text:
During an Oct. 13 press conference at the Keystone Cement Company in East Allen Township, Pa., U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (Pa.-15) questioned the use of federal government financing to support the construction of a cement importation terminal in Staten Island, N.Y.
Dent, Co-Chair of the House Cement Caucus, was joined by employees from all five cement producers in the Lehigh Valley, including local members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and Teamsters unions, in calling on the Obama Administration to reconsider the federal government's support for this project.
The importation facility, known as the Staten Island Terminal, will be completed with the help of $28 million in bond assistance authorized by the 2009 Stimulus Bill. The new terminal will allow the Peruvian cement producer Cementos Lima to import 25 to 30 cargo ships of South America cement to the New York City region each year, significantly reducing the demand for domestic cement, a key industrial product in the Lehigh Valley economy.
Dent voiced his opposition to the use of federal government financing on this project, saying,
"It is unbelievable that legislation billed as a job creator is providing the key financial backing for a project that will harm a crucial domestic industry and cause the net loss of hundreds of American jobs, largely for the benefit of a foreign competitor."
It is estimated the amount of cement that will be imported through the Staten Island Terminal each year is equivalent to the annual production of an entire cement plant in the Lehigh Valley (roughly 880,000 tons). Local cement producers are concerned this new terminal may easily result in the closure of one or more plants in Pennsylvania."
In his comments, Dent was also critical of the Obama Administration and Congressional supporters of the Stimulus Bill for failing to include adequate safeguards in the legislation to prevent the use of tax dollars on projects that ultimately jeopardize American jobs.
"The President and his Congressional allies placed expediency above responsibility when they hastily drafted the stimulus bill, which was sold to the American public as a job creator. A year after its enactment, the American people are discovering the so-called Stimulus not only failed to create sustainable jobs, but is supporting foreign manufacturers at the expense of a historic domestic industry," Dent said.
In an August 2010 letter to United Steelworkers (USW) union President Leo Gerard protesting the government's support for this project, a local USW representative explained, "Enactment of the ARRA [Stimulus Bill] was about creating jobs and rebuilding our deficient roads and bridges. To date, very little ARRA funds have been dedicated for these projects. In this case, an "import cement terminal" was supported by elected representatives without the wisdom of its long term impact on jobs and the use of American made products." (Letter attached)
Last month, Dent sent a letter to the President imploring him to address growing concerns that foreign companies are benefiting from the Stimulus. In the letter, Dent explained, "I believe it is imperative that the Administration use greater discretion and more thorough analysis when determining the recipients of ARRA support. I am certain you share my belief that ARRA should not benefit foreign companies at the expense of American workers and their families, and will work to remedy this alarming problem before more domestic jobs are lost."


text:
HANDLANDY Kids Gardening Gloves for Age 2-13, 12 Pairs Nitrile Coated Toddler Garden Gloves for Childrens Little Girls Boys Youth
✿Nitrile coated garden gloves for kids, free of natural rubber latex, avoid potential allergies and discomfort with our kids gardening gloves. Design for high breathability and keeps hands cool and dry, soft and easy to manipulate.
✿These bright color kids gardening gloves perfect for both boys and girls who like to help in the garden or work outside.
✿Knit wrist ensures a perfectly fit and keeps hands free of dust and dirt. Ideal for little girls boys toddle to do gardening, DIY light duty works and outdoor activities.
✿These child size gardening gloves will keep kids hands clean but protect them. Let your little helper to enjoy doing the outside work! Enjoy catching lizards, bugs and all that creepy stuff!
✿12 pairs of childrens gardening gloves fits most toddler, kids 2-13 years. Five size to choose: Size 2 (fit for 2-4 year old), Size 3(fit for 5-6 year old), Size 4 (fit for 7-8 year old),Size 5 (fit for 9-10 year old), size 6 (fit for 11-13 year old)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Good Heifer Development Is All Or Nothing
When developing replacement heifers, no single management tactic is more important than any other – you have to cover all the bases.
A single equals two. Whether it's a double play or two runs home, that's baseball math. It's also why every manager since the beginning of the game has hollered at his players, "cover your bases."
It makes sense to Ron Hoffman. In cowboy math, however, covering your bases might very well mean a home run.
Hoffman owns Hoffy's Heifers near Bayard, NE, where he develops and sells commercial bred heifers and first-calf heifer pairs to a variety of ranchers. While moving from a commercial cow-calf operation to a niche like replacement heifers has been profitable, it takes a different management mindset.
So, if you're thinking to take advantage of the long-awaited cowherd expansion that will happen shortly after the rains come sweeping across the Plains, Hoffman's advice is simple: you've got to cover all the bases.
"Anybody can buy some heifers, put some feed in them, turn in a bull, hit a hot market, and succeed for a year or two," he says. "But ultimately, if you're going to be in the heifer development business, you have to have your customers' success first and foremost. If you don't, you probably won't be in business very long."
Hoffman defines customer success as a heifer that delivers a live calf, breeds back and has another good calf, and becomes a profitable part of the herd for six years or more. To help his customers succeed under that definition, Hoffman's program develops heifers to get through the window of vulnerability that the first and second calves represent. "The more I can do to help the success my heifers will have for the rancher, the more success I'll have," he says.
Tips for success
So, if you want to get into the heifer business, consider these tips.
"You've got to have quality in the cattle, quality breeding," he says. He buys all his heifer prospects in the fall, off the cow and weighing 550-575 lbs. They're developed over the winter, bred the following spring when they weigh 700-750 lbs., and then marketed as customers need them. He's fortunate, he says, that western Nebraska has many top-notch seedstock producers, so there's plenty of great genetics available.
Beyond that, it's management. He says you've got to have quality nutrition with good grass, a good mineral program, and enough energy and protein supplementation to keep them growing after the snow flies. A quality health program is a given and your bull power has to be right – calving ease and low birthweights, yet reasonable growth potential. "And you've got to either learn how to ultrasound or have a veterinarian who ultrasounds for you. That's important to get them into calving groups – it adds a lot of value to have short, defined calving times."
Genetic potential
Trouble is, while the development program allows each heifer to express her genetic potential, how do you know what that genetic potential really is? Until recently, assuming she didn't miss a calf and get culled, you didn't really know until her fourth or fifth calf.
That's changed, thanks to DNA marker technology.
"You have a pen of beautiful, deep-bodied, thick heifers, and you can DNA test and find the two or three that have low stayability; that's two or three that you save a rancher from showing up open. That definitely affects his bottom line," Hoffman says.
Hoffman was into his second round of DNA data in 2012 and is now positioned to begin using the data to sort heifers. "At the start, we didn't put any selection pressure on the scores," he says. "So my customers got a gate-cut of their type of heifer," based as it always had been, on visual appraisal.
Another Perspective: Building Better Beef Replacement Heifers
But since he had the DNA data, Hoffman provided it to his customers and asked them to let him know how the heifers did. "So we're going to be able to start applying the technology both to the 2012 calf crop and use it quite a bit on the heifer calves" of the replacements he keeps and sells as bred pairs.
"After getting some feedback, we've found where we've got to be on stayability," he says. "So if we can eliminate that trend (of low stayability), we can generally raise the probability that our heifers will really perform."
As such, he'll draw a cutoff line for stayability and sort from that. Any heifer, regardless of how good she looks, gets culled if her stayability score falls below the cutoff line.
Then he'll eyeball the heifers and sort according to each customer's needs. "We try to get the right heifer to the right environment," he says. Some cattlemen like bigger-framed, growthy heifers and are willing to feed them accordingly. "They look for the high-output cattle," he says. Others run a low-input operation where large-framed, high-input heifers wouldn't work.
Since the DNA data gives an indication of average daily gain, along with tenderness, marbling, calving ease and stayability, he can route the higher-growth heifers to the operations that can manage them better, while still keeping an eye on stayability.
Russ Slager of McCook, NE, is one such customer. "We sell on carcass and we want to grow big calves fast," he says. "So we look for maternal traits that will give us the biggest bang for our buck."
That means milk and maternal instinct wrapped up in a big, framey heifer. "That will all come to fruition for us this year," he says. "We'll be able to correlate the DNA numbers of the phenotypes we want. And we'll know. We'll have a big animal that will mother well. Then when we track that back down through the DNA and where these heifers came from, we'll know that's where we want to buy heifers from in the future."
Another Look: Commercial Producers Share Their Replacement Criteria
For Bob Meismer of Ogallala, NE, having the DNA data available on the heifers he buys helps him several ways. But he's taking a patient approach to using the data.
"I'm not convinced, until you get past one or two calves, that you can really assess performance," he says. So he wants a heifer to breed back twice, maintain good milking conditions through her first and second calf, maintain a good body score, and show plenty of mothering ability. Then he'll look at her DNA data and use that as a roadmap. "After you get a couple of years' performance, you've got something that you really want to track, you really want to look for and you really want to retain for," he says.
Enjoy what you are reading? Subscribe to Cow-Calf Weekly for industry news and updates every Friday.
