text:
We had to say goodbye to Changsha and our wonderful guide Susan at 8am this morning. By 9am we had landed in Guangzhou where we met our new guide Lucy. She informed us that we needed to head straight to the medical center so we could have Reagan's physical completed and we also needed to get her picture taken for her visa.
Inside waiting for the first doctor to see us.
Reagan helping Mommy with the paperwork.
We found out that someone is a little ticklish under the arms.
Checking out the doctor and giving him the hairy eyeball!
Trying to grab the thermometer from the nurse.
Looking super cute on the scale........ all 17.5 pounds of her.
I don't have a lot of time to write tonight as the effects of waking up at 4:30am to catch an 8am flight are catching up with me, but I wanted to quickly update you all and let you know that we made it to Guangzhou safe and sound.
It is so different here, it almost makes me forget I am in China. It is a more westernized city. A lot more people speak English and we are now running into other Americans in the hotel and walking around the city. There are cute little shops EVERYWHERE! Marla and I popped into a few late this afternoon and I bought Sarah and Reagan matching Chinese dresses and I also bought Reagan her first pair of Squeaky Shoes! They are so darn cute, but we are having trouble finding them in smaller sizes.
I really need to call it a night, but before I go, I have a few more pictures I wanted to share.
Just after we got back from lunch I put Reagan in her crib to play with some toys while Marla and I got the room organized. I quickly opened the curtains and grabbed my camera when I saw her in all her glory.
Can you believe this face?
I am utterly amazed at the diffence a week can make!
The last two days have been HUGE for us!
She gave us the first real smile on Saturday and then she started reaching out to me. Sunday she gave Marla and I lots of smiles and decided that maybe she would show us what she could really do.
The girl can crawl all the way across the hotel room.
It does not look as though she has been doing it very long. She is a little unstable and when she starts she rocks back and forth, but once she gets started she can MOVE!
In addition to all the smiles, she has started to babble/sing and we got the first true GIGGLE today.....it is the sweetest thing ever. I am bound and determined to get it on video so you can hear and see for yourselves.
I went back and looked at the photos that Marla took of her earlier this week and she does not look like the same child. She is showing us her personality and she is not afraid to let us know how she feels. We were not so sure she was truly a "Spicy Girl" but she has proven us WRONG. Miss Reagan seems to be about as Spicy as they come:)
We are heading to the consulate tomorrow to take the oath and then all we need to do is wait for her Visa to be processed so we can come home! Only a few more days to go.


text:
Caron, Antoine (c.1520-c.1600). French Mannerist painter.
He is one of the few French painters of his time with a distinctive artistic personality, and his work reflects the refined but unstable atmosphere of the Valois court during the Wars of Religion (1560-98). He worked at Fontainebleau under Primaticcio in the 1540s and later became court painter to Catherine de Mťdicis, wife of Henry II of France. His few surviving works include historical and allegorical subjects in the manner of court ceremonies, scenes of magic and prediction, and massacres, as in Massacres under the Triumvirate (1566) in the Louvre, his only signed and dated painting. His style is characterized most obviously by extremely elongated, precious-looking figures set in open spaces that seem too large for them. He had a penchant for gaudy colors and bizarre architectural forms. Some of the works attributed to him may be by other hands, however, for French painting of his period is such an obscure area that Caron's name is liable to be attached to anything similar to his known oeuvre.
Photographs by Carol Gerten-Jackson.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In New York City, in the 20th century, tens of thousands of women and transmasculine people were incarcerated at the so-called House of D, a brutal women's prison that opened in Greenwich Village in 1932. Author Hugh Ryan says that in many cases, the prisoners were charged with crimes related to gender-nonconforming behavior.
"Drunkenness, waywardism, disobedience to their parents, being out at night by themselves, wearing pants, accepting a date from a man, accepting a ride from a man," Ryan says. "All of these things could have gotten you arrested if you were perceived as the 'wrong kind of woman.'"
In his new book, The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison, Ryan writes about the prison, and about the role it played in the gay rights movement of the '60s, including theStonewall Uprisingof 1969.
"The House of D [was] 500 feet from the Stonewall Inn," Ryan says. "On the first night of the riots, people incarcerated in the prison could actually see what was happening out their windows, and they started a riot all their own, setting fire to their belongings and throwing them down to the streets below while chanting 'Gay rights! Gay rights! Gay rights!'"
By the '50s and '60s, Ryan estimates, "around 75% of the people incarcerated in the House of D are queer in some way." In the 1960s, the prison began marking gay prisoners with a "D" for "degenerate," and placing them into solitary confinement because they were considered a "danger to other women."
In 1965, 18-year-old Andrea Dworkin arrived at the House of D after being arrested for protesting the Vietnam war. Upon her release, Dworkin, who was white and middle class, spoke out about the violent and dehumanizing pelvic exam she endured upon her intake. Suddenly, Ryan says, the conditions at the prison became a "flash point" for city and state government, and the House of D was eventually shut down in 1972.
"The move to get rid of the House of D and move women over to Rikers basically starts in that moment," he says, referring to New York City's main jail complex. "It's going to happen because of what happened to Andrea Dworkin, but beneath that is a base of this happening to so many other women and trans men whose stories had been told but largely forgotten or ignored or dismissed."
Interview highlights
On the ways in which prison is used to control people who aren't white men
Constantly I was shocked to see the way in which our system of justice for women simply is unjust and different from the one we have for men. Women's incarceration is a different situation. It's not about crimes against people like violence, and it's not about crimes against property like theft. It's about social control. And in fact, the origins of our women's prison system come about in the 1870s, right after the Civil War. Right at the same time, the census is asking about women's employment for the first time. If you go back to that moment, that 1870s moment, what we see is that a system that had mostly been intended to punish the violent, anti-social acts of white men gets repurposed for social control over Black people of all genders and women of all races and all of these things that weren't considered crimes or were considered maybe something you would get a fine for or a citation suddenly become vectors for incarceration when they're applied to Black people and to women.
On the goal of the detention center to reinforce female gender norms
From the moment we have these stand-alone women's institutions, they are focused on this idea of creating proper feminine subjects. And this is a moral imperative, but it's also economic. In this time period, it was thought that there were really only two roles that a woman could have that would get her out of poverty: being a wife or being a maid. Both of those things required you to be properly feminized.
So the prison system, understanding that women were often being arrested because they were poor, tries to remold them into "proper" women, who will not be arrested for being poor because they will be able to have these jobs and they will be good people.
For men, the prisons try to make you a good citizen. But for women, the prison tries to make you a good woman — and that's a very different thing. And that is the reason why so many gender-nonconforming people, why so many queer women, lesbian women, butches, studs, trans men get caught up in the prison system, because for those people who are concerned about the lives of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, queerness was seen as a threat to ever being a normal, healthy, happy, productive member of society.
On arresting women and gender-nonconforming people for their clothes
That law actually dates back to the mid-1800s. It's ... still on the books and it's still being used. Originally, it criminalized people who dressed in costumes to protest tax collectors — upstate farmers, mostly. In the late 1800s it starts to get used to target queer people, particularly those who are gender non-conforming in some way. The law says it is only illegal to dress in a "costume" if you're in the act of committing another crime. ... But that's not how the law gets applied. In the 20th century, it gets used to target gay men, trans women, lesbians, trans men, anyone who dressed "incorrectly" for their gender. The law not only gets used then, but during Occupy Wall Street. That's the law that gets used to arrest protesters for wearing masks or other costumes while protesting.
On women and queer people being incarcerated for "waywardism"
The first waywardism laws in New York State start in the 1880s and they only apply to girls and women, originally ones who are arrested for prostitution and then expanded greatly in the late 1800s to women who might become prostitutes. And that's where they really get into danger, right? Because suddenly the charge of prostitution has nothing to do with sex work or exchanging sex for money. Instead, a wayward girl is anyone who was thought to be improperly feminine to the point where she has an invitation to prostitution. She's either too sexual or she's too masculine and unable to get any other kind of job. So of course she's going to end up being a prostitute.
Waywardism could be brought against you by the police, but also your parents could have you incarcerated for waywardism without ever being tried. The law didn't get applied to men and boys until the 1920s. Women have been vastly subjected to waywardism laws because they were seen as a threat to men. Women who were sexually active, who might be prostitutes, were likely to spread sexually transmissible infections, in the eyes of the law. And so the waywardism law gets used over and over again to target all kinds of women. Women who speak back to their parents, a lot of runaways get targeted under waywardism laws, anyone who is truant, perhaps, or anyone who shows signs of being a disobedient or masculine woman.
On the House of D's role in Greenwich Village becoming a gay capital of New York
One of the big ways is that so many queer women and trans men were being arrested around the city every year and brought to this one place where they would be tried, where they would be held, where they would go for health screenings, where they would get fingerprinted. Greenwich Village became a center for queer women and trans men because the government kept bringing them there, particularly during ... the 1950s, when the government is raiding bars and shutting down private drag shows and arresting people for dressing in the wrong gender on the streets. When everything else is being cracked down, on the House of D cannot be cracked down on, because it is the government themselves who is concatenating queer people there.
On the unnecessary, painful gynecological exams at the prison
There are all of these forced genital examinations every single time you come in and out of the prison. And sometimes those are performed by men who would ask these really uncomfortable, really gross questions about virginity and who [the prisoners] were sleeping with. ... The gynecological exams in the prison were for several purposes. First, there was a thing called "The American Plan," which was checking to see if any arrested women had an STI so that she would be held until she was forcibly cured. And then they were also checking for any kind of contraband coming into the prison: drugs, weapons. In the 1950s after a riot, I think in 1958, a new warden comes in and he actually does a study on these pelvic exams and these genital searches and these forced enemas, and he notes that no contraband has ever been found. Twenty years of these needless, violent searches that women had been protesting since the very day the prison opened, and they had never found a single thing. And those searches are still being performed today on people in women's prisons.
Sam Briger and Seth Kelley produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Meghan Sullivan adapted it for the web.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.


