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Recently this writer participated as part of a television panel in which it was asked if there aren't enough jobs that require a college degree for the coming glut of college grads. The question was a funny one, one that conferred on college grads skills much greater than those possessed by the average individual. Maybe, but not asked enough is what job requires a college degree? The truth is no job does, though politicians and policy analysts would have us believe otherwise.
President Obama regularly talks up the need for more math classes "to equip our children for the future." The latter is odd and a bit dated, particularly when we consider that computers and calculators have largely made the need for math knowledge something of the past.
In Obama's defense, he's not alone when it comes to educational political correctness, and the need to get education right so that "our children" are prepared for a very challenging, and very globalized job market. Right of center thinkers are similarly deluded with utopian visions 0f universities "equipping" students with the knowledge needed to succeed in the real world after four largely wasted (literally and figuratively) years on campus.
The latest example of the above is Jane Shaw, president of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy in North Carolina. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Shaw argued that "Elite universities, such as the University of North Carolina, are doing a disservice when they lead students into majors with few, if any, job prospects." Shaw went on to write that "Many liberal-arts graduates, even from the best schools, aren't getting jobs in part because they didn't learn much in school."
What's funny about this is that Obama is President of the United States and Shaw President of a prestigious think tank, but could either with a straight face point to anything learned in college that has any relevance to their present work? This writer highly doubts it.
The above in mind, for college students majoring in liberal arts, along with parents paying for them to major in a discipline "with few, if any, job prospects," the answer is to relax. Once again no job, and this is especially true for undergraduate students, requires a college degree.
Whether the ambition is to become an investment banker or a Starbucks barista, the dirty little secret is that nothing learned during the four (or five) fun-filled years on idyllic campuses has anything to do with either form of employment. That four years of English Lit or finance courses wouldn't be required to work behind the counter at Grumpy's is obvious, but it's also the case that what's learned in those finance classes is not necessary if your desire is to thrive at Goldman Sachs.
To believe otherwise is to believe that someone (the college professor) who for the most part lacks any background in the real-world application of finance could transfer skills to those who desire that real-world knowledge. Lots of luck there. If Wall Street is your goal, major in whatever interests you. Ultimately the top financial firms are looking for "good athletes"; as in people who are smart and who work hard. Anything you need to know you'll learn on the job.
If this is doubted, one need only spend some time with first year analyst classes at Goldman. What would quickly be discovered is that prominently mixed in with the finance majors are countless liberal arts grads. Lots of reformed lawyers too. Indeed, CEO Lloyd Blankfein has a law degree as opposed to an MBA, and it's also the case that he rose through the ranks at GS at least initially as a gold salesman. It's not a stretch to proclaim that Blankfein didn't take classes on gold or sales while earning his Harvard Law degree.
Billionaire David Rubenstein is similarly a lawyer by training, but his billions presumably do not result from time spent learning Con Law. It's said that Rubenstein's greatest skill is as a fundraiser for The Carlyle Group's myriad investment funds. Can someone please tell me which college class taught him how to do the latter?
Shaw feels students need more rigorous majors to prepare them for the job market, but the late college dropout Steve Jobs pointed to a calligraphy class that he audited as one of his major commercial inspirations. National Review Online's Katrina Trinko points out that the late Norio Ohga (past president of Sony) "was an opera singer before joining Sony full-time." Billionaire David Geffen lied about having graduated from UCLA so that he could become an agent, and then proceeded to revolutionize music. Do Shaw and Obama think he'd have more billions if he'd taken agenting or "business of music" (they're offered – amazingly) classes in Westwood? Michael Bloomberg was fired from his investment banking job at Salomon Brothers, then proceeded to make his billions with an eponymous information services company. Would anyone care to tell this writer what classes prepared him to totally reshape how we acquire information on the way to becoming one of the world's richest men?
As fun as time spent in college is (this writer highly recommends it), it's pure fantasy to assume that knowledge gained on campus translates to a hyper-dynamic business world. In truth, be it history, finance, engineering, English, or even pre-Med, anything taught is almost by definition yesterday's news. Entrepreneurialism speaks to disruption and the overturning of the existing commercial order. Despite this, there are actually college classes that presume to teach students how to be entrepreneurs. Note to college students: sleep through those classes.
Politicians love to talk up the need for more engineers, but then lost on the political class is that the Soviet Union had literally ten times the number of engineers that the U.S. did in the '70s. That it did in no way staved off the country's eventual economic collapse.
Thinking of engineers here, and the clamoring for more engineering degrees, anyone teaching the discipline would as a rule be imparting knowledge of no practical use. Sorry, but the latter is just basic economics. If the professor had knowledge of future engineering applications, the same professor would be making billions in the private sector. Engineers aren't valuable for what they've learned; instead they're sometimes valuable because they've completed a major that's usually a lot more difficult than is, for instance, the political science major. An engineering degree signals that you're smart, and probably hard working, but the major itself doesn't make you smart.
A college diploma is simply a credential that at best says you're smart and ambitious. Employers aren't interested in that senior thesis you completed at Yale on socialist overtones in Greek mythology, rather they're interested that you were smart enough to get into Yale in the first place.
In short, we don't have too many college grads at the moment as much as our economy is moving too slowly (largely thanks to economists and politicians who listened way too closely as their university professors imparted Keynesian "wisdom" to them) to employ the many Americans who want to work. Analysts like Shaw would seemingly argue that college has underprepared today's graduates, but the happier truth is that college can't prepare us for anything.
Indeed, college doesn't make you smart or hard working as much as smart and hard working people often go to college. Being smart is a function of curiosity that decidedly cannot be taught. Hard work similarly lends itself to achievement in the working world, but there are no classes that teach it. If they do exist, they're a waste of time.
If students soon to graduate are worried that they're lazy, the answer to this is simple: migrate toward a field of employment that you're passionate about. If so, you'll never be lazy again and you'll be very successful; the whole time using skills and knowledge that were decidedly not picked up on campus.
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Comté Calling
Stinky Cheese on NPR
In case you missed it, I was on WNYC--New York City's NPR affiliate --a couple week's back talking to Brian Lehrer about Stinky Cheese. If you follow that link you can listen an mp3 of my segment (also copied below). You can also see the comments that people left, some of which are pretty hilarious.
Cheese of the Week - Vacherin Mont d'Or
Cheese of the Week - Valley Shepherd Creamery Scent-sation
Valley Shepherd Creamery sits on a farm of 120 acres in Long Valley, Morris County, NJ. They are extraordinarily prolific, offering 20 varieties of sheep, cow and mixed milk cheeses, as well as sheep's milk yogurt. From blues to bloomy-rinds to tommes, Valley Shepherd's offerings are truly
Cheese of the Week - Meadow Creek Dairy Grayson
Located in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, Meadow Creek Dairy is a small family farm dedicated to sustainable agriculture. Using a system called intensive grazing management, Meadow Creek ensures that the herd is enjoying fresh pasture from Spring through Fall. This system of seasonal rotational grazing makes for cheese that
Cheese of the Week - Cato Corner Farm Hooligan
Hooligan, which is only one of the many different varieties of cheese made at the farm, is a treat for all the senses. A stinky washed-rind cheese with a delicious mushroomy flavor, it comes in wheels that are
Cheese of the Week - Gubbeen
Cheese of the Week - Chimay Grand Cru

