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Napoleon Dynamite Illustrated Wooden Standee
Do you find yourself needing a little inspiration, a reminder to smile, encouragement, sound advice or just some good company?
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One-of-a-Kind Handmade Standee Stand-Up Illustration
- Features anti hero Napoleon Dynamite
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How Long Before I Get It?
Each standee is made to order and takes about 7-10 days to complete. Yours will ship as soon as it's ready to go!
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Thank you for supporting handmade and for visiting my ode to all the creators, characters and heroes who have filled my world with their magic.
Lucky Jackson, Culture Vulture


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[ 三年了 ]
Today, is 1st January 2008.
Today, is the first day in year 2008.
Today, is also our 3rd year anniversary.
It's been three years.
The good, the bad, the ugly.
The happiness, the unhappiness.
The sweet, the sadness.
All we have been through in this three years.
This is the first anniversary that I have to be absented.
I'm really sorry about it, it's really out of my control for being so far away from you.
I wanted to tell you so much that at this moment,
I wanted to be next to you, and hug you tight.
I miss you so much, I miss your warmness, I miss your smell, I miss your cooking..
I wanted to tell you that I really unbearable to leave you, that I love you so.
Nobody can tell how's our story goes.
We may be just someone passer by.
But, I hope that, I really hope that, at least we are happy and sweet while we are together.
And I really hope that we can walk till the end, for another three years, thirty years..
Daddy, mummy loves you always ~
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- 阿晶 regine
- A Chinese lady born in Malaysia. Working as a J2EE developer now. Currently staying in the Capital City of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
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subset: commoncrawl


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CALGARY — The Joslyn North oilsands mine has been put on hold indefinitely, Total E&P Canada president and chief executive Andre Goffart said Thursday.
The operating company and its partners have been unable to find a formula under which the economics of the $11-billion, 160,000-barrel-per-day project would work, he told reporters on a hastily organized conference call, adding engineering work will be halted until an economic solution is found.
"As you know, we have worked since 2011 on the engineering preparation for the Joslyn North mine with a view to improve and reduce the cost of the project to prepare for sanction," said Goffart.
"We ... got some positive results but unfortunately the cost reductions are not yet sufficient to support, to have sufficient economics to support final investment decision."
He said the economic issue concerns overall value of the project, not just the capital cost, but wouldn't be more specific. He said Total will focus on cost optimization through this year and 2015, looking at new technologies and efficiencies.
"As a general comment, I would say that Joslyn is facing the same challenge as most of the industry worldwide in the sense that costs are continuing to inflate when the oil price and specifically the netbacks for the oilsands are stable at best, squeezing the margins," said Goffart.
"When we look forward, we see the situation cannot be sustainable in the long term."
The call was scheduled in the wake of a number of reports that Total has been laying off Calgary staff. Goffart confirmed that 150 people associated with Joslyn, most in Calgary, are expected to be let go by the end of the year, although up to a third may be reassigned to other projects.
Several sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Herald that Total workers were issued layoff notices on Wednesday, with one source saying 90 people were being let go and more were expected to be affected.
Goffart would not specifically answer a question about those reports. The company wouldn't say how many people it employs in Canada at the moment.
Oilsands analyst Randy Ollenberger of BMO Capital Markets said he's not surprised that the project is being delayed, noting that scale and resource quality are likely contributors to cost concerns at Joslyn.
"I don't think anyone really anticipated it was going to go ahead in the same time frame as Fort Hills," he said. "I think it will go ahead eventually ... it's a post-2020 project."
Total and Suncor Energy are also partnered on the $13.5-billion Fort Hills oilsands project that received final approval from its partners last October and is expected to produce 180,000 barrels of oil a day as early as 2017.
The Calgary-headquartered arm of French energy giant Total SA had previously said a final investment decision on the Joslyn joint venture with Suncor, Occidental Petroleum and Australian mining company Inpex would not come before 2015. First oil would then be produced in 2020, or later.
Goffart said the decision to shelve the project was unanimously supported by all the partners. He said he didn't know if anyone is planning to sell their stakes.
Suncor holds a 36.75 per cent stake in the joint venture, second to Total's 38.25 per cent ownership.
Last August, Suncor chief executive Steve Williams noted the economics for Joslyn were "moving backwards" and the earliest Suncor would sanction the mine would be 2017.
In an e-mailed statement Thursday, Suncor said it supports Total's decision.
"Suncor is in alignment with the decision to explore ways to further improve project economics for Joslyn. Joslyn is a quality resource with the potential to mine given the right design and execution strategy."
Suncor and Total were also partners in the $11.7-billion Voyager oilsands upgrader project that was cancelled last March.
Joslyn went through an extensive environmental review process before being approved but Goffart said that process did not affect its viability.
Environmental campaigner Mike Hudema of Greenpeace welcomed Thursday's news.
"This project would create over 12.5 billion litres of toxic tailings waste per year after it was fully producing and, of course, it would also contribute greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
"It could come back, but I think we're starting to see that the investment community is starting to get the realities of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move away from carbon intensive projects like the tarsands."
He said the province should stop approving oilsands projects and instead encourage renewable energy development.


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Equity futures are lower so far this morning, at least until today's POMO arrives. Speaking of which, Zero Hedge calculated that due to redemptions and POMO that the net effect would be to add approximately $20 Billion in liquidity, JUST TODAY. Yeah, that's nuts… and it's producing starvation and bloodshed the world over. Sorry to say, but that's become America's greatest export. Yet this morning the dollar is zooming, bonds are resting on support, oil is up slightly, gold is up a little, and food commodities are mostly higher again.
Catastrophic food prices are finally getting attention in the mainstream. They are higher now than when food riots broke out in 2007/ 2008:
World food prices hit record high
London (CNN) -- World food prices rose to an all-time high in January, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The FAO's Food Price Index measures the cost of a basket of basic food supplies -- sugar, cereals, dairy, oils and fats and meat -- across the globe.
The index rose by 3.4% in January -- the seventh monthly increase in a row -- to its highest level since records began in 1990.
The cost of sugar, cereals, dairy and oils and fats all went up last month, while meat prices remained steady.
FAO economist Abdolreza Abbassian said high prices were likely to persist in the months to come.
Rising commodities costs are one of the major factors behind a growing wave of civil unrest across the Middle East and North Africa.
"High food prices are of major concern especially for low-income food deficit countries that may face problems financing food imports, and for poor households which spend a large share of their income on food," said Abbassian.
Last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, economist Nouriel Roubini warned that rapidly rising food prices posed a serious threat to global stability.
"What has happened in Tunisia and is happening right now in Egypt, but also the riots in Morocco, Algeria, Pakistan, are related not only to high unemployment rates and to income and wealth inequality, but also to the very sharp rise in food and commodity prices," he told CNN.
Of course they fail to pin the blame where it belongs, namely on the "Fed" and world central bankers. At least they didn't pin it on the weather as they usually do.
I've never pointed this out before, but I have often been disturbed by the trend… Take a look at that article from CNN; every single paragraph is only one sentence! This has become the norm in the mainstream, it's as if we've dumbed everything down to the absolute minimum that the masses can absorb. Apparently it's just another part of the problem, somewhere in the chain of cause and effect.
That chain has been intentionally obscured, so let me spell it out: Private bankers – Federal Reserve Act giving the power to create and control money to private bankers – IRS created – everything is about self-interest, this turns into a society of salesmen, marketing runs perceptions and the world – rules controlling bankers go away as politicians are bought off and all laws then favor bankers – bankers invest in things that make them money, like war machines, and not in things that help society like education – bankers buy up industry and export it overseas as they have no allegiance – bankers bought up the media and control what you read and see - bankers create inflation to keep their Ponzi scheme going, the exponential math has saturated the world with debt and now they are printing more and more money in an attempt to create inflation which drives their profits while starving those on the bottom.
It's a difficult trail to see for most people, but the bottom line is that what's most important is WHO controls the production of money. Yes, it absolutely affects the minds of the masses. Massive distortions of markets and reality, the disinformation begins with the name "Federal Reserve Bank," where they are not Federal, they don't possess reserves, and they're not even a bank. The disinformation runs rampant from there.
Our economic statistics are a huge part of the disinformation. Weekly Jobless claims are being reported for last week at "only" 415,000. This is down from the prior week's 454k (revised up of course), and is below consensus which was looking for 425k. Here's Econoday, let's blame the weather:
A weather-related pile up of claims in the South unwound in the January 29 week which saw initial claims fall a very steep 42,000 to 415,000 (prior week revised 3,000 higher to 457,000). Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina posted some the biggest declines after the four states posted big increases in the prior week due to snow effects. Distortions always put the emphasis on the four-week average which, unfortunately, is signaling trouble for tomorrow's monthly employment report. The four-week average is up 1,000 to 430,500 to show a roughly 15,000 rise from a month ago.
Other data show dip back for continuing claims, down 84,000 to 3.925 million in the January 22 week, with the unemployment rate for insured workers down one tenth to 3.1 percent. Total workers receiving claims fell a little more than 112,000 to 9.29 million in lagging data for the January 15 week.
This week's very severe weather is certain to distort next week's claims data. But next week's report will be, by comparison, no more than a curiosity compared to tomorrow's release of the January employment report. Markets showed no significant reaction to today's results.
Wild swings in the data is a warning sign that the data is being tampered. I've seen this occur in other data, like the MBA statistics, and once it gets too wild the trend is to obscure so that you can't see what's going on behind the numbers and you certainly can't reproduce them. This is why transparency is so important, it's a paramount step in obtaining checks and balances. The "Fed" being the worst example of the lack of checks and balances on the planet.
Nonfarm Productivity supposedly rose by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. This is another statistic that has shown very large growth over the past few years, and yet it is completely FALSE. This is because productivity is not measured in the number of widgets produced, it is measured in dollars – and man, do we ever know how to produce dollars!
Yet those dollars are not making it into the hands of the workers, as we already know. Labor Costs FELL .6%! What's that tell you about other statistics that show wages increasing? They are indeed false, nothing but a lie.
Businesses are still keeping a rein on labor costs, resulting in productivity gains. Nonfarm business productivity rose an annualized 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter after gaining 2.4 percent in the prior quarter. The consensus had forecast a 2.0 percent advance. This gain in productivity reflects increases of 4.5 percent annualized in output in the nonfarm business sector and 1.8 percent in hours worked. Unit labor costs edged down an annualized 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter, following a dip of 0.1 percent in the third quarter. The market median forecast was for no change in labor costs.
Year-ago productivity numbers are weighed down by weakness in output in mid-2010 and the dropping of robust numbers in late 2009/early 2010 in the calculation. Year-on-year, productivity was up 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter-down from 2.6 percent in the third quarter. Year-ago unit labor costs lost ground with an annualized minus 0.2 percent from minus 1.1 percent in the prior period.
The economy continues to improve in terms of output as businesses through the fourth quarter made the most of the workers already on payrolls. At some point, however, businesses will have to boost hours and hiring to grow.
"Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics…"
The field of economics is so full of bullshit I'm surprised that most economic "experts" can even see their watches to keep track of time. What we really have is money pumping and no wage increase. Where's all that money going? How about the markets and overseas? Distortion piled upon distortion.
Factory Orders and the non-Manufacturing ISM will be released at 10 Eastern this morning – I can't wait to see more economic statistics measured in something as pliable as the dollar!
The Egyptian riots sure turned violent at the flip of a switch. All the despots who profit from control are happy to incite violence into that situation as the last thing they want is a peaceful revolution that makes taking back control by the people look as easy as just showing up! Revolution has never been that easy, countries with freedoms are free because their people had to fight for it! Like anything else in life, when freedom is taken for granted, you will fail to appreciate it and can lose it.
The violence created in Cairo is a good lesson in what happens when peaceful people gather for important change. They are infiltrated with agent provocateurs – this comes right out of the Despot/ CIA handbook on revolution put downs, item number five, I believe.
Hey, let's talk about what's left of the "markets." Historic sized divergences that have gone on for months and months and continue to grow. Yesterday the Transports sank like a stone despite an Industrial Index that was higher. The small caps in the Russell 2000 are also still in a downtrend. The market is telling us that all is not right – as readers here are well aware.
Risk is everywhere. If you wanted to create a breeding ground for Black Swans, I don't think a person could do a better job if they tried. Disinformation, accounting fraud, insolvency, massive distortions, lies and deceit are everywhere.
Yes, it's coming to a head sooner than later.


