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We recently wrote about the downside of appearing on a reality show such as the Real Housewives of Orange County. The first downside being that your 'perfect' marriage that you pride yourself on will come off as being not so perfect in front of millions of viewers, while your husband's cutesy behavior might come off as being somewhat controlling.
The second downside it seems is skeletons from your closet being unveiled. New housewife on the block, Alexis Bellino, is now experiencing this as her first husband, Jeff Barry, is spilling all sorts of sordid details about the couple's first marriage and nasty divorce to Star magazine. And oh yeah, there are pictures too.
In the latest issue of Star magazine, it is revealed that Alexis and Jeff got married back in 2002 after 3 years of dating. The Missouri college sweethearts would later go on to divorce in 2003 after just 15 months of marriage. Reasons for their divorce includes infidelity, boozy brawls, computer hacking, physical threats and missing money. "We had been college sweethearts in Missouri," Jeff, 31, a sales e ngineer, tells Star. "I never dreamt back then that things between us could turn so ugly."
More details about Alexis's first marriage below –
- The couple moved to San Diego shortly after their 2002 wedding. "We were young and didn't have a lot of money." says Jeff. "Then Alexis…started hanging out with trust fund babies. Having the right pair of expensive jeans became important to her."
- Eventually, Jeff discovered his wife was having an affair with a wealthy father of three she met at the gym.
- "I gave Alexis endless opportunities to fess up, but she kept denying everything," says Jeff. "Then she said she needed her space, moved into her own place and asked me to go to therapy with her. But she only went twice, she made no effort at all."
- Jeff pretended to be a friend of Alexis's and started emailing her under false pretenses. His suspicions were confirmed that Alexis was indeed sleeping with the married wealthy man.
- Jeff then sent a mass email out to couple's friends and family, in which he referred to Alexis as a "gold-digging homewrecker," and a "$2 whore."
- In the divorce filing, Jeff said of Alexis, "She can be an extremely mean, irrational drunk… She once took off her top in front of my best man to make me mad because she was upset that I smoked a cigarette."
The couple's divorce was finalized in June 2004. According to Jeff, he hasn't had any contact with Alexis in four years.
"I'm not surprised she ended up on a show like Real Housewives," says Jeff, who is now remarried. "She just seems to have even bigger boobs, a nose job and blonder hair now."
According to Star magazine, Alexis declined to comment on this article.


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Buenos Aires Blogs
Buenos Aires blogs and websites
Here's a list of our favorite blogs and websites in English about Buenos Aires.
Highly Recommended:
- Colectivaizeishon – Follow Daniel Tunnard as he takes every bus line in Buenos Aires, blogs about it, and writes a book
- Gringo in Buenos Aires – Huge amounts of useful info and tips for visitors to Buenos Aires
- Salt Shaker – Chef Dan Perlman reviews restaurants in Buenos Aires
- AfterLife – blog by Recoleta cemetery expert Robert Wright
- Pick up the fork – excellent blog about cafes, restaurants and all things food related in the city
- The Hand of Dan – ostensibly a football blog but covering off pitch topics too
- Landing Pad BA – informative and entertaining guide to life in the city
More blogs and websites:
- Frugal Buenos Aires – money saving tips from the cheapest places to eat out to making your own peanut butter
- FotoRuta Blog – the photography tour specialists blog about capturing Buenos Aires on camera
- Good Times & Argentines – things to do in Buenos Aires from the expert team at The Argentine Experience
- Good airs – expats Cintra Scott and Ian Mount's blog about Argentina
- Beyond empanadas – a guide to places to eat out in Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires through my eyes – blog about life and cultural events in the city
- My Buenos Aires Travel Guide – tips about what to see and do and where to stay
- Juanele – open your eyes in BsAs – detailed blog about the Buenos Aires art scene
- Trendy Palermo – news and info about Palermo Viejo in English and Spanish
- Buenos Aires, City of Faded Elegance – posts about history, architecture and things to see in the city
- Moving to and living in Argentina – advice for expats in Buenos Aires
- Yanqui Mike – blog by cattle rancher and expat celebrity
- Buenos Aires Daily – beautiful photographs of the city updated daily
- Sugar & Spice – Palermo cookie store owner Frank Almeida's blog
- Sallycat's Adventures – the blog of English Tango enthusiast and writer Sally Blake
- Buenos Aires Style – information on fashion, life and culture in Buenos Aires
- Cate inc – the blog of photographer Caitlin Kelly
- Expose Buenos Aires – website and blog with information on jobs, learning Spanish, accommodation, attractions and restaurant reviews
- Que se yo? – Excellent blog on all things Argentinean by the author of Pick up the fork
- Carlita's Way – in her words 'A thirty-something Canadian making her way through the wild and wonderful world that is Argentina'
- A Lost Asian in Buenos Aires – tips on eating out and sightseeing in Buenos Aires
- argen-times – English writer Simon Kofoed's observations about life in Argentina
- Buenos Aires English – helpful information for visitors to the city and articles about Argentina written by expats living in Buenos Aires

