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I think it's fair to say that Daniël didn't get a lot of takers for his idea. (I'll let you read the thread/s yourself, as I find that one embedded tweet in a blog post is already annoying enough, especially when reading on a mobile device.) There were discussions about the remuneration system for US academics whereby many of them don't get a salary for three months in the summer (this seems utterly weird to Europeans, but our American colleagues just treat it as part of the landscape), as well as questions about intellectual property.Writing a book based on stuff you've learned as an academic and selling it, is like a road worker building a road and asking you for toll.— Daniël Lakens (@lakens) March 17, 2017
At one point Daniël revealed that if you want him to come to your university or conference and give some version of his excellent MOOC on statistical inferences (I took it, I passed, I am now quite a bit less ill-informed on several statistical topics) then he will charge you $1,000. But I think that he would argue—and I certainly wouldn't object—that being compensated for your time to show up somewhere in person is not unreasonable. (I asked Daniël to comment on this post before I published it. He pointed out that he does plenty of other teaching for free. He also adds that the best way to follow his course is to take it online, because there are no "ums" and "erms", and you can schedule your own bathroom breaks.)
Daniël's argument, if I've understood it correctly, is based on the following points:
1. The general principle that knowledge should be freely available.
2. The acknowledgement that in many (most?) cases, the money that paid for either (a) the specific empirical research that led to the findings being discussed in the book, or (b) the basic academic job of the person writing the book, came from taxpayers. I don't think I've ever discussed "Politics with a capital P" with Daniël, not least because he and I don't get to vote in the same country, but I hope he will tolerate me guessing that he is probably somewhere to the left of centre. I find it particularly commendable that he frequently communicates in public the awareness that the money that pays his salary does not fall from the skies every time it rains in Rotterdam(*).
3. A belief that what you have learned, what you have discovered, what you "know", doesn't "belong to you" (cf. point 1).
A quick pause for full disclosure (and a shameless plug) here: I am one of the editors of this forthcoming book (**), for which I will get a royalty of about $7 for every copy sold. Actually, this needn't be a pause --- it can be an interesting case study of Daniël's logic. Some of the knowledge that went into my contribution to that book (which, apart from being the principal assembler and coordinator of the overall manuscript, was as a chapter author and a critical reviewer of many of the chapters) was acquired while I was a *paying* Master's student (my MSc cost me about $12,000 in fees, plus probably another $8,000 in travel and lodging expenses). A little has been acquired in my more recent role as a non-paying, but non-salaried PhD student. Most was just from reading, interacting with people, and some attempts at critical thinking. My situation in science is obviously quite atypical, but any system that attempts to determine what is either legally or morally acceptable has to be able to define and cope with edge cases. On the other hand, my co-editors are (as far as I know) full-time salaried academics. Should different rules apply to the various editors of the same book? Who is going to make and enforce these rules?
Back to Daniël's points: I sort of agree and sort of don't. (People who have read some of my, er, "output" are sometimes surprised to find how ambivalent I am on many issues.) Writing a book is hard work --- it's almost certainly a qualitatively different experience from writing a journal article. (I haven't written a book from scratch. But I know how hard it is to coordinate a big manuscript, and I did translate a full-length book [PDF] --- one which, incidentally, had previously been scanned and put online so that the author couldn't expect to receive much in the way of royalties from its sale afterwards. Also, many books by academics combine accounts of their own (or others') research with their interpretations of what these might mean for society. Some of Roy Baumeister's (sometimes provocative ***) books are a good example of this, I think.
On the other hand, I think that people who defend the idea of deriving income from books need to check that their logic on this point follows their logic when it comes to the publishing of scientific articles. Most of the people who responded to Daniël's tweets (at least, among the names I recognised) are people who strongly defend open access publishing. But it's very easy to denounce the evils of publishing companies when you don't get any revenue yourself from their output. Among the subset of pro-open access people who have also written books, I don't see many of them exhorting people to place PDF copies of those books on Sci-Hub. (Anyone want to bet that we will not hear at some point of a scandal whereby some researcher or other has been taking kickbacks from the article processing charges --- which are typically paid for out of grant money --- at open access journals? I hasten to add that I have no evidence that this is taking place at the moment, but I would be amazed if it didn't happen. People can be very... creative when it comes to spending other people's money.)
One area where I feel less ambivalent is in the writing of "popular" books. If you leverage your government-funded research and/or status as a professor at a publicly-funded university into pop science or self-help books, seminars, and pay-to-listen podcasts, not to mention sponsored keynotes, corporate consulting gigs, and public speaking appearances, then I think that you ought to be making more of a contribution back than just income tax on the royalties and fees, especially since most of the work that got you that speaking gig was probably done by someone else, who may not even believe in the research any more. (I would have included TED talks in this list, but apparently TED speakers don't get paid. I'm sure they all give those talks out of the goodness of their hearts, and not in any way out of a consideration for how they might leverage their appearance into other, more lucrative speaking opportunities.) Naturally, as per the discussion a couple of paragraphs earlier, I don't have a proposed practical solution for this.
In summary, I find this an interesting debate. Perhaps it's destined to remain theoretical for the foreseeable future (apart from anything else, academic norms tend to span the boundaries of legal jurisdictions), but I think it's worth discussing and I'm glad Daniël raised it.
(*) It would be nice if money did arrive that way, because I lived there for four years and it rains a lot, often horizontally.
(**) Yes, that's a great picture on the cover. It's by my brother-in-law, and I believe that he will get a fee for it. Is this nepotism? I just wanted a non-boring cover design (check out what most handbook cover art is like) and I knew that Tony was pretty handy with a brush; this is a picture that he had painted a while ago. Should we have had a call for tenders to avoid possible questions about nepotism? Hmmm.
(***) I linked to Amazon here, but if you don't believe that academics should benefit from writing books about their own or other people's research, you can find a full PDF of the book without too much trouble. ;-)


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A Golden Age of French Sacred Music
In seventeenth-century Paris violent disputes between adherents of the Italian and French baroque styles were the order of the day. For the latter group, the fact that opera slipped into French music history through an Italian backdoor, and that the royal 'surintendant de la musique' was Jean-Baptiste Lully, of Florentine origin, must have been a bitter pill to swallow. But they were wrong: Lully turned out to be the godfather of French opera! Charpentier also composed masterly operas. Hervé Niquet and Le Concert Spirituel shed light on another side of these two composers, throwing themselves into some of their finest sacred works, which reveal that they are heavily influenced by their opera writing. Charpentier's 'Magnificat' and Lully's 'O Dulcissime Domine' are put into a broader perspective alongside the marvellous polyphony of Louis Le Prince's 'Messe Macula non est in te', which has never previously been performed in a concert.
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Magnificat, H75 Louis Le Prince: Messe 'Macula non est in te' Jean-Baptiste Lully: O Dulcissime Domine
Le Concert SpirituelHervé Niquet, conductor

