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Simon Green is professor of politics and co-director of the Aston Centre for Europe at Aston University in the UK.
Story highlights
David Cameron's speech on UK's future relationship with European Union was closely watched
He vowed to renegotiate UK's conditions of membership and give British people referendum
Simon Green: Cameron is stretching patience of European partner-states with threat
Attraction for inward investors to UK is fact that it is full member of EU, Green argues
There will be few set-piece events in David Cameron's political career that will be more eagerly awaited and closely watched than Wednesday's long-promised speech on the UK's future relationship with the European Union.
In it he had to attempt what must have seemed like Mission Impossible. On the one hand, he needed to respond to his own Conservative Party's increasing clamor for a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. And on the other, he needed to address the major international concern over Britain's apparent detachment from the rest of the EU, reassuring both the UK's partners in Europe but also President Barack Obama in the United States.
To his credit, the PM's message was carefully crafted and deftly handled: he left his audience in no doubt that he personally wanted to keep Britain firmly in the EU. He pointed out that the EU without Britain would be a weak organization. He also pinpointed a number of genuine challenges for the EU – the eurozone crisis, global competitiveness and the persistent problems of democratic legitimacy.
Laying out these issues may be seen as a pragmatic vision of European integration, which is moreover widely shared by other member states. But inevitably, it is his promise to renegotiate the UK's conditions of membership and put the results to the British people in a referendum, to be held if the Conservatives win the next general election in 2015, for which the speech will be remembered most.
The growing band of eurosceptics within the Conservative Party has demanded a referendum on continued British membership ever since Cameron managed to wriggle out of a commitment to a public vote on the Lisbon Treaty by a technicality. What is more, the UK Independence Party, which campaigns for outright exit, is currently riding high in the polls; many of his MPs and strategists fear that UKIP will split the Conservative vote at the 2015 election, thereby consigning the party back to the opposition benches.
The pledge to hold a referendum after 2015 will therefore be heralded by the eurosceptics as a major strategic and tactical victory. In turn, the PM may hope that this pledge will neutralize their complaints. History would suggest, however, that such appeasement rarely silences rebellious voices, but rather emboldens them.
Furthermore, by playing to what is ultimately a domestic audience, Cameron is stretching the patience of European partner-states ever further. Practically all member-states have accepted, albeit grudgingly, that the UK is now adopting an à la carte approach to integration, for instance by not adopting the euro or participating in the common immigration policy. However, the suggestion that other existing aspects of integration, for instance in social rights, should be re-opened for Britain to opt out from retrospectively is typically met with incredulity in European capitals.
Yet, without agreement by each of the other 26 member-states, this renegotiation will amount to nothing. In recent months and especially in the run-up to the speech, the German government has been on an explicit charm offensive but at some stage in the not-too-distant future, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will presumably conclude that there is no longer any point in engaging with the UK.
UK warned against 'cherry-picking' EU policy
All of this leaves Britain in a precarious position. A major attraction for inward investors to the UK is the fact that it is a full member of the EU, as opposed to a partial member like Norway and Switzerland. Crucially, the mere prospect of a referendum in the next five years is likely to affect investment decisions being taken now. The Obama administration has made it crystal clear that it values the UK because of its membership in the EU, not despite it.
Most of all, the promise of a referendum after renegotiation raises the prospect of a self-fulfilling prophecy: for if the renegotiation yields only minor concessions for Britain, as is highly likely, then voting for exit becomes the only logical conclusion.
Of course, it may never come to this: the necessary domestic political prerequisite for a referendum, namely a Conservative parliamentary majority after 2015, is by no means assured and the opposition Labour Party has confirmed its rejection of a membership referendum on any terms. Europe plays no significant role in the priorities of voters whose main concern is the state of the economy. But in attempting to extricate himself from between a rock and a hard place, Cameron has just made one of the biggest political gambles in British political history.
The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of Simon Green.


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Think about the last time you experienced a customer service issue at a restaurant. Perhaps you
waited way too long for the wrong dish to ultimately reach your table. Think about how the waiter
reacted to your complaint.
The wrong reaction is for the waiter to make excuses or blame the cooks.
The wrong reaction would be for the waiter to walk off to resubmit the order and stay out of sight while
you site there starving and wondering when the hell your food is going to arrive. Of course, the really
wrong reaction would be for the waiter to arrive with a dish that he already knows is wrong, hoping you
would either not notice or not complain.
Raise the issue as early as you know about it...
Take the blame [even if it's not all your fault]...
Offer a solution ... [or] a plan of attack for finding [one]...
Ask for help.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Monday, November 19th, 2018
The association between poor oral health and increased risk of cardiovascular disease should make the reduction of sugars such as those contained in junk food, particularly fizzy drinks, an important health policy target, say experts writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Poor oral hygiene and excess sugar consumption can lead to periodontal disease where the supporting bone around the teeth is destroyed. It is thought that chronic infection from gum disease can trigger an inflammatory response that leads to heart disease through a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Despite convincing evidence linking poor oral health to premature heart disease, the most recent UK national guidance on the prevention of CVD at population level mentions the reduction of sugar only indirectly.
Dr Ahmed Rashid, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, who co-wrote the paper, said: "As well as having high levels of fats and salt, junk foods often contain a great deal of sugar and the effect this has on oral health may be an important additional mechanism by which junk food elevates risk of CVD." He added: "Among different types of junk food, soft drinks have raised particular concerns and are the main source of free sugar for many individuals."
The authors refer to the well-publicized New York 'soda ban' controversy which has brought the issue to the attention of many. Yet, they point out, in the UK fizzy drinks remain commonly available in public areas ranging from hospitals to schools. Dr Rashid said: "The UK population should be encouraged to reduce fizzy drink intake and improve oral hygiene. Reducing sugar consumption and managing dental problems early could help prevent heart problems later in life."
Src:A. Bains, M. A. Rashid. Junk food and heart disease: the missing tooth. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2013;


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An End to Impunity for MEK Boosters?
March 16, 2012
In a controversial 6-3 ruling on Holder vs. Humanitarian Law Project in 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the executive's right under the USA PATRIOT Act to prosecute individuals or groups deemed to have provided "material support" to any organization classified by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization—including for nonviolent advocacy that would otherwise be protected by the First Amendment, if the accused can be shown to have worked in concert with or at the behest of a proscribed organization.
In practice, notes Glenn Greenwald, this has amounted to a wave of prosecutions against young Muslim men for making Internet postings critical of U.S. foreign policy or in praise of alleged anti-American terrorists. It has also frustrated activists working to help terrorist-designated organizations in Turkey and Sri Lanka lodge international human rights complaints as a means of redressing their grievances nonviolently.
But the feds may be ready to add a higher-profile name to the list in former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, an avid (and highly compensated) advocate for the Muhajedin-e Khalq (MEK). Rendell recently disclosed that the U.S. Treasury Department was investigating his speaking agency for payments he received on behalf of the group. Rendell insists that he spoke his own views and received no money or input from MEK's leaders, although he does not deny receiving large payments from supportive organizations.
U.S.-based apologists for MEK, an exiled Iranian group that fiercely opposes the country's clerical regime and has for many years been on the U.S. State Department's list of terrorist organizations, had previously received a pass on prosecutions since Holder, even as far more marginal figures were prosecuted for much lower-profile advocacy of other causes.
Many hawkish U.S. pundits and pressure groups have embraced the group as Iran's "legitimate opposition" and urged the State Department to remove MEK from its list of terrorist organizations. Groups like Raymond Tanter's Iran Policy Committee exist solely for this purpose, but they are hardly alone. MEK and an apparently well-heeled community of supporters have shelled out considerable sums to enlist the support of scores of prominent Washington figures, including Rendell, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, former CIA Directors Porter Goss and James Woolsey, former U.S. ambassador to the UN John Bolton, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and a host of others.
A Christian Science Monitor report from 2010 quoted a State Department official describing how MEK representatives would approach recently retired Washington politicos to solicit their backing: "Your speech agent calls, and says you get $20,000 to speak for 20 minutes. They will send a private jet, you get $25,000 more when you are done, and they will send a team to brief you on what to say." All this high-profile support for an apparently active Iranian terrorist group inevitably raised questions about why human rights activists and lonesome Internet pontificators should suffer the wrath of the U.S. government while well-heeled politicos were appearing with MEK officials and accepting large sums to advocate for the group with apparent impunity.
MEK has aroused considerable antipathy in Iran for its often violent opposition to the country's regime, including serving on the Iraqi side of the Iran-Iraq war. Indeed, much to the chagrin of its U.S. backers, MEK has been disavowed by Iran's opposition Green Movement. In Iraq, where the cultish group maintains an embattled encampment outside Baghdad, the organization is widely despised for its complicity in Saddam Hussein's massacres of Iraq's Shiites and Kurds.
Prior to Iran's Islamic revolution, MEK was an active participant in a violent campaign against the shah's rule, during which time the group killed several Americans considered close to the regime. More recently, although MEK claims to have disavowed terrorism, U.S. officials have linked the group to Israeli efforts to sabotage and attack Iranian nuclear facilities, killing several Iranian scientists in the process.
Shilling for the MEK is apparently seen by Washington insiders as a low-risk and lucrative way to push for regime change in Iran, particularly when linked to the separate but often conflated issue of the human rights situation at the group's Ashraf encampment in Iraq. Whatever the result of Rendell's investigation (which is admittedly curious for its isolation), and whatever the merits of the Holder ruling or MEK's status itself, future political retirees might think twice before doubling down on a terrorist group with few friends in either Iran or Iraq. Surely there are less legally troublesome opportunities in less bloody enterprises.
–Peter Certo