subset: commoncrawl


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USN Pure Protein IGF-1 1 kg - Strawberry
Key Features
40g of STS (Sustained Transport System) protein consisting of Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) & Concentrate (WPC) Blend, Calcium Caseinate, Egg Albumen & Proprietary water filtration purified soy protein isolate (high isoflavone content).
Contains ZYMATECH (Enzyme Technology) including Lactase enzymes, for optimal protein/lactose digestion & amino acid uptake.
Extremely low in carbs & contains a complete vitamin & mineral blend.
Any person who needs a high quality, balanced protein shake.
Developed for athletes & bodybuilders who want to build lean muscle.
It's ideal for active people following a low carb eating plan.
The perfect super low carb protein shake before bedtime.
|Free UK Delivery?
|Add 2 scoops (56g) to 300-350ml of cold water in a hand held shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Allow to settle for about 45 seconds before drinking. Have 2-3 servings daily (incl. 1 serving 1 hour prior to bedtime). Servings may be halved.
|Whey protein isolate & concentrate blend, Calcium caseinate, High isoflavone soy protein isolate, Cocoa powder (only in Chocolate and Cappuccino versions), Fructose, MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) oil, Stabiliser: cellulose gum, Calcium (from milk source), Egg albumen, Rice starch, Colourant: E124, Red beet powder, (only in Strawberry version) & E133, E104 (only in Pistachio version), Flavourant, Phosphorous (from milk source), Ascorbic acid, Zymatech enzyme blend (mainly Lactase), Non-nutritive sweetener: Sucralose, Niacin, D-Alpha-tocoferol acetate, D-calcium-pantothenate, Pyridoxine-5-phosphate, Riboflavin, Thiamine mononitrate, Retinol, Folic acid, Biotin, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin.
|Nutritional Breakdown Per Serving
|Total Calories: 203 Protein: 40g Total Carbohydrates: 2.24g -Sugars: 1.2g -Dietary Fiber: 2g Fat: 2.3g -Saturates: 1.2g Sodium: 0.18g Vitamin A (retinol): 403µg Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): 2.52µg Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherl): 4.4mg Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 30mg Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate): 0.7mg Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.8mg Niacin (nicotinamide): 8.9mg Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine-5-phosphate): 1.1mg Folic Acid (pteroylmonoglumatic acid): 100mg Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin): 0.5µ Biotin (d-biotin): 0.074mg Pantothenic Acid (d-pantothenate, calcium): 2.8mg Calcium (from natural milk source): 616mg Phosphorus: 123mg Magnesium (magnesium oxide): 481mg
Delivery and Return Details
Free Delivery:
Free delivery to mainland GB addresses on orders over £99 are by either a parcel courier or a pallet courier. See below for further information.
Standard Timescales:
Expected delivery is within 3-7 business days.
One Man Pallet Delivery:
Expected delivery is 3 - 5 business days. All deliveries are made Monday - Friday between 7am and 6pm. These are kerbside only. We advise having two bodies available to help the courier with larger or heavy deliveries. Please note, Powerhouse Fitness advise against one man delivery for larger or heavy orders.
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Order before 3pm for delivery within 48 hours. Available on selected products only and subject to availability. Friday after 3pm, Saturday and Sunday orders will normally be delivered on a Tuesday.
Two Man/Ground Floor Delivery: (Up to a maximum of 350kgs)
This service is available on larger orders or premium priced products. You will be called to book a delivery day in advance. Subject to suitable and safe access, the couriers will place the product into a ground floor room of your choice.
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All parcels will require a signature.
Please note: Any installations ordered during the month of December will be carried out in January 2019. Installations are a two-man service and are booked with you in advance. Installations are normally within 10-14 working days.
Life Fitness Install is UK mainland only
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For commercial gyms/studios please call the sales team to discuss delivery and installation options.
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Undergraduate Degrees, Majors and Concentrations
THEA2080 - Directing
Summer 2019
This course explores the role of the director and how that position functions within the collaborative theatre art form. Topics addressed includes the nature of Drama and action, play analysis, casting techniques, working with designers, working with actors in the search for character, visual aesthetics for the theatre, flow theory, and organizing and running rehearsals. The course is taught through lecture, discussion and hands-on directing of projects.
Prerequisite: THEA1040 or THEA2040
3 Credits
Schedule Book for All Active and Available Future Terms, Course starting with THEA2080
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New Models
2019 Yamaha VF250 V6 V MAX SHO® - 25 in. Shaft
Call for Price
VF250 V6 V MAX SHO® - 25 in. Shaft
The V6 V MAX SHO® has transformed the game with its 4.2-liter big-bore displacement, signature four-stroke fuel economy and a hole shot that's up to 13 percent faster than two strokes. Now that anglers have experienced the best of both worlds in one outboard, they won't settle for anything less than V MAX SHO performance. Now, we're raising expectations even higher—with a 25-inch shaft option for the V MAX SHO 250. That makes it an even better choice for anglers fishing bigger waters on 25-inch-transom boats such as deep-V hulls, bay boats, flats boats and multi-species craft.
Power & Performance
- Compact & Powerful Powerhead: Plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders are lighter and 60 percent harder than steel. They also allow us to enlarge cylinder bores without increasing their dimensions--which creates 4.2 liters of big-bore displacement, without adding weight.
- Lightweight: With a re-engineered cowling, engine bracket and lower engine pan, 20-inch-shaft models are a full 34 pounds lighter than their predecessor, the two-stroke V MAX® Series 2.
- Smart Design: Yamaha's exclusive In-Bank Exhaust System exits downward through the center of the "V" rather than on the exterior side. This increases combustion efficiency, creating more power and torque, and also results in a more compact shape.
- Overall Performance: This superior design--with individual intake and exhaust camshafts, larger valves than previous designs and four valves per cylinder--delivers more precise valve timing and more efficient exchange of intake and exhause gases, for responsive power and increased fuel economy.
- Responsive Throttle: Midrange punch and instant throttle response created by Variable Camshaft Timing has to be felt to be believed.
- Outstanding Fuel Economy: Micro-textured cylinder walls increase breathing efficiency while Precision Multi-Point Fuel Injection ensures the precise amount of air and fuel necessary for optimum power and fuel efficiency. Together, they make the 4.2 liter big-bore V MAX SHO® four stroke up to 12% better fuel efficient than our two-stroke V MAX® Series 2.
Reliability & Durability
- Smooth and Quiet: A labyrinth exhaust routes gases through a maze before they exit above the water line through an idle exhause relief outlet. This, combined with a mufflerless design, results in unbelievably smooth and quiet operation, with a pleasing sound of power at idle.
- Protection and Power: V MAX SHO® outboards have an exhaust pressure reduction system, which not only helps keep the propeller hub cooled from hot exhaust gases, but also helps provide power by transitioning those gases out of the engine during the critical hole shot and acceleration phases.
- Corrosion Protection: Combined with our proprietary alloy (YDC-30), our exclusive Phaze Five™ electro-deposited, anti-corrosive paint system provides a tough, five-layer barrier against corrosion. This protection is standard on all Yamaha V MAX SHO® four-stroke engines.
- Cleaner Fuel: A large, on-engine water separating fuel filter with a water sensor works in conjuction with Yamaha's 10-Micron Water Separating Fuel Filter to separate water and contaminants from the fuel before they can reach the outboard's other filters and fuel injectors.
- Less Moving Parts: A single timing belt uses fewer moving parts for long term reliability. Automatic belt tensioners keep proper belt tension, avoiding adjustments for added convenience.
Convenience & Control
- Powerful Charging: With 46 amps of total alternator power at 1000 RPM and a full 50 amps from 2500 ~ 6000 RPM, V MAX SHO® outboards offer the kind of charging power needed to operate today's wide array of on-board electronic devices.
- V MAX SHO® Series Propellers: Designed exclusively for V MAX SHO® V6 20-inch-shaft outboards, V MAX SHO Series propellers are available in one-inch pitch increments from 22 to 27 inches, for fine-tuning wide-open-throttle RPM for tournament-level performance.
- Real-Time Performance Data: Optional Command Link® gauges provide real-time outboard performance, boat systems and environmental data at your fingertips. Streamlined displays are designed to withstand the elements and are available in square or round style for single- or multi-engine applications.
Model Specific Features
- The competitive spirit of the outboard that changed it all runs deeper than ever, thanks to the availability of a 25-inch shaft on V MAX SHO® 250 models. Now, the multi-species crowd can discover that nothing compares to a V MAX SHO.
- Super High Output 60-degree 4.2-liter V6 Design
- Shaft lengths available: 20" and 25"
- Minimum octane 89
- Mechanical controls with optional Command Link® gauges
- Engine Type: V6
- Displacement: 4.2L
- Bore x Stroke: 96 x 96mm (3.78 x 3.78 in)
- Prop Shaft Horsepower: 250hp at 5500 rpm
- Full Throttle RPM Range: 5000 ~ 6000 rpm
- Alternator Output at W.O.T.: 50 Amp
- Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
- Fuel Induction System: EFI
- Weight*: 251 kg (555 lbs)
- Recommended Fuel: Octane 89
- Recommended Engine Oil: Yamalube® 4M (See owner's manual)
- Recommended Fuel Filtration: Yamaha 10-Micron Fuel/Water Separating Filter (external)
- C.A.R.B. Rating: 3-Star
- Exhaust: Through Propeller
- Intake: 24
- Ignition: TCI Microcomputer
- Spark Plug: LFR6A-11
- Alternator Output: 50 Amp
- Starting System: Electric
- Lubrication: Wet Sump
- Engine Oil Capacity: 6.7L/6.4L
- Recommended Cooling: Thermostatic Control
- Ethanol Blend Limit: 10% Maximum
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
- Gear Shift: Forward, Neutral, Reverse
- Shaft Length: 25"
- Degree of Tilt: 66°
- Degree of Trim: -4° through +16°
- Dry Weight: 25" shaft / 251 kg (555 lbs)
- Mounting Centers: N/A
- Steering Angle (maximum): 35° from center, either direction
- Warranty: Limited 3-year Pleasure, 3-year Government, 1-Year Commercial
NOTES:Weight refers to shortest shaft length, and is measured without motor oil, gearcase oil and propeller (except models 25 hp and under, which include a standard propeller). All Jet model weights include the jet pump assembly (weight estimated).
- Engine Type
- Bore x Stroke
- 3.78 x 3.78 in. (96 x 96mm)
- Displacement
- Starting
- Electric
- Shaft Length
- 25 in.
- Weight
- 555 lb. (251 kg)
- Propshaft Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Full Throttle Operating Range
- 5000 ~ 6000 rpm
- Gear Ratio / Shift
- 1.75:1 / Forward, Neutral, Reverse
- Fuel Induction
- Alternator
- 50 Amp
- Warranty
- Limited 3-year Pleasure, 3-year Government, 1-Year Commercial