text:
Read This Before Purchasing(FAQ)
Exway Atlas FAQ
1. How many pieces of Atlas available for pre-sale and when it will be shipped?
The Exway team is always striving to provide customers with higher quality products and more efficient delivery timeframes. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday in February, most Chinese factories are/will be closed. After extensive discussions with our suppliers, we have decided the following for Atlas pre-orders:
Only 500 Atlas boards will be available to pre-order, so if you are interested please place your order as soon as possible. We will ship the boards on a first-come-first-served basis.
We are aiming to deliver the boards to customers in April - but the specific time will become more apparent when we return from the Chinese New Year holiday. At Exway - we place a huge amount of value on communication with our customers, so if there are any delays or changes, please rest assured that we will keep you informed.
2. What are the main shipping methods and how much does the shipping cost?
The first batch of Atlas boards will ship directly from our HQ in Shenzen, China. The Atlas is a MONSTER, and because we packed it with features it is very large and heavy. Therefore the shipping, especially air shipping, is extremely expensive. Up to $250 per board. For that reason, we are providing free standard shipping by sea for all pre-orders. If you would prefer faster shipping by air, please select Fast Shipping at the checkout and pay the additional $130 shipping fee.
3. Is there any discounts that available for the presale?
During pre-orders, all customers using the discount code"EXWAYATLAS150" will receive $150 off their Atlas. Additionally, those placing orders before the 5th of February 2021 will also receive a free motor anti-collision protection bracket RRP $49 (while stocks last).
4. What is the difference between the engineering prototype Atlas and the mass-production (Pre-order) Atlas?
The motors used in the engineering prototype are the same as those used on the Flex-Riot, i.e. 4230 160kV brushless motors. Meanwhile, the mass-production (Pre-order production) Atlas uses 4240 160kV brushless motors both for 2WD & 4WD. The 4240 motors have a lower calorific value, allowing them to withstand 30% more maximum power than the 4230's. They will be able to function under high load for extended periods of time.
5. What are the main differences between 2WD and 4WD performance? How do I choose between the two models?
For reference, the Flex-Riot board has a total power rating of 1360W. The mass-produced Atlas-2WD is rated at 2016W of total power (48% more than the Flex-Riot). Meanwhile, the mass-produced Atlas-4WD has a total power of 3,024W (50% more performance than the Atlas-2WD).
If you need longer battery life and a cheaper price, you should opt for the Atlas-2WD – but if you want the highest-level performance and the most powerful features, you should choose Atlas-4WD.
6. If I buy a 2WD can I upgrade it to 4WD later?
Yes, you can! Through rigorous research and development in-house, we developed the Exway Atlas Carbon so that it can transform from 2WD to 4WD with ease. If you buy the 2WD version, just by purchasing an additional drive train and another ESC (sold separately), you can upgrade to 4WD. Similarly, if you buy the 4WD version, you can easily downgrade to 2WD by removing one of the drive trains – or you can set it to run as 2WD through the remote.
7. Is there a hub or direct drive motor version? Can I mix and match drive kits?
In the future, there will be direct drive and hub motor drive kits that riders can install on their boards easily. It will also be possible to mix and match different drive trains – such as rear-wheel belt drive and front-wheel direct drive.
8. What is the battery life? What is the maximum speed of each version? How long will the charging time be?
Please see the Atlas section of our website, where the specifications of each version of the Atlas are laid out fully.
9. Which street wheels can I use on my Atlas?
The Atlas is compatible with almost all wheels available on the electric skateboard market. We offer a wide selection of wheels which you can purchase directly with the Atlas. You can find them all on the Atlas section of our website.
10. How do I choose the right pulleys and belts for Atlas?
First, choose your favorite wheels from the chart above, then follow the chart below to select the correct pulleys and belts for your Atlas.
11. What pulley is available with Atlas? Why does the street wheel Atlas spark in the Tank Mode video?
Exway has introduced a 28T CNC gear that can accommodate almost any electric skateboard wheel on the market with a large core.
The wheels causing the sparks in the promotional video have flint embedded within them. They are DIY test wheels which we developed in-house by manually drilling and fixing the flint in place – they are not currently available for purchase.
12. Is there any option to purchase the Atlas with Shredlights?
No – but you can buy purchase lights from our website or Shredlights directly and install them seamlessly onto the Atlas fenders.
13. Can I buy the Atlas with street wheels only?
Unfortunately, at this stage, you can't. In order to facilitate production and bring Atlas to the market as soon as possible, Exway will not stock the Atlas in a street configuration only. If you want the street setup, you can purchase the 2in1 kit which will include the AT and street wheels and drive trains.
14. Which wheels does the fender fit on?
The Atlas motor bracket has integrated mounting holes for mounting the fender and motor anti-collision protection bracket. The fender is made of nylon material with enhanced durability and crash-resistance.
The "off-road mudguard" (or fender) is most suitable for the 160-175mm tires and can be height adjusted in small increments. If used with street wheels, the mud/water retaining capability of the fender will be relatively poor. In the future – fenders designed specifically for street wheels may be released at a future date.
15. Can I ride the Atlas in the rain?
The short answer is yes, but we don't recommend it! The Atlas has the most enhanced water resistance of any Exway product to date. However, the wheel and motor bearings are susceptible to rust after exposure to water. After rusting, the running noise of the motors will be louder – and the motor bearings will need to be replaced, which is a cost you will incur as this is not covered under the warranty. Board components aside, riding in the rain can be extremely hazardous and can cause severe injuries. We advise riders to exercise caution and avoid rain-riding as far as possible.
16. Can I use the Atlas on sand and dirt trails?
Yes – you can! Pneumatic AT tires are recommended for sand and dirt trails.
With its grippy tire tread, the 175mm off-road pneumatic tire has the best sand discharging performance. It uses a 66T pulley and a sealed belt cover to prevent the belt from getting jammed with sand and gravel.
17. How do I distinguish the forward direction of 4WD?
The direction of travel can be determined by the design of the Atlas grip tape. Printed on the grip tape is the word "4WD" and the Exway logo – this is the rear of the board. The charging port below the deck is also at the rear of the board.
18. Is the battery replaceable?
Yes – the battery pack can be replaced! But like the X1 Pro series, you have to lift the battery cover which is a little troublesome. Therefore, we do not advise customers to replace the batteries by themselves.
19. What are the full battery specifications of the Atlas?
To ensure all users can experience the highest quality and reliability of their Atlas skateboards, we will now be using the even stronger 21700 cells instead of the originally assigned Samsung 18650 30Q cells.
So, what are the 21700 cells?
The 21700 cells (same 50.4V-518WH, High Voltage and Efficiency Electronic System with 21700 Battery Cells and output Current=60A)have a higher space utilization per cell within the same assembly space and their energy density is much higher than the 18650 cells. Our engineers have done numerous tests and the new 21700 cells have been well proven to be a more suitable battery pack that can meet the requirements of the powerful Atlas.
20. What kind of trucks does the Atlas use?
The Atlas Carbon is built on Exway's Trist 9.5" forged and CNC trucks, which are reinforced to 10mm – they are DKP trucks.
21. I don't like DKP trucks very much. Is there the option of a more common truck?
We always strive to meet all our customers' needs – and we hope to release traditional-style trucks for Atlas users in the second half of 2021!
22. Does the Tank Mode feature work for the dual drive Atlas?
This feature is available for both 2WD and 4WD models – however, the turning radius of 2WD is double that of 4WD.
23. Can I stand on the board when using Tank Mode?
Unfortunately, no you can't. The Tank Mode feature only works when the wheels are sliding against the ground. With the board under load, the wheels will not be able to spin.
24. Where will the Atlas ship from, and what is the logistics time frame?
The first batch of Atlas Carbon will be shipped from Exway headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Future batches will ship directly from the nearest warehouse to you – such as the Exway USA or Exway Europe warehouses. The exact arrival time is dependent on the logistics situation of each country.
25. How long is the warranty?
The warranty period is 12 months. It does not cover perishable items such as wheels, belts, wheel bearings and motor bearings, etc.
26. Can the rider get on it and enable Tank Mode?
No, the Tank Mode only available when the skateboard is unloaded, the skateboard will not be able to turn itself when a man is standing on it.