subset: commoncrawl


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Add functionality to your home office, den or library with this swivel desk chair. Its adjustable height allows you to adjust to fit your comfort level while the padded seat and back support you in style. The swivel function and casters helps you complete your daily tasks efficiently. With its rich stained finish and casual appeal, this chair is sure to add style to your home's decor. ADJUSTABLE ARM HEIGHT 24 3/4" - 28"ADJUSTABLE SEAT HEIGHT 17 5/8" - 21"
The Cross Island Swivel Desk Chair with Adjustable Height by Ashley Furniture at AHFA in the area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
The richly detailed mission design of the "Cross Island" collection features furnishings for your living room, home office, and entertainment spaces. Capturing the beauty of rich country style with a versatility that enhances any home decor, a medium brown oak stained finish is beautifully accented by the mortise through ornamentation to create the rustic beauty of finely crafted mission styled furniture. Design features such as thick posts, raised panel details, overlay slats and blocks ornamentation, spindle backs and sides, tapered feet and legs, cast mission ball handles in a dark patina finish, and cast hardware finished in an aged bronze color are seen throughout this versatile collection. Functional as well stylish, ample storage is offered in the form of shelves, drawers, and doors to fulfill your storage needs. Bring "Cross Island" home with you to achieve a rich and illuminating country atmosphere where relaxation is a guarantee.
The Cross Island collection is a great option if you are looking for Mission furniture in the area.
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Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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Cricketer Max 'Tangles' Walker Has Passed Away Aged 68
Sad news today that former Australian test cricketer Max Walker has passed away aged 68.
He had been battling prostate cancer but passed away as the result of an infection after undergoing surgery.
Former Wide World Of Sports co-host said today:
"We sat beside one another for twelve years, and I'm stunned by the news, it's terribly, terribly sad"
Born in Tasmania, Walker moved to Melbourne where he worked at the MCG as a maintenance man and scoreboard operator while he was still a student.
Max Walker has passed...so sad...melanoma...gentle man ...gentle inswingers...won Tests...won series...decent...respectful...vale T Foot !— Kerry O'Keeffe (@kokeeffe49) September 27, 2016
'Tangles' as he was known because of his ungainly bowling action that saw him occasionally trip himself up when running, was also an accomplished Aussie Rules player who was part of the Melbourne Demons squad until he received his Test call up in 1972.
'Big Maxy' went on to play thirty-eight test matches for Australia, taking 138 wickets, as well as twenty-nine One Day Internationals between 1974 and 1981, including matches during the revolutionary World Series Cricket series from 1977 to 1979.
So sad to hear of the passing of Max Walker. What a great cricketer, author and story teller. Ripper bloke whose smile lit up a room! #263 😪— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) September 27, 2016
After he retired in 1982 Walker moved into the commentators box, firstly at the ABC and then at Channel 9 where he was an accomplished sports reporter as well as host of The Sunday AFL Footy Show and Wide World Of Sports.
On his website Walker wrote about his transition to TV:
"I was very fortunate to make the transition from player to commentator within a week of retirement," he wrote.
"After four years of talking about the game on radio I was head hunted to join Richie Benaud and his team in the Nine booth.
"My involvement with the commentary team ended in 1991 with the birth of my daughter Alexandra. I had to make a choice between travelling the world, talking about cricket, or a family lifestyle. I chose the latter."
He also published a string of highly successful books including "How To Hypnotize Chooks" which highlighted his love of a good yarn and having a laugh.
Walker was married to his wife Kerry with whom he had five children.


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Sidestepper wrote:Hey, does corrosion get triggered by the Sorcerer's Mana Shield?
Good god I hope not My entire previous playthrough could be summed up as a huge Martyr Wraps + Mage Plate + Bloodmage rampage. I only ever touched the monk to check out the Taurog Monk sillyness, decided it was unreal and went back to roasting w Bloodmages. Come to think of it the Mana Shield corroding would sure boost the Sorcerer, though.
And one more thing about the bead and martyr wraps. Last time around I was going BURNDAYRAZ heavy and I didn't once pick up Crystall Ball, thats how good Martyr Wraps supplemented by the bead and several other thingies are. Compared to the trisword the Wraps are very gold efficent, and if using goblins as much as I was during that playthrough, that buys you a lot of conversion fodder (unless you combine them for great retardedness).
And have the devs buffed the Crystal Ball yet? The gold cost seemed really offputting, and the fact that you had to charge it for conversion was really obscure... So I relied on the bead a lot more than a habitual Crystall Ball user would, I guess.
Also, if worried about the gold cost of burn salve, make sure to prep one in case of EM. It's quite a non-issue, and if you're getting use out of it it's well worth to buy another one (it also fuels Alch Scroll, Trisword, Crystal Ball and now the Cauldron sort of)
EDIT: I've finally solved halfling puzzle 2 thanks to Darvins solution. Apparently i was being a fool for not including the damned shield into calculation which made me think I have to waste the DP on the first goblin and I was ending up one hit short on the snake. For an hour.
EDIT 2: And the solution to the third one is so simple, yet so obscure and lateral that I don't know what to think. Also Darvins solution is neater, but a minor step can be made in a different way.


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Great Gadgets at Great Prices
Kindle Paperwhite Case, Dairy Cow Pattern Protective Leather Cover with Stand for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite E-reader, HD Printing Series
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Commweb integration into existing website with woocommerce
Presupuesto $30-250 AUD
We are running Woocommerce and events tickets plus on our website and need to integrate a merchant account with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The commonwealth bank supply a server side application that makes use of the Mastercard MIGS system that can be integrated into woocommerce. CommWEB needs to be integrated into woo commerce and event tickets plus to run merchant hosted transactions, rather then take the client to the MIGS website, as to keep the transaction seamless and remain within our website. Commweb is supplied with a complete SDK that can assist in this project. To be eligible for consideration you MUST have done this type of work before, and you must be able to provide the username of a client in Australia who you have successfully completed the project for, otherwise you will not be considered.
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This striking feather t-shirt features the text "Small feathers can become wings" in elegant Japanese lettering, printed in high-quality inks.
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The good news is that the Colorado Rapids have yet to concede a goal in open play during the fledgling MLS 2010 season. The bad news is that all three goals conceded so far have therefore been on set pieces.
Granted, one was on a penalty kick, which you can't exactly defend against, although defender Marvell Wynne may have made an overly aggressive first challenge as he was then forced to chase Patrick Nyarko, leading to the penalty. That aside, the two others have been on a corner against Chicago, where Collins John had a relatively easy header, and on the match-winning free kick against Kansas City last weekend scored by Kei Kamara.
"In the end, it's been from a dead ball again," head coach Gary Smith said after the Wizards game. "I'm not sure what we are going to do about that."
Smith was anxious not to point the finger at any one player as goalkeeper, Matt Pickens, came in from some criticism for being caught in no man's land as the ball looped over him and into the net.
"There were a couple of things," Smith said. "Colin Clark gives away a cheap free kick, Matt starts and gets caught and Kamara gets a faint head on it. All these little percentages end up."
The Rapids have a chance to exact some revenge for Saturday's first defeat of the season, and work further on how to defend better against such set pieces, when they play the same opposition Tuesday night in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match.
As expected, Pablo Mastroeni, Colin Clark and Conor Casey have returned to Denver, as has Julien Baudet who was sent off Saturday and can play no part in the Toronto game next weekend. Smith has brought in Mike Holody for some game time in central defense Tuesday night, as well as front men Claudio López and rookie Andre Akpan.
The signing of Quincy Amarikawa last week appears to have put Akpan down the pecking order a little. Amarikawa did get 10 minutes or so at the end of Saturday's game. Both he and Akpan will therefore be eager to impress Tuesday night as the coaching staff assesses its options as to who best will back up Casey and Omar Cummings.
López, the former Argentine international, has now had all his visa issues settled and looks to play some role in the attack formation in the Open Cup game.
The match at the University of Missouri-Kansas City kicks off at 8:30 p.m. MT.


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Numerous Yale Supporters Honor Legendary Coach
DALLAS, Texas - During a formal ceremony at the 2009 U.S. National Fencing Championships, legendary Yale coach Henry Harutunian was inducted into the U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame. A large crowd was on hand to witness Harutunian's induction, including dozens of past and current Olympians, nearly 150 active fencers, U.S. fencing officials and a vocal and enthusiastic group of more than a dozen Yale fencers and family.
Among the luminaries attending were the leading U.S. fencing family - the Jacobsons, including Olympic medalists Sada (Yale '06) and her sister Emily (Columbia '08), along with their father David (Yale '74) who represented the U.S. at the 1974 World Championships. Yale alum Steve Blum ('74) served as Harutunian's presenter for enshrinement.
Harutunian's induction recognizes that few if any U.S. coaches in the past half-century have done more to advance U.S. fencing. In addition to coaching members of three of the past four U.S. Olympic teams, Harutunian has repeatedly developed and coached NCAA championship individuals and teams.
Harutunian has guided the Yale men's and women's teams to nearly 600 combined wins. He has produced numerous All-Americans and an NCAA men's foil and women's sabre champion during his tenure. Remarkably, a number of those honored had never touched a weapon before coming to Yale. The men captured the NCAA sabre title in 1994, while the women have won three national titles (1982, 1984, 1985).
Harutunian, the 1996-97 USFCA Coach of the Year, had a distinguished career as a fencer and coach in his native Armenia. He was named eminent coach of the Republic of Armenia in 1963, while serving on the coaching staff for the Soviet national team from 1962-1966.
One of his pupils made the U.S.S.R. Olympic team in 1956 and went on to become the first Soviet to claim the individual epee title at the Junior World Championships in 1958. Harutunian came to the United States in 1966 and coached at Brandeis for three years prior to joining the Yale staff.
Before long, Harutunian had joined the U.S. coaching elite. He began working with the American national team in 1977, and in 1984, he served as one of three U.S. Olympic coaches. He also coached the Americans in the 1979 and 1983 Pan American Games and in the 1979, 1981, 1983, 1991 and 1993 World University Games.
Harutunian was named Coach of the Year by the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association in 1982 and by the IWFA in 1984 and 1985 at the NCAA Championships. In 1986, the U.S. Men's Fencing Coaches Association selected him Coach of the Year.
He has also choreographed stage fencing for both theater and the screen, and has acted in films. Harutunian's philosophy of fencing is guided by the following passage from The Works of Moliere: "The eyes which watch and warn, the brain which evaluates and decides, the hand which executes the decision must harmonize precision and speed to give real life to the sword."
Harutunian, who will begin his 40th year at Yale this fall, continues an amazing 85-year stretch during which Yale fencing has been led by just three coaches from two families.


