text:
News about challenges still facing many working mothers is making headlines, but it's no surprise to champions of the Twin Cities-based Jeremiah Program.
For 15 years, the nonprofit has transformed more than 600 female-led families with a unique, two-generation approach. Mom gets safe and affordable housing, support for postsecondary education and life-skills training. Her kids benefit from quality early childhood education on-site.
This year's graduation ceremony, Saturday at Wilder Center in St. Paul, will be especially meaningful, as the children of Jeremiah's first graduates approach high school graduation themselves — with big plans for their own futures.
"Our oldest children are now applying for college," said Jeremiah President and CEO Gloria Perez. "That is incredibly gratifying and will be the true measure of our success, as they not only go to college but have economic success that their parents want for them."
While affordable housing and quality early childhood education are, separately, popular concepts, the idea of marrying the two remains unusual. The approach has earned Perez national respect. She was recently named an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit working to ensure that economic security and educational success pass from one generation to the next.
In 2012, 47 percent of Jeremiah's graduates earned a bachelor's degree and 53 percent earned an associate degree, "while all enrolled children are succeeding in preschool," Aspen Institute Vice President Anne Mosle noted in singling out Jeremiah for praise.
The comment is timely as Pew Research Center demographers share findings about working moms at both ends of the financial spectrum. The buzz in late May centered on married mothers who earn more than their husbands. Speculation abounded about whether these marriages, and the respective egos involved, could survive over the long haul.
If you can't believe this conversation is occurring in 2013, consider a headline from the New York Times: "Breadwinning Wives and Nervous Husbands."
Still, the bigger story is more troubling. The 37 percent of working moms who are married have a comfortable median family income of $80,000, but the 63 percent of single working moms must survive on a median family income of $23,000. Many mothers in the second group have little education.
Enter Jeremiah.
Mothers in the program pay on average $135 a month for subsidized housing and can stay as long as they remain in school. After graduating, moms are given a six-month transition period. In addition to their schoolwork, they are offered life-skills training, financial literacy courses and parenting support.
The idea for Jeremiah developed in the early 1990s, when the Rev. Michael J. O'Connell became concerned about the growing number of Minnesota children being born to single mothers in poverty. He challenged leaders in government, corporation and civic life, philanthropy and religion to create a permanent safety net.
"These women had hopes and dreams," said Perez, who has led the organization through a doubling of the Minneapolis campus, the building of a St. Paul campus and now, national expansion to Austin, Texas, Fargo-Moorhead and, possibly, Boston.
"They knew they should do things differently to be successful, but didn't know what that looked like."
Kari LeVan had two questions for the Jeremiah staff when she arrived with her toddler daughter, Marina, 15 years ago: "Is this place for real? And am I good enough to be here?"
Yes and yes.
LeVan, 38, of Plymouth, left an abusive relationship and was living in a tiny, cockroach-infested apartment as she pursued a music career. A friend told her about Jeremiah. She moved in and lived there for about 18 months as she completed an associate degree in studio performance and Marina benefited from quality early learning programs.
After working a variety of jobs for several years, Kari returned to school and graduated in 2011 with a degree in graphic design from Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Twice divorced, she's now in a healthy relationship, raises horses with Marina and is tickled to work full-time at Jeremiah in development.
"I have everything I want," said Kari, who still draws on life-skills training from her early days at Jeremiah. She's proud that Marina, who's considering careers in psychology, the tattoo industry or working with animals, has learned the same valuable lessons, only sooner. "She really understands that there are resources she can lean on when she needs them."
Marina's best resource is sitting next to her. "Watching your mom make mistakes but fix them and learn from them," said Marina, "taught me to realize how much adults are people, too."
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text:
"No one seems to like her."
"It seems like he just picked her because they're friends."
"No one seems to like her."
"It seems like he just picked her because they're friends."
I'm not being intentionally obtuse, and I realize that my question doesn't require answering to convey the point you are making but nevertheless I'm curious as to what precisely the italics used for the second "Yeah" are meant to mean.
Is it a representation of a change in cadence or volume?
Is it mere emphasis and doesn't represent any difference in intonation?
The subtleties of spoken communication are legion compared to written. The difficulties in proper representation of the verbal in the written are myriad. Sometimes maintaining that ambiguity is a worthy artistic goal, so my curiosity can remain unsated if need be.
But seeing that use of italics immediately brought these questions to my (admittedly twisted) mind.
It's an unusual orthography so I assume there must be some special meaning being conveyed, or not.
The Miers fiasco reminds me of 30-year-old Ted Kennedy's run for the US Senate in 1962. His meager life accomplishments were quickly panned by Democratic primary opponent Edward J. McCormack Jr.
McCormack eviscerated Kennedy with the following memorable line: "If his name were Edward Moore, with his qualifications - with your qualifications, Teddy - if it was Edward Moore, your candidacy would be a joke."
Similarly, were Miers not a Bush confidante, ....
Well, no, if he wanted to do that, he would have picked Gonzales :) (Which, as Robert Bork points out, is "Souter" in Spanish...)
I think Bush showed his courage, intellect, and leadership by choosing his friend of 12 years. I think that having such courage and leadership is truly something only possible with a fine conservative mind.
Is it a representation of a change in cadence or volume?
Is it mere emphasis and doesn't represent any difference in intonation?
I would hazard, it's the first option.
The kind of Yeah you hold aspirate out, holding the "ea", and finishing softly with the "h", mouth open.
I suppose parts resignation, parts comprehension, parts cynicism.
Aren't you overlooking their mutual love for Jesus as the decisive factor?
McCormack eviscerated Kennedy with the following memorable line: "If his name were Edward Moore, with his qualifications - with your qualifications, Teddy - if it was Edward Moore, your candidacy would be a joke."
Similarly, were Miers not a Bush confidante, ....
Not the very best of examples as Ted Kennedy actually WON his bid for a Senate seat.
Mind you, we've lost ever since -- so good simile after all. ;)
P.S.: Did you know that Ted Kennedy was named for Edward Moore, Joe Kennedy Jr's...pimpmaster?
Well, on paper, friend, confidant, and loyal assistant -- but basically he set Old Joe up with call girls and starlets. He was his facilitator, to use a more polite term.
In stream-of-consciousness mode, it would be like President Clinton having named a son of his after Vernon Jordan. :)
the nomination is disgraceful.
the role of the senate, in my opinion, at least, is to ensure that the president appoint highly qualified people to the judiciary, and not his cronies.
all 22 senators who voted against roberts are disgraces, unfit to serve.
and by the same token, any senator who does not vote "no" to this nomination has failed his duty (i'm not going to go so far as to say they are unfit).
everyone knows where i stand. i would like to see richard epstein be appointed (and that, everyone also knows, will NEVER happen).
but this nomination epitomizes the actual meaning of advice and consent, and the federalist paper #76.
the senate's role is to approve 100-0 people like roberts, and condemn 100-0 cronies.
the senate's role is to approve 100-0 people like roberts, and condemn 100-0 cronies.
Do you really expect people to believe that's what should happen?
Because I don't feel that's what should happen.
100% of anything is a bit creepy.
It reminds me of successive Communist elections when the results would always be near unanimous, but in ever so incremental percentages.
98.9%. 99.1%. 99.5%!
I guess Gonzalez would have been a crony pick as well.
Maybe John Marshall was a crony. After all he was Adam's Secretary of State, and Adams appointed him a few days before losing the election to Jefferson (who hated Marshall).
now you're comparing miers to john marshall?
thats rich
I'm sorry - I just can't get past the fact that Howard Dean used the phrase "hide the salami" on Hardball.
MATTHEWS: Do you believe that the president can claim executive privilege?
DEAN: Well, certainly the president can claim executive privilege. But in the this case, I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called.
I demand this become part of the lexicon of congressional hearings. I would pay a substantial sum of money to hear Senator Biden ask Harriet Miers if she is trying to hide the salami. And I would dearly love to hear her retort.
The Democrats were the ones dumb enough to give a lst of acceptable candidates to the President. Obviously they are the ones who didn't do their homework and are thus flummoxed by the choice of Ms. Miers.
"hide the salami"
....hahaha hilariousx
- he may as well have picked Ed Gein for all the good it would do me on my lost wagers
Crucial word here: just (as in: just because she is a friend). Cronyism would be less objectionable if the crony happens to have the cultivated talents of a future Supreme Court justice. I can appreciate the challenge when you want to reward loyal friends through prestigious appointments (many presidents do this), yet none (italics intended) appear to have the skills and intellect needed for a position on the Supreme Court. At that point, you just have to abandon the "just a friend" thing.
Goesh: I'm assuming you mean Ed Gien, the notorious Wisonsin psycho killer. (I believe you misspelled his name.)
Well, then don't misspell Wisconsin....
Is the Constitution such a complex document that a person of average intelligence can't understand its clauses and meaning?
Why can't an american citizen with above average intelligence, well experienced in the workings of business, the law, and the government succeed as a justice? If all we have at SCOTUS are crusty old judges from the circuits and appeals courts and the academy, isn't the prospect of new blood and fresh viewpoints exciting? To me it is fabulous to think that someone with Miers' experience is a candidate.
What happens currently if some extremely complex issue comes before the court. There are oral arguments, clerks to research, staff meetings, individual consultations, votes, concurrence, dissent, all matter of vetting and still we get 5-4 votes on much of the work product. So philosophy is at least as important as some abstract qualifications. An outside the box viewpoint should be extremely valuable to the court.
Her qualifications are judged by the president to be exemplary, the Judiciary Comittee will have its shot. I'm looking forward to the hearings.
I think it's pretty clear that Adams picked Marshall for two reasons: he was able; and Marshall really pissed Jefferson off.
Two good reasons.
Jeez - I have no clue why people are getting worked up by this nomination. It actually sounds like some people actually think you need to understand Constitutional law to be a Supreme Court Justice.
It is solely about how you will vote on the social issues of the day. Harriet Miers is an an evangelical Christian, so she is guaranteed vote for "morality" and "family".
If she is defeated, this could really result in a slippery slope. The next thing you know, we might even end up with justices who actually try to interpret and apply the LAW. Gasp!
But in all serious - I do favor this confirmation. I think it will be good to have an evangelical Christian on the court. The better to educate Americans about what can happen to America if we become a theocracy. And having a candidate on the court for the next 25 years who is so minimally qualified will speak volumes about Bush's legacy.
"John Marhsall, Lewis Powell, etc. were also never judges or legal academics, just like Miers"
So goes the defense of Harriet Miers (as seen, for example on Volokh). But this is really off the mark.
On the Marshall metaphor, it completely misses the point that at that time, most people who were statesmen probably thought a lot about political philosophy and legal issues. Also, the law was much less complex and there were really no SC decisions to think of and have to adhere to. So, by the standards of that time, Marshall knew plenty and was plenty qualified.
On comparisons to Powell, Frankfurter, etc. This misunderstands the nature of legal education prior to the 1960's or so. It is a relatively recent phenomenon, from what I understand, for law schools to be scholarly repositories, in the sense that they hire faculty based on scholarly quality rather than, say, ability to teach a lecture on Torts or Civil Procedure. So, intellectual and thoughtful people coming out of law school in the 1930's and 1940's didn't join law faculties to exercise their intellectual interests in the law since law faculties were not places that demanded scholarly greatness. They were just as likely to go work at law firms.
You need to examine the qualifications within the context of the time period. In the 1920's, it was common to practice law never having graduated from law school. Now, that would be preposterous. I believe FDR dropped out of Columbia law after passing his bar exam early to enter private practice.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
According to his family and human rights monitors, Mr. Kaboudvand has had several heart attacks in prison. Though physicians have recommended surgery for complications with Mr. Kaboudvand's heart, authorities have denied temporary release for medical care. Before her own arrest and incarceration, renowned human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh was his lawyer. She said that "the most difficult conditions ever imposed on a prisoner have taken place for Mr. Kaboudvand."
Release Mohammad Seddigh Kaboudvand
In advance of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, the U.S. State Department has been highlighting cases of journalists around the world who are suffering because they dared speak truth to power.


