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Syrian helicopter bomb raids kill 42 in Aleppo: monitors
BEIRUT (Reuters) - At least 42 people, including children, were killed on Sunday when Syrian army helicopters dropped improvised "barrel bombs" in the northern province of Aleppo, a monitoring group said. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said separate air raids hit several districts in Aleppo, but the biggest toll was in Hanano, east of the city. At least six children were among the dead. "They hit a convoy of cars on a road in Hanano, many cars were destroyed. There were civilians there," said the Observatory's Rami Abdelrahman. Human Rights Watch said in a report over the weekend that barrel bomb attacks had killed scores of civilians in Aleppo in the last month. It described the attacks as illegal and said they had hit residential and shopping areas. "The Syrian air force is either criminally incompetent, doesn't care whether it kills scores of civilians, or deliberately targets civilian areas," HRW senior emergency researcher Ole Solvang said in the report. Barrel bombs are explosive-filled cylinders or oil drums that are often rolled out of the back of helicopters with little attempt at striking a particular target. They are capable of causing widespread casualties and significant damage. President Bashar al-Assad's forces, battling rebels in a 2 1/2-year conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people, frequently deploy air power and artillery against rebel-held districts across the country. They have been unable to recapture eastern and central parts of Aleppo, which rebels seized in the summer of 2012, but they have driven rebel fighters back from towns to the southeast of the city in recent weeks. (Reporting by Mariam Karouny; Editing by Larry King)


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The Dodgers had questions about Ted Lilly's health and his transition to the bullpen, so they designated the veteran left-hander for assignment on Thursday.One has to admire his desire to get back out to the mound and help the team, but unfortunately for Lilly, he just didn't have anything left in the tank after a number of injuries and, well, after being like 176 years old.
The decision to cut ties with Lilly came one day after he was activated from the disabled list for the third time this season. The Dodgers have 10 days to either place Lilly on waivers, release him or trade him. In a corresponding roster move, the Dodgers promoted utility man Elian Herrera from Triple-A Albuquerque.
"I'm obviously not happy about what happened," said Lilly, who was 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA in five starts. "It's a pretty big turn of events. I went from being activated yesterday to them changing their mind today."
So long, Theodore Roosevelt Lilly, and thanks for not giving up any more home runs in early innings as a Dodger pitcher.
Photo: Dodgers/2012

subset: commoncrawl


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Officers killed in helicopter crash praised as heroes
Mourners have made a make-shift memorial for the officers at the site of the crash
Associated Press
ATLANTA — Mourners have been leaving flowers, cards and other mementos at a makeshift memorial near the site of a police helicopter crash that killed two Atlanta officers who were searching for a runaway boy.
The chopper struck a power pole, them plummeted to the ground and exploded, killing both officers on board late Saturday night, authorities said. No one on the ground was hurt.
A trust fund has been established for the families of the officers, 48-year-old pilot Richard J. Halford and 40-year-old tactical flight officer Shawn A. Smiley. Wells Fargo bank officials say they will start taking donations at noon Monday for the trust funds.
The 9-year-old boy was found wandering on a city street a couple of hours after the crash, Atlanta police spokesman Officer John Chafee said Sunday. He ran away after being scolded by his mother.
"All I could do was cry because somebody lost their life," the boy's mother, Amire Shakir-Fulford, told Atlanta station WSB-TV. "I just want to tell their families I'm so sorry."
Shakir-Fulford said she feels responsible for the officers' deaths.
"My child can come home," she added. "They can't go home and hug their children, their wives, their relatives, nobody."
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board was expected to be in Atlanta on Monday to investigate the cause of the crash.
The NTSB investigators were going over maintenance records and had talked to witnesses.
"They saw the aircraft, they heard the aircraft, and then they saw a flash of light when it hit the pole and then it crashed into the roadway," investigator Ralph Hicks said.
The wreckage of the OH-6A helicopter has already been moved as investigators worked to piece together what happened, said Eric M. Weiss, a spokesman with the National Transportation Safety Board.
Part of the helicopter's landing gear had to be removed from the cables with the help of the power company.
The NTSB investigators were going over maintenance records and had talked to witnesses.
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner praised the two officers as public servants who died honorably in the search for the missing boy. Both men were fathers. Smiley had three children under the age of 10.
"Every day, they provided air support for our officers, assisting in major events and searches for suspects and missing persons," Turner said in a statement. "Their value to our citizens and our officers on the street is incalculable."
Copyright 2012 Associated Press


text: It's that time of year again. Summer is beginning to wind down, and it's time to start thinking about school. It's sometimes a disappointing feeling to see the summer run away so quickly, but with the new school year brings new lessons, new friends, and new adventures. Abt Electronics has just the gear you need when you go back to school. Shop our wide selection and be ready when the new school year arrives.


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All of Scripture is given to us for "teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness" which, of course, includes the Book of Psalms. We can certainly study the psalms, learn from them, be corrected by them, and be trained by them for righteousness, just like the rest of the Scriptures. But the Psalms are unique – they are the hymnbook of the people of God, and they are meant to be sung. Join us on this exciting journey as we learn to sing the Word!
Each psalm comes equipped with three components to aid in your reflection and worship:
You will find the words to the psalm printed on the screen. As much as possible, every effort has been made by the authors to preserve the original meaning of the text, while setting the words to meter. You'll notice the corresponding biblical verse numbers to the left of the text.
Each of the expandable tunes listed at the top of the screen has a small "play" button underneath. Selecting this button will play the audio for that tune, in continuous looping fashion until you a) press the button again, b.) press another play button on the page, or c.) exit the page. This allows you to listen to the tune as you read (or sing!) the words to the psalm.
Selecting the expandable tune name will reveal the sheet music for that tune. Select a different tune name to reveal a different chord chart that works with the meter of the psalm. Enjoy this resource!
The easiest way to find a psalm to sing—listed in canonical order, discover all of the Psalms, from 1-150.
This metrical Psalter is set to specific meters and tunes—a great resource for trained musicians.
Listen to the music of each psalms in iTunes where you can download it to your device.
New to this practice? Here are some questions we're commonly asked.


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Back when we worked in an office, trying to pass gas discretely when there were people around was the highlight of our day. Alas, more often than not, the keen nose of our coworkers would alert them to our rear-corridor escapades.
Meet Microsoft's New Surface Laptops
But, with the Flat-D odor absorbing pad under your buttocks, you'll be free to fart and fart 'til you get a chunker. The activated charcoal cloth pad sucks in all the smells that would normally contaminate the rest of the air.
Available now for $25.95.
Your Safe Chair [Flat-D via Core77]


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"Die, Zombie, Die"
What is it? What it is. What is it?
Dazzling, yea starving town, starving town, out of the cold, out of the cold
(Die, Die, Die!) Moneyman rumble. Dreamtime maker.
Dressed to kill. Crybaby keeper.
Nature of the madness. Lies very still.
Shadow boxing motions a real believer.
Areal believer. Look here, get it and go, look here.
Seduction in a new new world, seduction. Into the fire
(Die, Die, Die!) Cannibal collision american girl.
Suck in your gut. Unlike before yea, unlike before, if you murder.
Object of desire. Now come and get it. Get it! Come get it! Come.
While I roustabout. Brutalities inflictied. A rush across the room.
While the city sleeps. I want to ask you. What's in store?
Fleshy jaws. Now wait a minute.


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One bedroom apartment: spacious living area with one bedroom which has either a double bed or two singles. Bathroom with shower or bath and hairdryer, living/dining room with a folding bed. Capacity for 1 to 4 people. Fitted kitchen, air conditioning, central heating, safe, wi-fi internet connection and international TV. These apartments have terraces with street view.
més informació


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Junkyard Dogs - Dachshund - D36
These recycled metal Yardbird sculptures, in the shapes of dogs, cats and all kinds of critters add expressions of fun and functionality, a decorative touch to any garden, walkway or porch.
All of the animals are bare metal and naturally rust with age, that's part of their beauty. As creator Richard Kolb says, "They rust, but they'll never run away." They are great conversation pieces, and many people enjoy trying to figure out what was used to make each component. The animals are intended to simply make people happy, and have been succeeding for over a decade.
Dimensions listed are approximate and may vary slightly: this piece is about 10 by 4 by 7 inches.
We Also Recommend


