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OTTAWA • Remember all that talk of "dead money" on corporate balance sheets and too few people on company payrolls?
[np_storybar title="Record public sector layoffs slam Canada's job market in July" link="https://business.financialpost.com/2013/08/09/canada-loses-39000-jobs-in-july-as-jobless-rate-rises-to-7-2/"%5DOTTAWA — Government policy penchants for reducing the size of the public sector have cut a major swath through Canada's employment rolls.
In July alone, 74,000 fewer people received government pay cheques — most of them were working in the healthcare sector and social assistance programs.
Continue reading.
And how with businesses not investing enough on machinery and workers, Canada's economy was having to rely on meager job creation from a restrained public service to help sustain any kind of recovery?
Well, now it's crunch time.
That record 74,000-job crash in the public sector that we heard from in July may have brought with it some new clarity — and urgency — to the country's post-recession reality.
Yes, Canada has recouped all the job losses, and then some, from the downturn — as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is fond of telling us — but that was before those government restraint programs, intended to dig us out of a fiscal-stimulus deficit pit, really began to kick in.
"You can't live on the public sector alone," says Finn Poschmann, vice-president of the C.D. Howe Institute, the Toronto-based think-tank.
"Since 2006, public-sector employment growth has outstripped private-sector employment growth — which is unsurprising given the recession and the stability of public-sector employment relative to private-sector employment."
Not any more.
Between July's massive public-sector tumble and a year earlier, there were eight months in which government shed jobs and only two months in which employment grew in the sector.
At the federal level alone, 10,980 positions have been eliminated since the Harper government brought down its 2012 budget. By 2015 — when Ottawa hopes to balance its budget — that number will rise to more than 19,200. The cuts have been across the board, but departments most affected have been Public Safety, Canada Revenue, Human Resources, Health and National Defence.
Attrition in the public sector would account for a chunk of those lost positions — baby boomers are reaching retirement age, after all, even though many are likely to remain in the labour market through contract work.
"Rising federal employment, because it tends to be program-oriented rather than service-oriented, is not a good thing for the economy — except for transport, trade, customs and immigration sort of things, where you're very much delivering a service to the public," said Mr. Poschmann.
"There is hope that the engine of future growth of the Canadian economy will be the private sector activity."
That's if all goes according to pattern.
Frances Woolley, an economics professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said during a recession "the first thing that falls is private-sector employment. Public-sector employment kind of holds steady."
"But then what happens, as you start coming out of the recession, you start seeing the private sector being more stable or growing," she said. But then governments, which build up deficits during a downturn, "start cutting back a bit."
As a result, corporate Canada needs to kick into gear.
However, business leaders are still wary of spending their "dead money" — a phrase coined by former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney — and are looking for improving signs that the global economic recovery is on a stable track.
It's a very muddled, muddled environment
As Mr. Carney's successor, Stephen Poloz, put it in his first speech in June, companies "are feeling comfortable, are watching their orders, they're watching their foreign customers, they're getting into new markets, so they are growing, but they're being understandably cautious, given what they've been through."
Derek Burleton, deputy chief economist at TD Economics, said "we may see the private side pick up a bit in the second half of this year — given, hopefully, some knock-on effects to a stronger U.S. performance rippling through."
This is important because, although government jobs "are relatively well-paying [and] they come armed with decent benefits," he said "the private-sector performance gives you a better idea of how the underlying market economy is doing and, therefore,[analysts] put more importance on that."
Mr. Burleton expects private-sector job creation will be offset somewhat by a "moderate decline" in the public sector.
"That's certainly not inconsistent with some of the [government] budgets we have seen," he said. "And that would leave us with a rate of employment growth that is consistent with the [expected] sub-2% [annual] economic growth as a whole."
Paul Moist, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 627,000 government workers, said, for the time being, "budgets are driving restraint."
"We may be seeing provincial restraint catch up with the 2012-2013 federal budgets," he said.
"There's been a recovery, of sorts, but when you factor in real wages for most workers they have been flat for a couple of decades and there's an increase in part-time across the board, and there are less people working as a percentage of the population, it's a very muddled, muddled environment."
Mr. Moist adds: "There's always a lag time. Recession in the economy hits the public sector something like two to three years later, and there are recession-like conditions in many provincial economies right now.
"For every positive announcement, there are two or three disconcerting announcements."


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Hi Everyone:
Hey, this is very long overdue.
I have been off blogging for some time now. We have been in a process of getting a new website up and running . . . and it is now on line. We still have some tweaking to do, but it is about 90% intact.
New Site for Leadership ConneXtions International website.
The new website has a blog built into it and that is where I along with some other LCI partners will be posting regularly.
If you have enjoyed and benefitted from these posts - check us out there. And you can sign up to receive notifications for new posts in your email. Just click on the BLOG drop down menu tab and you will see how to do that.
I am not putting an end to this blogsite, if for no other reason is that it has about 1500 posts on it. That is a lot of thoughts over the years. So I'll keep it active, if not current.
Thanks and be sure to check out the other resources on the website. We have a lot more we can offer to people.
If you really want to help us - pass this on to a friend or two and spread the word.

subset: commoncrawl


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Physicians who use an automated, electronic medical record tracking system to follow up on patients with an abnormal Pap test could increase the number of women who achieve diagnostic resolution and do so in less time than using traditional methods, according to new research.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) reported their findings in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Screening for cervical cancer with a Pap test is only as successful as the follow-up rate for an abnormal result, the researchers sayd. If a patient has a Pap test, yet does not receive appropriate follow-up for an abnormal result, then the opportunity to prevent or treat pre-cancerous lesions or cervical cancer is missed and the Pap test is ineffective.
The advent of tracking systems provides great potential to address inadequate follow-up on a systemic level, researchers found.
"We developed a tracking system for our internal EMR, and evaluated this tracking system as an intervention to improve adequate follow-up of abnormal Pap tests," said lead author Elizabeth Dupuis, MD, from the Section of General Internal Medicine in the Department of Medicine, and the Women's Health Interdisciplinary Research Center at BUSM.
The BUSM researchers compared abnormal Pap test follow-up rates for the 24 months prior to implementing the tracking system with rates 12 months after its implementation. The evaluation monitored all subjects for 12 months from the date of their abnormal Pap test through diagnostic resolution. Controlling for type of abnormality and practice location, the adjusted time to resolution decreased significantly from 108 days prior to implementing the tracking system to 86 days after implementation.
"Although our study could not demonstrate that with this system we directly avoided cases of invasive cervical cancer, we did show that in an at-risk urban population, an automated, EMR-based tracking system reduced the time to resolution, and increased the number of women who achieved diagnostic resolution," said Dupuis. "Most EMRs in use today do not have such tracking systems developed. Our data suggests that such systems can improve patient safety and patient care."
The researchers concluded that a combination of both systems and patient barriers impede adequate abnormal Pap test follow-up.
Patient barriers include difficulty in keeping follow-up appointments, limited understanding of the significance of the abnormality and other life-issues taking priority.
Systems barriers include failure of the provider to be aware of an abnormal result, and limited capability to systematically track patients who do not keep follow-up appointments.
"Our program addressed the systems barriers by giving providers tools to allow them to more easily track subjects after an abnormal Pap test," Dupuis said. "Our higher baseline follow-up rates may already reflect some of the benefits of an EMR system; however, delays persisted without a tracking system."


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Short News
Are your designs statistically significant? A practical course for using stats in UX.
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Ash Maurya
This is an accelerated course for anyone interested in learning basic techniques for creating...
Jason Moore


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LAST EXIT: Back From the Dead—DIGITALLY!
After years out of print and completely unavailable we have now resurrected this very special issue of Weird NJ and have made it available in digital form through Magcloud. Downloads it for viewing on your iPad (iOS 5 & Up), web browser or in PDF form. Continue reading


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Team matches, played online, in leagues
Our League Tournament is designed to be played mainly over the Internet. The purpose is to encourage interaction between players in different areas of the country and to encourage online play amongst members of our Association.
An Individual League ran from January 2011 to October 2012.