text:
NEWTOWN, Conn. – More than 1,000 people turned out at Newtown High School on Sunday night where President Obama met with the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting, as well as the first responders to the tragedy.
State troopers escorted family members of the teachers and students who were killed Friday, some of them holding the troopers' hands, into the auditorium of the school, where Obama began meeting with them at about 5:20 p.m. An interfaith service was scheduled for later in the evening.
Although the high school auditorium had already reached its 950 person capacity before 6 p.m., a long line of people, some holding candles, stretched from the entrance of the school and snaked through the parking lot. Speakers were set up outside along the line of people and played the audio from the interfaith service inside.
On the road leading up to the school, cars were parked in every possible way in any available space for at least a quarter mile in either direction.
The Red Cross was on hand giving out dozens of blankets, snacks and cups of coffee to the line of grieving people.
"We are mainly here to support the families," said Jared Fiala, 15, of Newtown, outside the high school. Fiala and his two friends, Michael Unschuld, 15, and Kumal Murwah, 16, also of Newtown, held signs that read, "Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and families of Newtown."
Unschuld said his sister babysat for two of the children killed in the shooting, and explained that Newtown is such a small community that everyone is tied to those killed in one way or another.
"On Thursday no one even know what Newtown was and by Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. everyone did," said Murwah. "We are already such a close knit community and this will only bring us closer."
First responders, both state and local police and emergency personnel were greeted with a standing ovation at 7:30 p.m. as they entered the auditorium. Obama arrived 20 minutes later and according to reports sat next to Gov. Dannel Malloy. The service began shortly after Obama arrived with prayers and songs from local clergy and from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Gov. Dannel Malloy also stood to spoke at the memorial service Sunday, speaking of the strength of community that Newtown has shown.
"We will move on, we will never forget, we will in many ways be made stronger for what has transpired," Malloy said.
A sentiment that Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra echoed saying, "I know that Newtown will prevail."
Obama spoke last, giving a moving speech in which he touched briefly on the politics of gun control. During the time Obama spoke on the Newtown High School stage he focused on how Newtown had inspired the nation with their bravery and love the community showed after the horror of what happened on Friday. He also discussed what will likely be a major political battle ahead, gun control and school safety.
In closing, he read the names of the teachers and children who died, as sobs and anguished cries could be heard through the auditorium.
"I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation," Obama said. "Mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow nor can they heal your wounded hearts."
White House Press Office pool reports contributed to this article.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


text:
Zurmo - Open Source CRM zurmo.org
Posted 23 May 2012 - 09:05 AM
Posted 23 May 2012 - 11:07 AM
Posted 24 May 2012 - 03:56 PM
New features available:
New user interface
CRM Gamification Phase 1 (including achievements, levels, and badges)
User Profile page
Check out our blog post for more info about 0.6.6
Posted 30 May 2012 - 12:57 PM
Posted 04 June 2012 - 10:27 PM
Posted 07 June 2012 - 06:59 AM
Nice application.
Posted 25 June 2012 - 09:21 AM
Posted 25 June 2012 - 10:42 AM
Posted 26 June 2012 - 06:51 PM
My contributions for Yii:
Posted 04 July 2012 - 09:55 AM
Posted 14 July 2012 - 10:26 AM
i want to use redbeanphp in my yii application but i don't know how can i do this and integrate redbeanphp with yii framework
can everyone give me instruction?
Posted 17 July 2012 - 01:49 AM
Zurmo is using RedBeanPHP version 1.3.2, however I suggest you to use latest version of RedbeanPHP which is more optimized and have some additional features.
tHr, on 14 July 2012 - 10:26 AM, said:
i want to use redbeanphp in my yii application but i don't know how can i do this and integrate redbeanphp with yii framework
can everyone give me instruction?
Posted 01 August 2012 - 03:54 PM
Posted 13 August 2012 - 04:51 PM
One thing though... gamification? let the face meet the palm.
try: command not found
Posted 14 August 2012 - 04:44 AM
Callum Rexter, on 13 August 2012 - 04:51 PM, said:
One thing though... gamification? let the face meet the palm.
Glad to hear you have experience building a CRM in Yii too. Choosing Yii was one of the best decisions we made and we could not be more delighted with the framework. I know gamification is a bit progressive, but having been involved in 500+ CRM projects in my career, I see the same user adoption challenges over and over again. The more intrinsic motivation we can create for users to actually use the system, the better. Gamification is just one element to increase adoption. We focused heavily on the UI too, which has created a user friendly experience and led to better usage.
Posted 02 October 2012 - 02:17 PM
Just wanted to give you all a head's up on what's around the corner on the Zurmo Open Source CRM roadmap:
Enhanced Social CRM Functionality: Social Feeds
Social Feeds keep Zurmo users up to date on what their colleagues are sharing. Sharing can be status updates similar to what is seen on social network platforms, but visible only to employees within the organization. After changing the status of certain activities, such as closing an opportunity, a sales rep has the option of either pressing "Save Changes" or "Save Changes and Share".
Added Gamified Mechanics: Missions
A Mission is a new gamification concept that allows co-workers to challenge one another in exchange for a reward. Much of CRM is about unifying all customer facing interactions. Missions encourage people to collaborate across multiple departments in a creative way. Learn more about Missions: http://zurmo.org/use...open-source-crm
User Interface for Sending Emails
Zurmo users will now have the ability to send emails directly within the system. This centralizes data and eliminates the need for complicated integration tools.
Thanks to everyone in the Yii community for all your contributions which have helped make Zurmo the best open source crm on the planet.
Posted 23 October 2012 - 11:15 AM
Download it here: http://zurmo.org/download
Soon a UI for sending emails.
Keep up with the roadmap here: http://zurmo.org/roadmap
Posted 24 November 2012 - 02:54 AM
Posted 27 November 2012 - 02:05 PM
Send emails from within Zurmo:
Pick your theme for Zurmo:
Pick your texture:
And just for fun… Random creatures like these guys will show up on the Welcome Screen:
Posted 16 December 2012 - 06:48 PM
General Audience release.
Check it out: http://zurmo.org/download


