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LGBTQ+ Discharged Vets Can Get Benefits
by Jen September 25, 2021 September 25, 2021
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy caused harm to veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs posted a VAntage Point blog titled "Tenth anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell". It was written by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the VA's Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kayla Williams. The blog was posted on September 20, 2021, the tenth anniversary of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a policy put into place on Feb. 28, 1994, to prevent lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) service members from serving in the military openly. Although the policy was considered a "compromise" from the previous Department of Defense policy dating back to World War II that empowered the military to pursue – or "ask" – service members suspected of engaging in homosexual acts, DADT nevertheless led to the discharge of an estimated 14,000 service members during the almost 18 years it was in place. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is working to reverse the harm done to all LGBTQ+ Veterans.
Discharged LGBTQ+ Veterans can now receive their benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clarified that VA policy for Veterans who were given other than honorable discharges based on homosexual conduct, gender identity or HIV status. According to the blog post:
VA adjudicators shall find that all discharged service members whose separation was due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status are considered "Veterans" who may be eligible for VA benefits, like VR&E, home loan guaranty, compensation & pension, health care, homeless program and/or burial benefits so long as the record does not implicate a statutory or regulatory bar to benefits.
The Department is also aware that "large numbers of LGBTQ+ Veterans who were affected by previous homophobic and transphobic policies have not applied for a discharge update due to the perception that the process could be onerous." The Department wants to encourage them to contact VA to determine their eligibility for care and services.
What did DADT do?
According to History.com, it replaced a policy that did not officially exclude LGBT service members, but did consider "homosexual acts" as grounds for discharge. That part of the policy went back as far as the Revolutionary War. After World War II, the U.S. military made the act of sodomy a crime subject to punishment by a court-martial.
President Clinton announced the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on July 19, 1993. The policy permitted gay Americans to serve in the military as long as they remained closeted. The policy, was enshrined in a federal statute passed by Congress the same year, and went into effect in February 1994.
Under DADT, military personnel were not allowed to discriminate against or harass closeted service members they believed to be gay. On the other hand, homosexual or bisexual members could not disclose their sexual orientation or refer to same-sex relationships. If they violated this policy, or otherwise were found to have engaged in "homosexual conduct," they would be subject to discharge.
President Clinton admitted that the policy was "not a perfect solution", but presented it as a "major step forward". History.com pointed out the following: The statute itself concluded that homosexuality, if openly acknowledged, "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability".
What happened after DADT was repealed?
The archive of President Barack Obama has some information about DADT. President Obama repealed it on December 22, 2010. Here is a small portion of his remarks at the time:
…So this morning, I am proud to sign a law that will bring an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"… It is a law, — this law I'm about to sign will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend.
No longer will our country be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans who were forced to leave the military — regardless of their skills, no matter their bravery or their zeal, no matter their years of exemplary performance — because they happen to be gay. No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder, in order to serve the country that they love…
…For we are not a nation that says, "don't ask, don't tell." We are a nation that says, "Out of many, we are one… We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot. We are a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal… Those are the ideals that generations have fought for. Those are the ideals that we uphold today. And now, it is my honor to sign this bill into law.
President Obama archives website
The post from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs included a paragraph that describes how the repeal of DADT affected LGB service members:
For LGB service members, repeal of DADT meant freedom from having to go through the inhumanity of having to lie about the basic aspects of their lives in order to serve in uniform. For many, the repeal also meant freedom from abuse and harassment from leaders and colleagues who disregarded the policy's explicit bar on pursuing and targeting suspected service members. In truth, there was never an effective mechanism under DADT that truly protected service members from harassment, and repeal was the only way that service members were able to seek recourse against harassment.
It should be noted that the woman who wrote the post on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kayla Williams, stated in the post that she is a bisexual Veteran.
…As a bisexual Veteran, I chose to present as straight during the push to repeal DADT. It made sense at the time that there was a more pressing need for me as a woman married to a man to say, "No one in my unit cared if anyone was gay while we were in Iraq." I could talk credibly about how the lack of sufficient Arabic linguistics harmed our effectiveness downrange, and my own identity seemed irrelevant. It took many years for me to shed the toxic legacy of having served under DADT and come back out of the closet; I'm proud to recognize this anniversary as my authentic self…
Kayla Williams
I am not a veteran, but I am part of the LGBTQ+ community. (I'm nonbinary). It troubles me that people who were in the military had to hide who they were – for fear of being discharged. Part of what later became the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy goes back to the Revolutionary War. That's an incredibly long time for the U.S. military to act as though being LGBTQ+ was unacceptable!
It is good that the U.S. military, under the Biden-Harris administration, is taking steps to make things right. The ability to get the health care, and other benefits that all veterans deserve, is extremely important. It appears that it will take time before it reaches all affected veterans. The ability to receive the benefits they have earned will not undo the injustices of the past. Instead, it is a step in the right direction.
LGBTQ+ Discharged Vets Can Get Benefits is a post written by Jen Thorpe on Book of Jen and is not allowed to be copied to other sites.
Posted in Biden-HarrisTagged Biden-Harris, DADT, LGBTQ+, Veterans, Veterans benefits
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Workshops are held every year in cooperation with the poster festival "Weltformat". A poster and a moving picture were needed for the appearance.
To illustrate the variety of graphics, we used single letters in different fonts. The letters were projected and filmed on walls, ceilings and angles in the workshop building. Through the movement of the letters and the darkness a vague three-dimensionality is sketched. Excerpts from the film were taken for the poster.


Rules for electronic communication improve efficiency and enhance professional image.
3 Why Is Audiovisual Media Considered a Powerful Tool and Means of Communication?
Advances in technology have revolutionized the way businesses communicate internally and externally. In many ways, communicating via email, text message and instant message opens up channels for the effective and reliable exchange of information. However, speed can result in communication overload, miscommunication and privacy violations. Creating electronic communication protocols alleviates these common problems.
Develop written guidelines for employees that outline best practices for electronic communication. Define circumstances in which it is appropriate to forward an email to another party, to CC a copy of an email communication to others in the company, and when it is and is not appropriate to blind copy a recipient on an email, particularly one of a sensitive nature. This cuts down on the time employees spend sifting through electronic communications that are not vital to their job functions.
Define a standard protocol for the way electronic communication is formatted. Encourage the use of a brief but descriptive subject line and a standard signature line that includes name, title and contact information. Formatting should be in a common font and size. Prohibit the use of all caps, elaborate fonts, colors or extremely small or large point size text.
Limit the types of the emails that can be distributed internally. Businesses run the risk of lost productivity if employees get into the habit of exchanging email jokes, links and other material that is not pertinent to work. Set parameters for what is considered an appropriate exchange of information among colleagues in your workplace.
Explain to employees the most efficient ways to communicate electronically. For example, encourage employees not to respond with a "yes" or "no" answer to a question when answering a query, but to elaborate on the response. For example, if a manager sends a subordinate an email asking if a report will be completed on time for a board meeting, the most appropriate responses are "Yes, the report will be done at 3 o'clock this afternoon" or "I have run into some problems with the report that will not be resolved until tomorrow, so the report will not be done in time for this afternoon's board meeting." This approach eliminates any misunderstanding or miscommunication.
When communicating with clients, customers and vendors, encourage your employees to use the same professional approach and verbiage in electronic communication as they would use in formal written correspondence. This includes using titles, a standard business opening and closing, and avoiding slang or shortcut messaging that is common with electronic communication. Additionally, discourage employees from forwarding emails to an outside party without an accompanying explanation describing the purpose for the forwarded message.
Text messaging on smart phones or via other electronic devices is an abbreviated way to communicate with business associates. Care should still be taken to spell correctly, maintain professionalism and protect privacy. Double-check recipients before pressing "Send" so electronic messages go only to the intended recipients, and refrain from sharing confidential, sensitive or proprietary information through electronic means.
McQuerrey, Lisa. "Electronic Communications Protocol." Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/electronic-communications-protocol-61303.html. Accessed 20 April 2019.
How do I Use Organizational Communication Techniques?


