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Plastic pollution in the form of small particles (diameter less than 5 mm)—termed 'microplastic'—has been observed in many parts of the world ocean. They are known to interact with biota on the individual level, e.g. through ingestion, but their population-level impacts are largely unknown. One potential mechanism for microplastic-induced alteration of pelagic ecosystems is through the introduction of hard-substrate habitat to ecosystems where it is naturally rare. Here, we show that microplastic concentrations in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) have increased by two orders of magnitude in the past four decades, and that this increase has released the pelagic insect Halobates sericeus from substrate limitation for oviposition. High concentrations of microplastic in the NPSG resulted in a positive correlation between H. sericeus and microplastic, and an overall increase in H. sericeus egg densities. Predation on H. sericeus eggs and recent hatchlings may facilitate the transfer of energy between pelagic- and substrate-associated assemblages. The dynamics of hard-substrate-associated organisms may be important to understanding the ecological impacts of oceanic microplastic pollution.
1. Introduction
Plastic accumulation in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG)—colloquially known as the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'—has been a matter of public concern [1]. Before the advent of plastic marine debris, hard-substrate habitat in the NPSG was limited to relatively rare materials such as floating wood, pumice and seashells [2]. Despite this limitation, the NPSG houses a native substrate-associated rafting community that includes attached macroalgae, sessile as well as motile invertebrates and fishes [3]. The pelagic insect Halobates sericeus (Heteroptera: Gerridae), widespread across the eastern NPSG, belongs to both the surface-associated pelagic community (the 'neuston') and to the substrate-associated rafting community. Halobates sericeus moves freely over the air–sea interface where it preys on zooplankton, and is preyed upon by seabirds, marine turtles and surface-feeding fishes [4,5]. However, it requires hard substrates upon which to lay eggs, and therefore its reproduction is limited by the availability of floating materials [6].
Subtropical gyres are areas of convergence that accumulate particularly high concentrations of plastic marine debris [7–12]. Of this debris, the vast numerical majority is small fragments less than 5 mm in diameter, termed 'microplastic' [10–12]. Known environmental impacts of microplastic include ingestion by fishes and invertebrates [13–16], transport of organic pollutants [17] and alien species introduction [18]. To our knowledge, there have been no studies examining the effects of oceanic plastic debris on pelagic invertebrate communities. Because invertebrates are a critical link between primary producers and nekton, plastic-induced changes in their population structure could have ecosystem-wide consequences.
The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of microplastic debris as a novel habitat in the NPSG. To do this, we (i) quantified the increase in North Pacific microplastic over the past four decades; and (ii) correlated the increase in microplastic between 1972–1973 and 2009–2010 to changes in H. sericeus abundance.
2. Material and methods
We combined data from all available georeferenced peer-reviewed literature [7–11] and other publicly available sources [19] to compare changes in microplastic abundance between 1972–1987 and 1999–2010 (electronic supplementary material, table S1). For H. sericeus, we used surface samples collected by neuston nets at sea between 1972–1973 and 2009–2010 (complete methods in the electronic supplementary material).
Samples were sorted under a dissecting microscope. Halobates sericeus was enumerated and classified by eye, whereas microplastic particles were enumerated and measured using the Zooscan optical analysis system [10]. To determine the size range of particles used by H. sericeus for oviposition, the two-dimensional surface area and maximum diameter of a subset of plastic particles with attached eggs (n = 207) were measured using ImageJ (NIH). Dry mass of zooplankton and H. sericeus eggs were obtained from preserved samples.
We computed statistics using non-parametric methods in the R statistical environment (v. 2.13.1). Maps were created in Surfer v. 8 (Golden Software), and interpolated using point kriging. New data from this study are deposited with the California Current Ecosystem LTER DataZoo (http://oceaninformatics.ucsd.edu/datazoo/data/ccelter/datasets?action=group&id=1).
3. Results
Microplastic debris in the North Pacific increased by two orders of magnitude between 1972–1987 and 1999–2010 in both numerical (NC) and mass concentrations (MC; figure 1 and electronic supplementary material, table S2). In 1972–1987, no microplastic was found in more than half of the samples (median NC = 0 particles m–3, MC = 0 mg m−3). By 1999–2010, median NC had increased significantly to 0.116 particles m−3 and MC to 0.086 mg m−3 (all following are two-tailed Mann–Whitney U-tests, NC = p < 0.0001; MC = p < 0.0001). This increase was driven primarily by an increase in microplastic abundance in the NPSG (electronic supplementary material, table S2; NC: p < 0.0001; MC: p < 0.0001). Although a significant increase in NC was also found off Alaska (electronic supplementary material, table S2; p = 0.0197), MC remained unchanged (p = 0.3711). There was no significant change in the California Current [10] or the Eastern Tropical Pacific (electronic supplementary material, table S2; NC: p = 0.3332; MC: p = 0.2528). These results were confirmed when we conducted additional subsampling as controls for regional and seasonal variation (see electronic supplementary material).
We found no association between microplastic concentration and the abundance of H. sericeus adults/juveniles in 1972–1973 (figure 2a), but a positive association in 2009–2010 (figure 2b). Similarly, there was no association between microplastic concentration and the abundance of H. sericeus eggs deposited on microplastic in 1972–1973 (figure 2c), but a positive association in 2009–2010 (figure 2d). We also found a significant increase in the median abundance of H. sericeus adults/juveniles and eggs (two-tailed Mann–Whitney U-test, adults/juveniles, p = 0.0024, eggs p < 0.0001). When seasonal variation in H. sericeus abundance was controlled by restricting the comparison to October 1972 and October 2010, egg abundance increased with plastic particle abundance (one-tailed Mann–Whitney U-test, p = 0.0497), but not adult/juvenile abundance (p = 0.8680).
Halobates sericeus eggs measured 0.8–1.2 mm in length and were found on microplastic particles ranging from 0.002 to 0.054 cm2 (M = 0.015), a size class that includes 81.2 per cent of all particles collected in 2009–2010 (figure 2e,f). We estimate that the biomass of one to three eggs is equivalent to 9.2–27.6% of the daytime zooplankton biomass over 1 m2 of the top 20 cm of surface water.
4. Discussion
Our study associates the dramatic increase in microplastic abundance in the past 40 years with oviposition of H. sericeus, an abundant and conspicuous member of the NPSG pelagic community. Intra- and inter-annual samples from the NPSG in the intervening decades are not available, so we cannot rule out the possibility that there might be a more variable temporal pattern. However, the long-term trend supports a significant increase in microplastic concentration.
The abundance of both microplastic and H. sericeus are spatially and temporally heterogeneous within the NPSG, but H. sericeus is highly mobile and can skate at speeds up to 0.8–1.3 m s−1 [4]. If H. sericeus acted as a passive particle on the ocean surface, then a positive correlation between it and plastic abundance would be expected in all sampling periods. We found no such correlation for either adults/juveniles or eggs in 1972–1973, but a significant correlation for both adults/juveniles and eggs in 2009–2010 (figure 2). We interpret this to mean that microplastic increase has released this pelagic insect from substrate limitation for oviposition.
We estimated the increase in hard substrate in the top 20 cm of the NPSG (4 × 106 km3; [20]). Microplastic particles in the size range used by H. sericeus increased from a median NC of 0.002 particles m−3 in 1972–1973 to 1.194 in 2009–2010, with a decrease in median surface area from 0.016 cm2 to 0.015 cm2. It should be noted that these microplastic NC are higher than those previously reported [2,10–12], potentially due to targeted sampling of high-plastic areas in our study. We caution that this is a rough approximation, but nonetheless suggests a substantial expansion of hard substrate available to H. sericeus and other substrate-associated organisms.
Predation on eggs and recent hatchlings may limit H. sericeus populations and transfer energy between pelagic and substrate-associated communities. For example, the epipelagic crab Planes minutus is known to prey on both Halobates individuals and eggs in the Atlantic Ocean [4]. Because eggs are equivalent to a substantial percentage (9.2–27.6%) of daytime NPSG biomass, they may be an efficient target for predators such as epipelagic crabs and omnivorous fishes, both of which were observed to be abundant during 2009–2010 sampling. Halobates sericeus is capable of oviposition on large items [6], but no eggs were found on large items in 2009–2010, suggesting that eggs may be removed from microplastic particles by predators.
The novel ecological interactions caused by the introduction of plastic particles to oceanic ecosystems, termed the 'plastisphere' [21], may transfer energy between pelagic and substrate-associated assemblages [3]. If microplastic densities continue to increase, then substrate-associated biota such as H. sericeus may be expected to increase as well, potentially at the expense of prey such as zooplankton or fish eggs [3,4]. Future work should incorporate the dynamics of substrate-associated assemblages with ongoing work in toxicology [17], microbial ecology [21] and faunal interactions [13–16] to provide a better understanding of the impact of microplastic pollution on pelagic marine ecosystems.
Funding for SEAPLEX was provided by University of California Ship Funds, Project Kaisei/Ocean Voyages Institute, AWIS-San Diego, and NSF IGERT (grant no. 0333444). EX1006 samples courtesy of the NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, 2010 Always Exploring expedition, made possible by M. Ford. M.C.G. was supported by donations from Jim & Kris McMillan, Jeffrey & Marcy Krinsk, Lyn & Norman Lear, Ellis Wyer and an anonymous donor. Assistance from the crews of the R/V New Horizon and R/V Okeanos Explorer, L. Gilfillan, A. Townsend, L. Sala, the SIO Pelagic Invertebrate Collection, the CCE LTER site supported by NSF and many laboratory volunteers made this project possible. We thank Algalita Marine Research Foundation for their publicly available data. Conversations with M.D. Ohman, J. Drew, and J.E. Byrnes and comments from M. Thiel and an anonymous reviewer greatly improved this manuscript.
- Received April 3, 2012.
- Accepted April 13, 2012.
- This journal is © 2012 The Royal Society


