text:
Idaho: How a Democrat wins in the Northern Rockies
When the votes are counted election night, it might surprise some national pundits if Idaho's 1st Congressional District goes blue. But Democrat Walt Minnick was a pretty good bet when he wrested the seat from 14 years of Republican ownership in 2008. And since then, Minnick has positioned himself to appeal even more to Idaho's generally conservative voters.
HCN's Guide to Western Elections
Lynch mob politics
Dope, eBay, pollution and moonbeams
The West's true swing state
Utility regs and clean energy up for grabs
New Mexico:
Wolves, wilderness, drilling and Latinos
A Sagebrush Rebel headed for D.C.
A popular governor gets mysterious
John Dougherty:
How I ran for a U.S. Senate seat, and what I learned
Minnick, an Army veteran, earned an MBA and a law degree from Harvard, worked in a Republican White House pushing President Nixon's war on drugs, and has run two large companies (wood products and garden centers). In the House of Representatives, he's voted with Democrats about 70 percent of the time, but he crossed party lines on fiscal matters and voted against health-care reform and the cap-and-trade-emissions bill, which sought to address climate change. That's earned him praise from conservative groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business and Citizens Against Government Waste. The Sacramento-based Tea Party Express even endorsed Minnick, though he rejected its support.
Minnick is semi-green, voting for environmentalists' positions 43 percent of the time in 2009, according to the League of Conservation Voters. He's trying to retain his seat in a four-way race that includes right-wing Republican legislator Raul Labrador -- who wants the U.S. to drop out of the United Nations and go back to gold-based currency -- and Libertarian Mike Washburn. Minnick remains the best fit for his district -- a slice of western Idaho that includes the University of Idaho, logging towns and Boise suburbs -- and polls say he'll probably win again.
Republican incumbents, including Gov. Butch Otter, will likely prevail in other high-profile races. Idaho hasn't had a Democratic governor since Cecil Andrus finished his fourth term in January 1995; the latest sacrificial Democratic candidate for the job is Keith Allred, a fifth-generation Idahoan and former Harvard professor who ran a respected nonpartisan public-policy group called The Common Interest.
Best jack Mormon Idaho's real political struggle is within the state's Republican Party. Tea Partiers have taken over the Republican Party leadership, demanding that candidates swear allegiance to their platform: calling for Idaho to take over federal land, return to gold-based money and choose U.S. senators by a vote in the Republican Legislature instead of statewide popular votes. Yet some prominent Republicans have rejected the extreme platform, including Rep. Mike Simpson. He's a jack Mormon (he rejects his church's prohibition of booze, for instance) who's sponsoring the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill, which he negotiated with the Idaho Conservation League.


text:
Msgr. McGolrick Park
Russell St., Monitor St. bet. Nassau Ave. and Driggs Ave.
Directions via Google Maps
In 1889 the City of Brooklyn acquired the land for a park on a site bounded by Monitor and Russell Streets, Nassau and Driggs Avenues. Winthrop Park was named for Assemblyman Winthrop Jones, who was instrumental in obtaining the $132,825 appropriation for the purchase. A lifelong resident of Greenpoint, Jones co-owned a lumberyard at the corner of Kent and West Streets and also worked as a job printer.
Movies Under the Stars: Captain Underpants
Join NYC Parks and New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment for this free family film! Based on...
Directions to Msgr. McGolrick Park
- Parks Dedicates Memorial Garden to Late Brooklyn Parks Supervisor
- Parks Salutes Its Employees of the Month
- Parks Remembers A Naval Battle, A Brilliant Designer, And The History Of Parks

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Electronic Waste
|Post Reply
Topic Search Topic Options
Joined: 23 July 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options
Posted: 22 August 2008 at 10:00pm
Asalaamu Alaykum dear brothers and sisters,
Many of the places where electronic waste is dumped occurs in Muslim lands, believe it or not.
Please consider re-using electronic equipment or fixing it before buying a new one.
Everything from discarded video games to compact discs and older model television sets are finding their way around the globe in countries too poor not to accept payment for using their land as our dumping ground.
What we use and "throw away" we are responsible for because Allah subhan wa ta'Allah has created us as care takers of the land. How are we full filling this role in our own lives?
Electronic waste is now illegal to dump in California and like batteries, your VCR or DVD player has to be recycled.
It has become a growing problem for developed countries like the U.S., as toxins from electronic waste can leach into our ground water supply. San Jose, California(home of Silicon Valley) has the worlds largest Superfund sites in the world. Superfund sites are considered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as areas of land that are too toxic for anyone to enter.
Most of these leachates released are hazardous to the health of infants and pregnant mothers. The toxins severely impair the nervous system of the developing fetus.
Those of us who are blessed to be living in America where our water is clean and laws like the Clean Water Act help to ensure it is safe for us to drink have to think of those who are not as fortunate.
Imagine what is happening to children and mothers of poorer nations who don't have the infrastructure to set laws and regulate levels of toxicity in their ground water supply.
Please consider the choices you make when you are shopping for electronics.
The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is a leader and an environmental "watch-dog" based out of San Jose, California and is taking a tour of India, one of the places where our electronics ends up at the end of their life cycle.
SVTC will monitor the health effects of the workers in India and report on how the hazardous materials are being handled.
To stay updated please view the link below on SVTC's progress.
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:55:31 -0500
From: [email protected]
< ="Content-" content="text/; charset=unicode"> < name="Generator" content="Microsoft Safe">
Ron Webb
Senior Member
Joined: 30 January 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 2493
Post Options
I recently put a box of discarded computer parts into my garbage bin to be taken to our local landfill. Believe me, I tried to find an alternative but there just wasn't one. There are four or five sites in Winnipeg that are supposed to be accepting hazardous and toxic waste, but when I checked their Web sites I found that they all have very specific rules for what they will and will not take. Some only take whole units (not components), some only obsolete equipment in working condition, etc. I couldn't find a single one that looked like it would accept my box.
Furthermore, they operate on very restricted hours and/or are many miles from my home, which means that I would have to burn several litres of gas to get there -- trading one form of pollution for another -- only to find that they probably wouldn't accept my box after all. Even if they did accept it, I suspect they would have only taken it to the dump themselves. Proper recovery of e-waste (extracting the hazardous chemicals for reuse) costs money, and I don't think any of them were set up for it.
It seems to me that too many governments are wasting their time nagging their citizens about being "green" while failing to actually provide proper recycling programs. In other words, talk is cheap.
Addeenul �Aql � Religion is intellect.
Joined: 23 July 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options
Hello Ron,
Thank you for your comment and I understand your frustration. I do agree that e-waste recycling has yet to be made more convenient for consumers, but the ultimate responsibility is ours. It is our responsibility to make sure our governments, public officials, and the businesses that our money goes to are held accountable for their actions or inaction. Many of the drop off locations don't extract the hazardous waste on site, which is why less developed countries are over flowing with our IBMs and iPods where children extract the re-usable parts (like copper) meanwhile being exposed to lead and mercury.
There has to be a global wake up call to the amount of stuff we accumulate in our consumer driven societies. We may have to just make the sacrifice and not buy products that the company won't take back for repairs or recycle its parts at the end of that product's life-cycle. There has to be enough people requesting this service in order for it to happen and I believe it's possible. If we can send a man on the moon...we certainly can tackle this task.
We have to bare that burden of writing a letter, making a phone call to our representatives, attending a city council or town hall meeting and in the process getting our communities involved in order to find solutions. What are we leaving the next generation with if we can't show them that there's hope for a resolution to problems?
Some states in the U.S. don't even offer e-waste recovery programs yet. You are lucky to live in an area that has a website and locations for different regions that residents can drop off their e-waste. (I'll post it at the bottom of this message in case others visiting this thread from your area are interested. Maybe they live closer to one of the drop off sites.)
What I do is keep my electronic junk until there's enough for me to make a trip so that I'm not wasting fuel to recycle just a couple of batteries. I've asked co-workers, classmates, friends/neighbors in the past if they can recycle some items that my drop off site won't take. I once asked my professor if battery recycling was offered in their town (which they did offer). I was glad to get rid of my old batteries finally, and I slept better that night. My point is that there has to be a collective effort.
"And that human can have nothing but what he does (good or bad), and that his deeds will be seen." (An-Najm 53: 39-40)
"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves." (Ar-Ra'ad 13:11)
City of Winnipeg: How to get rid of your household hazardous waste
E-Waste Roundup 2008 Depot Contact Information (drop off schedule)
Joined: 23 July 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options
Ron Webb
Senior Member
Joined: 30 January 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 2493
Post Options
Thanks love, but I have already seen those links. As I said, most of the depots listed only accept a limited number of categories of e-waste. None of them specifically include components and many of them are for whole units only. In addition, many of them are open only during normal working hours -- and I'm sorry, but I am not taking time off work, driving halfway across the city only to find out that they either won't take the stuff or will simply toss it in the trash themselves.
Addeenul �Aql � Religion is intellect.
|Post Reply
| Tweet
|Forum Jump
|Forum Permissions
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


