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"Mr. Budget": Right-Wing Media Praise Paul Ryan's Harmful, Gimmicky Budget
Right-wing media figures are heaping praise on Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) budget plan, with one Fox host calling Ryan "Mr. Budget." In fact, Ryan's budget plan would harm many Americans: It increases taxes on the poor while cutting them for the wealthy, drastically cuts Medicaid and other needed safety net programs, and would cost millions of jobs by reducing federal spending during a still-weak economy.
Right-Wing Media Heap Praise On Ryan's Budget [1]
Romney Continues To Support Ryan's Budget [2]
Ryan's Budget Hurts The Poor While Helping The Rich [3]
Ryan's Plan Actually Increases Taxes On The Least Wealthy [4]
Ryan's Budget Funds Tax Cuts For The Richest Americans Through Cuts To Programs For Working Americans [5]
Ryan Budget Slashes Federal Aid To State And Local Governments [6]
Ryan Budget Would End Medicare As We Know It [7]
Ryan's Medicaid Cuts Would End Health Insurance Coverage For Millions [8]
Ryan Budget Would Cost Millions Of Jobs Within Just A Few Years [9]
Experts Call Ryan's Claim That His Budget Will Reduce The Deficit "Fraudulent" [10]
Right-Wing Media Heap Praise On Ryan's Budget
Fox's Cavuto Calls Ryan "Mr. Budget," Suggests He Should Receive "A Medal For Trying" To Solve Budget Problems. Fox News host Neil Cavuto referred to Congressman Paul Ryan as "Mr. Budget" and praised him for his work on his budget proposals, saying: "You'd think we'd give him a medal for trying." [Fox News, Your World with Neil Cavuto, 8/13/12]
HotAir: "Ryan's Budget Actually Works." Citing an Investors Business Daily article defending Ryan from claims that his budget is radical and extreme, conservative blogger Ed Morrissey claimed:
Ryan's budget actually works, and it plays in the arena of the possible, at least in today's political and media climate. One only needs to look at the hysterical reaction to Ryan's plan to return to what had been the pre-2000 norm of spending and revenue to understand just how difficult it has been to even get this common-sense plan passed through a Republican-controlled House.
Elections are choices. This one's really not to difficult to make. [HotAir, 8/4/12 [11]]
National Review's Lowry: Ryan Budget Vision "Deserves A Serious, Honest Debate." In a National Review Online post, editor Rich Lowry defended the Ryan budget's changes to Medicare and concluded:
What the Ryan plan offers, most fundamentally, is a vision of a reformed entitlement state that won't require massive new tax increases or debt to fund. For all the talk of the "radicalism" of his budget, it keeps taxes at a slightly higher level of GDP than they have averaged over the past several decades. Ten years from now, federal spending still would be at a higher level of GDP than it was at the end of the Clinton years.
This vision -- now at the center of the campaign - deserves a serious, honest debate, and will assuredly not get it. [National Review Online, 8/14/12 [12]]
Romney Continues To Support Ryan's Budget
Romney On Ryan Budget: "We're On The Same Page." Responding to reporters' questions about the differences between his budget plans and that of his running mate Congressman Ryan, Mitt Romney described himself as "on the same page" as Ryan concerning their budget plans:
"I'm sure there are places that my budget is different than his, but we're on the same page," Mr. Romney told reporters on an airport tarmac here Monday evening.
Pressed further to cite a couple areas where their plans would diverge, Mr. Romney said differences may exist, but he passed on naming any. "There may be, we'll take a look at the differences," Mr. Romney said. [The Wall Street Journal, 8/13/12 [13]]
But Ryan's Budget Hurts The Poor While Helping The Rich
Nobel Laureate Economist Paul Krugman: "Over The Medium Term ... It's A Plan To Savage The Poor While Giving Big Tax Breaks To The Rich." In a March 21 post on his New York Times blog, Paul Krugman noted that Ryan's plan would "savage the poor while giving big tax breaks to the rich:
[Ryan's] latest budget proposal has received some harsh critiques. It calls for huge tax cuts, supposedly offset by closing loopholes and ending tax expenditures - except that in a long report he fails to name a single tax expenditure that he would cut. It assumes drastic cuts in discretionary spending, basically eliminating everything except defense. And over the medium term, of course, it's a plan to savage the poor while giving big tax breaks to the rich. [The New York Times, Conscience of a Liberal, 3/21/12 [14]]
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich: "Guiding Principle" Of Ryan Plan Is To "Reward The Rich And Cut Off The Help To Anyone Who Needs It." In a March 21 Huffington Post blog post, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich wrote that Paul Ryan's latest budget plan is based on the "guiding principle" to "reward the rich and cut off the help to anyone who needs it":
The real contrast is over what the plan does for the rich and what it does to everyone else. It reduces the top individual and corporate tax rates to 25 percent. This would give the wealthiest Americans an average tax cut of at least $150,000 a year.
The money would come out of programs for the elderly, lower-middle families, and the poor.
Seniors would get subsidies to buy private health insurance or Medicare - but the subsidies would be capped. So as medical costs increased, seniors would fall further and further behind.
Other cuts would come out of food stamps, Pell grants to offset the college tuition of kids from poor families, and scores of other programs that now help middle-income and the poor.
Not surprisingly, the Pentagon would be spared.
So what's the guiding principle here? Pure Social Darwinism. Reward the rich and cut off the help to anyone who needs it. [The Huffington Post, 3/21/12 [15]]
CBPP: Ryan Budget "Would Likely Produce The Largest Redistribution Of Income From The Bottom To The Top In Modern U.S. History." Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), found that Ryan's budget plan would "likely produce the largest redistribution of income from the bottom to the top in modern U.S. history":
The new Ryan budget is a remarkable document -- one that, for most of the past half-century, would have been outside the bounds of mainstream discussion due to its extreme nature. In essence, this budget is Robin Hood in reverse -- on steroids. It would likely produce the largest redistribution of income from the bottom to the top in modern U.S. history and likely increase poverty and inequality more than any other budget in recent times (and possibly in the nation's history). [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/21/12 [16]]
Ryan's Plan Actually Increases Taxes On The Least Wealthy
CBPP: Ryan Budget Hikes Taxes For The Neediest, Cuts Them Deeply For The Rich. The CBPP reported that a Tax Policy Center analysis found that the Ryan plan's tax cuts disproportionately benefit those at the top, while the poor would see a tax increase. Indeed, people making less than $30,000 would all see an increase in taxes. The effect of Ryan's plan on after-tax income is demonstrated in the following graph:
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/12/12 [17]]
CBPP: "Millionaires Would Receive More Than One-Third" Of New Tax Cuts In Ryan Budget. The CBPP said that the Tax Policy Center's analysis "show that people making more than $1 million a year would receive 39 percent of the new Ryan tax cuts even though they constitute less than one-half of 1 percent of U.S. households."
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/12/12 [17]]
Congressional Joint Economic Committee: "Most Households Making Less Than $200,000 Will See Their Taxes Increase Under The Ryan Plan." A report by Sen. Bob Casey's (D-PA) Joint Economic Committee staff noted that while Ryan's budget cuts taxes for the richest Americans, it eliminates deductions for state and local taxes, mortgage interest, employer-provided health insurance, and 401(k) contributions, all of which hurt middle class Americans. The report concludes that "a typical household earning between $50,000 and $100,000 and filing jointly will face a tax increase under the Ryan plan of $1,358." [Joint Economic Committee, 6/20/12 [18]]
Ryan's Budget Funds Tax Cuts For The Richest Americans Through Cuts To Programs For Working Americans
CBPP: Nearly Two-Thirds Of Cuts In Ryan Plan Come From Programs For Low-Income Americans. A CBPP analysis of Ryan's budget blueprint stated that it "violates basic principles of fairness" because it "would get at least 62 percent of its $5.3 trillion in nondefense budget cuts over ten years (relative to a continuation of current policies) from programs that serve people of limited means."
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/23/12 [19]]
Ryan Budget Drastically Cuts Food Stamps
CBPP: Ryan's Proposed Reductions In Food Stamp Spending Could Cut 8 Million Needy People From The Program. The CBPP examined the Ryan budget plan's $133.5 billion cuts to the food stamp program and found that "policymakers couldn't possibly achieve cuts of this magnitude without substantially scaling back SNAP eligibility or reducing benefits deeply." The CBPP stated that "[i]f the cuts were to come solely from eliminating eligibility" for "currently eligible households," "more than 8 million people would need to be cut from the program" if cuts began right away. [Center on Budget and Policy priorities, 4/18/12 [20]]
Ryan Budget Sharply Cuts Aid For College Students
CBPP: Ryan Budget May Cut Up To $166 Billion In Pell Grants For Low-Income Students. A CBPP report titled, "Chairman Ryan gets 62 Percent of His Huge Budget Cuts from Programs for Lower-Income Americans" found that Ryan's plan could cut up to $166 billion in Pell Grants for low-income students:
The Ryan documents show that $758 billion in cuts would come from mandatory programs just in the income security portion of the budget (function 600), and the bulk of the mandatory spending in that category goes for low-income programs. The documents also show $166 billion in mandatory cuts in the education, training, employment, and social services portion of the budget (function 500), which, based on the discussion in the Ryan budget documents, would likely come mainly from the mandatory portion of the Pell Grant program for low-income students. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/23/12 [19]]
Education Trust: Ryan Budget Targets College Students For Cuts. The Huffington Post reported that an analysis from "the national reform organization Education Trust" shows that the Ryan budget targets Pell Grants and subsidized student loans that help poorer students attend college:
The plan proposed by Ryan (R-Wis.), who chairs the House Budget Committee, would chop away at Pell grant eligibility, thereby reducing total Pell grants by about $170 billion over the next decade; allow the interest rate for federally subsidized Stafford loans to double; end student loan interest subsidies for those still in school; and make Pell spending discretionary -- instead of mandatory -- allowing further cuts down the line. Pell grants, the largest source of federal financial aid, currently help more than 9 million students to afford college. Following last year's budget standoffs, next year's maximum Pell grant of $5,645 will cover just one-third of the average cost of college -- the smallest share ever.