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Boudhanath [9] is a suburb of Kathmandu and home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. Boudhanath is also known as Boudha, pronounced 'Bo-da'.
For centuries, Boudhanath has been an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists & local Nepalis. It is also a popular tourist site. In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Stupa of Boudhanath is the focal point of the district. There are at least 29 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries & Nunneries) around Boudhanath. The culture is very much Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans & Sherpas, as can be evidenced by the number of restaurants selling momos, thukpa & other Tibetan favorites. There are many maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks & nuns to be seen walking around Boudha, especially at the Stupa. As a daily ritual, many people walk three or more times around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' either quietly or aloud. During the days of & surrounding the full moons, the air is often thick with incense & mantras sung by monks, & the number of people visiting the Stupa increases significantly, along with the intensity of their mantras & prayers. Boudha is a very fascinating & spiritual area.
Recommended reading
Get in
Taxis: From the Kathmandu airport, or from Thamel, expect to pay 250-350 rupees. If your purpose for visiting Boudhanath is to see the Boudha Stupa, tell the taxi driver that you wish to go to Boudha Stupa main Gate.
Get around
Most of the sites of interest are located near the stupa and can easily be reached on foot.
Monasteries & Nunneries
There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. Prices are comparable to those in Thamel, but there is a little less variety. However, naturally for Buddhist related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc - Boudhanath is the better place.
Check bulletin boards in cafe/bakeries for individuals offering rooms for rent by the week or month.
Mid range
In the vicinity of sacred sites:
Stay healthy
Shechen Monastery operates an efficient, hygienic & friendly clinic offering treatments using Western & traditional Tibetan medicine, homeopathy & also sometimes massage & acupuncture. It is a good place to seek treatment for both acute & chronic ailments. The clinic is in an alley across from Shechen Guest Houses.
Get out
There are many internet cafes on and around the kora (the walking area that surrounds the stupa) - Dharana Cyberspace, is an especially clean facility with fast computers.


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The inaugural podcast of a Bandcamp.com revamp features our very own Helado Negro.
We are big fans of Bandcamp, an online service that lets musicians release music directly to fans and one we use prolifically. The service revamped their front page this week, with a renewed focus on artists and creative content. Andrew Jervis, formerly of Ubiquity Records, is Bandcamp's new "Chief Curator," and he'll be selecting content for their weekly podcast.
Helado Negro is in some good company in this first edition joining Hairy Hands, Baxamaxam, Wild Honey, Tramp Rec., and many other fantastic acts. We're looking forward to the next installment of the podcast.
Oliver Barret tried his hand at illustrating Roberto Lange of Helado Negro, and we think he captured the spirit – and the hair – just right.
You can hear all of Helado Negro's catalog for free (and buy his new record, Invisible Life, for $8) on Bandcamp right here.


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We're currently having a big debate about the Senate filibuster. It is possible you hadn't heard, what with the onset of the holiday season, the fiscal cliff and several unexpected plot turns on "Homeland" to worry about. There's just so much a person can handle.
In Washington, it's all people talk about. OK, not all. But there's a lot of rancor. John Cornyn, the new Senate minority whip, predicted to Politico that if Democrats went forward with their plans to change the filibuster rules, "It will shut down the Senate."
If the Senate did shut down, the country would not necessarily notice much difference. This week, there was a herculean attempt to pass The Sportsmen's Act, a large, bipartisan mix of hunting and conservation provisions that has been waiting around for ages. The bill seemed to be sailing toward success when it got entangled in a fight over the price of duck stamps -- a kind of hunting license and collector item the federal government sells to raise money for conservation.
"It gives the Department of Interior, unelected bureaucrats, power to decide how much to charge for a duck stamp," announced Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama. This was certainly a powerful argument -- first, the duck stamps; next, the death panels. But supporters suspected that the real issue was partisan ire over the filibuster fight.
The bill took a swan dive on a parliamentary motion. Life went on.
"A deep dysfunction has set in," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat who's a leader of the fix-the-filibuster movement. "We had an average of 60-plus filibusters each of the four years I've been here. That's more than an average of one a week."
Way more than one a week given the Senate's vacation schedule.
Filibusters are defined in the national psyche by "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," a 1939 James Stewart movie about a naive hometown hero who gets appointed to the seat of a deceased senator. Corrupt special interests want to put a dam on a piece of land that Mr. Smith wants for a boys' camp. Complications ensue. (At one point, our hero compliments his secretary, Jean Arthur, by saying, "I mean, for a woman, you've done awfully well.") Then comes the filibuster, in which Mr. Smith stands alone on the Senate floor, taking advantage of a rule that allows a senator to stop everything for as long as he can keep talking. Envoys from faraway dictatorships pack the gallery "to see what they can't see at home -- democracy in action." Mr. Smith talks for nearly 24 hours! Nobody mentions the miracle of the lack of bathroom breaks.
That was the filibuster then -- when almost nobody actually used it. These days, it's just a rule that makes it impossible to do almost anything without the concurrence of 60 members. Sen. Harry (My Life Is a Bed of Thorns) Reid, the majority leader, wants to tweak it, using a parliamentary device that would allow him to change things with just a normal 51-vote majority.
Republicans are outraged! Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who once made news by trying to hold up a budget bill with an amendment outlawing federally financed Viagra for sex offenders, said Reid was going to "destroy the place."
To be fair, the Republicans are afraid that if they don't have the power to routinely bring things to a grinding halt, the Democratic majority will totally ignore them. They point to a parliamentary procedure Reid uses to keep them from offering amendments on important bills. This is known as "filling the tree." It should not be confused with "trimming the tree," which is much more enjoyable.
Democrats, in turn, point to the time Sen. Rand Paul tried to hold up a flood insurance bill with a fetal personhood amendment.
But the important question is, how do you feel about changing the filibuster? If this issue comes up over a family dinner during the holiday, what are you going to say? This presumes, of course, that none of your relatives are under the age of 40, because otherwise the filibuster conversation is probably not going anywhere.
Here's the basic deal: There are, at minimum, six points in the life of any fledgling bill when the minority party can file filibuster paperwork that will stop all progress unless the majority can round up 60 votes. The Democrats want to eliminate a few. Also, they'd like to replicate the "Mr. Smith" rules. No more procedural shortcuts. As Sen. Richard Durbin put it, "you want to stop the business of the Senate, by goodness' sake, park your fanny on the floor of the Senate and speak."
This would be very hard on the minority. Although everybody in the Senate likes to talk, very few actually like to hang around the Senate itself.
"The talking filibuster -- it's the way people think it works already," said Oregon's Merkley.
The old system certainly worked for Mr. Smith. At the end of the movie, a corrupt senior senator was overwhelmed with guilt and raced out of the chamber yelling "Every word of it is true! I'm not fit for office." If only that happened in the real world, I believe we would protect the filibuster with our last breath.
Fighting over the filibuster
We're currently having a big debate about the Senate filibuster. It is possible you hadn't heard, what with the onset of the holiday season, the fiscal cliff and several unexpected plot turns on "Homeland" to worry about. There's just so much a person can handle.


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I'm looking for help with my twins' sleeping issues. Hopefully, this forum will lend some advice.
20 month twins, who share full sized mattress on floor.
Nursed to sleep for Naps and Bedtime.
Wake up 1-4 times per night and nursed to sleep.
Scream, kick etc. when denied in the middle of the night.
I don't mind continue nursing. However, I am so over nursing back to sleep. Sleep Deprivation is non-stop.
Dad is on board and will take my place at night during his upcoming vacation. Can you offer any advice on how to handle this transition?


