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I have a question that concerns a knob-and-tube style installation in a residential home. Before my question, I'll provide some details of the house.
This house is owned by my retired mother, and was owned by her parents before her. The house was built in the 1890s, without electrical wiring. In the early 1930s, knob-and-tube wiring was installed. During the next several decades, additions were made to both the house and to the wiring.
I can't afford to hire a professional electrician, so I'd like to do the work myself. I have several years of wiring experience as an electrical maintenance technician at manufacturing plants in my area. I have worked at the apprentice level under a licensed journeyman. I have 20 years electronic/electrical/electromechanical experience, but have an associate's degree in electronics, not electrical technology. I am proficient with reading technical literature, with a high level of comprehension.
I want to first replace the existing premise wiring from the service entrance throughout the house. I am planning on using a combination of standard metallic conduit and PVC conduit. I plan to install spooled wire, including grounding, to outlet boxes. The second part of the plan is to increase the service level of the wiring. I want to install the outlets and the light outlets in accordance with the Code. More importantly, it must be a safe and sensible approach.
Am I able to perform the wiring from a NE Code point of view, although I do not possess a license? Since the first phase is repair of existing wiring, do the current codes apply? On the second phase of adding or increasing the service level, is this bound by the current codes? People have told me that because this is a repair job, regardless of how much is repaired, newer codes are not relevant. Since this is a large house of "nonstandard" construction, some areas may be very difficult to work with without causing significant damage to the walls that had been drywalled and are in well-maintained shape.
The NEC does not cover licensing issues. A new Article 80 in the 2002 NEC will cover some aspects of licensing and other Code enforcement and administration concerns, but the article is optional and has no effect until adopted by a legal jurisdiction.
The question of who can do the work is a local or state enforcement or licensing issue. Some areas have no such licensing and others have licensing rules that are very well defined and enforced. Most areas allow homeowners and some other property owners to do electrical work on their own property and take out any required permits on such property, but they are often also concerned with what happens to the new occupants of the house after you are finished with it and decide to sell it.
The question of how much work must be done is also a local issue. Some will require a house to be brought up to current code if some percentage of the house is being updated. Some jurisdictions will allow for variances for certain things if the nature of the construction makes rewiring difficult. However, many will require surface wiring for things such as wall switches and receptacles if the interior of the walls is inaccessible for wiring. Jurisdictions have varying interpretations of what is repair or maintenance and what is rewiring, but I doubt that many jurisdictions will take the position that "newer codes are not relevant." You should check with your local jurisdiction. Whoever issues permits in your area may also be able to answer your questions on licensing requirements. You will probably have to get a permit to get the utility to come out and upgrade their part of a new service.
Noel Williams
Metric trade sizes
I just read your article on the 10 most important new Code changes (August cover story) and I have a comment about the format and editorial section. In the reference to using metric equivalents for listing conduit sizes, you state that ½, ¾ and 1 in. compare to 16, 21 and 27 mm as comparable units. I lived in England during the 1970s when they were converting to metric units for the entire society, and they kept their conversions as simple as possible. The conversion units they had for ½-, ¾- and 1-in. conduits were 15, 20 and 25 mm. By staying very close to the metric idea of multiples of 10, the average electrician was able to relate to the change more comfortably.
The problem with trade sizes is that they are not actual measurements, and neither are the metric designators. The metric designators chosen for the NEC are the actual dimensions of the interior diameter of a rigid metal conduit in millimeters rounded to the nearest whole number. This is not clear unless you can look at Table 4 for rigid metal conduit as it appears in the 2002 NEC or the preprinted versions.
Noel Williams
2002 motor changes
I have several questions regarding your article titled "The Top 10 Changes in the 2002 National Electrical Code" in the August issue of CEE News. The questions are in reference to the paragraph titled "New Safety Requirements for People Servicing Equipment."
Is it now a mandatory requirement that all motors have disconnects in sight of the motor?
If only trained individuals are servicing motors and there are documented lockout/tagout procedures, will the lockable disconnect at the Motor Control Center (MCC) suffice for electrical isolation without the use of a local disconnect ?
The new general rule in 430.102 is that all motors must have a disconnect in sight of the motor. The exception to this new rule applies where there is an individual, permanently installed locking means on a disconnect that is in sight of the controller, such as a disconnect that is part of a motor control center combination starter and disconnect. However, under the new rule, in order to use this exception you must also comply with one of the conditions listed in the exception:
Locating a disconnect within sight of the motor is impracticable or would introduce additional hazards, or
The location is in an industrial installation and you have written safety procedures and only qualified persons will work on the equipment.
If you have a lock-out/tag-out program that complies with OSHA (or NFPA 70E) and you are in an industrial environment, the same rules apply as before. Qualified persons are part of the OSHA.70E requirements.
A new Fine-Print Note explains what is meant by additional hazards.
"Impracticable" is subject to the interpretation of the AHJ(s).
Noel Williams
Motor disconnect switches
Please answer the following questions about an expansion project in California:
Is it necessary to install a motor disconnect switch close to each LV motor? The MCCs in our electrical rooms have combination starters (circuit breaker and contactors).
Is it allowable to install a motor-disconnect switch for DC motors? How about for AC motors with VFD?
I believe that most electrical work in California is currently covered by the 1996 NEC. The answers to your questions would be the same under the 1999 NEC, but could be different under the 2002 NEC.
Section 430-102(b), Exception, permits a lockable disconnect at a motor controller to be used in lieu of a local disconnect at a motor. Since the circuit breakers in MCCs are usually capable of being individually locked in the off position, another disconnect at the motor is not required under the 1996 or 1999 NEC.
The NEC does not distinguish between AC motors, DC motors and AC motors with VFDs with regard to the location of disconnecting means. A VFD is the controller for the motor it drives. A lockable disconnect at a DC motor controller or a VFD satisfies the requirements for disconnecting means for both the motor and controller. Another disconnect within sight of the motor is not required by the NEC, but may be a good idea in some cases.
Noel Williams
200A transfer switch
I am looking for some preliminary info on the installation of a Cutler-Hammer 200A transfer switch. I don't know the specific model number, but it is a non-fused, knife-blade-type mechanical device that has three positions: on-off-on. The three positions stipulate a neutral or non-current carrying position. My question is this: Is this switch, which will interrupt the normal current flow from the power company's load side of the meter, take the place of the load center panel existing as the main/principal? Will I treat the existing load center as a subpanel after installation? The transfer switch has a definite bonding terminal along with the neutral terminal feed thru connection. I would appreciate your input but will also ask the local Code authority.
Because your transfer switch is manually operated, I will assume that you are supplying an optional standby system as covered by Article 702. Emergency system and legally required standby systems are covered by Articles 700 and 701 respectively, and both require automatic transfer switches.
Section 230-82 lists a very limited number of things that are permitted to be connected ahead of the service disconnect. If the transfer switch is marked as suitable for use as service equipment as required by Section 230-66, then it could take the place of your current main disconnect. (The NEC says "marked," but many inspectors take this to mean "listed," and at any rate it must be "approved.") However, the service overcurrent device is required by Section 230-91 to be integral to or immediately adjacent to the service disconnect. Since your transfer switch is non-fused, the main overcurrent device, whether it is a new device or the existing main service overcurrent device, would have to be located immediately adjacent to the transfer switch.
Although Section 230-82 (4) does allow taps for standby systems to be located ahead of the service disconnect, it still requires proper protection of the service conductors. A proposal to allow the connection of transfer switches ahead of the service disconnect was made but not accepted for the 2002 NEC. The main concern was that such transfer switches might not be properly rated for the use and the fault current.
In short, the transfer switch can be located between the meter and the main service overcurrent device only if the switch is rated as service equipment, has adequate short circuit ratings and is located immediately next to the service overcurrent device. Unless there's an overcurrent device ahead of the main breaker in your panel, the panel must remain as the service overcurrent device. If the main panel is remote from the meter and transfer switch location, another overcurrent device would have to be added adjacent to the transfer switch to serve as the service overcurrent device. Some inspectors may allow the transfer switch to be treated as the "tap" device allowed by 230-82(4), but the service conductors still require overcurrent protection, and this interpretation is not the accepted practice in all jurisdictions. My own interpretation and practice has been to install the main service disconnect and overcurrent device ahead of the transfer switch.
Noel Williams


