients with liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma possess decisional capacity is essentially the same as for other subjects with the exception that due diligence must be used to address whether there is any evidence of active ongoing overt portosystemic encephalopathy. From the available data and current standards of care, patients with stage 1 overt hepatic encephalopathy are decisional but may have minimal impairment in their cognitive skills particularly in the domains of attention and sleep. Decisional capacity in patients with grades 2-4 overt portosystemic encephalopathy is impaired and will lead to them bring excluded from the study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00911131
|Study Director:
|Kia Saeian, MD
|Medical College of Wisconsin
|Principal Investigator:
|Mukund Venu, MD
|Medical College of Wisconsin
|Responsible Party:
|Kia Saeian, Medical College of Wisconsin
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00911131 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|June 1, 2009 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|June 19, 2015
|Last Verified:
|June 2015
Small grade esophageal varices
capsule endoscopy
PillCam ESO
abdominal binder
Esophageal and Gastric Varices
Varicose Veins
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Esophageal Diseases
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Digestive System Diseases
Hypertension, Portal
Liver Diseases
Antifoaming Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Dermatologic Agents

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It is a doctrine of war that we must not rely on the likelihood of the enemy not coming, but on our own readiness to meet him: not on the chance of his not attacking, but on the fact that we have made our position invincible- Sun Tzu
Part 1: Targeting Artist & Fans using social-engineering tactics
Sample site: Gazzmic.com
Tools: Social-Engineering Toolkit & The Harvester (https://www.secmaniac.com/)
When it comes to the vulnerabilities presented by the online aspects of the music industry, the opportunities for penetration tester's to employ their skills are far and wide. However; as numerous as these opportunities may be, they are still for the most part often overlooked. And with great peril.
Think about something for a moment. When's the last time that you or anyone that you know have gone into a brick and mortar record store and purchased the music that you felt like listening to?
Why would you when you can just as well go online and obtain whatever type of music that suits your taste for free or at a far lesser price than what you'd pay at the record store? Sometimes what you pay for that music may be as simple as registering to a site and creating an account. Ta'Dah! Unlimited music. It cost you nothing. Or did it?
We're all aware that there are computer systems floating around in cyber-space minding their own business without any human interaction. However, I personally stand on the belief that behind every active operating system online there is a human being at the other end of it. And humans my friend, are vulnerable. Human beings can be hacked. And so the story begins... If I were an attacker.
If I were an attacker and I decided to go phishing into this gigantic ocean called the music industry, here's an example of how I could very easily put together a social-engineering scheme. We'll take this website as our target. Mainly because I am personally okay with one of the writer's over there. I am a die-hard fan of the Gazzmic Revolution.
But more so, the entire theme of this site to me was a perfect model to use showing how easily an attacker could take just the content of the site alone and use it against itself to craft a social-engineering scheme.
(Note: Notice how in this example the actual web site was never even tampered with by the attacker. All gathered information was passive in nature.)
The attacker would be making use of only two tabs within the entire site to construct his scheme around. Namely, The Gazzmic Manifesto Tab and The Invite Code tab.
Now, whoever wrote The Gazzmic Manifesto did one hell of a good job. That Manifesto reads brilliant. However, to an imaginative social-engineer, the attacker could very easily fire up SET in conjunction with The Harvester and have a mighty fun field day with the content and theme of this site by making use of the mass mailer attack.
Here's how the original Manifesto reads:
Now imagine an astronomical number of artist and fans being targeted with an email containing the original manifesto with the last line reconstructed to read:
"Join The Gazzmic Revolution! Gazzmic is your revolution. We believe that we are on the cusp of a new Renaissance in music, made possible by web technology. Fear not the future! Join the grass-roots movement that will take on the corporate giants head-on. With your help, we can take back music for the artists and fans."
"That's why we've exclusively chosen you as one of our artist/fans to be featured in our upcoming SKYPE interviews where you'll have the opportunity to introduce the world to the new revolution."
"Remember, this is your revolution!To assist our artists/fans with claiming their exclusive spot in the revolution, we've created a members only access page on [NAME OF SOCIAL MEDIA SITE]."
"This link will direct you to a custom page that we've created for security purposes to protect the privacy and integrity of our members. By signing into this page you will be directed to the official public page."
At this point there's nothing more to do. You're account will be automatically created. You will receive a follow-up email asking you to confirm your account:
"Click here [link with attackers IP address] to begin the revolution."
Of course, given that the victim fell for the attack, if you were an attacker the results are apparent right there inside your command terminal.
If on the other hand, you were a penetration tester, depending on the scope of the penetration test, you could send follow-up emails to all of the victims containing their usernames and passwords revealing to them that their accounts have been compromised.
