text:
Trump, escalating rhetoric, says Clinton 'has to go to jail'
LAKELAND, Florida (AP) - His campaign struggling a month from Election Day, Donald Trump sharpened his rhetoric Wednesday from calling for Hillary Clinton's defeat to declaring "she has to go to jail" for using a homebrew email server and other charges of corruption while she was secretary of state.
Trump told supporters at a rally in battleground Florida that the Justice Department's handling of the probe into Clinton's email server let her off the hook and suggested that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress went along with it. SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH SPEECH.
"Did they make a deal where everybody protects each other in Washington?" Trump asked. The Republican nominee went on to call it "one of the great miscarriages of justice" in United States history and declared that Clinton "would be the most dishonest and the most corrupt person ever elected to high office and I don't think it would be close."
"This corruption and collusion is just one more reason why I will ask my attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor," to investigate Clinton and the fact that she apparently deleted thousands of emails that were never recovered, Trump said.
He later made clear: "She deleted the emails. She has to go to jail."
It was a dramatic escalation of rhetoric by the Republican presidential nominee whose campaign was hobbled on Friday with the release of a recording on which Trump brags about groping women without their consent because he is famous. Trump has apologized. But widespread condemnation followed, including from dozens of Republican officeholders who called on Trump to quit the presidential race and let his running mate, Mike Pence, complete it as the GOP nominee. Trump has refused and amped up his attacks on Clinton by bringing up Bill Clinton's sexual past and saying the former first lady attacked his alleged partners.
The difference from just a few months ago was stark. Just after the Republican National Convention, Trump responded to his supporters' chants of "lock her up" by suggesting "Let's just beat her in November."
At Sunday's debate in St. Louis, the nominee himself made that very threat — an unprecedented break with U.S. political decorum. It came after Clinton had said it is "awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country."
Trump blasted back, "Because you'd be in jail."
That call was denounced by some Republicans and Democrats alike but Trump has not been deterred.
His new attacks came during a two-day swing through Florida, including a stop Wednesday in Lakeland on the crucial I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando.
But Trump didn't solely train his fire on his Democratic opponent.
Trump has complained bitterly in recent days about House Speaker Paul Ryan, who told Republican House members on Monday that he would focus on maintaining a majority in Congress and would no longer campaign for Trump. He noted that Ryan didn't call and say "good going" after his performance in Sunday's debate.
Trump claimed that there is a "whole sinister deal going on" that has prevented Ryan and other Republican leaders from fully backing his campaign but he didn't elaborate.
Reach Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire


text:
Laguna Beach's school board stuck to their unanimous decision to start school before Labor Day, prompting grumblings by disgruntled parents to boycott the earlier start in August and even recall school board members.
"What is it they can't hear?" Rick Putnam, who has two daughters at the high school, said in frustration. Putnam had just finished his three minutes at the podium where he, along with a long line of other parents, requested school board members reconsider last month's controversial unilateral decision. Most speakers felt the board failed to include a key component, sufficient input from the parents. With standing room only, nearly 40 people filled the district's 32-person capacity board room, most standing for two hours.
After hearing comments from primarily displeased parents, district superintendent Sherine Smith apologized for not being more diligent in involving parents in the decision, vowing to improve the noticing process. "People have valid concerns about our communications," she conceded. "We're going to make sure we have responsive communications and that our descriptions are clear enough about what we're talking about."
The board decided to revise the school calendar, to convene school on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 29 and 30, rather than on the traditional Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday, and to close school for the entire week during Thanksgiving. The decision came after the district surveyed parents and teachers last November about the then-proposed change, which will now be tested for one year.
Only 43 percent of district parents responded to what has been described as a weakly stated and poorly noticed survey rather than a defining decision-making tool. Of those parents, 61 percent preferred keeping the start date in September. However, 73 percent of the district's teachers responded, with 65 percent favoring the earlier days. Parents at the meeting questioned the value of academic time versus summertime for a child's healthy development.
"You guys are really pushing students extremely hard," said Mark, a parent of young school-age children who declined to provide his last name. "There are a lot of things we learn in the summer that we don't learn in school: how to swim, how to snorkel, how to be with our families, how to enjoy life. I don't want my kids home at Thanksgiving. Every time I turn around, my kids aren't in school. I want them in school where they should be, learning." Other parents said summer skateboarding, surfing and free time allows kids to be kids.
Parents also wondered whether the decision was driven by the teachers' union, the Laguna Beach Unified Faculty Association. "If it's a union issue you're trying to please," said Sharon Morgan, mother of four school-age children, "the teachers have what they want. They have great jobs and great pay and great technology. Give the families what they want."
Putnam, a businessman, suggested that the board "change their culture." "It's families and students who are first. They are your clients," he said. "You would not be here without them. The union is not your client. They are not here to tell you or any of us how to run our calendar." He suggested that the board under-promise and over-deliver and practice transparency rather than becoming insular over controversial issues.
Board member Jan Vickers said juggling the calendar change with labor negotiations was a difficult process. "The insinuation that it was some kind of an underhanded, secretive, covert decision really strikes us in a very hurtful way," she said, describing some frustration at closed session talks over teacher schedules, which legally require confidentiality. "There were a lot of questions asked," she promised parents, but conceded, "I hear that obviously what we might have felt was reaching out and getting input from every family in the district was not adequate, so we will do better."
Smith said teachers suggested the change in the calendar to avert absences during the Thanksgiving break. "Where we fell short as a staff," said Smith, "was not to push out the communications to the parents. Parents were taken by surprise."
Linda Barker, president of the teacher's union and a TOW teacher, said in an email Wednesday that many parents pull their children out of school during Thanksgiving. "For those who do come, teachers are challenged to introduce a topic when it can't be reinforced during the rest of the week," she said.
Several parents supported the change, stating they agreed with the academic importance. "I would like the calendar decision to be made on what's best for students, not about my vacation," said Peggy Wolf, a mother of two students. She agreed that the district was amiss in not garnering more public input. Other supporting parents agreed to try it for a year, emphasizing that it was only a two-day change.
Parent Nancy Linden Koprowski, with a background in public relations, said the district needs a better protocol to communicate. She suggested revamping the system to include three weeks of public notices in print and online, a minimum of two public hearings, a 30-day written comment period followed by a public meeting summarizing community response concluding with a vote by the school board. She also took exception to placating the change by labeling it a pilot program, saying that it still affects the community negatively for a year.
"I just hope we can come together and suck it up for a year and all be okay with that," board member Ketta Brown said in her concluding comments.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
George the Chozebite
January 8
Saint George lived about the beginning of the ninth century in Palestine, in a certain monastery called Hozeva, which lies in a great ravine between Jerusalem and Jericho.
Apolytikion of George of Hozeva
First Tone
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O George, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:
Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Blessed Feast Day
Share the feast of George the Chozebite with an icon greeting ecard.
Online Chapel


text:
Imagine this: You're on an airline flight and you watch a white man leave his seat to slap a black 19-month-old baby and then tells the baby's mother: "Shut that (N-word) baby up."
Sounds like a bad joke? It's no joke. It actually happened two weeks ago on a Delta Airlines flight. Joe Rickey Hundley of Hayden, Idaho, was tired of listening to the baby crying and decided to apply his own brand of in-flight corporal punishment.
Hundley was arrested and charged with assaulting a minor on a flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta. Hundley slapped the toddler in the face with an open hand, according to the documents. The boy suffered a cut below his eye.
"He reeked of alcohol," Jessica Bennett, 33, the boy's mother, told a local television station. "He was belligerent, and I was uncomfortable."
"And I said, `What did you say?' because I couldn't believe that he would say that," Bennett said. "He fell onto my face and his mouth was in my ear and he said it again but even more hateful. And he's on my face, so I pushed him away."
Bennett and her husband are white, but the baby, Jonah, is black. The Bennetts adopted the baby.
This kind of premeditated bigotry is particularly troubling because it's an act of violence on a child. And what a coward. Hundley decides to slap a baby who can't defend himself? It's a sorry commentary on the state of race relations in America at a time when there's still so much hope for the future.
I heard a few people try to explain away Hundley's violent behavior by saying he's crazy, mentally unstable, and probably just snapped. And maybe he did. Or perhaps, just for the sake of argument, he may be a racist.
I don't buy the "mental illness" argument when it comes to people like Hundley. Their actions against African Americans are sometimes deliberate, mean-spirited, unacceptable and, without a doubt, racist.
COMMENTARY: Hundley Should Be Jailed For Slapping Baby was originally published on blackamericaweb.com


text:
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Cuomo administration says New York is back to being one of the nation's top three states when it comes to milk production.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that New York passed Idaho in 2013 to become the nation's third largest producer of milk, trailing California and Wisconsin. New York topped Idaho by 57 million pounds of milk last year.
It's the first time since 2009 that New York has ranked third nationally in milk production. The state had a 37-year run in the No. 3 spot starting in 1972.
New York's milk production rose in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year. State officials credit the growth to the increased demand for milk, thanks in large part to New York's booming yogurt industry.