text:
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook
Directions • This hike is in the Cedar Breaks National Monument, located about four hours south of Salt Lake City and open from late May to mid-October. To get there, take Interstate 15 south to the State Road 143/Parowan exit. Turn left on Main Street in Parowan and left on 200 South, then take a right on 143. Follow it about 15 miles to the Visitor's Center, where you pay a $4-per-adult entry fee. Children 15 and under are free.
About the hike • This hike offers some of the state's best hiking features, red rock and green forest, in a neat little package. The trailhead is located on the left side of the visitor's center parking lot. It traces the rim of the beautiful red-rock amphitheater, which has plenty of spire-like hoodoo formations. Though the elevation gain isn't huge, the hike starts at over 10,000 feet, so it feels like plenty of work make sure to bring sunscreen and water. The Spectra Point marks the halfway point of the hike. Along with the view, the point has a massive bristlecone pine tree of indeterminate age. Bristlecones are one of the world's longest-living organisms. The trail then descends down the canyon, where the terrain changes to a beautiful deep green dotted with wildflowers like Indian paintbrush, Blue columbine, Shootingstar and cinquefoil, among others. It then climbs back up for another great view of the amphitheater at Ramparts Overlook. • Trail data
Find GPS coordinates and more at: http://alltrails.com/tracks/spectra-rampart-trail Destination Spectra Point & Ramparts Overlook
Hiking time 2 hours
Round trip miles 3.35 miles
Elevation gain 721 feet
Difficulty Moderate
Trail head restrooms Yes
Dogs allowed No
Bikes allowed No


text:
Location: Located between the N2 National Highway, 2kms outside of Plettenberg Bay, and the Keurbooms Estuary. Next to the Plettenberg Bay Primary School and the main Market Square shopping mall.
Security: Guarded entrance gate, electric perimeter fencing, monitored camera surveillance, 24 hour patrolled security.
Amenities: Fantastic variety of wildlife, buck etc, lovely walks, cycling, kiddies playground, direct lagoon access - boating, swimming, fishing, tennis, squash and swimming pool, clubhouse, pro-shop, restaurant, golf tuition, home management and rental office / internet café, 18-hole top ranked golf course with full practice facilities, the garden routes most successful golf estate.
Plettenberg Bay has its own Private Hospital. Nearby Knysna has a Government Hospital and the excellent Knysna Private Hospital.
|Office: 044... 044 533 6000 Show Numbers
|Cell: 278... 27842093053 Show Numbers
|Email: ... Cindy Bown Show Email
|Fax: 044 533 5051
|View my Properties
|Office: 044... 044 533 5250 Show Numbers


text:
If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.
Help with new lamb please
Discussion in 'Other Pets & Livestock' started by MandyH, Jun 3, 2008.
Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3


text:
Responsible Fiscal Cliff ResolutionWritten by Stephen Lendman Subject: Philosophy: Fascism
by Stephen Lendman
Responsible governance isn't rocket science. Nor is effective economic policy. Fiscal cliff resolution is as simple as doing the right thing. Both parties spurn doing so.
December 31 is a nominal deadline. Effectively it's meaningless. New year legislation can be retroactive to January 1. Absent any, here's what's at stake.
Bush tax cuts revert automatically to Clinton-era levels. The current top 35% will rise to 39.6%. Average middle income families will pay an extra $2,200 annually.
High income earners have clever lawyers and accountants able. They're able to minimize their burden. Ordinary people are hit hardest.
The payroll tax will rise from 4.2% to 6.2%. Doing so means a 50% tax increase for over 90% of Americans.
Payroll taxes shouldn't have been cut in the first place. Better economic stimulus methods exist. Cuts drain Social Security Trust Fund reserves. Doing so irreparably hurts the ability to pay future benefits.
Congress planned it that way. Both parties want Social Security privatized. Doing so assures destroying it altogether. It also violates Franklin Roosevelt's pledge. He said:
"We put those payroll contributions there so as to give the contributors a legal, moral, and political right to collect their pensions and their unemployment benefits."
"With those taxes in there, no damn politician can ever scrap my social security program. Those taxes aren't a matter of economics. They're straight politics."
Both parties play hardball. Class war defines their agenda. America's social contract is on the chopping block for elimination. A decade from now it won't exist in its current form. In two decades or less it will disappear altogether.
Doing so means using America's resources for waging war on humanity, increasing corporate profitability, and benefitting super-rich elites already with too much. Vital popular needs will be sacrificed.
Nominally at midnight December 31, unemployment benefits for 2.1 million Americans expire. They represent those without jobs longterm. In 2013 Q I, another million Americans will lose their benefits. More will lose out throughout the year.
Budget sequestration kicks in. Initially, automatic $1.2 trillion in spending cuts are mandated. Nominally they're across the board. Obama, most Democrats, and Republicans agree.
Defense spending will rise, not fall. America's war machine will be generously funded. War profiteers demand it. Bipartisan complicity won't disappoint.
Social America will be hardest hit. It's longstanding policy. Over the next decade, agreement was reached on cutting about $4 trillion. Before it ends, expect much more.
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and public pensions are prime targets. Other vital social programs are included. Erosion and planned privatization assure eliminating them.
So does eventually ending virtually all benefits disadvantaged households now get. Bedrock programs will be entirely destroyed. Doing so in their current form comes first. Eliminating them altogether follows.
The annual "doc fix" also expires. Medicare's growth formula ties physician compensation to economic performance. Healthcare providers get shortchanged. Doc fixes minimize damage.
Unless renewed, physician compensation will drop 26.5%. Doing so assures more doctors dropping out of the program altogether. Many already did so.
The alternative minimum tax (AMT) expires. Annual congressional patches keep it in place. In 1969, it was introduced.
Initially it was conceived as a system to assure high-income earners, corporations, trusts, and estates pay at least minimal taxes. Currently around 20% of households are affected.
Thresholds aren't automatically adjusted for inflation. For years, Congress enacted one-year patches. At times, modest inflation relief was included. AMT kicks in if tentative minimum taxes exceed regular ones.
Tentative ones are AMT amounts times alternative minimum taxable income less the AMT foreign tax credit. Regular ones equal income tax obligations minus foreign and possessions tax credits.
The AMT is a very complicated. It's a parallel tax system. Ordinary people need accountants to determine if it affects them. What began in 1969 is totally dysfunctional. Many middle income earners are hard hit. Nominally it wasn't supposed to be this way.
Patches rectify things annually. Failure to do so assures voter rage. It's been avoided so far. Given bipartisan agreement to destroy America's social contract, anything is possible ahead.
Social destructiveness is prioritized. Doing what's right is spurned. Imagine the difference effective policies would make. Key ones include:
Putting money power back in public hands where it belongs. The Constitution's Article I, Section 8 mandates it.
Public banking works. It's an idea whose time has come. Privatized money power is destructive. Regaining public control more than ever is needed.
Colonial America prospered that way tax and inflation-free. It's the same wherever it's instituted. Imagine if Wall Street's controlled Federal Reserve was nationalized.
Its franchise would be abolished. Giant banks could be broken up. Too-big-to-fail ones could end. Insolvent ones would be shut down. Responsibly run public ones would replace them.
Sustainable inflation-free prosperity could follow. Readily available credit makes it possible. All boats could be lifted equitably. It happened in America before and could again. Political will alone prevents it.
Imagine the difference under public banks. They're not beholden to Wall Street or shareholders. They don't have to earn profits. They don't pay huge salaries and bonuses.
They're mandated only to serve communities, businesses of all sizes, farmers, and private individuals responsibly. They're very much up to the task. They succeed marvelously.
Federal, state and local debt could be substantially reduced or eliminated. So could personal and payroll taxes. America's manufacturing base could be rebuilt.
Social programs could be funded inflation-free. Infrastructure rebuilding could be prioritized. It could be done on a scale never before imagined.
Environmental cleanup could happen. Alternative, sustainable, clean, safe, affordable energy sources could be developed.
Millions of good-paying jobs could be created. Employment would exist for everyone willing and able to work. People with money spend it. Doing so enhances economic growth.
Home ownership would be available to millions. Foreclosures would end. Mortgages would be sustainably cheap. Booms and busts would end. So would destructive currency devaluations and economic warfare.
Private pensions, savings and investments would be safe. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, public pensions, and other vital benefits would be secure in perpetuity. So would sustainable prosperity.
Fiscal cliff duplicitous hype wouldn't exist. Imagine this kind of nation. It's not pie-in-the-sky. Colonial America proved it works. So have other nations where it was tried. Why not again now. Political will alone prevents it. People power can change things.
Reinstitute anti-trust laws with teeth. Prohibit monopoly and oligopoly power.
Revoke corporate personhood. Business giants are private tyrannies. Their rights are the same as people. Limited liability status eliminates most responsibilities.
They're a universe unto themselves. They can reside in many places simultaneously. They can't be imprisoned for wrongdoing. They take full advantage.
They're obligated only to shareholders. Their power has grown exponentially. They're out-of-control. They're rapacious predators. They make US policy. They write legislation Congress passes. Presidents dutifully enact it. It's high time that changed.
Dismantle destructive duopoly power. Replace it with multi-party direct democracy. Get money out of politics.
Break up big media. Make broadcasting a public utility. Airwaves belong to everyone. Business giants exploit it. Generous subsidies support them.
Prohibit corporate handouts, loopholes, and special benefits. Make corporations pay their fare share. Tax all profits equitably.
Mandate progressive taxation. Treat all forms of income equally.
Tax speculation. Impose a Tobin tax on large financial transactions.
Reinstitute Glass-Steagall. Decouple commercial from investment banks and insurers. Abolish the Commodity Futures Modernization Act. It legitimized swap agreements and other hybrid instruments.
It prevents regulatory oversight of derivatives and leveraging. It turned Wall Street crooks loose on unsuspecting investors. Fraud more than ever was institutionalized. It's Wall Street's business model.
Giant banks make money by stealing it. Crooked politicians permit it. Predatory rapaciousness is institutionalized. America's 1% profits at the expense of others. Depression conditions harm growing millions. Reckless policies make it possible.
Mandate level playing field fairness. End monied corruption. Hold corporate bosses accountable. End America's student loan racket. Reenergize organized labor. Let workers bargain collectively with management fairly.
Save public education. Institute it at the college and graduate school levels. Establish universal healthcare. Everyone in. No one left out.
End America's permanent war policy. Prioritize peace. Close all overseas bases. Cut defense spending sharply. Use America's resources for productive economic growth.
Imagine priorities this beneficial. Imagine a country fit to live in. Imagine widespread activism committed to achieve it. It won't happen any other way. It never has. It never will.
Ordinary people are responsible for their own futures. They hold their fate in their own hands. It's their choice. Act responsibly or lose out entirely. America's on a fast track toward the worst of all possible worlds.
Imagine mass activism unwilling to tolerate it. Beneficial social change could follow. Institutionalizing it could become policy. It that's not worth working for, what is?
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.