The budget would cut Pell grant eligibility for students who attend classes on a less-than-halftime schedule -- which usually means low-income students who need to work their way through college. [The Huffington Post, 4/5/12 [21]]
Ryan Budget Slashes Federal Aid To State And Local Governments
CBPP: Ryan Budget Would Slash Discretionary Spending Aid To State And Local Governments By Half Of Historical Average. In an analysis of the Ryan budget's cutting measures, the CBPP stated that the cuts "likely would bring funding for state and local services far below historical levels." The report included the following graph:
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 8/8/12 [22]]
Ryan Budget Would End Medicare As We Know It
Jonathan Cohn: "Ryan Really Believes In Ending Medicare As We Know It." New Republic blogger and health care journalist Jonathan Cohn wrote that Ryan's plan would end Medicare as we know it by eliminating the program's guarantee of comprehensive medical benefits while raising the eligibility age and producing vouchers that will quickly prove inadequate to allow seniors to purchase the care they need. [The New Republic, 8/11/12 [23]]
CBPP: Ryan Would Divide Health System Into "Two Tiers: Those Who Could Afford The Care They Need Would Get It" And Many Others Who Would Not. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities vice president Edwin Park wrote that the "Ryan budget would divide our health system into a distinct two tiers: those who could afford the care they need would get it; many others would not." [NYTimes.com, 5/7/12 [24]]
Ryan's Plan Would Detrimentally Affect Today's Seniors. Conservative media have argued that Ryan's plan has no effect on people 55 or over. In fact, Ryan's budget would raise the cost of health care for today's seniors by forcing them to pay thousands of dollars more for prescription drugs, creating a voucher system that would drive health care costs higher, and sharply cutting Medicaid, a program heavily utilized by seniors. [Media Matters, 8/13/12 [25]]
For more on the Ryan budget's effect on Medicare, click here [26] and here [25].
Ryan's Medicaid Cuts Would End Health Insurance Coverage For Millions
Krugman: "14 Million Is The Minimum Number Of People Who Would Lose Health Insurance" From Ryan's Medicaid Cuts. In his New York Times blog, economist Paul Krugman wrote that Ryan budget's cuts to Medicaid would cause millions to lose health insurance:
14 million is the minimum number of people who would lose health insurance due to Medicaid cuts -- the Urban Institute, working off the very similar plan Ryan unveiled last year, puts it at between 14 and 27 million people losing Medicaid.
That's a lot of people -- and a lot of suffering. [The New York Times, The Conscience of a Liberal, 4/6/12 [27]]
CBPP: Ryan's Plan To Convert Medicaid To Block Grants Would Cut The Program By 22 Percent In 10 Years. A post on CBPP's Off the Charts blog stated that the Ryan budget's proposal to restructure Medicaid into block grants "would add tens of millions of Americans to the ranks of the uninsured." The post also said that Ryan's plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion "means that 17 million" more people would not receive health insurance. The post continued:
The block grant would cut federal Medicaid spending by $810 billion over the next ten years (2013-2022). That would be a cut of about 22 percent compared to current law. (This doesn't count the loss of the large additional funding that states would receive to expand Medicaid under health reform.)
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Off the Charts, 3/20/12 [28]]
Ryan Budget Would Cost Millions Of Jobs Within Just A Few Years
EPI: Spending Cuts In Ryan Budget Would Reduce Employment Millions Of Jobs by 2014. The Economic Policy Institute estimated that the budget cuts included in the Ryan plan would reduce Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 3.5 percent and reduce employment by millions of jobs within 2 years:
The Ryan budget calls for immediate reductions in primary budget deficits (i.e., revenue less non-interest spending). Relative to current policies, EPI estimated that primary spending cuts of $125 billion in fiscal 2013 would reduce GDP by 1.1 percent, and primary cuts of $279 billion in fiscal 2014 would reduce GDP by 2.4 percent. These cuts would again appreciably slow economic recovery. Net of a very small, albeit costly, boost to demand from tax cuts (which are about 75 percent less efficient per dollar in generating jobs and growth), these deep government spending cuts would reduce employment by 1.3 million jobs in fiscal 2013 and 2.8 million jobs in fiscal 2014, relative to current budget policies. [Economic Policy Institute, 8/13/12 [29]]
EPI: Ryan's Medicaid Cuts Would Cost Nearly 5 Million Jobs In 4 Years. EPI estimated that the Medicaid cuts called for in the Ryan budget would "immediately reduce employment and impede recovery":
[W]ould immediately reduce employment and impede recovery. Consider Ryan's proposed Medicaid cuts, which total $544 billion over the next five years (a period in which the economy is expected to remain below potential). Using standard macroeconomic modeling consistent with private- and public-sector projections, we estimate that these cuts would cost the economy roughly 862,000 jobs in 2014 and that annual job loss would rise to nearly 1.5 million in 2017.
The EPI report included the following table:
[Economic Policy Institute, 4/10/12 [30]]
Experts Call Ryan's Claim That His Budget Will Reduce The Deficit "Fraudulent"
Krugman: Ryan Budget Is "Surely The Most Fraudulent Budget In American History." Economist Paul Krugman wrote in his New York Times column that the Ryan budget which passed in the House of Representatives is "the most fraudulent budget in American history" because its deficit reduction claims based on a "completely unsupported assertion":
[O]n Thursday Republicans in the House of Representatives passed what was surely the most fraudulent budget in American history.
And when I say fraudulent, I mean just that. The trouble with the budget devised by Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, isn't just its almost inconceivably cruel priorities, the way it slashes taxes for corporations and the rich while drastically cutting food and medical aid to the needy. Even aside from all that, the Ryan budget purports to reduce the deficit -- but the alleged deficit reduction depends on the completely unsupported assertion that trillions of dollars in revenue can be found by closing tax loopholes.
So which specific loopholes has Mr. Ryan, who issued a 98-page manifesto on behalf of his budget, said he would close?
None. Not one. He has, however, categorically ruled out any move to close the major loophole that benefits the rich, namely the ultra-low tax rates on income from capital. (That's the loophole that lets Mitt Romney pay only 14 percent of his income in taxes, a lower tax rate than that faced by many middle-class families.)
So what are we to make of this proposal? Mr. Gleckman calls it a "mystery meat budget," but he's being unfair to mystery meat. The truth is that the filler modern food manufacturers add to their products may be disgusting -- think pink slime -- but it nonetheless has nutritional value. Mr. Ryan's empty promises don't. [The New York Times, 4/1/12 [31]]
Tax Policy Center: Ryan Budget Is "Mystery Meat." On the Tax Policy Center's TaxVox blog, Urban Institute fellow Howard Gleckman explained that the latest Ryan budget is "mystery meat," because it "airily promises both trillions of dollars in tax cuts and a nearly balanced budget within a decade, but never says how he'd get there." [Tax Policy Center, TaxVox, 3/20/12 [32]]
EPI: Ryan Budget "Screams Fiscal Charlatan." In a post on the EPI's blog Working Economics, EPI budget expert Andrew Fieldhouse explained that Congressman Ryan's revenue assumptions to pay for his tax cuts are "dishonest." He concluded:
Nothing screams fiscal charlatan like trillions of dollars worth of tax cuts skewed toward the affluent but financed by gimmicks and abdication of longstanding commitments to seniors, children, and the disabled. [Economic Policy Institute, Working Economics, 4/3/12 [33]]
CEPR's Dean Baker: "The Ryan Budget's Savings Come From Shutting Down The Federal Government." Reacting to a Washington Post report on the Ryan budget, Dean Baker, economist and co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, noted that due to the Ryan budget's huge cuts to discretionary spending, its savings come "from essentially shutting down the federal government":
[I]n percentage terms by far the biggest savings in the Ryan budget comes from essentially shutting down the federal government, except for Social Security, health care programs and the military. The CBO analysis of his budget [Table 2] shows that all other areas of federal spending falls to 4.75 percent of GDP by 2040 and 3.75 percent of GDP by 2050.