You could even outline the details of the attack and offer tips and recommendations on how they could defend themselves from future attacks. Imagine how valuable these type of findings would be to a music industry executive?
Now the other part of the site that we'll make use of is the Index Tab? I thought this was ideal because it hints at exclusivity. It plays on the psychology of the victim in such a way that it makes them feel " chosen ".
Here's the original invite code presented along with the same message reconstructed by the attacker. Look here to see how the page looks on the actual site.
Now here's the attacker's message, mind you, presented to the victims in the form of an email:
"Invitation codes were provided in the past to select bands for testing purposes. We are no longer accepting nor using invitation codes. Instead, we have set up an exclusive screening process of all artist/bands."
"We will now send you an email containing the link to an exclusive page that we have created for all artist and bands located here on this [NAME OF SOCIAL MEDIA SITE] Follow the link inside of the email and sign into the site using your current credentials."
Note: we've created an exclusive page to ensure the privacy and integrity of our members accounts. Once you log in you'll be directed to the official public page of this social media site. At this point, there's nothing more that you need to do. You're account will have been automatically created for you.
You will receive an email asking you to confirm your account. Music Will Never Be The Same! Click on this link [the attackers ip address] to be invited into the revolution.
Now this is just a very basic case study. It is in no way intending to point out a vulnerability in the Gazzmic Movement and what they have going over there. It was not meant to instruct one in the use of tools like The Social-Engineering Tool Kit.
If you wish to learn more about the tool and it's usage you can either visit the link provided at the top of this post or just Google it own your own. There's tons of information covering it.
This was just an example pointing out one of the ways an attacker could carry out a social-engineering attack in the arena of the online music industry. People love music. People love having the shot at being the star. But people are vulnerable, my friend.
Humans... can be hacked!
Find more interesting topics like this one covered at The Hacker High School.


text:
Farcevalue wrote:So, how much opposition to the PTB can one express and still be labelled a limited hangout? Should media fakery be the only item on the agenda of those opposed to the idea of being tax livestock?
I would like to invite Mr. Richard Grove to our discussion forum in order to offer him a due and fair opportunity to respond to some legitimate questions being raised concerning his 9/11-related accounts which, of course, have been hotly debated in numerous international websites over the years. Here's the link to our discussion at Cluesforum.info :
http://www.cluesforum.info/viewtopic.ph ... 2&start=15
Best regards
Simon Shack
- These recipients of your message have been processed by the mail server:
firstname.lastname@example.com; Failed; 5.1.1 (bad destination mailbox address)
RichardGrove wrote:Hi Simon, you and I corresponded a few years back, we were then and still are, impressed by the fortitude of evidence you offered within September Clues.
That being read, the link you sent misfires, but I went to the homepage and searched my name, and I'm open to better understanding how exactly you would like me to justify my existence as an individual who is not a Belushi, I'm 10 years older, well taller, and I can substantiate my individuality beyond reasonable doubt to put this line of fallacious reasoning to rest, so the forum can get back to researching the substance and not the arbitrary claims which I just read.
For instance, by the law of identity, I cannot be in 2 places at one time, nor can 2 people occupy the same space at the same time. Also, Lisa and I are the same age, we've been together for 10 years, and this easily also can be substantiated beyond reasonable doubt.
I'm somewhat disappointed, that having published over 200+ hours of curriculum on critical thinking, logic, fallacies, and removal of contradictions to attain high levels of certainty (via the Peace Revolution Podcast and our films)... that so many can be easily rused by Ed Chiarini, aka dallasgoldbug, aka wellaware1. That's not an ad hominem, it's an observation of fact, which I can substantiate.
It's ironic how commercial-free independent media producers, all of us struggling, can be so readily attacked without substantial evidence, and so many just follow his line of fallacies to irrational conclusions.
What do you seek in the way of evidence so that my identity is beyond reasonable doubt?
Aside from your initial inquiry, we'd be interested in doing a video skype interview with you to discuss September Clues and why so many people can't see the numerous contradictions which you note therein. When I contacted you a few years back, I was seeking a high-quality DVD version of your film, is that something that I could trade you for or purchase?
simonshack wrote:Dear Richard,
Thanks for a very prompt response!
As you can see on our forum thread, I promptly dismissed the idea (posted by a newbie from Holland) that you are somehow Belushi-related. The questions we have about you have nothing to do with your physical traits - as you can easily make out for yourself. I'm surprised that you even mentioned that Belushi thing. Please take some time to read my own posts on that thread.
You asked:
"What do you seek in the way of evidence so that my identity is beyond reasonable doubt?"