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Parent's Finance Guide to a Child's Education
Tips on Saving, Paying, and Borrowing
Determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Toward College Costs
As a parent, how much you are expected to contribute toward your child's college education is determined by the federal government. Their decision is based on information you provide in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In the application process, you are asked to provide information regarding both your finances and your child's, including income and assets. You are also asked how many dependents you have and how many family members will be attending college at the same time. This information is analyzed to determine what you can contribute toward your child's educational expenses, which is called the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The lower your EFC, the more grants and loans your child will be qualified to receive.
Prepare for College Costs by Pre-Paying Tuition
A number of colleges and universities participate in pre-paid tuition programs for future students. This is quite an advantage to parents who can invest money now and lock in the tuition rate for their children well in advance of when the children will be ready to attend. Some pre-paid tuition plans are managed at the state level, so you need to explore the options available to determine which is best for you. There is also the possibility that this financial move could provide a tax benefit to you, so you may want to ask a tax adviser for more information. Check with the college directly for more information.
Save for College
While many parents don't heed this advice, the best way to prepare for college is to start saving money when your child is born. Since the cost of a college education increases each year, investing in a special college savings plan can help you stay ahead of the game by protecting you against inflation. There are special educational plans that provide a tax shelter for your funds until your future scholar runs off to college. Many states offer college savings opportunities, such as a Section 529 Education Savings Plan, that allow you to begin investing early. You can also start saving in your child's name through the Coverdell Education Savings Account. This plan allows funds to be added until your child turns 18 and also provides tax benefits. To see which option is best for your family, talk to a tax adviser about the benefits and start saving no matter how old your child is.
Use a PLUS Loan to Pay For College
Your child will qualify for federal funds to pay for college; whether the loans are subsidized or unsubsidized depends on your financial situation. If you have demonstrated need, your child may qualify for subsidized federal loans or grant money (which doesn't need to be paid back) to help defray the costs of attending college. If your child does not qualify for subsidized loans based on need, they will qualify for unsubsidized loans. However, these funds may not be enough. Many parents look for additional funding sources through loans such as the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). The funds are disbursed directly through the U.S. Department of Education. You will be asked to fill out an application, and your credit history will be reviewed for any adverse activity (such as a default on previous debt), though you will not be subjected to a full credit check. If you don't meet the minimum criteria, you may need an endorser for the loan. If you are denied a PLUS loan, your child may qualify for additional unsubsidized Direct Loan funds. For more information, visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/plus
Use Your Home Equity for College Expenses
Don't forget about the equity you have accumulated in your home over the years. You may actually find acquiring a home equity loan is a better option for you than accumulating student loan debt, because your home equity loan may qualify you for additional tax benefits.
Watch Out for Loan Scams
Navigating the financial aid process can seem daunting the first time you have to go through it. When an advertisement comes in the mail or a salesperson calls offering to do all the work for you, you may be tempted. Some ads even promise that your child will qualify for financial aid regardless of your credit history. What they all have in common, though, is that they want you to pay a fee for this service. Don't let yourself be taken in by these offers. Applying for federal financial aid is free and qualifying for aid really depends on your financial situation. Some of these student loan scams take advantage of the uninformed and could end up destroying your credit history or your child's. In addition, the student loans they offer you could leave you even further in debt, so do your research carefully.
Saving for college
There are many options for how to better prepare to pay for the costs of college. From Qualified Tuition Plans (or 529s), to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, to U.S. Treasury Bonds, the range of ways in which to put away money for your or your child's college education has greatly expanded during the last decade.
What's key to remember is that the earlier you start planning (and saving), the better off you'll be in the long run.
Qualified Tuition Plans (QTP or 529 Plans)
A QTP can take the form of a prepaid tuition plan or a savings plan. The prepaid tuition plan, administered by a state or a qualified school, allows parents to buy tuition at today's prices for use in the future. QTP savings plans are available in many states-you don't have to be a resident to participate. There is no yearly limit on contributions, although some plans have a lifetime limit. Interest earnings on these accounts are not taxed as they accumulate or when the money is withdrawn to help pay for college, as long as the distribution is less than the qualified education expenses.
- Features
There are two types of 529 plans: savings and prepaid. The savings plan lets you regularly contribute your own saving to the account. The accumulated savings may then be used by the student for any eligible college expense. Another great feature of the plan is that it may be used for any college and university in the United States. The prepaid plan, on the other hand, is more restrictive. Only 18 US states allow such a savings plan. It allows you to pay for college tuition at today's rate for the future education of a student. However, you or the student must be the resident of the state that sponsors prepaid plan. The funds may be used in a private, out of state university as well.
- Benefits
Post high school education may be desired by many but it is not always affordable. It is important for a prospective college student and the parents to have a college savings plan. The 529 plan may allow a student to purchase tuition, room and board, books and other necessary equipment and supplies, for an accredited college or university, including a vocational school in the United States. The investment from the plan may further be used for studies in a college or university outside of the United States as well.
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
Coverdell ESAs may be set up for beneficiaries under the age of 18, or those with special needs, to pay for their education expenses. Friends and family may deposit money into the account, but the total contributions for the year may not exceed $2,000. As with Qualified Tuition Plans, the earnings in Coverdell ESAs accumulate tax-free and are not taxed at the time of distribution unless the amount withdrawn exceeds eligible educational costs.
U.S. Treasury Savings Bonds
Savings bonds generally earn lower interest rates than other investments, but because they are fully backed by the federal government, their security is guaranteed. Generally, accumulated interest on bonds included in the government's Education Bond Program is free from federal income tax (also state and local taxes) when used to pay qualifying educational costs. Bonds from the education program may be redeemed and rolled over into a Qualified Tuition Plan, with no tax on the interest earnings.
Custodial Accounts
Custodial Accounts hold money and other assets until a named minor beneficiary reaches a certain age (usually 18 or 21), with a custodian managing the money until that time. Deposits to the account become the permanent property of the beneficiary. Interest earned on the account is taxed at the beneficiary's rate and included on their tax return. Although similar to a trust, these accounts are preferred when the amounts involved are relatively small, and because they do not have the complicated legal structure of a trust (or the attorney's fees!).
The Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) and Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) are custodial accounts. UGMA covers cash and securities; UTMA covers these assets as well as real estate, intellectual properties and virtually all other assets.
Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A Home Equity Loan is basically a second mortgage. Borrowers may receive up to the current value of their home minus the amount they owe on it (which equals the owner's equity in the house). So, if the current value of the house is $200,000 and the amount outstanding on the original loan is $120,000, then the borrower could receive up to $80,000 in a Home Equity Loan. The loan amount will be reduced by fees and closing costs.
Interest rates for a Home Equity Loan are usually fixed over the life of the loan (from 10 to 15 years). Unlike Federal PLUS Loans, however, these loans have no deferment or forbearance privileges. That means that if the borrower fails to make the loan payments, the lender can take the house to recover its money.
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a revolving credit line with a maximum limit based on the borrower's equity in their home. So, if the current value of the house is $200,000 and the amount outstanding on the original loan is $120,000, then the homeowner would have $80,000 as their maximum line of credit. Funds can be borrowed as needed, with interest charged only on the amounts used (like a credit card).
HELOCs have a variable interest rate, and may charge maintenance fees, inactivity fees or transaction fees. Some HELOCs require a balloon payment at the end of the loan term. Again, if the borrower fails to make the loan payments, the lender can take the house to recover their money.
Withdrawals from Retirement Accounts
Usually, if an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) account holder takes money from an IRA before the age of 59 and 1/2, the earnings portion of the withdrawal is subject to a 10% penalty. This penalty is waived, however, if the withdrawal is used to pay qualified education expenses. Remember that, generally speaking, the earnings portion of the money withdrawn will still be subject to income tax.
Saving on federal taxes through tax credits
In addition to financial aid, there is an indirect way to reduce the college bill through federal tax reductions. There are four tax breaks for college students and recent graduates. Some benefits have income and other restrictions. More information can be found in IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Higher Education.
Student Loan Interest
Current college students paying interest on unsubsidized loans and graduates who are repaying their loans can claim a tax deduction of up to $2500 depending on your total income. There has been a ruling that interest paid on the parent PLUS loan also qualifies, but check with a tax expert before taking that deduction.
College Tuition
There are two tax credits available to help you get some money back on the cost of tuition: the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. Since they are both tax credits, you subtract the amount for which you are eligible right off your tax bill. You must choose which credit to take per qualifying student based on which is more beneficial for you.
- Lifetime Learning Credit: Maximum credit is worth up to $2,000 per return if the adjusted gross income of a family is $120,000 (if parents are married and filing jointly) or $60,000 (for singles). There's no limit on the number of years you can qualify for this credit.
- American Opportunity Tax Credit: Maximum annual credit here is worth $2,500 and is available to individuals with an adjusted gross income below $80,000 or married couples who file jointly and earn less than $160,000. It's only available for four years of education.
Tax Deduction
This is a deduction (not a credit), which can reduce taxable income by as much as $4,000 depending on your total income. This deduction may benefit students who do not qualify for either the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning tax credits. You must decide whether to claim the tuition and fees tax deduction or claim the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit per qualifying student in the tax year.
Moving Expenses
Students who are required to move to take their first job qualify for a deduction for the cost of moving themselves and their possessions. More information can be found in IRS Form 3903. For questions on how to claim tax credits or take deductions on your college expenses, please visit www.irs.gov or speak with a tax professional.
Strategies in Times of Recession
Tuition is always difficult to afford. During a recession, these bills can feel like an insurmountable barrier between your child and their future. But there are things besides just cutting back on household expenses that can help you survive a bad economy and help you put your child through school.
Here's just some of them:
- Revise your expectations about jobs during the school year. Have a discussion about the type of job your child needs to find while in school and how much money they need to contribute from that job. Be clear about expectations so everyone is on the same page.
- Talk to your child about finishing school faster. At the very least, they should finish in four years. To help motivate them to do so, remind them that scholarships often don't renew after four years of schooling. Also, if you don't want to be saddled with the responsibility of fifth-year tuition, tell them you won't help pay if they don't finish on time. If your child is truly motivated, and it's still early in their education, ask them to take an extra class each semester. This could help them graduate a semester or an entire year early, meaning you save bundles.
- Look for other sources of money. The biggest one is always more scholarships. Your child should be applying throughout the year, every year. Scholarships are always available and they aren't just for freshman. Ensure your child consistently checks in with the financial aid office and searches online for opportunities. Start with www.fastweb.com, cappex.com, and scholarships.com.
- Move more of the tuition burden to your child. When your child works a part-time job during college and still doesn't earn enough to cover the gap between their tuition and the money you're able to contribute to their cause, it might be time for your child to take out a student loan to cover the difference. They'll have the responsibility of paying that debt back later, but the hope is that, with a degree behind them, they'll be able to find a job. But be sure to compare student loans with SimpleTuition before borrowing, because we can save you thousands. It's fast, easy, and free.
- Take advantage of your employer's pre-tax savings. Often employers offer pre-tax plans that let you pay for things like transportation or medical expenses with income prior to taxes, which could save you a bundle of money throughout the year. There's two benefits to this: the money you would have paid to taxes can now go toward tuition; and it lowers your taxable income, meaning your child might qualify for more federal aid.
Choose the right student loans, pay back less
If you're like most students and parents facing a tuition bill, you're going to need to borrow. That's a pretty simple reality.
It does get complicated, however, because there are many different types of student and parent loans. Remember don't make the mistake of borrowing private student loans before maximizing federal ones. Here's a quick rule of thumb to help you figure out where to borrow.
Undergraduate Student
Generally speaking*, a borrower should exhaust each of the following sources before moving on to the next one listed:
- Federal Direct Loan
If further borrowing is necessary:
- If the parents are willing to borrow, then a fixed-rate, federal PLUS loan is a great option
- If the parents are not willing to borrow, then investigate private student loan options, but remember that a co-signer will almost definitely be required (might be that parent who wasn't willing to borrow a PLUS loan)
Graduate / Professional Student
Generally speaking*, a borrower should exhaust each of the following sources before moving on to the next one listed:
- Federal Direct Loan
If further borrowing is necessary, choose between:
- Fixed-rate, federal GradPLUS Loan, or
- Private loan (the GradPLUS Loan will usually be the better option)
* Of course there are exceptions to these rules, so do your own homework and investigation. For example, some schools offer their own loans with lenient terms. There may also be state loans available to you with terms better than federal or private loans. Read your financial aid award letter. Ask your financial aid office. Learn about all your options. And always shop around.
Teaching your child financial responsibility
As the parent of a future college student, you have a lot to worry about already: from how you'll handle the empty nest to paying tuition bills.
One huge and often unspoken subject between parents and their (almost) adult children is financial responsibility. But you have so many years they haven't lived through yet, and so much knowledge. Use it to help your child understand how to manage money responsibly.
Here's how:
- Involve them in the payment process. Even if you have the money to cover the cost of tuition, your child shouldn't get a free ride. Remind them of something very important: they need to help pay for their own education.
- Support them getting a job. A mantra of money: it's easier to spend someone else's cash. That means you probably shouldn't just send your kid checks each month. Teaching your child financial responsibility begins with them earning their own money. So push them to get a job.
- Help them navigate the banking system. That means help them pick an account, preferably at a bank that has a presence on their campus. Teach them the differences between credit and debit and the dangers of debt. Remind them that credit cards have interest rates and debit cards are free.
- Don't bail them out of every financial hardship. Lessons are sometimes difficult to swallow, but your child may need to learn them the hard way. If they decide not to work all semester but want to go on spring break anyway—well, tough luck kiddo. Maybe next year you should save more, plan better, or work. It's not tough love, just tough money.
- Teach them the power of habitual saving. These days it's easy. Paychecks can be directly deposited into checking accounts. The trick is keeping it there. The easiest way is asking your child to create a monthly budget.
Saving for College