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Hormone Therapy Without Menopause Symptoms Discouraged
(WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. government renewed its recommendation against prescribing hormone therapy to postmenopausal women for the prevention of chronic conditions like heart disease and bone loss, but didn't tackle whether women should take hormones to relieve their hot flashes and night sweats.
"The evidence shows that the harms of hormone therapy for the prevention of chronic conditions outweigh the benefits, which is what the evidence also showed in 2005," said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a member of the Task Force. The task force only looks at preventative medicine and would not typically make a recommendation regarding whether women should use hormone therapy to relieve their menopause symptoms.
Since doctors haven't regularly prescribed hormones for chronic disease prevention since 2002 study findings showed the dangers of long-term hormone therapy, some doctors are worried patients will be confused by the Task Force recommendation.
"At the present time, the pendulum has already swung away from the use of hormone therapy for chronic disease prevention," said Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventative medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "Recently, the consensus of the 15 top medical societies saying hormone therapy still has an important clinical role in management of night sweats and other menopause symptoms."
Like birth control and other drugs, hormone therapy comes with a set of risks, Manson said. As such, doctors should not prescribe them if they outweigh the benefits for a particular patient. If the patient has no symptoms, which would be the case if she is taking hormone therapy simply for "chronic disease prevention," the risks do not outweigh the benefits.
Two hormone therapy studies came out within a week of each other this month, generating excitement in the medical community because they showed positive results of using short-term hormone therapy for women who start it shortly after their last menstrual period: the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study nicknamed KEEPS, and a Danish study.
However, the Task Force did not consider either of them because they were not available when it was making its decision, Bibbons-Domingo said.
"In the context of the larger body of evidence the Task Force considered when making this recommendation, it is unlikely that this study would have altered the balance of harms versus benefits and led the Task Force to a different recommendation," Bibbons-Domingo said.
According to the review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers looked at studies from 2002 forward and chose nine on which to base the Task Force recommendation. They found that estrogen and progestin reduced bone fractures but increased invasive breast cancer stroke and other ailments.
The first study to raise the alarm on hormone therapy was the Women's Health Initiative, or WHI, which stopped prescribing hormone pills to its 160,000 participants between the ages of 50 and 79 in 2002, the year it found that the hormones made women more likely to develop aggressive breast cancer. The participants has been taking the pills for 10 years because doctors believed the pills would prevent chronic diseases. Follow-ups continued through 2010.
This study was included in the Task Force's recommendation, but Dr. Katherine Sherif, director of the Drexel Center for Women's Health, said the WHI was misleading because its participants were 10 years older than most hormone therapy patients today.
"I've been in this business for 17 years, and no woman who is 63 has ever said to me, 'I need hormones for hot flashes,'" Sherif said, adding that most of her patients are in their late 40s or early 50s. "It irritates me that people keep falling back on the Women's Health Initiative in that hormones are dangerous for women. It just isn't that clear cut."
This month, KEEPS followed 727 women ages 42 to 58 (much younger than WHI) for four years, but researchers didn't have enough time to study long term health outcomes like cancer, heart disease and death. As such, they looked for risk factors, and found that hormone pills made no difference. KEEPS has yet to publish its data.
The following week, researchers at Hvidovre Hospital in Denmark announced that they'd found proof of the timing hypothesis, which suggests that hormone therapy protects women from heart disease if they start it soon after their last menstrual period. It looked at 1,000 women ages 45 to 58 over 16 years. Researchers also found that fewer women on hormone therapy were diagnosed with breast cancer, but the figure wasn't statistically significant. As such, they concluded hormone therapy did not increase breast cancer risk.
Manson said more research is needed on lower doses of hormone therapy for menopause symptom relief.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

subset: commoncrawl


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Jeep Shots - July 2014Posted in News on June 26, 2014
Hayden Wood of Hopedale, Massachusetts, built his '00 TJ to be a daily driver, yet maintain enough flex so that he's not afraid to drive it on rocky trails or into a mud pit. The confidence-inspiring Jeep has a 4-inch Rough Country long-arm suspension and quick-disconnect swaybar links in the front. Everything runs on top of 15-inch wheels with 33x12.50R15 Eldorado MTZ tires. For now, the TJ is running with the stock 4.0L engine, AX15 five-speed transmission, NP231 T-case, and Dana 30 front and Dana 35 rear axles. However, Hayden is in school learning about automotive technology and already has plenty of fabrication experience, so we guess this project is far from done.
Quick Work
Jeremy Jesberg lives near Paola, Kansas, and he's turned a stock '98 TJ into the hill climber you see here in a short 31⁄2 years. The engine is a 4.0L HO with a COMP Cams camshaft upgrade that motivates the 33x13.50-15 Interco TSL bias-ply tires at each corner. Making room for the tires is a 4-inch Rough Country lift with X-Flex lower arms. The Jeep runs 4.88 gears -- the front axle is a high-pinion Dana 30 with an OX locker, and the rear axle is a Ford 8.8 with an OX locker, an Artec truss, stitch-welded tubes, and Alloy USA shafts. A Centerforce clutch provides extra grip, and the NP231 transfer case uses a six-pinion planetary gear set, a heavy-duty chain and sprocket set, and a slip-yoke eliminator. The steering has been improved with a Rugged Ridge crossover-steering linkage and heavy-duty steering gear by AGR. The TJ also has a Viper 8,000-pound winch, Smittybilt tube fenders, sliders, corner armor, and bumpers, Jerry can holders, and a spare-tire carrier.
Calculated Upgrade
Chris Cronan and his wife, Kalah, of Chandler, Arizona, loved their trusty YJ. But when they priced out how much it was going to cost to get it ready for their next trip to the Rubicon, they decided to buy this '10 Rubicon Unlimited instead. Talk about a Jeep family decision! The new rig came with Dana 44 axles front and rear, 4:1 low-range T-case, and has been upgraded with a TeraFlex 4-inch long-arm suspension and 1-inch TeraFlex spacers. The wheels are matte-black 17-inch Fuel Boost that wear 35x12.50R17 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2s. Chris says the longer wheelbase of the JK has improved the family's skills with the Hi-Lift jack, and they have plenty of recovery equipment including a TeraFlex Epic front bumper with a Ramsey winch. The JK is also equipped with KC lights, an OR-Fab rear bumper with a swing-out spare tire carrier, and Hella lamps on the A-pillars.
Moab Alex
Timothy Fruitman of Chandler, Arizona, says his '11 JK Rubicon got the nickname "Alex" at the Barlow Jeep School in Sedona, Arizona. We're not sure why it got that moniker, but every project needs a good name. "Alex" travels on a 3.5-inch AEV suspension above 37-inch BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX tires. Drivetrain upgrades include Yukon Gear 5.38 gears in the front and rear Dana 44 axles along with hardware by Synergy Manufacturing. Up front, there is a GenRight front bumper with a Superwinch Rock 98 winch and two forward-facing LED light bars mounted on the bumper, along with two quad LED lights aimed from the corners for a wide view. The Rubicon has armor by TNT Customs and Asfir, and the occupants are protected by safety gear from MasterCraft. Timothy's friend, Michael "Red Eye" McMillen, took this photo as the Jeep was coming off the end of Hell's Revenge trail in Moab.
Throwing Shade
Nick Smajda and Cathy-Lee Carne of Iron Mountain, Michigan, have put together a mean-looking Jeep with a glowing purple scowl. Along with the halo headlamp accents, the '13 JK Unlimited achieves its look thanks to a Wild Boar grille, Smittybilt XRC Armor Corner Guards, SRC Side Armor Steps, an XRC rear bumper, and a front bumper with a stinger and an XRC8 winch. The Jeep rides on a 3-inch lift with Fox Racing shocks over 35x12.50R17 Nitto Trail Grappler tires on 17-inch Fuel Trophy wheels. Other upgrades include an AEV ProCal module, a Mopar cold-air intake, and a cat-back exhaust by MBRP.
Jean-Denis Gosselin of Beaumont, Quebec, Canada, isn't afraid to take his '89 YJ Laredo deep into the rocks or snow. The engine is a high output 4.0L with headers and exhaust by Banks Power. The front suspension is a Fabtech coilover setup, and the rear is a 4.5-inch-lift leaf-spring suspension by Rubicon Express. The NP231 has a TeraLow 4:1 with a heavy-duty chain and a fixed yoke, and it sends power to a Dana 30 front axle with an ARB Air Locker and 30-spline chromoly shafts and to a Ford 8.8 rear axle with an electronic locker and 4.56 gears. Up front, there's a bobbed bumper with a Warn winch, the sides are protected by armor with built-in steps, and under the Jeep you'll find 33x13.50R15 Nitto Mud Grappler tires. Corbeau seats keep occupants secure inside the 'cage by GenRight, and the YJ is painted with a special mix named Warning Red.
Happy Trails
Ken Kirby of St. Augustine, Florida, named his '77 AMC CJ-7 project "Jolly Green" and it sure looks like a lot of fun. The engine is a 258ci inline six cylinder that's been bored .030 over and runs a Motorcraft 2100 carburetor, late-model CJ intake and exhaust manifolds, an MSD 6A Off-Road ignition, a three-core radiator, and a remote oil filter. The transmission is a four-speed T-18 from an International Scout II with a Borg & Beck clutch, and it's hooked to a Dana 20 transfer case filled with a TeraLow gear-reduction kit. Oversized driveshafts send power to the original Dana 30 front and AMC 20 rear axles with 3.54 gears, Powertrax Lock-Right lockers, Four X Doctor differential guards, and Alloy USA shafts. The CJ-7 has a 4-inch BDS lift with military-wrap springs, an AGS power steering conversion, and 35x12.50R15 BFGoodrich KM2 Mud Terrain tires on 10-inch-wide Pro Comp Rock Crawler wheels. The original body tub is intact above a 1-inch body lift and has been coated with Herculiner. The exterior features undercarriage lighting, M38 style headlamp guards, recessed tail lamps, and the body was coated in a military theme with rattle cans. Inside the military-themed Jeep, you'll find Steel Horse seats, a Tuffy Security lockbox, and ammo cans used for the center console and as utility boxes. Other helpful items include onboard compressed air, a fire extinguisher, Cobra Classic CB, a Hi-Lift Jack, a swing-out axe/shovel/storage carrier, and a hand throttle.
Clean Machine
Zac McGinnis of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, has kept his '94 YJ in such good condition that it still has the original Hunter Green paint job from the factory. The Jeep was built for trail riding along with comfort on the highways and is powered by a 4.0L engine. The AX15 manual is hooked to an NP231 T-case with a slip-yoke eliminator leading to 4.10 gears in the factory axles. The tires are 33x12.50R15 BFGoodrich KM2s mounted on 15x8-inch Ultra 50/51 polished wheels. They fit in the fenders thanks to a lift with 4-inch Rough Country springs along with a ½-inch shackle lift.
Write Us!
Want to get your Jeep in these pages? Just grab the tech form off jpmagazine.com, fill it out, and email it to email@example.com. Be sure to include a high resolution image (at least 1,600x1,200 pixels) with your submission. Or, snail mail it to:
Jp Magazine, Jeep Shots
831 S. Douglas St.
El Segundo, CA 90245