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You're creating a screening of Isle of Dogs at Empire Ipswich.
How does this work?1. When do you want to go?How does this work?
Please select a date first.
Matinee (before 18:00)
No matinee times available on this day
Evening (18:00 onwards)
No evening times available on this day
How does this work? 2. Who do you want to invite? How does this work?
Just my friends
We call this a private screening. You need to invite everyone and make sure they book tickets. This is your chance to share the cinema with only your friends.


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If you're ready to buy or refinance your home, our mortgage experts are here to help you find the mortgage that will best fit your needs. Let us help you turn a house into your home.
Discover all of the home loans we have available for you, including our exclusive products. Visit our rates page to find all of the current rates. For more information, give us a call at 800-353-4449 or start your application online today.
Mortgage Center is licensed in Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.


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2007 Team Wrestling Tournament - Non-Public, North A
(Click on the links in the bracket for more details.)
Bracket Notes: Sectional Final will be held at the site of the higher seeded team.
Please submit your results as soon as possible after the conclusion of
your school's match to njschoolsports.com.
If you don't already have your logon information, contact the NJSIAA or
email your request to: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Yahoos Yang Says Microsoft Deal Still Best OptionBy Reuters - Print
Hours after arch rival Google ditched its search advertising partnership with Yahoo, Yahoo CEO Yang said he remains open to selling the Internet company to Microsoft, but at the right price. Will Microsoft still be interested?
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - After nearly a year spent seeking alternatives to Microsoft Corp's buyout offer, Yahoo Inc's Chief Executive Jerry Yang said he believes a deal between the two is still the best option for the beleaguered Internet company.
Speaking at the Web 2.0 Summit hours after archrival Google Inc ditched its search advertising partnership with Yahoo, Yang said he remains open to selling the Internet company to Microsoft, but at the right price.
"People who know me know I don't have an ego about remaining independent versus not remaining independent," the embattled executive told the gathering.
Yang also said he remains "open-minded" about selling Yahoo's search business to Microsoft, but noted that there was no "new news" on talks between the two companies.
Microsoft had offered to buy Yahoo's search business after withdrawing an offer for the whole company in May.
Yahoo shares surged on Wednesday after a rumor posted on a blog said Yahoo and Microsoft were in advanced talks to sell the company for between $17 and $19 a share. The blog also reported that Yang would step down from his CEO position.
Yahoo officials later said the report was untrue.
Yahoo's stock price is currently trading far below the $31-a-share Microsoft originally offered, and the company has come under severe criticism from investors for turning down the software giant's offer.
Yang also declined to comment on Yahoo's discussions with Time Warner Inc about buying its AOL division, which sources have told Reuters are ongoing.
Instead, the Yahoo co-founder spelled out his vision for the company, which includes becoming a one-stop consumer brand that lets people access what they want on the Internet.
Yang also said he was disappointed at Google's decision to walk away from the search pact. The two companies signed the deal in June when Yahoo was looking for ways to build an independent growth strategy.
The search deal was expected to add $800 million in annual revenue for Yahoo.
But Google, concerned that the U.S. Department of Justice would block the agreement on antitrust grounds, decided to withdraw from the partnership on Wednesday.
Responding to a question about whether he had any regrets about stepping into the CEO role last year, Yang said: "I don't regret a moment of what happened even though it's not been the most fun thing."
(Editing by Bernard Orr)
© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved
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All News Releases By Date
Town of Alpine, Wyo. recognized for wastewater achievements
Release Date: 09/02/2009
Contact Information: Brian Friel, 303-312-6277; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654
New treatment plant, sewage system improves protection of local water resources
Alpine used a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan to replace their wastewater treatment plant with a new, larger facility and sewage collection system. The project also addressed concerns with the inadequate construction and failure of several local septic systems. The new infrastructure is improving the quality of treated water and the protection of local groundwater and surface water resources.
"The Town of Alpine's effort to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure offers a potent example of the type of investments that will help our nation's communities protect local water resources for decades to come," said Carol Rushin, EPA's Acting Regional Administrator in Denver. "The Town has taken clear and proactive steps to improve water quality and protect public health."
EPA's PISCES Awards recognize individual projects that best represent the CWSRF's commitment to innovative and sustainable water quality financing. The nomination criteria consisted of leadership and innovation in Clean Water Act compliance and financial integrity. In addition, each borrower demonstrated a commitment to one of more of the following criteria:
• Better management practices
• Full-cost pricing
• Efficient water use
• Watershed approach
• Innovation in financing
• Innovative approach to project implementation
• Creative use of partnerships
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs, authorized and funded by the Clean Water Act, allow states to provide low-interest loans to wastewater systems to assist them in meeting wastewater infrastructure needs. The states then use these resources to select projects for funding.
Link to document highlighting CWSRF PISCES award winners.
For more information please visit EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