"We're looking for everything we can put in our toolbox to track predictability and performance," he says, "because the key for us is that we need a calf we can market one of three directions. We need a calf with enough weight to sell right off the cow and meet our financial and performance expectations; we need a calf we can take to the backgrounding lot and hit certain target weights to hit our financial expectations in terms of performance; and then we finish some calves out and have expectations there as well."
He thinks including DNA data in his toolbox of performance records will help him select cattle to better meet those challenges. "You have these things that come along and if it's beneficial to your program, you've got to do it because you can't afford not to do it," he says.
Hoffman agrees. "For a commercial heifer, it's about as close as you can get to an EPD," he says. In that regard, Hoffman looks at the data as a way to raise the bottom end.
"I don't think it's designed to pick out the perfect animal," he says. "You work to find the trends and work the trends in your favor so the percentages are higher. If you can eliminate the bottom heifers, and the ones more apt to be open, that's where the real value of the technology comes in."
You might also like:
15 Questions To Consider Before Buying Farmland
What Do Young People Need To Stay In Rural America?
Picture Perfect Summer Grazing Scenes From Readers
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like


text:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/12/12
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MR. CARNEY: How is everyone today? Welcome to the White House. Thanks for being here, as ever. I have no announcements to make at the top, so I'll go straight to Ben Feller of the Associated Press.
Q Thanks, Jay. I had a question that I think carries over from the campaign to the White House, so I'll give it a try here. The campaign said today in a call that Governor Romney has either misrepresented himself on his SEC filings and committed a felony, or if not, he's not being honest with the American people about when he left Bain. And I'm wondering, just as a matter of principle and character, whether President Obama stands by that position, that he thinks Governor Romney is dishonest.
MR. CARNEY: Well, I would say a couple of things. One, the campaign I think did address this, so this is a campaign-specific question and I would direct most of your inquiries to the campaign.
The President feels very strongly that we need to take action in Washington to reward companies that insource, that bring jobs back to the United States, that build industries here in the United States, and to eliminate incentives that exist in our tax code that -- incentives to companies to outsource, to move jobs overseas. That's his position, and his record, his commitment, is demonstrated throughout his presidency to this general principle.
There's been some discussion about the Recovery Act. The entire purpose of the Recovery Act was to grow the American economy and grow American jobs here at home, and that's what it did. It's widely recognized to have broken the back of the recession, to have reversed the situation where we were losing jobs at a rate of 750,000 per month to one where we've created over 4.2 million private sector jobs. The Recovery Act alone is viewed by outside economists as having saved or created over 3 million jobs.
And it was one of the principles -- the Recovery Act had many components, but one was to provide direct relief to states to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs in areas like public schools and police and fire departments. Another was to give the middle class a tax cut to help it weather this terrible recession. And another was to make some long-term investments in industries that would help the economy grow in the future, and that includes in the clean energy industry.
And one of the successes of the Recovery Act was getting companies that had the choice of building facilities in China or India or Europe or the United States to make the choice to build in the United States. And there is example after example of that -- the advanced battery industry is a good one. It was virtually nonexistent, when this President took office, in this country, had about 3 -- U.S. companies, U.S. facilities had about 3 percent of the market, and we're well on our way to having a substantial portion of that market because of the investments in the Recovery Act.
So I can talk about the President's position on insourcing versus outsourcing, his demand that Congress act to end incentives that encourage companies to outsource. But for campaign-related specifics, I'd refer you to the campaign.
Q Okay. One quick follow on that before going on to another subject. Again, I think this goes straight to the President, so I'll try -- when Romney became the presumptive nominee, the President called him and -- I'm paraphrasing here but essentially said, congratulations, and we ought to have a big debate about the future of the country. Does the President think that what's happening right now, this debate about who's telling the truth, who's lying, is this befitting of a presidential campaign?
MR. CARNEY: The President believes that there is a great deal at stake in this election. You hear him say often that this election in many ways might be more consequential than the last one. What we have now is a situation where there are two starkly different visions about how we need to move the country forward economically. He remarks -- and I think it is remarkable, as somebody who covered it -- that the President succeeded a Republican who believed in immigration reform. He ran against a Republican who believed that climate change was real. There has been a -- the differences between the two parties and their positions and their visions have become more and more stark in a short period of time.
The matter of tax fairness, the issue of what you would do to encourage the development of economic -- the development of industries here in the United States to create jobs for American workers here in the United States, and what you would do to prevent or discourage companies from outsourcing -- those are fundamental matters of debate, because, as the President said, he could not agree more with the idea that the economy is the number-one issue in this debate. And he is very interested in having that discussion.
I mean, if you're referring to the article in the Boston Globe, that was a piece of reporting by your colleagues that -- it's not something the campaign produced. So it's an interesting read, but beyond that, I would refer you to the campaign.
Q The other topic is the Penn State report. I'm wondering if the President has been made aware of the findings or -- and if the White House has a reaction.
MR. CARNEY: I haven't spoken with him about that today, but I suspect he is aware. He addressed this not long ago and I think he made an observation that I know he feels deeply, which is that what happened at Penn State is a reminder that institutions have -- individuals and institutions have grave responsibilities to make sure that our children are taken care of and protected. And it is an indication perhaps that -- well, it is a clear indication that that responsibility was not taken with the seriousness that it needs to be taken by institutions across the country.
So as you know, he's a devoted sports fan so followed this story. And again, I haven't spoken with him about it yet today but I'm sure he's aware of it.
Yes, Jeff.
Q Jay, can the President do more to show leadership on being transparent with regard to documents, records, his own background? That's another sort of underlying theme here that the campaigns are clearly going at.
MR. CARNEY: Are you talking about Donald Trump? (Laughter.)
Q Not talking about Donald Trump.
MR. CARNEY: Well, you'd have to ask me a specific question. I think the President's record of unprecedented levels of transparency in the White House is well established. His record as a candidate, both when he ran for the Senate and when he ran for President in 2008 and now as a candidate for reelection, in terms of transparency is a solid one and reflects a long tradition of being an open book, as I think he described it when he was asked this question not long ago.
That's part of the process. It's not always pleasant or comfortable, but it has become a well-established tradition in our country to make available information about one's private dealings. That just comes with the territory. So he not only accepts that but practices and believes that it's the right thing.
Q I know this has been asked for years, but one thing that people -- at least on the -- among his opponents, continue to bring up is the -- his college records.
MR. CARNEY: Right. This is a Donald Trump question, which I think --
Q That's the Donald Trump.
MR. CARNEY: -- he's the one who brings it up the most.
Q But what's the answer to that particular question?
MR. CARNEY: I would refer you to the campaign. It is preposterous -- this is from the guy who insisted that he didn't believe the President was born in the United States. And it is funny, every once in a while when I sit back in my office and remember all the things that seemed to be the most important issue of the day, and there were briefings after briefings where that was the most important issue of the day, to the point where we had to solicit the long form of the President's birth certificate.
And again, the President's record on transparency is extremely sound. He has provided the kind of documentation that candidates for President have now, by tradition, provided for 30 years. And he believes it's the right thing to do.
Q All right, swapping to one -- sorry -- last non-campaign or transparency-related question. Yesterday you couldn't confirm that this ambassador had defected.
MR. CARNEY: I can confirm that the Syrian ambassador to Iraq defected. And I think the Syrian government's response was, "you can't quit, you're fired" -- which is another sign of the desperation, I think, that is enveloping the Assad regime. We are seeing daily now more and more indications that Assad is losing his grip, that those around him, both in his inner circle and more broadly in the military and governmental leadership, are beginning to assess Assad's chances of remaining in power, and hopefully beginning to assess Assad's legacy -- his legacy of brutality -- and making the choice that they will abandon him in favor of the Syrian people. So this is another example of that.
Q Following up on that, can you confirm the ambassador's location? There are reports that he's in Qatar.
MR. CARNEY: I cannot confirm that. I don't know.
Q Okay. And going back to some of the questions yesterday about the President not speaking to the NAACP -- you referred most of those questions to the campaign, and yet President Obama delivered a videotaped message that seemed to have been taped in the White House. So why does this fall under the umbrella of the campaign?
MR. CARNEY: Well, the campaign is handling a lot of his scheduling for campaign-related events. Again, I think the President's opponent appeared, and --
Q You think?
MR. CARNEY: I'm told. (Laughter.) The President films a lot of videos -- I haven't seen this one -- but to events that he cannot attend or is not able to attend for scheduling reasons or whatever reason. So I'll have to get back to you. I'm not even sure what room he filmed it in.
Q Do you know when he filmed it, and was it because there were a lot of questions about the fact that he was not going to be attending --
MR. CARNEY: Absolutely not. I can't remember exactly when he filmed it. I'm sure it was recently. He, as you know, films his weekly address and other video messages every week, and it is absolutely routine when he does not -- or is not able to attend an event, but wants to be able to send a message, that he will videotape that message and provide it to the convention or conference or gathering in his stead.
Q So why not announce yesterday, when you got all of these questions about it, he would be delivering a videotaped address?
MR. CARNEY: I think you're reading something into this that there isn't. The issue was would he attend and why didn't he attend. He provides a video as a matter of routine to events he doesn't attend.