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Litigation Lawyer
Brian Dunphy
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC
Brian P. Dunphy is a member of the Health Care Enforcement Defense Group, and he defends clients facing government investigations and whistleblower complaints regarding alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act and similar state laws — often related to purported overpayments or kickbacks.
Brian also handles commercial health care litigation involving business disputes, and he defends national product liability cases for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Brian advises and counsels health care providers, biotechnology and life sciences companies, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
He represents them in litigation and government investigations. He is also a member of the firm's Health Care Enforcement Defense Group and is a frequent author on health care fraud and abuse issues.
Brian focuses his practice on defending companies against government investigations of alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), conducting internal investigations, and litigating qui tam FCA cases in federal courts around the country.
Brian also defends pharmaceutical and biotech companies in national product liability cases and represents biotechnology, life sciences, and technology companies in complex business disputes.
Brian has spent nearly a decade advising a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the study, treatment, and prevention of the effects of concussions and other brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. He is a member of the firm's Sports & Entertainment Practice.
Brian is also committed to pro bono work. He is a member of the team that manages the Massachusetts Civil Appeals Clinic. He successfully represented a client from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was granted political asylum, and he obtained a residential educational placement for a disabled student.
Brian is a member of the Board of Directors of the Volunteers Lawyers Project and he is a committee member of the United Way's "BoSTEM" Leadership Breakfast to benefit STEM education in the Boston Public Schools.
Before attending law school, Brian was a project manager at Accenture, a management and technology consulting firm. He continues to utilize his project management skills working with his clients to manage matters effectively and to deliver timely results.
Obtained summary judgment in nine related cases against a publicly traded biotechnology company and a pharmaceutical company in multi-jurisdictional product liability disputes involving an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug
Secured a dismissal of a False Claims Act suit brought by an ex-employee whistleblower who accused the company of knowingly overcharging Medicaid for the cost of pharmaceuticals.
Achieved victory in an arbitration for an international life sciences company initiated by one of the company's suppliers. After an evidentiary hearing, a panel of arbitrators rejected the supplier's claims and entered judgment for our client on its counterclaim, including recovery of our client's attorneys' fees and costs
Represent a life sciences company before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in a breach of contract dispute involving the manufacture of diagnostic assays
Defended numerous clients in government investigations resulting from qui tam FCA complaints, and in FCA litigations, in jurisdictions around the country
Successfully defended a physician before an Administrative Law Judge against an action by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to revoke or suspend the physician's license
Represented a life sciences company before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in a breach of contract dispute involving the manufacture of diagnostic assays
Boston College (JD)
Boston College (BA)
INVOLVEMENT :
Board of Directors, Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association
Committee Member, United Way BoSTEM Leadership Breakfast
Member, Boston Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Health Lawyers Association
ADMISSIONS : Massachusetts
What types of cases Attorney Brian Dunphy & Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC can handle?
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Where is Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC located?
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC is located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02110, USA. You can reach out to Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC using their phone line 617.348.1810. You can also check their website mintz.com or email them at [email protected].
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Kelly tells Paul's story, before he died of a heroin overdose.
Heroin, U.S.A.: How the middle class got addicted
By Daniel DaleWashington Bureau
Sun., Oct. 4, 2015timer14 min. read
BROCKTON, MASS.—Not long into the meeting, a mother began to cry. She had been diligent, doting. She had not come to terms with how her son's life turned out.
"I worked so hard," she said. "And this is where it ended."
It was a summer Monday night. Three dozen people were sitting in chairs scattered around the blue-walled "multi-purpose room" of a high school in a Boston suburb. In their khaki shorts and golf shirts, they looked like nothing so much as a parent-teacher association.
This was the weekly Brockton gathering of Learn to Cope, a booming 20-chapter support group for the families of heroin addicts. This is how the families of heroin addicts look.
"Sometimes people have walked into a meeting and thought they were at the wrong meeting," said Joanne Peterson, Learn to Cope's founder. "Because we all look so normal."
Teachers, nurses, cops, at least one judge. Jack Reilly is a lawyer and former human resources executive. Before he became chairman of the Learn to Cope board, he was another dad sobbing through a session.
"The stereotype is not that you are the daughter of a lawyer in an upper-middle-class town outside of Boston who goes to a great school district," Reilly said. "This isn't bad kids. These are good kids. This is a disease. But you tell your story and it's not like people receive you, necessarily, like you're talking about pediatric cancer. It's just got a lot of stigma and stuff attached to it."
The good news is that the stigma is fading. The bad news is that it is fading because so many kids are dying.
More than 1,200 people in Massachusetts died from overdoses of heroin or prescription opioids last year. That is double the number who died four years ago, four times the number who died in car crashes.
The picture is just as ugly in the postcard towns of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The killer drug once associated with urban poverty is more popular in the United States than ever before — especially among white people, women and the middle class, especially in the suburbs and the country, especially in the Midwest and northeast.
A weeklong tour of the Massachusetts wreckage revealed glimmers of hope: families starting to speak out without shame, once-oblivious political and medical leaders innovating to save lives, a small-town police chief putting addicts in treatment rather than handcuffs.
But the body count is staggering and rising. Haverhill, an unremarkable town of 60,000, had three overdose deaths in 2011, more than 20 deaths in 2014. In most of the state, this year will be just as bad as last. Thousands of families, many of them prosperous, have been left to puzzle out how they ended up here.
Heroin.
"This was not something we foresaw would be a problem with our kids," said Mickey Gys, a corporate procurement manager.
His son Zachary, funny and fashionable and baby-faced, was a high-scoring high school hockey forward in the city of Lowell. He sprained his ankle during his junior year. A teammate offered him a Percocet for the pain.
"Before we knew it, he was headfirst in it," Mickey Gys said. "He couldn't stop."
The heroin crisis is intimately connected to a crisis in prescription pill abuse. During the epidemic of the 1970s, heroin was usually the first opioid a heroin addict had tried. More than two-thirds of today's heroin addicts, studies suggest, started with legal drugs like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, often prescribed by a doctor after an injury or illness.
The issue is money. Dealers can sell hits of heroin for $10 or less, pills for $50 or more. When addicts run out of cash for the pricey painkillers, some turn to the cheaper stuff. Government crackdowns on the availability of pills, and a 2010 change that made OxyContin harder to abuse, have inadvertently strengthened heroin's competitive advantage.
Zachary Gys progressed from Percocet to OxyContin to heroin, stealing anything he could sell. His parents spent "tens of thousands," Mickey Gys said, on treatment programs. In 2013, he celebrated 60 days of sobriety at a sober-living house in Florida. He relapsed and died on Day 61. He was 21.
Jack Reilly's family suffered from alcoholism for generations. He took deliberate steps to shield his daughters: a move to a high-income town populated by "intact families," honest talks about addiction, active childhoods filled with Girl Scouts and soccer and vacations.
His daughter Becca began abusing Percocet at 17. By 18, she was a heroin addict.
She had never felt quite comfortable in her own skin, she said, and heroin gave her an escape. It was available. That was it.
"If a psychiatrist heard about my childhood and my life, there's nothing that would make them be like, 'Oh, that makes sense then,'" said Becca, 22, now drug-free and working in the addiction field. "Nothing had happened."
Stephen Guest, the son of an alcoholic mother and father addicted to heroin, started his descent with an anxiety medication called Klonopin. Every prescription, he said, might as well have come with a court docket number: every time he took it, he would end up getting arrested.
Guest, a wry 32-year-old from Boston, has been off pills and heroin for a year. This summer, three of his friends died of overdoses in the span of two weeks. One of them was dead in a parking lot for two days before he was found.
Guest now lives in a small Cape Cod-area town a safe hour's distance from his old stomping grounds. He has a good job at a quarry, a good relationship with his son, new sober friends. He knows it could all vanish.
"I don't f----n' got this," Guest said. "At any moment, I could have a real bad day and ruin everything. One bad decision and I can be like my buddy Luke, sitting in a car in a parking lot, dead. They'd be driving around for days looking for me. One bad decision. One."
Billy Pfaff, an intense, muscular tattoo artist in Billerica, a small town northwest of Boston, carries two cellphones. The Samsung is for people who want tattoos. The iPhone is for desperate addicts.
The iPhone rings more often.
On a sunny weekday morning in July, the caller was a young woman addicted to pills. Pfaff had persuaded her to go to rehab, but she was getting cold feet. Her father said he was too busy to talk to her.
"No one's going to hurt you," Pfaff said tenderly. He stared out the front door of his studio, Inkslinger's. "No one's going to harm you. I know you're scared, but I have your back."
They spoke for two minutes. When Pfaff hung up, he told the story to an anxious woman sitting in the shop: Joan Todisco, the mother of three sons, all heroin addicts, one dead. His tone changed.
"He won't be busy when she's dead, right?" Pfaff said. "We're not dealing with you making money. We're dealing with your f----n' child dying. What don't you get?"
"He's probably not going to get it," said Todisco. "Unless you've done it or been through it ..."
Pfaff, 46, wears white tank tops and a black "Pay It Forward" baseball cap turned backward. After a friend died of a heroin overdose last year, he started a Facebook group he called "Heroin is Killing My Town." He used the group to post improvised video monologues that were at once profane and compassionate.
Addicts and their families began messaging him. With no training, a once-homeless man best known as "Billy Inkslinger" became a sought-after addiction counsellor — a testament both to the force of his personality and the despair and confusion of parents and spouses unequipped to deal with a problem they had never contemplated.
"I never thought about talking to my kids about heroin," said Todisco, 53. "Heroin, I thought it was gone. I really thought it was over."
In 2013, Todisco's youngest son found her eldest son dead of an overdose on the floor of their father's apartment. Tony was 25, a union roofer with steady work, a nice car and two children. She is now trying to save his two brothers, 24-year-old Nicholas and 22-year-old Jake.
She works in a hospital kitchen. When her sons stole all of her savings, she lost her house of 17 years. Nicholas asked her this summer if she would cover a $7,000 treatment program. It might as well have cost $700,000.
"You have to have money to win this," she said. "And we don't have money."
The crisis has exposed the woeful inadequacy of the U.S. treatment system. Lowell, a hard-hit city of 105,000, has a single 19-bed residential rehab facility.
The wait for a Lowell House bed is two to four months. For a heroin addict, even a 24-hour wait can be deadly. Heroin is purer now than ever before. With increasing frequency, it is laced with fentanyl, a synthetic drug even more powerful and deadly.
"Our beds just are constantly full," said Lowell House chief program officer Maria Lucci. A "huge" risk, she said: "If they can't get a bed, that means they're probably going to use that day, and they could die that day."
Once shamed into silence, families of addicts have become outspoken in pleading for help. As their voices have grown louder, the political tide appears to be turning in favour of treating heroin addiction like a public health problem rather than a crime wave. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has proposed $10 billion treatment initiative; in a remarkable break from elections past, Republican candidates have competed to sound most treatment-friendly.
The response may have been influenced by the race, class and clout of the victims. Marc Mauer, executive director of the Washington-based Sentencing Project, noted that people who used crack cocaine during the epidemic of the 1980s, most of them black, were punished as serious offenders.
"The difference is so dramatic in terms of the approaches that are being laid out," Mauer said, "and the crack stuff was not all that long ago."
Not everyone has softened this time. The right-wing governor of Maine has emphasized enforcement over treatment, even musing about calling in the National Guard. Massachusetts has been far more thoughtful. But the state still does not spend nearly enough to handle the overwhelming demand.
State-funded Lowell House is free. Other facilities are not. Even if addicts can find a bed somewhere, they might not be able to pay for it: insurance companies rarely cover long-term treatment, the only kind of treatment most heroin addicts find effective. They also put strict limits on short-term treatment.
"If it was heart disease, and someone had a heart attack, they wouldn't say, 'You were just here with a heart attack last week, we're not going to cover it this week,'" said Learn to Cope's Peterson. "They need to treat it as a medical condition, the insurance companies, and stop stigmatizing addiction."
Todisco spent her summer making desperate phone calls, pleading for a break from a program or an insurer, getting "denial after denial." In between, she said, she waited for a call telling her it was time to bury another child.
"It's hell," she said.
Jake sat morosely beside her in a Celtics T-shirt, sedated by the legal drug he takes to control his heroin cravings. She cradled a photo of Tony.
"I could not go through it again," she said. "I made it through this, but I won't make it through these two. I know that as long as I fight, maybe they'll fight."
All day, every day, Edward Bradley, the fire chief of the town of Plymouth, carries bottles of Narcan, the nasal spray that reverses heroin overdoses. Even to his grandson's T-ball games.
"You just never know where or when you're going to run into a need for it," Bradley said. "It's become that crazy."
A juror overdosed in the local courtroom. A driver overdosed while stopped at a red light. A grandmother overdosed babysitting her grandchildren during a blizzard.
Plymouth, the charming seaside town where the Pilgrims settled, bills itself as "America's hometown." Aside from its history, there is nothing exceptional about it. Before 2013, Bradley's fire department responded to 40 to 60 overdoses per year.
There were 313 overdoses in 2014. Fifteen people died. This year has been worse.
"Anyone who thinks it's not going on on their street isn't paying attention," said Peter Holden, chief executive officer of Plymouth's Beth Israel Deaconess hospital. "And that's the polite version of what I think. The honest version is: get your head out of your ass. It's everywhere. I can't talk to one family that doesn't have a story about losing somebody somehow."
Before 2013, Bradley thought of heroin as the domain of homeless people living under bridges. He has been disabused of this notion by a steady stream of 911 calls from the homes of Plymouth professionals.
"A lot of these people, they're college-educated," he said. "They're professional people. They have good jobs. They're grandmothers."
Plymouth has 60,000 residents. One Monday night in July, four people overdosed in four hours. The exact same thing happened one Friday night in August.
Last year, Bradley had all of his crews armed with Narcan. Every crew has now used it at least once.
"It's a regular occurrence now," Bradley said. "To them it's just like grabbing the nozzle and the hose off the truck."
Plymouth's police chief, Michael Botieri, initially responded to the crisis with a traditional get-tough approach: a plain-clothes Street Crimes Unit to arrest drug dealers and unruly addicts. Six months later, after Plymouth had three overdose deaths over two weeks, he had his epiphany: arrests were not going to make a meaningful difference. He threw himself into prevention and treatment initiatives he had previously dismissed as "social work."
"I had a little revelation that these are our neighbours, these are our relatives, these are regular people, these are regular families," Botieri said. "And we realize we have to change our focus."
Holden's "slap in the face" came courtesy of students at the high school across the street. In a segment for their amateur newscast, they quoted a local drug dealer who said he had obtained pills from a friend who stole doctors' prescription forms from the hospital.
Holden showed the video to dozens of other hospital executives. He soon became an outspoken crusader for painkiller reform, using his perch as chair of the state hospital association to push for standards to limit the use of narcotics.
"Hospitals and physicians are part of the problem," Holden said. "Any pill on the street from a prescription that was not appropriately utilized? Well, as far as I'm concerned we have some measure of culpability for that pill being on the street."
James Brown Jr. lay flat on his back outside the headquarters of the Gloucester Police Department. Brown, a sweet 21-year-old in a Boston Bruins shirt, had managed to avoid heroin for two days. He ached too much to sit.
Addicts like Brown haunt the state's police stations and courthouses, hauled in by local cops for drug possession, theft or erratic behaviour.
Brown, though, had not been arrested. He found a ride to Gloucester from Lowell. He came to ask the cops for help.
"Yesterday I tried to get into a place," he said. "And then my sister called me up and said all you've got to do is show up here and they'll help you."
Gloucester, pop. 29,000, has a 60-officer police force based in a seaside building stained with the waste of squawking seagulls. Since June, the force has running an experiment that appears unprecedented in America. Its architect is a former undercover drug cop.
Chief Leonard Campanello revealed his "Gloucester Initiative" on the department's Facebook page in May. To Massachusetts addicts and their families, his post was nothing short of astonishing.
"We are poised to make revolutionary changes in the way we treat this DISEASE," Campanello wrote.
Any addict who wanted to get clean would be invited to show up at headquarters. The Gloucester PD would work the phones to get them into treatment — "not in hours or days, but on the spot." A volunteer "angel" would support them through the process. Even if they brought drugs with them, they would not be charged.
"I've never arrested a tobacco addict, nor have I ever seen one turned down for help when they develop lung cancer, whether or not they have insurance," he wrote. "The reasons for the difference in care between a tobacco addict and an opiate addict are stigma and money. Petty reasons to lose a life."
Campanello's program officially started on June 1. Campanello thought it was possible nobody would show up. The first addict walked in on June 2.
He was from California. Someone who loved him had seen the Facebook post and bought him a plane ticket across the country.
Over the next four months, 210 others followed him into the tiny headquarters lobby. The Gloucester PD found beds for all of them, often within three hours. Campanello has been inundated with gratitude.
Much of it is tinged with amazement. Wrote one man: "Is this even a real police department?"
Campanello goes by Lenny. A burly, blunt 47-year-old with sombre eyes and an affinity for Springsteen, he can pass for an old-time Boston cop out of a Dennis Lehane novel. He also holds a master's degree in criminal justice.
Gloucester is America's oldest seaport, a gritty town dominated for two centuries by the fishing industry you can still smell on the streets. Campanello became chief in 2012. Earlier, he served seven years on the narcotics beat in a town nearby, arresting "everybody," achieving not much. For every dealer he put behind bars, he said, another popped up.
He was at home on a Friday night in March when he got the call that angered him into boldness. Another overdose death, Gloucester's fourth in three months.
"I just said, 'I'm sick of this,'" he said. "Just tired about hearing about these people who could be saved. What can we be doing different? What can we do that shakes the conversation?"
He had come to believe the war on drugs — the war on the supply of drugs — was a failure. He decided his little department would target the demand for drugs.
"A drug dealer with no customers is an out-of-work drug dealer," he said.
The program is even more untraditional than he explained in the initial post. He is using assets seized from drug dealers to help pay for treatment and to buy Narcan for uninsured families. He is lobbying insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. And with a prominent developer who lives in Gloucester, he has created a non-profit to help other police departments start similar programs.
"We have to have a very honest conversation," said John Rosenthal, the developer, who has two addicts in his family. "Lo and behold, we've got one chief in a small town called Gloucester who is willing to start the conversation."
The man from California walked in at 3:30 a.m., suffering through withdrawal. An officer took him to the hospital. He was on his way to a treatment facility by the afternoon. As of late September, Campanello said, he was still clean and sober.
Campanello knew this because they spoke all the time. Two or three times a week, the heroin addict sends the police chief a text message.