text:
Multiple Compartment Rockstud CrossbodyRed Red -
Multifunctinal Handbag can be handheld or worn crossbody.
Exterior Features: Polished multi-studs and furnished with gun metal-tone hardware detailing. Made of pebbled faux-leather, front compartment displays a flip lock closure and exterior back compartment features a magnetic-snap closure. Both compartments have a zipper closure with an NL monogrammed zipper. Nicole Lee signature nameplate at front with top handle.
Interior Features: Double open wall pockets in front compartments, zip wall pocket with NL nameplate at back on the back compartment, vegan leather key chain strap and NL Pop Stripe print nylon lining.
Vegan leather top handle with 2\" inch drop. Includes adjustable and detachable 44\" - 53\" inch shoulder strap
Compact with spacious interior


text:
For the three months ended Dec. 31, Polaris reported net income of $88.1 million, or $1.24 per share, compared with $63.9 million, or 90 cents per share, a year ago.
Snowmobile and ATV maker Polaris Industries Inc. on Tuesday said that its fourth-quarter profit climbed 38 percent, as increased sales of its off-road vehicles, motorcycles and gear and accessories more than offset a decline in snowmobile sales.
But its forecast for this year fell short of Wall Street expectations, and shares fell almost 3 percent in morning trading.
For the three months ended Dec. 31, Polaris reported net income of $88.1 million, or $1.24 per share, compared with $63.9 million, or 90 cents per share, a year ago.
Revenue rose 15 percent to $900.6 million from $782 million the prior year.
Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $1.23 per share, on revenue of $893 million, according to data provider FactSet.
Off-road vehicle revenue increased 22 percent to $567.1 million. On-road vehicle revenue — Victory and Indian motorcycles and GEM and Goupil electric vehicles — increased 36 percent to $47.4 million.
Parts, garments, and accessories revenue increased 17 percent to $131.6 million.
Snowmobile revenue slid 9 percent to $154.6 million. The company said the decline represented a shift to shipping snowmobiles to the third quarter to better coincide with the start of the consumer retail selling period. Season-to-date sales by Dec. 31 were higher, with sales in the Scandanavian region and Russia up 15 percent in the fourth quarter, according to the company.
Polaris CEO Scott Wine said in a statement that the company expects sales in Europe to slip in 2013, but the company is going ahead with a new European plant, which he said "will provide significant future cost reduction and growth opportunities."
The Minneapolis-based company is also investing heavily in the rebirth of the Indian Motorcycle brand, which it bought in 2011. Wine said the company is designing and developing a new engine and bikes and plans to introduce them to market later this year.
For the full year 2012, Polaris said net income jumped 37 percent to $312.3 million, or $4.40 per share, on $3.21 billion in revenue. That was up from 2011 earnings of $227.6 million, or $3.20 per share, on revenue of $2.66 billion.
Polaris forecast full year 2013 earnings in the range of $4.85 to $5.05 per share. It projected sales growth for the year between 7 and 10 percent, implying sales between $3.43 billion and $3.53 billion.
Wall Street was predicting, on average, earnings of $5.21 per share, with estimates ranging from $5.06 to $5.40. Analysts were expecting average revenue of $3.64 billion, with estimates ranging from $3.53 billion to $3.72 billion.
Polaris shares gave up $2.93, or 3.2 percent, to $89 in morning trading. The stock had been up more than 9 percent since the start of the year through Monday.


text:
The Red Sox have the opportunity to do something very unique by the 4 p.m. Tuesday non-waiver trade deadline. They could be both buyers and sellers.
They were four games out of the wild card after taking two of three from the Yankees over the weekend. After beating the Tigers, 7-3, Monday night they have 59 games left. It seems as if they still should be labeled contenders.
Your comment is subject to the rules of our Posting Policy
This comment may appear on your public profile. Public Profile FAQ


text:
Yes, I know, ladies. You saw that Orlando Bloom movie where the sun rises and sets and rises while he's making love… once. And yes, I heard about the book your reading, the one where the man crosses mountains and oceans to reconnect with his lifelong love.
Sorry, ladies: Both of those are fiction. The real version of those scenarios would be far more, uh, realistic. Orlando Bloom would be asked to brush his teeth and take off his dress socks before making love from sunset till just after sunset. The man would cross mountains and oceans get away from his lifelong love.
But it's not like women have it better. I mean, look at us. Look at your shoulders, dude. Are you putting Rogaine on your deltoids? Look at your clothes. Why are you dressed like a PGA caddie? And who wears Tevas anymore? And you've obviously stopped caring about your health. You're shaped less like Orlando Bloom and more like Orlando, Florida. It's amazing women actually want to have sex with us. We don't want to have sex with us.
And I haven't even mentioned the Big C yet: children. Based on a survey we did at Babytalk a couple years ago, here's what we found about parents' sex lives: Only 24 percent of parents are happy with their post-baby sex lives, compared with 66 percent who were satisfied before baby. Seventy-four percent say sleep is more important than sex.
Guys are gross, and kids interfere with our love lives. Women need a certain dose of drama and story to get energized, and guys can get excited by just a visual, or a photocopy of a visual, or a photocopy of a visual glimpsed in a passing car. When it comes to the sex lives of men and women, dads and moms, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome.
That's why I have a new cause: the charity f#$@.
That's right, the charity f#@%. Let me be clear: I'm not talking about a mercy f#@$ (also known as a pity f$#@). There's a big difference. "Pity sex is about checking sex off your to-do list," says sexpert Ian Kerner on his Good in Bed blog. "Charity sex is about checking in with each other. It's not about meeting someone else's physical needs—it's about meeting your relationship's emotional ones."
A charity f$%# is a donation to a great cause: your relationship. When you're a parent, sex can't always be the epic moments you find in novels and rom-coms. It's not fireworks once a year, but sparklers every week. This is about staying connected, plain and simple. Without that, neither a couple nor a family can endure.
Sometimes donations are an oversized novelty check for one million dollars. Sometimes it's a $20 bill. But any charity will tell you: we need both to survive.


text: We have been frequent guests of these beautiful Cabins. We have been traveling to Panama and El Valle de Anton for over 10 years now, and even though there are plenty of Cabins and hotels in the area, we always go to Cabanas de Colores. The reason is quite simple: They are in the Main Road of El Valle de... More


text:
First Insurance increases its scholarship to $100,000 at Shidler CollegeUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Public Info Officer, College of Business-External Relations Office
The scholarship is one in a series of gifts that FICOH has made to the College. In 2007, the company established a $1 million First Insurance Company Distinguished Professorship to recruit and retain faculty in the area of risk management. In addition, FICOH has been the title sponsor of Business Night for the past eight years.
"As a Hawai'i company and employer, we feel it is imperative for us to invest in the people who will one day move our business community and State forward," said Allen Uyeda, president and CEO of FICOH. "We are excited to enhance our support of Shidler students at a stage in their lives when they are gaining knowledge and forging relationships that will last them their entire careers."
"FICOH is a great corporate partner. They support our students and the College in many different ways—through their professorship, title sponsorships, and now, scholarships," said Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business. "Thanks to FICOH and the leadership of its president Allen Uyeda, our College will continue to attract promising business students and faculty for many years to come."
University of Hawai'i Foundation president and CEO Donna Vuchinich added, "We are so grateful to Allen and FICOH for their philanthropic generosity and leadership. Their continued support exemplifies the positive impact the private sector can make when partnering with our public university to enhance Hawai'i's students' educational journey."
For more than 100 years, FICOH has been serving the insurance needs of Hawai'i's families and businesses. A member of the Japan-based Tokio Marine Group, FICOH enjoys an "A+" rating from A.M. Best Company, whose ratings are widely recognized as a benchmark of an insurer's financial strength.
Today, FICOH employs more than 300 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 29 independent general agencies. The company has claims personnel on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui and Hawai'i Island.
To find out how you can support the Shidler College of Business, please contact Unyong Nakata at firstname.lastname@example.com or (808) 956-3597.
Photo caption: From L-R: Allen Uyeda, pres. and CEO, FICOH; FICOH scholarship recipients Shylyn Duarte and Kenneth Lee; and Vance Roley, dean, Shidler College of Business.