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364 results within 15 milesAll life coaches and nlp practitioners comply with our policy
Nicola Goodeve-Docker - NGD Coaching (Goodeve Docker Enterprises Limited)
Coaching enables me to help people transform their lives, achieve their goals or simply do something they never thought they could. My style is to keep things simple, fun and focused, ensuring we are clear on what you want to get out of the sessions.
Aline Declercq Personal Brand Coach
Get the most of yourself with performance coaching. Specialised in demanding industries such as Law, Finance and Startups. My clients want to fast-track their way to their career goals and we make it happen. You?
Ms Julie Smith
Career/job not as you'd like it to be? We'll work together in a fun, yet challenging way to identify and achieve your goals. Common themes are: career choices, managing people, confidence, resilience, motivation, balance and personal development.
Sandie Reed - Career Coach
Career Coach and CV Writer - as an intuitive and supportive Career Coach, I work with my clients to help them find the confidence, energy and self-belief to bring about positive change in their careers.
Liz Goodchild | Life Coaching For People Who Give A Shit
I know what your nagging little whispers say, speaking up in the back of your mind when the world goes quiet. "I need to change something. But where do I start? Can I start? Should I? I mean, things are ok. And ok is fine. Right? Juuuuuuust fine."
Georgie Mackenzie
For fast, effective and lasting change book a free call back. When you have decided you want to change the way things are you want it to do it now., so let's do it ...
Dr Alessandra De Acutis BSc PsychD
Why wait to live the life you deserve? Give me a call to discuss informally how we can set powerful and meaningful goals to get you to where you want in your personal and professional life.
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Serving you through Skype and telephone during the evening and at weekends. In support of where you want to get to. Be it - career change, reducing stress, improved relationships or boosting confidence and self-belief.
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Grow your success and satisfaction in your working life with an experienced, committed and Masters qualified coach. Do you want to break through what's currently stopping you from progressing?
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I work with people who feel stuck or dissatisfied with their personal or working life. I help them to get clarity about what they want and to create their own path towards a happy and fulfilled life. The way I work is to help you gain a better...
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Personal Coaching with me is underpinned with a business background, 12 years as a Psychotherapist and 4 years as a Professional Coach. Strong on life experience, I am a well-resourced catalyst for your thoughts, goals and actions. Specialising in...
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Mariette loves to help women to create the right work-life balance, build confidence, and have a healthy relatioinship with food. Working together to get you in control of your life.
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Are you thinking of changing careers? Enough wishing for it - let's start making it happen. Life is too precious to be unhappy at work. Book your free introductory call to start this new exciting journey...
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Are you feeling lost or wanting to re-connect with the truth of who you are? My work enables you to not just 'know it' but to 'feel it' in your body. Helping you let go of feeling frustrated, stuck & disconnected… & experience wholeness & clarity.
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Many people in their fifties and sixties are looking for a change, to take the opportunity of a new way to have a fulfilling, purposeful life in their Third Age. I would love to help you to design the happy Third Life you choose.
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I am a fully qualified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner and Personal Development Coach, also known by many as a Life Coach. My biggest passion for the last 25 years has been to help others create health and happiness in their life.
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Mon, 5 March 2012
Val Staples and "Pixel Dan" Eardley are back to discuss He-Man and She-Ra.
Another fan contribution are episode wallpapers and backgrounds, created by Matt Tyree also know as Tyree on the forums. Matt is commercial illustrator who you can find out more about at www.tyreeonline.com
Also, don't forget the Roast Gooble Dinner iPhone App, which is great for organizing and downloading current and past episodes. Click here to get yours today!
So pull up your chair and fill up your plate! It's time to chow down on a tasty serving of fandom here on He-Man.org's Roast Gooble Dinner!
Runtime: 0 hour, 58 minutes, 22 seconds
Direct download: Roast-Gooble-Dinner_Episode_079.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:12am EDT


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I Am Second, Reunion Church Team Up for Easter Event
I am Second, the Texas-based ministry that has garnered recognition for its videos of celebrity testimonies, is teaming up with Reunion Church to host an event that will bring hope to the people of downtown Dallas during Holy Week.
The event, "Easter at the Majestic," will feature live testimonials from some familiar I am Second faces, like the ministry's founder, Norm Miller, illusionist Jim Munroe and "The Biggest Loser" season six winner, Michelle Aguilar. The event will begin at noon each day from Apr. 2-6, and will be held at the 1,700-seat Majestic Theater in downtown Dallas.
"It's easy to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day of work and life," Richard Ellis, pastor and founder of Reunion Church, said in a statement. "Our hope is 'Easter at the Majestic' will be a chance to focus on the importance of the holiday week and celebration of how we can be transformed when we put Jesus first."
Ellis, whose testimony has been recorded several times for the I am Second's website, told The Christian Post on Thursday that his first video was among the earliest produced by the ministry. He agreed to do the video after his friend and co-creator of I am Second, Nathan Sheets, approached him with the concept while it was still in its early stages.
Reunion Church decided to ask I am Second to team up with them for "Easter at the Majestic" after some self-examination. About 14 years ago the church held an event called "Easter Week At The Majestic," but they stopped doing it for a while, and after talking it over they decided it was time to bring it back.
Ellis says he has passed out fliers in the downtown area every day this week so far, and they have purchased radio ads and signs in the downtown area to promote the event. There are an estimated 120,000 people working in the downtown Dallas area, he says, so it is a great opportunity for Christians in the area to receive encouragement or even bring a coworker who would otherwise be hesitant to join them in a typical church setting.
The focus of I am Second is on the stories of people whose lives have been changed by God. Ellis says the goal of the videos and the upcoming event is not to suggest that being a Christian makes everything in life perfect, because it doesn't, but rather to show that there is hope and that God has helped many people deal with some of life's most difficult situations.
"People just connect with other people ... Jesus even did it. He told stories and he interacted with real people with real stories. His own story, it's not one of everything being blissfully great. It's tough. It was intense," the pastor said.
I am Second was launched in 2008, and features videos of celebrities and everyday people alike who have struggled with addictions, abuse, broken families and the search for purpose in life. Today, the ministry's website has been viewed over 20 million times and reaches 217 different countries and regions around the world.


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|I can eat less meat. But cheese?
Did everyone already hear about the Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change and Health, published by Environmental Working Group in July earlier this year? So it's kind of old news, but I've been meaning to write about it ever since, and sort of chewing on what it should mean for my family's eating habits.
- Eating and wasting less meat (especially red meat) and cheese can simultaneously improve our health and reduce the climate and environmental impact of food. Amazingly, meat that goes into the trash accounts for more than 20 percent of all meat-associated emissions!
- When you do eat meat, eat smaller portions and opt for meat from organic, pasture-raised, grass-fed animals. There are many compelling health, environmental and animal-welfare reasons for doing so.
- Making significant cuts in emissions will not come solely from individual action, but also citizen action. Reducing meat production's negative impacts on soil, air and water will take stronger regulatory enforcement and better policies – in addition to significant changes in meat consumption habits.
Beef generates more than twice the emissions of pork, nearly four times that of chicken, and more than 13 times that of vegetable proteins such as beans, lentils, and tofu.But I was kind of bummed to learn that:
Cheese has the third-highest emissions (more than pork, fish, and poultry!). Less dense cheese (such as cottage) results in fewer greenhouse gases since it takes less milk to produce it.At my house, the only meat we regularly eat is organic chicken and ground turkey. We occasionally eat pork, fish, and even more occasionally grass-fed beef purchased through our CSA. We regularly eat beans and tofu. So I feel OK about the progress we've made in the meat-eating department since we began our green journey. But the sad truth is, while I can imagine someday eating vegetarian, I have a hard time imagining giving up dairy. I love my milk, yogurt, ice cream, butter, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, and, yes, CHEESE. I love cheese. Parmesan cheese, extra sharp cheddar cheese, havarti cheese, mozzarella cheese. Recently, I did switch over from conventional cheese to almost all organic cheese, and the significantly higher sticker price has made me more aware of how much we are eating (and far less likely to let any of it go to waste).
I would say that at least one-third of our dinners around here are meatless. But you know how I compensate for that? Cheese. Or sour cream. Especially with beans (the tofu dishes tend to lean more towards vegan). In addition to sprinkling a little less cheese on my meatless dishes, any suggestions for cutting back on the cheese without too much pain and suffering?
How has your consumption of animal products changed since you began your green journey?