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As we keep rolling along in the 2012 Preseason Value Picks season, the authors of VP will have their eye on injuries, position battles, and all the goings ons of spring training. Unfortunately, not much movement has happened up the middle, as many players are well established both with their real teams and in fantasy. Still, there are some names of interest to discuss.
Danny Espinosa | Washington Nationals
Mixed: $12 | NL-only: $18 | PECOTA 2B Rank: 8 | 2B ADP: 12
Last season, Espinosa was a consistent member of the Value Picks portfolio, and it seems he may be opening the season in that same boat this year. At the end of the season, we discussed Espinosa in The Keeper Reaper feature, and here is some of what we said:
The good news is that his power numbers are legitimate and his steals picked up steam as the season progressed; eventually, Espinosa put up home run and stolen base numbers that met and exceeded PECOTA's expectations while matching the scouting profile he had coming into this season. He should benefit from improvement from players like Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth, both of whom had disappointing offensive seasons and are in line for bounce back campaigns. The problem of his batting average remains very prevalent, however, as he struck out a lot (25.2 percent) and hit .232 despite a roughly league average BABIP of .297.
Much of this analysis remains relevant as we enter the 2012 season. Espinosa's primary problem remains strikeouts, as his strikeout rate in the minors (21.6 percent) translated very strongly to his biggest struggle in the majors. The problem Espinosa had in 2011 was that he could not make contact, connecting on only 75 percent of his pitches with the league average closer to 80 percent. As a result, he ended up eighth in the league in swinging strike rate, behind only perennial swing-and-missers like Ryan Howard, Dan Uggla, and Justin Upton. These seven hitters who swung and missed at more pitches in 2011 have struck out 25.5 percent of the time since 2009. Only three of those eight players (Howard, Matt Kemp, and Upton) have hit over .260 since that time period, and each of those hitters benefited from enormous BABIP numbers or elite power, neither of which Espinosa has.
For fantasy purposes, however, these problems only affect one of five categories. Espinosa's decent walk rates allow him to maintain a league average OBP and keep him available for steals. He is not the most aggressive baserunner (10.7 percent stolen base attempt rate), but even with just a .323 OBP, he managed 217 stolen base opportunities and should be able to repeat that kind of performance again. PECOTA projects similar counting stats to last season, but it is not out of line to expect an increase in counting stats with a healthy top of the lineup returning for the Nationals. Espinosa is not a world-beater at second base, but he is a solid, predictable option worth a look in the $10-to-$15 range.
Jose Altuve | Houston Astros
Mixed: $9 | NL-only: $20 | PECOTA 2B Rank: 14 | 2B ADP: 17
Altuve made a late-season appearance last year and shocked the world with some exciting play, though his final line (.276/.297/.357) was rather unimpressive. This season, however, PECOTA is projecting decent things for the things that matter in fantasy baseball. In the minors, Altuve has flashed double-digit home run power despite his tiny frame, and it seems PECOTA would be unsurprised if such an event happened in 2012. Remember, he averaged 11 home runs per 600 PA in the minors, with an increase as he reached the higher levels in 2010 and 2011.
Altuve's primary offensive contributions will be in steals and batting average. His strikeout rate was only 10.6 percent in the minors, and it did not get much worse with Houston at the end of the year (12.4 percent). This helps to keep his batting average high, and there may be an outside chance of improvement given his speedy tendencies and minor league numbers (career minor league .354 BABIP); PECOTA is projecting only a .302 BABIP in comparison. Unfortunately, he has never had a knack for taking walks, and that does cut into his chances at swiping bases; even with a .269 batting average, PECOTA sees only a 4.4 percent walk rate and .300 OBP. These forces may balance themselves out to yield the 25 projected stolen bags, but again, if his BABIP improves due to development and natural speed on the bases, he could force himself up to 30 steals on the year.
Altuve is not a high-end choice at second base, but he is a good late-round middle infield option in mixed leagues and is a worthy NL-only option at second base. Do not let the mediocre start and the small frame fool you, because Altuve may be one of the few decent offensive fantasy options in Houston.
Jason Kipnis | Cleveland Indians
Mixed: $6 | AL-only: $12 | PECOTA 2B Rank: 17 | 2B ADP: 14
Kipnis was on fire before an injury knocked out the rest of his 2011 campaign. Before that injury, he was hitting .272/.333/.507, and while the home run power was clearly over the top and headed for regression, the rest of that batting line did not seem unreasonable. Even with regression from that 20.2 percent HR/FB rate, PECOTA is still projecting a 16 home run season that would leave him among the top half of second basemen in round-trippers.
PECOTA is knocking him down to a near-average .301 BABIP, but given his prospect pedigree (he was ranked 28th by Kevin Goldstein prior to the 2011 season) and his minor league BABIP of .344, it is not unreasonable to expect a repeat of his .313 mark from 2010. The increase in strikeouts and decrease in walks from his career minor league numbers in the jump to the majors also seemed perfectly within reason, making a .270 batting average more than within reach as well. In other words, so much of Kipnis's non-power numbers in 2011 appeared so believable that a repeat would come as a surprise to no one in fantasy baseball.
Mock Draft Central users have been taking Kipnis as the 14th best second baseman, and despite PECOTA's ranking, this may be a good place to put him. In fact, it is not a stretch to see him putting up numbers projected by PECOTA for players like Neil Walker (PECOTA 2B rank of 12th) or Kelly Johnson (11th), making him more of an $11 player in 2012.
Alcides Escobar | Kansas City Royals
Mixed: $1 | AL-only: $11 | PECOTA SS Rank: 19 | SS ADP: 23
Escobar hit an unexciting .254/.290/.343 last year that looked eerily similar to his career .252/.294/.339 line. So why does PECOTA expect a jump up to a .269 batting average and a .303 OBP? PECOTA is projecting a .300 OBP from a hitter who could not manage anything better than a .285 mark in two seasons of full-time play in Kansas City. Pedigree and regression could reign supreme, however, in regularizing Escobar's stats; in the minors, he was considered a premier contact hitter with a career .338 BABIP, and his contact skills have not deteriorated in the majors, as evidenced by his 85 percent contact rate. His strikeout rate remains low at a career 12.6 percent, meaning only a slight uptick in BABIP for a player who was previously well-known for this would give Escobar some much-needed hits and forays to first base for steals opportunities.
To his credit, once Escobar reaches base, he has been aggressive in stealing; he took off in 14 percent of his stolen base opportunities in his career and 18 percent of those situations in 2011. Manager Ned Yost figures to remain aggressive on the bases, so there should not be a managerial brake on Escobar. He will never be a great hitter, but with some development at age 25, he can become a one-category specialist who will not hurt you too badly and can fill your middle infield spot in the later rounds.
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US National Ground Intelligence Center report on Iraqi insurgent arms, US body armor (2004)
From WikiLeaks
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- May 20, 2008
US Army National Ground Intelligence Center report NGIC-1142-7051-05 on small arms use in Iraq, written at the SECRET//NORFORN//MR level and dated 17 Dec 2004.
The report shows that there are Russian, Chinese, German, French, Iranian, Belgium, Hungarian, Czech, Polish and possibly South African arms being used in Iraq.
The material also echos US soldiers' and Congressional complaints about the poor quality of US Body armor circa 2004-2007. Although there has been substantial evolution of US body armor since the time of the report (Dec, 2004), it appears that US soldiers and critics were correct and that Pentagon and body armor manufacturers denials to the contrary wrong, or at least misleading.
A 2006 Pentagon directive to ban US soldiers' private purchase of body armor elicited this response at the time from Senator Christopher Dodd:
- "Outrageously we've seen that (soldiers) haven't been getting what they need in terms of equipment and body armor," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who wrote legislation to have troops reimbursed for equipment purchases. "That's totally unacceptable, and why this directive by the Pentagon needs to be scrutinized in much greater detail." (Associate Press, 30 Mar 2006)
The NGIC report states:
- The protection data on U.S. force protection equipment versus enemy small arms fire is listed below:
- US Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet: Provides limited protection against 9-mm pistol bullets and fragmentation.
- Interceptor Body Armor (IBA): Provides limited protection from 9-mm pistol and fragmentation.
- Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI Plate): Provides Level 3 Protection - Protection against multiple hits from Rifle Ball. Rifle Ball is classified as CIS 7.62x39-mm Ball, NATO 7.62x51-mm Ball, and CIS 7.62x54R-mm "Light" Ball; Light Ball is generally characterized by a silver tip. Actual protection depends on many factors like obliquity, range, and location of strike. The United States (NATICK) has tested the 7.62x39-mm API, and the first-generation SAPI brand of plate was penetrated inside 200 meters by 50% of the rounds tested. At present, no tests have been completed for 7.62x54R-mm API ammunition; however, U.S. body armor plates are not designed to stop this round. But based on testing against rolled homogenous armor (RHA), this round would defeat a vest out past 500 meters.
The report on arms smuggled in from Chechnya and the South African NTW:
- The Russian OSV-96 was used by the Russians and was used against the Russians in Chechnya. There are unconfirmed reports that possibly up to 25 South African NTW may have made their way into prewar Iraq. The NTW is a multicaliber AMR that can currently fire 14.5- and 20-mm ammunition by merely changing out the barrel, magazine, and a few internal parts. There are reports the South Africans are modifying the NTW so that it can also fire 12.7- and possibly 25-mm ammunition as well. The weapon that initiated the AMR boom, the Barrett Model 82, and all the subsequent upgrades, such as the Barrett Model 95, may enter the theater due to their wide proliferation throughout the world, which includes elements of the narcoterrorist community such as the FARC.
The report on orange colored vehicles:
- There is a widespread belief among the insurgents that the orange VS-17 panels on U.S. armored vehicles designate some form of high technology force field that repels RPG fire. The insurgent field expedient countermeasure is to wrap the RPG warhead in electrical tape, plastic shopping bag, or burlap bag, etc. See NGIC assessment (U) Iraq: Modifications of RPG Warheads for more information on this subject.
The report on booby-trapped grenades:
- Note: There is an unfounded rumor circulating that one grenade in every Russian case of 24 has a zero-delay fuze, and that this zero-delay fuse can only be distinguished from the 3 to 4 second delay-fuze grenades by unscrewing the fuze from the grenade. If it has a "0," then that is the zero-delay fuze. This rumor is false and is attributed to an article written in Soldier of Fortune Magazine over 15 years ago. The ink-stamped numbers are in fact the inspectors' marking numbers. Each inspector has a unique number so the inspections can be traced if there is ever a quality control problem. Additionally, Russian handgrenades come disassembled in the cases-24 grenade bodies and 2 sealed cans of 12 fuzes. This being said, the United Kingdom discovered two Chinese zero-delay booby trap handgrenades in Afghanistan. These grenades are identified by a red band beneath the threaded portion of the fuze just above the detonator. The Russians undoubtedly have zero-delay booby trap handgrenades in their inventory, although they are more likely designed for use by Special Operations Forces.
Further information