text:
Let me recommend two new episodes of The Kennedy-Mighell Report podcast in which Tom and I take a look at how technology can enhance your summer vacation and discuss the "other apps" – browser extensions, apps and plugins. These are are first two regular episodes after our blockbuster hundredth anniversary episode for the Legal Talk Network titled "Pardon Our 100th Interruption".
Here are the show descriptions:
#102 – Summer Vacation Technology [LTN] [LTRC]
Summer and vacation seasons are approaching. Some prefer to completely disconnect on vacation, while others like to stay connected. Work aside, those who choose to stay connected can use technology to make their trips more manageable and stress free with travel apps, adapters, and travel-friendly cameras. In this episode of The Kennedy-Mighell Report, Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell discuss the intersection of technology and vacation, whether to connect or disconnect while traveling, and some of their favorite vacation and travel tech tips. In the second half of the show, your hosts will cover the accelerated speed of cloud-based interface updates and how to keep up.
This episode takes a very practical look at technology in the non-work context and shares lessons from Tom's recent Mediterranean vacation. In the B segment, we vented a bit about how many of our favorite web services seem to be making major interface changes these days, often overnight and with no warning. You might have noticed the same thing. I'm not sure what we can really do about this, other than to be adaptable and resilient.
#101 – Taking Advantage of Apps and Plug-ins [LTN] [LTRC]
Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell enter the realm of apps and plug-ins. Also known as web extensions, browser apps, add-ons, and bookmarklets, these additions to web browsers are made to make your Internet browser experience more efficient. Learn your hosts' favorite web extensions when browsing for leisure and for work, and how to manage your apps and plug-ins so they don't slow down your browser speed. The second half of the episode turns toward Internet communication, more specifically, how Twitter users are creating hashtags to express their moods in posts and how this changes the meaning and use of the hashtag.
With all of the focus on smartphone and tablet apps (I'm actually speaking on that topic later today), you might overlook the world of browser apps (Google Chrome extensions, Firefox add-ons, and the like) and how they can enhance your Internet browsing experience. Tom and I explain how they work and suggest some helpful apps. I've been wanting to increase my use of these apps and got to take advantage of Tom's expertise in this area. I suspect that you'll find some helpful advice, too. In the B segment, we look at the cool trend in hashtags (on Twitter and, increasingly, elsewhere) to use hashtags to make comments and meta-observations in addition to the original use of self-categorization (#ifthatisthataword). I used to think that the 140 character limit made it difficult to say that I wanted to say, but now I find that that I have plenty of room to make a point and also use a hashtag to make a metacomment (#funnyhowthatworks).
Remember the podcast is now available at two places: the Legal Talk Network and the ABA's Legal Technology Resource Center. And it's available in iTunes, where you can subscribe and have new episodes appear in iTunes automatically when they are released. As always, if you have ideas for topics or questions for us to answer on the podcast, let us know.
[Originally posted on DennisKennedy.Blog (https://denniskennedy.com/blog/)]
Follow my microblog on Twitter – @dkennedyblog. Follow me – @denniskennedy
Facebook in One Hour for Lawyers, the new book from Allison Shields and me, is now available (iBook version here). Our previous book, LinkedIn in One Hour for Lawyers is also available and also can be downloaded as an iBook. Also still available, The Lawyer's Guide to Collaboration Tools and Technologies: Smart Ways to Work Together, by Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell.


text:
The NFL continues to wrangle with its issue of players taking a knee during the national anthem, but this isn't the first time The Star Spangled Banner has collided with politics, race and a major sporting event.
In 1968, a rising Puerto Rican pop star, José Feliciano, was asked to sing the anthem before Game 5 of the World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals were playing the Detroit Tigers in Tiger Stadium.
At that time, Feliciano's had a hit single with his cover of The Doors' Light My Fire. The world seemed to be changing very quickly; there was a lot of focus on what media was calling the Youth Movement. It was a good time to showcase new talent.
A Star-Mangled Banner?
Vintage tape shows a young guy in sunglasses (Feliciano was born blind) seated on a stool, playing his acoustic guitar.
Back then, the anthem was generally performed by popular musicians of stage and screen, or talented first-responders and members of the military, always in a very straightforward way.
Feliciano's gentle, Latin jazz-infused version puzzled some people. And it outraged others.
"After I sang it, it was really strange to hear me being booed, as well as yay'd, and I didn't know what happened," he recalled when I reached him by telephone last week, while he was on tour in London.
A Tigers official told him the club's phones were lighting up with angry calls from around the country: "Some veterans were taking off their shoes and throwing them at their television screens," he was told.
While some fans enjoyed this different version, many older ones and veterans thought it was disrespectful. At a time when the U.S. was torn apart apart over the country's involvement in Vietnam, perception counted. And some people perceived Feliciano's anthem as a protest.
He insists it was the exact opposite: "I did it to show my appreciation to America for what they had done for me. I love this country."
"They just stopped playing me .... "
Feliciano moved from Puerto Rico to New York City when he was a very little boy, and had grown up immersed in mainland American ritual — like Major League Baseball and the national anthem.
"I thought they were singing about me," he jokes, "because they were singing 'Oh José, Can You See...'"
Soon he was singing back to America. His Light My Fire burned up the charts, and its success led to the invitation to sing at the World Series. The subsequent controversy, though, almost killed his burgeoning career.
Commercial radio blackballed him. "I was a little depressed, to tell you the truth," Feliciano admits. His career had just taken off — "And then they stopped playing me. Like I had the plague, or something."
But he still played concerts on college campuses, and gigged in jazz clubs and music festivals around the country. He continued to cut records (notably his holiday classic, Feliz Navidad.)
And while he was doing that, something else happened: José Feliciano's improvisation on the anthem opened the door to a bunch of other people with their own versions: Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969. Marvin Gaye at the NBA All Star Game in 1983. Garth Brooks. Billy Joel. Beyonce. Lady Gaga. And Whitney Houston's now-iconic performance in 1991 at the height of the first Gulf War, complete with a flyover of four F-16 fighter jets. (And a Cher homage to it eight years later.)
Fans and spectators took these later variations in stride. (Although at the time, the NBA commissioner was incensed at Gaye's R & B-infused anthem, even though it's now considered a beloved classic.)
Feliciano is philosophical about the evolution. "The only thing I can say about all these versions is they wouldn't have done it if I hadn't done it — and I'm glad that I did."
A refreshed controversy
And now, the national anthem is in the news again, as some NFL players protest police brutality against black Americans by remaining silent and kneeling during the anthem. Former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick began the protest last season, but it has picked up this year, and spread beyond the NFL to college and even high school teams.
Unlike some NFL fans, Feliciano says he's not offended. "I don't think kneeling during the anthem is such a bad thing. They're doing what they feel."
Copyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


text:
- Upgrade your favorite electronic gadget, your phone, with some pizzazz to truly add some personality.
- The magnetic closure keeps the phone from slipping out, while still cleverly popping out the phone from the pocket when tugged on.
- A soft fleece interior helps keep your screen scratch free, while the exteriors fun colors make sure you are always going to want to answer that call so you have another excuse to show off your wonderful taste
- Eco friendly. HADAKI products are AZO free. We use no Phthalates DEHP, DBP, or BOP.
Pods to fit your lifestyle…. More >>


text:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Adela de la Torre, NILC, (213) 674-2832; [email protected]
Elizabeth Beresford, ACLU national, (917) 498-9697; [email protected]
Court Blocks Implementation of Utah Law
SALT LAKE CITY — Ensuring that Utah law enforcement will not be required to demand "papers" from all people residing in or traveling through Utah, a federal district court in Salt Lake City today blocked implementation of the state's "show me your papers" law, scheduled to go into effect today.
The law, passed earlier this year, authorizes police to demand "papers" demonstrating citizenship or immigration status during traffic stops, invites racial profiling of Latinos and others who appear "foreign" to an officer and interferes with federal law.
Today's ruling came in a lawsuit filed by the National Immigration Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and ACLU of Utah challenging the Utah law.
The following can be attributed to Linton Joaquin, General Counsel, National Immigration Law Center:
"We are relieved that the Court agreed to delay implementation of this harmful law. As stated in our complaint, HB 497 puts Utahns at risk of suffering several irreparable harms. We look forward to fighting to ensure that this unconstitutional law, which would subject people, particularly people of color, to unlawful interrogation and detention, and create a climate of fear in immigrant communities, will be removed entirely from the books."
The following can be attributed to Darcy Goddard, Legal Director, ACLU of Utah:
"We are pleased the court has ordered that the law cannot take effect until the court has ample time to review the case in full. We anticipate proving to the court that this discriminatory law threatens the rights of all people in Utah. Like Arizona's SB 1070, the Utah law violates the Constitution and is even worse in requiring all Utahns to carry their 'papers' at all times to prove they are lawfully present. Wherever civil liberties are threatened, be it in Utah, Arizona or elsewhere, we will continue to challenge unconstitutional laws like these."
# # #


text:
I need to select a time item TimeItemStyle=image with the click mouse but the time item start and finish is equal.
No action on image
This is what we call a FixedSize time item, it has no length and is common in milestones etc.
In GTP.NET you set FixedSizeUse to true and FixedSize to a pixel value in the time item layout.
In phGantTimePackage you set IphDataEntity_GantTime2.FixedSize to the pixel value you need


text:
Title: Everett
Author: Cee Smith
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Release Date: June 7, 2016
One girl. Five stops. A chance encounter that would change everything.
When Indigo Ericson gets her dream job at Digital Monument, she can't believe her luck. Not only is she collaborating with an award-winning creative team, but she is also working on a top-secret project. And then she meets her boss.
Except this isn't their first time meeting.
Everett Belford isn't just the creative director. He's the man from the train—Vett. The stranger Indigo has spent the last three months infatuated with. He may act like he doesn't remember, but Indigo won't let him forget.
Where do the lines of infatuation and reality meet? When does curiosity become obsession? In an attempt to pick up where they left off, Indigo accepts his limited offer, but the deeper she descends into his world, the more she wants to draw him into hers. Except when it comes to Indigo, things aren't always as they seem.
Author Bio
Cee Smith is a lover of the written word. Since first learning how to string a sentence together, she's been putting pen to paper and hasn't looked back. Though she's no longer obsessed with blood and gore, the dark side still calls to her, often finding refuge in her current writings. Her addiction to reading is what finally inspired her to take a chance at publishing.
A California native, currently residing in North Carolina with her husband. She loves salacious stories, true love and forbidden romances—the more angst the better. Other than reading and writing, some of her other obsessions are peanut butter (don't get her started), Michael Fassbender, and watching TV.
Author Links