text:
571 - Camel
Contemporary tennis trainers by Fiocco Nero, crafted on the Fiocco Nero last from tanned fine leather. These lace-up trainers offer you a young design, on top of a tender memory insole, a contrast rubber outsole, a surprising Fiocco Nero bowtie brogues detail on the outside of the shoe and two stars on the inside of the shoe. Add this supportive pair to shine on with a casual look.
Free Shipping within Israel via registered mail
Deliveries are up to 5 business days.
Free pick-ups from the store – Esther Ha'Malka 4, Tel – Aviv.
You can return your package with a courier for only 25 ILS within 14 days or receiving your items.


text:
Power is out for nearly 10,000 customers in B.C.'s north, central Interior and Cariboo regions, according to BC Hydro.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, people in 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, Vanderhoof, and Burns Lake are without electricity because of a morning wind storm.
In the Williams Lake area, power has been restored to all, except for buildings along a length of Dog Creek Road and in the community of Dog Creek.
There were still multiple outages east of Lac La Hache, 108 Mile Ranch and 105 Mile House.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


text:
8 Things We're Hoping For From Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Dear JJ Abrams, This Is What We Want From The Force Awakens
With just a week to go until we get to see it, the publicity push for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is beginning. Since JJ Abrams gave us a lot of new information in an interview with Entertainment Weekly way back in August, new footage tidbits have been popping up. It's now close enough that it feels like something that's really going to happen, not just a distant wish. With any huge film, anticipation is everything. Here are eight things we're hoping for when we step back into that familiar galaxy.
A Villain With Substance
Cool bad guys were never the problem with the prequels; Darth Maul was perfectly designed and the idea behind General Grievous was solid. What they lacked was any depth, any reason to be interested in them beyond their look and ability with a lighsaber (or several). The Force Awakens has two baddies who look excellent: Rylo Ken (Adam Driver) and Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), so the hope is that they're more than a triple-lightsaber and a shiny Stormtrooper suit respectively. JJ Abrams told Entertainment Weekly that Rylo Ken is "an Everyperson who has to step up" to bringing back the dark side, who isn't "fully formed when we meet him". That suggests character development and conflict, which is what made Darth Vader one of the great villains. This is good.
A Place For The Originals
That moment that Harrison Ford, greyer, craggier, but instantly Han Solo again, rumbled, "Chewie, we're home" in the last trailer, the fans had what they wanted: the Star Wars they knew and loved living again. The challenge for Abrams, now that he's brought back the core original characters, is to give them a story worth coming back for, not just a wave of nostalgia to ride. His recent comment that he was brought onboard by the question of "who is Luke Skywalker?" suggests we have a lot to learn about Darth Vader's son, either good or bad. And the casually mentioned fact that Leia now has both her father's lightsaber (the blue 'good guy' one, not the red 'bad guy' one) and force powers gives endless possibilities to a character whose journey could be the most interesting of the entire series. We want a Han, Luke and Leia we don't yet fully know, not just the familiar ones with more wrinkles.
Worthy Newcomers
The toughest job for Abrams may be, with the presence of the fan favourites, establishing new heroes who are every bit as interesting. We know very little about new leads Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega), which seems to be very deliberate so as not to give too much of the game away, but they're going to need some killer moments to stand out when you've got Han and Chewie flying the Millennium Falcon again.
No Trade Embargoes
In fact, nothing in the opening crawl that requires several reads to even vaguely understand. And nothing about taxes or federations or political upheavals that demand resolution with sit-down debates as opposed to big fights.
At Least One Scene Between R2-D2 and BB-8
The new droid, like a Weeble crossed with a Roomba, is already a hit, so we'd like to see him with the still-beloved R2-D2. Do droids get jealous?
Possibly high on a list of Stupidest Things You Could Say About A Series Involving Magic Torch Fights, but this isn't meant in the sense of "gritty realism". Nobody has any interest in Star Wars doing a Christopher Nolan. This is meant in the sense of having the texture of the original films, in which the planets felt like actual places where you could feel the heat and dust, not the glossy, box-fresh worlds of the prequels. Just because digital effects mean you can do anything doesn't mean they should be the immediate go-to for sci-fi.
The Whole Team Together
Thus far, in the trailers, we've only seen the old and new characters separately. We've seen Han and Chewie together, but not with Luke or Leia, nor have we seen Luke and Leia together (actually, we've only heard Luke and seen Leia's hand – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??). Is it too much to hope that we'll get all of the original four together, with the newbies, possibly on the Millennium Falcon? If that happens it should obviously be followed by a long spell of silence to allow for all the cheering and whooping and screaming and crying and possibly vomiting with joy.
Above all, after all this time, fans really want The Force Awakens to be a blast. For all the import that people attach to these films and all the forensic examination of every minor detail and incidental character, the reason children fell in love with Star Wars in the first place was because it created a sense of awe and adventure. The obsessiveness and debate came later, for some. As much as those who love the series want the mythology deepened, a serious, convoluted new chapter would just take us back to prequel territory. If JJ Abrams can send his audience back out into the real world desperate for just one more minute in a universe where every minute was an adventure, then he will have done his job.
sci fi