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It's not often that a nonroster invitee cracks an Opening Day 25-man roster, but the nonroster players who receive big league camp invitations are nonetheless critical to a team's success.
Occasionally, there are some surprises. Three springs ago, first baseman/outfielder Conor Jackson nearly forced his way onto the Opening Day roster, losing out to Steve Pearce on the final position player roster spot.
And if you picked right-hander Chaz Roe this time last year as the one player out of the 15 nonroster invitees who would have the biggest impact in 2015, then I want to hear your pick for next year's Super Bowl.
The Orioles released their list of their 17 nonroster...


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Wine Bar Deja Vu @ The Conrad
IM's The Dish reports today that the Conrad has leased the Vitesse space to new owners who plan to try the wine bar concept again -- this time called Tastings. Deja vu? When the Conrad opened Vitesse with the wine-by-the-glass concept, within weeks the list had been mined for all the good stuff by the bottle and very little of the extensive by-the-glass list was actually on offer.
Of course, this one will be different, says Indianapolis Monthly. Says the Dish: "Tastings makes use of an Enomatic wine-tasting system, which seals bottles with oxygen to preserve the remainder of the bottle." What? Hey, I'm just repeating what they said :-) Actually, the Enomatic system which many of you have seen sucks oxygen *out* of the bottle. (Note to Disher: Oxygen and wine are not generally friends.)
But the real tidbit? Wine by the bottle will be for sale at the retail price -- and, as is (we think) legal in Indiana, you should be able to take home any unfinished wine in a bottle (in any restaurant.) Several bars such as the Chatterbox have retail carry-out licenses, but this will be the first I know of locally to sell for consumption at the lower mark-up.
It's a concept that can work -- or at least one I've been a little in love with since the old Plumpjack in San Francsico took advantage of their retail store pricing and became one of the best restaurants in town. The future owners of this particular Tastings who are from Indianapolis contend there aren't any other bars like this one (except for the other Tastings, I'd wager.) Well, I might disagree, having just seen this concept in at least one other city. Ultimately, I hope they can deliver and the list is good. Wouldn't it be great to enjoy a $50 bottle of pinot that's *really* a $50 bottle of pinot?
**Not exactly sure how the business deal is working (the press release from the Conrad put no new light on it.) However, to make a correction, the future owners are local while the chain itself is based in St. Petersburg. The Conrad positions it as a "store" in the press release with food and outdoor seating but it's unclear if it will be a "store" with bottles out for purchase or if they're using "store" as the industry term for franchise location. Vitesse closes July 30 and Tastings should open in October.
** Mass Ave Wine Shoppe right here in River City pours wine by the glass and has food and seating options. Not sure if they allow you to purchase a bottle at retail price and consume it on-site. Will check.
**A huge shout-out to an attorney friend who spent a boatload of time yesterday searching and verifying Indiana's carry-out laws. The conclusion? It's not illegal to carry unfinished wine out of an establishment (and possibly proven legal, as well.) However, note that open container laws apply so check the requirements for more details. (More discussion and links attached to the FaceBook discussion of this post. Or email me for more info.)


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Hi guys,
Let me say straight away, this is not the blog post I wanted to make as my first. However, I find myself in an unusual position.
Today, I went to the pub. While there I got talking to a lovely couple with two children about their gorgeous puppy bitch (that fell asleep in my arms). The conversation moved on to my family and to my father's (and my) atheism, my mother career as a nurse and my vast array of siblings. I also mentioned that one of my father's children from his first marriage would not be a very welcome addition to the family as my mother, father and I all hold strong opposition to certain tenets of the JW faith (specifically, refusing blood transfusions and other life-saving for children).
At this point, to my utter surprise, the young lady asserted her standing as a Jehovah's Witness. Though simple questioning, I managed to discover that she is an old earth creationist. We then had a long conversation moving variously from the scientific accuracy of her bible [emphasis hers], biblical genocide, the idea that the earth is the devils since 1914 (new one on me, but hey-ho), and various other things. I, of course stood my ground and argued my point as effectively as I could, but without the advantage of chapter and verse to quote, though I did point her in the direction of certain 'fun' chapters...
(She also told me a charming story about how a book about the meaning of dreams invited evil spirits into her home and then couldn't be burnt [on her mother's instruction] because it wasa book of satan! - if ever there was a story about the power of the human mind to conjure up fantastic delusions...)
Now for the fun part. She wants to continue the conversation on Friday. With her bible in hand and me with chapters and verse to hand, so as to make my point.
Knowing full well that I am unlikely to shake her faith completely (though I suspect some leeway), but hoping to at least point her down the path of actually thinking outside the biblical literacy she may indoctrinate her children into as she was similarly indoctrinated, which passages do you think provide the strongest case for the scientific and atheist position?
Views: 809
I think the problem is that they only read the bible and will only reason from the bible, in order to understand the truth one needs to read, history, socio cultural anthropology, mythology ect. She will be going out of her way to proof to you that what she believe is true using the one and only book she was raised to believe. As with all religions she will believe that her interpretation is the one and only true one. You can have a thousand scriptures and not make a dent. In order to understand religion one need to go back to it's roots. How did religion evolve and from what? How did it evolve to what she believes? It is not so much in having scripture on hand but showing her where the scripture that she will be quoting evolved from and that for that reason one can not put ones faith in the good old book.
I have been discussing and debating "god" and the Bible with Jehova's Witnesses for quite some time, in fact I got Bible study from them, in which regularly the debates where quite heated (but polite).
The best way to argue with JW's is simply to destroy the foundations of the Bible. JW's use the Bible, to proof the Bible and thus, if you take away the Bible they have nothing left to stand on.
If you wish to debate, you'd probably find out that JW's have a tendency for circular reasoning and willful ignorance. It's a cult that practices shunning, they smile and appear nice, but that is just a facade, they can do horrible things to one another while claiming that it is love that inspires them to do so.
Read: "The God Delusion", by Richard Dawkins and "god is not Great", by Christopher Hitchens.
Sway the conversation from arguing from faith to discussing from scientific and historical fact.
I probably would not have this conversation myself. You may both be approaching it as conquest. You may both be looking to sway the other from your individual belief systems. Someone has to go into it with the thought that no one will be turned.
Have you ever watched Zeitgeist- The Movie? I know, I know it's filled with bullshit conspiracy theories and goes off the deep end toward the end but the beginning covers the whole virgin birth, death, and resurrection of so many gods before christ. That part was very well done. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrHeg77LF4Y&feature=share&li...
LOL: can't believe I'm suggesting this stupid movie but like I said the part about the virgin birth, crucifixion, and resurrection is hysterical.
Good luck and let us know how it all turned out. Remember, you're not arguing you are discussing.
Bring a copy of Prose Edda and read from the books of Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, and Háttatal. Ask her why she is an atheist, and why she doesn't want to go to Valhalla.
As far as I understand they do not believe that Jesus is the son of God but more a prophet.
Thanks for the pull up Jorita!
I'm confused about a lot of things when it comes to religions. Not that I spend too much time thinking about it.
Thanks again...
Let me get this straight: you want to use the Bible to make a scientific/atheistic point? The mere act of using the entirely irrational Bible to make rational arguments is an implied acceptance that there is some kind of authority and wisdom contained therein. That seems to me to be a self-defeating stratagem.
That being said, when some J.W. asks me why I don't believe, I cite II Kings, Chapter 2, verses 23&24. I tell them that I would be ashamed of myself if I believed in THAT God. Check it out; maybe you can use it, yourself.
Thanks for the responses all. @Dale, I want to point out the inconsistencies the bible has with known scientific fact. Though yes, that bit of scripture of 42 children being slaughtered by a bear for calling a man bald has a lovely tone to it. Such an important moral message.
@Noel, I am not completely unarmed and was more than able to show holes in her argument from my own knowledge base via the writings of Dawkins et al. I may dig The god Delusion out for a reread, though.
@Dr Grixis, what methods and arguments have you found most useful in debating JWs?