Avail exciting offers on international flight bookings when flying from Kolkata to Newark. Find cheap Kolkata to Newark air tickets only at Goomo.com. From flight status to schedules, and information about your Kolkata to Newark airfare, Goomo.com offers it all. Book Kolkata to Newark flights now and avail great discounts!
Home to some fun festivals and parades, Newark welcomes visitors from all over the world. Getting in and around this beautiful city is no hassle, thanks to the convenient means and modes of transport available.
There are a total of 136 flights available to Newark from Kolkata. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airways, etc. offer frequent Kolkata to Newark flights. Book your Kolkata to Newark air tickets at lowest prices only at Goomo.com, where great deals and discounts await.
The lowest flight fare recorded in the past months for Kolkata to Newark flights was on an average of up to Rs.36,574. Additionally, the current flight fare for such air tickets start at Rs.50,097 onwards. Book now to prevent burning a hole in your pocket.
When it comes to choosing between flight timings, the earliest flight available to this international destination is at 01:15 while the last flight available is at 21:20.
Known for its rich culture and yummy deserts, Kolkata also known as Calcutta is a good gateway for a vacation. Experience the best of Bengali culture when at this destination. From theatre to art and music, this city offers it all.
Known for its museums, art galleries, festivals, and parades, Newark makes for a fun and exciting destination. It is the heart of New Jersey and one of the biggest metropolis of the state. Travelling in and around this city is extremely feasible, thanks to the various modes of transport available. Plus, the accommodation listings take care of stay.