Q And just following up also on the discussions about the sequester -- you said yesterday that the OMB is developing an analysis in case the sequester should be put in place. Can you give us a sense of where specifically they are in that analysis? And at what point do they begin to contact other departments?
MR. CARNEY: I don't have a date-specific for that. Obviously you know the sequester is written not to take effect until the beginning of next year, as I understand it. As we have made clear, should it get to the point where Congress has failed to do its job, as dictated by Congress, and the sequester may take effect, OMB and DOD and the various agencies will be ready.
But we do not believe that should come to pass. The whole point of the Budget Control Act was to create a trigger, a forcing mechanism that was so onerous that nobody wanted it to come to pass. The defense cuts, the President agrees, are too steep; the non-defense cuts, the President believes, are too steep. That is why Congress needs to come together and make some hard choices around the kind of balanced proposal that the President and every other person who has looked at this seriously, including bipartisan commissions, agrees must be taken in order to deal with our long-term deficit and debt challenges.
We've accomplished, in spite of all the rancor and disagreement, close to $2 trillion -- I think $2 trillion in non-defense discretionary cuts. There is more that needs to be done, and we need to address that through a balanced approach that Congress needs to take up. And that's how we avoid the sequester, which was never meant to be implemented.
Q Jay, in talking yesterday about tax cuts, you mentioned that the President was always open to compromise. So I want to ask you, how locked in is the $250,000 ceiling? I mean, could it be adjusted to $500,000 or $1 million? Is there some play?
MR. CARNEY: Bill, what I've said -- and I appreciate the question -- the President's position is what it has always been. He will not extend tax cuts to the wealthiest 2 percent of the American people. He is committed to extending, and believes we should make permanent, tax cuts for 98 percent of taxpaying Americans -- a middle-class tax cut for Americans who need it.
And this is because we simply can't afford to spend another close to a trillion dollars over 10 years on tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of American earners. One of the reasons why we have the fiscal situation that led to the super committee and the Budget Control Act and the negotiations last year is because those two tax cuts were promoted by the previous President, passed through Congress and signed into law, and were totally unpaid for. And what we saw, as a result in part of those policies and many other policies that were implemented, was the slowest job creation of any expansion in recent memory. We saw the middle class put under even greater stress and saw its incomes stagnate and shrink while more affluent Americans saw their wealth increase. And if all that weren't bad enough, we had the great recession, the worst financial and economic crisis of our lifetimes.
So it's not that hard to deduce that we shouldn't do that again. What we should do, since we all agree it's the right thing to do -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- is extend the tax cuts for 98 percent of the American people. Pass it now -- the President will sign it right away. And then we can continue to debate whether or not the right economic policy, the right policy to improve job creation, to improve economic growth in our country is to give more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.
And I understand that there are people in Washington who believe that is the right policy. There are candidates for office who believe that is the right policy, that that is the ticket -- that is the key to future economic growth. And that is a debate we should have. But we should not hold 98 percent of American taxpayers hostage. We should not say you're not going to get a tax hike unless the wealthiest 2 percent get a tax cut. We should all agree on the idea that 98 percent of American taxpayers should get a tax cut, get that security and certainty, and then debate the issue of tax cuts for the wealthy.
Q But as you know, there are supporters of the President, Democratic leaders who think they can -- who calculated they could go up to a million dollars and still have sufficient revenue to --
MR. CARNEY: The President firmly believes that we cannot afford to extend tax cuts over $250,000. He has made his position clear. I think you've seen broad support from Democrats for the President's position. And we certainly hope to see the Senate given the opportunity to vote on that proposal in the near future.
Yes, Ann.
Q Thanks. Was the President serious on Monday when he said -- challenged Congress for an immediate vote on this? Because yesterday in the Senate, twice during floor action, that was proposed so long as they voted on something else as well, a different version as well. And both times it was -- did the President discuss that with the Democratic leaders? And did --
MR. CARNEY: The President was deadly serious. And as I said yesterday -- and as I think if you dig into it will recognize what was proposed in a gimmick by Senator Hatch was not the President's proposal. In fact, it left out the extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit and other tax provisions that would have resulted, if that were passed, in a tax hike for 18 or 25 million American families.
So that was a gimmick. The Senate is in a process of considering very important tax relief for small businesses that the President has initiated and supports. And there will be a vote, we hope, on the President's proposal, which includes all the middle-class tax cuts that were part of the President's plan. And he believes that there will be strong support from the Democratic Party for that -- and that there should be 100 percent support in the Senate, because -- I don't know, go to their websites -- doesn't everybody in the Republican Party support tax cuts for the middle class? And if so, they should vote for it.
Q On the NAACP speech, the Vice President's office says that that was a political appearance of his today. And I assume that the President's video was a political one --
MR. CARNEY: I have to -- the problem is I haven't seen it as I was just asked about this.
Q It looked like a radio -- a weekend address.
MR. CARNEY: But I think we were referring to the campaign on this because this is a question.
Q My question is this. The Vice President used the official presidential seal on his podium, as the President did on Friday at Carnegie Mellon, using the presidential seal, at what was clearly announced as a campaign. Is he changing the policy now? Is he going to start using the presidential seal --
MR. CARNEY: You've covered a number of Presidents, Ann, and you will find that many Presidents running for reelection have, when they stand in front of that particular podium, used the presidential seal. It's government -- that podium is government property. We don't hang campaign signs on it. We use the presidential seal.
Q And in almost every one of President Obama's campaign appearances during this cycle, he has not.
MR. CARNEY: I think if you look at -- again, we can have this discussion in more detail, but if you pay close attention to it and you look at the podium, you'll recognize that when that podium is used that we use the presidential seal.
Q I'm going to ask another question since Bill Press took mine.
MR. CARNEY: I'll give you a little time while -- (laughter.)
Q No, that's okay. I got it. I got it. So, number one, should we expect some of the Iran sanctions to be coming today? And since we're here now and they haven't yet, can you tell us, if so, what they are? And also, can you talk to us a little bit about tomorrow's trip and any travel next week in terms of what he wants to accomplish from a policy perspective, as well as the politics of the travel?
MR. CARNEY: I have no announcements to make on sanctions. I can tell you that we have seen that the actions taken by this administration and with a great deal of unanimity around the world in isolating and pressuring Iran have had an impact, an economic impact on the regime in Tehran, which the leaders there have themselves acknowledged and spoken about. And we will continue to put pressure, working unilaterally and with our partners, on the Iranian regime until they make the right choice, which is to abide by their obligations to the United Nations, to the international community, with regards to their nuclear ambitions.
I believe that the upcoming travel that you're referring to is campaign travel. But I think the point you make is a good one, which is that the President has been and will continue to talk about -- as well as his broader message that the campaign can discuss with you in more detail -- some very specific things that have to do with what Congress can do now, what we can do now to help the American economy grow and create jobs. And that I think begins with what we've been discussing already today, which is the need to have Congress extend the middle-class tax cuts.
I think I mentioned yesterday -- people -- "oh, isn't that just a political issue, because the Republicans aren't going to go along with it? Republicans are complaining that you're trying to beat them over the head with this by supporting middle class tax cuts." And my answer to that is if that is what you fear, then take the opportunity away from him by extending the middle-class tax cuts. That's what he wants. He thinks it's right for the economy, he thinks it's right for the middle class, and would not be happier to sign that thing -- that bill right away if the opportunity presented itself.
Q And just a quick follow-up -- since it's turning into that season where so many days now he'll be on the road, and many of these days will be almost entirely campaign days for schedule purposes, how is he -- how have you guys broken out how he manages the time that he needs for policy stuff? I mean, obviously you can do all that stuff. There's communication on the plane. But if a foreign leader calls, the briefing is on actual issues and what's going on -- how do you schedule time into those days for him to do that?
MR. CARNEY: Well, that's a good question and it's obviously one that every incumbent President must confront if he or she is running for reelection, as the President is. We, as previous Presidents have, benefi+ted from the sophistication of the operations here in the White House that provides the kinds of communication capabilities that a President requires when he or she travels and that allows for the kind of instantaneous communications needs that a President has on the road.
But he gets, as you know -- I think you and I talked about this a little either earlier this week or last week -- a President of the United States, even when he or she is running for reelection, is President of the United States 24 hours a day and seven days a week. And, therefore, the presidency travels with him or her wherever he goes. And that requires a national security staff and obviously -- Secret Service and other staff -- but other White House staff that travel with him, in addition to campaign staff who are helping him manage the events that he is engaged in.
So it's no different from President George W. Bush when he ran for reelection or President Bill Clinton when he ran, and I'm sure Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush before them. But I remember some stories a few months ago that talked about how we were not ramping up quick enough. And the President is committed to -- when I say "we", I mean that the campaign was not ramping up quick enough. And the President's first commitment is to his responsibilities in office. And that is just a reality that you have to accept if you're President, that there are going to be times when the campaign has to wait because he has to make important decisions, have important conversations with foreign leaders, or meetings with staff and others -- members of Congress -- to get the work done that needs to be done.
Yes, give me one second. Go ahead.
Q Did the President discuss --
MR. CARNEY: You have to tell me who you are first.
