The following book is now online in PDF:
My thanks to Dr Carey A. Moore for his kind permission.
Preface
Jacob Martin Myers by Ralph D. Heim
Photograph of Jacob M. Myers
Congratulators
Abbreviations
The Relevance of the Old Testament for Christian Preaching Elizabeth Achtemeier
The Lachish Cosmetic Burner and Esther 2: 12 William F. Albright
"In Those Days There Was No King in Israel" Robert G. Boling
Life without Resurrection: Two Perspectives from Qoheleth Howard N. Bream
Worship, Idolatry, and God Harry M. Buck
The Hebrew Short Story: A Study of Ruth Edward F. Campbell, Jr.
The Divine Image Harold L. Creager
Chiasmus in Job: A Text-Critical and Philological Criterion Mitchell Dahood, SJ
Dubletten im Bibeltext Karl Elliger
Bowdlerizing in the Old Testament Donald M. C. Englert
Some Old Testament Influences on the Prologue of John Edwin D. Freed
Strophe and Meter in Exodus 15 David Noel Freedman
The English Bible Stanley Brice Frost
Peregrinations in Septuagint Lexicography Henry Snyder Gehman
Love, Marriage, and Business in the Book of Ruth Robert Gordis
Observations on Syntax and Meter in Lamentations Delbert R. Hillers
Exodus 23: 4-5: A Comparative Study Herbert B. Huffmann
Creation Tradition in Proverbs 8: 22-31 and Genesis 1 George M. Landes
The Home of Deuteronomy Revisited: A Methodological Analysis of the Northern Theory Foster R. McCurley, Jr.
The Shady Side of Wisdom: The Date and Purpose of Genesis George E. Mendenhall
Mark 4: 12: More Like the Irony of Micaiah than Isaiah Carey A. Moore
Word as Power in the Ancient Near East Frederick L. Moriarty, SJ
The Old Testament as Word of God Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm.
Does Archeology Prove Chronicles Sources? Robert North, SJ
A Note on 2 Samuel 7 Michiko Ota
A Study of Selected Isaianic Passages in the Wormser Propheten Vbersetzling of 1527 and Luther's Isaiah of 1528 Jesse B. Renninger
Ecological Notes from the Old Testament Alfred von Rohr Sauer
The Role of Covenant in the Mission and Message of Amos Frank H. Seilhamer
The Date of Joel John Alexander Thompson
The Future of the Qumran Scrolls John C. Trever
History and Kerygma in the Old Testament Bruce Vawter, CM
Israel and Her Land: Some Theological Considerations Hans Eberhard von Waldow
The Conquest Theme in the Bible G. Ernest Wright
Monday, August 31, 2009
Four Years After Katrina, a Sustainable Homes Partnership in New Orleans Makes Progress
Four years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and Gulf Coast communities, Brad Pitt's Make It Right and NeighborWorks America are partnering on sustainable home rebuilding and homeownership education in The Lower Ninth Ward.
VIEW VIDEO
VIEW VIDEO
Himalaya Fall 2009: Expedition List Announced
With the summer Karakorum season now behind us, and the monsoon moving off, the mountaineering world is now turning back towards the Himalaya and big peaks there, including Everest. The fall season will get underway soon, with modestly sized teams making their way to Kathmandu for a decidedly different experience than found there in the spring.
ExWeb had just posted the first edition of the Fall Expedition list, and as usual, it has some very interesting climbs. For instance, Basque climbers Alberto Iurrategi and Juan Vallejo are headed back to the North Side of Everest to attempt the Hornbein Couloir in alpine style, while Simone Moro has his sights set on a new route along the South-West Face of Cho Oyu.
A couple of climbers will be hoping to finish off their remaining 8000 meter peaks, including Andrew Lock who needs Shisha Pangma to join the list of men who have topped out on all of those mountains. That list may not remain exclusive to the male gender for much longer however, as Korean climber Oh Eun-sun has her sights set on Annapurna, and if successful, she'll become the first woman to summit all 14 8-thousanders.
As usual, this list will probably be updated in the days ahead, as more expeditions firm up their plans and announce their last minute details. There are plenty of commercial teams making their way to the Himalaya as well, as the begin to lay the groundwork for Everest attempts next year. While the Fall Season isn't nearly as busy as the spring, it still holds plenty of excitement, as it seems that the climbers that are there are hoping to push the envelope a bit further without the crowds to get in the way. Should be fun to watch as usual. Lets hope everyone stays safe in the week ahead.
New features in Google Sites
We recently shared an update on the Google Apps Blog about new features in Google Sites, the web creation and publishing application included in Google Apps. The new features let you copy your site, use more options to search, and more easily announce updates. Since these features are useful for anyone who uses Google Sites as part of the Google Apps Premier or Education editions, we wanted to make it easy for you to read about the features.
Posted by Ellen Leanse, Google Enterprise team
Get timely updates on new features in Google Apps by subscribing to our RSS feed or email alerts.
Posted by Ellen Leanse, Google Enterprise team
Get timely updates on new features in Google Apps by subscribing to our RSS feed or email alerts.
Forum examines ways to fully assimilate immigrants into G.I.
Communities all over the country are having their own conferences, trying to solve immigrant problems in their own place and their own way. Little by little, we will fix these problems. Read this whole article, very interesting! - - Donna Poisl
By Harold Reutter
One sign that Grand Island's two-day secondary migration conference may have been successful was that people did not stop talking at the end of Friday's community forum.
Sudanese immigrants stood talking with Somali immigrants, while Anglos talked with Latinos. Then groups would re-arrange so a whole different mix of ethnic groups were talking with each other.
Those informal conversations mimicked the much more structured dialogue that had taken place for the preceding three hours during a community forum on secondary migration conducted by the Spring Institute of Denver.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Harold Reutter
One sign that Grand Island's two-day secondary migration conference may have been successful was that people did not stop talking at the end of Friday's community forum.
Sudanese immigrants stood talking with Somali immigrants, while Anglos talked with Latinos. Then groups would re-arrange so a whole different mix of ethnic groups were talking with each other.
Those informal conversations mimicked the much more structured dialogue that had taken place for the preceding three hours during a community forum on secondary migration conducted by the Spring Institute of Denver.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Immigration services center finally coming to Queens
A community known for its ethnic diversity is finally getting their own immigration service center. - - Donna Poisl
BY Leigh Remizowski
Taking care of immigration paperwork has been a major hassle for Queens residents - a strange paradox for the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S.
Scheduling a citizenship interview means finding time to journey to lower Manhattan or to Garden City, L.I.
But early next year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is set to open a field office in Long Island City, federal officials announced Tuesday.
It will be only the second agency office in the five boroughs. The other one is in Federal Plaza in Manhattan.
"We have a large immigrant constituency in Queens," Andrea Quarantillo, the New York district director for the agency, said as she unveiled plans for the new office at 27-35 Jackson Ave.
"We want our offices to be closer to where our customers live and work," she said.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
BY Leigh Remizowski
Taking care of immigration paperwork has been a major hassle for Queens residents - a strange paradox for the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S.