Exercise physiologists, sometimes called kinesiotherapists, work to improve overall patient health. Many of their patients suffer from health problems such as cardiovascular disease or pulmonary (lung) disease. Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to improve key health indicators.
Some physiologists work closely with primary care physicians, who may prescribe exercise regiments for their patients and refer them to exercise physiologists. The physiologists then work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that will help the patients meet their health and fitness goals.


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KLOS est une station de radio américaine diffusant ses programmes en FM (95.5 MHz) sur Los Angeles. Son format est classic rock.

Cette station a commencé ses émissions en 1969. Elle est spécialisée dans le rock depuis sa création. Depuis les disparitions de KMET, KNAC, puis KCBS-FM (en 2005) sur ce segment, KLOS est la seule radio de format classic rock à Los Angeles.

Liens externes
 Site officiel de la station

LOS
Station de radio diffusant du rock

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Topsportcentrum Almere is een multifunctionele indoorsportaccommodatie gelegen aan het Pierre de Coubertinplein in Almere Poort. De start van de bouw was in de zomer van 2005, de opening was op 7 oktober 2007. De Gemeente Almere is eigenaar en beheerder van het Topsportcentrum.

Faciliteiten
Topsportcentrum Almere beschikt over twee sporthallen, de topsporthal en de breedtesporthal. Naast de sporthallen zijn er in het Topsportcentrum diverse secundaire ruimten waar tijdens (sport)evenementen gebruik van kan worden gemaakt. Ook kan het Topsportcentrum of specifieke ruimtes gehuurd worden voor zakelijke activiteiten.

Topsporthal
De topsporthal heeft een zwevende houten vloer van 28 × 49 meter. Er zijn 3.000 zitplaatsen, waarvan 2.200 vaste stoelen en 800 flexibel. De tribunes zijn te bereiken via een grote omloop welke uitzicht biedt op de vloer. Binnen de topsporthal is geen daglichttoetreding en de lichtinstallatie levert maximaal 1.500 lux.

Breedtesporthal
De breedtesporthal heeft een vloeroppervlakte van 33 × 72 meter en kan verdeeld worden in vier gelijke delen. Op de tribune in de breedtesporthal kunnen 300 bezoekers plaatsnemen.

Zakelijk
Topsportcentrum Almere biedt ook ruimte voor zakelijk gebruik. Zo is er een businesslounge van 550 vierkante meter, een meetingroom en zijn er meerdere skyboxen.

Bereikbaarheid
Het Topsportcentrum ligt op ongeveer 400 meter afstand van trein- en busstation Almere Poort, daarnaast heeft het haar eigen bushalte "Topsporthal". Het Topsportcentrum is zichtbaar vanaf autosnelweg A6 en bereikbaar via de afslagen 2 en 3. Parkeren rondom Topsportcentrum Almere is gratis.

Gebruik
Verschillende middelbare scholen en het ROC maken gebruik van het Topsportcentrum, ook bevindt het kantoor van de afdeling Sport van de Gemeente Almere zich hier. Voor basketbalvereniging Almere Pioneers en volleybalvereniging VC Allvo is het Topsportcentrum de vaste thuisbasis. Naast het vaste gebruik vinden er vele (terugkerende) sportevenementen en -wedstrijden plaats in Topsportcentrum Almere.

Dutch Open Badminton
Sinds 2007 vindt jaarlijks de Dutch Open (badminton) in Topsportcentrum Almere  plaats. De Dutch Open is het enige Grand Prix badminton toernooi wat Nederland kent. Het evenement trekt jaarlijks duizenden bezoekers en wordt door miljoenen huishoudens over de hele wereld bekeken. Naast de Dutch Open vindt ook het NK Badminton in Topsportcentrum Almere plaats en dient het als Regionaal Trainingscentrum (RTC).

World Fighting League

Burgemeester van Almere Franc Weerwind tekende in april 2017 namens de gemeente een driejarig contract met de World Fighting League (WFL). Dit betekende dat Topsportcentrum Almere en de WFL voor de periode 2017-2019 een exclusieve samenwerking aangingen voor kickboks en mixed martial arts (MMA) evenementen.

Op 23 april 2017 vocht kickbokser Peter Aerts, op 46-jarige leeftijd, met succes zijn laatste wedstrijd ooit in Nederland, in Topsportcentrum Almere door op punten te winnen van de 27-jarige Fransman Nordine Mahieddine. In 2013 nam Aerts al afscheid van professioneel kickboksen met een laatste gevecht dat plaatsvond in Japan.

Op 29 oktober 2017 vocht Melvin Manhoef op 41-jarige leeftijd zijn laatste kickboksgevecht, hij deed dit tegen Remy Bonjasky. Voor Bonjasky was dit na vier jaar zijn comeback. Manhoef won het gevecht op jurybeslissing.

Nederlands Handbal Verbond
Maart 2017 tekende wethouder René Peeters namens de Gemeente Almere een driejarige verlenging van samenwerking tussen het Nederlands Handbal Verbond (NHV) en Topsportcentrum Almere. Deze samenwerking zorgt ervoor dat er grote handbalevenementen in het Topsportcentrum worden georganiseerd, zoals handbalinterlands en bekerfinales.

Judo Bond Nederland
Sinds 2016 worden de Nederlands Kampioenschappen judo in Topsportcentrum Almere gehouden en niet meer in Topsportcentrum Rotterdam. Naast het NK judo vinden er ook andere evenementen van Judo Bond Nederland plaats.

Overige sporten/evenementen
Door de jaren heen heeft Topsportcentrum Almere vele grote evenementen gehuisvest, zoals wedstrijden van de Harlem Globetrotters en het Univé Gymgala. Ook heeft het Topsportcentrum samenwerkingen (gehad) met verschillende sportbonden, wat zorgt voor grote en terugkerende evenementen.
Oranje Basketball
Op 19 augustus 2007 was de EK-kwalificatie basketbalinterland Nederland - Wit-Rusland (77-72) de openingswedstrijd van Topsportcentrum Almere. Sindsdien hebben meerdere internationale wedstrijden basketbal in het Topsportcentrum plaats gevonden.
Van 2009 tot 2013 werd de NBB bekerfinale basketbal voor zowel mannen als vrouwen in het Topsportcentrum gespeeld.
Schermen
Topsportcentrum Almere is middels een meerjarige overeenkomst met de Koninklijke Nederlandse Algemene Schermbond (KNAS) in de periode 2016-2018 het strijdtoneel van Nederlands Kampioenschap Schermen. De organisatie van het NK ligt in handen van Fencing Club Almere.
Twirl / Majorette
Van 5 t/m 8 oktober 2017 werd het Europees Kampioenschap Majorette in Almere gehouden. Dit EK werd georganiseerd door de National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA), naast het EK organiseert de NBTA ook Nederlandse Kampioenschappen Twirl in Topsportcentrum Almere. Ook de Nederlandse Twirl Sport Bond (NTSB) organiseert haar NK in Topsportcentrum Almere.

Zie ook
 Lijst van topsporthallen in Nederland

Externe link
  Officiële website Topsportcentrum

Sportaccommodatie in Almere


Due to far reaching advances in heating technology, today's heating oil boilers are more energy efficient than those boilers previously installed and now coming to the end of there normal working life. Replacing a 15 year old heating oil boiler with a modern highly efficient model, could save you over 20% on your existing fuel bills.
Boilers should be checked at least once a year and the filter on a warm air unit should be regularly cleaned. Please ensure that engineers that provide servicing or regular maintenance work contracts are registered with OFTEC.
Older boilers are only about 50-60% efficient and should be replaced by either a modern conventional model – efficiency 70-80% – or a condensing boiler – about 90% efficient. Condensing boilers cost more than a conventional boiler but savings in fuel bills will give a payback period of 3-6 years. New 'high efficiency' gas boilers, for example, those with thermal capacity heat exchangers, are more efficient than standard new boilers and may be more suitable for small or medium sized houses.
There is now a boiler database showing the efficiency of gas and oil domestic boilers. Both current and obsolete boilers are included and the database is regularly updated. The database was developed on behalf of the government to help SAP assessors and is also intended to help purchasers and specifiers to select efficient heating boilers for domestic central heating system.
Most boiler manufacturers publish the average seasonal efficiency figures of their boilers, similar to the ratings you see on electrical appliances such as fridges freezers and washing machines etc. A simple guide to efficiency, has been created with SEDBUK efficiency bands assigned to boilers on a 'A' to 'G' scale. The band is shown on the database and may be used on product literature, the scheme is temporary and it will be replaced when the European directive on boiler energy labelling is introduced.


