text:
Casey Breen
I am interested broadly in the areas of population health and social networks. My current research agenda focuses on:
Developing social-network based methods for sampling and enumerating hard to reach populations.
Investigating health and mortality disparities in the United States using large-scale linked administrative datasets, such as UC Berkeley's CenSoc project.
1. Casey F. Breen, Dennis M. Feehan, and Ayesha S. Mahmud. "Using Multilevel Regression with Poststratification to Estimate Subnational Contact Patterns." [ working paper]
Abstract The spread and transmission dynamics of directly transmitted airborne pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, are fundamentally determined by in-person contact patterns. Reliable quantitative estimates of contact patterns are critical to modeling and reducing the spread of directly transmitted infectious diseases. While national-level contact data are available in many countries, including the United States, local-level estimates of age-specific contact patterns are key since disease dynamics and public health policy vary by geography. However, collecting contact data for each state would require a very large sample and be prohibitively expensive. To overcome this challenge, we develop a flexible model to estimate age-specific contact patterns at the subnational level using national-level interpersonal contact data. Our model is based on dynamic multilevel regression with poststratification. We apply this approach to a national sample of interpersonal contact data collected by the Berkeley Interpersonal Contact Study (BICS). Results illustrate important state-level variation in levels and trends of contacts across the US.
2. Casey F. Breen. ''Changes in Racial Self-Identification for the Greatest Generation: Evidence from Social Security Administrative Data.'' [ working paper ]
Abstract Researchers generally recognize that racial identification may shift over the life course. However, there is less consensus about the prevalence of these shifts. Previous estimates suggest as many as 6% of Americans shift their racial identity. Using administrative data on Social Security applications from 1984 to 2007, we quantify the magnitude and direction of shifts in racial and ethnic self-identification among Black, White, Asian, American Indian, and Hispanic members of the "Greatest Generation," those born between 1901 and 1927 (N = 410,388). Approximately 9,274 (2.3%) persons in this dataset changed their racial or Hispanic identity, with distinct patterns of change for racial-ethnic subgroups. Overall, the most common shift was from a non-White identity to a non-Hispanic White identity. We then link to the 1940 Census to investigate whether social status in youth and young adulthood predicts a shift in identity in later life, and we find a positive and significant association between socioeconomic status in early life and a shift from non-White to non-Hispanic White identity. These systematic patterns would be unlikely if these shifts were due entirely to measurement error. We conclude the prevalence of racial fluidity is itself contingent, varying across time and cohort with response to racial climate, events in greater society, and social position.
3. Casey F. Breen, Elissa M. Redmiles, and Cormac Herley. "A Large-Scale Measurement of Cybercrime against Individuals." [draft available upon request]
Abstract We know surprisingly little about the prevalence and severity of cybercrime in the U.S. Yet, in order to prioritize the development and distribution of advice and technology to protect end users, we require empirical evidence regarding cybercrime. Measuring crime, including cybercrime, is a challenging problem that relies on a combination of direct crime reports to the government -- which have known issues of under-reporting -- and assessment via carefully-designed self-report surveys. We report on the first large-scale, nationally representative academic survey (n=11,953) of consumer cybercrime experiences in the U.S. Our analysis answers four research questions -- (1) What is the prevalence and (2) the monetary impact of these cybercrimes we measure in the U.S.?, (3) Do inequities exist in victimization?, and (4) Can we improve cybercrime measurement by leveraging social-reporting techniques used to measure physical crime? -- and offers insight toward improving future measurement of cybercrime and protecting users.
4. Casey F. Breen and Dennis Feehan. "New Approaches to Collecting Data From a Respondent-Driven Sample" [draft available upon request]
Abstract One of the most pressing problems in population research is sampling hard-to-reach populations. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is the dominant method to sample such understudied and underserved populations. The key insight behind RDS is that individuals in these hidden populations are connected through an underlying social network. Conventional RDS begins with a convenience sample of "seed" individuals, who are interviewed and then refer their peers to the study. In turn, these peers refer their peers until the recruitment chains die out or the desired sample size is obtained. RDS has been endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and is the dominant method for sampling people who inject drugs, sex workers, and other populations hard-to-reach due to their illegal or stigmatized behaviors. RDS sampling represents a powerful tool for data collection, but the efficacy of RDS is limited if the underlying network structure has low connectivity or high clustering. These properties can lead to inaccurate RDS estimates or cause recruitment chains to die out before the desired sample size is obtained. We introduce a new approach to collecting RDS data by modifying who is asked to refer whom. Specifically, the new approach allows members of the hidden population to recruit highly connected social referents to improve the underlying network structure. Here, we describe our new approach to RDS data collection and illustrate it with empirical results.x
Published with Wowchemy Website Builder


With economic growth stagnating at a 1.8 percent annual rate in the first quarter and unemployment at 9.1 percent in May, Republicans have plenty of ammunition to attack President Barack Obama on the economy. And that's exactly what they're doing, The Hill reports.
Specifically, they're mocking the president's campaign to highlight the "recovery summer" a year ago. "The anniversary of President Obama's 'Recovery Summer' publicity stunt is a good reminder that families and small businesses in Ohio and across the country can't afford more spending and more debt," House Speaker John Boehner wrote in the National Journal. "They need more jobs. And Republicans are listening."
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee sent an email stating: "One year later, Obama's recovery remains a failure while economists are delivering a grim prognosis for the future. Now the economy is threatened by a double dip as small businesses, manufacturing and the housing market run out of steam."


text:
Q: delete friend from friend list (graph api) I'm using Spring Social Facebook (Java) to call Graph API methods for friend lists, using an app-specific access_token that contains all available permissions.
I can create a list and add members to it. But when I want to remove a member,
    DELETE https://graph.facebook.com/{LIST_ID}/members/{USER_ID}?access_token={ACCESS_TOKEN}
...the call fails with a 400 error.
I tried calling the same 'delete' URL from my own java client code (Jersey) and got the same 400 error:
400 Bad Request
    Method Not Implemented
    Invalid method in request
But the same 'delete' URL works no problem if I use it:
  - in the Graph API debug tool
  - in the "RESTClient" Firefox extension
Any ideas why the java code is having trouble with this delete call?