Q Yes. I'm Tamara Keith, from NPR.
MR. CARNEY: Oh, yes. Sorry, somebody emailed me about that and then I blew it -- nice to see you. Thank you for being here.
Q It's nice to see you. Did the President, when meeting with the congressional leaders yesterday, discuss any sort of a timeline for a vote on the middle-class tax cut proposal?
MR. CARNEY: Well, I think we provided a readout. I don't have a date specific for you. They discussed a number of issues, including the middle-class tax cut, other items on the congressional agenda, actions that Congress can take to help small businesses, actions that Congress can take to put construction workers and teachers back to work. But I don't have a specific date for you. I tend to leave Senate scheduling up to the Majority Leader.
Q Absolutely. The criticism is that there isn't even language yet. And I don't know --
MR. CARNEY: I don't think it's that complicated. The President wants to extend the so-called Bush tax cuts as well as the other middle-class tax cuts the President put into place for a year. And these tax cuts go to 98 percent of American taxpayers. He does not support and does not believe we can afford extending tax cuts for the top 2 percent in this country. And that is his position. There will be an opportunity for the Senate to vote on that, as Majority Leader Reid has said, but I will leave it to him to announce when that's going to happen.
Q Just following up on Margaret's line of questioning, I have no doubt that when there are urgent priorities that in his job as President he makes the time to make that happen. But when it gets to the point where he's campaigning almost every day on the road, what goes? I mean, there's only so many hours in the day and he does still have to sleep, so where -- what is it that he has been doing all along that he won't have time for when he's in intensive campaign mode?
MR. CARNEY: Well, I think as you might expect, and you have seen in previous administrations, that there is less foreign travel in a campaign reelection year. Foreign travel tends to take up a great deal of time; it's very important. This President has traveled widely in pursuit of American interests around the globe. But it is certainly the case that there will, I'm sure, be fewer days out of the country this year for the President than in previous years. I think that's a result of the reality of the campaign year.
But other than that, I think that there really is the opportunity between the days he's here and his capabilities when he's traveling, the opportunity to get the briefings he needs, have the interactions with foreign leaders that he needs, and congressional leaders that he needs. And as I mentioned before, there will be times, I'm sure, when a planned stop on a campaign -- for a campaign event has to be delayed or postponed or cancelled because of some pressing business of the presidency. And that's just how it is. But it's nothing to complain about, right? I mean, he's running for reelection and that's part of the process.
Q Jay, on the seal, can you say why there was a change of policy in using the seal on lecterns at political events? Your predecessor made it clear during the midterms that President Obama would not use the seal at purely political events.
MR. CARNEY: Mark, I would just refer you to past practice of previous Presidents. When this President is at campaign events that involve raising funds for the campaign, he uses campaign -- depending on the event, whether there's a podium or not. In this case, as has been the practice of his predecessors running for reelection, there are times when it's entirely -- it is certainly in keeping with past precedent and appropriate to have the presidential seal on the podium behind which he is standing because he is actually the President of the United States.
Q Well, I'm not saying he shouldn't use it. I'm just saying that two years ago you said one thing and now you're saying another.
MR. CARNEY: Well, I don't know that comment specifically, but I can tell you that this is in keeping with past precedent. And I would point you to photographs of previous Presidents running for reelection --
Q Oh, yes.
MR. CARNEY: You understand that, right? You seem doubtful, but I can find photos for you.
Q It's a change for you now. This is the first -- as far as we know, the first campaign event President Obama has done all year, at Carnegie Mellon he used the seal on a podium he uses all the time.
MR. CARNEY: I think I've addressed this in detail. Let me get to Brianna.
Q Did the President watch Vice President Biden's address to the NAACP?
MR. CARNEY: I think he was in meetings. He doesn't have a TV in the Oval.
Q And was it the CBS interview, is that why he couldn't go -- the scheduling conflict?
MR. CARNEY: It hasn't happened yet.
Q But I mean preparation for it or something -- is that --
MR. CARNEY: That hasn't happened either.
Q Did that -- somehow did that figure into it? So I mean, what was it? What was the scheduling --
MR. CARNEY: There are meetings all the time. I don't know who he's meeting -- he has the presidential daily briefing; he has -- as much as he would like to, he doesn't get to watch often me at the podium or -- maybe he wouldn't like that -- or members of his administration, Cabinet members speak. So I can't guarantee you he didn't watch it because I wasn't in whatever meeting he was in, but I'm pretty confident he didn't.
Q And on the tax cuts, the President has said that he would veto an across-the-board extension. Would he veto anything over the $250,000 threshold?
MR. CARNEY: This is the reincarnation of you from yesterday and Bill from today. He does not believe and it is not his position that we should extend tax cuts beyond the 98 percent who fall under the $250,000.
Q He will veto --
MR. CARNEY: He will veto, as I've said and he has said, any extension of the high-end Bush tax cuts.
Q -- across the board.
MR. CARNEY: Again, it is -- there are no proposals for that. Because then we could go, well, what about $251,000? Or $332,000? Or $723,000? His position is -- look, and there's a reason for it, right? I mean, I think that's generous in terms of the definition of middle class, right? It's certainly -- $250,000, it's only --
Q It just makes --
MR. CARNEY: -- hold on -- there's only 2 percent of American earners who make more than that, first of all. That 2 percent accounts for -- in the Bush tax cuts -- nearly a trillion dollars over 10 years, a trillion dollars that we cannot afford as we try to get our fiscal house in order. Two, it is important because sometimes when the questions are asked and this policy is explained, it is important to remember that everybody under this proposal gets a tax cut on their first $250,000 in earnings.
So maybe some TV folks here -- I don't know -- who make more than that, you'll get -- if you make $500,000, you get a tax cut -- (laughter) -- on your first $250,000 of income. It's not that if you're one of the wealthiest Americans you don't get any tax cut.
Q I'm not asking about that.
MR. CARNEY: No, I know, but I wanted to take this opportunity to explain that everyone -- every taxpaying American gets a benefit from this extension.
Q But when he laid down the gauntlet on the across-the-board, and then you won't say veto -- you just say that's his position, you're not saying veto, it's just --
MR. CARNEY: I said veto.
Q Above the $250,000 threshold.
MR. CARNEY: I'm not aware of any proposals -- I can't --
Q Anything between -- somewhere between -- it makes it seem like you're aware that you're asking for something you're not going to get.
MR. CARNEY: Where is there some bill that you were talking about before that's being written perhaps as we speak that has it at $250,000 and 50 cents -- then I said he would veto it if it's over that. He will not support legislation that extends tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent. The 2 percent threshold is a $250,000 threshold.
Q Jay, I want to take you to an obscure topic but it's an important one. I'm not sure it's actually been discussed in the briefing room -- Libor. So my question to you is what lessons is the President taking from the trail that the Libor manipulation is leaving us with the CFTC's investigation of this bank and other banks that may be implicated? What lesson is he taking? I know we talked about --
MR. CARNEY: I'm trying to -- London -- I was trying to pass that test this morning. I would refer you and your questions to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. I have not had this conversation with the President, so I cannot address that. I can tell you that, as I understand it, they issued a statement the other day noting that after they received reports of problems with Libor, they shared suggestions with Libor -- this goes to the New York Fed part of this.
But in terms of the broader implications, I haven't had that conversation with him. But I think, broadly speaking, this President took up the issue of Wall Street reform and is committed to its implementation because it's important that everybody play by the same set of rules and that -- not just because that's how it should be, but because it's important for our economy and it's important for the global economy.
So that's a broad statement about his position on things. I don't want to get too involved in Libor because I know it's under investigation.
Yes, and then Mark.
Q This week you have criticized, and at times, kind of gently mocked Republicans' definition in some cases of small businesses as including some hedge fund managers and lawyers and so forth. Republicans, in turn, criticize the President's plan that his tax cut plan would benefit 97 percent of small businesses. So here's my question --
MR. CARNEY: Let me just be clear -- it's not a claim. It's been established by the Joint Tax Center; it's been well documented by outside -- in fact, we're being kind in our definition of it because I believe the JTC said it was only 2.7 percent. So it's really 97.3 percent of small businesses would fall under the -- even under the definition that the Republicans put forward do not have more than $250,000 in revenue.
So, to your question.
Q Thank you.
MR. CARNEY: It's not just our claim. I mean, we are citing -- I think Ann asked me where did that come from, and we provided that information -- we even put it on the briefing.
Q For a couple decades, under various presidential administrations, the Small Business Administration has been at times criticized by journalists for giving money to companies that are really not small businesses -- they're larger than small businesses. This is an ongoing kind of dispute. What is the President's definition of a small business? Is it based on the number of employees? Is it based on the annual revenue? What is it based -- does he have a definition?
MR. CARNEY: Well, I haven't had a -- I'm not sure that he has his own personal definition. I'm sure that he looks to the SBA and the SBA Administrator for that. But the fact of the matter is, and I think the point that we are making here when we talk about this debate with Republicans who sort of ignore the fact that -- or try to ignore the fact that included in their definition of small businesses are hedge fund managers and law partners and others -- is that 97.3 percent of small businesses benefit from the extension of the tax cut who file in this way -- S corps who file in this way benefit from the extension of the middle-class tax cuts.
