text:
Liphorus Pharmaceuticals announces financing of $6.4 million
- UdeMNouvelles
Sanderling and Univalor are announcing the closing of a series A financing of Liphorus Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the development of small molecules effective in treating high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). This new company was created from Univalor portfolio's assets coming from Dr. Nabil Seidah's laboratory.
Dr. Seidah, a researcher at the Clinical Research Institute in Montreal (IRCM), is a world-renowned expert in the field of PCSK9. PCSK9 is a key enzyme that regulates low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors—known as bad cholesterol." These receptors play a critical role in regulating blood cholesterol levels by affecting the way the liver cleans bad cholesterol out of the bloodstream. This funding will support further development and characterization of compounds targeting PCSK9. Several ongoing clinical trials are currently focusing on drugs inhibiting this target.
"We are excited by the creation of Liphorus Pharmaceuticals Inc. It demonstrates the excellence of the work done in IRCM's laboratories and its commercial value for business partners. Sanderling is an excellent partner, known for its vision in establishing start-up companies in the life sciences field. This investment in Liphorus Pharmaceuticals demonstrates its commitment to the Quebec biotechnology field" said Laurence Rulleau, Univalor's vice-president of business development.
"Hypercholesterolemia affects a significant portion of the population and there are still medical needs that are not being met," she added. "With this new project targeting the development of small molecules inhibiting PCSK9, we are confident that Liphorus Pharmaceuticals will offer new treatment options to patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia."
"The opportunity for us to work with one of the world's leading centres of expertise in such an exciting new therapeutic area is very compelling," said Peter McWilliams, Managing Director at Sanderling Ventures. "We are looking forward to working with Dr. Seidah and the team at the IRCM to develop novel small molecules against this target and ultimately to provide value to patients."
"The PSCK9 enzyme was discovered at the IRCM a little over 10 years ago by our researchers, Nabil G. Seidah and Michel Chrétien," says the IRCM's President and Scientific Director, Tarik Möröy. "Following this discovery, Dr. Seidah's research has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing blood cholesterol levels, which is encouraging if we wish to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The IRCM is proud to have renowned scientists on its team who contribute to advancing health research and attracting such investments to Montréal."
About hypercholesterolemia
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in industrialized countries. The cholesterol-lowering drug market was worth $25.8 billion in 2012, but despite the availability of effective treatments, it is estimated that almost 25% of patients do not respond to standard treatment methods.
It is in this context that several biopharma organizations have become interested in PCSK9, a key enzyme in regulating the homeostasis of cholesterol. It has become a focal point in the development of a new generation of products that are more effective than either current medications or statins in treating hypercholesterolemia. Several advanced clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of such drugs for numerous patients.
Source: Univalor
About Univalor
Univalor is a university technology transfer organization that commercializes scientific findings and technological innovations emanating from some 2,600 researchers at the Université de Montréal and its affiliated health centres, Polytechnique Montréal and HEC Montréal, in the areas of pure and applied sciences, engineering, information technology, management sciences, life sciences and human health. By creating links between the university and the business community, Univalor helps make businesses more competitive, generate revenue for research and, most importantly, enrich society. Univalor also helps researchers start businesses, whether they need assistance in developing a business plan, conducting research, negotiating and concluding financing, or accessing Univalor's business network. For more detailed information, visit www.univalor.ca.
About the IRCM
The IRCM is a renowned biomedical research institute in the heart of Montréal's university district. Founded in 1967, it currently comprises 34 research units, along with four research clinics specializing in cholesterol, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and obesity, and hypertension. The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and the IRCM Clinic is associated with the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). It also maintains a long-standing association with McGill University. For more detailed information, visit www.ircm.qc.ca.
About Liphorus Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Founded in 2014, Liphorus Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a private enterprise dedicated to the development of small molecules targeting PCSK9 for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Along with this first round of financing, the Corporation has entered into a research agreement with the IRCM that will allow Dr. Nabil Seidah to further develop and validate molecules targeting PCSK9. For more detailed information, visit www.Liphorus.com.
About Sanderling
Founded in 1979, Sanderling is among the oldest investment firms dedicated to building new biomedical companies. Sanderling's unique approach combines a specialized investment focus with active management and long-term commitment to ensure the highest rates of return for both its entrepreneurs and investors. Since its inception, Sanderling has supported over 90 biomedical companies from very early stage start-ups, through commercial development. For more detailed information, visit www.sanderling.com.
For more information, please contact:
Laurence Rulleau,
VP Business Development, Univalor
(514) 340-3243
Peter McWilliams,
Managing director, Sanderling
(650) 401-2007


text:
Olivia Wilde & Jason Sudeikis: Lunch at Little Dom's!
Olivia Wilde and boyfriend Jason Sudeikis grab lunch at Little Dom's on Wednesday (January 25) in Los Feliz, Calif.
The day before, the 27-year-old actress stepped out with a friend for coffee and was later spotted waiting for her car after running errands.
Olivia recently took to her Twitter to express her thoughts on politician Rick Santorum's position on abortion.
"#Santorum says no abortion for rape victims; just accept your fate (!!?)," Olivia shared with a link to his recent interview on CNN. "I'm so over women-hating politicians."
FYI: Olivia is wearing Levi's demi curve skinny jean, while Jason wore Levi's 514 slim straight jean.
20+ pictures inside of Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis out and about…

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
So, after his meeting we went home and rotated laundry. Then we went to the car wash and it took way too long, but they did a great job. Then we came home to rotate laundry again! Then we met my parents for lunch at Del Taco. After lunch we came home and rotated laundry again. I also folded and hung up a bunch too each time! I had so much laundry!
At 1:30 we went to pick up the kids from school. Payton gets out and 2 and the other 2 get out at 2:22. I left Kylie at my mom's so she could take her to Brownies at 5pm. I was going to pick her up at 7 when it was over and all the other stuff of the day was over too. Got home at 3 pm. (I will be so glad when we live closer to the school!) Then I tried to get the house vacuummed and laundry put away and homework done before we had to take Payton to swim practice. She had to be there at 4:30. Wes had to be at baseball practice right after Payton ended so he was all dressed with his cleats on and all. Then when were at the pool. . .
HE FELL INTO THE POOL! fully dressed for baseball!!! He didn't think it was so funny, but I did!
We had to drive home, get him changed, and rush back to the pool to pick up Payton as her time was ending. Just then my phone rang. It was Kylie's Brownie leader saying the meeting was ending at 6:30, the same time that Weston's practice ends. UGH! It was supposed to be over at 7 and I would have time to get Wes then get Kylie. So a quick chat with Wes' coach to ask him if I could get him a few minutes later (just 10-15 minutes after the end of practice, and he agreed), and we went to get Kylie. Rushed back to get Wes from practice. It was 6:45 by then and 7 by the time we got home and dinner finally started. Then we had to shower and finish homework and do dishes. By the time that was all done it was 10 minutes till 8pm. Just the perfect time for teeth brushing and bed!
I think I was more tired than the kids!
And today was just as busy too. Barely any time at home!
5 comments:
- JessWilson said...
Wow Jenny! That is one busy day. I'm so glad that Wade is doing so well on his speech and those are some lucky kids to have so many fun activities to be involved in. :) We can't wait to see you all soon!
- May 11, 2010 at 9:21 PM
- Melanie said...
Oh my gosh...I'm exhausted just reading that post!! Sounds crazy!! AND...I can't believe Wes fell into the pool!! What a nut!!!
- May 11, 2010 at 10:50 PM
- Deb said...
So now it has begun for you..LOL...your days sounds like mine now! I live in my car most days! I feel of you! I would have laughed at Wes falling in the pool too!
- May 12, 2010 at 8:56 AM
- Jaime said...
Oh my gosh! You are pretty much amazing.
- May 14, 2010 at 12:57 PM
- Holly said...
You are such an amazing mommy, just like you have always been at everything! I knowit will be better for you when you don't have to come to Westminster every day, but I'm sad just thinking about not getting to see all of you so often. Oh well, it's not like Fountain Valley is that far away.
- May 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM


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ICTFC are on a break from league action as they face Peterhead in the Irn-Bru Cup third round. The Caley Jags eliminated Aberdeen U20s in the last round in a 4-2 win; with goals coming from Riccardo Calder, Liam Polworth, David Raven and Carl Tremarco.
Last weekend, ICTFC drew a blank against Queen of the South in a tight match at the Caledonian Stadium, a result which ended a run of three straight league defeats.
Referee : Alan Muir - Assistants : Stephen Mitchell and Graham McNeillie - Fourth Official : Colin Steven
John Robertson's thoughts ahead of the match: "We're at home and playing a lower league team so we expect to be on the front foot and take the game to Peterhead but the danger is there."
"The League Cup section is all the warning we need. The fact is they finished second with Dunfermline and Hearts; and they of course beat Hearts in Peterhead. We have to be on guard here, we have to play the football we a capable of with the ball and defend well because we know the threat they have up front with Smith and, especially, with Rory McAllister; an ex-player of ours who will want to come back here and do well."
"You have lads who've left recently, Jason Brown at the back who will want to show the club were wrong to let him go. We understand the threat they possess, they also have experienced with Willie Gibson, Simon Ferry, Stevenson and Dave McCracken. We know what we're up against, we're prepared and we've had them watched twice. We go into the game full of confidence and we hope to progress to the last eight."
Peterhead were relegated from League One last season but have started life well in League Two with them sitting fourth after eight matches; 6 points behind current leaders Stirling Albion.
They are managed by former Dundee and Dundee United player Jim McInally, who's been in his post since 2011.
Peterhead have a couple of former ICTFC players in their ranks including Rory McAllister and Jason Brown.
They knocked Annan Athletic out in the last round of the Irn Bru Cup, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Russell McLean and Rory McAllister.
ICTFC : Jake Mulraney is on international duty with Ireland U21s, Aaron Doran is back in full contact training but still a few weeks away as he starts to build match fitness and Gary Warren has a fractured thumb which will keep him out this weekend. Zak Elbouzedi and Collin Seedorf remain out.
Youngsters Jack Brown Daniel Mackay are expected to be involved in the squad.
Head to Head :ICTFC Wins: 3 - Draws: 0 - Peterhead Wins: 0
Last Meeting : ICTFC 3-0 Peterhead (25/08/2010)
A double form Adam Rooney and a header from Grant Munro ensured ICTFC's place in the next round of the League Cup in Peterhead's last visit to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in 2010.
|Queen of the South (H) 0-0
|Berwick Rangers (H) 0-2
|Livingston (H) 1-3
|Edinburgh City (A) 3-0
|St Mirren (A) 4-2
|Cowdenbeath (A) 4-0
|Aberdeen U20s (A) 4-2
|Montrose (H) 1-1
|Brechin City (A) 4-0
|Annan Athletic (H) 2-0
|Morton (H) 1-1
|Stirling Albion (H) 2-4
ICTFC (V QoS): Fon Williams, Raven, Donaldson, Mckay, Tremarco, Trafford, Vigurs, Polworth, Bell, Baird (Mulraney 81), Oakley (Calder 53).
Peterhead (V Berwick): Fleming, Stevenson, Brown, Robertson (Dikobo 84) , Mcllduff, Lawrence, Leitch (McCracken 74), Brown, Gibson, Smith (McLean 59), McAllister.


text:
This section contains 480 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)
Part 2: The Free Spirit - Chapters 36-44 Summary and Analysis
What if nothing in the world was real except for our desires and passions? Suppose we succeeded in explaining our entire lives as a development and result of the will? Nietzsche believes that if the explanation were possible then all organic functions could be traced back to it - all problems and creations are of the will and nothing else.
Nietzsche asserts that if one questions God, one also questions the devil. However, one must wonder why the devil can be refuted while God remains untouched.
Nietzsche uses the French Revolution as an example of an event being viewed through incorrect interpretation. While the Revolution may have seemed superfluous to many, enthusiastic spectators throughout Europe contemplated and interpreted it according to their own indignation.
Unhappiness and evil are not...
(read more from the Part 2: The Free Spirit - Chapters 36-44 Summary)
This section contains 480 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)


text:
Frederick W. Smith
Chairman, President & CEO, Fedex Corporation
Frederick W. Smith is chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation, a $33-billion global transportation, business services and logistics company.
Smith is responsible for providing strategic direction for all FedEx Corporation operating companies, including FedEx Services, FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight. FedEx serves more than 220 countries and territories with operations that include 661 aircraft and over 80,000 vehicles. More than 275,000 team members worldwide handle more than 8 million shipments each business day. Since founding FedEx in 1971, Smith has been an active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and "open skies agreements" for aviation around the world. Most recently, he has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy.
FedEx has continued to strengthen its industry leadership over the past 37 years, and has been widely acknowledged for its commitment to total quality service. FedEx Express was the first service company to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1990. FedEx has consistently been ranked on FORTUNE magazine's industry lists, including "World's Most Admired Companies," "100 Best Companies to Work For" and is on FORTUNE's "Blue Ribbon Companies List." In addition, FedEx placed 13th on CHIEF EXECUTIVE magazine's "2008 Best Companies for Leaders" list.
Smith has served on the boards of several large public companies and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Mayo Foundation Boards. He was formerly chairman of the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association and the U.S. Air Transport Association. Smith is a member of the Business Roundtable, is a board member for the Council on Foreign Relations and is co-chairman of the Energy Security Leadership Council. He served as chairman of the U.S.-China Business Council and is the current chairman of the French-American Business Council. In addition, Smith received the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, the Lone Sailor Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial, the 2010 President's Award from the Transportation Research Forum, the Marine for Life Award from the United States Marine Corps, was named 2006 Person of the Year by the French-American Chamber of Commerce and received the Medal of Honor from the American Chamber of Commerce in France. He is a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, served as co-chairman of both the U.S. World War II Memorial Project and the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps, was named among the world's best CEOs by BARRON'S magazine and was CHIEF EXECUTIVE magazine's 2004 "CEO of the Year."
Born in 1944 in Marks, Miss., Smith attended Yale University, where he earned a B.A. in 1966. Smith served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966-1970.Back to Members Page


text:
|08 Jul 2010
Windows 7 Professional
Error 1402 when uninstalling Office 2007
Hello, SevenForums.
Recently, I had acquired my copy of Microsoft Office Professional 2010, and I installed it without removing Office 2007 (i believe this is the problem and that I should have made a separate directory for Office 2010 when I installed it).
Recently, when running any Office 2007 application, it has always needed to configure it, before going on to tell me that Microsoft Office _____ was not installed for the current user.
So I tried uninstalling it.
However, it then gave me this error:
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 uninstall did not complete successfully.
Error 1402.Setup cannot open the registry key
UNKNOWN\Components\DA42BC89BF2F5BD0AF18C3B9B1A1EE8\000021191100000000000F01FEC. Verify that you have sufficient permissions to access the registry or contact Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance. For information about how to contact PSS, see C:\Users\Myname\AppData\Local\Temp\Setup000005ec\PSS10R.CHM
What do I do?
Should I uninstall Office 2010, then try uninstalling Office 2007, then reinstall Office 2007, before reinstalling Office 2010 in a different directory?
Or is there any way I could force install?
Could it be a problem with the registry?
Or what?
|My System Specs
|08 Jul 2010
Windows 7 Ultimate - 64-bit | Windows 8 Pro - 64-bit
Hi !! Welcome to SF !!
I have seen similar issue with another software but the fix is kind of same. This happens when you don't have enough permission to those Registry Key you have mentioned in the error message. It quiet lengthy fix
First we have to Enable Build-in Administrator
Then Login under Build in administrator
Although, the GUIDS that appear in the actual error message which are beneath the parent key, are random. Please use the following steps to work around this issue:
1. Click Start under search type regedit.
2. Click Edit and select Find. The Find dialog box appears.
3. In the Find What field, type the GUID that was referenced in the error message and click Find Next.
Once located from the search, give the registry key adequate permissions:
1. Right-click on the key and select Properties. Click on the Security tab.
2. Click the Advanced button, then select the Owner tab.
3. Under the Owner tab, highlight the account your are currently signed into Windows as,
check the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" box, click Apply, then click OK.
4. Close the Properties screen, then reopen it (see Step a).
5. Click the Security tab, highlight User account you selected to be the Owner in Step d and click the Advanced button and then Edit on the Permissions tab.
6. Check all boxes under the Allow column. Click Apply, then click OK.
7. Close out of the registry and attempt the installation again.
Note: If you recieve the same error, but referencing another GUID after giving permission to the initial GUID that prompted the error, repeat the above section to search the registry and give the appropriate permission.
Hope this helps,
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Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Las Vegas
Properly functioning water heaters should provide hot water on demand. Not warm water—hot! Anything less indicates that a water heater repair or replacement may be in order.
Most Common Water Heater Repairs
At the Honest Plumber Heating and Air our first goal is to fix what's broken. Never fear, our trained professionals are ready to get to work using the most advanced tools and equipment available. With over a decade of experience in repairing and replacing water heaters, our team works to get the job done right the first time. Here's a look at some of the more common water heater problems we are prepared to manage:
- Pilot light outages
- Thermostat failures
- Gas control valve failures
- Burner assembly problems
- Rust and corrosion build-up
- Sediment deposit
- Temperature and pressure relief valve drips
- Moderate to severe water leaks
Please note that if you're finding that your water heater requires frequent repairs, it may be more cost-effective to install a brand new one that will save on energy consumption and reduce monthly water bills. We provide free estimates and up-front pricing before we begin working so you can make an informed decision.
When is it Time for a Water Heater Replacement?
Age is a major factor in water heater deterioration. With the proper and frequent maintenance most water heaters last between 12 and 15 years. If yours is approaching this time frame and requiring frequent repairs it may be time to consider a replacement. Other signs your water heater may be beyond repair include:
- Water rapidly changing from hot to cold
- Fluctuating water pressure
- Frequent leaks
- Pools of water surrounding your water heater
- Diminished water quality (noticeable rust or sediment)
- Frequent audible noise and clanking sounds
Call our water heater experts today to learn more about our repair and replacement solutions!