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Holiday Inn Roanoke-Tanglewood-Rt 419&I581
Holiday Inn Roanoke-Tanglewood-Rt 419&I581
4468 Starkey Rd.
4468 Starkey Rd.
Roanoke, Virginia
United States
Check In: 3PM
Check Out: 12PM
Check-in Age: 21
Book With Us Advantage
- Best Price Guarantee
We promise you access to the guaranteed best available prices, or your first night is free.
- Online Reservation Guarantee
Your room is guaranteed.
- No Booking Fees!
We do not charge any booking fees for making reservations directly with us.
- Data Privacy and Site Security
IHG takes your privacy seriously and works to protect you. All personal information you provide is encrypted and secure.
Welcome to Holiday Inn Roanoke-Tanglewood-Rt 419&I581
Enjoy Your Stay in Roanoke, VA at Our Hotel
Situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Holiday Inn® Tanglewood - Roanoke hotel has a picturesque location. We're right off of Routes 419 & 220 and close to I-581, which allows for easy travel to attractions and businesses in downtown Roanoke, VA.
Our hotel's 24-hour business center with copy and fax services helps corporate guests accomplish their work. We offer event facilities for up to 800 guests and free high-speed, wireless Internet access. In addition, General Electric, Salem Civic Center, Lewis Gale Hospital and Carilion Hospital are all close to our hotel's location in Roanoke, Virginia.
Leisure guests are pleased to know that we're just two miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and next door to Tanglewood Mall. Also close by is the Taubman Museum and the famous Mill Mountain Star and Zoo. Guests can travel a short distance to attractions such as the D-Day Memorial and Martinsville Speedway, as well. There's something for everyone in Roanoke, VA!
Our hotel's plush amenities make you feel right at home. We have a heated, outdoor pool with a sundeck, as well as a fitness center with a TV. The Elephant Walk Restaurant & Lounge with "Comfort Foods - Harvested Locally is open for lunch and dinner daily. Our guest enjoy nightly entertainment and drink specials. Priority Club members receive breakfast discounts and enjoy receptions (Mon-Thu).
Kids Stay and Eat Free
Kids ages 18 and under stay for free when sharing their parents' room. Up to four kids ages 11 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn® on-site restaurant.
*View Terms & Conditions for Details.
Outdoor heated swiming pool on property. Open seasonally. Trampoline Park, Check-E -Cheese, Tanglewood MallScience Museum of Western Virginia You can enjoy the Living River, Body Tech, Geology Gallery, Earth Treasurers, Light & Sound Arcade, Weather Gallery & Live Animals all the time. Go to smwv.org for a schedule of special events & hours.during your stay.Mill Mountain Zoo
|Kids Stay Free
|Kids Eat Free
|United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Mexico, Caribbean
|18 and Under
|11 and Under
Free High-Speed Internet
Standard Wireless Internet service is included for all guests.
Shuttle/ Parking
- Car Parking Available
- Complimentary Daily Self-Parking is available
- Self-Parking Fee: 0 USD
- Free parking surrounds the hotel.
Pet Policy
- Pets allowed
- Service Animals Allowed
- Pets Walking Area Available
- Pet Deposit per Stay: 35 USD
- We are one of the few Pet Friendly Hotels in Roanoke, So Bring that special Member of the Family! We "Pet Clean" the room when each of our special friends check out. 35 dollar non refundable pet fee due at check in. Service animals allowed no charge.
Languages Spoken by Staff
Credit Cards
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Diners Club
- Carte Blanche
- Discover
- Number of Floors: 5
- Total Number of Rooms: 196
- Number of Suites: 5
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 171
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 8
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Elevators
- Public Restrooms
- Registration Desk
- Exercise Facility
- Business Center
- Pool
- Number of Accessible Meeting Rooms: 9
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Registration Area
- Accessible Guest Rooms
- Business Center
- Meeting Room
- Exercise Facility
Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public Entrance
- Accessible Self-Parking
- Van Accessible Self Parking
- Ramp Access
- Portable Bathtub Seats
- Closed Caption TVs
- Telephone with TDD
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Public Spaces
- Communication Kits with Visual Alarms
Provided by Hotel


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Emergency Notification System (ENS)
Augustana University has implemented a service that will allow the University administration and security professionals the ability to reach all students, faculty and staff with time-sensitive information during unforeseen events or emergencies using voice, e-mail and text messaging. During critical situations, Augustana University officials can use the notification system to broadcast pertinent information and provide details on appropriate response (e.g., school closing due to inclement weather, chemical spills, acts of violence, etc.).
The Connect-ED service can deliver one pre-recorded message to up to six phone numbers (cell phone and land line), two e-mail address and one text message for each student, faculty or staff member who registers to receive these alerts. The Connect-ED service will help us provide a safer environment, enhance emergency preparedness and keep our campus community better informed.
The notification system is available to all students, faculty and staff of Augustana University. The system is only as good as the information provided by our students, faculty and staff. We encourage everyone to participate. When you register, you will have the ability to enter up to six phone numbers to be notified in the event of a critical situation. You can enter one or you can enter all six. We encourage you to discuss this as a family to determine if numbers other than just the students' number should be included. It is possible some of the six numbers used could be parent contacts. The best emergency contact number is probably your cell phone. The information you provide will not be shared with other entities and will be kept private and confidential. The information provided will be used for Augustana University emergency communication purposes with you only.
Don't miss out on critical news; log onto my.augie.edu and go to the Emergency Notification System to register your information to receive emergency notifications. If your contact information changes, you may also update ENS information later by going into the Portal. For employees it is found under Human Resourses and for students it is found under Student Services.
Contact the Department of Campus Safety, 605.274.4014, if you have any questions about the Emergency Notification System (ENS).


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Ghilotti Construction Company is an established family owned and operated General Engineering Construction Company located in Santa Rosa, California just north of San Francisco.
At Ghilotti Construction Company our experienced staff utilizes state of the art technologies and equipment for the construction of large and small public and private construction projects.
Please take a few moments to find out more about our company and email us with your questions and comments.