Military spending is currently more than 4.0 percent of GDP and Representative Ryan has indicated that he wants to keep spending at its current levels or raise it. This means that under the Ryan Budget, by 2040 there will be almost no money left for national parks, education, the State Department, the Food and Drug Administration, federal courts and all the other activities currently supported by the federal government. By 2050 there will be no money left for these activities. [Center for Economic and Policy Research, Beat the Press, 8/12/12 [34]]
- Posted In
- Economy [35], Jobs, Wages, & Unemployment [36], Poverty [37], Taxes [38], Education [39], Education Funding [40], Health Care [41], Medicaid [42], Medicare [43], Food Insecurity [44]
- Network/Outlet
- Fox News Channel [45], National Review Online [46]
- Person
- Neil Cavuto [47], Rich Lowry [48], Ed Morrissey [49]
- Show/Publication
- Your World w/ Neil Cavuto [50], HotAir [51]


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MBA Investment Fund ·
Back in 1994, e-mail was a novelty, Intel was trading at nine times earnings, Enron was a highly desirable place to work,and The MBA Investment Fund, L.L.C. was as yet an untested experiment in finance education.
What a Difference a Decade Can Make
The world is a changed place now, for better or for worse, but definitely in the better category, The MBA Investment Fund has proven to be one of the best innovations ever conceived at the McCombs School of Business at UT at Austin. By all accounts, the Fund is a paragon of industry-education collaboration, where theory and practice join in an unprecedented union to create the most capable young money managers coming out of any graduate business school in the world.
From an improbable suggestion to a model for top b-schools worldwide, the Fund represents a happy confluence of events coupled with copious hard work and vision.
An Idea Takes Root
By 1993, several U.S. business schools had set up investment funds that were nominally managed by students; in every case involving either "pretend" money or donated endowment funds. Conventional wisdom indicated that simulations were good educational tools, and market simulations were thus a powerful means to teach finance students the ins and outs of trading.
That year, Jim Mulva, then CFO of Phillips Petroleum and a member of the Business School's Advisory Council, attended the council's spring meeting. Though not in the money management business himself, he raised a question that pertained to it. If other schools were creating investment funds run by students, why couldn't UT? This was not idle chit-chat. To show that he was serious about the suggestion, Mulva pledged to contribute $30,000 that students could manage in such a fund.
The idea had had a predecessor. As much as eight years earlier, a group of business students had approached finance professor Keith Brown with a similar proposal for a student-managed fund. Brown had suggested that the students write a business plan for the venture and present it to the dean. In concept, Dean Witt agreed that the plan had merit. "But Witt knew they'd need money to get started, and there were too many other priorities for the school at that time," Brown says. And so, the idea had died on the vine.
Now Mulva had not only rekindled the idea, he was willing to back it up with cash. Following the Advisory Council meeting, finance chair George Gau met with Mulva to discuss the idea. "We knew Jim's donation was not sufficient to create a viable student fund," Gau remembers, "so I asked Keith Brown to help me explore what we should do to develop a high-quality student investment experience." Besides being a finance professor teaching investments, Brown had worked on Wall Street and run his own bond management fund.
A Business is Born
The key meeting was in September, 1993 when Gau and Brown, with the help of Business School development director Bob Casey, met for lunch at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston with some leading investment professionals. The meeting was attended by several business school alumni who worked in the money management field, including Gary Crum (MBA 72), Scott Caven (BBA 64), and Ralph Thomas (BBA 66, MBA 68).
As the businessmen discussed the possibility of establishing a student-run fund, talk turned, as it often does in Texas, to how the investment fund could be made bigger and better than the funds found at other schools of business. Why couldn't the school create a fund that would be run by students managing real money from actual investors? Individuals would make investments, and just like they do in real life, would expect a return on those investments. A real investment company would be a much better educational tool, they surmised, than a simulation or the existing student investment activities at other schools.
"I thought the whole idea made a lot of sense," recalls Gary Crum, retired chairman of AIM Capital Management. "When I was in grad school, we did a computer-simulated money management exercise; but once I was in the business, I knew there were a lot more issues that come up day to day that cannot be simulated."
"We had this vision of a private investment company to be run by students, but didn't know how to make it work within the UT framework. It wasn't clear how it could be established legally," Gau says. With Mulva's agreement, his $30,000donation, coupled with a loan from the Business School Foundation, was used to hire legal help to create an entirely independent company that operated without support or resources from the University at all. The lawyers also prepared an offering memorandum to enable the Fund to solicit investors under securities laws.
Crum, who eventually became one of the original investors in the Fund and served on its board, had not been involved with his alma mater prior to Gau's request for a meeting. In the Fund, he had found his perfect conduit for interacting with the school. "I believed the students would get a tremendous education and an idea of how difficult it is to manage money in the real world," he says. He has been a strong advocate for the Fund and the school and a top employer of Fund students ever since.
"The biggest surprises for us in our naiveté," Gau remembers from that period, "were the implications of running a private company." Gau served as president and CEO and Keith Brown as chief operating officer of the Fund. Standing on the principle that the University would neither benefit from the Fund's earnings nor subsidize its operations in order to boost the returns of investors, Gau and Brown received no material or administrative support from the University in running the Fund. Thus, they spent much of their spare time working as employees of the company, without pay. Aside from doing the legwork to bring on investors, establish the company structure, and hire the first batch of student managers, in the early years the two performed the most mundane of tasks: collecting the mail from a P.O. box, paying the bills, and making copies. It's likely their appreciation for the Finance Department's administrative assistants grew during that early period of the Fund's existence.
Soon, Gau and Brown settled into their separate roles. To Brown, a.k.a. Mr. Inside, fell the task of working with the first class of money managers to establish the structure of the organization. "It seems like we were devoting almost all of our free time to writing the bylaws and establishing the procedures for Fund operations," Rob Bryngelson, one of the first Fund managers, recalls. "Once things got kicked off, we put in a lot of time on developing models and tracking programs to look at the investments (initially called the Kuykendall Gain-Loss Indicator) in addition to coming up with new investment ideas."
In the meantime, Gau was hearing positive feedback from the firms and potential investors he visited, and grew confident that they could attract enough investors to build the critical capital mass necessary to create a working fund. Thus, he proceeded to file the paperwork for the first public offering, to be closed on December 6, 1994, and started soliciting investors.
Ralph Thomas, now senior vice president of Fayez Sarofim, was one of the original investors. "What I thought was so wonderful about the Fund," he says, "is that it was this incredible example of interaction among the Advisory Council, dean and faculty leading to a very innovative and at that time ground-breaking proposal." Like the other investors, Thomas expected a reasonable return on his investment, but he was also enamored with the educational mission of the Fund, and he invested with that end in mind.
Thomas and Crum were joined by 32 other investors, and the December IPO garnered $1.6 million in capital for the fledgling company.
So it was that the capital, a single donated Bloomberg terminal, fifteen eager MBA students and a windowless spare office on the sixth floor of the CBA North building became The MBA Investment Fund LLC. "Thankfully, Pilar Aguilar, the sole woman in the group, wore nice perfume; otherwise, I think that tiny room would have been unbearable," says Bryngelson. "But we had a lot of fun with it—we were a very spontaneous group trying to figure it all out."
The Students Speak
The first test of the Fund's status as an autonomous, fully student-run business came even before the group bought its first stock. The initial public offering having closed right around the winter break, the students were about to disperse for vacation until mid-January 1995, and they had decided they wouldn't begin managing the money until their return to school. The $1.6 million was sitting in a bank account awaiting their action, and the dean was nervous.
"Bob Witt came to us with the suggestion that we invest the money in T-bills for 'safekeeping' for the first quarter of 1995," says Brown. "He reasoned that the students could begin working with the money March 1, and that way the Fund would show a positive return for the first quarter."
Gau and Brown felt the dean had a fair concern, but by the rules they had established, the students were to make the decisionsabout the money and not the faculty or dean. "We had decided that we would not impose ourselves in the process. We would manage the managers, we would ensure the integrity of the process, but we had no intention of having veto power over the students' decisions or control over the money," explains Brown.
When Brown presented the students with the dean's suggestion, the managers were plainspoken. "I didn't come to school to buy no stinkin' T-bills," Brown recalls one of the students proclaiming (only not so delicately). The others emphatically agreed. The students had spoken, and the money stayed in the bank until they returned from break.
And so it was on January 17, 1995 that The MBA Investment Fund made its first purchase of Citigroup stock, and the Fund was officially in business.
"What was incredible," Brown says with hindsight, "is that January of 1995 launched the most spectacular rally in the history of the U.S. stock market, and we would have missed the beginning of it had we waited until the second quarter to start buying stocks."
An Institution Grows
"Our most serious challenge," remembers Kevin Kuykendall, another of the first class of managers, "was just trying to get enough resources to be able to actually do some work. With only one Bridge Feed [shortly after operations began, the Fund acquired a Bridge feed in addition to it's original Bloomberg terminal], it was always a challenge to be able to get some 'Bridge Time.'" But mostly, the first class, exhilarated by the novelty of it all and bound tightly together as the founders of a company, discovered that the experience defined their graduate school experience.