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Article Summary: This article provides general information on Windows Volume Activation and links to further information.
Volume licensed products from Windows Vista onward are activated using Volume Activation, a technology that typically allows these products to activate transparently, with little or no action required on the part of the end user or an administrator. There are several different ways to implement Volume Activation in an enterprise:
MAKs and KMS host keys are available from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center, which requires credentials associated with a Volume License Agreement. Since KMS client keys will only function if a KMS server is present, and the KMS server's host key is tied to a particular license agreement, KMS client keys are available to the general public: KMS Client Setup Keys.
For general information from Microsoft regarding Volume Activation, see Microsoft Volume Licensing - Product Activation and Key Information.
The phone numbers of Microsoft's Volume Activation Centers are available here: Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers.
Article ID: SLN266220
Last Date Modified: 06/05/2018 11:14 AM
Thank you for your feedback.


text:
Finance GreenWatch » 5.Climate Change & Carbon, 9.Energy » Mitsubishi to Develop 3 Solar Plants to Generate 95 Megawatts(Bloomberg)
Mitsubishi to Develop 3 Solar Plants to Generate 95 Megawatts(Bloomberg)
Mitsubishi Corp. (8058), Japan's largest trading house by market value, today announced plans to build three solar power stations with total capacity of 95 megawatts as it deepens its presence in alternative energy.
Mitsubishi and C-Tech Corp., a clean energy and telecommunications unit of Chubu Electric Power Co. (9502), will build a 77 megawatt station in Aichi prefecture in central Japan, the companies said in a statement today. It is estimated to cost more than 20 billion yen ($220 million), with 80 percent of the funding raised through project financing, according to the statement.
The trading company will also build a 12 megawatt station and a 6 megawatt solar plant in Fukushima prefecture in northeastern Japan, it said in a separate statement. The total cost will be about 6 billion yen and Mitsubishi wants to raise as much as 80 percent of the cost through project financing, Takashi Shiwaku, a spokesman, said by phone today.
Mitsubishi has announced plans for a total 97 megawatts of solar capacity including the three plants today, according to Shiwaku. The company wants to expand its capacity to 200 megawatts by 2020.
The Fukushima stations will start operation from mid-2014 and the Aichi plant will begin by March 2015, according to the statements.
To contact the reporters on this story: Chisaki Watanabe in Tokyo at firstname.lastname@example.com; Ichiro Suzuki in Tokyo at firstname.lastname@example.com
Filed under: 5.Climate Change & Carbon, 9.Energy


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About the IIG Awards
In 2005, the Independent Investigations Group (IIG) approved the creation of an awards program to recognize the promotion of Scientific and Critical Thinking in mainstream entertainment, i.e. movies and television. The awards are presented annually. They are presented to those movies or television programs providing the best and worst examples of scientific and critical thinking during the previous year, as nominated and voted by the members of the IIG. The 'good' award is presented to the production(s) which had the most positive presentation of scientific, rational, and critical thinking during the previous year. The 'bad' award is presented to the worst example. These awards are now affectionately referred to as the "Iggies".
This award program is intended to recognize material in the popular, mainstream media, i.e. "Hollywood" dramatic titles. Productions aimed at a skeptical or scientific audience are normally exempt from consideration, although there have been exceptions. An educational or science-related production is always eligible for the appropriate award, should it fail to deliver good science according to its mandate.
The Houdini Hall of Honor
There is another, special category of award, which is the induction of an individual into the IIG "Houdini Hall of Honor," named after Harry Houdini, the role model for the IIG and all other investigators of the supernatural, and the first inductee. Houdini was really a major force attempting to educate the public about phony psychic mediums through his entertainment, completing the prerequisite for inclusion in these awards. Inductees are listed on a perpetual plaque which is displayed on the wall at the headquarters of the IIG in Los Angeles. The other inaugural member, along with Houdini, is Carl Sagan. The inscription on the plaque reads as follows:
"For their commitment to educating the public
in skeptical thinking through entertainment,
these individuals are inducted into the
IIG Hall of Honor"
Awards Given
There are three (and sometimes four) categories of award recognition:
- Induction into Houdini's Hall of Honor as mentioned above. Recognizes a substantial career devotion by an individual to the Scope of the awards.
- The 'Iggie' trophy. Recognizes a significant contribution for a specific project (movie, TV episode, article, book, etc.) related to the scope of the awards over the preceding 12 months (roughly). It's usually given to the people responsible for producing the item (producer, director, writers, and so on).
- The Truly Terrible Television, and its counterpart, the Mostly Miserable Movie certificate.
- Special. Occasionally we add a special category to recognize science shows, documentaries, educational material, or some other type of award. If it doesn't appear in a given year below, it means the special category wasn't awarded that year.
Award Presentation
Besides the award winners and members of the IIG, the press and various local dignitaries are also invited to be present when the awards are presented at the Center for Inquiry in Hollywood, California. The awards are hosted by the chair of the IIG, with guest presenters for each category, including IIG members and occasional celebrities. The award ceremony is open to the public and is one way to help raise funds for our investigations and raise awareness about the IIG to the general public.
Past Winners
The first Award ceremony took place in 2007, honoring (or poking fun of) shows from 2006. All ceremonies take place in the Steve Allen Theater at the Center for Inquiry in Hollywood, California.
Hall of Honor recipients:
- 2007
- Harry Houdini (Ehrich Weiss) for 2006
Carl Sagan
- 2008
- James "Amazing" Randi
James Randi accepted his award in person, and performed a little magic as well.
Appearances on video congratulating Randi:
Penn & Teller
Michael Shermer
Phil Plait
Adam Savage
- 2009
- Joe Nickell
Joe Nickell accepted his award in person
Appearances on video congratulating Nickell:
James Randi
Michael Shermer
Eugenie Scott
Ben Radford
- 2010
- Martin Gardner
- 2011
- Isaac Asimov and Ray Hyman
Ray Hyman accepted via prerecorded video
- 2012
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
Iggie recipients:
- 2007
- TV series "Psych", Episode: Pilot. (USA Network)
Accepting for Psych: Daniel Hsia, staff writer
TV Series "The Simpsons", Episode: "The Monkey Suit" (Fox Network)
Accepting for the Simpsons: J. Stewart Burns, writer
- 2008
- "In the Shadow of the Moon" (Discovery Films)
Accepting for "Shadow of the Moon": Duncan Copp, Producer
"Phenomenon" (NBC, Granada Entertainment)
Accepting for "Phenomenon": Dwight Smith and Michael Agbabian, Producers
- 2009
- "Lewis Black's Root of All Evil" (Comedy Central) episode: Disney vs. Scientology
"Religulous" (Lion's Gate)
- 2010
- "Eureka" (SyFy/NBC Universal)
"Mentalist" (CBS)
- 2011
- Dr. Dean Edell (for his many contributions in radio, TV, and publishing)
Phil Plait's "Bad Universe" (Discovery Channel)
Phil Plait accepted via prerecorded video
- 2012
- Tim Minchin International live performer
"Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
"Through the Wormhole" (Science Channel)
"South Park" (Comedy Central)
Snopes.com Informational website
Truly Terrible Television and Mostly Miserable Movie recipients:
- 2007
- "The Montel Williams Show" for episodes featuring Sylvia Browne (CBS)
"Psychic Detectives" (Courtroom TV channel)
- 2008
- "Ghosthunters" (SyFy)
- 2009
- "Psychic Kids, Children of the Paranormal" (A&E)
"Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" (Premise Media Corp)
Michael Shermer and Eugenie Scott appeared in a video clip to explain 'their side' of the interviews they did for "Expelled"
Special appearance by Ron Lynch as Ben Stein
- 2010
- No award in this category this year. Concentrated on the positive shows instead.
- 2011
- "Oprah Winfrey Show"
"Dr. Oz"
Special appearance by Emery Emery as the Dr. Oz / Oprah producer.
- 2012
- "Ancient Aliens" History Channel
Special Category recipients:
- 2008
- "Penn & Teller's Bullshit!" (Showtime)
"Is It Real" (National Geographic)
Accepting for "Is it real": French Horwitz via prerecorded video clip
- 2009
- "Mythbusters" (Discovery Channel)
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman accepted via by prerecorded video
Actress Amanda Peet (for her appearances promoting vaccination)
Here are pages with additional information or media about past award ceremonies.
- 2007 Took place August 18, 2007
- Presenters/hosts: David Richards, Owen Hammer. MC: James Underdown.
- 2008 Took place June 23, 2008 with special guest James Randi!
- Presenters/hosts: Paul Provenza, Julia Sweeney. MC: James Underdown.
- 2009 Took place April 29, 2009
- Presenters/hosts: Paul Provenza, Kathleen Madigan, Frank Conniff, Dana Gould, Andy Kindler. MC: James Underdown.
- 2010 Took place August 21, 2010. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the IIG!
- MC: James Underdown Special guests include Michael Shermer, Eugenie Scott, Harriet Hall, Brian Dunning, Carol Tavris, Brian Keith Dalton (Mr. Deity) and Amy Rohren (Lucy).
- 2011 Took place September 30, 2011
- Presenters/hosts: Ron Lynch, Stevie Ray Fromstein. MC: James Underdown
- 2012 Took place September 10, 2012
- Presenters/Hosts: Matt Kirshen, Kelly Carlin, Ron Lynch, Emery Emery, Frank Conniff.
Music provided by Gary Stockdale with Scott Breadman. MC: James Underdown
The Independent Investigations Group meets every month
The Center for Inquiry - West
4773 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood CA 90027
(323) 666-9797, ext. 101


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Bluffton High School football boosters are continuing their "Sponsor a Bobcat" program this season.
Participants can sponsor a football player for $50, with proceeds going toward the team's end-of-year awards dinner and other postseason activities.
Make checks payable to Bobcat Football, P.O. Box 3892, Bluffton, S.C., 29910. Contact Tammy Winslow at email@example.com or 706-7011, or Lisa Sulka at firstname.lastname@example.com or 384-8462, for more details.
Palmetto Animal League
charity golf tournament
Palmetto Animal League's Putt for PAL charity golf tournament will be held at noon Monday at Belfair's Fazio West Course.
The $150 fee includes a buffet lunch, golf, prizes and appetizers/wine/beer after play. The format will be a four-person shamble.
All proceeds will be used to fund programs at PAL's adoption center in the Riverwalk Business Park.
Register online to play or to purchase a hole sponsorship "in memory of" a beloved pet at www.palgolf.golfreg.com, email email@example.com, or call Wendy Schlegel at 843-815-3011 or Bob Elliott at 843-706-9015.
For more information on Palmetto Animal League, go to its website at
www.palmettoanimalleague.org or go to its Facebook page.
Sportfishing and Diving Club meeting Dec. 13
The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club's December meeting will be held Dec. 13 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady's Island, off Meridian Road.
The social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. Al Stokes, General Manager of the Waddell Mariculture Center, will be the guest speaker.
The Waddell Center currently houses over 4,000 Cobia and 300,000 redfish and sea trout stock, including ponds with shrimp.
Reservations are not required and guests are welcome. For additional information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2020.