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The dollar rose against major rivals Thursday as investors looked ahead to employment data due Friday, which could shed some light on the pace of the U.S. recovery. Dollar gains were visible against the euro, which fell after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said bank officials had discussed quantitative easing at the last meeting.
Economists polled by MarketWatch expect a gain of 200,000 jobs in March. The economy added 175,000 jobs in February.
A stronger-than-expected number of jobs created would likely lead to dollar strength because it validates the Federal Reserve's current tendency to reduce its monetary stimulus and could even lead to expectations of a quicker removal, said George Dowd, head of Chicago foreign exchange for Newedge. Fed officials decided to cut the monthly bond purchases by another $10 billion at the latest meeting, bringing the total to $55 billion.
That in turn paves the way for speculation that the central bank could implement its first rate hike sooner than had been expected.
The ICE dollar index DXY, +0.19%, a gauge of the currency's strength against six rivals, rose to 80.454 from 80.240 late Wednesday. The WSJ dollar index BUXX, +0.05%, an alternate gauge that pits the dollar against a wider basket of rivals, rose to 73.66 from 73.51.
U.S. data released Thursday showed a pickup in service-sector growth in March, with the Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing index rising to 53.1% from 51.6% in February. Weekly jobless claims rose to a one-month high but remained near post-recession lows.
The European Central Bank on Thursday made no change to interest rates or monetary policy, leaving its key lending rate at 0.25%.
ECB President Mario Draghi said there was discussion of quantitative easing at the latest meeting, adding to speculation that the central bank would use unconventional measures to fight falling inflation. But while there was an "ample and rich discussion" at the meeting, the mechanics of a hypothetical bond-buying program weren't hashed out, he said.
Draghi's comments came during a news conference in Frankfurt.
The euro dropped nearly 1 cent as Draghi talked. In recent trade, the euro EURUSD, -0.2083% fell to $1.3719 from $1.3760 late Wednesday. The euro had pushed above $1.38 briefly as Draghi began speaking.
Pressure has been mounting on the ECB to further stimulate the economy as inflation has fallen. Data released Monday showed annual euro-zone inflation in March dropped to its lowest since late 2009. ECB officials have maintained that the central bank stands ready to act, which includes the possibility for unconventional policies such as bond purchases or a negative deposit rate. The ECB targets an inflation rate of just under 2% in the medium term.
Draghi maintained that inflation expectations in the medium to long term remain "firmly anchored," but said the ECB Governing Council is concerned that a long spell of low inflation could pose a risk to those expectations. He also noted that inflation should pick up in April because of the Easter holiday. Read a recap of the news conference: ECB's Mario Draghi says central bank discussed QE
"We are left with a great deal of confusion as to which tool could be used, under which conditions, and when," said Frederik Ducrozet, a senior economist at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, in emailed comments. "What is getting clearer is that the ECB is intellectually ready to react with radical, nonconventional action," he added.
So when could the ECB take action? "The first real opportunity is probably in June," said Marc Chandler, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman. That's because if there is a pick up in April inflation, as expected by the ECB, the central bank wouldn't act in May, he said.
The euro feel against the pound EURGBP, +0.0566%, to £0.8266, a 0.2% loss from the prior day, according to FactSet.
Meanwhile, the dollar USDJPY, +0.01% rose to ¥103.93 from ¥103.77 late Wednesday. The dollar pushed above ¥104 earlier. Richard Perry, market analyst at Hantec Markets, said in a note that after the dollar broke above the key resistance at ¥103.75, the next key resistance is not until ¥104.83, a key high in January.
The dollar USDBRL, +0.0145% rose 0.5% to 2.2815 Brazilian real USDBRL, +0.0145%. Brazil's central bank hiked the Selic benchmark rate to 11% from 10.75%, in a move widely expected by economists.
The pound GBPUSD, +0.0481% dropped to $1.6599 from $1.6624 late Wednesday, while the Australian dollar AUDUSD, +0.0887% fell to 92.32 U.S. cents from 92.42 U.S. cents.
More must-reads from MarketWatch:
Draghi talks QE, but counts on Easter Bunny
Reeves: 3 red-hot investment opportunities


