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All Our Relations: Pagans and the more-than-human world.
For aware Pagans the Sacred encompasses us all, rivers and mountains, oceans and deserts, grasses and trees, fish and fungi, birds and animals. Understanding the implications of what this means, and how to experience it first hand, involves our growing individually and as a community well beyond the limits of this world-pathic civilization. All Our Relations exists to help fertilize this transition.
Business as if human beings mattered more than profit
Capitalism seems invulnerable today not because anyone likes it, informed decent people do not, but because it is hard to imagine a realistic alternative. State socialism failed, and failed in a horrible way. Going back to the land is impossible for more than a relative few of us. Markets work better than explicit controls and markets seem inevitably to generate capitalism. We seem trapped.
But markets are not as predictable as economists claim and most economists confuse their theoretical categories with the real world of men and women. Consider the Mondragon cooperatives in the Basque country of northern Spain. In September, 2012, I had the opportunity to visit these cooperatives in September of 2012 as part of an annual study group organized by the Praxis Peace Institute. Given all that I had heard, I felt that while I could not easily afford to go financially, I could not afford not to go intellectually.
Here is why.
About 50 years ago Basque country was Spain's poorest region, one of beautiful but steep mountains, narrow valleys, and a population where many had to seek work abroad. Basque sheep herders were long a well known presence in the American West.
Today the Basque region is Spain's most prosperous, and compares well with the most prosperous regions of Europe. Workers' cooperatives were the economic engine for this transformation, not capitalists. The largest and oldest of these is the Modragon cooperative. Today the region's economy of worker cooperatives encompasses hi tech industries, agriculture, higher education, large retail outlets, traditional manufacturing, housing, and much more. It even includes Spain's most solvent big bank. Total members of the Mondragon co-operatives now number over 80,000.
Within each cooperative management is chosen by and from among the workers. Even top managers can never be paid more than six times the lowest 'wage' in that particular firm. In Spain as a whole that figure is about 18 times, and in the US now an obscene many hundreds of times.
As a developmental model the Mondragon cooperatives are exceptionally successful. During their first 25 years 86 cooperatives organized along these lines were started. Only one failed. Today there are 289 Mondragon businesses and co-operatives and the huge economic crisis in Spain has claimed only one more. Two failures in 289 enterprises over 50 years time. Spain's current unemployment is well above 20%, as high as 25%. The Mondragon cooperatives had zero % unemployment until one of their largest firms went under a few months ago due to the crisis. Since then half of those workers have been re-employed by the cooperatives while the others are given retraining and most of their old income. They are doing far better than Spain as a whole. Truly they are a viable alternative to capitalism.
There have been no Wall Street Journal articles on Mondragon, no TV specials on how these organizations have proven so resistant to the economic catastrophes hurting so many millions. Instead in America we hear how the 1% "create jobs" that in practice do not exist and how they are the "makers" as compared to the "moochers" though they invent nothing, create nothing, and in many cases simply gamble with others' money. Politicians extol the sociopathic doctrines of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged rather than the capacities and intelligence of most citizens. Workers supposedly lack the skills and foresight to manage their own lives, let along something a big as a factory.
The "spark plug" for this development was a Catholic parish priest, Fr. Jose Maria Arizmendi. Under his leadership a small college was created, teaching engineering and the Catholic doctrine of labor's superiority over capital. This doctrine, which I will describe in my third column in this series, was essential to Arizmendi's efforts and is not so much narrowly Catholic as broadly humane. Later some of the college's graduates founded a small factory, producing paraffin stoves.
The factory prospered, and by 1958 had grown to 143 worker-members. They were also actively assisting in creating other worker cooperatives. In 1959 Arizmendi urged creating a savings bank, Caja Laboral Popular, the "Bank of the People's Labor" to be independent of capitalist financial institutions. This bank was also to be a cooperative owned by its founding co-operatives and its own employees. One worker who would later become a leading Spanish banker told Arizmendi
"yesterday we were craftsmen, foremen, and engineers. Today we are trying to learn how to be managers and executives. Tomorrow you want us to become bankers. That is impossible."
The bank is now Spain's 7th largest.
When I was there the president of the bank spoke to us, and his initial remark was "As we all know, capitalism does not work." He was speaking in terms of working at improving human well-being. The word is slowly getting out.
Today the Mondragon cooperatives' example is inspiring a new round of cooperative enterprises in different countries, including here In Northern California. As they do, they demonstrate people do not have to be Basque to exercise intelligent control over their place of work.
Let me illustrate by describing one very successful example is near where I live.
The Alvarado Street Bakery
Located in a modern office park in Southeast Petaluma, the Alvarado Street Bakery seems far removed from its origins 30 years ago as a small quasi-hippie bakery. But unlike the more traditional businesses around it, the bakery is a worker cooperative, currently with 111 members. To the uninitiated its hippie roots are visible only in its name and its trademark cat, Greta, curled atop a loaf of bread as the company's logo. (Greta was their first organic pest control technology.)
To the initiated the bakery is an example of a road Americans can still take to reclaim the American Dream from its current corporate nightmare, a nightmare promising far worse to come.
Organized like Mondragon, the bakery's members are not so much its owners as its citizens. Unlike shares in corporations and orthodox co-operatives, voting rights arise from working in the bakery, not from buying a share. Members have to buy shares, but share prices are purposely kept low. In this vital respect the bakery is more like a self-governing community than a typical business enterprise. But it is a community that survives by producing products consumers want, such as good bread.
The quality of its breadis reflected in its profits. The average worker's income at Alvarado Street in 2012 was $68,000 plus a percentage of profits, based on the number of hours worked. There are time cards at the bakery, but rather than enforcing managerial demands they measure every worker's right to a share of the profit. Some workers receive more in disbursement than its CEO, Joseph Tuck, because, as he emphasized to me, they worked longer hours. Last year these profits added an average of $18,000 to everyone's pay. In addition to this $86,000 workers receive generous vacation time, maxing out at 6 weeks annually after 7 years with the company. This includes the right to roll one week over into the next year. In addition the company provides generous medical, dental, and retirement benefits.
The flip side is that when times are bad workers feel it. Twice since its founding workers had to vote in reduced wages for themselves, taking a pay cut. But no one was laid off. Since 1993 this has not been necessary. Today the company is self-financing for all its needs.
The ethical economy
From the standpoint of a column on a Pagan site, economic prosperity is not the major issue, important as it is. As I explained in my previous post, capitalism is radically inhuman and incapable of reflecting human ethical values. Not so at the Alvarado Street Bakery, or other organizations based on the Mondragon model. Money is important and profits are necessary, but other values can sometimes trump them. In times of crisis everyone worked for less to protect all members, the opposite of corporations who see working people as sadly necessary expenses to be cut and minimized as much as possible. In this and many other ways, a workers cooperative organized along Mondragon style lines is a community able to act responsibly within a moral universe. A capitalist enterprise is not.
Transparency and trust emerge from this kind of enterprise. The fact that everyone benefits when the company does well, and that necessary hierarchy is understood as good for everyone, breaks down traditional internal barriers. As CEO, Joseph Tuck makes three times what the least paid worker makes, and his salary rate is determined by the workers themselves.
Workers also vote in the Board of Directors which itself is made up of workers. The Board sets hiring and firing policies, and decides whether or not to accept new members. If someone is terminated by a manager they can appeal to the CEO. If they disagree with his decision they can appeal to a committee of peers that make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board makes the final decision.
Turnover is very low at Alvarado Street with only three workers having left this last year. Over 65% have been there 10 years or more.
The Alvarado Street Bakery demonstrates workers' co-operatives can prosper in our strongly individualistic culture. When I asked Tuck about any tensions between American individualism and the cooperative model he replied "As Americans we change culture like no one else on the planet." More fundamentally, he observed "When you come here our basic culture is in harmony with the human condition. People are attracted to the idea of having a decent life and wage, and if the cooperative does well, they do as well."
In many ways the logic behind the Alvarado Street Bakery, and the Mondragon model in general, is an economic version of one of America's most venerated old institutions: the New England town democracies that so impressed many European visitors to the new United States. If such a town decided to create an enterprise to support them all, and in which they all worked, we would be looking at an example of this model.
Ironically the Mondragon model is in far greater harmony with the logic of a market economy, voluntary contract, and individual freedom than are capitalist corporations. They take the greatest positive strengths of modern economic organizations and transform them into service to human well-being rather than rule by an oligarchy.
Now that I have provided a solid set of examples that alternatives to capitalism exist, I will return to more Pagan specific issues in the next follow up post.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Intriguing analysis. It seems to me you've put your finger on a weakness of corporate capitalism as practiced in the United States today: Workers often don't feel invested in the success or failure of their companies, because they have been made to feel expendable and disposable. There's little incentive to excel, because they might be let go anyway and their work succeeds largely in generating profits for shareholders rather than for the workers themselves. There's no incentive.
This harms productivity and will, in the long term, hurt the corporations that are exploiting the workers. Unions that provided some measure of cooperative support are now toothless and of little help because everyone's "just glad to have a job." A sense of shared experience and cooperation is sorely needed. I hope this can be restored.
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Locality: Henry
Spencer Penn Centre
475 Spencer Penn Road
Spencer, VA 24165
We are happy to announce that Anita Hooker is back at Spencer-Penn for an evening Aerobics class. This class is sponsored through the M/HC Coalition for Health & Wellness.
The class will use steps, balls, bands and weights to get a complete work out.
Spencer Penn Centre is an education and special events center. Offering various classes in crafts, exercise, health and wellness, Spencer Penn continues since it opened as a school in 1927 to bring neighbors together. The historic venue is also a beautiful place to have your next family or business event. Check us out on our web page.
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CREW TV brings you closer to the industry's
most influential leaders and thinkers. Click on the videos below to watch the interviews:
Getting a tenant to agree to an illegal lease gets landlords nowhere, points out eviction expert Mark Weisleder, a Toronto lawyer and speaker at the upcoming Investor Forum Toronto.
The Early Bird deadline to purchase tickets for the upcoming Investor Forum Toronto is Feb 15 and space is filling up quickly. To reserve your place, please visit www.toronto.theinvestorforum.ca
Video transcript below:
Jemima Codrington: Evicting a tenant is a step no landlord wants to have to take. But if you are dealing with late or mis-payments, noise complaints, damage of baggage, sometimes it's the only option. Crew caught up with Lawyer, Investor and Speaker at this year's Investor Forum, Toronto, Mark Weisleder to find out how to go about evicting tenants.
Mark Weisleder, Toronto Lawyer, Author, Speaker
What challenges exist when evicting tenants?
Mark Weisleder: I think the number one complaint is why does it take so long to evict a tenant and is the government going to change the process. And what I'd like to explain to people is that there are one million rental units in the province today.
Every year approximately 50,000 N4 applications to evict a tenant are started. Of those half result in an eviction, which means 25,000 tenants are evicted from out of their units each year. Which means that 2.5% of all tenants are evicted. That also means that 97.5% of the income related to rental properties is almost guaranteed.
For this reason you are not going to see any change by the government and there are a lot more tenants than landlords when it comes to vote, so there will be very little change. The trick is to spend the time to find the right tenant, so you are not one of those 25,000 each year.
What can we expect from your session at the Toronto Investor Forum?
Mark Weisleder: At the Toronto Investor Forum what I hope to demonstrate is how the legislation is really consumer protection legislation for tenants and that's why it's so important that you do everything related to qualifying your tenants and what you put in a lease that does not violate the Act because it doesn't matter if a tenant agrees to something that's void it's thrown out and that's what I hope to lead the investors to. A real good understanding of what they should and should not be doing when they are renting units to tenants.
Jemima Codrington: To learn more book your tickets to the Investor Forum, Toronto today.
Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Devin P. McComb has joined the firm's Seattle office as a partner in the Real Estate & Land Use practice
Grimsby skyline to be reshaped by tallest buildings in city: two-tower residential complex
Connect Asset Management Challenges the Financial Community to Invest in Downtown Toronto Real Estate for a Good Cause