Scheduling a citizenship interview means finding time to journey to lower Manhattan or to Garden City, L.I.
But early next year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is set to open a field office in Long Island City, federal officials announced Tuesday.
It will be only the second agency office in the five boroughs. The other one is in Federal Plaza in Manhattan.
"We have a large immigrant constituency in Queens," Andrea Quarantillo, the New York district director for the agency, said as she unveiled plans for the new office at 27-35 Jackson Ave.
"We want our offices to be closer to where our customers live and work," she said.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
New Bedford's immigrant workers targeted for English classes
These employers and the city understand that everyone benefits when immigrants are proficient in English. - - Donna Poisl
By Brian Boyd
Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp., whose employees are almost 90 percent foreign-born, has been offering workers English classes for nine years, an effort that was started with the help of the employees' union.
Anthony R. Sapienza, president of Abboud, a New Bedford manufacturer of men's clothing, believes proficiency in English helps businesses and opens up more job opportunities to the workers.
"There is just no question about it," Sapienza said Monday during the announcement of a new area campaign to increase the availability of language classes for immigrant workers.
Statewide, 25,000 people are on waiting lists for classes in English as a second language, about 1,000 in New Bedford alone, he said.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Brian Boyd
Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp., whose employees are almost 90 percent foreign-born, has been offering workers English classes for nine years, an effort that was started with the help of the employees' union.
Anthony R. Sapienza, president of Abboud, a New Bedford manufacturer of men's clothing, believes proficiency in English helps businesses and opens up more job opportunities to the workers.
"There is just no question about it," Sapienza said Monday during the announcement of a new area campaign to increase the availability of language classes for immigrant workers.
Statewide, 25,000 people are on waiting lists for classes in English as a second language, about 1,000 in New Bedford alone, he said.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Among Young Sikhs, Expressions of Faith Mixing Two Worlds
Many young, well-educated and upwardly mobile Sikhs are meeting with each other and keeping their religion alive in this country. They are doctors, lawyers, bankers, engineers, computer consultants, graduate students and others. About half are the children of immigrants, half are immigrants themselves. All are becoming Americans, but not losing their own culture. - - Donna Poisl
By SAMUEL G. FREEDMAN
Mandeep Singh was having dinner with a friend in Queens several years ago when the subject turned to their common religion, Sikhism. Mr. Singh had grown up in India unquestioningly embracing the faith of his parents. As a college student in Delhi, he attended a gurdwara, or temple, with a congregation well into the hundreds and a paid staff of a dozen, leaving him feeling devout yet somehow peripheral.
By this time, working as a technology consultant in New York, Mr. Singh had a different sensation, not exactly unsettled but acutely curious. So when his friend mentioned that a local Sikh association had a page on Facebook, not exactly the place Mr. Singh was expecting to find religious direction, he eagerly clicked to it.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By SAMUEL G. FREEDMAN
Mandeep Singh was having dinner with a friend in Queens several years ago when the subject turned to their common religion, Sikhism. Mr. Singh had grown up in India unquestioningly embracing the faith of his parents. As a college student in Delhi, he attended a gurdwara, or temple, with a congregation well into the hundreds and a paid staff of a dozen, leaving him feeling devout yet somehow peripheral.
By this time, working as a technology consultant in New York, Mr. Singh had a different sensation, not exactly unsettled but acutely curious. So when his friend mentioned that a local Sikh association had a page on Facebook, not exactly the place Mr. Singh was expecting to find religious direction, he eagerly clicked to it.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Paddling from Portalnd to the Pacific for a Cause
The Wend Blog has a story up this morning about kayakers Andy Maser and Daniel Fox setting out on a little paddle on the Columbia River that will see them making the 130 mile journey from Portland to the Pacific Ocean.
The two men are making the journey to benefit a three different organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans, Team River Runner, and the We Love Clean Rivers project.
The duo will be blogging about the trip on the iWend website, posting updates as they go. You can also follow their progress at SPOT Adventures as well, where you can chart their progress and watch them roll down the river over the next few days.
It should be a fun expedition to follow along with, and expect plenty of good updates and photos from the journey. The fact that they are doing it for those three great causes is just icing on the cake. `
Gear Box: Keen Newport Backpack
I recently got my hands on the Newport backpack from Keen, who are more famous for their light hiking and water shoes than their packs. None the less, the Newport immediately gave a good impression, that would end up being a lasting one, albeit with a few caveats.
The first thing that struck me when I began using this backpack was the great build quality. The materials are all solid and wear well, and the zippers are thick and solid in every regard. The fabrics are water resistant and tough, and there are lots of nice little touches, such as a rubber bottom that will help keep the contents of the pack dry and an easy to use draw system that keeps your gear in place. The fact that the bag is made out of nearly 100% recycled materials, including the aluminum frame and interior lining, makes it even more impressive. This bag is both environmentally friendly and well constructed.
The Newport is definitely a versatile pack, trying to offer a little something for everyone. The inside has both a laptop sleeve and a hydration bladder pocket, showing Keen's commitment to making a pack that is both urban and trail friendly. There is also plenty of space, both in the main compartment, and a nice, large exterior pocket that is lined with soft cloth to protect what ever items you put inside of it. A small mesh pocket on the inside rounds out the storage options, although there is also a nice exterior space for carrying shoes or a bike helmet as well.
Personally, I found the Newport to make a better commuter pack than one designed for the trail. Make no mistake, it can straddle the line between the two quite nicely, but I wasn't overly fond of the hydration tube port, nor the way that you could integrate that tube into the shoulder strap. That's a minor thing when you're using the pack around town, but can make for an annoyance when out on the trail all day. It felt a bit like hydration pack integration was a bit of an after thought.
The styling of the pack is one of the things that set it apart, and one look at it, and you can tell that it has been designed by Keen. The Newport closely resembles the Keen sandals that share its name, and while some find the design a bit off putting, I personally liked it and the way that it fit in with Keen's other designs across its product line.
Overall, the Newport backpack is very nice, and I recommend it highly. Especially for anyone looking for a new urban/commuter pack or a travel pack for carrying on an airplane. I do think there are a few better options out there for the trail, but if you're looking for a single, versatile pack that can be used in multiple environments, this pack will pull double duty reasonably well too. I love the fact that it is an Earth-friendly piece of gear too, which makes it even easier to recommend. The MSRP on the Newport is $100, which is a reasonable price to pay for such a well built and designed pack that will last you for years.
All of the above said, the highest compliment I can give this backpack is that it ha snow replaced my usual urban pack that I've had for years, and was long overdue for retirement. I've finally found a worthy successor. Thanks Keen!
Avnery opposes boycotting Israel
Uri Avnery, the veteran non-Zionist peace activist whom I respect but don't always agree with, lays out his disagreement with the recent call of Israeli political scientist, Neve Gordon, for a boycott and sanctions against Israel. Avnery's response is mostly framed in connection with his conversation with South Africa's famous anti-apartheid activist, Bishop Desmond Tutu. Avnery lays out “the huge difference between the South African reality at the time and ours today.” The full piece is online at the Gush-Shalom.org site, under the title of “Tutu's Prayer.” Most of it is reproduced below:
The South African struggle was between a large majority and a small minority. Among a general population of almost 50 million, the Whites amounted to less than 10%. That means that more than 90% of the country’s inhabitants supported the boycott, in spite of the argument that it hurt them, too.