Again, that question should be very clear to you if you only take time to read my posts You are an intelligent person - and I think I have described in great detail what questions I have. Your identity is not so much the point here. But there should be no ambiguity as to the substance of my (and our common) questions concerning your alleged 9/11 whistleblowing - and those 295 Marsh Mc Lellan colleagues that you claim to have lost.
Please let me know if it's ok with you that I post this e-mail exchange on Cluesforum. I was actually hoping you would register at our forum - please feel free to do so if you wish.
Simon Shack
RichardGrove wrote:By the way, I just searched up Edward Chiarini who lives in TX, is this who you guys are trusting? What is the nature of his identity? Has anyone verified him?
https://www.google.com/search?q="Edward+Chiarini"+TX (see: mug shot)
I'm happy to verify my identity, I'm being slandered and libeled, and this case is a slam dunk.
Richard Grove wrote:Hi Simon, please give me a specific link or links to review, aforementioned your initial link misfired, so obviously what I found in my search is not what you are seeking to verify, my apologies.
I will review it and respond to it accordingly, but please appreciate that I work producing media every day, I've got a full schedule with deadlines for project deliverables, we have a feature film we're co-producing, and my usual workload is extensive, so I'm happy to answer your questions but due to reasons of integrity and time management I can't re-prioritize my ongoing projects.
That being read, if what I read from your links is something which doesn't take much time, I'm likely to get to it sooner than later. I would register at the cluesforum, but with running our own site with more than 2,000 members, I've got my hands full and wouldn't get to do much if anything beyond reading your specific link(s). Just being honest, I hope it helps to set the mutual expectation.
Looking forward to reading the link(s)
simonshack wrote:Richard,
Please send me a valid e-mail addy of yours. This firstname.lastname@example.com
does not work - it keeps bouncing back my replies to you. (well, if you receive
THIS MAIL, it means the problem was only temporary).
Yes, I am also very busy managing a 1300-member forum, so I can understand
your time constraints. But I'm sure you can find the time to at
least address these few issues listed in this post of mine:
simonshack wrote:Richard,
I'll make it very simple for you:
Do you believe that anyone died on 9/11, and if so, can you provide verifiable/bureaucratic proof of those individuals' pre-9/11 existence?
RichardGrove wrote:Short answer: I might have believed at one time without questioning that many died in the WTC attacks, but I do not claim nor have I claimed this; and references I've made where a simple function of not questioning that particular perspective of the 9-11 story, a blind spot which I should have questioned more diligently before repeating that which I had not verified for myself. Until your email, any claims that I've previously reviewed which are similar to your hypothesis have proven to be red herrings which didn't lead to any substance.
Long answer: I don't believe in evidence I haven't seen, so concur with the need to question the nature and source bringing us the numbers of "those who perished" on 9-11.
To clarify, any comments I've made regarding people who were in the towers are based solely on the interactions I had that morning, and thereafter through what the media has purported with respect to the numbers of how many allegedly perished, etc. So with respect to my belief that people died in the WTC on 9/11, it's worth considering because I realize it could be one of my blind spots.
Other than that, I might readily support your latest work, but I can't comment yet b/c I have yet to review it.
So I don't oppose your hypothesis, b/c my personal experiences did not include studying bone fragments, identifying victims, etc., so any comments or references I've made are not claims on my part (regarding WTC victims) but a reflection of what the official story claims.
For instance, one of my questions is: if 3,000 perished, why are only just over a thousand identified, and it seems most identified jumped before the wtc dissolved into thin air. So I respect that you're asking questions.
I can tell you that I worked with flesh and blood human beings, as I've named, and that I worked with these people several days a week for approx. 1 1/2 years prior to 9-11, that their loved ones believe them also to be dead, and that the towers were occupied on almost every floor at the time of my termination on June 2001.
Beyond that, I'm just as in the dark as everyone else, I attended a lot of memorial services; and so in the case of victims of the WTC my belief without questioning doesn't benefit me, so I'll look more into it.
Where's the best link to review your latest work on the possibility that the WTC was partially/entirely vacant, if I am understanding your hypothesis accurately?
RichardGrove wrote:By the way dude, are you really not able to email me on this address or are you just pulling my leg? The reason I'm asking is b/c I keep getting email from others on my email@example.com account, and it would be easier than lisa sliding her laptop across the desk and having me type on her keyboard.
- These recipients of your message have been processed by the mail server:
firstname.lastname@example.com; Failed; 5.1.1 (bad destination mailbox address)
hoi.polloi wrote:Well he's actually acting like a decent human being who can question consensus reality like a person, and that goes quite some way in my book. You should definitely try to establish meaningful contact and see if he can present some physical proofs of his experiences - i.e.; non-doctored pictures, yearbooks, and other documents that establish his flesh-and-blood folks as existent and the towers being as occupied as he seems to think.