text:
Bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, are showing signs of severe ill health, according to NOAA marine mammal biologists and their local, state, federal and other research partners.
Barataria Bay, located in the northern Gulf of Mexico, received heavy and prolonged exposure to oil during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Based on comprehensive physicals of 32 live dolphins from Barataria Bay in the summer of 2011, preliminary results show that many of the dolphins in the study are underweight, anemic, have low blood sugar and/or some symptoms of liver and lung disease. Nearly half also have abnormally low levels of the hormones that help with stress response, metabolism and immune function.
Researchers fear that some of the study dolphins are in such poor health that they will not survive. One of these dolphins, which was last observed and studied in late 2011, was found dead in January 2012.
NOAA and its local, state and federal partners started the Barataria Bay dolphin study in 2011 as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), the process for studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
View a photo gallery of dolphin assessment work.
NOAA is sharing the preliminary results from the study so that stranding responders and veterinarians can better care for live stranded dolphins and look for similar health conditions.
Useful Links:
- 2010-2012 Dolphin Unusual Mortality Event
- Seafood Safety
- Louisiana Seafood Testing and Fishery Closures
- Dolphin Assessment Work Photo Slideshow
- Gulf Dolphins Questions and Answers
- Gulf Dolphins Press Call of March 23, 2012 (mp3, 4.24 MB) (Right click to save)
Investigation of Dolphin Strandings in the Northern Gulf Continues
Since February 2010, more than 675 dolphins have stranded in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Franklin County, Florida, to the Louisiana/Texas border)–a much higher rate than the usual average of 74 dolphins per year, prompting NOAA to declare an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) and investigate the cause of death for as many of the dolphins as possible. The vast majority of stranded dolphins have been found dead; however, 33 have stranded alive and seven have been taken to facilities for rehabilitation.
In the spring, it is typical to see some newborn, fetal and stillborn dolphins strand, and there has been an increase in strandings of this younger age class during this UME in 2010 and 2011. Yet all age classes continue to strand at high levels. NOAA is working with a team of marine mammal health experts to investigate the factors that may be contributing to the dolphin mortalities.
Gulf Seafood Safety
Since the 2010 oil spill, the Food and Drug Administration, NOAA and the Gulf Coast states have used an agreed-upon protocol to test seafood and ensure that it is free of harmful oil and dispersant residues. NOAA opened federal waters to fishing after extensive testing, and the Gulf states continue to use the protocol to routinely test finfish and shellfish to ensure all seafood reaching the consumer is safe. Some waters in the northern Barataria Basin, a larger area that includes Barataria Bay, remain closed to commercial fishing, as visible oil is still present along the shoreline where the closures are in place. The joint protocol directs seafood safety testing to begin only after visible oil is gone.
NOAA and its state and federal partners are researching multiple ways Gulf dolphins may have been exposed to oil, including through ingestion, inhalation or externally. Dolphins could have routinely ingested oil from sediments or water while feeding or by eating whole fish, including internal organs and fluids such as liver and bile, which can harbor chemical contaminants. These are not likely routes of exposure for most people.


text:
Top CEO talks to Leadership Academy delegates
International businessman and CEO Mr Paul Murphy gave an inspirational talk on building teams when he delivered a session of our Leadership Academy programme, linking the insights gained in his successful business career to the world of education.
Our Trust Leadership Academy started this year to identify and equip our teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively take on leadership roles. Delegates have a packed itinerary when they will learn from a variety of speakers and experts in different fields.
Brooke Weston Trust CEO Dr Andrew Campbell told them: 'For this programme to become sustainable, not only do we need to make it really work for you, and that is why your feedback is so important, but we need to keep giving other people a sense of what this programme is about, for when they are thinking about their next movements in a couple of years. We have tried really hard on this programme to not limit it to teachers talking to teachers about teaching. This is about developing leadership and a range of skills around that.'
Mr Murphy has been CEO of Jordans Dorset Ryvita Company for the past ten years, oversees private label bakery Speedibake and heads up a sport nutrition business. He has worked for a range of international brands including Twinings, Bacardi and Reckitt Benckiser in a career spanning more than 30 years, in both marketing and management roles.
He said: 'A great deal of my experience has been international so I have worked and led teams in France and the United States. I want to talk through my experience of leading teams and what I have learned. There are lots of different situations, leadership styles and human depths to balance.
'There always comes a point in a career where you basically get promoted for doing something really well. The most difficult transition we have in business is between a 'Head of' role where you are leading a function but remaining in task and then suddenly go from having three or four people reporting to you to having teams of 25, 30 or hundreds. That is really difficult but it is where we apply all our training. A lot of this information is basically obvious but really difficult to apply.
'I am talking about the practical applications of leading teams, including the fundamentals; how do you select teams, develop individuals and get the best out of them in terms of solving problems? It is also about how you set a longer term vision and strategy and think about some of the personal challenges that you face.
'I will get delegates to think about the leaders they have worked for, some of the challenges they have had and characteristics of both the really good teams they have been in and examples of the bad ones. I will get them to think through their practical experiences and get them to share. They can learn a great deal from each other as well as a little from me.'
During his two-hour workshop delegates split into groups to undertake tasks and discussions.
Afterwards Sophie Allert from Corby Business Academy said: 'What an insightful presentation! From general principles to practical tips, it was a thorough look into leading and developing teams with integrity and authenticity!'
Andy Buffham from Peckover Primary School said: 'It was absolutely fantastic. It was lovely to hear about leadership in a different context. Paul has obviously got a lot of experience and has worked internationally as well. He has seen a lot of different contexts within the business and he was interested to hear about how his leadership ideas fitted in with education.
The difference in education is that it is harder for us to have that separation between our leadership role and our day to day job. It is more intermingled than in business, which has more defined structures. The main message was to be aware of yourself as a leader and know your skills. Paul said that you will always be a certain type of leader but you have got to be aware of how that fits into the overall team.'
To see more pictures from the event click here.


text:
How the Eagles' 'Hotel California' Evolved From 'Mexican Reggae'
During the creative process, songs can go through all kinds of changes before arriving at the finished product. The Eagles' "Hotel California" was one such track and, in recalling how it was written, guitarist Don Felder revealed that Don Henley originally had a different name for it.
"I had rented a little beach house out in Malibu, and I was sitting on a couch with a pair of cut-off jeans and my kids were playing in the sand out in the front," Felder told Uncle Joe Benson on the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show. "It was, I think, July or something, it was a beautiful Southern California day with the sun kind of sparkling on the water. I had a 12-string guitar and I was just, like, kicking around with it, looking for ideas and picking and kind of goofing around – and I came across that introduction to 'Hotel,' that chord progression."
Before he could forget it, Felder went to a bedroom where he kept a four-track tape recorded. A week later, when he was sorting through his tapes to bring to the Eagles, he decided to build upon that recording, adding bass, a drum machine and "almost all of the guitar parts that you hear on the record." He gave each of his bandmates a cassette to see if there was anything on there that struck their fancy.
"So, Henley came back and said he really liked that song and I think he kind of nicknamed it 'Mexican Reggae.' And I went, 'Oh, OK. 'Mexican Reggae.' That sounds good to me. So, Henley came up with the idea of 'Hotel California' and just did a masterful job, I think, of providing the lyrics to that song."
Be sure to listen to Ultimate Classic Rock Nights on more than 50 stations across the U.S. from 7PM until midnight, Monday through Friday. You can see the list of radio stations where it airs here.
Eagles Albums Ranked
See the Eagles in Rock's Craziest Conspiracy Theories


text:
Lot: 1147
Johann Christian Hirt
'Dancer', 1882-85
H. 43 cm. Execution: KPM Meissen, before 1924. Porcelain, white, glazed, polychrome overglaze with gold. Base signed: J. HIRT (incised). Marked: button swords (blue, under glaze, one stroke), N. 162 (incised), 68 (embossed), 51. (brown, handwritten).
Hammer Price: 2,400 €
161E - Showtime! Dancers and Fashion Ladies 1900 - 1930
24. February 2022 at 6:00 PM CEST
24. February 2022 at 6:00 PM CEST
The items can be viewed and inspected prior to the auction; they all are, without exception, used and of a certain age. Their actual state of preservation is - corresponding to their age and their used state - not being referred to expressly in the catalogue and on the internet, but is agreed specification (cf. Conditions of sale, art. 4). The auction house cannot be held liable for malfunction or nonfunction of electrical devices. Condition reports can be forwarded on demand. They serve as a better survey on the item's condition based on the auctioneer's assessment.
Read our Terms & Conditions.
Read our Terms & Conditions.


text:
This is an addon for contact form 7 for address autocomplete functionality. Google place api is used for fetching addresses.
1) Upload the plugin.
2) Activate the plugin.
3) Add google place api key in Google Place API section under contacts menu.
4) Add address autocomplete field to contact form. Don't forget to add an id "address_geo_autocomplete-xxx" to address field for autocomplete feature.
- 1.1.2
Tested plugin with the latest wordpress version.
Contributors & Developers
"Address autocomplete Contact Form 7" is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
ContributorsTranslate "Address autocomplete Contact Form 7" into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.