text: 4.3 out of 5 (Likelihood to recommend) 54 Patient/Family Ratings About Our Patient Satisfaction ScoresThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Awards and Recognition: Top Doctors No. Va. Magazine (2015, 2016) Make an Appointment View My Research Profile Locations Main Hospital Washington, District of Columbia 20010 1-888-884-BEAR (2327) Annapolis Outpatient Center Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410-266-6582 Montgomery County Outpatient Center Rockville, Maryland 20850 301-765-5400 or 800-787-0243 Northern Virginia Outpatient Center Fairfax, Virginia 22031 571-226-8380 Languages Spoken English Departments Cardiology Electrophysiology Tuberous Sclerosis Program Board Certifications American Board of PediatricsAmerican Board of Pediatrics/Pediatric CardiologyNational Provider ID: 1083708408 Disclosure This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts. Outside Interests Medtronic, INc. Biosense Webster, Inc. Boston Scientific


text:
SOURCE: Double Helix Water
April 02, 2012 09:05 ET
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 2, 2012) - April is Autism Awareness Month and a recently published article in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine examining the latest study, "Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Autism via Meridian Theory" by Dr. Shui Yin Lo, Theoretical Physicist and Co-Founder of Double Helix Water, suggests that Traditional Chinese Medicine could detect autism prior to a child starting to show any symptoms.
While autism mainly resides in the brain, more investigation shows that the disorder might be related to gastrointestinal diseases. The study by Dr. Shui Yin Lo suggests that by removing blockages along the gastrointestinal or yang meridians, energy in the body can flow more freely allowing the body to help reduce some of the effects of autism. More importantly, if blockages are seen at an early age, doctors may be able to detect the disorder before a child shows any symptoms. As early detection of autism is a key factor in treating the disorder, Dr. Shui Yin Lo's study opens a myriad of possible solutions for those with the disorder.
During a 12-week pilot study, Dr. Shui Yin Lo examined 11 male children with autism of varying levels of severity taking full-body thermographic images of each child. The images showed a pattern of six hot regions in key areas along the yang meridians, or the meridians that connect the gastrointestinal tract to the brain and are believed to be linked to the major clinical symptoms of autism.
"While parents have had to wait until their child turned two to see the signs of autism, the study suggests that preventive action can be taken before observing any behavioral disorders if a child undergoes a thermal imaging scan," said Dr. Shui Yin Lo. "I want to encourage others to join the study since early detection of autism is crucial to treating patients."
Dr. Shui Yin Lo's findings suggest that Traditional Chinese Medicine and thermal imaging can be a reliable method for early detection of autism. If confirmed in a larger clinical study, these findings could help the thousands affected by autism to live a better life.
For more information about how you could get involved in Dr. Shui Yin Lo's study about early detection and treatment of Autism, please visit www.JoinAutismStudy.net, or www.DoubleHelixWater.com.
Media Contact:Heather Gordon
Rogers Finn Partners
(310) email@example.com
Media Contact:Heather Gordon
Rogers Finn Partners
(310) firstname.lastname@example.com
See all RSS Newsfeeds


text:
Comic-Con was the place to be this weekend! Stars gathered at the San Diego Convention Center for a weekend filled with celebrities discussing and previewing their action, sci-fi, and adventure projects, and, of course mingling with the their die-hard fans. X-Men: Days of Future Past co-stars Anna Paquin (in McQ Alexander McQueen), Jennifer Lawrence (in Alexander McQueen), and Halle Berry were all smiles as they arrived to discuss the upcoming installment; Comic-Con first-timer Sandra Bullock (in Roland Mouret) made her debut at the preview of her new film Gravity, in which she plays an astronaut lost in space; and Emily Blunt (in Wes Gordon) and Tom Cruise met up on the carpet before manning the booth for their film Edge of Tomorrow, out next summer. Click the photo above to see more the panels, debuts and star arrivals from the convention!
• Comic-Con 2013: What the Stars Wore
• All Comic-Con News
• Ben Lamb Talks Divergent


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The World Bank is helping Lebanon prepare the ground to request an influx of international aid to offset the high costs of spillover from the Syrian civil war, the bank's president, Jim Yong Kim, said Tuesday.
Kim said in an interview with The Associated Press that the Lebanese government asked the World Bank to take the lead in preparing a quick assessment of the social and economic impacts of the war in neighboring Syria. This analysis will be presented at a Sept. 25 meeting of an international support group for Lebanon at the United Nations General Assembly.
Kim said the bank made a "very intensive effort" to finish the assessment in a few weeks, something that normally would take six to nine months.
Lebanon is hoping the World Bank's stamp on the analysis will underpin its request for aid from individual donor countries as well as international agencies. It will look at the enormous strains the Syrian conflict is putting on Lebanese tourism, trade, health, education and the burden on ordinary citizens.
"We have been preparing the path so that the global community can support Lebanon," Kim said, adding that he hopes funds will begin to flow once the assessment is presented at the U.N. The analysis was prepared in cooperation with U.N. agencies and the European Union, potential donors, but the World Bank led the effort.
The bank is looking for partners to provide grants to alleviate some of the strain on Lebanon's economy, government budget and infrastructure.
Lebanon, a country of about 4 million people, is grappling with an influx of more than a million refugees from Syria.
The World Bank said it could not provide a dollar figure for the aid Lebanon might request but the assessment is meant to help determine how much is needed now. It said the aid will augment help Lebanon gets from the U.N. refugee agency specifically to help with the costs of the refugees.
However, the conflict is now permeating the fabric of Lebanese society and the country feels broader assistance is needed.
The World Bank is already providing aid to Jordan, another Syrian neighbor, to help offset the costs of caring for hundreds of thousands more Syrian refugees. The bank provides loans and other assistance to developing countries with the goal of alleviating poverty.
Kim also said he was concerned that an escalation of the Syrian conflict would cause even greater human suffering and could disrupt access to oil, increasing prices and hurting the world's poor.
President Barack Obama is seeking the support of Congress for military action to punish the Syrian regime for alleging using chemical weapons on its own citizens.
"An increase in oil prices has very far reaching potential impacts on the well-being of especially the most vulnerable," he said.
"We would plead for all parties to really think hard about the human impact of any actions that are taken."


text:
It's the lying, but that's only the beginning of the problem
We've all had a couple months to consider the false reviews posted by thriller author RJ Ellory and Pan MacMillan leader Jeremy Trevathan (among others). Sometimes with time, perspective changes. Sometimes it doesn't.
For a friend of mine, it's the lying that's upsetting. That's understandable. In a world where sports records are routinely tarnished by performance-enhancing drugs, in which well-known, published journalists are found to fabricate work, and when you can't watch the news without wondering who to believe–in that world, honesty is important.
For me, it's not the lying. It's the damage to our craft.
The real cost of the lie is that it reduces the community's ability to fortify. Anything that reduces writers helping writers runs against that FWA stands for, and weakens our craft.
Becoming a good writer is hard work. Getting published is harder. Making something of your published work is even harder. Not a single successful writer has done it alone.Some of the most generous, understanding people I've met professionally are writers. I am fortunate that several have allowed me to go to school on their experience and their mistakes. You probably have, too.
When one of us succeeds, to some degree, the overall community succeeds. No one makes it alone.
The sins of Ellory, Trevathan, and others, aren't as much the lying as the tarnishing of the overall community. Ellory's damage was direct–trashing the work of people he considered as competitors. But all the damage counts.
When Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, and others were proven to have taken steroids, it's not just their accomplishments that were tarnished. Just Google Jeff Bagwell and steroids or Mike Piazza and steroids. Although neither of them has ever tested positive and no one has come forward to directly accuse them of taking steroids, their accomplishments come with whispers. Bagwell should be in the Hall of Fame now, and probably would be, if not for the whispers. I'd almost bet my house Piazza won't make it next year.
Similarly, if someone comes out of the woodwork with sudden publishing success, they may pay for the sins of John Locke. And if someone gets a review that seems lofty and exceptionally well-written, the whispers may follow.
Any community needs to keep its members accountable. Accountability means different things in different circumstances. For Ellory, Trevathan, and others, the community is far less open than previously. Accountability will make them pay for their transgressions.
But accountability is also a tool. If you're tempted to cheat, and if you have a strong community around you, you can get the support you need to walk away from the wrong thing.
But accountability also works in whispers and might-be truths. It will for some writer someplace, just as it has for Jeff Bagwell and Mike Piazza.
The community is harmed by the dishonesty. The real cost of the lie is that it reduces the community's ability to fortify its members, especially the falsely accused. Anything that reduces writers helping writers runs against that FWA stands for, and weakens our craft.
As someone once said to John Locke–another John Locke–we can either live together, or die alone. That's a little melodramatic for this particular problem, but the general template applies.
Susan Berry permalinkNovember 20, 2012 10:53 am
Accountability is another name for the golden rule, which to put in modern language: what goes around will definitely come back around and in the case of Ellory, not in a good way.
Comments are closed.