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An introduction to this issue of the Newsletter.- Equipment Review: A review of the Sekonic LiteMaster L-478DR-U-EL Light Meter.- On Assignment: Photographing boxers for Sekonic Light Meters.- G.A.S. An editorial discussing "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" and photographers fascination with equipment.Fall 2016 Newsletter - December 15, 2016 -Jet Lag, Surgery and Recovery. An introduction to this issue of the newsletter, a recap of recent travels and a note on my recent surgery.- Equipment Review: A review of the Pro Media Gear Elinchrom ELB400 cage and a bonus review of the Matthews Road Rags Kit.- On Assignment: Photographing ultra trail runners for New Balance.- Staying Curious. An editorial discussing a quote by Julian Richards about curiosity and it's relation to photography from a recent interview in Rocket Science Magazine.Summer 2016 Newsletter - September 14, 2016- Non-Stop Travel. An introduction to this issue of the newsletter and a recap of recent travels.- Equipment Review: A review of the Nikon D5.- On Assignment: Red Bull Summer Solstice Photo Challenge with Levi Siver.- The Next Level. An editorial about being challenged and inspired in a recent workshop with the legendary photographer Albert Watson.Spring 2016 Newsletter - May 20, 2016- Motivation by Design. An editorial about shooting with a new camera and how that forces me to work differently.- Equipment Review: A review of the Hasselblad H5D 50c WiFi medium format camera system.- On Assignment: Traversing the Patagonia Ice Cap.- Breaking through the Noise. An editorial on strategies for getting noticed in this competitive industry.Winter 2016 Newsletter - March 14, 2016- Big Decisions, Lots of Travel. An editorial about my latest travels, and on buying a Hasselblad medium format digital camera system.- Equipment Review: A review of the G-Technology G-Dock ev.- On Assignment: Hi-Sync BMX. An in-depth look at an assignment for Elinchrom USA.- Perspective: Standing Out. An editorial on making your work stand out and getting noticed.Summer/Fall 2015 Newsletter - November 20, 2015- An Explanation. An editorial about why this Newsletter was so late and my recent travels.- Equipment Review: A review of the new Elinchrom Skyport Plus HS transceiver. -On Assignment: Hypersync Surfing. An in-depth look at a ground-breaking surfing image.- Excerpt: An excerpt from my updated digital workflow e-book on Making Fine Art Prints.- Perspective: The Hustle Never Ends. An editorial on the realities of working as a freelance photographer.Spring 2015 Newsletter - April 28, 2015- Staying on Track. An editorial about being committed to this years goals and improving a variety of skills.- Equipment Review: A review of the new Elinchrom ELB 400 battery-powered strobe.- On Assignment: Hypersync Ice Climbing. An in-depth look at my latest portfolio shoot.- Expeditions: Details on a new breed of photo workshop with Vertical Shot Expeditions.- Perspective: A Diversified Strategy. An editorial on the importance of having a diversified income.Winter 2015 Newsletter - January 28, 2015- Looking Back, Looking Forward. An editorial about making goals and thinking about long-term ambitions.- Equipment Review: A review of the Other World Computing (OWC) ThunderBay 4 RAID enclosure.- On Assignment: In the Fisher Towers with the Red Bull Air Force.- Perspective: Are you Indispensable? An editorial about the new realities of working as a pro photographer and digital content creator.Fall 2014 Newsletter - November 17, 2014- A Confluence of Paradigms: An editorial about my latest assignments where I was given incredible freedom.- Equipment Review: A review of the Elinchrom ELC Pro HD strobes- On Assignment: Seakaypes - An assignment for Red Bull Photography and Nokia- Perspective: On Assignment with a Mobile PhoneSummer 2014 Newsletter - July 29, 2014- Out of Control: An editorial explaining why the Spring 2014 Newsletter never happened- Equipment Review: A review of the SmallHD DP4 external video monitor- On Assignment: Vale do Javari: A Profound Experience in the Amazon- Interview: An interview with Peter Dennen of Pedro + Jackie photo consultants- Perspective: Great Advice and Hard TruthsWinter 2014 Newsletter - March 17, 2014- Separate Reality: An editorial about the Red Bull Air Force team- Equipment Review: A review of the Nikon 1 AW1 hybrid waterproof camera- Bonus Equipment Review: A review of the Sensor Gel Stick -On Assignment: Red Bull Air Force 2014 training Camp- Fine Art Prints: Big Prints and the Nikon D800- Perspective: On Being an ArtistFall 2013 Newsletter - October 31, 2013- Fresh Eyes: Finding new creativity by shooting an unfamiliar subject.- Equipment Review: A review of the PocketWizard ControlTL Wireless Transceiver System- On Assignment: The Inside Passage- Perspective: The Photo IssueSummer 2013 Newsletter - July 28, 2013- Getting a Boost: An editorial about finding inspiration on a recent assignment.- Equipment Review: An overview of the new features in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.- On Assignment: Red Bull WindBoost- Perspective: The IllusionSpring 2013 Newsletter - April 25, 2013- Onward and Upward: An editorial about adapting to new technologies.- Equipment Review: An equipment review of the TrekPak dividers for Pelican Cases.- On Assignment: The Anatomy of a Personal Project- Perspective: Taking RisksWinter 2013 Newsletter - January 21, 2013- Under a Starry Night: The Learning process never ends.- Equipment Review: The Nikon D800 vs. the Phase One IQ180- On Assignment: NEXTera Energy Resources- Perspective: It's Not About the CameraFall 2012 Newsletter - November 9, 2012- One Door Leads to Another: Looking back on 16 years of assignment work.- Equipment Review: The Lowepro Rover Pro 45L AW Backpack- On Assignment: Shooting Adventure Sports Images for Schiesser- Perspective: Embracing RiskSummer 2012 Newsletter - August 15, 2012- Two Books in One Year: Balancing Assignment work and writing two Books.- Equipment Review: The New Elinchrom Lithium Ion Quadra Battery- Education: How to Choose a Photography Workshop- Excerpt: An excerpt from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom: A Professional Photographer's Workflow- Perspective: Swimming at PipelineSpring 2012 Newsletter - May 18, 2012- The Never Ending Treadmill: Why this is the first Newsletter of 2012.- Equipment Review: The Nikon D4 and D800- On Assignment: Shooting Adventure Sports Images for Lifstil- Excerpt: An excerpt from Exposed: Inside the Life and Images of a Pro Photographer- Perspective: A Torturous ProcessFall 2011 Newsletter - November 23, 2011- Chasing a Wave: An editorial about a trip to Tahiti where I photographed big wave surfing.- Equipment Review: The Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VRII telephoto zoom lens- On Assignment: At the End of the Road - Teahupo'o, Tahiti- Perspective: Giving ThanksSummer 2011 Newsletter - August 8, 2011- 24 Seconds: An editorial on a recent assignment for State Street Global Advisors.- Equipment Review: Nikon's Perspective Control (PC) Lenses- On Assignment: Red Bull X-Alps- Perspective: Following ThroughSpring 2011 Newsletter - May 25, 2011- An editorial with the latest news and announcing the major redesign of the Newsletter.- Equipment Review: My Favorite Camera Bags, Part II- Interview: Sabine Meyer, National Geographic- Perspective: Staying RelevantWinter 2011 Newsletter - February 10, 2011- An editorial wrapping up 2010 and discussing my most recent work.- Equipment Review: The Canon iPF5100 Large Format Printer- Behind the Scenes: The Art of Motion- Perspective: From Stills to MotionFall 2010 Newsletter - November 17, 2010- An editorial discussing this issue as the 10th Anniversary issue of the Newsletter.- Equipment Review: My Favorite Camera Bags.- Special Portfolio: Elite Kenyan Runners.- Perspective: The Definition of SuccessSummer 2010 Newsletter - July 29, 2010- An editorial with updates on a recent workshop.- Equipment Review: The Eizo ColorEdge CG243W Monitor.- Special Portfolio: On Assignment with the Red Bull Air Force.- Perspective: Reality CheckSpring 2010 Newsletter - April 19, 2010- An editorial with updates on recent assignments and once in a lifetime opportunities.- Equipment Review: The Elinchrom Quadra.- Special Portfolio: The 2009/2010 Quicksilver in memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surfing competition.- Stories from the Road: The 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.- Perspective: The end for the Printed Portfolio?Fall 2009 Newsletter - November 25, 2009- An editorial with updates on recent assignments and upcoming trips.- Equipment Review: The 12 MP Nikon D3 vs. a 39 MP Hasselblad H3D.- Portfolio: Recent images from California, Pennsylvania and New Mexico.- Special Portfolio: On assignment for Red Bull in San Diego, California.- Perspective: Connecting with your AudienceSummer 2009 Newsletter - August 7, 2009- An editorial with updates on the newsletter and other topics.- Equipment Review: A few of my Favorite Things- Portfolio: Images shot this summer in Utah, New Mexico & Texas.- Perspective: The Future MagazineSpring 2009 Newsletter - April 21, 2009- An editorial on my latest adventures- Equipment Review: The Nikon D700- Stories from the Road: 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race- Special Portfolio: On assignment for Men's Fitness Magazine- Perspective: The ProposalFall 2008 Newsletter - December 2, 2008- An editorial on the rough economy and the latest news.- Review: The Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS Kit.- Extended Editorial: Following your Passion.- Portfolio: Recent images from California and New Mexico.- Perspective: Under PressureSummer 2008 Newsletter - August 21 , 2008- An editorial on burning the candle at both ends and the creative urge.- Review: Adobe Lightroom 2.0 - A few of the new features.- Inside Scoop: Anatomy of a Portfolio- Portfolio: Portraits of some Freedivers at Blue Hole near Santa Rosa, NM.- Perspective: Making the ConnectionSpring 2008 Newsletter - May 28, 2008- An editorial on Inspiration and the Creative Spark.- Review: Nikon's D300 - Part II: A more detailed critique.- Special portfolio and Article about the Patagonia Expedition Race.- Portfolio: Images from Patagonia, White Sands, and New Mexico.- Perspective: Finding Inspiration.Winter 2008 Newsletter - March 20 , 2008- An editorial written while on a plane headed to Patagonia.- Review: Nikon's D300 - First Impressions of this stellar new camera.- Portfolio: Images from Colorado, California and Patagonia.- Perspective: A Good day.Fall 2007 Newsletter - October 11 , 2007- An editorial on hanging tough and giving back.- Review: Digital Photography - Where do we go from here?- Print Portfolio: Detailed account of how one image was captured.- Digital Dogma: Determining the proper exposure with Digital.Summer 2007 Newsletter - July 28 , 2007- An editorial on revamping portfolios and new stock shoots.- Review of Photoshop CS3: Is it worth the Upgrade?- Workshops: October Digital Vacation.- Digital Dogma: Backing up.Spring 2007 Newsletter - May 14 , 2007- An editorial on blogging and my new blog site.- Review of the Epson R1800 Photo Printer.- Review of the Pocket Wizard Plus Transmitter and Receiver.- Digital Dogma: CMYK Conversions.Winter 2007 Newsletter - February 5 , 2007- Editorial: Getting back to Photography.- Review of the Nikon SB800 speedlight.- Review of the Eye-One Display 2 monitor calibration device.- Digital Dogma: Color Management.- A 2-page tutorial on how to profile and calibrate your monitor.Fall 2006 Newsletter - November 29, 2006- An editorial on staying positive in an ever changing industry.- Review of the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR ED-IF.- Update on the Nikon D2x firmware upgrade.- An article on Digital Workflow for Photo Buyers.Summer 2006 Newsletter - August 5, 2006- Editorial: Sand storms and mesh tents.- Review and comparison: Apple Aperture vs. Adobe Lightroom.- Digital Dogma: Upsizing digital images, just how far can you go?- A special portfolio of work produced in Joe McNally's Workshop.Spring 2006 Newsletter - May 12, 2006- A special portfolio section of images shot while on assignment for Adobe.- Review: A comparison of the Nikon D200, D2x and the Canon 1Ds Mark II.- Digital Dogma: Sharpening 101 for photo editors.- Perspective: Where we are at with Digital Photography.Winter 2006 Newsletter - January 19, 2006- Editorial: How much longer will photography last as a profession?- Review of the Epson P2000 portable hard drive.- Digital Dogma: The RAW Misconception.- Special portfolio of deep water soloing images from Mallorca, Spain.- Perspective: Archival Stress, the issues of archiving digital images.Fall 2005 Newsletter - November 10, 2005- An editorial on stock photography and its influence in the photo industry.- Review of the Dyna-Lite Uni 400jr AC/DC monolight.- Michael's latest experiments and workflow with ACR and Nikon Capture.- Indian Creek, Utah special portfolio.Summer 2005 Newsletter - August 3, 2005- An editorial on going digital.- Review: Nikon D2x and how it compares to medium format and 35mm film.- Digital Dogma: Charging for and dealing with Digital Capture.- Special portfolio from a three week river trip in the Grand Canyon.- Perspective: Anecdotes from a recent freeride photo shoot.Spring 2005 Newsletter - March 27, 2005- Editorial: Taking it to the next Level.- Review of the Nikon D70.- Review of the Hasselblad 503CW.- Perspective: Digital and Medium Format.Fall/Winter 2004 Newsletter - December 20, 2004- An editorial about the new newsletter format and look.- Review of the Apple PowerMac G5 Tower.- News: National Geographic uses Michael's work, recent clients and travels.- An article on Digital Photography and how editors are responding to it.