It is simply not a viable claim to say that this is going after small businesses -- unless you want to argue that Warren Buffett and other folks, and hedge fund managers are small businesses.
Did you know that by the Republican definition of small business, half of the Forbes 400 wealthiest individuals are small businesses? I don't think that's what most Americans have in mind when they think about -- when they hear politicians talk about -- and politicians of both parties talk about this that small business is the economic engine of economic growth. They think of small businesses that hire a handful of employees -- or perhaps scores of employees -- but they don't think hedge funds, and they don't think of law firms. They think of the kinds of small businesses that they see when they walk through their towns, and maybe the kinds of small businesses that they themselves own.
So this is the debate we're happy to have because we're right.
Q Jay, can I follow?
MR. CARNEY: Yes. Sorry.
Q The SBA's definition of small businesses, depending upon what it's doing, from a manufacturing concern, have 1,500 workers. And the criticism of the impact of the tax cuts is they would impact while only 2-and-change percent of the small businesses, nearly half the small business income -- and that's where the jobs are being created.
MR. CARNEY: But again, that is, again, with a measure of -- do you know why there's a lot of income in that? Because there's hedge fund managers and law partners who are making millions -- right? And again, if you're a small business and you file under the personal income tax code, if you're an S corps, and you make $275,000, you get a tax cut on $250,000. And you benefit from every other tax cuts for small businesses that this President has passed and signed into law. And if you're a small business that's willing to make the investment in hiring a new worker or expanding your wage base, you'll benefit from the tax cut that the President is pushing Congress to pass this week.
Q I think the argument, though, is the tiny small businesses are not hiring. What we don't really want to think of is a small business concern with a thousand workers -- they are.
MR. CARNEY: I'm not sure what the point of your question is. Again, 97.3 percent, 97 percent of small businesses unaffected. By the Republican definition of a small business, the hedge fund managers would get a big tax cut, law partners would get a big tax cut.
Q But also a concern, a manufacturing --
MR. CARNEY: You would have to cite me real examples, instead of hypothetical ones, and perhaps there are. But those businesses would benefit not just from, if they file this way, from a tax cut for the first $250,000, but from every other tax cut that the President has passed into law -- 18 and counting -- and from a tax -- and when you talk about hiring, that's why Congress ought to pass the provision the President supports -- actually initiated -- that would reward small businesses if they hire more.
Q A company with a thousand workers, $250,000 tax cut means nothing to them.
MR. CARNEY: Wendell, you're talking about a hypothetical that I don't even know if it exists. If you want to come to me with -- or come to our economists with an example of a company with a thousand workers that files on personal income tax -- files under the personal income, is an S corps -- because we're talking -- I think you may be confused here with the corporate tax rate here and the individual tax rate.
Q I'm talking about the SBA's definition of a small business, which for --
MR. CARNEY: Wendell, the issue is how do they file their taxes. So we're talking about personal income tax rates. We're talking about extending tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans, individuals, and how they file. The issue -- the canard the Republicans put out there is that a lot of small businesses file as S corps, I believe it's called, and under the individual income tax code, 97 percent of them would not be affected by this.
Mark Landler of The New York Times.
Q Thank you, Jay. You addressed the issue of sequesters earlier, but I wanted to put it in a different context. Tomorrow the President is going to Virginia, a state that's economically dependent on military contracts. What should or will the President say to people in Hampton Roads and that area who don't understand the ins and outs and mysteries of sequesters; all they know is what they're hearing, which is that next year they could face these devastating cuts in military contracts -- what message would the President have for those people?
MR. CARNEY: Well, I think you would make clear that what he supports, what he signed into law, what bipartisan majorities of both parties passed last year, was a legislative commitment by Congress to take action to avoid the sequester. The Secretary of Defense, the President and others have made clear they do not support cuts in defense spending that would be called for in the sequester, as well as the President made clear cuts in non-defense in spending that's called for in the sequester.
The cuts were -- the across-the-board cuts were objectionable and onerous to both sides for a reason. That's why Congress has to act. And I think for defense industries and others, that there is -- for everybody who cares about this issue, and everybody should, it's a reminder of why we need to -- we, the American people, need to remind Congress that it's important to compromise and take a balanced approach here; that it is not the right policy to balance our -- or get our fiscal house in order and deal with our deficits and debt by asking only senior citizens, only the middle class, only parents with children with disabilities to bear the burden.
And that's what the bottom line is. I mean, that has been the stoppage, the stalemate, that's been created by the Republican insistence that there be no revenues as part of a balanced approach. And that's unsustainable. And in the end, the President believes, we will get that balanced approach because it is what the American people support and it's the right thing for our economy.
Q Thanks, Jay.
MR. CARNEY: All right. Yes, sorry.
Q Can I ask one --
MR. CARNEY: I thought there might be one.
Q Yes. I mean, the President's message for the last two or three trips outside of Washington has been, let's give the middle class some certainty, let's give them a tax cut. So the certainty in a time of economic uneasiness is a key part of his message. Now he's going to Virginia and saying, on the one hand, I want to give you certainty, but on the other hand, I can give you no certainty on a key component of your local economy, which is the military contracting business. Doesn't that sort of complicate his message?
MR. CARNEY: Well, I'm not -- he can't give -- I mean, here's the thing. Congress passed a law. The point he's making with extending the middle-class tax cuts is that here is something, amidst all this stalemate, that Democrats and Republicans all agree we should do, which is extend tax cuts for 98 percent of the American people -- American taxpayers. So amidst -- this is the little diamond in the sand, right, that let's do that, we all agree on it, let's do that. And let's create -- and that does create an important amount of economic certainty not just for the recipients of that tax cut but for the broader economy. It addresses a portion of the so-called fiscal cliff. Let's do it now. Let's continue to debate the issues where we -- where there is contention and disagreement.
But it is not the answer to simply say, we didn't mean it -- we, Congress -- when we signed this into law. We didn't -- I mean, the point is Congress needs to make some tough choices and deal with our deficit and debt in a balanced way. And if the answer is, well, we don't really want to do that after all, then that takes away the very purpose of the sequester, which was to force Congress to make some tough calls.
Q But he's not saying with the same urgency, let's deal with the sequester issue now, let's get this settled now before we get to January, that he's saying the tax cuts, which -- so are you at all worried that --
MR. CARNEY: Well, first of all, you're saying "this week." I mean, the President has been talking about the urgency to deal with our deficit and debt in a balanced way all year. And last fall -- it is embodied in his several budget proposals, and embodied -- he talked about it in the State of the Union, he talked about it in his budget proposal, he talked about it all spring -- winter and spring. And you'll continue to hear him talk about it.
It was disappointing that the super committee didn't get its act together, that Congress didn't do the right thing. It was disappointing that an unelected person who passes out petitions seems to have more power and authority in Congress with the Republican Party than its leaders. But we need to break that logjam so that that balanced approach is adopted to create the kind of foundation for future economic growth that the President believes we need to do.
Thanks, all.
Q Jay, week ahead?
MR. CARNEY: Sorry -- it's Thursday, isn't it? (Laughter.)
Q Yes.
MR. CARNEY: So I don't have a week ahead. Okay.


text: From a learner to a cookery author! Niru Gupta did not realize to what lengths her newly discovered passion for cooking and eating would take her, when she started delving in it after marriage. One thing led to another - Her first book, Cook My Dear, led to her appearance on Khaana Khazana on Zee TV, from there on to writing more cookery books and again an appearance on Meri Saheli on Star Plus and a few episodes on NDTV Good Times, while she was an in-house chef for their website, Ndtvcooks.com. Ms Gupta has by now authored Nine Books - Everyday Indian, No Onion - No Garlic, Vrat Ka Khaana, Microwave Indian Cookbook, Weightloss Cookbook, Cooking the UP Way, Cook My Dear, Handbook of Western Cookery and Pashchimi Paak Pranali.


text:
Retail Critical Infrastructure Solutions
Retail Technology Challenges
Retailers face many challenges in today's rapidly changing landscape. Moore's Law states that technology tends to double every two years while simultaneously becoming more accessible and affordable.
This is certainly true in retail as security and essential services are critical concerns. The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought technology to the Edge of the storefront allowing sales staff to become more efficient and provide better service for their customers. This rapidly changing landscape provides significant challenges.
Retail facilities require continuous, clean, and reliable power to support critical IT infrastructure and ensure 24/7 continuity. Loss of power can result in data loss and worse yet, loss of infrastructure availability such as internet and telecommunications which is especially important in today's marketplace.
The keys to ensuring customer safety, protecting your reputation, and boosting financial stability start with building your organization's reliability through optimized critical infrastructure along with flexible services and support for customers and staff.
Factors such as aging physical infrastructure, rising energy costs, natural disasters, ever-changing regulatory requirements, rapid changes in sales strategies, and a shortage of skilled workers also contribute to technology risks for retailers.
How Technology Is Transforming the Retail Landscape
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea that the internet will expand to many items in the world besides phones and computers. These items will be accessible via the internet wherein you can pull data and/or affect them.