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Close to the entrance of Milltown Cemetery is a limestone monument which marks the grave of a remarkable woman – Maria Winifred Carney. Winnie was born in Bangor, Co Down, but moved to the Falls Road in Belfast at an early age. She was born into a fairly comfortable family, and was one of seven children. Her mother and father Alfred and Sarah, were estranged, therefore, Sarah, was left to rear the family, with a small sweet shop for a time at No.5 Falls Road, where the Twin Spires complex stands today. By the early part of the 20th century as Winifred was in her early twenties, she and her mother were living at 2a Carlisle Circus. By this time in her life with a good education behind her and two secretarial jobs, she became involved with the Suffragette's and then the socialist movement.
In 1912 she met James Connolly and became secretary of the Textile Workers' Union, which was in practice in the women's section of the Belfast branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (though officially part of the Irish Women Workers' Union), for whom she drafted a manifesto, containing these words:
'Many Belfast mills are slaughterhouses for the women and penitentiaries for the children. But while the world is deploring your conditions, they also unite in deploring your slavish and servile nature in submitting to them: they unite in wondering what material these Belfast women are made, who refuse to unite together and fight to better their conditions.'
Through a national progression of socialist trade union activity, she moved into republicanism, joining Belfast No.1 branch of Cumann na mBan in 1914. As one of the few outside the republican leadership, she knew well of the forthcoming rising due to her close working relationship with James Connolly. She became a part of his family, and became friends with his daughter Nora. He kept her informed of events during her visits to Belfast, and on 14 April 1916, he sent her a telegram instructing her to travel to Dublin immediately.
There, she found herself in Liberty Hall typing dispatches and mobilisation orders. Known as the Typist with the Webley, during the fighting she was the last of the women to leave the GPO. After Connolly became wounded, she refused to leave his side. This was despite direct orders from Pearse and Connolly. She had earlier taken the wounded Connolly's final dictated orders. Carney, alongside Elizabeth O'Farell and Julia Gremen left the GPO with the rest of the rebels after their surrender.
After the Rising she was interned in Mountjoy Gaol along with Helena Moloney, Nell Ryan and Countess Markievicz. They were then transferred to Aylesbury Prison, England. These women tried to revoke their internee status with the privileges it brought so that they could be held as normal prisoners with Countess Markievicz. Their request was denied. They were finally released in December 1916.
She became involved in Sinn Féin, and even stood as a candidate for Central East Belfast in the elections of December 1918. But this was a period when the Irish Parliamentary Party in Belfast under Joe Devlin had the backing of the majority of Belfast Catholics. When the 'troubles' broke out in July 1920 in Belfast, she was once again active in Cumann na mBan working within the 1st Battalion of the Belfast Brigade, 3rd Northern Division (Her service number was 56077).
Following the Civil War, Winifred became disillusioned with politics in the new Free State, and was critical of subsequent governments including de Valera's. She returned to her roots of socialism and labour politics. She even found time to marry a Protestant, George McBride from Crimea Street in the Shankill Road, while still remaining herself a Catholic, although critical of the church hierarchy. They set up home at No.3 Whitewell Parade on the outskirts of North Belfast. She slowly drifted from politics in the late thirties through a combination of health problems, and her friends moving to Dublin.
Winifred Carney died on 21 November 1943 a Socialist to the end. Her brother Ernest refused to have her grave marked so that the name McBride would not appear, a final protest at marrying a Protestant. However, many years later when the Belfast National Graves discovered the final resting place of this fine woman, a headstone was erected, and an oration by Belfast Republican Liam Rice.


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3DS title Resident Evil: Revelations listed for console release
Not had enough zombie-based fun across the last year? Did Operation Raccoon City, Resident Evil 6 and The Walking Dead leave you wanting more time with those stumbling pests? According to yet another listing unearthed before its time, more of those groaners are heading towards your screen.
It looks as if Capcom is getting ready to port Resident Evil: Revelations, a 3DS-only title, towards the console market. A listing on the Korean Ratings Board indicates the title is heading to both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Revelations received positive reviews upon its original January 2012 release. While Operation Raccoon City is hardly worth talking about, and Resident Evil 6 received mixed reviews, Revelations could be considered the most interesting Resi title of the year. Resident Evil 7 is likely to be some years away, so it makes sense Capcom would keep the franchise running with a straight port.
The publisher has provided no official response as of yet. We'll keep you up to date as soon as we hear anything.
Thanks, NeoGAF.


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The annual Geminid meteor shower peaked overnight last night (Dec. 13), dazzling skywatchers around the world with a bounty of brilliant shooting stars.
The Geminids' peak was supposed to be good this year, as it occurred in a sky left dark by the new moon. Experts had predicted that viewers in rural areas might see 100 meteors per hour early Friday morning (Dec. 14) — and perhaps even more.
Judging by the reactions of some SPACE.com readers, the Geminids did not disappoint.
"What an incredible show we had here!" Sean Parker, who watched the shower early Friday just west of Tucson, Ariz., told SPACE.com via email. "I was able to see about 50 per hour." [Photos: Geminid Meteors of 2012]
Parker constructed a gorgeous composite image of about 30 frames, which captured dozens of shooting stars streaking through the skies above a saguaro-studded desert mountain.
"This image took a lot of work, as I had to scroll through about 400 frames and find which frames had shooting stars in them, then cut out every meteor and blend," Parker said.
Astrophotographer Jack Fusco found similarly productive viewing thousands of miles away, in Ocean City, NJ.
"The shower produced a high number of meteors and fireballs that lit up the sky," wrote Fusco, who sent SPACE.com a beautiful shot of several Geminids streaking over beachside dunes. "Hands down one of the [best] meteor showers in recent years."
Skywatchers on the other side of the world were enthralled by the Geminids as well.
"Awesome experience," said Swaroop Hangal of Mumbai, India, who also captured a photo of a fast-moving meteor.
"Today, I had planned to see 50 streaks and then quit with or without a pic," Hangal said. "Had almost lost hope when I could capture the 50th one, just between Betelgeuse at the bottom & Alhena in the Gemini constellation."
The Geminids— so named because they appear to emanate from the constellation Gemini (The Twins) — are one of the most dependably impressive annual meteor showers.
They result when Earth plows through debris shed by a 3-mile-wide (5 kilometers) asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. These tiny particles burn up in our planet's atmosphere, leaving bright streaks in the sky to commemorate their passing.
The Geminids' source is unusual for meteor showers, which are typically caused by streams of sloughed-off comet particles. Debris streams from the famous Halley's Comet, for example, produce the Orionids every October and the Eta Aquarids, which peak in early May.
If you missed the Geminid peak last night, don't fret; you still have a few days to catch the shower this year. The Geminids should linger until Sunday (Dec. 16) or so before fizzling out completely.
Editor's Note: If you take a photo of this year's Geminids that you'd like to share with SPACE.com for a possible story or gallery, please send it, along with your comments, to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall or SPACE.com @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook and Google+.


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Lemon Floral Printed Kitchen Towel Set
Add a little color to your kitchen no matter the season with our cotton kitchen towel sets. These kitchen towel sets make the perfect housewarming gift when paired with a new kitchen gadget or top-shelf bottle of wine!
- Two Towels Per Set
- 27" x 18" x .25"
- 100% Cotton Machine Wash Cold, Gentle Cycle, Tumble Dry Low
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
If you purchase something that requires customization, be sure to enter the necessary details in the "Special Instruction" section at checkout! If you happen to forget, no worries, Shelby will contact you to follow-up once order is complete <3
Hi! I'm Shelby <3 a 29 - year- old wife, dog-mom, friend, sister, reader, baker, designer, and foodie. I live in Covington, LA with my husband and our goldendoodle, Ollie, who we both love so much! I have always had a love of gift-giving and gift curation, which mainly stems from memories of shopping for the perfect gifts for family and friends with my mom throughout my childhood. We always loved (and still love) shopping around, bouncing ideas off of one another, and wrapping things up in a way that will convey our love and thanks for the reciepient. I hope to help you fall in love with gift giving, or at least to make it a little less painful, if you're someone who despises it!
xo, Shelby started February 2022 as a little stationery business to keep me busy and has grown to be so much more than that in the past few months. I love working with you guys to design and to find the perfect gifts and am so thankful that you trust me with your pretties. You guys are the best; and I love you all! Cheers to growth, to community, and to love! xo, Shelby
I know that you have choices when it comes to where you shop, so from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for considering purchasing from me <3 I LOVE gift-giving and hope to make the process as easy and fun for you as possible!
Because you trust me with your orders, I promise to work diligently to fulfill your orders correctly and get them to you quickly! If there ever is a problem with an order or something was broken upon reciept, please notify Shelby at firstname.lastname@example.com within 2 days of reciept to figure out the best way to move forward!