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Laurel Whitney | March 10, 2012
By Laurel Whitney • Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 14:42
The President rolled out his FY2013 budget recently, which includes eliminating $40 billion in tax breaks from Big Oil companies, such as BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Shell. Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute's response would have you believe that cutting the subsidies would be the equivalent of moving back into their parents' basement.
It's propaganda at its most repetitive, crying that they are "job creators" and that it's so "unfair" to raise taxes because they already contribute millions to the economy every day, and if you do they swear to god prices will rise and the inevitable dependency on foreign oil will bring about the apocalypse itself if you don't let them have their way.
That's like Donald Trump begging to not get kicked out of rent-stabilized, low-income housing even when raking in billions annually, and then threatening to trash the place once the landlord actually puts up an eviction notice.
It's true. The combined profit of the "big 5" oil companies listed above was $137 billion last year, with ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips coming in first, fourth, and 15th, respectively, on the Fortune 100 list of most profitable companies.
As for being "job creators", it's a bit of a far-fetched label when oil companies have cut more than 11,000 jobs over the past few years, despite record profits.
And while those record profits have increased their earnings 75%, production of oil and petroleum products decreased by 4% compared to the previous year. Fewer jobs, fewer products, more profits, and they are still claiming tax breaks are necessary to create jobs and increase production.
API also claims that the oil and gas industries "pay taxes at far higher effective rates than most other industries."
However, their federal tax rate for 2010 was only 18%, while most Americans paid 21%.
Lower tax rates are supposed to be a trade-off to spur reinvestment, but big oil companies even fail at that. In 2011, $38 billion was spent on buying back stock (which lines the pockets of top executives, not workers) and had $58 billion in their corporate savings account.
If you throw all that together, Big Oil companies made $137 billion, spent $38 billion on buying their own stock, put $58 billion into savings, all the while getting rid of thousands of jobs and lowering their product output.
Yet they're complaining that taking away tax breaks will just be too hard and is an unfair punishment.
Perhaps instead of $40 billion in subsidies, the government should send them a $40 billion violin.
"Perhaps instead of $40
"Perhaps instead of $40 billion in subsidies, the government should send them a $40 billion violin."
Wow, only $40B now? I've seen much higher estimates. I think that only takes into account domestic subsidies.
When are the free market advocates going to fight for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and advocate a level playing field? Let the free market do its job and remove the artificial price people pay at the pump or on their power bill.
"As for being "job creators", it's a bit of a far-fetched label when oil companies have cut more than 11,000 jobs over the past few years, despite record profits."
Maybe they think that all the jobs that are created to clean up their mess is a good thing.
When is a depletion allowance
When is a depletion allowance a subsidy? That allowance in a common allowance throughout the mining and oil industry.
Talk about distortion of reality.
David B. Benson replied on Permalink
the diminishing resource is a common good. The extractors should instead be paying a royalty.
"When is a depletion
"When is a depletion allowance a subsidy? That allowance in a common allowance throughout the mining and oil industry."
Yeah commercial fisherman are missing out big time from that gig.
Judging by the articles on
Judging by the articles on Desmogblog, the intent of the articles is not to educate, so much as it is to spread propaganda and advance a leftwing narrative. This article is no exception. Clearly your intent is not to win any debate – the facts simply don't support your claims – but to preach to the converted.
I notice you repeatedly make a point of describing the oil and gas industry in terms of gross industry profit – while carefully avoiding the much more honest fact of NET PROFIT MARGIN.
But that wouldn't advance your deceptive narrative, would it?
In the case of oil and gas, the most recent industry average net profit margin is a rather modest 7.9%.
That's right, "Big Oil", as you like to call it, made the same as the cleaning products industry in net profit. To put that in perspective, that's less than HALF the profit margin of the soft drink industry, 15%.
And since when is an industry which pays far more in taxes, royalties and licensing fees being "subsidized" by what it might qualify for in tax credits available to most any other industry? Surely this is some bizarre new definition of "subsidy".
True, but........
What you say may be true, but there HAS to be a bad guy out there somewhere, right? What about the Koch bros, aren't they the bad guys?
Lol! It's refreshing to see someone spell it out as you have, PJames, but you'll hardly sway any of the regulars in this forum. They believe what they are spoon fed by this group of paid propagandists at Desmog.
David B. Benson replied on Permalink
some of us reject Ayn Randism and are committed to the common good.
Even yours.
See, Hank? People like David
See, Hank?
People like David Benson know what's best for "the common good" – whether we like it, or not.
Why can't we just shut up and do as we're told by our betters?
It's less a matter of like, PJ,
And more a matter of the authors & commenters here knowing more of what they're talking about, whether you like it or not, unlike the anti-science deniers & dittoheads at WUWT who haven't a clue.
David B. Benson replied on Permalink
Try reading
For the Common Good by Daly & Cobb.
Among other things devestating critique of The Invisible Hand and Free Trade.
"the intent of the articles
"the intent of the articles is not to educate, so much as it is to spread propaganda and advance a leftwing narrative."
Obviously, the only narrative your confirmation bias is going to accept will come from a right wing perspective then.
"I notice you repeatedly make a point of describing the oil and gas industry in terms of gross industry profit – while carefully avoiding the much more honest fact of NET PROFIT MARGIN."
Because that is the actual figure before capex, opex, cogs etc is taken into account. Anyone who has been in business can tell you, that at that point, the money can effectively be siphoned off. Clever accounting can really make a difference.
"To put that in perspective, that's less than HALF the profit margin of the soft drink industry, 15%."
Coca cola has a product that requires billions in government investment to clean up spills, or mitigate CO2 emissions? Coca cola has protectionist tariffs enforced on its competitors? Coca cola has a price that is on par with market levels, oil & coal do not. Coca cola can claim a depletion tax break as their stock levels go down? Coca cola has the US go to war on its behalf & negotiate coca cola pipelines throughout other countries on its behalf?
"And since when is an industry which pays far more in taxes, royalties and licensing fees"
By your limited worldview.
"being "subsidized" by what it might qualify for in tax credits available to most any other industry? Surely this is some bizarre new definition of "subsidy"."
The International Energy Agency, The OECD & World Bank define it as:
"an energy subsidy is defined as any government action that lowers the cost of energy production, raises the revenues of energy producers, or lowers the price paid by energy consumers"
Unlike you. I am a Capitalist.
I paid $2066 in taxes this year alone for for EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) in Alberta.
This is corporate welfare, pure and simple. Why can't they run a business without me giving them money? What is wrong with their business model?
Are you seriously trying to
Are you seriously trying to claim the oil and gas industry in Alberta operates at a net loss to Alberta taxpayers?
No, PJ,
We're seriously talking about good old-fashioned separation of Big Oil & state.
"The federal and Alberta governments struck up a secret, high-level committee in early 2010 to coordinate the promotion of the oilsands with Canada's most powerful industry lobby group, a document obtained through an access to information request reveals.
"The committee brought together the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) with deputy ministers from Natural Resources, Environment Canada, Alberta Energy and Alberta Environment to synchronize their lobbying offensive in the face of mounting protest and looming international regulations targeting the Alberta crude.
"I'm old-fashioned enough to believe that there should be a separation between oil and state, but with these types of secret committees it's hard to see any daylight between them," said Keith Stewart, a climate and energy campaigner with Greenpeace.
"He said the federal government is working increasingly closer with oil companies as they attempt to polish the image of the "dirtiest oil on earth" and undermine climate-change policies in the United States and Europe that stand to curb the industry's expansion.
"We're seeing that the government is becoming the advocacy arm of the oil industry, whether that's to kill environment regulations abroad or to rhetorically attack environmental groups and First Nations," Stewart said."
Alberta, Ottawa, oil lobby formed secret committee
The Carson Affair is a lot more Enlightening.
My opinion on these facts is a lot more straightforward… Why do these guys have to keep it secret? Why can't they tell the truth? Is it because people will be angry with them?
So… a man Harper kept extremely close, so close he was permitted to bypass security and criminal checks, switched a green research project to a green wash PR campaign.
No. I didn't say that.
I don't know why I have to subsidize a profit heavy industry. I'm employed in the drilling industry and I don't see a dime of that money.
I also think they should pay their share. I know I do.
But in the mean time I have doctors being intimidated into not complaining about the quality of health care they can provide.
"I don't know why I have to
"I don't know why I have to subsidize a profit heavy industry."
So, by avoiding the question, can we assume you concede the oil and gas industry in Alberta receives no net subsidy from Alberta taxpayers?
"I'm employed in the drilling industry and I don't see a dime of that money."
They don't pay you? You work for free?
"I also think they should pay their share."
And what, precisely, in dollars and cents, do you consider their "fair share"? And how did you arrive at that number?
"I know I do."
Do you?
"But in the mean time I have doctors being intimidated into not complaining about the quality of health care they can provide."
Does the oil and gas industry run health care in Alberta? And here I thought it was the government.
Time to up your meds.
Subsidies to these guys are simply lining the pockets of their investors.
It is irresponsible and wasteful to give them money. If it were a capitalist venture they should be able to make a business case to do the work, go to a bank, or dip into their hefty profits.
I mention health care because its always chronically short of cash. Yet here we are just handing the stuff out to these corporate bums.
"I mention health care
"I mention health care because its always chronically short of cash. Yet here we are just handing the stuff out to these corporate bums."
And yet, you've already conceded the oil and gas industry is a net revenue generator for Alberta taxpayers. In other words these "corporate bums" are the ones who are handing cash to the government.
These would be the same "corporate bums" who presumably make it possible for you to earn a living … or at least you would, if you ever stooped so low as to accept a paycheque from your "corporate bum" employers, LOL!
Oh... Good thinking.
So… I just just ask for half my tax back… and I'd still be a net contributor?
I like that logic. Do you use it often?
That statement doesn't make
That statement doesn't make any sense, and we're not talking about you and your tax circumstances.
The question, which you continue to evade, is very simple:
Are you seriously claiming the oil and gas industry is a net financial loss to the taxpayers of Alberta? Yes or no?
You are the one changing the subject. Not me.
I didn't claim anything vaguely like what you are attempting to shove in my mouth.
I'm saying that they aren't paying their fair share of the bills, like I do. They aren't entitled to getting anything back any more than I am.
My statement makes perfect sense. You see I contribute a healthy $24,000 a year to our health care system (via taxes), but being in perfect health, I'm not costing it any. So… I should just get all my money back because I'm a net contributor. That is your logic.
That is no different than oil companies paying taxes, then demanding a claw back. "Oh oh oh these environmental regulations cost money… we're less rich, so give us money."
Still evading the question, eh?
Here is your original statements:
"This is corporate welfare, pure and simple. Why can't they run a business without me giving them money? What is wrong with their business model?"
"I don't know why I have to subsidize a profit heavy industry."
Since when does a a "welfare" recipient pay more to the government than they recieve?
The question, which you continue to evade, is very simple:
Are you seriously claiming the oil and gas industry is a net financial loss to the taxpayers of Alberta? Yes or no?
Why so frightened of a simple question?
Is it too late to get a refund on your education?
"Corporate welfare is a pejorative term describing a government's bestowal of money grants, tax breaks, or other special favorable treatment on corporations or selected corporations."
Even Cato thinks its a real problem. Surely that's a source you trust.
"According to the Cato Institute, the U.S. federal government spent $92 billion on corporate welfare during fiscal year 2006. Recipients included Boeing, Xerox, IBM, Motorola, Dow Chemical, and General Electric."
Now go get a job you hippy.
Still evading ...
The question, which you continue to evade, is very simple:
Are you seriously claiming the oil and gas industry is a net financial loss to the taxpayers of Alberta? Yes or no?
The true costs of mining the tar sands are catastrophic.
While greedy Big Oil companies rape Alberta's boreal forests & wetlands & ecosystems for short-term mega-profits, the true long-term costs of extracting oil from the tar sands are a devastating loss to the people & wildlife of Alberta
And, as leading climate scientist, Dr. James E. Hansen, has pointed out time & again, a climate catastrophe in the making.
"Advertisements that tar sands and shale oil are beneficial, providing energy independence and jobs, repeated hundreds of times a day, are an attempt to brainwash the public into supporting policies that enrich the few, while screwing the public, especially young people."
"You cannot turn on television without seeing advertisements for clean coal, clean tar sands (sanitized as "oil sands"), clean gas fracking. However, no matter what efforts are made to minimize damage during the mining process, Figure 1 implies that the only way to retain a planet looking like the one that has existed the past 10,000 years, with stable shorelines and a reasonably stable climate, is to phase out fossil fuels as conventional oil and gas are depleted. Most of the total coal resource and unconventional fossil fuels should be left in the ground."
I'm not evading anything.
I never ever ever claimed that the oil and gas industry is a net financial loss to the tax payers of Alberta. Furthermore I never implied it.
I suggest you to get educated on this old and well understood term.
What I said was;
"This is corporate welfare, pure and simple. Why can't they run a business without me giving them money? What is wrong with their business model?"
To which you replied;
"Are you seriously trying to claim the oil and gas industry in Alberta operates at a net loss to Alberta taxpayers?
In answering your question. No. But then I never claimed what you imply. You are in fact asking a meaningless question.
Furthermore you also need to learn a lot more about conservative and capitalist values which you seem to be lacking so much of. I'm with CATO on this!
"I never ever ever claimed
"I never ever ever claimed that the oil and gas industry is a net financial loss to the tax payers of Alberta. Furthermore I never implied it."
You have a very short and selective memory:
"I don't know why I have to subsidize a profit heavy industry. I'm employed in the drilling industry and I don't see a dime of that money."
I take it you withdraw your previous statement? Evidently you DO see more than just a dime now. I guess you just needed thicker glasses.
No. I don't withdraw a thing.
I did not see a dime of the $1.6 billion we spent on EOR\CCS. Not even a penny.
Your argument stating that
Your argument stating that because these industries pay someone enough "to earn a living" and so should be considered a good thing overall, is nonsensical in that the same thing could be said of a slave-master in the Old South……without the food and shelter they provided their slaves, it would have been extremely difficult for most of them to simply survive given the system and society they all found themselves in. And indeed, I can say with certainty that many of those plantation owners, and to be sure, even a few of the "uncle Tom's" among the slaves rationalized the status quo by pointing out that very fact….just as you have.
Now to be sure, I'm not drawing an equivelance between today's work environment and slavery. Not at all. I'm merely pointing out the poverty of your own argument. It's not about whether they pay their workers or not, but about matter's of fairness…about truth-telling, and about the neccesity of having these giant corporations to step up and bare some of the weight imposed on everyone else by the economic downturn. That they do this as part and parcel of one's own social responsibility….a responsibility that every other person* in society is required to entend by law.
*if they want to assume the legal definition then they can assume the legal responsibility as well, no?
So now I'm a slave-owner, or something? Er, … what?
Can I take it you agree with the assertion that the Alberta oil and gas industry is a net public revenue source for taxpayers, and therefore not in receipt of any net subsidy?
I'll mark you down as a 'yes' on that one, shall I?
FYI, education, and hopefully
FYI, education, and hopefully (tho doubtful) enlightenment, there's a very good reason why both anti-AGW & anti-Darwinism occurs primarily among those who also self-identify as "conservative" and/or "right-wing" individuals. And that is that researchers consistently find that conservatives are the one's who are far more likely to engage in avoidence behaviors, confirmation biases, and other forms of motivated cognition than any other sociopolitical subgroups of a given society - and certainly much more likely than those who identify with left-wing or liberal ideas and belief systems.
So you're skating on extremely thin ice when you make assertions regarding the gullibility of those who agree with the main idea of this blog when you make that assumption based on their leftwing/liberal political stance.
If you don't believe it (and I know you won't because…..) go to Google Scholar and enter the terms "motivated cognition, conservatism".
The oil companies in Alberta
The oil companies in Alberta should be paying much higher royalties and they are getting subsidies which should all be cancelled.
Most of the oil money that does come in goes to corporations, not to Albertans or public services for Albertans:
Website about this:
Incidentally, two investigations of Bruce Carson, by the Lobbying Commissioner and the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, were completed three months ago, but the results have not been released by the Harper Conservative government:
Well, if you are so much
Well, if you are so much against subsidies, then you must be completely beside yourself with outrage at the annual $1.2 billion subsidy given to the CBC – which happens to pay back to the taxpayer roughly, um, …. $0.
Shift subsidies to clean, renewable energy technologies.
Subsidies & other tax expenditures for mature fossil fuel industries no longer benefit the taxpayer but merely increase the record $137,000,000,000 mega-profits of Big Oil's Big Five even as oil production decreased. Such subsidies are even more counter-productive when you consider that fossil fuels spew gigatons of CO2 emissions & other pollutants that cause mega-billions in damages to our health & property, air & water, forests & wetlands, ecosystems & climate.
The public is much better served by shifting these subsidies & tax expenditures from the mega-profits of dirty fossil fuels & tar sands over to incentivize private investment to rapidly develop & deploy clean, renewable energy technologies to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels & foreign oil.
"Subsidies & other tax
"Subsidies & other tax expenditures for mature fossil fuel industries no longer benefit the taxpayer"
The oil and gas industry is a net public revenue source, and an extremely large one. How can you claim that doesn't benefit taxpayers?
"mega-profits of Big Oil's Big Five"
The average profit margin of major oil companies was 7.9%. And that's what you consider "mega-profits"?
Give your head a shake.
"… incentivize private investment to rapidly develop & deploy clean, renewable energy technologies…"
Sure, that way we can be on the hook for $100,000 every time GM sells a Chevy Volt. Well, up until the point were they closed the assembly line and laid off the workers, because nobody was actually buying them.
Yes, let's go down the same road that Germany, Spain, the UK, and Denmark have done, only to discover the bottomless money-pit that is "alternative energy".
"…to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels & foreign oil."
I think you'll find you are profoundly misinformed on the most basic facts on which you base your strident opinions: Canada is a net energy exporter.
The Raping of Alberta
re: "Subsidies & other tax expenditures for mature fossil fuel industries no longer benefit the taxpayer"
That's right, PJ, and in addition to the taxpayer subsidies & other tax expenditures, the external costs are also picked up by the taxpayers in Canada & the U.S. – you know, the mega-billion-dollar damages to taxpayer health & property, air & water, forests & wetlands, ecosystems & climate caused by the gigatons of CO2 emissions & other pollutants from unabated extraction of oil from the tar sands & the refining & burning of fossil fuels.
And the external costs of the unconscionable destruction of Alberta peatlands which releases mega-metric tons of CO2 equivalent have not been factored in to Big Oil costs.
"A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that existing industry plans for exploiting the tar sands will destroy over 29,500 hectares (65%) of local peatland. Peatlands are better known as bogs, moors, mires, and swamp forests. Their decaying organic matter is rich in carbon and already emerging as a major amplifying carbon-cycle feedback."
"We quantified the wholesale transformation of the boreal landscape by open-pit oil sands mining in Alberta, Canada to evaluate its effect on carbon storage and sequestration. Contrary to claims made in the media, peatland destroyed by open-pit mining will not be restored. Current plans dictate its replacement with upland forest and tailings storage lakes, amounting to the destruction of over 29,500 ha of peatland habitat. Landscape changes caused by currently approved mines will release between 11.4 and 47.3 million metric tons of stored carbon and will reduce carbon sequestration potential by 5,734–7,241 metric tons C/y. These losses have not previously been quantified, and should be included with the already high estimates of carbon emissions from oil sands mining and bitumen upgrading. A fair evaluation of the costs and benefits of oil sands mining requires a rigorous assessment of impacts on natural capital and ecosystem services."
Oil sands mining and reclamation cause massive loss of peatland and stored carbon
Not to mention the external costs of tar sand pipeline mega-spills.
"There is strong evidence that tar sands pipeline spills occur more frequently than spills from pipelines carrying conventional crude oil because of the diluted bitumen's toxic, corrosive, and heavy composition. Tar sands oil spills have the potential to be more damaging than conventional crude oil spills because they are more difficult and more costly to clean up, and because they have the potential to pose more serious health risks. Therefore both the frequency and particular nature of the spills have negative economic implications."
The impact sands pipeline spills on employment and the economy
re: "mega-profits of Big Oil's Big Five"
$137 billions are record mega-profits (aka windfall profits) in one year for the Big Oil Big Five alone, much of which is used to buy back their own stock & lobby Parliament & Congress. No reason for the taxpayer to subsidize their stock mega-buybacks & lobbying.
re: "… incentivize private investment to rapidly develop & deploy clean, renewable energy technologies…"
This is more of what we had in mind – clean, renewable, non-polluting solar energy.
"One Third of Americans Reach Solar Grid Parity by 2021… Nearly 100 million Americans could install over 60,000 megawatts of solar at less than grid prices – without subsidies – by 2021."
Rooftop Revolution: Changing Everything with Cost-Effective Local Solar
re: "Canada is a net energy exporter."
And you best double-check where most of those Big Oil Boys, who are tearing up your boreal forests & wetlands & ecosystems to extract their mega-billions in corporate profits, hail from, amigo – Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Occidental, Koch Industries, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Statoil, Sinopec, PetroChina, CNOOC, etc. from the USA, China, France, Britain, Netherlands, Norway, etc.
Make no mistake, amigo, these Big Oil Boys will rape Alberta forests & wetlands the same way Dirty Coal Corps ravish West Virginia mountains & streams, then move on, leaving the health & environmental & climate damage to the citizen taxpayers.
"The Raping of Alberta" My,
"The Raping of Alberta"
My, aren't we melodramatic? Pull the string and listen to him go …
Funny, but I don't feel "raped" at all.
You're good at mindlessly parroting the leftwing party line, as dictated by George Soros and his mouthpiece.
The Raping of Alberta
Big Oil = Big Bang
Last year, Big Oil's Big Five — BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell — who are still gangbanging Alberta & the American taxpayer, had record profits of $137 billion & still received $2 billion in U.S. taxpayer subsidies but produced less oil. So where did they put those mega-billions to work?
- They produced 4 percent less oil and "oil equivalent" in 2011 compared to 2010.
- They spent a total of $38 billion, or 28 percent, of their profits to repurchase their own stock.
- They are sitting on more than $58 billion in cash reserves as of the end of 2011.
- They spent $1.6 million on campaign contributions and $65.7 million on lobbying efforts.
- For every $1 spent on lobbying in Washington, the big five received $30 worth of tax breaks.
You forgot to mention ...
I notice you're careful to avoid the fact that the government takes in about $70 billion per year from various oil and gas tax revenues.
That pays for a lot of Solyndras and Chevy Volts.
In 2010, oil and gas companies had an effective corporate tax rate of 41.1% compared to the rest of S&P Industrials, which had an effective corporate tax rate of 26.5%.
You still think you're going to pay down your $14 trillion debt with windmills and scented candles?
Exxon Mobil effective tax rate 0.4% (2009-2010)
With all its taxpayer subsidies, Exxon Mobil, the biggest of the Big Oil Big Five, only paid $39 million federal income tax on its $9.91 billion profits over the last two years. That's an effective tax rate of 0.4%.
"Over the past two years, ExxonMobil reported $9,910 million in pretax U.S. profits. But it enjoyed so many tax subsidies that its federal income tax bill was only $39 million—a tax rate of only 0.4 percent."
And in 2009, XOM paid no federal taxes at all, nada, on its $2.6 billion domestic profits by funneling its profits through the Cayman Islands.
"The company paid no taxes at all to the U.S. federal government in 2009 on its domestic profits of nearly $2.6 billion. It appears that they avoided the tax man that year by legally funneling their profits through wholly owned subsidiaries in countries like the Cayman Islands, and reinvesting their earnings overseas."
For the 3 year period 2008 to 2010, Exxon Mobil paid an average 17.6% effective corporate tax rate on $6.8 billion.
"Exxon Mobil registered an average 17.6 percent federal effective corporate tax rate on its annual earnings in the three years spanning 2008 to 2010. Its average domestic profits exceeded $6.8 billion."
No, PJ, we plan to terminate tax loopholes & taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil & Dirty Coal and put those mega-billions to work modernizing & expanding our infrastructure, our electric power grid, our roads & bridges, our ports & railways, our public buildings & schools for better energy efficiency, & incentivize private investment to rapidly deploy clean, renewable energy technologies & reduce fossil fuel emissions & put people back to work. No doubt, wind & solar technologies are a big part of building America's 21st Century clean energy economy.
Next time you come to a debate, PJ, bring some facts & leave the denier talking points over at WUWT. You have no limb to spare.
Oh, man, if you actually believe even half of what you're cutting-and-pasting here, you've got bigger problems than I thought.
If nothing else, you've proven yourself a good little soldier in slavishly parrotting George Soros' radical leftist talking points. Are you even capable of thinking for yourself anymore?
The Dirty Truth
Time you saw the dirty truth, PJ.
Yeah, even though I've worked
Yeah, even though I've worked there, your Youtube video convinced me.
But for your own sake, please stop using all oil in any form from now on.
Phase out the mega-extraction & burning of dirty fossil fuels.
Carbon-dense coal & oil have very important applications in the clean energy economies of the 21st Century, PJ, just not as extracting by the giga-barrel & gigaton & burning as dirty, polluting fossil fuels, esp. on an anthropogenically overheating planet.
We discontinue taxpayer subsidies for fossil fuels, implement carbon taxes & cap & trade mechanisms, incentivize private investment to rapidly deploy renewable clean energy technologies & create millions of new jobs, & phase out the mega-extraction & burning of polluting fossil fuels.
I listen to it all the time. No Commercials!
I listen to it going to work, from work, and on weekends Randy's Vinyl Tap. He gets letters all the time (and from all over the world) about how his show is so much better than anything you find outside of CBC. Many even come from the US where they can't get this kind of entertainment. Its not possible to enjoy it.
If they went off air, I'd probably stop listening to radio.
It works the way it does because its not a business. (Why you think it is, is simply confusing to me.) They seem to be very sensitive to local interests. They rarely if ever jump on oil and gas or even global warming in Alberta.
Now… $1.1 Billion = $32 per person or $128 for my household. I have no problem with that.
"Its not possible to enjoy
"Its not possible to enjoy it."
The first true thing you've said.
"They rarely if ever jump on oil and gas or even global warming in Alberta."
This casts serious doubt on your claim that you listen to the CBC.
"Now… $1.1 Billion = $32 per person or $128 for my household. I have no problem with that."
Yet I, and many others do have a problem with that. You are forcing others to pay for your "entertainment".
So when can I expect your cheque to chip in for my Sirius subscription?
Public Radio Funding
Back in the USA, National Public Radio (NPR) receives only 2% of its funding from the federal government. Most all is from programming fees, grants from foundations or business entities, contributions and sponsorships.
Different in Canada?
In Canada the CBC has been
In Canada the CBC has been sucking the public teat since it's inception.
CBC Radio is 100% taxpayer funded, even as the listenership continues to plummet to near undetectable levels. Okay, sure, there are a few die-hards who tune in to the CBC's phone-in shows about "What's your favourite muffin?", or the second-rate Garrison Keillor immitator, but they're mostly shut-ins who can't reach the dial, and their vegetative state is to be pitied more than anything.
CBC TV is a combination of government subsidy, but they also run commercials, so as to undercut legitimate private broadcasters, who, ironically have to pay taxes, which funds their competitor. The French CBC channels run porno movies at least.
Total cost to taxpayers: $1.2 billion. Per. Year.