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Nationals complete sweep of Marlins
Washington, DC – Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer and scored twice as the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins, 6-1, to complete a three-game sweep.
Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-3 with two RBI for the Nationals, who had never swept their initial series of a season. Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Jordan Zimmermann (1-0) gave up one run on eight hits over six innings to pick up the win. The right-hander went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 32 games last season.
"Every game's a big game, and we've had trouble with the Marlins no matter what -- not just last year, but through the years," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "No matter what they've put out there, we've had trouble with them. So it was good to spank them this series."
Justin Ruggiano hit a homer for the Marlins, who were outscored by an 11-1 margin in the series. Wade LeBlanc (0-1) got the start and allowed three runs -- two earned -- on five hits over five innings.
The Nationals scored all the runs they would need in the first inning. With one out, Werth and Harper hit consecutive singles. Zimmerman followed with a two-run double off the wall in center.
Miami's lone run of the series came in the second. Ruggiano led off the frame with a blast to right, cutting the gap to 2-1.
Washington got the run back in the third after Denard Span reached first on a bunt single, moved to second on LeBlanc's throwing error and scored on Harper's single to right.
Werth's homer in the seventh gave the Nationals some breathing room. Wilson Ramos singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on Mike Dunn's wild pitch. Span walked to put men on the corners for Werth, who cleared the wall in left-center field.
"That's what happens with young teams; you almost have to play perfect out there," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "If we give them extra outs or extra opportunities, they're going to take advantage of it. They were able to do that today."
Henry Rodriguez, Tyler Clippard and Craig Stammen each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to secure the victory.
Game Notes
The Nationals signed pitcher Chris Young to a minor league deal on Thursday ... Harper has now hit safely in a career-high 12 straight games dating to Sept. 24 of last season ... The Marlins plan to put first baseman Casey Kotchman on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a strained left hamstring ... Miami went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight.


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Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law in Big Win for Obama
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The Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, including its individual mandate requiring nearly all Americans to buy health insurance. The 5-4 decision, with Chief John Roberts writing the decision for the majority, means Obama's Affordable Care Act will go into effect over the next several years.
The decision is a big win for President Barack Obama who invested much of the political capital of his first term in passage of the health care measure. This is the second major court victory by the Obama Administration. Earlier this week, the court agreed with the federal government and struck down three of four provisions of Arizona's immigration law.
On health care, possibly the most anticipated court decision since Bush vs. Gore in 2000, which decided a presidential election, the Supreme Court fully upheld the health care measure.
The individual mandate will not be upheld under the Constitution's Commerce Clause, but will be upheld as a tax, according to the majority opinion written by Roberts.
The Supreme Court disagreed with the government's argument that it has the authority, due to its role in regulating commerce, to penalize people for failing to buy health insurance.
"Every day individuals do not do an infinite number of things," Justice Roberts wrote in the Court's majority opinion. "Indeed, the Government's logic would justify a mandatory purchase to solve almost any problem."
But the Court upheld the individual mandate by reframing it as a tax, rather than a penalty—a second line of reasoning advanced before the Court by the Obama administration.
The individual mandate "makes going without insurance just another thing the Government taxes, like buying gasoline or earning income," Roberts wrote.
Those required to buy health insurance under the new law but who choose not to must begin paying the new tax in 2014.
The Court also supported the health care law's expansion of Medicaid, which is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, but narrowed the law's interpretation.
The health care law required states to expand Medicaid, facing the loss of federal funds for the program as a penalty for declining. Under the ruling, the government may still penalize states for failing to expand Medicaid under the Obama health care law, but the federal government may only withhold new funds, rather than all federal funds for Medicaid destined to a particular state.
The court's four liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, joined Roberts in the majority view.
Justices Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas dissented.
Opponents of the bill had strongly criticized the health care bill as an overreach by the federal government.
The dissenting justices struck a theme about legal over-reach that Republicans have often pushed against the Obama administration, accusing it of going for shortcuts around the normal channels of law to get its way.
"The Court regards its strained statutory interpretation as judicial modesty," the dissenting opinion by the four dissenting justices said. "It is not. It amounts instead to a vast judicial overreaching. It creates a debilitated, inoperable version of health-care regulation. . .In the name of cooperative federalism, it undermines state sovereignty."
Republicans immediately cast the Supreme Court decision as a wake-up call for Americans. In what is surely to be a campaign theme for Romney going forward, the Republican National committee chairman Reince Priebus said: "We need market-based solutions that give patients more choice, not less. The answer to rising health care costs is not, and will never be, Big Government."
Democrats heralded the decision as a much needed extension of basic health care to millions of Americans without access to medical attention.
The matter is immensely important to Latinos, who number some 50 million in the United States and who are twice as likely as the general population to be uninsured.
Nearly a third of Latinos, or slightly more than 15 million of them, are uninsured. They are three times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be uninsured.
That rate may be much higher given that many more Latinos are undocumented.
To fill the void for lack of healthcare, many immigrants in the Latino community often rely on a patchwork of remedies that includes getting medicine from their native countries that sometimes have been outlawed in the United States because they are considered unsafe.
Health Care Timeline
The Supreme Court's ruling on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law follows a century of debate over what role the government should play in helping people in the United States afford medical care. A look at the issue through the years:
1912: Former President Theodore Roosevelt champions national health insurance as he unsuccessfully tries to ride his progressive Bull Moose Party back to the White House.
1929: Baylor Hospital in Texas originates group health insurance. Dallas teachers pay 50 cents a month to cover up to 21 days of hospital care per year.
1935: President Franklin D. Roosevelt favors creating national health insurance amid the Great Depression but decides to push for Social Security first.
1942: Roosevelt establishes wage and price controls during World War II. Businesses can't attract workers with higher pay so they compete through added benefits, including health insurance, which grows into a workplace perk.
1945: President Harry Truman calls on Congress to create a national insurance program for those who pay voluntary fees. The American Medical Association denounces the idea as "socialized medicine" and it goes nowhere.
1960: John F. Kennedy makes health care a major campaign issue but as president can't get a plan for the elderly through Congress.
1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson's legendary arm-twisting and a Congress dominated by his fellow Democrats lead to creation of two landmark government health programs: Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor.