"Whether it was one of our managers taking phone calls for 'Hickey Freeman' suits in the middle of class, or another saying that email was not an effective way to communicate with him (even though the other 14 of us agreed it was), or another buying a foreign stock that we were not allowed to—I just remember it being a lot of fun," says Bryngelson. "We had great interactions with Dr. Gau and Dr. Brown, and I learned a lot from both of them and they made it a truly enjoyable and memorable experience, but kept us working hard and pushing forward."
Brown, who has a lot of affection for that first group of students, refers to them as the 'founding fathers.' "These students were charged with designing the organization and they did an incredible job: it has remained virtually unchanged for a decade." He continues, "That first group was remarkable because there was no precedent. Every class since has had the shoulders of the group before it to stand on."
By 1996, the Fund's reputation and competitiveness were growing. The facilities and resources problems had been ameliorated with the construction of the EDS Financial Trading and Technology Center on the third floor of the GSB building, which included a trading room modeled on those found in Wall Street firms. The student managers finally had a home, and more computers and enough data feeds to satisfy the research needs of everyone on the Fund. The highly visible façade leant additional credibility and interest to the group, as now passers-by could watch the Fund managers at work. Invitees to the grand opening of the trading center included then Texas Governor George W. Bush and many Texas business luminaries and executives from Wall Street investment firms.
In the years that followed, Fund students have continued to distinguish themselves as some of the most highly sought money managers in the business. "People who have gone through the Fund are far better trained on the process than students we've hired from anywhere—including those from the private top ten," asserts Scott Caven, until recently a Vice President of Goldman Sachs and currently managing director with Atlantic Trust Company and a UT Regent. Caven recalls a summer at Goldman Sachs when five MBA Investment Fund students from UT held internships alongside eight interns from Harvard. At the end of the summer, all five Texas students were offered jobs, but only one of the Harvard students was asked to return. "They talk the talk and walk the walk," he says. "This is invaluable for the productivity of Wall Street."
In May of 2001, the Fund received another boon. UT alumni Gary Crum (MBA 72) and Bob Graham (MBA 73) of the AIM Management Group, along with 63 AIM employees, pledged $5.5 million in endowments, part of which would go toward renovating the trading room and supporting it indefinitely. Renamed the AIM Trading Room, the replica now has a 64-foot-long stock ticker, sleek new equipment, a different layout, a warm wood interior and comfortable chairs. The room adjacent to the trading area, which had been an equipment room, was converted into a conference area, adding to the functionality of the space.
Second to None
While the student managers do not always beat the market, the educational experience they get by handling real money is, without question, second to none in the world. Beyond learning how to value and choose stocks, the students learn how to run an investment company, build a consensus for their ideas, put together a compelling story, and get things done. What's astonishing to Brown is that the company operates well without the benefit of institutional memory. "The MBA Investment Fund is the only money management organization in the world that has more turnover among its employees than its assets," Brown points out. "Each year, we replace our entire student management team, so creating and maintaining institutional memory is a huge challenge, and consequently, each group has made at least some of the same mistakes its predecessors have."
For George Gau—and particularly for Keith Brown, who is the only person to have personally interviewed and worked with every single Fund student—managing The MBA Investment Fund has truly been a labor of love. "I wouldn't trade the experience," Brown says. "As an educator, I feel privileged to have been able to get to know, very well in many cases, a truly remarkable group of students. Some of these people have become my good friends and colleagues."
Another testament to the Fund's success is the way it has galvanized alumni support for the Finance Department and raised the profile of the McCombs School among Wall Street firms and potential students alike. "The Fund has made McCombs a very attractive place for students of finance," says Graham of AIM, who recently joined the Fund's board. "It's much admired by other schools and a feather in the cap of The University." Caven agrees that the Fund has put the McCombs School on the map as the target for those who want to learn the investment process.
"I have stayed involved over the years and watched the Fund evolve. I'm extremely impressed with what they've done to make the experience grow with the students, including improving access to and interaction with investment professionals," says Thomas. "I can think of no greater contribution to the success of UT's MBA program."
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American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU)
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The ACLU of Texas legal program works in courts to defend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights: Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state. Your right to equal protection under the law – equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin. Your right to privacy – freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs. We work also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.
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Discussion in 'Pistons and NBA' started by MJO77, Jul 10, 2010.
And benches win championships!
Without Devean George, Shaq and Kobe would be at 1 and 2 rings respectively.
Give Shannon, Sasha and Farmar credit for getting Kobe and Fisher # 4 & 5
I'm sure Stern doesn't want LeBron getting pelted by batteries. I'm betting they don't play in Cleveland until late next season.
It would be interesting to see what kind of hellcome he'll get in Ohio when Miami plays the Cavs.
They'll have a "Benedict Arnold" Night.
Is this thread REALLY about an exhibition game??? B.F.D. :banplease
Yes we are.
@ darth tater: we, positive fans, believe that detroit pistons is capable of winning some EXHIBITION games, especially vs Miami - I mean, after 0-16 vs miami during regular season we STILL can say "at least we won exhibition game!" That's why THIS upcoming game is so helluva important to us!!
The pressure will be on the Heat to win this game to prove to everyone that they can play together. They may experiment and see how the chemistry works in the remaining exposition games, but with cameras rolling and the curiosity factor there, I am sure they will try to win this one for the media if not just for themselves.
I was wrong. Stern DOES want LeBron to get pelted by batteries. Report: LeBron James, Miami Heat to visit Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 2 - ESPN
The only ones feeling pressure to succeed in an exhibition game are the ones that don't matter (since in all likelihood they won't be there once the regular season begins). Yeah, it may be a media circus since it is newsworthy even when the mighty Lebroz runs out of toilet paper, but the regulars won't care much. (I don't know why it is newsworthy when the dude runs out of toilet paper since he has so many people around him anyhow to lick his butt clean)!
Better order that League Pass again as I doubt if the Pistons get no more than 1 or 2 ESPN or TNT national games. The preliminary schedule does not show the Pistons popping up anywhere thru MLK Day... Three Trail Blazers Games Announced As NBA Unviels National Television Schedule
Pffffft! Looks like the NBA hype machine is at it again with our beloved [strike]Nevada[/strike] Detroit Pistons opening the season Oct 27th against the New Jersey Nets! How am I supposed to get anything done now? Report: Pistons to open season at Nets on Oct. 27 | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Do we have a chance to win that game??? Nets Roster: Devin Harris/Jordan Farmar Terrance Williams/Anthony Morrow Travis Outlaw/Damion James Derrick Favors/Yi Jianlian Brook Lopez/ Johan Petro/ Brian Zoubek I Think that we should be able to win this game, easily
Depends upon how many ankle injuries we have in preseason...
i hope they can win
If Detroit can beat the Miami Heat in this HUGE preseason contest then songs will be sung about it for many years to come. It will surely overshadow anything that happens in the regular season or the playoffs. a David and Goliath type battle. Miami may not recover from it this season. It will always be in the back of their minds. It will be bigger than the United States beating Russia in hockey in the 1980 Olympics. We should take a poll on which advertiser does the best job during the game. Just like in the Super Bowl. How much do you guys think that Coke and Pepsi will dish out for a commercial slot? I can't wait. I wonder how much those tickets are going for? Scalpers are probably cleaning up. This is going to be even bigger than the famous preseason game when...uhmmm...well...you know, that other one that everyone remembers...I know there were two teams...and...uhmmm...uhmmm... Do you guys really think we have a chance to win this thing?
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Winter Draws On – Changing Weather Means More Business for Contractors in the Northeast
Glenn Zirpolo founded Groom Lawn in 1980. Headquartered in Adamstown, Maryland, Groom Lawn now covers about a hundred-mile radius—from Pennsylvania down to Virginia, and everywhere in between.
Working with several national residential builders, Glenn specializes in site work – namely grading, excavation, septic and utility installation as well as sod and landscaping. "I own another company—Earthmovers Excavation, which is co-owned by Buddy Fields—that handles all the grading, excavation and digging work," explains Zirpolo. "Then Groom Lawn comes in to lay sod and take care of the landscaping."
The right equipment
"We lay a lot of sod, and the responsive controls of our Takeuchi TL230 allow for precision operation, even in the mud. Also, the machines just feel more powerful."
"With Earthmovers Excavation, we purchased our first Takeuchi machine about eight or nine years ago," says Glenn. "And we recently purchased more Takeuchi machines for Groom Lawn. I've seen how reliable these machines really are."
The right partners
"Folcomer has been a great partner," Glenn adds. "They always have all the right filters and parts in stock for the basic maintenance of our Takeuchi machines."
The right attitude
Contractors all over the country have been embracing the new business opportunities provided by changing weather. Warm winters are allowing contractors to work well into the colder seasons, and in some areas of the US, snowplows are collecting dust as folks like Glenn are laying sod and doing dirt work all through winter.
Rising temperatures were at unprecedented levels in the US and worldwide in 2012 according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2012 report. With the US experiencing its warmest year on record last year, snowfall in the Northeast has been well below normal, and temperatures stayed in the 50s and 60s through most of January and February. For many, this is the new paradigm.