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So-called gay rights activists disappointing...
The Margaret Somerville kerfuffle at Ryerson this week is indicative of the short-sighted thinking you can expect from gay rights activists. It appears that Ms. Somerville is very deserving of an honorary degree - and I just wish that these so-called gay activists would have just ignored the whole thing.
Not everybody supports gay marriage - and gay activists need to respect differences of opinion. In fact, what these activists are doing is just making more enemies - and influencing nobody positively. They ill-service the gay community.
I just wish they would put the same effort into protesting the treatment of gay people in Iran and other muslim countries. On this, gay activists are mostly silent.


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Luxury Red Berry (6PCS)£19.95Privacy Policy×TERMS & CONDITIONS
When you place an order with us it will be deemed that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions. If you are unhappy with any part of these terms and conditions, you should contact us before placing an order. You can contact us on 0844 335 1334, or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or by writing to the postal address given below. We require your name, email address, credit/debit card, phone and address details. A contact phone number is needed so that we can get in touch if there is a problem with your order, we may pass this number onto our courier to help with the delivery of your order. We will send you a confirmation of your order to the email address you have provided us with. Please note this is not confirmation that your offer to buy the items has been accepted. Our contract for the sale of our products will only exist once an order has been accepted, processed and despatched to you. Please note you will be charged at the time of placing your order. We reserve the right to refuse an order. Non acceptance of an order may be as a result of one of the following: the product being out of stock; our inability to obtain the authorisation of payment; the identification of an error within the product information, including price and promotion; you not meeting the eligibility to order as set out in the Terms and Conditions. The terms of your order will be made available to you on request via email to we advise you to print off and retain confirmation of the order for your records. Unfortunately we may find that an item has sold out after you have placed your order, we will notify you of this as soon as possible and either offer you an alternative or a refund, or we may be able to request more stock from the supplier, in which case we will notify you when the delivery would be expected. Sometimes, we may offer a pre-order facility for an item we are awaiting delivery on, an estimated day of delivery will be provided on the website and we will notify you via email once the stock has arrived in. Some of our items will be dispatched to you directly from our suppliers which may result in you receiving more than one package for your order. If a pricing error is identified on an advertised product before an item is shipped, we retain the right to offer the customer a full refund or the opportunity to purchase the item at the correct selling price. We shall ensure that you are aware of our legal duty to supply goods that are in conformity with the contract.
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Bad romance: 'Something' isn't quite right
One of the curious problems with Something Borrowed is that Kate Hudson's performance is too effective. She plays Darcy, the lifelong best friend of the heroine, Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin). Blond, rich and headstrong, Darcy always gets her way in their relationship. And as the film opens she's about to be married to Dex (Colin Egglesfield), whom Rachel has had a crush on since law school. No good can come of this.
The plot mechanics are more or less inevitable. Thrown together again as the ceremony approaches, Rachel and Dex realize they have always been in love. But what to do? Rachel doesn't want to hurt her best friend. And Dex has a mother who struggles with depression; only the marriage seems capable of cheering her up.
To be married as an aid to someone else's mental health calls, I think, your own into question. This is especially true because the depressed mother (Jill Eikenberry) doesn't have a single line in the movie, and is seen only looking sad sometimes and happy sometimes. I believe, but cannot be sure, that a surprise decision made late in the film is triggered by her single ambivalent expression. Full review.Read more on: Ginnifer GoodwinKate HudsonSomething Borrowed


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28 April 2014 at 10.59am | 91 Comments
Update: This event has now passed. Read audience reactions to the streaming.
The Royal Opera's La traviata is live-streamed for free worldwide on 20 May at 6.30pm BST as part of BP Big Screens 2014. You will be able to watch right here, or on our YouTube channel.
The event is the first live stream of a complete opera from The Royal Opera and will mark 25 years of support from BP, which has enabled half a million people to enjoy world-class opera and ballet through free events around the UK. There is no catch up after the event, just the live stream and unfortunately for reasons beyond our control this will not be available in Germany.
As well as being streamed online, La traviata is also streamed in public squares and parks around the country. It will be followed by BP Big Screen relays of La bohème on 15 July, and Rigoletto on 17 September. There are no plans to live-stream these two future titles online at present.
BP first supported the Big Screen programme in 2000, when there was just one screen in Covent Garden, although the partnership began in 1988 with a wide variety of activities. Last Season was the most successful year for BP Big Screens, which saw more than 45,000 people watching from as far afield as Aberdeen, Belfast and Plymouth.


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HC Health needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 144 designs submitted by 41 freelance designers.
Vivature is a new web site product being produced by Highland Campus Health Group that will allow students to interact with their campus health center as well as search/browse health and wellness information.
We need a logo for our new product, Vivature.
Vivature, powered by Highland Campus Health Group
We are looking for a simple and instantly recognizable logo. We would like two versions: One with just the name "Vivature" and one also with the name of the parent company "Vivature, powered by Highland Campus Health Group"
- bold Web 2.0 design
- must appeal to students, but also convey trustworthiness of a medical institution
- a scalable vector image (Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw and the like); not JPEG, GIF, TIFF, etc.
- not required, but could incorporate current HCHC logo colors: lighter blue: #64B3D9; darker blue: #004375; pale brown: #B4A883
- nothing overly complex
- should be youthful without being "cute"
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Bluffton's nonprofit business incubator board has elected officers and is preparing for the next steps — hiring a manager/consultant and adopting a budget.
The Bluffton Technology Incubator Corp. inaugural board meeting was last week for the three-year pilot project, in partnership with Clemson University, to help entrepreneurs start "emerging technology companies."
The town of Bluffton is the sponsor for the public-private venture offered by the Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development. Its selection was announced in September, and the council adopted nonprofit corporation bylaws on Nov. 9.
The board's initial tasks include helping screen applicants for the town-paid manager-consultant position and making a recommendation to Town Manager Anthony Barrett. The board also needs to establish a budget, Barrett said Monday.
Both will be on the agenda for its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at CareCore National Inc., 400 Buckwalter Place Blvd., said Barrett, an ex-officio board member.
The seven-member board elected Mayor Lisa Sulka as chairwoman. For treasurer, it picked Kevin Ryan of Savannah, CareCore National Inc. executive vice president of specialty products. Secretary went to Walter Nester of Bluffton, manager of McNair Law Firm's Beaufort County unit.
Also, adviser Karl B. Kelly, director of corporate operations for Clemson's Restoration Institue, gave a presentation on the project and processes involved, and a pep talk on Bluffton's selection and involvement.
The public meeting was in a conference room at CareCore, which is donating about 1,800 square feet of space for the incubator lab.
The board, which is not paid, last week learned about the process for selecting a manager/consultant.
Barrett reviewed details on Monday.
He said Sulka, as board chairwoman, would appoint one board member to review applicants for the manager/consultant position. That person, working with town Human Resources Director Jessie Hershey and Barrett, will review the applications to make a first cut.
Also at the Dec. 8 meeting, Sulka will appoint three board members to make the second round of applicant reviews and recommend a pick to the full board, which in turn will make a recommendation to Barrett.
Though not required by bylaws, "It will be like advice and consent; I'm not going to appoint anyone they don't want," Barrett said.
Barrett said he and Hershey would redact portions of resumes being reviewed by board members if they thought that might prevent potential conflicts.
"We're trying to keep this as transparent and fair as possible," he said.
The board member who makes the initial screening "will more than likely recommend three, maybe five, to the full board. The full board will probably look at those and then make a recommendation from them to be appointed," Barrett said.
The town is preparing to advertise for applicants and will post the position with a job description and qualifications on its website, www.townofbluffton.sc.gov
Barrett said people interested in applying may contact Hershey by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
The pay range will be $65,000 to $75,000, plus benefits … "That's the obligation the town has," Barrett said. "Hopefully, once we get this started we'll solicit companies for participation," he said. "We will talk about at next meeting.
"Also, the six to eight people who go in there to develop their companies will have to pay a little bit of rent ….
"The board will look at and adopt a budget at their next meeting. I'm working on that now." Barrett said it "more than likely" would be $65,000 for next February through June 30, when the town's fiscal year ends.
Board members have received inquires from both prospective manager-consultant candidates and from people interested in being picked for a start-up business, Barrett said.
At the meeting, Sulka said in the recent campaigns for two Town Council seats economic development was the top issue after May River restoration and protection.
"Can you think of a better place to bring people to live and develop a company?" she said. "I'm excited about it, and I thank you all."
Kelly said he has found that incubator centers "have the capability to generate three to five businesses a year."
Some will fail, he said, and among the others "you want a super-star, a gazelle or two, that you're excited about and show real promise."
Also, Paul "Mac" Horton, professor emeritus and director of the Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development, commended the imagination and leadership "that folks here in Bluffton have shown."
In the Clemson program, which is getting ready to select other pilot project areas in the state, "you're way ahead of everyone else we've been working with," Horton said. "I think you'll be quite successful."
The other board members are developer Matt Green of Bluffton, attorney Morris Billingslea of Bluffton, retired New York Life executive Fallon Williams of Bluffton, and information technology entrepreneur Bea Wray of Daufuskie Island.
Sulka gave her mayoral appointee slot to Williams and the full council appointed the other members on Nov. 9. Bylaws the Town Council recently adopted for the incubator corporation make the mayor an automatic appointee, but leave it to the board to pick officers.
Green, representing Buckwalter Place, on Monday said, "We wholeheartedly and enthusiastically support this strong push toward economic development and diversification for Bluffton and Beaufort County. We look forward to welcoming the entrepreneurs who will use the center and who will help our region develop a diversified and sustainable economy."