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- Brand
- Collection
Good to know
Shoes sharing the same inspiration, history, materials, or technologies are routinely assembled under one compilation for the convenience of those who may wish to categorize or label their own collection as such. The classic collections like the Adidas Originals, Air Max 1, Air Force 1, new balance classic sneakers, and the Classic Leather HEAD the pack of frequently asked about collections.
- Style
Initially released in the past, at least a decade ago, and eventually resurrected due to their popularity. These re-released sneakers are assembled with more modern materials.
Classic sneakers are basically the original models with very little or almost no changes since they were released years ago.
Also dubbed as ugly shoes or turbo trainers, dad sneakers are chunky footwear inspired by the rubber shoes our fathers strutted in the 80s and 90s. These kicks feature massive soles adding few inches to the wearers' heights, with a thick and well-padded upper for ultra-comfortable strides, and often finished with curvy lines, patterns, and striking colors for flashier charm.
Clean, streamlined, often monochromatic silhouettes.
Sneakers with knit uppers that are very soft and wrap around the foot and ankle like socks.
This design approach presents familiar silhouettes in a new light. Various shoe elements are added, removed or revamped to make a sneaker stand out.
Disclosure: We earn
affiliate commissions
at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
Why trust us


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Jessica and Monica are mother and daughter. They are both adult film actresses. They have teamed up, professionally. They engage in nude embraces. They shoot sex scenes together. They do two-on-one. They take turns sucking the same dick. They watch each other orgasm (or pretend to orgasm). But they swear that what they're doing doesn't qualify as incest—legally, anyway.
Collectively known as the Sexxxtons, Jessica, 56, and her daughter Monica, 22, recently gained a lot of attention with the release of their porno Meet the Sexxxtons and the launch of their members-only site TheSexxxtons.com. (All links NSFW.) But with mainstream publicity comes a lot of criticism, mostly in the form of disgust. Jessica, however, claims that it is ridiculous that people are suggesting that there is anything "inappropriate" going on between herself and her daughter.
"There's nothing sexual about it, it is a mother-daughter relationship," she tells Radar Online, even though an episode featured on the pair's site, titled "Dinner Party" features Jessica and Monica completely naked, sitting next to each other on a table while two guys eat them out. That seems at least a little bit sexual.
What Jessica and Monica are more interested in getting across though, is that they are not committing incest, which is illegal where they live (Tampa, FL). They even had a "high profile attorney" consult with them about "what legally we can do and what we can't do."
"I think that most people are afraid to do it because of the incest implications but we're trying to make everyone understand that there is no incest," Jessica said.
But why get all weird and defensive about incest when you've already gotten all weird and offensive with incest? Isn't that the whole point of doing this mother-daughter porn duo thing? To freak people out and attract attention? Aren't they trading on the titillation that results from something so taboo?
Monica, who dropped out of school in the ninth grade, is the one who encouraged her mother to get into porn, and says that filming together was her idea. So, yeah, those are the kinds of ideas you have when you only have an eighth grade education. Stay in school, kids!
"I enjoy the sex and I enjoy being with my mom," Monica says.
I'm sure a lot of people can relate to that sentiment—but none of them would combine the two activities. Some things are not meant to be enjoyed together. Like cocaine and babies. Or baths and electronics. Not everything is chocolate and peanut butter.
But apparently, what the Sexxxtons are doing is working for them. Jessica says she has no regrets and even brags, "We're the first ones who have done this."
Hopefully they're the last.
Mother-Daughter Porn Duo The Sexxxtons Say Their X-Rated Relationship 'Is Not Incestuous' [Radar]


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A robust watch that "takes a licking and keeps on ticking" is better than a fragile watch. A belief is unlike a watch in this respect. A belief should be defeasible to have merit and warrant our support. The easier it is to defeat a belief the more justified we are to hold that belief by virtue of a failure to defeat it. When a belief attempts to claim the allegedly unbreakable status of a Timex watch that indicates that the belief is likely to be ill-defined and to lack value. People who proudly assert that they adopt their most important beliefs on faith and actively resist the doubting of this faith, or who deliberately select their beliefs to be as inscrutable and invulnerable to defeat as possible, are making a fundamental mistake. They are self-defining themselves as unreasonable ideologues.
To be properly justified our beliefs need to be derived from an honest effort to obtain a best fit with the available evidence. Accordingly, we should hold those beliefs that are most consistent with the conclusions reached by a current consensus of the experts who carefully examine the empirical evidence and who adopt only those defeasible conclusions that withstand skeptical scrutiny. Using this standard we are not restricted to adopting only those conclusions that are published in science textbooks, but we are confined to adopting only those beliefs that are the closest match with the conclusions published in science textbooks.
The evidence favors, as best fit beliefs, that biology is chemistry is physics, that humans are primates that evolved from evolved fish that evolved from single celled organisms that emerged from chemistry and physics, that our universe has total energy in the vicinity of zero and that a stable initial condition of absolute nothingness is a fictional concept, that human cognition is flawed and biased and the very different religious beliefs among different people reflect our cognitive biases, and that libertarian free will is a fiction. It thus becomes difficult to simultaneously hold traditional religious beliefs. We should not be seeking a religious belief or any pre-determined belief, we should be seeking best fit with the available evidence beliefs.


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"The Portable Veblen" by Elizabeth McKenzie
From Amazon.com:
"The Portable Veblen is a dazzlingly original novel that's as big-hearted as it is laugh-out-loud funny. Set in and around Palo Alto, amid the culture clash of new money and old (antiestablishment) values, and with the specter of our current wars looming across its pages, The Portable Veblen is an unforgettable look at the way we live now. A young couple on the brink of marriage—the charming Veblen and her fiancé Paul, a brilliant neurologist—find their engagement in danger of collapse. Along the way they weather everything from each other's dysfunctional families, to the attentions of a seductive pharmaceutical heiress, to an intimate tête-à-tête with a very charismatic squirrel.
Veblen (named after the iconoclastic economist Thorstein Veblen, who coined the term "conspicuous consumption") is one of the most refreshing heroines in recent fiction. Not quite liberated from the burdens of her hypochondriac, narcissistic mother and her institutionalized father, Veblen is an amateur translator and "freelance self"; in other words, she's adrift. Meanwhile, Paul—the product of good hippies who were bad parents—finds his ambition soaring. His medical research has led to the development of a device to help minimize battlefield brain trauma—an invention that gets him swept up in a high-stakes deal with the Department of Defense, a Bizarro World that McKenzie satirizes with granular specificity.
As Paul is swept up by the promise of fame and fortune, Veblen heroically keeps the peace between all the damaged parties involved in their upcoming wedding, until she finds herself falling for someone—or something—else. Throughout, Elizabeth McKenzie asks: Where do our families end and we begin? How do we stay true to our ideals? And what is that squirrel really thinking? Replete with deadpan photos and sly appendices, The Portable Veblen is at once an honest inquiry into what we look for in love and an electrifying reading experience."


text: The biggest financial institutions in the U.S. are under renewed pressure to mandate the use of PINs with new chip-based payment cards.On Monday, the\u00a0attorneys general of nine U.S. states sent a joint letter to the companies, urging them to adopt the technology as a way to reduce the effectiveness of data breaches and card fraud.Banks have issued millions of chip-based cards this year, bringing the U.S. belatedly in line with most of the rest of world, but while other countries switched to PINs as they introduced the cards, the U.S. has stuck with signatures as a second form of identification.The new cards electronically transmit one-time codes instead of card numbers when customers pay. That eliminates the risk of data breaches from malware in store systems like those that hit millions of customers at Target and Home Depot, but it doesn't stop fraudulent in-store transactions from taking place."There can be no doubt that this is a less than secure standard, since signatures can be easily forged or copied or even ignored at the point-of-sale," the attorneys general wrote in their letter. "In order to better protect consumers, the chip-enabled cards issued in this country must be reinforced with the requirement that consumers enter a PIN to verify the transaction."The letter was addressed to the CEOs of Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Capital One, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, and came from the attorneys general of Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.The attorneys general are often involved in cases involving data breaches, thus their desire to see financial card fraud reduced.Behind the reluctance of card issuers to force the use of PINs is the competitive\u00a0U.S. financial services market. No bank wants to be the first mover in case consumers think remembering a PIN is troublesome and switch to other cards in their wallet that still allow signatures.Retailers, which have invested millions of dollars in new payment terminals to accept the cards, have been calling for the use of PINs for several months. On Monday, the\u00a0Retail Industry Leaders Association applauded the letter, calling chip and PIN the "gold standard" for card security."There simply is no honest explanation for banks to refuse to provide Americans with the same credit card security offered in Canada and Europe," the group said.


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Phytosanitary Certificates are now available for international buyers. We ship Internationally and Australia wide including Tasmania and WA.
Stock: Available
SKU Code: ES22.
Family: Asteraceae
Characteristics: Annual 40-50 cm
Seed per packet: Approx. 50
Seed per gram: Approx. 150
Dwarf zinnias are just adorable with their small, ball-shaped fully double flowers in pure white colour.
Use in mass plantings and mixed beds. Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow and are perfect for cut flowers. They are outstanding in beds, borders, and containers.
Grow notes:
Tropical: Winter to Late Summer.
Temperate: Spring & Early Summer.
Cool climate: Spring & Early Summer.
Sow: 6 mm deep
Sow direct in the growing position or in trays. If sowing in trays transplant when large enough to handle avoiding excessive root disturbance.
Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Plant space: 30 cm
Germination: 14-21 days
Flowering: 12 Weeks
Feed with a soluble fertiliser every two weeks for stronger plants.
We now stock a range of Propagation Accessories including the popular Aquamiser Propagation Kits, Pots, Native and Forestry Tubes, Trays, Labels and more.
We can only ship these items to Australian locations, international customers please request shipping quotation prior to purchasing.