text:
They got several Darwin experts (Peter Bowler, Sandra Herbert, and Janet Browne) to appear in the "documentary" by concealing their motives. And then they admit to cherry-picking the interviews to put together their story.
The movie's website has a page entitled Digging Deeper, which promises "more information about origins from leading sources of both viewpoints". Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong. The page offers two links, one for creation and one for evolution. The creation link leads to the pretty, expensive-looking Creation Ministries website:
...while the evolution link leads to this:


text:
Between seasonal discounts and neighborhood promotions, my kids are staying busy this summer -- and we're saving money. Here's how:
• Theme parks: Seasonal promotions are available to Florida residents at Busch Gardens, Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and others. At Busch Gardens, we purchased two-day passes for the price of a single day -- and tapped into additional savings by taking advantage of an online-purchase offer from AAA. Our cost worked out to $30 per person per day compared with the full price of $70 a day for adults and older children. Other parks have comparable deals.
• Local passes: Through Sept. 30, Miami Metrozoo, Miami Seaquarium and Wannado City offer a combined Summer Savings Pass that offers unlimited admission to all three for $20 per person with the purchase of a general admission ticket at any one.
• Summer reading: With school just weeks away, a visit to the library is a frugal way to get going on required reading for school-age children. In my house, we're counting pages and creating a reading log to avoid a last-minute literary crunch.
• Indoor malls: Through August, Dolphin Mall is hosting a Summer Fun Celebration with a changing calendar of activities for families. Summer events at Aventura Mall include storytelling, character days and an indoor playground. Check for similar activities at the shopping center nearest you.
• Public parks and recreation centers: From free movie nights to low-cost eco-tours, local parks and recreation centers offer no-cost or low-cost family entertainment. Our youth center, for example, has ice skating, swimming and bowling at budget-friendly rates.
• Friends and family: During a recent five-day trip to Tampa, we saved $500-$1,000 in lodging and meal expenses by staying with friends. We're lucky to have accommodating family in the Orlando area, too. We give our hosts gifts, consideration and reciprocity. In fact, our Tampa friends plan to stay with us when they visit South Florida.
From Sharon Harvey Rosenberg: A Return to Frugal Living
Monday, July 27, 2009
Frugal Thrill Rides for Last Days of Summer: Low-Cost Vacations
Posted by Frugal Duchess at 8:00 AM
Labels: amusement parks, summer reading, theme parks
2 comments:
- Stephanie said...
We have been enjoying as many free events as we can. We only have one major trip planned this summer to a Christian concert event, and then I have lots of member passes to reserve at the library for greatly discounted children's parks!Its the memories that count, right!?
- ZAJA Natural said...
I have yet to visit the aquarium. Thanks for sharing that link with me, new to Miami:)
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: We are pleased to invite you to a conversation with Ramon Guillermo Aveledo, Executive Secretary of the Democratic Unity Platform, the so called Mesa de la Unidad Democratica (MUD, for its acronym in Spanish) – the Venezuelan umbrella organization that supported candidate Henrique Capriles in the last two presidential elections. Mr. Aveledo has been a key figure in building a unified force of all Venezuelan opposition political parties to restore democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. He is a former congressman from the state of Lara (1994-1998), elected in that period as the Chamber of Deputies' President (equivalent to the Speaker of the House in the US). Previously, he had served as President Luis Herrera Campins' Secretary of the Presidency (1979 - 1984).


text:
Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
Approved by RUSA Board of Directors, January 14, 2008
Submitted by subgroup of RSS Executive Committee
Reference Transactions are information consultations in which library staff recommend, interpret, evaluate, and/or use information resources to help others to meet particular information needs. Reference transactions do not include formal instruction or exchanges that provide assistance with locations, schedules, equipment, supplies, or policy statements.
Reference Work includes reference transactions and other activities that involve the creation, management, and assessment of information or research resources, tools, and services.
(The following bullets clarify what is meant by terms within the Reference Work definition.)
- Creation and management of information resources includes the development and maintenance of research collections, research guides, catalogs, databases, web sites, search engines, etc., that patrons can use independently, in-house or remotely, to satisfy their information needs.
- Assessment activities include the measurement and evaluation of reference work, resources, and services.
Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
A reference transaction is an information contact that involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. The term includes information and referral service. Information sources include (a) printed and nonprinted material; (b) machine-readable databases (including computer-assisted instruction); (c) the library's own catalogs and other holdings records; (d) other libraries and institutions through communication or referral; and (e) persons both inside and outside the library. When a staff member uses information gained from previous use of information sources to answer a question, the transaction is reported as a reference transaction even if the source is not consulted again. If a contact includes both reference and directional services, it should be reported as one reference transaction. Duration should not be an element in determining whether a transaction is a reference transaction. Sampling based on a typical week may be used to extrapolate to a full year for Question 34. Please indicate if the figure is based on sampling. Exclude simple directional questions.
A directional transaction is an information contact that facilitates the logistical use of the library and that does not involve the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of any information sources other than those that describe the library, such as schedules, floor plans, and handbooks. See The ARL Statistics Web page for links to documents containing current definitions.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Reference Transactions Definition: A reference transaction is an information contact, which involves the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. It includes information and referral services. Information sources include printed and non-printed materials, machine-readable databases, catalogs and other holdings records, and, through communication or referral, other libraries and institutions and people inside and outside the library. The request may come in person, or by phone, fax, mail, or electronic mail from an adult, a young adult, or a child. Do not count directional transactions or questions of rules or policies. Examples of directional transactions are "Where are the children's books?" and "I'm looking for a book with the call number 811.2G." An example of a question of rules or policies is "Are you open until 9:00 tonight?" See the NCES Statistics Web page for links to documents containing current definitions.


text:
Assistant Restaurant Manager
- Employer
- Bojangles'
- Location
- Oxon Hill, MD
- Posted
- Feb 10, 2017
- Closes
- Feb 09, 2018
- Function
- Food Service, Management
- Industry
- Restaurant, Retail
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Assistant Unit Director
If you have one year or more experience as an Assistant Unit Director (Assistant Manager) in the restaurant industry, and are looking for a company that offers its employees opportunities to continue to grow, receive additional training and opportunities to advance--while serving the best Biscuits, Chicken and Legendary Iced Tea in the industry--APPLY NOW!
Earn $28,300-$37,000 plus monthly bonus program!
Our Assistant Unit Director (Assistant Restaurant Manager) assists our Unit Director (General Manager) and provides leadership and coaching to employees generating an atmosphere where people strive to exceed the expectations of the customer. Leading by example, motivating crew members, taking initiative, delivering outstanding customer service and holding others and self accountable are a must for this position.
Additional Info:
Minimum Age
18+ years old
Job Benefits:
Some of the great benefits of working with Bojangles' are:
- Competitive salary
- Monthly bonus program
- 401K Plan
- Scholarship program
- Comprehensive Medical insurance plans(s)
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Meal discounts
- Career advancement
- Training
- Paid vacation
- Unlimited possibilities
Bojangles' Restaurants, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other category protected under applicable law.


text:
Jose Canseco swings at cliff deal
Where to turn for your fiscal cliff news?
To Jose Canseco, that's who.
Story Continued Below
The former baseball slugger, whose Twitter feed is both curious and comical, tweeted out his thoughts as the fiscal cliff negotiations unfolded.
"fiscal cliff easy to solve but politicians are gutless and always trying out for there next job," wrote Canseco. His solution? "first replace income tax with spending tax. we didnt even have income tax until it was to fund civil war and was to be temporary for us." And: "spending tax rewards savers and normal workers and hits the rich guys. Makes consuming go down and helps save the earth."
"I will go to washington and slap all politicians if they dont fix the fiscal cliff. They are haters of America and deserve it. Here I come," he wrote. "Mr. Obama and Mr. Boehner I am available if you need me and can help. You can do it God bless American. hugs @BarackObama @speakerboehner."
Canseco thinks that legislating should be a non-profit endeavor, writing that he wants to "make all elected politician jobs volunteer with no pay. They get plenty of perks and book deals and power they should be paying us."
Canseco's comments, apparently, drummed up some interest in his own for for political office, which he accepted … sort of.
"Thank you for your support but i cant run for president because I was born in Cuba not hawaii," said Canseco, but he added that one of his New Years resolutions was, "Get elected to a important political office in the U.S. or canada to help all people and governments with there problem."