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by Jeannie Huey, sports information student assistant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College Department of Athletics will auction a Disney Vacation package as well as a Royal Caribbean Cruise as two of many exciting items the Georgia College Annual Athletic Auction Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. in the Centennial Center.
The Disney World family vacation package for four entails a five-day and four-night stay at the Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista, 3-Day My Way tickets for the family and 1-Day admission tickets to Universal Studios. The 3-Day My Way tickets provide admission to Disney parks including: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. This vacation package covers everything a family needs to experience The Most Magical Place on Earth without missing out on any of its magic.
Interested in receiving the royal treatment? If so, be sure to place your bid on the Carefree Days in the Caribbean auction item. Carefree Days in the Caribbean includes a three-night Royal Caribbean International cruise for two on one of Royal Caribbean's luxury ocean liners such as Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas. Not only will you explore the beauty and experience the culture of the Bahamas during shore excursion on the islands of Cococay and Nassau, but you will also live like a king or queen as you sail across the sea surrounded with luxurious relaxation, entertainment and dining options 24 hours a day.
For your chance to win these getaways, hundreds of other auction favorites and enjoy great food and entertainment, be sure to purchase your ticket and mark your calendars for the Georgia College Annual Athletic Auction, 6 p.m. on April 26. All proceeds from the auction will contribute to the funding of student-athlete scholarships and special projects for GC Athletics.
Tickets cost $125 and provide you with an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner, live musical performance by local favorites the Rx Band, access to all live and silent auctions and one entry in the $10,000 reverse raffle!
For more information, or to order your ticket, contact the athletic department office at (478) 445-6341. Tables are also available for reservation.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.


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When Barack Obama stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah this week – as part of an overseas trip designed to reassure the American electorate about the presumptive Democratic nominee's national security credentials – he'll be wading into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Neither Senator Obama nor Republican nominee John McCain have spoken much about how they might resolve this key Middle Eastern issue. But what hints the candidates have given suggest that Obama will probably return the US to a more traditional role of "honest broker," analysts say. Senator McCain would be more likely to subordinate any peace talks to battling Islamic extremism, leaving Israel to chart its own path.
The two presidential candidates have more distinct and well-outlined positions on Iraq (where Obama is expected Monday) and Afghanistan (where he spent the weekend). The German weekly Der Spiegel reported Saturday that Iraq's President Nouri al-Maliki supported Obama's plan to withdraw most US troops from Iraq within 16 months, starting in January 2009. But an Iraqi government spokesmen Sunday said that Mr. Maliki had been "misunderstood and mistranslated" and his comments "should not be understood as support for any US presidential candidate."
The White House said Friday that US and Iraqi officials would set a "time horizon" for the withdrawal of US troops, based on conditions on the ground. McCain's spokeswoman responded that a "conditions-based withdrawal" is something the candidate has always supported.
Both McCain and Obama have called for sending more troops to Afghanistan.
Foreign policy advisers to Obama say the stops in Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank will signal a return to a US policy of placing an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal at the center of a vision for the region, if Obama is elected.
"The differences between the two [on this issue] are not as great as they are on Iraq and Afghanistan, but that's not to say it would all be the same, because it wouldn't," says James Phillips, Middle East expert at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington. "McCain is less sympathetic toward the Palestinian side, and while he supports peace talks, I don't see him as too optimistic about their short-term outcome, so I don't think we'd see him diving in to personally oversee them," he says. "Obama seems much more likely to risk his personal presidential capital to try to jump-start talks and get something going."
In June speeches to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the leading pro-Israel lobbying group, both candidates offered support to talks under way between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
McCain noted the talks bringing together Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, saying "all of us hope [they] will yield progress toward peace." But he said that "we must also ensure that Israel's people can live in safety until there is a Palestinian leadership willing and able to deliver peace." He then added, "a peace process that places faith in terrorists can never end in peace" – an apparent reference to the Hamas leadership in Gaza.
In his speech, Obama first set forth his view that Israel's security is "sacrosanct" and proposed a "deepened" defense cooperation between the US and Israel with $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade, uncoupled from any assistance to other countries in the region (read Egypt). He then said, "real security can only come through lasting peace," adding that, "as president, I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states ... living side by side in peace and security" – almost word for word Bush's oft-stated formula for peace.
But Obama also said he would "not wait until the waning days of my presidency" – a reference to President Bush, with the Annapolis peace process announced last year, and also to other presidents, including Clinton, who engaged in a full-court press on peace talks in the final months of their presidencies. "I will take an active role, and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration," Obama told the pro-Israel AIPAC.
Such a personal commitment, as well as stepped–up efforts to engage Arab countries in resolving the conflict, is what Obama meant when he said in a speech last week that he would "deepen" the US role in the peace process, some advisers say.
In any case, much of what Obama said to AIPAC went largely unnoticed because all the attention was grabbed by another statement Obama made in the speech – that "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided."
The statement set off alarms among Arabs and Palestinians, who also claim Jerusalem as their capital, and it contradicted established US policy, which holds Jerusalem as a final-status issue for advanced negotiations.
An Obama adviser subsequently clarified that the candidate was not ruling out other arrangements – such as a sharing of parts of Jerusalem so it could serve as each people's capital – to which the two sides might agree.
That clarification led some in the pro-Israel camp to argue that Obama had been "misleading," even as Mr. Abbas – with whom Obama is to meet this week – said he was "disappointed" by Obama's original statement.
Heritage's Mr. Phillips says he saw Obama's Jerusalem statement as an example of how "he tends to tell audiences what they want to hear. In that sense," he adds, "he's a traditional politician, saying one thing and stepping back from it later." Phillips notes that President Bush as a candidate in 2000 insisted he would move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, something he never did.
Some observers say the best clue as to what each candidate would do about the Middle East comes in looking at the advisers they have chosen on the issue.
While Obama has a deep bench of aides with varying expertise and experience, it tends toward the views of the negotiators who worked in former administrations' peace efforts. Dennis Ross, involved in the negotiations of both the first Bush and Clinton presidencies, is a top Middle East aide.
As for McCain, his stance of playing down short-term expectations for peace talks while underscoring the immediate and continuing threat of Islamic extremism is buttressed by two sources: his close association with former Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, and his chief foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, a former legislative aide to some top Capitol Hill Republicans and an early promoter of the Iraq war.
But McCain is also advised by Henry Kissinger, whose efforts toward Middle East peace birthed the term "shuttle diplomacy," named for his shuttling back and forth between Middle Eastern capitals to bring peace after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
What will matter more, in terms of reaching a settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, say some experts, will be conditions on the ground. For some, that will limit the ambitions of whoever is president.
"The situation just isn't ripe," says Phillips, noting what he sees as weak leaders on both sides, the low level of involvement by the Arab countries, and a consolidation of Hamas's power in Gaza. "Add to that the fact that a new [US] president is going to be distracted by a wide variety of issues, foreign and domestic, and I think it's fair to say any talk of launching into a peace process from Day 1 of anyone's presidency is just rhetoric."
Region experts who have lamented the lack of attention to this issue in the candidates' campaigns give Obama credit for at least putting the region on his high-profile overseas campaign trip. After visiting the Middle East, Obama will give a speech in Germany and visit Paris and London. But the opportunity for gaffes and misstatements that could rile key electorates at home – the Jewish and Arab-American communities in particular – will be great, they say.
"This is quite a bold itinerary for him, but it's also a rather risky trip," says Philip Wilcox, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace in Washington, an organization that supports efforts towards resolution of the conflict.
He notes that every gesture Obama makes and every word he utters will be scrutinized. That is especially true because the anchors of all three major network news programs will be traveling with Obama – an unprecedented occurrence for a presidential campaign on the same overseas trip.
"The campaign calculus is that Americans would not fault [Obama] for saying something intelligent," Mr. Wilcox says, "but he also doesn't want to be charged with being in any way anti-Israel, which he'd have to spend weeks and weeks batting down."