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ADI YUSSUF
Adi Yussuf joins the Wood on loan from League One outfit Blackpool and bolsters Luke Garrard's squad with bags of National League experience having previously featured for both Barrow and Solihull Moors.
After coming through the youth ranks at Leicester City, Yussuf failed to make a first team appearance. Yussuf then signed a one-year loan deal at Burton Albion after a successful trial period. He scored his first goal for the club on the 29th of October 2015 but then struggled for first team minutes meaning his next goal would come 10 months later against Sheffield United in the League Cup.
After spells at Lincoln City, and then on loan to Gainsborough Trinity, Harrogate Town and Histon, Yussuf joined National League North side Oxford City. Yussuf had a successful time at Oxford where he netted 27 times in 39 appearances.
After his enjoyable time at Oxford, Yussuf went on to play for Mansfield Town, Crawley Town, Grimsby Town, and Barrow, but experienced frustrating spells at these clubs as he couldn't get a run of permanent first team game time. This frustrating period of his career ended when he signed for Solihull Moors in January 2018. He started as he meant to go on as he scored a brace in two minutes on his debut against Dagenham and Redbridge.
Yussuf went on to have a successful time at Solihull Moors featuring 57 times for the club netting 19 times. His impressive performances in the National League attracted attention from several Football League clubs and it was Blackpool who won the signature of the Forward as he signed on a two year deal which would see him go back on loan to the Moors until January 2020, he then signed for the Wood on loan until the end of the season.


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Articles written by Ron Loesch Publisher
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 180
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion December 31, 2020
Editorial: Money is circulating
Overall, Petersburg doesn't look like a town in distress. We've seen what happens in "down" years, and there is no resemblance. Charitable giving is generally up and local businesses appear to be...
Editorial: Health consequences
It's clear that the actions of Petersburg's Emergency Operations Center, the Petersburg Medical Center staff and the State Public Health Nurse have played a huge part in keeping the Covid-19 virus at...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion December 3, 2020
Editorial: Bring me your newspapers
I'm a newspaper addict. I can't help myself. I love reading newspapers, printed on newsprint, in color or in black and white. Smaller community newspapers, like the Petersburg Pilot are of more...
By Ron Loesch Publisher News October 1, 2020
New testing tent erected at airport
A new 20-ft. x 40-ft. tent has been erected at the Petersburg airport to provide shelter for hospital employees providing COVID testing services for passengers arriving at the airport each day....
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion October 1, 2020
The Aspen Daily News in Aspen, Colorado runs a statement every day on their front page Flag that states: "If you don't want it printed, don't let it happen." It's a bit brash for our taste, but the words apply to this newspaper when it...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion August 6, 2020
Editorial: Accident was newsworthy
We've had phone calls from a handful of people about our use of the photo and page one coverage of last week's fatal Mitkof Highway crash. It saddens us to have to report on such a tragedy that impacts the lives of so many in both Wrangell and...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion July 23, 2020
Editorial: Just lucky
2,132 Alaskans are reported infected with the Covid-19 virus along with 487 non-residents as of July 21. Petersburg has had zero active cases of COVID-19 since Thursday, July 17 according to Borough...
Editorial: Don't threaten
We love public comments. So do public officials, in both elected and administrative positions. It's a part of the public process and the resulting discussions are critical to maintaining the...
Short-term mandates are ok
The following editorial was posted to the newspaper website on Monday, July 13. My goodness. Doesn't anyone pay attention to the details? Short-term mandates proposed by the Petersburg Emergency...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion July 2, 2020
The statewide count rises
While the Petersburg Covid-19 infection count remains at 4, the statewide count continues to increase. Alaskan resident cases increased by 38 yesterday, a new daily high. Statewide the cumulative...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion May 21, 2020
Editorial: CONGRATULATIONS PHS GRADUATES
Congratulations to the PHS Class of 2020! Despite the onset of a global wide Coronavirus pandemic that up-ended traditional end-of-year high school events and activities, the class of 2020 has...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion May 7, 2020
Editorial: Cover your kisser
Before residents cheer the expiration of Petersburg's face masking mandate, they need to remember that the reopening of many local businesses rely on the use of face masks by both employees and...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion April 23, 2020
Frustration was a key theme running throughout Wednesday's assembly meeting. Having to wait on the governor's slow to arrive mandates on opening businesses across the state is vexing. Just like in...
Commentary: Humor helps
Petersburg's sense of humor is coming through during these trying times. Bearing witness to this is the above photo showing the likeness of Bojer Wikan, wearing his protective mask as his statue...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion April 2, 2020
Testing numbers are relevant
While we applaud the work of Wrangell's health care providers as they prepare for the uncertain times before us, it's important to remember that they need us as much as we need them. Every citizen... Full story
By Ron Loesch Publisher News March 26, 2020
Petersburg man first to die of COVID-19 in Alaska
Longtime Petersburg resident Delbert (Pete) Erickson, 77, died on March 16 in Federal Way, Washington. His is the first recorded death caused by the COVID-19 virus in the State of Alaska. Even though...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion March 26, 2020
If you've got to ride-out a worldwide pandemic, there's no better place than in Petersburg. We're isolated on an island along the edge of the Pacific Ocean, giving us a lot of protection from the...
By Ron Loesch Publisher News January 9, 2020
NOAA hearing draws vocal opposition
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration held a public hearing in Petersburg Monday night on their proposal to establish critical habitat areas for humpback whales in Southeast Alaska...
By Ron Loesch Publisher Opinion January 9, 2020
Editorial: Critical habitat rule unlikely to help
The establishment of critical habitat areas running from western Alaska to southern California is a prime example of federal agency overkill and overreach. We don't see a logical pathway whereby...
The Borough Assembly members acted correctly Monday evening by voting down a proposed ordinance to permit off-road vehicles to operate on borough roadways. The voters spoke against the idea in a...
Editorial: Expressions of love
Icicle Seafoods executives and workers rallied around the family and friends of Ken Hicks who passed away last week. Ken was the cannery foreman and was employed by the company for 33 years. Workers...
By Ron Loesch Publisher News December 12, 2019
Editorial: All crashes are not accidents
In last week's page one story about Superior Court Judge Carey's order releasing both the Petersburg Borough and defendant Chris Allen from the liability suit brought by the Estate of Molly Parks, we...
Frustration is mounting at both the police and fire department over funding for a police sergeant position and an EMS coordinator. The 2020 borough budget includes line items of $127,224 to fill a...
By Ron Loesch Publisher News May 2, 2019
New book features histories of S.E. canneries
Seafood industry researchers to casual history buffs will use and enjoy Tin Can Country - Southeast Alaska's Historic Salmon Canneries. This copiously illustrated edition is filled with stories,...
Where the fish are
Life in a small fishing village, filled with opinionated fishermen and fisherwomen comes to life in this well-written story that was released last December by author and retired schoolteacher Christi...


Sew The Show is a great monthly event that allows sewists to grab inspiration from their favorite shows and movies and create fun and interesting new looks.
6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon is an awesome party game that I am super bad at because it takes me so long to come up with answers. But the overall goal is to link as famous person to Kevin Bacon through 6 or less costars/significant others/directors etc.
I am a bonus stop from the amazing Cassandra over at Pear Berry Lane, so give the big graphic a click and check out her post also! And of course all of the amazing talent in this massive tour! And my connection is The Princess Bride!
The Princess Bride has been one of my favorite movies for as long as I can remember. I used to wait patiently for it to come on and record it with my VCR so I could watch it repeatedly until the tape would actually wear out. Then I would just tape it again. Of course, I have now graduated to DVDs and Blu rays but the outcome is the same. While most girls dreamed of a love like Wesley, I dreamed of having the cool demeanor of Inigo Montoya. He truly inspired me because he used his adversity to become accomplished and remained steadfast in his journey.
So the question is how do I get cool like Inigo Montoya? And the answer is an awesome jacket and boots outfit of course! So I pulled out my favorite pattern from Winter Wear Designs, the Provence Pea Coat. It is the perfect coat for the rainy Washington winter months. There is the option to fully line it, like I have because I am eternally cold... or just use facings, which I will do in the spring. There is even a detachable hood, which is cut out but not sewn, please forgive me! I used a stretchy denim that I got from Joann's for my outer layer of my coat. My lining is a combination of a houndstooth woven that I fell in love with at Walmart and a plain black fleece for extra warmth.
Even at 6 feet tall, this coat fits me well and gives me enough room to be comfortable. And I love the professional look of it! People can't ever believe that I made my own coat. I love the little details like the welt pockets and the top stitching. And because I needed to pay a little homage to my favorite man, I hand embroidered my abstract version of Inigo Montoya's sword on my collar. I think I might not be getting worse at this embroidery thing! At least I had fun doing it.
After looking for my favorite brown boots, I discovered that I didn't have a shirt in my drawers that would look good with this ensemble. So back to Walmart I went to grab some chocolate brown knit and whipped up a Laundry Day Tee by Love Notions in under 20 minutes (not counting the trip to Walmart). I didn't even put a neckband on it. I am not modest so I simply folded the neckline over approximately .25" and used a zig zag stitch to secure it. I live in these shirts. I probably have one in every color you can think of. I graciously gave you the link to the facebook group where I "heard" there was a code to get the LDT pattern for free! Tell 'em I sent you!
Wow! I had so much fun with this! I can't wait to sew the show again! And you should sew the show too! And then head to the facebook group and show off your creations! But first click some of these links and see the other degrees of supreme talent and separation!
Wow, way to go. You've got skills girl! Love the touch of embroidery too.
WHAAAAAAT!? THAT ABSTRACT SWORD DESIGN IS AMAZING!
Beautiful coat! I LOVE it! It looks so well made!
Christmas Fun With A Vision To Remember!