"We're embracing it," says Glenn. "This would have been unheard of even a few years ago, but if we're able to do site work all through the winter, we're going to do it."
Dealer Profile: McCann Industries
McCann Industries has 7 locations in the Chicago metro area, and is one of the largest equipment dealers in the northern Midwest.
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The Small Square Buckle Bag in Alligator Limited Edition
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- The Buckle Bag – Square in alligator, inspired by military archive styles from the 1920s to 1950s. Made in Italy, the design has a regimental belt detail with a polished gold metal buckle referencing the trench coat. Complete with two straps, it can be worn as a crossbody or a shoulder bag or carried as a clutch.
- 17 x 6.5 x 16cm/6.7 x 2.6 x 6.3in
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Item 40218191
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"Absolutely gorgeous card - perfect for my daughter. Pink and chic, came quickly and customer service was super helpful. Preppy and stylish just like my girl!"
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The deal will all be contingent on the players involved passing physicals.
Hanrahan, 31, is clearly the big chip in the deal. He's coming off back-to-back all-star seasons in which he posted a 2.24 ERA overall and converted 76 out of 84 save chances. He also averaged one strikeout an inning over 128 1/3, but struggled with command, walking 50 unintentionally.
Boston wants Hanrahan as insurance for incumbent closer Andrew Bailey, whom they acquired from the Oakland A's last offseason. Hanrahan made $4.1 million in 2012 and will be due a nice raise in arbitration. Bailey, too, is arbitration eligible.
The Pirates will turn to recently re-signed reliever Jason Grilli to fill their closer role. The 36-year-old right-hander served as a setup man for most of the season, posting a 2.91 ERA. He has five career saves in ten seasons.
The centerpiece of the trade coming back to Pittsburgh will be 25-year-old corner outfielder Jerry Sands. He was expected to make a big splash with the Dodgers in 2011 after posting some huge offensive numbers at Triple-A Albuquerque, but failed to live up to the hype in Los Angeles. He was then traded to Boston in August as the player to be named later in the Adrian Gonzalez deal and will now look to take the next step in Pittsburgh.
It's not exactly a huge haul in return for Pittsburgh unless one of the two unnamed players turn out to be a higher valued prospects than expected.


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text: MTA testifies on municipal health insurance MTA President Paul Toner and several presidents of MTA locals made the case March 8 for a compromise plan that would achieve savings for municipalities and preserve employees' right to bargain about health care benefits. "The MTA, like the other public employee unions, understands the grave fiscal crisis that has faced the Commonwealth for several years. We are here today to present a proposal that helps provide additional resources for our communities so that they can continue to provide the high-quality services – including public education and public safety – that we all value," Toner told the legislative panel. "Our proposal will help save jobs to keep our class sizes small, help all students succeed, and uphold the quality of our entire public education system." Robert Becker, forefront, talks about the Wachusett Regional Education Association's experience in the GIC as Kim Gibson, president of the Brockton Education Association, and Paul Toner, president of MTA, look on. The three panelists and other supporters at the March 8 hearing wore stickers proclaiming, I am Part of the Solution. Speaking about a bill titled An Act Relative to Municipal Health Insurance Reform, which is backed by many business and municipal groups, Toner said: "The MTA has been working for many years to achieve savings in municipal health insurance as part of the way the Commonwealth deals with our state's unprecedented fiscal crisis. Unfortunately, our willingness to be part of a legislative solution has been countered by the Massachusetts Municipal Association's unwillingness to compromise, which continues to this day. Some municipalities have been holding out at the local negotiating table for several years now in the hope that you will pass their bill giving them unilateral control over health insurance plan design. "The MTA, along with a coalition of other public sector unions, is proposing a framework that it is estimated would provide one-hundred-and-twenty million dollars in savings to our communities," Toner continued. That compromise plan, outlined at a March 7 press conference by a union coalition, includes the enrollment of eligible retirees in Medicare and expedited bargaining to achieve health insurance savings by either joining the state-run Group Insurance Commission plan or by redesigning private insurance plans. "We acknowledge that this proposal will temporarily limit the collective bargaining process and will definitely shift costs to the employees," Toner said. "In order to further expedite the negotiating process and ensure fairness, we suggest that the legislation include language that establishes an equal split of the cost savings in the first year, with the employees' portion of the savings being used to mitigate the cost shifting. Steps could include funding Health Reimbursement Accounts – HRAs – and creating wellness programs or other health care-related programs." "Collective bargaining works," Kim Gibson, president of the Brockton Education Association told the panel. Her city has seen big savings through negotiated changes. [Read Paul Toner's full testimony.] Also scheduled to testify in support of the union coalition proposal: Robert Becker, president, Wachusett Regional Education AssociationRobert Antonellis, president, Belmont Education AssociationDorothy Verdy, president, Millis Teachers AssociationMark Baranoff, president, Education Association of NatickPhyllis Neufeld, president, Lexington Education AssociationMichael O'Connor, former president, Wayland Teachers AssociationConrad Gees, president, Wayland Teachers AssociationMarquerite Gonsalves, president, Malden Education AssociationKatherine Howard, president, Southborough Teachers AssociationRob Nardone, president, North Andover Teachers AssociationEllen Finneran, vice president, membership and former president, North Andover Teachers AssociationBeth Kaake, president, Fitchburg Education AssociationSue Flynn, vice president, Fitchburg Education Association News coverage of the coalition proposal: Paul Toner on FOX 25 Morning News, March 9: Health plan compromise? Unions' cost cutting WGBH Greater Boston, March 7: Mass. union leaders negotiate health care costs MTA's coverage of the March 7 press conference MTA's photos of the March 7 press conference and March 8 hearing Subscribe to MTA News Headlines by Email


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Amite County Friends and Family Cruise
You Too Can Travel
Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM - Monday, June 24, 2013 at 8:00 AM (PDT)
Event Details
4 Day Western Caribbean from New Orleans, LA
Departs from: New Orleans, LA Aboard the: Carnival Elation Ports of Call: Cozumel, Mexico
Sail Date: 6/20/2013
$200.00 Per Person Deposit To Reserve Your Room
4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
|Port of Call
|Arrival Time
|Departure Time
|New Orleans
|Fun Day At Sea
|Cozumel Mexico
|8:00 am
|Fun Day at Sea
|New Orleans
Note: Cruise intinerary is subject to change by the cruise line.
Rate Includes:
- Cabin Accommodations of Choice
- All meals onboard including 24 hour room service
- Coffee, tea, milk, juice and non-bottled water
- Onboard entertainment including shows, discos, comedy clubs, bars, lounges, etc.
- Use of fitness facilities, pools, hot tubs, sports courts, etc.
- One Hour Private Open Bar Cocktail Party with Dry Snacks
- Entrance to all Amite County Friends & Family Events onboard the Carnival Elation.
- Guests not booked thru You Too Can Travel, will not be able to take part in these private functions.
Not Included:
Unless otherwise indicated above or on your final confirmation, your cruise does not inlcude
- Airfare and transfers to the ship
- Gratuities
- Casino gambling or Bingo
- Meals in any alternative or special dining restaurants or venues
- Soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees, or alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, spirits.
- Shore Excursions and sightseeing tours
- Spa or Salon Services
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You can add airfare, pre-paid gratuities and travel insurance to your reservation at the time of booking or final payment if you like. If so, these items would appear on your confirmation.
Gratuities and Government Taxes and Fees are subject to change. Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel. If this occurs your rate will automatically be adjusted.
By making your reservation you will receive our exclusive "Heads-up" emails which are informative and give you all the latest news on the Events being planned.
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Please advise if more info is needed.
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Inside Cabin
Cabin is 180 Sq. Ft. with two Twin Beds. The Twin Beds can be converted to one Queen Bed. All cabins have private facilities.
Single Traveler - $1044.00
Double Traveler - $522.00
Ocean View Cabin
Cabin is 180 Sq. Ft. with two Twin Beds. The Twin Beds can be converted to one Queen Bed. All cabins have private facilities.
Single Traveler - $1194.00
Double Traveler - $597.00
When & Where
Carnival Elation
Port of New Orleans
New Orleans,
Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM - Monday, June 24, 2013 at 8:00 AM (PDT)
Add to my calendar


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Students in the Parkway School District of suburban St. Louis decided it was a fun activity to stage a 'Hit A Jew" day which one assumes is the manner in which spoiled suburban children get their kicks these days. The incident happened at the Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield where six graders engaged in what they considered to be fun, hit a Jewish student. Many of the three dozen Jewish students were hit on their bodies and one might have been slapped in the face. Ironically, the madness began when the school had a Spirit Week that included a Hug a Friend day. Next was a Hit A Tall Person day and finally it was the turn of Jewish children to be subject to this blatant stupidity.
As the parent of two children who attended schools in the Parkway School District, I must confess my shock and anger such a thing could occur in the 21st century in a middle class suburban area whose parents work in sophisticated positions. Hopefully, there will be serious discussions in many homes between parents and children about their inexcusable behavior.