text:
Daytona Beach, FL Bat Removal Experts
Florida Wildlife Trappers
Call: (407) 512-8535
Emergency Daytona Beach Florida Bat Removal 24/7
Live Exclusion Bat Control
Get Rid Of Bats For Good
We Can Help!
Removal & Damage Repair
We provide humane & effective solutions for all of your bat removal needs. Call and talk with our technicians. When you call us you quickly learn that we love our jobs and how we get to help out customers with nuisance animal problems.
Bats can be quite the nuisance around these Metro Daytona Beach regions. Bats will invade residential and commercial structures around Daytona Beach causing thousands of dollars worth of damages and eviction costs. Bat droppings building in the attic can damage drywall material and can even soak into wooded beams in the attic or walls. It's not uncommon for the smell of guano to permeate into living quarters, especially on hot summer days.
Fortunately for you, Florida Wildlife Trappers knows these types of bat problems all too well, and the concerns you have can be relieved quickly when you hire our company for Daytona Beach bat removal services.
About The Cost Of Bat Removal In Daytona Beach
This is the most commonly asked question by people calling about a bat problem – "how much will removal cost?" Well, first you must understand there is no "exact cost" AKA set rates when it comes to bat removal.
The pricing info we give here is sensitive information and we advise calling us about your specific issue before you assume it's going to be too expensive or whatever the case may be. Bat problems are often found in the attic, and no matter how many bats there are, performing the live exclusion process remains the same. Read more on exclusion regulations and info below. But given an average sized 2 story home that has relatively newer construction with a shingled roof and medium sized bat colony in the attic – the AVERAGE cost is likely going to be somewhere in the range of $900-$2200 depending largely on the number of gaps we need to access and seal around the roofline.
Why Do You Have A Bat Problem?
Not all bats infest structures, and even the ones that do are somewhat particular about the types of buildings they are seeking to inhabit. Most all bats that choose to live in man-made structures were actually born in one. Wildlife biologists call these "imprinting bats" when they replicate instinctive behavior learned from the parent bat colony. Bats seeking to invade a new home/structure will generally be more inclined to enter a building that has similar construction as the building they were born in.
There is also evidence suggesting these bats will gain access to a home through a highly similar entry point as the original parent colony had been using. Young female bat pups that are maturing into adults will live with their parent colony for several years if not forever, and so this behavior is continually passed down as the generations of female bat colonies (AKA maternity colonies) continue to thrive.
So now you should see, it's not just the luck of the draw when bats choose your home to infest, but it is highly unfortunate and a bummer as we understand the costs of removal are unexpected expenditures as nobody can predict having a bat infestation… Bat problems are highly common, but we know that probably doesn't make you feel any better! But, what might is knowing that Florida Wildlife Trappers carries all the proper licensing and insurance for this line of work. We are not some freelance operation running around without a trade name and insurance, as many independent operators tend to do in this field of work. You can rest assured that you're in good hands with FWT.
The Bat Inspection
We understand that you want this bat problem of yours to disappear, like yesterday. But first we need to perform a full 5 point wildlife inspection before we give an actual price for bat exclusion or bat removal, unless there is a single bat in the house, in which case we'd give a quote on coming out to remove as an emergency service. The bat inspection will entail detailed analysis of the roofline to determine where & how the bats are getting inside.
During the inspection we will thoroughly check the attic space for damage, unless it's too hot – in which case we will reschedule for the attic inspection. These Florida attics can be like a literal oven! Summers are always the worst. But most times the hot weather won't stop us from doing our job, as we've grown accustomed to it. During the attic inspection we will be looking for damages like Droppings etc. Unlike how most people tend to assume, looking in the attic actually has little to do with how we get rid of the bats. It's just to check for damage… All the eviction process with be quoted based on viewing portions outside of the attic.
Bat Odors and Attic Cleanup
Florida Wildlife Trappers carries the appropriate equipment to provide attic cleanup and bat guano remediation if necessary. Depending on the situation with levels of contaminated material in the attic, the job may require 1 of 2 things: a simple spot-cleaning service or a full-blow attic cleanup and complete restoration. We can do both. Often times with larger bat colonies there will be more droppings accumulated and the odors will slowly begin to penetrate the home over extended periods of time, which the odors will be much more pronounced on hot and muggy summer days due to the bat guano bacteria mixing with the moisture which leaks into the house from the attic and walls.
Professional Bat Exclusion Process
By federal law bats cannot be killed. Humane methods of bat removal are the only legal means of remediating bat issues. Florida Wildlife Trappers has perfected this process which has proven to get the bats out faster, and the solution will last long-term as well. What we do is seal the entire building except for the primary entry points. We then put up one-way funnels or "bat cones" over these entry points which the bats will then pass through at dusk when they go out on their nightly feeding routine. Upon returning to the original entry point(s), the bats will be unable to gain access after they have been excluded. This is a specialized process known by people in this industry as "Live Bat Exclusion." After the bats are gone, that is when we can process with bat guano cleanup and attic restoration.
Daytona Beach Florida Wildlife Services
PEST WILDLIFE SERVICE IN Daytona Beach, Florida
Top 5 Bat Problems In Florida
- Bats In The Attic – When bats invade an attic space they are likely to build up large amounts of guano deposits scattered throughout the attic. Florida Wildlife Trappers can provide attic cleanup when bats make a mess.
- Bats In The Chimney- Bats are very common to invade the chimney area. Many people will get bats flying around in the house when bats are present inside their chimney. This is generally due to an open flu in the chimney.
- Bats In Vents- Vents can be highly attractive to bats because of the drafts protruding from the vents. People will often notice bats in vents when waste begins to accumulate somewhere below the vent area.
- Bats In The House- The hot summer seasons can drive bats to come down from an attic into living areas. Bats do this because the attic becomes too hot for them, so they go lower seeking cooler temps.
- Bats In Church- One of the more common structures for bats to invade are churches. Many times churches have open steeples, welcoming many different creatures including bats. Florida Wildlife Trappers can help.


text:
United States California Los Angeles
Japan Tōkyō
March 9 • 3 p.m. (PST) Conversation, Q&A, and eisa tutorials with members of contemporary groups from Hawaii, Los Angeles, Dallas, Lima, and São Paulo.
NOW HIRING Discover Nikkei Community Engagement Specialist LEARN MORE
Sign up for email updates
Journal feed Events feed Comments feed
Discover Nikkei is a place to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. To continue to sustain and grow this project, we need your help!
Ways to help >>


text:
Tom Latham lost his way in the national limited-overs team late last year, but yesterday set about showing it may not be long before he's back.
The Canterbury left-hander's spanking 64 off 38 balls carried the New Zealand XI to a thrilling last-ball victory over England at sun-baked Cobham Oval yesterday.
The three-wicket win, secured by seamer Matt Henry putting Jade Dernbach's final delivery over mid-off to the fence when the scores were tied, meant the mini-series was squared 1-all.
The result also nicely sets up the T20 series, starting at Eden Park on Saturday.
Captain Andrew Ellis had his words of 24 hours earlier - along the lines of asking his players to back themselves and be bolder - ring true.
England, sent in, made 170 for five. The hosts had the chase in hand for most of the reply. They held their nerve through a late stumble - three wickets toppling in seven balls - to get the job done, albeit with nothing to spare.
"Any win against an international team, there's a lot of satisfaction involved," Ellis said last night. "It's more the fact that we asked a bit of the guys, to step up and show a bit more intensity and we got that and some more.
"It bodes well for the strength of character of some of these lads."
Latham was the perfect example of what these two games in Whangarei were all about for the New Zealand team, a chance to consider national contenders for the future.
Latham got a taste of international cricket last summer, but stumbled in Sri Lanka in early November. By his own admission he hasn't had a good season, but showed his talents yesterday.
His sweeping of the spinners in particular was highly effective - reasoning with infallible logic that it was going well early so he'd persevere with it - although getting out in the penultimate over wasn't part of the plan.
"It was my responsibility to see it through with only nine runs to get. It was very disappointing to get out.
"I feel I'm starting to time the ball better and my movements were getting me into the right place."
Openers Anton Devcich and Hamish Rutherford got the innings off to the required smart start; then Latham made sure it wasn't to be a wasted opportunity.
England will feel they've got good value out of the Whangarei stop. They know Eion Morgan and Jos Buttler are in strong form, the pair racking up quick 50s yesterday, after 48 and 57 not out respectively in Tuesday's win. Their bowling was a mixed bag, and captain Stuart Broad is clearly a key figure. His impressive three for 24 backed up a hat-trick on Tuesday.
"Having Broady back and dusting off a few cobwebs, setting fields and thinking T20 has done him a lot of good going into Auckland," opener Michael Lumb, also in the runs on both days, said. "Getting back into the hustle and bustle of T20 does take a bit of time. I think it was very productive."