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Step away from that tie and get Dad something for Father's Day that he'll really use. How about a few bucks or an iTunes gift card along with this handy list of mobile apps that are designed specifically for dads and dudes? You can find apps that will help dad teach kids about money, and apps that will save him money.
Take a look.
The Bank of Dad (free for iPhone)
This is ideal for every dad who feels like an ATM machine. The app helps dads teach the value of money. With every deposit and withdrawal kids make, the app keeps a running tally of their balances. So allowances, money for chores and cash advances can all be tallied in a separate "account" for each kid.
Grocery iQ (free for iPhone, iPad and Android)
Next time you send Dad to the store, don't let him leave home without this app. Grocery iQ by Coupons.com allows users to create multiple shopping lists, and everyone in the family can sync their lists across multiple devices. So if eggs are on your list and you pick some up, dad will be able to see that you've checked them off and won't come home with an extra dozen. You can create lists from an extensive product database either on your mobile or on the GroceryIQ.com website, plus find related coupons and much more.
Grill Guide ($.99 for iPhone and Android)
Give your dad the gift of perfectly grilled meats. This app will help him measure the thickness of that steak with its handy digital ruler and determine how long it should cook. It also has instructions for over 100 different items, including meats, vegetables and fruits.
iHandy Carpenter ($1.99 for iPhone)
If your Dad's a handyman, this app can lighten his load. It features five digital tools, including a bubble level, a protractor and a plumb bob.
Findmytap (free on Android and iPhone)
If Dad is a beer connoisseur, this app will help him find his favorite beers on tap in any U.S. city along with links and directions. He can even create a list of his favorite brews.
Life360 (free on Android and iPhone)
After registering at www.life360.com, Dad can connect all of the family's cell phones to his account and use this app to locate family members in case of an emergency. Family members can also press a "panic button" which will send an email or text message showing their GPS location. Plus, it's compatible with non-smartphones.
Looking for more Father's Day gift ideas? Check out these Father's Day Deals.


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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A Friday road trip to UAB proved to be unsuccessful for the men's tennis team, who lost the match 7-0.
Lipscomb coach Andrew Harris said that he believed the doubles matches came down to a lack of fundamentals and good play from UAB.
"Certainly we were looking to control the doubles, and UAB did a good job of battling the elements," Harris said. "I wish we could have been more assertive on the volleys and utilizing our footwork more."
In the singles matches, Harris said he felt that the serves were the team's weak point.
"The biggest take away from the singles is the inability to consistently hold serve," Harris said. "Obviously, that's going to be more difficult again in these conditions, but nonetheless, we must fight through those."
With conference play looming over the horizon, Harris hopes the team (3-5) will be prepared for their final non-conference match at Austin Peay on Tuesday.
"We have one more match against Austin Peay before conference, and we need to look at playing a complete match from start to finish," Harris said.
UAB 7, Lipscomb 0
No. 1 - Tom Puetz/David Zimmerman (UAB) def. Daniel Hernandez/David Salazar (Lip) 8-5
No. 2 - Lucas Dirube/Chris Helliar (UAB) def. Miguel Cortez/Stuart Tierney (Lip) 8-3
No. 3 - Luiz Felipe Pinto/Rafael Rondino (UAB) def. Tanner Brown/Colby Shaw (Lip) 8-5
No. 1 - David Zimmerman (UAB) def. Oliver Strecher (Lip) 6-2, 6-2
No. 2 - Tom Puetz (UAB) def. David Salazar (Lip) 7-6 (4), 6-4
No. 3 - Rafael Rondino (UAB) def. Daniel Hernandez (Lip) 5-7, 6-3, 10-5
No. 4 - Chris Helliar (UAB) def. Stuart Tierney (Lip) 6-2, 6-2
No. 5 - Luiz Felipe Pinto (UAB) def. Miguel Cortez (Lip) 7-6 (1), 6-1
No. 6 - Lucas Dirube (UAB) def. Colby Shaw (Lip) 7-5, 6-3
Records: UAB 7-6, Lipscomb 3-5


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1) Make some breakfast. Normally, I'm a cereal guy. Get in, get out, get on with the day, but today, I thought it best to take some time and savor it. I'm putting together an omelet that would make Sheboygan, Tomah, and Hayward jealous. 8 eggs, 2 brats, a brick of aged cheddar, and enough peppers and onions to feed section 112 of Lambeau. Top it off with some hot sauce and kraut, and this should take me about an hour and a half to eat.
2) Watch Rambo on Spike? Hmmm...this new one intrigues me. I'll give it a few minutes.
3) Check out Aaron Nagler's Madden sim to get a feel for how the game will go tomorrow. Wow, looks like Aaron did some extensive sideline reporting from this game. Green Bay 34 Pittsburgh 7? That's right, indeed.
4) Impatiently stare out the window waiting for FedEx to bring my Charles Woodson Super Bowl XLV shirt...time is running out NFL Shop. You. Won't. Like. Me. When. I'm. Angry.
5) Remove ice dams from roof. Owning a house is a full-time job. I need a vacation from it.
6) Shine my framed Greg Jennings autographed photo. You've got to look sharp for the big game, don't you Greg?
7) Grocery shopping. More brats. More kraut. More burgers. More ketchup. More mustard. More cheese. More avocado for more guac. More chips. More summer sausage. More veggies. More dip. More. More. More. MOAR!
8) Visit liquor store. You know, just to look.
9) See "True Grit". Rooster Cogburn abides, man.
10) Hit up a Saturday afternoon happy hour to calm the nerves that will for sure have built up despite my busy schedule. Ummm... I may need to rethink this item, it is getting dangerously close to getting back to those idle hands that caused this list to be created in the first place. It could have a calming affect, or it could be like throwing gasoline on fire. On the plus side, that fire could conceivably keep me warm right up until game time. I will proceed with caution here.
11) Make game prediction after intensive research and number crunching. Wait, I don't even need to do that, I know the score already. Packers 38, Steelers 0.7
...okay, I thought John Rambo killed a lot of scumbags in First Blood: I, II, and III, but I'm pretty sure I just watched him double his lifetime kill total. FYI - Life expectancy of Burmese soldiers is at an all time low.
12) ....
Wait, what the hell? There's a Rambo family ranch?!?! That just doesn't mesh with my mental image of John Rambo. This is really throwing me off. I'm going to have to put this list-making on hold for awhile and make a 5-alarm spicy bloody mary and contemplate this.
Damn, too late.
Go Pack!


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Carl Frank Ludwig Ed was the man who first celebrated the juvenile teens in a comic strip. Born in Moline, Illinois, his cartooning ability got him a job as sports cartoonist on the Chicago American in 1912. In 1910, he made 'Luke McGluke, the Bush League Bearcat', a comic about baseball, distributed by the World Color Syndicate. Ed's talent was noticed by a co-publisher of the Chicago Tribune, who hired him to undertake the nation's first strip about a boy in his teens in 1918, called 'Seventeen'.
The strip was soon retitled to 'Harold Teen', and was read widely by teenagers of the 1920s. In the grim 1930s, some of the appeal of 'Harold Teen' ebbed, and in 1941, Harold was a government spy in uniform. Public interest slipped. Carl Ed continued drawing his strip until 1959, when he was struck by an acute illness. He died a short time later on October 10, 1959, at the age of 69.


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Undergraduate Degrees, Majors and Concentrations
SPMG3415 - Busn/Econ Of Professnl Sports
Summer 2019
This course provides students with a framework to analyze professional sports. The course focuses on economic analysis of professional sports--baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. Economic theory is employed to explain and evaluate such areas as industry growth and change, labor market activity, antitrust concerns, and the role of local government in franchise movement. Other topics focus on sport finance related to venue funding and revenue generation as well asthe history and current status of the collective bargaining process
Prerequisites: ECON1010 or ECON1020 or ECON1030 and 60 credits
3 Credits
Schedule Book for All Active and Available Future Terms, Course starting with SPMG3415
No Courses Found