text:
!Cosmo Player Plugin
Cosmo Player is for viewing 3D (VRML worlds; suffix *.wrl; MIME types model/vrml and x-world/x-vrml) in browsers and can be downloaded from:
After downloading, run the installation. It will ask you whether you want to use it as a standalone browser or with other (unsupported) browser. Choose the second option (unsupported browser) and define your K-Meleon plugins directory in the installation. This should work and after that, the following files will be in your K-Meleon Plugins directory:
If they are not there, try to locate those files on your hard disk and copy them to the K-Meleon plugins folder. After that, Cosmo should work with K-Meleon.
page revision: 1, last edited: 19 May 2009 15:34


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MIDDLEBURY — Gov. Peter Shumlin's proposed redirection of $17 million from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to help expand early child education programs drew some criticism at Monday's Legislative Breakfast at the American Legion Post in Middlebury.
Shumlin's proposal has come under fire from those who contend that reduction in the EITC benefit will hit low-income recipients the hardest.


text:
Printer Friendly Version
Standard ECMA-158
Portable Common Tool Environment (PCTE)
- C Programming Language Binding
4th edition (December 1997)
This Ecma Standard defines the binding of the Portable Common Tool Environment
(PCTE), as specified in ECMA-149, to the C programming
A number of features are not completely defined in ECMA-149,
some freedom being allowed to the implementor. Some of these features
are specified as implementation limits. Some constraints are placed
on these implementation limits by this Ecma Standard. These constraints
are specified in clause 24, Implementation Limits.
PCTE is an interface to a set of facilities that forms the basis for
constructing environments supporting systems engineering projects.
These facilities are designed particularly to provide an infrastructure
for programs which may be part of such environments. Such programs, which
are used as aids to system development, are often referred to as tools.
The following file can be freely downloaded:
This Ecma publication is also approved as ISO/IEC 13719-2.
The previous replaced "historical" editions of this Ecma Standard are not available.


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UBC3300XLT Uniden hand-held scanner w/ optional BCi25 card INSTALLED !!
APCO P-25 Capable Handheld Scanner/1000 Channels/10 Banks/PC Programming/Control/10 priority channels and continuous band coverage.
NOTE: The UBC-3300 is the Euro version of the BC250D and uses the BCi25 card for 3600 baud Motorola mixed mode systems.
This scanner is in MINT CONDITION, and the optional (purchased separately) BCi25 card is already installed in the scanner. The BCi25 card alone cost me $200.00 some time ago, and also included are new rechargeable batteries, a walwart charger power adapter, the original box that the scanner came in, the original box that the BCi25 card came in, the scanner owners manual, the original rubber duckie antenna, the optional scanner to computer USB programming cable, and FREE shipping.
This scanner, when new was shipped with a protective clear plastic film covering the speaker grill and the display screen… I NEVER removed the protective plastic film, and the LCD display is as new as the day this scanner was purchased… MINT condition, and this scanner is the UNBLOCKED Euro version of the Uniden 250D scanner… no blocks in coverage, that's why I liked it. I originally purchased this scanner from ebay, from the UK a few years ago, and it works flawlessly, like a new scanner would, and it's never been taken out of my home. A true scanner enthusiast knows the value of this scanner with the BCi25 card installed. These BCi25 cards are obsolete and no longer available for this scanner. I no longer need this scanner because the local radio traffic in my area is 100 percent digital and I own a digital scanner now.
An extremely fair selling price to my friends on radioreference with free shipping… 175.00 dollars total, keep in mind the optional plug in BCi25 card cost me an arm and a leg, and I can receive payment thru paypal or US Postal money order. Thanks in advance, this complete scanner package will make someone very very happy, I guarantee it. Paypal address firstname.lastname@example.com
TrunkTracker III
APCO25 Digital Audio Ready - Requires the installation of Uniden's BCi 25D Digital Card in order to monitor APCO P-25 Digital Voice
Motorola Control Channel Only scanning option in menu with selectable plan for 800/900 mHz systems but only one site or system can be programmed per bank
I-Call monitoring
25-512, 806-956, 1240-1300MHz range
CTCSS/DCS Decode
SAME weather alert
PC Control/Programming (Software Included)
1000 Channels in 10 Banks
100 cps scan rate
10 scan lists with 10 ID's each per bank
10 Priority Channels with Priority Plus
Priority IDs
Motorola Control Channel only trunking
Motorola Status Bits
EDACS partial talkgroup IDs
EDACS Patch Tracking
16-character Alpha Tagging - Bank, channel, and search range
12 Preprogramed Service Searches
10 Custom search ranges
Auto store
Channel alert
AM/FM/NFM/WFM Modes
Audio Output - 190 mW 10% THD, Max 240 mW
Backlit display and keypad
Signal meter
Repeater reverse
Data skip
Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack and Charger
RR System Compatibility
This scanner is compatible with the following Trunking System Types and System Voices used in the RadioReference Database, of course you must verify that the scanner will cover the appropriate frequency range:
System Types:
Motorola Type I
Motorola Type II
Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
Motorola Type II Smartnet
Motorola Type II Smartzone
Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
EDACS Standard (Wide)
EDACS Standard Networked
EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
EDACS Narrowband Networked
LTR Standard
Please note that this scanner will not track a P25 trunking system. While it can decode P25 digital voice (with the optional BCi25 card installed) it cannot follow a P25 (9600 bps) control channel.
System Voices:
Analog and APCO-25 Common Air Interface (with the optional BCi25 card installed)
Please email me on radioreference with any questions. Thanks in advance.
Sent you an email.
this radio is sold... thank you for the inquiry.


text:
As some of you may or may not know, it is customary for Jeepers to wave at each other as they pass each other on the road. And, if it's not too much to ask, we'd like you to give us a 'virtual' wave here by saying hello, telling us a little about who you are and of course, all about your Jeep!
Finally Thought I would say...
If you're anything like us and find that so much about Jeeps is a way of life, this is the place for you. We'd love to hear about your Jeepin experiences, articles you've read, rumors you've heard, Jeepin companies you've had good or bad experiences with or just general thoughts you have about Jeeps.
Hiking. Day, Thru, Section,...
Today, 07:21 PM
Whether it's built up or stock, on the trail or in the driveway, yours or one that belongs to someone else, new parts you got or old - everyone loves to see photos and videos of Jeeps and Jeep stuff and if you got something you'd like to share, please post them up here!
Today, 05:49 PM
For us, much of the Jeep way of life is about finding and visiting remote destinations that seldom few ever get to see. And, it is because of this reason that hiking and camping are such a big part of our lives. For those of you who share this same passion, this forum is for you. We'd love to see photos and hear about the trails you love, the great camping spots you've found, the awesome places you've been to and the kind of gear you like to use.
Where did your Jeep take You...
Today, 06:12 PM
Got an upcoming run or event that you'd like others to be a part of? If so, this is the place to post it up.
Today, 03:32 PM
This is a virtual saloon, tavern, bar, pub or whatever you like to call your favorite watering hole. Here, members can discuss their favorite libations as well as just about anything else you might talk about with friends, unrelated to Jeeps and in an adult establishment. Of course, the key word here is "adult" as in "R-Rated" and potentially with foul language. If you get offended easily, I might recommend that you exercise some personal restraint and refrain from visiting this sub-forum.
Today, 08:51 PM
Today, 03:04 PM


text:
Message from our CEO
Welcome from Pierre Ferrari
As president and CEO of Heifer International, I want to thank you for your interest in lending a compassionate and helping hand to our work to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.
The helping hand reference is key, because that is what we do for resource-challenged and hungry small-scale farmers around the world every day. Heifer doesn't give out cash. We don't deliver food aid and we don't think short term. We work hand-in-hand with limited resource farmers, most of them women, to transform their lives.
But it's not Heifer doing the transformation, it is the women who use the inputs we provide—animals, training, access to markets—to grow more and better food, to feed their families, to increase income and assets, to become not only resilient but prosperous by their standards.
Our employees are our greatest assets, so we take the selection and hiring process very seriously.
If you are interested in joining a globally diverse workforce committed to working with families to achieve lives of self-reliance, dignity and resilience, supported by strong social and economic capital, I encourage you to apply today to help ignite these transformations.
Thank you again for your interest in Heifer International and our work.
In partnership,
Pierre U. Ferrari
President and CEO
Follow us!
Find out more about careers at Heifer International.