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Find a Modular Building in Spartanburg, South Carolina Like A Pro
Deciphering the right modular buildings for your needs can be tiring. From researching quotes to understanding what type of modular buildings you need; the process can be dauting. Time is money. But the process doesn't have to drain your time or money. At 360Connect we can supply multiple quotes based on your needs in a simplified process.
Step 2
Enter your criteria – it's a short survey that will only take a minute.
Step 3
You're Done! Sellers in Spartanburg, South Carolina will be in touch with personalized quotes.
Modular Buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina
360Connect is your one-stop shop for modular buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Whether in need of a temporary or permanent solution, we provide the resources and expertise to ensure you receive a mobile office trailer that fits your needs and budget.
For over 15 years 360Connect has helped thousands of businesses based on the mission and goal of helping them succeed.
Looking to Rent or Buy a Modular Building in Spartanburg, South Carolina?
If you're looking to purchase or rent modular buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina, you've come to the right place. No matter the type or size, 360Connect is ready to help find your modular building solutions. To get started, submit a quote request. This service is free and there is no obligation to buy.
Step 1Get Free Quotes
Step 2Enter You Criteria. It's a short survey that will take less than 5 minutes.
Step 3You're Done! Sellers in Spartanburg, South Carolina will be in touch with a personalized quote.
Why You Should Invest in Modular Buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Modular buildings bring their own unique set of features and benefits to businesses for use. If you are considering a modular building for your business or government entity, here are some of the more common benefits you will find!
Quicker Construction and Delivery
Did you know that modular buildings can be built and assembled at a faster rate than stick-built buildings? It's true! For instance, it takes on average around 7 months for a stick-built home to be built. Compare that with a modular home which can be built and as little as 90 days. Even though specifications will be different for commercial buildings, you can still expect a much quicker turnaround time for your commercial modular building.
Cheaper Alternative
Many customers make the mistake that because modular buildings are cheaper, they are not as high quality as stick-built buildings. This couldn't be further from the truth though. Modular buildings have the same materials that you would find in any other building. Modular buildings become cheaper due to the speed at which they are built and the efficiency they are built with.
Best Suited for Remote Locations
One of the major benefits of modular buildings is that they are able to be assembled in a factory and then brought to the site of a job. Not only is production faster, but you are not restricted by inclement weather. Stick-built structures on the other hand are limited by weather, roads, and access to materials. If you are looking to build a structure in a remote location, modular buildings cut your best bet. The eliminate or severely reduce the logistical nightmares of building in a remote location.
Little to No Site Disturbances
Oftentimes during a construction project, a project can be delayed due to sight disturbances while building. This is most commonly due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. With modular buildings, you don't have to worry about this during the building process. All parts of the building are completed indoors and then shipped to the property. Not only will your building be able to be completed quicker, but you can make sure that you don't have to deal with rain delays or any other circumstances that would delay your project.
Features of Modular Buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina
The features of modular buildings are somewhat complex. Depending on the state and the manufacturer you choose, you can mix and match some features or find exclusive features specific to a type of building or manufacturer. That being said, there are some pretty standard features you can expect when it comes to modular buildings and manufacturers.
Temporary & Permanent Solutions
Modular building manufacturers offer both temporary and permanent solutions for companies to choose from. For temporary, manufacturers can easily produce modular buildings such as mobile offices, modular offices, stackable offices, and more. These can be produced at a much cheaper and faster rate. For permanent structures, manufacturers can produce modular buildings such as commercial real estate, residential real estate, school's classrooms, warehouses, and much more. With permanent structures like this, you'll be able to still have access to necessary amenities such as:
- Elevators
- Stairs
- Lobbies
- Maintenance Areas
- Customized Lighting
- Electricity Outlets
- Plumbing
- Windows
- Customization
- And much more!
According to Apex Modular Group, modular construction produces around 90% less material waste than traditional construction. Building modular construction is also more efficient, which produces less gas and less waste as well. While you cannot eliminate every environmental impact, modular buildings are much more environmentally friendly and are much less likely to affect the surrounding environment or ecosystem. Traditional stick-built systems not only produce vast amounts of waste, but delays in construction or weather damage can harm the environment. Not to mention, the additional materials needed to fix onsite damage.
Mass Production / Standardized Construction
When it comes to commercial buildings one of the best features of modular buildings is that they can be mass-produced. This significantly cuts down on the time commitment to building commercial modular buildings. While these won't be custom built, they will still adhere to the standards necessary for buildings as well as features you come to expect such as stairs, bathrooms, closets, and more.
Another great feature of modular buildings is that they can be designed to be stackable. Why is this so important? It means that you can expand your business without having to acquire new land! Instead of building out, you're building up! This can be perfect for those looking to build in prime real estate and future-proof their building for expansion.
Relocation Available
More temporary modular buildings can be relocated. This can be valuable for industries like construction or event management, which may need to move every couple of years after a project is completed. Relocation capability will depend on the type of structure you want to build.
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Audi Backs a Biofuels Startup
Joule Unlimited, a startup whose engineered microörganisms produce ethanol from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, announced the commissioning of a new demonstration plant last week that will start producing ethanol within the next few weeks. Today, the company announced a partnership with Audi that will help Joule develop and test its fuels. The financial details of the partnership weren't released, but not including the Audi partnership, Joule has raised $110 million.
In small-scale outdoor tests, Joule has shown that its approach, which involves engineered microörganisms housed in special transparent reactors, could produce 8,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year, a few times more than other advanced biofuels companies (see "TR10: Solar Fuel" and "A Biofuel Process to Replace All Fossil Fuels"). As Joule moves its technology to market, it has abandoned its original elaborate reactors in favor of simple plastic tubes—a move that Joule says makes the process more economical.
Most biofuels companies take some form of biomass, such as corn, grass, or algae, and process it to make biofuel, often with the aid of microörganisms. Joule's approach is to take out as many of the intermediate steps as possible. Joule has taken a microörganism (the company won't name the organism) and introduced combinations of genes known to produce ethanol from carbon dioxide and water and sunlight. To increase the productivity of the microbe, it has removed as many of the microörganism's original genes as possible—without killing it—to ensure that its metabolism is geared toward making ethanol rather than growing the microörganism. Joule calculates that it could produce 25,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year this way, and has demonstrated a rate of 15,000 gallons in the lab. It's also developing organisms that produce diesel.
Crucial to this approach are the transparent containers, which Joule calls solar converters, used to grow the microörganisms. In its original design, these containers resembled solar panels—they were flat, thin, rectangular, and a couple of meters wide. They included channels for distributing water and carbon dioxide and collecting the fuel that the microörganisms excrete. They were designed to make sure that the microörganism gets the right amount of nutrients and sunlight without overheating. Partly to allow air to move over them to cool them, the panels were mounted on metal frames on concrete pads. "We saw very quickly that the design would not be cost-competitive," says David Berry, a partner at Flagship Ventures, which founded Joule and has provided much of its funding.
Joule's solution was to do away with the concrete foundations, metal frames, and solar-panel-like structures and use plastic tubes instead. The tubes are a couple of meters wide and up to 50 meters long. "The new design is much larger, and you can lay it directly on the ground. That leads to a huge reduction in cost," says William Sims, Joule's CEO.
In the new design, the organisms, nutrients, and water are circulated to optimize their growth. The ethanol they produce vaporizes inside the tubes in the sun, rising to the top, where it's relatively easy to remove. (The ethanol still needs to be further purified in a central facility.) To deal with heat, the company uses a transparent resin for the tubes that redirects the infrared portion of sunlight away from the tube, while allowing the light the microörganisms need to pass through to them.
Joule plans to work out the final design for the system at its new four-acre demonstration plant in Hobbs, New Mexico. One of the challenges other biofuels companies face is that the economics of the process won't work until it's demonstrated in a full-scale commercial facility, with large vats for producing biofuel. Sims says the economics of Joule's approach can be demonstrated with just a few of its plastic solar converters, reducing the amount of financing needed. "It's pure replication. What works for four acres will also work for 5,000 acres," Sims says.
Joule has calculated that its organisms could, in theory, produce 25,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year, which would allow the company to produce ethanol at $1.28 per gallon. But Sims says the process could be economical at lower rates of about 11,000 to 12,000 gallons. He says construction on the first commercial plants could begin as early as the end of 2013.
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You are here
UNRWA Dispute Tribunal
In 2007, the General Assembly decided to introduce a new system for handling internal disputes and disciplinary matters in the United Nations. The goal was to have a system that was independent, professionalised, expedient, transparent and decentralised, with a stronger emphasis on resolving disputes through informal means, before resorting to formal litigation.
The UNRWA Dispute Tribunal is the first instance court in the new system of Administration of Justice (AoJ). The Dispute Tribunal hears and decides cases filed by or on behalf of current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions alleged to be in non-compliance with their terms of appointment or contract of employment. The Tribunal conducts hearings, issues orders, and renders binding judgments. Both staff members and the Administration have a right to appeal the judgments of the Dispute Tribunal to the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
As a transitional measure from the former system, the Dispute Tribunal also hears and passes judgment on cases transferred from the former Joint Appeals Board (JAB).
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Celebrity News February 12, 2009
Chris Brown's Cousin: 'He Had to Be Provoked to Do It'
In an "Extra" exclusive, Chris Brown's cousin, Phylicia Thompson, has come to the singer's defense over the alleged attack. "Chris was not brought up...to beat on a woman," she told us. But she didn't stop there! She went on to say, "So it had to be something to provoke him for Chris to do it. He wouldn't have done it just to be having fun... But what happens behind closed doors, nobody ever knows."
Standing outside the house where Brown grew up, Thompson told "Extra," "He might feel down right now because his fans are looking down on him, like he's done something wrong. Of course, yes, he's done something wrong because he put his hands on her, but like I said, you don't know what happened. He had to be provoked to do it. Chris would never have done it."
Thompson, who last saw Brown in April 2008, added, "Everybody loved Chris... This comes as a surprise to me... He was never a troubled child." Growing up with Brown, Thompson admitted, "It was fun. Me and Chris were close in age. He practically lived with us... It was pretty cool growing up with Chris... We had so much fun. He was just an active child... He liked to dance. He liked to sing. He liked to play sports."
"Extra's" interview with Thompson airs tonight.