text:
Lettuce, under a hoop-supported layer of medium weight row cover in the unheated greenhouse, is crisp, colorful, and fresh as daisies. This lettuce mix was planted in October, and some of it cut once in December, and now it's waiting out the winter. Outside low so far: not bad, … [Read more...] about Won't give in to the cold
Seedlings in January!
The earliest ever tomatoes experiment begins... Parts of the plan include a proven super-early variety, multiple seedling start dates, and the unheated greenhouse! … [Read more...] about Seedlings in January!
Greens in the sun
[From 3-Jun-2016] Not the best place for them to be, basking in the sun, but it's only for a moment, fresh in from the field, and they're also bathing in chilly well water. Mustards, mizunas, lettuces, kales, bok choi, more... Salad mixes are what's up for the moment, hanging in … [Read more...] about Greens in the sun
Lettuce landscape
A tiny landscape of lettuces: Especially with the hot, dry weather we've been having, you can't go wrong with a few trays of leaf lettuce seedlings, lending support to the baby greens in the field! Transplanted at 8-10" spacing, lettuces in a variety of colors and … [Read more...] about Lettuce landscape
First salad greens of the outdoor season
The season's first field planting of salad greens, making a brief public appearance from under row cover, where they're in flea beetle protection - we're weeding today. Mustards, bok choi, arugula (a brassica relative), mizunas and more. So perfectly tasty, plucked straight from … [Read more...] about First salad greens of the outdoor season


text:
Report NEP-EEC-2008-08-31This is the archive for NEP-EEC, a report on new working papers in the area of European Economics. Giuseppe Marotta issued this report. It is usually issued weekly.
Subscribe to this report: email, RSS or Twitter.
Other reports in NEP-EEC
The following items were announced in this report:
- De Santis, Roberto A. & Favero, Carlo A. & Roffia, Barbara, 2008. "Euro area money demand and international portfolio allocation: a contribution to assessing risks to price stability," Working Paper Series 0926, European Central Bank.
- Balli, Faruk & Louis, Rosmy J. & Osman, Mohammad, 2008. "International Portfolio Allocation and Income Smoothing: Evidence from Recent Changes in Euro Region," MPRA Paper 10160, University Library of Munich, Germany.
- Abelardo Salazar Neaves & Oliver Hossfeld & Jan Hagen & Kai Carstensen, 2008. "Money Demand Stability and Inflation: Prediction in the Four Largest EMU Countries," Kiel Working Papers 1443, Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
- Item repec:hal:ceswpp:halshs-00311749_v1 is not listed on IDEAS anymore
- Item repec:nsr:niesrd:306 is not listed on IDEAS anymore
- Gerhard Fenz & Martin Schneider, 2008. "Transmission of business cycle shocks between the US and the euro area," Working Papers 145, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank).
- Chinn, Menzie & Frankel, Jeffrey, 2008. "The Euro May over the Next 15 Years Surpass the Dollar as Leading International Currency," Working Paper Series rwp08-016, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
- Item repec:bcl:bclwop:cahier_etude_30 is not listed on IDEAS anymore
- Item repec:nsr:niesrd:312 is not listed on IDEAS anymore
- Belke, Ansgar H. & Spies, Julia, 2008. "Enlarging the EMU to the East: What Effects on Trade?," IZA Discussion Papers 3647, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
- Felix Hüfner & Isabell Koske, 2008. "The Euro Changeover in the Slovak Republic: Implications for Inflation and Interest Rates," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 632, OECD Publishing.
- Seiji Ikkatai & Daiske Ishikawa & Kengo Sasaki, 2008. "Effect of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) on companies: Interviews with European companies," KIER Working Papers 660, Kyoto University, Institute of Economic Research.
- Amelie Constant & Martin Kahanec & Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2008. "Attitudes Towards Immigrants, Other Integration Barriers, and Their Veracity," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 812, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
- Richard Freeman, 2008. "When Workers Share in Profits: Effort and Responses to Shirking," CEP Discussion Papers dp0882, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
- Nevalainen, Anni, 2008. "Labour Productivity and Firm Entry and Exit in Manufacturing," Discussion Papers 1152, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
- Bonin, John & Hasan, Iftekhar & Wachtel, Paul, 2008. "Banking in transition countries," BOFIT Discussion Papers 12/2008, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
- Item repec:nsr:niesrd:298 is not listed on IDEAS anymore
- Albu, Lucian-Liviu & Georgescu, George & Ghizdeanu, Ion, 2008. "Romania's development level comparing with EU countries: The RGS (Relative Gap Scoring) Ranking Index," MPRA Paper 10170, University Library of Munich, Germany.
- Rolf Scheufele, 2008. "Evaluating the German (New Keynesian) Phillips Curve," IWH Discussion Papers 10, Halle Institute for Economic Research.
- Nicola Brandt, 2008. "Reaping the Benefits of Stronger Competition in Network Industries in Germany," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 622, OECD Publishing.
- Boeters, Stefan & Feil, Michael, 2008. "Heterogeneous Labour Markets in a Microsimulation-AGE Model: Application to Welfare Reform in Germany," ZEW Discussion Papers 08-043, ZEW - Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung / Center for European Economic Research.
- Claus Schnabel & Joachim Wagner, 2008. "The Aging of the unions in West Germany, 1980-2006," Working Paper Series in Economics 93, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
- Anne-Marie Brook, 2008. "Raising Education Achievement and Breaking the Cycle of Inequality in the United Kingdom," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 633, OECD Publishing.
- Sanromá, Esteban & Ramos, Raul & Simón, Hipólito, 2008. "The Portability of Human Capital and Immigrant Assimilation: Evidence for Spain," IZA Discussion Papers 3649, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
- Jahn, Elke J., 2008. "Reassessing the Wage Penalty for Temps in Germany," IZA Discussion Papers 3663, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
- Koski, Heli, 2008. "Public R&D Subsidies and Employment Growth - Microeconomic Evidence from Finnish Firms," Discussion Papers 1143, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
- Hany El Shamy & Paul Temple, 2008. "Entrepreneurship, Spillovers and Productivity Growth in the Small Firm Sector of UK Manufacturing," School of Economics Discussion Papers 0708, School of Economics, University of Surrey.
- Alexander Vogel & Stefan Dittrich, 2008. "The German turnover tax statistics panel," Working Paper Series in Economics 92, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
- Claus Brand & Daniel Buncic & Jarkko Turunen, 2008. "The Impact of ECB Monetary Policy Decisions and Communication on the Yield Curve," Discussion Papers 2008-11, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.


text:
A gemstone's quality has three basic factors- beauty, durability and rarity.
Beauty is first, color being 50% of its value, clarity 30% and cut 20%. Also to be considered are: proportion, symmetry and polish. These can result in a stone's beauty being enhanced with brilliance and dispersion. A large percentage of colored gemstones are cut in India, notorious for retaining weight by leaving thick bottoms, consequently a dull looking stone. Those that are of fine quality are generally re-cut after exportation.
Durability matters. A stone need not be indestructible, but it must withstand ordinary wear.
Rarity frequently determines price. Demand is based on rarity and fashion. Amber was once very fashionable and the second most important import to USA. Then it lay dormant for decades until Jurassic Park brought it back to the world's attention.