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The Best Car Rental Deal You Must Consider to Track Down
There are lots of situations where you are looking for renting a vehicle. Vehicle rental is a great solution in case your vehicle has been repaired, damaged lower or else you did not buy a replacement yet. You may be a weight vacation, whether it's personal or business, and you need to move around leisurely or perhaps in an elegant way without getting to hustle with locals in public places transportation. Maybe you need to accompany your loved ones on a holiday, whether it's domestic or overseas. You may also consider renting a specific vehicle simply to give it a try before you purchase it.
You might be asking "What should i rent a vehicle?" so the remainder of this information will demonstrate what you should need if you wish to rent a vehicle and the way to find the very best vehicle rental deal. To do this goal and steer clear of encountering an irritating situation or incurring an additional payment, research your options in advance and take advantage of the information incorporated in the following paragraphs.
The needs:
ID: Make certain that you've a valid ID which your company name around the ID matches the name in your license as well as on your charge card.
Valid license: You'll want a legitimate license issued out of your country.
Worldwide Driver License: You might be requested to provide your Worldwide Driving License, so make certain you have one out of situation your domestic license isn't familiar or otherwise designed in the Roman alphabet.
Debit or credit card: Make certain you have active debit or credit card with a lot more funds, since most companies utilize it to ask you for for that mileage overage or gas. Keep in mind, some rental companies not accept an atm card.
Insurance: You'll be needed to cover optional car insurance in the vehicle rental company. It is best that you simply check before you decide to purchase any insurance because you might be already included in your employer or from your charge card or other facility.
The needed age comes from 25 to 70 years of age. 21 to 24 years of age renters may incur extra charges.
Other factors and suggestions:
To consider a vehicle rental company, make reference to either printed or online Phone Book, to look for vehicle rental agencies or websites for example Hertz, CarRentals.com, KAYAK, Enterprise and AutoSlash.com. A few of these phone book and websites possess a map view for it to be simpler that you should locate nearby vehicle rental companies. Select a company which has a wide variety of cars which provides you with limitless miles.
Each company features its own rules and policy so make certain you call or e-mail the organization to take a look and look for any hidden charges, surcharges or any penalty clause you might incur.
For those who have any driving offenses upon your name, It might be difficult that you should be recognized like a renter.
There's two primary areas where one can rent cars from. Airport terminal and downtown. Generally, renting from the place apart from airports is going to be cheaper.
Vehicle rental minute rates are not constant, but instead they're unsteady. Rates vary based on economy condition, condition tax, service tax laws and regulations, the dimensions and status from the rental company, occasions, demand, etc. For the greatest rates, search as numerous companies as possible making a list in order to save the rates and do a comparison with one another. It's wise that you simply book the vehicle lengthy ahead of time and recheck the speed so might find a much better offer.
Create a listing to find out all your requirements and time of get and fall off in advance.
While using the vehicle, don't use it on gravel or unpaved road. Rather, utilize it only on paved route to avoid having to pay any extra charges. You have to return the vehicle in good shape while you required it. Don't misuse the vehicle.
If you are planning to book the vehicle for sightseeing, it is advisable to hire the vehicle using its driver. It's especially suggested for a moment rent abroad.
A lot of companies stipulate that you simply return the vehicle having a full tank, so make certain that you simply return the vehicle having a full tank to prevent the additional money you might incur.
In certain countries you might be needed to cover CDW (Collision Damage Waiver).
You might pay yet another fee for extras for example Gps navigation, child seat and bike racks.
To conclude, consider it as it were, should you hurry and rent any vehicle in a rush, you will likely incur extra cash. However, should you take the time to research by calling many vehicle rental agencies and visiting famous vehicle rental websites, you'll certainly find the very best vehicle rental deal that fits your need. Nowadays it is quite easy to do this because of the internet. You can go to many famous vehicle rental companies online to determine lots of offers and travelling inspiration should you did not make a decision yet regarding what to do as well as for just how much.
Read Also: Top Ten Holiday Destinations For British Holiday Makers
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Project Gunrunner, which included Operation Fast and Furious, was a gun-walker scandal in which some 2,000 weapons were transferred into the hands of the Mexican-based Sinaloa drug cartel and other criminal organizations and cartels.
According to The New American's Thomas R. Eddlem:
The ATF supposedly transferred the guns to the drug gang beginning in November 2009 to set up a sting that would enable the prosecution of the gang's drug lords, but the ATF lost track of all the guns and to date there have been no high-level prosecutions of drug kingpins related to the gun transfers.
But the guns have been traced to the site of a dozen violent crimes in the United States and hundreds of violent crimes in Mexico. Among the U.S. crimes related to the "gun walking" scandal was the shooting death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. The program shut down after negative publicity over Terry's death in December 2010.
LaPierre says it was the Obama administration's intent to make it appear that the guns were coming from the United States "so they could stick more gun [control] legislation on honest American gun owners of the United States." The NRA vice president told Newsmax:
We wouldn't know about this at all if [Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry] had not been killed and some of the good, honest, decent federal agents down the line had enough of the stench coming out of Washington and started to use the Whistleblower Act to go public and call the Justice Department out on this whole rotten, stinking scheme.
Otherwise thousands of guns would still be going over the border into the Mexican drug cartels and the President and the Attorney General and the Secretary of State would all be running around going, '90 percent of the guns come from America' in an attempt to seek political advantage and in an attempt to enact more gun control laws on honest American citizens and use this whole issue politically against the Second Amendment of the United States.
Examiner.com reports:
The New York Times, the Washington Post, Time magazine, Newsweek, ABC News, NBC News, MSNBC, CNN, and NPR have in one accord described the operation as a "botched sting operation" intended to catch Mexican drug criminals. Even Fox News and CBS News, the two mainstream networks that have provided a thorough and fair analysis of Fast and Furious, have been reticent about describing the scheme as a ruse intentionally implemented for the single purpose of padding gun statistics in Mexico so that the Administration could call for gun bans and highly restrictive firearms laws.
It would not be the first time this administration would point to a crime and use it as an opportunity to further infringe upon civil liberties. When Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) was shot in the head during a shooting rampage in Arizona at the beginning of the year, Democrats in Congress responded by calling for stricter restrictions on guns. One Democrat went so far as to demand a ban on all "threatening language or symbols."
CBS News has documents which show that ATF officials discussed using Operation Fast and Furious to advocate for further gun legislation. CBS News reports:
ATF officials didn't intend to publicly disclose their own role in letting Mexican cartels obtain the weapons, but emails show they discussed using the sales, including sales encouraged by ATF, to justify a new gun regulation called "Demand Letter 3". That would require some U.S. gun shops to report the sale of multiple rifles or "long guns." Demand Letter 3 was so named because it would be the third ATF program demanding gun dealers report tracing information.
Demand Letter 3 has been the subject of significant debate, as gun advocates and gun-control adherents argued over whether gun dealers should have to report sales of multiple rifles to the same person. ATF officials asserted that if dealers had to report such sales, it would help the ATF crack down on violent cartels. There were already Demand Letters in place; however, they were on a small scale. The ATF had hoped to see the program implemented over a much broader area, affecting 8,500 firearms dealers in four southwest border states — Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. The argument for targeting these states was that guns from there were turning up at crime scenes in Mexico. The ATF announced plans to implement Demand Letter 3 on April 25, though the National Shooting Sports Foundation is currently suing the ATF for attempting to pass a law that failed in Congress.
Documents obtained by CBS show that on July 14, 2010 ATF Field Ops Assistant Director Mark Chait emailed ATF's Phoenix Special Agent Bill Newell, who was operating Fast and Furious, and said, "Bill — can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time. We are looking for anecdotal cases to support a demand later on a long gun multiple sales. Thanks."
Several months later, on January 4, the ATF hosted a press conference to announce a number of arrests in Fast and Furious, which Newell saw as "another time to address the "multiple sale on long guns issue." One day after that conference, Chait emailed Newell, "Bill — well done yesterday.... In light of our respect for Demand letter 3, this case could be a strong supporting factor if we can determine how many multiple sales of long guns occurred during the course of this case."
Unsurprisingly, gun advocates are disturbed and angered by these revelations. Larry Keane, for example, of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, called the ATF's intent to argue for Demand Letter 3 "disappointing and ironic, and deeply troubling."
The ATF evidently used gun dealers to impose a requirement to report sales of multiple rifles to the same person. Unaware of this, gun dealers complied with the requests of the ATF and participated in suspicious sales. Some of the dealers were not comfortable with the process, however, and voiced concerns about the entire venture.
In April 2010, one gun dealer contacted ATF Phoenix officials, writing, "We just want to make sure we are cooperating with the ATF and that we are not viewed as selling to the bad guys. We were hoping to put together something like a letter of understanding to alleviate concerns of some type of recourse against us down the road for selling these items." That dealer received a response from the ATF assuring him that he was safe from recourse and adding, "We are continually monitoring these suspects using a variety of investigative techniques [about] which I cannot go into detail."
As it turns out, however, that assertion was entirely incorrect, as one of the most serious criticisms of the entire operation was the ATF's lack of means to sufficiently monitor the guns which were being "walked."
Nevertheless, despite the assurance from the ATF, the same gun dealer sent a second letter voicing his increasing concern:
I wanted to make sure that none of the firearms that were sold per our conversation with you and various ATF agents could or would ever end up south of the border or in the hands of the bad guys. I guess I am looking for a bit of reassurance that the guns are not getting south or in the wrong hands.... I want to help ATF with its investigation but not at the risk of agents [sic] safety because I have some very close friends that are US Border Patrol agents in southern AZ as well as my concern for all the agents [sic] safety that protect our country.
A law enforcement officer, upon learning of the ATF's operation, observed, "It's like ATF created or added to the problem so they could be the solution to it and pat themselves on the back. It's a circular way of thinking."
Currently, both Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa and Rep. Darrell Issa of California are investigating the entire operation. They observed in a statement:
There's plenty of evidence showing that this administration planned to use the tragedies of Fast and Furious as rationale to further their goals of a long gun reporting requirement. But, we've learned from our investigation that reporting multiple long gun sales would do nothing to stop the flow of firearms to known straw purchasers because many Federal Firearms Dealers are already voluntarily reporting suspicious transactions. It's pretty clear that the problem isn't lack of burdensome reporting requirements.
Photo: Wayne LaPierre


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A UN-sponsored Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia is currently trying two surviving former Khmer Rouge leaders, Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea. After its inception 12 years ago the tribunal has sentenced one mid-level leader to life in prison. Critics say the tribunal has moved too slowly.
Im Chaem ended up serving as a district chief who allegedly supervised large-scale slave labor and mass killings, according to prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, who spent years trying to charge her with crimes against humanity.
Beginning late last month, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which is now administered by the Ministry of Culture, began a multi-year project to conserve 3,000 to 5,000 cloth artifacts, funded with a $55,000 grant from the U.S. government.


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The World Cup eclipsed our lives in South Africa as we witnessed four weeks of unbelievable soccer and celebration. Instead of basking in the glory of the tournament and reflecting on a way forward, xenophobic violence has once again reared its head. The threat of violence against foreigners has been going on prior to the World Cup, and it was a threat that violence would emerge after the World Cup.
Bishop Tutu appealed on national TV for violence to stop, but it has fallen on deaf ears. Shops belonging to foreigners have been looted and many are packing their belongings and leaving their homes. Zimbabweans in particular are affected either directly or indirectly. Those who continue to bear the brunt of xenophobia for now are the poor, those working on farms and living in informal settlements where they are self employed and running small businesses. Authorities have vowed to stem the tide before it gets out of hand, but many do not want a repeat of last year's violence, which took place during this time, and are packing their belongings and heading back home.
It is hard to pinpoint one single trigger; the violence is caused through a combination of frustration caused by unemployment, lack of skills, and failed government promises on housing and sanitation. All of us are affected by this violence, which is becoming a feature of life. The passing of the World Cup has brought many fears because of job losses for those employed in the building of stadiums.
There is a crisis brewing in the aftermath of a glorious celebration of football, unity, and national pride. None of us can escape. It's so hard to shift from celebration to tragedy in the space of a few days, but we must if we are to be faithful to our call to be peacemakers who stand by the poor.
Nontando Hadebe, a former Sojourners intern, is originally from Zimbabwe and is now pursuing graduate studies in theology in South Africa.
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Listen Live!
According to a recent double blind study that was published in the Journal of Hypertension, Atlas re-alignments helped normalize blood pressure. The blood pressure changes were equivalent to what would be expected, utilizing two hypertensive medications. Get a consulatation with Barone Spinal Care & Performance to se if your Atlas is out of Aligment.
Dr. JR Barone is available for speaking engagements. He will speak to a small, large, or any size between group. Click here to send an email to the staff and someone will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your needs.
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Nintendo! I mean…Nendo!
Moleskine, makers of the notebook preferred by writers (and posers like me) everywhere, held a group exhibition entitled "Detour." An artist named Nendo created the notebook above, which stands out from much of the rest of the crowd because it's not simply a drawing. I included a couple of other examples in the gallery below so that you can judge for yourself. [ Continue Reading ]