In Israel, the situation is the very opposite. The Jews amount to more than 80% of Israel’s citizens, and constitute a majority of some 60% throughout the country between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. 99.9% of the Jews oppose a boycott on Israel.
They will not feel the “the whole world is with us,” but rather that “the whole world is against us.”
In South Africa, the world-wide boycott helped in strengthening the majority and steeling it for the struggle. The impact of a boycott on Israel would be the exact opposite: it would push the large majority into the arms of the extreme right and create a fortress mentality against the “anti-Semitic world.” ...
Peoples are not the same everywhere. It seems that the Blacks in South Africa are very different from the Israelis, and from the Palestinians, too. The collapse of the oppressive racist regime did not lead to a bloodbath, as could have been predicted, but on the contrary: to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Instead of revenge, forgiveness. Those who appeared before the commission and admitted their misdeeds were pardoned. That was in tune with Christian belief, and that was also in tune with the Jewish Biblical promise: “Whoso confesseth and forsaketh [his sins] shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
I told the bishop that I admire not only the leaders who chose this path but also the people who accepted it.
ONE OF the profound differences between the two conflicts concerns the Holocaust.
Centuries of pogroms have imprinted on the consciousness of the Jews the conviction that the whole world is out to get them. This belief was reinforced a hundredfold by the Holocaust. Every Jewish Israeli child learns in school that “the entire world was silent” when the six million were murdered. This belief is anchored in the deepest recesses of the Jewish soul. Even when it is dormant, it is easy to arouse it.
(That is the conviction which made it possible for Avigdor Lieberman, last week, to accuse the entire Swedish nation of cooperating with the Nazis, because of one idiotic article in a Swedish tabloid.) ...
The Holocaust will have a decisive impact on any call for a boycott of Israel. The leaders of the racist regime in South Africa openly sympathized with the Nazis and were even interned for this in World War II. Apartheid was based on the same racist theories as inspired Adolf Hitler. It was easy to get the civilized world to boycott such a disgusting regime. The Israelis, on the other hand, are seen as the victims of Nazism. The call for a boycott will remind many people around the world of the Nazi slogan “Kauft nicht bei Juden!” – don’t buy from Jews.
That does not apply to every kind of boycott. Some 11 years ago, the Gush Shalom movement, in which I am active, called for a boycott of the product of the settlements. Its intention was to separate the settlers from the Israeli public, and to show that there are two kinds of Israelis. The boycott was designed to strengthen those Israelis who oppose the occupation, without becoming anti-Israeli or anti-Semitic. Since then, the European Union has been working hard to close the gates of the EU to the products of the settlers, and almost nobody has accused it of anti-Semitism.
ONE OF the main battlefields in our fight for peace is Israeli public opinion. Most Israelis believe nowadays that peace is desirable but impossible (because of the Arabs, of course). We must convince them not that peace would be good for Israel, but that it is realistically achievable.
When the archbishop asked what we, the Israeli peace activists, are hoping for, I told him: We hope for Barack Obama to publish a comprehensive and detailed peace plan and to use the full persuasive power of the United States to convince the parties to accept it. We hope that the entire world will rally behind this endeavor. And we hope that this will help to set the Israeli peace movement back on its feet and convince our public that it is both possible and worthwhile to follow the path of peace with Palestine.
No one who entertains this hope can support the call for boycotting Israel. Those who call for a boycott act out of despair. And that is the root of the matter. ... Click to read full piece online at the Gush-Shalom.org site.
The South African struggle was between a large majority and a small minority. Among a general population of almost 50 million, the Whites amounted to less than 10%. That means that more than 90% of the country’s inhabitants supported the boycott, in spite of the argument that it hurt them, too.
In Israel, the situation is the very opposite. The Jews amount to more than 80% of Israel’s citizens, and constitute a majority of some 60% throughout the country between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. 99.9% of the Jews oppose a boycott on Israel.
They will not feel the “the whole world is with us,” but rather that “the whole world is against us.”
In South Africa, the world-wide boycott helped in strengthening the majority and steeling it for the struggle. The impact of a boycott on Israel would be the exact opposite: it would push the large majority into the arms of the extreme right and create a fortress mentality against the “anti-Semitic world.” ...
Peoples are not the same everywhere. It seems that the Blacks in South Africa are very different from the Israelis, and from the Palestinians, too. The collapse of the oppressive racist regime did not lead to a bloodbath, as could have been predicted, but on the contrary: to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Instead of revenge, forgiveness. Those who appeared before the commission and admitted their misdeeds were pardoned. That was in tune with Christian belief, and that was also in tune with the Jewish Biblical promise: “Whoso confesseth and forsaketh [his sins] shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
I told the bishop that I admire not only the leaders who chose this path but also the people who accepted it.
ONE OF the profound differences between the two conflicts concerns the Holocaust.
Centuries of pogroms have imprinted on the consciousness of the Jews the conviction that the whole world is out to get them. This belief was reinforced a hundredfold by the Holocaust. Every Jewish Israeli child learns in school that “the entire world was silent” when the six million were murdered. This belief is anchored in the deepest recesses of the Jewish soul. Even when it is dormant, it is easy to arouse it.
(That is the conviction which made it possible for Avigdor Lieberman, last week, to accuse the entire Swedish nation of cooperating with the Nazis, because of one idiotic article in a Swedish tabloid.) ...
The Holocaust will have a decisive impact on any call for a boycott of Israel. The leaders of the racist regime in South Africa openly sympathized with the Nazis and were even interned for this in World War II. Apartheid was based on the same racist theories as inspired Adolf Hitler. It was easy to get the civilized world to boycott such a disgusting regime. The Israelis, on the other hand, are seen as the victims of Nazism. The call for a boycott will remind many people around the world of the Nazi slogan “Kauft nicht bei Juden!” – don’t buy from Jews.
That does not apply to every kind of boycott. Some 11 years ago, the Gush Shalom movement, in which I am active, called for a boycott of the product of the settlements. Its intention was to separate the settlers from the Israeli public, and to show that there are two kinds of Israelis. The boycott was designed to strengthen those Israelis who oppose the occupation, without becoming anti-Israeli or anti-Semitic. Since then, the European Union has been working hard to close the gates of the EU to the products of the settlers, and almost nobody has accused it of anti-Semitism.
ONE OF the main battlefields in our fight for peace is Israeli public opinion. Most Israelis believe nowadays that peace is desirable but impossible (because of the Arabs, of course). We must convince them not that peace would be good for Israel, but that it is realistically achievable.
When the archbishop asked what we, the Israeli peace activists, are hoping for, I told him: We hope for Barack Obama to publish a comprehensive and detailed peace plan and to use the full persuasive power of the United States to convince the parties to accept it. We hope that the entire world will rally behind this endeavor. And we hope that this will help to set the Israeli peace movement back on its feet and convince our public that it is both possible and worthwhile to follow the path of peace with Palestine.