text:
Encuentro Cafe and Wine BarEast Bay, California
Encuentro is one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants in the Bay Area. But having been there 2-3 times, I must caution any first-timer that your experience will vary a lot depending on what you order. Everyone should order the small plate that has "Marinated mushrooms with smoked pecan pate, cornichon, house made prune chutney, mustard and crisp crostini". The combination of flavors is exquisite. The first time my wife and I tried it, we were rocking back and forth for several seconds with our eyes closed, making "Mmmm" noises.
The kale salad or mixed greens are very good, though not as sensational as the small plate described above. The entrees and desserts change over time, so I don't have any specific recommendations, and your luck with them may vary. For example, one time I tried their vegan chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and it was marvelous. The second time I tried it, or something that looked and sounded very similar, it had a somewhat chalky and dry taste.
If you're vegan, any of the dishes involving cheese can be made with macadamia- or cashew-based "cheese". The wines are pretty good too, but I didn't investigate whether they are vegan -- I assume most wines have animal products somewhere in their manufacturing process.
I had high hopes for Encuentro as, quite frankly, I find the vegan food in the Bay Area to be woefully mediocre. Millennium is at best competent, Gracias Madre is a dud, Gather is lame, and I'm sick of all the repetitive mockmeat Asian joints (which comprise probably 50% of the vegan food in the Bay).
Sadly, Encuentro basically failed me. The menu is mostly vegan but there are some cheese dishes. Most of the tapas options seemed to basic to warrant my interest (olive plates and the like), so I went straight for an entree.
For my main course I got a sundried tomato pastry with navy beans (~$15). The dish took a while to prepare and had numerous flaws. The dish is presented as the phyllo pastry sitting atop a bowl of navy beans. Problem #1: the taste of the navy beans (which were seasoned with lemon) did not mix at all with the blandness of the pastry. Problem #2: the navy beans were overly acidic; they must have dumped a whole lemon's worth of juice into this tiny bowl, because that stuff was excessively tart. Problem #3: the pastry itself was bland and unmemorable. Where were the seasonings? The dish tasted more like a thin egg roll wrapper stuffed with unseasoned tomatoes and tofu ricotta.
For dessert I got a piece of the tiramisu ($7). You don't seen vegan tiramisu often and so I order it whenever I can. What they presented me was not tiramisu. It was more like a chocolate chip blondie bar with layers.
Don't get me wrong: the dessert tasted great. But it didn't even bother to try to replicate the look and feel of tiramisu. No ladyfingers. No cocoa powder (instead they used actual chocolate chips---what a mistake).
Worst yet, the dish was sloppily presented. For an upscale restaurant, Encuentro seemed negligent and imprecise by serving me a dish that had already slid into a big mush on the plate by the time it arrived at my table. Shame on you, Encuentro.
These types of mistakes---sloppy presentation, imbalanced flavors, disregard for tradition---are precisely the type of things that make omnivores dismiss vegan and vegetarian food. As such, I think Encuentro is doing a disservice to not only the veg. community, but anyone who loves food in general.
I'm giving them two stars because I liked the friendly service and the interesting concept (vegetarian tapas). But, on a whole, Encuentro did nothing to shake my opinion that the Bay Area falls short on quality vegan food; all it did was reinforce my opinion.
Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar is one of the best vegetarian restaurants that I have ever visited. The food is simply phenomenal - I can't think of any other way to describe it. The dishes are not as pretentious-sounding as some of the dishes served at other local vegetarian fine dining establishments (ahem Ubuntu and Millennium!), but they're just as thoughtfully prepared.
The meals at Encuentro are served tapas-style. My partner and I each selected 2-3 dishes, so that we would have a chance to try a variety of the menu options. We started out with the herb and orange marinated olives. I'm not normally a huge olive fan (my partner chose this dish), but the marinade was flavorful enough for me to forget about this fact. Next, we received a plate of grilled stone fruit bruschetta, which came topped with wine jelly and macadamia nut cheese. The sweet flavor of the stone fruit was well-paired with the salty taste of the cheese.
Next, we shared the Little Gem Salad, which was an innovative spin on classic caesar. The dressing was an orange-rosemary caesar dressing and the lettuce was topped with crispy tempeh strips. At this point, our waitress brought us our two hot entrees: the empanadas, which came filled with seitan, golden raisin picadillo pique sauce and cilantro (topped with cashew crema), and the socca of the day, which was filled with mushrooms. I didn't try the mushroom socca (mushrooms are probably my least favorite food) but the empanadas were everything that I had hoped for - savory little dumplings with a slight hint of sweetness from the raisins.
For dessert, we decided to split a vegan cheese platter and a slice of lemon coconut cake. The cake was moist and the lemon icing was creamy and tart. My one and only complaint is that I think that the cake was made from whole wheat flour, so the texture was a little denser than most. The vegan cheese platter came with three vegan "cheeses": smoked pecan, macadamia nut and cashew and pumpkin seed. They were served with prune jam, grain mustard and walnut "honey" (actually agave nectar), as well as a generous helping of toasted bread.
When all was said and done, our meal came to just under $100 (including drinks). I was impressed that we were able to get such a fine dinner at a reasonable price. Even though the restaurant was a bit out of our way (we were staying in Berkeley), it was very easy to get here via the BART. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is visiting the Bay area!
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country (I travel a lot). Amazing brochette, deviled eggs, soup, tomato bread pudding, desserts. Great warehouse ambiance, friendly staff, nice wine list, beer list short but good. I would only wish for a little less bread/carb and more vegetable/green things.


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His comment, as well-intentioned as it may have been, was stupid and wildly insensitive. Turner may be an enormously successful businessman, but he's the antithesis of a great communicator. I keep hearing that he is a brilliant man. But, really? More often than not throughout his public life, he's come across as an arrogant buffoon; a liberal Donald Trump.
Active-duty troops, veterans, politicians on both the left and the right, and just about everyone else I've talked to today - with a few very notable exceptions - are angry at Turner's unfortunate-at-best choice of words. And rightfully so.
But there are some who defend Turner, at least for what he apparently meant to say. Marjorie Morrison, author of the new book The Inside Battle: Our Military Mental Health Crisis, and a licensed psychotherapist who's written and implemented a successful military proactive counseling program with the US Marine Corps, says she doesn't think Turner was implying that its a good thing service members are killing themselves.
"I believe he was commenting on human behavior at a deeper level, implying that humans have an inherent component of love and compassion as opposed to hate and killing," she says. "He's clearly a huge proponent of the United Nations - he donated a billion dollars to them - and would like to see them picking up the 'global policeman' job as opposed to Americans. I see Turner as a visionary man who views the new world order operating on civility and orderly justice, rather than violence."
Retired Navy chief Thomas Mahoney has mixed feelings about Turner's comment. "War sucks, and anyone saying it doesn't is either lying or just nuts," he says. "It's hard for anyone not to get pissed at what Turner said, but let's look at the context of what he said. True, his wording was crass, but I think he means that a lot of those who served and have been subjected to multiple sometimes back-to-back deployments in two wars that have lasted eleven years without any real clear victory, just a lot of lives lost, they couldn't take it anymore. I honor those that gave their lives, and I feel for those who took their own."
But, Mahoney adds, "The problem with do-gooders like Turner and Jane Fonda is that they have no respect for anything but their cause. Neither of them has any real respect for those who serve."


text:
ELDER aamp; KURZMAN, P.A., Miamia Continued ployment and Discrimination disputes, inclusive of claims related to wrongful termination, claims asserting age, religious ... PRACTICE AREAS: Construction Litigation; Construction Arbitration; Bid Protests; Surety Defense Law; Commercial Litigation. ... Member: Dade County and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar; The Association of Trial Lawyers of ... ENGELS, PERTNOY, SOLOWSKY aamp; ALLEN, P.A. Established in 1982 100S.
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Scores, or their derivative, encompass a massive amount of data that can be used to categorize and filter products. We use the entire spectrum and distribution of scores to accurately rank objects according to certain critieria. We developed proprietary algorithms to aggregate scores of different types and from different sources.
A system to make customized recommendations has to be smart in accurately predicting your preferred taste, as well as visionary enough to recommend you products, movies, books, you don't know yet, but will love.
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It is an average adjusted score aggregating the major wine critics. It takes into account their ways of rating and their respective scales to provide an indicator minimizing the experts subjectivity.
A website has been developed globalwinescore.com and it is already in production used daily by users worldwide.
Scorelab collaborates with IECB (Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie) on a genomic study. It is a large meta-analysis of multiple genomics experiments on the nematod Caenorhabditis elegans. This analysis aggregates 1600 runs of experiments using RNA sequencing technologies. The data used comes from published studies sharing their datasets on the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology).
The goal of this work is to understand the functions of genes and the cells' types in which genes are active. Our statistical tools allow the comparison of experiments with different degrees of sensibility. This work aims to reveal unexpected correlations between genes or experiments. This is still under development.
Scorelab develop algorithms for personalized recommandation of wines. We aggregate our experiences in wine data collection and analysis as well as our skills in machine learning and recommander systems. It allows us to develop and train machine learning models specifically for wine tastes. We learn individuals taste and wines characteristics to generate a personalized wine score.
This score reflects the wines you will probably love and the ones you will have in disgust. It is then applied to your user profile to recommend you wines. A prototype has been developed to test its relevance. Further development are in progress for commercial use.
Scorelab collaborates with ICML 2017 (International Conference on Machine Learning), which develops an application for recommending scientific papers to participants.
We work on the personalized recommender engine of this application. The model in use is an extension of Collaborative Topic Regression.
It is based on both topic modeling of the papers textual content and the users 'likes' on the papers. The application is an open source project and is expected for August 2017.
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Allow pod to cool. Carefully peel back tab to separate foil lid and any filter from cup. Recycle your cup wherever #5 plastics are accepted. #5 plastics may not be recyclable today in your community, so please check locally.
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Clay Lowe 7 years ago in general stuff 0
arnie's back
Looks like old Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in the acting business after his stint as governor of California. I bet he was itching to get back into what he knows best, which is playing a musclebound hero who gets things done with little regard for the law. His latest venture is called, The Governator, which, surprisingly enough he plays a super-heroic guy who happens to be a former governor. He hooks up with a team of whizz-kids to fight both crime and natural disasters. Sounds thrilling…not! But hey, since it's Arnold, I'll little choice but to watch it.