Allowing staff access to tablets or smart devices is an example of this. These devices can both enhance the customer experience and provide the ability for sales staff to more effectively provide customer service. From the restaurant table to the car dealership lot, the Internet of Things is transforming retail experiences.
Here are four ways the IoT can change your work today:
- Remote Monitoring
- Can provide status updates and up-time reports for critical infrastructure through wireless communications allowing franchise offices to quickly resolve potential problems.
- Precision Recording and Reporting
- One of the major benefits of using machines is their objectiveness. As long as the machine is functioning properly, it is less prone to data-entry mistakes.
- The Advent of "Smart Stores"
- IoT is allowing stores to become "Smart" through connecting various devices, retail applications, interactive experiences, digital signage, and many more technologies that collect, analyze, and transmit data. This data can then be used to improve the customer experience, provide personalized communications, and enhanced security.
- Cost and Time Savings
- Like any major upgrade, the initial investment of both money and time into the IoT will be high. You might need to completely revamp your technology base and retrain your staff. The returns, however, are unbelievable. No more faulty data recording, no more inaccurate reports, no more wasted time and money on inaccurate analysis or data records. In the long run, the IoT is the next big step toward efficiency, automation, and accuracy.
Interoperability & Secure Data Transfers
Interoperability allows multiple retail stores to work together and exchange data to provide the best experience for their customers. To do this, each organization must communicate the others and send very sensitive documents through the internet. Here are a few perks of interoperability:
- Fast Access to Data
- Collaborating with other organizations allows you to get the key data you need at faster speeds than ever before.
- Expanded Knowledge
- Sharing information allows everyone to develop a complete knowledge base, expanding the possibilities for every organization.
- Better Decisions
- With more information, managers and marketers will be better informed to make better decisions.
- Improved Customer Experience
- The ultimate goal of interoperability is to improve the experience for each customer. Sharing data empowers your staff to make the best decisions and build the best services possible.
Despite these benefits, interoperability and regular data transfer has some drawbacks.
- Risk of Hacks
- As more and more documents are sent over the web, secure connections must be ensured to protect from hackers. If your tech isn't up to security standards, interoperability isn't going to be safe for your customers or staff until you upgrade.
- Regulatory Compliance
- Any breach can result in incredibly large fines, loss of trust, and even a loss of revenue. Your tech needs to be able to protect your customers and your reputation before interoperability can begin.
- Data Security
- The biggest source of data breaches at any company isn't hackers or faulty tech, it's the staff in the workplace. Your staff will need to be trained on proper usage of the new technology and procedures to ensure data isn't compromised due to operator error.
Regulatory Environment
Retail is an incredibly stressful industry with significant impacts to customers. Not only do you need to provide quality services, you have to maintain your facilities and ensure your staff have the necessary technology in place to do their work.
The last thing you should need to worry about are malicious attacks on your systems or the effects of local natural disasters, but these events are all too common and growing ever more frequent. Improving the physical and virtual security of your environment is essential to preserving your operations and customer privacy.
The result of a noncompliance suit or inspection can be incredibly detrimental to your operations. Fines often stretch into the millions after a data breach and this is considered a generally good outcome. You need a partner who understands the stringent requirements you face and can build elegant code-minimum solutions.
Retail Critical Infrastructure Challenges
Network Security & Infrastructure Protection
- Technology is an incredibly important part of retail. Without a strong IT backbone, you won't be able to rely on the critical technology you need to help your customers.
- Your facilities need reliable power all day, every day.
- As interoperability and the Internet of Things expand, so, too, will your needs for greater security and power.
Enable the Retail Technology Edge
- As customers become more technologically sophisticated, new innovation must take place to ensure efficiency and drive rising costs back down.
- Deploying small branch center locations with connections to your data center expands your reach without compromising security, efficiency, or operational ability.
Distributed Technology Infrastructure
- Your facilities must meet the challenge of not only using legacy applications but applying them over outdated infrastructure. Some of these networks are comprised of hundreds of facilities all trying to use these programs at once.
- Without strong IT management resources, it can be impossible to know what's happening on your own network.
- Through a strong, connected network, you can simplify your IT management and empower your staff.
Retail Operations Efficiency
- Retail infrastructure consists of complex systems. You need all the power you can get out of your IT systems to meet requirements and prepare for new technology adoption.
- Pressure is rising to reduce your costs, improve performance, and increase staff productivity and efficiency.
- As the IoT grows, your systems will be increasingly taxed by the volume of incoming data and connected devices. Your infrastructure needs to keep up with growing requirements and your infrastructure efficiency needs to increase with each addition.
Enable "Green" Solutions & Sustainability
- Large retail facilities use a tremendous amount of energy. Getting the most efficient tech possible is a huge priority to drive down skyrocketing power costs and conserve funds.
- Energy-efficient equipment upgrades and replacements help decrease costs and the storefront's environmental footprint. Optimizing your infrastructure can be a simple but powerful way to lower costs.
Critical Power Quality Concerns
- Low power quality, poor installation, or problems in your electrical grid can severely impact critical infrastructure equipment and lower the quality of service for your customers.
- Unplanned equipment downtime due to power problems can severely impact critical services and put them at unnecessary risk.
- Clean, reliable, and efficient power starts with proper design, equipment selection, and installation. Regular system testing can also help ensure efficient, safe, and continuous operation.
Retail Technology Infrastructure Services
As you look to optimize your retail operations, we provide a variety of solutions to keep your infrastructure secure and online. Connect with us to schedule a call with one of our engineers to determine the best solution for your retail facilities.
How We Can Help
- Simplify the management and design of your IT infrastructure.
- Build your infrastructure power system into a reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly system.
- Aid your operations in the transition to IoT.
- Create compliant energy and data storage solutions.
- Empower you and your team to do the best work.
Transform Your Retail Critical Infrastructure with a Partner You Can Trust
Technology is ever-expanding and growing quickly in complexity and cost. You need a partner who understands the stringent requirements and incredible regulatory complexities of retail. You need a partner with industry experience, dedication to safety and efficiency, and expertise in IT fields.
We can help lower your power costs, increase your security, create an efficient network, establish strong infrastructure, and empower your team to provide the best possible environment for your customers and employees. Contact us today to start moving toward tomorrow!


text:
We offer an up-to-date database of reliable and trust-worthy local drivers, which contains information about their language knowledge, the exact price of the transfer, their car type, etc. Select the places of departure and arrival, as well as the date, and choose a driver. You can pay via credit card if it's more convenient, or by cash right after your transfer. The price indicated on the site is not subject to change. On average, the cost of your transfer will be lower than the market average by 40%. You can verify this by simply comparing our offer with the offers of our competitors. Our drivers are always on time.
We value our reputation and care about our customers' comfort. To make sure that our service level is top-tier, we organize workshops for our drivers regularly. The driver is removed from our database after a single violation of the rules of service and is denied the opportunity to work with us again permanently.


text:
Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.
Each week offers the opportunity to spotlight an up-and-coming release you are most excited about!
Waiting On:
Title: A Portrait of Emily Price
Author: Kathrine Reay
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: November 1st, 2016
From GoodReads
Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can't fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. When Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family, however, is another matter . . .Why I'm Waiting:
Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—finds herself in Atlanta, repairing objects damaged in a house fire. As she works to restore the home and dreams of one family, she strives to keep the pieces of her own life in perfect order and secure her own happy ending—a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.
But Chef Benito Vassallo's relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to reconnect with his brother and breathe new life into his aunt and uncle's faded restaurant, Piccolo. And soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.
Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben's proposal and follows him home. Upon landing in Rome, she is enchanted with Italy. But instead of allowing the land, culture and people to transform her, Emily imposes her will upon everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben's tightly knit family. Only Ben's father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily's life and art begin to blossom, and Italy's beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.
Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben's world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?
I fell in love with Kathrine Reay's writing with her first book Dear Mr. Knightly and it was solidified with her sophomore book, Lizzie & Jane. Her characters have so much depth and the stories just grip you. I can't wait to see what this story has to offer!
What are you waiting on this week?


text:
Transfer your prescriptions or book an appointment!
Your health is in good hands
Prescription Transfer
Are you moving or need to change pharmacies? Transfering your prescriptions to this pharmacy is easy!
Pharmacy Services
Zengshuan Ma Pharmacy License No. 2922 Pharmacy - Community (2023/24) Pharmacist permit No. 14095
On request, the licensee will provide the name and practice permit number of any regulated member who provides a pharmacy service to the patient or who engages in the practice of pharmacy with respect to the patient.
Click here to view the Alberta College of Pharmacy Patient Concerns poster.
Email Address
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by pharmacist owners who are affiliated with Guardian, I.D.A. and Remedy'sRx. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy.


text:
Get a water tank cleaning expert's call within few minutes
Vblue's water tank service is maintaining our dedication to provide you highest level of customer service. Appliances with advanced and intuitive technology to give our customers better results every time to provide a highly recommended and secured quality of services that can expend more efficiency and capability. Vblue work has provider superior and affordable water tank service, overhead water storage tank cleaning services, commercial water tank cleaning service, ETP tank cleaning service, cemented water storage tanks cleaning service, water storage tank cleaning services, we deliver quality in time the way customer wants it.