1974: President Richard Nixon wants to require employers to cover their workers and create federal subsidies to help everyone else buy private insurance. The Watergate scandal intervenes.
1976: President Jimmy Carter pushes a mandatory national health plan, but economic recession helps push it aside.
1986: President Ronald Reagan signs COBRA, a requirement that employers let former workers stay on the company health plan for 18 months after leaving a job, with workers bearing the cost.
1988: Congress expands Medicare by adding a prescription drug benefit and catastrophic care coverage. It doesn't last long. Barraged by protests from older Americans upset about paying a tax to finance the additional coverage, Congress repeals the law the next year.
1993: President Bill Clinton puts first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in charge of developing what becomes a 1,300-page plan for universal coverage. It requires businesses to cover their workers and mandates that everyone have health insurance. The plan meets Republican opposition, divides Democrats and comes under a firestorm of lobbying from businesses and the health care industry. It dies in the Senate.
1997: Clinton signs bipartisan legislation creating a state-federal program to provide coverage for millions of children in families of modest means whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid.
2003: President George W. Bush persuades Congress to add prescription drug coverage to Medicare in a major expansion of the program for older people.
2008: Hillary Rodham Clinton promotes a sweeping health care plan in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. She loses to Obama, who has a less comprehensive plan.
2009: Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress spend an intense year ironing out legislation to require most companies to cover their workers; mandate that everyone have coverage or pay a fine; require insurance companies to accept all comers, regardless of any pre-existing conditions; and assist people who can't afford insurance.
2010: With no Republican support, Congress passes the measure, designed to extend health care coverage to more than 30 million uninsured people. Republican opponents scorned the law as "Obamacare."
2012: On a campaign tour in the Midwest, Obama himself embraces the term "Obamacare" and says the law shows "I do care."
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The 22 Greatest Ohio Mugshots of All Time
By: bgoldstein | 27/09/2013
Redhead of the Month: Emily Archer [32 Photos]
By: bgoldstein | 27/09/2013
14 WTF Moments From The 2014 World Cup
By: Alex Giardini | 27/09/2013
Upcycle Your Broken Mobile Phone Parts into Survival Tools
You know how sometimes when you go hiking you get attacked by a mountain lion or a clan of inbreds and you hurl your phone in a fit of ill-planned panic and now you can't call for help and your phone is broken? Well don't lost hope just yet, turns out you can use your phone parts to do some amazing things. After all, even the best cell phones can only do so much when used as they were intended. But busted up you can be all MacGyver with them.
By:Ian Fortey|January 25, 2013
Reviewing Movies We Haven't Seen Yet: Jan 25th
It's a brand new week at the ass end of January where few people try hard when it comes to films. Is that unfair? Not really. On the upside there's a movie I actually want to see coming out this week. In limited release. Listen, limited release, you can suck a fart bag. No one likes limited release. Go hard or go home, cowards.
By:Ian Fortey|January 25, 2013
The Morning Jolt: The Tarsier
I have that lizard book around here somewhere.
By:Ian Fortey|January 25, 2013
Why Terrell Mims: Plagiarist Doesn't Get It
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to be saturated in douche. Terrell Mims has resurfaced. Back in 2011 Holy Taco helped out him as a word thief, a man building his reputation on lies and deceit, copying the work of other authors (from huge, well known websites) and passing it off as his own.
By:Ian Fortey|January 24, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Do Her Louis
She's like a confusingly attractive Bobby Hill who wants to bang Louis CK. Gonna be honest, I'd watch.
By:Ian Fortey|January 24, 2013
When Internet People Make Fake Vaginas
As you know, I have a history of reviewing Fleshlights in non sexy ways. I mean, obviously you can hump one, but what else is it good for? That's always been my point of view. But what are other people out there doing? I know that there are a lot of sites that describe methods of making your own homemade Fleshlight substitute, but what kind of advice are these guys giving each other?
By:Ian Fortey|January 23, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Louis CK and History
Normally I'd never post a Tonight Show clip but it's Louis, man!
By:Ian Fortey|January 23, 2013
Holy Taco Field Guide to Naming Groups of People
Crows come in a murder. Everyone is instantly amused when they learn this. Boars come in a sounder. Otters in a romp. Porcupines in a prickle. It's no end of amusement to look up stuff like so long as you never question how this is official in any way or who decided on such names. But once you've exhausted the hilarity of groups of animals, what's left?
By:Ian Fortey|January 22, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Shiny Suds
I don't know how I missed this commercial but it's pretty much awesome. Now use the loofah.
By:Ian Fortey|January 22, 2013
The American Idol Recap: Part 2
Once again I refuse to write anything down for about 20 minutes. Nicki Minaj is dressed like a gay leopard Sky Captain. I'm stating officially, right now, that I will not be able to continue this for a whole season. Why is this show on for another two hours the day after it was already on? This shit is going to be on the site on Monday because I have something else to put on on Friday.
By:Ian Fortey|January 21, 2013
Reviewing Movies We Haven't Seen Yet: Jan 18th
It's a new week and new contenders for the throne have reared their ugly heads. Who's currently on the throne? Zero Dark Thirty, I think. I could look but what am I, a looker? Pfft.
By:Ian Fortey|January 18, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Schwarzenegger Commentary
By:Ian Fortey|January 18, 2013
The American Idol Recap: Part 1
Oh my Jesus. I'm doing this. Gird yourselves. OK, so this year the roster got shaken up and the old ladies of yesteryear are gone, replaced with Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban. 100 years ago this panel would have just been a table of sideshow freaks. Like the Bird Girl, a guy who eats live chickens and someone with flippers.
By:Ian Fortey|January 17, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Irish News
I can't prove this is real but I don't care.
By:Ian Fortey|January 17, 2013
Stop Yelling at Walruses: A PSA
I am a walrus. I frolic in the sea like a majestic fatty.
By:Ian Fortey|January 16, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Domino's Pan Pizza Review
I want to eat the shit out of this pizza. The pepperoni has a great taste to it. The sauce as well. And the cheese is very nice as well.
By:Ian Fortey|January 16, 2013
The Versatility of Turd
Ahh. The noble turd. Unloved. Overlooked. Shunted aside like so much shit. The turd is ever a stalwart companion in our vulgar lexicon. Not so robust as shit, not so juvenile as poop. Not as scholarly as feces or fecund as excrement. It is, simply, turd.
By:Ian Fortey|January 15, 2013
The Morning Jolt: Classic Hockey Taunt
Man, I forgot all about this video. Camera guy, way to zoom in. You're a trooper.
By:Ian Fortey|January 15, 2013
25 Things the Internet is Better Than
It's 2013 and according to recent studies, everyone spends all the time on the internet. Everyone. All the time. Internet. But there's also this curious notion people have been developing that they need to spend time away from the internet, doing things like reading or being alive. But is life away from the internet all it's cracked up to be? Do you remember what you did before the internet? Ridiculous. Here's 25 things the internet is way better than that happen out in the real world.
By:Ian Fortey|January 14, 2013
The Morning Jolt: The Wrong Trailer
It's things like this that make me love movies.
By:Ian Fortey|January 14, 2013
Daily Links
The Escapist
Popular Tacos
- The 11 Coolest Wheelchairs In The World
- 13 Inexplicable Male Porn Stars
- The IndyCar Experience: On the Scene at Toronto's Honda Indy
- 10 Better Titles for Farrah Abraham's Newest Sex Tape
- Inner-Monologue of Mario on Level 1
- 25 Dirty World of Warcraft Pictures (NSFW)
- Guest Column: 5 Worst Things About Making Doody
- Why Aren't They Making Movies About MySpace?
- 9 Rules of Engagement for Wife Swapping (Ted Haggard & Gary Busey Edition)