subset: commoncrawl


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American Government Final Exam 2010
Post your answers on Talk:American Government Final Exam 2010.
1. The influence of the President is perhaps the greatest in:
(a) improving your education.
(b) making your town safer.
(c) affecting foreign nations by war or economic policies.
(d) bringing people to Christ.
2. On November 2, the people of Illinois overwhelmingly approved a referendum allowing them to recall their governor under certain circumstances. But about two weeks later the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that recall of U.S. Senators is unconstitutional. Does this ruling directly affect what happened in Illinois?
I. Yes, because we are all part of the same United States.
II. No, because NJ state court decisions do not apply directly to Illinois.
III. No, because the NJ court decision blocked the recall of federal officials, not state officials.
(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) II and III.
3. Richard Holbrooke passed away this week, from a heart attack. He had a long career as a diplomat for Democratic Administrations, and was known for being an aggressive negotiator nicknamed "The Bulldozer" and the "Raging Bull." Based on this information, for which branch of government did he work?
(a) legislative
(b) executive
(c) judicial
(d) local
4. The election by Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate in January 2010 as the 41st Republican (filling the seat previously held for nearly 50 years by the late Ted Kennedy) was particularly significant because:
(a) 41 votes is a majority of the U.S. Senate.
(b) 41 votes is just enough to block the ratification of treaties.
(c) 41 votes is just enough to block "cloture" with respect to bills being delayed by filibusters.
(d) There's nothing special about having 41 votes; it takes 51 votes to be a majority in the U.S. Senate.
5. Yesterday (Wednesday, December 15), the Senate voted in favor of a major new bill. What must happen next in order for it to become law?
(a) It must be passed by the House of Representatives and then signed by the President.
(b) The President can sign it, and then it can be returned to the House for final passage.
(c) If the House passes it, then the President need not sign it.
(d) It must be passed by 2/3rds of the House and Senate before it can become law.
6. The case called "Citizens United" did which of the following?
(a) It allowed illegal aliens to become President.
(b) It allowed individuals to donate unlimited amounts to candidates running to be elected to federal offices, such as those seeking to become congressmen.
(c) It allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts for or against candidates running for office.
(d) It allowed unlimited anonymous donations to political campaigns.
7. The Equal Access Act (1984) requires which of the following?
(a) Equal access by homeschoolers to public school sports teams.
(b) Equal access by churches to televised programs.
(c) Equal access by public school students to the Bible in classrooms.
(d) Equal access by Christian and other groups to form public school clubs.
8. Which political office has a term of 2 years, which has a term of 4 years, and which has a term of 6 years?
(a) U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and President.
(b) President, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate.
(c) U.S. Senate, President, and U.S. House.
(d) U.S. House, President, and U.S. Senate.
9. Someone who is opposed to classroom prayer in public schools is also likely to have which of the following political views:
(a) support Christmas displays on public property.
(b) support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
(c) support taxpayer-funded abortion.
(d) support teaching criticisms of evolution in public schools.
10. Suppose the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upholds the constitutionality of "ObamaCare" (the Democratic health care bill signed into law in March 2010), but then the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit holds the same law to be unconstitutional. What would be the overall affect?
I. Under the "first come, first serve" rule, the Sixth Circuit ruling would govern.
II. The Fourth Circuit ruling would trump the Sixth Circuit ruling
III. The Sixth Circuit ruling would be law for some states, while the Fourth Circuit ruling would be law for some other states.
IV. The U.S. Supreme Court would likely hear the case to resolve the conflict.
(a) I only.
(b) II only.
(c) IV only.
(d) III and IV only.
11. Exit polls were more precise and significant before the recent increase in:
(a) internet.
(b) early voting.
(c) television.
(d) push polling.
12. When the Chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party heard that hundreds of Tea Party activists were planning to attend its meeting on Monday, December 13, he abruptly cancelled the meeting. What is the best the Tea Party activists can do about this?
(a) Join the Republican Party and try to make it more Tea Party-friendly.
(b) Sue the Republican Party to force it be more friendly to the Tea Party.
(c) Complain to the Democratic Party about this.
(d) Write a letter to the White House to ask the President to prevent this from happening again.
13. Tax cuts typically result in overall economic growth and increased revenue to the government. But a reason why some people oppose tax cuts is:
(a) they prefer more control by government, and the higher the taxes, the greater this control.
(b) increasing taxes always results in increased revenue to the government, and that means a better public school education for Americans.
(c) the government spends money in better ways than families do.
(d) the federal government will need to completely shut down if it does not bring in more taxes.
14. An important example of what would likely be found in the platform of a national political party today is:
(a) its views about teenage study habits.
(b) its views on abortion.
(c) its views on when local streets should be cleaned in your town.
(d) who it thinks should be president in 2016.
15. What is special about the U.S. Constitution?
(a) It has checks and balances to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.
(b) It has a separation of powers to keep one branch from taking over another.
(c) It safeguards against tyranny by ensuring that laws will govern, rather than the whims of men.
(d) All of the above.
16. Why have U.S. Supreme Court Justices been pondering video games?
(a) Because video games are a valuable educational aid, and the more the Justices can play these games, the better they will be able to do their work.
(b) Because video games – particularly the most violent kind – help put life into proper perspective, and that is good for those responsible for making policy decisions about our nation.
(c) Because they will be ruling this spring on whether a California law against selling violent video games to children is constitutional under the Fourth Amendment.
(d) Because they will be ruling this spring on whether a California law against selling violent video games to children is constitutional under the First Amendment.
17. If the House passes a bill, and then the Senate passes a different version of the same bill, what happens next?
(a) The President can sign the last version into law.
(b) A conference committee comprised of members from the House and Senate combine and revise the bills, and the combined version must pass both the House and Senate before it can be signed into law.
(c) The House bill is attached to the Senate bill, and the President can sign both in order to make both the law.
(d) Both the House and Senate must start over from the beginning.
18. Congressional District No. 4 in Illinois consists of two strange shapes connected by a thin strip of land that is merely a median in the middle of highway, where no one lives. It is considered the most ____________ congressional district in the nation.
(a) Democratic
(b) idiotic
(c) Independent
(d) gerrymandered
19. Under ordinary circumstances, how many votes on the U.S. Supreme Court is required for it to agree to hear a case, and how many votes are then required for one side to win it?
(a) 5 and 5
(b) 4 and 4
(c) 1 and 5
(d) 4 and 5
20. The U.S. Senate has all of the following powers EXCEPT:
(a) The power to confirm nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(b) The power to ratify treaties.
(c) The power to impeach a President.
(d) The power to vote on new legislation.
21. An advocate of term limits for U.S. Supreme Court Justices might complain most about which of the following?
(a) judicial activism
(b) judicial restraint
(c) the difficulties of confirming Supreme Court Justices
(d) government expense
22. Recently the former President Bill Clinton came to New York City to hold a special fundraiser for his wife Hillary Clinton to raise money to pay off a debt of $479,000 to her political pollster, which is still remaining from her 2008 campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. Why did Hillary Clinton pay so much to have her own pollster, when there are so many independent pollsters who publish their results?
(a) It's nuts: she paid for something that was freely available, but that is something that Democrats are used to doing when they run government, so it's not a big surprise.
(b) Because candidates themselves want to control and manipulate the polling questions and announcement of results, to make it look like they have more support.
(c) Because there was no publicly available polling for the contest to win the Democratic nomination for president, due to a lack of interest in that election process.
(d) Because even though polling is freely available to the public, it would have been wrong for Hillary Clinton to use that publicly available information.
23. There is never any classroom prayer in public schools anymore:
(a) because the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in Roe v. Wade.
(b) because the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in Engel v. Vitale.
(c) because no public school students want to pray.
(d) because public school students do not need the benefits of prayer.
24. All of the following are examples of what a "think tank" might do EXCEPT:
(a) research the likely effects of expanding immigration.
(b) research the likely effects of cutting taxes.
(c) study and compare the benefits of free enterprise to the harms of socialism.
(d) try to be elected to public office.
25. Which federal agency has the most independence from the President?
(a) the Department of Commerce.
(b) the Department of Defense.
(c) the Environmental Protection Agency.
(d) the Federal Reserve.
26. In early December, representatives from many nations met in Cancun, Mexico to discuss imposing government controls to limit the production of energy, which liberals claim is causing global warming. One commentator wrote about this meeting, "It had little to do with any science about climate change, and everything to do with trying to get the United States and other industrialized nations to redistribute their wealth to the poorer nations under the supervision of eager United Nations bureaucrats." Why is the political distortion of science predictable?
(a) Because scientific truth is inherently liberal.
(b) Because all issues – even scientific ones – become political issues.
(c) Because scientific truth cannot be separated from issues of wealth.
(d) Because global warming cannot be doubted.
27. One example of successful deregulation is:
(a) the Bipartisanship Deregulation Act.
(b) the Airline Deregulation Act.
(c) the Campaign Finance Deregulation Act.
(d) the Video Game Deregulation Act.
28. One reason the "sound bite" is becoming shorter is:
(a) fast food keeps becoming more popular.
(b) politicians are increasingly intelligent and better educated.
(c) attention spans of the public seem to be decreasing.
(d) most political problems have been solved and are well-understood.
29. "Phone banking" is a technique for doing which of the following:
(a) saving money.
(b) improving technology.
(c) helping elect people to office.
(d) finding the best candidates to run for office.
30. "You cannot completely learn politics from a textbook. You need be a volunteer who participates in it to fully understand it." Why might someone say that?
(a) Because politics is about the future, and textbooks cannot keep up with the changes quickly enough.
(b) Because there are many tricks in politics that are difficult to fully understand merely by reading a textbook.
(c) Because there are some similarities between politics and sports, and it is almost impossible to master a sport merely by reading a textbook.
(d) All of the above.
31. Which of the following is the best reason to support divided government?
(a) It passes more laws.
(b) It has more checks and balances.
(c) It promotes smoother government.
(d) It avoids conflicts.
32. One difference between people who are 60 years old compared with people who are 20 years old is:
(a) The 60-year-old is typically healthier.
(b) The 20-year-old is typically richer.
(c) The 60-year-old is typically more liberal than when he was younger.
(d) The 60-year-old is more likely to vote.
33. Rand Paul, a recently elected conservative U.S. Senator from Kentucky, was criticized this fall for implying that complex laws prohibiting racial discrimination by places of public accommodation (such as hotels) are not necessarily desirable. How might Rand Paul respond?
(a) He is a "strict constructionist" who supports all the views of the Confederacy.
(b) He believes in an "evolving" Constitution that should be interpreted to prohibit all forms of discrimination without the need for Congress or states to pass any laws on the topic.
(c) He wants the full support of the hotel industry in Kentucky, which seeks to limit their customers to particular ethnic groups.
(d) He supports powerful and efficient free market forces against discrimination, because in a competitive market bankruptcy would result for hotels that discriminate.
34. Hundreds of thousands of people travel to D.C. in the third week of January to make a strong statement in favor of what?
(a) More taxes.
(b) Life.
(c) Hope.
(d) Equality.
35. Who is prevented from voting in a "closed primary"?
(a) Republicans
(b) Democrats
(c) Independents
(d) Elected officials
36. Suppose your neighbor across the street goes frequently to church, while your closest neighbor on your side of the road never goes to church. Although there are always some individual exceptions to voting patterns, which way are these neighbors more likely to vote based solely on this information?
(a) Republican, and Democratic.
(b) Democratic, and Republican.
(c) Independent, and Republican.
(d) There is no correlation between church attendance and voting patterns.
37. The "pocket veto" can be used by _______ under what circumstances?
(a) Congress, when the President or 50% of the Congress is traveling outside the country.
(b) the President, when Congress is not in session.
(c) the Supreme Court, when there is divided government.
(d) the Speaker of the House, when the "pockets" or legislative pouches are full.
38. Which of the following political tricks might you best use to avoid conflicts in your family?
(a) Filibustering your mom when she tries to teach you an important lesson.
(b) Moving to "table" an issue when your dad demands an explanation for something.
(c) Adopting the rules of a closed primary when arranging for family get-togethers.
(d) Floating a trial balloon before doing something that your parents might not like.
39. The best criticism of "straight-ticket voting" is:
(a) people should not need to buy tickets in order to vote.
(b) political parties should be prohibited by Congress, or at least strictly regulated.
(c) politics is not straightforward.
(d) it can make it more difficult for the best candidate to win.
40. A committee of Congress has all of the following powers EXCEPT:
(a) the power to draft legislation.
(b) the power to recommend legislation.
(c) the power nominate judges.
(d) the power to investigate matters by calling witnesses before it.
(First everyone should answer this one)
All of the following are differences between the U.S. Constitution and the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT:
(a) Establishing an office of President.
(b) Establishing a Supreme Court.
(c) Establishing a Congress.
(d) Establishing a ratification process that does not require approval by all states or colonies.
(Then answer only one question below, as specified)
(For girls only)
You have successfully finished this course, and now you're planning ahead for your first run to be elected to public office. To which office will you first be qualified to be elected and then hold office?
(a) U.S. Senator
(b) U.S. House of Representatives
(c) President
(d) Mayor
(For boys only)
Your public school refuses to allow you to try out for its sports team, even though your family pays as much in taxes (or even more) for that public school than other people who are allowed to participate. How might you best challenge that rule?
(a) Write a letter to the President of the United States.
(b) File legal papers with the U.S. Supreme Court.
(c) Travel to D.C. to meet with your Democratic U.S. Senators.
(d) Lobby Governor Chris Christie to instruct the New Jersey Department of Education to adopt rules to prohibit this discrimination.
Post your answers on Talk:American Government Final Exam 2010.