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GM, Chrysler May Face Bankruptcy to Protect U.S. DebtSo, AFTER giving the automakers billions, NOW we want to pressure them and talk bankruptcy? The fox is already in the henhouse and is gorging himself as we speak.
By Mike Ramsey and Tiffany Kary
Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC may have to be forced into bankruptcy by the U.S. government to assure repayment of $17.4 billion in federal bailout loans, a course of action the automakers claim would destroy them.
U.S. taxpayers currently take a backseat to prior creditors, including Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., according to loan agreements posted on the U.S. Treasury's Web site. The government has hired a law firm to help establish its place at the front of the line for repayment, two people involved in the work said last week.
If federal officials fail to get a consensual agreement to change their position regarding repayment, they have the option to force the companies into bankruptcy as a condition of more bailout aid. The government would finance the bankruptcy with a so-called "debtor in possession" or DIP loan, a lender status that gives the U.S. priority over other creditors, said Don Workman, a partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP.
"They are negotiating to see if they can reach an agreement," said Workman, a bankruptcy lawyer based in Washington. "If not, they are saying 'We are pretty darn sure that a bankruptcy judge will allow us'" to be first in line for repayment.
GM rose 5 cents to $2.89 at 11:16 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Chrysler isn't publicly traded.
Carmaker Opposition
The automakers have dismissed calls to reorganize under bankruptcy protection, saying a Chapter 11 restructuring would scare away buyers and lead to liquidation. They are working toward a Feb. 17 deadline to show progress on a plan put in place as part of the U.S. loans received in December from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The companies must reduce labor costs and show how they will repay the money by next month.
GM and Chrysler are already trying to restructure out of court by cutting labor costs, reducing debt levels and eliminating dealers. GM is in talks to pare $27.5 billion in unsecured debt to about $9.2 billion in a swap for equity.
The company said it plans to shutter dealers and reduce obligations to a union retiree health fund by half to $10.2 billion in a separate equity swap. Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Robert Nardelli has said his company will also try to cut debt.
Delphi Talks
GM said today it's in negotiations to take back portions of Delphi Corp., a parts supplier the automaker separated from a decade ago, in order to maintain portions of its supply chain. GM said it's also considering more plant closures, job eliminations and pay cuts for administrative workers.
The automaker probably will close at least two factories, which according to the Wall Street Journal may include a truck plant in Pontiac, Michigan.
Chrysler will temporarily shut three plants, the company said last week. Those closures will be in Michigan and Canada.
January sales from automakers plunged 55 percent at Chrysler, 49 percent at GM and 40 percent at Ford Motor Co., the second-largest U.S. automaker. Ford has declined bailout funds.
The U.S. government has the option of working out an intercreditor agreement outside of bankruptcy that would give it rights to some collateral ahead of others. Such agreements, often made when money is lent to a company that already has liens on most of its assets, are usually negotiated when the loan is made.
U.S. Law Firm
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is advising the government on how to make sure it gets paid back first, including by way of intercreditor agreements, the people involved with the talks said. The law firm, hired last month, is working for the government with Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, a Chicago-based firm with capital-markets experience, and Rothschild Inc., an investment bank, the people said.
The issues are "extremely complex," said Bruce Clark, a credit analyst at Moody's Investors Service.
The existing loan agreements appear to give the banks a superior position to the government, Clark said.
"The ultimate position of the government could end up being determined by whatever concessions various creditors make, and the determination of a bankruptcy court if it ever gets there," he said.
When the automakers were lobbying the government for assistance, lawmakers made a point of saying that the government must be assured that if the companies failed, taxpayers wouldn't lose the investment.
Existing Lenders
Workman, who isn't involved in the negotiations, said the U.S. couldn't force its loans to supersede existing secured lenders, so it built in a measure that allowed the debt to be converted to debtor-in-possession financing.
"A carrot and stick approach is spot on," he said.
As it stands, the government loans fall below existing debt secured by most assets for Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler and Detroit-based GM. Prior lenders have first position on some assets. The government has first position on assets not already pledged.
Chrysler has $7 billion in loans from a group of banks, including New York-based JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. It also has $2 billion in loans from owners Cerberus Capital Management LP and Daimler AG. Cerberus owns 80.1 percent of Chrysler. Daimler owns the remainder.
GM has $6 billion in loans secured by assets from lenders including JPMorgan and Citigroup. JPMorgan spokesman Brian Marchiony, Goldman Sachs spokesman Michael Duvally and Citigroup spokeswoman Danielle Romero-Apsilos declined to comment.
GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will retire at the end of 2009, the company said today in a separate statement.
Unless the automakers show by March 31 that they will be able to return to profit and repay the money, the government can demand return of the loans.
This is moral hazard creation in the extreme. Now we have the auto parts suppliers clamoring for their bailout. And, of course, we have to bailout all the individuals who are being thrown to the wolves. Where does it stop?
And once again, because it was all done in haste, the government now finds itself in a subordinate lien position. Bankruptcy laws are made for just this occasion and should have been used. It never should have been started; the auto industry's talk of bankruptcy being a blow to sales is simply no argument at all.
And I don't even like the current bankruptcy laws. Our entire system is designed to let businesses make promises and then break them – that's a moral hazard too. Companies that agreed to provide retirement funds to their employees first under fund these programs and then ditch them during bankruptcy, leaving the employees who thought they had a retirement with little or nothing. The philosophy has been that suppliers must be paid first in bankruptcy to keep it from rippling. Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws (reorganization) promote misallocation and are simply a moral hazard.
In the auto industry, suppliers who extend credit to businesses that can't maintain their promise to their own employees deserve to fail too. Why would a sane and rational company extend credit to a bankrupt company to begin with? Let those who over promise and overextend fail, then businesses might rethink making promises they can't keep and other businesses might actually begin using due diligence before extending other businesses credit. That's the way free enterprise should work.
Perhaps if a company is bankrupt the entire system would be better served by total and swift failure. The airline industry is a great example where zombie chapter 11 companies hurt the financially healthy ones. The healthy were forced to compete against companies who were allowed to slash their debts, employee retirements, and wages during "reorganization" resulting in unfair competitive advantages to those who have already failed. That's what I mean by moral hazard. "Reorganization" really means broken promises and moral hazard.
Oh yes, it's a more complicated picture than that. "Free trade" has created a wage arbitrage situation that has completely undermined American's ability to compete on the international stage. The people who profit from that arbitrage are few, and they are the same ones who contribute to politicians and get bankruptcy laws put in place that favor them.
Of course we are drifting further and further from free enterprise principles. We give the auto makers taxpayer money to support failed businesses, then when the taxpayers are laid off, we use more taxpayer money to provide "assistance" and "stimulus" and yet all that money comes from the same people who are expected to keep buying things to bring these failed companies back to life. It's now a giant circle of negative consequences that cannot be undone until we abandon critically flawed Friedman /Keynesian thinking and move forward to a system that's truly sustainable. Any new system must remove moral hazard and that means letting failures fail.


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A string of fighter cuts and apparent hostility between UFC and Strikeforce parent company Zuffa, LLC and Golden Glory is not the result of hardball negotiating but, as Dana White puts it, where the money goes.
The UFC president today said that his company won't do business with the Holland-based fight team because they insist on routing fighter purses through the team's management and not the individual fighter.
"We don't want that," the UFC president said. "It's not the way we do business. It's not how it works in the U.S. You don't pay the manager and the manager pays the fighter. You pay the fighter, and the fighter pays the manager."
White pointed to an absence of Golden Glory fighters seen in the octagon since the towering Semmy Schilt, who went 1-1 for the promotion in 2001 and later found success in K-1 kickboxing.
Golden Glory heavyweight John Olav Einemo broke the apparent freeze this past June when he fought Dave Herman at UFC 131. The pair won "Fight of the Night" honors in a back and forth contest that Herman won by second-round TKO.
On Wednesday, Einemo, as well as former Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion Marloes Coenen and Strikeforce heavyweight Valentijn Overeem, were served their walking papers due to recent losses, according to Golden Glory trainer Martin de Jong (The trainer also promotes MMA and kickboxing events under the team moniker).
In an interview with MMAjunkie.com, de Jong called the cuts "unfair" and hoped a solution could be found. White, however, said there is no middle ground.
"When Einemo fought in the UFC, we did it our way – the way that it has to be done," White said. "They refuse to do business any other way. We can't do business like that."
The cuts followed a major firing this past Friday when news broke that Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem had been stripped of his title and released from his contract.
Multiple sources have said the cut arose when Golden Glory attempted to hustle a better contract from Zuffa for Overeem, who was due to serve the final fight of his Strikeforce contract in the semifinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix before withdrawing due to a toe injury.
Golden Glory reps have expressed confusion at the release and said Overeem was simply injured and unable to compete at 100 percent. The heavyweight released a video on the day of his release that showed he suffered a fractured rib that may have occurred in his quarterfinal win over Fabricio Werdum this past June.
White, though, said it's much simpler than that. Golden Glory simply refused to bend on cutting future checks to its fighters.
"In a lot of places in the world, they can do business like that," he said. "It's not a big deal to the promoters. We can't do it. It's not right. It's not the right way to do it.
"The reality is we were trying to work out new deals with these guys, and they won't do it. They said, 'You absolutely can't pay the fighters.' Like I said, it's pretty simple. Looking back, the last guy that fought in the UFC was Semmy Schilt that was a Golden Glory guy. There's a reason for that."
Sergei Kharitonov is the sole Golden Glory fighter on the Zuffa roster as he is competing in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix. He faces Josh Barnett on Sept. 10 in Cincinnati in the tournament semifinals.
(Pictured: Dana White)


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"The Bachelorette's" winning couple is heading West for a brand new start.
Ali Fedotowsky and new fiancee Roberto Martinez have decided to move to San Diego to start the next phase of their life together, reports People.
"I wanted to be closer to her," Martinez said in an interview with the magazine at a charity event at Drai's at the W Hotel in Hollywood. "We figured the West Coast and maybe L.A. would be a little bit much and [San Diego] is a bit removed but still close. It's a good place."
U.S. & World
Martinez packed his bags and moved three weeks ago, while Fedotowsky is still making her final arrangements.
In selecting their new home, the love birds reached an agreement: Roberto would pick the city, but Ali would get a say about the apartment complex.
"The condo that I'm staying in in San Jose is owned by the same company so I knew what kind of apartments they had would be nice," she said, "and I trusted him to pick out something."
They settled on a one bedroom place, but Fedotowsky worries that it might not be big enough.
"I realize how much clothes I have now," she said, explaining that she's picked up a lot of new stuff over the course of her time on the show and on the celebrity circuit.
The pair are tight lipped on the subject of their move in day.
"I don't want to give away exactly when," she said. "We've been followed [by paparazzi] quite a bit. [It will be] sometime very soon."