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Slick F.B. - Party Like Its Friday [JTF Submitted]
"Loud money ent artist slick F.B New Era mixtape Features Hit Single "Party Like Its Friday" Produced by Mother Brian Go to LoudMoneyENT.com for booking Emal: email@example.com To Book Jordan Tower Films to Direct your next video EMAIL:email@example.com " [m]
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text: Carothers Construction, Inc., Water Valley, MS, was awarded a $16,624,950 contract for the construction of a new Fitness Center at Tyndall AFB, FL. The project is a two-story structural steel recreation complex with approximately 61,000 square feet. The projected construction schedule is 16 months. The building is structural steel with split face masonry walls with ground face accent courses. Adding to the architectural interest are curved features, such as the metal roof and awning at the entrance. This facility has been selected as an Air Force Energy Demonstration project and will obtain a USGBC LEED Gold Certification. Additionally the project has solar electrical generation and hot water capabilities, which were required to achieve the LEED Gold Rating. This project is being administered by the Mobile District Corps of Engineers.


text:
on this report, or find
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Our Mystery Worshippers are volunteers who warm church pews for us around the world. If you'd like to become a Mystery Worshipper,
start here
Find out
how to reproduce this report in your church magazine or website.
1348: St Mark's, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Mystery Worshipper:
The church:
St Mark's
, Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Episcopal Church in the USA.
See the
discussion thread
on this report.
The building:
The congregation was organized as an Oxford Movement parish in 1847 and the church was built in the high gothic style favored by the movement. The close also includes a small courtyard at the west end, with the parish hall and rectory also opening off it. There is a bell tower with a tall spire over the south porch, one of the few towers in North America hung for change-ringing, with a ring of eight bells. The interior walls are fairly dark, but there are many bright features, including an elaborately painted chancel ceiling. The Lady chapel, given by Philadelphia's wealthy Wanamaker family, is noted for its sterling silver furnishings, including a jeweled and highly figured altar.
The church:
Although about a third of the members live within a few blocks of St Mark's, others travel more than 50 miles to worship there. The congregation is mostly over 40 but has recently acquired several younger families.
The neighborhood:
The church is located at 1625 Locust Street, in a largely residential area near the business district consisting of stately old townhouses as well as new residential development in progress. The Academy of Music and other cultural attractions are also nearby.
The cast:
The Rev. Sean E. Mullen, curate at the time but recently called to be rector, was the celebrant and preacher. Ms Diane Meredith Belcher, one of two co-organists in the parish, provided the music (although the choir was on vacation). There were several unnamed lay assistants.
The date & time:
Feast of the Transfiguration, Sunday, August 6, 2006, 11.00am.
What was the name of the service?
Sung Mass.
How full was the building?
It seemed nearly half full, probably about 150 people.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
When Mrs Liturgist and I entered the building, somewhat early, two ushers rushed from two different directions to welcome us and hand us service sheets.
Was your pew comfortable?
The pews seemed adequately comfortable. The kneelers were a little lower than I like but otherwise comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
It was definitely quiet and reverent. Being early, we took a few minutes to walk around the church and visit the Lady chapel and found a few other early comers praying in the chapel or at a shrine.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
We sang hymn no. 427, "When morning gilds the skies," after which the celebrant continued with "Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Most of the text (except the hymns) was in the service sheet. The
Book of Common Prayer
(1979) was also available, and the music, including the mass settings, was sung from the
What musical instruments were played?
Only the organ, an excellent instrument, was used.
Did anything distract you?
There were no major distractions, but it was a bit warm and I couldn't help noticing the lady in front of me using her folding fan. Fr Mullen wore a fiddleback chasuble, which is definitely not my favorite style, but I have to admit that it was very well made of a finely brocaded cloth of gold.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
The style was definitely high-church-formal but also enthusiastic. With no choir present, the congregation sang the mass setting plus the hymns and did so very well.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
I was a little slow checking my watch, but it was very close to 12 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
9 Fr Mullen spoke clearly and with a pleasant voice. His development of the text was a bit unusual, but very apt.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
Taking the text, "Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory..." from the Transfiguration gospel (Luke 9:28-36), Fr Mullen suggested that often the Scriptures read like the record of a dream sometimes, as in this case, a glorious one, but sometimes, as with John's beheading or Christ's Passion, a horrible nightmare. He then went on to say that much of life has the same sort of feel. Peter and the others woke up to confront the glory of God. May God also wake us up. (The sermon is on their website in the Clergy > Sermons link.)
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The whole service was almost perfectly done all the participants seemed to know just what to do next, and how to do it together as a team. I have already commented on how well the whole congregation sang the mass (fortunately to a setting which I have known and used for nearly 50 years). Everyone seemed to take delight in doing everything well. For once I really cannot single out one or two individual moments.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The greatest disappointment was that there was no change ringing that day Mrs Liturgist is a ringer and had hoped to join the band, whereas I merely wanted to hear them.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Not much chance one of the ringers had rung with my wife elsewhere and grabbed us after the mass. Various people chatted with me while she took a tour of the tower, and Fr Mullen took me over to the parish house for coffee.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
It was almost a brunch. There were hot coffee, tea, and cold drinks, as well as selections of cheeses, veggies with dips, and several different cakes on offer.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
9 The only real drawback is the four hour commute each way. The worship style is right in line with my (and my wife's) preferences; the sermon was very good indeed; the congregation seemed quite welcoming; and I do look forward to hearing the bells on a future visit.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Emphatically yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
It's now more than two weeks later, and I don't think I've forgotten any of it.
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One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
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Guaranty's Nill Appears on America Now News
September 18, 2012 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on Guaranty's Nill Appears on America Now News
America Now News, a nationally syndicated show co-hosted by Leeza Gibbons and Bill Rancic airing in 48 markets, recently interviewed Shannon Nill, general manager of Junction City, Ore.-based Guaranty RV Super Centers.
According to a press release, Nill sat down with automotive expert Steve Strope for three RV-related segments including "The Advantages of RVing for Vacation," "How to Choose the Best RV for Your Lifestyle" and "RV Rentals."
"Visiting with Steve was a lot of fun," said Nill. "His passion for vehicles and life hits home. While we were together, we talked cars and RVs non-stop. It was great, even life affirming."
Strope, who is known for his car expertise and co-founding Pure Vision, a renown street machine fabrication shop, conducted the interviews with Nill at the Malibu Beach RV Park.
"We had a great time," said Becky Smith, marketing director of Guaranty RV. "We could see the Pacific Ocean from the windshield of our Newmar Canyon Star. Outside the coach, the view was picturesque as we were right across the street from the beach."


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New crash tests replicating some of the most deadly head-on collisions show less expensive midsize cars do a better job protecting the driver and front seat occupants than many luxury and near luxury midsize cars.
"This is a surprise to us," says Adrian Lund, President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "It shows you don't have to spend a lot of money to get state of the art crash protection."
(Read More: Whoa! 1.7 Billion Cars on the Road by 2035.)
The latest IIHS small overlap crash tests measure how well mid-size cars handle accidents involving their front quarter panels. Small overlap crashes are responsible for approximately one out of every four frontal crashes. The Insurance Institute says more than 10,000 people are seriously injured or killed in small overlap crashes every year.


text: NEWPORT CITY – John Matten, 78, sat quietly in a wheelchair yesterday as Judge Howard VanBenthuysen handed down a three-year deferred sentence. Prior to sentencing, Matten entered a guilty plea to gross and negligent operation with fatality resulting. Matten was the driver of a motor vehicle that struck and killed Zachariah Brown, a flagger at a road construction site on VT RT 14 in Newport Center. The accident occurred Aug. 13, 2010. Matten's record, if he complies with the conditions during the sentence, will be wiped clean. Matten could have faced up to 15 years or a $15,000 fine or both. Matten will be nearly 81 by the time his sentence is over. Before and after the accident, Matten has been in ill health, Orleans County State's Attorney Alan Franklin said.Matten was driving east on Route 14 when something on the side of the road distracted him. When he looked back, he saw Brown running for the side of the road. Matten tried to swerve but the front end of his truck struck Brown. A medical examiner's autopsy concluded that Brown died as a result of the accident.For more on this story, read the Newport Daily Express for Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.


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The newest innovation at Eagle Creek, the luggage giant, is the versatile Flip Switch Wheeled Backpack 22, great when you're on a roll or hoisting the bag up and down steps.
The roomy carry-on-size bag's backpack straps and hip belt can be folded into an external zippered pocket when not needed. Or, to free up that pocket and lighten the load, the straps can be detached and stowed elsewhere.
The front-panel suspension system helps with weight distribution. Considering this bag has solid wheels, sturdy rubber bumper guards, a telescoping pull handle, a slew of external and internal pockets, the 6 ½-pound weight seems something of a miracle.
Eagle Creek Flip-Switch Wheeled Backpack 22 (EC-20394) in black, slate blue or ocher costs $275. Info: Eagle Creek, (888) 824-9460.
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text:
[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 112th Congress] [112nd Congress] [House Document 111-157] [Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice] [Pages 219-223] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov] sec. xxx--quasi-committee
|Sec. 424. Procedure ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole.''
|If on motion and question the bill be not committed, or if no proposition for commitment be made, then the proceedings in the Senate of the United States and in Parliament are totally different. The former shall be first stated.
|Sec. 425. Motion to refer admitted ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole.''
|After progress in amending the bill in quasi- committee, a motion may be made to refer it to a special committee. If the motion prevails, it is equivalent in effect to the several votes, that
|Sec. 426. Motions and procedure in quasicommittee in Jefferson's time.
|How far does this XXVIIIth rule [of the Senate] subject the House, when in quasi-committee, to the laws which regulate the proceedings of Committees of the Whole? The particulars in which these differ from proceedings in the House are the following: 1. In a committee every member may speak as often as he pleases. 2. The votes of a committee may be rejected or altered when reported to the House. 3. A committee, even of the whole, cannot refer any matter to another committee. 4. In a committee no previous question can be taken; the only means to avoid an improper discussion is to move that the committee rise; and if it be apprehended that the same discussion will be attempted on returning into committee, the House can discharge them, and proceed itself on the business, keeping down the improper discussion by the previous question. 5. A committee cannot punish a breach of order in the House or in the gallery. 9 Grey, 113. It can only rise and report it to the House, who may proceed to punish. The first and second of these peculiarities attach to the quasi-committee of the Senate, as every day's practice proves, and it seems to be the only ones to which the XXVIIIth rule meant to subject them; for it con
|Sec. 427. Motions and procedure ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole.''
|In the modern practice of the House, the rule of Jefferson's Manual is followed to the extent that the House, while acting ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole'' may deal with disorder, take the yeas and nays, adjourn, refer to a committee even though the reading by sections may not have begun (IV, 4931, 4932), admit the motion to reconsider (VIII, 2793), receive messages (IV, 4923), and use the previous question (VI, 369; Procedure, ch. 23, Sec. 6.3) (which differs from the previous question of Jefferson's time). The previous question may not be moved on a single section of a bill (IV, 4930), but it may be demanded on the bill while Members yet desire to offer amendments (IV, 4926-4929; VI, 639). Formerly a motion to close debate on the pending section of a bill being read by section for amendment in the House as in the Committee of the Whole was in order (IV, 4935), but under current practice a bill considered ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole'' is considered as read and open for amendment at any point (Aug. 10, 1970, p. 28050), and a motion is in order ``in the House as in Committee of the Whole'' to close debate on the bill or on an amendment (June 26, 1973, p. 21314). An amendment may be withdrawn at any time before action has been had on it (IV, 4935; June 26, 1973, p. 21305). An amendment in the nature of a substitute is in order after perfecting amendments have been consid