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ST. LOUIS, Missouri (CNN) -- Michael and Steven Roberts didn't have two quarters to rub together a couple of decades ago. Now, the two African-American business leaders estimate their holdings -- from hotels to TV stations -- are worth $1 billion. One St. Louis hotel they own once barred black people.
Steven Roberts, left, and his brother, Michael, own a St. Louis theater that once segregated African-Americans.
"Black folks need legacy. We have to have examples of successes in order for us to be able to let the generations to come know that many of the successes that occurred by African-Americans in this country can be seen and pointed out and can be emulated," says Michael Roberts, the chairman and CEO of The Roberts Companies.
Michael and his brother Steven, who is three years younger, stroll through their office, complete with wood-paneled doors, large leather chairs and a pool table fit for a king. Their office sits along a busy street in St. Louis called Kingshighway.
"They used to call us the Kings of Kingshighway, because we own so much on this street," Michael Roberts says.
Their office is the culmination of hard work and a can-do American business attitude to strive for greatness. They launched their business from a historically black neighborhood in north St. Louis. Roberts brothers share secrets of their success »
From a one-room office, they created an empire now made up of 76 companies and 1,100 employees, many of them minorities. They own commercial real estate, TV stations, hotels, telecommunication companies and more. The name Roberts adorns all their properties.
"We weren't rich. We weren't poor, but we just never had any money," Michael says of their upbringing.
They like to tell their story, encouraging people with new ideas to chase their dreams. If you don't have money, they say, don't let that stop you.
"We tell folks, learn it, get your hands dirty -- you know, a little sweat equity," says Steven Roberts, the president of The Roberts Companies. "For that college student, for that future entrepreneur ... we're saying understand what your passion is, and understand what your product is, too."
Michael Roberts chuckles. He notes that his younger brother has always been good at "putting the meat on the bone." He says he likes to tell youths and college students: "What would your life be like if you could eliminate the fear of failure, and where would you be at this point in life?"
There will be times, he says, when you will stumble, but don't let those hiccups get you down. "If you eliminate the fear of failure and if you use every moment to its fullest extent -- a very existential concept -- then you are able to take your ideas, your dreams, your aspirations, and you can pursue them with courage and confidence and bravado." What are the challenges for black entrepreneurs, businesses?
The brothers operate on a simple business philosophy: You diversify or die. And they don't believe in a full retirement. "What other animal retires?" Michael Roberts says. "If a lion retires today, tomorrow morning he becomes his brother's breakfast."
They point to their father as exhibit A. At 86, he still comes to the office that his sons named after him, the Victor Roberts Building, a large complex complete with restaurants and retail stores. He worked 39 years in the Postal Service before retiring in the 1980s. He now keeps a keen eye on his now grown boys. He refuses a paycheck.
"I suggest anyone who has a father," Michael says with a laugh, "please hire them, because you can get them for free."
The two brothers also have served in public office, elected to the St. Louis Board of Alderman in the late 1970s.
They recently walked through The Roberts Orpheum Theatre in downtown St. Louis. It symbolizes their quest for a legacy. Decades ago, their mother and other black people were only allowed to sit in the highest balcony. Now, the brothers own the theater.
They stood on the stage and scanned the empty seats. Again, they laughed. "Mom can sit wherever she likes," Michael Roberts said.
All About Racial Issues • Education Issues