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text: |Let me introduce you to the Bloodangels! Simply one of the best fetish sites in the world. Watch these horny sluts torture and abuse each other whilst dressing in sexy latex and leather. In picture and on camera. Theres thousands of pictures to download and hours of video (updated weekly!) I've had a membership to Bloodangels since it first came out and i keep going back for more :-)


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- His mother discovered fundamentalism when he was 14 years old.
- His parents were excommunicated from the LDS church when he was 19 years old.
- By the time he returned from his LDS mission, his father Winn had already taken a 2nd wife (and it wasn't Janelle's mother...she was wife #3)
- He did not start courting Meri until he converted and was baptised into the faith.
- He was so grossed out by a chubby Christine eating chili cheese nachos that he cooled off their relationship.
- He was so financially strapped while dating Robyn, he considered selling his car, and admitted he didn't have the money to marry and support Robyn, but knew he would find a way. (hint hint)
- Meri made it clear to Kody that she was not prepared to court Christine, but Kody pressed on with the relationship.
- She married Meri's brother Adam after he converted to LDS. Although they had a Temple wedding, in six months they had separated and were divorced approximate one year after saying "I do."
- Janelle and Meri were best of friends until she joined the family as Kody's 2nd wife.
- Her mother at first was appalled to learn Kody was courting Janelle. When she met Kody's father Winn, they had instant chemistry and she converted and became his 3rd wife.
- Winn had wanted Janelle to marry Kody's brother, but she was already in love with Kody.
- When she married Kody, he and Meri were still "very much in love and they had no idea how to incorporate me into their lives...When we watched movies they would sit on the couch and hold hands under a blanket and I'd sit in my own chair."
Some of Christine's tidbits:
- Her grandfather was the head of their church, "You could say that when it comes to our church, I'm connected."
- She decided as a teenager she would enter a plural marriage only as a 3rd wife. Being a first wife was too much work and too much self-sacrifice. She felt a second wife disrupted the marriage between the husband and the first wife and caused heartache. The third wife makes peace between the first and second wives.
- Christine's mother divorced her father and left their faith.
- Although she married the man of her dreams, Christine realized on her honeymoon that she had married Kody too soon. He had a lot of baggage, not to mention two warring wives to contend with. It took a year for Kody and Christine to fall head over heels in love with each other.
Last but not least, some of Robyn's tidbits:
- She married at 21 to a man who was from a "well-regarded" family in their community. In fact, she called the Jessops Spiritual leaders. Unfortunately, he mistreated and misled her.
- She invented an alter ego super hero called She-Rah who represented Robyn's tougher, bolder side.
- She decided after her divorce, if she married again she didn't care what her husband looked like.
So there you have it, the Prologue and Part One: Matrimony. Next up, Part Two: Sorority.


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Even as ADA Reaches 14th Anniversary, Questions Still Persist
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released a new fact sheet available at www.eeoc.gov addressing the workplace rights of people with epilepsy under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title I of the ADA, which is enforced by the EEOC, protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination by private and state and local government employers with 15 or more employees. President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990.
"Epilepsy does not hinder a person's ability to be a productive employee or compromise safety in the workplace," said Commission Chair Cari M. Dominguez. "Too often, however, individuals with epilepsy are still denied job opportunities because of misperceptions and fears about this condition. The EEOC's fact sheet dispels some of these myths and answers frequently asked questions about how people with epilepsy are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 2.3 million people in the United States have some form of epilepsy, with more than 180,000 new cases diagnosed each year in Americans of all races and ages. Epilepsy is a general term that includes various types of seizures. A seizure happens when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an involuntary change in body movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behavior. People diagnosed with epilepsy have had more than one seizure.
The Epilepsy Foundation and other organizations point out that most people with epilepsy will probably never have a seizure on the job, and people with epilepsy do not have more accidents on the job or raise an employer's insurance premiums.
The EEOC's new fact sheet explains:
This publication is the second in a series of EEOC fact sheets focusing on particular disabilities in the workplace. Last October, the Commission released a fact sheet on the ADA and people with diabetes.
The EEOC has taken a leadership role in advancing President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, the Administration's comprehensive strategy for the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of American life. Efforts include increased ADA outreach to small businesses nationwide and an in-progress study of best practices used to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state government. To date, the states of Florida, Maryland, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington have joined the States' Best Practices Project as partners.
In addition to enforcing Title I of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act's prohibitions against disability discrimination in the federal government, the EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals 40 years of age or older; the Equal Pay Act; and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.


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They say the best way to find your own path is to get lost on your present one. No one is a better example of that than Necole Kane. Today the blogger/entrepreneur sits in the driver's seat of a burgeoning empire which includes the Urban Entertainment blog NecoleBitchie.com, its Lifestyle offspring, XONecole, the web channel BitchieTV, and a forthcoming apparel line, BC Society; but what a difference three years can make.
Though Necole's Bitchie online persona made it's debut onto the blogging scene in late 2007, the motivation behind building her brand really began when she was a child growing up in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, spending her free time daydreaming, creating movies in her mind and writing books that were never finished. In college she majored in Television & Film with a hope of becoming the next Mara Brock Akil or female John Singleton.
In 2002 Necole's father passed away and two years later her mother followed, leaving her feeling lost, uninspired and with a terrible case of writer's block. Looking for a fresh start she moved to Detroit and began an internship with a radio station as a producer; her first taste of working in entertainment. Six months later she was hired as the Assistant Marketing Director/Promotions Coordinator where she was introduced to marketing and brand strategizing and how important it is to build a branding platform. After music executive Lyor Cohen visited the radio station and gave a presentation on his artists at Warner Music Group, a light bulb came on for Necole: she would work for a record label.
The young entrepreneur hopeful quit her job, moved to New York City, and interviewed with numerous record labels and management companies, but her lack of experience kept her from nabbing the job of her dreams. By the summer of 2007, a frustrated Necole made the decision that she would never send out another resume, and she never did. Unfortunately, however, by the beginning of 2008 Necole found herself broke and forced to move in with her aunt. Necole recalls, "I was in a situation where I felt like I had lost everything while trying to take risks. My career. Money. My parents. I was devastated." She was back in the small town where she was raised where the two most viable employees were Wal-Mart and a pickle plant, and Necole was sure that her entertainment industry dreams were over. "I'm sitting in the guest room at my aunt's house thinking to myself, I've failed. I've truly failed. What are people going to say about me?"
After getting her hands on the popular self-help book The Secret, Necole decided she had no time for self-pity. What she needed was a plan so she concluded, "There is a lack of jobs in the industry, so I'm going to create my own."� Seeing a lack of coverage in urban entertainment, Necole Bitchie was born as she began reporting on the world of celebrity entertainment and new music while blogging some of her personal experiences as well. "I wanted to connect with my readers on a level that I hadn't seen on other urban sites that I had frequented. That helped me stand out.
Though her following on her website grew quickly, a new challenge emerged: unable to understand why Necole spent the majority of her time on the internet versus looking for employment, her Aunt kicked her out, leading her to Atlanta, completely alone again to figure out how to make it work. "I was hurt because the only thing I had was a roof over my head, and you go and take that too. That was the worst thing that I thought could happen to me at that time, but now, I see that it was truly a blessing. It gave me only one option, and that was to make it."
Within a year, NecoleBitchie.com became one of the leading and fastest growing Urban Gossip Sites on the internet, attracting readers, advertisers and such esteemed outlets as The Huffington Post, CNN, The Boston Globe, Global Grind, VIBE and XXL. She was being courted by the very industry that had once rejected her. Now, her accolades include Black Enterprise's Black Blogger of the Month, Soul Train Music Award For Best Soul Site, the Black Weblog Awards Best Gossip Blog and Blogger Of The Year honors, Ebony magazine's Power 100, being the first Blogger to appear on BET's 106th and Park, all while being featured in Sister 2 Sister, The Source, Honey, Essence, J'Adore, Rolling Out, The Huffington Post, The Tom Joyner Morning Show and more. Necole is well on her way to not only building a media empire that will include a production house, clothing and beauty line, and social applications, but creating a non-profit that will mentor and provide financial support to further the education of children that have lost their parents prematurely.
Necole exemplifies what it means to gain control of one's self through self-determination, self-motivation, self-reliance, and self-promotion. More important than any of her accomplishments, however, is Necole's focus on making sure people, especially young girls, find inspiration in her story. This desire led her to create IAMNECOLE.com
She says, "I hope I am able to connect with my readers more on a personal level and provide inspiration. I want to motivate others to take risks and go hard for what they want out of life. I especially want girls to know that you should never let anyone get away with telling you that you aren't worth it, or you won't make it. If you truly believe in yourself, it doesn't matter what people think because ultimately as long as you have a dream and a plan of action, no one can stop you."