RichardGrove wrote:"I brought my concerns up to executives inside of SilverStream, and I was urged to keep quiet and mind my own business. I went to an executive at Marsh, and he advised me to do likewise… but THEN I mentioned it to a few executives at Marsh who I could trust- like Gary Lasko…and Kathryn Lee, Ken Rice, Richard Breuhardt, John Ueltzhoeffer - people who became likewise concerned that something untoward was going on.
The concerned colleagues I just mentioned, were murdered on September 11th, and the executives who expressed dismay at my concerns, are alive and free today because of it."
http://ourworldinbalance.blogspot.it/20 ... grove.html
Gary Lasko was in one of the twin towers on a conference call with his Memphis colleagues when the first plane struck his building.
The call was dropped and Lasko is still listed as missing but never forgotten.
"His loss was felt very much in our organization and we said what can we do? The scholarship is what we came up with"
- said Society of Information Management member Jana Markowitz.
http://www.wmctv.com/story/15398017/sch ... 911-attack
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text:
Design is a powerful tool.
So powerful in fact, it can seem like magic. It shares interests and affirms values, makes connections and establishes trust. It clarifies, communicates, and compels. And when done poorly, it can be blunt. Dull.
Chances are you're here looking for some of that magic, to regain that edge. You're looking to sharpen up.
We believe that great design starts with asking questions. Uncovering problems. Discovering opportunities. Great design comes from understanding. It marries intellect and intuition, instinct and insight. It speaks both rationally and emotionally. It also takes trust and willingness to take a risk. Partnership. If you're open to recommendations that reach beyond design, if you're committed to working collaboratively, if you desire a solution greater than the sum of its parts, you've come to the right place.
SF LUXURY COUNCIL MARKETING BOOTCAMP attendees
My talk on millennial marketing is available online here. Thank you!
"It is an amazingly rare thing in this world to create something that is, in reality, every bit as great as your wildest imagination dreamed it could be.
To me, this site is just that – a stunning piece of design that perfectly encapsulates the beauty and detail of our brand, while at the same time, expands my fundamental perception of what the internet is capable of. While I never doubted your ability, I was sure that along the way there would be compromises that had to be made, requests that wouldn't be achievable or boundaries that design or technology could not cross – there always are on projects like this. Looking back now, I can't think of one."
– James Hayes, Araujo Estate
"After nearly fifteen years of working with various design and technology companies, [Alta] took it to whole new level for us. Their commitment to do the absolute best at every stage was beyond impressive - it was inspiring.
From the initial consultations to the photography, design and overall flow, they were meticulous, hard-working, creative, timely, and went out of their way to understand our needs and what the customer wanted. The final product, Last Bottle, has been huge, literally an overnight success. We can't say enough about these guys!"
– Stefan Blicker, Last Bottle
More about us
Read more about how we work, and why we do what we do


text:
The Gatekeepers: powerful, surprising and slanted
If you have any interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you should get over to Chez Artiste in Denver and see The Gatekeepers, the Israeli documentary that was nominated for an Oscar. I saw it the other night at the invitation of Saul Rosenthal, a former head of the Mountain States Office of the Anti-Defamation League and now chair of the Colorado chapter of J Street, which bills itself as a "the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans" and as an alternative to more traditional outfits such as AIPAC.
You can see why J Street would like the movie, which is a powerful plea for a two-state solution and for Israel to move more aggressively toward that goal. To the extent there's a villain in the movie (other than Palestinian terrorists), it's the Israeli right. And the film makes its case through remarkable interviews with six former heads of Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security service. Read the Denver Post's Lisa Kennedy's fine recent review here.
I would only add that the movie, while indeed compelling on a variety of fronts, also strains at times to maintain its thesis. For example, it never deals with the question of whether there is anyone with whom the Israelis can negotiate in good faith, especially when it comes to Hamas, which still calls for Israel's destruction. And as Michal Peleg-Uziyahu, the Israeli community representative in Denver, noted after the screening, The Gatekeepers gives short shrift to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and its aftermath, possibly because (my supposition, not hers) it would undercut the film's thesis.
I also found several statements by the former Shin Bet leaders simply over the top, although it's clear that filmmaker Dror Moreh meant for us to take them seriously. One fellow, for example, – I think it was Yaakov Peri – intoned the familiar and banal saying, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." Now, that is certainly true up to a point, but in this case, one man's terrorists are deliberately targeting non-combatants and the other man's terrorists are debating whether to drop a quarter ton or 1 ton bomb on the roof of a dwelling where a "Dream Team" of their enemy's leaders has congregated, precisely because they don't want to kill non-combatants.
