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A 3-month-old infant girl with achondroplasia presented with a 2-month history of snoring without breathing pauses, nasal flaring, chest retraction, or cyanosis. The baby was born at 38 weeks gestation to a 33-year-old mother via elective cesarean section. Apgar score was 9. The father is achondroplastic. At 6 months gestation, fetal ultrasound was consistent with achondroplasia; prenatal and perinatal history was otherwise unremarkable.
Physical exam revealed an alert playful baby with macrocephaly, head circumference of 44 cm (50% percentile achondroplasia chart)1; mid-face hypoplasia; and large anterior and posterior fontanelles. Upper airway was Mallampati IV with 2+ tonsillar enlargement. No excessive palatal arching was noted. Neurologic exam revealed mild hypotonia, lumbar kyphosis, and normal deep tendon reflexes throughout. The remainder of the exam was normal.
Computerized tomography (CT) of the head with 3-dimensional reconstruction showed widening of the metopic, coronal, and sagittal sutures, with patent anterior and posterior fontanelles. Mild foramen magnum narrowing was noted without evidence of cervicomedullary junction stenosis (Figure 1). Diagnostic polysomnogram (PSG) revealed a total sleep time (TST) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 4, with 15 obstructive apneas and 15 central apneas; NREM AHI of 1.8; and REM AHI of 11.6. The apneas were not associated with bradycardia; the lowest heart rate for the night was 95 bpm. The apneas were brief and met American Academy of Sleep Medicine Scoring Manual criteria for duration with 2 missed breaths. The central apneas were associated with 3% oxygen desaturation. The minimum oxygen saturation was 91%. There was no evidence of hypoventilation. The end-tidal CO2 remained below 50 mm Hg for the entirety of the night, with an average of 35 mm Hg.
QUESTION: Which of the findings mentioned above have been commonly associated with achondroplasia?
(A) Open anterior fontanelle with a transverse diameter of 80 mm and an anterior-posterior diameter of 127 mm. (B) Open posterior fontanelle with a transverse diameter of 46 mm and an anterior-posterior diameter of 19 mm. (C) Small short cranial base with mild narrowing of the foramen magnum: 16.8 mm by 18.8 mm.
Three-dimensional reconstructed computerized tomography of the head in a patient with achondroplasia(A) Open anterior fontanelle with a transverse diameter of 80 mm and an anterior-posterior diameter of 127 mm. (B) Open posterior fontanelle with a transverse diameter of 46 mm and an anterior-posterior diameter of 19 mm. (C) Small short...
(more ...)
ANSWER: The following findings are common in children with achondroplasia: macrocephaly; mid-face hypoplasia; persistent open fontanelles; lumbar kyphosis; hypotonia; narrow cervicomedullary junction (CMJ), and both central apneas and obstructive apneas.
Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant mutation in the fibroblastic growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3) gene that affects 1 in 30,000 children and leads to underdevelopment of the long bones formed by endochondral ossification.2 Achondroplasia is a clinical diagnosis based on history, physical examination and skeletal radiography. Prenatal diagnosis is possible through ultrasound or by DNA testing. Most cases are sporadic and associated with increased paternal age. Skeletal features include: macrocephaly with frontal bossing, short stature, proximal short limbs (rhizomelia), midface hypoplasia, and large fontanelles.
A large fontanelle diameter, rapidly increasing head circumference, or radiologic evidence of ventriculomegaly should prompt evaluation for hydrocephalus. In most cases of achondroplasia, a communicating hydrocephalus develops from venous outflow obstruction at the base of the skull and does not require shunting.3 Hydrocephalus has been found in 28% of achondroplastics with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), suggesting a link between hydrocephalus and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with achondroplasia.4
Midface hypoplasia and skull base deformities in achondroplasia due to abnormal ossification may predispose these children to SDB and otologic complications. Otologic complications occur in 68% of achondroplastics and include recurrent acute otitis media, chronic otitis media, tympanic membrane perforation, and hearing loss.5 Up to 75% of achondroplastic children have SDB consisting of obstructive apneas, central apneas, or both. Obstructive apneas are thought to be associated with mid-face hypoplasia and reduction in the nasopharyngeal space.6 Nocturnal hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) without apnea has been found in up to 44% of children with achondroplasia and may represent restrictive lung disease, secondary to a combination of hypotonia, thoracolumbar kyphosis, and a small thoracic cavity.7
Babies with achondroplasia have significantly smaller foramen magnum diameters than unaffected babies, and this difference persists across the lifespan.8 Both obstructive apneas and central apneas have been reported in achondroplastics with foramen magnum stenosis. Compression of the lower motor neurons innervating the respiratory muscles may result in obstructive apneas, while compression of the medullary respiratory centers may lead to central apnea. The increased apneic events, paired with a decreased arousal response may contribute to the increased risk of sudden death, reported in up to 5% of achondroplastics.
Other neurologic consequences of cervicomedullary compression (CMC) include myelopathy with mono-, hemi-, paraor quadriparesis and hyperreflexia/clonus, hypotonia, and dysphagia due to unilateral or bilateral pharyngeal paresis. It is unclear whether the absolute dimension of the foramen magnum is helpful in determining which patient will benefit from decompression.9 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an initial evaluation with a thorough neurologic history, complete physical examination, neuroimaging, and polysomnography, with subsequent annual screening for hyperreflexia and sleep apnea.1 No specific recommendations are given regarding home apnea monitors.
Symptomatic patients with notable CMC on neuroimaging (i.e., a narrow foramen magnum and/or T2 weighted image hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] of the brainstem/cervical spinal cord) should undergo cervicomedullary decompression (CMD).10 CMD has shown to improve the central apneas and the degree of oxygen desaturation.7 The most common surgical complication of CMD is CSF leak and infection. Recurrence of stenosis has also been reported.9
Management of SDB with tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has shown improvement in respiratory indices, arousal indices, oxygen saturation, and hypercapnia.4,7 Treatment of SDB may also have neurocognitive benefits in some patients.11 Oxygen supplementation has been used in premature babies or children with restrictive lung disease. Tracheostomy is effective in severe or emergent cases.7
Respiratory stimulants such as caffeine and doxapram, commonly used for apnea of prematurity and respiratory depression after anesthesia, could be a future treatment option in babies with achondroplasia, due to the stimulation of breathing on the medullary respiratory centers and carotid bodies; however, they have not been evaluated for use in this patient population.12
Our patient underwent three-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) of the cervicomedullary junction without sedation instead of MRI with sedation, because of faster image acquisition time with CT than MRI, and the risks associated with sedating an infant patient with SDB in order to acquire MRI images.
Benefits and risk of CPAP and CMD were discussed with the parents; both the parents and sleep medicine physicians preferred to wait a few months and obtain a repeat PSG. PSG performed 3 months later showed AHI of 0.4, and minimum oxygen saturation of 95%. The improvement in AHI may be attributed to maturity of the brainstem. Prior studies have demonstrated that SDB is more prevalent in infants younger than 12 weeks of age.13
It is the opinion of the authors that in a neurologically asymptomatic baby with achondroplasia, evaluation of apnea with a PSG should be delayed until at least 6 months of age. Our patient is currently stable, does not show signs or symptoms of medullary compression, and continues close follow-up by a multidisciplinary medical team (neurologist, sleep medicine physician, pediatrician, and geneticist).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every infant with achondroplasia should be screened for CMC. The assessment should include a thorough neurologic history, physical, neuroimaging (CT or MRI), and polysomnography.
Repeating neuroimaging should be considered for evaluation of hydrocephalus or symptoms of CMC.
SDB in patients with achondroplasia can include central apnea, obstructive apnea, and hypoventilation
Treatment options for SDB in achondroplasia include: cervicomedullary decompression, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, CPAP, oxygen supplementation, and tracheostomy.
Infants with achondroplasia will benefit from the intervention of a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, geneticists, sleep medicine physicians, pulmonologists, neurologists, otolaryngologists, neuroradiologists, and neurosurgeons.
This was not an industry supported study. The authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
DelRosso LM; Gonzalez-Toledo E; Hoque R. A three-month-old achondroplastic baby with both obstructive apneas and central apneas. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(3):287-289.
Trotter TL, Hall JG, authors. Health supervision for children with achondroplasia. Pediatrics. 2005;116:771–83. [PubMed]
Horton WA, Hall JG, Hecht JT, authors. Achondroplasia. Lancet. 2007;370:162–72. [PubMed]
Ireland PJ, Johnson S, Donaghey S, et al., authors. Medical management of children with achondroplasia: evaluation of an Australasian cohort aged 0-5 years. J Paediatr Child Health. 2012;48:443–9. [PubMed]
Afsharpaiman S, Sillence DO, Sheikhvatan M, Ault JE, Waters K, authors. Respiratory events and obstructive sleep apnea in children with achondroplasia: investigation and treatment outcomes. Sleep Breath. 2011;15:755–61. [PubMed]
Collins WO, Choi SS, authors. Otolaryngologic manifestations of achondroplasia. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;133:237–44. [PubMed]
Zucconi M, Weber G, Castronovo V, et al., authors. Sleep and upper airway obstruction in children with achondroplasia. J Pediatr. 1996;129:743–9. [PubMed]
Mogayzel PJ Jr.; Carroll JL, Loughlin GM, Hurko O, Francomano CA, Marcus CL, authors. Sleep-disordered breathing in children with achondroplasia. J Pediatr. 1998;132:667–71. [PubMed]
Hecht JT, Nelson FW, Butler IJ, et al., authors. Computerized tomography of the foramen magnum: achondroplastic values compared to normal standards. Am J Med Genet. 1985;20:355–60. [PubMed]
Bagley CA, Pindrik JA, Bookland MJ, Camara-Quintana JQ, Carson BS, authors. Cervicomedullary decompression for foramen magnum stenosis in achondroplasia. J Neurosurg. 2006;104 3 Suppl:166–72. [PubMed]
King JA, Vachhrajani S, Drake JM, Rutka JT, authors. Neurosurgical implications of achondroplasia. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2009;4:297–306. [PubMed]
Julliand S, Boule M, Baujat G, et al., authors. Lung function, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in children with achondroplasia. Am J Med Genet A. 2012;158A:1987–93. [PubMed]
Yost CS, author. A new look at the respiratory stimulant doxapram. CNS Drug Rev. 2006;12:236–49. [PubMed]
Kato I, Franco P, Groswasser J, Kelmanson I, Togari H, Kahn A, authors. Frequency of obstructive and mixed sleep apneas in 1,023 infants. Sleep. 2000;23:487–92. [PubMed]