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For this installment of our Local Love series we headed to Valencia street and visited one of our favorite new stores, Little Paper Planes + Owl Cave books. Little Paper Planes opened earlier this year in May and it's such a great addition to the bustling Mission neighborhood.
Little Paper Planes is owned and operated by Kelly Lynn Jones, who ran LPP as an online shop for years before launching this brick and mortar version of her store. Kelly is joined by Viniita Moran who brought her online bookstore Owl Cave Books into the shop. Owl Cave Books has a wonderfully curated selection of hard to find art books and magazines.
One of our favorite things about the shop is the space, which was transformed with fixtures and hand built pieces created by Kate Pruitt.
The shop also has a print gallery which features a new artist every month and a residency program which can be found in the back of the store. The residency program offers space to artists, makers and curators.
If you're visiting the bay area or if you're a local who hasn't been to LPP + Owl Cave Books yet definitely make a trip there. They have such a great selection of goods and they're so well curated and displayed, you'll definitely leave feeling inspired and hopefully with something fun you didn't have before.
Little Paper Planes + Owl Cave
Little Paper Planes + Owl Cave855 Valencia Street in San Francisco, (415) 643-4616


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Second step necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 87 diseños de 30 diseñadores freelance.
Abbott's Grill
Successful restauranteurs opening 3rd restaurant, with a new concept. We have created 2 very successful upscale restaurants featuring local produce and cutting edge cuisine. We are looking to differentiate this concept from our current concept.
Even though we are going to be serving high end food and beverages, we do not want to scare off potential customers with a super sheik, flashy logo. We want our reputation and personality to be approachable, friendly, distinctive, consistent, with a touch of class.
Concept Descriptors
1. Distinctive, touch of class
2. Approachable, warm, friendly
3. Value= upscale feel/ mid-scale prices
4. Local, community, fits in
5. Steady, stable, predictable, consistent
6. Energetic, fun, enjoyable
7. Professional, attentive, hospitable
8. High quality, delicious, the best products
We are targeting an existing market in a small town with very few quality restaurant options. This new concept is aimed to be very community oriented. It has a huge banquet room that can seat 100 person dinners. Creating the "community oriented" feel through our logo is very important There are lots of churches, lions and rotary clubs in the area. As well as a huge hospital and many Dr. Offices. So sophisticated, yet comforting and community oriented.
We are taking over an existing restaurant that failed and was very popular amongst locals. It's in a small town (Milford DE)
Lots of history, Shipyards, canal to ocean etc.
The restaurant can seat 265 people and we are reaching out to all social and economic classes. We are going to offer a $10 burger $3 beer and/ or a $35 filet $20 glass of wine.
We are naming the bar "Bald Jason's" to appeal to the everyday man. Bald Jason is a famous ex-pirate who was a famous ship builder in Milford years ago. We are not advertising the bar, people will just find out! So please only make "Abbott's Grill" logo
We really like this restaurant web site and logo especially.
Something simple, yet classy.
Font-Clean, easy to read, ledgable
Colors based on concept descriptors.
This logo will go on our sign, letterhead, website and business cards.
Be creative. The sign above the door has halo lighting effect and we are just going to replace the letters with new Halo lights. We are also designing and illuminated sign for the street that we want this logo on.
Have fun. Winner of the contest can have free bar tab for 1 month!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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BizMo necesitaba un nuevo diseño de fondo de Twitter y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 61 diseños de 11 diseñadores freelance.
Chad Raney - Inspirational Speaker & Author
Dealing With Life's Detours With a Resilient Attitude
We live in an era of unprecedented change and there's no question that we're in for a rough ride ahead. How do we deal with life's detours in a world of constant change? The answer lies in the collection of ideas and their interrelation. Ideas and visions need to be updated from time to time to prevent them from becoming stale and complacent. Chad's fresh perspective on business, life, and the crazy world we live in will help transform your team's way of thinking.
Chad Raney puts your team in the drivers seat on The Road To Resilience so they:
Experience a shift in perspective.
Overcome paralyzing self limiting beliefs
Deal with daily detours in the workplace
Handle change with a resilient attitude
Create vision to map out their success
Develop an unstoppable mindset
Chad's story is one of overcoming one obstacle after another as his program shifts from tragedy to triumph. He delivers a truly dynamic speech that connects and resonates with teams everywhere. From serious life changing events to humorous stories of perspective, it's one Road Trip you are going to love.
So buckle up, it's a wild ride…
Meeting Planners, Corporations, Sales Managers, CEOs
Should look similar to the header on http://www.chadraney.com
Chad Raney
Inspirational Speaker & Author
"betting against him would be a mistake"
- San Antonio Express News
512.410.7347 Austin
800.704.5251 Toll Free
800.609.7102 Fax
Pics to be uploaded...


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Now You Can Pay Porn Stars in Fake Shiba Inu Money
An Australian porn star wants to be the first in the world to accept payment in the form of a nearly-worthless digital currency named after a meme.
Angela White announced on Reddit that she's ready to start selling her porn videos for dogecoins—like bitcoins, except they're worth $0.00114 and based on Doge, the Shiba-Inu-plus-Comic-Sans trend that was briefly the only good meme on the Internet.
White is ready to take fake dog-based money seriously, though. She asked Reddit for help setting up a legitimate Dogecoin payment system that would ensure her customers "get immediate boobs."
Reddit's legion of drooling Shiba Inus was more than happy to take White up on her boobs-for-dogecoins proposition.
"The Reddit community has been beyond helpful," White told the Washington Examiner. "I'm now going through all of the advice to figure out the best way to incorporate Dogecoin."
Of course, they also couldn't resist making a few jokes about how she probably likes it "doge-style."
So flirting. Very social skills. Wow.


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Loads frequently vary as actuators cycle, creating variable pressure drops that result in unwanted actuator speed variations. Pressure-compensated flow control valves maintain a constant fluid flow through a variable orifice in the valve. The valve's compensator spool will move toward an open or closed position in response to work-load changes. A pressure-compensated flow control valve is installed to ensure a constant pressure drop over the valve's variable orifice, or throttle. The setting of the variable orifice determines flow through the valve. The compensator controls the pressure at the variable orifice, resulting in smoother, constant flow through the valve regardless of load changes on the actuator.
Troubleshooting flow-control valves can be made easier by installing pressure gauges at inlet port TP1, outlet port TP2, and internal pressure chamber TP3, Figure 15. Typical problems encountered and remedial actions include:
A pressure-compensated flow control valve combines a pressure-reducing valve and a needle valve in the same housing. Instead of being ported to atmosphere, the load-sensing line of the pressure-reducing element is connected to load pressure between the needle valve and the actuator. There are two types of pressure-compensated flow control valves: bypass and restrictor. The restrictor type is most commonly used because it can be specified for meter-in, meter-out, and bleed-off circuits. Bypass flow control valves are not discussed in this article.
System circuit designers must make sure that there will be a pressure differential between system pressure and actuator working pressure. You can achieve this by sizing the actuator so that load pressure is lower than system pressure. The level of pressure drop required to maintain good compensator response varies with valve designs. Typical pressure drops range between 75 and 175 psi. Erratic actuator movement or changes in set speed indicate improper valve performance or inadequate pressure differential.
Inadequate pressure differential between main system pressure and actuator working pressure — Check for adequate pressure differential using gauges at TP1 and TP2. Follow the valve manufacturer's recommendations.
Sticking compensator spool — Check pressure differential between the inner pressure chamber and valve outlet pressure, using gauges a TP3 and TP2, respectively. The pressure differential should approximate the compensator spool spring load. Fluid contamination and/or spool body scoring can cause erratic spool movement or hand-up. Either can affect the constant pressure drop needed across the throttle orifice.
Worn or contaminated return-flow check valve — Problems with free-flow return check valves can contribute to faulty operation. Inspect for worn seat-poppet or presence of contaminants. Either could allow oil flow through the check valve in the direction of controlled flow. An open check valve could cause identical pressure gauge readings at TP1 and TP2.
Drain line in flow control valve not vented to atmosphere – Needed in valves requiring draining at the top of the throttle to get rid of internal leakage. If the drain port is not ported to atmosphere, the valve will rupture in the area of the adjusting handle.
In summary, fluid contamination, worn internal parts, and the absence of good circuit design will cause pressure-compensated flow control valves to malfunction.