No one who entertains this hope can support the call for boycotting Israel. Those who call for a boycott act out of despair. And that is the root of the matter. ... Click to read full piece online at the Gush-Shalom.org site.
BUFFALO BREWFEST
Yuengling recently joined over 20 other breweries at the Buffalo Brewfest in New York. The event was held on August 8th at the HSBC Arena. This year the festival drew a crowd of nearly 2,500 thirsty samplers! At the Yuengling table, fans enjoyed Traditional Lager, Light Lager, and Black & Tan. All three brands were very well received. Proceeds from this event benefit the Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center. Thank you to our wholesaler partner CH Wright for making this a successful sampling event!
For more information on the Buffalo Brewfest, check out the article that was recently published in the Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/758648.html
For more information on the Buffalo Brewfest, check out the article that was recently published in the Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/758648.html
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Socially useless, privately useful.
Earlier this week, Lord Turner described much of our banking sector's activities as "socially useless". Well, if much of banking provides no value to society, why do bankers bother? The reason is simple, industry insiders are using these "socially useless" activities to rip off shareholders and savers.
Whatever bankers might say, running a bank is a straightforward business. A bank makes loans, and receives interest. It also provides non-lending services, such as money transfers, exchange rate sales, for which it receives fees. So long as a bank lends to firms and individuals who can pay back the loans, then the cash just rolls in.
Once the cash floods into the bank, it needs to be distributed. Some of it needs to go on running costs. Of course, the government needs their cut; a modest amount of tax needs to be paid. The rest goes to either the staff, the shareholders, or to depositors.
For the jokers who run banks, the question is simple; how do we get to keep as much of the residual profits without passing it on as interest payments to depositors or alienating the shareholders?
The answer is to generate a huge quantity of useless financial transactions which can be passed off as risk management techniques. These transactions, which are typically described as derivatives, generates huge bonuses for the staff and neatly redistributes income away from shareholders and depositors.
So, Lord Turner is right when he says that much of banking is socially useless. However, for bank staff, it is privately very useful. It keeps the profits of banking in the pockets of bankers at the expense of the rest of us.
Whatever bankers might say, running a bank is a straightforward business. A bank makes loans, and receives interest. It also provides non-lending services, such as money transfers, exchange rate sales, for which it receives fees. So long as a bank lends to firms and individuals who can pay back the loans, then the cash just rolls in.
Once the cash floods into the bank, it needs to be distributed. Some of it needs to go on running costs. Of course, the government needs their cut; a modest amount of tax needs to be paid. The rest goes to either the staff, the shareholders, or to depositors.
For the jokers who run banks, the question is simple; how do we get to keep as much of the residual profits without passing it on as interest payments to depositors or alienating the shareholders?
The answer is to generate a huge quantity of useless financial transactions which can be passed off as risk management techniques. These transactions, which are typically described as derivatives, generates huge bonuses for the staff and neatly redistributes income away from shareholders and depositors.
So, Lord Turner is right when he says that much of banking is socially useless. However, for bank staff, it is privately very useful. It keeps the profits of banking in the pockets of bankers at the expense of the rest of us.
Debloating
The bloated banking system is about to shrink. What is the right verb to describe this process? To debloat, perhaps. So, lets conjugate...
I debloat;
you debloat
He debloats,
She debloats..etc
From the Mail.....
More than a third of the Halifax branch network faces closure by its owner Lloyds in one of the biggest bank culls in history. The move, which immediately sparked bitter criticism, would wipe out 550 small branches and 'agency counters' inside the offices of estate agents, solicitors and financial consultants.
It would cause huge job losses and intensify fears that the historic Halifax name may disappear completely. Altogether, the Halifax, once Britain's biggest building society, has about 1,300 branches.
I debloat;
you debloat
He debloats,
She debloats..etc
From the Mail.....
More than a third of the Halifax branch network faces closure by its owner Lloyds in one of the biggest bank culls in history. The move, which immediately sparked bitter criticism, would wipe out 550 small branches and 'agency counters' inside the offices of estate agents, solicitors and financial consultants.
It would cause huge job losses and intensify fears that the historic Halifax name may disappear completely. Altogether, the Halifax, once Britain's biggest building society, has about 1,300 branches.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tournament updates
From now on until the tournament, there will be regular updates for the registered teams.
If you haven't registered yet, but would like to receive them to stay informed, email us at: petanqueamericaopen@gmail.com
Circular # 1 - Aug 29 (PDF)
If you haven't registered yet, but would like to receive them to stay informed, email us at: petanqueamericaopen@gmail.com
Circular # 1 - Aug 29 (PDF)
Tournament updates
From now on until the tournament, there will be regular updates for the registered teams.
If you haven't registered yet, but would like to receive them to stay informed, email us at: petanqueamericaopen@gmail.com
Circular # 1 - Aug 29 (PDF)
If you haven't registered yet, but would like to receive them to stay informed, email us at: petanqueamericaopen@gmail.com
Circular # 1 - Aug 29 (PDF)
BREAKING NEWS: Bobcat Considering Bun Change
We stopped into the Bobcat Bite for our semi-annual Green Chile Cheeseburger fix and noticed that once again not much has changed. That is until John Eckre conspicuously approached me in the dining room with a bag of buns. "I want your professional opinion," he started and my heart sank. The bag contained 5 large, semi-hard rolls and were cold to the touch. John explained that the white squishy buns they currently use tend to disintegrate in the to-go orders. I can safely attest that the buns do nearly disintegrate even if you get them hot of the grill and eat them at the counter. It's just a fact of life - Bobcat burgers are a bit much for the buns.
"I like them because they actually taste like homemade bread," he continued. I think I made a face but I had to give them a try. John is a good friend but my expectations were low. I was SHOCKED to discover that the bun worked. The 9-ounce patty at the Bobcat is a beast but this test bun cradled the burger perfectly. After John had warmed the bun on a nearby griddle it was as soft as a white squishy and held up to the copious amount of juice a Bobcat burger produces.
Bonnie Eckre is not interested in a new bun but only because she fears change. I think she'll change her mind. This bun was made for the Bobcat Burger. Sometimes a little change is good (just a little). For now the white squishys are still in use (and understandably John is afraid to break it to his current bun supplier).
BREAKING NEWS: Bobcat Considering Bun Change
We stopped into the Bobcat Bite for our semi-annual Green Chile Cheeseburger fix and noticed that once again not much has changed. That is until John Eckre conspicuously approached me in the dining room with a bag of buns. "I want your professional opinion," he started and my heart sank. The bag contained 5 large, semi-hard rolls and were cold to the touch. John explained that the white squishy buns they currently use tend to disintegrate in the to-go orders. I can safely attest that the buns do nearly disintegrate even if you get them hot of the grill and eat them at the counter. It's just a fact of life - Bobcat burgers are a bit much for the buns.
"I like them because they actually taste like homemade bread," he continued. I think I made a face but I had to give them a try. John is a good friend but my expectations were low. I was SHOCKED to discover that the bun worked. The 9-ounce patty at the Bobcat is a beast but this test bun cradled the burger perfectly. After John had warmed the bun on a nearby griddle it was as soft as a white squishy and held up to the copious amount of juice a Bobcat burger produces.