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|Topic Review (Newest First)
|Dutchman charges $90.00 pr to shorten.
|S10 Racer
|Moser cuts & resplines axles for $110.00 a pair + shipping both ways. They do a great job and are the best priced I have found.
Some Info about the tapered 9" axles at bottom of page. Shortening axles >>
|Chris Kemp
9 inch
There is a jig tool that has been sold at least a dozen times on eBay for welding the 9 inch housing. What you do is buy it cut your housings and weld them up and then re-sell the jig. It is a good tool and it has been passed around a lot. It is not up there right now but keep looking and it will be back up soon. I think that there is a post up here somewhere with a fellow hotrodder using a similar (or the same) jig. As far as the 9 inch axles go I have never seen a pair that were a smaller diameter anywhere on the axle then the splined area. The spline area is the smallest diameter on the axle. This is why they are so easy to re-spline. I am not saying that there isn't any out there I'm just saying I haven't seen any and I have converted at least twenty cars to 9 inches. Taller buckets are an option but not so tall that they can bump each other and believe me you will be surprised how far a coil spring will compress. You can also buy a bucket from some of the circle track supply houses that has a threaded ring for adjusting ride height. As far as the cables they are insurance because you still need something to keep the travel from over extending and that is why I use a cable up the center. I don't like to rely on the shock to stop the travel. I have seen even the best ones with 5/8" shafts pull apart. Plenty of European sport cars and even the early corvettes (before IRS) used a strap bolted to the frame and then looped around the axle housing to keep the suspension from over extending. When over extending occurs all kinds of bad things can happen: u-joints bind and snap, drive-shafts can go flying, pinion shafts and yokes are broken, it's not a pretty sight. Oh and while we are on this subject I strongly advise a drive shaft containment loop. Poll vaulting was fun when we were kids but it's an ugly thing when you do it with the drive shaft in your favorite hotrod.
You can get axles resplined here. http://www.dutchmanms.com/
Keep in mind that they will not add any material to the axles, Some axles are not the same diameter all the down the axle,so you need to measure the axle at the cut point and make sure it has enough diameter.
A '79 T'bird shouldn't have any spring perches on the rearend...it's a Fox body and the spring sets into the lower control arm and the rearend just has brackets on it..no perches...must be some other year. Unless you are building a truck, which you didn't mention, the Bronco axles will also need the pattern on the flange changed...they are the big pattern....I think 5 on 5. The cost to have both the cutting,splining and new pattern ( whcih I think requires the flange o.d. to be reduced for regular brakes) would probably cost as much(or more) as a set of axles from several places.
I didn't make note of your location, but I think that Currie has re-cut Ford axles for about $250/pr.
EDIT: My mistake..the Fox body 'bird wasn't until 1980.
|Instead of the cable's....Just make the buckets longer. Like pictured.
Wouldn't you need the spring perches off the old G-body rear instead of the T-Bird?
Also you'll need a Jig to keep the Housing, Tubes & Ends aligned while welding it all up.
|Chris Kemp
Coil springs or coil overs?
Either one will work for what you are doing and if tuned correctly both will work just fine. Lets address cost first. You already have the coil springs and you would have to buy the coil overs. With coil overs I have never been satisfied with the first set I purchased and usually had to go through about three pair before I found the ones that worked the best. The same holds true with coil springs but you can get them from the junk yard. The problem with coil springs in a drag car is if you don't secure them in the perches they can jump out on a good hooked up run when the axle winds up. In a completely stock arrangement the length of the shock is supposed to keep the rear axle from extending to the point where the spring jumps out and under normal circumstances it works this way. But I have seen shocks break and the rubber bushings give to the point where the axle winds up and the springs jump out. You sound like a good fabricator and you should be able to make a way to hold the springs in their perches. Look at the front suspension on a late sixties through early eighties F-150 Ford pick up trucks. They had a real good way of securing the springs and you should be able to duplicate something like this to hold yours in place. You can also run a 3/8 inch cable inside the spring from the upper perch to the lower perch. Get someone to crimp a heavy duty eye (loop) in each end. Secure it to the top perch with a cross bolt and then use a cross bolt setup underneath and in the center of the bottom perch and make this one easy to remove. Measure the cables to leave enough slack in the length so that when the suspension is extended the coils are a little bit loose in the perches. You will have to do this with a floor jack under the rear and jack stands under the frame. Another thing: you don't have the adjustability that you get with a set of coil overs. At the track you can set pre-load, right side bite and ride height from one side to the other just by turning the collar. With coil springs you have to play around with the length and you will have a lot more trial and error. Coil spring are heat treated so don't use a torch to cut them. Use a die grinder with a cutoff wheel. One thing good about coil springs is that they do ride a lot better then coil overs. So it is a give and take scenario and it will take more work to use the coil springs and more money to use the coil overs.
Sorry but I am not much help on the re-spline. Here in Jacksonville we had an old Guru that used to cut the housings and re-spline the axles for us. He was a retired D.O.D. machinist and he was awesome. But he passed away a few years back (greatly missed) and I haven't done what you are doing in about five years. You could how ever take your axles to all of the machine shops that are available in your area and explain what you need. It is not that hard to do you just need the right equipment and just about any machine shop is capable of doing it.
9 inch ford G body rear axle questions, advantages STD spring, coil over
Hey guys I have a dilemma on my hands. First is what to do about the housing?? I am really attracted to this unit:
The issue is I already have about 8 bare housings in my garage, that I have already cut all of the mounts off of. So all i'd hafta do is cut the (3" slide in tubes) off @ the weld and narrow it to the stock width of 52.5" EXACTLY for the outside edge of one flange to the other flange OS edge, NOT WHEEL TO WHEEL, as some guys do. That is not the proper way the measure because there is WAAAYYY to much room for error... That is what was told to me by the company that builts the units from the link i posted above.
Anyway, getting one to 52.5" is no problem, I can do that on my own. Then I could just purchase this kit:
and weld it on. The problem is the kit doesn't have any spring pearches, I do however have a housing that I could steal the pearches off of that came out of a 79' T-Bird, problem is I'm not sure if I want STD springs or coil over's.
On a basic street car with the occasional 1/4 mile test n tune pass and mabey a few real races here and there, Is a coil over system even necessary?? Would STD spring set up do just fine?? Are there any major advantages to one or the other?? Please keep cost in mind, Because I want to make this conversion with as little money as possible, I want is to be good and right, but not cost me any body parts if you know what i mean. which I do think is completly feasable...
My second major issue is the axles... I have a plethora of HD 31 spline thick axles from bronco's and other 4x4's but NONE of them are the length i need. I'd rather not pay 3-400 for a set of axlesif I can get then cut down and re splined for a reasonable price!!!! OOOORRRRRR, is there ANY vehicle I could look for that may have the length i need which 26 1/4" on the short side and 29 5/8" on the long side.
Do any of you know of any places that re-spline axles and cut them down?? I'd like to find a few different ones so I can shop around for the best price along with the best reputation. ANY help with either of these issues will be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead of time, Danny
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Since 1984, Trisys has delivered cost-effective Call Accounting and Call Recording solutions to address compliance, call center performance, security and remote workforce supervision.
We help management improve customer service, employee productivity, and ultimately - the "bottom line". Our products are in use at over 30,000 facilities, ranging from "mom-and-pop" to Fortune 100 companies.
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Green Resources Orangeburg SC
Your Orangeburg destination for green resources. Here you can find information on renewable energy, solar power, wind power, biomass, and energy efficiency, as well as contact information for renewable energy contractors who can help.
Compost Bin Supplies Orangeburg SC
This page provides relevant content and local businesses that can help with your search for information on Compost Bin Supplies. You will find informative articles about Compost Bin Supplies, including "Build Your Own Recycled Pallet Compost Bin for $15". Below you will also find local businesses that may provide the products or services you are looking for. Please scroll down to find the local resources in Orangeburg, SC that can help answer your questions about Compost Bin Supplies.


text: Summer Conference 2011 Sunday, August 7, though Thursday, August 11, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. Registration Deadline: June 17 Summer Conference Guide and Registration Form More information about the New Members program, or go directly to online registration. To take a VIRTUAL TOUR of Williams College, go to: http://admission.williams.edu/visit/virtualtour To view the MTA SUMMER CONFERENCE VIDEO: http://bit.ly/mtasummerconference REGISTER ONLINE Subscribe to MTA News Headlines by Email


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Tech Talk Live 79: The Mavenized Alfresco SDK 2.0
Webinar Recording
Alfresco 5.x features a fully Mavenized build system. This is the result of community efforts that include an updated SDK with examples to guide new developers.
In this tech talk live, Gabriele, Maurizio and Ole will show a preview of the Alfresco SDK 2.0. The new SDK uses Maven to rapidly set up a development environment, and introduces a seamless IDE integration with Eclipse and IDEA. It features development aids such as hot reloading of Java classes, webscripts, and web resources using spring-loaded. The result is an unprecedented rapid application development experience for Alfresco extension developers, as can be seen in this video.