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View All 3 Cotton Colors
Round Geometric Cotton Lace Tan
- Details
- Use & Care
The Round Geometric Cotton Lace has soft hand and light weight that can be worked into all kinds of resort and day-wear. A favorite for the Spring and Summer for it's breath-ability this decorative lace has a delightful circle design and is used for adding elegant charm and unique aesthetic appeal to many garments.
100% Cotton
45" Wide
100% Cotton
45" Wide


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• Dec. 23, 2004 |
7:50 p.m. ET
Glad tidings from space: To finish up the week's "Science and Religion" Symposium, here's a selection of modern Christmas "stars" you can enjoy online and in person during the holidays.
The European Southern Observatory sends along a stunning image of the spiral galaxy NGC 1097, which was observed this month at the ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile while that country's president, Ricardo Lagos, was at the telescope control desk.
NGC 1097, which is about 45 million light-years away in the southern constellation Fornax, is notable for several reasons: A ring of bright knots circles the galaxy's nucleus, indicating a recent burst of star formation. The galaxy is thought to have a huge black hole at its center, with a mass at least 10 times that of the black hole in the center of our own Milky Way.
"However, NGC 1097 possesses a comparatively faint nucleus only, and the black hole in its center must be on a very strict 'diet,'" the observatory says. "Only a small amount of gas and stars is apparently being swallowed by the black hole at any given moment."
In addition to the galaxy, the observatory offers up a heavenly Christmas card to mark the season.
NGC 1097 can't be seen by the unaided eye, but you should be able to spot several other celestial delights during the holidays: The five naked-eye planets are strung across the night sky right now, and this year's Christmas full moon is worthy of note as well.
Strictly speaking, none of these sights can be considered a Christmas star, but the historical "Star of Bethlehem" may not have been a star in the astronomical sense either. For some true "Stars of Wonder," check out the Dazzling Deaths in our Hubble slideshow.
Finally, don't forget about another star of the Christmas show: Santa Claus is due to make his rounds Friday, and children of all ages can follow the jolly old elf's progress online via the NORAD Santa Web site.
As for me, I'll be taking the day off and settling in for a long winter's nap. Regular Cosmic Log postings will resume Monday.
• Dec. 23, 2004 |
7:50 p.m. ET
Online field trips for the long weekend:
• The Economist: Can religious experiences be made artificially?
• Discovery.com: Boy Jesus image created from Turin Shroud
• Nature: Natural selection acts on the quantum world
• Vote for the year's top 10 Ikonos satellite images
• Dec. 22, 2004 |
6:25 p.m. ET
Portals to science and religion: Does it always have to be science vs. religion? Evolution vs. creation? Over the past couple of days, we've aired opinions on all sides of the question as part of our third annual Christmas "Science and Religion" Symposium.
On Tuesday, one Cosmic Log reader passed along a quote from Pope John Paul II on the subject, in which he said that the Bible "does not wish to teach how heaven was made but how one goes to heaven."
From the other side of the scientific/spiritual fence, Ian Baxter from Calgary, Alberta, cites an oft-heard quote from Albert Einstein: "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
The quote comes from "Science, Philosophy and Religion: A Symposium," published back in 1941, and it's worth reading the whole essay. In fact, as we near the centenary of Einstein's breakthrough theories — a milestone that has led scientists to dub 2005 the World Year of Physics — it's appropriate to explore this Web site, which draws together many of Einstein's writings on science and religion.
We're fortunate that the central texts for evolutionary biologists as well as spiritual thinkers are freely available online: You can review the Old and New Testaments via the Bible Gateway, which offers browsable, searchable versions of multiple English-language translations. "The Origin of Species," Charles Darwin's masterwork, is also on the Web. You can even find "How Humans Evolved," a full-length college textbook complete with quizzes.
The National Academies Press also offers a free online version of its 1998 report, "Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science."
If you want to learn more about how the proponents of intelligent design think, you might look into "The Privileged Planet," which lists astronomy professor Guillermo Gonzalez as a co-author. Gonzalez's work, including his influence on the "Rare Earth" hypothesis, generated controversy among astrobiologists even before "Privileged Planet" came out. The Talk.Origins Web site catalogs the book as "Creationist Claim CI302."
Finally, here's an entertaining book recommendation that goes beyond the narrow Darwin-vs.-doubters debate — and the fact that the whole book is freely available over the Web is a bonus:
Patrick Bishop, Caldwell, N.J.: "Whenever I think of the sociological significance of what scientists (especially biologists) do, I'm reminded of H.G. Wells' book 'The Food of the Gods.' In that book, a couple of scientists develop a nutritional supplement that, when given to living things, causes unprecedented growth. Through careless mishandling, it gets loose in the environment at large. The immediate result; daisies like oaks, wasps like eagles and rats like Irish wolfhounds, not to mention 40-foot-tall teenagers. The delayed reaction; systematic rejection of all of these things (including the modified children) by a culture that is either incapable or unwilling to adapt to their inclusion. War actually breaks out.
"Wells published this book 103 years ago. How prescient!
"It has taken a century to catch up, but we are on the threshold of being able to modify our offspring (and all living things for that matter), if not with the same tools, then certainly to a similarly stunning degree. Of course there is going to be a growing social gap between science and religion. Actually, the gap may be more basic; it may between science and the rest of us. ...
"Undoubtedly, just as the industrial revolution, the petrochemical revolution and the information revolution has changed society, the genetic revolution will do the same. But whereas the other revolutions changed society at an ephemeral level, this new one threatens to change it at its core. Don't be surprised if Luddites start springing up like Wells' giant daisies; only these won't be as pretty."
• Dec. 22, 2004 |
6:25 p.m. ET
Scientific smorgasbord on the World Wide Web:
• Newswise: Jumping gene boosts immune system
• New Scientist: Undercooked turkeys can harbor superbugs
• Desert Sun: SpaceShipOne designer talks about flight's future
• Inc. Magazine: Burt Rutan, Entrepreneur of the Year
• Wired.com: Stem-cell method may cheat death
• Dec. 21, 2004 |
10:10 p.m. ET
Doctrines and doubters: In the debate over origins, you can generally tell where a person stands by what comes up during the discussion.
If the conversation turns to "macro vs. micro evolution" and "irreducible complexity," it's more likely that you're talking to a creationist. On the other hand, if the person believes it doesn't do any good to have the discussion in the first place, you may be talking with someone who favors the Darwinian view of evolution.
This second installment of the annual Christmas "Science and Religion" Symposium provides exposure for both sides of the argument — including the argument that there should be no argument:
Rod Kardorff, Houston: "I wonder if you think you are helping science? The topic of religion no more belongs in science than a discussion of free throws when the topic is baseball. If you wanted to help, when you post links or letters from people, take a moment (and some space) to research them and post your comments. I went to 'The Evolution Cruncher,' and it was so full of errors that it hard to believe that anyone could buy into it. But obviously people do, and here you are promoting that garbage. You cannot be fair. If information is wrong, it is just wrong. Period. By pretending to be fair what you are doing is convincing people that there actually is an argument in science over evolution and creation. You are doing everyone associated with science great harm, and I am disgusted by your attempts to walk the line. If you are talking about science, there is no evidence pointing away from evolution. If you are religious, you can believe what you want. Don't play games with both."
Quick response: I admit that I try to stay out of the fray, because I look upon this particular symposium as a lightly moderated soapbox forum rather than a place to confront readers. I do think one of the problems is that many of the experts in evolutionary biology haven't engaged in the public debate as much as they should. That's why I favor sites such as Talk.Origins, Talk Design and the National Center for Science Education. At the same time, I think it's important to find out what all the shouting on the other side is about. Then readers can come to their own conclusions. As for whether that toes the scientific line, I like what NPR's Ira Flatow said when a similar question came up during a radio debate on evolutionary theory: "But we're not doing a science class now."
John Merter, Hamburg: "To keep it short and simple enough for everyone to understand: There is proof of evolution all around. To see it in the space of time that human beings live, just look at the simpler organisms. Take some bacteria and use an antibiotic, but only once, to kill most of them. Some will survive the first dose and reproduce. These will survive the antibiotic in future — they have mutated, they have evolved. The same can be done with cockroaches in place of bacteria and poison in place of antibiotics. ...."
Greg Throop, Las Vegas: "There is some evolution within species, very obviously. But from species to species ... please. No way are fish changing into birds because they want to fly. Man has wanted to fly for millennia, and no wings have sprouted despite the potential advantages. Darwin, as we can plainly see, was half right, which for a 19th-century observation is pretty remarkable — i.e., survival of the fittest is real, its just that it works to eliminate species, not to perpetuate them with changes. Look how many species are going extinct daily! Believe me, they would change if they could, but they have no options. The structure of even the simplest organism is far too complex to have occurred by accident. Science will, in time, be shown to explain, not contradict religion (at least in the sense of an overriding intelligence at work)."
Patrick Burns, Amarillo, Texas: "To understand the the concept of evolution you must note that there are two different forms of evolution, Macro evolution and Micro evolution. Micro evolution is the variation within a species, and has been an undisputed fact for many years. It explains the change in a species to adapt to a region or climate or any other various dealings it comes in contact with. This is the type of evolution that some try to use to prove that everything evolved from a single-celled organism. Macro evolution is the theory that everything evolved from that single-celled organism, and after billions of years to where we are today. It is a theory that plays on the statement that it took billions of years and you can't know what could have happened over that time and it is possible. It has no validity."
Brooks Anderson, St. Louis: "Simply show us a concrete example of DNA which gains information rather than losing it to produce microevolutionary change (within a species) and you will have a basis upon which to suggest that macroevolutionary change is possible (e.g., ape to man, fish to reptile, etc.) Without a gain in information, such evolution is impossible."
Quick response: To my mind, macroevolution and microevolution involve differences of degree, having to do with how an organism reproduces. If breeds within a species can diverge over the course of scores or hundreds of years (as is the case with dogs) , is it so far-fetched that isolated populations can diverge so much over the course of millions of years that they can no longer interbreed? That's the definition of macroevolution. Here's more on the subject from Talk.Origins.
As for the claims that information cannot be added to DNA, there is indeed evidence that genetic strings can be added, repeated and reshuffled. During efforts to reconstruct the ancestral genetic code for mammals , researchers found numerous instances where bits of DNA appeared to have been grafted in. Even within human populations, short tandem repeats contribute to genetic diversity. Over the past year, research into "junk DNA" has sparked a vigorous scientific debate over the genetic course of hominid evolution.
Tom Canham, Seattle: "The problem with news stories like these is that they are too balanced (when's the last time you heard that in a complaint, eh?).
"Evolution occurs all the time. It is observed every day by scientists around the world. The problem is that those who would ban the teaching of evolution from textbooks misunderstand what it is, so they make wild demands of it which, when science can't meet them, they claim show that evolution doesn't occur. Evolution is just about the changes within a species that occur as a result of selection pressure. This happens all the time and is the inevitable byproduct of competition for scarce resources and differential genetics.
"Think of it this way; if you had a bag of red and blue marbles and you went through and picked out and threw away all the red ones, eventually only blue ones would be left, right? Well, it's the same way with evolution. It's inarguable fact that there are variations within a species — within humans, some of us are taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, have blond hair or brown hair. Not only that, but some of us live longer and reproduce better than others — this isn't theory but simple, observable fact.
"Now, if you accept the fact that genes can be passed down from parent to child (I sure hope you accept that, or Crick and Watson are going to be really annoyed :) and you accept that we're all 'competing,' as it were, for scarce (and dwindling!) resources of food, money, shelter, and available mates, eventually the ones who are genetically 'best' at competing should prevail in the population. Simply put, we've been systematically weeding out the 'red marbles' so the 'blue marbles' are taking over. Why this should be a matter of contention is beyond me — it's simple common sense, based on what we know about how genes work and a little careful thinking. And, in fact, this is observed in nature on a regular basis. ..."
Richard Cooper, Bellingham, Wash: "The problem is not science vs. religion, it is science vs. dogmatic ultra-conservative fundamentalist religion. This is true of Christianity, Islam and, in all probability, every other faith. Our biggest problem is that we pay more heed to the lunatic fringes than we do to the balanced, intelligent mainstream."
Robert Nachtegall, Grand Rapids, Mich.: "Creationism is largely the result of Christians who simply misunderstand the Bible, its origins and purpose entirely. A very wise Christian described it this way: 'Cosmogony itself speaks to us of the origins of the universe and its makeup, not in order to provide us with a scientific treatise but in order to state the correct relationship of man with God and with the universe. Sacred Scripture wishes simply to declare that the world was created by God, and in order to teach this truth, it expresses itself in the terms of the cosmology in use at the time of the writer. The sacred book likewise wishes to tell men that the world was not created as the seat of the gods, as was taught by other cosmogonies and cosmologies, but was rather created for the service of man and the glory of God. Any other teaching about the origin and makeup of the universe is alien to the intentions of the Bible, which does not wish to teach how heaven was made but how one goes to heaven.' - Pope John Paul II, Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on 3 October 1981"
On Wednesday I'll provide further resources on scientific and spiritual perspectives, as provided by Cosmic Log readers. Feel free to send in your suggestions for additional reading, listening or mouse-clicking.
• Dec. 21, 2004 |
10:10 p.m. ET
Science in a similar vein on the Web:
• EurekAlert: How proteins beat the evolutionary stakes
• LiveScience: The top 10 creation myths
• York Daily Record: Law firm picked for intelligent-design suit
• S.F. Chronicle: Wobbles may have shaped evolution
• Dec. 20, 2004 |
7:45 p.m. ET
Science vs. religion? It's tempting to pit scientists against religious believers, particularly in light of the recent controversies over evolution , stem-cell research and even a presidential election contested on cultural terms .
But casting the larger cultural and philosophical debate as a faceoff of "science vs. religion" would be too simplistic. This week's third annual Christmas "Science and Religion" Symposium is aimed at providing a deeper sense of the interplay between life's scientific and spiritual perspectives, through the observations of folks such as yourselves. It follows up on similar end-of-the-year feedback fests in 2002 and 2003. (We also had Easter/Passover editions of the symposium in 2003 and 2004.)
This year, readers on both sides of the issue said the debate was more than just an idle philosophical exercise. The teaching of evolutionary theory was a particularly sore subject.
For some, it's a question of family values: "Stop undermining the teaching of Christian parents just to perpetuate a false theory," one correspondent wrote.
Others saw economic implications: "Let us teach our kids creationism and guide them to doubt evolution, so kids in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe can one day beat our kids academically and intelligently," S.L. Tsai of Pittsburgh said with a touch of sarcasm. "Don't we already lose the battle in mathematics to other countries?"
Can the rift between scientists and religionists be bridged? To start off the symposium, here is expert testimony from those who claimed credentials in one field or the other:
Stephanie, Elmira, N.Y.: "I am a scientist, and I see the rift between us and the public growing as you suggest. I was brought up in the Christian faith but I was never taught that evolution didn't occur. It did. It is a fact. We have seen it happen. I understand that this may be hard for some people to accept, but at one time people could not accept that the earth was round or that the earth was not the center of the universe."
Alan Bean, Harrison, Maine: "Qualifications: Medical doctor here. Straight A's and the top of my class in every science class I ever took, including two 5-semester-hour evolution courses, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, physics, etc. OK, I am now a Christian and was not when I was in school, but even when I was a secular student, the more I learned of the complexities of the 'what' of science, the more I questioned the 'why' — now I know it is not so much 'why,' but 'who.' I could talk for hours on why the theory of creationism is every bit as 'scientific' as the theory of evolution. Change within a species? Sure. Change from one species to another? I challenge anyone to show me evidence of such. Try reading 'The Evolution Cruncher' (900-plus pages) and then try to refute the validity of teaching alternatives to evolution."
Michael Massey, Topeka, Kan.: "As a Christian youth minister, I believe we are doing our students a disservice when we confuse faith with science. Scientific theory is based upon objective, observable phenomena that can be tested and modified to fit existing knowledge. Faith, on the other hand, is intuitive and unprovable. While I believe in intelligent design, I recognize that this belief is based upon my faith in God and is not a scientific theory. As a result, it has no place in a science classroom. The church must help youth develop strong religious convictions and rich spiritual lives. At the same time, it is important for the future of our society that we support our schools in assuring that our students have a solid understanding of scientific methodology. We in the church must be there to guide them in doing both and being able to discern the difference."
Klaus Burton, Lower Hutt, New Zealand: "Evolutionary theory and religion are not mutually exclusive. If God exists and has any brains at all (which I'm assuming a God inherently would) he would realize that if you were to have a large species that didn't evolve to suit changes, they would die. As far as I know, no one is saying that every change that occurs in a species or genus is made at the hand of God.
"So atheists can believe evolution exists and has always existed, and theists can believe evolution exists and has existed ever since God created it, but to deny its existence is ridiculous. Either way, evolution does occur, and creationism is not scientific.
"I'm an atheist and am studying for a B.A. in Religious Studies. Next thing I know, I'll be watching the news one night to see that my B.A. is now magically changed to a B.Sc. because belief counts as fact."
Gary: "I am a college-educated Christian. Major: Organic chemistry. Personally, I view science as an effort to understand God's creation — not as a tool to disprove the existence of the creator. However, since faith is just that, faith, I do not get angry at the overt attempts of scientists to disprove the existence of the Creator; I know He is real and so does He. We're cool with that. It does bother me when scientists try to discredit people of faith by implying that all faith-followers are ignorant, huddled masses incapable of accepting the truth.
"After all, how many of the scientific 'truths' taught 100 years ago still hold up today? How many 'truths' taught today will still hold up 100 years from now? (Every time the Hubble Space Telescope focuses on a new part of the universe it seems that all the prior astronomy textbooks have to be thrown out.)
"Strangely enough, the truth of the Bible has not changed in the last 2,000 years, and I am very confident that Biblical truth will still be 'truth' 2000 years from now. And God and I are cool with that, too."
Rick Burton, Marietta, Ga.: "As a scientist, I know that evolution is factual and occurs in nature all the time. An example of evolution that we all may be familar with is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The development of a resistance to antibiotics is in itself part of the evolutionary process. No one can say for sure that man evolved from apes, but as we have a similar genetic makeup, we can assume a close relationship to our fellow primates. Thus, this is the basis for our teaching of evoluation in the science curriculum."
"What really bothers me is that some ignorant self-righteous indivduals/groups demand that creationism, a concept describe in a book written by stone age men who thought the earth was flat and had no concept of science, be given credibility without any scientific facts to substantiate it. While I believe there may be a higher power in our incredible universe, I do not believe in an invisible/imaginary friend who looks over us and demands blind obedience from us. This type of blind faith and ignorance leads to the evils related to religion we see in the world today. In other words, religion is about faith while science is about fact, thus religion does not belong in our education system."
J. Mayfield, Houston: "Being a former scientist myself (chemistry and anthropology), it is amazing that some of your readers purport Darwinism as fact. Even he didn't do that. Not only is the idea of creationism not so far-fetched, as many of your readers believe. Intelligent design is a fundamental facet of life. How else do you explain the properties of water being so fundamentally different from other liquids? Unfortunately for most of your readers, they prove the validity of the old adage, 'You can't see the forest for the trees.'"
Everett Stoub, pastor and physicist: "At least I used to be a physicist — I have an earned Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1977, and worked as a leading research scientist in the commercial side of nuclear medicine for over 20 years through 1996. I have a keen interest in astrophysics and astronomy.
"I earned my M.Div. in 1989 with a thesis that modern self-described 'Creation Science' is a barrier to evangelism, and an example of really bad science. I respect Dr. Hugh Ross, a professional astrophysicist now leading 'Reasons to Believe.' I am pastor of a church I founded in 1998. Surprise: Not everyone in my own church agrees with me in matters of origins. I embrace the apparent ages of the universe at 13.7 billion years, of Earth at 4.8 billion years, etc. Obviously I find little to no problem in dealing with accepting the inerrancy of the Bible and the importance of observational deductions of science. Interpretations of both can reflect the bias of the analyst, whether exegetical or scientific. ...
"I find too much of the rhetoric between proponents of science and of religion to fail the 'smell' test: too many logical fallacies, straw men too distorted to be useful, and too much over interpretation, as if any 'I don't know' admissions are far too costly too tolerate in debate. This is 'stinking thinking,' to quote an authority on addictive thought. Perhaps leaders should be selected by a 'humility' index instead of opinion polls."
The symposium will continue on Tuesday with some of the common claims made on each side of the debate, and on Wednesday we'll provide links to readers' recommended resources on science and religion.
• Dec. 20, 2004 |
7:45 p.m. ET
Your daily dose of science on the Web:
• Science News: Dog diversity sparks new evolution theory
• Slate: What are genetic engineers really afraid of?
• L.A. Times (reg. req.): The age of smart drugs is dawning
• Discovery.com: Are all stalactites shaped the same?
The fine print: Looking for older items? Check the Cosmic Log archive. Share your perspective on cosmic subjects with Alan Boyle. If you link to this page, you can use http://cosmiclog.msnbc.com or http://www.cosmiclog.com as the address. MSNBC is not responsible for the content of Internet links.