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Overlord 2
Humble Weekly Sales features Overlord, DiRT 3, other Codemaster titles
Humble Bundle has updated its weekly sale offerings with titles from Codemasters.
Overlord 2 headlines
Overlord II demo now available for PC and PS3
Codemasters has revealed that PC and PS3 users can now get their hands on the Overlord II demo. It's up on PSN and PC users can get it from the official website. Game's out June 26. Thanks, IncGamers.
Overlord II demo now on Xbox Live
Overlord II has a demo up on Xbox Live for you to try out. We knew it was coming soon, but wow, this is really soon. It's only for Gold members at the moment. Game's out simultaneously on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US and UK on June 23 and 26.
Demo for Overlord II coming soon
A demo for Overlord II is coming soon. So says the man himself on his Twitter account. "I have exciting news for you all soon about the Overlord II demo, keep your ears to the ground my budding Overlord's…" Codies will release the game simultaneously on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US and […]
Experience sensory overload with new Overlord II videos, screens
A new video, developer diary and five new shots were released for Overlord II today. The video after the break shows just some of the cute little critters your minions get to bash to bits, along with other things not pleasing to the eyes. Screens and Codemasters' developer diary are over on CVG should you […]
Get your very own minion when you pre-order Overlord II
Those keen on pre-ordering Overlord II for PC, PS3 or Xbox 360 can get a special bonus when doing it through GameStop. Once you lay down the cash online or in-store, you will get one of four collectible minion figurines along with the game when it's released. Creepy looking things aren't they? More over on […]
Overlord II video proves having minions is a good thing
Overlord II releases simultaneously on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US and UK on June 23 and 26. To get you in the mood, Destructoid has posted new screens and video – which you can watch below. Looks minion-tastic.
Overlord II gets solid June dates for US and UK
Overlord II will release in the US and UK on June 23 and 26 respectively. The evil, minion-filled title will release simultaneously on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, and promises to be "the game that puts the laughter into slaughter." Glorious. Can't wait. Gamestop has two videos.
Overlord II screens show minons riding wolves
Rather large wolves, to be quite frank. More like wargs, even. Pretty scary imagining one of these coming for you. Just look at the villager's faces. No wonder they look so scared. Overlord II's out for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in June. Hit the link for more shots.
Overlord 2 latest
Humble Weekly Sales features Overlord, DiRT 3, other Codemaster titles
Experience sensory overload with new Overlord II videos, screens