text:
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Don't Know if Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper Have Heard Their 'Shallow' Cover
Garth Brooks pleased longtime fans when he finally released the studio version of his cover of A Star Is Born's "Shallow" as a duet with his wife, fellow country singer Trisha Yearwood.
But have the co-stars behind the 2018 remake of the classic American film and musical — who are also the original tune's first singers — pop star Lady Gaga and actor Bradley Cooper, heard the country couple's rendition?
It would appear that they have not, and Garth and Trisha might want to keep it that way!
At least that's what the pair indicated when they recently dropped in on Taste of Country Nights for a chat. While discussing the song, hosts Evan and Amber asked if the film's leading twosome had heard their new version.
"I'd love to say I've talked to 'em, but no, I wouldn't know," Brooks responds. "We've met both of them on different occasions, and they're both very, very sweet people. Both very talented people."
Adds Yearwood, "As long as we haven't heard from them, we think they love it! So we don't really wanna know. … I hope they'll see it as a tribute and a nod to a great song and a great performance."
But how did Brooks and Yearwood end up covering the number in the first place? Fans likely know they first attempted the tune during a Facebook livestream as part of Brooks' Inside Studio G earlier this year. Then, in April, the couple reprised it on their Garth and Trisha: Live by Request! TV special.
Looking back, Yearwood sums up the tale.
"We saw the movie and, like everybody else, loved it," the singer explains. "But we didn't watch the movie and say, 'We should cut that song.' It was months and months after that. And it was a huge hit, of course, so why would you cover someone else's huge hit? It's also Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga — she's one of the most gifted singers on the planet. But we were doing a Facebook Live, a live by request, and somebody asked for it."
"So we did a piece of it, and that kinda started this ball rolling. And we did it again on the CBS special, just another little piece of it," she continues, "And then it was like, 'You guys have to record it.'"
Now, a widely available recording of the Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood duet of "Shallow" does indeed exist. And it includes some immaculate vocal runs from Yearwood, as the singer's ever-gushing husband points out.
"There's something in that recording," Brooks effuses of the rendition with his wife. "When she comes in, the band goes somewhere different. They just become a different band, more of a beast."
The "Dive Bar" crooner also commended Gaga for her writing credit on "Shallow."
"What defines a great song is if two people sing it, and then two different people sing it," he says. "And both versions feel like their own. And I think that's what happened on this record for us."
"Shallow" will appear on Brooks' upcoming album, Fun.


text:
Leverage our innovations with new technologies to deploy intelligence and connectivity from core to cloud.
View All SolutionsView All Solutions
Accelerate workloads of different platform types and size with ASUS servers and workstations.
View All ProductsView All Products
Engage with us to find out our news, media, events and stories.
We offer a variety of ways to get support, including sales, products and technical issues.
RS540-E9-RS36-EDouble-sided high-capacity 4U storage server with support for up to 36 drives
Key Features


text:
Ethiopia & Jamaica Hold Similar Viewpoints About "Gays"???
Ethiopian Religious Groups Want Death Penalty for "Gays"
Source of ArticleGovernment officials, religious leaders, leading health professionals, charities and members of the public attended an event at the Bethel Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week to discuss the "evils" and "disastrous effects" of homosexuality in their country.
During the workshop, led by evangelical organization United for Life Ethiopia, participants agreed that homosexuality nothing to do with nature and the "born this way" motto has no place in Ethiopia. Police at the workshop alleged homosexual family members and neighbors have sexually abused 117 boys last year, according to Gay Star News.
At the conclusion of the workshop, a representative from the Ethiopian Inter-Religious Council Against Homosexuality (EICAH) stated that the council is "making progress" in convincing the government to be stricter on homosexuality and introduce the death penalty to punish it.
The director of Rainbow Ethiopia, identified as "Mercy," told GSN that the trend of homophobia and hate crimes are increasing in the country because organizations like EICAH create a "moral panic" and "feed the public false information and wild allegations."
"They scare the public [into thinking] that homosexuals are raping children and then 'recruit' them into homosexuality," Mercy said. "These groups even present some of the LGBTI members of the community as mercenaries, trained and sponsored by the West to 'promote homosexuality'."
Ethiopia isn't alone in its persecution of gays. Uganda has unsuccessfully tried to pass a "Kill the Gays" bill.
Mercy is calling upon human rights organizations and the international community to do everything in their power to cut the Western funding to these organizations while supporting organizations that protect and promote the rights of LGBT people.
End of article


text:
Grow, differentiate, and show case your practice
Using innovation and technology to address real problems and frustrations, TrakMD provides a better healthcare experience for you, your practice and your patients.
Hesitant about online booking?
Healthcare online booking solutions are on a rise and it is estimated that more than 600 million appointments have been booked using online appointment systems around the world in 2015. The world has been steadily shifting towards digital solutions in every aspect of our professional lives.
Why doctors join TrakMD?
Attract new patients, and retain existing ones
Wow patients with a premium service, and improve patient access and engagement
Grow online presence and strengthen reputation
TrakMD Key Features
TrakMD can fully digitize your practice by offering you a very user friendly practice management system. With no software to download or hardware to manage, your secure cloud-based practice management system, can be accessed whenever and wherever you want. Using your mobile or Tab, you can easily manage your clinic on the go.
The followings are some of key features of TrakMD for doctors:
- Custom Profile: You can help patients find you easily. Set up your free profile Now! You can promote and customize your online profile with your education, qualification, services, photos, and your clinic availabilities and locations. Your happy patients can add reviews and rating to your TrakMD profile and recommend you to their friends using popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. We help protect your online reputation by verifying all patient reviews placed on your TrakMD
- Online Booking: Be available 24/7, and let your patients see your availability and book an appointment far easier than before. TrakMD allows you to easily manage your calendar real-time. You control your calendar by opening or closing availability slot, add new appointment, reschedule or cancel appointment, update appointment status, and synch TrakMD Calendar with your native calendar.
- Patient SMS and Email Notifications/Reminders: Build patient loyalty and let your patients receive automated and effortless SMS and email reminders of appointment bookings and important health checkups. You may also send your patients personalized event messages including birthday or holiday greetings.
- Patient Database Management: Go paperless, and have your patients record fully digitized.
- Online Doctor Referral: Establish a doctor referral network and further grow you practice. TrakMD helps you find the right specialist for your patients' health concerns and write an online referral. Other doctors on TrakMD can find you and send you an online referral note.
- Patient Portal: Be a more informed decision maker. Upon patient's permission, you can have access to their Personal Health Record (PHR). You can validate patient health information such as health history, risk factors, Immunization or baby vaccinations, allergy, Vital Signs, health measurements, present illnesses, ongoing medications, and laboratory or imaging reports.
- Patient Care Plan: Improve patient engagement and compliance to your indicated treatments. You can share with your patients an individualized care plan with medication prescriptions. Your patients can access your indicated care plan anytime on their free TrakMD account on either website or mobile app.
- Message: Communicate with your patient anytime, anywhere. TrakMD Message allows you to send/receive messages to/from your patients.
- Invoice & Billing: Make sure you are reimbursed for the work you do with flexible TrakMD invoice and billing solution.
- Reports & Analytics: Stay on top of your key performance and productivity by having access to a library of TrakMD customizable reports and analytics.
Stringent Security: TrakMD is 100 % HIPPA-compliant. TrakMD applies international data security standards to ensure your clinic and patient data are protected with highest and most stringent security, and that only you can access to your data. Additionally, TrakMD server is hosted with HIPAA compliant VPN inside Cloud with multiple data backups.
24/7, Extraordinary Support: we care about you and want to make sure you are a happy client. TrakMD is a very user friendly system with which you may experience the shortest learning curve. Your account can be set up in few minutes and you can start working on it and receive patient appointments immediately. Our support specialist team can be either at your clinic or using online video conferencing to make sure you and your staff are well trained up. 24/7 support services are also available at your disposal.
Online Profile, Free!
- Visibility to your existing and new patients
- Impressive online Profile
- Profile photo
- Professional Show Case
- Verified Patient Reviews and Rating
- Clinic address with map assisted Location
- Appointment availability display
- Let your patients like and share your profile on social media
Online Booking, in addition to the Online Profile package, you have the following features:
- Let your existing and new patients find you and book your online appointment
- Free Apple and Android Mobile App
- Full Patient Appointment System with customized and on the go scheduler
- Patient SMS and Email Notifications/Reminders
- Patient Database Management
- Online Doctor Referral
- Patient Portal
- Patient Care Plan
- Message
- Appointment Related Reports and Analytics
- 24/7 Extraordinary Support
Practice Management System, in addition to the Online Booking package, you have the following features:
- Report and Analytics
- Invoice and Billing
Additionally, there are customized Packages that cater to the needs of clinics and hospitals of all scales.


text:
The artist is Livia Reasoner (a.k.a. Livia J. Washburn) and you can find out more about her on her blog.
* * *
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger on Amazing Stories and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.