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Joan Rivers' daughter said Sunday that she and others are "keeping our fingers crossed," as the 81-year-old comedic legend remained hospitalized in Manhattan.
The Mount Sinai Hospital said it had no updates to release on the 81-year-old's health on Sunday. Three days earlier, she stopped breathing while having minor throat surgery at a clinic in the city, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
"Thank you for your continued love and support. We are keeping our fingers crossed," Melissa Rivers said in a statement. On Friday, she said that her mother's condition remained "serious, but she is receiving the best treatment and care possible."
Joan Rivers was taken to Mt. Sinai in critical condition shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday after she went into cardiac arrest while undergoing the procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy on East 93rd Street, the FDNY said.
Hordes of fans stood vigil outside the hospital for hours. Many called Rivers a "fighter" and pledged their support. Suzie Betron, a devoted Rivers fan from New Jersey, says the best way to show that support is to repeat Rivers' jokes -- and make someone smile.
"She broke through for women. She pushed the limits," Betron, of Wayne, said of Rivers. "Love or hate her -- she's great."
The Brooklyn-born Rivers became a household name with the 1960s launch of "That Show," her syndicated daytime talk show, and several high-profile appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Ed Sullivan Show."
She went on to become a film director, writer and actress, a best-selling author and 11-time novelist and the writer of a Grammy Award-nominated comedy album. Rivers was known for her fiery appearances on "The Celebrity Apprentice," which she won in 2011, and for her pioneering brand of irreverent humor.
The larger-than-life Rivers coined the phrase "Can we talk?" in her standup routines and, interviewing fashionistas on the red carpet, introduced the question, "Who are you wearing?"
She originally entered show business with the dream of a theatrical career, but comedy became a way to pay the bills while she auditioned for acting roles.
"Somebody said, 'You can make six dollars standing up in a club,'" she told The Associated Press in 2013, "and I said, 'Here I go!' It was better than typing all day."
Rivers was nominated for five Emmy Awards, winning in 1990 for outstanding talk show host. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and recently launched a reality TV show starring her and her daughter. A 2010 documentary on her life won critical acclaim.
In interviews throughout the last decade, Rivers said she had no intention of slowing down.
"I'll only stop the day I die," she told the Las Vegas Sun in 2007.
Rivers had been scheduled to appear at a comedy club in New Jersey Friday.