In the event, the Israelis choose the smaller bomb and the Dream Team gets away.
Another example: the appallingly ignorant claim by the oldest Shin Bet chief, Avraham Shalom, that the Israeli occupation had become similar to "the Germans in World War II," with the exception of the Germans' treatment of Jews, of course. This is a judgment the filmmaker accepts without demur. But can Shalom really be unaware of the Nazis' treatment of the Poles and Russians, for example – the horrors in the Poles' case including an attempt at the extirpation of the intellectual and professional classes, especially in the west? Two to three million non-Jewish Poles died at Nazi hands during the occupation, for heaven's sake.
The irony is overwhelming: Shalom eventually had to resign because of public reaction to his ordering the execution in 1984 of two terrorists. And yet what German security officer, his hands dipped in the blood even of many thousands, conceivably would have had to face a similar rebuke?


text:
FREMONT — A 23-year-old man was stabbed in a high school parking lot this week by a member of a rival gang, police said.
The incident began on Wednesday, when the stabbing victim confronted someone he believed was in a rival gang in a parking lot at American High School, located at 36300 Fremont Blvd., according to police.
The Fremont resident punched the other man, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed him, authorities said.
The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive his wound.
By the time police arrived, the man with the knife was gone. Police said the man who was stabbed is a reputed gang member who refused to cooperate withauthorities.
David DeBolt covers breaking news. Contact him in Richmond at 510-262-2728. Follow him at Twitter.com/daviddebolt.


text:
Haight Street All Stars
If you are looking for a good time, Todd's rock and roll band, "The Haight Street All-Stars" will exceed your highest expectations. Featured at the Haight Street Fair this year, the blues/rock sensation, "The Haight Street All-Stars" will keep you dancing throughout the night. Playing songs to the likes of James Brown, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Albert King and many more. "The Haight Street All-Stars" are fun from beginning to end. Come on out to enjoy some soul in San Francisco !
Roger Niner Karaoke
"Roger Niner is back in The Mission... at Pops! And he's bringing his big ole' book of rare and unheard karaoke tunes! Find and sing a new favorite or a long forgotten oddity! Karaoke like you never left the basement of your parents house! We go until they tell us to shut the hell up! Check out the songbook at book.rogerniner.com, and PREPARE!"
Web: www.rogerniner.com,
Facebook: Roger Niner Karaoke,
Twitter: @rogerniner
Instagram: @rogerniner


text:
The Lassen Park Foundation provides vital financing and leadership to preserve and protect Lassen Volcanic National Park and its environs. We use our passion for Lassen to raise funds to restore trails, develop interpretive exhibits, advance scientific learning, sustain the area's cultural legacy and provide opportunities for youth to experience an outdoors adventure.
Our current priorities include underwriting:
- Youth Camping Program
- Cultural Resource Development
- Interpretive and Educational Projects
- Scientific Research
- Trail Preservation
- Wildlife Research
You can help the Foundation in these efforts by making a financial contribution. There has never been a better time to express your passion for Lassen by joining the Foundation in supporting these important projects.


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Former Altmans Winnebago President Dave Altman, now deceased, had two pieces of business advice for entrepreneurs: avoid lawsuits and never go to court.
Now his family members are tangled up in a legal battle with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) over the value of the business he started in Baldwin Park, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Caltrans seized Altman's through eminent domain proceedings in 2007 and offered to pay $3.86 million for Altman's land along the Interstate 10 freeway. But the state transportation agency offered nothing for the business, which it deemed valueless.
Now the Altman family finds itself in court seeking just compensation for a loss it values at $9.9 million.
"Caltrans has been remarkably oblivious," said attorney John Murphy, who is defending Altman's. "This is a business that employs over 167 people and generated over $61 million. That is not a profile that is valueless."
Erick Solares, a Caltrans attorney, and Maria Raptiz, spokeswoman for Caltrans, declined to comment.
Altmans Winnebago has been a fixture along the 10 Freeway in Baldwin Park since 1971. The one-time corporate headquarters will be demolished along with several other businesses and homes for a freeway widening project. Work in the area began last week.
The Caltrans project will add two carpool lanes on each side of the freeway.
Although Caltrans notified Altman's in 2002 that it would take the land, no action was taken until 2007, according to court records.
Believing the terms unfair, Altman's has asked for a jury trial.
Caltrans seized the family's flagship business in January, the month that Dave Altman died. Today, the abandoned building is boarded up. It was a site popular with taggers until Caltrans crews cleaned the graffiti.
The company also operates stores in Carson and Colton.
Owner Joe Altman, a La Verne resident, said he is familiar with the area and understands Caltrans' need to expand the freeway – but he wants to be compensated fairly.