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Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced that it is scheduled to release its fourth quarter 2009 financial results before market hours on Friday, January 22, 2010. The public is invited to participate in a webcast conference call and slide show presentation with Keith Wandell, President and CEO, and John Olin, Senior Vice President and CFO, Harley-Davidson, Inc. from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. (Central Time).
It is suggested that webcast participants log on and register at least ten minutes prior to the start time at harley-davidson.com, under the Investor Relations / Events & Announcements section. A replay of the slide show and webcast will be available at the same location approximately two hours after the call concludes.
Company Background
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Buell Motorcycle Company (Buell), MV Agusta and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, touring and cruiser motorcycles. Buell sells American sport performance motorcycles. MV Agusta produces premium, high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta® brand and lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the Cagiva® brand. HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs primarily to Harley-Davidson and Buell dealers and customers.


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The holidays not only bring a ton of cheer and festiveness to our lives, but can also bring stress and a bit of gloom as our days seem to be jam-packed full of stuff that needs to get done before the year comes to a close. One way to stave off that doom and gloom is to take a time out and enjoy something fun. And one guy who knows how to bring the fun is Duke Nukem.
After a long hiatus, Duke is back – cocked, loaded and ready to deliver an epic ass-kicking. If you like massive weapons, giant explosions, and pure unadulterated fun, stop reading and get your hands on the latest Cult of Mac Deals offer – Duke Nukem: Forever for only $5. That's a savings of 74%!