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By Ephraim Radner
History is not made up of revolutions, sudden wrenchings into new territory. It is made up of often subtle shifts built up over the long term. The present reality is always only the sum of the past. And the future can only emerge from within that past. In a way, there are no such things as "revolutions." This is obvious only as we cast our eyes over the vast landscape of time, the longue durée, as the French say. Russia, China, even France: upheaval tends to settle down to previous structures, often little changed, though now clothed in new forms. Not that there are not drastic effects to so-called revolutions. But these effects are almost always short-lived and to that extent destructive — they make "life short." If there are "real" revolutions, they are the often unexpected results of things that make "life long" — agriculture, new sources of nourishment, peace, sanitary measures, the sudden reduction of infant mortality in the early 20th century and so on. And the effects of these things do indeed show themselves only over time.
It's worth thinking about this when it comes to the Church as well. For the Church has been and is filled with would-be revolutionaries of various kinds, almost all doomed to being swept away and under by the tides of the slow movement of deeper forces.
The Toronto Congress of 1963 needs to be understood in these terms. What was it? — 1,000 delegates, plus spouses, organizers, observers, 250 journalists — a total of about 2,000. And more than 16,000 came to the opening service and thousands to subsequent gatherings at Maple Leaf Gardens, like the Mass Gathering of Missionary Witness (cf. Whitely). Out of this gathering came a "manifesto" called "Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence in the Body of Christ," which proposed several principles of interaction among the churches of the Anglican Communion. The hopes and ballyhoos abounded, so we are told: the Toronto Congress was a "turning point" (Stephen Bayne), "radical change in the whole structure of Anglicanism," "point of no return" (Jesse Zink), a new moment in the "history of consciousness" (obviously an American said this).
At the time, it should be noted, there were also doubts expressed at the Congress. The talks were of abysmal quality (Eugene Fairweather); the discussions were confused; the MRI plan itself vague. Subsequently, the Congress and its MRI document have been called a "failure." The conference and manifesto were really, some have said, but the continuance by new means of Western domination and neo-colonialism within the Communion (Danaher), out of touch with the "new" realities of the world; or again, MRI gave birth only to fake "partnerships" of money-grubbing have-nots, in the face of disdainful "haves"; or to new bureaucracies — the Communion Office and its many commissions — run by unaccountable and unrepresentative "elites." And so on. Even at the conference, someone raised the spectre of "Parkinson's Law" being put into effect: useless work growing to fit the newly minted workers of the Communion's new office.
So: success of failure? The Toronto Congress was neither. It was, rather, the well-profiled emergence of an already entrenched direction, a direction of ecclesial life taken within a continuous course of developing hope, challenge … and mission. And to see this is simply to see where God is still pressing us.
What happened at the Congress? Ten days of talks and discussions and worship, preceded by several meetings in Huron by representative bishops of the Communion and mission leaders, succeeded by World Council of Churches meetings. This was the third Pan-Anglican Congress in our history: gatherings of Anglican leaders, clergy and lay, from around the world, for mutual consultation and encouragement. There had been one in London in 1908, another in Minneapolis in 1954, and now in Toronto. These had no legislative authority, but nonetheless had been officially encouraged by the Lambeth Conferences.
The Congress itself was simply a large gathering to talk about the Anglican Communion, with set speakers, discussion groups, and worship. These were framed according to the tag of "frontiers" in the Church's "mission" and "action." There were talks on the "religious frontiers," "political frontiers," "cultural frontiers," and, in this context, about training, action, and vocation. In the middle of the conference was a long set of presentations on the missionary witness of the church, with speakers offering snapshots from different parts of the world.
It was as a warm up to this "missionary interlude" in the middle of the conference that "Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence in the Body of Christ" was unveiled. It was August 17, in an afternoon gathering in the Canadian Room of the Royal York Hotel, and Donald Coggan, the Archbishop of York (and former professor at Wycliffe College) was the spokesman. The MRI document, a few pages long, is not very interesting, to be honest. It speaks of mission, unity, obedience, and the need to help one another in phrases that are unimaginative and pat. The bulk of the document, however, is devoted to outlining concrete areas where such partnership is called for: a $15 million fund for training, church construction, and new dioceses; a call for new vocations, or "manpower," for the church's work around the world; the press for new interchurch "consultation," and a few general suggestions for institutionalizing this; an exhortation for each church of the Communion to order its priorities according to missionary partnership; and finally, a general demand for "mature" and "non-sentimental" rethinking of the "nature of the Anglican Communion" as a "united" missionary "body": "Mission is not the kindness of the lucky to the unlucky; it is mutual, united obedience to the one God whose mission it is. The form of the church must reflect that" (p. 121).
But note the enormous weight placed on practical engagement. The very phrase "Mutual Interdependence and Responsibility" held little special theological meaning. Its origins lie in 19th-century insurance and contract law, and migrated to social anthropology and, by the mid-20th century, international relations. Anglican bishops and others — including the Mennonite World Conference held in Kitchener the year before the Toronto Congress — had long used terms like "partnership" and "mutuality" to speak of proper ecclesial relationships, and others, as recently as the Diocese of Connecticut in 2012, have simply used the phrase to underline the financial responsibilities of parish assessments. MRI, that is, is a legal-social-financial category, whose concrete meanings tend towards concrete actions, rather than general attitudes.
So was all this earth-shattering? Not really. But it was deeply important, precisely because it tried to concretize an underlying orientation of purpose that had been long-standing. To this I turn.
The first thing to be said is that the Toronto Congress's overriding tone was characterized by two qualities: crisis and mission. Indeed, we can call the peculiar tenor of the Congress one of "crisis missiology." The word "crisis" was struck from the opening talk of Archbishop Ramsey, and repeated by him at the close. Over and over, speakers rose to address the grave threats hovering over both world and church: war itself in many places, the threat of nuclear devastation, political upheaval including Communism and revolution, and the struggles over racial justice in America and elsewhere; the vast numbers of refugees flowing out of these conflicts; poverty and hunger at staggering levels; the "resurgence" of various non-Christian religions, including Islam. Added to this, on an ecclesial and cultural level, was the sense of secularism's encroaching power, fanning widespread materialist and soulless technological assumptions, moral chaos, and threats to family cohesion.
It is important to stress this underlying sensibility. Confidence was in short supply at the Congress, and all the talk about the "disappearance of the Anglican Communion," although it had its origins in issues of church unity, was tinged also with enormous, and very concrete fears. In this context, MRI was a plea and a prayer, not a strategy, let alone a devious if ineffective plot.
Furthermore, the context of crisis colors the well-worn missionary thrust that had characterized Anglican Communion discussions from the start. For "Mission" was at the heart of this conference, as it had been at every other Anglican Congress. At the center of the program was a "mass meeting of missionary witness" held at Maple Leaf Gardens, with thousands in attendance, including addresses from India, Malaya, and Fiji. MRI stated that its purpose was to further "mission as our common task," and Stephen Bayne, the Communion's first Executive Officer, who had labored indefatigably to get leaders to think about the Communion, himself stressed that it was meant to facilitate "planting" the Christian Church "in every place" of the world (Anglican Congress 1963, edited by Eugene Fairweather, p. 192). The plea and the prayer, then, of MRI had to do with the urgent, perhaps even desperate, sense of missionary thirst, tested by the challenges of overwhelming crisis: how to respond concretely so that Jesus Christ's overcoming of the powers of evil is visible and the Gospel touches the entire world? This was a powerful call.
I would add two further themes that emerge — unrehearsed — in the conference. The first is the diversification of the Communion, reflecting the world's felt global life: cultural and political diversity was bursting forth on the consciousness and decision-making demands of governments, and the term "international" had taken on a new and burdensome meaning. Anglicanism had for a long time, after all, stressed the integrity of national cultures and polities. And we should note this was clearly being seen. At Lambeth 1948, there were, by my count, nine non-Western bishops and only one African. At Minneapolis in 1954, there were 12 native bishops, and now, from Africa, Islam was discussed with some concern. In Toronto, there were more than 25 non-Western indigenous bishops, and more than 161 non-Western delegates. It was a striking and accelerating drift, and one whose outcome we all know today: in 1998, 364 non-Anglo-American bishops came to Lambeth, almost half the total number. And at the Toronto Congress their voices were heard, and some, like Bishop John Sadiq of Nagpur, India, took prominent roles in the conference. But at the conference we also hear repeated notes of tension between the need to acknowledge and uphold this diversity and the now dangerous demands of proliferated and vying peoples, among which, somehow, the Church was to press for the Gospel. The Communion, alas, has simply mirrored the development of this fear into reality, as regional and cultural-economic differences have become dominant in our conflicts.
The second subtheme that flew into full view in MRI, was the issue of a lack of resources for mission itself: for training, education, schooling, hospitals, this and that. Churches needed to help one another. For Ramsey, this fact pointed to the simple "law of sacrifice" in St. Paul's terms: "a church which lives by itself will die by itself" (Anglican Congress 1963, pp. 124-25), he famously said. Or, in Japanese Bishop Goto's phrase: a "new era" of "common life" was being inaugurated, yes, even financially: the "dreary goal of autonomy and self-support" is now past (p. 125)!
But let us be clear: not only were the "crises" themselves long in the making; the concerns that crisis seemed to press to the fore were actually always central to the Anglican Communion. In this sense, the Toronto Congress simply shone a light on a Communion that was already well-formed in its commitments, challenges, and orientations.
The Toronto Congress, I have intimated, emerged as the tip of an iceberg from the depths of something much deeper and long-standing. What exactly? In the first place, and fundamentally, the reality that the Anglican "Communion," simply as a concept, was primarily missionary in its origins and meaning. The idea of an "Anglican Church" with a peculiar "communion" derives from the 17th century and then took shape through the self-conscious missionary movement of the Church of England into America, and later elsewhere. By the early 19th century, the notion of "Anglican churches" in the plural — not just the Church of England — was well-founded, and by the mid-19th-century, as is well known, the actual phrase "Anglican Communion" emerges from a very specific missionary context: the Jubilee Anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, the SPG, which had been a leader, with all its foibles, in the Anglican spread of the gospel. There is a "communion" of Anglican "churches," observers noted, precisely as it is the embodied expression of the missionary thrust of Anglicans to plant the gospel in all places.
Everything about a "communion" derived from this missionary thrust. Talks about a Lambeth Conference and so on in the 1850s derived from this, even before worries over Colenso and the rest; and once these conferences took hold, they devoted themselves mainly to missionary concerns. The first 1908 Pan-Anglican Conference was put together by the Mission Boards of York and Canterbury. And Lambeth itself worked synergistically and often through overlapping personnel with the long string of world missionary conferences that began in the late 19th century — London's Anglican missionary conference in 1894, Edinburgh in 1914, Jerusalem in 1928, and Tamburam in 1938. At every step of the Communion's life, it was the world missionary impetus that upheld it, justified it, called it forward. We must never, ever forget that.
So, the Toronto Congress was simply lifting its head up to be seen, in all of its world concerns, from this continuous movement of missionary vision. It did so, however, under new pressures. Until about 1950, almost all Anglican bishops outside of America and a few other places were British, even in the missionary areas, and all had gone to the same public schools and same (two) universities, following the same course of studies. These studies, furthermore, were mostly governed by the ancient classics, not by theology at all, other than the Greek New Testament and the formularies. What kept these bishops together, then — evangelical, high, and low, in England, India, and Africa — was a common social and educational outlook, and the default theological foundation that upheld this church that was basically without leaders trained in academic theology: the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. We cannot underestimate the cohesive value of this homogeneity, as well as the weight it placed on a certain fundamental theological outlook.
But by 1963, this had begun to crack, obviously: bishops around the world were no longer all British or American; local seminaries were now training more and more clergy, including bishops. By 1967, the short-lived experience of a Communion-wide theological college, St. Augustine's College in Canterbury, had folded for lack of support. And the prayer book itself was fading as a means of unity, as Bayne himself admitted, and as, at Lambeth 1948, an important report had expressly worried. The result was that the Toronto Congress's great call, emerging, as I have argued, from a consistent missionary energy, became mired in the incapacity to find personal and structural cohesion. Bayne's "improvisations," as he called the new configurations of the Communion Office, Anglican Consultative Council and its commissions, proved inadequate, and their missionary initiatives — Partners in Mission, Mission consultations, now Indaba — quickly slipped into the perceived irrelevant efforts of a few that masked highly centrifugal forces. Most startling and disorienting, however, was the withering of a missionary center within the now Minority Church of the West, that came into increasing tension with the Global South's Majority churches' evangelistic energies, which proved far more in synch with the long current of the Communion's historical life.
Given that the Anglican Communion's own genetic character was bound to evangelistic mission, the Communion's structures have been pressing to escape the improvisatory bonds that Bayne left us with. That is, in part, the source of our present conflict, and where we are today: "Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence in the Body of Christ" in search of theologically responsible ecclesial structures, and the Communion's missionary bloodstream seeking new vessels through which to renew the body as a whole.
In this light let me suggest several possible new channels of communion:
First, diversity requires a clearer mode of mutual engagement. MRI was significant, because it put this reality and call squarely on the table. And we have seen its demand: not "partnership" in some kind of contractual mode, but "mutual subjection" in the body of Christ, as Paul speaks of it in Ephesians 5:21. That presses towards an ecclesiology that is more than the sum of its national parts, indeed that is explicitly "supranational" — something Bayne still could not countenance. We need "supranational" structures. MRI, in its deep sense, implies that the churches of England and of Canada and of Nigeria and of Ecuador and of the U.S. are not "whole" as they stand and act alone; they are whole only as they subject themselves to one another, in the form of spousal life, as Paul writes. We need to look at the ways that "sovereignty" can creatively and responsibly be broken down. Political scientists and legal scholars and policy-makers have been doing this, in the wake of things like the European Union, Kyoto, human rights law, and so on (see Anne-Marie Slaughter's work). The Church, and the Anglican Communion of course, is not a political entity, though many of its decision-making forms function politically. But churches, we can be sure, are not "sovereign states," and this whole idea that we are needs to be thrown away. Speaking personally, the Covenant is still the most creative means we have on the table in this direction. And I will argue this with anybody.
Second, it is true that a static prayer book cannot become a substitute for the revelation of Scripture and the priority of the gospel. But the prayer book's scriptural structure, its formative application, and its embedded provision of the Church's "traditions" are essential to Anglicanism's missionary life. Prayer book revision has been driven by local incoherence. This is a central reality that must be engaged now, and not later. But working this out will require that the political issue be pursued first.
Finally, the missionary character of communion cannot be let go. It must inform both church politics and the prayer book, even as its own form must be shaped by them also. This is the deepest lesson of looking at the substance of the Toronto Congress and MRI. And it is why we are not political nations, but the body of Christ with a gospel to proclaim and share. Every decision about political structure and doctrinal form must be subordinate to this reality of Christ's mission within and as his own body to peoples and a world that must be drawn into his embrace.
The Toronto Congress was not a revolution, clearly. Nor should anyone have hoped it to be such. But that also means that our approach to the present and future cannot escape the Toronto Congress and, with wisdom, has to incorporate it consciously or — as has been the case — we are imprisoned in the attempt to escape it somehow, even while its informing realities eat away at us. I will end with this: the Toronto Congress was not a revolution so much as a "destiny" — a "fact" that embodied and embodies "facts" that are simply given. It is a destiny that is our own, one in which we move today. But "destiny," in scriptural terms, is lived either as judgment or mercy. And if mercy, in this case, then we are called to frame our Communion's life in a way that is faithful to those long-standing evangelical gifts through which God has established this common life in the first place. They are not for tossing overboard, but for carrying through.
The Rev. Ephraim Radner is professor of historical theology at Wycliffe College, Toronto, and a member of the Living Church Foundation.
Image of Ephraim Radner by Sue Careless