text:
Let's say you and your neighbors want to improve your local school, or want to request cleaner parks, or more books at your local library. Because those basic and essential services are funded directly by your local property tax dollars, all you and your neighbors would have to do is take your requests and concerns to your city council, who would then vote on the measures. But, if the local property tax were replaced by a statewide sales tax – an idea swirling among Texas officials – you and your neighbors would have to take up local funding issues with the state legislature, which only meets every two years and is in some cases hundreds of miles from your hometown. The relationship between you, your community, your schools, and your local services would look wildly different.
Eliminating the local property tax- the primary source of funding for our schools, police, fire, and emergency services – and replacing it with a statewide sales tax is a bad idea for Texas for several reasons. First, it would sever an important link between your community and your schools. Next, it might also require us to pay a sales tax on many daily necessities that are currently not taxed, like household gas, electricity and groceries. And finally, this tax swap would ultimately increase your family's tax bill if you earn less than $125,000 a year.
Texas cities, counties, school districts, and special districts (community colleges, hospital districts, etc.) are funded by some $42 billion a year in local property taxes. To support these same services with a sales tax would require a statewide rate of close to 18 percent, nearly triple the current 6.25 percent sales tax. Add the current 2 percent local sales supporting cities, counties, and transit authorities, and consumers and businesses would face a 20 percent tax on most purchases.
As an alternative to this punishing rate, proponents of the tax swap suggest expanding the sales tax to items and services not currently taxed. Taxing business and professional services, such as legal, accounting, and brokerage services, could be a positive step toward modernizing the sales tax to better reflect the service economy of the 21st century. But even taxing all business and professional services, except health care, would bring in only enough extra revenue to reduce the tax rate by 3/4 percent.
Taxing even more items to lower the rate, as proponents of this scheme suggest, would force taxation of such items family purchases as residential utilities such as gas, electric and water, and business expenditures such as manufacturing machinery and materials.
We need to ask exactly what problem we are trying to solve. Texas property taxes are high compared to other states, but that's largely because we have no state personal income tax to help finance public services. And with the homestead exemption for all homeowners and school tax freeze for seniors, we protect those who can least afford to pay.
On top of which, the sales tax takes a much larger percentage of the income of low- or moderate income families than of higher-income families. For 80 percent of Texans, replacing local property taxes with a higher statewide sales tax would mean a much larger overall tax bill. Only families earning more than $125,000 would benefit.
When it comes to something as important as our schoolchildren and our local police, fire and EMS protection, we should not place all our bets on one horse. Using both property and sales taxes buffers our schools and local emergency services from economic downturns. While the sales tax is the major source of state tax revenue, collections can be quite volatile. In fact, sales tax revenue fell in 2002 and 2003 and again in 2009 and 2010. In contrast, property tax values are much more stable and can provide a better base of support of public education and city and county services.
Forcing local communities to become totally dependent on the state's distribution of revenue from an expanded sales tax would sever an important link between a community and its public schools. Under the current system, if a community wishes to raise its own property taxes to improve its local schools, public safety, or recreation, it can vote to do so. If city, county, and school funding were centralized into a state sales tax, this opportunity would largely disappear. For instance, schools would have only the amount of money per student assigned by the state to all school districts, without regard for any local commitment to improve funding. In addition, cities or counties looking to combat urban blight by foreclosing property-tax liens on abandoned property would lose a valuable tool.
Texas moves along with two major tax supports for public services – the property tax and the sales tax --- like a bicycle that occasionally wobbles, but keeps going straight. Relying on solely a high-rate sales tax would be more like riding a unicycle, going sometimes forward and sometimes backward, with the real chance for a crash at any moment.
Dick Lavine is a senior fiscal policy analyst at the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
© Texas Lone Star Forum. 9/12


text: A Mansfield man who badly injured his hand while building sets in 2011 for the Adam Sandler film "That's My Boy " has filed a lawsuit against Happy Madison Inc., Sandler's production company, as well as Sony, Columbia Pictures and Black & Decker. Richard Houpert is seeking $1 million in damages as a result of an accident that resulted in the partial amputation of fingers on his right hand. In the suit filed this week in US District Court in Boston, Houpert says he was working on a "defective and dangerous" 3-horsepower Delta unisaw table saw when his right hand was drawn into the saw, causing serious injuries. Houpert, who's represented by Belmont attorney Joan Amon, claims Black & Decker is negligent for not warning people about the saw's "dangerous and defective characteristics," and Sandler's production company, as well as Sony, Columbia Pictures are negligent for not providing "reliable and safe" equipment. (It's probably small consolation to Houpert, but "That's My Boy" was panned by critics and cost $70 million to make but earned only $48 million worldwide.) Attempts to contact the defendants were unsuccessful.


text:
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text:
When our friend, Sue, decided to transform her spare bedroom into a combined office and guest room, she turned to an innovation used by generations of home-owners for over 100 years. She brought in a Murphy bed.
The clever concept of a foldaway bed was the brainchild of William L. Murphy, an early Californian who understood the old adage "necessity is the mother of invention."
At the end of the 1800s, Murphy was living in a one-room apartment in San Francisco. He hated the fact that his tiny quarters were dominated by the bed. There had to be a better way, William thought.
In addition to his cramped living space, William's problems were complicated even more when he met a lovely lady named Gladys. Although he was eager to court Miss Gladys, it wasn't permissible in those long-ago days for a lady to visit a gentleman in his bedroom.
In order to solve both his problems of space and propriety, William hit on the idea of a folding bed. Not only would such a space-saver open up his small living quarters, but by converting his room into a proper "parlor," he could invite friends - including Miss Gladys - to visit.
William's experimentation paid off and in 1900, he applied for a patent for his fold-up bed. So it was that the "Murphy Door Bed Company" of California was born, making it one of the oldest furniture manufacturers in the country.
Early in its existence, the Murphy Bed gained visibility when it was used as a prop in many silent movies, among them the films of Charlie Chaplin. Though the silent movies have disappeared from American life, the Murphy Bed has remained a part of the furniture scene.
Through the years, the tuck-away beds have waxed and waned in popularity. But today, with both space and convenience at a premium in all kinds of living quarters, wall beds are once again in wide demand.
In January 1990, the original "Murphy Door Bed Company" officially changed its corporate name to the "Murphy Bed Co, Inc." with William L. Murphy's grandson, Clark Murphy, at the helm. And, though the Murphy Bed lost its trademark protection in 1989 because the term had become so commonly used, the Murphy Bed Co, Inc. continues to serve as the nation's official outlet.
The popularity of the convenient tuck-away beds remains high in the home setting, especially in such spaces as studio apartments. But these days, Murphy Beds can be also found in such varied locales as fire houses, hospitals, dormitories and hotels.
Through the years, the home applications, too, have changed. Like the Murphy Bed recently installed by our pal, Sue, today's most popular models are part of impressive wall units that include desks, clothes closets, dresser segments and other additions.
In Sue's case, the bed unit has turned a seldom-used spare room into a sleek and efficient guest room/office combination.
Not only would William L. Murphy be impressed by the functionality of his enhanced wall bed design, but there's no doubt his lady love, Gladys, would be eager to come for a visit.


text:
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Every spring, I work at my school as a convocation assistant. Last year I directed indoor traffic, meeting students as they exited the gown room and directing them toward the auditorium. The program explicitly states that students are not permitted to leave the auditorium once they have received their gown. Students follow a roped-off path with assistants (including me) directing them to the next location. This prevents chaos, since there are two or three daily ceremonies with hundreds of attendees each. About 30 minutes before the second ceremony began, two women approached me on the other side of the roped-of pathway. The 1st woman said Excuse me, my niece is in there. Can she come out so we can take pictures?Me: Once students get their caps and gowns, they have to stay in the auditorium. The school wants to make sure everybody is in the same place so everything can start on time. There will be time to take pictures after the ceremony.1st Woman But I have to catch my plane!Me: Im sorry, I dont make the rules. If you want to make an exception then youll have to speak to a supervisor. I know theres one at the ticket window, if you want to go back there.2nd woman But theres people there! (True; a long line of students was waiting to pick up their tickets).1st Woman But theres OTHER people taking pictures! (This was also true; some of these were probably rule-breakers, and others were stragglers from the previous convocation.)Me : Im not in control of every single person. Im sorry, I cant help you.Both women walked off, and I went back to directing traffic. I dont know if they ever found a supervisor or got their request, but they lost my sympathy because of their pushiness. The people who direct traffic are not bouncers, and were not going to physically stop anybody from leaving. I had a few other people leave with various excuses, like I have to get rid of my purse, and My husband is back there, and he has no idea where to go and there wasnt much I could do to prevent them from leaving. But the fact is that one rule-breaker will probably lead to a flood of others.
Y'know, pictures are more shareable than ever! I'm often bemused by the people who have to take THEIR picture. (Usually those people aren't particularly great shutterbugs.) I guess it means you KNOW you've got the picture, without relying on anyone else to send it to you. But I often wish they'd focus less on getting the the picture and more on "making the memory" by being very present in the situation and remembering things.
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EARLVILLE, Iowa - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Competition Eliminator at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, West Central Division, event at Tri-State Raceway listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed this round, amount over/under index this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time, speed & over/under Index, and position in order prior to run:
Left Lane: Mike Graves Runs 7.814/173.67/-0.466, Now #7; D/A Index: 8.28, Prior Best: 7.821/174.28/-0.459, Was #7
Right Lane: Randy Beyer Runs 8.869/153.16/0.219, Now #13; C/EA Index: 8.65, Prior Best: 10.099/104.23/1.449, Was #13
6:55 p.m. Field not filled, no bump spot.
Graves slows a little from session one. Beyer gets closer to a full pass and stays on the bottom of the ladder.
Left Lane: Doug Hill Runs 9.200/145.31/-0.420, Now #9; I/SMA Index: 9.62, Prior Best: 9.784/142.15/0.164, Was #12
Right Lane: Bruno Massel Runs 6.978/198.44/-0.642, Now #1; DD/AT Index: 7.62, Prior Best: 7.291/163.41/-0.329, Was #10
Big wheels up leave for Hill and he gets a full pass to tune to. That's three spots on the ladder too.
Massel gets his full pull too and jumps right up to the new top spot on a clean and straight pass.
Left Lane: Pete Pawlak Runs 8.040/168.89/0.130, Now #12; C/AA Index: 7.91, Prior Best: 8.055/169.10/0.145, Was #12
Right Lane: David Billingsley Runs 8.849/150.00/-0.461, Now #7; L/AA Index: 9.31, Prior Best: 8.813/150.30/-0.497, Was #7
Pawlak picks up just a little to stay #12. Billingsley slows a little.
Left Lane: Terry Ticel Runs 8.433/162.57/-0.417, Now #10; G/AA Index: 8.85, Prior Best: 8.498/162.33/-0.352, Was #10
Right Lane: Brian Browell Runs 7.233/183.69/-0.557, Now #2; D/D Index: 7.79, Prior Best: 7.273/183.59/-0.517, Was #4
Both cars are quicker this time and Browell gets the best of it with a two position move up the ladder. Ticel stays #10.
Left Lane: Will Hatcher Runs 6.651/203.98/-0.459, Now #9; A/DA Index: 7.11, Prior Best: 9.308/90.37/2.198, Was #14
Right Lane: Jim Greenheck Runs 7.361/184.55/-0.549, Now #3; C/AA Index: 7.91, Prior Best: 7.373/184.45/-0.537, Was #4
Wheels up in the air at the green for Hatcher's dragster and he powers on down the track to get a full pass and five spots on the ladder.
Greenheck finds a little tune up and moves up a spot on the ladder.
Left Lane: Greg Kamplain Runs 7.218/174.73/-0.362, Now #4; C/DA Index: 7.58, Prior Best: 7.039/181.20/-0.541, Was #4
Right Lane: Doug Engels Runs 19.324/53.73/11.404, Now #5; D/DA Index: 7.92, Prior Best: 7.417/178.40/-0.503, Was #5
Engles' little six stumbles off the line and slows a ton.
Kamplain doesn't improve either.
Right Lane: Pat Nahan Runs 7.374/177.30/-0.506, Now #5; E/D Index: 7.88, Prior Best: 7.381/177.11/-0.499, Was #6
Single for Nahan to wrap up the round. He runs into the fifty under range and one spot on the ladder.
7:05 p.m. Field not filled, no bump spot.