text:
Girls' cropped tankini set in mixed hearts
Prices do not include taxes.
Product Details
Winter break, here they come... Made from our super-comfortable, fast-drying, fade-resistant fabric, this cute two-piece swimsuit is ready for cannonballs, boogie boarding and games of Marco Polo. Bonus: It's made with smart UPF 50 sun protection (think of it as SPF for clothes) that's recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV protectant—but we still suggest wearing this suit with sunblock for ultimate coverage.
- Nylon/elastane.
- This style features UPF 50 sun protection (think of it as sunscreen for your clothes).
- Lined.
- Sizes 14-16 have a shelf bra.
- Machine wash.
- Import.
- Online only.
- Item F9224.


text:
We offer what you need to achieve success. Come explore and find out why so many students have decided to call one of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District the pathway to their future.
Not sure where to start? Our Career Assessment Tool can help.
Alamo Colleges Education Services is a secure portal connecting Faculty, Staff & Students to Academic Resources, Email, and other Online Resources.
Support Contacts Helpdesk (210) 486-5000
Lib Guides
Online Catalog
Off-Campus Access
Library Instruction
Student Resources
Academic Calendar
Student Life
College Map
The following steps will guide you through the online registration process.
Students enrolling in the Alamo Colleges District for the first time who have earned less than 15 college level semester credit hours must register for a Student Development course (SDEV). Student Development is a required course. If you change your schedule, you must contact the SDEV representatives at your college.
It is highly recommended that you register early and follow an educational goal plan:
Student Services
Student Commons(STCM-101)
(210) 486-5406Fax:210-486-9176 Email:email@example.com
1201 Kitty Hawk Rd. Universal City, Texas 78148 (210) 486-5000


text:
Stocks Stage a Late Rally While Facebook Soars
Today's financial recap and tomorrow's financial outlook.
The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) finished the day up 0.30% following a late-day surge.
Durable goods came in better than expected, rising 4.2% month over month versus the 1.5% consensus. Last month's figure was revised up to 5.2% from 3.6%. New orders ex-transports rose less than expected, coming in flat versus the 0.6% consensus.
On the employment front, initial jobless claims came in slightly worse than expected at 343K, which was 2K more than the consensus.
Gold was up 0.9% on the day to $1,330 per ounce. The 10-year yield jumped 2 bps to 2.61%.
The SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (NYSEARCA:XHB) fell 2.5% on the day after two major homebuilders reported disappointing earnings. D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI) fell 9% after missing analysts' estimates while PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM) shares dropped 12% after doing the same.
Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) shares rocketed up 26% after topping Wall Street's expectations by an enormous margin as the company reported a surge in mobile advertisements.
This morning Great Britain released GDP of 0.6%, in-line with analysts' estimates.Tomorrow's Financial Outlook
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment report is due out tomorrow at 9:55 a.m. EDT. The index is expected to record a reading of 84.0.
Tyco International (NYSE:TYC), LyondellBasell (NYSE:LYB), and Aon (NYSE:AON) are among the companies reporting earnings tomorrow.Twitter: @Minyanville
Follow the markets all day every day with a FREE 14 day trial to Buzz & Banter. Over 30 professional traders share their ideas in real-time. Learn more.
- 1
The information on this website solely reflects the analysis of or opinion about the performance of securities and financial markets by the writers whose articles appear on the site. The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily the views of Minyanville Media, Inc. or members of its management. Nothing contained on the website is intended to constitute a recommendation or advice addressed to an individual investor or category of investors to purchase, sell or hold any security, or to take any action with respect to the prospective movement of the securities markets or to solicit the purchase or sale of any security. Any investment decisions must be made by the reader either individually or in consultation with his or her investment professional. Minyanville writers and staff may trade or hold positions in securities that are discussed in articles appearing on the website. Writers of articles are required to disclose whether they have a position in any stock or fund discussed in an article, but are not permitted to disclose the size or direction of the position. Nothing on this website is intended to solicit business of any kind for a writer's business or fund. Minyanville management and staff as well as contributing writers will not respond to emails or other communications requesting investment advice.
Copyright 2011 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Daily Recap Newsletter
entertainment, education and
smart market commentary.


text:
I have been intrigued by the name of this recipe for a long time. I've seen it all over the internet...Pinterest...Just a Pinch Recipe Club...Foodie Blogs, etc. etc.
I can't tell you how much I thought about this recipe before actually making it!
I can't tell you how much I thought about this recipe before actually making it!
One has to wonder...do we feed this to our hubby's to make them chubby?
My solution to that problem? Eat most of them myself!
And what if I'm already chubby??? Hmmm...well, we won't go there.
So when I saw these lovely bars at Brandie's blog The Country Cook, I just knew I was going to make my dreams come true and finally make this tasty dessert.
Who could possibly resist that sweet and salty combo??????? NOT ME!!!
This is a recipe being added to my 'make again' list - it's definitely a keeper.
(As all of Brandie's recipes are!)
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), room temperature
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
2 lg. eggs
1/3 c. chunky peanut butter (optional)
1 TB. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c., semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 1/2 c. chopped pretzels, divided
1/2 c. peanut butter chips
Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Spray a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Put pretzels in a ziploc bag, and chop them up roughly.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, using a mixer, beat together butter, light brown sugar and white sugar at medium speed. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Add eggs, vanilla and peanut butter (if using). On low speed, slowly add flour mixture just until it is incorporated into the batter.
Add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pretzels.
Stir this mixture with a spoon, batter will be very stiff.
Be sure not to overmix it.
Spread batter into baking pan. Batter will be thick.
In a small bowl, mix together remaining toppings: 1/2 cup chopped pretzels, 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter chips. Sprinkle mixture over top of batter.
Bake for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares. (If you can possibly wait!!!)
Linked at Mop it up Monday


text:
No truce. You're still a small human being, there's just no point chastising you publically since it won't have any effect.
Yay for the victim card, boss.
Fair enough I've never had a problem with you, and I actually agree with you regarding CC... you've just seemed kinda on edge lately. I say take it down a notch and don't let anyone instigate... don't take the bait Like how I pretty much never respond to HAU cause I know what'll happen :P
And the money.


text:
Brett HelmsFree Agent
Ht: 0.0 | Wt: 0
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
|Texans | Seven players placed on practice squad
Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:21:27 -0700
The Houston Texans have re-signed free-agent C Brett Helms, OT Cole Pemberton, DT Malcolm Sheppard, LB Isaiah Greenhouse, SS Torri Williams and WR Bobby X. Williams to their practice squad, reports the Houston Chronicle's John McClain. They also signed free-agent RB Chris Ogbonnaya (Rams) to their practice squad.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|| Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain
|Texans | Kris Brown, 19 others waived
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:09:42 -0700
The Houston Texans waived PK Kris Brown, RB Chris J. Henry, CB Jacques Reeves, QB John David Booty, FB Jack Corcoran, TE Derek Fine, LB Isaiah Greenhouse, C Brett Helms, OT Steve Maneri, CB Mark Parson, LB Will Patterson, OT Cole Pemberton, OT Deljuan Robinson, DT Malcolm Sheppard, OT Adam Stenavich, WR Derrick Townsel, DT Mitch Unrein, C Chris L. White, WR Bobby X. Williams and S Torri Williams, reports John McClain, of The Houston Chronicle.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|| Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain
|Texans | Four signed to future contracts
Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:12:45 -0800
Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports the Houston Texans have signed free agents OT Adam Stenavich (Texans), C Brett Helms (Texans), DE Pannel Egboh (49ers) and DE Jesse Nading (Texans) to future contracts.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Texans | Eight signed to practice squad
Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:40:25 -0700
The Houston Chronicle reports the Houston Texans have re-signed free agents LB Buster Davis, RB Arian Foster, C Brett Helms, DE Tim Jamison, WR Darnell Jenkins, DE Jesse Nading, CB Mark Parson and OT Adam Stenavich to their practice squad.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Texans | Announce roster moves
Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:04:36 -0700
HoustonTexans.com reports the Houston Texans have released QB Alex Brink, LB Buster Davis, FB Jonathan Evans, RB Arian Foster, TE Clark Harris, FS Brandon Harrison, C Brett Helms, DE Tim Jamison, WR Darnell Jenkins, OG Adrian Jones, DT Josh Leonard, DE Jesse Nading, Deltha O'Neal, CB Mark Parson, CB Matterral Richardson, WR Mark Simmons, OT Adam Stenavich, OT Brandon Torrey and OT Cliff Washburn. The Texans have also waived injured CB A.J. Davis (undisclosed) and LB Toddrick Verdell (shoulder).
|Comment (0)
|| Share:


text:
Used Car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430 in Honolulu, Hi
Please Call For Price
About This 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S430
Vehicle Location:
Honolulu, Hi
Call For Price
Exterior Color:
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 20
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $111.25*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
Send This Vehicle To Your Smartphone
Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at Auto X-Change Inc. in Honolulu, Hi. Call Auto X-Change Inc. today at 808-593-0599 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Cassette Player
- Cruise Control
- Driver Airbag
- Driver Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Front Side Airbag
- Full Size Spare Tire
- Leather Seat
- Manual Sunroof
- Passenger Airbag
- Power Door Locks
- Power Windows
- Rear Window Defogger
- Tachometer
- Tilt Steering
- Traction Control
Carfax Vehicle History Report:
View the CarFax vehicle history report and protect yourself from:
Major Accidents, Lemon History and Odometer Problems
» Get A Free CARFAX Record Check
Major Accidents, Lemon History and Odometer Problems
» Get A Free CARFAX Record Check
Financing Information:
Payment Calculator:
2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
Still big, but no longer a behemoth.
Mercedes-Benz has completely redesigned its top-of-the-line S-Class sedans for 2000. The S430 is powered by a 4.3-liter V8, while the S500 uses a 5.0-liter V8. The two S-Class models sport a striking coupe-like profile and a unique face reminiscent of the company's oval-headlight models.
They aren't as long overall as the previous generation of S-Class cars, but they are roomier, faster, lighter, more efficient and far more sophisticated.
The S-Class earned the 'Best of Show' award at the most recent Paris Motor Show. Mercedes cars are vastly improved from where they were nearly a decade ago: When the last-generation S-Class debuted, it became an object of derision. It was a masterpiece of engineering, but it became a symbol of an era that had come and gone. It was too heavy, ostentatious and expensive and it guzzled gas.
The shortcomings of the S-Class made it clear the automaker needed to break with its smug tradition. It was time to listen to the customer and watch the competition--particularly a newcomer called Lexus.
This newly redesigned 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500 is proof that Mercedes has seen the light, a symbol of a turnaround. It debuted in Europe last fall and is now making its appearance at U.S. dealerships -- 18 months ahead of the company's original schedule.
Two models comprise the S-Class lineup: the $70,295 S430 and the $78,445 S500. (Prices include the $595 destination charge.)
The old S-Class was among the world's most refined automobiles, but it had a Germanic formalness that was never truly inviting. One felt more admiration than aspiration. Not so the 2000 edition S500. It is still very Teutonic in design, clearly expensive, but far less imperious. It is a much warmer, inviting and contemporary vehicle, softer and, yes, even sensuous. The S500 is now more than just a car you'd like to be seen in. Now it looks like one that would be fun to drive.
The old S-Class was the definition of overkill. To minimize wind noise, for example, the windows consisted of two thick panes of glass sandwiched together. It's an example of why the old S-Class was so massive, weighing a daunting 5000 pounds. The new S-Class still has double glass, sandwiched around a noise-reducing plastic sheet, but the panes are half as thick yet just as quiet. They're also notably lighter. Mercedes engineers paid painstaking attention to holding down the new car's weight, ultimately trimming 500 pounds off the new S500.
They've also downsized the wheelbase and overall length by more than 2 inches. It's 1.3 inches narrower and nearly 2 inches lower. There's a modest loss in shoulder room, but it is a statistical anomaly in a car this big. What you're more likely to notice is that there's more leg- and headroom due to clever engineering and better component placement.
The old S-Class interior was luxurious, functional, comfortable, yet cold and forbidding, like the home of a rich widowed aunt where children are firmly reminded to remain on their best behavior. The 2000 S500's cabin is warmer and more inviting. There's an almost Mediterranean influence in the way Mercedes designers have melded wood, metal and leather. You feel like you could stretch your feet out and relax on the sofa.
The new S500 has a cockpit-like feel and a formidable array of electronic features.
The most notable is the Distronic Active Cruise Control system. Set your desired speed, and it uses a radar system to scan the road ahead. If you come upon slower traffic, or someone unexpectedly pulls into your lane, Distronic will back off the throttle, downshift, even apply up to 20 percent of the car's braking force in order to maintain a safe distance. You can set a following distance of between 1 to 2 seconds behind the car ahead. The idea of handing control of your car over to a computer might seem a little bit disconcerting, but we found Distronic a near-miracle on wheels, requiring us to touch the pedals only once while driving a crowded, 30-mile stretch of Autobahn outside Zurich. The setting you choose for Distronic can be displayed on a neat little video display mounted just below the car's speedometer.
The read-out is also used for other features, including navigation. Like other mapping systems now on the market, the S-Class will plot the best route to your destination using a small display below the speedometer, a larger monitor in the center of the instrument panel or it will speak to you in a pleasant voice.
Even the seats in the S500 have gone high-tech. Heated seats are standard fare in many cars these days, but S-Class seats are fitted with 10 small fans that blow cool air through the upholstery, onto the driver's body. An optional massaging seat is equipped with air bladders in the lower back and shoulder areas that automatically inflate and deflate as you're driving to reduce stress on long journeys.
Another system, called Parktronic, uses sonar to help you park in tight places without playing bumper cars. When you're down to the last few inches from an obstacle ahead or behind, it flashes a warning and sounds an alert. There's also a new key card ignition system coming that will replace the traditional car key with a credit card-sized transmitter you can stick in your wallet.
Driving Impression
Bigger-is-better' seems to be the automotive mantra in the age of the full-size sport-utility vehicle. The old S-Class proved the fallacy of that logic. The new S500 is just big enough, and the result is a modestly downsized sedan that's markedly more nimble and aggressive, as we discovered driving a looping route through the foothills of the Swiss Alps.
The 2000 S500 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 pumping out 302 horsepower. That's slightly less muscle than the old car, but you're not likely to notice. Stomp on the accelerator, and you feel an extra kick, the most immediate payoff of trimming the car's weight. And it's more than just throttle feel. Steering is more precise, with far more road feel than the last-generation S-Class, a car that seemed numb by comparison. The suspension is firmer, but certainly not harsh. Setting the transmission into S, or Sports, mode, yielded crisp, aggressive shifts, and there's a new Tiptronic-style mode. In manual mode, you tip the shift lever left or right to downshift or upshift, or simply leave it in 'D' for fully automatic operation.
The old S-Class was always a chore to drive in Europe, especially on the hills and lake country roads we roamed outside Zurich. The new car is still quite imposing, and more than a few times we found oncoming traffic meekly yielding to us as we raced down a narrow lane. Yet this car feels surprisingly agile for its size. Give some credit to the AIRmatic suspension, which replaces the usual steel coil springs in the suspension with air-filled rubber bellows. At speeds over 68 mph, it lowers the car a half-inch. There's also an Adaptive Damping System, or ADS, which automatically adjusts shock-absorber settings to match the moment's driving conditions.
As the flagship for Mercedes-Benz, the S-Class is as much a symbol of corporate aspirations, as it is a mark of achievement for buyers. That's why it was so important for Mercedes to get things right with the 2000 model. And the automaker's engineers have succeeded.
Mercedes has big plans for the new S500. It's forecasting a sizable jump in sales. Based on our initial ride-and-drive, it has good reason to be optimistic. With this all-new edition, Mercedes is in a good position to win over skeptical buyers who thought the old S-Class was nothing but a bulky, Teutonic dinosaur.
Model Lineup
Assembled In
Sindelfingen, Germany.
Model Tested
1621 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, Hi. 96826
Email This Seller


text:
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's Interior Ministry says suspected militants have killed three policemen and seriously wounded two in an attack in the Sinai Peninsula.
The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the attack took place late Wednesday night in the volatile northern part of Sinai.
That part of the mostly desert peninsula has been mired in lawlessness and violence since the 2011 ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
Attacks on security forces dramatically increased since the overthrow on July 3 of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Critics of the former leader see this as evidence of his suspected links to militants in the peninsula.
The area, which borders Gaza and Israel, was the scene last August of an attack that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers. Militants were also blamed for that attack.