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How to Play
Setting yourself up
Player pictures
Everyone wants to look their best when they're winning, which is why at partypoker you can decide exactly what you'd like to have as your player pic.
Pick from 42 unique player pics like the ones below:
Or, if you want to be really unique and original you can choose your own and upload it here in the client.
Your pic will represent you in all areas of the partypoker client from the game table to your profile page, so make sure you choose wisely. Unless you want everyone to think you're a poker playing frog or something.
Bet slider
Making your life easier is what we're all about and our bet slider is just one small part of that. There are three different types:
- Classic. Your table balance is the midway point in the slider
- Midway. The pot size is the midway point in the slider
- Exponential. This slider will match your table balance
We've even added markers to show different points in the pot so you can see exactly how much you're pushing in:
- The first line = half the pot
- The middle line = the full pot
- The third line = 1.5x the full pot
You can change the middle three bet tabs as you please or simply turn them off if you prefer.
Auto buy in
Waiting around is no fun which is why you can automatically buy in to all our cash games.
There's no need to use the buy in window as you can decide exactly how you join a table in the 'Table options' section.
You can even tick the 'Auto post blind' and the 'Auto-rebuy to max' boxes, which will let you concentrate on the best bit – playing poker.
Table focus
We know what's like when you're multi-tabling, you're in the zone and the table in front of you is your number one priority. These tools are just what you need make sure you don't miss out on a great hand at another table:
Get out in front
This is the default option and if selected the table that requires action will jump straight to the front of your screen.
Notify me
Select this option and to receive a notification every time an action is required. Click it and you'll go straight to the table in question.
There is a third option if you like to go it alone. Select 'Don't do anything' and you won't receive any alerts when an action is required.
Multi-tabling at partypoker is nothing like multi-tasking in real life. We've got plenty of tools to help you master it and they're all right here.
Opening new tables
Opening multiple tables is as easy as holding down the 'Ctrl' key and clicking the tables you want to play in the lobby. When you've got all the ones you want hit the 'Open table(s)' button or the 'Return' key and you're away.
You can change the lobby preferences to keep the lobby full size when you open your first table too meaning you can keep selecting other tables before you play.
If you're not sure which other tables to play simply hit the 'Open table' button and we'll find you one based on the table you're currently playing on. We'll check everything from the game and the table stakes to players taking part to make sure you're happy. Easy peasy.
Managing your tables
You'll always be in control of your tables at partypoker. In fact the most difficult decision might just be working out the best way to manage them.
'Cascade' multiple tables into rows or 'Tile' them across your entire screen. If you're feeling creative you can re-size them yourself and if it all goes wrong just hit 'Default table size' to make everything go back to normal.
You can even sort your open tables on screen with filters like game type or average pot size. So how you see the game is completely in your hands. Or at your fingertips, we should say.
Using two monitors
We can now automatically detect when you're using two screens, meaning cascading or tiling your tables across both has never been simpler.
If you prefer to just use one monitor you can choose the 'Use primary monitor only' option in your preferences.
Stay alert
We make sure you're always aware of what's going on with our alert system. And with loads of options, how we get your attention is completely up to you.
Whether it's your turn or you're running out of time to make your mind up you'll know about it with our time-out alerts.
Plus, we'll give you a heads up when something important happens at one of your tables:
- The Good hand alert will let you know if you're dealt a great hand
- The Big pot alert will be triggered if the pot reaches a certain size
- The Raise sequence alert will go off if we notice any loose betting patterns
As soon as an alert activates, you'll know all about it, trust us.
It's your turn
Give the 'Your turn' button a click when it appears above the action area of the table and you'll jump straight to the next table you can act on.
Keep 'Ctrl' while multi-tabling
Hold down 'Ctrl' to keep your current table at the front of the screen so you can finish your move. Release it and the next table that requires your attention will jump into focus.
That's just one of our keyboard shortcuts. If you want to find out the rest, check out the full list below.
Table stacking
Chips aren't the only thing you can stack at partypoker. If you're multi-tabling you can pile tables on top of each other and jump between them whenever you like.
The console gives you access to all your tables at the same time.
The table list shows you all the vital bits, including all your tables, your hole cards, the hottest hands you're holding and much, much more.
Click here if you want to know even more
The 'Hand information' section displays the actions from the hand you're currently focussing on. That includes the total pot, your table balance and even your hand strength.
The 'Action area' lets you stay in control of all your hands with just one click and the 'Urgent tables' section will display the top 4 tables that need your attention. So you'll never run out of time.
With all this at your fingertips you'll have everything you need to make the best move, in the fastest time possible.
Then there's the 'Player information' section, which is where you'll find out who's played, how they played, who's next to play and when it's your turn.
The 'Hand information' section displays the actions from the hand you're currently focussing on. That includes the total pot, your table balance and even your hand strength.
Personalise your stack
We know you all play differently, whether it's your monitor or the number of tables you like to play, which is why you can stack your tables however you like.
This is where you can tweak all the little options to suit your style
Tick 'Advanced' and you'll get bigger fonts, extra features and enhanced navigation. Tick 'Basic' and while you won't get all the same features you'll be able to see more tables displayed at once.
To help all your preferred info stand out, you can make sure all the features that help you the most are included in your console.
Just put a tick in all the boxes you want and they'll be there the next time you open your stacking console.
And if you really fancy mixing things up you can even have a modern 4-colour deck.
We've got every angle covered so now it's just up to you to make the most of it all.
Single-click session options for multi-tabling
To make multi-tabling as easy as possible you can control everything with one click in one place. Just click the highlighted icon on the screenshot below to see all your options.
Click here for the full list of options
- Sit out at ring game tables X
- Sit out next big blind at ring game tables X
- Away (post blind and fold); at all tournament tables Y
- Sit out at all tables
- Sit back in at ring game tables X
- Sit back in at tournament tables X
- Sit back in at all tables
- Auto post blind/ante at all tables
Please note, X and Y indicate the number of tables you want the option to apply for.
Keyboard shortcuts
With these shortcuts you can do all the important stuff without even moving your mouse.
Here are the basics:
- Ctrl + left arrow: fold or check/fold
- Ctrl + up arrow: check or call
- Ctrl + right arrow: bet or raise
- Ctrl + your mouse wheel: changes the size of your bet
Get a look at the full list of shortcuts here
|Action commands
|Ctrl + [left arrow]
|Call or check
|Ctrl + [down arrow]
|Bet, raise, or bet pot
|Ctrl + [right arrow]
|Lower bet in big blind increments No Limit Only
|Ctrl + Shift + [down arrow]
|Raise bet in big blind increments No Limit Only
|Ctrl + Shift + [up arrow]
|Submit bet amount
|Return key or Ctrl + [right arrow]
|Min Bet slider tab
|X2 Bet slider tab
|X3 Bet slider tab
|X4 Bet slider tab
|All-in Bet slider tab
|Pre-action commands
|Ctrl + Shift + [left arrow]
|Call any or check/call Limit Only
|Ctrl + Shift + [up arrow]
|Bet/raise or raise any Limit Only
|Ctrl + Shift + [right arrow]
|General commands
|Quick Deposit
|Leave table
|Table resize (Default size)
|Minimizing the focused table
|Alt+Spacebar+ N
|Maximizing the focused table
(if size is less than max. size)
|Alt+Spacebar+ X
|Restoring the maximized table which is in focus
|Alt+Spacebar+ R
|Ctrl+Shift+ T
|Ctrl+Shift+ C
|Open Similar table
|Open Quick Seat preferences
|Open Your Favorites
|Fold to any bet
|Deal me out
|Auto Post Blind
|Muck Losing/Uncalled Hands
|Auto-rebuy to Max
|Away (Post blind and fold)
You can even select actions in advance. Don't worry if you change your mind, though. Just press the 'Esc' key before the action hits you or simply select another one.
If this sounds like the way you want to play, or you just want to give it a try, turn keyboard shortcuts on in 'Table preferences' and they'll be available for you on all our tables.