text:
You almost never hear about Suits from critics, this one included. Why? The fact that the legal drama airs on USA Network is part of the reason. Critics don't like to admit this, because it makes us seem as herdlike as civilian TV watchers, but sometimes we decide which shows to take seriously based on where they air. Track records mean a lot, and certain channels (HBO, AMC, FX, the post-Homeland Showtime) do have a reputation for arty boldness, so by habit we tend to relegate series that don't air on those channels to the "check in occasionally, but don't get too worked up" column. That's where you'll find the USA Network dramas Psych, White Collar, Burn Notice, and, yes, Suits, which is just beginning its third season and might be the most purely entertaining series on television.
In case you've never seen it, Suits is a show about beautiful people with beautiful clothes and immaculate hair strutting through sleek offices trading witty barbs, defending the firm's clients while power playing their way into more advantageous positions within the show's white-shoe New York firm, Pearson Hardman. Series creator Aaron Korsh and his writers and directors present these contests as feasts of eye and ear candy, as decadently pleasurable to watch as Starz's gladiator potboilers. Between the roving camera, the copious use of reflections, and shot compositions that arrange key characters in power formations, the series often evokes Steven Soderbergh in Out of Sight and Ocean's Eleven mode: iceberg cool.
But Suits is more than a pose. There are no dumb or weak characters, just smart sharks. "You afraid of the dark?" hotshot attorney Harvey Reginald Specter (Gabriel Macht) asks his right-hand man, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), who never attended law school but is so good that he's thrived at the firm anyway. "I wouldn't be," Mike deadpans, "if I had my Cookie Monster with me."
Every scene and line in Suits shimmers with the coiled tension that comes when strong, smart people test each other. Loyal viewers know to eagerly anticipate certain recurring face-offs, because they never disappoint. I have a couple of favorites. One is Harvey versus Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), the boss of the firm's associates and a human mood ring who taught himself to appear confident and tough. ("We're like two fingers of the same hand," Louis told Harvey during a let's-be-friends dinner last season. "As long as I'm the index," Harvey replied.) The other dyad is composed of Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), the firm's top boss, and Daniel Hardman (David Constabile, a.k.a. Gale the chemist from Breaking Bad), who co-founded Pearson Hardman with Jessica. Their slyly inflected stare-downs were as exciting as a Game of Thrones battle; now that Daniel is gone — ousted after a late-season-two power struggle that ended in a merger with a British firm — I will miss their tension terribly. Fortunately, there are new sharks in the tank. They're English, and a couple of them were hired from Thrones: Michelle Fairley and Conleth Hill.
The show's emphasis on fashion, grooming, vocabulary, and possessions isn't superficial. It's integral to the show's worldview. All of these characters realize that to study a person's surface is to intuit their depths. A memorable moment in season two found legal secretary Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) deducing that Louis was about to be made senior partner by remembering Louis's promise from years ago to wear that suit if he ever achieved his dream promotion. Last week's season premiere included a priceless scene in which Louis bitches that the firm's new quartermaster has replaced the firm's supply of Uniball pens (Louis's favorite brand) with ballpoints. If you understand, as Louis does, that the Uniball purge is a symbolic assertion of power over Louis specifically, and by one half of the newly merged firm over the other, you realize this isn't a trivial thing to get irked about. It's a canary-in-a-coal-mine thing, the small death preceding the big one. On Suits, the victor in a struggle is often the one who pays the closest attention to detail over the longest span of time. Cases are often decided based on all-night research sessions, with lawyers and clerks sifting through boxes of documents until they find just the right incriminating fact. Miss a small but crucial tell and you end up in a smaller office, or on the street with a box in your hands.
I learn as much about the American drive toward riches and power from watching Suits as I do from watching dramas that are branded "art." The show has many of the same core appeals as AMC's critically scrutinized Mad Men, including the fixation on clothes, architecture, and social rituals. It's just as fascinated by workplace scheming, gender relations, the use of money to indicate respect or fear. It shares certain plot elements as well, including an American-British business merger and many subplots about the perils of constructed identity (pretty much everyone at the firm is a Don Draper, sitting on a dark secret and praying it's never exposed).
On top of all that, it's directed by some of Mad Men creator Matt Weiner's favorite filmmakers. Regular Mad Men helmer Jennifer Getzinger directed my favorite season-two episode, which included a brilliant sequence in which Donna returned to the firm the morning after Louis was named senior partner: The camera tracked them as they practically danced through the halls to the tune of "Disco Inferno," bobbing along with Louis's fancy footwork and the ticktock motion of Donna's swaying skirt. If this show were on AMC instead of USA, it might have won a trophy case full of awards by now; in fact, it wouldn't feel out of place if it aired in the time slot immediately following Mad Men.
To be fair, Suits' dedication to giving pleasure might be a bigger factor in its critical neglect than the fact that it airs on USA. Critics and viewers alike tend to assume works that are mainly interested in laughs, excitement, and beauty are inherently less substantive than shows that rip the scabs off life and leave you feeling wrung out or disturbed. That assumption partly explains why so few comedies have won Academy Awards for Best Picture. It surely explains why Cary Grant, the most altogether enjoyable leading man in film history, never won an Oscar for his acting: He gave us pleasure no matter what the story and situation, and he made it look easy. Suits may never win a Best Drama Emmy, but it may one day be remembered as a great show that never got its due because it didn't carry an "I'm Great" sign. It's the Cary Grant of cable dramas.


text:
Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Your tap water is safe without one. If you have an internal problem with your plumbing, you may want to consider a filter or treatment system. For more information, please contact the Water Department at 970-920-5110.
Show All Answers
No, you contact 811. It is required that you contact the Utilities Notification Center of Colorado at 811 before you dig. They will need the address of location, on-site contact name and phone number and detail of work requested. For more detailed information, please click here: https://www.cityofaspen.com/1272/811---Before-You-Dig.
We are on call 24 hours a day. If you need to contact us before or after hours, please call City dispatch at 970-920-5310.
In an emergency, please contact City dispatch at 970-920-5310. For a non-emergency, please contact our office during business hours at 970-920-5110 with details of the location of the leak.
It is illegal to connect to a fire hydrant within the City of Aspen water system. Please refer to our Filler Hydrant Program page for details. For more information, please contact the Water Department at 970-920-5110.
Please call Engineering at 970-920-5080 or visit our webpage on Water Utility Connection.
Please email Keith Wester, our Utilities Program Manager, or call 970-920-5110.
The Aspen Water Department frequently tests for these parasites in the water under provisions of the Long Term Surface Water Treatment Rule (LTSWTR2). Giardia is common in our source water but as to date no Cryptosporidium has been detected. Effective treatment and filtration processes remove and/or inactivate all parasites prior to our distribution system. Under the Federal governments Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), we are required to maintain a detectable disinfectant level in the distribution system at all times. For more information, please contact the Water Department at 970-920-5110.
Commercial spot-free rinse for the dishwasher does not always work to prevent a film on dishware. If glasses and even plastic items are coming out of the dishwasher covered in a dusty white film, try adding one-half to a full cup of white vinegar just as the final rinse begins. For some this works to prevent a white film on dishes, and the vinegar works to keep hard water deposits from building up inside the dishwasher and the working components and drains.
Hard water can be remedied with a water softener, but even those with a water softener sometimes have problems with a white film on dishes. When a water softener is used, it is not necessary to completely fill the dishwasher detergent cups. The amount of detergent used can be cut in half. It could be an overuse of detergent causing the thin white film on glassware and other dishes. Cut back the amount of detergent used. Not only will this save money, but it will also help prevent the formation of white film on dishes.
For more information, please contact the Water Department at 970-920-5110.
Pass inspection.
Complete all permit documentation and submit.