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SOURCE: Niwali Health Store
February 04, 2014 05:05 ET
MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2014) - Testosterone is recognized by an increasing number of experts from the medical field as one of the most vital factors in men's health. With a reported 13 million men in the US suffering from low testosterone, sales of natural testosterone boosters are soaring. A study published last July showed that between 2001 and 2011, testosterone prescriptions for men age 40 and older more than tripled. Even Hollywood is recognizing the growing understanding of testosterone: In recent movies various characters are depicted that are struggling with that very same issue, such as Alec Baldwin's character in 2009's It's Complicated, who suffers a distinct lack of testosterone, as does Tommy Lee Jones' character in 2012's Hope Springs. Meryl Streep plays the female love interest in both films and successfully reinvigorates them to testosterone-fuelled life of heightened sexual appetite and increased energy.
Testosterone expert Benjamin Ravaru, CEO of an online health store Niwali Health Store which owns Advanced Test-O-Boost, says a man who lacks adequate testosterone may be damaging his health. "A man with low testosterone is more likely to suffer sexual problems, be overweight and depressed," Ravaru says. "Testosterone is responsible for the increase in men's lean muscle tissue, energy, sex drive, bone formation and immune function." Ravaru refers to a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism which found testosterone levels in men had dropped 17 percent in the previous 17 years. "Men's testosterone levels start declining after age 25," explains Ravaru, "so by the time men reach their 50s and 60s, they may be running on only half the testosterone they had in their 20s."
Testosterone levels can be boosted by direct sunlight exposure, good nutrition, lifting heavy weights in the gym and testosterone supplements. And increased testosterone is not only good for your health: A Wayne State University Study found men with higher testosterone levels were more assertive and generally more successful with women. Dutch researchers studying 400 men meanwhile found a correlation between high testosterone levels in men aged 70 to 80 and greater cognitive function. Ravaru encourages men to determine their total testosterone levels by taking a test at their local doctor's clinic. He says results should range between a low of 300 and a high of 1,000. Ravaru adds that customers taking Niwali Health Store's Advanced Test-O-Boost testosterone supplement regularly reported remarkable changes. "Men who take Advanced Test-O-Boost are always telling us their sexual performance has improved," he says. "They feel more muscular, have more energy, lose fat around the belly and are not as tired as they once were. "Advanced Test-O-Boost has all-natural products and when taken with a good diet and exercise routine, can significantly boost testosterone levels. This gets men firing again".
Niwali Health Store is dedicated to bringing health back to a state of perfection, healing one person at a time and working closely with nature. Niwali strongly believes Mother Nature has everything it needs to restore health and vitality, and the company plans to help heal millions of people this decade through a blend of information products, supplements, coaching and health retreats. Niwali's nutritional supplements are formulated with the highest quality plants and herbs from ancient Chinese, ayurvedic and shamanic medicine. These highly potent extracts help detoxify the body and provide a tonic boost by providing the right nutrients from minerals and vitamins to exotic phytonutrients and beneficial trace minerals. Niwali's information products are published in text, audio and video and cover the latest clinical research and tips to enjoy a healthy, happy life.
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text:
Specialists in short and long term residential and nursing care for older people
- A Victorian mansion with modern extensions, in secure gardens, on the outskirts of Hereford.
- Good access to local amenities
- 49 places registered with the CSCI as a care home with nursing for people with a mental disorder or dementia over the age of 65
- 33 single and 8 companion rooms. 26 with en-suite facilities
- Two storey houses fitted with shaft lift
- Spacious living areas including two day rooms, a quiet room and a dining room
- 24 hour long and short term nursing care
- Specialist trained staff to care for those with functional disorders (e.g depression, anxieties, phobias) or an organic disorder (e.g dementia)
- Full time activities co-ordinaor
- Relatives support group
- Snoezelen creating a relaxing and calming environment
Hereford was one of the first towns founded in England after the end of Roman Rule. Early Hereford was a frontier town on the border between kingdoms inhabited by the ancestors of the Welsh and of the English before there were such countries as 'Wales' and 'England'. The English never totally conquered what is now modern Herefordshire as the many Welsh place-names in the county attest – parts of Herefordshire were never in 'Anglo-Saxon' England.
The city's isolation contributed largely to its economic stagnation in the post-medieval period and many attempts were made to improve Hereford's communications with the outside world. A horse towing path on the banks of the navigable River Wye was opened in 1810 and a horse-drawn railway opened to the canal wharf at Abergavenny in 1829. One of the last canals to be built in Britain reached Hereford in 1845.
In December 1853 the City of Hereford celebrated the opening of its first railway connection. Regular railway services to South Wales began in January 1854 and lines to Gloucester, Worcester and Brecon were opened in the following ten years.
Holmer Nursing Home is conveniently situated a short drive from the city centre on the northern outskirts of Hereford. Access to the home, between Holmer Church and the Parish Community Centre is via a slip road off the A49 to Leominster.
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text:
740. Arriva. They took over the franchise of
Northern Spirit in 2000, were granted a two-year extension of
their licence and received a substantial amount of money. The
people of West Yorkshire feel they have been short changed: we
have a reduction in services. What assurances can we have that
this will not happen elsewhere in the country and that we can
have a review of what is happening in West Yorkshire?
(Mr Winsor) I am afraid I have no jurisdiction in
relation to these matters. They are entirely for the Strategic
Rail Authority as to who should be the holder of a franchise and
the terms on which the franchise is granted, including the duration.
741. What about it happening somewhere else
in the country?
(Mr Winsor) I have no jurisdiction in relation to
franchising anywhere in the country.
742. None whatsoever.
(Mr Winsor) None.
743. As far as the situation is concerned, with
all the different factions, yourself as the Regulator, the Strategic
Rail Authority, the train operating companies, do you not think
that perhaps this is the moment for a fundamental change and that
the Office of the Regulator should be merged with the Strategic
Rail Authority itself?
(Mr Winsor) I am interested you characterise them
as factions. I believe
744. They are certainly not partners.
(Mr Winsor) I may differ from you on that, if I may.
The impression may have been given in the past that the Office
of the Rail Regulator and the Strategic Rail Authority did not
get on. Whatever that may have beenand I would contest
that in almost every respect, I believe that we had a good working
relationship in many respects and it was constructive and productiveI
do believe that the appointment of Richard Bowker, with whom I
have worked and whom I have known for a number of years, provides
a very significant opportunity for a real constructive dialogue,
a release of creative energy in the two organisations which has
not been seen in the past. He and I have discussed these things
on many occasions before he was appointed and since, and I believe
that offers a very real prospect for future improvement of the
railway. What I have said to the Departmentand this was
at a time when I did not think they would appoint Richard Bowkeris
that they do not need to alter the jurisdictions of the Office
of the Rail Regulator and the Strategic Rail Authority. In fact
the jurisdictions of the two organisations were considered at
great length by Parliament and by this Committee and by others
and the railway industry and the overlapping jurisdictions and
the points of tension and friction and ambiguity were sorted out
in the Transport Bill 2000 which received Royal Assent less than
one year ago. Parliament spent a very long time dealing with that
legislation and I believe it got it right. The two organisations
have very different jurisdictions. They are not in conflict, they
do not overlap. This was asserted by Ministers as the Bill went
through the House of Commons[1]
and most recently by Lord Macdonald on 5 April 2001[2].
The organisations should operate on a separate basis for a number
of reasons and I shall come to them if I may in a minute. I should
mention that Mr Bowker has stated in writing twice this year that
the Office of the Rail Regulator must remain independent and he
has published his views that an ORR/SRA merger would harm investor
confidence. I agree with him in every respect. Before Mr Bowker
was appointed as Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, he
was the author of a letter signed by all of the owners of the
franchised passenger services and EWS, the freight company, in
which he said that the companies in questionhe signed this
letter as well, but they all signed ithave "grave
concerns" about "legislation which may affect the independence
of the regulatory regime". They said that "certain principles
were established at privatisation which [they] believe must be
preserved. These principles are fundamental to the commercial
stability of the industry and the long-term availability, sustainability
and cost of finance". They are a part of "the strong
checks and balances inherent in the industry structure. It is
essential that those checks and balances remain. Given the events
of last week[3]
it is even more important that financial markets remain confident
in the future of rail investment. Among the most fundamental of
these principles is that the industry is subject to regulation
that is independent of Government". "This independence
is . . . fundamental in preserving the commercial balance of risk".
It is "a cornerstone of Government policy" and they
urge the Government "not to propose legislation which affects
the independence of the regulatory regime". They described
it as "an essential component of the industry structure going
forward". I agree with everything that Mr Bowker wrote and
which all the passenger train operators and EWS signed. For that
reason, I believe that a merger of the ORR and the SRA cannot,
as proposed, take place because you cannot merge an independent
bodyand the essential independence is described in that
letter and elsewherewith a non-independent body and still
preserve independence. You cannot do that any more than you could
for example as a single authority be independent in the afternoonsif
I may put it in a flippant way. Nor can you have a refereebecause
the independent status of the Regulator is essential in arbitral,
quasi-judicial and other functions which stand between the various
playersyou cannot have the referee in a football match
playing for one side. I think those analogies are fair ones.
745. There are sometimes suggestions that is
exactly what is happening.
(Mr Winsor) Not in Scotland.
746. In your fairly lengthy response to the
question at one point you gave the impression that part of the
problem was personalities. That was perhaps at the very base of
what was wrong. Where would you say was that fault?
(Mr Winsor) I am reluctant to get into a discussion
of personalities, save only to say that Sir Alastair Morton is
a man for whom I have very considerable respect and as an individual
I like him very much. He and I took diametrically opposing views
on a number of matters, including the matters I have just described,
and however much I tried to persuade him of the alternative view
I was unable to do so.
747. On a scale of one to ten, how do you think
you are placed as far as having a future as Regulator is concern?
(Mr Winsor) What is one and what is ten?
748. One is that you are not going to be there
very much longer. Ten is that you have a secure future.
(Mr Winsor) The answer is that I do not know, but
I can offer you some observations. I have been appointed as Regulator
under section 1 of the Railways Act 1993 for a five-year term.
I am less than half way through that term of office. I intend
to serve only one term of office. I may be removed on the grounds
of incapacity or misbehaviour, which are the same grounds of removal
as a High Court judge, and until I commit one of those offences
or one of those circumstances befalls me then I have no present
expectation of leaving office early. However, it is possible for
Parliament to legislate me out of existence. I believe that Parliament
will not do that, but that is for you not for me.
749. I am grateful for that answer. May I turn
your attention to some of the other elements which are of concern
to the Committee and to me and that is the question of the vertical
integration? What are your views on the idea of having a trial
or a test in Scotland? Would you be a supporter of that or would
you see that as rather likely to lead to further problems and