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|Biosequences .. Software .. Molbio soft .. Network News .. FTP
We are pleased to welcome a new sponsor of the BIOSCI project Research Diagnostics, Inc., distributor of fine immunochemical products Research Diagnostics is sponsoring the CELL-BIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTICS, IMMUNOLOGY, and PROTEIN-ANALYSIS groups. You can view their ads on those groups by visiting our WWW archives at http://www.bio.net/archives.html. Please thank them for their support of BIOSCI if you contact them. This is our complete list of sponsors: Molecular Dynamics, Inc., a leading producer of innovative instrumentation systems for the life sciences Knight-Ridder Information, Inc., a major provider of electronic information to business, research, and scientific professionals BIOSIS, publisher of Biological Abstracts and Zoological Record CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative reagents and kits for the life sciences The UnCover Company, an internationally-known firm that offers article delivery and current issue alerting from 17,000 periodicals. LI-COR, Inc., manufacturer of automated infrared DNA sequencing and genetic analysis systems. The Nest Group, Inc. a value-added distributor of HPLC columns, DNA kits, and electrophoresis gels for biomolecule separation. Sun Microsystems, Inc., a leading provider of solutions for open network computing environments. Academic Press, a leading scientific publisher for more than 50 years. QIAGEN, a leading provider of innovative, user-friendly technologies for nucleic acid and protein purification. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, the leading monthly magazine in biochemisty and molecular biology. Research Diagnostics, Inc., distributor of fine immunochemical products The assistance of these organizations will allow us to continue to provide our service to you beyond the end of our grant this year. Please thank our sponsors for their support of BIOSCI in your communications with them. Sincerely, Dave Kristofferson BIOSCI/bionet Manager biosci-help at net.bio.net


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Belt Kit for Every Occasion…
I,ve noticed a lot of new larkers coming into the service fresh from training school are looking a bit like Officer Tackleberry from Police Academy.
I,m all for enthusiasm and I remember when I first started I always carried a nail punch in my caz box just in case I needed to get through that reinforced window. (Joking.)
Now after the passage of time and gaining experience all I carry are my Tuffcut shears (small, one pair for the use of), pentorch, stethoscope (small size which fits in my side leg trouser pocket), tourniquet and a black pen.
All the other kit is either in the big green bag or on the truck or RRV/RFU.
What useless pieces of kit have you seen people carrying? And what one piece of kit would you like to see issued to all stretcher monkeys?