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Democrats to caucus: 2 p.m., Town Hall. Please see below for details.
Meet Julia Child: You will not want to miss this opportunity to come and meet "Julia Child." The Delvena Theatre Company will present "Meet Julia Child" from 2-4 p.m. at Groton Public Library. The Groton Woman's Club and the GPL Endowment Fund are co-sponsoring this live performance featuring "Julia Child" doing what she did best. The audience will learn more about her life and have the opportunity to view Julia on the set of The French Chef, an amusing and fun experience. After the performance, the cast, Lynne Moulton and Fran Baron, will be on hand to answer questions. This performance is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Council on Aging: 9:30 a.m., Senior Center.
Montachusett Regional Planning Committee: 5-7 p.m., 1427R Water St., Fitchburg.
Groton Republican Town Committee: 7:30 p.m., Groton Senior Center. Discussion will center around plans for a fund raiser and the new chairmanship of the Massachusetts Republican Party. Depending on who is elected chairman, the party may be headed in a new direction. This should be an interesting discussion. All are welcome to attend. For information, visit GOPGROTON.COM.
Nomination papers available Nov. 4
GROTON -- Nomination papers for Groton's elected offices are available as of Feb.
If you've thought about serving in an elected capacity, now is the time. Almost all offices have expiring terms. A complete list of openings is available at www.townofgroton.org.
The nomination process is simple. Nomination papers can be obtained from the town clerk's office. Contact the town clerk at 978-448-1100 or firstname.lastname@example.com if you have questions about running for election.
Looking for Groton-Dunstable alumni
The newly formed Groton-Dunstable Alumni Association is seeking enthusiastic alumni in the district and surrounding towns to help plan future events and bring graduates together for social gatherings.
If you are interested, please contact Berta Erickson at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Groton Democrats to hold caucus and meet Feb. 2
Democrats in Groton will hold a caucus to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party's 2013 Platform Convention on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. at Groton Town Hall, 173 Main St.
All registered Democrats in Groton are eligible to participate. Groton will elect six delegates and three alternates divided equally between men and women.
The Groton Democratic Town Committee will hold its meeting after the caucus adjourns at about 3 p.m.
For information contact: firstname.lastname@example.com or www. GrotonDemocrats.com.
Groton-Dunstable to hold Festival of One-Act Plays
Join the Groton-Dunstable Drama Guild for the fourth annual Festival of One-Act Plays, in which one student from each grade directs a short play, starring actors from their own grade, to compete for a variety of awards.
This year, the class of 2016 presents "Beowulf on a Budget" by Eddie McPherson; the class of 2015 presents "Murder Well" rehearsed by John R. Carroll; the class of 2014 presents "Elvis of Nazareth" by Jay Huling; and the class of 2013 presents "Just As I Wanted" by Rebecca Scholssberg.
Performances will be at the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Black Box Theater on Friday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For information on the Festival of One-Act Plays or any other Groton-Dunstable Drama Guild events, visit www.gddramaguild.com.
Well adult clinic
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, in conjunction with the Groton Board of Health, announces that announces that a Well Adult Clinic will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center, 163 West Main St., Groton. Drop in for blood pressure, pulse screening and diet teaching.
No appointment is necessary. For information, please contact Nashoba Associated Boards of Health at 978-772-3335 or 1-800-427-9762 ext. 333.
Roast LION supper
In October we said farewell until February. Well, February is here and hopefully, with warmer weather.
That being said, please join Christian Union Church on Feb. 16 for their second annual ROAST LION!!!!! supper. That's right, LION not loin (roast beef and roast pork). Last year's was such a success we hope this will become a tradition at Christian Union.
The menu will also include mashed potato, vegetables, bread/rolls and butter, dessert and beverage. Dessert will be strawberry shortcake in honor of Valentine's day.
So come, join your friends, bring neighbors and relatives to Christian Union Church, West Main Street (Route 225) in West Groton, diagonally across from the fire station. You won't be sorry, but will be disappointed if you don't.
All this for $10; children 6-12: $5 and under 6, free.
For information, call 978 448-5480.
St. Patrick's Day trip planned
"Women of Ireland," is a special St. Patrick's Day Show presented by the Friends of Groton Elders on Friday, March 15. Please join us in the spirit of Riverdance and Celtic Woman and comprising the best performers within the Irish musical tradition, as we travel to the Venus De Milo in Swansea, Ma to enjoy a wonderful blend of song, music and dance.
This world renowned performance showcases a wonderful blend of song, music and dancing that is the hallmark of the greatest Irish shows of our time. Our show features both male and female dancers and singers from the magnificent show Riverdance and embodies the spirit of the hit show Celtic Woman. Women of Ireland is a spectacle to be seen live on stage.
Meal choices of corned beef and cabbage or baked haddock and include Venus De Milo's Famous minestrone soup, vegetables, breads, dessert, coffee/tea.
Price of $81 includes transportation, luncheon, show and driver's gratuity.
Please sign up at the Groton Senior Center or call 978-448-1170 to have your name added to the list. Checks (please include meal choice) are due by Feb. 25 and made out to: Friends of Groton Elders and sent to: Nyola Vaillancourt, 1081 Lowell Road, Groton, MA 01450.