Bonnie Eckre is not interested in a new bun but only because she fears change. I think she'll change her mind. This bun was made for the Bobcat Burger. Sometimes a little change is good (just a little). For now the white squishys are still in use (and understandably John is afraid to break it to his current bun supplier).
Who's coming??
Update 10/02It went very fast this week. We're at 74 teams, including a few single players we're working on matching up with others.
Update 9/23
45 teams, and another state: CO
Update 9/17
Just got a call from Canada. Several teams are "warming up" for the tournament.
Update 09/16
36 teams, and two more states: SC & ME
Update 09/10
We're now at 32 teams, including CT.
Update 09/04:
One more state this week: MA
As of today, 11 weeks before the tournament, 25 teams have already registered. Representing a total of 11 states (see map). Only 39 to go!
We're planning to limit the tournament to 80 teams, so please register as soon as possible.
Who's coming??
Update 10/02It went very fast this week. We're at 74 teams, including a few single players we're working on matching up with others.
Update 9/23
45 teams, and another state: CO
Update 9/17
Just got a call from Canada. Several teams are "warming up" for the tournament.
Update 09/16
36 teams, and two more states: SC & ME
Update 09/10
We're now at 32 teams, including CT.
Update 09/04:
One more state this week: MA
As of today, 11 weeks before the tournament, 25 teams have already registered. Representing a total of 11 states (see map). Only 39 to go!
We're planning to limit the tournament to 80 teams, so please register as soon as possible.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Ocean Rowing: Roz Changes Course
We'll stick with the nautical theme for the day, and check back in with Roz Savage, who I haven't written about for a few weeks time. Roz is still out on the water, and is still working away on the second stage of her attempt to row solo across Pacific, but it has not been easy for her in recent days, and circumstances have conspired against her, forcing her to change her course away from Tuvalu, her intended destination.
Conditions out on the water have been extremely challenging for Roz of late. Westward drift has pushed her further than she had expected, and even using the sea anchor has not been all that useful at halting her slide. Now normally, you'd be thinking "Isn't westward drift a good thing when crossing the Pacific?" and you would be right, unless you're trying to hit a very specific target, like the island nation of Tuvalu. Roz has now drifted so far west that it'll be almost impossible for her to continue moving south and reach that nation. So, in her latest dispatch, she has announced that she is no longer attempting to reach Tuvalu at all, and will instead head towards Tarawa, another tiny island in the Pacific.
This announcement is a bit disappointing for Roz, who had hoped to arrive in Tuvalu as a way of bringing awareness of global climate change to a nation that is already being directly effected by that change. But, Tarawa is now well within her sights, and is just 300 nautical miles away, meaning she should arrive in the next week or two. According to the RozTracker, she has now been at sea for more than 95 days and has traveled 2747 miles, using approximately 1,161,981 oar strokes to cover that distance.
So, it seems that Stage 2 of Roz's journey will come to an end soon. And with this change in location, her journey next year, on Stage 3, will be altered as well. But, such is the life of an ocean rower, who must adapt on the fly and be prepared for anything. Knowing Roz, I'm sure she'll have an optimistic spin on things and will take it all in stride. For now though, I'm sure she's just glad to be on her way to dry land again.
Court Delays Laura Dekker's Sailing Aspirations
While we're on the subject of solo-circumnavigation attempts, we've got an update today on Laura Dekker, the 13-year old girl who Dutch authorities took into protective custody a few days back to prevent her from setting out on her on solo adventure.
A panel of three Dutch judges has ruled that Laura's plan is "undeniably daring and risky" and has mandated that the teen under go psychological evaluation to determine her readiness for such a voyage. The state will maintain guardianship for two months, while she undergoes the evaluation to determine if she will be allowed to go after her dream of sailing solo around the world.
In some respects, this is good news for Laura. The two month delay will mean nothing in the greater scheme of things, and if she can convince them that she is both physically and mentally prepared for the challenges she'll face at sea, it seems she'll be allowed to make the voyage on her 26 foot yacht dubbed the Guppy.
It'll certainly be interesting to see how this case plays out. I personally still feel she is too young, even if the Dutch officials rule that she can go. She wouldn't be allowed to drive a car in most countries, and yet they're talking about turning her loose on the open seas, facing storms, high winds, mechanical failures, and worse. I guess we'll have to wait until October to find out if she can make the attempt.
New York City Event: Pro-active Humanist Zionism Now!
Challenging American and Israeli Jews to make a better Israel
featuring special guest:
Leah Shakdiel
Monday, September 14, 2009featuring special guest:
Leah Shakdiel
During the Gaza War of last winter, Leah Shakdiel, a modern orthodox woman, peace activist and feminist was arrested with others during a vigil protesting the violence and killing on both sides. The Israeli government put her under house arrest and through these actions threatened her political freedoms of speech, assembly, and organizing.
Through teaching and continued activist work with Israeli Human Rights NGOs like Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights, Leah works tirelessly to bring the values of peace, equality, human rights, and social justice to the next generation of Israelis.
Through teaching and continued activist work with Israeli Human Rights NGOs like Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights, Leah works tirelessly to bring the values of peace, equality, human rights, and social justice to the next generation of Israelis.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
$10 Donation requested at the door
Presented by Meretz USA
this event will be held at
The Village Temple
33 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003
(between University Place and Broadway)
RSVPs should be made to rachel@meretzusa.org or (212) 242 - 4500.
BIOGRAPHY
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Leah Shakdiel, a modern orthodox woman at the forefront of the peace and feminist movement in Israel was born in Jerusalem in 1951 to a family of Modern Orthodox Pioneers. In 1978 Leah moved to a small development town in the Negev Desert with a group committed to Halacha, social responsibility, peace, and ecology. She received her degree from Bar Ilan University and went on to teach Hebrew and Jewish studies; creating teaching materials and coordinating and directing projects and institutions in the areas of education and community.
Throughout all of her political and social activism she has worked on behalf of peace, empowering the disadvantaged, civil and human rights, and feminism, and published academic and popular articles in all these areas.
In 1988 she became Israel's first female member of a local Religious Council, following a successful struggle that ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision.
Currently she teaches in Sapir College near Sderot, in the Overseas Students Program in Ben Gurion University, and in various post-high school pre-military programs. She is also a dedicated member and activist for Israel Human Rights NGOs such as Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights.
Meretz MKs condemn proposal to restrict entry to Israel’s diplomatic corps
This week, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, proposed that only those who have performed military or national service be entitled to serve in Israel’s diplomatic corps. The effect would be to exclude almost two entire sectors of Israeli society – Arab citizens and the ultra-orthodox. YNet reports the story here.
Meretz chair Chaim Oron called on PM Netanyahu to, “remove the Foreign Minister from his position”. Oron explained: “At the head of Israel’s diplomatic front is a man who is clueless when it comes to civics and democracy. Lieberman is operating daily to foment discord with Israel’s Arab citizens and to isolate Israel from the international community”.
Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz declared that, “Lieberman continues to incite against entire sectors of Israeli society, out of crass racism and discrimination, without offering them any real path toward social integration.” Horowitz proposed a comprehensive national service program that would allow all Israelis to enjoy equal rights based on equal civic obligations.
For more on the Meretz website, click here.
Who’s the patriot?
Back in October 1997, freshman Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was in trouble. Just one year into his term, the public’s confidence in him was plummeting and his coalition was already unraveling.
Scampering to reinforce his base of support in the right-wing and religious sectors, while finding a message that might also appeal to centrist ears, Netanyahu remarked publicly to the late Rabbi Yitzhak Kaddouri, of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party: Israel’s “leftists have forgotten what it means to be Jewish”. These same leftists, he said, were willing to, “place our security in Arab hands”.
Netanyahu’s remarks, of course, were not directed at the religious faith of the Israeli left, nor its secular cultural identity. They were intended to cast doubt on the left’s patriotism, to tarnish its image, to depict its members as standing outside the ring of solidarity and mutual responsibility that kept the Jewish people safe.
Five years later, during the government of Ariel Sharon, a similar line of attack was applied to Yossi Beilin – who had helped guide the Oslo Process and was then crafting the breakthrough Geneva Initiative. Beilin was an ‘agent of foreign governments’, the right began to argue, ‘exposing’ the fact that the non-profit he headed, the Economic Cooperation Foundation (ECF), had received contributions from the European Union.
No evidence was ever provided, of course, that Beilin ‘sold out’ Israel’s interests – but the damage was already done. The Geneva Initiative, unveiled the following year, faced an uphill struggle against a lingering public perception that its Israeli advocates were somehow un-Israeli.
Flash forward to 2009. The Israeli human rights group, “Breaking the Silence” (BTS, for short), is now under attack, once again being depicted as in the pay of foreign interests.
The attack began a month ago, a week after the group published a compilation of 30 soldier testimonies that raised serious questions about the moral conduct of Israel’s military during the December-January Gaza War, “Operation Cast Lead”.
In reaction, Israel’s Foreign Ministry, headed by Avigdor Lieberman, decided to punish the group, placing pressure on three European nations that had supported BTS – the Netherlands, Great Britain and Spain – to terminate their funding.
But rather than seeking to accomplish this goal through quiet diplomacy, Lieberman’s officials made sure to spread the news to the press in an effort to undermine BTS’ credibility. “A friendly [foreign] government cannot fund opposition bodies,” a Foreign Ministry official explained to the media, suggesting that a hostile foreign regime certainly would.
In reality, Breaking the Silence (“Shovrim Shtika” in Hebrew), whose US tour Meretz USA helped promote last year, is composed of men and women who have put their bodies on the line for Israel’s security: Its activists are all veteran IDF soldiers. They care about their country. About its security. About its character. About its future.
Accusing one’s political rivals of ‘consorting with’ or ‘serving’ the enemy is not a new ploy, of course, nor is it unique to the Israeli political system. But with the image of the “self-hating Jew” so visceral in Jewish and Zionist discourse – as we are reminded by the recent flap over whether Netanyahu so branded Obama aides, Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod – the accusation carries particular weight in the Israeli context.
Progressive friends of Israel and progressive Israelis, like the people of Breaking the Silence, need to relentlessly drive home the message that we are no less concerned over the welfare of the Jewish people and Israel than those who brook no criticism of Israeli government policy.
As former Senator George McGovern once said: “The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain”.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Skolnik
Executive Director
Meretz USA
Mike Perham Completes Solo Circumnavigation, Now Youngest To Do So
The race to be the youngest person to ever sail solo around the world continues, but the bar has now been set even higher, or in this case lower I suppose. British sailor Mike Perham reached the end of his circumnavigation attempt yesterday, successfully completing the 28,000 mile journey in just nine months time. He now lays claim to the title of youngest person to sail around the world, besting Zac Sunderland, who finished his circumnavigation in July, by just a few months.
Perham made his voyage aboard a 50-foot yacht designed for racing named the TotallyMoney.com after his major sponsor. This is a bit of a contrast from Sunderland, who purchased and restored his own 36-foot boat, and mostly funded his journey himself. Still, Perham did face plenty of challenges along the way, including a broken auto-pilot and incredibly difficult weather conditions.
Interestingly enough, Perham and Sunderland crossed paths on their journey, bumping into one another in South Africa. I'd guess that was quite an interesting conversation, sharing notes and thoughts with one another. They're both in an exclusive club of young circumnavigators, and Perham even stopped off to visit Jessica Watson in Australia on his way past. At 16 years of age, she hopes to set off later this year for her own attempt to solo sail around the world.
Of course, if 13 year old Laura Dekker has her way, she'll be the one going after the record soon. I still contend that 13 years old is too young to go on a solo voyage around the world, but we'll see how that plays out down the line I suppose.
Find more about Mike at his official website.
Moved Houses Become Happy Homes in Oregon
The Gazette Times reports that Willamette Neighborhood Housing moved a couple houses after buying the land on which they stood and where the organization planned to build a multi-family housing project. Instead of demolishing them, they decided to move them to a plot of land that the nonprofit owns on Southwest Leonard Street, where they became part of the Community Land Trust Program. The point of the land trust is to sell the houses to low-income first-time homebuyers for about half the usual cost of a house in Corvallis.
The total costs for the moving and rehabilitation of both homes totaled $279,996, which was largely financed by the City of Corvallis, as well as Community Frameworks and Neighborworks America. http://tiny.cc/R9eio
http://tiny.cc/R9eio
The total costs for the moving and rehabilitation of both homes totaled $279,996, which was largely financed by the City of Corvallis, as well as Community Frameworks and Neighborworks America. http://tiny.cc/R9eio
http://tiny.cc/R9eio
TAMPA GUITAR PROMO 8-29-09
Tomorrow, Saturday August 29th, is the next round of the Tampa Bay area Martin Guitar promotions. The promo will be at Crabby Bill's Indian Rock Beach location. Come on out for your chance to enter to win a Limited Edition Yuengling Martin guitar! Also, the guitar hero contests will continue at this round and the winner of the contest will get Metalica tickets and a cash prize! They will also be in the running to win the Wii and the Guitar Hero game as well.
Yuengling specials for this event include $1.80 pints, $2.50 bottles, and a bucket special of 5 bottles for $10.00. The event starts at 9pm. Hope to see you there.
Crabby Bill's
401 Gulf Blvd.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Rest of Everest Episodes 111 & 112: Closing The Annapurna IV Expedition
Still catching up on all kinds of things after being away for two weeks, and one of the things that I'm working on is getting caught up on two episodes of The Rest of Everest that were released while I was away. When I last left off, Ben and Josh were high on Annapurna IV, the 24,688 foot mountain that they've been attempting to climb and then ski back down for the past number of episodes.
Episode 111 is entitled Onward and Downward, and it mainly focuses on the team returning to base camp and packing up their gear in preparation to leave. At the end of the expedition, there is a bit of a subdued feeling, as it is now time to go home, but without a successful summit under their belt. With the gear packed up and ready to go, Ben, Josh, and Tim return to the Annapurna Circuit for the long hike out.