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Ceilings, Walls & Tiles
Doors, Windows & Shutters
Exterior Products & Landscaping Elements
Repair & Restoration Products
Gardens & Exteriors
Bathroom Furnishings & Fixtures
Kitchen Furnishings & Appliances
Get Your Company Listed
Period Homes
Arts & Crafts Homes
Log Home Living
Timber Home Living
Old House Styles
The Story on Sears Houses
For more than 30 years, the Chicago-based retailer was the king of catalog Sears houses.
James C. Massey & Shirley Maxwell
Featured in catalogs from 1912 to 1929, the Westly was one of Sears' most popular designs. It still shines in countless towns across the country by the hundreds, if not thousands.
Remember Frank W. Kushel? No? Well, you're not alone. And more's the pity, we might add, for the uncelebrated Mr. Kushel may have had as much impact on American housing as his famous contemporary, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Kushel wasn't an architect. He was a merchandising genius credited with inventing Sears, Roebuck and Company's Modern Homes program, which provided well designed, well constructed, economical shelter for perhaps 75,000 American families between 1908 and 1940. Today, buyers are still snapping up vintage Sears houses just as eagerly as they did 80 years ago.
Kushel was managing Sears's china department in 1906 when he was given the dismal task of overseeing the dismantling of the catalog company's unwieldy, money-losing building materials department. Sales were down, and there was too much inventory sitting in expensive warehouses. It seemed time to unload the lot.
Then, hmmm . . . Kushel had an idea. He was convinced that the building supplies could be sold at a profit if storage could be centralized and the goods distributed more rationally—and if there was a little extra incentive for buying them. Instead of abandoning the sale of millwork and other building parts, why not change the way these goods were sold? What if customers could pick a plan for their dream house from a Sears catalog? Then, instead of selling building materials in random bits and pieces, Sears could market them in a coordinated package—one containing exactly what was needed to build a particular house and shipped directly to the railroad station nearest the building site. One order could include everything—nails and screws, paint and roof shingles, windows and doors, woodwork, staircases, and mantelpieces.
Perennial bestsellers were suburbanized versions of the center-hall Colonial house, replete with full-width dormers and suitably early American names, such as the Puritan and the Martha Washington (shown here). (Photo: James C. Massey)
Of course, since Sears's big general merchandise catalogs were already selling everything needed to furnish a house—from beds and chairs to toilets, sinks, and kitchen ranges—the sales of all these items would increase, too!
Kushel's boss, Richard Sears—himself no slouch at merchandising—recognized the plan's potential immediately and so did the buying public. Sears's reputation for quality, low prices, and reliability, carefully nurtured since the company's founding in 1886, was like money in the bank for its customers. The company's first 44-page Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans, issued in 1908, brought an immediate and enthusiastic response.
Kushel wasn't the only or even the first person to come up with a scheme to sell houses by catalog and ship them by rail. In 1906 the North American Construction Company (soon to become known as the makers of "Aladdin Houses" and "Readi-Cuts") of Bay City, Michigan, had begun selling rail-shipped pre-cut buildings—small cottages, garages, and boathouses—out of a mail-order plan book. It wasn't until about 1911 that Sears included framing lumber in its package, and the company didn't begin to offer pre-cut and factory-fitted lumber until 1914. Before then, the lumber still had to be cut to fit at the building site. Montgomery Ward, Sears's foremost catalog competitor in general merchandise, was even slower to jump on the bandwagon, waiting until 1910 to sell house plans from a catalog and 1918 for ready-cut houses. Sears and its competitors all depended on rail service, which by the early 20th century covered most of the continent, and regional lumber mills where the wood could be centrally processed.
This early Sears house in Williamsburg, Virginia, not only predates the catalog name system, but also still carries many vestiges of the Victorian era, from bay windows to "horseshoe" gable ornament. (Photo: James C. Massey)
In 1911, Sears added an irresistible new twist. The company decided not just to sell house-building packages, but to finance them as well. The nation's booming population was straining the seams of a tight housing market, yet the huge and fast-growing middle and working classes (many members of which were recent European immigrants) had been largely ignored by a conservative banking community. If Sears could offer reasonable interest rates and low down payments, the market seemed endless. Although the financing package initially included only building materials, it soon expanded to cover the building lot.
Not only were the terms easy—a down payment of 25 percent of the cost of house and lot, as little as 6 percent interest for 5 years, or a higher rate for up to 15 years—but the application form contained no questions about race, ethnicity, gender, or even finances. Thousands of formerly ineligible buyers were absorbed into the new-home market.
Catalogs by Category
Straightforward to build and practical to won, houses like the Woodland (1913 to 1933) appear in almost every catalog. (Photo: Charles Steck)
There is a tendency to think of the "Sears House" as a monolithic entity, but there were actually many different Sears catalogs that offered houses and auxiliary buildings, such as garages. Others continued to sell just lumber and building parts, which had been a Sears staple. Distinctions among the buildings offered, the quality of the materials, and the construction methods used can be confusing.
On one level was what Sears called a house kit. For these, Sears provided building plans and specifications, along with the lumber and any other materials needed. The shipment included everything from nails, screws, and paint to prebuilt building parts, such as staircases and dining nooks. It did not include masonry, such as bricks and cement blocks, which would be cheaper to procure locally than to send by rail. The lumber was cut to size at the building site before being assembled by a local builder.
Ready-Cut: The true Ready-Cut House package, first offered about 1914, included plans, specifications, and detailed assembly instructions, along with pre-cut and factory-fitted lumber and all other building materials except masonry. The lumber was stamped with the Sears name and numbered on the ends of the boards to correspond to numbers on the floor plans, so that mistakes in assembly were less likely—though far from impossible, as many extant Sears houses testify by their otherwise inexplicable deviations. Sears estimated that using their pre-cut and fitted lumber could save 40 percent on labor costs.
Staircases were often the visual centerpiece of the two-story models, and their design reflected the era in which the houses were constructed, varying from rectilinear Arts & Crafts in the 1910, such as in the Woodland (shown here), to Spanish and Old English in the 1920s to Colonial or Early American in the 1930s. (Photo: Charles Steck)
In theory, really handy homeowners could—and some did—put together their own Sears houses with only the aid of the instruction manual. More often, the actual construction was left to—or at least required considerable help from—a local builder. Over the 30-year lifespan of the Modern Homes program, the various service systems within the house—such as plumbing, electricity, and heating—became more complex, so that owners were more likely to call in trade specialists. At any rate, Sears always furnished estimates of the finished cost of the house, including labor (not part of the Sears package).
Honor Bilt: Among Ready-Cut Houses, the Honor Bilt line (apparently established about 1918) was the standard setter. Honor Bilts used high-quality materials and heavy framing. They had double floors (a subfloor and a 13/16" thick finish floor of maple or oak), oak wall paneling, doors, trim, and cabinets, three coats of exterior paint, and higher-grade hardware.
Sears encouraged Honor Bilt buyers to specify the more deluxe bathroom "outfits"—sets of tubs, sinks, and toilets—and kitchen sinks, all of which were optional and separately priced. Electrical systems, water heaters, and furnaces were also separate options. The Honor Bilts were generally larger, more elaborate houses than the ones that Sears called "Standard Builts."
This Arlington, Virginia, house is the Fullerton, which appeared from 1925 to 1933. (Photo: James C. Massey)
In a few cases, Honor Bilts were not pre-cut. Sears furnished wood lath for plaster walls, but not the plaster. Alternatively, customers could opt for "sheet plaster" (gypsum board, an early form of wallboard) at considerably greater expense. For roofing, they could choose between red cedar shingles or the costlier "Oriental Asphalt" shingles, which came with a 17-year guarantee.
Standard Builts: Less expensive than the Honor Bilt and of correspondingly lower quality was the Standard Built House (also known as Econo Bilt or Lighter-Built). The lightly framed Standard Builts were most often used for summer cottages, hunting cabins, and very small dwellings, and were generally recommended for warm-weather situations. Some designs were offered in both Honor Bilt and Standard Built versions. Sears advised potential buyers that, because the Standard Builts had only a single layer of flooring and the walls were not plastered, they were harder to heat than Honor Bilts. Nonetheless, these little light-weights sometimes turn up even today as year-round residences. They were usually not precut or fitted.
Simplex: The Simplex was a prefabricated, panelized, one-story building that could easily be taken apart. Demountable and portable, it was most often used for garages, summer cottages and cabins, and small, utilitarian buildings that the owner might wish to move from place to place. There are separate Simplex catalogs dating from as early as 1911.
Ever the savvy marketers, Sears debuted its long-running bungalow, the Avondale (1911 to 1922) with a promotional postcard and a model at the 1911 Illinois State Fair. (Photo: James C. Massey Archive)
What Styles When?
Modern Homes catalogs were issued most years (apparently sometimes twice a year) from 1908 until 1940, although there are a few years for which no catalogs are presently known. In the beginning, Modern Homes designs were assigned numbers rather than names, but soon titles—often suggesting a style provenance—began to accompany the attractive illustrations. Sears knew its audience well and its designs were those most popular at the time. The styles were deliberately conservative rather than innovative.
Beginning with a simplified Queen Anne, Modern Homes styles ranged from Arts & Crafts bungalows and Foursquares in the 1910s and '20s, through the various European revivals of vaguely French, English, and Spanish (usually Mission) styles in the 1920s, to the Colonial Revivals, Cape Cods, and Dutch Colonials found mostly in the 1920s and '30s.
Modern Homes catalogs often carried designs well past what is generally considered their peak years. Bungalows, for instance, were among the most frequently built of all of Sears house types (and along with the Colonial Revival and the Cape Cod cottage, the longest-lived), appearing in every catalog from 1908 onward. As late as 1939 the "Winona," which first appeared in 1916, is shown with another, rather stodgy five-room example, the "Plymouth," which first appeared in 1934.
Trolling for interest in International-style houses, Sears sneaked a truly modern home, the Bryant, into its 1938 and '39 catalogs. (Photo: James C. Massey Archive)
Although most designs were conservative, there were some large and elegant surprises. One of the most elaborate (described in the 1918 and 1921 catalogs as bearing "a close resemblance" to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Cambridge, Massachusetts, residence) is the three-story, eight-room neo-Georgian "Magnolia," with its two-story columned portico, porte-cochere, and sleeping porches. The "Aurora" and the "Carlton," both of which appear in 1918, are sophisticated Prairie School designs, and the flat-roofed "Bryant" is in the International style. The 1933 to 1939 catalogs feature several early split-levels, including the "Concord."
Sears's later catalogs included a number of Sears-built exhibition houses, including two reproductions of Mount Vernon (one for a 1931 exposition in Paris and one for a Washington Bicentennial celebration in Brooklyn); a reproduction of New York City's Federal Hall, the first capitol of the United States (also for the Washington Bicentennial); a "dream home" for Warner Brothers (erected in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); and a fully furnished model house exhibited at the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago.
Sears Houses Insider Information
Sears prided itself on offering floor plans that were both efficient and attractive, maximizing the usability of very limited space. The smaller houses sometimes combined living and dining rooms, while the smallest made do with a built-in eating nook or the kitchen table.
Inventory and assembly stamps and labels on the backs of woodwork or parts help pin down the provenance of a Sears house. (Photo: David Sharpe)
Most of the houses had two or three bedrooms, although some had four or even five. The majority had only one bathroom, and some, especially in the early 20th century, had none, since many rural and even some suburban areas lacked piped-in water and sewers or septic fields. By the 1930s, though, quite a few of the larger houses had two (or even two and a half bathrooms) or a full bath and a "powder room." Buyers had their choice of two different outfits, depending on their tastes and pocketbooks and on the requirements of the bathroom layout. Kitchen sinks were included in the specifications.
The Sears house was often equipped with the most sought after conveniences of its time, from built-in china cabinets, mirrored closet doors, dining nooks and kitchen cupboards, to built-in ironing boards, telephone niches, and medicine cabinets. Some of these amenities came as part of the package, while others were options.
Sears houses were often built in multiples, creating entire homogeneous neighborhoods. A number of these still exist, many in industrial towns. One of the best known Sears house locations is in Carlinville, Illinois, where Standard Oil of Indiana built a million-dollar development of 192 Honor Bilt houses for employees of Schoper coal mine (156 intended for miners and other workers, an additional 28 nearby and somewhat more deluxe meant for supervisors). The five- and six-room houses of what became known as the Standard Addition, which included many bungalows and Foursquares, cost roughly $3,600 to $4,600 and were regarded as unusually fine examples of worker housing.
Pocket-sized English cottages were a Sears staple in the 1930s. Like many, the Bellewood (1931) was rendered in wood. (Photo: James C. Massey)
On the other end of the socioeconomic scale are places like Cheverly, Maryland, or Crescent Hills in Hopewell, Virginia, both affluent neighborhoods of "strictly high-class [Sears] homes" built by private developers in the 1920s. (Hopewell also has a large group of Aladdin houses built during World War I for workers at the DuPont Corporation's gun-cotton factory there.)
The Modern Homes mortgage program peaked in the late 1920s but showed increasing signs of strain as the full effects of the Great Depression hit. Sears withdrew from the Modern Homes and mortgage loan market in 1934, but was selling houses again a year later, after the establishment of the Federal Housing Administration and its federally insured mortgages fueled a brief upsurge in the housing market. The Modern Homes program was finally defeated by tens of millions of dollars in mortgage defaults, as well as pre-World War II shortages of building materials. The last Modern Homes catalog was issued in 1940.
By the time the Modern Homes project folded for good, Sears houses were a staple of the American landscape. Frank Kushel continued to head the Modern Homes program until the end, by which time he was still hardly any better known than he had been in 1906. And Frank Lloyd Wright? Interestingly enough, Wright—who always had a strong interest in designing houses for Everyman—entered the pre-cut home market himself when he produced a number of designs for prefabricated houses, American System-Built Houses, for the Richards Company of Milwaukee between 1911 and 1916.
OHJ July/August 2002Old-House JournalJames C. Massey & Shirley MaxwellSears housesCatalog Houses
James C. Massey and Shirley Maxwell are the authors of House Styles in America : The Old-House Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes, Arts & Crafts and Gothic Revival.
Sears Catalog Homes: Cedars House Plan
Historic Neighborhoods
Sears Houses in Hopewell, Virginia
Kit Houses from Sears, Roebuck
A bungalow built from a pre-cut kit sold through a catalog.
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Meet Lennie, a seventeen-year-old geeky clarinet player, bookworm, and secret poet who would rather climb trees and read Wuthering Heights over and over again than make any attempt at flirting with boys. Lennie has always lived quietly and comfortably in the shadow of her older sister and best friend, Bailey. But when Bailey dies suddenly, Lennie's happy world quickly unravels. Left without a best friend to comfort her through this traumatic loss, Lennie seeks solace in Bailey's fiancé, Toby, whose bottomless grief parallels her own. Enter Joe, the heartthrob new boy and musician who sees in Lennie more than she has ever seen in herself. While Lennie is left to navigate the complications of being thrust into an abrupt love triangle, she is also left struggling "to fend off the oceanic sadness" of losing her sister. "It's such a colossal effort not be haunted by what's lost, but to be enchanted by what was." These words, I feel, encompass what it truly means to be left with an overwhelming void in one's life. Nelson's book is a touching portrait of anguish, anger, first love, and finding oneself amidst the chaotic backdrop of grief. Poignant, poetic, heartfelt, and funny, often in the same paragraph, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a deep, emotional rollercoaster of a novel.