text:
This topic provides an overview of upper and middle back pain. If you have low back pain or neck pain, see the topic Low Back Pain or Neck Pain.
Upper and middle back pain can occur anywhere from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage.
Your ribs attach to a long, flat bone in the center of the chest called the sternum and attach to and wrap around your back. If a nerve in this area is pinched, irritated, or injured, you may also feel pain in other places where the nerve travels, such as your arms, legs, chest, and belly.
The upper and middle back (called the thoracic spine) has:
See a picture of the spine.
Upper and middle back pain is not as common as low back pain or neck pain, because the bones in this area of the back don't flex or move as much as the bones in your lower back or neck. Instead, they work with the ribs to keep the back stable and help protect vital organs, such as the heart and lungs.
Upper and middle back pain may be caused by:
In rare cases, pain may be caused by other problems, such as gallbladder disease, cancer, or an infection.
Common symptoms of upper and middle back pain are:
More serious symptoms that need to be treated right away include:
Your doctor will first ask you about your past health, your symptoms, and your work and physical activities. Then he or she will do a physical exam. Your doctor may also order an imaging test, such as an X-ray or an MRI, to find out if something such as a broken bone or a herniated disc is causing your pain.
You may need more tests to check for other possible causes for your pain.
In most cases, people with mild to moderate back pain can manage their symptoms with:
But if your pain gets worse and you're having a hard time doing your daily activities, you may need to take a prescription pain medicine. Surgery is seldom used to treat upper and middle back pain.
There are several things you can do at home to help reduce your pain. For example:
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Learning about upper and middle back pain:
Being diagnosed:
Getting treatment:
Living with upper and middle back pain:
In most cases, upper and middle back pain is caused by:
For example, some people hurt their backs when they:
Conditions that put pressure on the spinal nerves also can cause pain. These include:
In rare cases, upper and middle back pain may be caused by other problems, such as gallbladder disease, cancer, or an infection.
In general, symptoms of upper and middle back pain may:
In most cases, back pain gets better with home treatment. So unless you have signs of a severe illness, injury, or heart attack, you can give your back pain some time to work itself out before you call your doctor.
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if:
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. If your back pain is mild to moderate, it probably will get better on its own. You can try home treatment to relieve your symptoms. If you don't feel better in 1 to 2 weeks, call your doctor.
Be sure to call your doctor right away if you start to have other symptoms or you have:
Health care professionals who often diagnose the cause of back pain include:
If your back pain is severe or long-lasting, health
professionals who can treat you include:
You can also get care
Your doctor will first ask you about your past health, your symptoms, and your work and physical activities. Then he or she will do a physical exam. Your doctor may also order an imaging test to find out if something such as a broken bone or a herniated disc is causing your pain.
The type of imaging test you have depends on what kind of problem your doctor suspects. You may have one or more tests, such as:
More tests may be done to check for other possible causes for your pain.
There are many treatments for upper and middle back pain. What works for someone else may not help you. Work with your doctor to find what is best for you.
Treatment for upper and middle back pain is based on:
In most cases, people with mild to moderate upper and middle back pain can manage their symptoms with:
If your back pain doesn't get better or it gets worse, your doctor may recommend:
In some cases, a back brace may be used to support the bones in the spine after a fracture.
Surgery is seldom used to treat upper and middle back pain. If your doctor recommends surgery, the type will depend on the problem you have. Before you decide to have surgery, it's a good idea to get a second opinion from a different doctor. Surgery choices may include:
Here are some other things you can do to feel
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
provides information and education to raise the public's awareness of
musculoskeletal conditions, with an emphasis on preventive measures. The AAOS
website contains information on orthopedic conditions and treatments, injury
prevention, and wellness and exercise.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is a governmental institute that serves the public
and health professionals by providing information, locating other information
sources, and participating in a national federal database of health
information. NIAMS supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention
of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases and supports the training of
scientists to carry out this research.
The NIAMS website provides
health information referrals to the NIAMS Clearinghouse, which has information
packages about diseases.
CitationsEsses SI, et al. (2011). The treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 19(3): 176–182. Also available online: http://www.aaos.org/research/guidelines/guide.asp.McIntosh G, Hall H (2011). Low back pain (acute), search date December 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.Other Works ConsultedHanson TJ (2008). Thoracic compression fracture. In WR Frontera et al., eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2nd ed., pp. 213–217. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.Mercier LR (2008). The back. In Practical Orthopedics, 6th ed., pp. 143–184. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
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Last Revised:
January 25, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
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May 24, 2013
HIV disproportionately impacts low-income individuals who may also be receiving support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Congress is currently considering two versions of the Farm Bill, which authorizes funding for SNAP. However, both the House and Senate versions of the bill make dramatic cuts to the program, which is critical to low-income households. Proper nutrition is even more important for people living with HIV; God's Love We Deliver, an organization that provides nutritious, individually-tailored meals to people who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves -- and an AIDS United Public Policy Committee member and grantee through the New York City AIDS Fund -- has highlighted the importance of proper nutrition for people living with HIV. A well-balanced diet helps people living with HIV maintain a healthy weight, strengthen their immune systems, and prevent infection. It also helps to build and maintain muscle, allowing medications to work better and enabling individuals to handle the side effects of medications.
Our friends at Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) have highlighted the cuts to SNAP that could occur. AIDS United strongly opposes these proposed cuts and the damaging effects they would have on low-income individuals, especially those living with HIV. Read the following blog to learn more!
By Jim Weill, President, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that guides and authorizes funding for most federal farm and food policies, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Every five years, Congress takes the Farm Bill through the reauthorization process; the last Farm Bill was passed in 2008.
Currently, both the House and Senate are considering their versions of the Farm Bill, and both have large cuts to SNAP, despite broad support for this program. Seven in 10 voters say that cutting food stamp funding is the wrong way to reduce government spending.
These cuts would reduce already scanty monthly benefits for many SNAP recipients and kick many others out of the program altogether. FRAC -- along with a vast coalition of national and state anti-hunger organizations, unions, religious groups, and more -- has been vigorously opposing such cuts, noting the harm they will do to the most vulnerable in our society.
First, the Senate bill, S. 954, which was passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee and is (as of press time) being debated on the Senate floor, includes a cut of $4.1 billion over 10 years to SNAP. This cut limits a state option for coordination of SNAP with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Through LIHEAP, states provide energy assistance to low-income households throughout their state, alleviating some of the untenable "heat or eat" choices that households face. The Senate cut could result in 500,000 households losing an average $90 per month in SNAP benefits, while increasing the paperwork burden of states.
The House bill, H.R. 1947, was passed through the Agriculture Committee with far harsher SNAP cuts of over $20 billion over 10 years. The House bill slashes more deeply the cut to the "Heat and Eat" LIHEAP/SNAP provisions and also restricts the state "Categorical Eligibility" (Cat-El) option, which helps states get nutrition assistance to low-income people more efficiently. The Cat-El option allows states to increase the asset limit or eliminate the asset test for families who receive a cash (or non-cash means-tested) benefit. Restricting this option would have a harsh impact on seniors and people with disabilities who have high medical bills. Potential impacts of proposed cuts include: $90 less in benefits each month for 850,000 households, which include 1.7 million people in 15 states (mostly cold weather states) using the "Heat and Eat" provision; eliminating SNAP benefits altogether for 1.8 million people in over 40 states; and up to 210,000 low-income children losing access to free school meals through the Cat El restriction. The House Committee bill also eliminates SNAP incentive payments to states for excellent and improved administrative performance, and cuts funding for SNAP's nutrition education program (SNAP-Ed). The full House is expected to take up its Farm Bill before the July 4th recess.
The cuts to SNAP in both Farm Bills would dig deep into the refrigerators of low-income Americans, coming on top of another already-enacted cut to benefit levels that's coming in November. In November, temporary increases approved in the 2009 economic recovery act will expire for 47 million people -- this will mean about $25 less in monthly food stamps for a family of four.
Take Action: Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to oppose both the Senate and House SNAP cuts. Go to Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) Legislative Action Center for more on the latest on actions you can take to protect SNAP and more information on the proposed cuts.
Jim Weill has been President of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) since February 1998. Jim has devoted his entire professional career to reducing hunger and poverty, protecting the legal rights of children and poor people, and expanding economic security, income and nutrition support programs and health insurance coverage.
No comments have been made.
The content on this page is free of advertiser influence and was produced by our editorial team. See our content and advertising policies.