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BCPS Partners with Jersey College to Offer Summer NurseLife Exploration Camp
June 7, 2019
As part of efforts to develop a pipeline of future nurses, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Coordinated Student Health Services, in partnership with Jersey College and Blanche Ely High School Medical Science Magnet Program, is pleased to announce the NurseLife Exploration Camp. The innovative summer camp provides exciting learning opportunities in healthcare for students to expand their knowledge and interest in nursing.
Nurselife Exploration Camp provides a hands-on introduction to nursing for high school students who are interested in exploring nursing as a career. Campers will have the opportunity to participate and engage in medical-related simulations facilitated by college professors in collaborative learning environments. Learners will participate in actual clinical nursing experiences with real-college educational experiences, while enriching their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
"This early exposure to nursing can make a big difference in whether a student chooses to pursue nursing after high school," said Marcia Bynoe, director for BCPS Coordinated Student Health Services. "We hope the campers will open their eyes to the various pathways that a nursing career offers and expand their view of the profession."
The summer camp offers students a choice of two-week sessions, which run from June 10 – 27 and July 8 – 25. Campers will receive scrubs, stethoscope, penlight, medical equipment and supplies, and educational materials, courtesy of Jersey College School of Nursing. Upon completion of the program, students will receive CPR/AED/First Aid training with American Heart Association certification.
The NurseLife Exploration Camp will enable students to explore their passion for the healthcare industry and encourage students to strive for academic excellence.
"Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential."
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second-largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida's first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has more than 271,500 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 234 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 88 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 204 different countries and 191 different languages. Connect with BCPS: visit the website at browardschools.com, follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.