text:
7 Retriever Training Secrets
Achieve peak performance from your retriever
Achieve peak performance from your retriever
By James Card
Follow these tips from five expert trainers to help your dog reach its full potential in the field.
"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better," wrote the late George Bird Evans in Troubles with Bird Dogs. "They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying."
And worry we do.
But worrying will not in itself bring wisdom. Sometimes you need a little help from a professional to offer guidance on how to handle man's best friend. With that in mind, we asked a group of expert trainers to share some of their wisdom about how to make a retriever the best dog it can be. Here are some of the techniques they use to achieve peak performance from their retrievers.
Both dogs and people can excel in their comfort zone, but when faced with an unfamiliar situation or setting, they sometimes find it difficult to adapt. Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels in Oxford, Mississippi, recounted a story of a client from Memphis who regularly trained his Lab at Shelby Farms, a massive urban park near DU headquarters. At Wildrose, the dog didn't seem to remember any of its previous lessons. "He never does this at Shelby Farms," the client told him.
"As a joke and being a bit of an antagonist, I began to call his dog 'Shelby,'" Stewart says. "Ol' Shelby just never transferred the skills he learned in his familiar training ground to other locations. We call this generalization.
"Dogs don't transfer skills from one location to another without transitional training. Our training rule is to practice each individual skill or lesson five times in five different locations to ensure habits are well entrenched," Stewart explains. "Shelby never mastered his performance in different locations because his handler didn't provide diverse training experiences. Doing the same thing, the same way, and later expecting a different outcome can be a pitfall in retriever training."
For the trainer, this means developing a portfolio of accessible and varied training locations. These should include different types of terrain, such as wetlands, fields of tall grass, woods, and grazed pastures. But training should also be conducted in different types of weather and with other dogs and people. The greater variety of training experience you can provide a dog, the more confidently and proficiently it will perform in real hunting situations.
Obedience is the cornerstone of all retriever training, and for a dog, an important aspect of obedience is learning patience. "A common mistake made by many enthusiasts is throwing meaningless, repetitive retrieves in play or during training," Stewart says. "This is a fun activity in the yard and entertaining in training, but in reality the dog is learning to gain his reward-the retrieve-while often being quite out of control, overexcited, and sometimes even vocal. It's unrealistic to expect the dog to be steady and quiet in the field or duck blind when he has been regularly worked into a frenzy during training sessions."
"An easy way to instill patience is to drop a bumper while the dog watches and then pause before sending him for the retrieve." Mike Stewart
Stewart encourages patience in all aspects of training, especially before retrieves or rewards are given. "An easy way to instill patience is to drop a bumper while the dog watches and then pause before sending him for the retrieve. To further build a dog's patience, incorporate denial into each training session by not allowing the dog to pick up a few bumpers during each round of retrieves," he says.
Outdoor writer and photographer Tony Zappia trains his golden retrievers for national field trials in New York's St. Lawrence River valley. He contends that 90 percent of the problems encountered during training are the trainer's fault. Among the most common mistakes is rushing the retrieve. "When you are at the line, it's important to know when the dog is ready to perform a retrieve," Zappia says. "After the bird or bumper hits the ground, watch the dog, and let him settle down before releasing him. Let him concentrate for a while. When his ears perk up, send him."
"When you are at the line, it's important to know when the dog is ready to perform a retrieve. After the bird or bumper hits the ground, watch the dog, and let him settle down before releasing him. Let him concentrate for a while. When his ears perk up, send him." Tony Zappia
Like Stewart, Zappia also incorporates steadiness techniques into his training sessions, as well as in play sessions with groups of dogs. "I'll sit them in a row, throw a ball in the yard, and send them to retrieve, by name, one at a time. This sharpens their honoring skills and steadiness for hunting and trials. I'll also throw the ball and make them sit and stay while I go pick it up," he adds. "This playful activity is less stressful than many other steadiness drills and helps you achieve the same result."
In waterfowling, executing multiple retrieves in the proper order is often essential to recovering crippled birds. "Suppose a brace of birds is shot over water. One bird is close and lying belly up in the decoys and the other is a crippled glider that landed 80 yards from the blind. The logical approach would be to send your dog after the crippled bird. But this will require the dog to swim past the dead bird in clear view. If you haven't practiced diversions and your dog is not solid in his casting skills, he will likely switch to the short bird," Zappia says.
Diversions test a dog's determination to complete the task at hand. These include visual distractions like the example above, auditory distractions like gunfire at other birds, and even scent distractions-such as when a dog catches wind of a dead bird while pursuing a cripple. To build a gun dog's single-mindedness amid diversions, Zappia recommends "lining" exercises like the wagon wheel drill.
"Handlers must be able to cast their dog away from any distraction," Zappia says. "The dog and trainer must practice casting, lining, and blind retrieves so the dog not only complies with commands, but also trusts the handler giving the commands."
Another common pitfall in retriever training is going too hard, too fast. Enthusiastic beginners often expect progress during every session and no backsliding. When a dog doesn't respond to initial training attempts, they double their efforts, and in turn double their problems.
Pamela Kadlec, author of Retriever Training for Spaniels and one of the most respected trainers and breeders of Boykin spaniels in the United States, says flexibility is an important part of her training philosophy. "You have to find out what 'clicks' with each retriever. I always have at least one dog in the kennel that will make me stop and rethink the methods I am using to get the best performance out of that dog," Kadlec says. "Most retrievers need a balance of pressure and patience. Putting constant pressure on a dog can have the opposite of the desired effect. In some cases, a dog can completely shut down and never retrieve again.
"Knowing when to back off and when to push forward can only be learned through trial and error. When in doubt, back off and give the dog a chance to work it out using gentler methods," she continues. "If one method doesn't work with a pup, try another. For example, I often find young pups don't like to fetch pigeons, but if you put a bird in a white sock, most pups will grab it right away. Similarly, if you are trying to teach a pup to retrieve in the water and he's not interested, go into the pond to show him that it's fun to go swimming."
"Knowing when to back off and when to push forward can only be learned through trial and error. When in doubt, back off and give the dog a chance to work it out using gentler methods." Pam Kadlec
Butch Goodwin, owner of Northern Flight Retrievers in New Plymouth, Idaho, offers similar advice. "I once worked with a dog that for some reason would not hold birds or bumpers. I thought I was making progress, and seemingly out of defiance he would spit out the bird. I was banging my head against the wall trying to get this dog to hold, but he just wouldn't give in," Goodwin says. "A friend and fellow dog trainer stopped by and asked to take over. Within two minutes he had the dog holding birds, bumpers, and happily walking at heel carrying a bird. Later, he even had the dog fetch some bumpers.
"My friend saw that as the frustration level escalated, so did my pressure on the dog. Eventually it became a war of wills, and the dog was winning," he explains. "I learned a very valuable lesson: regardless of how frustrating the training becomes, keep it steady. And if your blood pressure starts to go up, back off and end the session on a positive note. Frustration will only hurt your training program."
Just as a coach keeps detailed records of his or her players' stats, a retriever trainer should keep a journal of a dog's progress in training sessions. It's easy to forget the nuances of a dog's performance in the last session. A written record will help you identify strengths and weaknesses that can be reinforced or addressed in future training.
"Keeping notes on each dog's training helps. I can go over the notes and usually find out what the problem is and then make a change in that dog's routine." Jim Karlovec
"I do a lot of training alone, and most of the time I follow a regular training routine. This works well most of the time, but on occasion there's a dog that doesn't quite fit into the routine," says Jim Karlovec of Flushing Star Kennel in Columbia Station, Ohio. "Keeping notes on each dog's training helps in this regard. I can go over the notes and usually find out what the problem is and then make a change in that dog's routine."
Another advantage of keeping a journal is that it keeps trainers on schedule. There may be a temptation to skip drills that are particularly time consuming or demanding, and a journal will help trainers conduct training sessions in the proper order. "If a brick is left out of the foundation, eventually the entire structure will fail," Karlovec says. A journal will keep trainers honest about whether they are working hard enough on the right drills at the right times. Too many blank journal entries will indicate that some problems may not be entirely the dog's fault.
Once a dog has mastered casting and lining to visible bumpers, Karlovec shifts his focus to blind retrieves. One of his favorite techniques is to take a dog for a long walk in the woods. He drops a white bumper and continues walking another 50 paces before bringing the dog to heel and giving it a line for the blind retrieve. As the dog is running to get the first bumper, he tosses out another bumper in a different direction and the stage is set for the next blind retrieve.
"As you continue walking, get creative by tossing the bumpers over logs, across roads, and into different types of cover. Distract the dog by sending him on marked retrieves so he doesn't see you drop or toss the bumpers," Karlovec advises. "If the weather is warm, try to include ponds along your route so you can work on water blinds. This is a great drill to teach 'backs' and 'overs' in the water. As the pup gets proficient at this drill, lengthen the distance of the blinds and switch to different kinds of bumpers to mix things up."


text:
In this letter, Frank talks about the war and his health, gives farming advise to his wife, talks about buying a slave, and ends with a prayer. I'm posting the transcription today, and I'll post my thoughts on it soon.
Dear July [Julie],
Having just received a letter from you I will hasten to reply. Your letter was thankfully received. I was extremely glad to hear from you again, it affords me great pleasure to hear that you and our little boys are well and also to hear that you have hired a Negro to help you along with your work. I am not very well at present. I have taken such a severe cold and soar [sore] throat and also that disease which I have in my breast hurts me a great deal worse since I have taken such a severe cold. I have never reported sick, yet some days I am not able to walk 2 miles. We have no duty to do, except inspection and guard duty and not much of that. if we had to drill much or march much I would be compelled to give up and report sick or unfit for duty. I cannot tell you anything positive about the war. We have orders for General Lee to be ready at all times. To march to battle at a moments warning. Therefore, we listen every morning for long role to beat. I am unable to say whether we will have a fight soon or not. There is a great many men getting furloughs now. It seems by that our leading men does not think that we may never have another fight. We suffer enough without fighting. Tongue cannot express how bad we fair out here, but O how thankful I will be to my maker if I am spared to see peace made and get home to you and our dear litle children, there to have rest from my pains and trouble during this unfriendly war. July, you wrote to me that you wanted me to come home. I cannot tell you when I will come home as there is so many here that claim a furlough before me and all these that have been home since they left the coast. I want you to let me know in your next letter, when you expect to be confined and if I am spared I will use every exertion to get a furlough to come home about that time. July, if you have not had the new ground cleaned of yet, you would better have the bushes cut and piled and get some person to help you and have it burned of before the March winds come and have all the land broke up as soon as you can that you have at home and if you are of mind to, you may get a few acres more to tend from your Pa or some other person if you think it will pay. Be shore (sure) and let me know how you like that Negro when you write and let me know whether you have got our sheep or not. When you get them you better keep them up till they bring lambs, drive or take them up to that little field and change them about as much as you can and do not neglect giving them and old Susie salt occasionally. July, I have understood from Doc, since I have been here, that old... Fort offered to sell that Negro witch Daniel Jackson has hired for six hundred dollars. I want you to find out whether he will take four hundred $ yet or not. You can ask him, when you see him in paying. if he will take that I will buy her. I have about three hundred $ coming to me independent of what I owe, which I think I will be able to collect this spring and the balance I can give good insurance for until we can make it. So be shore [sure] and find out and let me know as soon as you can. I would like very much to buy her at that price. Edwin Price has got to flouring [flowering] valentines for the boys here at such a rate that I thought I would send you a copy, so do not let it alarm you at all [Mr. Price was making stationary for the soldiers]. July, if you have received that book which I sent you, use some of it for writing paper, use it out of the last of the book and save the alphabet in the first part of the book. I bought paper ......though, paper is selling for $3.00 a.... here from the sutlers. Must bring my letter to a close as I have nothing more that will interest you at present. July, I want you to take good care of my little boys. Try to raise them right and if I never meet you and them no more on earth, I hope to meet you in heaven. May the Lord be with us in all our troubles and help us with the pleasure of meeting again before long, to stay in peace at home and raise our children and to rest from our troubles in this war. So nothing more, but remain your true and affectionate husband until death.
F E Leaphart