A: I ended up using a batch request (even for a single call) and it worked fine. Probably a bug.
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/batch/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Methodology-This is an random sample of 1,000 Canadian 'voter's in the last general federal election who are also decided in their decisions herein. This is a fair depiction of a representative sample of approximately 47,000 Canadians in total, featuring a margin of error of 2.25%, 19 times out of 20@99% competency/confidence. This ROBBINS poll was conducted between April 26-May 3, 2007. Interivews were conducted throughout all provinces in the following (numbers)(margin of error where applicable): Ontario (350)/(4.75%); Quebec (120), BC (300)/(5.15%), Prairie Provinces (150)/(4.5%), Atlantic Provinces (92)-12 'ballots' were eventually dropped, with 9 of those from Quebec. This poll was paid for by Glen P. Robbins and Associates; ROBBINS MediaWorks, and Jim Van Rassel, owner/proprietor NewTrend Optical stores (604) 942-9300.
For which leader and political party did you vote in the last general federal election?
If an election were held tomorrow for which leader and party would you vote?
Would you be pleased to see Queen Elizabeth II visit Canada to celebrate her eightieth birthday?
Have you followed political news in the newspaper, magazines, television or radio this past week?
Which of the following political subjects is most important to you at this time?
What is your impression of Environment Minister John Baird and his Conservative Party's approach to combat climate change, global warming and pollution of the environment?
Do you expect a general federal election will be called within the next six months?
Which of the following political party's have directly made a connection with you in the past six months, other than through media?
If you only had to select the leader of a political party which one would you say in your decided opinion is the most 'competent' in Ottawa?
Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party have increased public support from the last general federal election, while the Liberals are down. The NDP is up (13%), the Bloc is down, and the Green Party is up.
Queen Elizabeth received some favourable numbers, as a clear majority of Canadians would be pleased to help her celebrate her 80th birthday this spring.
Less than one out of four Canadians who responded followed political news closely in the past week.
Other issues, Matters relating to Crime, and the National Economy/Taxes dominated the selections by respondents relative to which political subjects were most important to them.
With respect to which statement(s) provided the impression respondents had of Conservative Environmental Minister John Baird's approach to climate change, global warming etc., the highest number of respondents determined that it's better than nothing which is what the Liberals did.
More than one half of Canadian voters expect an election to be called within the next six months. A previous ROBBINS poll revealed that a clear majority of respondents would accept an election being called soon.
The Conservatives are backing their re-election by establishing their own media room, a significant war chest, and through a myriad of other communications and public relations with clients. This is an intelligent move, as the Conservatives are not part of the Canada's history as the Progressive Conservative and Liberal Party's are, and the mainstream Liberal press is concerned that the conditions might be right for the Conservatives winning two elections, one in 2007 (more about this later), and perhaps another in 2009.
Stephen Harper is heads and tails above all other leaders and his own party. Jack Layton is finally getting some respect, Gilles Duceppe may be the main reason his Bloc Quebecois Party remains viable, while Stephane Dion and Elizabeth May are less popular than their party.
Conservative support continues to grow from baseline support reflected from the last general federal direction. Overall, after factoring data from the last federal election the Prime Minister and his Conservative Party have (adjusted) support ranging between (37-39%). This range has been consistent over the past few months with one ROBBINS poll featuring support for the Conservatives over (40%). To ROBBINS, this means the Conservatives can reach a majority of support, it simply has to continue to re-tool its presentation of positive policy to the people to install a sense of confidence in the total party that Canadians obviously have in the Prime Minister. It is as if the people have already decided Prime Minister and will let everyone else debate along, almost disconnected. I believe I heard Chantal Hebert say something along these lines a couple of weeks ago on CBC, and this ROBBINS poll suggests that it is likely the case. It's very odd, but it's also very real. It is important to note that it is our impression (historically) that a 38% support level is a good expectation for the governing Conservative Party, while the Liberal 'top end' support in good times in likely in the range of (42-43%).
Accordingly, if (40%) is the standard by which majority governments are determined in this parliamentary democracy, than it is likely that the Conservatives might never achieve a majority. The current climate of a 'stronger' (as opposed to strong) Green Party, and corresponding 'weaker (as opposed to weak) Liberal Party changes this 'standard' downward to around the (38.64%) level according to ROBBINS calculations. For instance, in the seat rich province of Ontario, if the Conservatives achieve (38.64%) of public support, while the Liberals achieve (<33.23%), and the NDP (=> 19.47%) and Green plus "other" vote is (>8.11%), all things being relatively equal to the last federal general election, than the Conservatives will gain 14 seats from the Liberals, and the NDP will gain 2-4. We have not produced a poll in the last three months where the Conservatives have been under 35%, while mainstream pollsters have not produced ONE poll over the same period where the Conservatives are (= > 40%). One contradiction between ROBBINS and the mainstream polling is Toronto and outlying areas where we see between (30%) and (32%) for the Conservatives compared with much lower scores from the mainstream.
A similar type of 'difference' between ROBBINS and mainstream exists in Quebec.
Quebec appears from our polling to be a work well in progress for the Conservatives. The party is contacting respondents vigorously, while competitors are not. The higher undecided rate in Quebec relative to other provinces, particularly where past voters of the Bloc and the Liberals are concerned, particularly in light of modest NDP and Green gains, ALSO means that the standard of voter support first past the post may be lower than the (40%). We have the Conservatives at or about (28-30%) in Quebec, while the mainstream has shown the Conservatives (< 20%). We don't believe the lower numbers suggested.
The Queen is popular right now. We suspect she has always been, but there have been a few rough patches. As the world grows increasingly uneasy, institutions like the British Monarchy and in particular Queen Elizabeth II grow more popular in Canada. The Queen has also represented herself and the British Monarchy with stoic dedication, determination and consistency, and has done so through many turbulent times, and rightfully has earned the respect she is obviously receiving from Canadians in this ROBBINS poll. The scandalous abuse of British citizens which continues from Canada through telemarketing of lottery tickets, (for which there has been little diplomatic complaint), reflects the kind of patience that the British have had for Canada. A stroll through Canadian streets and sites with the Prime Minister should bring 'EFL' voter support to over (43%) for the Conservative Party.
Of those respondents who said they followed the news, (33%) supported Conservative(s), (30%) supported Liberals, (22%) supported the NDP; (5%) supported the Bloc, and (10%) supported the Green Party. The margin of error attributable to this 'poll within a poll' is approximately (6-7%), considering the qualifying of respondents.
For the majority of respondents who did not follow the political news, over (39.5%) supported the Conservatives, (29%) supported the Liberals (16.5%) supported the NDP, and (9%) followed by Bloc. Green Party supporters who did not follow the news provided approximately (06%).
(The Green Party data may be somewhat dubious owing to the fact that Green support was 'apparently' falling off after comments made by leader Elizabeth May comparing Neville Chamberlain and Nazi Germany to the Harper government on Kyoto-while Conservative numbers rose slightly at the same time in sympathy with the PM and his government).
Of the political subjects offered in question #5, the good news for the Liberal media is that those respondents who were paying attention chose the 'Taliban prisoners-Human Rights' and 'Canada's Green Plan' in higher numbers, but even still, these numbers were not higher than (c), (d) or (e).
Although Canadians do not want to see their military as callous in any regard, there are many more who are far more concerned with the well being of the troops. Ironically, Canadians appear to believe that the Afghanistan war is progressing well (relative to what they have witnessed in Iraq), if our attention is now being applied to Taliban prisoners. The Charter of Rights application to the Supreme Court of Canada seems a trifle embarrassing to the average person who mentioned it. I think the whole matter caught some Canadians off guard, which is not to suggest that there is widespread sympathy here. This behaviour by the Opposition humiliated troops, just as the Shane Doan matter rankled most Canadians (including many in Quebec).
The Prime Minister could make a change in the Minister of Defense so long as the change appeared to be part of a 'pre-election' shuffle, because the Taliban prisoner problem will not hurt the Conservatives, the ongoing siren of the Opposition, Amnesty International, and the BC Civil Liberties Union will become enough of a nuisance to grate on potential voters, giving the secondary appearance that the government is not necessarily well in charge. A change at Defense could reflect a change from military oversight (Gordon O'Connor) to more elected civilian oversight bringing with it an end to the abrasive gnashing of teeth.
(This is the same BC Civil Liberties by the way who I asked for 'help' when my lawyer was disbarred at the last minute and I had my business stolen-they didn't even give Whitey here a second thought. No lawyer, no trial, it's a shame if it's a visible minority or other 'victim' but if it's Whitey, that's okay. The BC Civil Liberties only helps their own special kind of 'victims'-what a bunch of phony assholes).
Contrary to much of the mainstream news, the 'actual' impression that 'voter/respondents' have of Environment Minister John Baird's approach to Canada's solution to global warming is pretty good 'relatively speaking'. This is based on two fundamental reasons. The first is that the Conservative Party is seen to be doing something, where the Liberals are affirmed by over one quarter of all respondents to have done 'nothing'. Action in response to a problem will always trump 'perceived' inaction, unless the action is so egregious to the majority of the public that it is deemed worse than nothing. One need only look at the problems emerging from the Air India disaster. The general context of the Opposition party's response to Mr. Baird�s plan is that it isn't Kyoto, which contradicts the inaction of the Liberals to Kyoto, which undermines the Liberal Party support for the plan with a large number of Canadians.
Secondly, Canadians are not as receptive to an International arrangement on climate change, when they are not comfortable with what is happening in the world to begin with. I fundamentally do not believe that Kyoto is something that a majority of Canadians are overly concerned about. It is our distinct impression that at one time Kyoto had about 50% 'support', but support is nebulous at the best of times, and as more illumination was shed upon the Kyoto Protocol relative to the time limits, Canadians simply don't believe we can be that successful so soon. The more the Greens and the NDP call for Kyoto, as much damage is done to the Liberals as to the Conservatives, because the Conservative 'base' for NO Kyoto is enough to give them comfort on this file. As well there are many supporters of other parties who are not ready to hit the streets over Kyoto.
I know how hard it hurts to take a setback in something as important as climate change is to people, but when you smash it down people's throats every day for six months, they are going to need a rest.
With one in five (or more) Canadians on a wait and see basis, the Conservatives can literally 'win their own ball game', by showing Canadians they are taking action, they are doing work. Over the springtime, if I were the government I would treat its Green Plan as they did the 'front end' of the previous federal general election, and roll out one action of another. In fact, Environment Minister John Baird is a pit bull (a very bright pit bull), but he isn't perceived as one in our estimation, because he doesn't look like one. Mr. Baird's slight speech impediment and general manner makes him look 'folksy' like a Conservative who is Green because he 'conserves'. A series of public service announcements featuring the Minister (without getting into hot water for taxpayer monies) satisfies the convention for moral suasion on a subject matter, which most Canadians believe, is important.
Nearly one out of two respondents (who made a selection) which either determined that the Conservative Plan was (a) a step in the right direction, or (b) let's wait and see. Using the same criteria only one out of five 'decided' respondents are of the 'impression' that the Conservative Green Plan is a 'loser'.
Notwithstanding whether or not Canadians actually want an election, the number of Canadians who (a) expect an election (this ROBBINS poll), and (b) who accept an election (previous ROBBINS poll) is in the majority numbers. This provides initial evidence into a general theme of this commentary relating to whether or not the Conservative government ought to call an election.
I liked what broadcaster Don Newman (easily the best journalist for discovering politicos) on his Politics show on CBC elicited from Opposition party representatives when he essentially asked 'if the Conservatives are so low in popularity why not force an election', to which the general reply from OPPOSITION seems to be: 'the people don't want an election'.
On its face this is a pretty thin explanation, based on the assumption that unless the government is loathed (and the Conservatives if loathed are only loathed by a minority), people are never eager to have an election, and measured against the aforementioned ROBBINS evidence that they 'accept' and 'expect' an election, in the majority, provides at a minimum a 'basis' for suggesting that there are forces at play in the Opposition who do not want an election, which would presume that they expect to lose and the government to gain. The contra assertion would be that if the government were as weak as the Opposition pollsters and mainstream might suggest, than why wouldn't they force an election, or in the case of the NDP, force the Liberal Party (generally acknowledged to be weaker) to vote with the government, weakening them further, and strengthening the government as a related co-efficient.
The political science and journalism supporting this contention (hypothesis) is pretty obvious. The government is not running smoothly because there is so much attention being placed on subjects like global warming. Canadians are saying 'shut up all ready we get it, there is a problem'. As a consequence of the over attention to this subject in a relatively short period of time, there are many ordinary Canadians who are now going the other way and listening to those who challenge the existence of global warming. This is what happens when the news and the media machinery including mainstream polling 'over promote' a subject. Kyoto is a non-starter in the country as far as the majority of the public is concerned, in part because they are (frankly) sick of the subject. The matter of climate change and the government's Bill related to it, has been bogged down in amendments, committees and debate. This isn't to suggest that any of these aren't necessary, it is to say that the public perception within the context of minority government, suggests that each time government business gets bogged down, many voters will blame either the government or the Opposition. Hypothetically, if I have the levers of power, I DO NOT want the final cumulative impression of my watch to appear to be bureaucratic and that is what the Conservatives will ultimately be risking if they cannot produce overall relief to voters in terms of getting the people's business done. At a minimum this provides a foundation for an election sooner than later, with 2009 the latest. What happens after a few of these Opposition muggings is, the public becomes a little unsure or uneasy about what is going on, even if they are not fully in support of transgressions alleged of the government.
This doesn't mean there isn't a climate change or Global Warming problem, what it does mean is a significant minority of Canadians are tuning it out, because they have heard enough.
There has been a lot of talk about elections. We know there is a fixed election in 2009, so there is no need to speculate about that. No political party will force (through a confidence motion) an election in 2008. That leaves 20 months for an election before the next fixed election date. The Prime Minister doesn't want to use the McKenzie King history for more than the astrology he might already be using, so he isn't going to wait until 2009. One should attempt to consider the more recent history of Canada since the rise of the separatists, as the Bloc impact on Quebec, and even Trudeau's win over Joe Clark's minority was 'Made in Quebec'. The Liberals will not be making that comeback anytime soon, and the recent Shane Doan thing helped the NDP, Bloc, and Conservatives (and not the Liberals) in Quebec. I am not sure why Jack Layton went there for Quebec, but there are a very large percentage of French language Canadians living outside that province, and although most right thinking Canadians thought the situation was disgraceful, it was a smart move by Layton. It leads me to speculate that the Greens and Liberals are on their own, and something is up with the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc.
Incidentally, the whole make-up, dresser, astrology thing (whether Canadians are OK with quirky leaders, and this incident totally removed Stephen Harper from the 'dry Reform' look to the 'new and improved' Stephen Harper who the whole country feels an investment with.
So, PM Harper has the rest of 2007 to hold an election, the first of two that will be held by 2009. This means the Conservatives don't HAVE TO win a majority, they simply have to come close in the next election, which would permit them to more dominate a stronger minority government through to the fixed election date in 2009, where they can attemmpt a move at 200 seats. When is the best time to hold this election?
Currently, I am fairly certain that the Liberals are set to lose 14 seats to the Conservatives in Ontario, and 2-4 to the New Democrats. I am very confident the Conservatives will win an additional 10-12 seats in Quebec. I suspect another 2-5 will come from the rest of the country, so as soon as they are able the Conservatives should begin to move in this direction. Harper is old school Conservative and won't jinx himself with bad karma, so he will avoid holding an election prior to the 18 months from the last general federal election. Accordingly, the end of June is 18 months. Once summer arrives everyone will get a good rest, start school and the House of Commons sits with the Harper minority government in power 'for nearly two years. The public will take the opportunity to vote in slightly higher numbers for the Conservatives, and slightly lower numbers for the Liberals. The Conservatives will get more seats, the Liberals fewer. The Conservatives will either (a) come very close to a majority, (b) barely get a majority, or (c) blow the doors off everyone and get a significant majority. Ideally for the Conservatives they would achieve a bare majority, so that they can continue to 'build' for 2009.
Were it me, I would turn the engine on, rev up the machine and move to drop the Writ the first week of June, 2007 for an election in early July, 2007. The Liberals won't show up to the same extent they did last time, while the NDP, Bloc and Conservatives will. When you remain the underdog, and you have your opponents at a disadvantage, it is a prudent Prince that does what he ought to and finishes the job-without hesitation.