text:
Laura Marano & Ross Lynch: New 'Austin & Ally' with Chloe & Halle Bailey!
Laura Marano sparkles next to Ross Lynch in this exclusive still from Austin & Ally.
In "Moon Week & Mentors", Austin (Lynch) and Ally (Marano) are asked to be celebrity judges on a singing competition show that is celebrating "Austin Moon Week." Ally takes a contestant under her wing that reminds her of her former, shy self and she and Austin work to make the girl a top contender.
Meanwhile, Trish (Raini Rodriguez) and Dez (Calum Worthy) try and create the most impressive fan signs in an effort to be seen on TV.
Guest star Halle Bailey told JJJ, "Working with Ross and Laura was wonderful. We met them during our "N.B.T." (Next Big Thing) season, where they mentored us during the first round of competition. Since then, we would always bump into each other and became good friends. Being able to work with them was like hanging out with your friends all day. It didn't even feel like work! Just a bunch of kids having fun and shooting an episode."
"Moon Week & Mentors" airs Sunday, September 15th @8:30PM ET/PT on Disney Channel.
"Moon Week & Mentors" Clip
Posted to: Austin & Ally, Calum Worthy, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Laura Marano, Raini Rodriguez, Ross Lynch


text:
Elizabeth Bonita
Employment History
PT. ASL Shipyard Indonesia
Snr. Store Administrator
Generate incoming goods to the system, check and monitoring of goods movements, works closely with other department to ensure the projects going smoothly and the requirement fulfilled. Chase the order to coming on time, make sure suppliers delivers as per schedule. Handling and controlling all documentation of Store movement.
Education History
Sekolah Tinggi Theologia Injili Indonesia


text:
It is possible that individuals who have been convicted of a crime against a person may not be accepted into a school for any activities which are required under the Faculty of Education degree and diploma regulations.
Admission to programs within the Faculty of Education is limited, selective and highly competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance to a program. The Faculty reserves the right to limit the number of spaces available in each program. When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in a particular program, preference may be given to students who are permanent residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Applicants for admission to a program within the Faculty of Education must submit the appropriate completed Faculty application form, and if applicable a form for admission/readmission to the University. Application forms and transcripts from institutions other than Memorial University of Newfoundland must be sent to the Office of the Registrar in accordance with the deadlines specified for each program in the Application Deadline Dates table. Letters of reference and personal statement as required by the application form must be forwarded directly to the Faculty of Education Undergraduate Admissions Office. Students who must apply for admission/readmission to the University must also submit the General Application for Admission/Readmission to the Office of the Registrar within the deadlines specified in the University Diary.
Commencement Date
Application Deadline
Bachelor of Education (Primary/Elementary) as a First Degree Consecutive Delivery Program
December 1
Bachelor of Education (Primary/Elementary) as a First Degree Integrated Delivery Program
December 1
Bachelor of Education (Primary/Elementary) as a Second Degree
December 1
Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary)
January 15
Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary) Conjoint with the Diploma in Technology Education
December 1
Bachelor of Music Education - first and second degree
January 15
Bachelor of Special Education
January 15
Native & Northern Teacher Education Programs
ongoing intake
Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) - first and second degree - and Diploma in Post-Secondary Education
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- June 15
- October 1
- January 15
Diploma in Adult Teacher Education
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- June 15
- October 1
- January 15
Admission to programs within the Faculty of Education is determined by a Selections Committee and is based on the criteria listed for each degree/diploma program. Applicants who are completing courses at this or another institution and for whom final and complete transcripts are not yet available may be granted provisional acceptance to the program to which they are applying pending the receipt of final transcripts. This provisional acceptance will remain valid until final transcripts are received. Deadline for receipt of final transcripts is June 15th. Provisionally accepted applicants may be granted a final acceptance upon review of the final transcript by the Selections Committee. The Faculty reserves the right to deny admission to a candidate who, in the opinion of the Selections Committee, is deemed unsuitable for admission to a program.
Students who have been admitted to a program in the Faculty of Education requiring a teaching internship are advised that they may be assigned to any Provincial school district and are responsible for all travel and accommodation costs associated therewith.
Students who have been admitted to a particular degree program offered by the Faculty of Education and who wish to change to another degree program within the Faculty must submit a new Faculty application form to the Office of the Registrar that will be considered in competition with all other students.
In special circumstances, the Committee on Undergraduate Studies, on recommendation from the Admissions Committee may, at its discretion, consider an applicant or group of applicants as an exception to the requirements.
Students who decline an offer of admission to the Faculty of Education, withdraw from the program, or who do not register for courses during the academic year in which admission is granted must, if they wish to be subsequently considered for admission, submit a new application in competition with other applicants.
An unsuccessful applicant has the right to appeal against the decision of the Admissions Committee not to offer him/her a place, if it is felt by the applicant that the decision was reached on grounds other than those specified in the admission requirements listed in the Faculty of Education section of the Calendar. The appeal should be made in writing within twenty-one days of the notification of the decision and should be directed to the Dean of Education. The letter should state clearly and fully the grounds for the appeal. If the Dean of Education, in consultation with the Registrar, judges the grounds to be sufficient, the formal appeals mechanism will be initiated. Normally, appeals will only be considered in the case of procedural error and/or receipt of new information that is relevant to the application. Students are advised to refer to UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS - General Academic Regulations (Undergraduate) - Appeal of Regulations section of the University Calendar.


text:
This is a random meme. They say blog posts are more interesting if they include an image, so I'm including one in this once a year blog post.
Wow, it's been a year since I last posted a blog post here in this site. So, I guess after a year it's warranted? Should you really write a blog post once a year, or should it be more often? Ideally, it really depends on the type of site that you have. For this blog, though, it definitely should be posted on more than once a year. [Read more…] about Once a Year Blog Post


text:
Balloons. Who doesn't love them? How can you not smile when you see one? Doesn't everyone dream of a giant balloon with fringe? Okay, that may have been pushing it a bit far. Moving on.
Geronimo balloons has been creating what can only be called balloon art for less then a year now, but is already much loved. Especially for the fun element it brings to photos. It also can't help but bring a smile to your face when you see it.
Have I mentioned they are giant?
More information can be found online at geronimoballoons.com


text:
Thank You
Dec 17, 2008
I just wanted to say thank you! Because of this website and being able to ask questions, I was able to get the right test done on me and I found out today that I am negative. Once again Thank You!
Response from Dr. Frascino
Thanks for your thanks!
Happy Holidays!
Dr. Bob
Get Email Notifications When This Forum Updates or Subscribe With RSS
This forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not rendering medical, mental health, legal or other professional advice or services. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, mental health, legal or other problem that requires advice, consult your own caregiver, attorney or other qualified professional.
Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Review our complete terms of use and copyright notice.


text:
I Can Do That: Storage Bench
Keep the end of your bed organized in style.
By Drew DePenning
Pages: 28-29
From the April 2009 issue #175
Buy this issue now
The inspiration for this "I Can Do That" storage bench was simple – I wanted it. Ever since I picked up a king-size bed at a liquidation sale, I wanted a matching bench to hold my shoes at the foot of the bed. After seeing many designs that were running anywhere from $250 to $400, I thought to myself "I can do that" – and with a sheet of plywood and some pocket screws, you can too.
Download the PDF here:
ICDT Storage Bench
From the April 2009 issue #175
Buy this issue now
Recommended Posts


text:
Moderator: Cartographers
Coleman wrote:Right, and there are maps I would say things like that in, but if I know they won't make any of the changes what am I really accomplishing? I'm just making noise and possibly delaying their development time slightly.
RjBeals wrote:What this site needs is more tutorials. a whole sub forum of tutorials. so a member can direct a map maker to some link or something. I said years ago that there should be a tutorial achievement award of some sort. If somebody could get a medal or plaque for a decent tutorial, more users would spend the time to create them.
RjBeals wrote:doesn't matter that people move on. There's still a ton of people left. Just no incentive to waste so much time on a tutorial.
Coleman wrote:... I made one clear exception to this in Prohibition Chicago a ways back and it almost completely destroyed my relationship with the creator....(
RjBeals wrote:I'm not raising my hand for tutorials
Coleman wrote:If there was a really good gimp (or other free artwork tool) tutorial I would perhaps try to return to map making.
Coleman wrote:Is a map in beta too late to come in and raise a fuss over graphics? Like, if I thought a map was horribly horribly dark and difficult to read without messing with the brightness on my monitor (confirmed viewing it with 3 different computers that have no brightness problems with anything else)?
Coleman wrote:Well, it matters in the sense that these are the people I have collaborated with in the past (which I have to do because I suck at art and attempts to get better have just frustrated me) and that there is no real incentive to collaborate with me at this point.
RjBeals wrote:And thanks Dim - I also had to google my way through other sites tutorials, but if this site wants its users to have meaningful tutorials for CC based maps, then it would be way more efficient for this site to have a tut database.
Coleman wrote:If there was a really good gimp (or other free artwork tool) tutorial
DiM wrote:Coleman wrote:
so you can go ahead and tell natty that korea is dark but i think he's already working on the colours.
Telvannia wrote:Oh and always include at least 1 smiley to give the map maker an idea of the mood you are in when posting so they know how seriously to take your post.
natty_dread wrote:Coleman wrote:If there was a really good gimp (or other free artwork tool) tutorial
I've written a basic GIMP mapmaking tutorial... It's a work in progress, but the 2 first parts are done, and I'll be continuing it when I have some time...
part 1
part 2a
I know at least 2 new mapmakers who are currently in the main foundry and have utilized this tutorial... so it's at least somewhat helped people I guess?
DiM wrote:it all depends on the situation and the comment. i've received comments like: "this map sucks" or "this looks horrible"
such comments are bad. even if my map did suck or looked horrible, those comments did not help me to make it better.
however a negative comment can still be constructive even if it bothers the mapmaker. saying "this map sucks because of this and that and you can change it here and here" will still hurt some feelings but it will also provide some constructive feedback.
i'm the type of person that truthfully speaks his own mind. if i think a map sucks and that it looks horrible then that's just what i'll say. but i will always explain what exactly sucks and even provide suggestions on how it could be improved.
i realise such comments can be regarded as negative and many people hate me for this but i'm a firm believer that nobody should hide their feelings and even more they should never keep quiet just to avoid upsetting somebody.
zimmah wrote:all your maps suck and look horrible, the only exception is the emperors clothes map, which never even made it to final forge tho.
natty_dread wrote:I was wrong
gimil wrote:I am another one guilty of not always saying what I think in a map thread. Many times I find myself in a map thread with a long list of issues but struggle to actually say what I want to say. I don't tend to have a problem with what people think of me after I leave negative feedback on a map, because I always make sure what I say is constructive and honest. But does anyone else ever write half a page of feedback then for no constructive reason, do not feel like it is worth posting?
Users browsing this forum: No registered users