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Sample project: Interfacing IoT with embedded using Node.js, part 1
September 05, 2017
In part 1 of this sample project, we show how to implement support for the TS-7680 hardware and provide a simple web page for controlling the board.
This project builds on the article "Speeding embedded systems time to market using Node.js" by providing and showing how to implement the code for a simple web server. The web server offers the ability to control the board, for example by getting and setting digital I/O (DIO) values (or turning LEDs on and off). It also serves up a simple client-side web page for accessing this functionality, making it a self-contained solution for controlling the board via a web page served by the board itself.
In "Getting Started with node.js on an Embedded Single Board Computer Running Linux," we showed how to install node.js on a single-board computer (SBC) such as the Technologic Systems TS-7680. In this sample project, we show how to implement support for the TS-7680 hardware and provide a simple web page for controlling the board. DIO control is illustrated through a visual interface that can display and change the state of the four LEDs on the board. The current state of the analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) on the board is also shown and updated at regular intervals. Finally, a button is provided that samples an accelerometer for one second and displays a graph of its data.
The project consists of two parts:
- Node.js project files (including JavaScript, package files, and C++ source code) for direct hardware interfacing (the server).
This will be demonstrated on the Technologic Systems TS-7680 which supports an ARMv5 CPU, using node 0.10.
Note: A TS-7680 with 256 MB of onboard RAM is required to install this demo properly. If you want to run this demo on a board with only 128 MB of RAM, download tarball containing the service-mx28adc module from this ftp server and install it by unpacking the directory containing your node_modules directory. Afterwards the apt install command will recognize this module is already installed and won't try to compile it.
Let's look at the files we will be creating.
For the client:
- ts7680.js – This is the actual implementation of the user interface to the TS-7680. It will display the current state of the LEDs and ADCs, and provide an interface to sample the accelerometer.
- index.html – This is the HTML code to display the user interface.
- 7680-0000.JPG through 7680-1111.JPG – These are image files that will display the state of the TS-7680's onboard LEDs in the web interface. One file exists for each bit combination (0000, 0001, 0010, etc.) on the LEDs.
There are several Node.js packages on the server, each performing a specific function:
- ts7680-demo-server – This is the top-level server that specifies and controls instantiation of the components of the server. It also contains all of the client files needed to make the entire project a self-contained package.
- server.js – Implementation
- package.json – Manifest
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
- file/ – sub-directory containing the client files
- express-modular-server – This is a modular framework for serving HTTP and HTTPS web pages from Node.js.
- server.js – Implementation
- package.json – Manifest
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
- service-app – A plug-in to serve web apps (app.html + app.js + app specific modules) that is used for default file handling implemented therein.
- default-file.js – Implementation of static file serving
- package.json – Manifest
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
- app.js – Implementation of app handling (not used in this project)
- service-mma8451 – A plug-in that implements application programming interface (API) support for the NXP MMA8451 3-axis accelerometer on the TS-7680.
- mma8451.js – Implementation
- package.json – Manifest
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
- service-mx28adc – A plug-in that implements support for the i.MX28 CPU low-resolution analog to digital converter (LRADC) peripheral on the TS-7680.
- mx28adc.js – Plug-in implementing API support
- mx28adc.cc – Implementation
- package.json – Manifest
- Binding.gyp – Build file
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
- service-gpio – A plug-in that implements API support for GPIO through the Linux /sys filesystem.
- gpio.js – Implementation
- package.json – Manifest
- README.md – Readme file in markdown format
Now, onto the code.
First, let's look at the top-level JavaScript file we will be invoking to run our server: server.js.
The express-modular-server package makes creating web servers easy. We write a plug-in for each service, which initializes the API endpoint and service requests. Then we configure the server, specify each desired endpoint, and start the server.
Dissecting the above code piece by piece, we first change our current working directory to the directory where the package was installed. This is because our package encapsulates all our statically served files in the subdirectory
file/ relative to this directory.
Next, we require express-modular-server:
var server = require("express-modular-server")
This returns a function that we call with initialization data as part of the same expression:
Here, we are passing an object containing the initialization parameters. The only parameter we are interested in is running the HTTP server. The argument
http:true specifies this, though we could also provide a numeric port instead of true. By default port 8080 is used.
We then add each API to the server, omitting the "service-" prefix from the package name. The initialization returns the module object, which has a function to add the API associated with the key API.
When this function returns, the gpio plug-in (from the service-gpio package) is loaded. This function returns the module object itself, so we can chain another call to add as many API endpoints as we like:
Now we have added endpoints for the accelerometer, ADC, and serving web apps. When we are done adding endpoints, we chain one more call to start the server:
That's it! Here's what our code looks like:
A few commands need to be run before installing the demo in order for the install and build process to work. First, due to a missing header in Debian we need to upgrade npm and set up a symlink to point to it:
Once npm is upgraded, any time it runs an error will return saying that npm does not support node.js v0.10.29 and that you should upgrade to a newer version. Ignore this warning, as v0.10.29 is the latest version supported by the TS-7680 because newer versions lack ARM v5 support.
You can install the entire demo with a single command:
npm install ts7680-demo-server
Our next installment will begin examining the modules used by the server in detail, starting with the GPIO module.
Technologic Systems
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/technologic-systems
Facebook: www.facebook.com/embeddedARM
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Embeddedarm-TS
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/embeddedarm
GitHub: https://github.com/embeddedarm
eletter-09-05-2017 eletter-09-06-2017