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Fit to sprint: Top talent exits NYT
The New York Times is suffering a brain drain.
In the past nine months, at least a dozen top reporters and editors have made for the exits. Among them are such well-known and respected journalists as Nate Silver, who sprinted to ESPN; David Pogue, who decamped to Yahoo News; Jeff Zeleny, who left for ABC News; and Rick Berke, who is en route to POLITICO. That's not counting the many editors and reporters who took buyouts at the beginning of the year.
Story Continued Below
On Tuesday, in a sucker punch to staff morale, the Grey Lady lost three more: Brian Stelter, the paper's marquee media reporter, announced he would go to CNN; Matt Bai, The New York Times Magazine's chief political correspondent, decamped to Yahoo; and Capital New York reported on Monday night that Hugo Lindgren, the editor of the magazine, will leave at the end of the year.
( Also on POLITICO: Was Richard Cohen's column racist?)
The departures have brought the Times face to face with a harsh reality: In the new media landscape, some journalists have become their own brands with followings and reputations that are not dependent on the "aura" of the paper of record. Some built their brands at the paper, but it does not necessarily have the resources or flexibility to keep them. Meanwhile, deep-pocketed competitors are willing to pay top dollar for top-flight talent — an issue many large media outlets, not just theTimes, are facing.
"Every reporter's own brand is more important than it used to be," one former Times staffer told POLITICO. "There are more competitors out there, and they have money."
"The Times used to be able to bank on the fact that it was The New York Times: Like, 'Sure, Yahoo or CNN might pay you more, but do you really want to write for Yahoo or CNN?' Increasingly, the answer is: 'Yes'."
( Also on POLITICO: NYT's Matt Bai to Yahoo News)
It was not always thus. For decades, a Times job was among the most coveted assignments in the business. The paper was an institution; once you were allowed in, you did not leave — and why would you want to, anyway? But new technology has reconfigured the playing field. Now, prominent reporters like Silver, Pogue and Stelter are finding that they can take their brand elsewhere, and for much higher pay.
"I've been at the @nytimes since college so it's surreal to be leaving," Stelter tweeted.
When Jill Abramson took the reins as Times executive editor two years ago, she said a top priority would be retaining talent.
"It is a mistake for The New York Times to ever rest on its laurels. It is a very competitive landscape, and our competitors are constantly knocking on the doors of our best people," she told the paper's public editor at the time. "I don't think it is an organizational weakness, but sometimes I just feel we took our eyes off making someone know how important and appreciated they are, and therefore left them vulnerable to being picked off."
And in an interview with New York Magazine, Abramson said, "Retention is becoming a challenge. … The economy has improved, whether it's Bloomberg or the Huffington Post, I can feel on any given week that I'm playing whack-a-mole keeping our most talented people."
Current and former staffers told POLITICO that Abramson has found it difficult to put her philosophy about retaining top talent into practice.
When informed by top reporters in employment negotiations that counteroffers are on the table, Abramson's response can be dismissive, they said. One staffer characterized it as: "How dare you threaten to leave the Times." Another: "If you think you're bigger than the Times, good riddance." This summer, when Nate Silver's agent referred to the star statistician as "the prettiest girl at the party" during negotiations, Abramson countered, according to Newsweek: "The New York Times is always the prettiest girl at the party." Silver went to ESPN.


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Free shipping over $ 99
Free shipping over $ 99
Born in Bergamo, Italy, Laura Polinoro graduated in Drama Art and Music Studies in Bologna. Her first job was in the field of contemporary dance as art director and costume and set designer. Later she undertook research at the Domus Academy in Milan. From 1990 to 1998 she was in charge of the Centro Studi Alessi, where she operated as meta-project designer and art director, coordinating workshops both in-house and in association with various universities and design institutes the world over. She was also involved in publishing and communications activities. Items which entered production in that period are identified with the acronym "CSA". Since 2004 products overseen by Ms. Polinoro have been identified with the letters "LPWK"
Born in Padua, Italy, in 1961, comic-strip artist and illustrator, a leading light in the renewal of Italian comic, he divides his time as a graphic artist, designer, musician and artist.


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The MIT men's track and field team welcomed regional rival Williams College as well as Moravian College in a tri-meet on its home track on Saturday. The Engineers picked up wins in nine of 18 events, including all the races between 600 and 3000 meters, to earn 186.5 points and beat out Williams, which finished with 110.
Kyle Hannon was one of the top performers for the Cardinal and Gray, winning at both 1000 meters and the mile. Hannon helped MIT take six of the top seven spots in the 1000m, beating teammate Dawit Zewdie (2:35.80) to the finish by 0.83 seconds. Hannon followed that up with an easy win in the mile, coming through in 4:16.90 more than four seconds faster than runner-up Logan Trimble.
Patrick Marx was a winner in the 600m with a time of 1:23.69. His teammates Logan Daum, Gilbert O'Neil and Mac Gager followed up in third, fourth and sixth respectively. Other events wins came from David Way (1:58.25) in the 800 and Paul Welle (8:46.91) at 3000 meters.
MIT also swept the relays, as Daniel Ronde, Gager, Nicholas Leonard and Jacob Jurweicz outlasted the Moravian squad in the 4x400. Zewdie, Trimble, Marx and Richard Prevost then teamed up to break eight minutes in the 4x800m, nearly six seconds faster than the group from Williams.
Despite not winning any of the sprints, Tech still managed to pick up quality points in those events, taking second and third in the 55m, second, fourth and fifth in the 200 and second, third and fourth at 400 meters.
In the throws, Kenneth Cooper set a pair of personal records, taking first in the shot put (47-4.50 feet) and second in the weight throw (57-9.75)
The Engineers will once again split their squad between Boston University and MIT next weekend, as some competitors will take part in the Valentine's Meet at BU while others will be at home for the second Coed Invite of the season.


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August 8-12, 2011 - Ljubljana
Despite 40 years of research, quantification is currently again a central topic of research at the interface between logic and language. Generalized Quantifier Theory (GQT) and Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) still are standard bearers when it comes to the representation of quantifier meaning. But a new frontier in quantification research is to account for the use of quantifiers, in addition to the meaning they contribute to sentence and discourse.
In GQT and DRT, many quantifiers are semantically identical to one another: most and more than half; at least three, more than two and three; and about 100 and some 100. Even when there is no identity, the meanings of quantifiers overlap, and many quantifiers could be used truthfully to describe the same situation. Nevertheless, the choice of a specific quantifier by a speaker has semantic and pragmatic consequences, and listeners are sensitive to the subtleties of a speaker's choice. The goal of a theory of quantifier use is an account of how speakers choose one of the many true quantifiers and how listeners interpret a speaker's choice.
The PUQOL workshop aims to bring together current research within semantics, logic, pragmatics, and cognitive science that addresses quantifier use within the perspective of model theoretic semantics and pragmatics, including:
PUQOL will take place as part of the 23rd European Summer School in Logic, Language and Information (ESSLLI 2011).
Invited Speakers
Important Dates
Submission deadline: February 15, 2011
Notifications: April 15, 2011
Extended abstract for ESSLLI 2011 Proceedings: June 1, 2011
Organizers: Uli Sauerland, Stephanie Solt
Contact: PUQOL 2011 puqol2011(at)gmail.com