text:
I would suggest buying a larger size as Sportful comes up short.
Performance is at the forefront of Sportful's design philosophy and this shows in the excellent NoRain bib tights, which rank as the best bib tights I've ever tested.
Key to Sportful's NoRain range, which also includes jackets, arm and knee warmers and bib shorts, is a proprietary fabric with a water repellant technology that ensures rain beads off the surface. What they're not is waterproof, but this finish prevents the fabric from holding onto the water and giving you that soggy feeling.
Now rather than a DWR coating, as used on waterproof jackets, which is merely a treatment applied to the surface of the fabric, the Sportful fabric has tiny nano-filaments of silicone integrated within the structure of the fabric. So it's there for ever, and isn't going to wear out over time.
There's usually a compromise in breathability with waterproof clothing, but that's not the case with the Sportful tights. Because of the unique makeup of the fabric the breathability is very good, and in fact there's no noticeable difference between a regular pair of tights from a rival company. You never get hot wearing them, which means that they're versatile enough to be worn even when it's not raining.
With their professional race team connection (they supply kit to Saxo Bank) it's no surprise that the fit is best described as racey. If you fit the definition of a racing whippet the fit will be perfect, otherwise I'd recommend taking a good hard look at the sizing chart on their website and consider sizing up.
They've opted for a simple cut with just a few panels, they've steered clear of complexity. And it works. There is a good degree of stretch in the material so that when cycling there's no hindrance or limit on your freedom of movement, demonstrating they've got the cut just right.
Getting them on in the first place is more of a challenge, and isn't helped by the lack of zipped ankle openings. The upshot however is that once you've got them on they feel like a second skin, very snug and very comfortable. Another benefit of the lack of multiple panels is they've been able to keep the stitching to an absolute minimum, ensuring there's less potential for irritation of the skin.
Inside the shorts they're softly lined making them comfortable next to the skin. And talking of comfort, the BodyFit Pro chamois provides ample comfort for even the longest days in the saddle. Variable levels of thickness place extra padding where it's needed most and the anatomic shape and lack of seams give a very high comfort factor.
You might think they're only suitable for riding in the rain, but you would be wrong. The fabric is sufficiently breathable that I've been happily wearing them on mild sunny days with no adverse effects. When it does rain, they're simply brilliant. Look down at your thighs when you're riding along and you can visibly see the water beading off and away. You're not going to stay completely dry on a wet ride, but I didn't get as sodden in these as I did in other tights that lacked any sort of weather proofing.
And when it gets cold the fabric provides good insulation ensuring you stay warm. They've been ridden hard, even doing a few off-road cyclocross training rides, and with regular 30 degree washing they still look as good as the day they were pulled out of their box.
For the unpredictability of the weather, Sportful's NoRain treatment is a godsend. It's no wonder I reach for them whenever I'm heading out in the evening for a couple of hours training in the wind, rain and dark.
Fantastic rain-beating fabric combined with great fit and comfort in a great pair of winter tights
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Sportful Norain bibtights
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Sportful No-Rain bib tights are your ticket to a season of autumn/winter training. No-Rain fabric has a Silicone Nano treatment on the surface that sheds water so you stay warm, dry and comfortable in blustery winter conditions.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
No-Rain fabric provides water repellency with no compromise to warmth or breathability
Minimal seams for enhanced waterproofing
Reflective tape inserts for visibility
BodyFit Pro Seatpad
Top notch construction and they've stood the test of time.
They keep you drier in the rain and work well when it's not raining, making them versatile for all weather conditions.
The water repellant technology is embedded within the fabric and they've been through many washing machine cycles at 30 degrees with no issues.
Fit is snug, this is proper racing fit stuff, so check the sizing chart if you're carrying a few extra kilos. The chamois produces good results even on longer rides.
They offer performance on a par with the very best, but they're not priced out of reach. The water resistance makes them very good value for money.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
I've been riding in all weathers and they've been brilliant. Whether it's chucking it down with rain or a bit of drizzle, my legs were noticeable drier and warmer with these tights.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The fit, cut and NoRain tech.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
They're a bit hard to get on in the first place, particularly around the ankles.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
I've been very impressed with the NoRain technology, it's not hype, it really works. Great fit too, makes a change from baggy Lycra tights
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.


text:
Drivers license bill is first step in their agenda
Five years ago, most Illinois House Republicans, including House GOP Leader Tom Cross, voted against a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain state driver's licenses. The conservative rhetoric against the legislation was very harsh. Even so, it was approved by the House, but was never called for a floor vote in the state Senate.
Back then, the legislation was seen as political suicide by many Republicans fearful of a backlash within their own party. But since November's election results showed a heavy Latino turnout that may have swayed several races in favor of the Democrats, Republicans have suddenly become far more interested.
Leader Cross, for instance, called the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights the day after the election, offering to work with the group. The ICIRR now considers the driver's license bill will be a "down payment" on whether the parties want to make a "good-faith effort" to work with it in the future. And Cross is supporting it.
The ICIRR used a not-for-profit group and a political action committee to play in several districts. It claims it hired 18 field coordinators, registered more than 26,000 immigrants to vote, raised almost three quarters of a million dollars, and fielded more than 1,800 Election Day volunteers, many of them concentrated in the suburbs.
One of the ICIRR's top priorities this year was defeating state Sen. Carole Pankau, R-Itasca. Pankau has been demanding for years that the children of undocumented immigrants be removed from the state's All Kids health insurance program. The ICIRR claims it contacted 3,600 immigrants in her district and had staff assigned to defeat her. She lost by less than 2,000 votes.
Another target was the 55th Illinois House District, a suburban Cook County district that has been in Republican hands forever. Voter registration, door-to-door canvassing, direct mail and phone calls helped Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, defeat conservative Republican Susan Sweeney.
Yet another target was state Rep. Sandy Cole, R-Grayslake. The ICIRR contacted more than 6,000 voters in her district, which has more than 9,000 Latinos. Democrat Sam Yingling won by a little more than 4,000 votes.
Not every race won by Democrats was because of the Latino vote. President Obama's big win in his home state most certainly propelled several Democratic candidates to victory. The House and Senate Democrats also outspent the Republicans and generally outmaneuvered them. In some cases, the Democrats simply had better candidates than the Republicans did.
But the importance of that Latino vote cannot be underestimated because it was so large and so unexpected by just about everybody, except maybe the folks at ICIRR.
Latino turnout, as measured by a percentage of Election Day voters, jumped by 50 percent in the past 4 years, from 8 percent of turnout to 12 percent, according to exit polling data. The national climate most certainly inspired some of that turnout boost, with Latinos and other immigrants (including Asian-Americans) feeling besieged by the Republican Party.
But ICIRR believes the turnout numbers are sustainable over the long term.
Just in Illinois, 70,000 Latinos are expected to turn 18 every year for the foreseeable future. "We are past the tipping point," crowed one ICIRR official the other day. According to the group, 350,000 legal permanent residents have become U.S. citizens in Illinois in the past 10 years.
The group has been working closely with Senate President John Cullerton on its driver's license bill, and it has received assistance from some unlikely corners, including Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, who in the past has been vilified by immigration activists for his hard-line stance against illegal immigrants. Curran recently came out in favor of the driver's license bill because, he said, it's a public safety matter that would mean training and insurance for drivers who don't currently get either. Lake County is now more than 20 percent Latino. Even hard-liners can read a Census report.
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno supported the bill last time around, and members of her caucus worked with the Senate Democrats last week to amend it. Sen. Bill Brady, a conservative Republican who ran for governor in 2010, now supports the bill. As I write this, the proposal appears to be heading for passage.