text:
Isis leader Bilal al-Sudani killed by US military in Somalia
A senior leader of Islamic State was killed in a US special forces raid on a warren of caves in northern Somalia, American ...
U.S. Says Killing ISIS Figure in Somalia Shows How Group Is Still Spreading
Al-Shabab is a powerful jihadi militant group aligned with Al ... in Iraq and Syria," Lucas Webber, co-founder of the ...
Somali government announces at least a dozen Al Shabaab jihadists killed in internal conflict
At least a dozen members of the jihadist group Al Shabaab have been killed following a clash between two rival factions of the organization in the Somali region of Mudug. The clash occurred in the ...
5 Somali troops die in attack; 21 al-Shabab fighters killed
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — An attack by the al-Shabab extremist group on a military facility north of Somalia's capital on Tuesday killed five soldiers, officials said. Somali troops repelled ...
WTOP News14d
U.S. military strikes Shabaab in central Somalia
The U.S. military targeted Shabaab, al Qaeda's branch in East Africa, in a pair of strikes in central Somalia over the past ...
Long War Journal6d
Twin Car Explosions Kill More than 20 in Somalia
Al Shabab, an extremist group that swears allegiance to Al Qaeda, were quick to claim responsibility for the blasts, asserting that they had killed 87 people, including military officials and ...
19 Killed In Central Somalia Car Bombings Claimed By Al-Shabaab
Nineteen people have been killed in twin car bombings in central Somalia claimed by Al-Shabaab, a local militia commander in the Hiran region said. Two cars packed with explosives were ...
Jubaland State Claims Al-Shabaab Members Killed in Army Operation
Jubaland state of Somalia said its troops killed several Al-Shabaab members were killed in the Lower Juba region during a counter-attack. Lieutenant general Ismail Sahardid Keydsane confirmed that ...
Car bombs kill 35, burn houses in central Somalia - police
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's government says the operations have killed hundreds of al Shabaab fighters and recaptured dozens of settlements, although many battlefield claims cannot be ...
Somalia's military says five soldiers and 21 al-Shabab fighters have been killed north of the capital Mogadishu.
Nineteen people have been killed in twin car bombings in central Somalia claimed by Al-Shabaab, a local militia commander in the Hiran region said. Two cars packed with explosives were simultaneously ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
By John Biver Dispatches November 2, 2008
Obama on NAFTA and a Social Security tax hike
Last spring the National Review's Rich Lowry wrote a piece titled "On Trade: Obama's Opportunistic Fear-Mongering."
"For Barack Obama, hope can triumph over anything, except for open trade with a neighboring country with an economy 1/20th the size of ours. Then, all is despair.
Obama's culprit is Mexico , our third-largest trading partner. It is trade deals like NAFTA — the 1993 accord eliminating tariffs among the U.S., Mexico and Canada — that 'ship jobs overseas and force parents to compete with teenagers for minimum wage at Wal-Mart,' Obama intones. Feel inspired yet?"
Lowry lists these statistics:
Canada and Mexico are our first- and second-largest export markets, and U.S. merchandise exports to them have increased at a slightly faster clip than exports to the rest of the world.
Manufacturing output has increased by 63 percent.
The jobless rate has dropped from 6.9 in 1993 to 4.9 today.
Since 1993, the U.S. economy has grown by 54 percent.
NAFTA, Lowry states, "has clearly been a (small) benefit to the economy of both the U.S. and Mexico."
"Critics focus on the large U.S. trade deficit that opened up with Mexico shortly after the adoption of NAFTA, but that had more to do with the decline of the peso and a steep Mexican recession that dampened demand for our exports. Since 2001, our manufactured-goods deficit with NAFTA countries has been stable, making the agreement an implausible villain in the hollowing out of America."
U.S. manufacturing has been declining since 1979, and Lowry says Obama's blaming NAFTA for that "is the politics of scapegoating." Obama has "directed more barbs" at Mexico than Iran,
"…whose offense is only killing American servicemen and pursuing an illicit nuclear program rather than sending us imports and welcoming our investment."
Lowry explains that Obama didn't have much to say about NAFTA before running for president. He was ambivalent about it in his book "The Audacity of Hope," but his tune changed when – "it became imperative for him to win down-scale white voters in states like Wisconsin and Ohio."
"Obama always says that politicians should tell voters what they need — not what they want — to hear. But no one in the Democratic Party will emphatically say that trade is a net benefit to the U.S., even if it brings painful — and ultimately unavoidable — dislocations… On trade, Barack Obama's opportunistic fear-mongering defines the new Democratic orthodoxy."
The American Enterprise Institute's Andrew Biggs wrote in the Wall Street Journal that until his campaign for the White House, Barack Obama had taken "a responsible position on Social Security, noting the urgency of reform and saying all options should be on the table."
"But having cornered himself among Democratic activists whose attitudes toward Social Security reform range from demagoguery to denial, Mr. Obama has recently veered sharply left. He now proposes to solve the looming Social Security shortfall exclusively with higher taxes.
'Once people are making over $200,000 to $250,000,' Mr. Obama says, 'they can afford to pay a little more in payroll tax.' No shared sacrifice, no outreach to moderates or conservatives, here."
But, Biggs explains, Obama's large tax hike won't be enough. According to the Policy Stimuation Group's Gemini model, Obama's program would "address only 43% of Social Security's 75-year shortfall."
"Mr. Obama's modest improvements to Social Security's financing come at a steep cost. The top marginal federal tax rates would effectively increase to 50.3% from 37.9%, equivalent to repealing the Bush income tax cuts almost three times over."
Even President Bill Clinton balked at raising the wage ceiling. He said back in 1998 that doing so would –
"tremendously change the whole Social Security system . . . We should be very careful before we get out of the idea that this is something that we do together as a nation and there is at least some correlation between what we put in and what we get out. You can say, well, they owe it to society. But these people also pay higher income taxes and the rates are still pretty progressive for people in very high rates."
Biggs concludes his article with this:
"Social Security's shortfalls are primarily attributable to society-wide trends of lower birth rates and longer lifespans. If we want to retain the shared character that underpins its political support and distinguishes it from traditional welfare programs, we need to share the burdens of reform proportionately. Mr. Obama should drop his exclusive focus on raising taxes and return to his previous view, that Social Security faces significant problems requiring prompt attention. All options should be on the table."
This article first posted in May.
©2008 John F. Biver
Econ/Tax/Spend/Big GovtLeadership/Communications
Previous articleWIND radio's Dennis Miller speaks his mind about Obama
Next articleGetting to know Barack Obama