text:
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Biotechnology and health sciences industry zones
Community integrated service networks
Cooperative associations
Farmers mutual fire insurance companies
Foreign corporations
Health maintenance organizations
Income and franchise taxes
International economic development zone
Job opportunity building zones (jobz)
Mutual insurance companies
Net operating losses
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Regulated investment companies
Township mutual companies
2019 Subd. 2 Amended 2019 c 6 art 1 s 52
2018 Subd. 4 Amended 2018 c 182 art 1 s 76
2013 Subd. 7 Repealed 2013 c 143 art 6 s 34
2010 Subd. 3a Amended 2010 c 382 s 60
2008 Subd. 3 Amended 2008 c 154 art 11 s 17
2005 Subd. 3 Amended 2005 c 3 art 10 s 9
2003 Subd. 3 Amended 2003 c 21 art 2 s 6
2003 Subd. 3 Amended 2003 c 21 art 1 s 10
2002 Subd. 2 Amended 2002 c 377 art 1 s 3
2002 Subd. 5 Repealed 2002 c 377 art 10 s 32
1998 Subd. 3a Amended 1998 c 389 art 7 s 8
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
290.0921 CORPORATE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX AFTER 1989.
Subdivision 1.Tax imposed.
In addition to the taxes computed under this chapter without regard to this section, the franchise tax imposed on corporations includes a tax equal to the excess, if any, for the taxable year of:
(1) 5.8 percent of Minnesota alternative minimum taxable income; over
(2) the tax imposed under section 290.06, subdivision 1, without regard to this section.
Subd. 2.Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(b) "Alternative minimum taxable net income" is alternative minimum taxable income,
(1) less the exemption amount, and
(2) apportioned or allocated to Minnesota under section 290.17, 290.191, or 290.20.
(c) The "exemption amount" is $40,000, reduced, but not below zero, by 25 percent of the excess of alternative minimum taxable income over $150,000.
(d) "Minnesota alternative minimum taxable income" is alternative minimum taxable net income, less the deductions for alternative tax net operating loss under subdivision 4; and dividends received under subdivision 6. The sum of the deductions under this paragraph may not exceed 90 percent of alternative minimum taxable net income. This limitation does not apply to:
(1) a deduction for dividends paid to or received from a corporation which is subject to tax under section 290.36 and which is a member of an affiliated group of corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code; or
(2) a deduction for dividends received from a property and casualty insurer as defined under section 60A.60, subdivision 8, which is a member of an affiliated group of corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code and either: (i) the dividend is eliminated in consolidation under Treasury Regulation 1.1502-14(a), as amended through December 31, 1989; or (ii) the dividend is deducted under an election under section 243(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Subd. 3. Alternative minimum taxable income.
"Alternative minimum taxable income" is Minnesota net income as defined in section 290.01, subdivision 19, and includes the adjustments and tax preference items in sections 56, 57, 58, and 59(d), (e), (f), and (h) of the Internal Revenue Code. If a corporation files a separate company Minnesota tax return, the minimum tax must be computed on a separate company basis. If a corporation is part of a tax group filing a unitary return, the minimum tax must be computed on a unitary basis. The following adjustments must be made.
(1) For purposes of the depreciation adjustments under section 56(a)(1) and 56(g)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, the basis for depreciable property placed in service in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 1990, is the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, including any modification made in a taxable year under section 290.01, subdivision 19e, or Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 290.09, subdivision 7, paragraph (c).
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, the amount of any remaining modification made under section 290.01, subdivision 19e, or Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 290.09, subdivision 7, paragraph (c), not previously deducted is a depreciation allowance in the first taxable year after December 31, 2000.
(2) The portion of the depreciation deduction allowed for federal income tax purposes under section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that is required as an addition under section 290.01, subdivision 19c, clause (15), is disallowed in determining alternative minimum taxable income.
(3) The subtraction for depreciation allowed under section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (18), is allowed as a depreciation deduction in determining alternative minimum taxable income.
(4) The alternative tax net operating loss deduction under sections 56(a)(4) and 56(d) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply.
(5) The special rule for certain dividends under section 56(g)(4)(C)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply.
(6) The special rule for dividends from section 936 companies under section 56(g)(4)(C)(iii) does not apply.
(7) The tax preference for depletion under section 57(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply.
(8) The tax preference for intangible drilling costs under section 57(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code must be calculated without regard to subparagraph (E) and the subtraction under section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (4).
(9) The tax preference for tax exempt interest under section 57(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply.
(10) The tax preference for charitable contributions of appreciated property under section 57(a)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply.
(11) For purposes of calculating the tax preference for accelerated depreciation or amortization on certain property placed in service before January 1, 1987, under section 57(a)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, the deduction allowable for the taxable year is the deduction allowed under section 290.01, subdivision 19e.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, the amount of any remaining modification made under section 290.01, subdivision 19e, not previously deducted is a depreciation or amortization allowance in the first taxable year after December 31, 2004.
(12) For purposes of calculating the adjustment for adjusted current earnings in section 56(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, the term "alternative minimum taxable income" as it is used in section 56(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, means alternative minimum taxable income as defined in this subdivision, determined without regard to the adjustment for adjusted current earnings in section 56(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(13) For purposes of determining the amount of adjusted current earnings under section 56(g)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, no adjustment shall be made under section 56(g)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to (i) the amount of foreign dividend gross-up subtracted as provided in section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (1), (ii) the amount of refunds of income, excise, or franchise taxes subtracted as provided in section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (9), or (iii) the amount of royalties, fees or other like income subtracted as provided in section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (10).
(14) Alternative minimum taxable income excludes the income from operating in a job opportunity building zone as provided under section 469.317.
(15) Alternative minimum taxable income excludes the income from operating in a biotechnology and health sciences industry zone as provided under section 469.337.
(16) Alternative minimum taxable income excludes the income from operating in an international economic development zone as provided under section 469.326.
Items of tax preference must not be reduced below zero as a result of the modifications in this subdivision.
Subd. 3a.Exemptions.
The following entities are exempt from the tax imposed by this section:
(1) cooperatives taxable under subchapter T of the Internal Revenue Code or organized under chapter 308 or a similar law of another state;
(2) corporations subject to tax under section 60A.15, subdivision 1;
(3) real estate investment trusts;
(4) regulated investment companies or a fund thereof;
(5) entities having a valid election in effect under section 860D(b) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(6) small corporations exempt from the federal alternative minimum tax under section 55(e) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Subd. 4.Alternative tax net operating loss.
(a) An alternative tax net operating loss deduction is allowed from alternative minimum taxable net income equal to the net operating loss deduction allowable for the taxable year under section 290.095 with the following modifications:
(1) The amount of the net operating loss deduction must not exceed 90 percent of alternative minimum taxable net income.
(2) In determining the amount of the net operating loss deduction (i) the net operating loss under section 290.095 must be adjusted as provided in paragraph (b), and (ii) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1989, section 290.095, subdivision 3, must be applied by substituting "90 percent of alternative minimum taxable net income" for "taxable net income."
(b) The following adjustments must be made to the alternative tax net operating loss deduction under paragraph (a):
(1) For a loss year beginning after December 31, 1989, the net operating loss for each year under section 290.095 must be (i) determined with the adjustments provided in sections 56 and 58 of the Internal Revenue Code, as modified by subdivision 3 and (ii) reduced by the items of tax preference for the year determined under section 57 of the Internal Revenue Code, as modified by subdivision 3.
(2) For a loss year beginning before January 1, 1990, the amount of the net operating loss that may be carried over to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1989, equals the amount which may be carried from the loss year to the first taxable year of the taxpayer beginning after December 31, 1989.
Subd. 5.
[Repealed, 2002 c 377 art 10 s 32]
Subd. 6.Dividends received.
(a) A deduction is allowed from alternative minimum taxable net income equal to the deduction for dividends received under section 290.21, subdivision 4, for purposes of calculating taxable income under section 290.01, subdivision 29.
(b) The amount of the deduction must not exceed 90 percent of alternative minimum taxable net income.
This limitation does not apply to:
(1) dividends paid to or received from a corporation which is subject to tax under section 290.36 and which is a member of an affiliated group of corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code; or
(2) dividends received from a property and casualty insurer as defined under section 60A.60, subdivision 8, which is a member of an affiliated group of corporations as defined by the Internal Revenue Code and either: (i) the dividend is eliminated in consolidation under Treasury Regulation 1.1502-14(a), as amended through December 31, 1989; or (ii) the dividend is deducted under an election under section 243(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Subd. 7.Foreign operating companies.
The income and deductions related to foreign operating companies, as defined in section 290.01, subdivision 6b, that are used to calculate Minnesota alternative minimum taxable income, are limited to the amounts included for purposes of calculating taxable income under section 290.01, subdivision 29.
Subd. 8.Carryover credit.
(a) A corporation is allowed a credit against qualified regular tax for qualified alternative minimum tax previously paid. The credit is allowable only if the corporation has no tax liability under this section for the taxable year and if the corporation has an alternative minimum tax credit carryover from a previous year. The credit allowable in a taxable year equals the lesser of
(1) the excess of the qualified regular tax for the taxable year over the amount computed under subdivision 1, clause (1), for the taxable year or
(2) the carryover credit to the taxable year.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the meanings given.
(1) "Qualified alternative minimum tax" equals the amount determined under subdivision 1 for the taxable year.
(2) "Qualified regular tax" means the tax imposed under section 290.06, subdivision 1.
(c) The qualified alternative minimum tax for a taxable year is an alternative minimum tax credit carryover to each of the taxable years succeeding the taxable year. The entire amount of the credit must be carried to the earliest taxable year to which the amount may be carried. Any unused portion of the credit must be carried to the following taxable year. No credit may be carried to a taxable year in which alternative minimum tax was paid.
(d) An acquiring corporation may carry over this credit from a transferor or distributor corporation in a corporate acquisition. The provisions of section 381 of the Internal Revenue Code apply in determining the amount of the carryover, if any.
1Sp1989 c 1 art 10 s 22; 1990 c 604 art 2 s 8-11,16; 1991 c 291 art 6 s 46; art 7 s 14; 1992 c 511 art 6 s 19; art 7 s 17; 1993 c 375 art 8 s 12,14; 1994 c 587 art 1 s 19,24; 1998 c 389 art 7 s 8; 1999 c 243 art 2 s 19; 1Sp2001 c 5 art 7 s 42; art 9 s 14-16; 2002 c 377 art 1 s 3,4; art 2 s 11; art 10 s 14; 1Sp2003 c 21 art 1 s 10; art 2 s 6; 1Sp2005 c 3 art 10 s 9; 2008 c 154 art 11 s 17; 2008 c 277 art 1 s 63
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text:
Q: LiveData returns null value even though it contains a value I have the following code:
class AddViewModel(application: Application) : AndroidViewModel(application) {