text:
7/31 Fontenot starts, but how long?
Mike Fontenot's best friend and college teammate, Ryan Theriot, was traded on Saturday to the Dodgers. It was a weird day in the Cubs clubhouse as Theriot said goodbye.
"We've been together for a long time and I've known him for a long time," Fontenot said. "I've been there where I've been traded before. It's something different. Hopefully it'll bring out the best in both of us."
However, the Cubs acquired Blake DeWitt in the deal. Fontenot lost playing time when Theriot moved from second to short to make room for rookie Starlin Castro. Now, there will be someone new on the Cubs for him to compete with as far as playing time.
"Blake's a good ballplayer," Fontenot said. "We'll be glad to have him."
Saturday was Fontenot's first start since July 9.
"I'm glad to get a chance to get in there," he said. "I just come to the ballpark every day and try to do some stuff."
Cubs GM Jim Hendry has said they now are evaluating players for next season.
"I feel I've done a good job every time I've been in there," Fontenot said. "Some things you can't control but I try to play hard every time I'm in there."
— Carrie Muskat


text:
Statement of the Honorable Jo Anne B. Barnhart
Social Security Administration
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Social Security
of the House Committee on Ways and Means
May 11, 2006
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to be here today to discuss the Social Security Administration's service delivery challenges. I appreciate the Subcommittee's interest in and support of SSA in the past, and I look forward to continuing to work with you. I want to thank you for holding this hearing and giving me the opportunity to tell you of our accomplishments, our plans for the future, and our budgetary needs.
The President's FY 2007 administrative budget request for $9.496 billion for SSA would provide the resources to allow SSA to maintain service and fulfill new responsibilities, some of which I will outline today. In recent years, although we at SSA have enjoyed strong support from this subcommittee, the Congress has appropriated less for SSA than called for in the President's budget requests. Consequently, I have been faced this year, as last year, with the dilemma of determining where among our workloads I should cut back resources from the originally planned levels. As Commissioner of Social Security, I believe my primary responsibility is to ensure that benefits are paid as timely as possible.
This means that workloads such as processing retirement and disability claims have priority over other workloads including stewardship activities such as continuing disability reviews and SSI non-medical re-determinations.
Mr. Chairman, we at SSA have been tasked with new and non-traditional workloads through new legislation which I will discuss later in my testimony. Managing these new workloads, such as our duties under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act and the Medicare Modernization Act, in a way that does not erode our ability to carry out our core mission, is a challenge, especially in a world of tighter resource constraints.
In FY 2007, we will process over 6.7 million claims for benefits; process almost 245,000 Medicare Part D low income subsidy applications; make decisions on over 575,000 hearings; issue 18 million new and replacement Social Security cards; process 265 million earnings items for workers' earnings records; handle approximately 59 million transactions through SSA's 800-number; serve 42 million visitors to our field offices; process millions of actions to keep beneficiary and recipient records current and accurate; and conduct 1.6 million continuing disability reviews (CDR) and over 1 million non-disability Supplemental Security Income (SSI) re-determinations.
First, I will discuss where we are in terms of delivering our traditional services.
As I have said many times, I did not accept the position of Commissioner of Social Security to manage the status quo, and as you know, I have made improving service to our disability claimants a priority.
We have taken significant steps toward that end—especially the successful development and implementation of the electronic disability process, or eDib.
As you know, Disability Determination Services (DDS) are the state agencies that make initial determinations for Social Security and SSI disability claims. Already, the electronic claims folder is being used in all 50 DDSs, and 92 percent of DDS staff adjudicate cases in an electronic environment. I am proud that the medical information we capture electronically is already the world's largest repository of electronic medical records, with over 36.5 million records.
I want to assure you that we are monitoring the implementation of eDib carefully. We have developed a certification process, called the Independence Day Assessment (IDA) certification, to determine when each State is ready to use eDib exclusively as the official Agency record. We assess the electronic business process and evaluate the system performance. IDA is an important quality assurance initiative that accurately measures eDib rollout progress while allowing for the unique characteristics of each State's disability determination infrastructure, population, and demographics. The electronic claims folder is the official Agency record for new disability claims in 37 States and the remainder will be IDA certified by the end of calendar 2006.
Let me share with you a real-life story that makes obvious the necessity of eDib. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina – while issuing more than 73,000 immediate benefits payments for displaced persons and setting up response units at the Houston Astrodome and other evacuation centers--SSA provided further relief. Of the 5,000 cases in the New Orleans Disability Determination Services, 1,500 had already been stored electronically through eDib. These records were immediately transferred to other offices to be processed. Ultimately, we gained access to the building, packed the remaining 3500 folders in 400 boxes and carted those down six flights of stairs by flashlight. But thanks to eDib, there was no delay in processing those 1,500 cases.
The implementation of eDib is important in and of itself to improving service and efficiency, but it is also a vital precursor to the successful implementation of process changes that I believe will significantly improve the disability determination process. On March 31, 2006, we published in the Federal Register final rules to implement our plan for Disability Service Improvement, which will improve our ability to make the right decisions as early in the process as possible.
The rules were developed after a long and comprehensive outreach to all groups involved at every step of the disability determination process. We listened to interested parties and groups in both the government and private sector, and to the claimants and beneficiaries who rely on us to provide the best possible service. I personally participated in more than 100 meetings with almost 60 groups, and we received hundreds of informal comments and suggestions. Throughout this dialogue, the professionalism and serious manner in which concerned groups and individual citizens provided their thoughts and ideas constantly impressed upon me the need to improve the process.
It was only after laying this firm foundation that we drafted the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that was published last summer on July 27, 2005. In response to the NPRM, we received close to 900 comments. They offered insight on the process from every perspective and vantage point.
In drafting the final rule we were aware that, although there was broad agreement on the need for change, numerous groups perceived our proposed rule as favoring administrative efficiency over fairness. That view was underscored by this subcommittee. Let me assure you that was not our intent. The final rule contains a significant number of changes which we think underscores our commitment to serve the public who depend on us.
We will begin implementation on August 1, 2006, in the Boston region, one of our smallest regions, consisting of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We will carefully monitor the implementation process in the Boston region and quickly address any problems that may arise. We will wait at least a year before implementing these regulations in a second region so we can be sure that our improved disability determination process is functioning in the manner that we expect, and to be certain that we have resolved any unanticipated issues that arise during the first phase of implementation. Once we are satisfied with our progress, we will then move to roll out the process one region at a time.
In our disability program, as with all our core services, the Agency continually strives to find cost-effective means for providing excellent service. For example, we have developed a system to control and process reports of return to work by disability beneficiaries. The system is called e-Work.
This is important because, if earnings are not processed timely, beneficiaries trying to return to work may ultimately face large overpayments. And, avoiding overpayments is a key element of good stewardship.
The e-Work system allows for improved coordination between Field Offices, enabling earnings information to be recorded at the point-of-contact, thereby reducing the occurrence of overpayments. Work CDRs are used to develop and evaluate the worth of the beneficiary's earnings to determine if disability benefits should continue or cease. The e-Work system replaced a manual, labor-intensive process, allowing SSA employees to process work CDR more efficiently, timely and accurately. The system also provides a mechanism to collect reports of earnings for SSI recipients and issue receipts of such reports to both DI work CDR beneficiaries and SSI recipients. The application provides improved management information and tighter controls on the work CDR process.
At SSA, we are committed to providing service to all Americans in a way that meets their needs. Thus, in addition to our traditional field office and telephone service, we have developed a suite of Internet and automated telephone applications that are safe, accurate and efficient. Last year, more than 23 million inquiries were answered through our Internet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), rather than by our employees. FAQs are easy to use and ensure consistent and accurate information is provided to those who need it.
Electronic transactions initiated by the public, such as applications for benefits and reports of status changes, grew from about 600,000 in FY 2004 to over 1. 5 million in FY 2005, an increase of approximately 175 percent. Internet service is less costly than our traditional service methods, and we are also finding that, as Americans become accustomed to electronic services in banking and other areas of their lives, a growing number prefer on-line access to SSA services. Finally, I assure you that SSA complies with all applicable privacy and security protections ensuring the availability, integrity and reliability of personal information subject to the electronic business processes I describe today.