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FIFA President Joseph Blatter is visiting Israel and Palestine this week ahead of a May 29 FIFA congress vote in Zurich to suspend Israel from football's international governing body.
Blatter met with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu Tuesday and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday, as well as both country's Football Association heads, as part of his "mission of peace."
Blatter's visit to the Middle East follows individuals talks with representatives of both Israel and Palestine's football associations in an attempt to find an agreement to the PFA's proposal to suspend the IFA from FIFA at an upcoming congress in Switzerland.
The PFA has accused Israel of hampering its football activities, saying it imposes on restrictions on the movement of Palestinian athletes between the West Bank and Gaza. The PFA also cited the limitations Israel places on Palestinian imports of sports equipment into the West Bank and Gaza, as well as visits by foreign teams, individuals, and Fifa delegations, Reuters reports.
Head of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub wrote Tuesday, that, "While Israel continues to participate in Fifa matches internationally with impunity, Palestinian football players have been shot and arrested, our football association raided by Israeli army forces, our clubs more often than not forbidden from bringing players, coaches or even materials from abroad, just as the restriction of movement imposed on our players and technical staff, within, from and to Palestine have turned the game into a real act of resistance."
In meetings in Jerusalem Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu praised Blatter's opposition to the politicising of the sport. "Sport is a vehicle of goodwill among nations. The thing that could destroy the Football Association is politicizing it. You politicize it once with Israel, then you politicize it for everyone, and it will cause the deterioration of a great institution," Netanyahu said.
"One item I can tell you that I spoke about with [Netanyahu] … to arrange a match for peace between the national teams of Israel and Palestine and Fifa would be happy to organise it," Blatter said following the meeting, according to Reuters.
Only two countries have been suspended from FIFA in the governing body's history, Yugoslavia and South Africa. The suspension would see Israel and its teams barred from competing internationally. The motion requires majority backing at the congress in Zurich in order to be passed.
Ahead of his meeting with Rajoub in Ramallah, Blatter said he remained confident that, "we will find a solution for the benefit of football development ahead of the FIFA Congress."
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China Cuts Rates, Fed and Others Set to FollowBy Reuters - Print
China increasingly appears to be the world's last center of growth and has said it would not fall victim to the crisis, which has ravaged the world's financial markets. China cut its interest rate to 6.66 percent from 6.93.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - China and Norway kicked off the latest round of global interest rate cuts, with the United States expected to follow later on Wednesday as policy-makers tried to soften the world's economic downturn.
Japan may cut on Friday and the European Central Bank and Britain are expected to add to the monetary easing next week as authorities remain fearful that the worst financial crisis in 80 years will cause a long global recession.
China increasingly appears to be the world's last center of growth and has said it would not fall victim to the crisis, which has ravaged the world's financial markets. China cut its interest rate to 6.66 percent from 6.93.
"I think this is also part of a coordinated move of global central banks to bail out the financial markets," said Zhao Qingming, senior economist at China Construction Bank in Beijing.
"Though other central banks have not announced rate cuts yet, we can see that they are on the way," he said.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut U.S. rates by at least half a point to 1 percent, the lowest level since June 2004. The Fed announces its decision around 2:15 p.m.
Norway's central bank cut rates by 50 basis points to 4.75 percent, ending more than three years of tightening while signaling more moderate cuts ahead to help shield the oil-fueled economy from the crisis.
The rate cuts lifted stock markets for much of the day. Japan's Nikkei index ended up 7.7 percent and European shares climbed nearly 7 percent.
Volkswagen was Europe's biggest faller, however, diving more than 40 percent after Porsche took steps to ease a squeeze on short-sellers that had more than quadrupled the stock in days and briefly made it the world's most valuable company.
Wall Street followed Tuesday's rally, its second-biggest rise ever, with more modest gains. The S&P 500 was up about 0.75 percent.
Analysts said investors should not expect sustained rallies given the sharp economic downturn.
"Enjoy the party while you can," said David Buik, market commentator at Cantor Index in London.
The United States has entered a recession that will last longer and do more damage than any other since World War Two, the former head of the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research, Martin Feldstein, was quoted as saying.
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Hi! After update my SSD the line 09 "Power-On Hours Count" in SMART don't work. Has stopped on value 357 and doesn't change. All other lines work. Why the such has occurred? My configuration:
Asus P8P67 Pro
Intel X25-M SATA2 SSD (SSDSA2MH080G2R5) 80Gb
Western Digital WD1001FALS SATA2 HDD 1000Gb
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7263S
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 and last Intel RST driver
I tried to connect the SSD to other ports SATA2 and SATA3, but nothing has changed. How can I fix it? Thanx!
Interesting... I haven't updated mine yet so I can confirm in a day or so.
Has anyone else noticed this possible quirk?
power on hours count is working fine for me.
same here on both my drives.
I know another guy who has exactly the same problem after updating. Specialists Intel? Why you don't answer?
Just tested myself.... Power-On Hours Count still works.
Have you refreshed the SMART page?
Nice question Of course I refreshed the SMART page. I looked this in two programs - Intel SSD Toolbox and AIDA64. The second disc in the system is working properly and changes value of every hour. SSD formatted, reinstall windows and install new drivers. Nothing changes... A week ago 356 hours, of Monday 357, of Tuesday 357 and 357 yesterday... Great gods, I was in Groundhog Day
P.S. Maybe this bug in Cougar Point? But now the drive is connected to port SATA3... This strange
My two G2 80GB are reading this, one above 357, one below, as they should, so... this firmware was supposed to improve SMART reporting. Mine are fine.
I am not alone with this problem:
http://forum.asus.ru/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=113623&sid=2cd09ebf9aadabef0ecb4179406eecc8 MagicBolls wrote:
У меня мать P8P67 и Intel X25-M G2. У меня точно такая же проблема в S.M.A.R.T., пункт 09 - Power-On Haurs Count остановился и не меняется! Не важно в какой порт подключен накопитель SATA2 или SATA3.
http://forum.asus.ru/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73905 http://forum.asus.ru/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73905
"My motherboard P8P67 and Intel X25-M G2. I have exactly the same problem in the SMART, para 09 - Power-On Haurs Count stopped and does not change! No matter what the port is connected SATA2 drive or SATA3."
"Specialists Intel? Why you don't answer?"
OMGosh, slow down and get real. First, this is the first report of this in the forum AFAIK.
Second, and forgive me, but do you think that employees that work for PC related companies assume that every posting in their forums about a bug warrants an immediate and high priority investigation into the issue, particularly when only one person reports it? Ask yourself, how many times did you think something was wrong with software, hardware, etc, and later discover it was simply your mistake? I've done that more times than I want to admit. If companies did what I stated, that is about all they would ever do.
I have a drive that has decided it won't report SMART data, it is enabled in the BIOS for the drive, but none are displayed. Otherwise, it works fine, for months since it became DUMB. Should I start accusing the manufacture that their firmware is bad? How would I know that anyway?
Third, if some people are investigating it, why do you expect the results to be instant? If you've ever worked with software as I have, and test for a reported bug and can't duplicate it, that is a difficult situation. So give these folks a chance.
Next, consider this. Say they find a bug. If the programmer then posted on a forum that it was true, he would probably be fired. Why? There are procedures that companies have that must be followed before announcing product problems. Plus, that would be very unprofessional. Things are never as simple as we would like them to be.
It's all understandable. No need to write so much .
1. I understand that the bug is small. Not everyone will pay attention.
2. Special for you! Post subject written by "Bug after firmware update", not "Bug in firmware". I'm not accusing anyone, just trying to resolve the issue.
3. Earlier I reported about it in the ASUS company. Maybe it's their fault.
My position is now clear, Captain Obvious?
P.S. Sorry for offtopic
Hi, Interesting that you both have the same mobo. Have you tried the Marvell 9120 controller or maybe another mobo altogether?
BTW, my Intel SSD is on an ICH10R.
Your friend and you are both on P/H67? Both the same mobo as well? Try redux's suggestion with the different controller.
Ok, no problem, sorry for my rant, but after reading complaints by people on this and other forums where they seem to demand instant answers to their issues, when many of them are due to their own ignorance (not in this case) I just get sick of it.
Now, I do wonder what in the world you or anyone could have done to have one of their SMART attributes stop incrementing. That is strange and AFAIK not possible to do. It is possible to disable SMART monitoring (or is that reporting) but that is everything, not one value. So you are seeing other attributes changing but not the Hours On Count?
Since this firmware update included "adds improvements to SMART attributes..." (from the Release Notes) which implies changes to the code that works with that data, it is not unreasonable to wonder if an issue or problem was unintentionally introduced. Given the interactions between the firmware, the OS, and whatever else is involved, and all the different possibilities that exist, issues are quite possible.
In reading about SMART, I noticed that the programs involved may only work under an Administrative account. Also, drives in a RAID array will not have SMART data reported correctly. It was also stated that their are no industry wide standards for hardware and software interchange of SMART data. I've seen weird values for HDDs, such as huge numbers that make no sense, but I don't pay any attention to them, I assume they are just wrong. For example, SSD Toolbox shows, for a HDD, "Host Writes" of 127.54 PB. If I can translate the acronym literally, that would be Peta-Bytes, or 1000 TeraBytes. That HDD is not very old and has little usage, so that value is obviously wrong. But who knows where the problem with that number comes from?
Questions, what version of SSD Toolbox are you using? What SATA mode are you using?
BTW, who is Captain Obvious?
redux, DuckieHo
Earlier this SSD worked on Gigabyte EP43 and ICH10. In this configuration, there were no problems. Bug found after upgrade to P67 and after SSD firmware update. SATA from the Marvell controller did not try. Tomorrow will do it and be sure to write the results. Thanks for the idea! Yes! My friend uses a MB P67 as I do. Unfortunately other motherboards I have not.
No problem Other parameters are changing. For example Host Writes constantly added and Power Cycle Count. I'm using the latest version Intel SSD ToolBox 2.0.1.000. SATA works in AHCI mode. Installed the latest driver Intel RST. I do not use RAID. Really unclear situation... I will try with the different controller.
P.S. http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Captian_Obvious Who is Captain Obvious
I connected the SSD to the port Marvell, the result - Power-On Hours Count began to count the hours! 2:00 added... This great. I will try to connect back to the Intel SATA and delete the Intel RST.
I uninstall the Intel ® Rapid Storage Technology Driver 10.1.0.1008 and now everything works well. Hours are counted ... As I understand it, the problem between the Intel ® P67 Express Chipset - Intel ® RST - Intel ® SSD. Cause of the problem is found, will wait for a new driver RST. I read that it should soon be released. Thank you all for help in my problem!
Good to hear... odd that only that specific SMART value was affected and not being read.
Yes. This is strange. Today on the Russian forum overclockers.ru another guy had the same bug. Uninstall the driver Intel RST fix it.
Also, after a firmware update my SSD the line 09 "Power-On Hours Count" in SMART don't work. Has stopped on value 16 and doesn't change. All other lines work. Why the such has occurred? My computer:
Notebook Packard Bell EasyNote LJ75-JO-101RU
Intel Core i5 430m
Intel SSDSA2MJ080G2C1
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Thanks in advance for your help!
PS poor understanding of English
The issue seems to be with the SATA drivers. If you require this SMART field, uninstalling your Intel RST driver seems to resolve the issue and displays the updated Power-On Hours Count value.


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Cook the Book: Pasta Baked with Radicchio, Gorgonzola, and Pancetta
Today's recipe from On Top of Spaghetti is a baked-pasta dish that's ridiculously good. And ridiculously rich, too--so eat slowly, savor each magnificent bite, and, if it helps, eat less.
Pasta Baked with Radicchio, Gorgonzola, and Pancetta
- Yield:Serves 6
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups finely shredded radicchio or Belgian endive
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Fontina cheese
- 1/4 cup finely crumbled Gorgonzola
- 1/2 teaspoon or more kosher or sea salt
- 1 pound dried pasta shells or rotini
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pancetta
Heat the oven to 500 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream, stock, radicchio, all the cheeses, and salt. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Set the sauce mixture aside.
Generously salt the boiling water and drop in the pasta. Cook, stirring often, for 4 to 5 minutes. The pasta will be parboiled and too hard to eat; it cooks further in the oven. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup water. Transfer the macaroni to the mixing bowl and combine thoroughly with the sauce mixture. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved water, a tablespoon at a time, until the pasta moves freely and is surrounded by liquid.
Transfer to individual shallow baking dishes or to 1 or 2 large shallow baking dishes. Evenly distribute the pancetta over the surface and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is bubbly hot, with bits of browned pancetta and pasta poking out on top. Serve right away.
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The Model Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) System program, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and US Dept of Education, provides assistance to establish innovative projects for the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive medical, vocational, and other rehabilitation services to meet the needs of individuals with spinal cord injury.
Model System Centers across the United States work together to:
TIRR Memorial Hermann has been a part of the SCI Model Systems for over 35 years, from 1973 to 2011.
Patients from various facilities in the Houston area were enrolled in the Texas Model Spinal Cord Injury System (TMSCIS) and called 1 year post injury and every 5 years post injury to complete a follow up interview.
For the 2011-2016 grant cycle TIRR Memorial Hermann is 1 of 4 Form II centers where only follow-up data is collected by interviews with participants previously enrolled in the TMSCIS.
Per the agreement with NIDRR, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) sub-contracts with TIRR Memorial Hermann to allow for continued Form II follow-up data collection. TIRR Memorial Hermann is currently not enrolling any new participants for the SCI Model Systems Project.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), located at the University of Alabama - Birmingham, supports and directs the collection and management of data entered into the spinal cord injury research database by the SCI Model Systems.
Within the scope of the Spinal Cord Injury Model System program, the purposes of the Database are to:
The database, however, is not intended to study the effectiveness of model systems care as compared to other systems of health care delivery. It is also not by itself intended to gather and maintain population-based data on spinal cord injuries.
In August 2011, Heather Taylor, PhD, was appointed to be the Director of Spinal Cord Injury Research at TIRR Memorial Hermann and the Principal Investigator for the SCI Model Systems Form II follow-up data collection center at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
For more information on the SCI Model Systems or to see the most recent Facts and Figures sheet (which summarizes the data collected over the years) visit the NSCISC website.
For more information about what is done with the data collected by the Model Systems,visit the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) website.
For more information about the SCI Model System at TIRR Memorial Hermann or to update your contact information as a participant in the SCI Model System please contact one of the SCI research staff:
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LECPMJ, Step Motor Controller, CC-Link Direct Input Type for LES Series
The LECPMJ is a controller for LE's 24VDC step motors, compatible with CC-Link v1.10 fieldbus. Fieldbus compatibility permits position and speed monitoring by the PLC, as well as step data entry. Up to 42 controllers can be connected, depending on the parameter definition mode desired at the PLC. Up to 64 motion control step data can also be set by laptop software or a teaching pendant.
- Rewrite 1, 6, or all 12 step data items from PLC touch panel (CC-Link v1.10 compliant)
- Monitor position and speed from PLC touch panel
- Compatible motor: 24VDC step motor with incremental A/B phase encoder
- NPN or PNP parallel I/O types
- Screw or DIN rail mounting
- Configuration software required (sold separately)