(Mr Winsor) I believe that the railway industry should
of course keep an open mind in relation to any serious proposal
which is likely to improve its efficiency, its performance and
the service to passengers and freight customers. Therefore I believe
that if a trial of these mattersdepending on what kind
or what flavour of vertical integration is being contemplated,
because there are all sorts of ways of doing thatis proposed,
Scotland may be regarded as a natural place for it to take place,
but it is not the only place. For example, in the area of the
country covered by South West Trains they are by far the predominant
train operator in that part of the country (although not the only
one) and it might work there; it might work in East Anglia, particularly
if the Great Eastern and Anglia franchises were to be merged.
There are drawbacks to vertical integration. There are advantages
as well, advantages in relation to the train operator actually
having a direct handle on what happens to the maintenance and
renewal of the infrastructure on which he depends. A great deal
has been said about the disadvantages of separating the wheel
and the track. I understand that. I believe that we can overcome
these difficulties in other ways but vertical integration is an
available option. However, some people regard Scotland as a simple
case, but in fact there are six train operators in Scotland. ScotRail
is only one. There are five secondary users there: Freightliner,
EWS, Virgin, GNER and so on. Those operators would need additional
protection against discriminatory behaviour if there were vertical
integration in Scotland. To give you a simple example, what would
be the case, how would you operate, how would you design management
and operational practices so that a signaller, when he is faced
with operational disruption, perhaps in a congested part of the
network at a busy time of the day and there is pressure to take
decisions very, very quickly as these professionals do, what are
we going to do, how are we going to design things so that the
signaller does not have an instinctive and natural reaction to
say that is not his company train and he is going to disadvantage
it? You would never be able to prove that that decision had been
taken for that reason. The secondary operatorswho may be
very substantial companies in their own rightswould be
very concerned about that.
750. Would you see a difficulty with the Strathclyde
Passenger Transport Executive as part of that?
(Mr Winsor) Strathclyde PTE ought to be very closely
involved and consulted in the design of such a trial.
751. From your evidence you clearly place great
value on the fact that your role is that of an independent regulator.
If your independence were compromised in any way, would you tender
your resignation?
(Mr Winsor) It would depend how it was compromised.
I believe that if my independence is to be taken away, it should
be taken away with the authority of Parliament and only in that
way. After all it was conferred with the authority of Parliament
and in legislative terms that is the only way it could be taken
752. Do you stand by the remarks you made in
your press notice of 12 June 2001 in which you declared, "Railtrack
now has the environment to confound its critics and succeed".
(Mr Winsor) No, because the company is in administration.
The company has been declared by the High Court on 7 October 2001
to be insolvent. It does not now have that environment: its financial
position has changed radically. The fundamental point is that
when I made that statement on 12 June and indeed right up to 5
October 2001 I did not know that the company was claiming to Government
that it was in serious financial difficulties. The periodic review
provided the company with a 50 per cent increase in its revenues.
The company's representations to my office were all consistent
with the company having enough money to keep going until an interim
review in relation to the outcome of Hatfield some time in summer
2002. Until 5 October, I had no reason to believe that was not
the case. The company should have informed me if it was in such
serious difficulties.
753. Is it not the case that the Government
was due to make the next tranche of the regular subsidy on 1 October
which would have carried the company over? The company was solvent
until 1 October, at which time the Government pushed it into insolvency
because it withheld the £445 million due on 1 October?
(Mr Winsor) I think the position was a little different
from that.
754. That is the evidence we took and was confirmed
in a statement by Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State to this
House. Are you contradicting both those sets of evidence?
(Mr Winsor) No. The company's financial position on
5 October 2001 was that it had a £1 billion uncommitted and
undrawn loan facility and it had a right to £0.5 billion
of what is called Renewco moneythat is the financial mechanism
to bring forward the effect of grants from later onrising
to £0.7 billion by March 2002. This was money which was committed
to by the Strategic Rail Authority in a legally binding agreement
signed in April. When the Government decided not to proceed with
the Renewco arrangements, the company had a right of redress which
according to the information which I have seen it did not exercise.
Under paragraph 3.3 of the contract between the Strategic Rail
Authority and Railtrack, signed on 1 April 2001, the Renewco arrangements,
this financing structure, had to be set up by 30 June 2001. If
it was not set up by that date, then the company had an additional
21 days during which the SRA and Railtrack would consult to seek
an acceptable alternative financing scheme. If at the end of those
21 days there was still no alternative financing scheme, the company
had the right to apply to me for an interim review to restore
its cashflow position. I do not know why the company did not enforce
that contract.
755. I put it to you today that you have just
given us evidence this afternoon that the company did come to
you, they called on you on Saturday, 6 October, that you were
in fact minded to make such an interim review but you were told
by the Secretary of State privately that if you were to do that
he would block that by rushing emergency legislation through the
House of Commons. Can you confirm or deny that?
(Mr Winsor) I think you are a little wrong but broadly
you are right. May I say what did happen? On the evening of Saturday
6 October, I took a telephone call from Mr Marshall, the Chief
Executive, and Mr Robinson, the Chairman of Railtrack. If I may
consult my contemporaneous notes of the call, they rang me at
approximately ten minutes past seven on Saturday night and I returned
their call about ten minutes laterthey paged me. When they
came on the line, Mr Robinson explained that it was a conference
call and that Steve Marshall was with him. I was not aware that
anyone else was there; not that I object. The Railtrack board
was meeting and they had stepped out to talk to me. Mr Marshall
said that they were making the call to me, in his terms, "as
a matter of due diligence", by which, from the remainder
of the conversation, it was clear to me that they were merely
going through the motions of discussing an interim review with
me. It was very apparent, from the tone used by both of them and
the course of the conversation, that they had no expectation that
I would be able to provide them with any cause for hope that they
might escape their present predicament.
Mr Marshall did not apply for an interim review.
He asked whether, if the company made an application for an interim
review, there was any prospect of my carrying it out by Sunday
evening, 24 hours. I asked what the grounds for the interim review
would be, how much money they needed and by when they needed it.
I was told by Mr Marshall that he could think of only two grounds,
namely the material shortfall between the company's actual revenue
requirements and the regulatory settlement of October 2000the
periodic reviewand the impact of Hatfield which has been
very severe for the company. He said that they were nowhere near
ready to make a properly justified application on either ground.
Mr Robinson indicated that he believed that
I would have neither the means nor the will to carry out an interim
review. I disagreed with him. I said that if an application were
made to me I would consider it on its individual merits, but I
needed to have more information from them. I also said that it
would be possible, if an appropriate case were made, for me immediately
and publicly to announce the initiation of an interim review,
but I did not think it would be possible for me to complete it
in 24 hours over a weekend. I asked what the grounds were. They
told me what they were. They did not at that time say that it
was because the Renewco arrangements had been denied to them.
My recollection is that the Renewco arrangements being denied
were a byproduct of the major financial difficulties I have mentioned.
I asked how much money they needed. Mr Robinson said hundreds
of millions of pounds.
756. Four hundred and forty-five million.
(Mr Winsor) He said "hundreds of millions".
I asked how many hundreds. He said that he did not know. He just
said that it would be hundreds of millions. I asked when they
needed the money. He said "Monday".
757. Is that the end of that conversation?
(Mr Winsor) By no means because it comes to the Secretary
of State's possibility of legislation which I think you want me
to come to.
758. That is very helpful. May I just press
you on the point? Had the Secretary of State already told you
that if you applied for an interim review he would push through
emergency legislation to block such a review?
(Mr Winsor) Broadly yes.
759. Could you give us the details please, because
it is extremely important that we place this on the record this
(Mr Winsor) Yes, without difficulty. I met the Secretary
of State at 4 pm on Friday 5 October. I did not know what the
meeting was about and I went prepared for a different meeting.
It was immediately apparent to me that they wanted to talk about
the financial predicament of Railtrack. Mr Byers told me that
the Chairman of Railtrack went to see him at the end of July to
explain that the company's financial position was far worse than
they had expected and that special measures would be required
to restore its viability. Railtrack had been advised by Crédit
Suisse First Boston (CSFB) and they had produced three options
which Mr Robinson had then put to Mr Byers. They said there were
three Rs: renationalisation, restructuring or receivership. Mr
Robinson's proposition also involved a three to four-year suspension
of the regulatory regime and a number of other measures. The Government
did not find those measures attractive. I was not surprised that
they would not.
Mr Byers said instead that the Government had
decided to put the company into railway administration that weekend.
They had decided that there would be no more financial support
for Railtrack and that would mean that the Renewco arrangement
would not also proceed. Mr Byers explained that the company was
insolvent, its liabilities outstripped its assets and it was unlikely
to be able to pay its debts as they became duethe two statutory
tests of insolvency as you will realise. Mr David Rowlands, a
senior civil servant at the Department of Transport, was also
present. He explained that the affairs of the company had been
very thoroughly examined by the Government's financial advisers,
Schroders Salomon Smith Barney, and they had been working on this
possibility for the last two months. Schroders' analysis had been
that the company was insolvent because it would be unable to draw
down on its £1.56 billion credit facility or get away its
intended bond issue and that was because in both cases the company
needed to be on a going-concern basis and the directors would
need to make a declaration to that effect. Railtrack's interim
accounts due on 8 November 2001 were likely also to be qualified
on the going-concern grounds. Mr Byers said that for this reason,
the inability to make the going-concern declaration, the Government
had decided to turn off the money supply, which meant allowing
no more funds above the regulatory settlement and accordingly
the Renewco arrangements would not proceed. Mr Robinson was due
to meet Mr Byers at 16.45 hoursthat is immediately after
my meetingand he would be told that then.
I said that I was very surprised at the circumstances
as they explained them to me and the suddenness of the decision
on railway administration. I explained that we at ORR had had
no indication of any imminent insolvency from the company. I said
that by virtue of the periodic review they had a 50 per cent increase
in their revenue and that in the absence of any justified application
to the contrary we had told the company that that would be enough
to keep going until the Hatfield re-openerthe interim review;
some time in summer 2002 was the present expectation. With that
new regime having kicked in only on 1 April 2001, I said that
it was remarkable that the company's financial predicament should
be considered to be so serious so suddenly and why, if things
were that bad, had the company not informed the Regulator? I said
that it would have been incumbent on the company to approach the
Regulator if its finances were so precarious. Neither the Secretary
of State nor Mr Rowlands gave me any answer to this question.
It was apparent to me that the company had been making its case
for additional financial support only to the Government and that
it had been deliberately keeping the Regulator in the dark about
its view of its financial position.
Official Report (HL), Vol 624, 5 April 2001, col 976. Back
Note by witness: This letter was written on 12 October. Back