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State Laws concerning Engine Swaps
Posted 07 January 2005 - 01:03 PM
Some of us live in states that are loosey goosey about emissions. Others, like me, live in a state where they have the smog gestapo.
Let's get share info so our engine swaps can be legal.
Here is the info for California.
California there are some of the general rules to follow.
1) Engine cannot be older than the original vehicle. No 1980 motor into a 1982.
2) Donor vehicle MUST be a California car. Then means no out of state motors and NO JDM motors. If the donor is a federal vehicle, that is ok. But how many US Govt Subarus are out there?
3) All emission components from the Donor vehicle must be used.
4) If the tranny is an Automatic, you must also do a tranny swap b/c there are sensor on the tranny that lead to the computer.
5) Take the emissions information from the hood of the donor car so the SMOG referee can ID the motor.
6) Once swap is complete, contact Bureau of Auto Repair and schedule an appointment. (800)622-7733. If it passes, he will give you a BAR number on your door pillar for future SMOG tests.
7) You only have to get the referee to inspect the vehicle once. After that you can go to a regular smog station.
Info was obtained from Dept of Consumer Affairs, SMOG technician. (800)-952-5210.
Posted 07 January 2005 - 01:19 PM
I know the US government has some deal with Subaru of America for producing right hand drive cars for postal carriers (they can buy these cars cheaper than a normal Sube). These cars may be "federal" spec.
2) Donor vehicle MUST be a California car. Then means no out of state motors and NO JDM motors. If the donor is a federal vehicle, that is ok. But how many US Govt Subarus are out there?
Posted 07 January 2005 - 02:13 PM
Posted 07 January 2005 - 02:22 PM
I've always thought "federal" meant the rest of us, as in California and Federal
The tech was pretty specific about Non-California and Federal.
US Govt vehicle are SMOG exempt in California
Posted 07 January 2005 - 03:34 PM
i wonder if i could ever get into trouble for having different motors in cars =/
Posted 07 January 2005 - 03:44 PM
Is there age at which a vehicle becomes exempt? I think in Portland, OR (where they have smog inspections) after a vehicle reaches 25 years old, no smog is required.
i wonder if i could ever get into trouble for having different motors in cars =/
only if they catch you
Posted 07 January 2005 - 03:59 PM
Is there age at which a vehicle becomes exempt? I think in Portland, OR (where they have smog inspections) after a vehicle reaches 25 years old, no smog is required.
Age exemption was 30 years. But as of April 1, 2005 that repealed that and the age is now stuck at 1975 and older.
Tech said that "It doesn't matter what you put in. 4-6-8-12. As long as you conform to the new engines smog standards.
So with this info I will be looking at doing a complete EJ swap in the future. Right now I have to get the engine running right.
Anyone else out there w/info from their states?
Posted 07 January 2005 - 04:07 PM
Motor swaps are entirely ok so long as the new motor belongs to the same "engine family" as the original motor. Additionally, the owner must present a reciept indicating the VIN and title condition of the donor car. Basically, this means that in a Chevy, you can install anything from a 283 to a 400 without penalty so long as the car was originally equipped with a small-block chevy. Theoretically, you should be able to swap your EA-71 for an EA-81 no problem.
If the new motor is from a different family, then you have to deal with the State Patrol to have the vehicle inspected. At this inspection, you must provide proof of purchase and identity of the donor vehicle. THey put it on a rack and go at it. So if you want to swap an ER-27 into your L-body wagon, you have to keep good reciepts.
Then again, they don't have emissions in all counties, so they don't really check.
Posted 07 January 2005 - 05:40 PM
2) Donor vehicle MUST be a California car. Then means no out of state motors and NO JDM motors. If the donor is a federal vehicle, that is ok. But how many US Govt Subarus are out there?
I hate this state with a passion. Even tho there are no differences between CA EJ22T's and Non-CA EJ22T's... the state still will not allow you to swap the engines. Since this rule apply's in California, the sale of my EJ22T has fallen through, and now im stuck with the car.
Posted 07 January 2005 - 06:28 PM
Doh!!! It looks like Portland now has the 1975 and older deal too... Oregon really is becoming Californicated....
Atleast we can still do what ever we feel like in Eugene.
Posted 07 January 2005 - 06:36 PM
The federal thing I believe has to do with regulations. Long time ago there were no emissions testing (hard to believe). Then California made their own laws. Other states did not. The FEDERAL gov't stepped in and said all states need to have emmision laws. The state had to choose or use existing state laws so we ended up with 2 systems California and Fed emmision laws. That is where the term Fedural cars come from. Least that is what I gather, correct me if I am wrong.
Posted 07 January 2005 - 07:30 PM
Posted 07 January 2005 - 09:16 PM
We have to register and insure EVERY vehicle, whether it's driven or not, within 10 days of taking possession. If you retire a vehicle, it's illegal to keep an unregistered vehicle for more than 30 days, even on private property.
We are exempt from any emissions once a vehicle is 15 years or older. Newer vehicles are tested every other year for emissions.
There is a safety inspection for all years, every year. Glass must be intact with no cracks, wipers, horn, lights (no broken lenses), e-brake, tires (tread must come to the top of Lincoln's head on a penny), front end suspension: tie rods, control arms, ball joints, no sharp edges on the body, no holes in the body that could cause exhaust to enter the vehicle. Seat belts, only if original equipment.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 02:03 AM
Doh!!! It looks like Portland now has the 1975 and older deal too
It's actually 74 and older. It's been that way for almost 10 years now.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 01:31 PM
I am a certified state smog tech and a govt. fleet smog tech.
as some have stated federal vehicles are 49 state cars and then there are Ca cars. tecnically you can only swap from ca into ca. But if you look up the required emmissions items for the year motor you are swaping and make sure your out of state/country motor has or can be retrofited to have the same stuff as a CA car you can sneak it through.
you cannot use an industrial engine in a car.
you CAN use a chevy motor in a toyota/ subaru/ hundai but as already stated you then need to get it inspected by a ref. station to get a lable.
if say you swaped a EA82T into a carbed GL ea82 vehicle as long as you did a complete swap with all parts that effect emissions you can get it smoged normally.(I have a 22re in a orginal 22r toy truck as an example)
you do NOT need to swap tranys with the motor this is espically true of M/T vehicles. some A/T vehicles may need to be done as a complete engine trans combo due to a combined ECM.
you CAN swap in a diesel and get away from smog test perminantly as well as have the option of boidiesel made right here in the U.S.A. by us. but thats for another fourm.
heres one of my favorites. addition of intercoolers is completely exempt.
as a govt. fleet smog tech I can assure you govt vehicles get smog tested too. I do some of the testing and get stuck fixing the ones that fail.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 01:41 PM
It's actually 74 and older. It's been that way for almost 10 years now.
Opps, I was thinking of Washington. We we thinking of moving back to Seattle....
Thanks for the clarification
Posted 10 January 2005 - 04:27 PM
heres one of my favorites. addition of intercoolers is completely exempt.
Is that true for california? If so that would save me a lot of hassle.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 06:49 PM
I so if I find a EJ motor from a non-cali vehicle and it has all of the cali required stuff I can use it as long as I don't inform smog tech/referee that it's from a non-cali vehicle.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 08:26 PM
wait wait wait, did I hear that right.
Is that true for california? If so that would save me a lot of hassle.
this is absolutely true. its in the blue smog information book thatall smog techs are required to have.
the first time I took it in for inspection the tech told me he could not do it because of the intercooler. I asked for his book and showed him the section regarding the exempt items. the second time it went in there were no questions at all.
I cannot smog my own vehicles unfortunately because I am not registerd at a private shop.
s'ko- yep as long as you make the motor look like and work like a CA equiped vehicle you are ok. now rember this may require differnet manifolds and ECU if there are too many differences. usually they are verry similar. look it up if you are not shure. I can help with figuring out the differnces between a federal and CA car if needed. if you have info on your non US motor that would be helpfull too. do the homework first.
Posted 10 January 2005 - 08:39 PM
What do we need to do to get around this? From what I understand, the only difference between the CA EJ22T and a 49 State EJ22T is an extra ground to the ECU.
I want to see this EJ22T in my friends car... also, would it being a '92 Engine going into a '91 car cause more red tape trouble?
Posted 10 January 2005 - 11:33 PM
Also, if you live in certain counties, emissions is not required. Even the counties that DO require emissions are pretty lax. If I recall, Tex's parents accidently sent his wagon through emissions (they brought the Wagon's title in with another car, the guys didnt check the VINs closely).
Posted 11 January 2005 - 02:06 AM
I love WA state. You have to pass a sniffer test, which is pretty forgiving. That's it. I suppose they have laws about engine swaps, but every time I go in for emissions (been like, 6 times now between all my cars) They've never popped the hood.
Also, if you live in certain counties, emissions is not required. Even the counties that DO require emissions are pretty lax. If I recall, Tex's parents accidently sent his wagon through emissions (they brought the Wagon's title in with another car, the guys didnt check the VINs closely).
Yep, in Washington if it passes a tailpipe test, it's a go. you'll only have trouble if you want an exemption due to repeated failure. Then, you have to pop the hood.
You could put blown V8 in it if it'll pass a tailpipe test. My El-Camino was originally a V6 car, I installed a built V8. It took a little tuning but it passed with flying colors.
25 years and older/5 years and newer are exempt
Posted 12 January 2005 - 06:06 AM
I got pulled over by a state cop for my custom exhaust.
He said "that thing have a muffler?, I said "yeh, it's just custom"
He told me to have it looked at due to noise, It's really loude:), but that was the end of it.
Also, a few years ago when my firebird was still running i passed a servey crue testing passing cars for excess polution, As cars where passing a servey guy was waving cars to speed up to get them to "Blow smoke", as i passed i slipped in to nuetral and hammered it, the numbers jumped!, i got all there attention.
Also i had a safty inspector tell me that technicaly here in oregon a car doesn't have to have a wind shield, but does have to have working wipers.
Said there was no law saying anything about about a windshield.
I have yet to test this
Posted 12 January 2005 - 02:40 PM
Thanks a bunch!
Posted 14 January 2005 - 03:28 AM
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The Flying Dutchman, Honus Wagner
from Wikipedia
We tend to only rate players that we've seen with our own eyes or heard our fathers talk about. And when you're looking at a franchise with over a century of rosters to check out, that eliminates a lot of names. But for my money, I'll back The Flying Dutchman, Honus Wagner, as the best player to ever wear a Pittsburgh uniform.
Johannes Peter Wagner was born in 1874 to German immigrants from Mansfield, now a part of Carnegie. He was one of nine children. As a child, he was nicknamed Hans by his mom, which would later evolve into Honus. Wagner dropped out of school at age 12 to help his father and brothers in the coal mines. In their free time, he and his brothers played sandlot baseball. One bro, Albert "Butts" Wagner, played in the bigs for a season.
Legend has it that he was discovered by scout Ed Barrow who had come to watch Butts play. But instead he spied Honus rifling rocks across the Monongahela River and signed him on the spot. Other stories say he was pulled out the stands to replace an injured semi-pro player, won a job on the team, and that's how the scouts found him. In 1897 he began his major league career at Louisville in the American Association, owned by Barney Dreyfuss, recent HOF selection and an early owner of the Pirates.
Dreyfuss took many of his top players, including Wagner, with him to Pittsburgh after the Louisville franchise folded at the end of the 1899 season. Hans would spend the rest of his career with the Bucs, retiring after the 1917 season. Today's owners would have loved Wagner. He never made over $10,000 a year as a Pirate, and resisted several efforts to lure him away from Pittsburgh. Talk about your hometown discount!
Still, he had to work to get that. Before the 1908 season, he missed spring training and told the team and media that he "was tired" and was thinking of taking the season off. Now everyone in the business knew that he was holding out for a bigger salary, but he never came right out and blustered for the money, and eventually got his paycheck doubled to $10K - Ty Cobb held out the same year and only got $4,800 - without losing the fans in a spitting contest with the team.
The players should appreciate him, too. In 1905, Wagner signed the first endorsement contract with a bat company. His deal with Hillerich & Bradsby, Co. called for them to supply Wagner with Louisville Slugger bats made to his specs. In return, the bat company added Wagner's name to their bats and sold them to starstruck fans. Since then, more than 8,500 players have done business with Louisville Slugger.
Wagner had a lifetime batting average of .327 (he hit .300 or better for 17 straight seasons) and collected 3,415 hits. He led the NL in batting 8 times, RBIs five times and stolen bases five times (he swiped 722 sacks in his career despite having bow legs that made him look like a Popeye caricature.) He also led the league in slugging percentage six times, on-base percentage four times, total bases six times, doubles seven times and triples three times. Wagner hit for the cycle once and stole second, third and home three times. He only hit 101 homers, but in the deadball era before Babe Ruth started mashing them, that was a decent show of power.
The rangy shortstop is considered by many to be the greatest gloveman at his position of all time, while others will only admit to him being the best of his era. He was so gifted with the leather that he played every position on the field except catcher during his career, even pitching a couple of times. He walked six batters in his eight innings on the mound, but Hans did not allow a run. He has a perfect 0.00 career ERA.
Wagner won a series ring in 1909 after bombing in his first series in 1903, hitting only .222 while playing hurt. The series win was against Ty Cobb and the Tigers. Hans redeemed himself by hitting .333 while stealing six bases, a series record, and Cobb's thunder. He had waited six long years to shed the rep as a choker, ala Barry Bonds, on the big stage, and came through in spades.
When the Baseball Hall of Fame held its' initial election in 1936, Wagner tied for second in the voting with Ruth, trailing only Cobb. On the 100th anniversary of professional baseball in 1969, a vote was taken to pick the greatest players of all time and Wagner was selected as the shortstop. In 1999, after 82 years had passed since his last game and 44 years since his death, Wagner was voted Number 13 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Players, making him the highest-ranking shortstop on the roster. That same year, he was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
Not enough proof? Modern sabermetrician Bill James rates him as the second best player of all-time, right behind Ruth. Statisticians John Thorn and Pete Palmer rate Wagner as ninth all-time in their "Total Player Ranking" in their book Total Baseball.
The Pirates honored him by retiring #33 (although he played in the days before numbers were worn, that's the one most often associated with him) and hauled his statue from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium to PNC Park, where it now rests a stone's throw from his original playing grounds, Exposition Park.
Honus Wagner's Statue from Wikipedia
There's are a couple of baseball tales about Honus, a clean living dude by all accounts except for his tobacco chaw. One involves Cobb in the 1909 World Series. During game two, Cobb told the "krauthead" Wagner of his plans to steal second on the next pitch. Wagner's response was to tag Cobb squarely in the mouth, resulting in three stitches and Cobb's lasting respect. It also effectively shut him up for the rest of series.
Once he was caught with his glove hand in his back pocket reaching for a tobacco chaw when a ball was spanked to short. He fielded the sharp grounder with his bare hand and easily threw the runner out, literally with one hand behind his back.
On another occasion, he used his wits to keep a runner from stealing second after a wild throw from the catcher. Wagner timed his leap for the wayward toss so that he came down on the clueless runner short of the base. As the players picked themselves up, the centerfielder threw the ball back in to Wagner, who tagged the embarrassed runner out.
Another story involves his famous player's card, the holy grail of collectors the world over. It's said he made American Tobacco Company pull the card because he didn't want kids to have to buy tobacco products to get it. At least that's what Cooperstown says. More cynical observers said he wasn't paid, or at least paid enough, by the company for the right to use his image, and that's why Wagner made them quit producing it. Either way, the card, like the player, is the best of its' kind. It sold for $2.8M in September 2007.
After Wagner retired, he took it easy by hunting and fishing, two of his passions, before coming back as the Pirate hitting coach from 1933-1952. He opened several Honus Wagner Sporting Goods stores, and though they lost money for him, one still exists on Forbes Avenue in town. Honus barnstormed with a local semi-pro team called the Wagner All-Stars well into his fifties. He was a county deputy sheriff for awhile.
He still lived in Carnegie in the Beechwood Avenue house he built for his wife Bessie and himself in 1916, and he was a popular and gregarious figure in his hometown. They named the Carlynton High football field Honus Wagner Stadium after him. He died on December 6, 1955 at the age of 81. Honus Wagner was buried at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in the South Hills.
Sometimes you don't have to leave home to make it. As Honus said "There ain't much to being a ballplayer, if you're a ballplayer."
W is for Wagner,
The bowlegged beauty;
Short was closed to all traffic
With Honus on duty.
Ogden Nash, Sport Magazine (January 1949)
Honus Wagner Card from Wikipedia