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The euro surged against the dollar Thursday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi continued to brush off the threat of deflation, decreasing the chance of further easing in the short term.
Investors looked ahead to the February employment report in the U.S., which is expected to show an addition of 140,000 jobs, according to a MarketWatch survey. Read: What to look for in February jobs report
A weak headline number could push the euro to $1.39 or even $1.40, said Jens Nordvig, head of fixed income research Americas and global head of currency strategy at Nomura Securities.
The euro gained after the ECB held rates steady and didn't announce any additional measures. Draghi said recent developments have been consistent with moderate growth and the ECB expects the recovery to continue at a slow pace.
"On current information, they seem pretty far away from easing," said Nordvig. He said the resulting jump in the euro was "very logical" because the markets had priced in some type of action from the central bank, which didn't take place.
In his news conference, Draghi noted the rise in the euro since 2012 has weighed on current inflation by about 0.4%. He also said slack present in the economy and energy prices had depressed inflation. Read a recap of our live ECB blog
Draghi's discussion of inflation was "new way of phrasing that, in my view, kind of de-emphasized the deflation risk," said Nordvig.
The euro
"The fact that Draghi explicitly mentioned the exchange rate impact on inflation is in our view a clear signal that the ECB would not be pleased with a further strengthening of the euro," said Carsten Brzeski, an economist at ING Bank, in a note.
The British pound
The ICE dollar index
Data released Friday showed U.S. jobless claims fell by 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000 in the week ended March 1. The level was the lowest since the end of November, but could have been skewed by the severe weather.
Elsewhere, the dollar
More must-reads from MarketWatch:
What this bull market needs to live a sixth year
Reeves: 5 ways to protect profits as the bull market hits a milestone


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Anderson Cooper talks with Ali Velshi, David Gergen and John King about how the campaigns will spin the August jobs report.
Filed under: 2012 Election • Mitt Romney • President Barack Obama • Raw Politics • Unemployment
"House Is Rockin',don't bother knockin Obama cause he did the best he could as a Jr. Senator.Send Romney on in ! Seriously,for the best interests of America.
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°


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These are the numbers we have been waiting for. This week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a report revealing what insurers will be allowed to charge in the largest cities in 36 states, when selling policies Americans buying their own coverage in the state "Exchanges." The report also shows the size of the subsidies that Exchange shoppers will receive. Previously, we had hard numbers for only 14 states.
In addition, HHS announced averaged premiums, state-wide, for Bronze and Silver plans in those 36 states. (We will be getting more information on rates in other cities very soon.)
Fear-mongers should blush.
It turns out that, on average, rates are 16% below the Congressional Budget Office's projection—and that is BEFORE factoring in the subsidies.
I found what the report has to say about premiums in Texas particularly interesting. Many observers had suggested that while rates in the Blue States might be surprisingly low, Red States would let carriers charge far more.
I've written about the report—and the media's reaction to it—here on null.com.
You can comment there, or return here to comment.
If you use Facebook, you may want to put a link on your Facebook page. More people need to hear the facts about Obamacare.


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Missing jet pilots had firm community, family ties
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The pilots of the missing Malaysia Airlines passenger jet were a middle-aged family man passionate enough about flying to build his own simulator and a 27-year-old contemplating marriage who had just graduated to the cockpit of the Boeing 777.
As speculation intensified Friday that the plane might have been hijacked by a person or people with aviation skills, a picture began to emerge of the two men whose actions will be a focus of the investigation. Police have said they are looking at the psychological background of the pilots, their family life and connections as one line of inquiry into flight MH370's disappearance, but there is no evidence linking them to any wrongdoing.
The search for the plane with 239 people on board has been widened westward from the Gulf of Thailand toward the Indian Ocean. A U.S. official has told The Associated Press that the plane sent signals to a satellite for about four hours after it lost radar contact with air traffic controllers a week ago. The airliner vanished less than an hour into a six-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing early last Saturday.
Online, Malaysians have rushed to defend the reputations of the pilots, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, and Fariq Abdul Hamid. Both men were described to AP as respectable and community minded. Details of their backgrounds have emerged from interviews with neighbors, Malaysia Airlines staff, a religious leader and from social networks and news reports in Malaysia and Australia.
Fariq is a "good boy, a good Muslim, humble and quiet," said Ahmad Sarafi Ali Asrah, the head of a community mosque about 100 meters (yards) from Fariq's two-story home in a middle-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
He described Fariq's parents as distraught and the community solidly behind them, supporting the family in prayers.
"His father still cries when he talks about Fariq. His mother too," said Ahmad Sarafi.
Fariq, the son of a high-ranking civil servant in Selangor state, joined Malaysia Airlines in 2007. With just 2,763 hours of flight experience he had only recently started co-piloting the sophisticated Boeing 777.
He had a short brush with fame when he was filmed recently by a crew from "CNN Business Traveler." Reporter Richard Quest called it a perfect landing of a Boeing 777-200, the same model as the twin-aisle plane that went missing. An online tribute page to the pilots shows a photo of Fariq in the cockpit with Quest, both smiling.
Neighbor Ayop Jantan said he had heard that Fariq was engaged and planning his wedding. The eldest of five children, his professional achievements were a source of pride for his father, said Ayop, a retiree.
Fariq's superior, Zaharie, joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981 and has more than 18,000 flight hours.
His Facebook page shows an avid aviation enthusiast, who flew remote-controlled aircraft, posting pictures of his collection which included a lightweight twin-engine helicopter and an amphibious aircraft.
Born in northern Penang state, the bald-headed captain and grandfather is also an enthusiastic handyman and proud home cook. As part of what he called "community service," he had posted several YouTube videos including how to make air conditioners more efficient to cut electricity bills, how to waterproof window panes and how to repair a refrigerator icemaker.
A Malaysian Airline stewardess who had flown with Zaharie several times said he was "very nice, very friendly and safety-conscious." She didn't want to be named because of company policy prohibiting employees from speaking to the media.
Neighbors of both men also praised their commitment to the community. Fariq played futsal, a modified form of soccer popular in Southeast Asia, with neighborhood youngsters and paid for their sports shirts. Zaharie was known for bringing food he cooked himself to community events or making sure his wife and children did when he couldn't attend. A supporter of Malaysia's main opposition parties, he had volunteered to be a poll monitor in recent elections.
Yet both Fariq and Zaharie have quirks that reveal a more colorful side to their pilot personas.
Grabbing attention were pictures Zaharie posted online of the flight simulator he built for his home using three large computer monitors and other accessories.
Asked at a news conference whether it was unusual for pilots to have such equipment at home, Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said "everyone is free to do his own hobby."
Zaharie is certified by Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation as a flight simulator examiner, according to Malaysia Airlines.
Fariq has drawn greatest scrutiny after the revelation he and another pilot invited two women boarding their aircraft to sit in the cockpit for a flight from Phuket, Thailand, to Kuala Lumpur in 2011.
During the flight, the pilots smoked and flirted, one of the women, South African Jonti Roo, said in an interview broadcast by Australia's Nine Network. The claims were backed with numerous photos showing Roos and her friend posing in the cockpit.
Though initially thrilled by the experience, Roos also described it as "possibly a little bit sleazy."
Malaysia Airlines said it was shocked by the claims and is investigating.
"I don't think he is a playboy," said Ahmad Sarafi, the imam at the mosque Fariq prayed at. "But I don't know about his personal life."
Associated Press writer Ian Mader contributed to this report.


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I usually just post these things in Twitter and/or Tumblr posts but they've all cropped up in the last couple of days so I thought I may as well do a proper post… Ahem.
I got an email earlier that most of my Etsy shop's listings are expiring really soon, so if you've ever fancied any of what's there head on over ASAP. Plus I am going on holiday for ten days on Friday so any physical orders after the 11th July won't be shipped until the 23rd at the earliest, by which time most of those items will have gone. So get on it!
Society6 is having one of its free-shipping-on-most-items days if you follow this link and this link only.
It's weird and they don't tell you how long the offer lasts, presumably to whip you up into a frenzy. It's until the 13th according to that very link.
I'm currently taking story commissions on DeviantART (all the info is on the right hand side below the advert). Once again, when I'm away I will technically be on holiday so if you request anything then you won't get a response for a few days.
I hate doing what are effectively sales pitch blogs but at least this way it's one lone social media post, as opposed to eighty over the course of a day… plus this trails on nicely to what I really want to talk about, which is HOLIDAY READING.
You know the drill. I take more books than I can carry, I read most of them, set up blogs talking about them and always include one novel that is totally depressing and/or gross. The first year I did it I took Trainspotting, which I haven't read since; last year was We Need to Talk About Kevin which I then chose to study for my A Level and never want to read again… the further I explored it, the more effed up it became. I think this year will be Goodnight Mister Tom, which I have never previously read because I saw the TV adaptation about ten years ago, got so distressed I cried and have refused to open the book ever since.
But I'll probably take this fortnight's Private Eye and The Son of Neptune so it's okay! There will be laughs all round! I will also take a book of codewords because since I stopped going to school my vocabulary has been on the downturn, which is bad for everybody. If I'm not careful I'll only be able to speak in dog chatter… "Don Don, why are you barking? No one cares. Shhh. Hello Fred. You look very handsome. Go away that was my flapjack. Snuggles time."
I love snuggles time. Speaking of which.