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Women's Rowing
|Head Coach
|Alma Mater:
|Princeton '01
|8 Years
Daniel Garbutt has been instrumental in the early success of the Old Dominion women's rowing program not only having helped build the team from the ground up, but in the Lady Monarchs making headlines in the world of collegiate rowing in just three years as a varsity program.
Garbutt was elevated to head coach after serving as interim coach in the summer of 2011 by Old Dominion Athletic Director Wood Selig after a monumental season. Not only did the Lady Monarchs achieve a second place showing by the Varsity Eight and Varsity Four at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta, ODU also had sweeps of Miami and Colgate, wins over six-time Patriot League Champion Bucknell, a third place finish at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, and Grand Final appearances at the Knecht Cup.
Along with the success on the water, Garbutt also helped open the the $2.3 million ODU Rowing Center in the spring of 2011, representing a joint partnership project between the city of Norfolk and the University. A two-story, 13,000 square foot, boathouse facility that houses the Lady Monarchs rowing program just minutes away from ODU on the Lafayette River, is a state-of-the art facility that provides first class accommodations for the program that provides training year round as Garbutt continues to build the highly competitive Lady Monarch program .
Garbutt originally joined the Lady Monarch coaching staff in July of 2008 as the first assistant coach as the team geared up for its first season of varsity competition.
A 2001 graduate of Princeton University, Garbutt's collegiate career began in 1998 with him winning the Freshman Award and being named a member of the United States National Team, while the Tigers captured the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship. He went on to earn three varsity letters in men's heavyweight crew as Princeton won three Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (EARC) Championships (1998, 1999, 2001). As a senior in 2001 he received All-Ivy League and All-American honors.
Garbutt's collegiate coaching career began as an intern and technical assistant at the University of Washington in 2001. He then went on to spend two years as an assistant men's rowing coach at Northeastern from 2002 to 2004. Garbutt also spent time as a volunteer coach with several high school programs, as well as the Princeton's lightweight men's crew team, while working full-time as a senior specialist for the Centralized Business Review Unit of Merrill Lynch.


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Groklaw Shutters Doors Over Email Privacy Concerns
Aug 20, 2013 1:23 PM PT
The continuing flood of news about the NSA's surveillance of Americans' communications, which has already forced secure email providers Lavabit and Silent Circle to shut down, has now claimed yet another victim.
Specifically, award-winning tech legal news site Groklaw, which served the free and open source software community, on Tuesday announced that it is closing because of email security concerns.
"They tell us that if you send or receive an email from outside the U.S., it will be read," explained founder Pamela Jones. "If it's encrypted, they keep it for five years, presumably in the hopes of tech advancing to be able to decrypt it against your will and without your knowledge."
The email surveillance means "there is now no shield from forced exposure," Jones added, citing the closure of Lavabit specifically as another motivating factor.
Groklaw did not respond to our request for further details.
'Society Suffers'
"The tech community has lost one of its best and most reputable sources of information," Yasha Heidari, managing partner at the Heidari Power Law Group, told the E-Commerce Times. "Any time the free exchange of ideas is quashed, society suffers."
Indeed, Groklaw's closure "is a good indication of the chilling effects that mass surveillance has," Nate Cardozo, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, remarked.
"It shows that the kind of mass surveillance we have been suing over for the last several years is, first, true; and second, it has real negative effects on American business and on the free exchange of ideas," Cardozo added.
'Real Consequences'
Jones cited excerpts from a book by Janna Malamud Smith titled, Private Matters: In Defense of the Personal Life as one influence on her thinking.
Destroying a person's privacy and his safety in private is one way of destroying an individual short of outright murder, Smith wrote in one excerpt, for example.
"The totalitarian state watches everyone, but keeps its own plans secret," reads another. "Privacy is seen as dangerous because it enhances resistance."
Michael Hayden, a former director of both the NSA and CIA, earlier this month warned that hackers and transparency groups might launch cyberattacks if the United States government were to bring NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden back to the U.S. for trial.
Of course, Jones "is not a terrorist and has nothing to hide," the EFF's Cardozo told the E-Commerce Times. "The fact that she feels compelled to close shows that the sort of [surveillance] programs we've been learning about for the past few months have real consequences."
Gotta Play Together
Things "are certainly as bad as Jones claims," Heidari said. "The recent government scandal overshadows every other scandal in the U.S.'s history by a significant margin. Also, the scandal today directly impacts each and every citizen. In no time in history could surveillance be conducted in such an efficient and widespread manner."
The key issue is whether Groklaw's closure is a sign of things to come, Robin Feldman, a professor of law at the UC Hastings College of the Law, told the E-Commerce Times.
"The Internet ecosystem ... is somewhat like the international monetary system: It works because we are all willing to believe and to play along," Feldman explained. "Widespread withdrawal or nonparticipation could damage the fabric."
'Not the Best Answer'
Nonetheless, it is still possible to run a tech site, contends the EFF's Cardozo.
"We here at EFF will continue to run our site," Cardozo continued. "I would not advise others in [Jones'] position to close their websites. I think we need to continue the public dialogue, and pulling out of the dialogue is probably not the best answer."


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Holy Good Looking Batman! Check Out How Hot These Former Child Stars Are Now
We all had our favorite movies and shows growing up. Many of them were full of child stars, some of whom we loved and could imagine as our own friends, ...
We Bring You The Vibes


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The Certified Coach Practitioner Course is offered by the Certified Coaches Federation. This is July/August/September 2011 schedule. Please visit
http://www.certifiedcoachesfederation.com/schedule.html for more information and registrations.
The Certified Coach Practitioner Course is a 2-day intensive training incorporating coaching skills and strategies, which includes free access for 12 months to the Certified Coaches Federation Continuing Education program.
Certified Life Coach Training – July 2011
Overland Park, KS: 16-17
Charlotte, NC: 16-17
Austin, TX: 23-24
Atlanta, GA: 30-31
Los Angeles, CA: 30-31
Oklahoma City, OK: 30-31
Toronto, ON: 23-24
Cambridge, ON: 23-24
Edmonton, ON: 23-24
Certified Life Coach Training – August 2011
Madison, WI: 6-7
Colorado Springs, CO: 6-7
Des Moines, IA: 20-21
Jacksonville, FL: 27-28
Ottawa, ON: 20-21
Certified Life Coach Training – September 2011
Los Angeles, CA: 17-18
Washington, DC: 24-25
New York City, NY: 24-25
Miami, FL: 24-25
Toronto, ON: 17-18
Montreal, QC: 17-18
Saskatoon, SK: 24-25


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The planned station...................
Daily News...
New plan in works for Penn Station
By ERIC HERMAN
Penn Station is getting a new developer.
The state agency overseeing the conversion of the main post office will seek a firm to transform more than half the building into a new rail facility as early as this summer, the agency's chairman said.
The move could shrink the role of previously selected developers, including the Staubach Company.
"They will not have the same kinds of long-term agreements and control that they had before," Charles Gargano, chairman of the Empire State Development Corp., told the Daily News.
Two years ago, the state tapped Staubach and Fraport AG to run the Penn Station project, turning the Farley Post Office at Eighth Avenue between W. 31st and W. 33rd streets into a state-of-the-art transit hub, with space for shopping.
Roger Staubach, a former football star and supporter of President Bush, founded the company that bears his name.
Officials had said the station would be done by 2004. But it got bogged down in negotiations between the state and the U.S. Postal Service over control of the building.
Under a tentative deal reached last year, the state agreed to buy Farley for $230 million. It also expanded the commercial space to be developed from 100,000 to 700,000 square feet.
With the project larger, the state will look for a new company to build and run 60% of it, with Staubach keeping 40%.
Gargano said a new bidding would begin late this summer, when the post office sale is due to be completed. Preliminary construction could also begin then, and would take four years.
Meanwhile, state officials are set to meet with Staubach executives next week to renegotiate their agreement.
"We're relatively convinced that we're going to have a major role in the project going forward, and that role may change," said Staubach executive Peter Larkin.
The planned station...................
What's going to be the deal with the existing Penn Station? *Is the city going to modernize/renovate the existing part, along with the expansion into the Farley Building, or is the city going to wait another 20 years to take care of that?
Static images: http://www.pixelbypixel.com/farley
The animation is meant to dazzle and can be confusing.
People who have interest in seeing New York get a train terminal that does not resemble a warren for rats & other small rodents will read today's Daily News article with a groan.
It was eleven years ago a determined Senator Moynihan said it was time to rebuild Penn Station. *It's 2003...the Post Office still hasn't vacated...a developer still isn't selected...the money still isn't there.
The number mentioned to convert the Farley Post Office is "four years." *Dream on: if there is so much as a steam shovel in the neighborhood come 2007 you can consider that a small sign of progress. *
You're as jolly as your avatar.
Thanks for the images, although I usually enjoy being dazzled and confused.
If NYC gets the 2012 Olympics, this will get built quickly.
I supose what happens to the old Penn Sta depends upon the west side stadium - if it's built and multiuse, the Knicks and Rangers would move out of MSG.
Hehe.Quote: from Christian Wieland on 8:38 pm on Mar. 20, 2003
You're as jolly as your avatar.
Those renderings look like they're from SOM. *I like. *I like very much.
I wonder what they'll do with the platforms under MSG after the new station is renovated; plus how will the 1-2-3-9-A-C-E Trains stop there as well?
(Edited by TLOZ Link5 at 8:53 pm on Mar. 20, 2003)
hey that was a really cool rendering/ movie. *I like the plan
The idea from a decade ago was to keep the rat-hole known as Penn Station in use for both the LIRR and NJ Transit commuters. *The new terminal would be dedicated solely to Amtrak.
But a lot can change in ten years. *Just ask the pharmaceutical companies: anti-depressants such as Zoloft and Prozac are all the rage; there's no question either of those could help Elmo get his groove back. *
NJ Transist platforms don't all extend past 8th ave, same with some LIRR platforms. *Who uses what in Penn Station is a never-ending political mess, as you have two state agencies and a federal egency vying for turf in a station designed for a single railraod. *The three railroads share tracks 5-16. *1-4 are exclusively NJ Transit and 17-21 are exclusively LIRR. *Check it:
I think the Farley project is an monumentally stupid and expensive half-measure, but I'll save that argument for later.
The money has been there for a while now. *The Farley just isn't a vacant building, its still in use by the Post Office and an agreement had to be made on use of space.Quote: from JD on 8:29 pm on Mar. 20, 2003
It was eleven years ago a determined Senator Moynihan said it was time to rebuild Penn Station. *It's 2003...the Post Office still hasn't vacated...a developer still isn't selected...the money still isn't there.
As far as who will use the "new" station, both the current and new stations will be considered "Penn Station". *NJ Transit doesn't actually have any platforms at Penn Station, it uses space occupied by Amtrak, and Amtrak always has the right of way. *That's one reason why NJ Transit doesn't have regular track assignments like some LIRR trains which dominate Penn Station.
But there was recently an unused space opened to give NJ Transit riders a seperate ticketing concourse from Amtrak (7th Ave) with access to the tracks from there. *
(Edited by NYguy at 9:15 am on Mar. 21, 2003)
Would it be more expensive to dismantle the current Penn Station and then erect a more aesthetically pleasing structure in its place, while preserving the tracks and platforms and whatnot? *I mean, that's what they did with the original Penn Station, sans the replacement with a prettier building.
You mean tear down Madison Square Garden and put the old Penn Station back?
Are you sure the new station will be used only by Amtrak?