text:
For as many misunderstandings that label opera/classical music as an elitist, expensive hobby for 30-year-old pimply virgins and senile senior citizens, there are just as many misconceptions about graphic novels -- Trade School dropout doodles, collected by adult children -- well, there are much worse things to collect out there!
Way before his comics adorned The New Yorker covers, Chris Ware's been a graphic art demigod for the perfection of his typography, intricate illustrations and blindsiding narratives aching with abandonment, alienation and melancholy.
The American legend has influenced awesome cheerleaders (and practically a surrogate family): Françoise Mouly & Art Spiegelman; fellow cartoonist Ivan Brunetti; brilliant Alfred A. Knopf designer/author Chip Kidd and silver fox poet/librettist J.D. McClatchy.
During the seven years that Ware wrote his y2k breakout, 380-page graphic novel, Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, which spans 1890's Chicago and 1980's Michigan as the eponymous anti-hero searches for his father, he was inspired by Brahms. In a current profile by Simon Willis for More Intelligent Life, he said of the artistic process:
"I thought of it musically," he told me. "I was listening to a lot of Brahms at the time—sorry, this sounds so pretentious, but it's true—and I remember feeling that I wanted to produce that sensation on the page, with a large image, and then something much more lyrical and textural, and then into a sweeping passage, and then focusing down into a point. I feel that music does that better than anything; it captures that weird sensation of writing one's thoughts, that course of consciousness."
Now we want to know the soundtrack for his 2012 coup, Building Stories.


text:
History of SSA's International Operations
In addition to its network of about 1,300 local offices in the United States, SSA also operates an extensive international program to service the needs of Social Security beneficiaries living abroad. An SSA manager is temporarily reassigned to the State Department to serve as a Federal Benefits Officer (FBO) to oversee the payment of all U.S. government benefits over a wide geographical area. The FBO typically serves as an office manager in an American embassy and his/her staff is composed of foreign nationals who operate Social Security and other federal benefit programs.
This 1998 document is a summary history of the SSA's Division of International Operations, which since 1961 has been the organization that has Central Office management responsibility for our international program.
Historical Profile -
Division of International Operations
March 1998
(note: file in Adobe PDF format)


text:
OEM Verizon HTC Incredible 2 ADR6350 Shell Holster Combo with Kickstand (Black)
Rubberized Swivel Holster w/Rear Cover Shell included w/ kickstand. Offers dual protection in one. Shell protects against scrapes dirt and daily wear and tear ; holster offers easy and convenient portability. A pivoting 180 degree belt clip allows for secure attachment to a belt purse strap or backpack and comfortable positioning. Built in kickstand allows for convenient hands free viewing.
Compatible with:
- HTC DROID Incredible 2 ADR6350


text:
A letter from Dave Bitner to Republican Party of Florida members. Bitner, suffering from ALS, is stepping down as chairman and wants vice-chair Lenny Curry to succeed him.
My fellow Republicans,
When I disclosed a medical diagnosis that comes with tremendous challenges, you opened your hearts and have never wavered in your support. For myself and Wendy, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for those displays of love and kindness.
At the time I first discussed my health with you, I also made a promise that I would serve as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida only as long as I could do so with all the energy and attention this position deserves. I have kept that promise, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you and my beloved Florida. The position of Chairman was not my life's ambition, but through prayer and faith I came to understand that it was another opportunity to serve my community.
Today, amidst speculation about my current capacity to serve as your Chairman, I wanted to update you. Whether out of malice or in the interest of political posturing, some who had been entrusted with my thoughts about the future shared that information with the media. Something I would never allow to happen on my watch is for the future of the RPOF to be called into question. So, today, after talking with my wife, my friends, and trusted advisors, I have decided to resign my position as Chairman effective Friday, September 23.
Pursuant to Article IX, section 2, of the Constitution of the Republican State Executive Committee of Florida, I hereby call a special meeting of the State Committee for the purpose of a special election. Such special meeting shall be held on Friday, September 23 in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Centre hotel.
In the days between now and that special election, I will continue to work with our Vice Chairman Lenny Curry to advance our Republican vision of making Florida a better place now and in the future. Since our election to Chairman and Vice Chairman, Lenny and I have worked side-by-side on every important RPOF initiative. Through it all, our Vice Chairman has shown the leadership and tenacity that makes our party such an effective political force.
These demonstrations of leadership and commitment to our Republican cause not only make Lenny a great Vice Chairman; they also make him the best qualified leader for our party moving forward to the 2012 elections. Therefore, I respectfully ask for your vote to make Lenny Curry the next Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Lenny is more than qualified to continue the work I have begun, and there is no need for the party to face a protracted race or divisive infighting. In fact, now is the time for us to come together and focus on moving our state and nation in the right direction.
In closing, I want to reiterate the joy I have had working with you. Now is a time when Wendy and I look to God for his grace and wisdom as we write my life's next chapter.


text:
§ 404.316. When entitlement to disability benefits begins and ends.
(a) You are entitled to disability benefits beginning with the first month covered by your application in which you meet all the other requirements for entitlement. If a waiting period is required, your benefits cannot begin earlier than the first month following that period.
(b) Your entitlement to disability benefits ends with the earliest of these months:
(1) The month before the month of your death;
(2) The month before the month you attain full retirement age as defined in § 404.409 (at full retirement age your disability benefits will be automatically changed to old-age benefits);
(3) The second month after the month in which your disability ends as provided in § 404.1594(b)(1), unless continued subject to paragraph (c); or (4) subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, the month before your termination month (§ 404.325).
(c)(1) Your benefits, and those of your dependents, may be continued after your impairment is no longer disabling if—
(i) You are participating in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services, as described in § 404.327(a) and (b);
(ii) You began participating in the program before the date your disability ended; and
(iii) We have determined under § 404.328 that your completion of the program, or your continuation in the program for a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability benefit rolls.
(2) We generally will stop your benefits with the earliest of these months—
(i) The month in which you complete the program; or
(ii) The month in which you stop participating in the program for any reason (see § 404.327(b) for what we mean by "participating" in the program); or
(iii) The month in which we determine under § 404.328 that your continuing participation in the program will no longer increase the likelihood that you will not have to return to the disability benefit rolls.
Exception to paragraph (c): In no case will we stop your benefits with a month earlier than the second month after the month your disability ends, provided that you meet all other requirements for entitlement to and payment of benefits through such month.
(d) If, after November 1980, you have a disabling impairment (§ 404.1511), you will be paid benefits for all months in which you do not do substantial gainful activity during the reentitlement period (§ 404.1592a) following the end of your trial work period (§ 404.1592). If you are unable to do substantial gainful activity in the first month following the reentitlement period, we will pay you benefits until you are able to do substantial gainful activity. (Earnings during your trial work period do not affect the payment of your benefit.) You will also be paid benefits for the first month after the trial work period in which you do substantial gainful activity and the two succeeding months, whether or not you do substantial gainful activity during those succeeding months. After those three months, you cannot be paid benefits for any months in which you do substantial gainful activity.
(e) If drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability as described in § 404.1535, you may receive disability benefits on that basis for no more than 36 months regardless of the number of entitlement periods you may have. Not included in these 36 months are months in which treatment for your drug addiction or alcoholism is not available, months before March 1995, and months for which your benefit payments were suspended for any reason. Benefits to your dependents may continue after the 36 months of benefits if, but for the operation of this paragraph, you would otherwise be entitled to benefits based on disability. The 36-month limit is no longer effective for benefits for months beginning after September 2004.
(f) If drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability as described in § 404.1535 and your disability benefits are suspended for 12 consecutive months because of your failure to comply with treatment requirements, your disability benefits will be terminated effective the first month after such 12-month period. Benefits to your dependents may continue after the 12-month period if, but for the operation of this paragraph, you would otherwise be entitled to benefits based on disability.
[44 FR 34481, June 15, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 31542, July 21, 1982; 47 FR 52693, Nov. 23, 1982; 49 FR 22270, May 29, 1984; 51 FR 17617, May 14, 1986; 60 FR 8145, Feb. 10, 1995; 68 FR 4704, Jan. 30, 2003; 70 FR 36505, June 24, 2005]


text:
A compassion-based meditation program can significantly improve a person's ability to read the facial expressions of others, finds a study published by Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. This boost in empathic accuracy was detected through both behavioral testing of the study participants and through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of their brain activity.
"It's an intriguing result, suggesting that a behavioral intervention could enhance a key aspect of empathy," says lead author Jennifer Mascaro, a post-doctoral fellow in anthropology at Emory University. "Previous research has shown that both children and adults who are better at reading the emotional expressions of others have better relationships."