Our commitment to quality service extends to all of SSA's programs. I've discussed today some of the steps we are taking to improve the disability process so that eligible claimants receive the benefits they are entitled to. But true public service also requires sound stewardship of public resources. The people of America, who fund the Social Security program through their FICA tax contributions and the SSI program through part of their income tax payments, expect and deserve well managed programs. And we take very seriously this responsibility to ensure that those entitled to benefits—but only those that are entitled—receive them.
But good stewardship involves more than money. It also means making sure that earnings reported and recorded by employers are as accurate and precise as possible, credited to the correct worker, and that those with criminal intent are prevented from using Social Security numbers (SSNs) and cards to advance their illicit operations.
Accurate earnings information is vitally important to our administration of the Social Security program because a worker's earnings record is the basis for determining eligibility for and computing retirement, survivors, and disability benefits. If a worker's earnings are not properly recorded, he or she may not qualify for Social Security benefits or the benefit amount payable may be wrong.
SSA has assigned over 436 million SSNs since 1936. Earnings posted to an individual's SSN are used to determine eligibility for and the amount of Social Security benefits to which that worker and his or her family may be entitled. Ultimately, the SSN is used to track earnings and the payment of those benefits.
Over the years, we have worked to offer employers alternative methods to verify SSNs. One of those methods is the Employee Verification Service (EVS). EVS is a free, convenient way for employers to verify employee SSNs. It provides employers with several options depending on the number of SSNs to be verified. For up to five SSNs, employers can call SSA's toll-free number for employers (1-800-772-6270) weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Employers may also use this number to get answers to any questions they may have about EVS or to request assistance. In FY 2005, SSA responded to nearly 1.5 million calls.
Employers also have the option to submit a paper listing to the local Social Security office to verify up to 50 names and SSNs. In addition, employers may use a simple registration process to verify requests of more than 50 names and SSNs or for any number of requests submitted on magnetic media. Currently, almost 17,000 employers are registered for this verification service.
To further increase the ease and convenience of verifying employee SSNs, we developed the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS), which is an internet option that permits employers to quickly verify the accuracy of employees' names and SSNs by matching the employee-provided information with SSA's records. This service was expanded to all employers in June 2005.
I announced the nationwide rollout at the SSA- sponsored National Payroll Reporting Forum in Baltimore, Maryland, and we have publicized SSNVS in various ways. An article on SSNVS appeared in the SSA/IRS Reporter that is sent to over 6.5 million employers. It was also featured in the SSA wage reporting email newsletter, W2News. We have also highlighted SSNVS in our many speaking engagements before the employer community. There is a special section on SSA's website for employers that highlights and explains the use of SSNVS.
Through SSNVS, we processed over 25.7 million verifications for over 12,000 employers in 2005, and 8.9 million verifications from 16,000 employers in the first four months of 2006.
In addition, employers may participate in the Basic Pilot program, an ongoing voluntary program in which SSA supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in assisting employers confirming employment eligibility for newly hired employees. Participating employers register with DHS to use the DHS' automated system to verify an employee's SSN and work authorization status. The information the employer submits to DHS is sent to SSA to verify that the Social Security number, name, and date of birth submitted match information in SSA records. SSA will also confirm US citizenship, thereby confirming work authorization; DHS confirms current work authorization for non-citizens. DHS will notify the employer of the employee's current work authorization status. In December 2004 the Basic Pilot was expanded. Currently the Basic Pilot is being used by 6,509 out of a total of approximately 6.6 million employers nationwide.
In 2005, through the EVS, SSNVS, and Basic Pilot programs, we estimate we provided a total of 67 million employer verifications, up from 62 million in 2004.
Employers report wages to SSA on Forms W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement). SSA processes the Form W-2 data for tax purposes for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Self-employed individuals report information on self-employment income to IRS on Schedule SE. IRS then sends this self-employment information to SSA. SSA uses the SSN to record employees' earnings.
Last year, SSA processed over 235 million W-2s from 6.6 million employers that are sent to the SSA either on electronic media or on paper. Over 150 million wage earners work in jobs covered by Social Security, which means that many workers were employed in more than one job during a year. While some employers continue to send us their reports on paper, we encourage electronic filing. We work with the employer community to educate them on the advantages of this method and expect its use to expand as technology improves. In fact, in FY 2005, 66 percent of W -2s were filed electronically, up from less than 10 percent in 1999. We believe the increase in electronic filing will reduce errors over time.
As you know, SSA mails Social Security Statements to workers over age 25 each year (approximately 144 million in 2005). The Statement is a concise, easy-to-read personal record of the earnings on which the worker has paid Social Security taxes during his or her working years and a summary of the estimated benefits the individual and his/her family may receive as a result of those earnings.
We encourage workers to review the Statement to ensure that the information in SSA's records is correct and to contact SSA to make any corrections necessary.
When a person files for benefits, an SSA employee reviews the earnings record with the worker and assists the worker to establish any earnings that are not shown or are not correctly posted. However, since it may be difficult for the worker to accurately recall past earnings or to obtain evidence of them, we strive to maintain accurate records at the time the wages are reported.
Apart from enumeration initiatives, we also fulfill our fiscal stewardship responsibility by conducting Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), which ensure that those who receive disability benefits continue to meet our definition of disability. CDRs are a cost-effective program integrity workload, saving $10 in program benefits for every $1 spent in administering them. As I noted earlier, we are doing fewer CDRs than called for in the President's budget request for FY 2006 because we have given priority to our claims processing workloads including applications for disability benefits. An increase in the number of CDRs conducted in FY 2007 will result in greater program savings, but let me stress that we need our full request for administrative resources for CDRs, whether provided in our appropriation within the discretionary spending cap, or provided as an adjustment to the cap.
At SSA, we are committed to technology and innovation, but we also believe that our devoted employees are the heart of its success. Our most critical asset in continuing to maintain a high level of service is the excellence of our workforce, and we currently have almost 65,000 full time and part time permanent employees.
We expect that just over 40 percent of our workforce will be retiring by 2014. Our workloads are also expected to grow dramatically as the baby boom generation approaches their peak disability and retirement years. Consequently, the greatest human capital challenge facing us is to develop strategies that ensure we will be able to maintain a high performing workforce that is prepared to deliver quality service.
To meet this challenge, we developed our first Human Capital Plan (HCP) in 2004 as a tool to chart the Agency's course, and we issued an updated Plan in 2005. It outlines our plans to successfully recruit, hire, develop, and retain a diverse workforce to carry out the mission of the Agency. SSA was well positioned to implement our HCP because we had started in the 1990s to analyze and plan for the impact of future retirements. This early Retirement Wave analysis resulted in our original Future Workforce Transition Plan, which now serves as a tracking mechanism for the HCP.
Because of our earliest Retirement Wave analysis addressing potential future losses, we have successfully used several key strategies to control the impact of possible retirements. We implemented an aggressive, agency wide recruitment strategy, we strategically use early-out in order to "flatten" the retirement wave, and we renewed our national leadership development programs.
Our HCP aligns with and supports the Agency Strategic Plan goal of strategically managing and aligning staff to support SSA's mission by demonstrating how we will invest in and use human capital. It focuses on the areas of Strategic Alignment, Workforce Planning, Workforce Development and Knowledge Management, Performance Culture, Leadership, and Accountability Measures.
It includes steps directly related to employee recruitment, development and retention. Our human capital goals also focus on developing a performance culture linked to Agency mission and goals, and enabling us to identify and develop our future leaders. This plan sets our course for continuing to achieve measurable human capital results, which will not only continue to improve SSA's service to the American public, but also provide accountability for all of our human capital activities. We update our analysis and assess our progress annually.
Approximately 23% of our employees are currently eligible for regular retirement. In five years (2010), 40% will have become eligible and that figure will continue to grow.
Overall, we estimate the wave will peak between FY 2008 and FY 2010, when the greatest number of employees will retire from our workforce. Typically, we've found that our employees retire 3.7 years after they are first eligible.
Our recruitment strategies continue to succeed. During FY 2005, we hired 4,610 new employees. In this massive recruitment effort, we hired 2,200 new front line employees in support of the Medicare legislation.