"Every business goes through cycles, and (Caltrans) happened to hit us at the bottom of a cycle," Joe Altman said. "But for them to say that we are a 'valueless' company? Sometimes there are differences in opinion, but this is just shocking."
Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano said he was sad to see the business close, especially because it had been such an institution in the city for so many years.
"They were a prize winner for us, but they fell victim to the expansion of the 10 Freeway," Lozano said. "They leave a great legacy, not only because of the fact that they contributed to sales tax, but also to the city as well."


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Cosmic Evolution — New Exhibition at the Deutsches Museum
8 December 2009
From tomorrow, 9 December 2009, visitors to the world-renowned Deutsches Museum in Munich will be able to embark on the ultimate journey through time, as the new Cosmic Evolution exhibition opens its doors. A perfect grand finale to the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the exhibition is the result of a cooperation involving five local research institutions and is set for a two-year run. An opening ceremony takes place today at the museum.
Visitors will be able to follow the trail of cosmic evolution, from the birth of space, time and matter to the formation of the network of filaments of galaxy clusters that is the Universe's large-scale structure. Back in the present, the visitor explores the life cycles of stars, the structure and evolution of galaxies — including the role played by the enigmatic black holes — before catching a glimpse of the future: what do scientists know about our Universe's eventual fate?
Weaving together astronomy, astro-, nuclear and particle physics, the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of cosmic history, which includes multimedia presentations of cutting-edge research.
Hands-on experiments allow visitors to unravel the mysteries of the cosmic background radiation — the electromagnetic echo of the Big Bang, discover the crucial role of dark matter, and find out about the origin of elements such as oxygen, iron and gold that we take for granted on Earth.
The exhibition is a cooperative venture between five Munich- and Garching-based research institutions:
- Excellence Cluster Universe
- European Southern Observatory
- Max-Planck Institute for Astrophysics
- Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
- Max-Planck Institute for Physics
The Deutsches Museum opens daily from 09:00 till 17:00. The 100-m2 exhibition is on the fourth floor, in the astronomy section.
For more information: http://www.deutsches-museum.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
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Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22


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One of my first experiences with long distance clients (true E-design/ without ever seeing the space in person) was a bedroom for twins girls. After having everything delivered and installed a while back I have been anxiously awaiting pictures.
Last week this little gem popped up in my inbox:
First we should introduce you to the owners of this sweet room... Meet Cece and Elle (the most adorable twin girls I've seen since Mary Kate and Ashley. For reals.)
Seriously?? I know you're looking at the headboard...
For long distance clients the process is a little different. The client does a little more leg work on the front end- sending pictures, measurements, and inspiration images.
With that information I come up with an initial floor plan and a presentation board that looks a little something like this...
I then mail samples, memos to the client to finalize colors, fabrics, bedding, etc.
Obviously some things change from the initial plan once we get started. I always like to include atleast a few old, unique pieces and those require some searching. For example, I found these cute antique chairs at Scotts that I wanted to use in front of the window.
Perks of being a long distance client? You receive "insert Rachel for scale" pictures. Where you can really see the scale of the furniture-.... I'm basically a virtual Vanna White.
See.?? The chairs are small. Kid size.
And perfect for bla-bla dolls....
*custom game table painted "Borrowed Light" by Farrow and Ball
*is anyone impressed that I know what a bla-bla is.
*Headboards from Hickory Chair- available through RH, bedding by Serena and Lily, bedside table by Bungalow 5, lamp from Arteriors- both available through RH
*light from Ikea!
*view from the room- can't help you there*
*Vintage suitcases from various different sellers on etsy. We had a mirrored top made for it.
We are still working on this side of the room, but waiting on the right piece of artwork is never a bad thing. Chest by Bungalow 5 through RH; custom made bookcase tower, artwork through etsy; lamp base from Pottery Barn, lamp shade through etsy seller.
I always say to keep kids rooms simple. Sure your kids will cry for a cobalt blue room and accuse you of trying to ruin their life... but that's besides the point. Think about the tone, the mood you want to set for the room.
While the twin's room still feels young and full of life, it is also very serene and peaceful. Which is exactly what you want to encourage in a bedroom with two 4 year olds. If you took out the artwork, and a few accessories you'd still have a neutral palette to work with. And when they come in with their hot pink superman capes and polka dot beach balls?? There's your pop of color.
Ok, one more.. because they are just that cute. And so happy in their new room! :)
(Thanks to Fireflies 3 photography for sharing most of these images; and to my clients for giving me permission to show off their beautiful girls!
Virtual Vanna- don't wear it out.


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Explosive helicopter warfare!
Be a Pilot Hero and extinguish fires, avoid trees, chase other planes and a whole bunch of other missions!