text:
Accord on U.S. help for automakers
GM and Chrysler are close to getting billions in stopgap aid to stay out of bankruptcy. Pelosi changes mind on key sticking point.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Congressional Democrats and the Bush White House have reached an agreement in principle on providing stopgap support for the U.S. auto industry, according to congressional and industry sources.
The deal would keep the most troubled companies out of bankruptcy court at least through the end of March. While the money is less than the automakers were asking for in testimony before Congress this week, the package is designed to keep them operating so that the new Congress and the Obama administration will have at least a couple of months to draft and pass a longer-term solution.
The break came Friday evening when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., backed off her opposition to using funds from a fuel efficiency research program for a bailout, two congressional officials told CNN Friday.
A congressional source stressed that the agreement does not represent a final bill. Talks on all side are expected to continue through the weekend, and lawmakers will convene early in the week.
"We hope to continue to make progress toward assistance for the automakers based on important principles -- that taxpayer assistance only be considered for companies willing to make the difficult decisions across the scope of their businesses to be viable and competitive in the future; that taxpayer assistance should come from funds already appropriated in the program specifically intended to assist automakers -- the auto loan program; and that assistance is accompanied by very strong taxpayer protections," Pelosi said in a statement released Saturday.
An auto industry source told CNNMoney.com that it was too early to say there is a firm deal, but that the change of heart by Pelosi on the source of funds for a bailout was a significant step towards reaching an agreement.
In another significant sign of the improved chances for the bailout, both Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., issued statements saying they expected to call the lame duck Congress back into session for a vote on help for the auto industry.
As recently as Thursday, neither Pelosi nor Reid would commit to holding the vote the automakers say they need in the coming two weeks.
But the leaders decided Friday to plan for a vote in the wake of the government's grim employment report, which showed that the economy lost 533,000 jobs in November, and the better reception the automakers' CEOs received on Capitol Hill at hearings on Thursday and Friday.
"Today's announcement of major job losses and findings from congressional hearings from the last two days make it clear that Congress must work on a bipartisan basis to provide short-term and limited assistance to the automobile industry while it undertakes major restructuring," said Pelosi.
Automakers took the announcement of a vote as a positive sign.
"The U.S. auto industry is a critical part of our economy and we are encouraged by Speaker Pelosi's statement that Congress is expected to act next week," Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) said in a statement late Friday.
Congressional Republicans and President Bush support the idea of tapping a $25 billion research fund Congress has already approved. Two officials familiar with the compromise talks told CNN that the working target is $15 billion to $17 billion in bridge loans.
General Motors (GM, Fortune 500), the nation's largest automaker, has warned that it will run out of cash to operate by the end of the year without federal assistance. And Chrysler LLC has indicated it also is close to running out of money and will not get through the first quarter of the year without help.
GM and Chrysler have argued that consumers would be reluctant to buy cars from a bankrupt automaker. As a result, they say, bankruptcy filings would force them to go out of business and liquidate their assets.
While the industry requested $34 billion in federal loans this week from Congress to help them weather the current cash crisis sparked by the worst auto sales in 26 years, their top executives indicated in testimony Friday that they could get by with the lesser amount in order to make it through March.
GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said the company needs $4 billion by the end of the year to avoid bankruptcy, another $4 billion in January and an additional $2 billion by the end of March. Overall, GM is seeking up to $18 billion to get to 2010, when cost savings from a 2007 labor contract will kick in.
Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli indicated his company needed $4 billion early next year out of the total of $7 billion it is asking for from Congress.
Ford, the third major U.S. automaker, has far more cash on hand and believes it will not need federal loans in order to survive. But it is asking for access to up to $9 billion in loans as a "backstop" in case business conditions are worse than its executives forecast next year.
Congressional officials cautioned that talks are still very fluid, and that there are still other options on the table and many details to discuss.
Pelosi said that Congress was "considering various short-term funding options," but added that no funds would be released from the research program "unless there is a guarantee that those funds will be replenished in a matter of weeks."
Pelosi and other leading Democrats, including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., have argued as recently as this week that the Treasury Department should help the automakers using money from the $700 billion set aside for banks and Wall Street firms. The Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, was established in October.
But the Bush administration has been strongly opposed to using TARP to help the automakers. And all but $20 billion of the first $350 billion of those funds have already been allocated to the nation's banks, and additional Congressional approval is needed before Treasury can tap into the other $350 billion set aside for that program.
Pelosi reversed herself because November's devastating jobs report "changed everything," one congressional official said.
The California Democrat spoke by phone with White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten Friday afternoon to tell him of her change of heart, hours after Bush issued a fresh warning that without help, the automakers may not survive the economic crisis.
A senior administration official had no comment on Pelosi's move.
"It should never have come to this. The auto companies dug themselves into this hole and for years did nothing to climb out of it," Reid said. "But we are not acting for executives' sake; we are acting on behalf of the workers and their families. This week's hearings have made clear that we cannot let these companies fail."
The auto industry CEOs ran into harsh criticism the last time they appeared before the House Committee in November. Lawmakers hammered them on their lack of details for how they would spend federal bailout funds, and for their decision to fly to Washington on their own private jets.
This time the auto industry leaders came with detailed plans submitted earlier this week on how they would return to profitability if they get the federal loans. They also drove hybrid vehicles to Washington and promised to work for $1 a year.
In addition, Friday's hearing in the House started one hour after the Labor Department reported the November job loss -- the biggest in nearly 34 years.
By the end of more than six hours of testimony, it was clear that the panel was far more open to the idea of a bailout than it had been just two weeks ago, even if a solution still seemed elusive.
"I think it's fair to say the disastrous job report today has heightened the interest in doing something," said Frank. "If we are lucky, we'll come out with a bill next week that nobody likes. Because any bill that any individual might like won't pass. But there is a sufficient consensus that we need to so something acceptable to enough members of both houses so that we avert disaster."
The CEOs' appearance followed testimony they gave before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday.
Despite the apparent breakthrough, several House Republicans said they remained reluctant to sign onto any bailout. Some suggested a bankruptcy filing would be a better way for the companies to become competitive, and others said they are concerned about other industries and businesses that might seek help if the automakers get aid.
CNN's Dana Bash, Elaine Quijano, Ted Barrett and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story.


text:
Revolutionary poet P. Varavara Rao, a known Maoist sympathiser and defender, on Friday rubbished the official version of the killing of naxalite leader Azad in an encounter, and said he was actually picked up by the Andhra Pradesh police at the Sitabardi market place in Nagpur at 11 a.m. on Thursday, along with tribal leader Sahadev. "They were brought to Adilabad and shot dead in cold blood," he told The Hindu.
Mr. Rao said Azad was to go to Dandakarayna (in the Bastar forests in Chhattisgarh) to take study classes for Maoist rebels, and his party had sent Sahadev , an adivasi leader, to pick him up at the Sitabardi market. "We do not know what happened, but that was the last appointment Azad had." Mr. Rao apprehended that the 'unidentified naxalite' shot dead along with Azad could be Sahadev.
High Court's direction
Meanwhile, on a petition filed by Azad's mother, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the police to conduct the post-mortem at the government hospital at Mancherial in Adilabad district and to show her the body.
According to the police dossier, Azad was involved in a spate of high-profile Maoist strikes. These included the killing of Deputy Inspector General of Police K.S. Vyas in Hyderabad in January 1993; legislator Budda Vengal Reddy at Kurnool in 1998; the former Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker, D. Sreepada Rao, on April 13, 1999; Indian Police Service officer Umesh Chandra in Hyderabad in 1999; the former Home Minister, A. Madhava Reddy, in 2000, and legislator Ch. Narsi Reddy in 2005. Attempts on the lives of the former Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, in 2003 and the former Chief Minister, N. Janardhana Reddy, on September 8, 2007, were also attributed to him.
Precondition for talks
Azad had responded positively to Swami Agnivesh's efforts to organise talks, but insisted on the precondition that the Centre should lift the ban on Maoists and release political prisoners. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had responded by writing to Swami Agnivesh. Analysts said that with Azad's death, the efforts initiated by civilian groups to bring Maoists and the Central government to the negotiating table are likely to come to naught.
The Hindu had published a detailed interview with Azad in the issue of April 14, 2010. "A ceasefire will create a conducive atmosphere for talks," he had said in one of the written answers he had provided to the newspaper.