We will also discuss features of the SDK that we hope to release as part of our session at Alfresco Summit, such as the new RM archetype. We plan to have lots of additional goodies to make Alfresco development even more fun and easy!


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Hey Hunters,
Here's a brief look at the work both my buddy Edwin and myself, over at MM, have been doing since we received word on the Bumble Bee build. This was done, in conjunction with/for Hasbro Singapore, to be seen and used in time for the Hasbro Midnight Madness launch here at one of the local Toys 'R' Us stores.
Please keep in mind that we were/are working under tight restrictions, as we would be using a spare damaged Optimus [Our very own sculpt as well ] suit for the basic framework, [the spare suit was a mess, with way too thin areas that had to be refiberglassed and rebuilt], and an even tighter timeline.
I decided to build over the existing frame with the Camaro front design [which we had to scratch-build with PVC hard foamcard] to break the old Optimus shape. As planned, we had the lower bit trimmed off to recreate the V shape torso, the older spats would be refilled, reworked and modified to look more like Bumble Bee's camel toe like boots.
Seeing's as the old suit was a mess, we would be going for a battle weary Bumble Bee. And since we had only 5.5 days to get it done, we took some artistic liberties on the overall look. So be kind.
The initial Optimus frame to be converted:
Shin armor and Boot spats:-
Groin piece:-
The initial sketches and measurements I did before we started work, seen here with our little help buddy, mini bee:-
Measurements and framework layout on the PVC hard foamcard just prior to cutting:-
Here we have our scratch-built Camaro angular front, after cutting and joined [I hot glued the parts together before reinforcing the entire setup with resin and fiberglass strips]:-
New reshaped Boot Spats, thanks to Edwin's hard work:-
Dismantling Bumble Bee's Helm before repaint:-
The Camaro angular front cut in half and retrimmed.
Here it is, cut in half and with racing stripes on:-
Cod piece, after clean up and cut Gauntlet tops with new paint...viola! Mini Bee is takin a breather and enjoying the smell of fresh paint.
New mainbody frame with suspension greeblies and 'camaro body kit' parts affixed:-
Mainbody, minus the headlights, on Bob [our test mannequin], with the back armor and doors on [and yes, that's my hand, holding up the frame]:
And finally the 96% [we didn't use the Bicep armor as we weren't too happy with it] finished Bumble Bee at Toys'R'Us...
The crowd...
And the entire gang [L-R: Bumble Bee, Hasbro's Official Optimus Prime, Our Sexy Prime and StarScream, transformable].
Was a real rush job but both Edwin and myself are pretty happy with what we managed to do in that time...Hope you like it.
Stay safe,


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Would someone be so kind to point me to WHERE in the code I can make adjustments?
Sorry - I am brand-new to xbmc skins. I can read the wiki and the docs on editing the files and I don't mind playing around until I get it the way I want... I just can't find out WHERE the code is.
Thanks in advance.
I want to do two things:
1) Adjust the time of the 'auto-transition' from view "A" to "B" - it goes a bit quick for me
2) Adjust the location, size, and content of the PLOT area of view "B" (yes, I realize there's probably a diffuse graphic that also might have to be adjusted...)
Help with some adjustments?
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Reputation: 0
2010-03-19 03:11 Help with some adjustments? Post: #1
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Skilled Skinner
Posts: 1,144
Joined: Jul 2006
Reputation: 15
Location: North West England
2010-03-19 03:16 Post: #2
Hi DigitalAuto
Okay you need to edit the includes.xml file located in the PAL folder.
Search for <include name="MovieInfo"> at line 1126
Beneath that line are a series of "largeimage" and "image" controls moving down to eventually a "group" control at line 1236.
If you want to delay the transition change the delay="2500" to a higher number for all those controls.
Lines 1236 - 1442 deal with the Plot info box.
Hope that helps
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Junior Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Reputation: 0
2010-03-20 01:40 Post: #3
Thanks so much. I was able to do EXACTLY what I wanted to do.
Now all I have to do is the menu/icon thingies on the 'home' menu and I will have the ultimate skin.
|find quote
Skilled Skinner
Posts: 1,144
Joined: Jul 2006
Reputation: 15
Location: North West England
2010-03-20 02:07 Post: #4
That's awesome - glad to help.
Oh and feel free to post your results!
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Hello, I'm new to this, But I here younger guys talk about Rat Rods.My questions are. What is a Rat Rod?,Where did they get started and by who?How to build one.What is anyones thoughts about them.Thankx butch.
Butch: Alloway builders from knoxville. They build a 33 ford coupe using a Rat,s Glass Body on a Alloway Chassis. They always use a big block Chevy. 454 or 468 cu inch . In some areas 454 cu inch chevy,s are called Rat,s engine. You can call Vision Rod,s in cleveland Ga. talk to bennie . 706 348 8485. He,ll answer all your questions. Rise and shine
HeyBasically they are low buck, slapped together with whatever you have behind your or your friends garage, quickly/roughly built, fun and driven hot rods. Most of them have a lot of great ideas that really personalize the car to the owner. Most are pretty scary to drive. Just a whole whole lot of fun to build, and a whole lot of fun to drive trying to survive or at best not break down. Run the *** out of them, try to break them. They have a lot of spirit in in very boring dead homogenous modern street rod world, where why build a million dollar car to compete for America's Most Beautiful Roadster when you can just go buy a Lexus with fancy rims. They look the same, and are pretty much the same car. Boring boring boring. You could take a Lexus, shave the emblems, put on some too big ugly rims, do some cheesy interior work, and roll it into the AMBR show, might win. Many of those cars are super cool, but many or just over smoothed, over engineered, etc.. if you want a car that looks like a Lexus sports car, drives like a Lexus, just go buy a Lexus. Just having fun. There were some incredible cars in the AMBR running, but none with with spirit and heart of a rat rod. They did have a rat rod section in another building which was really cool.Just a fun little rant.Keep having fun with those crazy cars.Wil Sakowskiwww.sakowskimotors.com
i would'nt say it "needs" to be in primer, but it certainly does help, a little bit of patina never hurt a rat rod either. Generally they might have some pinstriping or some scallops. The general idea of a rat rod is to get the look that was captured in the early days of the hot rod, when teens didn't have money to get nice paint jobs, and cars were slammed by cutting the springs, The Rat Rods of today are sort of like an homage to the early days of the scene
A rat rod is a low buck attempt to build a hot rod. In fact, they can't really be termed a hot rod. At best they are Art Cars and a fad that is killing usable cars. About 10 years or so ago, some guy showed up at a meet and as a joke came in a piece of crap, rusted out car. Baskerville gave it the name Rat Rod. Unfortunately, some idiots didn't get the joke and thought it was a new fad and jumped on the wagon like blind fools. Everytime I hear a rat rodder use the phrase, "That's the way they built them in the day.", I just laugh and walk away. I'm an old guy and I NEVER remember anyone aspiring to own an ugly piece of crap car. Some and I mean SOME, as in a few, have good ideas, but these are few and far between. Bottomline, like it or not, building a hot rod takes money and skill. A rat rod is a way for someone who has neither to get in the game. So, build what the hell you want, but don't ever call a rat rod a hot rod. It's an insult to everyone who ever wanted to build/own a nice car. Save your money, get some skills, surround yourself with good people who know what the hell they are doing and can offer good advice. THEN build a damn HOT ROD. You'll feel better about yourself in the long run.
We all tend to think that as we drive down the road in our rods or customs, that everyone who glances our way is admiring our car. In reality, the vast majority of people just don't get it.
The worst is when the cars are dangerous to even drive, I can't stand them. The time will come when we will look back on the rat rod "scene" and think what the heck were people thinking?
hey guys i would like to say that i am building a model A RAT ROD and this is a subject that just recently i more info about just so you guys know(tfeverfred) that i buy alot of old mags off ebay and as i was recently was going thru them i found alot of evidance that would contradict your opinions and recollection of history in 3 of my 1958 hot rod magazines there are classified ads in the backs of them and in these books there are at least 1 if not 2 of the so called rat rods that you say didnt exist until 10 years ago hhmmm! and these cars are sectioned 4" to 8", chopped 3" to 6", suicide front axles, rear axle swaps, and even one with the shifter sticking out the roof.. and the history does not stop there in at least 7 of my hot rod magazines from 1959 there 12 yes 12 rat rods for sale in the classifieds with 2 referances to a RATTED OUT HOT ROD. these cars also constisted of the same mods and cutting as todays all trends start somewhere, just like the trend of down grading someone eleses idea of a HOT ROD (rat rod ) because they didnt spend as much money as you did .....your billet streeing wheel $400.00 my 472 caddy motor (that runs) $100.00 knowing that my rat rod(hot rod) ticks you off.. PRICELESS have a good one
gremlin 76 came just about a close as any of you guys if any of you have been around for very long you would remember one ol dude named BIG DADDY ED ROTH
BIG DADDY ED ROTH IS THE ONE THAT COIND "RAT ROD" it refeers to his art work of the "RAT FINK" driveing a rod and that is how the term started do a google on big daddy ed roth and you will see his art great stuff and all of us back then started calling rod's rat rods Papa D
I had never heard that story about Ed Roth, I always thought it was because the cars look like a rats nest!