Episode 112 is the last of the Annapurna IV episodes, aptly titled The End of the Annapurna IV Expedition, shows the guys returning to Pokara, where they decide to have some fun before they have to head home. So, they rent some motorcycles and scooters and hit the road.
Both of these episodes show the second half of the Annapurna circuit and have lots of great footage from that beautiful area. The High Himalaya are on full display and the scenery is, as you'd expected from the Rest of Everest, spectacular. Both of these episodes are fitting ends to the Annapurna IV series, with so much great stuff packed in each. And up next, we can expect episodes focusing on the Ski The Himalayas Expedition, which was just completed this past spring. Coming soon!
Google Docs: now with translation
At Google, I often collaborate with colleagues around the world, so it's quite common to be working with someone whose native language is different from my own. To make sharing content easier, we just added the ability to translate documents into Google Docs.
With this feature you can write a doc once, and with a few clicks make it available in any of 42 supported languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croation, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Here is an example of an interview feedback form being translated from English to Russian.
When you combine this new feature with the template gallery, things get more interesting. Anyone in your domain can make a template, and put it in your organization's own gallery. From there, colleagues from around the world will be able to grab a copy of the template and with a couple of clicks, localize it into the language that they're most comfortable with. All of the document's original formatting and layout will be preserved.
You can find the Translate option under the Tools menu.
With this feature you can write a doc once, and with a few clicks make it available in any of 42 supported languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croation, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Here is an example of an interview feedback form being translated from English to Russian.
You can find the Translate option under the Tools menu.
Posted by Jeff Harris, Associate Product Manager, Google Docs team
Get timely updates on new features in Google Apps by subscribing to our RSS feed or email alerts.
Get timely updates on new features in Google Apps by subscribing to our RSS feed or email alerts.
Around The Americas Update: Through The Northwest Passage!
Great news for anyone following the Around The Americas expedition. The crew of the Ocean Watch has successfully navigated the Northwest Passage and have now moved out into the relatively warmer waters of the Prince Regent Inlet. This is a major milestone for the ship and her crew, who are making the first circumnavigation of North and South America.
The last time we checked in on the Ocean Watch, it was just setting out into the Passage. But now, a month later, it is through that legendary passage and will soon turn south, towards Cape Horn, and the next perilous milestone on the 24,000 mile journey.
The expedition is attempting to become the first to sail completely around both North and South America, a journey which has only recently been made possible thanks to global climate change and the opening of the Northwest Passage. Along the way, the ship will pass through diverse waters, and take scientific measurements in order to record the impact of climate change on those waters. You can follow along with the crew thanks to their always interesting and well written blog reports, and track the progress of the Ocean Watch itself.
It is great to see that the team has cleared the Passage and is making excellent, steady progress. They obviously still have a very long way to go, but this is arguably the most dangerous leg of the journey, at least until they reach the Cape. Until then, they'll probably enjoy the warmer waters and take their time through the Caribbean. Or maybe that's just what I would do. ;)
Remembering Senator Kennedy
IN MEMORY OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY
From Chris Harper-Fahey, NeighborWorks America, New England District
Always concerned about those less fortunate, Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy name was iconic in Massachusetts. As a young girl, I was often moved by President John Kennedy’s call to public service and Robert’s concern about the poor and I was inspired by the youngest of the three Kennedys, "Teddy" and that he cared about working families in Massachusetts. But it wasn’t until I was an adult raising a family as a single mom, that I really started to pay attention to Senator Ted Kennedy’s social purpose and legislative vision: health care, equality, immigration reform, social justice, and his call to public service just to name a few. He inspired me to pursue a path in public service and social justice and to fight for those less fortunate. But it wasn’t until I heard the Senator’s eulogy for his brother Bobby Kennedy, that I understood my heart’s call. I eventually found that affordable housing was my call. Today, in memory of Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy, I share this with you, changing it only to reflect my view of his life’s work, his belief’s and today, his call to us.
"Ted Kennedy need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, but to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. Those of us who loved him, and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will someday come to pass for all the world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" Ted Kennedy dreamt of things that never were and say, "Why not?"
From Chris Harper-Fahey, NeighborWorks America, New England District
Always concerned about those less fortunate, Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy name was iconic in Massachusetts. As a young girl, I was often moved by President John Kennedy’s call to public service and Robert’s concern about the poor and I was inspired by the youngest of the three Kennedys, "Teddy" and that he cared about working families in Massachusetts. But it wasn’t until I was an adult raising a family as a single mom, that I really started to pay attention to Senator Ted Kennedy’s social purpose and legislative vision: health care, equality, immigration reform, social justice, and his call to public service just to name a few. He inspired me to pursue a path in public service and social justice and to fight for those less fortunate. But it wasn’t until I heard the Senator’s eulogy for his brother Bobby Kennedy, that I understood my heart’s call. I eventually found that affordable housing was my call. Today, in memory of Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy, I share this with you, changing it only to reflect my view of his life’s work, his belief’s and today, his call to us.
"Ted Kennedy need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, but to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. Those of us who loved him, and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will someday come to pass for all the world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" Ted Kennedy dreamt of things that never were and say, "Why not?"
Governmentium: New Element on Periodic Table
In the US, this post might be interpreted as right-wing, because the right is anti-government. For Israel, however, this should be read as a commentary on the bloated nature of governing coalitions, especially the current government that has a record number of ministers and deputy ministers to accommodate its constituent parties. -- R. Seliger
This was forwarded (from an email long circulating the Web) by Haifa resident, Zeev Raphael, a retired mechanical engineer who worked at the Technion from 1961 until 2000:
Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.
Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.
This characteristic of moron's promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates as much energy as Governmentium because it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.
This time it is different
Between 1964 and 2007, the UK fiscal deficit averaged 2.7 percent of GDP. Some years it was higher, others it was lower. However, no government ever attempted to push the deficit into double digits.
Until now......
Mainstream media picks up on the corporate credit crunch
Regular readers will know that I have been banging on about the dangers of the corporate credit crunch for several weeks. Now, the FT have picked up on it.....
Investment by businesses collapsed in the second quarter of this year as the shortage of credit and the recession cut into British companies’ spending plans.
New spending by businesses on a range of investments from new building work to computer software fell by 10.4 per cent from the previous quarter, the Office of National Statistics reported, the biggest decline since 1985 excluding a blip in the data in 2005 and much worse than consensus forecast of a 3.6 per cent decline.
Investment was 18.4 per cent lower than a year earlier – the sharpest decline since records began in 1966.
Investment by businesses collapsed in the second quarter of this year as the shortage of credit and the recession cut into British companies’ spending plans.
New spending by businesses on a range of investments from new building work to computer software fell by 10.4 per cent from the previous quarter, the Office of National Statistics reported, the biggest decline since 1985 excluding a blip in the data in 2005 and much worse than consensus forecast of a 3.6 per cent decline.
Investment was 18.4 per cent lower than a year earlier – the sharpest decline since records began in 1966.