text:
Custom 11"x17" B&W Quad Tone Pigment Prints by Richard Sexton
Custom 11"x17" Black & White Pigment Prints by Richard Sexton
Leica Store Miami and fine art photographer Richard Sexton are proud to announce our custom black and white pigment print program. If you have always admired the quality of black and white gallery prints, then this is a great opportunity to have your images printed by a master. We are offering two different print sizes, 11"x17" and 20"x24", as well as a portfolio box set of twenty 8.5"x11" prints.
Printing is such an important aspect of photography and it is often forgotten in the age of digital. The fine art of printing has always been, and always will be, the culmination of the making a great photograph. Until an image has been successfully printed, the act of photography is less than totally complete.
Says Sexton about this collaboration, "When Leica Store Miami asked if I'd be interested in providing a premium black and white digital print service for their customers, I readily agreed to something I had thought I'd never do. My full 180 was largely due to my experiences with the Monochrom and Fine Art Printing workshops I've conducted with them over the past four years. These workshops have either stressed printing, or have been exclusively devoted to it. Working with the workshop participants and witnessing firsthand the pride and gratification they experienced seeing their photographs in print convinced me this is a vital, much appreciated service, particularly for black and white printing. Quality color printing may be fairly accessible, but black and white printing is overlooked and rapidly becoming a lost art. I feel there is a need for it as a service for serious photographers."
Richard Sexton is regarded as one of the finest black and white printers in the world, but he is also a renowned photographer. He is represented by A Gallery for Fine Photography in New Orleans, Whitespace Gallery in Atlanta and Samantha Richter in Nashville. Richard has been teaching our Monochrom and Fine Art Digital Printing workshops for the past four years and the art of the print is always the focal point.
Richard Sexton Studio in New Orleans is run by master digital printer Richard Sexton and his longtime assistant, Jonathan Traviesa. Jonathan is a faculty member in the photography department at Tulane University and an accomplished photographer himself. The studio utilizes a post-production workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop to optimize files for printing. They also use the proprietary Imageprint RIP software for archival monochromatic printing on 100% rag papers. -
This custom black and white printing service will provide you with gallery quality prints of your own work. Once you place your order, we will reach out to you with instructions on file delivery, paper options and toning preferences.
File Delivery
You send Richard's studio an edited dng or 16 bit tiff file/s via WeTransfer (or a similar method). They will contact you to verify your paper and toning choices and confirm that the file is a good candidate for printing. *you can also send a jpg file if that's all you have, but please note that it will be harder to correct any issues prior to printing.
File Preparation
¼ hour of file preparation is included in the print price. If a file needs additional image optimization or retouching, the cost is $75/hr billable in ¼ hour increments.
*Retouching refers to removing electrical wires from the sky, removing blemishes in a portrait, etc.
*Image optimization refers to Photoshop work that emulates all the things done in the chemical darkroom—dodging and burning, getting the density and contrast right, cropping, etc.
Paper Size/Image Size
Your image will be printed on 11"x17" paper with an image size of 10"x15". Any custom size that will fit on an 11"x17" sheet is available, but at least a 1" border must be maintained on all sides.Paper Choices
You will be able to choose from the following papers that are 100% rag stock, with no, or minimal, optical brighteners.-
Smooth matte - hot press handmade paper that is very smooth with no discernible texture. It has a dull finish with no sheen or gloss whatsoever. The blacks have more of a charcoal look to them and the ink sinks into the paper rather than sitting on top. More forgiving for excessive noise/grain, processing artifacts, halos, etc.
- Textured matte - cold press handmade paper with a faint texture similar to watercolor paper. It has a dull finish with no sheen or gloss whatsoever. The blacks have more of a charcoal look to them and the ink sinks into the paper rather than sitting on top. More forgiving for noisy/grainy images. More forgiving for excessive noise/grain, processing artifacts, halos, etc.
Baryta semi-gloss - very smooth with a low sheen, which is quite similar in character to an air-dried silver gelatin photo paper. The paper has a baryta coating on it, just like traditional photo paper. This paper will achieve a look very similar to a traditional silver gelatin print. Less forgiving for excessive noise/grain, processing artifacts, halos, etc.
You will be able to choose from the following toning techniques:
- Neutral
- Warm selenium (custom split-tone w/ cool shadows and warm highlights)
- Sepia
Turn-around time
Please allow 7-10 business days.
UPS shipping in the United States is included. We use flat mailers for smaller prints, triangular tubes for larger prints and boxes for the portfolio. *Due to taxes and other fees, free shipping is only available in to customers in the United States at this time. Email us for a shipping quote if you live outside of the US.A Personal Statement from Richard Sexton Regarding His Printing Philosophy
As a photographer, I work in both color and black/white. My black/white work is offered in the medium of quad tone pigment prints, which is an "ink on paper" process utilizing digital technology. The papers I print on are 100% rag, handmade art papers. Quad tone pigment prints have longevity ratings commensurate with that of other fine art media including traditional photographic processes.
I utilize digital technology for my printing because it allows a greater level of creative control over the final print than traditional processes do. Also, it is the technology most receptive to my particular working methods. I can print with a longer tonal range, at larger scale, on a wider variety of papers than I ever could with traditional processes. In short, I have chosen digital processes for my work because I get aesthetically superior prints with digital. It's really that simple.
It's my professional opinion that, all other things being equal, digital prints have a comparable value to traditional prints, based solely on the attributes of the media. Other authorities may answer this question differently, but my view comes from the perspective of a photographer familiar with both traditional and digital processes and whose work is a synthesis of both. There is no inherent superiority of one process over the other. Both involve a lot of machinery that can be temperamental and lacking in the degree of malleability needed at a given instant. Both require comparable levels of skill, patience, and artistic interpretation. Both are capable of achieving results that are either breathtaking or dismal depending upon the skill level of the practitioner.
There is a common misconception that digital imaging is completely non-artisanal. That is to say, a quality result can be achieved at the mere press of a button. . .Anyone can do it. . .There is no real training or skill level involved. . .etc. These opinions are those of individuals who are unfamiliar with a digital post-production workflow or digital printing and parallel similar opinions expressed in the 19th century that were directed at photography as a whole.
The longevity of quad tone pigment prints can all be measured in decades. This technology is new, however. Ink sets are evolving in the direction of greater stability and comprehensive testing using accelerated aging techniques is on-going. So, hard and fast promises for resistance to fading, yellowing, staining, etc, are not simple. Generally speaking, the expected longevity of digital prints should be comparable to traditional prints. Quad tone pigment inks have even higher longevity ratings than color prints. The generally accepted standard for an archivally processed gelatin silver print is 100 years. It should be noted that papers, inks, and humidity resistant UV coatings employed by the photographer are only one side of the equation. I would argue that conservatorship is more significant than any other component in achieving desired longevity. No artwork is more durable than the paper it's printed on and no artwork will last unless it is properly cared for. Proper framing, matting, lighting, and environmental room conditions are vital for artwork to meet or exceed its anticipated life.
Questions about the Prints:
If you have any questions or concerns, please see the FAQ tab in this listing, call us at 305-921-4433 or send us an email. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Smooth matte - hot press handmade paper that is very smooth with no discernible texture. It has a dull finish with no sheen or gloss whatsoever. The blacks have more of a charcoal look to them and the ink sinks into the paper rather than sitting on top. More forgiving for excessive noise/grain, processing artifacts, halos, etc.
About Richard
Richard Sexton is a widely published and exhibited photographer, who is also a lifelong Leica photographer, beginning with a used M4 in the 1970s and continuing to the present day with the M Monochrom. His most recent project, Enigmatic Stream: Photographs of the Industrial Landscape of the Lower Mississippi River was shot with the M Monochrom. For more information about Richard's work and career see the links below:
A bio can be found on Richard's web site here:
http://richardsextonstudio.com/biography/Enigmatic Stream, a current project shot entirely with the Monochrom can be seen here:
http://richardsextonstudio.com/enigmatic-stream/A portfolio of work from Ireland, shot entirely with the Monochrom can be seen here:
http://richardsextonstudio.com/notes-from-ireland-2015/A portfolio of work shot on b/w film with a Leica M4 can be seen here:
http://richardsextonstudio.com/early-work/ -
What are the main considerations in deciding paper choice?