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PORTLAND, Ore. — Defender Drew Moor's extra-time goal lifted the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday at JELD-WEN Field.
Jamie Smith served in a set piece to set up the winner. Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins stopped two attempts from close range but the Portland backline could not get a clearance. Moor got on the loose ball and put it in the back of the net.
The win is the first for Colorado in more than a month and comes after six straight ties.
It appeared that the Rapids might set an MLS record for consecutive ties at seven before Moor seized on one of the few second-half opportunities for Colorado.
The game ended after Ryan Pore took a final shot for Portland that went over the crossbar.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Timbers, who lost for the third straight time. Portland had an 18-14 advantage in shots, but just couldn't put one into the net.
The goal came moments after Portland coach John Spencer was asked to leave by the referee.
It was a physically demanding first half for the Timbers. Kenny Cooper emerged from a crowd of bodies after a Colorado corner kick with a bloodied forehead. He left the game momentarily and re-entered with a bandage wrapped around his head.
Timbers defender Mamadou "Futty" Danso left the field on a stretcher after going up with Colorado's Caleb Folan to win a 50-50 ball. Danso injured his left shoulder on the play, which came in the 23rd minute. He was transported to a nearby hospital to be examined.
Despite the fact that the game entered stoppage time with the teams still tied at 0-0, the affair proved to be action-packed, with Portland 'keeper Troy Perkins and Colorado netminder Matt Pickens making several key saves.
Only 11 minutes into the match, Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz forced Perkins to stretch out for a save with a long-range effort. Nine minutes later, Colorado's Jame Smith did the same, making Perkins take flight to.
Just minutes later, with Danso on the ground following his injury, the Rapids Conor Casey back-heeled a set-up pass to Folan, who fired a shot that Perkins saved. The Timers 'keeper would deny a good scoring opportunity from the Irish striker again just minutes later .
But just as Perkins answered the call, so did Pickens at the other end.
With the match barely hitting the eight-minute mark, Pickens made a diving stop on a cross-shot from Darlington Nagbe.
Shortly after the restart of the second half, in the 57th minute, Cooper ricocheted a hard volley off the pitch and towards the target, but Pickens made a reaction swap to keep his goal safe.
Colorado now return home to host the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Portland, meanwhile, will defend JELD-WEN Field for a second straight week when the New York Red Bulls pay a visit on Sunday.
Scoring Summary:
COL -- Drew Moor 2 (Caleb Folan 2) 92+
Misconduct Summary:
POR -- Jeremy Hall (caution; Reckless Tackle) 50
COL -- Wells Thompson (caution; Reckless Tackle) 54
POR -- Diego Chara (caution; Reckless Tackle) 67
COL -- Jeff Larentowicz (caution; Reckless Tackle) 77
Colorado Rapids -- Matt Pickens, Kosuke Kimura, Tyrone Marshall, Drew Moor, Scott Palguta, Jamie Smith, Pablo Mastroeni, Jeff Larentowicz, Wells Thompson, Conor Casey (Quincy Amarikwa 75), Caleb Folan.
Substitutes Not Used: Andre Akpan, Danny Earls, Mike Holody, Ross LaBauex, Anthony Wallace, Steward Ceus.
Portland Timbers -- Troy Perkins, Jeremy Hall, Eric Brunner, Mamadou Danso (David Horst 32), Rodney Wallace, Darlington Nagbe (Sal Zizzo 77), Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chara, Kalif Alhassan, Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza (Ryan Pore 81).
Substitutes Not Used: Eddie Johnson, James Marcelin, Adam Moffat, Adin Brown.
Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Referee's Assistants: -Chris Strickland; Peter Balciunas
4th Official: Allen Chapman
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-68-degrees
Attendance: 18,627


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European equities closed lower on Wednesday for a third-straight day, after better-than-expected jobs data from the U.S. increased concerns that the Federal Reserve would "taper" its bond-buying program sooner rather than later.
Banking stocks hit
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 Index provisionally closed down 0.6 percent at 1,273.47 points.
Selling accelerated after the first of several U.S. economic indicators, which could give an idea as to how Friday's non-farm payrolls number will read, and how quickly the Federal Reserve will start cutting stimulus.
The ADP (Automatic Data Processing) employment report showed 215,000 jobs were created in the U.S. in November. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that only 173,000 private sector jobs would be created.
(Read More: Private job creationjumps, way above expectations)
Meanwhile, bank stocks saw a sell-off of around 1.1 percent. Some of the world's biggest banks were hit with a 1.7 billion euro ($2.3 billion) fine for interest rate-rigging by traders on Wednesday, the largest fine ever imposed by the European Commission (EC).
The banks fined were Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, JPMorgan, and Societe Generale. Deutsche has to pay the biggest fine for conspiring to rig rates, with a 725 million euro bill. RBS must pay a total of 391 million euros.
(Read More: Banks hit with $2.3 billion rate-rigging fine)
Europe data
On Wednesday, the second estimate for the euro zone's third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) confirmed the euro zone economy had grown just 0.1 percent quarter-on-quarter.
Services purchasing managers index (PMI) data were released giving a mixed picture. Figures for Italy were below initial estimates at 47.2, France's were also below estimates, with a contraction at 48.0. However, Germany's wereabove expectations with a figure of 55.7, as was the euro zone number overall.
Thursday's upcoming European Central Bank's (ECB) meeting was also in focus, with analysts awaiting the central bank's economic forecasts. If the ECB indicates inflation will remain below target into 2015, it could mean there will be new liquidity measures next year.
Tesco shares higher
In stocks news, FTSE 100-listed supermarket Tesco reported a sharp drop in third-quarter like-for-like sales on Wednesday; shares closed around 0.5 percent lower. The FTSE 100 itself closed provisionally down 0.4 percent.
Standard Chartered, a fellow FTSE 100 component, clocked up a more significant fall, closing down around 6.5 percent after it said this year's income would be similar to last's. it previously reported a slowdown in Asian growth in the past five months.
Also on the FTSE 100, shares of Sage Group surged to close over 7.0 percent higher after the company said it was confident of hitting revenue targets for next year, due to growth in its cloud computing offering.
In France, hotel group Accor received a bounce after being raised to a "buy" from "neutral" by UBS. Its shares closed more than 3.0 percent higher, outperforming the benchmark French Cac-40, which closed provisionally down 0.5 percent.
Follow us on Twitter: @CNBCWorld


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U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues Panda Restaurant Group, alleging that it treated its Latino workers differently from its Asian workers at one of its San Jose, California, Panda Express restaurants
August 22, 2011
(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
– Chinese fast food restaurant chain Panda Restaurant Group violated federal law by treating its Latino employees differently from Asian workers at one of its San Jose restaurants, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.
According to the EEOC, the general manager of the Panda Express located on El Paseo de Saratoga gave less desirable assignments to Hispanic workers, reduced their hours and held them to a different standard of performance. Aremy Lomely and other Hispanic workers who worked as counter help were required to clean the bathroom, tables and counters, while Asian employees were permitted to simply stand around and watch, said the federal agency. In addition, the EEOC found that the general manager disciplined Latino employees in a stricter, harsher and more frequent manner than Asian employees for similar infractions.
"[The general manager's] treatment of Mexican workers really divided us from the Asian workers," said Lomely. "I felt so ashamed when the Asian workers watched me obediently run from the bathroom to the tables to the counters, cleaning when they did not have to. For months, he treated me like a worthless employee, disciplining me for things he would never hold against his non-Hispanic food line servers. It is such a relief to know that the law says this is not OK."
Discrimination based on national origin violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through conciliation, the EEOC filed the lawsuit EEOC v. Panda Express, Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking monetary damages on behalf of the Hispanic workers, training on anti-discrimination laws, posting of notices at the work site and other measures to prevent future discrimination.
EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo said, "Favoring employees of one ethnicity over another is not only illegal but undermines the benefits of a diverse work force. The law, as well as common sense, requires employers to base employment decisions on the skills, experience and merit of individual employees instead of national origin or ancestry."
Michael Baldonado, the EEOC's San Francisco District Director, added, "Although the company had a written policy against discrimination, clearly there was a failure to implement it. We hope this lawsuit will send two clear messages: For employers, train your supervisors to prevent discrimination and be sure that your written policy is taken seriously. For workers, particularly immigrants and newcomers who may not be as familiar with their rights, we hope this case will encourage people to stand up for their rights and to report discrimination."
According to the company website, www.pandarg.com, the privately-held Panda Restaurant Group has headquarters in Rosemead, Calif., and employs over 18,000 workers companywide at 1,200 locations in 36 states, under the brands Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San.
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its website at www.eeoc.gov.
* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.