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KU announces spring 2014 candidates for degree
LAWRENCE — The names of nearly 4,450 candidates for degree from the University of Kansas this spring — representing 88 Kansas counties, 45 other states and and 41 other countries — have been announced by the University Registrar. Degrees are officially conferred in June.
KU's 142nd Commencement will be Sunday, May 18. More than 4,000 of the members of the Class of 2014 are expected to participate.
Faculty and candidates for degrees will assemble at 10 a.m. along Memorial Drive for the procession, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Commencement information and an up-to-date schedule of events are available at commencement.ku.edu.
Degree candidates are listed below by home city and county, state or country; and degree, based on available information.
Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Grant, Greeley, Greenwood.
Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearney, Kingman, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa.
Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming


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Posts Tagged scene-setting
My Favourite Book Scene
Posted by stevengepp in Books, Writing on January 27, 2014
Written works – much like movies – are made up of scenes. Some are short, some are long, but it requires all of these scenes put together as a whole to make a full coherent story, and a story that works. In that regard, it is often hard for people to pinpoint a certain scene as […]


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Infowars.com coverage forces government to abandon original narrative
April 18, 2013
The government and its media are in full retreat following our coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing false flag conducted on Monday. No longer able to effectively trot out the scripted official story that a white right-wing extremist has been apprehended, the perpetrators of the government false flag are now forced to shut down the original plan and formulate an alternative scenario.
The black backpack toting white male pictured in the photos we posted yesterday – a patsy who would have been held up as an anti-government right-wing extremist responsible for the carnage – cannot now be used to push the government's narrative. Following our coverage and posting of the Anonymous photos taken from its extensive data cache, the government decided to close down its initial cover story.
This explains the sudden reversal following a flurry of media reports on Wednesday stating that federal marshals had made an arrest in the case. It also explains the reason for a convenient "code red" bomb threat at the federal courthouse and also at the Brigham and Women's Hospital where several victims were being treated. The bogus bomb threat served to effectively distract the media after information was made public stating the male individual allegedly taken into custody had delivered both explosives.
Now we are told the cops are looking for two men who may be Middle Eastern. On Wednesday, we made public the same images of the two men subsequently posted this morning on the New York Post and other corporate media websites. The government has officially stated it is looking for the two individuals after Department of Homeland Security boss Janet Napolitano went before the House Homeland Security Committee. "I wouldn't characterize them as suspects under the technical term. But we need the public's help in locating these individuals," Napolitano said.
Napolitano's exchange with the House Homeland Security Committee has inaugurated Plan B following our scathing coverage that led to the discrediting of Plan A. Minus our in-depth coverage, the effort to demonize constitutionalists and patriots and portray them as ruthless killers targeting children and women would have undoubtedly worked like a charm.
The government now has new "persons of interest" – alternative patsies – and has ordered the corporate media to ignore the Plan A patsy. It has also issued instructions that the suspicious special ops military or private security contractor personnel photographed roaming around after the attack are to be ignored. The fallback plan will now be that the perpetrators are Arab, possibly al-Qaeda or some other shadowy Salafist group.
The shoddy cover-up of the orchestrated false flag in Boston reveals not only hubris and arrogance on the part of the government, it also demonstrates how inept and fumbling the corporate media is. It can no longer be trusted to operate as an effective propaganda tool, especially now that an internet-based alternative media has assumed the role of news and truth teller.
We need to put unrelenting pressure on the establishment media and demand it cover the real story and implicate the culprits behind this dastardly act. Indisputable evidence that the government has conducted a false flag designed to demonize and criminalize its political enemies is now out there for all to see. It is up to the people to act on the indisputable evidence we have provided and bring the real criminals to justice.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


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The Park and Tree Commission makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the use, maintenance and development of all city parks, and supervises the oak wilt control plan. It also supervises the shade tree program, which seeks to safeguard the urban forest from both natural and man-made hazards. The Park Commission was established in 1982.
The Park and Tree Commission meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Anyone wishing to be included on the agenda should contact City Hall.
You can watch it LIVE on Cable Channel 16 or it is played back on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday following the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Qualifications for Appointment
Applicants are interviewed and considered for appointment by the City Council
Term Length
3 years (unlimited number of terms)
Number of Members
5 members
Current Park and Tree Commissioners
Tara Lanigan
Tim Donnay - Vice-Chair
Doug Miller
Patrick Wolfgram - Chair
Allen Stauffacher


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Wrench Text Select.cur
- Published on January 8th 2013 by Chris A. The Crafter.
- Released under the Attribution+NonCommercial (CC by-nc) license.
- Designated to be used as a Text Select cursor by right- or left-handed people.
- Static (non-animated) cursor.
Download (4.2 kB) 30 downloads How to download?
The orange wrench from Tekkit
- What is a mouse cursor?
- How to download and use a mouse cursor?
- Draw your own cursor online.
- Learn how to create animated cursors in a video tutorial.
HTML cursor code
To use the cursor on your web or a MySpace profile, add the following code to your page:


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Ferrari GT: Evolution Review
- 33 original Ferrari models to choose from and drive.
- A decent amount of game modes to play.
- The visuals look quite good.
- The Ferrari engine roar isn't quite right.
- The controls are somewhat temperamental.
- No iPod music options are available.
If you've wanted a Ferrari more than anything else, then this is the way to go and for a fraction of the price. But if you're not mad about Ferraris then this game may be worth buying.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
Ferrari GT Evolution is a clone of Forza 2 for the iPhone, featuring an exclusive line-up of Ferraris. The game features a number of different game modes and allows players the chance to get behind the wheel of a large selection of some of the greatest sports cars ever made.
You control your Ferrari by using the two on screen pedals to accelerate and brake while you steer by tilting the iPhone from side to side. The controls are simple, but often hard to use effectively. Steering is too sensitive and not sensitive enough at the same time, which can frustrate players. And it's quite easy to go into a drift when you are trying to brake and slow down for a corner.
The visuals look good and are presented in full 3D. The sound is decent enough quality, but the distinct roar of the Ferrari hasn't quite been captured. Also players are unable to use their iPod during gameplay, but hopefully this can be fixed with an update. The game has a number of different game modes including Career, Quick Race and Multiplayer.
Ferrari GT Evolution is definitely a game for Ferrari buffs. The range of 33 authentic Ferrari models, both old and new, will well and truly fulfil any fantasy you might have about owning a car worth half a million dollars. There are some control issues, and the sound is a bit of a let down, but there are still some fun game modes to play that will give you your Ferrari 'fix'.
DescriptionJoin the elite circle of Ferrari car owners and take part in exclusive races around the globe in the truest and most immersive racing game on iPhone.
• 33 authentic Ferrari car models: the new Ferrari California, F430, Enzo Ferrari, F40, Testarossa, 250 GTO, and more.
• A multiplayer mode to challenge your friends in heated car races.
• 3 control modes (including motion detection) for varied and realistic driving sensations.
• Complete courses on a circuit to obtain your driver's license.
• Great sense of freedom as you travel across 7 famous cities (Madrid, Athens, etc.) choosing your own path at every crossroad.
Make your dream come true... drive your own Ferrari car.
In the next update: An online multiplayer mode to face drivers from all over the world.
Recommended for fans of car games such as: Asphalt 4, Need for Speed Undercover, Crash Nitro Kart, Moto Chaser, Raging Thunder, and Cro-Mag Rally.
To ensure optimal functioning of this driving game, please make sure to reset your iPhone or iPod touch (hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for 10-15 seconds) after installing this game. Once your iPhone or your iPod touch has restarted, you can run the game normally.
Certain apps allow you to purchase virtual items within the app and may contain third party advertisements that may redirect you to a third party site.


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Increase your yard space with our stump removal services
Having Tree stumps in your yards do not just compromise the aesthetics of your yard but also it is a great risk to kids that might run into it while playing in the yard. It is therefore imperative that you do away with any kind of stumps when the trees have been removed. At Tree Company Guys, we offer fast, safe and reliable stump removal services for large trees that might have been cut down in your compound. Once we remove the stump, we will rehabilitate the ground it occupied by planting fresh grass to enhance the beauty of the yard. Get in touch with us today if you need the best Tree stump removal services in Rollingbay, WA.
Damage control services
Our damage control services come into play when you have significant damages in your yard due to storms or winds which have made a number of trees to fall on houses or damages other things around the yard. With our damage control services, we will restore back your yard by taking away all the fallen trees and ensuring that they are not likely to cause any danger to your house or the members of your family. Our damage control services are available on a 24/7 basis hence feel free to get in touch with us any moment you need them. The number to call is 888-306-3257 and we will respond with appropriate promptness.