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Search Buddhist Channel
Unravelling meaning of life through Buddhism
by Ajahn Brahmavamso, The Buddhist Channel, May 19, 2008
A Wesak reflection on the basics of the Buddha's teachings
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- Today, Buddhism continues to gain ever-wider acceptance in many lands far beyond its original home. The Buddhist Teaching of the Law of Kamma offers our society a just and incorruptible foundation and reason for the practice of a moral life. It is easy to see how a wider embracing of the Law of Kamma would lead any country towards a stronger, more caring and virtuous society.
The Teaching of Rebirth places this present short lifetime of ours in a broader perspective, giving more meaning to the vital events of birth and death. The understanding of rebirth removes so much of the tragedy and grief surrounding death and turns one's attention to the quality of a lifetime, rather than its mere length.
From the very beginning, the practice of meditation has been at the very heart of the Buddhist Way. Today, meditation grows increasingly popular as the proven benefits to both mental and physical well being become more widely known. When stress is shown to be such a major cause of human suffering, the quieting practice of meditation becomes ever more valued.
Today's world is too small and vulnerable to live angry and alone, thus the need for tolerance, love and compassion is important. These qualities of mind essential for happiness are formally developed in Buddhist meditation and then diligently put into practice in everyday life.
Teachings and practices such as these are what bring about qualities of gentle kindness and unshakeable serenity, identified with the Buddhist religion for 25 centuries and sorely needed in today's world. In all its long history, no war has ever been fought in the name of Buddhism. It is this peace and this tolerance, growing out of a profound yet reasonable philosophy, which makes Buddhism so vitally relevant to today's world.
What is Kamma?
Kamma means 'action'. The Law of Kamma means that there are inescapable results of our actions. There are deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' harm, one's own harm, or to the harm of both. Such deeds are called bad (or 'unwholesome') Kamma. They are usually motivated by greed, hatred or delusion. Because they bring painful results, they should not be done.
There are also deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' well being, one's own wellbeing, or to the wellbeing of both. Such deeds are called good (or 'wholesome') Kamma. They are usually motivated by generosity, compassion or wisdom. Because they bring happy results, they should be done as often as possible.
Thus much of what one experiences is the result of one's own previous Kamma. When misfortune occurs, instead of blaming someone else, one can look for any fault in one's own past conduct. If a fault is found, the experience of its consequences will make one more careful in the future. When happiness occurs, instead of taking it for granted, one can look to see if it is the result of good Kamma. If so, the experience of its pleasant results will encourage more good Kamma in the future.
The Buddha pointed out that no being whatsoever, divine or otherwise, has any power to stop the consequences of good and bad Kamma. The fact that one reaps just what one sows gives to the Buddhist a greater incentive to avoid all forms of bad Kamma while doing as much good Kamma as possible. Though one cannot escape the results of bad Kamma, one can lessen their effect. A spoon of salt mixed in a glass of pure water makes the whole very salty, whereas the same spoon of salt mixed in a freshwater lake hardly changes the taste of the water. Similarly, the result of a bad Kamma in a person habitually doing only a small amount of good Kamma is painful indeed, whereas the result of the same bad Kamma in a person habitually doing a great deal of good Kamma is only mildly felt.
This natural Law of Kamma becomes the force behind, and reason for, the practice of morality and compassion in our society.
Teaching of Rebirth
The Buddha remembered clearly many of His past lives. Even today, many Buddhist monks, nuns and others also remember their past lives. Such a strong memory is a result of deep meditation. For those who remember their past life, Rebirth is an established act which puts this life in a meaningful perspective.
The Law of Kamma can only be understood in the framework of many lifetimes, because it sometimes takes this long for Kamma to bear its fruit. Thus Kamma and Rebirth offer a plausible explanation to the obvious inequalities of birth; why some are born into great wealth whereas others are born into pathetic poverty; why some children enter this world healthy and full-limbed whereas others enter deformed and diseased. The fruits of bad Kamma are not regarded as a punishment for evil deeds but as lessons from which to learn, for example, how better to learn about the need for generosity than to be reborn among the poor!
Rebirth takes place not only within this human realm. The Buddha pointed out that the realm of human beings is but one among many. There are many separate heavenly realms and grim lower realms too, realms of the animals and realms of the ghosts. Not only can human beings go to any of these realms in the next life, but also we can come from any of these realms into our present life. This explains a common objection against Rebirth that argues "How can there be Rebirth when there are 10 times as many people alive today than there were 50 years ago?" The answer is that people alive today have come from many different realms.
Understanding that we can come and go between these different realms gives us more respect and compassion for the beings in these realms. It is unlikely, for example, that one would exploit animals when one has seen the link of Rebirth that connects them with us.
No Creator God
The Buddha pointed out that no God or priest nor any other kind of being has the power to interfere in the working out of someone else's Kamma. Buddhism, therefore, teaches the individual to take full responsibility for themselves.
For example, if you want to be wealthy then be trustworthy, diligent and frugal, or if you want to live in a heavenly realm then always be kind to others. There is no God to ask favours from, or to put it another way, there is no corruption possible in the workings of Kamma.
Do Buddhists believe that a Supreme Being created the universe? Buddhists would first ask which universe do you mean? This present universe from the moment of the 'Big Bang' up to now is but one among countless millions in Buddhist cosmology. The Buddha gave an estimate of the age of a single universe-cycle of around 37,000 million years, which is quite plausible when compared to modern astrophysics. After one universe-cycle ends another begins, again and again, according to impersonal law. A Creator God is redundant in this scheme.
No being is a Supreme Saviour, according to the Buddha, because whether God, human, animal or whatever, all are subject to the Law of Kamma. Even the Buddha had no power to save. He could only point out the Truth so that the wise could see it for themselves. Everyone must take responsibility for their own future well being, and it is dangerous to give that responsibility to another.
Ajahn Brahmavamso is the Abbot of Bodhiyana Buddhist Monastery & Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Perth. www.bswa.org.


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Thank you both! As an individual who works with children and has children in my life, I clearly see the impact that early language development has on them. Instead of brining language and conversation "down" to a low level, let us begin to bring our children and students "up" to a higher level of communication and cognition!
Blogs About Reading
Sound It Out
Dr. Joanne Meier
Along with her background as a professor, researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne every week as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.
Talk to your baby, narrate what you're doing, talk to your baby, words, words, words!
I usually skip over Sunday's USA Weekend section, heading straight for the Wall Street Journal business section (sounds dull, but there's a column I love!). One week USA Weekend ran a light, but good article, called Baby Talk. In it, Kelly Dinardo identified 15 things parents should do for their baby. In addition to important things such as dosing properly and developing baby's sleep habits, Dinardo addressed the importance of talking to your baby.
I'm so glad the author included something about the importance of fostering language skills. The long term effect of talk within families was most carefully documented by Hart & Risley in one of my favorite books, Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children (reprinted in 2002). Their methodology was painstaking; their results fascinating and really important. Here's a small example of their findings:
In professional families, children heard an average of 2,153 words per hour, while children in working class families heard an average of 1,251 words per hour, and children in welfare families heard an average of 616 words per hour. Extrapolated, this means that in a year children in professional families heard an average of 11 million words, while children in working class families heard an average of 6 million words, and children in welfare families heard an average of 3 million words. By kindergarten, a child from a welfare family could have heard 32 million words fewer than a classmate from a professional family.
These differences can have a huge impact on children's vocabularies and literacy preparedness. If you haven't read this book yet, consider it among your professional book choices for 2007, and check out Todd Risley on a Reading Rockets webcast called From Babbling to Books.
Thanks for your comment Lorraine, and I love your basket idea! I'm sure those tender moments are ones you'll remember forever!
Talking to your baby is vitally important. I think it's beneficial to make the communication relevant. It's also important to speak in sentences. For instance, if you're in the yard with Baby, show and talk about the color and aroma of a specific flower. Notice the bird flying in the blue sky. Talk about its movement while you point and look. Put Baby close to you when you are doing dishes, the laundry or cooking. Talk to Baby about what you are doing. While bathing Baby, talk about the soap, the feel of water, the rubber ducky, toes, and more. And one last point, laugh and talk with a smile. I guarantee you will both love these experiences in communication. When my first born was a baby, I lined a basket that she could sit in. During her "awake time" I carried her around with me. I put her on the kitchen counter while I was working, near the bed while I made it. When she was 18 months, folks often asked about her age because we were communicating in full sentences. I never thought much about it then, but now I know why it happened. Turn the TV off and enjoy Baby!