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Geopolitical analysts continue to question the U.S. commitment to rebalancing its forces in the Asia-Pacific region to reinvigorate the nation's presence there.
The recent skepticism echoes similar concerns raised by Asia-based analysts about just how strong a military player the U.S. intends to be in the Asia-Pacific region. The doubts are surfacing amid reports of major military buildups by American partners in the region.
Indeed, while all the attention seems focused on China's intentions and impacts in the region, the Asian giant will not be the biggest variable in geopolitical security in that part of the world, argues Randal Shriver, president and CEO of the Project 2049 Institute think tank. Shriver is also founding partner of Armitage International and a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"It is not China," Shriver said Aug. 22 during an event hosted by the Atlantic Council's Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. "It is the United States. And if the U.S. is not up to the task, that throws uncertainty into that region."
The problem is that, despite President Barack Obama's touted Asia-Pacific rebalancing, there continues to be no "go-to" person in the administration for Asia — nor does the administration seem to still have passion for the effort, he says. There seems to be little concrete to back up the plans.
"The question now is there any 'there' there," says Shriver, who served from 2003-2005 as deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
In May, William Choong, the Shangri-La Dialogue senior fellow at the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia (IISS), raised similar concerns about the U.S. commitment because of a lack of perceived military force to back up the rebalancing plans.
"They're putting across this 'small footprint,'" he says, noting there is no "major" show of power.
Now, he says, "Other countries might feel tempted to go against China, knowing the U.S. has their backs."
With or without movement of major U.S. military forces to the Asia-Pacific, U.S. partners and allies are certainly looking to bolster their own militaries.
As a group, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand are slated to spend about $1.4 trillion on military programs and between 2013-2018, an estimated 55% increase over the $919.5 billion the countries spent between 2008-2012, according to an Aviation Week Intelligence Work (AWIN) analysis of data provided by Avascent050, an online market analysis toolkit for global defense programs.
In terms of percentages, the largest known increase for all of the Asian countries analyzed in the coming half-decade is for research and development. The analysis shows it is slated to increase by about 66% to about $61.4 billion from between 2013-2018, from about $36.9 billion spent the previous years.
Procurement in the coming five years will increase by about 61% to about $379.6 billion, compared to the $235.9 billion invested between 2008 and 2012, the analysis shows.


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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
TWD: Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler
I had never worked with rhubarb before although we have it in abundance at the moment. Cherries is a different story, we all love them! I pitted them with a chopstick, a trick I read about in the Question and Problem section on the TWD site. It worked great so no need to buy a cherry pitter for this cobbler.
The top differs from the mixed berry cobler, which has a rolled top, this one has little biscuits floating around in the fruit mixture.
How did we like this one? Well to be short we didn't, the biscuit was the best part, the fruit we didn't care for, the rhubarb was overpowering and the taste of the cherries was lost. I think we just stick to fresh cherries next time.
I might try this one with different fruit in the future, apples could be nice.
15 comments:
- Engineer Baker said...
Too bad you didn't like it, but it sounds like you have some other combos that you can try and probably like better. And hey, you can always pick the topping off and eat it by itself!
- July 22, 2008 at 2:14 PM
- Sarah said...
it looks good!
- July 22, 2008 at 3:29 PM
- rainbowbrown said...
Ah, bummer. Oh well, it looks great, anyway. I dig how you arranged the biscuit.
- July 22, 2008 at 4:24 PM
- Susie Homemaker said...
oh well - at least you know now...,but it looks great!!
- July 22, 2008 at 7:53 PM
- Pamela said...
It does look good, but it stinks that it was a disappointment.
- July 22, 2008 at 9:34 PM
- Teanna said...
I'm sorry you didn't like it! But it looks great!
- July 22, 2008 at 10:14 PM
- April said...
Sorry it was disappointing, but it does look great!
- July 22, 2008 at 10:48 PM
- Mary Ann said...
It still looks great, even if it wasn't your favorite!
- July 22, 2008 at 10:51 PM
- Heather B said...
Your cobbler looks delicious! Great job! Sorry it wasn't a favorite, maybe next time!
- July 23, 2008 at 1:45 AM
- Mevrouw Cupcake said...
That's a bummer that the rhubarb wasn't to your taste! My DBF is English and loves the stuff, and I grew up eating it as well, so we're fans. I wish I hadn't had to opt out this week and could have tried this too!
- July 23, 2008 at 12:36 PM
- Rigby said...
Your cobbler looks good! I never thought about using a chopstick to pit cherries :)
- July 23, 2008 at 3:28 PM
- CB said...
Agreed. I liked the dough but not the fruit filling. What a great tip about using a chopstick! I have tons of those!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
- July 23, 2008 at 5:48 PM
- steph- whisk/spoon said...
i loved the biscuit and the rhubarb, but like you, i wasn't fond of the sweet cherries. sour cherries are much better in baked goods.
- July 24, 2008 at 1:38 AM
- Dolores said...
Sorry you weren't impressed with this one, though I think you're right; apples would be excellent under this cobbler top.
- July 24, 2008 at 6:36 AM
- aaliyah said...
I like your big biscuits...I could sink my little choppers into those yummmmmy!
I like your picture since it made me want to eat the screen lol.
I look forward to your post next week!
- July 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM


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Hey everyone, finally decided to join in on the forums after lurking for a while.
I currently own a '91 Liberty sedan and wagon, and recently picked up an XT fairly cheap.
Anyways, I look forward to spending some time on here, communing about the greatest make of car there is ;D
Welcome to Ultimate Subaru Message Board, my lurker friend!
|Welcome to Ultimate Subaru Message Board, an unparalleled Subaru community full of the greatest Subaru gurus and modders on the planet! We offer technical information and discussion about all things Subaru, the best and most popular all wheel drive vehicles ever created.
We offer all this information for free to everyone, even lurkers like you! All we ask in return is that you sign up and give back some of what you get out - without our awesome registered users none of this would be possible! Plus, you get way more great stuff as a member! Lurk to lose, participate to WIN*!
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Guest Message by DevFuse
Started by Vortex , Oct 28 2012 05:57 AM
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I finally made it to Ibiza! Here are my videos from the Be Space Ibiza Closing Party. I put the link to the full playlist of the night with Gareth Emery and Armin van Buuren at the end along with the rest of my Ibiza videos.
Opening Song
Closing song
Cool to see Markus supporting Ferry the night before
Full Be @ Space Closing Party playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3893E898B7507377
All my Ibiza videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC1EF5CD5DF38FFE2
All my Markus videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL86A6A148D29B4949


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Sometimes, it really pays to read the fine print.
United Kingdom resident Peter Clatworthy learned that the hard way recently when he paid £450 (roughly $750) on eBay for what he thought was an Xbox One. What he received for his money, though, was just a picture of the console.
The auction description, it's worth noting, did say that bidders would receive a photo of the console - but it was still listed in the site's "video games and consoles" section, which led to the confusion. (Some shady eBay sellers pulled this sort of thing during previous console launches, offering just the packaging for their consoles.)
"It said 'photo' and I was in two minds, but I looked at the description and the fact it was in the right category made me think it was genuine," Clatworthy told the Nottingham Post. "I looked at the seller's feedback and there was nothing negative. I bought it there and then because I thought it was a good deal. It's obvious now I've been conned out of my money."
The 19-year old said he had been saving to get the new system from Microsoft as a surprise Christmas present for his four-year-old son, but apparently was unable to get one at a traditional retailer.
There is a silver lining to the story. Clatworthy paid for the picture using PayPal, which has a guarantee policy. eBay officials told him he would receive a full refund from the seller, as the ad was deemed to be misleading.
"Customers can shop with confidence on eBay as we guarantee you will get your item or your money back," an eBay official said. "Mr Clatworthy is covered by the eBay money-back guarantee and we will be contacting him to put things right."
Still, there's a lesson here for people who are desperately seeking a next generation console. eBay sales typically carry a high premium and the risk of scams like this is significant. The wiser choice is to stalk retailers, who are getting regular shipments from Sony and Microsoft. The best way to keep up with online availability, since it's so fluid, is to regularly check in with sites that track availability. ZooAlert and NowInStock.net can both alert potential buyers the minute online orders open up.


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Former England captain Paul Ince has been confirmed as Blackpool's permanent manager on a rolling one-year contract.
Ince, 45, will become the Seasiders' third permanent manager this season following the departures of Ian Holloway and Michael Appleton. Ince has been without work since leaving Notts County nearly two years ago, but has been regularly attending Blackpool's fixtures as his son, Tom, plays for them. His knowledge of the club and links with Tom - who is their top scorer this season with 17 goals - are believed to have been contributing factors to his appointment.
He has had success at the beginning of his career, leading Macclesfield to safety in 2007; they had been bottom of the league when he took over. This led to a move to Milton Keynes Dons, whom he guided to promotion from League Two before making a switch to then-Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, where he lasted only 17 games in an underwhelming spell, winning just three.
Following this he made a brief return to MK Dons before moving on to Notts County in October 2010 - however, he was sacked just over 5 months later.
He takes charge of a Blackpool side with Premier League ambitions. Nevertheless, his primary focus is to ensure that his side are not submerged into a relegation battle: Blackpool are currently ten points off the play-off places, but a mere six points above the relegation zone.
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeFootball Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeFootball.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeFootball.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.
Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: https://www.givemesport.com/writeforgms


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Green Highlands Takes Service Trip During Spring Break
Spring break found 14 students and three faculty/staff members taking in the beauty of the Okefenokee Swamp on what has become an annual Green Highlands service trip. It was their reward for working hard for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clear brush blocking the sight line from several observatories monitoring a nearby wood stork rookery.
Wood storks are an endangered wading bird species with large, long legs. They stand about 45 inches tall, and have a wingspan of five feet or more. Their plumage is white with accents of black. They live in freshwater and estuarine wetlands, primarily nesting in cypress or mangrove swamps, and they feed in freshwater marshes, narrow tidal creeks, or flooded tidal pools. Particularly attractive feeding sites are depressions in marshes or swamps where fish become concentrated during periods of falling water levels. The reason for their decline in numbers is due primarily to a decrease in these feeding habitats. Because of their unique feeding technique the birds require a higher prey concentration than other species. Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service restricts nesting to Florida, Georgia and South Carolina only.
GHC students were able to observe the storks, as well as other bird species that migrate to the marshes during the early spring. They stayed at Crooked River State Park, and after working all morning to clear brush, the group enjoyed a picnic lunch and toured the old paper mill site around the rookery, leaving inspired by the way nature had reclaimed land once occupied by industry.
Later they were also treated to a private viewing of Crooked Rivers Nature Center, hiked the parks nature trails and biked through the park enjoying tree draped with Spanish moss along the river banks. On the last day of their trip, they toured the eastern side of the Okefenokee Swamp and hiked the Chester Homestead trail. The day ended with a local seafood dinner in downtown St. Marys.
Participating students included Brittney Caffee, Joseph Slay, Victoria Haney, Daniel Castillo Matthews, Amy Deavers, Kaylee Cohen, Tatiana Smithson, Rachel King, Edwin Whitworth, Mickey Mealor, Tony King, Meagan Williams and Adam Slonecker. Advisors Devan Mize Rediger and Stacy Brown and student life coordinator Megan Youngblood also traveled with the group.
Students also wrote papers about their experiences on the trip. Below are comments from two of them.
Brittney Caffee:
The 2013 Green Highlands Service Trip to Crooked River State Park was beyond what I expected. Not only did we get the opportunity to meet some great people, but we also were able to learn a lot about the environment, aid in helping park rangers, and get in touch with nature.
For our service project, we assisted park rangers in clearing a pathway, in order for the rangers, along with researchers from National Geographic, to study and examine the beautiful wood stork. The wood stork is a species of birds that are only found in two areas of Georgia. The rangers of Crooked River State Park are currently trying to preserve their habitats, so that they might continue to breed and live in that area. It gave me a delightful feeling to know that I was able to help out in safeguarding these amazing creatures. Being a Biology major, I found all of the wildlife extremely fascinating. The park rangers were very informative and told me a lot of interesting facts about what their job entails. This gave me a better idea as to where I might want to go with my career. The park itself was amazing! We hiked and biked on a few trails and were able to see some amazing scenery.
Being involved in any club is a wonderful way at getting plugged-in, but Green Highlands makes me feel like I am making a difference in the world. Overall, this service trip was a great experience! If given the opportunity, I would definitely go again!
Adam Slonecker:
The Green Highlands service trip was one I will remember for a lifetime. As members of Green Highlands, we found ourselves thrown back in time and wandering down the right path. Many spices of unique flora and fauna of the south eastern coast lands were observed as we trekked down white sandy paths into emerald groves of palmetto bushes. The inlet bays of the St. Mary's River curved in and out of sight and past the thick old growth of the great evergreen cypress trees nestled in the Maritime Forest. Old oaks hung with Spanish Moss that caught cool moist sea breezes from the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, conveying a sense of tranquility. At night, we gathered around a blazing fire pit that attracted all manner of curious gusts and whipped the smell of s'mores around us. Armored armadillos and ground tortoises along with wily raccoons roamed close to the cabins sniffing for scraps, unaffected by our activities.
Later, down on the Okefenokee, we got to enjoy taking in the sites of the swamp. We were first greeted on our trip down the river by soft-shelled turtles and the most elegant species of bird like the Red Shoulder Hawk. I remember seeing the wide eyes and big smiles of all my fellow students reflected in the tannic acid water of the swamp as they took in the scenery of an untamed land. Alligators soaked up sun rays on the banks, complacent to our gawking eyes. Noting our role as Green Highlands members, we observed the carnivorous pitcher plants while they captured and subdued unfortunate insects and the sprouts of lilies poked their flower heads above the tannic water surface.
For the end of our journey, we met in the old town of St. Mary's and celebrated the triumphant trip along with our shared stories of the sights we had seen. Settling into the local menu, most students took the experience a step further by indulging in Gator tail bites, or a fresh Gator burger taken straight from the bay and put onto the grill. Many talked of a return journey; some even spoke of more daring adventures to come. However, all left happy and satisfied with the knowledge and experiences we were able to bring back home. I, Adam Slonecker, feel proud to have been a part of such an educating and fulfilling experience


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Yellow Warbler
From Opus
(Difference between revisions)
Revision as of 12:56, 7 February 2010
Some have pale gray wash to plumage (southwestern US)
Breeds within North America from Alaska east across Canada to Newfoundland and south to southern California, northern Oklahoma, and northern Georgia; local in southern Florida; these subspecies which belong to the aestiva group of subspecies which winters in tropics. Additionally found in a number of largely non-migratory subspecies in the Caribbean (the petechia = "golden warbler" group), and in Mexico, Central America and northern South America (the erithachorides = "mangrove warbler" group). In total, there are thirty-four subspecies. The three groups mentioned have previously been considered separate species but are now considered one wide-ranging species.
Accidental to Greenland (2 records), Iceland (1 record), and Great Britain (3 records).
Consists of as many as 43 subspecies.
In the US, inhabits moist thickets, especially along streams and in swampy areas, gardens, overgrown pastures, and woodland edges, it is more limited to riparian habitat in the west than the east.
The erithachorides group mainly belongs in mangroves, while the petechia group exhibit geographical variation in its habitat choice, ranging from mangroves to coastal scrub to highland moist forest depending on the island.
4 or 5 pale blue eggs, thickly spotted with brown, in a well-made cup of bark, plant fibers, and down, placed in an upright fork in a small sapling.
Song: Bright, musical sweet-sweet-sweet, sweeter-than-sweet; there is some geographical variation
Call: A sharp chip
This is one of the most widespread New World warblers, showing great geographical variation. In temperate North America the Yellow Warbler is one of the principal victims of the Brown-headed Cowbird, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. A cowbird lays only one egg per foster nest, but she may lay eggs in four or five nests in a short time, thus jeopardizing many broods. If the female Yellow Warbler discovers a cowbird parasitizing her nest, she quickly covers the alien egg with a new foundation and lays another clutch. Occasionally a nest is found with up to six layers, each containing one cowbird egg. The situation is equally bad in the tropical part of its distribution, leading to for example the Barbados race being considered endangered due to Shiny Cowbird nest parasitism.
External Links


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School Assignment Alert Form
Attention Teachers
The Port Washington Public Library Needs Your Help!
Giving us advance warning of upcoming assignments will enable us to be more prepared to help your students. Please fill out this form for any assignment that will involve a large number of students requiring access to limited library resources, and return it to us at least 3 days before the assignment is given to your students.
School Assignment Alert Form
Should include the following:
Assignment Given on:
Assignment Due on:
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Squidcam's back!
We're moving the colossal squid out of formalin and into its new display tank. Webcam viewing will be available live on Wednesday 6 August starting 9am NZ time (USA: Tuesday 2pm to 5pm, UK: Tuesday 10pm), for one day only.
Check out the full programme on our website: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/squid/
Preparations are underway for lifting the specimen out of the fixing tank. Te Papa staff Gary Dawson and Steven McStay built us a lifting frame to fit one of the whale lifting mats we have. Once we have drained the formalin, the tank will be refilled with water to rinse the specimen and allow us to position the squid on the mat. The fixing process will have made the tissues much firmer so we will be able to turn the specimen over – something we could not do before without the risk of seriously damaging it!


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Better to war-war than to jaw-jaw, to stand Winston Churchill's remark on its head. The United States Senate and the trade unions are not alone in believing that we have been jaw-jawing with China for too many years, while it continues to take jobs from America by manipulating its currency, stealing our intellectual property, and subsidizing exports of solar panels and other bits of green technology so as to strangle the U.S. green industry in its cradle.
The Democratic controlled senate, with 12 Republicans joining 50 Democrats, passed by a vote of 62 to 38 what it calls the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act to impose tariffs on Chinese goods unless the regime allows the yuan to appreciate faster, perhaps by somewhere between 15 percent and 40 percent. U.S. companies that have been competitively disadvantaged by China's currency manipulation can treat "misaligned" currencies as a form of subsidy, and apply for tariff protection. This bill, in the unlikely event that it passes the House— Speaker John Boehner calls it "dangerous"—would result in a flood of complaints by China to the World Trade Organization. American companies would almost certainly lose, and animosity towards the WTO and by extension other international organizations would rise. But those supporters of the bill who keep their dog-eared copies of The Wealth of Nations handy can at least claim to be acting in the great tradition of Adam Smith, who wrote that "when some foreign nation restrains the importation of some of our manufactures … Revenge … naturally dictates retaliation, and that we should impose the like duties and prohibitions upon the importation of some or all of their manufactures into ours."
No use for opponents of the bill to claim that the trade war set off by the 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff triggered the Great Depression (actually, it didn't). No use arguing that trade relations are only one item on a vast list of relationships between the leading and the emerging superpower, not least among them China's $1.2 trillion holding of American IOUs and the increasing military rivalry for power in the Asia-Pacific region. And certainly no use pointing out that China has allowed its currency to appreciate by 7 percent against the dollar since June of 2010, before freezing any further increases earlier this week, some say in response to the Senate's threat.
The presidential and congressional election campaigns are in full flow. No waiting until a few months before the voters have their say; the time for campaigning is now. After stalling for three years, President Obama finally sent trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Korea to Congress for approval. Although he is also proposing legislation to assist workers who lose their jobs because of these agreements, and is insisting that American inspectors have the right to inspect foreign factories to make sure they are maintaining the working conditions specified in these foreign countries' laws, the trade unions are fighting these deals with all the lobbying might at their command. Politicians who defy that pressure want to be able to say, "Well, I supported the trade deals but atoned for that sin by voting to attack China's currency manipulation."
Besides, supporters of the trade deals can point to studies showing that the deals will increase exports of agricultural products, machinery and chemicals by $13 billion and create 250,000 American jobs (the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says the pacts will "save" 350,000 jobs)—which puts Congress in the odd position of voting for tariffs on China to create American jobs and free trade with Korea and other countries to create American jobs. Congress apparently believes that consistency is indeed the hobgoblin of small minds, with which they do not believe themselves afflicted.
Job creation, or its absence, is the president's Achilles' heel as he dashes around the country raising the $1 billion he says he needs for his reelection campaign, and whipping up support for his jobs (aka second stimulus) bill. In September, only 103,000 new jobs were created, and 45,000 of those were Verizon strikers returning to work: It would take more than 150,000 to make even a dent in the jobless rate, which is stuck at 9.1 percent, a level with which no president campaigning for reelection has ever had to cope. Almost 26 million workers are hunting for full time work, and another million are too discouraged to continue job hunting. Over 6 million workers have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer, while many employers complain they can't find skilled workers to fill vacancies, suggesting that the jobless problem will persist long into an economic recovery.
Equally politically potent is the falling or frozen standard of living of American workers. David Autor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Gordon Hanson of the University of California, and David Dorn of the Centre for Monetary and Financial Studies in Madrid studied the impact of Chinese exports on 722 clusters of counties. They found that regions with manufacturers most exposed to competition from China lost not only more manufacturing jobs, but more non-manufacturing jobs as well, have higher levels of overall unemployment, and more workers receiving food stamps and disability benefits. "There are really huge adjustment costs to local communities that were far worse than people had appreciated," Professor Autor told the press. Voices crying that this study overstates the costs and understates the benefits of free trade are having difficulty getting heard.
It is not only the loss of jobs to foreign competition that rankles. The middle class is watching its living standard decline. The deal struck last week between the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) and Ford makes clear just how much the world has changed for workers in the manufacturing sector, once the breeding ground of the middle class. To persuade Ford to take on some 12,000 new workers over the next four years the union agreed that new workers would be paid half of the $28 per hour that veteran workers now get. That will enable Ford to bring back to the U.S. manufacturing facilities now located in Mexico, China, Britain, and Turkey. But at a cost to the new generation of autoworkers, who will find their predecessors' middle class life style difficult to attain.
Obama concedes that the answer to the question put so devastatingly to President Jimmy Carter by then-candidate Ronald Reagan—"Are you better off than you were four years ago?" is an emphatic "no."—The president, of course, blames the plight of the middle class on George W. Bush and "the mess" that he, Obama, inherited: "millionaires and billionaires" who are not paying their fair share of taxes, "fat cat bankers" who believe they have "an inherent right to a certain amount of profit," the crisis in the eurozone, and the Tea Party. Polls suggest that he is having considerable difficulty passing the buck, which President Harry Truman famously said stops in the Oval Office, on the president's desk.