Time to take the copter to war!
Take to the skies and race to win in five different cities!
Take control of your Apache and take down the enemy forces!
Destroy as many targets as possible with your souped up chopper!
Steer your space ship and shoot the enemies throughout the galaxy!
Unleash powerful magic and fight enemies!
Free the people of Asheton with the help of your loyal dragon!
Get to the flares, rescue survivors and avoid the marauding zombies!


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Busan Neighborhoods • Dongbaek
Dongbaek Pictures
Dongbaek is an area in Busan which has received new attention recently and has been redeveloped. I.e., the commieblocks have been torn down to be replaced by shiny dubai-like towers. Good .
How to get to Dongbaek Neighborhood
Dongbaek subway station.
Last edited by Parent on Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:03 am, edited 2 times in total.
Neighborhoods Nearby Dongbaek - Pictures by Parent
Haeundae Neighborhood by Parent. Haeundae Beach is located in Haeundae-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Along the 12 km of coastline Haeundae Beach is Busan's most popular beach, and with Seogwipo's, it is one of the best known.. Distance from Dongbaek: 1.1km NEE, 42 pictures.
Centum City Neighborhood by Parent. A few pictures I took on Sunday while going shopping at the Shinsegae Department store in Centum City. The Shinsegae dept. store is the largest one in east.. Distance from Dongbaek: 1.5km NW, 10 pictures.
Centum City Neighborhood by Parent. Centum city used to be an airfield but has since been transformed into one of Busan's top residential.. Distance from Dongbaek: 1.5km NW, 6 pictures.
Dalmaji Neighborhood by Parent. Dalmaji hills is a very nice residential area located just east of the Haeundae.. Distance from Dongbaek: 2.8km E, 10 pictures.
Gwangali Neighborhood by Parent. Nice beach, romantic bridge, coffee shops alley. All is perfect to get a date.. Distance from Dongbaek: 3km SWW, 58 pictures.
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- Gaming
Welcome to the future of Las Vegas
It's 8 p.m. July 11, 2033. Hot and getting hotter. There's a high of 117 outside McCarran International Airport, and you're fighting the odd desire to crack an egg over the asphalt, Tweetagram it. You can see the Strip through the glass window at arrivals. It looks roughly the same as you remember—the iconic shapes of the Luxor, Paris and Wynn still cutting through the sky—but you've heard a lot has changed since your last visit. "You want in?" your girlfriend asks, sitting in a semicircle of friends. She's put together a Texas hold 'em table on her tablet, connected to a pack of players in a hotel room at Caesars Palace.
- Breaking News
Bally's tower gets new rooms, new name
Bally's Las Vegas plans to renovate 756 rooms in its South Tower and rename it the Jubilee Tower, named after the longest-running burlesque act in Las Vegas and slated to welcome its first guests in late summer.
What makes the perfect Las Vegas casino? World-class restaurants, no smoking, crunchy cannolis ... and 3:2 blackjack payouts
With Resorts World Las Vegas, the Gansevoort and SLS on the way, the Strip is preparing itself for a new wave of hotel-casinos, each promising a unique Las Vegas experience to top their predecessors and draw tourists the world over.
- Casino
Dirty laundry: Should casinos be responsible for knowing where the money comes from?
Las Vegas Sands Corp. could be in trouble over a few of its gamblers' illegal practices.
Size matters: Just how big are Las Vegas' biggest bars?
With nightclubs sprawling tens of thousands of feet across Strip properties, many bars, lounges and other smaller nightlife venues have followed in the spirit of expansion.
- Business
Nobu suites that redefine room service go on sale today at Caesars Palace
The Nobu Hotel, with 181 rooms, including 18 luxury suites, will step up Las Vegas' reputation for all-night dining with 24-hour access to a celebrity chef menu and accommodations bigger than some homes. The first hotel from chef Nobu Matsuhisa will step up Las Vegas' reputation for all-night dining with 24-hour access to the kitchens of "the man who reinvented Japanese food."
- Business
Looking in on the Palms' $600,000 pool renovations
After a decades of drawing thousands to MTV Spring Break and the popular Ditch Fridays day parties, the Palms Pool & Bungalows have a new look through a recent $600,000 renovation.
- Business
Station offers progressive blackjack over 9 casinos
Station Casinos of Las Vegas this week began the largest multi-site progressive blackjack game in the nation , company officials said.
- Business
Nine of the biggest Las Vegas jackpots
Here's a look at some of the most notable jackpots ever hit in Las Vegas casinos


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Roto-Rooter plumbers in Truckee provide full service plumbing maintenance and repairs and clogged drain cleaning, 24 hours a day. Roto-Rooter's Truckee plumbers offer residential and commercial plumbing services that customers depend on for all of their local plumbing needs.