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The National Humanities Alliance will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day March 10-11 in Washington, D.C.
This unique event provides opportunities for participants to:
- connect with a growing network of humanities leaders from around the country;
- communicate the value of humanities research, education, programming, and preservation to Members of Congress;
- explore national humanities policy; and
- become year-round advocates for the humanities.
Sessions and events will be held at George Washington University and on Capitol Hill.
Registration and meeting information is available here.
- Early registration: $75 Deadline: December 31
- Advance registration: $90 Deadline: January 31
- Regular registration: $100 Deadline: March 1
Hotel Accommodations
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Capitol Hill Hotel at a discounted rate of $229/night for March 8-11. To make a reservation, call 800-619-9468 or 202-543-2941 and ask for the National Humanities Alliance block rate, using the group code NHA0314. Availability is limited and hotel reservations must be made no later than February 6, 2014.


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For GCN's upcoming 30th anniversary issue, we are going to be asking government IT professionals what they believe are the most important IT innovations over the past three decades and how they think those technologies are going to shape government in the future.
My part of the package will focus on data centers. So if any of you are government employees who know data centers, drop me a line. What are the most important data center innovations you've seen in the past 20 or 30 years, and where do you think the data center is heading?
With that in mind, I recently stumbled across a preview for a new reality show called Forever Young, where senior citizens and young people have to live in the same house. I was going to flip away, until I saw that the tasks they were performing required both old school and modern technology.
In one challenge, the players had to find their way using both a GPS device and a map. The seniors had to use the GPS with a younger person's help, while the young folks had to use a city atlas. It wasn't surprising that the older folks had trouble with the modern GPS, but I was shocked that the kids didn't know how to read a map. If they didn't have a GPS telling them to "turn left," they were totally lost.
The same thing happened when a document needed to be typed. The seniors had a lot of trouble figuring out how to use the virtual keyboard on an iPad. But the younger people were totally flummoxed when a typewriter was broken out for the second part of the challenge.
Perhaps because I work in technology and am of a certain age, I don't think I would have any trouble with either side of those challenges. I learned how to type on a typewriter, though I've not used one in about 20 years. And I used to zip around my reporting area using a multi-page atlas. I could navigate the thin back roads like a pro, often arriving on the scene of an incident before the fire department. But I can also program a GPS. How about you?
I suspect most people working in government technology today actually fall into the "sweet spot" where they are comfortable with the new technologies but also able to jump in and use the older gear if needed.
What do you think? Are most government employees you work with totally immersed in the newer stuff, and out of luck if they have to navigate a DOS screen? Or are most people in such a balance that they would never be invited to participate on the new TV show?
Posted by John Breeden II on Apr 03, 2013 at 9:39 AM
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London Fashion Week Tickets
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The British Fashion Council (BFC) is enhancing its live and on-demand video coverage of London Fashion Week SS12 in a major new partnership with Rightster.
Rightster's Advanced Video Streaming (AVS) team will work closely with the BFC during London Fashion week, enabling publishers, designers, brand sponsors and advertisers to maximise the value of their involvement with the event. Rightster is providing live streaming support, publisher distribution, monetisation services, and integration of video content across platforms including Facebook.
Rightster's innovative video rights and distribution system will enable international publishers and media partners of the BFC to easily access pre-monetised, official live and on-demand content. The Rightster system will enable publishers to create their own customisable video-playlists, incorporating both their own video and the official BFC content. Publishers can also commission additional, bespoke packages through Rightster to further enhance and differentiate their LFW coverage, tailoring their video to their audiences. BFC-approved titles will be able to utilise 'stream switching' technologies to create their own live TV shows around the event, adding personal commentary to live streams, and interacting directly with their audience.
As part of the BFC's on going commitment to supporting designers through digital innovation, Rightster will provide all designers with the option to live stream their runway shows across multiple sites and platforms including Facebook - offering designers the opportunity to create a lasting legacy around their shows, and build online communities of fashion consumers.
Event sponsors, including Canon and Vodafone will be able to use Rightster to maximise the impact of their sponsorship, through the management and distribution of their branded in-event content, media inventory buying, organising product placement and commissioning additional video content. The BFC will use the Rightster system to retain granular control over all media buys around the official content.
By partnering with Rightster, the BFC is able to continue its commitment to the promotion of UK fashion and design around the world, ensuring international publishers are able to easily access official, sought after LFW content and enabling British designers to promote themselves to a global audience.
Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC, said: "We are working with Rightster to bring the London Fashion Week brand to a worldwide audience. Rightster's innovative system and live video expertise will provide our sponsors, designers and press partners with more ways to innovate and extract maximum value from their involvement in the London Fashion Week event."
Charlie Muirhead, CEO of Rightster said "We're pleased to be bringing Rightster's powerful Advanced Video Streaming solutions to such an iconic event as London Fashion Week. Rightster's system makes the business of distributing, monetising, and promoting live and on demand video content as easy and profitable as possible, helping premium content owners like the BFC focus on bringing quality content to a to a global audience. We're excited to be helping the BFC raise the status of UK fashion around the world."
Please direct all media sales inquiries to email@example.com or email@example.com
Image: Christopher Kane, AW11


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Sen. Paul and the Writs of Assistance
Senator Rand Paul is moving beyond economic issues. His critique of the Patriot Act may be found here.
Sen. Paul lauds James Otis, Jr, the most important opponent of the writs of assistance imposed by the British prior to the American Revolution. By invoking the name of this great patriot, Sen. Paul is trying to recall for Americans the original meaning of our Revolution and Constitution. He is practicing a politics of the original public meaning of America.
An astonishing performance.


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|Guards escort an inmate in a privately-run Arizona facility.
(JENNIFER STEINHAUER/New York Times)
A community resource for monitoring, navigating, surviving, and dismantling the prison industrial complex in Arizona.
To all my AZ friends/family:
Thanks so much for your and likes and hope and encouraging words via FB these past 4 1/2 years. You helped me survive some of the loneliest days and hardest nights I've endured yet by keeping our connections alive across 2000 miles.
My 55th birthday is June 13, 2019, and I plan to celebrate it in PHX (details to be announced). I'm leaving Michigan (god willing) by May 25 - and should land in an undisclosed location in the Deep Southwest soon after.
Here's my PAYPAL link for anyone who wants to shoot me $10 bucks or throw a big impromptu anarchist talent show and pass a hat or something to help me make it home. Once I land I'll be back to work on my art again, and will send a homemade gift to everyone I can...
And don't forget to pick up PJ Starr's 2016 documentary film about the life and death of Marcia Joanne Powell:
so please share with all our friends!!
THANK YOU and MUCH to all, near and far.
|Guards escort an inmate in a privately-run Arizona facility.
(JENNIFER STEINHAUER/New York Times)
Thanks for the plug, APW.


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Apple Sued Over '99-Cent' iTunes Gift Cards
An Illinois couple has filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple for deceptive advertising and breach of contract over iTunes gift cards that advertised 99-cent music downloads despite a price hike to $1.29 on certain songs.
On April 7, Apple did away with digital rights management (DRM), and introduced a tiered pricing plan that offered songs for 69 cents, 99 cents, or $1.29 depending on their popularity. Other digital music stores like Amazon and Wal-Mart quickly followed suit.
Daniel and Barbara Owens purchased "numerous" iTunes gift cards over the years, but the gift cards in questions are a $25 card bought on March 1 from Sam's Club and a $15 card purchased on May 19 from Wal-Mart.
Those cards, the Owens said in a court filing, include a message that says "Songs are 99 cents and videos start at $1.99."
When it increased its prices but kept that wording on its iTunes gift cards, Apple "knowingly and fraudulently misrepresented, concealed, omitted, and/or suppressed the cost to purchase individual songs from its iTunes Internet Web site," according to the suit, which was filed on Wednesday in Illinois District Court.
As a result, the Owens have "paid monies for a product that was worth less than what was represented and/or they have been denied the benefit of their bargain to purchase any song" for 99 cents.
The family is suing for breach of contract and violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act as well as other state consumer protection statutes.
They want Apple to refund the 30 cents people have had to pay to buy certain songs with what they called "99-cent iTunes gift cards" - a sum the Owens suggested would amount to more than $5 million.


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Richard, found your blog/commentary by way of "Humble Dollar". Have now read several of your posts, and have enjoyed them greatly. I've been a "saver" all of my life, and I'm now approaching retirement after 34 years with my employer. Of course I've been reading any and all books and blogs on personal finance and retirement for several years. I was curious, are there any books or blogs that you would recommend? Thanks for all the blogging and tremendous amount of information you provide.
In memory of Edmund Burke, who initiated the Paymaster General Act of 1782, which disallowed government paymasters to draw on money from the Treasury at will, a sculpture by Michael German came to mind of a wiseman bending to pick up a hitherto unnoticed corroded penny he is standing on. I find it sociologically significant that this sculpture was not produced for decades and has been reinstated only in 2013. Dr. G.Heath King
Quinn, you're an idiot! Worse. You are acting like a shill for bought-and-paid-for conservatives, healthcare companies and Wall Street. Why are you doing this? You are trying to convince people that they should be happy struggling to make ends meet in the wealthiest country in the world; that they should be happy that the wealth is "trickling down" to them. In your world view, senior citizens and teachers are living rich, luxurious lives and healthcare costs are not bankrupting families and that social security is enough for seniors to live on in comfort. This is not so. Stop lying to your readers.
I'm guessing that you have lived your life in a bubble of privilege and entitlement and so have no clue what the real world is like for middle class families and the working poor.
Quinn… while much of what you say is true, much of it is highly misinformed as well. For example, in a recent article you stated that the average adult spends $161/month on clothing. I went to the article you cited, and your source was all over the board in terms of its assertions. The very same article states that the average man spends $323/year ( $27/month) and the average woman spends $571/year ( $48/month) Later, it indicates that a family of 4 with an above average income spends approx $2440 or $51/person per month. I have no idea where they came up with $161/month.
Many, or rather most, of your other assertions were equally uninformed.
I enjoyed your article (Blog?) on "14 lies about money that Americans can't seem to shake" that appeared on msn under Market Watch on June 6 2019. I would like to make one comment on #4:
4. "Teachers are underpaid." It isn't possible to pay good teachers commensurate with the value they bring to a community or a child. But generally, they aren't underpaid. Yes, you need to consider their salary. But you also need to consider vacation time, benefits while working and benefits received once retired, notably pension benefits.
Under #4 "Teachers are underpaid." Your thinking is very good, but there is one common misconception that is perpetuated: that is that teachers get "vacation time." When I worked as County Planner for some 8 years I did get paid vacation and holiday benefits. After I went into teaching for the next 25 years, I got no paid vacation nor paid holidays. That, I believe is very standard in almost every teacher contract. We used to jokingly call it an annual contract as a (decently paid) day laborer. Also, most school districts pay their teachers only 9 or 10 times a year. The smart teacher's would take and divide the annual salary by twelve and set up a savings plan to balance the usable funds to cover every month of the year. The medical benefits usually cover the entire calendar year and in many districts continue until the retiree is eligible for Medicare.
Thanks for listening! And I'm going to start following your blog.
I'd like to add one more money waster to your list: pets. I have two cats who seem to be requiring more and more veterinary care as they age. Once they pass, I won't be replacing them.
I also have a problem with some of your points in Market Watch on June 6, 2019. For one, teachers are underpaid. Once, long ago I graduated thinking I wanted to teach elementary school. Then I learned what I would be paid vs what the same degree would earn me in Corporate America. (Spoiler, 2X that of a teacher plus at the time a pension and a 401K.) Even working summers, I was going to have to have 3 roommates vs instead flipping to the dark side and purchasing a house within a year of graduation.
These days I sit on a school accountability board and get to see the balance sheets. In business, I'm paying kids out of school (so like still in diapers needing their nose wiped they are so young) more than teachers at our local school who are 20 yr veterans of education. (60K BTW.) While no one goes into teaching for the money, the pay cannot be so low as to not being able to afford the cost of living, daycare, etc in the communities they serve. Also, my degree in education did not cost less than other degrees. I'm just very lucky financially I decided to not use it.
Your article had some good and bad points and I hate politics so I'm going to comment on your last item — Shopping carts. With the way most stores are automaticing and cutting workers' hours and numbers, leaving the shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot means one of the employees has to come pick them up –can have a machine do that!! — so for the little guy it just may be job security for them.
I think you also get this one wrong:
"Social Security is going bankrupt." Wrong again. As long as there are taxes coming in, Social Security can't go bankrupt. But when the Social Security trust fund is depleted, the incoming taxes won't be sufficient to pay 100% of promised benefits.
It depends, of course, on what you mean by "bankrupt". That's a legal term that doesn't really apply to a government, particularly one capable printing money.
But, colloquially, I think a fair definition of "bankrupt" is whether Social Security will be able to keep the promises it has made to retirees (without inflating it away). And, in that sense, Social Security not only CAN go bankrupt — it is almost guaranteed, given the demographic trends of fewer children and longer life spans.
Will Social Security be able to pay *something* of what was promised? Sure. But, that's just fudging the definition of bankrupt — if a business can only pay part of its debts, it's bankrupt!
I read your "lies about money that Americans can't seem to shake".
Some of them were good. If I may suggest, though, I think you're missing a very big part of the Social Security picture.
Consider your statement: "Nobody stole the Social Security trust fund. It's invested in special interest-generating Treasury bonds. Last year, those bonds paid $80 billion in interest, which was then used to pay Social Security benefits."
OK, but tell me…where does the interest on those bonds come from? In other words, who pays the cash to pay the interest? The answer is…current taxpayers!
So, imagine there was no "fund". Where would the money to pay benefits come from? Um, that's right, from taxpayers.
So, what difference does having the fund make? Zero, zilch, nada. The bonds the trust fund holds can't even be traded (that's what makes them "special").
Where did the bonds come from? Well, historically, Social Security tax revenue exceeded the benefits needing to be paid. Congress took the cash from that surplus and "bought" these bonds from the Treasury. Then, they spent the cash in the Treasury! The trickery is that they "bought" something they can, themselves, print as much of as they want (these special bonds).
It's not inaccurate to say that the "fund" is simply an accounting measure of the taxes received by Social Security, but used to pay for other things. It's incredibly dishonest and almost completely misunderstood by taxpayers.
I read your article "14 Lies about money that Americans can't shake" and I must take exception to number 10 Members of Congress are paid too much. You state that they have to either move to D.C. or have two residences which they can't do on their salaries. I worked in D.C and lived in Norther VA while keeping my permanent residence in Southeastern PA on far less that the salary of a member of congress. I was making $98,500.00 and didn't have any trouble managing. At the time I had just built a new home and had 2 children, so do blow smoke up my butt about what it takes to keep 2 residences.
Another way to see how meaningless the "Trust Fund" is:
How Congress takes all government revenue, this year, and "puts it in the trust fund". That is, they give the money to the Treasury in exchange for 4 trillion or so in "special bonds". Then, they spend the money in the Treasury as they normally would. We can do that every year! The trust fund will never run out!
Absurd? Well, that's no different than what's been happening for the last 50 years.
Did Congress steal the money? Well, depends on what you mean by steal. But, they certainly didn't do anything that would ease the burden on future taxpayers.
Read your article article "10 retirement lessons from a retired retirement pro" I would like to ask a few questions.
In bullet 2 about emergency funds you mention that you must replenish it if used. Well, if not working how is that done?
Bullet 5 about inflation, I don't understand the pool of money concept. I start with a desired salary at 1st yr of retirement and increase each year by inflation…well what my model does…does this accomplish the same thing?
Can you advise what percent of withdrawal for retirement would be if one was working to age 80?
If the recommended percent is 4% at 65, what would the percentage be for 70,75,80?
I never see any information addressing this question beyond age 65.
Thank You
When the social security retirement age is raised, people who work dangerous jobs are less likely to receive money from Social Security.
When the retirement age is raised, black men and black women are less likely to receive money from Social Security. 1st read this about 26 years ago – differences in life expectancy of black men verse white men.
Raising the Retirement Age: A Sneaky Way to Reduce Social Security Benefits
Some Republicans candidates are promoting a policy change that would hurt workers subsidizing it with a pleasant-sounding phrase
The Atlantic on net – 2015
Over 80,000 have died while on waitlist for Social Security Disability since 2003.
GAO discussed Social Security Disability backlog in 2003.
CBS discussed deaths while on waitlist for Social Security Disability in 2008.
Over $2 trillion of $21 trillion national debt is owed to Social Security.
Most Republicans in Congress chose to murder people. Republicans and Democrats took over $2 trillion from Social Security and then most Republicans in Congress refused to spend the billions needed to end the Social Security Disability backlog by hiring more Administrative Law Judges, other Social Security employees including those who investigate fraud.
Added Sales tax on mining to help pay for Social Security to help Social Security and help deal with harm caused by Mining Law of 1872. Keep in mind I wrote sales tax and not one time royalty fee.
It is most of my plan for Social Security. It includes ways to bring in new revenues to Social Security and help people save for retirement.
What we should have done in Puerto Rico is discussed using military history including Operation VARSITY World War 2.
Dear R.D. Quinn::
I wrote to GAO dealing with Social Security disability.
GAO wrote me back so I wrote back to GAO about Social Security and other topics.
If you want to get an email from me that includes the letters and some other info, please send me an e-mail.
The first commandment for retirement should be "don't use the term 'retire' — use 'transition', or something that denotes to your brain that you are not stopping, but moving forward to something else. 'Retire' denotes 'stop' and you don't want your brain to grasp this thought.
Dick, My wife is turning 65 in October and I'm struggling to find information on whether she needs to purchase A Supplement Plan, Advantage Plan or keep her covered as a spouse under my retiree medical plan. All I can find are definitions of what Supplement Plans are versus Advantage Plans but no guides as to why you would choose one over the other. My wife has no medical conditions and takes no medications. Our out of pocket costs have been miniscule for years. Other that making sure her doctors are covered by a particular plan is there anything else we should consider? I understand that if you don't sign up for a Supplement plan initially it may be difficult to coverage later for a serious condition. Is it worth paying for a supplement plan now just to ensure that she can get coverage at a later date should it become neccessary? Thanks
Maybe the solution to trying to find a health plan that fits all is Medicare! Everyone uses Medicare for their health plan and no one can sue a doctor!! (At least Medicare doesn't discriminate against people with existing conditions!!)
Thanks for your commentary today on drug companies and doctors. Once HR always HR thinking. I miss those tidbits you used to send out thru the company and on email. It's true. We watch all these commercials and many ask their doctor for those drugs. I look at the commercials; hear all the side affects and think who would ever take that drug??? And Obamacare; they took $738 BILLION out of our Medicare $$ to pay for the plan and the credits given to mostly under 65's and then tell us the plan is going broke. My one girlfriend works for RWJ and they changed over to the NEW Horizon plan; she needed orthopedic surgery and they have a group that works in EVERY one of RWJ hospitals but they are not on the plan. So she may have to pay 6000 for the surgery she had AFTER Horizon said they'd cover it.
I am agreeing with you post on underfunded public pensions. Most long-seniority or retired public employees (the so-called "pension millionaires") likely realize that promised pensions are unsustainable and THEIR current motive is to "get theirs" before the pension funds and tax aquifers run dry. Keep in mind that it takes $1 million or more set aside to pay a lifetime pension of $60,000 per year and that million increases as you reckon the cost of health benefits and early retirement.
There might be a possibility for a limited federal "guarantee" that states and municipalities could opt into. I am not talking about a "bailout" where federal money would be involved. I am talking about an insurance program that would protect those public pensions that had been actually earned through long service. The monthly amount guaranteed would be capped at a reasonable amount (say $3000) and pensions derived from spiking, double-dipping, etc. would NOT be covered. Furthermore, to have access to this program, the existing pension fund assets that had been accumulated would have to be turned over to the feds to manage (an independent agency free of congressional raids) plus the states or municipalities would have to pledge a guaranteed revenue stream going forward. The pension millionaires would sue, of course, but hopefully they would pay their own legal fees and the lower-paid employees would prevent use of the pension funds to pay plaintiffs' lawyers. The main object would be to get the existing pension funds set aside to provide benefits over the long term for all employees rather than have those funds used up in the next 5-10 years.
Those who claim public pensions in excess of the guaranteed amounts would have their legal claims, of course and union leadership will go bonkers. They will sue once they miss a pension payment and some courts will say that it's unconstitutional. However, due to the separation of powers doctrine, courts cannot order state legislatures to raise taxes or to appropriate funds for pension benefits for the few. So the pension millionaires will be suing pension plans whose funds have been set aside for everyone in the system. They will also sue cities and school districts that are essentially bankrupt and which (if necessary) can file for bankruptcy. Many of these plaintiffs may learn that their claims are uncollectable and decide to accept the guaranteed amount.
This idea is "not nice" of course and a lot of peoples' expectations and plans will be upset. Generally we believe in keeping the promises that are made. However, in the public sector, it's all the taxpayers who have to part with money to pay people who are retiring in their 50s with COLA-adjusted pensions and lifetime health insurance. These taxpayers have no expectation or hope of pensions and benefits comparable to what has been promised to the pension millionaires. The "fault" probably rests with former legislatures who made large promises to gain votes — but those people don't have the resources to pay for the damages they have caused … and they probably have immunity from liability in any event. So as a society, we have to work this out in the fairest possible way to everyone.
I just turned 65 and started Medicare. I am not collecting Social Security. When would I have to start taking Social security Benefits and Paying Part B from Social Security to avoid the Premium Increase.
Last year my daughter had insurance with Obamacare, we helped he by paying additional so she could have A silver plan. Any bronze plan she could have had paid did not have any doctors within 100miles that she could go to. This year she applied and has now dropped below their poverty level. Federal assistance in Obamacare will help only those 100% to 400% of poverty level. Below the Federal poverty level they want you on Medicaid. Medicaid in Florida denied her because she makes too much money working. She could be better off financially and have Medicaid if she quit her job, but wants to improve her situation, not be on relief, and do more with her life!
One benefit they did give her is an exemption number for her tax filing for 2015, they will not fine her if she has no insurance for the year. Moral here is don't be too poor or you will get no help at all!
Another kicker for her is that her work will allow her only 28 hours max a week due to their avoiding providing health care as required for full time employees with the Obamacare law!
All of the doctors in the Florida Bronze plans are in the west coast area of the state, none on the east coast area where my daughter lives.
WE ARE NOT MAKING IT WITH THE CURRENT STATUS Ralph
FLORIDA CONGRESSMEN 2.9 BILL???? Food for Thought! The USA IS GETTING ABOUT $400 MILLION FROM THE BILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY? OK , I did some MATH from statistic from ssa gov web pages. $882,264,000 annual pay out to 65,098 SSA people. TIMES 2.9 percent equals $25,585,656??? is something wrong?? NO COLA 3 TIMES SINCE 2008 of 4 IN THE LAST 40 YRS. But Federal gets a COLA. JUST SAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CORRECTION BENEFICIARIES ARE IN THOUSANDS– so that is about 65 million people. Sorry
Obviously this writer voted for Obama and subscribes to the, less work more benefits from the government theory. The fact that she even posted that letter indicates how she perceives her worth and lack of abilities. What a wast of an education which I am sure she worked very hard for.
I do not have a comment on the above. I wanted to get your thoughts on why everyone is only concentrating their concerns on the amount owed by the student in student loans and not on what I think is also very important…How much the parents take out and will have to pay back into their retirement years. I saved for my children's college tuition but no where near what it takes now to put them through college. Every year that I get the bill, the amount we receive in aid is less and the cost of the tuition goes up by $5000.00. I figured if things keep going the way they have already, my wife and I will be indebt in the amount of $120,000.00 for my two kids to get a four year degree. Talk about a bubble waiting to happen!
Can you explain to me, then, how my grandma, who receives about $600/month in SS is now having about $400 taken out for insurance under Obamacare? She will have about $200 to live on for the entire month. This is not a "what's gonna happen" rumor, but an "it is now a reality".


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The United Kingdom should lose its AAA credit rating and be cut by four notches to A+, according to analysts at Danske Bank in Copenhagen. Having reviewed the UK's fiscal health using the same methodology as that employed by Standard & Poor's, Danske said Thursday, it is now predicting Britain will lose its AAA rating in 2012.
"Without adjusting for 'exceptional factors,' we conclude that the United Kingdom should be given an A+ rating, i.e. four notches below the current rating," said Danske Chief Analyst John M. Hydeskov in a research note.
"A downgrade of the UK could in our view happen in 2012. We believe it can remain a market theme into 2013. This prediction should however be treated cautiously as our analysis suggests a relatively large political element in the rating process," he said.
The UK Treasury, however, is confident that its actions on cutting spending will not result in UK debt being downgraded.
"As a result of the UK Government's fiscal plans, the UK has had its credit rating affirmed by all of the major ratings agencies," the UK Treasury said in an email to CNBC.
And despite Danske's claims of using S&P's methodology to judge credit ratings, S&P itself affirmed for CNBC that it stands by its current rating and indicated no downgrade is under consideration.
"We have explained very clearly the rationale for our UK rating and we stand by that," the ratings agency said. S&P downgraded the U.S. in early August, jolting markets.
Mark Ostwald, a strategist at Monument Securities, agreed with Danske, however, that the outlook for the UK is weak, though he questioned the extent of the bank's downgrade forecast.
"Four notches is a little extreme—the UK should be on outlook negative as they won't meet their projected targets," Ostwald told CNBC.com on Thursday.
"The UK faces the same risk as everyone else, the financial sector," he said. "The (Bank of England) needs to buy bank bonds, but that would be a very tough sell as it would be seen as another bailout for the banks, not the economy."
Danske laid out five factors it focuses on in order to judge a sovereign credit rating : "1) Institutional effectiveness and political risks, 2) Economic structure and growth prospects, 3) External liquidity and international investment position, 4) Fiscal performance and flexibility, as well as debt burden and 5) Monetary flexibility."
Britain's coalition government has to a large extent staked its credibility on its management of UK debt since coming into power. The newly created Office for Budget Responsibility is confident about Britain's debt burden, but Hydeskov disagrees with its main assumptions.
"Real growth could in our view be substantially lower; the GDP deflator could be somewhat lower and the deficit might be harder to reduce than projected. Rather than peaking in 2013-14 and easing slightly towards 69 percent of GDP in 2015-16, we find that the debt burden in our most likely scenario will rise throughout our forecast horizon and reach 84 percent of GDP in five years' time," Hydeskov said.
Markets have speculated that the Bank of England could be close to pumping more money into the system via a second round of quantitative easingand Bill Gross, who runs the world's biggest bond fund at Pacific Investment Management Company (Pimco), believes UK Chancellor George Osborne should take the foot off the austerity brake in order to support growth.
The yieldon the 10 year Gilt is just 2.26 percent indicating the bond market believes Britain has some of the safest debt in the world.
"The market reaction to a UK downgrade is uncertain with interest rates at depressed levels due to the risk of another global recession . Some investors might attach a higher risk premium to UK assets. The pound can be negatively impacted," said Hydeskov.


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ARLINGTON - Justin Grimm joined the Texas rotation as a stopgap.
The rookie right-hander pitched more like an ace Thursday.
Mitch Moreland hit a two-run homer, and Grimm took a shutout into the sixth inning to help the Rangers snap their first three-game losing streak of the season with a 9-5 interleague victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Grimm (5-3) allowed four hits through five innings while Texas cooled off Arizona starter Brandon McCarthy on the way to a 9-0 lead.
The AL rookie leader in wins and strikeouts was replaced after Arizona's three-run sixth, and trails only ace Yu Darvish in victories on the Texas staff.
Grimm, 24, who made his debut last year, came up from the minors in April when opening day starter Matt Harrison went on the disabled list with back trouble.
He figured to stick around awhile with Harrison out until at least August, and was the AL rookie of the month for April. He gave up eight hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts in his third straight May win after starting the month with all three of his losses.
"He's gotten better as far as confidence-wise, believing and knowing that belongs here," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "It just a progression with young guys. He continues to get better. You can see it in his face. You can see it when he takes the mound in his mannerisms."
McCarthy (2-4) had allowed one run in 25 innings when the Rangers scored six in a span of four outs in the second and third.
The outburst started when center fielder A.J. Pollock misplayed a line drive by Nelson Cruz into a double. Pierzynski brought Cruz home with a double and scored on a two-out single from Leonys Martin.
The Rangers went up 6-0 in the third on three straight run-scoring hits - a double from Adrian Beltre, a single by Cruz and a two-run homer from Moreland that hit near the top of the foul pole in right.
McCarthy lost for the first time since April 26 in his shortest outing of the season. He gave up nine hits and six runs in just 2 2-3 innings.
"I didn't have any life on my stuff," said McCarthy, whose ERA at Rangers Ballpark is 7.65 in four starts since he left Texas in 2009. "It was a fight for me. A good lineup hits those pitches. It's not an easy lineup to get out."
Grimm lost his shutout when he gave up four straight hits in the sixth, starting with a double from Paul Goldschmidt, who tied a career high with four hits. An error by Martin in center on a single by Miguel Montero led to an unearned run.
"It's just all about battling and competing against these guys," Grimm said. "Be aggressive with them, but not overly aggressive obviously."
The Rangers beat the Diamondbacks after they were swept in a doubleheader in Arizona on Monday and had the first of two games in Texas rained out Wednesday night.
Moreland was hit by a pitch on the shoulder by reliever Josh Collmenter the next time he came up after his 11th home run and scored on a two-run single from Elvis Andrus that made it 9-0.
"Honestly, I hadn't even thought about us losing three games," Moreland said. "We're going to go out and play our style of ball. We got out of it for a couple of games, but came back out today and made it work and it was a good win for us."
The Diamondbacks got within 9-5 in the seventh on RBI singles from Goldschmidt and Martin Prado off Texas reliever Michael Kirkman. Neal Cotts replaced Kirkman with two outs and struck out Montero with the tying run on deck.
Arizona had the tying run on deck again in the ninth when Robbie Ross got a game-ending double play from Cliff Pennington, who replaced Eric Chavez in the first inning after Chavez strained his right oblique on a swing.
"The guys came back," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.
Texas prospect Jurickson Profar had a career-high three hits a day after learning that his stay with the Rangers would be at least two weeks longer because second baseman Ian Kinsler's rib injury has been slow to heal.
Moreland and David Murphy, who hit his fifth homer, were among four Rangers with two hits.
Notes: Gibson said Chavez was on his way back to Arizona for an MRI. If Chavez is headed for the disabled list, the Diamondbacks might bring up Willie Bloomquist from a weeklong rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno. ... The Texas grounds crew stayed until 2 a.m. after a high winds from a thunderstorm prevented the crew from getting the tarp down before heavy rainfall. Both baselines were swamped and had to be rebuilt.


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The research report insight "Worldwide Active and Intelligent Packaging Market report" offers the crucial estimation of the market. Our Active and Intelligent Packaging endeavor expert intensely resolve the crucial parts of the global report. It also provides a Active and Intelligent Packaging market accurate evaluation regarding the future innovations depending on the previous information and present condition of Active and Intelligent Packaging market circumstance. We have study the principals, participants in the Active and Intelligent Packaging market, geographical areas, Active and Intelligent Packaging market product type, and end-user applications. The global Active and Intelligent Packaging market report serves essential and auxiliary information which is illustrated as pie-charts, systematic outlook, and reference diagrams. The report is introduced capably, that contains fundamental argot, important market review, understandings, and certain realities according to consolation and cognizance.
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Q. A credit card company is suing me. If it wins, what can it do? Can it take the money I have in the bank or my IRA? Can it put a lien on my house? I am worried about what will happen next.
A. If the creditor wins in court, it will be awarded a "judgment" against you. The creditor must then "execute," or enforce that judgment. In Texas, a homestead is "exempt" and generally cannot be taken to satisfy a judgment. In other words, you will not lose your house. Most personal property also is exempt, up to $30,000 for a single person and $60,000 for a family, and cannot be taken to satisfy a judgment. Finally, money in an IRA also is exempt and may not be taken. Money in the bank, however, such as a checking or savings account, is not exempt and may be taken to satisfy the judgment. After the creditor is awarded a judgment, it may ask the court for a "writ of garnishment" to attach your bank account. The money in the account will then be applied to the amount you owe. You do not want to leave a lot of money in a checking or savings account after you are sued. To learn much more about what can happen after you are sued, look at the debt collection section on my Web site, www.peopleslawyer.net [2].
Q. A debt collector is hounding me for car loan I could not afford to pay. He told me he would settle if I paid 50 percent right now. He also told me he would sue and my wages would be garnished if I didn't settle. I can't afford to pay, but I am afraid I will lose my job if my wages are garnished. Any suggestions?
A. I have a suggestion — tell the debt collector that you know your rights and that in Texas there is no wage garnishment for this type of debt. Wages may be garnished only for child support, student loans and certain taxes. You should also let him know you know about our state and federal debt collection laws that he has violated by threating to take action prohibited by law. Then, offer to pay what you can afford, as settlement in full of the debt. My guess is that the discussion will go much better once the debt collector knows you know your rights.
Q. Does a landlord have to pay interest on money he holds as a security deposit.
A. In Texas, a landlord does not have pay interest on a security deposit. In light of current interest rates, you are no losing very much.
Q Is a pre-nup the same as a will?
A. A will is the document you prepare to deal with your property after death. A pre-nuptial agreement is what you sign before getting married to determine how property will be divided during marriage or after a divorce. They are very different documents and serve a very different purpose.
Q. I have a power of attorney for my 87-year-old mother. The nursing home where she is staying has started sending her bills to me. Am I responsible for her debts because of the power of attorney?
A. If the home is sending you her bills to pay on her behalf, you should not be concerned. On the other hand, if they are billing you personally for her obligations, you need to make it clear that you are not a responsible party. The power of attorney gives you the right to sign documents and act on behalf of your mother, but it does not make you responsible for her debts. For example, it gives you the right to pay her nursing home bills from her accounts. It does not, however, make you responsible if she doesn't pay. For you to be responsible to the nursing home, you must agree to pay. Unless you have signed something or otherwise agreed to pay her bills, you have no liability. I suggest you promptly contact the nursing home and clarify your liability.
Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Visit my Web site, www.peopleslawyer.net.
[1] http://theexaminer.com/users/richard-alderman
[2] http://www.peopleslawyer.net
[3] http://theexaminer.com/features/commentary


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Billie Joe Armstrong is slowly pulling his life back together.
In September, the Green Day frontman checked into rehab following an onstage meltdown at a show in Las Vegas that forced the band to cancel a slew of tour dates.
Now, in an interview with Rolling Stone, the 41-year-old rocker opens up about just how far off the deep end he'd gone during his darkest drug-fueled days.
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong checks into rehab after onstage meltdown
"I couldn't predict where I was going to end up at the end of the night," he tells the mag in its latest issue.
"I'd wake up in a strange house on a couch. I wouldn't remember how. It was a complete blackout."
At the iHeartRadio festival in Vegas last September, Armstrong went bonkers during a profanity-laced, guitar-smashing rant, yelling, "What the f--k! I'm not f--king Justin Bieber, you motherf--kers," among other things.
Two days later, the singer checked into rehab for what his rep confirmed were substance-abuse issues.
Green Day cancels remaining 2012 appearances, 2013 concert dates postponed
"I remember tiny things," Armstrong says about his infamous Vegas fracas. "The next morning, I woke up. I asked [my wife] Adrienne, 'How bad was it?' She said, 'It's bad.' I called my manager. He said, 'You're getting on a plane, going back to Oakland and going into rehab immediately.'"
The band has since announced new tour dates for this spring, and last December, Armstrong assured fans that he was on the mend as he expressed his gratitude for their support.
"I just wanted to thank you all for all the love support you've showed for the past few months," he wrote on Instagram. "Believe me, it hasn't gone unnoticed and I'm eternally grateful to have such an amazing set of friends and family. I'm getting better everyday."


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Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day
by J.S. Holland
Happy 4th of July!
In no particular order and off the top of my head, these are some of the things I'm working on for the future, goals for the next few years:
First and foremost, more books. Lots of them. Over the last year, the requests I've received for e-books has increased exponentially. I've not been a fan of e-books myself, but there's no denying that this is the way things are headed. And though I lament the death of paper, if people tell me they want e-books, I listen. I'm talking to several different publishers right now, assessing my options, trying to decide if I want to go through them or if there's any reason not to just start my own e-publishing imprint and cut out the middlemen. I continue to welcome your opinions on the subject of e-books and e-readers.
There are a lot of writing projects cluttering up my desk these days - a couple of crime-detective-noir novels I've been working on, plus projects devoted to specific local subjects like Springheel Jack, The Pope Lick Monster, and Kentucky artists. Theoretically Weird Cemeteries for Sterling is still a go, but it seems to be held up in Development Hell for reasons known only to my editors and publisher. My cemeteries book will see the light of day, however, in the next two years one way or another.
I'm still very excited about working for KyForward, a news website focusing on the Bluegrass area (Lexington and surrounding counties) with a consciously positive, upward-toned sense of civil discourse. Which, as you must know, is all too rare on the internet these days. If you'd like to support such a venture, potential advertisers, please contact them and inquire about ad rates! We're also kicking around the idea of doing video content, including an interview show hosted by yours truly.
And I still love Kentucky Monthly magazine! You can find my column, Commonwealth Curiosities in each issue. If you don't see it at your local newstand or bookstore, bug 'em till they stock it! (Having said that, though, it's a hugely popular magazine and getting more popular all the time; I don't think I've ever seen a reputable store that didn't carry it.)
I'm still a painter first and foremost, although hyping my primitive neo-expressionist outsider-folk-art flavored canvases has taken a back seat in the last couple years to everything else. I aim to rectify that in the weeks and months ahead, with a renewed drive to get these paintings in the hands of as many people as possible, by any means necessary. Do you want a JSH original in your home or office? Talk to me. It's so doable. I offer interest-free payment plans for every budget. (And my Happy & Froggie painting that was featured in the film When Happy Met Froggie is still available, although its price has gone up since the movie was released.)
Something else I've been slowly putting together over the years is material for an Unusual Kentucky museum - something that would be not only a legitimate educational and historical museum, but also take a truly "Weird Kentucky" spin on the whole thing, showing cultural artifacts of the Commonwealth that might be a little - okay, a lot - fringier than what you might see at the Frazier. There have been some nibbles of interest in the concept from parties in both Louisville and Lexington, but I'm holding out until I get a guaranteed deal that gives me control over the place if it's going to be using my name. There are some recent rumblings that give me hope this thing will actually happen, and sooner than later. Keep your fingers crossed with me; it's gonna be a lot of fun.
Those are the primary projects on my front burners, but there's plenty more still bubbling under. My interest in Kentucky's horse industry is going to manifest in some way sooner or later, we'll see. A couple more goals I have: I intend to operate a Steampunk-themed bar and a hillbilly/exotica miniature golf course (the crazy over-the-top kind with giant statues and weird gimmicks like you see down in Pigeon Forge) before I die. All in time. Wait and see. (And when that retro bar does come to life, my bartending blog Transmissions from Agent J will be pressed back into service.)
There's still more. A lot more. This'll do for now though. Stay tuned to JSH News for the latest updates on my dreams and schemes! And remember, I can always be reached, by anyone on the planet, at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also text me on Twitter or just pick up the phone and call me at 502.649.3378. Find me.
Posted by Transylvania Gentlemen at 12:16 PM
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Krugman's Fannie Mae Fantasyland
An insightful op-ed in yesterday's Financial Times by Raghu Rajan (who will be presenting his latest book soon here at Cato), apparently was too much for Paul Krugman to bear. What was Rajan's great crime that so upset Krugman? Rajan, correctly, pointed out that US policies, such as Fannie Mae and the Community Re-investment Act, were direct contributors to the financial crisis and that bankers shouldn't be blamed for simply reacting to perverse government incentives.
Now Krugman cannot bear to see CRA and Fannie questioned. He claims that Rajan is relying on some blind faith that has been disproven by all thinking people. Krugman offers two points (his supposed "facts") that prove Fannie Mae and CRA are innocent.
First, he argues that the bad lending was done not by banks covered by CRA, but by non-banks that were exempt from CRA. Now in Krugman's defense, there is a grain of truth to this. For instance, up until its purchase of a thrift, Countrywide, the largest subprime player, was not covered by CRA. However, comparing Countrywide to say Bank of America, which was covered by CRA, misses a crucial point: these non-CRA lenders were selling their loans to Fannie and Freddie, who were getting housing goal credit for those loans. For instance, 25% of Fannie's whole loan purchases were from Countrywide. So rather than, as Paul claims that CRA didn't matter, what the comparison shows is that the GSE housing goals were more damaging than CRA.
Krugman tries to cover this base by claiming that Fannie and Freddie were "sidelined by Congress" during the worst years of the boom. As someone who spent the boom years as staff on the Senate Banking Committee, I found that claim to be insane. For every Senator Shelby who tried to sideline the GSE's, there was 10 Senators Sarbanes, Dodd and Schumer who pushed the GSEs to do more. Krugman needs to move past empty assertions and offer some, any, evidence that Congress sidelined Fannie and Freddie.
What evidence he does offer is to show that during the boom, the percent of the market that was securitized by Fannie/Freddie fell, while the percent securitized by the private-label market increased. Krugman has that fact correct, yet he misses a critical point. That increase in private-label securities was being funded/purchased by Fannie and Freddie.
As my chart illustrates, the more involved were Fannie and Freddie in purchasing subprime MBS, the more the subprime market grew. During the bubble years, Fannie and Freddie were the largest single source of liquidity for the subprime market. And the chart doesn't even take into account all the subprime whole loans being purchased by the GSEs.
Sadly Krugman has his facts on CRA wrong as well. I point the reader to Ed Pinto's work in this area, as well as my post on CRA from a few months ago.
We have little hope of avoiding a future financial crisis if we do not undo all the perverse government incentives for irresponsible lending. Krugman's presentation of selective and misleading data only makes true and meaningful reform all the more difficult.


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A total of 141 teams will discover the path they must take to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia today when the Preliminary Draw takes place at the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg at 18.00 local time (17.00 CET).
Russia have already qualified as hosts, and the other 52 European nations have been split into six pots based on Fifa's July rankings. Gibraltar are not involved as they are not a member of Fifa, despite being a Uefa member.
The nine top seeds in Europe will first be drawn into a group. For TV rights purposes, England, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands will be drawn into groups of six teams, as will Italy and France from pot two.
A team from each of the other four or five pots will then be drawn into each group to make up the nine groups. Games will be played from September 2016 to October 2017.
The nine group winners will progress to the finals, while the eight best runners-up will take part in play-offs in November 2017.
The FIFA confederations of Africa, Oceania, South America and Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) will also be involved.


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Rock Talk: Mortensen decision still looms after the win
SAN DIEGO — If nothing else, Clayton Mortensen made it a difficult decision. Pitching to remain in the rotation, Mortensen threw six scoreless innings in Monday's victory over the Padres. Was it enough to give him regular work every five days instead of Juan Nicasio?
"I hope so. It definitely wasn't pretty. But I was able to keep them to zero runs and hold the one-run lead," Mortensen said.
Mortensen admittedly got away with mistakes in Petco Park that would have been punished elsewhere. He thought at least two flyballs were home runs. That said, he featured a good sinker on the hands of right-handed hitters. Where Mortensen ran into problems was falling behind in the count and elevating pitches in traffic. Mortensen's versatility also works against him. He has proven he can be effective in a long relief role. So when the Rockies activate Aaron Cook on Wednesday, Greg Reynolds could be farmed out, leaving Mortensen in the pen and Nicasio in the rotation.


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Plans to widen the horse track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds could make races safer, more successful and larger, officials said.
The panel that oversees the fairgrounds voted Tuesday to approve a plan for how to deal with the environmental effects of the project.
"This is something that has been in our long-range plan for many years," said Adam Day, president of the 22nd District Agricultural Association board of directors, which oversees the fairgrounds.
The board agreed to have an archeologist and paleontologist on site when digging takes place, restrict the amount of materials hauled away each day, and approve a plan to deal with any hazardous substances that are unexpectedly found.
The project would expand the turf portion of the track while leaving the synthetic portion alone. The overall size of the track would grow by about 25 percent.
"Safety is the number one reason why we're doing this," said Josh Rubinstein, chief operating officer of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
It will also have an economic benefit by allowing more horses in each race, which is expected to increase the amount of money people bet, Day said. Once the work is done, 14 horses would be able to race at a time, up from 10 now.
Ultimately, the increase could make it possible for the fairgrounds to host the Breeders' Cup, which is the horse racing equivalent of the Super Bowl. That would bring in lots of money and attention for the area, Day said.
"Hosting the Breeders' Cup would be a huge win for the county," he said.
The work is expected to start after racing season this summer and be done in time for next year's fair. It will cost about $4 million.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board approved a resolution agreeing to work with the City of Del Mar to create affordable housing on the fairgrounds.
The association said they would consider building as many as 50 units there if the city helps cover the cost.
The resolution says the fair board will work cooperatively with the city as long as the housing fits in with the association's master plan, is approved by the California Coastal Commission and the city agrees to cover any extra costs associated with converting the homes.
The Del Mar City Council signed a similar resolution last month, committing to work with the fair board to incorporate affordable housing units as part of planned renovations at the fairgrounds and to look for the extra money needed for any construction.
The property being considered for the project now houses dormitory-style buildings for workers that don't include a kitchen, which is needed to count as low-income housing.
Because the state property lies almost completely within city limits, any units built on the property would count towards Del Mar's housing requirement.


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well, I did it! I ordered a Project Life kit! Thanks to enabling from many places and the help from Laura Vegas!
what is Project life? It's what I like to call visual journaling--taking pictures that describe your every day, what is happening to you now. The kit comes with journaling cards, dividers and all sorts of good stuff! I've been thinking about it for a while and after asking Laura about a million questions I took the plunge!
Project Life information can be found HERE (Becky Higgins has a video exploring the contents), they even have a community. Check out Laura's blog HERE she posted how she does hers. On Becky Higgins blog HERE she gives suggestions on even more ways to do it, one lady even made a video. I am a visual person so to see this years all together just made sense to me.
I "borrowed" this from Laura's web page:
I chose the turquoise edition.....
I would love to know if you are doing project life, I'm a little nervous but at the same time excited. Laura put it simply it's only 7 pictures a week--Heck! I can do that?! So who wants to join me? :)
Thanks for stopping in!! and HAPPY new year to you!


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The lab I got from my teacher is supposed to be a 2D array. We're supposed to be using it to where it reads the strings from the file, and then it prints them out in an hour glass form like this:
This is my code so far, I just don't know how in the heck to get it to read string the strings from a file, then convert it to a char matrix, or any of that. If anyone could please explain and help me with my code, I'd highly appreciate it.
import java.io.*; import java.util.Scanner; public class Pattern { public static void main(String args[]) throws FileNotFoundException { System.out.println("Enter the path of the file:"); Scanner kb = new Scanner(System.in); String path = kb.next(); Scanner file = new Scanner(new File(path)); String s = file.next(); int start = 0; int q = 1; for(int r = 1; r <= s.length()-2; r++){ for(int c = 0; c < s.length()-start; c++){ if(c < start) System.out.print(" "); else System.out.print(((c - start) % 2 == 0) ? " " : s.charAt(c)); } System.out.println(); start += q; if(start==s.length()/2){ start -= q; start--; q *= -1; } } System.out.println(s); } }


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PaperArtsy Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Elenazinski Art - ZA21£22.49
Home > Stamps/Stamping Accessories > Stamps > PaperArtsy Stamps > PaperArtsy Stamp Collection - Elenazinski Art
Sheet size: 5ins x 7ins (12cms x 17.5cms) approx.
PaperArtsy Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Elenazinski Art - ZA21
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340 pp., illus. (40 4C; 15 B&W), index
$135 81.00
You save: 40%
You will receive free shipping on this item at checkout.
Free shipping offer applies to direct website purchases by individual U.S. and Canada customers only.
Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, which encodes an ion channel protein that regulates anion movement across the epithelial membranes of the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. In cystic fibrosis patients, anion transport is impeded, causing sticky, viscous mucus to build up and clog these vital organs.
Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine provides an in-depth examination of cystic fibrosis biology and treatment strategies. Contributors examine the structure and dynamics of CFTR, its normal physiological roles in the airway and digestive epithelia, and how those operations are impaired in patients with cystic fibrosis. The numerous CFTR mutations and how they alter the expression, synthesis, processing, and function of CFTR in cystic fibrosis and other CFTR-related disorders are considered, as are disease-modifying genes that influence disease severity.
This volume includes discussions of therapy and treatment strategies for cystic fibrosis, ranging from airway clearance techniques and pancreatic enzyme replacements to the modulation of CFTR and related ion transport pathways. It will be an essential reference for molecular and cellular biologists, physiologists, and clinicians interested in understanding the biological basis of the disease and the search for effective therapies.
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When you use this special, limited edition TRON Xbox controller, you channel the power of Clu and The Black Guard (aka THE BAD GUYS), which is evident by the glowing evil of the black and orange colors it's adorned in.
Only 250 of these things were made to coincide with the release of TRON: Legacy, and will sell direct from PDP's website in "late December" for $50. [PDP]


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Our advisors are dedicated to helping you achieve your financial goals. You'll receive personalized financial advice based on what's most important to you – to help you live more confidently today and tomorrow.
When you choose an Ameriprise advisor, you're beginning a one-on-one relationship based on your financial goals. View an advisor or team website to learn about their background and experience. Then, connect with them to discuss what's most important to you — including your top financial priorities and goals, the type of services you're seeking, and how you can work together.
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Learn how personalized financial advice can help you reach your goals, today and tomorrow.
At Ameriprise, putting clients first is a top priority. We start with your financial goals and take the time to get to know what matters most to you.
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Hello Kitty jets: 5 cutest airplanes ever
Forget the YouTube videos. If you want a real dose of cute cat, book a flight with Taiwan airline EVA Air.
The carrier has recently added two more Hello Kitty-themed aircraft [Chinese language] to its fleet, taking the total to five, on which everything from the fuselage to the flight attendants to the food is kitted out in the kawaii cat brand's images.
The fourth was launched in May and the fifth will launch on June 22 this year.
"The passengers over the world love the Hello Kitty jets since launched -- All the Hello Kitty jets have over 85 to 90 percent occupancy," said Liwen Liu, public relations officer of Evergreen Group, parent company of EVA Airways. "Therefore, EVA Airways dicussed further with Sanrio and decided to launch two more planes so we can fly more routes and entertain more passengers."
Passengers have been purring with delight, according to Anna Wong, an EVA Air public relations officer in Hong Kong.
Also on CNNGo: The dating site for mid-air lovers
"Many people specify that they want to take EVA's special Hello Kitty jet," said Wong. "The response has been excellent so far."
This isn't the first time Taiwan's second-largest carrier and Japan's comic company, Sanrio, which owns the Hello Kitty brand, have collaborated.
The two companies launched the first generation of Hello Kitty jets in 2005. That Kitty fleet was disbanded in 2009, after its licensing agreement expired.
The new Taipei-based Hello Kitty jets -- following the themes of Hello Kitty Happy Music Time and Hello Kitty Speed Puff -- will join the three existing Hello Kitty jet family members and will operate on different routes originating from Taipei.
The Happy Music Time jet flies to Sapporo and Guam, as does the Magic jet. Speed Puff flies to Hong Kong. Apple Jet flies to Seoul and Fukuoka. Global Jet serves Hong Kong and Tokyo.
To book, passengers need to check for specific flight codes. See the bottom of this article for details.
Also on CNNGo: How to change a tire on a plane
The Hello Kitty journey starts with Hello Kitty boarding passes and baggage stickers. Then passengers make their way to a you-can't-miss-it gate dedicated to the Hello Kitty flyer.
The boarding gate in Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport is pink and features a Hello Kitty playground.
On board, more than 100 in-flight items are specially designed with the Hello Kitty motif -- including headrest covers, tissues, paper cups, utensils, milk bottles, snacks, soap dispensers, hand lotion, meals and ice cream.
Also on CNNGo: What's the quickest way to board a plane?
Passengers can also purchase limited edition duty-free products, such as Hello Kitty-shaped pasta, from flight attendants wearing Hello Kitty aprons.
A dedicated website (in Chinese, Korean and Japanese only) features Kitty White -- Hello Kitty's "real" name -- from which we learn that Hello Kitty weighs as much as three apples and is as tall as five apples.
EVA Air has been operating for more than two decades with a mixed fleet of Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft.
The Hello Kitty theme can be found on the carrier's new Airbus A330-300s. Each of the new aircraft provides 30 premium laurel class seats (EVA's business class) and 279 economy class seats.
Also on CNNGo: 747 vs A380 -- Airline giants face off
Hello Kitty Happy Music Time flies Taipei-Sapporo (BR115/116) and Taipei-Guam (BR19/20)Hello Kitty Speed Puff flies Taipei-Hong Kong (BR857/858)Hello Kitty Magic Stars flies Taipei-Shanghai (BR771/772); Taipei-Tokyo (BR2189/2197)Hello Kitty Around the World flies Taipei-Shanghai (BR771/772); Taipei-Tokyo (BR2189/2197)Hello Kitty Loves Apple flies Taipei-Fukuoka (BR2106/2105) and Taipei-Seoul (BR160/159)
Article first published February 2012, updated June 2012


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December 09, 2019
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Studio musicians like Rick Baptist and Wayne Bergeron, worldwide travelers like the Canadian Brass, Principal Orchestral players, as well as college professors and students worldwide have come to know the value of owning a Raw Brass case. Extensive research, development and customer feedback has resulted in a line of trumpet cases unlike anything you've ever seen.
Our cases have always been known for Quality, Durability, Flexibility and Beauty. However, our Armor line of cases takes instrument protection to a whole new level.
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Peach Week! Two White Sangria Recipes
White Sangria
Adapted from "A Man's Place is Behind the Bar," by Tucker Shaw. Makes 1 pitcher.
2 bottles spritzy white wine, such as vinho verde
1/2 cup brandy
1 lime, cut into thin rounds
1 lemon, cut into thin rounds
1 orange, cut into thin rounds
1 handful white grapes, halved lengthwise
3 underripe plums, pitted and sliced
2 underripe white peaches, pitted and sliced
Read more…


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Jeff Fowler (MA TESOL '12) and Kimby Murakami (MA TESOL '12) travelled to India to work for fellow MIIS Alum Tarana Patel's (MA TESOL '06) education organization, LearnEd, at Sankalchand Patel Colleges in Visnagar. They each taught two classes in the intensive English program at the college. In addition, the duo collaborated to present English for specific purposes (ESP) courses to engineering faculty.
Fowler taught English to undergraduate students with high-beginner to low-intermediate proficiency majoring in Computer Application, Business Administration, and Natural Sciences. Murakami taught undergraduate and graduate students with intermediate to advanced English proficiency majoring in Dentistry, Pharmacology, Engineering, and Computer Application. Each course incorporated a community outreach component chosen by the students. In team of two to three, students taught a 45-minute lesson to students in grades 1 through 5.
Fowler and Murakami reported that the students were enthusiastic to practice English and to share their culture with the foreign teachers. Both teachers enjoyed participating in Indian festivals (e.g., Kite Festival, Festival of Colors), exploring the ancient buildings in nearby towns, and sampling the culinary delights available in India.
Murakami heads back to India this month with MIIS alum Angie Petinos (MA TESOL '12) to work in a 6-month teacher training program offered by LearnEd at Divine Child International School.