Paper white, the tonality or color value of the paper stock itself, is an important consideration in deciding paper choice. We tend to think of all photo and inkjet papers as being "white." But, there is a great deal of subtlety in the actual color of the paper. 100% rag, handmade papers, with no, or small amounts of, optical brighteners, are not a brilliant white, but are more of a buff color. Of the 3 papers we are offering, the smooth matte is the warmest. The textured matte is actually "whiter." But, the important thing is that all 3 papers have a slight warmth to the paper white. Glossy photo papers, of which there are many different brands, all tend of have a very strong glossy sheen, and the paper white is cool. These papers are wood pulp, not rag, and are loaded with optical brighteners, to give them a bright paper white. They are not archival, however, because the optical brighteners fade quickly and the paper white changes gradually over time to a more buff color, closer to the natural color of paper made from wood pulp. (Grocery bags are a good example of the natural color of wood pulp and they are no where near "white," but are light brown in color.) The way a particular paper white absorbs ink will effect tint. The neutrality of the ink is impacted by the paper white. This is a native characteristic of the paper white. So, it is something to consider.
Finally, some folks may be of the opinion that if you print the same file on 3 different types of paper you can make all 3 look identical if you properly manipulate the values of the file to compensate for the paper differences. Not true. And not only that, it's antithetical to the process of paper choice. Yes, files are prepared differently to account for the different papers they will be printed on. However, the goal of that process is to make the best looking print aesthetically for the paper chosen, not to make matte and glossy prints look identical. Think of it this way, the same musical composition can be played on a flute and a tuba, but the character of the sound is totally different, though the melody is identical. And there are differences the composer has to take into account. A flute is treble clef and a tuba is bass. Musical pitch is totally different between the two, but the melody can be identical. So, it is with image files and paper choices.
What work should I do to the file before it's uploaded for printing?
You don't actually have to do anything to the file other than download the dng or jpeg files off your card, make your pick, and send us the raw file. We'll convert it, optimize it for printing, and then email you a jpeg of the optimized, ready to print, file for your review. All that said, you won't incur any additional fees for post-production, and you are more likely to get the interpretation you want, if you convert the file yourself, get it looking the way you want on your monitor, save it as a TIFF, and send us the converted file to further optimize for printing. We work with raw and out of camera jpegs to accommodate clients who don't do any post-production work themselves. Assuming you're familiar with Lightroom and/or Photoshop, and typically do your own post-production work, then convert and optimize the file to that point where it looks good on your monitor, and then upload it to us. One important note about sending us raw files: They should be dng format, which all Leica camera files are natively. If you're shooting with a camera that has a proprietary raw format, convert it to dng in Lightroom, or use Adobe's DNG Converter, which can be downloaded for free from Adobe's website.
What specific instructions can I provide regarding what I want, or expect, in the print?
When you upload the file to us via We Transfer (or similar service) you can send a note to us directly thru the service. Instructions are particularly helpful when you feel like the state of the file is not quite what you want, but you're at a loss as to what additional moves are needed to get the file to where you want it to be. Or maybe it needs retouching that's above your skill level. For instance, you could provide instructions such as, "I want the sky darker and more contrast, but keep the streetscape exactly as it is." Another example might be, "Could you remove the electrical wires that cross the facades of the buildings on the right side of the frame." You can even include a jpeg of the file in the upload and use the pencil tool in Photoshop to mark up the changes. In the case of retouching, there will be additional fees incurred, but an estimate will be provided in advance for your approval.
What guidelines can you suggest regarding choice of print toning effects?
As with paper choice, this is largely personal preference. Neutral is the safe choice. All the values from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights are neutral gray. Warm selenium is a custom split-tone we developed with cool shadow values and warm highlight values. A cool shadow value looks blacker than a warm or neutral shadow. So, you get the feel of a slightly richer black in the image. The warm highlight provides the look of a traditional portrait paper that flatters the subject in many situations. This split-tone effect was designed to emulate the look of selenium toned, Agfa Portriga-Rapid, silver gelatin photo paper. Portriga-Rapid hasn't been made for decades, but it had a huge following in its day for its unique look when it was toned in selenium. Sepia emulates the look of a sepia toned silver gelatin print. All the tones from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights are rendered in subtle brownish tones. Though we refer to this formula as "sepia" the look is actually closer to brown toner, than to sepia toner, which yielded more of a golden tone on most silver gelatin papers.
What if I just shoot jpegs and don't do any post-production work on my files? Can I still expect a gallery quality print from the file?
This answer comes with a caveat: Provided you did everything right when you captured the jpeg file, then yes, you can get a great print from it. However, if there are problems with the jpeg file, particularly in terms of exposure, then the problems are less fixable than they would be if you had shot in raw format. In any event, every file sent to us is evaluated prior to printing to determine if there are any issues that may not be fixable, and which may compromise the final result. We will explain those issues in detail via email and won't proceed until we hear from you.
If I'm a film shooter, or a former film shooter, can I utilize this service to get digital prints from my film negatives?
Absolutely. We can make prints from scans of film images and if you only have the negative, we can digitize the film negative for you. The prices for digitizing film negatives are the same as for post-production work for digital captures—$75/hr. billable in 1/4 hr. increments. So, there are additional fees involved, but film works for digital printing too. Plus, we'll send you the full resolution digital file from your film original, along with a large jpeg for posting on social media or for emailing. So, you'll have a digital and film original, as well as the print.
When I send in a file that I know needs additional work before printing, will I be able to see what the altered file looks like before it's printed?
We will send you a large jpeg for your review in all instances where significant changes were made to your file. Bear in mind that a jpeg viewed on a computer monitor, or a phone, will not look the same as your print. Not exactly. A monitor display and a print are two different media. But, a jpeg of the file will give you an idea of the changes made and it's even more effective when compared side-by-side to a jpeg of the same image before our changes were made. Further, the better your monitor, its calibration, and the viewing environment where you work on your files, the more accurate the jpeg preview will be to the print. I do NOT recommend reviewing the approval jpeg on a phone. You should review the file on your best monitor.
What factors are significant in deciding the size of the print?
Like paper choices and toning effects, size is subjective. Many folks like huge prints merely because they are so much easier to make now and cheaper too. But, "just because I can" isn't the best reason usually. As with all other aspects of the file, we will carefully review sharpness and noise in the file and will recommend whether the image would work more effectively in the smaller or larger size we offer. All technical issues aside, it often comes down to wall space or storage space. So, that can be a major consideration, as well. We don't offer a size larger than 24" on the long dimension primarily because this is a service provided across distance. The transportation costs and transit damage risks increase exponentially as size increases, particularly when the print is framed. So, our decisions on sizes were based on two things—keeping options simple and straightforward, and including domestic shipping in the print pricing.
"I sent Richard a negative that was nigh-impossible to print, and did a masterful job with it: unblocking highlights, bringing out details lost in deep shadow, and all while producing a print that looks entirely natural and effortless. What a delight to be able to draw on his virtuosity!" - Richard P.
"I have now had three images printed by Richard Sexton and have been so pleased with the results that I have just ordered two more today. Throughout the process, all my questions and inquiries were promptly and thoroughly answered by Peter Dooling at Leica Miami and by Richard both of whom stayed in touch until the work was delivered and I expressed my approval. It is a joy for me to have my work printed by such an outstanding craftsman and accomplished photographer . I can recommend the service enthusiastically." - Jerry M.
"I had the discipline not to open the print from Richard until I got to the framer I've worked with...for years. We opened up the box and were both stunned. That is one beautiful print." - John B.
"So majestic! As my eyes scanned the print, drinking in the whitest whites to the blackest blacks and every value of gray in between. A plethora of details were brought out, from a large white flower in the hair a woman in front to the long black plaits of someone's hair against a very dark background in the distance. Everything was amazingly defined and textured. My experience was extremely satisfying, from the choice of paper and tone for printing to the answering of my questions. Everything was done to make me confident, and once satisfied with my decisions, the process was swift and my print was in the mail. Opening the box and viewing the print was a celebration of excitement and joy. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone who values their work." - Lily E.
"I just wanted to express how happy I am with my boxed set of images printed by Richard Sexton. Seeing my images printed by an outstanding professional is transformative. Viewing images on a computer screen is convenient but there is a subtlety and richness that can only be achieved with expert printing. The tones are rich and finely graduated. The details are very crisp. You and Richard communicated well throughout the process. I have been prepping my next set of files to send to you for printing." - Peter H.