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|Kyle Busch Wins ISM Connect 300
|Modified Season Sweep for Santos
|Bell Wins UNOH 175 Truck Series Race
|Mile Kyle: Busch Takes Pole for ISM Connect 300
|Short Track Extravaganza Set for Sept. 2018
|New England Themed Going Away Gift for Junior
Outside Perspective: It's Not the Same
Same as it ever was. Not.
The Talking Heads got a lot of mileage in the 1980s, and beyond, from their hit song "Once in a Lifetime."
Perhaps you recall it. Or at least its oft-repeated refrain: "Same as it ever was."
"Same as it ever was." "Same as it ever was." Same as it ever was."
Coming back to you now?
So what do David Byrne and his cohorts have to do with 2014, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway and NASCAR, you ask?
Here's the thing.
The Talking Heads come to mind when I start thinking about NASCAR in New Hampshire and New England as the Speedway celebrates its 25th birthday this summer.
NASCAR has been bringing the best of the best in auto racing - all of the superstars - to Loudon for a quarter century now and that part of the equation has not changed one bit.
But same as it ever was? Not even close.
So much has changed.
In early June, the honchos from heavyweight Hendrick Motorsports brought Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne and their teams to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first of their valuable and limited (teams get just four during the season) test sessions.
The differences at the track and in the sport from back in the day - way back in 1990 - when the speedway kicked things off with a whopping 42,000 fans for the Budweiser 300 Busch Grand National race on July 15?
There are many.
Besides a fancy new shower and bathroom facility, there are people-moving carriages that shuttle fans back and forth on the property, tens of thousands of added seats in the stands, improved and paved parking areas, amenities in the camping areas, an expanded year-round store in the main office and even a dealership for Legends cars for those looking to break into racing. And those are just a few of the changes.
Consider several others.
Check out Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson and the rest, larger than life.
As Earnhardt and Steve Letarte and Johnson and Chad Knaus went about their testing in early June, pictures of the drivers flashed on the giant scoreboard tower in the infield. The show gets more impressive with the huge video screens brought in for race weekends.
And how's this for change: Earnhardt reaching out to JR Nation via twitter.
He's just getting started on that social media platform and before June ended, already he had 700,000 followers. Don't look now Junior, but I'm closing in on you: Only about 699,760 folks to go.
Gotta love Earnhardt's Twitter profile: "Retired dealership service mechanic. Former backup for the Mooresville Blue Devils varsity soccer team. Aspiring competition BBQ Pitmaster."
While in New Hampshire on this trip, it was Earnhardt who kept everyone - the media included - informed about when practice would resume on a rainy Wednesday.
He let everyone know how things were going, too.
"Still testing @NHMS," he tweeted at one point. "Been almost a 12-hour run. Cars are solid. All 4 teams getting some great information."
And: "Very happy with our speed and the car feels great. I love this track."
Tweeting's one thing. Training's another.
Think many of the drivers in the past spent hours working out, the better to get in shape to handle the rigors of racing?
Jimmie Johnson not only does that, but trains to compete in triathlons as well.
He missed out on a session with the press in New Hampshire because he was working out.
Mr. Six-Time - or should it be Mr. Six-pack? - took advantage of a lengthy rain delay to get in a 1,200-yard swim, an hour on the spin bike and 48 minutes, good for six miles, on the treadmill.
Then he jumped into his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet and went to work for eight hours or so on the short day of the session: On Tuesday, Johnson and his fellow drivers went out onto the track and came back into the garage time after time after time and practiced hard for about 12 hours, all the while compiling piles and piles of information for the engineers to study and decipher.
They were looking for any edge to make sure they secured a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, and perhaps even more than that, looking for an edge for when the Cup drivers come back here for Race No. 2 in the Chase in September.
Ahh, the Chase for the championship.
Hard to believe this is the 11th season since NASCAR injected some major pizzazz into its championship run with the Chase, the 10-race dash for cash and a title that lends playoff-style suspense to the end of the season.
Even the Chase is not the same.
Getting to the Chase is all about winning races now.
Staying in the Chase once you're in it and winning the title is all about racing at the front of the pack and surviving rounds of elimination - set up in three-race segments - down to a four-driver clash at the season finale at Homestead.
The drivers can't wait.
"I think it's going to be exciting to be a part of the Chase," said Jeff Gordon, who won the most recent of his four Cup titles in 2001. "It's going to be exciting to watch if you're not a part of it. I think it has the potential to be one of the most intriguing championship battles we've ever seen. I think it will be actually."
The value of the two New Hampshire Motor Speedway races - along with other races - instantly got ramped up, Gordon said.
"It's more important," Gordon said. "Way more important. I mean it's a win. It's a win and it's in the Chase. To me, every racetrack, especially if it's in the Chase, is far more important. Whether it's a win to get you your second or third win, or whether it's a win to get you into the Chase. The fact that if you ran well here, it bodes well for you for when the Chase starts."
The Chase will be here soon enough.
In the meantime, meet me near the Granite Stripe on the start/finish line on July 13 before the Camping World RV Sales 301, if you would.
I'm getting my race day started with some rocking good times from Recycled Percussion, the wild and crazy group from Goffstown, coming to the Speedway by way of Las Vegas.
Recycled? Sure.
Same as it ever was? Not by a long shot.


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Floridians weather the heat and humidity of our brutal summers by fleeing to the state's wealth of cool, clear, refreshing springs, which spill thousands of gallons of water out of the ground every minute.
Geologists estimate there are more than 700 freshwater springs in Florida — the largest concentration on Earth — but only a relative few are accessible for public recreation.
Parking lots fill up fast on summer weekends, so arrive early, before the gates close. Your best bet is to visit on weekdays after school starts — avoiding the inevitable weekend crush.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, High Springs — Ichetucknee may be the best spring in the...


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The Australian dollar recovered against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, buoyed by a slight move higher in copper futures, which have become a proxy for investor concerns in China.
The Aussie AUDUSD, +0.7763% swung higher against the greenback, rising to 89.87 U.S. cents from Tuesday's level of 89.78 U.S. cents. High-grade copper for May delivery US:HGK4 added one cent to close at $2.96 a pound. Read: China's role in copper's collapse and why investors should care.
The connection between the Australian dollar and copper futures isn't straightforward. Copper is used as a financing vehicle in China and the recent default of a Chinese company on its onshore corporate bonds has spooked the market, said Boris Schlossberg, managing director of foreign-exchange strategy at BK Asset Management. The recent subpar trade data from China added into the mix has helped push copper prices below $3 a pound.
For the week, May copper has shed more than 4%. The decline in copper has weighed on iron ore, which is Australia's largest export, said Schlossberg. And the Aussie is vulnerable to data surprises from China, which is its largest trading partner. That has combined to push the Australian dollar down 0.9% against the U.S. dollar this week.
The Australian economy could be in for a shock if "this mini financial crisis in copper actually leads to a slowdown in Chinese growth because it creates a destruction of credit," he said.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand increased its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%, as expected. The impetus for the rate hike was increasing inflationary pressures, the bank said, adding that its key interest rate would need to rise by about 2 percentage points in the next two years for inflation to remain near its target. The New Zealand dollar NZDUSD, +0.8103% jumped to 85.20 U.S. cents from 84.52 U.S. cents in the wake of the decision.
The ICE dollar index DXY, -0.19% which tracks the U.S. unit against six rivals, fell to 79.614 from 79.790 late Tuesday. The WSJ dollar index BUXX, -0.22% a gauge of the greenback's strength against a broader basket of currencies, fell to 73.40 from 73.54.
Meanwhile, the euro EURUSD, +0.3078% rose to $1.3904 from $1.3860 late Tuesday.
"Most other markets are watching what is happening in copper with awe and trepidation," said Kit Juckes, a foreign-exchange strategist at Societe Generale, in a note. "It's partly ongoing concern about Chinese growth (or lack thereof) and nagging worries about the Ukraine. And partly it is just that the commodity bubble burst last year and not everyone noticed," he added.
• Bull market's biggest winners and losers
• Market is up 170% since 2009 — and you?
• How to prepare for the next bear market
• Never forget 2009: Be an elephant, not a bull
• ETFs to bet on as the bull market turns 5
• What to get a bull market that has everything
• What this bull market needs to live a 6th year
• CHARTS: If the S&P 500 repeat past bull runs
A referendum on whether Crimea belongs to Russia is scheduled to take place March 16. The Group of Seven leaders said Wednesday the annexation of Crimea could have "grave implications" and would be responded to with further action.
The dollar USDJPY, +0.21% dropped to ¥102.76 from ¥102.95 late Tuesday. Japanese consumer confidence dropped for the third-straight month in February, according to a survey from the Cabinet Office on Wednesday. The firmer yen weighed on Japanese markets, with the Nikkei index NIK, -0.35% tumbling 2.6%.
The British pound GBPUSD, +0.1016% was little changed at $1.6619 versus $1.6616.
Other must-read MarketWatch stories include:
Europe's hot new export is deflation: Matthew Lynn
U.S. stocks live blog: China, Ukraine weigh on global equities, commodities
Jeff Gundlach: China bears watching; the taper may get tapered (recap)
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


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College tuition (and other costs) have been rising at most institutions for many years, but a few institutions are bucking that trend. Duke Cheston writes about some schools, most notably Belmont Abbey College, that are making higher education more affordable.
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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Picture Gallery' started by Sherb, Feb 15, 2008.
Mod Note: A continuation of this thread
I'm happy with my numbers
Well, mine sucks a$$ compared to yours.
Approx. $50 CDN w/ 60 Gig max.
Good, I think?
Yea, I would say it's pretty good.. nice upload speed
I think that you should be required to post what you pay for your connection, and what type it is...
On that note...
I pay $35/mo for my cable connection.
Here are mine from both Speakeasy and Speedtest.net; they're pretty consistent.
Slow compared to everyone else. This is on Verizon DSL.
i am paying 48 usd per month for this kind of speed plus it limits me to 20gb per month...i can't wait to leave new zealan...their phone, internet provider everything is just ripping people off
Odd Results
My first test (posted above) gave me an awesome upload score, but when I tested again I only got 1984 kb/s for upload.
My ISP is Rice University-Sesquinet
I had a letter through this morning saying my 4mb would be upgraded to 10mb, rollouts starting this month and what do you know.
Awesome, ive gone from 4mb down to 1mb.
Edit: Just realised that Traffic Management has kicked in so i still should be at 4mb
Thats more like it, infact thats the best speed i've ever got.
Virgin 24Mb
Internet at school; this was from one of the math labs, the engineering labs have much faster internet.
It's not the speed that bugs me the most about my ISP, it's the fact that it goes down so much. It seems like anytime the weather changes, I have no internet.
Wow, that is pretty fast for Portland, ME don't you think?!?!??!
Here is mine:
Comcast 8/768 with PowerBoost!
I hate/love Powerboost.
I generally only get about 6Mb/s on actual file downloads.
Not bad. COX cable - Orange Co, CA
Over WIFI.
and to the guy above 20GBs per month cap ouchh
I have Boondocks Broadband, can ya tell?
Let's not talk about it.
Hopefully it'll be fixed soon with an EVDO card.
^^ Ouch man.
Care to explain your situation
One word: dialup.
(Finds gun, shoots modem)