As water is the most important part of our lives, it undoubtedly needs to be clean. The overall quality of the water depends on how clean the water tank is hence cleaning of the water tank is very much important. Cleaning of the tank is a laborious process. In such cases.
We use carefully selected detailing products and tools sourced from world-renowned brands through extensive testing to give your precious vehicle that showroom finish. We develop a long term relationship with our customers by practicing fair principles.
Vblue's best cemented water storage tanks cleaning service provides and vblue good quality of services clean the all part of tank, you can just call on 8739089387 and resolve your problems of water tank at your doorsteps.
We provide all type of water storage tanks cleaing with high professional & trained professionals, we are clean all type of tanks as well as domestic, commercial, industrial, house, hotels, residential, societioes, schools, hospitals, offices, factories etc.
Overhead water tank cleaning may sound like too much of work, but it's important. You think of clean water, you install water filters in your home, you even boil water for your kids, but you must not forget about the water tank as well. Booking form dial customer helpline number8739089387 and expert professional will be at your door steps
Looking for a professional water tank cleaning services provider, you are at the right place, booking an expert water tank cleaning service provider was never any easier. All you need to do is to fill the booking form dial our customer helpline number 8739089387 and our expert professionals will be at your door steps.
Looking for a professional domestic water tank cleaning services provider, we treat every household as an individual case and pay great attention to any particular requirements. We go to great length to allocate a right cleaner to a right household, to make your cleaning arrangement hassle-free, efficient and provide value for money.
Are you concerned about the water that is used for your everyday functions, especially drinking. Do you feel that the water in your overhead water storage tank is not clean enough. Well you never have to stress about it anymore as housejoy is here to offer impeccable and top class home cleaning services.
We under take all types of water tank cleaning services are commercial water tank cleaning service, ETP tank cleaning service, cemented water storage tanks cleaning service, overhead water storage tanks cleaning, etc. Our professionals are highly skilled to check these services on various provisions of quality in order to fulfill the exact customer requirement with 100% satisfaction.
The professional will be able to advise the recommended service and final quote after visit your site.
Warranty or guarantee on parts is offered as described on the material's bill. Please insist on a material bill from the service partner, in case of external material charges. Regarding service, there is a 30 days warranty, such that if a problem of the same nature reoccurs, we will not charge any service amount.
We are providing services for all water tank cleaning service work such as water storage tanks cleaning service, water tank cleaning services, water tank Installation service, water tank cleaning services, window water tank, water tank cleaning services, commercial water tank cleaning service.


text:
Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw's Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you're ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
The Seventh Amendment of the Constitution entitles either party to demand a jury trial in an action for damages in the federal courts under 812 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which authorizes private plaintiffs to bring civil actions to redress violations of the Act's fair housing provisions. Pp. 191-198.
467 F.2d 1110, affirmed.
MARSHALL, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.
Jack Greenberg argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs were Michael Davidson, Sylvia Drew, Eric Schnapper, Patricia D. McMahon, Seymour Pikofsky, and Charles L. Black, Jr.
Robert D. Scott argued the cause for respondents. With him on the brief was Edward A. Dudek. *
[ Footnote * ] Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were filed by Solicitor General Griswold, Assistant Attorney General Pottinger, and Frank E. Schwelb for the United States, and by Norman C. Amaker for the National Committee against Discrimination in Housing.
MR. JUSTICE MARSHALL delivered the opinion of the Court.
Section 812 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, 82 Stat. 88, 42 U.S.C. 3612, authorizes private plaintiffs to bring civil actions to redress violations of Title VIII, the fair housing provisions of the Act, and provides that "[t]he court may grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, and may award to the plaintiff [415 U.S. 189, 190] actual damages and not more than $1,000 punitive damages, together with court costs and reasonable attorney fees . . . ." The question presented in this case is whether the Civil Rights Act or the Seventh Amendment requires a jury trial upon demand by one of the parties in an action for damages and injunctive relief under this section.
Petitioner, a Negro woman, brought this action under 812, claiming that respondents, who are white, had refused to rent an apartment to her because of her race, in violation of 804 (a) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 3604 (a). In her complaint she sought only injunctive relief and punitive damages; a claim for compensatory damages was later added. 1 After an evidentiary hearing, the District Court granted preliminary injunctive relief, enjoining the respondents from renting the apartment in question to anyone else pending the trial on the merits. This injunction was dissolved some five months later with the petitioner's consent, after she had finally obtained other housing, and the case went to trial on the issues of actual and punitive damages.
Respondents made a timely demand for jury trial in their answer. The District Court, however, held that [415 U.S. 189, 191] jury trial was neither authorized by Title VIII nor required by the Seventh Amendment and denied the jury request. Rogers v. Loether, 312 F. Supp. 1008 (ED Wis. 1970). After trial on the merits, the District Judge found that respondents had in fact discriminated against petitioner on account of her race. Although he found no actual damages, see n. 1, supra, he awarded $250 in punitive damages, denying petitioner's request for attorney's fees and court costs.
The Court of Appeals reversed on the jury trial issue. Rogers v. Loether, 467 F.2d 1110 (CA7 1972). After an extended analysis, the court concluded essentially that the Seventh Amendment gave respondents the right to a jury trial in this action, and therefore interpreted the statute to authorize jury trials so as to eliminate any question of its constitutionality. In view of the importance of the jury trial issue in the administration and enforcement of Title VIII and the diversity of views in the lower courts on the question, 2 we granted certiorari, 412 U.S. 937 (1973). 3 We affirm.
The legislative history on the jury trial question is sparse, and what little is available is ambiguous. There seems to be some indication that supporters of Title VIII were concerned that the possibility of racial prejudice on juries might reduce the effectiveness of civil [415 U.S. 189, 192] rights damages actions. 4 On the other hand, one bit of testimony during committee hearings indicates an awareness that jury trials would have to be afforded in damages actions under Title VIII. 5 Both petitioner and respondents have presented plausible arguments from the wording and construction of 812. We see no point to giving extended consideration to these arguments, however, for we think it is clear that the Seventh Amendment entitles either party to demand a jury trial in an action for damages in the federal courts under 812. 6
The Seventh Amendment provides that "[i]n suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved." [415 U.S. 189, 193] Although the thrust of the Amendment was to preserve the right to jury trial as it existed in 1791, it has long been settled that the right extends beyond the common-law forms of action recognized at that time. Mr. Justice Story established the basic principle in 1830:
NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 U.S. 1 (1937), relied on by petitioner, lends no support to her statutory-rights argument. The Court there upheld the award of backpay without jury trial in an NLRB unfair labor practice proceeding, rejecting a Seventh Amendment claim on the ground that the case involved a "statutory proceeding" and "not a suit at common law or in the nature of such a suit." Id., at 48. Jones & Laughlin merely stands for the proposition that the Seventh Amendment is generally inapplicable in administrative proceedings, where jury trials would be incompatible with the whole concept of administrative adjudication 8 and would substantially interfere with the NLRB's role in the statutory scheme. Katchen [415 U.S. 189, 195] v. Landy, 382 U.S. 323 (1966), also relied upon by petitioner, is to like effect. There the Court upheld, over a Seventh Amendment challenge, the Bankruptcy Act's grant of summary jurisdiction to the bankruptcy court over the trustee's action to compel a claimant to surrender a voidable preference; the Court recognized that a bankruptcy court has been traditionally viewed as a court of equity, and that jury trials would "dismember" the statutory scheme of the Bankruptcy Act. Id., at 339. See also Guthrie National Bank v. Guthrie, 173 U.S. 528 (1899). These cases uphold congressional power to entrust enforcement of statutory rights to an administrative process or specialized court of equity free from the strictures of the Seventh Amendment. But when Congress provides for enforcement of statutory rights in an ordinary civil action in the district courts, where there is obviously no functional justification for denying the jury trial right, a jury trial must be available if the action involves rights and remedies of the sort typically enforced in an action at law. 9
We think it is clear that a damages action under 812 is an action to enforce "legal rights" within the meaning of our Seventh Amendment decisions. See, e. g., Ross v. Bernhard, supra, at 533, 542; Dairy Queen, Inc. v. Wood, supra, at 476-477. A damages action under the statute sounds basically in tort - the statute merely defines a new legal duty, and authorizes the courts to compensate a plaintiff for the injury caused by the defendant's wrongful breach. As the Court of Appeals noted, this cause of action is analogous to a number of tort actions recognized at common law. 10 [415 U.S. 189, 196] More important, the relief sought here - actual and punitive damages - is the traditional form of relief offered in the courts of law. 11
We need not, and do not, go so far as to say that any award of monetary relief must necessarily be "legal" relief. See, e. g., Mitchell v. DeMario Jewelry, Inc., 361 U.S. 288 (1960); Porter v. Warner Holding Co., 328 U.S. 395 (1946). 12 A comparison of Title VIII with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, where the courts of appeals have held that jury trial is not required in an action for reinstatement and backpay, 13 is [415 U.S. 189, 197] instructive, although we of course express no view on the jury trial issue in that context. In Title VII cases the courts of appeals have characterized backpay as an integral part of an equitable remedy, a form of restitution. But the statutory language on which this characterization is based -
We are not oblivious to the force of petitioner's policy arguments. Jury trials may delay to some extent the disposition of Title VIII damages actions. But Title VIII actions seeking only equitable relief will be unaffected, and preliminary injunctive relief remains available without a jury trial even in damages actions. Dairy Queen, Inc. v. Wood, 369 U.S., at 479 n. 20. Moreover, the statutory requirement of expedition of 812 actions, 42 U.S.C. 3614, applies equally to jury and non-jury trials. We recognize, too, the possibility that jury prejudice may deprive a victim of discrimination of the verdict to which he or she is entitled. Of course, the trial judge's power to direct a verdict, to grant judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or to grant a new trial provides substantial protection against this risk, and respondents' suggestion that jury trials will expose a broader segment of the populace to the example of the federal civil rights laws in operation has some force. More fundamentally, however, these considerations are insufficient to overcome the clear command of the Seventh Amendment. 15 The decision of the Court of Appeals must be
[ Footnote 2 ] The Seventh Circuit here was the first court of appeals to consider this issue, but the reported decisions of the district courts are evenly divided on the question. In addition to the District Court in this case, the court in Cauley v. Smith, 347 F. Supp. 114 (ED Va. 1972), held that jury trial was not required in an action under 812. Kastner v. Brackett, 326 F. Supp. 1151 (Nev. 1971), and Kelly v. Armbrust, 351 F. Supp. 869 (N. D. 1972), held that jury trial was required.