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To all who still think that in the war of attrition between the USD and the EUR (because contrary to what some have "discovered" only recently, currency wars have been going on for a long, long time and will continue to do so, before morphing into trade and real wars), in which both currencies are doomed, and where the winner takes it all, if only for a few minutes, we bring to your attention the following most recent update out of the Pacific Rim (where incidentally the Shanghai Composite has resumed its relentless track lower with the obvious intention of closing 2011 at its 52 week low) in which we find i) that the dollar's hegemonic control over the world is ending, and ii) that the mercantilist relationship so long sustained between China and the US, may be shifting and reversing, and in its next metamorphosis will see Japan buying the bonds of... China (although probably not for long - see next post). As Bloomberg reports, "Japan and China will promote direct trading of yen and yuan without using dollars and will encourage the development of a market for the exchange, to cut costs for companies, the Japanese government said. Japan will also apply to buy Chinese bonds next year, the Japanese government said in a statement after a meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing yesterday." And before someone blows it off as merely more foreign relations posturing, ""Given the huge size of the trade volume between the Asia's two biggest economies, this agreement is much more significant than any other pacts China has signed with other nations," said Ren Xianfang, a Beijing-based economist with IHS Global Insight Ltd." As for China's reverse mercantilist move, one which will stun anyone who believes that Yuan is still undervalued, "Finance Minister Jun Azumi said Dec. 20 buying of Chinese bonds would be beneficial for Japan because it would help reveal more information about financial markets in China, the world's largest holder of foreign currency reserves." Speaking of, has Albert Edwards gloated yet that given enough time, he always ends up being proven right, in this case about the CNY's upcoming devaluation?
Some more on the direct FX bypass, something which should piss of USD traders quite a bit, from Bloomberg:
Encouraging direct yen-yuan trades will aim to reduce currency risks and trading costs, Japan's government said. Currently, about 60 percent of trade transactions between the two nations are settled in dollars, according to Japan's Finance Ministry. China is Japan's biggest trading partner.
Then-finance minister Noda said in September 2010 that Japan should be able to invest in China's market given that China buys Japanese debt. Japan holds $1.3 trillion of foreign- currency reserves, the world's second largest.
Austria has already been granted the eligibility to buy Chinese bonds, according to the Japanese government official. Central banks from Thailand to Nigeria plan to start buying yuan assets as slowing global growth has capped interest rates in the U.S. and Europe.
Investing in Chinese debt has become easier for central banks as issuance of yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong more than tripled to 112 billion yuan ($18 billion) this year and institutions were granted quotas to invest onshore.
So while the US and Europe bicker over just who it is that will first end up bailing out one then the other, those who are supposedly doing the bailing, have decided to gradually move away from the interminable financial sink hole that is the developed world. All that needs to happen next is for Russia and India to join this compact, and Jim O'Neill will be proven 'right', although with a 100% inverse outcome to the one desired by the Goldmanite, as globalization proceeds merrily on its way... just without the US and Europe.


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Hulk Hogan
Every 2 minutes for 20 minutes:
3 Muscle Ups
5 Power Cleans (185, 135#)
7 Burpees
Record your times for each round and post fastest and slowest times to comments.
Congratulations to Mike Braatz, our Firebreather of the Month for July! Braatz is a member of the diehard 5:30am Mayhemers and was kind enough to answer some questions about Crossfit, his underwear preference, and the Spice Girls. So here's the skinny:
1. How did you get involved in crossfit?
I give credit to CFNE member Andy Renzella. I went to a Little League coaches meeting a couple of years ago, was scanning the crowd for people I knew and looked right past this guy. He gave me a funny look, and said "Hi Mike". I recognized the voice, but it took me a few seconds to place it… holy crap, Andy!?!? We had known each other for a while, but I hadn't seen him in probably 9 months. I didn't recognize him at first – he had lost a ton of weight and looked like he belonged on the cover of a fitness magazine. He told me about his CrossFit experience. It was inspiring, and now, a year and half after taking a private Elements class with Ashley, here I am. And, I might add, Andy's still here at CFNE too, crushing it as always.
2. What is your favorite movement?
Squat snatch. No question. I know it's not a widely held favorite, but for some reason it just gets me.
3. What is your favorite WOD?
Murph. It's always a great day at CFNE. Huge classes, big energy in the gym, and members and Coaches – especially Geoff Leard – who treat it with respect and make it memorable. Honorable mention goes to "Muffins and Sweatpants". For the name alone, of course, but also because it involves sets of 21 snatches. I still don't know the story behind the name, but it's genius. Does being named Firebreather of the Month get me the inside scoop on the story?
4. If you were stuck in a Sharknado how would you escape?
Seriously, did the movie teach us nothing? Two words: jet, chainsaw.
5. Favorite paleo snack?
A dozen Dunkin Donuts, chocolate frosted. Wait… what? That's not paleo? OK, then…almond butter and apple slices.
6. Favorite cheat meal?
A dozen Dunkin Donuts, chocolate frosted. Wait… what? That's not a meal? OK, then… the burger at Sel de la Terre. It comes with rosemary fries, which I like as much as I hate ring dips.
7. If you could be any member of The Beatles who would you be?
Paul. Maybe it's the easy answer, but he's rich, he's talented and he's still doing what he loves. And it helps that he's still alive.
8. Boxers or briefs?
I subscribe to Cosmo Kramer's position on underwear: my boys need a home. Boxer briefs are a good solution.
9. If you could be any Spice Girl who would you be?
I'm a HUGE Spice Girls fan, so this is a really hard question. But since this is a CrossFit article, I'm going with Sporty Spice. I call her Mel C., though. Did you know she's actually very sporty, and can do back handsprings?!?! Beast.
10. It's the zombie apocalypse what do you have in your backpack?
I don't know much about zombies, other than that they're the new vampires. But I'm going with my iPhone, a water bottle and a chainsaw. I Googled "how to kill a zombie", and "chop off their head with a chainsaw" made the top ten list. And since I'll need one for sharknado, too, I'm all set.
11. Who would win in a fight, Spiderman or Batman? Also is Batman really a superhero?
I'm very movie oriented, so I think of this as Christian Bale vs. Tobey Maguire. Christian Bale is intense and probably a little crazy, so he'll fight dirty. I think he wins in a fight. But props to Tobey for his Tropic Thunder cameo. Batman is a pretty normal guy who gets in great shape, has good helpers and cool gear. Wait… just like a CrossFitter! So he IS a superhero.
12. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Just kidding! Seriously though, what's your favorite outdoor activity when you're not crushing WODs at the crack of dawn?
I'm very happy that both of my kids have found team sports they love – soccer, basketball, baseball and football. It keeps them active, it's social and teaches them how to win and lose. I really enjoy practicing with them, coaching and just watching them compete. And we also spend a lot of time up at Lake Winnipesaukee, hiking, swimming and skiing.
There you have it folks! 12 questions with Mike Braatz, our Firebreather of the Month.


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Shale drilling in Ohio and other states hasn't created the number of jobs predicted by the oil and natural gas industry and its supporters,
The oil and natural-gas industry and its supporters have exaggerated the number of jobs created by shale drilling in Ohio and other states, a new study contends.
Released Thursday by a group called the Multi-State Shale Research Collaborative, the study looked at employment in the Marcellus and Utica shale states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Maryland and Virginia.
Between 2005 and 2012, shale drilling created 32,789 jobs in that six-state region; 2,791 of those were in Ohio, representing less than one-tenth of a percent of all jobs in the state, the study found.
"Shale drilling has definitely helped some small, rural communities in Ohio, like those in Carroll County, get through the Great Recession," said Amanda Woodrum, a researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, one of the groups behind the study. "Shale-related employment in Ohio on the whole, however, has been relatively minor."
In their analysis, the study's authors aggregated government jobs data for oil and gas drilling and extraction, pipelines and support activity. Those categories included non-shale jobs that existed prior to 2005, and the report assumes those jobs have stayed constant, leaving any increase attributable to shale drilling.
The study didn't include induced jobs, which are created when gas and oil money is spent at hotels, stores and restaurants.
The Multi-State Shale Research Collaborative includes Policy Matters Ohio, the Fiscal Policy Institute, Keystone Research Center/Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis in Virginia and West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.
The findings contradict other reports that predict far greater job creation from shale drilling.
An oft-cited study by global research firm IHS estimated that shale drilling last year supported 38,000 jobs in Ohio and added $4.1 billion to the state's economy.
The same report, sponsored by industry groups, predicted Ohio could see 143,000 jobs and $18 billion in additional gross domestic product by the end of the decade.
The Multi-State Shale Research Collaborative report acknowledges that shale drilling creates jobs for rig workers, truck drivers, pipeline builders, as well as workers in restaurants and hotels.
But the industry and its allies have inflated employment figures as part of a strategy to minimize taxes, regulation and public scrutiny, said one of the study's authors, Frank Mauro, executive director of the New York-based Fiscal Policy Institute, during a conference call with reporters.
If the study's job totals for Pennsylvania (22,441) and West Virginia (6,022) — states that are farther along with shale drilling — are "indicators of what we can expect in Ohio, we need to lower our expectations," Woodrum said.
A 2011 Ohio State University study that projected 20,000 new jobs from shale drilling over the next four years is probably closer to reality, she said.
"This relatively modest level of expected employment is not worth throwing all caution to the wind and ignoring costs of industry development," Woodrum said. "Smart regulations are important, and continued investments in alternative forms of energy still make sense."
Shawn Bennett, spokesman for industry group Energy In Depth Ohio, said the study was too narrow in scope and received funding from a group that has supported research critical of gas and oil drilling.
Shale drilling has meant business for hotels, construction companies, truckers and factories that make pipe used by the industry.
"You have to look at how many jobs are being induced because of this industry being here," Bennett said.
Reach Shane at 330-580-8338 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
On Twitter: @shooverREP


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Episcopal Church Strategic Planning Committee survey available in Chinese
Adding a fourth language, the Strategic Planning Committee survey is now available in Chinese.
To access the survey in Mandarin Chinese: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=h5zsWxQz84FzsprQcYuq6w_3d_3d
The survey is also available in English, Spanish and French as well as a downloadable version for returning by mail.
The Strategic Planning Committee was established by Executive Council in January 2009 to develop a strategic plan for the Episcopal Church Center and the Executive Council which addresses mission and ministry, growth, finance, challenges and opportunities, issues and concerns, and to map a way to address all these topics.
The survey will also be available to be completed at the Episcopal Church Center booth at General Convention in Anaheim, California July 8-17.
The deadline to complete the survey is July 28, 2009.
The Episcopal Church, with 110 dioceses in 16 nations, is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org
To access the survey in Mandarin Chinese: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=h5zsWxQz84FzsprQcYuq6w_3d_3d
To access the survey in Spanish: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sMdDHs9sq5t42zeTmuXBFQ_3d_3d
To access the survey in French: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vdDQqBG2wvZ7aOOE5I6i7w_3d_3d
To access the survey in English: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Wu5I75KPqOhmGku87xaL6A_3d_3d
To receive the print version: contact firstname.lastname@example.com


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Harris Aspire Academy
Harris Aspire Academy provides an outstanding 'all round' education to all of its students. It is the hub for an alternative education provision, providing a personalised learning programme for its students, delivered by highly trained staff who inspire, motivate and re-engage them. Aspire gives students a second chance to achieve to their full potential.
Aspire Academy works closely with parents and carers, communicating daily and offering them an insight, through observation and participation, to how their child will learn. Parents/Carers will be given an opportunity to support their child in a structured environment, on a weekly basis, which will help them to turn their lives around by achieving their goals/targets set.
Academy Contact
Harris Aspire Academy
11 Oliver Grove
South Norwood
020 3370 9238 Email Academy Visit Academy Website Secondary ProspectusGet Directions


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Maybe there are not even your competitors in terms of business, but they are your competitors in terms of search because they get demand that you want to attract.
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After 6 months of work, our website reached top search positions for all relevant search queries - something other companies couldn't do in 3 years. Netpeak's focus on increasing sales, and not just ranking for search queries, turned out to be the best approach for us.
Morpher has worked with the internet marketing agency Netpeak for quite a long time and, seeing the results of our work, we would like to express the deepest gratitude to the specialists that put their enthusiasm, knowledge and energy in its success.
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Online game portal QuickSave.su wishes to thank Netpeak for their professional and effective work on our project. Netpeak removed the penalties to our website set by Google and significantly increased visitor traffic.


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June 8, 2015 (UATODAY) Ukrainian minister of defense Stephan Poltorak has said some 42,500 militants and more than 550 tanks are deployed on the territory of so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People Republics.
"The joint group of Russians and militants on the militant-controlled area consists of more than 42,500 troops and more than 550 tanks", Stephan Poltorak said during the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Kyiv on June 8, 2015. "Such amount of artillery would be enough for an average European country", the minister of defense added. Stephan Poltorak pointed out that Russia remains the main organizer and sponsor of the war in the Eastern Ukraine.


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The Canadian wind sector is experiencing aggressive growth that is outperforming global installation rates, said a report published in April by accounting firm Ernst & Young. Between 2005 and 2015, it says, Canada is expected to see a five-year rolling compound annual growth rate averaging 38%, compared to a global average of 24% over the same period.
New build is expected to reach a record 1.5-1.7GW this year and to top 2GW over the next two to three years, says Dan Shreve, a director at Make Consulting. The maturation of the Canadian market coincides
with a projected slowdown in the US, driven by a combination of uncertainty over the future of the production tax credit, low natural gas and power prices, and little demand for new renewable-energy supply.
As a result, adds Shreve, Make expects Canada to account for 27% of new installations in the Americas in 2016, up from just 9% in 2009.
These numbers are attracting firms looking for new avenues for growth. Developer EDP Renewables North America entered the Canadian market in 2010 through the acquisition of a modest set of development assets in Ontario, says Andrew Young, executive vice-president for the western region and Canada.
The compound challenges facing the US have encouraged EDP to spend a lot more time exploring prospects north of the border, says Young. "It's intensified our interest," he adds. "We're certainly not alone in looking for opportunities in Canada."
Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources has made Ontario central to its growth plans over the next two years, with 593MW of projects in line for construction. California-based Pattern Energy is moving forward with 870MW of wind, expected online in 2014, as part of a Samsung-led consortium with plans for 2GW in Ontario. EDF EN Canada is poised to become one of the largest wind-energy owners in the country with more than 1GW of capacity headed for construction in Quebec.
The increased attention on Canada, however, is not confined to companies active in the US. "We've seen a number of, in particular, Asian companies having an interest (in Canada)," says Stephen Lewis, senior vice-president at Ernst & Young.
Unusual market
Part of that interest may be attributed to the slowdown in the US, says Lewis, but there are other factors at play as well. Chief among them is the fact that Canada has held its own economically in comparison with other G7 countries. "Our economy is growing, which is obviously positive. And we have capital markets that are functioning and they are deep, so there is really no great challenge to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in project financing in Canada," he says. "You can't necessarily say that about a lot of other markets."
The clearest opportunity for companies looking to Canada for new growth opportunities is in the services side of the business, from transportation through to engineering and construction. "There is going to be a lot of building going on in Canada in the next few years, and there are going to be some very significant opportunities related to that," says Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
The path forward for developers is not quite so obvious, however. Most of the coming expansion of Canada's wind market is the result of procurement processes going back years in some cases. Opportunities to develop a completely new project and win a new power purchase agreement are actually quite limited.
While Ontario has committed to buying the power to meet its 10.7GW renewable energy target by 2018, which should include about 7.5GW of wind, there are thousands of megawatts of projects already under contract, with more waiting in the wings. "The Ontario market is very competitive. There are a lot of developers that have been prospecting there for years," says Matthew Kaplan, associate director at IHS Emerging Energy Research.
Growth in the east
Interest among investors in the Quebec market has picked up in the last 12 months or so, says Ernst & Young's Lewis, and with the province's recently announced plan to buy another 700MW in its effort to meet its target of 4GW of wind on its system by 2015 it is likely to continue. "It wouldn't be surprising to see more US independent power producers at least look at Quebec for this coming tender, because it is one of the largest renewables tenders right now on the continent," says Kaplan. But for developers not already active there, he adds, the very local nature of development in the French-speaking province can be a barrier. "There is still opportunity in Canada, although I would say it is not necessarily a lot of new opportunity."
Companies entering the market are looking to do it through acquisitions, says Lewis. "Where we see the foreign companies having a particular interest is in projects that are in what I would call development stage. What I mean by that is they have a feed-in tariff contract in Ontario or perhaps a power purchase agreement in Quebec or BC, but the developer is not able, for a variety of reasons, to push it forward into the construction phase," he explains. "That's where we've been spending a lot of time with clients, buying projects that are about to go into that construction phase."
EDP is pursuing a similar strategy, says Young, looking to use its experience and balance sheet by either acquiring projects or partnering in them. "There's a place for us in the value chain to put projects in the ground," he says. EDP's interest is currently centred on Ontario and Quebec, adds Young.
While Alberta - Canada's third-largest wind market - is one of the few jurisdictions in North America where electricity demand is forecast to grow at a healthy rate, the province's competitive wholesale market structure means there are few power purchase agreements available to wind developers. At the same time, spot prices have been driven down by low natural gas prices. "I think there may be some companies that hang on to their projects in the hope that gas prices will shift and the market conditions will change a bit, although right now it doesn't look like a huge opportunity," says Kaplan.
Wild card
Electricity demand is growing in British Columbia too, and the government-owned utility's draft integrated resource plan includes the possibility of acquiring up to 2,000 gigawatt hours from clean-energy projects that would come into service in 2016-2018. But concerns over rising power prices and questions about the role of natural gas leave the province a bit of a wild card for wind. "The theme of BC has really been that there is a lot of promise but not a lot of action," says Kaplan. The provincial government's plan to build renewable energy for export has fallen by the wayside in the face of lower power prices and less demand in the US, as have similar strategies in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.
Contracts recently awarded to three Nova Scotia wind projects totalling 116MW brings the grid to its current integration limit for large-scale wind, but Lewis says the province's community feed-in tariff programme is attracting investors to work with local co-operatives and First Nations on smaller projects. And as the most active markets of Ontario and Quebec approach their current targets, the longer-term outlook becomes cloudy.
Local content
But this could change in the coming months. Ontario has promised to examine its renewable-energy target next year and may increase it. Quebec has also scheduled a review of its energy strategy in 2013. Both provinces have used local content requirements to build a wind manufacturing base they could be looking to sustain, says Kaplan. "What is positive is the governments of Ontario and Quebec obviously value the job creation benefits they are getting from wind energy."
Alberta will have completed its consultation on an alternative and renewable energy strategy next year, which could help lower the barriers to wind development. With completion of utility BC Hydro's long-term integrated resource plan scheduled for the end of this year, 2013 should also bring a better understanding of where that market is headed.
The industry, says Hornung, will be pushing for wind in all these cases: "The sustainability of wind energy in Canada is going to be influenced enormously by what happens in these discussions over the next year."


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CHICAGO – "Everyone Loves BIG Cans." That's the motto at Moat Mountain Brewing Company which has launched its Bone Shaker Brown Ale in 24 oz. Rexam cans.
Moat Bone Shaker Brown is an English-style brown ale with a rich, malt body and medium hop bitterness, and is 5.5 percent alcohol by volume. It is the company's second beer to be distributed in this unique size package.
Moat Mountain became one of the first small craft breweries to bring a beer to market in 24 oz. cans with its release of Moat Iron Mike Pale Ale in 2011.
"Craft beer consumers are embracing aluminum can packaging in increasing numbers," said Steve Johnson, owner, Moat Mountain Brewing Company. "At the same time, there is continued growth in single serve packaging. By working with Rexam, we were able to embrace both these trends and bring our beers to market in a 24 oz. can that consumers love."
The company chose Rexam cans because they help its beers stand out in a crowded marketplace. Moat Mountain also benefits from the many advantages that aluminum cans deliver for beer including durability, portability and increased freshness. In addition, cans are the best sustainability choice with a recycle rate at more than double other beverage packages.
"As the industry leader in 24 oz. can production, we were able to work with Moat Mountain and help them launch in this popular package," said Rich Grimley, Chief Operating Officer, Rexam Beverage Can Americas. "It's a great choice to stand out on retail shelves while delivering superior recycling and environmental benefits as well as filling and distribution economics."
Moat Mountain Bone Shaker Brown Ale and Iron Mike Pale Ale are currently available at select retailers in Maine and New Hampshire.
About Moat Mountain:
Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing Company opened its doors in North Conway, New Hampshire in 2000. For 12 years, the 174-seat brew pub has been serving up award-winning ales and lagers that are brewed on-site. The company began packaging its beers for distribution in 2011. As it gains popularity among craft beer connoisseurs, Moat Mountain's expansion plans include renovating a historic property inBartlett, NH this winter to house a new brewery with an annual capacity of over 8000 barrels per year. For more information, visit www.moatmountain.com.
About Rexam:
Rexam is a leading global consumer packaging company. We are one of the leading global beverage can makers and a major global player in rigid plastic packaging. We are business partners to some of the world's most famous and successful consumer brands.
Our vision is to be the best global consumer packaging company. Rexam's sales from ongoing operations in 2011 were in the region of £4.7 billion. We have more than 80 plants in 25 countries and employ close to 19,000 people. Rexam is a member of the FTSE 100 and its ordinary shares are listed with the UK Listing Authority and trade on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol REX. For further information, visit www.rexam.com


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BBY/ABY is used to position items along the Star Wars Timeline. BBY refers to Before the Battle of Yavin. ABY refers to After the Battle of Yavin. The Battle of Yavin in Episode IV: A New Hope occured in 0 BBY/ABY.
The Youtini Expanded Universe Ranking system is a 1-5 scale that ranks EU book quality, difficulty, and importance. Books closer to Level 1 are easier to read and understand, more important, and of higher quality.
Read all about the thoughts, secrets and feelings of Padmé, queen of the planet Naboo.


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DiS' countdown to Latitude continues with three of our favourite acts...
In an attempt to make the sprawling Latitude Festival line-up a little more digestible, DiS' editor is suggesting 15 acts you should draw a circle around and double-underline in your programme. As an official media for this year's event, we have created a mini-site for the festival, where you can our other must-see picks plus news about this year's event and photos & reviews of previous years. You'll find all of that and more right here: drownedinsound.com/lists/latitude-festival.
Today's three picks, which you
can should see at Henham Park near Sothwold in Suffolk between the 12th and 15th July 2012, probably need little in the way of introduction to folks who come to DiS often, but we thought it would be remiss to do this list without mentioning them...
DiS' love of Belgian art-rockers dEUS spans back decades. For many of our readers it was catching them on Mtv's 120 Minutes, for others it was reading about them in Melody Maker. For me, it was hearing the distillation of every summery feeling trapped in my bones in the form of the track 'Little Arithmetics' on Radio1's Evening Session. Every giddy emotion that a vitamin D overdose can induce was met with this cool (in all senses of the word) breeze of being, like, skint. The drums sounded like skittering bugs and the squall of noise that ends it blew my young mind. Flip forward to now and I've come to love everything about their blistering mix of Sonic Youth's howlin' guitars, Prince's funky but bruised basslines and Tom Barman's ability to scrunch his lyrics into these obtuse, off-kilter and weird (but wonderful) little pellets in ways that only a few people, like, Dylan and Waits and maybe Jonathan Donahue, Mark Linkous, Wayne Coyne, Beck and maybe some others do.
Live, dEUS are a beast of discordance and rhythms that soar and soar then sucker-punch you with a glorious anti-climax. Ear-worms abound, so I pretty much promise you will be whistling their melodies for the days and weeks to come. If you've not fallen under their spell (we'll let you off because there seems to have been some sort of media conspiracy to deny this band their moment in the sun), get their back catalogue on, pronto.
Read more...
- Tom Barman's track-by-track guide to their new album Following Sea
- 8/10 review: Keep You Close
- 8/10 review: Vantage Point
- dEUS on Spotify
St. Vincent
Oh Annie Clark... I'm sure you don't need me to tell you she's one of the finest guitarists in the world right now. You probably don't need to be reminded that she's doing water-ski tricks on a wake of critical praise and that she has an album on the way with David Byrne. Live, expect evil guitars, glamour, graceful guitars, a voice that entrances hearts and hell-raising riffs...and maybe a just a little bit of crowd-surfing.
- Interview: Annie Clarke discusses Tom Waits, technology and Strange Mercy
- 9/10 review: Strange Mercy
- 8/10 review: Actor
- Actor at number 2 in DiS' albums of the year 2009
- Strange Mercy at number 11 in DiS' albums of the year 2011
The Antlers
The makers of DiS' album of the year 2011 probably need no more praise around here...we could at one time or another have renamed the site drownedinantlers.com and no-one woulda bat an eyelid. So I'll skip the pleasantries and just let their gorgeous new track and the links to bits in our archive do the talking...
- 9/10 Review: Burst Apart
- The Antlers track-by-track guide to Burst Apart
- Burst Apart named DiS' number one album of 2011
Latitude is the award-winning festival which takes at Henham Park on the beautiful Sunrise Coast. Bon Iver, Elbow and Paul Weller are all set to headline the 7th Edition which takes place from 12th 'til the 15th July 2012. latitudefestival.co.uk
Visit: DiS' Latitude Festival mini-site featuring reviews and photos of previous years, and details about this year's event
DiS has put together a Spotify playlist featuring a heap of acts you can watch.
The festival have also put together an official playlist:


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Homeless Connecticut vets, once ignored, get needed support
On any given night, more than 300 Connecticut veterans go without a home.
Men and women, many of whom fought in foreign combat theaters, find shelter under highway overpasses, in back alleys and at homeless shelters across the state.
"There's no reason there should be homeless veterans," said Joseph Oliveras, a 53-year-old Army veteran who spent 20 years living on the street. "How about taking care of the people who fought for this country and served this country?"
Once largely ignored by policymakers, homelessness among veterans has become a top priority of federal, state and local service organizations.
In 2009, President Barack Obama and Veteran Affairs Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki set a goal of ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.
Those on the ground say ending chronic homelessness — where veterans find themselves living on the streets or in shelters for years — is attainable.
"Ending homelessness means creating a system where if they end up homeless, the experience is brief, rare and nonrecurring," said Nichole Guerra, policy analyst at Partnership for Strong Communities, a Hartford-based think tank.
Among key components of the plan to eradicate veteran homelessness is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs distribution of housing vouchers for veterans. Called Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, or HUD-VASH, vouchers, the money helps place veterans in housing so the VA then can wrap around other support services, such as mental health assistance, substance abuse treatment and job training.
Since 2008, HUD has distributed more than 48,000 of the vouchers, with another 10,000 in the pipeline. This year alone, more than $1.4 billion will be spent housing the homeless, and the VA will spend another $4.4 billion on health care for homeless veterans.
More Information
Homeless veteran statistics
National statistics on homeless veterans:
13% of the homeless adult population are veterans
20% of the male homeless population are veterans
68% reside in principal cities
32% reside in suburban/rural areas
51% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities
50% have serious mental illness
70% have substance abuse problems
51% are white males, compared to 38% of non-veterans
50% are age 51 or older, compared to 19% non-veterans
Source: National Center for Homeless Veterans based in Washington, D.C.
Point in time count of homeless veterans in Connecticut:
2010: 461
2011: 438
2012: 330
2013: 340
Source: Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
The program is expensive, but those on the ground contend that ending homelessness for any group involves an obvious first step.
"Part of ending homelessness for vets will mean putting folks on a path to independence, and that means getting people housed more quickly," said Greg Behrman, founder of the Connecticut Heroes Project.
Meanwhile, Connecticut is offering tax credits to companies that hire veterans.
Efforts at both the national and state levels seem to be paying returns.
Nationwide, the number of homeless veterans is down 17 percent, according to the VA. In Connecticut, it's down from 461 in 2010 to 340 this year, according to Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.
On Friday, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both D-Conn., along with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, announced that a VA grant for $137,410 was secured for the Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute in Bridgeport, which provides housing, mental health care assistance, substance abuse counseling and vocational training for veterans. The grant will pay for renovations on the facility and a new van to transport vets.
Two Connecticut nonprofits, the Partnership for Strong Communities and the Connecticut Heroes Project, have launched a job-training and placement program to assist veterans.
Despite the efforts of the VA, HUD and hundreds of nonprofits across the country and in Connecticut, ending homelessness among veterans remains a tall task. Currently more than 62,000 former service men and women are without a home; an additional 1.4 million veterans are at-risk of ending up on the street, according to the VA.
Returning home and bottoming out
In winter 1993, Oliveras, of Ansonia, spent his first night sleeping on the street.
"I was at Seaside Park in Bridgeport and it was snowing," Oliveras said.
He had just lost his job at a moving company, ran out of money and his landlord evicted him.
"I couldn't believe his was happening to me," he said.
Oliveras spent six months on the street that first winter, before landing in a shelter. But by the next year he was back on the street. Oliveras would continue the cycle of splitting time between sleeping in shelters, on friends' couches and on the street for 20 years. Along the way he began to abuse drugs and alcohol; he was arrested several times for petty theft. For Oliveras, the streets were a trap.
"I couldn't get a job because people would look at my past and see that I got arrested. I had to steal to survive," he said.
Oliveras served in the military from 1979 to 1981, but until recently never took advantage of the benefits afforded to veterans.
"I had the G.I. Bill, but didn't use it because no one told me about it," he said.
Mary Porter, founder of No Vet Left Behind, said Oliveras' story is not uncommon. Her program helps veterans with food, clothing and access to services. Oliveras often travels to No Vet Left Behind's facility in Ansonia for food and clothing.
Porter says veterans often are unprepared for life after the military. Many don't know where to access their benefits or even what benefits they are entitled to receive.
"The military makes us combat ready," said Porter, herself a veteran, "but they don't make us civilian ready."
The transition from military to civilian life means undoing much of the training received in the armed forces.
"Veterans undergo very stressful training whether they deploy or not," said John Driscoll, president of the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans. "Members of the military live in a very stressful environment, and when they are deployed they operate in a hypervigilant environment where they are constantly on guard. When they return to the civilian world, it takes a tremendous adjustment."
Nearly half of newly homeless veterans have been diagnosed with some mental disorders prior to their discharge from active duty, according to the NCHV. As many as one in five combat veterans suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and one in four abuse alcohol in the first four months after returning from a deployment in the Middle East, according to the VA.
"A lot of the issues that can cause homelessness can be exacerbated by military issues. If you have mental health issues and have served in the military, you might be more likely to self-medicate," said Gabriel Zucker, associate director of the Connecticut Heroes Project. "There are accumulated mental health issues that make it difficult to hold a job. And if we don't treat mental health, it can lead to someone living on the street."
Beyond the mental health and substance abuse issues faced by many veterans, the newest crop of soldiers and sailors returning home face a struggling economy and lackluster job market.
"The young men and women coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home to a country plagued by the economic downturn," Driscoll said. "That has made reintegration into the society difficult for young troops, especially for those who had limited job experience before they went into the service."
Job training is available through the VA, but critics argue that the current employment training and placement systems are incongruous.
"There are resources to train and there are resources to hire vets, but few resources to connect veterans with jobs," Behrman said.
And even if a veteran finds a job-training program, returning to civilian life often means learning new skills.
"Military occupations don't always translate to the civilian business world. A lot of the values you learn in the military are valued by employers, but the jobs you have in the military don't translate to the civilian world," Driscoll said. "There isn't a high demand for a door gunner."
After 20 years on the street, Oliveras recently moved into an apartment in Seymour.
"I had enough of it. I got sick of it. I was sick of going house to house, shelter to shelter and living on the street," he said.
Oliveras just finished taking classes at New England Tractor Trailer School. The Veterans' Retraining Assistance Program has helped pay for his apartment while in school. Oliveras takes his driving test for his commercial driver's license Saturday.
Help arrives
In 1990, at a conference of homeless service providers in Jacksonville, Fla., the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans was born. The idea was conceived by homeless advocates who saw a dearth of services for veterans.
"At the time, there were no assistance available for homeless veterans and low-income veterans," Driscoll said.
At the time when NCHV was formed, the efforts around ending homelessness had been around for three decades, but there were no coordinated efforts to address veterans living on the streets and in shelters.
"We have had homeless-assistance programs since the Great Society in the 1960s, but it wasn't until recently that we got a sense of the problems facing homeless veterans," Driscoll said.
In 1999, the first study on homeless veterans was completed. At the time, veterans comprised more than a quarter of the homeless population, and one in three homeless men were veterans.
According to current tallies on the homeless population, 13 percent of the transient population are veterans, and one in five homeless men are veterans.
"It shows you how much progress has been made in the last 14 years," Driscoll said.
The bulk of progress in addressing homelessness among veterans has been made in the last five years.
"Prior to the Obama administration, no one was talking about getting veterans into housing," Driscoll said. "The Obama administration recognized the sooner we get veterans into housing, the quicker we can get them into supportive services."
Since the VA and the Obama administration set 2015 as a goal for ending veteran homelessness, there has been a groundswell of grass-roots activity on the issue.
Connecticut's Heroes Project formed this past spring. The nonprofit's founder, Behrman, is a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan. He wants hopes to make a difference.
"I believe there is a sacred obligation that the people who fight for this country should have a place to rest their head at night," Behrman said.
The Connecticut Heroes Project focus is connecting veterans with the resources available through the VA and HUD.
"The theme of all of our work is that we not working from scratch; the resources are out there," Zucker said.
The Partnership for Strong Communities is partnering with the Connecticut Heroes Project. The two agencies hope to establish a Veterans Opportunity Fund, which will help pay for employment specialists to help veterans land jobs.
"It's one thing to get a person back in housing, but it's worthless if the person can't find a job," Zucker said.
Like the Connecticut Heroes Project, Jesse's Homeless Outreach Project was formed in 2012. While it's broadly focused on addressing general homelessness, JHOP Overseer Marcey Jones says 70 percent of the nonprofit's clients are veterans.
Jones' approach to servicing the needs of the homeless is what she calls "a market-driven approach."
"We always give the homeless coats and blankets by asking them what they need," Jones said.
And like so many of those who work with homeless vets, Jones says veterans are deserving of the country's compassion.
"These people have served this country; we need to serve them," Jones said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Greg Behrman did not serve in the Navy in Iraq.


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Block Walks are happening at EVERY HCRP office EVERY Saturday from 9am - 1pm now until Election Day. Contact your local field rep to let them know that you will be there on Saturday to help keep Harris County Red!
HCRP Block Walks:
HQ Block Walk
7232 Wynwood Ln, Houston, TX 77008
Chris Broussard
Email: email@example.com
Cell Phone: (832) 767-9781
Northwest Block Walk
21542 Ste B St Hwy 249, Houston, TX 77070
Mark Irey
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Cell Phone: (281) 734-5550
Northeast Block Walk
2523 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Kingwood, TX 77339
Thomas Mardik
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Cell Phone: (317) 842-7160
Southeast Block Walk
433 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77598
Sebastian Gracia
Email: email@example.com
Cell Phone: (713) 870-7191
Westside Block Walk
10301 C Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024 (Next to Jason's Deli)
**To ensure accuracy when using google maps, please use Jason's Deli address for navigation purposes: 10321 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024
Doug McNiel
Email: email@example.com
Cell Phone: (713) 962-8958
Katy Block Walk
19732 Saums Rd, Houston, TX 77084
Rachelle Pierce
Email: email@example.com
Cell Phone: (801) 879-1991


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An argument as old as time itself: Mustang or Camaro?
Welcome to Morning Would, where we present you with some of the most desirable, controversial cars ever built and ask what you would do to drive one.
Ok, so the argument isn't as old as time, but it's at least as old as anyone born after the 1960's. So which will it be, Ford or Chevy?
Since we're talking base V6's here, you know you're getting about the same power (as near as makes no difference 300 HP) in a RWD coupe. Let's say they're both manual, no-options no-frills versions as well. Do you like to be able to see out of your car? The Mustang might be a better choice. Do you like a car that transforms into a giant robot? The Camaro might be for you.
No matter what you choose, you're making a good choice. Just be sure to justify it below.
Photo Credit: Ford