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Number: 109-20
Date: December 29, 2006
President Bush Signs into Law S. 4091,
the Social Security Trust Funds Restoration Act of 2006
On December 22, 2006, President Bush signed into law S. 4091, the Social Security Trust Funds Restoration Act of 2006. The Act has been designated Public Law 109-465.
The new law:
Provides an appropriation of the amount of funds needed to restore fully the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund from the consequences of a bookkeeping error at SSA that resulted in the overpayment of amounts transferred from each Trust Fund to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 1999 through 2005 as transfers of anticipated taxes on Social Security benefit payments under the voluntary withholding program authorized by section 3402(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (This bookkeeping error did not affect the amounts of taxes that SSA withheld from payments made to Social Security beneficiaries.)
Appropriates an amount to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, equal to the difference between:
The total amount that the Social Security Trust Funds have lost (including interest that would have been earned, calculated at the statutory Social Security investment rate); and
The total amount that the IRS has already refunded to SSA under existing Internal Revenue Code authority (including interest that the IRS paid, calculated at the statutory IRS interest rate).
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to invest the amount appropriated to each Trust Fund in accordance with currently applicable investment policy for that Trust Fund.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in cooperation with the Commissioner of Social Security, to accomplish the required restoration within 120 days after the date of enactment of the Act.
In addition, requires the Secretary of the Treasury to notify Congress in writing of the actions taken not later than 30 days after taking the last action.


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ATLANTA - Police departments in Atlanta and elsewhere are reminding New Year's revelers that celebratory gunfire is illegal and could result in jail time or a fine.
Celebratory gunfire is the act of pointing a gun skyward and firing shots into the air.
Atlanta Police officials say a falling bullet could have the same impact on someone as a shooter aiming and firing at them. Authorities say a bullet fired into the air could rise up to a mile high before gaining velocity during its descent.
In Atlanta, anyone caught firing a gun into the air could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $1,000.


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Early 2012 flagship gets bump up to Android 4.1.2
The Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) update for the Sony Xperia S has begun rolling out. For a few months, now we've heard rumors that Sony was preparing the update to send out and now we finally have confirmation.
The official news comes from Sony's official French Twitter account, which said that the latest version of Android has begun pushing for the first builds. No timeline yet for everyone else, but we expect it shouldn't be too long, so keep checking through the Sony PC Companion app.
Have any of you Xperia S owners received the update yet? We'd love to hear how you like it, so shout out in our Sony Xperia S Forum!
Source: Twitter via Xperiablog


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[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Joe Jonas[/lastfm] is set to rock New York's Ed Sullivan Theater Monday, August 22nd at 9 PM ET/ 6 PM PT, streamed live right here as the latest installment of Live on Letterman.
Even though a very dashing 22-year-old Joe Jonas is working on what is bound to become a successful solo career, he obviously received most of his notoriety by being in a band with his brothers Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas.
We started wondering whether there are any other current, not broken up (see: [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Oasis[/lastfm]) bands that the Jonas Brothers could compare to, so we made this list of our Top 10 Current Bands With Brothers.
10.[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Cage The Elephant[/lastfm]
Punkish, energetic Americana rock band from Kentucky, Cage The Elephant, are renowned for their dynamic stage performances–especially from lead singer [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Matthew Schultz[/lastfm]. At Coachella this year, he was rocking a red sundress while 500 people deep in a mosh pit.
Schultz' brother and bandmate, rhythm guitarist [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Brad Schultz[/lastfm], is less adventurous but there is definitely a lot of talent between these two siblings.


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Difference between revisions of "Eagle's Folly Buttress"
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= Getting There =
= Getting There =
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First ascent: Greg Moseley and Brian de Villiers, 1971
First ascent: Greg Moseley and Brian de Villiers, 1971
[[File:Dec Issue - 2003_Dec Issue - 2003.pdf]]
[[File:Dec Issue - 2003_Dec Issue - 2003.pdf]]
Revision as of 10:50, 20 September 2013
Getting There
Drive out of Montagu into Cogman's Kloof passing the big contorted Cogman's Buttress on your left. Eagle's Folly Buttress appears next, higher up the mountainside. Park and find your way into the stream bed coming down from the buttress. Rock hop your way up and when the stream bed starts getting steep, move out right and zigzag your way up on the right. At the top (you can see over the ridge into Keur Kloof from here) move across left to the base of the buttress.
1. Eagle's Folly 200m 16
This was the first rock climb ever established in the Montagu area. The original write-up was first published in the UCT Mountain & Ski Club's 1971 journal. The RD was re-published in the SA Mountain December 2003 edition.
The route follows the prominent central arête leading to the highest point in the area.
First ascent: Greg Moseley and Brian de Villiers, 1971
The RD in pdf format:
File:Dec Issue - 2003 Dec Issue - 2003.pdf
2. Eagle's Arête 45m 19 S2
At the head of the gully to the left of the main buttress (i.e. the descent gully for Eagle's Folly) lies a striking arête. Eagle's Arête climbs this feature.
Route Description: starting below on the right head up the steep and undercut slab to your left. Head up the face and turn the overhang on the right. Head up the face then bear left to gain the arête. Head straight on up to the top.
First ascent: Guy Paterson-Jones and Hilton Davies, 18 August 2013


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Creating a [Private] Torrent using uTorrent (Guide / Tutorial)
|Private. Only you and the people you send the torrent to know about your torrent.
Your IP address must not change. IP addresses can change if you use a dial-up connection and need to manually reconnect to the Internet every time you switch on the computer.
If you are using a broadband router such as 2Wire, Linksys, DLink, Belkin, etc, chances are that your IP address never changes unless you restart your router. If it does, it can be somewhat subverted with services like No-ip but the downloaders will be need to be told specifically to refresh their DNS when your IP changes
|Simple. Just an on/off switch - not much fuss needed
No control over who can connect to the tracker (unless a firewall is used, advanced). Anyone can connect to your tracker and share their torrent IF and only IF they know your IP address and port number. And you wouldn't know - as uTorrent has no interface to show what is going on in the tracker!
However, the occurrence of this is very rare as the person would need to know your IP address and port. Also, the person can only use your tracker to share files from his own PC so it is a very very minor con.
So which one should you use? If you are creating a torrent only to share with people you know, go with uTorrent's built-in tracker. Else, for torrents that you want anyone to be able to download, go with public trackers.
This step is only necessary if you are using uTorrent's built in embedded tracker. If you are using public trackers, it is not needed and you can skip to the next section.
Checking port ..(Port Number)... on ...(IP Address)...Here is a screen shot to better explain (the IP address is blurred for privacy reasons):
With the information, you can now form the tracker URL. Your tracker URL will be
Port Checker Results and how to obtain your IP address, numbers in the dark blue box shows your IP address
http://(IP Address):(Port Number)/announceFor example, if your port number is 55641 and your IP address is 188.8.131.52, your tracker URL will be:
http://188.8.131.52:55641/announceThe above is just an example. You will need to substitute it with your IP address and port number you obtained above.
Setting bt.enable_tracker to true
You cannot change any part of the download once it is created. For example, if you create a torrent from a folder named 'WEDDING', you must not modify the contents of the folder by adding any new files to the folder as those will not get sent.
Lets start to create a torrent.
http://126.96.36.199:55641/announceOtherwise, if you are using public trackers, simply add the tracker address into the Trackers box.
Create New Torrent, with the boxes filled in. If you are not using utorrent's built in embedded tracker, you don't need to have the 2nd line under Trackers
It's simple - just send the torrent to your friend and your friend simply has to add it to his favorite bittorrent software (such as uTorrent). Just like downloading any other torrent!
Give it some time (up to a minute) for your friend to connect to you. You should see your upload rate start to increase with every peer that begins to download from you. Activity can be monitored in the Peers tab, after you select the torrent row.
Some public trackers may request utorrent to update trackers at only a certain interval (e.g. 30 minutes). If you are not able to right-click the torrent and click 'Update Tracker', the only thing you can do is wait till utorrent gets a new list of peers from the tracker. uTorrent's embedded tracker updates every 5 minutes.
|Must my friend use a torrent client to download my files?
Yes, but you don't really have to install any software to download it. Sites such as Torrent Relay and BitLet allow a user to download the torrent without installing any software. However, when you use such sites, you are letting those sites know information about the torrent you are downloading.
|My internet is slow / online gaming is full of lag / how do I control how much upload bandwidth I use for a particular torrent?
You need to slow down your upload rate. Right-click the utorrent icon in the bottom right at the system tray > Upload Limit > (set a lower rate).
My peers are receiving the error messages "invalid http reply" or "connection closed by peer"?
Another alternative would be to use public trackers instead. Note that using public trackers can end in people you don't know downloading your torrent.
What solutions are there if I am not able to perform port forwarding?
Once the torrent is seeding, go to the Peers tab, right click on a blank area, click 'Add Peer...' and enter the string above for each peer in the seeding computer.
If even other peers are not able to port forward, you should either use a public tracker or find another computer who can host the tracker (not the actual download). Then when you create the torrent, specify the tracker as the other computer's IP. No 'localhost' tracker is required in this case. Ensure that all parties are using at least uTorrent v2 to take advantage of the UDP hole punching feature.
Last Updated 5th July 2010.
Errors? Omissions? Need Help? Know something? Post your queries in the comments below.
This document is Copyright(©) 2008-2010 by G.Ganesh. If this guide has helped you, please consider donating or if you are not able to, add to your favorite social site using the Bookmark link below.
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WiseNET API - Libraries
WiseNET is an information management solutions provider for registered training organizations based in Australia and New Zealand. They help vocational training institutions grow their business with information technology that supports educational programs and customer/student relations. They offer a range of products, including cloud-based financial workflow streamlining, customer satisfaction surveys, professional consultation, and more. WiseNET's API is REST-based and exposes their data posting and retrieval functionality. It returns XML and JSON-formatted data.


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This ring is designed with an argentium sterling silver band accentuated with a 6mm light pink natural rose quartz gemstone. This modern ring was designed for a comfortable fit making it perfect for everyday wear. This pink stone ring is the perfect gift for that special someone!
Made to order in your ring size (ships within 5 days)
The ring will arrive gift-wrapped.
Domestic Shipping includes Delivery Confirmation with tracking.
More Rings in my shop:
3-5 business days
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
In order to determine your correct ring size I recommend having your finger measured at a jewelry store. Most local jewelry stores are happy to assist with ring sizing.
US 4 - Inside Diameter (14.86mm; 0.585") UK & Australia- H 1/2
US 5 - Inside Diameter (15.70mm; 0.618") UK & Australia- J 1/2
US 6 - Inside Diameter (16.51mm; 0.650") UK & Australia- M
US 7 - Inside Diameter (17.35mm; 0.683") UK & Australia- O
US 8 - Inside Diameter (18.19mm; 0.716") UK & Australia- Q
US 9 - Inside Diameter (18.89mm; 0.748") UK & Australia- R 3/4
US 10 - Inside Diameter (19.84mm; 0.781") UK & Australia- T 1/2
✦ For stacking multiple rings on one finger, I recommend getting a half size larger than you normally wear
Custom Engraving is available on the inside of my wedding bands. I am happy to make most rings with Custom birthstones, please message me so we can discuss details.
Production time for standard orders is 2-4 business days pre-shipment. This is the time required to hand-make and prepare your jewelry for shipment. In stock jewelry pieces ship within 1-2 days. Custom orders typically ship within one week.
Standard First Class mail: Please expect 3-6 business days for transit and delivery within the United States.
Priority 2-3 day mail: Please expect 2-3 business days for transit and delivery within the US. (Please note this is an estimate and not a guarantee)
Express 1-2 day mail: Please expect 1-2 business days for transit and delivery within the US. (Please note this is an estimate and not a guarantee)
International orders with Standard First Class International mail please expect 2-4 weeks for transit and deliver via USPS.
Priority International 6-10 days: Please expect 6-10 business days for transit and delivery.
Each Item you order will arrive beautifully packaged in a jewelry gift box tied with ribbon.
I am happy to include a Gift Card with a personalized message. Simply include your gift message in the "note to seller" section at checkout.
I do not include a receipt or invoice unless requested.
Jul 31, 2019
Such a beautiful rose quartz ring! Couldn't be happier! Thank you so much!
Nov 6, 2017
Jul 8, 2017
Jan 29, 2017
Is a very nice ring.
May 6, 2016
It is well made. Fast service.


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Memorial Sloan Kettering breast cancer experts Larry Norton, Tari King, and Jorge Reis-Filho discuss ways to modify some risk factors for breast cancer, such as eating a low-fat, plant-rich diet and taking vitamin D supplements. However, they note that fewer women are getting the disease than in the past.
Doctors will soon have the ability to detect a small number of breast cancer cells, long before they have spread, by analyzing DNA from a patient's blood plasma.
The future of breast cancer treatment rests on additional research to elucidate the biology and behavior of individual tumors, and the development of additional targeted therapies.


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Swords. Why does it always have to be swords?
Excalibur. Stormbringer. Sting. What ever their name, magic blades have held the hearts and imagination of fantasy gamers since the dawn of RPGs. Unfortunately this has led to a somewhat warped and unbalanced view of magical weapons. In most fantasy campaigns I have been involved in over the last 30 years almost every magic weapon was a sword. Part of it is our training from fantasy literature. This has overflowed into the average "treasure chart" most games used, which generated weapons from monster stashes. An overworked and ill prepared GM just takes what the dice rolls up, which is a sword. Players respond in kind; Fighter types drool and pick up any sword, Mages go straight to the staves, and clerical fighters head towards anything that looks like a mace. Which is kind of strange, since fighters can use any kind of weapon and might specialize in non swords, would not magic weapons be made for these other fighters? And in the European Mystic traditions, the sword (or knife) is as valid a tool as a stave. Any adventuring type magic user might have picked up some skills, so why not a sword with the same abilities as a magic wand/ staff. And let us face it, most clerical types, who can harm another, do not have a real aversion to spilling blood. Yet clerical mystic weapons are normally maces - even in game systems where there isn't a class prohibition. So why isn't there a +5 Quarterstaff Holy Avenger out there? Do Gods of Law abhor all weapons other than swords? I have had a fellow player risk every players' character just to save his +1 Halberd because it was a magical non sword. There are just problems with this lethal lack of variety.
What to do about it? Well there is the spending of a few extra moments when you roll up the loot or take the "generic pile", by adding names and "brief" histories to the items. However, since you will be adapting what exists, you will just be getting enhanced swords. The one advantage of this is the players will be using folklore and history skills to possibly identify items they have found.
Like so many things in gaming, by spending a few scant minutes more will add a huge amount of results in the game. And it all starts in the background. Spend a few minutes to assemble a list of Master Craftsmen who had made magical items -and associated schools or works. Work out a thumbnail sketch of their personality, preferences, and foibles. Once you select a Master Craftsmen (or craftswoman), select a hero or several heroes who have wielded the weapon and build up a sort of history for it. (These heroes are usually pre-made and part of your setting's history, so you know the great hero of the Bromian war was Valdemor). Once you create the list of Craftsmen and get the hang of the concept, this is no more trouble than just dropping a name and historical brief and takes almost no additional time.
So now you will develop a weapon item with abilities both real and folkloric (things the story say it can do, which may or may not be true), and a nice little history that is tucked into your world. You can even add the folkloric abilities as powers, as things people believe to be the truth becomes the truth magically speaking. So legends born of epic critical hits or some odd use (such as the weather always changes when the weapon is drawn) can be added to the weapon AND to your game world.
I have found that by taking the few extra moments to make the weapon unique, there is a profound respect for each and every piece of mystic weaponry in the eyes of the players. A lowly +1 weapon is not nearly so insignificant if it had once be wielded by a mighty hero and been instrumental in the overthrow of the Dark Goblin King. (Okay, so the folklore abilities were +2 vs. Goblins and +3 vs the Goblin King). Besides, the resurrected Goblin King will be sure hot to get his hands back on it; just to make sure that some hero wielding it does not stop him again. Add to this that anyone wielding this weapon would be seen as a natural leader to stop the Goblin Hordes, adds a great deal of spice to a fairly low level weapon.
In addition, by taking the time to make each item and relic unique, the unpredictability works wonders keeping the troupe on their toes. Every item is treated carefully because you might not know everything it can do. It also adds to a sense of wonder that magic should have, even in a world with prevalent magic.
Since the GM will be thinking about "mixing it up", you can keep the weapons appropriate to the species, culture, and historical period they come from. So a magical Gladius from the Imperial period, or a bola of burning from the desert nomad, or Elven Spears of Light and Law to fight the orc horde, are now options, without having to work out epic items.
So even if it has to be a sword for thematic reasons, you will realize it does not have to be a generic enchantment. With a little time and effort you can change "standard" magic items into something special. So it might be a magic sword, but it is not going to be a generic magic sword.
Last Aside: One side effect of the process is that players stop harassing the GM for new and more powerful magic items every session or so. They will come to the understanding that each one takes time and thought. This allows the GM to keep the number of magic items to a minimum in the campaign, while still keeping the players properly enthralled with the campaign story and their cool swag. This also keeps the "arms race" of the campaign down to a respectable level (See Speed Limit )