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J. Vernon McGee
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Although it is not alleged that the arrangement of the books of the Bible is inspired, it is a historical fact that spiritual and scholarly men supervised the arrangement of the books of the New Testament canon. Therefore, it is no accident that the Gospel of Matthew is first. Even Renan, the French skeptic, said of this Gospel, "…the most important book in Christendom — the most important book that ever has been written." This Gospel stands like a swinging door between the two Testaments. It swings back into the Old Testament and gathers up prophecies fulfilled at the first coming of Christ, and it swings into the New Testament and speaks of the "new creation" of God, "Upon this rock I will build my church" kjv@Matthew:16:18). WRITER: Matthew was a converted publican kjv@Matthew:9:9) who was chosen to write to the Jews concerning their Messiah. KEY: Matthew presents the program of God. The "kingdom of heaven" is an expression which is peculiar to this Gospel. It occurs 32 times. The word "kingdom" occurs 50 times. A proper understanding of the phrase "kingdom of heaven" is essential to any interpretation of the Bible. The kingdom of heaven and the church are not the same. John the Baptist was the first to use the expression "the kingdom of heaven" kjv@Matthew:3:2). He began his ministry with the bold and startling announcement, "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." When the Lord Jesus Christ began His ministry, He likewise began with this very announcement kjv@Matthew:4:17). Neither John nor Jesus attempted to explain the meaning of the term. It is reasonable to assume that the people to whom the message was given had some conception of its meaning. The Jews of the first century in Palestine had a clearer understanding of the term than the average church member in Christendom today. They were not confused by the theologians of 19 centuries who have attempted to fit the term into some system of theology. In this they were fortunate. They understood the term to be the sum total of all the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the coming of the King from heaven to set up a kingdom on this earth with heaven's standard. The concept is not new kjv@Daniel:2:44 kjv@Daniel:7:14 kjv@Daniel:7:27). To read into this expression the history since John and Jesus made the first announcement is a presumption which the Scriptures will not countenance. The kingdom was near in the person of the King. The kingdom has not been postponed, as God still intends to carry out His earthly purpose on schedule — "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion" kjv@Psalms:2:6). God's dealing with
men since the rejection and crucifixion of the King has been in the framework of the kingdom of heaven. He is carrying out a heavenly purpose today "bringing many sons unto glory" kjv@Hebrews:2:10). The calling out of the church is not synonymous with the kingdom of heaven, though the church is in the kingdom of heaven kjv@Matthew:13). Neither is the term "kingdom of God" synonymous with "kingdom of heaven." The "kingdom of God"' is a broader term that encompasses all of God's creation, including angels. The following chart may be helpful in thinking of these terms with the proper distinction.
The church is in the kingdom of heaven, but it is not the same; likewise it is in the kingdom of God. Los Angeles is in the state of California, but it is not the same. California is in the United States and is part of it, but it is not identical to the whole country — in spite of what the Chamber of Commerce claims. It will be seen that the term "kingdom of heaven" is a progressive term in the Gospel of Matthew. It assumes the mystery form during the days of the rejection of the King, but the King becomes a sower in the world kjv@Matthew:13). The kingdom will be established on this earth at the return of the King kjv@Matthew:24-25). The four Gospels constitute a modern newspaper: Matthew contains the announcements and advertising, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"; Mark carries the flaming headlines, "Behold my servant" (we need to know the headlines, at least, of God's program); Luke has the special features — he alone records the songs connected with the birth of Christ, the stories of the Good Samaritan and of the Prodigal Son; John has the editorial section — he has written on the bread of life, the water of life, the true vine, and the Christian life. OUTLINE: "Behold Your King" — Matthew presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the King. I. II. III. Person of the King, Chapters 1, 2 Preparation of the King, Chapters 3:1 — 4:16 Propaganda of the King, Chapters 4:17 — 9:35
Program of the King, Chapters 9:36 — 16:20 Passion of the King, Chapters 16:21 — 27:66 Power of the King, Chapter 28
There is a movement in Matthew. Learn to think your way through the entire Gospel from the first chapter through the twenty-eighth. You must know Matthew to understand the Bible. You can no more understand the Bible without understanding the Gospel of Matthew than you can write without an alphabet. Moving Through Matthew CHAPTER Genealogy and record of virgin birth of Jesus Visit of wise men — flight to Egypt — return to Nazareth John the Baptist, forerunner of King, announces kingdom and baptizes Jesus, the King 4 Testing of the King in wilderness — begins public ministry at Capernaum — calls disciples 5, 6, 7 Sermon on the Mount (1) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to self, 5:1-16 (2) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to Law, 5:17-48 (3) Relationship of subjects of kingdom to God, 6 (4) Relationship of children of King to each other, 7 8 Six miracles of King demonstrate His dynamic to enforce ethics of Sermon on the Mount 9 Performs six more miracles — calls Matthew — contends with Pharisees 10 Jesus commissions twelve to preach gospel of the kingdom to nation Israel 11 Quizzed by disciples of John — rejects unrepentant cities — issues new invitation to individuals 12 Conflict and final break of Jesus with religious rulers 13 Mystery parables of kingdom of heaven 14 John the Baptist beheaded — Jesus feeds 5,000 — sends disciples into storm at sea — walks on water to them 15 Jesus denounces scribes and Pharisees — heals daughter of Syrophoenician woman and multitudes — feeds 4,000 16 Conflict with Pharisees and Sadducees — confession from disciples, Peter spokesman — Jesus first confronts them with church, His death and resurrection 17 Transfiguration — demon-possessed boy — tax money provided by miracle 1 2 3
Little child — lost sheep — conduct in coming church — parable on forgiveness 19 God's standard for marriage and divorce — little children blessed — rich young ruler — apostles' position in coming kingdom 20 Parable of laborers in vineyard — Jesus makes 4th and 5th announcements of His approaching death — mother requests places of honor for James and John — Jesus restores sight to two men 21 King offers Himself publicly and finally to nation — cleanses temple — curses fig tree — condemns religious rulers with parables of two sons and householder 22 Parable of marriage feast for king's son — Jesus answers and silences Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees 23 Jesus warns against and pronounces woes upon scribes and Pharisees — weeps over Jerusalem 24, 25 Olivet Discourse: Jesus answers questions about sign of end of age and sign of His coming — parable of ten virgins — parable of eight talents — judgment of sheep and goat nations 26 Jesus plotted against — anointed by Mary of Bethany — sold by Judas — observes last Passover and first Lord's Supper — agonizes in Gethsemane — arrested and tried by religious rulers — disowned by Peter 27 Trial, death and burial of the King 28 Resurrection of the King — His great commission THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS There are approximately 400 years which take place between the days of Nehemiah and Malachi and the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. This is a great yawning chasm of silence as far as Scripture is concerned. Nevertheless, this period was a thrilling time when momentous and world-shaking events were transpiring. A brief understanding of these days is at least essential to a right appreciation of the New Testament. World history made rapid strokes in this interval. The internal condition of Judah experienced a radical transformation. A new culture, different institutions, and unfamiliar organizations arose in this period which appear in the New Testament. The Old Testament closed with the Medio-Persian Empire being the dominant power. Also, Egypt was still a power to be reckoned with in world politics. During the interval between the Testaments both faded from the scene as
outstanding nations. World power shifted from the East to the West, from the Orient to the Occident, from Asia to Europe, and from Medio-Persia to Greece. When the New Testament opens, a new power, Rome, is the world ruler. A consideration of some important, approximate dates will give a rapid succession of major events which mark the transition. Xerxes, the Persian, was victorious against the Greeks at Thermopylae, but he was defeated at the battle of Salamis. This was the last bid of the East for world dominion. 333 B.C. Alexander the Great led the united Greek forces to victory over the Persians at Issus. 332 B.C. Alexander the Great visited Jerusalem. He was shown the prophecy of Daniel which spoke of him; therefore he spared Jerusalem. 323 B.C. Alexander died, and the world empire of both East and West was divided among his four generals. 320 B.C. Judea was annexed to Egypt by Ptolemy Soter. 312 B.C. Selucius founded the kingdom of the Selucidae. Judea became the battleground between Syria and Egypt as a buffer state. 203 B.C. Antiochus the Great took Jerusalem, and Judea passed under the influence of Syria. 170 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes took Jerusalem and defiled the temple. He had been mentioned in Daniel as the little horn kjv@Daniel:8:9). He has been called the "Nero of Jewish history." 166 B.C. Mattathias, the priest of Judea, raised a revolt against Syria. This is the beginning of the Maccabean period. The Jews have never suffered more than during this era, and never were they more heroic than in this interval. Judas Maccabaeus, "the hammer," was the leader who organized the revolt. 63 B.C. Pompey, the Roman, took Jerusalem, and this people passed under the rulership of a new world power, where they were at the time of the birth of Jesus. 40 B.C. Roman Senate appointed Herod to be King of Judea. 37 B.C. Herod took Jerusalem and slew Antigonus, the last of the Maccabean king-priests. 27 B.C. Caesar Augustus became emperor of Rome. 19 B.C. The rebuilding of the Herodian temple was begun. 4 B.C. Anno Domini — "in the year of the Lord" — Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The experiences of the nation of Judea during the inter-testament period 480 B.C.
affected its internal life. In fact, a radical change took place. After the Babylonian captivity, they turned from idolatry to a frantic striving for legal holiness. The Law became an idol to them. The classic Hebrew gave way to the Aramaic in their everyday speech, but the Hebrew was retained for their synagogues. The synagogue, which seemed to have come in right after the Captivity, became the center of their life in Judea and also everywhere they went into the world. Many parties appeared among them. In Judea there were several prominent ones. They were: 1. Pharisees — The Pharisees arose to defend the Jewish way of life against all foreign influences. They were strict legalists who believed in the Old Testament and who were nationalists in politics. 2. Sadducees — The Sadducees were made up of the wealthy and social minded who wanted to get rid of tradition. They rejected the supernatural and were opposed to the Pharisees who accepted it. The Sadducees were closely akin to the Greek Epicureans. 3. Scribes — The scribes were a group of professional expounders of the Law which stemmed from the days of Ezra. They became "hair-splitters" and were more concerned with the "letter of the law" than with the "spirit of the law." 4. Herodians — The Herodians were a party in the days of Jesus who arose as political opportunists seeking to maintain the Herods on the throne. There was great literary activity during this period in spite of the fact that there was no revelation from God. The Old Testament was translated into Greek in Alexandria in Egypt during the period 285-247 B.C. It was made by six members from each of the 12 tribes; hence, the name given to this translation was "Septuagint," meaning seventy. The Apocrypha of the Old Testament was written in this era. These are 14 books which bear no marks of inspiration. They are as follows: 1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, 2 Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Song of the Three Holy Children, History of Susannah, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasses, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. There are two books which are classified as the Pseudepigrapha because they bear the names of two characters of the Old Testament, but there is no evidence that these two were the writers. These two books are the Psalter of Solomon and the Book of Enoch. Although this is a period marked by the silence of God, it is, nevertheless, evident that God was preparing the world for the coming of Christ. The Jewish people, the Greek civilization, the Roman Empire, and the seething multitudes of the Orient were all being prepared for the coming of a Savior, insomuch that these events produced the scene which Paul labeled "the fulness of time."
RECOMMENDED BOOKS: Frank, Harry Thomas, editor. Hammond's Atlas of the Bible Lands. Maplewood, New Jersey: Hammond Inc., 1977. (Excellent and inexpensive.) Gaebelein, Arno C. The Gospel of Matthew. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., 1910. Ironside, H. A. Expository Notes on the Gospel of Matthew. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., n.d. (Especially good for young Christians.) Kelly, William. Lectures on the Gospel of Matthew. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., 1868. McGee, J. Vernon. Matthew, Vols. 1 & 2. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1975. (A comprehensive study.) McGee, J. Vernon. Moving Through Matthew. Pasadena, California: Thru the Bible Radio, 1955. (An outline study.) Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Parables of Our Lord. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982. Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Words and Works of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981. Scroggie, W. Graham. A Guide to the Gospels. London: Pickering & Inglis, 1948. (Excellent for personal or group study.) Thomas, W. H. Griffith. Outline Studies in Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1961. Vos, Howard F. Beginnings in the Life of Christ. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1975. Vos, Howard F. Matthew: A Study Guide Commentary. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979. Walvoord, John F. Gospel of Matthew. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1975. These notes, prepared by J. Vernon McGee, are for the purpose of giving assistance to the listeners of the THRU THE BIBLE RADIO program. They are to be used with the Bible and will be more meaningful as you look up all the Scripture references. Due to the necessary brevity of both notes and broadcasts, a list of recommended books is included for those wanting a more detailed study. These books may be obtained from a Christian library or bookstore or ordered from the publishers.
THRU THE BIBLE RADIO NETWORK Pasadena, California 91109-7100
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University of Miami campus architecture collection
- Collection
- 1926-2013
The historical blueprints and the drawings of UM buildings are important components of the University Archives. The items in the collection are identified by building name, architect, location, types of materials, and date. Materials range in da...
University of Miami


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The interdisciplinary science of biochemistry draws from fundamental chemical theory and research techniques as the basis for explorations into problems of biology. Students participate in research early in their graduate work, and engage actively in a broadly based seminar and colloquium program. Check out the areas of faculty research on the left panel.
Header photo credit: Biochemistry student Sounak Ghosh Roy who investigates the expression of viral envelope protein in mammalian cells infected with flavivirus in the laboratory of Professor Zahra Zakeri at Queens College.


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Domestic Violence
In homes where domestic violence occurs, fear, instability, and confusion replace the love, comfort, and nurturing that children need. These children live in constant fear of physical harm from the person who is supposed to care for and protect them. They may feel guilt at loving the abuser or blame themselves for causing the violence.
"Domestic Violence, Understanding a Community Problem", National Woman Abuse Prevention Fund
The South County Crisis Center is here to help you.
Manteca Office
609 W. Center Street
Phone (209) 824-0586
In general, 70% of men who abuse their female partners also abuse their children. Arbitrell Bowker and McFerron, "On the Relationship Between Wife Beating and Child Abuse", Feminist Perspective on Wife Abuse, Kersti Yllo and Michelle Bogard, eds. 1988
Nearly 70% of the children who go to shelters for battered women are victims of abuse or neglect. Jean I Layzer, Barbara D. Goodson and Christine Delange "Children in Shelters", Response. Volume 9, Number 2, 1986
3.3 million children in the United States, between ages 3 and 17 years, are yearly at risk of exposure to marital violence. Peter Jaffe, David Wolfe and Susan Kaye Wilson (1990) Children of Battered Women. Newbury Park. CA: Sage Publications
Studies of abused children in the general population reveal that nearly half of them have mothers who are also abused, making wife abuse the single strongest identifiable risk for child abuse. Lenore Walker, Ed.d The Battered Woman Syndrome, New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc. 1979
In 1992, an estimated 1,261 children died from abuse or neglect. This means that more than 3 children died each day in the United States as a result of maltreatment.National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, 1993
In a study of juvenile offenders, 63% of those incarcerated for murder had killed the men who had beaten their mothers. Peggy Sissel, Public Education Coordinator with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
A comparison of delinquent and non-delinquent youth found that a history of family violence or abuse was the most significant difference between the two groups. Miller (1989) "Violence By and Against America's Children", Journal of Juvenile Justice Digest, XVII (12), p.6
Boys who witness family violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than are boys raised in non-violent homes.
Girls who witness their mother's abuse have a higher rate of being battered as adults. "Battered Families……Shattered lives", Georgia Department of Human Resources. Family Violence Teleconference Resources Manual, January 1992
Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average in the general population. National Woman Abuse Prevention Project, Washington D.C.
As violence against women becomes more severe and more frequent in the home, children experience a 300% increase in physical violence by the male batterer. Strauss and R. Gelles, Physical Violence in American Families. 1990
Children from violent families can provide clinicians with detailed accounts of abusive incidents their parents never realized they had witnessed. Peter Jaffe, David Wolfe and Susan Kaye Wilson (1990) Children of Battered Women. Newbury Park. CA: Sage Publications
Batterers may abduct their children as a way of retaliating against their former spouses or partners.
It has been estimated that in more than half of the kidnappings of children by parents in this country, the abductions occur in the context of domestic violence.
In most cases, parents who are searching for their child, abducted by the other parent, are white, female, have reported a history of domestic violence and are the custodial parent. Geoffrey Greif and Rebecca Hegar, "When Parents Kidnap: The Families Behind the Headlines", 272, 1992
Sixty-two percent of sons over age 14 were injured when they attempted to protect their mothers from attacks by abusive male partners.
Interviews with children living in battered women's shelters show that, within a one year period, 176 of these children had stayed twice with friends or relatives, and 75% over age 15 had run away at least twice. Maria Roy, Children in the Crossfire, 1988


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Welcome to Chang-rae Lee's American dystopia
ON SUCH A FULL SEA, by Chang-rae Lee. Riverhead, 352 pp., $27.95.
It's a little worrying that Chang-rae Lee can imagine the future America as such a specific, believable third-world country. The dystopia of his new novel, "On Such a Full Sea," isn't literary escapism -- it's a firm, quiet warning. With futuristic sci-fi, the devil is frequently in the details, but Lee's imagined world never fails to convince; the smallest nuance is shifted forward toward its inevitable conclusion, or else given a reason to stay the same. It's not that the world is likely to look like this -- it's that a lot of the world looks like this in slightly different terms right now. And the terms can change.
Our teenage heroine, Fan, is a diver in the immaculate tanks of fish sold by the city of B-Mor (which used to be Baltimore until it was turned into a gigantic fishery) to the Charter towns and villages -- settlements of the ultrarich who carefully keep B-Mor and other cities (such as D-Troy) indebted to them. Fan leaves the village in pursuit of her boyfriend, Reg, a young man with peculiar immunity to a plague that ravages everyone, rich and poor; he's been spirited away by the government for study, and she must break taboo and follow.
Between the production facilities and the wealthy hamlets, there are what Lee calls "the counties," one of the book's many, many unassumingly perfect locutions. Under no government except the rule of might, the people in the counties pity Fan, abuse her, and at one point memorably attempt to press-gang her into a traveling troupe of acrobats. On one level, this is a novel about slavery: Fan is sold frequently (and not just by county people), sometimes for horribly understandable reasons. Her escapes and evasions recall in melodramatic terms the quieter problems of her hometown, which are explained to us by the decorous, sensitive narrators -- an unnamed "we" who still live in B-Mor. Fan's story in "On Such a Full Sea" is brilliantly plotted -- the last few pages twist and double back in thrilling ways -- but the novel's power comes from the long, discursive passages about B-Mor in all its maddening unfairness.
In switching between Fan's journey (much of which, our storytellers repeatedly caution, is probably embroidery from many retellings) and the plight of the suffering city, little details occur to Lee's narrators -- it became disturbingly popular to drown yourself in the B-Mor fish tanks in protest during a recession, they remember. Elder abuse flares when the economy flags. Lee seems to question the readerly love of triumph over adversity in a book where so many characters' precarious future lives are a hop, skip and a stumble away from people we might know.
Lee really breaks out the satirical thumbscrews when the story arrives in a Charter village: Even his good characters are compromised by their wealth. "She would become an all-hands mother," Lee writes, "which meant managing every last aspect of the helpers' and cooks' tasks and responsibilities, and overseeing the post-school tutors for the children, as well as the clothes shopping and interior design, plus, of course, arranging the doctors' visits and the vacations." Really? All by herself? It's a laugh line out of context, but in its proper place in the story, it's simply another of Lee's apparently bloodless descriptions of the way things are.
That seeming indifference veils a moral certainty that borders on fury if you prod at it a little; like the best future fiction, "On Such a Full Sea" demands uncomfortable questions of the present. What if the Chinese factory laborers who assemble our cars and computers become immigrants who set up shop a few miles down the road after they've razed their own country to make our trinkets? Where is the line between what we choose to do and what we're forced to do? Lee offers no easy answers; even the questions are hard-won. "The odd thing, the funny thing," he writes, "is that there has been very little chatter about any of this, when, of course, if there was the simplest outbreak of lice going around, there'd be a wild cry of concern from our citizenry, along with a round of alerts and recommendations from the authorities." So much should be so different, Lee tells us. How could we ever be complacent?


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Rejuvenated Bell confident he can help Reds
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- There was a time not too long ago when Reds right-hander Trevor Bell wasn't sure if he wanted to continue his baseball career. After appearing in 52 games, including 11 starts, with the Angels over a three-year period from 2009-11, the former 2005 first-round Draft pick swiftly found himself hitting rock bottom a year later.
In 10 starts in 2012 with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City, Bell scuffled to a 1-6 record with an 8.27 ERA as opposing batters hit .376 off him. Anaheim cut ties with Bell midway through July that season, and the Tigers followed suit the next spring after a disappointing run in the Grapefruit League.
That's when Bell began to seriously question his future in the game.
"It was a tough few years, ya know?" Bell said. "Things were going really smoothly, then I don't know what happened. It just kind of went away. I thought about, 'Do I still want to play? Do I still want to do this?' But then as more time passed, I realized that this is my passion. I'm a little older now, I'm a little more mature, so I figured I'd give it another shot."
Bell got his opportunity when the Reds came calling last May, offering the down-on-his-luck 27-year-old another chance -- one with which he immediately took off running. Assigned to Double-A Pensacola, Bell transitioned full-time to the bullpen, tallying an impressive 1.72 ERA with 37 strikeouts and just eight walks over 31 1/3 relief innings. He made three appearances for Triple-A Louisville as well, surrendering one run in 3 2/3 frames.
So what exactly helped Bell turn the corner again? He, for one, isn't sure, but he gives a lot of credit to the way the Reds treated him when he was at his worst.
"From the beginning, I felt the confidence they had in me," Bell said. "They were really adamant about wanting to sign me. That was special. It meant a lot to know the organization has your back. It makes you want to show up every day and prove them right."
Experiencing success after so much turmoil, Bell admitted he started having fun again last year. Saving 19 games while with Pensacola, the righty saw his pitches -- a fastball, changeup and slider combination -- become crisper and more consistent as he settled into his new role at the back end of the bullpen.
"There was so much adrenaline, which I hadn't had in a while," he said. "I learned I don't really do well when I'm out there cruising and not busting my butt, so I went out with a bulldog mentality every time."
In all likelihood Bell will begin the season in the Minors, but the rejuvenated pitcher is excited about what the future holds. He feels like his experience and versatility will serve him well if the Reds are forced to call upon some of their organization depth this year.
"I know I still have something to offer," he said. "I basically got parts of three seasons being a swing man, so that experience was huge and it's definitely something I'd love to keep doing. Any way to help the team and make it back to the bigs."


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I just read a wonderful Bible story that I had never read before. It is an Old Testament story that is referenced twenty-eight times in the New Testament, from Matthew all the way through to the Revelation. It is a picture of the Father's only Son who find a Bride – a Bride who becomes part of the Father's household. It is about prayer, worship, healing and spiritual warfare. It is about so much more.
The story is found in the book of Tobit. It has been read by Christians throughout the ages. Most Christians considered it a part of Holy Scripture for 1500 years. At the time of the Reformation, certain influential Protestant leaders decided that the Old Testament books that had originally been written in Greek rather than Hebrew should be set to one side. Not thrown out of the Bible, but clumped together at the end of the Old Testament. Calvin and Luther did not consider then canonical, but Luther's Great Bible of 1539 and the Geneva Bible of 1560 included them, as did the King James Version. In fact, every Protestant Bible included them into the 19th century.
Why, then, have they fallen into disuse by Protestants? Even those whose did not consider them canonical considered them "profitable to read," as Luther put it – profitable enough that they printed and bound them together with the rest of Scripture. (Luther also considered Hebrews, James, Jude and the Revelation to be New Testament deuterocanonicals – of less value than the rest – but did not exclude them from his translation in the end.)
They originally fell into disuse in the late 18th century, so that when there was a paper shortage in the United States in the early 19th century, they were not printed in many Bibles. It is much later that the idea that they were Roman Catholic books and therefore unworthy of Protestant consideration crept in. That being said, the Anglicans have continued to use them as worthy reading and some are included the Lectionary to be read in services. But for many Protestants, there has been an assumption that the 66 books now contained in most Bibles is the way it has always been.
Despite my best intentions, I have not read all of these deuterocanonical Old Testament books. ("Deuterocanonical" means second canon, a term which could equally be applied to New Testament books that had a harder time of getting into the canon in the first place and were considered doubtful even by some Reformers, as noted above.) Despite their use in the New Testament by Jesus and the Apostles, I've not given them due attention.
As a result, for 47 years I missed out on the wonderful story of Tobit and Anna, Tobias and Sarah, Raguel and Edna, and Raphael. I think I may go read it again.


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In the most recent issue of New England Soccer Journal, Kyle McCarthy takes a look at the Revs' continued quest to build a soccer-specific stadium and sits down with Investor/Operator Jonathan Kraft to discuss the team's 2013 performance, homegrown players and more.
Charlie Davies will don New England colors again in 2014 after joining the Revolution on a permanent basis yesterday. Julian Cardillo offers more on this move, and well as the news that U.S. national team member Michael Bradley has signed with Toronto FC, on Boston.com.
On NBC Sports ProSoccerTalk, Steve Davis asserts that the MLS SuperDraft still very much matters. Revs Andrew Farrell and Kelyn Rowe are highlighted as previous years' top talents. And as for 2014? Davis states, "It's not just good talent that can be plucked from the draft; potentially greatness is there to be found as well.


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ATLANTA (AP) Devin Harris scored 20 points, Josh Smith added 18 and the surging Atlanta Hawks beat Charlotte 113-90 on Thursday night to hand the Bobcats their 10th straight defeat.
Gerald Henderson finished with 17 points and Ramon Sessions had 16 for Charlotte.
The Hawks are 12-3 since losing three of their first five games this season. Atlanta has won two straight and five of six.
Lou Williams had eight of his nine assists in the first half for Atlanta. Williams, who finished with 13 points, matched his career high in assists, and Ivan Johnson added a season-high 16 points.
Hawks center Al Horford finished with 11 points and three rebounds, ending his streak of seven consecutive double-doubles.
Atlanta got off to a strong start offensively, hitting nearly 63 percent of its first 35 shots before Horford and Williams missed jumpers to end the first half.
Charlotte shot 35.9 percent and trailed by 17 at the break.
Since winning in double overtime at Washington on Nov. 24 and improving to 7-5, the Bobcats have looked similar to the Charlotte team that finished last season 7-59 for the worst winning percentage in NBA history.
The Bobcats were coming off a dispiriting home loss Wednesday to the Los Angeles Clippers in which they blew a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.
When Charlotte last visited Philips Arena on Nov. 28, the game was decided on Horford's late free throws and a missed 3-pointer by Hornets forward Byron Mullens.
The Hornets were led that night by Ben Gordon, who scored 20 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. On Thursday, Gordon had just seven points on 2-for-9 shooting.
Hawks guard Kyle Korver, playing for the second straight night after returning from a five-game absence caused by back spasms, finished with 13 points in 22 minutes.
Williams hit consecutive 3-pointers to give Atlanta its first double-digit lead at 26-14 late in the first quarter. Harris hit a 3 midway through the second that made it 45-28.
Smith's third-quarter dunk gave the Hawks a 66-43 lead early in the third.
NOTES: Hawks starting F DeShawn Stevenson scored nine points after missing Wednesday's win at Orlando with a knee injury. ... Atlanta improved to 4-0 on the second night of back-to-backs. ... The Hawks have won seven straight against Charlotte, including three meetings this season.