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Second of two articles on the problems plaguing the Internal Revenue Service
WASHINGTON — Week after week, Republicans on Capitol Hill have ratcheted up their drumbeat of discontent with the Internal Revenue Service, alleging that it targeted conservative groups and can't be trusted. Six investigations are underway, ensuring the matter will drag on for months or years.
But there is a bigger question about America's least-loved federal agency that barely gets asked: Is the IRS, which collects 90 percent of the nation's revenue, up to the basics of its job?
The surprising answer is that it often is not. A Globe review of dozens of government reports and audits, as well as interviews with key officials, found a series of fundamental problems:
■ The IRS makes billions of dollars in potentially fraudulent payments because it lacks the ability to check whether many returns are accurate before refunds are mailed.
■ The IRS relies on tax preparers to file accurate returns on behalf of taxpayers. But many preparers are not required to receive training and can be declared a tax professional by paying a $64.25 fee to the IRS. A federal court on Tuesday rejected the agency's effort to license such preparers.
■ The IRS is increasingly impenetrable to taxpayers with questions and complaints. The agency is so short-staffed it cannot answer nearly 40 percent of phone calls, and it has failed to meet its own 45-day deadline to respond to millions of letters per year from taxpayers. The same dismal rate is likely to be repeated this year, according to the agency.
■ The decision by Congress to cut the agency's budget over the past four years by more than $1 billion, designed to save money, has had the reverse effect. The loss of about 10,000 employees, more than 9 percent of the workforce, has shrunk collections by $8 billion. In other words, the budget cut increased the deficit.
All of this helps explain why, in a strikingly harsh but little-noticed assessment of the IRS's own office of the national taxpayer advocate, the agency was declared last June to be "an institution in crisis." That was followed by the office's January report to Congress that upped the sense of urgency, warning that unless changes are made soon, the IRS will "fail at its mission."
Yet that mission is about to become even more complicated. Starting in the next tax year, the agency will be responsible for implementing key parts of the new health care law, requiring the biggest changes to the tax code in decades.
The IRS is, to be sure, as powerful and important an agency as there is in Washington. It collected $2.52 trillion in 2012 and processed 237 million returns. It audits the returns of 1.4 million people every year. And it delivers an unparalleled annual kick to the economy, spitting out refund checks that average $2,700 — money that millions of Americans count on receiving promptly.
Yet it is the agency that people love to hate. Politicians gain applause when they vow to abolish it.
The story of the IRS today is one of a powerful entity at a tipping point — under attack, distrusted, and underfunded, yet crucial to the nation's survival and prosperity.
And that is how things stood when the agency was taken over last month by a man whom the Obama administration pulled out of retirement, a 74-year-old veteran of taking on troubled government agencies named John Koskinen. He says he wants to know what to fix, declaring that his mantra is: "Bad news is good news."
There has been plenty of bad news for Koskinen to digest, much of it coming from an office on the fourth floor of IRS headquarters.
* * *
Nina Olson works in that office. After having spent the early part of her career running a Virginia clinic for low-income taxpayers, she was named by Congress in 2001 to be the national taxpayer advocate. As a sort of in-house watchdog, she is supposed to tell Congress what the IRS is doing wrong so that problems can be caught early. She produces weighty reports that included the striking statement about the "institution in crisis."
Sitting in her office for an interview that lasts more than an hour, she fairly cries out for the public and Congress to heed her warnings.
"You compare it to what other countries are doing and it's a joke," Olson said.
Many of Olson's key recommendations have been made from her earliest days, including calls to regulate preparers. She is appalled that Congress cuts the IRS budget in ways that decrease revenue collections and taxpayer service.
So how did it come to this? Why is the IRS unable to fix problems that are so well known within the agency, but little understood outside of it?
It starts with the way the nation regulates tax preparers — or fails to do so.
There are, of course, many preparers who are diligent and know tax law to the letter. There were 32 million returns submitted in 2011 by preparers who are regulated in their own field, such as accountants and tax lawyers. But there were 42 million returns in 2011 that were submitted to the IRS by preparers who are not formally licensed and regulated, according to the IRS.
"Right now anybody can say they are a preparer," Koskinen, the IRS commissioner, said in an interview. "There are reputable companies who provide training to their people but there are a lot of people hanging out a shingle and you can do it without any qualifications at all."
Under federal law, a person can call him or herself a tax preparer as long as an identification number is obtained from the IRS. Getting such a number is easy. The main requirements are that an applicant pay the $64.25 fee, provide personal information and a recent tax return, and give "explanations for felony convictions (if any)," according to the IRS website.
The IRS has long recognized that having unregulated preparers can lead to many millions of faulty returns. In fiscal 2013, for example, the IRS discovered $20 billion worth of fraudulent refunds, including $12 billion related to identity theft — and presumably could have found much more with full staffing.
The IRS wants to require tax preparers to be tested, licensed, annually re-educated, and listed in a public database. Indeed, the agency two years ago signed contracts to set up such a system.
But the effort was blocked last year by a federal court. The proposed licensing was challenged by a libertarian group called Institute for Justice, which called it "an outrageous power grab by the IRS." The Institute for Justice says on its website that brothers David and Charles Koch, who are well-known financiers of conservative causes, played "a uniquely important role in funding the Institute." The attorney who brought the case for the institute, Dan Alban, said the brothers played no role in the litigation against the IRS. Alban said the rule was challenged because the institute believes that government imposes too many licensing burdens on workers, including tax preparers.
The IRS appealed the decision, but that effort was rejected Tuesday by a federal appeals court.
Congress could fix the problem by passing legislation that would require all tax preparers to be regulated, but such efforts have gone nowhere.
The problem could also be addressed at the local level. New York, for example, passed rules in December that require preparers to be licensed and take continuing education classes. But 46 states, including Massachusetts, do not regulate most preparers. (Massachusetts licenses accountants, but many preparers are not accountants, leaving a gaping hole in regulation.) By comparison, Massachusetts licenses cosmetologists, manicurists, and massage therapists. A spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation declined comment.
Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney for the Boston-based National Consumer Law Center, said she has tried without success to interest Massachusetts officials in regulating preparers.
"It's such a no-brainer to say that the people who are responsible for tax returns should be regulated, should have minimum standards," she said.
* * *
The IRS makes a bold promise in its mission statement: It will provide taxpayers with "top-quality service."
It is a promise that the IRS often has not been able to keep — even though "service" is the third word in its name.
Last year, for example, more than 109 million telephone calls were made to the IRS. Many calls came from taxpayers trying to respond to the agency's questions about their returns. But only 61 percent of the calls were answered by a live adviser. The rest got a recording or were given what the IRS bureaucracy calls a "courtesy disconnect."
Koskinen said the problem will continue unless Congress increases the agency's funding.
"Taxpayer services are suffering not because our employees aren't working hard, but because there are fewer of them," Koskinen testified on Feb. 5 before a House Ways and Means subcommittee.
The service was not much better for taxpayers who responded to IRS queries by sending letters. Of the 8.4 million letters sent last year by taxpayers responding to IRS efforts to adjust their taxes (usually upward), 53 percent had not been answered by the agency's deadline of 45 days.
It is even worse for those who take the trouble to visit one of the agency's walk-in centers. The IRS used to answer more than 1 million questions annually at such centers. This year, according to Olson's report, the agency has announced it will only answer basic questions at the centers and will discontinue their practice of helping the poor, elderly, and disabled with their taxes.
* * *
The IRS is viewed by most Americans as the agency that collects taxes and sends refunds. But one of its biggest problems may be that Congress has given it another job: de facto social welfare agency.
Consider: When the federal government gives out food stamps, it taps a large bureaucracy that investigates whether an applicant is qualified to receive the benefit. But when Congress decided in 1975 to create a massive program to help lower-income working parents, it believed it could save money by running it through the IRS. That program was called the Earned Income Tax Credit. Under the program, for example, a family with three qualified children with total earnings of $51,567 could get a $6,044 credit. It is widely hailed for helping millions of people get out of poverty and has bipartisan support.
But the earned income credit is also widely cited as evidence that the IRS should not be required to run a huge social welfare program. The most recent Treasury audit found that 22 percent of the earned income credit money paid out in 2012 — totaling $12 billion — was done improperly. More than $130 billion in such improper payments were made in the past decade. Most of that money has not been recouped by the government, according to federal reports.
The 22 percent rate of improper payments is one of the highest for any program in the federal government; it is, for example, about six times the rate in the food stamp program.
That earned income credit error rate particularly troubles auditors because most of the erroneous payments were sought in returns submitted by tax preparers, most of whom were not regulated, according to Treasury audits.
The IRS tried to address the problem by requiring in 2011 that tax preparers submit extra paperwork to back up their claims. The errors still poured in. In 2012, more than 122,000 tax preparers failed to provide the form or fill it out properly.
Olson, the national taxpayer advocate, said the earned income credit is a recipe for problems because it is a complicated law that affects a population that includes many poorly educated people. "They have got unregulated preparers serving them, preying on them," said Olson. "It is amazing to me we have only a 22 percent improper payment rate with that formula."
Lawrence Gibbs, who served as IRS commissioner from 1986 to 1989, said the high rate of improper payments under the earned income credit illustrates why the IRS should not be required to implement complicated social policy.
"The policy decision to move the IRS from a revenue collector to a facilitator of government spending programs has introduced incredible complexity to the tax law, and it has resulted in enormous fraud and revenue loss to the federal government," Gibbs said.
Republicans said the problems with the earned income credit should be a warning about the difficulty that the IRS may have in implementing the Affordable Care Act. Under the health care law, the IRS is responsible for providing tax credits via the government-run exchanges to help people buy affordable insurance.
"That the IRS can't figure out how to rein in the improper Earned Income Tax Credit payments doesn't bode well for the $1.1 trillion in ObamaCare subsidies," Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican of Utah, said in a recent statement.
* * *
All of this raises a basic question about the IRS: Why can't it verify that all returns are accurate before refunds are paid?
There is a surprising disconnect that explains the problem.
Employers are required to send the W-2 wage form to taxpayers by Jan. 31. But the same information does not have to be sent electronically to the IRS until around March 31. Other financial information such as statements about dividends and interest are sent on a similar schedule.
The thinking behind such a delay was that taxpayers and the Social Security Administration would be given time to double-check the W-2 forms before they are sent directly by employers to the IRS.
Yet taxpayers are allowed to file their returns in early February, and they expect to receive their refunds within days — before the IRS can double-check many returns against information sent later by employers and financial institutions.
Olson, the taxpayer advocate, complained during testimony before Congress last year that the IRS often doesn't verify the information on returns "until long after the filing." But her recommendation for the creation of what is known as a "real time" system — allowing the verification of returns before refunds are paid — has not been implemented. Instead, the IRS relies on computerized filters that catch some of the problems.
Former IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman, who served from 2008 to 2012, proposed a version of the real time system in 2011, saying the country needed "a fundamentally different way to run our tax system." But his call, too, was not heeded.
Koskinen says big changes clearly are needed.
"We are in the 1990s, we are probably 20 to 25 years behind where a lot of people are in terms of how they operate internally, how their systems are run," the IRS commissioner said in the interview.
The Obama administration said its hands are tied by Congress.
"Simply, the money's not there," Mark Mazur, the assistant Treasury secretary for tax policy, said in an interview. "The appropriated amounts have not been large enough to support all the demands on the IRS."
The administration asked for $12.86 billion in its most recent budget and, under a recent budget deal, got $11.3 billion – less than the $12.1 billion provided in 2010.
Chris Bergin,publisher of Tax Notes and one of the nation's top observers of the IRS, said: "The problem we have is that this income tax system is broken. It is almost impossible to administer. I understand the tax man and tax agency is easy to hate. But the blame is on Congress."
Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat who has long pushed for funding that would enable the IRS to adopt the real time system, said there is an inherent conflict between the public's desire for rapid refunds and the ability to stop refund fraud and identity theft.
"Our constituents call us all the time if they haven't gotten refunds in a week. There is pressure," Cardin said. What is needed, he said, is a campaign to educate taxpayers that a new system would prevent much fraud and save billions of dollars in the long run. But that would take a significant investment now, at a time when the agency's budget is being cut.
"Funding the IRS is something that is not popular," Cardin said. "When you are looking at more money for schools or health or just about any other cause and it is in competition with giving money to the IRS, politically, it doesn't do well."
* * *
It was a frigid January day as Koskinen, one month into his job as commissioner, settled into a chair at IRS headquarters for an interview. It is surprising that Koskinen is here at all. At 74 years old, he was retired from a lifetime largely devoted to government work. But the White House believed his unique background was ideal. He has been a corporate turnaround specialist, congressional aide, White House budget official, chief executive of the quasigovernment agency Freddie Mac, and, for good measure, president of the US Soccer Foundation. Koskinen agreed to take the five-year term.
Koskinen knew there were serious problems at the IRS, but he said in the interview that he has been surprised by the depth of them. He said he is frustrated "as a citizen and a taxpayer, as somebody who worries about how government runs," how the IRS has performed. He acknowledged, too, that employee morale is a problem.
To him, Congress's move to cut $1 billion from the IRS budget and thus lose $8 billion in revenue collection is nonsensical. "I don't know anybody in the private sector who would say 'I'll take my revenue operation and I'll starve it for funds just to see how it does.' "
A week after the interview, Koskinen was called by Republicans to testify before a House Ways and Means subcommittee.
There was little discussion at the Feb. 5 hearing about the IRS's growing incapacity to do the basics of its job. Instead, the focus was once again on whether the agency had targeted conservative groups.
Koskinen promised the subcommittee that he and the IRS will cooperate with the investigation, then all but pleaded with committee members to let him focus on rebuilding the agency.
"If we're going to solve this problem," Koskinen said, "I think it's going to help if we actually work to see if we can't get the IRS back in a position where it's not being bandied about one way or the other politically."
Michael Kranish can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKranish


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Falwell denied his habit of comparing homosexuality to bestiality, crack addiction
During an interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, fundamentalist Baptist pastor and Moral Majority founder Reverend Jerry Falwell denied ever having equated homosexuality to "smoking crack and bestiality" -- a comparison Falwell has in fact made on several occasions.
From the November 5 edition of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360:
COOPER: I know in the past you believe homosexual behavior is immoral, a sin, you've equated it with smoking crack, bestiality. But what is the threat to you? What is -- I mean, two men saying that they love each to each other, what's the threat?
FALWELL: Well, I haven't equated it to anything, but I believe that the scripture makes it clear that all sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman is wrong, whether it's heterosexual promiscuity or homosexual activity.
COOPER: On homosexuality, I mean, you say you don't equate it to anything, but you do equate it to -- I mean, you have in plenty of interviews equated it to, you know, immoral behavior, smoking crack and bestiality.
FALWELL: Well, it is immoral behavior, of course. No, not bestiality, not crack -- taking crack. Those are different things, but homosexuality is sin.
Following are examples of Falwell equating homosexuality with smoking crack and bestiality:
• FALWELL: Well, look, first of all, Mr. Bush did not make this a 2004 issue. The Massachusetts Supreme Court did, the San Francisco mayor, the New Mexico officials, et cetera. This was made an issue when the Supreme Court gave constitutional protection to sodomy. So here we have now same-sex marriage. What's next, polygamy? ... Why not? And why not bestiality? [CNN, Wolf Blitzer Reports, 2/24/04]
• FALWELL: I don't want anybody in my bedroom any more than you want anybody in your bedroom. But I think this privacy issue goes too far. Is this right to privacy going to legalize prostitution, or bestiality, or the use of cocaine or heroin as long as you do it in your bedroom? Privacy can be taken to a great extent. ... [I]f we're going to do that, then why don't we just legalize bestiality since it's done in the privacy of one's home, perhaps? [MSNBC, Hardball, 6/27/03]
• INTERVIEWER: Then when you say, "Love the sinner but not the sin," aren't you saying that person is "less than?"
FALWELL: Absolutely not. We work with and help crack and alcohol abusers. That's not saying "You're less than." But we're saying that, right now, you're about to reduce yourself to where you cannot be useful, and where you have no joy in life...
INTERVIEWER: And most gays would say that being gay has nothing to do with living on crack.
FALWELL: It depends on the gay you're talking to. I could bring to you literally thousands of ex-gays who would tell you that they were in a destructive lifestyle until they came to Christ and got out of it. [PBS, Frontline, 2/15/00]
• In the latest letter, the Baptist minister [Falwell] said more money must be received to keep the Moral Majority newspaper and broadcasts going. "Perhaps the most disturbing situation is that our lobbying effort in Washington, D.C., to keep Congress from legalizing sodomy, bestiality, fornication, homosexuality and other perversions is also in danger," the letter added. [Associated Press, 10/23/81]
Falwell has a history of denying his own inflammatory remarks regarding homosexuality. In 1985, Falwell publicly denied having verbally attacked a gay community church until a videotape showed Falwell calling members of the church "brute beasts" and "part of a vile and satanic system [that] will one day be utterly annihilated," the Associated Press reported on September 25, 1985. When Falwell was ordered to pay $5,000 to a former pastor of the church, he responded: "This situation is only one more example of harassment by a militant homosexual group."
In addition to his roles as a pastor and Moral Majority founder, Falwell is chancellor of Liberty University, operates the Liberty Channel cable and satellite network, publishes the National Liberty Journal, and writes a weekly column published by conservative news outlets such as WorldNetDaily.com and NewsMax.com. Falwell endorsed President George W. Bush's reelection.


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Product Description
Free up your desk space with our wall mountable nine baseball display case with a selection from our Case-up display line! Our design team developed over 50 different case-up displays for your walls that give you full view of your memorabilia from all angles. This beautiful case allows you to display nine baseballs on the wall. This unique case uses the highest quality 1/8" cast acrylic and a genuine wood frame in black, brown or mahogany.


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Flat Plate 1G Modular Faceplate - Polished Brass
Suitable for use with euro module inserts. Ideal for creating bespoke TV/DATA/HDMI/USB/TEL installations. Flat Plate low profile design
- Accepts a single 25 x 50mm euro module
- Ultra low profile design with built in gasket
- Minimum mounting box depth: dependent on euro module used
Flat Plate 1G Modular Faceplate - Polished Brass
Sale price£5.76
Regular price£9.22 (/)


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Super Sucker UR3 Masturbator
Item #6042
You May Also Need:
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Extra savings when buying these items together.
Product Description
Lips Kiss Your Wang, Just Like a Real Mouth!
Wallet-friendly price makes this a great stroker for beginners!
Once the lips on this extra-large masturbator start sucking on your member, you're in for the deepthroating you've always wanted!
- Ribbed tunnel for added pleasure
- Extra wide tunnel prevents tearing
- Realistic material for more life-like sensations
- Open-ended design for easy cleaning
- Sized to fit comfortably in your hand for better grip
This masturbator is a real mouthful with its full succulent lips opened up wide to suck down your whole shaft!
The tunnel is lined with special ribs that massage and stimulate your head and shaft while you pump away with this male sex toy.
The larger than average sized tunnel is perfect for accommodating larger sized men, giving you all the pleasure of a regular masturbator without having to worry about tearing it after only a few uses.
The masturbator features an open-ended design for easier cleaning. Just pinch the other end shut to create a gentle sucking sensation for the finishing touch on your blowjob experience.
The masturbator measures 5 inches long and 2.5 inches across at its widest point. Made from UR3 realistic material, the male sex toy feels and acts like real skin for a more natural and satisfying experience.
AdamMale recommends this masturbator for men to enjoy by themselves and for couples to use during foreplay.
The Super Sucker UR3 Masturbator is compatible with water-based sex lubes. Once you get your new masturbator, you should rinse it off in water before using it the first time. After each use, you need to wash the masturbator in warm, soapy water and rinse it clean. Let the sex toy dry off and then dust it lightly with the special renewal powder or corn starch. Then store the male masturbator in a plastic bag with a pinch of corn starch in the bottom with the rest of your sex toy collection.


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Wisconsin Montblanc Pens
12 products
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For over 100 years Montblanc writing instruments have been standard equipment for Presidents, celebrities and writers – everyone ranging from Ernest Hemingway to Anne Frank to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Each pen is handmade in Germany to the highest standards of craftsmanship and is a timeless tribute to sophisticated style. An icon of writing culture, The Meisterstück (or Masterpiece in English) revolutionized the world of exclusive writing instruments when it was introduced in 1924 and continues to set the standard today. The fountain pen features an 18 Karat gold nib crafted by hand in over 30 steps and a piston mechanism to replenish the ink.


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Narrator: Paul Hattaway
Format: Unabridged-MP3, Paperback
Publisher: Hovel Audio
Published: Sep 2008
Genre: Religion - Christian Ministry - Missions
Retail Price: $19.98
The dramatic autobiography of one of China's dedicated, courageous, and intensely persecuted house church leaders. This is the gripping story of how God took a young, half-starved boy from a poor village in Henan province and placed him on the front line for Jesus, in the face of impossible odds. Instead of focusing on the many miracles or experiences of suffering, however, Yun prefers to focus on the character and beauty of Jesus. Interspersed with his personal account are contributions from his wife, Deling, made mostly during her husband's frequent periods of imprisonment. You will remember where you were the first time you read this life story. IIt's a watershed book that will turn the reader to prayer and praise. It deserves comparison with past classics such as 'Tortured for Christ' by Richard Wurmbrand, or the 'Life of Watchman Nee,