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Last week, Thibodaux Police Cpl. T.J. Crochet witnessed more shootings, stabbings and burglaries than he has in his entire 19-year career in law enforcement.
Last week, Thibodaux Police Cpl. T.J. Crochet witnessed more shootings, stabbings and burglaries than he has in his entire 19-year career in law enforcement.
None of them were real, however. Crochet is a training officer for the police department and Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, and the violent crimes he worked were pre-recorded by actors.
About half of the Thibodaux Police force took part in a video simulation training session last week that was previously reserved for the parish's training academy.
"Everyone from the newest officer to the oldest officer came through the training," Crochet said.
The session, and the participation the optional opportunity received, is evidence of the department's push to increase officer training, said David Melancon, a Thibodaux Police detective and the agency's spokesman.
Though all officers are required by law to undergo regular training, Police Chief Scott Silverii "saw the need for a full-time training officer, having someone in the mix looking for training that's available," Melancon said.
Officials with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office have always been happy to lend resources to Thibodaux Police in the past, but having someone who works for both makes that relationship a little less one-sided, Crochet said.
"If they have anything at their disposal, all we have to do is contact them and we can use it," he said. But now, "I can use the equipment and run it without having to tie up Sheriff's Office personnel."
The position was created in April. Before taking the position, Crochet worked as part of Thibodaux Police's Problem-Oriented Policing squad.
Every month, Crochet re-certifies officers and deputies in the kind of training they first received as cadets, including police driving, CPR and Taser use. He also teaches cadets during each academy session, he said.
He looks for free training that's available to police, Melancon said. Such state training is sometimes available in Baton Rouge, for example.
"Our big-picture goal is just to make sure that our officers are educated on the things that are going on in the world, as far as technology and keeping up with our certifications. ... More will be expected out of the officers as far as training," Melancon said.
The video simulator used last week is a tool commonly used in police training. Police decide how to handle different scenarios. Sometimes the scenarios turn violent, Crochet said, and police have to use their gun. They shoot blanks, but a laser is hooked up to the gun so the system can tell where the officer is shooting. They also have the option to use a Taser or pepper spray.
"You have the luxury of evaluating: Did you make the right call? What could you have done better? ... We have to make split-second decisions, and it can cost us our entire futures if we make the wrong one. So it's crucial training," said Melancon, who was one of about 35 officers who opted to participate last week.
Crochet said he was trained with similar technology in the '90s, but at that time, "it was kind of like laser tag." Having a system that actually registers where you fired makes a difference, he said.
"I would say officers, they might be a little more prepared if a situation happens to arise from doing training like this," Crochet said.
"It trains your mind to process information," Melancon said.
Crochet agrees with Melancon that simulation training is essential for police officers.
"Actions are always quicker than reaction," Crochet said. "Us as law enforcement, we have the unfortunate situation of being put in the reaction category. We have to react to anything a subject's going to do. .... It's kind of to teach officers that things can happen in the blink of an eye. We have a fraction of a second, and depending on what happens, we may not survive. It basically puts the officer in a situation where he wants to be observant and thinking of his next course of action."
And if that officer fails, it won't result in a lawsuit, injury or a death.
"Everybody has to learn from their mistakes, but in my line of work, it can end someone's life," Crochet said. "It's better to make those mistakes in a simulated atmosphere."
Crochet did poke fun at some of the acting in the videos — "some of it is kind of poor acting" — but overall, most of the 500 scenarios, which include shootings, hostage situations, burglaries, traffic stops and stopping someone who matches a suspect description, are fairly realistic, he said.
"Some of them are kind of graphic," he said. "It's actually good for (the officers). Some of the officers were kind of surprised when they went through the training with it because they weren't expecting that. It gauges how the officer responds in those types of situations."
Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or email@example.com.


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WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Over the next two decades, the cost of treating strokes in the United States is expected to more than double, topping more than $180 billion a year, according to new research.
The main factor driving the increase: an aging population. The report, from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association, was published May 22 in the journal Stroke.
"Strokes will absolutely strain the health care system," Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele, chairman of the department of neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina, said in an AHA news release.
One expert who reviewed the report agreed.
"The forecasts in this article are indeed dire -- the predicted direct and indirect costs of stroke could place a heavy burden on our society, and they may be underestimates," said Dr. Stanley Truhim, director of the Mount Sinai Stroke Center in New York City.
According to the AHA, the highest uptick in stroke prevalence will be among Americans between 45 and 64 years of age, who will experience about a 5 percent increase in strokes over the next 20 years. Finances will be strained to meet the care needs of these younger stroke victims, who are too young to receive Medicare, less able to afford medications and often suffer from obesity or diabetes.
People who do not have health insurance also have a 24 percent to 56 percent greater risk of death from stroke than those with coverage, according to the AHA statement.
The AHA also predicted the following will occur by 2030:
- Overall, nearly 4 percent of U.S. adults -- an additional 3.4 million people -- will have a stroke.
- Stroke treatment costs will increase from $71.6 billion in 2010 to $183.1 billion.
- Stroke-related costs tied to lost work productivity will rise from $33.7 billion to $56.5 billion.
- Stroke prevalence among Hispanic men will increase. Strokes are more prevalent among Hispanics and blacks than whites.
The costs associated with caring for people are often high because an attack can lead to long-term disability, Ovbiagele said. "Ninety percent of stroke patients have residual disability and only 10 percent recover completely after a stroke," he said. "Policy makers at all levels of governance should be aware of this looming crisis so we can consider practical ways to avert it."
According to the AHA, stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and one of the most significant causes of preventable disability.
Recognizing a stroke when it happens and getting the patient to medical help quickly are imperative. "During every minute of delayed treatment, brain cells are dying," Ovbiagele said. "[Emergency workers] should take patients directly to a designated stroke center equipped to quickly diagnose and administer drugs to restore blood flow to the brain."
Dr. Richard Libman, vice chairman of neurology at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, N.Y., called the AHA report "realistic and sobering."
"It emphasizes the importance of stroke prevention -- that is, paying attention to the frequent risk factors plaguing our country, including high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes and lack of exercise," he said. "It also reminds us that even if we cannot prevent all strokes, continued investment in research to find new treatments and rehabilitation strategies can prevent suffering on the human level and also save billions of dollars in health care costs."
According to the AHA, the Affordable Care Act is expected to expand health care coverage to an additional 32 million Americans. The legislation also is shifting the focus to prevention and wellness. The researchers believe health-care reform should help reduce the number of strokes and deaths as well as stroke-related costs.
Truhim agreed. "It is quite possible that health-care expenditures mandated by [Affordable Care Act] provisions will more than pay for themselves in indirect cost savings when people who otherwise may have had strokes or other debilitating illnesses remain productive members of society," he said.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional stroke facts and statistics.