text:
Follow us on Twitter @PolliticsToday for more insight, commentary and updates concerning this blog or "LIKE" us on Facebook. To get alerts on our newest articles, sign up for our alert system. Seriously, do those things; we could use more followers and support!
Well holy shit.
I had completely given up on politics until tonight. I've been out of the loop (minus the big news) but I still have the insatiable urge to follow elections and see the results.
Let's be real. I did have the Taking Back The House series, but over the past few months it was glaringly obvious that it wasn't going to be a matter of winning the House; rather stopping the bleeding.
Also, it was hard to imagine a scenario where the Democrats held the Senate. But there was some wiggle room especially if a few breaks went the right way. We kinda figured Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia were as good as gone. We just hoped we could eke out North Carolina, Iowa and hope for the best in either Louisiana or Georgia.
But boy was I off. Let's talk about the good, shall we?
We are alive. People love us (as individuals) and Scott Brown proved how he wasn't "talented up and coming politician" but literally just a guy who was at the right moment at the right time.
The bad? Everything. Well, Tom Corbett is gone but Tom Wolf is facing a highly Republican House and Senate. The same one that proudly went hand-in-hand with Corbett, even when he was stammering (aka his term).
Let's face it. This might be worse than 2010. Our work was cut out for us but did we expect to get blown apart worse than the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl?
But we do have some takeaways. Really we do.
In the two bloodbaths (sandwiched between a nice little 2012 campaign), we realized that Democrats can not run away from their party leader (the President). For some reason, Democrats in red/purple states feel that the best way to run for office is to leave the President behind.
Now don't get me wrong. These states do not like President Obama or Democrats. But the minute you disavow your party leadership, you don't look like a maverick. You look like a flake. Better yet, you look indecisive.
Alison Lundergan Grimes was considered a blue-chip prospect and was facing an uphill battle, but also one of the more hated politicians in the nation. Beating McConnell is one thing but we wanted a close race. Grimes looked like she was running for student council. She couldn't admit if she voted for Obama or not.
Who had the idea to not have an answer? You admit you didn't or you admit you did. People won't believe that "I'm about you more than any party" when you are gaining support from the party elite anyway. You want to be a renegade? Go third party.
Again, I'm not saying you need to be Bernie Sanders in Louisiana but you have to be accountable. People rather have a crook that brings home the bacon than someone without a compass.
Grimes was not going to win. It was clear, but we might have lost one of our better prospects in Kentucky over ineffective campaign management.
Remember. Personhood failed. Marijuana legalization passed. The minimum wage was raised in a few states.
But Democrats lost. Kay Hagan ran a great campaign but lost to a pretty below-average candidate. That's a wave.
Michael Grimm, in a potential swing-y district, crushed a Democrat candidate in New York. By the way, he's about to go on trial.
What else did we learn? Midterms are fifty shades of not great for the party in power of the White House. That's not a surprise. But the Democrats have been trounced in two of the last three federal elections. That's a messaging problem.
This wasn't a BIG TEA PARTY WAVE filled with misspellings and knuckle dragging. This was just a shellacking. Pure and simple.
There is a way out though. We will have the majority again one day. That's politics. But the Democrats, as of this writing, are just hoping Hllary Clinton can win this thing.
The problem is….her sky high approval ratings are bound to drop. How is she going to answer to being with President Obama? If the current Democratic messaging groups are in charge of her (aka the party establishment that Clinton is entrenched in) then we are in a world of hurt.
Let's face it. The Republicans are tied to a clown car of candidates. We are solely relying on Hillary Clinton to make this right.
That is not a good position to be in. Hillary is a great candidate and is a trailblazer. But right now; how can we beat the Republicans on the state and Congressional level.
That remains to be seen.


text:
Search History
Uh oh.
Sony Support
Please accept Youtube cookies to watch this video
Access your cookie preferences below and make sure to switch on the Youtube cookie under the 'Functional' section.
Sony Community
Visit our Community and share your experiences and solutions with other Sony customers
Warranty Information
For information on Sony warranties
Contact support
Contact your Sony Support team
Support by Sony (Mobile App)
Never miss an update again! Find information and receive instant notifications about your product. Currently available only for United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan


text:
Awesomeness like this should happen at a reasonable football hour. Not pre-noon.
Last year, the SEC ran into a problem on Nov. 11th when the SEC full slate of action included
- Alabama at LSU (ESPN Night Game)
South Carolina at Florida (CBS 3:30 pm EST)
Tennessee at Arkansas (ESPN2 Night Game)
Georgia at Auburn (LF Sports at 11:30 CST)
The SEC is swapping Bama's games with LSU and Miss. State. That thins out the SEC schedule for Nov. 10, 2006, and it strengthens the league's TV schedule for Nov. 3, 2006. The move should avoid one of the league's TV log jams from last year.
It's a small win, but it's a good thing. Ultimately, for Dawg fans it almost assures that UGA vs. AU will be a 3:30 game or a night game next year in Athens.
PS -- Not that it matters, but UGA plays Troy on Nov. 3rd next year. See our full 2007 schedule.


text:
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has issued a decree granting himself far-reaching powers and ordering retrials of former officials who tried to violently suppress last year's popular revolution against longtime president Hosni Mubarak.
In a statement read on state television by his spokesman Thursday, Mr. Morsi declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority, putting himself beyond judicial oversight.
The spokesman also said Mubarak-era officials will face retrials for alleged involvement in the killings of protesters during the 2011 uprising, a move that could lead to a retrial of Mubarak himself. The ousted leader was sentenced to life in prison in June for failing to stop the killings. But, he avoided convictions on more serious offenses of corruption and ordering the deadly crackdown, angering many Egyptians.
Other Mubarak-era officials and security personnel also have been acquitted on charges of killing protesters, prompting critics to accuse the top government prosecutor of mishandling the cases. In his decree Thursday, Mr. Morsi fired that prosecutor, Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud, a Mubarak appointee who had been in the post for many years. The decree retroactively limited Mahmoud's term to four years, bringing it to an immediate end.
President Morsi had tried to fire Mahmoud last month but was blocked by the courts. He named Talat Abdullah as the government's new general prosecutor.
The presidential decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution – two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies. Egyptian courts have been examining cases demanding the dissolution of both assemblies.


text:
MEGALENCEPHALY, also called MACRENCEPHALY, is a condition in which there is an abnormally large, heavy, and usually malfunctioning brain. By definition, the brain weight is greater than average for the age and gender of the infant or child. Head enlargement may be evident at birth or the head may become abnormally large in the early years of life.
Megalencephaly is thought to be related to a disturbance in the regulation of cell reproduction or proliferation. In normal development, neuron proliferation–the process in which nerve cells divide to form new generations of cells–is regulated so that the correct number of cells is formed in the proper place at the appropriate time.
Symptoms of megalencephaly may include delayed development, convulsive disorders, corticospinal (brain cortex and spinal cord) dysfunction, and seizures. Megalencephaly affects males more often than females.
The prognosis for individuals with megalencephaly largely depends on the underlying cause and the associated neurological disorders. Treatment is symptomatic. Megalencephaly may lead to a condition called macrocephaly (defined later in this fact sheet).
Unilateral megalencephaly or hemimegalencephaly is a rare condition characterized by the enlargement of one-half of the brain. Children with this disorder may have a large, sometimes asymmetrical head. Often they suffer from intractable seizures and mental retardation. The prognosis for those with hemimegalencephaly is poor.