We have experienced a steady improvement in retaining new hires. Between 1998 and 2004, the two year retention rate for new hires has increased from 84% for 1998 to 88% for those hired in 2004. Our one-year retention rate for all employees for FY 2005 was 93.4%, as compared to 91.6% in the Federal government overall.
Through our efforts, we have turned the retirement wave into an opportunity. Over the past five fiscal years, we have hired approximately 18,350 permanent employees, and we have focused on equal opportunities for all, including minorities and women. Currently, almost 37 percent of our claims representatives have been in position for less than 3 years. At the other end of the scale 555 employees are reaching 40 years of service this year and we expect 745 to reach that milestone in 2007.
- We attribute our success to several factors:
- Support from the highest levels of the agency;
- Strong linkage to the agency strategic plan;
- Development of a long-term service vision;
- A specific Human Capital Plan;
- Analysis and study of potential future losses; and
- National and regional leadership development programs.
Through these strategic Human Capital approaches, we are confident that we will continue to maintain a high performing workforce that is prepared to deliver quality service to the public we serve.
At the beginning of my testimony, I said that I am concerned that new and non-traditional workloads may affect our ability to perform our core responsibilities. I will discuss those now.
New Enumeration Procedures
As I touched on earlier, we have taken a number of steps to further strengthen the processes associated with issuing SSNs. You will recall that SSA formed a high-level response team to develop recommendations on enumeration policy and procedure in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Implementation of many of the team's recommendations has strengthened our capability of preventing those with criminal intent from obtaining and using SSNs and SSN cards. Some of these initiatives include:
Beginning June 1, 2002, we began verifying birth records with the issuing agency for all United States born SSN applicants age one or older. Under former rules, we only verified birth records for applicants age 18 and older. As of December 17, 2005, we are verifying all birth records.
Beginning in July 2002, we began verifying the immigration status of all non-citizen applicants for SSNs with DHS before assigning SSNs.
In addition, we have new responsibilities under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 which became effective in mid-December 2005. As a result, the processes we employ to issue Social Security numbers and cards have changed. For instance, we now require applicants to submit documents that include a name, identifying information, and a photograph. For U.S. citizens, we must see a driver's license, a state-issued picture ID, or a passport if one is available. If these documents are not available and the applicant cannot obtain one within 10 days, we will accept other documents, such as an employee identification card, a school ID, a health insurance card, or an adoption decree. For non-citizens, we must see current U.S. immigration documents. This may require an applicant to return to the field office if they come to an office without one.
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
As you know, the Medicare Modernization Act, or MMA, enacted in December 2003, established the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The new Medicare prescription drug coverage was designed to help beneficiaries meet their needs for prescription drugs. Under the new coverage, all people with Medicare have the opportunity to voluntarily enroll in prescription drug plans. MMA also provided an extra level of assistance for people with Medicare who have limited incomes and resources in helping to pay for the monthly premiums and cost-sharing required by the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. This assistance is the low income subsidy, or extra help, as it is frequently called.
SSA was given the responsibility by Congress to take extra help applications and to make extra help eligibility determinations for individuals who were not automatically eligible. Additionally, SSA was charged by Congress with the collection of premiums for the prescription drug program itself, in cases where beneficiaries tell the prescription drug plans when they enroll that they want their premiums withheld from monthly Social Security benefits. This withholding of premiums is similar to the function SSA already performs for beneficiaries in the withholding of other Medicare premiums.
We were given these responsibilities because of our network of nearly 1,300 offices with 35,000 employees across the country, and because of our existing role in administering some parts of the Medicare program as well as our proven experience in serving the public. Over the past 70 years, our agency has gained a reputation for helping citizens in the communities where they live, and Congress realized that our presence on the ground would be vital in the launch of the Medicare extra - help program.
As of April 30, we had received applications from more than 4.9 million beneficiaries, of which almost 850,000 were unnecessary, because either the applicants were automatically eligible or because they had filed more than one application. We have made over 3.9 million determinations on the eligibility for extra help, and have now found more than 1.7 million of these individuals eligible. We have also notified the individuals who filed unnecessary applications of their current eligibility.
We will face new Medicare challenges at the beginning of FY 2007. Section 811 of the MMA reduces the federal subsidy of Medicare Part B premiums for those with higher incomes. Currently, Part B enrollees pay about 25 percent of their Part B cost (the "standard" premium). The remainder is financed by transfers from general revenues into the part B Trust Fund.
Starting in January 2007, the federal Part B premium subsidy will be reduced so that higher income beneficiaries pay higher Part B premiums. There will be four levels of increases to these premiums. This subsidy reduction will be phased in over three years. MMA requires that we use IRS data to determine who is affected and the amount of the additional premium they will have to pay.
In 2007, the threshold amount above which a higher premium must be paid is $80,000 for those who file a single income tax return and $160,000 for married couples who file a joint return. Threshold levels will be indexed annually.
MMA requires use of modified adjusted gross income. This is adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest income and other income. We will do the first annual data exchange with IRS in October 2006 for premiums paid effective 2007. Weekly exchanges for the newly entitled will start prior to January 2007. Ongoing premium amount determinations will be made annually, prior to the start of each calendar year, and will be effective the entire year. It will also be made on an ongoing basis as people enroll in Medicare Part B.
The IRS data we will receive is 2 to 3 years old. Because of the time lag, the law permits Medicare beneficiaries to provide more recent tax return data to determine the premium when they have a life-changing event that significantly reduces their income or to provide corrected or amended tax returns.
SSA published proposed regulations concerning these rules on Friday, March 3 and the public comment period closed on May 2. We will be evaluating the comments in the coming weeks to determine what changes, if any, made by needed to the proposed regulations. We expect to publish the final rule later this year.
Those regulations and the statute define those life changing events as well as the procedures beneficiaries may use to provide corrected or amended returns when determining premiums. Beneficiaries may appeal SSA's calculation of the premium.
Affected Medicare beneficiaries will receive a notice from Social Security later this year. And I need not tell you, Mr. Chairman, that we can expect to see an up tick in calls and visits when those notices go out.
In fact, I should note that all of the challenges I've talked about – especially our new Medicare responsibilities and changes in verification requirements—have combined to create substantial increases in the number of field office visits and 800 number calls, especially in January.
The volume of visits and calls has receded from the January peak although they are still higher than historical levels. And I want to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of SSA employees to handle the increased workloads we experienced during the fall and winter.
Funding and Productivity
Our achievements over the last year are proof that resources provided to SSA are used efficiently and effectively to administer America's social security programs. In FY 2005, SSA made benefit payments monthly to over 52 million people for an annual total of over $552 billion. And we did all of this, and much more, with administrative expenditures of less than 2 percent of the SSA budget.
In FY 2005, SSA productivity increased by 2.7 percent over the previous year, part of an impressive cumulative increase of 12.6 percent since 2001. I am proud to note that we increased productivity annually for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005. In addition, from FY 2001 to FY 2005, SSA improved performance in several key service areas. For example, SSA has reduced processing time for both initial disability claims (from 106 days to 93 days) and appeals of hearing decisions (from 447 days to 242 days). SSA has also processed more work. In FY 2005, SSA processed over 450,000 more initial disability claims, approximately 140,000 additional SSA and Medicare hearings, and over 670,000 more retirement and survivors claims than in FY 2001.
Coupled with productivity increases, funding is the fuel that drives our ability to meet the needs of the people who rely on our services. SSA's service delivery budget provides a context for making funding decisions and determining the effect a given level of funding would have on the Agency's ability to provide service over a broad range of workloads.
I am very proud of the exceptional dedication of the men and women of Social Security and the State Disability Determination Services. Our employees share a deep commitment to finding better ways to be even more responsive to those who depend on our service and sound fiscal stewardship. I am fortunate to work with such dedicated and compassionate public servants. And I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, for your support for the Agency. In order to meet the challenges I have described and continue to provide the kind of service your constituents expect and deserve, we will need your continued support.
I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.


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