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The Denon AVR-1705 is almost certainly the best-equipped surround sound amplifier available in the UK for the money. But is this enough to make it a must-buy? It's all about performance. But let's see just what the Denon offers...
The brand's surround sound amplifiers have undergone a bit of a face-lift recently, and the AVR-1705 is one of the more sophisticated-looking models here. The front panel has a neat layout of controls, and there's a useful set of connections for occasional hook-up to a games console or camcorder. The AVR-1705 is equipped with a high-quality power supply and transformer, as well as a large heat-sink - something you'd expect on more high-end models, but that is absent from most other budget receivers (like those in this test).
Features frenzy
Behind this solid fascia lurks a plethora of features. The Denon provides 6.1-channel surround sound and can deliver a very respectable 75W power to each of these channels. Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES and DTS ES Discrete soundtracks are included, as well as regular 5.1 soundtracks via Dolby Digital and DTS decoders. In addition, both Dolby Pro-Logic IIx and enhanced DTS Neo:6 are included, so that stereo sources can be converted into an even more realistic surround sound experience.
The AVR-1705 is as well connected as it is featured. Nine analogue audio inputs make it one of the best-equipped models for coping with all your home entertainment sources, and there's a 5.1 external input for connection to a multi-channel music DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD player.
Video sources can also be routed through the amplifier. Signals are up-converted from basic-quality composite to S-video, and show barely any visible picture degradation. Component video signals can be routed through the amplifier, but there's no up-conversion from S-video to component. As ever, we recommend by-passing the amp and connecting directly from DVD to TV.
All wrapped up
When it comes to that all-important performance, the Denon delivers a clean and neutral sound that's very easy on the ear. It stuffs the room full of sound, and envelopes the listener like a warm blanket in superb surround sound.
Our Collateral test DVD fizzled with ambient surround effects, and sounded as good as it looked during our demo sessions. The scene where Tom Cruise's assassin takes out the target (plus his bodyguards!) in the nightclub is awesome, with power and precision driving sound across all of the surround sound channels. Just close your eyes, and you could almost be in your local multiplex!
Basically, the Denon sounds like it should cost several hundred pounds more than it does, which is a great achievement that should be applauded.
The AVR-1705 is no less impressive when it comes to music, and Denon is clearly still keen on maintaining its reputation as a brand that can produce products that are great for all your audio needs. Doves' latest album, Some Cities, was treated with TLC, and managed to convince us that two-channel sound can still cut it.
Overall, the Denon AVR-1705 is a hugely impressive performer, both for home cinema and music , and sounds just as good as an amplifier costing twice as much would have done a couple of years ago! Goodness only knows how Denon manage to make any money. Perhaps they expect to sell a lot of the AVR-1705; they certainly deserve to...


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Mix of styles deck the halls
Following the general trend in home décor, holiday trim and accessories this year are an eclectic mix of traditional and non-traditional colors and styles.
Remember when blue or pastel pink ornaments were the height of kitsch? Now they're mainstream, elegant options. And while red and green are popular hues, they are not married to each other. Red might be paired with ivory, or amethyst; green may partner with copper, caramel or bright white.
As for what goes on the tree or the mantel, well, that's the thing — anything goes.
Style watchers say we're approaching the holidays with a more open mind. Households are more diverse, relaxed and less tied to old-school ways of celebrating. So it follows that ideas of what works in décor have never been more expansive.
Some general trends:
Holiday hues
While jewel tones and creamy palettes hold strong, red is red-hot.
"When it comes to an 'it' color for Christmas this year, it's red — a bright, cheery red like you find on traditional Scandinavian ornaments," says Sara Peterson, editor in chief of HGTV Magazine. "Red may seem like an 'oh, duh' color trend, but there have been years when greens, blues and purples were more popular. This season, we're seeing a ton of decorations in candy red."
Ikea has a cheery collection of traditional Scandinavian ornaments including folk people, stars and goats. Land of Nod's Rising Star tree topper features curly white embroidery on crimson felt. Cranberry red candlesticks from Pier 1 take mercury glass down a different road, while beaded reindeer and snowflakes bring glamour to red velvet and satin throw pillows. (ikea.com, landofnod.com,
pier1.com )
Grandin Road's Zoey chevron-patterned, ruby-and-white-resin urn could be used to hold a live or artificial tree, or an assortment of greens. (grandinroad.com )
Winter white continues to appeal to holiday decorators; with or without touches of sparkle, it's calming, elegant and chic. And don't disregard earthier colors —think of bare birch branches hung with gold and silver stars; luxe bowls brimming with copper ornaments; chocolate brown mohair throws.
Rethinking the traditional
"Since folks are open to reimagining what Christmas can look like, we'll continue to see a looser interpretation of the traditional tree," says Catie Parrish, associate editor at Wayfair, the online home furnishings outlet. "We're starting to see lots of paper and cardboard tabletop trees, and people are getting inventive, creating flat Christmas trees on walls, doors and even fridges. They're even decorating them with real ornaments and garlands. For someone who craves the charm of a real tree, even an evergreen branch in a mason jar can lend a hint of the holidays."
Ikea has a pop-up cardboard tree that comes with ornaments. At Ellesstudio.blogspot.com, you'll find simple instructions on how to turn wine corks, wooden sticks, colored paper and glitter into pretty little trees.
Parrish also suggests taking stock of what you already have around the house: "Instead of buying every holiday 'necessity,' shopping your home for existing solutions is one of the easiest ways to decorate. A throw blanket makes a cozy tree skirt. Use a scarf as a table runner. Use nature for holiday decoration —think backyard branches, berries and pinecones," she says.
"Fill a vase or candle holder with jingle bells or peppermints. Wrap red, green or metallic ribbon around plain white pillar candles. Instead of candles, top candle stick holders with ornaments or snow globes."
Faux fur or knitted throws and pillow covers; throw pillows with snow scenes or deer, antler and deer accessories; and glittery pillows evoke the festive spirit without overt reference.
Consider scented candles, bowls of spiced goodies, seasonal music and warm, soft textures; bringing all five senses into play enhances the holiday mood.
Some general themes this season:
Beach holiday
"One of my favorite holiday décor themes is what we're calling 'aquatic Christmas,' " says Parrish. "It's an extension of the sea-life trend that's been hot in home décor for a few seasons. Look for octopus and mermaid ornaments, especially in glittery silver and gold finishes."
Coastal dwellers know that a beachy palette of blues, greens and whites sets the tone. A tree skirt block-printed with shells and starfish in soft blues and creams evokes a seaside Christmas.
Gump's has a collection of painted, blown-glass ornaments that include jellyfish, hermit crabs, stingrays and leopard fish. (gumps.com)
Find trees, wreaths and garlands crafted of shells and driftwood, as well as clear glass balls filled with soft white sand and tiny shells, at seasideinspired.com.
If you've got a pile of seashells on the porch, check out Marthastewart.com for a clever way to glitter them up and hang them on the tree.
Retro holiday
"Vintage is going to be a popular holiday theme, especially when it comes to typography," says Parrish. "Look for throwback fonts on everything from toss pillows to serving trays."
Jonathan Adler's Peace pillow has that vibe. (jcp.com) And Homegoods has decorative hanging signs done in old-fashioned type with words like "Believe." (homegoods.com)
Imaginative holiday
Fab.com's Christmas treeofferings include kitschy yet clever cowboy boots, television sets, robots and soda pop bottles rendered in blown glass.
Clear ornaments can be filled with whatever strikes your fancy — Urban Outfitters has sets of four. (urbanoutfitters.com)
And CB2 has fun little satellite, spaceship and Sputnik ornaments. (cb2.com)
Critters both exotic and domestic abound this season. Land of Nod has felt dog ornaments, as well as rabbits, walrus and unicorns.
Tree skirts can be made out of just about anything —burlap, ribbons, blankets, even a real vintage skirt. Or instead of a skirt, consider a box painted to look like a gift. Ballard Designs has a resin faux bois basket. (ballarddesigns.com)
Peterson suggests a tree collar: "It's like a colorful little fence around the base of your tree," she says.
Crate & Barrel has one made of braided palm fiber by Mexican artisans, in cream and red. (crateandbarrel.com)
Knit motifs, like those on the Fair Isle ornaments from Land of Nod, evoke the holiday season's sentiments of warmth and comfort. Style watchers say we're approaching the holidays with a more open mind, and decor has never been more expansive in terms of what works. AP
Whimsical soft stuffed dog ornaments are fun for kids, and add a quirky twist to holiday decor. AP
Stylized nutcrackers in gold and silver are actually candles, from Jonathan Adler's holiday collection. Following the general trend in home decor, holiday trim and accessories this year are a mix of eclectic and traditional colors and styles. AP
Red mercury glass pillar stand candle holder adds sparkle and shine even without lit candles from Pier1.com. AP


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Every day is a struggle… and that isn't a bad thing. I've spent 15 years in the classroom, and I would be a complete liar if I told you that I have everything figured out. Every child over every year over every curriculum mandate is different, and the differences create the struggle.
Right now, I'm teaching a group of 21 students in my math class that require intensive interventions. We work most of our 90 minute period in small groups. I do have the help of a few additional adults during this time, but I struggle with making it meaningful. I have to make 5th grade curriculum accessible and meaningful for students who are working well below grade level. In fluency groups, we are working on addition and subtraction facts. For nightly homework, students have 3 word problems that are completely on grade level (we are currently working on multiplying fractions) and 4 review/fluency problems. Each week, we take a mini assessment on the skills we've been working on, as well as some review skills.
I need guidance from those of you who are masters at growing students from where they are and meeting on grade level targets. What tips can you offer?