text:
Home Page Chess Life Online 2008 April Girls Nationals Kicks Off on Friday
Girls Nationals Kicks Off on Friday |
By Jennifer Shahade | |
April 24, 2008 | |
The 5th Annual All-Girls Nationals, presented by the Dallas Chess Club and the Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) kicks off Friday April 25 with a simultaneous
by Irina Krush. Reigning U.S. Women's champion and IM Krush will be in a particularly inspired mood for the girls, as she was just awarded the 2008 Samford Fellowship. The main event begins on Saturday, April 26 with four rounds, and two more on Sunday. Some notable pre-registered players include 2008 U.S. Women's Championship wild card Courtney Jamison, World Youth silver-medalist Sarah Chiang and members of the many-time National Championship team I.S. 318 Darrian Robinson and Angelica Berrios, pictured to the left. Other high-ranked entries include Anna Matlin, Medina Parilla, Sylvia Yang and Linda Diaz. Check out the full list here. At stake in the Under 18 section is a Scholarship to the University of Texas at Dallas, valued at over $65,000 for an out-of-state student. KCF President Michael Khodarkovsky is happy that this year the tournament will include: "195 registered players and the strongest ever field of competitors so far." Look for Irina Krush's wrap-up on the event on Chess Life Online. |


text:
We should have a much shorter working week—down from 40 hours or more to 21 hours. While people can choose to work longer or shorter hours, we propose that 21 hours—or its equivalent spread across the calendar year—should become the standard that is generally expected by government, employers, trade unions, employees, and everyone else.
The Vision
Moving toward much shorter hours of paid work offers a new route out of the multiple crises we face today. Many of us are consuming well beyond our economic means and well beyond the limits of the natural environment, yet in ways that fail to improve our well-being—and meanwhile many others suffer poverty and hunger. Continuing economic growth in high-income countries will make it impossible to achieve urgent carbon reduction targets. Widening inequalities, a failing global economy, critically depleted natural resources, and accelerating climate change pose grave threats to the future of human civilization.
A "normal" working week of 21 hours could help to address a range of urgent, interlinked problems: overwork, unemployment, over-consumption, high carbon emissions, low well-being, entrenched inequalities, and the lack of time to live sustainably, to care for each other, and simply to enjoy life.
21 Hours as the New "Norm"
Twenty-one hours is close to the average that people of working age in Britain spend in paid work and just a little more than the average spent in unpaid work. Experiments with shorter working hours suggest that they can be popular where conditions are stable and pay is favorable, and that a new standard of 21 hours could be consistent with the dynamics of a decarbonized economy.
There is nothing natural or inevitable about what's considered normal today. Time, like work, has become commodified—a recent legacy of industrial capitalism. Yet the logic of industrial time is out of step with today's conditions, where instant communications and mobile technologies bring new risks and pressures, as well as opportunities. The challenge is to break the power of the old industrial clock without adding new pressures, and to free up time to live sustainable lives.
To meet the challenge, we must change the way we value paid and unpaid work. For example, if the average time devoted to unpaid housework and childcare in Britain in 2005 were valued in terms of the minimum wage, it would be worth the equivalent of 21 percent of the UK's gross domestic product.
Planet, People, and Markets: Reasons for Change
A much shorter working week would change the tempo of our lives, reshape habits and conventions, and profoundly alter the dominant cultures of western society. Arguments for a 21-hour week fall into three categories, reflecting three interdependent "economies," or sources of wealth, derived from the natural resources of the planet; from human resources, assets, and relationships, inherent in everyone's everyday lives; and from markets. Our arguments are based on the premise that we must recognize and value all three economies and make sure they work together for sustainable social justice.
Safeguarding the natural resources of the planet.
Moving toward a much shorter working week would help break the habit of living to work, working to earn, and earning to consume. People may become less attached to carbon-intensive consumption and more attached to relationships, pastimes, and places that absorb less money and more time. It would help society to manage without carbon-intensive growth, release time for people to live more sustainably, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Social justice and well-being for all.
A 21-hour working week could help distribute paid work more evenly across the population, reducing ill-being associated with unemployment, long working hours, and too little control over time. It would make it possible for paid and unpaid work to be distributed more equally between women and men; for parents to spend more time with their children—and to spend that time differently; for people to delay retirement if they wanted to; and to have more time to care for others, participate in local activities and do other things of their choosing. Critically, it would enable the "core" economy to flourish by making more and better use of uncommodified human resources in defining and meeting individual and shared needs. It would free up time for people to act as equal partners, with professionals and other public service workers, in co-producing well-being.
A robust and prosperous economy.
Shorter working hours could help to adapt the economy to the needs of society and the environment, rather than subjugating society and environment to the needs of the economy. Business would benefit from more women entering the workforce; from men leading more rounded, balanced lives; and from reductions in workplace stress associated with juggling paid employment and home-based responsibilities. It could also help to end credit-fuelled growth, develop a more resilient and adaptable economy, and safeguard public resources for investment in a low-carbon industrial strategy and other measures to support a sustainable economy.
Transitional Problems
Of course, moving from the present to this future scenario will not be simple. The proposed shift towards 21 hours must be seen in terms of a broad, incremental transition to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Problems likely to arise in the course of transition include the risk of increasing poverty by reducing the earning power of those on low rates of pay; too few new jobs because people already working take on more overtime; resistance from employers because of rising costs and skills shortages; resistance from employees and trade unions because of the impact on earnings in all income brackets; and more general political resistance that might arise, for example, from moves to enforce shorter hours.
Necessary Conditions for Tackling Transitional Problems
Work is beginning at the New Economics Foundation to develop a new economic model that will help to engineer a "steady-state" economy and address problems of transition to 21 hours. There is much work yet to be done. In our report 21 Hours we set out some suggestions to stimulate further debate and thought, but they are not definitive solutions. They focus on achieving shorter working hours, ensuring a fair living income for all, improving gender relations and the quality of family life, and changing norms and expectations.
Achieving shorter working hours.
Conditions necessary for successfully reducing paid working hours include reducing hours gradually over a number of years in line with annual wage increments; changing the way work is managed to discourage overtime; providing active training to combat skills shortages and to help long-term unemployed return to the labor force; managing employers' costs to reward rather than penalize taking on extra staff; ensuring more stable and equal distribution of earnings; introducing regulations to standardize hours that also promote flexible arrangements to suit employees, such as job sharing, extended care leave, and sabbaticals; and offering more and better protection for the self-employed against the effects of low pay, long hours, and job insecurity.
Ensuring a fair living income.
Options for dealing with the impact on earnings of a much shorter working week include redistribution of income and wealth through more progressive taxation; an increased minimum wage; a radical restructuring of state benefits; carbon trading designed to redistribute income to poor households; more and better public services; and encouraging more uncommodified activity and consumption.
Improving gender relations and the quality of family life.
Measures to ensure that the move toward 21 hours has positive rather than negative impacts on gender relations and family life include flexible employment conditions that encourage more equal distribution of unpaid work between women and men; universal, high-quality childcare that dovetails with paid working time; more job-sharing and limits on overtime; flexible retirement; stronger measures enforcing equal pay and opportunity; more jobs for men in caring and primary school teaching; more childcare, play schemes, and adult care using co-produced models of design and delivery; and enhanced opportunities for local action to build neighborhoods that everyone feels safe in and enjoys.
Changing norms and expectations.
There are many examples of apparently intractable social norms changing very quickly—for example, attitudes toward the slave trade and votes for women, wearing seatbelts and crash-helmets, and not smoking in public places. The weight of public opinion can shift quite suddenly from antipathy to approval as a result of new evidence, strong campaigning, and changing circumstances, including a sense of crisis. There are some signs of favorable conditions beginning to emerge for shifting expectations about a "normal" working week. Further changes that may help include the development of a more egalitarian culture, raising awareness about the value of unpaid labor, strong government support for uncommodified activities, and a national debate about how we use, value, and distribute work and time.
We are at the beginning of a national debate. The next step is to make a thorough examination of the benefits, challenges, barriers, and opportunities associated with moving toward a 21-hour week in the first quarter of the 21st century. This should be part of the great transition to a sustainable future.
This article was originally posted by New Economics Foundation


text:
Xvfb is an in-memory display server commonly used to execute programs that require a UI in a server which does not have a screen output. Using Xvfb is very convenient when your automated tests are executed in a remote server and orchestrated by a Continuous Integration system.
While having a VNC server running in production instances is not always a great idea due to the potential security flaws, opening port 5900 on this server to allow external connections sounds even worse. This post will guide you through the steps required to access a remote VNC server via an SSH tunnel, without opening any additional ports.
Assuming that Xvfb is already running in your server and the display has been exported to :99, the next step is to install x11vnc:
sudo yum install -y x11vnc
IMPORTANT: Connections to remote x11vnc servers are not password protected by default which leaves your server accessible to potential attackers. Make sure x11vcn is always started with the argument '-rfbauth '.
We will now establish the tunnel to access the x11vnc server through SSH. This needs to be done in your workstation:
ssh -i [SSH key] -l [username] -L 5900:localhost:5900 [server hostname] 'x11vnc -display :99 -localhost -rfbauth [VNC server password file]'
You are now ready to access your remote server screen by using a VNC client in your workstation and connecting to localhost:5900


text:
Heritage, arts & culture
Chung Tian Temple
Chung Tian Temple was constructed using traditional Chinese architecture in 1992. Surrounded by nature, the Temple provides a peaceful and culturally beautiful venue for the community to celebrate their multicultural diversity and multi-faith harmony through Humanistic Buddhism. School and visitor tours are conducted and you are invited to explore the grounds which are filled with wildlife.
The Temple also conducts weddings, tea ceremonies, baby blessings, meditation, Buddhism and Chinese classes. The temple is a must see attraction in the City of Logan.


text:
Center Scholar Interview in Wall Street Journal
Prof. Richard Vedder on college subsidies
In a weekend interview with The Wall Street Journal, Mackinac Center for Public Policy Scholar Richard Vedder is called the "foremost expert on the economics of higher education."
Vedder directs the Center for College Affordability and Productivity at Ohio University and was interviewed to discuss President Barack Obama's recent tour of colleges and his proposal that seeks to tie financial aid to college performance. Vedder said that some of the president's ideas make "decent, even good sense," but that the plan is "not dealing with the fundamental problems."
College costs have continued to explode despite 50 years of ostensibly benevolent government interventions, according to Mr. Vedder, and the president's new plan could exacerbate the trend. By Mr. Vedder's lights, the cost conundrum started with the Higher Education Act of 1965, a Great Society program that created federal scholarships and low-interest loans aimed at making college more accessible.In 1964, federal student aid was a mere $231 million. By 1981, the feds were spending $7 billion on loans alone, an amount that doubled during the 1980s and nearly tripled in each of the following two decades, and is about $105 billion today. Taxpayers now stand behind nearly $1 trillion in student loans.
Meanwhile, grants have increased to $49 billion from $6.4 billion in 1981. By expanding eligibility and boosting the maximum Pell Grant by $500 to $5,350, the 2009 stimulus bill accelerated higher ed's evolution into a middle-class entitlement. Fewer than 2% of Pell Grant recipients came from families making between $60,000 and $80,000 a year in 2007. Now roughly 18% do.
This growth in subsidies, Mr. Vedder argues, has fueled rising prices: "It gives every incentive and every opportunity for colleges to raise their fees."
Subsidies for colleges act as a disincentive for them to cut costs — driving up the price for students. In the meantime, there is no evidence that more subsidies lead to economic growth or job creation.
Two statistics in the interview stand out in particular: In 1970, 12 percent of college graduates came from the bottom quartile. Today that number is 7 percent. And the six-year graduation rate for most universities is about 55 percent. These numbers are despite massive increasing subsidies over the past decades.
A Wall Street Journal editorial about the Obama tour summed this up: "Politicians subsidize the purchase of a good or service, prices inevitably rise in response to this pumped-up demand, and then the pols blame the provider of the good or service for responding to the incentives the politicians created. Think housing finance and medical care."
Luckily, cheaper (and better) alternatives to traditional higher education are emerging. The only thing that can slow that down would be more government interference.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.