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For most offshore anglers, a Makaira two-speed game reel will spend the bulk of its' working life in a rod holder. In tow might be an 8- to 12-inch trolling lure, maybe a skirt over a ballyhoo, perhaps a bridled skipjack. At intervals the reel will be brought to life and engaged in a battle of wills, to which it will respond with the faithfulness of a dog and an overwhelming display of power and grace.
For the above outlined tasks, Makaira reels are constructed to far exceed the life covered by their 5-year factory warranty. Spool bearings are protected by a 30% grease pack that allows for competent freespool, but more importantly protects the bearings. Non-spool bearings receive a 100% grease pack again placing protection of key components at a premium. The gear ratios of the two-speeds offer versatility to take on any pelagic you might encounter from a sport boat.
The long-range fishing boats departing from San Diego, California present unique challenges to anglers. Certainly the yellowfin, wahoo and yellowtail are big, but that's pretty basic. The larger challenges begin with the fact these fish are pursued primarily with live bait. Instead of stripping 100-feet of line to place a lure in a spread, excellence in this fishery requires clearing the boat by casting a light bait fish on 40- to 100-pound tackle. Once in the water, the reel needs to feed line so effortlessly the bait fish swims as if it's simply free-swimming. And the longer a strong swimming baitfish can be maintained, the more certain one can be that it will be eaten.
At the moment of the strike the second challenge begins. In many cases, the boat is anchored and in virtually all cases, there is no chasing the fish with the boat. Every inch of line must be earned. The fish can be followed around the boat, but the boat is not repositioned to assist a single angler when 25 more are continuing their pursuit of a bite.
While Makaira reels have become renowned for their drag system and integrity of internal components, the long-range community, spearheaded by elite angler David Choate and reel technician Alan Tani, requested specific modifications to advance Makaira to the position of the ultimate long-range reels. The result is the Makaira SE.
Makaira SE reels are available in sizes 8, 10, 15, 20 and 30, all featuring topless (no crossbar across the top of the reel) construction. The primary modifications are straightforward, yet incredibly important to long-range anglers. The first is that the 35% grease pack on the spool bearings has been completely removed, as have the shields that protect their exterior. Instead, completely open bearings are lubricated with TSI 301 oil.
TSI 301 oil is not a petroleum-based lubricant. A pure synthetic ester, TSI 301 penetrates the pores in metal and bonding itself to the surface. Greatly reducing surface tension, the application dramatically cuts friction and reduces wear. When exceptional freespool is the difference between great reward and difficult fishing, this bearing system outperforms virtually all others. Of note is that their is no free lunch here. When bearings are opened and oiled instead of greased, they do require maintenance to maintain their peak performance. But the anglers willing to travel four days by boat to reach the world's greatest fishing grounds do not shy away from their responsibilities to their equipment. These are detail-oriented anglers.
The second modification is an oversized handle arm to deliver more torque. When you are unable to reposition the boat to the best advantage of the angler, the angler has to be able to authoritatively bear down on the fish. Makaira and Makara SE reels all incorporate powerful 17-4 stainless steel gearing and shafts that can withstand incredible stress. The longer handle arms allow anglers a significant increase in leverage and greater ability to move large fish.
The third modification applies to Makaira SE 20 and 30 sizes only. It's a lower ratio in the low gear. Where the standard Makaira is 1.7:1, these SE's are 1.3:1. Again the purpose here is to increase leverage and keep the fish moving towards the boat. Very commonly, anglers will hang 150- to 300-pound yellowfin on these size reels and of absolute importance to the battle is to be able to actively gain line. The longer the fight continues, the more opportunity is that something will go wrong.
In a few final touches, Makaira SE reels feature gun smoke anodizing, an engraved tuna adorning the left side plate and all the frames have receive further machining to increase line clearance and reduce weight.
While Makaira SE reels are neither necessary and in some cases not recommended to the broader range of offshore anglers (if you do not regularly maintain your reels, the SE line up is not for you), for those seeking refined live bait performance the Makaria SE addresses the needs specific to the fishery.
Owners of standard Makaira reels that are interested in the modification can have them made at our California headquarters. The bearings and handle can be changed out for $29.99 which includes parts and labor. On the 20 and 30 sizes, the bearings, handle and low-gear modifications can be made for $59.99 including parts and labor. Shipping charges in both cases are additional.


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Movie Pictures
Check out Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Cool Twilight movie pictures and photos of your favorite Stephenie Meyer characters brought to the big screen. Add them to your MySpace, Friendster, and Hi5 profile or send the pictures to friends and show them what all the excitement is about.