text:
August 2014, Vol. 241, No. 8
Energy Transfer Partners Board Approves 1,100-Mile Bakken Pipeline
Energy Transfer Partners' Board of Directors has approved building the 1,100-mile Bakken Pipeline to transport crude supply from strategic receipt points in the Bakken/Three Forks production area in North Dakota to Patoka, IL where the Bakken Pipeline will interconnect with the company's existing 30-inch Trunkline Pipeline, which is being converted from natural gas to crude transportation service.
From Patoka, shippers can access multiple markets, including Midwest and East Coast markets by rail as well as the Gulf Coast, via Trunkline, to the Nederland, TX crude oil terminal of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. Energy Transfer will develop a rail terminal facility in Illinois to access East Coast refineries.
ETP has secured multiple long-term binding contractual commitments from shippers to fully support construction of a 30-inch pipeline to Patoka. The pipeline will provide 320,000 bpd of capacity. ETP could increase capacity of the Bakken Pipeline based on additional customer demand. The company has begun ordering steel and negotiating construction contracts for the Bakken Pipeline and expects to have the pipeline built and in service, and the Trunkline crude oil conversion project completed and in service, by the end of 2016. ETP is in discussion with SXL regarding a significant equity participation by SXL.
ETP's directors also approved building a pipeline to transport natural gas from processing facilities located in the prolific Marcellus and Utica Shale areas to numerous market regions in the United States and Canada. In conjunction with this announcement, ETP announced signing long-term agreements with multiple shippers and launching a binding open season.
The natural gas pipeline is sized to transport 2.2 Bcf/d, however, depending on additional shipper commitments, the project likely will be expanded to transport up to 3.25 Bcf/d. The first 400 miles of the project will enable the flow of gas from processing plants and interconnections in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to points of interconnection with Energy Transfer's existing Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line and another Midwest pipeline near Defiance, OH.
Additionally, a 195-mile segment will be built from the Defiance area through Michigan and ultimately to the Union Gas Dawn Hub (Dawn) near Sarnia, Canada, providing producers with access to diverse markets and end-users in Michigan and Canada with access to Marcellus and Utica supplies.
Plans call for initial service to the Midwest Hub located near Defiance and Gulf Coast markets by the 4Q 2016, and the remaining service to markets in Michigan and Canada by the 2Q 2017.