text:
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott talks about the importance of having broadband hook-ups in smaller towns.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signs the Broadband Bill at Dover Town Hall on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
Governor signs broadband expansion bill
Posted Thursday, June 20, 2019 6:54 pm
By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer
DOVER — Gov. Phil Scott considered it "very appropriate" to sign legislation intended to expand broadband in the Deerfield Valley.
Scott said when he visited the valley in September 2017, the day started with a community forum in Readsboro, where initiatives and concerns around broadband had been discussed, as had the economically thriving times of a town that once had a hospital and two theaters.
"Community effort to bring back those days remain," Scott said, calling pride in the local area and hope of
revitalization "inspiring."
At Dover Town Hall on Thursday, Scott signed into law H.513, saying it "increases funding to the Connectivity Initiative, which provides access to internet services in unserved or underserved areas. Because communities have the best understanding of what they need, it enables the Vermont Economic Development Authority to lend money for build out by community groups. It also creates a new broadband innovation grant program, which will fund grassroots solutions for rural Vermont and provide communities with technical assistance from the Vermont Department of Public Service."
The bill had "strong support" from the House of Representatives and Senate, Scott said, adding that all parties could agree "reliable broadband is important for economic growth, education, public safety and overall access to information, services and people all over the world."
Scott commended Rep. Tim Briglin, D-Windsor-Orange-2, and "especially" Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Windham-Bennington, for their leadership on the issue in the House. Briglin, chairman of the House Energy and Technology Committee, said it had been a priority for Scott and House Speaker Mitzi Johnson.
Department of Public Service Commissioner June Tierney said the initiative will close the gap "where the market isn't getting it done."
"For a town like Dover, what we can say today is, 'Help is no longer on the way; help is here,'" she said. "We cannot sit still while the [Federal Communications Commission] figures out what to do."
Briglin said his committee studied the work of groups such as the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District, which describes itself as a municipal body with 24 member towns in east-central Vermont set up to build a community-owned fiber network. The group claims to have helped 3,500 customers get connected.
H.513 "takes an important step in starting to bridge the divide between the digital haves and the digital have-nots in Vermont," Briglin said. "This is kind of our first step in putting more fiber in Vermont's connectivity diet."
"Working with Laura is like being a parent to our children collectively and the child is the broadband bill," said Senate Majority Leader Becca Balint, D-Windham. "She would come up to me in the Statehouse and look at me and say, 'This is going to be safe on your side? We're handing it over. It's not going to the black hole of the Senate?' ... I'd say, 'You know me. It's important to me, too.'"
Balint said she helped a hen and chicks cross a road in West Brattleboro on the way to Dover.
"This is why we live here, we love the rural character of this place," she said. "I thought this bill is a lifeline for communities like Dover, West Brattleboro, Marlboro, Readsboro."
Helyn Strom Henriksen of Readsboro recalled having major surgery last June. She said her doctor told her to check in several times a day, but when she got home she found she was one of 40 to 50 other residents whose cell service and internet went out for a few days.
Henriksen said Sibilia's level of concern matched or exceeded her own.
"She not only took immediate action, she kept me posted on ways in which to stay connected and stated she would see this through and she did," said Henriksen, who expressed gratitude for the law being signed.
Sibilia said community members are going to have to get involved for the legislation to work.
"This can't be imposed from the top," she said. "Who's going to step up and say, 'I'm going to help'?"
The programs should be designed to stand on their own, Briglin said, meaning not subsidized.
"Success breeds success," Scott said. Other programs have inspired hope "because it's daunting ... it's difficult and it's expensive."
Karen Horn, director of public policy and advocacy for the Vermont League of Cities and Town, said her group "strongly supported" the bill and intends to spread information about related initiatives.
AARP, an advocate of the bill, praised passage of the law.
"Broadband is the electricity of the 21st century," Greg Marchildon, AARP Vermont state director, said in a statement. "Communities, families and businesses that lack broadband service are falling behind and this legislation gives towns and cities the tools to plan for and deploy fast and reliable broadband service. For older Vermonters, broadband is essential for reducing social isolation and improving access to civic engagement, telehealth and their communities. Being able to send emails and engage in social media allows older Vermonters to stay connected to family and friends, access online newspapers and magazines and be a part of the digital world we all live in today."
Reach staff writer Chris Mays at cmays@reformer.com, at @CMaysBR on Twitter and 802-254-2311, ext. 273.
Green Mountain Camp for Girls moves onward to the next 100 years
Amid bankruptcy, bank wants snowguns sold
Energy savings model targets village
Windham to stay in Leland & Gray union


text:
Q: jquery function stoped after unbind I have a function that gets executed to change my datepicker to get new values.  After I select my drop down 'changeme' it works.  The next time I try nothing happens?  I am not unbinding the changme drop down box.
 $("#changeme").change(function()
 {
    var d = newvalues();
    $("#sdate, #edate").removeClass("datepicker hasDatepicker");
    $("#sdate, #edate").unbind();
    $("#sdate, #edate").addClass("datepicker");

    $(".datepicker" ).datepicker({changeMonth: true, changeYear: true, dateFormat: "yy-mm-dd", minDate:d.start_date,maxDate:d.stop_date, yearRange:d.start_year[0]+":"+d.stop_year[0]});
    submitform();
 }

function newvalues()
{
    var s_date = $("#changeme > :selected").data('start_date');
    var s_year = s_date.split("-");
    var st_date = $("#changeme > :selected").data('stop_date');
    var st_date = $("#changeme > :selected").data('stop_date');
    return {start_date:s_date,
    start_year:s_year, stop_year:st_year,stop_date:st_date
    };
}

*************** update *********************
Sorry my $("#sdate").change(function(){submitform();}); stops working.
 $("#startdate").change(function()
    submitform();
 });

All it does is submits the form with new values. I will try to post a working copy.  But I am getting no errors.
Once the page loads or you select run and you type into the  first text box it works.  Once you select an option from the drop down menu and try to update the text box.  the change function doesn't fire.
Here is a link to a fiddle.
JS fiddle

A: Figured it out.  changed how i was using jquery a bit. I ended up removing the unbind and adding $dateField.datepicker("option", {changeMonth: true, changeYear: true, dateFormat: "yy-mm-dd", minDate:d.start_date,maxDate:d.stop_date, yearRange:d.start_year[0]+":"+d.stop_year[0]});
JSFiddle


text:
Q: Stop Scrolling of page when user comes to end of scrollable fixed element The sidebar and main content is staying next to each other in the page.

*

*sidebar is fixed with scroll auto

*main-content is normal
see this pen http://codepen.io/shmdhussain/pen/QdXmQm

.sidebar{
  background:black;
  color:white;
  position:fixed;
  width:20%;
  height:100%;
  left:0;
  overflow:auto;
}

.main{
  background:silver;
  color:black;
  width:80%;
  float:right;
}

.main p{
  margin-bottom:50px;
}

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

Actual Result:
Here when the user scrolls the sidebar and comes to the end of the sidebar, main content content is scrolled when the user scrolls more, entire page is scrolled.
Expected Result:
Here when the user scrolls the sidebar and comes to the end of the sidebar, main content content should not be scrolled.
Is there any way to achieve this?. Thanks in advance for any help.

A:

.sidebar {
  background: black;
  color: white;
  position: fixed;
  width: 20%;
  height: 100%;
  left: 0;
  overflow: auto;
}

.main {
  position: fixed;
  width: 80%;
  height: 100%;
  left: 20%;
  overflow: auto;
  background: silver;
  color: black;
}

.main p {
  margin-bottom: 50px;
}

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

Main Content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

sidebar content

You need to separate both the divs in order to have their own scrolls.
This CSS should do the trick.
.main{

      position:fixed;
      width:80%;
      height:100%;
      left:20%;
      overflow:auto;
      background:silver;
      color:black;

    }

Codepen: http://codepen.io/hunzaboy/pen/KajoJG


Google is launching a new tool for Google My Business that will make it easier to transfer individual listings to agency accounts.
Agency accounts were first introduced this past May as a solution for organizations that manage a number individual business listings.
Non-agency accounts are limited to managing 100 locations, while agency accounts can manage an unlimited number of locations.
In addition, agency accounts receive access to an exclusive dashboard that's designed specifically to meet the needs organizations managing a large number of listings.
The new tool that Google is now rolling out will improve the process of migrating regular business listings into agency accounts.
When dealing with 100-plus Google My Business listings, the process of migrating all of them to a newly created agency account could become repetitive and time-consuming.
Google aims to simplify the process with the launch of this new tool, which is now accessible to a limited number of agency accounts.
The tool will soon be made more widely available, Google says, but no timeframe was given.
No further details are available at this time, but more information will be released as the tool rolls out to more organizations.


Of or relating to or being the time before the beginning of the Christian era.
Her pre-Christian ancestry might bear looking into.
Page 128, Volume 3 come by the end of the last pre-Christian century.
And many stem from paganism, sun worship and other pre-Christian traditions.


Non-provision of Ricovir-Em (Mylan Pharmaceuticals) and Mandatory Prescriptions - Ricovir-Em is a Generic PrEP produced by Mylan, largely in India.
We do not provide Ricovir-Em by Mylan Pharmaceuticals.
We provide Teno-Em, a PrEP Generic produced by the Thailand Government (Thai GPO) to improve HIV prevention accessibility to its citizens. Each bottle is backed by a Certificate of Analysis and return/refund/recall guarantee for defective medication.
As an authorised Teno-Em agent and legal service provider, we can only serve patients with valid prescriptions due to the health risks of using PrEP without proper diagnosis and certified doctor consultation. If you are buying PrEP without prescription, the provider has decided to put your health at risk for sales and you should insist on proof of your medication authenticity.
Protect yourself from HIV* with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. Receive PrEP in Singapore or Bangkok, for as low as 68.50SGD per month. This is substantial savings with average prices from 500-900SGD in Singapore.
PrEP Singapore works with clinic partners, hospitals and the Health Authorities across Asia to provide Singaporeans legitimate access to affordable PrEP medication options (e.g. TENO EM).
Note: Our required tests may differ from the video - which includes Liver & Kidney Function, Hep B and HIV.
To begin protecting yourself with PrEP, we recommend visiting a Singapore sexual health clinic for blood tests (HIV, Hep B, Liver and Kidney Function). Once you have blood tests results and/or doctor approves your prescription, contact us on your request for PrEP. We can also recommend suggested clinics, if you don't know where to go (reach out to us by adding us on LINE below)..
PrEP is great, but not a cure-all pill that comes with risks and does not offer 100% protection. Use it only after proper diagnosis and consultation from your sexual health doctor. NEVER use PrEP without diagnosis and consultation, it could be detrimental to your health when used incorrectly and if you are unaware of your HIV status.
For more details on PrEP, consult your doctor or go to Action For AIDs website or read this article.
If you would like to find out more, email us at service@prepsingapore.com or add our line by clicking below on your mobile.
Disclaimer: TENO-EM is a generic medication produced by Thailand Government Pharmaceutical Organisation and this website does not suggest the support or endorsement of the product by Health Science Authority Singapore or any of the Singapore clinics or Hospitals recommended for consultation.
By providing your email address, you agree to allow us to send you information regarding our business and relevant promotional materials.


text:
Rationalist Medical Halacha
MBP Again! A Scientific Perspective?
Well, just as I was preparing my next topic for discussion, MBP has resurfaced as the big subject of conversation in the rationalist blogosphere. So I just HAD to say something, so here it is. First, please read this article here. A well known group of MBP defenders authored this article, and it is important to read before you continue with this post. Second, please read R Natan Slifkin's response to this article here. Now you are prepared for what I have to say.
The article is full of very tricky language and misleading use of medical literature, so one has to be careful not to fall into the trap being laid out by the authors.
They begin with a statement designed to make one think that New York City is outlawing a religious practice:
"In September 2012, New York City passed a regulation declaring metzitza be peh (MBP), a part of many ritual circumcisions, illegal, unless the circumciser or mohel obtains a signed form from the parents, including: "I understand that direct oral suction will be performed... and that [the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene] advises parents that direct oral suction should not be performed because it exposes an infant to the risk of... herpes (HSV)... infection, which may result in brain damage or death."
The language chosen by the authors, that MBP is "illegal", is a deliberate misrepresentation of the actual regulation. The NYC government website here describes the regulation in a very clear manner. It is clear that the city deliberately avoided making the practice illegal, and simply required a consent form prior to its performance. While one can argue that this is simply an argument over semantics, sometimes a choice of language can be highly misleading even if it is technically true. Especially when the pattern repeats itself throughout the article as I am about to demonstrate.
Why would they choose to misrepresent the true nature of the city regulation? Of course they do so in order to frame the city health department as the enemy of religion, instead of simply as acting in their proper capacity in their mandate to protect the health of the citizens of New York City.
I will take a pass on the legal comments that follow in the next two paragraphs of the article, simply because I am not a legal scholar and don't know enough to comment on the nuances of the court decisions. However, they then continue as follows:
"In response to the ruling, Sam Sokol wrote, on these pages, an article entitled: "Analysis: New York circumcision controversy emblematic of longtime Orthodox ideological split," advancing two positions: (a) "Contemporary medical knowledge" supports the assertion of a causal link between MBP and HSV infections, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and "several prominent contemporary decisors of Jewish law (poskim)" – specifically Rabbi Tendler, described as a son-in-law of Rabbi Feinstein, and Rabbi Slifkin, otherwise known as the Zoo Rabbi; (b) MBP is practiced by a fringe segment of the ultra-Orthodox."
In item "a", the authors claim that Rabbi's Tendler and Slifkin are the rabbinic advocates of the idea that there is a causal link between MBP and HSV infections. This is both highly confusing and grossly inaccurate, as neither of these Rabbis ever claimed to be the source of the assertion that there is a causal link between MBP and HSV. The causal link was reported in the medical literature, and each Rabbi reacted to the information appropriately: Rabbi Tendler, in his role as a posek, by proposing that other forms of metzitzah are halachically acceptable; and Rabbi Slifkin, in his role as a popular proponent of the Rationalistic approach to Jewish tradition, by explaining how different streams of Judaism would react to this scientific information. Neither Rabbi ever "advanced" the "position" that MBP causes HSV, as the authors claimed.
The authors also identify these two rabbis (WADR to these two individuals), as if they are the only rabbis who have supported halakhic alternatives to MBP! When Sokol wrote about "several prominent decisors of Jewish law" he was referring to none other than the Chasam Sofer, Rav SR Hirsch, Rav Azriel Hildesheimer, and numerous other poskim throughout the generations!
But then in item "b" they fall right back into their pattern of using misleading and deliberately incendiary language. They claim that Sokol "advanced the position" that "MBP is practiced by a fringe segment of the ultra-Orthodox". Once again they choose language that portrays their detractors as the enemy, as if Sokol was demeaning the practitioners of MBP by calling them a "fringe segment." In fact, Sokol uses no such demeaning language, as he tried in his article to be balanced and open to the fact that there are different streams and approaches to this issue. They are trying to pick a fight, while Sokol was simply being open and honest.
However, the real problems begin when they start quoting the medical evidence.
Allow me to explain some basic facts that most people who are not familiar with reading medical articles are not necessarily aware of.
First fact. To prove a true causal link between two variables "a" and "b" is extremely rare and extremely difficult in modern medicine. Even when data strongly suggest an association between the two variables, one can often claim that a hasn't actually been proven to cause b. See this article in Wikipedia which explains this concept. Therefore, the authors are actually correct when they claim that no causal link has ever been proven.
However, if a correlation between MBP and HSV infections in the newborn has been identified (which has been identified), and there is a clear mechanism by which MBP can cause HSV (which there is), and this implied causation fits with everything else we know about both variables (which it does) then assuming a causation between a and b is extremely reasonable even if technically one can claim that it hasn't been "proven". Especially when the danger and risk of assuming that no causation exists is so significant. So the authors are playing the semantics game again by claiming that there is no "causal link". While it is a true statement, it is also a very dangerous statement.
Another fact. Every single study published in scholarly medical journals ends with a section describing the limitations and flaws of the study. This is important for any honest researcher to recognize openly the particular shortcomings of their work. Even the most widely accepted and influential studies have flaws, and it is always important for physicians who use these studies to care for their patients to understand the limitations of the evidence presented. However, recognizing the limitations does not invalidate the findings of the study, it simply helps us understand the limits of the practical application of its findings.
So now let's look at the following paragraphs:
"A 2013 University of Pennsylvania study, moreover, analyzed the relevant evidence and all the prevailing literature and concluded that: "This evidence base is significantly limited by a very small number of reported infections, most of which were not identified or documented systematically. Other important limitations include incomplete data about relevant elements of the cases, the presence of confounding factors, and indirect data sources."
"As to the single study claiming statistical evidence for an elevated risk among babies who underwent MBP, the Penn report noted that the study lacked scientific foundation: "this finding is limited by methodological challenges in determining the total population at risk, limited information about some of the cases, and the small number of infected infants."
These paragraphs are so grossly misleading that it is obscene. The actual conclusion of this Pennsylvania study reads as follows:
"...Standard principles of infectious disease suggest that exposing a neonatal circumcision wound to human saliva, even briefly, creates a risk of HSV transmission... Neonatal HSV infection can cause severe morbidity and death, so mitigating potential risks for infection is critical. Current evidence suggests that direct orogenital suction during ritual circumcision was the likely source of infection in recent cases that resulted in significant illness and death (emphasis added)..."
The authors simply ignored the findings and conclusions of the entire University of Pennsylvania article, and they blatantly contradict the opinions and assertions of the researchers. Instead they chose to quote those few sentences in which the researchers honestly discuss the understandable limitations of their study. In fact, the Pennsylvania researchers recommended that the only way to prove causality would be to design a randomized trial with two groups of ultra orthodox Jews, in two cohorts, and to perform a proper prospective trial. We all know that this would be completely impossible to do, as the ultra-Orthodox would never cooperate with a trial that asks half of them to randomly decline MBP.
We therefore have to rely upon the best science available, and on common sense.
Although this concludes my analysis of what was written in the article, I cannot leave the topic without mentioning what was not written in the article. No mention of the following scientific articles that support the relationship between MBP and HSV infection:
Gesundheit B - Neonatal genital herpes simplex virus type 1 infection after Jewish ritual circumcision: modern medicine and religious tradition. Pediatrics - 01-AUG-2004; 114(2): e259-63
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection following Jewish ritual circumcisions that included direct orogenital suction - New York City, 2000-2011 MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep - 8-JUN-2012; 61(22): 405-9
Distel R, Hofer V, Bogger-Goren S, Shalit I, Garty BZ. Primary genital herpes simplex infection associated with Jewish ritual circumcision. Isr Med Assoc J 2003;5:893–4
Rubin L, Lanzkowsky P. Cutaneous neonatal herpes simplex infection associated with ritual circumcision. Pediatr Infect Dis 2000;19:266–8
Koren A - Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in Israel Pediatr Infect Dis J - 01-FEB-2013; 32(2): 120-3
Yossepowitch O1, Gottesman T, Schwartz O, Stein M, Serour F, Dan M. Penile herpes simplex virus type 1 infection presenting two and a half years after Jewish ritual circumcision of an infant. Sex Transm Dis. 2013 Jun;40(6):516-7
These are just some of the articles that have been published and have been ignored by the authors.
In summary, the authors of this article chose to:
.... mischaracterize the New York City government as if they were somehow trying to outlaw a religious practice, while in fact the City was only trying to protect the health of its' citizens, while preserving their religious rights
.... misrepresent Rabbis Slifkin and Tendler as if they were the ones who asserted that there was a causal link between MBP and HSV, while they simply were using the available medical information to discuss areas that they are fully competent and qualified to discuss.
.... identify the above two rabbis as if they are the only Orthodox Rabbis who support alternatives to MBP, while numerous rabbis including the Chassam Sofer are the actual sources for the halakhic alternatives!
.... misquote Sam Sokol by claiming that he referred to "fringe segments" in order to make him sound like he was demeaning to the practitioners of MBP
.... state that no "causal link" has been identified between MBP and HSV, which although in the strictest sense it may be true, it completely misrepresents what contemporary medical science believes to be true based on the overwhelming available evidence
.... completely and utterly ignore the findings and conclusions of the most important and most complete study of the relationship between MBP and HSV, and instead to quote the researchers discussion of the limitations of their study
.... completely and utterly ignore the scientific studies that contradict their contention that MBP does not cause HSV
Posted by The Medical Halachic Rationalist at 1:38 AM
DR September 11, 2014 at 8:31 AM
At least two times, you have the word **it's** in your article when you really meant **its**. Its without an apostrophe is possessive, while it's with an apostrophe is a contraction of the two words **it is**.
Kol tuv! (After making the fixes, feel free to delete this comment)
The taktics used by the authors of the article "kasherising" MBP are looking very much like the Muslim Takije.
The Medical Halachic Rationalist September 11, 2014 at 9:32 AM
DR, I apologize for the error and thanks! I have no editor except for myself, and I never excelled in grammar (hence my choice to go into medicine, where I can write all sorts of gibberish ;-). Please feel free to correct any other errors you may find.
I have been battling against MBP in the UK for years- unsuccessfully.
The Initiation Society rules themselves state that it should not be done yet the majority of Mohelim in the UK do it.
At a meeting a couple of years ago, I asked whether there was any "Gadol" those who practice MBP would be willing to go to, together with me to ask the Shaalah.
One Chosid stood up and said if Moshe rabbeinu himself was here and told me not to do it, I wouldn't listen!
Such is the entrenchment of opinion.
My argument against it, in addition to the safek sakanah argument, is that in an age when Millah is under threat and paedophilia is the greatest crime in the eyes of society, it would only take one photograph (taken from an I phone of a guest at a Brit), of a hairy Mohel sucking an infant penis in full view of 20-30 men, to be published in the Daily Mail, and Millah would be finished in the UK, as we know it.
I gave a lecture on the threat to Brit millah recently in the UK, but as with all of these things, I was preaching to the converted.
Those who needed to listen weren't there.
i fear it is only a matter of time before Millah is a medical-only procedure, only allowed in designated clinics.
millah- as we know it in the UK will soon be confined to the annals of history- and we will only have ourselves to blame.
http://jpids.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/07/23/jpids.piu075.abstract
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/08/15/us-circumcision-herpes-idINKBN0GF21J20140815
A Mohel
Subscribe to Rationalist Medical Halacha by Email
Clashing Values - Rosh Hashanah and Rationalist Me...
Whose Life is More Important? When Modern Ideals a...
Vaccinations: Some Comments
The Medical Halachic Rationalist


Knitting pattern for baby 0-12 months.
Row 2 and 4 (WS): work each stitch in the manner that it presents – knit knitted and purl purled.
Repeat rows 1 to 4.
Row 2 and following rows: Work each stitch in the manner that it presents.
then follow work with Double moss stitch until the piece measures 18 cm.
BO 3 + 2 + 1 sts on both edges in next 3 rows.
Continue till the height of 26 cm from beg.
BO 5 sts at both shoulder edges.
BO 4 sts at both shoulder edges.
CO 50 sts by color No. 1199 and work until armhole measures same as of Back piece.
In the height of 14 cm make the first buttenhole at neck edge (3 sts from the edge: BO 2 sts and in the next row CO 2 sts at the same place). Make 2 buttenholes more in the distance of 5 cm.
For arm hole BO 3 + 2 + 1 sts on the armhole edge in next 3 rows.
In the height of 24 cm at the neck edge, BO 12 sts once, then 10 sts once and 4 sts 2 times for neck shaping.
In the height of 26 cm from beg. shape shoulder edge as on the back piece in 3 steps (= 14 remaininh sts).
CO 27 sts by color No. 1199 and work until armhole measures same as Back piece.
In the height of 25 cm at the neck edge, BO 4 + 2 + 1 sts in next 3 rows for neck shaping.
then follow work with Double moss stitch.
Increase 5 times 1 st at both edges each 3 cm until you get 54 sts.
3 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 5 sts for arm shaping.
In the height of 25 cm BO remaining 12 sts.
then follow work with Double moss stitch until the piece measures 10 cm.
Now split the stitches for 20 sts in the middle and 30 sts on both sides.
1 st of each 30 edge sts in every row by knitting (or purling) 2 sts together.
When you get remaining 20 middle sts only, BO them at once.
Sew the hood to the neck edge.
CH 3, join with SL ST to form a ring.
RND 2: CH 1, 1 SC into each DC, join with SL ST to beg CH (18 SC).
Make one more same wheel.
Place the button between the two weels and join them together by SC.
Steam as needed. Sew shoulder seams and sleeve seams.
Sew sleeves in. Weave in all ends.


text:
Q: How to Pivot in SQL, grouped in 3 columns with '000s of values I'm trying to use the pivot function in SQL. The pivoted column has '000s of values but no more than 3 per row
The Original query shows;

ID
Name
ThemeID

11
Game A
44

11
Game A
791

11
Game A
1422

23
Game B
42

23
Game B
285

23
Game B
1256

What I need;

ID
Name
ThemeID1
ThemeID2
ThemeID3

11
Game A
44
791
1422

23
Game B
42
285
1256

A: Here is an option that uses a conditional aggregation.  We also use the window function row_number() over() to calculate the row and column numbers
Note: I added Game B - 1500 to illustrate the "overflow"
Example
Declare @YourTable Table ([ID] int,[Name] varchar(50),[ThemeID] int)  Insert Into @YourTable Values
 (11,'Game A',44)
,(11,'Game A',791)
,(11,'Game A',1422)
,(23,'Game B',42)
,(23,'Game B',285)
,(23,'Game B',1256)
,(23,'Game B',1500)  -- Added to illustrate more than 3

Select ID
      ,Name
      ,ThemeID1 = max(case when CN = 1 then ThemeID end)
      ,ThemeID2 = max(case when CN = 2 then ThemeID end)
      ,ThemeID3 = max(case when CN = 0 then ThemeID end)
 From (
        Select *
              ,RN = (row_number() over (partition by ID,Name order by ThemeID)-1) / 3
              ,CN = row_number() over (partition by ID,Name order by ThemeID) % 3
         From @YourTable
      ) A
 Group By ID,Name,RN

Results
ID  Name    ThemeID1    ThemeID2    ThemeID3
11  Game A  44          791         1422
23  Game B  42          285         1256
23  Game B  1500        NULL        NULL


text:
Patricia Lázaro (Granada, 1985), es una cantante y compositora española. Cuenta con un disco publicado llamado Todo irá bien, mamá, y actualmente forma parte de la banda que acompaña al cantante Leiva en su gira Tour Nuclear.

Biografía
Patricia Camacho García nace en Granada un 9 de marzo de 1985, siendo la primera de los 3 hermanos de la familia.  Desde los 4 años se encuentra vinculada a la música, cuando empieza a estudiar danza clásica, moderna y contemporánea mientras cantaba en casa emulando las voces de aquellas cantantes que admiraba. De casualidad encontró la guitarra de su abuelo en el desván y aprendió unos cuantos acordes que le sirvieron para acompañar al coro su escuela.

Un buen día, con apenas 15 años, entró por primera vez en La Tertulia, mítico café-teatro granadino y lugar de paso de artistas e intelectuales. Forma parte del movimiento de música de autor Puerta Verde en el que se encuentran  autores consolidados como Fede Comín, Pedro Chillón o Elena Bugedo. Desde el principio acompaña con su voz a estos cantautores amigos y comienza a cantar sus primeras canciones. Es en 2004 cuando se le premia por primera vez en el Certamen Nacional de Canción de Autor Abril para Vivir, donde Aurora Beltrán le entregó un segundo premio.

A medida que se iba desarrollando como autora autodidacta iba perfilando la personalidad de sus canciones dejándose influir por el rock argentino, el folk o la música anglosajona.

Sus composiciones siguieron resultando premiadas:

 En 2008 se convirtió en la primera mujer que obtenía dos galardones en el Certamen Nacional de Jóvenes Cantautores de Elche: Primer Premio y Premio del público.
 En 2010 dentro del III Certamen de Canción de Autor Joven de Palmas de Gran Canaria obtuvo el Tercer Premio.
 Ese mismo año también se llevó otro Tercer Premio en la X Muestra Nacional de Canción de Autor Cantigas de Mayo.

Más allá de los premios obtenidos la compositora se consolidó dentro del panorama nacional de la música de autor formando parte de diferentes manifestaciones artísticas:

 El Programa Injuve de Creación Joven celebrado en Colombia en 2011, donde compartió cartel y escenario con Xoel López y Lisandro Aristimuño.
 Una gira en común con el artista y amigo Alberto Alcalá, por España y Francia.
 Formó parte de Generación Ochentií,  proyecto que reunió a diez compositores nacidos entre los 80 y los 90, y los embarcó en dos giras por toda España.
 En 2012, junto a Carmen Boza y Road Ramos crea Carretera y Mantras; proyecto que encerró a las tres artistas en una cabaña para grabar un EP llamado 48Hs, el cual dio paso a una gira de más de 25 conciertos por España y el sur de Francia.

En 2014 se afinca en Madrid, donde consigue hacerse hueco en las programaciones de los locales que forman el circuito de música de autor. Es entonces cuando comienza a grabar su primer disco Todo irá bien mamá editado por Warner Chappell Music Spain y arreglado y producido por Raúl Marques, con colaboraciones de "El Twanguero" a la guitarra eléctrica. Este disco se compone de los temas compuestos hasta la fecha ordenados cronológicamente. Presentando el álbum ha estado girando en solitario o acompañada de la guitarrista Luka Kranky por todo España.

Protagoniza la campaña publicitaria de Adelante Andalucía ("Un tiempo que amanece") para las elecciones autonómicas de diciembre del 2018, con dirección creativa de Felipe Vara de Rey y producción de Estela Producciones Cinematográficas, en la que actualiza e interpreta, junto al guitarrista Amable y Héctor Rojo al contrabajo, el tema de Carlos Cano Verde, Blanca y verde. Acompañó  a Adelante Andalucía en su campaña electoral, abriendo los mítines con una selección de sus canciones y cerrándolos con su versión personal de Cano.

En abril de 2019 interrumpe la grabación de su segundo disco para incorporarse como corista a la banda de Leiva dentro de la gira por España y Latinoamérica Tour Nuclear, siendo en septiembre de este año cuando retoma la grabación de Gloria Pelea, su segundo disco que verá a la luz en abril y en el que se presentarán 12 temas que resumen el ideario que ha perfilado en sus últimos años de carrera.

Discografía
 Todo irá bien, mamá (2015)
 Gloria Pelea (2020)

Véase también

 Mujeres en la música

Referencias

Cantautoras

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: What is the python3's magic method for Division? What is the python3's magic method for Division?
In most websites it is stated that __div__ is the magic method for division but __div__ doesn't work. What's the magic method for Division then?

A: From the doc: __truediv__. You also have __floordiv__ for //.


Kishin Douji Zenki is an action platformer game for the Sega Game Gear. The game is based on a manga/anime with the same title.
Be sure to utilize both characters, as each of them has different moves and there's some replayability to that, as they can take different routes in each level!


PYONGYANG—In an effort to relieve his boredom and fill an otherwise uneventful afternoon, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stacked all 24 million of his country's inhabitants into a human pyramid Friday to help him pass the time. "Do the pyramid faster and taller," the North Korean dictator ordered from a balcony overlooking Kim Il-sung Square, as 800,000 of his citizens clambered to reach the 47th tier of the massive gymnastic formation and steady themselves on the trembling backs of millions more of their countrymen. "I want it taller than that. Have the labor camps been emptied? We can add prisoners from the labor camps. Move faster! Ugh, this human pyramid is more dull than no human pyramid at all." At press time, Kim had left to take a nap, but ordered the pyramid to remain indefinitely in case he got bored again and wanted to play around with it some other time.


If you are an art instructor and are interested in teaching at RIWS, please email us a full description of the class you wish to teach, along with your resume, to riwsgallery@gmail.com.
You may also download one of our teaching applications and bring it by the gallery with a copy of your class description.
Please click here for a copy of our teaching application.
*Please Note: All applications must be reviewed and approved by the RIWS Board of Directors.
RIWS is currently in search of experienced instructors for children's classes.
All instructors and assistants for children's classes will be required to agree to a CORI check.


Was recently issued a new HTC One M8 (windows os) and initially thought the phone was a POS because the display looked awful. After using it for a couple of days, I discovered the display was very dark BUT improved if I gave the phone a bit of a "twist". I would just go back and get another one but I have invested a lot of time into setting the device up and since it is issued from work, I can't just go to Verizon and have them clone the phone over to a new handset (if they even could).
Also wondering if this is a common issue with the M8. Nothing found searching the web so I wanted to pose the question to the experts here!
wabowman will be eternally grateful.


text:
Q: Title is very small in search results After the new left nav and responsive design changes were pushed, I noticed the title of questions in search results became very small: (search example)

Can the title please be given a bigger font? In case it matters, Chrome 67 under Windows but pretty sure it's not browser specific.

A: Not browser-specific at all; just a missing style. Should now be the same size as question links on tag filters, homepage, etc.


No matter what the time or place it, now you can run without any trouble with the right set of running shoes by your side. There are different types of runners all over the world. Some would like to run on the track with a predefined path in order to develop a pattern, while the other lot would like to run in the wild, in an uneven or fortified path in order to really experience their jogging session to its best. It doesn't matter what kind of runner you are, but with these neutral running shoes, you are bound to fulfil every requirement of yours.
There is a reason why these shoes are so much in demand. They let a runner jog in every kind of condition, without any trouble. Neutral shoes are also extremely lightweight in nature and let a runner attain just the right balance they want. They are preferred by thousands of fitness enthusiasts out there, as they are fit not only to be taken on the track or in the wild, but you can also hit the gym while wearing these amazing shoes.
Neutral running shoes buy online right away!
Now you don't have to wait anymore in order to buy your next pair of shoes, as everything is right here at Jogging-Point. To make our customers experience the best of running products, we have collected a wide and comprehensive range. One can find shoes from brands like Nike, Adidas, Asics, New Balance, Diadora, Mizuno, Puma, and a lot more right here. Their products are available in different sizes and colours. Featuring such a wide variety of designs, you are certain to find your next favourite pair of running shoes from our collection.
The range of neutral trainers shoes include products for men, women, and kids. These are also dedicated unisex products available as well, so that one can pick a right pair of shoe irrespective of their gender or size. The range of kids running shoes that is available at us is tempting and will make you pick a pair for your little one for sure.
If you avail our ongoing discounts and other offers that we keep hosting, then you might be able to grab an unforgettable deal. Take home these products at a price range that no one can resist. This is one of the best parts of shopping with us. You are bound to save your hard earned money as you buy your favourite running products.
We have dedicated employees that guarantees to make you experience a great time while shopping with us. With a 30-day money back guarantee for your purchase, you can simply buy the products that you wish without any trouble at all. We provide fast delivery of our products so that you can simply get the items you like the most at the convenience of your doorstep. Welcome the new age of online shopping with us and have a great time running in these amazing products.


text:
News Feed Item
NEC's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative
By ACN Newswire
November 11, 2018 10:07 PM EST
TOKYO, Nov 12, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced that its targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by FY 2031/3 have been approved by the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative, a partnership between the CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF, which helps companies determine how much they must cut emissions. As a result, NEC's target is considered "science-based" for limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which is the target of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
In July 2017, NEC announced its "Course of Action for Climate Change Towards 2050" and has been implementing environmentally conscious actions with a focus on climate change, positioning environmental action as a priority management theme from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective, "materiality"(1).
Science Based Targets for NEC Corporation:
Scope 1+2: Reduce GHG emissions by FY2031/3
*33% reduction from FY2018/3
Scope 3: Reduce GHG emissions from the use of sold products by FY2031/3
Moreover, NEC's Mid-Term Environmental Plan, issued in 2018, is also in line with the SBT. In the Plan, NEC aims to increase renewable energy 75-fold by FY2021/3 compared to FY2018/3.
"NEC has already initiated efforts based on its 'Course of Action for Climate Change Towards 2050,' and we will enhance our activities with an aim to effectively reducing CO2 emissions from business operations to zero by 2050," said Shigeki Shimizu, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, NEC Corporation.
(1) NEC outlines "materiality" for accelerating social value creation
https://www.nec.com/en/press/201809/global_20180928_01.html
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. The NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security efficiency and fairness of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.
Source: NEC Corporation
Seiichiro Toda
Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
More Stories By ACN Newswire
Copyright 2008 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of ACN Newswire content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of ACN Newswire. ACN Newswire shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.


Adorable single story home in great neighborhood near schools. Open floor plan with spacious eat in kitchen, SS appliances, family room with brick Fireplace. New engineered wood look flooring throughout in tasteful grey tones, partial remodeled bathrooms. Two car attached garage, new fence in front yard, quaint rear yard has covered side patio and large storage shed. Open house Sat/Sun Dec 1st & 2nd, 1-4pm, looking forward to meeting you.


The event was attended by 35 participants from different regions of the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives of different ethnic groups. The event was open to young people, civil society experts, representatives of academia and business community, and civil servants from both central and local public authorities. The purpose of the event was to generate a discussion on strengthening the dialogue between ethnic groups and to identify practical solutions in various fields such as education, access to media, social rights and economic development.
Iulian Groza, Executive Director at IPRE, welcomed everyone in his opening remarks. Vlad Kulminski, Executive Director at IPIS, identified the main causes that led to the division of Moldovan society. Afterwards, Dominic Maugeais, IEP Senior Project Manager, spoke about the importance of interethnic dialogue in building a strong state.
Iulian Rusu, IPRE associate expert, talked about the right of minorities to participate in public life. Olga Goncearova, President of the People's Assembly of Moldova, an NGO, presented proposals for improving interethnic relations in Moldova and Dr. Ewa Chylinski, Regional Director at the European Centre for Minority Issues, Council of Europe Expert, came up with a presentation on successful practices in improving inter-ethnic relations implemented in EU countries.
In the afternoon, the participants were divided into four groups. A facilitator was assigned to each of the four tables, who discussed for 20 minutes one of the following topics: education and mass media (moderated by Stela Babici, Dacia Center, Soroca); economic development (moderated by Mihail Şalvir, Centre for Regional Initiatives, Comrat); social rights (moderated by Vadim Pistrinciuc, IPIS); Association Agreement with the European Union (moderated by Vitalie Ponomariov, professor, Cahul). The dialogue was organized in a rotation format, allowing participants to discuss all four topics.
Improving the Economic perspectives: the creation of voluntary Romanian language learning centres in the regions; creating centres for the development of regional entrepreneurial skills; developing tourism infrastructure; internships for young people in different regions of the country; the development of local and regional brands; funding of regional and national media as well as programs to promote intercultural dialogue, etc.
Social perspectives: There is a lack of language learning mechanisms and poverty has led to the stereotyping of disadvantaged groups and various ethnic groups. Another problem is that ethnicities do not interact with each other, and this leads to increased levels of intolerance in society. It is also necessary to review of teaching methods of the Romanian language in the regions where a different language is predominantly spoken. The lack of teaching staff makes this problem even worse.
The role of the EU-Moldova Association: In order to change the perception of the role of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, the following interventions were proposed: better public information campaigns on the AA; increased measures to counteract the anti-EU propaganda and misinformation; more pressure from civil society on political parties to discourage populist and demagogic speeches and behaviours. The participants also agreed that the process of implementation of the EU-Moldova AA should be accelerated and the reform of the key sectors should become a priority for the Republic of Moldova.
The event was organized in the framework of the project "Promoting civil society and interethnic dialogue in the Republic of Moldova in the context of the EU association process (CIVID)", with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office.
The project is implemented over the course of 12 months and it aims to improve social harmony, at regional level by encouraging public discourse and development of public policy proposals for integration of ethnic groups, as well as by supporting the implementation of the National Strategy of consolidating interethnic relations in the Republic of Moldova. The planned activities include public debate, workshops and TV debate in regions such as in Soroca and Taraclia. At the end of the project, experts will come up with policy recommendations for improving the legal framework for the integration of ethnic minorities.


text:
CIM president Joel Smirnoff leads CIM orchestra through exquisite performances of Mozart, Bartók, Beethoven
Joel Smirnoff, in his second year as CIM president after arriving from Juilliard, excitedly guest conducted the CIM orchestra two weeks ago.
Zsolt Bognar, Contributing Reporter
The Cleveland Institute of Music student orchestra took center stage two Wednesdays ago in a special collaboration with CIM's new president Joel Smirnoff in a lively and dynamic program of works by Mozart, Bartók, and Beethoven. The level of playing from the orchestra, violin soloist, and conductor re-affirmed why the school is one of the leading music conservatories in the world, and why the community benefits from world-class performances that are on par with those of professional orchestras. The nearly weekly programs from the CIM orchestra under director Carl Topliow enrich the musical life in University Circle with many free concerts available to the community and to students, and showcase the talents of the school's many young and rising musicians.
Guest conductor Joel Smirnoff, in his second year as President of CIM, is known to the musical world as the long-standing first violinist of the legendary Julliard School until the end of the 2008-2009 season, as well as for his role as Chairman of the Julliard Violin Department until his move to Cleveland. Mr. Smirnoff has also been noted for an active career in conducting since his debut with the San Francisco Symphony in 2000, and brought his energetic musical leadership to the program Wednesday night. The first half of the program, which began with Mozart's Overture to Don Giovanni, showed the orchestra in fine form and balance, and a capacity to navigate the work's gravitas with dramatic expansiveness.
CIM Concerto Competition winner Mason Yu was the soloist in the Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2, a demanding and optimistic work whose United States premiere was given in Cleveland in 1943 with the Cleveland Orchestra under Artur Rodzinski. Mr. Yu's traversal of the work was masterful in its effortless virtuosity and emotional command. These qualities are all the more remarkable when noted that Mr. Yu, a freshman student of Paul Kantor, performs in equal measure as a pianist, where he also studies at CIM with Gerardo Teissonnière. Speaking of his diverse musical activities in an intermission broadcast carried live on WCLV, Yu said, "I know that I want to use music as a career but I'm still very open to career choices. I used to only wish to be a soloist, but chamber music and orchestra are also very appealing to me. The Bartók is my favorite concerto."
Beethoven's Sixth Symphony, "The Pastoral", comprised the second half of the program and was a reading rich in depth and contrasts. The work depicts the artist's exalted spiritual journey through nature, which the orchestra embraced with consummate understanding. Speaking of the collaboration, President Smirnoff remarked, "Our school enjoys the confluence of many things: our joint program with CWRU, our strength in chamber music, the smallness of our school that ensures that no one walks the hallways 'alone', our access in University Circle to Cleveland culture and history, our 38 members of the Cleveland Orchestra on our faculty, the list goes on…" He continued, "And believe it or not, one had a sense of all these institutional virtues coming into play as I faced our courageous, young talent at the Cleveland Institute of Music on the podium last Wednesday night. We were all making musical discoveries together that night which will bond us forever."
The concert at CIM showed in full measure that the musical bond described extended also to those who had the privilege of attending. Those who seek more information about hundreds of free concerts at CIM and Case Western can visit cim.edu or music.case.edu.


text:
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
#6 in Best Things To Do in Dallas – Fort Worth
Courtesy Perot Museum of Nature and Science
2201 North Field Street
Museums Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend
4.0Value
4.0Atmosphere
How we rank things to do
If you've brought the kids to the Big D, set aside some time for a visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. This 180,000-square-foot facility is jam-packed with hands-on exhibits and educational displays that address such topics as Texas ecosystems human evolution. One particular highlight for recent visitors was the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall, which features towering dinosaur skeletons and an educational scavenger hunt. The Rose Hall of Birds also captivated visitors: Here, interactive displays explain how birds fly and socialize.
Many travelers say that the Perot Museum makes an excellent respite from the hot and humid Texas weather and they were pleasantly surprised by the museum's excellent hand's-on exhibits. Reviewers also said this is a great activity for the whole family, as its attractions appeal to a wide range of age groups.
The Perot Museum sits a few blocks north of the Dallas World Aquarium, on the outskirts of downtown Dallas. You can reach the museum by taking the No. 52 or No. 59 bus from downtown, or taking the light rail to Akard Station (accessible via all lines). There's also on-site parking available for $10. You can stop by the museum between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $20 for adults, $13 for youth ages 2 to 12. Admission to any special exhibits or 3-D films will cost extra. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the museum's website; however, in order to receive any available discounts (such as military or teacher discounts), you must purchase your ticket at the museum. If you purchased a Dallas CityPASS, your admission is included.
Hotels near Perot Museum of Nature and Science »
See all Hotels in Dallas – Fort Worth »
More Best Things To Do in Dallas – Fort Worth
Sightseeing, Free, Neighborhood/Area Type
Half Day to Full Day Time to Spend
Find Tours & Tickets
#1 Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
If you only have a day in Fort Worth, head straight to the Stockyards. This living museum pays tribute to Fort Worth's Wild West heyday with daily cattle drives and plenty of restaurants serving up cowboy cuisine. Start your visit at Stockyards Station at the heart of this historic neighborhood – from here, you can join a guided walking or Segway tour or hop on a stage coach. If you're interested in the district's history, pay a visit to the Stockyards Museum, which is housed in the former Livestock Exchange building and now contains an extensive collection of documents and artifacts from Fort Worth's Old West era. Meanwhile, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Trail of Fame will also offer insight into Fort Worth's most notable residents. If you have kids in tow, take a twirl through the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze or a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
Recent visitors strongly recommend visiting the Stockyards on a Friday or Saturday night for the Championship Rodeo. Starting at 8 p.m., talented cowboys will show off their riding, roping and racing skills in the Cowtown Coliseum. Afterward, you can test your dancing skills at Billy Bob's Texas – at 3 acres, Billy Bob's claims to be the world's largest honky tonk. While many reviewers said this was a great activity for first-time visitors, they also cautioned that it is quite touristy.
See full list of Best Things To Do in Dallas – Fort Worth »
Explore More of Dallas – Fort Worth
Next: Hotels
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Texas
#7 in Best Places to Visit in March
Explore more vacations »
The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World
Let these gorgeous destinations inspire you to travel more.
Holly JohnsonJanuary 16, 2020
50 Amazing Honeymoon Ideas
From relaxing weekend getaways to epic adventures, these honeymoon trips will help couples create memories to last a lifetime.
Kyle McCarthyJanuary 8, 2020
The Cheapest Days to Fly: A Guide to the Best (and Worst) Times to Travel
Use these tips and tricks to get the best deal on your next flight.
Lyn MettlerDecember 23, 2019
30 Top Florida Weekend Getaways
Spend sun-filled days exploring Florida's beautiful beaches, cities, parks and small towns.
Gwen PratesiDecember 9, 2019
The Best Travel Backpacks for 2020
U.S. News rated the best travel backpacks using recommendations from experts and consumers.
Lyn MettlerNovember 25, 2019
30 Top Wellness Retreats
Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit at one of these relaxation-focused properties.
Kyle McCarthyNovember 21, 2019
30 Fun All-Inclusive Family Vacations
Book one of these all-inclusive trips that cover food, accommodations and activities galore.
Holly JohnsonNovember 14, 2019
5 Ways Cruise Lines Are Becoming More Environmentally Friendly
Industry considers impact as it looks to the future.
Gwen PratesiNovember 12, 2019
11 Unique and Quirky Cruise Destinations
Venture off the beaten path for an authentic cruising experience.
Christine SmithNovember 12, 2019
The 2020 Best Cruise Lines for Families
Gather up the gang and head out to sea with one of these six kid-friendly cruise lines.
Nicola WoodNovember 12, 2019


MLB Opening Day is today, March 28, 2019. Although the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics played a two game series in Japan on March 20th; opening day is officially today.
MLB Winter Baseball meetings are underway. So, this past week kicked off the meetings and rumours. What are some of the deals that will get done? And, will they have an impact on the 2019 season?
For the New York Yankees Off Season, they have been working hard to get better for 2019. Although the Yankees had the third best record in baseball, they were disappointed to have not had a longer run in the playoffs. So, now a new season is underway.
Red Sox eliminate Yankees in the American League Divisional Playoff series last night. Since this was the Red Sox and Yankees first postseason meeting since 2004; MLB fans were exited to see these two rivals matched up. To read more about this series, visit our Yankees Red Sox Postseason 2018 post.
The Wild Card game will be in New York after they clinched home field advantage. So, Yankee fans get ready. With the Yankees playing good ball the last week of the regular season, there is hope that this team will make it far in the playoffs.
With the Yankees season ending today, this year's team has had success, injuries as well as some promise from their rookies. When Aaron Boone took over the team, there was a lot of hope for this year's team. Check out our New York Yankees Hire Aaron Boone post to read more about his background.
For the third straight year, the Red Sox clinch the American League East. However, what was surprising as this happened in New York. With the Yankees being one of the Red Sox's biggest rivalries in baseball; it was a big deal that this happened in New York's backyard.
Red Sox sweep the Yankees in a four game sweep that ended in the wee hours of this morning. Since this was the fourth meeting between the two teams; and both teams have the best record in the MLB, I expected to see an exciting series.
With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. let's take a look at some of the acquisitions that have already happened. Although the non-waiver deadline is tomorrow, a player can still be traded after the deadline, if placed on waivers.