First off, 76Gremlin (LOL) my project is falling WAY under $9K, I can't afford a $400 sterring wheel and I didn't know I had to share your opinion about what "I" think a rat rod is.Now, you referenced a 50's magazine ad that advertised a "ratted out hot rod". Dude, you basicly validated my point. By "ratted out" they meant "piece of *** Back then, a car that was rusted out and looked like *** was an eye sore at best. THERE WERE NO RAT RODS! No one back then PURPOSELY went to a field, found a rusted car and just slapped in a motor and cruised or raced it and thought, Gee! This is so cool that I can see the ground through my missing floorboard!". They did what work they could, ALWAYS with the intention of getting it finished one day and drove it when it was PRESENTABLE to their peers. Also, you need to remember, back then, there was a lot of good tin still around. Unlike today, you could find a nice one owner '32 in the damn classifieds! They didn't need to scrounge the junk yards for a good car to start with.This rat rod crap that is being built is a prime example of people who don't care about the hobby, but do care about getting attention. They go to a show, see the people crowded around a piece of crap rat rod and say to themselves, "YES! This will get me attention at the burger joint!". What they fail to realise is that, the crowd is gathered because they can't believe anyone would *** up an otherwise nice car. Much like a train wreck will get the attention of passerbys, so will a cobbled together hunk of aborted sheet metal. The one statement made by rat rod owners is that, "This is how it was done in the day.", is without a doubt the first clue to their ignorance. I'm from "back in the day" and I know others who were and we find that reference to us an insult! There were no clapped out, rusted through heaps hanging out at the drive-ins or cruises I went to. You know why? PRIDE in what you were doing and who you were. You smucks that want to be with the "in crowd" really crack me up. There is no "in crowd"! There are, however, guys and girls who are Hot Rodders. You can't buy into it, man. You are or you aren't. These boneheads riding around in a rusted out liability suit for the sake of trying to fit in are what may end up killing the hobby.So, build your cobbled up crap and tell all the lies you want to validate it in your mind, but know this, it's a joke that became a fad or at best, a movement by posers, for posers. Hell, I bet you think all the girls in the fifties had tattoos all over their asses too. Keep reading "Old Skool Rodz" on the sly and trying to fake it. One day, when you're older, you'll realise you were a pawn in one great big joke, that is now being marketed towards blind sheep like yourself.See, you didn't piss me off. You just let me know that there is another *** out there *** up a nice car somewhere and building something that will have me laughing my ass of one day. Thanks for the joke you're working on. I'll have my camera ready, so you get all the attention you're trying to get.And do some real hot rodder a favor and put that Caddy motor up for sale. Sounds like you're getting ready to waste it. Sheep.
We all tend to think that as we drive down the road in our rods or customs, that everyone who glances our way is admiring our car. In reality, the vast majority of people just don't get it.
You're right, ekimball. Papad is probably another poser who has his history all screwed up. Ed Roths cars were exercises in abstract art. His motivation being hot rods, which were popular at the time. He was an ABSTRACT artist, who just happened to be into cars.Do a search of his bio and you'll find what I state to be correct. *** if he had been into airplanes, they would have been built the same way! Posers who reference Ed Roth are REALLY reaching.
We all tend to think that as we drive down the road in our rods or customs, that everyone who glances our way is admiring our car. In reality, the vast majority of people just don't get it.
Tfever, I am also an "old guy" but one who is NOT so senile as to have your opinions on what a 'Rat Rod' is. My current 'project' is a 32 Ford pick-up on a shortened Toyota pick-up chassis(torsion bar front susp.),Ford 5.0 engine and A.O.D. transmission. It contains NOTHING 'billet', extremely few items bought new, and is quite pleasant, and safe, to drive.I proudly consider it to be a 'Rat Rod',and do not drive it to gain attention, nor do I enter shows with it. It is for the pleasure in building and driving as are the majority of the 'rods' in existance today.
Yeah, don't even get me started on the chicks with tatoo's being "traditional" Most of these people are more into a romanticized, or altogether made up lifestyle then the actual cars and hobby.
TFEVERFRED..... Wow, people that think like you are the real threat to our hobby. Luckily you're a very small minority.I love all rods... rat, or otherwise. This hobby is about building, and creating something unique. Wether that be a megabuck catalog built billet everything trailer queen, or a low buck rat built from parts scored at the swap meets, and long nights with the welder, grinder, and lying on the garage floor with tranny fluid in your hair... it doesnt matter. Putting your personal touch on the car, within your means, and having fun doing it is what it's all about. JL


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Accounts that have disappeared include Stevey, skx, salmoni, ncm, returnoftheredi, dorward, hereticmessiah.
Note that certs for an old account are still shown on the other person's page, but not on the new account if it gets recreated. e.g. at the time of writing this negative's page shows he certified salmoni, but that was before salmoni recreated his account, so his new account doesn't show that cert. Similarly, salmoni certified this account, but then it disappeared and I recreated it, so my page doesn't show the cert. God knows what that's doing to the trust metric. [Update: looks like the tmetric page crashes apache, so the answer might be that the trust metric is no longer being updated]
Possible causes could be that someone has found a way of corrupting an account by certifying it (or giving a diary rating) or that the disk is hopelessly knackered and is losing files. But I'm just guessing.


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HAMMERED LEAVES BONSAI, Wire Tree
Sal Villano(see more by this artist)
HAMMERED LEAVES BONSAI - Wire Tree Sculpture, by Sal Villano
21"H x 18"W x 18"D
Created using 24 & 26 gauge galvanized steel wire. The end of each twig is hammered flat to create a flat leaf which gives the tree a very full appearance. The tree sits on a mound made of sea sand many assorted pebbles and rocks. The sea sand and pebbles are painted in yellows and greens using India ink, which will not fade and gives the appearance of moss covered earth. The piece is planted on a 6.5 inch round antique solid wood base, with hand cut openings on the sides. The base is imported from Japan. #1119-09 $795.00
The way I ship my tree sculpture is by using a "box within a box"method. For example, if the sculpture is 8" x 8" x 8", I wire the tree sculpture onto the inside bottom of a box that is a least 10" x 10" x 10". The tree sculpture is secured into the center on the bottom of this inner box so that none of the branches ever touch any of the sides or inside top of this box. The inner box is then sealed and put into another larger outer box and bubble wrap is placed around all the sides, top and bottom of the box with the tree sculpture in it. I have been told by some of my customers that boxes have arrived upside down and battered, however, due to the cushioning around all the sides of the inner box, the sculpture arrives safe and sound. I have shipped thousands of tree sculptures, as far away as Japan, India and China, and I have never had any problems or any sculpture returned due to damage. Insurance is included in the shipping costs.


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Posts Tagged 'perfect fit'
The Perfect Fit
February 26th, 20100
If you're fed up with shirts not buttoning up and regularly have to go up a dress size just to get something to fit over your boobs then check out our clothing range. We give extra room in the bust area in all of our styles, helping you to find the perfect fit and with every thing from day time tops to all out evening glamour we have something for every occasion! Bravissimo sizes are based on standard high street sizes (8-18) and then your "curvy" size. So if your normal high street size was a size 12 (this applies to waist and hips and excludes boobs) and you wear a F cup bra we'd recommend going for a size 12 really curvy. To find your Bravissimo clothes size click here
Why not try some of these latest trends for size and keep up with some of our fashion idols.
A smart trench is easily transferable from day to evening. Take a leaf out of Charlize Theron's style book and wear
yours with cute heels. Our own trench coat comes in a choice of navy or stone and the extra room in the bust means you will be able to wear it fully buttoned up without it being too big everywhere else!
Add some colour to your wardrobe with a brightly coloured and ultra flattering V-neck top. This shape is great for giving your boobs a boost and making the most of what you've got. Plus the bright spice colour is on trend for spring and is sure to brighten up your day!


text: 2009 MTA Higher Education Conference December 4 & 5, 2009Sponsored by MTA and the Higher Education Leadership Council Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center 1657 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01701 508-879-7200 Registration Deadline: November 18, 2009 Conference Fee: $25. The conference opens Friday evening with dinner and adiscussion on state issues affecting public higher education with MTA Pres. Anne Wass and Jim Rice, president of the HCHE. A forum with NEA President Dennis Van Roekel opens the second day. Workshop topics include: Political Organizing the Wellstone Way Social Media: Job-Related Legal Concerns Workplace Bullying: Recognition and Prevention ESP Living Wage Campaigns by the NEA Workplace Health and Safety Staffing and Financial Trends in Public Higher Education Workplace Bullying: Recognition and Prevention What's Happening in Congress: A Legislative Update The conference concludes with lunch Saturday and speaker Arthur Pippo, MTA director of higher education, on State Issues Affecting Public Higher Education. Register and reserve a hotel room online. (Inquire with your local and/or chapter about lodging reimbursement availability.) For further information, contact MTA Higher Ed at 800-392-6175 ext. 8236.


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