Fighting words
Lord Turner is talking tough over the banks. It seems that the head of the FSA now thinks that many of their activities are "socially useless". Moreover, he thinks a tax on bonuses might be useful.
It all sounds great to me. From the BBC....
The boss of UK watchdog the Financial Services Authority (FSA) says he would be happy to consider a tax on banks to prevent excessive bonus payments.
FSA chairman Lord Turner also told Prospect magazine that the financial services sector had "grown beyond a socially reasonable size".
The FSA said he was "not setting out any new policy" and the government said taxation was a matter for the Treasury.
Lord Turner said that a tax on financial transactions in the City would cut banks' profits, and thereby reduce the funds available for bonuses.
It all sounds great to me. From the BBC....
The boss of UK watchdog the Financial Services Authority (FSA) says he would be happy to consider a tax on banks to prevent excessive bonus payments.
FSA chairman Lord Turner also told Prospect magazine that the financial services sector had "grown beyond a socially reasonable size".
The FSA said he was "not setting out any new policy" and the government said taxation was a matter for the Treasury.
Lord Turner said that a tax on financial transactions in the City would cut banks' profits, and thereby reduce the funds available for bonuses.
Hamburger America and the Blue Moon Burger Bash
I was just asked to be a special guest at the Blue Moon Burger Bash, hosted by Rachel Ray, at the Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival. They've asked me to bring my Hamburger America Slide Show to the event to be projected onto the tent's ceiling (you can view a very small portion of it here). The slide show contains hundreds of images of burger joints, burger people, and of course burgers. The collection is the result of over 10 years of exhaustive burger research. The show also contains all 200+ photos from my book.
The Burger Bash will also be auctioning off one of my large framed editioned burger prints (image TBD) and the proceeds will benefit the Food Bank for NYC.
I missed last year's bash (and the one in South Beach) so I'm looking forward to the event. Hope to see you there!
Hamburger America and the Blue Moon Burger Bash
I was just asked to be a special guest at the Blue Moon Burger Bash, hosted by Rachel Ray, at the Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival. They've asked me to bring my Hamburger America Slide Show to the event to be projected onto the tent's ceiling (you can view a very small portion of it here). The slide show contains hundreds of images of burger joints, burger people, and of course burgers. The collection is the result of over 10 years of exhaustive burger research. The show also contains all 200+ photos from my book.
The Burger Bash will also be auctioning off one of my large framed editioned burger prints (image TBD) and the proceeds will benefit the Food Bank for NYC.
I missed last year's bash (and the one in South Beach) so I'm looking forward to the event. Hope to see you there!
HERE FOR THE BEER VIDEO
The crew from HereForTheBeer.com visited Yuengling in the spring time this year. Tim and Amy Brady founded this unique site that is dedicated to better beers! The site features videos of breweries and industry events from around the US. They have some great episodes posted and the Yuengling video was recently uploaded for fans to see. You can watch the ten minute video below, and be sure to check out HereForTheBeer.com too!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2010 Everest Trek Announced!
While I was away, with my head firmly buried in the world of adventure racing, Jon Miller and Chris Marquardt announced their Everest Trek 2010, which is being billed as "A once-in-a-lifetime experience...again!" The expedition will once again be a mix of adventure travel and photography/videography workshop for the lucky few who get to go along on the trip.
For those that don't know, Chris Marquardt produces the Tips From the Top Floor podcast, which is one of the best photography podcasts around. Chris is a professional photographer who conducts workshops all over Europe and the United States. Regular readers of this blog, will probably recognize Jon Miller, who is the producer of The Rest of Everest video podcast, which is the most comprehensive look at climbing Mt. Everest and other big Himalayan peaks that I'm aware of.
Last year, the trekking group made the standard hike up the Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp. This year, the trek will be a bit different, and longer, venturing into Tibet and along Everest's lesser known East Side, where fewer climbers and trekkers ever go. The area is described as more of a wilderness trek, and much different than the usual trekking circuits in the region. And of course, you'll also get lots of great instruction on how to use those fancy digital still and video cameras that you've purchased, but still haven't completely figured out.
To sign up to receive more information via e-mail head on over to the trek's official website at EverestTheTrek.com.
EPA Administrator Speaks at Blacks In Government Conference
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson spoke at the Blacks in Government 31stAnnual onference on August 25th.The Administrator announced the creation of a new position at EPA - Associate Assistant Administrator for Outreach, Diversity and Collaboration – to:
“spearhead and coordinate diversity initiatives across the entire agency.”
The announcement reflects the Administrator’s commitment to “diversify the voices of those calling forenvironmental change – even if they don’t call themselvesenvironmentalists.”
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Dutch Government Move To Block 13-Year Old From Sailing Around the World
The Outside Online Blog has an interesting story about a 13-year old girl named Laura Dekker who was hoping to sail solo around the world, but has now been taken into temporary custody by the Council of Child Protection in Holland to prevent her from hitting the open seas.
According to the story, Laura's parents fully support her goals and have a good understanding of the issues with long distance sailing. In fact, the girl was born aboard a boat while they were circumnavigating the globe, and she lived aboard a ship for the first four years of her life. But the Dutch Government feels like she doesn't have the proper experience and skill set to survive alone on the ocean for months at a time, and have taken custody of her for her own safety.
Lately there has been plenty of young men and women who have been vying for the title of the youngest person to ever sail solo around the world. Recently, Zac Sunderland set the new mark, at the age of 17, but several others are gearing up to make their runs soon as well, including Zac's own sister. The question is, when is it too young to go on such a dangerous journey?
Personally, I think 13-years old is too young. While I'm sure Laura is comfortable aboard a ship, and probably quote competent than I'll ever be at sailing a ship, there are just certain things that a person that young is not quite equipped to handle just yet, not the least of which is the months alone at sea. The thoughts of pirates and other dangers are too scary to even think about really.
Hopefully her parents will think twice before sending her out, and I support the Dutch in making this move. She can still sail around the world in a few years time, so I say let her grow up first and she can have the adventures she wants down the line. After all, why send her out at 13 unless it really is about the "youngest" record?
Now That's a Burger Tattoo
How committed to burgers and punk are you? Chicago expert burger taster Jay has proven his love of both by getting this kick-ass tattoo. The design is a cross between a very thick burger and the well-known Black Flag logo. Jay pointed out though that he cannot claim credit for the design - the 'burger bars' logo came from a spoof by comedian Neil Hamburger of Black Flag's seminal EP 'Six Pack'. Jay told me, "Black Flag pretty much changed my life. I'd long considered getting a Black Flag tattoo...This one just seemed too perfect."
Now That's a Burger Tattoo
How committed to burgers and punk are you? Chicago expert burger taster Jay has proven his love of both by getting this kick-ass tattoo. The design is a cross between a very thick burger and the well-known Black Flag logo. Jay pointed out though that he cannot claim credit for the design - the 'burger bars' logo came from a spoof by comedian Neil Hamburger of Black Flag's seminal EP 'Six Pack'. Jay told me, "Black Flag pretty much changed my life. I'd long considered getting a Black Flag tattoo...This one just seemed too perfect."
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