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Arte e memoria. La testimonianza artistica della deportazione
(Avellino : Associazione culturale Internazionale Sinestesie, 2019)
This paper proposes a comparative analysis between the different theses of deported artists (some of whom survived) who managed to produce drawings during their detention in the Nazi's camps. Some of them said they drew ...


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Monday, March 21, 2011
Sesame Tofu and Steamed Cabbage with Peanut Sauce
The tofu should sit in the marinade for at least an hour but the longer the better. The sesame marinade was a mix of sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, a pinch of sugar, chili oil, and finely chopped green onion and cilantro. The tofu was cut into slabs, placed in a wide, shallow dish, covered with the marinade, and placed in the refrigerator. I turned the tofu pieces after a few hours. I decided to roast the tofu in the oven to make it more hands-off than frying. So, while it roasted, I cooked rice and steamed the sliced cabbage. The peanut sauce was a quick version from the front of the book, and it included natural peanut butter, rice wine vinegar, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, soy sauce, light brown sugar, and chile oil. It seemed a little thick when mixed, so I added a tablespoon or two of water to make it drizzleable. The steamed cabbage was spooned onto a base of cooked rice, and it was topped with chunks of tofu, drizzled with peanut sauce, and sprinkled with cilantro, sliced green onion, chopped peanuts, and sliced dried chiles.
The flavors here literally built up from the base going from simple rice to cabbage, then from marinated tofu to peanut sauce. It was fresh, healthy, simple and savory, bold, and spicy all at the same time. I love finding a different way to use a vegetable, especially when it turns into something this good.
Posted by lisa is cooking at Monday, March 21, 2011
24 comments:
That looks really scrummy and tasty! A wonderful Asian-style dish.ReplyDelete
O that looks like a mean peanutsauce!! The dish sounds wonderful!ReplyDelete
tofu and peanut sauce!!! love that combination!ReplyDelete
That cookbook never ceases to amaze me. So many treasures in there. I think Deborah Madison is a genius in so many ways, but she really is magical with tofu. Looks terrific Lisa! Glad to know we are on the same page!ReplyDelete
wow The sesame tofu looks so mouthwatering! The sauce sounds so good.ReplyDelete
I love the peanut butter sauce! This dish looks both healthy and delicious, I think I will need second rounds of rice to go with it :))ReplyDelete
I just picked up this cookbook at a Borders close-out sale and if every dish is as amazing as this one, then I know it was a worthwhile purchase. I am SO making this soon! Swooning over the peanut sauce.ReplyDelete
One of these days, I really need to experiment with tofu. It is completely alien to me. The peanut butter sauce sounds like it would be amazing. I love peanut anything.ReplyDelete
*kisses* HH
- AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM
This sounds so great! Thanks for showing that steamed veggies and tofu don't have to be boring!ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness this looks mouthwatering! I have some tofu in the fridge that I keep meaning to do something with and a cabbage that is so big the farmer who does our CSA actually cut it in half to distribute it. I think i know what we're having for dinner!ReplyDelete
It sounds so flavorful. Definitely a satisfying replacement for meat.ReplyDelete
No matter how I try I can never have enough Tofu and Cabbage recipes. This dish sounds like something I can actually do. I am so saving it, Lisa!ReplyDelete
Thank you so much for sharing...
I never would have thought to pair cabbage with peanut sauce. But it looks so delicious I'm going to have to make this one.ReplyDelete
So that's what you did with the cabbage. Looks like it was quite the success! I really like the sound of that marinade and tofu is the perfect vehicle for spicy flavors.ReplyDelete
So fun to find you are "mostly Irish"! I married an Irishman so I am always on the lookout for great ways to serve cabbage, among other things... Afraid it showed up in the usual way over at our house, but I will tuck this away for the next head of cabbage that comes our way!ReplyDelete
I never would have thought to pair cabbage with peanut sauce but it looks amazing!!! Don't know if I can get the "crew" to eat tofu but I'm definitely going to have to try this - maybe when the "crew" isn't around!ReplyDelete
This looks delicious! I've been eating a lot of meat-free meals lately, plus I have a ton of cabbage from the garden! Perfect :)ReplyDelete
Marinade sounds good and with peanuts everyting looks much better :)ReplyDelete
I've only had tofu once...that I liked anyway....it was in the Caribbean, surprisingly. But I may change my mind after seeing this recipe. I like the marinade and am in love with the peanut sauce. Fascinating to find cabbage in this dish as well, Lisa.ReplyDelete
Looks like a super cookbook!
Looks very good and I will admit I don't usually go for tofu.ReplyDelete
Tofu and peanut sauce exudes just enough to call it healthy and yummy :) Excellent dish! Can't wait to try it out!ReplyDelete
Unfortunately, tofu is one ingredient my beloved refuses to warm up to. I've got hope, but for the moment will have to just look at your blog and dream... ;-)ReplyDelete
This sounds so great! gorgeous pics too!ReplyDelete
A great addition to my collection. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait ti try this especially for my family.ReplyDelete