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Hello and welcome to the third annual Booksgiving Day!
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What is "Booksgiving Day?" It's a day to celebrate the magic of reading and to collectively give the stink-eye to people who don't understand that no, you don't actually want to just wait for the movie to come out.
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Basically, two years ago I wanted to thank you guys for all of your support by giving out 30 copies of Furiously Happy, which I did, but then everyone else was like, "I WANT TO GIVE BOOKS TO PEOPLE TOO" so we set up a day where you could ask for one book from a stranger using an Amazon wishlist and if someone wanted to give it to you they would. And they did. Some people asked for a book for their child. Some asked for a book to escape life for a bit. Some asked just to have a reminder that they exist and matter, and then they went back in and bought a book for someone else. And people found friends (and ridiculously good book recommendations) by looking at the particular book that each person really wanted. And it was lovely.
Then last year people were like "LET'S DO IT AGAIN" and we did. And it was awesome. And this week we're doing it again so if you want to ask for a book (or give a book) the details are all here.
I'm giving out 30 of my own books for those of you who are part of the community but haven't been able to buy one, but you can pick any book at all and leave it in the comments and I'll probably give out others once I hit my 30. Furiously Happy is less than $6 today, Let's Pretend This Never Happened is still in print and YOU ARE HERE: An Owner's Manual for Dangerous Minds is on sale too. WHOOP!
Here are the rules:
If you're in a rough place and need a book to transport you somewhere else make A BRAND NEW wish list with nothing on it but the one book you want. (Exception: If you have a kid who needs a book you can add that too.)
Here's how you make a wish list:
Under "Accounts & Lists" choose "Create a list":
Select "Wish List". Name it something like "A book I need". Select "Public" and make sure that "keep purchased items on your list" is NOT checked.
Now go find the book you want. When you have it, click on the "Add to List" dropdown arrow and choose the wishlist you just made.
It will give you a confirmation screen where you should choose "View Your List".
Here's the most important part that people forget to do. You have to add a shipping address to this wishlist even if you've already added it to other wish lists. (Your address isn't shared. Just your name and city.) Click on "Edit this list"…
…and where it says "Shipping Address" change it from "None" to your address. Then click "Save Changes".
Leave a link to your wishlist in the comments and say which book you're asking for. Pick things that are "Prime" whenever possible because it's free shipping for a lot of us and lots of non-prime places won't send to wishlist addresses. Also, if you're not in America put that in the comment so we can match people better by location and not have crazy shipping fees. Feel happy.
Here's how you buy a book for a stranger. Click on their link. Choose a book. Select their name so it goes to their address. If it doesn't give you the option of picking their name it means they didn't add a shipping address so delete what's in your cart and go to the next person. Send a story to someone in need. Feel happy.
The only rule is that this is just for books. No gift cards or clothes or anything else because it gets out of hand really quickly. Just a simple book to take you away from the world and help you find new ones.
And as always, thank you. Thank you for supporting my words and listening and passing them on to others. Thank you for being amazing. Thank you for reading. Thank you for writing. Thank you for llamas if you had anything to do with inventing llamas.
PS. If you click on a wish list that says it's empty that's because the book has already been bought for them. That is a very good thing.
PPS. I love you guys. Now I'm off to buy books.
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(1) The term "development" means any or all undertakings necessary for planning, land acquisition, demolition, construction, or equipment, in connection with a low-income housing project. The term "development cost" comprises the costs incurred by a public housing agency in such undertakings and their necessary financing (including the payment of carrying charges), and in otherwise carrying out the development of such project, but does not include the costs associated with the demolition of or remediation of environmental hazards associated with public housing units that will not be replaced on the project site, or other extraordinary site costs as determined by the Secretary. Construction activity in connection with a low-income housing project may be confined to the reconstruction, remodeling, or repair of existing buildings.
42 USC § 1437a(c)(1)
Scoping language
None identified, default scope is assumed to be the parent (subchapter I) of this section.
Is this correct?


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Do you have a list of favourite places that you would want to visit in your lifetime?
My cyberfriend, VB once told me there are two places that she must visit in her lifetime. It is not so much of the 'place' but the 'scenery' she wants to view. One of which is to be able to see maple leaves turning red in autumn. The timing has to be right and the weather has to be good too. I am glad she was able to catch the red maple leaves in 'full bloom' on her recent trip to Korea. I was very happy for her when she sent me a photo of her standing under an astonishing sea of golden yellow maple leaves. Me being so ignorant, didn't even know that maple leaves could turn yellow too (^^')
I got to know VB when she left her first comment on this blog 3 years ago. Even though we have never met each other, this kind lady has been sending me gifts 'on a regular-basis', so much so that I think she has even made it a point to mail me a 'goodies parcel' each time after her holiday trip :)
I grew up in a family where everyone got to learn to be independent. As much as we can, we try not to rely on others for help. We prefer to give than to take. I used to have this mindset that whatever kind gestures I received from others, I have to return it back one day, and, as soon as possible. As such, I prefer to give, as I find receiving any gifts in any form from others, could become an invisible burden. I will only have peace in my mind after I have duly returned the kind gestures.
I understand the joy of giving, and it is a tremendous pleasure knowing that the receiver loves and appreciates what you have given. But, it was only in recent years that I appreciate the joy of receiving, minus the self-imposed obligation. I am now able to view the whole situation in a different perspective. By receiving, you are actually giving the chance for the giver to enjoy the pleasure of giving and sharing. I hope I am right to say so.
I am sure most of you would be quite familiar with Korean Yuja tea or commonly known as citron or yuzu tea (柚子茶). This is the first time I have heard of omija tea.
This lovely pinkish tea has a slight tang to it and it tastes really refreshing when served cold. The tea is neither bitter or salty. It reminds me very much of drinks made with Roselle (洛神果) and it has a similar sourish sweet taste like hawthorn (山楂). The tea comes with tiny bits of nuts, I believe they are either pine nuts, almond bits, or sunflower seeds. When served hot, this lovely sweet and tangy tea is a great way to end a meal, especially if it is a heavy one ;) If you happen to go to a Korean restaurant, do check whether it serves this beverage, I am sure you will enjoy this drink, be it cold or hot.
As the season of giving draws nearer, here's wishing all my readers Happy Shopping for your gifts and presents for your friends and loved ones! And, in case you ask, my favourite places to visit in my lifetime: flower fields at Furano and tulips in Holland, what about yours?


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U.S. stock futures were modestly higher Thursday, but pulled back following reports that U.S. jobless claims fell and second-quarter GDP growth was revised downward.
U.S. jobless claims dropped 26,000 to 359,000 for the week that ended Sept. 22, slightly better than expected. A different government report showed that the growth rate for the U.S. economy last quarter was 1.3% instead of the previously estimated 1.7%.
Durable goods orders dropped more than anticipated to 198.5 billion in August, 13% lower than the U.S. Census Bureau reported the previous month.
Later in the morning, a report on pending home sales is due from the National Association of Realtors. Economists predict sales to have ticked up 0.5% in August, following a 2.4% jump in the previous month.
Meanwhile, both European and Asian markets rose on hopes that China's central bank will engage in further monetary policy easing.
The People's Bank of China has injected a net ¥365 billion ($58 billion) into money markets this week, just as China's marquee stock index -- the Shanghai Composite -- reached a three-year low.
Talk that the central bank will take further easing measures next week boosted Asian markets. The Shanghai Composite ended up 2.6%. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong jumped 1.1%, and Japan's Nikkei ticked up 0.5%. It's the latest sign that central banks are taking measures to keep a global slowdown at bay.
Early gains in European stocks were pared back after a disappointing report on eurozone sentiment, which showed a surprise decline in September. Economists had expected the European Commission's monthly index to be unchanged.
Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.3%, the DAX in Germany gained 0.5% and France's CAC 40 rose 0.7%.
Investors are waiting for the Spanish government to release its 2013 budget, which is due out this morning. And Friday brings auditors' results of bank stress tests, which could give investors a better idea of just how deep Spain's banking troubles run.
It's been a worrying week for Spain, as yields on 10-year Spanish bonds shot up above 6% for the first time in three weeks after the leader of Catalonia called for early elections. Reports that a fifth Spanish region (Castilla-La Mancha) may seek a bailout also weighed on sentiment.
Related: Spain's precarious future
Stocks ended lower Wednesday, with the S&P 500 logging its fifth consecutive daily loss.
Companies: Shares of Sealy (ZZ) rose more than 3% after rival company Tempur-Pedic (TPX) said it was buying the company for $228 million. Sealy reported zero earnings per share, falling short of expectations. The company canceled the morning's earnings call, citing the new deal. Meanwhile,Temper-Pedic shares surged 9%.
HP (HPQ) shares fell more than 2%, after investment bank Jefferies downgraded the computer maker's stock and lowered its target price.
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) jumped about 2% after the chip maker unveiled a new, faster chip that's expected to be 25% and come with integrated graphics.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) shares rose 4% after the company revealed a new road vehicle tire, one that will meet the European Union's highest fuel efficiency standards, rules which go into effect in November.
Shares of spice and condiment maker McCormick (MKC) fell more than 3% following the company's quarterly report in which CEO Alan Wilson warned of continued "volatile material costs." The food company reported earnings per share of 78 cents, beating expectations.
Discover Financial Services (DFS) is scheduled to release its quarterly results ahead of the market open, with analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expecting the company to post earnings of $1.04 a share.
Micron Technology (MU) is expected to report a loss of 22 cents per share, while Nike (NKE) is anticipated to announce earnings of $1.12 per share.
After the market closes, Research in Motion (RIMM) will report its results. The troubled BlackBerry maker is expected to post a loss of 43 cents per share. Shares were up 1% in premarket trading.
Currencies and commodities: The dollar rose against the euro, but fell versus the British pound and Japanese yen.
Oil for November delivery added $1.32 cents to $91.30 a barrel.
Gold futures for December delivery rose $15.60 to $1,769.20 an ounce.
Bonds: The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury slid, pushing the yield up slightly to 1.63% from 1.62% late Wednesday.


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The Refuge
During the summer of 2010 I had the distinct privilege and honor to serve as Resident Photographer for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This Gallery represents some of my favorite and most popular images captured during my stay on the Refuge. A portion of the net proceeds from each sale of The Refuge images will be donated to The Friends of the 500th - a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and protecting The Refuge.Read More
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