text:
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South Carolina's upcoming GOP primary got some attention Monday from Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."
Stewart introduced a segment by Daily Show reporter Jordan Klepper by asking, "How can conservative voters tell who is the real Mr. Right?"
Klepper says Republican members of Congress all over the nation are worried about primary opposition from the right, except for S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
"Lindsey Graham is the most conservative person in the U.S. Senate race," Graham supporter and former U.S. representative Bob Inglis tells Klepper.
Then the camera switches to Bill Connor, who tells Klepper "I believe I am the true conservative in this race." Next up are two supporters of Lee Bright, who say that he is the most conservative.
Not mentioned in the segment were four other Graham challengers: Det Bowers, Richard Cash, Benjamin Dunn and Nancy Mace.
Here's a link to the video: http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/duj0bb/to-the-right-of-the-right


text:
Today, April 17, 2018 in the United States it's tax day. Today is the day the government comes calling, and our pocket books better answer. Today is also the feast of St. Shimon bar Sabbae, the patron saint of tax resistance.
Taxes have been a hot topic ever since humans got together and decided to start civilization. Scripture records that the first city was built by Cain, who was also the first farmer and the first murderer in scripture. Perhaps he was also the first tax collector! Tax collectors are among some of the most shockingly disreputable people that Jesus chose to associate with.
In the Old Testament, even God lampoons taxes through the words of the Prophet Samuel. When Israel pleads for a King, the Lord said to Samuel,
Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.
Samuel then goes to the people and delivers this acerbic message,
This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.
The Israelites insisted that they wanted a king, so that they could be like other nations and so that the king could fight their wars. God warned them that taxes and exploitation are the price for nationalism and militarism, but the Israelites went against God's wishes and made the same choice that we make today. It's better to have a nation and a military, even if it means paying taxes and making ourselves vulnerable to oppression.
When Jesus came preaching that a new Kingdom had come, the first question that came to mind for his listeners was taxes. Did Jesus really mean a new Kingdom? Did that mean that they didn't have to pay taxes to other kingdoms? If Jesus paid taxes then that meant that he didn't really mean that another Kingdom was coming, or at least it meant that he didn't think his Kingdom was in competition with Rome. If you pay taxes, his listeners wondered, then perhaps you can serve two masters after all.
Taxes were particularly contentious in Jesus' time because of how exploitative the practice became. Tax collectors would often overcharge individuals (especially poor people), and take the excess for themselves. The poor had no choice but to pay, for if they didn't then the Romans would come knocking. Tax collectors were thus seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers, representing Israel's oppression. There was hardly a better image for the powers and principalities that Jesus came to vanquish than that of a tax collector. What's more, taxes were often paid with coins that bore Caesar's image. It would be idolatrous to carry such a coin or to use it. The standard 'tribute penny' bore the image of the Emperor Tiberius, and carried the inscription "Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus." To pay taxes meant not only possessing an image that proclaimed Caesar the son of a god, but in rendering this unto Caesar, one gave implicit assent to Caesar's claims to divinity.
In response to such blasphemy and oppression, many Zealots began a campaign of tax resistance. So when Jesus came and announced the fulfillment of Israel's hope, many wondered if he agreed with the other subversives of his day.
The Synoptics record that Jesus' opponents tried to trap him with this question. If Jesus paid taxes then they could denounce him as a fraud; he wasn't really promising an alternative to Rome. But if he didn't pay taxes then they could turn him over to the authorities. So they asked,
Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?
In his characteristically clever fashion, Jesus evaded the question. He implied that he did not even have a coin on him by asking if anyone could show him a coin. Thus he shunned graven images, and obviously unable to pay taxes. His accusers produced a coin, which demonstrated that they did carry such images. Jesus then asked whose inscription was on the coin. The interlocutors looked down at the inscription declaring Caesar to be the Son of God, and reported so. Jesus then replied "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God's what is God's."
This incisive remark is as clever, if not more so, than "He who is without sin may cast the first stone." What is Caesar's after all? Certainly not the title "Son of God." But this title was the entire claim to Caesar's legitimacy and the legitimacy of collecting taxes. Jesus was not saying "pay your taxes but worship God." Rather, he was saying that one should honor God alone, and if one does so, then there is nothing left over to give Caesar. If Caesar is stripped of his divinity, then by the logic of the Romans, he would be stripped of his right to taxes as well. Thus Jesus confronted his accusers with their own theology. Do they really believe that God is the only God? If so then why are they holding a coin? Why are they opposing Jesus, who promises to bring about God's reign? As happened again and again, when they tried to trap Jesus, Jesus trapped them.
This was not the only joke that Jesus made about taxes. The Evangelist Matthew records that Temple tax collectors asked Peter about whether Jesus paid Temple taxes or not. These taxes did not go to Rome, but to ecclesiastical authorities. Nonetheless they were still controversial. Jesus criticized the practice because it often hit the poor the hardest, and caused some women to become homeless and die in poverty (this was what Jesus meant when he accused the Temple officials of "devouring widows' houses"). Peter had no clever answer for the tax collectors. But when he returned to Jesus' house in Capernaum, Jesus asked him,
What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?
Peter answered that taxes are collected from others. So Jesus replied,
Then the children are exempt. But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.
The implied critique is that if the Temple really did serve the children of God, then there would not be any taxes. The existence of taxes proved the failure of the Temple to serve. But that is not the only critique in this passage. Romanian Archpriest Fr. John McGuckin notes that this passage is one massive joke by Jesus. The story does not actually say that Peter went and caught the fish, but rather ends with the joke about finding the coin in the fish's mouth. The fish in question was a certain species of Tilapia, which is known as "St. Peter's Fish." This species has a tongue that is shaped liked a coin. So Jesus was making a joke to Peter, saying sarcastically "we must pay our taxes! So go give them Tilapia tongue!" Were Peter to actually do that, it would cause quite the offense!
When Jesus was finally arrested and taken to Pilate, taxes are the first thing his accusers mention.
We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.
This got Pilate's attention. And the association of Christianity with tax resistance evidently spread to the early community. It must have become something of an issue, as St. Paul was forced to confront it in his letter to the Romans. As with all of Paul's letters, he gives rules only when people start acting in contrary ways. So one can only imagine what ideas people had about Christianity and taxes that led St. Paul to write,
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
Christians living in Rome knew quite well that they were expected to pay taxes by the government. So the fact that St. Paul had to remind them of this meant that there must have been a streak of insurrectionism running through the early Christian community. St. Paul in this section of his letter had to remind Christians that the way of the Zealots, the way of violent revolution, was not the nonviolent way of the cross. Thus, the injunction to pay taxes and to not overthrow the government was prefaced by the remark, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Paul's vision was not that the Roman government, which ended up executing him and many other Christians, was somehow good or that by executing him the were doing God's will. Rather, it was that by doing good, by acting with love and nonviolence, one could overthrow and overcome the evil of this world.
Paul reinforced this message by continuing,
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Here Paul echoes Jesus' clever 'render unto Caesar.' Paul begins by saying that we should give what we owe. If taxes are owed then we pay taxes, if revenue then we pay revenue. But he then (in a characteristically Hebraic writing technique) undercuts what he has just said. The only debt, the only thing that we should owe, is love. Furthermore, if one loves, then one has already fulfilled the law. He goes on to say that among all the laws and commandments there is really only one law, "Love one another." And because of this "Love has fulfilled the law." But by saying this, Paul gives a wink to his audience. If love fulfills the law, then the tax laws don't really apply to you and aren't what you are following anyway. By making this shift in emphasis from law and government to love, Paul throws out the whole question. What does it matter if we pay our taxes or overthrow the government or not? All that matters is love, and we should forget the rest! By saying this, St. Paul both preserved the radically subversive message of Christianity without reducing it to a temporal political program that demanded complete and total resistance. Resistance of a sort was expected; it's what got Paul killed. But Paul emphasized that resistance for its own sake meant nothing. Just like Jesus, the point was to focus ourselves elsewhere.
Thanks to Paul's clear-sightedness, Christians managed to strike a balance between paying taxes and proclaiming another King. But the early Church did not interpret Paul's injunction to pay taxes or Christ's joke about rendering unto Caesar to be universal rules. Sometimes tax resistance is called for. They say that in life there are only two things that are certain: death and taxes. But just as Christ found a way to get around death, every once in a while his followers manage to get around taxes.
Which brings us to St. Shimon, whose feast it is today, April 17. Shimon lived in Persia in the fourth century. At that time, tensions between Persian Christians and Persian Zoroastrians were on the rise. In the 330s and 340s, the Persian king Shapur II began an offensive against the Roman Empire. Given that the Romans were Christian, Persian Christians were viewed as resident enemies. Then as now, it is tough being a religious minority!
Shapur decided to impose a hefty tax on Christians. This was meant to penalize them for their Christianity, as accusations of subversion came forth. The tax also may have been to encourage abandonment of Christianity, and certainly helped to fund the war effort against the Roman Christians. What better solution for fighting the Romans than making resident Christians pay for the war effort against their fellow Christians?
As the presiding bishop of Christians in Persia, Shimon was tasked with collecting this tax. But Shimon knew that such a tax was unjust and would only be blood money. So he launched a nonviolent campaign of mass war-tax resistance.
Obviously, this was not received well by Shapur, so he demanded that St. Shimon and the rest of the Christians pay, otherwise he would kill them. Remarkably, St. Shimon refused to retaliate to these threats. Just a century later, some Christians in Persia would resort to terrorism in response to a similar situation. But St. Shimon refused violence. He refused to fight. Instead he chose to suffer nonviolently. Death was his protest. Shimon accepted the death penalty and was martyred. By rendering unto God what was God's, his very life, he showed the king that there was nothing left over for his coffers!
The hymnography of the Church plays with this theme poetically,
Choice silver that is tried in the earth: a portion of the heavenly treasure, which is desired by the angels, and by the prophets and apostles, and by the honored martyrs, Christ gave, in his grace, to the faithful Church: the venerable Mar Simon, he whose neck was sliced for the sake of the law of the love of God. Come, all you peoples, in awe and love, and in songs of the Holy Spirit, let us honor the day of his commemoration. He is indeed an unassailable rampart for our people.
Shimon's martyrdom is called silver, a "heavenly treasure" rather than an earthly tax. St. Shimon is the tax, the "choice silver" given by Christ to his Church. In disobeying the law, St. Shimon followed "the law of the love of God." This is the law that St. Paul implored us to follow. By following the law of love and rendering his life unto God, St. Shimon showed us the true meaning of a faithful life.
Today it is important to remember St. Shimon and what he lived and died for. As we pay our taxes today (or decide to engage in some war tax resistance ourselves!) we should ask ourselves which laws we truly follow.
This past week, the United States dropped a series of bombs on three sites in Syria. Currently, it is estimated that those strikes cost over $100 million in taxpayer money. What's more, Patriarch John X, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, and Patriarch Joseph Absi, who are all Patriarchs in Syria soundly condemned America for the attack. Patriarch Kirill likewise spoke out against the attack and called Pope Francis to discuss condemning the attack. Who knows how much tax money paid by American Orthodox Christians today will end up building bombs that will again strike Syria this next year, to the protests of the Church. It is a sobering reminder that even in a country as supposedly Christian as America, sometimes the revolutionary nonviolent faith that worships a man accused of tax resistance is not compatible with supporting our nation. I imagine that St. Shimon loved Persia. I imagine he even happily paid his taxes most of his life. But when the time came, when it was clear that he had to choose between national loyalty and his faith, he chose civil disobedience. Let us a sing a hymn of exaltation to St. Shimon today, the choice silver tried in the earth! And maybe, if we are feeling a bit bolder, we can do more than sing to him. Perhaps we can sing with him, in the words of the old American folk tune,
Tear up those income tax returns
They'll buy no bombs with what I've earned!
Why should I buy a war machine
To kill some child I've never seen.
Don't bail me out, don't pay my fine
Your cash can kill the same as mine
There's no one's blood I want to spill
And I'll not pay a war lord's bill.
Tear up those income tax returns
They'll buy no bombs with what I've earned!
The men who plan for blood and strife
Demand your money or your life
My faith in God is not for sale
That's why I'm here locked up in jail.
Between these bars I see blue sky
I know that some day you and I
Can live in peace and without war
And that's the day I'm working for.
Tear up those income tax returns
They'll buy no bombs with what I've earned!