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13 November, 2011
General Mills Simply Fruit snacks
General Mills is changing that with their Simply Fruit line of fruit snacks.
The two varieties of Simply Fruit snacks that I've seen are Fruit Roll-Ups and Twists. The Fruit Roll-Ups are extremely reminiscent of the all natural fruit rolls that Dave used to get me when I was a kid. Child Me liked them more for their sticky, real-fruit taste instead of the plasticlike texture of regular brand name Fruit Roll-Ups, and these Simply Fruit ones are just like the offbrand organic ones he got me then, right down to the way they leave my hands sticky and a little gross feeling after I'm done eating them.
The Twists are a little easier to eat, because I can leave them in the wrapper as I nom them. These are also really good: full flavored and real tasting, almost overpoweringly fruity, and not at all sickeningly sweet.
The best part about these? They're the same price as their artificially flavored, plastic-y brethren. Each roll/twist is made of all natural ingredients with no bullshit or questionable qualities to them. Fruit juices and purees, fruit pectin, and natural flavor is all that goes into these babies, and it shows. The end result is a solid fruit snack that kids will like and grown ups can approve of. (And enjoy themselves if you're like me.)
Each roll has 50 calories; each twist has 60.
2 comments:
- Leeanne said...
Lynnafred - sounds great, though I have to admit I was fully in love with classic Fruit Roll-Ups as a kid. I know now they're sugary HFCS bombs but man! loved that artificial cherry flavor. Guilty.
- 14 November, 2011 15:04
Hope all is well...really miss your posts
Happy Holidays !!
- 02 December, 2011 07:53
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There's nothing cooler than a test of wits and courage, and there's no greater test than an escape-proof prison. We're talking about a big scary prison, with guards and security systems and uniforms and rules and possibly a few deathtraps. The kind of Big House that requires a master plan to get out of, which tests an enterprising hero (or villain) to his or her limits.
Here are the 10 most thrilling prison breaks from science fiction or fantasy. And before anybody jumps in, we're only including proper prisons, with guards and an institutional setting — not just some cage somewhere. That said, we'd love to hear what your favorite daring escapes! I especially like ones where the original plan fails, and then there's some desperate backup plan that also fails, before the escape happens in some other ridiculous way.
10) Aeon Flux
As underwhelming as this film is generally, it has some really neat little moments here and there — and this "jailbreak" scene is definitely one of them. Aeon Flux is locked in a prison cell, in a super-secure facility, until she summons a ton of little spheres to come and bust her out. This leads to a lot of acrobatics and kung-fu guard smackdowns, before Aeon reaches freedom. Flux yeah. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
9) The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold
In this novella, Miles Vorkosigan is sent to infiltrate a Cetagandan prison camp to get out one important prisoner — Colonel Guy Tremont, who the Barrayarans hope will start a new resistance movement against the Cetagandans. There's just one problem: the prison is covered with an impenetrable force dome. Okay, two problems: Tremont is dying. Soon enough, Vorkosigan is stripped naked and his hand is broken — but he still manages to organize the anarchic prisoners into a unified group, setting up a new food distribution system that is secretly aimed at preparing their escape plan. In the end, he gets almost all the prisoners out of there.
8) Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Kirk and McCoy are convicted of murdering Klingon Chancellor
Gorbachev Gorkon, and sent to Rura Penthe, the most notorious Klingon prison where the inmates are shapechangers and freakazoids. The planet is freezing cold, there's a dilithium mining facility, and the other prisoners are savage killers. Their chances of survival: minimal. Except that they befriend one of those shapeshifters, who's probably Odo's lost cousin, and she helps them get to the planet's surface — but only so she can have a pretext to kill the two of them. Kirk and McCoy manage to outwit her, and then they're scooped up by Spock and the Enterprise crew in the nick of time.
7) Avatar The Last Airbender, "Boiling Rock"
This is a classic "everything goes wrong" story — Sokka and Zuko fly a war balloon into the Boiling Rock prison to rescue Sokka's father and the other inmates, but the balloon crashes due to the steam from the volcanic lake. And then Sokka and Zuko are trapped in the prison, where they impersonate guards — until that goes horribly wrong as well. At last, they create a prison riot and try to use that as a cover for their escape plan, but that idea, too, goes South after Mai and Azula show up. At last, it's only thanks to Mai's help that the gang is able to get away from the Fire Nation prison.
6) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Azkaban is the ultimate escape-proof wizard prison — guarded by Dementors and surrounded by the North Sea. Sirius Black is locked up there for years, trying over and over to break out, until finally he becomes the first wizard to get out. He finally manages to turn himself into his canine Animagus form, which is emaciated enough to slip through the bars and sneak past the Dementors undetected. Then he swims across the North Sea, nearly dying in the attempt. At last, he catches up with Harry Potter — only to be suspected of wanting to kill him.
6) Futurama, "Into the Wild Green Yonder"
Leela's group of Feministas are sentenced to the Maxi-Padlock, an ultimate high security women's prison, with no hope of escape. They try to use a muck-leech to tunnel through the wall, but this plan totally fails. In the end, it's only thanks to Bender that they get out — because Bender is trying to score the most felonies committed at once.
5) Venture Bros., "Powerless in the Face of Death"
Poor Monarch — he's sent to prison, and it's for a crime he didn't even actually commit. It's all thanks to Phantom Limb, who wants The Monarch out of the way so he can get together with Dr. Girlfriend. The Monarch assembles a crack team of inmates for a daring escape scheme, but then the whole shebang falls apart completely. Just when everything feels hopeless, The Monarch is finally able to escape thanks to the Power of Love.
3) X-Men 2
Magneto is locked up in a totally plastic prison, to keep him from using his powers over metal — but he gets Mystique to inject iron into a guard's blood, so he can turn it into a weapon, in one of the coolest and most horrifying prisonbreak scenes ever. This whole sequence may have given rise to the endless series of "Loki/John Harrison/Javier Bardem is locked in a plexiglass cage" sequences in recent action/superhero movies, but it's still a classic for a reason.
2) Watchmen
Rorschach is locked up in a maximum security prison, where he's fond of reminding the other inmates that they're locked in with him rather than the other way around. And by the time Nite Owl and Silk Spectre get there to rescue him, he's already in the middle of a prison riot, in his element, wreaking havoc and tracking down the crime boss Big Figure to finish cleaning up the sewage. Just amazing.
1) Escape from New York
Can't really list "great escape" stories without including the ultimate escape story — in which a whole city becomes a prison. Snake Plissken is sent into the prison of Manhattan, with explosives injected into his carotid arteries, and he has 24 hours to get the President out of there. It takes all of Snake's cunning, and some key allies, to get himself and the Prez out of there with a very important cassette tape.
Thanks to Rob, George, Annalee and Meredith for suggesting some of these. Also, I found a couple of these via TVTropes.


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DES MOINES – Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been positively identified in a residential tree in the city of Mechanicsville in northern Cedar County, making this the fourth location where the invasive beetle has been found in Iowa. Allamakee County was declared infested in May 2010, Des Moines County in July 2013, and Jefferson County in August 2013.
EAB kills all ash species and is considered to be one of the most destructive tree pests ever seen in North America.
With four total EAB finds in eastern Iowa, officials are considering a regionalized quarantine to slow the accidental movement of EAB by humans. This regulatory action restricts movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs and wood chips out of the quarantined counties. "I think we're seeing the culmination of an EAB population that is finally large enough to detect, coupled with trees readily showing symptoms because of multiple stresses, including EAB, drought and floods occurring in recent years," said State Entomologist Robin Pruisner of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS),
Pruisner said all Iowans are strongly cautioned not to transport firewood across county or state lines, since the movement of firewood throughout Iowa or to other states poses the greatest threat to quickly spread EAB even further. Most EAB infestations in the United States have been started by people unknowingly moving infested firewood, nursery plants or sawmill logs. The adult beetle also can fly short distances, approximately 2 to 5 miles.
The current EAB infestation was found as a result of a resident contacting local officials about declining ash trees. Investigation by the Iowa EAB Team members revealed larvae in multiple trees in the area. The EAB Team provides EAB diagnostic assistance to landowners. This team includes officials from IDALS, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the USDA Forest Service.
"Preventive treatments next spring — mid-April to mid-May 2014 — are available to protect vigorously healthy and valuable ash trees within 15 miles of the known infested area," said ISU Extension and Outreach Entomologist Mark Shour. For more details, see ISU Extension and Outreach publication PM2084, www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM2084.pdf.
Ash is one of the most abundant native tree species in North America, and has been heavily planted as a landscape tree in yards and other urban areas. According to the USDA Forest Service, Iowa has an estimated 52 million rural ash trees and approximately 3.1 million more ash trees in urban areas. It is unknown how many public and residential ash trees are located in Mechanicsville.
To learn more about EAB and other pests that are threatening Iowa's tree population, please visit IowaTreePests.com. Or, for more information contact any of the following members of the Iowa EAB Team:
• Robin Pruisner, State Entomologist, 515-725-1470, firstname.lastname@example.com
• Tivon Feeley, DNR Forest Health Coordinator, 515-281-4915, firstname.lastname@example.com
• Emma Hanigan, DNR Urban Forest Coordinator, 515-281-5600, firstname.lastname@example.com
• Jesse Randall, ISU Extension Forester, 515-294-1168, email@example.com
• Mark Shour, ISU Extension Entomologist, 515-294-5963, firstname.lastname@example.com
• Laura Jesse, ISU Extension Entomologist, ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, 515-294-0581, email@example.com
• Donald Lewis, ISU Extension Entomologist, 515-294-1101, email@example.com.
• Jeff Iles, ISU Extension Horticulturist, 515-294-3718, firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Elementor Landing Page #5187
Domestic and commercial Appliances Repair, Service and Annual Contract Company Since 2010 in Dubai
Our technical service team are available 364 days a year to provide solutions to help you manage, maintain and Oven Repair Services, and keep them running like new.
- Domestic & Commericial Appliances
- Refrigerator, Fridge & Freezer Repair
- Washing Machine / Dryer Repair
- Dishwasher and Ice Maker Repair
- Cooking Range, Hob, BBQ & Oven Repair
- Call-out Fee includes pick up, Diagnoses & install service.
- This flat rate includes diagnostic fees for one or two appliances in the same place. The service call fee flat rate does not include the cost of spare parts/material.
- Tel: +971 4 330 0002 Mob: +971 50 691 3152
- For Quick Appointment Mob: +971 50 609 7717
- Delivery 7 days a week Choose a day to suit you.
- Saturday-Thursday: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Washing Machine / Tumble Dryer
- Washer & Dryer
- Integrated Washing Machine
- Full Size Dishwasher
- Slim line Dishwasher
- Integrated Dishwasher
- Refrigerator, Fridge & Freezer
- American Style Fridge Freezer
- Integrated Fridge and Freezer
- Built-in Oven
- Built-in Gas and Electrical Cooker
- Free Standing Hob and Cooker
Your Expert Appliances Repair Service
F.A.J providing a warranty of the spare parts and will come out to your home to do your appliances repair at a time that suits you. We complete most domestic appliances repairs on the first visit. We also warranty domestic appliances repair service, This means that if for some reason you are not happy with the repair or the same problem reoccurs, we will come back out and appliances repair service it again free of charge in the warranty period.