val readAllData: LiveData<List<DutyDay>>

private val repository: DutyDayRepository

init {
    val dutyDayDao = DutyDayDatabase.getDatabase(
        application
    ).dutyDayDao()

    repository = DutyDayRepository(dutyDayDao)
    readAllData = repository.readAllData

    val date = readAllData.value?.get(1)?.date
}

As you can see, readAllData is a LiveData List of type dutyDay.
I'm fetching the data from Room Database, and this DB is not empty, I use it in my recyclerView, all works fine.
But when I try to retrieve the date from my dutyDay object in index 1 of my readAllData List (last line in the code example), that variable contains null when debuging, whereas it is clearly not null in the database and as shown in the recyclerView? (not visible in the example)...
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for your help :-)

A: Because LiveData is a life cycle aware component, it won't load any data until it has something observing it
So when its being loaded into your recyclerView, you would have observed/subscribed to it, so once the database has the value it would update the livedata and you would receive the value in the get() call as well
But what is happening here is your get() call is looking for the last value of your livedata object, which, due to not being observed, is null

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
require 'securerandom'

module CCCB::Core::Choice
  extend Module::Requirements

  needs :help

  def module_load
    #@doc
    # Ask the bot to choose something for you. The question is split on commas or 'or' and must end in a '?'
    # e.g.: "!choose this or that?", "!choose work, procrastinate, kill zombies?"
    add_command :choice, "choose" do |message, args|
      choices = args.join(' ').split( /(?:\s+(?:\s*(?:x?or(?=\W))\s*)+\s*|,)+\s*/ )

      if message.user.get_setting("options", "tease_me")
        frequency = message.user.get_setting("options","tease_frequency") || 0.1
        if rand <= frequency.to_f
          message.reply "Whichever one makes you happy, okay?!"
          next
        end
      end

      message.reply( choices[ SecureRandom.random_number( choices.length ) ] )
    end

  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub