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Arguably, this shortage is at least partially the result of past outsourcing, which has been discouraging U.S. students from pursuing IT careers.
Among the solutions advocated by the management class is expansion of the H-1B visa program, which aims "to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorizing the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorized to work in the United States," as the U.S. Department of Labor puts it.
[ Can the two sides ever agree on this issue? Read Immigration Reform: Find The Middle Ground. ]
Tech companies insist they cannot hire the talent they need. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said as much last week in a statement on Code.org. And Laszlo Bock, SVP of people operations at Google, said this in a statement in January: "[A]t a time when the U.S. economy needs it most, our immigration policies are stifling innovation. The 2013 cap for the H-1B visas that allow foreign high skilled talent to work temporarily in the U.S. was exhausted by June 2012, preventing tech companies from recruiting some of the world's brightest minds."
The recently introduced Immigration Innovation Act of 2013 intends to raise the H-1B visa cap, among other immigration law changes.
But a talent shortage might just be another way of describing an unwillingness to pay market rates for talent. As Peter Cappelli, professor of management and director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School, put it in The Wall Street Journal back in October, 2011, "Some of the complaints about skill shortages boil down to the fact that employers can't get candidates to accept jobs at the wages offered. That's an affordability problem, not a skill shortage."
Although the record high set this week by the Dow Jones Industrial Average suggests a return of economic optimism, the U.S. unemployment rate is still not low enough to prevent jobs seekers in the U.S. -- particularly those trained in technical skills -- from resenting the fact that employers are looking to hire people from outside the country.
Norman Matloff, professor of computer science at the University of California in Davis, contends that foreign IT workers are popular with companies because they are de facto indentured servants. Foreign workers do not have the same rights as U.S. workers: For example, if they're being sponsored for a green card, they cannot quit and seek work at another company without resetting the green card process.
Foreign workers brought to the U.S. under these restrictions are participating in a form of human trafficking. Instead of sexual bondage, it's intellectual restraint.
Keeping workers from accepting better offers elsewhere is hugely important to technology companies, because the departure of key personnel from a project can set the project back months or more.
"If you have this urgent project going on in your company, you don't want an engineer to leave you in the lurch by going to another company," said Matloff in a phone interview. "With an American employee, there's no way to stop that. With a foreign employee, if he or she is sponsored for a green card, he or she is basically stuck."
Shackling technical talent is so important that Adobe Systems, Apple, Google, Intel, Intuit and Pixar had agreements for several years not to hire employees away from one another, until the U.S. Department of Justice forced the companies to stop with the threat of an antitrust lawsuit. The department didn't manage, however, to get any of those companies to admit to wrongdoing.
Testifying earlier this week on behalf of IEEE-USA, a group representing more than 200,000 technical professionals and students, Bruce Morrison told a Congressional immigration policy subcommittee that the talent needs of U.S. companies would be better served by deregulating the process by which employers sponsor new hires for permanent residency. This would allow foreign workers to participate in the talent market on a more equitable basis.
"If an employer is willing to pay a substantial fee to sponsor a skilled foreign worker for a green card -- which means he or she can quit if they are underpaid -- that is solid evidence the employer actually needs the worker's skills," he said in prepared remarks. "But if an employer is only willing to pay a fee for a worker who cannot quit without going back to the beginning of the green card process, that indicates the employer is more interested in the indentured character of the visa, than in the worker's skills."
Beyond the objection to treating foreign workers as indentured servants, critics of the H-1B program see it as an enabler of age discrimination.

subset: commoncrawl


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Students Take Pledge
ST. MARYS — The first 200 students of a revised DARE decision-making curriculum in St. Marys graduated in the middle school auditorium Friday morning.
Deputy Sam Blank, in his fifth year of teaching the program, said the new decision-making curriculum left him skeptical initially.
"But then it just clicked. It made sense," he said.
DARE, which Blank said stands for Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate, teaches children the dangers of drugs and alcohol, has widened the scope to be more decision-making focused, to include more on bullying and other citizenship issues.
"You're the future doctors, nurses and teachers," he said. "Now is the time to use this in the world."
The new curriculum focused more on teaching specific skills. Besides completing a workbook, the students would practice scenarios, like saying "no" to drugs and drink at parties.
Not all students graduate the DARE program.
The 10-week program concluded with an essay contest.
"We had the daunting task of selecting the winners of the essay," Blank said.
Winners of the contest were Ty Schlosser, Luke Schloemer, Emma Wibbeler, Jayden VanTrees, Kalie Gayer, Brooke Yahl and Jaden Gibson. Winners received medals in addition to their DARE certificates.
The students turned to face their families and pledged to make good decisions and to stand up to bullies and bullying.
"I pledge to do all these things because I am now a DARE graduate," the students said in unison.
The students then received their T-shirts, pencils and certificates. Blank told them he still wears his fifth-grade DARE T-shirt.
"You are part of our family now," Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon told students. "It is very important to us and our office that we continue to fight drugs in our county. You as young people can make a stand now ... You can show how tough you are."
The students were encouraged to join sports, extracurricular activities, and to volunteer as ways to apply their DARE principles daily.


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Even though we've done this many times, our packing begins early each time we travel. Of course, some items don't make their way into the suitcase until the last minute. In hope that we do not forget something, we both have lists that we compile and then compare. There are many phone calls and e-mails to coordinate. Of course, if need be we might be ready on a minute's notice ... I think!
Because we travel mostly by car, we can travel with more items than those who fly. We take advantage of every space in Lil' Red. Even so, I keep telling YGGG #2 to consolidate. Check your luggage before any trip. What size do you need? I have three different sizes plus my bag(s) on wheels for the computer and equipment. When flying, all that gets on the plane are my very large bag, one carry-on bag, me and my purse. Next month for the Salt Lake City trip I'm taking the middle sized luggage with matching tote. They must match so I color coordinate! Also I'll take a bag of maps and my research notebook. Another small bag holds sundry items such as paper punch, detergent and laundry bag. Yes, we do some laundry while there. I also have a plastic tub of sling pouches and iPod Touch pouches, uniquely designed to coordinate with every piece of clothing that I'm taking.
We prefer to eat breakfast and lunch in our hotel room in Salt Lake City. This gives us time to plan our daily research and at noon we can relax and rest before going back to being detectives. Each of us has a crate on wheels with grocery items. Some of these include energy or granola bars, crackers, cereal, tea bags, fruit cups and the popular fix-in-the-microwave, non-perishable soups and casseroles. Having a microwave and refrigerator in the room is great.
Now back to my suitcase. We are women in case you haven't noticed! We tend to coordinate clothes and change clothes perhaps more than the opposite sex. Even though we can wash, we take our fair share of clothes. Recently Dick Eastman commented in his newsletter, "I also take only one pair of shoes; namely, the shoes that I am wearing. I then pack clothes to match those shoes. Carrying an extra pair of shoes consumes a lot of space in your suitcase! You only need one pair. Make sure they are comfortable and suitable for extended walks." No woman would go anywhere, flying or driving, with only one pair of shoes! And most women have more than brown and black in their wardrobe! So much for that ... if you are a woman, don't feel bad about taking a half dozen shoes as long as you can squeeze them into your suitcase. Incidentally Dick commented that he takes duct tape. Hey, Dick, that's a man thing. I take shoes, shoes, more shoes, purses and pouches. That's a woman thing!
Why are we going to all this work for a research trip? Because it's a fun trip where we will work for days, diligently undergoing long hours of brain teasing turmoil. Did I mention it's fun work? How exciting to NOT receive a paycheck (unless doing professional work for clients) and have the pay off be locating information on some long, lost ancestor. To get to that point we have to be prepared for just about anything. I go through my genealogy files on the computer and my documents, looking for holes and missing people as well as missing evidence. There are always those elusive females who only are known as Abigail, Mary and Martha. They need names. Am I up to the test?
Recently I determined that I need to check the Ulster Co., New York land records. Okay ... bet they are on microfilm in the Family History Library. My oversized research notebook now contains a printout of the microfilm numbers for those land records. All I had to do was go to the Family History Library Catalog and begin my search. After printing it off, I marked the film numbers I need to check, as well as what I need to find on each film. It is filed under Floor #2 in my research notebook. I have tabs for all five floors. YGGG #2 does her slightly different, but she also uses printouts. We never take original documents. They are scanned or copied. By scanning, we save space by plopping the jpg files on to our laptops. I am also taking my small external hard drive that can be plugged into my laptop. It contains thousands of documents, notes and biographical information.
A word of caution. Be sure you bags have identification tags on them. This goes for any bag except the laundry bag. I'd love to have somebody think it was theirs and do my laundry! One of the most important items on your list should be a computer lock. Nothing is safe, not even in the library. If you plan on using subscription databases, take your passwords. I use an encrypted program that stores my passwords. One passwords gets me everything.
YGGG#2 and I have opted not to go to the National Genealogical Society conference in Salt Lake City which is happening in a few days. We are greedy and want to do nothing but spend every hour we can in the library. Actually there were other reasons, such as timing and family commitments. We do know that when we go to the library it will be fun. If you pack right, you'll have fun too ... especially if you are color coordinated and take plenty of shoes.
Ruby --- YGGG #1


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Haunting and provocative, "Ghosts" South African artist Ralph Ziman's recent photography exhibition addresses the international arms trade. The series features 200 beaded gun and ammunition sculptures created by 6 Zimbabwean artisans who were commissioned by Ziman. The sculptures are made from traditional African beads and wire and are replicas of AK-47s and general purpose machine guns (GPMGs). The artists are also the subjects of Ziman's photographs, alongside some construction workers, and a member of the South African Police Services who just wanted his picture taken. The idea for the project began as a series of murals in Venice that were a response to the international arms trade and Africa. The result is a powerful representation of the intimate relationship between Africa and arms trading.
"In bringing his exhibit to the US, 'the world's biggest arms exporter,' Ziman goes some way to redirecting the one directional flow of the arms trade, inviting viewers to consider the original source of the guns on display." "Ghosts" features the gun sculptures, installations, and photographs, and is on display from February 8 through March 2 at C.A.V.E. Gallery in Los Angeles. (via hi fructose and okay africa)


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Recipe (Makes 8 lucchis) :
All-purpose flour - 1 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Fine semolina - 1 tbsp
Fennel - 1 tsp, dry roasted and ground
Oil - 1 tbsp
Water - 1/4 cup
Oil - for frying
Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.
Add the semolina and fennel and mix well.
In another bowl combine water and oil.
Mix together with the dry ingredients.
Knead well to make a smooth dough, adding more water if necessary.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and set the dough aside for 15 minutes.
Divide the dough into eight balls, flatten slightly and then roll them out in the shape of disks (4-5" diameter).
Heat the oil in a wok/kadai until very hot.
Fry the breads one at a time, flicking the hot oil over the top so that it puffs up.
Turn and cook on the other side until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve hot with Indian curries.
Source: Authentic recipes from India by Brinder Narula.
- I made 1 1/2 recipe to get 12 lucchis.
- While frying the pooris, push down the bread under the oil so that it will easily puff up.
Once again, I have an award to cherish and share! Neha of Tasty recipes passed me the Nice Matters award. Thank you so much Neha, I am happy to know that I am in the thoughts of a few blogger friends. It feels great to be appreciated, and thanks for being nice and for making my day!! :-)
"Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world."
I would like to pass this onto
Purnima of Cook
Roopa of My kitchen treats
Hetal of Isha's kitchen
Vani of Illatharasi
Enjoy your awards! :-)
I am sending this to the Roti mela hosted by Srivalli at Cooking 4 all seasons.


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htown needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 44 designs submitted by 22 freelance designers.
Mobile car wash needs web site design and Logo. They do cars and boats.
H2O Mobile Wash
Professional looking with Bubbles and water for sure butmore realistic ones and not cartoon like. Client likes the organization of this type ofsite: http://www.autodetailonwheels.com. There will be ashopping cart for services. See "H2OMobile Services Chart.doc" The colors in this chart are not suggestive of thecolors to be used on the site. The provide services for both automobiles and boats.
- Professional not cartoonish
- Great color combination, no more than 4 main colors
- fixed width 950px
- web 2.0 looking
- need home page and one example of a subsequent page.
- Cartoon looking site


text: Hi, in a site using SSL, I want to configure mod_wsgi to serve Django. So I add the following to the "Apache Directives": Code: WSGIScriptAlias / /var/www/example.com/django/mysite/wsgi.py WSGIDaemonProcess landwg.de python-path=/var/www/example.com/django:/var/www/example.com/pyenv/lib/python2.6/site-packages WSGIProcessGroup landwg.de <Directory /var/www/example.com/django/mysite> <Files wsgi.py> Order deny,allow Allow from all </Files> </Directory> I have SSL enabled for the site. Now, when I try to restart apache, I get the following error: And indeed, the WSGI daemon definition is included twice. I see two options here: a) Since I want to enforce SSL for this site (haven't figured out how to do that -- is it possible using ispconfig only?), I don't need the WSGI Daemon definition in the Port 80 Vhost. But how could I do that in ispconfig? b) The parameter I give to the WSGIDaemonProcess directive should differ between the port 80 and port 443 vhosts. Is this possible? Any help is greatly appreciated


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Olympic Committee Confirms It Will Punish Athletes Who Support LGBT Rights In Russia
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a fear that has overcome the LGBT and sports communities this month: a provision in the IOC charter that calls for the punishment of athletes who make political or religious displays will be enforced during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
When asked if the IOC planned to create a "safe space" of sorts for LGBT and allied athletes, journalists, contractors and other foreigners visiting Russia for the Olympics, officials told Gay Star News, "Regarding your suggestions, the IOC has a clear rule laid out in the Olympic Charter (Rule 50) which states that the venues of the Olympic Games are not a place for proactive political or religious demonstration."
While we're on the subject of rule 50 in the Olympic Charter (which states "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas"), the IOC has confirmed that it will indeed enforce it against displays of support for the LGBT community at the games in Sochi.
"This rule has been in place for many years and applied when necessary," the IOC told GSN. "In any case, the IOC would treat each case individually and take a sensible approach depending on what was said or done."
Gay Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup has already pledged, along with other athletes, to show Pride during the Opening Ceremonies by wearing a rainbow pin, a display that now may have him in trouble with Russian authorities and the Olympic Committee.
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hey, i am just going to speak my mind, i am gay and when i see bullshit like this, it pisses me off and makes me want to cry, i am 17 and out. iv had it a little rough. for the most part, i am accepted at school, but there are the haters, they are there, and they hurt, Russia is one of them. they spread propoganda shit like this. it really pisses me off. i am very actave in LGBT rights. when i see us getting shot down... no its too much. i have had enough. some one need to tell Russia that its time to change. Its OK to be Gay!!!
Don't throw the Olympic flag in my face and expect us to forget our principles. The Olympic Games continue to mutate into such an overblown hypocritical INDUSTRY year after year. It may have been a venue where all the nations' best AMATEUR athletes competed under an umbrella of peace and good will. Today the sponsoring nations, media, and the athletes themselves gleefully sell out to any corporate/commercial interest. How many corporate logos and commercials are we bombarded with during the Games? Yet an athlete who wants to speak freely is not welcome or threatened with Draconian prosecution?
Our LGBT athletes and other oppressed athletes are supposed to go mute and go back into the closet just so Putin's Russia can self promote themselves (and don't think they won't)? What if those athletes are already widely known to be out or hold a particular undesirable opinion, will that be enough to have them suffer Putin's barbarism? We have to remain silent so the IOC can rake in millions (or billions)?
You might argue that it is the athletes that only get punished in the end. They train non stop and compete in events all the around the world every year in order to gain the chance to attend the Olympics once every four years. Those events, most of which are held in friendly countries, get next to no coverage or support and are where the true amateur athletes get a chance. Its time we focus attention to those events, which are very often local and affordable. Boycott Putin's Russia, the bloated IOC, and the immoral corporations that fund them.
"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of
practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which
requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." http://www.olympic.org/Documents/olympic_charter_en.pdf PAGE 10.
Apparently this only applies when the IOC feels like enforcing it.
The Winter Olympics is my fave sporting event followed a close second by the summer Olympics but I doubt I will bother with the 2014 games! The IOC want to punish people for standing up to Russia yet reward Russia with the benefits of extra income generated by tourism ect! I understand it can't be simple for them! I'm sure it's too late in the day to change to another venue but the news report I want to read is of the IOC pledging to support the athletes and not condemn them! What kind of message does it send to Russia! It tells them they are right with their twisted viewpoints on homosexuality!
Sorry Pierce. I cannot imagine enjoying an event knowing that people's human rights are being violated by being told to be quiet. A number of the IOC reps come from nations where being queer will land a person in prison is it any wonder they will stand against this ?! Please do not hide your head in the sand if Russia is not challenged on this it will continue. There are enough places in the world that being LBGTI will land a person in prison or worse we do not need another.


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I recently stumbled upon a post at LexiBlog entitled "Multiple Personalities in a Foreign Language." The author poses the following questions:
When we learn a foreign language, we may have an accent bearing light traces or strong semblances of our native tongue or we may be able to pick up on our instructor's accent or that of a native speaker.
What happens when we have studied with instructors with various national accents or have "lived" a particular language in various countries where it is spoken? What kind of multiple personality disorder can we have when we open our mouths?
While I think it would be considerably difficult to consciously alter my accent in English, strangely enough, I haven't struggled much to adjust to different Spanish dialects and their accompanying accents. I found that it was easier to absorb what was being said to me if I internalized the differences in pronunciation by changing my accent to reflect that of the speaker.
How My Spanish Accent Has Changed Over Time
» When I first began learning Spanish in high school, my teacher for the majority of those years was a Spaniard from Andalusia. Peninsular Spanish with its accompanying "lisping" accent was drummed into me by Señor Capaldo.
» In college I dropped the European pronunciation and developed more of a Mexican accent—once again, courtesy of my professor—which persisted later on since most of the Spanish speakers I encountered in my professional life were Mexican.
» After getting to know Daniel, my accent morphed once again as I started to absorb the special brand of Spanish spoken here in Argentina, a dialect known as Rioplatense Spanish. Argentines are well-known for their unique accent, use of voseo, and numerous slang words. It seems that at this stage, Argentine Spanish has taken over my brain!
Of course, I still haven't managed to completely rid my Spanish of my American accent (and I don't believe I ever will), but I don't think my accent is particularly heavy (Tomás says my r's often give me away). Of course, Daniel says I speak perfectly (hah!), but other more objective Argentines have commented that my accent is relatively mild or, at the very least, pleasant to listen to and well-understood.
If you're a non-native speaker of a language, what does your accent sound like? How has it changed over time?
Resources // Accents
I find accents fascinating. If you do too, check out this excellent resource from the blog es-xchange with recordings of native Spanish speakers from all over the map. [Scroll halfway down the page to where it says "Audio clips."]
» Click here to listen to the Argentine Spanish accent.
Do you wonder what Argentines sound like when they speak English? I've got a clip for that too. Access the International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA) to listen to English spoken with a variety of accents.
And lastly, if you're curious to hear how an American living in Argentina speaks Spanish, click here. (No, it's not yours truly.)


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Overview and Observation: The escalating crisis in Egypt is materially affecting the psychology of the global energy situation as well as the lack of influence of the U.S., the biggest provider of funds to the country. The unfortunate expectation of the United States that all countries must have democratically elected leadership has come "home to roost." The majority in some Middle East countries is Muslim extremist controlled and in my opinion, dictatorship is preferable to "majority rule." The removal of dictators does not always work to the general interests of the international community. Ghaddafi was removed and resulted in "Benghazi" and an unsettled Libya. Saddam Hussein was removed and resulted in the loss of thousands of American lives in Iraq as well as the Afghanistan situation where "Russia learned its lesson" and left. After the initial "destruction" of the Hussein control in the area, I saw no reason to remove him since he still maintained full control over his people and learned his "lesson" about invading his neighbors, i.e. Kuwait. The fact that some of these dictators as well as certain country politics such as with China, is not "preferable" to the U.S. democratic intentions is irrelevant since it maintains a level of continuity and peace. The "arrogance" of the U.S. for instance trying to "dictate human rights" to the Russians and Chinese who have a history of dealing with its people can only lead, in my opinion, to the return of the "cold war" mentality. The U.S. allowing its "friend," the Shah of Iran, to be toppled by the Muslim extremist Kohmeini, left us with the current Iran situation. Removing Battista of Cuba left us with Castro. At some point the U.S. must recognize it cannot impose its "will" on others and in some situations, the "status quo" is preferable. It is difficult enough for analysts like myself to try to determine the effect of "normal" supply/demand factors in approaching the markets with some form of normalcy without trying to include in our thinking the ramifications of international geopolitical concerns. The current "fear factor" premium for energy for instance, is the possible closure of the Suez Canal shipping route. Other concerns of course can be mitigated such as the U.S. and international trading partners' economic consideration as well as the impact of "Obamacare" on corporations. I will try to navigate through all the global news and economic data that could have an impact on the markets we follow. Now for some actual information…
Interest Rates: The December Treasury bond (CBOT:ZBZ13) closed Friday at 129 and 20/32nds, down 1 full point or 32/32nds on concern over monetary policy where the expectation that the Federal Reserve would "taper" off its quantitative easing program based on their view of economic improvement. We of course disagree with that assessment and see a continuation of weak to lower economic condition in the U.S. The University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters consumer-sentiment index was 80 in early August readings against 85.1 in July. Corporations are hiring four times as many part-time workers as full-time workers in order to avoid the ramifications of U.S. healthcare (Obamacare) requirements under the new law. Reducing the workweek from 40 to 30 hours by the U.S. Administration is only causing companies to hire on a 28-hour per week basis. On Friday reports that President Obama is favoring Larry Summers as Mr. Bernanke's replacement as Fed Chairman was also a negative since Summers was instrumental in the repeal of Glass/Steagal which allowed banks to securitize mortgages and market them through their global brokerage firms. The resulting global "credit meltdown" was the basis for the worst recession in the U.S. since the 1930s. Summers was a major supporter of the President and it seems the President is paying his "debt" not necessarily in the best interests of the U.S. In other news the Labor Department reported non-farm productivity rose 0.9% for the second quarter of the year, above economist forecasts for a 0.7% increase. "Good" economic news is not good for bond prices and our recent preference for bonds was set aside for now. However, with the expectation that the U.S. economy is not in "recovery" but "stagnant" and more inclined to the resumption of a recessionary trend tied to the labor situation, we would look to a minimum purchase of bond calls.
Stock Indexes: The Dow Jones industrials closed Friday at 15,081.47, down 30.72 points and posted its worst week for the year losing 344 points or 2.2%. The S&P 500 (CME:SPU13) closed at 1,655.83, down 5.49 points and for the week lost 36 points or 2.10% for the week. The tech heavy Nasdaq closed at 3,602.78, down 3.34 points and for the week lost 1.6%. Our recent admonition for holders of large equity portfolios to implement hedging strategies is paying off for our readers and remains intact. Geopolitical concerns as well as the impending taper of the U.S. Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program based on their "assessment" of an improving economy is materially damaging to investors and corporate interests. The lower first time unemployment numbers on Thursday as well as the upbeat housing news had little effect on the weakening psychology of the investing public. Light volumes also exaggerated the market action and could continue to carry in the coming week.
We once again warn of a "black hole" under the equity markets and suggest strongly the implementation of strategic hedging programs such as those developed over our 40-plus years' experience.


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A Tale of Two Cultures
Information technology has traditionally been a male-dominated field with an insular culture, but it is also a global business in which skilled workers are at a premium.
One of the most influential companies in IT history, IBM, has a long record of leadership on diversity issues--not just in IT, but in the corporate world. Its legacy goes back to the punch-card days, when the young enterprise included women and blacks in its workforce at the start of the 20th century, and continued through the decades with ahead-of-the-curve policies toward disabled and gay workers. In time, diversity and opportunity "became a recruitment tool" for IBM, says Ted Childs, the company's former head of global workforce diversity.
But that type of legacy is not widespread in business. "IBM is the exception rather than the rule," says Karen Sumberg, assistant vice president at the Center for Work-Life Policy, a not-for-profit organization that studies women and work.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina's Institute on Aging gave a presentation on perceptions of older workers in the tech workplace in which they noted, "IT has an image of being youthful, male and white." Older workers, one of the groups recognized under the diversity umbrella, are under-represented in IT and are more likely to lose their jobs than their younger colleagues.
Still, the nature of technology work seems to attract people who make decisions based on rational inputs rather than emotion, says Samir Luther, workplace project manager for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a gay, lesbian, transgender and transsexual rights group. Of course, IT people are not immune from prejudices, but they may be open to the logical case made for diversity. For whatever reasons, Luther says anecdotal evidence shows that as gender identity becomes a hot topic in diversity discussions, IT seems to attract a relatively large number of transgender workers.
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KarenMcKenna-Veliot necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 27 diseños de 4 diseñadores freelance.
Karen McKenna-Veliotis
Hi, my name is Karen McKenna-Veliotis and I am professional organizer. I own my own business called http://kmvorganizeddesigns.com for the past 2 years. I have achieved a certain amount of success and want to kick it up a notch through social media. I would like to do this by branding my name and having an online presence with a website, a blog, FB, Twitter, & LinkedIn.
I teach women worldwide how to improve their lives by getting organized. I do this through videos, phone calls, emails, and plan to do a live trainings soon.
I will leave a lot of feedback. I'm easy to work. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Thanks!
I teach 35-55 year old women how to get organized so they can be more successful in their life. I love working with fun people who love life and know they can improve it. These women likely have a family and would like to learn how to improve their quality of life by getting organized. They may be working M-F 9-5 at a job they don't love and want to break out of that. A lot of my audience already has an online business and need help putting all the pieces into place. I've done it and I teach others what I've learned.
Launching under my name is new and I am starting from scratch. I may need help with my website and blog design as well.
I would like a clean, fresh, hip, uncluttered logo that fits my personality and compliments my current logo for KMV Organized Designs (see attached) and what I do with my business. I am strong, successful, easy to work with, and fun to be with. I am also Conceptual/Methodical.
I would like my name to be the logo in a font that represents me. I am pretty open to colors but would like the color(s) to compliment the KMV. I do like pink… If there is image of some sort with the logo that might be good.
I imagine my logo to go on my website (karenmckenna-veliotis.com). The website and blog will be built around the logo for the launched in June and I imagine the pages to be primarily white, clean, and uncluttered as well as pops of color in the logo. I also need the logo to work well within a banner for the website and work well on my blog, FB, Twitter, and LinkeIn page.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Freedom to Connect in Washington: 'Let's Hope This Isn't the Golden Age of the Internet'
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, March 15, 2013 – A somber tone was set last week during the opening day of the 2013 Freedom to Connect conference here. Opening remarks by conference organizer David Isenberg were peppered with references to Wikileaks mastermind Julian Assange, Pvt. Bradley Manning currently under military trial for releasing classified State documents, and… Keep Reading


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Used Car - 2011 BMW 535IA 535i in Houston, Tx
Please Call For Price
About This 2011 BMW 535IA 535i
Vehicle Location:
Houston, Tx
Call For Price
Exterior Color:
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 24
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $92.71*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
Send This Vehicle To Your Smartphone
Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at Ultimate Motorsport Inc in Houston, Tx. Call Ultimate Motorsport Inc today at 281-657-7293 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Automatic Headlights
- Cd Player
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Cruise Control
- Daytime Running Lights
- Driver Airbag
- Driver Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- Fog Lights
- Front Air Dam
- Front Power Lumbar Support
- Front Power Memory Seat
- Front Side Airbag
- Genuine Wood Trim
- Heated Exterior Mirror
- High Intensity Discharge Headlights
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Limited Slip Differential
- Manual Sunroof
- Passenger Airbag
- Passenger Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
- Power Door Locks
- Power Sunroof
- Power Windows
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Rear Window Defogger
- Run Flat Tires
- Separate Driver/front Passenger Climate Controls
- Side Head Curtain Airbag
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
- Subwoofer
- Tachometer
- Telematics System
- Telescopic Steering Column
- Tilt Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- Traction Control
- Trip Computer
- Trunk Anti-trap Device
- Vehicle Anti-theft
- Vehicle Stability Control System
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2011 BMW 535IA ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
All-new, better than ever, easier to operate.
The BMW 5 Series is all-new for 2011. Virtually no hardware was carried over directly to the 2011 BMW 5 Series from the previous models. The all-new 2011 5 Series lineup includes the BMW 528i and BMW 535i with six-cylinder engines, and the BMW 550i with a V8.
You'll never hear it from BMW. But with no less than nine new models arriving all at once in the 2011 line, to a significant degree, BMW is starting over. Not surprising. Under the guidance of controversial American Design Director Chris Bangle during the past decade, BMW took an excursion into doing some very un-BMW things. Contour by contour, the Ultimate Driving Machine became overstuffed looking, given BMW's famously aggressive design language, downright frumpy. Simultaneously, with the debut of the first-generation iDrive system several model years ago, Munich offered to the world the single most counter-intuitive, infuriating cockpit management system ever brought to market. Ever since that bleak debut, the revered company has been backtracking at a stubborn, no-we-never-screw-up rate. But at last, the news is spectacular; 2011's fourth-generation iDrive is wonderfully intuitive, a pleasure to use.
There are further good tidings. The broad line of new 2011 BMWs, far from looking frumpy, has regained the aggressive, exciting enthusiasm that had been the company's trademark since long before these difficulties began. From 7 Series to 5 Series to 3 Series, 2011 models are back to the reliable old BMW formula: Same sausage, in three different lengths. But oh, what sausage!
Dead center in the BMW sausage case is the 5 Series, always a strong choice for buyers who want vigorous acceleration and crisp handling, but not the limited interior space of the 3 Series, nor the girth, weight and fee-fye-foe-fum price of the 7 Series. As a luxury midsize sedan, the 5 will hit the sweet spot for many families that include a driver or two with a strong taste for performance accompanied by all the latest safety provisions.
In comparison with the previous 5 sedan, the 2011 version is two inches longer, with a three-inch longer wheelbase. That translates to one inch less frontal overhang than in any previous 5. This will certainly be helpful in tight parking situations, but far more than that, it give the 5 its stunning visual impact. With its forward-lunging shapes, muscular flanks, and low, road-hugging front end, the 5's appearance accurately communicates its racerly velocity and apex-strafing agility. Said agility is aided and abetted by the new 5's near-perfect 49/51 front/rear weight distribution. This package delivers levels of handling that have inherent stability, with no sudden surprises. Very, very BMW.
Sliding into the new 5's interior, you will find a typically German environment. The BMW representatives we spoke to describe the cabin as contemporary but warm, and so it is. The dashboard surfaces of our test BMW 550i were a combination of bright tan and matte black, highlighted by the expected graceful brushstrokes of wood. The instrumentation is thorough and easy to use, and the seats are covered in either leatherette, for the 528i and 535i, or leather in the 550i. As has been the case from nearly the beginning, cloth interiors will not be imported to North America.
And somewhat surprisingly, comparing content to content in the 2011 5 Series versus its predecessor, the 5 Series furnishings represent a drop in prices.
The 2011 BMW 5 Series is available in three models: the BMW 528i ($44,550) with 3.0-liter inline-6, the BMW 535i ($49,600) with more powerful 3.0-liter inline-5, and the 550i ($59,700) with 4.4-liter V8.
The 528i and 535i come standard with leatherette upholstery, automatic dual-zone air conditioning with micron air filter, 205-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with 12 speakers, redundant steering wheel controls, pre-wired for satellite radio and CD changer, iDrive, power moonroof, Bluetooth, wood trim. The 550i comes standard with leather trim.
Options: The Active Ventilated Seat Package ($2,950) adds front ventilated seats, active front seats, multi-contour seats, heated front seats; Convenience Package ($1,700) adds power tailgate, keyless entry, soft-close automatic doors; Cold Weather Package ($1,050) includes heated steering wheel, heated front seats, heated rear seats, retractable headlight washers; Driver Assistance Package ($1,750) supplies automatic high beams, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, parking assistant; Dynamic Handling Package ($2,700) adds electronic damping control, active roll stabilization, adaptive drive.
The Premium Package for 528i and 535i ($1,800) upgrades to Dakota leather and includes universal garage-door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, ambiance lighting; Premium Package 2 for 550i ($2,800), 528i and 535i ($4,900) adds navigation, rearview camera, satellite radio, premium audio, power rear sunshade with manual side windows, heated front seats, park distance control, iPod and USB adapter. The Sport Package ($2,200) features 19-inch alloy V-spoke wheels (18-inch on 528i), increased top-speed limiter, leather steering wheel, multi-contour seats, shadow-line exterior trim.
Safety provisions in the 5 Series are lavish: two-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags and curtain front-to-rear head protection, active head restraints, LATCH child seat mounts, three-point seatbelts with force limiters and front-seat emergency pre-tensioners. Seatbelts are your first line of defense in an accident, so we recommend wearing them.
Optional rearview camera's wide-angle view and tracking lines make parking easier and safer; Top View combines views from side mirrors with rear-view to provide full picture of vehicle surroundings; Side View monitors side traffic, viewed from front bumpers. Active cruise control adjusts speed to maintain safe interval to car ahead, with provision to stop the vehicle completely if required; collision warning indicates an imminent collision, primes the brakes for full stopping power, and will automatically apply the brakes. Active blind spot detection monitors safe lane reentry when overtaking another car; a backup visual signal and a recognizable vibration in the steering wheel provide further warning. Lane departure warning monitors lane markers; when a lane change begins and turn signals are not activated, the system warns the driver with vibration in the steering wheel. Automated headlights follow curves in winding roads, and automated high-beam controls switch high beams on and off as required when drawing close to another car or meeting oncoming cars up to 440 yards ahead. Adaptive brake light system flashes bright taillights when ABS is engaged or brakes are applied strongly. Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection, provides early detection of objects and pedestrians in the night; warning is provided by the Control Display and is displayed on the inner surface of the windshield if fitted with head-up display. Head-up display delivers vehicle speed and other data without requiring a glance away from the road ahead.
The outward appearance of the 2011 5 Series is unmistakably BMW. It has no odd rear horizontal surfaces or Bangle bustles in its profile, adhering instead to the strictly functional appeal that has long been BMW's signature. The traditional kidney grille is present, and the 5's short frontal overhang, a BMW trademark, is accompanied by a traditional long hood and long, segment-leading 116.9-inch wheelbase.
The cabin is set considerably to the rear, giving the profile a slightly wedged, coupe-like forward-thrust shape that, given the car's performance, is in no way misleading. Handsomely flared wheel openings filled with stylishly modern wheels and large tires underline the car's muscularity and its rear-wheel drive layout. And the signature kink in the rear side window's aft edge confirms that this is a bona fide BMW.
At the nose, the 5 Series features BMW adaptive xenon headlights (optional on the 528i) for powerful, safe forward illumination. And in daytime running, the headlight complex is illuminated by LED rings of light. The new turn indicators, as well, are illuminated by LED. And following Audi practice, new taillight clusters are illuminated in an LED pattern distinctive to BMW.
The cockpit of the 2011 BMW 5 Series is all business, deferring in every way to the driver. The dashboard is angled towards the driver, while the horizontal lines of the dash add to a feeling of spaciousness for both front-seat occupants. And as expected, all controls are well placed, with the driver-only functions situated to the left of the steering column or on the wheel itself. The steering wheel contains 12 fingertip adjustments for audio, phone and adaptive cruise control. It also has a convenient tilt-away provision for easy ingress and egress.
The front seats are supportive and grippy, with unobtrusive but firm side bolstering. Both front seats have 10-way power adjustment, though with the Sport Package, for maximum comfort and driver alertness, the driver's seat is provided with deluxe 18-way multi-contour seats. The rear seats offer decent side bolstering, while rear seat legroom is generous, a half-inch greater than in the preceding 5.
Instrumentation includes four classic circular gauges set against a black panel for optimal legibility. The optional navigation system, located in the center console, proved easy to use, delivering a fine three-dimensional display and excellent, well-timed verbal instructions even in the most complex of multi-lane maneuvers. Combined with the navigation option, this entirely user-friendly fourth-generation iDrive is contained in a large and legible 10.2-inch screen. (Without navi, a 7-inch console screen is standard.) The display is transreflective, sunlight beating on it actually enhances its legibility. And if the head-up option is included, relevant navigational instructions are added to the head-up display.
Six different two-tone interior color schemes are available in the interior, and the standard Dakota leather can be replaced by optional, more luxuriant Nappa leather. The strokes of wood that give the 5 interior its deluxe feel are available in three colors, with Ash Anthracite and Fineline Matte optional.
Climate controls and ventilation are as expected: superb.
Driving Impression
We drove both the 535i and 550i on the racetrack and were stupefied by how extremely competent and balanced this midsize performance sedan really is. The chassis of both models had exceptional poise and pace.
The 550i's front/rear weight balance was slightly more nose heavy, at 52.4/47.6 percent, than the 335i's 50.9/49.1, but it would take Mario Andretti to notice the difference, which he no doubt would. For the rest of us, merely bringing our game up sufficiently to fully exploit the real potential of the two different 5s was an all-day exercise.
So what does racetrack performance have to do with everyday driving in these 5s? Absolutely everything. Virtually any emergency maneuver in normal traffic demands near maximal use of a car's balance and grip. On the racetrack, a car's balance, grip and maximum performance and being assessed constantly. We found the two 5s to be extremely controllable at massive levels of acceleration, stopping and cornering. Compared with their competition, the BMWs should provide excellent performance in accident avoidance maneuvers.
One of the singular components of the new 5 is a superb new eight-speed automatic transmission, up from six speeds last year. This eight-speed, combined with newly intense weight-saving provisions with aluminum doors, hood, front side panels and suspension components, produce good fuel mileage for such a strong performer, in part because gears seven and eight are both overdrive.
Fuel economy are an EPA-estimated 20 City/29 Highway for the 535i and 17/25 mpg for the 550i. Not bad for a racing sedan. The 535i and 550i, after all, achieve 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and 5.0 seconds, respectively.
Much as we admired the new eight-speed gearbox's quick shifts and energy efficiency, the shifter had a bit of the first-generation iDrive about it. It has a P button on top for Park and an unlock button on the left side. To get out of Park, you depress the unlock button and move the shifter forward or backward for Reverse or Drive. Sounds simple enough. You can only go from Drive to Reverse, and vice versa, by first pressing the unlock button. If you move the shifter left, you get manual selection of the eight gears. To return to Park, you must place the lever between D and R, in neutral, and press Park on the top of the lever. It takes a bit of self-training, and a goodly number of mistakes, to master the three simple goals of D, R and P. Like some other German carmakers, BMW thinks it's important to do things their way, even when there is absolutely nothing about their way that is superior to the utterly conventional PRNDL auto-shifter. On the plus side, the manually selected eight-speed did its very best to give us the shift we wanted every time.
The new 5's steering is electronic, variable ratio and feels seamless and precise. And breaking with longtime BMW practice, the new front suspension eschews struts in favor of a proper multi-link system.
To heighten controllability and give the driver an improved platform, available dynamic damping control constantly adjusts shock rates to match the current road surface. The system is so fast that when a front wheel senses a pothole a highway speed, the rear shock can adjust before the pothole arrives. In addition, active roll stabilization curtails body roll in hard cornering, giving the driver a heightened sense of command. As we found on the racetrack, these advanced electronics work wonderfully well.
The new BMW brake system is combined with the other stability control systems, pre-setting the brakes in heavy braking, drying the brakes in wet driving, and compensating for brake fade in vigorous driving. And the brakes have a regenerative-energy feature, not unlike in a pure hybrid, that captures electric energy and recharges the battery during slowing. This reduces the net amount of time the alternator must regenerate charge, cutting engine drag and improving fuel efficiency. You can actually feel the regenerative feature engaging during gradual braking. Nice.
The BMW 5 Series is dramatically updated and improved for 2011. If you've held back because you've heard complaints about some of BMWs' cockpit controls, the waiting is over. The 5 is unquestionably one of the premier performance sedans in the world.
Ted West filed this NewCarTestDrive.com report after his test drive of the BMW 5 Series at New Jersey Motorsports Park and around greater Philadelphia.
Model Lineup
BMW 528i ($44,550); 535i ($49,600); 550i ($59,700).
Assembled In
Dingolfing, Germany.
Options As Tested
Active Ventilated Seat Package ($1,950) includes front ventilated seats, active front seats, multi-contour seats, heated front seats; Cold Weather Package ($650) includes heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, retractable headlight washers; Premium Package ($2,400) includes rearview camera, power rear sunshade, satellite radio with one-year subscription, premium audio, iPod and USB adaptor; Sport Package ($2,200) includes leather wrapped steering wheel, 19-inch alloy sport wheels with performance run-flat tires, Shadowline exterior trim, upgraded 150-mph top speed limiter.
Model Tested
BMW 550i ($66,900).The BMW 5-series puts an emphasis on the driving experience. Now starting its sixth generation, this mid-size luxury car remains a true sports sedan by delivering aggressive styling, precise handling and outstanding safety. Available in rear- or xDrive all-wheel drive, the 535i features a new 300-hp 3.0-liter, turbo, inline-six engine, with the choice of an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Standard features include leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control with active micro-filtration, a 12-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, HD radio, Bluetooth, 18-inch alloy wheels, and iDrive control system with integrated owner's manual. Safety is provided by six airbags, active anti-whiplash front head restraints, electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring, BMW Assist telematics, and bi-xenon adaptive headlights. The 535i has been completely redesigned for 2011.
10311 Altonbury Lane
Houston, Tx. 77031
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The city of Hannibal is prepared to utilize eminent domain condemnation to help secure the final piece of a right-of-way easement puzzle that it needs to construct a sidewalk along Palmyra Road.
The city of Hannibal is prepared to utilize eminent domain condemnation to help secure the final piece of a right-of-way easement puzzle that it needs to construct a sidewalk along Palmyra Road.
Eminent domain is the process through which a government entity can seize private property for public use, in exchange for payment of fair market value.
Two pieces of property necessary for the sidewalk project remain to be secured by the city. While one of the agreements is being finalized, the city and Missouri Department of Transportation have for many months been unsuccessfully attempting to make headway on securing right-of-way on property owned by Kevin and Donna Williams at 2220 Palmyra Road. Last week the City Council gave its approval to pursue eminent domain to take possession of the last plat of land it needs in order to construct a sidewalk along the busy roadway, from the middle school parking lot to the entrance of Riverview Park.
The property yet to be secure amounts to a "little over 1,000 square feet," reports City Engineer Mark Rees.
"It isn't much," he said.
On the surface, it appears the easement hang-up is about money.
"They basically have indicated they want to be compensated for the right-of-way we need," said Rees.
Kevin Williams says compensation is not at the root of the issue.
"It really has nothing to do with the money, it's the principle," he said. "If they want to spin it like it's just me being objecting to progress, that's what they can do. It has nothing to do with it. They know what the situation is."
Sources at city hall and Williams agree that the deadlock stems from a sewer issue the property owner had a few years ago. In 2007, Williams was compelled by the city to connect to the city's sewer system after his home's sewage was reportedly discovered flowing above ground through the neighborhood.
"They really took my family through a lot. They threatened to condemn my house. They cut our water off," he said. "It cost me thousands and thousands of dollars. Now they want me to give them the easement."
Williams doesn't have a dollar figure in mind regarding what he wants for the easement.
"I don't have a clue. It's not the money, it's the principle," he said. "I didn't have the money back then to do what they asked and they made me do it. But now they're saying they don't have the money, they just want me to give it to them. I just think it's pretty poor."
According to Rees, a right-of-way specialist with MoDOT has indicated it would pay between 50 cents and $1.60 per square foot to acquire property such as that needed for the project.
Williams says that after initially offering to pay for an easement, the city has now "pulled that off the table and they want us to give it to them."
"In the (initial) form letter it probably mentions that he's entitled to just compensation, but that we prefer to have and were seeking donated land," said Rees.
The city started the eminent domain process last week.
"The first step is you serve the property owner with a 60-day demand letter. There's certain disclosures (contained in the letter) you have to give them about the process," said City Attorney James Lemon. "Basically you're giving them a proposal to allow them to sell the right-of-way without the need for any kind of litigation. If you can't come to terms with the landowner then ultimately you get to a point where you file litigation and there are different steps that can be taken there."
A sentence contained in the "demand" letter that refers to "condemnation" has Williams on the defensive.
"They're threatening to condemn my house because of the sidewalk project," he said.
In fact, according to Rees, that sentence refers only to condemning the property necessary to complete the sidewalk, and not Williams' home.
"People get that confused all the time," said the city engineer.
The eminent domain process is not lengthy, according to Lemon.
"It's mainly an idea that you want to give everybody their due process rights and the statutes provide that there are particular things you have to do. You have to give somebody enough time to consider your offer to determine if they want to go forward with it," he said. "Once you get to the point where litigation is filed, that's assuming you're not able to come to terms with the landowner, the litigation process is not necessarily a long, drawn out thing."
Rees remains hopeful the matter will be resolved before it reaches a courtroom.
"Almost all these settle before that because not too many of us on either side want to go through that process," he said. "It's expensive and doesn't really accomplish a whole lot other than eventually we end up with the right-of-way."
The city is understandably anxious to secure the property.
"It will be nice to have this one and soon be authorized to advertise this for bid and get under construction," said Rees. "It's inconvenient for us because we're a little bit anxious to get started. It will delay the start for sure."
Brian Chaplin, city project manager, suggested Wednesday that work on either side of Williams' property could proceed before the final easement is secured.


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An Argument Against Hate Crimes Legislation
A frustratingly superficial article at The New Inquiry includes a link to a powerfully compelling letter from the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, arguing against added hate crimes provisions in New York's proposed Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The letter also includes a very useful collection of links to reference material on hate crimes.
The entire letter is worth reading, but here's an excerpt to convince you to click over there:
The entire letter is worth reading, but here's an excerpt to convince you to click over there:
As a nation, we lock up more people per capita than any other country in the world; one in one hundred adults are behind bars in the U.S. Our penalties are harsher and sentences longer than they are anywhere else on the planet, and hate crime laws with sentencing enhancements make them harsher and longer. By supporting longer periods of incarceration and putting a more threatening weapon in the state's hands, this kind of legislation places an enormous amount of faith in our deeply flawed, transphobic, and racist criminal legal system. The application of this increased power and extended punishment is entirely at to the discretion of a system riddled with prejudice, institutional bias, economic motives, and corruption.
Trans people, people of color, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately incarcerated to an overwhelming degree. Trans and gender non-conforming people, particularly trans women of color, are regularly profiled and falsely arrested for doing nothing more than walking down the street. Almost 95% of the people locked up on Riker's Island are black or Latin@. Many of us have been arrested ourselves or seen our friends, members, clients, colleagues, and lovers arrested, often when they themselves were the victims of a violent attack.
Once arrested, the degree of violence, abuse, humiliation, rape, and denial of needed medical care that our communities confront behind bars is truly shocking, and at times fatal. In popular conception, hate crime laws were enacted to protect oppressed minorities against bigots who would seek to terrorize a community through violent crime: racist lynchings, gay-bashing, anti-Semitic violence, and so forth. Unfortunately, the popular imagining of the operation of hate crime laws does not bear out in reality. Hate crime laws do not distinguish between oppressed groups and groups with social and institutional power.
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November 2009
February 2008
Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application that helps you placing your furniture on a house 2D plan, with a 3D preview.
1 (2 marks)
Founded in late 2003 and heartquartered in France, we are non-profit and independant.
We believe in the open web, think internet services should be sustainable, build for the long term.
While we are re-launching the service, we only accept new members through invitation.


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In 1952, Dr. Garland D. Murphy Jr. gave to The American Legion a large contribution that would benefit children. The Legion and Murphy entered into a trust agreement that established the Child Welfare Foundation, approved by the National Executive Committee on Oct. 15, 1953. We accept proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects which meet one of the Foundation's two basic purposes:
To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth; and
To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society.
Grants are awarded only to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. They are never awarded directly or indirectly to an individual for his or her personal use.
Grants are not made for any of the normal, day-to-day operating expenses of the grantee or special operating expenses connected with the grant.
Grants will not be given for construction of any type.
Grants will not be given to match government funds.
Our grants are not to defray school expenses for master or doctrinal candidate to perform research for degree requirements.
Grants are not awarded for projects that seek to create or reproduce materials or medium in a language other than English.
Grants are never given for personnel expenses, i.e. salaries, insurance, fringe benefits, or for the purpose of coordinating seminars or training programs. Specifically, grants are not made to cover lodging, travel nor food expenses, registration fees or per diem expenses.
Grants are not given to purchase equipment for the purpose of conducting research, seminars or to add to the existing equipment of an agency or organization.
Grants are never made to pay salaries or fees for consultants, secretaries or other clerical type help.
Grants are not given to cover such costs as storage, computer time, telephone, analysis or the cost of office space rental.
The Foundations grants are awarded for one year. All grants must be completed between the period of January 1 - December 31 of the award year.
Jason R. Kees
Executive Secretary
American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 630-1202


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I have this string: "101" I want to write it to a file, in C, not as text: "101" and so 8 bits x char. but directly use the string as bits: the bit "1", the bit "0" and the bit "1", so that the file will be of 3 bits.
Is it possibile? I searched on the web and I tried doing this:
char c[25] = "101";
FILE *binFile = fopen("binFile.bin", "wb");
int x = atoi(c);
fwrite(&x, sizeof(x), 1, binFile);
But at the end, when I verify files's bytes, Windows says me that it is 4bytes file! And not 3bits!
How can I do this, if it is possible? Thanks a lot.


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Here you can find answers to questions about how the board works. Use the links or search box below to find your way around.
The User Agreement for the LLLI Mother-to-Mother Support Forums is as follows:
We all want the LLLI Mother-to-Mother Support Forums to be a safe and comfortable environment through which parents around the world can connect, and be a useful and productive tool for working and learning together. To ensure this, we ask each participant to agree to the following as a condition for participation:
All members are asked to agree to these simple requests for mutual accountability and respect, in order to keep the LLLI Mother-to-Mother Support Forums a comfortable environment for everyone. Since most of these agreements are common sense, we believe that all of us can easily abide by them.


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Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris stood by his Soldier Field locker for the final time in 2007. He was frustrated over how events unfolded this season, yet full of optimism based on the last two games.
"The main thing that I learned is that we're a team that has fun," Harris said. "We play better when we have fun."
Such moments were rare this season, so Sunday's 33-25 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the finale was one to relish. Sure, the Bears finished with a dismal 7-9 record, but beating the Saints gave them consecutive wins for the first time this season.
"I don't know how to feel," Harris said. "It's sad to see … if we would have beaten Minnesota, came on here and then walked into the playoffs like this, we could have been in total control.
"Unfortunately, our season's over."
At least on the field it is. Change is on the horizon, and the players know it. Coach Lovie Smith doesn't anticipate a mass exodus, but new faces are sure to pop up at Halas Hall in 2008 as familiar ones make their way out of town.
"I just hope I'm here," Harris said. "I think they'll make good moves. Whatever they do, I don't have any say. I believe Lovie and Jerry Angelo will make great moves."
No matter what personnel decisions are forthcoming, the Bears needed to make a positive step toward next season before this one ended. Beating the Packers and Saints back-to-back was a start.
The Bears doused the Saints' slim playoff chances with contributions from all phases. An often-stale offense showed more variety than it had all season as offensive coordinator Ron Turner emptied the playbook. Linebacker Brian Urlacher continued his Pro Bowl-caliber play even though he won't be on the plane to Hawaii. And Devin Hester, the electric one, closed the home stadium down for the season by taking two to the house—one on a 55-yard reception from Kyle Orton, the other on a 64-yard punt return.
The punt return gave Hester an NFL-record six kick returns for touchdowns this season, surpassing the mark he set last season.
"All the things Devin achieves, I'm happy to be a part of that," said teammate Brendon Ayanbadejo, the special teams captain. "And I get to put that on my résumé."
Orton improved his portfolio with another decent performance in his third straight start. He was shaky early while throwing passes not even Yao Ming could have reached. Then Orton settled down, beginning with a precise 19-yard TD strike to Mark Bradley in the first quarter. The play followed Robbie Gould's 39-yard field goal, which Urlacher set up with his team-leading fifth interception.
On the touchdown to Hester, Orton threw a perfect ball as the speedster got behind Jason Craft and the safety help that was late coming over.
Orton, throwing deep frequently, finished 12 of 27 for 190 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 77.7. He was reasonably happy with his performance, but not blown away by it, though it did produce a "W."
"We left a few yards on the field," Orton said. "I missed a couple of throws. We had some opportunities to make some bigger plays. But all in all, I thought we played well."
The Bears never relinquished the lead after going up 10-0, but relaxing was never an option. Saints quarterback Drew Brees kept it close with two first-half touchdown passes to star receiver Marques Colston, but Colston hurt his hand before halftime and didn't return, costing the Saints one of their most formidable weapons.
So Brees turned to rookie running back Pierre Thomas, an Illinois product from Thornton Fractional South. The undrafted free agent amassed 226 total yards and a touchdown in his first trip to Soldier Field, but for as much as he tried, Thomas couldn't do it all.
While the Bears' defense put constant pressure on Brees and routinely deflected his passes, Orton and the offense played anything but conservative football.
With 5 minutes 45 seconds left in the first half, running back Adrian Peterson took a pitch from Orton, started up field, then pulled back and lofted a pass to Bernard Berrian for a 9-yard touchdown.
Maybe Peterson should get a look at quarterback next season?
"Nah," he said. "Let the quarterbacks do what they do, man."
Peterson finished with 91 rushing yards on 21 carries, his second consecutive solid outing. Hester's punt return and a safety accounted for the Bears' scoring in the second half. It was all they needed, with the defense creating turnovers and keeping the Saints out of the end zone.
The Saints didn't help themselves by going for it on three fourth-down plays when they could have settled for field goals.
Charles Tillman had an interception, although he fumbled it back to the Saints. Harris sacked Brees and forced a fumble that Alex Brown recovered.
Teaming up with Brown on that play was part of the reason Harris offered such a positive outlook about the future, at least on the defensive side of the ball.
"I'm not a GM, but I play defensive line and our defensive line is complete," Harris said. "We get Dusty Dvoracek back and Anthony Adams. I felt the best I've felt all year this last game.
"We'll be ready to go."


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Each day I plan and prepare a dinner like braised pot roast, spaghetti and homemade meatballs, or grilled vegetable and chicken kebabs. But when it comes to my own lunch (like most moms I know) too often I find myself eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or macaroni and cheese... or whatever I can find in the fridge.
Recently, I've made a vow to upgrade my lunch. Because I work from home, it is the only meal that I get the opportunity to actually sit, and enjoy myself without having someone sitting on my lap or dodge spoonfuls of food coming from Emma's high chair... why was I wasting this opportunity to treat myself?
I think most people assume that soups are something that take all day and should simmer on the stove for hours. Some do, and should, but not all. French Onion Soup takes only 10 minutes to prepare - just enough time to saute onions until the begin to caramelize, then pour in stock and herbs. Of course French Onion Soup is only as good as the bubbling cheese topped piece of toast that garnishes it... the absolute best part. Because the soup is so simple, I recommend using the highest quality ingredients - Natural Beef Broth, Vidalia Onions, Fresh Thyme and a Natural Provolone Cheese like Sargento.
Treat yourself to a "Real Lunch" and take a minute (or 10) to enjoy this fabulous soup.
French Onion Soup
serves 4-6
2 tablespoons of olive oil
6 cups (3-4 onions) of yellow onions (vidalia, if available), halved and sliced
1 cup of red wine (optional)
6 tablespoons of butter
64 oz. of Beef Broth (typically 1 box)
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon if dry)
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
Sargento Natural Provolone Cheese
crusty french bread
Begin by cooking the onions in the olive oil in a deep pot on medium heat until they begin to caramelize and turn brown in color. Stir them continuously while they cook to avoid burning.
It should take 7 minutes to caramelize the onions. Add fresh thyme.
Next add wine and butter. Cook for 1 minute then add broth, bay leaves, salt and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer to heat through. Lower heat.
Meanwhile, top 4-6 slices of crusty bread with two slices each of Sargento Natural Provelone Cheese. Place on a baking sheet, then broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and melted. *
To serve, ladle soup into an oven proof bowl. Top it with a slice of crusty bread and Sargento Natural provolone cheese. Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly.
*You can also melt the cheese in the microwave if you do not have an oven available, for example, if you are reheating for lunch at the office.