[ Footnote 3 ] Petitioner married while the case was pending before the Court, and her motion to change the caption of the case accordingly was granted. 414 U.S. 1140 (1974).
[ Footnote 4 ] See, e. g., Hearings on Miscellaneous Proposals Regarding Civil Rights before Subcommittee No. 5 of the House Committee on the Judiciary, 89th Cong., 2d Sess., ser. 16, p. 1183 (1966).
[ Footnote 5 ] See Hearings on S. 3296 before the Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 89th Cong., 2d Sess., pt. 2, p. 1178 (1966).
[ Footnote 6 ] We recognize, of course, the "cardinal principle that this Court will first ascertain whether a construction of the statute is fairly possible by which the [constitutional] question may be avoided." United States v. Thirty-seven Photographs, 402 U.S. 363, 369 (1971), and cases there cited. In this case, however, the necessity for jury trial is so clearly settled by our prior Seventh Amendment decisions that it would be futile to spend time on the statutory issue, particularly since our result is not to invalidate the Civil Rights Act but only to direct that a certain form of procedure be employed in federal court actions under 812.
Moreover, the Seventh Amendment issue in this case is in a very real sense the narrower ground of decision. Section 812 (a) expressly authorizes actions to be brought "in appropriate State or local courts of general jurisdiction," as well as in the federal courts. The Court has not held that the right to jury trial in civil cases is an element of due process applicable to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment. Since we rest our decision on Seventh Amendment rather than statutory grounds, we express no view as to whether jury trials must be afforded in 812 actions in the state courts.
[ Footnote 7 ] See also Porter v. Warner Holding Co., 328 U.S. 395, 401 -402 (1946) (Emergency Price Control Act); Texas & Pacific R. Co. v. Rigsby, 241 U.S. 33 (1916) (Safety Appliance Act). The Courts of Appeals have similarly rejected the notion that the Seventh Amendment has no application to causes of action created by statute. See, e. g., International Brotherhood of Boilermakers v. Braswell, 388 F.2d 193, 197 (CA5), cert. denied, 391 U.S. 935 (1968); Simmons v. Avisco, Local 713, Textile Workers, 350 F.2d 1012, 1018 (CA4 1965); Arnstein v. Porter, 154 F.2d 464, 468 (CA2 1946), as well as the decision of the Seventh Circuit in this case, 467 F.2d, at 1113-1116. See generally Developments in the Law - Employment Discrimination and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 84 Harv. L. Rev. 1109, 1266 (1971).
[ Footnote 8 ] "[T]he concept of expertise on which the administrative agency rests is not consistent with the use by it of a jury as fact finder." L. Jaffe, Judicial Control of Administrative Action 90 (1965).
[ Footnote 9 ] See Rogers v. Loether, 467 F.2d 1110, 1115-1116 (CA7 1972); Developments in the Law, supra, n. 7, at 1267-1268.
[ Footnote 10 ] For example, the Court of Appeals recognized that Title VIII could be viewed as an extension of the common-law duty of innkeepers not to refuse temporary lodging to a traveler without justification, [415 U.S. 189, 196] a duty enforceable in a damages action triable to a jury, to those who rent apartments on a long-term basis. See 467 F.2d, at 1117. An action to redress racial discrimination may also be likened to an action for defamation or intentional infliction of mental distress. Indeed, the contours of the latter tort are still developing, and it has been suggested that "under the logic of the common law development of a law of insult and indignity, racial discrimination might be treated as a dignitary tort." C. Gregory & H. Kalven, Cases and Materials on Torts 961 (2d ed. 1969).
[ Footnote 11 ] The procedural history of this case generated some question in the courts below as to whether the action should be viewed as one for damages and injunctive relief, or as one for damages alone, for purposes of analyzing the jury trial issue. The Court of Appeals concluded that the right to jury trial was properly tested by the relief sought in the complaint and not by the claims remaining at the time of trial. 467 F.2d, at 1118-1119. We need express no view on this question. If the action is properly viewed as one for damages only, our conclusion that this is a legal claim obviously requires a jury trial on demand. And if this legal claim is joined with an equitable claim, the right to jury trial on the legal claim, including all issues common to both claims, remains intact. The right cannot be abridged by characterizing the legal claim as "incidental" to the equitable relief sought. Beacon Theatres, Inc. v. Westover, 359 U.S. 500 (1959); Dairy Queen, Inc. v. Wood, 369 U.S. 469, 470 -473 (1962).
[ Footnote 12 ] See also Swofford v. B&W, Inc., 336 F.2d 406, 414 (CA5 1964).
[ Footnote 13 ] Johnson v. Georgia Highway Express, Inc., 417 F.2d 1122, 1125 (CA5 1969); Robinson v. Lorillard Corp., 444 F.2d 791, 802 (CA4), cert. dismissed under Rule 60, 404 U.S. 1006 (1971); cf. McFerren [415 U.S. 189, 197] v. County Board of Education, 455 F.2d 199, 202-204 (CA6 1972); Harkless v. Sweeny Independent School District, 427 F.2d 319, 324 (CA5 1970), cert. denied, 400 U.S. 991 (1971); Smith v. Hampton Training School, 360 F.2d 577, 581 n. 8 (CA4 1966) (en banc); see generally Developments in the Law, supra, n. 7, at 1265-1266.
[ Footnote 14 ] See Comment, The Seventh Amendment and Civil Rights Statutes: History Adrift in a Maelstrom, 68 Nw. U. L. Rev. 503, 524-527 (1973).
[ Footnote 15 ] Although petitioner has emphasized that the policies underlying the Fair Housing Act are derived from the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, she expressly "does not maintain that these constitutional considerations could prevent a jury trial if a jury were otherwise required by the Seventh Amendment." Brief for Petitioner 7. Moreover, although the legislative history of Title VIII with respect to jury trials is ambiguous, there is surely no indication that Congress intended to override the requirements of the Seventh Amendment if it mandates that jury trials be provided in 812 damage actions. We therefore have no occasion to consider in this case any question of the scope of congressional power to enforce 2 of the Thirteenth Amendment or 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. [415 U.S. 189, 199]
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Citation: 415 U.S. 189
Docket No: No. 72-1035
Decided: February 20, 1974
Court: United States Supreme Court
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
FindLaw for Legal Professionals
Learn more about FindLaw's newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw's Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you're ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)


text:
Group Attendees: Any number of participants
Recorded Version: Unlimited viewing for 6 months ( Access information will be emailed 24 hours after the completion of live webinar)
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institutes (HRCI) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
This activity has been approved for
(General) recertification credit
The webinar training will address ADAAA, FMLA, and Worker's Comp laws that HR is responsible for upholding. When the laws are not followed, it increases the liability for the organization and interferes with a fair and equitable work environment for employees.
Why should you Attend There are times when the legal requirements of both FMLA and the ADAAA are similar, yet at other times one law contradicts another. We find that we can't comply with both laws at the same time, so which one takes precedence over the other? And where does WC come in?
Dr. Susan Strauss is a national and international speaker, trainer, consultant and a recognized expert on workplace and school harassment and bullying. She conducts harassment and bullying investigations and functions as an expert witness in harassment and bullying lawsuits. Her clients are from business, education, healthcare, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sector.
Dr. Strauss has conducted research, written over 30 books, book chapters, and journal articles on harassment,bullying, and related topics. She has been featured on television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles.Susan has a doctorate in organizational leadership. She is a registered nurse, has a bachelor's degree in human services and counseling, a master's degree in community health, and professional certificate in training and development.