text:
Updated Chart Shows Obamacare's Bewildering Complexity
Download High Resolution PDF of Chart »
Washington, DC – Four months after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi famously declared "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it," a congressional panel has released the first chart illustrating the 2,801 page health care law President Obama signed into law in March.
Developed by the Joint Economic Committee minority, led by U.S Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas and Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the detailed organization chart displays a bewildering array of new government agencies, regulations and mandates.
"For Americans, as well as Congressional Democrats who didn't bother to read the bill, this first look at the final health care law confirms what many fear, that reform morphed into a monstrosity of new bureaucracies, mandates, taxes and rationing that will drive up health care costs, hurt seniors and force our most intimate health care choices into the hands of Washington bureaucrats," said Brady, the committee's senior House Republican. "If this is what passes for health care reform in America, then God help us all."
Brownback, the committee's ranking member, added, "This updated chart illustrates the overwhelming expansion of government control over health choices and the bewildering complexity facing everyone affected by this law. It doesn't take long to see how the recently signed health care bill causes a hugely expensive and explosive expansion of federal control over health care. Personal choices that should be between a doctor and a patient will quickly be strangled in a never ending web of bureaucracy."
Senate Steering Committee Chairman Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) called Obamacare "a bureaucratic nightmare. The Democrats' takeover of health care creates a byzantine network of 159 new federal programs and bureaucracies to make decisions that should be between just the patient and their doctor. It should concern everyone that at the center of this regulatory web is the new CMS chief, Donald Berwick, who has championed rationing and European socialized medicine. Americans were rightly outraged that this big government bill was rushed through Congress before anyone read or fully understood the bill's consequences. Republicans will fight to repeal this reckless takeover and to ensure health care freedom to American families."
In addition to capturing the massive expansion of government and the overwhelming complexity of new regulations and taxes, the chart portrays:
- $569 billion in higher taxes;
- $529 billion in cuts to Medicare;
- swelling of the ranks of Medicaid by 16 million;
- 17 major insurance mandates; and
- the creation of two new bureaucracies with powers to impose future rationing: the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Independent Payments Advisory Board.
Brady admits committee analysts could not fit the entire health care bill on one chart. "This portrays only about one-third of the complexity of the final bill. It's actually worse than this."
Download High Resolution PDF of Chart »


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I spoke to Marcus today and I had lot of questions but he was very patient and professional and he took his time to explain everything to me. Very good customer service and great courses.
I've had an amazing training experience with e-Careers.
We have developed an expert team over the last 10 years since our inception. In that time, we have trained over 605,000 delegates globally, which has helped offer the highest quality training.
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We're proud of our excellent rating on TrustPilot, with over 13,000 reviews from our past students.
We have found our Virtual Classroom training has provided higher pass rates, which has made us confident to offer an Exam Pass Guarantee, so you know we'll support you until you are certified.
With our Exam Pass Guarantee, if you do not pass the exam after attending this training course with us, you will be eligible to attend the same training again for free.
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Please Note:
Students retaking the course are required to use the materials and books distributed to them in their original course session. Failure to provide these materials will result in the student being charged for replacement materials.
*Exam Pass Guarantee does not include the resit exam; this would need to be purchased at an additional cost.
The Practitioner training course would be beneficial for those individuals who are in leadership/senior roles, such as:
Once you have completed your APMG Managing Benefits Practitioner training, you can start applying for the following job roles:
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Learning Outcome
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Open Book – Yes (Managing Benefits guide only)
Pass Mark – 40/80 (50%)
For the word marks of all the APMG approved and swirl device logo is a trade mark of the APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved.
Accredited (APMG Managing Benefits Practitioner) training is provided by (e-Careers Limited), APMG-International Accredited Training Organisation.


text: Time for some mi goreng! So this is another one I found at the Uwajimaya in Renton, WA by where my son goes to Pokemon League. Today's a weird day; the local power company has been going from apartment building to apartment building and repairing these big green power boxes outside. I'm guessing that the power could go out at any minute! I guess We'll see – let's get started!


text:
Financial Aid is disbursed to the Bursar's Office and the aid is applied to a student account once all loan requirements are met and enrollment is completed. Disbursement of student financial aid may begin 10 days prior to the first day of class as indicated on the OUHSC Academic Calendar. Charges outstanding on the student account, including tuition, fees, housing, and optional fees, will be satisfied first and the remaining refundable balance is refunded to the student.
Student refunds are issued either by direct deposit or paper check. Students may request funds be received via direct deposit by completing the online Direct Deposit Form.
Students choosing to receive their refund via paper check must confirm their "home" address is accurate. Addresses may be reviewed through the student self-service website. Refund checks are mailed to the home address. Occasionally, refund checks are lost in the mail. There is a waiting period of 30 days before a stop payment may be issued on a university check. The cost for requesting a stop payment on a refund check is $15.00, payable at the time of the student's request.


text:
Ask the Coach: Achilles Tightness
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
—Eddie Fullmer, Abilene, TX
This article appeared in our 2010 Race Issue.
As we age, our muscles lose elasticity. Translation: You will get tighter—unless you stretch regularly. The real problem is not the tightness itself but the lack of resiliency. For example, a muscle may not respond to an unexpected slip, twist or odd step, but instead may cry "uncle," resulting in a strain. And you can always expect the unexpected when trail running!
The first step is keeping your muscles strong by remaining active. Now you just need to keep them flexible too and that means stretching before and after runs, as well as during long runs if you start to tighten up.
The simplest stretch is a bent-knee lunge: With the front knee bent, place one foot behind you a foot or two. Keeping the rear heel glued to the ground and your weight centered between the two, slowly bend the rear knee until you feel the stretch in the calf muscles. Be sure to keep your weight from moving backward. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds.
Tips: make it a habit to do the stretch whenever you pause on the trail. Also, be sure to start your runs then stop for a couple of minutes after you feel warm (five to 10 minutes) to stretch. Oh, and avoid starting your runs with huge leaps and bounds up hills, which puts extra strain on cold muscles.


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By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Running back Kareem Hunt acknowledged that he misled the Kansas City Chiefs about his role in a February assault in a Cleveland hotel that ultimately led to his release this week.
During a live interview with ESPN on Sunday, the NFL's reigning rushing champion also said that league officials never spoke to him about the incident while conducting their own investigation, and that he never saw the security camera video until TMZ Sports posted it Friday.
In the course of a few hours, Hunt went from preparing for Sunday's game in Oakland to being sent home from the practice facility. He was then placed on the NFL's Commissioner Exemption List, summoned back to the team facility and told that he was being released .
"They believed that I lied to them. I lied to them," Hunt said. "They pretty much said we love you, everybody cares about you, and just we have to let you go. It was a tough conversation. And the Chiefs did what was right. I made a poor decision and I'm willing to take full responsibility."
In the grainy, graphic video, Hunt is seen getting into an argument with a woman and several men step in to hold him back. He later pushes one of the men, knocking down a woman that Hunt admitted he did not know, and eventually kicks her while she lays on the ground.
"The Chiefs are right. I didn't tell them everything," Hunt said. "My actions caused this and I really wish I could apologize to them and let them know there's no hard feelings."
The video brought immediate comparisons to the footage of former Ravens running back Ray Rice , who was seen punching out his then-fiancée in an elevator. That incident led to a lengthy legal saga, and it culminated in an investigation by Robert Mueller into the NFL's mishandling of it.
The league eventually hired more staff to conduct such investigations, and announced it would take a more active role in handling similar cases in the future.
The NFL made multiple attempts to obtain the video of Hunt, but the hotel said corporate policy only allowed footage to be given to law enforcement. The NFL then contacted Cleveland police, but the department said Saturday it did not pursue the video because it was not a felony-level case.
When asked whether the NFL spoke directly to Hunt about it, he replied: "No, they have not."
The league uses a standard investigative process in such cases in which witnesses, complainants and the police are contacted before the player is. Because the complainants never responded to NFL requests via email, text messages and formal letters, the police decided not to bring charges against Hunt, and Hunt spoke with the Chiefs, the NFL did not interview him.
The NFL said in a statement Sunday that its investigation began immediately after the incident in February and that the league "continues to pursue a complete understanding of the facts."
"The NFL's ongoing investigation will include further attempts to speak to the complainants involved in the incident," the statement said. "It will include a review of the new information that was made public on Friday — which was not available to the NFL previously — as well as further conversations with all parties involved in the incident."
The statement did not say whether the league attempted to contact Hunt.
Hunt said he'd just purchased an apartment in the Cleveland hotel and had several friends over, and that he did not know the woman involved in the assault. Hunt said the argument came at the end of "a long night" and that "it was just a disagreement. I honestly wanted her just to leave."
"That's not an excuse," he said. "I'm not that person in that video."
Hunt pointed out that he was raised by his mother and grandmother, and they "they always taught me well. I know right from wrong and I'm a person that always wants to make everyone happy."
Still, Hunt has been in trouble before. He was suspended during his junior season at Toledo for a violation of team rules, and he was accused of a second, unrelated assault over the summer.
As in the case with the hotel incident, no charges were filed in that case.
"I regret the entire thing, everything," Hunt said. "I'm going to take the time to better myself, learn from this, get some help if needed, talk to people and really just take this really serious."
Hunt admitted that anger "could be an issue" and that he wants to get treatment, and Rice told NFL Network on Saturday that he would offer his help and experience in moving forward.
"I would definitely try to help him figure out, 'How can we start dealing with the underlying problems in your life?'" Rice said. "He has a long life to live, this will be a defining moment, but it shouldn't be the moment that defines you."
Hunt said he isn't sure that another NFL team will give him a chance, though adding a 23-year-old standout could be worth the public backlash for a team in need of help.
After leading the NFL in rushing last season, Hunt had already run for more than 800 yards while scoring 14 touchdowns in helping the Chiefs to a 9-2 record. He also had proven to be a popular player in the locker room, often attending sporting events and other functions with his teammates.
Of course, that was before the hotel security video surfaced.
Hunt remains on the exempt list, which means a team could sign him but he would be unable to play or attend games until the league's investigation is complete. The Redskins made a similar move — and accepted the public backlash — when they signed linebacker Reuben Foster, who had been cut by the 49ers after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Foster also remains on the exempt list and the Redskins have acknowledged he may never play for them. But by signing him, they retain his rights should he make it back to the field.
"Everything is happening fast right now and I just want everybody to forgive me," Hunt said. "I know it's going to be hard. I made a bad choice. … I think I deserve it because if you really know me, and everybody that I'm really close to — I've had really close women who are friends — I'm so respectful to everyone. I made a bad decision at that time and I just hope that people forgive me."
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
[Featured image: AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File]


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A speed boat cruises the river near Portsmouth, VA.
A porthole on the side of a tall ship, moored at a dock in Philadelphia.
The fairey transits the river from Portsmouth to Norfolk.This shot was taken out of my office window in downtown Portsmouth.
A girl from a Portuguese tall ship, moored at a dock in Downtown Philadelphia, dances.


text: The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire philanthropist Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary election and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Georgian Dream's Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement.


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The private spaceflight company SpaceX has signed its first launch customer for its new mega-rocket, the Falcon Heavy, even as the firm's first commercial spaceship prepares to return home from the International Space Station.
The Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX announced Thursday (May 29) that it has landed a contract with satellite communications provider Intelsat to launch a satellite using the new Falcon Heavy rocket, which is expected to become the world's most powerful rocket in use when it starts flying.
"SpaceX is very proud to have the confidence of Intelsat, a leader in the satellite communication services industry," SpaceX CEO and rocket chief designer Elon Musk said in a statement. "The Falcon Heavy has more than twice the power of the next largest rocket in the world. With this new vehicle, SpaceX launch systems now cover the entire spectrum of the launch needs for commercial, civil and national security customers."
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket is an evolution of the company's successful Falcon 9 rocket, which was used to launch the firm's unmanned Dragon capsule on its maiden voyage to the International Space Station last week. But instead of a single Falcon 9 rocket, the Falcon Heavy will feature a central core stage with the equivalent of two Falcon 9 rocket first stages strapped to its sides. [How SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket Will Launch (Video)]
The Falcon Heavy rocket will stand 227 feet (69.2 meters) tall, and weigh about 3.1 million pounds (1.4 million kilograms). It will be capable of launching about 117,000 pounds (53,000 kilograms) of payload into orbit - twice the payload capacity of NASA's space shuttle, company officials have said.
The new rocket will be able to launch twice as much material as the most powerful rocket currently in use — the Delta 4 Heavy operated by the United Launch Alliance. Only NASA's Saturn V moon rockets, which launched astronauts to the moon during the Apollo lunar missions, could carry more weight into orbit, SpaceX officials have said.
Musk has said that the first test flight of a Falcon Heavy rocket could occur as early as 2013. The rocket is expected to liftoff from a new launch pad SpaceX is building at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Under the Intelsat agreement, SpaceX agrees to launch an Intelsat into a so-called geosynchronous transfer orbit, a flight path that will deploy the satellite in an orbit that will allow it to reach a final geostationary orbit about 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) above the equator.
"Intelsat has exacting technical standards and requirements for proven flight heritage for our satellite launches," said Intelsat CTO Thierry Guillemin. "We will work closely with SpaceX as the Falcon Heavy completes rigorous flight tests prior to our future launch requirements."
You can follow SPACE.com Managing Editor Tariq Malik on Twitter @tariqjmalik. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcomand on Facebook.


text:
2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Sedan
Retail $11,995
City 27/Hwy 38 Estimated By E.P.A. - Actual Mileage May Vary
Dealership Information
Murray Auto Sales Inc
Murray Auto Sales Inc
4315 S State St
Murray, UT 84107
Visit Murray Auto Sales Inc online at murrayas.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 385-290-3920 today to schedule your test drive.
- 110 Amp Alternator
- 18 Gal. Fuel Tank
- 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- 2 LCD Monitors In The Front
- 2 Seatback Storage Pockets
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/4-Wheel ABS
- 4.83 Axle Ratio
- 550CCA Maintenance-Free Battery w/Run Down Protection
- 60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
- Air Filtration
- Airbag Occupancy Sensor
- Analog Appearance
- Auto On/Off Projector Beam Halogen Headlamps w/Delay-Off
- Black Grille w/Chrome Accents
- Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity
- Body-Colored Front Bumper
- Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors
- Body-Colored Rear Bumper
- Brake Assist and Hill Hold Control
- Cargo Area Concealed Storage
- Cargo Space Lights
- Carpet Floor Trim and Carpet Trunk Lid/Rear Cargo Door Trim
- Chrome Door Handles
- Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
- Clearcoat Paint
- Collision Mitigation-Front
- Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo
- Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
- Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
- Day-Night Rearview Mirror
- Delayed Accessory Power
- Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins and Audio Media Storage
- Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors
- Driver Foot Rest
- Driver Seat
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Speed-Sensing Steering
- Engine Immobilizer
- Engine Oil Cooler
- Engine: 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder
- Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
- Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster
- Front And Rear Anti-Roll Bars
- Front And Rear Map Lights
- Front Bucket Seats -inc: 6-way manual driver's seat and 4-way manual passenger seat
- Front Center Armrest w/Storage and Rear Center Armrest
- Front Cupholder
- Front Vented Discs
- Front Windshield -inc: Sun Visor Strip
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Full Carpet Floor Covering
- Full Cloth Headliner
- Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage
- Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels
- Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
- Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
- HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts
- Illuminated Locking Glove Box
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with AEB
- Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert
- Light Tinted Glass
- Manual Adjustable Front Head Restraints and Fixed Rear Head Restraints
- Manual Air Conditioning
- Manual tilt/telescoping steering column
- Metal-Look Door Panel Insert and Chrome/Metal-Look Interior Accents
- Mini Overhead Console w/Storage and 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- Multi-Link Rear Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point
- Outside Temp Gauge
- Passenger Seat
- Perimeter Alarm
- Quasi-Dual Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
- Rear Child Safety Locks
- Rear Cupholder
- RearView Monitor Back-Up Camera
- Remote Releases -Inc: Power Cargo Access and Mechanical Fuel
- Seats w/Cloth Back Material
- Side Impact Beams
- Steel Spare Wheel
- Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Systems Monitor
- Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
- Tires: P215/60TR16 AS
- Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode
- Transmission: Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable)
- Trunk Rear Cargo Access
- Urethane Gear Shifter Material
- Valet Function
- Variable Intermittent Wipers
- Vinyl Door Trim Insert
- Window Grid Antenna


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Federal student loan debt tops $1T
Federal student loan debt has topped $1 trillion, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will announce Wednesday, a milestone that will only intensify the debate in Congress over what to do about student loan interest rates.
The interest rate on new, federally subsidized Stafford loans doubled on July 1 to 6.8 percent thanks to congressional inaction, and the two parties haven't been able to agree to a solution to lower the rate.
"I think there's been a lot of attention about future student loan interest rates but student loan debt continues to grow," said Rohit Chopra, the CFPB's student loan ombudsman. The growing debt suggests that lawmakers should pay attention to issues beyond interest rates for a small slice of student loans overall, Chopra said.
( Also on POLITICO: Pols try to build student-loan deal)
The vast majority of new and outstanding student loans in the U.S. are backed and issued by the federal government, either via banks like Sallie Mae or, since 2010, directly through the Education Department. All student loan debt, which includes private loans from banks as well as the federal loans, now stands at $1.2 trillion.
Total outstanding student debt, when you add federal and private loans, passed $1 trillion near the end of 2011, according to the CFPB. When that number was made public in May 2012, it kicked off a wave of public concern about rising student debt levels. Now that federal loans alone have topped $1 trillion, it may accelerate discussions over what to do about interest rates.
Student loan debt already on the books won't be affected by the interest rate increase — it will apply only to loans issued after July 1, but the eye-catching $1 trillion number is likely to be used as fodder by lawmakers and groups who argue that students are already taking on too much debt to attend college.
( Also on POLITICO: Young props in student loan war)
"$1.2 trillion is just too much. Our leaders in Washington must come together to tackle the problem of college affordability and unmanageable student loan debt," Jen Mishory, deputy director of Young Invincibles, a group that represents Americans under 35, said in a statement. "We need to take action on the federal interest rate increase right now, but there is a crisis-level problem to fix beyond that."


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